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  • Blog
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    • Craftcation 2023
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25 Ways to recharge creativity & de-stress
Business Tips

25 Ways to recharge creativity & de-stress

ByNicole Stevenson December 1, 2020December 26, 2020

You know that feeling when your TO-DO list seems better suited to being written on an extra long roll of paper towels than on a Post-it? It seems like for every thing you cross off, a new thing (or two…

Read More 25 Ways to recharge creativity & de-stressContinue

Maker: Casey of Vitamini
Inspiration

Maker: Casey of Vitamini

ByAngie Andre August 24, 2015August 24, 2015

Casey is sort of an all around wonder.  She’s a successful creative business owner, and successful blogger. With her products out in the market, and her DIY tutorials on the web, you can get a sense of her determination to…

Read More Maker: Casey of VitaminiContinue

How to throw a backyard karaoke party
DIY Projects

How to throw a backyard karaoke party

ByNicole Stevenson September 10, 2014July 4, 2017

My favorite karaoke bar in my town closed down last year. Although I love karaoke, I’m not a diehard karaoke junkie but a few times a year I get this itch that can only be scratched by a night spent…

Read More How to throw a backyard karaoke partyContinue

Goat Cheese, Sriracha + Artichoke Dip Recipe
Recipes

Goat Cheese, Sriracha + Artichoke Dip Recipe

ByNicole Stevenson September 3, 2014September 2, 2014

The first time I ate artichoke dip was at my aunts house (not Delilah but one of my other aunts). The backyard was bustling. Kids hitting baseballs in the batting cage off in the distant way back of the yard….

Read More Goat Cheese, Sriracha + Artichoke Dip RecipeContinue

How to Make a DIY Air Plant Terrarium
DIY Projects

How to Make a DIY Air Plant Terrarium

ByLisa Rios August 27, 2014August 20, 2014

I’m going to be honest here. Sometimes I just need simple and fast DIY gratification. There’s something therapeutic about starting and actually completing a project in one short sitting. And it really doesn’t get simpler (or faster) than this project….

Read More How to Make a DIY Air Plant TerrariumContinue

How to Make an Instagram Photo Pillow
DIY Projects

How to Make an Instagram Photo Pillow

ByNicole Stevenson August 22, 2014August 22, 2014

I’ve carried a camera with me just about everywhere for most of my life. At first was one of those long 1990s 110 cameras that sort of looked like hand held tape recorders. Then my dad gave me his 35mm…

Read More How to Make an Instagram Photo PillowContinue

25 Ways to recharge creativity + motivation + combat feeling overwhelmed
Business Tips

25 Ways to recharge creativity + motivation + combat feeling overwhelmed

ByNicole Stevenson August 1, 2014August 1, 2014

“How do you do all of that stuff?” This is a question I get asked often by people who know me, as well as by people I meet who find out I’m juggling two businesses, a blog, writing a book,…

Read More 25 Ways to recharge creativity + motivation + combat feeling overwhelmedContinue

How to Make a Keychain Ear Bud Pouch
DIY Projects

How to Make a Keychain Ear Bud Pouch

ByNicole Stevenson July 30, 2014July 30, 2014

One of my kitchen cupboards does not stay closed. I spent a year closing the cabinet, leaving the kitchen and sitting down in the dining room only to hear it squeak open before I finally did something about it and…

Read More How to Make a Keychain Ear Bud PouchContinue

maker: shaun and brittany of tiny whales
Inspiration

maker: shaun and brittany of tiny whales

ByAngie Andre July 28, 2014July 28, 2014

Getting dressed is overrated {she said as her almost naked 3 year old ran past her} but if I am going to go to battle over clothes, it will probably be for a fun t-shirt for my boys, or a…

Read More maker: shaun and brittany of tiny whalesContinue

Maker: Dayna of Foxboxes
Inspiration

Maker: Dayna of Foxboxes

ByAngie Andre July 21, 2014July 26, 2014

These vintage inspired flasks make it hard to keep with the original intent of discrete pocket wear when you see them. You will want to show them to your friends, and display them on a shelf instead of tucking them…

Read More Maker: Dayna of FoxboxesContinue

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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 👇👇👇]
Want a FREE limited edition tote bag featuring ori Want a FREE limited edition tote bag featuring original art by Nicole? You got it!

