The Recycled Arts Festival has been happening across the river in Vancouver, WA for several years, but thanks to Terra, this year I finally attended. And I’m so glad I did!

It was fun to see an array of really talented artists, all of whom make beautiful things from old stuff. And many of them were totally new to me.

Above there is one of my favorites: Steve Dietel’s bottlecap-encrusted chair. Check out his website: Howling Heights.

I also enjoyed meeting Janet and Vonda of Tiffany on a Stick. This was their first weekend in business! Their garden stakes, made from a gorgeous array of glassware, are incredible. I’m sure they’ll be a great success. (Follow that link to their Facebook fan page and you can keep up on them.)

Here are some truly cute felted hats by Leslie McCray of Sweater Heads. (Visit that link to her Etsy shop – she’s a master with the shapes.)

I really love Chris Tymoshuk’s coffee can lamps, which are wired up with a bulb inside. Check out the Etsy shop for some even more intricate ones.

Imagine a group of these hanging in a corner of your sun porch. And now I’m jealous of your sun porch.

It was also nice to see a few local friends there. Anitra Cameron makes these awesome giant garden blooms from old china. (You can see an interview I did with her a while back over here.)

Christine Claringbold has added these freaking awesome garden pinwheels, made from old vinyl records, to her line. They look so cool, spinning in the breeze. (Come to think of it, I interviewed Christine a while back, too.)

…And Megan Klepp makes these amazing garden gazing balls from bowling balls and marbles. I love them! (There’s a past interview with Megan as well.)

In addition to all the crafty goodness, there was a pretty interesting social experiment: Tossed and Found. Here you see just a fraction of the perfectly-good things Waste Connections, Inc. and Columbia Resource Company found at transfer stations over a three-month period. Everything was on display in this big tent – and it really is amazing what people will throw away.

Anyway, everything was later raffled off to the public, for free. Pretty cool, huh?

There’s more to see in my Flickr set, if you’re interested.

©2010 CraftyPod. All Rights Reserved.

So . . . Summit of Awesome.

First, Kelly, Sara, Christine and Kim of Hello Craft did an absolutely wonderful job organizing it. Portland owes them a big debt of gratitude for choosing our city this year. (More in the whole gratitude thing in a moment.)

Actually, quite a few people have done posts detailing the specific events of the Summit. (See Susan’s series on CRAFT, Hello Craft’s recap post series, and the Summit of Awesome Flickr Pool for a sampling.)

I’ve decided to do something a little different, and share what it felt like to be part of this conference. (And, why I think it’s amazing that the craft community is beginning to organize educational conferences like this.)

(Quick note: all the image in this post are by Hello Craft. My pictures sucked.)

In the online craft community, we’re abundant in many things – connection, conversation, inspiration. Our only real scarcity is face-time. Many of my favorite people in the world live thousands of miles away, and I hang out with them only in the form of words on screens.

Heck, I don’t even get to see my local crafty friends that much – we’re all in our separate studios, working long hours in order to make our living. It’s hard to make time to get together. And even in a city with insanely abundant resources like Portland, so many events seem to be centered more around selling crafts than making them – or discussing them, or learning from each other, or hanging out.

So first and foremost, the Summit was like a technicolor explosion of real, live contact.

Anytime you have an opportunity to spend three days in a big, jubilant crowd of like-minded souls, take it. I got to deepen my friendships with so many people, and meet so many interesting new ones. All of which has added new life to my daily online interactions, and sprouted all kinds of interesting collaborative projects.

I also loved being in a learning environment with other creative people, and I loved that we could learn both business stuff and crafty stuff. The two brain-modes have such a nice synergy – if I got a little tired out learning about pricing, then I could head over to the jewelry-making table and get refreshed. And no matter where I went, there were nice people and great conversation.

Not only that, there’s something very powerful about the immersion of a three-day event. Honestly, much of the information we shared could be had online somewhere or other, if you’re willing to dig around for it. But when you’re in a real room, among friends, with a real teacher who’s been through the same struggles you’re going through, you learn much more effectively.

