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

Ninnycat Crochet!

Ninnycat Crochet makes crocheted goodies, such as earrings and purses! On top of her crafts, Vanessa Alsondo also gives crochet lessons and is a pastry chef preparing to start an online bakery business.

Check out her blog and Etsy shop!

Crafty Classifieds for goodies like this and more!

Make stuff? Place a Crafty Bastards ad, it’s FREE!

Rocks and Salt give their hats real people names, and it’s only fitting as their hats exude personalities of their own. At the Crafty Bastards Festival (tomorrow!), Rocks and Salt will be showcasing their stylin aviator design. Ladies and gentlemen, acquaint yourself with … Amelia!

1. Is there a specific product that you will be selling at the fair that you would like to talk about?

Amelia. That’s our aviator style hat. We’re making it in some really fun wools with furry or sweater lined earflaps.

2. Does this product have an origin story? Did the idea come to you in a dream or through a portal or other strange way?

We like to ride our bikes all winter long and it gets COLD and WINDY. So we designed Amelia to keep our delicate ears happy and warm.

3. What famous personality (alive or dead, real or imagined) would most likely be found wearing/holding/admiring this product? Why?

Amelia Earhart!

4. Convince me that this piece should be one of only 3 things I could take with me to a deserted island!

If that deserted island is in Greenland, you definitely want this hat. Then you can be warm and alone in style.

Ruffly, handmade, vintage totes inspired by … underwear! Yay! That’s what Laura Teeler will be showcasing this month at the Crafty Bastards Festival, along with new fabrics and designs. I have a soft spot for undies-inspired accessories, including a headband made from the waistband of a pair of undies. Be on the lookout for Laura’s booth to experience all the fuss for yourself.

1. Is there a specific product that you will be selling at the fair that you would like to talk about?

I’m excited about new bag designs and fabrics I’m using. The clutches have been popular so I’m doing those in different sizes. And there’s a ruffley bag. And I’m doing some baby stuff inspired by everyone I know having a baby in the last few years and gifts I’ve made for them.

2. Does this product have an origin story? Did the idea come to you in a dream or through a portal or other strange way?

The ruffle bottom bag is inspired by those underwear with ruffles on them.

3. What famous personality (alive or dead, real or imagined) would most likely be found wearing/holding/admiring this product? Why?

Hmm, maybe Audrey Tatou in Amelie. Her fascination with found personal objects and their story. The whole saturated color scheme of her world. Her style is cute-ish but odd (the paintings above her bed), somewhat romantic, and classic designs but with great details.

4. Convince me that this piece should be one of only 3 things I could take with me to a deserted island!

You’ll need something to carry your coconuts in.

Get with it, whole shirts are out. Tamara Embrey of The Devil Made Me Do It knows that all you really need is a pair of fancy sleeves — retro, Rococo-inspired sleeves — that can spice up any outfit and turn old shirts into brand new styles. Get your pair from The Devil Made Me Do It this month at the Crafty Bastards Festival!

1. Is there a specific product that you will be selling at the fair that you would like to talk about?

My Rococo-inspired sleeves (I hesitate to call them arm warmers. Though they certainly will warm your arms to a degree, their main purpose is to fancy-up whatever you’re wearing).

2. Does this product have an origin story? Did the idea come to you in a dream or through a portal or other strange way?

I actually get many of my design ideas by traveling back in a time machine (I take the whole retro thing pretty literally). I know that sounds like a joke, but of course while I try to be on the forward edge of what’s fabulous to wear, that invariably means looking back. A lot of my pieces have had Rococo-inspired parts lately: flounces, fancy sleeves, rows and rows of decorative ridges, curly ties, ruffles and loops at the neck. And of course, like many Rococo artists, there’s always a good dose of nature influencing (and appearing in) my work. One day while I was making a piece with fancy sleeves, I thought, Why not make just the sleeves? I like the flexibility of just fancy sleeves. They allow you to add a bit of flourish to something staid. Or, they can be contrasted with something very tailored and minimal. I think that would look fantastic and create a great tension in a look. Of course they would make something that is already fancy EVEN FANCIER.

