Is your wardrobe in need of an update? Then you will not want to miss the fresh designs from Twospace, a husband and wife team from California. Each and every wonderful Twospace item is designed and handmade by Christine Haynes and Kent Bell in their downtown Los Angeles studio.

Christine and Kent will be set up at booth #101 this Sunday. Below are Christine’s answers to our vendor questions.

1. How long have you been making things?
I started sewing when I was in high school. My mom and my grandmother both sewed, knitted, crochet, and were crafty. We didn’t have much money growing up, so my mom would sew trendy looking things instead of buying them. I really started sewing a lot when I left home for art school.

2. What is your earliest/favorite crafting memory?
My mom tells stories of me as a small child using those plastic cards that you would sew yarn into. Apparently I was really into it!

3. Why do you make things?
I have been making things, art, ceramics, sewing, etc my whole life. It is just a great creative outlet for me. I’m sure I’d go nuts if I didn’t do something with my hands!

4. What sort of things do you make?
I sew clothing for women. Mostly dresses, but sometimes I venture out and do an occasional top or skirt.

5. Any success stories you’d care to share?
We’re certainly had our ups and downs. We have been featured in the NY Times, NY Post, the Today Show, and Daily Candy three times. But there are just as many horror stories to go along with those successes.

6. Inspirations?
I love fashion, clothes, and glamor. I always have. So the history of fashion is a huge influence. I also collect old year books and like looking at real life fashions from the past.

7. Craft supplies you can’t live without?
Well, obviously a sewing machine. But I also must have a good pair of scissors, a dress form, and a measuring tape. The basics.

8. Describe your work area.
I am actually in the midst of moving my studio from the LA Garment District back into our home in Venice Beach. But all the equipment is the same! I have 4 sewing machines: a coverstitch, straight stitch, overlock, and a commercial straight stitch with zig zag. Bolts of fabric, rolling racks, and my trusty lap top! These photos of my current space.

9. Family? Pets? Plants?
Twospace is named for two of us: me and my husband, Kent. He is a metalsmith and graphic designer. We have 3 cats: Sally, Pinta, and Lloyd. And one plant, who remains nameless.

10. Favorite color or pattern?
I love all things green! Oh, and stripes.

11. Have you been a Crafty Bastard before?
No! But I am excited to be one this year!

12. Tell us about other crafters you love and your favorite handmade purchases.
I am drawn to good craftsmanship and things that are built to last. I have a great tote bag from india*romeo that I have pushed to the limit and it still holds up. I also have a lovely wristlet from Camp Apparel that I use all the time and still looks great. I also have an amazing hand stitched leather wallet from Jack Blue Handbags that is brilliant.

13. What is one thing everyone should know how to do themselves?
Replace a button!

My Imaginary Boyfriend is equal parts felt, cotton, and embroidery with a few dashes of silly, vintage, and sophistication thrown in for good measure. All items are made by Erika Kern with a focus on hand embroidery, painting, and appliqué.

Stop by booth #73 this Sunday to get your hands on Erika’s fabulous creations. Keep reading for Erika’s answers to our vendor questions.

1. How long have you been making things?
Honestly. . . for as long as I can remember. . . my mom and grandpa were both super handy and crafty so they always had me doing things.

2. What is your earliest/favorite crafting memory?
Dumpster diving with my grandpa and then making things out of what we found there.

3. Why do you make things?
I think, because I’ve been doing it for so long, it’s just a part of me now. . . my making things is an integral part of who I am. . . I could never imagine NOT making things. . .

4. What sort of things do you make?
Well. . . through my imaginary boyfriend I make bags and pillows, I also make more art based pieces and some custom portrait work using appliqué and embroidery. . . and then there are the silly things like the felt rocks and the felt broaches. . .

5. Any success stories you’d care to share?
Nothing big. . . every show I get in feels like a success. . . every sale. . . still, at my first show ever Debbie Stoller came up to me and said I should write a book showing how I do what I do. . . that was pretty cool. . .

6. Inspirations?
My mom, vintage teen and fashion magazines, French craft magazines, antique stores, mid-century design, pop music (especially that of the indie variety), Brooklyn (I miss it so much!)

