Here's a little photo essay walking you through all of my behind-the-scenes preparation for this Saturday's 3rd Annual Spring Bash. What you're seeing is the final stage of what has been a half-year-long process getting handmade product ready, reworking my displays, painting, swearing, cussing, loving and creating. If you aren't in Dallas, you have 2 more days to shop my goods in my Etsy shop before I close it down for the weekend.
{all taken with my new iPhone!!!}
fabric rings $8
super secret, newly-repainted beautiful display built by Dowdy Studio
hair clips and hair bobbies for $10 on my newly-painted pegboard display
pottery shard necklaces for $25 and all sorts of pretty earrings
With the spring show season kicking into full gear, and the amazing 3rd Annual Spring Bash just around the corner (April 30th @ South Side on Lamar in Dallas TX), here's my crafy show survival checklist, culled from years of doing shows and forgetting this and needing that. If you've got a "must have" that I've left off, let me know and I'll add it! Tefi’s Craft Show Survival Checklist calculator cash box small bills and coins sales receipt book clipboard business cards (lots!) price tags product signage pens Sharpies (black, red) glue stick clear tape duct tape stapler scissors note pad envelopes safety pins paper clips clothes pins Kleenex paper towels hand sanitizer wet wipes lip balm hand lotion first aid kit paper sacks gift tags tissue paper ziplocs zip ties bungee cord screwdriver pliers hammer tape measure power strip extension cord(s) garbage bag(s) rope/twine snacks bottled water charged cell phone umbrella deodorant
The Etsy Dallas team has joined up to offer a Texas sized giveaway in celebration of Spring. One lucky winner will win this entire Treasury of fabulous handmade goodies. All 16 items are going to be shipped to our luckiest reader! The entire package is valued at more than $260! Tell your friends, and they will love you for it. And the more you share the love, the better your chances of winning all of this handmade goodness. {Ways to Enter} 1) Sign into your Etsy Account and comment on this Treasury. 2) Share the love on your blog, Facebook page, or Twitter account. 3) Then, post in the comments below all the places you shared this giveaway. Our lucky winner will be chosen through random.org and announced on March 22, 2011. Sorry, this giveaway is only open to US residents. A Texas-sized thank you to the Etsy Dallas shops who generously contributed to this giveaway. Please stop by their shops to see all of the other fabulous goodies they have to offer: * DCImaginations *therufflyowl *beethings* oneupdesigns *sillasoup *redtilestudio * threeyellowstarfish*tefi*YellowBugBoutique *CutOutAndCollect *majoiepress * LaAlicia *ThePigAndThePeacock *muttsywonder *Karmacrochet *RegalCottage* And thank you to Jane Joss for curating this lovely collection. Reposted from the Etsy Dallas blog
Awhile back, my friend Cheyne of Cut Out and Collect was featured on Bella Pop Photography's blog. Thems some pretty photos! In fact, one of the pics has a handmade tefi item in it. Can you spot it? So, like...get ready to drool: {Cool Charity Alert} For each item sold in the month of March created with Japanese fabric, Cheyne will donate 10% of the sale price to the GlobalGiving targeted relief fund. Just search "Japanese" while in Cut Out and Collect's Etsy to see these items. Photos by Bella Pop Photography
Reposted from the Etsy Dallas blog; written and handmade by Cheyne of CutOutAndCollect When it came time to decorate for our Jingle Bash, the Deco Squad planners (Cheyne, Laura and Larry) really wanted to echo the theme created in our gorgeous event fliers, by our own Christina of paperfingers.We decided to make a very simple felt garland that played on her beautiful leafy design. We ended up liking the garland so much that we wanted to share how to make it! It's seriously quick, inexpensive, and very versatile. Not crafty yourself? Skip to the bottom to find out how you can win the tutorial example - a 12 foot handmade garland the perfect length to decorate a doorway or mantle!What you'll need: - felt* - scissors - thread to match your most frequently occurring felt color - sewing machin - holiday music playlist worthy of your awesomeness. (Wham!'s "Last Christmas" on repeat is clearly your only option.) - hot chocolate or coffee. (It works like magic, trust me.) * We approximate the felt turns into at least 6 feet of garland per half yard of 36" wide felt on the bolt. So if you'd like at least 18 feet, buy 1.5 yards total. This is approximate and will vary on the leaf size, the spacing when sewn together, and how conservatively you lay out your leafs for cutting.
STEP 1
Choose your garland color scheme and gather your supplies. The Deco Squad chose the colors to match our Jingle Bash artwork. I'd love to do a gorgeous aqua and silver/grey garland!
