Shop Local: Patterson Park Flea Market & Craft Fair in Baltimore, MD on May 14, 2011

If you live in the Baltimore-Washington area and have ever been interested in viewing my items in person, there is an excellent opportunity this weekend. I’ll be peddling my wares at the Patterson Park Flea Market & Craft Fair. I’ll bring all of the vintage and refashioned goodies from my Etsy shop and sell them at my booth, just look for the large SerendipiT sign. I’ll even have goodies that I haven’t had the opportunity to list in my store, like recycled tshirt tote bags, hats and more. This event will kick off Saturday morning at 9am and last until 3pm and you can find us near Lombard Street and Patterson Park Avenue, by the White House and Fountain.

The Spring 2011 Patterson Park Flea Market and Craft Fair will be presented by the Butchers Hill Association on Saturday, May 14, 2011 from 9:00 AM until 3:00 PM.� The event is located in the northwest part of Baltimore�s Patterson Park near familiar landmarks � the Pagoda, the Marble Fountain, and the White House.� Vendors and buyers will enjoy a great outdoor setting, live band music, and picnic food and beverages offered by Butchers Hill.

We hope that you’ll join us in this 20-year-plus flea-market tradition, either as a vendor selling �fleas,� both old and new, or crafts, creations, and other valuables, or by kicking back for a day of fun and bargain-hunting.

So come out and enjoy Baltimore in Spring, shop for some local handmade crafts and unique vintage finds and be sure to stop by and say, Hi!”.

2011 Is Here; Now What?

Well, it’s officially 2011. If you are into Mayans or Judgement Day there may not be much point in planning out your next project, but as for me; I’ve got a lot of work to do. I am extremely happy to have survived the holidays. Everyone seemed to enjoy the gifts that I made for them with a few confused looks but mostly happy faces. Lots of exclamations of “It’s my favorite color!” which is really what I was hoping for. Lots of promises to pair the shawls coats (apparently purple coats were very popular in recent years) and new soap savers being filled with beer soap. I hope everyone really loves their gifts as much as I loved making them, but now it’s time to work for myself. Well, for myself and my Etsy shop. I’m off to a productive start though. I’ve already made a brimmed beanie and a pair of sweater boots from the same sweater. I’m hoping to get well practiced at making these matching sets so that I can have a few for myself, a few to give as gifts and a few to sell in my shop. They combine all of my favorite things in a few fun projects: thrifting, recycling and crafting! I’m also planning to use my newly acquired knitting and crocheting skills to get to work on a few fun projects too. I’m hoping to make a few rag rugs, some stylish accessories and maybe a sweater or two. Of course, I’m already receiving family requests for a new knit scarf, patches and hemming and even a fun baby shower gift. I’ve also come up with some fun ideas for the shop and I’m going to try to start using patterns in my refashions, so wish me luck! I’m also studying up on photography so that I can improve my photos. Please be sure to comment on anything you see in my shop; I can always use feedback, pointers or advice. Finally, in just a few months it will be time to get started on those Christmas projects again. So who has time to worry about the apocalypse? I’ve got crafting to do! What are your plans for the coming year? Be sure to share photos of any projects that you get finished or links to any cool tutorials that you spot. Happy New Year to you gentle reader!

Etsy Shop Feature: Interview with Lola’s Jewels

I enjoy handmade craft for many reasons as you may already know from previous posts. The benefits of purchasing handmade are many, you provide living wages to someone that you can get to know rather than supporting a faceless corporation who may be purchasing from abused workers overseas, you can ensure quality and customer service are a premium and help the economy by ensuring that hard working, creative and entrepreneurial designers can practice the craft of their choice. You can purchase items online, at a craft fair or even your local farmer’s market. However, every so often I would like to take the time to feature and help you get to know some of the handmade artisans who have setup virtual shops on Etsy. This is the first shop feature that I’ll be promoting here and it’s an interview with Lola’s Jewels.

I’ve decided to start with this shop because it’s local to me. Lola’s Jewels hails from my home town, the lovely Charm City, Baltimore, Maryland.

ICouldSewDoThat: First, tell me a little something about yourself.

Lola’s Jewels: I am a mother of three wonderful children. I work full time and love to design jewelry in my “spare time”. This actually relaxes me. I even have my 7 year old daughter making her own jewelry. I love to read and enjoy lots of time with the family.

ICouldSewDoThat: So what inspires you?

Lola’s Jewels: My inspiration definitely comes from my family. I named my shop Lola’s jewels after my daughter and I hope she will design and create jewelry to add to the shop one day. She has a great imagination and an eye for design, so we shall see.

ICouldSewDoThat:As you may know I love eco-friendly design and have been trying to “green” up a bit for a variety of reasons. What about you, do you consider yourself environmentally conscious?

