Exciting Weekend Event--Sale from Parachute Clothing!

Happy Friday everyone! I hope your weekend plans include some handmade goodness. I have two events to share with you--one starting tomorrow and the second for the first week of June. First, ever shopped on Fab.com? It's a limited-run deal site that features design-y products from kitchen goods to original artwork. And frequently the site features handmade goods, vintages wares, and well-designed accessories. If you've never looked into the goods on Fab.com, you're really missing some nice work. With that introduction, one of our 2011 Indie Craft Parade vendors, Parachute Clothing, is going to be having a sale on Fab.com this weekend, and we wanted to let you know about it. For the next three days (starting Saturday, Sunday, and Monday), all Parachute items will available on Fab.com for 30% off. All of the shirts are designed and printed by hand here in Greenville, SC. And the guys of Parachute would love to see some hometown support for their sale. Plus, they're going to be releasing a brand new set of tees just for this sale. 

Second, if you're in Columbia next weekend, June 1 or 2, don't forget about Craft Bar Happy Weekend. It looks like it's shaping up to be a fun handmade craft show, and there will also be a handful of Indie Craft Parade vendors present.

Have a great weekend!

DIY Round Up: Easy Kitchen Updates

What are your weekend plans? The weather looks very promising in Greenville, so I know I'll be outside for sure...hopefully joining friends for a couple exciting Greenville events. Both Artisphere and the Greenville Urban Farm Tour are this weekend, and I want to take full advantage of both. Outside that, it sure would be nice to get some kitchen updates underway. Today's round up features 4 incredibly easy ways to add a little interest to the room we spend a ton of time in. Love this rainbow of spoons painted and covered with food save shellac, as demonstrated on Little Bit Funky.

The broom is definitely my weapon of choice when it comes to keeping a clean kitchen, so why not follow House of Ernest's lead and make it pretty. 

It's fairly easy to find nicely patterned cloth napkins on the cheap, but they still lack the punch of the napkins found in high end boutiques and kitchen stores. The Fab Miss B found these inexpensive napkins at Target and quickly spruced them up with thrifted pom pom and lace trim.

And finally, I just love these tins turned refrigerator holders. As created on A Pretty Cool Life, they're an adorable way to keep that fridge tidy.

Happy (almost) weekend!

Sign up for a Fabric Jewelry Class

Looking to expand your crafty skills? Want to learn to make some new jewelry? Well, there's a fun jewelry class next week that you might be interested in. Jen Moreau, an regular Indie Craft Parade participant, is teaching a fabric jewelry making class at a local boutique, Even a Sparrow. The class will include all of the supplies and instructions to make a fabric ring and a brooch. Plus it will be a great evening of meeting other crafty people in Greenville. So sign up with a friend, and contact Holly at the boutique if you have further questions.

To see a sample of Jen's work and get an idea of what kind of jewelry you'll learn to make, check out this link.

Mini Book Collective Recap

We've mentioned before the Mini Book Collective that's been on display at Art and Light for most of the month April. Well, if you haven't seen it, there's just a few more days left in the month for you to swing by. Besides the Collective on display, the rest of the gallery is curated with everything made from paper and books. Entry way to Art and Light Gallery where it's books, book, books.

Display of Greenville themed books. Jason Wagoner, Christin O'Bryan and Rachael Madeline have new work including lots of handmade journals. The pieces are quite beautiful.

Teresa Roche also has a new collection of mixed media pieces using book jackets. The pages of the books were folded into creative mobiles shown below.

Only a few more days to see these. It's worth the trip!

What are you working on? Art and Craft in Greenville.

I've got some cute handmade goodness to share with you today. More submissions from around Greenville! We have such an awesome crafty community. If you have a craft or art pieces you want to share, please email photos and stories to

jen@indiecraftparade.com

.

First these adorable applique baby tees from Annabelle Carter from

Humdiddly Blog

. She makes them for her boys and also sells them on her Etsy shop.

Owl appliques for both boys and girls.

I love the giraffe!

Second, I want to share these refinished furniture goods from Shan Grech. This London born girl now lives in Greenville, and as a hobby she refinishes cast off furniture with the oh-so-popular chalk paint.

She gives second hand uglies, like this, a fresh life, like these below.

If you want to see more of her work, she has some on display at

Even A Sparrow Boutique

.

Trunk Shows, Craft Shows and More Events you don't want to miss!

