July 31, 2010
One more night!!
Tomorrow night is the deadline for this month's contest, Red, White, & Blue! All entries have to be submitted here by 11:59pm. Happy crafting!!
July 30, 2010
The City Life ad looks good
The City Life ad looks good. It's a reasonable size, and they put it in the section where people look for things to do. Sadly, I have not heard back from the City Life Arts and Entertainment editor. I guess we aren't worthy.
I'm at it again!!!!!
I liked my pie buttons so much, I made more.....can you guess the flavors? Actually I'm offering these as either a magnet or a button.
Happy Crafting!
Megan Dresback (From Fragments To Furniture & Beyond)
Happy Crafting!
Megan Dresback (From Fragments To Furniture & Beyond)
CSN October Festival
I was just wondering if anyone is interested in sharing a booth at the College of Southern Nevada's October Festival. In a perfect world I would like to share a booth with someone for just one day, on Friday or Saturday. So, is anyone sharing a booth and looking for someone to take their Friday or Saturday? Or willing to share with me one day and have the other two days to themselves?! Let me know, I'd love to be able to work something out :)
Thanks,
cards for you
cardsforyoushop.etsy.com
HOBBY LOBBY
Good Morning Team!
A few weeks ago I passed by my local grocery store that went out of business and saw that they were remodeling the store. I was so excited to see that they were going to put another grocery store there (so I thought) Then driving by the other day, I saw a big sign on the front that says "HOBBY LOBBY" I was so sad! I thought... another sporting goods place, where's my food store!!! Then I received a flyer in the mail that said "Coming Soon... HOBBY LOBBY" Well to my surprise, It's not a sporting goods store at all! They sell arts & craft supplies. Everything from jewelry, needle art, scrapbooking, wedding supplies, picture frames, party supplies, home accents, fabric, floral and even wearables. They will even have store classes set up like Joanne's does.
The website says they plan on opening on 8/23/2010
Location:
Galleria Dr off N. Stephanie St
Across the street from The Galleria At Sunset,
Henderson, NV 89014
(In the Target Parking Lot)
Store Hours:
Monday - Saturday 9:00 am - 8:00 pm Closed on Sunday
How exciting!!!! Who needs food right? Hahaa
Here's the link to their website
http://www.hobbylobby.com
Have a great weekend Team!
Fuzzy Dice Creations
A few weeks ago I passed by my local grocery store that went out of business and saw that they were remodeling the store. I was so excited to see that they were going to put another grocery store there (so I thought) Then driving by the other day, I saw a big sign on the front that says "HOBBY LOBBY" I was so sad! I thought... another sporting goods place, where's my food store!!! Then I received a flyer in the mail that said "Coming Soon... HOBBY LOBBY" Well to my surprise, It's not a sporting goods store at all! They sell arts & craft supplies. Everything from jewelry, needle art, scrapbooking, wedding supplies, picture frames, party supplies, home accents, fabric, floral and even wearables. They will even have store classes set up like Joanne's does.
The website says they plan on opening on 8/23/2010
Location:
Galleria Dr off N. Stephanie St
Across the street from The Galleria At Sunset,
Henderson, NV 89014
(In the Target Parking Lot)
Store Hours:
Monday - Saturday 9:00 am - 8:00 pm Closed on Sunday
How exciting!!!! Who needs food right? Hahaa
Here's the link to their website
http://www.hobbylobby.com
Have a great weekend Team!
Fuzzy Dice Creations
July 29, 2010
Been working on many new items
I've been busy making lots of new stuff but I'm holding off on posting most, especially with our Mt. Charleston Craft Fair right around the corner. Very excited and I've been posting flyers everywhere!
Thank you Robi for all your hard work on this event!
I have added a few including this Large Pearl Choker for "the bride" or the lady that simply loves pearls. Nothing goes better with jeans! It is part of my new vintage inspired pieces.
I am evolving from simple casual pieces. I'd love some feedback.
Thanks! ~V
http://www.designsbyv.etsy.com/
Pearl Choker for the Bride
Thank you Robi for all your hard work on this event!
I have added a few including this Large Pearl Choker for "the bride" or the lady that simply loves pearls. Nothing goes better with jeans! It is part of my new vintage inspired pieces.
I am evolving from simple casual pieces. I'd love some feedback.
Thanks! ~V
http://www.designsbyv.etsy.com/
Has anyone seen our ad in City Life?
The new City Life comes out today. I'm not going to be in town until tomorrow (I limit trips to town from Mt. Charleston). I was wondering if anyone has seen our ad for the fair in City Life and if it's placed in a good place. It cost us about $600, so I hope it was worth it!!! Let me know if you saw it. Thanks.
July 28, 2010
Baskauta
Hi!
I'm the newest team member, Amy from Baskauta. I was born and raised in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan in a small town right on Lake Superior . At 23, I moved to Bowling Green , KY Western Kentucky University
During my time at Western, and after I graduated, I worked at the Kentucky Library & Museum. I've done work for them in the form of educational day camps, presentations, educational PowerPoint’s, and created traveling trunks. This is where I developed my love for basket weaving. I was putting together a Native American history kit for the Education Dept. Called traveling trunks, we lent them out to local teachers to supplement their curriculum. We wanted to fill the trunk with authentic "artifacts" but found we didn't have the budget. Instead, we created our own reproductions. We needed a basket, so I took a class in April 2007 and made my first basket. I was hooked.
My mission is to share the appreciation, history, tradition, and craft of basket weaving.
I'm so glad to be here!
