The Artful Village

Mark your calendars for the next Market Dayz at The Artful Village!

The event features a Friday night sneak peek on June 13th from 7-10:30pm. Admission is free & there will also be free refreshments! There's no extra charge for vendors to set up on Friday.

Saturday's market will run June 14th, 10am-5pm. Indoor & outdoor vendor space available. Interested vendors call Darren at 817-692-8496.

The Artful Village also offers occasional painting parties, so check their calendar often!

The Artful Village • 1005 Yale, Fort Worth, TX

Behind Roofing Solutions on the corner of Meandering Rd. & Yale

Every 2nd Saturday, 10am-5pm • Facebook

Be sure to subscribe to the Funky Finds monthly newsletter to learn about other upcoming handmade events around the globe! 

byMarta

Marta Berk of byMarta creates unique and original wearable art. Based in Brooklyn, New York, Marta is a painter & illustrator who creates low brow whimsical characters in oil and graphite. Currently, Marta sells her art as Giclée prints that she prints using archival inks on professional archival paper, as well as wearable art jewelry and hair accessories.

I adore the bright, cheerful designs Marta creates. The hand-crafted Peace Bird locket (pictured) that includes a small key charm is lovely. This image is also available in the form of an adjustable bracelet, as well as bottlecap hair clips.

The mushroom art (pictured) is a perfect example of Marta's whimsical nature which I love! This great illustration is available as a print, as well as magnets, hair bow, and necklace.

To learn more about Marta's work, visit her blog and her Facebook page.

SPECIAL OFFER: Receive a 15% discount on all merchandise with coupon code FF15OFF. Offer expires September 27, 2012.

Elizabeth Levesque, Artist

Elizabeth Levesque is a painter, illustrator, and crafter that currently resides in Norfolk, VA. Having recently returned to school to study fine art, Lizze creates a wide variety of unique artwork. Her fine art pieces include stunning portraits, colorful wood pieces, and whimsical animal imagery. She also does illustration work, as well as crafts & custom design work. If you are interested in purchasing some of Elizabeth's work, several pieces are listed on Etsy & several are available through J. Fergeson Gallery in Farmville, VA. (pictured: Lil Acorn Incubator)

Funky Five: Spring Has Sprung

1. Giant Daffodil Flower Card Set by my favorite flower

2. Turquoise & Copper Slave Anklet by Brockus ArtWorks and Creations

3. Butterfly Mosaic Wall Hanging by Off the Wall Designs

4. Cowgirl Bunny Pot Person by Creative Imaginings

5. Solid Sugar Scrub by Braggin' Rights Bath

Art & Photography

Sandra Feazel of 7th St. Studio is as nice & personable as she is talented. Each time I have been among her booth display, I think "I want this to BE my home!" In addition to her paintings, Sandra now offers hand-painted leather bracelets that are gorgeous. Learn more about Sandra & her art workshops on the Paper Cowgirl blog.

Judy Hudson creates textural art using recycled, repurposed, & scavenged materials. An Art Peace showcases Judy's beautiful mosaic work in various forms, including wall art, mirrors & more. Visit her Facebook page to learn more about her work.

Art by Susan Best presents a variety of unique artwork. I love Susan's dog art cards, which includes a Labrador & Chihuahua. Her assemblage and collage pieces are also exceptional.

Shaun Mullin of BoG Productions creates quirky, yet functional, ceramics. The Golden Retriever business card holder is perfect for dog lovers, but Shaun creates a variety of other items that are not animal-themed.

Christie Cone Ceramics offers lovely ceramic pieces created by Christie Cone. Her new herb markers have been a huge hit this Spring, as are the floral brooches. One day, I would love to own a set of Christie's gorgeous dinnerware. Visit her Shop @ Funky Finds for other items.

Essie Pearl Graham is the creative force behind epgphotography. Her Shop @ Funky Finds showcases several eye-catching photography prints. Looking Out is a great example of Essie's unique perspective.

Christin Allen is a talented session photographer. If you're in the DFW area & looking to capture the spirit of your family, Fate Couture Imagery is for you! Visit her blog to see examples of her vintage-inspired photography. And if you are or know a bride-to-be, check out Christin's wedding photos that are fabulous! Makes me want to get married all over again (to the same man, of course!).

Betty White (not of Golden Girls fame) has a passion for glass & it shows in her work. Glass Art by Betty features items that are fun & quirky, such as the SunnySide Up clock, and items that are unique & functional, such as the wine bottle serving tray.

Jeff & Linda Dolby of JL Glass Design create unique & unusual glass objects, ranging from stained glass panels to glass jewelry. Their accent tiles are the perfect way to personalize your living space. And their garden art will make you smile all Spring and Summer long!

