Storque articles: Events

Come Craft With the Etsy Labs & Esther K. Smith: Rolling Ball Books and Ornaments

2009-11-19T10:30:00-05:00

Want to test out our latest How-Tuesday project with us at the Etsy Labs? Come join us for a free workshop with artist and author Esther K. Smith— whether you're in Brooklyn or anywhere in the world. Stop by for our weekly Craft Night in our online, interactive classroom, the Virtual Labs, for a live demo via webcam at 5 p.m. ET, or in person at the Etsy Labs in Brooklyn anytime between 4-8 p.m. ET at 55 Washington Street, Suite 512 in Brooklyn, New York. (Click here to see what time 5 p.m. ET is in your hometown.) Craft Night is a time to make things, sharpen your craft skills, and meet new friends.

This week, on Monday, November 23, Esther K. Smith will show us how to make rolling ball books and ornaments. Is it a book or a toy? You decide!

Esther K. Smith is Purgatory Pie Press designer and author of How to Make Books and Magic Books & Paper Toys. She handcrafts artist books and limited editions at Purgatory Pie Press in New York City, collaborating with typographer Dikko Faust and other artists and writers. Keep an eye out for her new book, The Paper Bride, in December 2009.

Looking for more paper projects? Try these how-to's:

Paper Flowers | Do-Si-Do Books

Will we see you on Monday? Let us know in the comments below.

Come Craft With Bags for the People & Katherine Bell at Etsy Labs

2009-11-12T17:00:00-05:00

Why stay in and sew all by your lonesome? Come join us for a bag-making workshop with Bags for the People and Katherine Bell — whether you're in Brooklyn or anywhere in the world. Stop by for our weekly Craft Night in our online multi-user chat room, the Virtual Labs, for a live online demo at 5 p.m. ET, or in person at the Etsy Labs in Brooklyn anytime between 4-8 p.m. at 55 Washington Street, Suite 512 in Brooklyn, New York. (Click here to see what time 5 p.m. ET is in your hometown.) Craft Night is a time to make things, sharpen your craft skills, and meet new friends.

This week, on Monday, November 16, we will be making bags with Bags for the People and Katherine Bell, author of Quilting for Peace. (Check out a bag-making how-to project from her book here.)

Bags for the People is a non-profit organization that provides the public with a sustainable alternative to plastic bags. They use all repurposed materials and give bags out for free. Bags for the People also perform community building workshops and events (like this one!) to convince people to make the switch from plastic to reusable and inspire the public to take an active and creative role in life. Learn all about Bags for the People and what they do here.

We'll have all the materials you'll need to sew a bag of your own here at the Etsy Labs, including beautiful surplus fabrics donated by Serena and Lily! If you have any other fabrics or old clothing that you would like to turn into bags, please bring them along.

If you are attending Craft Night virtually this week and would like to stitch up some bags along with us, you'll need to gather the following supplies:

Fabric (an old T-shirt would do the trick)
Sewing machine, or a sewing needle
Thread
Scissors
Pins
Iron
Download Bags for the People's instructions

Upcoming Events at the Etsy Labs:
11/23: Rolling Ball Book Ornaments with Esther K. Smith
11/30: Open Craft Night
12/7: Needle-Felted Ornaments with Nguyen of KnitKnit
12/13: Plush Toys with Wendy of Scary Stories

Looking for more bag-making projects? Try these how-to's:

Quilting for Peace: Stitch Your Own Shopping Bag | Lunch Bag | Eco-Friendly Bags

Will we see you on Monday? Let us know in the comments below!

Shop Live for the Holidays With Eddie Ross: November 11, 2009

2009-11-09T16:00:00-05:00

Join us for a special holiday edition of Shop Live this Wednesday, November 11 in Etsy's Virtual Labs, our interactive chat rooms. Chat about holiday entertaining with our hosts, Eddie Ross (from Bravo's Top Design, former senior style editor of Martha Stewart Living, and his own design blog, EddieRoss.com) and his partner, Jaithan Kochar. Eddie and Jaithan will join us live via webcam to give advice on sprucing up your winter soirees with all things vintage, and they will share their favorite one-of-a-kind gifts for the host or hostess. Beautiful presentation is in the details and they’ll help you find them.