STEP 2
Turn up "Last Christmas" on high volume, get that hot chocolate close to you, find a table to get to cutting. This step is clearly very important.
STEP 3
Cut your felt into nice little leaves. We made the ones for the Jingle Bash fairly large because we need to cover larger areas. I made my example leaves about 3 inches long. If you're not comfortable with a trial and error approach of cutting directly on the felt, draw out some leaves on paper and hold/pin the paper to the felt and cut around your drawn shape. After you've found the shape and size you like, it's easy to hold the original leaf onto the felt and cut replicas. Don't like our shape or need to print out a template? Click here to help you find something you like.
STEP 4
Work out the placement of your leaves. I chose three colors for the example garland so the colors would alternate well. Tip: You can pin your leaves to each other or on to a tracing paper backing if you aren't comfortable with placing them as you sew. Just rip the tracing paper off after it's sewn together. I chose to skip this step because I found it was easier to play with the placement as I sewed. You should be able to keep a straight stitch down the middle of the garland, catching the bottom/side of each leaf as you sew down. If you chose not to pin your leaves together, just add each leaf as you sew, paying attention to placement. Here's a tiny video of how that's done:
Tip: You may find that stitching in a curve back and forth catches more of each leaf and make a more structured garland. Be prepared to play with it a bit! And don't be completely scared of the seam ripper if you don't like your first try! Warning! This requires your hands to be very close to the needle. Please be aware of where your hands are. I've sewn through my fingernail (not with this project). I don't recommend it. It doesn't leave a cool war wound, it's mainly just painful and scary.
STEP 6
Drape it up on your mantle, on your tree, or in the doorway. Pretty! Put your own spin on it! Sew some ribbon on the end to tie to things, sew a short version with ribbon ends and make a grecian headband, choose super high quality wool felt and make a scarf! Show us what you make!
Or skip all that and comment on this blog post to win our leafy garland. Include your email address and we'll pick a winner at random to receive our sample garland in the mail in time for Christmas! Comments close Wednesday December 15th at midnight. Reblog and link in the comments for a second entry! US residents only, please!
Pam and me, soaking in all our hard work organizing the 2010 Jingle Bash
OMG.
The 2010 Jingle Bash was so much fun and so, so much work. It's like I birthed another baby and he grew up in one night. Amazing!
I will be recapping in snippets since there is so much to share. First off, the Etsy Dallas photo booth was a ton of fun. Big thanks to my hubs, Jason Wright, for doing the photography, and friend, Eilene Walsh, for assisting. The two of them took some great shots and made a ton of money to be donated to The Smile Train in the name of the Jingle Bash.
And when I suggested we all get together for a group photo ala senior pic, I had no idea it would be this incredible:
2010 Jingle Bash Vendors + their favorite product
For some, the overriding theme of the night was, "IT'S TOO CROWDED." For them, this was a complaint. For me, it is the pinnacle in compliments. It means we did a phenomenal job getting people to come out and support local artists! Oh, and one other thing: It's the shopping season, people. Expect crowds.
As promised, the artists of the 3rd Annual Jingle Bash are hosting another Bash Bucks contest! Here's your chance to win Bash Bucks, redeemable only at the 2010 Jingle Bash on November 20th at the Palladium. Bash Bucks are like gift certificates you'll pick up the day of the Bash - and you can spend them at ANY participating artist's booth during the event. You can't go wrong. There are two ways to win!
(1) Comment On THIS Post Look through our Jingle Bash artistsand leave a comment below, telling us what you'd spend your Bash Bucks on. Include your email address! The commentswill close at 11:59pm November 15th and one lucky commenter will be picked at random to receive $30 in Bash Bucks. You can enter as much as you like, so get comment crazy.
(2) Tweet It Out Hop on Twitter and tweet about the Jingle Bash all you want. Add #DallasJingleBash and a link to this blog post or www.handmadebash.com in the text. You can tweet as much as you want until 11:59pm November 15th. We'll pick one tweet at random to receive $30 in Bash Bucks and a second tweet at random to receive $40 in Bash Bucks. You'll need to direct message your email address to us if you win. Feel free to copy and paste these tweet examples:
I'll be at the #DallasJingleBash Nov 20 to buy handmade holiday gifts! www.handmadebash.com
Retweet for a chance to win BashBucks for the #DallasJingleBash Nov 20 http://tinyurl.com/24rywap
If your comments or tweets aren't chosen, don't fret! We have some surprises just around the corner. - additional ways for you to win Bash Bucks.
