It was a good day….

This is how my day started off: hairdryer broke, ran out of cream for my coffee, and my car wouldn’t start.  Not the best, huh?  Well, I am having a great day now!  I arrived to work in a not-so-great mood, logged onto my computer, checked e-mail, and got an e-mail from Handmade Arcade (Pittsburgh Indie Craft Fair) that said:

Dear Amy:

Congratulations! You have been accepted to Handmade Arcade 2009!

Yay!!  Thank you Handmade Arcade for saving my day and actually making it a great one. Now, I need to get busy with the makin’.  I am participating in more shows this year than ever before, and am now in several local and not so local stores.  Lots of inventory needs to be made and lots of  re-stocking needs to be done. Oh, and lots of packaging and shipping.  Also, lots of coffee needs to be consumed.  This weekend is nothin’ but craftin’ and  I am looking forward to it.

 

Shout Out!

Emily of Subu, Inc. fame can be found sporting a new garbella top around Pittsburgh.  Check out her blog for her review!

While you are at it, check out her Etsy shop.  Pick out a nice recycled notebook for yourself, and one for your friend, and maybe for your co-worker…

If you are in Pittsburgh and you really miss the sound of the G20 helicopters flying over the city, then this is the notebook for you!

Thanks for the shout-out Emily!

 

Crafts N’At

Hey yinz! Mark your calendars! …  Sat. Sept. 5th…

Crafts N’ At is handmade crafty awesomeness: Pittsburgh style.  Come out to get inspired, support local artists, enjoy some BBQ, to check out an amazing array of goods/services in the silent auction and raffle, to support a good cause, and to have fun!

crafts n’at is an opportunity for independent crafters to show and sell their wares, establish their business, and to celebrate creativity. it features over 50 vendors, make & take crafts for children and adults, craft demonstrations, live performances, a chinese auction and raffle, and an outdoor BBQ.

the union project
801 north negley avenue
pittsburgh, PA 15206

get directions here.

Saturday, September 5, 2009
{Labor Day Weekend}
10am to 6pm

crafts n’at is brought to you by the pittsburgh craft collective. we are a group of 50+ members working to create a strong and vibrant craft community through social and resource networking, education and workshops, and information sharing.

the pittsburgh craft collective will work each year to raise money for a charity in conjunction with this event. this year’s show will benefit [ gravity + grace ] and the parkinson foundation of western pennsylvania (PFWPA).

[ gravity + grace ], a contemporary opera written by frank ferraro, reveals his struggles with parkinson’s disease and will premier sept 25th at the hillman center for performing arts.

all net proceeds of [ gravity + grace ] will be used to support the PFWPA programs and services for people with parkinson disease, their families and caregivers.

hope to see yinz there!

 

July Re-Cap

Well, July was a busy month to say the least!

A few highlights:

1. Southside Works Exposed Artist Market- thanks to everyone who came out!  It was a beautiful weekend
2. A quick jaunt out to San Francisco to see my sweet, sweet friend- Taryn.  Taryn is her West Coast name.  Tom is her East coast name.  We had an awesome time just getting caught up with life, hanging out, checking out her new place (homeowners!), and vending over at the Renegade Craft Fair at Fort Mason.
   

   Taryn and Amy, By the Bay

3. Celebrating Steevo’s birthday (a week late since I was in CA!).  It was a great birthday date, beautiful weather, delicious  food, and excellent company.  I even got to wear my new sweatshirt-dress that I scored at Renegade from Recession Clothing. Check them out!
   

   steevo's birthday dinner

4. The MGR Foundation Peace Rally!  Young people came out in full force to take the stage at Market Square.  Lots of people came out to support them, listen to their messages, and rally along with them.
   

   Haji and Mohamed- G Brothas representing the Youth

   Hopefully, August will be just as much fun (maybe just not as busy!)

 

Southside Works Exposed Artist Market!

Come check out the awesome I Made it! market at the SSW Exposed festival this weekend. I’ll be vending there all weekend along with 70+ other artists and crafters!

Artist Market:  Friday 5-10 pm

Sat. 2-10 pm

Sun. 2-6 pm

 

I Made It! at the Oakmont Library- this Saturday, May 2nd

succulents! handmade awesomeness! books!

