Winter Warmtimes this Friday and Spark! Art Share 2013

If you are looking for great ideas for those last minute hard to figure out people, I might just have you covered.   This Friday, I'll be joining a few friends in Northampton for a small gathering and art show.   See the cute cat flyer below for details. 

Second choice, which is really the coolest gift I can think of, is a Spark! Art Share for 2013. If you give someone an art share, they'll get beautiful handmade things throughout the next year- it keeps on giving. If your recipient lives locally, they can pick-up their treats in Amherst at our quarterly Art Parties,  but you can also have a share shipped anywhere in the US! And this year we are offering one for just $250.  If you order a share as a gift, we'll email you a gift certificate that you can print and have ready for next week. Voila!

If you are looking for something in particular, but aren't sure who makes it, head to the Artisans of WMASS website to find local makers and shops that carry our work. Remember to support all the wonderful artists that are your neighbors.

Wishing you peace and happiness this holiday season, and looking forward to what the new year brings. 

Holiday Handmade

I hope everyone had great turkey times, quality time with family and friends, and some much needed relaxation this Thanksgiving. With the holidays coming quickly there are lots of opportunities to shop local and support the artists around you. Here's a taste of some of the things I'll be involved in during the next month. 

Spark! Art Share Update

We've just finished jurying the artists for next year's Spark! Art Share, and are busily working on updating the website, finalizing details and getting ready to sell next year's share. Based on feedback from our surveys, we've changed the structure of the share to include more choice of artwork, a lower priced share and fewer (but more fun) pick-ups for customer convenience. We hope these changes will keep Spark! accessible and exciting and work well for artists and customers alike. Take a look, let us know what you think, and sign-up today!  Consider giving a Spark! Art Share to someone really special this holiday.  (Earrings from a new Spark! Artist, metalsmith Heather Beck)

AWM Online Sale

Artisans of WMASS is hosting an online promotion throughout the next few weeks. Participating artists will have free shipping from 11/25-12/8 and 15% off from 12/9-12/15. Check out the Artisans of WMASS website to find out who's participating, and find us on facebook.  Snag some veggie earrings or other gifts during this sale from my etsy page. 

Holiday Pop-Up Shops

There are lots of holiday pop-up shops popping up. You can find my work at the Artisan Gala Shop in Greenfield, along with many other beautiful items such as this blue dragonfly set  from Good Dirt Pottery.  There's also the Hilltown Christmas Place in Williamsburg, and Spencertown Academy's Handmade Holiday Shop in Spencertown, NY.  For a list of more pop-ups and other local stores that carry handmade items, check out the shop local page compiled by Artisans of WMASS. 

December Shows

This Sunday, December 2,  I'll be at "A Classical Holiday" at the old Classical High School in Springfield from 12-5. Tour the renovated condos, check out artwork made by 20 local artists, and enjoy music and refreshments. 

Local art galleries are hosting Small Works shows for those of you looking more for fine art than functional art. Freedom Trails Gallery at Valley Frame Works Amherst and Easthampton City Arts are two that I can recommend. 

Last, I think, but possibly the most fun (for me!) so certainly not least, I'll be co-hosting a last minute shopping event and holiday party in Northampton on December 21st, from 5-8. More details coming on this one soon, but it'll feature work from Katie Ray Arts, BMW Ironworks,  Carolyn Clayton, Taylor Ceramics, and Heather Beck.  

Hmmm... I'm sure I'm missing something but I'm sure that's plenty for now! 

November Events and News

Whew! We made it through what my friend coined the "snowpocalypse". I just got my power back after 5 days and I hope you did too! Here's what's going on with Katie Ray Arts in November.

NEWS
I'm excited to say I just finished setting up my glass shop in the new barn. It has great electricity, is insulated for the winter, walls are covered and painted, and glass torch is ready to go. The heated and dry space means that I can teach out of my studio all winter long, so if you've been thinking about coming over to melt some glass with me, now is the time.

Second exciting piece of news to share is that I'm working an ART SHARE for all you art enthusiasts! This will be a CSA type product where you pay for a year and get lots of handmade goodies by local artists throughout the year. This model is great for artists, as it is for farmers, because we make things knowing that they are already paid for, rather than hoping they might sell. As an art share member, you get the excitement of a new piece of great art, fine craft, or functional object once a month throughout the year. You get to support local artists and the creative economy. And this share will make a sweeeet gift for the holidays. I'll let you know when all the details are ironed out but keep it in mind.