And then, there’s something powerful in seeing all these fellow crafty entrepreneurs around you and realizing that everyone has the same ups and downs. Everyone is experimenting and growing and trying to make their thing happen, despite weird economy, despite personal fears. And for every aspect of my business I’m clueless about, there’s someone else who knows a ton about it. We have so much to offer each other, but online there are often layers of information hidden, and we’re too prone to feel isolated.

I came away from the Summit with a much clearer mindset about my business, and pages of new ideas scribbled in great excitement.

So, I’d like to leave you with three ideas…

First, if you attended the Summit of Awesome, or you’d just like to help support the cause, pop over to the Hello Craft website and become a member. Hello Craft is a nonprofit that seeks to support and advance individual crafters and the handmade movement. They do good work. And membership is a nice form of creative tithing.

Second, if you’re within range of Seattle this August, you have another chance to get in on this whole powerful face-to-face learning/making experience. Check out the Conference of Creative Entrepreneurs. They have an amazing lineup of workshops, and I highly recommend it. (And remember, it’s a business write-off.)

Lastly, here’s a photo from a post-Summit breakfast with new friends: Ryan, Soma, Michelle, Aly, and Taryn. We made this happen because we loved the Summit experience, and wanted to keep it going.

And that’s perhaps one of the nicest things a craft conference can do for you.

©2010 CraftyPod. All Rights Reserved.

Whew, my friends.

I wasn’t around here much last week because I was participating in the Summit of Awesome. I’ll have a post on that later this week, as soon as I can wrap my head properly around all the awesome I experienced there. (For now, you can take in the Flickr pool everyone’s contributing to.)

Anyway. I did want to share some highlights from the day after the Summit, when I tooled around PDX with Lee, Kim, Teresa, Kari, and Susan. Because it was also awesome.

First, we met up at Flavour Spot for waffle sandwiches. PDX is blessed with so many great food carts, and this is my new favorite. That, my friends, is a ham and smoked Gouda-stuffed waffle. And lordy, was it tasty.

Locals, if you haven’t been there yet, drop everything and go. (Also, aren’t Kim and Kari cute?)

Then we paid a visit to the Show of Awesome. (That’s Amanda in the foreground. Soon I’ll show you the perfect mug I bought from her.) P-Town really came out in support of the show, which was wonderful.

We popped in to Twisted for a few minutes, and I had to share these freaking amazing menu items from their tea bar.

From there, we went to the Twilight Rummage Sale, which is a monthly event at the Eagle’s Lodge. People have been telling me to attend this thing for years, and I’m now kicking myself for taking so long. So many vintage treasures, so affordable, and such nice people. We all made epic scores, and then hung out in the bar…

…comparing hauls. This image shows just a few choice bits: a string of vintage buttons, an 1800’s composition book, filled with letters and writing, an enameled muffin tin, swizzle sticks, and wonderful costume jewelry bits to remake.

(You can see lots more haul pictures over here.)

We also pooled our leftover dollars to buy some grab bags – $1.00, $2.00, and $3.00 varieties. Then we headed to Zach’s Shack for hot dogs and grab-bag-opening. You can see some of what we found in them over here.

…And with that, I’m off to continue my awesome-recovery program. See you tomorrow.

©2010 CraftyPod. All Rights Reserved.

Just a quick post for any locals who might have missed it – there are still a few passes left for Summit of Awesome, which kicks off on Wednesday!

If you’ve started a crafty business, this is a great place to get help from the likes of Kari Chapin, Christy Petterson, Danielle Maveal, Heidi Kenney, Kim Werker, and Mark Montano.

(You’ll also find workshops from local superstars, including Ryan McAbery, Lee Meredith, Christine Claringbold, Bridget Benton, Rebecca Pearcy, Namita Wiggers, Amanda Siska, and Susan Beal.)

Actually, there are way more people than I’ve just listed – you should check out the schedule.

I’ll be doing two workshops: Online Marketing Mistakes on Wednesday, and a small-group version of Craft Blog Tune-Up on Thursday. I’d love to see you there!