3. What famous personality (alive or dead, real or imagined) would most likely be found wearing/holding/admiring this product? Why?

Adam Ant. I’ll let Adam speak for himself on this:

“I’m the dandy highwayman that you’re too scared to mention. I spend my cash on looking flash and grabbing your attention. The DEVIL take your stereo and your record collection! The way you look you’ll qualify for next year’s old age pension!… I’m the dandy highwayman so sick of easy fashion. The clumsy boots, peek-a-boo roots that people think so dashing. So what’s the point of robbery when nothing is worth taking? It’s kind of tough to tell a scruff the big mistake he’s making.”

Stand and Deliver, Adam and the Ants

4. Convince me that this piece should be one of only 3 things I could take with me to a deserted island!

Well, many people don’t realize that all of my pieces are waterproof and flame resistant. I’ve designed each of my sweaters, skirts, and dresses so that with the addition of some simple sticks and pegs and one piece of rope (could be vine), each can easily be transformed into a small but fashionable weatherproof shelter. Nah nah nah. Just kidding. Only the sweaters make good tents. The skirts are actually floatation devices. And the hats just make you the most fabulous coconut on the beach.

Check out The Devil Made Me Do It in booth #40 at the Crafty Bastards Arts & Crafts Fair this Sunday, September 28th from 10am-5pm at the Marie Reed Learning Center in the Adams Morgan neighborhood of Washington, DC.

Oh me golly, get ready for this. Leslie of Oliba Soap will have Wasabi Soap Bars for sale at the Crafty Bastards Festival this month! If this curiosity doesn’t entice you to her booth, I’m not sure what would. These soap bars are moisturizing and exfoliating for the skin, and a sweet treat for the olfactory senses — not to mention a great conversation piece for the powder room!

1. Is there a specific product that you will be selling at the fair that you would like to talk about?

Our soaps are all equally wonderful but there are a few that stand out above the rest. One in specific that is a customer favorite is our Wasabi Bar. It smells amazing and not nose hair singeing like you would expect. Everyone who smells it just adores it.

2. Does this product have an origin story? Did the idea come to you in a dream or through a portal or other strange way?

The story behind this one, or inspiration I should say, was actually sushi. Oliba is obsessed with sushi and food seems to be the main inspiration for most of our products. We love to explore scents and organic materials that differ from the norm, as well as keeping within the guidelines of being all natural. Any time we get the chance to mix the two, it’s either a win or lose situation. In this case it worked out amazing!

3. What famous personality (alive or dead, real or imagined) would most likely be found wearing/holding/admiring this product? Why?

Martha Stewart. You know she has a wild side! Her love of the handmade, natural soaps and all things food is her dream combo. She’d also love the fact that this soap not only smells yummy, but is ultra-moisturizing and exfoliating as well, which our Martha needs after a hard day’s work in the kitchen and garden.

4. Convince me that this piece should be one of only 3 things I could take with me to a deserted island!

This soap is a must in helping to keep your skin moisturized during the long hours in the blistering sun. And let’s face it…everyone needs to stay clean, even if you are on a deserted island, you’ll want to smell your best when being rescued.

Ever itch to say something to a loved one without really having to say it? This holiday season, take a load off and let Alastair the grumpy gnome do the dirty work! Tina Seamonster (of CB blogging fame) will be showcasing her deliciously endearing and cruel holiday cards at this month’s Crafty Bastards festival. Muhahahaaa … this way YOU can spend the rest of the holiday spreading good Christmas cheer!

1. Is there a specific product that you will be selling at the fair that you would like to talk about?

My new line of holiday cards! Alastair is a grumpy gnome and he wants you to be honest. Being honest during the holidays is even better than being honest on normal days. Making your friends and family cry because your honesty is borderline stressful is even better. Seriously, these cards are super cute and funny. They say stuff like, “All I want for Christmas… is for you to stop being a miserable drunk.” Or “For you to stop having sex with strangers that you meet on the internet.”

2. Does this product have an origin story? Did the idea come to you in a dream or through a portal or other strange way?

Alastair is who I wish I could be on Xmas morning. He does not pretend things are peachy. He wants to piss people off. He wants to tell people that they drink too much or worry too much or have sex with too many strangers. And with the help of my illustrator pal, Chris Piers, he came to life.

