At this year’s Crafty Bastards Hello Craft wanted to share the fun of making with those at the fair. So we threw up a tent, asked some of our friends to sponsor some projects, and let the creativity run wild.

And run wild it did. The Make Something Awesome Area was packed from start to finish all day long. Anyone who sat down could make a pin cushion from Etsy, earrings from Mary Ellen Doran, knit up a scarf from Knit Outta the Box, embroider patterns by Sublime Stitching or let their imagination dictate the project with access to a myriad of materials.

Much thanks to the DC Craft Mafia who helped guide project makers throughout the day.

Did you make anything awesome? We’d love to see! Be sure to upload your photos to the Crafty Bastards 2009 Flickr Group.

With Crafty Bastards just days away, Hello Craft is busy getting ready to offer you some amazing fun during this, the most awesomest craft fair ever.

Stop by the Hello Craft booth (#126) during Crafty Bastards to enter a handmade giveaway, make a button, sign up for a membership or just say hi!

Hello Craft’s handmade raffle giveaway includes some really neato prizes. While the raffle is free, there is a suggested donation of $1 per ticket to help support Hello Craft. With your entry you’ll have a chance to win a Hello Craft membership, entrance to the next Summit of Awesome, one of two Etsy prize packs, a Knit Outta the Box kit, a book journal from Ex Libris Anonymous, prizes from Sublime Stitching, Jaime Zollars and more!

Then, after strolling through Crafty Bastards and buying handmade, why not try your hand at making something handmade? Hello Craft will also be hosting the Make Something Awesome Area (booth #134-137). This making and crafting area is the perfect spot for you to stop in, sit a spell and flex your crafting muscles. Follow directions for projects from Etsy, Knit Outta the Box, Mary Ellen Doran and more. Or or use the materials to come up with one of your own!

Also don’t miss these fun and exciting demos happening throughout the day at Booth 129.

10 am – Knitting Lace with Laurie Gonyea of Knit Outta the Box
11:15 am – Bike Tune Ups with the Bike Rack
12:30 pm – Hoola Hoop Making with Surprise Hoops!
2 pm – Bike Tune Ups with the Bike Rack
3:15 pm – Hoola Hooping with Surprise Hoops!
4:30 pm – Small Book Making with Esti Gerson

Do you like handmade goods and eco-friendly products? What about winning prizes? Everyone loves winning prizes, right?

Well, be sure to stop by cosa verde’s booth (#127) at Crafty Bastards to enter for a change to win a super awesome prize pack worth over $350. There are four prize packs in all, worth approximately $1500 of environmentally-friendly goods, all handmade by cosa verde members.

cosa verde is an online showcase connecting independent and emerging artists with environmentally-conscious consumers. Members of cosa verde work specifically in recycled, organic, cruelty-free or other sustainable materials.

The handiwork of over 30 cosa verde members, and all the items up for grabs, will be on display in the cosa verde booth, where Crafty Bastards shoppers can sign up at the booth for a chance to win!

Items in the prize packs include panel paintings by Dolan Geiman, an upcycled teacup from trixiedelicious, a stool made from repurposed wine barrel slats from Stilnovo, and bicycle tire belts from re-bicycle. Other items include organic clothing, handspun, cruelty-free yarn, original jewelry designs and earth-friendly bath products. The drawing is free to enter, but cosa verde suggests a $1 donation, where all proceeds will go to plant trees through Trees for the Future.

Moneybag pillow from Chakra Pennywhistle, bicycle tire belt from re-bicycle, panel painting by Dolan Geiman, paper pouches by La Alicia

Artist and designer Amalia Versaci loves zippers. She loves zippers so much that she seeks out vintage zippers and spends hours figuring out new ways to use each and every part of it.

And her work is paying off.

Amalia will be offering her unique zipper jewelry and accessories at Crafty Bastards. What is so very neat about Amalia’s designs is that she takes a found and used object, the zipper, and turns it into something fun and new. This is often called upcycling.

The other great green thing about her designs is that she uses every part of the zipper, coming up with new and creative ways to make zipper jewelry and accessories.

Check them out for yourself at booth #10

If nature is near and dear to your heart, why not honor the great outdoors with forest inspired jewelry by Figs and Ginger.

Choose from a fawn ring or a bird or mountain necklace, knowing that Figs and Ginger strive to use the most environmentally sound production practices in their jewelry making, so nature is left in tack for future generations to enjoy.

Each of Figs and Ginger’s pieces are made from a minimum of 50% recycled/reclaimed silver and/or gold and all of their printed materials and mailers contain a minimum of 50% post consumer recycled content.
Each piece is made by hand and much of their work is inspired by the simple beauty found in forests, both imaginary & real.

Find Figs and Ginger at booth #22.

Pinecone + Chickadee is a collaboration between a graphic designer and musician. Together this creative duo silkscreen their art onto greeting cards, journals, apparel and accessories.

On top of creating adorable fantasy settings, their stationary line is printed on recycled paper.

Their clothing is often organic.

And their inks are water-based and earth friendly.

You can find Pinecone + Chickadee at booth #55 at Crafty Bastards.

Everyone loves lunch. With Glue and Glitter you can carry your lunch with style.

Made from vintage, reclaimed or organic, earth-friendly fabrics, these lunch kits will make for a happy lunch five days a week.

Do you have a thing for the messier foods? Wear this adorable cupcapron while prepairing your lunch and protect your clothes. Made from vintage or organic fabrics and eco-felt.

Once your lunch is made and packed, why don’t you relax, put your feet up and snuggle with these happy tree pillows.

Find Glue and Glitter at Booth # 47

Have you ever been completely overwhelmed by the amount of t-shirts that are available in thrift stores? Well the Sardine Clothing Company has given this material of the masses a second chance at life as a T-skirt.

Each skirt is 99.9% recyled and 100% unique as no two skirts are alike. They are both fashionable and eco-friendly.

The Sardine Clothing Company offers kids sizes as well as adult mini, regular and long. No matter which length you seek, you’ll have fun finding the perfect T-skirt that represents you at Booth #111 at this year’s Crafty Bastards on Saturday, October 3rd.

More and more crafters are infusing their creations with the color green. And I don’t mean that literally. At this year’s Crafty Bastards you’ll find many items made with the environment in mind.

Maryink is one such vendor. Finding inspiration in nature and vintage imagery, Maryink sells hand printed clothing, accessories and home goods that make for a folksy yet modern look.

You’ll find their designs printed on organic cotton and bamboo shirts and their dye water based, all for a softer footprint on the Earth.

Find Maryink at booth #58