No Craft Shows This Year For Me

John and I recently made the tough decision to not vend at any craft shows this upcoming holiday season. I just want to add that when I say “craft show”, I’m not talking about a small day event. I’m talking about multiple days longs with thousands in attendance over 4-6 weeks.

It’s a lot of work and I of course don’t mind it because it has been a huge part of my life for almost 20 years. This year, for me, still doesn’t feel right, ya know?

It will be a financial blow again in theory, because we typically make a large chunk of our annual income at shows. I talked at lengths with fellow makers who feel the same too. A select few is in a tough situation where they NEED to do shows to “eat”. I get that and it’s hard to make the decision on this for some. I can only speak for myself and I really feel like I am making the right decision for me.

John and I made a little video about our decision here:

If you follow me on Instagram and participated in the poll I mentioned in the video, I really appreciate your input. I also appreciate the refrain of any “Covid is a hoax” or “you won’t die from it”, or the like commentary.

In lieu of shows, I will be offering my own online events and will be participating in a few online shows. The first one is Adobe Max with 6 by 6 Arts. I’ll share more information on that as it gets closer.

I will be sad to not see familiar faces in that familiar craft show setting again this year, but maybe next year? Or I might do a livestream event, if I can sort out a good day.

xo-Thea

Purrrfect Day

Hello Friends! I’m still alive and kicking. I haven’t been able to find time to post and restock here as much as I’ve wanted to this year. I’m truly just sitting on a ton of inventory waiting to be photographed. 6 by 6 has required the majority of my attention still.

I did manage to kick out a few fun personal projects for Halloween.

Vintage kimono kanzashi hair clip topped with a laser cut kitty. Hand painted by Thea Starr

A laser cut spiderweb wreath I designed and topped with hand-painted snakes and vintage silk flowers.

A little corner of our front porch. Including a handmade tarantula spider, created from instructions by Christine McConnell.

A little domestic fun before I head off to California for a few days for 6 by 6. I’ll be attending the AdobeMax conference. I solely use my hands for my kanzashi work, but for 6 by 6 we use all of the Adobe products. It’s such a fun event and I’m honored to be one of the selected vendors.

I post on Instagram much more frequently if you’d like to keep tabs on me there.

xo-Thea

425 Business Magazine

I'm starting off June 2017 with a little press. I recently had that honor of being interviewed at my home studio for a day. I was asked questions, did a little show and tell about my process(es) and had a few pictures taken by 425 Business Magazine. 425 is our local area code and the publication focuses on businesses in our area. Everything from big international software companies that you've probably heard of to little old me.

The photographer and journalist that came to my home were absolutely amazing. It is always a little strange to invite customers, press and the like to my home to see how we run our companies. It is our home after all and we do have a Dr. Seuss mural on our "office" wall. We also had the pleasure of creating items for the cover. The creative artists at the magazine created a beautiful layout. 

You can read more about us in the current issue available at newsstands right now. The article will be available online later this month and we'll be sure to share it with you all then.

xo- Thea

Bon Odori

This weekend the Bon Odori festival is happening in Seattle. 

Seattle Bon Odori Flyer at Momo Seattle

I dropped off fresh new inventory along with some special kanzashi pieces at MOMO Seattle - 600 Jackson Street in Japantown/International District. 

Momo Seattle  

Those special kanzashi pieces are only going to be there for a limited time. So be sure to get them while you can! 

While you're there in the neighborhood, be sure to explore the shops, restaurants and other notable places of interest (Thank you Pokemon Go!) 

The Historic Panama Hotel

Walking up Jackson Street in the International District  

Xo- Thea

Tomorrow Night At The Handmade Showroom

Have you heard about The Handmade Showroom at Pacific Place in downtown Seattle? It started off as a wee bitty pop shop that has morphed into an every weekend shop. Which will soon be a full time shop throughout the holiday season. The Handmade Showroom features locally made handmade items. If you've ever attended Crafty Wonderland, Seattle Handmade or Urban Craft Uprising shows, you'll probably see some familiar items in the shop. 