Big thanks to Christina of paperfingers, fellow Etsy Dallas member, and now the 3rd Annual Jingle Bash's official artist! My co-conspirator, Pamela Michelle, normally does our show art, but she's got her hands full helping me plan the Bash + planning her own wedding coming up in October. Christina is donating her incredible talent to this year's Jingle Bash. Pretty pretty!
Pictured above is our official show flyer, which we are in the process of getting printed as we speak! Check out more versions of Christina's lovely artwork at the official Handmade Bash site.
My buddy, Larry Pile, snapped this photo at the recent Craft Party hosted by Etsy Dallas at Make - the largest Etsy Craft Party in the WORLD, mind you! In addition to DIY crafts, party punch and party favor bags, we (Etsy Dallas) had our very own photo booth starring Paco the donkey piñata, a backdrop by Laura Davis, and photographer Cheyne Little. Read more about the party here. Good times, y'all!
Want to get crafty with the best of us? Come on down to the first-ever Supplies Me! Art + Craft Supply Sale presented by Etsy Dallas. This is your chance to get your hands on some great crafty supplies from local handmade talents.
I'll be selling a ton of beads, pendants, charms, tools, and findings straight from my stash to yours. This is your chance to get some of Tefi's most prized possessions: JEWELERY SUPPLIES! Here's a sneak peek of what I will have to offer:
Most of my items up for sale run around $1.50 - some as low as fifty cents! Get lampwork pendants, pearls, pottery shard pendants, clasps, pewter charms, even pliers and cutters! I'll also have a pile of other random crafty supplies like stickers, ribbon and scrap paper. See you there!
This is an article I wrote for the Etsy Dallas/Handmade Bash blog. Enjoy! Holy Toledo, Batman! Several vendors - Silla Soup, Hip Hazel Hoops, and Wrap Couture - got a glimpse (and even talked with) super actor, Bradley Whitford at Saturday's insanely fun Spring Bash - our 7th show to date. Best known for his roles in The West Wing and Studio 60 (and lesser known role of a smarmy Fed in A Perfect World), Whitford is in Dallas filming his upcoming TV show The Good Guys. The [ahem, good-lookin'] actor took time out of his busy filming schedule to stop by the Bash in support local artists. Incredible! We are truly humbled and star-struck with his visit. Hey Bradley - did you buy anything? Email us! We are dying to know... More about The Good Guys (from Wikipedia): The series is being filmed primarily in Dallas, Texas and is making use of the Fair Park area as much as possible for its diverse shooting locations and so as not to disturb the residents. The show was originally planned to be set in Los Angeles until Dallas city officials convinced creator Matt Nix to set the show in Dallas. Nix said of Dallas, "It’s a great city to jump on the hood of a car." Production work on the series began in January 2010 and principal photography of the pilot wrapped in early February 2010. Cast members spent time shadowing their real-life Dallas counterparts to prepare for their roles.
Preparing for a huge art/craft event can make a gal go a little cuckoo. As we (me, Pam, Cheyne, Larry, Carrie, et al) prepare for our 7th big show, the following keeps us centered on a somewhat even keel. See you at the Bash!
Say that ten times fast. I'm super excited about the upcoming 2nd Annual Spring Fling, put on by Jessica and Joe of Funky Finds. It's this Saturday from 9am-3pm in Fort Worth. I participated last year right after my maternity leave ended - hard to believe it's been a year. Sadly, I won't be in this year's Fling due to an overwhelming need to focus on family, work, Tefi Designs, and organizing the upcoming Spring Bash. But a heavy workload never stopped me from shopping! Check out the talent that will be there, all Etsy Dallas friends: Harrilu - screenprinted clothing for women, kids and babies Dowdy Studio - screenprinted men's tees Pamela Michelle - wood art pendants and prints (pictured above) Mama Dee's Boutique - baby and kids clothing Midnight Snack - plushes and repurposed clothing Cut Out and Collect - handbags, pouches, accessories (pictured above) Jane Joss - fabric leaf decor (pictured above) Rimrock View Studio - pottery (pictured above) miamaria - aprons and bags Nerdbomber - bags and pouches Three Yellow Starfish - baby and kids clothing (pictured above) See you at the Fling!
We Bash artists are getting really excited as the much-anticipated Jingle Bash nears. We're so excited that some of us have to occasionally put down our scissors, paint brushes, pliers, and hooks to do a little happy dance. Lemme tell ya, we love to happy dance. In fact, we're so thrilled about the Jingle Bash that we want to offer you a chance to join us in our collective happy dancing by offering a chance to win some awesome prizes in the form of Bash Bucks. Yep, Bash Bucks are like gift certificates you'll pick up the day of the Jingle Bash - and you can spend them at ANY participating artisit's booth during the Bash. You can't go wrong. You can win by commenting on the Etsy Dallas blog post or tweeting the Jingle Bash. MORE INFO ON THE CONTEST HERE [Reposted from the Etsy Dallas blog.]
