Jingle Bash...Get Bucks!

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.]

IT'S ALMOST HERE! JINGLE BASH FEVER!

Craft Meets Cool at the ‘09 Jingle Bash

Saturday, November 21st, 1-7pm

These days, buying locally handmade goods is the new cool, and the Jingle Bash is here to make sure you stay cool all season long.
Make your way to the Sons of Hermann Hall on November 21, and shop from over 50 hand-picked artists, designers and crafters selling their modern handmade goods.
On hand will be recycled vintage jewelry (Sadie's Things), vintage-inspired décor (Laura Davis Design Lab), screenprinted tees (Harrilu and Dowdy Studio), modern handbags (Banana Showcase and Cut Out and Collect), vinyl record jewelry (Texas Tarts), hip crocheted winter-wear (KarmaCrochet), felted necklaces (Tefi Designs), and soap in the shape of dentures (Soapopotamos). (No, I'm not joking.)
When you’re done shopping, belly up to the bar for a beer, great home cooked food, and a game of pool. Or grab your brewski and head back out for a second round of shopping.
Artist booths will fill the Hall upstairs in the ballroom and downstairs in the bowling alley and board room. Enjoy live music and DJ tunes throughout the Hall to keep you rockin’ and shoppin’ all day long.
Cross everyone off your gift list this year at the 2nd Annual Jingle Bash and make it a handmade holiday!
When: Saturday, November 21stTime: 1pm-7pm
Where: Sons of Hermann Hall, 3414 Elm St.
Parking: lot and street/meter

WE ARE "Best of" Dallas!

Thank you Dallas!
Holy cow holy cow!! Our Bash shows were just 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 Tefi Designs and 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 somewhat David-Lynchian) Sons of Hermann Hall, November 21st (that's a Saturday) from 1am-7pm. More deets here.

reposted from Tefi Designs' blog

This is a Statement Necklace

JUST listed this piece...It took me quite a while to decide how to use this incredible vintage brooch. I wanted to really do it justice.

Grey Gardens

NEWNESS...in my shop.

This past week has been a bit challenging for me. My kids started back to school, which brings a deluge of paperwork, shopping, and revamped sleep/wake hours! In addition, I started working part-time. It's a temporary position; I am really just helping out a friend, but man! It makes me really feel for working moms! And most especially working SINGLE moms. Although I am not a single mom, my husband travels alot so I feel like one.

ANYWAY, all this to say I have not been able to create much :(

However, here are the latest designs. I hope to have more up in the shop later this weekend.
A Brass Bow...

Marcasite Flower, repurposed brooch necklace

FREE SHIPPING this weekend, Aug. 15 - 16

YESSSSSSSSSS!!!! Free shipping in my Etsy shop through midnight Sunday. Any purchases will ship free; I will refund your Paypal account the shipping charges.

Also, check out the NEWness....more like this to come...

Sneak Peek, vintage brooch recycled

Just had to post a little sneak peek at something I am working on...Reusing a gorgeous vintage rhinestone brooch.

Bonnie Beard, Etsy Dallas Artist Extraordinaire

At a recent Etsy Dallas members function, I was lucky enough to win a beautiful fused glass pendant necklace and earrings in a silent auction. It was donated by the talented artist behind Bonny Beads, Bonnie Beard. A lovely mauve color with a flower design, the set brings compliments every time I wear it!

As a jewelry designer myself, I don't always consider myself an "artist" in the truest sense. But Bonnie truly is. I know next to nothing about glass artistry, but I know that her work is amazing. Check these items out, now for sale in her Etsy shop.

She also has an outside website, with more information on her artistic history and artwork.

LaAlicia, in the Etsy Dallas Spotlight

Tonight is LaAlicia's night! Alicia Colina-Ashby is the artist behind the many creative endeavors of LaAlicia, her Etsy shop. Her items are very ECO CONSCIOUS, which is a cause near and dear to my own heart...(and jewelry designs). SO, her current amazing talent is paper based. And I mean Talent...look at this!

It's a clutch purse from folded papers from maps!! How much time does that take Alicia? Wow.

And this whimsical clock would add lightness and happy to any room in your house or office...

Come see her and the other Etsy Dallas members I have profiled (in previous posts) at the November 21 JINGLE BASH! Dallas, Texas baby!

Prolific Patricia: Artist behind KarmaCrochet!

