12 Interesting ways to color/paint/dye Easter eggs!

Since Easter is soon upon us, I've been seeing lots of articles and postings recently about natural egg dyeing (using vegetables or spices). Don't think I'll get to trying that this year with my little guy, but I wanted to share this blog post @DotatDabbled (dabbled dot org blog) that I came across:
Easter Eggs: 12 Interesting ways to color/paint/dye them!
"Another Flickr Roundup for you, this time it's Ways to Dye Your Easter Eggs... come on, you weren't going to just go use a kit, were you? From cabbage to duct tape, we have lots of cool ideas for making your eggs memorable. Some complicated, some easy and kid-friendly!"

Check out the newspaper transfers! (#10 in the grid/list), plus she has a ton of links to how-to's and info.

Austin Handmade Market with Etsy Austin is Saturday Feb. 21st

Austin Handmade is hosting the upcoming Austin Handmade Market with Etsy Austin this Saturday (Feb. 21) from noon to 6pm at their location 507 W. Mary (South 1st and Mary) This will be an outdoor market offering goods created exclusively by Austin area artists and makers of things!

Austin Handmade Parking Lot
507 West Mary St. (corner of South 1st & Mary Street)
Austin 78704
512-383-9333

Ike Needs Help...

Austin mama Kari Anne Roy's (Haiku Mama)(blog)son Ike needs help!
Rachel wrote: "By now, many of you have heard about Baby Ike here in Austin who is currently in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit at Dell Children's Hospital, sedated, on paralytic medications and recovering from an operation in which he received a tracheostomy. Ike's mom, Kari Anne Roy, is a brilliantly hilarious writer and a beloved member of the Austin community. She and her sweet family (husband, Steven , Maker-in-the-making son, Sam, and tenaciously adorable daughter, Georgia) have been put through the ringer this year. You can read their full story on the Ike-a-saurus web site, and be sure to check out how the "Ike-a-saurus " name came to be."
Crafter Susan Beal (Susan Stars) is generously donating all her etsy proceeds, and Rachel has suggested five ways that we can help as crafters and craft-buyers.

For more info:
Rachel's post
the Ikeasaurus site (Twitter feed)
Facebook group for Ikeasaurus

This entire project is being run on a volunteer basis and on donations of good, services, and space. Please do what you can to help Ike and his family. And give your own kiddos a squeeze.

My Book, and Love Notes From The Universe

Some fave things I'd like to share with you:
My friends Bernadette and Carrie at Slow Family Living have created My Book, one year's worth of pages that begin when you begin - on any day of the year:
"A day book, a journal, a list of gratitudes, to-dos and intentions, a place for you to put your insights, feelings, and your wishes, wants and dreams, and a tool for transforming your life, all in a completely succinct and welcoming format. The prompts are given and the space is there for you to fill in, make My Book a habit you will love and look forward to and get started on living life the way you want to live it... once you begin, it will quickly and simply become a part of your daily practice, thereby changing the way you begin, or even end, each day."
I really enjoyed Carrie's Your Best Year Yet workshop (based on this book) and am using My Book as one of my tools to keep on track...

Also, sweet Kiera is offering lovely handcrafted Love Notes From The Universe and books made specifically for that person you want to send a little extra love to!

Happy Valentine's Day to You! xox Jen

Pre-Vday Party at Austin Handmade's New Retail Location

My friends at Austin Handmade, a gallery-retail space devoted to Austin creators of things, are hosting a Pre-Vday Celebration at their location 507 W. Mary (South 1st and Mary) for those who enjoy free Music, free Wine, Hanging Out and New Items In The Store!

Musical Performances by: Kristi Rae & Paula Jean Brown (formerly of the Go-Go's and Belinda Carlisle co-writer)
*Free Wine from local Wineries
*Hours of operation on this day will extend to 9pm!
*Vday Gifts for your loved ones
*E: info@austinhandmade.com

Austin Craft Mafia in Southern Living Magazine

The Austin Craft Mafia had a nice featured spread in the January issue of Southern Living Magazine! We were interviewed at Craft-o-Rama, and appear in the regional Texas Living section.

Re-usable Oilcloth Lunch Sacks on SALE!

I have just listed some cute handmade, durable and re-usable oilcloth lunch sacks at a special price (limited time!) $14 $10! Save some money, pack a yummy health lunch. (More prints coming as I finish sewing them...) Link

Save Handmade Toys

From Cool Mom Picks:
"We're all for strengthening the safety standards of mass-produced toys, clothes, and accessories made in China, and banning toxins like phthalates and lead. But this year, congress passed the ill-conceived Consumer Products Safety Improvement Act, a law which goes into effect in two months and will absolutely decimate the small toy manufacturers, independent artisans, and crafters who have already earned the public trust. The very same ones that we often feature here and in our yearly special edition gift guides.

With this act going into effect February 10 2009 so many people we love will be affected: Moms who sew beautiful handmade waldorf dolls out of home, artists who have spent decades hand-carving trucks and cars out of natural woods, that guy at the craft show who sold you the cute handmade puzzle--even larger US companies who employ local workers and have not once had any sort of safety issue will no longer be able to sell their goods. Not without investing tens of thousands of dollars into third-party testing and labeling, just to prove that toys that never had a single toxic chemical in them still don't have a single toxic chemical in them."

Link to resources and info, including a sample letter to send to your congress person and senators

FREE Santa (or Tx Jackalope!) Photo Op at Blue Genie Bazaar Sat Dec 13th and Sun Dec 14th

Santa will be at the Blue Genie Art Bazaar Sat Dec 13th & Sun Dec 14th from 10am to noon! Also, Blue Genie's very cool Texas Jackalope (from First Night) will be there. Bring your camera, the photo op is FREE (they are accepting optional donations for a Travis County Children's Advocacy organization, but it's not mandatory to pay) as is the event, featuring handmade fine art and crafts from 100+ local artists and artisans, running for 22 consecutive days.

