The Queen City Craft Bazaar

I'm in it. Yes!

According to the coordinator:

The spring edition will be held on Saturday May 9th from 10am-5pm at Union Station at 1 Main Street in Burlington...

The Queen City Craft Bazaar is a unique showcase of Vermont indie crafters, artists, and designers produced by Queen City Craft.

Come check it out. (And remember, Mother's Day is the following day, May 10th.)

Information Age Donating

Breast Cancer Awareness bracelet
Originally uploaded by Jamilary

In researching a Breast Cancer charity to donate a portion of the proceeds of my Breast Cancer Awareness bracelet to, I discovered this: the Susan G. Komen for the Cure® allows you to donate to breast cancer research via text messaging. Cuh-razy! Seriously. From its website:

With a simple text message, you can make a $5 donation to Susan G. Komen for the Cure® by simply texting the word “KOMEN” to 90999. Each $5 donation will be added to your next mobile phone bill.*

You can donate the $5.00 amount up to 5 (five) times per monthly billing cycle.

More than the simplicity that this method of donating offers, what I really appreciate is the Foundation's transparency. Most people recognize that it's impossible for 100% of donations to go directly towards the charity's mission. Running a non-profit costs money. Within the not-so-fine print, the Foundation lets you know that $4.25 of each $5 donation will benefit the charity directly. This newfangled technology still amazes me.

Spring has Sprung

St Mtn 08
Originally uploaded by Jamilary

It's finally springtime in Burlington, Vermont. (I think.)

The warm weather has me thinking about getting outside for arts and crafts festivals here and in Atlanta. I've put in applications for both the Queen City Craft Bazaar here in VT and the Indie Craft Experience in Atlanta.

According to the Queen City Craft blog, the deadline for the QCCB has been extended (again) to Monday, March 30th. I really hope that there's a good turn out this year . I think the QCCB in 2007 was when I first realized that I might actually be able to make good money selling Jamilary. So, I was quite disappointed that it wasn't held last year. This one is an indoor market, which is fine by me because I don't have a canopy and outdoor market gear in VT.

Applications for the Indie Craft Experience are due on April 17th. Despite the fact that last summer's ICE was anti-ice (It was hot as hell!) I would be so honored to be a part of this year's two day show. Alright, I'm schmoozing a bit, I guess.

But seriously, indie crafters are feeling the brunt of the recession just like anyone else. I've been trying to think of creative ways to market Jamilary while thinking of creative ways to graduate from my program with my sanity. School has definitely been winning out during the past few months (not in the battle with my sanity but in the battle with Jamilary). Festivals and markets allow me to set aside time for my craft, though. And more importantly, they give me the opportunity to interact with potential customers. Etsy gives me some ideas about my most popular items, but seeing which items people gravitate towards in person informs me more. Plus, as my mom says, "You've got to touch the jewelry. You've got to hold it to appreciate it."

Do you know of other venues where people can touch and hold Jamilary? Which shows have you enjoyed participating in or attending?

Keep on Givin' treasury

Keep on Givin' treasury
Originally uploaded by Jamilary

I'm being featured in 2 Etsy treasuries at the same time. This treasury, created by my7kids is devoted to Etsians who donate a portion of their proceeds to charities.

I donate at least 15% of the proceeds from this bracelet to the National MS Society. (By the way, it's MS Awareness Week. check out www.nationalmssociety.com for more details.)

(I also donate a portion of the proceeds from my Breast Cancer Awareness bracelet to breast cancer research.)

Surprisingly, my Purple Mother of Pearl earrings were also featured in thebutterbar's "A CLASSY LADY" treasury.

I feel loved!