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phone and e-reader holders, all from fabric books and silk neckties; and envelopes and other paper crafts I make from outdated calendars and books.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?

Art and Craft For All

Without further ado, I’d like to introduce you to the other artisans in the ArtFirst! Holiday Show and Sale, as promised in my previous post and the one before that. 

Beka Brayer is  a mixed media assemblage artist. Beka says that her goal “is to breathe new life into intriguing old or found objects.” Beka has also published a limited edition hand embellished book entitled “Art of Whimsey”. She has contributed works for a wide range of fundraising benefits and has shown at ArtSpan, City Art Cooperative, Mission Artists United, and Studio 333.

Glass blower Holly Wallace, formerly of Ruby Glass Works, is currently an exhibiting member of Berkeley’s oldest art cooperative, ACCI Gallery on Shattuck Avenue. Her work has been shown and sold at SFMOMA, Gumps, Celebration of Craftswomen, and many other galleries, shows and museums.  Holly describes glass blowing as “the whirling dervish of the art world. It is a juggling act with fire and form.”

Victoria Veedell paints vibrant and colorful abstract landscapes. In her words, she “captures the essence of nature by examining the effects of light on form in the natural world.” Victoria’s paintings have been exhibited nationally and internationally in galleries and art centers, and are in many private and corporate collections.

Julie Long Gallegos creates hand beaded jewelry and accessories, including purses. Julie finds inspiration for her designs in Art Nouveau, Arts & Crafts, California Decorative Style, Art Deco, the Wiener Werkstatte, African art and Native American beadwork. Her Klimt “Kiss” cuff bracelet and “Coral Snake” lariat appeared in Lark Publications’ Showcase 500 Beaded Jewelry book (2012).

The ArtFirst! Show continues this Wednesday through Sunday (November 28 through December 2) at the Village Shops and Galleries, 10330 San Pablo Ave., El Cerrito (cross streets Eureka and Stockton), from noon to 6:00 pm.

This is my original blog post with all of the information about the show. Visit the ArtFirst! website.

The Fragrant Arts

I promised in my last post to introduce you to more of the talented artists and crafters who’ll have their work at the ArtFirst! Holiday Show and Sale. 

One of our main goals was to include a wide variety of artisans in the show, so I was thrilled when popular Pinole soapmakers Jane and Nadine Robbins-Laurent, of sassafras,were able to participate. They have a faithful following of customers for their handmade soap and bath products, candles, and fused glass jewelry at the Pinole Art Center and the Pinole Farmers Market. I always crack up when I see their slogan: “Life’s Too Short for Crappy Soap!”

sassafras soap, copyright sassafras

Which leads me to another fabulous craftist – my husband George McRae. George is multi-talented. His main vocation is acting, but on the side he produces handmade soap and beeswax candles for our company, Garden Delights Arts & Crafts, under the name “Bubble Queen Soaps & Scents”.

George uses only natural ingredients in his soap, and he doesn’t add color or extra scent, using only the ingredients (lavender is my favorite) for fragrance. By far the most popular Bubble Queen soaps are these cats. And for the first time at this show George will offer beeswax candles, handmade from wax produced by his bees (the hive is at a friend’s house in Richmond).

After you’ve cleaned up good with either sassafras’ or Bubble Queen’s soaps, you’ll want to dab on some artisanal botanical perfumes made by Laurie Stern. Laurie is an award-winning natural perfumer. In her own words: “Velvet & Sweet Pea’s Purrfumery revives the romance of the golden era of perfume through a blending of perfume’s legacy of romantic scent and gorgeous packaging with a modern sensitivity to organics, health, and ethics.”

Laurie Stern’s Fleur de Caramel Parfum

If you want to meet Laurie in person and see her line of perfumes, she will be at the show the second weekend, December 1st and 2nd. Before then she’ll have luscious bath salts and other goodies available.

I hope you enjoyed this olfactory tour. Oh gee, did I mention when and where the show is? We’ll be at the Village Shops and Galleries, 10330 San Pablo Ave., El Cerrito (cross streets Eureka and Stockton) from November 24th through December 2nd, from noon to 6:00 pm, open every day except Monday and Tuesday. And the launch party will be opening day,  this coming Saturday, November 24th, from 5 to 8 p.m. Hope to see you there!

This is my original post with all of the information about the Show.