Summer Learning with Etsy Dallas

Take advantage of the slower summer months and work on sprucing up your business for the busy fall season with some classes and workshops with Etsy Dallas!

See below for the current calendar and hop on over to their blog for details on all the classes!

Etsy Dallas Artisan Market at Taste of Dallas

Exciting news! Etsy Dallas has partnered up with Taste of Dallas to create the Etsy Dallas Artisan Market. This will be the 30th year that Taste of Dallas has showcased the best of what the Big D has to offer in art, music, and food (and now the local handmade scene).

The Etsy Dallas Artisan Market will include exclusively handmade vendors with all the quality goods from emerging artists and designers you have come to expect from Etsy Dallas including jewelry, accessories, art, body care, clothing, home goods, kids, pets, and stationary. In the coming months, you will be hearing a lot more about this exciting event, but for now-artists go apply here!

Applications will be open until April 15th.

Applications for the 2016 Etsy Dallas Spring Bash are Open!

Want to be a part of the best handmade art  and craft show around? Now's your chance-apply to be a vendor at the Etsy Dallas Spring Bash by March 4th!

Etsy Dallas Jingle Bash Gift Guide - Gifts under $25

Here are just a few of the many amazing gifts you can find at the Etsy Dallas Jingle Bash, all under $25! Pick up one or two at the show, you never know when you will need a last minute gift, and a handmade item will be sure to impress!

Coffee Print by Paddy Wick Lane

 Small Cantaloupe Plate by Live Bree

 OM Breathe Necklace by Expressions Bracelets

Mini Dog with Heart necklace-Vegan by C Robinson Design

Fern Necklace Bridesmaid Jewelry Natural by April Hiler Designs

This Might Be Vodka Coffee Mug Funny by Sushi and Queso

 Animal Bear Tote Bag Reusable Bag Environmentally by ginablywww.ginably.etsy.com

The Answer is Always Tacos Wool Pennant Flag by Scout and Lilly

Little Bird Ceramic Tray by Lemon Glaze

Stainless Steel Desk Clock Eco friendly decorations by Hammer It Out 

DejaVino Wine Bottle Candle by The Pig and the Peacock

Lavender Tub Truffle Box Cocoa Butter Bath by Whipped Up Wonderful

Coffee Body Scrub by Lovely

Gifts for the Dapper Dude

Don't think that a handmade craft show is just for the ladies. Guys, there will be some great finds for you at the Jingle Bash too! Pick them up yourself or drop a hint to your S.O.

A guy can never have too many t-shirts, especially when they are made by Dowdy Studio

 Help your guy keep his beard in check with a beard comb from Big T Woodworks. They can even be monogrammed with his initials.

Or, help him shed the beard with a handmade razor made from Australian Coolibah Burl wood, also by Big T Wodworks

Bring back the lost art of a close shave with this straight edge razor, complete with a "Man Card" strop, by Mini Fab. These can also be personalized!

Music lovers rejoice in this handmade portable iPhone acoustic speaker made by Kraken Acoustics

 Have a guy who likes to dress to impress? These cuff links by Tesoro Jewelry can be personalized to the longitude and latitude coordinates of any place (perhaps the place you met?). 

These great infinity leather bracelets by Mesa Blue are perfect for a guy who likes to keep his accessories understated but stylish.

These pewter wood grain cuff links by f. is for frank will add a little funk to any guys wardrobe.

 For the guy who likes to have a little edge, Dapper Guy Bow Ties has tons of cool fabrics and styles.

Not a bow tie kind of guy? Land of the Thread has lapel pins and pocket squares galore in bright fun colors and patterns.

Want more shopping inspiration? Check out our Pinterest Boards for lots of Jingle Bash Gift Guides! Don't forget, the Bash is 11/21 at South Side Event Center from 11-6pm!

Crafts for Crayons and Girls Inc.

We are really excited and proud to be working towards what we hope will become an annual event to benefit Girls Incorporated of Metropolitan Dallas which will help girls and young women to be strong, smart and bold. I wanted to share on a more personal level why this is so important to me and my sister.

Two months ago Verizon came out with an ad called Inspire Her Mind that featured the life of a young girl whose parents slowly socialize her to not be interested in science-it stated a startling fact (at least for me): 66% of 4th grade girls like math and science, but only 18% of college engineering students are female. It ends with the question "Isn't it time we told her she's pretty brilliant too"? 

