Midsummer Mini Mayday Craft + Art Show

Did you hear?! It's time for a Midsummer Mini Mayday Craft + Art Show! Yippee!

The creators of the now famous Mayday Underground Craft + Art shows here in Rochester decided November was waaaay too long to wait to bring you more indie crafty goodness. 

Say "Yay for Midsummer Mini Mayday!" 

No, really. Say it. It rhymes. :)

If you are one of the 20 first shoppers through the door you get a FREE swag bag filled with goodies from the fantastic vendors! 

There is swag from me at In My Head Studios! I made handmade, tiny, original paper collage domino keychains! How cute are these?!

They are truly one-of-a-kind and Tiny Works of Awesome! I made them with my own handmade stamps, handpainted paper, and words from books. Right now only 20 of these exist so snagging some swag from me will be special!

Here are the details:
Midsummer Mini Mayday!Saturday, July 28, 201210 AM - 4 PMThe Decibel Lounge45 Euclid StreetRochester, NY 14604Plenty of free parking!!
Just over 20 of the most creative, indie artists and designers in Rochester will be there! I'm excited to see my crafty pals! 
I better see YOU there, too! 
Happy Saturday! 

- Vickie

St. Rita's Craft Sale: This Saturday

What a busy week! I am gearing up for this Saturday's show - the first one of my season. I always get a little nervous about the holiday craft show season. It means I have to leave my studio and talk to people. I'm just a tiny bit socially awkward. Shhhhhh... don't tell anyone. That's between you and me. 

So if you want to find some of the best handmade around, you can find it St. Rita's Craft Sale - where you will also find me being socially awkward behind my table. :)

Saturday, October 22, 2011
27th Annual St. Rita School Craft Sale

9:00 am – 3:15 pm
St. Rita School
1008 Maple Drive, Webster, New York 14580

** Our booth is located in a classroom, Room 14, this year (not the gym) so be sure to check out the classrooms, too! **

 

Now more than ever, I believe that supporting local small businesses (that includes artists and crafters) this holiday season is that can help our community become stronger economically. 

Your dollars could be making a day job out of a part-time art gig. That, in turn, not only makes the dreams of an artist come true, it helps families in our community to pay for food, housing, or medicine. It also creates jobs for your neighbors, family, friends, and maybe even you. And right now, Rochester needs you. 

Please think about how spending your holiday shopping dollars at the big box chain stores or the big online shopping sites means those dollars won't be supporting the "little guy" in our community.

A handmade gift, even if it wasn't handmade by you, is always a classy, gracious, and generous way to go. It means so much more to the recipient when you give handmade, especially these days where gift cards and electronic gadgets rule. Yes, that new gadget may say "I love you!" to your loved one, but wouldn't a handmade gadget case be a great choice to go with it? 

Giving handmade is giving love. Love to your loved one, and love from the artist who put their hard work, time, and energy into the creation of something out of nothing. With your purchase of handmade you are also spreading joy to the artist so they may keep spreading joy and love in an immeasurable way. 

See? It's not just about money. 

See you at St. Rita's!  

- Vickie

Mayday Underground Crafts + Art: Spring 2011

Mayday Underground Crafts + Art is my favorite show ever! That’s not hyperbole!

The Main Street Armory, where Mayday Underground Crafts + Art was held, is an enormous and beautiful venue. I, in the 22 years I have lived in Rochester, have not had cause to go there for anything, thus solidifying my hermit status even more. Luckily I trusted my gut about lighting. I was worried it might be dark in a big, vast space like that so I checked off “yes” for electricity on the application just in case, even though I don’t have a light set-up ready to go. Yep, day-of-the-show improvisation. That’s me, much to my mom’s and Mr. M’s chagrin. Of course, I didn’t actually pack the lights or extension cords, and I had to politely ask Mr. M to go home and get them. He politely obliged. He rocks!

We were sort of in that no-man’s land at the far end of an aisle past the point where people would turn to cross over to the next aisle. They would have missed us completely because we were in the dark under the balcony overhang. Amanda so very nicely said we could move out a little on an angle. We were very careful not to take too much advantage of that though, as it wasn’t super fair to the other vendors under the balcony. I think everyone in that aisle should have been moved out about five feet and into the light.

The extra lighting we brought made a huge difference. I believe it contributed greatly to the near-record breaking show total we made. Lighting is definitely on the list for future shows. I hope to find some battery powered halogen lights, if they even exist. (My dad could have made them for me if he was still around, goshdarnnit.)

