Trailblazin’ the Craft Scene Since 2007
Etsy Dallas, the original Dallas team and the first city team in Texas, is a cooperative craft collective of artists and designers living and working in Dallas who sell their wares on Etsy, the web’s premiere marketplace for all things hip and handmade. Etsy Dallas boasts talent from a range of mediums and crafts, and is independently run by its members with the blessing and loving support of Etsy.
Because of the determination of the original members, Etsy Dallas has become a force in the handmade movement, both locally and beyond. In the wake of Etsy Dallas’ inception in 2007, other Texas teams have formed including Etsy Austin, Alamo City Etsy, Etsy Fort Worth, Northeast Texas Etsy, Artisans of Houston and North Dallas Etsy. Two years later, Etsy Dallas continues to be the model as a leader in the art/craft scene.
Mission
This mission of Etsy Dallas is to promote the handmade movement, and to create an environment to buy and sell handmade goods in the Greater Dallas area.
Goals
~To promote each others’ goods by selling locally in the Greater Dallas area.
~To promote awareness of the handmade movement and indie lifestyle, with a focus on our Etsy shops.
~To act as a cooperative resource and support network for each others’ businesses.
History
Etsy Dallas was founded in September of 2007 by Stephanie Hindall of Tefi Designs and a handful of others (including co-leader Pamela Michelle) eager to spread the handmade movement across the metroplex. Today we are doing just that with two local craft shows that have garnered city-wide support and national credibility (learn more about the Bash HERE). Etsy Dallas has transformed itself over the years into a tight-knit collaborative group that supports each other’s handmade endeavors with love and good times.
Look Deeper concert is being put on to raise money for the National Lung Cancer Partnership. The National Lung Cancer Partnership raises money for Lung Cancer research.
I was sort of laughing at myself a couple of days ago when I realized that I had missed my “7-years of music blogging” anniversary last month. I wasn’t laughing at the fact that my dead braincells are multiplying, rather that the main staples…really, the only staples, of my car CD player are the following:
The Lonelies EP
Macon Greyson Uneasy
Collin Herring Avoiding the Circus
Deadman Paramour
Joyful Sinners EP
The Happy Bullets Blue Skies and Umbrellas
Salim Nourallah Polaroid
Thrift Store Cowboys
These are the CDs I listened to years and years and years ago that made me fall in love with the local music community, and all these years later, I’ve never tired of a one.
However, I do get really excited when these bands and artists put out new albums. I found the above video over on Collin Herring’s site. It’s really awesome and features some great Texas-based musicians and producers and songwriters and brilliance.
Collin Herring is releasing his latest album, Ocho, pretty much as I type. The above video was shot at Ramble Creek, featuring a behind the scenes peek into the making of this record. Collin Herring and his dad (and bandmate) Ben Roi Herring are folks I consider to be my friends. I’ve known ‘em forever. I’ve loved ‘em forever, and neither one has ever played or sung a note that I didn’t absolutely adore.
Ocho was recorded out in the sticks at Ramble Creek and features such other FineLineFaves as Ben Roi Herring, Will Johnson, Keith Hanna, Roberto Sanchez and of course the great Britton Beisenherz (The Monahans, Milton Mapes).
The Ocho festivities kick-off on Monday, when Collin will appear on KXAN in Austin and on KLBJ 93.7..wait, there’s more…
Tuesday, November 17th Waterloo Records (Austin)
Live in-store – 5 p.m. – Free
Thursday, November 26th The Moon Bar in Fort Worth – 10ish
A few weeks back, like a bajillion artists submitted work to Frank Campagna over at Kettle Art Gallery. Frank, then, invited some of our local art aficionados and in-the-knows over to the gallery to whittle the submissions down to a mere 55. No easy task, I can assure you. Tonight these 55 works of art will be unveiled and you, my darlings, are invited.