When? Wednesday, November 11, 2009 at 8 p.m. ET. (Click here to calculate your local time.) Note: The Virtual Labs doors won't open until exactly 8 p.m. ET!

Where? Etsy's fun and interactive online meeting space, the Virtual Labs.

How to join in the fun: There are only 130 seats for this VIP shopping event, so make sure you RSVP by filling out this quick survey. Etsy will email you the day of the event with a link to our virtual chat room — if you're fast enough, that is!

Want a sneak peek? Check out some of Eddie Ross's Picks in our Gift Guides!

Share in the excitement — check out the Facebook event or join us on Twitter and tag your Shop Live tweets #EtsyLive.

Come Craft With the Etsy Labs & AMH Design: Needlepoint Gift Tags

2009-11-05T10:30:00-05:00

Why stay in and craft all by your lonesome? Come join us for a free needlepoint workshop — whether you're in Brooklyn or anywhere in the world. Stop by for our weekly Craft Night in our online, interactive classroom, the Virtual Labs, for a live demo via webcam at 5 p.m. ET, or in person at the Etsy Labs in Brooklyn anytime between 4-8 p.m. ET at 55 Washington Street, Suite 512 in Brooklyn, New York. (Click here to see what time 5 p.m. ET is in your hometown.) Craft Night is a time to make things, sharpen your craft skills, and make new friends.

This week, on Monday, November 9, we will be making needlepoint gift tags with artist Amy Holbrook of AMH Design. (She is also our neighbor here on Washington Street.) Make your own needlepoint gift tags for the upcoming holiday season. This project is an easy and fun way to learn the basics of needlepoint while making some cute gift tags. Needlepoint adds a personal touch to your gift without a lot of effort!

Amy Holbrook, the founder of AMH Design, is bringing needlepoint into the 21st century with her collection of contemporary needlepoint kits. Easy, stylish, portable and all-inclusive, AMH Design needlepoint kits are perfect for beginner and veteran stitchers alike.

If you are attending Craft Night virtually this week and would like to stitch needlepoint gift tags along with us, you'll need to gather the following supplies:

Perforated paper sheet
Perle cotton floss size 5 (embroidery floss is okay)
Tapestry needle — size 24
Needle threader
Scissors
Colored cardstock paper
X-acto blade
Paper glue
Hole punch
Download the instructions

Upcoming Events at the Etsy Labs:

Saturday, November 7: Sock Monkey Workshop at the Etsy Labs

Join us this weekend for an afternoon of creating original sock monkeys for Fresh Art's Sock Monkey Program.

Fresh Art is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing expanded artistic, personal development, and entrepreneurial opportunities to New York City artists with special needs. The sock monkeys we create this afternoon will be sold to raise funds to support Fresh Art's programs. All skill levels are welcome, though basic hand sewing skills are helpful.

When: Saturday, November 7, 2009; 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Where: Etsy Labs at 55 Washington Street, Suite 512, Brooklyn, NY

Please RSVP for this free workshop at rsvp@etsy.com or on the Etsy Labs Meetup page.

Additonal Upcoming Events
11/16: Bag-making workshop with Bags for the People
11/23: Rolling Ball Book Ornaments with Esther K. Smith
11/30: Open Craft Night
12/7: Needle-felted Ornaments with KnitKnit

Looking for more holiday craft projects? Try these how-to's:

Felt Garlands | Snowflake Gift Wrap | Holiday Table Decor

Will we see you on Monday? Let us know in the comments below.

