McGillycuddy's Naturals Holiday Open House

The 2010 Holiday Crafts on Madison is over, but we'll use this blog to promote the artists of Holiday Crafts on Madison all year long Here's an Open House in beautiful Sharon Springs:

Time	Friday, November 26 at 10:00am - November 28 at 5:00pm
Location	McGillycuddy's Naturals 197 Main Street Sharon Springs, NY
Created By	McGillycuddy's Naturals
More Info	Join us for our annual Holiday Open House - ALL PRODUCTS ARE 20% OFF!! Plus we will have a huge variety of gift sets, gift baskets, stocking stuffers and more! Complimentary refreshments will be available. See you there! - Friday November 26th 10:00am - 7:00pm - Saturday November 27th 10:00am - 5:00pm - Sunday November 28th 10:00am - 5:00pm

Delmar Open Studios Nov 20 & 21

The 2010 sale is over, but we'll use this blog to promote events of the artists of the sale all year long!

Here's an upcoming Open Studio:

Holiday Delmar Open Studio
November 20 & 21, 2010
10a.m. - 5 p.m.
at Liz's home/studio at 9 Keith Road, Delmar, NY 12054
518- 439-4457
web site: www.delmaropenstudios.blogspot.com
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See the latest work of Liz Vigoda and Loretta Fontaine at Delmar Holiday Open Studio at Liz Vigoda’s home/studio in Delmar. New work will be debuted, and special sales will be held.

With a background in architecture, Loretta Fontaine creates award-winning fine artisanal jewelry in sterling silver with her own miniature original photography. Liz Vigoda’s functional high-fired ceramics are influenced by her studies in anthropology, with exquisite hand painted surfaces celebrating culture and history.

10% of Liz’s sales will benefit Schenectady Free Clinic, and 10% of Loretta’s sales will benefit The Nature Conservancy.

Directions to Liz’s studio from Albany: From the intersection of Delaware Ave. and Kenwood Ave. go west on Delaware Ave. Take second left onto Winne Rd. (one lane road for one block and then opens to two lanes) , go ~ 6 blocks and turn left onto Keith Rd.,

THANK YOU

Thanks to everyone who came out and supported this sale!

We raised about $1000 for the programs of The Woman's Club of Albany  and $465 with our raffle for Double H Ranch, a camp for children with life-threatening illnesses.

AND we had a great time!

Holiday Crafts on Madison today, Saturday November 6!

Thanks to everyone who came out to the show yesterday!

Today is our last day, the show will run from 10am-5pm. Hope to see you there!

An Interview with Cherry Schacher

web site: www.cherryschacherquilts.com

What will you be bringing to the Holiday Crafts on Madison show and sale?

This year, once again, I'm bringing some new work to the show.  I've been making these cute little elf boot/stockings to hang on a tree and/or use as a pretty way to give a small gift (maybe a piece of Loretta's jewelry).  They come with a bell on them so that you will be heard if you're trying to peek!  I've also made some more traditional sized stockings for those larger items (with a corresponding larger and noisier bell).

 I've expanded on the Petal jackets I started last year, so I have quite a good selection of those, and I've also, finally gotten to those vests I've been sketching for the past 3 years - they're made from a soft, chenille like fabric and drape wonderfully.  And for those of you who bought snowball hats last year (or wish you had) they now have matching scarves.

I will have a selection of quilts, as usual, along with the placemats, pot holders and napkins.

Holiday Crafts on Madison on 1st Friday Schedule

Albany Holiday Crafts on Madison is on the Albany 1st Friday schedule for Friday, November 5th, 2010!

 ...Friday, November 5th, beginning at 5PM, featuring numerous gallery openings, one-night shows, local shops, restaurants, and live entertainment. Best of all, 1st Friday is an entirely free event. We hope to see you there! Download a printable map for our next 1st Friday event here:
1st Friday Map - November 5th

Raffle tickets ready!

I just finished the design of the raffle tickets. Don't forget to purchase them at the door when you come to Albany Holiday Crafts on Madison this weekend! You'll win an amazing assortment of handcrafted items from the artists of the sale...

and...

the best part...

is 100% of the proceeds of the raffle benefit Double H Ranch, a camp in the Adirondacks founded by Paul Newman and Charles Woods for children with life-threatening illnesses!

tickets: $3 each, 4 for $10, 10 for $20

An Interview with Elsa Fletcher

What are you bringing to the Albany Holiday Crafts On Madison Show and Sale?

