Re:Make Re-cap

Re:Make was last weekend and since I totally bugged the crap out of you guys in the weeks leading up, I figured I should share some of my thoughts on the show and post waaaaay too many photos.

As craft shows go, the organizers were really great.  I got all the info I needed in terms of setting up and they created a really intimate space for the show.  Brit+Co provided pipe and fabric backdrops for everyone that made the space really consistent and kept your eyes from wandering up to the massive convention center ceiling.  That being said, there wasn't a lot of promotion or advertising for the show, so the crowd was really sparse.  For me, it wasn't a show for making boats loads of cash (no diving into my silo filled with gold coins, today), but it was amazing for networking with other artists.  I got to see some old friends, meet some new ones and was inspired to make new things.  Also, I had a legitimate reason to wear a fanny pack and that's pretty great.

So here's a massive photo dump of weekend!

Scarves and bows!  I hand stamped these scarves using this technique and couldn't be happier with how they turned out.  The texture is just so cool!  And seriously...who doesn't love an obnoxious bow?  I've been wearing the small pink and teal ones almost everyday.

PS: Andy totally designed and made those peg-board easels just for me!  They fold and fit perfectly in our new car.  I insisted they be painted bright pink, obviously.  

Out of all the new scarves I made for the show, I think I'm most proud of the dip-dyed denim ones.  I just used bleach to create some really fun color-blocking and textures on the denim.  Would you be into a DIY post about it?  It definitely took a lot of trial and error to find the right technique for these lil guys.

I was in awe with all the colors and patterns around the event center for this show.  Brit+Co's branding is super bright and fun, and think they did a great job curating folks that really fit in with their brand.

Happy Cactus was across from my booth and Brannon and I took turns watching each other's booth's when we needed a quick break.  Maker solidarity, you guys!  How adorable is her illustration style, by the way?  Those cacti kill me.

MakeATX, being as awesome as ever.  I love these ladies' sense of humor.  You know, their business cards have a pop-up unicorn on them.  They are true heroes!

See what I mean by bright branding?  This "Re:Charge" space was occupied by mostly boyfriends, husbands and fathers, patiently waiting for their ladies.  Also, I just remembered seeing a lady on the first day that was carrying around a tray of watermelon slices and just chowin' down.  These were like, legit giant slices of a huge watermelon.  Austinites are kind of the best.

Brandie (on the left) and her shop Blue Morpho Apothecary!  We're Team Building chairs for the Austin Craft Riot together this year and I'm getting excited for our next meeting!

I loved the styling of her set up.  A customer stopped by and helped make the best action shot.  I might have told her to reach again so I could get a shot at another angle...perpetual photo director haha!  It's totally normal to tell strangers to pose in photos for you, right?  :/

Oh, Poppy and Fern!  Rachel's work is just stunning and I finally bought a piece on the last day of the show.  She embroiders everything by hand and does it free-style.  No patterns for this lady!  

I mean, really?  They are pretty much the cutest things ever.  I'm hoping to get some custom portraits of Turks, Sprinkles and Mooch eventually.

I think I see Lisa at every craft show in town...she's a seriously busy chick!  Her "make your own nail polish" station is always filled with excited folks.  Someday, I will make the perfect pink polish, and everything will be right with the world.

The Triumphant Betawife!  Lauren is the reason I got into the show, so she's pretty much the best.  She posted that they had extra spots and after I applied, she referred me to the Brit+Co folks ^_^  Thanks, lady!!

She's also brilliant and set up a Star Wars photo booth because the last day of the show was May 4th.  I firmly and vehemently defend this statement, by the way.  I might look jolly in this photo, but it's serious business.  This button was in my shop many moons (that's no moon...) ago and I think it might need to make a comeback!

This is a quick snap of my little haul from the show.  The shirt is from Eleventy-Five.  Jessica was in the booth directly across from me and we spent a lot of time chatting and talking about cats ^_^ The tea towel is from Fair Morning Blue.  Tracy's sweet little girl is learning crochet and was able to tell me which stitch I used for one of my cowls!  And the necklace is Poppy and Fern, of course.  I found the pinkest one she had :P

Not gonna lie, I was a little bummed that I didn't sell much.  But it was a slow show for most sellers and it's not that I'm glad they didn't do well, but I kind of am hahaha!  At least I know folks weren't just avoiding me because I was stinky or something.  I'm definitely looking forward to a better turnout next year.  Plus, I'm always one to look on the bright side and I'm so glad to have been included with such awesome folks and to have been able to hang out with them all weekend!  

Come to Re:Make Today

Re:Make is finally here!!!

Come by the Palmer Events Center from 11-6 today and Sunday to say hi, check out some scarves and visit all the other super talented makers that will be there with me!  

I hope to see you there!!!

Renegade Austin SXSW

Renegade!!!  Last weekend, I hopped downtown and braved the SXSW crowd to check out the Renegade Craft Fair.  And by "braved the SXSW crowd" I mean just that.  There were people approximately everywhere!  But, despite the tourist slalom, I gota  parking at the venue and getting my guest pass was a breeze.  I went early on Thursday and had a great time wandering around, peeping all the really cool sellers.