In the mood to shop for books, plant, and handmade art/craft?  Well, you are in luck.  Come to the latest I Made It! market happening this Saturday in Oakmont, PA in conjunction with the library book sale and the Garden Club of Oakmont’s  Annual Plant and Flower sale from 9 am – 3 pm in the parking lot next to Brr-Kees.

The Plant and Flower sale benefits community projects.  Also, I Made It! supports local artists and crafters.  Come by to support everyone and leave feeling great about yourself!

Come check it out!  If you want a preview of some of the local vendors who will be at I Made It!, then click here.

Also, if you love succulents too, then come by and check out my brand  new succulent inspired designs on Saturday.

 

Adding “Make a list” to My List

Awesome upcycled "Make a List" notebook from remaker

So, I always make lists.  The problem is… I rarely scratch off everything on my list before I make a new one.  I made a list over the weekend of things that I needed to get done, supplies that needed to be ordered, appointments I needed to set.  It was 4 separate lists, 4 pages long by the time I was done! This list is different though.  I am committing to this list.  I will scratch things off as I complete them and I think I should be able to have everything scratched off within the week!

I am going to spend more time scratching things off the list and less time reading blogs this week.  That being said, I think the following blogs are awesome and should not be neglected.  So, I put together a list of blogs that I like for your reading pleasure.  Maybe you can pick up the slack for me and keep readership up while I am crossing off my list?  Oh, okay… I’ll probably read just a little bit, so I’m not out of the loop, but I’ll still keep up with my list.  Maybe I should add “Keep up with RSS and read blogs daily” to my list?  Then I can still have the satisfaction of scratching it off.

Indie Craft/Design/Business Blogs

1. Poppytalk and Poppytalk Handmade
2. Indie Fixx
3. Design Sponge
4. Bakery
5. Handmade Business Blog
6. Heart Handmade

Pennsylvania and Pittsburgh Representin’

1. Pittsburgh Craft Collective
2. I Heart PGH
3. Handmade in PA

Bike Related Blogs

1. Steevo
2. Pgh Racing
3. Urban Velo

This is just a sample of some of my favorite blogs.  There are plenty of other awesome blogs out there.  Maybe next week  I’ll make another list of awesome crafty bloggers, local and not so local.  I’ll add that to my list.  

 

Lil Kiziguwaz and T-shirts

As it gets colder outside, I was trying to warm up by thinking about some summer highlights. One that stands out was getting to see some of my neighbors and students perform their original songs and dances in a few different venues.

I designed and printed the “Lil Kiziguwaz” shirts for the dance troupe and hip hop group. They performed at the MGR Foundation Youth Peace Rally in Market Square in front of hundreds of people, at a Somali wedding for hundreds of friends and family, and at the Lawrenceville United Summer Celebration at Arco Park at the end of summer. Mayor Luke Ravenstahl was there to watch them perform! and to honor Lawrenceville United for their programming for Lawrenceville Youth this summer.

I am designing some new shirts for the Lil Kiziguwaz and they are hoping to set up some more performances for this Fall.

Mayor Luke Ravenstahl watches the Lil Kiziguwaz perform wearing the shirts that I designed and printed for them!

 

I Made It! at the Sundae Market

Yesterday’s I Made It! Market /Sundae Market in Schenley plaza was a lot of fun. Well, the only part that wasn’t fun was when a sudden burst of wind sent handmade goods crashing to the ground and launched a few huge tents across the market. I heard the screaming, looked up and saw one tent tumbling towards my section and people covering their heads. It was crazy. Luckily, nobody was hurt and everyone pitched in to help the vendors who got tossed around by the wind.

Despite the gloomy weather at the beginning of the day, business was pretty good. I got some good feedback on my new designs and new t-shirt brand. I was also lucky enough to have some family visit and watch my table for a bit so I could check out all of the other crafty vendors. There was a lot of cool stuff and the DJ was rocking all day.

Highlights:

• trading one of my tote bags for a really cool pair of resin earrings by Rockyn Robyn
• getting to meet Cosy of CosyKnits and the Pittsburgh Craft Collective
• getting a chance to visualize and reflect on table set-up and more in order to plan for Handmade Arcade 2008

Here is a photo of my space at the market:

I have so much to do before Handmade Arcade! I just burned a few new screens and I am really excited to print some new stuff.

Thank you to Ben (i think?) of Sundae Market and Carrie from I Made It! Market- this was a really great event.