Friday, May 29, 2009

Tefi's Crafty Good Times

Life with Ian is, well, busy. It's incredible and magnificent, but makes keeping up with Tefi stuff rather difficult. I've been forced to become even more of a planner than I already was before. (Wha? Is that possible?) So tonight I plan to make bobbies and rings out of these super cool vintage BINGO and LOTTO markers I ordered from Etsy seller ScrapsOfTime. If I ever lay off taking pictures of Ian, I'll try to get around to taking pics of these new sweet creations. Gonna try to mix in media like buttons and fuzzy wool felt, too. Fun! With any luck, Ian will drift off around 9:30 after his last nursing session of the night, and won't wake up until...4:30am. Hmm. Is that asking too much?

Thursday, May 28, 2009

Oh, Inverted World!

Lookie What I Made
I just love the assymetry of this new piece I call Oh, Inverted World.

This necklace is lovingly handmade with pure Thai Hill Tribe silver charms (a sweet poppy and two majestic leaves) and malachite stones. This gemstone is such a rich, deep green that you don't see in any other stone. The pink Czech crystals on the right balance out the large leaf on the left.

This one-of-a-kind piece is available in my Etsy shop, but if it isn't snagged soon, I just may have to keep it for myself.

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Tefi Loves: Janet Hill Studio

This afternoon, as I was doing one of my usual Etsy browsings, I came across a sweet, vibrant painting by Janet Hill Studio on the front page treasury. It's a collection of crisp summer dresses (below). If I were a fashion designer I would hang this smack in the middle of my studio for daily inspiration. (Update: The Summer Dresses print was just purchased as I was attempting to order it myself. When she relists it, I plan to buy it and hang it in my studio, even tho I'm no fashion designer).
Naturally, I clicked on the dresses print, which took me to her Etsy shop and I quickly resumed browsing through her paintings. The artist focuses mainly on still lifes of colorful, feminine apparel and scenes from different rooms in a home I wished I lived in. She paints alcoves, mantels and tabletops that seem to me as if I'm peeking into someone else's life, perhaps a life lived in a poem.




Location: Stratford, Connecticut


Hair Treasures

A couple of my hair pretties made it into two Etsy treasuries today. What a lovely surprise!
Thanks to CJ Adornments for featuring my Opah! bobbies in her Grecian Summer treasury. These were also featured in The Dallas Morning News' Guide last year. Opah, indeed!




So what's a treasury? It's a user-created selection of handmade items available on Etsy, the world's premier online marketplace for all things handmade. These treasuries expire real soon, so check them out NOW!

Friday, May 22, 2009

Tefi Loves: Birthday Cake

Sing along: Happy birthday to me. Happy birthday to me. Happy birthday, happy birthday. Happy birthday to me! Today is my birthday (same as Morrissey and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle) and I'm ready for cake. I think I'll start with these!
Amigurumi Birthday Cake $15 Shop: http://www.amygaines.etsy.com/ Location: Shrewsbury, Mass. Real Men cake toppers $5.85 Shop: http://www.thepeach.etsy.com/ Location: San Luis Obispo, CA Mini Donut Ornament $8 Shop: http://www.midnightsnack.etsy.com/ Location: Dallas, TX Fellow Etsy Dallas member Cherry Pie necklace $10 Shop: http://www.fakerybakery2.etsy.com/ Location: Reynoldsburg, OH Frosted Cupcake candle $8.99 Shop: http://www.theclackhouse.etsy.com/ Location: Pitts, GA

Monday, May 18, 2009

Cutest Couple of the Year


Pam + Dylan = ADORABLE. Dig the toe pop!


Thanks to The Vanity Stand for kickin' it at the Etsy Dallas Spring Bash. Too bad I didn't get a chance to sneak away from my crazy busy booth to get my pic taken (boo-hoo me).

