people make the event

So a few weeks ago we drove down to Seattle for the summer Urban Craft Uprising in a big cadillac, blasting Elton John and Macklemore at Franklin's request. I haven't attended a craft show as a shopper in a long time and was a little uncertain about not participating as a vendor. Would I feel disappointed or jealous or bored? It is easy to get burnt out on any type of business event, to feel like you've seen it all or the trends are tiring or to feel it is too competitive and all the magic is gone.

But I walked around and marveled at all the talent and creativity and all the wonderful people I have met through the years. Mostly I chatted with my bellingham craft crew, but I was tickled how many people were sort of friends now or at least friendly neighbors at past shows. Somehow not participating as a vendor helped me see the real community and connections I have made. 

Rachel, Spincycle Yarns

Carey Lane, poetic bowl maker and sock monkey maven

Angela, Humperdink hats

Tripper Dungan, trippy painter

Jessica and Arlo (and magical baby), slow loris shirts

And believe it or not, they are opening applications for the winter Urban Craft in just one week. I feel refreshed and inspired and ready to go another round.

urban craft uprising (what I bought)

1.zipper bag with bear from adrienne vita.
2.slow loris hoodie for steeb
3.postcards and little notebook from jillian nickell.
4.wooden gemstone ring by bristorium. so folk art fabulous!
5.fancy lollipops by this charming candy.
6.small top for franklin. (we have a sailboat and covered wagon from tweet toys already)
7.salt from beautiful briny sea. one is honey and salt and the other is called french picnic and I can't wait to use them both. fancy salt makes really simple foods feel really fancy. and these folk are soooo nice.

In my next post I'll talk about how fun it was to be a shopper, visit with my favorite vendors and ride around the city in a big cadillac.

happy birthday to me and america

Taking the day off because not only is it a national holiday, it's my birthday. I was checking out one of my favorite blogs and saw this film is about a leather worker from the town where I was born. So perfect to share today. I love to watch these short videos about american craftspeople. Makes me feel very proud to be part of a longstanding tradition of independent makers.

Just lion about doing nothing but getting inspired.

I've been pushing hard to make something more with my business. All spring I studied and researched and did homework into the night. I got tired. I got a little cranky. I got spring fever. 

I gave myself permission to relax. Do nothing. Read fiction and catch up on tv and magazines. Eat hotdogs for dinner with no sides. Color on the sidewalk for hours.

And then, in that bit of empty space I finally made in my head, an idea slipped in. 

Somewhere between hearing my dad was just awarded Lion of the Year by his club and my bus ride to the studio this morning I imagined these pins. Daddy lions. Dandy lions. Lion of the Summer. Bursts of color and pride. Perfect for all the Leos in your life. Ambassadors of sunshine.

They came together so easily today that I knew I must be doing something right.

So here's to summer,
may we all have less cranky pushing and more slipping into inspiration.

Pick up your own burst on lion power at the farmer's market this saturday.
Or shop etsy right this very minute.

personality goes a long way

I have never sewn a dog before. I'm not a dog person. I once wrote a short story called "dog kick girl." But when a special request came in for a pug for one of my favorite customers, I couldn't resist. Personality goes a long way. (in customers and in critters.)

I used the same pin tuck technique I use on whales to create the amazing forehead wrinkles for these dogs.

  
Sometimes I get so wrapped up in stitching hats I forget that making weird animals is a super creative and fun part of my business. I took a break from hats and just sewed critters all week. Hats may be the bread and butter of moth and squirrel, but animals are the personality. And personality goes a long way.

Stop by the farmer's market tomorrow to see a few new faces and to stock up on baby whales.