FREE Craft Party

Our friends at the 817ArtsAlliance are hosting a FREE Craft Party next month!

Inspired by Etsy, the DFW Artisans' Craft Party gives you an opportunity to get in touch with your creative side.

WHEN: Saturday, June 18th, 2016; 2:30-5:00pm

WHERE: Sparks Studio of Creative Arts, 509 West Main Street, Arlington, Texas

Join in a fun afternoon of crafting and great company. The first 20 attendees will receive a swag bag. You can pick up promotional literature from the event's sponsors and see a display of some creations by the artisans that helped put together the craft party, along with their business cards. Light snacks will be provided.

Two colorful, free, make and take crafts will be available. Neither is very difficult. There will be volunteers on hand to give instructions and assistance as needed. Share your creations on social media using #EtsyCraftParty

While you don't have to sign up to participate, it will help the organizers have enough supplies and snacks on hand if you will let them know you are coming by claiming your FREE ticket for Etsy Craft Party: Arlington on Eventbrite.

Etsy NY Holiday Handmade Cavalcade

Shop for creative gifts and support
small businesses this holiday season!

The Etsy NY Street Team is back this year to serve as your holiday elf with the Holiday Handmade Cavalcade! More than 60 makers from the tri-state area will gather to sell their unique creations providing the community with the opportunity to support local & purchase unique gifts. The event will feature a vast selection of handmade goods including clothing, jewelry, paper goods, body products, eco-friendly finds, and so much more.

Preview the vendors’ offerings by visiting the Etsy Local page for the Holiday Handmade Cavalcade. There, you’ll be able to check out who will be selling at the event, start creating those shopping lists, and even take advantage of some Black Friday, Small Business Saturday and Cyber Monday deals ahead of the Cavalcade!

Other event highlights include goody bags for the first 100 shoppers each day, several raffle packages that will be up for grabs and Cavalcade sponsor Etsy will be on hand to offer free gift wrapping for any purchases made at the event. Also, Kiva Zip will also be on hand to answer questions about person-to-person lending.

Please note that shoppers will have the opportunity to give back to their community by donating gently used coats for the New York Cares 26th Annual Coat Drive!

WHEN: Saturday, December 13th &

Sunday, December 14th, 10am-8pm

WHERE: Chelsea Market, 75 Ninth Ave. (btwn 15th & 16th St.),

New York, New York (In the pop-up space across from Amy's Bread)

ADMISSION: Free!

MORE INFO: Facebook Event Page • Website

Etsy Dallas Vanentine's Day Trunk Show

If you live in the Dallas/Fort Worth area, you'll want to make it a point to attend the Etsy Dallas Valentine's Day Trunk Show. The event, taking place Saturday, February 9th, will be held at South Side on Lamar in the Artists' Quarter. There will be over 40 booths featuring handmade items from local artists. I attended the first trunk show held in December & was impressed by all the terrific designs displayed. This show looks to be even bigger & better. Join us next weekend!

Saturday, February 9th
11am - 4pm
South Side on Lamar in the Artists' Corridor
1409 S. Lamar, Dallas, TX

Etsy Dallas Trunk Show

Saturday I attended the first-ever Etsy Dallas Trunk Show. It was a smaller event, but one where quality over quantity was rule of thumb. I've mentioned Stephanie of Tefi Designs who is the Etsy Dallas team leader before. Stephanie creates fabulous, affordable jewelry & accessories. I was proud to purchase several of her designs to give this holiday season. It was also a pleasure to meet & visit with Stephanie's mom, Constanza, of Knit Sisters. Constanza's sister lives in Columbia & knits beautiful scarves that she sends to the States. Both of these sisters are talented knitters.

Brenda Morris of B.Liscious creates wonderful reversible tote bags, as well as custom baby onesies. Her onesies (pictured here) are unique because you can have them printed with a baby's name, birth date, and other relevant information. These would make wonderful baby gifts!

Scribble Scrabble is another one-woman operation I have featured in the past. Mandi creates the most intricate beaded designs. Her colorful works of art are available wrapped around pens, as well as custom pieces ranging from beaded portraits to Christmas ornaments. I do not see how she has the time, nor patience, for this intricate art form. Her work truly is fabulous!

ebraunnagel showcases well-made handbags created by Linda. Her designs range from mild to wild! Seeing her products in person gave me the opportunity to see that her items are of the upmost quality.

Carrie of Atom-In & Abby of Pulp Reality teamed up to showcase their wares at the show. I really liked their setup & displays. Both designers said they are just starting out, so keep tabs on their shop. Their pendants & other items are terrific.

I had the pleasure of viewing Pamela Michelle's work at previous showcases, but Saturday I had time to really take in all her beautiful designs. The etched wood pendants are gorgeous & so unique. Also, if you are looking for original artwork Pamela Michelle is a great resource.
I thoroughly enjoyed this event & look forward to more Etsy Dallas shows in the future.

Etsy Trashion Street Team

Mallory wrote in to let me know about the Etsy Trashion Street Team she belongs to. This is a group of over 70 artists from around the world who specialize in turning trash into treasure. They fabricate art, jewelry, fashion & objects for the home from used, thrown-out & found elements. Talk about a fabulous display of environmentalism and innovation!
On Friday, July 27th, they will be hosting a trunk show at the Etsy Labs in Brooklyn NYC. (325 Gold Street, Brooklyn NYC. A/C/F to Jay St * B/M/Q/R to Dekalb) Drop by to purchase wares, watch trashion-themed films, enjoy make-your-own trashion activities & refreshments. The trunk show is free and open to all ages, plus the first 25 people through the door will receive a FREE trashion team gift bag. Attendees are requested to RSVP via email at rsvp@etsy.com.
Also, Etsy Labs is now hosting a monthly trunk show on the last Friday of the month featuring different street teams. It continues to be very exciting to watch Etsy grow on a daily basis!