7. Craft supplies you can’t live without?
Needles, embroidery floss, fabric paint, felt!

8. Describe your work area.

Photos might be too depressing, but if you want them. . . here are a few. . . I live and work in my childhood bedroom in Bakersfield California. . . moved back so I could really get my business going and now I do everything in a 10 by 10 room that’s stuffed with an apartment sized amount of stuff.

9. Family? Pets? Plants?
Dog, Viola, a pitbull/boxer mix who 65 pounds of pure cuddling!

10. Favorite color or pattern?
I’m positively obsessed with the color green and anything with a woodgrain print.

11. Have you been a Crafty Bastard before?
Nope, first time! Thanks for having me!

12. Tell us about other crafters you love and your favorite handmade purchases.
Well, before I moved home I was a member of the New York City Craft Mafia and I love all those girls and everything they do. There are so many folks I love the list would be soooo long! A short list would include Jenny Hart, Jen Perkins, Alyssa Ettinger, Dana of Damned Dollies, Caitlin of Rebound Designs. . . My most recent most favorite purchase was one of Alyssa Ettinger’s knitware vases.

13. What is one thing everyone should know how to do themselves?
Sew on a button.

I’m a sucker for cute. I’m a sucker for Gocco printed anything. I’m a sucker for talking artichokes.

Lucky me, Leigh of Rhymes with Twee has the cutest Gocco printed talking artichoke card ever! Outside says, “I artichoke you.” Inside says, “Let’s hug instead.” Awwww!

Leigh is making the trek from Chicago and will be set up in booth #93. Below are her responses to our vendor questions.

1. How long have you been making things?
When I was young, I would always make my family cards for birthdays and I’d write “A Leighmark Card” on the back. I should really have my Mom dig some of these out.

2. What is your earliest/favorite crafting memory?
I really loved making the tambourine out of two paper plates that I’d decorated, putting beans between them and then stapling them together. That was a great craft for kids to do!

3. Why do you make things?
I really enjoy seeing my ideas fleshed out and I enjoy the look on people’s faces when they’re looking at my cards and get the jokes and giggle! I’m a big fan of spreading joy.

4. What sort of things do you make?
I make a variety of paper greats; ranging from cards, keychains, to due lists, bookmarks, etc. I also make pillows and I’m working on a couple new projects now. There is no limit to my craftmagination!

Flaky Croissant Card.
Text Inside: Sorry I’ve been so flaky.

5. Any success stories you’d care to share?
When my pal Reba (Rar Rar Press) and I were on our way up to another pal’s craft fair, Craft Saturday, in Des Moines, we happened upon a store in Iowa City, IA called White Rabbit. The store was great and while speaking to the owner, we mentioned that we were on our way to a craft fair and she said she wanted to consign our stuff. I think she ended up taking 20 cards for consignment. After leaving, on the drive up to Des Moines, we saw a double rainbow! It is confirmed that we are nerds. I got a message on Etsy not long after saying that my cards were a hit and that she wanted more! That’s a huge pat on the back!

6. Inspirations?
Food, friends, animals, music, the big eye masters (Lee, Gunilla, Ozz Franca) …anything I love.

7. Craft supplies you can’t live without?
My beloved Print Gocco, glue dots, guitar picks, old magazines, colorful fabric, etc!

8. Describe your work area.
When my boyfriend and I moved in together, we knew that it was imperative that we each have our own space. We ended up renting a 3BR that we have made our own. He has an office and I have a craft room that doubles as our guest bedroom. I have a big L-shaped desk and my record closet is right behind it, so it’s a place I really feel comfortable creating! If we’re watching a movie together, my card making takes place in the living room which Z hates! More photos here.

9. Family? Pets? Plants?
Live in boo: Zachary. Pet: Hoggle the hedgehog. Plants, back porch organic garden including one living tomato plant (3 others bit the dust), 2 thriving basil plants, greek oregano, rosemary, mint, and cilantro. Dill bit the dust too. In the fall, I’m going to try my hand at growing my favorite thing in the world: garlic!

