Weekend Wrap-Up: SDICM

June 25, 2013June 25, 2013 | leftylex

It is over!!! The San Diego Indie Craft Market was the big to-do this weekend, and I’d like to report that it was a success. Whew, what a relief! And today, your’s truly (who usually wakes up at 5AM) slept in until 6:47AM… that’s almost 2 extra hours! I justified it as being my reward for a job well done at SDICM. That’s justifiable… right?

Let’s start at the beginning. The initial 30 minutes of vendors setting up for a craft show looks something like day 2 of Extreme Home Makeover. You know, the demolition has already been done and a slew of contractors and laborers are running every which way with PVC pipe, wood beams, drywall, etc. Yes, that is almost exactly what initial set up of a fair looks like!

But instead of home building supplies and (generally) men, you have a flock of chicks running in and out of the building with tables, tablecloths, backdrops made of pegboard, wood, fencing, fabric, etc. And most importantly, their handmade lovelies! There is, of course, always the endearing (and no doubt begrudging) husband who assists his frantic wife during these crazy moments; my own husband was counted among these brave soldiers this time. Thanks, boys! The lucky husbands are free to leave once set-up is completed, but some poor souls get trapped into playing assistant during the entire fair. I was fortunate enough to have Momma Lex help me out once the fair craziness actually began. Thanks, Mom!

I was also fortunate enough to be back-to-back with my buddy Kate of Small and Great Crochet and Emily of Lovenote Crafts. Both of their booths were ridiculously adorable and I hate the fact that I was so busy that I couldn’t walk around the fair and take pictures as proof of just how amazing all of the booths looked. You’ll just have to take my word on it; I wouldn’t steer you wrong. Being next to Kate and Emily was lovely and I was genuinely so happy whenever I saw them make a sale. I did a cheesy dance and round of applause when I saw that Kate made a pretty big sale to a family who purchased a few of her items, including an adorable crochet octopus (the mom had a half-sleeve octopus tatoo)!

I did have a few beefs with the venue; namely, my booth space was so incredibly dark that you really could not see the colors of my embroidered pretties. (The photos above have been heavily brightened.) This killed me! I take painstakingly care over selecting just the right shade of a particular color when creating a piece, so the fact that all 6 shades of purple on an ombre hoop looked like only one shade of purple was extremely frustrating. I was not happy. The closer a customer stood to my display, the greater their cast shadow became. It was torture. And I’m sure my mom was tired of hearing me complain about it.

Overall, the highlight of my day was definitely meeting my fellow vendors. I absolutely love meeting other creative souls, and I hope to play vendor again with these lovely ladies… and soon! It almost felt like the first day of school when you walk into your classroom and look at a sea of faces; some familiar, some unfamiliar but all friendly. I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again: all craft fairs should close their doors to the public and remain open for vendors to shop (or swap) each other’s booths for at least 20 minutes. I was so sad that I was not able to experience all of the handmade goodness that was created by all of the SDICM vendors. All the more reason for the second round of the San Diego Indie Craft Market to come along very soon!

SDICM Final Push!

June 22, 2013 | leftylex

With the San Diego Indie Craft Market just 2 short days away, the final push has come upon us! And while I feel surprisingly calm (this time around), I have read several nervous FB posts, Tweets, and Insta-posts from my fellow vendors. I cannot figure out (for the life of me) why some of these extremely talented ladies have butterflies! The crafts(wo)manship of this fair is going to be phenomenal! Several vendors and I have agreed that we need to have our own vendor swap after the customers leave… I have already eyed about 10 lovelies that I would kill for!

L to R: Stitched. desk, Two Shabby Sisters armoire, Two Shabby Sisters wooden signs

L to R: Jill’s Eclectic Designs, Vaux Swift Jewelry, Small and Great Crochet

Top to Bottom: JustPeachyKeen, Lovenote Crafts

Are you dying of cuteness yet? I am! Giddy anticipation is now greatly increasing in my belly. I am so excited to see all of these pretties in person! I hope you all enjoy your evening, it looks like I still have my work cut out for me. Happy Friday!

SDICM Vendor: Wyng’d Lyon Creations

June 20, 2013 | leftylex

Today is the final day of the San Diego Indie Craft Market vendor highlights. Are you sad? I’ve had so much fun meeting the other talented women that I will be selling alongside with. And today is no exception, so without further delay, let’s meet our final vendor, Wyng’d Lyon Creations.

