I went to the Crafty SuperMarket to explore indie design and craft. It was a wonderful adventure and I met many of the artists. I don't have any photos of the incredible booths but I can show a few tiny treasures that followed me home.
I had seen Says You products on the web and really did not understand the attraction. This is one product line that has to be seen in person. A simple creative idea done well! The "K" badge holder is for my sister. The other initials are for me. I enjoyed meeting the husband and wife duo at this booth and look forward to seeing them again at the holiday show.
This darling little pin caught my eye but the the handmade paper bags sold me on Off the Beaten Path. They also had great eyeglass cases silkscreened with eyeglass icons. More simple ideas well executed.
There were many other booths that were amazing. MorningLori makes incredible creatures from her imagination that make me want to know the artist. Just a touch of the macabre makes these critters truly unique. There were some fabulous jewelry artists using repurposed found items. One booth had antique flour sack handbags that were meticulously crafted. As a bag maker I really do not need another bag but these were tempting. Very tempting. I-am-kicking-myself-for-not-buying-one tempting.
Indie artists are endangered species. The best of their original ideas are stolen and recreated for commercial distribution. After Crafty SuperMarket, I headed to Joseph-Beth for the new issue of Stitch and I wandered about the gift items. I saw Ugly Dolls, now mass produced, that had been shown at independent art fairs a few years ago. Pottery and paper crafts are also cloned for mass distribution.
However, Indie art never really dies. In the late sixties I was selling self-designed crocheted bags. In the early seventies, my dormmates and I were handstitching carrot veggie pins and crocheting watchbands from silk thread. We made jewelry and windchimes from found items. Now, my college roommate sews messenger bags from imported woven rugs and I crochet flower pins and stitch handcrafted bags and Christmas ornaments.
It makes one wonder if the first cave painters were the first Indie artists.
Here are a few of my latest designs. I named this style " Carrie" for my sister and grandmother. I seem to have gotten over my "bump" in the road.
Happy stitching!
