Whether you’re shopping for your mom, a friend, that coworker two cubicles down who is always covered in cat hair or your bestie who’s expecting, we have the perfect Mother’s Day gifts from makers right here in the DFW area. Shop local, shop small and support your community. It’s a win all around, if you ask us. Here are a few of our favorite finds for all the moms in your life.
Our favorite local finds for Floral Design Day
It’s Floral Design Day and we have a roundup of some of our favorite handmade floral finds from makers right here in DFW. We are sure you will find something here that you love for yourself and your favorite people (and pets!)
La Rosa Loteria Tee by bbchez
Glass flower garden stake by CalisherGlass
Texas Sticker by Designs by Andrea
Rutilated Quartz Necklace by Earrings by Eryn
Yoga meditation lotus flower keychain by Expressions Bracelets
Baby Shower Printable by Favors & Stuff Designs
Funny Wedding Card by Kat French Design
DIY Watercolor Kit by Maya by Kiwi
Yellow rose of Texas wall art by Martolana
Calabrian Bergamot, Red Currant and Violet lotion bar by The Pig and the Peacock
Thinking of you notecard by Tokodots
Brigette over the collar bandana by Uptown Pet Wear
Texas Bluebonnet Digital Art Print Wildflower by Wandering Paper Co.
Sweet Texas Honeysuckle Perfume by Whipped Up Wonderful
Congrats greeting card by Whiski Designs
{Sponsor Spotlight} Etsy, Inc. partners with Etsy Dallas for 2018 Jingle Bash
We are so honored and excited to have Etsy, Inc. as an official sponsor for the 2018 Etsy Dallas Jingle Bash. Etsy is the global marketplace for unique and creative goods. Many of our Jingle Bash artists can be found on Etsy.
With 2 million active sellers and shops in nearly every country in the world, Etsy’s mission is to keep human connection at the heart of commerce. Etsy works to make a positive impact on the community, environment and the global economy. We are excited to partner with Etsy for the 2018 Jingle Bash, and to work toward our mission to promote the handmade movement in the greater Dallas area and beyond.
Please join us in sending a huge thank you to Etsy for supporting the Bash and for helping our nonprofit achieve its goals and continue to put on premier art and craft shows in Dallas. We’ll see y’all at the Bash!
Shop from over 100 artists offering unique handmade wares at the Etsy Dallas Jingle Bashfrom 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on November 10. 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!
{Sponsor Spotlight} The LASIK Vision Institute®
We are so happy to have The LASIK Vision Institute® as an official sponsor for the 2018 Etsy Dallas Jingle Bash. Each year, more and more people are choosing to have their vision corrected by The LASIK Vision Institute®. Why? Simple. The LASIK Vision Institute® offers better vision at a better value.
We would like to thank our presenting sponsor The LASIK Vision Institute for supporting Etsy Dallas and the Jingle Bash! Amazing partners like them make it possible for our little nonprofit to keep doing big things for Dallas and the handmade movement.
You can learn more about their nationwide locations, affordable pricing and easy financing online or at the Bash. We’ll be at Fashion Industry Gallery (1807 Ross Ave.) from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, November 10. We’ll see y’all at the Bash!
{Artist Spotlight} Our Interview with Lyndel of Uptown Pet Wear
We know many of you have pets on your holiday shopping lists and that’s why we are so excited to have Uptown Pet Wear as one of our artists for the Etsy Dallas Jingle Bash, sponsored by Etsy, on November 10 at the Fashion Industry Gallery.
You can shop Lyndel’s booth and find the perfect handmade gift for your pets at the Bash. We caught up with Lyndel for a quick interview recently.
What is your favorite part of prepping for an upcoming show?
My favorite part when it comes to prepping before a show is making all the inventory. It always feels good to know I can offer customers a variety of items to purchase. I also like buying décor to spice up my booth.
Is there a story behind your shop’s name?
I came up with Uptown Pet Wear because when I first moved to Dallas, I lived in Uptown. I loved how dog-friendly the neighborhood was. There are so many dog-friendly restaurants and very nice dog parks. And that’s how the name was created.
What is a typical workday like for you?
A typical workday for me is juggling two kids, my pup, Moose, and answering emails during the day. Then at night, pet accessories are sewn, which is from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. If I’m lucky, sometimes I can make collars while everyone is napping.
