Downtown Torrance Marketplace

The Downtown Torrance Marketplace is always looking for new vendors.

Spaces are 10' by 10' and are only $20. If you pay for three weeks in a month in advance, you'll receive the 4th week free. And, of course,they would love for you to promote the event with your contacts. They are also looking for live entertainment (bands, performers, artists, etc.) to increase the draw of potential customers. 

The Marketplace is {{thursdays}} from 3pm-8pm (setup from 2pm-3pm) on El Prado, between Cabrillo and Sartori. If you're interested or have any questions, feel free to message Barb Lieberman through her Etsy shop: SeedsofInspiration12 or via email at seedsofinspiration2012@yahoo.com.

Note: if the event is called for bad weather, your paid week will carry over. You don't lose your fee.

CRAFTCATION: INDIE BUSINESS & DIY CONFERENCE

CRAFTCATION: INDIE BUSINESS & DIY CONFERENCE

The creators and hosts of the awesome Craftcation conference, would like to invite team South Bay & LA to their amazing annual event!


CRAFTCATION (www.craftcationconference.com) is a four-day indie business & DIY craft conference that takes place March 21-24th 2013 in Ventura, Ca.

It's a retreat to inspire, network and build the independent craft business community.

Their objective is to ignite the entrepreneurial business spirit and
strengthen skills and abilities of both seasoned business owners and
newcomers to indie craft business. Incorporating both business and
social activities, Craftcation features industry professionals leading
attendees in DIY and small business workshops, panel discussions
and Q & A sessions.

TOPICS:
INDIE BUSINESS: How to start a crafty business, maximizing social
media, blogging, in’s & out’s of indie craft shows, Etsy, wholesaling,
merchandising, accounting, legal issues, branding, website design,
publishing, pricing, design & display, branding and more.

DIY WORKSHOPS: Screenprinting, sewing, canning & preserving,
cheese-making, needle arts, terrariums & edible gardens, sustainable
organic cooking, jewelry and more.

COMMUNITY: Meet & greets, pop-up shops, yoga, food tours, BBQ
& cocktail socials and so much more!

MORE INFO: www.craftcationconference.com
REGISTER AT WWW.CRAFTCATIONCONFERENCE.COM BEGINS SEPT 1ST 2012

Check out their website above!!!!!!!
-Camille

PATCHWORK INDIE ART & CRAFT FESTIVAL HOLIDAY 2012 CALL FOR VENDORS:

{{{{{(APPLICATIONS ARE DUE BY MAIL SEPTEMBER 10th)}}}}} 

Patchwork would love for South Bay & LA Team Etsy to show them what you've got!

Vendors APPLY NOW for the PATCHWORK INDIE ART & CRAFT FESTIVALS HOLIDAY SHOWS

SHOW DATES: 

southern california:

**CULVER CITY: nov 4th 2012 * 11-5pm * helms bakery * 8711 washington
**LONG BEACH: nov 11th 2012 * 11-5pm * marine stadium * bayshore @ appian way
**SANTA ANA: nov 25th 2012 * 11-5pm * downtown * sycamore @ 2nd street
northern california:
**OAKLAND: nov 18th 2012 * 11-5pm * jack london square * 98 broadway

A BIT ABOUT PATCHWORK:

PATCHWORK indie art & craft festival (www.patchworkshow.com) showcases 100+ local emerging artists, crafters & designers. Come down and eat + drink from local cafe & restaurant booths as you listen to live local tunes and peruse goods from the best California makers. This year we will celebrate our 6th year and 23rd festival! Vendors feature clothing for men, women & kids, handbags, accessories, art, ceramics, home & garden goods, plushies, jewelry, paper goods, edible treats, pet gear, crochet & knit goods, kits & patterns, bath & body goodies & more! We'll also feature a bike valet, photo booth & more! Please note all applications go through a jury process to ensure a varied selection of lovely handmade goods. As makers and small business owners ourselves, patchwork creators DELILAH SNELL (www.roadlesstraveledstore.com) & NICOLE STEVENSON (www.randomnicole.com) seek to build upon the handmade community by offering makers an affordable venue to show their goods, network and build their businesses and also produce CRAFTCATION: INDIE BUSINESS & DIY CRAFT CONFERENCE (www.craftcationconference.com)

HOW TO APPLY:

info on applying & download applications (http://www.patchworkshow.com/apply.php) 

(APPLICATIONS ARE DUE BY MAIL SEPTEMBER 10th) 

MORE INFO:
check out some photos from our spring 2012 santa ana show (randomnicole.com/blog/2012/05/30/patchwork-indie-art-crafts-festival-spr...)
general patchwork info (www.patchworkshow.com)

Craft Party - Team South Bay/ LA

Team South Bay/ LA will be hosting a craft party for any South Bay and Los Angeles residents that would like to attend!   More details to follow!