10. Favorite color or pattern?
I really love how pink and green together. I think that’s how you know you are a crafter. That seems to be a lot of people’s favorite combo. When I was growing up, I loved purple and green together. I’ve clearly matured…right.

11. Have you been a Crafty Bastard before?
I have not and I am pumped as heck to be one this year!

12. Tell us about other crafters you love and your favorite handmade purchases.
I love absolutely everything that Susie Ghahremani (Boy Girl Party) makes. I love Fiery Lion Designs and have a couple of Caryn’s guitar pick necklaces and two gorgeous expensive pieces I save for special occasions. I love my CB table mate Jessee (Art School Dropout). Everything she makes is so clever. She has some copycat crafters which is a bummer, but the reason she’s getting copied is because she’s so unique. I love so many crafters though. So many people blow me away.

13. What is one thing everyone should know how to do themselves?
Make a good cupcake and be a good friend. Those are very important skills.

Crafty Bastards will be full of special somethings for the special someones in your life. My special fly fishing someone will surely adore these sweet cuff links from Blugrn Design. Stop by booth #62 to scoop up Lucia’s (the woman behind Blugrn) clever jewelry and prints featuring birds, squirrels and braille.

Blugrn is offering a special discount to her fellow Crafty Bastards vendors. See the comments in her vendor profile for details.

Below Lucia answers our Crafty vendor questions.

1. How long have you been making things?
Since high school-1990. My mom had a store and I used to make earrings and hair clips for the store.

2. What is your earliest/favorite crafting memory?
When I was 3 or 4 in preschool, we made these little flower arrangements inside a babyfood jar. I loved it and still think about it.

3. Why do you make things?
I love creating things and having the satisfaction of finishing something that someone will love to wear or buy from me.

4. What sort of things do you make?
Jewelery, notecards…I’ve played with sewing, still working on that.

5. Any success stories you’d care to share?
Still learning.

6. Inspirations?
My mom…she is constantly learning and making things…which I think she picked up from her mother (my grandmother) who could make just about anything she put her mind to.

7. Craft supplies you can’t live without?
Round corner punch, glitter, jewelers saw.

8. Describe your work area.
I’ve taken over the little loft space in our apt. where my husband was supposed to “play” d.j. My drafting table has become my jewerly work area with boxes of “organized” junk and supplies underneath.

9. Family? Pets? Plants?
Plants for right now. I finally grew something that bore fruit this year! Jalapenos! YAY!

10. Favorite color or pattern?
Favorite color: Wild guess?? - (bluegreen)

11. Have you been a Crafty Bastard before?
First time.

12. Tell us about other crafters you love and your favorite handmade purchases.
LOVE ETSY crafters. I shop there all the time. I feel kinda bad sometimes because the prices make it such a great deal. I buy my niece and nephews tees and onesies, blankies…birthday presents… All on there. My goal is to buy all my Christmas presents on there this year…and support indie crafters!

13. What is one thing everyone should know how to do themselves?
Packaging and promoting yourself as a thoughtful person…I’m still learning… Little touches to make them all that more special when presenting.

Katie Parker is a skilled DC-based potter who draws inspiration from many things, including dead fish. According to her vendor statement:

Seahorses, dead fish, frogs, coral, and flea market plastic toys are pressed on the surface of my planters, mugs, sake sets, dog bowls and lidded jars.

Stop by booth #11 this Sunday to get your hands on some of Katie’s awesome pottery!

1. How long have you been making things?
Since about age 2.

2. What is your earliest/favorite crafting memory?
At age 8, overhearing my art teacher tell my mom that I was more talented than my sister (I have no idea why a teacher would tell a parent something like that).

3. Why do you make things?
Some sort of compulsion.

4. What sort of things do you make?
Flowerpots, cupcakes, parties, Halloween costumes for my dogs, earrings for my sister and cousin, mix CDs for my friends, t-shirts for my brother’s flag football team the Chicago Banana Hammocks (perhaps you’ve heard of them), websites, baby booties, dog treats, chocolate truffles… and lists of other things I want to make in the future, like a knitted vest for my friend’s pet rat.

5. Any success stories you’d care to share?
This might sound corny but Crafty Bastards has been a huge encouragement for me. I look forward to it every year and being accepted as a vendor is a big validation of my work.

