Phinney Center's Winter Festival

Phinney Neighborhood Center's Winter Festival

Dates: Sat and Sun, Dec 6 - 7
Hours: 10am - 5pm both days
Address: Phinney Neighborhood Center, 6532 Phinney Ave N, Seattle

One of my very favorite shows to do every year! If you are looking for unique and handmade gifts for the holidays, this is the place to go. There are so many wonderful artists here. There is an admission fee - $2 for PNA members and $4 for the general public. There are treats, fresh wreaths, entertainment too. So looking forward to this. 

PLEASE NOTE: I'm in the same spot as the last two years. I'll be upstairs in the Blue Building, on the top floor in the big room (Room 7). 

This year's event will feature 115 artists and crafts vendors, hundreds of musicians and dancers, live ongoing entertainment on two stages, a quilt raffle, a bake sale and lunch items.

The Winter Festival supports PNA programs such as the PNA Hot Meal Program (formerly known as the PNA Soup Kitchen), before and after school childcare, the Greenwood Senior Center, the tool library and the art gallery as well as community projects for neighbors in need and the Volunteers of America Food Bank of Greenwood. 

Next week I'll be back at Group Health in my little shop space (Dec 7 - 9). Also Allied Arts in Bellingham is ongoing throughout the whole month of December and I'm restocking there weekly - it looks great this year. 

For those of you who like to shop from home - did you see my Cyber Monday special? are you waiting for "Free Shipping Day" on Dec 18th? 

Warm Beach Lights of Christmas

There are a couple more shows this week - Lights of Christmas at Warm Beach and Phinney Ridge Winter Festival. I'll do them separately, just so it's easier to search for them later.

Warm Beach Camp sets up their gigantic light display (over a million lights!) every year with entertainment stages, fresh hot donuts, carolers, gift shops, a train ride around the camp, and the works set up all month. This is a huge event, with lots of live concerts and entertainment, dinner theaters - you can even spend the night for an overnight getaway! It opens Thursday, Dec 4th. 

Dates: Thurs thru Sun Dec 4-7, 11-14, Thurs up to Christmas Eve 18-23, Fri - Tues 26-30.

Hours: are 5pm to 10pm. There is an admission charge and you can buy tickets online from the website. There are special admission days too - like "Pay What You Can" night. Check there for more info on everything, including driving directions. 

Address: Warm Beach Camp, 20800 Marine Dr., Stanwood

Every year they do something a little new and different - can't wait to see it, and ooogle at the awesome Mt Rainier vista in lights.  I'm in my usual gift shop at the Joyland Emporium, just inside that first tunnel of lights as you enter.

East Shore Gallery

One more ongoing show to let you know about and happening this week, through the beginning of January. I have a small and select display at their gallery, but it's an easy spot to swing by if you need to pick up something quickly.

East Shore Gallery Holiday Show

This is a small but beautiful gallery located at East Shore Unitarian Church in Bellevue.  It's open all week but not staffed during weekdays, so if you're heading over there mid-week, just check in at the office and they'll let you in to shop.  Open fully on weekends, especially Sundays around worship services.  Each year they organize this fine art event with unique handcrafted holiday gift items.

They are having an open house Sunday, Dec 6th, 1-5pm
  
Location: just north of Factoria at 12700 SE 32nd St, Bellevue

Dates: Sunday 11/16 through Jan 4th

Hours: open weekdays by checking in at the office, open weekends before and after services

Allied Arts Holiday Festival of the Arts

Yes, it's November.  And yes, there are more even MORE shows this week.

Holiday Festival of the Arts

Allied Arts of Whatcom County's annual Holiday Festival of the Arts started a week ago, but I guess I forgot to get this up (sorry).  We've got a new location this year over by the malls on Meridian, easy to get to and lots of free parking.  This show has some of the best and brightest artists and is chock full of beautiful, unique and original handmade holiday gifts.  Shop local and get something one of a kind!  Click the link to check out who's there this year.

