Indie Emporium 2010 recap

I've been remiss in posting a recap of Indie Emporium so far. My apologies! I've been busy, plus I was waiting for fashion show pictures to share. I have some, so excuses are gone.

Here's a photo of my booth on Day 1:

I tried out some new display stuff this time. Instead of my boring cream tablecloth, I threw down a thrifted sheet that I think was fun. On the far right is a small set of shutters that helped me display my new Murano glass pieces. The white busts in front did the same thing. Next to it is my favorite chest with rings displayed plus a new smaller chest I used for my earrings. The trays and busts are old, and you've probably seen the standing display before, but never with my scarves. I'm so happy with how they turned out! I sold two of the six I brought (only five are featured here because one wasn't quite ready for primetime until the following day).

Also, I'm a nutter, so I dressed up as Super Brigid: Crafty Crimefighter that night:

These are my angry eyes:

It's really the silver mesh cape that keeps evil-doers at bay:

The boots were thrifted for a few bucks, the pants are actually workout pants I won from Self Magazine, the top is my ballet leotard, and the cape is a scrap I have from when I was selling scrub gift sets. Fun!

The next day, I rearranged slightly to show off the scarves better:

I also dressed up again, this time as a red-hot member of the Red Hat Society:

That's commitment. Here I am behind my booth that day:

Then the evening rolled around, and the fashion show hit the runway. I modeled for three designers. Up first was OK Tees. I can't share this photo because it's protected, but check out me strutting my stuff here.

Next, I modeled an apron from Tuggin Apron Strings. Click here to see me (second from left) with all four of the lovely pieces. I am dying for the lemon one on the designer (in the middle)!

And finally I got all sultry in a gorgeous piece from UPC Fashion. You may recall me in a long white dress from her last year. This year I mixed it up with a short white dress:

Ham:

And one more from the back:

All in all, Indie was a fun show again. I have lots of goodies leftover, though, so expect an Etsy update as soon as I get my marbles together.

A peak at batik

I am excited to debut a few of my batik scarves at Indie Emporium this year. I don’t want to ruin the surprise completely, so instead of glamour shots of the finished product, here are a few behind-the-scenes looks at the process.

I like to think of batik as Easter egg-dying for grown-ups:

There are different application techniques, but they all involve natural fabrics, dye (which I mix myself), and wax. Sometimes you apply the wax and then soak the item in the dye; sometimes you paint the dye on post-waxing. The cups are small, but they can hold more than one scarf.

One important thing to remember is always wear gloves. Yes, the dye can burn your skin, but most importantly, it can make you look like a giant 5-year-old:
I spared you the shot of green on my leg.

Once the dyes have been applied, you have to let them dry. (Whoa, rhyming.) I opted for the laundry room:That’s wax you see flaking off on the towel. The details are obscured, but you can see a little of what the process does. I’ll have completed scarves available for purchase and perusal at Indie Emporium this weekend! I’ll also add a few to the Etsy shop sometime soon, after the show.

Indie Emporium promotion

Hey friends!

Check out who is promoting Indie Emporium today...Funky Finds! Funky Finds is such a cool site, and I get really happy when I see something with which I'm involved promoted. Check it out.

Also, I will be on Good Day Tulsa this Friday around 9 a.m., I believe, promoting the show. You know you won't want to miss that. Good Day Tulsa is on KTUL, Channel 8.

Let's talk glass

I’m struggling to decide how to talk about my recent trip to Italy. How much detail do you lovely readers want? A brief recap? A detailed description of each city? Please leave me comments so I know how to proceed!

In the meantime, I have some pretties to show you. One of my necessary destinations was the island of Murano for some one-of-a-kind beads. For those of you who don’t know, Murano is one of the most famous producers of beautiful, artisanal glass in the world. You can read a little about the history and such here.

I returned from my trip with some gorgeous Murano glass just begging to become beautiful earrings and necklaces. Just so you know, I made sure every piece I bought was authentic. I’ll have a nice little variety, all available at Indie Emporium, but here’s a sneak peak. The pictures aren't all that great, but I was in a hurry to show you the goods!