6. Inspirations?
The usual stuff– nature, animals, books, music, friends.

7. Craft supplies you can’t live without?
Weird little objects I find at flea markets and junk shops that I use as stamps for my pots.

8. Describe your work area.
Sadly I don’t have a dedicated work-space in my tiny one bedroom apt, but my next home will. My craft supplies are stashed throughout my apartment in boxes, drawers, closets, and other hiding places.

9. Family? Pets? Plants?
My dogs are regular targets of my creativity. I sometimes make them treats and homemade food, and I still drag out the homemade bumblebee costume for my beagle Gracie to wear on special occasions. I’ve knitted them sweaters but they don’t really need them since it doesn’t get that cold in DC. My husband is used to my endless projects and is very supportive.

10. Favorite color or pattern?
I always go back to green. I am a dedicated city person but I need a connection to the natural world.

11. Have you been a Crafty Bastard before?
Yes!

12. Tell us about other crafters you love and your favorite handmade purchases.
My mom is my favorite crafter. She’s kind of a midwestern Martha Stewart and she is always learning new tricks. She always has recipes and knitting ideas and gardening plans and is always planning a surprise or a party or a baby shower for someone. She taught me how to sew, at a young age, against my will. Now that I’m a little older I envy her energy.

14. What is one thing everyone should know how to do themselves?
Wipe their own ass?

There are some crafters whose work is so stunning, so well made, so beautiful that you can’t even begin to imagine how they do it. For me, If’n Books + Marks fits this bill. Deb makes blank journals and photo albums along with Alec from Ink Ape, also an amazing artist. The Sand Tiger Shark print that I bought from them at Art Star sits above my computer as I type. He is hand printed and number 16/25. He reminds me all the time to work harder on my craft.

Below Deb answers our vendor questions and was nice enough to send over a How To!

1. How long have you been making things?
I’ve been making things up since I could talk.

2. What is your earliest/favorite crafting memory?
I remember making a pair of shoes once. I cut out a Life cereal box for the soles, folded a piece of kleenex for some luxurious padding and tied ‘em on with meat string. That was when I was young. Now as an adult my experiences in shoe-shopping are kind of similar since it’s hard to find cool smallish shoes. I might have to go back to that idea and develop it for personal use. Do you know of a good source for potroast string?

3. Why do you make things?
I make books in order to bring peace to the world. Think about it - if everyone just took a few moments to jot down their angst, extreme disgust and/or utter hatred, and then went back and read their kookoo entries, I absolutely 100% guarantee that there would be less money spent on bombs and bullets and numchuks. And brass knuckles especially.

4. What sort of things do you make?
I make blank journals and photo albums and sell them to stores as well as to very very smart customers around the world.

5. Any success stories you’d care to share?
One time I flew inside a teeny tiny airplane and I didn’t die.

6. Inspirations?
Awesome friends and loved ones and fancypants show-offs.

7. Craft supplies you can’t live without?
A good bone folder and my two hands.

8. Describe your work area.
I’m lucky to have a huge space in an old mill building. I share it with a photographer. His side is austere while my side is filled with all sorts of crazy crap and old iron machines that are not cinchy to move. It’s hot in the summer and cold in the winter and beautiful year round. The ceiling height is also tall enough to accommodate my big ideas.

9. Family? Pets? Plants?
I’m the youngest of 8 kids and aunt to 5. I live with my honey who is known for his stellar drawing and screenprinting skillz (http://www.inkape.com) and who will be joining me at Crafty Bastards. We care for a collection of dust bunnies. We are also the go-to couple for taking care of friends’ dogs.

10. Favorite color or pattern?
In general, my modus operandi for making things match is to add as many colors as possible - that way nothing clashes! Mwah!

11. Have you been a Crafty Bastard before?
I’m a 2006 Crafty Bastards grad! Super-psyched for 2007!

12. Tell us about other crafters you love and your favorite handmade purchases.
Made With Love By Hannah made me my most favorite skirt (with love). She was even kind enough to shorten it for someone who calls herself 5 feet. And Annie from Mohop made me some amazing shoes for my size 5 feet.

