Wichita Handmade

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

HELLO 2010, HELLO WICHITA!

It's been a while!!

After...uh...months of not blogging, we have a couple things to say! (I promise, I'll try to not drag it out.) ;)

The first WH meeting of the new year was held last night, and boy did we take care of business. Here are some upcoming events that we hope to see you at!

February's meeting will be a special workshop for Etsy sellers. Focus: shop identity. It would be a great time for new and seasoned Etsians alike to pick up a few pointers or simply share your knowledge with someone else.
March holds the exciting St. Patrick's Day Parade in Historic Delano; check out our awesomeness Saturday the 13th at noon! {our pictures from last year...}
In April we will have a parking lot craft sale at the Secret Gallery, and admission is FREE.

We will have more workshops and events where we bring craft to the public, so be sure to follow us and stay updated!

Become a fan on facebook!

Hope to see you soon. :)

Thursday, September 17, 2009

Right now, the Kansas State Fair is in full force. While there are a variety of attractions to suit many different tastes, the things that steal my heart are--of course--craft-related! I loved looking at the sweet and fuzzy animals that give us glorious wool, was thrilled when I saw someone actually dying or spinning yarn, and longed for the days when flour came in cloth bags.

I would have loved to get more pictures, but was busy taking it all in. I hope you enjoy what I have!

Fresh-cut wool...

Spinning!

Vintage flour sack quilt

Can you believe this is an actual CAKE?! I wouldn't dare ruin it by eating!

More luscious yarn...

Lovely and intricate quilt

Painting yarn!

A sculpture...made from butter.

Thursday, September 10, 2009

We have a WINNER!

Yes. It's a few days late, but that's just for the announcement. The winner was determined a few days ago. I am just now getting through my long TO DO list and gotta get this announced so the winner can claim their prize first by telling me what size they want!

So without further ado.....

And the winner is.....

Kylie!

Congratulations! Please let me know what size you want and your favorite color in an e-mail to emilyhoutz@hotmail.com

But wait.....

What's this? We have a runner up?

The runner up gets a surprise prize, but will still need to tell me your size and favorite color.

And just who is this lucky sun of a gun?

.....Bridget!

Congratulations to you both. Please e-mail me ASAP with the information requested above and contact information such as a mailing address.

Thanks for playing!

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

CONTEST ANYONE?

Okay, so I've been a Summer Blogger Slacker! Sorry! But I am coming back with some good news for YOU- a contest. A contest where you can WIN something! Running through September 8, anyone who makes a comment below gets an entry. Repeat entries will NOT be accepted. It's as easy as that! Good luck!

So what IS the prize? I thought you'd never ask: an official Wichita Handmade t-shirt! yay! All the cool kids are wearing one. You will be able to choose your adult size. So tell your friends to comment below and later steal their shirt if they win.

Thursday, August 20, 2009

A Taste of Knit Tagging

Yay!

This is what we want to do. What a fun way to "beautify" and get our message of awesomeness out. Soon, the streets of Wichita will be bedecked with all manner of colorful stitches...it's just a matter of when...mwah ha ha ha ha!!!

(And if that video didn't provide enough color for you...enter to win this week's giveaway on Folk Craft! Three, count 'em, THREE, lucky winners will be drawn sometime on Saturday, August 22nd. See the site for details!!)

Thursday, July 30, 2009

Links & Links

Could I get a cornier title?

I have two things for you in today's post.

Part Un: Links, as in jewelry links.

I made some cute jewelry holders that I wanted to share!! I think they're pretty cute, anyway, especially considering I possess little talent in the area of constructing things from wood and nails...although this particular project couldn't be more elementary.

To make these, I purchased some plain wood plaques, which can be found at Hobby Lobby or Michaels, but if you have a local independent craft store who carries them, be sure to support their business and get your plaque(s) there! Then, I hammered some short nails along the bottom and also few at the top. Once you've done this, you will need to decide how you want to hang these; I used some parts found in a framing kit (unfortunately I don't know what those "parts" are called). Then, paint! I kept it simple with two colors: something for the background, and then a color for the bird silhouette. I freehanded these, but you can also draw your design out first, lightly with a pencil, and the paint should cover it up.

Part Deux: Links! (To websites!)

Here are a few helpful/interesting/fun links I have found on my many adventures through the internets.

For Etsy Sellers:

Craftopolis: Easily find out if you are featured in any current treasuries! (thank you for finding that, Mandi!)

Craft Cult/Heart-o-matic: See who hearts your shop, your items, and find out if you have recently been featured in gift guides/the front page!

Etsy Resources: Ever wonder where people get those adorable Etsy graphics? Sale banners? Vacation Avatars? Here's the place!

For every Crafter:

COLOURLovers: If you love color, this is the place for you! Great resource for graphic designers.

Craftster: Don't TELL me you don't know this one!

CRAFT: : This is the site of the Magazine, Craft:. And it has a lot of stuff to explore. :)

Fabric.com: I buy most of my fabric in town, but if I'm ordering online, it will probably be from this place. And you must check out their eco-friendly fabrics! And their bamboo fabric? Oooh so soft!

Spoonflower: This is the place to have your very own design printed onto high-quality fabric. I have yet to purchase any, but I know this place is gaining a lot of popularity in the craft world.

Thanks for reading and hope you enjoyed my tidbits!

CRAFT ON!

Leanne

folkcraft.blogspot.com

Thursday, July 23, 2009

Hand-Make with Handmade Supplies!

Sometimes--not ALWAYS, but sometimes--I can be a little stubborn. I have been known to see a piece of clothing or jewelry or whatever else, and think, hey, why buy that when I could make that myself!? (Of course, it's a little different when we're talking about handmade goods, every one of which I consider a work of art, and I am more than happy to actually purchase something that a craftsperson has actually made, from his own creative genius and with his very own hands!!) But anywaaaayyy.....if you're stubborn like me, and want to d.i.y., (do it yourself), and yet STILL want to support other makers, gaze upon these handmade supplies and let the inspiration take over!

Let's start things off with some spinning!! Lovely wool by hedgehogfibres