Wow. Truly the word prolific fits Patricia. Her shop is fullllll of amazing crochet wearables, sweet Scrabble tile pendants, bookmarks, you name it! She has 974 items for sale right now! 974!!!!!!!! And she works full-time! I don't know how she does it... Obviously very well organized woman! Or, she never sleeps...

SO, check out her shop, or her blog, where she has many tips on being an efficient crafter. In the meantime, here is some of her work to admire...

Brenda White, Tonight's Etsy Dallas Artist

Brenda White is a sweet sweet person, as well as very talented with paper and fabric! One of her best sellers is the unique matchbook notepads....check these out! And she has many more styles.

A bonus: her prices are very reasonable! We all love that...

And these gift tags are too cute! Go check out her shop...she's having GIFT WITH PURCHASE SALE on Monday August 3!!!!

Pamela Michelle, Beautiful Etsy Artist

Here's to another fabulous Etsy Dallas leadership team member...Pamela Michelle! She does amazing things with little pieces of wood, see?

And any of the prints of her original art would be a great addition to your home...

Hey, she's also currently having a SALE on her art necklaces!!! What are you waiting for...go get one!

Tonight, the lovely CutOutandCollect!

Here's to the lovely Cheyne and her beautiful handmade bags, pouches and pillows! Another incredible Etsy Dallas member, Cheyne finds the most unusual, sweet fabric and stitches it up with the UTMOST attention to detail. Some of my favorites from her Etsy shop are shown here

The Night Life Market Tote

and below, the Matryoshka Doll Zip Pouch

My Favorite Etsy Shops, a Series: Tefi Designs

Ok, I should be working, or reading (hubby says I need to finish Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince so we can finally see the movie or ELSE), but instead I want to share some of my favorite Etsy shops and items.

I'll start off spotlighting some of my fellow Etsy Dallas artists, then off we go from there! And there are sooooo many awesome artists/crafters/whatever-ers on Etsy!!!

Hmmm, whom shall be FIRST?! Ok, Stephanie, you're IT!

Tefi Designs , Stephanie, is the founder of Etsy Dallas, and a large part of how wonderful it is today. She's an animal activist, and a new mom too! She also makes some kick-a jewelry. Here's one of my favs...












And another....awwww...sweet!



























Next up, Cheyne, of CutOutAndCollect...

Knitting again, Again

New scarf! Beautiful lattice pattern, lightweight and soft. Time to open a knitting Etsy shop or these projects will start to overtake my house...

Jingle Bash 2009! Crafty Christmas shopping...

No, it's never too early to shop for the holidays. Or mark your calendar for holiday shopping..
So, in honor of that thought, here ya go...

This Will be Me Tomorrow

see more Lolcats and funny pictures

Insomnia ARGH

Once again, I am not asleep. I am supposed to be asleep; it's 3:23 a.m. for crying out loud! Drugs may be needed soon. Part of the problem for me anyway, is that 1) I've always been a nightowl, 2) I tend to get my creative energy at night 3) my schedule allows me to sleep in (usually). So it seems to get later and later...

Question: why do early-risers seem to get less grief than night-owls? I mean, if we are both awake the same number of hours, and get the same amount of work done, what difference does it make if you wake up early or late? Or go to bed early or late?

Night owls get a bad rap, I tell ya! It's discrimination!!!

Now when my kids are in school I have a much, well, a little, different schedule. My younger son has to be at football practice at 6:30 am!

Ok, enough babbling. Off to go drink some warm milk, or take an oxycodone hit. Would that work? Anyone with experience with Ambien etc. please comment here!

Knitting Again

I can't seem to stay away from my knitting and crochet for long. Maybe I am starting up now because my neighborhood book club is reading The Friday Night Knitting Club currently.

It's such a soothing hobby. Plus once you know your pattern, you can sit and watch tv, a movie (at least with one eye!) listen to music, have a conversation, all while creating. That's something I can't really do when I create jewelry pieces. Well, I MUST have music...preferably Paramore!

Here's the great lightweight piece in my shop...http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=22201597

New Vintage Supplies!

Woo hoo!!! Met with my (secret) vintage supply person... came home with these lovelies!

They should inspire me to create more fab jewelry re-creations like, now!

4th of July SALE, FREE SHIPPING

Come on over to my Etsy shop, where I have free shipping from today, Thursday July 2, through Monday, July 6. All in honor of the fabulous FOURTH!

