Handmade Faire

Wow, it looks like there were tons of really great artisans at their show last weekend!! I wish I could have attended.

I found this info on their website here... Please visit to get a lot of great information.
"Handmade Faire is a Giant Success!
July/18/2009 07:46
The Handmade Faire was a giant success. We could not have asked for a better day! The weather was beautiful, the shoppers were plenty, and our vendors were as unique and talented as promised!

We estimated aprox 8000 people attended our show today, which is 3000 more than we had expected! Thank You Medford and Burlington County for coming out and supporting the arts today!

Right now, our plan is to have another Faire in October, the "Halloween Edition" on October 24th, right back at Freedom Park so I hope to see everyone again!

Our Goodie Bags were a huge hit - the 100 goodie bags were gone within 20 minutes! We started giving them out right at 10:00, no early birds - and we gave them by the group, so more than 100 people showed up in just the first 20 minutes, we were shocked!

I am so pleased with our vendors, they were courteous to each other, they cleaned up after themselves- the park was pretty clean when we left, not much clean up was required by us. Just what we had hoped for!"

LIST OF VENDORS

LiveFeed:

LIVEFEED.ORG

Through Facebook and the Strange Folk Festival's Feed, I found out about a collective called LiveFeed. It looks like they are super interested in keeping the St. Louis local community and scene vibrant. It looks like they have their hands in quite a few local events there.

LiveFeed:
"LiveFeed is a grassroots organization dedicated to engaging the entertainment industry and its fans to promote hunger awareness and generate funds to help feed those in need in and around St. Louis.

We’re also dedicated to supporting, promoting and strengthening the local music community.

We are committed that everyone in our community has enough to eat. We also really love live music and entertainment. Since St. Louis has a great wealth of talented musicians and an alarming degree of hunger and poverty, we thought it made sense to combine our two passions in service of our community."

Check them out on Facebook Here.


And for their ALIVE Magazine's Emerging Artist Contest 2009
Battle of the Bands Outdoor Festival info here...

Renegade Handmade

So, Renegade Handmade uploaded some new pics on Flickr...
It looks like this show has so many great artists at it. I wish I loved a tiny bit closer....Can't wait til my first Renegade Show!!!

Plushie Goodness

In the world of craft, we cannot forget our Plush Friends! This alternative movement of plush and vinyl creatures and toys is really great. It takes crafting to the next level, and raises it up into the art world. There is one show called Plush You that moves around to different alternative galleries and book stores. I was luck enough to see the show hanging up while in the St. Louis University City Shops.
One shop, called Schmancy (located at 1932 2nd Avenue in Seattle) has a lot to do with the Plush You movement too.

At this show, I got to see tone of cool plush creatures. Some were almost too amazing for words too. Many of the artists had their Etsy hang tags too! That was really exciting.

Also see the hanahou gallery site here. They share lots of links to these alternative artists.

If you have any more information about the Plush World, or know of a cool show coming up regarding these plushies, please comment below.

The reason I found out about some of this information was through this artist: I Make Things!!! Such cool work too...

Marketing and Selling Local Foods

I found this page on allbusiness.com, and I found it rather interesting. Since I don't sell food items, I did not think about how important it is to share information with those who do.

Below is an example of one of the many important business-related videos:


There are lots of videos on this site, and some of their titles include:

VIDEO: The Difference Between Food Service and Food Manufacturing
VIDEO: Entrepreneurs: The Importance of Long-Range Plans
VIDEO: Target Markets for Organic Gourmet Foods
VIDEO: Market Research: Identifying Your Customer Needs
VIDEO: Gourmet Foods: Becoming a Certified Organic Grower
VIDEO: Gourmet Foods: The Cost Price Ratio of Organic Products
VIDEO: Promoting Local-Farm Products?
VIDEO: Entrepreneur's Story: Product Promotion
VIDEO: Business Strategy: The Importance of Developing a Plan and Executing It
VIDEO: The Importance of Extending the Eating Experience


The information in these videos can probably be applied to any sort of goods, though. So take a minute to see what they have to say...

{Spotlight on} LOUISVILLE, KY (There are TONS of Farmers Markets!!!)

