Drop by 608 E. 3rd Street Austin, TX on Sunday, August 7 · 11:00am - 5:00pm for the Studio Downtown Trunk Show & Courtyard Event. You will get a chance to check out the great letter press of Austin Craft Riot team member Inviting, you can also see Feto Soap and make your own soap on location.

The Burnet Road Farmer Market, at 6701 Burnet Road Market, is doing something that we really love, providing a consistent space for local business to meet and sell to their neighbors. You can find fresh produce, dairy, and meet the people who who own the farms. On Saturday July 30th you will also get to meet Inviting and check out some of her impeccable letter press. Please stop by to shop local, and support your neighbors.

Tribe Comics, at 2919 Manchaca Rd, Suite 102Austin, TX 78704, will be hosting the Summer 2011 Indie Comic Book and Art Show from 6:00pm-9:00pm. As you might expect there will spectacular graphics work from Austin Craft Riot member Robo Roku, great art from Jenny Hearts Art, and fun comic art from Crab Apple Designs. Join some of Austin’s finest independent comic book creators and visual artists for a one-night exhibition and sale.

Have you been to Austin Flea at the Highball yet? Well why not? The Highball, at 1142 S Lamar Blvd Austin, TX 78704, has cool dripping down the walls with plush banquets, bowling lanes, a bar, and private rooms for karaoke. Not to mention you can grab a good meal, and hear tunes from some of the best musicians Austin has to offer. The icing will be put on the cake on Saturday July 23rd from 11:00 am- 5:00 pm when you will have the chance to check out some amazing Austin Craft Riot artists in the AC, if the ambiance is not cool enough for you. You will have the chance to see the screen printing skills of Robo Roku, the Stunning housewares of Craft Chi, amazing letterpress by Inviting, and the lovely art of This Creative Life. Baby Bolt will keep the kids in stylish threads, and Sew La La will have just the right frock just for you. Head on out to see all the amazing artists and crafters.

Out and About

This Friday July 15th from 9:00am-9:oo pm and Saturday July 16th from 9:00 am - 6:00 pm you can see the fun and functional bath products of Nepenthe's Bathtime and the metal work of Hammer It Out at Christmas in July. There will be two model homes at 1105 and 1103 Walsh Trail in Cedar Park, Texas filled to the rafters with great gifts to help temper this summer heat.




Come out and celebrate with Renee of This Creative Life and Robo Roku at the Artists Screen Printing Cooperative (ASPCO) 1st Birthday Party & Member Exhibit on Saturday, July 16 from 7:00pm - 10:00pm.

There will be home-brewed beer, sangria, birthday cake, and minimal funk music spun by Missy Lektro & Daniel Allen. The festivities will take place at 1109 Shady Lane Austin, Texas. Come by to see some amazing screen printing skills!

Etsy Craft Party 2011 by Austin Craft Riot!

On Friday Austin Craft Riot joined Etsy in hosting a world wide craft party. We want to thank everyone who came out this year. It is always such a treat to see folks get their hands dirty and find some beauty come out of their hard work. Between the button making, screen printing, duct tape jewelry, and upcylcled bags those in attendance were decked out to hit the town in their handmade fun. You can check out pictures from the photo booth, as well as all the other good times had at Starving Art Studios.





We would be remiss to not give a special thanks to The Lonely Gourmet who very graciously supported us in bringing snacks to the crafty masses, as working this hard can really bring on an appetite. At the Lonely Gourmet "Where Single Doesn't Mean Boring" you can get crafty with your dinner.




And last but certainly not least a big thanks to Austin Craft Riot's team members Cheryl of Liberty Originals, Katie of Sophie and the Cat, Beth of Paired Hearts, Tara of R&R Designs, Amelia of AmeliaBeth, Tisa of Tisa's Creations , Lani of Elle Dee Designs, Iliana of Bookgirlstudio, Brandy of Pigsey Art, Shay of Constant Dreamer, Amy of Craft Chi, Megan of Hammer It Out, and Renee of Robo Roku for working very hard to bring this amazing party to the people. We look forward to having more crafting events like this in the future and hope you will join us again next time.

Renegade Craft Fair

The 2nd Annual Renegade Craft Fair in Austin will be May 21st- 22nd from 11:00 am – 7:00 pm at the Palmer Events Center, 900 Barton Springs Rd. Austin, TX 78704. If you are not familiar with Renegade Handmade they are a brick and mortar store that host handmade events all around the country. Since the Etsy Austin team has such an amazing array of artists you will get to see a bunch of them there.




Baby Bolt will be at the show with one-of-a-kind or limited-run clothing and accessories for the little ones.





The team of Robo Roku creates unique art, apparel, accessories from original images they create.








