Renew Studios

Renew Studios features funky furnishings & handcrafted accessories by Sarah Simpson. Based in Melbourne, Florida, Sarah creates one-of-a-kind handmade jewelry from recycled building supplies and hardware for an interesting & unique look. She takes seemingly mundane objects, such as a brass hinge, and creates an accessory that is sure to draw attention. I love antique keys and buttons, so it's only natural that one of my favorite designs is a necklace that combines both. Especially interesting is the necklace (pictured) that incorporates a vintage medicine tin. To learn more about Sarah & her work, visit her blog.

*GIVEAWAY - Closed - Congrats urbandebris! Renew Studios is giving away a $25 gift certificate. To enter, visit Sarah's Etsy shop & leave a comment on this post noting your favorite piece. For an additional entry, "like" Renew Studios on Facebook & leave a comment on this post noting you have done so. Giveaway ends at 9pm EST, Saturday, March 12.

Funky Finds Spring Fling - Vendor Preview 3

3rd Annual Funky Finds Spring Fling • March 12 & 13 • Fort Worth, TX

1. Contemporary Jewelry by Diana Casabar, Metalsmith



2. Beaded Rings by dont eat beads

3. Hand-painted Clothing, Home Decor & More by
Dreamin Bohemian Studio

4. Accessories & Jewelry by 

eclectibles

5. Children's Goods by 

Elle Dee Designs

6. Beautiful Jewelry by 

Emma Alison Designs

7. Photography by 

epgphotography

8. Funky Handbags & Accessories by 

ezduzit by elliott



9. North Texas Family Photography by Fate Couture Imagery

10. Punky-Elegant-Chic Jewelry by 

Fitzy Sparrow

11. Mosaic Art & Home Decor by For the Birds Mosaics

12. Fabric Accessories & Home Decor by 

For The Love Of Joy

13. Metalwork & Jewelry by 

Freeforged Jewelry

SXSW Event: Commodore Von Keepsie's Craftacular Musical Carnivale

Funky Finds is very excited to be sponsoring an event being held during South By Southwest (SXSW), an annual music, film, & interactive conference & festival held in Austin, Texas. For the last 3 years, Standard Recording Company has been throwing free day party events at SXSW featuring great music & good food. Two years ago, Martha Latta of Sunday Afternoon Housewife suggested they combine indie rock with indie craft. With sponsors like Sublime Stitching and Craftster helping with make-and-takes, how could they go wrong? Of course, it was a huge hit, so they decided to continue the tradition this year.

This year's event, Commodore Von Keepsie's Craftacular Musical Carnivale, will be bigger and better (being in Texas, it must be BIG!). Graham's Texas Tea and Treaty Oak Rum are pouring the free drinks. Bust Magazine has signed on to be the national media sponsor. Hello Craft is sponsoring make & takes, ProvoCraft / Yudu will be there screening free shirts & tote bags for attendees, and 15 unique indie crafters will be selling their hand-crafted wares.

If you are interested in attending the event on Friday, March 18, between Noon and 8pm, at the Gypsy Lounge, you need to RSVP online. Please note, this will be an all-ages event. This is a great opportunity to hear some cool music, create something yourself, and purchase unique hand-crafted items! Oh, and grab some Funky Finds swag while you're at it!

Funky Finds Spring Fling - Vendor Preview 2

3rd Annual Funky Finds Spring Fling • March 12 & 13 • Fort Worth, TX

1. Children's Book, So Much To Be Seen, by Brown Cow Productions



2. Functional Fiber Art Creations by CCs One of a Kind

3. Bird-themed Accessories & Gifts by Chester and Lola



4. Unique Jewelry by ChickeeBoom

5. Fun & Functional Fabric Items by 

childsPLAYdesign



6. Ceramics by Christie Cone Ceramics

7. Bath & Body Items by 

ChunkyButt Designs



8. Leather Accessories by COSA MONNA LEATHER

9. Jewelry by 

Cricket Shack



10. Glass Accessories & Home Decor by DC Glass Designs



11. Tassels by Delightful Decor


12. Jewelry by Designs by Taylor2u

13. Art & Jewelry by DH Originals

Funky Finds Spring Fling - Vendor Preview 1

There's over 100 talented artists, crafters & designers that will be participating in the 3rd Annual Funky Finds Spring Fling, a 2-day family AND pet-friendly indie art & craft show. The event will be held March 12 & 13 in Fort Worth, Texas. Whether you're able to attend the event or not, you can purchase handmade goods from most participants online. I will be featuring participants each day leading up to the event. Enjoy!

