Garden Delights Gala – new arts & crafts!

My yearly gala – Garden Delights Holiday Gift Sale & Art Show, is the first 2 weekends of December this year! The Show is at my art studio on December 7-8 and 14-15, 2019, from 11 am to 5 pm – or by appointment at your convenience.

I’m proud to show my photos and mixed-media artwork & crafts, and also upcycled creations, where I bring fresh life to paper and fabric. Also hand-knits and fabulous felted creations! Fashionable fingerless mitts keep your hands cozy during mild winter weather … …

… NEW! Upcycled bags from sweaters and such …

Fancy knitted washcloths …

… pair with George’s soaps for a great gift …

Please stop by to relax during the holiday rush, enjoy snacks, and chat. Never any pressure to buy, but if you’ve got a list I’ve got a wide range of handmade and original-designed gifts, for yourself and for friends and family – including pets!

More new this year – George’s exquisite handmade 100% natural beeswax candles, including two sizes of tapers, from our honeybees’ wax. Read all about them at my article.

Jewelry, wearable art, purses, cards & prints, boxes, home decor, beeswax candles, and more! Our honeybees bless us with delicious honey, which many people swear helps their pollen allergies.

Want a postcard reminder sent to your mailbox, or would you like to drop by at a time that’s more convenient for you? Email me. Can’t make the show or want to see my artwork online? Click these links:

• Website
• Artfire Gallery
• My blog
• Zazzle shop
• Facebook

Save the Date! Holiday Gift Sale & Art Show

My yearly gala, the Garden Delights Holiday Gift Sale & Art Show, will be the first two weekends of December, so please save the date! If you want a postcard reminder sent to your mailbox email me your address.

The Show is at my art studio on December 1-2 and 8-9, from 11 am to 5 pm (or by appointment).

I’m so proud to show off my new photos, designs, and mixed-media artwork and crafts, and just as excited about my upcycled creations, where I bring fresh life to paper and fabric destined for landfill.

Come see my handmade bracelet cuffs, purses, phone and e-reader holders, all from fabric books and silk neckties; and envelopes and other paper crafts I make from outdated calendars and books. I’ve also been busy assembling kits and supplies for paper and fabric artists and crafters, ideal as a gift for yourself or for anyone who loves to create mixed-media, collage, book, and mail art.

Stop in to relax during the holiday rush, enjoy snacks, and chat. Never any pressure to buy, but if you’ve got a list you’ll find a wide range of handmade and original-designed gifts (for yourself and for friends and family – including pets), at all different prices.

Jewelry, wearable art, purses, cards and prints, boxes, home decor, books, beeswax candles, and more! Our honeybees blessed us with a great harvest of delicious honey, which many people swear help their pollen allergies.

And a new batch of soap – plus Honey Kissed lotion and lip balm, handcrafted by George from our honey and wax!

Can’t make the show or want to see my artwork online? Click these links:

Website

Artfire Gallery

My blog

Zazzle shop

Facebook

Holiday Gift Sale and Art Show 2016

A chill in the air, rain promised — the holidays are coming! My yearly gala, the Garden Delights Arts & Crafts Holiday Gift Sale & Art Show, is the first two weekends of December again this year.

The Show’s at my art studio, 5810 Barrett Ave, El Cerrito (just past Edwards), December 3-4 and 10-11, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. (or by appointment on another day – email me).

I’m so proud to show my photos, designs, and mixed-media artwork and crafts, and way excited about my upcycled creations, where I bring fresh life to paper and fabric headed for landfill.

Come see my handmade bracelets, necklaces, purses, phone and e-reader holders, from fabric books and silk neckties; and envelopes and other crafts I make from outdated calendars and books.

I also have DIY kits and supplies, ideal as gifts for you or your artsy-craftsy mixed-media, collage, book, and mail art friends! I’ve added several new ornaments, perfect stocking stuffers or to adorn your own tree.

Stop in to relax during the holiday rush, enjoy snacks, and chat. Never any pressure to buy, but if you’ve got a list you’ll find a wide range of handmade and original-designed gifts (for all – including pets), at great prices.

Also, our local honey (as long as it lasts), some swear by it to help pollen allergies.