What is your art background and how did it lead you to the creative work you’re pursuing now?
When I was 7, my grandmother taught me how to sew. I would sew dresses, pants and all kinds of clothing. I dreamt of becoming a fashion designer. Fast forward years later, I stopped sewing and started working in finance. It wasn’t what I imagined my career would be but it felt safe. Then my pup, Moose, came into my life and inspired me to start sewing again. Now I get to make fashionable pet accessories.
Shop from over 100 artists offering unique handmade wares at the Etsy Dallas Jingle Bash from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on November 10. 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} Our Interview with April of Mini Muse
April burns the midnight oil to work on her Mini Muse line. Her typical work day begins at midnight and she does all she can until 3 a.m. She describes her shop as fun, lively, one-of-a-kind custom heirloom dolls.
You’re going to love her adorable dolls, and we know lots of little ones and moms-to-be are going to want these for the holidays. You can choose your perfect Mini Muse at the Etsy Dallas Jingle Bash, sponsored by Etsy, on November 10 at the Fashion Industry Gallery. We caught up with April for a quick interview.
What are you most looking forward to for the Jingle Bash?
I can’t wait to meet more Mini Muse lovers. I met so many people at the Spring Bash and received so much amazing feedback that really motivated me to bring out more designs.
Is Mini Muse offering anything new at the Bash?
I will be releasing our new Mini Men line as well as adding a few more animals to our collection.
What makes this event special for you?
I love the holidays. The holiday spirit makes my heart happy.
Is there a story behind your shop’s name?
My daughter’s nickname is Mini. She looks like my husband yet has my exact personality and interests. The nickname Mini fit her perfectly for us. She has been my muse and motivation since day one. Thus Mini Muse was born.
Shop from over 100 artists offering unique handmade wares at the Etsy Dallas Jingle Bash from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on November 10. 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!
Sneak Peek inside our Bash Bags for the 2018 Jingle Bash
Thanks to all the artists who contributed to the 2018 Bash Bags.
Color Box Design & Letterpress
It’s that time of the year again. We are sharing a sneak peek at what is in the 2018 Jingle Bash Bash Bags. We’ll be stuffing the coveted swag bags in the next couple days. This is the perfect opportunity to us to do some pre-Bash shopping planning.
If you are not familiar with the Bash Bags, they are swag bags filled with goodies from Jingle Bash vendors. The first 50 shoppers in line for the Bash get to take home a Bash Bag.
We are so excited for the Jingle Bash, sponsored by Etsy, on November 10. We can’t wait to see you all at the Bash!
Here are just some of the goodies our early birds will get …
{Artist Spotlight} Our Interview with Jillian of Vintage Static
We love the minimalist geometric vibes Jillian brings to her products. Vintage Static’s handcrafted soaps, scrubs and bath products are made in small batches in Frisco. They smell amazing too.
Be sure to stop by their booth at the Etsy Dallas Jingle Bash, sponsored by Etsy, on November 10 at the Fashion Industry Gallery. We caught up with Jillian for a quick interview recently.
What makes the Bash special for you?
It was our very first event after starting our company and the Etsy Dallas community is absolutely incredible. We are thrilled to be to be chosen to return.
Is your shop offering anything new, special or different at the Bash?
Yes! We have candles, wax melts, wax warmers and solid lotion this year as well as our fave whipped soaps and scrubs.
What do you enjoy about working with your team?
My team is myself and my boyfriend, Matt. We have a blast making and creating and talking about the future together while celebrating the little wins.
What do you find the most challenging about your work?
Balance, balance, balance. And not buying every essential and fragrance oil on the planet.
Shop from over 100 artists offering unique handmade wares at the Etsy Dallas Jingle Bash from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on November 10. 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} Our Interview with Emily of My Head Cozy
Emily loves booth design. She calls it an artform in and of itself and we couldn’t agree more. We are so excited to see My Head Cozy’s setup at the 2018 Etsy Dallas Jingle Bash, sponsored by Etsy, on November 10 at Fashion Industry Gallery.
She works as a teacher by day, and Emily unwinds at the end of the day by crocheting hats for her shop. We love her work and are excited to see her new booth at the Bash. We caught up with her recently for an interview.
What are you most looking forward to for the Jingle Bash?
