GIVEAWAY: Custom Hemp Treasures

Using the ancient technique macrame, Rachel Steck of Custom Hemp Treasures creates handmade hemp jewelry that is very funky & unique. Rachel says that she believes hemp is a very under-used material for jewelry. Made from the Cannabis sativa plant, a renewable resource, hemp is an environmentally-friendly product. By knotting hemp together, she makes beautiful hemp bracelets, necklaces, & anklets, all of which are customizable. She also incorporates beads, pendants & charms into her designs. I really like the hemp necklace with glass beads, as well as the braided bracelets. Check out Rachel's blog for more info, as well as Custom Knit Treasures where you can purchase her hand-knit designs.

*** GIVEAWAY - Closed - Congrats Sarah! ***

PRIZE: One lucky winner will receive a hemp necklace & hemp bracelet of their choice from Custom Hemp Treasures.

TO ENTER: Visit Custom Hemp Treasures & leave a comment on this post noting your favorite item.

ENDS: Saturday, October 8 at 9pm CDT.

Funky Five: Halloween

I love Autumn and Halloween decorations! Here's five Halloween finds found via Pinterest. Visit my Autumn/Halloween board for tons more inspiration!

1. Free I Heart Halloween Printable from Agape Love

2. How-to: Witches Spell Books by Design DNA

3. Spider Web Doily Pillow by Crap I've Made

4. How To Cross Stitch on a (Fake) Pumpkin by Elsie Marley

5. How-to: Halloween Paper-Mache Cat from BHG.com

Clay Wood & Cotton

Crafters Kristen & Kristy met on the New York craft scene and began selling their wares together at the Brooklyn Flea. Seeing how well they worked together, the duo decided to launch a website featuring their handmade goods, as well as those of other artisans. In the process, they stumbled upon a great retail space & added a brick & mortar store to their business plan resulting in Clay Wood & Cotton. Starting this Thursday, September 22nd, they will be doing a series of giveaways on their shop blog. Every other Thursday, they will be offering up Cap'n Cat Sparrow's Pick O' the Week (in honor of their mascot, the eye-patch-wearing Cap'n Cat Sparrow). Up for grabs will be work from some of their favorite makers, including Wolfie + the Sneak, Meow Meow Tweet, The Heated, Girls Can Tell, and Kristiana Pärn. Prizes will also include craft supplies, store gift certificates, and other goodies. The first giveaway will be a copy of Applique Your Way by Kayte Terry, and the comment thread will be: What was your favorite summer read? Follow Clay Wood & Cotton on Facebook where a link will be posted to each giveaway. And, if you're in the New York area, stop by Clay Wood & Cotton at 149 Main Street, Beacon, NY 12508.

This Week's Events

Friday, September 23 through Sunday, September 25
The Clothing Show
(F) 5-9pm, (Sat) 11am-9pm, (Sun) 11am-6pm
The Queen Elizabeth Bldg., Exhibition Place, 195 Princes Blvd., Toronto, ON

Oktober Festival of Crafts & Kitsch
(Fri. Preview) 5-9pm, (Sat & Sun) 10am-4pm
Vault (the old brick bank), Second St., New Glarus, WI

Saturday, September 24
Designers Downtown Market, 9am-3pm
Ornamentea, 509 N. West St., Raleigh, NC

Lone Star Crafters Festival, 9am-5pm
Cheeratorium Event Center, 4954 Benbrook Blvd., Benbrook, TX

Rocky Ripple Festival, 11am-6pm
840 West 53rd St., Indianapolis, IN

Sweet William Market, 9am-2pm
Stapleton's Founders' Green, 29th Ave. & Syracuse, Denver, CO

YarnCon 2011, 11am-6pm
Pulaski Park Fieldhouse, 1419 W Blackhawk St., Chicago, IL

FashionART Santa Cruz, 7pm (Fashion Show followed by Trunk Show)
Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium, 307 Church St., Santa Cruz, CA

Bakery Square's Summer Street Parties, 5-10pm
Bakery Square, 6725 Penn Ave., Pittsburgh, PA

