I’m getting ready (and feeling pretty on top of things) for the Renegade Craft Fair happening this coming Saturday and Sunday. I have most of my inventory made, just need to finish a few items and get some labeling issues ironed out. I have my display ideas finalized, just need to actually make one piece and tweak another. And, most importantly, my boothmates and I had a practice run for our space set-up and I couldn’t feel more confident in our awesome teamwork, professionalism, and handmade magic.
In addition to sharing space with April Wright, I have two other crafty ladies to boast on.
Stephanie Friedman of The Flashbulb makes gorgeous sewn art pieces. She then photographs each piece and creates prints and cards from the images. One can purchase the cards, prints (framed or unframed), and even the original sewn creation. Each one is unique, full of color, and totally wonderful!
Maggie Murphy of Assorted Musings by Maggie makes lovely crocheted and knitted wearables. Crafting with many types of yarn and buttons, materials are often chosen for their sensible washability as well as gorgeous color combinations. Some yarns are even made from recycled plastic bottles! Each of her bright and cheery items is one-of-a-kind and completely special.
Stop by Booth #37 this weekend to see everything these fine crafters have to offer!
I haven’t done First Thursday since late last summer. The EtsyAustin Team’s regular space ran into some issues and had to cancel all future participation. I’ve been wishing to try it again since I had a few sales and a lot of really positive comments from browsers. Plus, hanging out in Austin on a nice spring evening with other crafters is always fun.
Recently, the team found a new spot and organizer, so the regular showing of the handmade magic is back on. We will be located near Hey Cupcake! on the east side of the 1600 block of South Congress. Everyone will be set up by 4pm and stay until dark.
In addition to my usual wares, I’ll be sharing a tent with April Wright (who is also a tent buddy for Renegade next week). Her jewelry and wine charms are fantastic. She designs and draws each piece on shrinkable plastic, which makes every item one-of-a-kind. Her images are bright, original, and totally cool.
Join 11 Spicewood artists, galleries, and vineyards for a self-guided spring Art and Wine Tour April 17th and 18th from 11am to 5pm!
I’m proud to have my earrings on display at the League Studio and Gallery (#2 on the Tour) along with the newest cactus and abstract works by Martha League-Calhoun and many other local artists and artisans, including Dena Wenmohs, Joe Blanford, Albert Shults, Julie Peyton, Valerie Eff, Shelly Lewis, and several others! Paintings, glasswork, ceramics, jewelry, and other unique kind items make up the locally handmade offerings.
The wildflowers are at their peak, so the drive down Bee Creek Road is paved with bluebonnet sidewalks and are sure to take your breath away!
Visit www.ArtandWine.org for more information and for a printable map.
Or pick up a map at League Studio and Gallery, 18218 W. Hwy 71, Spicewood, Tx 78669
If you can’t make this weekend’s tour, there are more chances to view some fabulous art and handmade goods. Following the weekend of April 17th and 18th,the League Studio and Gallery will be open regularly through the spring season: Thursday – Saturday, 11am – 5pm. If you would like to visit another day, please call 512-587-5311 for an appointment.
Click the poster for the giant list of excellent vendors.
Hope to see you there!
My Fine Handmades have made it into another really great store, Goods East. This shop is really like an art gallery where almost every item is specially created by a unique artisan. Recycled, upcycled, antique, vintage, and original art works fill the space, as does a cool, laid back vibe of exploration and creativity. Welcoming all sorts but focusing on natural materials, Goods East is a much-needed spot on the East Side.
The shop, located at 1601 East Cesar Chavez, is open Wednesday through Sunday from 10am to 6pm, with an open house every Sunday afternoon. During South By Southwest, they will host a variety of performers and artists, and will offer special walk-in recording services to capture festival experiences. This shop has a totally unique take on the Austin artist experience and are definitely worth checking out.
New show alert! I will be vending tomorrow on South Congress with a bunch of other really talented artists and crafters. This location has been around for a few months with folks vending every Saturday, but I’m trying them out for the first time. The EtsyAustin Team has designated the 3rd Saturday of every month to participate en masse, so look for 20+ artists on March 20th.
It’s called the 78704 Artisan Market and it happens every Saturday from 11am to 6pm on the west side of South Congress at Gibson. It’s right next to the always awesome Hotel San José and in the heart of what’s happening. It’s free to attend, and while parking can be tricky, it will totally be worth it.
Other vendors I know who will also be there are…
Pauline with Coral Reef Dreams
Jasmine with The Jasmine Gallery
Kelly with GemJunkie
Megan with DemiDuval won’t be vending, but she will be there taking photos for the EtsyAustin blog.
Fun and fun! The WonderCraft Grand Opening show was loaded with great finds, great food, and especially great people. I, luckily/unluckily, was placed directly next to The Cupcake Bar, where I got to watch a million people go by with a million different combinations from the customize-your-cupcake offerings. They were all grinning. Toward the end of the show, I decided on chocolate with pink cream cheese icing and M&Ms, and then I was grinning.
