Anne

West Elm + Etsy Handmade Holiday Workshop Recap




You know that person whose house looks effortlessly modern and put together, yet livable and cozy? Chances are she shops at West Elm. And what modern home would be complete without a few handmade touches? West Elm has teamed up with Etsy, the online marketplace for handmade goods, to create a one-night shopping experience featuring five hand-selected local Etsy vendors situated in the store in 37 cities around the country on Dec. 1.

Etsy Dallas volunteers led shoppers in making holiday ornaments for a tree to be donated to the Family Place. You could make one for the tree, one for yourself, and take a template home to share with a friend. We had a great time meeting folks, folding paper, and getting in the holiday spirit.

Thanks to Etsy for providing the supplies for the craft and to West Elm for hosting us. Thanks to our awesome Etsy Dallas volunteers: The Paper Nest Co., Regal Cottage, ReGEARED, and Seen Studios, Modest Ambition. Thanks to the participating Etsy shops: Redtile Studio, Fifi du Vie, Party Poms, Rivalry Time, and Red or Gray Art.










Red or Gray Art

Fifi du Vie

Redtile Studio

Party Poms


Rivalry Time
 * More photos coming to Flickr soon!
Posted by Anne, Modest Ambition

West Elm & Etsy Handmade Holiday Workshop


One of my favorite things about the holidays is the opportunity to make things. From cookies and cakes to ornaments and scarves, there are so many holiday traditions that use our hands. If you're itching to get your holiday crafting started, come by this Thursday night, 6-9 p.m., December 1, and make ornaments with us, Etsy Dallas, at West Elm at Mockingbird Station in Dallas presented by Etsy and West Elm.

We'll have supplies, templates, and friends on hand to help you make amazing Christmas ornaments. You can make one to keep and one to put on the tree we'll be donating to The Family Place. There will also be a mini-market featuring local Etsy sellers in the store, including Redtile Studio, Fifi du Vie, Party Poms, Rivalry Time, and Red or Gray Art.

Click here for more information about Etsy and West Elm teaming up for the holidays with the support of local teams, like Etsy Dallas!

Posted by Anne, Modest Ambition

Jingle Bash Recap



Do you hear that distant jingle? That’s the sound of the Jingle Bash wrapping up for another year. Etsy Dallas’ fourth annual Jingle Bash this last weekend was a huge success!


Thanks to everyone who came out to support handmade. This was our first year to offer VIP treatment for those with Bash Passes. We sold out of the 70 passes the week before the event and gave out 6 Bash Passes to lucky winners online. Bash Pass VIP'ers cut in line, in front of the hundreds of people waiting since 8 a.m. to get in to the show, and shopped their favorite artists before anyone else. We also hooked them up with a handprinted Bash Tote to carry their goodies and a free drink on us!


If looking at arts and crafts put you in a creative mood, there was plenty for you to try with block printing at the Make and Take Table with Oil and Cotton Creative Exchange, fabric ornaments and gift bags at the Etsy Inc. table, and photo alterations at Foto Fuze. Shoppers kept energized by the beats of DJ Juan Solo, kept hydrated with available beverages, and kept rested in shopper’s lounge areas. With over 60 booths spread over two rooms to take in, there was plenty of oooing and aweing, and so much more room for shopping without elbowing your way through crowds.

 

Besides offering the best shopping, art, and handmade experience, the Jingle Bash included the opportunity to give back and help the furry friends that mean so much to us. Outside of the Palladium, DFW Rescue Me had dogs available for adoption, while inside, the Etsy Dallas photo booth raised money to support the group. With the help of our awesome shoppers posing beautifully in the photo booth, we raised $450 and we able to send two happy pups to new homes.



It is so exciting to see all of the booths come together and watch the transformation from empty ballroom to fully decked out shop, art, craft, party! Mark your calendar, the Spring Bash will be at the Palladium (for the first time) on May 5, 2012.
 

Thanks again to our sponsors and thanks to you, for making this such an incredible event every year.


Photos by Morgan, Etsy Labs on Flickr
Story by Anne, Modest Ambition

Shop Local


Yesterday I walked past my favorite neighborhood children’s store and was dismayed to see a for rent sign. I stopped in to chat with the owner. There are lots of children’s stores in Dallas, but this one was special. They carry handmade clothes, accessories, and toys, most of it locally made. While there, I found out another favorite store, that also carried local handmade goods, had already closed.

