Selma and I were wondering if we could create a little being out of only felt. This is our first attempt. I’m sure more will follow. We used random bits of roving and fleece I had lying around. The head is just roving rolled into a ball and punched a lot. The Ears were made separately, then needle felted on to the head. I may look for a bell to put inside the body, because this would make a nice rattle, I think.
I’m trying to buy handmade for those gifts that I’m not making this year. My biggest challenge seems to be children’s gifts. I’m looking for interesting toys and games, things that are not just another wooden truck or name puzzle. I was so bored at the Sugarloaf craft fair today at the Montgomery county fairgrounds. Sugarloaf was pretty surreal–it felt exactly like the craft fairs I used to attend with my mom when I was a kid–maybe its even the same vendors, who knows? I bought only two things of note: an amazing pair of mittens made from recycled sweaters–unfortunately, the artist does not have a web site, and a yard of fabric from a woman who designs natural indigo-dyed cotton.
Since I’m still on the lookout, I’ve done a little research to see where in the DC area there might be some fun holiday craftiness going on. If you know of any additions to this list, let me know and I’ll add it here.
Nov. 24th: Saturday • November 24 • 10AM-5PM: Bazaart: Artful Holiday Shopping Extravaganza! at the American Visionary Art Museum in Baltimore
Nov. 29: Patton Boggs Holiday Bazaar; Patton Boggs LLP, 2550
M Street NW, Washington DC; 11 a.m. -2 p.m.
Nov. 30th-Dec. 2nd: Hidden Springs Farm Sale, Great Falls, VA sale, hours: 12-9 Friday, 10-9 Sat, 12-5 Sun
Directions: From Georgetown Pike, first right after Great Falls Park. 1.25 miles to left on Hidden
Springs Farm. 703-759-2440 Pottery, pewter, jewelry, woodwork, handpainted textiles, quilts and honey.
**JUST ADDED** Sat. Dec. 1st: Holiday Heap sponsored by the Charm City (Baltimore) Craft Mafia, 2640 St. Paul St, Baltimore, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
**JUST ADDED** Sat. Dec. 1st Holiday Happening, sponsored by the Montgomery County Dept. of Rec., 14625 Bauer Dr, Wheaton, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Nov 30-Dec 2 and Dec 7-9 Countryside Artisans Tour
Tour includes Dancing Leaf Farm (dancingleaffarm.com) and Kiparoo Farm
(kiparoofarmstudio.com) as well as other artists. [link]
Beginning December 7th, there’s the DC Downtown Holiday Market
Dec 9th: Squidfire’s Holiday Pop Mart at the Baltimore Lyric Opera House 12-7 p.m.
Dec 15th: Craft Mutiny Holiday Booty Market.
