CorseCrafts at Riverbend HS Craft Show

CorseCrafts Selected For Gar-Field HS Spring Craft Show

We were biting our nails on this one. We weren’t sure if we got our application in on time or not and then there was a hitch in our submission that almost ruled us out but we made it through the judging process and CorseCrafts will be participating as a vendor at the 2011 Gar-Field PTSO Annual Spring Craft Show! The event will take place at:

Gar-Field Senior High School
Saturday, March 26th, 2011
9 – 3PM
1400 Smoketown Rd.
Woodbridge, VA 22192
(across from Potomac Mills Mall)
Admission and parking are Free

Download their PDF flyer as a reminder.(PDF528k)

Image graphic of CorseCraft icon art.

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Springing Back Into Action

Springing Back Into Action

Snowy Silver Maple

Night time photo capturing the wind through the trees after a snow storm.

It looks like Punxsutawney Phil was right, Spring is nearly hear. In fact, we enjoyed temperatures in the mid 70’s just a few days ago but alas, we’re suppose to get eight inches of snow tonight.  But all this weird weather hasn’t kept Marie Antoinette from making new bead necklaces, earrings and bracelets though. We just did a photo shoot of her latest offerings in February and they are now available for immediate purchase right on this website.

I installed PayPal buttons so now you don’t have to swim through the sea of temptations on Etsy. All jewelry I photograph will appear on our website for about a month (or until it is sold) or so before it is moved to the full catalog on Etsy. This gives you an opportunity to snatch-up something before it goes into our Etsy shoppe.

Photo of leaf pendant

Leaf pendant made from shell rest on a sheathed wire for a simple, elegant design.

Marie Antoinette has added a number of new necklace creations this month that feature natural shells. Two of them utilize a “double-strand” which makes them look like there is a lot to the necklace—It’s like hanging two of the same necklace around your neck at different lengths.  She also made a series of very simple, clean designed chokers. These chokers feature a heavy gage wire that she has inserted into a black rubber-like sheath and attached a 2″ extension to with a beautiful pendant as it’s prime focus. There is also one that has a glass heart with metal beads attached to the necklace.

Photo of brass ring bracelet

Brass washers combined with chrome metal rings and a charm.

For a bit of fun, Marie Antoinette took a bunch of brass washers and linked them together with chrome plated metal rings to make a bracelet. It is truly unique and features a charm that you could probably take somewhere to have something engraved into it.

Craft Shows Spring Up Slowly

On the craft show horizon, things are moving a little slower on all fronts. We’re researching new events to participate in and some of the one’s we have applied to have not made final judging or are not ready to post full details. I have a feeling it is going to be a last minute rush this year but stay tuned. I’ll have all the dates listed on the website and will start talking them up in the blog just as soon as we get word of which one’s we will be attending. Please follow us on Twitter of Friend us on Facebook for the latest news and blog updates.

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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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CorseCrafts at Riverbend HS Craft Show

2010 Winter Gar-Field Craft Show

Be sure to look for CorseCrafts at the 2010 Gar-Field H.S. Orchestra Booster’s Holiday Craft Show this coming weekend, December 11th from 9AM – 3PM. Marie has several brand new pieces of jewelry that have not even been made available online as yet. Stop by our table and find out how you can get in on her FREE JEWELRY offer. This is possibly the largest craft show in Prince William County during the winter—you won’t want to miss it.

Directions:
14000 Smokedtown Rd.
Woodbridge, VA 22192

Image graphic of CorseCraft icon art.

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