This past weekend you may have seen vans and trailers galore traveling to and from Springdale. It was the bi-annual Ozark regional Arts & Crafts Show. Driving and parking at the event this past Saturday was no small task. Every spot was filled with surrounding state license plates attached to minivans and pickup trucks. (I guess that sliding doors and truck beds make hauling crafts easier?) I finally found a spot next to a median in the parking lot. (OK, on the median.) I went in and found delicious dip mixes, tacky tutus (for your pet!) and “skinned it myself” leather goods. It was unbelievable. Every where I looked, vendors were clad in holiday-specific quilted totes and “GRANDMA” embroidered sweatshirts. Here’s one vendor that I snuck a shot of selling Victorian dolls and lace. (A little blurry, but bear with me!)

Through all of this food sampling and turning down hand woven slippers and such, I got an interview with two vendors, Vicki Clithero and Sherrill DeLong. Clithero is my best friend’s mom and her beading business partner is DeLong, both from Springfield, Missouri. Introducing Sherrill DeLong (right) and Vicki Clithero (left)!

I began by asking Clithero how she got started in the jewelry making business. “Lauren (my daughter) needed a specific necklace for sorority recruitment freshman year of college,” said Clithero, “and we couldn’t find anything that we liked so I went to C & R (now Springfield Leather) to get help in constructing something, where I met Sherrill.”

Though her first project was a custom piece, Clithero and DeLong do adaptations, (For example, removing a strand of pearls or adding length to a necklace.) but no custom designs. “We just don’t want to worry about producing something that someone didn’t have in mind,” said Clithero, “some people just envision things differently.” To keep things fresh, the duo does pay attention to current trends, like long necklaces.

When pricing their one-of-a-kind pieces, they consider their materials. “We love turquoise,” exclaims DeLong. “But well-cut, good-quality is expensive and usually from the Southwest United States,” Clithero adds. “We’ve discovered a new source for turquoise in China, the Hubei Mine,” said Clithero, “When I travel, I’m looking for new stones to use in my craft, especially in Arizona.”

Their favorite materials to work with include pearls, citrine, other semi-precious stones and of course, turquoise. “We’ve been experimenting a lot with ammonite fossils,” said Clithero. Clithero’s specialty is wire-wrapping and DeLong’s is designing brass settings. “We don’t ever scrimp on good materials and we always use sterling silver or 14K gold,” said Clithero.

In response to what inspires them, Clithero and DeLong rely on the shapes and pattern of the stones that they come across. “We try to pick up patterns and colors and every stones attributes are brought out by the surrounding beads and setting,” said Clithero.

So what comes along with these ladies’ hobby? More than they expected! “Networking for sales has been a huge asset,” said DeLong as the vendor coordinator for Little Rock’s Riverfest walks off with her newly purchased pearl and moonstone necklace. “Resourcing materials and stone identification came along with our craft,” said Clithero. With a background in diamond sales, DeLong quickly realized that she was renewing sales skills as well. “For me, I just wanted to make unique jewelry for myself, then it moved to friends’ gifts, then to selling it,” said DeLong. “We won’t do hard sales and don’t have much of a business philosophy in that respect,” said DeLong, “We try to match each piece to the customers because not every piece looks good on everyone.”

A big barrier for DeLong and Clithero has been cost. “We have calculated and priced things as low as we can,” said Clithero, “but because we use such high-quality materials, we are happy to sell at 150 or 200 percent of cost.” DeLong nods her head as Clithero reminds me that it’s “more of a hobby than a business because I have a dad gum day job!”

Clithero and DeLong will continue selling their designs in home shows and look to expand their craft show experience. I can get you in touch with them if you are interested in some jewelry!

Last week I stumbled upon an art exhibit at the University of Arkansas Global Campus. through Fayetteville’s Web site. Ellen Gregory‘s exhibit, “From the Desert to the Sea” has been on display at Global Campus since September 3 and will come down October 31. Visiting the exhibit is free of charge and is open from 8:00am – 4:30pm, Monday through Friday. You can also check out all of her work, photo sales and where she’ll be featured next at Ellen Gregory Photography.

Introducing, Ellen Gregory!

While interviewing Gregory on her experience with photography, she said that she’s been carrying a camera for years. She attempted other arts like drawing and sculpting, but returned to photography as her main squeeze. “Until a tragic house fire in 2002, I had an eclectic collection of cameras including my first Brownie Box Camera. It started with snapshots of my friends and family and segued into recording happenings in the park and on the street,” said Gregory. Here is a picture that she took at Titus Canyon in Death Valley National Park.