And handcrafted wonders by George from our honey and wax — heavenly beeswax candles and luscious batches of Honey Kissed skin lotion and lip balm.

Want a postcard reminder? Send your address to heidirand [at] gmail.com

Or can’t make the show or want to see my work online? Click these links:

Website

Artfire Gallery

My blog

Zazzle shop

Holiday Gift Sale and Art Show

UPDATE! I’ve extended the Show for last-minute gifts and stocking stuffers. If you’d like to come by until December 24th, email me at heidirand@gmail.com

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A chill in the air and rain promised, to me that means the holidays are coming! My yearly gala, the Garden Delights Holiday Gift Sale & Art Show, is the first two weekends of December this year, so consider this my ‘save the date’ post. Want a peacock postcard reminder? Send your address to heidirand [at] gmail.com

The Show is at my art studio, 5810 Barrett Ave, El Cerrito (above Edwards Ave) on December 5-6 and 12-13, from 11 am to 5 pm (or by appointment – email me).

I’m so proud to show off my new photos, designs, and mixed-media artwork and crafts, and just as excited about my upcycled creations, where I bring fresh life to paper and fabric destined for landfill.

Come see my handmade bracelet cuffs, purses, phone and e-reader holders, all from fabric books and silk neckties; and envelopes and other paper crafts I make from outdated calendars and books. I’ve also been busy assembling kits and supplies for paper and fabric artists and crafters, ideal as a gift for yourself or for anyone who loves to create mixed-media, collage, book, and mail art.

Stop in to relax during the holiday rush, enjoy snacks, and chat. Never any pressure to buy, but if you’ve got a list you’ll find a wide range of handmade and original-designed gifts (for yourself and for friends and family – including pets), at all different prices.

Jewelry, wearable art, purses, cards and prints, boxes, home decor, books, beeswax candles, and more! Our honeybees blessed us with a great harvest of delicious honey, which many people swear help their pollen allergies.

And new this year! Our Honey Kissed skin lotion and lip balm, handcrafted by George from our honey and wax.

Can’t make the show or want to see my artwork online? Click these links:

Website

Artfire Gallery

My blog

Zazzle shop

Facebook

Holiday Gifts & Art: Shop Local!

Time is flying, and the holidays will be here before you know it! This year I’m throwing my yearly blast (aka my Holiday Gift Sale & Art Show) the first two weekends of December. You know how busy you’ll be in December, so here’s my early “save the date”. If you want a real-live postcard in your mailbox, just send your address to heidirand [at] gmail.com

After two years away, I’m excited to bring the Show back to my art studio at 5810 Barrett Ave, El Cerrito, just above Edwards Ave, on December 6-7 and 13-14, from 11 am to 5 pm (or by appointment – email me).

I’m so proud to show off my new photos, designs, and mixed-media artwork and crafts, and just as excited about my upcycled creations, where I bring fresh life to paper and fabric destined for landfill. Come check out the bracelet cuffs, purses, phone and e-reader holders I make from fabric books; and the envelopes and other paper crafts I make from outdated calendars and books.

I’ve also been busy assembling kits and supplies for paper and fabric artists and crafters, ideal for anyone who loves to create mixed-media, collage, book, and mail art.

Stop by to enjoy some snacks, catch up and chat. You know me – never any pressure to buy, but if you’ve got a list, I have a wide range of handmade and original-designed gifts (for yourself and for friends and family – including pets), at all different prices, and an overflowing sale bin with great deals while they last.

Jewelry, wearable art, purses, scarves, cards and prints, boxes, home decor, books, soap, beeswax candles, and more! Plus, our honeybees blessed us with a great harvest of absolutely delicious honey this year, and George has made some beautiful hand-dipped beeswax candles, as well as his divine soap.

If you can’t make the show or want to see my artwork online, click these links:

Website

Artfire Gallery

My blog

Zazzle shop

Facebook

Gift and Art Show

Planning and putting on an art show can take over your life. I begin the process months in advance, and the buzz doesn’t end until the lights go out on the last day. Today’s the final day of my 2013 show, and I’m so thankful to the wonderful friends and collectors who have come by. Many out-of-towners asked for some eye candy, so here’s a quick tour for you guys!