Whassup:
Friday, November 6th Kettle Art Gallery The Judges: Anne Bothwell – Director, KERA’s Art & Seek Jason Janik – Photographer Sarah Jane Semrad – Executive Director, La Reunion TX and President, Art Conspiracy Lucia Simek – co-founder of Dallas’ arts and culture blog, Renegade Bus Charles Dee Mitchell -Art Critic The Artists:
Willhelmina Adams, David Alpuche, Sabrina Ashee, Julianne Agular,
Nathan Beach, Jonathan Brooks, Shari Caldwell, Rita Childress, Dan Colcer, Lauren Darrouzet, Oscar Duran,
Jonathan Fontenot, Essie P. Graham, Charles A. Gray, Violeta Gutierrez, Luke Harnden, Michael Haskins, Nary Huval, James Emory Bridges (Jimbeau), Jenice Johnson, Veronique Jonas, Natalia V. Jones, Jeff Kiec, Joseph Lambert, Ray LeBoeuf, Levi Leddy, Tom Leininger, Frank Lopez, Jeane McIntosh, William Messimer, Edward Montes, Carolyn Nelson, Jalon Nichols, Richard Patterson, Ramona and Dennis Placke, Rob Polivka, Pat Ramseur, Guy Reynolds, David Rodriquez, Clint Scism, Tyler Sharp, Diane Sikes, Cara Michelle Smith, Tammy Tholen, Andrew Tolentino, Susana Vasquez and Ross von Rosenberg
7 p.m. – Free
Super-dreamy Rhett Miller is performing at the Granada Theater on November 14th, and he’s tagged some other dreaminess to perform as well…here’s why…
The CF Concert Series aims to raise money for Cystic Fibrosis with an emphasis on adult research. It started as a small effort, organized by a few local music fans who have personal stock in helping to find a cure for this life-threatening disease. Last year, the concert raised $30,000 toward CF research. This November, they hope to do even more.
Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a life-threatening, genetic disease affecting approximately 30,000 children and adults in the United States. The goal of this event is to help raise not only awareness of the disease but funds allocated for the great strides being made towards CF research.
I have a pair of FREE TICKETS for the first one to email me with a subject line that reads, “you look really nice today.”
Dave Little kindly hipped me to this little gem, showing at this year’s VideoFest22. How can I not go see the screening of a flick called 72 Musicians? Plus, the trailer has me quite intrigued…and yes, I’m going to say it…here it comes…this, my darlings, looks like a must-see film…
Sometimes success and failure are the same thing. Especially with independent bands. Tour schedules, unemployment, day care, divorce, drinking… it’s the 23 hours you’re not on stage that’s the hard part. Shot on one stage, in one club, during four days, this documentary empowers every almost-made-it musician to speak with a single, honest, infuriating, anonymous, resonant voice. And it’s funny. And they kill live.
“Twenty five years ago, the band The End went to the Theatre Gallery to see Zeitgeist (who went on to become The Reivers) and the Deep Ellum music scene was born”
Lots of the good folks who, let’s face it, built and shaped the Deep Ellum music scene, will reconnect with ex coworkers, club goers and Deep Ellum originals on December 4th at The Prophet Bar.
Bands that are confirmed at this writing:
Shallow Reign
Loco Gringos (the Theatre Gallery’s house band)
Decadant Dub Team
David Mabry and Homespun Remedies
The Trees
Cricket Taylor
Graceland
More bands are confirming daily.
This shindig has truly gone full circle, as Russell Hobbs and Jeff Liles are co-hosting…just like the good ol’ days.
If you are interested in film and video, then you might like to know that the 27th Annual Videofest is just about a week or so away. Click for details. Bart Weiss, director of the Video Association of Dallas, wrote a nice little piece on Art&Seek and I think you should read it…m’kaaaaay…
…This year for the festival I tried something completely different. A few years ago I met with a young filmmaker named Ryan Kline and was very impressed. He had a great attitude and was very ambitious for a kid. (When I first met him he was too young to drive.) I then saw him at the workshops in Maine, where I teach teachers in the summer. He was taking an intensive film (as in not video) workshop. So I thought, why not have him do the intro? It was a bit of a risk, but I was really happy to try it. Ryan needed help, and we got lots of help. Bill Schwartz, one of Dallas’ best directors of photography, agreed to shoot it. And he did way more than shoot it – he arranged for so many people and so much equipment it was amazing. For those who this means something to, it was shot on the Red camera. As we moved along, Bill was impressed with Ryan’s talent and his ability to know what he wanted (something not all directors have).
