DIY Wednesday: Etsy Austin to host its first event!

A couple of months ago I was invited to join the new Etsy Austin team - it's about time we had one here! Etsy, for those of you who don't know - is an easy to use website where crafters and makers can sell their wares.


Etsy has gained much acclaim in the past few years - and many major publications are taking note by gleaning the thousands and thousands of cute offerings for their editorial picks. From the NY Times to Lucky Mag - Etsy is bringing crafters into the mainstream mindset.


Street teams are groups of Etsy Sellers who organize locally and regionally to promote each other's online shops, produce events and share selling advice. Etsy Austin joins the ranks of the well known Etsy Dallas and Etsy Texas groups - and looks to become a force in the local craft scene.



This December Team Etsy Austin will produce their first craft show - a three day affair at the alternative/punk/skater venue The Broken Neck. The event promises to be a fun one - with live music all day and night, and live skating demonstrations.


They will feature family-friendly entertainment during the day, and more mature fun for night. The Etsy Austin Holiday Bazaar is currently accepting applications from interested crafters. They also need VOLUNTEERS so check out the details below.

When: Dec. 19th - 21st, 2008
Where: The Broken Neck
Application: PDF available online
More Info: Etsy Austin Blog


And don't forget - my own show, The Bearded Ladies Present: Shop Austin, is currently accepting applications as well! Get yourself set for the FINEST event in Austin next Spring.


xo, Anne Marie


www.AnneMarieBeard.com


www.AnneMarieBeard.etsy.com


www.TheBeardedLadiesPresent.com

DIY Wednesday: What do you MAKE?

This past week and weekend were insane! From prepping for Maker Faire to finalizing the application for The Bearded Ladies Present: Shop Austin - I think I worked well over 80 hours last week - whew!

So I didn't take a camera to Maker Faire - but lots of people did, and blogged all about it!

I did have a chance to meet lots of fabulous vendors and will be writing about them on my blog in the coming weeks.

But for now the big news is.... The Bearded Ladies Present: Shop Austin! Applications are now open!






THE BEARDED LADIES PRESENT: SHOP AUSTIN

INDEPENDENT DESIGNER, CRAFT & FINE ART SHOWCASE
Event Name: The Bearded Ladies Present: Shop Austin
Date: Saturday April 18, 2009
Time: 11:00am to 5:00pm
Location: Saengerrunde Hall, 1607 San Jacinto Blvd, Austin, TX 78701
Tickets: in advance $8, at the door $10.
Website: www.TheBeardedLadiesPresent.com
Contact: info [at] TheBeardedLadiesPresent.com

EVENT INFO:
The Bearded Ladies Present is set to produce their first show in Austin, Texas. The 2009 event will be a craft fair, fine arts festival, and independent designer showcase all wrapped up into one. By featuring the best vendors in Austin, The Bearded Ladies Present: Shop Austin will provide shoppers an opportunity to find one of-a-kind gifts, unique accessories, fashionable attire, home decor and more.


Shoppers can browse the work of talented artisans who buck the trend of mass-production by offering handcrafted goods that are finely constructed and very unique. These independent entrepreneurs are locally based, but also come from surrounding areas to participate in what is sure to be a fun family event filled with items you can’t find anywhere else. The first thirty shoppers to arrive at the event will receive a goodie bag stuffed with great giveaway items from vendors and local businesses. Shopping begins at 11:00 a.m., and admission is $8 in advance, $10 at the door; parking is available near Saengerrunde Hall.


The Bearded Ladies Present: Shop Austin is currently accepting applications for vendors. All local crafters, independent designers, and fine artists that want to broaden their customer base are invited to apply. Let all of Austin know what you have to offer and join The Bearded Ladies Present: Shop Austin!
To apply go to: http://www.TheBeardedLadiesPresent.com/apply_here.html


xo, Anne Marie

www.AnneMarieBeard.com

www.AnneMarieBeard.etsy.com

www.TheBeardedLadiesPresent.com

DIY Wednesday: Highlights from the AAQG Quilt Show Part 2

More FABULOUS quilts to ooh and ahhh over!

The last set of great quilt pictures to come next week! If you're interested in quilting check out the Austin Area Quilt Guild or sign up for a beginner quilting class at The Stitching Studio!

xo,
Anne Marie

COMING IN APRIL 2009:
The Bearded Ladies Present: Shop Austin

DIY Wednesday: Highlights from the AAQG Quilt Show Part 1

I'm going to let the photos do all the talking tonight....check out my Flickr Set for detailed information about each quilt & the artists' statement.

