New Logo for The Fall Bead, Jewelry & Fiber Show

I'm choosing a logo for our exciting expanded Bead, Jewelry & Fiber show in Ellsworth on October 14 and 15. Help me choose by leaving a comment about which logo you prefer, and you may win a 4pack of Fern House Studio cards. One person who posts their opinion will be randomly chosen as the winner, so please leave your feedback. We'll call the first one the ball of yarn and beads and we'll call the second one the rectangular logo. Thanks for your help.

Spring Bead and Jewelry Show

There’s no two ways about it: beads are hot! Beading and jewelry making have exploded in recent years as both a hobby and vocation. Keeping on trend, Ellsworth has it’s own Spring bead & jewelry event. The Third Annual Beads & Baubles Downeast Bead & Jewelry Show is taking place at The Ramada Inn on April 8 + 9 this year. The show will feature about 25 vendors showing and selling beads, gems, buttons & beading supplies as well as lovely finished jewelry by local artisans. The most popular types of beads will be well represented: Czech glass, freshwater pearls, Swarovski Crystal, lampwork glass, and gemstone beads.

There will be a large selection of locally created lampwork glass by Sihaya Hopkins of Brooklin, Ray Cooper of Blue Hill, Beverly Lamoureux of Franklin, Kathleen Henderson of Penobscot, and Debrae Bishop of Sargentville. Lampwork glass is a traditional form of glasswork with roots in Murano, Italy. Beads are formed from colorful glass rods that are melted over the open flame of a torch into beads and buttons with sparkling color and texture. Lampwork beads can also be formed into shapes such as animals, and there will be many fine examples of lampwork glass beads in all shapes and colors at the show.

The Bead Show will also feature artisan created polymer clay beads and buttons, created using a millefiori caning technique. The variously colored polymer clay is mixed to create various patterns and sliced to show the cross section of the design. Both Priscilla Wentworth of Searsport and Suzanne Anderson of Yikes! Studio in Lucerne will offer their polymer clay beads, buttons, and jewelry at the show.

Several bead shops will be on hand to offer advice as well as offer a large selection of new and vintage beads and buttons. Bennett’s Gems of Belfast will display an impressive selection of gems and gemstone beads. The Beaded Moose of Bangor, which specializes in Czech glass, will bring a selection of beads for sale. Downeast Sticks 'n Stones of Brewer and Butterfly Beads of Old Town will also be on hand with a large selection of beads from their shops.

For those who prefer to purchase finished jewelry, several local artisans will be on hand with their beaded bracelets, necklaces, earrings and stash beads. Emily Delfin of Holden specializes in pieces created with Swarovski Crystal and gemstone, while Lisa Salsbury of Ellsworth works in precious metal clay (PMC) and a variety of beading techniques. Janelle Delicata of Prospect works in PMC as well. Diane Allen of Blue Hill has won National awards for her intricately beaded pearl and crystal jewelry. Leslie Jones of Tangled Web Designs in Southwest Harbor will display her beaded jewelry featuring cabochons.

This year folks attending the show can also purchase snacks and light meals right at the show. Sassafrass Catering of Bar Harbor will be onsite selling sandwiches, baked goods, coffee, and more to fortify shoppers.

Also at the show: artisan created dichroic glass by Nancy Tang of Glass Orchids, porcelain beads, felt beads, focal beads and pendants and findings. This will be the largest selection of beads and buttons available in the area until the Fall Bead Show returns in October. This will be a fun event and I hope you all can join us.

March News

• Great News! The Gifted Hand Artisan Shop will be open for an extended run through March. I originally popped up the shop just for February, but I had an opportunity to continue on in the space for another month, so...The shop will be open until March 30th. Our fabulous downstairs BEAD SHOP will be open through March as well. All this located at Gallery Grand, 169 Main Street, Downtown Ellsworth.

• I'm currently also making preparations for our 3rd Annual SPRING BEAD & JEWELRY SHOW, which will take place on April 8 & 9 @ the Ellsworth Ramada . I've ordered new beads for this event, and I'm putting them out at the downstairs BEAD SHOP at Gallery Grand as they arrive, so stop in for a "first look and grab." Arriving March 1st -3rd: real freshwater pearls in lots of shapes and colors (and my usual excellent prices!), unique freshwater cluster pearl beads (very limited supply!), gorgeous vintage-style Czech glass buttons, delicate silver plate filagree beads and so much more.

