Valentine Craftacular!

I have had a busy couple of months and plan to check in with an update and photos soon so you can see some of the new things I've been making! But first, I want to tell you about my first craft show of 2012! 

The Bookish Life will be participating in the Valentine Craftacular on February 4th at the East Side Club in Madison, WI. There will be around 50 artists and crafters, a photo booth and a make & take craft table. Fun for the whole family! Admission is free and the first 50 shoppers will get a free tote bag stuffed with goodies from the vendors.

Here is a sneak peek at some of the shops who will be at the show. You can go to the Valentine Craftacular website for more information and a full vendor list! Hope to see you there!

Hello June!

Wisconsin has decided to skip over spring and head right into summer. It's hot and humid, folks! After a couple of wacky weather months, I'm thrilled to have a decent forecast for the weekend. I'm especially excited because this means nice weather for the Dane County Farmers' Market!

We are excited to be back at the market for our second season. This year we are happy to be sharing a booth with The Glitter Workshop!You can find us at the market every Saturday through October (weather permitting) and we will constantly be adding new products. You can follow Space Oddities on Facebook for more regular updates on new items and market specials!

This week I have been busy printing a few of my favorite designs on kids shirts and bibs. I even convinced my 4 year old to model for me! Here are some new shirts you can find at the market this weekend. These are also available in our etsy shop!

I adore this 'Raining in my heart' design. It's a little retro, a little moody, and a lot cute.

And here is Jette modeling 'My favorite robot.' which I think is perfect for girls or boys.

And this week Naomi has been busy making beatuful garden markers. They are just $8! Come early for the best selection!



We hope to see you out at the market this summer!

xo

Andrea

It's the most wonderful time of the year.

Our last craft show of the season is THIS weekend, Saturday December 11th. Hope you can make it! The Craftacular is always such a fun show. Admission is free and the first 50 shoppers will get a goody bag stuffed with samples, coupons and more from vendors and sponsors!

We will have pocket mirrors, magnets, art prints, clothing for kids and adults and more! Plus tons of goodies from over 40 other awesome vendors. You can see the full list of vendors HERE.

Hope to see you on Saturday!

Thanks for supporting local and independent artists and crafters this holiday season! 

xo

Andrea

Next up: Holiday Craft Lounge!

I am back from a lovely Chicago weekend spent with my fantastic sister-in-law! We had a great time at the DIY Trunk Show, visited the awesome Bleeding Heart Bakery, ate some yummy Thai food and other assorted goodies and had lots of time to chat and chill in the big city and the 'burbs. Such a nice weekend! Serious thank-yous are in order to my sister-in-law for helping me with the show and to the trunk show organizers and volunteers for thinking of every detail and making the show so smooth!

My next show is coming up on Saturday, November 27, right here in Madison! The Holiday Craft Lounge is the perfect spot to find or create the perfect handmade gift! I will have a craft table where you can make your own custom pocket mirrors and/or small (1") or large (3") magnets or buttons. Feel welcome to bring something special to customize your item - a photo (printed on copy paper weight paper,) a fun paper or gift wrap, old magazine or newspaper clipping, etc. Or use pre-cut images and papers we'll have available to create something unique at the event. This is a project that would be suitable for younger kids, as well. You could have the kids customize a gift for grandma and grandpa (maybe a magnet from their own drawing?) or make buttons for holiday party favors!

There will be lots of other crafting options - paper star ornaments, crochet scarves from t-shirts, and crayon pendants to name JUST a few! You'll also be able to shop handmade from lots of local crafters. Find more details on Anthology's website. Come out and make something with us!

Holiday Craft Lounge
Saturday, November 27, 10 AM - 3 PM
Downtown Madison Holiday Open House
Overture Center, 201 State St.


Admission is a can of food or a $1 donation for the Second Harvest Foodbank.

Holiday Craft Shows!

Apparently the time for making time to make is RIGHT NOW, because holiday shows are coming up FAST! We are participating in several events in November and December and while I was (and still am) tempted to apply for a couple more shows, I just know that it would be too much. I am already trying to figure out how on earth I am going to be able to be ready for one show or get a batch of inventory ready for one shop. It will all come together, though. It always does, right?

So here are the shows you can find Space Oddities at for the rest of 2010! 

November 20 we will be heading to Chicago for the DIY Trunk Show! The event is at Pulaski Park Auditorium from 10AM to 5PM and will feature close to 100 artists and crafters from the Chicago area and beyond. We participated in this event in 2008 and absolutely loved it. We met so many fantastic people and had a great show. I'm really looking forward to this one and I'm sure it'll be a great first show of the season! 

On the same weekend, November 19 & 20, while we'll physically be in Chicago, we'll also have some items for sale at Lapacek's Orchard in Poynette where Kim from Kim's Crafty Apple will be hosting her annual Handcrafted Hoedown for the Holidays event. There will be items for sale from several local artisans as well as a mini quilt shop, freshly baked goodies from Lapacek's Orchard and fun tarot card readings from Sass Mama Arts on Friday November 19th. Another great chance to shop handmade for the holidays! 

