Handmade for the Holidays: Threadbanger

Threadbanger has a couple of great tutorials right now. Check out the How-To Make a Feather Head Piece and Jennifer Perkin's Resin Bracelet How-to ...

Steam Trunk Craft Show

This past weekend, Lauren, Tamie, and I drove to Santa Rosa to vend in the Steam Trunk Craft Show, which was part of the Handcar Regatta. The event...

Pimp Stitch: Missy's Release Week

I'm a little late on this, but better late than never, right?It's Missy's release week over at Pimp Stitch and she's got a super-adorable Mr. and M...

Handcar Regatta & Steam Trunk Craft Show

Where will I be this weekend?(Post swiped from CRAFT)The Handcar Regattaat the Railroad Square in Santa Rosa, CA is happening this Sunday, Septembe...

WIP

I was taking some photos of my WIP (Work In Progress) projects and I got to thinking about how my whole life is in WIP mode right now. For instance...

Miss Vicky on Vintage Indie

I met Miss Vicky through IndieSacramento last year and have kept in touch. A few months ago, I headed to her store (Funny Pharm) in Colfax with a c...

Thanks for the love!

First, I should say that there's lots of cool stuff going on over at the Pimp Stitch blog, including a super-cute release by Lauren. So be sure to ...

Park Your Art, Mister

Last Saturday was "Second Saturday," which means lots of people were out looking at art in Sacramento, especially in midtown. Second Saturday has r...

A case of the Mondays

Just a little taste of how I'm feeling today.I still need to upload my photos from the show on Saturday so hopefully I'll get around to doing that ...

Handmade for the Holidays: Patchwork Eye Pillow

Have you noticed all of the great tutorials over at Lauren's place? This week she's got a tutorial for a fabric eye pillow that would make an amazi...

Handmade for the Holidays: Laptop Sleeves and Handmade Notebooks

Do you have a computer geek on your gift list? The Art of Darkness has a terrific tutorial for making your own monster laptop sleeve. Did you know...

Pimp Stitch Guest Artist: Krissi Sandvik

It's the 2nd Tuesday of the month and that means we have a new guest artist featured on the Pimp Stitch blog. This month's artist is Krissi Sandvik...

Handmade for the Holidays: Embroidered Button Tutorial

Check out the Pimp Stitch blog for a tutorial (by me) on how to create your own fabric and/or embroidered buttons. To turn these your finished butt...

Dia de los Muertos :: Yummy Sugar Skulls

Halloween and Día de los Muertos are right around the corner so I'm going to have to interrupt the regularly scheduled holiday posts for a little s...

Handmade for the Holidays: Mixed-media Decoupage Candle

I promised you a tutorial this week and here it is - not a moment too soon! I am showing you how to make a mixed-media decoupage candle. You can do...

400th Post Giveaway + Pattern Release Week

Thank you for all the sweet comments! I know I forgot specify how long the comment period was open or when I'd be doing the drawing to celebrate my...

Handmade for the Holidays: Fabric & Button Barrettes and Block Printing

It has occurred to me that if I want to keep my Handmade for the Holidays posts going up 'til the holidays, I might run out of tutorial ideas. One ...

The Working Girl's Guide to Handmade Jewelry

The Naughty Secretary Club: The Working Girl's Guide to Handmade Jewelry by Jennifer Perkins My review rating: 5 of 5 starsI love Jennifer Perki...

Chritmas in August, New Events this Fall, and a Giveaway

Brace yourself, I have a lot to tell you about today. You might want to go grab a cup of hot coffee or tea before you settle into your chair. Don'...

Handmade for the Holidays: Marble Magnet Tutorial

Okay, before you start heckling, telling me that you've been making marble magnets since you were the age of 3, hear me out. First, I am always ama...

Spreadin' the Sparkle in Sacramento

Tonight Kathy Cano Murillo (a.k.a. the Crafty Chica) stopped in Sacramento to promote her new line of Duncan craft supplies. The supplies dwindled ...

