Free Craft Sampler & Gift Guide

Quirk Books recently released a free downloadable Homemade Quirk sampler, dishing out a ton of cute crafts and recipes in a PDF document. The sampler features a round up of the best crafts and baked goods that Quirk Books has to offer. Tiny books from Microcrafts, cat portraits from Crafting with Cat Hair, mini homemade Pop Tarts from Tiny Food Party, bottled potions from Witch Craft, and a lot more!

Here you will find instructions for creating multiple gifts for the bookworm, lovebirds, kids, animal lover, foodie & geek! There's also easy directions telling you how to upload the PDF to a Kindle, Nook, or Kobo.

Quirk Books also released a fun Holiday Gift Guide! This is the perfect place to find gifts for the crafter, chef, hostess, and artist on your shopping list!

Weekend Events

WHAT: The All Austin All Handmade Bash
WHEN: Friday, July 31, 7-11pm
WHERE: The Beauty Bar Austin, 617 E. 7th St., Austin, TX
ETC: $2 cover benefiting Austin Dog Rescue; More info on the Electric Promotions blog

WHAT: Amy Rice Solo Exhibition Opening Reception
WHEN: Friday, July 31, 5-9pm
WHERE: Art Star, 623 N. 2nd St., Philadelphia, PA
ETC: Free & open to the public. The show will be on display through September 13th.

WHAT: Friday Night Crafts
WHEN: Friday, July 31, 5-9pm
WHERE: Whole Foods Market, 929 South St., Philadelphia, PA
ETC: BYOT - Bring your own table! No fee. For more info call 215-733-9788. Next events are on August 28 & September 25.

WHAT: Urban Craft Uprising
WHEN: Saturday, August 1 and Sunday, August 2; 11am-5pm
WHERE: Seattle Center Exhibition Hall
ETC: Free Admission, Swag Bags, Giveaways Every Hour!

WHAT: Craftwerk
WHEN: Saturday, August 1st, 1-5pm
WHERE: St Aloysius Social Club - 21 Phoenix Rd, London NW1 1TA
ETC: Free SWAG packs for the first 50 entrants courtesy of Funky Finds!

WHAT: Handmade Nation Screening
WHEN: Saturday, August 1st, 6-8 pm
WHERE: Pennsylvania Convention Center, RM 103 - 1101 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA
ETC: Public admission is $5 at the door. Seating is limited. Advanced tickets can be purchased at Art Star. Director Q&A following the screening.

WHAT: Crafty Balboa
WHEN: Sunday, August 2, 12-5pm
WHERE: Around the fountain at the intersection of Tasker and Passyunk Ave., Philadelphia, PA
ETC: The craft market will be held in conjunction with East Passyunk Business Improvement District's 4th Annual DooWop. Passyunk Ave will be closed to traffic from McKean St. to Dickinson St.

WHAT: Crafty by Nature
WHEN: Sunday, August 2, 9am-5pm
WHERE: Shupp’s Grove in Adamstown, PA (Lancaster County)
ETC: Event takes place every first Sunday through October

Staving Crafter

Staving Crafter is a wonderful source for finding the latest opportunities for artists, crafters, designers, and makers. The site lists design competitions that have various prizes, such as a lifetime supply of Moleskine notebooks. You'll also find listings for events, as well as links to sites that are great resources for the business aspect of crafting. Check back often for updates.

Bleeding Hearts Benefit

Renee of Wolfie and the Sneak is hosting a one-day event today, February, 1st titled Bleeding Hearts. All proceeds from this event will benefit the Sierra Club. This organization boasts more than 1.3 million members who are inspired by nature to work together to protect our communities and the planet. The Club is America's oldest, largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization. This benefit sale showcases handmade goods by various designers & crafters who have donated their wares for a worthy cause. You’ll have the opportunity to purchase goods by fabulous designers including Bill Pickles Dog Company, Hambone and Jennicakes, and Subversive Cross Stitch to name a few. Purchases can be made through Wolfie and the Sneak’s Etsy shop.