Interacting with my customers is my favorite part of the Jingle Bash. There is nothing that sparks creativity like chatting with the wonderful folks who come through the show, and sharing my story and process with them. I also look forward to seeing all of the other wonderful sellers. It’s always an all-star cast at the Jingle Bash.
Is your shop offering anything new, special or different at the Bash?
My handmade Santa Hats are epic. They are warm, wonderful and oh so Christmas-y. I’ll be offering a special where you can buy any 2 hats and get $5 off.
How would you describe your shop?
It’s delightful. My mission is to warm hearts and noggins with handmade hats of the greatest quality, care and charm. And I think that describes my hat shop in a nutshell.
What do you most enjoy about working with your team?
It is just me, myself and I at the moment, although I have had many helping hands along the way. I love collaborating with my friend Paulina Martin, who does the photographs for the shop.
How did you get into crocheting?
Once upon a time, I read a story about a chef who started cooking when he was 4 years old. And at the time my little 10-year-old self said, “Oh man, I’m already 10! I need something cool that I can do and be able to say, ‘I’ve been doing this since I was 10.’ It won’t be as impressive as 4, but it will have to do.” I thought I was really behind. So on the next trip to the library, instead of checking out another Tin-Tin comic or Boxcar Children book, I went to the DIY section and checked out about 12 different books. Knitting, crocheting, quilting, beadwork, card making, plumbing, carpentry – you name it. At the end of the day, crocheting stuck. I learned from a book. Good decision, 10-year-old self!
Shop from over 100 artists offering unique handmade wares at the Etsy Dallas Jingle Bash from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on November 10. 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} Our Interview with Dustin and Karen of Bearded Buffalo Co.
Dustin and Karen are so excited to be part of the Etsy Dallas Jingle Bash, sponsored by Etsy, on November 10 at Fashion Industry Gallery in Dallas. We are excited too! Bearded Buffalo Co. is releasing a new limited-edition scent for their beard balm and oil at the Bash.
Bearded Buffalo Co. is a veteran-owned and operated company. The use natural ingredients and make their products in the USA. These two both work full time and go to school full time in addition to running Bearded Buffalo. We caught up with them recently for quick interview.
Is your shop offering anything new or special at the Bash?
The weekend of the Jingle Bash is kind of the perfect storm of events for us. November 10th is also the Marine Corps birthday and the following day is Veterans Day. Both our owners are veterans and one served in the Marine Corps which makes this pretty significant. We see this as the perfect time to release a new and limited-edition scent of beard balm and oil. We’re calling it “Yeti,” and it will be a great scent for the winter!
What do you most enjoy about working with your team?
We currently have a two-man team. My wife and I. We started this company together after only a few months of dating. It was a scary thing to do, but somewhere in the back of our minds we must have known it would all work out. The trials we faced starting a business together helped us learn a lot about each other and laid a good foundation for our marriage.
Is there a story behind your shop name?
We see our business, including all of our oil and balm scent names as a homage to great men. Men who have had a hand not only in building our country, but also men who have influenced us in our personal lives. One of these great men being Karen’s grandfather. He was part Native American, loved nature and had an affinity for buffalo.
What do you find most challenging about your work?
The most challenging thing about our work is creating new product. We want to provide our customers with awesome products, and we don’t release anything we are not supremely proud of. This takes research, formulating, time, testing and usually more formulating. Though daunting at times, it’s worth it when our customers tell us how much they love our products or what a difference our products have made for them.
Shop from over 100 artists offering unique handmade wares at the Etsy Dallas Jingle Bash from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on November 10. 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} Our Interview with Stephanie of Untamed Arte
When Stephanie is creating pieces for Untamed Arte, her goal is to make something special and different. Each one-of-a-kind piece is just that – unique and eye-catching. Untamed Arte is all about trying new things and thinking outside the box.
You’re going to want to explore all the pieces in the Untamed Arte booth at the Etsy Dallas Jingle Bash on November 10 at Fashion Industry Gallery in Dallas. We caught up with Stephanie recently for an interview.
Is your shop offering anything new, special or different at the 2018 Jingle Bash?
We are trying out new designs of our resin work. We are also offering 15 percent off.
What is your favorite part of prepping for an upcoming show?
Gathering materials to make new inventory is the best feeling. Completing orders gives me such an adrenaline rush.
