craft show

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

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The highly anticipated Etsy Dallas Jingle Bash is November 9 at Gilley’s Dallas. Admission is free! We will have an adorable photo booth and fun make-and-take crafts. Here are a few tips for making the most of your Jingle Bash shopping 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. Prep a shopping list before Bash Day so you won’t forget anyone or anything. Don’t forget that Christmas, winter holidays, and wonderful family gatherings will be here before you know it. You can even browse the 2019 Jingle Bash Artists to plan your must-have stops for the day.

  3. Grab a map when you arrive so you can head straight to your favorite booths. We will have some Etsy Dallas Jingle Bash swag at our information booth - get ‘em while supplies last! And be sure to visit the free make-and-take craft table hosted by the Creative Arts Center of Dallas.

  4. Bring a tote bag for the goodies you buy to keep your hands free to shop all the gorgeous handmade pieces our artists will have at the Jingle 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 tasty 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.

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{Artist Spotlight} Rebecca Ramos Jewelry

We know many of you love Rebecca Ramos Jewelry. We are thrilled Rebecca will be back as one of our vendors for the 2019 Etsy Dallas Spring Bash on May 4. Rebecca took a few minutes to do a little Q&A session just for y’all …

What are you most looking forward to for the Spring Bash?
I love the Etsy Dallas Spring Bash because the weather is always beautiful and shoppers are out and about looking fresh and happy. They are usually looking for gifts for mom as well as special little treats for themselves. It’s a bright and shiny show for sure.

Is your shop offering anything new, special or different at the Bash?
This show I have some fantastically trendy materials to work into my line. The new mother of pearl and acrylic accents blend flawlessly with the layered looks that are so popular right now. It’s very exciting and airy for Spring and Summer.

What is your favorite part of prepping for an upcoming show?
I love changing up my displays and jewelry offerings. Finding all the newest trends and doing them in my style. It’s always a super rewarding challenge.

What makes this event special for you?
I absolutely love seeing all my past customers. I love it so much that I even offer a “super customer” discount. If you are wearing a piece of Rebecca Ramos Jewelry that you purchased at a past show, you get a discount on your purchase at this show. I especially love it when the customer just happens to be wearing a piece and didn’t even know about the special discount. That’s the best!

What is a typical day of work like for you?
A typical day starts off with all the business part of business. Yuck. I get that out of the way first thing so I can move on to all the fun. The afternoons are spent getting dinner ready and hanging out with my kiddos. I don’t really get moving and creative until the later hours. I am definitely a night owl.

What is your professional background, and how did it lead you to the creative work you are pursuing now?
I always knew that I wanted to pursue a career in the arts — I was very lucky in this matter. I studied Industrial Design in college and then ended up working at a marketing company after graduation. I went on to open my own advertising agency and helped others with their brands for about 10 years. From there I found my love of making again and taught myself all about metal clay and jewelry making processes.

What inspires your work?
There is a strong form and function theme that runs through my work. I love when a piece just has that perfect “movement.” The way the metal moves from one shape to another. Each of my sculpted pieces are true one-of-a-kinds, and I love that aspect of my work.

What do you find the most challenging about your work?
It’s very challenging to stay innovative and relevant in this industry. There are so many amazing makers — especially at the Etsy Dallas shows. Each maker is constantly bringing their “A game” and it is a challenge to stay on trend while still remaining true to the vision that you have for your work.

Do you have any tips for finding work/life balance?
For me, it comes down to segmenting my day into little pockets. When my family is at work and school, I’m working. When they are home, I stay present and available for them. It doesn’t always work out this way. I definitely haven’t won any mom or wife awards lately. But when the family is home, I try my best to be here — both physically and mentally — even if it does mean that I miss out on a bunch of sleep when I have to work into the late hours to get my work finished.

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! 




{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

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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.

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{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! 

13 Tips for Shopping the Etsy Dallas Jingle Bash Like a Pro

The highly anticipated Etsy Dallas Jingle Bash is November 10 at F.I.G. 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 Jingle 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 holidays are right around the corner. You can even browse the 2018 Jingle 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 Jingle Bash swag at our information booth while supplies last. And be sure to visit the free make-and-take craft table hosted by Creative Arts Center 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 Jingle Bash. We will have extra totes for sale but supplies are limited.

