Spring Bash: It's All In the Details

We hope you are excited as we are about the upcoming Spring Bash this Saturday. It will be our 7th craft show since our humble beginnings in 2007! There is so much fun stuff to do at the Bash - shop, craft, drink, groove - that we sometimes forget the boring stuff. Here's the low down on some important details:

RAIN OR SHINE!

Since the Spring Bash is all indoors at South Side on Lamar, no rain or yucky weather will stop us from having this party. Come one! Come all!! (and bring plenty of cash...see below)

PARKING
Shoppers can park in several places at South Side on Lamar. There is a free 2-hour retail lot across from the main Bash entrance on Belleview Street, several larger $5 lots next to this small 2-hour lot, meter spaces along Lamar Street, and some free parking sprinkled throughout The Cedars neighborhood.

DART RAIL
Take the blue or red line to The Cedars stop on the DART rail, and save on gas and ugly carbon emissions!

BIKE ON OVER
We love our bike friendly citizens. Strap on your helmet and head over to South Side on two wheels!

MONEY STUFF
There are two ATM's on site, but the Bash cannot control if they are functioning and/or full of dollars. Please bring plenty of cash with you since many vendors cannot accept credit cards (that costs the artists money!). Our DJ also accepts cash tips. Believe us - you're gonna love him and he's worth a few dollars to say "Thanks for the groovin' tunes!" Absinthe Bar will accept cash or credit for drinks.

DOGS LOVE CRAFTS
It's true! Dogs just love the handmade way. Show them a good time by bringing your leashed pal to the show. South Side is a dog-friendly building, and the Bash is a dog-friendly event!

Spring Bash Daily Discovery: Animal Kingdom

In honor of Operation Kindness, the charity we selected to receive YOUR cash donations at the Spring Bash raffle table, we bring you some of the best animal-inspired handmade arts + crafts these Featured Artists will have for sale this Saturday.

Our Four-Legged Friends

1) Bunny Onesie by Harrilu, 2) Frog Dog Hog Log Bog print by bee things, 3) Monkey letterpress print by Color Box Design, 4) Longhorn photograph by Seen Studios

Our Friends In Sea and Sky

1) Octopus zipper pouch by Cut Out and Collect, 2) Owl pin by Silla Soup, 3) Grand Whale t-shirt by Dowdy Studio, 4) Double Vision print by Pamela Michelle

Spring Bash Daily Discovery: Sunny + Orange

Take a look at these fantastically sunny handmade items from some of the upcoming Spring Bash's featured artists. Orange-y delicious!


1) Foxy Fox art necklace by Pamela Michelle, 2) Sunny Days Are Here Again pin by Silla Soup, 3) Northern Lights Japanese lantern by Kessler Craftsman, 4) Sunny Balls necklace by tefi, 5) Butterfly letterpress notecards by Color Box Design, 6) Spicy cowl by Karmacrochet

Putting the Men of Etsy Dallas to Work!

Big thanks to Larry, Dylan and James for hanging this banner last night at the South Side on Lamar Artist's Quarter entrance. The Bash is 2 days away. CAN YOU STAND IT???

Spring Bash Daily Discovery: Goody Bags

Etsy Dallas and the Handmade Bash has been home to the original handmade Goody Bags since we first introduced them at our infamous Etsy Dallas Beer-B-Q back in May 2008. Since then, shoppers have clamored for a coveted Bash Goody Bag, even if it meant waiting in line two hours before our doors opened!

Dowdy Studio screenprints Pamela Michelle's graphic onto the Bash Goody Bags

The upcoming 2nd Annual Spring Bash promises to offer our best Bash Goody Bags to date! See below for all the great items available free for the first 50 shoppers. Big, huge crafty thanks to the following artists and businesses who donated promos, samples and products:

adaptive reuse - upcycled charms
Alicia Colina-Ashby - paper gem hair clip
Banana Showcase - magnets
bonny beads - fused glass hair clips
Both Hands Studio - ceramic magnets
Cafe Mate Libros - tea samples
Color Box Design - letterpress gift tags
Cricket Shack - pendants
Crown Bindery - luggage tags
Dowdy Studio - magnets
Fresh Press - notecard set
Funky Finds - pens, booklets
Karmacrochet - matchbook notepads
Loop and Lil - sewing kits + coupon
Lone Star Ladies - flyer + candy
M* J Bath & Gifts - bath salt samples
Maggie May I - little charms
Modest Ambition - crochet magnet
Noshii - embroidered pins
Oh Louise! - paper gift tags
One Up Designs - vinyl decals
Operation Kindness - pens
Pamela Michelle - magnets
paperfingers - pinbacks
Pink Pedal Car - matchbook notepads
Seen Studios - magnets
Supply Pusher - necklaces
Tara to the T - feather hair accessories
tefi - beaded earrings and bobby pins
The Belmont Hotel - coupons
The Pig & the Peacock - soap samples
The Pink Sink - soap samples
The Wedding Party Studio - coupons
Three Yellow Starfish - fabric flowers + notepads
Votre Vu - hand creme samples
Where Water Comes Down - water bottles + lip balm
XY Factory - iron-on patches

Lots of goodies ready to be stuffed by tefi!

BONUS! Two (2) of these Bash Goody Bags will have a $10 Bash Bucks gift certificate as a special "Thanks For Your Support" from all of us here in Bashland. Read more about how these Bash Bucks work.

Gimme gimmie Bash Goody Bag

See you all at the Spring Bash this Saturday at South Side on Lamar!

Spring Bash Daily Discovery: Sip & Shop

After working hard making and creating tons of goodies for the Spring Bash, we are looking forward to kicking back and having a cold one at the show! Oh yeah, the Spring Bash is very very happy to welcome Absinthe Bar to its line-up of vendors. They'll serve you a beer or hand make you a mixed drink at the show. If you need more after the show, Absinthe Bar is in the basement at South Side, and opens at 6pm. They'd be happy to serve you up something after an exciting day of handmade shopping. Bottoms up!

click here to visit Absinthe Bar

Sponsor Spotlight: South Side on Lamar

When you think unique living space, community, and all things indie you think South Side on Lamarr. Spotlighting this sponsor, host of the 2010 Spring Bash takes one Texas-sized spotlight!

South Side on Lamar, located in the historic Sears building has been supporting Etsy Dallas since our crafting takeover began. With the support and general awesomeness of South Side on Lamar Etsy Dallas has been able to host the 2007 Holiday Show, 2008 Valentine's Show, 2009 Spring Bash and the upcoming 2010 Spring Bash and the upcoming Supplies Me! Sale (details TBA).

Not only does South Side on Lamar support the indie community but also hosts many art shows, non-profit and community events. Thank you South Side for rockin' all you do!

written by Jacky of Texas Tarts

Spring Bash Daily Discovery: For the Men

Hey guys! This is for you. We know most art + craft shows don't offer you the chance to get some real man shopping done. Instead of being dragged through miles of cutesy hair clips, frilly dresses, enormous purses and shiny jewelry, you can have your "Man Moment" at these artist's booths at the Spring Bash. They offer some unique guy items that just might compete in a manliness competition with chest hair and beards.

Ditch the ladies, grab a beer at our bar, and get your well-deserved man time in.

Dowdy Studio

Signifying Not

Paperfingers

Seen Studios

Spring Bash Sponsor Spotlight: Yelp.com

Want to know all about the hottest places, events and exclusive deals in your area? Yelp is the best place to go to find the most accurate user-generated ratings on local dining, businesses, retail and events. Because actual locals create the reviews, you know the ratings are unbiased and up-to-date.

Founded in San Francisco in July 2004, Yelp offers users the option to filter searches by category, highest-rated, distance, price and more. Sort reviews by date, usefulness, coolness, funniness or number of votes. Since its founding, Yelp communities have taken root in major metros across the US, Canada, UK and Ireland - including our very own Dallas!

Use Yelp Mobile to check reviews and events on the go. Yelp even has a blog and weekly newsletter to keep you informed on what’s going on in your city. Best of all Yelp is free, and creating an account is easy. Users can write reviews, make lists of favorite businesses and chat with friends in the forums.

Bookmark Yelp and make it your favorite guide to the best of the best (and not so best)! Start by reading some of our favorite local reviews:

Sons of Hermann Hall
CityCraft
The Coffeehaus Downtown
Make Shop and Studio

Etsy Dallas is proud to have Yelp.com as a top sponsor of the 2010 Spring Bash!

written by Karen of Nerdbomber

Spring Bash Daily Discovery: Gimme More Teal!!

We can't get enough teal, and neither can our Spring Bash Artists! We spotted some teal in their handmade collections this year and thought we'd better call them out on picking such a wonderful color. You, too, can help us spot more teal at the Spring Bash on May 1st.

Paper Nest Co.