Roxy Art Fest, 11am-7pm
Pioneer Oaks Shopping Center, 4000 Pioneer Rd., Balch Springs, TX

Handmade Country Market, 10am-3pm
The International Cricket Hall of Fame, St Jude St., Bowral NSW 2576

CommuniTREE, 10am-2pm
Bath House Cultural Center at White Rock Lake, 521 E. Lawther, Dallas, TX

Ottawa Scarecrow Festival, 10am-4pm
LaSalle St., Downtown Ottawa, IL

Crafting For A Cause, Noon-10pm
Crafty Goodness, 15621 Madison Ave., Lakewood, OH

Gems & Junk, 2-5pm
McKinney Avenue Contemporary, 3120 McKinney Ave., Dallas, TX

Liverpool's Big Vintage & Fashion Fair, 11am-4:30pm
LJMU SU, The Engine Room, Maryland St. (off Rodney St.), Liverpool, England

Mini Bazaar Bizarre San Francisco, 10am-6pm
TechShop San Jose, 300 S. 2nd St., San Jose, CA

4th Annual Fall Cottage Chic Antique Flea & Sale, 10am-6pm
Cottage Panache Antiques, 7277 Glenview Dr., Richland Hills, TX

Saturday, September 24 & Sunday, September 25
Indie Designer Market at Randolph Street Market
(Sat) 10am-5pm, (Sun) 10am-4pm
1340 W. Washington, Plumbers Hall, Chicago, IL

Strange Folk Festival, 10am-6pm
Community Park, 401 E. 5th St., O'Fallon, IL

Pecan Street Festival - (Sat) 11am-10pm & (Sun) 11am-8pm
6th Street, Austin, TX

Sunday, September 25
Blim Market, Noon-5pm
Heritage Hall, 15th & Main, Vancouver, BC

Allston Arts & Crafts Fair, Noon-6pm
Farrington Ave., Allston, MA

Bakery Square's Sunday Marketplace, Noon-4pm
Bakery Square, 6725 Penn Ave., Pittsburgh, PA

MarketDayz, 9am-6pm
Conifer Community Park, 11369 S. Foxton Rd., Conifer, CO

Dose Market, 10am-4pm
River East Art Center, 435 East Illinois St., Chicago, IL

99 Market, 11am-5pm
99 Sadbury St., Toronto, ON

Downtown Open Market, 10am-4pm
Royal Palm Place, 308 S. Federal Hwy., Boca Raton, FL

GIVEAWAY: My Memories Suite Digital Scrapbooking Software

My Memories Suite Digital Scrapbooking Software is, in a nutshell, awesome! I have been using the software for several weeks & have been amazed at how easy it is to use. The software comes with a wide variety of digital papers, elements, and embellishments and the website offers lots of free kits. The site also offers many kits available for purchase. The website says that the software is a complete digital scrapbooking solution that provides a powerful set of creative tools and multiple sharing options that no other software can offer. I have not used any other digital scrapbooking software, but I can tell you that as someone who hates reading instructions & prefers to jump right in, My Memories rocks!

You can create an album using professionally-designed or basic pages that allow you to insert your photos individually or automatically. It's great because you can simply drag your photo from your hard drive to the spot on the layout where you want the photo to be placed. You also have the option to design your own album layer by layer. The My Memories website offers a wide variety of new & creative content enabling you to expand your template options.

The My Memories blog is filled with inspiration from fellow scrapbookers. Each Wednesday a new challenge is posted & users can link to their layout. I was especially moved the Remembrance challenge. The blog, as well as YouTube, also features helpful video tutorials. And be sure to follow MyMemories on Twitter for more info.

I created all the layouts pictured using My Memories Suite Digital Scrapbooking Software!

SPECIAL OFFER: Receive a $10 discount off the purchase of the My Memories Suite Scrapbook software AND a $10 coupon for the MyMemories.com store with coupon code STMMMS96123.

