Holiday Traditions

Many families look forward to the holiday traditions they have established with their loved ones. Every year growing up, my mother would take me and my sister to our city's Christmas celebration. We would sip hot Dr. Pepper while walking through all the pretty light displays, roast marshmallows in a huge bonfire, make a craft in Santa's workshop, and then meet the big guy --Santa-- to tell him what we just had to have for Christmas. It was what I waited for each December.

Starting traditions with your family and friends at the holidays can make the season just a little bit more exciting. Me and my husband like to use the holidays as a reason to buy handmade. While big box stores are packed with stressed out shoppers, there's probably a local craft show set up in your area, with hundreds of artists just waiting to sell you unique, one of a kind pieces.

There are several local craft fairs happening in the next few weeks as the holidays approach. A quick Google search of your area will most likely turn out at least one or two shows, while there are two large indie shows produced by local crafters this season, right here in Oklahoma.

The Deluxe Indie Craft Bazaar is an indie craft fair and community event with free admission in Oklahoma City, where unique artists show and sell their work to enthusiastic shoppers from all over the region. This year's show will be on December 10, 2011, from 11am-5pm at the State Fairgrounds in the Centennial Building. There are over 80 vendors to shop from this year, and the line up is full of Oklahoma artists! You can find the full list of vendors here.


The Alliday Show is a free to attend, all handmade arts and craft show happening on December 17, 2011, from 9am-5pm in Tulsa, at the Ford Truck Exhibit Hall at the Tulsa Fairgrounds Expo Square. The Alliday Show believes that there is no reason why everyday can't be a holiday. Over 80 artists will be in attendance, and you can view the list here.


Also, there are artists all around the world working around the clock to produce the best holiday gifts you could give this season.. and you won't even have to fight an old lady for the last one on the shelf. The Oklahoma Etsy team is a great place to start when you are doing your online shopping. This is a current list of the OKetsy team members. Another way to find OKetsy team members is to search Etsy using the "oketsy" tag.


No matter what your holiday traditions may be, consider supporting your local shops and artists this season. They are working double time to provide the best gifts for you, while hoping to provide for their own families. Where can we find you shopping this season?

Casey Maute is a contributor to the OkEtsy blog and lives in Stillwater, Oklahoma. She has worked under the name Lollywood from 2008-2010 and recently opened a new Etsy shop called OSO handmade. She loves craft shows, eating from food trucks, finding cool local shops, and working with PR and social media.

Deluxe Deadline Extended

Hey there, procrastinators! Our friends behind Deluxe have extended the deadline for late applicants. You can still apply to sell at Deluxe between now and November 1 by filling out the information here.

The first round of acceptance letters have already gone out. Late applicants will hear by November 15. Deluxe Indie Craft Bazaar is coming your way December 12, and you don't want to miss it!

Friday Finds: Deluxe Edition

Deluxe will be opening its doors tomorrow at noon! As you enter the Centennial Building, your senses will be enchanted by the offerings of lots of Okie artists, including some of our fabulous team members. This week's Friday Finds are just a few of the great things you'll be able to purchase in OKC on Saturday.




What are you most looking forward to seeing at Deluxe?

Deluxe is almost upon us!

Hear ye, hear ye! Deluxe is only days away from delighting Oklahoma shoppers with amazing vendors and their unique, handmade goodies! Have you marked your calendars yet for this indie crafting extravaganza? If not, here are the details once again for you sweetie pies:

Deluxe Indie Craft Bazaar

Saturday, May 9, 2009

noon to 6 p.m.

Centennial Building, State Fairgrounds

Oklahoma City

FREE admission!

www.deluxeok.net for more info

There will be a ton of amazing Okie sellers (and some friends from neighboring states, too) trading cash for their goods, goodies and greaties. If you miss it, you'll regret it. It's possible some really cute babies will cry, too. And kittens -- kittens the world over will be sad. You don't want to be responsible for that.

When you're there, make sure to say hello to all the wonder Disciples of Etsy members who will be both shoppers and vendors!

OklaTravelNews today!

Hey there friends! I'll be on OklaTravelNews today around noon (CDT) to promote Deluxe. I'm so excited to help spread the word about this awesome event. If you can, watch it live by tuning into the Web site right at 12:00 p.m. If you can't, head to the site any time between 1:00 p.m. today and 11:59 a.m. tomorrow to watch the magic happen. Just click the "Last Show Archive" button on the viewer. I'll be wearing my Deluxe T-shirt and a few pieces made by awesome Deluxe vendors, including a team member or two, so look out for them.

Thanks to Sara and JD for trusting silly little me to help out. :)

Booth inspiration

It's spring, friends, and all us crafty Okies know Deluxe and a whole slew of other great shows are just around the corner. Following on a past post about craft show preparation, I thought now would be the perfect time for some inspiration on setting up your own booth. These photos are all from Flickr and properly credited.

There's about a billion ways to display jewelry, but I'm really digging the shutters-as-earring-holders such as this one by artworkbyandrea:




I love how simply and cleanly everything is laid out in UnapologeticMe's booth:



Do you sell an item that calls for a "theme-y" display, such as cute food or plush birds? Take a cue from glue&glitter, who used a baking sheet to show off her felt cupcake pins:



You can do a really great display using things you have around the house. Check out monda loves' stroke of genius using a dresser:



Looking for a creative, cheap way to make your own banner? Team member claudiasburningink has a great one to show off:


Lastly, don't forget to show off your business cards to make sure every passer-by grabs one. shopmimigreen has an eye-catching solution:



I hope this helps inspire you! If you have any creative display ideas, tell us about them or -- better yet -- include photo links in the comments.

Disciples at Deluxe!

Acceptance notices went out to Deluxe Indie Craft Bazaar applicants this week, and I'm excited to announce that many, many team members will be taking part in the festivities! If you haven't already made plans to attend this amazing event sure to be teeming with talent, then mark your calendars now. Even if you aren't from Oklahoma City, this event will be worth the drive.

Deluxe Indie Craft Bazaar

Noon to 6 p.m. Saturday, May 9

State Fairgrounds in OKC

Free admission

Here are great items from just a few sellers who will be there:

Deluxe 2009!

The spring edition of the Deluxe Indie Craft Bazaar is coming to the State Fairgrounds in Oklahoma City on May 9! Disciples of Etsy team members saralynnmo and JDStar are the brains behind the operation, and there will be many team members there peddling their homemade goodies.

Applications are now available on the event Web site. If you're an indie crafter with items to sell, get in your application by March 1.

Deluxe will be twice as big this spring as it was in December, so it's an event not to miss! It will be free and family-friendly. Look for the vendor list in the spring. I hope to see you all at Deluxe!