  5. The first 50 shoppers in line get our coveted Bash Bags. 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. Diehard Bash shoppers are there to get their hands on our Bash Bags. Once doors open, everyone gets ushered right in without a wait.

  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 are several parking options for F.I.G. 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.

  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.

How to Plan a Craft Show

Have you ever wondered what happens between, “Hey, let's put together a craft show and call it the Spring Bash!” and “Whew, the Spring Bash is behind us now and I need a nap…”

The Etsy Dallas Bashes are a labor of love for all of us, so we thought it would be interesting to give you a glimpse of what goes into a show like the Spring Bash.

A line of shoppers wraps around Gilley's Dallas before doors open for the 2018 Spring Bash. The first shoppers arrived at 7 a.m. to wait in line for the event that started at 10:30 a.m. on May 5, 2018. Photos courtesy of Mirrorless Mind Studio for E…

A line of shoppers wraps around Gilley's Dallas before doors open for the 2018 Spring Bash. The first shoppers arrived at 7 a.m. to wait in line for the event that started at 10:30 a.m. on May 5, 2018. Photos courtesy of Mirrorless Mind Studio for Etsy Dallas. 

Let’s start by picking a date and a venue.

Venues book up way in advance, so in November as we prep for Jingle Bash, we have already been planning Spring Bash. We usually know where we want to be and when we want to do the show. Oh, but wait, Gilley’s isn’t available both dates we want (we need to book two days so we can set up), and the weekend before/after is Earth Day, Mother’s Day, or the same day as some other show that many of our vendors may want to do. Or, as happened with our 2018 Spring Bash, the NRA Convention came to town and POTUS would be coming in to speak. What would that do to traffic? You can't plan for everything!

After some back-and-forth about the venue and dates, we make a decision and put down our deposit. At this point it's time to start cheering. Yay! We can start telling people to save the date!

Shortly after the holidays, people start asking when the applications are going to come out for Spring Bash. Before we can put out the call for vendors, we need a rough budget. Yeah, Bash prep involves a fair amount of administration, accounting, and budgeting.

The budget looks something like this:

Cost of Bash $$$$$ = Venue $$$$$ + Ads $$$$ + Bash Bags $$$ + T-shirts $$$ + Lighting $$$$ + Printing $$$ + Marketing $$$ + Photographer $$$ + Deco $$$

Next we’ll see if we can get some sponsors lined up to offset some of the costs. Big Etsy sometimes sponsors the Jingle Bash, but we are on our own for Spring Bash. This is the time where we hit up our day jobs, friends, former sponsors, and anyone else who might want to sponsor the Bash.

The next question is, “Will that many vendors fit in our venue?” After some measuring and mock layouts, we're good to go. 

Time to get some vendors.
We update the dates and info on the online application and make them live on the website. Applications come (hopefully) flooding in. Yay! But we can only take about 80 vendors and there are so many good ones to choose from. Boo!

It’s time to jury. Out of ~150 applications, we have to narrow it down to ~80. On top of that, we have to make sure there’s a good mix of product categories. Jewelry and home goods are 40% of the applications, so we have to make sure we have the right number of each category and that the one’s we pick are different enough from each other to make sure there is variety within the category as well. We just can't fit all the good shops in.

After a long day of deliberation, we get the vendors down to ~80 and now we need to see how many 10x10s and 8x6s are on our list. There are always more 10x10s requested than we can fit in our venue. A lot more. So we have to review all the vendors who requested 10x10 booths and narrow that down to the ~30 available 10x10 spots (imagine furniture vs jewelry type discussions). We’ve narrowed it down and have the final vendor list with the appropriate number of 10x10 booths. We celebrate with a glass of wine!

More administrative stuff happens.
During the next month or two we send and receive lots of emails about the Bash. Things like we need your logos, don’t forget to pay your invoice, remember to send your Bash Bag goodies in time, no really, we still need your logo, and so on.

We are also updating the Etsy Dallas website to add vendor and sponsor info and promote the Bash and deciding when Deco Party is and what we are going to make. Did I mention that we all have Etsy shops, children, and/or day jobs too… It’s ok, we can sleep again after the Bash.