Brandi Sololomon is the talented artist behind my favorite flower. Her watercolors capture the beauty of nature in such a rich & vibrant way. Her Shop @ Funky Finds is the perfect place to purchase beautiful stationery, prints & jewelry - all featuring Brandi's stunning work.

Cheryl Gianforte of Off the Wall Designs traveled from Louisiana to participate in the Spring Fling. I enjoyed seeing her artwork & jewelry designs in person. Pet lovers will enjoy Cheryl's mosaic pet tiles; however, my favorite items were the Hidden Message paintings that incorporate painting, stamping, sewing & calligraphy.

Artist Sarah Zamora has a very unique style that really speaks to a lot of Funky Finds followers. Original Youth showcases her colorful, funky & bold images. We were lucky enough to feature one of Sarah's pieces on The Experience booklet cover!

Leah Leach of Roaring Rabbit Pottery creates functional pottery that is creative & beautiful. Her bowls, plates & other creations are works of art. In addition to being a talented potter, Leah is also pretty darn smooth on the fiddle! Each October Leah & her husband host an annual Pottery Sale and an Afternoon of Fiddle Music at her studio in Alvarado, Texas.

sarusdesignart inc. features digital artwork created by Yeongsin Song. She also creates beautiful jewelry that incorporates her imagery. The Serenity cameo necklace is my favorite!

Shelly Burden is an extremely talented portrait artist. Her pet portraits really capture the loving spirit of so many beloved animals. She also offers art lessons for all ages. If interested, simply contact Shelly for more information.

I love what the home page of The Potter's Heart says about Laura Canfield’s experiences as a potter - that it has brought together her gifts in ministry & her love of clay & that she provides a space for people to connect to God and each other through the creation of art through pottery workshops. Take a look at her exceptional work & consider taking a lesson!

Yvonne Wilson is super funky gal that I always look forward to seeing. Her business, Yvonne4eyes Card & Art Manipulations, is a great source for hip cards, pendants & other cool items.

Hunky Dory

Diana Morrow is an artist and graphic designer who lives and works in Brooklyn, NY, along with two cats, one Cockatiel and a Chihuahua named Nigel. Her creativity is inspired by many things, but at the top of the list are traditional tattoo design, going antiquing & thrifing in search of mid-century modern finds, and the work of other artists including David Bowie, Cy Twombly, Elizabeth Peyton, and the Cocteau Twins. Diana has settled into a creative process that suits her best, combining collaged computer graphics and painting. Her Etsy shop, Hunky Dory by Diana Morrow, features original one-of-a-kind mixed media creations mounted on re-purposed vintage plaques. The result is a variety of unique pieces that will liven up any space! I love the piece titled Friends (pictured), as well as the vibrant Life on Mars. The piece titled Rainy is another personal favorite. Mention "Funky Finds Free Shipping" in the notes to seller to receive free shipping on all orders placed before December 25, 2010.

The Funky Finds Experience - Vendor Preview 5

Check out this week's featured artisans that will be participating in The Funky Finds Experience next month! Previous Vendor Previews: #1, #2, #3 and #4

1. Silver & Yellow Geometric Hand-Painted Tie by Gynx Designs

2. Purple People Eater Pendant by Handmade Hooligans

3. Black and White Branches Aline Dress by Harrilu

4. Texas Bred by Howard Dubois Art

5. Sweet Tooth Embroidered Towel by Jazzy Threads

6. Lampwork Bracelet by Jewelers on the Boulevard

7. End Table by JoeArt

8. “Triste” Encaustic Giclee Print by Junanne Peck

The Funky Finds Experience - Vendor Preview 1

There's over 120 talented artists, crafters & designers that will be participating in The Experience, a 2-day handmade extravaganza. The event will be held November 6 and 7 in Fort Worth, Texas. Each week I will be previewing a few of the vendors. Visit their websites & let them know you will see them at The Experience!

1. Painting by 3 Bears Studio

2. Tutu Hair Bow Holder by Add A Lil Charm

3. BOO Halloween Bag by Alphabulous

4. Cedar & Oak Jewelery Box by Anderson Woodworks

5. Leather Cuff Bracelet by Armed With Style

6. Peace Quote Box Purse by Arrowsarah

7. Photography by Artistic Solutions Ink

8. Girls Dress by Aunt Jane's Dresses

I will be back next week to preview more great artisans that are participating in The Experience. And, be sure to save the date for the 3rd Annual Funky Finds Spring Fling to be held March 12, 2011!

