Indie Emporium is Coming!

Good afternoon, friends!  I mentioned in my recent terrarium tutorial post that I took on a new position at work earlier this year.  I really feel like I'm in my element now, and I've become married to my work so to speak.  That being said, I decided it was important to participate in at least one craft show this year despite this newly increased workload.  If you've ever witnessed my excitement about Indie Emporium in past years, you might have guessed that even if I reduce the amount of craft shows I take on to one a year, THIS will be the one!

So rather than neglecting my blog and focusing 100% of my passions into my day job, I'm shining some light onto the crafty side of life by giving a you a little tour of what I have in store for this year's Indie Emporium!  Let's start with the swag.  Every year, there are swag bags consisting of samples and small gifts given to the first 50 people in line at the opening of the show Friday night.  The line gets longer each year since many of the vendors contribute to these bags, making them a treasure trove of fun things to browse (it is not uncommon to see the lucky recipients hovering in corners tearing into theirs, unable to overcome the suspense of wondering what's inside).  I've included things like guitar pick keychains, glow-in-the-dark magnets, herbal tea, buttons, and charms in the past, and I try to add something fun and fresh each year.  This time around I put together little sticker packs, each containing three upbeat sentiments.

Last year, I almost completely sold out of the craft kits I brought.  So this year, I'll be equipped with a huge stock of dream catcher kits and these fun sewing kits, which contain all the supplies and instructions for making your own little wallet.  I'll have plenty of bright new color combinations, too!

I also premiered my Slightly Slouchy Beanies last year to a pretty warm welcome, which made me happy because I came up with a pattern and tampered with it ceaselessly until I found what I believe to be the perfect fit.  I replenished my stock of solid colors for the 2014 show, and I whipped up some fun gradient style hats as well.

This idea came from a hat I made for myself in shades of green.  The shifting colors make it an easy accessory to fit into my wardrobe (in the photo above, I was acting goofy and wearing my gradient green beanie with a black tee and bright green corduroy pants).  Mine was getting a lot of use, and receiving some compliments too, so I came up with a variety of color combos to bring to the show.

Up next on the agenda, I'll be sculpting up some new creatures and a fresh batch of glitter acorn necklaces.  If you're in the Tulsa area and you've ever attended this show, you know what a blast it is and I hope you'll come back.  And for those who are close by but have never attended, you have GOT to experience this event!

Photo courtesy of Mandy Gross

There will be all kinds of fun, crafty things to do while you browse this impressive roster of makers.  I hope to see you in a few weeks at Indie Emporium 2014!

World Book Night 2014

Did you know there is a very special day in our midst?  World Book Night is taking place on Wednesday, April 23rd, and thousands of people all over the globe have volunteered to be givers of brand new, special edition books- including yours truly! 

The book I am giving is The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky, and if you're in the Tulsa area and you'd like to lay claim to a copy of this awesome read, you can find me in the lobby of Made: The Indie Emporium Shop Wednesday, April 23rd (tomorrow!) from noon to 3 with a stack of 20 books while they last.  I'll be set up with a fellow member of Make:Tulsa, the lovely Sam of Bohemian Romance fame, passing out books and making the origami bookmarks from this tutorial I posted previously on my blog.

The mission behind World Book Night is to get shiny new copies of popular books into the hands of people who don't regularly take the time to read, with the hope that some of these book-reader connections will spark a lifelong love of reading.  Every year, an application process begins and most of the people who express an interest in this cause are approved.  If you think you might enjoy the opportunity to pass out free books to strangers, I encourage you to visit the WBN website for more information on becoming a giver.  Happy reading!

A Tour of My Booth at Indie Emporium 2013

Hello and happy holidays!  Since I recently told you how excited I get for Indie Emporium each year, it's only fair that I do a little recap of the show, right?  Plenty of friendly faces were in attendance, and I had a wonderful time chatting with all the interesting folks who came to visit.  I revealed some new goodies such as crocheted hats, fairy gardens, lucky star necklaces, and grab bags- all of which were very well received and most of which you'll be seeing soon in my Etsy shop.  

I changed my setup yet again, because I added new things and because I like to make sure my displays are always evolving so it doesn't get boring.  While I was pretty happy with the way everything fit into the woodland theme I was trying to invoke, I need to improve upon this setup because it's a little too narrow for my taste.  I want to make it more spacious so that people feel invited to linger in my booth, taking in the tiny things I sculpt in a happy, comfortable setting.  On that note, step inside and have a look!

The little brown boxes you see on the tables contain Global Love Necklaces.  The proceeds from these are donated to Doctors Without Borders, and the generous souls who purchased them at the show contributed to a $50 donation for this important cause.