A Craft Party is a time to get to know our neighbors and exercise your creative spirit. Craft Parties take place around the world when communities come together to participate in art, craft, design and DIY in every form.

Date : Friday, August 24th, 2012
Place : Address to follow
Time : TBD
 Sign up now {here : http://www.meetup.com/South-Bay-Los-Angeles-Team-Etsy/events/74621732/ } so that we can see who is interested and go from there!  


****You must be a member of our team to get involved :]  Team : 


-Camille
Garden Gnome Arts

Local event this week!! Apple Store Event!!

Santa Monica Apple store will be hosting 3 local Etsy Artists in store to talk about how they have used technology to grow their business. Members, you may find the discussion useful to help grow your own online presence and they will also have our own Teams Strategist, Morgan Evans and Creative Director Randy Hunt on hand to answer any questions. 

April 26th, 7:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Etsy, Local Artists, and Technology
Apple Store, 1248 Third Street Promenade, Santa Monica, CA 90401

Etsy, Local Artists, and Technology

Etsy is an e-commerce website that provides a technology platform and marketplace for independent, creative businesses. Join Etsy representatives as they showcase some local Etsy shop owners. Learn how the businesses use technology in their work and how they’ve grown their online presence. Explore the creative process with the artists and hear about their struggles and achievements. A Q&A session will follow the discussion.


Cheers!
-Camille

The Venice Meet

Hello friends and neighbors~ 

Another opportunity has been brought to us, this time by The Venice Meet.

'The Venice Meet' is currently seeking some additional vendors, the fee is $125 to reserve a 10x10 space on Abbot Kinney. For food vendors it is $75 plus the cost of the health permit. Here is the info:

The Venice Meet debuts on April 7th, 2012. Making its home on Abbot Kinney Boulevard, The Venice Meet is a monthly open-air market designed to bring together local craftspeople, independent musicians, and specialty food artisans and provide them with a neighborhood forum to exhibit their talent and wares. Meticulously curated, The Venice Meet will consist of over fifty Los Angeles-based vendors showcasing their creations. On the musical front, among others, Venice-based roots collective The Dustbowl Revival is scheduled to perform. Part of what has been called “The New Face of The Flea,” at its heart The Venice Meet is about building community and capturing the independent spirit of this one of a kind L.A. neighborhood. Saturday April 7thfrom 10AM-5PM. 1010 Abbot Kinney Boulevard (at Broadway). Free. 

Website : www.thevenicemeet.com

Interested? Questions? 
**Email : thevenicemeet@gmail.com

For updates follow them on Facebook or Twitter
**FB : www.facebook.com/thevenicemeet 
**Twitter : www.twitter.com/thevenicemeet

If any of you sign up, please let the team know so we can come by your booth and say hello!

-Camille

Hi South Bay/LA!!

    I am excited to share with you a special offer that we as a team, received!

Event : "Craftcation" { { A new Seller Education event } }

What is it : Craftcation is a three day indie business & diy workshop conference. it’s a retreat to inspire, network and build upon the independent craft business community. Their objective is to ignite the entrepenurerial business spirit, strengthen skills and abilities of both seasoned business owners and newcomers to indie craft business. This is an opportunity to network, communicate and share with your peers.

When :  March 22-25th

Where : Craftcation in Ventura, CA

Website : {check-itty check it out} : www.craftcationconference.com/

Here's the deal-i-o :

They have kindly extended an Etsy Seller Discount for our Team Members! * HOWEVER* We received this private code JUST FOR OUR TEAM MEMBERS.  I will not be posting the CODE on our blog, but please head to our Etsy forum where I posted the code privately.

I hope to see you there as well!  This sounds like a fun social event, and a great opportunity for all of us!  Let me know if you guys sign up, I'd love to get an idea of who is attending.

-Camille Larson
garden*gnome*arts
www.gardengnomearts.com/

Pink Parlour Festival 2012

The Arts and Crafts revolution is now!

The Pink Parlour Festival, is a unique one-of-a-kind event that caters to women of all ages. This festival was conceived with the purpose of celebrating the creativity of women. Our objective is to unite women, while bringing together the collections that they create. These include artists such as crafter's, visual artists, and performing artists amongst others. Many additional attractions also include musical performances, a fashion show spotlighting young, "Up 'n' Coming" designers, children's activities, along with the excitement of horse racing, concession foods to fine dining and so much more!

