Shop Feature: Midnight Snack

Are you hungry? Have an appetite for awesome? 

If so, meet Midnight Snack. 

Christina and I had booths next to each other at the Jingle Bash last November, and believe me, I wouldn't have wanted to be next to anyone else on that crazy busy day.  She is so fun to hang out with!

I recently sat down with Christina (okay, so there might have been sitting on both ends, but we weren't actually sitting next to each other--oh, the joys of the internet) and asked her a few questions.

I hope you have as much fun with this Q&A as I did!

Jenni: Ok, so it looks like you've been a part of Etsy Dallas for, well, maybe forever.  Wanna share anything about that?

Christina: I've been in Etsy Dallas since 2008 and I'm so proud of how much the team has grown. 

Jenni: Is there a secret to balancing a 9-5, a successful indie biz, being on the Etsy Dallas Leadership Team, oh and being a wife to a cutie hubs (more on him to follow)?

Christina: If there is a secret to doing it all well, then I'm not quite sure I've found it yet.  For me, it's best to create for Midnight Snack right when the ideas pop into my head.  If I try to schedule time to create, I often don't feel inspired.  I need to create when I want a project created so badly that I can't stop thinking about it. 

Jenni: Why food? I'm guessing it has to do with the huge smiles you see on peoples' faces when they see your stuff.  (Believe me, next door to this lady at the Bash, nothing but smiles for miles around!)   But seriously, did you just wake up one day and think: a bacon plushie pillow would be genius! (And reader, it is!)

Christina: I make food plushes for a couple of different reasons.  I think everyone loves food, and it's one of those weird things that in real life is not very cute, but as soon as you make it soft and cuddly it's adorable. 

(Christina, cont.) I also love how you can really get the essence of a lot of different foods by putting together a few shapes.  My most popular plushes tend to be the ones with the least complicated patterns. 

And speaking of cute: Christina and her husband have known each other since middle school! 

Meet Christina this Saturday at the Spring Bash--she's more than just awesome plushes.  Check out her jewelry and clothing designs, too.  (Sadly, she won't be my booth neighbor this year, but I can guarantee all those around her will be smiling!) 

See you on Cinco de Mayo!
Jenni of Jenni20 Designs

Sponsor spotlight: Dallas Yarn Bombers

You may have noticed Dallas has been a bit cozier lately... since 2010 the Dallas Yarn Bombers have been injecting warm fuzzies and feel-good color across the city via yarn!  They are promoting yarn bombing as a new, fun art form that is truly by and for the community.  They raise funds for several charities through raffles, as well as yarn-related charity efforts such as baby hats and blankets for the Parkland Hospital and baby booties for the Gendercide Awareness Project.

(above photos: celebrating National Yarn Bombing Day at Michaels)

(above photos: yarn bombing for Hair at the Winspear)

(above photo: yarn bombed golf cart at the 2011 Texas State Fair)

(above photo: bike by Sally Ackerman/K Witta, photo courtesy of Can Turkylimaz)

You'll be able to see their work in person at the Spring Bash next Saturday at the photo booth!!

Shop Feature: Maggie May I

Today's spotlight focus is on Maggie May I!  Maggie Younkin is a mixed-media collage artist out of North Richland Hills specializing in jewelry made from repurposed game pieces.


Maggie says she had been trying for years to implement family game night at her house. But since no one wanted to join her she turned to the next best thing - jewelry.   She uses repurposed dominos, found objects and game pieces to create the most amazing pendant necklaces and keychains.

pendant made from vintage anagram - $8.50

twin mustache pendant made from repurposed domino - $15

bicycle necklace from recycled checker - $15

bird key recycled domino pendant - $18

candy sprinkle pendant - $10

Visit Maggie at the Spring Bash next week!

Daily Discovery: Big Ideas for Little Ones-Rockets and Robots

(This was submitted by meredesigns - thanks, Meredith!!)

Who didn’t dream of having a personal robot to clean your room, make your breakfast or hold the other end of the jump rope for you? Robots and space themes are white hot for nurseries and children’s rooms right now, and Etsy Dallas Spring Bash vendors give you several ways to add geek chic to your little one’s room.

Paperfingers

O Is for Orbit Alphabet Art Print - $15

You love your little one right up to the moon and back – so show him how to get to the moon with this bold and playful alphabet print. Available in brown and deep blue or brown and purple, it measures 11” x 8.5” and looks great matted in a 14” x 11” frame.

Regal Cottage

Eco Friendly Organic Fabric Toy Balls – Gift Set of 3 – Robot Party - $45

Robots and planets and space ships, oh my! Your little ‘bot is sure to love tossing, kicking and catching these as he or she learns important motor skills – and you can feel confident that the certified organic fabrics and fluffy chenille won’t hurt one bit. This is a set of three balls: 5”, 7” and 9” diameters.