(Psst...lots of other shops have free shipping too.... including many of my fellow Etsy Dallas friends...look HERE)

Fabulous vintage jewelry pieces

Just had to show these...they will be repurposed into something totally awesome soon!!

Spring Bash, this SATURDAY~ MAY 16!!

Celebrate the spring season with the 1st Annual Etsy Dallas Spring Bash, a festive arts & crafts extravaganza in the heart of The Cedars neighborhood just south of Downtown at South Side on Lamar.

Date: Saturday, May 16, 2009
Time: 11am-5pm
Location: 1409 South Lamar, Dallas 75215

Located at the historic South Side lofts, site of the old Sears, Roebuck & Co.'s Catalog Merchandise Center, the Spring Bash will feature:
~ Over 50 artists, designers, and crafters selling their handmade wares. Full vendor list here: http://www.bashvendors.blogspot.com/
~ Music by local DJ John Durbin
~ Free crafts at the now-famous Etsy Dallas Make & Take booth with help from Irving Girl Scout Troop #1637~ The Vanity Stand where shoppers can dress up in an array of crazy costumes, get their photo taken and go home with a snapshot of the fun time~ Free raffle featuring handmade items donated by Etsy Dallas members~ Special guest: La Reunion, a non-profit arts program located in Oak Cliff~ Cash donations accepted benefitting Family Place, a local non-profit domestic violence shelter serving women and children in Dallas.The show will also offer free Goody Bags for the first 50 shoppers - so get there early!

There is no cost for admission or entertainment, but please bring plenty of CASH as most vendors cannot accept credit cards. There is an ATM near the main South Side entrance.

This event will be family-friendly with a hip vibe of handmade love and good times. Think of this not just as an arts & crafts show, but as a party! For more info visit http://www.etsydallas.com/.

NEXT SHOW! Etsy Dallas Spring Bash! MAY 16

SO excited about my next show...I will be one of many many awesome crafters, artists and designers participating in the Spring Bash on Saturday, MAY 16, at Southside on Lamar. Which is a very cool place in its own right. Check out all the details HERE.

Very many thanks and much appreciation goes to the leadership team of Etsy Dallas for all of their hard work putting this big event together.

There will be GOODY BAGS for the first 50 shoppers, raffle items (TERRIFIC pieces of many artists' work) and a Make N Take booth to get your crafty on!

Knitting Again, Silk Bamboo yarn LOVE IT

Hope these do well in the shop! This yarn is killer soft.

I'll have more in other colors and styles soon. I'm "hooked" on the yarn...

Lovin' Statement Necklaces! (and repurposed vintage jewelry)

My latest creative endeavor (jewelry-wise) is using old blingy jewelry pieces, vintage earrings, brooches and the like, and recycling them into gorgeous NEW pieces, esp. statement necklaces, and statement cocktail rings. And I am especially fond of pieces with rhinestones!

I used one of a pair of old earrings to make this piece.








THEN, I came across this piece in a magazine, which was apparently in an episode of the TV show Lipstick Jungle!

I swear I never saw it before I made my piece. Not bad I think! Go to my shop and check it out, and more like this.

Viva la Handmade! Online Fashion Mag

I stumbled upon this online zine chock full of Handmade Trendy Fashions...including many, many Etsy artists and their shops! Check it out... VivaLaModa

Fiona Paxton, LOVE her designs. Drew Barrymore, Isla Fisher do too!

Really I do. I cannot remember how I stumbled upon her pieces, but I covet them!

Drew Barrymore loves them too.

If I could figure out how to duplicate one, I would!

Check out her website for more gorgeousness.

Next Show! Funky Finds Spring Fling

Woo Hoo!!! It's almost spring! And with spring, comes spring shows! Hopefully, all of you local Dallas and Ft. Worth residents (and beyond) will come to the Funky Finds Spring Fling. LOTS of local artists and hand crafted gifts for Mother's Day, graduations, Father's Day, or just for yourself! I will have some new pieces... beautiful statement necklaces! Made with vintage, re-purposed earrings and brooches.

It's kid and pet-friendly too!! Come to downtown Ft. Worth, the Will Rogers Memorial Center, Saturday, April 25, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Knitting for a Great Cause

I am still designing jewelry for shows and my website, but I also knit and crochet. My favorite charity for knitted and crochet items is Afghans for Afghans. Here's some info for you to check out. I personally am working on a blanket, in a lovely blue denim colored wool. Hopefully I'll get a picture up soon! In the meantime, check out their site!