Handmade for the Holidays: Easy Button Ring Tutorial

If you are planning to make all of your holiday gifts this year, then now's the time to start! This way, while everyone else is rushing around tryi...

You Bazaar!

The news just in...I have added a brand-spanking-new event to my schedule that I am super-excited about - You Bazaar! You Bazaar! will be on Novemb...

Spread the Sparkle Product Reviews

I've been thinking lately that I might start doing some product reviews on my blog, since I do love me some craft products, it seems like the logic...

Pimp Stitch Interview & FREE Pattern by Kristen Rask

Pimp Stitch will be featuring one guest artist every month, and this month is the incredible Kristen Rask of Plush You! and Schmancy Toys. She gran...

Spool Jewelry

Inspired by Missy's spool dolls, I decided to do a little vintage spool crafting myself. I also picked up some terrific supplies this weekend, incl...

There's something spooky going on around here...

Okay, so it's a few months early, but it takes time to stitch so we're giving you a little advanced notice. Are you ready to get your spook on? Don...

Upcoming Book Signing: Tiny Yarn Animals by Tamie Snow

Have Tamie Snow of Roxycraft sign your copy of Tiny Yarn Animals!Borders Bookstore2339 Fair Oaks Blvd.Sacramento, CA 95825916.564.0168This Thursday...

Some links to check out...

I'm running a little bit behind on this but I wanted to tell you about the spool doll tutorial over on Lauren's blog. Missy was nice enough to play...

Vacation Homes at Lawson's Landing

This past weekend, I had the pleasure of visiting my aunt, uncle, and cousins who were renting a house at Dillon Beach. Unfortunately, it was cold ...

Pimping the Pimp Stitchers...

I hope you don't mind, I just returned from a 3-day mini-vacation and I'm still catching up, so I hijacked this post from the Pimp Stitch blog. Sta...

Peptogirl on Funky Finds

Free press rocks! But free press rocks even more when it happens on a blog you love! I just recently stumbled upon the Funky Finds blog and I've be...

Let them eat cake

The buttons pictured above were designed by Kate Dana; crafter, scooter enthusiastic, and graphic designer extroidinaire (wow, that was a mouth ful...

Pimp Stitch Designer Favorites Kit!

Drum roll please! We have just released some Pimp Stitch Kits in our brand-spanking-new Etsy shop! They are super-cute and quantities are limited s...

Pattern Release Day at PS!

Yes, it's that time again...we're all releasing new patterns this week over at Pimp Stitch.My first pattern is called Birds of a Feather and I was ...

Peptogirl on Craft Gossip

Just a quick reminder to check out my interview on Craft Gossip. As I've already mentioned, I am so honored to be interviewed by my idol! I've alwa...

Who's Visiting My Site? (or Web Stats Explained)

First of all, to get web stats, you need some kind of stat counter. If you have a real website, you should be able to view stats by logging into yo...

Craft Show Readiness, Craft Gossip, & Quiting Your Day Job

Barbe Saint John has got a terrific blog post with Tips for doing a large Arts & Crafts Show. I've read me an article or two with some good tips an...

Back and better than ever!

Just a quick announcement to let you know that plans for the next IndieSacramento are in the works! IndieSacramento is Sacramento's largest indie/ ...

Renegade Bummer & Japantown Cuteness

Update! The mother/daughter team are Kasey and her daughter Devyn. Kasey's Etsy is KhaosCat.etsy.com (if you hurry, I see there's another mixed med...

Spread the Sparkle Tour

I wanted to give you all an update on the Crafty Chica's Spread the Sparkle Tour. Now, you all know, Kathy Cano-Murillo (a.k.a. the Crafty Chica) h...

Handmade Nation Update & Art Auction & Renegade Appearance!

Here's a quick update from Faythe Levine of Handmade Nation:Q: When will the movie be done & when can I see it?A: We are on schedule and plan to su...

Happy 4th!

Wishing you a happy and healthy holiday weekend! Hope there's plenty of cake!

4 New Pattern Releases on PS Today!

Due to the 4th of July holiday, we have both Missy and Tamie releasing today! And they are both releasing two patterns each so it's a quadrupedal r...