The world of crafts have evolved and this a great opportunity to be a part of The Pink Parlour Festival, all the while promoting your business in a fun and exciting atmosphere. Our concept has been to spotlight women and promote community involvement. We have also invited several non-profits, such as Avon-walk, The Girl Scouts, along with any other organizations whom fit the criteria that show interest in being a part of the festivities. This years event will take place on Sunday March 25th 2012 at the Santa Anita Race Park adjacent to the Westfield Santa Anita mall.

Seeings how we feel so strongly about the "handmade movement" as well as promoting it, has been the driving force behind it's conception and development. This and our passion for the arts compelled us to create this festival as a tool from which to showcase the multitude of talent within our community.


Just added the amazing sounds of No Duh!!! The No Doubt / Gwen Stefani tribute band!!!

* Live Female Fronted Bands and Dj's
* Horse Racing
* Fashion Show
* Free Giveaway Bags
* Concession Foods & Fine Dining
* Bars and Lounges
* Raffles
* Arts and Crafts Exhibitors
* Car Show
* Childrens Activities and Crafty Corner
* Fun for the Whole Family


Check out their website HERE .


**I will be a vendor here, and I will be there all day!  Will post more about this in the team forum.  Thanks for checking in!


Hope to see a lot of you here and hope everyone had a great weekend!**


Cheers!
Camille Larson

October

In celebration of October, I created a themed treasury.  Local, of course featuring some of our newest members.  If anyone else would like to participate place your links below.  Let's remember to shop from, promote and suport each other through the upcoming holidays!

Go check out our treasury HERE !!!!!

Can't wait to see your team treasuries for October!

Peace,

~c a m i l l e

SoBay/LA Team Etsy Captain

Publish Post

Supporting Local In September

     Where did August go?  My sincerest apologies, my sweet team members, that I have not been attempting to roust communication much throughout the month of August.  Like a lot of you, I work a full time job, spend time shopping for, and making my products, workon my craft website and my business in general... I also have a personal life somewhere in there as well too.  ;)  I WILL attempt, with a little more gusto, to provide us a bit more stimulation on here as well going fwd.  That said, if there's anything else you'd like to see happen around here, well why haven't you done it yet? Hehe...

     September is a bittersweet month.  Summer is wrapping up (although OUR weather lately is proving otherwise)...  Your kids have headed back to school...  Does that mean you have more time to CRAFT now?  Or to browse and shop on Etsy?  Woo-hoo!  I wont tell the kids how happy you are to have a little free time again.  Promise.  Isn't everyone just a little bit excited about heading into fall, though?  The holiday craft fairs, some relief from the heat(Man the HEAT!  LA area, it has been HOT this week!)... And ...The.... HOLIDAYS? Too soon??  I just can't wait to get out my Halloween decorations next month.  I'm actually squirming a little bit.  I'll try not top squeal out loud.

In celebration of September, I created a treasury to get you started.  South Bay/LA I would love to see what you can come up with as well!

Here's the link to see this lovely LOCAL treasury :

http://www.etsy.com/treasury/MTA4OTg1OTN8NjkzMjgwMjQ5/the-feeling-of-september

Here's the link to our group's Etsy Forum :

http://www.etsy.com/teams/8382/southbayoflosangeles

Can't wait to see your team treasuries for Sept!

Peace,

~c a m i l l e

SoBay/LA Team Etsy Captain

I created my

St. Cornelius School Craft Fair Submissions

Message from team member Amy :


"I am helping a school organize their 2nd annual craft show that takes place on Sunday Sept.25th. It also coincides with the school's very popular carnival weekend.  10X10 spots are only $40 and bonus, it's indoors so no tent needed!"

St. Cornelius School is located at 3330 Bellflower Blvd. LB 90808 

If you have any questions or would like an application please email team member Amy at craftbot@gmail.com 

Loveable Crafts Extravaganza

Thanks to member "FrankyRose" for the heads up about this upcoming show! I can't wait to check it out!

What :
Craft vendors selling items such as, pottery, dolls, jewelry, handmade soaps, candles and much more!! There will also be hourly raffles, face painting and jewelry making classes.


When :
Sunday, Aug 28 9:00a to 4:30pm

Where :

Carson Community Center

801 E. Carson St., Carson, CA, 90745
Venue website :

July - So Bay LA Team Treasury Party

"Answer July—
Where is the Bee—
Where is the Blush—
Where is the Hay?