Shop Live With Design for Mankind: November 4, 2009

2009-10-30T12:30:00-05:00

It's time to get a jump-start on your holiday shopping, and we all know what that means — gift guides galore! I'm here to help you score the perfect present for everyone on your list: from your nerdy, tech-obsessed older brother to your oh-so-hard-to-please in-laws! Pop by this live shopping event in Etsy's Virtual Labs next Wednesday and you'll spot some of Etsy's best affordable (and giveable) gifts to keep you — and your recipients — smiling all year long. Happy shopping!

When? Wednesday, November 4 at 7 p.m. ET (Click here to calculate your local time.) Note: The Virtual Labs doors won't open until exactly 7 p.m. ET!

Where? Etsy's fun and interactive online meeting space, the Virtual Labs. Remember the Virtual Labs only holds 150 people — so make sure to be on time. All you'll need to attend is an Etsy account — register here!

Who? Freelance writer Erin Loechner will be our host! Erin launched award-winning blog Design for Mankind in mid-2007 in an attempt to bring light to the inspiration found in today’s creative culture. Her work has been featured in ReadyMade, Glamour, Dwell, Lucky and Nylon, and Erin's design musings can be found throughout the web on popular AOL blogs ShelterPop and Holidash.

Want a sneak peek? Check out the Design for Mankind Gift Guide and make sure you're signed up for our Etsy Finds mailing list to get advance picks directly to your inbox next Wednesday, November 4.

Share in the excitement — join us on Twitter and tag your Shop Live tweets #EtsyLive.

Coast-to-Coast: Come Rock and Craft With Etsy Labs

2009-10-29T16:33:00-05:00

This week we are pleased to announce crafting events across the United States! Join the Etsy Labs in both Brooklyn and San Francisco (and online!) for free hands-on workshops to kick off a crafty month of November.

So, read on for twice the fun...

Crafting in Brooklyn, NY:

Open Craft Night at the Etsy Labs in Brooklyn, NY

This week we will stitch pincushions with Elizabeth from the band Elizabeth & The Catapult (pictured in the red dress above). The band will perform a very special live acoustic set of songs from their new album, Taller Children, at 6 p.m. ET in the Etsy Labs. For a preview of their music, be sure to listen to the songs streaming on their website.

When: Monday, November 2; drop in any time between 4 to 8 p.m. ET. Live acoustic set at 6 p.m.

Not in Brooklyn? Be sure to tune in to the Virtual Labs at 5 p.m. ET to catch the pincushion demo.

Where: Etsy Labs at 55 Washington Street, Suite 512, Brooklyn, NY

A big thanks to Spoonflower for donating the custom printed fabric we will be working with this evening!

Upcoming Events at the Etsy Labs in Brooklyn:

11/7: Sock Monkey Workshop (10 a.m. to 3 p.m.) with Fresh Art
11/9: Needlepoint with AMH Design
11/16: Bag-making workshop with Bags for the People
11/23: Rolling Ball Book Ornaments with Esther K. Smith

A photo of rawfish from last week's Craft Night at the Etsy Labs.

Crafting in San Francisco, CA:

Student Night + Craft Bar With Etsy Labs at the Museum of Craft and Folk Art in San Francisco

Get off campus and out of the cubicle! Come to the free Student & Young Professionals Night at the Museum of Craft & Folk Art, co-sponsored by Etsy. Join us for Craft Bar with Etsy Labs @MOCFA SF, see the Open Source Embroidery Exhibition, listen to a live performance by Bay Area artist, Beep!, and enjoy tasty refreshments from local artisans. Stroll through the gallery, visit the museum store, relax with your favorite drink, dance to the music or even pick up a new hobby. Crafting sessions are free and all materials will be provided.

Don't live in California? Fear not, MOCFA will also host a live demo of the evening's craft projects via webcam in Etsy's Virtual Labs for all of our faraway friends. If you'll be crafting along with us, be sure to download this knitting pattern.

When: Thursday, November 5 from 6 to 8 p.m. PT

Where: Museum of Craft and Folk Art at 51 Yerba Buena Lane, San Francisco, CA

Looking for further inspiration?

