Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Crafty New Year: New Year's Resolutions for Crafters



So you made it through Christmas, congratulations! While you’re recouping from your holiday indulgences (or planning for more at a New Year’s party), it’s time to start thinking about those New Year’s resolutions. In addition to your usual list--travel to Europe, run a marathon, organize the closet--what about adding a few craft-centric items to the list?

Here are a few suggestions:
1. Try your hand at something new and learn a new crafting skill. It could be something related to what you already do or something completely different! You’d be surprised how creative activity in one area can inspire you to rethink things in another. Say you’re a knitter, maybe you might want to try working in clay?

2. Craft with kindness. Those of us who are crafty don’t think twice about making and giving homemade gifts over the holidays, but why not throughout the year? How special would it be to show a little thoughtfulness with a homemade gift for a neighbor, a coworker, or a friend? Everyone appreciates a little pick me up.

3. Look out for UFOs! That’s right, Un Finished Objects, the ones that you can’t even remember what they were that sit in a box tucked under a table. It’s a real challenge to try to salvage or complete an unfinished mess, but it could make you think about things in a new way.

4. Reduce, reuse, recycle. Crafters are natural environmentalists. The first of the year might be a good time to destash and take inventory of your supplies. What can you make to use up the last of the scraps or how can you make your process more efficient and environmentally friendly? As a bonus, that usually also means more budget-friendly too!

5. Craft-bonding. Now is a great time to find a new craft circle and make new friends to share your love of craft with. Many of the local libraries have knitting groups, or, form your own group at a local coffee shop. Hooking into the online craft community can be a great way to virtually share your passion for the handmade and Etsy is a great place to start.

6. Be a cultured crafter. Visit a museum or gallery seeking out something you don’t know anything about. Throughout history people have made beautiful objects with care and skill. Explore the 3rd and 4th floors of the Dallas Museum of Art for their non-Western collections and decorative arts or go across the street to the Crow Collection of Asian Art. You’ll be amazed and inspired by the intricacy and originality of the work.

7. Keep a journal. Okay, this is on the standard New Year’s resolutions list, but how about a craft-related/inspired/idea journal? Clip out pictures, collect scraps, jot down ideas. At the end of the year you’ll have a physical journal that traces all your ideas and inspirations for 2010—and this isn’t just for makers, use it to track your gift-giving ideas, interior decorating schemes, and hot items to look for.

8. Shop local. There are so many talented crafters and artists in the Dallas Fort Worth area! You can go to local markets and shows, like the ones listed here each week, or you can search by area on Etsy. Some local Etsians even offer free hand-delivery as an alternative to shipping. You can’t beat that and you’re supporting your community!

Posted and illustrated by Anne/modestambition
Post your New Year's resolutions in the comments!

Thursday, December 10, 2009

Etsy Dallas Weekend Guide: Dec 12-13

Deluxe OKC
Come to Oklahoma City where more than 80 artists show and sell their work to enthusiastic shoppers from all over the region. Community groups and nonprofits will also be at Deluxe, meeting shoppers and demonstrating their skills. Free admission.
Date: Saturday, Dec. 12
Time: 11am - 5pm
Location: OKC State Fair Grounds, Modern Living Building, Oklahoma City
More info: http://www.blogger.com/www.deluxeok.net
Participating Etsy Dallas members: Three Yellow Starfish, artfull Expression

F6 Gallery presents The Gift Show
Date: Saturday, Dec. 12
Time: 7pm – 11pm
Location: F6 Gallery, Arlington
More info: http://www.f6gallery.com/category/f6-art-shows/
Participating Etsy Dallas members:Cut Out and Collect, XY Factory







Gallery Walk at the Contempo Gallery
Date: Saturday, Dec. 12
Time: 7:30pm – 11pm
Location: Contempo Gallery on the Square, McKinney
Participating Etsy Dallas member: Kessler Craftsman

Holiday Trunk Show
Free carwash while you shop. Catered by elke's market and free gift wrapping.
Date: Saturday, Dec. 12
Time
: 10am - 5pm
Location: Sewell Saab, Hummer of Plano... 1645 Dallas Parkway plano tx 75093
Participating Etsy Dallas member: f. is for frank

