Today, we woke up at 4am to volunteer at Crafty Bastards Arts & Crafts Fair in DC. This is one of our awesome gift bags! We worked the 5am – 10am shift, but ended up working until 11am. No problem though, because we were lucky enough to hook up with Art Whino around 7am and stuck it out with them setting up their MASSIVE collection of art. Did I mention I wanted to buy every SINGLE piece!? Susanna, Annie and Darrell were all really awesome people to work with too. I’m so happy we met them! We did end up buying the piece below for Dustin. It’s so fun, very different than anything else we have on our walls! 
 

“Danosaur” by Daniel Fleres.
 

After we finished up with the Art Whino Crew, of course we did some SHOPPING! I have such a hard time deciding what to buy. Everyone is so talented, with SO many wonderful items. Take a look at my new wares!
 

Recycled Skateboard Earrings by Claire Mcdermott.

Cute little yellow earrings by Jenny Wren.

Snazzy new bag by Barry’s Farm.
 

Detail shot of snazzy new bag by Barry’s Farm.

New clutch purse by Barry’s Farm.

Little felt button by Miss Chief Productions.

Did I mention that by volunteering Dustin and I were BOTH entered in a drawing for a FREE, UNJURIED BOOTH for next year’s Crafty Bastards! I’m trying not to get my hopes up too much, but man that would be flippin’ sweet! Especially considering they get like 400 applicants but only accept 100. *fingers crossed*

Oh, and stupid us… we were so tired this morning we totally forgot our camera! No pictures of the actual event… AGAIN! Maybe next year!

**Check out all the VENDORS here**

…..

…all my new goodies I picked up this past Saturday at the Crafty Bastards Arts & Crafts Fair. I am already saving for the next Crafty Bastards in September! YAY! My cousin and I had so much fun drooling over all the crafty goodness. It was so hard to choose how to blow my cash… I wanted everything! I am so amazed at all the talented artists and crafters out there.

While checking out all the yummy eye candy, I made a new goal for myself.***Next year, I am applying for the Crafty Bastards Arts & Crafts Fair*** I don’t know if it’s just me, but it’s very intimidating to take that step. To open myself up to face head on the reality of all my countless days of dreaming. I’m ready to stop dreaming and start doing. But, I’m really am quite nervous! 

Alright, enough about my silly nerves, want to see what I bought?! Of course you do. So here goes (in no particular order):

…..

Rad new blouse from Loyalty & Blood.
Sorry you don’t get to see the whole thing, can’t photograph it while I’m wearing it!

…..

Fun buttons from Fishcakes.
Not quite sure where these will live, but I couldn’t pass them up.

…..

Typewriter key necklace by The Weekend Store. 

…..

Coolest guitar strap ever, for my brother, if he likes it.
If not, I guess I need to learn to play! By Bright Lights, Little City.

…..

Birdie Zipper Pouch by Art School Dropout. 
This was far too cute to pass up! And, I need a place for all the change I never seem to have on me.

…..

I also purchased a really cool leather wrist cuff from Jon Wye for the Hubs, but he is gone for the week and took it with him… maybe I’ll show you next week! It’s this design.

Did I mention I am already saving for the September Fair! I really cannot wait! And, hey, get out and support your local artists and crafters! We need creativity and originality to survive… or at least to make life more interesting!!