School's Out... Time to get to Work

For the past few months I've been working at a local elementary school as a tutor. It's been interesting to say the least. Unfortunately it was also exhausting and pulled me out of the studio for way too long. School's finally out and I'm back in the studio. Today I spent the entire day working on mystery bags for my next show. The bags are ready to be filled, so tomorrow I'll be back to sewing. I have a list of projects I can't wait to get started on. Here's a sneak peak of a possible new set of characters/ plus
hies.

The Grand Reveal

Drum Roll please.........

 

All my displays are finished and were ready to go last night at the first ever First Friday Pop Up Market in Downtown Arlington.  Despite some wind issues which cause a lot of moving my setup around, I'm happy with the way my "shop" turned out. When I stepped back to look at it all I could think was that it looked like a really fun carnival booth. People seemed to enjoy it, at least I hope they did. I still have some work to do, and another table to buy, I'm pleased with the direction everything is going. Here are a few close ups of the set up both in daylight and at night.

(click to enlarge pictures)

 My friend Cassie of Clover Hollow

  

Fellow Etsy Fort Worth member Buffy of Laughing Crafter Studio

 

The guy that made my awesome displays, my hubby, Aaron of Angelita Home Decor

We have a great time last night, I can't wait to be back next month.

First Friday Pop Up Market

I'm so excited for this Friday! Arlington is putting on it's very first Pop-Up market. Art, music, and food, it's going to be awesome. I've been watching the weather and it looks like it will be a nice evening. I've been really looking forward to this event. My displays are almost complete. I have a few pieces left to sew. I hope all goes well and this turns into a monthly event.

Show Season is Starting

I haven't been around to post much lately. I've been working as a full time tutor since February. It hasn't left much time to hang out in the studio. The past few weeks I've really been in the creative swing. I have a few outdoor shows coming up, which require lighting and tents, so I decided to get on it and decorate my tent. Whenever I'm at a craft show/ art fair I'm always drawn to the tents and booths that feel more like a small boutique rather than just a tent with tables. I've always wanted that feel for my own set up. I've just never known how to get there. I've been spending what time I can searching for ideas. Collecting pieces display pieces and having my husband build what he can. My display is not quite ready but as of this weekend I have a few of my big pieces put together and ready for my next outdoor show.

Here's what I have so far:

An awesome marquee sign made by my awesomely handy hubby...

 

I can't wait to hang this from my tent, pointing into my tent telling all passer bys "Come on in here, Awesomeness this Way!!!"

Then there is my new banner. Since I've reworked my branding I felt it was time to invest in a full color banner to represent my brand. And last but not least, every outdoor show needs lighting. I needed something that would stand out from everyone else. I have some light strands that look great with my new marquee but I really wanted something that stood out. Something that would draw people in. Once again I searched for ideas and finally found these paper lanterns. I decided one was not enough of a statement. I needed a chandelier made of lanterns. I love the way it came out. I'm hoping they are high up enough that no one bumps their heads. (Not a problem for this short chick.)

 

Day time view of chandelier and banner hanging in the tent.

 A view from under the lanterns.

  

Dusk view. I wanted to wait til it got dark but I was too tired.

I still have a few pieces waiting for me in the garage. My hubby has been hard at work building for me. Only two weeks until my next outdoor show. I can't wait to show off my new set up. 

If you have any questions about display ideas please leave them in the comments. I will also be working on a post with links to other displays that work for other artist. 

 

Free Valentine's Day Printables

Tomorrow is Valentine's Day, and if you are like me, I tend to forget the little details, like cards. So as Thank You to my blog readers, I'd like to share some printable Valentine Cards. Just save the image and print as many as you need. Enjoy :)

I Declare Today is Decoden Day

I few months ago I came upon something called Decoden. There are lots of crafters playing with this style. The Crafty Chica has a nice tutorial, and so does her daughter Maya in the Moment. I loved it, all the cute little charms, the pretty icing look, it combines my favorite things, crafting, cupcakes, and cute girly chachkies. What is Decoden? It is a Japanese influenced craft which translates to decorated phone. However decoden has moved way past phone covers. You can find trinket boxes, jewelry, jars, and picture frames. I had wanted to try it for a while, but I didn't know where to start.
Last week my friend Tisha came over for a crafty play date. We worked on some ideas for our Etsy team's Valentine's craft night. I tried my hand at my very first decoden piece, a small heart shaped trinket box. I love the way it came out I had to make another.

They while clean my studio I found a bunch of picture frames. They've sat on my craft table for days just calling out "decorate me". I stocked up on supplies, everything from button packs, to cute erasers, to mini toy figurines. I bought the suggested silicone (the icing), and I pulled out some old bottles of puff paint that had been sitting in the back of my supply closet.

I spent the entire day today working on decorating my blank frames. I tried out different "icings", added glitter to a few, and even different types of puff paint.
The silicon came out really cute, it looks just like icing, however it really killed my hands and it looks like there is only enough silicon in a tube for 2 frames.
Next was the puff paint, Tulip brand puffy paint in white. I love the glossy look of this paint. I also added glitter to this paint. I think it looks like sugar.
Finally, I tried Tulip Metallics dimensional paints. This is by far my favorite. I love the opalescent sheen. It's so girly.

 

I still have 11 frames to decorate, but I'm finished for tonight, I don't think my hands can handle squeezing any more paint bottles.

Etsy 817 Team Craft Night

I'm excited to be putting together the first Etsy817 team craft night. Our first craft night will be right before Valentine's Day, so we will be making Valentine's crafts. My friend Tisha of LittleBlu worked up some samples. I love the way they turned out. Not only will be be making some candy box shrines, we will also be making mini decoden trinket boxes. I love the trinket boxes, they so cute. I can't wait to get together with the rest of the group and see what everyone makes.