Self Portrait Art Class Series, Begins Thursday, July 8, Noon: Children will learn basic portrait drawing skills and will have an opportunity to create self portraits in a few different mediums in this five week art class series!

Meets weekly through 8/12 (there is no session on 7/29). Lots of fun, materials and class fee is $10 per class. For ages 4-7.

Creating Art with Found Objects, Begins Thursday, July 8, 1:30pm: Children will learn how to find beauty in the things ordinary people call junk as they hunt for treasures at home! We will draw/create self portraits, dream houses, and anything else that our imaginations can think of!

Meets weekly through 8/12 (there is no session on 7/29). $10 fee for class and materials. Drop-ins welcome for this class.

About the instructor: Stefanie Ryder is a a certified elementary/early childhood teacher with 16 years of experience teaching art to children ages 4-7.

To register for either or both classes or more information: please email Stefanie at p.shortsocks@gmail.com or call her directly at 503.351.5264

BTW – Shadow Puppet Master Dave Freleng is also hosting some summer workshops for kids on 7/16 and 8/20

Tonight’s opening reception for Women of Design begins at 5:00 PM, 7/1 at the Mitchell Museum, 150 East Main, Trinidad. The featured artists in the show are: Karen Howl, Woodworking & Paintings; Max Michaels, Ceramics; Judy Fuentes, Glass work; and Weavings by Joan Archuleta, Bonnie Julsen, and Barbara McKnight.

The reception is free and open to the public. The Women of Design show runs at the Mitchell Museum through August 15.

You can also see Judy’s work on her Etsy site and at La Fuente.

The folks at Wilde Fig make the delightful crayon rolls we feature at Milagros, and now they have something new that is just as handy for your little artist on the go: Coloring Kits!

These kits fold up like a trifold wallet, feature a notepad that is ready to fill with inspiration and a set of crayons for creating with.  The Coloring Kit folds right up, can fit in a pocket or purse, and is ready for art on the go. Great for a plane or car trip, waiting at your favorite restaurant, or even hanging at home.

Wilde Fig coloring kits come in a variety of fun fabrics and are a wonderful deal at only $10. Each is one of a kind, so come and choose your favorite!

Pulli Pants are made by a local mom, Jackie Karnes. Jackie finds wonderful sweaters on local resale racks – cotton, merino wool, and so on – and repurposes them into fun, colorful, delightful pants for baby, toddlers, and kids. Upcycling is super stylish with Pulli Pants!

Each pair of Pulli Pants is one of a kind, just like the little miracle in your life, so come in and check out the full selection!

Well the word is here and it looks like good news for the multitude of small enterprises – especially crafters – out there.

You can read the full ruling here. Also, some specific guidance is included in the FAQ on the Consumer Product Safety Commission’s website. The questions posted on the FAQs yesterday (7/21/2009) are the most relevant for crafters, designers, and small manufacturers.

Each affected companay will need to review this for themselves to determine what they may or may not need to change in terms of labeling and tracking but overall the guidance gives a lot of flexibility to the manufacturer. And it seems that the need to support small entreprenuers has sunk in at CPSC.

We look forward to continuing to support WAHMs and other by offering a multitude of unique locally-made items on the shelves of our Portland store and at our Crafty Mamas Bazaars.

Peace.

Since the day we opened our doors, we have been a staunch promoter of our local craft industry. Over the past few months, we have been working side by side with countless local crafters trying to improve the CPSIA so that it does not put these small enterprises out of business.

We have made some progress but there is still a long way to go. Right now, we hope that you will join us and take action to help crafters and designers based here in Portland and throughout the USA.

The CPSIA has a tracking label requirement that is scheduled to take effect on August 14. However, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has issued no guidance for small and micro enterprises on how they can effectively meet this requirement.

