HOOT Organic Baby Fashion-Interview & Giveaway!

Miniature: min-i-a-ture (noun) 1. something small of its kind
First time UCU vendor HOOT Organic Baby Fashion brings forth styles for the adorably miniature people in our lives. Run by Suzy who began making clothes and accessories for babies 19 months ago when her daughter Sadie was born. After spending years as a designer for Nordstrom's she decided to open her own super cute dress store, Frock Shop, on Phinney Ridge here in Seattle. So Suzy...

UCU: What is your favorite part about Urban Craft Uprising or other large-scale craft shows?
HO: The variety of interesting work from talented artists.

UCU: What is one thing you consider to be a helpful tip for having a successful craft fair visit?
HO: Have patience and bring cash

UCU: What sets your company apart from others who offer similar products?
HO: There aren’t a lot of children’s designer in the show, so that helps me stand out a bit. My line is organic and handmade to a really high standard. I use a lot of original prints and fabric combinations that are eye catching and adorable.



UCU: What do you like best about crafting/creating your product?
HO: I love being in control of my own designs, especially coming from corporate design; it’s very freeing.



UCU: Is there something you are hoping to shop for, a treasure you'd like to find at this year's Summer UCU?
HO: I would like to connect with more Seattle stockists.

HOOT Organic is also participating in our Giveaway. Offering the readers choice of one adorable HOOT (baby hat) to be picked up at the UCU booth at the show July 10-11. Leave a comment below to be eligible for the giveaway. We will select one winner at random.
Check out the HOOT Organic line here:
http://hootorganic.com/index.php

MALUHIA Interview + Giveaway

We have so much in store for you this week! Lots of Summer UCU Vendors to introduce and lots of lovely items to give away! I hope you're as excited as I am.

Without further ado meet Maluhia!

She is a 5 time Urban Craft Uprising veteran and “thrilled and grateful to be coming back.” Wowee! Well, we’re excited to have her. As a young girl in the Philippines she took an interest in sewing when her mother owned two boutiques. She learned to sew on a treadle sewing machine and from that experience came the wonderful creations that make up Maluhia.

Check out her fantastic “Apple a Day Pinafore” for little girls. It could be yours! Leave a comment here and we will pick at random one lucky winner Friday June 18^th. Pick up your prize at the UCU booth at the show July 10-11!

Don’t forget to check out my dialogue with this awesome seamstress!

What is your favorite part about Urban Craft Uprising or other large-scale craft shows? I look forward to checking out new items for sale by great vendors and more importantly meeting my customers in person. I love the atmosphere!


What sets your company apart from others who offer similar products? I offer a huge variety of items with different price points and all handmade by me from fabric choices to the very last stitch.

What do you like best about crafting/creating your product? I am very eclectic and that’s the main reason I have a wide variety of items. I like using bold, bright and cheerful fabrics that put smiles on peoples faces. It doesn’t matter if a person comes out of my booth without buying anything as long as they are smiling when they leave.

Is there something you are hoping to shop for, a treasure you'd like to find at this year's Summer UCU? For some reason I am drawn to hats at craft shows. I always end up buying a hat.

What kind of snacks will you have in your booth to survive the long but exciting hours of Urban Craft Uprising? Chocolates! I have 2-3 bowls of chocolates in my booth at all times courtesy of my very supportive hubby.

Great talkin' with you!

Leave a comment below to be entered to win!

-Amanda

amandafiebing.com

Altered Designs by Tami-Interview & Giveaway!

Happy Flag Day! On this sunny day which recognizes the adoption of the American flag design, we proudly present to you an interview with summer UCU vendor Altered Designs by Tami. Tami was turned onto Altered Art while living in Alaska and now (seven years later!) she is still selling her crafts. This July's show will be Tami's debut at the Urban Craft Uprising. She will also be offering a Bottle Cap Necklace as our first Giveaway item.

UCU: What is your favorite part about Urban Craft Uprising or other large-scale craft shows?
ADBT: I love large event's such as UCU. The people that attend always know what they are attending. Fully excited about the art's and craft movement, which is growing bigger and better than ever. The network of vendors are supportive, creative and a joy to mingle with.

UCU: What sets your company apart from others who offer similar products?
ADBT: I try to make all my pieces affordable. Providing my Bottle Cap Necklaces for $8.00 each. I get to offer something that most people can afford. That way most can walks away from an event with a little token or inexpensive gift to give.

UCU: What do you like best about crafting/creating your product?
ADBT: I love all my watch part jewelry and wear it quite regularly. There are rarely any 2 pieces alike. I love the creative process in all my work but my Robots may be the most exciting. They all have their own personalities. One robot named Mommas Little Boy is a vintage tin from an old Mazda light bulb container. He carries miscellaneous parts with him and always has a tin type photo of his Momma in hand. Nearly all my work is from vintage bit's and bobbles giving them a unique purpose.

Thanks to Tami for taking the time to answer our questions and for offering a free Giveaway! Want to win the Bottle Cap Necklace? Leave a comment below and we will select a winner at random. Prizes can be picked up at the UCU booth at the show July 10-11.