• If you visit the Spring Bead & Jewelry Show on April 8 & 9, you'll find lots of Maine artisan created beads in lampworked glass, polymer clay and and dichronic glass, as well as a large selection of Czech glass, gemstones, porcelain beads, seed beads, and the most beautiful array of artisan created beaded jewelry in the area. It's truly a treat to visit this fun event. This year the Spring Show will be happening at the Ramada Inn (in the Schoodic Room - off the lobby) 215 High St., Ellsworth. There will be about 25 vendors - a real "kid in a candy store" selection. We have some new vendors this year. I hope you can join us. If not, stop by the BEAD SHOP for a small taste of what you'll see at the show, and upstairs at The Gifted Hand Shop we have incredible jewelry by Maine artisans.

• I'll also be offering my Art + Craft Marketing Basics Class thru Ellsworth Adult Education. The class will meet on Wednesday 6-8pm for 4 weeks, starting March 9th (ending March 30th). This is a really useful series of presentations and discussions to help artisans, artists and craftspeople in marketing their work. Topics include: working with digital images, photographing your work, writing press releases, direct mail campaigns (postcards, mailing lists and graphic design options) and working with The Press. To sign up for this class contact RSU#24 (Ellsworth) Adult Ed at 422.4794. The class costs $45 for all 4 weeks and will meet at Ellsworth High School.

Studio Clean-out Sale Coming Up!

Join us for our 4th Annual studio clean-out sale of fine crafts by local artisans at deep discounts (up to 75% off).

We have an awesome NEW LOCATION: Gallery Grand, 169 Main Street, Downtown Ellsworth (between The Grand Theatre and Sugar & Spice Bakeshop).
Days and Times:
Friday February 4th, 3-8pm.
Saturday February 5th, 10am-4pm.
Featuring Work by Linden O'Ryan, Christina Heiniger, Heather Murray, Beverly Lamoureux, Jennifer Miller and Jodi Clayton.
Snowdate: Sunday February 6th, noon-5pm & Monday February 7th, 11am-5pm (same location). Please call Christina Heiniger at 664-2404 for more information.

My shadowboxes, like the one above, will be 50% off. Also great discounts on my cards, puppets and paintings.

Open House Events This Weekend

Fern House Studio is involved in two open house events this weekend.

Jodi Clayton is having an open studio at One Lupine Fiber Studio at 170 Park Street in Bangor. The open studio will happen on December 3rd and 4th (Friday and Saturday). Visit her website to learn more about her shop and studio. She will be exhibiting and selling work by twelve artisans at this fun annual event.

I will be holding an Arts in the Afternoon Open House at my new Holiday Shop in Downtown Ellsworth. The Gifted Hand Holiday Artisan Shop is located at Gallery Grand on 169 Main Street in Ellsworth. Join us on Saturday December 4th from 1-4pm for the open house. Refreshments will be served and everyone who attends will receive a free pack of Holiday cards. The shop features work by 20 Maine artisans.

2010 Gifted Hand Show this weekend

Please join us for the 2010 Gifted Hand Show this weekend, Nov. 12 & 13. Friday Show hours are 11am -7pm and Saturday hours are 9am-4pm. The Show is held at the Ramada Inn on 215 High Street in Ellsworth. The Show features 60 artisans and Cleonice Bistro will offer light meals for sale. More info at the Show website: www.giftedhandshow.com

Beads and Baubles Downeast Fall Bead and Jewelry Show.

Hi Everyone,

The Fall Bead & Jewelry Show is coming up in two weeks. It will be held on October 22 and 23 in Ellsworth (Maine) at the Ramada Inn on High Street. You can enter at the lobby entrance and the Bead Show will be in the Schoodic Room to your right. Hope you can all make it.

Picnic Arts and Music Festival

The Picnic Arts and Music Festival will be happening this weekend in Portland. I'm showing and selling my work there.

The 3rd Annual Picnic Music+Arts Festival will take place on
Saturday, August 28, 2010! This juried indie craft fair will be held outdoors
at Lincoln Park on Congress Street and Franklin Arterial, in Portland ME.
The festival will run from 11am to 6pm, rain or shine.

The Picnic Music+Arts Festival will feature over 100 vendors selling clothing,
jewelry, prints, accessories, bags, plush, stationery, photography, housewares,
fine art, vintage goods, and more. The Picnic Booth will be handing out goody
bags to the first 25 shoppers. This year we’re thrilled to host a book signing by
Kari Chapin, author of The Handmade Marketplace. There will be live music
all day and tasty food by Verbena Cafe and Skinny Cart BBQ. Hope to see
you there!

