Wednesday Item of the day from Gardenia's Garb

Today we are focusing our spotlight on a truly unique new addition to our team: Gardenia's Garb creator Patty. We simply had to share this yellow pirate/peasant shirt for men from her shop. Seriously, the guys are always getting overlooked in the handmade universe...so BRAVO for this bold foray.

Here, in her own words, is a peak into the designs and inspiration behind Gardenia's Garb.

"All of our products are handmade in non-smoking homes by my mother and myself. We have been involved with Renaissance festivals for over 12 years. We make clothing specifically designed for performers. We try to keep our patterns, styles, and color of fabric appropriate to the time period, but we occasionally take flights of fancy when the mood strikes us."

"Being a performer and a Scottish country dancer, I understand what is required of garb that is going to be lived in and worn more as clothes rather than a costume. Our clothing is designed to be worn, danced, and played in."

Check out more cool fashions from the past via this link:

http://gardeniasgarb.etsy.com/

Also, look over her blog:

http://gardeniasmiscellany.blogspot.com/

Birthday Shout Out

Happy Birthday to our own Lenny of LCabanero Designs! In case you didn't know...she is a Mom and art educator who enjoys many different types of media. She can create a plush creature or monster based on your child's drawings. How cool is that? Do yourself a favor and go check out her TWO etsy shops. Links are provided below. AND HAVE A GREAT DAY Lenny! Hugs from your uber-proud team members :-)

http://lcabanerodesigns.etsy.com/

http://minigiggles.etsy.com/

http://lcabanerodesigns.blogspot.com/

Wednesday Item of the day from On a Limb

Team member Melinda has 173 people who "heart" her etsy shop! She is the creative mind behind On a Limb Paper Invitations and Social Stationery. Her designs are classic, clean and contemporary. Changes in color, font and personalization are all available. So, if you are in the market for thank you cards, wedding products, or birthday invitations, etc., you should definitely check out her links below. Namaste!

http://onalimb.etsy.com/

http://onalimbpaper.blogspot.com/

Team update

Happy Monday blog readers! We hope you had a wonderful weekend. If you happened to attend our Eco-Chic Craftacular event in Columbus Saturday or Sunday then you know how our weekend went---BUSY, FUN, SUCCESSFUL!

Our team would like to take this opportunity to extend sincere appreciation to our sponsors, vendors, customers and friends who joined us for our innaugural art show! Even the rain didn't dampen our spirits or keep our loyal followers away.

Most importantly, the money we raised was donated to the Whetstone Community Center, Ohio Green Living and Local Matters (Local Ohio Foods). So once again, THANK YOU and we look forward to doing it all again NEXT year!

On another subject...a belated HAPPY BIRTHDAY wish to our very own Kellie of Blue Girl Ink. She is a vital member of our group and a wonderfully talented, kind and funny lady! Please visit her etsy store via this link: http://bluegirlink.etsy.com/

Finally, congratulations to Andrea of Handmade by Andrea Baker for her 2nd straight win in our monthly themed team design challenge! Her grocery bag cozy received the most votes for the "eco chic" competition. She will have the honor of choosing next month's design theme, so watch our blog on 6/10 for the next round of interactive fun!

http://andreabaker.etsy.com/

The Countdown Continues...

Well now we have only FIVE days remaining until the ECO CHIC Craftacular hits town! Just ONE of the many reasons to visit our debut is the FREE lineup of fabulous workshops. Here is a listing of those being offered:


Saturday May 16

1pm Eric Marlow Kids Area Eco-Crafts http://www.recyclabits.com/ Indoor lobby Workshop area
2pm Chris with Little Square Farm Rain Water Harvesting http://www.littlesquarefarm.com/ Outside Workshop Area
3pm Mary, Franklin Soil and Water Conservation Composting basics Outside Workshop Area
4pm Casey, B1 Bicycles Bike Maintenance 101 http://www.b1bicycle.com/ Outside Workshop Area

Sunday May 17

1pm FLOW How to keep your Olentangy River Clean and Safe http://www.olentangywatershed.org/ Outside Workshop Area
2pm Jeremy, One20 Farm Worm Composting 101 http://www.one20farm.com/ Outside Workshop Area
3pm Angie Palmer, Skye Public Relations Social media: Your eco-friendly marketing tool http://www.skyepublicrelations.com Indoor lobby Workshop area

It's not to late to join us if you would like to present a workshop with an environmentally relevant theme. Contact us to add your insights and help educate the public in an area so vital and timely. Visit the offical website to make arrangements: http://www.columbuscraftacular.com


Now, to keep the vibe going, here are five ECO facts for your consideration (read previous blog entries for more facts):
1. The average American consumes five times more energy than the average global citizen.
2. U.S. drivers use 43% of the world's fuel to power 5% of the world's cars.
3. The average home contributes more air pollution that does the average car!
4. We each use about 12,000 gallons of water every year.
5. Approximately 5 million tons of oil produced in the world each year ends up in the ocean.

Weekend Update

Greetings Loyal Readers! And Happy Mother's Day whether you have wee ones of the hairless, furry or feathered variety. Here are a few tidbits we wanted to share:

Our Craftacular staff tshirts have arrived! Staff + Craftacular = STAFFTACULAR! Special thanks to American Canvas Printing for the wonderful job they did. These tees are organic cotton and sweatshop-free. Can't wait until next weekend to proudly don one of these babies!

Don't forget to scroll down the blog to see this month's entries for our monthly design theme challenge. We've got twelve fantastic submissions. Be sure to cast your vote for the item which best represents May's theme of "Eco Chic."

