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

Writer’s block takes many forms. It can stop you from finding the right words to fill in that blank card. It can also translate into a form of what I’ve deemed “crafting block,” where it’s hard to find the creativity to sit down and craft something you like. Whether you’re looking for a way to express your inner thoughts or just looking for inspiration take a gander at what this year’s vendors at Crafty Bastards have to offer.

Mean Cards for Many Occasions illustrates greeting cards that you’d never find within four walls of a Hallmark store. With unique messages, ranging from informing a friend about their poor driving skills to what said friend did while intoxicated the other night, these cards let others know you care, in a snarky and humorous way. You can see Mean Cards for Many Occasions at Booth #38.

There’s also Blugrn Design featuring cute cards and mini notes featuring characters like Luchadores that declare “I Love You.” You can see these as well as Blugrn Design’s jewelry and clothing designs at Booth #13.

Ex Libris Anonymous makes one-of-a-kind journals from upcycled hardcover books. Often times the inner pages will contain original pages from the cover making it really two purchases in one — a new journal as well as inspiration if you’re stuck on what to write. Ex Libris Anonymous can be found at Booth #65.

Rar Rar Press makes clever printed postcards, books and postcards that focus on type via letterpress. Bold lettering features phrases like “Never Say Never,” “I Am Falling in Like with You” and “Knitta Please.” These are perfect for those that are at a loss for words. You can see Rar Rar Press at Booth #62.

If you’re looking for some visuals to jumpstart your creativity, check out the limited edition silkscreen prints from Brainstorm Print & Design. These prints are inspired by nature, science and humor and you can find them at Booth #119.

Make sure to visit these vendors and more at the 6^th Crafty Bastards which takes place on Saturday, October 3^rd at the Marie Reed Learning Center in Adams Morgan.

The competition to get into Crafty Bastards is fierce. Usually only one in four applications make it to the show. This year we have a pretty large crop of new faces setting up their tents on October 3rd. There are over 30 new vendors and my goal is to tell you about as many of them as I can in the ‘You Will Love’ series.

But first, I wanted to spotlight one of last year’s new vendors. Final Approach take vintage hardshell suitcases and redesign them into traveling pieces of art. Jon Pemberton’s clever recycling of old suitcases combined with his use of color and sense of humor make him one of my favorite vendors at the fair.

The case that I got from him last year is my most prized possession. The awesome thing about Final Approach is that every piece is one of a kind and his booth has something for everyone. No really, I’m not just saying that.

You will totally love Final Approah. Find them in Booth #86 at Crafty Bastards on October 3 from 10 am to 5 pm at the Marie Reed Learning Center in Adams Morgan.

For those of us who haven’t abandoned ye olde blank book and pen for scribbling our inner-most thoughts, you have a number of gorgeous options this year at Crafty Bastards.

Your Secret Admiral creates one of a kind books out of all manner of ephemera. Air mail envelopes, maps, old bank papers. Beautifully and handsomely bound. A hit at this year’s American Craft Council in Baltimore.

Find Your Secret Admiral at booth #53

Moonlight Bindery also creates custom books with covers made of everything from Shrinky Dinks to LEGOs. Checkout Moonlight Bindery at booth #108

What about books made from … books? We have that too! Ex Libris Anonymous rebinds old favorite books (and text books!) interspersing original pages with blank paper for your journaling.

Find Ex Libris at booth #65

What is your love of books goes beyond reading? Say, you’d like to wear them? Check out these AMAZING necklaces by The Black Spot Books.

So stunning. Race over to booth #69 for your own!

Rebound designs makes the ever popular, often imitated purses out of books.

You have probably had your eye on one of her Nancy Drews now for quite some time. Treat yourself to one at booth #52 at this year’s Crafty Bastards on SATURDAY OCTOBER 3rd. See you there!

Tomorrow my twins start Pre-K and my life as I know it will change. No more dragging around a huge Target canvas bag full of fish crackers, potty seats and changes of clothing.