Amy J. McCray
Cheryls Purple Cow A Bit Of Background
It has been quite some time since I posted on this blog. I can provide you many excuses (some of them are really clever) for my inattention but the main reason is simple. I have allowed too many minor details take over my schedule. I am working on setting up a schedule much like the schedule that I would follow if my business were a regular job. I will keep you in the loop and give regular status reports.
I plan on getting back to the basics with my blogging. I am going to write more tips and tutorials. I won't be writing the follow-up tutorials I promised on the Facebook Store Front but I will be adding a feature that is very important to me. For now, I would like to re-visit the story of Cheryls Purple Cow both for my benefit and for yours.
Many of the people that I meet through my shops have been crafting all their lives. They learned crafting at a young age and have been creative all their lives.
That is NOT my story. My story goes like this:
Most children get A’s and B’s in art class. If you didn’t participate you could actually get a C or D. I failed art class. I found the whole process of creating something bothersome. I just could not and would not do it. I preferred structure and organization. Math class was my favorite.
When I started working I favored jobs that were math oriented with attention to the details. I worked in banks mainly. The last job that I held was working for the department of motor vehicles titling and registering vehicles.
My life started changing in 2004. I remember having "episodes" of sudden inappropriate emotion or rage most of my life. But they lasted a few minutes and happened every few years. I was under a lot of stress starting in the summer of 2004. My "episodes" became more frequent and lasted longer. It was during this time that I started having a compulsion to create things.
On Tuesday November 23, 2005 I was on my cell phone listening to my boss explain that I was no longer needed when I received an important call from my doctors office on the land-line. I asked my boss to hold for just a second and listened to my doctors office as they gave me the diagnosis that changed my life, Right Temporal Lobe Epilepsy.
I started taking my anti-seizure medication and as my seizures decreased, the need to create grew. And the more I created the better I got and the better I got the stronger the need to create became. That is the reason I attribute my newfound "gift" of creativity to my epilepsy.
I started trying different crafts and techniques to see what I really wanted to focus on. I tried most of the crafts available when I started beading and making jewelry. And working with beads and making jewelry is what gives me the most pleasure. My favorite is Awareness Ribbon jewelry. I think it is important to raise awareness regarding medical conditions like Epilepsy and Cancer. At first I was giving most of my pieces to my family and friends. They urged me to start a business and sell my creations. It took a while for me to get used to the idea that I could make something worth selling, but I came around.
I made several pieces and was ready to open up a shop on Etsy. There was only one thing holding me back, a business name. The name had to hold special significance to me.
Purple is the color for epilepsy and it has always been my favorite color. but I needed a little more than that. I had one word, but I still couldn't figure out the name.
One day out of the blue, I remembered a gift I received in Junior High from my best friend Dee Dee. She gave me a purple cow with a poem attached:
"I never saw a purple cow;
and I never hope to see one.
But I can tell you anyhow,
I'd rather see than be one."
I had completely forgotten about that purple cow. Now I had a name, Cheryls Purple Cow. The purple cow represents something unusual, extraordinary, remarkable. It is something that we all would like to have or even see just once.
My best friend Dee Dee was never ordinary and neither was I. We are both still purple cows. I never realized how wonderful it was to be different. I even located her through the Internet and found out that she has Lupus. The Awareness Ribbon for both Epilepsy and Lupus is purple. Strange coincidence?
Now you know a little bit more about me and how Cheryls Purple Cow was born.
I know that my story is not the only interesting story. I want to invite you to share your story too. All you have to do to send me an email at cherylspurplecow@yahoo.com with a brief background and I will send you the interview questions. I will include any links and pictures that you provide in the feature. This is one of the easiest ways to promote your product and your shop.
I used pictures from the following HandmadeInVegas Team Etsy shops in this post:
bearbottombear
Hidden Light Photos
loveandluckshop
StuffimalCreations
Please click on the pictures of the items to be taken to the listing page.
Click on the shop name to be taken to the shop.
I plan on getting back to the basics with my blogging. I am going to write more tips and tutorials. I won't be writing the follow-up tutorials I promised on the Facebook Store Front but I will be adding a feature that is very important to me. For now, I would like to re-visit the story of Cheryls Purple Cow both for my benefit and for yours.
Many of the people that I meet through my shops have been crafting all their lives. They learned crafting at a young age and have been creative all their lives. That is NOT my story. My story goes like this:
Most children get A’s and B’s in art class. If you didn’t participate you could actually get a C or D. I failed art class. I found the whole process of creating something bothersome. I just could not and would not do it. I preferred structure and organization. Math class was my favorite.
When I started working I favored jobs that were math oriented with attention to the details. I worked in banks mainly. The last job that I held was working for the department of motor vehicles titling and registering vehicles.
My life started changing in 2004. I remember having "episodes" of sudden inappropriate emotion or rage most of my life. But they lasted a few minutes and happened every few years. I was under a lot of stress starting in the summer of 2004. My "episodes" became more frequent and lasted longer. It was during this time that I started having a compulsion to create things.
On Tuesday November 23, 2005 I was on my cell phone listening to my boss explain that I was no longer needed when I received an important call from my doctors office on the land-line. I asked my boss to hold for just a second and listened to my doctors office as they gave me the diagnosis that changed my life, Right Temporal Lobe Epilepsy.I started taking my anti-seizure medication and as my seizures decreased, the need to create grew. And the more I created the better I got and the better I got the stronger the need to create became. That is the reason I attribute my newfound "gift" of creativity to my epilepsy.
