Company Name
Fried Okra

Artist Name
Adrian Mix

Product focus
Sock Monkeys and other plush toys.
Pouches and accessories sewn from fantastic fabrics.

Where did you learn this art or craft?
Mother introduced the sewing machine early, I was terrible but kept trying! She was my personal seamstress during elementary school and I always wanted to be able to sew and create like she did. After leaving the nest I taught myself and checked out every craft/sewing book from our library.

What inspires you?
Great color combinations, that is really the biggest inspiration. I am constantly inspired by fabrics, both of the present and past, stretchy sock fabrics and smooth cottons.

How do customers respond to your work?
I think customers enjoy the familiar face of Sock Monkeys. They bring back memories and a particular feeling that is hard to pinpoint. Happiness is my ultimate goal!

Are you introducing any new products at Deluxe?
I have a handful of fancy cats made from thrifted sweaters and suit coats, I am in love!

How would you describe your previous experience(s) at Deluxe?
Nothing beats Deluxe! The customers are great, enthusiastic, and have a dedication to the handmade community. Year after year I see familiar faces, customers from the year past, returning because Deluxe has proven to be a great show!

What other artists are you looking forward to shopping from at Deluxe?
This year I am bringing at least two helpers so I can get a proper break and do some shopping! Last year I felt like I barely saw anyone, that will not happen again!

Anything else you’d like shoppers to know?
I do recommend getting to the Fair Grounds early! The line to get in last year was impressive!

Company Name
Organic Gardens

Artist Name
Mardel Leonard

Product focus
Hard shelled gourd artwork

Where did you learn this art or craft?
Through my own interest and research.

What inspires you?
I’m passionate about reflecting the beauty of nature in my work and incorporating it into the existing form of the gourd.

How do customers respond to your work?
I get so excited seeing people’s delight in what I do! They love it!

Are you introducing any new products at Deluxe?
More varieties of birdhouses that include Monarch Butterflies and various birds.

How would you describe your previous experience(s) at Deluxe?
So much fun and wonderful people to meet!

What other artists are you looking forward to shopping from at Deluxe?
I bought from quite a variety last time. Sam Lamb for sure.

Anything else you’d like shoppers to know?
I look forward to seeing everyone soon!

Company Name
Julia Sews

Artist Name
Julia Engle

Product focus
Items I have sewn myself -Tiered Jean Skirts, Ironing Board Covers, Checkbook Covers, Pillowcases, Microwave Potato Bags, Aprons, Velcro Pouches, Zipper Bags, Burp Cloths, Baby Shoes, Pacifier Clips, Flannel Baby Blankets, Fabric Dolls, Oilcloth Bibs and more!

Where did you learn this art or craft?
I started sewing when I was about 12. I have taken some sewing lessons, but have mostly learnt from looking online for tutorials, finding projects in library books, Oklahoma County 4H sewing club and from other friends that sew. I am thankful for the talents I have been blessed with!

What inspires you?
Colorful fabric on bolts at fabric stores, Pinterest, early mornings, Etsy,blogs online, craft/sewing books from the library.

Are you introducing any new products at Deluxe?
The new products I’m introducing this year are Tiered Jean Skirts, Velcro Pouches, Zipper Bags, Microwave Potato Bags, Pillowcases and Fabric Dolls. The Tiered Jean skirts recycle the tops of jeans and are fun to wear. Making them is alot of fun too! The Velcro Pouches, Zipper Bags and Microwave Potato Bags are a great way to use up fabric scraps leftover from other projects.

How would you describe your previous experience(s) at Deluxe?
Deluxe is always one of my favorite shows to do. This will be my third year to participate so I’m really looking forward to it. My sales have always been really good, and I enjoy seeing repeat customers.

Anything else you’d like shoppers to know?
I love custom orders! If you see anything you like but would prefer it in different fabrics, colors, size let me know.

Check out my new Facebook page, my Etsy shop and my
blog.

Company Name:
Green Couch Design

Artist Name(s)
Cale and Meg

Product focus:
Concrete Jewelry and our Kitchen Line of 100% Cotton Tea Towels, Aprons, and Mixer Covers.

Where did you learn this art or craft?
With our combined degrees in graphic design and architecture we see design as a way to solve problems of function and purpose. Sometimes the idea is right in front of you, you just have to be patient with the process and experimentation. For example, we knew we wanted to design products but felt limited by our lack of resources and finances. Instead of being held back by our situation we looked at is as a challenge. The inspiration behind our jewelry line was found in an extra bag of concrete left in Cale’s workshop.

What inspires you?
Family, walks through our field, friends that make us laugh, dreaming bigger, Pinterest, magazines, raw materials, chocolate chip cookies and rainy days.

