CK Team Represents at Retrofest

Have you heard of Retrofest? It's a big deal, you know. A weekend (long weekend, this year, God Save the Queen -- Victoria--) of dreams for car lovers... check it out:

"Classic car enthusiasts and Chatham-Kent residents looking for some good ol’ fashion family fun will have the chance to flock to the annual Retrofest event in downtown Chatham. Sponsored by the Kent Historic Auto Club, more than 600 classic vehicles are expected to be on display. A Kid’s fun area will be available at the TD Canada Trust parking lot on King Street in downtown Chatham as well." (from CKDP.ca)

This year, the CK Etsy Team is jumping head first into the festivities. Several members will have tables in Downtown Chatham on Saturday May 22 2010. Want to know what else you can see that day? (Besides my friend Josh high-fiving the A&W mascot at Retrofest 2008...)

Enjoy a variety of foods and interactive entertainment all day long. Kids can visit the NEW "CK Children's Services Family Fun Area" located in the Downtown Chatham Centre parking lot. Also view the Twilight truck: "Jump into the twilight experience" with a virtually identical replica of Bella's truck from the first twilight movie, and the Mad Max car: A "spot on" recreation of Mel Gibson's mean ride from 'Mad Max', the General Lee from Duke's of Hazard and the Mayberry RFD Police car. Sing your heart out at the Kareoke booth in Zonta park.

Visit the Insurance Bureau of Canada's (IBC) Be Smart. Be Safe. Exhibit, next to the North Kent Mutual display in the TD Canada Trust parking lot. The exhibit includes the D.U.M.B. car, a simulator that tests drivers’ reactions to distractions. The car includes an actual-size driver’s seat, a gas pedal and brake, a steering wheel, a dashboard, and a plasma monitor.

Legendary Tributes Entertainment presents a 50's styled Sock Hop at The River Rock. Relive the spirit of the 50's while dancing to a live tribute band and artists of famous musicians such as Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, Patsy Cline, and more. Prizes will be awarded for best costume. Tickets are only $20.00 and are selling fast. Purchase your tickets online by visitingwww.legendarytributes.com. Doors open at 6:30.

Sock hop? I'm there.

JR Out!

Blood Ring

Christy Dekoning has been playing with paper. And metal.

And blood.

She says "I have a fun new ring called "Spatter Pattern" that I created while thinking about Dexter. Weird but true. I'll have a lot of new rings, each one completely one-of-a-kind, at RetroFest on Saturday May 23rd. I'll also be representing the team in some way out at Erieau for Art on the Boulevard on July 31st."

Want more? Visit Christy DeKoning, Fine Artist, at her website.

CK Etsy Team Easter Trunk Show

The CK Etsy Team would like to thank local photographer Julie Rhodes-Welch for hosting a trunk show and open house on March 27, 2010. It was a fun, successful event and best of all - filled with colour and sweets!

Team members ItLooksGood, ReJoyceDesigns, London.Art.Girl, ChristyDekoning, ItsMineandAnns, and ModOwl all seemed to have a good time, as did visitors. Congrats to all involved on a successful day!

Wings of Spring

A few members of the CK Etsy Team were vendors at the Wings of Spring event held at Rondeau Provincial Park this past weekend. Here's what they had to say...

"Had lots of fun Sat and Sun at Rondeau with Shannon and Christy. We chatted, we discussed, we needle felted, we visited with other vendors, even saw some birds and made a few sales. Christy did a lot of running here and there taking pictures, even lying on her belly in an attempt to befriend a cagey chipmunk who quickly saw through her ruse. She was then upstaged by my husband Doug who had no problem at all convincing 2 chipmunks to pose only steps away from him. While there weren't as many visitors to the park as expected, which meant our sales were down, it was a lovely way to spend the weekend. So pleased I got to know my 2 cohorts a bit better, even meeting some of their family members. I'm now looking forward to September when we can do it all over again, this time outside, at their Monarch Migration Festival."

...   Ann K.

"Even though it was quiet, I had a great weekend and it was so much fun learning how to needle-felt. I'll def be there for monarchs (Monarch Migration Festival).

- Christy

Shannon makes no formal comment, but I overheard her say that she made some sales and had a good time with her friends from the CK Etsy Team. Shannon's a seasoned Rondeau pro, so you can expect to see her at the next event.

Meet the Team: LooksGood

The CK Etsy Team would like extend a hearty welcome to one of our newest members - Jeanette Smith of Looks Good. She also has a brick and mortar shop on St. Clair Street where she peddles her wares.

Location: 129 St. Clair St., Chatham N7L 3J2 529 397 4588

What is your favourite material to work with? paper

Tell us about your craft and/or the items in your shop. Custom, one of a kind, made just for YOU t-shirts, puzzles, mugs, key chains, coasters, and much much more . . .(Editor's Not: Jeanette and her husband Carleton own a photo-imprinting business, and have recently expanded their services to Etsy.)

What is your one wish for your Etsy shop/creative business? To be successful.

What is your favourite Etsy shop? Don’t have one yet (Editor's note: she's still working on it)

Favourite colour? Yellow (although I like teal, too, and yellow does not show up well on white!)

You could make your own dream ice cream... what would be in it? I do love plain old-fashioned vanilla, I also love Baskin-Robbins mint with chocolate chips. But, if I could make my own, WHITE CHOCOLATE CHIPS!!!!

Favourite place to be in Chatham-Kent? Well, I haven’t lived here for a year yet, and as I don’t drive, I haven’t seen that much of the “Kent” part, so I would have to say anywhere I haven’t already been. But, my own back yard in summer, or my front porch in spring and fall, are both pretty good places to be, especially if there is good company and a glass of white wine involved