Hudson Valley Etsy (New York)

Monday, March 7, 2011

Celebrate St Patrick's Day

St. Patrick's day is almost here. Along with the parades and green beer are some beautiful Green and Irish inspired pieces from the HVNY team.
Combine them with some fun facts about St. Patrick's day and your off to a festive holiday!

St. Patrick:

St. Patrick was actually Scottish and was said to be either born in Scotland or Wales
His name wasn’t even Patrick. His birth name is actually Maewyn Succat.
Saint Patrick didn’t wear green vestments but BLUE
St. Patrick myth is the claim that he banished snakes from Ireland and there are NO snakes that exist on the island today.
St. Patrick was a guy known to get his drink on! After chastising an innkeeper who served a short measure of whiskey he said that everyone should “Have a drop of the hard stuff” on feast day.

Fun St. Patrick Day facts -

Green, in Irish legends, was worn by fairies and immortals, and also by people to encourage their crops to grow.
Legend says that each leaf of the clover means something: the first is for hope, the second for faith, the third for love and the fourth for luck.
Green, in Irish legends, was worn by fairies and immortals, and also by people to encourage their crops to grow. One of the Irish traditions is to pinch anyone who is not wearing green on St. Patrick's Day.
In the custom known as “drowning the shamrock”, the shamrock that has been worn on a lapel or hat is put in the last drink of the evening. The Irish believe that if you keep the custom, then you will have a prosperous year.
36 million U.S. residents claimed Irish ancestry, more than eight times the 4 million-plus population of Ireland itself.

St. Patrick's Day around the world:

Dublin has a parade that attracts hundreds of thousands of people
Chicago the river is dyed green for a few hours.
The biggest parade is normally held in New York
Thee largest celebration in the southern hemisphere is in Sydney, Australia.

So tilt your glass of Irish whiskey or Guinness:
“May your glass be ever full.
May the roof over your head be always strong.
And may you be in heaven half an hour before the devil knows you're dead.”

Friday, March 4, 2011

Where to find us this weekend!

This weekend look for fabulous natural handmade bath and body goodies from Beyond the Picket Fence at the Cold Spring Farmer's Market. http://www.csfarmmarket.org/wp/

Pottery Class

In honor of March being National Craft Month, why not learn a new skill?

Virginia from Ceruleanblue will be teaching a pottery class which starts Wednesday, April 13th at the Garrison Art Center. The session runs for 8 weeks, and the fee is $260/ plus clay and firing. Each session runs from 6:30-9:30. Tuition includes one extra practice session. If you or anyone you know is interested, please convo. me directly with any questions. My class is open to all levels.

Virginia has taught in Garrison for the last 4 years, and previously taught at the YWCA and other places in Manahattan.

Thursday, March 3, 2011

Member Spotlight - Janum

This week you get to meet Majd Jauhary-Nayfeh from the delightful children's clothing shop Janum. Born in Jordan, she currently lives LaGrange, NY

What is your professional background?
I am a nutritionist. I worked as a nutritionist in a hospital then as a research assistant at Harvard University. I went to NYU to get a Masters degree, I have a few credits left to finish.

What led you to your current craft?
My kids. I love making things for them. I first started with hair accessories (previously Princess BowBow), I then ventured into clothing and changed my business name to Janum.

How do you feed your creativity?
I am always looking for color combinations and ideas, always surfing the net. If I like something (not necessarily clothing) I think about why do I like it, is it the color combination or the material choices...etc

How do you work deal with a creative block?
I try to take some time out. Relax and do something other than sewing. This usually jogs my inspirations. I then go and check my journal where I periodically sketch some new designs and write down some new fabric combination I would like to use.

Describe your work area

I have a small room off of our family room, it is ideal since the kids can be playing and I can work in my own space yet be very close to them.

Favorite time of day to work?
Mornings, I am a morning person. I like to start working after the kids are off to school and I have tidied up the house.

How did you end up on Etsy?
With my first business I was on Ebay until they changed many of their rules and it became very hard for a crafter to sell there. When I started getting ready to open Janum I decided that Etsy is the best fit for my type of work.

Other than your supplies & materials, what do you want with you on a stranded island?
My kids and husband ..oh and chocolate !!

Words of wisdom for aspiring artists?
QUALITY...seriously, quality is what keeps your customers coming back and bring you more customers. Pictures are very important as well, you want to make sure your items are very well represented. Whenever I make or design something I ask myself this question: Would I buy it? It has to be something unique, affordable, beautiful and very well made.