First, some of my mixed media art hangings, including art quilts using fabric, Lutradur prints, canvas prints, and more.

Fabric bowls and a vase – I sew these from my original design (and self-printed) fabric, and decorated wooden boxes using heat transfer techniques.

My silk scarves – I design the fabric from my photographs and have them professionally printed.

I love to make purses from the fabric I design and print. Two of these are upcycled from fabric sample books.

A table-full of goodies! Several of my handmade art books; Lutradur-decorated night lights; tiles; my original-design postage stamps; upcycled envelopes; Evolon bracelet cuff; upcycled Kindle covers.

Fabric creations: my Owl Totem Doll, a stuffed Lars doll adorned with my pet collars (dog and cat), and fabric postcards.

Two of the products I designed and Zazzle made: a glossy-covered notebook and a clock.

I have many new prints, including several on metallic gloss paper. Treasure bags – great for small gifts or to hold your phone, wallet, etc.

Necklaces! I print my photos on fabric, paper or canvas, and sandwich them between glass slides. Some have copper-embossed backs.

A selection of my photo art ornaments. I print my photos on transparency film and insert them into glass ornaments. There are also lavender sachets, hummingbird prints on small canvases, and stuffed toys with animal photo fabric prints.

George’s wonderful beeswax candles and his sublime soap are going fast!

A basket of George’s soaps; fabric-covered light switch plates; my “Life Cycle of the Monarch Butterfly” poster.

I’m having so much fun making upcycled envelopes from books that are torn up, scribbled on, or otherwise unusable. I even use a special glue so you can lick and stick them closed!

A bracelet cuff that I made using fabrics from a discarded sample book, with lace.

Today (Sunday 12/15) is the last day – if you’re in the East Bay please stop by – I’m at The Village Shops and Galleries, 10330 San Pablo Avenue, between Eureka and Stockton Streets in El Cerrito, from 11 am to 6 pm. There’s street parking out front, and along with my artwork and crafts I’ve got plenty of snacks and friendly converstaion to offer.

Shop local! Holiday gifts at Village Shops

Searching for that perfect gift for the special people on your list? You can’t beat handmade arts and crafts by local artists to show how much you care. Village Shops and Galleries, 10330 San Pablo Avenue, El Cerrito, between Eureka and Stockton streets, is full of wonderful original treasures with something for everyone (and yourself)!

We’re open Wednesday-Sunday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., and from now through Sunday December 15th, we’re hosting a Holiday Boutique with wonderful artwork and crafts by local photographer and mixed media artist Heidi Rand, of Garden Delights Arts & Crafts. Heidi has a wide range of handmade and original-designed gifts, at all different prices, including jewelry, wearable art, purses, scarves, cards and prints, boxes, home decor, books, and more!

Also – wooden bowls, boxes and pens by David Earls:

Mixed media and textile crafts and jewelry by Grace Taormina:

Handcrafted soap and beeswax candles by George McRae of Bubble Queen Soaps & Scents:

The walls are bursting with color, from resident artist Mark Canepa’s metal artwork and paintings to hand-pulled linocut and woodblock prints by Rich Fowler, vivid mixed-media paintings and jewelry by Rachel Taormina, paintings by Robert Amrhein, and much more!

There’s plenty of free street parking in front, and we’re a short walk from the El Cerrito Plaza BART station. Come by to chat and see the wonderful art, we hope to see you soon!

El Cerrito Art Association Show and Sale

October is National Arts & Humanities Month, and in our town one of the highlights kicking it off is the Annual El Cerrito Art Association (ECAA) Show and Sale, held this coming weekend, October 4-6. The opening reception is Friday Oct. 4th from 7 to 9 pm. On Saturday the Show is open from 10 to 5, and on Sunday from 10 to 4.  It’s at the El Cerrito Community Center, 7007 Moeser Lane, El Cerrito.

There’s a wonderful array of work by nearly 150 artists entered into competition, including paintings, drawings, photographs, sculptures, prints, mixed media pieces and digital art. In addition, there will be additional art for sale – a print bin filled with a wide variety of members’ work, and Saturday features an Artists’ Market with individual booths outside the Show, providing additional works for sale and another opportunity to discuss art with the professionals.