ReGEARED

Bike Clock - $38

The only thing cooler than a robot is the stuff on the inside that makes it tick! Gears are the perfect accessories for robot- and space-themed rooms, and every room needs a great clock. ReGEARED offers dozens of cool bike clocks made from upcycled bicycle chain rings in a rainbow of bold colors.

The Pig and the Peacock

Rainbow Robot Soap Favors – Set of 20 - $28

The Robots from Space soaps have landed and they want you to take them to your leader. . . or your shower. OK, these are not for your little ones, but wouldn’t these 2½” glycerin soaps make the perfect baby shower or birthday party favors? Pick your favorite color and any scent from The Pig and the Peacock’s shop.

mere designs

Conrad Mobile – Modern Nursery Mobile – Funky Robot Globes in Blue, Red, Green, Yellow and Charcoal - $40

Your babe can imagine the bleeps and blips that these robots, gears and space-inspired globes would make as the images twirl above him or her. These mobiles feature ten ornaments that add color and bold prints to your nursery. Each one is hand made and can be customized to fit your room’s color or design scheme.

CatCanCrochet

Crochet Raygun in White and Red - Baby’s First Raygun - $20

Whether used to defend the planet from an alien invasion or to toast an imaginary marshmallow, this will be sure to get a few laughs when friends see your armed baby. The 6" crochet raygun has a classic, sleek design, complete with fin and trigger. Made out of 100% acrylic yarn and premium polyester fiberfill, there are no hard or removable parts, so it's completely safe for space cadets of any age.

38 Stitches

Baby Bib – Robots on Teal Minky - $8

Why limit your theme to the bedroom? Show off your geek chic at mealtime, too, with this funky robot bib. On one side, see orange, yellow, green and blue robots on a dark chocolate brown background; on the back, plush teal minky fabric that is soft against baby’s skin.

Bash Bucks are Back!

It’s time again for Bash Bucks - they're like gift certificates redeemable at any artist booth at the Bash event. We’re thrilled to bring these back for our 4th Annual Spring Bash at the Palladium’s South Side Events Center.

The only way to get Bash Bucks is to win one of our upcoming blog contests or TWO upcoming twitter contests. That's right, you'll have THREE chances to win!

The contests will begin today and run through May 3^rd—just in time for our Cinco de Craft Party (aka the Spring Bash.)

First contest via Twitter. April 27, 2012, tweet the following by 4pm to be entered to win $10 Bash Bucks: "Hey @etsydallas I'll be at the #springbash and I want ___________." 

So what's up with the Bucks, you ask?

So, what are Bash Bucks? They are gift certificates that equal cash and are redeemable only at the current Bash event on May 5, 2012. They cannot be kept and spent at a future Bash event.

How do I win Bash Bucks? Anyone can enter to win them. To enter, participants will comment on the Etsy Dallas blog or tweet about the contest as specified in each contest’s instructions. Winners will be picked at random. Winners will claim their Bash Bucks in person the day of the current Bash. Bash Bucks cannot be mailed to the winners.

Okay I won! Now how do I spend them? Bash Bucks come in increments of $10 and spend like cash. The winner cannot receive change from Bash Bucks, and they cannot be split up to spend at two different booths. For example, if you want an $8 item, you must pay with your $10 Bash Bucks and forfeit the remaining $2 since change cannot be made. Additionally, you cannot spend that remaining $2 at a different vendor's booth.

Who's paying for these anyway? The Bash is footing the bill so we can spread the love to our wonderful shoppers and our artists.

What do they look like? The appearance of the Bash Bucks changes with each Bash event and is not publicized whatsoever. These are currency and therefore will have several unique distinguishable marks making them impossible to counterfeit and awesome to behold!

The Very Fine Print
+ Previous winners, members, and participating Bash artists ARE eligible to win.

+ If your comment or tweet is chosen, you will be required to give your full name and date of birth via email. You will be given instructions on how and where to pick up your Bash Bucks (any time during the event).

+You must reply to the congratulatory/instruction notifications by 11:59pm on May 3^rd and must be present the day of the 2012 Spring Bash to collect your certificates and redeem them. Failure to respond to the email with correct information by the deadline will forfeit your right to Bash Bucks.

+ Bash bucks are not transferable. If you win them, you have to spend them. If you win, please be prepared to bring a proper ID (driver's license) to claim your Bash Bucks.

+ Bash Bucks cannot be redeemed for cash. They must be spent at one of the Spring Bash 2012 vendor booths the day of the event. You are responsible for paying any total over the value of your certificate. Any balance after purchase is surrendered to the vendor (change will not be given).

+ 2012 Spring Bucks are void after 4:59pm on May 5^th, and may not be used at any other event or online.

+ Play Nice. Don't lie, cheat, or steal.

