We're Famous!

How cool is it that EtsyRain was Etsy.com's third featured team in The Storque! Check out the article here. Go EtsyRain Go!

Arts, Crafts, and Fun - Oh My!

EtsyRain is at it again! If you are looking for something to do this upcoming Friday and Saturday (August 8th and 9th) why don't you stop by the Showcase Tacoma. I'll be there selling my jewelry from Baubles By Hand in the EtsyRain group tent. If you stop by you will be lucky enough to have a look at all the goodies we have to offer. Joining me will be:

~Marlo of I Make Cute Stuff with her practically-adorable Totes2Go
~Kayce of Nuetome and World of Whimm with her fantastic kids wear
~Trina of Woven Chains displaying beautiful chain maille jewelry
~Laurie of Loud Life with her intriguing and inspiring mixed media artwork
~Julie of Crack Pot Mosaics and her regular objects turned into one of a kind mosaic art
~Jonah of Maluhia will tempt your wallet with her whimsical approach to handbags, wallets, and other accessory items.
Take a look at their shops for a small glimpse into what you could find at this weekend's show. Check out showcasetacoma.org for more information.

Happy Birthday EtsyRain!

*UPDATE* - Etsy liked our gift so much that they made a little video "reopening" our gift. The first video got accidentally taped over, OOPS! But, we loved that they reinacted the opening for us. Here it is.

What on earth is an EtsyRain you may ask. EtsyRain is the Seattle Metropolitain Street Team for Etsy.com. Our team was founded a year ago by Carrie of Glitzconcepts (Finny's Funny Fleece) in August of 2007. In celebration of the event many of our memebers pitched in to send the gang at Etsy.com a little birthday present. The team has been a great support to me an all its members and we couldn't wait to give back.

Marlo of I Make Cute Stuff has taken over the helm and is steering EtsyRain into a really exciting second year! With plans for group booths at various local events, promotions, and a new website in the making we have a lot to look forward to.

The artists and artisans of EtsyRain are as diverse as the faces of Seattle's residents. Amongst our members you will find everything from handmade knits and organic soaps to beautiful one of a kind jewelry pieces and fantastic photography. Our shows will surprise you, and I dare you to walk away empty handed! Just take a look at a few of our member shops or our blog and see for yourself. If you are in the Seattle/Tacoma area keep a look out for that crazy word "EtsyRain" we might just be coming to a show near you!

(Images shown are the donations for the EtsyRain birthday present to the team at Etsy.com)

Happy Solstice

Seattle is a city of beautiful diversity. I sometimes think that the folks who were born and raised here, although I it never seems like anyone is actually "from" here, take this city and all it has to offer for granted. From the lively atmosphere at Pike Place to the unique shops of Ballard and Fremont there is always something new to experience. Then there are the mountain trails, the lake side parks, and ferry trips to the surrounding islands - oh, I could go on forever!

Well, I had the opportunity a couple weekends ago to experience one of those special "Seattle" events. I attended the Solstice Parade in Fremont and it will definitely be an occasion I will be adding to my calendar for years to come. If you'd like to learn a little more about this Seattle tradition head to the Fremont Arts Council website and if you would like to see my pics you can check them out here. The best part about the Parade was the way everyone, participants and onlookers alike, joined in and celebrated! Everyone seemed to embrace the opportunity to rejoice. Some took part in the tradition of celebrating the human form, in all its naked glory. But others pushed the envelope politically with controversial statements on American life. I was just happy to be part of it all, even if only as a spectator. Who knows maybe next year I'll be pushing a float myself, and yes I said pushing, there are no motorized vehicles allowed at this show!

Cooking Journal - Entry 3

Ok, so I have another kitchen creation that I'd like to share. I get on a kick from time to time where I just love to spend time in the kitchen. There is something so cathartic about slicing, chopping, and stirring. Except the fact that I have been in the kitchen so much lately making pounds and pounds of playdough it took me a little while to get my kitchen back in food cooking mode.

I do love the feel of accomplishment when something I concoct something new and tasty out of a list of ingredients. I don't particularly like recipes and measurements. When I cook it is usually with what I like to call the throw and taste method. I throw in what I think sounds good and then I taste and see what I might need next.

I was on my way home from work yesterday and two things popped into my head. First, summer vegetables. Second, my friend the "vegan" who doesn't like to cook (just kiddin' Kel). I was on the hunt for corn on the cob, one of my absolute favorite parts about summer. So I headed to the great little market where I knew I would find all the best fresh fruits and veg - Top of The Hill Quality Produce. And, boy was I right! Corn, zucchini, green beans, and I can't forget the yellow raspberries - another one of my favs! I picked up a bag and a half of the freshest produce with one thing in mind - Stoup!

Yes, you heard me right, Stoup. Now I am not a huge fan of Rachel Ray, but her introduction of this word into my cook vocab was welcomed with open arms. I like soups in general, but for some reason my tummy is not as fond of all that warm liquid. Stews - now that is a different animal entirely. The big chunks of vegetables or protein surrounded by a warm gravy of sorts, that is what I am talking about! A stoup is a beautiful product of combining these two concepts. Last night I put together a Summer Veggie Stoup worth sharing by recipe as well as by bowl.
I hope you enjoy it as much as I just did!

Summer Veggie Stoup
In a large soup pot combine the following in the order listed adding each as they are cut. Simmer with the lid on for one hour. All veg should be cut in large chunks.

1 - 16oz Can of Diced Tomatoes
4 - Small Red Skin Potatoes - Skin on!
1 - Sweet Onion
2 - Cloves of Garlic, Smashed and Peeled (I also added 5 cloves of roasted garlic too!)
2 - Stalks of Celery
1 - Carrot
1/4 - Head of Cabbage
1 - Cup Corn from the Cob and the Husk Milked
2 - Cups of Fresh Green Beans
4 - Cups of Vegetable Broth
2 - Tsp Kosher Salt
1 - Tsp Fresh Ground Pepper
2 - Tbsp Parsley
1/2 - Tbsp Thyme

After an hour to an hour twenty add a box of small pasta shells or the like. Return the lid and turn off the burner. The pasta will cook with the residual heat. That's it!

Wow, have I been bad at keeping up with this lately! I even missed plugging a show I did this past weekend. Doh! Anyway, I will plug the next one...June 28th will be the next show I am taking part in. It will feature 25 or so other wonderful EtsyRain.com artisans and a fundraising B-B-Q benefiting the Ballard NW Senior Center. The Ballard NW Senior Center, a great venue, is hosting this event and has been gracious enough to let us crazy crafters peddle our wares and such. The show and B-B-Q will be held from 10 am to 4 pm at the Center located at 5429 32nd Ave NW in Ballard. Feel free to check out all the info at EtsyRain.com and don't forget to stop by for a little crafty-Q! I dare ya.

The first annual Puget Sound Indie Arts Spring Arts & Crafts Show will be held this Saturday, May 10th at Artworks in Edmonds, WA.

The show will feature 25 local artisans and their handmade wares. As a bonus the first 50 patrons through the doors will receive a hand sewn swag bag full of crafty samples from participants. Doors open at 9:30am and the show will run until 4:30. Please join us for uniquely handcrafted items like jewelry, pottery, reusable grocery bags, candles, and much much more! Oh yeah, I will be there too - jewelry, magnets and play dough in hand.