My life needs a new bag. I need something big enough for an embroidery project, ipod, cell phone, audio recorder, etc., but small enough that I don’t look homeless. Let’s see if any Crafty Bastards will have what I am looking for on October 3rd.

I have totally wanted one of the awesome messenger bags from Pear for a few years! Pear creations are designed and sewn by twin sisters Mary and Tracy Kruger. Check out Pear in Booth #84 on the Vendor Map (pdf).

Oh! Wait! I have also been coveting these bird bags by Jennyjen42. I love the little stories that her bags tell. You can find her in Booth #115 on the Vendor Map (pdf).

For a more sporty feel, I would go with one of these messenger bags. Vaya Bags is a one woman company that makes handmade bike messenger bags and accessories out of recycled bicycle tubes and recycled sailboat awnings. Find Vaya in Booth #149 on the Vendor Map (pdf).

For a day when I am just going to go for a walk, I could take one of these super cute clutches by Moth Designs. Find Moth Designs in Booth #17 on the Vendor Map (pdf).

Check out these and over 120 more vendors at Crafty Bastards on Saturday, October 3rd, 10am-5pm. The fair is outdoors on the grounds of the Marie Reed Learning Center at 18th & Wyoming in the Adams Morgan neighborhood of Washington, DC. And even if you aren’t in the area, you can still shop from all of these amazing vendors online, right now!

Oh! And I couldn’t help but show you a few of my favorite bags on Etsy right now. Take at look at these!

Living in a city can turn you into an urban warrior, foraging for clever solutions to problems. These vendors, appearing at Crafty Bastards on Saturday, October 3rd, are some people who can help you out!

Fabric Horse design and sew utility belts, bags, and accessories originally designed for the urban cyclist but span much farther to photographers, stylists, producers, etc. Made from a combination of recycled fabrics, seat belts from junked cars, and new materials to create well made, one of a kind items. You can visit them at booth #143.

Bright Lights, Little City uses materials like cocktail umbrellas, woven paper or ribbon as well as reclaimed vintage materials for lamp shades and other home decor. You can find them at booth #110 at the fair!

Mean and Wroughten take recycled materials and turn them into awesome, sturdy photoframes! Check out their excellent use of old saw blades when you stop by booth #54 at the fair.

Don’t forget to visit these vendors and more on October 3rd when Crafty Bastards happens in front of the Marie Reed Learning Center on 18th St. in Adams Morgan.

Vendor status notifications for Crafty Bastards 2009 were sent via email this evening.

If you completed an application, but don’t see the notification email from Crafty Bastards, please do the following:

1. Check your junk mail/spam folder. The email was sent from: craftybastards@washingtoncitypaper.com
2. Still not there? Email craftybastards@washingtoncitypaper.com and let us know.

This weekend, the Crafty Jury will be meeting to determine which crafters will become Crafty Bastards vendors. With more than 450 individual applications to review and only 150 vendor spots to fill, the Jury is psyched and ready to go!

The Crafty Jury has met for the last 5 years of the fair, with a different jury from year-to-year.  We rate each applicant through a unique system that keeps the vendor selection process fair for all crafters.

We’re excited to share our Jury process this year! If you have any questions, please feel free to leave a comment.

How long does the Jury process take?
The Crafty Jury meets for two days, approx. 10 hours per day.

How are the applications judged?
Each application is reviewed one by one, with special attention paid to the 3 photos and vendor statement. From there, each juror rates the applicant on 9 craftigories; the first 8 craftigories receive a score of 1-10. The last craftigory is an Overall score, which is worth 20 points.

So the best possible score for an applicant would be 100 craftaculous points! The lowest is 10.

All of the applicants’ ratings are then compiled and each applicant is given a total score based on the average score from all 7 jurors.

At the end of the jury process, those applicants with a score of 75 or higher are automatically accepted into the fair. We then take a look at the categories of craft that we might be missing, and try to fill in the gaps from there. For example, if there are 5 spaces left in the fair, and we have not accepted any ceramic artists, we will take a look at the highest rated potter applicant and may decide to accept them into the fair.

