ShellyEtc Interview + Giveaway

Heads up people, we’ve got a fresh one! Not only will this be her first time at UCU, this show is Shelly Etc.’s third show ever! Shelly, who just started vending at craft shows this past May, is a long time photographer and just started putting her work in Seattle stores last year. Check out her etsy store for a preview of what we’ll be seeing on July 10-11!

Hey Shelly, what do you like best about crafting/creating your product? I like it when people are amazed, intrigued and ultimately smile at the end result. I like to make people happy, and printing my photography on products such as nightlights and aprons bring happiness into a person's life every time they look at or wear it!

What kind of snacks will you have in your booth to survive the long but exciting hours of Urban Craft Uprising? I'm going to have some fruit, cheese, and plain crackers, and of course I'll have to get something across the street at the mobile food carts!

Shelly Etc. has donated on Brooklyn Bridge Night Light to the Giveaway! Leave your comment below to cure the things that go bump in the night. :)

-Amanda

An Original by Thea Starr Interview & Giveaway

Seven years ago Thea Starr started making bags and items for babies out of vintage fabrics. One dog year later the vintage fabric is still in use but being turned into flower hair accessories. Whidbey Island native Thea has relocated to the Continental United States (that's a joke for all the Island folks) and has taken a moment to answer some questions for us.

UCU: What is your favorite part about Urban Craft Uprising?
AObTS: Getting to meet all the vendors & appreciators of handmade goodness. I love to chat it up with people who make the stuff they are selling and can tell me all about it. I love to do the same for my own customers too!



UCU: What do you like best about crafting/creating your product?
AObTS: I love to play with my fabrics. I really love "saving" all the vintage kimonos from becoming part of a landfill and giving them new lives.

UCU: Is there something you are hoping to shop for, a treasure you'd like to find at this year's Summer UCU?
AObTS: I am always on the hunt for the ultimate t-shirt. I've always had good luck finding the best ones at UCU in the past.

UCU: If you could have any super power, what would it be and why?
AObTS: Ability to breathe under water. I grew up on an island and I always wished that I could be a mermaid. I still think it would be cool.

UCU: Its summer vacation time. Beach or the mountains?
AObTS: Toes in the sand at the beach for sure!

Thanks Thea! We've got a vintage kimono fabric flower brooch to giveaway to one lucky reader. Leave a comment below to be eligible. We'll select the random winner and announce on Friday.

SEATTLE SQUARE Pioneer Square Outdoor Market

Alert Crafters!

Seattle's local and independent business community is at it again! The latest addition to the outdoor market trend is Seattle Square, located in Pioneer Square. It brings me great joy to see our neighborhoods come together to put on their own marketplace.

"A New Outdoor Market Launches in Pioneer Square
The SEATTLE SQUARE to feature locally designed apparel, vintage goods,
mobile food, and headliner DJ’s

Seattle, WA (June 29, 2010) – Kicking off on Saturday, July 17th, Pioneer Square will feature a new outdoor market from 11am – 5pm every Saturday for the rest of the summer. What once sat empty and overlooked will soon be filled with local designers, mobile food vendors, public art and music. The Seattle Square will feature a mix of Downtown restaurants like Delicatus, with mobile food vendors including Skillet, Ram & Rooster Dumplings and Parfait Organic Ice Cream--to name a few! The market will also host a wide range of vintage and craft vendors; selling everything from locally designed clothing, to handmade housewares and accessories, to mid-century modern furniture. To top it off, local and national DJ's will be providing a soulful, upbeat soundtrack each afternoon in the park.

For all info on how to become a vendor go here:
http://www.theseattlesquare.com/ "

-Amanda

Tomonster Interview + Giveaway

I am a collector of leather boots, and the one thing that peeves me about storing them is having to stuff them with cardboard so they don’t flop over and wrinkle. I may search no more.

Not after I’ve found these adorable boot stands from the brilliantly creative mind of painter Tomoko a.k.a. Tomonster. This summer is Tomonster’s first ride on the UCU bandwagon. We wish her and her plushies all the best!

Briefly describe how you got started doing what you do?

I've always loved drawing and painting and one day my friend bought my painting and I was like "really???" after that, I haven't been stop painting since! I just love that people like my paintings and make them smile and that makes me smile. :)

What do you like best about crafting/creating your product?