I started trying different crafts and techniques to see what I really wanted to focus on. I tried most of the crafts available when I started beading and making jewelry. And working with beads and making jewelry is what gives me the most pleasure. My favorite is Awareness Ribbon jewelry. I think it is important to raise awareness regarding medical conditions like Epilepsy and Cancer. At first I was giving most of my pieces to my family and friends. They urged me to start a business and sell my creations. It took a while for me to get used to the idea that I could make something worth selling, but I came around.
I made several pieces and was ready to open up a shop on Etsy. There was only one thing holding me back, a business name. The name had to hold special significance to me.
Purple is the color for epilepsy and it has always been my favorite color. but I needed a little more than that. I had one word, but I still couldn't figure out the name.
One day out of the blue, I remembered a gift I received in Junior High from my best friend Dee Dee. She gave me a purple cow with a poem attached:
"I never saw a purple cow;
and I never hope to see one.
But I can tell you anyhow,
I'd rather see than be one."
I had completely forgotten about that purple cow. Now I had a name, Cheryls Purple Cow. The purple cow represents something unusual, extraordinary, remarkable. It is something that we all would like to have or even see just once.
My best friend Dee Dee was never ordinary and neither was I. We are both still purple cows. I never realized how wonderful it was to be different. I even located her through the Internet and found out that she has Lupus. The Awareness Ribbon for both Epilepsy and Lupus is purple. Strange coincidence?
Now you know a little bit more about me and how Cheryls Purple Cow was born.
I know that my story is not the only interesting story. I want to invite you to share your story too. All you have to do to send me an email at cherylspurplecow@yahoo.com with a brief background and I will send you the interview questions. I will include any links and pictures that you provide in the feature. This is one of the easiest ways to promote your product and your shop.
I used pictures from the following HandmadeInVegas Team Etsy shops in this post:
bearbottombear
Hidden Light Photos
loveandluckshop
StuffimalCreations
Please click on the pictures of the items to be taken to the listing page.
Click on the shop name to be taken to the shop.
I'm taking the plunge!
I'm so excited to announce that I am taking the plunge into the digital world on etsy! This is my first listing for custom digital artwork. I will also be listing graphics to make glass and scrabble tile pendants. My fingers are crossed that this works out well for me!
I asked my cousin for some words to describe their little girl's personality as well as some nicknames they use for her. This is what I came up with.
Custom Word Cloud on HappyBugDesigns.
I asked my cousin for some words to describe their little girl's personality as well as some nicknames they use for her. This is what I came up with.
Custom Word Cloud on HappyBugDesigns.
July 27, 2010
Team Work to Get these Members a Sale!
Okay team, let's make some magic. There are 15 of our members who don't have a single Etsy sale under their belt yet, and I think as a group we can help with that. I'm going to list their shops below and am thinking that if everyone who reads this post favorites at least one listing from each shop as well as the shop in general, we can help boost exposure for these fledgling shops and hopefully get them that hallowed first sale. Note - I am only listing shops where the owner has never made an Etsy sale so if you have multiple shops and have some sales in one, but none in anther, you aren't listed below.
I'm going to post back here in a month and report how our 15 shops have done and if we were able to help get that first sale! Do you remember how excited you were when you got yours? Now start favoriting! If you really believe in karma, go ahead and feature them on your blog or facebook or do some shopping of your own. Let's make this happen.
http://www.etsy.com/shop/bearbottombear
http://www.etsy.com/shop/designedbags123
http://www.etsy.com/shop/hiddenlightphotos
http://www.etsy.com/shop/Judistudio
http://www.etsy.com/shop/kaaredast
http://www.etsy.com/shop/maiicastaneda (shop currently empty)
http://www.etsy.com/shop/melissamcgill
http://www.etsy.com/shop/misstiff
http://www.etsy.com/shop/photoartbywendy
http://www.etsy.com/shop/skdesigns (shop currently empty)
http://www.etsy.com/shop/SomethingSunnier
http://www.etsy.com/shop/stuffimalcreations
http://www.etsy.com/shop/turntableart
http://www.etsy.com/shop/TuTuKRAZY
http://www.etsy.com/shop/loveandluckshop
I'm going to post back here in a month and report how our 15 shops have done and if we were able to help get that first sale! Do you remember how excited you were when you got yours? Now start favoriting! If you really believe in karma, go ahead and feature them on your blog or facebook or do some shopping of your own. Let's make this happen.
http://www.etsy.com/shop/bearbottombear
http://www.etsy.com/shop/designedbags123
http://www.etsy.com/shop/hiddenlightphotos
http://www.etsy.com/shop/Judistudio
http://www.etsy.com/shop/kaaredast
http://www.etsy.com/shop/maiicastaneda (shop currently empty)
http://www.etsy.com/shop/melissamcgill
http://www.etsy.com/shop/misstiff
http://www.etsy.com/shop/photoartbywendy
http://www.etsy.com/shop/skdesigns (shop currently empty)
http://www.etsy.com/shop/SomethingSunnier
http://www.etsy.com/shop/stuffimalcreations
http://www.etsy.com/shop/turntableart
http://www.etsy.com/shop/TuTuKRAZY
http://www.etsy.com/shop/loveandluckshop
Volunteer Needed for First Friday
Hi Team - As some of you know, First Friday is the biggest art event going on here in Vegas. It runs year round, covering 20 blocks of the arts district and up to 10,000 people attend. The non-profit group who organizes it is called Whirlygig, Inc. They started it back in 2002 with only about 300 attendees but has grown to be quite the awesome event.
