Creature Feature Art Sale This Friday, May 21st

For the third year several Nationally and Locally recognized artisans will join together for a special art exhibit and sale to benefit The Grand Theatre in Ellsworth. Creature Feature III is a show and sale of small artworks produced especially for this event by artists Rebekah Raye, Laura Balombini, Heidi Daub, Suzan Scribner-Reed and Christina Heiniger. Each artist has created 6 pieces of artwork featuring animals and other creatures that are priced between $100-$250. There is a special sale of the work on May 21st from 3-7pm. Partial proceeds from the art sale will be donated to The Grand Theatre. The sale will also feature cards, digital prints, books and other small items for purchase. I've printed up some really cool stickers from my Creature Feature paintings which I will also bring to the sale. In addition, each artist has created a larger piece which will also be offered for sale.



This year’s Creature Feature roster is stellar. Artist Rebekah Raye of Blue Hill is the author and illustrator of several children’s books published by Tilbury House. Her work is shown in many galleries throughout Maine including The Courthouse Gallery in Ellsworth. She will be bringing her books, including her newest, Bear-ly There to sign at the Creature Feature sale event. Laura Balombini, also from the Blue Hill area, travels around the country participating in prestigious National shows including Paradise City in Northampton, MA and at The Fuller Craft Museum. Her polymer clay sculptures have won national awards. She exhibits at Red Dot Gallery in Deer Isle, of which she is a founding member. At Creature Feature she’ll be exhibiting her new acrylic paintings. Heidi Daub has shown her work at Shaw Jewelry in Northeast Harbor and the Firehouse Gallery in Damariscotta, among many others. Her acrylic works are known for their lyrical beauty. She is also a writer of poetry and in 2008 published a compilation of 29 original paintings and poems. She resides in Blue Hill as well. Suzan Scriber-Reed of Winterport is known by many for her line of recycled paper and silver jewelry shown at galleries and fine craft shows throughout Maine and the Northeast. However, her bird collages (which she will exhibit in Creature Feature III) are stunning in their artistry and attention to detail. Through her business, Wild Ivy Designs, she exhibits at Paradise City Art Festivals, Directions Fine Craft Show on MDI and at many other venues. Lastly, artist Christina Heiniger(that's me) of Fern House Studio in Lamoine is the originator and organizer of Creature Feature. A former K-5 art teacher in the Ellsworth schools, Christina now travels the Northeast exhibiting her watercolor paintings and puppets. She recently exhibited in The Center for Maine Contemporary Art’s Work of The Hand Show and in the Maine Crafts Association’s juried Biennial, The Inspired Hand IV. She routinely organizes arts events in the Ellsworth area through her local creative economy initiative “Arts Across Ellsworth.”

This is a very special and unique opportunity to purchase small paintings by these 5 artists at affordable prices. Work can be previewed at The Grand lobby May 1st-21st, with the sale May 21st, 3-7pm. The reception and sale will feature refreshments, book signings by Rebekah Raye and other special surprises. Those wishing to pre-purchase work and pick it up at the sale may do so by contacting the individual artist(s).

Heidi Daub at Creature Feature III

Blue Hill Artist Heidi Daub is showing her lovely work at the Creature Feature III show at The Grand Theatre, downtown Ellsworth, Maine. Heidi has shown in many prominent Maine Galleries such as the Firehouse Gallery in Damariscotta and Shaw Jewelry in Northeast Harbor. Her acrylic works are known for their lyrical beauty. She is also a writer of poetry and in 2008 published a compilation of 29 original paintings and poems. Heidi has created six beautiful small paintings for this show which are priced at a very affordable $150. It's a unique opportunity to purchase an original Heidi Daub painting even if you're on a small budget. The piece above is sold, but there are five other great little paintings still available by Heidi. You can see the show during regular lobby hours at The Grand (Monday through Thursday 10am-4pm) or during events. Our Creature Feature Sale will be on Friday, May 21st from 3 to 7pm. You can purchase work during the sale or contact Heidi to prepurchase work prior to the sale.

Rebekah Raye at Creature Feature III

I'm so excited about this year's artists participating in The Creature Feature III Show at The Grand in Ellsworth. I'll post a word about each of them over the next 2-3 weeks on this blog so you can get to know them.

