Member Spotlight: Dowdy Studio


Let's give a round of applause for our Etsy Dallas newcomver Dylan Dowdy of Dowdy Studio! I've had the opportunity to watch this up-and-coming artist grow and develop over the past year. He's gone from virtual unknown to Mr. T-Shirt/Caterer Extraordinaire.

It's been very exciting to see what can come out of his head and on to a t-shirt. He is growing in leaps in and bounds, and bouding in leaps and growth! All of his creations are hand-drawn and silk-screened to perfection. Check out his cool t-shirt designs and show him some love. He was not only a vendor at the 1st Annual 2008 Jingle Bash, but he was also our great caterer. Thanks Dylan!

by b.liscious/brenda

Eco•Ideas: Green Gift Wrap


Green Gift Wrap

Have you thought about making an effort to use green gift wrap this year? It's unusually pretty and you'll feel good about using it.

Using the newspaper after you've read it for gift wrap is great -- it gets one more use before it hits the recycle bin. Newspapers in other languages are good for this use -- since you can't read the words, they kind of form a pattern. The cartoon section is also good for this use since they are generally the most colorful pages. For small packages, using a page from a magazine can make a beautiful gift presentation. Just pick a page with a pretty picture and get to wrapping.

Click here for a tutorial on how to make your own gift bows out of magazine pages.

Set aside that sturdy little box that previously contained soap, a box that once housed cookies and perhaps a couple jewelry boxes before they get to the recycle bin. Hoard those little white plastic inner seals from juice and milk. Used in a group they make a cute little "bow-like" decorations for packages. Ornaments can also make beautiful package decorations.

There are so many gift items that can be used as the outside wrap and contain another gift inside. Just be creative! For instance, a fun little evening bag could be great gift wrap for opera/symphony tickets. A large glass storage container could contain a gift certificate for a cooking class and be disguised by a lovely set of kitchen towels. A gift card can easily be disguised in a box or other container. For those items that are just too big to wrap or have a shape that would be a giveaway, treasure hunt hints can be left to lead the recipient to a closet where the items are waiting.

article by Alicia of Alicia Colina-Ashby

Etsy Dallas Helps Out the Community

The 1st Annual Jingle Bash @ Sons of Hermann Hall wasn't just about arts and crafts. Etsy Dallas got a little boost of those feel-good warm and fuzzies by reaching out to the community to lend a hand.

The junior girls of Girl Scout Troop #1637 of Irving ran the famous Etsy Dallas Make-&-Take craft table, coordinated by ED's own Carrie Partch of Atom-In. Jingle Bash shoppers chose to craft either a holiday ornament or festive ring for free. All supplies were either donated or purchased by Etsy Dallas and its members.

In addition, the girls ran another table collecting food donations for Irving Cares Food Pantry. They collected 48 food items and raised $29 in cash donations. Etsy Dallas surprised the troop by donating an additional $50 toward the food drive. We were thrilled to help out those in need!

Check out the Girl Scouts in action at the Jingle Bash HERE. Thank you girls!

article by Stephanie of Tefi Designs

Thanks DFW Quick!

If you picked up a copy of your DFW Quick Newspaper today you might have noticed the best spread in the world. Quick picked 8 of our own very talented Etsy Dallas teammates to feature in their Holiday Gift Guide.

Read the full article here.

Gift locally here

Also, visit the featured artist's sites.

Congratulations to Becki our Funky Finds Giveaway Winner!


Congratulations to fellow Dallas-ite Becki Howard who won some handmade goodness in the Etsy Dallas Jingle Bash Give-away sponsored on Funky Finds.




Christmas has come a month early from Becky with over $270 in handmade loot from these talented artists/crafters:

• Dowdy Studio: Original Owl silk screened tee (retail value, $25)
• Pamela Michelle: Art print (retail value, $35)
• Tefi Designs: Juicy Fruit Necklace (retail value, $32)
• Patti Haskins: Stuffed Drawing-Flying Dog (retail value, $20)
• Bijoujuju: ‘Treelightful’ polymer pendant (retail value, $11)
• Karma Crochet: Wool Headband in Red shades (retail value, $20)
• LolaFalk: The Lola Mini-Zip Pouch (retail value, $22.00)
• MiaMaria Designs: “Calavera” craft apron (retail value, $24)
• Michele Cook Designs: Copper & Blue bead earrings (retail value, $15)
• Cut Out & Collect: Japanese Linen Scooter Pouch (retail value, $15)
• Freeforged Jewelry: Ionic-Sterling silver molecule post earrings (retail value, $16)
• Starrydance: Lucky Cat necklace (retail value, $12.00)
• Designing-Diva: Pink Fused Glass Guitar Pendant (retail value, $25.00)

Posted by Randi/ Dallas Designing-Diva

Jingle Bash on Funky Finds Giveaway Contest!


