Indie Inc. Wrap-Up

Check out crafty ladies Amy N., Olivera, AmyD, Kara, and Megan G. lookin' lovely at Indie Inc. - a great event last week for small business owners. We learned about taxes and legal traps, marketing, and LLCs - and we also got to sample mead, vodka, beer and pizza from local businesses. Thanks to The SBB (Small Busniness Beanstalk) and Sandbox Columbus for hosting this awesome event. Big thanks also to Schade Photography for taking head-shots (or in our case, goofy cute photos) for social media.

Craftin' Outlaws CU Podcast!

Check out this podcast from ColumbusUnderground.com about the upcoming Craftin' Outlaws show. These ladies did a great job of organizing and promoting the event and I hope everyone is getting excited!

Handmade Expo!

Crafty Cotillion Members Featured in Crafts Report!

We are so excited that Crafty Cotillion members Olivera (Wholly Craft), AmyD, Alissa (Creatrix Jane/Liberty Handknits), Emily (Umbrella Girl Productions) and Amy N. (Sweet Stella Designs) are featured in July's Crafts Report magazine! Writer Nancy LaFever did an excellent job of capturing a

 slice of the alt-craft scene in Columbus. 

Can you believe that the Crafty Cotillion has been hanging out and talking about making things for over 2 years?! It seems like just yesterday we had out first meet-up in the back room of the Surly Girl Saloon, having drinks and sharing ideas about our craft and how to build a sense of community. 

Now, the Crafty Cotillion has some amazing national exposure! We hope that folks will take note of what we're doing here in Columbus and apply it to their city or hometown. 

You can check out the article here, although you may need to purchase an online subscription to see the magazine in its entirety. 

Crafty Cotillioners @ the CTA Craftstravaganza!

This past Sunday was the CTA Craftstravaganza, a crafty fundraiser for the Columbus Torah Academy. It was great to see so many creative and talented vendors all in one spot! Everyone's table set-ups were just perfect and the space felt really bright and inviting. It was a great time for shoppers and vendors alike.  

Here are a few photos of some of the Crafty Cotillion members who participated in the Craftstravaganza: 

Liberty Handknits/Creatrix Jane by Alissa Sorenson

Olivera from Wholly Craft (plus the lovely AmyD)

Emily Westenhouser from Umbrella Girl Productions with her sewn stationery & headbands

A Craft Revolution!

Check out the article about some of Columbus' hip crafters in the Life & Arts section of today's Dispatch! Also noteworthy is the additional info about upcoming indie craft events in Columbus. This has been a great week in the press for the Crafty Cotillion!

It's refreshing to see that publications such as the Dispatch take note of the independent stuff happening around our city and really see the value in it. Hopefully, articles like these will turn more people on to the idea of buying local, handmade products.

Our Crafty Pals Did It Again!

Just wanted to say congrats to Wholly Craft and What the Rock, who, for the second year in a row, won votes in Columbus ALIVE's annual Best of Columbus poll. What the Rock won for "Best Gift Shop" and Wholly Craft snagged the "Best Craft Store" category.

In addition, Rivet was a runner-up in the "Best Gift Shop" category and our favorite local hang-out the Surly Girl Saloon won the "Best Bar Food" category.

Keep supporting those awesome local businesses!

My White Elephant Gift

If you weren't at the Crafty Cotillion meeting last night, you missed the White Elephant Exchange. I know you must be curious about what went down, so here's what I received in my big, purple, sparkly bag!



A 99 cent, arty phonebook,



a blue magnetboard,



mission style chimes (you know you covet,)



incense to match,



a cube, cherub candle (admit you're jealous,)



snowpeople salt and pepper shakers,



a snowman/ice block man tea light holder (okay, the snowman stuff is going to my sister who loves snowmen,)



wine charms (she might get those, too,)



a clown bicycle bell! (no touchy!)



the cutest glass piggy bank (!!! -- I threatened anyone who would dare take this treasure from me,)



a digital photo keychain (which will be loaded with photos of my white elephant gift, of course,)



a peach scrunchie (useful!)



lavender, olive oil soap (which might be old, I'm not sure. Does soap get old?)



and a note to explain it all.



There. Aren't you envious?

Best of Columbus!

Congrats to the following Crafty Cotillion folks for their Best of Columbus 2008 wins in the Columbus ALIVE:

Best Bar Food: Surly Girl Saloon
(our favorite spot!)

Best Gift Shop: What the Rock!?

Best Craft Store: Wholly Craft!

And, for scoring multiple honorable mentions:
Runner up for Best Art Gallery/Best New Store: Rivet

Photos from the Holiday Party!

The Crafty Cotillion celebrated the season of gift-giving with a fun little get-together at Wholly Craft, delicious food (chocolate fountain!!) and a fabulous secret gift-swap.
Big thanks to Olivia for being such a lovely hostess, and thanks to everyone for participating in the gift swap. I don't think anyone will be complaining that they received something lame!
Here are some great photos from the evening, thanks to Patrice! See more at the Crafty Cotillion Flickr photoset.

Holiday Party!