White Rock Local Market
Nestled in a busy crossroads just Northeast of White Rock Lake, White Rock Local Market is a new community market featuring local artisan foods, produce, meat and dairy, mixed in with a collection of art, collectibles, locally made clothes, jewelry and more.
Date: Saturday, Dec. 12
Time: 9am - 3pm
Location: 702 N. Buckner Blvd, Dallas
More info: http://www.whiterocklocalmarket.com/
Participating Etsy Dallas members: Tara to the T, Texas Tarts

Winter Art Fair
Date: Saturday, Dec. 12
Time: 10am – 6pm
Location: Sanger Elementary School
More info: http://listings.guidelive.com/dallas-tx/events/show/89437148-winter-art-fair
Participating Etsy Dallas member: Silla Soup

Bishop Lynch Christmas Bazaar
Over 85 vendors featuring handcrafted bath & body products, home & holiday décor, clothing & accessories, religious articles, jewelry, hand bags, live Christmas trees, and more! Raffle drawings all day. Pictures with Santa 9-2. Free admission. All proceeds benefit BL Brigade Drill Team and Cheerleaders
Date: Sunday, Dec. 13
Time: 9a - 5p
Location: Bishop Lynch High School, 9750 Ferguson Rd @ Peavy, Dallas, 75228
More info: http://www.bishoplynchbrigade.org-a.googlepages.com/home2.html
Participating Etsy Dallas members: Banana Showcase, Signature Scensations

Blue Genie Art Show
The Blue Genie Art Bazaar features the work of over 100 local and regional artists and artisans. From ceramics, original paintings, photographs, sculpture, accessories, and so much more, the annual Art Bazaar is a one-of-a-kind event for Austin.
Date: Now thru December 24th
Time: Visit http://www.bluegenieart.com/art_bazaar_2009.html
Location: Monarch Event Center, Austin, TX
More info: http://www.bluegenieart.com/art_bazaar_event.html
Participating Etsy Dallas Members: Tara to the T, Harrilu

collected and posted by Pamela and Stephanie

Thursday, December 3, 2009

Etsy Dallas Weekend Guide: Dec 5-6


The Dallas Flea
Date: Sat, December 5th
Time: 9am-4pm
Location: South Side on Lamar, 1409 S. Lamar Dallas
More info: Click here
Participating Etsy Dallas members: One-Up Designs, Pamela Michelle, Dowdy Studio, laura davis design lab, LolaFalk

North Haven Gardens Holiday Arts & Craft Sale
Looking for unique, locally made gifts for everyone on your list? You'll find something for even the pickiest friends and family this weekend at North Haven Gardens!
Date: Sat-Sun, December 5th & 6th
Time: 10am-5pm each day
Location: North Haven Gardens, 7700 Northaven Rd
More info: Click here
Participating Etsy Dallas members: F is for Frank, La Alicia, Three Yellow Starfish, Cut Out and Collect, Tefi Designs, The Pig & The Peacock, Modest Ambition, Karmacrochet


Gifts and Garters
Date: Sat, December 5th
Time: 6pm-midnight
Location: Excuses Cafe, 3025 Main Dallas
More info: Click here
Participating Etsy Dallas members: Tara to the T, Mia Maria Designs, Texas Tarts

LD Bell High School Craft Fair
Admission is a canned good to benefit the local community. There will be over 300 vendors under one roof, with food, beverages, and entertainment by the band and choir, who will perform throughout the day while people shop.
Date: Saturday, Dec 5th
Time: 9-5pm
Location: LD Bell High, 1601 Brown Trail, Hurst
More info: Click here
Participating Etsy Dallas member: artfull Expression

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

The Bash Was a Smash!

Thank you Dallas shoppers for making the 2nd Annual Jingle Bash such an overwhelming success. The place was PACKED FULL for hours and hours and our jaws were collecting hitting the floor all day long. Big thanks to Cindy Chaffin of KERA's Art+ Seek for shooting this video of the Bash:



Bookmark the new (and soon to be majorly improved) official Bash web site at www.handmadebash.com, and stay tuned as we work to plan the next show - Spring Bash 2010 - in a bigger and better venue!
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