The Craft Festival

11/08/2017

Our last show is over at Cashman Center after 35 years. I want to personally thank everyone who has supported this event during our long history in Las Vegas. The building is being closed and my show has taken it's final bow. Sincerely yours,

Steve Powers Director Producer The Craft Festival since 1983

10/23/2017

Long time exhibitor at The Craft Festival, Coleen Toland will be exhibiting at the very last show in Las Vegas Nov. 3-5 at Cashman Center Exhibit Hall.

Colleen Toland has had a long and varied career as a fashion designer. She is New Zealand born and immigrated to California with her husband, Paul and their four children in 1979. During the eighties, she designed and produced a successful collection of designer knitwear. Many of these fabulous artwear pieces were collected and treasured by their owners. Every now and then her peices show up on eBay.
With a wealth of beads and trims from her sweater embroidery work, Colleen first created beaded belts for her sweater outfits. Customers pleaded for earrings and necklaces to match. When the knitwear look faded in the late eighties, Colleen had a mature and established collection of fashion jewelry in place. Her earlier pieces can be identified by the use of thread. Later pieces after 1992 are constructed with wire. Colleen currently exhibits in major and regional shows in the USA and at The Bijorhca in Paris. Her work can be found in leading boutiques in the USA, most European and some South American countries, Australia, Hong Kong, Japan, New Zealand and South Africa

10/17/2017

Local Las Vegas Photographer Mike Kelso will be exhibiting at the very last presentation of The Craft Festival Nov. 3-5 at Cashman Center in Las Vegas. In his own words this describes his photo style.

Visionary | Adventurer | Lover of Nature Mike Kelso

My adventure started with windows. During childhood road trips, my father would encourage me to see what we were passing, not to just look out the window. Then came the challenges of 'did you see this' and 'did you see that'.

I grew up in western Nebraska, where I learned to love seeing horizons and nature. My career as a computer programmer, nearly forty years so far, has engrained a passion for details and precision that spills over into everything I do. When we can, my wife and I squeeze in trips both here and abroad, trying to fill the thirst of adventure.

I find myself perpetually wondering what is over the next hill, what is around the corner. I am fascinated with patterns, from the veins in a tiny leaf, to the evening's shadows on distant mountains, and to the dimples punctuating a grandchild's smile.

I've traveled, but not enough.
I've lived, but not enough.
I've seen, but not enough.
I've shared, but not enough.

Come along with me. Let me share what I see out my 'window' - the lens of my camera. I hope you find a flower that brings back memories, or a landscape that piques your curiosity. But I also want to encourage you to 'see', not just look.

10/13/2017

Word Collage Artist Richard Curtner will be exhibiting at the very last production of The Craft Festival at Cashman Center November 3, 4 , 5 in Las Vegas.

Richard Curtner's artwork writes epic poetry within the visual. For the past 15 years, California artist Curtner has created unique artwork for thousands of clients across the country, blending his artistic talents with his passion for the written word. His word collages are created by combining hundreds of cutouts of written text all pertaining to a particular theme. He scours through hundreds of highest quality magazines searching for colors, words, and phrases. Every detail in the collage is an individual cut out. Nothing is painted on or manipulated with a computer. Everything is cut out by hand with an X-Acto knife, glued together carefully, and then varnished. The end result is a distinctive form of artwork in which you can see something different every time you look at it

10/08/2017

Local Las Vegas exhibitor Marlene Stidham-Reid will be showing her unique jewelry at the very last show of The Craft Festival Nov. 3-5 at Cashman Center.

At IslandGirlz Designs we are always amazed by the things people discard. The challenge is in discovering the beauty and functionality in these cast-offs. IslandGirlz Designs gives new life to old books, maps, game pieces, bullet casings and other "trash" as part of our effort to preserve and protect our planet for future generations. Each and every finished piece incorporates a recycled component which is often the focal point of an individual design.
Years ago I started out in the craft business out of necessity as a single mom of two sons. Upcycling everyday items into wearable and functional art came naturally, born out of the need to get as many uses out of things as possible while spending the least amount of cash! It was empowering when I realized people actually wanted to buy my designs!
Back then, just as it is today, my designs are inspired by so many things. First and foremost, I am a child of the '70s and still have that mentality that everyone should take the opportunity to make a difference in the world. Upcycling "trash" is my way of trying to reduce our carbon footprint on the planet. I want my grandson to enjoy all the natural wonders the world has to offer.
Secondly, I am my father's daughter. He was the ultimate recycler even before recycling became politically correct. My father was raised during the Great Depression and was the third youngest of ten brothers and sisters. I think he invented the words reuse, recycle and repurpose! I remember the many walks I took with him which really translated into picking up aluminum cans! Now I smile whenever I think of how proud he'd be to see what I create out of "trash".
These days creating wearable and functional art from recycled items has become a true passion. IslandGirlz Designs invites you to share in this passion with one of our unique designs!!

08/15/2017

The news this year that Cashman’s convention areas will close left the trade and consumer show organizers surprised and scrambling to find space for the events they often book over a year in …

04/08/2017

https://www.reviewjournal.com/news/politics-and-government/las-vegas/las-vegas-officials-assist-organizers-affected-by-cashman-closure/

The city of Las Vegas will hold a meeting with concerned trade show organizers whose events will be displaced when Cashman Center facilities are mothballed at the end of the year.

04/08/2017

https://www.reviewjournal.com/business/tourism/shutting-down-cashman-center-a-problem-for-event-organizers/

Organizers of community events staged at exhibit halls at Cashman Center are scrambling to find new places once Cashman is mothballed by city officials at the end of the year.

03/26/2017

https://www.facebook.com/CityOfLasVegas/

Here is a link to the City of Las Vegas page. Let them know how you feel.

Official updates from City Hall in downtown Las Vegas.

03/25/2017

Dear Friends:

We are really sad about this. I have looked at all potential exhibit halls in the Las Vegas valley. They are either too small, way to big, not affordable, not available, union labor problems, no parking, no available dates etc. There is no other place for The Craft Festival. Believe me i have looked for many years.

This decision is not mine, it was forced upon me. I would have loved producing The Craft Festival at Cashman Center for another 10-20 years.

Sincerely Yours

Steve Powers Show Director since 1983

03/25/2017

http://www.reviewjournal.com/business/tourism/lvcva-turn-over-cashman-center-city-las-vegas-early

The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority will turn Cashman Center over to the city of Las Vegas earlier than anticipated to focus its efforts and resources on the convention center expansion.

03/25/2017

It is with much regret that i must inform you that our upcoming show on November 3, 4, 5 will be our very last event in Las Vegas. Actually it will be THE VERY LAST CRAFT SHOW EVER AT CASHMAN CENTER.

The city fathers of Las Vegas have decided that it is in YOUR BEST interest to close Cashman Center Exhibit Hall and Civic Theater on December 31, 2017 permanently. Cashman Center was the only public community center in the City for events for local citizens. What a shame!

Please mark it on your calendar and come say goodbye to all of your favorite exhibitors this coming November.

Regretfully yours,

Steve Powers show director since 1983