Charmaine’s table at the 7 Cities Crafters trunk show

Summer is wrapping up!

Things have been kind of slow in the Hampton Roads crafty scene over the past few months. Other than several of our crafters who did a great job repping us at the Waterside craft events and a few regional shows, it’s been kind of quiet around these parts.

As the cooler weather blows in, people come back from vacation, kids get settled into school and normal routines resume, we look forward to getting together for our monthly meetings, supporting members who are participating in craft shows, and getting into the mood for holiday crafting.

So, what’s going on with 7 Cities Crafters?

There have been some emails flying around asking about the status of the group, how active it’s going to be, if the focus has changed, what’s going on with Handmade Parade, and more.

I wanted to take this opportunity to address a few of those questions.

Q. Is the group still active? I haven’t heard anything.

A. Yes the 7 Cities Crafters are still active. We had a slowdown toward the end of the summer, but that seems to be a pattern we’ve seen over the past few years.We look forward to getting back into the swing of things starting in October.

Q. Is this group still for networking with other crafty businesses? Is it a monthly craft-hangout thing? What is our mission?

A.  The mission and focus of the group has changed and morphed as members have come and gone over the years. In its current form, the 7 Cities Crafters are a group of crafty people, artists and creatives who meet once a month to hang out, work on crafts, share skills, share some food and brainstorm ideas. Every now and then we might host a workshop or put on a craft show, but mostly right now we’re an informal, social crafting group.

This mission or focus is subject to change, depending on the members. If someone wants to host a workshop, put on a show, or take initiative to do any sort of crafty event - they should speak up and organize it! We are open to ideas.

Q. So what’s up with Handmade Parade?

A. As of now, the plan is to postpone Handmade Parade indefinitely. Thank you to everyone who volunteered to help organize things, but due to many changes in the group, putting on such a big event at this point in time is not feasible.

Q. What events are coming up?

A. Well I’m glad you asked. Please see below for a few cool regional events. There are plenty more on our events page! I hope to see you at an event soon!

-Amber

Upcoming Events

7 Cities Crafters Monthly Craft-together
Sunday, October 4, 2009

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!

6:00 p.m. @ 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.

Home Grown Local Zone Music & Arts Festival
October 2-4, 2009

2nd Annual HOME GROWN LOCAL ZONE MUSIC & ARTS FESTIVAL

This event features local artists and musicians in the lively and colorful setting of The Five Points Community Farm Market. Come Celebrate a Bountiful Fall Harvest with us and treat yourself to a taste of our own home-grown variety of fiddlers, guitarists, drummers and song writers as well as artisans and poets.

Visit us on Facebook
http://www.5ptsfarmmarket.org
757-640-0300

Holiday Parade - by the Daffodil Festival Council
Saturday, December 5, 2009
10 am to 4 pm

A holiday handmade art & craft show, presented by the Daffodil Festival Council. Held in Gloucester, Va. Download a vendor app here. Deadline is Friday, November 6, 2009.