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.

The vendor gallery for Crafty Bastards 2009 is up and ready for your browsing pleasure. Use the options at the top to sort by category and vendor name.

Click an image to see the artist statement, additional images and website (Etsy Minis and social media links coming soon, too!).

Vendor booth numbers and event map will be added soon so you can plan your shopping route with ease! Stay tuned!

My friend, Ross (okay, he is a Twitter friend, sorry), asked me to help him find some cool pillows for his new office’s sofa. I know Ross is a big geek, so I immediately figured this would be a fun challenge.

Let’s geek Ross’ sofa!

There’s nothing better than an Abe Lincoln head. This one is hand-silkscreened and hand-sewn by Big Stone Head. $20.

Let’s sit on breakfast! This set of egg, bacon and toast is made from Eco-Felt (100% recycled Plastic bottles!). $80 for the set, these are made by Diffraction Fiber in Chicago. They also make these the Ctrl – Alt – Del three pillow set for $58. Light gray pillows look as if they’ve jumped right off your keyboard.

Not sure how I feel about this Bearded Lady hand silk screened cotton canvas throw pillow, but it is different. By Utilitarian Franchise for $60. They have a whole collection of odd ones, actually.

And of course, the zombie pillow by Cipolla, $50.

One more!

While not really made as a pillow, I really want some of these Severed Yeti Heads by aquakoala ($85) for my sofa!

Thanks for the challenge, Ross! Send us photos of what you get!

Sometime last year, a friend of mine sent me a link to the Craftastrophe blog because I was on it! They said that my zombies closely resembled Gary Busey. At first I was upset, but then decided that if someone could make fun of me and make me laugh at the same time, I was down with that. Since then, I check Craftastrophe everyday to see stuff like this:

I won’t even try to explain, I’ll let the folks at Craftastrophe do that. Seriously, if you love seeing failed, funny or just weird projects, Craftastrophe is a good bet.

Beer! Crafts! Blue glowing gnomes for sale! – What could be better?

Come to Jackie’s Yard Sale this Saturday night, at Jackie’s Backroom (part of Jackie’s Restaurant), in Silver Spring, Maryland.

Co-owner Jackie Greenbaum has invited some crafters including Crafty Bastards Director, Kimberly Dorn, City Paper staffer Christine Ernest, jeweler extraordinaire Mary Ellen Doran, and a host of others to sell their wares at this one-night sale and party which will benefit the Pyramid Atlantic Art Center.

Jackie will also be selling cool bar stuff such as plates, furniture, stemware, and other odds & ends from both the Quarry House Tavern and Jackie’s Restaurant. The party/sale runs from 5 to 11 p.m.

Jackie’s Yard and Craft Sale
When: This Saturday, 7/25, 5pm-11pm
Where: Jackie’s Backroom (8081 Georgia Avenue, enter on Sligo Ave.)
More info: Check out Tim Carman’s Young & Hungry Blog post

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.

The DC Arts Center Wall Mountables show is a really great way to show (and sell!) your art. This year’s show has been announced.

July 17 – August 30
Installation: July 15 from 3-8pm, July 16 from 3-8pm, July 17 from 3-6pm
Opening Reception: July 17, 7-9pm
Deinstallation: September 2 – 6, 2-7pm

Check out their web site for complete rules and regulations for this show.

Some of the Hello Craft/Crafty Bastards crew will be in the Etsy Virtual Labs today at 5 p.m. for a workshop on applying to craft fairs. What some extra tips on applying to Crafty Bastards? Join us today, June 25! Just go to the Etsy Virtual Labs and log in.

The Crafty Bastards deadline is approaching! Don’t forget to apply. We wanna see what you’ve been making!

Saturday, June 20th

Baltimore, MD

This weekend, Charm City Craft Mafia is presenting their annual Pile of Craft. Shop handmade and have fun at this year’s Pile of Craft, a DIY art and craft show. There will be over 50 amazing, local, crafty vendors showing off their astounding apparel, jewelry, accessories, ceramics, paper goods, fine art and so much more!

Saturday, June 20th, 2009
10am – 5pm
@ Saint Paul Street, Baltimore, MD 21218
(Inside St John’s Church)

Drinks and snacks will be available from Red Emma’s.

Check out the vendor list here.