Below are a ton of photos and shop links!  You should click them and buy things ^_^

Dowdy Studio

MapleXO

Once Again Sam

MakeATX

Poppy & Fern

I'm always excited to see Rachel's work!  Her embroidery is so distinct and her instagram is one of my most favorite profiles to follow.

AK Woodworking & Design

More from AK!  I've been friends with Amanda and Khien on instagram for a while and it was so nice to finally meet them in real life.  Their work is just ridiculously gorgeous.

See?  I absolutely adore their Sun Screen Mini Lantern.  The detail in each piece is so intricate.

Appendage Accessories

Doc Elliot

Their's was my favorite booth of the whole show.  It was like walking into an old-fashioned drug store.  I loved how the whole experience was an extension of their branding.

Betawife

Fartsy Arts

Urban Anonymous

Nothing but a Pigeon

Taylor is another instagram friend that I finally met!  She's so fun and makes the cutest crocheted taxidermy.  I can crochet a scarf all day long, but my brain refuses to do 3D objects.  Her stuff is just gorgeous and mind-boggling ^_^  I think the jellyfish are my favorites.

Restrung Jewelry

Inedible Jewelry

And, of course, there was an Air-Stream trailer playing music through out the hall.  I mean, it was in Austin after all. 

This was one of the best craft shows I've been to in Austin so far.  The last Renegade was just sort of so-so, plenty of nice shops, but the event space was bland and there wasn't a lot of energy.  The SXSW edition was at the same venue, but had tons of energy and sellers pulled out all the stops with their booths.  It was a gorgeous show and I'm so glad I went.  I've got lots of new shops that are about to fill up my Pinterest haha!

Renegade Craft Fair • Austin

Last weekend, Andy and I hopped over to the Palmer Convention Center to check out the Winter Renegade Craft Fair.  I follow lots of makers in the Austin area and was excited to check out the fair.

I snapped a few photos, but it was so crowded I could get a lot of good shots.  And the makers were so busy selling, I didn't want to bug them for a photo.  I know what it's like in those booths on a crazy day!  Check out a few of my favorites from the show...

Housey Home had the most magical Couch Lions.  Those manes are just perfect.  I need at least two.

Little Low Studio was my favorite booth of the whole fair.  I can't believe I'd not seen their work before!  The floral illustrations are gorgeous and I loved their Mates for Life print.

MakeATX was there was some really cool tangram puzzles.  How fun are those foxes?!  Lots of artists in the area use their laser cutting services and I've been thinking about giving them a go, too.  Maybe I'll pop in on their CreativeMornings talk to say hey ^_^

This Loves That had some really fun jewelry and bags.  I loved their branded color palette and simple designs.  Their booth sign also had a giant cross-stitched heart...so they're clearly awesome.

Bell and Union's booth was like a farmer's market of cute design.  The butter tea towel made me giggle.

Andy and I had a fun time peeping all the cool design and fun creations.  I do wish there had been a little more space between booths...I have to make special considerations when carrying a comically large Hello Kitty Bag :P  I hope all the makers had an awesome weekend and I can't wait to hit up more fairs this season!

Austin Flea

On our way out to San Marcos over the weekend, we stopped by the Austin Flea.  We'd missed the last summer show and I just found out about this one the day before.  So glad we could stop for a minute and check out.  There were crafters, artists, vintage vendors and a live band...so fun!  It was held at the Spider House Cafe and Ballroom on Guadelupe and when we were truckin' it down there from North Austin, we saw so much burnt orange and white because of the UT game that day.  Hook 'em!

There were outdoor and indoor booths.  After driving around for a bit we found some street parking (I parallel parked, on the left, on a hill, in a curve...HOLLER!), and were met with this line of vendors.  We took a peek in Tasty Jewlery and After While Crocodile's booths before heading inside.

Disco balls and scalloped woodworking...I'm home!  We were greeted with a room chock full of variety of different vendors.  Austin Flea's website has a full list of who showed last weekend.

We stopped at Nothing but a Pigeon's booth and talked with Taylor's husband for a bit.  He told us that the name of her business came from someone in school trying to put her down, saying she'd be nothing but a pigeon.  Ha!  I love it.  Her stuff is so super cute!

See?  Super.  Cute.

I met Lisa from Feto Soap there, too.  I've been following her and a bunch of the other girls from Austin Craft Riot since we moved, so it was nice to check out her stuff in person.  I got her Tardis Blue nail polish...because Doctor Who.

She had a make-your-own-nail polish station set up at her booth.  How fun is that?!  I need to bring a swatch of the pink I use here on the blog so I can match it and make the ultimate pink polish!

There was another outdoor area around the back of the venue and we popped back there before heading out to continue our travels.

I'm so glad we did, because we found the most fun booth there!  Fruzworld makes the craziest stuff and I love them.  I'm totally going to stalk them on the internet.

Dinos and terrariums!  And comics and toys?  Yes.  Yes forever.

On our way out, I stopped to take a quick photo of HoneyPunch.  Being in an all girl band in high-school (have I told you that story before? There's some really embarrassing photos out there that I don't know if I have the guts to show you haha!), I've got a special place in my heart for chick bands.  These chicks are super fun and you should check them out.


I'm stoked that we could take a peek at this show!  Austin's got such a great craft/creative/maker scene and I'm so glad we get to be a part of that community now.  Are there any other local shows like Austin Flea that I should check out?!  I want to go to everything ^_^