It's that time of year--the calendar is filling up with creative events. Can you believe that it's just a little more than a month till applications open for Indie Craft Parade?? We're so excited to see the work of artists and crafters this year. But in the meantime, the final days of April hold a number of events that we just have to share with you. It's already been an awesome month with events like the Mini Book Collective and Illyria Pottery Show. So if you don't already know about these upcoming shows, you want to take note. In two weekends, there are TWO notable crafty events on the same day. (Oh to be in two places at once!!) The first event is here in Greenville. It's the Spring Flea hosted by the Swamp Rabbit Cafe and Grocery. If you've never taken a bike ride on the Swamp Rabbit Trail, you just don't know what you're missing. It's one of the best ways to be active in Greenville. And local establishments like the Swamp Rabbit Cafe and Grocery just make it that much better. The Cafe and Grocery offers light meals and snacks to hungry trail goers as well as a host of local farm fresh foods.

This past Christmastime, Swamp Rabbit Cafe and Grocery hosted their first Flea Market. A number of Indie Craft Parade vendors, including Parachute Clothing, Red Clay Soap, and Malo, participated in the festivities. The event was a smashing success, and we're expecting no less for their Spring Flea. This is an outdoor event where you can sample great food, find new handmade products, and meet some great artisans who are making a difference in our community.

The second event on April 28 is one we've already told you about, but it's definitely worth the reminder. It's Crafty Feast in Columbia, SC.

This year, Crafty Feast is hosting 67 vendors at the Columbia Convention Center. Admission is $2. If you're a fan of Indie Craft Parade, then you'll be happy to see some familiar faces at the event. Some of our previous exhibitors will have booths at this event.

Besides, these two large festivals, I have a couple of small, but noteworthy events for you to be mindful of. This is short notice, but if you're free this Thursday, April 19, you should stop by local boutique Even A Sparrow for a trunk show. From 5:30 to 8:30 PM, Holly is hosting the Spring Debut Collections of Yellow Elm and  Creative Rumors. Elizabeth Blanton of Yellow Elm creates adorable felt accessories, and Rachel Hrinko and Lauren Runion of Creative Rumors remake cast-off clothing into handmade goodness. It will be a fun evening you don't want to miss.

And last but not least, Deb Potter of Merciful Hearts Farm is teaming up with the Greenville Museum of Art for an educational event. Deb has supplied Indie Craft Parade with gorgeous hand spun yarn for the past two years. And on April 22 at 2:00 PM she'll be demonstrating hands-on coil basketmaking.

Ok, that's it for now, but stay tuned. The season of crafty goodness is just warming up, so we'll have plenty of updates coming soon.

Easter Crafts Round Up

Easter might just be a few days away, but there's still time to think about cute crafts to do with or for the family. Here's a round up of easy tutorials that we find particularly perfect for the season. Simple paper carrots from Oh Happy Day. Perfect for table settings or stuffing in Easter baskets.

Skip the jars of food coloring this year when you dye Easter eggs. Use ingredients you already have in your kitchen to produce these gorgeous natural dyes. Tutorial from The Kitchn.

Have kids or having kids over for Easter dinner? Make these bunny ears ahead of time for them to play and pose with. Family pictures will never be cuter. Featured in Country Living.

Finally, these adorable treat bags from Mer Mag are sure to delight Easter guests young and old alike.

What are you working on? Art and Craft in Greenville.

You know how we love to share what's going on in the art sphere of our creative little city. We try our best to keep you updated on the professional events, but we've also recently become interested in sharing what individuals do around Greenville (and surrounding areas) to exercise their creativity. We started this post series a couple weeks ago, and I'm happy to share some new projects with you today.

Chalkboard Kitchen Wall.

The ever talented Elizabeth Ramos kindly shared her new kitchen wall with us--which she and her husband painted with chalkboard paint.

From her blog: Around Christmas time, Andrew and I were discussing how (in spite of us both being designers) our everyday lives don’t seem to allow for much creativity. One small way we decided to combat this is by adding a small chalkboard wall to our kitchen. We’re hoping that this will give us a good place to make art that’s intentionally temporary and help us remember to have fun creating things.

Not only did Elizabeth share the pictures, her post includes a great tutorial for doing this yourself

Greenville is getting a letterpress shop!

Our friends over at Dapper Ink have exciting news. They're the screen print shop that makes our tee shirts each year, and they've just expanded their printing capabilities to include letterpress printing. The vintage Chandler and Price letterpress still needs a lot of care to get it up and running, but they expect by summer time to be fully set up and taking orders.

Celebrating the press arrival to the Dapper Ink lot.

Located in the shop window, the press is ready to be cleaned and tuned up for action.

Don't forget--we want to see what you're working on. Please email photos and stories to jen@indiecraftparade.com.

DIY Garden Projects (and more) Round Up

It's been a while since we've done a crafty DIY round up on our blog, so I'm pretty excited to have one all about gardening. I'm hoping the clear forecast tomorrow holds, because I want to spend the entire day outside! Ok, maybe you don't have a green thumb and hate working in the yard. Don't tune me out yet. I've got more than just a post about garden projects. Check out these beauties below.

I love terrariums, especially this one from In Words and Pictures. And these little Tillandsia (air plants) are so easy to take care of. They hardly need any attention.

