Wonder Thunder

The cute duo, Wonder Thunder is the featured seller on Etsy!  Read their interview here.  Way to go guys!

Bring it ON!

Lots of fun under wraps, wait until you see all the amazing vendor goods tomorrow! Be there early for some fantastic swag (first 100 each day).

Pictured in a cell phone shot: Becky (from Craft) all the way from New York for the show as we are all setting up shop..

See you tomorrow 11am-5pm and/or Sunday 11-5pm. You will be so happy you came.
Seattle Center Exhibition Hall
Admission: FREE!

Juanita!

UCU- What is your business and when did it form?

I have a black velvet painting business and it formed in 1999

UCU- If you could have a super power what would it be?

I would like to have the Wonder Twin Powers

UCU- Favorite holiday memory?

My favorite holiday memory is getting to eat lots of sweets.

UCU- Will you have a special $5 item for UCU's anniversary? No.

UCU- Got any new items you will be showcasing at the show?

I will be showcasing my new hand painted velvet coats

Softlife

1) What is your business and when did it form?

I formed Softlife in 2007 as an umbrella company for my various artistic pursuits. Under the cover of Softlife I have done installations, made plush guys, and created large needle felted wall hangings for exhibit.

2) If you could have a super power what would it be?

I would have in my possession a super seam ripper that could rip a hole into the very fabric of reality, allowing me to slip through into the worlds of my imagination.

Also, it would be nice to be a highly skilled painter, which seems like a super power to me.

3) Favorite holiday memory?

I grew up really poor in rural Hawaii. We lived in a house that my stepfather built out of lumber salvaged largely from the dump. For several years I slept on a door with a foam pad on it that was supported by concrete bricks. On my seventh Christmas eve I spent the day at a friends house and when I returned home that evening there was a real bed waiting for me with brand new Holly Hobby sheets and a matching bedspread. I will never forget the feeling of climbing into that soft bed and anticipating the coming of Santa. It was pure magic.

4) Will you have a special $5 item for UCU's anniversary?

Yep! But who knows what they might be...

5) Got any new items you will be showcasing at the show?

I am always coming up with new creature designs, so there will definitely be some new guys for sale. Also I am working on some small needle felted pictures, for those folks that like the large wall hangings, but can't swing the price.

Bonnie Heart Clyde and Emily Katz

UCU- What is your business and when did it form?

Bonnie Heart Clyde: freehand embroidered art and wearables. circa 2003
Emily Katz: Sustainable, Elegant, Fashion forward women's wear. circa 2007

UCU- If you could have a super power what would it be?
BHC- I would want the ability to get everything done in 1 hour a day so I
could play and get into nature, and throw elaborate dinner parties.

UCU- Favorite holiday memory?
BHC- Snorkeling in Hawaii with my family over Christmas.

UCU- Will you have a special $5 item for UCU's anniversary?
BHC- no. sorry.

UCU- Got any new items you will be showcasing at the show?
BHC- Freehand embroidered holiday stockings.

Alla-Mano Creations

UCU- What is your business and when did it form?

Alla-Mano Creations, LLC is a one-woman jewelery making operation formed in January 2008.

UCU- If you could have a super power what would it be?

AMC- Teleportation. I love to travel and it would make seeing the world and faraway friends that much easier.

UCU- Favorite holiday memory?

AMC- I loved the look and smell of our Christmas tree when all the other lights were turned off. I would wake up early and sit with my mother by the glow of the tree before getting ready for school.

UCU- Will you have a special $5 item for UCU's anniversary?

AMC- I will have some $5 rings to celebrate UCU's 5th anniversary.

UCU- Got any new items you will be showcasing at the show?

AMC- I will indeed have some new items! Been toiling away making new dressy necklaces, fun rings and knit beard facewarmers!

Heidi's Pottery

UCU- What is your business and when did it form?

HP - My business is called Heidi's Pottery, and I started it in 2008, after doing pottery as a hobby for many years.

UCU- If you could have a super power what would it be?

HP - Definitely teleportation.

UCU- Favorite holiday memory?

HP - So many great holiday memories! My favorites are probably the ones that involved my two siblings and I sitting around the tree on Christmas morning, looking at the 3 piles of presents, with our parents practically glowing behind us.

UCU- Will you have a special $5 item for UCU's anniversary?