I still cannot believe the positive responses to my work. I am so lucky to be doing what I do. Art can be a solitary life with little to no feedback on a day-to-day basis. Then you do a show and you get filled up with about six hours of happy dance from customers. It makes the solitary confinement worth it! It gives me an answer to the times I am in the studio asking myself,

“Why am I even bothering with this?! Does anyone even care?!”

So I have to work to hold on to the feelings of show days to remind myself that I’m not just pushing paper and paint around on canvas or dominoes.

I am creating joy.

I lose sight of that until I see smiles when people are looking at and buying my work.

The talent at this show was unbelievable. I think it was the best collection of artists I have ever seen at an indie show. The number of young indie artists was greatly encouraging (I think I have recently aged out of the “young” category, I’m afraid). Nice to see the newbies getting their feet wet! Of course it’s always fun to hang with my Rochester NY Etsy Street Team buddies! I was next to my pals Michelle from The Quilted House and Stefani from Pine Tree Designs!

On a side note: The doors to the stalls in the bathroom at The Armory were gorgeous antique wood doors. Tall and slim and carved with really ornate designs. But they left me feeling more like I was walking into a church confessional than a bathroom stall! It kind of creeped me out and made me laugh at the same time.

"We Are Queens"; original mixed media collage on 6"x"8" gallery wrapped canvas; available for sale

Rochester needs more shows like this. Amanda and Casey and all the Mayday vendors have proven three times now that this city supports indie shows. Let’s have more!

The next Mayday Underground is slated for November! See you there!

- Vickie

Etsy Twitter Team: Shop of the Week

Every week the Etsy Twitter Team (ETT) features one of their members’ shops as the Shop of the Week. This week is my week! And with everything that’s been going on I almost forgot!

Even though the process for being Shop of the Week is a first-come first-served sign up it is still a great honor for me. I adore all the members of this Etsy team.

I used to run ETT for about a year and a half. During that time the members and I created a very close knit community of Etsy sellers who use Twitter to make friends and promote their businesses. We have laughed together and cried together. Celebrations for birthdays and for newborn births have occurred. Grief for recent losses have been suffered together as well (RIP Joyce).

When I got the ETT project underway I never expected to make so many new friends! These folks and team duties kept me going with a purpose during some pretty dark times. I am forever grateful to these artists. So to have them help me promote my shop this week means the world to me.

I am no longer running the team. Our very capable Jen from Jenco13 is doing a fabulous job at that. I am still very active behind the scenes helping with blog layout and Team Treasury curation among other things. These artists have given me so much – beyond measure – that I could not just walk away.

Please take a moment to read the lovely words Judy from Wellspring Creations had to say about me and my work on the Etsy Twitter Team blog. Again, I am humbled by the kindness of the arts world.

I hope you will take advantage of my sale this week...

FREE shipping to anywhere from August 16 - 22
at inmyheadstudios.etsy.com

Etsy inmyheadstudios

- Vickie

Etsy Twitter Team: Shop of the Week - inmyheadstudios

More About Picture the Impossible

The folks who made Picture the Impossible possible made a video overview about the game. Watch it if you want to understand my recent obsession with it. Doesn’t it sound like fun?

I’m having less PTI withdrawal than I thought I would experience. So that’s a good thing. I have gone back and done some of the web based games again. A few times I’ve had a bit of panic happen when I thought I was forgetting to do something for the game on time like run off for a scavenger hunt or make and upload a video to YouTube. But then reality set in and there are no deadlines for PTI now. And I sigh in both a little relief and a little disappointment. I am glad that the holidays have set upon us so soon after the game ended to give me something to focus my energy on. And craft shows to get ready for. I honestly cannot wait to play this game again. Maybe next time I’ll win something!

Don't forget - I'm still offering free worldwide shipping on everything in my shop at inmyheadstudios.etsy.com. It ends today! And for reading my blog I'm also offering an additional 10% off through today if you type "Blog10%" in the Message to Seller upon checkout! I'll refund your discount promptly through PayPal.

Etsy Buy Handmade inmyheadstudios

Last Show of the Season

This week has been busily spent getting ready for the next craft show today at the Irondequoit High School. This is going to be a good show. I can feel it. I’m pretty much all packed up and ready to go. I have three pendants that were sprayed with sealer yesterday to finish.

These are domino pendants I finished this past week. I am unable to pick a favorite from this bunch! They’re all really nice!

Stop down to the show if you're local. It's our last show of the season!!

