Meet a Craft Riot Vendor: Little Grey Goose

Stephanie E. Gordon
littlegreygoose.etsy.com
littlegreygoose@gmail.com

Give a brief product description.
Paper crafts including: jointed paper dolls resembling people I admire, greeting cards for many occasions, gift tag sets, stationery, book plates, envelope seals & address labels, moving announcements & party invitations (and lots of ideas swirling around my brain for notepads and tea towels!)

How did you get started?
Just a few years ago, my work as an artist consisted of painting portraits of depressed looking people. Since starting Little Grey Goose Arts & Crafts in March of 2009, I've stopped taking life so seriously and am now focused on having fun making paper crafts and doodling cute, simple & colorful little characters. I definitely like the cheerful side of my artistic life a whole lot more!

Where do you get your inspiration?
So many places! From foods, colors, love, patterns, pop culture, board games, friends of mine who get married, friends who have babies/toddlers, Texas, colorful birds, giants, musical instruments...the list goes on and on! Most recently, I've been doodling lots of little animals. Inspiration credit goes to my sweetheart and the stuffed animal collection he is starting for us: so far we have a squirrel named Peanut, a bunny named Carrot, an Owl named Glider and a meerkat named Bugs.

Describe your workspace/workroom.
My limited workspace currently doubles as our kitchen table. It's nice enough, though! Above it hangs a paper lantern and on the walls: framed drawings from friends, mini bunting & a chalkboard .

What has been your favorite winter holiday gift to make or receive?
Around the holidays last year, I made several really great custom paper dolls - people requested some really terrific characters! I had a lot of fun making Sarah Vowell, The Avett Brothers (instruments included!), Pete Hornberger from 30 Rock and Quentin Tarantino dolls!

Meet a Craft Riot Vendor: LaLa

Laisa Macias

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/pages/LaLa/134648839894255?ref=sgm

LaLa or sewlala on Etsy

mylalashop@yahoo.com

www.sewlala.etsy.com

Give a brief product description.

A new line of clothing created using graffiti fabric that I designed and a variety of denims.  The line is fresh and fun and can be worn by any age group.  The line will also be featured in solid colors.


In addition to this new line I will also have dresses made from old clothing that was purchased at local thrift stores and vintage boutiques.  There are some very cool fabrics and wonderful patterns in these dresses that make them beautiful and definitely one of a kind.

How did you get started?
I learned to sew at a very young age but it wasn't until about four years ago that I really got in to it.  I took a couple of classes at First Samples as a refresher and have been sewing ever since. First doing simple projects at home, then using patterns and making small alterations to my own clothes, and then this year I ventured into pattern making which has opened up a whole new world of designing for me. "My biggest inspiration comes from my grandmother who taught me to sew when I was really young.  She was very crafty and loved clothes.  She made clothes for all her kids and then for me as I grew up.  My memories of her and her aesthetic definitely impact my designs and the type of material I use.


Where do you get your inspiration?
My other inspiration comes from music and nature.  I love old school hip hop and the 80's which you can see in the more current and edgy styles that I design.  They are simple pieces with a lot of personality.  The comfortable fit and versatility with which you can wear them speaks to my ""hippie"" style.  I want something I can wear outside at the beach to be casual on one day, and out for a night on the town another day.


Describe your workspace/workroom.

I have a loft style home that was literally built by the owners in 1979.  It is a couple of blocks away from a lake in a wonderful "Austin" community. All the homes are eclectic and nestled away among the trees.  I use the small upstairs loft as my workspace. It has mini vaulted ceilings and windows along both walls.  It feels very bright and airy plus I feel like I'm always part of the house because I can just look over the edge and see everything going on.  There is fabric everywhere and pictures on the walls that speak to me on those long night to keep me going. During the day I can open all the windows and just enjoy nature at it's best while sewing away.

What has been your favorite winter holiday gift to make or receive?
The first year I started sewing again I made totes for everyone in my family.  It was soooo fun giving them out and everyone loved them.  The best part about it is that here we are four years later and anytime I go home I get to see those little totes still being put to good use.

Meet a Craft Riot Vendor: Hammer It Out

Megan Russell
HammerItOut.tumblr.com

Facebook.com/HammerItOut

HammerItOut.etsy.com

HammerItOut@att.net

Give a brief product description.

Smithing has always had a strong tradition of making functional items that are also beautiful. Using stainless steel allows me to also make pieces that will last a lifetime.

How did you get started?
I answered an add for an artists assistant thinking I would get coffee and answer phones, but when I arrived at the interview I was handed a hammer. It worked out well. As it turns out I like to hit stuff.

Where do you get your inspiration?
I get inspiration from people living their lives. Watching the small problems they encounter and trying to find a way to resolve them with, but with a little bit of panache.

Describe your workspace/workroom.
My workspace is an ever changing configuration of tables, some permanent, and some made of saw horses to accommodate the stage of the process I am in. It is also filled with pieces of wood an metal that would seem like junk to most people, but they are hand made tools and jigs that I would be lost without.

What has been your favorite winter holiday gift to make or receive?
Several years ago I made a set of work for My sister in law. She is an interior designer and had been asking for one. I has shied away from it thinking I would not make anything that would fit with her aesthetic. She loves them and tells me everytime I see her how her friends all want their own. That is always nice to hear.

Team EtsyAustin Wunderkammer - Halloween Cabinet of Curiosities

It is officially October - Ren Faires, Day of the Dead and the excitement of Halloween is in the air! I thought it'd be fun to search the depths of Etsy Austin and see what interesting items we could find to add to or dress up your fantasy plans this month! Stay tuned for another edition next week!

Click the photos to read more about or purchase each item.


