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

Urban Craft Uprising Summer Show 2019

Its that time of the year again! This weekend is Urban Craft Uprising Summer Show. I will be there with my other company 6 by 6 Arts in a shared booth. Gotta keep it simple for myself. I will have lots of my super popular mini clips, tons of my circle kimono fabric clips - which are $10 and my classic single clips. What I won’t have on hand at the show: formal pieces and bouquets. I am choosing to leave those at home this time around. I am still making them, but I wanted to streamline our display at the show.

In other news, I have a had a bizarre experience with my email. Long story short - please email me at thea@6by6arts.com. I believe I have everything forwarded there already, but just in case please use that email.

As always, I love this show and am very excited to see everyone this weekend. If you plan on coming by, please stop and say hello!

xo-Thea

Urban Craft Uprising THIS WEEKEND!

And just like that in a blink of an eye we are here. End of June and time for Urban Craft Uprising's Summer Show. 

John and I set up our booth today. We're doing a shared booth for both of my companies. We'll be there this weekend from 11 am to 5pm. Seattle Center Exhibition Hall booth number 25.

This will most likely be my only in person show with my kanzashi this year at this point. Much of my kanzashi work happens during "wedding season" so I've switched to just doing shows during that time frame. Also 6 by 6 eats up 90% of my time. For my non locals, I will freshen up the store post show.

If you're in the Seattle area, I hope you'll stop by the show! For more information check out : www.urbancraftuprising.com

Bright Bold Summer

Can you believe that we're half way through the year? We're entering the time for bright colors and hot weather here in the Northwest. I personally don't mind the PNW drizzle weather that we have most of the year, but I also gravitate towards brighter colors on a daily. I like reds, yellows, oranges and bright blues. I think that is pretty evident with my work too.

While working on custom wedding pieces, I am also creating bright cheery pieces to have on hand at Urban Craft Uprising's Summer Show. It is likely to to be my only show this year due to time constraints with also managing 6 by 6 Arts. I'll have a shared booth with 6 by 6 at UCU.

I've spent a lot of time sourcing brighter pieces of vintage kimono to work with. I'm really into avoiding neutrals right now. I will of course have some versatile white pieces on hand that are always a fan favorite, but this year I am fully embracing color.  I love looking at bright fun colors, it makes me feel happy. I'm a firm believer that color affects your mood. Who doesn't need a bit more happy colors in their lives? So be ready to eye guzzle some color if you're coming to visit me at UCU this summer!

xo - Thea

Now For Something Completely Different...

Hi there! I've survived a wedding and a large show with my other company 6 by 6 Arts.

I'll have lots to post about in regards to our very DIY/handmade wedding in the very near future. But I wanted to share some information about the upcoming holiday season. For the first time in over a decade, I will not be at Urban Craft Uprising's Winter Show with my kanzashi. 

Whoa. 

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It is a bit surreal after you're used to an annual event for so long it seems a bit weird to not have that on the list of upcoming events. Honestly, I didn't try very hard to get into the show. This company this year has taken a back burner to 6 by 6 Arts. Not because I'm not interested in my work or have a lack of business, I'm just branching and evolving into new works. 

With that said, I will be at Urban Craft Uprising's 2016 Winter Show with my other company 6 by 6 Arts. For all of those who have asked me; "Where is my other stuff." Now is your chance! It will be 6 by 6's Seattle show debut. I'm very excited for the opportunity. 

I will still be making and selling my kanzashi online and at my current stockists. So never fear, your forever flowers are still available, just let me know what you need. 

For all of my long time customers, thank you so much for the continued support at the UCU show! I hope to see you all this winter, just at 6 by 6's booth this time. 

xo-Thea

Work is my hobby

Urban Craft Uprising was a pleasure as usual.  UCU attendees are faithful and fresh. 

www.urbancraftuprising.com

I love seeing a familiar customer who freshens up their flower collections at every show. As well as being new to someone who's attending the show for the very first time. 💗 

My display and I. Customers love the colorful display. I appreciate all the compliments about it.💗

Each show, I get a new request, a new idea and a new found love for my own work. I also appreciate the people behind making the show happen. The organizers, the volunteers and my fellow makers. Many who have become good friends over the years. 

One maker, joked that work was their hobby. While that sounds horrible and ridiculous, many for us makers, it's completely true. And we love it. I came home and began working on 6 by 6 stuff, as well as wedding stuff too. Which is a task in itself. I'm strong and strong willed, but I have had a day or two of being overwhelmed with spontaneous crying. You know, days that are reminders that I'm human.  💁🏻 

John came and helped me all weekend at the show.