I just love to paint and again, I love to make people smile and that makes me smile. My paintings are cartoon-ish and funny and colorful, so people seems to like them and characters are silly and cute, so they smile!!! Also My favorite plush is my own boots stands. They make your boots stand up and protect them when you aren't wearing them! And they protect them while they are hugging each other!!!

What are you offering up to our readers as a Giveaway?

5 different Cards from my paintings. Check out the lovely paintings here.

Leave a comment below to participate in this giveaway. See you in July!

-Amanda

Laura Bucci Handmade Interview & Giveaway

The eco-friendly coffee cozy marks the clear distinction between the amateur urbanite and the professional commuter. Laura Bucci Handmade takes this functional heat filter and turns it into an aesthetically pleasing art piece to brighten any morning. Laura's art extends beyond the cup as well to buttons and textile wall art pieces. She's hopping the border from her home in Vancouver, B.C. and bringing her fresh style to UCU's second annual summer show. Let's get to know her better, shall we?

UCU: What is your favorite part about Urban Craft Uprising or other large-scale craft shows?
LBH: This summer will be my first time at UCU! It's great to see a large variety of work from different mediums! Vendors benefit from the exposure and the feedback! It's a wonderful opportunity for vendors to make new connections with like-minded peers, or to finally meet names that you know of through online surfing. It's great to meet store owners and be able to talk about your work face to face!


UCU: What do you like best about crafting/creating your product?
LBH: I enjoy the thinking stage and then the designing stage. Coming up with ideas and bringing them to fruition is very rewarding.

UCU: Is there something you are hoping to shop for, a treasure you'd like to find at this year's Summer UCU?
LBH: I just discovered Dinah Coops work (http://dinahcoops.com/) through the vendor list on your website and I would love to have one of her tea towels or a set of napkins. Her modern aesthetic is refreshing and fun!

UCU: If you could have any super power, what would it be and why?
LBH: I wish I could function on 5 hours sleep?! (Eight meets my needs better.) I would have more time for the constant buzzing of ideas in my head!

UCU: Vacation time. Beach or the mountains?
LBH: I think mountains. I dream of hikes in the woods, happy isolation with nature, swims in lakes, camping, silence, and no technology!

Grazie Laura! We've got 2 re-usable coffee cozies to giveaway to one lucky reader. Leave a comment below to be eligible to win and leave those biodegradable coffee sleeves behind. We'll select one winner at random and announce here on the blog on Friday.

Ugly Baby Interview +Giveaway

This morning, after a very busy but fun weekend, I was standing in the shower still half-asleep and wishing it wasn’t Monday. I realized I was all clean and so logically I got out, but what if there had been more to do in there? Imagine it, what if there was art to look at in the shower! Crazy idea, right? No, only half right. It’s a crazy awesome idea! It’s the idea from today’s featured summer show vendor Ugly Baby. They are the masters of unique shower art, waterproof art that can hang by a suction cup. This will be their 4^th time at UCU and I’d say its time we got to know these lovely people a bit better.

Where are you from?

I am originally from Minnesota and Doug hails from New Hampshire but neither of us talk funny anymore.

What is your favorite part about Urban Craft Uprising or other large-scale craft shows? They are just so exciting. I'm excited just thinking about it. Knowing that hundreds of people who make things are going to all be in the same place. It's just neat. There's a really great energy at these shows and it's always great to see the huge crowds of people supporting the handmade movement. It just makes me like people more in general.

What sets your company apart from others who offer similar products?

I can honestly say that no one offers similar products. We invented Shower Art and we're the only ones who make it. So......if you want some...yer gonna have to deal with us.

What do you like best about crafting/creating your product?

I like that Doug and I are just basically trying to crack each other up in the process of making these. We create them upside-down and backwards to when we go to pop them out of the molds, there is always a big reveal where we're rolling on the floor laughing at each other.

What are you offering up to our readers as a Giveaway?

A set of nine postcards based on our favorite Shower Arts: This Goat Hates your Butt, Meet the Zombies: They Love each other and BRAINS, Ours is a love that Shall Not be Named, Zombie Love is Eternal, When I Grow up I Want to be Bacon, I Believe in Super Safe Sex, This Zombie Earned His Wings, I Support Gay Ninja Marriage and Double Hugz.

