Weekend Guide: May 11th and 12th


Homegrown Music & Arts Fest

Date: Saturday, May 11th
Time: Doors open @ 11am
Location: Main Street Gardens, 1900 Main St, Dallas
More Info: http://homegrownfest.com
Participating Etsy Dallas Member: Dowdy Studio 
Paw Prints at the Dallas Zoo

Date: Saturday, May 11th and Sunday, May 12th
Time: 9am-5pm
Location: Dallas Zoo I-35 and Marsalis
More Info: Dallas Zoo
Participating Etsy Dallas Member: Both Hands Studio

For the love of mom

There's so much to love about the special women in your life--the moms, grandmas, aunties, and other ladies who give you so much love and encouragement all year long. 

And though there's absolutely no way one gift can really express just how grateful you are, I know a few ladies in my life who wouldn't turn a gift down! 

So in the spirit and loving and giving, we've curated just a few things in the treasury below from our artists and members--simple, thoughtful gifts that will let someone know in a small way just how much you really care. 

Click through, and you'll find gifts for the traveler, the gardener, the fashionista, the minimalist...




Sponsor Spotlight: The Shops at Park Lane



This year, Etsy Dallas is pleased to welcome The Shops at Park Lane as a presenting sponsor of the 5th Annual Spring Bash. Located in the heart of midtown Dallas, The Shops at Park Lane pairs the best in stylish shopping with distinctive dining and entertainment options, in a modern urban environment. They’re a perfect fit for our Spring Bash. 

On Bash day, in addition to all the handmade goodness happening in the big white tent, you’ll meet some of The Shops’ premier tenants. Gordon Biersch is our official beer provider and Whole Foods (the largest Whole Foods in North Dallas!) is sponsoring a DIY make-and-take craft table. And many shops are offering deals in conjunction with the Spring Bash--just ask! 

What’s so great about this year’s location for the Bash is you can make a day of it. Our Spring Bash vendors will be open from 11-7, but before that you can stroll through some of the flagship stores, maybe get a mani/pedi, take your kids to play on an on-site playground. After the Bash, you can grab some groceries or just meet up with a few friends and compare Bash finds at one of the five restaurants on site. (And that’s not including the food and fun to be had at Bowl and Barrel.)

Located directly across Central from North Park Center, The Shops at Park Lane is a destination for fun and great finds; add the Spring Bash to the mix and you’re guaranteed a fabulous Saturday. Oh yeah, there’s plenty of free, on-site parking!  

You’ll find Etsy Dallas on the green, adjacent to Dick’s and Gordon Biersch on Saturday, April 27 from 11am-7pm. Check The Shops at Park Lane’s website for store directories and maps! 



Sponsor Spotlight: Paper Beats Rock


We are so happy to have Paper Beats Rock as one of our Spring Bash sponsors this year. Rosemary said giving gifts is one of her favorite things, and it totally shows in her adorable shop.

Paper Beats Rock is full of handcrafted awesome. Who wouldn’t want a golden unicorn birthday card? We are in love with the cat card too. 



Rosemary said her “idea is to create quality and thoughtful items that others can use in their gift giving pursuits.” We think she nailed it! Make someone’s day this year with something beautiful from Paper Beats Rock.

Creative Arts Center of Dallas

The Spring Bash is about more than just Shop+Party+Art+Craft. While we certainly know how to have a good time, we also like to give back. At each of the Bashes, we select one community enriching organization to be the recipient of funds raised in the photo booth. We are happy to announce that this year we have selected the Creative Arts Center of Dallas.


The mission of the Creative Arts Center of Dallas is to provide a nurturing environment for people to discover, develop and express their artistic visions. CAC believes the creative spirit exists within us all, and community can be built from a group of people creating art. 

Sabrina from The Pig and The Peacock, says, "We chose the CAC because they provide a positive environment to foster creativity and community while teaching art classes to teenagers and adults of all skill levels. The classes that they teach cover a wide range of arts and crafts that we thought was complimentary to the skills of the members of Etsy Dallas (Jewelry, Photography, Clay, Fiber Arts, etc.)." 

They also provide outreach to Dallas area children. The CAC has implemented an exciting program called, unseenamerica in which children learn photography skills to document their own lives and exhibit their photographs in a wide-reaching community exhibition.

You can find out more about the Creative Arts Center of Dallas and the inspiring work that they do at their website.


Daily Discoveries: tribal trends

We are in the middle of a major tribal craze and everyone wants in on the action.  With fun geometric prints, arrows, and teepees, who wouldn't? Check out these awesome tribal items available from Etsy Dallas Spring Bash vendors!


(from left to right)
bottom row: feather tee // feather bobby pin // teepees //
 
(Discoveries by Meredith of childHOODS.) 

Sponsor Spotlight: Jenni20 Designs


We are super excited to have Jenni20 Designs as one of the sponsors of the 5th Etsy Dallas Spring Bash. Jenni’s shop includes beautifully made accessories to help you travel fabulous.

Her weekender bags are gorgeous and her eReader sleeves are so much fun. Jenni is committed to creating pieces that encourage people to reduce and reuse. And, let’s face it, you’re going to want to find any excuse to travel when your passport is wrapped up in so much pretty. 




Be sure to stop by Jenni’s booth at the Bash to find that perfect something for your favorite weekend warrior. And get yourself something fancy too.   

Daily Discoveries: Reminders of Nature

The weather is finally perfect for gardening and making that patio space your safe haven. Or, if you're an apartment dweller, it's the perfect time to bring the outdoors inside. Our Etsy Dallas Spring Bash artists have some great items to bring you a daily dose of nature and remind you of the great outdoors (even if it comes in the form of a blue grizzly bear).


1. Lizard Air Plant Pocket by Both Hands Studio 
2. Green Baby Goddess by Two Clay Hands
3. Garden Torches by Cockrell Iron and Paint 
4. Aqua Blue Bear by Fuzzy Hippo 
(Discoveries by Emily of Fuzzy Muffins.)

Sponsor Spotlight: Maggie May I


Go a little greener with upcycled jewelry from Maggie May I, one of our fantastic sponsors for the Etsy Dallas Spring Bash. Maggie creates funky pendants from poker chips, illustrations and old game pieces. The result is a fun and whimsical piece of art.




“I have been trying for years to implement family game night at my house. But since no one wanted to join me I turned to the next best thing - jewelry,” Maggie said. Well we sure are glad about that!
 
Be sure to visit Maggie’s booth at the Spring Bash.

Daily Discoveries: for baby

At the Etsy Dallas Spring Bash, you will find items for people of all ages. Being a mom myself, I am a little biased toward the mini people. Here are some of my favorite items from Bash vendors – all for the babies! 
(from left to right)


(Discoveries by Meredith of childHOODS.)

Sponsor Spotlight: Midnight Snack

We are pumped to have one of our very own Etsy Dallas leaders as a sponsor of the Spring Bash this year: Christina Wezwick from Midnight Snack! Christina’s shop is chock full of awesome food dedicated plushes and pillows. Here is one of our favorites...

(It’s a steak pillow, y'all!)

We got Christina to tell us a bit about her involvement with and personal connection to Etsy Dallas:

I have been involved with Etsy Dallas since 2008. I feel that Etsy Dallas gives local artists and business people a place to belong. It can be really hard to get support and advice when you are starting your business, even when you are selling online with Etsy, where there is a big community. It's nice to have a group of local people who all have a common interest that you can rely on. I feel that the time I devote to Etsy Dallas is helping support the local business community, the arts and crafts community, and Dallas as a whole.

I hope that my crafting brings a bit of whimsy and the unexpected to people's lives. I hope that what I make inspires others, including other crafters, around me.

I think that the Etsy Dallas team has a really unique thing going on that most other business groups don't have. We are all about supporting each other's businesses and bringing something unique to the community. We are a family!

Sponsor Spotlight: Regal Cottage

If there’s one gift every baby should get, it’s a little something from Regal Cottage. Regina uses repurposed vintage fabric, organic cotton, designer quilting fabric and eco-felt in her shop. She is committed to creating toys that engage, inspire and delight. 
 
 
 
Her new organic collection, Let’s Set Sail for Adventure, exemplifies that commitment. We are totally ready to set sail! Regina said she loves that she can now design her own products from start to finish. We love it too!
 
 
Whether you’re searching for a custom baby gift or teething toys for your own little one, Regal Cottage is the perfect place to shop. 
 
 
 
Insider tip: Regina is launching brand new organic Russian nesting dolls at the Etsy Dallas Spring Bash, so be sure to check out her booth.

Daily Discoveries: accessorize with handmade


Spring has sprung! It's about time to pull out the skirts and bermuda shorts, so get ready to spruce up your outfits with these super tempting jewelry picks from our Etsy Dallas Spring Bash artists!



1. Anodized Aluminum Bracelet by Creative Input by Liz
2. Foxy Fox Pendant by Maggie May I
3. Ring by ElizaEpstein  
4. Fused Glass Bracelet by Kessler Craftsman  
5. Geometric Chevron Cuff by Susan Renee Designs  
6. Blossom Bracelet by Black Moth Studio
7. Brambling Vines Necklace by Jennie Claire  
8. Woodgrain Ring by f. is for frank  
9. Gears Necklace by Freeforged Jewelry  

(Discoveries by Emily of Fuzzy Muffins.)  

Daily Discoveries: blue and orange

Some of the areas coolest artists will be at the 5th annual Etsy Dallas Spring Bash on April 27. Looking to spruce up your life with a fun new color combination? May I suggest a refreshing dash of Etsy classic: blue and orange. Click the photo to browse further...


Let's hang out

Want to spend a Saturday with some of the most creative and fun people in Dallas?

Etsy Dallas is on the search for volunteers for the 5th annual Spring Bash. Come hang out with some awesome and fun people. The Bash happens 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, April 27 at the Shops at Park Lane. We need volunteers for the following shifts:
  • 9 a.m. to Noon
  • Noon to 3 p.m.
  • 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
  • 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Sign up to volunteer for a few hours. Let us know your T-shirt size when you respond so we can get you a some Etsy Dallas swag – just one of the many perks of being a Spring Bash volunteer. (Not to mention various sundry goodies and everlasting Etsy Dallas love...) 

We would be super-excited to have you on board and make this the very best Etsy Dallas Spring Bash ever!

Daily Discoveries: Mainly for the Men


At this year's Spring Bash, we will have plenty of fun for the men folk too. Gordon Biersch will be on hand selling tasty food and freshly brewed beer, and there will be loads of cool goods for the guys too. Here are a few of my favorite picks mainly for the men.

Drink Local T-shirt from Dowdy Studio

BBQ Sign Photograph by Squint Photography

Mountains Pin by Freeforged Jewelry

Valvoline Oil Can Art by Napkin Art Studios

Sponsor Spotlight: DFW Child Magazine


We here at Etsy Dallas are delighted to have DFW Child magazine back as a sponsor for the Fifth Annual Spring Bash. DFW Child is the go to magazine for parents in the metroplex who what to find out all about local happenings.

Wondering where to go to snap the best springtime photos? DFW Child has 10 awesome photo op spots for you here.

Need to plan your little one's next big birthday bash? They've gotcha covered here.

Wondering how to get the littles excited to eat their fresh fruits and veggies? DFW Child has the answer.

What about getting those summer plans in order before the heat hits? Camps and travel ideas abound inside DFW Child.

You can find lots of their great kids' content online, or you can pick up a free copy when you are out and about town. Be sure to check out their blog, Childish and follow their Facebook page to keep up to date with the latest local events and news.