Navigating the Craft Fair Market

Is it Friday yet? No silly - this week has only just begun!

Sometimes when I've had a particularly number crunchy day at work (engineer stares at numbers flying across the computer screen) I like to think about what I can and/or should be doing for my Etsy store Vivace Crafts. Tonight's topic of pondering, what to do about local craft fairs, how you find them and succeeding at the fair.

I've mostly been searching through Festival websites, like this one, and with a little copying and pasting of names of fairs, you can find out more details about it without having to pay for some huge association costs. These are particularly annoying to me, especially because I do my crafty hobby for fun and to make back the costs of the materials.

How are you finding your craft fair and festivals?

Happy Monday, let's go have a beer!

Updates and New Locations

Hello Blogger world!

It has been nearly three years (WOW!) since my last blog post and I think now is as good of time as ever to update. As you can imagine, things have changed drastically in nearly all factions of my life, but everything for the better. Many things are the same though. Still vegetarian, still with my same man and still the same quirky gal. Here's an update on things that have been happening...

Etsy: My Etsy business continues to bloom with new products, ideas and patterns always keeping things interesting. A current customer favorite is a throw back inspiration piece - vintage showgirl style resin hoop earrings! 

I'm working out some plans to develop a fun bridal collection with pieces for bridesmaids and members of the family. 

Location: Instead of the cold, blustering Midwest, Vivace Crafts (aka me!) has moved to sunny California! The Bay Area has been wonderful to me and boo and we love everything there is to do here. 

We do not miss the snow at all! Even though, the more I look at those birds the cuter they are! I'll take the sun and ocean any day over -40 degrees!

Personal: I'm now a Mrs! Hubby and I were married in August and have been enjoying our time together since. 

We both have new day jobs (no more graduate school!!) so life has picked up quite a bit. It's nice to have things fall in line, especially since we worked so hard for them to do so!


One of the things that I plan on doing is keeping up with the blogging. I'd like to take some time now and then to document things happening, like a good new recipe, adventures in the Golden State and new products to my Etsy stores. I hope you'll join me on this new adventure :-)

Cheers!
Isa

The Importance of Home

Print by spreadthelove - http://spreadthelove.etsy.com 

It's a rainy and dreary Sunday in Indiana today, but I don't care because I'm going home! I don't know if I'm just weird or overly sentimental, but there is something that clicks inside of me whenever I can manage a trip to visit my family and home town friends. Maybe it's the unconditional love and acceptance, the smell of the lake, the laughs of people that know you the best. Maybe it's just getting out of this stress inducing town but there is something that grows warmer and happier inside whenever anyone mentions "going home". Though my trip will be short, even just a two day trip is good for the soul. See you in a few.

Sweet Spring Days

Finally spring has arrived! Not only has the weather gotten better, us students have begun our summer breaks (amazing!). Honestly though, one of my favorite things about spring / summer are all the animals, like my little frog friend that decided to climb up our screen door! He was absolutely adorable : )

Seeing all the actual animals running around the yard has inspired me to create animal and nature themed pieces, like the blue glittery sparrow sun catcher to the right. Don't worry, the sprinkles and geekery haven't stopped, but a new Home and Garden section has been added!

Hope everyone is having a great start to their spring! Anyone have fun / exciting plans?

Note Worthy Holiday Sale!

Have a cute little one in your life? Know someone who has a cute little one in his/her life? If so, you must check out GrannysKnits, a fantabulous Etsy site featuring adorable handmade, knit items for little ones!

To top it off, GrannysKnits is having a 20% off SALE! She is also offering FREE SHIPPING to all US buyers! To partake in this great sale, all you have to do is enter "Winter" at checkout and the refund will be sent to you via PayPal.

This deal is too good to miss if you or someone you love has little children so don't pass it up!

Music Wednesday - Juanes

Who doesn't love a little Spanish music? For this week's "Music Wednesday", I'm featuring my favorite pop singer, Juanes.

Juanes combines a soulful, pop sound with the occasional ballad. Born Juan Esteban Aristizábal Vasquez, he uses his Colombian upbringing for inspiration in his songs. He mixes African beats and Hispanic rythmns to create a truly original sound.

He is known for his wide-spread popularity - across Latin America and the United States, especially. He has won 17 Latin Grammys, more than any other artist. Other than being a great musician, Juanes is also a Humanitarian, providing aid to Colombian civilians hurt with anti-personnel bombs.

Check out his website here for a music sample! http://www.juanes.net/

(And for the ladies, he's not too bad to look at either ;D )

Music Wednesdays - Ra Ra Riot

I think one of the coolest things that SoSoRosey does with her blog is to have a weekly feature, called Makeover Monday. Check it out! I was inspired to create a weekly feature about something that I feel passionate about - music!


This week, it's the band Ra Ra Riot out of Syracuse, New York.

Comprised of the musicians Wes Miles, Mathieu Santos, Milo Bonacci, Alexandra Lawn, Rebecca Zeller, and Gabriel Duquette, Ra Ra Riot is sure to impress any alternative music enthusiast. 

The band has all the normal instrumental components - guitar, bass, drums, singer - but they are a step above the rest with the addition of the stringed instruments, violin and cello. This addition adds another beautiful dimension to the sound, as the stringed instruments accent the melody with drones and cords. When the violin/cello take the lead and the rest of the band drops out, amazing progressions, arpeggios and complex melodies ensue. 

The sound is mellow and relaxing but they do have some songs that can rock! For more information on this great band, check out their website.