There’s so many crafters to love though! Faythe Levine from all the things, Sarah from The Small Object, Jessica Rosenkranz of Headless Press, Xander and Pippi at the Dirt Palace…

13. Would you like to include a HOW-TO for the blog?
Sure! Howz a one-sheet maze book sound?

Terrific! Click to the title to download the .pdf file.

Maze Book How To

14. What is one thing everyone should know how to do themselves?
I know this is a progressive paper, but do I really have to say it?

Check out the awesome Craft Mutiny podcast brought to you by Tina Seamonster and Sara Dick!

In the first episode, Sara and Tina talk about upcoming indie craft shows that are accepting applications and they preview the Crafty Bastards Arts and Crafts Fair. Watch and listen for a preview of some of the super fabulous vendors that you won’t want to miss!

Listen to the podcast here. Watch the slide show here.

I think that the squid might be the new owl.

If you know what the hell that means then you will love Cleo Dee, booth #78 at this year’s fair. Cleo Dee’s name is not Cleo, it is Bethany and Bethany creates all manner of rad squids. Look at this squid embroidering a cat! I don’t know any owls who can do that. Do you?

Below are Bethany’s answers to our Crafty vendor questions!

1. How long have you been making things?
I guess I could say “forever” but I mostly got into making items during college when I majored in Fibers and Printmaking.

2. What is your earliest/favorite crafting memory?
My earliest memory is my plastic bear that had holes in it and a plastic needle that I used to “sew” for long periods of time.

3. Why do you make things?
I make things because I can’t stop! I love having something to do with my hands and seeing how my ideas turn out in real life.

4. What sort of things do you make?
I make plush squids with mini accessories, totes, and embroidered patches. I also enjoy making things for my house (shower curtains, embroidered curtains, placemats, pillows, blankets…)

5. Any success stories you’d care to share?
I guess my biggest one is being able to do this full time (along with the help of my husband who helps fill in the other half (or more) of the bills)

6. Inspirations?
Searching the internet, music, and little moments I witness while walking around my neighborhood.

7. Craft supplies you can’t live without?
Felt and embroidery floss.

8. Describe your work area :
My apartment has an upstairs that I split with my husband as our workplace. My side has my work table, sewing machine, and 4 sets of drawers crammed full of supplies and finished products and I have lots of space to set up my ironing and light box. I’m still giddy with the amount of room I have to spread out my work. On the other side is my husband’s computer and work area. In the middle is the X-Box for lots of needed breaks.

9. Family? Pets? Plants?
I share my apartment with my husband and our 15 lb cat, Ico (he’s not fat though, just big-boned).

10. Favorite color or pattern?
Favorite color is black and favorite pattern is polka dots.

11. Have you been a Crafty Bastard before?
Yes I have and proud of it! I love doing this show and looked forward to it all year.

12. Tell us about other crafters you love and your favorite handmade purchases.
Right now I’m hearting lots of items from CircaCeramics and my favorite place to buy cards is from Red Cap Cards.

13. What is one thing everyone should know how to do themselves?
Everyone should know how to sew on a button. I think after you figure out how simple sewing a button is, it can lead you to other utilitarian sewing skills.

Each week we feature an advertiser from the Crafty Bastards Classifieds. This week the honor goes to…

Peacock Blue Design Studio for her Cherry Blossom Pasties.

Shop the Crafty Classifieds for goodies like this and more!

Make stuff? Place an ad, it’s FREE!

Going out of town takes a lot of preparation and certainly getting ready for a craft market does too. Combine them both and you have a big project on your hands. Planning is essential. You have a lot of work ahead of you the day(s) of the actual market and you don’t want to be an exhausted wreck before you even get there. Your purpose during the market is to smile and engage with shoppers and to be ready to talk about your crafts. If you’re stressed or worn out just from the getting there part, the day is going to just drag on and you might not have as much success as you had hoped for.

