Arts & Crafts Matchmaker

During the weekend of May 1-2, I attended TWO Arts and Crafts fairs. Now talk about a WORLD of differences! The Brookside Arts Fair was a beautiful experience because it featured more of the fine arts. I certainly felt the ambience of extraordinary talent which created marvelous beauty. The Lawrence Art in the Park was a fun experience because it had a mixture of the fine arts, crafty crafters, street performers, and family games. Plus it was out in the open of park which created a relaxed atmosphere. I definitely felt the entertainment!

Why am I comparing these two functions that I attended in the same weekend? As an artist myself, it’s important to understand when looking for an event to show off your works because one needs to be aware of the type of audience each event brings. I’ve spoken with several other artisans about their experiences when it comes to selling their works. So for example, if you were landscape painter, it probably wouldn’t benefit you if you attended a fair surrounded by NASCAR fans. Or, if you were a crafter who made bugs out of gum wraps, it probably wouldn’t benefit the costs of a booth in a high art settings.

Do your research. Contact the organizers and ask questions about the kinds of crowd each event brings in. Or contact other artisans to get their points of views. However from the perspective of a browser or buyer, it may benefit you as well if you’re looking for a particular style that suits your needs. I’m glad we live in a world where there are so many opportunities! But like anything else in life, make sure it’s a good match.

Why is card making and scrapbooks so dang popular?

Once upon a time, long before computers existed, there lived a many simple folk who may have had only paper, paints, stamps, and photos to collect and save precious memories.  And like all things crafty, the hand and mind united as one, thus forming creativity in the most spiritual sense of the word, bringing joy to all. Then, as the Industrial Age continued to rampage over the years, terrorizing souls, slamming production into systematic assembly lines, the decline of simple crafting began to fade. But alas, the human soul could never allow its mind to be caged like a songbird and that’s why everyone now knows why a Caged Songbird Sings. . .


. . . in other words, we just freakin’ love to craft!  After being on the computer all day long, using our hands and mind in the most creative element allows us to relax and enjoy ourselves!  To return to touching raw materials and not digital which makes the eyes weary and hands achy.  It’s really is that simple.  Often our modern lifestyles are filled with technology, which is suppose to make us more efficient in both the personal and business aspects, but we forget the basics joys of life.  Like crafting cards and scrapbooking.  One doesn’t need to become an appetence in order to satisfy our creativity.  We just need to do it.  It elevates us to a higher level so naturally that we just aren’t aware of it.  Kinda like breathing.  We need to breathe to live, therefore we need to craft to relax.

No one, however, should feel intimidated or lost just before taking the journey into Crafting.  People, such as Natasha Cowden out of Gardner, KS has begun her journey to open up her home to card making and scrapbooking.  With the help from Stampin’ Up, anyone can start.  Even if you never have done it before.  Kits and sets are already arranged for you and all you have to do is get familiar with how you wish to create.

If you would like more information about Stampin’ Up, contact Natasha at loulou9903@hotmail.com or befriend her on Facebook.

Now remember, you too can have a happy ending!

Craft On, my friends! Craft On!