Nuno (a type of felt) hats and scarves. Ill be showing some rayon and chenille scarves and possibly some rag rugs.

What is your process and/or inspiration?
It's very simple - felt is a natural, sustainable, earth-friendly activity. All you need is soap and water and friction! Inspiration is the fact that ancient cultures have used these techniques as a matter of survival for yurts, clothing... Felting offers many exciting possibilities!
 
What else would you like us to know about yourself?
I live in the Adirondacks. In Thurman, New York exit 23 off the Northway.

An Interview with Kendal McGillycuddy of McGillycuddy's Naturals

Deb and Kendal McGillycuddy

McGillycuddy's Naturals, web site: www.soap.us.com

What are you bringing to the Albany Holiday Crafts On Madison Show and Sale?

We have a variety of new molds for our Milk Soaps that we are excited to bring with us.  Some of the new designs this year include more florals and animals.  We have also added a few new scents to our line of Olive Oil Soaps.  And as always we will be bringing a wide variety of natural bath products including Lotion, Lip Balm, Bath Salt, Facial Products, Salt Glow, and much more!  If there is anything you don't want us to forget please let us know!

To help get everyone in the holiday mood we will have a plenty of holiday gift baskets and gift sets that are perfect for easy and unique gift giving!

McGillycuddy soaps

What is your process and/or inspiration?
Everything we offer is hand made locally in Dorloo, NY using all natural ingredients.  Our inspiration for the products we create comes from all over - herbs that are in season, suggestions that our customers make, and most often out of necessity (like something for sunburn relief or chapped skin).  We enjoy every aspect of our business, from creating the products, to designing the packaging, and finally knowing that we are able to offer quality hand-made products to our customers!

Shot in Sharon Springs, NY

What else would you like us to know about yourself?
You may have seen us recently in the reality TV show "The Fabulous Beekman Boys" on Planet Green.  The show follows Sharon Springs, NY residents Josh Kilmer-Purcell and Brent Ridge and they learn to become farmers and create a lifestyle brand.  We make all of the soap for their Beekman1802 line and Deb McGillycuddy - a.k.a. Deb the Soapmaker is a regular on the show.  It has been an amazing year and we are so excited the show was picked up for a second season! 

Beekman image from everydayhouseholdblend.blogspot.com

An interview with Loretta Fontaine

Loretta Fontaine

custom Triple Lucy sterling silver necklace with miniature photographs of an original painting, tourmaline beads and freshwater pearl

Loretta Fontaine Jewelry, web site: www.lorettafontaine.com

Loretta's design blog: www.APPLESandRUBIES.blogspot.com

What are you bringing to the Albany Holiday Crafts on Madison show and sale?
Loretta Fontaine: I am making new pieces with a lot of plum and amethyst toned photographs paired with freshwater pearls. I'm also finished some brand new work with a quatrefoil in a circle theme. For special holiday gifts, I can incorporate a client's photograph into any of my designs.

What is your process and/or inspiration?
Loretta Fontaine: I have a background in architecture, and I enjoy working details out on a small scale. I do all my own metalwork and take all of the photographs that are used in my jewelry. I'm inspired by natural forms and shapes and the patterns found in wallpapers and fabrics.

What else would you like us to know about yourself?
Loretta Fontaine: A member of the Woman's Club of Albany, I volunteer to organize Holiday Crafts on Madison. (10% of artists sales benefit the Club, and all proceeds from the raffle benefit Camp Double H.)

If anyone is in the Delmar, NY area please come out to the Delmar Holiday Open Studios which feature my work and the work of potter Liz Vigoda in her charming home/studio on the weekend of November 20-21, 2010 from 10a.m.- 5p.m. Link to website: Delmar Holiday Open Studios

I also started writing a new blog called APPLESandRUBIES about sharing the sweet everyday things in my life (the APPLES) with a behind the scenes glimpse at my work as an artisan jewelry designer (the RUBIES). If you can, please check it out: APPLESandRUBIES.blogspot.com

Holiday Crafts on Madison Press Release posted

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 10, 2010

Holiday Crafts on Madison
725 Madison Avenue, Albany, NY
CONTACT: Loretta Fontaine 518-438-4751
Web site: www.holidaycraftsonmadison.blogspot.com

HOLIDAY CRAFTS ON MADISON BENEFITS WOMAN’S CLUB, DOUBLE H RANCH

What: The 5th Annual Albany Holiday Crafts on Madison

Where: 725 Madison Avenue near the corner of Albany’s historic Washington Park

When: Friday November 5, 5 p.m. – 9 p.m. & Saturday November 6 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Web site: www.holidaycraftsonmadison.blogspot.com


Albany, N.Y, A Splendid Show and Sale of Art & Craft held in a gracious 1895 mansion near Washington Park, The 5th Annual Albany Holiday Crafts on Madison benefits the programs of The Woman's Club of Albany, New York and Double H Ranch, a camp for children with life threatening illnesses.



