13 tips for shopping the etsy dallas spring bash like a pro

The highly anticipated 10th annual Etsy Dallas Spring Bash is almost here! Admission is free. We will have a free photo booth and fun geofilters. 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 May 5 so you won’t forget anyone on your Spring Bash shopping list. Don’t forget Mother’s Day, graduation, Father’s Day and summer travel are right around the corner. You can even browse the 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 (hooray for pencils and buttons) at our information booth while supplies last. And be sure to visit the free make-and-take craft table provided by the 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 some totes for sale but supplies are limited.

5. Yes, the first 50 shoppers in line get our coveted Bash Bags. But, y’all. We got so many amazing contributions for the Bash Bags this year that those 50 lucky shoppers who are first in line will probably need another tote bag too.

6. That line tho! Don’t stress if you get there at opening and see people lined up outside the door. Diehard shoppers are there to get their hands on our Bash Bags. Once doors open at 10:30, 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 on-site parking at Gilley’s is only $5, which is great for downtown. We will have food trucks at the Bash 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. Hooray for free hands and extra baby cuddles!

12. Pets shopping with their humans are welcome at the Bash but remember those crowds may not expect little paws on the floor so if your furiend will be stressed out by music and lots of people, you may not want to bring them along.

13. Find the Etsy Dallas table when you get there and fill out a survey to be entered in our hourly drawing for 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 it! 

Shop+Interview with Spring Bash artist Jillian of Vintage Static

Jillian and Matt are the makers behind Vintage Static. Her modern, handcrafted soaps, scrubs and bath products are made locally in Frisco.

Vintage Static is bringing new bar soap scents and all of their beard oils to the Spring Bash. “This is our first show,” Jillian said. “We are so grateful and excited to be included.” If you’re shopping for Mother’s Day and Father’s Day, she recommends her whipped soaps/scrubs and bath bomb hexes, and the solid shave soaps and beard oil.  

The shop’s name came to her in a dream. “It derives from the nostalgic feel of listening to records, which we do all the time, and the static at the end of the LP side,” Jillian said. She describes their shop as modern and muted, using natural colorants and clean lines with a restrained color palette. 

Jillian describes herself as high-energy and finds inspiration by scanning her Instagram feeds. After sharing some of her favorite grammers, she said, “And of course the Texas ladies crushing it! There are so many. I am constantly impressed by the talent here in Dallas.” We couldn’t agree more! “To see all the talent out there really drives me,” she said. The challenge is to not create every scent or color that comes to mind and to remain selective and focused, she said.

Stop by the Vintage Static booth and say hello to Jillian at the 2018 Etsy Dallas Spring Bash where you can shop the best handmade artists from near and far. We will be at Gilley’s 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, May 5, 2018. We’ll see y’all at the Bash!

Shop+Interview with Spring Bash artist Stephanie of Ox and Pine

Stephanie is the bookbinder and artist behind Ox & Pine. Her personalized leather journals, handmade notebooks and other leather goods are made here in the Dallas area.

She will be offering personalization stamping on the spot at the Spring Bash. “We’ll have some fun designs stamped onto leather luggage tags for a special price only available at the Bash,” Stephanie said. “It’s so fun to see customers face-to-face, and to be able to physically show them our leather goods.”

Stephanie said she is excited to meet people in person at the Bash. “I don’t do other any other in-person events, so this is a special occasion for me to meet and talk with customers in person.”

If you’re looking for a meaningful, lasting gift for a loved one for Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, graduation or some other special occasion, something from Ox & Pine may be the perfect fit. “I love creating leather goods and working with my hands,” Stephanie said. “I’m always on the lookout to create something special that will be useful and beautiful.”

Stop by the Ox & Pine booth and say hello to Stephanie at the 2018 Etsy Dallas Spring Bash where you can shop the best handmade artists from near and far. We will be at Gilley’s 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, May 5, 2018. We’ll see y’all at the Bash!

Sponsor spotlight: mini-Fab

We are counting down the days until the Spring Bash! Matt, of mini-Fab, recommends arriving early for a chance at snagging a Bash Bag. We've seen what's in those bags and we can tell you it is awesome!

You'll want to check out mini-Fab's great gifts for men, groomsmen, dads at the Spring Bash on May 7. Father's Day and graduation are just around the corner. 

Matt took a moment to participate in our Q&A ...

What are you most looking forward to for the 2017 Spring Bash?

I'm really excited to have a chance to get out of the workshop for a bit and visit with everyone that will be coming to the Spring Bash. That might be saying something, because I really like my workshop! These Etsy Dallas events always draw amazing crowds, and it's a pretty great opportunity to talk to cool people and share the things I enjoy making.

Is your shop offering anything new/special/different at the Bash?

I'll be bringing pieces that are new to the Spring Bash, like my Manly Candles (Campfire or Bacon might be my favorite), personalized shave kits, Father's Day gifts, and a super-secret project that I'll unveil the night before the Bash on my Instagram, @GOminiFab.

What is your favorite part of prepping for the Spring Bash?

Well, the conclusion of prepping is the best part. It's a lot of work, but once you get everything wrapped up, you do enjoy the satisfaction of a job well-done and then just relax, drink a cold one, and look forward to a good time at the Bash. 

What makes this event special for you?

I really enjoy being around all the creative and talented artists, designers, and makers at the show. It's very inspiring to see all the fine work and learn about their process. You can genuinely see that everyone puts their heart and soul into the things they make and exhibit an authentic enthusiasm to share it with good folks at the Bash.

Delightful Discoveries: Best Gifts for Grads

Graduation season is here, and the Spring Bash is the place to find unique gifts that every graduate will love.

How about this handmade card to commemorate that glorious hat tossing moment from Happy Cactus Designs?

This inspirational letterpress art from Ma Joie is perfect for the graduate whose fire is just beginning to ignite into a career.

This Wooden Periodic Table Clock from miniFab is sure to delight the chemically inclined.

Join us at the Spring Bash on April 26th to find something your graduate will adore for years to come.

Etsy Dallas Announces Handmade Bash for 2013

We here at Etsy Dallas have been on a crafty roll lately. We've welcomed back many old friends as members and have gathered a crop of new ones, too. And our board members have been working on secret stuff that we can now share with you!

That's right: our 5th Annual Spring Bash will be held on April 27, 2013, just in time for all of the spring and summer weddings you'll be attending, graduation gifts that you'll need to send off, and of course we can't forget Mother's Day and Father's Day!

Everything that makes the Spring Bash the best (FREE!) ticket in town will be available this year at our new venue: The Shops at Park Lane. Our shop + party + art + craft will be held on the green, a gorgeous tree-lined green space right off Central and Park Lane.

We hope you will make plans now to spend the day with us under the big white tent. Our famous BASH BAGS will be available for the first 50 shoppers, there will be DIY crafts at make and take tables, along with great jams playing, excellent food available, and free and plentiful parking!

If you're a vendor (you don't have to be a member of Etsy Dallas!), check out our application packet.