This process allows for an excellent shopping experience for our attendees, and a profitable day for our vendors.

What are the Craftigories?
1.) Craftsmanship/Skill
How well-made are the crafts? We keep in mind some things are meant to look rough or undone.

2.) Inventive use of materials?
Does the crafter use pre-manufactured materials or do they make their stuff from scratch?

3.) Labor/Time Investment
Does it look like there was time invested in the concept/design/product?

4.) Physical Design – How much thought was put into the aesthetics/function of the work?

5.) Alternative Subject Matter/Vision?

6.) Rarity/Singularity – How unique are the products?

7.) Excitability – Would we buy this or recommend it to someone?

8.) Appeal – Does this vendor appeal to a large group of shoppers, or would their products only appeal to a very niche group?

9.) Overall (worth 20 points)

Why do you use this rating system?
This rating system provides an equal opportunity for all crafters to have a chance to vend at the fair. Where some applicants might get a high score in the uniqueness of their work, others may get a higher score in how well their products are made.

Is there a wait list?
Yes. We usually pick a small number of applicants with scores closest to 75 to be on our Pending List. Those on the Pending List will be notified of any booth space that may open up for various reasons.

Who is on the Jury?
The Crafty Jury is comprised of award-winning art critics and designers, as well as crafters and Directors of Hello Craft — the non-profit which is powering Crafty Bastards this year, alongside Washington City Paper.

Meet the Jurors:

Kriston Capps

Kriston Capps writes about art around the nation and life in the District. His writing appears in the Guardian, Dallas Morning News, Art in America, DCist,  and other places.

Jeffry Cudlin

Jeffry Cudlin is an artist, curator, musician, and award-winning art critic. Since 2004, he has written features about museum and gallery shows for the Washington City Paper. He has been recognized with First Place awards for Arts Criticism from the Association of Alternative Newsweeklies in both 2008 and 2009. His visual arts blog, Hatchets and Skewers, is nationally recognized.

Since 2007, Cudlin has served as the Director of Exhibitions for the Arlington Arts Center. There, Cudlin curates five exhibitions of contemporary art each year, focusing on the work of mid-atlantic artists, but also bringing national and international art stars to the D.C. area in themed exhibitions exploring topics of the moment. His current show at the AAC, PARADOX NOW!, features historical reenactments, parodies, and anachronisms, and includes video works by New York new media artist Mark Tribe and British filmmaker Anna Lucas.

As an artist, Cudlin has organized projects in Washington, Baltimore and Richmond. In 2007, his mockumentary, Ian and Jan: The Washington Body School, appeared at DCAC and received accolades in the Washington Post. For that project, Cudlin and his collaborator, Meg Mitchell, performed an art-historical intervention by interviewing local art luminaries and asking them to describe a nonexistent D.C. art movement. Cudlin will have a one-man show next June as part of Flashpoint’s 2009-2010 season.

Jeffry received his M.F.A. from the University of Maryland, College Park, and his undergraduate degree in studio art from the University of Virginia.

Pete Morelewicz

Pete is the former art director of City Paper and currently designs several magazines you’ve never heard of. You may have seen him at Crafty Bastards’ in the past, whether squishing Crafty Bastards pennies, selling his paintings of Bob Ross, schlepping tables in the pre-dawn darkness, or just generally harassing the vendors. This is the fourth year Pete has had the honor of sitting on the Crafty Bastards jury, and in the process has learned more about sculpey than he ever thought possible.

Tina Seamonster

Tina Seamonster is a podcaster, blogger, crafter and mom to 4 year old twins. She usually writes in third person like this because it either scares people or makes them laugh.

Seriously, I really am honored to be a part of Crafty Bastards. This is my 6th year as a vendor and 2nd or 3rd as a member of the team. My credentials for job as juror include my many trips to shows with my own products (this includes getting into shows AND being rejected from them), my work with organizing the Craft Mutiny’s local holiday shows, blogging for the Etsy Storque, Cut the Craft Blog and Hello Craft. My newest and most loved project is a listener-generated podcast for Hello Craft, where crafters call a toll free voice mail line and tell me their stories. I love the stories that I hear from crafters and customers. If punk rock saved YOUR life, indie craft has saved mine.

