{Artist Spotlight} Ox & Pine

Stephanie’s booth is always one of the most popular spots at the Bash so we know many of you will be excited to find Ox & Pine at the 2019 Etsy Dallas Spring Bash. We caught up with her for a quick Q&A just for y’all …

What are you most looking forward to for the Spring Bash?
Seeing and meeting customers in person. I love being able to talk one-on-one and to learn about the special gifts they're giving that we can help a little with.

Is your shop offering anything new, special or different at the Bash?
We have our famous leather luggage tags and will be selling our lovingly dubbed cheery mishaps for a big discount (leather journals that are cut a little funky or have a large scar).

What is your favorite part of prepping for an upcoming show?
It's exciting to think what fun and special personalizations everyone will have us stamp on their leather good.

What makes this event special for you?
We really only do the Etsy Bashes, so we really put our heart and soul into it.

Is there a story behind your shop/business name?
We went with something descriptive of what we do — ox for the leather and pine for the paper.

What is a typical day of work like for you?
I look through messages and go over orders each day. Then, it will vary from product development to working on social media and other marketing.

What is your professional background and how did it lead you to the creative work you are pursuing now?
I spent years learning leatherworking and bookbinding before starting to sell my leather goods.

How would you describe your shop?
We make personalized, handcrafted leather goods that create a connection through meaningful gift-giving.

What inspires your work?
A desire for beautiful and functional leather goods that mean something and will last forever.

What do you find the most challenging about your work?
Figuring out the best processes and fine-tuning our products to what others need.

Do you have any tips for finding work/life balance?
It's a daily challenge that sometimes you feel like you're winning at and other days you don't.

Shop from dozens of artists offering unique handmade wares at the Etsy Dallas Spring Bash from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on May 4. From original art, home goods, and artisanal soaps to local jewelry designers, leather workers and so much more! Check out the event on Facebook here. And find out how to shop the Bash like a pro here. We’ll see y’all at the Bash! 

13 Tips for Shopping the 2019 Etsy Dallas Spring Bash Like a Pro

The highly anticipated Etsy Dallas Spring Bash is May 4 at Gilley’s Dallas. Admission is free! We will have a free photo booth and fun make-and-take crafts. We put together a few tips for making the most of your Spring Bash experience ...

1. Bring your favorite shopping buddies and be sure your phone or camera is charged. There are fun photo booths in the works and you’re going to want those selfies. Don’t forget to tag @etsydallas so we can see too!

2. Make your list before Bash Day so you won’t forget anyone on your shopping list. Don’t forget Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, graduation and summer travel are right around the corner. You can even browse the 2019 Spring Bash Artists ahead of time.

3. Grab a map when you come in so you can head straight to your favorite booths. We will have some Etsy Dallas Spring Bash swag at our information booth while supplies last. And be sure to visit the free make-and-take craft table hosted by Craft Guild of Dallas.

4. Bring a tote bag for your purchases if you want to keep your hands free for browsing all the beautiful handmade pieces our artists will have at the Spring Bash. We will have extra totes for sale but supplies are limited.

5. The first 50 adult shoppers in line get our coveted Bash Bags — it’s the first 50 who show up, y’all. Please don’t yell at our volunteers if you weren’t in the first 50. We promise there is plenty of amazing work available for purchase at the Bash. We’re all in this to support handmade artists, right? We are always excited with the contributions for the Bash Bags. Those 50 lucky shoppers who are first in line will love what they find inside.

6. Don’t stress if you arrive at opening to see people lined up outside the door. Experienced Bash shoppers may be there to get their hands on our Bash Bags or to get first dibs in the booths. Once doors open, everyone gets ushered right in without a wait. Pro tip: If crowds aren’t your thing, you probably don’t want to arrive in the first hour.

7. Our all-volunteer leadership team works on planning for our Bashes all year long! We are passionate about putting on an event you will love but we can’t control the weather or traffic. If you’re planning to wait in the line before the show, be prepared.

