Monday, August 2, 2010

Thank you AGAIN, Etsy!






So....we got an Etsy grant. We used it for a super-sweet button machine. And then, as if that wasn't wonderful enough, we get THIS sweet little package direct from Etsy headquarters!

Vegan lip balm, cool craft-themed buttons, awesome bumper stickers, OH MY! :D

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

Thank you ETSY!

thank you!
thank you!
thank you!
thank you!
THANK YOU!
Thank you Etsy for the lovely grant for the button machine!
We adore it!  
Look out Wichita, we have buttons and we are here to stay.
I can't wait to make a ton of these to hand out at all of our events!

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Make Your Everyday Things Handmade Things

In hopes of helping those who still may be in possession of this mindset, I am going to admit to once having thought in this way:

Sure, it's great to support handmade and local sellers, but I don't always need and/or have the money for those little "extras." After I go to the store to pick up my everyday essentials for living, I don't always want to buy some cute little handmade trinket.


Solution: be sure your everyday things are handmade (or vinage!) things!!


Sometimes people (including myself) forget that buying handmade doesn't have to be a luxury, it can be a lifestyle. You may not need a mustache on a stick, but everyone needs an ink pen! And you may find fingerless gloves impractical on a winter day in Kansas, but real gloves and mittens are always great!


So please check out these fabulous, functional items from Kansas Etsians!



Kitchen & Bathroom Sink Soap by woodenfencesoaps, $4


Monday, June 14, 2010

Wichita Welcomes The Onion Tree!

Yesssss!!! I am pleased to present to you Wichita's very first ALL HANDMADE store--The Onion Tree. This is...awesome. In my midwest world of Wal-Marts and mass-produced imports, this is the stuff that dreams are made of....all handmade. All quality, all beautiful!! Located at 120 N. Hillside in Wichita, this lovely boutique features many artists from Kansas and some from other states, as well. Some of my Kansas favorites include the funky, eco-friendly jewelry of iamthemandy, Madame Scodioli's (the bearded lady's) goat soap, and some great glam threads byMountainscreamer.

But truly, there are so many fabulous handmade things to choose from. (And boy was I disappointed that I didn't have any cash to spend that day! Next time....)

ALSO, once I get some other projects taken care of, I plan to take my own items down to The Onion Tree! Stay tuned.

xoxo,







Tuesday, June 8, 2010

We're Having a Giveaway!

We are having a giveaway which starts today and ends on Saturday, June 19th, when ONE lucky winner will win the lovely wristlet shown below! (Designed and handmade by Folk.)

How to enter? It's easy!:

1. Check out our facebook fan page and become a fan.
2. Leave a comment on our giveaway status (here.)
3. You're done!

Good luck, and be sure to spread the word! The more participants we have, the more often we will have giveaways. :)



Thursday, June 3, 2010

Art Pride Parade 2010


What's better than a parade?? A parade about ART, of course!!

On Saturday, May 29th, members of Wichita Handmade marched in the Squirrelly Girl's Art Pride Parade in the Delano District. Dressed in fabulous (and somewhat freakish!) finery, we strutted our stuff down Douglas Avenue, handing out giveaways to the crowd and carrying our banners.

Not only was it great to be having fun and representing the group, but it was wonderful to see other artists and local independent businesses! Some of my favorites were Lucinda's, Tribal Reflections Bellydance, and the peeps who make Chicken Poop Lip Junk!! (Which, by the way, contains no poop.) ;)

Enjoy these pics--since I was actually IN the parade, I only got one or two of us in action, but here are some images of us having fun before and after. :)
Oh....and be sure to come see us next year! xoxo












Friday, April 16, 2010

CRAFT EXTRAVAGANZA is Tomorrow!!!

Ahhh!! I am still hustling to get myself ready for our Craft Extravaganza Spring Parking Lot Sale, which is TOMORROW!!!!

Please join us on Saturday, April 17th for some great crafts-- ALL handmade here in Kansas, absolutely no sweatshop labor. There will be pottery, sculpture, paintings, jewelry and accessories, and more. And I can also tell you that these artists' works are unique AND high quality.

So come by and see us tomorrow from 9am till 1pm at the Secret Gallery in Wichita, Kansas, located on the northeast corner of 2nd and Meridian (street address is 300 N. Meridian.)

xo,
Leanne



Monday, March 1, 2010

Be Sure to Wear Your Green!


Ooooh, it's MARCH!!!!


Do you know what that means?


Daylight savings time begins. More light. The first day of Spring--which hopefully means warmer weather. Gardening. And of course, St. Patrick's Day...


ST. PATRICK'S DAY!? YES!


And along with St. Patrick's Day comes Historic Delano's 4th Annual St. Patrick's Day Parade! I am completely crazy about parades. I don't know why. They never fascinated me when I was a kid, really, but in recent years, I have grown to love them.


So does this really have much to do with us? Of course! We at Wichita Handmade will be marching in the parade on Saturday, March 13 at noon, and showing off our crafty pride. Come see us! We will be handing out a variety of giveaways and goodies to the crowd! The parade travels down Douglas, between McLean and Walnut.



Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Joys of Spring, Part One

I've got Spring Fever and I don't care who knows it!!


Okay, so technically, it' not spring yet. And it's still bitter cold out. But hey, we all know it's coming!


And with it comes the gardening season, my absolute most favorite time of the year. I not only love to garden myself, but when summer comes, I also love going to farmers' markets and buying what I don't have, but need, from other local growers.



Some may think this doesn't have a whole lot to do with "handmade," but it really does. Growing local, organic food means self-sufficiency, sustainability, independence...a lot like crafting! By producing your own food, you create more options--no more scavenging through the produce bins at Walmart hoping to find the least-damaged tomato. The tomato you grow in your backyard hasn't traveled 2000 miles to get to you. And YOU can control what chemicals are--or, more importantly, aren't--used in its cultivation!


As much as I love gardening, I still consider myself a novice and rely on my mom for a lot of information. So I may wait until a later post to tell you HOW to garden. (And since we do have a weeee bit of time left before market season, I do hope to have more posts on this.) But for now, here are some markets you should definitely visit when summer is here!! {Click each link for more information}


Kansas Grown Market: this is one of my favorite markets. Selling lots of produce and some nice crafted goods, as well. They hold market in both west and east Wichita, and in Derby.


Delano Community Farmers Market: opening for the first time this year! (I am really looking forward to seeing how this does!)


Old Town Farmers' Market: this cozy little market downtown has a fabulous atmosphere! Fresh produce and other food, along with more handmade goods than most markets in the area. I have found quite a few treasures here!


These are the major ones in Wichita. But there are MANY more in Kansas! Please check this website for a large listing:


KS Farmers Markets


And if you're on facebook, become a fan of Savor the Season: Eating by the Calendar in Kansas




Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Whitney West Bags!!

I was recently introduced to these great burlap purses and I just ADORE them!
I love when items are re-purposed into something stylish and functional.
Whitney is a local artist who up-cycles authentic burlap coffee bags into unique purses, pillows, and home accessories.  Most items are accented with the softest of leathers.
So go and check out her Website or her Etsy shop!
You can also find her treasures locally at
The Spice Merchant and Douglas Photo.