Now's your chance to get an unbelievable collection of hot Etsy Dallas items on Funky Finds.

To celebrate the Etsy Dallas Jingle Bash, the Etsy Dallas group is sponsoring a Swag giveaway. You have the chance to win some awesome swag with a retail value of $270 pictured above! The Swag includes the following items donated by Etsy Dallas members.

Items included in the Etsy Dallas Jingle Bash Swag Bag:

• Dowdy Studio: Original Owl silk screened tee (retail value, $25)
• Pamela Michelle: Art print (retail value, $35)
• Tefi Designs: Juicy Fruit Necklace (retail value, $32)
• Patti Haskins: Stuffed Drawing-Flying Dog (retail value, $20)
• Bijoujuju: ‘Treelightful’ polymer pendant (retail value, $11)
• Karma Crochet: Wool Headband in Red shades (retail value, $20)
• LolaFalk: The Lola Mini-Zip Pouch (retail value, $22.00)
• MiaMaria Designs: “Calavera” craft apron (retail value, $24)
• Michele Cook Designs: Copper & Blue bead earrings (retail value, $15)
• Cut Out & Collect: Japanese Linen Scooter Pouch (retail value, $15)
• Freeforged Jewelry: Ionic-Sterling silver molecule post earrings (retail value, $16)
• Starrydance: Lucky Cat necklace (retail value, $12.00)
• Designing-Diva: Pink Fused Glass Guitar Pendant (retail value, $25.00)
Link
To enter: Go to http://www.funkyfinds.blogspot.com/
Then, visit the Jingle Bash Vendor shops listed on the Etsy Dallas blog and choose something you think would be a great gift for someone on your holiday shopping list. Leave a comment THE FUNKY FIND'S POST noting the item you have chosen. A winner will be randomly selected & announced on Saturday, November 22. The winner must live in the continental U.S. and must provide a mailing address upon winning.

Good Luck!

Etsy Dallas
by Pamela/Pamela Michelle

Jingle Bash Music!

Etsy Dallas is proud to announce the Jingle Bash music crew:

Nathan Jones is a seasoned musician playing in bands since 1997 going across the board with genres and instruments. He is now going towards uncharted territory as a solo artist hoping to bring his life lessons and history to the ears of many.

Mc Bammer is our karaoke specialist from 8-10pm in the upstairs ballroom. Bammer is an artist, photographer, and my favorite: she loves to decorate cakes.

DJ Jappy X is the mix master extraordinaire, mixin' with the best of em! Let's get jiggy with him, because he is our second floor DJ. Word!

Love b.liscious/brenda

Meet the Jingle Bash Vendors!

We are a mere 5 days away from the 1st Annual Etsy Dallas Jingle Bash. Get your shopping shoes ready and check out our fabulous vendors below! Shop from these local artists November 22nd, 3pm-10pm at the Historic Sons of Hermann Hall in Deep Ellum.

In order as they appear above:
1. Lolafalk

In order as they appear above:
1. Nerdbomber
2. Sassy Hoops
3. Carmen Colletti
4. designcandie
5. Rat Trap Press
6. Pamela Michelle
7. Siennabelle
8. Cut Out & Collect
9. Pulp Reality
10. The Plaid Mushroom
11. Little Cookie
12. Alicia Colina-Ashby
13. XY Factory
14. Lena Marie Echelle
15. rhea-cycled
16. Kara Lennox

Make & Take Crafty Greatness

O come, all ye crafty!
Etsy Dallas Make & Take, Beer-B-Q May, 2008
Photo credit: KERA Art&Seek

Get your glue guns ready... Etsy Dallas is proud to announce that we'll have another fabulous Make & Take table at the upcoming Jingle Bash. Irving Girl Scout troop 1637 has volunteered to help the fearless crafters of Dallas partake in two organized crafts from 3-5 pm. Jingle Bash attendees will have the opportunity to decorate a glass ornament or bling up a ring with an endless supply of crafty bits and sparkles, all for FREE!

