Saturday, November 5, 2011

Meet Karin of Sunset Gems

1.  Please tell us your name and the name of your business.

Karin of Sunset Gems

2. What can shoppers expect to see at the Birds of a Feather Fair from your booth?

I make jewelry with semi-precious stones, crystals and sterling silver, pewter and copper

3.  Tell us some more about yourself.
I am a professional faux finisher (decorative painter) by trade and have been doing this for approximately 20 years. Always having had a love of all things nature, I decided to try my hand several years ago with making gemstones...some that I even mined myself!...into jewelry. It is a passion that actually started when I was a little girl and my dad brought home a box of beautiful polished gemstones from one of his many travels abroad. I've always been fascinated by natural beauty in colors of stones, sunsets, clouds, flowers, etc. If something I put together doesn't “flow”, I have to start over and it isn't complete until it looks like something I just couldn't live without! My greatest inspirations are people I have known and love, places I have been in my life and the animals that are some of my favorite little companions (yes, we have seven furry little kids!!). My husband, mother and step-father are my biggest supporters and usually one of them accompanies me to my shows and gemstone hunts. My sister, who sadly succumbed to a short battle with breast cancer in 1998, was also a huge support and inspiration to me and several of my pieces have been named after things that remind me of her! I hope that people enjoy wearing my pieces as much as I enjoy making them!!
Thanks Karin!  Check out more of Karin's work at:

Friday, November 4, 2011

Meet Marilyn of Weber Farms

1.  Please tell us your name and the name of your business.

Marilyn of Weber Farms

2. What can shoppers expect to see at the Birds of a Feather Fair from your booth?

Goat milk soap, goat milk lotion, lip balms, lotion bars, salves, candles, baby products and much more!

3.  Tell us some more about yourself.
 
Our hobby farming start came almost 20 years ago with our teenage daughter wanting to compete with 4H dairy goats.  We found that we could not drink the milk - it was very strong.  Since we had store bought goat milk, we thought this was how goat milk should smell and taste.  We learned to make goat milk soap with the milk we had.  Wonderful, unscented goat milk soap.
 
Fast forward a bit and we were transplanted to Kentucky.  We had a son that was allergic to Kentucky "and everything else".  We purchased goats again - this time Alpines.  We quickly learned that the sagebrush the other goats were eating were what made the milk unusable except in soap and maybe cheese.  These goats and a sick little boy transformed our lives. 
 

We starting searching out answers to why this child was sick and what we could do about it.  We found that is was our "food" and products we purchased that was causing us all so many  health concerns.  Now we grow almost all of our own food and make all of our products with your health in mind too.  We use untainted milk, beeswax and honey, herbs and oils from our small farm; along with some certified organic, sustainably grown additions to make the products that we offer for sale. 
 
Marilyn was the first licensed cosmetic manufacturer ever in the state.  Kentucky is one of the very few states that require such stringent guidelines as to how/where you can make product.  All of our product is now made in Versailles, KY in a commercial kitchen.
 
As Pat would say, Weber-Farms.com - "To Your Health."


Thank you so much Marilyn!  Check out Weber Farms on Facebook or visit their website at:

Thursday, November 3, 2011

Meet Kate of Sweet Pea Murals

1.  Please tell us your name and the name of your business.


Kate of Sweet Pea Murals and MORE!

2. What can shoppers expect to see at the Birds of a Feather Fair from your booth?


At the fair, I will be offering “mini murals” - an assortment of canvases and plaques that range from inspirational quotes to seasonal decoration, and of course, i am always happy to take orders for personalized items! (these are my favorite and shipping to you is free!) Most of my artwork is specifically custom made for children, but I have a few things for adults too :)

3.  Tell us some more about yourself.

I am the mother to one 5 year old sweet pea! I started this company when my little one was born back in 2006. I wanted THE perfect baby nursery and decided that I would try painting something special for her. After all, I had been drawing and painting most of my life and I had a degree from one of the best art colleges in the country (Ringling College of Art and Design). So how hard could it be?! It turns out, I really enjoyed doing this project and the comments from family and friends about her room were all so positive. I could definitely get used to doing things like this but I only had one child and only so many walls in my house!


