Westwood Art Show - come see me!

While I have been a busy little bee making things and getting involved in wonderful projects, the one area I have pulled way back on is the craft show scene.  This is likely the one and only show you will find me at this year!  So if you plan on perusing the plush live and in person at a hip outdoor event THIS IS YOUR CHANCE!

Look!  There I am, working away at my colorful little booth.  

Why this show?  Because I LOVE this show.  Westwood is a sweet neighborhood with beautiful, historical buildings like the Westwood Town Hall, where we will be holding the show.  The grounds around the Hall are grassy and green, trees creating a dappled screen from the sun.  It will be a beautiful day in the mid 70s, live music will be playing, artists will be displaying their wares, good food will be had, and crafts with the kiddos will be created.

See?  Look how cute this show is!  Older couples strolling together.  PRECIOUS.

I've been to a lot of shows in my day, both as a spectator and as a vendor.  This is one of my favorites.  The atmosphere is relaxed and happy.  There is plenty of space to move around, you aren't funneled through crowded pathways like cattle as is the case with other events.  I get so claustrophobic at things like that.  Not here!   Also, you tend to see the same artists again and again regardless of which show you attend.  But at the Westwood Art Show, most if not all of the folks working this show are from Western Hills or grew up here, and they typically are not working the craft show circuit.  So this is often the only art or craft show they will appear at.  It's a genuinely lovely neighborhood event with folks genuinely happy to see each other.

Kalli basically lived at the craft booth last year.  It was pretty great.

As Broadhope Art Collective will be opening just down the road in neighboring Cheviot, this is our home base, and many of the artists involved in that will be vending here as well.  So come hang out with us, won't you?  We'll be happy to tell you all about the new center.

And be sure to be there around 11am when Tara, also known as the stitching guru from Robot Inside, plays with her band The Mitchells.  Really, what can't that girl do?  (hint: nothing)

Best of both worlds - my monster banner and one of Tara's owl bags.  SWEET!

A glimpse of my booth from last year.  

See you soon!  Specifically, at the Westwood Art Show, this Saturday the 15th from 11am-5pm around Westwood Town Hall in Cincinnati, Ohio.

OH!  And have you contributed to the Broadhope Art Collective yet?

You have?  GREAT!  I love you and you are my favorite.

You HAVE NOT???  Well, hurry up!  We can't do this without you, you know.

Broadhope Art Collective - Help Make It Happen!

Broadhope Art Collective, our new art center in Cheviot, Ohio

Exciting news!  Remember how I've been hoping and dreaming for an art space where I can teach classes , exhibit  my work, and work amongst a community of artists?

You don't?  Well I have.  And doesn't that sound wonderful?  Doesn't it just sound like a DREAM?  

Well, it's time to make that dream a reality, kittens!  Check it out:

Yes, indeed, we have a building picked out, we have artists signed up, and we are ready and willing and able.  But we need your help.  The deposit for the space, the stools we'll sit on during workshops, the extra gallery walls where we'll hang pictures, the toilet paper in the bathroom...these things all cost cash dollars!  And kittens, we are starving artists, you know.  So won't you help a talented group of creative folk make their dreams come true?  There are all sorts of goodies available if you do!

I strongly encourage you to browse through the dozen support levels and see what rewards appeal to you.  We have all sorts of fun ways to say thank you for your support.  

I'll tell you about the two of my reward levels.  Let's start with the biggest one, shall we?  

Make your own!  I'll show you how.

At the $250 level we have the most fabulous MONSTER MAKING PARTY!!!  

Haven't you always wanted to sit down with your own, personal textile artists for a few hours, creating your own monster? And wouldn't that be so much more fun with FIVE OF YOUR FRIENDS???

Copious amounts of fun would be had, I can tell you.  There's only one of these parties being offered so jump on it right away!  Your party will be tailored to your sewing abilities and age level.  So if it's half a dozen kids walking in the door, we will be completely prepared.  All supplies are included, as is the use of our flock of sewing machines.  

And by the way, the most awesome Tara of Robot Inside fame is in cahoots with me on this.  We are partners in crime, my friends, and a package deal.  What's better than one critter maker?  

TWO CRITTER MAKERS!!! 

*******

OR....you can opt in for the $75 dollar level and have me, your dear darling plush artist, make any stuffed creation you can dream up.  Have a drawing your child created?  Have a design of your own you're dying to see become soft and 3 dimensional?  Or maybe you are just in love with a certain character or image.  Turn me loose on it and soon it will be in your arms, ripe for the cuddling.  

I've done this sort of thing for awhile now on a custom order basis.  My wonderful customers come to me with the most amazing ideas and I have a great time with them.  Here are a few examples:

I made the NKU mascot Victor the Viking into a puppet.  That was REALLY FUN.

I made Roland of I Only Like Monsters a big brother based on his likeness.  

Dudley got a plush version of himself made, Wibbly Woo style.  

This was a very open request for some sort of giraffe or lion.  Naturally I saw an opportunity to make both - a hybrid beast we refer to as the LoRaffe!

Zebra Talker is a character concocted by my friend's son.  To surprise him one Christmas, she asked me to turn him into a plush.  

A custom assortment of Christmas stockings went to a very special customer last year.  Yes, that's a transformer, zombie, Wibbly Woo, and the Nutcracker.  

 So please, please, please consider digging in those couch cushions, breaking up the kids' piggy banks, or sorting through the junk drawer to gather up some contribution to send to us.  This is a wonderful opportunity for us, the artists involved, but also for the community at large.  This is your chance to be a part of that!  Help make this happen, own a piece of Broadhope's coming into existence.  Thank you!

The fundraiser is right here:
www.indiegogo.com/broadhope