The 14th Annual Menlo Park Sidewalk Arts and Crafts Fall Fest is coming to Menlo Park, October 15-17 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. Located in Menlo Park, along Santa Cruz Avenue off El Camino Real, the event includes original works by 90 artists including jewelry, photography, ceramics, painting, sculptures and much more. This art-filled family event will give visitors the opportunity to browse and shop among the many one-of-a-kind creations perfect for home, office or gift giving displayed by a variety of talented artists.
Among the artists presenting at the 2010 show is Jocelyn Hastings of San Jose who creates soaps that are little works of art. Every handcrafted soap Jocelyn creates is made from natural ingredients and contains layers of soft pastel colors in an artful shape. The glycerin soaps are individually poured into vintage molds or specially designed soap molds. Soap that looks good enough to eat has an old-fashioned dessert theme — tarts, cakes, Jell-o and flans.
Yoshiko Nordin, Mountain View, designs Kimono bags — small bags made of silk, wool, and cotton. All of Yoshiko’s handmade creations incorporate a thoughtful combination of vintage Kimono and western fabrics adding to the character of each bag. Nordin’s Kimono bags are fully lined with inside pockets, making them appropriate for everyday use.
Beth Karpas of Mountain View makes huggable, one of a kind cloth dolls and puppets based on traditional folk and fairytale characters from around the globe. Made of fine yarns and fabrics, the dolls and puppets are used for telling stories in a classroom, as gifts for young children, and gathered by collectors. Many of the dolls are reversible, such as a frog that turns over to reveal a prince, and a Cinderella that goes from rags to riches.
Taking place along Santa Cruz Avenue off El Camino Real, the Sidewalk Arts and Crafts Fall Fest is free to the public and features an exciting array of original works perfect for holiday shopping by more than 90 artists and craft makers including paintings, jewelry, photography, unique wood sculptures, clothing, accessories, toys and much more. All of the artists will be on hand to visit with patrons while some will be demonstrating their craft during the show.
Jill Pillot (San Mateo) was honored at the De Young Museum in San Francisco, with her are one-of-kind wearable art for women and children that features fresh vintage designs; Aline Sar (San Francisco) showing personalized jewelry; and Timon Sloane(Los Altos) displaying his vivid contemporary pastel landscape paintings all are appearing at the annual event.
Call Menlo Park Chamber of Commerce: (650) 325-2818. pacificfinearts.com. Here’s coverage from the 2009 event.