Still Walking in a Winter Wonderland

Doug Hockman’s print entitled ‘Alone,’ given away to a lucky Festival Fete follower last year, inspired this week’s post.
hockmanphotography.com

There’s nothing quite like a lone walk in the woods this time of year. There’s no better way to tune into the crunching sound of leftover snow under your (overly) worn boots. Nothing prettier than a monochrome backdrop for a family portrait of cardinals. And the ocean against all the gray, if you’re near enough, is that pale turquoise in the shoals – almost caribbean like if you face the sun and just imagine….

But then you realize you’re still here in New England and so is winter. Lingering. And while all may seem a bit bleak, there is a silver lining. Because this season, however long and drawn out, affords Festival Fete artists the time they need to create. Without the solitude, there wouldn’t be the space needed to produce the bounty we find at our shows. Those seemingly effortless displays at our artists’ booths come from the thoughts, the inspiration and the toil that happens now.

So while I wait to see a single snowdrop peek through the ground, I can’t wait to see what all our thoroughly inspired creatives unveil at the very first show in Garden City this June. Stay tuned and stay warm!

Embracing the palette of the season while adorning yourself and your home in their understated hues can manifest a certain tranquility. Past Festival Fete artists easily find inspiration in the wintry landscape. From upper left, clockwise: Nancy Van Tassel’s ‘big little ring’ in hammered sterling silver; A continuous piece of birch makes this simple necklace by Joyo; Howland Studio’s pin out of finds from a beach walk; Ombre infinity scarf by Nicole Lebreux; Erica Cioe’s simple ceramic plates. 

 

The ring: http://www.drapedinjewelry.com/index.html

The necklace: http://www.shopjoyo.us/collections/necklaces/products/loop-and-chain

That pin: http://www.etsy.com/shop/howlandstudio

The scarf: http://www.etsy.com/people/nicolelebreux

And those plates: http://ericacioe.weebly.com/index.html

Links to the online shops and websites of festival artists past and present can be found in every blogpost. Check them out!

Thanks for reading!

Please share your inspirations and creations

with us in a comment below or on Facebook. 

Soak up the ‘Snow’ Shine

    One cool thing about Valentine’s Day falling on a Friday is that you’ve got the whole weekend. A long weekend. And while it does seem silly to suggest heading out at all – ever – as this never ending storm endlessly drops either snow, ice or rain, we must hold out hope….I’ll admit I kind of like/slash/love walking to the neighborhood pub that stays open – even in this. Romantic is certainly not expensive.

And Valentine’s Day is not always ‘romantic.’ It’s finding yourself outside, during that eventual break in the clouds, on your favorite snowy trail with your favorite people. Or holding your kid’s hand really tight as you make your way up over the rocks along your special piece of our perfect coastline. It’s sledding and it’s ice skating.

Back at home later, it’s the do-it-yourself-and-make-the-most-of-it holiday that fires up sweet romance. So get the groceries and make that meaningful meal for one or make it for many. Then light the candles, cue the music and enjoy it. Because soon, yes soon, the weather will be too good.

And while we steep in the kind of warmth that only this season brings, we are still looking ahead to milder days. In that anticipation, we wrongly announced the start of our 2014 Festival schedule. We correct that Garden City will host our first festival of 2014 on June 7-8 and Newport will follow soon after. We sorta skipped right over it in our last post! So keep it simple this weekend, stay warm and stay with us as we update Festival Fete news and scheduling regularly.

New Year, New Festivals!

They say it’s the Year of the Horse, but we’re calling it the Year of the Festival…

We’ve got exciting news: Festival Fete has added TWO NEW SHOWS to the festival lineup for 2014!

Our first new show will kick off the season right in the heart of beautiful, downtown Newport, RI on Bowen’s Wharf, just outside The Landing Restaurant. A historic seaport overlooking Newport Harbor, Bowen’s Wharf is home to some of Newport’s finest boutiques and eateries, as well as 18th century commercial wharf buildings. Stroll along the water, check out the architecture, eat, shop, and be merry at the 1st annual Newport Art Festival, June 28th and 29th from 10am – 5pm daily.

Next up is the 1st annual Festival Fete Emerald Square Art Show, in North Attleboro, MA. This event marks Festival Fete’s first venture out of Rhode Island, and we are so excited to have the opportunity to connect local artists and artisans with the wider New England community! Held outside the Emerald Square Mall, and conveniently located right off the interstate, this show will be a crowd-pleaser. Join us on July 26th from 10am – 5pm for some locally grown art, food, and merriment in The Bay State!

Here’s where else we’ll be in 2014:

The 2nd annual Wakefield Art Festival will be held  along Main Street and the Saugatuck River in historic, downtown Wakefield, Rhode Island on October 4th from 10am – 5pm.

The 4th annual East Greenwich show will be back at New England Tech. Dates and times TBA shortly.

The 4th annual Garden City Center Art Festival in Cranston, RI. Dates and times TBA shortly.

Check out our website or the FAQ page for more detail on show locations.  We can’t wait to see you there!