Hear that? You can share the shower art phenomenon with postcards! So fun, I might need a few. Leave a witty comment below for your chance to snag this awesome giveaway. Same as before, winners will be announced Friday and the lucky duck can pick up their prize at the summer show July 10 & 11

-Amanda

Citizen Robin Interview & Giveaway

The earliest known examples of mosaics made of different materials were found at a temple building in Mesopotamia, and are dated to the second half of 3rd millennium BC. Flash forward a couple thousand years and you'll find Citizen Robin here in Seattle hard at work turning a pile of beads into evocative mosaic jewelry. She's taken a few minutes to answer our questions and has given us a little something to giveaway as well!

UCU: What is your favorite part about Urban Craft Uprising or other large-scale craft shows?
CR: Absorbing all the creative works is inspiring and exciting. The support for an alternative culture proves we don't have to live by manufactures alone, I am grateful for the facilitators.

UCU: What do you like best about crafting/creating your product?
CR: Watching the image appear in the beads, like a photograph appearing in the darkroom.

UCU: Is there something you are hoping to shop for, a treasure you'd like to find at this year's Summer UCU?
CR: Go Robot! Jewelry for weirdo's. His work is amazing!

UCU: If you could have any super power, what would it be and why?
CR: As a kid of the 60's I always wanted Samantha Stevens Bewitching power. She used it for good, as simple as a clean home to peace for people, all with a twitch of her nose.


UCU: Its summer vacation time. Beach or the mountains?
CR: Mountains, if I had to choose.

Thanks Robin! And thanks for offering up your Space Needle Beaded Ring for one lucky winner to take home. Want to be that one lucky winner? Leave a comment below! We will select the winner an random and announce on Friday,

Hello Again Monsters Interview & Giveaway

Back in Aught-5, Seattle native Romie of Hello Again Monsters turned a graffiti character into a plush monster and made a wonderful discovery. She discovered that not only was she good at making the stuffed creatures, but they were a hit. For instance, who wouldn't want to win this little charmer? Best of all; you can!

UCU: What is your favorite part about Urban Craft Uprising or other large-scale craft shows?
HAM: I love craft shows because it is the perfect way to meet all the cool people who like the things I make!

UCU: What do you like best about crafting/creating your product?
HAM: I love to sew. And I love make believe. Sewing monsters!?!? Its like the greatest thing on the planet. Now if I could only figure out how to do it full time....

UCU: Is there something you are hoping to shop for, a treasure you'd like to find at this year's Summer UCU?
HAM: I'd definitely love to meet some other plush vendors and maybe swap something cool. I'm also really into finding some cool jewelry, maybe an awesome big fancy ring or necklace.

I'm thinking that can be arranged. Thanks for answering our questions Romie! For a chance to win the Red Monster then leave a comment below. We will select one winner at random and announce on Friday, here on the blog.

P.S. Hello Again Monsters abbreviates to HAM. I love that.

Flutterbudget Interview & Giveaway

There are few better ways to start the day than with a jewelry giveaway! Seattle UCU vendor Flutterbudget has taken the time to say hi and answers our questions as well as put up for grabs the Arianna Necklace (shown to the left). Want to win? Read on.

UCU: What is your favorite part about Urban Craft Uprising or other large-scale craft shows?
FB: I love the creative energy at any craft show but especially the large-scale shows. I feel like I'm with my tribe and our combined creativity can take over the world! Plus I love to shop handmade so I'm in retail heaven.



UCU: What do you like best about crafting/creating your product?
FB: I love making one-of-a-kind pieces with existing materials; each one is a puzzle of color, texture, composition and construction.

UCU: Is there something you are hoping to shop for, a treasure you'd like to find at this year's Summer UCU?
FB: Although I make jewelry, I love to shop for necklaces. I bought an amazing necklace at Crafty Wonderland - a tiny pvc cloud with silver-chain rain: I adore it. I'm all about skirts for summer so I'm hoping to find some of those too.

UCU: If you could have any super power, what would it be/why?
FB: Laser-beam eyes so I could solder pieces together with a pointed stare.

UCU: Its summer vacation time. Beach or the mountains?
FB: That's a tough one - I'm going with Mountains; they're more inspiring to me.

Thanks Shannon! Might I just say, Laser Beam eyes; a totally functional super power? Nice thinking. Now back to our giveaway. Want to win? Leave a comment below! We will select one winner at random and announce this week's winners on Friday.

Want to get your shopping list ready for the show in 2 weeks? Check out Futterbudget's Etsy shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop/flutterbudget

More Giveaway Winners!