I think this is something that our group should be involved with, don't you? Whirlygig is in big need of volunteers to help run the event each month. Specifically, they need volunteers to sit at the main information table and also to sell water and soda to raise money to put on the event. Volunteers would need to come to The Funk House* at 5pm on the evening of First Friday to get their specific assignment and be able to stay and work the event until it closes at 10pm. Whirlygig would need to know beforehand who is able to volunteer so they can make sure the event is covered.
So I'm hoping that as a group, we can supply at least one volunteer a month to work this event and be a sort of "sponsor" in our own way. It would be invaluable for us to have one of our group members at the information table, especially this coming month in August with our upcoming fair. We could encourage people to take our materials (and the other promotional materials of course) and connect to a vast group of art-lovers. I'd be able to make sure the volunteer each month has a good stock of our team materials to pass out. I'd like to be able to submit our volunteer name at least two weeks before each First Friday so Whirlygig can plan accordingly.
Would anyone be interested in doing this? I mentioned to Whirlygig that this was something I'd explore with our group and they were very excited about the idea of having a monthly Handmade in Vegas volunteer if we can pull it off. It's also a fabulous way to connect to and build up our arts community. Anyone?
Here is the First Friday website: http://www.firstfriday-lasvegas.org/
* 1228 South Casino Center (one block east of Main and two blocks south of Charleston)
I think this is something that our group should be involved with, don't you? Whirlygig is in big need of volunteers to help run the event each month. Specifically, they need volunteers to sit at the main information table and also to sell water and soda to raise money to put on the event. Volunteers would need to come to The Funk House* at 5pm on the evening of First Friday to get their specific assignment and be able to stay and work the event until it closes at 10pm. Whirlygig would need to know beforehand who is able to volunteer so they can make sure the event is covered.
So I'm hoping that as a group, we can supply at least one volunteer a month to work this event and be a sort of "sponsor" in our own way. It would be invaluable for us to have one of our group members at the information table, especially this coming month in August with our upcoming fair. We could encourage people to take our materials (and the other promotional materials of course) and connect to a vast group of art-lovers. I'd be able to make sure the volunteer each month has a good stock of our team materials to pass out. I'd like to be able to submit our volunteer name at least two weeks before each First Friday so Whirlygig can plan accordingly.
Would anyone be interested in doing this? I mentioned to Whirlygig that this was something I'd explore with our group and they were very excited about the idea of having a monthly Handmade in Vegas volunteer if we can pull it off. It's also a fabulous way to connect to and build up our arts community. Anyone?
Here is the First Friday website: http://www.firstfriday-lasvegas.org/
* 1228 South Casino Center (one block east of Main and two blocks south of Charleston)
Emotions Dominos....my son LOVES them!!!!
My new listing. My autistic son takes these everywhere with him. That's how I know I'm on to something.
Megan Dresback (From Fragments To Furniture & Beyond)
http://www.etsy.com/listing/52468315/emotions-dominos
Megan Dresback (From Fragments To Furniture & Beyond)
http://www.etsy.com/listing/52468315/emotions-dominos
July 26, 2010
Thanks to all my team members who have supported my writing
Just wanted to let everyone know that the support I have been getting from everyone has been paying off. Not only am I currently getting 6 times more views than the average Las Vegas area Examiner, but I am also getting attention from the head honchos. I am thrilled to announce that I won a summer scribble contest at the Examiner yesterday. I was awarded a $100. gift card for writing about all of us here at Handmade in Vegas and about arts and crafts related information in general. Yipppppeeee!
My views are way up and I saw that Google even picked up on one of my publications. That will benefit everyone on this team because I make sure to include the team as often as possible.
So here is the latest. Share the love and be sure to pass it on. When you post a link to this article it will show up over and over, remember that.
My views are way up and I saw that Google even picked up on one of my publications. That will benefit everyone on this team because I make sure to include the team as often as possible.
So here is the latest. Share the love and be sure to pass it on. When you post a link to this article it will show up over and over, remember that.
Our ad will be in this Thursday's City Life
Pick up a copy of this Thursday's City Life to see the ad for our Mount Charleston fair. I did it this week because people pick up City Life when they see a stand, so considering it comes out on Thursdays, the Thursday prior to the show is cutting it a little too close. I talked to the ad director, and she is the one who suggested this week. I tried to upload it to the blog, but it's a PDF and the blog won't recognize it!!!!! I still haven't heard back about a possible story. Keep your fingers crossed. However, on my way down the mountain yesterday, there were a zillion cars coming up, so even if people don't see any of our advance advertising, just normal traffic flow from people escaping the heat will bring us customers.
July 25, 2010
Three Vendor Opps from Craigslist today
1. Aug. 22nd
http://lasvegas.craigslist.org/com/1863016782.html Email comm-x4ryy-1863016782@craigslist.org for more information and for an application. See the flyer below for event details.
http://lasvegas.craigslist.org/com/1863016782.html Email comm-x4ryy-1863016782@craigslist.org for more information and for an application. See the flyer below for event details.
2. Oct 15th:
Go Green! The Green Girl Music & Arts Festival seeks vendors. For more information: greengirlmusicandartsfestival@yahoo.com
The festival takes place in Octomber, 15h. - 18th. at various venue in Las Vegas, including Bruce Trent park. Visit our website at: www.greengirlmusicandartsfestival.com
3. October 16th
Do you sell things, makes things, or promote? how would you like a space at an event for only $20.00.
Come join us at the community sale in Henderson at the Masonic Lodge on October 16th from 7am-12pm and sell or promote what you have to offer.
