1st Professional 614 Crafty Exchange

Its was here. It is gone. It was AMAZING!

Last night Not Your Mama’s Craft Market had its first ever 614 Crafty Exchange. This exchange was for the pros; crafters with established businesses. Most of these ladies I already had the pleasure of knowing but there were a few that were new.  And boy, were we happy to include them into our group of wild women. ( I hope they left feeling the same:)

So here is the run down of the night! First before the day even got started I loved hearing all the buzz from those attending and all the jealousy from those who couldn’t make it. I also got a kick out of the honesty on social media of different ladies sharing how they were scrambling to to get their crafts together last sec. and the panic of those who started making the night before.  There were a lot of us:)

Anyway, the event was held at my home in the south side of Columbus. Its a tiny little place 1200 square feet but thankfully we all like each other and bathe regularly.  Everyone was asked to bring a snack to share and soon the kitchen was full of good smells and lots of calories. Since it was my house and I had the stove I contributed dairy free hot apple crisp. (Always good always easy.) Everyone filled their plate and took a seat (after being summined many times -bunch of Chatty Kathys) and the fun began!

Individually everyone stood before the group, said a little ditty about themselves, what they make and anything else that might interest the group like shows they put on, groups they lead or projects their working on. Great, great, great networking not to mention very educational:) THEN they revealed their craft to the group.  I can not even explain to you how thrilling this was. Every time someone revealed their craft the room did the a mixture of pretty adorable things out of pure in awe of the awesomeness.

There was the assortment of: the “Pearl Cluchers,”

the “I don’t know who to handle theses emotions,”

and the “I can’t believe this-ers” or the “Nopes. Nope-ity Nope Nope Nopes.” This is a good kind of nope. This reaction may also be followed by a “Shut the front door,” or a “Girrrrrl.”

The crafts were so amazing, one right after another. I think with us all being experienced crafters we could really appreciate the quality, expense, and time it took to make each item. (Something in the craft business world that is sadly way to often overlooked.)  The phrase, “It’s like Christmas” was used, to say the least, often. Lots of smiling, lots of “this is awesome!” One person even said they felt like they were shop lifting because it was too good to be true. To me, I can only really describe the feeling as being on Oprah’s favorite things episode (less cars). I continually held myself back from yelling “And you get a necklace! And YOU get a necklace. And YOU And You And You!”

Can I just take a second to mention this was a free/cheap event. Everyone only payed for their supplies and a snack. We each walked away with a bundle of sweet sweet goodness worth at least $100. I even got a few great gifts for others out of the deal. Im pretty sure I made money out of the deal:)

Okay at least saved. At this point I would say pictures are worth a thousand words. I will put a few on here but you can also head on over to the Not Your Mama’s Craft Market Facebook page to see the whole album. I have divided the crafts in categories so you can get a better look.

Food:

Crochet Masion Jar Cozy: TL Yarn Crafts – Ice Cream Cozy: Sew Joyful – Coasters; Paper Crafts By Vicki – Reusable Lunch Bag: Petal Handmade Handbags ( NYMCM Co-Host)

Art:

Large Ohio print, Ohio watercolor card, and Ohio sticker: Glitteracy – Floral original painting: Megan Hogan Art and Design

Accessories:

Bow tie: Mitzy Bitzy’s Workshop – Wood bead necklace: The Heirloom Tomato (Me!)  – Anchor necklace: Simply Spain Designs – Copper Earrings: Gibson Girl’s Glass – Copper Bracelet: Hand and Hart Designs – Crochet Earrings: Sol Heritage – Key Fob: Studio Chop Stix

Body:

Body Salve and small peppermint soap: Mom N Pop Natural Shoppe – Tea tree soap – Simply Natural

Others:

Paper purse with cards: Stamp With Anita – Beaded Bookmark: Sweettooth Studio

You see what I mean! Amazing! Most of my excitement was completely selfish. Well.. b/c I was so happy I got to keep all this great stuff but I’m also happy for the connection of our group.

One thing I wasn’t expecting was the response to community for the ladies. I wasn’t expecting so many to get up and say how they were really excited to have a good group to network with and to just be friends with like minded people. They talked about how great it is that we can get together and learn about each other personally. Many of us know each other or of each other but rarely can we take the time during a busy show to sit-down and talk with one another. I feel like creatives have a special bond that only they can understand. I personally love that I can talk fabric designs with someone like Carrie Schafer of Petal Bags and she will get just as geeked out about a new line of fabric as I do. Like crazy geeked out. Or how we can all exchange craft show tips. Or customer war stories. I love that we can encourage each other and support each others businesses.

We are a strange bunch but we belong to each other. I love these weirdos!

Hugs and Stiches,

Chelsey

Drowning it with joy.

I don’t know about you but I’m over the snow. I’m ready for warm days in the park and long walks to school. And sunshine! Oh sweet sweet sunshine! But in the spirit  of making what I have work, I have decided to find the positive. A few weeks ago at church we sang a song with a line that has stuck with me. It was along the lines of:  I’ll praise you in the breaking bones. Not a direct quote b/c I can’t remember it exactly or the title of the song. We’ll blame that on mommy brain. Anyway, that line has come back to me over and over again. So I did some searching and found the verse it originated from:

Make me to hear joy and gladness, Let the bones which You have broken rejoice.

-Psalm 51:8

What an awesome reminder. Especially in these cloudy Ohio winters and in my unglorious everyday mom moments I need to be reminded that in everything theres something to be thankful about. I guess I love the part about broken bones the best because He broke (is breaking) me to be the person he created me to be. I had to learn the hard way and it hurts, it is a long process but for it I am so very thankful. I also like how it starts with “make me hear.” I don’t know about you but I don’t really like asking God for things. I never feel worthy or significant enough to bother Him with a request. But I know he says “ask and you shall be given.” I think this is a good example of something good to ask for. “Make me hear” Lord the joy and happiness you have surrounded me with. Take the everyday monotonous and make it ring of joy and praise. Take the hurt of the past and the challenges they still bring and drown it out with thanksgiving.  Let the desire of my heart be a joy in you and all you give us.

So this brings me back to the snow and making it positive. This came as a two fold. The snow for me and a disapointing day for our middle, age 6. While my oldest headed off to a sleepover, my middle was very disappointed and all around green with envy over her sisters endeavors. What a perfect time to share my lesson in finding the joy. So, we made it an extra fun bonding time. Because her older sister isn’t a fan of dressing up anymore (insert mama tears here) we started things off with an Elsa adventure! First the two littles ( that what we call the two youngest)  got all dressed up in their Elsa Costumes and accessorized with gloves, and boots. Then it was beauty shop time. With the best of my abilities I gave them both the perfect frozen braids I could muster. Pretty darn good if i do say so myself. Tutorial coming soon.  The girls were feeling very fancy and spent a lot of time in the mirror admiring themselves.

  

We had just had a major snowfall but it was pretty warm out so the princesses and I headed out side for a music video and photo shoot! All I needed was my iPhone to make this day so special. The littles sang their little hearts out acapella to Do You Want To Build A Snowman and of course Let It Go while I videoed. Then we took some fun photos can were back inside before you could say Olaf.

    

They weren’t done yet so we pulled out the karaoke machine they got for Christmas. ( Thanks Uncle G and Chellie) And had a hard core dance party/ jam out to even more Frozen songs:)

My middle still talks about it to this day and the family loved seeing all the photos. I loved that I got to take a moment to stop, document, and experience my littles being little. And to get to teach them that we can find joy in a disappointing day.   But most of all Im so very grateful for the snow that made our day so special.

Hugs and Stiches, – Chelsey

Image from: Everywhere Gospel