Market Thoughts, Santa Fe + Holiday Tea Towel Deadline
Good Morning Colorful Friends:
Popping in this Sunday morning to remind you that this evening is the last night to order any of the new Tea Towels for holiday shipping. You can find them on my website here. See video down below.
I spent the day yesterday outside at the second to last Farmers Market on the Amherst Common. The day started out at 26 degrees and slowly warmed up to the 40’s. It was COLD but the sun was out and people were happy. The last few markets of the year are always busy. Customers know winter is coming and they won’t have the opportunity to vist and purchase from the merry band of vendors who show up every week in all kinds of weather for 30 plus Saturdays a year. I enjoy selling and displaying at the market, meeting interesting people, and chatting with my fellow vendors. It isn’t the road to riches in monetary terms but it adds a richness to my life in so many other ways. I liken my fellow vendors to quirky antique dealers who sell old beautiful stuff at flea markets. We are all there with a passion for what we make, produce and do and want to add that richness to our community and fellow humans.
These photos were taken by my customer Christina Nguyen. She stops by every week and says hi and I learn something new. Last week, she had a antique film camera (remember them) with her and took my photo. I love the graininess and old-timey feel of the photos. The camera is a Rolleicord TLR camera and the film is Portra 160. Thanks Christina.
This past summer, I had the opportunity to travel to Santa Fe and Taos, New Mexico for our niece Camille’s wedding. We had a jam-packed week exploring with family. Julia, Pretzel and I went a couple days early and met up with my sister Lynn in Santa Fe. One of the highlights of the trip was visiting the Museum of International Folk Art. What a fabulous place it is. Founded in 1953 by Florence Bartlett, it is set up on on Museum Hill just outside Santa Fe. Lynn and I were there to see the Alexander and Susan Girard Collection. We were blown away by this amazing collection of Folk Art that the Girard’s collected for decades. Let’s just say that Lynn and I were both hyper-ventilating. So much color, design, handmade goodness. We both ran our phones out of batteries taking photos. Here are three (1 min/25 sec) videos of highlights from the collection. Enjoy! And go if you ever get the chance.
FYI: On this Substack Newsletter Platform, If you click on the lower right of the video on the 4 corner symbol, you can watch the video full-screen.
This week I’m going to be firing some new mugs and tiny dishes for the last Farmers Market of the season. I plan to make some of my pottery available on-line in mid-December depending on how much I can get made (after I finish the Tea Towels).
Here’s a short video of the four new “Wallpaper” Tea Towels. You can pre-order these and others on my website here. I’m taking orders until the end of the day today November 16th. They will be made and shipped for the holidays.
At the end of this email, I’ve featured some of my fave PDF Knitting Patterns for holiday knitting all available on my website and on Ravelry.
Here are a few fun links for you to explore. Enjoy.
• I’ve always enjoyed the watercolors of Matthew RIce. Here’s an interview (50 minutes) with him and a tour of his house and gardens. Don’t have 50 minutes? Here’s a short one (1 minute). Did you know his Mom was Tea Towel Designer Extraordinaire Pat Albeck? She passed away in 2017. Here is her home.
• Apple is introducing a $230 purse for an Iphone. Knitters - bet you can make one in a weekend for less than that.
• Listened to a great podcast interview with Editor/Author Tina Brown HERE. Lots of interesting tales and insight into the current and past state of media.
• When the tech term AI started to be thrown around, I was confused. If you are a sheep farmer, AI means Artificial Insemination…... Now there is a new term being used - ART. It’s not my kind of “Art” but assisted reproductive techniques. You can read about how the technique has been used to produce the first purebred Herdwick Sheep in the USA. FYI: Herdwicks are the sturdy sheep that Beatrix Potter raised back in the day and that author/farmer James Rebanks @herdyshepherd currently raises in the Lakelands of the UK.
• I love a good house tour. Enjoyed this article about visiting woman artist’s homes with lots of good links.
• Beautiful photos and story about the Blue City - Tangiers.
That’s it for today. Thanks for reading. Have a great week ahead. Don’t forget the Tea Towel Deadline for holiday orders is Sunday November 16th.
Yours in Color and Pattern,
Here are some of my favorite PDF downloadable knitting patterns for holiday gifting.
A Dog in Sheep’s Clothing
Available on my website here and on Ravelry here. International customers, please order through Ravelry.
Swirly Twirlies - A Stashbusting Felted Project. These are fantastic coasters!
Available on my website here and on Ravelry here. International customers, please order through Ravelry.
Quarters Cap — A Perennial Fave for Adults, Children and Babies
Available on my website here and on Ravelry here. International customers, please order through Ravelry.
Family of Slipper Socks - Inspired by Greek Folk Slippers
Available on my website here and on Ravelry here. International customers, please order through Ravelry.
There are many more knitting patterns on my website HERE.
You can find archived copies of all my newsletters HERE.
You did it again - I am so inspired to make those greek socks! SantaFe is magical! Thanks and HUGS