The image above has been passed around on Facebook lately. It’s a reaction to the protests, but I think it’s popular because it gives people a directive—something concrete that they can do. If you think it doesn’t matter, it does. And it’s not just the shop owners that are affected; each has local artists that depend on these shops.

In response to the image a friend messaged me to ask, “How do I shop local handmade?” Here are some suggestions to get started:

1. Etsy has a “Shop Local” button on the front page, lower left. I don’t see it on the mobile version, but on the regular website it’s pretty easy to find and even easier to use.

2. Visit your local brick and mortar shops, especially the ones that carry local artists. If you’re not sure if the merchandise is local, ask the store clerk.

3. Shop at arts and crafts events. You can talk to the person who made it! But don’t forget to make up your mind. Sometimes it’s hard to track down a particular vendor and item after the show, so be decisive with your purchasing so you don’t regret what you didn’t buy. (Etsy Dallas’ Jingle Bash is less than a month away!)

4. Buy local for more than just the holidays. What about birthdays, baby showers, decorating, and custom needs?

5. Pop-up shops are all the rage! We love a good party, especially when you can also buy local handmade goods for a limited time in a temporary location. Keep your eyes open for these limited-time only shops, especially around the holidays!

It seems like we're all thinking more carefully about how to spend money nowadays. I would say that it is just as important to think about where you're spending it too.

Posted by Modest Ambition

Keeping Cozy in Dallas

Tree by Modest Ambition

Here’s the surprising thing about yarn bombing a tree: it’s really rough on your hands. As I carefully wrapped the trunk and branches with layers of crocheted and knitted yarn, my fingers and hands were scraped and scratched. I watch tiny ants scurry about as I pulled my oversized needle and thread through the yarn and bound up the branches. I worked back and forth to secure the tops of the tree scarves to withstand drooping from the weight of water from rain and wind.

Yarn bombing has been going strong in Dallas this last year, but this is the biggest project to date. When you visit the Winspear Opera House grounds, you’ll see that it has been transformed by unexpected bright and colorful handworked yarn. There are cozies on every parking bollard arranged in a rainbow spectrum, trees wrapped in full sweaters, and dangling flowers and peace signs overhead along the walkway.
Colorful bollards
This particular installation was requested by the opera house to celebrate the opening of the musical “Hair.” KWitta and the Dallas Yarn Bombers helped coordinate the local knit/crochet community to take on this large-scale project. Over the summer it took shape: taking counts of bollards, measuring trees, and showing off progress to each other.

Using fibers to create public art rather than functional knitwear is still a new idea here, though it’s been done elsewhere. I like to think of it not just as public art, but as social sculpture, working together to build community as we finished off each row. In the end, this whimsical and charming installation is our gift to the public. 

Detail, tree by Modest Ambition
For lots more installation shots:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Dallas-Yarn-Bombers/227336423947158

http://www.theaterjones.com/stagewhispers/20110916075143/2011-09-16/Friday-Night-is-the-Yarn-Bomb%27

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ByMgiy1DKJc&feature=player_profilepage

http://www.smugmug.com/gallery/19075663_rJp9p4#1483962604_NxcZZj9

Story and photos by Modest Ambition.

Supplies Me! Success



This last Saturday was the annual Etsy Dallas "Supplies Me! Art + Craft Supply Sale." Just shy of a dozen vendors set up tables in the Blue Room at South Side on Lamar and put out their personal stash of art and craft supplies. There was plenty of fabric and crafty doodads to be had. Besides the Etsy Dallas members' tables, there was also a mega-table of donations from ED members (and a few non-members, thanks!). The proceeds from the sales at the ED table are going to Captain Hope's Kids, a non-profit that helps homeless children. We also collected craft supplies to donate directly to the charity. 



We had a great time and went a little bow-silly thanks to a stash of giant ribbon bows from Silla of silla soup. Thanks to everyone who was involved and helped us clean our closets while raising money for a worthy cause. In total we raised $200 and many, many boxes of supplies for Captain Hope's Kids.