Fri, Nov 5 2010 (5pm-9pm)

Sat Nov 6 2010 (10am-5pm)



The sale will feature local work by Loretta Fontaine, Cherry Schacher, McGillycuddy’s Naturals, Nancy Noble Gardner, Ben Rauch, Pat Bohrer, Elsa Fletcher, Mary LaFleur and Kathryn Benson, lisa Phegn, Karen Greendale, Cinderloop and Katie Nare.



“It’s a wonderful opportunity to buy local, handmade gifts for the holidays,” says volunteer organizer and studio jeweler Loretta Fontaine, “and also to raise money for some great causes.”

Artists donate 10% of their sales at the show to the programs of The Albany Woman’s Club. A raffle is held to benefit Double H Camp Hole in the Wall.

For holiday shopping, Albany Holiday Crafts on Madison promises to be not-to-miss event!

Part of Albany’s 1st Friday, a trolley stops at the event. Admission and parking are free. Information on the event, as well as a map and artist bios is online on the web site www.holidaycraftsonmadison.blogspot.com
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Press images available upon request.

Posters are finished!

Finished the poster design today! Postcards are being printed.

Double H Ranch our raffle beneficiary!

I'm so pleased to announce the proceeds of the Holiday Crafts on Madison raffle of beautiful artist made items will be The Double H Ranch, a camp which provides specialized programs and year-round support for children and their families dealing with life-threatening illnesses. I have personally seen how important this special place in the Adirondacks is, and am thrilled to support their mission!

Double H Ranch, co-founded by Charles R. Wood and Paul Newman is an amazing place.  The purpose of the ranch is to enrich the campers  lives and provide camp experiences that are memorable, exciting, fun, empowering, physically safe and medically sound. All programs are FREE of charge and capture the magic of the Adirondacks.

Double H website
Double H blog

Please buy a raffle ticket at the show!

Artist List Announced

artists for the 2010 Albany Holiday Crafts on Madison are:

Loretta Fontaine - Jewelry
Cherry Schacher - Fiber
McGillycuddy's Naturals - Soap
Nancy Noble Gardner - Photography
Ben Rauch - Wood
Pat Boher - Fiber
Elsa Fletcher - Fiber
Pinewood Potters - Ceramics
Lisa Phegn - Painting
Karen Greendale - Jewelry
Cinderloop - Clothing
Katie Nare - Jewelry

Click the links to view the artist's web sites!

Pinewood Potters is having a tent sale!

Two of our Albany Holiday Crafts on Madison artists - Mary Lafleur and Kathryn Benson of Pinewood Potters are having a tent sale tomorrow. Try to stop by if you can!

PINEWOODS POTTERS
Tent Sale
Saturday, September 4th
10-3pm
All pottery in tent from 20-50% off
4236 NY 43 Wynantskill 12198
Please park in the yard
283-1705

New artists to the sale - Pinewood Potters

Saggar fired vessel

I'm pleased to welcome sisters Mary Pierce Lafleur and Kathryn Benson of Pinewood Potters of Wynantskill, New York as new artists to the 2010 Holiday Crafts on Madison show and sale. (This is very special to me as Mary Pierce Lafleur was a music  teacher of mine at Bell Top elementary school and I've known her beautiful work for a long time!)

Mary Pierce Lafleur has been making functional pottery for 35 years and has studied under Dorothy Mayzel, Lana Wilson and Hayne Bayless. Lafleur's specialties are the complex saggar and raku firings.

Kathryn Benson has studied under Emma and Delores Lewis and Barbara Reeley.

Mark your calendars!

The dates for the 2010 Albany Holiday Crafts on Madison are:

Fri, Nov 5 2010 (5pm-9pm part of Albany's First Friday)
Sat Nov 6 2010 (10am-5pm)