glam.spoon Interview & Giveaway!

The second annual summer UCU will mark the 7th show for glam.spoon. Tina has been with us since the very beginning back in 2005. She began cutting up the clothes in her closet to make them more wearable and business just took off from the very first show. She now sells through local boutiques and her online Etsy shop here: http://www.etsy.com/shop/glamspoon
glam.spoon is also participating in the Giveaway offering up the charcoal refashioned cotton hoodie capelet pictured above!

UCU: What is your favorite part about Urban Craft Uprising?
gs: Meeting my customers and connecting with the other vendors. A lot of people I only see once (or twice) a year at UCU. It's a big party!

UCU: What is one thing you consider to be a helpful tip for having a successful craft fair visit?
gs: Wear comfortable shoes, hydrate and bring a big shopping bag!

UCU: What sets your company apart from others who offer similar products?
gs: I know there are others using recycled materials and refashioning clothing, but I think what sets me apart is my aesthetic. My clothing line embodies bohemian chic, and my customers come back for the comfort and style, along with the one-of-a-kind aspect.

UCU: What do you like best about crafting/creating your product?
gs: My process is a satisfying creative outlet! I work in the opposite direction of most fashion designers: I don't sketch or plan ahead of time, I let the materials inspire me and just start cutting fabric until something comes from it!

UCU: What kind of snacks will you have in your booth to survive the long but exciting hours of Urban Craft Uprising?
gs: None! My routine is to have a big ol' breakfast at 9:30 to get me through the day so that I'm available to my customers!

Thanks Tina! If you want to be eligible to win the awesome capelet leave a comment below. We will select one winner at random. The winner can pick up their prize at the UCU booth at the show.

Schmancy Interview+Giveaway

Check out Kristen Rask, originally from Cleveland Ohio, she is the brilliant woman and crafting maniac who opened Schmancy in downtown Seattle 5 1/2 years ago. Schmancy is a treasure trove of toys and other awesomeness hand-picked by Kristen herself. Kristen is also the Director of PR and Marketing and now sponsorship for Urban Craft Uprising. She is a crafter for life and considers crafting to be a great way to be a part of the community. She has three books and a fair amount of art curation under her belt. How can you deny her awesomeness?

Ms. Rask and Schmancy are giving away a handmade pouch that is good for makeup, craft supplies, money, etc. The lucky winner will be able to choose from the assortment at Summer UCU Schmancy booth. So, leave your comment below! A winner will be picked tomorrow!

Lets get to know Kristen a little better!

What is your favorite part about Urban Craft Uprising or other large-scale craft shows? I think UCU is the BEST! We have a great team of volunteers, our vendors rock, our customers seem to really enjoy the show and Seattle is a great place where people not only support this event by coming but they actually spend money at it! It's a wonderful way to meet makers, learn about products, feel inspired and have something in the months before to work towards. I am a BIG FAN of UCU!

What do you like best about crafting/creating your product? I like to say that "art/craft/hobbies save lives". Being creative is a great outlet for stress, sadness, happiness, etc. I love making stuff so being able to sell it is great fun! I love when customers are excited about something I have made and will hopefully take it home and treasure it.

Is there something you are hoping to shop for, a treasure you'd like to find at this year's Summer UCU? I am all about the trades. I love being able to make money and then trade with fellow vendors. It's just another perk. And then you pimp out your friends :) BUT mostly, I am just really excited to see everyone! It's like a reunion!

Thank you Kristen and Schmancy, looking forward to seeing your cute handmade items at UCU!

-Amanda

Introducing...LaRu!

Sometimes great inspiration comes from a meeting of minds, or in the case of first-time UCU vendor LaRu, a meeting of crafters. Two years ago at a monthly craft night Lauren, owner of LaRu, experimented with resin, clay and magazine images and found she loved the materials but didn't like using other peoples images. With lots of experimentation she found she could integrate her own drawings with resin to create wearable art!


UCU: What is your favorite part about Urban Craft Uprising and other large-scale craft shows?
LR: Specifically for UCU, my favorite part is the fabulous array of artists and amazing things they create. Every booth is different and at each booth you can find something intriguing and unique.

UCU: What sets your company apart from others who offer similar products?
LR: I haven't seen anyone offering similar products to mine...yet. The main thing that sets my wearable art apart from other people who put their drawings on jewelry is that I hand make each pendant backer. Most people use manufactured metal frames or scrabble tiles. My drawings vary so much in scale and shape, that I make my own pendant to fit each individual drawing. It is more time consuming this way, but it gives me the freedom to work without size/shape limitations and gives me an opportunity to sign the back of each piece.

UCU: What do you like best about crafting/creating your product?
LR: I like the stage of my process where I add resin to my drawings. Sometimes the colors change slightly or pieces appear to pop more; I really just like how much it seems to enhance my drawings. The downside - the stink of resin.

Many thanks to Lauren of LaRu for answering our questions. Necklaces, belt buckles, end tables; we can't wait to see what she has to offer at the show in three weeks! For a sneak preview check out her Etsy shop:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/laru

Meet Rebe + Giveaway

I am especially excited to meet new vendors from outside Seattle. Check out the wonderfully chic designs from Rebe they are from Calabasas, CA. They are offering up this fantastic Pocket bag for today's Giveaway. So, lets talk to ‘em!

Hey Rebe (actually, her name is Debby), How did you get started doing what you do?

I started Rebe 10 years ago while raising 3 daughters on my own. My oldest daughter is an artist, and at that time only 15 and she gave me the motivation to do something I loved.

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

I have been doing shows for many years but this will be my first UCU and first time showing in Seattle.

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

I love working directly with the customer. I like to see them trying on my pieces and making them happy.

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

I make unique clothing using amazing fabrics that I design to be timeless and appropriate for all ages.

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

I love finding new fabrics and putting together color, patterns and texture in ways most people don't think possible. I also love to make pieces people will have in their wardrobe and wear forever!

True that! I love your style. I hope you have a great time in Seattle and at UCU, Debby!

Leave a comment below for your chance at snagging this awesome carry-anything Pocket Bag from Rebe. Winners announced Friday!

-Amanda

ilfant press Interview & Giveaway!

Like star-crossed lovers Columbia City local Lisa and letterpress were destined to be a pair in ilfant press. i.p. is a second year veteran of UCU delivering fun and fanciful twists to traditional letterpress; be sure to check out my personal favorite, "homeowners" on http://ilfant.com
And for all you salivating giveaway hunters, read on for all the deets!


UCU: What sets ilfant press apart from others who offer similar products?
ip: I pride myself in setting type and rule by hand; a majority of the letterpress printed work out there was created on a computer and made into plates. This is all well and good, but I feel there's an extra special bit of love when words are set letter by letter, space by space. When using lead type (wood type, ornaments, etc.), you're somewhat limited to what you can make, so you have to be creative to make things work. As a teacher (and love of) letterpress, I think it's really important to preserve this skill.

UCU: What do you like best about crafting/creating your product?
ip: The problem solving is pretty exciting. Sometimes I have to use math (yuck, right?) but it's so helpful!

Now about that giveaway...ilfant press is offering a pack of 5 letterpress printed library cards, just like the one shown to the left! It would make a great "just because" gift for a bookwork or use them to keep tabs on people when they borrow your stuff; mafia style. Leave a comment below to be eligible to win. One winner will be chosen at random and can pick up their prize at the UCU booth at the show.

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