8. Expect traffic. Plan your route ahead of time. It’s downtown Dallas, y’all. Check the news for construction or any big events that may affect your route. Consider carpooling with friends or taking DART if driving downtown stresses you out.

9. Thankfully there is parking at Gilley’s for $5. We will have food trucks and a bar onsite as well. 

10. Expect a crowd. We love how the community comes out to show support for our artists! If you want to browse with a little more elbow room, arrive after lunch. Don’t worry. Our artists are stocked for the whole day.

11. You may want to leave the stroller in the car or at home. If possible, wearing your little one may make shopping the Bash easier for you and other shoppers trying to navigate the aisles.

12. Find the Etsy Dallas table to find out how to win Bash Bucks (that’s money that only works at this Bash, y’all). We want to give you extra $$ to spend at the Bash, so don’t miss out!

13. If you haven’t already, sign up for our newsletter. We promise we only send out fun and happy emails. It’s a great way to get the scoop on all our upcoming events.

{Artist Spotlight} Untamed Arte

The unique pieces from Untamed Arte are sure to dazzle. We are so excited to see what Stephanie has for you in her booth at the 2019 Etsy Dallas Spring Bash on May 4. Stephanie took a moment for a quick Q&A session just for y’all …

What are you most looking forward to for the Spring Bash?
The Etsy Dallas team always does an amazing job putting the event together so I'm just excited to see the turnout.

Is your shop offering anything new, special or different at the Bash?
My shop is working on new designs, making the Spring Bash the first market where people can see them in person. I will also be giving out special discounts.

What is your favorite part of prepping for an upcoming show?
Creating my inventory and just hoping whatever I make will bring joy to the person who purchases it because I make my things with a lot of love.

What makes this event special for you?
Mostly the team that creates it. It really shows how hard they work. The Bash is one of very few events I've seen that has such a loyal following. 

Is there a story behind your business name?
I name my shop Untamed Arte because I have a ton of ideas that sometimes have no connection to anything I have created in the past or plan on creating. I just love experimenting and exploring new concepts. 

What is a typical day of work like for you?
A lot of prep work. For me its probably 90% prep and 10% of actually creating. 

What is your professional background and how did it lead you to the creative work you are pursuing now?
It has always been a hobby. My passion for it never stopped growing, and I finally decided to go full force with it. 

How would you describe your shop?
Random and colorful. I try to make eye catching items that pull you in. 

What inspires your work?
Lately, western decor has been inspiring me. 

What do you find the most challenging about your work?
I would say trying to find the most efficient way of making my products. 

Do you have any tips for finding work/life balance?
It's okay to take breaks. 

hop from dozens of artists offering unique handmade wares at the Etsy Dallas Spring Bash from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on May 4. From original art, home goods, and artisanal soaps to local jewelry designers, leather workers and so much more! Check out the event on Facebook here. And find out how to shop the Bash like a pro here. We’ll see y’all at the Bash! 

{Artist Spotlight} Mesa Blue Jewelry

Linsey combines textile, metal, gemstones, geodes and more in her Mesa Blue Jewelry line. We can’t wait to see her booth at the 2019 Etsy Dallas Spring Bash on May 4. And we know many of you are looking forward to shopping Mesa Blue again this year.

All of Linsey’s work is handmade by her and photographed right here in Dallas. She has been creating jewelry since she was a little girl. You’re sure to find something perfect for those on your Mother’s Day shopping list, graduates and a little something (or three) for yourself too.

She launched Mesa Blue on Etsy a decade ago and now the line is her full-time job. Because she makes every piece herself, each is one of a kind. We love how special that makes her work and we know you do too. Be sure to stop by her booth and tell Linsey hello. We’ll see y’all at the Bash!

Shop from dozens of artists offering unique handmade wares at the Etsy Dallas Spring Bash from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on May 4. From original art, home goods, and artisanal soaps to local jewelry designers, leather workers and so much more! Check out the event on Facebook here. And find out how to shop the Bash like a pro here. We’ll see y’all at the Bash!