Every year Ridgely PTA host an amazing craft fair at our school, with over 100 vendors, a silent auction and a used book sale. For the past 4 years I have been apart of this wonderful event, and every year it has been a blast. My students come with their parents, and I get to meet a bunch of amazing creators from around the area.
My table usually consists of lots of paintings, mostly my work from my painting parties. This year I painted 8×10″ canvas with vibrant colors and inspirational quotes, along with personalized 10×10″ framed mirrors. The quotes were a HUGE hit! I also sold a lot of my 16×20″ painted canvases! I love it because my students always come by and buy my art! It’s really cool to me to know that my paintings will be hanging in their rooms. I also hand paint and resin actual crab shells with logos of sports teams, or even our very own RMS stag.
My son Landyn joined me this year, he is 8 years old. He stayed with me and was in charge of selling clay pendant necklaces. It was so wonderful seeing him make a sign and talk to customers about how much the necklaces were. He made $9 and was super excited to go spend it! Haha, I really love watching him experience life.
One of my favorite coworkers and dear friends Lorianne also had a booth where she sold her amazing jewelry!
This year I had the pleasure of being placed next to a lovely knitter. Kristin Rowe with Letter K Crochet. She had beautiful scarves and hats. I purchased one for my daughter Element and when I brought it home to her she said “Mommy I love it! It’s the most beautiful hat I’ve ever seen!”
Jennifer P was also near me, she is an amazing jewelry maker! Lots of creative designs!
I was able to take a little stroll around the fair myself and purchased a LOVELY turtle turquoise necklace from Donna Valleix of Valleix Designs. Her dream catchers were most fantastic! They inspired me to start making my own!!
I would say all the networking, selling and socializing I did, along with the time I was able to spend with Landyn, made this craft fair the best ever!
Today Element and I attended The Stone Mill’s open house summer event. It was a perfect day to be outside meeting local artisans and vendors! I also put up a little display for our painting party events.
Paint Nights at The Stone Mill
As soon as we got there Element had to explore, so we went on a little scavenger hunt to see what she could find! Bubbles, pretzels, baby dolls, high heels and rocking chairs were her favorite things.
Ilysa Peak from Peak’s Party gave the kids bubbles to play with and to take home! Element was thrilled. The pretzels were deliberately dipped into the delicious Stonehouse Mixes Roasted Garlic gluten free veggie dip! She found a few vintage baby dolls resting in their cradle and a lovely pair of yellow high heels! But I think her favorite find was all of the rocking chairs!
All of the vendors were lovely to meet! When we arrived we spent some time with Dawne from Bloomin Crazy Designs. Dawne was doing painting demos for the paint line she uses to create a beautiful vintage finish. Not only does she paint furniture for sale, as well as refinishing kitchen cabinets and furniture for clients, she also teaches furniture painting workshops! She’s a woman after my own heart, doing what she loves and finding ways to make it work.
Dawne Walker, Bloomin Crazy Designs
In the kitchen area I was able to spend some time talking with Ilysa Peak from Peak’s Party, a staffing service for weddings, parties, events and any special occasion. Her and I really hit it off well being we both from from a Native spiritual background, Lakota and Chippewa. She is a beautiful soul full of a calm, loving energy. If I were to ever need a staffing service I know her company would bring great energy to my event.
Ilysa Peak, Peak’s Party
Working my way around the event, my next stop was the Thunder Ridge Vineyards wine tasting. I have to say, I really enjoyed their Ocean Breeze and Moscato! Not only was the wine delicious but it was lovely to see a father and daughter team! I love that they are a family owned and operated vineyard. Seeing Alex and her father Jeff work together gave me a little sense of excitement and hope that one day Element and I will be working in our art studio together.
Alex and Jeff Gormley, Thunder Ridge Vineyards
Set up next to the vineyard was The Turquoise Bullet. Kate Hepner creates one of a kind jewelry as well as repurposed furniture. Kate is like my soul sister, we are so alike it’s scarey. Her enthusiasm for life and whatever she is working on really shines through her constant smile and upbeat personality! Not only is she a creator, she also helps coordinate and plan weddings at The Stone Mill, along with photography. You can check out what she has available at her Etsy shop.
Kate Hepner, The Turquoise Bullet
Wandering around the grounds we came upon The Wandering Ewe. Another family team, this time mother and daughter. Hannah (daughter) really enjoys making her fiber art, and decided why not share it with the world. Her mother Holly creates beautiful pieces as well. They had everything from hats and headbands, to pins and dolls. Check out all the awesome things they create on their Etsy shop. You can also see some pictures of their lambs!
Hannah and Holly, The Wandering Ewe
Next on our journey was Kyle Gerlach who owns Fare North woodworking. Kyle was working away on a few pieces when we strolled up, hatchet in hand. He loves using local reclaimed wood for his work. The spoons he creates are gorgeous! He told me that he’s really about building beautiful wood furniture but started making ladles and utensils as Christmas presents for family and friends. Everyone would tell him “You should sell these!”, so he went for it!
Kyle Gerlach, Fare North Woodworking
Our last stop was at the Be A Doer tent! This just seemed so synchronistic for the whole day, the company focuses their apparel on inspiring action and motivation! Every vendor I spent time talking to at the event really displayed this type of “go-getter” attitude! Really putting the time in to do what they love and to make it work for them. The company has shirts with sayings such as “I can and I will”, “Go the Distance”, but my favorite by far is the “She’s a dreamer…” t-shirt!
Be A Doer
I really love listening to the stories every person has to tell, especially those who are pursuing their passion and hobbies. We are all creators, we just have to pay attention to ourselves enough to know what it is we have a passion for and to have enough willpower and motivation to get out there and BE A DOER!
Pam and Joe Hepner, Owners of The Stone Mill 1792
Thank you everyone for sharing and thank you Pam and Joe Hepner, owners of the Stone Mill, for hosting such a lovely event!
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