The following weekend we will be back in Madison at the Holiday Craft Lounge hosted by Anthology. This super fun event will be held downtown Madison at the Overture center on Saturday, November 27 from 10AM - 4PM. You can stop in and find make & take craft activities, demonstrations and handmade items for sale from local crafters. We are planning to have a make & take button/magnet/mirror table (personalize a gift or make something special for yourself!) and will also be selling our wares. Actually, this one will be all me. Chad is sitting this show out and I am dragging a friend along. Total girly craft day!  

 And finally, on December 11 we will be at the Sixth Annual Holiday Craftacular! This show is very special to me because my first real show was a Valentine Craftacular in 2007. The energy of this local show is one of the things that got me so excited about crafting when I was first starting and that is still true today. This event will be held at the East Side Club, which is a new location from the past couple of holiday shows. 

We have been working with the fantastic Naomi of Glitter Workshop to design this year's Craftacular posters/postcards/etc. I hope you like the design! 

 

Okay, seriously: Time to focus, Andrea! I truly do not know where to begin. My lack of time combined with my distraction with all things crafty is making it difficult for me to build inventory. I plan to do some supply ordering this week so that I will have what I need to get as much ready as I can in the coming weeks. Wish me luck! 

And as always: Make time to make! I will, too. I really will.

a whole lotta craft

I am so glad to live in a city that is bursting with handmade goodness everywhere I turn. This weekend is stuffed to the brim with opportunities to kick out the craft!! Just in case these aren't already on your radar...

Join crafting sisters Jessica and Anastasia for their first Confectionique market on Saturday April 24. This monthly craft market showcases their own work as well as treasures created by other local artists/crafters. The very first Confectionique market will be from 10AM -4PM at 8300 Airport Road, Middleton. Check it out!

Also on Saturday is the Spring Fling Craftacular! Yes, you read it right! Naomi at Glitter Workshop has decided to hold the craftacular events more frequently so we can enjoy the crafty goodness all year long. Really, who wants to wait an entire year between craftaculars? Not this lady. As always, get there early (doors open at 10AM) to snag the swag! First 25 shoppers get the goods!

And if you feel like visiting us, we'll be at the Dane county farmers' market where you will find delicious locally grown produce AND an awesome handmade market. Last week was the first market of the season. This week it just might be rainy. We're hoping it's not but I suppose if it is, at least we'll have more time to check out the other amazing events that are taking place all around our lovely city!

If you do make it downtown, I would also recommend Anthology for a dreamy craft fix. Easily one of the most inspiring stores in the city, this place always has new treasures waiting to be discovered. It's also Altered Clothing month at Anthology! "Bring your own skirt, shirt...and select from an assortment of fabrics. Make your own iron-on patches, and stitch around the edges for added decoration." What fun!!

After you've packed as much craft into your days as you possibly can, here are some more killer events of note to look forward to this weekend...

Highway 18 Drive-In. It's open! Alice in Wonderland under the stars!

and

Roller Derby! Bout 5! Saturday Morning Cartoon theme!

Maybe we will cross paths this fine weekend? See you around!

xo
andrea

Craftacular! Craftacular! Craftacular!

This Saturday is Craftacular time!

Come visit us and over 60 other local and regional vendors at the Madison Masonic Center, 301 Wisconsin Ave, Madison, WI. THIS SATURDAY December 6 from 10am-6pm.

You can find more details including a vendor list HERE.

Come early! The first FIFTY shoppers will receive a canvas tote bag filled with goodies and coupons from vendors.

Excellent! So I'll see you there!

xo
Andrea

Quick update

We were at DIY Trunk show on Saturday and it was great! The show was really well organized and well attended. We had good sales and met lots of awesome people. Yay!

And as usual...every time Chad and I go to Chicago we end up wanting to move there. EVERY time. One of these days we might just do it. It's such a great city!

It's going to be a busy couple of weeks! Our next show is the Craftacular on December 6. I'm going to try to get a few things restocked before then but I also have a ton of things to do at home and don't have any time off from my day job. There is not enough time in the day. Gaaah!

Have a lovely holiday! Oh! And if you have a fantastic banana cake recipe please share…I am looking for a perfect birthday cake to make for a Thanksgiving/Birthday surprise.

xo
andrea

A few things

1. Space Oddities was featured on the isthmus online last week! The article is HERE if you'd like to read it.

2. My grandmother passed away last week. I gets easier with time, right? I know it's only been a week but now that I'm back in town and the funeral and everything is over I am way more emotional. I wish I wasn't such an emotional person. I feel like I can't function and can't handle anyone asking me about her. I feel wrecked when I think about it.

3. I kept hearing about TWITTER while chatting in the etsy forums. Twitter this, tweet that. I vowed not to even look (just like I wasn't going to join indiepublic or flickr or facebook...) but of course curiousity took over and I checked it out and joined today. If you have also taken the plunge, please, come follow me! I pretty much have no idea what I'm doing yet. But it's apparent that it is quite addictive!