Location: 4145 Meridian St, Bellingham (next to the new Burlington store)
Dates:  November 14 - Dec 24
Hours:  Wed thru Sunday 10am - 6pm
            Closed Thanksgiving, closing early at 3pm Christmas Eve
            Bonus days Mon and Tues Dec 22 and 23

Stepping Down from Vasa Park This Week

Announcement: I have had to step down from the Vasa Park craft show this week. After doing a little quick inventory count of what's left after this past weekend - well there's just not enough of anything to even bring to sell. I truly need a week to get back up to speed in order to have products to sell right up to Christmas. I'm updating the website this morning with a few "temporarily out of stock" notices.  Lots of things are still curing and will be ready in a week or two.  But this week I'm caught short and will miss Vasa.  So sorry for the inconvenience.

Best of the Northwest - Part 2, I'll be here!!

This coming weekend is the second part of the fall Best of the Northwest shows. If you had a chance to stop by the October show, you've got a free pass to see this one too.  And if you missed it, well, we've got another 110 all NEW artists in this one, with  so much good stuff to check out. These are some of the very best Pacific Northwest artists in every category, so you're sure to find gifts, holiday decor and special treasures.



Here's what they say:

FALL BEST OF THE NORTHWEST ART AND FINE CRAFT SHOW 
IN TWO ACTS, OCT 24-26 AND NOV 14-16 

110 Artists in each Act. Attend both shows and meet over 200 different artists!

Amazing handcrafted work, everything from jewelry, designer clothing, paintings, works of glass, metal, wood, clay and more. Find unique gifts for holiday shopping as well as decorative items for your home or office. While you're there, nosh on local cuisine from our food vendors, bring your kids to the free children's art table, and watch demonstrations by a number of our talented show artists--inspiring.

Hours: Friday and Saturday 10am to 6pm; Sunday 10am to 5pm. $6 entry at the door.

Where: Hangar 30, Magnuson Park, Seattle (where they hold the Library sale)

Take a look at the show program the artists of each Act HERE.

Bellevue Club Holiday Bazaar

I'll be at two shows this week, and this is the second one (Red Ribbons and Reindeer is the other one - check out yesterday's post.) 

This swanky health club is open to the public for one day only.  Come snoop around the place and get some awesome handmade, one-of-a-kind holiday gifts!

Bellevue Club, 11200 SE 6th St, Bellevue
Nov 8, Sat only 9am-5pm

This is only my 3rd year at this show, but it's always full of really high quality stuff and a lot of fun.  We're in two rooms this year, the ballroom and the gym.  So looking forward to seeing all the cool stuff there . . hope to see you too!!

Red Ribbons & Reindeer

 

This week is the final - and yes I mean final, final - Red Ribbons and Reindeer show.  I don't know exactly how many years they've been doing this one, but the 20th anniversary was a few years back.  And the gals are going to retire after this show is over. So if it's one of your favorites, like it is for me, head on over and get cracking before it's gone. I've participated in this show for about 15 of those years (which I can NOT believe either). I'll miss Carol and Jan and those goofy reindeer aprons . . so sad.

Nov 5 - 8
Hollywood Schoolhouse
14810 NE 145^th St, Woodinville
Wed 3-8pm, Thurs & Fri, 10am-8pm, Sat 9:30am-6pm

Eastlake Holiday Bazaar

Just a heads up that I'll be at the Eastlake Holiday Bazaar this coming Saturday. It's a one-day show packed with local, handmade, unique holiday gifts and crafts. 

Saturday Nov 1st from 9am to 3pm
Eastlake High School, 400 228th Ave NE, Sammamish

We're spread out around the hallways on the main floor near the cafeteria this year, not the gym. And the bake sale will be rocking! Really good odds on the raffle items that we all donate too - and everything goes to support the PTSA. 

Hope to see you there!

Best of the Northwest - October/Part 1 (I'm in Nov/Part 2)

It's Monday.  Are you already thinking about the weekend like I am?

This coming weekend is the first part of the fall Best of the Northwest shows. It's so big, it comes in two parts - but the bests part? is that if you go to the October show, you get a free pass to see the November show too.  Plan ahead, because I'll be there in November, not this week.  No artists get to do both, so it's a completely different group each time.  So much to see!!!