Batch labeling applies well to mass-produced plastic toys but is nearly impossible for many small manufacturers to comply with (especially ones using natural materials). Additionally, many small and micro-enterprises create unique or limited run items, creating individual labels for such small batches is cost prohibitive. These businesses are overwhelmed by the prospect of implementing this piece of the CPSIA and without proper guidance from the CPSC, it is unclear how they can comply and stay in business.

The timing of this situation could not be worse. Complying with the many aspects of the CPSIA is creating a unique stress and economic burden for small businesses while they struggle with the most dramatic economic downturn since the Great Depression.

If this requirement is not delayed so that the Consumer Product Safety Commission can take the time to create guidelines for crafters and help them comply in a cost-effective manner, many, many businesses will choose to close because the expense of labeling will be impossible to meet.

How can you help?

• Contact the Chair of the Consumer Product Safety Commission today! Ask her to delay enforcement of the labeling requirement. Here is a sample letter to use!
• Contact your congressional delegation! Ask them to request a delay by the CPSC. Sample Letter to Congress.
• And, yes, please ask friends and family in every state to do the same! BTW – Congress loves faxes, truly.

Need to find your representatives and Senators? Here is contact info for the Oregon Congressional Delegation:

http://www.osba.org/leginfo/national.htm

If you live outside Oregon, use this site to find out how to contact the folks who represent you.

Go ahead and cc: President Obama on your letters, here is his contact info:

http://www.whitehouse.gov/CONTACT/

Thank you for your support of the local craft industry. We are still hoping for the best with all of this. No matter what happens with the CPSIA you will always find locally made items at Milagros. That’s a promise!

All the best,

The Fuentes Family

Milagros Boutique

Caryn focuses on ‚Äúshort runs of classic clothing that appeals to the Little Girl in each of us. 100% cotton clothing in designer fabrics that are delightful to the touch and easy to care for.”

You can now find Caryn’s lovely revsersible apron dresses and swimsuits at Milagros everyday!

Join us for Crafty Mamas on Saturday, June 20 from 11 am – 3 pm.

There will be a lot of wonderful artists at the next Crafty Mamas Bazaar! Including:

• Erin Maidlow makes delightful dresses for girls. You can find many of her items at Milagros.
• House of Six Cats is a fine photographer who creates eye catching jewelry, night lights, and more!
• Purple Cow Creations specializes in fun Peekaboo Pillows!
• Monica Poulsen makes fun and stylish handbags.
• Denise Wright makes a wide variety of fun & funky clothes for kids – skirts, shirts, and more.
• Sarah Ankarberg of Plain Folk Crafts lovingly crafts a variety of traditional items – dolls, birdhouses and decorative gourds, greeting cards and art prints.
• Dawn Miles will be at the June Crafty Mamas Bazaar, with a selection of the many crafts she has up her sleeve including delightful plush animals made from recycled material.
• Julie Wheeler aka Strongrrl! Maker of fine handmade clothing, purses and bags, dolls, and other crafty goodness.
• Marlene Schenter makes texture balls, knitted hats, and tutus and Susan Crawford makes little purses and water bottle covers from recycled jeans.

In addition to this great mix of locally made good, we will have treats, activities, store specials and giveaways!

Please join us Saturday, 6/20 11 am – 3 pm at Milagros! See you there!

One of the artists to be featured is Julie Wheeler aka Strongrrl! Maker of fine handmade clothing, purses and bags, dolls, and other crafty goodness.

Check out her etsy shop and blog for more about Julie and her handmade delights.

Be sure to join us today for our first Craft Mamas Bazaar of the year! There will be a many wonderful local vendors at this event including Caryn Stockwell of Second Star Designs.

Caryn focuses on “short runs of classic clothing that appeals to the Little Girl in each of us. 100% cotton clothing in designer fabrics that are delightful to the touch and easy to care for. Like all parents, I believe in quality at a price that won’t break your budget; clothing that you can pass down from older to younger daughter.”

Check her and many others out at Milagros today, 4/18 from 11am – 3 pm. And don’t forget there is a SALE!