Tips & Tricks,Festivals

Furniture Makeovers Launch Party

Artist Showcase, Craft News, Events, Greenville, Tips & TricksElizabeth Ramos

We'll be introducing our 2013 jury very soon, but in the meantime, we want to share and celebrate a huge accomplishment by one of our previous jury members and a longtime supporter, Barb Blair. We select each Indie Craft Parade jury member because of their involvement in the Greenville art scene as well as their contribution to the creative community at large. We think these folks have a lot to offer, so we're thrilled when they get recognized well beyond the scope of our city. This weekend, Barb will be celebrating the release of her first book, Furniture Makeovers, with a book party at her studio. The celebration starts Friday at 5pm, complete with amazing freebies for the first 100 guests in the door! Check out all the event details here.

If you're not familiar with Barb or her work, she specializes in redeeming found goods and furniture, often giving discarded pieces new life. More about the book from Chronicle:

Furniture Makeovers shows how to transform tired furniture into stunning showpieces. You’ll never look at a hand-me-down dresser the same way again! The book offers 26 easy-to-follow techniques that can be applied to all different types of pieces, from bookshelves to desks: painting, applying gold leaf, wallpapering, distressing, dip dyeing, and more. In addition to the core techniques, author and Knack Studios founder Barb Blair shares 30 beautiful before-and-after makeovers from her studio and outlines how to achieve each look. With helpful step-by-step photographs, a visual glossary explaining all the tools and materials needed, and a lovely contemporary aesthetic, Furniture Makeovers is a treasure trove of ideas and instruction for the home decorator.

Join us at Knack Studios this Friday to see Barb's work in person and celebrate with one of Greenville's many creative entrepreneurs!

Holiday Event you don't want to miss: December First Fridays, Kid Art show, and Joey Bradley Heirloom and ornament show

Craft News, FestivalsElizabeth Ramos

If you're weren't able to attend our Holiday Fair (or even if you did), here are a couple of great art events that are taking place this weekend. Tomorrow is the first Friday of the month, which means it's another great night for an art crawl. Studios up and down the streets of West Greenville will be open to the public, and two of our food favorites---Neue Southern and Asada---will be there to make it a party! In conjunction with the December First Fridays is a fabulous show (AND GIVEAWAY) by one of our long time artist friends--Joey Bradley. Joey has exhibited at Indie Craft Parade for the past two years, and we're continually amazed with the beauty of his work. At this event he'll be doing two giveaways, so be sure to check out the details on his Facebook page and attend the event for a chance to win some amazing fine art.

And to finish things off for tomorrow evening on Pendleton Street, you have to check out a show that will steal your heart. It's the annual Kid Art Show, featuring 5 young artists. The show will be hosted at the photography studio of Jeff Hall, Aaron Green, and Christine LeGrand. Here is a video from last year's show!

http://vimeo.com/14185061

 

Edit: Another great event we almost forgot to mention is the Art Bomb Luminary Christmas Show! The Art Bomb is a shared artist studio located just down the road from Joey Bradley and the Kid Art Show, at 1320 Pendleton Street. To find it, just follow the luminaries lining Pendleton Street. You can't miss it!

Indie Craft Parade Holiday Fair: The official details

Craft News, FestivalsElizabeth Ramos

What: Indie Craft Parade Holiday Fair When: Saturday December 1, 10 am – 5 pm Where: A smaller, more intimate venue in the Pendleton Street Arts District Artisan Traders, 1274 Pendleton Street, Greenville, SC 29611

We're less than a month away from our first annual Christmas event, and we're getting ready to celebrate a handmade holiday! Please share the word with friends, family, and anyone else you know who would love Indie Craft Parade.

New Venue! For our smaller, one day event, please note the change in venue from the Huguenot Mill. Here's a map to the new location.

We're so excited about all of the artists who are on board for the show. Here they are!

2D

Emily Jeffords Cory Godbey Shed Labs Chris Koelle

3D

Rachel Feece Pottery

Fiber Arts

Heather Keew Merciful Hearts Farm Once Again Sam Teri Goddard Handweaving Heartfelt

To Wear

17 Dove Street found*ling Hand Printed by Matt Butler Fox to the Opera Parachute The Cordial Churchman Audrey Laine Jewelry 

Paper Goods

Quill and Arrow Press The Gilded Fete Royal Buffet

Everything Else

canoo juxtaposition The Herb Garden The Chubby Cupcake Annie Koelle

**We're not joking about helping us spread the word. We've got stacks of postcards ready to share. Please email jen@indiecraftparade.com if you'd like some to put out at your work, school, local coffee shop or anywhere else.

