Thank You!

{Crafty Chicks 2012}

Thanks to all of our devoted friends and customers for making the Crafty Chick's 13th Annual Show a great success!  We truly appreciate your patronage and support and hope to see you next year!

It's Show Time!

 

Today's the day!  Hope to see you at the show ~ it's going to be a great one, don't miss it!

Remember, it is also Small Business Saturday, so here is a great opportunity to make the most of it!  Thank you in advance for your support & patronage!

Julie Reed

Julie Reed is a late blooming entrepreneur who started her own freelance & licensing business this past year. A graphic & surface designer, craftsman & antique collector (some might say hoarder!), she is inspired by the old, the odd & the obsolete. Julie incorporates forgotten techniques and/or vintage materials into much of her work, whether it be textile accessories, jewelry or surface design.

Julie lives in Kansas City with her boyfriend (who looks like Colonel Sanders) and two Scottish terriers, Speck & Sprocket (who crows like a rooster). Visit Julie's blog and website to learn more about her, her inspiration, & her work. Stop by her tables at Crafty Chicks for a large selection of scarves, brooches, vintage finds & Dandy Dog Accessories.

{Brooches from The Remains of the Day Collection}

Gretchen Finch

Gretchen is one of the founding chicks and one of the organizers of the show. Her love of vintage buttons inspires her artwork so don’t be surprised to find a button somewhere in each piece. The theme of nature and birds also is a thread that is interwoven throughout her work.

Gretchen will be offering various vintage button collages, sterling silver button bookmarks, and button bracelets. This will be her 10th year to create a sculpted folk art creation. This Cheery Bird in her nest will help you capture the spirit of the holiday. Miniature Treasure Boxes could be the perfect gift for anyone on your “nice list” this year. Each small, metal, embellished box is one of a kind and comes with a sweet charm inside and an inspiring quote. A sweet baby shoe from long ago is now a charming pincushion.

This may be Gretchen’s 13th year but she always has something new to offer so be sure and bring your Christmas gift list!

Ashlee Smith & Heather Van Wyk

Accessories always fit! Come stop by Two Stitches for the perfect accessory for you or a friend. Ashlee & Heather are excited to share their new mini capsule collection showcasing wood bracelets, rings and earrings ~ it's a must see. Plus, don't forget their beautiful flower pins are perfect to spice up any sweater or coat! 

Also, make sure to visit their facebook page to stay updated with their work.

Flora Chang

Flora Chang is a full time Hallmark artist for the past 11 years. Her works are simple, sweet, and full of imagination. She is always trying to come up with new ways to incorporate her illustrations into the stuff she creates. Flora's latest creation is a series of laser cut wooden brooches. She will also have her popular interchangeable necklaces for sale, along with her archival prints, hand-painted doodle rocks, and other handmade goodies.

Make sure to stop by Flora's booth, meet Flora and peruse her wares. In the mean time, visit Flora's blog and etsy shop to view more of her work.

LeAnne Doljac & Robin Mackintosh

"One should either be a work of art, or wear a work of art" ~  that is the philosophy behind Weird Buttons, porcelain creations made by LeAnne Doljac & Robin Mackintosh.
  

Weird Buttons is a collaboration between two friends who enjoy similar interests and believe life should never be dull. They want to help the world be a more interesting place, one button at a time. It is their goal to make sure you don't  wear boring buttons.  They believe that by adding one (or two or five) of these weird, wobbly, wacky handmade porcelain and black stoneware buttons to your wardrobe, your life will be more fun. Add a button to something you already have, buy something new for your button or better yet, MAKE SOMETHING MAGNIFICENT for your button!

Make a Day of It!

Saturday, November 24th ~ the day of the Crafty Chicks 13th Annual show is coming up quickly! If you have never been to Liberty, MO ~ or even if you have, why not make a day of it with friends or a family outing?  As there is a Holiday Open House on the square and it is Small Business Saturday, it is a great opportunity to support local businesses, get started on your holiday shopping and have a wonderful experience as well!

Start out your day at Crafty Chicks (opens @ 9:00am) with Debby Ritz's freshly baked (still warm!) cinnamon buns and a hot drink, followed by browsing and shopping the tables of over 40 local artists and crafts- persons ~ it will be easy to spend the whole morning at Crafty Chicks!