Personally, I'd like to thank the vendors, volunteers, everyone who donated goods, and the shoppers for supporting us. Thanks to the following: Amanda/Loop and Lil, Amber/Red Tile Studio, Bonnie/bonny beads, Chau/DCimaginations, Cheyne/Cut Out and Collect, Kate/K8 Made, Maggie/maggie may i, Patricia/Karma Crochet, Rosemary/Paper Beats Rock, Silla/silla soup, Stephanie/tefi, Pamela and Dylan/Dowdy Studio, Laura/ChildsPLAYdesign, Erin/Haute Hardware, Alicia/La Alicia, Sabrina and Jenny/The Pig and the Peacock. Bonus thanks to Leanne McIntosh at Gulfstream Aerospace and Lauren Ray from House of Lovely for their item donations.

Until next year!

P.S. Check out our Flickr page for more fun photos!

Supplies Me! Tomorrow!!



Are you ready for the Supplies Me! Art + Craft Supply Sale tomorrow? This is a very short sale, only 11 a.m. - 2 p.m., so you had better plan to get there early. If you haven't been to South Side on Lamar, you'll find it at the corner of Belleview and S. Lamar Street across from a Dallas police station and near the Cedars DART Station. The building is the former home of Sears and features a huge red "South Side on Lamar" sign visible from the freeway.

If you're familiar with South Side on Lamar from the Etsy Dallas Spring Bash, you probably know how to find the Artist's Quarter where that event has been held. From there you would go half-way down the corridor and take the stairs on your left at the bridge up towards the glassed-in Janette Kennedy Gallery. The Blue Room is down the hall on your right just on the other side of the dry cleaners next to the wall of mail boxes. If approaching from the main entrance you would pass the concierge desk, go through the double glass doors then take a sharp turn to your left. Look for the powder blue room with the big dark brown wooden doors.

Don't miss this opportunity to shop art and craft supplies from Dallas' craftiest!

Supplies Me! Art + Craft Supply Sale
Saturday, June 25, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
Blue Room, South Side on Lamar
1409 S. Lamar, Dallas, TX 75215


Related posts:
The Goods
The Charity

Supplies Me! Sale Recap


Last Saturday, Etsy Dallas presented the first ever "Supplies Me! Art + Craft Supply Sale" in the Blue Room at South Side on Lamar. It was a big hit! Ten Etsy Dallas members sold art and craft supplies from their personal stashes to the general public.

Thanks to a mention in The Dallas Morning News, we had a great early crowd! Shoppers were treated to a wide variety of fabrics, yarns, notions, papers, beads and unique finds at garage sale prices.

In addition to each vendor having their own table, Etsy Dallas had a table with goods donated from the team. Proceeds from the sales from the team table went to Captain Hope's Kids. Leftover art and craft supplies from the team table and from all the vendors were rounded up at the end as donations. In addition, Make Shop and Studio joined in on the fun, donating items for the free raffle including $15 coupons and one free class!




We're proud to say that we donated $218.97 and collected 10 bags of art and craft supplies for Captain Hope's Kids, a nonprofit organization that provides clothing, diapers, and other childcare supplies for homeless children all across North Texas. Through their programs, events, and partnerships, they help meet the needs of our community’s homeless children.



This was truly a team effort that benefited everyone: members cleaned out their clutter, shoppers bought goodies at a steal, money was raised for a great local kid's charity, and excess art and craft supplies found a worthy home that will make lots of kids happy.


Stay tuned to find out what we're planning for this event next year!






Posted by Anne of Modest Ambition

What is a Destash Anyway?

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

Crafters are known hoarders. That’s not a secret. But every once in a while it’s time to clean the clutter and move on from projects never realized, inspiration long gone, and leftover supplies from projects already completed. Destashing is the process of unloading the “stash.”

As a crafty creative person I love working with other people’s leftovers. A jar full of zippers from the 1960s? Joy! A basket of buttons and a box of trim from my great aunt? A real find. As I sort through my own stash and the accumulation of things both bought and inherited, I am happy to have a venue to share these beloved treasures with other crafty creatives. I might have the centerpiece of his or her next amazing creation.

Come see what other Etsy Dallas members might have in their stash that could be yours! Participating members, include:

Bead Circle
Cut Out and Collect
Karmacrochet
La Alicia
Maggie May I
Miamaria Design
Modest Ambition
Nerdbomber
One Up Designs
tefi
Where Water Comes Down
XY Factory

Shop art and craft supplies from Dallas’ craftiest!

Supplies Me! Art + Craft Supply Sale
Saturday, June 26, 11 am–2 pm in the Blue Room at South Side on Lamar in Dallas
1409 South Lamar, Dallas, TX 75215

Supplies Me! Art + Craft Supply Sale



Shop art and craft supplies from Dallas' craftiest!