Quickly this shoot got big, with a crew of about 20, a nice cast and way too much for Bill and Ryan to produce by themselves. So I called Amy Lou Abernathy at AMP Productions, who put Mariana Denke on it, who did a great job. Steve Franko did color correction, Post Asylum edited it and James Neel did the music…READ THE REST.
“Deep Ellum has a ways to go before achieving glory akin to its heyday. But the reopening of rock venue Trees …as well as the draw of hip-hop acts to the Lounge on Elm St. go a long way to help. Art destinations such as Kettle Art and the gleaming new Traveling Man sculptures, as well as the Deep Ellum DART station are also promising developments in the neighborhood’s evolution.”
Other notable picks: the Granada, the Double-Wide, Jack’s Backyard, Adair’s, Good Records, Lee Harvey’s, the Fallout Lounge, and lots more, including a great spread on The Naptime Shake’s debut album, Blood and Panic.
Boo! Kettle Art Gallery presents: Creepshow. It’s a group show featuring unique masks, photos and other paintings pertaining to All Hallows Eve.
This shindig opens tomorrow night and should make for a horror of a time. Get it? Horror…cuz it’s scary.
My boss, along with several other artsy types poured over 420 images at Kettle Art Gallery this week, and narrowed them down to 55 lucky artists who will participate in an upcoming show. I hear-tell that there are some familiar faces in the lot, and several new faces as well.
The unveiling party is on Friday, November 6th at, where else, Kettle Art Gallery.
The Deep Ellum Sustainablity Council invites you to participate in our kick-off meeting. Please join us at Healthcare Art Consulting (2910 E. Commerce) tonight, October 14th from 6-8 p.m. to hear a presentation of all the future project ideas we are putting into action in Deep Ellum over the next couple of years. After the presentation, we will call for volunteers to lead and participate in committees to launch these projects.
This event is open to anyone interested in transforming Deep Ellum into the most sustainable neighborhood in Dallas. We are looking for support and participation from: students, green novices, artists, corporate sponsors, real estate professionals, sustainability professionals, local business owners, gardeners, architects, engineers and anyone with interest in supporting Deep Ellum.
Below is a list of projects we are exploring:
~Green Alleyways
~Building Renovation Task Force
~Center for Green Technologies
~Green Roof Tops
~Green Parking Lots
~Community Gardens
~Carbon Off-Set Fund
Just a little over a year ago, the divine Rich Lopez and I had a sit-down with Paul J. Williams over at Hal Samples crib and had ourselves a time….Click below darlings…
Sunday, October 25th KD Studio Theater
Mental: An Evening of Homo-Neurotic Comedy
Starring Paul J. Williams and author Eddie Sarfaty
7:30 p.m.
Purchase Tickets
This one done snuck under my showdar, but it’s not too late. (thanks to Art&Seek for the heads-up)
George Gimarc resurfaces tonight at an all-star 80′s extravaganza at the Lakewood Theater. Back on stage tonight: The Big Guns, Bag o’ Wire, Fallen Idols, The Barry Kooda Combo, The Devices, The Telefones, Assassins, Superman’s Girlfriend, and Quad Pi.
Getcher tickets (while they last) at the Lakewood box office. You can find you a seat at 7 p.m., so don’t dawdle.
There’s a very special fundraiser/benefit show at Sons of Hermann Hall this coming Saturday, October 3rd.
A couple of people I care very much about, and consider to be dear friends, went through hell…postpartum hell…
What is postpartum depression?
Postpartum depression is a serious illness that can occur in the first few months after childbirth. It also can happen after miscarriage and stillbirth.
Postpartum depression can make you feel very sad, hopeless, and worthless. You may have trouble caring for and bonding with your baby.