Memory-wire necklace with a Murano glass pendant.

Another necklace with Murano glass pendant.

This necklace is amazing in person! The center bead is huge and – yes – is authentic Murano glass. The little aventurine beads are elegant, and everything hangs delicately on sterling silver. I love it!

Two pairs of earrings.

Liz, the winner of my last giveaway, is the first owner of some of my Murano earrings (plus a coffee scrub).

I still have a few more pieces in the works, so make sure to come by Indie Emporium on Friday and Saturday to make something yours!

And here’s a little proof that I did, indeed, visit Murano:

Happy Monday, all!

Indie Emporium 2010

It's official: I will be a vendor once again at this year's Indie Emporium!

I can't wait! Indie Emporium is one of my favorite shows ever, and if you attend, it'll be one of yours, too. Make sure to "like" it on Facebook. Here's my recap of last year.

In the meantime, I need your help! I have to submit a photo to represent my business by September 30, and I still don't have a logo. Someday, I keep saying. Until then, please vote for your favorite of the bottom four photos. To sweeten the deal, I will choose one commenter and send them a small surprise package. Just leave your vote by midnight on Monday, September 20.

1. Dappled in Sunlight Earring

2. Gilded Pachyderm Necklace

3. Lucky Turtle Bracelet (I used this one last year, too.)

4. Alice Ring

What do you think? Leave your vote in the comments section by midnight on Monday. And if someone is just dying to make me a real logo, I wouldn't turn them down. ;)

Indie Emporium recap

I had a huge-a-mongous blast at Indie Emporium. This was actually my first year selling there, but I can't wait until the time rolls around again in 2010!

Here is my lovely booth before we opened the doors on Friday night:

And a close-up of my new products (Charming Memory bracelets and Whimsy rings) on their displays:

Oh my gosh, look at the crowd! (If you look carefully, you might spy me in my fuchsia sweater.)

Here are two of my shoppers, the cutest little two-year-old boy and his nervous dad:
Day 2 didn't have the previous night's insane onslaught of people, but it was a lot of fun and profitable, too. Here I am at my booth:

If you look, you can see some carnage. My hooks didn't want to stay on the picture-frame displays, and look how quickly I sold out of one of my scrubs. I ended up selling the sample one, too! I guess I'll know to make more Orange Spice ones next time. Look at this close-up of some of my bargain jewelry:

Hey, look, more shoppers!

Later that evening, I modeled in the fashion show, but I don't have any photos to share yet. When I do, I'll certainly post them.

As always, the best part was chatting with customers and other crafters. These shows give great feedback on what products people like and which displays draw in the eye. The #1 highlight, though, was the young lady who came to my booth and told me she'd bought one of my Wonderland rings from The Felt Bird -- and she was wearing it! That filled me with such joy.

Though it's tempting to continue basking in the glow of a successful venture, now I have some serious crafting to do!

It's here!

Indie Emporium starts tonight! Come one and all! I hope to see you there. :)

Indie Emporium 2009

I will be selling jewelry and a few other things at Indie Emporium TOMORROW and SATURDAY! Already have plans? Cancel them!


Stick around for the fashion show Saturday night to see me walk the runway, too.

You can also tune into OklaTravelNews tomorrow around 12:40 to see me promote the show.

There will be a ton of other amazing crafters at IE, too, so come on out and see us! The first 50 shoppers in the door Friday night get a bag full of amazing goodies, including a coupon to my store. OoooOoooO! Be there, folks!

Catching up

I've been no fun lately, and for that I apologize. Things have been crazy between all the stuff on my plate and then a nice big helping of mono scooped on top. Yep, that's what I've been doing. I always seem to get childhood illnesses a few years later than most folks. I caught chicken pox at 7 -- two years after my kindergarten class' epidemic -- and strep throat for the first time at age 15. I guess it was about time mono found me.

So anyway, I'm making tons of fun stuff for Indie Emporium, which I'm sure you all remember is this weekend (!!). I'll have lots of fun rings, memory wire bracelets and a whole slew of one-of-a-kind pieces you won't want to miss. I'll have more details soon.