Time to get the food trucks lined up. What about coffee… that's right, we can't serve food or drinks inside because it's Gilleys. But we can have donuts, right? Yep! Mmm donuts…

There’s also a lot of marketing collateral and graphics to create now. Every ad website wants a different size graphic. Plus flyers, postcards, Bash Bag art, t-shirt art, Facebook frames, Snapchat filters, sharable images for Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, etc., parking passes, Bash Bucks, banners, maps, and more.

Whew…

Where's my booth?
If you have ever planned a wedding reception where your aunt Jo can't sit next to your Aunt Jane, your friend can't sit next to your other friend because she stole her boyfriend in high school, and this side of the family can't be in the same side of the room at the other side of the family because of that thing Uncle Bob did in '82, then you know what planning the Bash booth layout is like. Except instead of family, it's product categories.

We work hard to keep like products away from each other in the booth layout. This is harder than it sounds because we have to consider the booth sizes and products, then sometimes shops drop out, but the next shop on the waiting list sells the same product category as the booth next to the one that dropped, so now a couple people have to move around to make it work.

The day before. It's almost here!
We made it through all the planning and now we are just 1 day from the Bash. Woohoo? We show up the morning the day before and… umm, was that column there in the floor plans? Wasn't this a door last year? Welcome to the chalk game we call booth marking.

Ok, we got this. Move this booth here and those a few feet to the right, a couple more moves and we're good to go. Booths marked, signage up. We have 12 hours before Bash day load in. We are so ahead of schedule.

We always have our vendors come out for a group photo before the doors open. 

Bash Day! Bash Yay!
Back to the venue bright and early. I know it seems like we are yelling, "Unload on the curb and move your car" a lot, but we have to keep this traffic flow going. We've got to get about 30 shops an hour to load in. About 6 cars line up on the curb at Gilley's, that only gives us about 10 minutes per car.

By this time, the volunteers are running around, people are in line for the Bash Bags, and you can feel the excitement. It's time to have a great show!

Shop+Interview with Inviting Letterpress Boutique

Ashley is the stationery addict and press-woman behind Inviting Letterpress Boutique and Trent is the professional designer. They run Inviting from their south Austin home studio and they are bringing their passion for fine paper, great design and vintage charm to the Jingle Bash.

Ashley and Trent know prepping or a show is a lot of work. Ashley says the best part is the extra studio time. “Never a bad thing,” Ashley said.

“It’s always great to be around those who ‘get’ you,” Ashley said. “The Jingle Bash is also very well organized and promoted. Participating in a show where the organizers put in as much time and effort as the vendors do is special.” Don’t mind us. We’ll just be over here blushing.

Ashley and Trent believe authenticity is important. And it shows in their unique and beautiful work. Their studio includes more than 130 metal fonts. Each of their pieces is printed on their vintage printing press, Vera. You may remember Inviting from previous Bashes.

They are bringing back favorites including their You Suck at Parking cards as well as new stationery and greeting cards. “We have three to four collections per year so there is always something new,” Ashley said. “I’ll be accepting orders for personalized stationery sets that utilize our collection of metal type, curated and priced for the Jingle Bash. They’ll be completed and ready to ship at the end of November or early December – in time for holiday gifting!”

Stop by and say hello to Ashley and Trent at the 2017 Etsy Dallas Jingle Bash where you can shop the best handmade artists from near and far. We will be at Eddie Deen's Ranch 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, November 11, 2017. See y'all at the Bash! 

Shop+Interview with Sarah Manning Paintings

The Jingle Bash is almost here, y'all. This show features the best handmade artists from near and far. Sarah Manning - of Sarah Manning Paintings - will be there with her rich and vibrant abstract paintings. 

She has been busy prepping for the Bash. "I really enjoyed painting the super small canvases," she said. "Especially the ones for holiday ornaments." We can't wait to see them in person! 

Sarah uses a masking technique with acrylic paint and mixed media to create her pieces. The result is layers of rich color which illustrate her state of mind during the creation of each work. Her passion has played an essential role in her development as an artist and a professional. "After years of not picking up a paintbrush, I slowly began to make it more of a daily routine," she said. "And now it is essential to my sanity and creative wholeness." 

She has been a graphic designer for more than 15 years but painting has remained her passion. Her mother, an art teacher, introduced Sarah to painting early on. "I had a paintbrush in my hand since I can remember," Sarah said. Over time, painting became her creative outlet and served as a conduit to self-discovery. She uses painting to find clarity. 