Greenville Open Studios 2012 this weekend

Craft News, FestivalsElizabeth Ramos

Many of you probably work or live right around the corner from a Greenville artist, and you don’t even know it. Local artists don’t always work out of galleries or official studios, which is why you should take advantage of Greenville’s annual Open Studios. This event not only gives the community a chance to meet more of Greenville’s artists but also to tour their work spaces, to get to know their processes, and to connect on a more personal level. Open Studios is THIS WEEKEND! Saturday, November 3, 10am – 6pm & Sunday, November 4, Noon – 6pm. A few artists are even open on Friday evening.

About Greenville Open Studios from the Metropolitan Arts Council: Now in its eleventh year, Greenville Open Studios began as an idea cast about during a casual conversation between a small group of artists several years ago; they discussed doing something to raise awareness in the greater community of the tremendous creative energy in the area. The idea has evolved into a full-fledged annual event.

The 2012 self-guided tour will feature 140 artists and their studios this year.  Studio locations vary throughout a 15-mile radius of downtown Greenville with Easley, Greer, Travelers Rest and Dacusville included. Catalogues are available at MAC as well as at each artist’s studio. 

Open Studios even has a smart phone app that you can use to guide you to the artists and tell you about their work. Check it out at greenvilleopenstudios.com.

Indie Craft Parade Holiday Fair

Craft News, FestivalsElizabeth Ramos
icp_holiday

It's time to announce yet another fun project we've had up our sleeve. This December, we'll be hosting the very first Indie Craft Parade Holiday Fair! This will be a much smaller scale version of our main event, featuring 25 previous Indie Craft Parade participants.

The Fair will be held at Artisan Traders in Greenville's art district (see map below) and will be open from 10am - 5pm Saturday, December 1. Come support local artists and give one-of-a-kind gifts this year.

Admission is free, so mark your calendars and plan to bring your friends and family! More details will be coming soon.

What: Indie Craft Parade Holiday Fair When: Saturday December 1, 10 am – 5 pm Where: A smaller, more intimate venue in the Pendleton Street Arts District Artisan Traders, 1274 Pendleton Street, Greenville, SC 29611

artisantradermap

Applications: Stand out from the crowd

Behind The Scenes, Tips & TricksElizabeth Ramos

Photo: Finkelstein's Center

Each year, more talented artists are competing for the same number of Indie Craft Parade spots. The jury may change each year, but what they're looking for doesn't. As you prepare your applications, we wanted to share a few tips that could help you stand out from the crowd.

We state that work will be selected based on how well it aligns with the vision of Indie Craft Parade, as well as its: · originality · quality · uniqueness · innovation

Here are a few ways you can showcase your strengths in these areas with your application.

Photography: This the primary method jury members use to determine the quality of your work. Last year, we did a short series about ways to improve your product photography. If you feel that your photos don't portray your work accurately, brush up on these basics or ask for tips from someone you know who takes great photos.

Some other ways to ensure your photos show off your work:

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Show more than one product. Photo: Merciful Hearts Farm

Use a neutral background. Photo: Rachel Feece Pottery

Give your product context. Photo: Pogoshop

Or let it have the spotlight. Photo: Lily PotteryThe vision of Indie Craft Parade: We are looking for the highest quality handmade goods in the realm of modern craft. The emphasis is on quality and modern. Experience and background aren't a deciding factor; if you create the most amazing handcrafted work, we don't care if you’ve been doing it for 30 years or 3 months, we want to see it! This isn't your grandma's church bazaar, not a place where you'll find "country crafts" or monogrammed tupperware. We feature modern craft; high quality work with a fresh and unique spin.

Also, as a sidenote, if you typically participate in art shows, you already know you'll want to have a varied price range, with plenty of items that can be sold at an affordable price point. One of Indie Craft Parade's goals is to make art more accessible, which means the average price of goods sold at our festival maybe lower than other Fine Art shows. No matter how well made your items are, remember they need to be a good fit for the audience. That doesn't mean that all your products should be $20 or under, but just be aware that for our show, the more affordable items sell better. So bring those beautiful big ceramic vases or original framed paintings, but also have plenty of mugs or prints that are offered at a lower price point.