The 8th Annual Blue Genie Art Bazaar is at the Monarch Event Center in Lincoln Village, in the same strip center as Radijazz (R.I.P.) For more info. see here: www.bluegenieart.com
(Phone at Monarch: (512) 371-1711)

Vickie's B-Day Bash Craft Book Giveaway!

My friend (and fellow Austin Craft Mafia member) Vickie is doing a HUGE giveaway contest for her birthday (today) including all kinds of different craft books including, jewelry, embroidery, sewing, home decor, etc. Here's the link:
http://vickiehowell.blogspot.com/2008/11/birthday-bash-book-giveaway-35-for-my.html

She has a copy of 35 of Lark Books' best-selling craft titles to give away!

Go to her blog for details and deadline info.

Happy birthday Vickie!
xoxo jna

AustinHandmade.com

I am now selling a few items on the Austin Handmade site as well, they just launched in October and represent a "collection of Austin's finest creative minds from couture to visual art. We offer affordable, well-crafted, unique items all handmade by Austin area artists.

Our products range from limited edition designer toys to one-of-a-kind assemblage art. We also offer custom jewelry, handbags, stationery & clothing."

Very cute site and nice folks, and I really enjoyed meeting the other artists and seeing their wares in person (the Thingamagoops are really cool).

East Austin Studio Tour Nov 22 & 23rd

The EAST tour is Saturday Nov 22 and Sunday Nov 23 from 10-5. I will be showing my work at location #6b, with Dana Younger.

If you've never been on the EAST tour, you really should check it out, it's always been one of my favorite events (this is the first year I have participated).

This year is the 7th year and there are over 200 artists participating this year at 150 studios and galleries, all within a few square miles east of I-35.

Wallets in etsy shop!

Have added some billfolds to my etsy shop.

Interview in dabbled.org blog

I just did a fun interview for the dabbled.org blog, talking about my work, things I love about austin, etc. Love her illustration work, especially the robots. Thanks, Dot!

The Fourth Annual AustinMamas Garage Sale-a-palooza

Hi Folks, I will be a part of this. So c'mon out and pass this on to friends who may be interested. I will be selling some maternity and baby/boy clothes, some baby stuff and toys, books, dishes, vintage lamps, etc. Whatever I can fit in the truck.

The Fourth Annual AustinMamas Garage Sale-a-palooza
Sunday November 2, 2008
11:00 am - 2:00 pm
Location: 909 W. Mary St. 78704 (where W.Mary x S.5th cross)
in front of Cafe Caffeine

Notes:
Join AustinMamas for the HUGE, 21-family garage sale-a-palooza. Vintage, toys, kid/baby gear, household... crap or treasure - you decide! Plus great coffee from Cafe Caffeine and wicked Thai food from Thai Fresh! Plus... AUSTINMAMAS. what's not to love?

Round three: Maker Faire ticket giveaway

As Yolanda has not responded and I have no way to reach her, a new winner was drawn 10/10/08: winner #6: elizabeth - 1 student ticket (she has confirmed).

Also, since Paul left no contact info and hasn't responded the 1 youth ticket has gone to another Elizabeth.

Maker's Faire tix going once, going twice...

We haven't heard back from Winner #4: Yolanda - 1 student (don't have yer email! Please contact me asap) OR Winner #5: Paul Hubner - one youth ticket (I don't have your email, please contact me if you want this ticket!)

C'mon guys, if I don't hear confirmation from y'all I will draw new names tomorrow morning. Thanks!

UPDATED: Maker Faire tickets winners!

Yoshi drew names from a bowl this morning. Two of the winners he drew (Yolanda, and Paul) didn't leave an email address and have no contact in their blogger profiles... so they have 24 hrs to contact me directly confirming they wants their tickets so I can send them pickup information. If I CAN contact you via email, I will send you a direct message ...

To recap, "I have 5 one day (October 18 or 19th) tickets up for grabs: 2 adult, 2 student (Students age 13-21, or with valid ID), and 1 youth (age 4-12). Kiddos 3 and under get in free and don't need tickets. The tickets are valid for the appropriate ages - meaning, adults can't use the youth tickets, etc."

• Winner #1: Stacey - 2 adult tickets (she has confirmed)
• Winner #2: Dr. Ruth - 1 youth ticket - she declined ticket, has already bought what she needed so it goes to the next name drawn...
• Winner #3: Jen - 1 student (she has confirmed)
• Winner #4: Yolanda - 1 student (don't have yer email! Please contact me asap)
• UPDATE: Winner #5: Paul Hubner - one youth ticket (I don't have your email, please contact me if you want this ticket!)

Note: If you are not going to use the tickets, let me know asap and I'll draw another name!

Once you winners email me back to confirm within 24 hours that you want 'em — or contact me, Yolanda and Paul :-) I'll give you the pick up details.
PLEASE CHECK YOUR JUNK / SPAM FOLDERS, if I haven't heard back from you confirming you still want your ticket(s) another name will be drawn!!

Thanks for playing, y'all.

New pins and barrettes in webstore

I have added some felt flower pins and barrettes. Also coming soon: vinyl pins and barrettes as well as kits!

2008 Annual Blue Genie Art Bazaar

8th Annual Blue Genie Art Bazaar is December 3rd thru the 24th!

The 2008 Eighth Annual Blue Genie Art Bazaar will again be held at the Monarch Events Center (in Lincoln Village) and will feature over 80 artists and artisans over 22 consecutive days.