This struck a nerve with me (and my sister, the other half of Pig and Peacock). Our father, the engineer, ingrained it into our beings to be interested in math and science, to have a strong curiosity for how the world works and to learn about it. We even had to learn how to work on our own cars! I know that math and science isn't everyone's cup 'o tea, but the disparity between those two percentages bothered me, so I started looking into STEM mentoring which led me to Girls Inc. which offers mentoring to girls in math, science and tech.

Then, a month later, Always, came out with a campaign and video called #LikeAGirl asking grown men and women to run and fight "like a girl". Then they asked little girls to do the same, and asked the question "When did doing something 'like a girl' become an insult"?

The response from the little girl at 1:15 is what did me in. When she realizes that like a girl is not a good thing, but an insult. Tears. Seriously. It was at that moment that I knew I had to do more that think about doing something and take action. The more I read about Girls Inc. and their mission to empower young girls to be strong, self-confident, and successful the more I felt the need to do something for this organization.

While my sister and I joke that our family was dysfunctional (whose wasn't?) I really appreciate all that our parents did for us. Our father taught us that we should be the smartest kids in the class, that a 99 meant we were capable of making a 100. I appreciate that our mom taught us that to hit like a girl meant we should win the fight (she's real fiesty!) and that if we applied ourselves that there was nothing that could stop us. I realize now more than ever that we are truly lucky to have been raised by them, even if there was a lot of tough love. To thank my parents, I will share that encouragement with others who need it most.

The Crafts for Crayons event with Etsy Dallas seemed like the perfect place to start. While we do have some very talented guys on our team, most of the team members are women who run their own micro/small businesses. We are also all about helping lift each other up and elevating our community. This seemed like the perfect opportunity for us, as a team, to get involved and help by collecting school, craft and art supplies.

We hope that you will join us on Aug 30th at NorthPark Mall from 1-5pm to help support a great cause and share in the opportunity to make a difference!

How-To Prepare for a Craft Show Part 1.3: Create Signage

Our third installment of the blog post we guest wrote on Etsy Dallas about craft show setup.

From part one of the Etsy Dallas blog post:

Create Signage

On average, a customer ask the price of items only twice before they feel uncomfortable asking again. Put them at ease by creating signage or putting price tags on all of your items. Make sure signage is easy for them to spot and big enough to be read from a distance. Also, be sure you have business cards handy and in a place that is easy for shoppers to find.

You may think that not having prices opens the door to conversations with your shoppers, but what if you are too busy to speak to everyone (and we hope that you always are)! 

Photo via Erica Sirotich Illustration

Signage should contain the following:

• Your shop name at the top and something calling out that it is your price list
• A list of each type of item (or item category) and it's price
• Any special show pricing or bundled pricing you may offer
• Show shoppers whether you take credit cards and which ones (you can just put the logos on it)

If all of your items are OOAK and priced differently, consider putting price tags on all items in an easy to find spot. Keep in mind if your item has movable parts or is delicate, putting tags on the bottom may not be wise. You are better off putting them somewhere that may not be as attractive but can cut down on unnecessary handling and breakage.

Another tactic is to price sections of product. For instance all items on one table are $20, you can put up one sign that states that for each table. You may also want to add signage to differentiate your product, even if it is all the same price. Do you sell dog collars for $15 in all sizes? Maybe your signage needs to point out sizes to help shoppers locate the item they need.

Consider putting up an additional sign or two where appropriate to tell shoppers pertinent info about your product and what sets it apart. Is your yarn hand spun by you, or is the wool sourced from local farms? Does your jewelry re-purpose vintage pieces? Do you take custom orders? Is it eco-friendly? Tell people about it!

Need some inspiration? Check out our craft show display board on Pinterest for more!

Be sure to check out the rest of this series on the blog!

How-To Prepare for a Craft Show Part 1.1: Make Enough Product

How-To Prepare for a Craft Show Part 1.2: Lay Out Your Booth Space and Displays

How-To Prepare for a Craft Show Part 1.2: Lay Out Your Booth Space and Displays

A continuation of the blog post we guest wrote on Etsy Dallas about craft show setup.

From part one of the Etsy Dallas blog post:

Lay Out Your Booth Space and Displays

About three weeks before the show, plan your booth space. Decide what your table layout will be, how your displays will be set up and where chairs and product storage will go but still be easily accessible. Tape off the booth space on the floor or driveway and be sure everything fits. Once you have a "floor plan," decide how your goods will be displayed.

It is important to do this because often you only have an hour or two to unload and set up for a show. Depending on your product unloading could take you 30 mins or more. Have to set up a tent? Add 10-15 min for that...tables? 5 more. That is 50 of your time right there, give or take 10 min based on the product you make. So it's imperative that you plan ahead on set up or you will either be unprepared or rushing right before the show starts.