Irondequoit High School Arts & Crafts Show
Saturday, November 28th
260 Cooper Road
Irondequoit, NY 14617
10 AM to 4 PM

I'm offering free worldwide shipping on everything in my shop at inmyheadstudios.etsy.com. It's good until Monday! And for reading my blog I'm also offering an additional 10% off through Monday if you type "Blog10%" in the Message to Seller upon checkout! I'll refund your discount promptly through PayPal.

Etsy Buy Handmade inmyheadstudios

Etsy Twitter Team: Shop of the Week: Safiya Beauty

Everything about Nailah Safiya Blades’ shop at SafiyaBeauty.etsy.com is sumptuous. She creates natural bath and body products that merge natural and eco-friendly ingredients with luxurious indulgence. You can moisturize, polish, make suds, lather, and soak with her products.

Her shop announcement says, “Safiya’s philosophy is to provide you with the finest, purest natural and organic products, but never at the risk of neglecting your need to feel beautiful and smell delicious. Our products contain only what is absolutely necessary to make the absolute best product for your body without sacrificing your desire to feel fantastic.” It makes me want to check out her shop for something that will make me feel soft and pretty. I’m sure I won’t be disappointed!!

Nailah wants you to know that she works “very hard to make sure that my products are made with the very best ingredients I can find. I think as a culture, we pay very close attention to what we put into our bodies but not so much what we put on them, which is just as important. Because of that, all of my products are made with natural ingredients and contain no parabens, phthalates, or harsh preservatives. I also strive to provide an environmentally friendly product and go to great lengths to ensure this.

“I’m an indulgent person and I think that shows through with my products. I really enjoy creating products that will transport my consumer to their own little private spa. I love using creamy butters and skin-loving vegetable oils because they create such opulent products. I’m also slightly inspired by food! All of my bath bombs are cookies or cupcakes – I have a major sweet tooth.”


You can even see the indulgence in her products through her photos. The way the butters peak up firmly, you can tell they have a lot of body to them and will be luxuriously creamy.

Her favorite thing about her craft is “how the finished product makes others feel. I love watching someone try my body butters for the first time and see their eyes light up as they rub it into their skin or as they smell the scents. That’s definitely my favorite part!”

About Twitter: “I love Twitter! I think my biggest piece of Twitter advice would be to make sure it’s not all about you. I try to ‘RT’ [retweet] others or share articles that others may find helpful. I also use Twitter to announce any specials on my shop or when I have new blog posts.”

Are you looking for the perfect gift or favor? Custom and wholesale orders are welcomed by Safiya Beauty! They offer private labeling for weddings, showers and parties.

Follow her on Twitter @safiyabeauty
Read her blog at www.safiyabeauty.wordpress.com

Special for this Week: 15% off your entire order – just mention “EtsyTwitter” in the seller’s notes and she will reimburse you via PayPal refund.

Etsy: Your place to buy & sell all things handmade SafiyaBeauty.etsy.com

All photos copyright to Safiya Beauty/Nailah Safiya Blades

Reposted from my original post at Etsy Twitter Team: Shop of the Week: Safiya Beauty

I'm In A Treasury

One of my Etsy Twitter Team members made this treasury to promote our team! I'm honored to be included in such great company! Thanks!

Click on the image below to visit the Treasury. When you're there please leave a comment! Also it helps us move up the "hot" rating if you click on each item. Happy browsing!

Created by Caelum.etsy.com
expires May 21st

Original post at: Etsy Twitter Team: Team Treasuries

Etsy Twitter Team: Sidewalk Sale!!

The Etsy Team I run, the Etsy Twitter Team, is having a Sidewalk Sale to celebrate the spring weather and to get outside a bit! Virtually! So please take a stroll down our sidewalk of shop listings. Each shop is having a different sale so check them all out. There are some extremely great deals going on this week!!

The sales run from Sunday, May 17th to Saturday, May 23rd.

BeadworkByAmanda.etsy.com
20% off – discount applied in pricing

PrettyCheap.etsy.com
FREE card with purchase of any 3 items! Exquisite floral, original photos and detailed embroidered cards will be given free (choice of free card by prettycheap). Just ask for your free card at check out (please purchase 3 items in one transaction).

SumikoShop.etsy.com
Free shipping worldwide shipping all week. Please contact her before buying, She will cancel shipments or mention "Etsy Twitter Team" in the message to seller at checkout.

