DIY Wednesday - Awesome Bash this Friday!

It's Wednesday, the day I get inspired by people's amazing DIY skills, and sometimes share my own. Well there is a group of 4 talented girls here in Austin that you need to meet!



They are The Wondercraft and they're going to teach you to craft! (What rhymes with craft? Sass + T?) Classes cover a wide array of fields: polymer clay, resin casting, upcycled jewelry & t-shirt projects, classic drawing techniques, and more! They have lessons targeted to Kids, Tweens & Teens, and Adults. Artists can learn new skills, take classes to help launch their DIY business, and join in a community that is encouraging and friendly.




What makes the Wondercraft neat to me is that they are teaching classes in locations all over Austin, at times in their very own Airstream Trailer, AND they will bring the craftiness to you with a Custom Craft Party! Say goodbye to lame-o bridal showers - invite the Wondercraft girls and your guests will walk away with a hip, handmade craft, feeling great about their abilities, and with better memories than a lame "clipboard game."




Over the past year I have had an opportunity to get to know and work with the ladies who founded the Wondercraft. They are Beth Albrecht of Paired Hearts, Jennifer Bryan of Lucy Blue Studio, Beth Hempton of The Snuggleherd and Kimberly Sae-Eau of Broken Ear Productions.






Try to keep up with me - Beth A. and Jen were both vendors at our amazing Lone Star Ladies Present: Shop Austin Event, all four gals are members and keystone leaders of Etsy Austin, and Kim just won the Golden Boot for Rising Star at the Austin Fashion Awards.





I got a little preview of their DIY Demonstrations at the Austin Handmade Party during Austin Fashion Week, and I can't wait to see them teaching classes in full swing.

If you didn't already know what a cool town Austin is to live in - this just adds to the ever-growing lists. For anyone who likes to craft, create, sew, draw, paint... we've got you covered! Check out my list of places to learn in Austin at left!






Come meet the girls of The Wondercraft at the All Austin All Handmade Bash this Friday, July 31st. Produced by my dear friend Candace Carlisle of Electric Promotions - the Bash features Austin Artists - including *annemarie* - a Fashion Show by Team Fabrication, Live music, Up-Dos, a Photo Booth... and lots of amazing food and drink!

See you there!

xo, Anne Marie

Austin Fashion Week: Wrap Up

Ahhhh, the first ever Austin Fashion Week ended last Sunday, July 19th, with the Austin Fashion Awards at the Long Center.

Of course, I am not a "real" writer - because all the "real" writers posted their reviews on Monday - and it's Thursday! I am slooooooowww because I like to party when I party, and then I need to rest. For a full on critique, visit Marques Harper's Blog.

Here is my lowdown:

Thursday Night was my Trunk Show at Urban Groove - and I was delighted to see lots of friends and get my hair, make-up and nails done by the lovely girls at the Salon. They have a great staff of beautiful and sweet women that work there - and I highly recommend their services!







Next we hopped over to Austin Handmade for their Grand Re-Opening party... super fun! They had a special cake made by Sugar Mama's Bakeshop, live music, and DIY demos by The Wondercraft.






Saturday morning was my 2nd event at Urban Groove; it was a special day and I got to reconnect with several old friends. Thanks for stopping by! After loading and unloading my car in the heat of the day, I relaxed for a bit before heading out to the next party!



Camille Jackson, designer of Diamonds and Guns, had her party at Urban Betty Salon - where she provided homemade cupcakes, and they had an awesome DJ spinning tunes with 3 awesome raffle prizes. I got to meet lots of ladies from the Etsy Austin Team, and had two more cupcakes - to end a week FULL of cupcakes!








Sunday finally rolled around and it was time to strut our stuff on the Red Carpet. Matt Swinney of Launch787, along with Clink Events, did a great job of producing the Austin Fashion Awards. It was so fun to walk down the Red Carpet and get our pictures taken, and sitting at the beautiful Long Center during the ceremony felt so... Hollywood! Especially getting to see my friend Kim Sae-Eua win the MAJOR award of Rising Star! Wow, Austin has never had anything like this, and I look forward to seeing just how big it gets for 2010.




