Out of my Studio: Celebrating Karmabee

Karen Berelowitz in her Karmabee Store in Kingston NY

I wanted to write this blog post to celebrate Karen Berelowitz of Karmabee and to congratulate her on her amazing 4 years of business in her bricks and mortar store on the Strand in Kingston.

Karen has decided to close her well loved store for the time being but is set to continue being a fixture at local farmers markets, craft fairs and of course online.

The store opened its doors in 2011 and was one of the first to capitalize on the renewal of the area which today sees many visitors to the historic waterfront site and to the new stores, cafes and restaurants  that have since opened.

 

Karmabee Store

In her time on the Strand Karen has been instrumental in local community events including the monthly night markets, events such as Sinterklaas, Hooley on the Hudson, the Shamrock Run and many more. She also joined Re>Think Local and regularly contributed to small business shopping events.

 

 

 

The store not only sold Karmabees distinctive range of hand screen printed t-shirts, onesies and cards but Karen also championed local craft makers including many from the Hudson Valley Etsy Team. Thanks to Karen many of us have been able to count on regular sales from Karmabee and we have also benefitted from having a local store that we can send our customers to.

Personally I have really enjoyed popping into Karmabee every couple of months to bring in new stock and  to chat with Karen about what we have both been making and craft fairs we are doing. Working on a small craft business from home can be quite a lonely pursuit and having people like Karen to touch base with once in a while was such a blessing.

 

Gorgeous Karmabee themed cake at the store closing party

I hope everyone is together with me in wishing Karen  every success in her future endeavors. We are excited to see what plans she has in store for Karmabee.

In the mean time Karmabee can still be found on Etsy and Amazon and in the warmer months she will be returning to the uptown Kingston Farmers Markets.

 



Look out for Karmabee at local farmers markets and craft fairs

 

Good Luck Karen and Good Making!

 

Sarah

So Handmade

Meet Our New Members: The Summer Edition!

As the days start to lengthen and Summer starts to wane, we get new members!  Please join me in welcoming the newest members of the Hudson Valley Etsy team, they've got some great stuff that I'm sure you'll like.

Graceful Feather Watercolor in a Vintage Wood and Gold Frame by KatieGroveStudios

First off is KatieGroveStudios by none other then Katie Grove of Rosendale, NY,  Her artwork is full of feathers and a few other bird related items, such as nests.  Each is displayed is a gorgeous hand picked frame, all vintage or antique.  The feathers are so soft and lovely! She'll also paint a feather you have if you'd like - maybe you have one from a special trip of hike?  Welcome to the team!

Faceted Ruby Quartz, Dumortierite, Kyanite Sterling Silver Necklace by OmiSilver

OmiSilver is brought to us by Mary Rembach of Hudson, NY.  Her shop is full of some yummy jewelry often made with stones and silver, and some lovely linked pieces using silver and/or cooper rings.  Her work was recently at the Emmys! You just have to check out her work! Nice to meet you.

Rabbit Necklace, Sterling Silver by Hoshika

We wrap up this set with Hoshika of Marbletown, NY, but you don't have to have lost your marbles to enjoy this work! Her jewelry is reminiscent of hand cut silhouettes, and often features soft edges and sweet animals. Other pieces feature geometric designs, but retain a certain fluidity that I really like.  Glad to have you here!

Well that's all I've got for you now, but what a great group it is! I can't wait to see what new shops will find their way here to join us next season. And remember shop local! That way you support your neighbors and our community.

Enjoy!

Amber

Pathmakers: Women in Art, Craft, and Design Midcentury and Today

I made my first trip to the Museum of Art and Design near Columbus Circle in Manhattan to see Pathmakers: Women in Art, Craft, and Design, Midcentury and Today (through September 30th). As I walked the small exhibit, I tried to take some photos of works that I thought would be inspiring to other Hudson Valley Etsians.

The first work that struck me was the Belly Button Divider by Eva Zeisel. I didn't really make the connection until I read the title, but I love the colors and the sense of humor in the piece. She calls herself "a maker of things" because innovation is not a part of her work though I wonder if many would disagree. 

Belly Button Screen, Eva Zeisel

Belly Button divider on permanent display at the Standard in Hollywood

Another ceramic work that I thought was really cool was the piece below by Rut Bryk, a designer of ceramic tiles and objects for Arabia . The abstract modular piece below was inspired by the folk art of India and Southeastern Europe. The show is very tactile so don't be surprised if you feel like reaching out and touching the pieces. 

Rut Bryk

As a pattern maker, I really loved the two examples from Vuokko Eskolin-Nurmesniemi. She worked for Marimekko and then for her own company, Vuokko Oy until 1988. She started another company, Vuokko Nurmesniemi Oy which she still runs today. She is a pattern trailblazer inspired by nature.

This knitted piece by Mary Walker Phillips blew me away. Walker Philips cut her teeth as a weaver for Frank Lloyd Wright and Dorothy Liebes but in 1960 started to focus on experimental textiles and knitting. Wow! This is such an amazing piece. I love the delicate stiffness of the string.

