Instantly Famous Products

A late night blogging session to share an exciting opportunity for UCU vendors and followers who make and sell their work. Best of all, its FREE!

Sarah Shaw, an ex-handbag designer has started a new and exclusive free service that connects clothing and accessory designers to Movies and TV Shows through the costuming department. It is free and there are no strings attached. "Instantly Famous Products" is just the connector and if a designer's items are chosen to be on a show/movie they will be contacted directly by the costume dept. Sarah sends out emails to her list as requests come in from costume designers and it is up to each designer to submit their products if they are right for it.

Why free, you ask?
Great question! When Sarah started her handbag line over 12 years ago (Sarah Shaw Handbags) she didn’t have any mentors or anyone to help her. She leveraged her film connections to get her products to celebrities and used that to get sales and media exposure to grow her company. She wants to give back now to small companies to help them achieve the same success she had.

Sarah is currently a consultant and teaches women how to launch products or take their existing business to the next level. She offers this service to her private clients and wanted a way to give back to the larger community who might not be able to afford her services.

Here is the link to sign up to be part of "Instantly Famous Products"
http://instantlyfamousproducts.com

Secret Stash Salts Interview + Giveaway

Say that 5 times fast!

Lets meet our salty friends Janna and Joseph at www.secretsalts.com!

Where are you from?

Seattle, baby!

Right on! Briefly describe how you got started doing what you do?

Joseph and I were laid off in the summer of 2008. At the time, the circumstances that were out of our control didn't matter. What mattered most was that we were inspired to be close to a community again, and to find a sense of meaning through the world of food. We found that with Secret Stash Sea Salts and farmers markets.

How many times have you taken the vendor endeavor? Is this your first time at UCU?

This will be our 3^rd time at Urban Craft Uprising. We’re so thankful to be part of such an amazing community of crafters and artisans. We feel lucky to be invited back.

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

We’re passionate about where our ingredients come from and concerned with sourcing high-quality components that reflect sustainability and social awareness. We use ingredients from Seattle-area farmers markets whenever possible because we believe that supporting local farmers and small-scale producers makes a difference. The food that we eat is related to everything from our consumption of fossil fuels to the viabilities of our local economy. Our salts are also chef-driven and small batch. We’re also still just a tiny company of 2 people making and packaging everything by hand.

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

The best part of our day is meeting our customers.

Awww!

What they are offering to you, our lovely readers, is a 3.5 ounce jar of Chorizo sea salt!

Janna says "use it to brighten scrambled eggs, potatoes, seafood, sandwiches, meat or veggies.It will save you time in the kitchen and make you a better cook." *drool*

Leave a comment below for your chance at this delicious prize! Winners will be picked at random on Friday!

-Amanda

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!