Please introduce yourself to the good people! My name is Colleen and I’m the owner of Wyng’d Lyon Creations. I started sewing at the age of 7 and haven’t stopped since. Wyng’d Lyon has been my creative outlet to the public for over 12 years now and my creations vary from simple doll clothing to elaborate Halloween and Victorian costumes. I also I like to dabble in the world of painting, wood burning, needle work and other various arts and crafts. My business has taken over so much of my home, I actually took a leap of faith and moved my entire operation to an off site space where I do all my sewing and meet with clients by appointment. In addition to my creative process, I also carry handmade art and other creations from some close friends.

And what type of treasures do you make? A little bit of everything. Though, mostly I make men’s Steampunk clothing and accessories, apothecary bottles, wood burned and painted boxes, and whatever other works of art my brain comes up with.

What are your favorite materials of choice and what do you like to create with them? My favorite material would be fabric, mostly natural fibers, like silk, cotton, linen as well and working with various brocades.History is my biggest influence and inspiration for creating things. I love the time and artisan work that is put into things in the past and their general durability and craftsmanship.

Care to show us your five favorite creations?

1.) Mina dress (not for sale), 2.) men’s vests, 3.) decorated boxes, 4). apothecary bottles, and 5.) Day of the Dead skull.

And lastly, where can the good people find you online?

Website: http://wyngdlyon.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WyngdLyonCreations
Twitter: https://twitter.com/wynglyncreation
Blog: http://blog.wyngdlyon.com

Stop by this Sunday’s San Diego Indie Craft Market (info here: https://www.facebook.com/SDIndieCraftMarket) and say hello to Colleen! You can also visit Wyng’d Lyon’s Etsy shop by clicking here: http://www.etsy.com/shop/wyngdlyon. And don’t forget the importance of buying handmade!

SDICM Vendor: Two Shabby Sisters

June 20, 2013 | leftylex

I’m going to be completely honest and tell you that I have a major design crush on today’s SDICM vendor. I guarantee that you will become admirers too, just take a look at their lovelies! We’re dealing with a dynamic duo today, Two Shabby Sisters!

Please tell us who you are and what you do? We are Jennifer Ciani and Morgan Olinger, best friends (more like ‘sisters’), military wives and stay-at-home mommies, who share the same passion for giving new life to old vintage furniture finds and creating unique shabby chic home decor.

What types of lovelies do you make? A little bit of everything! We started our company out refinishing and repuropsing vintage furniture and giving it new life but have now expanded to offer a variety of products, from hand painted custom signs to hand sewn burp cloths, diaper cakes, lampshades, message/ memo boards, picture frames… You name it, we probably make it! Not only do they “make” it, they make it extremely well, I want to live in a world of their creations!

Since you are so diverse do you still have a single favorite material? We solely use chalk paint on all of our hand painted products and furniture pieces. We love choosing materials that are natural and eco-friendly.

So what and/or who is the inspiration behind your creativity? Jennifer: My inspiration first and foremost comes from my great-grandfather, who from as far back as I can remember pushed me to follow my creativity. As a young man, he landed a job as a window display artist for Sears department store, along with hand painting signs for their store displays. He had to leave his career to serve in WWII, but eventually returned to the job that he loved. He instilled in me that nothing can come between you and the passion that you have to create. He pushed me to share my talent with the ‘world’. My second inspiration is my grandmother, who is now 84 and still full of life and creativity! She noticed my creativity from a young age and encouraged me to create. She took me to countless craft and street fairs as a little girl. It was my dream to one day be one of those “crafty ladies” with my own booth! And lastly, the biggest inspiration in my life is my Mother. She not only was my biggest cheerleader, she taught me everything that I know. She kept a spotless ‘model home’ worthy house, she could sew just about anything and juggled raising two children while running a business from home. She did it all. Unfortunately, I lost my mother to lung cancer in late 2011 while I was pregnant with my Daughter. It is because of her guidance, encouragement and example that I have followed my dreams!

Morgan: My inspiration comes my grandfather and grandmother. As a child, I grew up watching my grandmother sew and create crafts for her church craft fairs. My mother is another huge inspiration to me, watching her re-create old “junk” into one of a kind treasures thanks to all of my dad’s FREE ally scores! As he says, “The only trash there is, is something that the earth can absorb. Everything else can be recycled into something new.” Creativity runs in my blood!

It’s obvious that both of these ladies were born into families that fostered and championed their creativity. And even as an outsider, I’m confident that their families must be so proud of their talents and willingness to put that creativity to use!

Back to the topic at hand. Would you like to share your five favorite products with us?

And finally, where can the good people find you on social media, Etsy, and other sites?

Blog: TwoShabbySisters.blogspot.com

Etsy: Etsy.com/shop/TwoShabbySistersShop (coming soon!)