Of course, I was grinning before that because there were so many wonderful shoppers in attendance. Great taste and great attitudes was the theme of the evening. I received a lot of compliments, a few sales, and even a custom order. I debuted my new martini picks, which also received big love.
Packaging including olive sticker made by Joe
Sterling silver, hematite, glass
If you missed the event, or attended but haven’t stopped thinking about that one thing you should have gotten, then check out the vendor list again.
Come tie one on with The WonderCraft as it celebrates its landing at The Art Pad, a walk-in mosaic studio offering art supplies, gifts, parties & classes, and now home to Lapis Lane, a Bead Boutique. The WonderCraft has joined The Art Pad and Lapis Lane Beads to become the latest crafting destination in Austin.
The theme of the party is neckties, bring one or wear one, they’ll be crafting with them all night. $3 to participate in the neck tie craft, otherwise it’s a free event. The first 25 guests will receive gift bags chock full of handmade items, samples and other goodies.
The party will also feature locally handmade goods from annemarie, Austin Art Metals, Baby Bolt, Craft Chi, DeLisa Designs, Frou Frou Skincare, Gypsy Harte, Merritt Gade, Nepenthe’s Bathtime, Pigsey Art, pommes frites, SoCo Divka Designs, Squid Ink Kollective, & Sweet Wolf.
While you’re there, you can enjoy tasty treats from fabulous sponsors, including Blue Note Bakery, Apothecary Cafe & Wine Bar, and The Cupcake Bar.
Austin favorites, and the ever-popular button maker will be there. Photo booth by Lucinda Lewis.
The WonderCraft is located at The Art Pad at 4520 Burnet Road, Austin, TX, 78756
This weekend I’m participating in the EtsyAustin Craft Riot! A Handmade Revolution in Shopping. This is the first stand-alone team event I’ll be a part of since joining and am sure it’s going to be a success. There are a lot of very motivated and organized people on the planning committee and the vendor list is incredible.
I have a lot going on this month, including the Blue Genie Art Bazaar, so my inventory is almost all fresh. I have just a few of the lingering pieces to bring to the event, and am excited to show off a couple new designs. Since the Craft Riot! is being held at Wines.com, a wine distributor out of East Austin, I have been exploring a few wine related items. Cute cheese picks and wine glass charms in colorful plastic-coated wire and glass beads are completed, and I’m aiming to add martini garnish sticks and maybe a wine bottle stopper or two to the mix. Just like my jewelry, it’s important to me to not just copy what I’ve seen, but try to create these non-jewelry things in my own style. I do experiment with looks and often come up with pieces that aren’t that original, but I usually do that just once and move on. The cheese picks are definitely made by me, but you’ll have to come to the event to see them. An added bonus to this project is thinking about cheese while I work. Goat cheese!
Here is info about the Craft Riot!
What: Over 25 EtsyAustin hand-crafters who make quality items in all sorts of mediums selling their goods in a relaxed and festive atmosphere. Wines by the glass and bottle, chocolate by Holy Cacao, and other delicious treats to enjoy while shopping or purchase as gifts. There will even be a photo booth with Santa! The $3 entrance fee comes with a drink ticket for either a glass of wine or bottle of water. The first 25 guests per day get a goodie bag full of treats from the vendors.
When: Saturday, December 5th from 10am to 8pm and Sunday, December 6th from 11am to 7pm
Where: Wines.com headquarters, 5005 Commercial Park Drive, ATX, 78724
Why: Buying handmade means your gifts are packed with love and shopping locally keeps our community thriving and healthy.
Who: You!
I’m calling this one a success. I’m tired, sore, and sunburned, but I made some new friends, met some new shoppers, and earned a decent wad of cash. Saturday was cold and overcast, and set-up was clunky due to a co-vendor not showing up with her tent, but once we got that ironed out, things were pretty good. Traffic seemed slow and we all agreed that if we weren’t doing the show, we’d be at our homes being cozy and quiet. The pace of the day did allow for looking at the art inside Flatfork Studios and Smith Road Studios, where we were located, and I was never at a loss for company and good conversation. Sunday was warm and bright and full of smiling art lovers looking for handmade goodness. We reorganized our tent and table set-up to be more open, allowing for folks to really browse, and it was the last day of the tour so it seemed like people were in a buy-it-when-you-see-it mode. We handed out tons of postcards for the EtsyAustin Street Team and our upcoming Craft Riot! as well.
One important thing learned from this show is that I really never know what people are going to take home. I make earrings sometimes as experiments in styles or colors and when they don’t work for me, I just put them with the other strange ones and move on. At least half of what was purchased from me this weekend were those one-offs. I love when any of my items finds their owner, but I was genuinely surprised that so many of my funky loners were taken. I’ll never stop experimenting, of course, but E.A.S.T. solidified that there’s someone for each of my “mistakes” and I can keep trying without any real failure.
Another thing learned–if I can park my car nearby, there’s really no reason not to throw in extra stuff like gloves, scarves, and sunscreen, no matter what the weatherman says.
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