For more information on booth space size to obtain a contract and for more exact information please reply to this ad. **NO SPAM MESSAGES PLEASE**
See you there! Contact comm-wucmp-1825006981@craigslist.org or stonebarger@centurylink.net
3. October 16th
Do you sell things, makes things, or promote? how would you like a space at an event for only $20.00.
Come join us at the community sale in Henderson at the Masonic Lodge on October 16th from 7am-12pm and sell or promote what you have to offer.
For more information on booth space size to obtain a contract and for more exact information please reply to this ad. **NO SPAM MESSAGES PLEASE**
See you there! Contact comm-wucmp-1825006981@craigslist.org or stonebarger@centurylink.net
The Fair is Two Weeks From Today!!!
Hi everyone. I can't believe we are all going to finally meet two weeks from today!!!!
I've been working on advertising and on set up. I sent out press releases to all the View papers. I'm still waiting to hear back from the City Life editor to see if they will do a story. He did say he would be out of town all week. I'm putting an 1/8 page ad in City Life for the July 29th edition. It was pricey, but their readership is 76,000!!!! I have an announcement on Craig's List under events. One of our vendors (who is not on the team) sent notices to all the local television stations. I'm putting signs at the entrance to Kyle Canyon Road today. I would have done it sooner, but they have been doing construction there at that interchange. Am I forgetting any other way to advertise? I do have some extra flyers. I can mail them to anyone who still needs them. It would be great if they were handed out at First Friday!!!!I'm posting the ad that will be in City Life. My talented daughter did it for us. Have a GREAT week. I'll be contacting everyone involved with last minute details. Oh, before I forget-does anyone have an extra spare table for our Meet and Greet person, Keona? It can be a small table, like a card table.
I've been working on advertising and on set up. I sent out press releases to all the View papers. I'm still waiting to hear back from the City Life editor to see if they will do a story. He did say he would be out of town all week. I'm putting an 1/8 page ad in City Life for the July 29th edition. It was pricey, but their readership is 76,000!!!! I have an announcement on Craig's List under events. One of our vendors (who is not on the team) sent notices to all the local television stations. I'm putting signs at the entrance to Kyle Canyon Road today. I would have done it sooner, but they have been doing construction there at that interchange. Am I forgetting any other way to advertise? I do have some extra flyers. I can mail them to anyone who still needs them. It would be great if they were handed out at First Friday!!!!I'm posting the ad that will be in City Life. My talented daughter did it for us. Have a GREAT week. I'll be contacting everyone involved with last minute details. Oh, before I forget-does anyone have an extra spare table for our Meet and Greet person, Keona? It can be a small table, like a card table.
New Team Treasury
And they call it PUPPY LOVE!
Please follow the link to the treasury, and click on all of the photos, and leave a comment on Etsy too. This will keep the treasury higher in the ratings, which means the possibility of more shop visits for everyone. Thanks and have a great Sunday!
Puppy Love Treasury
Puppy Love Treasury
Pushing My Point
I am really hard selling this because I do believe it is "All about the LOVE" and I love Mother Nature. Please read this, share it with everyone you know. Push it....for our Mother, Mother Nature.
July 24, 2010
Looking for Red, White, and Blue!
Hi everyone!
Just a reminder: This month's contest theme is Red, White, and Blue, and all entries are due by 11:59 pm on August 1. As always, the items we have so far are amazing! Remember, you don't have to make something just for this contest, either. If you already have something red, white, and blue in your shop, leave the link in the comment section here.
Thanks to everyone who's been participating in these contests! Can't wait to see what you come up with this month!
Katie
Just a reminder: This month's contest theme is Red, White, and Blue, and all entries are due by 11:59 pm on August 1. As always, the items we have so far are amazing! Remember, you don't have to make something just for this contest, either. If you already have something red, white, and blue in your shop, leave the link in the comment section here.
Thanks to everyone who's been participating in these contests! Can't wait to see what you come up with this month!
Katie
July 23, 2010
VENDOR OPPORTUNITY
I am doing the Holiday Gift and Craft show in November at the Palace Station. Irene, the lady who is running it, just sent me this nice note mentioning us and another vendor opp.
"Good afternoon everyone. I just wanted to let you all know that we are at 24 registered vendors for our Holiday Gift and Craft show and have 6 more pending. Many thanks to Brandy Decker, Julie Mirth and the members of Handmade in Vegas. With their help, we've been able to add some wonderful crafters to our list of vendors."
She also mentioned another fair coming up.
"In addition, I wanted to let you all know about the Handmade Craft Boutique and Gift show that's being held July 31st (next Saturday) at the Lamplight Village Community Center. Brandy Decker and Julie Mirth with "Spill the Beans" are running the show."
It's located at 7900 Meandering Path, LV (off Farm and Cimarron) Take the 95 N to Durango, Make a Right on Durango, Make a Right on Farm, Make a Left on Open Gate. Go through gate and park. Any questions contact spill the beans at 702-530-STBE. www.spillthebeansetc. com.
I don't know who else from the team is doing the one in November.
"Good afternoon everyone. I just wanted to let you all know that we are at 24 registered vendors for our Holiday Gift and Craft show and have 6 more pending. Many thanks to Brandy Decker, Julie Mirth and the members of Handmade in Vegas. With their help, we've been able to add some wonderful crafters to our list of vendors."
She also mentioned another fair coming up.
"In addition, I wanted to let you all know about the Handmade Craft Boutique and Gift show that's being held July 31st (next Saturday) at the Lamplight Village Community Center. Brandy Decker and Julie Mirth with "Spill the Beans" are running the show."