Renegade SF is less than 2 week away!

Yikes! I've been busy, busy making new stuff for Renegade. Please stop by to say Hello! I'll be sharing a booth with the lovely and talented Katie ...

Another Pimp Stitch Release Today!

We have a brand new pattern release today, this time by the lovely Lauren!Lauren's brand new patterns include the Our Town Collection, complete wit...

Independence Cake

Yikes - I almost forgot to post the recipe for my special 4th of July cake! No worries, there's still time. I post this recipe every year but it's ...

It's my day and I can brag if I want to!

I just released two new patterns on Pimp Stitch today ...errr...yesterday...but officially today!I think you'll like my two new pattern collections...

Craftaluma - this Sunday!

Now that it's here, I am disappointed I didn't apply for the Craftaluma show. I really wanted to do it but it's such a crazy month with birthdays a...

The big day is here!

Pimp Stitch is finally open for business!Each of us has released 2 pattern sets for the Grand Opening:From Tamie Snow we have Float On and Grandmot...

Another Social Networking Addiction

As if there weren't enough social networking sites to get addicted to, I've found one more! It's called Polyvore and it's kind of the grown up vers...

Celebrate good times, come on!

Can you hear the party music? Yep, it's Kool and the Gang telling you to "we're gonna celebrate and have a good time." So Come on!Okay, that was co...

Pssst...have you heard about Craft Gossip yet?

I've recently started enjoying a blog network called Craft Gossip.CraftGossip is all the latest news from real craft people telling you about the r...

Amuse it - or lose it!

So, you've probably heard me mention once or twice that Amuse is my all-time favorite rubber stamp company, right? Well, it just so happens that Am...

Get Your Party On

Embroidery party, that is! My FREE pattern is being featured over at Pimp Stitch today. I decided to stick with the party theme since we are celebr...

A Rant/Thrifty Finds?

Don't you just hate it when bloggers post photos of their thrift store finds? The pictures sit on the page, mocking you, from some mystery town whe...

Be still my heart

I wasn't planning on blogging today but then something on Craft caught my eye and I cannot resist. It's icecream. It's cupcakes. It's icecream cupc...

Etsy Update!

It's about time, right? I'm making some changes to my website, so in the meantime I'm adding new jewelry to my Etsy shop.And don't forget, I have a...

It's that time again!

Yes, you're right, it's time for your weekly Pimp Stitch update! This week, we have a free pattern available for download, courtesy of Missy Ballan...

N.E.E.T. - June 2008 Issue is now available!

The June 2008 issue of NEET Magazine is now available! For those of you who don't know, NEET is a virtual magazine that you can read for free on yo...

Cupcake Topper Tutorial

If you know me, then you know that I like cupcakes. Okay, that is an understatement. I LOVE me some cupcakes. But I noticed that local stores are s...

SPAM? For me? Why thank you!

I have my blog comments set up to email me for approval so that I can regulate real comments from SPAM. Oh, I know, you SPAMers aren't really readi...

Want to keep your stitch hand strong, but you don't know how to embroider?

No worries! Needlenthread.com has some terrific video tutorials that will have you stitching like a pro in no time. After watching several embroide...

It's just one of those days...

Now we're in business!

Pimp Stitch business cards came last night! The magnet was made by Missy.

Weekly Pimp Stitch Update!

(drawing by Missy Ballance)Exciting news, there is a new designer on the Pimp Stitch blog today, and chances are, you already know her. It's duh......

Weekly Pimp Stitch Update

Well I'm a day late (and a dollar short for that matter because I spent my wad at Paper Garden yesterday - thanks A LOT Missy) but better late than...

Safe Sparkle Campaign Update

Have you heard about the Safe Sparkle Campaign yet? Ellen DeGeneres has made some very hurtful comments about glitter recently, so Kathy Cano-Muril...

Who doesn't love free patterns?

Who doesn't love Amy Butler, for that matter?Well, if you love both (like I do) then you can download some free patterns from Amy Butler's web site...

Handmade Parade has a brand-new site!

