The MSLO Employee Holiday Craft Fair

December 18, 2009

You may recall that a year ago, MSLO hosted a holiday craft fair, featuring many wonderful products created by my talented staff. The event was so much fun and allowed people to shop for really unique gifts, that we decided to organize an even bigger sale this year. I am proud to say that more than 70 people signed up for booths. Some collaborated with other employees, some have established craft business, and others were selling their products for the first time. Marcie McGoldrick, who heads our holiday craft department, did a fine job of coordinating all the vendors. And many thanks to our events team, including Jean Graham, Heather Kirkland, and Erin Furey for, once again, making this event a huge success.

On Friday, December 4th, we had a shopping party for employees only. The next day, we opened our doors to the public, and despite the first winter storm of the season, nearly 2,000 shoppers showed up for some great holiday gifts! To accommodate the crowd, The Bake Shop at Frankies Spuntino sold tasty treats like pretzel sandwiches with brie and butter, olive oil cake, and Stumptown coffee. Bill Pearis from brooklynvegan.com spun festive music to keep everyone in shopping spirits. And our Craft Walk and Sweet Shop raised $1,500, which will provide holiday cheer for the children of the George Washington Carver Residences. This is such a fun and meaningful event and we hope to keep this sale a new holiday company tradition.

: Katie Macpherson and ‘Hurray Kimmay’ sold clothing and toys for children.

: Megan Hedgepath’s necklaces were a popular seller among our staff!

: On Saturday, the fair was open to the public. Nearly 2,000 shoppers braved the first snow of the season to join the event!

: Andrea Corson sells beautiful silver jewelry.

: Sophie Nicolay crafts sophisticated button-necklace strands.

: Jackie Blais, Rosanna Panagakos, Laura Coppola, and Anne Marie Clemente are part of the team at the ‘Martha.’ They donated portions of the proceeds from their recycled-magazine Christmas trees to charity.

: Aaron Caramanis’ gorgeous handmade bow ties are so festive.

: Our craft editors brought the Holiday ideas from A to Z story in the December issue of Martha Stewart Living to life at the Craft Sale, displaying all of the projects that inspired us this holiday season.

: A clever memory game

: Sema Samuel’s cookie sales were brisk!

: The Bake Shop at Frankies Spuntino sold their own delicious olive oil, as well as coffee and pretzel croissant sandwiches.

: We created our own ‘Sweet Shop’ where we sold treats in Martha Stewart Crafts food packaging. Andrea DiPasquale and Stacey Spielman, pictured here, did a great job of decorating the shop and selling baked goods to raise money for the children of the George Washington Carver Residence. We’re throwing them a holiday party with the $1500 we raised!

: Fran Brescia’s red chile peppers Santa ornaments were a HOT item!

: We created a ‘Craft Walk’ – our version of a Cake Walk – to help with the fundraising for the George Washington Carver Residence kids’ holiday party. There were great prizes up for grabs!

: Jodi Levine’s beautiful necklaces were a popular item!

: Unique cards from Michelle Snyder and Thea Karas

: Our festive Sweet Shop offered shoppers treats and helped raised money too!

: Emeril Lagasse and his team generously donated delicious White Chocolate Bark to help out with the cause.

: The crowds were happy to be in a warm, dry shopping environment.

: Handle & Spout’s beautiful floral hair pins were a big hit.

: Bill Pearis of Brooklyn Vegan kept spirits up with festive tunes.

: Attendees checking out the A-Z gallery.

: Lots of crowds!

: Unique gifts!

: Steffi Lynen screen-prints apparel and textiles.

: Here is another picture of the craft display, which also included cute little elves made from pinecones and pipe cleaners. You can make your own by clicking here http://www.marthastewart.com/how-to/pinecone-elves or turning to page 204 of the current Martha Stewart Living issue.

: Adorable cookie ornaments from Jewels of New York

: The Craft Walk was a big hit!

: Striking bangles

: Erin Furey’s pretty wrapping paper

: Athena Preston, who also helped orchestrate the vendors, busy wrapping up a sale.

: On Friday, at the special employee shopping night, we served Sixpoints Bengali beer. I think it helped people to get in the shopping mood!

: Here I am looking at Hannah Milman’s gorgeous handmade jewelry.

: With Eric Pike – our very own ‘Father Christmas’

: A good place to take refuge from the crowds

: Lucinda Scala Quinn’s booth for her latest book, ‘Mad Hungry’ – great for households full of men and boys!

: Adorable animals made from recycled articles.

: Kelli Bishop’s artisanal cheese spread was a big hit!

: Jim Noonan’s Science kits are a great gift for kids!

: Corinne Gill and Blake Ramsey of Handle & Spout sell handmade silk flower hair accessories and leather jewelry.

: Chad Wagenheim (on left) & his retail staff, sold Martha Stewart Crafts products, as well as aprons, T-shirts, and a custom-made ‘Ford Warriors in Pink’ stamp kit.