Crafters usually don’t have a lot of extra money and unlike a vacation where the purpose of the trip is to have fun and consequently spend money, the purpose of traveling to a market is to make money (plus gain exposure, network with motivated crafters and market your creations). There is a careful balance necessary when traveling to a market out of town. Try to be frugal in as many ways as possible so that the show pays off, but allow yourself certain luxuries in order to make the weekend functional. An example of this is staying at a hotel that is more expensive than your normal budget, but is only a few blocks away from the market, thus making it much easier to get there and back.

Packing- Be really conscious of how you are getting there (flying or driving) while you pack. Instead of waiting until the night before to pack everything, find some spot in your home where you can start collecting everything you’re going to need. Once you’ve finished making a product put it in that corner. New business cards come in the mail? Put them directly in the corner so they are all ready to go for the trip. Buy new displays? Put them in the corner. Make a new sign for your booth? Put it in the corner. That way you aren’t scrambling at the last minute. And you’re not constantly trying to remember little things. Anything you see in your house that makes you think “I have to remember to take that with me to the market” just pick it up right then and put it in the corner. Don’t rely on your frazzled brain to remember it later!

Travel Plans- Once you’ve decided if you are driving or flying to the market start planning the details early.

If you are flying, determine if you can rent a tent, tables and chairs from the show. Most shows offer this for an additional fee and renting them from the show is going to make setup much easier. You should also determine early on how much luggage you’re going to have. Find out your airline’s baggage restrictions and how much they charge for oversized bags. Figure out where you are going to stay based on the location of the market. You may decide to rent a car, but chances are this is not cost effective. Figure out if there is a convenient way to take public transportation. Other options are a local car service or a cab, but make sure you have enough cash and have budgeted this into your costs for the trip. Multiple rides in a cab (four trips for a two day show) can really add up. However you choose to get around make sure it is going to work for the amount of stuff you have, and likewise, make sure you don’t have too much stuff that you can’t get from place to place with all of it.

If you are driving, you’ll probably feel like you can bring way more stuff than if you are flying. Make sure everything you pack is essential. Driving a long distance in an overstuffed car can be stressful if your visibility is obstructed. Make sure you have really good detailed directions to your destination and a driving map of each state you’re going through. You never know when a route is going to be closed for construction and you want to be prepared.

Whether you are flying or driving, before you leave home get a really good grasp on the layout of the city you’re going to. If you’re taking public transportation study their map and study a map of your route if you are driving or taking cabs. You need to be familiar even if you are taking a cab. You don’t want to get lost on the way to the market, it will just make the whole day much harder.

Fun- The number one most important thing to remember while traveling to a market out of town is to have fun! The whole ordeal is just that, an ordeal. You have to get ready to get there, you have to get there, you have to haul a bunch of stuff, you have to pitch a tent, you have to unpack all your stuff, you have to make it look pretty, you have to pack it back up at the end of the day, you have to deal with weather for an extended period of time, you have to figure out logistics, you have to get along with the people you are traveling with or you have to figure out how to make all this happen on your own if you are traveling solo, you have to smile and talk to strangers all day, you have to handle money, you have to get yourself food and you have to figure out a way to take bathroom breaks but not leave your stuff unsupervised.

Seriously, doing craft markets is really hard work and not for the faint of heart! If you’ve done one, you are a rock star. So just prepare yourself mentally that it’s going to be a grueling day. But so worth it! You get to show off your hand crafted work to the world, you get to meet crafters from other cities, you get to see crafty friends from all over the country, you get to talk up your product (when else is it really appropriate to brag?) and you get to take money from people in exchange for something you made. What could be better? It’s so exhilarating! So for all the grueling work just keep a positive attitude because this is going to be a great day!!!

So go get ‘em! Get prepared, get ready and then you’re going to have fun!

Additional Reading:
To read more specifics on how to get ready for a craft market in general you can read an article I wrote for Get Crafty a couple of years ago. All the info is still true, but notice the photo with a disposable camera. Now I don’t go anywhere without my digital!

HOW TO: prepare for a craft fair

Christy Petterson is currently preparing for her second drive to DC to participate in Crafty Bastards and her third drive to Chicago to participate in Renegade with her line a bardis. She co-organizes the Indie Craft Experience in Atlanta, co-produces the annual Starlets of Craft Calendar and co-edits Get Crafty.