Wednesday, March 31, 2010

How to have fun & make something! by Pamela Michelle


I love the book Happy Kitty Bunny Pony! It's filled with cute delightful images to turn any bad day into an explosion of happiness. I found a copy at the local discount book store at a really affordable rate, so I decided I'd have my fun with it. And what better than to plaster some happiness on my blank bathroom wall. This was an cheap easy and fun project that I want to share with you, So grab your art project hat and get to creating! yay!

Materials:
1. Picture Book that you don't mind destroying
2. a bunch of frames, different sizes and styles(thrift store finds are great. My most expensive one was $1)
3. Paint
4. Scissors

I started by arranging my frames on the floor to get the perfect arrangement. I made sure most of them were touching another frame to give the illusion that this was one big piece of art.
Then once that was set, I chose a color pallet that went along with the bright happy colors in the book. Some of the frames I left their original color, but others I spray painted. Be sure you take out the glass from the frame before spray painting (I'm reminding you, because sometimes I make this mistake, oops).

Then once it's all dry, take your picture book and cut out your favorite images to fit in the frames. Most times frames have a cardboard insert that you can use as a sizing guide when cutting out your images.

When you're finished pop in all those pics and get to hanging!!!! And add that super fun to any room in your house!

posted by - Pamela Michelle

Friday, March 26, 2010

Etsy Dallas Weekend Guide: March 26-28



Poppytalkhandmade
It doesn't matter what the weather is like this weekend. Poppytalk blog is presenting a virtual craft fair, Poppytalkhandmade. You have all the excuses in the world, and approval from Etsy Dallas, not to get dressed this weekend and do your handmade shopping online!

Date: March 15th - April 15th
Time: 24/7
Location: online
More info: click here
Participating Etsy Dallas Members: Noshii

Monday, March 22, 2010

Monkey Love for Our Own ChetArt

An Etsy purchase transforms into an "Automagical" experience.
by Chet Philips of ChetArt

Back in late December I was greeted by a super sized order of 20 prints from my Etsy shop - all monkey-related images. I noticed the buyer was Ben Chestnut, co-founder of email marketing company, MailChimp. I was proud to learn that he planned to pass them out as Christmas presents to his company's employees. Monkey like!


A few weeks passed and it became apparent that the collection of ChetArt Etsy prints lounging in cubicles and on walls around the offices of MailChimp were starting to work some subtle monkey magic.

In January, MailChimp's video impresario extraordinaire, Joshua Rosenbaum, contacted me with details of a project they thought would be just right for me. And how! The job was for a long mural banner to be used for MailChimp's presence at the annual South by Southwest conference in Austin. It would serve as a large announcement to the world of a variety of "Automagic" features the company offers. Read my blog post about the mural.


Their art direction was very straightforward: Invent a whimsical environment with a Rube Goldberg sprinkling of silly devices, add in some monkeys, Steampunk flavor to taste and… a unicorn. The resulting composition was greeted with happy Chimp screams from the entire crew. Read Ben Chestnut's blog post about the mural.

The folks at MailChimp were a total pleasure to work with and the job was satisfying fun. A job, I have to say, would not have happened without Etsy bringing Ben and me together in the first place!

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Announcing the 2010 Spring Bash Artists!

We here at Bash central are proud to announce the artists and crafters for this year's 2nd Annual Spring Bash. The list is long and the talent is incredible. This is going to be one amazing show!


ALL ARTISTS BY CATEGORY

Accessories
Alicia Colina-Ashby, Irving TX
bows and arrows, Dallas TX
Feather by Feather, Owasso OK
Karmacrochet, Dallas TX
Midnight Snack, Allen TX
Silla Soup, Dallas TX
Superchica, Dallas TX
superjennylove, Bozeman MT
Tara to the T, Oak Cliff TX

Art + Graphic Design
3 Bears Studio, Red Oak TX
beethings, Dallas TX
Chet Phillips Illustration, Dallas TX
Miney Mo, Argyle TX
Noshii, Richardson TX
paperfingers, Richardson TX
Seen Studios, Dallas TX
The Miscellany, Sachse TX

Baby, Kids, Maternity
Loop and Lil, Richardson TX
Mama Dee's Boutique, Arlington TX
mere designs, Richardson TX
Three Yellow Starfish, Farmers Branch TX
XY Factory, Arlington TX