Happy Friday ya'll! We are now only 2 weeks away from our second annual summer UCU and competition has gotten stiffer for these great giveaways. So without delay I present to you the names (or codenames) of the prize winners.

glam.spoon Capelet - Danielle
LaRu Necklace - Lisa B.
Emze Designs Dish - erianams
Texture Clothing Gloves - Fairy Godmother
Devout Dolls Elephant - Tsuki aka LittleGrayFox
Tender Loving Empire Tee - Gina
Down to the Wire Designs Earrings - Maya
Manticore Record - gullyer
Boodlebags Wristlet - Michaela
Wooly Bison Bag - Campfire Kam

Hearty congratulations to all of our winners! Looks like luck shined down on you today, since the sun certainly did not. Be sure to stop by the UCU booth July 10-11 to claim your prize. Didn't win this round? Don't be down-hearted. We've got lots of great giveaways we will be posting up until the show! Keep your eyes peeled and keep posting for a chance to win.
Get a jump on Round 3 of giveaways with Danger Peach's owl necklace posted below!

P.S. Sorry to all the Spambots who commented. You were disqualified due to your overall lameness.

Danger Peach Interview & Giveaway

"I have always been drawn to anything creative. From painting to theater to making earrings for myself in 3rd grade out of tissues I colored with highlighters; I have been making things and being involved in the arts in many forms since I was a child." 2nd time UCU Vendor Rachel of Danger Peach has focused that creative energy into embroidery. And adorable embroidery at that! She will be premiering all new work at UCU, so do not miss it. Danger Peach has also given us a cute, cute, cute hand embroidered plastic owl necklace with vintage fabric on the back to give away to one lucky reader. So Rachel, got a couple questions for ya.

UCU: What is your favorite part about Urban Craft Uprising or other large-scale craft shows?
DP: Urban Craft Uprising has the stable core that you want from a well put together craft show and you will find that consistently at every UCU show. In addition, from show to show, they bring you new art and new experiences in a fun and unique way.

UCU: What do you like best about crafting/creating your product?

DP: I love working with vintage themes and materials and reworking them into something new infused with my personal point of view, sense of humor and style. My work is where I get to express anything I want in any way that I want. At the moment I am making things from many materials into jewelry, accessories and wall art. All with one thing in common, embroidery! There are no limits or boundaries, it can be whatever I want it to be and that is very exciting and freeing.

Fantastic! Thanks Rachel. Want to win the owl necklace? Leave a comment below. We will select one winner at random and announce on our blog next Friday.

Wooly Bison Interview+Giveaway

Seattle local, Wooly Bison has been honing her designing and sewing skills since 2003 and she’s been to Urban Craft Uprising twice before this summer show. The quality of her bags is impeccable and they are super cute to boot! I am absolutely swooning over these! At her booth she’ll be sharing the step-by-step process of how she puts her bags together in the form of a book she’s working on. Very Cool! Plus she has an awesome recycled wool wallet that she is offering to one lucky reader who might need a Wooly Bison bag to put it in!

Here’s a little more from Wooly Bison…

What sets your company apart from others who offer similar products? Practically everything I sell is completely one-of-a-kind. Since the fabric is recycled from clothing and jackets, you can only get so much material out of it. If you see something you like, better grab it!


What do you like best about crafting/creating your product? I love that everything is different, so it's fun to choose what sort of lining and colors for snaps/buttons will look good for each thing. 



What kind of snacks will you have in your booth to survive the long but exciting hours of Urban Craft Uprising? I have a magic thermos that keeps things cold ALL DAY, so lots of iced tea, Cliff bars, chocolate (sorry to sound like a stereotype), dried mangos, and I always bring a good sandwich. All of the basic food groups, of course!

Mmmm sandwiches, sounds good to me!

Leave a comment below for the fantastic wallet giveaway. Winners will be announced tomorrow!

-Amanda

Boodlebags Interview & Giveaway

Local bag maker Boodlebags is returning for her second UCU show. Formerly a gallery artist/painter, Angela, owner of Boodlebags, gave up painting due to the toxicity when she had children. She had always enjoyed sewing and found that she was really good at it. Let's get to know her a little better, shall we?

UCU: What is your favorite part about Urban Craft Uprising or other large-scale craft shows?
BB: I love the people - their energy, and that they're there to buy, not just gawk. I also love the higher caliber of artisan - you meet some amazingly cool people who are really good at what they do!