3. What famous personality (alive or dead, real or imagined) would most likely be found wearing/holding/admiring this product? Why?

I know for a fact that Ricky Gervais (British comedian, The Office) would give these out to everyone he knows. He might hand them out to people on the street, even. They are the perfect mixture of cringe, humor, mean and jolly, just like Mr. Gervais. My dream would be for Ricky to give one to Jack Black and they would both laugh. Or he could send them randomly to crap celebrities like Nicole Kidman or The Jonas Brothers or Madonna.

4. Convince me that this piece should be one of only 3 things I could take with me to a deserted island!

Hahaha. These cards would remind you that you loved your family even though they disappoint you. Not sure that helps on a deserted island. It also makes a cute bookmark if you take a book with you to the island.

If you haven’t quite acquired that dream home yet, at least you can give your current place a vintage makeover with This Chickadee’s matching linen table toppers. They are bold and vibrant, with an inviting hint of Southern hospitality. Choose your style from five sets at this month’s Crafty Bastards Festival!

1. Is there a specific product that you will be selling at the fair that you would like to talk about?

To complement the a la carte placemat and coaster line-up, I’ve stitched together some matching sets from vintage linens. Four placemats, four coasters and four napkins combine to make a lovely table topper and get along well since they are all cut from the same cloth. The placemats and coasters are quilted and the napkins neatly hemmed. There are five different sets available, each print is as lively and bold as the decade it was born in. Everything old is new again!

2. Does this product have an origin story? Did the idea come to you in a dream or through a portal or other strange way?

Placemats require a good amount of fabric to construct, and after the last show my stash was reduced to stragglers. New fabrics are fantastic, but their production does create environmental waste. So I’d been dreaming up ways to introduce repurposed/recycled fabrics into the collection and had started collecting some vintage linens. Then I had an “I wonder…” moment and just started snipping and sewing.

3. What famous personality (alive or dead, real or imagined) would most likely be found wearing/holding/admiring this product? Why?

Well, Scarlett O’Hara did famously make a ballgown from curtains but I don’t see her as much of a hostess. Other southern ladies come to mind, though, like the characters in steel magnolias. Someone who would welcome you into their home and make sure you felt comfortable being there. You know that Dolly would insist on you staying for dinner. She’d be taking your drink order when you walked in the door and sending you out with full belly and a bag of cookies.

4. Convince me that this piece should be one of only 3 things I could take with me to a deserted island!

When you start to lose your mind from drinking seawater, you could have a delightful little tea party with your imaginary friends.

My nerdy heart is so excited about Rebound Designs‘ new paperback wallets. Your favorite classics and their vintage cover artwork on your wallet? Nuh-UH! Ingenious. You’ll find yourself wanting to spend more money just so you can pull out the wallet and bask in the glory of oohs and aahs.

1. Is there a specific product that you will be selling at the fair that you would like to talk about?

Paperback wallets! My newest product line is made from old paperback books, covered with a waterproof vinyl, and the inside of the billfold is lined with pages from the book. They’re very durable, just the right size for your cash and have 2 pockets for credit cards. I can do pretty much any trade paperback, and custom orders are always welcome. You can have your favorite book made into a wallet you carry every day, and they also make excellent gifts.

2. Does this product have an origin story? Did the idea come to you in a dream or through a portal or other strange way?

The impetus for this product was entirely customer driven. For years, men have looked at my Book Purses and said: “I wish I were a woman so I could carry this purse!” So, I resolved to make wallets out of paperbacks. They’re the perfect size, and I always wanted to find a use for all the discarded paperbacks that come my way, along with their hardback brethren. It took several years of trial and error to find the right vinyl for the covering, and the best way to line the edges, but I have finally perfected the technique.

3. What famous personality (alive or dead, real or imagined) would most likely be found wearing/holding/admiring this product? Why?

I’d like to think that any author would be honored to have a wallet made from one of their own books. My favorite author is J.R.R. Tolkien, who was also an ardent environmentalist, so I would hope he would admire the inherent recycling of my work. I also once heard an anecdote about Mark Twain; that when he read a book, he would tear the pages out as he read them, and leave them scattered on the floor. I have not been able to verify this (Wikipedia, why hast thou forsaken me?) but if it’s true, I think he would appreciate my wallets in good humor.

