First of all – Happy New Year, Everyone! ^_^ I trust everyone has a fun time? At least, I hope that was the case. Things were a bit hectic around here, but everything’s fine now and I can start manning the pliers once more.

But the big news – I’ve been accepted to the upcoming I Made It! Market on February 6th. It’s right before Valentine’s Day, so it’s a good opportunity to avoid the crowds that always flood the stores on that weekend. And you can give yourself a pat on the back for getting that special someone something truly unique, whether from me or another artist there. Heck, there’s a good chance you can get something customized and in your hands before the holiday hits because we’re all local. Bonus!

If you’re interested, here are the details:
What: I Made It! Market
When: Saturday, February 6, 2010 from 12 pm – 5 pm
Where: The Union Project, 801 N. Negley Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15206
Who: Rabbit Dance (myself) and over 50 other artisans! That’s more selection than your average shopping mall (if you don’t count the food courts, that is.)

If you’d like more info, you can check out the I Made It! Blog. You can find a complete vendor listing, bios, and more. If you know someone who loves funky handmade gifts, spread the word! Here’s a fun image to get you started on your word-spreading. Give it a click for the whole she-bang.

A large-size, printworthy image promoting the I Made It! Mine Event on Feb. 6th

If the old-fashioned “fliers and handbills” approach just isn’t your thing, you can help out in 21st century digital style with these links:

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/imadeitmarket
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/imadeitmarket
Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/imadeitpgh
Blog: http://www.imadeitmarketblog.com
Website: http://www.imadeitmarket.com

Or, you can just link back here. That’s cool. ^_^

Sadly, we are NOT going to be able to make the Wild Rose Renaissance Faire this year. We had been looking forward to it since April, but we’re just not able to do it for a variety of reasons. The main reason is that I haven’t been able to restock since the Little One arrived, and I think it would look unprofessional to show up at the Faire with a single table’s worth of appropriate items. Not even a maille coif! I couldn’t call myself a mailler.

Not to mention that our white pop-up tent wouldn’t look that good, either. :/ I want a Panther Tent.

But that don’t mean you shouldn’t go! We’re disappointed mainly because we know we’re missing out on three weekends of fun and good food (Trust me, I’d go for the food ALONE). The Wild Rose Renaissance Faire runs the first three weekends of October, with themed weekends delivering fun for everyone, with only $5 admission! Visit the Wild Rose website for all the details. I’ll try to get in next year, so if you plan on going back in 2010, check here and see if we’re going.

That said, right now I’m concentrating on getting ALL of my current chainmaille items into our Etsy shop. I may not have had time lately to make a full coif, but I DO have time to snap photos here and there. I’ll put the newest things in the “Featured” box in the corner, so check back if you’re curious. I have yet to photograph pocket watch chains, chokers, keychains, and some other things that I had previously offered only at in-person shows. Ooo, the mystery!

And in case anyone is wondering, I will not be able to make any large costume commissions in time for Halloween. But if you need something smaller, like a chain or a handflower, or even a simple headdress… That I can do. ^_^

Hello, everyone! ^_^

We had a great time at the show this past weekend and would like to thank everyone who stopped by to have a look at our wares and chat. I hope you all enjoyed what everyone had to offer; I know I always pack up after events with a few extra things. Shopping around at other vendors is half the fun!

And HUZZAH for the weather staying pleasant! Even though I don’t have to worry about our pieces rusting, I did worry about the clothing/textile vendors (and the yarn – what a nightmare that would be!). Not to mention the photographers, painters, and paper artists. But luckily the rain was kind in that it was light and intermittent. *whew!* I hope eveyone who was there stayed dry.

Lemony was just fine, so I’m happy. She spent most of the time sleeping in her car seat under the table where it was shady and cool, or being carried around so that she could look at all the cool stuff. I’m glad to think that she’s going to grow up attending events like this and get to meet such interesting people. Thanks again to all of you for your congrats. ^_^ She’s proving to be quite the lover of chainmaile, and I hope I can someday pass on my skills to her.

So you know, the Etsy shop will re-open tomorrow once I’ve had a chance to update the items to reflect what had sold and to take pictures of pieces that made their debut at the event. If you’d like to take a peek at some of our past works, you can check out our gallery section and look at the slideshows. For those of you interested in a commission, our commission info is here. I love making custom orders (even small ones) so feel free to ask. ^_^

See you later!

Here’s the pictures I took at Tekkoshocon 09!
Not a lot, but I did get some cool cosplayers and pictures from the meet-up on Saturday.

If you like these, I have more pictures from the conventions I’ve been to on my Flickr Page. I actually have a whole collection of anime convention pictures, so if you like costumes go and give it a peek.

Speaking of costumes, anyone know anybody who could make a little white totoro or soot sprite outfit for our upcoming little one? ^_^ We want to take her to cons as soon as we’re able, and she’ll need a costume, of course.

This coming Sunday, April 26th, Pittsburgh people can find us at the Donner Ditch Day, from 1pm-4pm, and possibly a bit past that time.

Where will we be? We will be at 5115 Margaret Morrison St., behind Donner Hall (a large blue building) on the Carnegie Mellon University Campus.

Handy-Dandy Google Map to the Donner Ditch Day:

View Larger Map

Weather permitting, we will be outside the hall, under our white tent. Look for our mannequin wearing Brian’s mantle-top maile vest, and stop in to say hello!