When asked about her favorite subjects, “Everything! Nature, architecture, there are no limits! Animals are amazing,” exclaimed Gregory as she waved her hand across a photo display of elephant seals that she had captured during birthing season in California.

Gregory also enjoys ceramics and theater. “I’ve volunteered at the Walton Arts Center for 17 years. It opened just after I moved here. I’m really looking forward to the grand opening of Crystal Bridges in Bentonville,” said Gregory when asked about her other art interests.

Raised in New York City and then residing in Los Angeles, Gregory has settled into Northwest Arkansas for almost 18 years and loves the unlimited supply of beautiful photographic opportunities! “Northwest Arkansas is an artist’s palette,” said Gregory, “opportunities for photographic memories abound.” After researching places that were safe, had a low cost of living and were pretty, her decision to come to Fayetteville was based on a better quality of life. “It has everything that I’ve ever wanted!” Gregory said. Here is one of her shots from Northwest Arkansas Land.

You can catch Ellen next as the November Artist of the Month at Ultra Studios and the December Artist of the Month at The Perk on Wedington. Go check out the final weeks of her exhibit at the Global Campus Building!

Today (Monday) I had a day off of work! It was great! I got so many crafting errands run. I got to Lowe’s to get some pre-cut glass for the fronts of my ongoing project…
My bedroom has been in constant decoration mode. I’ve been looking for just the right pieces to put in there to make it MY bedroom! Big, little, wood, metal and everything in between, I have been rat-packing frames! I needed glass, as some have come from garage sales and flea markets. I wanted a cool way to show off some of my memorabilia from my summer in Los Angeles. Because I’ve just been completing them as I collect, I don’t have photos of me working on the frames but it is one of the easiest ways to freshen up a wall and show off your friends, family and experiences! I spray painted them all stark white and put metallic silver mat board behind them, showing off color photographs and postcards. (As you can see, I’m still working on a few!)The great thing about this decoration technique is that you can make it as small or as big as you want it. A frame collage can be composed of two frames or 50 frames! It is also a great way to throw in color and make a bare wall stand its own in a room. Another variation is to have colored frames with black and white photos.

Another adventure I went on was to All My Treasures Flea Market and Antique Mall only to find that it was CLOSED. I peeked in the window and conversed briefly with the owner who was dealing with “business” (read: another older woman, most likely owner of a booth in the flea market). You know a good antique mall when the owner is an older woman that is gruff, puffing a cigarette and tells you that they are closed for Columbus Day. (Why didn’t we get school off again?) I’ll be going back soon though.

Next door to All my Treasures was a furniture consignment shop called Precious Cargo. If I had more money to invest in some projects, this would be the place I would go! They had all kinds of furniture from every different decade! I have my eye on a vintage french couch that would be an awesome re-upholstery project. It kind of looks like this one: .

So I didn’t get the couch, but I found a great wall lamp to re-do! It’s a huge wall sconce with a shade and everything. I’ll be sure to show you how a I re-created this 1970′s lamp for bedroom later this week.

From a 2008 excursion in a flea market at home, I’ve found this little wooden jewelry box. If the tree that I showed you how to make doesn’t seem to hold all of your jewelry, then fix up and old jewelry box! I decided to paint it with a green, black and white theme. I spray painted it green then painted on the black and white accents. I’ll most likely put this item up for sale at Riffraff where the lucky buyer can have it personalized on top of the lid!

If you ask any of my friends, I’m OBSESSED with magazines. I have subscriptions to a few fashion and style magazines, but as most of us know, that market is saturated. (but I’m still loyal to my selected few!) However, the BEST magazines that I come by are few and far between. A general craft magazine is difficult to get a hold of because most publications toe the line of frumpy or grandma-ish or they have too specific of a market. (For example: quilting or beading magazines.)

But don’t you worry; I have discovered the ultimate crafter’s magazine! Better Homes and Gardens publishes a seasonal magazine named Do-It-Yourself. This secondary bible has the greatest ideas for renovating flea market finds and using unconventional items. Some of the projects require templates or patterns, which you can find on the magazine’s Website. Not only does this magazine inspire projects, but it gives fresh takes on color schemes. I haven’t gotten a chance to thumb through but I know that I’ll find something. Be looking for new projects!

