I have finally created the first piece in my bonsai line. Valerie Tyler Designs will still have the sleek, contemporary edge that I like but I am now going to be introducing earthy elements, such as bonsai, bamboo and ferns. 
The Bonsai Necklace is available at http://www.valerietyler.etsy.com
Are you as in love with the gorgeous Cuyahoga Valley National Park as I am?
If so you may be interested in volunteering in some aspect to help out the park.
There are a number of ways to volunteer from working on a specific event, to seeking out donations that help educational programs, to assisting with exhbits and more. Visit the Cuyahoga Valley National Park Association to learn more.
Green City Blue Lake(GCBL) is an excellent web resource on all things green concerning Cleveland. If you’re looking for a job in which you can make a positive impact, or are searching for employees to fill a position that encourages sustainability GCBL accepts as well as lists positions that may be of interest for those looking for green jobs.
As I’ve said before, if you shop local you help your local economy and you help the environment. This holiday season, take that a step further and EAT local. Cleveland is lucky to have a coalition of sorts known as the Cleveland Independents. What it is, is a group of independently owned restaurants in Northeast Ohio who work together to promote other like minded restaurants. What they do is maintain an excellent web-site where you can discover what Cleveland restaurants are independently owned and managed (meaning: not national chains!), and also find out plenty of exciting news and events about these restaurants. You can order gift certificates and make reservations online for many of them as well.
Now being a self-professed total foodie, I’ve eaten at quite a few of these restaurants and have come to learn and recognize a few things.
1. They often use local resources and ingredients meaning the food is often fresher.
2. Many are even striving to use more organic ingredients nowadays (bonus!)
3. Many have some really innovative and award winning menus (or in the Great Lakes Brewing Company’s case—award winning brews)
Visit http://www.clevelandindependents.com to explore many tasty choices you could make this weekend (or maybe even tonight!)
Special Note: November 9-14 is Cleveland Restaurant Week and many of the restaurants are offering special pricing on three course, prix fixe meals right now. (ooohh…another bonus!)
So about every week now, Cleveland Handmade has been featuring a local member artist. You can find out all about artists inspirations, workspaces and more at http://www.clevelandhandmade.com In addition the site has a listing of shows where you can find local artists, as well as links to local artist sites and shops.
I’m honored to say that this week, I am the featured artist (Thanks ladies!) So as if this blog hasn’t totally given away all my secrets, if you ‘d like to go hunting for more you can visit my own featured artist interview.
Somehow I always miss the deadline to apply for the show—but that doesn’t mean I can’t go check it out. It’d be nice to get some early shopping down, and seeing as this is at MOCA, I’m looking forward to the quality and caliber of the artists. 
Preview Night–Friday, November 21
4:30-9pm FREE for Members $5 for Non-members
Saturday, November 22, 11am-5pm
FREE and open to the public
Some of the ladies of Cleveland Handmade are getting together to put on a Cleveland Handmade Market. (I won’t actually be selling at this one as I’ve got too many other things on my plate but I may stop by) If you want to see what local artists have been busy working on for the holiday season, get a jump on your holiday shopping for handmade goods, and perhaps grab a cup of coffee as well here’s the details:
Sunday . november 23rd . 2008 . 10am-4pm
mojo’s coffee . 600 dover center road . bay village . ohio . 44140
440.892.4040
Check out the following artists who will be present:
Jill Slaby Lake Erie Beach Glass LaPetite Fleur Virtual Lori
Lazy T Crochet HandmadeGoods Beautiful Era Ramona
Petite Libellule Stargazer Designs Smashing Leah Ana Designs
Gargoyle that is finicky about turning on, $40.00
Skeleton that talks, $19.99
Giant fuzzy spider, $9.99
Black and White horror movie DVD $3.49
10 gravestones $1.00 and up
Sticky blood for windows $1.99 each
10 red light bulbs @ $2.49 each
6 blacklight bulbs @ $1.00 each
bags and bags of spider web, 89 cents each
Stocked bar, $150.00
Countless other decorations that took 2 months to collect and two weeks to put up…..you don’t even want to know$$
Friends in funny costumes, volunteers willing to drink “bloody beer”, people who act like frankenstein, talk like a vampire or eat a “poison apple”; reading edgar allen poetry by the fire, those who stoke a bonfire all night, not having to count costume contest votes myself, Dj’s who play scary records, people who clean up after themselves, halloween dares, and fifty guests who had fun…..priceless.
