Puerto Rican Artisan Fair This Past Saturday

This past Saturday I participated in my very first craft fair. I was among the 40 or so artists who had a table at the 5th Annual Puerto Rican Artisans Fair at Hostos Community College. I came armed with my friend Sheila who helped me set up and eased my anxiousness with her fair business experience. She felt sick that day but I was so grateful she took the time to help me out.


Sheila at the table



Julia de Burgos and Pedro Albizu tops

Anyway, I had a super time. It felt so great to be part of such a talented pool of artists that were also Boricua (Puerto Rican). There were painters, photographers, wood workers, dollmakers, etc. There was such a great feeling of support and encouragement as we went around to each other's tables.  My table was between Jorge Gonzalez, an amazing painter who uses collage elements, and Ivelisse Pabon, and artist and dollmaker. Jorge comes from North Carolina every year for the fair and Yvelisse makes makes her way from Massachussetes.  I realized how prestigious it is to be accepted in this arena. Towards the end there was music, and dancing and it felt like a casual get together with people I have known a lifetime. I am always proud of being Puerto Rican but on Saturday, there was a special connection I felt to my people that I had not felt in a long time. I need to do this more often.

Want to know the best part? When I saw my mom, my sister Melissa and my nieces walk through the door. I have to say that I did shed some tears at their show of support. My mom whispered how proud she was of me and my sister also gleamed with excitement. That meant the world to me. I also have to thank my hubby who was home sick taking care of my boys. I can't do Nelesc Designs without him.

My mom and I

My sister Melissa and I

Finally, a big shout out to Luis Cordero who organized the fair and encouraged me to apply. Luis runs cemiundergound.com where you could find cool Pedro Albizu Campos gear amongst other Puerto Rican items. I will be doing a feature on him in a future post. Enjoy the pics! There's more on my facebook fanpage if you would like to join. Just search for Nelesc Designs. God Bless!

Puerto Rican Artisan Fair in the Bronx is Where I'll Be!

This is where I will be on Saturday selling my Puerto Rican items !!!!! The 5th Annual Comité Noviembre Puerto Rican Artisans Fair & Exhibit, SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2010, Hostos Community College – 450 Grand Concourse, Bronx, NY, 11AM – 9PM.

I am super excited about participating and joining with 40 other Puerto Rican vendors. I plan to sell my tops, cuffs, and maybe some hats if I get to finish them in time! This is a great opportunity to meet my clients in person and get feedback on my work.

The Artisan Fair and Exhibit was established in 2006, in celebration of Comité Noviembre’s, 20th anniversary. Over 40 artesanos puertorriqueños from throughout the US and Puerto Rico participated and the event boasted an attendance of over 5000 people in this very first Fair. Last year’s Fair continued to exceed CN’s expectations with over 60 artisans participating and a steady 5000 people.

For the past four years, CN has transformed, Hunter College West Building and the Church of St. Paul the Apostle into a typical Puerto Rican plaza with a fountain, palm trees, piragua and coquito carts and artists, sculptors, vejigante mask makers promoting and selling their wares while musical and cultural acts entertained throughout the day. This year will be no different at Hostos. CN will also continue to conduct cultural workshops for children and adults, like mask making, the history of the three kings’ celebration, Taíno storytelling in order to make sure that our youth learn about our culture.

Workshops on prevention and screenings for diabetes, high blood pressure, cholesterol and other tests will also be conducted in Hostos’ state-of-the-arts Nursing Program facilities, and educational and preventative information will be distributed.

This FREE Fair will be advertised as an opportunity to kick-off the holiday shopping season by supporting our artesanos and at the same time kick-off the New Year healthy.

For more information visit us online at: http://ComiteNoviembre.org. If you are on Twitter, follow @comitenoviembre.