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.