Tag Archives: League of New Hampshire Craftsmen

You’re Invited to America’s Oldest Crafts Fair!

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Situated on the scenic slopes of Mount Sunapee Resort, America’s oldest crafts organization, the League of New Hampshire Craftsmen, will host its 85th Annual Craftsmen’s Fair on August 4-12, 2018.

Featuring the work of over 150 juried craftsmen, fairgoers can meet the makers themselves and learn how American fine craft is handmade locally right here in northern New England:

This year, I’m returning with ~150 of my latest one-of-a-kind handknit embroidered felt hats to the lower end of the fairgrounds in Tent 8, Booth 804, directly next to one of my very favorite jewelers, Anne Behrsing (oooh, how I love her work!):

Last month, I mailed out roughly 1000 fair invitations, which (besides being colorful save-the-date reminders) also serve as $2-off coupons for fair entry:

If you didn’t receive one, but would like a snail mail invite/coupon of your very own, there’s still time, just leave a note in the comments below… But don’t delay–opening day of this nationally renowned 9-day fine craft event is next Saturday, just a week away!

Come treat yourself to the finest that New Hampshire has to offer at the 85th Annual League of New Hampshire Craftsmen’s Fair, August 4-12, 2018 in Newbury, NH… Hope to see you there!

Thank You for Visiting the 83rd Annual LNHC Fair!

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It was hot at the League of New Hampshire Craftsmen’s 83rd Annual Fair. And by hot, I mean HOTTTT, as in the kind of muggy New England day that makes you wish for less clothing overall, not more. And certainly not clothing of the knitted-felt winter hat variety!

NH fiber artist, Carrie Cahill Mulligan sports one of her freehand embroidered snowflake felt hats at the 83rd LNHC Annual Fair at Mount Sunapee.

And yet… You still came.

I remember in particular a woman who entered my booth on perhaps the hottest, most humid & sticky day of the whole 9-day event. She came right up to me, and with slightly pained smile told me,

“You know, last year I left this Fair without one of your hats and I kicked myself for that all the way back to Philadelphia. I’ve been thinking about these beautiful hats all year, so here I am… Please, help me find a hat… but quickly!”

And so we did.

Detail of freehand french knot Mandala embroidery on felt hat, by NH fiber artist, Carrie Cahill Mulligan.

Detail of freehand french knot Mandala embroidery on felt

It’s a special sort of person who appreciates & supports locally-made American fine craft. And it’s an extraordinary sort who does so, even on the hottest days of the year. You have my deepest gratitude!

Embroidered felt hat fiber artist, Carrie Cahill Mulligan of Canaan, NH exhibits her work at the League of New Hampshire Craftsmen's summer Fair in Newbury, NH.

To EVERYONE who visited the LNHC Fair, thank you!

I hope you’ll mark your calendar for the 84th Annual Craftsmen’s Fair next summer, August 5-13, 2017. I love hearing back how you & your new hat are getting on…!

Louisa’s Embroidered Felt Hat

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One of my hockey buddies, Louisa, visited my booth at the League of New Hampshire Craftmen’s Annual Fair two summers ago.

My felt hat booth in Tent 7 at the 2011 League of NH Craftsmen's Fair at Mt. Sunapee.

She’s been so supportive of me at the rink, and was equally enthusiastic about my work.

Louisa immediately fell in love with the absolute fanciest hat in the booth, and when she tried it on, it fit perfectly!

However, for most folks, my hats are not impulse purchases.

Louisa's chose mossy-green & rust with full embroidery for her custom felt hat.

It took nearly 2 years of thinking about it before Louisa decided to treat herself.

We found a hat that fit her just right, and she gave me license to embroider it as I chose.

She definitely wanted the works, though: all-around freehand embroidery with hand-cut antler buttons.

My husband, Andy, hand-cuts all the antler buttons I use in my embroidery designs.

I asked Louisa what she would tell others considering a hat. She replied without hesitation:

“My hat is beautiful, warm, comfortable & practical. It’s a work of art. Best of all, it makes me smile every time I put it on! How many things do you own that make you that happy? My hat is just ‘so me.’ I love it!”

Thank you, Louisa, for all your encouragement, and for helping support my hockey habit!