Ah, said July—
Where is the Seed—
Where is the Bud—
Where is the May—
Answer Thee—Me—"
- Emily Dickinson, Answer July

We ask that this July, everyone makes at least one July inspired treasury. What does July make YOU think of? Our lovely South Bay beach? County fairs? Picnics? Nice green grass and summer veggie gardens? Let's make some treasuries! =)

RULES :

*You may only include items from other team members shops.
*You may make more than one, but please attempt to make at least one per challenge.
*Choose only one item per team member PER treasury. Not 5 of your best friends items in one set ;] Even IF she's a total rock star.
*Use the links on the side of your completed treasury to share it with customers and friends!
*Please post a link to your completed treasuries BELOW. All links posted as the links by themselves as a new thread clutter our thread board and make things more difficult to navigate our discussions. All links and new threads not posted in the appropriate section can and may be MOVED and then closed to avoid confusion.
*HAVE FUN! :) :)

NOTE :

**MAKE SURE ADD THIS TAG TO YOUR TREASURY with the following:

sobaylateam

(This is important so we can easily find our treasuries online)

xx,

~Camille

Garden Gnome Arts

Team Captain

Weekend Networking Round-Up

Please post your blog, your website (if different than your blog), tumblr, twitter, or facebook fan page! Or whatever it is you would like to share with the group. Let's all follow each other to direct traffic to our neighbors and keep in touch with each other! Where are the other local bloggers?? I'm feeling so lonely out there in cyber space ;)

Take a moment to click 'follow' on these sites, then post your sites so we can follow you back.

http://sobaylateametsy.blogspot.com

http://gardengnomearts.blogspot.com

www.facebook/gardengnomearts

...c'mon, I know you have time, you are here reading this post ;) Don't we all need more fan page 'likes'? :] Hope everyone has a fantastic weekend!

Swap and Meet in LA

Fashion & Handicraft Entrepreneur Event, June 30th

Upcoming Los Angeles event for small business entrepreneurs.

Check it out here :

handicraft-event-final-10/

http://blog.profounder.com/2011/06/16/reserve-your-spot-now-fashion-handicraft-entrepreneur-event-july-30th/fashion-

If anyone ends up attending this event, please take pictures and let us know what it was like! :) Have fun!

Thoughtful Thursday Craft

How To Make Rainbow Cupcakes that make anyone's day brighter!!

( For 1 batch / 24 cupcakes: )

What you will need for one batch(..although easily doubled..):

*1 pack WHITE cake mix

*1 and 1/3 water

*2 tablespoons of veggie oil

*3 egg WHITES (NO YOLKS!)

*6 plastic beer cups (you can use bowls that you have~if you don't mind them covered in food dye)

*Food coloring. You really only need a pack that contains the primary colors of the rainbow. That's Red, Blue, and Yellow, kids. See? All those art classes paid off ;0)

*A few toothpicks

*Sprinkles/ Icing colors of your choice.

Directions:

*Preheat your oven between 325- to 350 degrees. I lowered the temperture about 10 degrees less than the cake mix instructions, so as NOT TO BROWN THE EDGES of the cupcakes:) Especially if you have a dark nonstick cupcake pan. Who wants a muddy colored rainbow?

*Mix your wet ingredients together with your dry ingredients.

*Divide your delicious batter into your bowls (or in my fav- your plastic beer cups-so easy!) equally.

*Now you are going to dye your batter. It's easier than you think, don't be scared:)

(Note: Orange NOT pictured above)

FOOD COLORING RATIOS I FIND WORK WELL:

**Red = Red

**Blue = Blue

**Yellow = Yellow

**Orange = Add yellow first, keep adding red until it's vibrant, but not overly red.

**Green = Add yellow first, add a little more and more blue until you get a vibrant green color.

**Purple = purple is the trickiest. Add EQUAL parts of both Blue and Red or it can start to look REALLY murkey.Purple will look more like itself once baked, however refer to my pictures to see what your should come close to resembling.

**Now you are going to line your cupcake pans with the cups. I HIGHLY reccomened that you use foil. Or, in my case, because I wanted to use the pretty flower shaped paper cups, i double lined them. Placing the foil cup on the outside of the papercup. When they were finished cooking, I threw out the foil liners.

**Spoon in the colors, layer by layer. VERY GENTLY.

*Here is the order that I spooned them in(feel free to mix it up, but I kept the darker colors on the bottom in case of browning):

**1st: Purple

**2nd: Blue

**3rd: Green

**4th: Yellow

**5th: Orange

**6th: Red

*Bake according to directions on box, remembering to turn the heat down if you have a dark pan.