Here's what they say:

Fall Best of the Northwest Art and Fine Craft Show 
in Two Acts, Oct 24-26 and Nov 14-16 

110 Artists in each Act. Attend both shows and meet over 200 different artists!

Amazing handcrafted work, everything from jewelry, designer clothing, paintings, works of glass, metal, wood, clay and more. Find unique gifts for holiday shopping as well as decorative items for your home or office. While you're there, nosh on local cuisine from our food vendors, bring your kids to the free children's art table, and watch demonstrations by a number of our talented show artists--inspiring.

Hours: Friday and Saturday 10am to 6pm; Sunday 10am to 5pm. $6 entry at the door.

Come to the show in October, get a FREE pass to the one in November and see ALL of the Best of the Northwest talent, 
over 200 artists.

Take a look at the show program and see the artists of each Act HERE.

One final note from me - if you do happen to click on that link and look for me in the program, again - I'm in November.  And I'm incorrectly listed as "WorksStudio" instead of Soapworks Studio, in the Other category.  I will be in booth A-9 along the right side wall, past the doorway to the food area.  And of course, I'll do a big reminder of all that next month too :)

Vasa Park Fall Show This Week

Can you believe it?  It's already time to hit the dance floor for the fall craft shows!!

This week is the fall show at Vasa Park. There's a winter/holiday themed show there again in November, so this one is all about fall and pumpkins and scarecrows and Halloween etc.  Of course there gifts also if you're shopping early for Christmas, but the overall theme will be autumn leaves and pumpkins.

The building where we have our shows is across the street from the park on Lake Sammamish. It was THE spot to be back in the day - a hopping ballroom for dances and weekend dates. Now it's a rickety little wooden building in a parking lot. But it's a wide open floor plan, easily accessible, with a big parking lot - perfect for a craft show. We set up Wednesday, and it will be a wonderland of crafts by Thursday morning when it opens at 10am.  

If you're looking for handcrafted fall decor, halloween gifties, and great handmade goods, here's the scoop:

Dates: Thursday through Saturday, Oct 16-18
Hours: Thurs and Fri 10am-7pm, Sat 10am-5pm
Location: Vasa Park Ballroom, 3560 W Lk Samm Rd SE, Bellevue
Country Creations Website

Salmon Days is here!

Groovin' since 1970!

Yeah, Baby! The salmon are on their way!  For 45 consecutive years, we've been celebrating the return of the salmon that come to Issaquah's downtown hatchery to "shag".  

What started as a small town celebration has morphed into an internationally recognized and award winning Festival that regularly draws an estimated 150,000 people.  With over 500 vendors, 60 food booths, and multiple entertainment stages, Issaquah Salmon Days is now a staple event in the Puget Sound.

The coolest part? The Snoqualmie Tribe is the new Title Spawnsor of Salmon Days.  The Snoqualmie People have a longstanding tradition and culture of protecting and celebrating the salmon and are an integral part of our community.  Their support of Salmon Days is truly an honor and will help ensure the tradition of welcoming home the salmon will continue for many more generations.  

This is my last big outdoor event of the year and it's always a blast - even if the weather is drippy.  My booth location is #318 - a corner spot on Sunset Way, just at the entrance to the hatchery itself. I'm hoping for sunshine and warm weather . . . but I'm just excited to be there no matter what.

Dates:  Sat & Sun, October 4 & 5, 10am-6pm both days

It's Fair Time!

Hey, this weekend is the start of the Fair! Starting Friday, it's non-stop fun and food and rides and concerts for a whole two weeks / three weekends.  And I'll be there right in the middle of it.  Probably not standing in the hours-long line at the fried twinkie booth.  But I'll be working our little artists shop in the grandstand - selling soap and other cool handmade stuff.

Advert blurb: "(Formerly called "The Puyallup Fair") Coming up in early September, the Washington State Fair is the largest single attraction held annually in the state of Washington. The Fair continually ranks in the top ten largest fairs in the world."

There is so much to do, people come back again and again - rides, rodeos, onion burgers, barns full of animals, Krusty Pups, exhibits galore, elephant ears, shopping, more fried food, evening concerts, oh yeah, and scones too.  More info on it all the Fair website.

Held at the fairgrounds in downtown Puyallup.  Dates are Sept 5 - 21st.

Hours: Mon - Thurs 10am-10pm, Fri 10am-11pm, Sat 9am-11pm, Sun 9am-10pm

Opening Day opens at 9am, get in for free before noon with a canned food donation.  See other deals and discounts here. 