There are so many great places to start getting ideas for an upcoming craft. From interior design magazines to the wall art at a restaurant, creativity is everywhere! It feels as if there is an unwritten Fayetteville law that any independent business has to pass a “cool” test before the doors are open to the public. (Who also happen to be “cool”) All of this “coolness” churns my creative mind! From Common Grounds to Nightbird books there is a constant flow of inspiration from Fayetteville local businesses.

Though as “cool” as all of these places may make one, Fayetteville lacks a great flea market! I usually wait to go home to Springfield, Missouri, for a day (or two!) of flea market finds. If half the fun of your next project is the find and you have a Saturday to head up North, it’s worth it to check out the following places: Charley’s Place has a HUGE assortment of furniture that is in tip-top condition. There are also two S.T.D. Flea Markets that house great pieces from old houses like vintage doors and window frames that can easily be turned into tables. And one last shop that must be checked out is Majestic.

I will admit in researching a bit for this post, I came across a directory of flea markets that told me to check out Highway 62 Flea Market. (And I will!) The only down-side is that it only seems to be open on Saturdays and Sundays. I also found All of My Treasures located on Huntsville Road. I’ll be sure to let you know what I find at these flea markets! Of course on of my favorite places anywhere is the country to stroll for project starters is The Salvation Army Family Stores. When you shop at these stores, you are also contributing to Salvation Army Adult Rehabilitation Centers! My recommendation to anyone in the mood to make: Take the next beautiful day that Fayetteville has to offer and hunt down some garage sales on craigslist or check out any of the above mentioned stops!

One of my favorite flea markets ever is The Melrose Trading Post. It’s located in Los Angeles, California, and is set up once a week in the Fairfax High School parking lot. it has an open marketplace feel where artists and vintage sellers can set up their tents. On any given Sunday, you will find vintage fashionistas and antique connoisseurs alike at this LA creativity hot spot. Here are a few pictures from the few times that I got the opportunity to go this past summer:

I also found some thrifty tips for flea market and garage sale shopping! Happy finding!

As I mentioned earlier, I am a contributing artist at Riffraff in Fayetteville. The store is so great and just fun to go and check out, even if you aren’t in the market for any new home decor purchases. Its main attraction are re-creations from flea markets and garage sales, doing its own part to “Go Green”. Most of the projects that I will show on Master Crafter use recycled items that can be found in your grandmother’s garage sale, the Salvation Army Thrift Store or even in select dumpsters!

I did an interview this past week with Riffraff’s owner, Kirsten Blowers, who is a recent graduate from the University of Arkansas. She opened Riffraff this past February and has been busy running the merchandise side of things as well as her interior design and decorating services! Here are Kristen’s responses to my questions (bolded):

What swayed you over to interior design? I’ve always been involved with Gifted and Talented art programs and so I always knew I had to do something creative! It wasn’t till High School that I knew I had to do Interior Design.

Did you consider any other career paths? Sophomore year of University I switched to Pre-Med but switched back after a semester because becoming an interior designer was always my passion!

What have you learned from another artist lately? When you have a vision carry it out before it disappears again.

What/who are you trying to reach with your art? Northwest Arkansans who want an affordable and funky personality in their homes!

Do you have formal training? I have Bachelors in Interior Design from the University of Arkansas. I am Also A.S.I.D. certified.

What contributed to your becoming of the artist you are today? My parents. Both very artistic, taught me to not be afraid of anyone or anything.

What are some current big projects you’re working on? Several homes in NWA, and several events in the month of October. Of course, one of my favorite things about NWA– The Winter Dreams Tour!

Who/what influences you the most? My parents and my own style. I’m not afraid to think someone else will like that can create!

You can find this popular new store being talked about in various Northwest Arkansas publications. Check out the Riffraff blog to read up on its feature stories and attributes!

You can also find Riffraff on Facebook!

Alright so after several attempts to organize my jewelry, I came up with a clever container. Last week I did a project on a canvas with some vintage postcards and used spray-painted twigs as frames for the postcards. So the twigs got me looking up the branch to bigger things!
I searched for something similar on the internet and found www.centsationalgirl.com. She created her jewelry tree with a wood block as the base. Here is her inspiration from Urban Outfitters
Instead of a wood block which requires a saw and power drill, I opted for polymer clay and tin foil as my base.
To get started, I cut two skinny, good size branches (3/4- 1 feet long) from the tree in my backyard.
Here is the step-by-step:
1. Wad up a ball of tin foil as big as you want your base to be. The bigger the size of your tree, the bigger the base needs to be. You can shape this foil into any shape you want. For mine, I just flattened the ball on the surface to create a “stone” shape.
2. Cover the foil base in polymer clay. Your safest bet is to get white or black clay so you can paint it any color when it’s done baking. Before baking the ball in the oven according to the package’s directions, stick the bottoms of the branches in the top of the clay so that you have created holes for them later.
3. While the clay is baking, spray paint your tree with the color of your choice

