I love custom orders and would love to help you put together the perfect gift for someone special!

I hope to hear from you soon!

Thanks for sticking around!

Another slice of cuteness is the reason for this post:

100% of the sale of these buttons will go to assist the victims of the MO "Good Friday" tornados.

Melissa of VillaDesign was in Maryland Heights when a tornado went through that area and tore the steeple off the church she was in.  In her words:

I was worried going home seeing the destruction around me. Would I even have a home to go back to? What about the neighbors? Thankfully, my area spared. But there were others, people I know, that were not so lucky. Trees fallen on homes or no homes at all. Maryland Heights was hit with an F3 tornado. Bridgeton was hit with an F4 tornado. There was destruction everywhere and many need help.

So what can I do? I decided to make these… Missouri State pin-back buttons. The 2-1/4 inch buttons are $2 each and 1 inch buttons are $1 each. 100% of the Missouri State buttons sales will go to those effected by the storms.

I encourage you to visit her site and make note of her schedule to find out where you can get your own MO pin and support those effected by the storms.  In fact, you could pick up some this weekend at Tower Grove Farmers Market where VillaDesign and Zenbot Baby will be sharing a tent! Veggies, yoga, crafts, and helping others! A perfect combination, don’t you think?

Find me in the corner o’cute with Riley Coninstruction and Hypercraftive!!

This year, as the show approaches, I’ve been mentioning it on Facebook as well as on Twitter some. This year, a newbie crafter started asking me questions about the show, and as someone who was new last year, I was eager to help. I hope that I was able to answer her questions and give her a positive outlook on what the year may hold for her first time in the St. Louis craft community.

Sometimes paying it forward is the very best way of paying it back.

Now – the details!

If you don’t at least consider coming to Indie Craft Revolution at the St. Louis Artist’s Guild on April 30th (from 10am-5pm) and May 1st (from 10am-4pm) – I will officially deem thee “uncool.” A lost sole (yeah, that’s right. I called you a fish.)

There’s something for everyone at ICR and you might walk away with something for free. Oh? I didn’t mention that? Yup. Giveaways and bags 0′ swag if you’re one of the lucky first ones.

So there you go! Your last weekend of April is planned, so you better stop by and say hello or I will come up with more fishy names to call ye!

This year, I feel a bit more prepared. Last year, when my friend and I started on this journey, we had 3 main products we were selling. The cloth wipes, the burp cloths and the change kit. I’ve expanded some things, held back on others, and learned the ropes by jumping in head-first.

As I head into Indie Craft Revolution this year, I realize how far I’ve come.  Last year this time, I was slaving away each night and scared half to death that I wouldn’t have enough product or I would be laughed at or My table would  look terrible or  I didn’t study for my test and show up to school naked… wait. no. That last one was from a movie. Or high school. Something.

While I’m stressed about the upcoming cluster of shows, I’m not as hard on myself. Part of this is because I have several shows under my belt, but another part of it is because I know I have to be. If I’m too hard on myself, I’m setting myself up for failure and lots of stress.

Something else that has helped me a great deal to relax, is the crafty people I’ve met that I can now call friends.  I really realized this at my first ShowMe Etsy meeting.  It was the first meeting with we newbies and they went around the group doing introductions.  The all too familiar warm face, heart racing feeling of my youth came back.  I HATE being the center of attention. Every insecurity from childhood comes racing back, and even though I knew I was staring into the faces of like-minded people and friends, I was still nervous.

Later in the evening, I did end up speaking up.  I shared an unfortunate customer interaction I had at last year’s ICR. It was in that moment that I realized I did belong there. I earned my place in that group by loving what I do and taking pride in my craft.  For the rest of the night, I was free to be myself.

I’m not saying that the same ol’ insecurities won’t resurface when I walk into ICR to set up, or when I go to my next SME meeting, but if I can remind myself of this post and those feelings, I think I’ll be ok.