the dangers of crafting.

crafting is dangerous. sort of like an extreme sport.

vote! help to open homespun.

i was clicking around on the internets yesterday and stumbled upon some information about amanda taflinger, the owner of the INDIEana Handicraft Exchange -- which, if you don't know, is a bi-annual contemporary craft fair that celebrates alternative arters and crafters in and around my beloved state of indiana.

after doing a little reading, it turns out that her dream is to open a physical store on the east side of indy (irvington) called Homespun that would, in her own words, be "a store and classroom devoted to handmade goods." music to my ears!

what an amazing opportunity for local artisans who, for the most part, are only able to promote their items online or sporadically at weekend craft fairs! i am really excited about amanda's dream turning into a reality, and a huge part of that is raising some money. she has applied for a Pepsi Good Idea grant and has the opportunity to receive $5,000 to help get Homespun up and running. it would mean a lot to me (and all my local crafters and homemade-buying-patrons) if you took a few minutes to vote for this idea on the Pepsi Refresh Project web site.

go here. sign up. vote. help. be happy.

it really excites me to see people living out their purpose in life, and after watching this video of the Taflingers' project proposal and reading about their mission with the INDIEana Handicraft Exchange, it is clear to me that this is their purpose. it is something real and meaningful, and it warms my heart.

bead bowl.

there are still a few hair treasures for sale in the gallery at the Sullivan Munce Cultural Center in zionsville. the center's appreciation for local handmade goods and and art really makes it a special place that i am honored to be a part of.

i have been asked to donate a piece for a fund-raiser during the center's upcoming Bead Bowl event. i was more than happy to give, and i really hope the fund-raiser brings in some money for Sullivan Munce.

here is some information about the Bead Bowl:

stocking up.

newest treasures, fresh out of the oven: 

(i'm not putting these on my etsy store because i am building up as much stock as i can for craft shows in the next couple months. it seems that my existing etsy items are doing just fine anyway! i've had three sales in the past couple weeks from people all over the country. sweet!)

wedding treasures.

i have been ultra busy working on new hair treasures. i know i need to upload lots of new pictures! but i have been working a lot, too, (at my real jobs) so finding the time has been slightly impossible.

i'm happy to say that wedding bells are ringing for quite a few people! friends, friends of friends, strangers, everybody. i am currently either in the process of working on pieces for four different weddings. eee! here are some samples i've created so far:

star feather bridal piece:

feather / tulle bridal piece:

pink tulle bridesmaid piece:

in between my bridal treasure endeavors i am also building up stock for the Castleton United Methodist craft show on February 27. so much to do! also: the COLTS are going to the superbowl (!!!) so i'm thinking about mega-marketing my colts headbands so this city can be ready to go come game day. i am such a jock.

here's to holy matrimony, being super busy, and loving football.

upcoming craft fairs.

i set a goal for myself that i wanted to do one craft show per month. i don't know how realistic that is as some craft shows have expensive registration fees and are far away. but here are a few i am almost positive will include hair treasures. (i'll have more details about these as the dates draw nearer.)

Castleton United Methodist Nursery School "Something Used, Something New" Rummage Sale & Boutique

this is a non-profit daycare / kindergarten near where i live. the school provides care for over 200 families! all vendor fees go to raise money for the school. my two favorite things in the world -- rummage sales and craft fairs -- all rolled into one!
Saturday, February 27, 9am-1pm
Indianapolis, IN -- 71st & Shadeland @ Castleton United Methodist Church


Hamilton County Marketplace: Central Indiana's Winter Market
i was approached to participate in this during an event i did in the fall. a couple in the area set up this marketplace with six dates throughout the winter months. there is a $1 admission price, and all of the proceeds go to help local non-profit organizations like Chaucie's Place and The Agape Therapeutic Riding Center. it's so great the money will be going to such great causes.
Saturday, March 20, 9am-6pm
Noblesville, IN -- Hamilton County 4-H Fairgrounds

15th Annual Spring Handcrafters' Showcase & Marketplace

this one is at the fairgrounds in muncie. i've never been to the fairgrounds, but i've been to mucie (aka funcie) many a time. it's a college town, so maybe some hip, young, hair treasure-loving people will turn out.
Friday, April 16, 2-8pm & Saturday, April 17, 10am-4pm
Muncie, IN -- Delaware County Fairgrounds


i'll get to display my new giant vinyl hair treasures banner! the one i got for christmas! and hopefully send lots of treasures out into the world.

sickie sunday.

i am alive right now thanks to mucinex, ibuprofen, and nyquil. yes, friends, winter has finally found me. all i want to do is snuggle with my puppy and go to sleep, but i thought it would make me feel better to make some treasures. so here's what i did today in my cold/flu drugged stupor:

green floral corduroy / yellow yarn & beads band.

 i used a band that one of my friends donated to the hair treasures cause. it's a heavy duty plastic scalloped band circa 1990something and looks sweet with the yarn. i pulled apart a crazy multi-colored necklace to get these matching yellow beads and strung them together to make the flower.

green & white buffalo check mountain band.

the only reason "mountain" comes to mind is because i tried a new technique, and it is 3D like little hills. but "hill" band doesn't sound as cool as "mountain." right? sorry, it's the drugs talking.

vintage doily applique / aqua linen band.

i wish i would have taken a before/after picture. the "before" would be a hideous short-sleeved blazer with shoulder pads. i've already used the buttons from the blazer and some of the aqua fabric on some other pieces, so i figured it was about time for the doily to make its debut. it wraps most of the way around the band, and the aqua adds a special subtle touch.

i can't wait until i can stop blowing my nose with a roll of toilet paper. even my eye sockets hurt. woe is meee.

hello, yellow.

in between various other projects, i have found a little time to make some new treasures. i didn't realize it at the time, but most of them are yellow. yellow is happy. and so am i. these will be available in my etsy store soon!

yellow seersucker bow band.

(made from one of my favorite dresses that got ripped to shreds in the washing machine. it was a sad, sad time, but i like to think i've turned those lemons into lemonade.)

red and mustard yellow felt flower band.

this is the second one i've made like this, with stitched felt petals. it's a cute little guy.

yellow seersucker ruffle band.

(also made from my beloved ex-dress.)

yellow tulle & tan feathers band.

i bought some white tulle the other day to work on a wedding piece, and this yellow stole my heart. the colors in the tulle and feathers match the vintage earring exactly. weird! and perfect!

that's all for now. i'm hoping to do a craft show sometime soon since i've been able to build up my stock a little bit, but i'm not sure what's available. i think i'm going to apply for the hamilton county marketplace in march, but the february one is full. any ideas?