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

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.

Steampunk jewelry has never been my style, but I still respect people making things in this currently popular style. So I often find myself searching for Steampunk stuffs on Etsy.

I recently found and can’t stop thinking about these awesome converted toy guns by River Wraith.

Can you believe this is a converted Nerf gun, made of plastic? It has been painted, aged, and sealed with a gloss. The gun no longer fires Nerf bullets. It is strictly a prop or costume gun. For just $28.00, this gun makes me want to write and film my own little space opera.

And look at this one!

Seriously, these are amazing. Check out River Wraith for even more.

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

Bohemian Babydolls!

Bohemian Babydolls Unite! These are some incredibly cute handmade summer dresses and jewelry for your shopping pleasure. The dresses are available at SMASH! in Adams Morgan. You can see a greater selection of babydolls, vinyl and other fineries at the Smash! Records website!

Crafty Classifieds for goodies like this and more!

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

Why do you make handmade? I’ve seen this question asked a lot recently. Here is a brilliant animation that crankbunny did to explain why she makes handmade. I think it’s the best explanation I’ve heard so far.

Crankbunny video on Flickr

You can read more about her animation process and tools in this storque article, and visit her website here.