Sneak Peak of SHC Raffle Prizes!

With every purchase at the SHC, you'll receive a raffle ticket for a chance to win one of six uniquely embellished lunchboxes filled with handmade goodies.

Each lunchbox will be loaded with exciting full-size items from some of our vendors, among them prints by Allene La Spina and Aperture Agog; jewelry by Wabisabi Brooklyn and J. Topolski; candles by Lovely Day Designs; and cards by Littlebunny and Waisze Designs; and that's just a taste!!!

Don't forget to fill out a raffle ticket for EVERY purchase.

We will tape the live drawing and post it online so you can see the results. All raffle prizes will be mailed to winners.

Special thanks to our team embellishers: Tanya of Luckx4, Aliza of DesignsByAliza, Alexis of LadyThree Designs, Lauren of Paperelle, Alicia of Lingua Nigra, and Kari of Ikyoto.

See you at the Handmade Cavalcade!


--molly shoelace

A Thrifty Way to Spend the Afternoon

With the recession looming over our heads, my husband and I have been doing our best to have fun without breaking our budget. Now is the perfect time to go out and enjoy Spring; but how do we do that without spending money? Following Nordea's post from last week, we decided to follow suit and dug out our own rusty rollerblades. With a 50lb dog in tow, we bladed while our dog Samantha "Sam", ran alongside us on a trail not too far away from our home. It's been a year or more since I've worn my rollerblades but luckily within a few minutes, I got the swing of things and we were off.

Sadly, we don't take Sam out too often. She was tired and beat in no time.

A tired dog is a happy dog!
I'm so glad the warm weather afforded us such a wonderful memory! Not only did we all get much needed exercise, we were able to enjoy an afternoon out without spending any money. What fun activities have you been doing that don't break the budget? Please share!


-Wai Sze

Eco-Conscious Wedding Paper Product Alternative Ideas (that's a mouthful!)

My husband + I wanted a beautifully and thoughtfully decorated wedding - but we also wanted it to be ecologically responsible, economically reasonable and also represent 'us' [tall glass to fill!] The first of many decisions began with our save-the-date. Yes, there are tons of adorable and clever options out there (magnets, cookies, candles, etc); but rather than create excessive waste, we determined that every single person on our invite list (save for 5 people over the age of 80) had an e-mail address. We therefore sent out an electronic fyi (which was a huge hit) also serving double duty requesting mailing addresses for the formal invitation.

Easy steps to e-mail save-the-date:

(1) Craft a message that is personal - reflecting you as a team.

Include the necessary information:

- date

- location

- hotel information (if you have it)

- website (if you are doing that)

- address information (if you need it)

(2) Attach a photo - everyone loves to see the couple in a funny state [fortunately for me, i've known my guy since we were 12] If anyone on your list is insistent on prehistoric methods, they can print out the attachment + affix to their refrigerator. Here is a blank version for you to use if you'd like :

Also, you are welcome to use this MARRIAGE header + footer I created to frame the text of the e-mail:

Next, invitations! If you do not feel comfortable with complete DIY invitations, waisze and fubabee both offer options in customization (color, font + wording choices among others) in their ETSY shops.

Programs:

We wanted to explain the customs and traditions of our wedding, as well as highlight those participating. A very simple DIY solution (that doesn't involve bows, glue or much more than a paper cutter) is following this format:

(1) Chose 11x17 paper or card stock. Each sheet will yield 2 programs.

(2) Design your monogram or emblem, which will be placed on the far right. Make sure it is no wider than 1 inch. For example: Wedding of _____ & _____ with optional date and place - or just initials is also lovely.

(3) Design the text keeping in mind that you will be folding the paper 8 inches in from the left (therefore leave a gutter)

*Keep all of the above no taller than 5 inches from the top.

(4) Duplicate all of your top content directly below.

(5) Print / Copy just over half of the amount you anticipate needing.

(6) Cut every sheet in half lengthwise (hot dog - not hamburger) so that you are left with 2 pieces of 5.5 x 17

(7) Fold - not in half - but so that your names are visible on the right hand side.

This may seem simple, but really these are generally a throw-away (except for maybe your paternal grandmother) and super easy!

Cheers + Great Wishes!

- lisa

http://myconey.wordpress.com

of pcharming & prismPOP

You are what you wear

As a customer who often frequented indie markets, craft shows and the like; I noticed something about the way I shopped. I was always attracted to the booth by the display, organization and of course the goods. I'm sure that's true for most shoppers. However, being that I'm a huge supporter of the handmade movement I also look for something else. I look at the seller and interestingly enough, what he/she wears. It's mostly an unconscious act; but I find myself more attracted to the seller and what they sell if their style of dress match. To me, seeing any kind of commercially branded logo seems out of place to me especially if what they are selling is handmade.

I'm not saying that for all of you sellers out there to go out and start changing your wardrobe, but do keep in mind that it may make a difference; albeit a subtle one.

Here I am trying to keep a cohesive "handmade" look with Kimm's tee.

Please share your thoughts as a buyer or a seller. I'd love to hear!

Wai Sze

http://waisze.etsy.com