Habu Textiles  comes to mind for materials for your next experimental knitting project.

These are two beauties by Lenore Tawney. So light but so powerful:

ink on paper

linen thread woven form

Lenore Tawney, (1907-2007)

 Michelle Grabner's paper weavings also inspired me. It is amazing what happens when artists co-opt their kids crafts with better materials and more experience.

Michelle Grabner, Paper Weaving

So the next time you are in Manhattan, add the Museum of Art and Design to your roster. In addition to the galleries, they have a gift shop featuring local and national makers and offer programs for artists, designers, crafters. See the schedule here.

Susan - Lunule.etsy.com

Meet our new members! Spring part 1

Well it feels like we skipped right over spring and went into summer, but still I have some great new members to show you now that it's just getting hot.  There were so many great shops this time around, I had to split it up into two parts, so keep an eye out for the next installment!  As always, please stop by our awesome new members' shops, say hello, and maybe pickup something great to treat yourself - or someone else - while you're at it.

Tooth Fairy Pillow by RightHem

 First off is Right Hemisphere by Patrice, who does her work in Peekskill, New York.  Most of her creations are unique and fun soft creations like pillows and super cool tooth fairy pillows, but she has some cards and wood-burned door pulls, too.  You should really check out the tooth fairy pillows. They're awesome!  Happy to have you on the team.

3 Hand Cut Custom Silhouette Portraits - each 4" × 6" by SilhouettesbyElle

Silhouettes by Elle does her creating in Croton-on-Hudson in NY.  Her shop is full of awesome hand-cut silhouette artworks, many of which are custom made to be whoever it is you want silhouetted, including pets, kids, and wedding memories!  I'm a huge fan of silhouettes, especially on jewelry, and look! She has those too!  I'm a fan, glad to have you.

Organic Moroccan Mint Full Leaf 8 Tea Bags Pack by BeauTeaStudio

If I said I was a fan of silhouettes, I'm a super fan of tea!  And if you're the same check out BeauTeaStudio run by Jules and Olya in Montgomery, NY.  Their shop is full of delicious looking teas along with tea goods like infusers, tea cups, and bath and body products.  Earl Grey lip-balm anyone?   Welcome to the team!

Mira's Naturals 2oz. Sanitizing Spray by MirasNaturals

Meghann Reimondo of MirasNaturals mixes up her creations in Woodstock, NY.   She fills her shop with wonderful bath, body, and home goods many of which are made of bee products!  She even has some unique goods like her sanitizing spray which comes in a bottle with a bee on it that I just love, and even deodorant.  I wish I could smell her home after she's done creating.  Hope you like it here!

Just a note - notebook by pveshop 

pve design does their art in Ardsley, NY.  This shop is full of lovely watercolor and ink illustrations both as originals and prints.  You can also get custom pieces made of your home or business.  I personally love working in watercolors, and these ones have some great colors and styles that I just adore!  I wish I had a house to get an illustration of.  Thanks for joining us.

There's more where that came from! Check back later to see 5 more new member shops that also have wonderful creations of their own. I can't wait to share them with you.

Enjoy,
Amber

Ephemera: Something Meant to be Discarded

I am intrigued by the old, the 'antique', the cast away. 

Items that show the signs of use, whether gently or greatly.

Lately it's been paper ephemera and old worn out books.

I have been using bits and fragments of these in my art.

My collection keeps growing,

an autograph book belonging to 8th grade Anna. Page after page

of little ditties that for her were a sweet memory of school friends.

Well worn readers, spelling and astronomy books. I imagine them being used year after year.

Chemistry notes from 1941...

and my prized possession  a ledger book from the 1800's.

I love to bring these items out to use in ways that never would have been imagined when they were first used.

In my curiosity boxes I try to present these lost bits and fragments of life in an artful way.

Here my newly created fabric bird, is living with pages from old books, 

game pieces, old stamps and nature items, in a box made from a found drawer.

Recycled, up-cycled, re-purposed.

Hopefully not to be discarded too soon!

Sue DiGilio

DiGilio Designs

A Visit to the Country Living Fair

Textiles and sundry goods

Last month in the beautiful weather,  I took the opportunity to trek up to Rhinebeck N.Y. to check out the Country Living Fair. Sponsored by the very popular Country Living Magazine, this is their second year in Rhinebeck. The fair travels to many other venues, but this one was the closest for me. The three day fair dominated the whole Dutchess County Fairgrounds site. It was huge! I usually attend the NY Sheep and Wool Festival at the fairgrounds, so I was familiar with the location, but I was a bit unprepared for the enormity of it. Most of the buildings that house the animals for the Sheep and Wool, were chock full of vendors this time.