Lola’s Jewels:I am definitely eco-friendly! Waste not want not! My scrabble tile jewelry is made from upcycled game pieces. The shell items in my shop are made form actual sea shells found while on vacation with my family in Florida. There will be more upcycled jewelry coming soon!!

ICouldSewDoThat:Have you found any other shops that you really love to shop in or are inspired by on Etsy?

Lola’s Jewels:I have many favorite Etsy sellers. There are so many talented people on Etsy.

ICouldSewDoThat:“I love it when….”?

Lola’s Jewels:People love my creations! There is no better compliment.

ICouldSewDoThat:For Baltimore locals is there a way where we can shop local and catch you outside of your Etsy store?

Lola’s Jewels:I will be at local craft fairs in the Spring and you never know where else…… keep your eyes open for Lola’s Jewels!

ICouldSewDoThat:What’s are some totally random facts about you?

Lola’s Jewels:Dessert is my favorite part of the meal. I see the beauty in everything. I love Sunsets!

ICouldSewDoThat:Thanks so much for taking the time to share a little bit about yourself and your craft.

Be sure to check out the shop and look for Lola’s Jewels locally in Baltimore. You can follow her on Twitter or friend her on Facebook.

Remember to shop local and buy handmade!

Yarn Bombing: Getting Cozy with Street Art

I’ve always loved street art. Graffiti, pasteups, sculpture. I’ve always admired the brave soul who climbed a water tower, jumped a train or crawled under a dark overpass in the wee hours. I enjoyed watching living artisitic expression growing on walls at music festivals like Starscape here in Baltimore. I admire the interesting perspective that these artists share with us making socio-political statements and random acts of beauty. However, I don’t agree with the personal property destruction and the permanence of these acts. I’ve always wanted to participate, but I’ve always been more of the law abiding type. I’d just feel bad writing on walls with a Sharpie or painting the side of someone’s fence. Then I saw this, Yarn Bombing. I stumbled across the phenomenon of “guerilla knitting” and was instantly intrigued. This was something I could get behind, something I wouldn’t feel bad about doing. It’s really making the world a warmer, fuzzier, more beautiful place to live. Unfortunatly though, when I found out about the knit graffiti movement that was growing around the world I didn’t have any idea how to slip a single stitch. Now, however I can knit and crochet. I’ve been feeling particularly inspired recently and was reading about it more. Then, last night I finally got around to watching Exit Through the Gift Shop and now I really feel compelled. I like that it’s not permanent and if someone doesn’t like it they can just pull out a pair of scissors. No harm, no foul. They’ve even got a book out about it now with lovely photos of fiber art on the streets around the world, Yarn Bombing: The Art of Crochet and Knit Graffiti. I’m going to start researching and practice on my own house (sorry dear) by knitting up my own trees and railings in preparation. I love the idea of street festivals where groups of yarn bombers cover an entire street. I hope to one day see yarn tagging along the cold, dark streets of Baltimore. Are there any guerrilla knits that you’ve seen around the city?

Get to knittin’!

It’s Party Time!

That’s right folks, it’s officially party season. From now through New Year’s Eve you will be expected to don your best duds and doll yourself up to spend time with friends, family, coworkers and acquaintances. You can’t be seen wearing the same fancy dress year after year or be caught wearing the same suit and tie in every after party photo can you? What’s a green girl or boy to do? Even worse is the thought of shelling out all of that hard earned dough during this tough economy for a single purpose dress to be worn once and then hung in a fancy bag in the dimmest corner of your closet until you finally give up and donate it. Well, before you do that try refashioning. If you like to sew just grab a dress from a local clothing swap, goodwill or best friend who doesn’t want to wear it anymore. Purchase or make your own pattern and refashion that frock. I realize that this isn’t likely to happen for most of us during this busy holiday season, so I present to you some environmentally-friendly, budget conscious alternatives to grabbing that shiny new outfit from the rack. Check out some of these great recycled and vintage pieces from the crafty sellers on Etsy:

Look Nook covers Handmade Gift Wrap (and my fabric bow)

http://looknook.blogspot.com/ is a blog that focuses on “things to look at and things to read. art, books, love.” The blog highlights small shops that focus on handmade arts and crafts. Yesterday, the plaid fabric gift bow that I have offered in both my shop (SerendipiT.Etsy.com) and the team shop (FashionRemixTeam.Etsy.com).  Below is an excerpt and a link to the original; go read it and comment.  Thanks!

Here is the link to the original article EW: Wrap it up.

They say you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover or a gift by its wrapping. I happen to disagree. The outside is an item’s first impression and should be decorated as such. That said, there is no need to go overboard. My trick is to use 1 part simple to 1 part extravagant. If I am using plain paper, I will gussy it up with some fancy bows, bells, and tags. If I am using amazing paper, I keep the ribbon tying simple and clean.