Facebook: Facebook.com/TwoShabbySisters

Email: TwoShabbySisters@gmail.com

Instagram: @TwoShabbySisters

Needless to say, I’m a giant fan of Two Shabby Sisters and hope that you now are too. Make sure to stop by the San Diego Indie Craft Market on 6/23 and say hello to Jennifer and Morgan! Click here for info: https://www.facebook.com/events/366212010146804/?fref=ts. If you follow them on Instagram you’ll get a sneak peak of the goodies that will be accompanying them to the SDICM!

(And just because I seriously cannot help myself, here are two more adorable Two Shabby Sisters creations!)

SDICM Vendor: Lefty Lex Creations

June 19, 2013June 22, 2013 | leftylex

Yup, I am now going to highlight myself! Those of you who are regulars to the blog already know about me, but those of you who are are new-comers around here are not yet so familiar. So allow me to introduce myself.

Who I am and why I do! I’m Alexcis and I’m the owner of Lefty Lex Creations. I became interested in handmade items about five years ago and began putting my 8th grade Home Ec sewing skills to use making baby quilts for friends. I loved the creative process and being able to give something that I had personally made, not store-bought, but had to put that creativity on hold for a few years while I completed grad school. Once graduation was over my poor brain was dying for a creative release and I became consumed with sewing, knitting, and (most recently and fervently) hand embroidery! Since then I have not been seen without some form of craft in my hand. I stitch whenever and wherever I possibly can; I’m obsessed!

What lovelies do I make? While I do occasionally sew and knit still, embroidery is my primary art form and embroidered hoop art is what I enjoy creating the most. Embroidered hoop art is an embroidered design, on a piece of fabric, that is affixed to a wooden embroidery hoop. Was that technical enough for you? Hoop art is basically decor; it can be wall decor or it can be placed in a plate holder to fancy up a shelf, desk, table, etc. I also like using the teeny tiny 3″ hoops as added flair when gift-wrapping presents!

Favorite tools of the trade? This is the thing that I love most about embroidery… the materials are so basic! My favorite embroidery supplies are small wooden hoops (never mind that plastic nonsense!), DMC embroidery floss, and quality solid, colored fabric. I have been drawn to muslin and lace lately but I typically love all the bright colors found in Robert Kauffman’s Quilter’s Tweed line. Love them!

What inspires me to create? Creating is first and foremost, an artistic release for me. There is nothing like picking up a needle and floss after being glued to a computer screen for 8 hours in the office! But my primary reason for selling my creations is to raise funds for my adoption! My husband and I are in the embarking upon an international adoption and it is going to cost around $32,000 to bring our little one home from China. So, I suppose, my true inspiration is create is parenthood; we are very anxious to become parents!

My five favorite creations.

1.) Talking heads: I adore these colorful silhouettes and have probably made many more than I will ever need (or sell)! I love their simplicity yet their boldness. 2.) Art Deco Randomness: I love the colors and whimsy of this piece. I just let the needle move where it wanted to and this was the final product! 3.) Bride & Groom hoops: I made my first set of these hoops for my brother and sister-in-law’s wedding but have sold quite a few pairs since then. They are fun little props to use at a bridal shower or on the big day itself. 4.) Happy Thoughts in Ombre: I used fly stitches and monochromatic color palettes to create lovely ombre effects in every color of the rainbow. If you’re looking for a certain color, it’ll be with me at the fair! 5.) Embroidered Lace Necklaces: I inherited yardage of vintage lace with stains throughout so the only logical solution was to cut it up into pieces and use them as necklaces! The designs are very simple but make a big impact.

And that’s me in a nutshell, folks! Feel free to follow me on social media at:

Blog: https://leftylex.com/
Vine: Lefty Lex
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LeftyLexCreations
Twitter: https://twitter.com/LeftyLexTweets
Instagram: @leftylex

You can also find my products on Etsy by clicking here:http://www.etsy.com/shop/LeftyLexCreations! And don’t forget to visit me this weekend at the San Diego Indie Craft Market. Just 5 short days! For more info click here: https://www.facebook.com/events/366212010146804/?fref=ts. I look forward to seeing you around!

SDICM Vendor: Lottie Hop

June 15, 2013 | leftylex

Happy Friday ,all! Today I have the pleasure of introducing you to another San Diego Indie Craft Market vendor who also happens to be the head of the San Diego Etsy Society, Brenna Hopkins! She is truly a gem! so! without further wait I give you our interview!