I'm working this holiday weekend, but I am taking time off too since all of my babies will be home under one roof for a couple days. I gotta get my momming mode on. Happy 4th to my fellow Americans🇺🇸. Stay safe, thank a solider if you see one and have a good weekend!

xo-Thea

Prep Day

I *just* remembered that I can blog from my phone! Perhaps I'll post more now. 😁 

New booth display sign by 6 by 6 Arts

I'm getting prepared for the awesome weekend that lies ahead at Urban Craft Uprising! New packaging, new booth display and new sign. If you've been following me for awhile, you know I have another company, 6 by 6 Arts.  I've been asked by customers and as well as buyers who plan to attend the wholesale buyer's day, if I or 6 by 6 will be at the show. We will not be. At this time I am limiting my wholesale accounts for my kanzashi, due to scheduling. 6 by 6 is currently taking new wholesale accounts however, please contact us here for more information and our current linesheet.

I love that wholesale buyers have reached out to me directly and plan to attend the unique "tradeshow" experience that UCU is offering! 

For the rest of you, (my people!!!) Here is the booth map for this weekend's show:

Booth 18!!!

I'll be in booth 18. I believe I am next to a new UCU vendor, Adina Mills. One thing that I absolutely love about the organizers of UCU is that they are fantastic with their placement of vendors. I am an "old timer" at the show and quite often, if not always, I am placed next to a new vendor. I love that!  

It is a busy weekend in Seattle, so make sure you add Urban Craft Uprising to your to do list!

xo- Thea

Urban Craft Uprising - Summer Show THIS WEEKEND!

It's that time of year again! Urban Craft Uprising's Summer show is upon us, already! My life has been one big blur as of late.  I don't blog as much as I used to (obviously), but I do now actively post on Instagram. With IG update for ease of switching between accounts, I make it a point to post more there. 

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This weekend I will have quite a few new things. Also, by request, I will be bringing gallon bags of vintage kimono fabric in. This year, I've slowed down production of my fabric flowers to focus on other projects I have going on and family things.  But I still have accumulated large piles of vintage kimono fabric scraps. Somethings never change. :) 

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I hope to see some familiar faces this weekend! I'd love to get feedback on my new packaging. Which was slightly terrifying to make that change after so many years. 

Here are the details for the show:

UCU Summer Show

Seattle Center Exhibition Hall

Saturday, June 25th & Sunday, 26th

11am – 5pm both days

xo-Thea 

I'm such a liar!

According to my last post that is! I failed to post about my booth location at Urban Craft Uprising Winter Show this past weekend. Yet, many still were able to find me there. It was absolutely wonderful to touch base with so many former and repeat customers! I love revisiting my previous pieces. I especially LOVE those of you who made the extra effort to come meet me in person after ordering from me online.

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The one that got away... this particular flower was admired by two separate people but as any good craft show shopper, you have to do the rounds first before buying anything. But alas, I had to tell both of those folks who returned that someone swooped this up during their rounds. Lessons to be learned at craft shows - if you love it - just buy it! So many things have gotten away from me when I hmmed and hawwed.

Thank you so much! Thank you for supporting my fellow craftspeople and the event in general. We are a thriving community because of people like you. 

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I do still plan to list a few more things online, however I am in the midst of preparing to sell my other company's wares at Crafty Wonderland in Portland, Oregon this week! So all of my attention is on that right now. 

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Thanks again to all that stopped by my booth this past weekend! I am filled with gratitude for knowing and meeting the best people through my and other's handmade works.

xo-Thea

Mini Starr Flowers

Hi there! I hope my fellow Americans had a great Thanksgiving weekend. We had an excellent one with plenty of leftovers to allow me to not have to really cook for a couple of days. 

Well, it's here! The week of Urban Craft Uprising. I'm busily packaging things up in preparation. This will be my last show with my flowers for this year. I will have my 6 by 6 Arts stuff at Crafty Wonderland in Portland, Oregon next week. Unfortunately, my laser stuff won't be at Urban Craft Uprising in Seattle. We didn't make the cut. But I will have my Starr Flowers at UCU! Brand spanking new mini ones at that.

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I only have them listed on Etsy online at this time. I will have oodles on hand at the show this weekend for all you locals. 

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Available in maple or walnut woods and in two different designs. I chose a super grippy alligator clip with teeth for these. Something small should have a good grip so it doesn't get lost in your hair. Also, these clips are versatile! You can clip them onto your lapel, hat, scarf and more.

I'm looking forward to the show this weekend! I'll post more about my booth location and specials that I will have at the show later this week.

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