Sunday, April 6, 2008

THANK YOU FOR A GREAT SHOW!

Lucia and I would like to thank everyone who participated in the Spring Artful Hands Festival.

Thanks to everyone who came to enjoy the artists and vendors. We hope you found just the right thing!

Thank you to the vendors and artists who worked so hard to put together such outstanding displays! You are all so talented!

As we look forward to the Fall Festival, we are so excited to unveil some exciting changes to the format of our show! One thing that will not change is that we will continue to offer boutique quality crafts in an upscale setting. And, we will continue to support work at home moms and other artistic women and their businesses. Keep checking this space for more announcements about the fall show. We know you'll be as excited about them as we are!

For information about participation in the Artful Hands Festival please contact Lesley at:
lesley@blissbabyslings.com.

Tuesday, March 18, 2008

Featured Artist: Sister's Dream

If you're seeing stars, you've arrived at the Sister's Dream display! Sister's Dream offers boutique hand-smocked, heirloom quality clothing for babies and little girls. Famous for their classic style and beautiful fabrics, Sister's Dream is debuting their spring collection at the Artful Hands Spring Festival!

The sisters behind Sister's Dream are Lucia and her twin sister Sofia. Together they design, and hand-make a full line of dresses, shirts, coats, sweaters and accessories each season. As only twins could do, Lucia and her sister work together while living continents apart. Lucia, working from her Manassas, VA studio and Sofia working from her studio in Argentina, pull together to make their lifelong dream a reality! Lucia is a busy mom to two lovely children and wife to a very supportive husband.

Sister's Dream garments are created using the finest materials and feature extraordinary details such as English smocking and embroidery. All of the special clothes are designed to be wearable day in and day out. Everything is machine washable and is intended for every day wear. Continue to check this page for updated photos of the spring collection as it's unveiled!



Visit Sister's Dream at the Artful Hands Festival or you can visit Sister's Dream on the web at www.sistersdream.net. Email Lucia directly at info@sistersdream.net








****************UPDATE ************
Here's a first look at some of the new Sister's Dream designs being debuted at Artful Hands on Saturday April 5th. Visit the show to see more:



Featured Artist: BlissBaby Slings


BlissBaby Slings offer moms a stylish and comfortable way to wear their babies. Are you sick of lugging your baby around in her bulky car seat? Do you need to be hands free at home? Would you like a sling that blocked the suns harmful rays? Visit BlissBaby Slings at Artful Hands.

BlissBaby slings are created by Lesley in her studio in Bristow, VA. Lesley is a wife and proud mamma to three little girls. She had the pleasure of wearing all three of her girls in a sling and loves passing that experience along to other mothers!


BlissBaby Slings are created from premium materials and have been extensively researched and tested. BlissBaby Slings offers four different types of slings; the luxurious Signature Silk sling, eco-friendly Organic Cotton sling, fashionable and fun designer sling, and sun-blocking solarveil sling. Each is available in a huge variety of colors and fabrics, and a wide range of prices. Lesley loves working with her customers to custom design the perfect sling.
Bring your baby to visit Lesley at Artful Hands and receive a $5 off coupon which can be used on the day of the sale.

Visit BlissBaby Slings on the web at www.blissbabyslings.com or contact Lesley directly at lesley@blissbabyslings.com.

Gift Certificates now available. Sling workshops being held each month. Sign up for one-on-one help using your sling!

Featured Artist: Little Gorilla Design

We're so glad to have Little Gorilla Design joining us for our Spring show! Little Gorilla Design specializes in playful decorative children's accessories. Little Gorilla Design features a wide range of room decor, toys, and storage solutions painted in a whimsical style.














Cindy is the artist behind Little Gorilla Design. Her work serves as an outlet from the stresses of being a dedicated wife and mother of two beautiful children. All Little Gorilla Designs are produced in Cindy's home studio.

Cindy brings an artists' touch to everything in her shop. Here you'll find growth charts, picture frames, memory boards, bookends and even decorative clipboards! Dress up dinner time with cute personalized place mats or snack in style with a hand-painted lunch box. Let your little one claim their own space with Little Gorilla Design's room letters. Choose a color scheme and font and let Cindy create a set of beautiful hand-painted letters for your child's wall.


Visit Little Gorilla Design at Artful Hands on April 5th or find them on the web at www.littlegorilladesign.com.