You can get a variety of passes for this awesome crafting and learning conference – whether you want to attend the whole shebang or just a day.

If you’re outside Portland, by the way, keep an eye on Etsy Virtual Labs – they’ll be live-streaming some of the workshops.

It’s going to be… well, you know.

©2010 CraftyPod. All Rights Reserved.

In all seriousness, yesterday was the Best. Day. Ever.

First, I had a new tutorial on CRAFT – and one I was really happy with. As part or their sewing theme this month, I took a bunch of paper grocery sacks, cut them up, and sewed the pieces together in a patchwork. Then I fused some vinyl to the top, so they’d be spillproof, and some felt to the bottom to give them body.

Resulting in… nice placemats! (And, coasters!) The complete how-to is right over here.

Then, I had an article about social media marketing appear on Etsy’s blog, The Storque. This was based on the workshop I taught for I Heart Art last weekend. I’ve been blown away by the great response! (By the way, the image there is by catastone.)

If you want to read this bad-boy, click right here.

And then lastly, it turns out that I freaking won the SCRAP Rebel Craft Rumble! There’s a whole story to tell there, so I’ll give a full account once I can share some pictures.

…Talk about major planetary alignment, though!

©2010 CraftyPod. All Rights Reserved.

It’s a bizzy week around here, but I wanted to pop in and share this work-in-progress. I’m tricking out my Crafty Chica Cruise apron to wear in Thursday’s SCRAP Rebel Craft Rumble.

(For deets, read this post. I’m going to be the Craft Master!)

Anyway. It’s awesome to have an application for the giant sequins! And I’m considering adding more buttons and maybe a little Sharpie tie-dye.

All those big star sequins are sewn at the top only, so they kind of sway in the breeze. Heh heh heh.

What else should I add to this thing?

©2010 CraftyPod. All Rights Reserved.

Hey, Portland! Mark your calendars and order your tickets for SCRAP’s Rebel Craft Rumble – it’s coming up next week.

It works a lot like Craft Corner Deathmatch – citizen crafters will compete in a series of head-to-head rounds, with the fruits of their labors judged by Julie Sabatier.

The winner advances to the next round, and the loser, well, orders a beer.

Ultimately, there will be one winner, who must face the ultimate challenge – a head-to-head matchup with the Craft Master.

And that’s ME!

(I’m told I need to bring a secret weapon to the competition. I’ll give you five seconds to guess which craft supply I’m thinking of bringing.)

Get more details at the SCRAP website. All proceeds go to benefit SCRAP, which is the worthiest of causes.

©2010 CraftyPod. All Rights Reserved.

We’re wrapping up our local Knittn’ Kitten project this week! The lovely and talented Bridget Benton contributed this cool scarf, made from recycled tees and doilies. Here’s what she said about it:

“This project sheet was inspired by a scarf pattern I saw in Generation T: Beyond Fashion by Megan Nicolay and by all the awesome crochet-adorned garments in, yes, Crochet Adorned by Linda Permann. I can’t crochet, but I can sure as heck buy crocheted doilies from the Knittn’ Kitten, and experiment with 100 ways to get them off the couch and onto my clothes . . . I heartily encourage you to do the same!”

…And as a bonus, check out this doily-stencil tee Bridget made! What a cool idea!

Locals, head into The Kitten this week for Bridget’s free project instruction sheet. And non-locals, that free ebook of all these projects is coming!

©2010 CraftyPod. All Rights Reserved.

Whew! Getting caught up after a couple days off. Just a few things to share…

First, if you don’t mind a little daughterly pride, my Mom is celebrating her first Blogiversary! I can’t believe it’s been a whole year since she started her blog. In that time, she’s shared a metric ton of crafty and kitchen value. It’s been such a thrill to watch her dive into blogging.

You can enter her holiday fabric giveaway to help celebrate. And, she just posted a roundup of her first year’s holiday tutorial posts.

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Sew, Mama, Sew has just launched Handmade Holidays III, a month-long collection of tutorials to help you with your gift-making. Be sure to check it out – they always offer up wonderful stuff.