Bags + Purses
2enju, Oak Cliff TX
*annemarie* Style for the Individual, Austin TX
Banana Showcase, Duncanville TX
Cut Out and Collect, Arlington TX
Miamaria Design, Dallas TX
Nerdbomber, Garland TX
Rachel Elise, Denton TX
Textile Fetish, Austin TX

Body Care
SylettSoap, Dallas TX
The Pig and the Peacock, Dallas TX
The Pink Sink, Flower Mound TX
Where Water Comes Down, Coppell TX

Clothing
Dowdy Studio, Richardson TX
Harrilu, Plano TX
Signifying Not, Dallas TX

Home Goods + Decor
Both Hands Studio, Dallas TX
Ferrochie Studio, Dallas TX
Jane Joss, Arlington TX
laura davis / design lab, Oak Cliff TX
One-Up Designs, Dallas TX
Rimrock View Studio, Arlington TX

Jewelry
adaptive reUse, Austin TX
bonny beads, Irving TX
eye on the sparrow, Dallas TX
Haute Hardware, Dallas TX
Kessler Craftsman, Oak Cliff TX
Maggie May I, N. Richland Hills TX
Pamela Michelle, Richardson TX
Tefi Designs, Oak Cliff TX
Texas Tarts, Garland TX
The Gleeful Peacock, Tulsa OK

Other Fun Stuff
Fuzzy Muffins, Denton TX
Hip Hazel Hoops, Dallas TX
Peace Traveler, Grapevine TX
Wrap Couture, Dallas TX

Paper Goods
Color Box Design, Dallas TX
Oh Louise!, Dallas TX
The Paper Nest Co., Dallas TX

On a final note, we want to thank each and every person who applied for the Bash. Believe us, the choices were not easy, but there was simply too little space to fit everyone in. We love you all, encourage you to apply again (because you never know what the dynamics of a show will be like) and thank you from the bottom of our heart for supporting the Bash and the handmade movement in Dallas.

posted by Stephanie of Tefi Designs

Monday, March 15, 2010

Etsy Dallas Weekend Guide: March 20-21


Saturday & Sunday

ArtScape

95 artist outdoor craft festival amid 500,000 blooming bulbs at the Arboretum in Dallas.


Date: March 20 & 21

Location: Dallas Arboretum, Dallas, TX

More Info: click here

Cost of admission: Free with paid admission to the Arboretum ($10)

Participating Etsy Dallas members: Kessler Craftsman & Both Hands Studio



Thursday thru Saturday

SXSW Artists Market at Guero's

When SXSW happens in Austin - the whole city comes out to celebrate. If you are looking for some free music, great food, and local shopping - come by Guero's Taco Bar on South Congress for three days during March!


Date: March 18-20

Location: Guero's Taco Bar, South Congress, Austin

Cost of admission: Free

More Info: click here

Participating Etsy Dallas Members: Tara to the T



Saturday
If you're in Austin for SXSW, be sure to stop by our Etsy Dallas friends, Etsy Austin, as they put on their own street art market on South Congress. Personally shop through over 25 handmade artists and find everything from jewelry, clothing, accessories, pottery and more. And if you miss it this Saturday, have no fear my friends, Etsy Austin holds the Art Market every 3rd Saturday of the month.

Date: March 20
Time 11am - 6pm
Location: 1600 block of South Congress, by Hello Cupcake! Austin
Cost of admission: Free
More Info: click here

Sunday, March 14, 2010

The First Green of Spring

It's almost spring and that means - almost St. Patrick's Day!

No matter how you choose to celebrate – going to a parade, wearing green, drinking green beer or pretending to be Irish – you're sure to enjoy these beautiful handmade gift finds for St. Patrick's Day!

Green beer not your thing? Warm yourself up with a cup of delicious Irish Creme coffee from one of Etsy Dallas' newest members, Downtown Roasters (green mug recommended, but not required).

Find Downtown Roasters in person at the Coffee Haus Downtown in Arlington, Texas!


Dress your four legged friends for warmth and style with crocheted creations from another Etsy Dallas newbie, Oh So Micro. Dressing them in green will keep them from getting a chill (and a pinch!) on this brisk St. Patrick's Day.







From another new Etsy Dallas member ILDVED, and viking jeweler extraordinaire, this lovely piece will help you feel the green with sterling silver and reindeer moss all wrapped up in a ring.