Etsy Dallas announces Supplies Me! Art + Craft Supply Sale on Saturday, June 26, 11 a.m.–2 p.m. in the Blue Room at South Side on Lamar in Dallas. This is an exclusive opportunity to buy art and craft supplies directly from the members of Etsy Dallas.

Crafty members of Etsy Dallas will be offering their coveted supplies for sale to the public, including: fabric, beads, buttons, and loads of other crafty odds and ends. This is your chance to stock up on unique finds to help you express your artistic side. While there will be plenty of inspiration available, there will be no finished goods at this event. Participating members include: Cut Out and Collect, La Alicia, Modest Ambition, Nerdbomber, Tefi, XY Factory, and many more.

Proceeds from sales at the Etsy Dallas team table and extra supplies will be donated to Captain Hope’s Kids, a nonprofit organization that provides clothing, diapers, and other childcare supplies for homeless children all across North Texas. Through their programs, events, and partnerships, they help meet the needs of our community’s homeless children.

Free to attend, free parking. Come early for snacks.

What: Supplies Me! Art + Craft Supply Sale
Who: Etsy Dallas
Where: Blue Room, South Side on Lamar, 1409 South Lamar, Dallas, TX 75215
When: Saturday, June 26, 11 am–2 pm



posted by Anne of Modest Ambition

Spring has Sprung!

After a weird and wonderful winter, Spring has finally arrived. Here are some ideas to help you get into the groove of the season - in acrostic form, of course!

Sunshine Get outside and enjoy the moderate temperature combined with the longer days – more chances for rays!

Prune Take care of dead winter branches and prepare for new buds about to pop.

Road Trip Wanderlust and wildflowers meet in East Texas.

Invest in a new pair of outdoor shoes for walking, running, hiking and biking.

Nest Spruce up your indoor life with new throw pillows, a new piece of art, new paint, or just rearrange the furniture to freshen up a room.

Garage Sale Time to declutter, destash, and dejunkify while trolling other people’s trash for your new treasures.

HAS

Sunscreen Did I mention going outside already?

Pretty Pastel florals on light spring dresses are so appealing.

Rituals Spring cleaning, finally putting away the winter clothes, firing up the grill for the first time - we all have our own ways of marking the change in seasons.

Utilize Tap into your crafty skills with fresh new spring projects. I’ve been sewing spring aprons for friends and nieces – a challenge for me!

Negotiate Find time for yourself to recharge, whether that means meeting up with best friends or scoring some solo time.

Get Up and Go! Spring just makes you feel good.

And don't forget to jump into spring at the 2nd Annual Spring Bash on May 1 featuring 60 artists and crafters from Dallas (and beyond! - Austin, Oklahoma, and Minnesota).
by Anne of Modest Ambition

DIY Valentine: Love Letter Tutorial


You, as a crafter extraordinaire, have the card covered, but when it comes to putting pen to paper, you end up with a giant ink blob. If you have trouble writing the actual love letter that goes inside your intricately cut paper heart card, this is the DIY tutorial for you. Think of it as a “Choose Your Own Adventure” meets “Mad Libs” for love. You can customize and make it as quirky-funny or as romantic as you want.

Let’s start with deciding what kind of relationship you’re in.

A. Serious – hubby/wifey-type relationship
B. Semi-serious – boyfriend/girlfriend
C. New love – puppy love beginnings

Option A. Serious

Dearest (nickname),

Ever since I first met you (date and where), I knew that you were the one for me.

I think back to our first date at (location and year) and our first kiss (location and year).

This time of year reminds me how much I (favorite loving word, ex: treasure, cherish, value) your love, friendship and support.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Love Always,
(Your nickname)


Option B. Semi-Serious

Dearest (nickname),

I can’t believe that it’s been (length of time) since we first started dating.

When I look into your (color) eyes, I see such kindness and warmth.

All the (favorite candy or food, ex: chocolate filled heart-shaped boxes) in the world couldn’t express how much you mean to me.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Love,
(Your nickname)


Option C. New Love

Dearest (nickname),

I’m so excited about spending more time getting to know you and going (what do you have in common that you do together? ex: biking) with you!

Thank you for making our (first or second) Valentine’s special by spending it with me.
You are as sweet as (favorite candy) to me!

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Heart,
(Your nickname)


Written and illustrated by Anne/modestambition

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!