Craftcation 2019 will change your life {and our friends get a special perk}

We’re excited to post today about an event put on by our partners in California especially for makers and creative business owners in April 2019. Craftcation: Business + Makers Conference is an annual life-changing four-day event featuring industry professionals leading attendees in over 100+ hands-on DIY workshops and creative business classes.

If you’ve ever thought any of the following, it’s time to plan a trip to Ventura, CA:

• I wish I could take a vacation where I get to make things with like-minded people.

• I have this idea for a business that I want to turn into my full-time job but it’s too overwhelming to figure out where to start.

• I have a successful business and I’m ready to take it to the next level but I’m not sure how.

• I want to make meaningful connections with people in my field but I don’t have the time or opportunities to make it happen.

Craftcation is the place where you can make any one of those things happen!

If you’re a maker, blogger or creative business owner then it’s time to get ready for four inspiring days that you’ll never forget. Craftcation has over 100 hands-on workshops and business classes, so whether you’re coming to craft, grow your business or a little bit of both, there’s lots of making, meeting and learning in store for you.

Craftcation takes place April 3-7, 2019, in the beach town of Ventura, CA – about an hour north of Los Angeles. Craftcation utilizes Ventura’s historic downtown buildings and businesses as well as the beach for special events like networking meet & greets, cocktail socials, a pop-up shop, opening celebration, yoga, as well as food and art tours.

Registration opens today and the first 50 people to register get $50 off! After that, you can still get $20 off as a friend of Etsy Dallas if you apply through this link. Will you be there next spring?

Etsy Dallas and Paws in the City

Last month the Etsy Dallas Team hung out with Paws in the City. A local all-volunteer, no kill organization with a commitment to ending overpopulation, neglect, and abuse of DFW area cats and dogs.

No one is on a payroll at Paws in the City, so all funds raised goes straight to the dogs (and kitties)! And that’s a very good thing!

We hung out with some amazing fluff balls and made a variety of dog toys while raising awareness and funds for their amazing charity.

We thought this would be a great time to share with you how to pull together an event for a worthy charity in your area.

Step One: Look for charity organizations in your area.

We know that you are following at least 5 different charities on Facebook. Reach out! They want to hear from you!!

Step Two: Grab your crew

Your book club, your Girl Scouts, your craft guild, your friends!

Step Three: Make a plan!

Each charity has different needs. Usually the bottom line is raising funds. Find out what the charity needs and work for them.

Some ideas -

Pets : make some handmade toys/bankets/treats to raise funds

Kids : make handmade toys, arts and crafts and more to - help a book or School supply drive

Seniors : art is so therapeutic! (and we sort of LOVE art for all causes), use to help raise awareness for Meals on Wheels and other great senior charities.

Step Four: Buy the supplies

Or ask for donations! You don’t have to break the bank. Work with upcycled items, supplies from your own private stash (between the Etsy Dallas team, we have enough “extra” supplies to outfit a craft army.

Step Five: Decide a date and rally!!

Work with the Charity’s schedule (not yours). Send out social media blasts, create an event on Facebook or another good event planning platform.

Step Six: Get to crafting and have fun!

We had so much fun! We made super cute dog toys, we got to know more about the foster parents of the dogs that came out, and learn more about what they do. We even raised some money for their amazing cause!

A note from the President here at Etsy Dallas:

Thank you everyone who came out to our Craft + Adoption event today at Café Izmir benefitting Paws in the City! Etsy Dallas volunteers had a great time teaching others how to make DIY dog toys many of which were enjoyed by the PITC foster dogs!

Foster pups enjoyed the nice spring weather and all the attention they were getting. Several applications were put in for foster dogs and we hope they all find their forever home soon! Thank you to Cafe Izmir for offering up their patio for such a wonderful cause.

Get Ready For the Etsy Craft Party 2016!

Hello everyone! It is time for the Etsy Craft Party! This is a big Etsy event where each local team gets together with their community to mingle, and create something fun together!

Mark June 18th at Dallas Makerspace from 1-3pm in your calendar! This is a free, family friendly event, so join us for fun, snacks, and crafts!

RSVP here so we can be ready for you!  Can't wait to see you there!

Sponsor Spotlight: In Your Bones

Meet my incredible friend, Gabriela, creator behind In Your Bones, a colorful and kind business benefitting Texas Husky Rescue.

Gabriela is a seasoned participant in the Etsy Dallas Bashes, and her booth is always packed with bright, unique, and heirloom quality sewn goods and embroidery. She lives in Austin area, keeps a small orchard and a few beehives, along with her four rescued huskies, and is a proud and fervent supporter of small business. Her work and support helped save over 300 dogs last year!

You can follow In Your Bones on Instagram for a peek into her beautiful life, and be sure to check out her shop, and come by the In Your Bones booth at the Spring Bash on Saturday!

Autism Awareness with Expressions Bracelets

Today is Autism Awareness Day, and Etsy Dallas' very own, SaRatta Murphy of Expressions Bracelets spoke with Good Morning Texas about her inspiration behind each of her bracelets.

There are few things I admire more than a woman working hard to bring awareness and change. Watch her spotlight below, and visit her shop to support her cause.  Beautiful and inspirational.

Local Woman is Bringing Awareness to Autism Through One-of-a-Kind jewelry

#LoveLetters

This month, our team joined DoDomething.org's Love Letter campaign to make Valentines Day cards for senior citizens in our community that are home bound and face isolation due to disability, location, and language barriers. It was a really fun project that family and friends participated in and we got cards from all over Dallas and Austin too!

In total we made over 100 handmade cards that Meals on Wheels will deliver over the next few days, and we hope it will put smiles on many faces!