Falling in love with Tulsa

I'll admit it- Tulsa hasn't always been my favorite place to live. I grew up in the Northeast and loved almost everything about it- the cities, the history, the cultures, the mountains, the ocean, the trees in the fall. Tulsa is hot in the summer and freezing in the winter. The wind blows right through you, and yet snow is almost unheard of here (well, except for Snowpocolyse 2011). And let's not get started on Tulsa's traffic!

But over the summer, I have started to see Tulsa in a different light. It all started when I moved from the suburbs to Riverside. Suddenly, instead of just driving past everything, I could walk to different destinations and really take in the sights. Brookside was no longer filled with traffic and crazy drivers, but I began to notice the incredible character and atmosphere. 

 

The more I explore Tulsa from my new perspective, the more I fall in love with it. There is some great architecture throughout the city, and some buildings have been restored beautifully. Locally owned shops and restaurants are everywhere. Running and bike trails add a great touch to the city. Just the other day, my husband found a bike trail that offers a great view of downtown Tulsa. I had trouble continuing to pedal as I took it all in. I found myself incredibly thankful that I am able to live in this great city.

What is one of your favorite places in Tulsa?

Upcoming Tulsa Show Announcement

Hi, Danielle here! I just wanted to let everyone know about the upcoming Indie Emporium show in Tulsa. They are accepting applications for vendors now, so if you are interested you have until August 14^th to get your application in.

The show will be held at Living Arts of Tulsa, which is located at 307 East Brady, from September 30^th – October 1^st.

To see pictures of past events, you can visit http://www.flickr.com/photos/thecrowes/collections/72157623999018884/, and to learn more about the event, you can check out http://www.indieemporium.com/.

Tulsa World Feature- Plumeperfume

OkEtsy team member Tara of Plumeperfume is featured in a great story in today's Tulsa World.

Check out her story from the front of today's scene section!

And then go see her shop. If the perfume smells as good as the pictures look, I am sold!

Black Friday, handmade-style

Known affectionately as Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving is one of the biggest shopping events of the season. Most big box stores will be offering special savings that shoppers will have the joy of earning by snatching, grabbing, running each other over with carts, and other things our mothers certainly taught us not to do. There is another option, though: get your handmade shopping on!

On Black Friday, lots of Etsy sellers will be offering discounts throughout their shops. The biggest bonus? You don't even have to leave the house. Remember to search OKEtsy Team to find great items made by our friends right here in the Sooner State.

If you don't mind the crowds, you can shop handmade in person throughout the state.

• Head up to The Felt Bird in Enid for savings on tons of amazing goodies, many made right here in Oklahoma.
• Tulsa folks can hit up the Fresh Blend Handmade Gift Boutique at Fresh Roast Coffee House for items made by the Tulsa Craft Mafia and friends while leisurely sipping a cup of locally roasted coffee (mayhaps the Tulsa Craft Mafia blend?).
• If you're in Oklahoma City, Collected Thread will be offering deals and steals on art and gifts.

Do you know of any other handmade stores to hit up this Black Friday? If so, leave a comment. Remember: buying handmade, locally produced goods supports independent crafters, boosts the local economy, and keeps your hard-earned money out of the pockets of corporations whose values may not line up with yours.

Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

Indie Emporium TONIGHT!

It's finally time for Indie Emporium! Head to Tulsa tonight from 7 to 10 p.m. or tomorrow from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. to get your shop on. It all goes down at the VFW Post No. 577, 1109 E. 6th St. (two blocks west of Peoria). You don't want to miss this!

Tune into OklaTravelNews today around 12:40 to see me promoting the show.

We hope to see you all at Indie Emporium tonight!

Craft show bonanza!

I'm excited to use our 100th blog post to discuss some truly exciting team news.

Tulsa's most rockin' craft show, Indie Emporium, has accepted a whole slew of Disciples of Etsy team members to its line-up. Check out the Vendor page over the next couple of weeks for the full list. Remember: Indie Emporium is October 9 and 10 in T-Town. Check out the web site for times, ticket information, and more.

On November 6 and 7, the BUST-approved Girlie Show will again showcase some of the finest independent female crafters in Oklahoma City. This year, an impressive crowd of team members will be representing, many for the first time. The 2009 vendor list is not yet available, but keeping checking back. You don't want to miss this great event!

Go ahead and dig out your pens (or your smart phones) and mark your calendars for both of these phenomenal shows. Holiday shopping has never been so much fun! Congrats again to all the team members who wowed the show directors with their unique, high-quality, handmade goods.

South Tulsa Music Fest

If you're looking for a fun way to spend the Saturday of Labor Day weekend, then head to the Jenks Riverwalk for the South Tulsa Music Fest. Starting at 2 p.m., enjoy great music and the handmade goodies of some great local crafters, including Audrey Eclectic, Sweetheartville, and members of the Tulsa Craft Mafia. Admission is totally free, so come out and enjoy the local arts and the first inklings of fall.

Audrey Eclectic Opening

Last Friday night, Heather of Audrey Eclectic opened her month-long show at Shades of Brown Coffee and Art, a delightful coffee shop in Tulsa's Brookside area. Her paintings looked amazing on the walls, so I wanted to share a couple of photos:

For more pictures and details, go read Heather's post.

If you're in the Tulsa area, drop by to check out the exhibition. Get there soon before everything sells!

Blue Dome Arts Festival

Those looking for great handmade items and fun, friendly artists should look no further than the Blue Dome Arts Festival in Tulsa this weekend. Around 200 vendors in 123 booths will be set up to delight you with their unique goods all made by hand. While you're there, make sure to say hello to JDStar and saralynnmo in Booth #55 and the Tulsa Craft Mafia gals in Booths #104 and 105. Here are the details, folks:

Where: Blue Dome district downtown, 2nd and Elgin area

When: Friday noon to 9 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sunday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Cost: Free free free!

Why: I just told you!

Blue Dome runs at the same time as Mayfest (i.e. that other festival), just a few blocks away. I highly recommend going there for a giant cinnamon roll and the student art exhibit, then come by Blue Dome for 100% awesome, local art for sale. Make sure not to miss the Art Car Parade at 2 p.m. Saturday starting at 2nd and Elgin!

Swap-O-Rama-Rama Coming to Tulsa!

After a wildly successful run in Oklahoma City, Swap-O-Rama-Rama is coming to Tulsa next month!

Swap-O-Rama-Rama, the brainchild of Wendy Tremayne, offers an alternative to consumerism. Participants bring a bag of second-hand clothes plus a small monetary donation, and planners provide sewing machines, embellishments, and assistance transforming ordinary T-shirts into wearable works of art. For the past couple of years, Stephanie of Reuse Oklahoma Arts Resource has brought the state capital an Oklahoma-based version of the exciting and eco-friendly event.

This year, Christine of weather & noise and such pretty things, who has also brought Green Country two great years of Indie Emporium, is holding a Tulsa-based version of Swap-O-Rama-Rama on March 21 from 1 to 6 p.m. The Collective, on 11th Street just west of Harvard, will be the venue. Everyone is invited, so bag up those high-school club shirts and golf pants you no longer wear, and get ready for the ultimate DIY experience. All items not used will be donated to a shelter to clothe those in need, so it's a win-win opportunity for all.

Stephanie is still planning to hold an OKC Swap-O-Rama-Rama probably in June, but it is still in the planning stages. Check out Reuse Oklahoma Arts Resource's MySpace page for updates. We'll post it in the Events column of the blog, too.