Friday Finds: Thank Goodness for Little Girls

This week's Friday Finds are in honor of all the sweet little girls in our lives, be they our daughters, granddaughters, sisters, nieces, cousins, or dear friends.

Reminder: Downtown DIY

Don't forget! The team's monthly crafting night usually held at the home of Miss JDStar has transformed. Attend the first Downtown DIY this Saturday from 7 to 11 p.m. The fun will take place at the Oklahoma City Coworking Collaborative. Come one and all! If you take any pictures, send them to me, and I'll post some on the blog.

Applying to Craft Shows

Tomorrow in the Etsy Virtual Labs, there will be a special session on applying to craft shows. Etsy's own HelloCraft, the planning team behind Crafty Bastards, will be taking questions on submitting a winning application. If you have any questions, contact Crafty Bastards on Twitter. Then swing by the Virtual Labs on Thursday, June 25 at 4 p.m. (5 p.m. Eastern) to learn all about the process. This will be a great learning experience for newbies and team members with lots of experience. Check it out!

Meet Our Members: FriedOkra

It's time to meet Adrian, the brains behind the delightful operation that is Fried Okra.

1. Introduce yourself
I'm Adrian and my shop is Fried Okra! After many years I'm back in my hometown of Ponca City, or as I like to say... two hours from everything! I spend my days running my kids to and fro, squeezing in some sewing time when I can. Lots of late nights and coffee around here!

2. Tell us about what you make. When did you start making it and why?
I make two sorts of things, Sock Monkeys and patchwork/embroidered bags and pouches. I made my first Sock Monkey on a whim out of a pair of angora socks I knew I would never wear. For a girl who buys many MANY socks I'm super picky about what sort of socks I'll wear! He turned out absolutely horrible but nonetheless I was hooked :) So many cute socks out there, such a shame to put them in shoes and under pant legs! I've been a sewer and quilter for much longer than I was making Sock Monkeys and with my ever growing "Crafter's ADD" I had to find a way to keep sewing and quilting but on a much smaller level. So many cute fabrics out there!

3. How long have you been crafting? When did you decide to start selling your handmade goods?
I've been sewing since I was a kid, my mom has always been an avid crafter... a jack of all trades for sure! I started making Sock Monkeys a few years ago and when I ran out of family and friends to give them away to I decided to give selling a shot. I've been floored by the response, to say the least! Then when I added bags and pouches to the inventory I felt like I filled my missing piece :) Fabric has always been a weakness and when I figured out a way to use all my favorite fabrics, buttons, embroideries, and wit in one little compact project I was a happy girl! Now when I get sick and tired of sewing on arms I can do a little piecing. Then when I get sore hands from embroidering I can give a pair of socks some LIFE :)


4. Other than what you sell, what's your favorite thing to craft?
I'm totally hooked on old books. I hit up our library's book sale all the time, you wouldn't believe what people just give away! I use them (especially the sad water damaged or missing pages ones) to make envelopes, tags, stickers, buttons, etc. I also just plain ole hoard them! My most recent find is a *huge* book of Etiquette, the title and size alone had me. When I opened it up I was even more excited, the whole book was backwards and upside down. Sold!

5. What do you love best about Etsy?
I'm going to be very general on this! I love how easy Etsy is to use. Now a stay-at-home momma like myself can do what she loves and make a little money on a very do-able level.

6. What's your favorite thing about Oklahoma?
Where else in the country do you get the chance to do a mock Land Run in elementary school?? I'm going to have to say I love storm season around here too. Hours of Rick Mitchell, beautifully colored radar maps, standing out on the porch watching the storm blow in, and the eventual run to the basement. It's exhilarating!

7. Do you sell anywhere else or have a blog, Twitter, MySpace, etc.?
I have my Etsy shop (http://friedokra.etsy.com) and am slowly branching out to craft shows and the like. I do have a blog that needs updating, http://invisiblespray.blogspot.com/.

Thanks, Adrian! You can also check out her goodies on Flickr.

Friday Finds: Happy Father's Day

Sunday is Father's Day, and what better way to show Dad you love him than with a handmade gift? So what if it's the last minute -- Dad'll understand, right?

Downtown DIY

Our monthly Church Night at the home of Miss JDStar has become Downtown DIY! Everyone who is interested in an evening of crafting in the company of others is welcome to attend the events. They will be held the last Saturday of the month from 7 to 11 p.m. at Oklahoma City Coworking Collaborative. Come one and all for crafty fun with great guys and gals. Contact JD for more information.

Coming to a newstand near you

Our very own BuckBoardWoodWorks shared some exciting news today: one of his carvings will be in the next issue of Woodcarving Illustrated! Check out his handiwork in issue #48 or http://www.woodcarvingillustrated.com/ when the fall issue is released.

Way to go, Frank!

Friday Finds: Newbies

This week's Friday Finds will introduce you to the newest members of the street team! Click on each item to find more by our great new sellers.




Have a great weekend, folks!

The TSAs of Crafty Air Travel

Things have been a bit quiet over hear in blogland, and for that I apologize. Hopefully I'll have some good news for everyone soon.

In the meantime, check out this great piece in Craft: all about carrying supplies onto airplanes. This is valuable information for everyone's summer travel plans. :)