Five MORE ECO facts:
1. 84 percent of all household waste COULD be recycled.
2. 5 billion aluminum cans are used each year.
3. It takes 90% less energy to recycle aluminum cans than to make new ones.
4. More than 1/3 of garbage in landfills in the U.S. comes from paper and cardboard.
5. Nine out of every 10 newspapers are thrown away instead of recycled!

ECO CHIC Design Challenge for May

Hevvin Designs wristband http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=22638961

Baby Gees capri sun bag http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=24838144

Quilt 7 metal butterscotch linen top http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=21386224

Kunkle Baby organic seahorse bib http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=21777522

Adornments by Karla bamboo pendant http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=23381340

Gardenia's Garb patchwork muffin hat http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=24842873

Maram Oh Sheet Fruity Sherbert bag http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=22888510

I'm a Smarty Pants upcycled retro mod jar http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=24840292

Jules Jewel denim wristlet http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=24582888

Artsi Bitsi nature girl adventure bag http://www.etsy.com/view_transaction.php?transaction_id=15913158

Andrea Baker grocery bag cozy http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=24524941

Sew Darn Simple brown corduroy purse http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=24500867

poll by twiigs.com

TGIF FIVE Eco facts and a Featured item of the day

Today's featured item(s) are from team member Jamie of Bella Moda Artist. Her cufflinks, rings, belt buckles, ear rings and money clips come with a variety of different images and are customizeable. Some of the characters you might run into in her shop are: Marilyn Monroe, Mr. T, Shakespeare, Lichtenstein, Warhol, Goonies, Superman, 007, Yoda, Oscar the Grouch, Bettie Page, Spock and more!!! Here's a link:

http://bellamodaartist.etsy.com/

Also, be sure to read her profile page for the history of cufflinks which is pretty interesting:

http://www.etsy.com/profile.php?user_id=5051117

FIVE ECO FACTS:

1. The garbage in a landfill remains for about 30 years.

2. In 1995 over 200 of the worlds landfills were full.

3. Each person throws away approximately four pounds of garbage every day.

4. 14 billion pounds of trash is dumped into the ocean every year.

5. The amount of wood and paper we throw away is enough to heat 50 million home for 20 years.

They're here! ETC Swag bags have arrived.

Feast your eyes on these Earth friendly goodies! Now imagine yourself getting one absolutely FREE when you are among the first 50 people in line on either Saturday the 16th or Sunday the 17th at the Eco Chic Craftacular.

Hours are 10-6 Sat and 12-5 Sun. Location: Whetstone Community Center 3923 N. High St. Columbus, OH.

Don't miss out! Remember these will be stuffed with MORE freebies!

Scroll down our blog to the post from 5/4 to read all about your possible finds within. Be there or be square! And thanks in advance for helping us spread the word. Namaste!

Last minute MOTHER'S DAY specials

Mother's Day is this Sunday, May 10th. Have you decided what you'd like to give your mom yet? Buying her handmade goods is a wonderful way to show your appreciation for all she does. Handcrafted art and gifts are often one of a kind and unique creations...some even have the option of personalization or customization! A few of our team members are offering last minute promotions in recognition of Mom's special day.


Free shipping thru 5/9 within the United States (Checkout and make payment as you normally would, your discount will then be refunded to you):

http://spacedogstudios.etsy.com/

http://imasmartypants.etsy.com/

http://adornmentsbykarla.etsy.com/

This team member, Kellie of Blue Girl Ink, is having a SUPER sale: Buy 1, get 1 half off on inspiration jars. Also, handmade cards are Buy 2, get 1 FREE. Mention code MOM09.

http://bluegirlink.etsy.com/

AND here's a cool SUPERMOM item by team member Artsi-Bitsi we had to share because it's just too appropriate! You can check out this Camera/IPhone/Blackberry/Gadget Case more closely by clicking the link provided.

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=24076963

Countdown to the Eco Chic Craftacular

Just twelve days! TWELVE DAYS!!! Members of Etsy Team Columbus are very excited and proud of the upcoming Eco Chic Craftacular at the Whetstone Community Center on May 16 & 17. Many hours of planning and marketing have gone into this event. With over 50 vendors, live music and delicous food...we feel this will be an unforgetable gathering.

Did you know there will also be FREE workshops going on the entire weekend? Be sure to stop by our information table in the Community Center lobby (beginning the 16th) to pick up a schedule/map for more info. Topics being offered include: rain water harvesting, composting basics, bike maintenance 101, keeping our rivers clean, etc.

Each of the artists and crafters appearing at the Craftacular has been asked to include or incorporate eco-friendly elements in a portion of their wares. You might see canvases colored with soy based paints, creations from recycled or sustainable materials, vintage goods and found/repurposed objects.

In additon to all the above, there will be a daily swag bag giveaway. Be among the first 50 guests to arrive each morning to get your hands on some fab freebies. Here is a list of the possible swag contents in YOUR bag: bubble rings, fabric wallets, postcards, magnets, buttons/pins, coffee cozies, coupons, gift tags, coasters, patches, erasers, notepads, stickers, ACEOs, recycleable bags, honey (yes honey) and more!

Raffle tickets will also be sold during the Craftacular for $1 each or 6 for $5. If you are a winner, you might end up taking home any of these prizes: original paintings, handbound journal, dyed fabric/textile art, denim purse, leather "snail" business card holder, embroidered tshirts, fabric totes, goats milk soap & candle, plushies or jewelry.

We hope you will join us as we celebrate creativity and caring for our planet. The support you show these artists is always appreciated and goes a long way towards stimulating the local economy and small businesses.

Many thanks readers and please help us spread the word----let the countdown to all this FABULOUSNESS continue...