4. I am excited for winter shows! But I have not been motivated to make much. I'm going to try to get back in the groove of making new things this week. Instead of making new stuff I've been trying to clean and organize my house and have been taking pictures for my vintage shop. I listed this vintage french song book over the weekend. It's prettier on the inside. You can see it up close HERE. :)
























5. It's seventy degrees in Wisconsin today.

xo
andrea

craft shows + cuteness

I have to share the illustration Chad made for the Holiday Craftacular coming up in Madison in December. The full poster will be printed soon after we finish a few details and get it off to Naomi but I thought it was about time to share the cuteness.















If you are around Madison and are still thinking about applying for the Craftacular there is still time! Just click here and apply by Friday 10/17.

And if you're part of the Wisconsin Etsy Street team there is still time to apply for the trunk show at Lazy Jane's on December 13. The deadline is coming up quickly (October 20) so GO HERE for details now!

xo
andrea

fall shows, to-do lists, stuff

Look, a new mirror!


french text mirror
Originally uploaded by space oddities

I can't believe it's already Thursday! The week has flown by. This week at work I've decided to force myself to be severely cheerful. To my surprise, it's really working and is making my days go faster and things generally more pleasant. Not that my work isn't generally pleasant...it's just that lately there are a lot of times when I'd just rather be home with my family, you know? It's funny how the pretending to be in a good mood can work. I'm really in a good mood. But...well, it's 3 a.m. and we'll see how I feel at six when I get up to go to work again. Ha!

Today I made a massive list of things to do to prepare Space Oddities for upcoming fall shows (see the list on the top left for Fall Shows!) and the upcoming holiday season online and in brick & mortar shops. It turns out I have a LOT to do! One thing I have to do a lot of is packaging. I have a ton of pin and magnet sets and mirrors ready but need to make them look pretty and and finished. I've started to cut paper in bulk which makes things faster, and have realized that I should probably begin to print my labels instead of hand stamping them all due to the time it takes. But I really love the hand stamped look even if it's NOT so perfect and polished. So I think at least for now I'm sticking to it.

I'm excited for our non-eventful weekend. I'm hoping we can just hang out at home, maybe go to the market on Saturday, and spend some time crafting! I just ordered a batch of new tote bags to print on and just maaaybe I'll get them in time to bust out the gocco and print this weekend. Fingers crossed!

Shows to apply for! Contests to win!

A couple of things you should know about!

First, before you do anything else, go to Christopher and Tia's blog for a chance to win a set of my French Text Revamped notecards! I believe you have through Wednesday but hey, why wait.

Next, there are fantastic craft shows coming up in Wisconsin this winter and it's time to apply!

Glitter Workshop is now taking applications for the Winter Craftacular on December 6th. It's at a new location, downtown Madison at the Masonic center. For more info and to apply for this awesome show click HERE.

And if you're a member of the WIST (Wisconsin Etsy Street Team,) it's time to apply for our second annual WIST Holiday Trunk show at Lazy Jane's in Madison. For more info and to apply for this event, click HERE.

It was a beautiful day. Chad and I took the kids down to the farmer's market, dropped a small batch of items off to Anthology and then spent a lazy day at home. Jette's 2nd birthday is next week so we are trying to see if we can pull off getting our place decent enough for a party. Our house is still half packed! The urgency of unpacking is just not as great at the urgency of packing was a month ago. Not good!

I've been making lots of pocket mirrors and have been sifting through images for buttons and cards for geek-kon. I'm also working on a custom shirt order for a bachelorette party. Chad has been drawing a lot lately and is thinking about doing some simple Madison themed paintings this week. He actually had this idea and a certain style in mind years back and hadn't considered it in awhile. When we talked to Emily at the market this morning and she mentioned the popularity of Madison items he decided to give it a try. I hope he makes something quick so I can show it off!

Well, I've started to apply for some winter shows and have a few more I'm waiting on the applications to open up. I am going to try to fit in as many shows as I can in November and December. Unfortunately a couple of the shows/show dates I want to apply for are doubled up this year. But I should still be able to get at least 2 in for November and 2 in December. I hope! And I've been talking with another WIST team member about trying to coordinate another trunk show for the street team at Lazy Jane's this year. It was a nice little event last year and I hope we can make it happen again! I really WANT to apply for more shows that are coming up sooner but I know I won't be ready. Plus I've probably missed the deadline in most cases anyway. So...for the rest of the year it'll be all about the holiday shows!

I'm off to make more mirrors. I'll leave you with this one which is my favorite from last night's batch. The image is from an old French children's book. I seriously can't believe I cut it to pieces. It was gorgeous and perfectly aged. But also very damaged. I love this picture because it reminds me of my father who played piano from a very young age and talks about how when he was eight years old he would give the neighbor girls piano lessons. So cute. It also reminds me sitting on my daddy's lap playing piano when I was a child. Aww. So sappy, I know. :)