UCU: What is one thing you consider to be a helpful tip for having a successful craft fair visit?
BB: A checklist. Having a pre-packing checklist ensures that you don't miss anything. It gives you a chance to think about things you might not consider if you're doing everything on the fly.

UCU: What do you like best about crafting/creating your product?
BB: Designing and prototyping! I do enjoy production to a point, but then I get itchy to create something new.

UCU: Is there something you are hoping to shop for, a treasure you'd like to find at this year's Summer UCU?
BB: Gosh - there's always something cool! I rarely go in with a plan or thing in mind, I'm just open to whatever wonderfulness I find. The hard part is limiting my spending...

Thanks Angela! We've got one of her cute Cha-Cha Wristlets to giveaway to one lucky reader. For a chance to win leave a comment below. We will select one winner at random and announce on Friday. The winner can pick up their new bag at the UCU booth at the show in 2 weeks.

Manticore Interview +Giveaway

It looks like the sun has decided to make an appearance today! And even more exciting we are going to meet a first time Urban Craft Uprising vendor!

Meet Dave of Manticore. He’s a rockin’ painter and stencil artist from Bremerton, WA. His story is pretty inspiring and is work is wonderfully detailed, I’ll let him tell you all about it.

“I began stenciling on records when I was in college. I was too broke to pay new canvases and began culling out my least favorite LPs for the cause. Stenciling was just a hobby for I couple of years. Two years ago I broke my neck in a diving accident. I ended losing most of the muscles in my hands and forearms. Stenciling helped me regain those muscles and also became my sole income.”

What is your favorite part about Urban Craft Uprising or other large-scale craft shows?

I always like bartering with the other crafters at the end of a show. I've got a low of cool art on my walls I would not normally have.

What is one thing you consider to be a helpful tip for having a successful craft fair visit?

Always have a positive attitude. It is very easy to get down when sales are slow, but one customer can easily turn a whole weekend around.


What sets your company apart from others who offer similar products?

While I paint on windows and second hand canvases, the painted vinyl record is my flagship product. I make many of my stencils out of record sleeves, so there is very little that goes to waist. A lot of my subject matter are pop icons, but I really set my art apart from my competition with very colorful and intricate backgrounds. My paintings are also pretty cheap. I sell my records between $5 and $25.

Thanks Dave! Can't wait to peruse your pop art in person!

And to top everything he’s giving away one of his records, readers choice! So, leave a comment below, then get yer booty to UCU July 10-11 to pick out your awesome new art piece. Winner will be picked Friday!

Down to the Wire Designs Interview & Giveaway

Sometimes something so simple as a hole in a class schedule can open a world of creative possibility. That was the case for return UCU vendor Chuck of Down to the Wire Designs. Chuck took Intro to Jewelry Design from UW to fill a gap in his schedule and found he really enjoyed working with the materials and had the much needed patience to see a project through.
So Chuck, tell us...

UCU: What is your favorite part about Urban Craft Uprising or other large-scale craft shows?
DttWD: I really like meeting and interacting with the customers. That used to be my least favorite part because I was always so self-conscious and nervous about it, but over the years it has gotten easier. It's nice to get direct reactions to my work and it is always interesting to see what people are drawn to.

UCU: What sets your company apart from others who offer similar products?
DttWD: I think I have a very refined sense of design. There are a lot of jewelers out there but my work always stands out as unique and well-made. I have been able to create an entire cohesive line of jewelry that is unique and constantly evolving without being derivative of the work of others. If you come to my booth at UCU you will see a lot of work that is unlike anything else you have seen.

UCU: What do you like best about crafting/creating your product?
DttWD: I really like the process of working with metal-- cutting it, shaping it, connecting all the parts together. Metal is a very forgiving medium to work with-- you can fix almost any mistake. Most people look at jewelry and have no idea how someone could make it-- in that way it feels like alchemy.

Jewelry is also unique in its accessibility. I often tell people that you can learn the basic jewelry skills in a day even though they may take years to master. Most people can take a one-day workshop and can be making pieces worthy of selling within a week or two. There are not many art mediums that you can say that about.

Well, thanks for answering our questions. Chuck has also given us these lovely Cupped Sterling Silver Padlock Earrings as a Giveaway! Want to win? Leave a comment below. We will select one winner at random and announce on Friday. The lucky reader can collect their new treasure from the UCU booth at the show in two weeks.