To further establish a warm, woodland mood, I added a few magical little touches to my space. I brought a set of mushroom lamps to help illuminate my area once the sun went down and the lights were low.

One thing that factored very heavily in my enjoyment of the weekend was that my booth was located right next to Sam of Bohemian Romance. She is one of my dearest friends, and there was never a dull moment since I was perched side-by-side with this lovely person.

Although I'm the first to acknowledge that my booth is a constant work-in-progress, I do take a small amount of pride in the way it currently looks when I reminisce on my early craft show days (check out this photo album to view the evolution of my setup and this picture if you want to see it at its worst, but only if you promise not to judge me).  So one of my creative goals for the next craft show season is come up with a cozy, innovative setup that will wow the curious minds who wander into my little piece of the arts and crafts world.  What kind of creative goals do you have for the coming year?

GIVEAWAY- Indie Emporium Tickets

If you've been following my blog for any amount of time, there's a good chance you have seen how excited I get for Indie Emporium each year.  Since the very beginning of this annual event, it has been one of the most fun and successful shows I participate in.  To celebrate this upcoming gathering of all things creative, I'm giving away a set of tickets to three lucky shoppers this weekend!

To enter, just leave a comment on this post with a handmade gift idea you'd love to buy or receive this year.  You have until Monday, December 9th at 8:00 a.m. to enter the giveaway.  I will draw three winners, who will each receive a set of two free tickets to the show (which are good for both days).

If you need an incentive to attend, just check out the schedule.  On top of all the highly-original handmade items available for browsing, there will also be giveaways, live music, free make & take projects, food, demos and a fashion show.  If you come visit my booth, you'll find a little something I've put together to spread some holiday cheer- free heart charms in exchange for a hug or a smile.  Come get them while they last!

Don't forget to comment on this post with a handmade gift idea to be entered into the drawing.  Make sure to leave an email address in your comment so I can contact you if you win.  I'll be choosing three people at random to have tickets mailed to their doorstep the week of the show.  Good luck, and I hope to see you soon!

Master Your Dreams

You may recall my recap of the Etsy Craft Party I shared summer before last, when I first taught how to make dream catchers.  It was probably one of the more popular projects at the party, but also the most involved.  They're fairly easy, they just take a little bit more time than the other crafts we did that night.  The people who participated in this project really seemed to enjoy it though, so after the event, I decided to start offering dream catcher kits for sale in my shop and at craft shows.  

Eventually, I stocked up my friend Christine's lovely shop (Made: The Indie Emporium Shop) with a selection of kits as well.  She asked me if I'd be interested in teaching a class, and we decided to put together a fun afternoon of crafting alongside friends, listening to music, and attempting to attract good dreams.  Here are the results.

We had a delightful time creating our dream catchers and showing them off when we were through.  I also put together quite the impressive playlist, if I do say so myself.  It's made up entirely of great songs ranging from dreamy, celestial, soothing, or relating to sleep.  Feel free to give it a listen!

I've also been studying the concept of the dream catcher by reading a fascinating new book called Dream Catchers: Legend, Lore and Artifact by Cath Oberholtzer.  I acquired it from my local library and I definitely recommend it to anyone wanting to dig a little deeper into this tradition.  

Before this little night owl flutters off to slumber in her nest, and while we're still on the topic of dreams, let me ask you something.  How do you dream?  If you want to tell me about a specific dream, I always find that interesting.  But what I'm really asking is, in general, are your dreams pleasant, frightening, or nonexistent?  Personally, I tend to have dreams that are rather nice when I remember them.  I do have the occasional dream that is just plain strange and the ever-so-rare nightmare, but overall my dreams are sweet.  And I hope yours are too, my friends!

Steal These Crafts

I mentioned in a recent post that I've started selling craft kits, an endeavor I am very passionate about.  Today I wanted to elaborate on that and the way my creative focus has been shifting.  I know there are some nasty things going on in the craft world- copying, accusations, knock-offs, and fierce competition among makers.  It's enough to burn anyone out.  We've all heard of someone who put their heart and soul into their work, just to set it up at a craft show and hear someone say "I could go home and make that".  Well here's the thing: I WANT you to.  Why?  Because creating is magical.  It unlocks something I honestly believe to be divine. When you're busy making something, regardless of whether it's art, music, or a meal for your loved ones, using your talents to create things is a sacred act that I want to encourage everyone to take part in.

