velvet on the page: 2011

Friday, December 9, 2011

Local handmade and vintage reuse movement thrives

My artistsan friends and I were worried about our little local sale we've had in one version or another for 12 years but now known as Hidden House Artists' Gift Sale and held the November weekend before Thanksgiving.

The economy still sucks....

Image by Carrie Sloan via Flickr

People around my age who come to the sale care less about aquiring things.....

Photo from accesstotools.com blog

There is a lot more competition on all fronts......

http://www.flickr.com/photos/apoptotic/2346929658/

And it wasn't even Black Friday yet!

Photo from crackfunny.com

But our friends and their friends proved that if you pour your heart and soul into something and invite people you like to come and share your artistic vision while getting some holiday shopping done at the same time, people will respond.

It was a fabulous three day party! All the Hidden House artists are so grateful to everyone who attended and now know that the local handmade and reusable movement is better than ever and right for our times. We had the highest sales of any year so far.

Here are some glimpses of Hidden House 2011.

It was quite a party! Thanks to all of our wonderful customers and hope to see you in November 2012. Lots of Velvet Leaf's treasures sold, but some are still available in my etsy shops at www.aVelvetLeaf.etsy.com and www.velvetonthepage.etsy.com.

Like Hidden House on facebook: www.facebook.com/hiddenhouseartistsgiftsale

Thursday, November 3, 2011

Treasures to Come at Hidden House Artists' Sale 2011

Being a decorative artist is usually a solitary profession. Thank goodness for the old movies on TCM....

...Rolling Stones CDs....

....and my Audible audio book subscription.....

....to keep me company as I'm creating. Having an online shop on Etsy is a godsend, but sometimes you need to share and "exhibit" and mingle with flesh and blood people. Even better if those people are those you've known for years, and you add in wine and appetizers! For 12 years a group of artist friends and I have had an artsy gift sale in a private home in NW Portland that started as Keeper's Cottage and now has evolved into Hidden House.

This year it is November 18th-20th and we've all been working hard to offer wonderful, hand-made and vintage treasures for us to give as gifts to those we love. Here are some new things from Velvet Leaf you'll see there- hope to see you! "Like" us on facebook to see what else is in store....