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Strolling through the Haddonfield Fine Art and Craft Festival on a hot July afternoon I was stopped in my tracks as I came upon "Here's to Ears". I am always on the look out for creative thank you gifts for the wonderful kids who model for Creative Capes. The ears and unicorn horns done by Lori and her husband Jeff were unexpected and so cheerful they brought a smile to my face.

"Since it's inception, 'Here's to Ears' has had only one goal...To make people smile!" - Lori Persa, Owner of Here's to Ears.

"Kids adore wearing our loveable, furry ears. Yet, they are actually worn by more adults than children.  Doctors, Nurses, Teachers and a host of other professionals wear our ears to bring happiness to others.  Just clip them in your hair, or on a hat, and you're ready to transform into your favorite animal or character."

Everything about this fuzzy product is 100% U.S. made. The hand-crafted and hand-sewn faux fur always maintains a realistic look. Even the clips are sewn on by hand, maximizing the ear's durability.

Here's to Ears also offers a full line of matching faux fur tails, as well as banded Unicorn Horns. As Lori always says, "Whether you are young or old, these creative accessories will brighten everyone's day!" You can find your own ears on their website, herestoears.com

Bug has always loved his super heroes, and loved capes from the time he was little. Since we have found Creative Capes it's all he will wear when he has to have a cape on. He uses it to feel powerful on his weak days and as a way to make people smile and not feel uncomfortable about his wheelchair when he's out. Today was no different, we went to the Topsfield Fair and he had to have his Creative Capes outfit on. Nothing like traveling with a superhero everywhere you go!

The 37th Annual Takoma Park Street Festival will take place on Sunday, October 7, 2018 from 10am-5pm in Takoma on Carroll Avenue in Takoma Park, MD to Carroll Street, NW in Takoma, DC.

The festival will once again host a talented mix of local artists offering paintings, photographs, pottery, silk-screening, bath and body care, stained glass, jewelry, woodworking, textiles, ceramics, kids’ items and much more. Creative Capes booth will be close to the farmers market area. 

Non-profits, local companies and a variety of food vendors will also participate. Takoma’s indie businesses will be open and welcoming visitors. Kids love the festival with crafts, face painting, inflatables and FUN!

Three stages with 18 bands will play all day. Don’t miss the fun!

Everyone has childhood experiences that help shape who they become. For me it was family togetherness, staying off electronics which was easy since so few existed back then, and spending lots of time outdoors. Being a fan of "The Hobbit", I credit J.R.R. Tolkien for igniting my imagination and love for magical world.

Fast forward... Yes, I am over 50 and still get unbelievable enjoyment out of creating an artistic fairy garden. I came across Garnette, the artist of Petal Echo, at Del Ray's Art on the Avenue which happens the first Saturday in October. Garnette's organic fairy sculptures drew me into her whimsical booth and now several pieces reside in my own magical garden. 

Fairy gardens foster wonder and curiosity, initiating pause in our gardens and inviting us to consider what exists beyond the space that we see with our human eyes. Petal Echo began creating fairy garden sculptures out of a desire to create lasting and beautiful sculptures that were durable for the elements AND for her daughters to play with. Each sculpture is hand cast in marble from her originals and painted with a weather-resistant oil paint. They are perfect in both an indoor and outdoor fairy garden.

Treasures include fairy doors, leaf hammocks, mailboxes, shoes--even a tiny tea set! You can find her sculptures at several local festivals in Maryland and Virginia, as well as at petalecho.etsy.com

The Zebra Press - Good News in Alexandria, VA has published the top ten must see artists at Art on the Avenue and Creative Capes is honored to be included. Over 350 artists are juried into this long standing arts festival which runs along Mount Vernon Ave. Mark your calendar for Oct. 6th, 10 to 6pm, to attend this family friendly event in Del Ray neighborhood in Alexandria, VA. See the full page here: http://digital.thezebra.org/?issueID=29&pageID=30

Be sure to check out our full show schedule here: https://creativecapes.com/pages/show-schedule

Excited to share a recent find from the Lititz Rotary Club Craft show which is one of the largest festivals Creative Capes participates in. There are about 700 artists exhibiting so the crowds are guaranteed to find something that makes their heart sing. The show occurs in early August in downtown Lititz, PA so mark your calendar as a show not to be missed in 2019.

I had the pleasure of meeting the artists of On Lilac Lane, Creg and Carly Drake, and fell in love with their work. Creg is a full time teacher of Biology and a Dad of two little ones but somehow this couple finds the time to create custom signage using a variety of reclaimed wood. They design hand-made, customizable wooden rounds out of 100 year old barn wood, reclaimed wood, and material from a local lumber yard.

A Jigsaw is used to delicately carve each design. Creg and Carly do lots of custom work which is ideal for wedding, housewarming and baby gifts. Their combination of reclaimed wood, craftsmanship with the jigsaw and hand painted lettering creates a beautiful piece of home decor sure to be treasured by all. 

I purchased a large wooden round for my favorite room in the house. The wording spoke volumes to me as I to wear many hats... mom, wife, artist, entrepreneur. I think we found the perfect spot above the window overlooking the backyard.

If you would like to see more of Creg and Carly's work visit their Etsy shop. They are also active on Facebook and IG @On_Lilac_Lane.

Check Creative Capes blog often to see my next "Creativity Uncovered" feature. I have some wonderful things upcoming for the ideal children's gift. - Holly

Most weekends I can be found at fine art and craft shows up and down the East Coast surrounded by superhero capes and bringing smiles to little ones faces. In addition to that great joy I have the opportunity to see amazing creations from fellow artists. It occurred to me that the Creative Capes' Community might enjoy seeing my discoveries and learn how to obtain them via the internet.

Every month I'll feature a new artist or two that I discovered in my travels at these art festivals. My goal is to bring attention to the many artists that make beautiful things by hand and to give you some great suggestions in your hunt for the perfect gift or home decor. 

My first featured artist is Kelly Barth who founded Cabooties in 2014 based on the inspiration of her son, Conley Alexander Barth (the CAB in Cabooties). She began sewing booties in her tiny town-home kitchen, trying to overcome her frustrations with socks that wouldn’t stay on and stiff shoes that didn’t fit over her baby’s chubby feet. She finally found a design that Conley loved to wear, and Cabooties were born. Since that time Kelly has fine-tuned the design and improved the materials, but the result is still the same – handmade, vegan baby shoes that never fall off.  Each pair of Cabooties is handmade with love, packaged with care, and ready for adventure!

I myself purchased a pair of Cabooties with a nautical theme for my neighbor who just had a baby boy. Big hit! Visit www.cabooties.com to see more of these cute booties.

As an artist, I am proud to do all my birthday and holiday shopping at art shows and festivals supporting "Handmade in America" and uncovering one-of-a-kind gifts. Hope you enjoy my discoveries as the Cape Mobile travels far and wide transforming kids into their superhero selves one cape at a time. - Holly