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Locals, be sure to check out An Evening of DIY, presented by Destination DIY producer Julie Sabatier, along with PDX Salon. There will be live demos and interviews about how to make radio, how to make a terrarium, and how to make bacon. Also live music and stop-motion animation. Cool!

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Also, just a quick thank you – the reception for Crafty Tree Trimmings has been very warm so far! To everyone who has ordered a copy, thank you. We greatly appreciate your support of Project Linus.

Remember, this ebook is only available until the end of December!

©2010 CraftyPod. All Rights Reserved.

It’s a new week, which means there’s a new free project sheet available at The Knittn’ Kitten. This week, Lee Meredith has cooked up a really cool little knit-and-sewn zipper pouch. As she says:

“I had fun combining knitting and hand sewing together in this project, and seeing the different pouch types you can get from different gauges. This isn’t exactly a quick project, with all the hand sewing (at least not for me!) but it’s so satisfying when it’s finished and looks all neat, with the bias tape and lining.”

I think they’re adorable and innovative. And, take a closer look at the one on the left. Is that some woven applique I spy? Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay!

So, Locals, be sure to stop by The Kitten this week and score your copy of the project sheet!

©2010 CraftyPod. All Rights Reserved.

Welcome to a new week! Locals. there’s a new project sheet for you at The Knittn’ Kitten.

Susan Beal is our guest designer this week, and she contributed the how-to for these cute and useful pincushions. They make use of two of The Kitten’s best resources: vintage fabrics and buttons.

I could totally see these as office or teacher gifts – you can make a whole bunch of them in an afternoon.

Just a reminder for non-locals, there’s a free ebook of all these Kitten projects coming next month. After all, it’s not your fault you don’t live in PDX. :-)

©2010 CraftyPod. All Rights Reserved.

Somehow, it’s Tuesday again, and this means there’s a new free project sheet at The Knittn’ Kitten.

This week’s designer is Christine Blystone, who makes lots of cute under the name Flapper Girl Creations. She’s donated the pattern for this adorable cupcake patch. Says she:

This tutorial features easy-to-follow instructions and a full scale pattern to make your own iron-on cupcake patches from felt! The finished patch measures 3.5″ high from the top of the cherry to the bottom of the cup, and 3″ across at the widest point. The tutorial also includes instructions on how to attach the patch to your garment.

So, Locals, head into The Kitten for the pattern, and any felt, beads, or sequins you might need to make it.

©2010 CraftyPod. All Rights Reserved.

It’s a new week at The Knittn’ Kitten, which means there’s a new free project sheet available.

This little cutie is designed by Joey Groendes, of Addie Pearl fame. She’s a total wizard with the felt and embroidery.

Stop in the shop this week and get the pattern and instructions to make one of these, just in time for Halloween!

©2010 CraftyPod. All Rights Reserved.

It’s a new week, which means there’s a new free project sheet at The Knittn’ Kitten. And it’s by me!

I wanted to do a little project that makes a simple, useful gift you can make for pretty much anyone on your list. The patchwork process is very easy – even if you’ve never done any patchwork, you can do this. Then, all you need are some inexpensive cotton dishtowels from your variety or dollar store.

Anyway – Locals, stop in the store this week and pick up the full-color how-to sheet, and a bunch of cool vintage fabrics for the patchwork.

Since a lot of you have asked, we’ll be collecting all these free projects into an ebook for those of you outside of PDX. That should be coming sometime in November.

©2010 CraftyPod. All Rights Reserved.

It’s Tuesday, which means there’s a new free project sheet at The Knittn’ Kitten!

These freaking awesome beaded hairpins were contributed by the ever-talented Teresa Sullivan. (Which, if you’ve never seen her work, follow that link. I’ll wait.)

Stop by The Kitten anytime this week, and you can pick up the how-to for these pins, and some seed beads on the cheap.

And for even more inspiration, check out these adorable baby barrettes Heather made with stuff from The Kitten.

(That skull and crossbones totally kills me, by the way.)

©2010 CraftyPod. All Rights Reserved.