Tomorrow they are hosting an artist reception at the store from 6 - 8 pm. 

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From their site: 

We are excited to join the celebration of Fall fashion for ‪#‎StyleuPP‬ by Seattle Magazine happening at Pacific Place Seattle this week!

Visit us on Thursday evening for an exclusive reception to meet our artists, taste wares from our artisanal food vendors, view our collection of amazing handmade work, and get a head start on your holiday shopping lists!

Special on-site tastings with:
Delicately Sweet Confections - Salted Caramel Sauce
Sweet Caroline's Jams - limited edition artisan jams made with seasonal fruits
The Kitchen Imp - hand-blended organic spices and seasonings

In addition to all the fun we will have on hand, there will be a live fashion show happening at Pacific Place, so come early and join in on the fun of fashion!

The Showroom is located on the third floor next to the Nordstrom Skybridge.

All are welcome, so be sure to invite your friends to join in on the fun! We look forward to seeing you Thursday!

https://www.facebook.com/events/299268300243651/

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My other company 6 by 6 Arts has had products there since the grand opening, but starting tomorrow you'll be able to see a selection of my handmade keepsake bouquets! I will also be in attendance tomorrow night. It will be fun and I hope to see some familiar faces there!

xo - Thea 

Seattle International District - Night Market this Saturday!

Hi there! As I've probably mentioned before, most of my time these days have been spent working on building my other company 6 by 6 Arts. It's been a lot of fun and completely different than what I've been doing here. It's been an inspiration to keep creating new things and refining my established works. 

I created a few beautiful custom bridal orders during the peak wedding season this year. So much love and wedded bliss in the air! It's been absolutely wonderful and as always an honor to create custom keepsake pieces. 

Starr Flowers and Mini Kanzashi will be on hand this weekend!

I'm making my first appearance this year with my kanzashi this Saturday at the Seattle International District Night Market & Autumn Moon Festival. I will have a select few things from 6 by 6 there on hand. We are also taking orders for on site delivery too. Same goes for here! If there is anything that you're hoping to get your hands on from me, shoot me a note and I'll meet you at the festival! I know there's not a lot in my shop at the moment (*spoiler* - Updates are coming soon!) I do have a few things available in my Etsy shop.

I'll be sharing a booth with Momo Seattle! If you can't make it out to the festival this weekend, you can always pick up my kanzashi and Starr Flowers at Momo! They have been a long time stockist and personal favorite shop of mine for years now! 

I would love to see some familiar faces this weekend! PLUS there's a Happy Hour for the food trucks. Wuttttt!?!?!?

xo- Thea

Urban Craft Uprising - Summer 2015 THIS WEEKEND!!!

Can you believe it's that time again? Urban Craft Uprising's Summer show is this weekend! Did you happen to check out UCU's Meet the Vendor on me? Oddly the two most asked questions of me is: "Is Starr your real last name?" - It is! and "Are those made of clay?" - usually asked prior to touching my kanzashi. I try to live up to my "Precisely folded fabric flowers" slogan. 

I have been busy tossing $5.00 scrap fabric bags together, whipping up new $10.00 hair clips and creating unique color palettes for bouquets.

I will have many pieces on sale! I'm really looking forward to some familiar faces that usually sing by Urban Craft's Summer Show to grab my sale items. I will also have my new Starr Flowers on hand too! 

I will be in the back corner at booth #125. Right next to show sponsor and one of my stockists Two Birds Tattoo! Just look for a super colorful display ( I CANNOT WAIT TO SHARE MY NEW DISPLAYS WITH YOU!!!) and you know you've found me. 

If that isn't motivation enough, consider that it is supposed to be over 90 degrees in Seattle this weekend. I have to words of motivation for you: air conditioning. :) 

I hope to see you all there!

Thea