sorry for the silence.

Things are moving right along for the move to Austin. So well, in fact, I've been neglecting my blogging responsibilities (for this site, indiana, it's over and indyvegans.com).

I returned from my last visit to Austin for Commodore Von Keepsie's Craftacular Music Carnivale & apartment hunting with a bit of a sunburn & complete confidence I was making the right choice. I found (and got approved for!) an apartment. I found my new favorite vegan dish. I got a chance to drive in Austin traffic for the first time (they're a little scary). I ran into 5 people during my 3 days in Austin. And the day I got back to work, I was introduced to a fella who represents a supplement company & is from Austin, who wants to help me find employment when I get to town! Could things be going any better?

Here are some awesome shots from my visit.

Commodore Von Keepsie's Craftacular Music Carnivale

Hot & Crunchy Avocado from the Mighty Cone

KimChi Fries from Chilantro BBQ

Hopdoddy Hempseed Burger

Potbelly Pig Friend

Lamps!

commodore von keepsie's craftacular music carnivale preview!

We'll be leaving in one short week for the 18-hour drive to Austin! I decided to give you a little preview of the items I'll have available for Commodore Von Keepsie's Craftacular Music Carnivale! (Did you RSVP yet? You really should! There's even going to be a 20 ft party robot!)

Looks like temperatures are going to be in the 80's and mostly sunny during the craft fair, but I'm still bringing my new leg warmers! It still gets cold at night, right? And what goes better with a pair of cute flats & a short skirt?

 

I will also be bringing a variety of colors & sizes of vintage inspired headbands. These headbands are knit in two colors, and fastened with a button & elastic at the base of your head. 

This might be my favorite. Flower clips. Hand-crafted flowers made out of old magazines, story-books, or how-to guides. These flowers have been sealed with clear gloss to give them extra stability, then attached to an alligator clip. They ARE still made out of paper, so being delicate & keeping them out of water is crucial!

I'm excited to vend my first craft fair in Austin - I hope it's the first of many!

crafty supermarket wrap-up

What a crazy day! Waking up at 7am is no good for me.  After slicing through the thickest fog I have EVER seen, we made it to Cincinnati around 10am.  Walking in, there was a line already at the front door.  It just kept getting longer and longer, and by the time it was time to open, it wrapped around the front of the building!

Mamus had a great day! It was his first time being able to take credit cards, thanks to Square, and it nearly doubled his sales. (We thank Sunday Afternoon Housewife for that tip!) The whole event had a great vibe about it. I think Crafty Supermarket is one of the best, most exciting, eclectic craft fairs I've ever been to. 

I successfully purchased most items I set out to purchase, along with one bonus item for a baby shower gift!

Here's my loot:

From top left down:
1. Colette Paperie - http://www.colettepaperie.com/ - calendar & mini-journal
2. Owlette Collective - http://www.etsy.com/shop/owlettecollective - bib
3. One Pearl Button - http://www.onepearlbutton.com/ - postcard set
4. MorningLori - http://themorninglorivine.typepad.com/ - Petit, Caleb
5. The Littlest Bean - http://www.littlestbean.com/ - Barrettes

You'll notice the shoes are missing: one day....

Happy Monday! Hope you enjoy a short week thanks to Thanksgiving. (I sure don't get one, so enjoy it for me, too!)

Things I will buy at Crafty Supermarket

Tomorrow is the day! Crafty Supermarket in Cincinnati!

I am lucky enough (well, that's all relative) to NOT be vending. I also am NOT working while in town, like I did during the Bloomington Handmade Market. I have plans to eat at Melt with my dear friend Greg Beale, help Mamus sell out of holiday ornaments & teeth, and buy stuff. Lots and lots of stuff. Well, hopefully not too much (I am trying to save money for school, you know).  Here's a run down of what I plan (hope) to buy! 

1.  MorningLori Petit

 

I got my first plush from MorningLori (Lori Brown) last Christmas, and it's time to add another friend (or two).  According to her blog, she has a "heap of new plush" she's bringing. I better go see her first thing so I get best choice.

2.  Colette Paperie Calendar

No matter how terrible I am at using them, I love collecting calendars. This will be my first 2011 calendar purchase - and will be completely unlike your typical calendar or organizer!

 

 

 

 

3. Smartfish Shoes

I love these shoes. Everything about them is perfect.  Shoes made using sustainable and local materials, without the use of any adhesives, and 100% vegan. It is not the season for flats, but I may have to take the plunge.

4.  Hair Barrettes by The Littlest Bean

I have been in dire need of new hair barrettes for quite a while now. My hair hasn't been this long in over 15 years, and I can't wear it up in a ponytail any longer (too cold!).  These are cute & colorful, and my favorite kind of clip! Having thick hair really limits my choice in barrettes.

5.  Polaroids by One Pearl Button

I've been following this Alli's blog since last time we were in Cincinnati for Crafty Supermarket. This will be her first craft show, and I hope to help her have a positive experience. I have a certain special friend that loves polaroids & can't wait to see what surprise I can pick up for her from Alli.

Feel free to holler at me if you're there, I'll probably buy something from you too!

fifteenth

bloomington handmade market has now come and gone. there was a pretty nice turnout & a nice selection of products/artists - overall pretty successful for a first time craft show/fair. i didn't do as well as i had hoped, but still good!

here are a couple of shots of our "booth":





it was crazy sunny in there the first half of the day - probably the first day in a few months that i got my fill of vitamin d!


my poor scarves didn't sell as well as i had thought they would. but i've come to somewhat of a conclusion based on comments & whispers that i've heard - everyone believes a hand knit scarf is something that they can make themselves. james suggested that my knitting is "too good" and doesn't look hand knit (awww, isn't he sweet) so people are not so inclined to purchase such an item.

regardless, since most of my knitting patterns are based upon my own designs, i think having a pattern (or small pattern book?!?) available for sale may be the way to go. maybe even a kit...

james had tons of success with his monster balls:




aside from the fair itself, my car was trying to overheat the whole way down there - but we made it. we unfortunately drank some terrible coffee but then made up for it with some super delicious coffee (from stefanos cafe! we met some super nice people. some lovely friends drove down to meet us and eat fried pickles & greek food. and on the way home we stopped to get a thin mint blizzard!

next up, holiday hoopla - indieana handicraft exchange mini on friday, december 4th @ the chatham center. i'll basically be selling monster balls for james, a few scarves, and perhaps some of my own holiday items (handmade stockings? knit ornaments?). should be fun fun fun - terrible sleep pattern time in full effect!