What makes the Bash special for you?
Meeting our sales goal is always a great feeling but what matters is the feedback that we get. We want to feel like we’re creating a product that people enjoy and want to take home.
Is there a story behind your shop’s name?
Untamed Arte came about from not knowing what to name the business. There isn’t one type medium or main style that we do. We really enjoy experimenting and pushing the limits.
What is a typical day of work like for you?
A typical day consists of filling orders. Reviewing my planner. For every task I check off, I add 10 more. I do a lot of research on how I can improve my craft and what new materials I can use.
How would you describe your shop?
I would describe it as fun and colorful. And a place where you just want to hang out for a while and really look at all the texture and pigments used in each piece.
Art has always been a passion for Stephanie. She knew it was what made her happy and that’s what pushed her to finally take it from a hobby to a business. She works with her family on Untamed Arte and she said she is excited about the atmosphere at the Jingle Bash. We are too!
Shop from over 100 artists offering unique handmade wares at the Etsy Dallas Jingle Bashfrom 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on November 10. 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} Our Interview with Stephanie of Ox & Pine
Stephanie fell in love with creating leather journals and her passion for making beautiful pieces inspired her to launch Ox & Pine. You can shop the Ox & Pine handcrafted leather goods booth at the Etsy Dallas Jingle Bash on November 10 at Fashion Industry Gallery in Dallas.
One of her favorite parts of prepping for a show is planning out her displays so that shoppers can feel and smell them. Ox & Pine goods make wonderful gifts for loved ones on your holiday shopping list. They’re also a wonderful way to treat yourself this season. We caught up with Stephanie recently for an interview.
What are you most looking forward to for the Jingle Bash?
I’m most looking forward to meeting everyone in person. It’s so fun to hear about how a special gift will be given and to add personalizations on the spot to our leather goods.
Is your shop offering anything new, special or different at the Bash?
We’ll have a few new special products available at the Bash this year including our new leather bracelets and leather lanyards – all with personalization options.
What is a typical day of work like for you?
A typical day involves cutting leather, sewing pages into journals, stamping personalization on journals, prototyping new products, and helping customers with questions.
How would you describe your shop?
My shop is full of high-quality leather journals and other leather goods that are personalized – perfect for a gift for you or a loved one.
Stephanie said she loves creating products that means so much to the recipients. And she loves getting to work with her hands to create leather goods every day. We think the love she has for Ox & Pine shows and we can’t wait to see her booth at the 2018 Jingle Bash.
Shop from over 100 artists offering unique handmade wares at the Etsy Dallas Jingle Bash from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on November 10. 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} Our Interview with Sarah of Sarah Briggs Jewelry
Sarah Briggs launched her handmade jewelry line in 2004. She was determined to break boundaries and redefine the rules of the jewelry industry. You can shop the Sarah Briggs Jewelry line at the Etsy Dallas Jingle Bash on November 10 at Fashion Industry Gallery in Dallas.
We are so excited to see how Sarah is shaking things up with her beautiful pieces this season. And we know many of you are too. We caught up with Sarah recently for a quick interview.
What are you most looking forward to for the Jingle Bash?
We love the Jingle Bash because we are a company located in the DFW Metroplex and love shopping and working alongside our neighbors!
Is your shop offering anything new, special or different at the Bash?
We will have a brand-new collection. We are very excited about these releases and think you will be too.
How would you describe your shop?
Laidback Luxe. Our pieces are classic. Timeless with a little bit of edge. Light and comfortable enough to wear to the gym. Precious enough to wear to a black-tie event.
Her shop’s motto is: There is no excuse not to have beautiful jewelry on. Each Sarah Briggs piece is handmade from the details hammered in to the handpicked stones. Those of you who have shopped the Bash in the past will remember the Sarah Briggs booth as a Bash favorite. We love that Sarah’s pieces look high-end but are still affordable and keep us looking chic and carefree.
Shop from over 100 artists offering unique handmade wares at the Etsy Dallas Jingle Bash from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on November 10. 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 ...
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Thankfully there are several parking options for F.I.G. We will have food trucks and a bar onsite as well.
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.
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.
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!
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.
Craftcation 2019 will change your life {and our friends get a special perk}
We’re excited to post today about an event put on by our partners in California especially for makers and creative business owners in April 2019. Craftcation: Business + Makers Conference is an annual life-changing four-day event featuring industry professionals leading attendees in over 100+ hands-on DIY workshops and creative business classes.
If you’ve ever thought any of the following, it’s time to plan a trip to Ventura, CA:
I wish I could take a vacation where I get to make things with like-minded people.
I have this idea for a business that I want to turn into my full-time job but it’s too overwhelming to figure out where to start.
I have a successful business and I’m ready to take it to the next level but I’m not sure how.
I want to make meaningful connections with people in my field but I don’t have the time or opportunities to make it happen.
Craftcation is the place where you can make any one of those things happen!
If you’re a maker, blogger or creative business owner then it’s time to get ready for four inspiring days that you’ll never forget. Craftcation has over 100 hands-on workshops and business classes, so whether you’re coming to craft, grow your business or a little bit of both, there’s lots of making, meeting and learning in store for you.
Craftcation takes place April 3-7, 2019, in the beach town of Ventura, CA – about an hour north of Los Angeles. Craftcation utilizes Ventura’s historic downtown buildings and businesses as well as the beach for special events like networking meet & greets, cocktail socials, a pop-up shop, opening celebration, yoga, as well as food and art tours.
Registration opens today and the first 50 people to register get $50 off! After that, you can still get $20 off as a friend of Etsy Dallas if you apply through this link. Will you be there next spring?
Our Top Picks for International Podcast Day
International Podcast Day is September 30 and Etsy Dallas members have been discussing our favorite podcasts. We decided it’s the perfect day to share these with you. Did we miss your favorite podcast? Let us know which podcast you’ve been bingeing in the comments.
For creatives and makers who need inspiration, motivation or a change of perspective…
Recommendations from some of our favorite moms…
For when you want to learn more about the world…
For your inner geek…
Starships, Sabers and Scoundrels
And just in time for Halloween, we have a few recommendations on the disturbing side…
How to make the most of National Self-Improvement Month
Hello, everyone! My name is Alex Hughes, and I sell my globally inspired prints and illustrations through my business, Wandering Paper Co. I went to college at TCU, where I majored in graphic design, and I now live in the DFW area with my husband Philip and our cat Athena.
I don't know about you, but I'm so excited fall is here. The breeze is blowing, football season is upon us, and the infamous PSL is back. Yes, I know it’s still 90 degrees outside, but 90 is better than 100, and in Texas, we’ll take what we can get.
It's funny, every year when school starts I have the urge to take up a class or two myself. Maybe it’s the shiny new school supplies (it’s hard to say no to a new leather-bound notebook from Ox and Pine, or a witty to-do list from Kat French Design) or maybe it’s just the feeling of working toward a goal, but I miss the feeling of satisfaction that comes with learning something new. It’s fitting, then, that September is National Self-Improvement month. It's the perfect excuse to take a class, read a book or take on a new challenge. So I've put together a few ways to make the most of self-improvement month. Feel free to give them a try.
Start a Journal
I’m a recent fan of journaling after reading The Artist’s Way and doing the corresponding journal exercises. According to the Huffington Post, journaling can help boost self-confidence, create mindfulness, and even help you achieve your goals. For the full list of benefits, check out the full article on the benefits of keeping a journal. Plus, starting a journal is a great excuse to buy a cool new notebook.
Ox & Pine premium leather notebook
MadeByRori Dickens gratitude journal
Visit a Museum
The Dallas Museum of Art, the Nasher Sculpture Center, and the Perot Museum are three of my favorites. The best part is, they are all within walking distance of each other. Take yourself on a museum date, then stop by the food trucks at Klyde Warren Park for lunch or a mid-afternoon snack.
Take a Class
I love Oil & Cotton and the wide array of adult classes and workshops they offer. I’ve taken portrait watercolor and marble paper workshops there and loved both. They have lots of new offerings this fall, including felting, interior painting, photography, and intro ceramics. Check out their full fall lineup here.
Join a Gym
Yes, I know, everyone’s favorite subject. Luckily, there are tons of fun alternatives to a boring 30-minute treadmill jog. Go climbing at Summit Climbing Gym, try kickboxing at Title Boxing Club or join a recreational kickball league at Big D Sports. You may have so much fun you forget you're exercising.
