Craft fair tips

The fall craft fair season is about to come into full swing, so now is the time to prepare. We did a post in February about how to prepare for a craft show. A little later, we posted some booth inspiration for your perusal. Last week, our own AudreyEclectic, who will soon round out her first year on the circuit, wrote a nice post on her blog about her experiences with craft shows and some tips for beginners. It's a great read for brand-new booth dwellers as well as those of us you've been around the block at least a little while. Another team member, ChristieCottage, has run a feature the past two Mondays about craft shows. Check out today's and last week's all about upping the ante at shows.

While we're on the subject, what's your favorite thing about fall shows?

Dustbowl Arts Market

Don't forget to head to Norman tomorrow (Saturday) for the Dustbowl Arts Market. The fun starts at 10 a.m. with crafts and kids' activities. The live music begins at 2 p.m. and continues until 11 p.m. Make sure to arrive before 6 p.m., though, to do some shopping. Lots of team members will be selling or buying, so go say hello!

South Tulsa Music Fest

If you're looking for a fun way to spend the Saturday of Labor Day weekend, then head to the Jenks Riverwalk for the South Tulsa Music Fest. Starting at 2 p.m., enjoy great music and the handmade goodies of some great local crafters, including Audrey Eclectic, Sweetheartville, and members of the Tulsa Craft Mafia. Admission is totally free, so come out and enjoy the local arts and the first inklings of fall.

Friday Finds: Back to School

Hordes of Oklahoma kids are hitting the books once again. Luckily, Sooner State Etsy sellers have tons of fun, handmade supplies for the return to the classroom.

What was your favorite subject in school?

Register for Deluxe Craft Weekend!

Registration is now open for Deluxe Craft Weekend and each of the special educational sessions. There are some great classes for launching an art business, increasing your creativity and learning new skills. Several team members will be teaching, so it's sure to be a fun, informational experience. Space is limited in each class, so register soon! Also, if you want to register for the whole weekend -- which includes food, interaction with other crafters, and plenty of space to get your creativity on -- click here. You only have until September 1 to get the early-bird discount.

Creating for a Cause: Craft Hope

I know some of our members have participated in this in the past, but I wanted to spread the word to all our blog readers. If you've ever wanted to make something for a child in need, Craft Hope is here. The fourth project -- sock monkeys for preschoolers at a burn camp -- is underway, and you don't have to be an amazing seamstress to get in on the action. Now through September 18, you can send handmade sock critters to the folks at Craft Hope to distribute to the campers in California. If you're well-versed in the world of socks-into-stuffies like FriedOkra or a newbie like the rest of us, your contributions are still welcomed. See the site for details.

If anyone decides to contribute, please send us pictures, and we'll show them off here. If you're participating in any other causes by donating handmade goods, tell us about that, too! Contact us through the team page or the group email address.

Happy Birthday, Craftzine.com!

Today every creative soul's friend Craftzine.com celebrates its third birthday. That's right -- it's been three lovely years since the invaluable web site began putting amazing projects, innovative tutorials, events, recipes and more on these here interwebs. Check out their celebratory post here. I look forward to many more!

Friday Finds: All Felt Up

Oh the puns I came up to title this week's Finds. Just consider yourselves lucky. :)

Anyway, this week we celebrate the wonderful material that is felt. Check out these great, creative pieces using our favorite craft-stash staple.


So go on. Hit me with your favorite "felt" pun.

Disciples on your newstand

Two more of our illustrious members are making a foray into the published world.

Pick up the most recent issue of Woodcarving Illustrated for some great work by BuckBoardWoodWorks.



His little bearded man is on the bottom right of page 10.




I know several of you undoubtedly peruse the wonderful Somerset Studio magazine. This month, you'll find the original art of our own AudreyEclectic!



Flip through the pages to find this lovely piece of Halloween art looking back at you.

Congratulations to our wonderful team members!

Friday Finds: The Sweet Stuff

This week's Friday Finds comes straight to you from the bakery. These goodies are all inspired by desserts and the sweet teeth (tooths?) that crave them.



What's your favorite decadent dessert?

Deluxe Craft Weekend

The masterminds behind Deluxe are now providing us all with another chance to craft up a storm. Sara and JD bring you the Deluxe Craft Weekend! Coming to Oklahoma City this September 25-27, the event will offer classes, creativity and conversation with fellow artsy folks. So sign up for the whole weekend for a chance to make great stuff, learn something new and maybe even gain a new friend. Both your co-leaders are teaching classes, so look out for those.

To register for the fantabulous weekend, click here. There is a limit of 30 campers, so sign up soon. We hope to see you there!

Meet Our Members: Funkybella!

I want to formally present to you the team's new co-leader: Katie, AKA Funkybella! Katie has already come with great ideas and enthusiasm for the team, so I'm very excited to introduce you to her.

1. Introduce yourself.

Hi! I’m Katie Winters and my shop name is Funkybella. I live in Norman with my husband, Jason. We have a cat (Saturn), a Quaker parrot (Sunny), and a chinchilla (Ella Bella. I named Funkybella after her).

2. Tell us about what you make. When did you start making it and why?

What I make is always growing and evolving. I knit, crochet, embroider, needle felt, wet felt, use resin, and wrap accessories. I also sell vintage clothes and household items. My favorite and best-selling craft is making jewelry using vintage parts. I started making my vintage jewelry after discovering some beautiful supplies from Etsy sellers. I enjoy finding different parts that compliment each other, such as a vintage harlequin stone and an antiqued gold ring band. The pieces I make have a distinctive look.

3. How long have you been crafting? When did you decide to start selling your handmade goods?

I’ve always made things. I was homeschooled for some time, and I often completed crafts as part of it. In the fall of 2008, I encouraged my sister, a fine art painter, to open an Etsy shop. I had learned about Etsy from an ad in Craft magazine. Kelly opened her shop (murphystudios.etsy.com), and wanted to know why I didn’t have one of my own. At first I didn’t think I had anything to offer, but at the end of February 2009 I opened Funkybella, and I’ve been encouraged by its success so far.

4. Other than what you sell, what's your favorite thing to craft?

I use to be a professional photographer (I belonged to a gallery co-op and was the Chief photographer for a newspaper). I like to photograph and then edit pictures. I also bake and garden.

5. What do you love best about Etsy?

I can find almost anything on Etsy! I recently traded some of my jewelry for all the seeds I needed for this planting season! I love when one of my customers leaves me feedback telling me how much they adore their new item. I also enjoy knowing my jewelry is being purchased from women in other countries (France, Canada and Australia, so far).

6. What's your favorite thing about Oklahoma?

I’ve only lived here for two years, so I’m still exploring. I would really like to go camping and visit some state parks. I feel very safe in Oklahoma; the crime rate is very low.

7. Do you sell anywhere else or have a blog: Twitter, MySpace, etc.?

I have a blog: http://shopfunkybella.blogspot.com/, MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/shopfunkybella and Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Funkybella/65000277844.

Yay! We're all so glad to have Katie on board. Look for her at this month's Dust Bowl Arts Festival in Norman!