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6149354668_e143ef7f1a

2011 Booth: Illyria Pottery

Originality, Uniqueness and Innovation: You want your work to stand out from other applications, especially if you're entering a competitive category like To Wear. Our best advice is to show the jury something they haven't seen before. An item made with an unexpected material or color is going to catch the jury's eye a lot quicker than something they've seen a hundred times before. Also, our jury loves seeing a fresh, modern take on a traditional craft... like a dip-dyed woven basket or a carved wooden pedestal with clean lines.

If you're afraid your product may get overlooked, consider other ways you can innovate, maybe with interesting packaging. Branding is something our jury considers, so a well-designed logo and packaging will certainly work in your favor.

Photo: Sweeteeth

Quality: The jury is looking for signs of craftsmanship, so if an application is completed haphazardly — the description unclear or photos out of focus — this reflects poorly on your work. Take an extra minute to re-read what you've written and make sure you submitted the best photos. This extra attention will convey that you care about what you do.

If you have tiny details that can be missed from far away, consider using one of your images for a close up shot that will show off your skills.

Photo: Royal Buffet

We hope these tips help you put your best foot forward, and we can't wait to see all the submissions! You can apply online through June 24.

Are you an experienced exhibitor? Share your tips with us in the comment section!

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

Craft News, FestivalsElizabeth Ramos

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.

Don't Forget! Mini Book Collective this Weekend!

Artist Showcase, FestivalsElizabeth Ramos

Remember when we announced the call for entries for Mini Book Collective? Well, now all of the applicants have completed their work, and they'll be on display this weekend at Art and Light Gallery. We've got a sneak peek of the work to show you. All of the books are themed on the artists' experiences in Greenville, and I think they've made our little city quite proud. The opening celebration of the Collective is tomorrow night! The show takes place April 6 from 6pm to 9pm as part of First Fridays. This is one special event you don't want to miss!

Mini Book entry by Furman Student, Patrick Rice

Melinda Hoffman, Director of the Mini Book Collective's book

Jason Wagoner's Handmade Greenville Journals

Wallpaper Book Series by Teresa Roche

Pinterest as a marketing tool

General Info, Tips & TricksElizabeth Ramos

Do you use Pinterest? It seems like most of the creative types I know do. Pinterest is a fabulous resource for collecting inspiration and finding new resources. It has a simple but lovely interface, and best of all it stores everything in one place. But did you know that some people are using it for much more than just a creative morgue? Pinterest is quickly becoming an effective marketing tool for big and small businesses alike. This creative infographic from MGD Advertising gives a lot of insight into just how powerful Pinterest can be in driving people to you. Granted, the examples given below are for huge corporations. Nonetheless, the information might inspire you to harness the potential of a social media site that you already use and love .

For a better look at this graphic click here.

Just a final note: whether you're new to Pinterest or have been using for some while, please make sure that your usage is professional and above board. And mostly--give credit where credit is due. Pinterest has a good explanation of pin etiquette that is a helpful guide.

Craft Bar Happy Weekend: Applications Open

Craft News, FestivalsElizabeth Ramos

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

Artist Showcase, Craft News, FestivalsElizabeth Ramos

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.

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Indie Craft Parade fans showing off their hand printed goods!

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

Open Applications for Regional Craft Shows

Craft News, FestivalsElizabeth Ramos

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!

Moveable Type: Letterpress Bash in Greenville

Craft News, FestivalsElizabeth Ramos

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.

truck-exterior1

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.

Christmas Shopping at the Swamp Rabbit Holiday Flea!

Craft News, FestivalsElizabeth Ramos

One of my favorite things about the city of Greenville is the Swamp Rabbit Trail. This 13 mile walking/biking trail established by the Greenville Hospital System not only promotes healthy living, but also has given people some new business opportunities. When the weather is nice, we're always using the trail, and its been amazing to see new trail-side businesses pop up. One of my favorite places is the Swamp Rabbit Cafe and Grocery. This cute stand is the perfect place to get a post-run or ride snack or even better, to pick up some local meats, cheeses, and produce. The buy local ethic of Swamp Rabbit Cafe so perfectly matches our own mission, that we have to tell you about their upcoming holiday flea. 

