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Things I Love Thursdays – Link Roundup

by MissMalaprop on January 28, 2010

I was featured over at Scoutie Girl this week, in a post titled success is being able to live the life you want. I’m loving how Tara at Scoutie Girl has been doing sort of a magazine style, weekly theme since the new year. Obviously, this week’s theme is ideas of success, and what that means to those of us in this handmade community. I found myself really inspired by another post on the topic this week, success in the burgh, by Carrie Nardini, the founder & organizer of the i made it! markets. I was so inspired in fact, that after getting Carrie’s contact info from Tara, I got in touch and gave Carrie a call to find out more about how she started that event in Pittsburgh. (Because you know, with all that “free time” I have, I’d love to do something similar here in NOLA.) It was a great conversation (and thanks, Carrie, for taking the time to have it!). While I’m not sure if it’s something I’ll be able to replicate any time soon here in New Orleans, it definitely gave me food for thought.

I’ve been trying to dive deeper into the online craft world lately, exploring new blogs and listening to more crafty podcasts while I’m doing computer work at my day job. I’ve really been loving the CraftyPod podcast by Sister Diane, and I must say, CraftyPod #106: Engagement Marketing for Your Crafty Business is a must listen for anyone trying to get a handle on how to use social media like blogging, Twitter and Facebook to further your own business. The podcasts are available free on iTunes, so check ‘em out!

Even though I have no idea when I’ll find the time to do any personal craft projects soon, I’d love to make one of these t-shirt dresses like Wicked Whimsy did when I get a chance. (And it’s so simple, there’s really no reason to put it off very long.) She posted a tutorial on how to make one from two oversized t-shirts.

If you need ideas for great Valentine’s day crafts, check out Crafting a Green World’s Five Recycled Valentine’s Day Craft Projects. (Thanks to Glue and Glitter for the link!)

I re-vamped the New Orleans Craft Mafia website a few weeks ago, switching from the same website design we’d had for almost five years for a new design, built with Wordpress and the Thesis theme, so that more of our members can help keep things updated. I’m thinking about writing a post explaining how you can use Wordpress to build a simple website for your crafty biz… is that something people would be interested in seeing?

Also, this story about a Super Bowl bet between the Indianapolis Museum of Art and the New Orleans Museum of Art has been all the buzz at work. Depending on whose team wins the Super Bowl, one institution will loan the other a significant work of art from their collection… the debate between the two about which artwork it would be was pretty funny. (You know, in a totally geeky pretentious museum art world kind of way.)

I am also loving my new purse from Morelle and my new sexy slinky dress from Ureshii. Both just arrived in the mail the last few days. I’d been using the same purse for the last three years and it was looking worse for wear, so I wanted a great handbag that would last a long time. (I pick one purse and stick to it for awhile.) The barrel bag by Morelle is perfect for this. Plus everything is 15% off right now, until February 1st! The Horizontality Dress in Plum by Ureshii fills a serious gap in my wardrobe… now I’ve got that perfect sexy, slinky, but not slutty dress for any occasion. Emily, I will take pictures soon and post them, I promise! (And thank you for the extra shrug jacket, it looks great with the dress!)

On a sadder note, it seems there’s been a lot of pain going around in the blogosphere and crafty community lately. Of course there are plenty of people trying to help with the Haiti relief efforts: check out my recent post about the Haiti Relief Fundraiser at Indie Fixx or find out more about how to participate in WHATdesigners Help for Haiti guide. But it seems like unfortunately there has been a lot of personal tragedy going around as well.

Talented jewelry designer Wendy Brandes recently posted about a blogger friend who lost her husband to suicide and what she’s doing to try to help her in this time of need. Jennae of Green Your Decor just found out that her 4-year-old daughter has been diagnosed with leukemia. And they don’t have health insurance, like so many families, especially those who are self-employed. Tanya of Aardvark Silver on Etsy is also in the midst of a medical emergency… she needs emergency heart surgery, which her insurance doesn’t cover, and friends on Etsy have been helping to raise money for her surgery. All of these situations may seem small in comparision to the devastation and suffering in Haiti, but to any of these women, a small $5 or $10 donation or help spreading the word could mean a lot.