Blue Hill Artist and Illustrator Rebekah Raye is not only a talented artist, but a fun and kind person! Many people know her for her 3 children's books, The Very Best Bed, Thanks to the Animals, and her latest, Bear-ly There. Rebekah has created seven new pieces of fabulous artwork for the Creature Feature III Show, which she's selling at special prices (affordable). However, she's also bringing her notecards and her books to the Artist's Reception and Sale on May 21st (3-7pm). She'll be signing her books and I'm sure entertaining us all with her sense of humor and lovely Southern accent.

Don't miss Rebekah and the 4 other Creature Feature III artists on May 21st, 3-7pm in The Grand Theatre Lobby, Downtown Ellsworth (Maine).

Post Bead Show

Many Thanks to all who attended and those who sold and showed their work and wares at the 2nd Annual Beads + Baubles Downeast Spring Bead Show in Ellsworth this weekend. It was so much fun and a well-attended event. A Fall Bead Show is planned for October. More info TBA at this blog.

The next event I organize will be The Creature Feature III Show, a benefit for The Grand Theatre of Ellsworth. The show will be up for viewing in The Grand Lobby May 1st through May 21st. An Artists' Reception and Sale will be held May 21st 3-7pm.

This annual sale and show features work by 5 nationally known local artists: Rebekah Raye of Blue Hill, Suzan Scribner-Reed of Winterport, Laura Balombini of Blue Hill, Heidi Daub of Blue Hill and yours truly, Christina Heiniger of Lamoine.This is an exceptional opportunity to purchase work by accomplished professional artists at very reasonable prices. 10% of sales will be donated to The Grand Theatre of Ellsworth. Artists will also bring smaller items like digital prints, cards and other items to sell at the sale. Please join us. Work pictured above by Heidi Daub.

Beads, beads, beads, beads...

Next weekend I hope I'll see you at:
Beads + Baubles Downeast, 2nd Annual Spring Bead + Jewelry Show. Friday April 16, noon-6pm + Saturday April 17, 10am-4pm in The Maine Grind Building (upstairs), 192 Main St., Downtown Ellsworth. Admission of $1.00 (children 12 + under free) enters you into the doorprize of over $150 worth of beads! Admission is good for both days, too (what a deal!)

With over 20 fabulous vendors including 5 bead stores, 6 lampwork glass artisans + several talented jewelers working in the beading medium; this show is undoubtedly THE BEST place to stock up on beads for your projects and stash or to purchase unique and beautiful jewelry; all while shopping local.

Among the many beads featured there will be excellent selections of Czech glass beads, Artisan handmade lampwork glass beads, gemstones, pearls, buttons, vintage beads, polymer clay beads, PMC beads, felt beads, and and porcelain beads. You'll also find beading supplies, necklace cords, ear wires, toggles and clasps, and other items for your beading projects.

Here is the full roster of bead stores and artisans that will be selling beads and jewelry at the show:

Christina Heiniger of Fern House Studio (I'll be selling my stash beads and vintage buttons),
Sihaya Hopkins of Blossom Studio in Brooklin (her lampwork glass beads are pictured in this post),
Jackie Haines of Blue Leaf Designs,
Sticks 'n Stones Bead Shop of Brewer,
Butterfly Beads (bead shop) of Alton,
Ginny and John Hackney, Lampworkers of Orono,
Diane Allen of Pearl La La Jewelry of Blue Hill,
Ginger Manna of Bella Colore Bead Shop,
The Beaded Moose Bead Shop of Bangor,
Jennifer Miller and Jean Goodwin of Flying Mountain Artisans in Southwest Harbor,
Jenny King (former owner of The Bar Harbor Bead Shop),
Carrie Callahan, jeweler, of Machias,
Emily Delfin of Reflections Jewelry in Holden,
Kathleen Henderson (lampworker) of 109th Bead in Penobscot,
Penny Gentle Art Glass of Camden and Sally Bowen of New Moon Collections (lampworker) of Brooklin,
Lisa Salsbury of Willow and Me Jewelry in Ellsworth,
Ray Cooper of Cooper Designs (lampwork glass and PMC) of Blue Hill,
And Suzanne Anderson of YIKES! Studio in Dedham, polymer clay beads and jewelry.