*Decorate and ENJOY!

June Update

June Update

Hello South Bay!

I just got back into the country, after an amazing trip through Turkey and Greece with my husband and his family! I saw many new things and came back with treasures and most of all memories to last me a lifetime. I hope everyone is doing really well! It's time now for me to step back into the real world... AKA 'The Etsy world!' Let's get down to business, hmm? :]

As for the group, I just wanted to touch base with everyone! I look forward to getting everything going again in full force! I know many of you have big ideas for your business this summer! Craft shows, fashion shows, or maybe just less time at the office, and more time to work on your hobby. I love summer in So Cal.... What a perfect time for us to come together and expand our network. I have many ideas for our group to get people more involved, and help each other's business grow. I plan on accomplishing this most of all by getting to know you all, and bringing our ideas and our inspiration together, under one roof. If nothing else, this is a place where we can go to feel connected not just to our Etsy companions, but our true neighbors that share common the common bond of crafting. I hope that we can come together with nothing but positivity, kindness and support. The only other thing I ask for, besides your kindness, is communication and input. Let's get some ideas moving, I know we can boost our business this summer and build a great foundation for the upcoming new year. Talk soon!

xx,

~Camille

Garden Gnome Arts

Team Captain

APRIL -So Bay LA Team Challenge # 2

"A gush of bird song, a patter of dew
A cloud and a rainbow's warning;
Suddenly sunshine and perfect blue
An April day in the morning!"
- Harriet Prescott Spofford

"When April scatters charms of primrose gold
Among the copper leaves in thickets old,
And singing skylarks from the meadows rise,
To twinkle like black stars in sunny skies;

When I can hear the small woodpecker ring
Time on a tree for all the birds that sing;
And hear the pleasant cuckoo, loud and long --
The simple bird that thinks two notes a song."
- William Henry Davies, April's Charms

We ask that this April, everyone makes at least one April inspired treasury. What does April make YOU think of? Rain drops, flowers, mud, and new beginnings! You choose your inspiration=)

RULES :

*You may only include items from other team members shops.
*You may make more than one, but please attempt to make at least one per challenge.
*Choose only one item per team member PER treasury. Not 5 of your best friends items in one set ;] Even IF she's a total rock star.
*Use the links on the side of your completed treasury to share it with customers and friends!
*Please post a link to your completed treasuries as a reply IN THE APRILTREASURY THREAD. All links posted as the links by themselves as a new thread clutter our thread board and make things more difficult to navigate our discussions. All links and new threads not posted in the appropriate section will be MOVED and then closed to avoid confusion.
*HAVE FUN! :) :)
**UPDATE : PLEASE MAKE SURE ADD THIS TAG TO YOUR TREASURY : SoBayLATeam

xx,

~Camille

Garden Gnome Arts

Team Captain

MARCH-So Bay LA Team Challenge # 1

"March is a tomboy with tousled hair, a mischievous smile, mud on her shoes and a laugh in her voice."
- Hal Borland

We ask that this March, everyone makes at least one March inspired treasury. Go fresh, go green, go spring! You choose your inspiration.

RULES :

*You may only include items from other team members shops.
*You may make more than one, but please attempt to make at least one per challenge.
*Choose only one item per team member PER treasury. Not 5 of your best friends items in one set ;] Even IF she's a total rock star.
*Use the links on the side of your completed treasury to share it with customers and friends!
*Please post a link to your completed treasuries as a reply IN THE MARCH TREASURY THREAD. All links posted as the links by themselves as a new thread clutter our thread board and make things more difficult to navigate our discussions. All links and new threads not posted in the appropriate section will be MOVED and then closed to avoid confusion.
*HAVE FUN! :) :)
*UPDATE : PLEASE MAKE SURE ADD THIS TAG TO YOUR TREASURY : SoBayLATeam

xx,
~Camille
Garden Gnome Arts
Team Captain

Well, hello there :)

I can't believe we are already over 50 members strong! South Bay, I am so glad we have found a way to connect with each other and support each other. I for one believe in communicating with each other with nothing but positivity and encouragement. With that said, I welcome any artists, crafters, suppliers, bloggers, vintage sellers (am I forgetting anyone?) to come on over and check out what your neighbors are making!! Let's build a strong communication base and make some sales, South Bay! As long as you have a glue gun in one hand, and some good vibes surrounding you... Well , then ~ it's nice to meet you!

-Camille

Garden Gnome Arts

South Bay of LA Etsy Team Captain