Toooooot! Toot! toot... toot.

That's my own horn there. I just couldn't resist - this is too cool! (and I promise I look happier in the actual photo - my hasty scan of the magazine doesn't do it justice.)


On news stands now! Now back to mad prep for the All Austin All Handmade Bash this Friday! wait, THIS Friday? ack!

Adaptive reUse Explains How to Deconstruct Tin

I was very excited yesterday to see that Austin's own upcycled jewelry superstar, Christine Terrell of adaptive reUse, was featured in Craft! Christine's jewelry is just the best - she makes wondrous & amazing things from old tins. Craft featured a great post from Christine's blog detailing how she takes apart those tins. It's a very interesting read - I had no idea just how she did it. It is no easy feat! So if you're curious too, hop on over and read her post, "Tin Deconstruction."

photo by Christine Terrell







Here's a pic {apologies for the blurriness} of my own adaptive reUse piece, a beautiful red rose. It's a real favorite of mine & I always get tons of compliments when I wear it. I love being able to tell people about the local artist that made it! I know Christine through the EtsyAustin team, and she is wonderful. In fact, I've been meaning to feature her on Local Talent Tuesday, but as you may have noticed, I've been slacking a bit with those blog posts. It is a very exciting time for me right now, with the upcoming launch of The WonderCraft, but along with all of the excitement has come a ton of work and filled-to-the-brim days (and nights) trying to get it all done. I hope to get back to posting more frequently in the near future. Until then...

The WonderCraft's first public appearance - a success & a total blast!

Last night my newest creative venture, The WonderCraft, unveiled our crafty plans to take over the world (or at least Austin)! 2 of my biz partners, Beth A & Kim, & I were at the Austin Handmade Grand Re-Opening Party (our other partner, Jen, was out of town this time). We had so much fun telling folks about our new biz, doing a make 'n take wrist cuff project with the party-goers, celebrating the success of Austin Handmade & their awesome new location (where we will be holding many of our WonderCraft classes - super excited about that!), and being a part of the Austin Fashion Week fun.

Local designer Robie of Parsimony was there showing her adorable dresses & tunics. I finally got to meet Adrienne of All Things Austin Design, whose blog I am a big fan of. I had a great time making upcycled wrist cuffs with two of my EtsyAustin teammates shown above, Cathie of Sweet Wolf & Brandy of Pigsey Art. I was totally digging that cheetah! I was so caught up in it all that I only took these 2 pics. Hopefully I can snag some more from other peeps that were there. Thanks to all who came out & shared in the fun!

If you missed us, I hope you'll come out & meet us at The All Austin All Handmade Bash on July 31st! It promises to be a great time. We'll be there doing more DIY projects and there will also be local handmade vendors, live music, a fashion show, goody bags & raffle prizes, tasty beverages and more! It's another Electric Promotions event, so you know it will be good!

Swing by the Austin Handmade Grand Re-opening Party this Thursday!

Austin Handmade will be celebrating the Grand Re-opening of its new store location at 2009 S. First St. Combining launch efforts with this year’s Austin Fashion Week, the party will feature a fashion show by local designer Robie Dodson of Parsimony.

The Austin Handmade store’s Grand Re-opening Party will offer special in-store discounts, along with free giveaways from participating sponsors such as the TXRD Lonestar Rollergirls, select Austin based artists and a membership to The WonderCraft. Party guests will be able to try out the new Austin Handmade Do-It-Yourself Room using simple kits created by Austin artists with instructions and basic supplies available for purchase at the event. Continue with the on-site DIY fun with make n’ take projects provided by Austin’s newest creative craft-force, The WonderCraft.

Show entertainment provided by local band Lost Werks and DJ Beef Eigler of High Society. Event and fashion show photography by local photographer, John Pesina of www.johnpesina.com, featured in The Austin American Statesman, Envy Magazine and Austin 360.

Enjoy cake from Sugar Mammas Bakeshop with drinks provided by Austin favorites, Sweet Leaf Tea and Treaty Oak Platinum Rum. Treaty Oak is rum truly made in the spirit of Texas - Texas’s first & only distillery that both brews and distills locally, using only Texas ingredients.

One of the coolest quilts I have ever seen...

This is the cutest quilt ever with its prominent circle designs. Of course quilt blocks have to be square, so the artist, Jennifer Murphy, has an ingenius method for making them. And you can learn how she does it - she has the tutorial for this quilt up right now on her blog. Run & get it - it's a great one! And thanks to Craftzine for sharing this one today in their newsletter.

Can I Pick 'em or What?

Back in May I picked Cardboard Safari as a Creative Genius to feature. Today I noticed that they are Etsy's Featured Seller! It's a fun interview to read, and if you haven't checked out their work yet, you really should. It's so cool & really a clever idea to make "trophies" out of cardboard.

Artazov's "Nails' Life" = WOW!

You've got to take a look at all of the "Nails' Life" photos by Czech photographer Vlad Artazov. They are simply amazing. This is only one of Artazov's many stunning pics. I refrain from posting others because they are somewhat graphic in terms of the content (what?! it's only hardware!). Check out the link & you'll see what I mean...

Have a fun Fourth!

Did you see these on Craft's blog? Another fabulous find: colorful 4th of July fireworks that send confetti flying into the air. Check out the tutorial for these cool Confetti Popper Rockets from Brenda at Alpha Mom. Here's hoping you have a fun & safe holiday weekend!



photos by Brenda Ponnay