Etsy Craft Party 2011

Last year, I along with Renee of Robo Roku planned and hosted the Etsy Birthday Craft Party. I should note that several Etsy Austin (now Austin Craft Riot) members and officers also helped to make sure the event went off without a hitch. While I was both sad and relieved (I have a terrible tendency to over-commit, like woah) to have my involvement be limited to attending this year's Etsy Craft Party, I'm happy to report that the event was a blast.


This year's party was hosted at Starving Art Studios, a laid back art gallery on the east side that hosts drive-in movies and is home to the airstream boutique, The WonderCraft. The atmosphere of the event was very relaxed and the night consisted of free crafts for Austinites and Etsy Craft Riot members alike. From start to finish, attendees were busy as bees crafting upcycled t-shirt produce bags, duct tape jewelry, buttons, and screenprinting everything from embroidered handkerchiefs to bbq aprons.

If you weren't able to make it to this Austin Craft Riot affair, stay tuned for details on the holiday show happening in November. If you did stop by, what was your favorite aspect? Be sure to check out more great snaps from the par-tay on Baby Bolt's flickr and the Austin Craft Riot flickr pages. A big thank you to everyone who helped plan this year's event and to Tara George for sharing some good pics with me for this post.

Action Jackson out.

Keep Warm, Stay Crafty!

Brrrr. It's officially cold in Austin (as if it hasn't been off and on for the past few weeks/months); I'm taking the liberty of declaring it so because it snowed today at home and work for me...oh, and because work is opening a few hours late tomorrow. With the arctic winds set to full blast and me being on my third sick stint (yep, third) in less than two months, I'm not taking any chances. The heater is on and I'm only venturing outside for work and emergency trips at the convenience store (hot cocoa, etc.). This, of course, allows me more time to do a few things: read, watch everything on Netflix instant/Amazon Video on Demand that I instantaneously want to veg to, and craft.

For starters, I whipped up some bejeweled feather clips and bling earrings for The WonderCraft's Grand Opening Party, which is going on this Thursday at The Art Pad from 6-9pm. The Cupcake Bar, Blue Note Bakery, and Apothecary Cafe and Wine Bar will be providing the delish dishes, the WC ladies will be teaching screenprinting and embroidery mini-classes, and a few of the lovely Etsy Austin ladies will be selling their fabulous wares all night. And, if you're in the market for some DGAJ gems, don't fret! There are several crystal-encrusted Diamonds and Guns pieces available in The Wondercraft's boutique airstream trailer! Also, be sure to get there early so you can snag one of the goody bags (and subsequently a DGAJ feather clip or bling earrings) reserved for the first 25 attendees.

Stay tuned for more ways to keep warm and crafty (and reading) with DGAJ!

~Action Jackson out.

Currently Listening: Give Me Convenience or Give Me Death- Dead Kennedys

Austin Fashion Week With Sweet Potato Island

Action Jackson reporting here from the middle of Austin Fashion Week. It doesn't get much more exciting than this, folks! I was lucky enough to make it out for Cindy's (of Sweet Potato Island) Primping, Purses, and Pictures Party at the Thomas Saverio Salon and Spa. The moment I entered the door, I was hit with the warm cocktail hour ambiance of the salon and thought to myself, "If this is a preview for how this week's going to be, I'll be in heaven for the next few days". At the entrance, I was greeted by the super-talented Cindy who was beaming of excitement and busy playing hostess. And upon hearing that News 8 Austin had been by to cover the hot lil soiree, I can imagine why.

I started off my night by snagging one of the house cocktails, courtesy of Dripping Springs Vodka and Paula's Texas Orange. Absolutely delish. I then worked my way into the next room where the only thing that looked more delectable than the yummy h'or dourves were the Sweet Potato Island bags. I'm always impressed when I see the craftsmanship of these bags; you can tell at a glance that hours of hard work go into creating these beautiful yet sturdy clutches and handbags. And, of course, I have to mention that the display was absolutely chic and adorable and made you feel like you were in a Zen garden just looking at it.

After chatting with Cindy for a while, she'd asked if I had gotten my free manicure. At which my heart skipped a beat and I couldn't help but play back, "Free manicure?!" The rest of the night, the lovely ladies of the Thomas Saverio Salon as well as our fantastic Cindy helped to assure I had a great evening. Following my free mani, I had a free makeup session and hair consultation. And who doesn't that sound good to? There were a few raffles that were also going on in the midst of all this excitement. Sadly, I wasn't one of the lucky winners, but it didn't matter because I was having a blast anyway. If you haven't made your way out for one of the fabulous AFW events, especially those of our very own Etsy Austin members, I encourage you to do so and promise it will be time well spent. In the words of someone summing up the week, "think of it as a week-long free happy hour". Enjoy!

Action Jackson out.