No yard? Have a porch or patio that needs a little plant love? Apartment Therapy's tutorial for recycling pallets into vertical gardens is pure genius. This would be perfect for growing small flowers, or my personal favorite, fresh herbs.

Ok, maybe you don't have a green thumb, but who doesn't love fresh flowers in the house? Especially when they're displayed in this faux mercury glass vase from Pepper Design.

Or maybe hanging plants are your thing? I love how you can give some distinction to plain ol' terra cotta with this tutorial from More Design Please.

And finally, have any friends who are nuts about gardening? This is a super cute favor or hostess gift for those who have that green thumb. Template found on Ruffled Blog.

Happy Weekend!

Happy National Craft Month! Show us your crafts!

It's March 1st--which kicks off the celebration of National Craft Month. Crafting blogs everywhere are gearing up to help people get their craft on this month, and Indie Craft Parade is no different. During the month of March we'll be bringing you crafting tips, exploring new DIY projects, and featuring people's crafts from right here in Greenville. That's right! We want to see what crafts you're working on! Image courtesy of Martha Stewart.

So please, let us know what projects you're tackling throughout the month of March. Recovering salvaged chairs with new, mod fabric? Decorating a room with handmade accents? Working on a new jewelry set? Trying one of our featured DIY projects? It's so easy to share! Just email jen@indiecraftparade.com, and include a brief description of your project and picture that is no bigger than 500 pixels wide. We can't guarantee that every project submitted will be featured, but we'll do our best to show as many as possible.

Alright Greenville crafters, you have your assignment. Let us see just how creative you are!

Craft Bar Happy Weekend: Applications Open

We've got another festival to tell you about--this time from Columbia, SC! Every month, the Columbia Museum of Art hosts craft . bar . happy . hour, where crafters participate in a "bring your own craft" night. It's a great way to expand your knowledge about crafting and meet new friends.

Well, they've decided to expand the event into a full weekend festival on June 1 and 2. It's going to be a juried art market located in the museum, and registration is currently open.

From craft . bar . happy . weekend:

Craft Bar Happy Weekend is the inaugural daylong event inspired by the Columbia Museum of Art’s monthly program, Craft Bar Happy Hour. Craft Bar Happy Weekend is a public market that brings together artists and their handmade goods from across the Southeast. You'll enjoy quality crafts, local food, DJs and the opportunity to make friends and connections with the artists themselves. The Museum’s team will offer workshops, demonstrations and activities that adults, and even the littlest crafters, can enjoy.

All crafters and artisans are encouraged to submit their work for consideration.

If you're interested in participating, head over to their website, read all of the details. Applications are open until March 23.

Moveable Type Truck Recap

Thank you to everyone who came out to the library last week to support Kyle and her Moveable Type Truck. We had over 150 people signed up to attend, and it was an awesome event! Participants crowded into the truck to learn more about the art of letterpress, and they even got to try the process themselves, taking home a souvenir poster. The great turnout and enthusiastic attitude shown by everyone just makes us so happy that we're part of this community. We're looking forward to many more events in the future!

So many people came! The line was 50 people long at times.

Crowding into Kyle's truck to get a better look at the process.

Inking the type before printing.

Kyle explaining the process.

The final product! A poster just for Greenville.

Indie Craft Parade fans showing off their hand printed goods!

Want to see more pictures? Check out our Facebook page!

Downtown Library and Indie Craft Parade Host Moveable Type Tomorrow!

We're so excited to meet Kyle Durrie and her type truck tomorrow. Letterpress cards, bookmarks, and posters, here we come! If you're just now hearing about Moveable Type, or if you've just put off signing up, don't wait any longer. Call the Downtown Library (864-527-9293) to sign up for the FREE event. You won't want to miss it.

Speaking of the library, did you know that the Main Branch downtown is a great crafting resource? Almost every Saturday they host a knitting and crocheting class, and on weekdays there are fun crafts for kids! Check out their schedule of events to see what all is available.

One Week Till Moveable Type Arrives!

Just a reminder that you only have to wait one more week until Moveable Type arrives in Greenville. Next Thursday, February 16, Kyle Durrie is rolling into town in her mobile letterpress studio. Her demonstration will give you a chance to learn more about and experiment with letterpress printing. Don't forget to call the Hughes Library Downtown at 527-9293 to sign up for visiting the Moveable Type Truck.

This is a free event and definitely something you don't want to miss! Check out all of the details at our previous post.

For a preview of Kyle's work and how Moveable Type works, visit her website and watch this video.

http://vimeo.com/27138467

Handmade Valentines Round Up

Valentine's Day is just a week away, which means you still have plenty of time to whip out the scissors, glue, and glitter to make your own hand made valentines! Just in case you're feeling dry for inspiration, we've included a few ideas that might get you started--complete with templates and tutorials. Happy Crafting!

