Tejas Trade Open House

When I first started selling jewelry I shared booths with Dell Kirkman and her daughter Leitha Herring.  They are my husband's aunt and cousin.

We both got too big for half a booth, but for several years still did many of the same shows.  Dell and Leitha named their business Tejas Trade. 


This past week I attended the grand opening of Tejas Trade.  The store is located in downtown Texarkana, Texas in a cute little red brick building.

They've stocked it with clothing, some of Leitha's original art, and their jewelry.





The store was so packed with people when I got there that I had to wait until things were almost over to take any pictures.





Leitha's son Patrick manned the bar. This table will be their work table during store hours.





Leitha makes these horn cuffs and bangles.  I tried on every one of them but I have a small wrist and they were all a little big. I love them.
  

This is my favorite one.  It has turquoise embedded in the fissures.  


This building was a wreck when they rented it.  They did all the restoration themselves.  They did a fantastic job!


And I did do a little Christmas shopping while I was there.  Shhhhh--don't tell.

And the Results Are...

Thanks to everyone who entered the giveaway for Craft Activism.  The winner is #2 Martha!  

Congratulations, Martha!

Vintage Shopping Fun

I stopped by the Tipsy Tango in Quinlan, TX a few days ago. It's one of my favorite places for vintage finds.  Every time I go in there it looks like a completely different store.  


 


This time it was full of vintage mannequins, wedding gowns and other curiosities. 







Here's a cool vanity.  I'm kind of fond of shabby chic/cottage style decor.





And a dresser.





I did get this wire folding screen.  I think I'm going to use it as part of an earring display.  It folds completely flat.  I swear I can't get one more thing in my car when I'm traveling to shows unless it will fold up really small.  That's Pawlie Newman checking it out. Anyone want some rosemary?  I have a very overgrown hedge there in the background that I really need to dig up...someday.





 I also got these two lamp shade frames.  I like them just how they are--it's kind of an industrial look.  I think I'm going to get a metal lamp kit and stick an interesting looking bulb in them and use them just like that in my studio. I found the frames in the shop next door to Tipsy Tango and I have unfortunately forgotten their name. 








My studio mannequin--I'm still deciding on a name for her--needed a new hand because all her fingers were broken off when I got her.  So I got this one.






I would show a picture of her with her new part but she doesn't have any clothes yet, poor girl.  Yes, I know, I'm a bad mannequin mother.  You can see she's getting a bit testy about the clothing situation. 


Oh, don't forget I have a giveaway going for the new book Craft Activism. Post a comment on the post previous to this one for a chance to win. Good luck!

Bead Table Wednesday and a Giveaway

I had hoped to give my anvil a good workout today and do some foldforming.  Unfortunately I couldn't get to it.  Instead, I got this necklace ready to go to the buyer.  I had to shorten it slightly and I took this picture for my records.  








I call this one "Home is Where the Heart Is."  The focal is the creation of Martha Eason, of Menagerie Studio.  I love her charms and pendants.  I really like how she finishes the back of her pieces, too.





Yesterday I posted a review of the new book Craft Activism.  This is a book that needs to be read and I'm hosting a giveaway for it.  Leave a comment on this post for a chance to win.  Comments will close at noon central time on Wednesday, November 9th. Good luck! 

Craft Activism--Review

The first thought that popped into my head when I read the title Craft Activism was using a craft or art to draw attention to a cause or maybe using part of the proceeds of sales to fund charities or causes.

Craft Activism is so much more than that.  The book is divided into five sections organized around the type of activism.  

Part I is titled "Crafting a Statement."  In this section are five chapters about specific people or groups, such as  "Knit Bombing"  (The Jaffa Girls), "Quilts With a Message" (Carolyn Mazloomi), "A Knitted Spotlight on Endangered Species" (Ruth Marshall) and others.  Most chapters are  accompanied by a "DIY" section with tips or guidelines on how to do each activity, and a "Makers Jam" with  one paragraph highlights on projects and accomplishments by other crafters.  There are also one or more projects in each chapter, for a total of seventeen projects.  

Other main sections are:

• Part II:  "Recrafting the Past" with chapters "Not Your Grandmother's Embroidery," "A New Take On Old Domestic Arts," and "Return of the Granny Square."
• Part III:  "Crafting for a Cause" with a chapter on "Knitters United." 
• Part IV:  "Crafting to Recycle, Renew, and Reuse" with chapters on "Recycled Chic," "One Word: Plastic," and "Toys Out of Trash."
• Part V:  "Crafting a Community" with chapters "Get Organized" and "How to Get Crafting."

The book concludes with a resource list and index. 

Projects in the book lean heavily toward fiber arts. Nine of the seventeen projects include at least some knitting. The book assumes that you have some knowledge of knitting or whatever skill is being utilized. Other crafts include sewing, crochet and embroidery. There are two projects, one involving crafting an Artist Trading Card (ATC) and one with tin work which I believe could be done by someone with no experience in either. 

Craft Activism is not a project book, although there are projects.  It is more an overview of activism involving crafts and an inspiration to connect with the world, with like-minded people, and to create a better community. The subtitle of the book says it best:  "People, Ideas, and Projects from the New Community of Handmade and How You Can Join In." I found the book very inspiring and the articles about individual crafters  intriguing. 

Craft Activism is written by Joan Tapper and photography is by Gale Zucker.  Check out their blog here.  It is published by Potter Craft, New York.  I was provided with a copy of the book for review.

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