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Lampwork Glass and Silver Rings by Kristin Evihan

by MissMalaprop on January 26, 2010

Artist Kristin Evihan contacted me a few weeks ago to let me know about her work, and I was instantly smitten with her beautiful lampwork rings. Kristin started designing over seven years ago, and creates one of a kind glasswork and silver jewelery from her shop in Istanbul. She makes all sorts of lovely things, but her lampwork glass and silver rings are my favorites.

These rings are completely handmade, not from a mold, so the ring bands are often as interesting as the lampwork glass focal piece. Check out all of Kristin’s work in her Etsy shop.

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The first major parade of the Mardi Gras season kicks off this coming Saturday with Krewe du Vieux in the French Quarter. A new Krewe has formed to march immediately after it, dubbed Krewe Delusion, and I’ll be marching in it along with Noisician Coalition. (Want to be part of our group for this one time only? Find out how here.)

I thought I’d repost a really great post about how locals celebrate Mardi Gras that my best bud, Miss Ashe Mischief, originally wrote about a year ago and recently reposted on her blog.

The arrival of February means the beginning of a great holiday season– and I’m not talking about New York Fashion Week! Being from the Gulf Coast, February means one thing: Mardi Gras! For many years I didn’t appreciate the holiday; once I met people who really knew how to celebrate though, it became a magical experience.

mardi gras, mask, mardi gras costumes, new orleans
Image by Lady Elixir

Whether you’re celebrating Mardi Gras in New Orleans or Carnivale in Venice or the Caribbean, a lot of preparation that goes in to having a memorable experience. Since there are two ways to experience New Orlean’s Mardi Gras (as a tourist and as a local), I want to share plenty of tips of experiencing it like a local!

Mardi Gras is categorized by three things: beads, drinking, and costumes. Everything else can be put in to these categories.

mardi gras, new orleans, mardi gras beads
Image by Divemasterking2000

Beads

Firstly, you do NOT have to bare your breasts at Mardi Gras. This goes without saying. You’ll end up on Flickr. Flirting is just as effective for good beads, I promise.

Learn the Parade Routes. There’s something intoxicating about the idea of being on Canal Street for the parades.  In all honesty, it’s crowded and all the good loot is gone.  Securing a spot with your friends on the more family friendly St. Charles side will lead to better beads & more fun. Just because it’s family friendly doesn’t mean that debauchery is prohibited!

Pick Your Parades; don’t attend them all. There are dozens and dozens of parades leading up to Lundi Gras & Mardi Gras– so many so, you don’t actually NEED to go do during the final days.  Some of my favorites include: Muses (celebrates womanhood), Tucks (a Loyola favorite!), Orpheus, Krewe d’Tat and the Sunday through Tuesday parades. (Miss Malaprop also recommends Krewe de Vieux and Barkus.)

mardi gras, new orleans mardi gras, drinking mardi gras, drinking new orleans
Image by Mugley

Drinking

Avoid Bourbon Street. Again, the allure of Bourbon Street at Mardi Gras is strong; so is the increase in pick pocketing & the lovely aroma of piss, stale booze, and vomit. You know what isn’t strong? Bourbon St. drinks. They’re also overpriced. Think like a local, and head down to streets like Lower Decatur or Frenchman for your alcohol and enjoy a wholly more unique experience than your tourist counterparts.

(Note from Miss Malaprop: For Mardi Gras Day, and Mardi Gras Day only, I will respectfully disagree and note that some fun can be had, even by locals, on Bourbon Street. The key is sticking to the “local’s” end of the street, ie between St. Ann and Esplanade or so. Far away from Canal Street. You can check out gay Mardi Gras and the Bourbon Street Awards. Or head back close to midnight to see the “cop parade”, where the cops on horses precede the street cleaning crew and make everyone go home.)

Make sure you are off the road by midnight the night of Fat Tuesday: the cops are in full force that night, and sweep up intoxicated folks like the trash. It’s over & done, and they will enforce that!  Also: do not get arrested. You will be stuck at the Fairgrounds until the end of Mardi Gras, when they begin processing.  Avoid urinating in the streets; it *will* get you arrested.

Think ahead–program cab company’s numbers in to your phone.