MeagansDesigns.etsy.com
KaedanKrafts.etsy.com
Offering free worldwide shipping for both of her shops that will be already marked with $0 shipping

InMyHeadStudios.etsy.com
15% off items (not including shipping or NY state sales tax if applicable). Add the comment "Etsy Twitter Sidewalk Sale" during checkout. Discount given via PayPal refund.

ACageyBee.etsy.com
Every order will get a free sampler pack of 4 postcards included in their shipment! In the note to seller box, please mention "Sidewalk Sale" to get your free postcards.

SoapRehab.etsy.com
Free Shipping

Threepeats.etsy.com
All necklaces $5.00 off! After payment, $5.00 will be refunded to the buyer’s PayPal account for each necklace purchased.

SandisTs.etsy.com
Free Shipping - After payment, shipping will be refunded via PayPal

FirebirdHouse.etsy.com
30% off all purchases that total $20 or more. PayPal refund given for discount.

WaysideViolet.etsy.com
20% off all items in my shop: To participate type "May" in the message to buyer. Discount will be refunded via PayPal after purchase

ScrapArcs.etsy.com
All earrings $5 or less per pair. Prices already marked down.

SouthpawStudios.etsy.com
15% off, + Plus free worldwide shipping. Also $5 gift certificate included for future purchases (limit one per customer). Redeemed with code "Sidewalk TW Sale" in message to seller box, then you will receive a prompt PayPal refund

HuayruroPeru.etsy.com
20% discount using PayPal refund to everyone mentioning "Sidewalk Sale" in message to seller box

CuriousMess.etsy.com
Free shipping worldwide.

RhodesAnnalsDesigns.etsy.com
10% off list price - Leave message to seller saying “sidewalk”. She will do a revised invoice or if you have already paid via PayPal she will do a refund.

JaybirdDesigns.etsy.com
all baby and kid items are marked 50% off in special shop section

AquarianBath.etsy.com
Free Lavender Spearmint Lip Balm with purchase of $10 or more. Add the comment "Etsy Twitter Sidewalk Sale" during checkout.

MindyG.etsy.com
Free shipping within the US only (via USPS First Class) with any purchase. Add to message to seller box "sidewalk sale" and you will get a refund through PayPal for the shipping amount.

Jenco13.etsy.com
free shipping to anyone in the USA and a flat rate of $5 to all other countries on her list for items over $20 and $3 for items under $20. Discount given via PayPal refund

TamaraGarvey.etsy.com
With any purchase, get a FREE single card of your choosing from any of the card sets in the Stationary section of her shop. Just include which card you'd like in the Message to Seller box, or contact her soon after purchase.

MissesKwittys.etsy.com
Free USA shipping or Half Price international shipping when you spend $20.00 or more in her Etsy shop. Plus she will be tossing a free little "thank you" present into each package! Just put "EtsyTwitter Rocks" in the note to seller and she will refund the shipping discount back to your PayPal account.

PurpleLemonDesigns.etsy.com
Free Shipping! Use code “SIDEWALK” in the notes to the seller, and she will refund the shipping after the order is paid for through PayPal

BRefour.etsy.com
Most items are already on sale but you can get and additional 10% off on orders of $15.00 or more by entering the words "Sidewalk Sale" in notes to seller. The 10% will be refunded through PayPal.

LindaB142.etsy.com
20% off purchases over $5. Buyers need to use the Promo Code "Sidewalk" and she will refund the discount via PayPal. Free shipping for orders over $30.

Tamdoll.etsy.com
Free domestic shipping on non-ribbon items. Will automatically give a PayPal refund for items not already specially marked as part of the sale.

ArtWhims.etsy.com
Free Shipping on every item in the shop! To redeem this great deal, enter “MAYSIDEWALK” into the message to the seller upon check out. You will be reimbursed through PayPal for the cost of shipping.

DeeJayPhotography.etsy.com
Free shipping! Type "Sidewalk Sale" in Notes to seller to receive a refund via PayPal.

NikkyLeeDesigns.etsy.com
15% off items $20 or more. "Sidewalk" in message to seller to get discount. Wait to pay for revised invoice

AmbientLights.etsy.com
20% off all items*! Please write "May Sidewalk Sale" in notes to seller when checking out and wait for a revised invoice or pay and you will be refunded via PayPal. *discount valid for items only, does not include shipping or taxes if applicable.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Many thanks to SassyCat.etsy.com for creating our sale graphic!! I could not have hoped for something better!! Thank you!!