Craft Chi makes bags, aprons and belts out of fabric that she has printed original images on.








Merrit Gade Fine Handmades will knock your socks off with her Tiaras and jewelry that she creates with wire and gems.




Squid Ink Collective screen prints original images on shirts and home goods. As they say print and destroy.

Pommes Frites makes housewares and accessories using eco-friendly and sustainable materials.

Violet Crown Festival

The Violet Crown Festival is this Saturday May 7th from 11:00 am- 6:00 pm at 6701Burnett Road Austin, Texas. This is the day before Mother's Day and will be a great chance to grab something great for to treat your mom on her special day.

Tina Lewis creates gorgeous pottery that will brighten your home.

Amelia Beth will have you covered with scrabble tile jewelry.

Blue Bamboo creates accessories out of duct tape. Look at this clutch.

Shop Crafty!

The Shop Crafty event will be held April 16th from 10:00 am - 5:00 pm at the Marchesa, 6406 N. IH-35 Austin, Texas 78752. You will have the opportunity to get creative in the Craft Lounge learning jewelry, sewing, and craft projects. There will also be over 60 artists showing their handmade goods including some from the Etsy Austin team.

Anne Marie makes beautiful bags and is also one of the talented hosts of the show.

Pigsey Art gives new life to old things with upcycled journals, stickers, and magnets.

AmeliaBeth creates fun accessories from Scrabble tiles.

Robo Roku creates buttons, notebooks, and even shoes from original characters they create.

Peach Bear creates sweet items out of felt, and clay.

Pommes Frites upcycles forgotten books and maps into buttons, mirrors, and books safes.

Debbie Carroll Designs creates beautiful jewelry layering vintage beads and findings into what will be become your favorite piece.

Hammer It Out creates functional and fancy home goods out of stainless steel.

Etsy Austin At SXSW

The team had an amazing time at the SXSW event. We would like to thank Etsy for having us and everyone who came out to join in the festivities. Fun was had by all while checking out our Wall of Wow featuring work by some of our team members, and making crafts to take home. We even got a mention on the CCN blog.

Members of the team provided samples of their work to display for patrons of the event to view. We had QR codes for each shop that were very popular with the tech savvy crowd. It was great to get to brag on each other and tell how supportive and active the team is in Austin.

The crafting tables were filled with people getting involved in the hand made vibe. Etsy and Burda Style provided the tools and supplies to make upcylced t-shirt bags and hand decorated shot glasses. It was a great weekend and we look forward to more events like this in the future.

Hammer It Out's Guide to Late Night Austin

It is late you have had an amazing day of music and fun, but your partner in crime is hungry and getting grumpy. We have all been there. Lucky for you this is happening in Austin and you have options beyond the truck stops on the highway. This is not a complete list of late night places, but I have been to all of these and would recommend them to my friends.

If you are already downtown there will be an array of pizza shops and carts to choose from. They are all good people, but one joint stands out for me Casino El Camino. The Food Network has come calling to check out the larger than life burgers. They are fresh, made to order, and open until last call. The Buffalo Burger is excellent. Also open until 2 am is Trudy's. They now have three locations that are all amazing. You do not get the kind of service they offer here just anywhere. On top of that they server a famous Mexican Martini to cool down the spice of your meal.

Now onto the places that are there for you 24 hours a day. If you have a hankering for authentic Mexican pastries or some fresh tortillas then La Mexicana Bakery will get you fixed up. They also have a breakfast and lunch menu that they serve all day. Katz's Deli on 6th street has been bringing a touch of New York by way of their deli to Austin since 1979. If you want a reuben or blintz this is your spot. Another great 6th street spot is the 24 Dinner. I will just say gourmet chicken and waffles and leave it at that. Kerby Lane Cafe is an institution here. It is not at all unusual for people to wait for hours to get a a short stack on a Saturday morning. They also have a seasonal menu with things like gruyere and kielbasa quiche. Another super breakfast spot is Magonila Cafe. You can also get sandwiches, tacos, and some Tex-Mex too.

Star Seeds Cafe is a small no nonsense diner with good music on the speakers, and great food on the table. If your main need is coffee check out Bennu or Strange Brew. Both shops have a great cup of Joe and you can also grab a pastry or a sandwich. I would also like to mention Mrs. Johnson's Bakery. They serve hot doughnuts starting at 8:40 PM until midnight. The glazed are a mouthful of nostalgia for a time when a guy bought a shop and perfected his craft.

I don't care what anybody tells you these are the best in town. Welcome to Austin we are happy to have you. While you are here support good local restaurants, and drive safe.


-Megan Russell
www.hammeritout.etsy.com
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