Tender Loving Empire Interview + Giveaway

The name Tender Loving Empire feels like a warm cup of soup on a cold rainy Seattle day (which today is not, thank you!) and learning about this awesome vendor was just as internally warming. What started as a record label, Tender Loving Empire has become an oasis for Indy craft art and music. They are one more beautiful reason to visit Portland. At 4 years old, TLE has a brick and mortar location that features their T-Shirt line, albums and the work of over 250 other independent artists and musicians. Wowee! Take a look at their Etsy store to get an idea of what you'll be seeing at UCU this summer.

We welcome you, TLE to your second time at Urban Craft Uprising!

What are you offering up to our readers as a Giveaway?

1 "Rainy Beardy City" Tee in Mens Medium. It's our Northwest tribute shirt. From one rainy city to another. If you win this shirt and would like to exchange it at our table while supplies last, please feel free to stop by and we'll get you the correct size!

What sets your company apart from others who offer similar products?

The Tshirts and Music we sell at Craft Fairs is only a fraction of what Tender Loving Empire does. TLE is a Record Label, Brick and Mortar Consignment shop in Portland, Screenprinting Shop, and Tshirt Line. All purchases made at our table indirectly help support the hundreds of other independent artists we work with throughout the year.

Is there something you are hoping to shop for, a treasure you'd like to find at this year's Summer UCU? We're always looking for new treasures for our store...the main goal is to make more than we spend...

Good luck guys!

Comment below to get your name in for this awesome shirt!

Devout Dolls Interview & Giveaway

Long-time UCU vendor Devout Dolls will be coming back for more fun at this summer's show. Owner Sara was naturally pre-disposed to crafting growing up with her seamstress/doll making mother. She got started making dolls as a hobby, absolutely loved the process and results and was encouraged by positive feedback to launch her business.

UCU: What is your favorite part about Urban Craft Uprising and other large-scale craft shows?
DD: I love seeing my customers (old and new) in person and getting feedback straight from them. Seeing their reactions to my work makes it all worth it. I also really love the excitement involved in doing big shows. There's a lot of unknowns, so it can be really scary, but it can also be exhilarating. Plus, being surrounded by all the amazing vendors who do so many wonderful unique things, it's really inspiring. It's a great community to be a part of.

UCU: What do you like best about crafting/creating your product?
DD: I love the process involved in creating something from start to finish. To be able to make a sketch and turn that into a pattern and use that to make a flat piece of fabric into a 3-D shape, it's still amazing to me. Sometimes it feels like doing magic. I think I might go crazy if I weren't able to do something with my hands, the fact that I can use my creativity to make things for people that give them happiness and makes them laugh, I feel like it's the best gift I've ever been given.

UCU: What kind of snacks will you have in your booth to survive the long but exciting hours of Urban Craft Uprising?
DD: Definitely some delicious vegan snacks! Mixed nuts and water for sure and my favorite pretzels from Trader Joe's. I'm sure there will be some chocolate making an appearance as well!

Thanks for answering our questions Sara and thanks for donating this cute drinky pink elephant doll for one lucky reader to win! Want to be that lucky reader? Leave a comment below. We will select one winner at random and announce on Friday. The doll will be available for pick-up at the UCU booth at the show July 10-11.

Texture Clothing Interview + Giveaway

Teresa, from the Bellingham-based Texture clothing is starting our week of Giveaways off right. Combat this cold “summer” weather with her knit mitts! Check out her soulful designs here.

An old pro at UCU, she’s been a vendor for 5 years. Texture is “clothing with a conscience” Teresa developed a line of clothes and began selling to shops and festivals, which was a different path than her intention to make costumes for theater. Very cool when success comes unexpectedly. Here are Teresa’s thoughtful answers to my questions. I loved hearing from this truly earth conscious business owner.

What sets your company apart from others who offer similar products?

We are ‘towards zero waste’ company. We recycle everything we can, even finding old boxes to ship out our orders…

I design clothing, accessories + home décor to fit into the scrap pieces that we create when we cut our clothing out. After that, the smaller scraps are donated to other local businesses in bellingham, to local schools for craft projects and to people who like to create + craft. After that, our smaller bits can be sent to bellingham’s industrial compost!



What do you like best about crafting/creating your product?

I enjoy choosing the colours for the season and for the displays. I enjoy sketching out and designing clothing that will flatter the bodies of curvy ladies. I enjoy hearing from customers how much they love the clothing and how good they feel in it. Texture clothes are meant to make women feel beautiful!