HP - I've really been trying to come up with a $5 item, but I don't think I'm going to be able to do it.

UCU- Got any new items you will be showcasing at the show?

HP - I have many new items I will be showcasing! All three of the included photos are of new pieces, and I hope to make more before then as well.

Imps & Monsters

1) What is your business and when did it form?

Imps & Monsters is just me, Justin Hillgrove, and occasionally my friend Mike Capp. We make and sell our paintings, prints, tees, etc. I've been selling my paintings and prints under the Imps and Monsters name since late 2005.

2) If you could have a super power what would it be?

I wish my superpower was to be able to make anything fun. That way no matter how lame the chore or how bad the situation, it would still feel awesome.

3) Favorite holiday memory?

When I was 6 I saw a ghost on Christmas morning before my parent had woken up. He wasn't at all scary and didn't talk, just passed right by. My big brother was with me at the time, but he was busy looking out the window for reindeer.

4) Will you have a special $5 item for UCU's anniversary?

We will have $5 prints, cards and coloring books.

5) Got any new items you will be showcasing at the show?

Yes! New paintings and tees among other things.

Svedala Bakery

1) What is your business and when did it form?

We are an all natural, hand crafted Swedish bakery formed in Spring 2007. We began at the Edmond Farmer's Market in Summer 2007 and now we wholesale to The Village Yarn and Tea shop, Swedish Cultural Center, Whole Foods Markets and cater, too! Our goal is to spread Swedish baked cheer to Seattle!

2) If you could have a super power what would it be?

To induce kindness in others

3) Favorite holiday memory?

Wow, there are so many....

4) Will you have a special $5 item for UCU's anniversary?

Svedala will be offering UCU customers Mini Jul Stubbe (english translation: Yule Log) for $5

5) Got any new items you will be showcasing at the show?

In Sweden, folks break from their work twice daily to commune with colleagues and/or family over coffee and treats (ie fika). So, we are introducing a gift boxed 'Fika' (fee-ka) package in 2 sizes in the $10-20 range... . Also, we are going to provide some savory tarts for hungry shoppers.

Raven Lunatic Studios

1) What is your business and when did it form?
Raven Lunatic Studios, established 2001.

2) If you could have a super power what would it be?
Well...flight, of course. ;)

3) Favorite holiday memory?
Trick-or-treating back in the 70s without having two adults in attendance for every child, running around after dark like a bunch of little hooligans....oh, wait, did you mean Christmas? Um.......

4) Will you have a special $5 item for UCU's anniversary?
What a great idea! I think I'll offer any two of my greeting cards for $5.

5) Got any new items you will be showcasing at the show?
IF I can get them done in time, new Christmas card designs. Yay!

Yarnia

1) What is your business and when did it form?
Yarnia, Portland's only DIY yarn store, and we opened in February of 2008.

2) If you could have a super power what would it be?
To be able to knit with both my hands and my feet so I could tackle all the concurrent knitting projects on my list!

3) Favorite holiday memory?
My first UCU at the Exhibition Hall -- it was so amazing to see how quickly the floor transformed from empty and quiet to full of bustling, crafty energy!

4) Will you have a special $5 item for UCU's anniversary?
Yes indeed. We're going to be selling kits for knitting fingerless gloves, using one of our brand new blends of yarn!

5) Got any new items you will be showcasing at the show?
We've been dreaming up a bunch of great new fall and winter yarns -- soft, cozy, and colorful -- and will have a sampling of all our new yarn blends, as well as a bargain basket for those looking for a great deal!

Go Robot

UCU- What is your business and when did it form?
I do jewelry and unusual accessories. I've actually been making stuff for many years, but as a full-time gig, just for the last three.

UCU- If you could have a super power what would it be?
I think real life CTRL+Z (undo) would be a good one. Also the ability to conjure
boots would be quite handy.

UCU- Favorite holiday memory?
One time when I was young, our family rented a little cabin at the coast and we were playing cards or something. We all started acting loopy and throwing things at each other.. It was pretty fun, then we realized there was a gas leak. after we stopped the leak, everything went back to normal.

UCU- Will you have a special $5 item for UCU's anniversary?
Yes. I will have a limited number of reversible copper and bronze pendants each day. (pictured)

UCU- Got any new items you will be showcasing at the show?
Yeah, I'll have lots of new earring designs, some sterling silver goggles, plus new rings and pendants.

