Fete Paradiso returning to New York!

Yay!  Fete Paradiso announced this month that they are returning to New York City this summer!

Fete Paradiso is the world’s first traveling festival of vintage carnival rides and carousels.  The rare, museum-quality collection, which includes a diverse array of attractions from the late 19th and early 20th centuries, such as carousels, flying swings and a pipe organ are made available for the public to ride and enjoy every weekend in the summer.

They will most likely be returning to Governors Island but check their facebook page for exact dates and location.

Here are a few pictures I took from my last unforgettable visit.

A bicycle carousel from the late 19th century – one of only two in the world that were created in Paris to encourage the use of what was then the new mode of transportation – the bicycle.  This ride was tiring as it is solely powered by it's riders.  But once we all got into rhythm it went faster than any merry go round I've ever been on.

An early 20th century Music-Hall Ball Guzzler, a carnival game that features life-size caricatures of Josephine Baker, Charlie Chaplin and other celebrities of the time.

All of Fête Paradiso’s historic amusements will be painstakingly constructed by a French family of artisans who specialize in repairing and constructing museum-quality carousels. The group will be flown to New York to build the attraction, which will be enjoyed by visitors of all ages.

What better classic toy is there than a good ol' paper airplane?  Any one can make it and I'm sure everyone has.

The origin of folded paper gliders is generally considered to be of Ancient China, although there is equal evidence that the refinement and development of folded gliders took place in equal measure in Japan. Certainly, manufacture of paper on a widespread scale took place in China 500 BCE, and origami and paper folding became popular within a century of this period, approximately 460-390 BCE. It is impossible to ascertain where and in what form the first paper aircraft were constructed, or even the first paper plane's form.

In recent times, paper model aircraft have gained great sophistication, and very high flight performance far removed from their origami origins, yet even origami aircraft have gained many new and exciting designs over the years, and gained much in terms of flight performance.  There have been many design improvements, including velocity, lift, propulsion, style and fashion, over subsequent years.

Go ahead, give yourself a break and act like a kid a again and Click Here to watch a great video to be reminded how to make an awesome flying paper airplane.

In honor of this being my last Nostalgic Toys post for the ETSY NY Team Blog, I created a new surprise ball in the shape of an airplane.  It can be purchased from my Watermelon Party shop.

Nostalgic Toys ~ Weaving Looms

Weaving loom toys date from an era when children often amused themselves by making things and doing crafts. Children felt proud when they created beautiful potholders, scarfs,and other practical items that they could use at home or give as gifts.  

Weaving loom toys gave hours of constructive amusement and fun to girls and boys alike. The kits didn't take up a lot of space, they weren't messy and they were perfect for a long car ride or sick days spent in bed.  A weaving loom was a toy that could foster personal expression and build self-esteem.  Vintage inspired weaving looms are available for purchase online at Amazon.com and HobbyLobby.com.

If you'd like to see results of REAL weaving,  Etsy NY Team member, Jean Poli of Fiber Dance Weaving Studio spends countless hours creating exquisite blankets and throws that are woven on a traditional hand loom using only the best natural fiber yarns.

Sweet Girl Sweet Boy

New to M Ann M Creations!

A collection of miniature scenes of a sweet little girl or a sweet little boy in a setting based on an inspiring or memorable quote.   

I just love making these cute little dioramas, most of which are inspired by my children.  I have so many ideas for new scenes so more creations will be added soon!  

Sweet Girl Sweet Boy creations can be purchased through my M Ann M Creations ETSY shop.

Nostalgic Toys ~ Colorforms

Founded in 1951, Colorforms is one of the oldest and best-known brands in the toy industry. It was the very first plastic-based creative toy, and one of the first toys ever advertised on television.

www.Colorforms.com

Colorforms are paper-thin, die-cut vinyl sheet images and shapes that are meant to be applied to a shiny plastic laminated board, much like placing paper dolls against a paper backdrop. The images stick to the background by adhesion, which takes place when two highly polished surfaces come in contact. The Colorforms vinyl pieces can be repositioned to create new designs and scenarios.

Colorforms oddly enough grew out of the progressive trend in the 1950's to create toys that were somehow beneficial to a kid's psychological well-being: these were (ostensibly) toys that helped kids learn and grow through play, stimulating their imaginations and creativity. To that end, the first Colorforms set was made up of little plastic shapes, of different colors. Kids could combine the shapes and colors to make their own pictures of whatever they liked. 

The 1970's was probably the hayday of Colorforms, with dozens of sets devoted to such subjects as Evel Knievel, Star Trek, or Holly Hobbie. But the brand survives to this day, and as millions of kids discover to their delight, despite the obvious enticements of modern video amusements, this simple little plastic and cardboard toy can still offer many hours of quiet imaginative fun.  

Artistic Maturity

Every year or so I experience a creative shift in life where I abandon an art medium or subject.  It comes naturally and without want or effort - it just happens.  (And looking at other artists' work, I know that I am not alone).  For example, I remember long ago that I used to LOVE sewing.  After that I fell in love with making dried flower arrangements.  And after that came card making.  But alas, ever since I started card making, my favorite medium to work with has steadily remained to be the same - PAPER.

But even working with paper, my creative topics have shifted.  About 7 years ago, I used to love making cardboard Jack-in-the-boxes.  I had grand plans to make Jack-in-the-boxes in every size and theme and even though they sold really well, I gradually got tired of making them.   Then came paper-mache Hot Air Balloons.  Sure enough, even after years of finally perfecting my paper-mache technique, the Hot Air Balloons were replaced.  Now!, "making paper Art Dolls would surely be here to stay!" I said.  It only makes sense! because it combines my love of paper and my love of dolls! But no, I recently realized that even my art dolls are becoming tiresome.

I wish that I could just find something that I like and stick with it!....But I guess that's part of growing up...I guess you can call it artistic growth...artistic maturity.

Either way, through all these years, I've really enjoyed making everything that I did.  I've learned alot about paper and the different kinds and different materials used to make paper.  The endless ways you can manipulate it into making almost anything you want!  I guess my creative topics have changed because my knowledge has changed.  This reminds me of a quote by oil painter Pal Strisik,   "(Artists) mature in a slow and natural way. . . .  It may take ten years to develop your skills.  But nothing is lost, for you've still lived all those years.  The (art) you do five years from now can only be done five years from now.  You can't rush it, and it can't be done tomorrow."

So here's to a new year! Hello 2015!  I welcome any new thing you have in store for my hands to create!

Handmade Cavalcade tomorrow!

I am honored to have had my artwork chosen for this year's banner at the Etsy NY Handmade Cavalcade.  And with it being at the famous Chelsea Market, it promises to be the best Cavalcade yet!

Stop by my table on Saturday, December 13th 10-8 pm to see some new artwork and to receive a free gift from M Ann M Creations!