Gothic Chainmail Necklace - by astraeadesigns

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Black Skully Crayon Roll - by babybolt

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Spooky Skeleton Notebook - by crabappledesign

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Needle Felted Pumpkins - by Gypsyharte

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Candy Cane Horns - by knightimecreations

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Cotton Crochet Monkey Hat - by LittleSidekick

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Upcycled Crayon Scullies - by lpfdesigns

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Leaf and Pearl Hair Vine - by merrittgade

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French Lady Purple Mask - by Pilgrimage

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Spider Web Parasol - by PixieWorx

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Autumn Harvest Pumpkin Earrings - by polishedtwo

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Printed Skull Card Set - by shopinviting

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Craft Riot Vendor: Swish Productions

Allison Virgadamo
Swish Productions
makemeswish@yahoo.com
Swish Facebook Fan Page

Give a brief product description.
I sell boutique style accessories for women and children. I like the idea of making original and fun accessories for everyone. I make everything from bridal headpieces and clutches to baby burp clothes and tutus for girls of all ages. Your never too old to rock a tutu!!!!


How did you get started?
My company started after helping many friends and family members design and plan the perfect parties for their little girls. I love planning themed parties and feel that with every good theme, there is a matching tutu. After making many tutus, my creative juices kept flowing, and I expanded into making lots more things. I wanted to reach a larger market, so I started making bridal clutches for trendy brides and bridesmaids as well as accessories for babies. I still get new ideas every day!!!!

The word swish is a slang word meaning stylishly elegant and fashionable. Hopefully after visiting my site, you will feel the same way about my products and parties!!!!


Where do you get your inspiration?
Etsy is an awesome place to get inspiration. Looking at everyone's pages and shops just gets you inspired to craft. I also do a lot of custom work, so my customers inspire me a lot. Just sitting and listening to them talk about the things they like and don't like opens your mind to other people's styles. Life itself is great inspiration for creating. You can get a lot of ideas for a cute tutu or handbag from your favorite television show, a new fashion trend or just the world around you.
Describe your workspace/workroom.
My workroom is actually really cool. It's the smallest room in my house, but is surprisingly organized. I was a big fan of ""Domino"" magazine when it was still in publication and I used it for a lot of ideas for that room. I read an article in there once about a girl that basically wallpapered one of her walls with magazine and newspaper clippings of things that inspire her in her life. I thought it was such a cool idea, that I just had to do it. Now the back wall of my sewing room is covered with things in my life that I find inspiring or just plain cool. It's really awesome to look at while you are making new things are trying to get ideas.

What has been your favorite winter holiday gift to make or receive?
I love when people make Christmas decorations like ornaments for me. I am not a matchy matchy kind of person when it comes to decorations, so I think it's nice to have a little piece of all my friends on my Christmas tree.

This Fall: Etsy Austin Craft Riot!

It is officially Fall! Though here in Texas we haven't had the pleasure of experiencing the cooler weather, I know we're all excited for it. We're also excited for Etsy Austin's 3rd annual Craft Riot November 20th & 21st! I really enjoyed participating in it last year, I was able to share my goodies with everyone, as well as get all my Christmas shopping done! Here's a sneak peak at what you will get to see this year. Enjoy!

just a note...mini notepads ... tisascreations $6.50	Scrabble Tile Pendant - Brow... AmeliaBeth $9.50
Relics Charm Necklace debbiecarroll $84.00	Vintage Heart Posts fiftyacorns $8.00
Texas Longhorn Brooch grrfeisty $7.00	Pearl and Silver Hair Pick merrittgade $36.00
Little Man Burp Cloth Set PetitePensieri $15.00	Pixie Flower Petal Hat - Hal... PixieWorx $40.00
Rusty Colored Scarf or UT Fa... Maggie913 $38.00	ACEO - Embrace Possibilities... AJthePurple $6.00
Waist Envy . Art Postcard steel $3.75	Sweet as Apple Pie Apron babybolt $
Blue Bird and Red Mittens ConstantDreame... $20.00	Bici aurorareyes $385.00
Newt Skirt no. 5 in Brown, O... katastrophicde... $76.00	Hello Bird Greeting Card littlegreygoos... $3.00

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Member Feature - Chester and Lola

Name: Sara Rothko Hauschildt
Shop Name: Chester and Lola
Brief Product Description: Jewelry, cards, and gifts for people who love birds


What is unique about your product? I focus solely on imagery involving birds, both in the papers I use and the jewelry components I include.

How did you get started? I just got sick of seeing so much wonderful handmade stuff and thinking "I could do that" -- but never actually doing it. Finally I just decided to DO it.

Where do you get your inspiration? My two lovely parakeets (that would be Chester and Lola), wild birds... also from the steampunk movement and the magazines put out by Somerset Studio.


What excites you most about your work/shop? That people really like the product!

Describe your workspace/workroom. We have an extra bedroom in our house and so I have an entire room with a table, some shelves, and a window seat! There's also a sofa bed for a little inspirational nap. ;-)

Which do you prefer: online sales/marketing or face-to-face sales/marketing? Why? Face to face is a lot easier. I'm not very adept at marketing online yet.

Where would you like to see yourself in 5 years? If I can still do this, I'd love to be doing it!


What do you feel is the most important skill you use in your business every day? My creativity.

What do you like about EtsyAustin? It's a great group that provides lots of encouragement and support to its members!

Describe something about yourself that may be a surprise to people on the team. I'm a barista and obsessed with pulling the perfect shot of espresso.

You can find more Chester And Lola at...
Chester And Lola's Etsy Shop
Chester And Lola's Website
Chester And Lola's Fan Page