Reposted from my post at: Etsy Twitter Team: Sidewalk Sale!!

Home Show Success

Altered Vintage Domino Pendants

Altered Vintage Checker Pendants

My twin sister, Valerie, had a home show party last night at her house. She invited me to bring my jewelry to sell. So I have been working my butt off getting more domino pendants ready for the show. And it was a good thing too because we did really well. Might have been our second best show total ever, mind you we’ve only done a handful of shows. The domino pendants and Scrabble tile pendants were big hits. I also sold three microscope slide glass collage pendants, which surprised me. Almost everyone who came bought something from me. Two people came back for more! A custom order might come from this as well.

The girl who was selling purses bought two domino pendants. She showed them to the shop owner she works for. The owner loved them and called me this morning to ask if I would like to sell in her shop! I meet with her tomorrow! Now I have to figure out how to transport these things without getting all the necklaces tangled up.

I sold so much that my Etsy shop looks empty. My mission is to get photographs taken so I can restock my shop. I have to make more domino pendants to do that because I’ll be dropping off about 10 to the shop. So keep your eyes open for new additions to inmyheadstudios.etsy.com.

You should check out what my sister is selling and give her some love!!

Shuffle Off to Buffalo…

… for the Buffalo Indie Market on Sunday, December 14th from 12 pm to 5 pm!! I’ll be there at the Pearl Street Grill and Brewery with my wares!


I’ve already blogged about how great the Buffalo Indie Market is at promoting indie craftsters like me. The show has been gaining popularity in its short run as a monthly handmade arts and crafts show. The organizer, Mary Stephens McGinnis, seems to work tirelessly at promoting and offering the artists in her area a chance to advertise and be part of something big! So that’s why I’m going to drive 1.5 hours to celebrate the holidays with the Buffalo Indie Market. Won’t you join me? Included in this fun day are live music performances and artist workshops and demos!

You may not know this but here at In My Head Studios, I make much more than just collage pendants, domino ornaments, and greeting cards. At this show I will have felted bags, bowls, necklaces, bracelets, and pins, a few pieces of fine art and collage, some ACEOs, and handmade glass tile magnets. There may be few more surprises as well!



1. Heart and Family Altered Domino Christmas Tree Ornament - Live Laugh Love, 2. Dove Altered Domino Ornament, 3. Fly Away Home Pendant :: Front, 4. Queen of Hats ATC, 5. Blue Sparkly Felt Bead Necklace, 6. "Coffee Lover" Double Sided Art Collage Pendant :: Front, 7. Bird's Nest : Felted ATC, 8. Weaved Felted Bead Necklace :: Close Up, 9. Pink Sherbet & Classic Beige Felted Wristlet Bags

If you can’t make this show then I will also be at the Irondequoit High School on Saturday, November 29th from 10 am to 4 pm.

First Etsy Sales!

I got my first sales yesterday on Etsy! I am so excited! Someone not far from where I live bought two pendants. Sales to someone who lives in my town somehow feel more special. They're my peeps!

The first pendant is called "Beautiful Flowers". The second pendant is called "Handle with Care". (click the photos to go to the Etsy pages and read the descriptions.)

Both are glass collage pendants, which means they are tiny original works of art sandwiched between two pieces of microscope slide glass that I cut down to 1" x 1" and soldered together. They are different on the backside. Two pendants in one!

That was a very nice surprise to find as I returned home from shopping on Black Friday. I posted those pendants within a few days of October 20th. They took about a month to sell. Could it have been my offer of free shipping that lured a buyer in?

I was actually beginning to get worried about my jewelry as people were looking and "heart"ing but not buying. Now my hope is restored! I was waiting for something to sell to justify the costs of listing more items. Four pendants are about 90% ready to go to market. They need to be sanded and polished. Then begins the photographing, which can be a pain to get right. But I have to replenish my store's stock. I'm starting to feel like a real business person! Yay!

By the way, I only went out on Black Friday to get good deals at the craft store, and my mom and I didn't bother to venture out until the mobs had gone home. I try to stock up while the prices on paper are low! I got some great deals! Plus my hunny bought me a sewing machine for my birthday and Christmas! It was marked down from $299 to $179. Couldn't pass that one up. Now I will be sewing paper together and making all sorts of new things. And shortening pants because I'm not even 5 feet tall. :)

Now I am off for a reconnaissance mission at two local craft shows to look at how artwork is displayed and priced. I'm a bit shopped out so no buying today unless I fall deeply in love with something. ♥