For your viewing (and planning) pleasure, here’s a list of all our awesome participating vendors.
Thanks to all of these talented local artists and crafters for making the Craftoberfest lineup one to be reckoned with!
It’s because I’ve got…AMNESIA!
…That’s why I haven’t blogged for a bit. Honest. But luckily, while I’ve been recovering from apparent head trauma and the scourge of not being able to remember my WordPress password, I’ve been organizing…A CRAFT SHOW.
<super dramatic close-up and pause>
Yes, I know. Oh, and also, I would like this blog to read like a soap opera from now on. And so would MY SECRET SIAMESE TWIN.
<melodramatic music>
So, uh, yeah. THIS.
And more details…
That is all. I have to go do my flashcards now. The doctor says they help.
C.
Upcoming Show: August 18
Mark your calendars, STL friends! The last 2012 installment of the Soulard Arts & Crafts Show is coming up in less than 2 weeks, and you will definitely want to be there! This is the perfect opportunity to catch that lovely Beth of Parsimonia and her adorable vintage-packed trailer, Holly! I will also be there, of course, sharing a booth space with the awesome Beqi Clothing. Come one, come all!
Modern Heirlooms + Forgotten Dresses
Yeah, hi. It’s Monday.
Fresh off the weekend, I’d like to show off a new place I discovered in St. Louis, and I am really excited about it! It’s no secret that Cherokee Street is home to many an antique store. It’s also no secret that I am there all. the. time. That being said, I am SO giddy to see this place opening up for business:
It’s called The Heirloom Room, and I dropped in to check it out on Saturday – which happened to be their first day open. And let me just tell you, it is amazing. Lots of gorgeous, fine old things, right alongside salvaged farmhouse goodies and industrial whats-its. Exceptionally well-curated, the Heirloom Room is poised to bring antiques – and Cherokee Antique Row – into the modern era. I love it!
You wanna know what’s even more exciting? You can soon find Fable & Lore at The Heirloom Room! I am so stoked about this, you guys. I’m honored to be part of such an awesome shop – and it’s my first presence on Cherokee Street! Ahh, I feel like I’m home. Go check them out…you won’t be sorry.
Now, here’s the part of the post where I show you some things I wore for no reason. That’s what blogs are for, right? I recently started digging through my closet a little more ferociously and made myself wear two dresses that I’ve been needlessly ignoring for some time. I get in ruts pretty easily…it’s been breezy tees and $2 jean shorts from Goodwill all summer. Which is awesome, but sometimes you need a change.
First, this rust-colored crochet collar dress:
I put a blush-colored skirt over this dress for an interesting twist. I kinda liked it.
Outfit Details:
Dress: Asos (last fall)
Blush Skirt: H&M (last summer)
Red Mary-Janes: Miz Mooz
Brass Ball Necklace: Mine!
And yeah, so…yeah. Here’s another dress I rescued from the back of my closet and turned it into an adorable outfit I’ve since worn again:
Outfit Details:
Pale Aqua Tee: Urban Outfitters
Dress: H&M (last summer)
Wedges: Dolce Vita for Target (last summer)
Necklace: Mine!
Sometimes, I hate belts…but I want something to define my “waist”, if you even want to call it that. So, I layered a featherweight t-shirt over this crazy-floaty dress, then tied it in a knot. Voila! Instant definition, and no more cold shoulders. Life is all about the little victories, right?
Stuff I Dig
Yep, that clever title pretty much says it all. What can I say, I haven’t finished my coffee yet. So without further ado…
STUFF I DIG.
Yesterday, while the hubs and I were getting some work done at the Mud House, I snuck over to Retro 101 on Cherokee Street and found these FABULOUS vintage necklaces. You know you’re jealous.
I can’t help thinking that the one on the left looks like the biohazard symbol. But…maybe that’s even cooler? One of the shop ladies at Retro 101 fashioned it out of parts from a vintage belt. Smart move, because now it’s mine. And even better? They packaged them up for me in these adorable little wax paper bags. GOD, I love wax paper. It’s so….crinkly. And everyone knows there’s nothing better than paper baggies with a robust, audible crinkle.
I mean, seriously. How can you not love this? They look like little treats. Mmm, delicious. I’m thinking I need to snag some of these bags for the shop.
I also stocked up on my favorite at-home spa treatment: these fabulous face masks from Forever21 (believe it or not.)
I’ve been buying these for a while and boy, do they make my skin look refreshed and happy…if not a little creepy while I have it on. But hey, that’s the price of beauty.
Now, this next one comes with a warning.
While on a massive shopping trip at Trader Joe’s this weekend, I stumbled upon a promising little box of treats. They are called High Brow Chocolate Chip Cookies.
And they will steal your soul.
Don’t say I didn’t warn you. I’ll leave it at that.
And finally, I just want to share my relief at having found something to do with the extra wood pallet that was taking up space in my crafty work room. I simply turned it around and decided to use it as a shelf for small supplies. This ain’t no Pinterest project…no sir. I am all about the low hanging fruit.
Speaking of my work room, my dog Sputnik has been following me in there lately. Yesterday as I snapped some product shots, he installed himself under the desk and I forgot about him.
When I was done, I took a shower. Got dressed. Did some stuff. About an hour had passed when my husband asked me in a panicked voice, “WHERE’S Sputnik?” Ahhh yes. I remember…
I opened the door to my work room and Voila, there was Sputnik, smiling, quietly waiting to be discovered and released. That naughty dog.