Sure there are some people who do not enjoy making things themselves. They would rather pay for the finished product, and I understand that. But I'm also noticing a growing group of people who genuinely enjoy living a D.I.Y. lifestyle. They want to become familiar with various craft techniques, and they enjoy the process of putting new skills together. Sometimes these crafty folks join forces to create in a social setting.  This is yet another aspect of a crafty lifestyle I view as borderline holy (social crafting is something I often get sentimental about).  Sharing conversations and creative energy with others always makes me feel the kind of deep-down satisfaction that saturates my soul.

Sometimes the easiest way to enjoy time spent creating with friends is to have the project all set up for you. This is why I've become so excited about incorporating craft kits into my product line. I've done all the cutting, measuring, and instructions so all you have to do is the fun part!

I am currently selling Dream Catcher Kits and Card Wallet Kits in my Etsy shop and at Made: The Indie Emporium Shop, but I've got more fun ideas in the works.  One new kit I'll be releasing in the near future is the miniature fairy garden kit pictured below.  I'm still in the experimental phase of this one, but it's coming together pretty magically if I do say so myself.

Is there a craft you've been wanting to try but need a little assistance with putting together projects and supplies?  Paper crafts, gardening, polymer clay, sewing, and pet goodies are all potential kit ideas I've had floating around in my crowded little mind, but I am always open for feedback and ideas.

Lastly, if you love social crafting as much as I do, here's an opportunity for creative people in Tulsa to come together tonight!  

I'll be heading to the Schusterman-Benson Library with a few fellow Make:Tulsa members to demonstrate some of our favorite crafts, listen to music, and enjoy each other's company.  Bring a work-in-progress and a friend, or just bring your lovely selves because we'll even have a free project set up for anyone who wants to try it.  The event page for this get-together can be found here.

I hope your week is off to a spectacular start!

Indie Emporium Review + A Celebrity Encounter

Get ready, friends, because I have a lot of fun things to share with you!  Indie Emporium took place last weekend and it was probably the most exciting year so far.  I'll start with one of the things that has me particularly worked up- I got to meet Juliette Lewis!  

She came to my booth asking for this print by name after seeing one that someone else had, but I wasn't there because the mister was holding down the fort while I got ready for the fashion show.  I returned briefly to check on him once my outfit and makeup were in place and when he told me what had happened, I found one last copy of the print she wanted, chased her down like a crazed fan, gave her the print, let her take a photo of my outfit with her phone, and then hopped into a shot with her at the suggestion of a friend.  I don't even want to admit to all the excited squeaks and giggles that came out of my body following this interaction.  Because that would be embarrassing, like something a regular schoolgirl would do- not the hardcore steampunk schoolgirl I was attempting to channel for the fashion show...

Sam from Bohemian Romance created a unique lineup by gathering a group of friends and dressing them in imaginative ways with handmade steampunk accessories.  The sweetest thing is that this was a split effort between Sam and her mother, who worked side-by-side throughout the show.  As you can see, we had a blast.  I could tell the audience appreciated the effort this mother/daughter team put into the outfits and props.  We had a ball!

As for my own work, I was excited to have a larger setup this year and I used it as an opportunity to bring all kinds of goodies with me! Here are a few shots of my displays this year..

The combined hard work of the organizers, (Thom & Christine), the volunteers, and the amazing vendors helped make this year's Indie Emporium one of the best yet! I can't wait to see what the next one will be like...

It's Almost Indie Weekend!

This weekend, I'll be participating in something I get tremendously excited about each year- Indie Emporium!

This is one of my favorite craft shows and I am always willing to promote it when given the chance.  So when my friend Christine, who along with her husband Thom is responsible for organizing the event, asked me to make an appearance on a local show called Great Day Green Country I was happy to oblige.  I even got to demonstrate a fun craft project, so you can watch the following video if you'd like me to teach you how to make guitar pick jewelry.

Everyone seems to be VERY excited about the beloved swag bags given to the first 50 guests at the opening of the show.  I've contributed something to the swag bags each year, and I always try to find interesting promotional items.  This year, I made glow-in-the-dark star magnets out of polymer clay.

My booth will house many new creations. Here is a peek at some of the animal sculptures I'll have with me.

I'll be in a larger space this year, so you can expect to see a nice assortment of handmade jewelry, decor, and garden goodies.  I hope to see you there!

Etsy Craft Party Recap

It would not be fair to tell you that we had fun at Tulsa's Etsy Craft Party, even though it's the absolute truth, because I believe events like this are about so much more than the recreation they provide. It was beyond fun. It was the kind of fun that satisfies my soul. When I'm unleashing my creative side in the company of good people, "fun" is only a minor part of what is happening. Seeing the community come together to create is something that warms my heart through and through.

