Violet Crown Festival 2011

On May 7 I will be participating in the Violet Crown Festival. This fun family event has moved from Brentwood Park to the Burnet Road Market. I'll have my pottery, including two new kiln loads that haven't been posted at tinalewis.etsy.com.

I will also have a nice selection of my sister Linda's beautiful cast concrete leaves. She grows the leaves in her gorgeous yard and then selects the best to cast in her special concrete mix. After the concrete cures, she peels back the leaf and begins the process of hand painting. Linda adds layers and layers of colors to create vivid realism to these permanent leaves. She then seals them so they can be displayed outdoors or indoors. These are beautiful simply on the wall or a shelf or displayed as part of custom bird baths, butterfly baths and fountains.

March!

March is already almost gone! SXSWi with EtsyAustin was amazing. Had a great time helping set up and remove the Wall of Wow at Venue 222. Quoted on a CNN blog. There was so much free stuff, bands everywhere, street crafts and food everywhere. Overwhelming and amazing especially compared to the first one - with only 100 bands and 700 registrants.

I have also started working on my FB page and contemplating the simplest way to simplify. Adding to my Etsy shop and thinking about Artfire.

I will be back in the studio tomorrow making things for the Violet Crown Festival at Burnet Road Farmer's Market on May 7, 2011 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Etsy for Christmas -10% off coupon!

Craft Riot was great fun and a successful event! It's the only show for me this Christmas season so I'm loading up my Etsy shop as much as possible. I'm also trying out the new coupon code - 10% off if you type in the coupon code "AustinFB" between now and December 10. I'll keep adding items but if you saw something at Craft Riot and it's not listed, just convo me.

Thanks to all who came out for Craft Riot and the hard working EtsyAustin team for such a fun event.

Etsy Selling and Buying - It's People!!

It's People! (To use a favorite line from an old movie.)* Buying and Selling on Etsy is a labor of love and it's about the People. I like that Etsy means buying from real people that love what they are doing. As a buyer I am always amazed at the personal notes, extra handmade touches and care that goes into shipments. It's like getting a gift even if you are buying supplies! Yesterday I received some card sleeves from www.cardmaven.etsy.com. She included a really nice note and a nice pile of cut out scrapping paper. Very nice! I'll pass some on to my customers, etc. with my stamp on the back. Thanks Card Maven!

I try to keep the love going whenever I make a sale. A photo of free gift wrapping on my latest Etsy sale is pictured. I was excited to sell one of my favorite pieces to a customer in Arizona who purchased it as a gift for someone in Wisconsin. I sometimes charge for gift wrapping but if there is time and ready supplies I'll gift wrap for the fun of it. It is such an honor that someone likes my work and will give it as a gift. I found an old travel atlas in great condition and am using it for wrapping. This then went into a bigger box with peanuts. All recycled!

*First person to convo me at tinalewis.etsy.com with the name of that movie gets a free magnet! Don't comment in case someone hasn't seen the movie. It's a spoiler.

BrightBoldBeautiful blogged about Linda's Birdhouse

Linda Lewis White is my sister and a very talented artist.   I have one of her very beautiful birdhouses in my Etsy shop and it gets lots of attention.   http://tinalewis.etsy.com.

I was really happy to see it featured on a blog called: Bright, Bold, and Beautiful at http://brightboldbeautiful.blogspot.com/   

It is indeed very bright, bold and beautiful.  Lots of lovely photos.    

You should also check out the bright, bold and beautiful watercolors of the blogger, Laura L. Trevey at her Etsy shop:  lauratrevey.etsy.com.  The colors are so wonderful, I could have marked every page a favorite but tried to keep it to just a few.   I love the Caribbean and beach scenes.  