Husband doing the dishes next day and vacuuming—-even MORE priceless.
See ya next year!
Well, the most fun “craft” show is returning to Cleveland again this year. First let me be a bit of a lame writer, and post the “official” press release first. I’ll include my own two cents after the release.
Bazaar Bizarre Cleveland, the Northeast Ohio branch of this beloved national indie craft fair (with branches in Boston, San Francisco, Austin, LA and more) is returning for its 4th annual show — the biggest and best one yet!
With over 75 vendors from NEO and surrounding states, more than double the number of previous years, Bazaar Bizarre is a one-stop-shop for all your holiday gift needs — there’s even onsite gift wrapping this year! Buy local, and support local artists!
* Saturday December 13th from noon to 9:00 p.m.
* Sunday December 14th from noon to 6:00 p.m.
This year the show returns to the building complex (and former home of 1300 Gallery) where it all began: 78th Street Studios: 1300 W. 78th St to 1305 W. 80th St., north parking lot, north entrance — accessible from W. 78th OR W 80th St.
Show organizer Shannon Okey, a nationally-known crafts author and speaker, says “If you want something truly unique for that special someone this year, skip the mall and go DIY with Bazaar Bizarre!” As the show moves into its fifth year in Cleveland, it continues to attract a wide range of amazing artists who offer something for everyone.
Now as far as my own two cents:
You’re bizarre if you don’t go to this show. The fact that Cleveland get this national show in addition to other cities such as San Fran, Boston and L.A. just goes to show how cool Cleveland’s art scene really is. We’ve got enough fun artists here to give shoppers plenty of opportunities to find unique handmade items. I went and perused the vendor list and there’s all sorts of goodies this year from organic baby clothes, some rather fun cleveland based t’s, soaps, jewelry, recycled homegoods, and more. I’ll actually be there this year (Valerie Tyler Designs ) as well as some of my personal favorite Cleveland artists such as Gina DeSantis with her GORGEOUS ceramics, and the folks of Cleveland Handmade will be as well.
So yeah, come check it out and get your holiday shopping on in one cool place.
So yes, I’ve been now planning a Halloween party for about two months. Why I don’t know. Halloween is fun and all, though it hasn’t been a pressing, major thing in my life ever. However, since we bought the new house I’ve wanted to throw a major shebang….and since we live in the spooky woods and all I really thought Halloween would be perfect. (Not only that, it’s really a holday any one can celebrate–not matter their religion, persuasion, you name it…)
So for the last few weeks, I’ve been on decorating overdrive. Though I must confess, for a supposed “art addict” I really haven’t been the best with hands on creations for this party. I haven’t managed to create a self-playing piano, my bathrooms do not emanate with the famous “shower scene”, my ghost is as my husband calls it “umm…yeah, there’s a white trash bag hanging in the trees”, and my tombstones were all store bought. Though I do think design-wise there is a certain ambience coming together.
I’ve been going for a gothic theme—not Hot Topic/Depeche Mode Gothic but old-fashoned gothic literature. Think, Edgar Allen Poe, Mary Shelly Frankenstein gothic. So of course, red lights, simple skulls, ravens and gargoyles are the main idea instead of shocking gore.
Here’s a few teasers photos of the decorating so far. 
Our Eerie Kitchen Lights
One of the Vignettes in the basement
The Raven in the Library….”Quoth the Raven…………….”