1. Beautiful Artwork by 7th St. Studio



2. Custom Vinyl Lettering by Adhering Words



3. Textural Art by An Art Peace



4. Hand-crafted Wooden Jewelry Boxes by Anderson Woodworks

5. Unique Art & Clothing by 

Ape-Gear

6. Wooden Box Purses & Jewelry Designs by 

Arrowsarah

7. 

Mixed Media Collage, Assemblage & Painting by Art by Susan Best



8. Stik-Wik Candles by Artistic Solutions Ink

9. Watches by Bad Tracey

10. Fabric Accessories by 

beat-art



11. Candles & Fragrance Cubes by Blessings Candles

12. Whimsical Pottery by BoG Productions

13. Customizable Magnetic Bookmarks by Book-Inz

Urbanrose

Located in New York City, Urbanrose offers handmade trendsetting photo art lockets. Rosemarie Ferrara began selling her innovative lockets in early 2009 & her popular Summertime Tree locket has been featured in Country Living magazine. Many artisans are regular customers, using Rosemarie's unique photo art lockets in their own jewelry creations. Only offered in professionally finished 100% nickel & lead-free brass, these fabulous lockets are aesthetically pleasing and safe for skin & clothing. In addition to the lockets, Urbanrose also features mini photo flasks, photo cuffs, and much more. Place an order through ArtFire & receive a 10% discount with coupon code FUNKY. Offer expires March 18, 2011.

This Week's Events

Friday, February 25
BrisStyle Indie Twilight Market, 5-9pm
King George Square between Ann & Adelaide St., Brisbane, QLD

Brocante Lux, 11am-8pm
Market Square, 91 King St., St Catharines, ON L2R 3H6, Canada

Friday, February 25 through Sunday, February 27
North American Handmade Bicycle Show, (F/S) 10am-6pm, (Sun.) 10am-5pm
Austin Convention Center, 500 E. Cesar Chavez St., Austin, TX

Saturday, February 26
Green Day Environmental Expo, 9am-3pm
Liberty Tree Park, 7421 NW 5th St., Plantation, FL

Make:Provo, 4-8pm
theTransistor, 560 S 100 W, Provo, UT

Attleboro's Winter Night Festival, 5-9pm
Attleboro Arts Museum, 86 Park St., Attleboro, MA

Saturday, February 26 & Sunday, February 27
Brooklyn Flea, 10am-6pm
1 Hanson Pl. (at Flatbush Ave.), Brooklyn, NY

Sunday, February 27
Blim Community Market, 11am-4pm
Heritage Hall, 15th & Main, Vancouver, BC

Ypsi Flea, Noon-8pm
Woodruff's, 36 East Cross St., Ypsilanti, MI

Funky Five: Dreaming of Spring

1. Spring Headband by Mary Poppins Presents

2. Spring Chicken Onesie by The Curious Cake Shoppe

3. Fruit Salad Perfume Set by Owens Acres

4. Goddess Wrap by Anahata Wraps

5. Lavender Shrug by AngelCow Designs

Smeared Ink

Owned by sisters Terra Serrano & Tori Searcey, Smeared Ink is a Washington-based rubber stamp company that features edgy & wild unmounted rubber art stamps. The duo designs all the stamps themselves & they work hard to offer artisans & crafters a design style that hasn't really been seen before. Smeared Ink's rubber stamp sheets are unmounted & untrimmed and are durable & versatile. You can use the rubber as-is after trimming, or add your own cling mount or mounting foam before or after trimming. The deep etch rubber stamps are made from natural gum rubber & can be safely used with any type of crafting ink. There's a wide variety of unmounted stamps available ranging from larger background images to smaller alphabets. Smeared Ink also offers affordable grab bags for the adventurous, as well as an extensive section of digital stamps. Click on the Shop link to see all available stamps & digital images. And you don't want to miss the Gallery section that shows multiple projects made using Smeared Ink's designs. (pictured - "Carnies")

i am dorkas

i am dorkas is all about collaboration. Marianna, who is Finnish & Indonesian, works closely with her Finnish Mother to create kitchen textiles. On the flip side, she works closely with her boyfriend, who is Portuguese, to create jewelry. Each one brings a fresh perspective to the table because of their different cultural backgrounds resulting in a variety of unique designs. I love the eco-friendly silk screened fabric picnic napkins & the Building Blocks aprons have a fun retro feel. The jewelry line features unique designs, such as the humorous Supper earrings. Marianna & her boyfriend have been experimenting with incorporating clock hands into their jewelry line & the results are great. I love the clockwork earrings (pictured) that are sure to turn some heads! And don't miss the hand-carved pieces made using Juniper wood found exclusively in Finland.

