It's that time of year again, time to do your holiday shopping! What better way to shop than to shop handmade (and locally!)? You get beautiful, quality items while supporting your local artisans and artists, sounds pretty good to us! So many of our AREtsy team members are getting ready to sell their wares in Arkansas craft shows all over the state that I just had to share a list. If you know of any other shows, please leave a comment about it! If you're an AREtsy member who is participating in a show but aren't listed, please leave your information here.
2009 Holiday Craft Shows
Northwest Arkansas Boutique Show Saturday, November 14 : 10AM - 5PM Holiday Inn Convention Center in Springdale, AR Show Website
Fayetteville Farmer's Market - Holiday Markets Saturday, November 21 : 7AM - 1PM Downtown Fayetteville on the Sqaure and Saturday, December 5: 9AM - 3PM Botanical Garden of the Ozarks
Both will feature more crafts and gift items than the usual market and include the following AREtsy members: Laurie of Punkinhead and Girlchild Erin of Idyllhands and Woolyhands
Arts Eureka Fall Show Saturday, November 28 and Sunday, November 29 Inn of the Ozarks Convention Center in Eureka Springs, AR
Carmichael Center Holiday Show Saturday, December 5 : 8AM - 3PM Carmichael Center in Searcy
It's that time of the week again - time to feature another fabulous AREtsy artist. Teresa Smith (seen above in her studio - not the little one below right, although, she's a cutie!) has been a great addition to our team and brings some very drool worthy jewelry to the Etsy table at very affordable prices (my favorite kind!). I can't wait to share a bit more about her with all of you. You can find all of her lovely jewelry over at TSmithDesigns.
Tell us a bit about yourself name, location, affiliations, personal stuff:
My name is Teresa Smith Mulkey.I live in El Paso, Arkansas.It is a small central Arkansas community outside of the Cabot – Conway area.We raise and show horses.We also have Corriente cattle.They are a sturdy breed of cattle for roping.We compete in Barrel Racing and Team Roping.I compete in Barrel Racing events and rope at the house for fun.I am a board member of our local Barrel Racing Association.I was one of the featured board members on our Barrel Racing website.This is a family oriented club and we have all ages that compete.We also have events at our arena.
I have been a member of the Arkansas Arts Center since I moved to Arkansas and have been participating in the classes at the Museum School as well.I have been a member of the Aretsy team for some time and have also joined a team for metalsmiths.I am also a member of SNAG.My husband is a farrier.I have two daughters, he has a son and we have five grandkids with two more on the way.
Apart from creating things, what do you do?
I ride my horses as much as possible.I am competing on a young horse and he needs “lots of wet saddle blankets” to keep him in shape.I am looking forward to a big garden this year as well.
What first made you want to become an artist?
In High School in California I had a jewelry class for an elective.I was so inspired and kept taking the class.My instructor Bob Bass was my mentor and I hope to find him again some day.My grandmother who is 94 was a great influence as well.She is an amazing seamstress and cook.She had a garden and was a desert baker for years.She still cooks for herself, can’t do any crafts because she is now legally
blind.
Please describe your creative process how, when, materials, etc.
I usually let the materials dictate the design.If I am making a custom piece I might have some guidelines to follow.I will sketch and move stones around until I come up with the design.I have a sketch book in my purse and use scratch paper while at work if a design idea hits me.
What handmade possession do you most cherish?
I don’t think I have anything that my grandma made, but I have saved some artwork that my girls did when they were young.
Name your top five books, movies, songs/musical groups, and web sites besides Etsy.
I am really addicted to magazines, so I don’t read books much.I do like to look at “coffee table” books on Art & Interior Design, Fashion, and of course Jewelry.
I don’t watch much TV, but I do have a TV with a DVD player in the studio.I will have a movie on for background noise.I also sometimes have “small” metalsmiths working in the studio and they like to watch movies as well.
Here are some favorites:
Pollock
The Devil Wears Prada
Failure to Launch
The Family Stone
Marie Antoinette
Music:
Varied from Country to Rock.I have listened to most everything at one point or another.I am currently listening to Gary Allen.
AREtsy artists seem to be everywhere this fall. As I've said before, we're staring straight at craft show season here in Arkansas and we've geared up, signed up, and stocked up on goodies to show off at a variety of fairs.
If you are like me and love to do your Christmas shopping at a craft fair, or if you are also like me and love the tasty goodies at the fairs (as seen above), you can find us at the following events (event listed first and AREtsy members listed below each show)
If you are a member of AREtsy and are participating in a craft fair/show this fall, please email knittinghands@yahoo.com and let me know. I'll add you to this list.
Wow! It seems that AREtsy is growing by leaps and bounds. We've had quite a handful of new members in the past few weeks. There are always questions from the newbies about where to post information about your shop. I'll give everyone an outline:
Hmmm... one place, seems easy enough, doesn't it? Well, yes, it is. The hard part comes in when those of us heading up forum threads and this blog try to keep things updated. This is where I ask for all of your help. Please check the various places that we promote our fellow AREtsy shops and let us know, nicely, if your information is missing or incorrect. We have such wonderful artists and shop owners in this street team and would hate it if we all didn't have our chance at being promoted. It's such a huge job to keep up on all of the information and we're always open to a friendly reminder to update your info.
Northwest Arkansas Boutique Show
Handmade for the Holidays
Lamar Handmade Boutique
Fayetteville Farmer's Market - Holiday Markets
Both will feature more crafts and gift items than the usual market and include the following AREtsy members:
