Patchwork Show - Santa Ana Nov 2015

Closing out November with a quick tour of the Patchwork art show ...

 at Santa Ana location...

 This open-air show boasts tons of fun artisan vendors... set in a cozy,

gentrified downtown area...

with neighborhood restaurants.. and food trucks that roll in just for the show....

Sustenance for the body... and also the mind and the creative spirit at these art shows....

Always love to check in at the Library Store Truck.... book-themed gifts and goodies...and purchases benefit the LA Library...

 Another perk of this location... the delights of the nearby 4th Street Market.
 http://4thstreetmarket.com/

Unique food stalls .. lots of seating....

and home of the the Torch S'mores stand...

But I digress.... back to the art show...

As the Bride of Bookseller.. wall space for art was lost long ago to bookcases... but I love to shop for cards. These little treasures are the perfect excuse to write a friend.. and send them a little work of art and a story about the artist.

Also great to see the clever ways artists use packaging to help promote their name and/or business. Art is NOT anonymous. Art is created.. and creators need credit and compensation. Help your art help you... make it easy to find you for follow-up sales :)

Continuing on my Corgi fixation.. this Corgi card caught my eye.. which quickly trailed to two more cards I needed. 

And they came in this bright bag with brilliant use of Business Card to help seal the deal! 

I especially like cards that are suitable for just sending.. not necessarily a holiday or occasion... a card with the right image can brighten someone's day just because... Art has Magic :)

Loch Ness card above from Paper Wilderness..http://www.paperwilderness.com/

Re-visiting the shows and booths gives a glimpse into how some of the artists try new things...Good example of this at the booth for Squshies. Check out their Website for new items.. including a fun riff on Star Wars.. http://squshies.net/

I loved this Kookabura portrait..http://squshies.net/collections/frontpage/products/kookaburra-portrait

Beautiful large felt art originals may be out of price range for some.. so some are featured in a comfy price point calendar... http://squshies.net/products/squshies-2016-calendar-adventures-in-literature Very smart! (photo below from Downtown Santa Ana Facebook page)

Not cards.. but can't resist the retro vibe of the artfully selected (and brilliantly re-purposed) images featured by Cheltenham Road:https://www.facebook.com/Cheltenham-Road-190275374343860/

I have lots of the coasters.. but this time.. I found these magnets (below left) and wine charms (and I don't even drink wine... but will be using these on coffee cups)

 Also a Cheltenham Road Blog.. with all sorts of tips on life in the handmade trade as well as tutorials. Talk about inspiring! https://cheltenhamroad.wordpress.com/

And finally.. this little corgi-esque critter with a cape got my attention...

  

helped me meet a new artist.. with lots of cards and fun plush pandas...

and more cards.. and fun.. to share with my pen pals.

Patchwork Art Shows are held throughout the year in Long Beach, Santa Ana.. and in Oakland. More info on their website: http://dearhandmadelife.com/patchwork-show/upcoming-shows/