Peace, Love, & Cupcakes

Peace, Love, & Cupcakes...what more could one want out of life? Florida-based artist Amy Lapi creates artwork that is bright & fun - the perfect way to brighten up any dull space! Her original 8x10 canvas paintings depict bold images with various sentiments, such as she believed that life is pretty sweet. Many city dwellers come to view the city as one of their best friends and every good man should also be a BFF, in my opinion. I love all of Amy's paintings; however, the cupcake with buttons (pictured) is perhaps my absolute favorite. Learn more about Amy & her work by reading her blog and by viewing her Flickr gallery.

2nd Annual Funky Finds Spring Fling - RECAP

Funky Finds hosted the 2nd Annual Funky Finds Spring Fling in Fort Worth, Texas, on March 13. As usual, our closing thoughts were "I can't believe it's over!" The day flew by and it was a huge success. We have received so much positive feedback from participating vendors, many saying they set new sales records, received wholesale orders from local boutiques / galleries, and most commonly, when is the next Funky Finds event? I think that says a lot about what we accomplished. It was very humbling to see how many family members and friends came from all over Texas & Oklahoma to support us & help us run the event. We could NOT do it without all of them pitching in!

Another highlight of our events is the charitable raffle benefiting local charities. This year each participating vendor donated an item for the raffle benefiting the Humane Society of North Texas and CASA of Tarrant County. We raised $1,070.00 for the charities and several dogs and cats were adopted! Pictured here is Dozer, a Labrador puppy, that was adopted by local artisan Rachel Willis of AngelCow Designs.

We have a Flickr pool set up with lots of photos from the event. Also, be sure to check out the video below shot by KERA staff member Cindy Chaffin. You are sure to get a kick out of my true Texas accent!

Over the course of the next few weeks, I will be highlighting many of the participating artisans that showcased their wares at the Spring Fling. Below are just a few to get us started. If you are interested in participating in and/or learning about future events we have planned, please subscribe to our monthly newsletter so you'll receive information & announcements. Also, if you are ever in the Fort Worth area, spend some time downtown and in the nearby Cultural District where we held the show. I was amazed by how much has changed (for the better) in less than a year.

Cabbage Rose Quilting and Gifts is a returning sponsor who helped make the Spring Fling possible! We are so appreciative of owner Karen O'Neille's support. If you are in the Fort Worth area, be sure to stop by Karen's brick & mortar location at 3526 West Vickery Blvd. near the Will Rogers Memorial Center. You can purchase fabric, patterns, and much more online or in store.






Original Youth features Sarah Zamora's fantastic artwork. A member of show sponsor Etsy Fort Worth, Sarah paints beautiful, eye-catching works on found and recycled materials. I have her Shopper Girl piece & love it!





Jenn Kautsch of Hippie Bliss had an adorable setup, too. I was amazed to learn that Sarah of Original Youth painted her sign (pictured) the NIGHT BEFORE the Spring Fling! Jenn creates fabulous designer matchboxes, beaded pendant jewelry, & mixed media art. Her daughter, Katie Jo, was there to help her out & handed out candy-filled eggs that were a huge hit with Moms and kiddos.

Craft Hippie Hut

Craft Hippie Hut is your source for funky artwork created by Dede Huchteman of Dallas, Texas. She has several prints available on YUPO, a synthetic, waterproof, and tree-free paper. Sound intriguing, doesn't it? These abstract designs are nothing if not eye-catching. I love the bold Bright Lights - Big City piece. And the Flowers print is stunning. Don't miss the works, such as Circles, that are painted on stretched canvas. Learn more about Dede and her work through her blog.

Max Kauffman

Max Kauffman has kicked off his annual studio sale, which runs through Sunday, March 14th. You can access the sale via cyberspace and in person at 954 E. Bayaud Ave. in Denver, Colorado. If you are able to stop by in person, please call or email ahead to schedule a studio visit. Max has discounted some of last year's paintings, older pieces and prints, with freebies of varying degrees on purchases of $50 or more. Payment plans will also be available. One third of all sales will go to the people of Haiti via Doctors Without Borders. This talented artist is looking to help out in anyway he can, as well as inspire others to do the same. Check out Max's blog for additional information. pictured here Flying Below the Radar

Artist Krishala Burchill

Krishala Burchill is a London-born artist currently living in Switzerland. Both of her Etsy shops, Acacia's Gallery and sw19, feature Krishala's original artwork in various forms. You will find unique pendants, such as Serenity, that showcase prints of original works of art. Foggy day in Santiago is a beautiful and interesting art necklace, as well. Autumn Leaves, a colorful oil painting, was inspired by a park in the city of Geneva, Switzerland. My favorite piece, titled Vancouver, depicts a snowy cityscape much like what we're experiencing this time of year.