Monday, March 8, 2010

Etsy Dallas Weekend Guide: March 11-14


March 11 - 14


Saturday Events!
Link


White Rock Local Market

Description of event: Local food, local goods and local friends are what make our community special. Facilitating the sale of fresh and nutritious produce, meat and dairy, breads, and artisan foods is a solid step to strengthening our community. But not just food – we also introduce vendors selling their art, pottery, clothes and more.


Date: March 13

Time: 8 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Location: 702 N. Buckner, Dallas, TX

More info: click here

Cost: free!!

Participating Etsy Dallas members: Modest Ambition



Thursday Night
Penny Darling Trunk Show
Penny Darling is a neo victorian inspired accessories line designed by Tara Tonini. We are 1976will be hosting a trunk show to show off the spring collection.

Date: Thursday March 11th
Time:
6:30pm
Location:
We are 1976, 1902 N. Henderson Dallas, TX 75206
More Info:
click here
and here
Cost:
Free!
Participating Etsy Dallas members:
Tara to the T

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

Etsy Dallas Weekend Guide: March4-7



Thursday

The Kessler Craftsman Art Demo at Artisan’s Collective
This coming Thursday night come out to the Bishop Arts District to celebrate 1st Thursday. The Kessler Craftsman will be at Artisan’s Collective in the Bishop Arts District demonstrating his glass work and allowing folks to make a fused glass dragonfly pendant or a fused glass mosaic pendant for just $10 each! If you’ve hesitated to make the plunge and take a class by the Kessler Craftsman, this is your chance to get in on the action! While you're hanging out in the Bishop Arts District be sure to grab a tasty burger from Hunky's and stop by our friends at Make Studio to shop some modern arts and crafts.


Date: Thursday, March 4th
Location: Artisan's Collective, Bishop Arts District, Dallas
More info: Click here and here




Saturday




2010 Guyer Choir Craft Show

Booths overflowing with unique handmade crafts, items for you, your family, and your home. Food and Entertainment. Bring the children for pictures with the Easter Bunny and an egg hunt.


Date: Saturday, March 6th

Time: 9am-4pm

Location: Guyer HS, Denton, TX

More Info: Click Here

Cost: FREE

Participating Etsy Dallas members: maggie may i

Monday, March 1, 2010

Category Spotlight: Baby, Kids and Maternity

I'm proud to present you with a new blog article that will come out each month spotlighting one of our team member categories. As a new mom (okay, newish - my son is over a year old), I jumped at the chance to shine a light on our members who make stylish and adorable handmade goods for babies, kids, and preggies. Check out the talent!

Amanda of Loop + Lil is new to our team, but she's no Bash newbie - we were fortunate to have her participate in last year's Jingle Bash! According to her Etsy profile, "Loop + Lil creates one-of-a-kind baby and toddler clothes as well as accessories for children and adults using vintage and vintage-inspired fabrics and simple, classic designs." Better yet, all items are crafted by hand right here in Dallas. My favorite are her little birdie mobiles.


Another team newbie, Dora of Mama Dee's Boutique decided to create boys' clothing when she was pregnant and unable to find a good selection. I have a boy toddler monster - I know what she means! Lucky for us moms with boys, Mama Dee's makes adorable baby clothing using the applique method. And you doesn't love an appliques octopus?

The newbie trend continues. Meredith of Mere Designs may be new to our team, but she is a talented graphic artist who's cultivated a beautiful online Etsy shop for almost two years. Meredith specializes in mobiles and prints perfect for any nursery needing a splash of color or touch of quality handmade. I love love love her paper mobiles.

You may recognize Margaret of Three Yellow Starfish. As a seasoned Etsy Dallas member, we have featured her adorable product photographs starring some of the most adorable babies I've ever seen. While the babies may be the center of these photos, her pinafores and bloomers are the stars. Made with quality designer fabric, Margaret sews some of the best robot pants my son, Ian, has ever seen!

Stephanie of XY Factory makes rockin' maternity clothes featuring latino-inspired motifs like La Loteria images and Day of the Dead skulls. Who says being pregnant means being reduced to wearing kaftans and Snuggies? Rock that bump out with some of Stephanie's designs!

Pictured above #1: paper mobile by Mere Designs, girl's top by Loop + Lil, and bloomers by Three Yellow Starfish

Pictured above #2: t-shirt by Loop + Lil, baby onesie by Mama Dee's Boutique, and maternity top by XY Factory

Article written by Stephanie of Tefi Designs
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