Folklife - my spot

Just got back from the big load-in over at Seattle Center and I'm thinking it's going to be pretty hard to find me if you don't know where to look.

So here's the scoop. We are over at the Center Square Stage area, between the Center House and EMP - the far other side of the Center House, headed towards EMP. There's a big stage there, and a bunch of outdoor craft vendor tents, which are part of our group. And the rest of our group is inside the 'Center Maintenance Building'. That's what they call it. It's a long, skinny metal building directly behind the Children's Garden set-up. It's got giant garage doors that will be open all weekend, so it will be visible and open. But we're still covered from the elements, which might come in handy.

If you're headed over there for the festival - stop by to say HI! BTW - I'll be out of the studio an awful lot the next few days, so if you're trying to get me, it may take an extra day or so. Have a great holiday people!

Thursday is garbage day at my house

which means nothing, except that I loathe to run around collecting trash and recycling and rushing it out to the curb in my pajamas on Thursday mornings. Especially when it's cold or raining. Which it wasn't today. But it certainly isn't summer either. It's another full week of cloudy, showery, chilly and waiting for the sun to show up.

Just a quick quote from a mini-guide to success that I read somewhere (and if I can find it again, I'll post the link):

"Don't make the dull thing that everyone will yawn and settle for. Make it sharp and glittering and irreplaceable."

I'm off to set up Folklife today. I can't quite tell from my map where I'll be but it looks a little hard to find. I'm inside, not outside on the walkways. So I don't have to worry about our cold, rainy forecast for the weekend. I'll post better directions here when I get back so that anybody looking for me at the show can find me.

New Banner ad on KOMO

So many big announcements this week!

I've signed on to be a community sponsor with KOMO News, which is just a fancy-pants name for paid advertising, but in a specific geographic area of the Seattle area.

If you live/work or access a computer in the Beacon Hill or Georgetown neighborhoods of Seattle, you will automatically see my little banner ad flashed across the front page of the KOMO news website. It's just above the "Top Video" bar and directly below the "Sports" section. If you click on the button, it takes you to my profile page in the Communities areas for both Beacon and Georgetown. It's like another whole web site there, with all my info, photos, my show schedule etc.

If you do not live in those areas, you can still see it by clicking the handy link I have pasted over there to the left - the image that says "proud supporter of KOMO communities" thingie. The other method (a lot more clicking) is go to the KOMO home page, click on "Communities" across the top menu bar, choose Beacon Hill (or Georgetown), and then click "Businesses" in that top menu bar. All the categories are listed in the left hand box. I'm of course under "Bath & Body Products." You can also see me if you click the "All Community Sponsors" button in the right hand box of a few select Community Sponsor ads.

Sort of roundabout to find me that way. But if you're in my neighborhood, you'll be seeing my nice banner every time you open the home page, which is really cool.

Yep, that's what it looks like, for those of you outside of my neighborhood. The profile page is there all the time for anybody, but the banner ad is specific to my own location. I'm giving it a try for a few months to see what happens. KOMO News has the largest news website west of the Mississippi, so it can't be a bad thing.

It's all about the marketing, people. Marketing, marketing, marketing. It can start to make you fruitloops if think about it all day. This has been a roller coaster week.

Folklife! I'm There!

Whoop, whoop! I'm going to be at Folklife this year!

A friend of mine, Chuck at Down to the Wire Designs, needed to share a booth space this year and invited me to help him out. I wasn't planning on it and it's not on my schedule anywhere. But I'm going to do it because it's too great an opportunity to pass up. It's a last minute add on.

We're part of the Indie Roots area at Center Square, organized by Urban Craft Uprising

"Voted Best Place for Urban Crafts in the Seattle Weekly’s 2010 “Best Of” Awards, this year we warmly welcome Urban Craft Uprising to the Northwest Folklife Festival, Memorial Day Weekend!

Making their debut at our new venue, Indie Roots at Center Square, we’ve partnered with UCU to bring you a unique and awesome array of crafts. The Urban Craft Marketplace in Center Square will be open the entire weekend from 11:00AM-8:00PM."

So it's Memorial Day weekend - Friday, May 27 through Monday May 30th. We're open from 11am-8pm each day. I've got just a half a booth, so I'm not going to have everything, just a selection. If you are hoping to pick up something specific, please call or email and I'll make sure to have it there for you.

For more info on the festival - Folklife

U District Street Fair 5/22

Hey, just a reminder, this weekend is the U District Street Fair. I know, it feels early. It's the first big street fair of the summer, and sort of the whole announcement that summer is here. But it feels like we've barely squeeked into spring around here, it's been so chilly.