This Week's Events

Wednesday, February 16
Love Struck/Love Sucks II by Art Nouveau Events, 8pm-2am
The Lounge, 517 Clematis St., West Palm Beach, FL

Saturday, February 19
Handmade Canberra, 11am-4pm
The National Convention Centre, 31 Constitution Ave., Canberra ACT

Winter Salon, 7-11pm
Grackle Art Gallery, 4621 El Campo, Fort Worth, TX

Sean Murdock's Summer Of Love Festival, 3-11:30pm
The Bubble. IWAN., 810 N.E. 4th Ave., Fort Lauderdale, FL

Needles for Newborns, 10am-10pm
South City Studio, 1009 Russell Blvd., St. Louis, MO

Saturday, February 19 & Sunday, February 20
Brooklyn Flea, 10am-6pm
1 Hanson Pl. (at Flatbush Ave.), Brooklyn, NY

Sanibel-Captiva Arts & Crafts Fair, (Sat.) 10am-5pm, (Sun.) 10am-4pm
Sanibel Community House, 2173 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, FL

Old Gruene Market Days, (Sat.) 9am-5pm, (Sun.) 10am-4:30pm
1641 Hunter Rd., New Braunfels, TX

Sunday, February 20
Dr. Sketchy's OKC Presents Ilsa the Wolf, 6-9:30pm
The Boom, 2218 NW 39th St., Oklahoma City, OK

Happy Valentine's Day!

One Star Designs

One Star Designs features one-of-a-kind wearable art created by Jennifer Julian. I love the electric Frankenstein charm bracelet. It's not only eye-catching, but the little charms are like special little treats you discover when examining the piece for a moment. Billed as the perfect bracelet for any Rockabilly Betty, the Cherries & Dice Oh My bracelet is another show stopper. As far as the bracelets go, I have to declare the One Sunny Hello Kitty Day (pictured) as my absolute favorite. This is the perfect accessory for Spring & I can think of few things that would put me in a better mood than a great Hello Kitty accessory. In addition to the funky bracelets, Jenn also offers unique earrings and necklaces.

*GIVEAWAY - Closed - Congrats Howell! One Star Designs is giving away a $30 Gift Certificate. To enter, visit Jenn's Etsy shop & leave a comment on this post noting your favorite item. For an additional entry, "like" One Star Designs on Facebook & leave a comment on this post noting you have done so. Giveaway ends at 9pm EST, Saturday, February 26.

Andrea Heimer - 30x30 Project Part II

Andrea Heimer, a self-taught artist originally from Montana, has completed hundreds of paintings in mediums from pencil to silk screen. She works in series including The Encouraging Words, Pulp, Pop Portraits, 30x30, Icon, and Childhood Adventure amongst others. At the beginning of 2010 she suffered a severe injury to her painting hand that resulted in surgery and months of rehab. She wasn't sure if she'd ever be able to perform the delicate pencil/watercolor paintings seen in 30X30 ever again, but her perseverance paid off & she was able to continue creating unique works of art. While last year’s 30x30 was all about people, this year's 30x30 Project Part II is a series of 30 animal portraits painted in 30 days. They are currently for sale through her website for $30 each. Cougars and gnu and bison, oh my! (pictured: Kangaroos)