Stop by and say hello to Sarah at the 2017 Etsy Dallas Jingle Bash where you can shop the best handmade artists from near and far. We will be at Eddie Deen's Ranch 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, November 11, 2017. See y'all at the Bash! 

Shop+Interview with A Cheery Blossom

Leather journals are Stephanie's passion. Each of her journals and leather products is handmade with the finest craftsmanship and highest quality materials. We are excited to see A Cheery Blossom's new pocket journals and refillable journals at the show. 

Stephanie and her team are sticklers for details and only use the highest quality leather and other supplies. She loves coming up with new ways to display her items and meeting her customers in person. 

"Our headphone cord wraps have always been a hit," Stephanie said. "So we've added a larger cord wrap for computer chargers." We love the richness and details in her pieces and we can't wait to shop her booth in person at the Jingle Bash. "This show allows me to connect with individuals who are often searching for that special and meaningful gift for someone else," she said. "And I love to hear their stories." 

We love Stephanie's cheery personality. And we are big fans of her work. She even offers personalization. "Come connect with me at the Jingle Bash," she said. "And share in my leather passion for a few minutes!" 

Stop by and say hello to Stephanie at the 2017 Etsy Dallas Jingle Bash where you can shop the best handmade artists from near and far. We will be at Eddie Deen's Ranch 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, November 11, 2017. See y'all at the Bash!

Shop+Artist spotlight with Cayenne Gypsy

We are excited to see the beautiful wood-turned pieces from Dallas-based Cayenne Gypsy at the Jingle Bash. The hand-turned bowls are so unique. We love how the creative process brings out all the richness and details in the wood.

Cayenne Gypsy pieces are perfect for fall and winter décor. They add a warmth, Bohemian style and earthy vibes, which we love. Ashley's vases made from combinations such as oak, walnut and cherry woods are conversation starters, to be sure, and would make a lovely addition to your centerpiece or mantle.

Ashley is regularly working on and updating her products. We are excited to see what she has for you at the Bash! The natural edges around some of the pieces really add to the one-of-a-kind beauty of some of her bowls. Those are some of her favorites and we can see why. Other pieces feature freehand wood burning designs around the outside. 

Stop by and say hello to Ashley at the 2017 Etsy Dallas Jingle Bash where you can shop the best handmade artists from near and far. We will be at Eddie Deen's Ranch 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, November 11, 2017. See y'all at the Bash!

Shop+Artist interview with Lavender+Mint

We are so excited to see the Lavender+Mint booth at the Jingle Bash. Bree and Carlos create beautiful farmhouse tables, handcrafted by their family for your family. Bree grew up in a home with a farmhouse table. "They bring back those childhood memories that only equaled happiness," Bree said.

Bree's mother grew lavender and mint, which inspired the shop name. She would send Bree to gather some for tea every night before dinner. "To this day, when I smell lavender or see mint, I have this warm feeling and a sense of peace that comes over me," Bree said. 

This will be Lavender+Mint's first Jingle Bash. They are introducing Lavender+Mint's new round farmhouse table, a kids line (with wood, colors and style selected by their adorable 6-year-old twin boys), and the Giving Table Project. For every table a sold, Lavender+Mint will give a table to a family in need. "This is a project that is very dear to us," Bree said. "Because we believe every family should have the opportunity to share meals, memories and moments around their very own handcrafted farmhouse table." 

"Growing up my parents always had dinner parties, brunches and other social gatherings," Bree said. She grew up helping prep stuffed mushrooms for appetizers and rolling lemons to soften them for sweet tea. "Fabulous food and entertainment fueled me," she said. "So here we are building the tables for ones to enjoy and entertain on." 

Stop by and say hello to Bree at the 2017 Etsy Dallas Jingle Bash where you can shop the best handmade artists from near and far. We will be at Eddie Deen's Ranch 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, November 11, 2017. See y'all at the Bash!

Shop+Artist Interview with Salt Water Swim

Ann and her sister started Salt Water Swim five years ago. They are inspired by the beauty of the world around them. Their hometown is Honolulu but they have traveled and lived all over and Ann said they wanted to share their love of Hawaii with the world. 