Cheers!
xo, Anne Marie

The Re-Launch of Custom Orders - PARTY TONIGHT

Ladies Ladies Ladies! Custom Orders are Back!








In 2002, I started making handbags from recycled jeans, clothes and curtains. Since then I have amassed a large fabric stash, sold thousands of purses and wallets, and designed well over 100 original bag patterns. The *annemarie* one-woman-business is still going strong, and tonight I am celebrating by reintroducing the famous *annemarie* Custom Order!

You can choose from 4 accessories and 4 purse styles, and over 20 fabrics for endless combinations. As part of Austin Fashion Week, Urban Groove Salon is hosting me through Saturday, and tonight our party features the classic Austin Cosmo from Dripping Springs Vodka and Paula's Texas Orange.

In addition to designing your own custom handbag, you can get a mini mani, makeup, and mimosa! The event is free and is from 4pm to 7pm

The *annemarie* Party tonight is part of the Etsy Austin Party Hop. We have 7 designers hosted by 7 boutiques/salons. We're all donating a portion of our proceeds to Family Eldercare, and if you attend 3 events this week you can win some awesome prizes - including a purse from *annemarie*!

Later tonight, head out to Austin Handmade for their grand re-opening party with more free drinks, sweets, a fashion show, and make-and-take. This is a call to the Austin Craft Community to come out and support your local, home-grown, hand-made, 100% original peoples!





xo,
Anne Marie
*annemarie* Green Since 2002 - and not going anywhere!

Austin Fashion Week - First Impressions

Last night was the 1st night of Austin Fashion Week - the brainchild of Matt Swinney, formerly of Rare Magazine. When the list of Participating Designers was announced a few weeks ago - we had a twinkling of an eye to plan some stellar events - and Austinites KNOW how to throw a party at the last minute!

The concept of Austin Fashion Week (AFW) is to showcase local designers, boutiques, salons, models, photographers, and more. Designers are hosted by a salon/boutique for the whole week, with events going on every day. If you like free cocktails and snacks - you're set for the next 5 days! Visit my blog for coverage all week long - and be sure to check out my events!

So my 16 year old niece and I headed out in the heat - in the un-airconditioned HOOPTIE - to check out a few events.




First stop was Thomas Saverio Salon in Northwest Austin. They had a great selection of food and drinks, and were hosting Team Etsy Austin member Cindy Chuang of Sweet Potato Island. Cindy is a newcomer to the Austin Fashion Scene - she joins the exclusive ranks of "best constructed handbags" in town. This group includes Liz Potter of Bolsa Bonita, Wendy Irwin of Ballistic Sweater Girl, and myself.


Cindy's designs were beautifully displayed, and News 8 Austin showed up to cover it!


Next stop was WaterStone Aesthetics, a full service Salon near UT Campus. OMG - best Customer Service Experience I have had in a long long time! Their event was an "educational evening" with free consultations on hairstyling and up-dos. We were warmly greeted by everyone, and I had the pleasure of sitting down with Joe Edwards.




I have a hard time styling my hair in this heat - and Joe showed me how to get a sexy, wavy look with a difusser. I had sworn off diffusers since my forced perm days of the early 90s, but I think I am a new convert! WaterStone is hosting talented designer Kerri Lawnsby of Foxy Fusions - her fused glass work is gorgeous! They are teaming up for what is sure to be a fun fashion show this Friday from 7:30 to 10:30.

So what's on tap for tonight? CHIA's event at SOLA: The Triangle and Tasty Jewelry's Cocktail Party at Sirens Salon - Gotta see my girls! Check out the AFW calendar for full details!

Don't forget to VOTE FOR *ANNEMARIE* as Austin's Best Designer - and check out my events this week!

xo, Anne Marie

Come On, Take a Free Ride!

I haven't blogged in so long - and I just don't know what to write about!