Soapworks Studio is located in the Artists in Action building, on the ground floor of the Grandstand, near the Fischer Scone booth.  We're like a little store within the fair, with a central cashier for all of us.  Non-stop artist demos too.

Anacortes Arts Festival 2014

I am delighted to say that I am an invitee again this year at the Anacortes Arts Festival.  It's a huge honor and even though I've been on that last for several years in a row, I'm very humbled to be a part of that group. This is one of my best and busiest shows all year and I am prepping like mad to have enough of everything to bring you all.  Sooo much looking forward to seeing you all there!

"In our 6th decade, we welcome visitors and artists from throughout the region and beyond. The Festival features 250 diverse Booth Artisans who transform six blocks of historic downtown. Extending down to the water, Arts at the Port explores the theme "Air, Earth, Water" through over 40 regional fine artists and a Youth Art Exhibition. Working Studios feature demonstrating artists. And we're introducing ink alley, a new indie craft area!

Hands-on Youth Activities spark the creativity of the youngest Festival-goers. We offer regional and ethnic foods at our Island Eatery food court and dispersed throughout the Festival. Wine, beer and spirits are available at three Festival locations, including our new waterfront pub. Entertainmentis expanding to three stages and includes lively rock, country, jazz and world music, as well as performance art."

With a new director comes a few new changes to the show this year.  And they all look pretty awesome!

"ink alley is our new indie craft area intersecting Commercial at 6th street. Indie craft is a new trend with a younger, more urban aesthetic - often incorporating repurposed materials.  It will feature more local artists 

(like Slow Loris who designed the logo).

 

Our new Waterfront Pub & Port Stage is located on the Port Dock at the far north end of the Festival.  The pub will offer micro-brews, wine & limited spirits. While you sip, enjoy the lineup on our newest stage including cirque performance, dance & theater. 

 

Working Studios is a new name for our demonstrating artist area.  This years exciting lineup includes a public art graffiti project, a steampunk installation, living sculptures, chalk art, blacksmithing, stone carving, and a community tree project.

 

Look for the addition of food trucks, disbursed throughout the Festival this year.   They offer unique food items, coffees and snacks in compact, creative vehicles."   

Here's the scoop --

Dates: Aug 1 - 3

Hours:  Fri - Sat 10-6, Sun 10-5

Soapworks Studio Booth Location:  513C (same spot as last few years)

Commercial Ave btwn 5th & 6th Streets, just a few doors south of Gere-A-Deli, in the  center row

Gig Harbor Art Festival - July 19 & 20

This weekend is the 30th annual Gig Harbor Summer Art Festival

What they say:

"More than 120 artists and craftspeople will show and sell their work at this year's Art Festival. You'll see many familiar favorites and you'll also have a chance to meet many new artists who will be with us for the first time. We know you'll love what you see! 
We'll also have music, food vendors and lots of cool activities for kiddos including face painting by local artists and art-making projects thanks to Arcadia Montessori School."

Gig Harbor is such a beautiful place and a great idea for a day trip.  I'd love to see you there!

Dates:  July 19 & 20
Location:  Judson Street, downtown Gig Harbor
Hours:  Sat 10-6, Sun 10-5
Booth location: space #42, approx mid way, parking lot/post office side of the street

West Seattle Summerfest

This weekend is the West Seattle Summerfest.  Wahoo!!

I love this show every summer.  It's the perfect neighborhood festival, where everyone comes to hang out and visit with friends and neighbors.  The restaurants lining California Ave all have little sidewalk areas set up so you can watch the action.  There are live bands, with music stages at both ends of the street, plus a beer garden.  Stores have special sidewalk sales.  The vendors are a big mix of anything and everything - including commercial businesses, imports, handmade stuff, the works.  Families come during the day to do the jump-y/bouncy games and kids activities.  Working people head over in the evening for dinner and entertainment.  The West Seattle Hi Yu pageant girls make an appearance. Sometimes we even see Pirates.

Stop by for brunch or the Farmer's Market on Sunday and check us out.  Or head over Friday night for a little happy hour and stay for the music.  Whatever fits in your schedule.  It's all a good time.

Official hours for vendors are different than the official hours of the show, so some vendors may close earlier - just fair warning.