Bead Show and a New Picture

Just a quick reminder to visit the wonderful bead show next weekend at The Maine Grind in Ellsworth, Maine.

April 16th + 17th, 2010: Beads + Baubles Downeast, 2nd Annual Spring Bead + Jewelry Show.
The focus is on beads and lovely beaded jewelry at this spring bead show. Featuring over 20 vendors including bead stores, lampwork glass artisans, jewelers working in the beading medium and individuals selling beads and buttons. Among the beads available for purchase will be vintage beads, artisan beads, Czech glass, Swarvoski crystal, pearls, felt beads, porcelain beads, gemstones, seed beads, findings and much much more. I will be on hand selling beads from my stash as well as buttons and findings. At the Maine Grind building, upstairs (second floor) 192 Main Street, Downtown Ellsworth, Maine. Friday April 16th noon-6pm and Saturday April 17th 10am-4pm.

I also finished another piece for the Creature Feature III show in Ellsworth at The Grand Theatre. The show will go up May 1st and we're having a special sale May 21st, 3-7pm. More info to come at this blog or visit the Gifted Hand Site. The piece above is called City Bird and is inspired by graphics from the '60's and '70's.

Tangle With a Turkey and Other Adventures on a Maine Day Trip

Yesterday morning I headed out for the two and a half hour drive to Lewiston. My only goal was to pick up the puppets I had in The Maine Craft Association's Biennial Show. Little did I know the adventures and misadventures that would fill my day.

Despite the driving rain and high winds, I made it to Lewiston without any trouble. Turning into the road that leads to USM, I noticed rte. 9 went to Lisbon and Topsham. So after picking up my puppets, I headed down rte. 9 on a whim, figuring I'd stop at Target in Topsham and get some shopping done. (Target, why do I love thee so? Let me count the reasons. 1. Your Iams dog treats are way cheaper than Hannaford's. 2. You aren't quite as evil as Wal-Mart. 3. I can find Stylin' clothes on your sale racks...)

The drive through Lisbon (the birthplace of Moxie Soda--it's a Maine thing!) was quite lovely and truly a Maine experience: everything from green parks to old empty mills to trailers to gentrified ranch homes; antique dealers next to self storage units. Lisbon has a kind of retro feel. Main Street looks like it hasn't changed much since 1965. It's REAL and not all spiffed up and fancy. I liked it! Enroute I decided I might as well go to Freeport and stop at arguably the best bead store in Maine, The Beadin' Path. So after a quick spin through Target, I hopped back onto 295 and was soon picking out lovely beads at The Beadin' Path to resell at The April Bead Show I organize in Ellsworth (the lucite beech leaf beads above are going to offered for sale at the Ellsworth Show). Beadin' Path has a great selection of vintage and contemporary lucite beads and also beautiful Czech glass beads. Also stopped in at the hip Horny Toad outlet on Bow Street.

For the long trip home I decided to take 95 to Augusta, then rte. 3 to Belfast. Just outside of Belfast, while listening carefully to a story about the new iPad on NPR, I suddenly noticed a HUGE wild turkey out of the corner of my eye. It was fluttering rapidly towards me, perhaps flustered by the heavy wind and rain. In a flash it smashed its 50 to 60 pound body into my driver's side, sheering my rearview mirror right off. With my rearview now hanging by two skinny electrical cords and a pounding heart I drove into Belfast. Amazingly, the rearview was the only thing damaged. I survived the incident shaken, but unscathed. The turkey, I fear, wasn't in very good shape. Having stopped in Belfast, I figured I might as well stop into the retro-chic store Yo Mama's Home, where I hopefully didn't bore the salesperson too badly with my woeful turkey tale. Feeling grateful to be alive and unhurt, I pulled my smashed rearview into my car and headed out, through the ongoing wind and rain for HOME, always the best place ever after adventures big and small.

Creature Feature Preview

I organize a show every year called Creature Feature in Ellsworth at The Grand Theatre. This year is the third annual show, so it's called Creature Feature III. I'm excited to be working with four other talented artists on the show this year: Rebekah Raye of Blue Hill, Suzan Scribner-Reed of Winterport, Heidi Daub of Blue Hill, and Laura Balombini also of Blue Hill.

