Please help SoCoDivka Designs win a grant!

Please help me out! I am trying to win a small business grant. This could really be the kick in the pants I need... To carve out studio space (instead of the kitchen table) and get some silversmithing supplies, so I can start working in silver at home (with ventilation for those acetylene gasses!). It would be a dream come true!

It only takes a second, and I'd be eternally grateful!



http://bit.ly/bz2ny6

It's super easy to do, if you haven't already, just go to that link above or click on "Add your comment" on the widget and fill out #3. "Cast Your Vote."

Many thanks!

xo
Shanna

March is National Craft Month!

Did you know that crafting can reduce stress, build self-esteem and increase physical dexterity? In fact, recent studies from NYU and Harvard have shown that activities ranging from scrapbooking to knitting can actually improve concentration, while enhancing health and mental wellness.

With interest from younger crafters, advances in technology, and riding the immense popularity of do-it-yourself web and TV programming, craft ideas and innovations are being spread across the globe to all four corners of the planet. Crafting has successfully survived another U.S. recession enjoying what some are calling a "crafting renaissance." According to the Craft & Hobby Association over 56% of all U.S. households are crafting in one form or another creating a $27 BILLION U.S. craft and hobby industry!

What are you currently crafting and how do you plan to celebrate?

National Craft Month at Craftster

How to Celebrate National Craft Month from eHow

More information from the Craft & Hobby Association

Celebrate National Craft Month from Craftplace

National Craft Month Supplies at Overstock

Come tie one on! The WonderCraft: Grand Opening at The Art Pad, Austin, Texas, Thursday Feb. 25th!

The WonderCraft: Grand Opening at The Art Pad – Come tie one on! 

The first 25 guests will receive gift bags chock full of handmade items, samples and other goodies!

SoCoDivka Designs will have vintage, Lucite earrings in the gift bags!

Vendors include: annemarie, Austin Art Metals, Baby Bolt, Craft Chi, DeLisa Designs, Frou Frou Skincare, Gypsy Harte, Merritt Gade, Nepenthe’s Bathtime, Pigsey Art, pommes frites, SoCoDivka Designs, Squid Ink Kollective & Sweet Wolf

Learn screen-printing and embroidery on neckties! - $3

Sponsors include: Apothecary Cafe & Wine Bar, Blue Note Bakery, The Cupcake Bar, Paper Place, Weasel Bee Studios, & EtsyAustin

Come tie one on with The WonderCraft as it celebrates its landing at The Art Pad, a walk-in mosaic studio offering art supplies, gifts, parties & classes (www.theartpadstudio.com), and now home to Lapis Lane, a Bead Boutique (www.lapislanebeads.com).

The WonderCraft has joined The Art Pad and Lapis Lane Beads to become the latest crafting destination
in Austin. The theme of the party is neckties, bring one or wear one, they’ll be crafting with them all night. The party will also feature locally handmade goods, food, and other Austin favorites. The ever-popular button maker will also be a fun activity. Photo booth by Lucinda Lewis.

Facebook Invite

Three fer Wednesday: Three very helpful craft marketing blogs

1. biz ladies 09: the 30-second elevator pitch @DesignSponge 
2. Terrific Tuesdays - My Etsy Journey: Marketing My Shop (part 2) @Purple Lemon Designs
3.  The second link came courtesy of Handmade Success, a helpful etsy seller blog
   

Loving this Craft Swap: Materials for Tutorials

Over on Indie Finds on Etsy, I found this: an exchange program that lets crafters have free supplies in exchange for a producing a tutorial. Very cool.