Power and Light Press

UCU- What is your business and when did it form?

Power and Light Press was established in my mind in 2005, but in reality: 2008

UCU- If you could have a super power what would it be?

water into wine

UCU- Favorite holiday memory?

every Christmas feels exactly the same to me, which is why I love it. Literally nothing has changed. Of course, that is not really true - my family has moved all over the country, and relatives have come and gone, but I feel like the rituals, the smells, the purpose has always been the same.

UCU-Will you have a special $5 item for UCU's anniversary?

$5 items... Packs of GIFT TAGS will be $5! And all of my greeting cards are already $5.

UCU- Got any new items you will be showcasing at the show?

I've got some new holiday cards I'm pretty excited about. And my perpetual calendar has been revamped and is ready to carry you through the end of time. --can't wait for the show!

Handmade Julz

UCU- What is your business and when did it form?

My business, Handmade Julz began in 2005. I started out making 'Graphic Jewelry. Made to Wear' My line includes adjustable rings & bracelets, earrings, hairpins, necklaces. I've also in the past couple of years added magnets, coasters, badges and art prints.

UCU- If you could have a super power what would it be?

HJ- I would love to be able to dream up meals & snacks throughout the day and just have them appear before me, ready to enjoy!

UCU- Favorite holiday memory?

HJ- Our families annual christmas cookie decorating is always a favorite holiday memory.

UCU- Will you have a special $5 item for UCU's anniversary?

HJ- Of course! I'll be selling my hairpins for a discounted price at $5

UCU- Got any new items you will be showcasing at the show?

HJ- yes! I'll be showcasing 4 new gocco prints of my illustrations. I'll also be showcasing 4 new prints of a few recent paintings that i'm super excited about!

Figs and Ginger... Eco-friendly Metal Smithing Inspired By Forests

UCU- What is your business and when did it form?
Figs and Ginger- Well, we make super cute, forest inspired jewelry and try to be nice to the earth while doing it. Rhonda (my attractive wife) and I (Elijah) run the business together. It's wonderfully fun and rewarding. For the past two years or so we've been able to make our living just off of Figs, but we've been working on this business for 4 or 5 years. It's hard to tell when it, "formed" because it just seems seamless with our life/marriage.

UCU- If you could have a super power what would it be?
Rhonda: The power to make chocolate non-fattening
Stacey (our studio manager): To run really fast without getting tired so I wouldn't have to drive.
Elijah: To be able to build robots that could do ANYTHING I wanted, you know like fly or shoot lasers or turn chocolate into anti-fat.

UCU- Favorite holiday memory?
Rhonda: Mom playing The Judds' Christmas album while trimming the tree.
Stacey: Hiding behind the couch to catch Santa but falling asleep instead.
Elijah: As a kid sipping my Grandma's wine thinking it was grape juice and spewing it all over the nicely set table.

UCU- Will you have a special $5 item for UCU's anniversary?
Ooh, I think so, but it's a secret. You'll just have to drop by our booth or follow us on Twitter @FigsandGinger to find out.

UCU- Got any new items you will be showcasing at the show?
Yup, cute little rings with forest creatures, a goose necklace, maybe some bunny families...oh man who even knows what will be new by then?

Crystalyn Kae Accessories - distinctively smart handbags

UCU- What is your business and when did it form?

Crystalyn Kae - I've been in business 8 years. . (since 2001)! I make purses, totes, clutches & laptop bags. I create all of my own original patterns, scout out awesome fabrics and leathers, sew the bags, and sell them on my website and to stores around the US.

UCU- If you could have a super power what would it be?

time travel - there are so many artists, authors, designers, and ancestors that I would love to meet!

UCU- Favorite holiday memory?

When I was little, each Christmas Santa would ring the doorbell and deliver our presents. Eventually, I got wise to the fact that it was our Dad under the costume. So my parents pulled an awesome trick the next year: Christmas Day when the doorbell rang, Dad opened the door and the 'Real' Santa was standing there! He had a real beard and a big Red Sack filled with handmade Lincoln logs for us. We were so in awe! (It took me at least another year to figure out it was actually one of my dad's co-workers under the suit.)

UCU- Will you have a special $5 item for UCU's anniversary?

