X is for . . .

Warning: This post is not intended for those with xenophobia.

X

is for

eXtraordinary ~ eXtravaganza ~ eXperience

Each July, the Museum of International Folk Art in Santa Fe, NM hosts an International Folk Art Market. This incredible event brings together artists from around the globe. The 2009 market featured over 140 artists from 46 countries. Each booth was a treasure chest of beautiful handcrafted items that reflected the traditions and cultures of the countries represented.

As you might imagine the weekend event is full of colorful sights, music of the world, dancers, international food, and eXtraordinary art from around the world, not to mention thousands of visitors eager to support these visiting artist.

Costumed ladies entertain on stilts.

Attendees dress in colorful clothes 

and hats and watch the amazing sights.

Thousands of visitors shop the market during the two day event, and over 1500 volunteers make this event possible.

Note the sign: these baskets represent a year of work on the artist's part. Last year's artists averaged $15,100 in sales. The artists retain 90% of their sales and their revenues are used to support their families and help sustain their local communities.

These colorful paper 

maché roosters are from Haiti.

A talented blacksmith from Uzbekistan

hand forged these whimsical scissors.

The embroidery on these "bayeta",simple hand 

woven woolen cloths, depicts scenes 

of daily life in the Andean village of Chijnaya, Peru.

These brightly colored hand embroidered 

textiles reflect the flora and fauna of Peru.

Mud resist block prints are created 

by a family of brothers in India.

This mother and daughter from 

Kyrgyzstan are experts at felt making.

They create these charming little felt dolls. Each doll has an expressive embroidered face and wonderfully embroidered details on the clothing.

Look at the joy on the face of this artist 

from Namibia, as she weaves a handmade basket.

These coiled baskets are made from palm leaves 

and bark and used as everyday domestic use.

Another artist from India wears a 

distinctive mirrored and embroidered dress.

Notice the amazing work on this patchwork 

and embroidered quilt from Pakistan.

Batik dyed fabrics from Nigeria 

were sold in various lengths.

Intricate images were carved 

on these aluminum panels.

This elaborate seed beaded 

collar is from Ecuador.

Here the artist from Ecuador 

demonstrates her beading skills.

These beautiful carved horn bracelets 

were created in Lima, Peru.

There were many amazing textiles 

from the People's Republic of China.

One can see the results of many hours of work 

on this detail of the textile in the previous photo.

To learn more about the International Folk Art Market view the excellent video below which is narrated by Ali MacGraw.

Santa Fe International Folk Art Market from David Moore on Vimeo.

The market is truly eXtraordinary, and this year, the eXtravaganza will feature more than 170 artists representing 52 countries. To eXperience the market is a treat beyond imagination.

7th Annual International Folk Art Market

July 9-11, 2010 ~ Santa Fe, NM

On going during market days will be an opportunity to groove to the beat of music from around the globe, savor international flavors of various cultural foods, and purchase amazing folk art treasures to add to ones personal collection, all while contributing to help sustain these individual and their communities.

Hope you'll get the opportunity to attend this eXtraordinary eXtravaganza eXperience sometime. Now click here to catch up with Mrs. Matlock and the other students participating in Alphabe-Thursday.

Folk art is definitely a favorite art form here at HFTS, so the post will link to Laurie's A Few of My Favorite Things on Saturday, and since this is one of my favorite summer activities, I'll also be linking this post to Summer Sundays with The Tablescaper. There certainly is Pink among the photos to qualify for Beverly's Pink Saturday.

Special Note: Much of this post was recycled from my September 1, 2009, post on the International Folk Art Market.

Celebrating the Red, White, and Blue

Join me in celebrating the patriotic colors of the USA in honor of the 4th of July. I'm joining Marty @ A Stroll Thru Life to share some patriotic tabletop settings for Tabletop Tuesday and Joan @ Anything Goes Here for her 4th of July Vintage Holiday Blog Party. Not everything is vintage, but it's all for the red, white, and blue. Each year I like to do something different, so some of the photos are from this summer's tabletops and others are from years past.

Wishing each of you a Happy 4th of July!

Click here to visit more Table Top Tuesday vignettes @ Stroll Through Life with Marty.

Click here to see more 4th of July Vintage Holiday @ Anything Goes Here with Joan.

Click here to see more Stars and Stripes Party! @ Centsational Girl.

A Mad Tea Party ~ 2010

Hurry please. 

 We can't be late.

Ah, there it is.

In the clearing

near that odd little house,

its roof thatched with fur.

Yes, yes, this 

must be the right place.

The time, the time! 

 We must not be late!

There he is!

It's the Mad Hatter himself,

our infamous host for this curious afternoon tea.

~ The Mad Tea Party!~

Let the fun begin.

Oh, my. It is a rather curious tea party, indeed!

Alice is here.

See there she is sitting

in her big comfy arm-chair.

No doubt she is very tired after

swimming through her pool of tears.

Please do sit down. 

 How about this chair here?

Yes, dear, the one near Tweedledee.

Or is it Tweedledum?

Oh, no matter.

Quick, find yourself a cup.

Better be quick!

I hear the rattle of the tea cups 

of this never ending meal.

Wonderful choice!

Let me pour you a cup of tea.

And cake . . .

you must have a slice of this!

It's a delicious cake of curious talking flowers.

A cherry or two 

with a mushroom cap?

Yes, it truly is 

a splendid afternoon!

What's that?

Do you see a grin looking 

down upon the festivities?

Is it? Could it be?

Yes, it must be 

the Duchess' Cheshire-Cat!

No doubt he'll be disappearing and

popping up all about the party.

I do think he's after another one

of the mushroom caps.

Oh, the happy days of summer!

"Take some more tea . . . "

There's plenty for everyone.

Do take another 

mushroom cap or two.

What a delightfully 

curious afternoon tea!

"So she sat on, with closed eyes, and

half believed herself in Wonderland . . ."

Time flies!

"Would you tell me, please,

which way I ought to go from here?"

Yes, yes! For more of these curious fetes ~

Click Here!

I'm thrilled you joined in the Mad Tea Party today. Every Saturday is also Pink Saturday and A Few of My Favorite Things so head on over for more fun at these weekly blog parties.

Oh my, what a fun filled party day!

Do you think Alice and all her curious friends in Wonderland

just might be some of my favorite things?

If you missed my post on

Alice in Wonderland in Central Park

~ Click here~

Alice, Cheshire-Cat, Mad Hatter, White Rabbit

Needlepoint figures from Petei Designs, stitched in the 1980s

http://www.petei.com/line_list/line_alice.htm

Miniature Tea Set - Paul Cardew Designs

This post will also be linked to several weekly tea parties next week.

Tea Time Tuesday with Lady Katherine @ Lady katherine Tea Parlor

Tea Time Tuesday with Sandi @ Rose Chintz Cottage

Tuesday Tea For Two and Wednesday Tea for Me" and Thee'

with Wanda @ The Plumed Pen

Teapot and Tea Things Tuesday @ Silken Purse