EVENTS
Tomorrow, check out the Handmade with Love Craft and Gift Market in the Eastworks building in Easthampton. Put on by Aviva Seiber of Seiber Designs and Karen Shaw Suriner of Stargazer Studios this sweet and cozy event will run from 10-5pm. Look for lots of great items by Artisans of WMASS members. Speaking of Artisans of WMASS, we have a great online sale coming up. Starting November 20, there will be 3 weeks with a different promotion each week- free gift with purchase, 15% off purchase and free shipping, depending on which week you remember to check us out.



And finally, TWIST is the following weekend, November 11/12, at the Northampton Center for the Arts. Friday night from 4-9 and Saturday from 10-6. I'll be hanging out with my buddy Ben of BMW Ironworks in the side room, so make sure to come find us. This is one of the hippest crafty events around, and its always a fun time. On Friday there'll be drinks and a DJ, and if you feel like paying to come to the VIP party from 4-6, you get a swag bag, food and drinks. Definitely worth checking out whenever you can make it.

That's all for now. Happy November!

Artisans of WMASS + Artspace Holiday Sale, Twist and Craftopia

UPDATES from ARTISANS of WMASS

Our fabulous group of local artists and artisans is expanding rapidly (now over 50 members!) to include a fabulous selection of handmade art and good. Please remember to check us out as you start to think about your holiday shopping, and tell your friends too. Shopping with us is a great way to support local artists and the creative culture of the region as well as keep money in your own community. Check out our website to see all the fabulous things we have to offer. Look on the blog for the various shows we'll attending. Grab a bumper sticker from us at a show, plop in on your car to help spread the word. And stay tuned for a special AWM online holiday sale! www.artisansofwmass.com

NOVEMBER SHOWS

This Friday and Saturday you will find me in Greenfield among a variety of handmade treasures. Artspace in Greenfield, MA is sponsoring a Holiday Gift Sale at Greenfield High School on Friday, Nov. 5, 6 – 9 pm and Saturday, Nov. 6, 10 – 4 pm. Admission and parking are free. Thirty artists will participate, showcasing works in fiber, pottery, glass, jewelry, painted furniture, wooden bowls, holiday ornaments, paintings, photography, dolls, doll clothes and more will be available at the sale. The sale is located at Greenfield High School on Lenox Ave., Greenfield MA.



Next weekend, come on out for TWIST, the valley's favorite indie craft show. Twist is a fresh kind of fair, showcasing original goods and art from 60+ talented vendors. It's always a lot of fun, with music and drinks on Friday night, continuing all day Saturday for lots of holiday shopping. As usual I'll be in the East Gallery next to my friend Ben Westbrook of BMW Ironworks and Donnabelle of Donabelle Designs. Get some veggie glasswork for your friends and family, or order that something special you've been thinking about.



The vibe of this show is just awesome and the selection and ingenuity is outstanding. I really recommend a visit. It's held in the Northampton Center for the Arts beginning on Friday November 12 with VIP entrance from 4-6pm. If you come then you have to pay more, but you get a swag bag ad first peek at all the goodies! Then the show opens for the regular admission price from 6-9pm and continues on Saturday from 10-6pm.



Finally, on Sunday the 14th, I'll be at another sweet show for any of you who are farther south or feel like taking a drive. Craftopia, a great indie fair run by Rhody Craft, is in it's second season. It's located in Pawtucket Rhode Island, just outside Providence and will be open from 10-5pm.

Higgins Armory and TWIST!

Coming up this Friday is an event at the wine event at Higgins Armory. Check it out at http://www.higgins.org/int-wine.php. It looks like there'll be lots of tasty treats! And I know there will be a great selection of glass bottle stoppers as well as beautiful corkscrews and beer openers made by my friend Ben Westbrook of BMW Ironworks. http://hammeronsteel.etsy.com



Then next weekend at the Northampton Center for the Arts is TWIST 4.0! This is an event not to be missed. Twist is a fresh kind of fair, showcasing original goods and art from 60+ talented vendors. Twist is held twice a year, in May and November. Save the dates for an exciting feast of shopping and fun!








Friday May 7, 2010
VIP Reception 4:00pm - 6:00pm
Market Party 6:00pm - 9:00pm

Saturday May 8, 2010
10:00 am - 6:00 pm

twistfair.com for more info. See you there!