Please consider helping the community while you craft! Our favorite Girl Scout troop will be collecting non-perishable food items for their holiday food drive, so please bring a few cans of food to help them exceed their goal! Etsy Dallas will match food donations with a cash donation, so come get your craft on and help the needy in our community.

Food drive benefits Irving Cares' food pantry.

posted by Carrie of Atom-In

Many Thanks to our EDers!

While the leadership team works tirelessley to get the Jingle Bash underway, our vendors are also doing what they can to make sure this event is the super-duperest it can be. Our hats off to the following:

Thank you Cheyne of Cut Out & Collect for creating a Facebook event for our 1st Annual Etsy Dallas Jingle Bash! Be sure to add this event to your calendar and tell all your friends: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=32906553385

Thank you to Kara Lennox, Regina of Little Cookie, and Tamara of TP Design for serving on our Jingle Bash application jury. You ladies rock!

Thank you to Alicia Colina-Ashby and Tamara of TP Design for serving on our Decorating Squad. We can't wait to be blinded by your tinsel!

Thank you to the Leadership Team for putting this craft party together: Pam of Pamela Michelle, Stephanie of Tefi Designs, Randi the Designing Diva, Carrie of Atom-In, Brenda of B.Liscious, Larry the Kessler Craftsman, and Mandi of Scribbles.

Did we leave someone off? Oh my. Email us right away!

Early Press for the Jingle Bash

Thank you Pegasus News and UnFair Park for featuring the 1st Annual Etsy Dallas Jingle Bash. You guys rock!


Click here to read the post.


Click here to read the post.

Thanks also go out the Dallas Convention & Visitors Bureau and Hello Dallas for including us in their list of "must do" events. We'd love to have out-of-towners stop by the Bash and support Dallas artists and crafters!

2008 Jingle Bash: Featured Artists

We are super-duper excited to present you with the following Jingle Bash Featured Artists. Show some love; click on the following links and check out their Etsy shops! No time like the "present" to begin your holiday shopping...

Clockwise from top left:
Nerdbomber - wallets, bags, clutches
Bijoujuju - art pendants
Sassy Hoops - hula hoops for kids and adults
Tefi Designs - gemstone, wire, and felted jewelry
Going Coastal - beaded and hemp jewelry
Karma Crochet - knitwear and accessories
Alicia Colina-Ashby - recycled, repurposed housewares
Official Jingle Bash logo
Designing Diva - glassware, metal and glass jewelry
Pinkfairywand Creations - art pins, prints, candles
Pamela Michelle - art pendants and prints
Cut Out & Collect - bags, clutches, wallets
Freeforged - metalsmith jewelry
SugarLoveHoney - children's clothing and goods
Earth Essences - beaded jewelry
Official Etsy Dallas logo

posted by Stephanie of Tefi Designs

October Birthdays!



Happy Birthday to the following Etsy Dallas Members!

Catherine of Designs by Cathy - October 1st

Brenda of B.liscious - October 3rd

Misty of Retro Villain - October 6th

Ben of Squoog Design Studio - October 11th

Christina of Midnight Snack - October 15th

Jacky of Texas Tarts - October 17 th

Jennifer of Bead on a Wire - October 25th

Jenny of The Pig and the Peacock - October 25th

Amy of Kute Klipboards - October 27th

Post and video by Patricia of Karma Crochet

Member Spotlight: Cut Out & Collect



Cheyne of Cut Out & Collect sure knows how to put together fun graphic patterns and fabrics to create modern, kawaii-inspired wallets, bags, and clutches. How did she get into this crafty job? Says Cheyne's Etsy shop:

"Cut Out and Collect began as Cheyne Little's attempt to avoid graduate school, jobs involving fax machines, and other acceptable adult endeavors. When she's not behind a sewing machine, Cheyne can be found operating an espresso machine, playing with cameras, rollin' with her art peeps, conquering mountains of books, or planning her third trip around the world."

My favorite? The Scooter Pouch featuring zippy Vespas, stripes, and polka dots. Va-va-va-room!


Shop Cut Out & Collect online in her Etsy shop or in person at House of Dang!. And come see her at the upcoming Jingle Bash on November 22nd at the Sons of Hermann Hall!

posted by: Stephanie of Tefi Designs