Want to check out more from Altered Designs by Tami? Go here: http://altereddesignsbytami.com/default.aspx

Meet the Interns: Amanda

With less than a month to go until the second annual summer Urban Craft Uprising we're getting really excited around these parts. We've even added a couple new faces to help make this show the best one yet. UCU has brought on not one, but TWO interns for this July's show. Without further ado, let us introduce you to: Amanda. Amanda may not have been born in Washington, but she is about as native as they come. Originally from Wisconsin she moved to Washington at the age of 7 and the beautiful scenery and diverse cultural atmosphere spurred her to make Washington her permanent home. She studied Painting and Drawing at the University of Washington and now maintains her personal blog amandafiebing.com while growing her art skills in paper collage and felt techniques. Let's get to know her a little better, shall we?


UCU - What are your goals for helping to make this show a success?
A - I would like to be a positive driving force for the UCU team. I would like to allow myself to be a sort of jack-of-all trades for our team. I am super psyched to be a part of the social networking aspect and plastering the town with info about the show. When we get closer to the show I would like to be on top of my tasks and in the ready position to help out where I'm needed.
UCU - What are your favorite aspects to big craft shows?
A - Actually, I'm somewhat of a novice when it comes to big craft shows. That's a good reason for me being here. I love crafting and the DIY movement/community and makes me really happy to see DIY-ers succeed. So, I think what I will like the most about this UCU Summer Show would be being there to meet a lot of crafters and be a helpful resource to them.

UCU - We heard you're an avid cyclist. Where is your favorite place to bike and what makes it so special?
A - I love biking! There are so many awesome places in the city to go but I would have to say my favorite place is riding my bike on the San Juan Ferry to Lopez island, riding around the island and camping at Spencer Spit State Park (http://sanjuanislands.kulshan.com/Washington/San+Juan/Outdoors/Spencer+Spit+State+Park.htm). Because if there is one thing I love more than biking its being in the San Juans.

UCU - Any hidden talents you'd like to share?
A - Cooking, but that's not really hidden, you should see my facebook photos. But I think if there was one thing most people who know me don't know that I am really good at remembering numbers. Last week, my grocery bill was $71.43. Pretty good, eh?

UCU - If you could have any superpower what would it be and why?
A - Flying. Its always been flying for me. Its selfish because usually when I'm sitting in traffic I want to be able to fly over all the cars to get where I'm going. Maybe that's why I like biking so much, I don't have to drive as much anymore.


Thanks to Amanda and Alexa for taking the time to answer our questions and getting us rolling on the interview train. We'll be starting our vendor interview blitzkrieg next week (including some delightful giveaways). Stay tuned!

Meet the Interns!

Allow me to introduce Alexa, my intern counterpart or this years UCU Summer show. She’s a Seattle girl, born and raised.

Alexa, a woman of many hobbies including chocolate and filmmaking (wow!), is the talented set of hands behind FoamyWader. She began making jewelry as a hobby and her inspiration comes from all sorts of places; “art, nature, song lyrics, movie quotes, even quotes from my friends. I'll even let the gemstones inspire me before finding the words or the story for the piece.”

Hey Alexa, what made you decide to intern with UCU?

I wanted pull back the veil and see what goes on behind the scenes to bring the big, awesome craft show of UCU to life.

As a vendor and an attendee, what are your favorite aspects to big craft shows?

As a vendor or an attendee I love seeing all the different creative displays. Its like a handmade shopping mall each booth with its own distinct style.

What is one piece of advice you would give to a first time vendor at a large craft show?

For the first time vendor I would suggest doing lots of research for do's & don'ts about craft shows as well as display ideas. Check out the flickr of previous shows for inspiration. Buzz Blog is also a great resource.

That’s sound advice. Now, for the hard hitters. What would be the meal you would choose if you had to eat that and only that for the rest of your life?

Gnocchi. When I was in Rome I ate it for both lunch and dinner for four days straight, a different sauce every time.

What is your most favorite childhood memory?

My sister and I taking turns kicking open the living room door while singing "Born to be Wild."

Haha! That puts a great image in my mind. Love it.

And finally, Carrie, Miranda, Samantha or Charlotte?

I'm totally Miranda.

Sweet, nice meeting you Alexa!

CCE!

One of our UCU organizers is also one of the organizers for Seattle's first Conference of Creative Entrepreneurs. They are looking for swag donations for their attendants and speakers. This is a great way to get your name out there. To participate please read below:

Physical product.

Products can have business card with them but they must be attached or placed in a bag together. We plan to have about 100 people each day attend so it is up to you how much you'd like to donate. Ideally, minimum donation would be valued at $25.

Coupons: Coupons should offer a minimum of $5 off services or merchandise. We would want coupons to wow attendees and bring people new clients!

Items we will not include alone in swag bags are:

• * business cards
• * buttons with just logo or trademark
• * stickers with just logo or trademark
• * postcards with just logo or trademark

* Business cards, stickers, and logo buttons are ok when they are added to actual swag items or discount coupons.

Please send swag to: (Deadline August 1st)

CCE c/o Andrea Porter, 4105 NE 120th Street, Seattle, WA, 98125

We are happy to blog and facebook about donations as a way to support and say thank you! If we want us to use a logo feel free to send to andrea@creativeconferencewest.com

Early Bird Ticket prices have been extended so get your ticket today!

SIFF FAQ

Did you know that Aaron, 1/2 of Apak duo, Urban Craft vendor is the artists for this year's SIFF? He was found at UCU! If you haven't appreciated the brightly colored, adorable posters, do it now!