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

Each week, the Hello Craft Podcast collects stories of making and buying handmade.

In this week’s episode, Tina Seamonster (that’s me!) learns to embroider! And relax!

Listen!

Click here to download the episode (right-click and choose “save as” on PC, or control-click and choose “save as” on Mac)

* Above photo taken by Anya Seamonster, age 4.

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.

Each week, the Hello Craft Podcast collects stories of making and buying handmade.

In this week’s episode, Beth Baldwin finds herself stitching the words ‘thug life’.

Click here to download the episode (right-click and choose “save as” on PC, or control-click and choose “save as” on Mac)

You can check out Beth’s shop online at http://www.tigerflight.etsy.com. Check out a gallery of the Mortal Plush show.

Take a field trip with Hello Craft! Kelly and Kasey, sisters and co-owners of Biggs and Featherbelle, will be welcoming you to their studio on August 22nd. Come and learn how they create health conscious body care products such as bar soaps, bath soaks, lip balms, and scrubs using handmade methods.

The three hour tour will include several product making demonstrations from start to finish, focusing on cold process soap techniques, and an overview on the daily workings of a small craft-based business.

There will also be a hands-on craft project in which everyone will create their very own body scrub!

Before and after the tour, you can take the time to explore the independent shops that make up the Hampden Avenue. There are two sessions to pick from. The first at 10 a.m., the second at 2 p.m. A 6 p.m. happy hour will round out the day.

There is no bus provided for this trip, but Hello Craft will be helping to organize car pools.

Biggs and Featherbelle Tour
Date: Saturday, August 22
Times: Pick from two sessions.
First session: 10 a.m. or Second session: 2 p.m.
Where: Factory in Hamden, Baltimore
Cost: $30/person.
Hurry! There is a 15-person limit per session.

Register Now!