I didn’t enter the competition this year but I will have 5 brand-new prints in the bin, and I’ll also have a table out front of the Community Center on Saturday – please come by and say hello!

What are you doing to celebrate Arts Month?

Grand Opening Village Shops and Galleries!

Start with a dream, add inspiration and a lot of luck, stir in hard work and sweat: lifting, carrying, arranging and rearranging, then combine with laughter and friends coming through big-time … and what do you get? We’ve got a brand new Village Shops and Galleries to show off at our grand opening, Saturday March 16th, from noon to 8 p.m. Please join us for wine and refreshments, music, great art, and lots more!

Mixing the best of old and new, we’ve got vintage collectibles and antique furniture alongside brand new unique handmade art by amazingly talented (mostly local) artists and crafters. And we’re so excited to introduce our new gift shop featuring work crafted by independent artisans, including fine silver jewelry by designer Lis Mahnken of ME Designs; 

artful clothing and accessories by Michele Battise; wooden bowls, boxes and pens by David Earls;

David Earls’ wooden bowls and pens

exquisitely designed and stitched quilts by Carolyn Earls;

mixed media and textile crafts and jewelry by Grace Taormina and Rachel Taormina; handcrafted soap by sassafras and Bubble Queen Soaps & Scents;

and my own photo arts and crafts. We’re also proud to be the only place you can get the full line of collage artist Tamara Holland’s wonderful new line of inspirational greeting cards – and believe me, you will want one of each!

Tamara Holland’s cards

The walls are bursting with color, from resident artist Mark Canepa’s metal artwork and paintings to hand-pulled linocut and woodblock prints by Rich Fowler, vivid mixed-media paintings by Rachel Taormina, large-format photographs by John Hanses, and much more!

Rich Fowler’s prints

Looking for a classy, convenient meeting space for a private or public event? Searching for studio space? We have many options for rental -by the hour, day or longer. And it’s a dream come true for my co-manager Grace and myself to offer a wide variety of art workshops and classes in our brand new classroom, fully stocked with art supplies and equipment. We’re offering high-quality art and craft instruction at affordable prices in a range of subjects, for adults and children, and for all different skill levels.

The Village Shops is at 10330 San Pablo Avenue, El Cerrito, between Eureka and Stockton streets. There’s plenty of free parking. Starting March 16th, we’ll be open Wednesday through Sunday from noon to 6 p.m. Are you an artist or crafter interested in learning about opportunities to show and sell your work, or to teach? If so, come on by to meet us and fill out an application.  Questions? Call (510) 525-5661 or email me at heidirand@gmail.com  

Sneak Peek Open House!

If you made it to the ArtFirst! Holiday Show and Sale, you know what a wonderful space we were lucky to be able to hold it in. We rented space for the pop-up show from Mark Canepa, resident artist and owner of The Village Shops and Galleries, 10330 San Pablo Avenue in El Cerrito. 

The show went so well that Mark and my fellow ArtFirst!er Grace Taormina and I decided to take The Village Shops to the next level. We’re busy plotting, planning and painting walls, and we’re very proud to announce that our Grand Opening will be on March 16th.

Mixed Media artwork by Grace Taormina

You won’t have to wait that long to see what we’re up to, because we’re holding a sneak peek Open House on Saturday February 9th from noon to 6:00 p.m., and you’re all invited! Come by for a preview of what we’re working on: new art, a new gift shop with a wide range of art and crafts, collectibles, and much more!

We’re also excited for you to check out our brand new classroom, where experienced teachers will offer a wide variety of workshops and classes for children and adults of all skill levels and interests. We’ll take you on a tour of the event and studio spaces that will be available for individuals or groups to rent.

In honor of Valentine’s Day we’ll also have some great surprise activities, including a “make and take” where you can make a free valentine for your sweetie.

And if you’re an artist or crafter interested in learning about opportunities to show and sell your work, or to teach, come on by to meet us and fill out an application.

Questions? Call (510) 525-5661 or email me at heidirand@gmail.com