Irvington Artisan Market on hiatus

Thank you for your interest in the Irvington Artisan Market.The
Irvington Artisan Market has had a great run with 5 successful markets
from 2008 to 2010. We are currently taking a hiatus from the Artisan
Market. It is unknown when and if the market will continue in the
future. During the hiatus we will not be checking or responding to
emails.

Vanessa and Melissa of Missionary Chocolates

How/when did you become an artisan?

Accidentally! My sister Melissa started playing around inthe kitchen one Christmas to see if she could create vegan truffles that would delight my Mom. The first round didn’t quite do it, but after a bit more trial and error, they really did become decadent taste experiences that I knew had to be marketed to the people of Portland! Fast forward a year and a half, and my sister and I are thrilled to be business partners sharing our passion for gourmet vegan truffles.

What do you enjoy most about artisan markets and craft fairs?

I am a very social person, and I love interacting with lots of people! Combine that with the look of delight that crosses a potential customers face when they try one of our truffles, and you have the winning formula that makes almost every event I do great fun. I meet other vendors, usually take home neat artisan stuff, and in general have quite a ball. Work is so hard ;)

What inspires you and your work?

I am inspired by the possibilities that come with making truffles. The sky is practically the limit when it comes to what you can do with purees, oils, and all kinds of unique ingredients that Melissa and I have a lot of fun sourcing. To keep it exciting, we debut new flavors every now and again – and trust me, I enjoy the taste testing part of the process too

What do you do when you are not crafting? Hmm. I am usually surrounded by chocolate, but on those off days, I love the hot springs, reading in Laurelhurst park, all the amazing restaurants in Portland, and of course – the beach!

Describe a perfect day in Portland?

Rainy in the early morning, sunbreaks towards 10am, sunny skies in the afternoon, followed by more rain on my roof at night. It’s like a melody (hey, this is Portland, after all).

Hometown?

I feel like a bit of a nomad, as I have lived lots of different places. I almost consider Portland to be my hometown, as it is the city I have loved the most, where I have spend 5+ years now. But, if I was going to be technical about it, Pope Valley, CA is the closest thing to a hometown I got!

www.missionarychocolates.com

Amy of Clothespin Cards

How/when did you become an artisan?

I have always loved art although have not taken art classes per se. I was a big doodler and have always sent cards to people for every occasion. I started Clothespin Cards 3 years ago and have enjoyed every minute of it. It's great fun to create cards that people love to send to friends and family using a typewriter that was my grandmothers.

What do you enjoy most about artisan markets and craft fairs?

Craft fairs always present people that are thoroughly excited to be there and shop the booths. It's a great day to have intriguing conversations with people that think your craft is fantastic. I am amazed at other artisans' work and their patience for their pieces of art.

What inspires your work?

My work is inspired by so much. I have a great garden in the summer so the vegetables and flowers are an inspiration for some of my cards. I love polka dots and stripes for cards as well so finding great paper that is simple yet bold is inspiring. I have also collected quotes forever so they are a good inspiration to put on cards and mix colors that might work with the specific words of a quote. Currently, I am inspired by oranges, yellows, and greens - must mean spring is here!

What do you do when you are not crafting?

I garden, walk, speak Spanish, and spend time with our 5.5 year old, family and friends when I am not crafting.

Describe your perfect day?

A perfect day in Portland ... so many options! Walking on the beach at Sauvie Island, picking strawberries, and having a BBQ with friends would probably be on the top of the list!

www.clothespincards.blogspot.com

Artisan Profile - Ashley of Sunup Jewelry

How/when did you become an artisan?

As with most good things, it was a gradual process. I'm sure I've been trying to make jewelry since the age of 5, but I got serious about it maybe 3 years ago.

What do you enjoy most about artisan markets and craft fairs?

There are two things I love equally. First, it is so much fun to see other artists' creations! If I had more time to shop I'd be broke! Second, I really enjoy getting out of the studio and chatting with such a large variety of people. I love talking about my jewelry, and I also love peoples' random stories and simply hearing what they are up to for the day.

What inspires you and your work?

A little bit of everything, I suppose. My designs tend to immitate trees, gardens, and flowers, so that's where some of my ideas stem from. Most of my inspiration comes from simply thinking, and tapping into the energy of the universe.

What do you do when you are not crafting?

Mostly I drink hot chocolate (year-round!). But I also spend time reading, writing letters to friends, ice skating, planting tomatoes and playing MasterMind.

Describe a perfect day in Portland?

It would be one of those perfect weather days - bright and sunny - I'd sleep in then go out to breakfast at Mother's Bistro with a friend, then take a load of glass out of the kiln (my most favorite part!), go on a walk, and spend time with the people I adore.

Hometown?

Westminster Station, Vermont

http://www.etsy.com/shop/sunupjewelry

Dan of Dan Morris Mosaics

How/when did you become an artisan?I've always been fascinated with stained glass, and my father taught me how to create stained glass windows while I was in college. I worked on windows for several years, but made the shift to mosaics about five years ago. I love working with glass, and the freedom to let pieces evolve organically without a set plan.
What do you enjoy most about artisan markets and craft fairs?I like seeing other people's creations, which give me ideas for projects of my own. People are clever!
What inspires you and your work?I'm really inspired by the glass. All the glass I use is recycled. Most I rescue from a dumpster, and some glass I get is scrap from a company that does water jet cutting. There's an amazing amount of craft that goes into creating these materials, and I see my work as a way to display them. What do you do when you are not crafting? I'm a public health scientist for the state of Oregon, and love my job. We work to create environments in which people can be healthy, and my job is to help plan and evaluate our efforts.
Describe a perfect day in Portland?In the morning the ground is wet with rain from the night before, but the skies are clear. Plenty of coffee, sushi for lunch, and dinner with friends before an evening concert.
Hometown?
I grew up in NE Portland, just a few blocks from the Irvington Club.

Artisan Profile- Steve of A Second Helping

How/when did you become an artisan?

In most of my early childhood memories, I was making something or pretending to make or cook something. Throughout my life I have been crafty – I love to have parties and love to make things to make my gatherings memorable – the two just went hand in hand. I guess the simple answer to your question is that becoming an artisan chose me rather than I deciding to become one.

What do you enjoy most about artisan markets and craft fairs?
I enjoy the people who attend, (particularly my customers) and getting feed back on the things I create, new ideas I try. I love to talking to other artisans, batting ideas back and forth; talking about what shows worked for them.

What inspires you and your work?
I am a nester by nature and I want people to remember a visit to my home. Nature, my home and garden are important to me. I am always on the look out for things that would make a visit memorable. I think the customers at artisan markets and craft fairs are looking for items that are memorable; that will make their homes welcoming and memorable; their gifts just a little more special.—that is what I attempt to do with my crafts. I do read and research what other artisans are doing. I am always on the lookout for directions and combinations in colors.

What do you do when you are not crafting?
I try to out of doors as much as possible, walking my golden retrievers, working in my vegetable garden and …ugh!, …cleaning the house.

Describe a perfect day in Portland?
A perfect day in Portland is sunny, with a clear view of the mountains; walking and playing with my two golden retrievers – Thurston and Lovey. Stopping to chat with neighbor or acquaintances (with their dogs) in the park.

Hometown?
I grew up in Festus, Missouri a town about thirty miles south of St. Louis.

Irvington Artisan Spring 2010 Market

Mark your calendars! The Irvington Artisan Spring Market is scheduled for Sunday, April 25th from 10am to 4pm. If you are interested in an applications, please contact Becka at irv.art.mark@gmail.com. All applications are due March 15th, 2010.