Phasing out this blog...

Thanks for stopping by & checking out Green Grin. I am in the ever-so-slow process of updating my web presences, and will no longer be maintaining this blog.

For info on upcoming events and shopping, visit my website.

For visual updates of what I'm up to, see me on Instagram.

I make occasional posts to my Facebook page.

I'm reachable by email at: SpiralandSprout@gmail.com

There's still plenty of interesting content in the archives of this blog, so feel free to poke around if you're so inclined.

Thanks again for visiting, and be sure to say "hi" next time you see me at a show!

Handmade NW Formal Artisan's Fair

This will be my only PDX holiday show, so come on down! Free gift for you if you mention my blog.

Great White Snow Rhino

I just finished these two pieces and sent them off to Plush You! art show at Schmancy in Seattle. I am thrilled to be included in this group show alongside some of my favorite plush artists.

Back at it!

Hello, and thanks for stopping by! I had a swell two days at the Cracked Pots recycled art show out at Edgefield. One couldn't ask for a more beautiful venue, and the crowd who showed up to look and shop was great. I had so many nice conversations with folks. The rain was a bit of a dampener on Wednesday, but I am thankful that I was dry inside of Blackberry Hall. I was lucky enough to be neighbors with Debbie Ellis, maker of colorful, edgy, wonderful Art Clocks. Having swell neighbors at art shows makes ALL the difference!

I am taking a little break from doing shows until November-ish. I will post them on the "Events" page as soon as they are scheduled. 

These days I've been posting pictures of works in progress and farm stuff on Instagram. You can check it out here. 

Green Grin also has a Facebook page here.

And I also have a website here.

Lately I've been using this blog to post info about my shows, but there is plenty of great content in the archives, lots of photos of works in progress, crafting projects, and farm happenings. Feel free to poke around!

Green Grin at Cracked Pots

I'm here at Cracked Pots recycled art show today (July 22,23) and tomorrow. Open 'til 8:00 tonight!

Yay St. John's!

I'd like to thank everyone who came out and made the St. John's Bizarre a success. The rain mostly held off, the parade had gobs of marching bands, and there was a constant flow of people shopping all day. A special thanks for those who were prepared with cash, as my credit card taking device was down for the day.

I made some fantastic trades: beautiful St. John's themed cards from www.deannacantrell.com, a stack of luscious handmade goats milk soaps (sorry I do not remember the name of the lovely lady who made these using the milk from her own goats!), and some fragrant tea and herb/spice blends from www.katulaherbs.com.  

I was lucky enough to be booth neighbors of Kate and Rafe (of Katula Herbs). Kind smiles, chats, and booth watching for bathroom breaks really helped make the day go easier. 

And it was a joy interacting with all of the visitors to my humble booth. I really appreciate those who shopped at the Bizarre, choosing to spend dollars with our small, local craft businesses. Doing these shows is a ton of work for the crafters. I usually spend most of the day before an event figuring out my booth display, organizing inventory, packing everything up and getting it in the car, hunting down misplaced essentials, creating signage, making some food for the show, running to the bank for change, and sometimes sewing. The day of the show means getting up at the crack of dawn (or in pitch dark if it's winter), being on time getting out of the house, driving to the event, unloading the car, parking the car, walking back to the event, setting up the canopy and tables, creating a beautiful display, arranging signage, preparing the electronic device, grabbing some coffee, and greeting early shoppers with a smile (while trying to get set up on time). Then is the "fun" part of the day, which mostly IS fun, talking to folks, getting feedback on my work, seeing friends. But there is also the part of trying to find time to slip away for a bathroom break, ditto for food, then eating lunch one bite at a time in between customers, graciously explaining to the customer who just spent twenty minutes picking out the perfect pair of gloves that I can't take credit cards (ouch!), graciously dealing with over-rambunctious kids whose parents are oblivious ( luckily this doesn't happen too often.....thank you parents who are diligent about teaching your kids manners!), not sitting down for eight hours straight. But wait, there's more! The end of the day means packing everything up, taking down the canopy, schlepping everything to the car, cramming it in, usually hungry and oh, those aching feet!

Yep, that is a pretty good job description of part of what my business is about. It's easy to understand why I've decided to limit the outdoor shows that I do. But I will always do a few per year, despite all that work. I so much love the interactions with people! I spend the bulk of my time alone in my studio sewing, so I appreciate being out in the world, and seeing people's reaction to my work. It's my business, and getting paid directly from the person who is buying my work, seeing how people connect to what I make, seeing how happy my customers are....wow, it is the best! 

So thank you, thank you, thank you to all you folks who came out yesterday and supported handmade. You made my day, and I will keep the St. John's Bizarre as one of my special outdoor appearances. Best street fair in Portland!

Green Grin appearing at the St. John's Bizarre!

I will be participating in the St. John's Bizarre this Saturday, May 10. It will be my first show of the season, and Portland's first street fair of the season, as well. It goes from 10am to 6pm, with a parade at noon. I will be at booth 35, in the parking lot by N Lombard and Leavitt. Come on by and say howdy!

Friendly One

New Critter Development

I'm finally the space to work on some bigger Plush pieces. It's always exciting to develop a new creature, although working through a series of prototypes can be rather tedious. This is my first attempt at Bear. Cute in its own way, but not what I am going for! On to the next draft...

I've also been sewing up some "skins" for future creatures. I enjoy using up scraps on these!

Green Grin in Portland Monthly!

Here it is, my five minutes of fame =^.^= !
Green Grin is listed in the Portland Monthly's "15 Only-in-Portland Gifts article!" Yes, I am thrilled!
They liked my Mitts for Musing, especially the Kitty Faces.

Check out my Where to Buy page for shops carrying them, or if you'd like see a large selection of styles and sizes, find me at one of my Holiday shows.

Speaking of Holiday shows, Urban Craft Uprising does a great job of building anticipation for their Winter Show. There are lots of vendor interviews and give-aways on their blog. I love reading about the different crafters, and it helps me to make my shopping list. Here is my interview!