Hours of show:  Fri 10-8, Sat 10-8, Sun 11-8 (July 11-13)
Hour for vendors:  Fri 10-6, Sat 10-6, Sun 11-6
Location:  West Seattle Junction, intersection of Alaska & California Ave, plus a block in each direction on California Ave.
Booth Location: Space #94.  Very close to intersection, first set of tents north, on west side of street, maybe a storefront or so up from Easy Street on that corner.

Sorticulture reminder and free wood chips

Just a reminder that this coming weekend is the Sorticulture event - the awesome garden plants and art show in Everett.  It's Fri - Sun in Legion Park. And if you need more info, see the Event Listing on the FB page or on my site (or just scroll down the blog here, I did a whole post about it last week).

They've got display gardens from landscape designers set up too (with plants labelled) which is great inspiration for your own garden. Plus lectures and demos all weekend so you can learn the best tips and tricks.  Even Ciscoe Morris will be there! I credit him with the great tip on where to get free wood chip mulch from arborists. Need some too?  http://www.chipdrop.in

Sorticulture coming your way - June 6-8

What the heck is "Sorticulture?" I know, crazy name, but super fun show if you're a gardener type.

This is Everett's Garden Art Festival.  Legion Park is full to the brim with featured artists creating distinctive hand-crafted garden art and over 20 nurseries producing a wide variety of plants to transform your backyard - everything from sedums to Japanese maples, laurels, perennials, annuals, and unusual specimens.

Learn tips and trick from top regional gardening experts including KING 5's Cisco Morris, Saturday June 7 at 1pm.  Sorticulture also features display gardens from some of the regions best designers and hardscape specialists, a food fair, a wine garden, live music and free activities for the kids.

Park at Everett Community College's North Broadway parking lot (900 N Broadway) and take the bus that runs every 15-20 minutes.  Regular fares apply - $1.00 each way.  You can return to the park with your car to pick up purchases.  Visitors with a Disabled Parking permit can park at Legion Park.

This is the entrance to the park.  And you can see the Soapworks Studio booth from here!  My tent is the second on the left from the open-sided one in the center of the photo.  I am located right at the entrance to the park - you can't miss me!

Friday, Saturday and Sunday, June 6-8
Hours:  Fri 11am-8pm, Sat 10am-6pm, Sun 10am-4pm
Legion Park, Everett

Sorticulture Web Site

Sorticulture Facebook Page (for photos and more timely details)

U Dist This Weekend!

It's time for the U District Street Fair.  The kick-off to the summer festival season.  It certainly feels like summer this week.  So let's deck ourselves out in our summer finest, and head over to the festival - block after block of loud bands, sizzling street food, shopping galore, and people watching.

Celebrate the 45th anniversary of the longest running street fair in America!

It's happening Sat and Sun, May 17-18.
Hours: Sat 10am-7pm, Sun 10am-6pm
Soapworks Studio Booth location:  #231 - mid way between 43rd & 45th streets (there is no 44th), west side of the street, north facing corner, pretty close to University Bookstore

This is a new spot for me, I'm usually one block south, so keep an eye out for me!

All kinds of information on their web site - lists of vendors, entertainers, maps, parking, etc.

http://udistrictstreetfair.org/

Mother's Day Pop Up Shop Next Week

In my last post about Mother's Day, I might have forgotten to mention that I am doing my one of my twice-yearly pop-up shops at Group Health Capitol Hill next week - and it's just in time for Mother's Day. So if you wanted to stop into a real, live shop and try to put together a gift for Mom, I'll have the place for you to come to (and save the cost of ordering online too).

This is open to the public and available for everyone. Soapworks Studio will have it's own retail shop for just three days, with a full-line of products available, plus lots of gift ideas for Mother's Day. Bonus reason to stop in: this a fund-raiser sale for Group Health's TLC Foundation, and a portion of all the sales goes to their patient needs fund.

Oh, and did I mention chocolate? I've got a friend who has an amazing chocolate side business who is joining me Friday with her to-die for caramels, turtles, covered oreos and other delicious treats for Mom. We totally got your back, dude.

May 7 - 9
Group Health Central Campus
street level retail shop space
108 - 15th Ave E, Capitol Hill
Wed - Fri 9am-4pm