Etsy Meetup in Santa Cruz

Hey guys! I'm just popping in to let you know about this event tomorrow. If you're an Etsy seller (or even thinking about setting up shop) and you can make it to Santa Cruz you should totally come to this Meetup! It's sponsored by Etsy and Santa Cruz County and organized by the Central Coast Small Business Development Center (the same folks who host the Etsy Craft Entrepreneurship course that I've been teaching). I'll be there to do a short talk and shop critique and there will be others presenting as well. It's bound to be a great time to do some networking and meet other local creatives. Click here for more info!

P.S. Photo above from my marbled paper tray diy.

Craftcation 2015

Just popping in to let you know that Craftcation has opened registration for the spring 2015 conference. I attended earlier this year (I shared some of my experience here) and I can honestly say it was the best thing I did for me and my business. I left feeling refreshed, encouraged, and well equipped to face my creative business goals. Not to mention I made a bunch of friends and had way too much fun! I'm really looking forward to the 2015 session because I'll be a workshop presenter! I'll be teaching a simple screen printing course that may get you hooked on the technique. Click here to learn about more of the other workshops and panels that are already lined up. I know I'm already eying a few that I just have to attend. Can't wait! I hope to see you there!

I took the photo at Craftcation 2014. Can't beat the Ventura Pier!

Shop Updates!

vtwonen

Hi friends! There's a lot going in the Vitamini studios these days as I prepare for the up-coming holiday season, so here's a little update!

I was so thrilled to see a Vitamini screen print in this beautiful styled shot by vtwonen, via sfgirlbybay last week. I kicked things into high gear this week and now have these prints back in stock! Available in hot pink and black on thick, 100% cotton stock. You can find both in my shop, here.

I'm also getting ready for Re:Make in San Francisco! Come out to Fort Mason, September 13th to shop top-notch handmade brands and even make some crafts yourself! It's guaranteed to be a good time.

Happy friday to you!

Renegade Wrap-Up and New Products!

Hi friends! Thank you to all of the local peeps who stopped by my booth at Renegade SF last weekend! I had so much fun getting to meet you in person! It was a wonderful event and I'm already looking forward to the next one. Fort Mason is such a great venue, don't you think?



And to all of you who say MINIs are too small? Here's my Maxwell packed up and ready to hit the road, with room to spare, I might add! :)



I had a few brand new products make their debut at Renegade over the weekend that I'm excited to share with you.

Remember my Retro Ranch papercuts? I printed these "New Digs" cards featuring one of those papercuts and think they'd be perfect for a housewarming party or to let your friends know you have a cool new pad.



I have these cacti & succulent designs on cards and coasters, but now happy to announce they're on art prints and tea towels as well!



For all of you trailer enthusiasts, I have new art prints and tea towels! Wouldn't the towels be cute hanging in a little camper kitchen? 



Now I'm about to dive into the mad dash to get my apartment packed up for the move this weekend. Wish me luck! I'm looking forward to getting settled and jumping back into making DIY projects and tutorials!

Patchwork Show & My New Booth Sign

I had a great time at Patchwork on Sunday! Thanks to everyone who came out and said hi. I saw lots of friends from Craftcation and met lots of new crafty friends, too. There were so many cool handmade products and great brands, I wanted to buy everything! :) If you're in the Bay Area, there will be another Patchwork in the Fall. If you're in Socal you're in luck because the next two Patchwork events are coming up in Long Beach and Santa Ana. (Look closely you'll find me in that pic above from the Patchwork Flickr Album, deep in conversation.)

As you can probably imagine, I've been immersed in display design over the past few weeks. I've got most of the details ironed out now, and good thing since I have the SF Bazaar at Maker Faire coming up this weekend. Here's a little peek at some of my process and my finished display.



My booth sign was a big to-do item last week. I wanted something big and easy to read that would work with the rest of my set-up. I decided to make a painted muslin banner on wood dowels. The first step was to make a tracing paper transfer.



After I transferred the outline to the muslin I painted it in with black screen printing ink. Once the letters were painted I ironed some interfacing to the back and sewed pockets for the dowels. Here it is all done.



With the rest of my new display! I switched over from a two table display to one table and this crate shelving system.



And if you were curious, yes, all of this fits into the MINI, with room to spare! Everything I needed to build and stock my display is in this one car load. I love that MINI of mine. :)



Check out Everything Hunky Dory for a great summary of the day with lots of photos of beautiful handmade products.

Spring shows

Happy friday!! I've been busy getting ready for a couple craft fairs this month. If you're in the CA Bay Area I'd love to see you!

Come out to Oakland's Jack London Square on Sunday the 11th for Patchwork Show. Over 100 local handmade businesses, food vendors, music, crafts. Sounds like a party!

Maker Faire is coming up soon! May 17 and 18 at the San Mateo Event Center. I'll be there selling in the SF Bazaar tent, both days. Find more information on the Maker Faire website.

I've been re-working my display...as I tend to do every time a new show rolls around...but I'm really happy with how everything is coming together! I'll share photos and some process here on the blog. Have a wonderful weekend!