Head to the Local’s Haunts The best places, in my humble opinion, to experience Mardi Gras like a local are on lower Decatur Street and Frenchmen. The far edge of the Quarter, furthest from Canal is also fun. If you MUST do Bourbon St., try hitting the “gay” end (it begins at St. Ann & Bourbon):the Bourbon St. Pub is always a fun bar to go to.

To-Go Cups and Flasks Are Your Friend. Whether in a hotel room, at a friend’s, or in your own home, stop by the grocery store and stock up on your favorite liquors. Carrying a to-go cup (which is legal so long as it’s not glass) or a flask is perfectly okay, and a much more affordable way to drink. It also saves you from having to wait in lines or around a crowded bar!

alice in wonderland, alice in wonderland costume, mardi gras costumes, mardi gras, new orleans mardi gras, flanagan's pub, french quarter

Costumes

Costumes are as fun and special during Mardi Gras as they are during Halloween. Whether a full out ensemble to just extra body glitter and hair bits, it’s always good to have something planned.

Comfort & Flexibility #1 in costume planning–make sure you’re 100% comfortable in it. When traipsing from parade destination to bars and back again, you need to understand that a) you don’t have time to change, b) your clothes may get ruined.  DO NOT wear something that will leave you devastated when some asshole spills his hurricane on you.  Wear comfortable shoes– now is NOT the time to break in those sexy new 6″ stilettos you bought.
There are 3 easy rules for Costuming during Mardi Gras:
1. Make sure you can move in it.
2. Make sure you can drink it in.
3. Make sure you can use the restroom in it. (If your costume includes hose, cut a hole in the crotch & wear your panties over it. It makes it LOADS easier not to have to remove them.)

Group Costumes Some of my favorite dress-up experiences have involved big groups of friends each dressing up as characters– whether Alice in Wonderland or Jem & the Holograms or comic book characters. Themes help you keep track of one another, too!

Corsets & Lingerie For men and women, you can’t go wrong with the hint of innuendo by wearing a corset or lingerie pieces (like garters and stockings) with your outfit! Go to my favorite local haunt, Trashy Diva for to die for pieces.

Concealment When costuming, making a concealed pocket or rigging a place to carry a clutch or purse is a great idea (for both men AND women). You want to be sure to carry your I.D., a cell phone, extra cash and/or a credit card. Carrying around a cumbersome and clunky bag isn’t an option– it gets in the way at bars, you have to find a place to store it, and it makes you a prime target for pickpockets.
When all else fails:
1. A belt buckle is an easy and safe way to store a small ring of keys;
2. Your bra can be an excellent place to store cash, credit cards, IDs, and even small cell phones if you’re busty);
3. Create a small pouch to hold your necessities in, and attach it to the inside of your skirt, pants, shirt, garter belt, or other places.

Don’t Wear Sandals or Flip Flops You’re probably thinking, why not? They’re comfortable, cute, and usually flat. But they also expose your feet to: spilled drinks, broken glass, urine, vomit, bar sludge, and more. Do you really want to stumble home in the wee A.M. hours, only to have to wash that off? Do yourself a favor, and wear something that covers your whole foot.

When it comes to costumes, above all, the sky is REALLY the limit! I’ve seen people in elaborate costumes, to people wearing their street clothes, to dressing in drag.

For those who have experienced Mardi Gras, and perhaps not in the traditional sense, what have been your experiences?  Your thoughts and reactions?

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Crafty Contests and Discussions

by MissMalaprop on January 22, 2010

Sewing machine company Janome is encouraging avid sewers to help get others into the craft with their Pass it On contests. For their Buy One, Get One – Each One, Teach One contest, choose one of their projects and team up with someone new to sewing, or if you’re the newbie, find a sewing mentor, and you can enter for a chance to win a pair of sergers, one for each of you! Enter their Pass it On! contest and tell the story of who taught you to sew and you could win a new sewing machine or serger. Pretty cool, no?

I’ve been following the discussion on Etsy and the culture of cheap over at Megan Auman’s blog, crafting an MBA. It’s pretty thought provoking, whether you sell your own crafts or just love to shop handmade. I’ve been a fan of Megan’s cozy/cuffs for a little while now, and I’m loving her blog.