If you found the Target wrapping paper section as underwhelming as I did, these items will hopefully inspire you this gift-giving season.

Etsy Seller Giveaway: Win your choice of any print from cindycolumbia1958

Cindy is an artist with a shop on Etsy selling original acrylic and mixed media art. Etsy hosts many and varied teams where sellers group together based on geogrpahy, style, interests or craft genre. Cindy and I are both members of Team Discovery who is hosting this giveaway event. Please visit the blog and follow the directions to receive an entry for a chance to win your choice of any print from Cindy’s shop. 

Here’s the rules:

• The winners will be chosen by random.org on December 23. The winner will be announced here and he or she will have 48 hours to respond with their mailing address. If a winner cannot be contacted or does not respond, another winner will be chosen after 48 hours.
• The giveaway will end at midnight eastern time on Wednesday, December 22.
  The winners will be chosen by random.org on December 23. The winner will be announced here and he or she will have 48 hours to respond with their mailing address. If a winner cannot be contacted or does not respond, another winner will be chosen after 48 hours.
• Make sure you leave a separate comment for each entry. The more entries you post, the more chances you have to win!
• This giveaway is open worldwide.

So, to get your entry be sure to visit Cindy’s shop and find your favorite item, then visit the Team Discovery blog and tell everyone which is your favorite. *Please see details on the blog for even more opportunities to win. Now Sally Forth and Tweet the Deets!

Threadbanger Tutorial: How to Refashion a Sweater into a Brimmed Beanie

I’ve been busy crafting for Christmas, so unfortunately I haven’t completed any original tutorials recently. However, here is a really cool one that you can use to make last minute gifts for friends and family. The brimmed beanie is loved by boys and girls of all ages, so head to your closet or the thift store and grab an old baseball cap and a sweater that’s really cook, but you totally won’t wear and get to work.

No Trash Wrap Christmas

Now that halloween is behind us, I’m skipping Thanksgiving temporarily and moving right to Christmas. Yes, I agree that it’s annoying when retailers do this and we should all slow down and enjoy the holidays. Ordinarily I would agree whole-heartedly, but this year, as in previous year, I’m making Christmas presents for friends and family again. I’m stepping up my game this year though and putting my newly found skill for knitting and crochet to work and cranking out gifts for the whole family. Some of these gifts are rather ambitious (omg how long will it take me to crochet 4 balls of yarn for one gift?!?) and we’ve only a few crafting weeks left until the big day. So for this reason, I am already 3 balls of yarn down and in the background of every football game you can hear the needles clicking away I’ll try to post up photos of my achievements as I go. 

Unfortunately, all this time spent on gifts means that I can’t spend as much time on my Etsy store. I will however be sure to list some festive christmas gift bags (from recycled fabrics of course) that can be reused and passed among the family members in addition to my recycled paper bows.  I hope to have time to list some other goodies, but I think I’d better focus on one task at a time for now. In order to celebrate the concept of a cleaner, greener holiday I am promoting the no trash wrap holiday tradition, which means don’t use throwaway packaging if you can help it; and if you must be sure it’s at least made from recycled materials.  Here’s the promotion that I’ll be running in my shop through the end of the year.

SerendipiT’s Shop Announcement

Did You Know? In the U.S., an additional 5 million tons of waste is generated during the holidays. Four million tons of this is wrapping paper and shopping bags. Through the end of January 31, 2011 I will include either one (1) free refashioned t-shirt shopping tote bag or three (3) recycled paper bows with every purchase. Please let me know your preference by sending me a convo at checkout.

The individual members of the Fashion:Remix Team are committed to help fight the trash by offering promotional items tagged “notrashwrap”. Search for each of our unique solutions for a greener holiday season.

SerendipiT sources fabrics from previously loved clothing and recycles these textiles into hand-crafted EcoChic fashion. This eco-friendly process reduces our consumption of raw materials and precious resources. Refashioned clothing and accessories are true sustainable fashion that helps you to reduce your environmental impact on the Earth. I will donate 10% of all proceeds to The Conservation Fund, America’s Partner in Conservation. For the past 25 years, The Conservation Fund has been America’s partner in conservation, protecting more than 6.5 million acres. www.conservationfund.org – $15 donated so far in 2010

*Proud Member of the Fashion: Remix Team (tag: fashionremixteam)

*Proud member of the Recyclers Team Guild (tag: wastenot)
Proud Member of the Etsy Recyclers Guild Team
Visit us at http://www.EtsyRecyclersGuild.blogspot.com

What I’ve been up to on Etsy

Hey, here’s a peek at both my personal shop (Serendipit) and my team’s shop (Fashion:Remix). Please keep us in mind for your personal wardrobe updates and gift giving. We all make and sell eco-friendly refashioned or recycled clothing and accessories.