Eventually, I expanded on my love of painting walls and started doing “mini murals”  This was a great way for me to share my creativity with clients who weren’t local and/or didn’t want something quite so permanent. So here I am now, making cute spaces and ‘ready to hang’ art for other little sweet peas and loving every minute of it!

Thanks Kate!  Check out more of her fabulous work at:

You can always find me on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/sweetpeamurals
My etsy shop is currently on vacation while I prepare for the craft show but I can also be found online at my blog: http://spmurals.blogspot.com or my newly redesigned website: http://www.sweetpeamurals.com

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Meet Kristen of Adorable You

1.  Please tell us your name and the name of your business.

Kristen of Adorable You
2. What can shoppers expect to see at the Birds of a Feather Fair from your booth?

Handmade Hair Bows

3.  Tell us some more about yourself.

I have three beautiful little girls who love to have their hair done up with bows.  After spending a ton of money on accessories I took matters into my own hands and started making them myself.  I custom make any bow with your favorite colors or design.   This is a great way to show off your team or school colors.


Thanks so much Kristen!  We'll see you at the Fair!

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Meet Jamie of The Sunday Flower

1.  Please tell us your name and the name of your business.
My name is Jamie Doan, and I run The Sunday Flower, an Etsy shop.

2. What can shoppers expect to see at the Birds of a Feather Fair from your booth?

My specialty is paper flowers, done in the kusudama style of origami. I'll have all kinds of these flowers available at the fair -- arrangements in vases/containers, a la carte stemmed flowers, unstemmed flowers, holiday decor flowers and wedding items. I'll also have other paper goods, such as cards, gift tags and cupcake wrappers. You might even see some handmade fabric buttons and jewelry at my booth.

3.  Tell us some more about yourself.
I started making paper flowers to use as centerpieces for my own wedding (which took place Sept. 9, 2011), and fell in love with how great they look in so many settings. "Paper flowers" might not sound durable, but these are surprisingly strong, helped by the fact the flowers are made from sturdy acid-free cardstock. They're sure to last you a long time, and are great for anyone who has allergies or a "brown" thumb.

Thank you so much Jamie!  Head on over to Jamie's etsy shop and blog!




Monday, October 31, 2011

Meet Melissa of Night Owl Crafts

1.  Please tell us your name and the name of your business.

Melissa of Night Owl Crafts

2. What can shoppers expect to see at the Birds of a Feather Fair from your booth?

Jewelry, Collages, Jewelry Holders

3.  Tell us some more about yourself.

I have two associates, one in Fine Art and one in Art History.  I am so happy to have a hobby that allows me to utilize my artistic side.  I love knowing people all over the world are wearing pieces that I have made!  Selling handmade crafts has created a network for me of such talented, kind, and creative people.  My jewelry is a mixture of vintage and new components.  I spend hours mixing and matching findings and coming up with the perfect design.  I enjoy telling customers about the history of each piece and how some beads came from Japan in the 1950s but the pendant is new from a shop in California, etc.  It really makes you realize how unique and special handmade jewelry is and that it truly is one of a kind art!



Thanks Melissa!  Follow the links below to see more of Melissa's work.





Sunday, October 30, 2011

Meet Terri of Cutey Patoot

1.  Please tell us your name and the name of your business.

Terri Fleener of Cutey Patoot

2. What can shoppers expect to see at the Birds of a Feather Fair from your booth?

Baby Couture Clothing and Accessories - My creations are intended for the truly fabulous! My mission is to make your little fashionista funky, utterly unique and most of all fantastically fabulous!!

3.  Tell us some more about yourself.

I'm a stay at home Mom with a nearly 4 year old little boy and a 7 month old baby girl.  I love all things frilly.  The more ruffles the better!  I love designer clothing and purses.  My passion aside from my beautiful family is to create fun, trendy yet classic items. All of the products I make show creativity and help express a desire  to be one of a kind.

Thanks Terri!  Check out her etsy site at:

http://www.etsy.com/shop/CuteyPatoot