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Picked By You! My Lovely Tree Art Print

by MissMalaprop on January 21, 2010

Dieshawn Holmes picked out this art print, entitled My Lovely Tree by artist Paola Zakimi. Dieshawn says, “I purchased this print from her for my daughter; it is very different and it’s hand painted. The art work is awesome and unique.”

Thanks for the tip, Dieshawn! I love Paola’s work, and I also think her dolls are amazing! You can find more of her work in Paola’s Etsy shop.

Dieshawn is pretty talented herself and runs Angelic Soaps and Gifts, a collection of her handcrafted herbal soaps, lotions and more!

Got your own amazing handmade or eco-friendly shopping find? Send it my way! You can email me a link to the item, one or two sentences about why you think it is so special, plus your name and a website/blog link so I can credit you to mallory [AT] missmalaprop.com and let me know it’s for Picked By You!, or you can post your picks in this thread in the Etsy forums or at my Facebook fan page. Designers, while I definitely encourage you to let me know about your own work as well, please note that Picked By You! is to showcase the work of other artists, so show some love for your favorite fellow artisans!

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Today I’m re-posting a recent post from my best bud, Miss Ashe Mischief of dramatis personae. I thought some of you might find her post on How to Custom Order Goods from Your Indie Friends might prove helpful for some of you!

Inspired by my own growing wishlist of indie goods and by this post on Customer Etiquette at Corsetry (not to mention Birdiee’s post on Retail Hell: How Customer Service has Changed), I thought it’d be great to share some tips on how to order custom, handmade, and one-of-a-kind goods– both from a consumer and creator perspective!

As someone who dabbles in crafting, the few custom orders I have had have been less than thrilling experiences. I can’t imagine what it is like for the person doing it full time.  Clients being unclear about what they’re wanting to lacking knowledge and research about the kind of work I create… it can create a disastrous work environment for both maker and buyer!

buttons hearts measuring tape
Via Catty Came Home

  • Know what you want and how to describe it. Telling someone you want a black hat isn’t as helpful as saying you’d like a black pillbox hat or a black fedora.
  • Do your research– approach the right person for the job. You wouldn’t approach someone to make a latex corset for you if they reproduced period pieces, and you shouldn’t approach the lady who makes gorgeous crystal headbands about making you a fedora.
  • Don’t pressure them in to making something they aren’t comfortable with. All designers know their limitations–they know that point that is challenging and new and exciting, and they know that point that is beyond their skill set.
  • Don’t ask them to provide their sources– don’t ask about material suppliers, where to get the best deals on supplies, or to divulge their secrets.  They’re called “trade secrets” for a reason, these designers take years to build up their relationships and suppliers, and they should’t have to share them with their consumers.
  • Be regular, straightforward, and upfront in your communciations. Be honest about when you need it by, what your actual measurements are.  Set up a plan for payments, and be diligent and regular in your email responses.
  • Keep your commitments. If you say that you’ll pay by a certain date or that you’ll ship a product at a certain time– DO IT.
  • Recognize business hours and costs related to doing their job. Just because they are self employed doesn’t mean that they’re expected to work 18 hour days for below minimum wage, or not have health insurance to keep their costs low.  Realize that they are running a business and expect that to be included in your costs.  If they have to go out and buy new supplies to create your product, don’t be surprised that some of that overhead has ended up in your final costs!
  • Don’t expect discounts! Related to the above point, these people are trying to run a business– and as much as I love a discount (and I know you do too!), there is a difference between waiting for a promo or sale and asking for the price to be reduced.
  • Demand security for you and for them. Whether it’s in the form of a contract and home contact information, make sure that if you’ve given someone money upfront to create something for you, that you have the right to get in touch with them– and not just over email.  Likewise, respect that they aren’t going to appreciate phone calls at 3 a.m. and that they have as much right to your personal contact information as well.
  • Be understanding. Real life happens to all of us– we get ill or injured, we relocate (*cough*), or occasionally we just let our orders get out of control.  Be understanding as a customer that most independent businessmen AREN’T out to screw you over.  Be understanding as a businessman that your customers will get scared and panicked if you have their money and haven’t been in regular contact with them.  On both ends, we’re just wanting communication, honesty, and survival.

Lovers of indie products, or creators and designers of indie products– is there anything you’d like to add?

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