Tefi

Texas Tarts

Spring Bash Daily Discovery: Handmade Handbags

Today we discovered that no girl can go without her carry-all bag. Where else would you store all your valuables and daily essentials like your phone, wallet, make-up, hand crocheted afghan, hot glue gun, unicorn sprinkles, and sewing machine?

I mean, wait, okay, maybe you don't have all that in one bag. Perhaps I got a little too personal there. Well, we searched the 2010 Spring Bash Artists for the coolest carry-all bags, and WOW we found some uniquely awesome discoveries. Check them out, and be sure to swing by the Spring Bash to meet the designers and see them in person to see what you can put in them!

Clockwise from top left: Cut Out and Collect, Banana Showcase, *annemarie*, and 2Enju

Bash Bucks Contest: Win 'Em Round Two!

BASH BUCKS CONTEST IS CLOSED. THANKS TO ALL WHO ENTERED!

Aw yes! We're back with the second round of giveaways hosted by the artists of the Spring Bash! Here's your last chance to win Bash Bucks, redeemable only at the Spring Bash on May 1st at South Side on Lamar in Dallas. Bash Bucks are like gift certificates you'll pick up the day of the Bash - and you can spend them at ANY participating artist's booth during the Bash. You can't go wrong. There are two ways to win!

*CLICK HERE TO READ THE BASH BUCKS RULES*

(1) Comment On This Post
Look through our Spring Bash artists and leave a comment below, telling us what you'd spend your Bash Bucks on. Include your email address! The comments will close at 11:59pm April 28th and one lucky commenter will be picked at random to receive $20 in Bash Bucks. You can enter as much as you like, so get comment crazy.

(2) Tweet It Out
Hop on Twitter and tweet about the Spring Bash all you want. Add #SpringBash and a link to this blog post or www.handmadebash.com in the text. You can tweet as much as you want until 11:59pm April 28. We'll pick a tweet at random to receive $40 in Bash Bucks! You'll need to direct message your email address to us if you win. Feel free to copy and paste these tweet examples:

• I'll be at the #SpringBash May 1 in Dallas to see it in all it's handmade glory! www.handmadebash.com
• Retweet for a chance to win BashBucks for the #SpringBash in Dallas May 1 http://tinyurl.com/26nevjy

We can't wait to hear the things that have caught your eye!

Good luck, Bashers!!

Daily Discovery: Mother's Day Gifts

Here are some great gifts you can pick up on May 1st at the 2nd Annual Spring Bash for Mom (and wife, sister, grandma, aunt, me) . See you there!

1) Mirella reversible purse by *annemarie*, 2) Quiet Time art print by The Miscellany, 3) Fused glass wine stopper by The Kessler Craftsman, 4) Crochet washcloths by Karmacrochet, 5) Cork board heart by La Alicia, 6) Lotus ceramic box by Rimrock View Studio, 7) Peonies tunic by Harrilu, 8) Haute plate by laura davis / design lab, 9) Silver fawn necklace by Haute Hardware

posted by Stephanie of tefi

Etsy Dallas Weekend Guide: April 23-25

2010 Spring Art Mart

Art lovers once again get a great opportunity to support local artists (and acquire some wonderful art in the process) during the Bath House Cultural Center's Spring Art Mart. The Art Mart has always been the place to find a special piece of art for yourself, family and friends: paintings, sculpture, photography, pottery, ceramics, jewelry, cards and other unique creations.

The Bath House Art Mart benefits the Bath House Cultural Center's year-round visual and performing arts programs. Purchases benefit everyone: The lucky owner will take home one-of-a-kind artwork, while local artists and arts lovers will be able to continue enjoying the arts at the neighborhood cultural center on White Rock Lake.

Date: Friday - Sunday, April 23-25
Time: (F) 7-9pm Reception, (S) 12pm-7pm, (Su) 11am - 6pm
Location: Bath House Cultural Center, Dallas, TX
Cost: Free!
Shop Etsy Dallas: The Kessler Craftsman
More info: click here

Community FairAnd Market

The Robert Muller School in Fairview, TX is holding its first annual Community Fair and Craft Market this Saturday.

The Fair will feature: fine art, handcrafts, baked goods, fresh produce and much more, with an emphasis on local businesses and family friendly, organic, sustainable products and services for our community! We will also have a kid’s fun area with arts and crafts, a bounce house, face painting, peace games, music, dancing and other activities.