What should you do in this dry run setup? Tape off on the floor or driveway (with painters tape) your exact booth space. Bonus points for setting up your tent in your driveway and working with that (and double checking that your tent is in order and you have all your parts and pieces).

Once you have your booth space marked off or tent set up you should consider the following:

• How many tables will you need and what should their layout be-keep in mind you should leave room around the tables so you can enter and exit your booth space
• Where and how will my displays be set up
• Will my displays hold my product?
• Can I see over and work around my displays?
• Did I leave work space for myself to write receipts, wrap or package purchases, put my soda?

Try a couple different layouts. You may think you have laid out the best option, but try a few more anyways. You never know what you will come up with and it is a good exercise to do, just in case when you arrive at the show your booth space or location changes. It pays to be prepared with  a few options and be flexible.

Missed Part 1.1? Find it here:

How-To Prepare for a Craft Show Part 1.1: Make Enough Product

Craft Party Photos!

We had a great time at the Etsy Dallas Craft Party and wanted to share some photos! Thanks to all who came out and to Etsy and Etsy Dallas for putting it together :)

 

Etsy Craft Party 2014: Recapture!

Who's ready for a partay! Join Etsy Dallas and other area crafters for an evening of fun, food and drinks. This years theme focus is on transforming photographs into display worthy works of art using a variety of craft supplies and techniques! This years Craft Party will be held at City Craft this Friday (6/6) at 7pm!

Take a look at some of the inspirational pieces our team members have already cooked up in preparation of the event! Bring you own photos (or copies of them) or you can choose from photos on paper or fabric that will be provided at the event.

Photos from Etsy Dallas

How To set up a Craft Show Booth Like a Pro

A few weeks ago we were asked by Etsy Dallas to guest write an article on how to set up for a craft show. My question back was "the day of? or all the actual work that goes into it?" Both! They said.

The resulting brainstorming session of me and my sister resulted in a two part series covering everything from the weeks leading up to the day of the event. We covered topics ranging from inventory forecasting to what's in our disaster kit.

There were several things I would have loved to delve into deeper, but I'm pretty sure they weren't going to change it to a 10 part series for me! :)
So over the next few days and weeks I will hit each subject in more detail so you can learn a little more of the behind the scenes buildup to a craft show.

But for now, head on over the the Etsy Dallas Blog to check out part one of How to set up a craft show booth like a pro!

Find a Little Bling at the Bash

We have some wonderfully talented jewelry designers at this years Bash, it'll be hard to choose what to take home (at least for me). Here is a sneak peek-I love how all of these pieces have a very nice natural/earthy inspired feel to them-perfect timing for Earth Day.

Enameled Bangle by Creative Input by Liz

Gold Band by f. is for Frank

Gold Leaf pendant by Kathleen Care Jewelry

Snowflake earrings by Sarah Briggs

Agate OOAK ring by Treah Designs

Sliced amethyst necklace by Estie Made

Copper and Abalone cross by Jean Love Designs

Raincloud earrings by Release Me Creations

Spring Bash Countdown Cont'd

Need to spruce up your space? Look no further than the bash where you will find some awesome wares to freshen up your decor!

Our Green Nest mixes vintage and modern items with a splash of color. This painted antler is the perfect conversation piece for an end table or mantle.

The Letter Lounge gives new life to old books cutting them not only into letters but a variety of shapes and symbols. This particular book is mine, which I picked up at WRLM last year. I plan to add a science book to my collection this year :)

Blue Flame Studios makes a variety of teapots, mugs and serving pieces which are beautifully glazed to perfection. In addition to this dynamic statement serving bowl I love their black on black (matte/gloss) teapot.

Deck Your Walls

Today's post is all about our Spring Bash artists. This year we have no shortage of talented artists ranging from acrylic to mixed media. Brighten up your walls with some new art from the Bash!

Liz Wiley has a lovely collection of abstract art, I especially love the moody colors of this piece, which is a part of a painting a day series that she has been working on since June 2013!

Monica Wright of Refill My Glass incorporates her own illustrations into vintage postcards like this beautiful piece.

Vintage paint by numbers get an updated and witty twist at Mama Said Studio.

Emile Stewart of Wild Flower Art Studio creates whimsical collage images full of inspiration and wanderlust.

Anna Tovar creates nature inspired watercolors and giclees as well as calligraphy art.

Join us for the 6th Annual Etsy Dallas Spring Bash on April 26th at the Shops at Park Lane!