With Valentine’s Day approaching, you may be thinking of gifts or tokens of appreciation for your loved ones.  It is also a great time to draw on your creativity – below are  some of the projects I have been inspired by in the past few weeks – what are your Valentine’s Day creations?

Jewelry Bust/Hidden Jewelry Box

I love this - from Design*Sponge

And other lovely creation from Design*Sponge – have I mentioned how much I love this blog?

Fabric Scrap Flowers from Greenupgrader

Recycled Valentine’s Day Pop-up Card from Crafting a Green World (visit their site for a video how-to!)

Happy Monday!  There’s nothing like diving into things after a long holiday weekend.  We are busy getting ready for our third bi-annual “Art for Everyone” fundraiser, which is being held this Friday, December 4, from 5 to 8 pm at Goodwill’s Headquarters in Portland, Maine.

The show is part of Portland’s First Friday Art Walk.  We will be featuring over 200 drawings, oils, posters, prints, and watercolors that were donated to Goodwill stores.  We have quite a collection this time around and plenty of affordable pieces that would make great holiday gifts.  From seascapes to florals, from oriental prints to Victorian ladies, there is a diversity of art that is sure to please everyone on your list – enjoy the preview below!

I am excited to announce that Goodwill and the Portsmouth Public Library are co-hosting a free screening of Handmade Nation, the hit documentary by Faythe Levine, on the rise of DIY art, craft, and design.

According to the press release, “Faythe Levine traveled 19,000 miles to document what has emerged as a marriage between historical technique, punk culture, and the D.I.Y. ethos. For HANDMADE NATION  she and Cortney Heimerl have selected 24 makers and 5 essayists who work within different media and have different methodologies to provide a microcosm of the crafting community. Participants in this community share ideas and encouragement through websites, blogs, boutiques, galleries, and craft fairs. Together they have forged a new economy and lifestyle based on creativity, determination, and networking.”

The screening is scheduled for Saturday, December 5, at 2 pm at the Portsmouth Public Library.  There will also be a curated display of local crafts and vintage and new art/craft/design books from the library collection.  Many thanks to Paige Maxim and Julie Bailey who have loaned us some of their crafts and art for display.

Stay for the after party and enjoy coffee and delicious cupcakes donated by Ceres Bakery in Portsmouth.  The Button Factory is also hosting their open studios this weekend, so get ready to get your craft on in Portsmouth that weekend!

Questions?  Please email me at or Jennifer Moore at the Portsmouth Public Library.

Dear readers,

It’s been awhile since I’ve posted some crafty projects to peruse, and with the holiday season coming up, now is a great time to start thinking about projects for holiday giving.  I have several in mind that I’m starting to work on (I will share later on!), but there are literally thousands of easy projects out there that are creative, inexpensive, and fun.  Enjoy!

You may not have bread, but there is always mail

I saw this idea on Design*Sponge awhile ago and since then, I have been on the hunt at Goodwill to find one of these.  As the writer points out, however, you can usually find these antique toast holders on eBay – I would recommend checking out antique stores, as well.  If you are in the present-making mode, I think pairing this with a stationary set, a book of stamps, and fancy pen makes for the perfect gift

Weighed Down?

Have I talked about how much I love Design*Sponge? This post especially blew me away, partly because of my love for Audubon prints.  If you want to learn more about Audubon, this is the post to read!  All the information is paired with a creative project that makes for a great gift.  The Audubon paperweight is really easy to make AND you can substitute in any print you would like – who doesn’t appreciate a handmade, decorative paperweight as a gift?  I’m thinking of making several of these this year.

You need a paperweight kit (I’m thinking you can also purchase these at local craft stores), your print, and a pair of scissors.  Pretty darn easy!

What are you making for holiday gifts this year?  Let us know and we will feature a compilation of readers’ idea on the blog!

Roots and Tendrils is a great arts venue located in downtown Belfast.  They feature artwork and music by local Maine and New England artists.  It was recently brought to our attention that the current exhibit at the gallery could not have been possible without Goodwill.

That’s what we like to hear!

Artist Edward Anthonis has a new show on display called Reuse, Repurpose, Rebirth.  The show features found items and pieces of art that he reworks into new creations – the majority of which he found at the Belfast Goodwill!  Here is an excerpt from his artist’s statement:

It is a great show and I think it inspires others to find the possibilities of new work in old objects.  The show is only on display until August 2, so be sure to check it out in the next few weeks. Do you know of other galleries in northern New England that features repurposed art? Leave us a comment and let us know!