Afterwards, head over to Liberty Square and take in the Holiday Open House event going on there. Check out apparel shops such as Quotations or Peyton's Closet, then take a break and grab lunch at Ginger Sue's. Once rested, back to some vintage shopping at Main Street Goods and Goodies on the square ~ or the Liberty Antique Mall.

If you would like a break from shopping and want to explore the area, here is a list of other places of interest. Before you leave, stop by La Tienda Chiquita's for some carry-out Mexican food to take home for a relaxing and tasty end to your day. 

Visit this website to learn more about what Liberty has to offer.

Kristie Jeffers

This is Kristie’s second year at Crafty Chicks.  This year she will have an eclectic mix of handmade gifts.  The Christmas gnomes are back with a few other mustached men in addition to felt stuffies, patchwork beanbags and a few other wooden toys.  Kristie has been busy knitting wool cowls for the special men and women in your life.  She loves making gifts for friends and family and can’t wait to share her unique gifts with you!

Julie Lushbough

Creative Ring Art … that’s the best way to describe Julie Lushbough’s  transformation of buttons and beads into rings (and necklaces) ~ custom made right on the spot.   Many of her premade earrings, pins and pendants use vintage Victorian Era buttons ~ little pieces of art themselves. Look for her creative wire-wrap bracelets with button and crystal embellishments. Julie has also starting working with polymer clay, using a kaleidoscope technique to make fun pendants.

Julie, a Crafty Chicks alum since 2007, and her friend Rene often pair up at events ~ so look for Windsong Creations at Crafty Chicks as well.

DeeDee Haberle & Joyce Spaulding

DeeDee & Joyce have had a special bond for 40 years ~  both have 2 daughters and are clothesoholics who share their ideas for girls apparel, doll clothes and school projects. Over the years, Joyce worked in apparel and became a sales rep in the fabric industry. DeeDee worked in hospitality and began quilting.  

Their passion for fabric and their friendship continued during this time ~ they have even shared being cancer survivors.  Both also had granddaughters, which prompted them to produce upscale 100% cotton and non-seasonal girls apparel specializing in 2-6x with lots
of ruffles and twirls. Make sure to shop A Girlz Collection at Crafty Chicks for gifts for the little girls on your list!

Mindi Fowler-Ogden

This is Mindi's fourth year participating in Crafty Chicks. She is a production designer at Hallmark who loves to design handcrafted beads and make them into wearable artwork creations. Mindi's small business "Wonderfully Made," is taken from the bible verse: I am fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14). Mindi makes every design perfect for any girl ~ each piece has a little whimsy ~ they are colorful, funky, unique, and totally you and Wonderfully Made!

Julie Day

"Happy Days" are the ones Julie Day spends creating treasures from old books, felted material or vintage Christmas papers.  In her second year with Crafty Chicks, Julie will have flowers made of wool felt to adorn shoes and hair, upcycled treasures, miniature decoupaged journals and frames, in addition to other goodies ready to share with friends.

Carol Potter

Carol Potter has made dolls for years, as she has been sewing since her high school days and selling her creations during that time. Carol has also taken her doll parts to work where friends and coworkers admired her work and wanted to buy it. 

Two years ago Carol began making pixie fairy coats and armwarmers. She truly enjoys shopping for used sweaters and recreating them into new jackets. Carol is a repurpose, reuse, relove addict and proud of it ~ she is thankful to be blessed with creativity and loves what she does. Make sure to stop by her table and peruse her wares!

Griselda Williams

Griselda Williams became interested in using art as an expression of the human experience about 9 years ago, thus named her business “Feelings Art”.

 Griselda has worked in the human services field for many years, helping people as they are managing life challenges. After moving to the Kansas City area 10 years ago, she began taking art classes. As she sat with people in my helping job, Griselda began to visualize art that depicted their stories. She then began making mixed-media art that represented things that people told her or situations she observed them trying to manage.

While the art that she make depicts the challenges that humans deal with, it also has a positive outcome or hopeful message. Griselda always includes a hopeful message in her art as she sees people everyday that overcome great adversity and is amazed at the resiliency of the human spirit.

