fbpx
Skip to content
  • About
  • Contact Us
  • My Cart
  • My Account
Menu
  • About
  • Contact Us
  • My Cart
  • My Account
Instagram Pinterest Facebook Twitter Envelope Phone-alt
Search
  • Blog
  • Podcast
  • Craftcation Conference
    • Craftcation 2023
    • Get Involved
  • The Club
    • Member Login
  • Shop
    • Shop Tees & Pins
    • Shopping Cart
    • Order Status
  • Patchwork Show
    • Upcoming Shows
    • Application + Vendor Info
  • COURSES
    • Instagram Branding Brilliance
Menu
  • Blog
  • Podcast
  • Craftcation Conference
    • Craftcation 2023
    • Get Involved
  • The Club
    • Member Login
  • Shop
    • Shop Tees & Pins
    • Shopping Cart
    • Order Status
  • Patchwork Show
    • Upcoming Shows
    • Application + Vendor Info
  • COURSES
    • Instagram Branding Brilliance
maker: T & A  Leather
Inspiration

maker: T & A Leather

ByAngie Andre May 12, 2014July 21, 2014

My dad’s work “uniform” consists of a pair of old blue jeans, a long sleeved plaid button down shirt, a brown leather belt, and boots. He wears this outfit every single day as he works in the orchard that I…

Read More maker: T & A LeatherContinue

tips for vendors to evaluate craft fairs
Business Tips

tips for vendors to evaluate craft fairs

ByGuest Contributor May 2, 2014September 10, 2016

Editor’s note: We are overjoyed to have guest contributor and craft show veteran Stacy Wong share her tips for vendors to evaluate craft fairs on Dear Handmade Life. Want more craft show tips? Check out our posts on: How to Submit…

Read More tips for vendors to evaluate craft fairsContinue

14 washi tape craft diys + giveaway
DIY Projects

14 washi tape craft diys + giveaway

ByNicole Stevenson April 23, 2014October 28, 2016

We jokingly deemed this years Craftcation ‘year of the washi tape’. If you attended the Craftcation Conference 2014 a few weeks ago, you totally know why. Delilah and I (along with the help of our awesome staff and volunteers) covered…

Read More 14 washi tape craft diys + giveawayContinue

craftcation conference 2014
Adventures

craftcation conference 2014

ByDelilah Snell + Nicole Stevenson April 20, 2014July 21, 2014

It’s been about 10 days since Craftcation 2014 and I am still waking up several times during the night. A week before the conference, that was explainable; there was a list a mile long of things to do, people to…

Read More craftcation conference 2014Continue

How to survive (and thrive at) conferences
Business Tips

How to survive (and thrive at) conferences

ByEleanor Whitney March 28, 2014July 21, 2014

Expert speakers. Valuable workshops. Sparkling parties with industry influencers. Meeting your social network in real life. These are just a few advantages of going to conferences. As fun as they are, they can also be overwhelming. I just returned from…

Read More How to survive (and thrive at) conferencesContinue

13 Business tools that help keep me from going berserk
Business Tips

13 Business tools that help keep me from going berserk

ByNicole Stevenson March 21, 2014July 21, 2014

You all know Delilah and I are busy gals. We each run our own businesses as well as three businesses together – Craftcation Conference, Patchwork Show and Dear Handmade Life. This past year we’ve gotten a lot more efficient by…

Read More 13 Business tools that help keep me from going berserkContinue

giveaway + how to print and sew an art supply bag with lumi
DIY Projects

giveaway + how to print and sew an art supply bag with lumi

ByNicole Stevenson March 19, 2014July 22, 2014

Just so you know: Dear Handmade Life received products from Lumi that we mentioned in this post. However, we only write about and recommend products that we use personally and believe are awesome! I’m not a light traveler. Years ago,…

Read More giveaway + how to print and sew an art supply bag with lumiContinue

maker: rosalie of  uglybaby shower art
Inspiration

maker: rosalie of uglybaby shower art

ByAngie Andre March 17, 2014July 22, 2014

I’ve heard that sometimes people have amazing epiphanies in the shower. I have never been one of those people. If I have a moment to think in the shower, it’s usually focused on trying to clear my mental fog so…

Read More maker: rosalie of uglybaby shower artContinue

mad men outfit party planning
Inspiration

mad men outfit party planning

ByGuest Contributor March 14, 2014July 22, 2014

*Editor’s note: This is a guest post by one of our friends and Craftcation instructors, Christine Haynes. Christine is a lovely human being, sewing teacher and pattern maker that we’re lucky to know. We’re elated to have her share her…