Yep, you heard it right, Handmade Parade has a brand spankin' new site, at www.handmade-parade.com.If you remember some of my previous posts over t...

Reader of the Week

So, it turns out that I'm not the only one around here that is "a little bit famous." My pal Krissi has been featured as Venus Magazine's Reader of...

Pimpin' my Stitches

Remember a few days back, when I announced the exciting news about my involvement with Pimp Stitch??? Well, today I'm super-excited because my bio ...

Renegade - Coming to a city near YOU!

Big news! Renegade is coming to San Francisco for the very first time and guess who will be there...YOURS TRULY. I'll be sharing a booth with Kayte...

Books that THIS working girl can't wait to get her hands on...

UPDATE! Jennifer gives us a sneak peak at one of the projects that will be included in her new book. Check out this video for how to make a Naughty...

Maker Faire / Bazaar Bizarre - Part 2

Okay, so I know I promised I'd tell you all about Maker Faire so here it goes! Sophia and I left EARLY Saturday morning, headed over to pick up Lau...

Keepin' your stitch hand strong

Drum roll please...I am proud to announce a brand-new project, something totally different from anything I or Peptogirl (my alter ego) has done bef...

Maker Faire was awesome!

And I'll tell you all about it soon...for now, I'll tease you with some photos!Check out the rest of my photos on my Flickr.

Peptogirl Industries on CRAFT blog!

Peptogirl Industries on CRAFT blog Originally uploaded by Peptogirl Industries Don't you just love it when that happens? It was only a smal...

Maker Faire CRAFT Schedule

Repost from CRAFT blog:Hi Crafters! The Maker Faire Bay Area Schedule has been posted and I've listed here all the scheduled events that relate to ...

zzzzz....Bazaar Bizarre & Maker Faire...

I'd like to apologize in advance for being a bad blogger this week! As most of you probably know, allergy season is in full swing (really there is ...

Crafty Business Resources

I had started adding all these links to the right-hand side of my site but I thought the template was getting a little link-heavy so I am organizin...

Oh yeah, Earth Day Weekend

Wow, this weekend was so incredibly busy that I almost forgot to tell you about it! Down to Earth was AMAZING. I really hope that Katie and Erika A...

Want to craft with me?

I know you do! But I am normally a lone crafter so if you want to watch Peptogirl as she works her magic, you had better be at Sacramento's Night o...

Happy Administrative Professionals Week!

Head on over to the Naughty Secretary Club and type the word "secretary" into the voucher field when you check out to receive 25% off your entire o...

Bead Simple is now available!

Bead Simple is out today! Originally uploaded by susanstars I forgot to tell you that Susan Beal's jewelry-making book Bead Simple is now a...

McMartin Reality Show Photos

On Saturday, I did the Park Your Art event in Midtown at McMartin Reality. I made some sales and had a blast! I shared a space with Lauren of Goody...

Friends of Peptogirl

Peptogirl is busy sleeping at the moment, but she would like to update you on the big news of some of her friends...Missy will be teaching some cla...

Craft Con Update

Update: for more information on the conference check out the Craft Con article on Etsy.************************************************************...

Handmade with Attitude Update

This is an update to my Handmade with Attitude post.Update: So after taking a closer look, we really did make the cover of the Sac Bee! There is a ...

Up and Coming...

There are TWO hot spots to visit this coming Second Saturday:I'll be vending here!Saturday, April 12th, 6-9pmPark Your ArtMcMartin Realty - 21st &a...

Handmade with an Attitude

The Sacramento Craft Mafia makes the cover (of the Scene section) of the Sacramento Bee! Read it here.Left to right: Melody Claussen-Furry, Katie R...

Be back soon...

Just reminding you all that I'll be out of the office the next few days as I'm hoping a train over to San Fran for Craft Con! I will still be check...

Peptogirl - 1, Poterybarn - 0

Remember this?I've wanted it SO bad ever since I laid eyes on it but at $179 there's no way I could justify it...Well, look what I made for just ab...

Things I've been meaning to blog about...