Featured Artist: Boogie Babee


Artful Hands festival welcomes Boogie Babee to their spring show! Boogie Babee offers fanciful accessories for kids.

New mom, Stephanie, was inspired by her first son to explore her creative and crafty side. Stephanie enjoys searching for original fabrics and prints to use in her designs.

Boogie Babee bibs are great for protecting your favorite outfits, or accessorizing them! Bibs are made from Steph's favorite fabrics and are backed in plush chenille. Boogie Babee's fanciful designs can be found on one-of-a-kind onesies too!





Stephanie's new favorite project is combining felt and unique fabrics to create snuggly little creatures for your little one.


Visit Boogie Babee at Artful Hands or check out her esty shop at www.boogiebabee.etsy.com.

Friday, March 7, 2008

Featured Artist: Invitations by Design


We are excited to welcome Andrea, from Invitations by Design, to her first Artful Hands show. Invitations by Design offers custom stationery for all your important events! Choose from everything from personal stationery to high end wedding invitations.

Andrea is a busy wife, mother of one and teacher. When she was planning her wedding, Andrea could never find a unique invitation that suited her style. She decided to make her own and from there her love for creating invitations, announcements and stationery was born. Andrea enjoys working with clients to create custom designs they will love.

Invitations-by-Design offers pre-made stationery designs and can create custom orders especially for you. Andrea's wedding invitations are sure to impress all your guests. Welcome your new baby with a custom designed birth announcement. Thank your friends with a personalized note.

Visit Invitations by Design at Artful Hands or visit on the web at : www.invitations-by-design.com.

Thursday, March 6, 2008

Featured Artist: Redd Tree



We are so excited to welcome Redd Tree to their first Artful Hands Festival! Visit Redd Tree's space at the festival to find a variety of fashionable accessories for women.

Mary is the designer behind Redd Tree. After 8 years in the military, Mary chose to become a stay-at-home mom. Over the last two years she has been exploring her creative side. Mary has always loved accessories so she began experimenting with a variety of materials to create jewelry and handbags. One experiment found her making leather bracelets accented with fabrics. They were an instant hit with her friends and family and are now a huge success online!

Redd Tree's leather and fabric necklaces and bracelets are available in a huge variety of designer fabrics and can be made to fit. Handbags are available in a variety of designs and fabric choices. All Red Tree accessories can be made to order. Mary loves to work with clients to create the perfect piece. Browse her fabric samples to find just the right thing.


Visit Redd Tree online at her etsy shop: www.reddtree.etsy.com.

Featured Vendor: Movies by Kelly


Do you have hours of home videos that aren't being watched? Movies by Kelly can turn your memories into a masterpiece. Simply provide Kelly with your home movies or digital photos and she will produce a video you'll want to watch with your family again and again.

Kelly began producing movies for her own family. She found that she loved the editing process and enjoyed creating an entertaining finished product. Soon, Kelly's friends were asking for her help in producing movies for them. Kelly loves her job as a movie producer and videographer because it affords her the opportunity to stay home with her kids.

Movies by Kelly offers custom videos created from your home movies or photos, complete with music and titling. Kelly's movies make great grandparent gifts, and are the perfect way to commemorate all of life's big moments. Let Kelly convert all of your VHS home videos into easy to store DVD's. Movies by Kelly also offers a full service package including vidoegraphy services and a complete edited film to document your event.

Visit Kelly's booth at Artful Hands to view sample videos. Receive one free copy of any job booked on the day of the show.

Contact Kelly directly at moviesbykelly@comcast.net or call 703-380-5165.

Featured Vendor: 2PreppyGirls

Artful Hands Festival is pleased to welcome 2PreppyGirls to their Spring show. Inspired by Southern charm, 2PreppyGirls has the cutest new trends in monogramming style! Bring some personalization to your everyday life with 2PreppyGirls' many monogrammed accessories.

Margaret, the woman behind 2PreppyGirls, is the wife of a very supportive husband and mother to two preppy little girls. Lover of all things pink and green, Margaret is a southern girl at heart.

2PreppyGirls offers a huge variety of items to express your personal style. Show your preppy style and add some color to your day in a pair of monogrammed clogs. Add some flair to the window of that mini-van with a preppy monogrammed sticker. Share the love with your girlfriends by giving them a beautiful monogrammed gift. 2PreppyGirls has blankets, showercurtains, umbrellas, laptop cases, coffee mugs, sippy cups, tissue holders and much more!