No better way than to start your valentine's day than with a custom cup of coffee. I think I might fill my valentine's cup with this Nutty Mocha Latte. Find the free printable coffee sleeve at Eat Drink Chic.

Have treats that need a package? Love this fabric envelope tutorial from Sew, Mama, Sew! (Love their fabric selection too!)

Play cupid with these handmade wooden arrows from Design*Sponge.

This pirate printable from mer mag is adorable. So easy to add the felt and stitching--and a perfect card to make for (or with) your kids!

Fold out cards from Martha Stewart might require a little more precision and time, but your valentine will be so delighted with the attention to detail.

Finally, if Valentine's Day decoration is more you style, this awesome compilation featured on Design*Sponge is just the thing for you.

XOXOXO

Mark Your Crafty Calendars!

We've mentioned CoCraft before. It's an open-invitation indie crafting group that has met periodically to teach new crafting skills. They describe themselves as "a gathering of like-minded people to make stuff & make friends." What sounds more fun than that? Well, we're excited to announce that they've begun regular meetings and that you're invited to attend. From here on out, CoCraft is meeting on the first Friday of every month from 7-10 PM.

All of the details you need are on the CoCraft Facebook page. This month they're meeting on February 3 to make handmade Valentines. Now, I know that's just a few days away, but if you're free this weekend, all you need to do is RSVP in be a part of the crafting goodness.

If you can't make it in February, they will be crafting again in the first of March. Join in the fun!

DIY Geometric Accessories Round Up

I really have a design crush on all of the geometric designs that are popular right now. They're clean and fresh--and facets just make me smile. For instance, I would buy the hand built ceramic hanging planter (pictured above) from Pigeon Toe Ceramics in a heartbeat.

But since we don't all have ceramic studios where we can just make (or buy) faceted creations like this, I've pulled together some very feasible geometric accessory projects.

Let's start with this diamond shaped leather necklace from Oh the Lovely Things.

And then the lovely catch-all pouch from Dismount Creative.

You really should check out this template/tutorial for geometric garland featured on Urban Outfitters.

And finally, another tutorial from Dismount Creative (she has a lot of good ones!) I love this pendant and will be making it soon!

Happy Weekend!

Open Applications for Regional Craft Shows

Dear Indie Craft Parade participants and fellow crafters,Spring is just around the corner here in the South, and it's time to start thinking about 2012 craft shows. Right now applications are open for two regional events, and you'll want to know about them. Whether you want to apply to participate or simply attend these events, you're bound to be surrounded by fabulous crafts and all the fun that goes with these festivals. Check them out!

Chatty Crafty held in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The dates for the festival are April 21 + 22, 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM daily. Applications are open until February 19.

Crafty Feast, in association with Indie Grits held in Columbia, South Carolina. The date for the festival is April 28. Applications are open until January 31--CLOSING SOON!

We hope you can take advantage of these crafting opportunities!

Last Chance to Bookmark Artists from the 2011 Indie Craft Parade

The 2nd Annual Indie Craft Parade had amazing vendors. Besides the fact that they are a group of talented artists with fabulous products, they're just great people. So we want to give you one last reminder to support them before we close the links to their websites. We're well under way in planning the 2012 Indie Craft Parade, and it's time to make room for a new lot of artists and crafters. The links on our Participants page will be live through this weekend. We will close them on Monday, January 23. Now is the time to bookmark or pin your favorite artists from the 2011 show.

Here's a little recap of our vendors work.

Letterpress card from Racing Snail Press.

Custom paper dolls from Jordan Grace Owens.

Eco-friendly bears by Pogo Shop.

Sculpture by CME Studios.

Pet clothes and accessories by Tree Parlor.

Pendants by Cameoko.

Thanks again to all of the 2nd Annual Indie Craft Parade participants. We loved having you, and we hope to see you in the future!

Moveable Type: Letterpress Bash in Greenville

We love hosting educational events throughout the year that keep people excited about handmade techniques. So if you've ever been interested in — or just curious about — letterpress, this is your chance to learn! We're starting off this year with a really exciting affair! In February, with the help of Hughes Main Library, we are bringing the Moveable Type project to Greenville!

Moveable Type is a portable letterpress studio, run by Kyle Durrie. She is making her way around the country holding demonstrations and workshops on the art of letterpress printing. On Thursday, February 16th from 4-7pm, Kyle will park her studio/truck in front of the Hughes Main Library and set up shop. Our event will begin with a quick introduction video in the library, then move outside to the Type Truck, where Kyle will walk us through creating our own letterpress prints.

The event is free and open to the public, although registration is required. Call the library at 527-9293 to register for the Moveable Type event.

Kyle also makes and sells fun letterpress goods so if you didn't stock up at Indie Craft Parade or you've already used up your stash, bring some cash and support this great idea.