So many talented crafters, and so little time! I owe these ladies some bloggy love!Lauren of Speckled Hen has been posting a tutorial a week and ev...

We are no longer slaves to sub-standard glitter...

So, a couple of my crafty homegirls (Krissi and Yoli) recently returned from the Crafty Chica cruise, which I am totally jealous of. I know, I know...

I made someone's day!

Missy gave me the "You Make My Day" award which is totally sweet because she always makes my day! The rules for the "You Make My Day" award are to ...

Business Etiquette (Save the drama for your mamma)

Okay, I'm back on the business band wagon and I have another topic of discussion that I think is very important - but it's a topic that a lot of ot...

How YouTube can make you (sort-of) famous

OK, so it's been a little while since I blogged on the topic of running a crafty biz. Sorry about that! I promised ages ago that they next topic of...

Now accepting vendors!

Contact Katie Reeves or Erika Ashley Garcia for details and application!

Pimp my bunny

That Bitter Betty, she never ceases to amaze me. Have you seen her Pimp my bunny tutorial yet? OMG, you have to. I didn't know chocolate bunnies co...

Everything you need to know before you do your first (or second or third) craft show

I just came across an incredibly helpful article on craft shows by Sarah of the Small Object. I would say that her goals for inventory and sales ar...

Big changes ahead for the Sacramento Craft Mafia

It's been a little over a year since the Sacramento Craft Mafia held it's very first meeting and now it's time to bring in the new officers (or the...

Craft Con 2008

I am super-duper excited because I just found out that this year's Craft Congress (now known as Craft Con) is being held in San Francisco! Straight...

Sacramento: Park Your Art at McMartin Reality this Saturday Night

This is where I'll be on Saturday night, along with Lauren of Speckled Hen and a few other mafia sisters. Please come check it out!Saturday, March ...

The Sacramento Craft Mafia Infiltrates Sacramento Parent Magazine

Congrats to Missy and Tammie who are representing the Sacramento Craft Mafia in this month's issue of Sacramento Parent Magazine! And a big thanks ...

Baby chick looking for a good home

Adopt us, won't you please???

Not that kinda girl...

I'm not really a scrapbooking kind of girl. Not that I don't like the idea of scrapbooks (I do) or that I think they're stupid (I don't), I'm just ...

This is one doodle that can't be undid, homeskillet

I watched Napoleon Dynamite when I got home from work last night. I was feeling tired and lazy and didn't want to do much of anything so I popped i...

The Circle of Crafts

I am continually impressed with the close knit relationships that I find in the crafting world. It's so fun how we're all sort of intertwined in so...

Girls Just Wanna Have Fun

On Friday night, I had a belated birthday celebration with long time friends, Christina and Gabe. First we went for pizza and then Christina and I ...

I just donated...did you?

I just donated $2 to an awesome cause, plus now I have a chance at winning some incredible prizes, including I Heart Felt book, Handmade Nation T-S...

Winner Winner Chicken Diner!

Ok, so I said I would draw do the drawing for the 300th post winner on SUNDAY but apparently I forgot that I wrote that (I do that a lot) and I did...

All Things Cupcake

I got a write-up on the ALL Things Cupcake blog (or rather, my cupcake flags did)! Due to the shortage of cute cupcake toppers available locally, I...

Sweet Sassafras!

Check out the "how to alter a wool sweater" tutorial on the Sweet Sassafras blog:www.sweetsassafras.org/2008/01/27/how-to-alter-a-wool-sweater/How ...

Hope your Valentine's Day was as sweet as mine was...

Vegan Carrot Cake with "Better than Cream Cheese" FrostingI was suprised at how yummy these taste - as good or better than the non-vegan version. Y...

I {heart} books and glossies

It's been awhile since I've done a book or magazine review so I have a couple of those, plus a small list of books on my Amazon waiting list (I got...

FREE Valentine Pattern at Roxy Craft!

Hey guys & gals, you should definitely chack out the new free pattern from Roxy Craft!"I <3 U" Crochet Heart Ornament PatternJust in time fo...