Festival Fete Artist: Viv Eisner and DIY Stenciling on Fabric

For Viv Eisner, the business of art is a little bit of everything.  She does everything but knit, which she says is a curse and a blessing (I think it’s awesome) She designs prints, fabrics, jewelry, sculpture, and more. Her booth at the Garden City Art Festival this weekend will include sculpture, mixed media robots and prints, and images framed and sealed in 1/8″ thick industrial resin.

She is one of those artists sees possibility in just about everything and enjoys transforming objects into truly unique, one of a kind works of art. You can see more of her work on her Etsy site.

Viv has been working on stenciling fabric to use for her booth display at the Garden City Art Festival and she has posted a great tutorial for you on how to stencil on fabric on her blog: Stenciling on Fabric | it’s me viv.

Please stop by to see Viv’s booth at the show and take a look at her stenciled muslin tablecloths.

Many thanks to our sponsor:

Festival Fete Presents…The 2013 Garden City Art Festival!!

The big day is almost here…Festival Fete’s Garden City Art Festival is this weekend (rain or shine) Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 5pm daily. There is so much to see and do that you could spend both days there! Here is a little sampling of what you will see…

We are proud to have SO many high quality vendors at the show: Accessories, Baby, Bath, Candles, Ceramics, Children’s items, Clothing, Dog accessories, Fiber, Food, Furniture, Garden, Glass, Henna Body Art, Housewares, Jewelry, Mixed Media, Painting, Photography, Wood, and several Non-Profits as well as 10 booths donated to children for the Young Artists section.

One of the most unique features of a Festival Fete production is the strolling entertainment throughout the entire show. It’s an exciting, dynamic event that you don’t want to miss!

We are delighted to include Circus Smirkus in the festivities this weekend! They will be in the Creation Station area doing “Circus Crafts” with the kids. Circus Smirkus is a non-profit, award-winning international youth circus founded with a mission: to promote the skills, culture and traditions of the traveling circus and to inspire youth to engage in life-changing adventures in the circus arts. click here To learn more about Circus Smirkus and be sure to stop by and see them at the festival this weekend!

And here’s a video with a snappy little tune that shows how a festival comes to life!

See you at the festival!!

A HUGE thank you to our sponsor:

Meet Joel Peterson: The Toy Maker at the Garden City Art Festival this weekend

Joel Peterson is the Toy Maker and he is a 3rd generation woodworker.  His grandfather was a cabinet-maker in Sweden and America, and his father love to make things in wood as a hobby.  Joel began making furniture for his home and toys for his own boys when they were little until eventually his craft became his business.

He participates in craft shows throughout new England, but like his simple wooden cars, tractors, trucks and trains made for little hands, his business is done traditionally (in person) and not over the internet.  He will be at Festival Fete’s Garden City Art Festival this weekend and you definitely want to stop by his booth to  see his unique variety of entertaining games and hand-made wooden toys.

Visitors to my booth at the Garden City Art Festival will see wooden swords and shields colorfully decorated with griffins, lions and dragons or perhaps a magic wand guaranteed to turn any big brother into a toad! They can see a catapult fire a deadly ping-pong ball 12-15 feet or simple games of strategy that parents will enjoy playing with their kids and hard to find ancient games with unique game pieces such as a 2000 year old Viking game called “Hnefatafl” and its Scottish variation, “Ard Ri”. Both thought to be precursors to chess. You can view an even an older game (going back 3400 years) to the Egyptians (great for playing in the car).

He also makes several distinctive items, like the vintage trucks that can be personalized to suit the customer’s specific requests and a tabletop Christmas Advent Tree with colorful hand turned ornaments, handmade stand and a crafted box to store it all – perfect for holiday gift giving.

I have not met The Toymaker yet, but I am looking forward to seeing him this weekend at the festival with my little boy who will love checking out the wooden swords and that catapult!

Many thanks to our sponsor:

It’s almost time to open the Art Festival Box!

In one week from today, Jennifer Neuguth, Festival Fete founder, and her “dream team” as she affectionately calls them will open the “Art Festival in a Box” and produce an amazing, one of a kind outdoor art festival. I’m proud to be part of her dream team of professionals, business partners, friends and family and am SO excited to get on with the show! Here’s a behind the scenes look at what it takes to put together an art festival production (with style). – Danielle Salisbury

So help us generate positive sunny weather energy and spread the word…next weekend….June 8th and 9th from 10am – 5pm daily…Festival Fete’s Garden City Art Festival!!

Meet more Garden City Art Festival Artists!

Here is a sneak peek at four artists that will be at Festival Fete’s Garden City Art Festival on June 8th and 9th (next weekend!) from 10am – 5pm daily. The festival is free and so is parking so come out to support your local artists and pick up some unique gifts!

1.) Mike Fagella, Uncorked. After 30 years in the flooring business, a few years ago Mike was able to sell his store and pursue his hobby full-time! He creates household accessories out of old wood and corks that he collects. Mike says, “Someone told me about Etsy and the rest is history! Recently I have acquired some French oak from a local whisky distiller and the fact that it is infused with spirits gives the wood a beautiful patina and makes these items very unique. Looking forward to the show!”

