Happy Earthday!

And yeah yeah 'Earthday is everyday' but make sure you take a little time today to focus on the beautiful parts of the earth (big or small) and not worry so much about all the junky or polluted parts - after all if we're not enjoying the planet, what's the point of all this recycling?

::hugs tree::

Artropy is April 25th!

Only 6 more days until Artropy, the Show Me Etsy spring show in St. Louis. If you live in the area you should definitely come check it out, Saturday April 25th from 9-3:30 at Sqwires restaurant. You wont find a better selection of handmade goodies anywhere else in town.

Craft 365 of the Month - March

This photo featuring my starburst wrapper coin purse is winning my award for best Craft 365 of the month for March. Taken in my new photo box with a snazy new fabric background thanks to the upcycle exchange the colors really pop. I used this photo to enter an upcycling contest over at Sublime Stitching. The Starburst coin purse is available on etsy here.

guest blogger

Check it out, I'm the guest blogger on the trashion team blog : Swapping Green

My one year Etsyversary

Bring out the champagne, Candy Calamity has been on the web for 1 year!

On April 1st, 2008 I tentatively listed the very first item to www.candycalamity.etsy.com a starburst bracelet. Little did I know how far this first year would take me. I never dreamed that in the next year I'd make 352 items (yes, I just counted), or that I'd meet so many amazing crafters and friends through my two street teams Showme Etsy and the Trashion Team. And I certainly did not think I'd be setting up my own booth at local craft shows, and yet there I was at Crazy Autumn last October, Greener Gifts in November, Hope Lutheran School in December and Green with Indie just a few weeks ago.

I think the best part in looking back over the past year and seeing how my silly half baked idea became a silly, awesome, fulfilling reality is knowing all the things I plan to do and learn and try in the next year and that by April 1st 2010 I'll surprise myself again.

The Upcycle Exchange

Part of the thrill of being a trashion artist is the hunt for supplies. Looking through thrift shops, close out sales, auctions and flea markets for the perfect find. It is nice however to sometimes have the supplies come to you. Thats where the upcycle exchange comes in. As an artist at the recent 'Green with Indie' craft show I feel the upcycle exchange was a success. The basic premise is artists in the show submit ahead of time a list of supplies they could use, be it paint, bottle caps, wine corks or candy wrappers. The list is distributed to people who will be attending the show. The people who bring supplies from home for the artists get a 10% discount at participating booths and the artists get free supplies. I would definitly participate again in the future

St. Louis Upcycle Exchange

Green with Indie

Now that St. Patrick's Day is over its time for another green occasion: The Green with Indie craft show! This coming Saturday and Sunday, March 21st and 22nd, artists from the St. Louis area will be getting together to show off the earthfriendly portion of their crafty sides. I'll be there with my candy wrapper bracelets and I can't wait to see all the goods that the other artists will have.

The most exciting part of the show is the upcycle exchange. Visitors are encouraged to bring craft supplies from home like fabric, buttons, and paper as well as non-traditional supplies such as potato chip bags, pop tops, and candy wrappers. The otherwise unloved supplies will be put to good use by the artists and in turn the donators will get a discount at participating vendors.

For more info on Green with Indie go here: http://www.greenwithindiecraftshow.com/

And go here for the upcycle exchange: http://lucoop.com/pilot/