First Thursday on South Congress

First Thursday is one of those wonderful little things about Austin. The small business owners on that street have banded together to have a relaxed and fun evening for all their patrons. They all stay open late and offer music, and chance to meet and get to know your local entrepreneurs. My favorite part is that on this evening little tent villages pop up all along the street. They are filled with local artists who join the festivities to show their wares. I am lucky enough to share in all the fun this go 'round. About a dozen of us from the Etsy Austin team will be out at 1300 South Congress, next to Hey Cupcake, for the very first time. Now I may be biased but you really should come out from 4- dark. The Etsy Austin team has some of the most ambitious, and exciting artists and crafters around. You are sure to find something to tickle your fancy when we show up. I hope to see you out.

The 78704 Market

Here in Austin your zip code says alot about your lifestyle. One of the greatest to live in is the 78704. On any weekend you can head down to South Congress to find all the fun and funky that Austin has to offer. While you are there you will want to check out 1300 South Congress for the 78704 Market. It is sponsored by WeAre78704.com They provide the lot each week and local artists provide the wares. Where else can you have a meal, shop amazing art work, and find your new best friend? There is a crepe trailer, as well as a barbeque one, and a pet rescue. On the third weekend if each month you will get to meet some of the artists from the Etsy Austin team. On a recent weekend I made it out to see what amazing things these folks have come up with.

Merrit Gade makes jewelry for her shop MerrittGade.etsy.com. It moves as if it is alive, and makes you want to feel it. She also makes the most gorgeous tiaras I have ever seen. The kind that make you reconsider a simple lifestyle for the possibility of being a princess.

Jasmine Turner, of TheJasmineGallery.etsy.com has a knack for taking a simple item, like a domino, and transforming it into cool pendant.

I am excited to have a fun funky market like this so close to home. You can drop by any time between 11-6 for all the excitement. I hope to see you there.

You can check out the work of those who will be out this weekend.

ameliabeth.etsy.com

wildmoondesign.etsy.com

lindesigns.etsy.com

Lynnea Edwards

adornmodern.etsy.com

Stacey Samuels

Lynnea Edwards

carolbradleydesigns.com

gypsyharte.etsy.com

happybuddha.etsy.com

GemJunkie.etsy.com

maggie913.etsy.com

etsy.com/shop/ajthepurple

etsy.com/shop/TheJasmineGallery

lindesigns.etsy.com

E.A.S.T. 2009

This was a great weekend, even with the chilly weather on Saturday. Etsy Austin put their best face forward for E.A.S.T. 2009. We had members set up all around, but I was at Smith road Studios as a guest of Faith Schexnayder, of Flat Fork Studio. Faith is one of those artists who does just about everything. She paints, she does mosaics, and she makes the most amazing sculptures of foam. They are so good one little boy asked his dad if a two foot tall lemon slice was real. The show was a lot of fun. It is always a pleasure to spend the day with some crafty ladies, talking about what we do and why. At the building there are several other artists who have space, including a glass blower that would allow you to make your own piece with them. This should certainly be a stop on your route next year. I hope if you were able to get out you had a great experience, and if you were unable there is always next year.

Meditation by hammer blow:

All of my life I have heard people talk about meditation, how you can clear your mind. As lovely as this sounded to me it is something that I have never been able to accomplish. I start to think about what needs to be done, or acquired. Before long I am up and working down the list I just created. Then this week when I was out in my shop I realized I have been meditating for years. I only think about the thing that I am doing if I am cutting I focus only on staying on the line. If I am polishing I only consider how to move so I can cover more of an area with one motion. This may not be the most accepted form of meditation, but it is the closest I think I will ever come. It is my break from the stressful and the mundane alike. I hope that you have a fixation like this in your life. Something that is so powerful to you that it can hold your attention, and make you notice each movement and how you make it.

Austin Children’s Academy Green Art Show

I am looking forward to my next show this Sunday, May 17th. It is at the Austin Children's Academy campus, 12310 Ranch Road 620 N.Austin, TX 78750, from 11-5. It is a green theme. I am not sure that all of my work is green minded, but stainless steel is all at least 65 % recycled, and it is fully recyclable later on, if you don't want it anymore. There will be some make and take art for the kids, which I think is always fun to watch. Kids take crafts so seriously, It's awesome. I have a couple of new items I am trotting out for the first time, clocks, and picture holders. Many of my new designs seem to be things that can sit on a desk. I guess ti make sense that is where I am most of the time. It is always a little nerve racking showing off a new design. You want people to like the work. I hope if you have time you can make it out. If not, well to heck with you.

For a map to the show click here http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=12310+Ranch+Road+620+N+austin+tx&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=33.352165,53.173828&ie=UTF8&ll=30.467096,-97.813897&spn=0.01683,0.025964&z=15

This Saturday is the second ever Austin Handmade Market. It will be my first. I must admit I am a little excited. It has been a long time since I have been going to art shows regularly, and I am really looking forward to it. If you are in the Austin are this Saturday, April 11th, you should stop by 507 West Mary Street. It is right on the corner of South First and Mary, just north or Oltorf, you can not miss it. There are a lot of really cool places on South First if you have not been recently, it is worth a look see. The market is supposed to happen every second and Saturday of the month from 12-6, but this is a new thing so if it does not just roll with it people. The owners of the Austin Handmade store are super cool and very gracious to host an event like this so often for young artists, so I hope that everyone who can will stop by and look around. I know you will all be searching for a reason to leave the house being cooped up with your family for the Easter holiday anyhow. So bring all of your rich relatives over to the show. The Austin Handmade market is put on with my crafty group Etsy Austin. They are a great group of crafters and artists, and a really good mix of different mediums. There are jewelers, of course, all different kinds of textile work, a book binder, and even a metal worker, me. I hope to see, and meet a lot of folks out there. Have a good one.

http://www.austinhandmade.com/

http://www.mapquest.com/maps?city=Austin+&state=TX&address=507+W+Mary