Read More mad men outfit party planningContinue

how to prepare for a conference + craftcation ticket giveaway
Business Tips

how to prepare for a conference + craftcation ticket giveaway

ByDelilah Snell March 10, 2014July 22, 2014

Back in January, Nicole and I attended Alt Summit, a super popular blogging conference in Salt Lake City. If you have a business, whether uber-tiny, still-in-your-brain, or large, you should do yourself (and your biz) the favor and go to…

Read More how to prepare for a conference + craftcation ticket giveawayContinue

Page navigation

Previous PagePrevious 1 2 3 4 5 … 9 Next PageNext
Instagram Pinterest Facebook Twitter Envelope Phone-alt

get started

  • Craftcation Conference
  • Patchwork Show
  • Podcast
  • About Us
  • MEDIA
  • Shop Online

BLOG posts

  • CRAFT & DIY
  • BUSINESS
  • RECIPES
  • ADVENTURES
  • INSPIRATION

instagram

Ever wondered what a Craftcation feels like? 📷 Ever wondered what a Craftcation feels like? 📷 Picture this: Five life-changing days packed with 200+ craft classes, business workshops, social parties & gatherings, and wellness activities (🧘‍♀️yoga and meditation on the beach anyone?) all at the sunny California beach! ☀️✨ 

If this sounds like your kind of party, discounted early bird registration is now OPEN! 🎉

📣 PSST: We’re not bluffing; we sell out every year. Don’t hit snooze on this!

In search of your people? Look no further! Finding folks who embrace the quirks, cherish creative chaos, and are fueled by the desire to share their craft with the world can be a challenge. But fear not, we’ve made it a breeze. These are the kindred spirits who flock to our Craftcation Conference each year.

Craftcation isn’t just about honing your creative skills; it’s about discovering a community that gets you, celebrates your uniqueness, and pushes you to showcase your creations to the world. 🌈✨

Ready to dive into a sea of inspiration, laughter, and salty air? We can’t wait to welcome you to our community! 🌊🎨

#communityovercompetition #craftcation #venturabeach #smallbizowner #smallcraftbusiness #craftshowprep #arttherapy
NEW Tustin show date! Applications are open! The NEW Tustin show date! Applications are open!

The moment we have all been waiting for is here!

The reschedule of our Tustin show has been finalized and we will be back in Orange County, December 16th from 11am - 5pm.

Want to know what’s even better?

We will have more spots for vendors! So join us in @oldtowntustin surrounded by historic buildings and great local shops and restaurants. 

If you haven’t applied yet, join the vendor waitlist!

If you were a vendor for Tustin be sure to check your email for what to do next, if you already submitted an application or waiting list application, DON’T fill out a new application, just email spaulding@dearhandmadelife.com and let her know what size booth you want. Have questions? Send us a DM and we will help you out!

#tustin #orangecounty #holidaygifts #holidayshopping #shopsmall #craftshow
Join us TODAY in Sebastopol & shop local from 11am Join us TODAY in Sebastopol & shop local from 11am-5pm! We’ll have 50+ local makers, 🧵🎨 free craft activities, a fine arts show curated by the Sebastopol Centre for the Arts at the same time indoors and more! ☀️🛍️🍂
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
As always, @thepatchworkshow is free, family + pet friendly. We can’t wait to hang out and support local biz!

The Fall 2023 @thepatchworkshow schedule:
🏖 Long Beach @marinestadium 10.29
☀️ Ventura @downtownventura 11.5
🌉 Oakland @jacklondonsq 11.18
🌳 Redwood City @cityofredwoodcity 11.26
🎨 Sebastopol @sebastopolarts 12.2
🛳 San Pedro @craftedportla 12.10
🌆 Tustin @oldtowntustin 12.16

P.S. Applications are closed BUT you can still apply for our waiting list. DM me waiting list and I’ll send you a link to the waiting list application.

#craftshow #sebastopol #sonomacounty #holidayshopping
More people than not in our community of creatives More people than not in our community of creatives struggle with anxiety, depression or another mental health disorder. I know this because during our monthly mentorship sessions in The Club (our community for creative small business owners to get guidance and mindset support) someone mentions what they’re going through. It makes me (and the other creatives in the group) feel less alone, seen and welcome. 

Yeah, in our meetings we do proactive work on our businesses… we set goals, hold each other accountable, share resources, I do one-on-one mentorship, etc. but the moments where we get vulnerable with each other - when one person says they’re struggling with impostor syndrome and it’s amping up their anxiety or their motivation is down because of depression or their inner critic won’t shut up and it’s triggering something... Those are the moments that bond us and help with the mindset shifts we need to define and move towards whatever our individual idea of success is. 