So, this site (The Louisville Green Guide)has a lot of great info about things happening in Louisville in the next month or so. You can even sign up for weekly newsletters if you want to.
So far, I found this:
# July 9: Life on the Farm: Vegetable Gardening Month by Month
# July 10-12: Forecastle Festival :)
# July 11: Life on the Farm: Farm Feedings
# July 11: Explore Blackacre: Rocks & Stones
# July 11: EarthSave Potluck
# July 13: River Road Corridor Management public meeting
# July 14: Energy Pros efficiency seminar
# July 15: Air Pollution Control Board meeting
# July 16: EarthSave dining out
# July 18-19: Brightside / Coca-Cola Volleyball Classic
# July 18: Life on the Farm: Farm Feedings
# July 18: Explore Blackacre: Insect Crawl
# July 19: All about owls with Raptor Rehab

ALL THE BELOW FARMERS' MARKETS WERE FOUND HERE

18th Street Farmers' Market
May - Dec. 24 . Wed - Sat. 10am-7pm
Fruit, vegetables, smoked meat, homemade ice cream.
1811 Standard Ave.
502-778-1672


Phoenix Hill Farmers' Market
June 2- October 27, Tuesdays 3-6:30pm
Vegetables, fruits, meat, eggs, baked goods, plants, and cut flowers
829 E. Market St.
502-583-7133
[updated 5-27-09]


Amerigo Farmers' Market
May - October, Sat. 8am-Noon
Fresh produce, heirloom fruits and vegetables, flowers, herbs, eggs, gourds, baked goods.
871 S. Hurstbourne Parkway
[updated 3-18-2009]


Rainbow Blossom Farmers' Market
May 20 - October, Sundays, Noon-4pm
Produce, herbs, locally-produced meat, eggs and native plants
3738 Lexington Rd.


Bardstown Rd Farmers' Market
April 5 - Dec. 20. Sat. 8am-Noon
June - Oct., Thurs. 4-6:30pm
Flowers, festivals, prepared foods, produce, meat, cheese, eggs.
1722 Bardstown Rd.
502-287-8206
[updated 4-2-08]


Rowan Street Farmers' Market
June 1 - October 15, Monday - Friday, 8am-4pm
Fruits and vegetables
Corner of 18th and Rowan Street


Beechmont Open Air Market
June 14 - Sept. 27, Sat. 8am-Noon
Vegetables, fruits, cut flowers, herbs and more
Southern Parkway and Wellington Ave.
502-367-2652


Russell Neighborhood Farmers' Market
June 6 - Oct. 24, Fridays 3-6:30pm
Meat, eggs, fruits, and vegetables


Community Gardens, 22nd & Cedar Streets


California Farmers' Market
June 7- Oct. 25, Saturdays Noon-4pm
Produce, meat, eggs, flowers, barbecue
Victory Park, 23rd and Kentucky St.
(502)775-4041


Smoketown Farmers' Market
June 9 - Oct. 25, Saturdays 9am-Noon
Vegetables, melons and flowers


Meyzeek Middle School (corner of Preston St. and Breckinridge St.)
Crescent Hill Farmers' Market
June - Oct. 31, Fridays, 7-10am
June 23 - Oct. 27, Mondays,7-10am
Fruits, vegetables, plants, cut flowers.
201 S. Peterson Ave. (Frankfort and Peterson)
812-968-3693


Southwest Farmers' Market
June 7 - October, Saturdays 8am-Noon
Valley Station High School
10200 Dixie Highway
Contact: Barb Mercer, barb.mercer@louisville.edu
[updated 5-20-08]


Gray Street Farmers' Market
June 4 - Oct. 29, Thursdays - 11am - 3pm.
400 E. Gray Street
[updated 4-28-09]


St. Francis in the Fields Episcopal Church Market
May 31 - Oct.28, Saturdays 10am-1pm, Tuesdays 4-6:30pm
Fruits, vegetables, plants and cut flowers, goat milk and honey products.
Wolf Pen Branch Road at US Hwy 42
812-968-3693


Jeffersontown Farmers' Market
May - Nov. 4: Saturdays, 7:30am - Noon, Tuesdays, 2-5pm
Vegetables, fruits, starter and bedding plants.
Jeffersontown Pavilion, near the intersection of Watterson Trail and Taylorsville Road
502-267-1674


St. Matthews Farmers' Market
May 16- Sept. 26, Saturdays 8am-Noon
Fruits, vegetables, plants, and flowers.