Big Fat Show Recap – Indie Craft Revolution!
Why yes, I DO have a blog! Now I remember!
Sometimes (always) before a craft show, I get a wee bit (completely, utterly, totally) tunnel-visioned and forget to blog. Don’t feel bad…I also forget to do other things, like feed myself. And call my mom. And it’s not even like I’m all that productive. (Sigh.)
Anyway, this weekend I was lucky to participate in the always-amazing Indie Craft Revolution show, and it was a helluva good time. Thank you to everybody who made it out to the show! It was fantastic to meet so many of you. (I’m afraid the only proof I was there is this not-so-great pic of my set-up.)
The venue this year was Mad Art Gallery in historic Soulard, which is a very cool event space converted from a very old police station – complete with a row of cell blocks in peeling mint green paint, doing a very good job in their new roles as…pantries. Yep. It’s surreal. The only thing doing time here now is a slew of dishes, utensils, canned goods and other foodstuffs. (WHY didn’t I get a picture??)
It’s safe to say I had a blast, and it was great to meet so many new people and make new friends! I always feel so impressed and humbled when I see so much talent and awesomeness. Some of my favorite things from the weekend:
My new pint-sized friend Robin from The Fancy Lamb, and her AH-MAZ-ING vintage book journals.
I don’t know which is cuter: this girl or her sweet reinvented vintage books. She chooses each book with a careful eye (only the reallllly, really good ones) and then transforms them into these amazing little journals. (Refillable!) After much deliberation, here’s the one I snagged:
This journal is perfect for jotting ideas and making lists, but here’s why it’s even MORE perfect: When I make to-do lists, I always write down the stuff I’ve already done that day, just so I can have the pleasure of crossing them off. Playback! It’s perfect. Oh, I love it. I also love that a few of the original book pages are included in the front. So much character!
And, if I didn’t have a ban on bringing home any more stuffed things, I just might have scooped up one of these cuties from Lets Be Friends. I love the colors, prints and shapes she uses…and each one is different!
Adorable stuffed forest creatures from Lets Be Friends
Though everything was amazing, quite possibly my favorite thing at ICR was THIS:
Do you see that? THAT is a mobile vintage shop. In a fantastically rehabbed trailer. Let me take a moment…
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ok. And the best part? I was SO excited to see that the trailer belonged to none other than the lovely Beth Styles of the vintage shop Parsimonia. I met Beth at a show over the holidays and chatted her up while ogling her expertly curated vintage goodies, so I was thrilled to see her taking her amazing business to the next level with her new mobile concept. So awesome! I mean, LOOK at this.
Inspiring retro glassware at Parsimonia
Clothes and luggage galore…
And of course, Parsimonia’s lovely Beth. I was totally being a creepy creeper, drooling all over her wares and sticking around like a bad habit. I think she understood though. She’s very, very nice.
And last but not least, here’s a few of my awesomely talented crafty friends doing what they do best.
Melissa of Villa Design and her gorgeous lampwork jewelry
Beqi of Beqi Clothing, workin’ hard and bein’ saucy.
Lauren of Made By Lauren B. and her awesome tattoo inspired art prints, along with Katherine from Happy Solez
To finish off the show with a bang, my adorable husband brought me flowers for no reason. It is safe to say I had the best weekend ever.
Yay!
A little sneak peek…
In preparation for Indie Craft Revolution next weekend, I’ve been crouched over my work table doing stuff like:
Painting vintage wooden game pieces for new earrings…
And making a LOT of pom poms.
These will be used for various things. (Necklaces, hair clips, stemmed bunches, oh my!)
…and there’s more stuff to come. It’s gonna be a good show.
This and That…
After the amazing (and busy!) Etsy sale at CAM on Thursday night, I’ve taken some time to chill a little bit. Craft shows can really take it out of you! (I know that sentence sounds absurd, but just roll with me here.) Here are some of the little things I’ve been enjoying the past several days:
New (to me) accessories scored at Avalon Exchange this weekend. Look at that scarf! $3! And that necklace, which I’m pretty sure I saw at Anthropologie a while back, was just $9. Happy camper.
A dorky picture of me sporting said necklace and scarf…as a belt! Hey, I am so clever.
Homemade mango yogurt smoothie. Just blend yogurt (I use low-fat organic vanilla…but not fat free…yuck!), TJ’s frozen mango, and a splash of soymilk. Voila! Most delicious smoothie on Earth.
And our dinner last night…
Ek’s version of the classic French dish, Sole Meuniere, which we had to make after watching Julie & Julia a while back. Fresh lightly breaded sole, fresh lemon, fresh parsley, and a ton of butter. Um, delicious.
And, of course, the Mud House. Yesterday they were hanging this deer…and at one point had everyone in the shop jovially arguing over how high to put him. Headed there this morning to get some work done…I will be sure to report back to you on the deer’s final position. I, for one, could barely sleep last night. 
Upcoming show this Thursday at CAM!
Don’t forget…this Thursday night is the hip and happenin’ Homegrown Etsy Sale at the fabulous Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis. Drinks, KDHX tunes, and a whole lotta indie handmade goodness!
Ooh, and I’ll be debuting my new string pendant lamps, as well as brand new necklaces, earrings, and headbands! Keepin’ it fresh and funky. That’s how I roll.
RSVP on the Facebook event page (if you feel like it) and spread the word!