Handmade Instruments | Handmade Portraits: Armor Guitars | Etsy Finds: Smells Like Teen Spirit

Will we see you on Monday for sewing and singing? Let us know in the comments below.

Etsy Minneapolis Meet Up: October 15, 2009

2009-10-28T15:00:00-05:00

UPDATE from Maria and Ian:

Hello Minnesota Etsy sellers (and one from Wisconsin!),

Thank you so much for your recent warm welcome in Minneapolis. Ian and I enjoyed meeting all of you, and we appreciate that you took the time to join us at Nye's. We're especially grateful to the members of HandmadeMN, a Minnesota Team — led by Kelly of kellybot and Toni of WildDogStudio — who presented us with a giant burlap bag of gifts made by members. As promised, I waited to dig into the bag until I could share its contents with everyone who works at Etsy. We did so today and were simply delighted and awed. Thank you!

Thanks, too, for the Dossier which has been read and studied by many of us at Etsy. This is an incredible collection of sellers with their wishlists and ideas for Etsy.

We are incredibly grateful for your support and thank you for selling on Etsy. You can see more photos here.

[The following was originally published on October 6, 2009.]

Hello Twin City Friends,

This is Maria, Etsy's CEO, and I will be in Minneapolis next week for the American Craft Council Conference. Kelly and Toni from the Minnesota Etsy Street Team (Handmade MN) helped me arrange an informal meet up next Thursday evening. I look forward to an open dialogue with those of you who can make it about the opportunities ahead and what you'd like to see from Etsy.

I’ll be joined by Ian Malpass, a.k.a. indec, Etsy's Quality Assurance engineer (QA). Ian lives just north of Minneapolis, by way of the United Kingdom. (He's got a killer accent!) Many of you may be familiar with Ian from his EtsyHacks tools for sellers, and you might otherwise know him as ehax.

Light snacks and drinks will be served. Please RSVP here so we can let the nice folks at Nye's Polonaise Room know how many to expect.

Here are the details:

Time: Thursday October 15, 6-9 p.m. Central Time

Location: Nye's Polonaise Room

612-379-2021

112 East Hennepin Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55414

Here's a Google Map.

Post in the comments if we'll see you at the meet up!

See More Posts about Etsy Meet Ups | Shop Local Minneapolis

Come Craft With the Etsy Labs and Rawfish

2009-10-22T16:16:00-05:00

This week we're hosting an open Craft Night, as we usually do on the last Monday of each month. Instead of an organized project, this week we are throwing the doors of the Etsy Labs wide open and letting you dive into any project that strikes your fancy.

Bring along any project you'd like to develop during this week's Craft Night. (Might I suggest working on your Halloween costume?) You are also welcome to start a brand new project using our tools and extra supplies, or finish a Craft Night project from a past week.

As a special spin on this month's open Craft Night, Laila of rawfish fame will be on hand with her Lendrum Double Treadle spinning wheel, shown at left. She will demonstrate the twists and turns of a variety of techniques for creating artful handspun yarns throughout the evening.

When: Monday, October 26; drop in any time between 4 to 8 p.m. ET.

Not in Brooklyn? Be sure to tune in to the Virtual Labs at 5 p.m. ET to catch the demo!

Where: Etsy Labs at 55 Washington Street, Suite 512, Brooklyn, NY

Upcoming Events at the Etsy Labs in Brooklyn:

11/1: Church of Craft meeting
11/2: Sewing Pincushions with Elizabeth & The Catapult
11/7: Sock Monkey Workshop with Fresh Art
11/9: Needlepoint with AMH Design
11/16: Bag-making workshop with Bags for the People
11/23: Rolling Ball Book Ornaments with Esther K. Smith

A photo of from last week's Craft Night at the Etsy Labs.

Looking for further fiber inspiration?

