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!

Twist, Beadmaking Workshop, Community Paint Day

Twist is this weekend! Yet another round of fun and inspiring DIY crafters presenting you with their goodies. Now in it's 6th round, the event is held at the Northampton Center for the Arts and features all kinds of unique, handmade things. Definitely worth a visit! Added bonus, you can surely find that last minute mother's day present you need while having a great time.

Check out this article written by Sarah Platanitis of Ansel Blue, a fellow vendor and long time Twister. Find Twist on facebook, and check out the website for all the details.



Spring Beadmaking Workshop! Come try something new and have a great time doing it! Learn about flameworking and make your own beads at ETTA Art Studio in Amherst on Saturday, May 14th, from 1-5pm.



Here's the official blurb:
Introduction to Glass Beadmaking

This fun workshop will introduce students to the art of
flameworking by learning to melt glass over a small torch to make
beautiful glass beads. The four hour workshop will allow students
to have a great time trying something new. Basic bead formation and
decorative techniques will be demonstrated, and students
will be given time to play and practice.

$60 plus $15 material fee Instructor will bring materials
and provide all tools and equipment.
1/2 price deposit to hold your spot. Limit 5 students.
contact 413-230-3272 or etta.arts@yahoo.com to sign up


Community Paint Day

Last, but certainly not least.... Get Up Get Down will be having an open community paint day on May 19th from 3-6pm at Kendrick Park in Amherst. Come paint with us, preview the new youth mural that will be going up in town, and dialogue with the youth about their visions of our community and the future.

P.S. Save the Date! June 18th, Beer Tasting Fundraising event at the new site of Stone Soup Farm.

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!

TWIST!

Hi folks,

Here it is- TWIST 3.0! Come see all the great handmade goods and get a start on your holiday shopping. This year buy handmade and support your local economy!
I'll have lots of goodies there including more lampworked veggies, new sculptures and more. Here's the info...

Greetings!

Twist III is almost here - save the date for the best Twist shopping event yet! 60+ of the most talented artists from Maine to Rhode Island will exhibit their wares in Northampton, MA next week... and you're invited.

Location
Northampton Center for the Arts
17 New South Street
Northampton, MA USA

Show dates/hours
Friday 11/13 6:00pm - 9:00pm
Saturday 11/14 10:00am-6:00pm

Regular Admission
Adults $3
Kids 6-12 $1
Kids 5 and under FREE

**VIP Reception**
Friday 11/13 4-6 pm
Tickets $20 (available at the Twist store or at the door)
VIP ticket includes complimentary beverages and snacks, admission to the fair both days, and our coveted Swag Bag (available while supplies last!)

The Twist Store
The Twist "pop-up" store is open seven days a week thru December only. Be sure to stop by for a preview and to shop ahead of the show. We're located on the second floor of Thornes Marketplace at 150 Main Street, Northampton, MA.

See you there!

www.twistfair.com