2.) Megan Labrecque, Apiary Designs. Apiary Designs is the creative partnership of Megan and her mother Nancy White. They create practical and attractive accessories and household items using a variety of materials including both new and vintage fabrics. They make cute and whimsical aprons for adults and children, totes, yoga mat bags, accessory pouches and more.

3.) Shannon Caldwell, Lotus Life. “Lotus Life was inspired by my personal belief that we all have the power to create the life we want for ourselves, beginning with what we choose to focus on, and the words we choose to use, not only with ourselves, but with others as well.
My intention for Lotus Life is to contribute something to the world that would help replace negative obstacles that separate us from connecting through the heart, even with ourselves. I thought the power of words would be a great place to start. The quotes/words I’ve chosen will hopefully inspire you to see all the positives in your own life, as well as all the possibilities that lie within you!”

4.) Kyle Kochiss, Heart to Heart Design

“I have always found the beach to be a place of inspiration and peace.  While walking the beach one summer I picked up a stone in the perfect shape of a heart and was intrigued… I was amazed at the abundance of these gems of nature tumbled by the sea.  I do not shape these stones into hearts, I use them as I find them and I wire wrap the stones keeping the design simple to expose their natural beauty.”

Garden City Art Festival 2013

Many thanks to our sponsor:

ART Night Gallery & Open Studios in Bristol Warren

For this week’s Art Happenings post, I’d like to feature a great event HAPPENING TONIGHT that includes several of our Fabulous Festival Fete artists.

The Art Night Galley & Open Studios in Bristol and Warren is an amazing bounty of artful things to see, music, dining and a trolley! The event runs from 5-9 pm. Visit http://www.artnightbristolwarren.org/ for more information and to print the handbill for the evening with a trolley schedule.

Artwork by Deborah Baronas

The Featured artist for the evening in Warren is Deborah Baronas, whom I had the pleasure of meeting when I worked at Anthony Tomaselli‘s Gallery in Newport. She’s an amazing textile artist and RISD graduate that has been working in the textile industry for 25 years. Her textiles reflect her unique painterly style and the open studio event will feature her layered work in oil, charcoal, painting and textiles.

Dara Raisner

At Boheme, you will find the work of Dara Raisner – Harliquinn-Designs. Dara is a local jewelry artist that works with a special two-part epoxy clay and makes each piece by hand.

Kimberly DiNofrio, a handbag artist, is a regular at Festival Fete Festivals, and her work will be at the Stella Maria Soap Company. She has a delightful assortment of clutches, totes, pillows and wine bags. Many of her items are constructed using up-cycled coffee sacks.

DiNofrio Handbags

Over in Bristol, you will find Sarah J. Silva – Unique Pottery at the Knotty Dog. As a native Rhode Islander Sarah’s love of art began at an early age. Through the years Sarah has experimented with many mediums but none have captivated her like ceramics. “Throwing on the wheel is a time of peace and reconnection with things above. If one of my pieces can bring a smile and joy to someone’s day, then I have accomplished my purpose,” — she says.

Unique Pottery by Sarah

And don’t forget…next weekend, June 8th and 9th is Festival Fete’s Garden City Art Festival from 10am – 5pm daily, rain or shine. FREE and FUN!!

Garden City Art Festival 2013

A mountain of thanks to our sponsor who will be bringing a rock climbing wall to the festival!

Botanical Beauties & Beasties: The work of Liz Carren

Liz Carren will be bringing her Botanical Beauties & Beasties to Festival Fete’s Garden City Art Festival next weekend – oh my!

Liz has been involved with art, illustration, flowers, horticultural and whimsy since the early ‘80s and her background is art, design, photography and digital technology. She creates very unique characters out of her images of flowers and bits from nature. Each one has a personality and an individual story. Her love and respect for nature is a common theme in each one of her designs.

Here is a little bit from Liz about her creations:

Come meet us, greet us, and hear the stories for yourself at Festival Fete! We have Beauties that range from Julia: Organic Chef/Baker, to Moe, The Minister of Clean Water, to Yum: our “Anti Bully,” Peace, Love, and Kindness Goddess. Each one I create is a unique mix of flowers taken to another ‘dimension’ and is art with a story, a message of kindness and a smile.  You can take them home with you as “Mini Art” (some people call these Greeting Cards but we know many end up on walls!), Matted Prints, Note Pads, and our brand new 2013 product of keepsake boxes!

I love the Yoga Warrior beastie!

She has a busy show season this year, and we are thrilled that she will be bringing her Botanical Beauties & Beasties to Festival Fete’s Garden City Art Festival June 8th and 9th (next weekend!). Here are a few of her other RI favorites where you can find them:  greeting cards at Whole Foods Market Garden City, Narragansett Fine Art Festival on June 22^nd  and 23^rd , and the Tiverton Arts & Artisan Festival July 20^th.

Garden City Art Festival 2013

Many thanks to our sponsor: