I may be the minority here, but...

So with all this hot, humid, sticky, weather, I'm ready for fall.

The changing leaves...back to school supplies...hooded sweatshirts...college football...hot chocolate...my birthday! What's not to love?

So in honor of my want for fall, here are some of my favorite fall-inspired items on Etsy:

1. Wild Turkey - Feather Hair Clip by chelseaofthesea

2. The Wayfarer Purse in Corduroy with a Cherry Blossom Applique by peskycatdesigns

3. Autumnal - Leaf Shaped Sterling Hoops by sstargell

4. 1/2 lb Pumpkin Pie Caramels 8 oz by CaramelJubilee

5. Fox Woodland Forest Scene Wreath with Miniature Bobble Head by KnockKnocking

6. Autumn themed letterpress card by twotonepress

7. Squirrel on Table - 8 x 10 Fine Art Photograph Print by GreenRootsPhoto

8. Cinnamon Apple Peach - Cold Process Vegan Soap by HoneybeeSoapShop

You know what else is in fall?

Our fantastic Holiday Heist show! Did you get your application in? We'll be announcing the vendors soon!

Deadline to Apply for Holiday Heist in Two Days!

The deadline for applying to the DC Craft Mafia's Holiday Heist Craft Show is fast approaching! Applications are being accepted through July 31st.

We are looking for great crafters across a wide variety of mediums. Since the Heist is just one month before the holidays, this will provide a great venue for selling (and buying!) fun, unique handcrafted items.

The Holiday Heist will be held on Saturday, November 21, 2009, at The Soundry in Vienna, VA, from 12pm to 6pm.

Please visit the DC Craft Mafia website for show and application information.

Illustration for The Holiday Heist by DC Craft Mafia's Vanessa Alsondo of Ninnycat Crochet.

Crafty Drinks August Chimay & Crepes Edition

August's Crafty Drinks will be held at L'Enfant Cafe in Adams Morgan. Haven't been yet? You're missing out. Their crepes, both sweet and savory, are delish; I recommend the Nutella & Banana crepe.

And you can't miss their happy hour specials on their (awesome) selection of Belgian Beers: all Belgian beers are half-off 4:30-7:30pm on Tuesdays (paying attention? That's us!).

Be there or be square.

Tuesday 11 August 2009, 5:30-8
L'Enfant Cafe
2000 18th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20007
202.319.1800

Besitos,
Vanessa

An Abundance of Art

America's largest free arts festival is all that and more! From our vantage point in the Artscape DIY section, we saw art cars on parade, heard live music throughout the day, savored tantalizing aromas from the food stalls across the way and met loads and loads of people! Thank you Baltimore!

Things we love: Everyone Needs a Whiskerbear

While at the Ballston Arts & Crafts Market in July, I had the pleasure of meeting Phil Barbato, who makes these cute monster stuffies:


We were absolutely smitten with his booth, so naturally we had to share this.


The green one kinda reminds me of the Muncheechees (Anyone? Anyone? I may have just dated myself...). Could they look any happier? On his Flickr page, you can find hilarious profiles for his monsters, such as Thomas Ap Catesby Jones, a U.S. Navy Commodore during the War of 1812 and the Mexican-American War.
Phil's favourite part about doing that crafty thing he does so well? "When I'm finally done with all the sewing and stitching and I turn the fabric inside-out and get to see my finished creation for the first time. It never gets old."

Besitos,
Vanessa

Holiday Heist

The application deadline for DC Craft Mafia's Holiday Heist is fast approaching. Click here to apply by July 31st.

We'll have a lot of advertising opportunities available to anyone interested - more info on that is coming soon.

Crafty Drinks July: Success!

The weather was gorgeous and everyone was in great spirits yesterday at Tryst for our second Crafty Drinks networking happy hour!

All types of creative and talented people stopped by, from managers of craft markets to crafters who just opened their first Etsy shop, to people who may not craft but were curious to check ot the scene!

Lots of business cards were exchanged, ideas were thrown back and forth and resources were shared. It was all love! We look forward to seeing everyone in August; check out the Crafty Drinks DC blog for all the photos, crafty resources and future dates and locations.

Besitos,
Vanessa

Just a quick reminder!

If you live in Baltimore (or anywhere within a 3-hour radius of Baltimore) you should come check out Artscape DIY!

(Copied directly from their website - they said it best, why try to re-write it :))

Artscape features:

• 150+ artists, fashion designers and craftspeople;


• visual art exhibits on and off site, including exhibitions, outdoor sculpture, art cars, photography and the Janet & Walter Sondheim Prize;


• incredible live concerts on three outdoor stages;


• a full schedule of performing arts including dance, opera, theater, fashion, film, experimental music and performances by the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra;


• family events such as hands-on projects, demonstrations, competitions, children’s entertainers and multiple street theater locations; and


• delicious, international menu of food and beverages that is available throughout the festival site.

The DC Craft Mafia will be representing at booths C-6, C-7 and C-8 all weekend.

Stop by and say hi!

Hot time, summer in the city

It's getting toasty out there. Here's some local hotness from our region's crafters on Etsy.




And if you'd rather be thinking about something cool, turn your thoughts to Holiday Heist in November...ummmm, crafts in November.

Craft, here there & everywhere!

Looking to learn a new craft skill, or perfect one you have previously learned? Members of the DC Craft Mafia will be putting on several workshops starting this Fall at The Soundry in Vienna, VA. The Soundry is an awesome open studio for artist. It also happens to be the location of the Holiday Heist (don't forget to apply if you haven't yet). Go here for a full list of classes offered at The Soundry. I will be teaching sewing & hand forged jewelry classes starting in September. Our lovely Ninny will be teaching crochet (of course). Regina of BeadJewelry will be teaching beadweaving. Plus many more classes by the talented mafia crew.

Before the craft classes this Fall come out & hang with DC Craft Mafia at Crafty Cocktails this Tuesday from 5:30-8 PM at Tryst in Adams Morgan. Come to craft, come to drink, we don't care, just come! We'd love to see you!

And finally, if you are in the Pittsburgh area this weekend come out to I Made It Market at SouthSide Works Exposed. I will be there along with some of Pittsburgh's most crafty people.

Artscape anyone?

The DC Craft Mafia is excited to be taking part in America's largest, free arts festival--Artscape--July 17 through 19 in Baltimore. Live entertainment, yummy food and tons of amazing arts and crafts. Mark your calendar and plan to spend a day (or two, or three).

Stop by booths C-6, C-7 and C-8 in the DIY @ Artscape section to spend some quality time with the DC Craft Mafia. And be sure to ask us about Holiday Heist when you stop by!