Cards for Cancer

The first annual Cards for Cancer will take place on April 10, 2010 and Handmade Louisiana is among the groups participating in the event. What is Cards for Cancer? Cards for Cancer is a worldwide event focusing on letting people with cancer know others are out there thinking of them. Having cancer can often be lonely. Sometimes something as simple as receiving a card provides an uplifting of ones spirit. Cards for Cancer sponsored by Spirit Jump and Bloggers Unite.

Groups participating in Cards for Cancer have the opportunity to honor someone who has been touched by cancer. Handmade Louisiana had chosen this year to honor the memory of Jonathan DiLeo. Jonathan was an amazing person and a friend to everyone he met. He was the best friend of one of our member's daughter and he is greatly missed every day.

Each group chooses a cancer center to deliver the cards to on or before April 10th. We will deliver our cards to the Mary Perkins Cancer Center in Covington, LA. In addition to the cards, some of our members have offered to donate items as small gifts for the patients who received treatment at the center. We hope that these offerings of comfort and hope help cheer and lift up the recipients' spirits.

To learn more about Cards for Cancer please go to http://cards4cancer.org. More information about Spirit Jump can be found at http://spiritjump.blogspot.com.

February Craft A Long Voting Time!

It's time to vote again! Our theme for the team for February was New Orleans/Mardi Gras/Love (any or all of that!) Please choose your favorite among these awesome contenders!

1. Saints Inspired King Cake Handmade Soap from Amelia Amos Soaps

My soap shows my love for the Saints, king cake and how can you get more New Orleans than Black and Gold King Cake SOAP!? WHODAT!

2. Mardi Gras Applique Shirt from BayouMoon

Green shirt appliqued with purple and gold felt mask--complete with jingle bells! 

3. French Quarter Earrings by Etco

Gorgeous vintage Fleur De Lis, hand aged with a beautiful Verdigris patina. The finish has an uneven distressed look. Hang from antique brass earwires

4. King Cake Necklace by Flambeaux Design Company

This king cake is created using polymer clay, drizzled with polymer clay icing, then sprinkled with real cinnamon and a crafty version of colored sugar. The pendant is securely attached to a 16-inch chain and closes with a copper hook & eye clasp

5. Mardi Gras Oyster Shell Wall Clock by Art on the Half Shell

Hand-crafted Oyster Shell Wall Clock featuring a dozen Oyster Shells set like the hours around a pearly white dinner plate with accents of purple, green and gold sea glass. The 12 o'clock hour is embellished with a real 7mm pearl.

6. Fleur De Lis Soap on a Bead Rope by Embellished Bayou

Fleur De Lis Soap on a Bead Rope from Embellished Bayou perfect for Mardi Gras!

7. Mardi Gras Hand Dyed Silk Scarf by Splendiferous Fiber

by SplendiferousFiber.etsy.com 100% habotai silk 10.5 x 65 inches, hand dyed

8. Illusion Knitting Fleur De Lis Dishcloth by GarSticksandStrings

This deceiving dishrag looks like a plain beige and black striped cloth but, when viewed from an angle it is revealed that there is a hidden fleur de lis!

9. Fleur De Lis Luminary by Hurricane Pottery

We lit candles, we prayed, we crossed our fingers, we made bets, we wore our lucky whatevers, we partied with friends and held on tight....all this for the love of our Saints!

That's all folks! Vote for your favorite on the left sidebar and share this with your friends! Remember, Handmade Louisiana supports all artisans in and from Louisiana and surrounding areas--buy local--buy handmade!

~~Amy

Wordless Wednesday

Pink and Green Damask Key Fob- Wristlet by LilasBowtique

Member Artisan Profile: PachaMamma

I’m pleased to introduce Janie, artist/owner of PachaMamma's Handmade Gifts for baby, child and mother. Janie creates sewn gifts, including toys, shopping cart covers, baby slings, nursing covers, personalized books, burp cloths and more!

The Monroe, Louisiana based artist got her start at a young age, making doll clothes and doll quilts. “My mama is a wonderful seamstress/crafter and she taught my sister and me how to do the same,” she explains. “Now I do it as a creative outlet. “

Janie’s creations are tried-and-true. “Every item in my store is something that I have used for our son,” she says, “so they are all cute but also very practical items.”