My wonderful friend Sherri was one of many Make:Tulsa members who helped make this party a success. Our group came together to donate supplies and handcrafted decorations, and Sherri captured plenty of photos before and during the event to document the good times had by the crafty folks in Tulsa, Oklahoma. If you're one of my faraway friends, I invite you to a virtual tour of our party. Right this way...



Here is a glimpse at the project tables all set up before the party started. My goal was to make these stations as thorough as possible with instructional sheets, examples, and all the necessary supplies. AND each table was staffed by a member of Make:Tulsa to give hands-on assistance with the projects.



In addition to the projects, we set up a supply swap table where guests could exchange unwanted materials for something they could make use of.



Another thing that added some pizzazz to this party was the photobooth area with props, decorations, and a vintage door brimming with old-fashioned charm. A big thank-you to Katie for lugging it to the party for us to enjoy! Guests loved this feature of the party, and the photos are hilarious. Michael was our photographer and he did a great job. You can view the album of photobooth pictures here



Now that you've seen the way the party was staged, this is how it looked in action!







My other half even paid me a visit. He came to the party toward the end to hang out for a while and help me clean up. I hauled his unsuspecting self right toward the photobooth, grabbed some fancy accessories, and had our photo taken before packing up the remains of a very awesome night with the help of our friends.



This party was very exciting and memorable for me. A big thanks to Made: The Indie Emporium Shop for lending us the space. I'm already looking forward to our next crafty shindig!

Gardening and Galaxies

Howdy, sunshine! I've had flowers on the brain and stars in my eyes recently according to my latest creations. I'm particularly excited about these new developments because I think they have the potential to spark imaginations. The first item I want to show you has been in the works for many months. I've been experimenting with recipes, testing the results, and designing packaging for these little garden gems. Ladies and gentlemen(?), I present to you: Magic Garden Kits!



Each kit contains a hand-sculpted garden stake and a plantable heart made from recycled paper and wildflower seeds. These kits are designed to attract butterflies, faeries, and other magical creatures to your home! The wildflower hearts are very easy to grow; just plant under a thin layer of loose soil, water daily until seedlings appear, and water as needed once plants are established. A fun alternative is to place the heart in a saucer near a window and keep it constantly moist until the tiny plants start to sprout. The paper will serve as a substrate to get the seedlings started, and you can observe their germination and growth before planting them- a fun project for kids and gardeners of all ages!



You can find these in my shop and at Made: The Indie Emporium Shop.



I recently released a new line of prints featuring the wisdom of historical figures paired with the fascinating beauty of Hubble telescope images. If you're a dreamer like me, you've got to check them out!



Of course I had to keep a set to adorn my little nook in the corner of the room we use as an office. I find a bit more enjoyment when I cozy up and read in this spot knowing I've got some of history's most brilliant stars looking over my shoulder. These four are the only ones that are available online at this time, but I'll be listing more soon.



I'm always on the lookout for amazing people who affected the world in a positive way. Who is your favorite historical figure?

Easy Origami Bookmarks

Good evening, loves! ♥ I've got a project to share with you today that is amazing for three reasons: 1) It's basically free 2) It's easy enough that anyone can do it, even little ones and 3) It's fast! In about 1 minute you will have a brand new bookmark, and if you're like me, you'll say "Oooh that was fun, let's make another!" On top of all that, the finished product is pretty cute.



The only thing you need is paper, although I used a vintage greeting card and it worked perfectly. Here's how you do it.



•If your paper is not already a square, cut it so that it is. The size of the square doesn't matter- just keep in mind that the finished bookmark will be 1/4 the size of the paper so don't go too small.
•Fold the paper in half. Open it and fold in half again the other way, forming a cross.
•Make one diagonal fold. Crease this fold forward and backward.
•Your project should now contain 4 squares, 2 with creases through the center and 2 without. Choose one of the squares with no crease and fold it so that the corner of the paper meets the center point.
•In the same direction as the last fold, fold the paper upward so that you have a triangle shape.
•Pick up the paper. The left and right sides of your triangle should each have creases. Use these creases to fold the corners in toward the center.
•Continue folding the corners inward until they meet in the middle. Your bookmark should be starting to take shape.
•Press the finished bookmark flat on the front and back. All done!
•I made about a half dozen of them so I can use them to mark all my favorite passages while I read.

If you'd like me to teach you how to make these in person (for free!), you can come out to MADE: The Indie Emporium Shop this Saturday from 3 to 6 pm and I will be all set up with a huge supply of paper, which is good because these are so fun and easy I'm sure you'll want to make more than one. Happy crafting!