This year my work is looking a little different. I wanted to create pieces for the show that were inspired and based upon vintage graphics from the '60's and '70's. I have an inexplicable love for German memory games from that era and I based my Creature Feature images this year on graphics used in those. I will be previewing work by myself and the other artists here from time to time in the lead up to the show. The actual pieces will be hanging in the Grand Theatre lobby May 1-21, with a special sale of the work May 21st, 3-7pm. If you'd like to pre-purchase work I will have the pieces up on my website and you can purchase them there before the sale.

The piece above, Sleeping Fox, was based on a fox from a 1966-68 memory game. It was adapted from an image with a sitting fox. This piece has the vintage appeal of the original graphic but has my own composition and design. The media is Derwent Aquarelle Watercolor pencils on watercolor paper, which is a new medium for me.

I hope you will check back from time to time to get a glimpse of what will be in the Creature Feature III Show. By the way, 10% of the sales from the show will be donated to The Grand Theatre.

Upcoming Bead Show in Ellsworth

Have you ever gone to a bead store and enjoyed perusing the sparkly gems and glass beads? If so, you may be pleased to hear that Beads and Baubles Downeast Spring Bead and Jewelry Show will be returning to downtown Ellsworth on April 16th and 17th. This show and sale features everything a beader could desire...all manner of beads such as Czech glass, crystal, gemstone, vintage beads, spacers, seed beads, focal beads, pearls, felt beads, porcelain beads as well as handmade lampwork glass beads produced by local artisans. Findings such as clasps, toggles, earwires and the like will also be available for purchase. Folks who like to sew may be intrigued by the vintage and unusual contemporary buttons that will be for sale as well.

Over 20 vendors will be selling their beading related wares at this 2nd annual event. Lampwork artisans Sihaya Hopkins, Penny Gentle, Kathleen Henderson, Sally Bowen, Ginny and John Hackney, and Ray Cooper will offer handmade artisan glass beads, buttons, marbles and jewelry. Several bead stores, including Sticks ‘n Stones of Brewer and The Beaded Moose of Bangor, will be on hand with a large inventory of all types of beads. New this year several artisans will be selling their beautiful handcrafted beaded jewelry. Jackie Haines of Blue Leaf Beadwork will be showing and selling her intricate seedbead earrings, necklaces and bracelets, and Lisa Salsbury will bring her Swarovski Crystal and vintage bead jewelry. The show will take place at The Maine Grind (upstairs, 2nd floor) 192 Main Street, Downtown Ellsworth on Friday April 16th, noon-6pm and Saturday April 17th, 10-4pm. For more information visit The Gifted Hand Show Website.

4th Annual Gifted Hand Show This Weekend

Please Join Us for the Fabulous Event :

The Gifted Hand: Fine Art, Craft and Gift Show (4th Annual Show). Friday November 13, 10am-5pm & Saturday November 14, 9am-4pm. Holiday Inn (Tennis Court Area) 215 High Street, Ellsworth. • Featuring over 55 locally and nationally recognized Maine artisans • Birdsacre Benefit • Music by Hawk Henries • Café Area by Cleonice & Table Bistros • $2 admission, children 12 and under free • www.GiftedHandShow.com or call 664-2404 for information

More info. below in the full press release...


Press Release: Gifted Hand Art + Craft Show to benefit Birdsacre

Birdsacre Wildlife Sanctuary and The Gifted Hand: Fine Art, Craft and Gift Show are teaming up to celebrate Birdsacre’s 50th anniversary. Each year The Gifted Hand Show partners with a local nonprofit, which receives a large portion of the show admission. This year, Birdsacre will benefit by receiving up to 50% of the show admission, as well as any additional donations given at the door.



