Martha Keith & Tavia Brown, Metalsmiths Extraordinaire

Holy Schnikes, November is almost over!! The holiday season has begun--hope everyone is enjoying themselves; it's hard not to when it's a balmy 65 degrees and sunny all weekend!

This is the work of metalsmith Martha Keith. Martha is a genious. Actually, everyone who is part of the Craftacular is a genious, but I feel particularly qualified to say this of Martha because she recently created an engagement ring and wedding bands for myself and my husband and they are stunning and unique, and she is quite possibly the nicest person I've ever worked with on a custom job.

Martha Keith

www.marthakeith.com

"personal adornment in metals"

martha@marthakeith.com
(434) 242-7147

I urge you to visit Martha's website: www.marthakeith.com, where you can extensively view her work and

read about her numerous show inclusions, awards, and inspirations. Even better, come out to the Holiday

Craftacular on Dec. 10th and 11th to see her fantastic work in person;

Martha shares a studio with the artist featured below: Tavia Brown of TaviaMetal.

The studios are located in The Linen Building on East Market St., just past the intersection of Meade Ave.

Tavia Brown

taviametal

www.taviametal.com

"elegance with an edge"

Visit Tavia's website: taviametal.com for a complete bio, gallery pics, and links to her extensive credentials and awards, as well as her blog, her event calendar, and more.

Tavia and Martha have both been part of the C-ville Craft Attack since its inception and are accomplished artists and entreprenuers.

Come meet them and get to know their amazing work on Dec. 10th and 11th at CitySpace on the downtown mall!

Artisan vs. all the rest

As our Holiday Craftacular fast approaches, I've been spending a great deal of time thinking about why going to shows like these are important.

Most of us artisans are acutely aware of our customers-past, present, and future-and try very hard to keep the lines of communication open and productive. So, in that spirit, I would like to offer a few reasons why you should come visit us on the weekend of Dec. 10th and 11th.

1. An artisan show will feature an amazing variety of work, some of which will not be found at any other venue except the artist's own studio. This is a really efficient way to see many things at once: convenient and fun, as there will also be music, food, and great company. I also encourage people to come even--or especially--if you have trepidation about buying artisan goods; this is an opportunity to learn about, or become reacquainted with, the range of media, the processes by which items are made, and the true value of the work in terms of cost. Of course we want to make sales, but we also want to introduce people to our crafts and discover how they might fit into your lives!

2. One of a kind. Need I say more? The beauty of so many artisan goods is that there is often only one of something, or a limited number offered. And many of these pieces have fascinating stories of how the concept came about, or where the materials came from. My most favorite houses to visit are ones where I can point to virtually any object and the owner(s) can tell me the story of where it came from, which are often hilarious, touching, and memorable. This is why artwork such as a show like this offers is wonderful--it has personality, history, and life!

3. I personally get a sour taste in my mouth thinking about big box store shopping. It all feels quite contrived to me, and I always get the feeling of being force-fed what it is I'm supposed to need, want, be like. And if I can't find what I'm after, that's it--game over. And...it's boring.

The beauty of craftspeople is that the story doesn't stop there. If you are looking for something and can't find it, artisans are exactly the people you should be talking to because they can CREATE IT. You may not even know what you want...but if you can describe it, or its function, we can make that slightly blurry idea come into focus. This process, being part of it, is AWESOME. If you haven't tried it yet...why the hell not?

I could really go on and on, but I'll wrap it up, B. Suffice to say that this is truly a fabulous weekend event that should not be missed. We're making it happen, and we want you to do the same!!

Featured Artist: Cary Oliva

Another of our featured artists is Cary Oliva.

"Where the spirit does not work with the hand there is no art". - Leonardo Da Vinci

Cary Oliva is an artist who loves dabbling in lots of different media. She loves polaroids, paper, watercolors, waste not paper colors, good design, cards, and textiles. She has always loved creating things, and after studying art in Pennsylvania, Italy and New York, Cary moved to Charlottesville where she has been living and creating various media for a little over eight years. Her love of doodling turned into creating a line of whimsical, hand-drawn and embellished greeting cards, which has since evolved into other types of floral and other fun designs that take the form of cards, invitations, custom stationery, coasters, journals and prints. A love of photography inspired her to learn some alternative techniques, specifically with Polaroid photography. Cary enjoys working with clients to create custom creations whether it is in the form of a hand-made invitation, a special coaster or a vintage looking photograph.

You can contact Cary at:

cary@bycary.com

www.facebook.com/caryoliva

www.etsy.com/people/caryoliva

www.linkedin.com/pub/cary-oliva/13/6a3/401

Featured Artist: Nancy Hopkins

The fabulous Ms. Nancy Hopkins! Another of the talented vendors who will be part of the Holiday 2011 Craftacular!! The show this year is on the weekend of December 10th & 11th and will be a festive mix of spectacular people, amazingly creative art, and tasty food! Come enjoy with us!

Nancy Hopkins

Silver Muse Studio

www.silvermusestudio.com

My name is Nancy and I'm the sole owner, jewelry designer and maker at Silver Muse Studio. I am the mother of two active boys - ages 7 and 19. Because of their age difference, it is like having two only children. They keep me busy in their own ways. Making jewelry is a great creative outlet for me and helps keep me sane!

Ever since I was a little girl, I have enjoyed making things - whether it was a poster for a school project or jewelry out of brightly colored telephone wires my father brought home one night. I used to love to watch my father use his power tools in his workshop. I was amazed at what he could create with his hands and few tools. Today, I really look forward to going to my studio and using my own power tools to create wonderful jewelry. Using my hands to create something has always been a great stress reliever for me. I also love hanging out with my three studiomates who keep me inspired and motivated. Luckily, I have a wonderful husband who is supportive of my creative endeavors.

Each piece I make is special to me, and hopefully special to you too. There is a part of my heart and soul in each piece.

Featured Artist: Rosalba Valentino

photo by Rayzor Bachand

In the lead-up to the C-ville Craft Attack's Holiday Craftacular on Dec. 10th & 11th, we will be making sure you know who we are and what we're offering as a superb artisan collective.

photo by Rayzor Bachand

Details are being hammered out; we'll pass them on so everyone can plan on coming out to enjoy the festivities and support local craftwork. In the meantime, we'll introduce--or re-introduce--those in the collective and give you a taste of their creativity.

One new artist you'll see is Rosalba Valentino, local fashion designer and seamstress. A native of Nelson County, Rosalba attended art school at VCU, received her BFA in crafts, and proceeded to start her own custom fashion and accessories business.

Rosalba has designed for theater, dance performance, weddings, holiday shows and created custom pieces for a wide variety of clients encompassing a wide array of styles and tastes. She also creates her own one-of-a-kind women's fashion and accessories, as well as items for infants and toddlers. Colors, patterns, unusual materials and inventive techniques combine to offer an artistic approach to style with an emphasis on sustainable goods and 'slow fashion' methods.

Rosalba Valentino Designs can be viewed/contacted @:

434-981-4221

rvd.couture@gmail.com

on facebook @ Rosalba Valentino Designs

www.rosalba.etsy.com

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