Thursday, February 25, 2010
Member Artisan Profile: PachaMamma
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Winner of Latest Giveaway Is:
Congratulations Etco! :) I'll contact Metry Chick and let her know you won !
Thanks to all who entered!
~~Amy
Saturday, February 20, 2010
New Orleans Craft Mafia needs your swag!
The New Orleans Craft Mafia is proud to once again sponsor the Alternative Media Expo, presented by Antigravity Magazine. The Alternative Media Expo ‘10 is scheduled for Saturday, April 17th from noon-6pm at the warehouse in the Contemporary Arts Center (900 Camp Street, New Orleans, LA), and will feature tons of exhibitors with comics, ‘zines, fashion, crafts, music, film, design, community activism and much more!
Admission is $5, and the first 100 paid attendees through the doors will receive swag bags courtesy of the New Orleans Craft Mafia: a reusable shopping bag filled with freebies and product samples from various indie businesses. These bags present a great opportunity to get the word out about your business, band, or organization. Vendors exhibiting at the Expo are also highly encouraged to participate in the swag bags and leave a lasting impression on visitors.
Get the word out to this diverse group of customers who seek to support independent businesses by including your product samples in these swag bags. Product samples may include, but are not limited to: CD/DVD samplers, comics and magazines, small jewelry or accessory samples, t-shirts, blank notecards or stationery, sample size soaps or cosmetics, gift cards, or other small samples of your products. If you choose to send in samples, we ask that you send a minimum of 25 samples.
Some swag suggestions include, but are not limited to: coupons, stickers, buttons, magnets, pens, etc. We ask that you do send actual swag items and not just promotional materials such as business cards or flyers. You may attach business cards, etc., to any donated swag, of course. (If we receive ONLY business cards or fliers from you, they will NOT be included in the swag bags.) If you are interested in sending in swag material, we ask that you send in the full amount of 100 items.
The deadline for sending in swag & samples is Wednesday, April 7, 2009. Items may be sent to:
New Orleans Craft Mafia swag bags
c/o Kerry Fitts
P.O. Box 791922
New Orleans, Louisiana 70179-1922
Those interested in dropping off samples and swag locally in New Orleans may bring them by UP/ Unique Products at 2038 Magazine Street during regular business hours (Monday-Saturday 11am-6pm, Sunday noon-5pm). Please make sure your items are marked as being for the New Orleans Craft Mafia / Alternative Media expo swag bags.
For more information on contributing to the swag bags, please email mallory [!AT] neworleanscraftmafia.com
Friday, February 19, 2010
January Craft a Long Winner is........
Thank you so much to all who entered!!! Next month's theme is Love, Mardi Gras and/or New Orleans! Can't wait to see how that turns out!!
Congratulations and Go Handmade Louisiana!!
~~Amy
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Member Artisan Profile: Metrychick (& Giveaway!)
Her connection to Louisiana runs deeply. She explains, “My family chose New Orleans and I think it was destiny. My grandpa came here on a buckboard from Picayune, Mississippi -- first generation Italian. My grandmother was born here, second generation Italian. My mother emigrated here from Cuba in '68. I was MEANT to be from here. People traveled to make SURE I would be here. I was born and raised here. Actually, about two miles from where I live and here I was raised to be independent, and a high thinker, and to always wonder and want to learn. I was lucky to have a lot of knowledgeable people in my life and I am blessed.”
In fact, it is her love for her hometown that inspires her art. Celeste says, “I look for what hasn't been done yet. I did that with the New Orleans NOstaLgiA and will keep going.” Her biggest challenge, she says is keeping her work “evolving and fresh, and new, while retaining the spirit of my love of New Orleans and Metry.”
While many artists etch glass, Celeste’s items are unique in that she cuts each piece by hand. “No stencils, no machines, just me, a pattern and my knife.“
Celeste’s favorite piece is a 45-inch diameter bowl (yes, 45 inches!). “I etched over 50 fleur de lis on it,” she says. “My customer told me when they bought it and put battery operated lights in it, the fleur de lis cast a shadow on every wall of the room. It was magical.”
When asked her favorite bit of advice for other artists/sellers, she offers the following: “Keep with it. Pick something you love and stick with it.”
What’s next for Celeste? Perhaps stained glass. “I would love to learn how to solder,” she says. “I have the stuff, but no one to teach me. I can just imagine the art I can make...”
On a personal note, Celeste works part time, home schools two daughters and is a proud military wife. “I love my life and my family. Part of that is loving me and my art,” she notes.
Celeste’s creations can be found on the following:
On Etsy: hvnlydesigns.etsy.com
On her blog: Metrychick.com
On Facebook: Metrychick
~*~*~ You can win a little Piece of Metry Chick! ~*~*~
You can win this beautiful etched candy dish bowl with a lovely jazz second line etched on it.
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Congratulations New Orleans Saints!!!
I could wax on about Hurricane Katrina, rebuilding, our years in shame with bags over our heads....but you know all that. If you live or have lived here, you know about that. You have picked up your neighbor's yard after a storm, you have painted your nails black and gold even in the darkest of years, you have named your dog Payton.....
YOU are the fans, YOU are the reason this is so awesome! We have an unbelievable team, hard working, talented, honorable, and FABULOUS. But what sets the Saints apart from other teams are the FANS. Saints fans are die hards through the good times and the bad.
Saints fans are what helps make these games and this area so special. We are strong, brave and will fight a good fight. (Okay sometimes we might voodoo your butt if you're mean to us...)
Handmade Louisiana is SO PROUD of the New Orleans Saints and all the fans. The NFL tried to take Who Dat and the Fleur De Lis away from us and we fought back! Senators, fans, business owners banded together and FOUGHT BACK!
Who Dat Nation knows no color, no politics, no parish lines, hell no state lines! Who Dat Nation resides in every Saints fan all around the country and world. Who Dat Nation lives on because we FINISH STRONG.
How the hell do you like THAT GAME!!!???
WHO DAT BABY!!
~~amy