Port Potomac Shows Sunny Promise

Port Potomac Shows Sunny Promise

Marie Gilvey makes another necklace during the Port Potomac Vendor Fair

Marie Gilvey makes another necklace during the Port Potomac Vendor Fair

Saturday, April 30, 2011 we had the pleasure of participating in the 2011 Port Potomac Vendor Fair. Vendors from all over the area joined in on this beautiful and sunny day to show off their products and services ranging from home repair and sales to personal products and even biscottes made especially for mans best friend that looked good enough to dip into my coffee.

“I really enjoyed the day and the location and I would like to return again next year. Thank you Ashley Spencer of Selling Virginia for letting us participate at the last minute.” said Marie Gilvey. Marie ran her special bead jewelry offer of a free item with any purchase which drew a lot of interest.

This was a great location for the event and a great weekend to hold it and we look forward to it being even bigger and with even more shoppers next year.

CorseCrafts next event will be at the Occoquan Elementary School on Saturday, May 7. See you there.

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Boosting the Gar-Field Orchestra With Holiday Gifts

Boosting the Gar-Field Orchestra With Holiday Gifts

Photo of Marie Gilvey greeting customers at booth.

Photo of Marie Gilvey greeting customers at booth.

The 2010 Gar-Field Orchestra Boosters Craft Show was a great show to participate in and attend on Saturday, December 11, 2010. More than 120 artisans from around the region eagerly waited outside in frosty-cold temperatures as the doors were opened at 6:00 AM for them to set up their display booths around “the loop” that is the lower level of Gar-Field Senior High School.

Photo of Marie Gilvey making modifications to a necklace.

Photo of Marie Gilvey making modifications to a necklace.

I always observe in amazement as people arrive in all kinds of vehicles from the largest super-duty pickup trucks pulling storage trailers to English sports cars; even rickety old Jeep sport utility vehicles with 300-thousand miles on them (like mine),  overflowing with gear and art. People from all walks of life bring their creations for the chance to please a potential customer who all of a sudden catches a glance out of the corner of their eye and suddenly realizes “That would be perfect in my living room”—the dedication these artisans display to their art is just incredible or as my Corsican wife, in French language, pronounces it “ahn-croy-ahbluh”. Nowhere else, not even a shopping mall, does this type of encounter occur as frequently. Sure, the mall is a place to start but most people already know what they want when they go there—they have an idea of what to expect. Discovering art that is perfect for a specific space or application, particularly handmade one of a kind art is like that moment when a street magician amazes you—you can’t believe it and you feel so lucky to have discovered it.

Photo of Marie Gilvey standing behind her display as shoppers take advantage of her special deal on free jewelry.

Photo of Marie Gilvey standing behind her display as shoppers take advantage of her special holiday free jewelry offer running through December 2010..

The doors opened promptly to excited holiday shoppers at 9:00 AM and the customer traffic did not slow down until the very end of the show at 3:00 PM. “It was almost like Potomac Mills on a weekend” said Marie Gilvey. There was a minor slow period during the lunch hour but before and after that, there were many, many visitors purchasing gifts for Christmas and upcoming birthdays.

I can now say that I have officially heard it all. The Gar-Field cheerleader squad came up with the most creative cheer I think I have ever heard. In an effort to let shoppers know that there was food available for purchase during the show instead of leaving and coming back (or not), they came up with a “F-O-O-D” cheer. I thought it was very clever and funny but hey, it got my attention and it worked so B-r-a-v-o, Bravo!

The selection of gifts to purchase was greater than some shopping malls. When you stop and think how many different artisans there were to choose from in an area that would only fill the food court of most shopping malls, it just makes sense to shop at a craft show before going to the mall—if for any other reason, just for the convenience factor. I have to tip my hat to show coordinator Kathy Kann for arranging the opportunity for artisans and holiday shoppers to engage.

The next craft show at Gar-Field Senior High School will be the Annual Spring Craft Show on Saturday, March 26, 2011. It will be presented by the Gar-Field Sr. High PTSO. CorseCrafts will be there—please join us.Image graphic of CorseCraft icon art.

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Rosie Blok’s Fall Craft Show

Rosie Blok’s Fall Craft Show

Marie GilveyWe had a lot of fun participating in Rosie Blok’s 3rd Annual Fall Craft Show. This year it was held at Old Bridge United Methodist Church in Woodbridge, Virginia. This was a much roomier venue compared to the previous years—that’s a great testament to how quickly this event is growing.

We made a lot of new friends and new contacts. We look forward to next year’s event. Here are a few more photos from the event. Rosie Blok should have a few more photos of the event posted to her Facebook Fan page. I’ll post the link when it becomes available.Image graphic of CorseCraft icon art.

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Holiday Selections and New Designs

Holiday Selections and New Designs

Photo of cranberry red glass pearl necklace with elegant/frilly holiday enhancements on shiny metal chain.

New Bead Necklace for 2010 Holidays

I just finished 9 new designs that will be soon on my website. They are made with glass pearls, metal, kambaba jasper stone, carmelian, autumn jasper stone, wood, and lapis jasper. I am trying to finish a necklace with metal and multicolor glass pearls—will be good for wearing around the holidays. How do you like the necklace in this photo? Doesn’t it say “Holiday cheer” to you?”

I am working on a lot of new ideas and designs. I will be doing 3 last craft shows for this year all the info can be found on the right side of my home page or subscribe to my RSS feed.Image graphic of CorseCraft icon art.

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3rd Annual Fall Craft Show – Nov. 20

3rd Annual Fall Craft Show – Nov. 20

We will be participating in Rosie Blok’s 3rd Annual Fall Craft Show on November 20th from 10 – 3PM at Old Bridge United Methodist Church on Old Bridge Rd.

3966 OLD BRIDGE ROAD
WOODBRIDGE, VA 22192

I hope you can come. This will be our second year at this event and we have been preparing new necklaces for this event. Get some of your holiday shopping done.Image graphic of CorseCraft icon art.

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