4. Convince me that this piece should be one of only 3 things I could take with me to a deserted island!

Well, is this a deserted island that you intended to go to, or were you marooned there after a shipwreck or plane crash? In the case of a wreck, the wallet would be an excellent thing to have with you! Chances are, it would already be in your pocket, so you wouldn’t even consider it as one of the three things to grab from the sinking wreckage. Plus, since it is waterproof, you would still be able to read the 2 pages enclosed in vinyl as the interior lining. However, if you are going to the deserted island on purpose, I recommend waterproof matches, a sharp knife, and a satellite phone with a rechargeable solar battery instead.

Biggs & Featherbelle is a godsend for those dry winters that can turn your skin into a frightening piece of parchment paper. At the Crafty Bastards Fair, B&F are going to feature their new body scrubs that will pamper your skin without smothering it in oily residue. Be on the lookout for these luxurious scrubs!

1. Is there a specific product that you will be selling at the fair that you would like to talk about?

Our new body scrubs! We just starting making them this summer and are really excited to have a new product. We have three types – Salty Bean scrub, Sugary Nut scrub and Sweet Coffee scrub.

2. Does this product have an origin story? Did the idea come to you in a dream or through a portal or other strange way?

The idea was to make a scrub that was not swimming with oils and does not leave your shower floor a hazard zone. Biggs & Featherbelle body scrubs are chock full of exfoliating goodness with moisturizing qualities. The three scrubs loosely coordinate with several Biggs and Featherbelle soaps for a full shower experience.

3. What famous personality (alive or dead, real or imagined) would most likely be found wearing/holding/admiring this product? Why?

Alligator Man! Haven’t you heard of him? Well…I am sure his rough skin could use some exfoliating and moisturizing. But really, anyone who wants to slough off those dead skin cells and bring some moisture and life to their skin.

4. Convince me that this piece should be one of only 3 things I could take with me to a deserted island!

Your skin will be really dry from the sun so moisturizing is key. Plus you will want to scrub away the island dirt. Everything is edible (might not taste good) so if you are stranded with no food and really desperate you can eat your scrub. Or you could even use it to cook some fish you catch. The essential oils will calm your mind so you don’t freak out and come to the realization that you are stranded! Then when you are finally rescued, everyone will be so amazed at your glowing, soft skin!

JennyJen42’s Narrative Bird Party Pillows spin delightful stories of the birds who mingle and party in her back yard in Baltimore City. Just looking at these cotton pillows can ward off any signs of gloom. Keep your ears open for the sound of birds twittering at the Crafty Bastards Festival!

1. Is there a specific product that you will be selling at the fair that you would like to talk about?

I have a number of narrative bird party pillows. They are inspired by the bird parties that surround my mulberry tree in my back yard. It’s such a joy to see these little fellas when you live in the city with your own little piece of paradise. My favorite ones are the bird bath and clothesline story pillows.

2. Does this product have an origin story? Did the idea come to you in a dream or through a portal or other strange way?

Being a Baltimore Urbanite, I usually only see city birds. Moving into a historical area in charm city, with a semi-wooden lot, I have witnessed many a bird party in my back yard. The best time is when the mulberries begin to ferment and the birds, of many species as well as the squirrels, all hang out and chow down and actually get drunk! The first time I saw this event, I had to find a way to illustrate it. The cut out shapes remind me of the birds I made as a kid! The settings are also a mesh between life today and life as a kid.

3. What famous personality (alive or dead, real or imagined) would most likely be found wearing/holding/admiring this product? Why?

I would love for Todd Oldham to have one of my pillows in his home! Right by his Charley Harper collection! It is Todd Oldham that brought Charley Harper to the lime light for me. They are both inspirations for me and my birdies!

4. Convince me that this piece should be one of only 3 things I could take with me to a deserted island!

This Birdy pillow will bring you joy everyday you look at its bright colors and cheerful story. Comfortable to lay your head upon, as well as a feast for your eyes!