Sponsor Spotlight - Craft Across Texas

As Allison and I sat down in 2008 to plan our first event, we looked to those who had come before us for guidance, advice, and inspiration.  It's an honor for our fledgling company to be Sponsored by the following three notable Crafty Businesses!

The Etsy Dallas Street Team presents Spring Bash on May 1st, 2010.  Since 2007, Etsy Dallas has been leading the way for Etsy Street Teams around Texas - and putting on stellar handmade shopping events.  The Bash features hand-picked artists, designers and crafters selling their top quality handmade goods to the public. Additional fun includes live music, entertainment, food, and a full bar.

Two Shop Austin Artists - adaptive reUse and *annemarie* will be showcasing their work at The Spring Bash, alongside Photo Booth Sponsor Jennifer M. Ramos of Textile Fetish. 

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Renegade Craft Fair comes to Austin for the first time on May 15th and 16th, 2010. Way back in 2003 the dynamic duo Sue Daly & Danny Orendorff started the first Renegade Craft Fair in Chicago. The Handmade movement was on the verge of a National Wave - and along with pioneering groups like The Austin Craft Mafia, Renegade helped unite shoppers looking for unique and meaningful items with artisans trying to make a difference - one handmade item at a time.

There have been rumors for a few years that Renegade would come to Austin - and this year it's finally going to happen!  Renegade is always free to attend, and they're featuring artists from all over the US and Craft Demos from local Austin favorites The Austin Craft Mafia, The Stitch Lab and more.  We're super excited that Renegade Craft Fair is a Happening Sponsor for The Lone Star Ladies Present: Shop Austin 2010!

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We love family success stories!  In 2007 the Harvey Durham family founded Storyville in Baton Rougue, Louisiana. Storyville is the place to go for original designs, locally made apparel and screen printing services.

Their Austin location has been located on the UT Campus for the past two years, but in June of 2010 they're moving to the hottest shopping spot in town - SoCo - South Congress.  The new space will be bigger and offer a larger selection of their current designers' work, as well as in house screen-printing services.  What's cooler than being able to walk in and select a one-of-a-kind gift - or have them print you up a shirt of your own design right on the spot?

Stay tuned for details about their Grand Opening - it will certainly be a "Handmade Happening" you do not want to miss.  Kudos to Storyville for keeping the family spirit alive, and thanks for sponsoring Shop Austin 2010!


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If you had any doubts that Austin, Texas was one of the coolest spots to live - we hope this feature leaves you with all doubts erased!  Crafting is a time-honored tradition that goes waaaay back - we're talking Cave People Back - because it brings people together in a way that nothing else can.  Using your hands to create - or using your wallet to purchase something handmade - keeps the essence of the human spirit alive.  Craft Across Texas, Y'all!

xo, Anne Marie Beard