last call.
Tomorrow night at midnight, the application period for this year’s Indie Craft Parade will close.
If you’re an artist yourself, make sure you get your application in for a chance to exhibit at this year’s event! And/or if you have a few favorite artists whose work you love, make sure they’ve heard about this opportunity. Anyone in the Southeast can apply!
pillowcase roundup.
We bought our current pillowcases (above) at the Knack Antiques on Augusta booth. If you live in Greenville, these and a few other designs are still available, so go check them out. They’re beautifully screen-printed by Branch Handmade and we use them so much they’re almost worn out! So it’s time to find a new set. Check out a few of my other pillowcase favorites below:
Clockwise from top: Tin Can pillows / embroidered mine & yours / embroidered Mrs. (& Mr.) / wake up pillows (unfortunately no longer for sale) / DIY glasses cases – via D*S / hand drawn YOU pillows
craft, handmade, products,speaking of handmade
You’ll want to read this thought provoking post from Etsy, tracing the history of fashion through the years. Two fascinating points:
· We now only make 3% of our apparel in the United States, down from 90% in 1955.
· In 1930, the average American woman owned an average of nine outfits.
Also, today you’ll find me interviewed at the Yellow Elm blog, so make sure you visit Elizabeth Blanton’s site to read it!
In other news:
· Applications for Indie Craft Parade are open — and are so much more efficient than last year, thanks to DUO Interactive!
· Indie Craft Parade now has its own blog.
· The Handmade Nation screening was a success. I particularly loved the discussion afterward! So many great questions and comments to think about.
· My garden is actually growing! Pictures to come.
unintentional hiatus + handmade nation
The lack of posts here is directly related to the amount of Indie Craft Parade work that’s been going on in my ‘non-working’ hours. So, while I feel a little guilty about neglecting the blog, I’m super excited about all that’s going on in the Indie Craft Parade world!
First, the exciting news that we’re co-hosting a showing of the documentary Handmade Nation. This will be happening one week from today at the Warehouse Theatre as part of the Greenville Forward Challenge Series*. If you’re curious what the big deal about art and handmade goods is, this documentary is a great way to learn about the modern craft movement. Director Faythe Levine interviewed “artists, crafters, makers, curators and community members” across the country to learn about this subculture in America. Tickets are $10 and you can reserve them in advance here.
The second milestone we’re approaching is the application period, which runs June 1 — June 18. If you’re an artist or crafter in the Southeast, we want to see your work! We’re looking for quality handmade goods in a variety of categories. If you’re interested, or know a favorite artist who should apply, more information can be found here.
*Sidenote: we saw Food, Inc. as part of Greenville Forward’s Challenge Series, and it’s not an exaggeration to say that for us, it was life changing. This series is host to all kinds of documentaries, with focused discussions afterward that help the audience make applications to our community in Greenville. It’s one of the many helpful programs Greenville Forward is behind, and I highly recommend it!
IndieCraftParade, craft, design, art, Greenville,“I have observed that inexperienced business people sometimes make poor decisions because they are terrified the opportunity will pass them by and they will regret it for the rest of their lives. That is rarely, if ever, true.”
— Martha Stewart, The Martha Rules
quotes, Business, craft,on your mark, get set…
We are easing back into the swing of things with Indie Craft Parade, and it’s already getting exciting! At the moment, that means making website changes, updating and assembling sponsorship packets and starting the daunting task of fundraising. We’re also dreaming up a few exciting additions for year two!
It’s amazing to realize that in just one year, we’ve made so many new friends, connections and relationships in Greenville. It’s not just our (mine and Erin’s) idea anymore. We’ve got volunteers and advocates — not to mention artists — who are just as excited about this as we are.
I’m so grateful to everyone who believed in our idea and didn’t discourage us from dreaming big!
Greenville, IndieCraftParade, craft,bacon tortellini.
One of the best things about life right now is that I often get to cook for my family. This was one of the best new recipes I’ve tried in a while. Baked Tortellini with Bacon from the December issue of Everyday Food.
It looked so good in this dish I had to take a picture. This is a piece from local potter Christine McMakin. You can buy her beautiful pieces at art & light.
cooking, craft,Rediscovered.
Thanks to this post from Erin, I finally started using Pinterest to catalog my inspiration photos. I’ve had so much fun revisiting old images I had saved — thinking about projects long forgotten, and looking at rooms I wish I lived in. If you’re interested in seeing what inspires me, feel free to follow along here.
Here are a few things I was thrilled to rediscover.
Clockwise from top: fun chocolate pie chart, felted window drapes, diy paper flowers
craft, inspiration, products,Valentine Inspiration
Letterpress Card by Joie Studio
My first purchase on Etsy was a letterpressed Valentine for Andrew, three years ago!
In honor of that purchase, I created a treasury of more goodness to inspire you on this Valentine’s day.