Stella Pixie Hat | Tatami Socks | Frog Suit

Will we see you on Monday? Let us know in the comments below.

Shop Live With People Style Watch: October 28, 2009

2009-10-22T14:34:00-05:00

As the temperatures start to drop, I like to get cozy with fall-inspired beauty, fashion and home products. From acorn earrings to pumpkin spice candles to flannel shirtdresses, there's something about the autumn weather that makes me want to shop! Join me for a live, interactive shopping event in Etsy’s Virtual Labs on Wednesday, October 28 and ward off the chill in style.

When? Wednesday, October 28 at 6 p.m. ET (Click here to calculate your local time.) Note: The Virtual Labs doors won't open until exactly 6 p.m. ET!

Where? Etsy's fun and interactive online meeting space, the Virtual Labs. Remember the Virtual Labs only holds 150 people — so make sure to be on time. All you'll need to attend is an Etsy account — register here!

Who? Melissa Liebling-Goldberg, the Style Director for People.com and PeopleStyleWatch.com will be our host — live from the Etsy Labs! Melissa oversees the fashion and beauty content for these award-winning sites. A graduate of Washington University in St. Louis, she has also worked at Teen Vogue, The New York Post and New York Magazine. Since moving to NYC from her native Houston, Melissa has also created a clothing line and a jewelry collection.

Want a sneak peek? Check out the People StyleWatch Gift Guide and make sure you're signed up for our Etsy Finds mailing list to get People StyleWatch's Fall Fashion and Decor Etsy picks directly to your inbox next Wednesday, October 28.

Share in the excitement — join us on Twitter and tag your Shop Live tweets #EtsyLive.

Come Craft With the Etsy Labs & Kata Golda: Felt Photo Pockets

2009-10-15T15:25:00-05:00

Why stay in and craft all by your lonesome? Come join us for a free sewing workshop with artist and author Kata Golda — whether you're in Brooklyn or anywhere in the world. Stop by for our weekly Craft Night in our online, interactive classroom, the Virtual Labs, for a live demo via webcam at 5 p.m. ET, or in person at the Etsy Labs in Brooklyn anytime between 4-8 p.m. ET at 55 Washington Street, Suite 512 in Brooklyn, New York. (Click here to see what time 5 p.m. ET is in your hometown.) Craft Night is a time to make things, sharpen your craft skills, and meet new friends.

This week, on Monday, October 19, we will stitch fall-inspired felt photo pockets with Kata Golda. This project can be found in her new book, Hand-Stitched Felt: 25 Whimsical Sewing Projects.

As Kata says, "Holding a photograph in your hand is a special and intimate treat, and it is especially rare these days, as so many pictures are stored and shared digitally instead of in an album.This pocket is a lovely way to keep a special stash of photos on hand. It makes a perfect gift for grandma or any family member or friend who appreciates this old fashioned pleasure."

Kata Golda creates and sells a line of hand-stitched items from her home in Port Townsend, WA. We hope you'll join us at the Etsy Labs to share in an evening of sewing this Monday.

Want a chance to win Kata Golda's book? Just leave a comment about the video here by Friday, October 30.

If you are attending Craft Night virtually this week and would like to make felt photo pockets along with us, you'll need to gather the following supplies for a 4 1/2" x 7" photo pocket:

7" x 13" felt for envelope
6" x 3" felt for pocket
Felt scraps for applique
Sewing needle
Embroidery floss
Scissors
Cutting mat & rotary cutter

Upcoming Events at the Etsy Labs:

10/26: Open Craft Night
11/1: Church of Craft meeting
11/2: Pincushions + special musical guest appearance (details to come)
11/9: Needlepoint with AMH Design
11/16: Bag-making workshop with Bags for the People
11/23: Rolling Ball Book Ornaments with Esther K. Smith

Looking for more felt projects? Try these how-to's:

Pillow with Rosette Clusters | Felt Rug | Felt Mushroom

Will we see you on Monday? Let us know in the comments below.