Please tell us a little about yourself! Hello, I’m Brenna Hopkins of Lottie Hop! I have always been an artist. When I was 5 I was drawing comics, when I was 11 I started making jewelry and sewing, and at 27 I taught myself to crochet. I love all types of crafting. I used to work in the food industry in a patisserie, but I am now a stay at home mom to my beautiful two year old daughter Charlotte.

You definitely have many talents! What types of pretties do you sell in your shop? I make what ever strikes me as fun and interesting to make. Right now I make jewelry and accessories using my extensive collection of antique and vintage buttons and sewing notions. I also make jewelry using vintage toys, prizes and charms, which is how I got my start in jewelry making when I was a kid. We didn’t have a lot of beads and jewelry making stuff, so I had to improvise with what I had laying around. I like to be resourceful with my crafting, it’s a habit that never went away. I also crochet toys using left over yarns from projects people never finished, or if they bought too much yarn, I grab it and make something of my own. I also make hats and head bands, and sometimes I take commissions for toys if someone has something specific in mind that inspires me.

What are your favorite items to create with? Antique and vintage buttons, especially very old mother of pearl buttons, black glass and jet buttons from the Victorian era, shoe buttons and mid century colorful plastics. I love crazy colored yarns from the 70’s. And I really like working with wire.

What types of items inspire most to create? At the moment I’ve been inspired by a book I bought that has all of Harper’s Bazaar’s clothing and jewelry adverts from the Victorian era in it. It’s really lovely. I am also inspired by music. My whole line of antique button jewelry I recently made was inspired by the album Ceremonials by Florence and the Machine.

And which of your five favorite creations have you decided to share with us? Gimball the baby octopus. My blue and green mis-matched button hair pins, the buttons don’t go together at all, but I love them. My grilled cheese earrings, they’re a new creation and they’re my favorite thing I’ve made so far right now. My grey mammoth earrings, they’re just fun. And lastly the pig with the top hat I made on commission for my friend Amy.

And where can the good people connect with you online?
Etsy: http://www.etsy.com/shop/LottieHop
Blog: http://www.lottiehop.com/l/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LottieHop

Please visit the San Diego Indie Craft Market on June 23rd to meet Brenna in person! More SDICM details can be found here: https://www.facebook.com/SDIndieCraftMarket?fref=ts. I promise that you will not be disappointed! Now rush through the remainder of your Friday and enjoy the weekend!

SDICM Vendor: LoveNote Crafts

June 13, 2013June 14, 2013 | leftylex

Today I am privileged to introduce you to a fabulous San Diego Indie Craft Market Vendor whom I love to Insta-stalk… Lovenotes Crafts!

Please introduce yourself to the good people! Hi, I’m Emily! I have a fun little shop called LoveNote Crafts where I sell my handmade hair accessories and paper whims. By day, I’m a counselor and by night I’m a crafter. So when I’m not in the office, spending time with friends, or taking care of my family of 4, you’ll find me squeezing in stitching, cutting, crocheting, and blogging in every nook and cranny of time I can find!

So what exactly are your favorite LoveNote Crafts to make? And what materials do you most enjoy working with? Hair clips, sweater clips, and fabric tape ‘n tags. I love working with wool felt—it’s so soft to the touch and easy to work with. Pretty floral cotton fabrics, whether they are vintage sheets or new on the bolt, really make my heart flutter. Roses represent hope and love to me so you’ll find plenty of them incorporated in to my items.

What inspires you to create your lovelies? After a long and productive day in the office, time spent hanging out with friends, or simply enjoying being at home with my family inspires me to sit down, relax, and create. The quiet of the late (oftentimes very late) evening and early morning is when I feel most creative. It’s a reward to myself, i.e., “good job today counselor- wife-mom-sister-daughter-friend!”. To me, these life roles are gifts so being able to sit down after a busy day and craft a bit is another blessing to be very thankful for.

Would you like to share your five favorite creations with us?

1.) Photo Garland Kit—great for displaying photos or notes (cute and functional too!) 2.) Cotton Hair Bows—perfect for the girly girls in all of us. 3.) Wool Felt Blooms—lovely in fun colors all year round. 4.) Sweater Clips/Collar Guards—so “Mad Men” and very feminine. 5.) Cotton Fabric Tape—cute way to dress up gifts or use while scrapping (this is where I get my floral fabric fix!) I cannot wait to see these fabric tapes in person, they look absolutely divine!!!

Lastly, Emily, where can the good people shop your products and keep up with you online? Please stop on by! It would be awesome to “see” you =)

Etsy: lovenotecrafts.etsy.com
Blog: lovenotecrafts.blogspot.com
Instagram: @lovenotecrafts

And, of course, don’t forget to visit Emily at the San Diego Indie Craft Market on June 23rd! Click here for details: https://www.facebook.com/SDIndieCraftMarket?fref=ts. She’d love to see you there… and so would I!