Funky Five: Accessorize

1. Brown Woven Clutch by NV ArteWear

2. White & Green Sea Glass Necklace by Goofy Moose Productions

3. Brown Owl Hat by EnviroCrafter

4. Weld Punk - Danger Cuff by Mark Kalen Designs

5. Melon & Green Earrings by Felíz Beads

Anderson Woodworks

Anderson Woodworks is comprised of a talented & friendly husband & wife duo, Gary & Jan Anderson. They create beautiful high-quality hand-crafted wooden jewelry boxes, boxes with removable lids, desk accessories, & more. Having worked with wood since he was a young boy, Gary takes unique pieces of wood & makes them into something stunning, yet functional. The jewelry boxes are my favorite items & there's a wide variety of styles offered. The green Poplar wood box (pictured) is a work of art & the four-drawer Zebrawood & Walnut box has lots of space for storing your valuables. There's also plenty of items for the youngsters. Anderson Woodworks offers various hand-painted piggy banks for boys & girls. Visit their main website for more offerings, including clocks, bird houses & more. Visit Anderson Woodworks at the 3rd Annual Funky Finds Spring Fling on March 12 & 13!

The Curious Canvas

I have featured The Curious Cake Shoppe, a great source for baby items & gifts, previously. But crafter Tania Cardenas launched a new business several months ago called The Curious Canvas featuring unique works of art. Tania says that these canvases combine her love for graphic design, photography, & textiles into one neat little package. I love that they are so quirky & unique, refreshing for those of us who need a break from things that are so serious! Sew What is the perfect addition to any craft or sewing room. And I can't help but love the swine complete with spectacles (pictured)! In her "spare" time, she also runs DFW Craft Shows, a valuable site for crafters, as well as shoppers, in the DFW area. Visit Tania, who will be showcasing both of her product lines, at the 3rd Annual Funky Finds Spring Fling in March.

This Week's Events

Thursday, February 10
Valentine's Gift Bazaar, 6-10pm
Gastro-Cantina El Take It Easy, 3926 30th St., San Diego, CA

{LOVE}-ly, The Shopping Event with a Heart, 6-9pm
IndieGenius, 409 N. Zang (at 7th), Dallas, TX

For the Love of Craft, 5:30-8pm
Society for Contemporary Craft, 2100 Smallman St., Pittsburgh, PA

Friday, February, 11
I Made It! Original, 11:30am-3:30pm
William Pitt Union Ballroom, Univ. of Pittsburgh

Friday, February 11 through Sunday, February 13
Pittsburgh Knit & Crochet Festival
Four Points By Sheraton, 910 Sheraton Dr., Mars, PA


Saturday, February 12
UNDERGROUND, 8pm-Midnight
South Side On Lamar., 1409 S. Lamar, Dallas, TX

Handmade Market, Noon-4pm
The Empty Bottle, 1035 N. Western Ave., Chicago, IL

Retro Indie Market, 11am-6pm
Boynton Womans Club, 1010 S. Federal Hwy., Boynton Beach, FL

Fill Weekend Backpacks Full of Love, 11am-7pm
Lake Arlington Baptist Church, 2912 Little Rd., Arlington, TX

Art+Craft Supply Swap, 1-3pm
Blue House Ann Arbor, 1026 South Main St., Ann Arbor, MI

I Made It! Mine, Noon-5pm
The Glass Lofts, 5491 Penn Ave., Pittsburgh, PA

Punk Flea Market / Record Swap & Show, 12:30-10pm
Warren Legion Hall, 12 Community Pl., Warren, NJ

2nd Saturday on the Square, 10am-4pm
Historic Town Square in Lancaster, 100 N. Dallas Ave., Lancaster, TX

Austin Flea, 11am-5pm
The Ghost Room, 304 W. 4th St., Austin, TX

Flea Harvey's, 10am-5pm
Lee Harvey's, 1807 Gould St., Dallas, TX

Saturday, February 12 & Sunday, February 13
Brooklyn Flea, 10am-6pm
1 Hanson Pl. (at Flatbush Ave.), Brooklyn, NY

Funky Fifteen: With Love

1. Blue Willow Heart Pendant by ReLiCs Re-InVeNtEd

2. Black & Red Heart Alligator Clips by Sketch Customs

3. Rustic Wire Heart Basket at 5gardenias

4. Open Washer Necklace by Patricia Riley Metalsmith

5. Love in Red Print by Valentina Design

6. Love Bird Branches by Jane Joss

7. Carve My Name Personalized Valentine's Day Gift by Dolan Geiman

8. Vintage Valentine Greeting Card by Move the Needle
**20% off any order with coupon code "FUNKYFINDS"
Expires March 1, 2011**