"Our favorite place to be is on the beach," Ann said. "We love this so much that we wanted to have this be a part of our name. Salt Water Swim is a culture of living simply and beautifully with the inspiration of the ocean." 

A typical work day for the pair begins with checking their weekly to-do list. "It is a quick realistic punch list of what we need to get done," Ann said. "Then we bring out all our gems, pearls and metal and play around with ideas and trends. There are only two of us so we have to wear many hats and multitask all duties."

The Etsy Dallas Jingle Bash will be Salt Water Swim's first time as a vendor at the Bash. "We are so excited to launch our new collaborations," Ann said. "We have created one-of-a-kind ceramic ring holders, door tassels and beach bags." The shop will also launch a new holiday collection of their jewelry with more statement pieces for special occasions. 

Ann said she and her sister love merchandising their jewelry boards. "We want our customers to be inspired when they see our collection and to get excited to find their own style within ours," Ann said. 

Stop by and say hello to the Salt Water Swim team at the 2017 Etsy Dallas Jingle Bash where you can shop the best handmade artists from near and far. We will be at Eddie Deen's Ranch 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, November 11, 2017. See y'all at the Bash!

Shop+Artist interview with Mod + Jo

The shop: Mod + Jo
The artist: Jordan Flynn

When Jordan created Mod + Jo, she wanted to provide unique and affordable accessories that women could buy for themselves and the other women in their lives. “I wanted to fill the gap between inexpensive mass-produced accessories we find at fast fashion shops and high-end designer accessories that make your wallet cringe,” Jordan said. 

Jordan has always been drawn to vintage or “mod” color combinations and modern style with a blend of what is current. That is part of what inspired her shop name. She incorporated that inspiration with "Jo," her childhood nickname. Her typical workday begins with coffee and emails. After taking care of the administrative end of things, she begins working on orders.

“I majored in merchandising at North Texas with a minor in business,” Jordan said. “I also worked at a high-end lifestyle store in Dallas. Having the hands-on experience working with a buyer and artisan pieces really helped push me into the direction of wanting to build something for myself.”

She grew Mod + Jo into what it is now while living abroad for a few years while her husband was on assignment for work. “I had the time to sit back and rebrand,” she said. “Without having the experience overseas through living and traveling, I don’t think Mod + Jo would be what it is today.” 

A big fan of the Etsy Dallas Jingle Bash, this will be Jordan’s first time as a vendor at the show. “I’m excited to meet our customers in person, help them style our pieces, and make new relationships,” she said. “I have always been a spectator and shopper at the Bash. It will be exciting now to be on the other side.” Mod + Jo will be introducing some new pieces during the Jingle Bash in addition to offering special discounts for shoppers. 

Stop by and say hello to Jordan at the 2017 Etsy Dallas Jingle Bash where you can shop the best handmade artists from near and far. We will be at Eddie Deen's Ranch 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, November 11, 2017. See y'all at the Bash!

Learn to Craft Show Like a Pro with The Pig and the Peacock

Don’t miss our Craft Show Like a Pro workshop this Sunday. Etsy Dallas co-president’s Sabrina and Jenny of The Pig and the Peacock share their pro tips for craft show success from 1-3 p.m., April 9, at Dallas Makerspace. You can get your tickets here.

Attendees are encouraged to bring photos and examples of your booth setup for discussion and feedback. The workshop will cover topics including:

  • How to select the right show for you
  • Inventory needs
  • Booth layout and setup
  • Taking payments
  • Promotion
  • Do’s and Don’ts
  • Preparation timelines

These are just a few of the topics Jenny and Sabrina will cover. Craft shows are your chance to set up a mini pop-up show showcasing your work. It takes a lot of preparation and careful planning to put your best foot forward. We know you will have fun and learn a lot at this class. Hope to see you there!

Learning Opportunities from Etsy Dallas


We are delighted to continue to offer learning opportunities with the Etsy Dallas Team and Dallas Makerspace. Our first class of the year is Craft Show Like a Pro. If you are new to craft shows, need help with your booth and displays, or are just a little rusty this would be a great class to attend!

Class info
Date: April 2nd
Time: 12:00-2:30pm
Where: Dallas Makerspace, 1825 Monetary Lane #104 Carrollton TX 75006
Cost: $15
Ticket Info



In the class we will cover everything from how to prep inventory, booth designs, displays, what to bring and how to take payments. We will also have an open discussion/booth critique at the end.