At this event you'll find all sorts of amazing goodies that will make the best gifts and stocking stuffers. I know a ton of people don't have their Christmas shopping finished, and this is a perfect way to complete that gift list.

Here's a little preview of all the goodness.

Accessories and vintage items from Shop Keep.

Chocolates by Raw Shakti.

Homemade Jams from Sallies Greatest.

Handprinted tees by Parachute Clothing.

Goat Milk Soaps by Red Clay Soaps.

Tools of the Trade: Marketing

Tips & TricksElizabeth Ramos

We all know that making our crafts is the easy part. Running the business is where it gets hard. Even though Indie Craft Parade isn't necessarily a business, it takes the same focus and effort of a business venture to put on our event each year. So we want to share the resources we use to make our lives a little easier. To follow up on last week's post on keeping your business organized, we wanted to give you a few online sites we use that focus on marketing and selling goods.

Facebook is truly one of the best ways to network your small business. The social sphere online has a massive audience, which means your products can be spread way beyond your physical contacts. The more you post, the more people will acknowledge your presence. Plus Facebook provides a perfect occasion for others to spread your information. It definitely takes creativity and a bit of discipline to maintain your online presence, but the rewards are certainly worth it. We've heavily relied on Facebook to get the word out about Indie Craft Parade. Besides it's potential to reach new people, Facebook makes it very easy to create events and interact with fans.

Mail Chimp has been a great tool for managing our email campaign. The software is surprisingly simple and easy to use, and it has features such as customizable templates which make the emails going to your fans look organized and professional. Not only does Mail Chimp manage your email lists, but also it shows you stats about unsubscribers and if your emails were read. The service is also free.

Big Cartel might be a good fit for you if you are thinking about opening an online store. Although we think Etsy is a fabulous resource for selling your goods online, Big Cartel gives you your own website, and you won't have the hassle being lost among the thousands of other vendors on Etsy. We've used Big Cartel to sell Indie Craft merchandise after our event in September. The entry level of Big Cartel is free. That subscription only allows you to sell a couple of products at a time, which isn't a problem if you're just getting started. But the prices of higher subscriptions are reasonable if you want to fully customize your store.

Twitter has many of the social benefits of Facebook paired down into small bits of information at a time. Unlike Facebook where you primarily follow friends and personal contacts, twitter allows you to follow and be followed by people with similar interests. This is an excellent way to get your products and information out to a group of people with a specific interest in arts and crafts. If you're not particularly internet savvy, and maintaining both a Facebook and Twitter account isn't appealing, you can link them together. You can configure your accounts so when you update one, the other updates as well, saving you the time and effort.

Again, this list is just the beginning of helpful resources. We'd love to hear your opinions and experiences about these services and others that you've used. Let's help spread the knowledge!

Tools of the Trade: Staying Organized

Tips & TricksElizabeth Ramos

As you expand your craft business, find new inspiration, and make new connections, it's very easy to get bogged down in one particular area--how to organize everything. This happens to everyone, so we wanted to share with you some online (and free!) programs we've used to keep all of the craziness that comes with running a craft fair in check. They're all so easy to set up, online support is easy to access, and they can be accessed from multiple devices.

Dropbox allows you to store and share files online. This is particularly helpful if you have large files that need to be transferred and reviewed by multiple people. File sharing is extremely easy to set up, and you won't have to chase down emails to find the right files. We've used it to send artwork to vendors and other collaborators.

Pinterest. We've mentioned this before, but Pinterest is the best way we've found to keep all of our visual inspiration in one place. As you browse the internet and come across things you like, you simply "pin" them to your personal boards, and they'll link you back to your original source. This is an awesome way to catalogue DIY projects, tutorials, and all of the random things you love. Pinterest was our means for keeping an inspiration board for Indie Craft Parade 2011. And other people used it for making wishlists of things to buy at the event. Check out the Indie Craft Parade Pinterest Board to see what we find inspiring.

Google Docs might be our favorite collaborative tool. Last year we used an online project management software that worked well, but Google Docs has proven to be even more convenient. We've used it for sharing documents with each other internally as well as surveying our vendors after the show. It's a super handy and free way to keep everyone organized and on the same page.

Evernote is like the ultimate to-do list. If you need to access both visual and written information, this might be perfect for you. Not only can you keep your online picture clippings together, you can also record to do lists or plan meetings and trips. Also Evernote has a keyword search function that makes it easy to find everything you've squirreled away.