This week is the first bit of sunshine and truly warm weather we've had. But of course it's not supposed last into the weekend. We'll be back to the clouds and rain showers for Saturday and Sunday. Hopefully it will be sporadic and mild and the crowds will get a chance to come out and parade up and down the Ave.

The details for the show:

University District Street Fair
University Avenue, Seattle
May 21 - 22, Sat 10-7, Sun 10-6
My booth location: #315, between 42nd & 43rd, west side of street

I'm in the same block as always, a little further north than last year, same side of the street. I'll have a few of the spring soaps left - there isn't much. And all the new summer stuff. Plus the rest of the kit & caboodle. Hope to see you there!

Summer Newsletter 2011

The summer newsletter went out in the post a week ago, and I guess I forgot to put this up on the blog too.

I'm posting the text here too, so those of you who are not on the mail list or email list can get the scoop also. Here it is, with one big giant LINKIE POO to the summer seasonal product page where everything mentioned in the letter is listed.

Dear Friends,

I remember back when we were school kids and we just couldn’t wait another minute for summer to arrive. Crossing off the days on the calendar with big black X marks, the anticipation for the first day of vacation was sweet agony.

Summer meant freedom and seemed to last forever. No matter how old we get or how far away from classrooms and long vacations, we never really forget that yearning feeling when the sun finally comes out. We just want to get out there.

Even if our “summer vacation” is just a few weekends from June to August, we want to pack in as much fun in the sun as we possibly can. And here in the Northwest we’ll wear shorts and sandals with goosebumps just to hang onto our favorite season a little bit longer.

I’m starting my list of summer activities so I don’t miss a thing – barbeques, outdoor concerts, picnic parties, beach afternoons, parades, and festivals. Oh yeah, summer’s going to be good.

SUMMER SEASONAL SOAPS

In a tribute to summer, I’ve created a couple of special soaps to celebrate the tastes of the season. These unique soaps are available only for the summer season and are made in limited production. ($4.25 ea or 4 for $16.00)

EUCALYPTUS: When it’s hot outside you want only one thing – to feel cool and fresh. A chilly shower with this bar is the ultimate in refreshing. Eucalyptus is grassy and green with a caress of icy cold fingers down your back. It’s a great morning zinger bar or a zesty after work-out soap too. (100% natural ingredients)

ORANGE GINGER MINT: This minty scrubby soap was introduced in the last newsletter for spring. It’s been a runaway hit and it seems to work perfectly for summer too, so we’re keeping it on the menu. Happy and energizing, it’s blend of sweet orange, a pinch of ginger, peppermint and spearmint, plus a sprinkle of poppy seeds for texture. A soft cantaloupe color, the poppy seeds help with gentle exfoliation or a wake-up massage in the shower. (100% natural ingredients)

OCEAN BREEZE – A soft blend of ocean and air, this scent is light as a breeze, fresh and clean. With a zen-like calm, its soothing marine fragrance and beautiful translucent sea glass color transports you directly to the spa.

COCONUT ALMOND – A delicious treat - it smells like dessert! Gorgeous coconut goodness paired with yummy nutty almond. It’s creamy and mild with no color added for a creamy white bar.

AROMATIC SPRAYS FOR SUMMER

Summer is the perfect season to indulge in one of the aromatic sprays. Keep one in the fridge for a little spritz of icy cool on your neck or décolletage. Spray a little bit of yummy on your summer sundresses, fresh sheets, steamy car seats or stinky dog. This superhero stuff goes anywhere and everywhere, making the world smell a little more pretty. (4 oz bottle, $6.00)

Two new scents to try, just for the summer season: COCONUT LEMON or EUCALYPTUS. Coconut lemon is tropical and bright – a bit of creamy coconut with a squeeze of tart lemon. Eucalyptus clears your head with a top note of camphor, but mellows into warm grasses and wood, for a clean, fresh fragrance.

I also have the ever-popular BUGGER OFF spray, an all-natural bug repellent that really works! Essential oils of cedar, bay, orange and eucalyptus mask your human scent and repel all kinds of irritating little critters – mosquitoes, fleas, and gnats. Safe for kids and pets, this spray works best when sprayed on clothing or bedding so the scent lingers longer. It’s clean, woodsy and pleasant to wear, with no strong citronella that keeps the people away too. Bugger Off Spray comes highly recommended and is amazingly effective. ($6.00 each)

SUMMER FAIRS AND FESTIVALS

The arrival of summer means another year of sidewalk fairs and festivals. I’ve got a full season planned and am looking forward to meeting and seeing you all. For more details on my summer schedule, including booth locations, check out the schedule section on the website, SoapworksStudio.com.

We’ve all waited through such a long, cold spring that this year’s summer is going to be the best ever!