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learning, just because.

I have a fairly long list of skills I’d like to learn ‘one day’, and this weekend I finally made progress on one of them by taking a (free!) knitting class at the library.

My project at the end of class. Wobbly, but better than I would have done figuring it out on my own!

The sad part is that I really can’t remember how long it’s been (if ever) that I learned something in a group setting just for fun. Here, my only motivation is to learn something — not to earn a grade or be the best at it — but because I want to learn. Plus, after years of following online tutorials and trying to figure things out by myself, the experience of learning alongside others is just really fun.

o christmas tree.

The prospect of not having an actual Christmas tree for a second year running was a gloomy one, so after looking at several different tree options, we finally settled on a small live tree. I’m so glad we did! It was fun unpacking all the ornaments that we never pulled out last year and remembering the ones we’ve purchased or been given. Here are a few of my favorite additions this year:

Crochet snowflakes purchased on Etsy last year.

Delicate tin icicles from Tinworks.

Porcelain pears from Crave Studio.

Now to finish choosing what will go under the tree!

a parade of goodness.

Here’s a glimpse of the wonderful things we brought home from Indie Craft Parade last weekend. I had much more time to shop this year and it was wonderful! Along with these goodies for us, we bought several gifts I’m really excited about (but can’t share of course). Here’s what I can show you:

Clockwise from top: port wine caramel sauce from Sweeteeth / fingerless gloves and a cozy cowl by erin elizabeth (I’m so much more excited about these than I look!) / stitched cards from Common Thread / handmade collar for Riley from Tree Parlor / owl ornament from Once Again Sam*

Not pictured (but things I can still share): leather clutch from Sew Few / bag with leather handles from lightnest / grey braided leather bracelet from Happylooks / What if Greenville poster from Shed Labs

*I know this photo is blurry, but I could barely get a clear picture of the owl since Riley thought it was a toy for her and kept trying to eat it in one gulp. I love they way they’re looking at each other here!

hello, goodbye.

I can hardly believe the Parade has come and gone. This year went even smoother than last, and I enjoyed it more than I ever expected I could. Stress levels were way lower — maybe since we knew a little more what to expect — but I suspect it had more to do with the number of amazing volunteers we had. Somewhere between taking shopping breaks, I realized that all the work I put into Indie Craft Parade is probably for myself!

I love this event through and through. It’s a combination of all the things I love — art, craft, design, Greenville, new friends, good food. I feel so privileged to work on this with Erin for months and months, and then watch all the pieces come together in a single short weekend.

The booth where I spent most of my money, by erin elizabeth

I have lots more to say and purchases to share, but for now — if you missed Indie Craft Parade this year, you can see photos of the artists and their work in our growing Flickr pool. I hope these images can communicate even a little bit of the inspiration that was Indie Craft Parade!

It’s time.

The extended silence over here means The Parade is about to happen! Festivities officially begin tonight at 6pm, but we’ll be busy all day with setup and preparation. My shopping list is growing by the day and I can not wait to see what all the artists have been working on!

If you come out this weekend, look for me in the lobby at the Indie Craft Parade booth and Andrew upstairs at the Parachute booth (#12)!

We are lucky to have so many people who are as passionate about Indie Craft Parade as we are. A big special thanks goes to my Mom who has spent countless hours making  tiny felt flags, stuffing swag bags for vendors, and just being all around event support. She doesn’t believe me, but I really don’t think we could have done it without her.

Giveaway

We’re giving away two free tickets to the VIP gala on the Indie Craft Parade blog. Don’t miss it! To enter, comment on the original post here.

Indie Craft Parade Treasury

My excitement for this year’s Indie Craft Parade is growing and growing, and this treasury of our 2011 Indie Craft Parade artists should provide a teeny glimpse into what I’m so excited about! We have 74 participating artists (view the complete list here), and about half of these are new this year!

Erin and I hung posters downtown this past Friday, and billboards start going up around Greenville tomorrow. Everything is starting to come together, and I can’t wait to see all these great artists and their work in September!

you’re invited.

It’s time for more Indie Craft Parade news! We are about a month (eek!) away from the main event, and this time we’re planning to kick things off with a Friday night VIP Gala. I am so excited about this addition to the event, and you are invited!

As if Indie Craft Parade isn’t cool enough by itself, this VIP Gala adds a whole extra level of specialness. Tickets for the Gala are $25 each, and ticket holders get a first look at all the artists work, as well as a chance to win some of the amazing handmade goods. There will also be food, drinks, music and a few artists demonstrating their crafts.

Indie Craft Parade is still free Saturday and Sunday, but if you were scared off by the crowds or the lines last year, the VIP Gala is where you want to be. Tickets are limited, so reserve yours today. We’d love to see you there!

Just a note: This VIP night allows us to keep Indie Craft Parade going year after year, and continue to keep costs low for our artists, so consider investing in the Greenville arts community in this way. I promise you won’t be disappointed!

“Only when we know good can we begin to inch up from good to excellent.”

— Michael Ruhlman, Ratio