Etsy recognizes World Malaria Day

How are pottery and World Malaria Day connected?  Through the magic of Craftivism and the Storque at Etsy.   One of the pottery items I use the most are the patio lanterns/torches.  We use them with citronella to keep the mosquitos away.  I tagged and Etsy listing "mosquito" and Etsy included me in the related items post about this great cause.   Lots of nice items featured.    Click on the title and it should take you there.   

Strange Weekend...

This weekend turned out to be really strange.  First the Austin Handmade Market was cancelled on Thursday.   Disappointing but since we had business travel plans for Sunday it was o.k.  Well, then a possible flu pandemic outbreak in our destination - Mexico City happened.   Sigh..  So many fun things going on in Austin but I think I better stay close to home.  Post on Etsy, take photos...    Here is a photo of one of the pieces I am entering in the GACA member show.  (see postcard and link in posts below).    This is the first in a series and was created over about a year and through multiple firings.    I'll look up and post the actual time line from throwing to final firing.     

My Friend's Etsy Shop

Well, My Friend's Etsy Shop could be the title of a lot of blogs, not original but still useful.  My Friend at tadaboutique.etsy.com has a cool Etsy shop and is regularly expanding and adding new creative things.   Click on the title above to see one of her "Steampunk" influenced designs.  This one has some very cool lace flowers.   Not too many, just enough to be very, very nice!  I won't reveal how long we have been friends but it has been a long time... :-)

Cancelled - Austin Handmade Market

Cancelled.  It will be rescheduled for May 2 but I'll be at the GACA member show - Sharing a Passion for Clay.  I'll post a link in a second. 

Magnets!

               I just emptied a nice kiln load with the last of my cobalt glaze. This firing included a ton of magnets.  I sent a bunch to Milly with the Etsy Texas Crafters for promotions.   These should be in Ft. Worth for next weekend's Funky Finds Spring Fling.  Click on the title Magnets and you will go to their great vendor list.  The list includes some of our Etsy Austin team members.  It's free and indoors!  If you go, make sure to stop by the Etsy Texas Crafter's booth.  

Pictures!

I finally took some photos to post a few card holders on Etsy this week.  I'll post them over the week and spread out the days.   The bisque versions are in a few posts back.   Enjoying the sunshine!   Link to the title "pictures" to see the listing at: www.tinalewis.etsy.com 

Etsy Pottery - DarriellesClayArt

There are so many incredible Potters and Clay Artists on Etsy it can be overwhelming.   I try to check every day for new works and am always amazed.  A wonderful clay artist favorited me and I checked out her Etsy shop at:  www.darriellesClayArt.etsy.com.  (Click on the title above and it should take you there).  She has been on Etsy since January 2009 and has already sold a nice amount of work.  I think it is because her work is beautiful, the photos are great and she has a LOT of work posted.  I am inspired to get some more photos up!   Check out her Etsy shop and give her a heart!  

Austin Home Grown at Grapevine Market Sat. April 4.

I will be joining other Austin and Etsy artisans at the Austin Home Grown Event at Grape Vine Market Austin from noon to 6:00 p.m.  I'll have lots of pottery and there will be some other wonderful arts and crafts available.  Etsy Texas will have a booth and there will be tastings in the market and a band. 

More details under events at grapevinemarket.com.   

tinalewis.etsy.com

Etsy Austin at SXSW

Etsy Austin is hosting a very fun booth for SXSW.   It's on the sidewalk next to Hill Country Weavers (a very cool store too!) on South Congress on March 20th and 21st from noon to 7p.m. both days.  Here are some photos of the booth swarmed with shoppers last Saturday :-).   There was a wonderful felting demonstration and the inviting Etsy Austin table. Nice job.  I hope to get by there next Friday or Saturday!  Parking is crazy down there so carpooling, biking, etc. are great ideas.    They are giving away some great discount coupons and I understand street teams are out giving out Etsy Austin information.  Impressive promotions!  

search for Etsy Austin members on www.etsy.com using the tag:  teametsyaustin

and visit online: etsyaustin.blogspot.com.