SDICM Vendor: Jill’s Eclectic Designs

June 12, 2013June 13, 2013 | leftylex

Good people, you are in for a superb treat today as we meet yet another fabulous San Diego Indie Craft Market vendor! I am pleased to introduce you to Jill’s Eclectic Designs.

Please tell us who you are and what you do! Hi there! My name is Jill, of Jill’s Eclectic Designs, and I am a mixed-media artist, a mother of a beautiful boy and a wife to an amazing Husband who is my biggest fan and supporter. I incorporate my uncommon view on the world in my art and I am passionate about creating pieces that are timeless and inspire others.

What would you consider your creative specialities? Jewelry, accessories and décor from “junk” and forgotten jewels that would otherwise end up in a landfill; a little *Sparkle* and a little *Rust*.

What are your favorite materials to work with? I love anything that is vintage and old and has a story behind it. Whether it’s an antique silver spoon, a broken vintage necklace to take apart and give new life to, a tattered belt that no longer functions for it’s intended purpose, a lonely chandelier crystal, or an old key that has long lost the lock it once belonged to-the more rust and patina the better!

What inspires you to create your lovely treasures? The old pieces I find are what actually inspire me the most. I love rummaging through thrift stores, flea markets, and estate/yard sales hunting for the pieces that speak to me and spark my creativity.

Would you like to share a few of your favorite lovelies with us? I have so many favorites it’s hard to choose! I love the bracelet made with my late Grandmother’s sewing tape and the bracelet made from my late Grandfather’s belt-they are very sentimental to me! I also adore the hand-forged “He Restores My Soul” heart necklace-that was created during a difficult time in my life and it’s a constant reminder to have faith no matter what life hands you. Amen!

Are you in love with Jill’s work yet? I know that I am! I cannot wait to mosey on over to her booth at the San Diego Indie Craft Market and see what all of this goodness looks like in person! I’m sure she’d love to see you there too, so mark your calendars for June 23rd… less than two weeks! More info here: https://www.facebook.com/SDIndieCraftMarket?fref=ts.

If you’re not in the SoCal area, then be sure to shop Jill’s Eclectic Designs at: www.etsy.com/JillsEclecticDesigns. And follow Jill on Facebook (www.facebook.com/Jills.Eclectic.Designs) and Instagram (@JillsEclecticDesigns) to keep up with her latest ongoings. Show this supremely talented lady some love!

SDICM Vendor: Vaux Swift Jewelry

June 11, 2013June 11, 2013 | leftylex

Let’s get back in the swing of things and meet another wonderful San Diego Indie Craft Market vendor… Vaux Swift Jewelery!

Hello there SDICM vendor! Please tell us who you are and a little about the fabulous shop you own. My name is Kerry Greenwood and my shop is called Vaux Swift Jewelry. I hand make beaded jewelry. I also make jewelry using metalsmithing techniques. Recently I have been hand dyeing muslin and turning it into baby swaddle blankets.

What are your design materials of choice? My favorite materials are semiprecious stones and interesting and unusual beads and chain. I am always looking for things I have never seen before. I love bright colors and interesting textures.

So what inspires you to create your masterpieces? I am inspired constantly by my environment, in my free time I am an amateur photographer so I am always exploring new and old places trying to see things I have overlooked. I am also very tactile, sometimes the feel and look of different materials will give me inspiration.

Would you like to share your five favorite pieces with us?
My little wire rings with geometric shapes are some of my new favorites, African chevron necklaces, faceted stone necklaces with drapery chain, super long dangly chain earrings, and my bright baby swaddles. (Quick interjection here! Are you seeing that chevron necklace? Gasp, it’s absolutely amazing!!!)

Aren’t these pieces wonderful?! A quick glance at http://vauxswift.storenvy.com/ made me want to start my Christmas list early!

Be sure to keep up with Kerry on social media at the following:

Instagram: @vauxswiftjewelry
Tumblr: http://vauxswiftjewelry.tumblr.com/
Facebook: Facebook.com/vauxswiftjewelry
Twitter: @Vaux_Swift
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/kerryg81/my-work/

If you’re in the SoCal area, remember to meet Kerry in person on June 23rd at the San Diego Indie Craft Market! Click the link for more details: https://www.facebook.com/SDIndieCraftMarket?fref=ts. And don’t forget to check out my earlier interviews with other fabulous SDICM vendors… these chicks have some serious talent!