This is the 4th year that The Gifted Hand Show is taking place in Ellsworth. Last year the show was recommended as one of the top ten winter craft shows to see in New England by The Boston Globe’s Travel Blog and featured in Bangor Metro Magazine and on Maine Public Radio. The Show provides a fun fall outing, featuring live music, delicious food, and exceptional art and crafts created by artisans from all over Maine. Featuring over 55 locally and nationally recognized artisans, this juried show has fine art in acrylic, pastel, collage and watercolor and work by eleven jewelers in gold, silver, lampwork glass, dicrohic glass, beachstones, precious gems and intricate beadwork. Visitors to the show will also find stained glass, leather, children’s goods, woodwork, digital prints, pottery, handwovens, women’s clothing, quilts, handknits, holiday cards and ornaments, blown glass, stone, housewares, handcrafted soaps and lotions and more. Of special note is Blue Hill artist and illustrator Rebekah Raye – she will be signing and selling her brand new book, Bear-ly There, a tale of how to deal with visiting bears. Several vendors sell Maine made edibles like gourmet chocolates, blueberry products and jams and jellies. There are many goods available in the $10 - $50 range to meet the needs of Holiday shoppers. All artisans involved are carefully selected for the quality and professionalism of their work and goods. Snacks and light meals are available for purchase from Cleonice Bistro of Ellsworth and Table Bistro of Blue Hill and café seating is available. Sullivan musician Hawk Henries will provide Native American flute music for the enjoyment of all attending…a fitting match for Birdsacre.



Imagine a place where you can hike on peaceful walking trails within minutes of High Street’s busy traffic, where injured birds can be brought for rehabilitation, and severely injured birds are sheltered permanently and cared for by diligent volunteers. Now open your eyes and see this place: Birdsacre, right in Ellsworth. Birdsacre/Stanwood Wildlife Sanctuary is a 200 acre wildlife sanctuary with a bird care facility and shelter for non-releasable injured birds. Many of us who grew up in the area remember school visits and field trips to Birdsacre to see their educational programs. Founded in 1959, Birdsacre currently focuses on maintaining the home and woodlands of Naturalist Cordelia J. Stanwood for the enjoyment of this and future generations. Birdsacre’s facility in Ellsworth also includes three major walking trails and their Richmond Nature Center and Gift Shop. Trails and grounds are available for public use throughout the year. The Richmond Nature Center is open May through October and tours of Cordelia Stanwood’s homestead are available June-September. Birdsacre has been chosen as the 2009 partnering nonprofit for The Gifted Hand Show because of the Wildlife Sanctuary’s ongoing enrichment of life for residents of and visitors to Ellsworth. Over the past 3 years The Gifted Hand Show has raised $5,000 for local nonprofits, including The Grand Theatre in 2008, Ellsworth Arts in 2007 and DTA Center for Learning and Growing in 2006.

The 4th Annual Gifted Hand Show will take place on Friday November 13th, 10am-5pm and Saturday November 14th, 9am-4pm at The Holiday Inn (in the tennis court facility) on 215 High Street, Ellsworth. Admission, a portion of which benefits Birdsacre, is $2.00 with children 12 and under admitted free. The Gifted Hand is part of The Arts Across Ellsworth initiative to support local Maine artisans and make their work available to the public. With many of the artisans involved coming from the MDI, Blue Hill, Ellsworth and Bangor areas, the show provides an easy opportunity to shop local with professional Maine artisans and Maine businesses. In addition artisans from all over Maine are participating, creating a beautiful and diverse pool of offerings. For a full roster of participating artists and craftspeople, detailed directions to the show and more information, visit www.GiftedHandShow.com or call Christina Heiniger at 664.2404. Volunteers are always needed to help on show days. Please call Christina if you would like to donate your time to help make the 2009 show a big success for Birdsacre and the participating artisans.

Upcoming Fall Events

Just wanted to let you know that I'll be at...

• The Common Ground Fair this weekend in the Maine Marketplace East Area (don't look for me in the crafts area, you won't find me there...I'll be in the Maine Marketplace East tent which is near the Pine Gate and across from the South Orchard and Gardens).
Common Ground Fair will be happening this coming weekend Friday, Saturday, Sunday September 25th, 26th, 27th in Unity Maine. For info go to www.mofga.org The gates open at 9am all days and vendors usually close at 6pm.