How do customers respond to your work?
People laugh out loud when they see our “Just Beat It” kitchen line print. With our jewelry we typically see two types of responses. Either they love it and are instantly attracted to it. Or… they are slightly intimidated by it. Our jewelry is so unique and different we’ve found people have a hard time knowing how to approach it. Participating in shows like Deluxe allows us to encourage customer interaction and answer questions about the raw, industrial, style and materialization.

Are you introducing any new products at Deluxe?
Yes! We are bringing our NEW Holiday Prints! We took simple holiday icons and updated them with a modern design. Our tea towels are hand printed with each design running along the bottom as a pattern. We’ve also printed them as a single icon on our NEW 5″x5″ Holiday Square Cards.

How would you describe your previous experience(s) at Deluxe?

Last year was our first year at Deluxe. Sara and JD do a great job promoting the show and it’s been around long enough that the local community is starting to look for it from year to year. It’s very organized and one that we are truly proud to be a part of.

What other artists are you looking forward to shopping from at Deluxe?
Cale and I have a rule. After every show we both get to buy one item of our choice. It’s always fun to see what handmade good catches our eye. Samantha Lamb is always one of our personal favorites! Not only is she an amazing photographer but she’s one of our fellow farm friends. We really respect her work and the way she continues to grow as an artist. We’ve had our eye on her “Step to The Left Of Your Right Hemisphere” print for sometime now.

Anything else you’d like shoppers to know?
It’s YOU who truly make each show so spectacular. Please come and bring your friends and your friend’s friends. Look for our green doors and make sure you stop by and say hi!

Company Name:
Amity Treasures

Artist Name(s):
Jackie Porter

Product focus:
Using salvaged costume jewelry to create intriguing jewelry compositions.

Where did you learn this art or craft?
I’ve always loved creating things, and found a discarded box of my mom’s seed beads and thread. I incorporated this primitive form of jewelry making into jewelry with jump rings, vintage material, discarded objects, and all sorts of other fun things!

What inspires you?
Going into Forever 21 and looking at their trendy, mass-produced, shiny new jewelry. It is fabulous, but it makes me sad that they all aren’t one-of-a-kind. Also sifting through the piles of vintage jewelry I have in my work room inspires me.

How do customers respond to your work?
Often people will see pieces from their childhood, so sometimes have feelings of nostalgia. Others look at the old baby doll parts and are instantly repelled. And many people enjoy the quirky components of my use of materials and juxtaposed pieces.

Are you introducing any new products at Deluxe?
Oh yes : )

How would you describe your previous experience(s) at Deluxe?
I’ve only been a vendor once (last year), and it was a blast! It’s a pretty big show, and the turnout was really great. See you there!

Company Name
Christie Cone Ceramics

Artist Name
Christie Cone

Product focus
I make ceramic art with a rich rustic feel. From decorative items like nativities, ornaments and art bowls to functional soup cups, soap dishes, and mugs.

Where did you learn this art or craft?
Amazingly, I stumbled upon ceramics by being a high school art teacher. I fell in love instantly!

What inspires you?
My family is my biggest inspiration. I can always come up with new ideas if I think of things my family would love.

How do customers respond to your work?
Most customers tell me that they have never seen anything like my work, how unique and beautiful it is. Cue me blushing!

Are you introducing any new products at Deluxe?
Yes, I will be taking my brand new Cowboys, Cowgirls and Armadillo series- perfect southern cuties for anyone with a little country in their soul!

What other artists are you looking forward to shopping from at Deluxe?
I haven’t looked at all the vendors work yet, but I am looking forward to checking out Maggie May I, Green Couch Design and 3 Bears Studio

Anything else you’d like shoppers to know?
Visit www.christieconeceramics.com to find out more about me, where I show my work, where to buy etc. I look forward to meeting you all!

Company Name
Audrey Eclectic

Artist Name
Heather Sleightholm

Product focus
Original folk art, prints, postcards and glassware

Where did you learn this art or craft?
I’ve always loved drawing and painting since I was a little girl. I first started working in acrylics when I was a kid doing ‘crafts’ with my mom in the garage growing up. I painted on wood or rocks or whatever I could find. Now they call that ‘repurposing’

I took art classes through college and attended the Oklahoma Summer Arts Institute my junior year of high school. I can’t imagine not painting or creating! Its a big part of me.

What inspires you?
I have a great love of books and history. Old timey things really inspire me– be they old photographs, stories, folk lore, fairy tales, music, or movies. I also love to create works that tell a story, and am really in love with American Folk Art.

