Sponsor Spotlight: CityCraft

Fabric lovers unite – CityCraft is here! This modern fabric boutique and sewing lounge just opened in Dallas and is stocked to the rafters with the most beautiful fabrics from designers like Sandi Henderson, Joel Dewberry, Michael Miller, Anna Maria Horner, and Amy Butler.

Sewing lounge, you ask? Just what is a sewing lounge? The fine ladies at CityCraft invite you bring your latest sewing project and join them for wine, snacks, and camaraderie on their Monday Lounge Nights. If you’re just beginning to sew, they also offer a variety of classes where you get to make fun things like ‘Retro Aprons’, ‘Modern Patchwork Pillows’ and more.

Check out their schedule of events here to reserve your spot at an upcoming Lounge Night or class.


We are so excited to have CityCraft here in Dallas! Thanks, CityCraft, for sponsoring the 2009 Jingle Bash!

written by Carrie Partch, One Up Designs

Sponsor Spotlight: Yelp

We live in an age in which information is at our fingertips - movie reviews, product reviews, music reviews. But so much of it is broad-based, national reviews provided by professional critics, folks who are paid to critique.

Yelp has taken this concept and applied it to the local level by offering the consumer a platform to voice opinions about restaurants, clubs, shops, and more! These reviews are categorized by city, targeting a grassroots-style movement of consumer-driven reviews.

Need a restaurant recommendation or want to read a "real" review by a non-professional critic? Check!

Maybe you’re visiting a particular city and want a recommendation for the best "local flavor" places to shop. Check!

Perhaps you’re looking for a spa or bar with a fair-priced brew and some non-chain ambiance. Check!

You’ll find most of the big Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex locations, as well as a lot of smaller, independent favorites. Bookmark Yelp and make it your favorite guide to the best of the best.

Start by reading some of our favorite local Yelp reviews:
Sons of Hermann Hall
CityCraft
The Coffeehaus Downtown

We are proud to partner with Yelp, a top sponsor of the 2009 Jingle Bash!

posted by Larry, a.k.a. the Kessler Craftsman

Etsy Dallas Weekend Guide: Nov 12-16

White Rock Lake Local Market

Date: Saturday, November 14th
Time: 8am-1pm
Location: 702 N. Buckner Blvd, Dallas
More info: CLICK HERE
Participating Etsy Dallas member: Tara to the T

Lightning Dancers 7th Annual Fall Craft Show
Date: Saturday & Sunday, November 14 - 15
Time: Sat 9-5 , Sun 11 -5
Location:
More info: CLICK HERE
Participating Etsy Dallas member: artfull Expression

Pistons and Paint
Date: Saturday, November 14th
Time: 12pm-6pm
Location: North Texas Fair Grounds, Denton
More info: CLICK HERE
Participating Etsy Dallas member: Tara to the T








Three Rivers Art Festival - CA
Date: Sat & Sun, Nov. 14 - 15
Time: 10am - 5pm
Location: Covington, Los Angeles
More info: CLICK HERE
Participating Etsy Dallas member: Bead Genie Creations

Cliff Fest 2009
Celebrating the art, music, culture and cuisine of Oak Cliff. Free admission; benefitting North Texas Food Bank. Live music!
Date: Sunday, November 15
Time: 11am-6pm
Location: Bishop Arts District, Oak Cliff, Dallas
More info: CLICK HERE
Participating Etsy Dallas members: Tefi Designs, Kessler Craftsman, Tara to the T







Events from Thursday, November 12th
Mom's Rock Too Holiday Shopping Event
Date: Thursday, November 12th
Time: 6pm - 9pm
Location: Cotton Mill in McKinney, TX
More info: CLICK HERE
Participating Etsy Dallas member: Pink Lemonade Bags

Shop 'Til You Drop
Date: Thursday, November 12th
Time: 6:30pm - 9pm
Location: Trophy Club Country Club
More info: CLICK HERE
Participating Etsy Dallas member: artfull Expression

Bash Bucks Giveaway!

This contest is closed. We will have another Nov. 18th. Stay Tuned
The Jingle Bash artists are getting really excited as we get closer to our much-anticipated Jingle Bash, November 21st at Sons of Herman Hall in Dallas. We're so excited that some of us have to occasionally put down our scissors, paint brushes, pliers, and hooks to do a little happy dance. Lemme tell ya, we love to happy dance.