• I'm also pleased to announce that my puppets will be exhibited and sold at The Work of The Hand Show at the Center for Maine Contemporary Art. I will be exhibiting my newest and fanciest hand puppets. There is a collectors preview evening on Friday October 9th from 5pm-8pm with an admission of $15. Then the show runs every day October 10 through 18 (Monday through Sunday) 10am-5pm with an admission of $5.00. For more information go to www.cmcanow.org .

I'm also going to be selling my stash beads and stickers and other little things at a Fall bead show I'm organizing with Ginger Manna of Bella Colore. Here is the information:

• Beads and Baubles Downeast Fall Bead Show, Friday October 2, noon-6pm & Saturday October 3, 9am-4pm. At the Holiday Inn, Ellsworth ME
Door prize of over $100 worth of beads. $1 admission, children 12 and under free. For more info call Ginger Manna at 207.469.2860

Other Upcoming Shows:
Mark your calendar now for The Gifted Hand: Fine Art, Craft and Gift Show (4th Annual Show). Friday November 13, 10am-5pm & Saturday November 14, 9am-4pm. Holiday Inn (Tennis Court Area) 215 High Street, Ellsworth. • Birdsacre Benefit • Music by Hawk Henries • Café Area •
$2 admission, children 12 and under free.

Arts Across Ellsworth July

My next upcoming show will be the Arts Across Ellsworth Arts Festival upstairs at the Maine Grind building in Downtown Ellsworth. There will be 17 Artists and Craftspeople at the show. They'll be all kinds of neat things there like handbags, aprons, totes, wooden cutting boards, lamps and lampshades, jewelry, watercolors, accessories, children's goods, art dolls, lampwork glass, beads and more.

Please join us for this fabulous show! Details are below.

July 24 + 25
Arts Across Ellsworth Arts Festival
Arts + Crafts Show + Sale
Fri. 10am – 6pm; Sat. 10am – 4pm
Maine Grind Building (upstairs)
192 Main Street
Downtown Ellsworth

Creature Feature II: The Sequel

As I write this, it's a glorious Spring day. Yay! Go Spring!

As you may know, I am always looking for ways as an artist to contribute to my Community through the Arts. My latest project is a fun art show called Creature Feature II. Artists Sarah Brandon, Linden O'Ryan and myself are currently showing 10-12 animal paintings each in The Grand Theatre Lobby in Downtown Ellsworth. At the end of the month, we'll be selling these Awesome paintings for a very affordable $75-$50 each in a special sale. We'll be donating 10% of our art sale proceeds to The Grand Theatre. Here are the details — please join us and support The GRAND...
Creature Feature II
Special Art Show + Sale
Friday May 29th, 4pm-7pm +
Saturday May 30th, 10am-4pm
Grand Theatre Lobby
Downtown Ellsworth, Maine

Show currently on view during Grand lobby hours, 10am-4pm M-F + 1 hour before the events.

I'm debuting a few really cool new Fern House Studio items during the sale:
- New Fern House Studio STICKERS! Yes! STICKERS!
- 2 New Fern House Studio card designs: "Munch! (rabbit)" and "Flower Garden." You can also get these here on my website Fern House Studio Website
- NEW PUPPET SHADOWBOXES. The Peacock Shadowbox is pictured above. These are ultra fun wall pieces featuring my finger puppets. Currently on view in The GRAND Theatre ticket kiosk. Check them out!

If you can't make the Creature Feature Sale, or want to reserve your favorite piece before the sale, you can see and purchase Creature Feature paintings at my website www.fernhousestudio.com

Websites + Contact Information of Participating Artists:
Sarah Brandon - www.sarahbrandonart.com - 546.2998
Christina Heiniger - www.fernhousestudio.com - 664.2404
Linden O’Ryan - www.lindenoryan.com - 244.0463

Hope to see you there!

Give Away & More

• First of all, thanks so much for all of you who turned out for The Gifted Hand Show that I organize. It was a great success! Over 1000 people attended the show, and we raised about $2,000 for the Grand Theatre in Ellsworth. Rock On! Save the date for next year's Gifted Hand Show November 13 + 14, 2009 in Ellsworth.

• Love those Fern House Studio cards(like the one pictured above)? Well, you have a chance to get some FREE. Kristen Andresen, The Bangor Daily News' ShopGirl, is giving away a sample pack of Fern House Studio cards at her fun blog. You can enter to win here.

