Farewell to the Gifts for Yule....

The 13th Annual Gifts for Yule was certainly bittersweet for all of its vendors and attendees this past weekend. We set up booth on Saturday morning knowing that this was the last show in a sweet tradition for Denver that lasted over a decade. Sam Robinson's vision for a vintage-inspired holiday fair grew into a wonderful event that so many of us looked forward to each November. I especially loved the unique blend of artisans and antique dealers that she included in this show as it was quite evident that we all shared a passion for nostalgia and the like. But with all things, nothing is permanent in life, and when the beautiful Phipps Tennis Pavilion sold to a private owner, the decision was made to bring this event to an end. We will always remember the merriment in the air, the sparkling eyes of excited shoppers, our vending friends that we anticipated reconnecting with and on and on. Thank you Sam for yet another memorable show and a history of enchanting events that none of us will ever forget. I was proud to be a part of this unique group of exhibitors that all had a passion for vintage holiday delights!

Included below is a collage of images we took right before the doors opened. With the glass ceiling and sunlight streaming in overhead, it is always a challenge to capture photos in the pavilion, especially when we have only minutes to spare. Regardless, I hope you enjoy!

~ Johanna


* A whimsical tree displays a series of my new holiday charms as ornaments...


* This festive grouping of winter characters greeted shoppers as they entered my booth...


* That's me in action right before the doors opened! JP has a bad habit of taking too many candid shots!!.... (delete, delete, delete!!.....)


* The wire frame from an old lampshade made for the perfect display to hang my "charming" necklaces on... I have to say, the price was right and these flew out my booth!


* Atop, my new reproduction snowman candy bowl proudly perched!


* A peek at my display reveals a fun variety of snowmen characters including the cloth snowguy at bottom left, designed by my mom!...


* After the first wave of shoppers rushed in, I had a moment to rearrange. Again, JP was snapping those candid shots! Look how lovely and dramatic the arched ceiling of this old tennis pavilion appeared!


* More snowmen and a few Santas added their festive cheer to my display...


* One of my illustrated charms is the focus here with other happy snowmen characters of mine awaiting adoption in the background....


* My snowmen lollipop ornaments dangle from a red feather tree....


* Again, more snowmen...


* And there's me stopping for a quick photo next to my cupboard of one of kinds....

Thanks to all who saved the date and joined us for the last of many wonderful Gifts for Yule events! We truly appreciate your support over the years and hope that this string of special shows will remain near and dear to you! Happy Holidays!

A Peek at the Gifts for Yule!...

Well, the forecasters were right this time, as we had a snowy weekend for the Gifts for Yule show. I must admit, it was very nostalgic when the holiday tune "Let it snow" was singing along, across the speakers, and large white flakes were falling outside. Luckily, we had a pause in the weather as the doors opened on Saturday, and the chilly air and snowy roads did not stop many shoppers from attending this festive event! Thank you to all who bundled up and came out to see us! Below are a few images from this fun event, so enjoy! And if you were unable to attend, please mark your calendar for our 7th Annual Holiday Folk Art Show and Open House at our home in Lakewood!... It will be here soon :) ~ Johanna



* That's me smiling and pleased to be all set up and ready for a fun show to start...

PS... for those wondering ~ my left hand and wrist were hurting on Saturday, so I wrapped it up to protect it. I think it's from tightly gripping my art while I sculpt and paint with my right... (workplace hazard...!!) Luckily, the pain left on Sunday :)


* A pair of my Snowmen Bauble reproduction ornaments nestle in an old vintage white tree...


* My various Santa reproductions grouped together and awaiting to meet holiday shoppers...


* There's my cute hubby who safely drove me and our trailer filled with goodies to this holiday event during a winter snowstorm...


* Cute little snowmen heads dangle from a green feather tree in my holiday display...

By the way, the old enamel kettle was my great grandmother's, and mom tells me she made the best Norwegian coffee in it for the holidays!.... I've obviously found a new use for it... I wonder if Grandma Hannah would approve...?


* A peek at my booth all decked out in Christmas cheer....


* More fun holiday reproduction characters of mine stand in unison....


* A festive collage offering just a peek at what the other artisan vendors had to offer at this fun event...


* More visions of eye candy offered by local exhibitors....


* A glimpse at my holiday display....

* © 2009 Johanna Parker Design *Photographs are the property of Johanna Parker and may not be used without permission.

Images from the Gifts for Yule...

Last weekend we celebrated the 11th Annual Gifts for Yule Show in Denver, but with a twist! This show, rich in holiday tradition, had a new face this year as Sam Robinson hosted it for the first time at the Historic Phipps Tennis Pavilion. Wow, what a beautiful setting for any special event! You will see from the photos below that the artisans enjoyed a glassy rooftop above our heads as our showroom featured a fabulous arched atrium ceiling. There was no need for special spotlights or other lighting as the sun rays filled our booths with natural light. The character and history of this special place was quite captivating. Thank you all who spent your weekend shopping with us! As always, we appreciate your kind words, smiles and support, and I hope you enjoyed our new, yet ancient location :)

~ Johanna


* A quick photo taken the last hour as exhibitors put the final touches on their displays... Look at that amazing glass ceiling!


* A snap of me peeking through my display of Santas and candy ornaments...


* One of two entrances... like stepping back in time....


* A wide shot of my booth featuring a festive theme of red & white...


* Red Belsnickels in various sizes enjoy the company of whimsical snowmen...


* A peek out back on an unusually warm November day reveals a sea of brick patterns and architectural elements that intrigue the eye....


* A quick look about and you see a gorgeous climbing tree, sprawled across a time-worn brick wall... What a peaceful place to enjoy the outdoors....


* Back inside and after the intense lunch rush, a few shoppers rest and enjoy hot soups and muffaletta sandwiches created by the talented Erika McNeish... Yum!


* My tall hutch, housing a current collection of my holiday one of a kinds....


* A feather tree displays candy-inspired ornaments that I designed for Primitives by Kathy....


* More of my holiday reproductions, including snowmen candle holders were a big hit!...


* A snap of Sam Robinson's long table of goodies for the home...


* A comfy seat above the exhibiting space below offers a different perspective...
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