In fact, we're so thrilled about the Jingle Bash that we want to offer you a chance to join us in our collective happy dancing by offering a chance to win some awesome prizes in the form of Bash Bucks. Yep, Bash Bucks are like gift certificates you'll pick up the day of the Jingle Bash - and you can spend them at ANY participating artisit's booth during the Bash. You can't go wrong.

There are two ways to win!

Leave a comment: Look through our participating artists and leave a comment below, telling us what you'd spend your Bash Bucks on with your email address. The comments will close at 11:59pm November 13th and one lucky commenter will be picked at random to receive $20 in Bash Bucks. You can enter as much as you like, so get comment crazy.

Tweet it out: Another $20 in Bash Bucks can be won by those of you on Twitter: Tweet about the Jingle Bash all you want and add #JingleBash and a link to this blog post or www.etsydallas.com in the text. You can tweet as much as you want until 11:59pm November 13. We'll pick a tweet at random for the winner!

Feel free to copy and paste these tweet examples:

-I'll be at the #JingleBash Nov. 21 in Dallas to buy handmade holiday gifts! www.etsydallas.com

-Retweet for a chance to win BashBucks for the #JingleBash in Dallas Nov. 21 http://bit.ly/3lGKok

If your comments or tweets aren't choosen, don't fret! There will be more chances to win even more Bash Bucks and show us your happy dance on November 18. Just make sure you put down your adhesives and sharp objects, okay?

The Very Fine Print
+ Previous winners, members and participating artists ARE eligible to win.
+ If your comment or tweet is chosen, you will be required to give your full name and date of birth via email. You will be given instructions on how and where to pick up your Bash Bucks (any time during the event). You must reply to the congratulatory/instruction notifications and must be present the day of the Jingle Bash to collect your the certificates and redeem them.
+ Bash bucks are not transferable, if YOU win them, YOU have to spend them.
+ Bash Bucks cannot be redeemed for cash. They must be spent at one of the Jingle Bash 09 vendor booths the day of the event. You are responsible for paying any total over the value of your certificate. Any balance after purchase is surrendered to the vendor (change will not be given).
+ Bash Bucks are void after Nov 21st 2009 at 7pm, and may not be used at any other event or online.
+ Play Nice. Don't lie, cheat, or steal.

Eco•Ideas: Holiday Gift Wrap

It's that time of year again, time for the rockin' Jingle Bash featuring lots of Etsy Dallas members - check out the full list of Bash artists here!

Below are some holiday gift wrap items brought to you by three Etsy Dallas members. Click on the pictures below for all the deets on these great handmade items. La Alicia and design roots will be at the 2009 Jingle Bash, so check them out in person on November 21st at the Sons of Hermann Hall!

Check out this beautiful reusable gift wrap option from WrapCouture,
suitable for any holiday:


And don't miss out on this fun assortment of cutie gift tags for any occassion
from designroots printed on recycled stock.


Give these recycled magazine and junk mail ornaments a once over from
LaAlicia -- great on the tree and to dress up packages.


Be sure to mark your calendar for the Jingle Bash -- November 21, 1-7p at the Sons of Hermann Hall. We'll see you there!

posted by Alicia

Sponsor Spotlight: Best of Texas

Best of Texas, one of three top sponsors of the 2009 Jingle Bash, offers a wealth of information on travel, tourism, and local facts about The Big D and other Texas cities. If you are looking for a place to take the kids on vacation, traveling for business, or visiting family, this is the BEST resource for things to do and places to see in the Lone Star State. You can easily search by city or keyword, or browse through squawks to see what others are doing in real time.

It's a great resource for locals too because you can find everything from dance classes, to volunteer activities, and even happy hours. Down the hatch!

Topics include:

• Restaurants and Bars
• Places to Stay
• Activities
  
• Kid Zone
• Shopping
• Beauty and Fitness
• Medical and Dental
• Professional Services
• Real Estate
• Weddings and Events

A friend of mine wanted to go to Fredricksburg, TX for a long weekend with his wife. I knew of some great restaurants, shops, and the Nimitz museum, but I wasn't much help in choosing a bed and breakfast. He found several choices on Best of Texas, and had a great weekend.

This is a site I would definitely recommend bookmarking, and we are happy to have Best of Texas as a sponsor for the 2009 Jingle Bash!

posted by Mandibeads