Date: Saturday, April 24
Time: 10am-4pm
Location: Robert Muller School, Fairview, Tx
Cost: Free!

Shop Etsy Dallas: eye on the sparrow designs

More info: click here

Dustbowl Arts Market + Norman Music Festival 3

This is round two for the Dustbowl Arts Market, this time it's running alongside the Norman Music Festival so you can shop on your way to hear live music - includes the Dirty Projectors & Octopus Project.
Date: Sunday, April 25
Time: 11am - 5:30 pm
Location: Corner of Crawford & Gray, Downtown Norman, OK
Cost: all free, even the music!
Shop Etsy Dallas: Cut Out And Collect & eye on the sparrow designs
More info: click here and here

Etsy Dallas Weekend Guide: April 17-18

Oak Cliff Earth Day

Come on out to the beautiful historic Lake Cliff Park this coming Sunday, 18 April, located at Zang & Colorado. No entrance fee. There will be over 100 vendors, artisans, animal adoptions, entertainers, facepainters, bee keepers, food vendors, and much much more.

Date: Sunday, April 18th
Time: 12-5p
Location: Lake Cliff Park, Dallas
More Info: click here Cost of admission: FREE + free shuttle from Methodist hospital
Shop Etsy Dallas: Tefi Designs, Kessler Craftsman, Texas Tarts, Dowdy Studio & Eye of the Sparrow Designs

Art in the Park

This free three-day event will be held in beautiful Kenndale Town Center. Art in the Park celebrates a variety of unique visual, musical and performing art talent and feature artists and vendors from the surrounding area. As one of Kennedale’s anticipated annual events, Art in the Park will focus on the artist and their work, while offering delectable food in the food court, live music performances and unique creative activities in the Children’s Area. A 5K Race and Fun Run are also planned during the festival event.

Date: Fri - Sun, April 16-18th
Time: F: 4pm -10pm , Sa: 10am - 10 pm , Su: 11am - 6pm
Location: Kennedale Town Center, Kennedale, TX
More Info: click here
Cost of admission: FREE!!
SHOP Etsy Dallas: maggie may i

Bash Bucks: 1st Contest Closed!

THIS 1ST BASH BUCKS CONTEST IS CLOSED.
THANK YOU TO ALL WHO PARTICIPATED!
NEXT CONTEST BEGINS APRIL 23RD

As promised, the artists of the Spring Bash are hosting the first set of giveaways! Here's your chance to win Bash Bucks, redeemable only at the Spring Bash on May 1st at South Side on Lamar in Dallas. Bash Bucks are like gift certificates you'll pick up the day of the Bash - and you can spend them at ANY participating artist's booth during the Bash. You can't go wrong. There are two ways to win!

*CLICK HERE TO READ THE BASH BUCKS RULES*

(1) Comment On This Post
Look through our Spring Bash artists and leave a comment below, telling us what you'd spend your Bash Bucks on. Include your email address! The comments will close at 11:59pm April 19th and one lucky commenter will be picked at random to receive $20 in Bash Bucks. You can enter as much as you like, so get comment crazy.

(2) Tweet It Out
Hop on Twitter and tweet about the Spring Bash all you want. Add #SpringBash and a link to this blog post or www.handmadebash.com in the text. You can tweet as much as you want until 11:59pm April 19. We'll pick a tweet at random to receive $20 in Bash Bucks! You'll need to direct message your email address to us if you win. Feel free to copy and paste these tweet examples:

• I'll be at the #SpringBash May 1 in Dallas to buy handmade Mother's Day gifts! www.handmadebash.com
• Retweet for a chance to win BashBucks for the #SpringBash in Dallas May 1 http://tinyurl.com/y47e9ln

If your comments or tweets aren't chosen, don't fret! There will be more chances to win Bash Bucks and show us your happy dance on April 23rd. Just make sure you put down your adhesives and sharp objects, okay?

Good luck, Bashers!!

Etsy Dallas Celebrates Earth Day

Earth Day is a day designed to inspire awareness and appreciation for our natural environment. So in honor of this green day, I’m stoked to highlight some of our own awesome eco-friendly members and artisans!

I love the way Abbie from Eye On The Sparrow uses re-purposed bass and guitar strings donated by many local musicians to make her inspired jewelry. Choose designs using guitar strings from Dallas' own Deathray Davies, Chomsky and Shibboleth.

How cool is that?