You can check out what I make (including my world famous line of Zombies Plague Holiday Cards) at tinaseamonster.com. You can check out my podcasts at hellocraft.com and televisionzombies.com.

Kelly Rand

Kelly Rand is an arts writer for DCist.com, lead writer for Crafting a Green World, and is co-founder of Hello Craft, a non-profit trade association dedicated to the advancement of indie craft and the handmade movement. This will be Kelly’s second year serving on the Crafty Bastards jury. Kelly received her BFA from the Savannah College of Art and Design and is a compulsive knitter and avid maker. Kelly believes that handmade will save the world.

Kimberly Dorn

I’m a crafter and an event planner with a penchant for all things Hello Kitty, Lingonberry Juice at Ikea, and crafts that combine cute with functionality.

When serving on the Crafty Jury, I’m looking for crafters that take an innovative approach to whatever they do. My favorite category to review is Housewares, because I like to see how crafters merge their design ideas with functional pieces.

My background in crafting started with a BFA in Sculpture from SUNY Albany, which eventually turned into printmaking, which led to photography, and now also includes knitting, paper arts, making hair accessories, silk screening, and leaving trails of yarn, felt, fabric and other craft bits all over my house.

Being part of the handmade community has been an awesome experience, and has led me to meet many amazing, motivated and inspirational crafters and artists. As one of the Festival Directors behind the Crafty Bastards Arts and Crafts Fair and the Handmade Mart, as well as being the Executive Director of Hello Craft, I’m excited to once again serve on the Crafty Jury.

Sara Dick

I enjoy fresh produce, bumpy yarn, Etsy browsing, craft brews, Frank Zappa and smart people. I make stuff and love to buy handmade.

As a crafter, I’ve sold my work at Renegade Brooklyn, Handmade Arcade in Pittsburgh, Holiday Heap and Pile of Craft in Baltimore, Crafty Bastards and a handful of smaller shows in the DC area.

I’ve helped organize and curate Crafty Bastard since 2004, putting the number of CB vendor submissions I’ve reviewed somewhere in the thousands. The past two years I’ve worked with DC’s Craft Mutiny to produce the Holiday Booty Market and most recently, curated Hello Craft’s Show of Awesome.

As a handmade shopper, I am proud to have supported artisans (and filled my apartment) with purchases at craft shows like Renegade Chicago, Crafty Wonderland’s Super Colassal Holiday Show in Portland, Bust’s Spring Craftacular and all the shows of which I’ve been a participant. Can’t wait to see what I’ll be buying this year!

Questions?
Please leave a comment. We will answer in the comments so that we can share the information with all of  our readers. Please note that the Jury will be in session this weekend, so we might not be able to respond right away.

Are you waiting til the last minute? Taking photos of super new products? Trying to figure out your vendor statement? Don’t wait too long! The application deadline for this year’s Crafty Bastards Arts and Crafts Fair is July 5, 2009. That is this Sunday!

To help, Kimberly Dorn worte an awesome piece on applying to craft shows for the Etsy Storque. Check it out: Craft Show Applications Unravelled.

Now get to work and apply today!

NEW THIS YEAR! Hello Craft, the Washington, D.C. based non-profit dedicated to the handmade community, will be spearheading the Crafty Bastards Arts and Crafts Fair. Hello Craft’s Directors includes Crafty Bastards Organizers Sara Dick and Kimberly Dorn, as well as Cut the Craft blogger Tina Seamonster, and local arts writer Kelly Rand. Since all of us have been working on Crafty Bastards for some time (since the beginning for Sara and Kimberly), you won’t see too many changes to the fair. We just plan to infuse it with more awesome.

The Hello Craft team is excited to be working together to produce this bohemoth indie craft extravaganza. Find out more about Hello Craft at hellocraft.com where we not only have a blog but also a listener generated podcast.