Postpartum depression is not the “baby blues,” which many women have in the first couple of weeks after childbirth. With the blues, you may have trouble sleeping and feel moody, teary, and overwhelmed. You may have these feelings along with being happy about your baby. But the “baby blues” usually go away within a couple of weeks. The symptoms of postpartum depression can last for months.
In rare cases, a woman may have a severe form of depression called postpartum psychosis. She may act strangely, see or hear things that aren’t there, and be a danger to herself and her baby. This is an emergency, because it can quickly get worse and put her or others in danger.
It’s very important to get treatment for depression. The sooner you get treated, the sooner you’ll feel better and enjoy your baby.
What causes postpartum depression?
Postpartum depression seems to be brought on by the changes in hormone levels that occur after pregnancy. Any woman can get postpartum depression in the months after childbirth, miscarriage, or stillbirth.
You have a greater chance of getting postpartum depression if:
You’ve had depression or postpartum depression before.
You have poor support from your partner, friends, or family.
You have a sick or colicky baby.
You have a lot of other stress in your life.
You are more likely to get postpartum psychosis if you or someone in your family has bipolar disorder (also known as manic-depression).
What are the symptoms?
A woman who has postpartum depression may:
Feel very sad, hopeless, and empty. Some women also may feel anxious.
Lose pleasure in everyday things.
Not feel hungry and may lose weight. (But some women feel more hungry and gain weight).
Have trouble sleeping.
Not be able to concentrate.
These symptoms can occur in the first day or two after the birth. Or they can follow the symptoms of the baby blues after a couple of weeks.
If you think you might have postpartum depression, fill out this postpartum depression checklist(What is a PDF document?) . Take it with you when you see your doctor.
A woman who has postpartum psychosis may feel cut off from her baby. She may see and hear things that aren’t there. Any woman who has postpartum depression can have fleeting thoughts of suicide or of harming her baby. But a woman with postpartum psychosis may feel like she has to act on these thoughts.
If you think you can’t keep from hurting yourself, your baby, or someone else, see your doctor right away or call911 for emergency medical care. For other resources, call:
The national suicide hotline, National Hopeline Network, at 1-800-784-2433.
The National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-422-4453.
How is postpartum depression diagnosed?
Your doctor will do a physical exam and ask about your symptoms.
Be sure to tell your doctor about any feelings of baby blues at your first checkup after the baby is born. Your doctor will want to follow up with you to see how you are feeling.
How is it treated?
Postpartum depression is treated with counseling and antidepressant medicines. Women with milder depression may be able to get better with counseling alone. But many women need counseling and medicine. Some antidepressants are considered safe for women who breast-feed.
To help yourself get better, make sure to eat well, get some exercise every day, and get as much sleep as possible. Seek support from family and friends if you can.
Try not to feel bad about yourself for having this illness. It doesn’t mean you’re a bad mother. Many women have postpartum depression. It may take time, but you can get better with treatment.
I have two kids, less than three years apart. That was hard enough. I can’t imagine going through Postpartum Depression on top of everything else a new mom might have to experience.
My friends Toby and Shelley Shook went through this at a time in their lives that they expected to be incredibly happy. Shelley is absolutely the opposite type of person you might think postpartum might effect. She’s active, athletic, a successful attorney and happily married. Her story tells of how excited she and Toby were to welcome their daughter, and how devastating postpartum was on their marriage and family.
…The Webb Gallery specializes in this kind of thing, the funky and the visionary: folk art, outsider art, backwoods Americana, art from self-taught painters and prophets. As collectors, Bruce Webb says that he and his wife Julie are “flea-market trained.” The two native Texans enjoy driving cross-country to scout for things like hand-painted carnival banners from the 1940s, banners hawking freakshow acts like the man with “Two Noses” or “Creation: The World’s Most Amazing Attraction (Children Under 16 Not Admitted).” The Webbs have been doing this for 25 years…Read it all
CLICK!
Collin Herring is releasing his latest album, Ocho, pretty much as I type. The above video was shot at 