It's located at 7900 Meandering Path, LV (off Farm and Cimarron) Take the 95 N to Durango, Make a Right on Durango, Make a Right on Farm, Make a Left on Open Gate. Go through gate and park. Any questions contact spill the beans at 702-530-STBE. www.spillthebeansetc. com.
I don't know who else from the team is doing the one in November.
Just in time
Got this one done a little later than I would have liked but it will reach a lot of folks. I need the news fast. I can reach out to many as my viewers are growing steady and Google has picked up on several of my publications. Just need all of you to help keep me ahead of the game. It is for the benefit of the team to publish as much as I can about arts and crafts. Please read and share.
Closing shop!
Everything in my shop is 1/2 price! I am closing shop for good. Thanks ! Sandii, Cobb Ivy Corner
Exclusive Opportunity for Our Team Members
*** Update *** We are able to share only two different vendors per space. No more than two vendors will be allowed to sell in one booth space. This applies for both the 10x10 spaces and the larger spaces as well. Only two vendors per application.
Hi Team - After our Review Journal article ran, I got a call from the events coordinator with the College of Southern Nevada. She was really excited about our group and what we're about and wants to feature us at their big October Festival. It's a three day event on the college campus with bands, a carnival, food, etc (kind of a country fair feel). She's hoping to do a entire section within their arts and crafts area that features our group exclusively. There are 150 vendor stalls for arts and crafts alone at this event. She would also like to feature our group on a PSA that will be running on Cox cable advertising the event. Her normal rates for a 10x10 space for other vendors is $250, plus another $150 if you need a canopy provided. However, she looked through our team member shops and noticed that a lot of us run smaller operations so she is offering us a team deal.
Hi Team - After our Review Journal article ran, I got a call from the events coordinator with the College of Southern Nevada. She was really excited about our group and what we're about and wants to feature us at their big October Festival. It's a three day event on the college campus with bands, a carnival, food, etc (kind of a country fair feel). She's hoping to do a entire section within their arts and crafts area that features our group exclusively. There are 150 vendor stalls for arts and crafts alone at this event. She would also like to feature our group on a PSA that will be running on Cox cable advertising the event. Her normal rates for a 10x10 space for other vendors is $250, plus another $150 if you need a canopy provided. However, she looked through our team member shops and noticed that a lot of us run smaller operations so she is offering us a team deal.
This Saturday
Don't forget about the craft event that is being held this Saturday at
Sun City MacDonald Ranch
2020 W. Horizon Ridge
Henderson, NV
from 10AM to 3PM.
I will be displaying my "4 your inner child" items. I don't know if anyone else from our group is attending, but if you have a chance, stop by and say hi! It's inside! Have a nice weekend - Jeri
July 22, 2010
Believe it or not...this is a button!
I LOVE making buttons. I think this one, made out of polymer clay, is my favorite. Tee Hee. I get way too excited about this stuff. Thanks for letting me share.
Megan Dresback (FFTF&B)
www.etsy.com/listing/52088631/small-jar-of-thanksgiving-buttons
Megan Dresback (FFTF&B)
Happy weekend on the way
The weekend is fast upon us. Did you know that reading the Henderson Art Craft Examiner publication helps draw attention to our Handmade in Vegas Team? That's right because each and every article is linked to this site one way or the other. I write about all of us and always make sure there are lots of links to previously published articles.... to get more exposure. Read and share, read and share this. Shine the light on Handmade in Vegas!
Good to be back to work
Getting after it with more publications about our team effort. I blog it, publish it, tweet it and pass it along. How about all of you? Share the love.
Join us on Facebook
Just a reminder to join us on Facebook. We have several great posts from team members, and many active discussion topics on the discussion board.
Handmade In Vegas on Facebook
Handmade In Vegas on Facebook
July 21, 2010
Fall treasury
As hot as it has been, I find myself looking at fall items.
I am not quite as savvy as some of our members, so I don't know how to put the treaury up here in full. Here is the link though, with several of our members featured:
http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4c47d68fea5f8eefb00dc642/falling-for-fall?index=0
I am not quite as savvy as some of our members, so I don't know how to put the treaury up here in full. Here is the link though, with several of our members featured:
http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4c47d68fea5f8eefb00dc642/falling-for-fall?index=0
ADS??
Did I miss something? Why are all these ads on our blog - especially the political ones. Personally, I don't like these when I'm watching television, let alone on a craft blog. Just curious since they seemed to all of a sudden pop up.
The Latest About the Mount Charleston Fair
I met with Gina again today,and we walked around, figuring out where everyone will go. She is having a jazz trio at our fair and quite possibly wine tasting inside by the fireplace(no, the fireplace will not be lit). This is going to be great!!!
I took the advice of those of you who sent me information to give to the City Life editor. I sent him an information article. We'll see if we hooked him!!! Thanks for the help.
Gina mentioned how she'd love to have a holiday crafts fair at the hotel. She plans to turn the hotel into a "winter wonderland".Yikes!!! I don't know about organizing another one. Let's see how this one works out. But it's nice to keep in mind that we do have a free place to hold a fair if we do want to do a holiday one. I don't think we could have as many vendors as it would have to be inside, but who knows?
We have over forty vendors at this time. Some people are sharing booths. I'm still waiting to see if I can add the few who are on the waiting list. I'm actually working out a map of sorts and waiting to hear back from people about whether or not they need to stake tents or can use sandbags. Once I know where everyone goes, we'll see if we can add anyone else.
I left a lot of the postcards and flyers at the hotel. She was putting them all around as I was leaving. I'm getting excited. I just hope you all don't blame me if this doesn't turn out to be as great as I'm hoping it will be. Remember, I'm a novice at this. The count down begins.....
