There are several awesome upcoming events and opportunities for you guys! Sunday, January 31st - mark your calendar for a whole day full of fun & art!

Color Me Mine Open House & Art Show

Please join us for an evening of “art and fun!” Sunday, January 31st from 6-9pm. Open house art show at Color Me Mine studio in Ghent featuring the “Who Arted?” artists (and several 7 Cities Crafters members). Upcycled/altered art, fiber/textile art, fine jewelry, photography, woodburned art, painted glass, hand painted signs, fish and mermaids. Light snacks & beverages will be served.

Also on January 31

Fairytales Art Gallery & Studio Grand Opening

7 Cities Crafters member Michelle of Gymbohannah and many other artists will be at the grand opening of Fairytales on Sunday Jan. 31st from 2-6. Located on 920 S. Battlefield Blvd. suite 101 just past Johns Town Rd. near Cedar Rd. in Great Bridge

Fairytales is a new art gallery and studio opening in Chesapeake. They work on a consignment basis, all local artists. Rent is based on sq. ft. of occupied space by artwork. $1.00/sqft for wall space, each pedestal is $10.00 flat rate and big stands are $40.00. Featured wall display is $ 40 flat rate for minimum 10′ x 4′ sqft, so same $1.00 sqft and 10% commission per item sold. Fairytales is offering A MONTH FREE OF CONSIGNMENT RENT, FIRST COME FIRST SERVE . Call 757-512-7494 for more information.

7 Cities Crafters Monthly Craft-Together

Come to our monthly meetup on Sunday, February 7th at 6pm. Our monthly craft-togethers are free and open to the public! Bring a snack to share potluck-style and a craft to work on if you wish! Come hang out with other creative people in the area, everyone is welcome!

@ Grow Interactive: 350 W. 22nd Street Suite 106 Norfolk, Virginia 23517 - in the Palace Station shopping center. Grow is toward the back left corner, across from NYFO.

Virginia Beach Spring Craft Market

The 7 Cities Crafters have personally been invited to participate in the 24th Annual Virginia Beach Spring Craft Market (at the VB Pavilion) coming up March 19-21, and have a group booth. They typically don’t allow booth sharing, but in this case our group is an exception, and the market is offering us a first timers discount of $100 for a 10×10 booth. It could be a great opportunity for some of us to gain exposure to a wider audience of people interested into crafts.  More information about the show is available at www.emgshows.com. If someone would like to head up organizing this booth, please email me and I’ll put you in touch with the show director.

Raffle to benefit Animal Rahat

We have been contacted by PETA to see if anyone would be interested in donating a few items to an in house raffle they’re organizing for Animal Rahat in India. Animal Rahat gives veterinary care and rest to sick or injured animals used for labor, such as cart horses and bullocks, and they even provide a “retirement” home for older animals who would otherwise be killed. The PETA staff would be very interested in bidding on handmade items, and you are welcome to include business cards or fliers along with anything you donate so they know where to buy your goodies in the future! You can find more information on what services they provide and their mission at www.AnimalRahat.org. The raffle will be taking place on January 29th, items need to get to PETA by the 26th. Anything you would be willing to give would be appreciated - they do respectfully request that any items donated not contain animal-derived materials, such as silk, fur, leather, or wool, please.

If you would like to donate an item, contact Ashley Gonzalez at PETA
o. (757) 962-8207
c.  (757) 472-1764

All Senses Artistry at 5 Points Community Farm Market

All Senses Artistry is about to open its doors in the Farm Market! Initial inventory will consist of delicious organic tea, Rich Earth, house plants, handmade soaps, books, local music and hopefully your art work. They have an agreement based on commission. If you are interested contact Jen St. Clair at 757-619-6932. Their Mission: All Senses Artistry encourages the growth of sustainable communities by supplying them with high quality products and services rooted in health, creativity and education.

We had a great time last night at our little Handmade Nation movie night! Thanks again to my mom for hosting, and to everyone who came out! It was an inspiring and fun time.

Please check out our events calendar for lots more crafty events coming up soon, and don’t forget to join us for our Monthly Craft-Together on Sunday, February 7th. Details can be found here.

I just updated the events calendar with a metric ton of upcoming classes, workshops and art openings from January through May! Why not check it out and sign up for one of the excellent class offerings, or try out a booth at a spring craft show!

I’m personally excited about this mixed media Valentine book class, the Mid-Atlantic home & flower show, and Art & Soul 2010 in May.

Do you know of a spring craft show, a cool art opening, or a class or workshop that needs to be listed on our site? Please leave it in a comment here or email me.

I hope to see some of you at one of these exciting events!

Hey Crafty People!

Instead of our normal monthly craft-together, we’ll be having a movie night featuring the documentary Handmade Nation, next Sunday, January 10th at 6:30pm. The movie night will be held at Amber’s mom’s house and snacks & drinks will be provided. All you need to bring is yourself!

You will need to RSVP for this event by emailing Amber at amber.karnes@gmail.com. She’ll give you the address and directions to her mom’s house.

Hope to see y’all there!

Instead of our normal monthly craft-together, we’ll be having a potluck Holiday Party on Sunday, December 20th at 6:00pm. Come join us for fun mini-workshops and a White Elephant handmade gift exchange (click here for a description).

Tasha will be teaching finger knitting, so bring some leftover yarn from your stash! Using only yarn and your fingers, you can create a strip of fabric that could become a skinny scarf or belt, a bracelet, a headband, or even a garland for holiday decorating.

Please bring some food to share, some spare yarn for the workshop, and one wrapped, handmade gift for the swap. Maybe your gift will be this year’s hedgehog pincushion!  As usual, we will meet at Grow Interactive: 350 W. 22nd Street Suite 106 Norfolk, Virginia 23517 - in the new Palace Station shopping center. Grow is toward the back left corner, across from NYFO.

Hope to see y’all there

-Kristin G.

ps.  Thanks to Kristen R. for the adorable Holiday Party white elephant graphic!