Visit 2PreppyGirls at Artful Hands Festival to check out all the lovely gifts. Visit 2PreppyGirls on the web at www.2preppygirls.com.

Wednesday, March 5, 2008

Featured Artist: Diaper Cake Creations


We are pleased to announce that Diaper Cake Creations will be joining us for the Artful Hands Spring Festival!

Maria, the designer of Diaper Cake Creations, is a busy mom of three sweet kids. After seeing a beautiful diaper cake at a baby shower, Maria began making her own as gifts for friends. She loves the process of designing and assembling the diaper cakes but her favorite part of her new job is giving moms and babies original gifts they can actually use!



Diaper Cake Creations offers beautiful and stylish diaper cakes. Diaper cakes are perfect for use as the centerpiece at a baby shower, baby shower gifts, welcome baby gifts, Christening or Baptism gifts, first birthday gifts or anytime you want to celebrate a baby! How about a nautical themed cake, or a ballet themed cake? No problem! Maria loves to create the perfect cake for your occasion.




Visit Maria at her booth at Artful Hands Spring Festival and receive $5 off any 3, 4, or 5 Tier Custom cake.

Visit Diaper Cake Creations on the web at http://www.babyhomepages.net/DiaperCakeCreations/index.php.

Featured Artist: Sassy Bows


We're pleased to welcome Sassy Bows back to the Artful Hands Festival! Sassy bows offers classic boutique hairbows. The simple and sophisticated solids and fun and funky patterns are popular with moms and kids.

Sassy Bows are designed and hand created by Linda. Linda recently left her job as a teacher to be home with her three little girls. She has been creating bows for her own daughters for years but she had too many ideas for three little girls to ever wear! Linda loves designing bows for special events and to match special outfits.

Sassy Bows come in a variety of solids to match everything in your little girl's wardrobe. Or choose from the specialty bows such as the popular Disney bows, sports bows, school bows and more! Linda also loves taking special orders and making bows to match your favorite outfits.



Visit the Sassy Bows table at Artful Hands to choose from Linda's selection of bows or create your own bow.

Visit Linda on the web at her etsy store at www.sassybows.etsy.com or contact her directly at sassy-bows@hotmail.com.

Featured Artist: Peanut Butter & Ellie


Joining us again this season is Gina of Peanut Butter and Ellie. Peanut Butter and Ellie offers beautiful hand-crafted boutique hairbows.


Gina is a busy wife, mom and businesswoman. While her family and her family business keep her very busy, Peanut Butter & Ellie serves as an outlet for her creative side.


Peanut Butter & Ellie offers boutique quality korker hair bows and the popular lil' bug bows. Korkers are available in two sizes - standard size and baby bitty size. They can be mounted on a french clip, alligator clip or a pony holder.



Peanut Butter & Ellie's display features a huge variety of bows to choose from. Gina also takes special requests for "made to match" bows, sports team bows, and custom designs. Do you have a special dress you'd like to match? Bring it to Artful Hands and let Gina create a special design for you!


Visit Gina on the web at www.peanutbutterandellie.com.

Tuesday, March 4, 2008

Featured Vendor: Time2Tiki


Back by popular demand this season is Time 2 Tiki! Time 2 Tiki offers Dave and Annas Signature Blends ™ MaiTai Mix, Island Zest Salad Dressing and Stir Fry Sauce.

Angie, a busy wife and mother of two, recently left her corporate marketing position in favor of promoting Time 2 Tiki full time. Time 2 Tiki Signature Blends were made famous by her family's popular Alexandria, VA restaurant. After the expansion of the Woodrow Wilson Bridge, Angie's family was forced to choose between relocating and closing. They opted to bring their signature sauces and mixes to the public. Angie's hard work and dedication to her family business has brought these delicious sauces and mixes to the shelves of Whole Foods stores, The Opera House Gourmet in Manassas and Rick's Wine and Gourmet in Alexandria.

Time 2 Tiki will be offering Dave and Annas Signature Blends ™, gift baskets and accessories.

Visit Time 2 Tiki at the Artful Hands kitchen for some delicious stir-fry and salad samples (and a few laughs).

Visit www.time2tiki.com to shop products, view photos, and find delicious recipes.