The fair features not only handmade crafts, but also a very sizable collection of vintage goods, so there is a lot to discover for all interests.  As I browsed around, I found some dubious handmade and/or "vintage goods amongst the "real stuff." You really have to be aware of what you're buying and check things out well. Some people didn't seem to care; they just wanted something/anything, to take home from the fair. Many items seemed overpriced and I was pretty taken aback when I saw vintage buttons for $8 and up a piece. Some buttons on cards were as much as $50! Guess I'd better go back through my stash and re-evaluate what I have.

Old mailboxes and curiosities from a Kingston NY store

Vintage "junque"

The main reason for my trip was to visit my friend and fellow HV Etsy teammate, Sue from Digilio Designs. This was Sue's second year at the fair, and it's a real feather in her cap to be chosen again. Sue's work is perfect for this fair, and she was busy and pleased with the pace of business when I found her booth.  The fair lasts for three days, the booth fees are pretty steep, and it gets pretty tiring for the vendors, so I was happy, but not surprised, that she was doing well. I am very biased, but I think Sue had some of the best work there.

Sue Digilio enjoying a quite moment during the busy day.

Some of Digilio Design's handmade soft sculpture dolls

After chatting with Sue, I browsed around for hours, had a bite to eat and headed home. My only purchase was two lovely framed silhouettes of dogs: one of a Mini-schnauzer, and one of a West Highland Terrier from With Heart and Hand, Wendy Schultz Wubbles, Silhouettes and Scherenschnitte.  . The skill involved in her work is amazing, and I love the faux wood grain frames and the hand painted backgrounds in each piece. What can I say, I'm a sucker for my dogs!  Wendy's work makes an attractive addition to my home that brings me pleasure every day, and knowing that Sue was so successful warms my heart.

With Heart and Hand's collection of silhouettes

Just one of a collection of vintage trailers at the entrance to the fair. Fun!

Old trailer with an eclectic assortment for sale

Kathryn - Huzzah! Handmade

Embroidered Temari Spheres Collection

Have you seen these amazing images of a collection of Embroidered Temari Spheres? My embroidery is very amateur at best but the detail and technique applied by this 88 year old grandmother is absolutely stunning! Here's a small sample...

You can learn more about Temari Balls and this particular collection by visiting Colossal Visual & Art Culture.

Where To Find The Hudson Valley Etsy Team This Weekend

This week we have a special treat for you, our very own Amber Hawkinson, also known as Amber H Lynn is having a solo art show called Is It You Or Is It Me at the Art Riot at 36 John Street in Kingston, NY. The opening is this Saturday, July 6, from 5 to 8PM.
The main gallery will feature her recent forays into figure drawing, including her figurative finger-painting series as well as several illustrations focusing on color, the female form, and the emotions they can invoke. The hallway will display some of her previous illustrations, and a large collection of ACEOs (2.5x3.5 original artworks) that will be available on a “pay what you want” basis. 

Amber Hawkinson

Need some extra pieces for your pottery collection? Cerulean Blue will be selling her pieces at the Beacon Farmers' Market at the Long Dock Park in Beacon, NY, on Sunday, July 7 from 11AM-3PM.

Cerulean Blue

Happy shopping!

DIY: Matting & Framing Art

DIY: Matting & Framing My Fantasy Art

Part 3

Tools and Materials

DIY metal frame 

Picture hanging wire (any wire will do, even tough string)

screwdriver

duster

matted artwork

plexiglass

wire cutter

Plexiglass

This is the final part of the tutorial.  Previously I had completed the matting of the art, and now I assemble the frame and put the artwork in it.  I buy my frames from American Frame, Graphic Dimensions, and sometimes from the art suppliers like Dick Blick, Pearl Paint, or AI Friedman.  I like American Frame because most of the time I'm framing artwork for conventions and I expect the art will do some traveling before it sells, so I prefer metal frames for toughness. I use plexiglass, which American Frame will cut for you as well, instead of glass because it is much lighter, and may crack but not shatter as glass will.  I like color in my mats but a clean, austere look in my frames.  

I assemble the frame as per the instructions, leaving the top open for insertion of the art.

I insert the corners at the top and the piece for hanging wire about 5" down.

I dust off the top of the matted artwork so there is no lint.  The plexiglass comes with sticky paper on both sides. I peel off one side and place it quickly on the matted art so there is minimal chance of getting dust on that side.  Then I peel off the other side, revealing the artwork.  I scan for lint and specks.  If I find anything, I carefully lift the plexiglass and use a bit of masking tape on a finger to trap the lint and remove it.

 Now I'm ready to slip the matted artwork and plexiglass in together into the 3 sided frame.

And slip in the final top side of the frame.

I turn the whole piece over and screw the sections in tight.

I don't know the technical name for these curvy things, but they apply pressure between the frame and the backing board to keep the art in place.  Slip them in along the edges, about 4 or 5 to a side.

They don't fit in all the way, and they occasionally pot out, but they do the job.

 Cut a length of wire about 4" longer than the width of the frame and put them through the holes of the frame's wire hangers.  Wrap the ends around the wire.

Finished and ready for show!

Jody

www.astudiobythesea.com

www.jodylee.org