Terms:
1. This unique code is ONLY good for My Memories Suite Version 2.0.
2. This code is to be used for US and Canadian customers only.
3. When you surpass $580 of income within one calendar year, MyMemories will issue you a 1099 if you reside in the US.
4. In the event that customers who use your code receive a refund, your account will be adjusted accordingly.
5. MyMemories reserves the right to modify terms or conditions.

*** GIVEAWAY - Closed - Congrats Jenn Spencer! ***

PRIZE: One lucky winner will receive a coupon code to download MyMemories Suite Digital Scrapbooking Software!

TO ENTER: Visit MyMemories and leave a comment on this post noting your favorite digital paper pack or layout

ADDITIONAL ENTRY: Like MyMemories on Facebook, then leave a comment on this post noting you have done so.

ENDS: Saturday, October 1st at 9pm EDT.

Accepting Swag For November Event

We will be giving away 150 tote bags full of swag to the first 75 shoppers EACH DAY that purchase a minimum of five $1.00 raffle tickets at Funky Finds: A Holiday Shopping Experience.

The charitable raffle features items donated by all participating artisans, as well as other generous business owners, and all proceeds benefit Toys For Tots and The Humane Society of North Texas.

Contributing swag is a great way to promote your shop, services or event to a crowd that is interested in handmade goods. If you'd like to contribute samples, promo items and/or a raffle item(s), please send by November 4th to:

Funky Finds • 6260 Lewis Chapel Road • Jefferson, TX 75657

Previous swag bags have included coupons from participating vendors, embroidery patterns from Sublime Stitching, full-size bars of soap, jewelry, product samples & much more.

Funky Five: Wreaths

1. Fabulous Fall Felt Ruffle Wreath Tutorial by Keep it simple, sister

2. Fall Wreath by StoryCrafting

3. Canning Jar Lids Wreath by Funky Junk Interiors

4. Halloween Wreath by wRIte iT DOwN

5. Halloween Chevron Wreath Tutorial by Tatertots & Jello

Find more wreath inspiration on my Pinterest board!

left.beach.fotos

left.beach.fotos offers personalized beach writing photography taken on the beautiful beaches of Hermosa Beach, California, by Nicole Leigh. Each personalized photograph (pictured) is a handmade, original piece of art. You are able to specify which names or messages are written in the sand for weddings, anniversaries, birthdays, invitations, and anything else you can imagine! Nicole offers save the date postcards & magnets that are a beautiful, unique way to let your family & friends know about your upcoming wedding. These also make wonderful stationery, note cards and thank you cards. If you prefer to purchase an 8x10 photo that is personalized, Nicole offers that service as well. Check out left.beach.fotos' Facebook page for more information & examples.

Thursday, September 15
Vinyl Thoughts Custom Vinyl Toy Show, 7-11pm
The Quixotic World, Deep Ellum, 2824 Main, Dallas, TX

Thursday, September 15 through Saturday, September 17
Junk Bonanza - (Thur) 10am-5pm, (Fri/Sat) 9am-5pm
Canterbury Park, Shakopee, MN

Friday, September 16 through Sunday, September 18
Austin City Limits Music Festival
Zilker Park, Austin, TX

Saturday, September 17
Deep Ellum Outdoor Market, 11am-5pm
Covered Lot Behind Cafe Brazil, 2820 Indiana Blvd., Dallas, TX

Clark Park Festivals, 2-11pm
Clark Park, Baltimore Ave., Philadelphia, PA

Market on the Strand, 10am-4pm
Saengerfest Park, 23rd & The Strand, Galveston Island, TX

Home & Handmade Market, 8am-2pm
Jackson St. between La Salle & Clinton Streets, Ottawa, IL

Blim Market, Noon-5pm
Main & 10th, Vancouver, BC

Outdoor Craft Store, 9:30am-4pm
Park Ave. & Dartmouth Ave., Swarthmore, PA

The Greenway Open Market, 10am-4pm
Rose Kennedy Greenway, Boston, MA

Madison Avenue Art Walk, Noon-6pm
15410 - 17020 Madison, Lakewood, OH

Rocky River Falls Arts Festival, 10am-5pm
Old Detroit Shopping Area, Old Detroit Rd. (near Detroit & Wooster Rds.), Rocky River, OH