4. After your base has cooled from baking and your tree is completely dry, fill the hole in the base halfway with glue.

5. Insert the branch and allow to dry standing up for 24 hours.
6. Show off your jewelry and your new creation!
*Tip: if the tree is hard to “balance” with your jewelry, glue a few layers pennies on the bottom of the base to stabilize it.

My ultimate goal in my career life has nothing to do with what I’m going to school for. (For some reason, I’m hearing that this is becoming a popular trend!) I want to open my own boutique where people can bring old clothes like Grandma’s floor length coat or Little Brother’s outgrown Superman shirt to my design team for a consultation. Then the piece would be recreated into something else that is modern and more practical for their own everyday use. I also want to incorporate a sewing studio where you can take DIY sewing classes and use my tools and machines like a “paint your own pottery” studio. I can’t wait to see where I’ll be in May. (not really; college graduation makes my stomach hurt and my eyes start to burn!)

Being a crafter with my own burning entrpreneurial spirit, I love reading success stories about people taking plunges into the business world with products and concepts that they love to create.
Kathy Jeffords is a “craftypreneur” who left her stable and reliable 9 to 5 job to pursue better things and bigger dreams. She began her company, the Dreamy Giraffe in 2005. She creates paintings of whimsical characters that look like they belong in an illustrated children’s book. You can check out Kathy’s art on her blog, The Adventures of KJ & The Dreamy Giraffe.

In this 2006 online interview from the rifferaff blog, Kathy “KJ” Jeffords talks about taking the dive into her own business, what she needed to get started, and how she feels about the whole process a year into her adventure.

In one of the latest interviews that I found (June 2009) we get to see Kathy four years after she opened her Etsy Shop doors (or online address!). You’ll see that in the Designs by Vanessa interview, KJ is more settled and comfortable doing what she loves! Here is one of her designs from the Dreamy Giraffe

Be your own superhero and create what you love!

Fayetteville, Arkansas, has welcomed Riff Raff to the home decor playing field. Opened February, 2009, Riff Raff caters to the fun and young at heart with hand painted furniture, thrift store re-creations, art and accents from artists around the Northwest Arkansas region.  You can check out Riff Raff’s blog. Be looking for an interview with the owner of Riff Raff soon!

There are several contributing artists that are popping in and out of the store with new merchandise, including myself! My favorite thing to do is re-create flea market and thrift store finds. From furniture to frames, the easiest way to start fresh is to cover it up! Every week or so, I’ll post a “Simple Starter” project with step-by-step instructions.

Here are Do-It-Yourself steps to a custom bulletin board.
The component that is going to make your bulletin board really striking is the frame that you find. You can get great vintage looking ones at resale shops, flea markets and garage sales.
1. Disassemble and clean all parts with a damp cloth
2. Allow frame to dry completely before spraying the entire surface with your chosen color of spray paint.
3. Cut a piece of cork board to fit the back of the frame.
4. Glue cork board to the frame’s backing that you removed earlier. (The backing also acts as a stencil for the cork board.)
5. Place the new panel in the frame and “seal” the edges against the back of the frame with glue.
6. Allow to dry completely before pinning your favorite keepsakes!

One of my favorite design sites is www.designspongeonline.com. Design*Sponge is dedicated to home and product design that is quirky but still manages to keep an air of tradition. Created by Grace Bonney, it was launched in 2004. There are several others who work with Design Sponge, including food and craft editors, weekly Do-It-Yourself artists, gardening columnists, and other specialty editors.

The DIY and Before and After links are my favorite. They help keep my creative thinking stimulated and always put fresh faces on old pieces. Designers from all over the country contribute to these project demonstrations. You can even send in your own projects!
Here is a fun spin on a classic refrigerator from Design*Sponge:

Design Sponge also has City Guides that that deliver the best places for flea marketing, eating and shopping in your area! So matter where you travel, you will always know where to get the best of the arts and crafts world.

I have added Design*Sponge’s RSS feed to my blog so you can stay up to date with everything that’s going on on the site! Enjoy!