But my girlfriend was very tricky today and bribed me into helping her move a couch!

We sat down to lunch at Hoa Hoa, and she offered to buy my lunch if I would ride with her to pick up and unload her new couch... and then she would buy me coffee later as well. Dang, since my A/C went out in the Buick last summer - I am more than happy to ride along in a cold car and eat & drink for free! I am so easy to bribe :)

Next post will actually be entertaining - but I just needed to get my feet wet again!

Favorite link of the day:
http://www.launch787.com/

Matt Swinney's latest venture is sure to be good!

Celebrate All things Austin!

This weekend will be the culmination of a year's worth of work and planning. Back in March of 2008, my sister Allison and I decided to start an event production company - The Lone Star Ladies.










I've been making and selling purses around Austin, Texas - and even in Georgia and California, for many years now. I attended and sold my first items at craft shows when I was about... 6. This crafty life is just in my blood!






One of my favorite things about Austin is the huge crafting, design and arts community. There just aren't many places for artisans to showcase their work in the Spring. The Christmas Season is full of shows, but what about Spring? What about shopping for Mother's Day, Father's Day, Birthdays - or just getting yourself some fly new earrings, cosmetic bags or clothes to strut around in the gorgeous weather?



So we started The Lone Star Ladies to promote Austin Artists - and set about creating an event that showcases the best in local craft, art and design. We had an intense juried application process, and hours and hours of planning, promoting and fun!





The result is The Lone Star Ladies Present: Shop Austin! A family-friendly day of shopping, relaxing, and being supportive of the local Austin Community. Spending money where you live is extremely important in our current economy - Austin has always been supportive of it's local businesses - and we hope to extend that support to our local independent artisans.




From the choice of venue - Saengerrunde Hall, built in 1879 in downtown Austin, to the selection of vendors - over 35 of Austin's best, to the wide support of the Austin Community - Rare Austin, The Onion, Greenling, Birds Barbershop & Sublime Stitching, just to name a few - our event encompasses the Spirit of Austin!

Shop Austin will take place this Saturday from 11am to 5pm at Saengerrunde Hall in downtown Austin. Tickets can be purchased in advance for $8.00 or at the door (cash only) for $10.00. Children 12 and under are free.

With your entrance fee you get to attend a fabulous event that includes free mini-facials in our Beauty Lounge, inexpensive Chair Massage - and Austin's most famous cupcakes from hey cupcake! The FIRST 30 Shoppers in line will receive a Goodie Bag stuffed with gift certificates, jewelry, accessories, coupons, swag and amazing items from over 30 local businesses, and worth over $300!

Take some time this weekend to do something fun - and Celebrate all things Austin!

www.TheLoneStarLadies.com

xo, Anne Marie

Sunny Sunday - Roundtop Recap!

Roundtop, Texas - actually more like Warrenton, Texas - is THE PLACE TO BE in April and October if you like to shop for antiques, collectibles, junk and great buys....

This year marks.. wow, 3 or 4 years that we've been going - and it was a blast! A few themes emerge every year - and this year they included elephants, fabulous art deco pieces, creepy objects of interest, and cute baby stuff. So let's break it down by category and get going on the recap!

Deco
Of COURSE - this is my favorite time period of design - Art Nouveau comes in at a close second, then Mid Century Modern. Deco is growing in it's collectible interest - and the authentic pieces are pretty pricey. Always great for inspiration!











Creepy & Weird
I don't know what came over my girl friends - but they got into some creepy stuff this year - and the more I looked, the more it seemed that creepy was a theme across the fields.
















Baby & Cute
Well my best friend just had a baby - welcome, Hunter Ray Love! And I saw a few things that reminded me of her. I even had a dream about holding the baby while I was gone. He is just so cute and I can't wait to see him again :)









As always - hope you're inspired and entertained!

xo, Anne Marie

www.TheLoneStarLadies.com
April 18th, 2009 - The EVENT OF THE YEAR in Austin!