Saturday, September 17 & Sunday, September 18
Old Gruene Market Days - (Sat) 9am-5pm, (Sun) 10am-4:30pm
1641 Hunter Rd., New Braunfels, TX

Maker Faire NYC - (Sat) 10am-7pm, (Sun) 10am-6pm
New York Hall of Science, 47-01 111th St., Queens, NY

BUST Magazine Craftacular - (Sat) 10am-7pm, (Sun) 10am-6pm
New York Hall of Science, 47-01 111th St., Queens, NY

Danforth East Arts Fair, 10am-5pm
East Lynn Park, 1949 Danforth Ave., Toronto, ON

Gypsy Farm Market - (Sat) 9am-9pm, (Sun) 9am-3pm
3390 Valmont Rd., Boulder, CO

Milton Farm Craft Show, 9am-4pm
Country Heritage Park, 8560 Tremaine Rd., Milton, ON

Saturday, September 17 through Sunday, October 16
A Taste of Handmade at Floriade
Monday - Friday 9am-5pm, Weekends & Holidays 9am-5:30pm
Commonwealth Park Canberra, Northern shores of Lake Burley Griffin, Parkes ACT 2600 (Australia)

Sunday, September 18
Clover Market, 10am-4pm
12 E. Lancaster Ave., Ardmore, PA

Creative Heart Collective, Noon-6pm
The Gladstone Hotel, 1214 Queen St. West, Toronto, ON

Shop Party, Noon-6pm
Arlene Francis Center. 99 Sixth St., Santa Rosa, CA

99 Market, 11am-5pm
99 Sadbury St., Toronto, ON

GIVEAWAY: Grace Design

Designer Alison Gledhill is currently living & working in Toronto, Canada. She says that her love affair with textiles began at a young age & since that time she has traveled from the Thar desert in Rajasthan, India, to Tokyo, Japan, in search of beautiful & unique textiles to use in her designs. Grace Design showcases Alison's creations that include bags and home decor items. Many items are screen printed using a water-based non-toxic ink, such as the lovely golden horses pillow. She also offers a wide variety of small bags & clutches, my favorite being the bright pink ultra suede butterfly bag (pictured). Alison is giving away one linen pillow case featuring a bright yellow/lime green screen printed zebra image (pictured below). Receive a 15% discount with coupon code FALLLOVE15 (expires September 24, 2011).

*** GIVEAWAY - Closed - Congrats Mo! ***

PRIZE: A linen screen printed zebra pillow case from Grace Design.

TO ENTER: Visit Grace Design & leave a comment on this post noting your favorite item.

EXTRA ENTRY: Like Grace Design on Facebook, then leave a comment on this post noting you a have done so.

ENDS: 9pm EDT, Saturday, September 24.

Burnt Spaghetti

Peta Cherubin of Burnt Spaghetti creates handmade jewelry that is colorful & kitschy. Based in Victoria, Australia, Peta uses lots of unexpected items, as well as vintage pieces when creating. I really like the paper-covered bangles, especially the vibrant red & blue one. The charm bracelets are packed with lots of interesting tidbits like plastic food and fun animals. And the personal hygiene earrings (pictured) are a hoot! Take some time to explore all the funky offerings at Burnt Spaghetti, as well as Peta's blog and Facebook page.

Funky Five: Back To School

1. School Bus Piggy Bank by Anderson Woodworks

2. Pencil Pouch Tutorial by gwenny penny

3. Magnetic Vertex Pen by Sawdust and Bullets

4. School House Bird House by Flock To Our House

5. Composition Notebook Cover by Cassidy's Cottage

Thursday, September 8
Craft Corner Deathmatch, 7:30-9:30pm
The Atlas Bar, 209 S. College Ave., Bloomington, IN

Friday, September 9
The Urban Growers Market, 4-8pm
One World Merchants, 2315 Main St., Vancouver, WA

