Growing up, sometimes we forget to exercise our creative activities. For some, our creative drive dies right along with the hand-me-down car from Grandma senior year in high school. Sometimes our creative energy is put on the backburner as stresses and responsibilities of being an adult such as finding a job, keeping a job, paying bills, the mortgage and providing for our families take over… or our creative energy fades away completely. Here in Sacramento, we love each other. We support each other. Seriously, we do. Just stop for a moment and think back on how many creative projects, ideas and businesses that have thrived in the last decade or so. Regardless if the doors of any of these i

Everything was pink, sparkly, floral and cute at the Etsy Party & Craft Supply Swap on Friday in Fremont Park. The event was part of a “global craft party” orchestrated by the e-commerce site Etsy, and hosted by Amy Cluck of IndieSacramento. All handmade enthusiasts were invited to attend. Tables covered with vintage floral sheets and topped with handmade goodies were drenched in contrasting golden specks of light and early evening shade, adding even more charm to the already charmingly intimate gathering. There was a “MacBook photobooth” with handmade props to wear while taking silly photographs, plenty of free swag like Etsy buttons, heart stud earrings from Sweet-N-Salty (Amy Cluck’

Grab your wallet,  purse or piggy bank and get shopping for some great handmade gifts at the Midtown Bazaar, on I Street between 16th and 17th, Streets this Saturday, Dec. 11th, 2010 from 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.. Admission is free! "The Midtown Bazaar is a year-round marketplace that offers shoppers a perfect place to shop for items such as vintage clothes, handmade jewelry, candles, artwork, cards, home accessories, and home-baked goodies for your pets," Amy Johnson said. "They offer live music by local musicians, as well as wonderful food and drink from local eateries." It's a great place to find handmade treasures which make nice gifts. According to Johnson of Revitalized Vintage, t

The Sacramento Social Media Club (SMCSac) held another successful panel and networking event last week, this time focusing on “The Art of Social Media."  Four area artists--all working in different media--and an artist’s representative discussed their uses of social media platforms to further their art and their careers. Participating were Jen Stewart of Jen Stewart Photography; Eben Burgoon, co-creator of Eben07 webcomic; Marianne Bland, visual artist and manager of SactoMetro Etsy Street Team; Veronica Delgado, owner of Vera Icon PR; and Jeff Musser, visual artist and blogger. The evening began and ended with active networking sessions, fostered by a selection of artisan pizza (from Hot

Social media has opened a virtual toolbox of resources for artists of all media. Fine artists as well as craftspeople are using Facebook, Twitter, Etsy, and the like to connect with other artists, exchange feedback, share their work with a larger audience, and sell their art. The Sacramento Social Media Club (SMCSac) is helping local artists further that conversation at a free event on Tuesday, July 20, 6:30-8:30 pm, at the Urban Hive. Called “The Art of Socia Media: How Local Artists, Curators, & Collectors Get Creative with Social Media,” it will feature Eben Burgoon, co-creator of Ebon07 webcomic; Jen Stewart, of Jen Stuart Photography; Marianne Bland, visual artist and manager of Sact

Chances are you’ve heard of Etsy. It’s the world’s most expansive marketplace for handmade and vintage items. With neighborhood networks and a shop-local function, Etsy is revolutionizing the way people shop online. I spoke to artist and team leader of SactoMetro Etsy Street Team, Marianne Bland, about her team of local artists and craftsmen representing the Sacramento area on Etsy.com   Tell me about Sacramento’s Etsy Team SactoMetro Etsy Street Team has soap makers, painters, people making spiritual items, fine art…just a huge variety of items. We have people doing it to supplement jobs, full-timers, mothers at home school… It's an interesting group of people trying to help each other