"Best Show In Dallas, Ever"

That's what I overheard time and again at Etsy Dallas' first ever Spring Bash. There was non-stop traffic, with a slight lull that lasted about 3 minutes. Then at 4:42 the crowds finally began to subside, but then it was time to pack up. Incredible! A huge thank you to Dallas shoppers who came out to support their local craft collective and spend a little dough, even when the purse straps are a bit tight these days. We thank you! It looks like all that promotion and marketing we did paid off. (Who knew I could write a killer press release?) I credit a huge chunk of all of this to Miss Pamela Michelle, my co-conspirator in the Bash. She did all the pretty, pretty graphics and makes me jealous that I was never too good at painting and drawing. Some of my favorite press moments: Daily Candy D Magazine NBC DFW (and we were on Channel 5, as one of the "Things to do in Dallas"!) Make: Zine KERA's Art+Seek Dallas Observer I blame the huge crowds of shoppers on this incredibly fantastic press. Whoo-hoo! To see more press coverage for the Bash, click here. Sadly, there was so much I'm not able to list it all. If you do a Google search, you will make it to PAGE 20 (you heard me right) before the promotion begins to subside. *jaw dropping* But the best thing is, all of our vendors had a good time. That's what matters most to me. That, and the huge wad of cash I walked away with. Holla!!! What's Next? 2009 Jingle Bash Saturday, November 21 @ Sons of Hermann Hall MARK THOSE CALENDARS!!

Sunday, May 17, 2009

Tefi Loves: Christina Likes

Okay, so I may be a bit biased. After all, Christina did spend the afternoon at yesterday's Spring Bash (a lot more on that later), and she did come by my booth to introduce herself (she's adorable!). And then, she went on to feature a ton of Spring Bash vendors on her blog, Christina Likes, including one of my Big Balls. Bookmark her blog and stay tuned to her new Etsy shop Paper Fingers. Seriously, what's not to love about Christina Likes? Shop: http://www.paperfingers.etsy.com/ Blog: http://www.christinalikes.com/ Location: Dallas, Texas

Thursday, May 14, 2009

We Made Dail Candy (OMG)

Do you want to make a bunch of handmade crafters hyperventilate? It's easy. Just feature them in the Daily Candy Weekend Guide.
HOLY COW!!!And not only did we make it in, but we are the FIRST item, and this includes a photo of the new unofficial Etsy Dallas mascot - an owl pin by member Silla Soup.

Am I bragging? Oh yes. Do I want to see you at the Bash this Saturday? You betcha.

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Tefi Loves: Plush Creatures

Arrrrgh. Hug us; kiss us. Won't you take us home?







Location: Dallas, Texas

Fellow Etsy Dallas member



Location: Roscommon, Michigan



Location: Montreal, Quebec



Location: Cincinatti, Ohio



Location: Port Clinton, Ohio





Plaid Kitty $24 Shop: http://www.stitchface.etsy.com/ Location: Toronto, Ontario

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Oh My Stars: More Bash Press

Dallas Observer by Merritt Martin Craft Gossip blog Examiner.com by Vanessa Brown Craftophile blog Did I mention all of the following are FREE? FREE Raffle FREE Admission FREE Make & Take crafts FREE Whoo-hoo!

Press for Me - Wheeeeeee!

I was super duper thrilled to see two articles about the upcoming 1st Annual Etsy Dallas Spring Bash featuring quotes by yours truly.

Many thanks to Jenn Emerson for her article in Hello Dallas, which features Etsy Dallas members Designing Diva and Silla Soup, and guest vendor adaptive reUse who comes to the Bash all the way from Austin!

I also tip my crafty hat to Lyndsay Knecht Milne for her article in NBC DFW About Town, featuring Etsy Dallas member Scribble Scrabble and me, and guest vendor Laura Davis Design Lab.

Thank you, lady scribes! I *heart* the support of the Dallas media. To read more press I have received, go HERE.

And go ahead and raise the roof. (whoop! whoop!)