Alicia of LaAlicia explains how her love for all things recycled began: “I began folding paper as a child, explored origami with my mom, and my grandmother's friend showed me how to fold paper chains. Being surrounded by creative people all my life makes creating things seem as natural as breathing. Over the years, I've spent many hours experimenting with paper folding and it has mushroomed. I'm always amazed by the potential held by flat sheets of paper and inspired by all the new tree-free paper that has popped up. This Spring, I'm delighted to be introducing my new line of hair accessories that feature recycled candy wrappers. They'll be available at the Spring Bash.”

Jacky from Texas Tarts uses recycled pieces of vinyl records to make her funky and cool jewelry. Karmacrochet and Maggie May I both use reused or repurposed game pieces for some pendants and often find vintage pieces from hunting estate sales!

I asked Stephanie of Tefi why it was important to her to use naturally and ethically raised wool in her felted pieces: “Wool is natural, abundant, and quite affordable. What makes mine so special is that it is raised and hand-dyed by a gal with her own farm in North Carolina. I know exactly where my wool comes from and can rest assured that the production and cultivation is environmentally- and animal-friendly. A dream of mine is to have my own sheep to raise, but here in the hot Texas heat that would be straight up animal cruelty! So until then, I buy my wool from someone I can trust to do the right thing for the environment and her animals."

She also explains the higher cost of her felted ball necklaces to the long and tedious process involved in needle felting. One of her necklaces can take hours to complete!

I also love the way Laura of laura davis/design lab uses one-of-a-kind recycled, re-purposed vintage materials for her creations! From colorful upcycled pillow cases to kitschy plates and saucers, Laura's designs are a perfect blend of green-retro-kitsch.





Lastly, I use eco-spun recycled plastic felt to make my clips. I recently have ventured out into the environmentally friendly world of bamboo felt, and local fabric shop CityCraft carries a wide selection of this yummy eco-fabric.

I hope to introduce these accessories at our 2nd Annual Spring Bash. See you there!

written by Silla of Silla Soup

Spring Bash Sponsor Spotlight: Shop Austin!

The Lone Star Ladies present Austin’s 2nd annual SHOP AUSTIN, featuring a juried selection of 50 handmade artisans, a complimentary Beauty Lounge sponsored by milk+honey day spa, delicious sweet and savory gourmet food in the cafe, and the presentation of the Frontier Scholarship Recipient.

The first thirty shoppers to arrive will receive a goodie bag stuffed with great giveaway items from vendors and local businesses, and printed by Extra!Extra! Sponsor, South Side Sanctuary.

The Spring Bash is proud to call The Lone Star Ladies one of it's sponsors, and we hope this is a good excuse for you to take a little Saturday drive down south to shop handmade in Austin!

Date: Saturday, April 17, 2010
Time: 10am-6pm
Location: Saengerrunde Hall, Austin
Cost: $10, with $5 of each ticket going to support the Frontier Scholarship

Etsy Dallas Weekend Guide: April 10-11

Urban Street Bazaar

Get ready for Urban Bazaar 10, featuring over 50 handcrafted vendors! The Urban Bazaar is DFW's answer to the alternative art & craft DIY movement sweeping the country. The demand for hip handmade product is answered with this local shopping experience, so be sure to join us and support these local makers and creators of everything handcrafted. Whether you are looking for unique clothing, funky jewelry and accessories, or that perfect art piece for your pad, this is the place to be!

Date: Sat - Sun, April 10-11
Time: Sat 12-8, Sun 12-4
Location: Bishop Arts District
More info: Click here
Cost of Admission: FREE!!
Participating Etsy Dallas members: Dowdy Studio, Cut Out and Collect, Silla Soup, Jane Joss, Kessler Craftsman, Seen Studios, Three Yellow Starfish, Mia Maria, Maggie May I, Eye of the Sparrow Designs

DFW Fiber Fest

DFW Fiber Fest is an annual event dedicated to offering classes from both nationally known and local teachers in crocheting, dyeing, hand knitting, spinning, weaving, and other fiber arts. Numerous vendors will be on-site as well, with everything you could need for knitting and crocheting!

Date: Fri - Sun, April 9-11
Time: Classes run 9:00am-noon and 2:00pm-5:00pm each day. The vendor area will be open 8:00am-6:00pm Friday & Saturday, and 9:00am-6:00pm on Sunday.
Location: Addison Conference Center
More Info: Click Here
Cost of admission: $2/day or $5/weekend. Students are free!! Class prices start at $60.
Participating Etsy Dallas members: bonny beads