Thanks to our friends at @makerplacebymichaels by @michaelsstores the first 100 guests at our @thepatchworkshow in San Pedro at @craftedportla on 12/10 who stop by our info booth will get one of these awesome totes. #MakerPlacebyMichaels #AD 

🧵🎨What’s MakerPlace? 
If you’re a lover of creativity, it’s where you can discover artisan treasures, live online classes, and how-to’s all in one place. 

If you’re a creator, it’s where you can Sell your handmade items or seats to live online classes and share how-to’s with commission-earning supply lists. 

We’ll see you at Patchwork Show San Pedro where you can shop handmade and local goods from 100+ makers as well as get crafty with our free craft activities at CRAFTED at the Port of Los Angeles AKA the coolest permanent weekend market featuring the work of LA's best artisans and craftspeople. You can grab craft brews🍻 and food 🍔+ catch live music 🎶 next door at @brouwerijwest.

As always, Patchwork Show is FREE to attend, family-friendly, and pet friendly! 🐕❤️🐩

#craftersofinstagram #makersofinstagram #crafter #crafters #maker #makers #craftshow #makersmarket
Sorry @target but forget the mall & big retailers Sorry @target but forget the mall & big retailers this weekend...

Instead join us in Redwood City to shop local from 50+ talented Bay Area makers in downtown @cityofredwoodcity! 🛍️ Great eats from local restaurants 🍔🍕🌮 and 🧵🎨 free craft activities.
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FREE to attend, family-friendly, and pet friendly! 🐕❤️🐩

Join us at our last @thepatchworkshow markets of this season in:
🌳 Redwood City @cityofredwoodcity 11.26
🎨 Sebastopol @sebastopolarts 12.2
🛳 San Pedro @craftedportla 12.10

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 #shopsmall #shopsmallbusiness #shopsmallbusinesses #localeconomy #makersmarket #holidaygiftideas #holidayshopping
WAIT!! 🛑 Are you sabotaging yourself by always WAIT!! 🛑 Are you sabotaging yourself by always trying to make “perfect” work? 😱

It’s common for us creatives to struggle with perfectionism. But trying to make only perfect art isn’t going to get you anywhere. 🚫

You have to make a lot of art to get good and here’s a newsflash, a lot of the art you make is going to be crappy. But, that’s OK! Bad art eventually leads to great art. 🌟

Your challenge today is to make something. Start it. Finish it. And don’t let yourself care how crappy it is. OK? Now, get to work. 💪

BTW: If you want to join a bunch of other creative weirdos and make art, try new techniques, no worry about how “bad” your art is, switch up your perspective, learn from the pros and more, join me at Craftcation! 🎨🌈

You’ll spend five days at the beach in California with me (and your future besties) and get to:
🌟👥 Feel welcome as your wonderful and weird self by hundreds of strangers.
🎨💖 Spend time with people who value art, authenticity and a growth mindset.
✂️🧵 Have your pick of over 200 craft & business workshops, wellness activities and social gatherings.

Discounted early bird registration is open now!
❓Have questions?
❓Wondering if Craftcation is right for you?
📣Send me a DM!

If you’re ready for a life-changing week with the most inclusive and welcoming community, JOIN US! 🌟

P.S. - For more on making crappy art —> Google Ira Glass art quote (it’s worth it!). 🎨🔍

#creativity #makearteveryday #artheals #crafttime #craftcation
🎨✨ Shop, & stroll through the creativity at @ 🎨✨ Shop, & stroll through the creativity at @ThePatchworkShow in the heart of Northern California wine country! 🍷 
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Join us near downtown Sebastopol on December 2 at the  Sebastopol Center for the Arts for a day of art, activities, food trucks, and good vibes! 🛍️🌈 
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Save the date for our last two shows of the season:
🎨 Sebastopol @sebastopolarts 12.2
🛳 San Pedro @craftedportla 12.10
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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.

#communityovercompetition #winecountryweekend #shopsmall #shopsmallbusiness #makersofinstagram #craftshow 

@peacechainjoe 
@dorklandia 
@needle_and_sprout 
@tweeaccessories 
@vongeekery

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