9. Canned Love Print by Lisa Barbero

10. Heart-Shaped Chocolate Cake Earrings by Sparkles N Glitter

11. Vintage Heart & Wing Necklace by Take Flight Boutique

12. Valentine's XOXO Woof Dog Collar by lizziebeesthings

13. Vanilla Cupcake Soap by Pamper Time

14. I Heart You Ninjas by Pegged

15. Pretty in Pink Necklace by French Elegant Jewelry

ez-duz it by elliott

ez-duz it by elliott features the funkiest of accessories created by Texas-based designer Elliott Williams. Besides being a super nice guy, Elliott is super creative which is evident when perusing his website. All items, including the art wallets, display a collection of images in various themes. Whether you're into Day of the Dead imagery or a big fan of Broadway, you will find something to satisfy your fashion needs. The clutch bags are perfect for evenings out on the town while the art bags are large enough to carry all your daytime needs. And the guys will dig the cool wallets. In addition to all these great items, Elliott also creates corporate gifts. He even created one-of-a-kind Funky Finds bags for me! The ez-duz it by elliott collection can be found in boutiques, airports & museum stores from coast to coast. You can also shop in person at the 3rd Annual Funky Finds Spring Fling in March!

Young Crafters & Entrepreneurs

It's always great to see children & young adults showing interest in crafting. But it's especially inspiring when those young crafters turn entrepreneur. Show some support for the young business owners highlighted below.

Ben is a 16 year-old who creates handmade appliqué & screen printed t-shirts. While attending a boarding arts high school in California, Ben creates fun, young clothes. Prismatic Therapy features quirky designs that definitely won't bore. I love the Hold 'em Texas pocket tee (pictured), as well as the Feisty Fox. Say goodbye to nerdy pocket protectors & say hello to funky appliqued pockets!

Federica is a student of foreign languages and literature. She says that she loves what she is studying right now, but unfortunately is still undecided about what she want to become in the future. I definitely felt that way many times while in college! Coccinelle Rouge showcases Federica's lovely crocheted accessories & greeting cards. I adore the sparkling black wool fingerless gloves (pictured) & the Thinking of You card is perfect for any loved one. Visit her blog for more information & inspiration.

Mayoli & Amanda are friends, as well as university students. To break up the monotony of studying, these crafty pals turned to jewelry making as a creative outlet. The duo says that what started off as a hobby quickly turned into much more & it's very evident why when you look at their lovely accessories. From stylish hair accessories to delicate necklaces, MNA Designs has you covered. Be sure to visit the duo's new blog, too. (pictured - Petite & Golden Bows & Laced Pearls Necklace)

At only 15 years old, Joelle Poulos designs, creates & sells her own jewelery under the name Joelleabelle. Her quirky designs are targeted to a young audience, because Joelle works hard to design affordable pieces that she & her friends want but can't find anywhere else. The Very Cherry earrings (pictured) are adorable & I love the Heart Hands necklace. You certainly don't want to miss the extensive sale section either! Learn more about Joelleabelle via Facebook and Joelle's blog.

3rd Annual Funky Finds Spring Fling

The 3rd Annual Funky Finds Spring Fling is only 6 weeks away! This free 2-day handmade event is family AND pet-friendly, so bring the whole crew! We have some fun things lined up for pets & their owners. More information can be found on the pet page.

The charitable raffle features items donated by all participating artisans, as well as other generous business owners, and all proceeds benefit CASA of Tarrant County and the Humane Society of North Texas, who will be on-hand facilitating pet adoptions.

Whether or not you are able to attend, you can visit most participating artisans online. Preview all participants on the vendors page.

Want to promote your business at the event?
We have several opportunities available.

1. SPONSOR - We offer three sponsorship tiers for this event. Your support helps us to produce the best event possible!

2. ADVERTISE - The event booklet is high-quality & full-color. Attendees that bring a booklet from a previous event will receive one free raffle ticket. This encourages attendees to keep their booklets making it a great promotional tool for your business!

3. DONATE SWAG - The first 75 people each day to purchase a minimum of five $1.00 raffle tickets will receive a Funky Finds tote bag full of free goodies. The swag bags draw a large crowd at each event. If you'd like to contribute 150 promotional items for inclusion in the bag, please contact us for delivery instructions.

If you'd like to help us promote the event online, we have a couple of website banners on the promote page. Thank you for your support of handmade!!!