New Paintings at Upcoming Audubon Show

I'll be exhibiting at the Audubon Show at Gilsland Farm this coming Saturday and Sunday, August 21 and 22. Among the work I'll be showing are several new pieces featuring foxes. I hope you can stop by my booth under one of the big tents on the grounds.

Gifted Hand Show Postcard

Just ordered 7,000 postcards for The Gifted Hand Show! The most ever. Participating artisans will be getting their postcards in early August. Here is what our lovely 2010 card looks like.

Gifted Hand Announces Media Sponsors

As many of you know I organize a Fine Art and Craft Show in Ellsworth called The Gifted Hand. This year's show will be November 12 and 13 at The Ramada Inn in Ellsworth. I'm pleased to announce that Maine Magazine and Maine Home + Design are media sponsors for this year's show. They will be running some lovely ads for the show in their beautiful magazines. They will also be sending a photographer to the show to take pictures and feature the show in a later issue. They'll be having a media booth at the show, so you can meet the folks from the magazines and also purchase subscriptions. I'm looking forward to having them involved with the show.

Thanks Maine Magazine! Thanks Maine Home + Design!

Open Studio this Weekend

Linden O'Ryan, Jackie Haines and myself are hosting an Open Studio with artist demos this Friday and Saturday. I hope you can stop by! The image above is one of my new pieces. I'll have some of this work at the Open Studio.

What: Open Studio: Art + Craft Sale and Artist Demos. Refreshments Served.

When: Friday June 25th, 12 noon to 7pm and Saturday June 26th, 10am to 3pm.

Where: Linden O'Ryan Gallery, 92 Herrick Road, Southwest Harbor, Maine. (Directions at the end of this post).

Info: For more info call 244.6463 or visit the Fern House Studio Website

Jackie Haines • Beaded Jewelry
Christina Heiniger • Puppets, Art + Cards
Linden O'Ryan • Watercolors + Lampshades

Demos: Beading techniques, puppet making, felting and watercolors.

Directions: At the top of Mount Desert Island follow the signs for Southwest Harbor (approximately 11 miles) through Town Hill and Somesville. As you come down the hill into Southwest Harbor and after the shell gas station, look for the D.O.T sign for Linden O'Ryan Gallery. Take a left onto Herrick Road and go 4/10ths of a mile to 92 Herrick road on your right. The gallery is a natural shingled house with light blue trim.

Help me chose my next card design

It is time to print up a new Fern House Studio Card. I have it narrowed down to two designs featuring owls, since I'm almost sold out on two of my old owl designs. I hope folks can take a look at these two images and tell me which you would like better as my next card design. The first design is called Slow Lane and the second design is called Chatting.

Open Studio with Linden O'Ryan

Area artisans Linden O’Ryan, Jackie Haines, and Christina Heiniger will be hosting an Open Studio and Art Sale at Linden O’Ryan Gallery in Southwest Harbor. The event will feature beading, puppet making and felting demos throughout both days on a rolling basis. Visitors to this working studio will also be able to view a large selection of watercolor paintings by Linden O’Ryan and Christina Heiniger, as well as intricately beaded jewelry by Jackie Haines of Blue Leaf Designs in Lamoine. Christina Heiniger will also display and sell her well known hand-sculpted hand and finger puppets and Linden O’Ryan will feature her handmade paper lampshades and lamps. The public is warmly invited and refreshments will be offered. The event takes place on Friday June 25th, noon-7pm and Saturday June 26th, 10am-3pm at Linden O’Ryan Gallery, 92 Herrick Road, Southwest Harbor. For more information please call Linden O’Ryan at 244.0463 or visit fernhousestudio.com .

Directions: On the top of the island follow the signs for Southwest Harbor through Town Hill and Somesville. As you come down the hill into Southwest Harbor after the shell gas station look for the D.O.T sign for Linden O'Ryan gallery, or the Wendell Gilley Museum. Take a left on to Herrick road and go 4/10ths of a mile to 92 Herrick road with an oval sign on the right. It is a natural shingled house with light blue trim.

Etsy Shoppe

My Etsy Shoppe updates are admittedly spotty, so I wanted to let you all know The Fern House Studio etsy shoppe has some new items for sale. I've recently listed my new sticker sets, some of my latest artwork and some new card mixes (like my Owl Mix Card set, which is popular at shows).

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.