Monday, May 11, 2009

Tefi Loves: Feeling Stitchy



Oh my. I am in love. Just came across a bright new blog called Feeling Stitchy. Perusing the photographs and blog posts allows me to imagine a world where I have the time and energy to use all of the floss, muslin, hoops and needles in my studio to stitch up a storm. In fact, while on maternity leave I was able to complete two embroidery projects of freeform trees + houses for Ian's nursery, but haven't gotten around to framing or photographing them. Shame on me! Stay tuned; I just might get it together some day. In the meantime, check out Feeling Stitchy and enjoy the pretty, pretty colors and shapes. Blog: http://www.feelingstitchy.com/ Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/groups/54791047@N00/

Friday, May 8, 2009

Dallas Observer Splash

Whoo-hoooo! I'm so thrilled to see our first ever Spring Bash splashed across the masthead of the Dallas Observer web site. Super mega uber thanks to South Side on Lamar for setting this up for us. Since it can't be there forever and ever, I'm including a couple of screenshots below. Support your local handmade collective by stopping at the Bash and spending some time and dollars on great handmade goods. Free crafts! Free admission! Free raffle! Free goody bags! Free good times! Smiles by the gallon!
Uber thanks to Patricia and Susie for taking these screenshots for the team!

Poor Dirk

Here in Dallas we love Dirk, and we take our basketball very seriously. That's why, during the second round of the basketball championships, it's really hard to see our gentle giant go through such a personal tragedy. Chin up, Nowitski! Dallas is behind you 100%. [Psssssst: If you click on the link above to read about Dirk's drama, check out the supercool banner ad at the top of the Dallas Observer site. Awww yeah!]

Wednesday, May 6, 2009

Orange Pretty

I was honored to be featured in the following treasury starring other Spring Bash vendors and their pretty orange handmade goods. Thank you Katie of Two Hills Designs for curating this! [Click the image to see the goods up close.]

It's On Like Donkey Kong

I have a meeting tomorrow with South Side on Lamar to finalize Spring Bash stuffs. Pam, Mandi and I will do our best to make sure this Bash is tip-top fabulous. Exciting! This show is going to be so much fun. I am so excited about the line-up this year. Have you met all of our wonderful vendors? Tomorrow night I'm heading to Larry's to help Mandi (our Decorations Leader) and a bunch of other Etsy Dallas volunteers make some origami birds to decorate the Artist's Quarter at South Side where our booths will be set up. Fold, fold, fold. And guess who is screenprinting our famous Goody Bags for the first 50 shoppers.... If you guessed Dowdy Studio, you are correct! Get there early to snag one of these collectibles chock full of free goodies, promos and coupons. Read about my contribution to these bags. See you at the Bash! (Saturday, May 16th, 11am-5pm)

Fatso

Before the obesity epidemic swept across the nation, there was Fatso, a surprisingly sweet movie starring the recently deceased Dom DeLuise (d. May 4th) and Anne Bancroft (hellooooh Mrs. Robinson). From imdb.com: "Dominick has always been a big kid who loved eating. It was his favourite thing. Then his cousin dies from health complications due to a lack of exercise and improper diet. Antoinette, Dominick's sister, makes him promise to see a diet doctor and lose some weight. This is very hard for Dominick, but he tries. He also finds motivation when he meets Lydia, and he discovers a love that is more intense than his love of food. He spends so much time kissing and walking around with Lydia that he no longer eats as many unhealthy things, and he loses weight without even trying."
When I watched this movie years ago, I had no idea I would love it so much. I even cried at the end - happy tears. Here's to you Dom! Hope you're enjoying a hot dog in heaven.

Sunday, May 3, 2009

New Pottery Shard Pieces

Fresh new designs just in time for Spring and Mother's Day! All designs available in my Etsy Shop and all come with a FREE gift box.

Visit the Pottery Shards section of my shop to purchase online, or stop by Move Studio in north Dallas where I sell other one-of-a-kind Pottery Shard designs.