Yes, I have made a small batch of keyrings especially for the occasion! Plus my clutches will be $50 each (instead of $75)

UCU- Got any new items you will be showcasing at the show?
Yes! I have just completed a smaller version of a *certain* popular bag of mine as part of my Spring 2010 collection. I will offer a sneak preview for the very first time at UCU.

Pandemonium Millinery, Custom Hats, handbags and scarves

UCU- What is your business and when did it form?

Pandemonium Millinery, Custom Hats, handbags and scarves. I started My business in 1992 with custom clothing and slowly switched my focus to hats which then morphed into scarves and handbags

UCU- If you could have a super power what would it be?

PM- at the moment I would have to say the power to duplicate myself, then maybe I could not only have a day off but be able to make even more fabulous hats!

UCU- Favorite holiday memory?

PM- hmmm, I guess it would have to be Thanksgiving at the grand parents house in Grass Valley when I was a kid, all the cousins (i was the youngest and the only girl) would steal our grandfathers golf cart and wreck havoc on the course. I don't think our grandparents were impressed though.

UCU- Will you have a special $5 item for UCU's anniversary?

PM- for UCU 5th anniversary I will be offering my feather broaches for $5 I will also have many of my sale bins with great barging at 50% off or more!

UCU- Got any new items you will be showcasing at the show?

PM- Of course! There is always something new and exciting!

Attic Journals

UCU- What is your business and when did it form?

AJ- We started Attic Journals in 2004, when we needed a gift for our friends 30th birthday party... it took a while for it to become what it is today, but we credit the necessity of gift giving at that backyard barbecue as inspiring our start :)

UCU- If you could have a super power what would it be?

AJ- For years I thought of the novelty of flight as what I'd want... but now, from a practicality standpoint, I think it would have to be the ability carry heavy objects up and down stairs without breaking a sweat.

UCU- Favorite holiday memory?

AJ- By far my favorite memory is waking up Christmas morning in one of the upstairs bedrooms of my grandmother's house and my brother and I tromping around as loud as we could to wake the adults downstairs.

UCU- Will you have a special $5 item for UCU's anniversary?

AJ- Yes! We've got a new line of book page envelopes coming out (made from the pages of the books we've up-cycled into journals) which will be $1.75 each or 3 for $5.


UCU- Got any new items you will be showcasing at the show?
AJ- We're super excited about the book page scratch pads and precious book page buntings we'll have on sale-- we're trying to use the whole book!

Mama K's Aromatic Play Clay

UCU- What is your business and when did it form?

MK- my business is making gluten-free aromatherapeutic play dough called Mama K's Aromatic Play Clay. It took shape during endless kitchen experiments with my then 2 year old daughter Olimpia. You could say we invented it together, really....

UCU- If you could have a super power what would it be?

MK- I would be an excellent sleepwalker. That way I could get all the sleep I desire while still getting vertical before 7am.

UCU- Favorite holiday memory?

MK- I remember spending some winter holiday (thanksgiving?) in front of the woodstove that my folks had in their rec room. the wind had blown the power out. no turkey just a big pot of beans cooked on the stove. and probably some folk songs by my older brothers and sisters, though i could be making that part up.

UCU- Will you have a special $5 item for UCU's anniversary?

MK- i'm trying desperately to finish some upcycled t-shirts with my slogan on them (not telling yet!) to offer as a show special.

UCU- Got any new items you will be showcasing at the show?

MK- you'll see some stickers this time, and maybe a special UCU scented play clay tub. though i've yet to find 'rain' distilled as an essential oil.

Boring Sidney Hats and Headdresses

1) What is your business and when did it form?

Boring Sidney Hats and Headdresses. I am a milliner, ie hatmaker. I have been making hats for over 20 years, but as a business it has been 12 years.

2) If you could have a super power what would it be?

Super-Luck, I would love to have the power to just be very, very lucky!

3) Favorite holiday memory?

I am still waiting, all my life I wanted a puppy for Christmas, indeed it is all I ever wrote on my Christmas list year after year. I am still waiting for that Christmas when I open a card that says "1 Irish Wolfhound Puppy coming soon" I don't want to give the impression that I don't already have several Wolfhounds, but I just want that Christmas pup!!

4) Will you have a special $5 item for UCU's anniversary?

Yes

5) Got any new items you will be showcasing at the show?

I will have many new designs I will be featuring actually, from very wearable to high art hats!