*GIVEAWAY - Closed: Krishala is giving away a print of any piece seen in her shops. To enter, simply visit Acacia's Gallery and/or sw19 and leave a comment on this post noting your favorite piece. Giveaway ends at Midnight EST, Tuesday, December 15.

My Zoetrope

Michelle Cavigliano of My Zoetrope recently finished a special project entitled "Friends Forever." The Brooklyn-based artist created this series after feeling frustrated and sad from trying to keep in touch with good friends that she has made over the years. Michelle says she wanted to create a series that celebrates old friends, from grade school through college and through the last eight years of her life after college. Remember friendship bracelets from your childhood? And how about those wacky class reunions? All of these illustrations are also used to make up a 2010 wall calendar that is a wonderful celebration of friendship. Michelle offers lots of great, whimsical illustrations, including the Worried Carrot and Mister Whale.

Marjorie Weiss

New York-based artist Marjorie Weiss creates vibrant & bold silhouette paintings. Her work, which has appeared in galleries throughout the United States and in Germany, has evolved over the years from “photo-realist” style to the graphic style seen here. Marjorie recently debuted several new greeting card designs that feature unique, intriguing and fun images. I love all the dog artwork, especially the Chihuahua. Our household is also blessed with a wonderful Yellow Labrador, and Marjorie has created a Yellow Dog profile card, as well. Her greeting card collection also includes artwork showcasing people and flowers that are beautiful.

9/11

May we all remember those who lost their lives & loved ones this day in 2001.

Flag United by CRJ Visions

Weekend Events

WHAT: The Ruidoso Art Festival
WHEN: July 24 - 26
WHERE: Ruidoso, New Mexico (various locations)
ADMISSION: $5 for Adults, $1 for children under 16; Two Day Passes are available for $8 and Three Day Passes for $12

WHAT: Handmade Market at Memphis Taproom
WHEN: Saturday, July 25, 10am-3pm (Rain date Sunday, July 26)
WHERE: Side lot at Memphis Taproom, 2331 E. Cumberland St., Philadelphia
ETC: Be sure to check out the artwork by Lauren Rossi in the back of the dining room

WHAT: Sowa Open Market
WHEN: Every Sunday through October 25 (excluding Sept. 6), 10am-4pm
WHERE: 540 Harrison Ave., Boston, MA
ETC: Free Admission & Parking

Chloe the Hot Dog & Friends

Jessica DeJohn is a dog lover like myself. Her work is primarily influenced by her Dachshund Chloe, hence the name of her shop, Chloe the Hot Dog & Friends. Jessica's paintings portray adorable pooches & exude love, which I think we could all use a daily dose of. Doxie Love Floating Hearts is a fun original painting featuring two adorable tan dachshunds in love. Dachshund Love is another great love-filled piece. I also like the pieces that incorporate funky retro flowers, such as Retro Flower Doxie with Bird. And Retro Long Doxie is a super bright painting that features retro flowers ON a long Dachshund! Check out the Chloe the Doxie Love blog to see Jessica & Chloe's many adventures.

*GIVEAWAY: Enter to win an 8"x10" print of the painting titled Chloe the Dachsund. Visit Chloe the Hot Dog & Friends and leave a comment on this post noting your favorite piece. Giveaway ends at Midnight EST, Saturday, July 11.

Honey Bee Gallery

Honey Bee Gallery offers a well-organized and diverse selection of original, child-oriented art. Founder Joanna Hakimi is dedicated to offering the finest artwork for babies and children, none of which is mass produced or widely available. As a family therapist, Joanna works entirely with new moms and their babies & believes that art has a positive impact on an infant and child's growth and development. The artist list features many talented artists, some of which have been previously featured on Funky Finds. Caroline Blum's flower paintings, landscapes and portraits are bright and whimsical. Amy F. of 3 Lambs Design creates bright pop art perfect for any child's space. Dolan Geiman and Marnie Vollenhals are also favorites of mine. If you are unfamiliar with the artists listed on the site, you may prefer to search by style or theme. Under the instruments and music section you'll find the Monkey with Accordion piece that I love. All of the talented artists are available for commissioned work, as well.

Unconventional Ida

Unconventional Ida showcases the original artwork created by K Smith. Ida will take you on an adventure introducing you to the many townspeople, enchanted ones, and monsters that she meets. The Twins is an interesting image featuring Siamese twins connected at the neck. Ida has vibrant dreams about strange characters, including the girls that appeared to be scary at first, but all they needed was a little cotton candy and they were the sweetest girls ever. I especially like K Smith's illustrations that are drawn on pages from books, such as A Flutter Thing, Like A Dying Bird. For those looking for smaller affordable works of art, see the journals and ACEOs.