Hope to see you there!

Spring Bash Applications Are Closing Soon!

Don't miss your chance to be a part of the 2016 Etsy Dallas Spring Bash! We are looking for handmade artists, crafters and makers of all kinds! Visit the Handmade Bash website for more details and to apply. Applications close this Friday March 4th at midnight!


Etsy Dallas Weekend Guide Dec 11th & 12th

Time for another Etsy Dallas weekend guide! Still looking for the perfect gift for that special someone? Check out this weekends handmade shopping events where you will find Etsy Dallas members along with other great local handmade artists.


Two Friends and Junk
Date: Friday Dec 11th – Sat Dec 12th
Time: Friday noon-7pm, Saturday 9am-5pm
Location: Exchange Center Expo, 4148 E 21st St, Tulsa OK 74114
Participating Etsy Dallas Member: Lawless Souls 

Admission is $6, kids under 12 are free plus $6000 in door prizes


Dallas Farmers Market Holiday Hall
Date: Saturday Dec 12th
Time: 10am – 5pm
Location: Dallas Farmers Market 1010 S Pearl Expy, Dallas, TX 75201
More Info: http://dallasfarmersmarket.org/
Participating Etsy Dallas Members: 


The Shed is a great one-stop-shop for your fresh produce, artisan foods and Dallas flavored holiday meals and gift shopping! This weekend will kick off the Grand Opening of the new Dallas Farmers Market in the re-done enclosed shed that fronts Harwood Street! Come and meet your local vendors!


Cowtown Indie Bazaar
Date: Saturday Dec 12th
Time: 11am – 5pm
Location: Will Rogers Memorial Complex 3401 W Lancaster, Ft. Worth, TX 76107
Participating Etsy Dallas Members: 
Wayne Works

There will also be lots of Jingle Bash vendors at Cowtown as well like April Hiler Designs, Mush Tushy and Big TWW

Weekend Guide: 13th, 14th, and 15th, 2015

If you're looking for something fun to do this weekend, you're in luck! Because we're running another post in our Weekend Guide series! This weekend, there are quite a few awesome shows to choose from. 

You could head over to the Moms In Action Christmas Market - 



Date: Saturday Nov 14th
Time: 9am-5pm
Location: First Baptist Church Grapevine, 301 E. Texas St, Grapevine, TX 76051
Participating Etsy Dallas Member: Paddy Wick Lane


Or the Pigment Art Show -


Date: Friday Nov 13th and Saturday Nov 14th
Time: Fri 5:30-8:30pm, Sat 12-2pm
Location: Pigment School of the Arts, 605 W Lovers Ln Dallas, TX 75209

Participating Etsy Dallas Member: Wayne Works 




Date: Friday Nov 13th
Time: 7:30-10pm
Location: Belo Mansion and Pavillion, 2101 Ross Ave, Dallas TX 75201
Participating Etsy Dallas Member: Kathleen Care Jewelry 


Or if you'd like drive a bit, head to Austin for the Junior League of Austin's 2015 Christmas Affair -



Date: Wednesday Nov 18th – Sunday Nov 22nd  
Time: Wed 6pm-7:30pm, Thurs 12pm-9pm, Fri 10am-8pm, Sat 10am-7pm, Sun 11am-4pm
Location: Palmer Events Center, 900 Barton Springs Rd, Austin, TX 78704
Participating Etsy Dallas Member: Precious Little Tot 

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See you this weekend!!

Weekend Guide: November 5th, 6th, and 7th, 2015

Hello, lovers of handmade! And welcome to another installment of our Weekend Guide series!

This weekend, we have two incredible shows to share with you. Seriously - this weekend is going to be AMAZING.

First up, we have the Northwest Bible Church MOPS Merry Market:


Date: Friday, November 6th
Time: 10:30 am to noon
Location: 8505 Douglas Avenue, Dallas, TX 75225
Participating Etsy Dallas Members:


And last, but certainly not least, is the Dallas Flea:


Date: Saturday, November 7th
Time: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
Location: Trinity Groves, 2900 Bataan Street
Participating Etsy Dallas Members:

Stop by The Flea for a huge assortment of really incredible makers - over 110 of them! 



Have a great weekend!