• I'll be the visiting artist for December at Seven Arts Gallery in Downtown Ellsworth (192 Main Street, in the Maine Grind Building). Featuring a special line of Fern House Studio limited edition fairy finger puppets incorporating fiber artist Julie Havener's hand dyed and handspun yarn for the hair, plus other Fern House Studio goodies... like cards, my felted ornaments and prints. SevenArts cordially invites you to their **Holiday Saturday on December 20th**, there will be an all day open house that day, 10:00am - 5:00pm
and I'll be there for the Visiting Artist's Reception 5 - 7:00pm

• You can sometimes find me at Ingrid's Holiday Market this time of year, Saturdays 9am-noon Buck Street, Downtown Bangor (Behind the Bangor Auditorium, across from Hollywood Slots). For information call Ingrid's German Market at 947.4234

• Looks like my last official show of the season will be December 13 Designing Women Show & Sale, Woodfords Church, Woodford Street, Portland, Maine, 9am - 4pm


Warm Wishes for the Holiday Season!

Success!

Thanks to all who turned out for the Gifted Hand Show this past weekend. It went very well. The artisans involved were fabulous. The space was transformed from dowdy tennis court to gorgeous gallery in the space of a few hours. It was so great to see old friends both selling and buying work, and meet new ones. Over 1000 people attended! Suzanne Nance, the wonderful host of Maine Public Broadcasting's classical music in the morning stepped up and helped so much by doing an interview with me about the show that aired as a Cultural Conversation on Thursday morning during her show. You can listen to it on the archives of MPBN's website. (I hope I don't sound too dorky-- I'm scared to listen to it.) Many thanks to EVERYONE who attended, either as a vendor or a customer. Sorry I have no pictures to post... You may not believe this, but I don't own a digital camera, and even forgot to bring my old "analog" camera.

Save the date for next year: The Gifted Hand, November 13 + 14, 2009!

My next show is already this coming weekend. I'll be at Designing Women Freeport, at The Merriconeag Waldorf School, 57 Desert Rd., Freeport. While in Freeport, I plan to check out The Beadin' Path, a fab bead store that I buy stuff from all the time online, but have never actually stopped into. Can't wait!

I wil leave you with this picture. One of my litle fairies that I make...She seemed to have just dyed her hair in that pot of dye she's stting on. (something I need to do myself!)

Craft Show Countdown

The Gifted Hand Show, which has been my labor of love since February,
is on the homestretch. This weekend it all comes together for 2 days at
The Holiday Inn in Ellsworth. I'm excited and a bit nervous, hoping
everything will go as planned. But after this past week of historic triumphs in our country, I'm feeling very upbeat.

The show has been getting some great press lately. Kimberly Sherman, who writes for the Boston Globe.com's
travel blog, featured it as one of the top 10 craft shows to see in New
England this season. Thanks Kimberly!

Bangor Metro Magazine also pulled it out as a special feature in their November calendar section. I love Bangor Metro magazine-- it's got great arts articles, a
guest photographer each month and other cool stuff. They had
a great article on artist Robert Indiana, of LOVE stamp fame
this month. He lives on an island in Maine. Who knew?! He also did that
cool HOPE graphic for the Obama campaign.

I digress, back to the Gifted Hand Show, I was on WNSX and WERU
this week talking about the show, and The Bar Harbor Times (Bless you
Nan Lincoln!) did a great article on it this week. I hope you'll all
turn out for the show and make my vision & dream a successful
reality for all the vendors and for The Grand Theatre, which benefits
from admission and the silent auction.

Here's the when & where:
Friday November 14th Noon- 6pm
& Saturday November 15th 10am-4pm
The Gifted Hand: Fine Art Craft & Gift Show (3rd annual)
Holiday Inn, 215 High Street, ELLSWORTH

Arts Across Ellsworth

As if I didn't have enough to do, I'm organizing a new arts intiative in Ellsworth Called "Arts Across Ellsworth". We kick off the weekend of November 14 + 15 with lots of fun events to celebrate the arts! Here's the scoop... Join us!

