Thanks to everyone who came out and shopped the Mill City Makery booth at the first annual Summer No-Coast Craft-o-rama!  Despite the heat, it was a great day for families at Silverwood Park.  I'm posting some pictures for posterity...a few of these pieces came home with me and *might* find their way onto Mill City Makery's etsy site.  Click on the link to the right to find out.

Sylvie merchandising.  All day long she merchandised - and I'd follow along and re-merchandise.

The popular ruffle skirts for girls made from recycled t-shirts.  A few of these skirts made their way to i like you in Northeast Minneapolis, where you can purchase them.

Play crowns!  Birthday crowns!  Dress up crowns!  Oh how I love these.  I will post these to the Mill City Makery etsy site.  They are also for sale at i like you and Digs Studio in South Minneapolis.

 Preschooler-sized tote bags with slots inside to hold eight crayons (included).  These little bags are so great to tote along some art supplies, a book, and a small stuffed friend to keep kids busy in otherwise boring situations.  I think they make a great gift and are the perfect solution when you don't know what Disney products the kid in question already has...  Available at i like you and Digs.

My latest obsession - the convertible strap bag.  This can be worn as a shoulder bag or a cross-body.  I was into the ruffles (see the ruffle skirts, above) but I did make ONE bag without ruffles.  Of course it was the first sale of the day... more with and without ruffles to come, surely.

A few of these bags remain and will be posted to the etsy site.

What to do with all those fabric scraps that I can't bear to throw out?  Make loads of covered-button ponytail holders and mini-bunting, of course!  Both are available at i like you and Digs.  By the way, if you are visiting this blog because you came upon Mill City Makery at a craft show (thank you!) you really should check out these shops for a great selection of local handmade year 'round.

Problem Solved!

Sylvie's 4th birthday is around the corner, so she and I worked together to design and create invitations for her "Fancy Dress-Up Tea Party".  We had a lot of fun making these on the Cricut Expression machine. We used the "Once Upon A Princess" cartridge.  In case anyone is interested, I'll put the particulars at the bottom of this post.

Now for the problem.  We created the card about as large as we could using an 8 X 11 piece of cardstock, because we wanted a lot of detail on the front.  However, I couldn't figure out how to make an envelope large enough for the card out of the same 8 X 11 cardstock.  Then I thought, why not wrap it up in a piece of parchment paper and tie it up like a package?

I think the result is far better than a boring old envelope.  You get a peak at the fabulous card inside and the baker's twine tie makes it feel like a present.  I added a tag and had Sylvie write her friend's names.  How sweet!

Now for the particulars:

I created the card at 6".

The doll and all her clothes were created at 5".

The crown with "4" in the middle was created "real dial size" at 1".

The tag was created "real dial size" 1.5"

All components were created from the "Once Upon A Princess" cartridge.

A giveaway for Nest Crafty

I just sent this sweet wristlet (yes, complete with A Bird On It) to Amanda Rydell for her Nest Crafty workshop.  This event looks like SO much fun, I really really really wish that I could go.  Oh well.  I'm looking forward to seeing pics of the event afterward.

These wristlets are available by custom order (you choose the colors and prints) for $18 each.  They make perfect bridal party gifts.  Just sayin'.

Just Delivered!

Patina just received 40 of these super-colorful Spring wristlets!

They also received 120 super-colorful hair ponies...

...and 60 super-colorful coin purses.

Mill City Makery now at Creative Kidstuff!

I am very pleased to announce that Creative Kidstuff is now carrying a selection of Mill City Makery products, including the Storybook Crown.  These crowns are great for general dress-up fun (just ask my three year old) but they are perfect for celebrating a birthday.  Add a felt number or initial to personalize your crown.

Currently available are crowns with Princess, Fairytale, Transportation and Pirate themes.  The Pirate crown features Playmobil figures!

Also check out Creative Kidstuff's current Booster: DIY Guerilla Crafting, which features limited-edition Mill City Makery wristlets!