What kind of snacks will you have in your booth to survive the long but exciting hours of Urban Craft Uprising?

Raw veggies (in the form of a salad…), fruit, nuts…and COFFEE (with honey + cream).



Thanks for your time answering questions, Teresa. Looking forward to seeing your beautiful designs in July!

Comment below to be considered for these lovely gloves! Winners will be announced Friday! Woot woot!

Amanda

Emze Designs Interview & Giveaway

Happy Solstice dear readers! On this first day of summer let us take this opportunity to introduce you to Bay Area pottery maker Emze Designs. Owned and operated by Chanda who has been selling her work in California since 2007, our 2nd annual summer UCU will be her first show out-of-state. She's also gotten bitten by the giveaway bug and is offering up a handmade ceramic catchall dish! Perfect for holding keys, soap, soy sauce, rings while washing your hands, or anything.

UCU: What is your favorite part about large-scale craft shows like Urban Craft Uprising?
ED: People, people, people. I love meeting fellow vendors, sharing business tips and stories, seeing their amazing work and spending some of my earnings expanding my amazing collection of handmade art. Meeting my customers and getting to talk to them face to face is so much more gratifying than just having someone faceless purchase your work through a store (even though that is great too). You can get pretty hypercritical about your work and lonely when you are in a dark, dusty ceramics studio working solitary for months.

UCU: Is there something you are hoping to shop for, a treasure you'd like to find at this year's Summer UCU?
ED: Anything that I find will become a memory of my trip for me. I have so many amazing memories from when I lived in Seattle that I am sure twenty years from now I will remember "Oh yeah, I bought that at that awesome UCU show!" That is one of the reasons you buy handmade, right?

UCU: What kind of snacks will you have in your booth to survive the long but exciting hours of Urban Craft Uprising?
ED: I am gluten intolerant so I have to make my own food -- usually a sandwich and I love carrots and hummus. Also lots and lots of water and after the show I always look forward to that first glass of red wine.

Thanks for answering our questions Chanda! Now about that giveaway... Want to win this cute dish? Leave a comment below and we will select one winner at random to be announced this Friday. The winner can pick up their new catchall dish at the UCU booth at the show July 10-11.

See Inside the Home of Slow Loris

Hi, I'm Alexa, and I'm an addict. I am a fiend for Etsy's "Get the Look: Home Decor" Storque articles. Every Sunday morning I lay in bed with my beloved iPhone, slowly waking to the day and getting more drool on my pillow as I covet the homes of other Etsy designers.

Today's article featured the gorgeous home/studio of Guemes Island artist/screenprinting duo Jessica Lynch and Arlo Rumpff. Better known to you as UCU vendor Slow Loris!

You can read the blog article here: http://www.etsy.com/storque/spotlight/etsy-finds-decor-mellow-sea-8885/
And be sure to check out the Flikr pool showing the project from start to finish!

To preview the sweet shirts Slow Loris will be offering at the 2nd annual Summer UCU on July 10-11. check here: http://slowshirts.com/

Congrats on the feature!

Giveaway from LaRu!

For all of you how salivated over LaRu's original art and resin jewelry featured last week you'll be glad to hear that we got this cute "bird on a wire" necklace to giveaway!

For the specs on the necklace check the listing on Etsy: http://www.etsy.com/listing/45419750/bird-on-a-wire

To be considered for the giveaway, leave a comment below. We will select one winner at random and announce on Friday. The lucky winner can pick up their new treasure at the UCU booth at the show July 10-11.

Giveaway Winners!

I am so excited to see a huge bump in our followers this week. I wish we had a prize for every one of you. Look forward to next week, we'll have more Vendor introductions and special stuff to give away!
I wrote every readers name on a slip of paper and picked at random, like charades! :) It felt special!






Maluhia "Apple a Day" Pinafore- Good Karma
Secret Stash Sea Salts Chorizo Salts- Alysson O
Rebe Pocket Purse- Aubrey
HOOT Organics Baby Hat- Katie
Schmancy Pouch- ZanneQ
Ilfant 5 pack Library cards- Jeanne
Altered Designs Bottle Cap Necklace-Barrie

You lucky ducks can pick up your prizes at the Urban Craft Uprising Booth at the summer show. Or they can be mailed or made available after July 11th.