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By Merritt Gade, May 11, 2010 11:56 am

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!

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By Merritt Gade, May 5, 2010 12:03 pm

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.

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By Merritt Gade, April 29, 2010 10:55 am

And it’s not just big, it’s huge.  Renegade Craft Fair is coming to Austin for the first time ever and over 200 vendors, all artists and hand crafters, will be selling fabulous goods for two whole days!  My group included!

The Renegade Craft Fair takes place Saturday, May 15th and Sunday, May 16th from 11am to 7pm both days.  The venue is the Palmer Events Center, 900 Barton Springs Road, which means it is indoors and air-conditioned (also windproof, my favorite aspect).  It is FREE to attend, with garage parking for $7 a day.  In addition to the tons of excellent handmades, there will be music, food, activities for kids, workshops, a photobooth, raffles, and so much more.

My co-vendors are April Wright Designs, Assorted Musings by Maggie, and The Flashbulb.  All of our work is bright and colorful, so our booth is sure to entertain the eyes at every turn.  Everyone makes something different, so in addition to my jewelry, you’ll find knit wear and accessories. art quilts, hand drawn, wearable art, framed prints, and so much more.  We’re planning a giveaway for each day of the event so be sure to stop by and get your name in the drawing.  More about each of my boothmates over the coming weeks.

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By Merritt Gade, April 13, 2010 11:07 am

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 17^th and 18^th,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.

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By Merritt Gade, April 7, 2010 10:31 am

All things evened out in my favor.  I didn’t do quite as well as the SXSW weekend, but I certainly did better than the first weekend.  This past Saturday, I used a small, round table and a wire stand next to it for display.  I was near the front of the market again, under the shady live oaks.  It was a very lovely day with good foot traffic and nice neighbors.  I did get grackle pooped again, but I pretend that the “bird doody is good luck” superstition is indisputable fact, ignore my natural gag reflex, and move on.

I even had some visitors!

photo by Cheris Lifford

I will be doing this market again.

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By Merritt Gade, April 1, 2010 5:44 pm

I’m giving the 78704 Artisan Market another try.  I did it once at the beginning of March and did very, very poorly.  I did it again on the last day of SXSW in mid-March and did very, very richly.  Well, just regular.

Show 1 was on a Saturday; Show 2 on Sunday.

Show 1 was a space too big in a weird spot at the end of the center line; Show 2 was a smaller space toward the front of the lot.

Show 1 was a random date but one of the first sunny weekends for the year; Show 2 was a special event weekend where the town was still full of frisky visitors looking for fun finds.

I’m checking it out again because I can’t tell if the two different sets of circumstances were the main issue, or if my work just isn’t really a good fit for this venue.  It is easy to set up and break down, the price is great, the lot is lovely, and the organizers are pretty awesome to work with.  I can always hang out and talk to people and I have projects to work on, so it’s not like the whole day would be a bust.  I just need to see if it’s a reliable, good use of my time.  I like to feel like I deserve the margarita that I have at the end of a show.

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By Merritt Gade, March 30, 2010 10:27 am

The Cascade Style of earrings is one of my oldest designs.  I love to make them and love to figure out new combinations of metals.  They are one of my best sellers, especially the solid silver or solid gold.  They are also kind of big, like most of my earrings.

In an effort to offer smaller options, I came up with the Half Cascade Style.  I like them plain and kept a pair of these gold ones for myself.

My obsession with these hematite star beads hasn’t let up.

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By Merritt Gade, March 16, 2010 10:43 am

Click the poster for the giant list of excellent vendors.

Hope to see you there!

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By Merritt Gade, March 11, 2010 3:06 pm

There is a lot of hard labor that goes into working with one’s hands for a living.  My days are often spent hunched over my work table making pretties, then hunched over the sink cleaning them, and even hunched over the computer trying to get them into the hands and onto the bodies of the right people.  My back and shoulders are often sore and stiff, and my hands themselves are tattered, torn, and stiff as well.  I love it, though, so I’m not complaining.

One job duty I never really understood before I launched full-time was networking.  All I knew was that it didn’t sound like something a shy artist-type would like.  Basically, everything I thought it was came from movies and TV, which consisted of gross, phony behavior and boring events with bad coffee.  In the last few months, my thoughts have changed drastically.  For one, I’m not really as shy as I thought I was and have only met genuine, fascinating people.  And another, networking events can be awesome.  AWESOME!!!

Tomorrow, I will participate in the New Media Fashion Boutique Crawl.  Basically, I get to walk around downtown Austin with a bunch of cool ladies and tour a bunch of cool shops.  With champagne.  And great weather.

Everyone is welcome to come!

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By Merritt Gade, March 9, 2010 12:30 pm

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.