Pamelita's Flyer

Too often I forget to mention the super-awesome craft collective I belong to - Etsy Dallas - and founded, um, by the way!

The leadership team (LT) is revving up for the coolest, most awesomest, most fantastic holiday show Dallas has ever seen (Can you tell I'm excited?), and I have to give my girl Pam of Pamela Michelle some major props for leading this particular show and taking care of our team graphics, to boot!

As you all now know, I'm going to be late into my third trimester by the time we hold our show on November 22nd, so Pam has bravely agreed to be the leader of this here crafty bash. The rest of us on the LT are also working our tails off to make this show rock. More details to come...

And while I'm bragging on Pammers, check out her latest design for a general team flyer (up top). Awesome work, Pam Pants

Craft Guild Fundraiser

About a year ago I took metalsmithing at the Craft Guild of Dallas, the city's oldest non-profit art instruction organization. Located near Spring Valley and Midway, the Guild offers classes in metalsmithing, bookbinding, pottery, glass, fiber arts, painting, and kid's crafts. Become a member and drop in for some studio time on your own! On Sunday, August 10th, the Guild is holding a large art sale to raise funds to help pay for day-to-day expenses as well as repair of studio space and equipment. I donated two necklaces that you can purchase to help out the Guild! One is a felted balls design made with 100% needlefelted wool in swirls of blue, green, and magenta, accented by silver chain and wood beads. The other necklace is Phoenix Rising (pictured below), a beaded piece with a carved bone pendant. (I am discounting and/or giving away any jewelry I have made with animal by-products, which I won't be using anymore in my design pieces. Get in on the deal!) THE CRAFT GUILD OF DALLAS: 1ST ANNUAL FUNDRAISER Sunday, August 10th, 11am-6pm 14325 Proton Road, Dallas (972) 490-0303 FREE ADMISSION ALL ONE-OF-A-KIND ORIGINAL WORKS OF ART FOR SALE ~ from $5 to $200 ~ Handmade pottery ~ Lampwork glass beads ~ Handmade jewelry ~ Original paintings ~ handmade books and papers Visit the “Cup o' Joe” table and purchase a handmade mug to fill with fresh coffee, relax, sip, and keep on shopping!

Bawling

I dunno if it's the preggie hormones or what, but this video had me bawling right here at my desk. BAWLING. So sweet - animals are the angels that roam this earth.

Good Job, Chewy

Congrats to Jen and Justin! - my two favorite Aryan peas-in-a-pod.

Show Pony Show

Join me and my gal Brenda of B.Liscious for a day of handmade shopping fun! This August 17th we'll be at the Continental Lofts in Deep Ellum for the Show Pony Show from 11am-7pm.

This may be my last show for awhile SO PLEASE COME SEE ME and take advantage of all my great "Preggie Promotions." I'll have some items discounted up to 20%, a free pair of earrings for any purchase of $100 or more, AND a free necklace giveaway - give me your email address and I'll sign you up for a drawing to win one of my handmade beaded necklaces!

And don't miss out on some of my new items: fabric wall art, coffee cup cozies, coasters, and Kitty Nippers (copyright) catnip toys. Wow!

In addition to selling my own handmade goods, I'll be working the Etsy Dallas table with my fellow EDers helping out with a fun "progressive craft" project. Shoppers will be encouraged to make their own crafty bookmark to take home with them - at no charge! Look for the Etsy Dallas table to participate and also to enter to win all sorts of free goodies. Celebrate the handmade movement in Dallas!

Consignment Advice

Today Etsy Dallas members have been chatting on a group post about our consignment experiences and advice, and here's what I told the group. It was good to remember my experience and be able to share it with others. Wish someone had told me these things a year ago! (1) Never put your items in a shop without first signing a contract. Yikes! I made that mistake. (2) I would never put my stuff in a shop (again) that does not assume theft or damage liability. I had my jewelry in a local shop for several months and when it was all said and done, I lost about $120 worth of goods that were either damaged or "missing." Bad news bears, my friends. (3) I won't consign with someone who does not have merchandising experience or isn't open to letting me collaborate on displaying my goods. I had my stuff in this same shop and cringed whenever I walked in and saw how they were displaying my items. Horrible! (4) If you get a feeling that the people you are dealing with aren't exactly professional, you're probably right. Listen to those instincts. Basically, don't be so desperate or star-struck to get your items in a shop that you don't first think about what's right for you. You are doing them a favor by letting them sell your handmade goods and keeping a cut of the price! Right now I have my stuff at The House of Dang, and let me tell you those boys are simply awesome. Stop by and get you some cool vintage and handmade goods...uh, like my fabric button bobby pins!

Modest Ambition

Here's the latest Etsy Dallas spotlight written by yours truly:

Ever since Anne of Modest Ambition joined Etsy Dallas back on Valentine's Day (oh so sweet!), I've admired her warm and colorful crocheted designs. Her shawls, hats, and bookmarks remind me of the classic and charming items I drool over during my weekly visits to Anthropologie.

The beauty of her items is that you don't have to wait for a cold autumn breeze to come your way to enjoy them. Mark your favorite Jane Austen passage with one of Anne's bookmarks, throw one of her capelets on top of a summer dress, or simply plan ahead for the approaching cool months with her cute Little Red Riding Hood cap. Either way, you're sure to feel pretty in a Modest Ambition creation.

I'm Definitely K'velten

Glowing with pride, I am! Thanks to my friend and fellow Etsy Dallas member Brenda of B.Liscious and B.Liscious Photography, I am featured in a member spotlight! Now go on and raise the roof, already. Read the spotlight right here.