Because I took so many great pics, I will feature just a few of my favorite quilts...

Congratulations to my mom, Mary Beard, who won 3rd place in Miniatures and organized the Demonstrations of the show. She is an inspiration to many!

More fabulous pictures to come over the next several days. If you're interested in quilting check out the Austin Area Quilt Guild or sign up for a beginner quilting class at The Stitching Studio!

xo,
Anne Marie

COMING IN APRIL 2009:
The Bearded Ladies Present: Shop Austin

ACL Alternative - Quilts!

Quilts. That's a weird word, eh? To many people that word conjures up an image of a threadbare, ratty old "blanket" their grandma made and that they use to wrap up furniture when they move.

To others, it brings to mind a cherished family heirloom - handmade with love and used for generations to provide warmth on a cold night.







Still other images can come to mind - how about a piece of art that hangs on the wall? A heavily embellished creation made with hand-dyed fabric, beads, embroidery, buttons and goodness knows what else. A striking composition in an art form still under-appreciated.




The image I think of when I see or hear the word Quilt is a combination of all those above. I have a handmade turtle quilt from my great-grandmother that I use every winter, several art quilts that I hang for holidays, one I use on my bed daily, and one I use to wrap up in on the couch. Simply stated - I LOVE QUILTS and I will NEVER use a "comforter" again in my life. Nooooooo way!

This weekend is a BIG weekend in Austin. There's the ACL festival, the UT-Arkansas Game and... The AAQG 2008 Quilt Show! My mom has been a member of the Austin Area Quilt Guild (AAQG) for as long as I can remember.






















So this weekend is the perfect opportunity to discover the new love of your life in Quilts!

There will be fantastic Quilts of all sizes - from miniatures whose small pieces will boggle your mind to King Sized Quilts of striking proportion. There will be fabulous Art Quilts, and a unique Wearable Arts section on display.

In addition my Mom, Mary Beard, has organized three days worth of demonstrations. You can catch *me* giving a demonstration on purse making techniques Sunday.

You can shop the latest in hip, retro and heirloom cotton fabrics from the fabulous vendors, browse the gift boutique, and bid on amazing items in the silent auction.

Grab the family and head out to the AAQG 2008 Quilt Show this weekend!

What: AAQG 2008 Quilt Show
Where: The Crockett Center; 10601 N. Lamar between Braker Lane on the north and 183 on the south.
When: Friday to Sunday, Sept. 26th - 28th
Cost: $6 per person; Children under 12 free


IMAGE CREDITS: From top to bottom: Vintage Quilt in Silent Auction, Crazy Quilt by Mary Murdoch, Art quilt by Beth T. Kennedy, Two art quilts by Naomi S. Adams. Click on the pictures for more information.



**************
Anne Marie Beard

The Bearded Ladies Present: Shop Austin!

Thrift Thursday: Go Mod on a Budget!

So usually my Thrift Thursday post is about snazzy finds I get at the Thrift Store - but Thrifty can mean many things... one of them being shopping on a budget.

Today I am featuring cute items for your body & your home for $20 or under on etsy.com - ENJOY!

href="http://www.etsy.com/">Etsy: Your place to buy & sell all things handmade annemariebeard.etsy.com

xo, Anne Marie Beard

Peep the next biggest thing in Austin! www.TheBeardedLadiesPresent.com

Le Garage Sale - Hip Fashion & Super Deals

If you're in the great city of Austin, Texas this weekend - and you like fashion & shopping - you NEED to go to Le Garage Sale!










This bi-annual event features over 50 of Austin's best boutiques and a handful of Independent Designers selling their wares at deep discounts.








I will have bags on sale from $10 to $45!!! I even have some brand new fall bags that are discounted at 25% and more. This is your chance to hit all of Austin's best boutiques in one place!











September 6th - 7th, 2008

PALMER EVENTS CENTER Saturday: 11am - 6pm
Sunday: 11am - 5pm

Admission: $10/person*
2-day pass available: $15/person

******** This is your ONLY chance this year to get *annemarie* bags on sale!!!!!!!!!*******

xo, Anne Marie

PS - Have you heard? A fabulous new event is on the horizon in Austin....

The Bearded Ladies Present: Shop Austin!