This is just a short list of websites we like. We'd love to hear your thoughts on these or have you recommend what's been helpful for you!

Greenville Open Studios

Craft News, FestivalsElizabeth Ramos

Many of you probably work or live right around the corner from a Greenville artist, and you don't even know it. Local artists don't always work out of galleries or official studios, which is why you should take advantage of Greenville's annual Open Studios. This event not only gives the community a chance to meet more of Greenville's artists but also to tour their work spaces, to get to know their processes, and to connect on a more personal level. Open Studios this year falls on Saturday, November 5, 10am - 6pm & Sunday, November 6, Noon - 6pm. A few artists are even open on Friday evening.

About Greenville Open Studios from the Metropolitan Arts Council:

Now beginning its tenth year, Greenville Open Studios began as an idea cast about during a casual conversation between a small group of artists several years ago; they discussed doing something to raise awareness in the greater community of the tremendous creative energy in the area. The idea has evolved into a full-fledged annual event. The goals of Greenville Open Studios are to provide free and convenient community access to visual arts, to educate and create a dialogue between artists and the general public by opening artists’ place of work and inviting the community-at-large to participate in the creative process, and to create new marketing opportunities for artists. It is the organizers’ desire that the project will open up the world of visual artists to everyone – from the seasoned collector to the first-time art buyer to the curious general public.

Also check out the Open Studios page for more information about their mobile site which is complete with studio maps--very handy in finding which artists are closest to you.

Every year this event proves the great talent we have in and around our town, and you really don't want to miss out on the chance to enjoy it. Mark your calendars!

Muse Fest

Craft News, FestivalsElizabeth Ramos

Last night we attended the opening gala for Muse Fest 2011 in Old Town Rock Hill, SC. It's a weekend long music, film, and art festival that is centered on an indie craft show. Muse Fest is very much a sister event to Indie Craft Parade, and we were so happy for their invitation to join in the festivities. If you're near or traveling to Rock Hill this weekend, please check out Muse Fest. It's free and open to the public and runs all day Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Tell your friends!

The event is held in Rock Hill's super cute Old Town at the historic Post Office and Court House. Although the Post Office/Court House has been converted into the UP Gallery, it still holds tons of original charm.Muse Fest decked the building out in their iconic hot pink--complete with a crocheted lamp post out front!

Works by Jay Owens (from Indie Craft Parade's jury) are on display in the permanent gallery.

Check out all of the interior's gorgeous details! We're in love with the vintage PO boxes.

Some of our favorite vendors from the evening:

The Cordial Churchman - handmade bow ties and neck ties, and a former Indie Craft Parade Participant

Bounden Studio - handmade books

Other friends from Greenville and from Indie Craft Parade: Sew Sew Lovely, Emily Clarke Studio and Phoenix Fire Studios

To see the full list of participating vendors, check out the Muse Fest Craft Vendors page.

Inspiring Booth Displays

Tips & TricksElizabeth Ramos

From now till Christmas many of our Indie Craft Parade followers will be busy with craft shows. Some of you are old pros at craft fairs and have mastered the art of displaying your goods. Others might be new to the craft circuit and are still figuring out the art of presentation. So I've gathered some tips using some of the booth displays at Indie Craft Parade. While we didn't have a single weak display at the event, and all of them were great examples of quality booths, I've chosen to highlight a few that demonstrate some good pointers for showing off your work.

Displaying two dimensional art can be difficult. Joey Bradley opted for a wall display instead of a table. I love how clean his booth is and how he incorporated some large objects that coordinate with his subject matter to break up the visual space.

Illyria Pottery's booth was a show stopper. While you might not need this much height on your table, it works well to have something visually striking about your booth to draw the visitors in.

If at all possible, show off your wearable goods (clothing, jewelry, purses, aprons, anything!) on dress forms or mannequins. The visitors to the Parachute Clothing booth had an easier time seeing the size and fit of the items as well as imagining themselves wearing Parachute goods.

Maie Dae really created unity with her booth. Since many of her jewelry goods were vintage or upcycled items, her booth reflected that theme using recycled crates and boxes or old door knobs.

For even more inspirational booth ideas, browse the 2011 and 2010 Indie Craft Parade Flickr pools!