I took the advice of those of you who sent me information to give to the City Life editor. I sent him an information article. We'll see if we hooked him!!! Thanks for the help.
Gina mentioned how she'd love to have a holiday crafts fair at the hotel. She plans to turn the hotel into a "winter wonderland".Yikes!!! I don't know about organizing another one. Let's see how this one works out. But it's nice to keep in mind that we do have a free place to hold a fair if we do want to do a holiday one. I don't think we could have as many vendors as it would have to be inside, but who knows?
We have over forty vendors at this time. Some people are sharing booths. I'm still waiting to see if I can add the few who are on the waiting list. I'm actually working out a map of sorts and waiting to hear back from people about whether or not they need to stake tents or can use sandbags. Once I know where everyone goes, we'll see if we can add anyone else.
I left a lot of the postcards and flyers at the hotel. She was putting them all around as I was leaving. I'm getting excited. I just hope you all don't blame me if this doesn't turn out to be as great as I'm hoping it will be. Remember, I'm a novice at this. The count down begins.....
Back to publishing news about our team
It is so good to be back in Nevada and pounding the keyboard. I am all out pushing to promote the upcoming art and craft fair. I need your help.
Anyone who would like for me to post an article about their Etsy shop and promote their store should get me some good pictures so I can get busy helping. The more I write about team members the more viewers, the better promotion...so let's hear from you. Support each other, read my articles, leave comments and share the articles with friends. Check out the latest...
Anyone who would like for me to post an article about their Etsy shop and promote their store should get me some good pictures so I can get busy helping. The more I write about team members the more viewers, the better promotion...so let's hear from you. Support each other, read my articles, leave comments and share the articles with friends. Check out the latest...
Photographing Your Items
I am constantly trying to better my photos, as I know they can make or break your sales. Also, it can be the difference between getting into treasuries or not. As an example, I had a basic photo of a frog pendant. I decided to zoom in on just the frog's face, and make that my lead shot. You couldn't see what the item was, but the photo drew you in to take a look at what it was. The day I made the change, it got put in two treasuries.
I recently purchased an inexpensive lightbox on ebay, but you can make your own. A link was recently posted on the team facebook page - to a website that shows you how to make your own.
These are a few photos I pulled off of Etsy. I think that it shows how much of a difference good photography can make. I once saw a photo for a loaf of bread that someone shot the photo of the bread on their tile floor. It isn't just how clear your photo is, but how you stage it as well.
Etsy offers many articles on Photography. I am continually going through these and trying new things. If you go to Etsy, click on "community" then "storque blog". Once there, type in "Seller's Handbook Photography" in the search box, and several articles will come up. You can also find some tips in the forums. It is definitely worth your while to take the time to read up on photography, and get to know your camera just a little bit better. You don't have to have a fancy camera, just keep taking photos and seeing what works. I always took my photos from above the item. One day, I was out in the garden taking photos, and set my camera on a table. I happened to look down at the display which was still on, and noticed how cool the shot looked on my table. That was my aha moment to look at new angles. Also, I am constantly on the lookout for various props to use.
I by no means think my photos are great, but I think it is worth saying that we can all improve our sales if we keep working on our photos. Take the time to play around with your camera and see what you can do.
Mount Charleston Arts and Crafts Fair
Mount Charleston Arts and Crafts Fair
I'm very excited about doing the Craft Fair and hope everyone will be coming up to support us!
I will be doing a special discount to Team Members Buy One/Get One 50% off. Just Mention our Team.
I am also doing this special discount right now thru July 25 in my shop as part of the Christmas in July Sale.
Yeah Team!
V
I'm very excited about doing the Craft Fair and hope everyone will be coming up to support us!
I will be doing a special discount to Team Members Buy One/Get One 50% off. Just Mention our Team.
I am also doing this special discount right now thru July 25 in my shop as part of the Christmas in July Sale.
Yeah Team!
V
July 20, 2010
Eye Shadow Give Away
Hey everyone! Just wanted to let you know about the give away im having. Just go to BadHabitGifts.com to enter. Thanks!!!
New ArtsWalk Website
I've just created a site specifically for the ArtsWalk event since there wasn't much information about it online. This will make our advertising efforts for the event more effective and easier for us to spread information to family and friends. The site is at www.HendersonArtsWalk.com. This is also where you can go for vendor application information. Each month, one of the vendors that participates will be featured on the site as well. The site is still kind of rough, but I'll keep working on it and get it all pretty and stuff. Thanks to all who braved the July heat at our last ArtsWalk. It was killer but still lots of fun.
First Friday Volunteers for August?
Hi Team,We're still chugging away at getting our charity origami pins selling and hope to be able to sell them at First Friday in August. Marlene, who has spearheaded this effort, would like to set up a table at First Friday on August 6th to sell the pins and needs one or two volunteers to man the table with her. The event runs from 6 to 10pm and so I'd imagine you would want to be there to set up at least 20 minutes before. The First Friday crowd is really fun and I think this would be an excellent opportunity for us to really make a lot of sales and get closer to our total sales goal of 1,001 pins.
Any volunteers for a fun Friday night out? Leave a comment if you are interested or email Marlene directly at islandgirlzjewelry@gmail.com
Working on some custom orders and new pendants
Hi dear team :)
Just to share a little bit of my recent jewelry projects...
I am working right now on a custom order of glass pendants featuring the beautiful and vibrant art of Maria Soto Robins, and some new recycled paper and hand painted pendants.
