Freehand Cards is slowly gearing up during the month of May.  My cards have been at Crosby’s Marketplace in Concord for 3 weeks and they are selling well.  The cards are also available at Dabblers, in West Concord.  The “bird of the month” is a White Crowned Sparrow and there’s a new Birthday card  available. 

I’ll be looking for stores in Bedford and Acton this month to carry my cards, as always I will keep you updated in that progress.   I hope everyone is enjoying this beautiful spring!

A fond farewell to the West Concord Supermarket, my husband’s familie’s business, established in 1919.  A great run and a credit to his Grandfather John Mandrioli sr., and his great Uncle Mike Mandrioli for builing such a strong community around their store,  our last day of business was April 6th.   We are looking forward to chapter 2!

 As I have lost the main venue to sell my greeting cards, I have been looking for new stores to sell my line and I’m expanding my greeting card company, Freehand Cards, into larger stores in metowest area.

The expansion begins with Crosby’s Marketplace in Concord MA.   I will keep you posted on the progress of that installation.  It will probably happen round about April 25th.   My cards are still available at Dabblers in West Concord and I’m working on an Etsy site to sell the popular mixes in 5 packs. 

I will be introducing a “bird of the month” card.  The Downy Woodpecker is April’s bird.  And I’m working on a birthday canine line called “Woff Wisdom” to compliment my feline cards “catattitude”.

My unique birthday cards will continue to evolve as will the flowers based on popularity.  Watch for demo days at my new local stores for card give-aways and more fun offers! 

Downy Woodpecker Bird of the month

It’s time to start sculpting again!  This year I will try to recreate Peter Bently’s book, “King Jack and the Dragon” illustrated so brilliantly by Helen Oxenbury, so far here is Jack and Caspar.

It is the moment before Turtle Heart and Melena strap the toddler into a harness. Elphaba is mesmerized by the glass disk created by the Quadling visitor.

 She’s moving to touch it………

This December I am lucky to have 2 gigs at my favorite venue, The Java Room in Chelmsford.  Candy, the owner and manager is loyal patron of the arts and runs an excellent cafe/bar at the Gingerale Plaza.  Delicious treats, unique drinks and european style coffee served in a classy, comfortable space, I highly recommed her establishment.  The party starts at 6pm thru 9pm.

On Friday the 16th, I will be swaping songs with John Ferullo and Jon Swenson from 8pm -10pm.  It’s always a fun night, lots of laughs as both John and Jon are comically gifted.  And it’s free!

On Thursday the 22nd, I will be singing Christmas Carols again with the piano man, Tag Vennard and this year a special treat, we will have Trude Witham on Sax!! I’m excited to hear her myself!! Again, no cover at the Java Room and there will be enough Christmas spirit for everyone!

Finally my tree is finished and assembled at the Concord museum.  Have a look, bring a child and get into the Christmas spirit early.   concordmuseum.org for details…Merry Merry!

It’s that time of year again, I’m sculpting like  crazy to recreate the magical world penned by Lewis Carroll for Alice, in “Alice Through the Looking -Glass.” 

 The  illustrations are fantastic, so compelling to me, thank you, Helen Oxenbury..I’m excited to re-create in clay your wonderful  versions of Alice, the White Queen, Tweedle-dum etc..so fun to play in that world for awhile.  If you are interested in the finished product, please visit the Concord Museum from November 21st-January 3d, Cambridge Turnpike, Concord, MA.  There you will find a colorful world of children’s books, re-created on the canvas of Christmas trees.  It’s a wonderful activity to enjoy with your children, grandchildren or niece and nephew.  My tree will be in the lobby..I hope you enjoy it..here is a preview of Tweedledum, Alice and the White Queen..they still need to be painted