Sneak Peek!

Why yes, I can do delicate. Check out my latest collection of simple chained necklaces made of top-quality Czech glass and artisan lampwork beads. I'll be offering them up for sale at the Lotus Yoga Pop-Up Shop community event on June 18th in Lakewood (Dallas TX). Lovely!

Forts, Crafts and Cocktails: Austin Recap

My birthday weekend was a beautiful mess of toys, hotel fun, crafty sales and cocktails. We hit the road Friday morning - me in my Element loaded with my handmade goods and displays; my mom, Grandy and Ian in their car loaded with 182 toys:

Saturday morning was a whirlwind of setting up my booth, drinking lots of coffee, and preparing for a day of charming customers and making sales. After nearly six years of doing craft shows, I've got my set-up nailed down and had over an hour to kill before the doors opened:


Saturday night Ellen and John (good friends and owners of Holy Cacao) took me and Jason to Haddington's on 6th. We had copious amounts of tiny chi-chi cocktails with names like Devil's Moustache (mescal, a flaming orange slice + a whole bunch of other stuff). We also had tiny portions of fancy food that cost more than my weekly Tom Thumb bill. Everything was incredible.

Sunday was day 2 of Renegade sales. In the meantime, Ian and the family made forts, went swimming and basically had fun in Austin. I didn't get a chance to do any site-seeing or shopping while I was there - maybe next time!


Oh, and then there's this:

It's on like Donkey Kong, y'all.

This weekend! Austin, Texas! My birthday and Renegade Craft Fair!! Boom:


Come find me in Booth #40 next to my friends Dowdy Studio and Cut Out and Collect! We'll be the ones making all the dang noise in the back left corner. Don't be surprised if you see me dancing to Kool + the Gang while I sell all my handmade stuff. That's how I roll.


Here's a sneak peak into my display set-up. If no one buys anything from me, I can just hold a "Necklace a Day" contest for the next year and a half.



Oh. Hello there, Beethoven.

Sew, work, sew, listen to music, work, sew

I'm on a mad sewing blitz these next few weeks as I prepare for Renegade Austin. I don't even think I'll have time to bead a few of my new big wood bead necklaces unless I clone myself.

I'll work on that.

Until then, I'm listening to a little She & Him and Florence + The Machine and sewing like mad in the car at stop lights, on my lunch breaks, in queue at the bank, ANYWHERE.

Here's a crappy photo I took last night of some of my new triangle arrow designs. They are pretttyyyyy!

Next Up: Renegade Austin

Now that the 3rd Annual Spring Bash is over (whew - so much work), I've got my sights set on the 2nd Annual Renegade Craft Fair in Austin TX. It so happens to be on the weekend that I'm celebrating my 36th birthday and my and Jason's 10th anniversary. So come buy my stuff okay!!

Grey Skies fabric sculpture necklace, $35

The hotel room is booked, time taken off from the real job, the parents are coming with to watch Ian, and now all I have to do is:

(1) Make more designs like this one (above). I sold out half my inventory at the Spring Bash!

(2) Make more yo-yo earrings and rings. DONE

(3) Shine the sterling silver chain from some of my necklaces. They are looking a little dull from so much air exposure as I've been preparing for this crazy spring show season for the past couple of months.

(4) Make more fabric hair clips. These sold like crazy at the Bash!

That's about it. Can you believe how prepared I am? Whoo!!! Now come see me in Austin and buy me a birthday beer already.

Tomorrow at the Bash: New Wall Art

These photos do not do justice to the two new large fabric wall art pieces I made this week to debut tomorrow at the 3rd Annual Spring Bash!

{dangit this thing didn't rotate! tilt head to the right}

>>>SEE YOU AT THE BASH<<<

A photo journey through my crafty madness.

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

the new gridwall set-up; it's a work in progress

check out that gorgeous new wall art, top right

>>>SEE YOU AT THE BASH THIS SATURDAY<<<

Look at my hot fake husband.

Hands off, ladies.