Beargrass Christian Church
4100 Shelbyville Rd.
502-494-5076
http://www.beargrass.org/market/
[updated 04-28-09]


Meadowview / Hikes Point Farmers' Market
May 9 - October 31, Fridays 3-7pm
Meadowview Presbyterian Church, 2944 Breckinridge Lane.
Contact: Don Coffey, marquartcoffey@yahoo.com
[updated 5-20-08]


Suburban Christian Church Farmers' Market
June - Oct., Thursdays 4pm-8pm
Produce, meats, eggs, plants, herbs, honey.
7515 Westport Rd.
812-968-4559


Middletown Farmers' Market
May 31 - Aug. 30, Saturdays 8:30am-Noon
Produce, bread, eggs
Village Square Shopping Center, 11800 Shelbyville Road.
502-845-2117


Temple Farmers' Market
April - November, Tuesdays and Thursdays 3-7pm
Fruits, vegetables and flowers
5101 US Hwy 42 (corner of Lime Kiln Lane)
502-423-1818
[updated 4-2-08]


Ninth Street Farmers' Market
May - Christmas Eve, Wednesdays-Saturdays 10am-7pm
Produce, smoked meats, homemade ice cream, flowers
912 W. Chestnut St.
502-561-6370


Urban Fresh Market at Spalding
June 2-Oct. 27, Mondays 11am-2pm
Fruits, vegetables, meat, eggs
Spalding University, Fourth St. between York and Breckinridge
502-775-4041


Norton Commons Farmers' Market
May 17th - , Saturdays 8:30am - Noon
June 7th - , Thursdays 4-7pm
Corner of Meeting St. and Norton Commons Blvd.
Contact: Sarah Fritschner, sfritschner@gmail.com
[updated 5-20-08]


Whole Foods Farmers Market
Wednesdays 3-7pm
Fruits, vegetables, meat, eggs
Whole Foods parking lot, 4944 Shelbyville Rd.
502-899-5545


Old Louisville Farmers' Market
June 4 - Oct. 22, Wednesdays 3-6pm
Vegetables, fruits, flowers
Walnut Street Baptist Church parking lot
(Third St. and St. Catherine)

Has Anyone Heard of Vendor Hippo?

When you're traveling to a new city, it is always nice to visit and sample the local produce and other goods. I am doing some research on a good Louisville, KY Farmers' Market, and came across this site: Vendor Hippo.<---CLICK IT...

See their MARKET DIRECTORY Here
See their VENDOR DIRECTORY Here
See their REVIEWS Here

I can't wait to find out more about how this site works. If anyone has any information for us, please leave a comment below...

I hope to submit my 2 local Farmers' Markets from Carbondale today too. Why not sign your up too, and keep this site fun and full of as many locations as possible.

oh my gosh!!! Mathilda Market

Wow, I am super excited to share this fun craft gathering with you! And, as a maker of baby items, I am really excited. It is in various large cities in Australia, and I found it through the madeit site.
Mathilda Market
is a regular event happening every weekend, but in different cities each time.

about the show:
"
A warm welcome and thank you for having a look at Mathilda's Market

Mathilda's Market is a fabulous niche market that offers unique, stylish and affordable baby and kids wares that are lovingly handmade, from limited production or simply divine. We hand pick our artists, designers and retailers to ensure an exciting product range.

You will discover a vast variety of funky, unique and gorgeous clothing (for example organic cotton, vintage, 70's, etc) wooden letters, canvasses, soft & wooden toys, soft leather shoes, travel activity packs, room decor, bags, paintings, fun & personalised accessories, vintage-inspired products, musical instruments, handcrafted jewellery, fairy & dress up costumes & accessories, hair accessories, doll houses & accessories, linen, sleepwear, scooters and so much more! And all this for your little ones ... it's a kid's shopping haven.

Most of our participants do not have a shop front, so you know you'll find something special, not available anywhere else. Forget the big shopping centres where you queue only to buy what everyone else is buying. Visit Mathilda's Markets in 2009 to find truly unique and gorgeous children's wares brought together for you in the one place at the one time.

PS - we're in the process of upgrading our website ... soon you can shop online, see what Mathilda loves and find out more about our inspiring stallholders! Join our newsletter and we will keep you posted!

We look forward to seeing you there!
The Mathilda's Market Team"

Read more on their site here.

DIY Guide to Indie Art, Threadbanger

There are a ton more Google Videos relating to Indie Art HERE. So, check em out.