Crafty Goods 3/21/2014

It’s Crafty Goods! Here’s some fun stuff I found to share with you this week!

-Are you familiar with Leonie Dawson? She is a self help author/artist/hippy who has also evolved into an entrepreneur + philanthropist with a half a million dollar company. In her blog this week, she shared a concept I needed to hear – “What you do in the world is needed”.

It’s something we all need to hear! So if you’re feeling uninspired or off track…this could be a good boost!

-I’m super excited to see what’s in the works of my friend Anne Franklin, of Anne Franklin Designs, and her collaboration for BrainyCrafts! Check it out!

-Denver area peeps! Naomi is moving to Indonesia and she wants you to take some of her stash off her hands! Sale is Mar. 22 from 8am-3pm and Mar. 23 from 9am-2pm at 7995 E. Mississippi Ave., A18 Denver, CO  80247 Here’s her Flickr page for just a sample of the goods

-The Aurora Arts Festival’s theme this year is Recycle Upcycle! If you’re a crafter or artisan that uses recycled or upcycled materials, this is the party for you! Hit up their website for info! But do it fast! They have limited spaces for you darlings!

-My amazing friend Kelli from Bitter O’Clock has an e-book for crafty types called, “Tax Tips for Crafty Businesses”.

If you need some help, take a peek here and then shower Kelli with love because she’s offering it FOR FREE!

-Looks like they are still accepting folks for the Denver Mini Maker Faire – Hustle your bunz if you want in!

-This weekend at Share Denver there is all kinds of good stuff happening! Denver Craft Ninjas are teaching a paper marbling class and Risa is teaching a pearl and metal bracelet! Come hang out at Share Denver and learn something new for heaven’s sake! And next week there’s even more! Katrina’s The Art of Risottos, Gratins, & Classic Sauces, Pom Pom Mobiles with Lili, Melamine Bird Feeders with me (and I don’t even like birds!), Chainmail Amulet Bag with Risa, and Craft Your Blog with Sara from Meanest Look!

-How amazing is this art installation by Beili Liu? It’s called The Mending Project and it so stunning and overwhelming. 

Spring is here! FINALLY! And I’m feeling it! New inspiration, positivity, and an urge to create!

What’s floating your boat, Ninjas? Share in the comments or hit me up on Facebook and fill me in!

Crafty Holiday Gift Guide 2012

Thanksgiving is actually a really great time to think about the crafters and artisans that you know. And I happen to be lucky enough to know A LOT of really talented, up and coming folks that are creating and sharing their work.
And for that, I’m thankful. It’s a huge risk to take your labor of love and expose it to the world! It’s hard to invite people to see your work and possibly critique your work. But it’s bold attempts that allow for real growth.

With Colorado Creative right around the corner, I wanted to talk up a lot of my favorite local businesses and local crafters and artisans that you should consider when purchasing gifts this holiday season.
It’s so much more than just the empty sentiment of “shop local” when you know crafters personally – when you know their kids, their partners, and know their passion. Buying local means more when you know how much is mixed up in the process of creating.

Consider this when you buy your gifts this year and, really, all the time.
Below, we’ve listed some of our faves and we hope that you might list some of your own! Do it! In the comments!

Local Business:
Wild Yarns
Ink Lounge
Fabric Bliss
Low Brow
Pandora on the Hill
The Colorado Bead Company

Crafters/Artisans:
Horns Up Knits
Bitter O’Clock
Donna Diddit
Teeter Totter Tot
Mama Zshanna
Lucid Weaves
Anne Franklin Designs

FOODZ:
Nom Pod
Helliemae’s 

Vintage:
Happy Accident
Sailor Made Goods

Some of these folks will be at Colorado Creative! Don’t forget to mark your calendar for December 9th!
We’re thankful that Denver has such an exciting and diverse collection of risk takers and makers!
Happy shopping!

Denver Craft Ninjas Crafty Christmas Shopping Guide

We all know that it’s better to shop local…well, that is unless your mom, like mine, asks for a new coffee maker.
Where are all the local handmade coffee maker makers!?

So, I decided to compile a list of local crafters that I think rule the school!
Some of these folks are regular Ninjas and contribute to our group with their smiles and expertise – we’re lucky to have them!

Also, I’ll be linking some local shops where you can pick up materials for making your own handmade gifts OR buy stuff for your favorite crafter!

First, check out Amber Powell from Crazy Mae’s! Not only is she a seasoned Denver Craft Ninja, but she’s a fantastic vegan baker.
This season, she’s packaged up her favorite flavors of vegan cupcakes and she’s selling them via her Etsy shop. Um, lavender cupcake mix?! You gotta try it!
If you’d rather Amber do all the baking for you…hit her up! She does great event baking and will blow your mind with just how delish vegan can be!