My creativity has helped me get through some dark times. When my anxiety is out of control, I know I can turn to journaling to get some relief. It’s not like it makes it all go away but it helps. It’s part of my toolbox of coping skills. The other thing that’s a huge part of how I’m able to run my business with at times crippling anxiety and OCD is community.

It’s knowing I’m not alone. It’s having people to support and be supported by. It’s being in a community where you are seen just as you are and welcome others in that way. 

If you’re looking for your people... Craftcation is where I (and many others) found a community that made me feel understood. 🎨💖 Join us next April for five beach days in California where you’ll: 

🤗  Feel embraced by hundreds of strangers.
👩🏿‍🎨 Connect with art makers & supporters, authenticity seekers, and growth mindset badasses.
🎨 Choose from 200+ craft & business workshops, wellness activities, and social gatherings.

👋 I can’t wait to welcome you into our band of creative weirdos!

🎟️ Discounted early bird registration closes soon!
Wondering if Craftcation is right for you? 📩 DM me!
Hey holiday shoppers, Here is what you have been s Hey holiday shoppers, Here is what you have been searching for...

Say good by to the mall and mainstream retailers and hello to a vibrant day in San Pedro, where local magic awaits!

Discover the joy of community over competition at our @thePatchworkShow with over 100 vendors at @Craftedportla. Support these artisans, find unique gifts and feel good about shopping local.

Plus... delicious food trucks and local brews from @brouwerijwest will keep you fueled up when you get creative with free craft activities in select booths.

See you on 12/10, 11am - 5pm at Crafted at the Port of LA in San Pedro!

AND HERE'S THE BEST PART!
Admission is free for everyone! So gather your loved ones, including the furry friends, for a day of fun, creativity and community.

For more event details follow @thepatchworkshow and sign up for our emails.

🏖 Long Beach @marinestadium 10.29
☀️ Ventura @downtownventura 11.5
🌉 Oakland @jacklondonsq 11.18
🌳 Redwood City @cityofredwoodcity 11.26
🎨 Sebastopol @sebastopolarts 12.2
🛳 San Pedro @craftedportla 12.10
🌆 Tustin @oldtowntustin 12.16

#patchworkshow #craftshow #makersmarket #holidayshopping #holidayshoppingmadeeasy 

@twogenerationsart 
@goldenbaycreative 
@mermaid_moxie 
@thecraftartshop 
@glassellcandleco 
@roschbakehaus
@wendysaurus_tufts 
@ahrongkimart 
@mcgee_pottery 
@otebt 
@cahteh 
@ilovekittees 
@flowerchildhair 
@thetravelingstones 
@tcbjewelryshop 
@mngotty 
@creaciones.pequenitas 
@yaisnaturals 
@laurenmakesitwork 
@ineverdraw
When I was in high school I worked at a vintage st When I was in high school I worked at a vintage store. It was my dream to work there. When some dreams come true, you see all the cracks in your fantasy but in this case it’s was pretty darn near perfect.

I dressed the mannequins (pretty sure that’s where my short stint as a Hollywood costumer 10 years later came from). I reorganized the store any way I wanted (finally a place for my OCD to shine). Window/store  displays were 100% mine (my childhood obsession with dioramas came in handy). I got a discount and first pick of everything that came in. 

My bosses were an “old” (to me at 16 year old although they were probably only in their 20s or 30s) couple of punk rockers with bleached hair and tattoos that looked like they were done with a blunt needle and ink from a ballpoint pen.

I was a Catholic school girl who wore plaid skirts and white button up shirts from 9-3 Monday-Friday but after school and on the weekend, I dressed like I’d just come out of a time machine from the 1950s and smoked cigarettes as I rung people up while Iggy Pop blared from the boombox on the shelf behind the counter.

It was a magical time when I look back with my rose-colored glasses. There were moments of magic but also feeling scared being in the store at night alone, wondering if my bosses thought I was doing a good job and spending hours cleaning (spraying Windex and rubbing spots with a paper towel) garbage bags full of clothes my bosses dropped off from their hauls at the by-the-pound wholesalers.
 [con’t in comments 👇👇👇]

© DEAR HANDMADE LIFE 2020. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. THIS SITE USES AFFILIATE LINKS. WE DISCLOSE ALL SPONSORED POSTS BY NAMING THE SPONSOR IN THE POST.

Scroll to top

from our studio... to yours

Get our mostly monthly emails featuring event updates, secret deals, pep talks and inspiration to make every day awesome.