•The Gifted Hand: Fine Art, Craft & Gift Show, Fri. November 14 noon-6pm + Sat. November 15 10am-4pm. 215 High Street, Holiday Inn.

•Comedian Steve Caouette at The Grand, Sat. Nov. 15, 7 pm and 9 pm. Tickets $10. 667.9500
•Terra Cotta 193 Main St.: 20% off on regularly priced merchandise storewide.
•Atlantic Art Glass, 25 Pine St., Ellsworth: Glassblowing Demonstrations, Open Studio + refreshments, Saturday November 15, 10am to 2pm.
•ShoeGazer 2 State St.: 15% off boots Nov. 14 & 15.
•Seaglass Infusion, 56 Franklin St., Open House + 15% off all seaglass jewelry.

In The Maine Grind Building 192 Main St.:
•Nov. 15 Customer Appreciation Day at The Maine Grind, Complimentary Treats + Gift Certificate Drawing.
•Grand Opening Splash at the Harlow Gallery…on Maine & Robin Farrin Photography.
•SevenArts Gallery, "Responses to Maine" Beth Lambert / Landscape Paintings
& Jan Whalen / Handknits Open House, Nov. 14, 5 - 7pm Win a $50 gift certificate, drawing Sat. 5pm

Upcoming Events

Here's some recent things I'm up to... come visit me!

•October 2008 Puppet Making Class, Ellsworth Adult Education. I'll be teaching a 3 week class Tuesdays beginning October 14th. For more information or to sign up contact Ellsworth Adult Ed. at 207.667.6499 or www.ellsworthadulted.org.

•October 25th & 26th 2008 Homecoming Craft Fair & Maine Marketplace, University of Maine Field House, Orono, Maine.
10am-5pm Saturday, 10am- 4pm Sunday.

•November 1 Designing Women Show & Sale, Husson College, Bangor, Maine. 9am – 4pm. www.designingwomen.org

•November 14 & 15 The Gifted Hand: Fine Art, Craft & Gift Show, Ellsworth's premier winter craft show. Over 50 juried artisans and a cafe area. Also features a HUGE silent auction as a benefit for the Grand Theatre. Holiday Inn, 215 High Street, Ellsworth, Maine. Friday noon-6pm and
Saturday 10am – 4pm. www.giftedhandshow.com

More to come or visit the galleries and shows page of my website

New Cards & More Show Info.

Well, it's been a really busy fall so far. I not only survived the Common Ground Fair (my first as a vendor), but I did very well. I'd like to thank everyone who stopped by my booth in the Maine Marketplace East. It was fun meeting new faces and seeing old friends. Please look out for me there again next year.

My *NEW* card designs for winter sold really well there. If you missed the card debut at Common Ground, you can get them at my website fernhousestudio.com. The Peaceable Kingdom Dove design (above) and the Green Solstice Trees were particularly big sellers.

I'm hard at work on the Gifted Hand Show, which I organize and which happens in November (the 14th & 15th). I'm so impressed by the artist line-up! Some of my favorite Maine artisans like Stephanie Sersich of Topsham (internationally known maker of lampwork beads and knotted jewlery), Mia Kanazawa of Harborside (she makes the coolest felt puppets) and artist & illustrator Rebekah Raye of Blue Hill will be there. To see the whole list of over 50 exhibitors vist GiftedHandShow.com. One of Stephanie's amazing necklaces is pictured below. She also has a neat blog called Hearts & Bones full of cool collaborative creations.

The Gifted Hand...

Hi All... One of the hats I wear is the show organizer for a great November art & craft show here in the Ellsworth area called The Gifted Hand. This year the show is expanding-- two days, over 50 artist and a new location. Also...we have a website www.GiftedhandShow.com. I'm so excited! My fab web designer Ruth of Studio 3K9 just finished it. It's got all the basic info, and I will be posting now and again at this blog about all the cool things that will happen at the show. Part of what I'm trying to do with this show is support and promote the creative economy in my community. To that end, every year an arts-related non-profit is picked to benefit from a portion of the admission proceeds and from a silent auction at the show. This year's nonprofit is The Grand Theatre of Ellsworth, a wonderful art deco era theatre and arts center for the region. More info to come, and do check out The Gifted Hand Site!