Shop Local!

So, there's this new tool on Etsy called Shop Local. You can put in any location and it will pull up all of the Etsy shops in that area! How cool is that? It was really nice to see that there were so many shops in the Richmond area. I was pleasantly surprised at what our little town has to offer. And what a variety - from super crafty to fine art; jewelry to clothing to bath stuff to home stuff to paintings - everything. The tool shows the last 100 updated, a whole 10 pages worth. If you want to support local artists, or even reduce your carbon footprint a bit you've got to go and check it out.

So if you are the Richmond area and you are coming to the I Love Craft event on Feb. 10 (I know you are!) this would be a great way to just check out some of what our arts and crafts community is doing. How awesome would it be to meet and hang out with some of the folks whose work you've seen. The Richmond Craft Mafia and the Richmond Etsy Street Team (REST) will be there chillin.

Skirt Richmond

[image courtesy of skirt!]

hello ladies...there's a new publication & website in town... Skirt!

Media General has dedicated much time, effort, and love to create a companion site to their already in press Skirt magazine...I'm sure you've seen the magazine around town... check out their new website and tell them what you think!

"The site features beauty, style, relationships, food & drink, events, shopping, feature pieces on women around town, and any input the community is willing to give. The site is designed to be very interactive for the women of Richmond," said Cameron Walker.

so ladies- get out there, read it, see it, and interact with the rest of the fashion savvy Richmond community!

Links we Luv: Product Labels

You’ve created a fabulous garment, bag, plushy etc. How does one know you made it? How do you get your name out there with each item you’ve poured all your heart, soul and tears into? Ok, maybe it’s not that deep, but you should have your “brand” on your items in the form of labels and hangtags. Some of our favorite places to order labels from are:

http://Clothinglabels4U.com
http://Lusciouslabels.com
http://Charmwoven.com
These are also good sources for size and content labels.

I’m all about the D.I.Y options too. Cool labels do not have to be bought. You are creative, as Tim Gunn says "Make it work"! Here are a couple of tutorials that use easy to find supplies. Most items can be found in your local fabric store.

option 1:
Erin of Erin Taylor Designs has a clever DIY label tutorial on her blog, http://erintaylordesigns.blogspot.com using a custom made stamp, indelible ink, she stamps her business name directly on the item or on cotton twill tape and sews in.

She ordered her stamp and indelible ink from http://thestampmaker.com
option 2:
Allyson Hill has an DIY label tutorial using a different technique on her blog, http://allysonhill.typepad.com. Tools needed: printable fabric on the roll or sheet* and a good printer.
option 3:
Colleen of Fresh Vintage Style take on DIY labels is a mix of techniques is on her blog http://Freshvintage.typepad.com . Tools needed: twill tape, printable fabric on a roll or sheet* and a good printer.

*Printable fabric on rolls or sheets can be found online at:
http://Joann.com and http://dharmatrading.com

Which ever route you decide to go with, you are sure to leave your mark on the creative world. :-)

Etsy Banner Maker - Sneak Peek

Check out this Sneak Peek of a new Seller Tool on Etsy!

According this Etsy Forum Thread it was created by former RCM Member Kelly Farrell and former Richmonder Anda both of Etsy.

It's an
Etsy Shop Banner Generator
and it is super cool.

Follow the Directions on the page to save the banners you create (note: On my Mac I had to change the file type initials at the end of the file name manually, i.e. it said filename.php and I retyped it as filename.jpeg or else it would not upload when I tried to put it up in Your Etsy > Appearance)








Also check out these great prefab banners, avatars and buttons for your Etsy shop and/or blog or website.

trunk show this weekend: erin taylor designs

ready for the spring weather? can't wait to start perusing the shops for new spring clothes? want something no one else will have? then come to quirk gallery, at 311 w broad street, this saturday, january 26 between 10am and 4pm to preview erintaylor's springline of clothing. print out the above flyer & bring it with you to receive 20% off your order!

also, catch erin's blurb that was published in the times-dispatch this past tuesday:

Eat. Drink. Be crafty.

Do the cold, short, dark days of winter have you feeling a bit down? Are you wishing you could come to a comfy local joint, hang out and meet other crafters? Me too!



The Richmond Craft Mafia will be hosting "I *heart* Craft" on Sunday, February 10th from 4-6pm at The Camel. The event is open to any and all crafty peeps. No need to RSVP or anything like that, but a comment here on the blog to give us a heads up would be sweet (we luv comments!). The Camel will be sporting a full menu and bar so you can purchase a bite and nosh with us for a bit. Members of the Richmond Etsy Street Team will be there as well...come out and meet some of the folks you know from online. And bring a friend!

Wanna help us promote the event? Grab the image and the deets below!

What: I *heart* Craft - a crafter's social
When: Sunday February 10, 2008 from 4:00 - 6:00 pm
Where: The Camel, 1621 W. Broad Street

Links we Luv: Getting it organized

Does your work table look like this? Mine did about a week ago. You know how is it's January it's all about reorganizing your life, home and business. So for this weeks links we luv it is all about getting that craft studio back in shape.

Before you tear into that room check out the organizing guru, Suzanne from Let's talk Organizing. Suzanne concentrates on helping small businesses get it together. There you can take a little quiz to find your organizing solution, this will change your organizing life! Are you a visual, inspirational, or Logical organizer? Don't forget to check out the sassy little podcast and her great blog for more helpful tips.