Isn't he yummy? This was taken at last weekend's Oak Cliff Earth Day festival at Lake Cliff park - photo courtesy of Oak Cliff People. Read a little recap here courtesy of my gal Pamela of Dowdy Studio. I was sellin' my stuff on the other side of the park while Jason educated festival-goers on the Jefferson Median Beautification Project, a grassroots effort to beautify our little corner of the world. I manage the modest JMBP blog over here.

I've got crazy eyes.

It's on like Donkey Kong, y'all. This Saturday is the 3rd Annual Spring Bash, co-founded and co-produced by yours truly along with a team of fellow dedicated Etsy Dallas members. This will be our 9th show to date and I could not be more excited and downright scared of all the things I still need to do to prepare:

+ Cut out labels, write prices, and tape to new display, which I traded with Dowdy Studio for a stash of fabric and my never-ending gratitude. It was black, I painted it straw yellow, it's awesome and covered in fabric sculpture necklaces - loads of new designs. Pics coming soon! DONE!

+ Go to American Store Fixtures to get a ton of gridwall hooks for my fabric wall art. DONE!

+ Take legs off gridwall panels, hose down (or leave out in the rain overnight), set up panels in living room, merchandise the heck out of it, covering it with fabric wall art, magnets, brooches, hair clips and more! (oh so much more)

+ OMG make more fabric wall art.

+ OMG make more brooches. DONE!


+ Go to the bank, get a million dollars in ones and fives, because this show is off-the-hook crazy with awesome shoppers throwing money at us wee Dallas artists.

+ Set-up newly painted pegboard, hang pottery shard necklaces all over it. It's the color of the ocean and it's beautiful.

+ OMG make more pottery shard necklaces.

+ Stop at Michael's to pick up some large shopping bags for my large wall art. DONE!

+ Label large shopping bags. DONE!

+ Pack all this up Friday night, sleep.

+ Wake up at the butt-crack of dawn on Saturday, drink a pot of coffee, put on my new awesome mum, and head to South Side on Lamar to get the space ready for the big show.

>>> 3rd ANNUAL SPRING BASH <<<

Bash Bucks Giveaway Through April 25th

Hey hey Dallas-area people, or those of you badass enough to drive to Big D for the 3rd Annual Spring Bash (co-produced by yours truly), listen up! You can enter to win free Bash Bucks - gift certificates that spend like cash at the Bash - on our Etsy Dallas blog. Click here to read all about it and enter. And if I were to win (yes people, I'm eligible, too), these are what I would buy:

Merbaby Print by Signifying Not


Mounted Narwhal by Crochette

Tom Selleck pillow by Bolsa Bonita

See you at the Bash!

Overheard at Craft Shows

The following is a list of customer comments I've heard time and again at craft shows, and what I dub "the kiss of death". Craft show organizers - take note (please!).

"I didn't know this show was going on." Uh-oh. This means the organizers didn't market to the immediate area, which are the people most likely to support locally-made goods. It also doesn't bode well for their marketing strategy in general. In other words, if they didn't reach people who live nearby, did they also miss those living in surrounding areas?

"Oh darn, I didn't bring money."Um, excuse me what? If this is a larger, broader type event (where artists are only a small part of the fun), the people who come out to the festival likely didn't know there would be art for purchase, and thus only brought their sunscreen, walking shoes and dog. Make sure festival-goers know there will be art for purchase, target people who appreciate buying locally-made goods, and make sure everyone knows to BRING CASH!!

"This is cute" or "You have nice stuff" or "I like your work" So sounds good, right? Not if you hear this over and over aaaaand...no one buys anything. This means the target shopper was not marketed to. Artists don't give up 9+ hours of their weekend just to "exhibit" their work. They woke up at the crack of dawn, loaded the car, hauled their stuff to their booth, set everything up, plastered a smile on their face, then gave up bathroom breaks and a real meal in the hopes they would sell their handmade goods. Make it worth their while or they aren't likely to return for your next show.

