My First Out of Town Show...

So last weekend was my first out of town show, Cowtown Indie Bazaar, in Fort Worth, TX. It went pretty well. I guess I had somewhat higher expectations for an out of town show but it sounds like I did better then some. Everyone from Etsy Forth Worth was super nice though and I would probably go back next year.  

Cowtown was the start to my crazy busy fall! I probably won't be writing more then once or twice a week on the blog because I'm actually in the process of putting together a brand new website/blog for the shop. Along with fall shows every weekend, raising a 3 month old, and my mom visiting next week for the first time since we moved to TX my time is very limited right now. :) I also got into Blue Genie Art Bazaar which is super exciting and stressful at the same time. I have calculated I have exactly 4 weeks of working time to make mass amounts of product for the month long Christmas consignment sale.

Oh, I have also been writing blogs over at Austin Craft Riot to help out with the holiday show. Since I'm overseeing all the goodie bags for the show I'm going to post blogs featuring some of the fun stuff people have donated starting next week.  I will try to keep up with posting some of my new projects (both personal and shop related) along with recaps from shows here but if you need a fix head over to Austin Craft Riot.

This was my booth at Cowtown. I had lots of new stuff for this show including new screen print fabrics, clocks, license plate skulls and more. You can find more product pictures on my Facebook page. 

I also had mini, mini mustache pillows that everyone loved. I originally intended these to be heating pads because they are the perfect shape for your forehead or neck but I got bored so I stuffed them the night before the show.  As you can see my little helper was not much help. :)

On Friday after we setup we went to the Fort Worth Zoo. Everyone said that the Dallas Zoo is better but I was pretty impressed. Wade got up close and personal with a baby chimp who came bolting up to the window when he bent down. The weather was beautiful and I think Gabe just enjoyed all the colors and sounds.

Here are some of the goodies I traded for or won in the raffle while I was there. Lets just say I made out like a bandit!

upcycled clothing necklace by The Snootie Pig
vintage domino pendant by Maggie May I?
skull and cross bones dog lease by Lizziebees
 pirate tooth fairy box by Sima Design
recycled paper necklace by Make It Sick
notebook by Subtle Acts
soap and lotion by Clean Jellybean
notecard, print and love notes by Fifi Duvie
awesome owl painting by 3 Bears Studio

Shop for the Cure @ Atown

Atown is having a charity event tomorrow, Wednesday the 12th from 5pm-9pm, where 10% of store wide proceeds and 100% of the raffle donations will go to the Austin Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure. Amazing "pink" raffle prizes have been donated by many of Atown's local artists including this beautiful jewelry set made by myself and GemJunkie! 

 Stop by to enjoy champagne, chocolate and live music by Austin's own Marty's Music Menagerie. Special guest, Lydia Miller, will also be there to share her story.  As usual, don't forget to shop local while your there! I was in the store yesterday and there is a TON of new stuff including a special line of "pink" products that will be available for sale all month. I didn't miss out on this opportunity to make my own line of "pink" products. Check them out!

 

 Visit Atown at 5502 Burnet Road here in Austin. For more info check out their Susan G. Komen Facebook Event.

Dia De Los Muertos

I've been working all month to make new products for my fall shows starting with Cowtown Indie Bazaar next weekend, Oct 15th.  These are my new favorites! I wanted to give you a sneak peak of what you can look forward to seeing this month at Cowtown and Viva la Vida Fest.

  Headbands made from recycled soda cans and bottle caps. These were really fun to make!

 

New bottle cap charm necklaces in 4 fun colors!

I wear a lot of sweaters in the fall and love to spice them up with fun, colorful brooches!

 

 Skull bottle cap wine charms - set of four.

 Last but not least, I'm finishing up a batch of new skulls made with license plates, bottle caps, and soda cans.

Consignment Update

TIP: Once you drop off your consignment don't forget to check up on it every couple weeks. Its your job as much as it is theirs to make sure your stuff is stocked and your displays look nice. I just popped into Atown and Sanctuary this weekend to check in and this is what I found...

Atown

Sanctuary

R&R Design Vintage Game Collection

As you well know by now I love shopping at second hand stores, yard sales, thrift stores and anywhere there's a good bargain. I started finding and collecting fun old games from when I was kid and realized what fun jewelry the old game pieces would make. I now have a popular collection of jewelry made of vintage game pieces including monopoly, jacks, scrabble tile, dominoes, checkers, and poker chips. A select number of these pieces are available online at R&R Design and at my consignment locations including Atown and Sanctuary; all of them can be found in person at upcoming shows.

Because I don't want to be wasteful I'm also working on new ideas to do with all the game boards, cards and extra pieces I don't use to make jewelry. Some ideas include: sketch books and coasters made from the game boards and boxes, party packs with streamers and cupcake toppers, and wall art.

R&R Design Now at Atown

I am very excited to announce my first consignment contract! You can now shop R&R Design at Austin's newest lifestyle store, Atown on Burnet road. This adorable new shop carries Texas themed and local handmade apparel, jewelry, home decor, accessories, gifts, furniture and more. You can find some of my favorite products including bottle cap charm necklaces, wine charms, TX license plate ornaments, screen prints, upcycled owls and garden marker spoons. More new and exciting products to come soon!

I am so happy to be taking my shop to the next level with a represented storefront so please stop by and check out R&R Design at Atown on 5502 Burnet Rd. (at the corner of Burnet & Shoalmont Dr.). You can also find other local handmade artists such as GemJunkie, Merritt Gade Fine Handmades, Nepenthe's Bathtime, Amelia Beth, Smash Tag, and more.

Become a fan on Facebook!

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Renegade Craft Fair

On May 21-22nd the Palmer Event Center here in Austin hosted their 2nd annual Renegade Craft Fair. I was one of the lucky 200+ handmade vendors that was selected to participate. I shared a booth with my dear friend Kelly from GemJunkie and enjoyed the company of my fellow Austin Craft Riot teammates including Craft Chi, Baby Bolt, Pommes Frites, Robo Roku, Nepenthes Bathtime and more.

This fall the Renegade circuit is coming back to Austin November 26-27th for their first ever holiday show. Applications open in August and I am hoping again to participate in this amazing event. For more information or to apply check out www.renegadecraft.com. For now enjoy some fun pictures of our booth from Renegade Austin 2011!