Artists' backstories are as interesting as their work

Strike up a conversation with any crafter or artist at a show, and you’ll usually hear an interesting backstory. Natalie Norman is just one of these people. No doubt you’ve seen her selling her warm, fuzzy mittens at various shows, but it’s the waist bag she was wearing at the recent Salem Covenant Church Art Fair that caught my eye, and thus the questions began.

Norman makes Swedish “kjolvaskas.” She collects vintage Swedish needlework, honed the embroidery designs over the years and incorporates them into new bags. “I would say that the new ones are inspired by the old,” she said. Her passion for this specialized needlework earned her an invitation from the governor to meet with the king and queen of Sweden; and the princess has a special bag (and even one for her doll) created by Natalie. She was also invited to the Swedish Embassy in Washington D.C. to meet dignitaries from the Scandinavian country. Her kjolvaskas are available at the American Swedish Institute and the Gammelgarden Museum in Scandia. Pure Serendipity will be at three shows this holiday season: Saturday, Nov. 21- Christ Presbyterian Church Edina Holiday Boutique. Saturday, Dec. 5- Hudson Holiday Boutique- Saturday, Dec. 12- Womens Art Festival

Three years old- and past the terrible twos

Three years ago this coming weekend Pure Serendipity made its debut at the ‪‎Salem Covenant Church‬ holiday arts and crafts fair (Photo). It's taken a lot of commitment to keep this fledgling business going and I admit it, sometimes, especially during the second year, when the newness began to wear off, I just wanted to give it up. However, what's kept my going are the wonderful, gifted women/artists that I have met through this adventure; the joy of having my creative wheels always moving me forward in new directions; but mostly, that Pure Serendipity has brought me closer to my daughter - a gift of such magnitude that there are no words to express my gratitude I'm excited to be celebrating my third anniversary at Salem Covenant Church this Saturday. Here are the details: Show: Nov. 7 Time: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Location: 2655 FIFTH STREET NW NEW BRIGHTON, MN 55112 Please stop by and say "Hi."