Amy Cecil

AppleScraps started when Amy Cecil made a necklace for her sister and had so much fun she couldn't stop. Five years later, Amy is still passionate about helping customers gift confidently, even if it's for themselves ~ she believes everyone deserves pretty treats!

Amy says vintage materials and new ways to put them together constantly catch her eye. Using solder as a consistent theme, she blends a variety of irresistible elements including sea glass, old keys, exotic beads, peacock feathers, vintage sheet music, real butterfly wings, and other pretty odds and ends. With so much personality in each piece, you'll find something that suits you or someone you know perfectly.

Visit Amy's table at Crafty Chicks to browse her collection. Additional pieces are available at her etsy shop, Applescraps.

Cool Stuff

The air is nippy and the days are getting shorter, so you know what that means.

Our talented friends' from "Cool Stuff" sale is right around the corner!

13 fabulous artists have been working all year to bring you their unique creations to sell.

We'll have all kinds of awesome jewelry, fun concrete, painted gourds, loomed scarves, crystal ornaments and so much more.

As always, Friday is opening night with wine, cheese, shopping and a toasty fire in the backyard (weather permitting). Come back Saturday to buy those pieces you wished you'd bought Friday night and have a cookie or two while you're at it.

You won't want to miss their 11th annual and FINAL 'COOL STUFF' sale!

Their address is: 2300 Fayette Street, North Kansas City, MO  64116 (see map below)

For additional information, call: 816.842.8765

Classy Glass Designs

Janey Pritchett of Classy Glass Designs began designing jewelry using glass beads as the main component in the fall of 2001.  Six months later, she created her business and has been going strong since!  Janey is a full-time legal assistant so she enjoys designing on the weekends and some evenings, as time permits. The challenge of custom orders to create a jewelry wardrobe for her customers is an aspect of her business that Janey especially loves.

Janey strives to keep her designs unique and fashion forward, in

addition to creating new items on a regular basis. She creates napkin rings and wraps, stemwear wraps, candle jewelry, key chains, eyeglass holder necklaces, phone finders and bookmarks. Janey's customers 

have made comments that her "jewelry is like snowflakes ~ no two 

pieces are alike".

Classy Glass Designs uses the best product found to keep the quality 

high and purchases components in large quantities ~ or when on sale ~ 

to keep prices reasonable.

June Brock & Sharon Milleret

June Brock & Sharon Milleret have been Crafty Chicks vendors for the past 12 years! One never knows what these two chicks will be bringing for the show, but make sure to stop by their tables and take a look! 

Sharon always has the most wonderful array of  antiques and pre-owned treasures. June offers several kinds of handmade  ornaments ~ some that are created using small antique butter molds. Stop by, say hi and  see what new offerings they have this year!

Lisarae Turnbull-Oliva

Lisarae Turnbull-Oliva is a product and lifestyle photographer with talent for bringing emotion to her photography. She has a passion for color and texture and gathers inspiration from nature, art and travel. 

After many years of producing corporate photography, Lisarae is enjoying her new journey into the freelance world. She just finished photographing a 50 page cocktail book produced and printed here in K.C. She has also created her own unique line of greeting cards featuring holiday and everyday designs. The cards are professionally printed on thick premium stock with a blank inside just waiting for your own personal message. 

This is Lisarae's first year at Crafty Chicks, so make sure to stop by her booth, check out her lovely work and get a chance to meet Lisarae. For more information about Lisarae, visit her website and Facebook page.

Gayle Martin

KCAI alumni, Gayle Martin of Rock Creek Crockery makes one-of-a-kind ornaments, mobiles & 4 X 4 desk vases that create a lasting gift impression. 
Using the ceramic surface as a canvas, Gayle combines several crayola colors as a base for her art. Second and third applications of crystaltex glazes create bursts of color adding contrast and blend with the base. The final application of lusters on the surface give the impression of sparkling precious stones. Visit Gayle's website or stop by her table at Crafty Chicks to see more of her work.

Diane & Madeline Tompkins

Tag Team Tompkins is a mother/daughter collaborative, making art that honors literary wit and wisdom.  Diane hunts for words that inspire her paper cut art.  Madeline's hand lettering and keen eye bring our prints to a fine finish.   

