What an awesome weekend!
One evening and two full days of handmade amazingness. Jamie and I had such a great time this past weekend in Greenville, SC at the Indie Craft Parade. Over 6,000 people attended the three-day event, and it was pretty incredible to see such support for craft and handmade. A big thanks to everyone who stopped by our booth (both familiar faces and new ones).

We changed up our booth display a bit to maximize our 4-ft table space. We heard lots of positive feedback about the display and even received third prize for best booth display (those couple of late work nights paid off!). Since we were indoors, we were also able to set up an iPhone with a loop of a couple Card Story videos. (And, yes, this is the only picture I have of our display. Oh well.)

Erin Godbey and Elizabeth Ramos, the Indie Craft Parade coordinators, are extraordinary. Their attention to detail in organizing and executing the event definitely shows. We were also really thankful for the great team of volunteers who always had smiles on their faces and were always willing to lend a hand (and bring us a bottle of water). And, of course, a big thanks to the sponsors who were another huge part in making the event so successful.

The Huguenot Mill is a great venue. It’s the perfect size, and the exposed brick and hardwood floors really add nice visual interest (and uphold the handmade-craft aesthetic).

I loved these pairs of ceramic pears by Crave Studio.

A la carte party goods by The Gilded Fete are perfect for adding the finishing touch to your party decor.

I couldn’t get enough of The Small Object’s fabulous packaging and charming display– so good!

One of my favorite parts about participating in craft shows is getting to know other artisans. We spent lots of great time and conversations with our good friend and fellow letterpress printer Katie of Concrete Lace.

There were lots of talented people from Charleston:

Fellow Park Circle resident and chocolatier Johnny of Sweeteeth 

 

My Creative Coffee friend Sarah of Dodeline Design (with her husband Robert)

We also met Michelle of Finkelstein’s Center for Toys and our booth neighbor and new-Charleston-resident Emily Jeffords of Emily Jeffords Art & Design and Beautiful Hello (and unfortunately, I didn’t get photos of either of their booths). Park Circle neighbor Keller (of Warm Glass by Keller) also dropped by our booth to say hello.

The Vagabond Barista’s incredible, hand-crafted-by-the-cup coffee kept us well caffeinated throughout the weekend (and how awesome is it that they serve their coffee in actual glasses rather than paper cups).

Of course, we couldn’t come back empty handed. We picked up this awesome screen printed piece by Shed Labs

and this charming salt cellar by Jeanette Zeis Ceramics.

Cheers to handmade!

 

Jamie and I just got back from a wonderful long weekend surrounded by amazing and talented people in the letterpress community. Really, it was that awesome.

 

Organized by Kseniya Thomas (Thomas-Printers) and Jessica C. Smith (Heroes and Criminals Press), the Ladies of Letterpress Conference gathers letterpress printers and letterpress lovers (guys included) of all backgrounds and experience levels in Asheville, North Carolina to discuss the industry and meet the letterpress community. This year’s conference included a tour of Asheville print shops, a total of 12 panels (on everything from business and legal issues to a portfolio exchange presentation), a keynote presentation by wood engraver and printer Abigail Rorer (Lone Oak Press), a film screening of Proceed and Be Bold, and a dance party.

There was also a Printers Fair, and this year Jamie and I brought along a display for the Letterpress Hotline. We handed out lots of information cards with the hotline number and got a few new volunteers to sign up as operators (that’s one aspect of the letterpress community that I really love– everyone is so willing to answer questions and help someone else out).

I could go on and on about how great the conference was.

And this would be an epically long post.

So instead, I’ll highlight what I think the best part of the entire weekend was: community.

A community where:
online relationships through social media become real life friendships
information and knowledge is shared freely
everyone comes from different backgrounds but finds unity in a love of printing

We are so glad we were able to attend this year, meet new friends, and to re-kindle existing relationships. See you all next year at Type On The Cob!

We couldn’t have been more thrilled when we got the news that INK MEETS PAPER had been accepted as a vendor for the 2012 Indie Craft Parade in Greenville, SC. The Indie Craft Parade is a three-day (September 7-9), juried art market catering to independent artisans. It takes place (indoors!) at Huguenot Mill, a former textile mill that was built in 1882. Past event photos show lots of exposed wooden beams and bricks– it’s going to be such an awesome venue. With over 70 artists, there’s going to be an amazing variety of handcrafted goods, as wells as local food vendors, musicians, and a photobooth. Jamie and I were happy to see a few friends on the list of participants (Sweeteeth, Concrete Lace, Dodeline Design), which will make for even more fun.
The event kicks off on Friday evening (September 7) with a VIP gala. Admission is free on Saturday and Sunday (September 8-9) and open to the public.

 

 

Photos by Indie Craft Parade.