+ We love you! See you at the Bash! (SHOP+PARTY+ART+CRAFT)

Sponsor Spotlight: Helmutwalker Photography

Raelyn and Laura are the two amazingly talented chicas behind Helmutwalker Photography.  They specialize in an artistic, photojournalistic style, documenting both the emotions of once-in-a-lifetime events and the magic of everyday moments.  And you'll see them at the Etsy Dallas Spring Bash next Saturday snapping photos of the event!


Here are some samples of their photos from weddings, which give couples the opportunity to relive the excitement and happy tears of their special day - from that first glance to the last dance!

And here are some samples from kids and family sessions that feature kids doing what they do best - running around, playing and just being a kid.  They shoot on location right at the kids homes so they feel most comfortable and can just be themselves!  

Find out more info about Helmutwalker Photography here: 

website: http://www.helmutwalker.com/

blog: http://helmutwalker.com/blog/

facebook: http://www.facebook.com/helmutwalker

twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/helmutwalker

Weekend Guide: April 27 + 28 + 29

Fabulous Four Artist Workshop 

Date: Friday, April 27th, Saturday, April 28th, and Sunday, April 29th

Time: Friday Reception 6:30pm / Sat+ Sun 8am-5pm Location: Lockheed Martin Rec Area, 3400 Bryant Irvin Rd., Ft Worth 76109

More Info: $225 registration. See more details here. 

Participating Etsy Dallas Member: Christie Cone Ceramics 

Pegasus Plaza Outdoor Market

Date: Friday, April 27th

Time: 11 am-3pm

Location: Pegasus Plaza, at the corner of Main St. and Akard, Dallas 

More Info: Pegasus Plaza Outdoor Market

Participating Etsy Dallas Member: Dowdy Studio 

Dustbowl Arts Market 

Date: Saturday, April 28nd
Time: 11am-7pm
Location: 100th block of East Main St., Norman, OK
More Info: Dustbowl Arts Market
Participating Etsy Dallas Member: Dowdy Studio 

Shop Feature: Modest Ambition

Anne Lawrence of Modest Ambition started her shop in 2007, but has been creating crocheted clothing and accessories since the age of 8.  Today she is an amazingly talented artist, a new mom, and an advocate for the arts.

hair clips: $9

One of the things I find most interesting about Anne is her outlook on her craft... she says she does "not find crochet soothing, but rather challenging and complex."  You will always find new and original designs in her shop, and you can expect to see more baby and child items as her own little one grows!

silk mohair orange shrug: $85

ribbon badges: $6

baby poncho: $45

Modest Ambition will be at the Etsy Dallas Spring Bash on May 5th, stop by and check out what's new!


Visit Modest Ambition on Etsy for more inspiring items:
modestambition.etsy.com


And find out more about Anne here:
http://modestambition.com
http://y-e-arning.blogspot.com 

Daily Discovery: Gifts for the Good Guys

This one is for the Good Guys! Yes, the good guys can be really difficult to shop for, but Brandon of Honeycomb Print Shop decided to give us a little help with his picks from the Spring Bash lineup. 

1. Small Steak Plush - by Midnight Snack

2. Property of Man Cave Pillow - by Yellow Bug Boutique

3. Marfa Water Tower - by Seen Studios

4. Old 97s Spring Tour Poster - by Napkin Art

5. Bike Clock, desk clock - by RE-GEARED

6. Anchor T-Shirt - by Seventy-Five Apparel

7. Camera Lunch Bag/Six Pack Cooler - by Dozy Doats Totes

8. Upcycled Saw Clock - by BUTTER Design Lab

9. Viking Wood Beard T-Shirt - by Dowdy Studio

Sponsor Spotlight: Dallas Child

It is my pleasure to announce Dallas Child Magazine is one of our fabulous sponsors for the 4^th Annual Spring Bash. As a Mom of 4, Dallas Child magazine has been a favorite on my nightstand for a long time.

From the moment Dallas area Moms find out they are expecting, they know Dallas Child is the magazine to turn to for all things baby and kid in Dallas. And here’s why:

Best for Families features help you locate the best of everything from "Best Maternity Store" to "Best Place to Take Tots When You Want Them to Take a Nap." 

When the kids are bored, this list of area activities has lots of great ideas that I bet you haven’t thought of yet.

Who needs Real Housewives when you can read all about the inspiring, really Real Moms right here in Dallas? 

And my favorite, find the best Kids Eat Free restaurants in town any night of the week. 

Oh, and the birthday parties…don’t get me started on the birthday parties!

In addition to all of these great finds about town, Dallas Child also has spot-on fashion trends for tots and Moms, as well as, thought provoking articles full of helpful parenting advice. 

You can find this award-winning free monthly parenting magazine all around town at book stores, doctors offices, grocery stores, fitness centers, childcare facilities and libraries. You can also read the current and back issues online at DallasChild.com. And, you can stay in touch by following along on Facebook and their blog.