De-clutter Tools :
Container store
Ikea
Organized living

Blogs:
Domestic Diva
Clutter-cubed
Sew organized
Ikea hacker

Flickr Inspiration:
Operation: Sewing Room Organization
My Crafting Room
Craft Rooms
Organization is for squares
Sewing Rooms
Art Studio Makeover
Scrap Spaces & Beyond
Sewing Tool and Accessories

As always we want your help adding to the link lists, leave us a comment with your favorite organization tips, tools and LINKS!

Virginia Currents gets crafty!

If you all are local to Virginia please check out tomorrow's Virginia Currents The Richmond Craft Mafia will be featured. In Richmond the show will air on WCVE on January 17th at 8:00 pm. If you miss it you can also check it out on Saturday at 5:30 pm or Sunday at 12:30 pm.

... learn how a group who call themselves the “Craft Mafia” take on mass production with a vengeance.

Links we luv, Photography

On our Yahoo group we have been listing what our goal for the new are. The lists are long and varied. On of my goals for Modern June is to take better photographs. With no cash for a fancy new camera I sent out a call for some helpful tips from my crafty family.

Don, my husband, is always saying tripod, tripod, tripod and no flash no flash no flash! OK I think that all has finally set in. I am lucky that he bought a tripod in collage! Then he and I sat around playing with the i photo adjust tool. Wow, that helped a whole lot! As I am opening back up the shop (slowly) I am editing the really rotten photos that I have taken over the last year and adding the brighter photos on to the etsy listing.

But there is still so much to be desired with the photos that I am taking now. So here comes the troops with their crafty "google" knowledge! Beth sent me this Storque article and video produced by ETSY LABS. there you will find a how to video on taking a better shot. OMG! Not only is Mary too cute but they gave me wonderful piece of advise. I never new what all that menu stuff was all about. White balance! who knew? Not me that is for certain!

Also some where I read that a faster shutter speed lets in more light so I have been using the "splashing water" setting.

So by adjusting the EV shift from 0.0 to 1.7 I was able to go from this dark photo to this nice bright photo. and it is a dark cloudy day! I am shocked and delighted. Thank you etsy labs for the great articles!

This is just a start, I have much more to learn but I just had to share how easy it was to get this kind of result.


Here is the link list for better photos. If you have anything to add please leave a comment.

Taking Professional Looking Photos Without a Professional

Posie gets cozy: photo tidbits!

Shop Makeover series: Photographing for Success

Tips for Craft Show Application Images

Short Notice! Call For Entries.

Sorry for the short notice but this just got sent to me!

Postcards for Lindsay: February 1, 2008

On February 1, 2008 Corporate & Museum Frame at 301 West Broad Street will be hosting a very special, month-long art exhibit and sale titled Postcards for Lindsay. All sale proceeds will go to help Lindsay Aronson Ess and her family with medical and rehabilitation expenses.
Local (and not so local) artists will be donating unframed pieces in 3 specific sizes: 4 x 6, 8.5 x 11, and 11 x 14 - they may donate one or more, in any of those sizes. These might be existing pieces, or created specially for the event. Paintings, drawings, photography, collage: these will be original works by both well-knowns and unknowns. 4 x 6 will sell for $25 each, 8.5 x 11 for $35 and 11 x 14 for $50.

Signatures will be on the back: you won't know who the piece is by until you've bought it. That's part of the fun! Every buyer will get a wonderful work of art at a remarkable price; some will walk away having made a surprisingly valuable purchase. But each sale will be worth far more than simply the value of the art itself, as 100% of the proceeds will go to help Lindsay and her family.

The show will be up through the month of February and we hope to sell as many as 200 to 300 pieces. Preview Open House/Gallery Reception will be Thursday, January 31 from 7PM to 9PM with the official opening on Friday, February 1 (First Friday!) from 7PM to 10PM. Mark your calendars, stop by and plan to purchase a great piece of art for a great cause! (Purchases can be made by cash or checks made to Love of Lindsay; sorry, no credit cards.) If you are an artist who would like to donate work, please go to www.corporatemuseumframe.com for information and a donation form.

It's a really good cause and sounds like a great event. I hope you'll all consider submitting a piece.

Etsy Front Page madness

Bottom left is our dear sweet E! Erica Vess

Bees Knees Studio Etsy shop

Top center our lovable Mary Ellen Kim owner and designer of TWIST!

Last but not least! Left row second from the bottom is Tasha McKelvey
and her fabulous pottery jewelry. I have the necklace that matches the earrings!!!

Congrats ladies!

Handcrafted Jewelry deliciousness!

RVAnews says that Nikole Sarvay Desings is hand crafted jewelry deliciousness. Oh boy were they right! What a great press, congrats Nicole! After you read the article go shopping at her Etsy shop.

Links we luv, pattern making

There has been a lot of great links being shared on our Richmond Craft Mafia yahoo group and I think it is about high time we share them with you! Beth of "Monkey and Me"told me a while back that Norfolk Craft Mafia does a "link dump" on their blog! What a fantastic idea I think we will borrow that!















Links for Stitch Divas and pattern Mavens!

How to make long lasting patterns.
How to hire a stitcher.
Places to buy patterning supplies:

• Sew True
• Greenberg and Hammer
  
• Atlas Levy Sewing Machine, Co.

Interested in selling your patterns?

check out this how to book Publish Your Patterns!
Here is a blog post on the subject at well.


Here is a link to my personal patterning tool
wish list!

Thanks to Beth, Nicole and Erin for all these sweet links!

Stay tuned more to come!