How do customers respond to your work?
I am always amazed at how people who love my art seem to become such instant friends! People who like what I do tend to be drawn to old things and good books. I created a series of Anne of Green Gables paintings over the summer and have had a huge response to them. So many people, and people I would have never guessed, have a love for Anne! I have also started painting mugs inspired by the Brontes and Austen. People love a good literary piece of art and I’m thrilled that people love the same quirky things that I do.

Are you introducing any new products at Deluxe?
My painted mugs will be making their Deluxe debut this year! I’m really excited about them. The images I paint are all done by hand, one at a time, so no two are exactly the same. My most popular mug seems to be Jane Eyre, but I also paint Mr. Darcy, Lizzie Bennet, Jane Austen, and just created a new Wuthering Heights design.

How would you describe your previous experience(s) at Deluxe?
Deluxe is a wonderful show, and one I’m so proud to sell and shop at! Its all 100% handmade and local, so when you’re supporting the vendors at Deluxe you are truly supporting your community. Everyone is also so friendly and welcoming. And its a fantastic show to bring the kids to, there is something for everyone to enjoy.

What other artists are you looking forward to shopping from at Deluxe?
Everyone! I’ve done Deluxe since the first show and so its like seeing old friends again each year and meeting new ones. I’m excited to see new items from Sweetheartville and Art By Bethany, they are dear friends and amazing craftswomen.

Anything else you’d like shoppers to know?
Many vendors are now able to take credit cards thanks to the handy dandy square app. for iPhone, so bring your cards with your cash! Also, if you’re interested in a piece and how its made, ask the vendor! Its not often in this day and age that you have a face to face encounter with the person who made what you’re buying. Most artists or crafters will be happy to tell you how a piece is made and how best to care for it. And be sure to take their business card so you can buy from them after the show!

Company Name
Art by Bethany

Artist Name
Bethany Gentry

Product focus
Mostly plush animals, robots, & monsters now. I still do cards & paintings.

Where did you learn this art or craft?
I picked it up from some softies books that I got a few years ago

What inspires you?
Probably nature, cartoons, and my 3 month old.

How do customers respond to your work?
People usually laugh or smile when they see my little creatures.

Are you introducing any new products at Deluxe?
I am hoping to have some new critters to put out, like foxes, racoons, & some giant sized robots this year. I am bringing some Sock Buddy, owl, & robot poscards for the first time.

How would you describe your previous experience(s) at Deluxe?
Deluxe is usually a fun show with a wide variety of shoppers. Last year’s show was really busy & great for holiday buying.

What other artists are you looking forward to shopping from at Deluxe?
I always love to pick up some Samantha Lamb prints & some goodies from Gleeful Peacock.

Anything else you’d like shoppers to know?
This year’s show will be my first with a baby, so it has been a new challenge to make enough merchandise this time around!

This year, we have selected Hounds of the Heartland Greyhound Adoption as our featured charity. They will be doing outreach and selling raffle tickets for great prizes near the front entrance at Deluxe.

Best of all, you’ll be able to meet the wonderful retired racing greyhounds who are available for adoption. You can learn more on their blog.

Company Name
Bushytails

Artist Name
Brooke Kennelley

Product focus
Travel-size wet bags, novelty bibs, and burp cloths for boys and girls

Where did you learn this art or craft?
I learned to sew when I was seventeen, in Mrs. Jones’s sewing class.

What inspires you?
Portland, OR, which is where I lived before moving to Oklahoma. I keep pictures of Oregon above my sewing machine, and I look for fabrics that remind me of the Portland aesthetic. I’m also inspired by my son, Severin, who is a pretty cool toddler and deserves equally rad accessories.

How do customers respond to your work?
People always compliment the fabrics I use! I do this for parents like me, who are sick of products that push gender stereotypes (trucks, footballs, princesses, etc.) and prefer something out-of-the-ordinary. Customers also love the fact that my wet bags easily fit in their purse, and have an extra pocket for wipes!

Are you introducing any new products at Deluxe?
I’ll have burp cloths, organic wooden teething rings, and pacifier clips that match the wet bags and bibs. These items won’t be available in my online store until after the Deluxe Indie Craft Bazaar.

What other artists are you looking forward to shopping from at Deluxe?
Microcosm Publishing, MoviesArtwork by Felix Matos, Tail Feathers Diapers, and Oh Honey Child, just to name a few. I’m honestly looking forward to browsing every single Deluxe artist’s booth!

Anything else you’d like shoppers to know?
Wet bags are generally used for cloth diapers, but you can use them for disposables, wet bathing suits, soiled underoos, loofahs/toiletries, makeup, toys, art supplies… Anything, seriously, they’re great.