Diane & Madeline are excited to show off their 4 new letterpress printed bookmarks at the 13th Annual Crafty Chicks show in November.  They are also showing their letterpress prints and original mixed media work.  Tag Team Tompkins looks forward to seeing everyone at one of their favorite shows!

Carol & Samantha Schaefer

 Native Blue Springs mother-and-daughter team, Carol and Samantha Schaefer are co-founders of Coasters To Coasters. As wine enthusiasts, they always appreciate a good coaster. Needless to say, they fell in love with the idea of creating coasters that help tell the story of your favorite places in the city or school you love. 
Currently their collection features landmarks in Kansas City and surrounding suburbs as well as the University of Kansas and University of Missouri. And even though one's an MU grad and the other a KU grad, they've been able to put their differences aside as they strive to take their craft coast-to-coast. Of course, they'll be enjoying wine along the way. 

Kim Pjecha

After days of happily rearranging pixels as a surface designer, Kim Pjecha loves to come home and make something real.  Last winter she made a pair of little red slippers for her niece from a felted wool sweater.  Now she has an etsy shop filled with slippers, hats, mittens and purses.  Everything is fun, useful and earth-friendly. Her etsy shop, Linkaa, features products made from upcycled wool, freshly felted and ready for a new life ~ make sure to visit to see additional designs!

Stop by Kim's table at Crafty Chicks to see her beautiful accessories and admire her craftsmanship in person ~ great gifts for the holiday and colder weather!

Laura Hudson

Laura Hudson, whose business is Simply Paperie, is a graphic designer who uses her love for colors and patterns to create beautiful paper products. This is Laura's second year at Crafty Chicks and she is thrilled to be back! 
Do stop by her booth to say hello and browse her collection of cards, calendars, gift tags, handmade journals and more - perfect gifts for friends, family or yourself! Visit here to order Laura's custom work, read her blog and find links to her other social media sites.

Allison Thompson

Allison Thompson of Shaw Girl Studio started her art journey as a diehard scrapbooker, eventually entering the diverse world of mixed media art. She uses collage, stamping, and painting to create whimsical one-of-a-kind pieces on canvas. 

You may have seen her art either at The Red Apron or at Payton's Closet, both in Liberty, Mo.  Allison has created special custom pieces for several clients with specific color or theme requests. Please visit her facebook page to see more of her art. She is excited to be a part of this group of super-talented crafty chicks!

Kirsten Brooks

Kirsten Brooks is the owner and creator of Arm Candy ~ a company born from her passion for handbags and accessories.  A purse can make or break an outfit, and Kirsten strives to give new life to repurposed fabric and materials to create one-of-a-kind pieces for her collections. Vintage fabric is one of her greatest passions so she incorporates them into her designs as often as possible.

While Kirsten is inspired by decades past, nature is also a huge source of creativity for her. Color combinations in nature are so harmonious ~ if they work in the great outdoors, they will be beautiful when incorporated in Arm Candy’s accessories! Kirsten's motto is Repurpose, Recreate, RELOVE. Visit her website here.

Clara Porter

Clara Porter has designed and made paperclip jewelry ever since she was thirteen years old. She started her business as a way to express her creativity and to offer fun and inexpensive jewelry. Each piece is hand crafted and made 100% out of paperclips and beads. The jewelry is fun, fashionable, and light weight. Any of Clara's designs can come in
silver or gold, an array of bead colors, and in multiple shapes. 

Make sure to stop at Clara's table for a lovely variety of jewelry to choose from for yourself or to give as a gift.
For more information visit www.claraspaperclipjewelry.com

Unleashed Pet Rescue

Unleashed Pet Rescue is putting together a terrific table of handcrafted collars, toys, treats and more!  The Unleashed team works daily with high kill shelters in the Kansas City area to pull "unwanted" dogs to safety and find them forever homes.  All proceeds from this sale will go directly to Unleashed Pet Rescue to help continue their life saving mission.

Stop by and find something fun for your pet, support a worthy cause, and learn how you can get involved. Remember, dogs need Christmas gifts too!