Holy cow holy cow!! Our Bash shows got voted as Dallas' "Best One-Stop Shop" in the coveted and uber popular Dallas Observer's Best Of annual issue. It's on stands today!! This is a huge. mega. deal. Here's the write-up: Sure etsy.com—the online boutique community for crafters, jewelry designers, knitters, tailors, bookbinders, vintage sellers and collectors of everything—is a surefire way to kill an afternoon and build up a wish list, but an Etsy Dallas event is even better. Prices are great, the craftsmanship is fantastic, it feels good to support local crafters and you'll still cover everyone on any gift list you might have for the next two years. But the downside is you'll also empty your bank account with little to no effort without some preventive measures. We have a friend keep us from purchasing on the first lap through the show. We spend only cash (even if a booth takes cards). And we buy no more than we can carry on our own person. It's hard, but, well, you gotta leave something for the rest of the shoppers to look at. On the other hand, screw everyone else, retail therapy rocks! The Etsy Dallas Jingle Bash takes place November 21 at Sons of Hermann Hall. Sharp elbows stimulate the economy, people. In case you're wondering, What the heck is the Bash?, let me fill you in. The Bash is the premier arts and crafts event in Dallas that we started back in 2008. The Bash is put on by me and co-conspirator Pamela Michelle, with support from the Etsy Dallas leadership team (Larry, Carrie, Cheyne, Alicia, Mandi, Dylan, and Randi). This year's 2nd Annual Jingle Bash will take place at the historic (and David-Lynchian) Sons of Hermann Hall, November 21st (that's a Saturday) from 1am-7pm. More deets here.
Today I managed to be a mom, hang with Pam, Dylan and Cheyne at Spiral Diner, go to the Peace Fest in Oak Cliff to see Mandi and Larry, meet Jennifer of Textile Fetish, and photograph and list 15 new necklaces.
No, I am not taking amphetamines. Yet.
By the by, all of my crafty friends named above and I will be at the 2nd Annual Jingle Bash. We're doing it again this year, even bigger and better with over 50 hand-picked vedors just oozing with handmade talent. Come on by the Sons of Hermann Hall of November 21st and see for yourself!
Take a peek and visit my Etsy shop to purchase these one-of-a-kind pieces! Some of favorites:
Funny thing happened on Friday. Awhile back I saw a post from my friend Patricia of Karmacrochet for a giveaway she was doing on the blog Love.Obsess.Inspire. She asked us to check it out and comment. So I did. Aaaaand...I won the giveaway!! I got an email from Alexi, the gal who writes the blog and my reply, in this order: Holy cow!I know Patricia!How cool! Saturday night at Larry's during our Etsy Dallas 2nd birthday party, Patricia handed me her basket of goodies. My favorite items are the washcloths that we're going to use during Ian's bathtime. btw - In the first pic, you can see Larry's super mega awesome Yellow Submarine fused glass art. Love it!
Who knew a little message one September afternoon would snowball into what we know today as the leading craft collective in Dallas and beyond? Here's how it all began: "Hi there! I’m looking to start up an Etsy street team focusing on sellers in the Dallas area. To start with, I thought we could meet once a month or at least once a quarter, participate in trunk shows together at our homes, share ad space and the cost of a simple website, etc. In order to get this off the ground, I’ll need to get at least 3-5 fellow Dallas “estiers” on board. Please let me know if you are interested! Cheers, Stephanie" I sent that to over 20 hand-picked Dallas sellers on Etsy back on September 13 and have made some wonderful friends since then, including my Bash partner, Pamela Michelle. Today, Etsy Dallas is leading the handmade movement across the state. In the wake of our formation 2 years ago, several wonderful city teams in Texas have formed, including our crafty friends Etsy Fort Worth, Alamo City Etsy, and Etsy Austin. I am proud to be part of such a movement. Thank you to all who made it possible. Happy 2nd Birthday, Etsy Dallas! {Big thanks to my gal Alicia Colina-Ashby for leading the team Sale-A-Bration. Check out her post on our blog for all the deets! Beginning on September 7th I'll be offering Free Shipping on my Clearance items. More info soon! }
fabric rings $8
hair clips and hair bobbies for $10 on my newly-painted pegboard display
pottery shard necklaces for $25 and all sorts of pretty earrings
the new gridwall set-up; it's a work in progress
check out that gorgeous new wall art, top right
Tefi’s Craft Show Survival Checklist