Friday, September 9 through Sunday, September 11
Cabbagetown Art & Crafts Sale
(F) 1-6pm, (Sat) 10am-6pm, (Sun) 10am-6pm
456 Sumach St., Toronto, ON

Indie Craft Parade
(F) 6-9pm, (Sat) 9am-7pm, (Sun) 11am-5pm
Huguenot Mill at the Peace Center, 101 W. Broad St., Greenville, SC

Sunnyside Beach Juried Art Show & Sale
(F) 2-7pm, (Sat) 11am-7pm, (Sun) 11am-6pm
Sunnyside Pavilion, 1755 Lake Shore Blvd. W., Toronto, ON

Saturday, September 10
Peace, Love & Crafts, 9am-5pm
Tulsa Expo Square Fairgrounds, Central Park Hall, 4145 E. 21st, Tulsa, OK

Ballston Arts & Crafts Market, 10am-4pm
Welburn Square, btwn N. Stuart & N. 9th Streets, Arlington, VA

I AM Festival, 11am-8pm
New London Waterfront on the pier, Water St., New London, CT

Hems for Hearts - Charity Fashion Show & Silent Auction, 10am-1pm
Christ Fellowship, 2801 Orchid Dr., McKinney, TX

White Rock Local Market, 8am-1pm
The Green Spot Market & Fuels, 702 N. Buckner Blvd., Dallas, TX

OCH Art & Wellness Market, 10am-3pm
Zeitgeist, 1618 Oretha C Haley Blvd, New Orleans, LA

Hartwood Days Festival, 9am-5pm
Hartwood Festival Grounds at Hartwood Church, 25 Hartwood Rd., Fredericksburg, VA

SpookyTime Jingles Holiday Soiree, 10am-3pm
Friday Night: Artist Meet 'n Greet, 7-9pm - Limited # of Tickets Available
New Hope Eagle Fire Co., 46 North Sugan Rd., New Hope, PA

Go West! Craft Fest, Noon-5pm
50th & Baltimore Ave., West Philadelphia, PA

Windsor Park Block Party, 4-11pm
1200 block of Windsor St. (between 12th St. & Commerce), Indianapolis, IN

The Greenway Open Market, 10am-4pm
Rose Kennedy Greenway, Boston, MA

Austin Flea, 11am-5pm
The Highball, 1142 S. Lamar Blvd., Austin, TX

BISD Moonlight Marching Madness, 6-11pm
Fine Arts & Athletic Complex (FAAC), Corner of Precinct Line Rd. & Mid Cities Blvd., North Richland Hills, TX

Saturday, September 10 & Sunday, September 11
Brandywine Festival of the Arts - (Sat) 9am-6pm, (Sun) 9am-4pm
Brandywine Park, 1001 North Park Dr., Wilmington, DE

Renegade Craft Fair, 11am-7pm
Wicker Park, Chicago, IL

Festival of the Vine Fine Art & Craft Fair - (Sat) 10am-6pm, (Sun) 10am-5pm
3rd St. & Campbell St., Geneva, IL

Sunday, September 11
Lucky Pearl Bazaar, 9am-2pm
1757 S. Pearl St., Denver, CO

Art: Sunny Side Up Craft Show/Fundraiser, 10am-4pm
100 Fairway Dr., Deerfield Beach, FL

Urban Flea Market, 9am-3pm
Salt Lake City & County Bldg., Washington Square, Salt Lake City, UT

99 Market, 11am-5pm
99 Sadbury St., Toronto, ON

Yvonne4eyes Card & Art Manipulations

Like it or not, Halloween is just around the corner! Yvonne4eyes Card & Art Manipulations offers several unique Halloween cards that will delight those of all ages. I love the Halloween Haunting eye chart card, as well as the Trick or Treat design. There's several other Halloween greetings, including the Raven and the rib cage (pictured). In addition to the Halloween designs, Yvonne offers a variety of cards, tags & wearables. I have a Blink of an Eye pendant & get so many compliments each time I wear it. Visit Yvonne's main website for more info & be sure to attend our November event, Funky Finds: A Holiday Shopping Experience, to shop Yvonne's wares in person!

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