Pendants on the workingThis pic shows the pendants on the working, they are just decoupaged, varnished and ready to the first resin coating... Ohhhh, I think they are going to be so cute :)
Thanks for your time, have a great day!
Susy
July 19, 2010
Possible Article in CIty Life-need help from you
Hi fellow artisans. I wrote to the arts and entertainment editor at City Life about a possible article about our group and about our first show. He wrote me back asking for more information. No promises about an article, but if we give him something appealing, he will write about us. I need feedback from all of you concerning information that will "hook" him and make him want to write about us. I've already made a list, but I wanted to get feedback from all of you.What is unusual about our group? What satisfaction do you get from belonging? What advantages are there to belonging to a group like this? These are just some things I thought about, but maybe you can think of others. City Life is a sponsor of First Friday and also events like local jazz concerts, so they are interested in promoting the arts. They are an alternative newspaper to the regular newspapers in this town, and they are a free publication. . Let's give him a reason to promote our group.Ideas, everyone? If you want to write to me at my e-mail instead of posting on the blog, you can write to me at nevadawoods@hotmail.com.
August's Newsletter
I will be out of town for the end of this month and won't return until a couple of days before the newsletter publishes. Because of this, I want to gather as much information as possible now. If you're having any sales (both for members and the general public) at any time in August, please let me know. I will also be including any special sales or activities for the vendors of the Mt. Charleston show. We have about 230 newsletter subscribers now, and we plan to get many more customers to sign up at the fair.
Also, if you have any business-related news or are planning to speak at the next meeting, I'd like to include that.
Natalie, Scrivener's Retreat
Also, if you have any business-related news or are planning to speak at the next meeting, I'd like to include that.
Natalie, Scrivener's Retreat
July 18, 2010
July constest entry
I was feeling inspired last night, so I thought I would finish. I am debating adding sequins all the way around, or a star in the center. I think I may just leave well enough alone though!
The crown has an elastic back, so it is worn like a headband. Made of felt and pellon stabilizer. I sewed a button border at the bottom, then added white silk daisies on each side with brads (painted the centers blue and added a sequin). I took apart a red carnation and white carnation, then took a blue sharpie to some of the white edges and put it back together, attached with another brad. I sewed sequins and seed beads around the top point and added red, white and blue ribbons to each side (they hang down to the shoulder and blend in with your hair when worn). I think I like it! KatiesCapes
Team Shop Update
We have a good start with donations to our team shop and I thank everyone who has contributed. But with over 200 members I think we can do a smidgen better. Can you imagine if everyone contributed just one item? WOW - what a shop we would have! If your hesitating because you think your item is priced to low to make a difference, nothing could be further from the truth. Combined with other different items is what makes our shop so unique and interesting. For those of you who have higher priced items and are hesitant to donate because of the work you put into them, I totally understand that. We could set a percentage of the sell to donate if that would work better for you. More volume means more sales. Just like your own personal Etsy shop - the more you have in there the more likely people are to buy. People like choices! So go through your shop and find an item that represents who you are, or make an item especially for our shop. Then e-mail me the listing (easier since I would have all the info I need) at brinkley@air-internet.com.
Thanks,
Teri
Contributors
Sarah - Flaky Friends
Priscilla - ofQuartz
Teri - XS Crazy and More
Keona - byKeona
Handmadeinvegas - Hand Made In Vegas Team
Elayne - Chezchani
Cybele - Cybelesque
Kathy - AAngels
Megan - FFTBandB
Marti - Happy Bug Designs
Katie - Katie's Capes
Cheryl - Cheryl's Purple Cow
Melissa - Crazy Daisy Designs
Staysi - Localovespirate
September - Adrift Art Studio
Karla - KelleyAccents
Jeri - Simply Earrings
Thanks,
Teri
Contributors
Sarah - Flaky Friends
Priscilla - ofQuartz
Teri - XS Crazy and More
Keona - byKeona
Handmadeinvegas - Hand Made In Vegas Team
Elayne - Chezchani
Cybele - Cybelesque
Kathy - AAngels
Megan - FFTBandB
Marti - Happy Bug Designs
Katie - Katie's Capes
Cheryl - Cheryl's Purple Cow
Melissa - Crazy Daisy Designs
Staysi - Localovespirate
September - Adrift Art Studio
Karla - KelleyAccents
Jeri - Simply Earrings
July 17, 2010
List of Art Craft Supply Stores in Vegas
Thanks to Ashleigh for putting the work into putting this list together for our team. Also to those at our July team meeting who added to this list and for the great discussion we had about getting the best deal on our supplies. Here's the permanent link to the supply list. The list also adds a bunch of online resources that our members use for buying supplies. Enjoy. Thanks again, Ashleigh!
Click here to view the Vegas and online supply resource list.
My newest listing and I'm ultra proud.
I got this used dollhouse from the thrift store for $8. This is what it looked like before.
TA DAAA! This is the dollhouse after all my renovations. This was SO fun to do and I'm very happy with the final product.
I made a new knob for the front door with polymer clay.
The living room.
The living room
The kitchen and office/loft. I could've left the loft out but it looked weird to me to have all that empty space above the kitchen.
The kitchen
The office/loft
The bedroom
The bedroom
The bathroom
I've listed this for $200 and it maybe cost $50 to make. It's not the supplies that cost alot, it's the time it takes to do it. I'd love to hear your thoughts on this one and if you think I've priced it too high or low. Thanks everyone!
Megan Dresback (From Fragments To Furniture & Beyond)
http://www.etsy.com/listing/51745524/upcycled-dollhouse-with-furniture-part-1
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