Vendor Spotlight

Sorry about the lack of updates, I've been busy working off the 8,000 cookies and chips I ate during the jurying process. Also, cake. And cheese dip. THANKS, MARYELLEN. Oof. Anyway, the jurying is done, notification is out and we're on our way to putting on the best non-kountry kraft show ever. Very much rules. We don't have the vendor list posted yet for the public (it will be soon) so in the meantime, how about a vendor spotlight? Yes? Okay.

I was super delighted when My Precious Studio applied because I've been coveting one of her pieces For. Ever. I drop hints and nobody picks them up, so I'll just have to buy my own damn jewelry, won't I. You can't do much better than the great stuff Tere makes:

Sm Milagro Heart Ring

Med 4-point Star Earrings

Oh, piratey goodness!

Skull Cameo Ring

This one makes me crazy with longing:
Lrg Gothic Heart Necklace w/ stone

So, sweet, right? Can you NOT WAIT for Spring Bada-Bing! Only a month away...

Annnnnd were' done!

That's it! Spring Bada-Bing applications are now closed. Thanks to everyone who applied! As Adrien mentioned previously, jurying happens this weekend, and y'all should find notifications in your mailbox sometime on Monday, when I sneak away from work to send them out.

For your statistical information, we had 122 applications. 122! That's insane y'all. And also why we use our somewhat-finicky automated form. Thanks everyone who patiently worked with me when images mysteriously didn't get through, applications went missing, and general computer malarky. This is the first time we've tried to use the automated system... last year we processed all 100+ applications by hand and well... it was kind of awful.

The new system automagically sorts applications by categories, resizes images (*ahem*), and makes it easy to tell you that by far the most prolific category was jewelry. As a jeweler myself I understand the fact that jewerlymaking is pretty much the best thing ever, but with 47 jewelry applications thats over 1/3 of our applicants! Wow! Jewelry is going to be by far the most competitive category this year.

So sit tight, and feel free to bribe Adrien with treats. It'll get you at least one vote, she's a true mafioso. Of course, she's just one vote in a panel of 9 judges, so it probably won't get you far, but don't tell her that. It makes her feel more important if people bribe her to let them in.

Oh Em GEE, you guys!

ONE MORE DAY, PEOPLE. I know this because I just now realized that my wall calendar was still on February. Whoops? It's March now and not just March, a whole WEEK of March. A whole week went by and I was still in Februaryland. Short month, my ass.

Alright, so you talented peeps have one more day to stop screwing around and get your mighty important applications in to us so we can jury this thing. Also, clearly very few of you actually read my last missive because we're still getting giant eyeball photos. RESIZE THAT SHIZZ. Again, molecular-level detail is not necessary and it makes me frowny. You don't want that, trust me.

SO. This weekend begins the jurying process which is brutal. Last year there were drunken brawls, bruises, threats of doom and tears (mostly mine. I mean Dawn's.) Also: lots and lots of sugar. Sugar is key in the jurying process. If you want to better your chances, you can send shiny gifts, ponies, cash, baked goods, etc. c/o ADRIEN. I'll see what i can do. Ha ha, I kid. But send the stuff anyway. I suspect it will be an even tougher jury process this year because we have a lot of talented people applying and we are greedy and want more. MORE. MORE! MAKE MY WEEKEND HURT.

Woo. Getting all worked up there. Part of why I want more is because I'm completely addicted to looking at the new applications - it's like my own personal etsy or something. I check every hour for new ones and my day job is suffering for it. (Uh, if my boss is reading this: just kidding! I'm actually writing this at home right now!)

What am I even talking about? I have no idea. What are you doing? There is no more to see here and you should be working on your Spring Bada-Bing application. Need inspiration? Go here:

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=30574

Crafting it up in March

March is National Craft Month. According to the Craft & Hobby Association - we all have "31 days to enjoy life's little pleasures". Quornflour, a talented crafter from getcrafty.com, has created a challenge to crafters to "Craft up!" this month.

The rules are simple:

· Spend at least 15 minutes a day satisfying that craft urge in your belly (easy because you're preparing for Spring Bada-bing!)

· Visit at least 1 craft show

· Purchase something from a fellow crafter (the RCM Etsy shop is an easy solution)

· Open that Etsy shop or website you “keep meaning to open” or update the one you have

· Finish an unfinished project (no problem because you're preparing for Spring Bada-bing!)

· Clean out your craft area or create one

· Post your projects and progress on your blog and tag them "craft challenge"

· Give away craft supplies you are not using anymore to someone who will

· Join and participate on a craft forum (getcrafty, Glitter, Craftster)

You know you're crafty, so come on and participate. Head over to the Craft Challenge and join the group if you'd like, or just post your updates or links to your updates in the comments section here.

Now get crafting!