One of her favorite creations is the ‘My Body’ book, for which the customer provides up to eight photos of their baby’s features. Janie edits the photos, clearly labels each with the body part -- eyes, ears, hands, tummy, hair, etc. -- and creates a fabric-backed accordion book. The book comes with a matching cloth case personalized with the baby’s name or initials. She says, “I made one for my son and love that a baby can learn their body parts while seeing their own pictures!”

As a stay at home mom, Janie’s biggest challenge is finding time to create, but the effort is well worth it, she says. “I get to share a little part of myself with others. “

Her favorite piece of advice for other sellers? “Get active on crafty blogs, Etsy chat rooms, etc. to promote your store. And, don't be bashful! “

Are you curious about her shop name? Here’s what she says on her Etsy shop announcement:

“Pacha Mamma is the South American ‘Earth Mother.’ She is celebrated as one who sustains and promotes life. It was not until I became a mother that I could identify with this, and feel a connection to every mother, past or present, human or not. Let us all celebrate the 'Earth Mother' within ourselves as we sustain, support, and nurture those around us.”

To learn more, visit:

http://www.pachamamma.etsy.com/

http://www.trahanshappenings.blogspot.com/

Winner of Latest Giveaway Is:

Etco---AGAIN! Lucky number 3!! I SWEAR I'm not rigging it :) Here's proof:

Congratulations Etco! :) I'll contact Metry Chick and let her know you won !

Thanks to all who entered!
~~Amy

New Orleans Craft Mafia needs your swag!

The New Orleans Craft Mafia is proud to once again sponsor the Alternative Media Expo, presented by Antigravity Magazine. The Alternative Media Expo ‘10 is scheduled for Saturday, April 17th from noon-6pm at the warehouse in the Contemporary Arts Center (900 Camp Street, New Orleans, LA), and will feature tons of exhibitors with comics, ‘zines, fashion, crafts, music, film, design, community activism and much more!

Admission is $5, and the first 100 paid attendees through the doors will receive swag bags courtesy of the New Orleans Craft Mafia: a reusable shopping bag filled with freebies and product samples from various indie businesses. These bags present a great opportunity to get the word out about your business, band, or organization. Vendors exhibiting at the Expo are also highly encouraged to participate in the swag bags and leave a lasting impression on visitors.

Get the word out to this diverse group of customers who seek to support independent businesses by including your product samples in these swag bags. Product samples may include, but are not limited to: CD/DVD samplers, comics and magazines, small jewelry or accessory samples, t-shirts, blank notecards or stationery, sample size soaps or cosmetics, gift cards, or other small samples of your products. If you choose to send in samples, we ask that you send a minimum of 25 samples.

Some swag suggestions include, but are not limited to: coupons, stickers, buttons, magnets, pens, etc. We ask that you do send actual swag items and not just promotional materials such as business cards or flyers. You may attach business cards, etc., to any donated swag, of course. (If we receive ONLY business cards or fliers from you, they will NOT be included in the swag bags.) If you are interested in sending in swag material, we ask that you send in the full amount of 100 items.

The deadline for sending in swag & samples is Wednesday, April 7, 2009. Items may be sent to:

New Orleans Craft Mafia swag bags
c/o Kerry Fitts
P.O. Box 791922
New Orleans, Louisiana 70179-1922

Those interested in dropping off samples and swag locally in New Orleans may bring them by UP/ Unique Products at 2038 Magazine Street during regular business hours (Monday-Saturday 11am-6pm, Sunday noon-5pm). Please make sure your items are marked as being for the New Orleans Craft Mafia / Alternative Media expo swag bags.

For more information on contributing to the swag bags, please email mallory [!AT] neworleanscraftmafia.com

January Craft a Long Winner is........

Art on the Half Shell for her entry of the Red Beans and Rice Oyster Clock!

Thank you so much to all who entered!!! Next month's theme is Love, Mardi Gras and/or New Orleans! Can't wait to see how that turns out!!

Congratulations and Go Handmade Louisiana!!

~~Amy