It's Poppin' Out All Over

Trying to find a creative way to tell your friends and family how much they mean to you this holiday season? Why not let them know in a fun, and creative, way with a handmade pop up card!

Join Crown Town Handmade as Jessica Coate of Jessica's Jacket leads our monthly Make Out on Thursday, December 2, 2010 from 7:30-9:30pm at Patchwerk Playhaus.  Learn how to make your very own pop up holiday creations!

This event is free to the public (although much appreciated donations are welcome to help support future Make Out sessions) and is a great way to meet like-minded Charlotteans.

Supplies:
construction paper (preferably holiday colors)
X-acto knives
cutting mats
rulers
scissors
glue sticks
bone folders
hole punches of various sizes and shapes
tape
any old holiday cards or books that you dont mind cutting up

Optional BYOB, $5 corking fee per container/6 pack. Sodas for sale. Patchwerk Playhaus, in the back room of Century Vintage, 1508 Central Avenue, Charlotte, 28205. Enter in the alley past Soul Gastrolounge and Snug Harbor.

Cyber Monday: Spice up that ho-hum Holiday List!

Old School Christmas Gifts vs. Etsy Handmade Christmas Gifts

Trish Schepp,  CreativeLove

Need some refreshing new ideas to the basic gifts to give for the holidays?

Basic idea: wine glasses

Etsy idea: fabric coasters from www.lovemycoasters.etsy.com

Basic idea: socks (thanks Mom)

Etsy idea: tattoo socks from www.post.etsy.com

Basic idea: store bought soap and lotion

Etsy idea: whipped body polish from http://www.etsy.com/shop/SouthernVermontSoap

Basic idea: mass produced necklace

Etsy idea: spaghetti scarf from www.jessicasjacket.etsy.com

Basic idea: mittens

Etsy idea: fingerless gloves from www.laimashop.etsy.com

Basic idea: hot cocoa

Etsy idea: loose tea from www.teaforallreasons.etsy.com

Basic idea: candle

Etsy idea: soy hand-poured scented candle from www.smokeymountainscents.etsy.com

Double Rainbow

Local Events

Check out this blog post from Brooke at the myindiecharlotte blog that features local handmade artists at the recent Dogtopia of Charlotte Craft fair. Lots of Crowntowners were there, including yours truly, intenyears, who thought she wasn't in the picture. :)

Its that time again.....holiday cards!

You know you plan on sending Holiday Cards. You make out your list, collect all the addresses. Buy cute holiday stamps and special fine-tip markers in festive colors. Then, you go to your local mall, and none of the cards speak to you. Too bland. Too generic. Too *too*.  Why not make holiday cards so special, they can be the gift?

Check out this blog post that one of our CrownTownies, Amanda, wrote for Goodwill. It should get you in the holiday mood! And make sure you read to the bottom for the next Make Out sneak peek!

The Makings of a Craft Fair

submitted: Donna Kirby, intenyears

 

Imagine you are a small business owner. You want to do something good for your community and promote your business. You've tried emails, coupons and ads, but want to try something different for a change. How about hosting a craft show? That is exactly what Nicole Pennell, owner of Dogtopia in Charlotte, NC decided to do.

I wanted to know what inspired her to support local handmade artists and the Salvation Army of Greater Charlotte's Center of Hope, a charity which provides food and shelter homeless women and children.

“The idea started because one of my employees makes homemade crafts,” says Nicole. “She was getting ready to go to a craft fair in Greensboro one weekend, and we were talking about it. She asked if I had ever thought of holding one here.” She hadn't, and the idea for Dogtopia's craft fair was born.

Nicole went on to mention that as a business owner, she is always looking for new ways to get people to bring their pets in for a visit. Nicole continues, “Although this isn't a dog-related event it gives us a chance to meet a lot of people and show them what a great facility we have. I'm also very community-oriented.” The hosting of a charitable event was a natural fit.

Using social media for input, The Center of Hope was suggested by several people as the charity to benefit. “Most people that make homemade crafts are women” says Nicole, “I think there's something really beautiful about women using their own creativity and hard work to help other women who are going through hard times.”

With the charity decided, she needed artists to present their work at the show. Searching on the internet, specifically Etsy, a web site devoted to handmade goods, she began the difficult task of finding artists. As luck would have it, she contacted a member of CrownTown Handmade. Word spread quickly through the group and many were excited to be part of this special event.

Nicole will be donating all proceeds from the Dogtopia craft fair, including vendor fees and a raffle, entirely to the charity. So, come out and support a great cause, a community business owner and CrownTown Handmade members. If you'd like to participate, or have any questions about the show, please email Nicole@dogdaycare.com Check out the flyer here.