Mark Your Calendars!

November 21, 2009, 1p - 7p
Sons of Hermann Hall
3414 Elm Street, Dallas, TX 75226
Admission: Free

Join the 3/50 project

So one of my newest fave blogs is feltandwire.com the blog for Mohawk Paper. I love the writing style on the site and they blog about cool things other than paper too. (I am such a paper junkie.) They ran an article at the end of last month all about the 3/50 Project. I read the article and about fell out of my chair. It is exactly what I have been saying for so long and they have the numbers and statistics to back it up. Their basic premise is to support your local economy by patronizing locally owned independent businesses. They suggest that if each of us spent $50 total a month at our 3 favorite locally owned businesses each month we could seriously boost our local economies. The majority of the money you spend flows back into the local economy through paychecks, taxes, etc. The amount drops drastically when you shop in those mega chain stores. So think it over carefully before you select the next business where you'll spend your dollars.

So, what are your three? What three locally owned independent businesses would you miss if they closed? Here are my three;
• Boba Tea
• The Argentinian Bakery
• Dunes

Do what you can to support your local area. Stop by your 3 fave local shops regularly (change up your three occasionally) and support them, tell your friends about them and watch the local economy around you bounce back. It's a win-win-win.

Come on by -- it's tomorrow and Sunday!

Indie Shop Soiree
July 11 & 12
11a -4p
House of Blues Dallas Victory Park
www.indieshopsoiree.com

Come see me and fellow Dallas Etsian Dowdy Studios at this event.

Texas Pottery and Sculpture Guild Show

Don't miss the Sizzling Summer Sale! Fellow Dallas Etsian Jill Whitfill will be participating. Click here to see more details about this fun event!

Need A Girls Night Out?

This maybe the event for you! July 11 & 12 from 11a -4p at the House of Blues Dallas Victory Park. Get all the details here. Come see me and fellow Dallas Etsian Dowdy Studios at this event. There will be drinks, chocolate, shopping and giggling. Stop by and check it out.

JULY FREE SHIP EXTENDED!

Free shipping for the long weekend was popular -- so I am extending the offer through the end of the month! Happy Shopping! Check out this section of my shop for eligible items.

Happy Fourth of July!

This long weekend, I'm offering free shipping on items in this section of my shop. Check out other Etsy Dallas folks who are participating; Tefi Designs, Cut Out and Collect, Pamela Michelle (who created this fun graphic), Artful Expression, Sadie's Things and Laura Davis Design Lab for some more fabulous deals on shipping.

Do your patriotic duty and shop -- it stimulates the economy! :)

Are you Feeling the Love on Etsy?

Craftcult.com has a section called the heartomatic that can show you who has hearted your shop, specific items as well as telling you if you're featured in the Gift Guides, Front Page, and Storque.

There's another site called statsy.org where you can sign up with the Featurator to be emailed each time you appear on the front page.

This adorable red monster is from HappyMonsterTime's shop -- check it out!

Twitter Overload?

I started twittering last month and was surprised and amused to see this message when Twitter had gone over its' limits. At least it wasn't a blue screen of death or an ugly error message. The little whale and his bird friends lent a spirit of levity to the whole adventure. Follow me on twitter.com/laalicia

Do you Twitter?

Featured Seller: SleepyKing

Please meet sleepyking. I saw her creatures and fell in love with them all! Especially Loretta. Apart from creating things, what do you do? Do you have a day job? I haven't had a job in almost a year now. I decided I want to be with my little boy to teach him things and watch him grow. I couldn't stand the thought of me going back to work while someone else gets to enjoy his cuteness. After he was a few months old he got a lot easier to take care of and thats when I knew I wanted to try to sell my creations on etsy to make some extra money. What first made you want to become an artist? Well honestly? Its kind of weird but when I saw Marilyn Mansons paintings for the first time when I was 14 I felt really inspired. His water colors are absolutely beautiful. I started painting shortly after that and painting became my main craft. I stricktly painted from the age of 14 to 21, at 22 I started to branch out. I've done some ceramic work, knitting, embroidering, paper crafts, etc. Then I found that sewing was the thing I really enjoy the most. Its so much fun and its also a lot easier than dragging out the messy paints and brushes when you have a baby. Please describe your creative process how, when, materials, etc. I sew whenever I get the chance. If my son is in a really good mood I might get to sew for a few hours a day, if he's cranky I might get 10 minutes here and there throughout the day. I try to listen to music while I create because I feel like music changes my mood and the way my creations end up looking. If I'm listening to Bob Dylan I might create something like my little prarie bunny. If I'm listening to Tom Waits I might create something a little weird like Loretta the daytime insomniac. Music has a lot to do with my crafting ;) My favorite materials are recycled ones and wool fabrics. What handmade possession do you most cherish? I really love this handmade knitted donkey that I got from a good friend for Christmas a few years ago. Its only about 3 inches high by 4 inches long. Its one of the cutest little things I own and I adore it. What inspires you? Music, people watching, animals and my little boy. Anything else you'd like to tell us? I will be posting a lot of new plushies in the near future so add me to your favorites or your bookmarks and check back often! You can also find me on twitter, facebook and myspace.