De-Clutter and Decorate
Okay, maybe this is less ‘self-improvement’ and more ‘life-improvement,’ but de-cluttering always makes me happier and less stressed. First, choose a small area of the house, like a bathroom or a closet — somewhere that can be organized in one day. Next, take a page from Marie Kondo and keep only the things that spark joy. Once you have de-cluttered and organized, a new piece of art is a great way to give a space new life. I've always been a fan of these origami koalas from Tokodots, and I've had my eye on this hand-drawn map of White Rock Lake from Joy Street Maps for my living room.
In any case, once you have given away all the clutter, every time you pass that space you will feel lighter and more carefree.
Learn a Language
I love to learn new languages, which is why I’m a big fan of the app Duolingo. It's free, and the exercises are only 5 minutes long, so it’s easy to practice every day. Plus, you can find your friends and keep track of points.
Take a Bath
You deserve a reward after all this self-improvement. Taking care of yourself will give you the energy you need to stick with you new habit. Winding down with a bath, a book or a good movie is a great way to de-stress and get ready to tackle the day tomorrow.
What are your plans for self-improvement month? Do you have any self-improvement tips you would like to share? Let us know in the comments.
Must-reads from the team for Read a Book Day
We asked Etsy Dallas members to share their must-reads to celebrate Read a Book Day, September 6, and the highlights are listed below. Read on for our suggestions if you're looking to take your business to the next level, work on yourself and your creativity, or just enjoy some fun fiction reads as we get into fall. Happy reading, bookworms!
Transform your business and working habits
Several of our members have raved about The 4-Hour Workweek, which is full of ideas to help with that elusive work-life balance, whether you have a creative business or not. If you're looking for a way to ramp up the profits and the way you think about your creative business, Profit First will get you thinking about how to trim the fat and start making more money. If you're an artist looking for some guidance about how to better monetize your craft, look no further than Lisa Congdon's essential guide, Art Inc., and move confidently forward in your business.
Never stop exploring your creativity or yourself
You've surely heard friends raving about Big Magic, but if you haven't found the time to read it yet, let our members be the next to urge you to read this inspirational guide this fall. It's always a good time to get yourself out of a rut and take a stab at The Artist's Way, Julia Cameron's eye-opening course in discovering and recovering your creative self. And if you just want to find a way to work on some good habits and find small life-hacks to be more productive as we get into the new school year, we recommend Gretchen Rubin's Better than Before (or her Happier podcast, if that's more your thing).
Get ready for Halloween with some spooky reads
We loved knitter-author Chloe Benjamin's The Immortalists, a story about how one family's life plays out after the children hear a psychic's eerie prophecies. As a bonus, you can follow her writing AND knitting on Instagram @chloekbenjamin. Interview with the Vampire is a classic that we've all heard of, but have you actually read it? If you haven't read a good book in a while, this classic will draw you in and give you a passion to read again. Finally, if you need a campy, nostalgic thriller a-la-Stranger Things, check out My Best Friend's Exorcism and you'll surely be ready to decorate for Halloween.
Celebrating Etsy's Birthday with Special Sales
We have a roundup of Etsy Dallas member shops with sales celebrating Etsy's 13th birthday. Set a reminder, the sales event is June 18-22. You don't want to miss these deals!
Expressions Bracelets is offering 20 percent off the entire shop (excluding the sale section). You'll also get free shipping (U.S. domestic orders only) on orders of $50 or more.
MayaXKiwi is offering 15 percent off all prints and cards.
The Pig and the Peacock is offering 15 percent off the entire shop (excluding favors and custom orders).
Sasha's Hand-Poured is offering 15 percent off the whole shop plus free shipping on orders over $40.
Wandering Paper Co. is offering 20 percent off everything in the shop.
Whipped Up Wonderful is offering 15 percent off plus free shipping on orders of $35 or more. Cannot be combined with other coupons. Free shipping on U.S. domestic orders only.
Whispers in the Glen is offering 20 percent off the entire shop.
Tokodots is offering 15% off everything in the shop.
Ahaha Home is offering 15 percent off everything in the shop.
Earrings by Eryn is offering 10 percent off most items in the shop.
Here's wishing you a happy 13th, Etsy! And happy summer to all of you. Enjoy the deals and the sunshine.
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 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.
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!