The season is heating up and spring/summer shows are in full swing. Carry plenty of cash with you in case you are lucky enough to make it to a local art/craft show. And remember that the things you see were made with love, care, and lots of work. The next big thing? 3rd Annual Spring Bash on April 30th in Dallas TX. More info: http://www.handmadebash.com/. See you there!

Tefi's Craft Show Survival Checklist

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

Cool Art Recap!

{Reposted from Dowdy Studio's blog.}

A couple weeks ago there was snow on the ground, it was quiet outside and a few of us Etsy Dallas artists decided to hold an intimate trunk show called All You Need is Love + Cool Art. Here're some pics of what happened.

A view from our front window the day before the + Cool Art show.

Outside Larry's house, where we held the show. Luckily the snow melted a bit that day. You know Texas shuts down when it snows, so we're really excited that we were able to make it.

It was warm and cozy inside where we set up out handmade goodies all over Larry's house. Larry, the Kessler Craftsman, and Tefi took over the dining room.

A close up of Tefi's pretty fabric yo-yo necklaces.

Here's the Dowdy Studio set-up. We shared the living room with Cut Out and Collect and blocked the TV with our ginormous display.

That's okay, because Cut Out and Collect blocked the fireplace. We joked about turning it on....but we're too nice for that. Plus we *heart* her handmade bags and like them better when they aren't on fire.

Thank you Pamela for the great photo tour of our show!

Renegade, here I come!

Soooo excited to announce that I got in to Renegade Austin! I will be sharing my booth with a super cool designer and fellow Dallasite, Sarah of The Snowy Owl. Alongside me and Sarah will be my crafty pals Dowdy Studio, Cut Out and Collect, and One Up Designs. Mark your calendars and come on down to see us on May 21 + 22 in Austin TX. It's my birthday weekend so I expect you to buy me a sandwich!

Jingle Bash Recap, Part 1

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.

Big thanks to everyone involved! More to come.

Hellos, Hugs, and Smiles

Here's my weekend in two words: exhausted and exhilerated. This weekend wiped me out. It was the final - and my fifth - Urban Street Bazaar. Since 2008 it's taken place in my corner of the world, Oak Cliff, home of Espumoso - a little coffee shop in Bishop Arts with the best latte and Colombian empanadas in Dallas. I ran into so many people I hadn't seen in awhile, including my favorite councilperson, Delia Jasso. I also met some great new friends, namely my awesome neighbor, Lindsay of House of Introspection. She and her mom, Mary Ann, were just the nicest. I had a bit of an epiphany this weekend. It's a simple idea, but a weighty one: I love friendly people. I love people who say HELLO. I love shoppers who make eye contact and smile and tell me they like my work. I love friends who give hugs. Good times.

Lovely New Bash Art by Christina of paperfingers

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.

Go to Public School

So yeah. I used to teach public school and am not a big fan of it, surprise surprise. What I am a huge fan of is the design collective out of Austin known as Public School. They were at the recent Renegade show with a neat-o photo booth. On my way back from a beer run (one for Tefi, one for Dylan), I decided to stop and get my portrait taken. It looks an awful lot like the ones I had taken from my teaching days. Minus the beers. Or maybe not. Check these guys out: http://gotopublicschool.com/

I'm Headed to Renegade Austin

Meet me there? This will be my very first Renegade show, both as a shopper and as a vendor. I'm honored to have been hand-picked among a select 200 from around the nation. Today I scored a treasury and curated it to showcase some of my favorites that will be selling at Renegade this weekend. Couple the excitement of my first Renegade Craft Fair with a long weekend visit to my old stomping ground of Austin, Texas. It has changed so much over the years since I lived there (1993-98), but it's still my beloved little big town. Come on down and be sure to stop by my booth! Pictured clockwise: Crown Bindery, Berkley Illustration, Cut Out and Collect, Nova Rhyme, Rar Rar Press, tefi (that's me!), Karmacrochet, Maryink, Pamela Michelle, Modest Ambition, Laura George, Dowdy Studio