Book & DVD Sale in Craft City at BAF

Flint Handmade (FH) and Genesee County Little Free Libraries (GCLFL) are hosting a Book & DVD Sale in Craft City at Buckham Alley Fest THIS Saturday from 6pm-midnight to benefit the Arts, Crafts and Creativity Little Free Library (LFL) in Downtown Flint and other LFLs in Genesee County!

FH/GCLFL Book & DVD Sale Prices

DVDs - $1

Hardcovers - 50 cents

Paperbacks - 25 cents

If you have books or DVDs you want to donate to the sale, just bring them to the FH/GCLFL table next to the Rutherford Parking Structure anytime during the FREE Buckham Alley Fest and stick around to enjoy the food, music and crafts!

P.S. If you can't make it to Craft City, but still want to support Little Free Libraries in Genesee County, please visit our Indiegogo Campaign.  There are some great perks for contributions of $10 to $500!

Now Accepting Kroger Rewards and VG's Receipts!

Flint Handmade is now accepting Kroger community rewards points and VG's reciepts to help us raise funds in support of our mission to nurture a local handmade economy and environment in Flint!

To assign your Kroger community rewards points to Flint Handmade, please visit www.krogercommunityrewards.com and follow the prompts.  Flint Handmade's organization number is 91183.

To donate VG's receipts, please visit the Mott Park Little Free Library or Delaware Ave Little Free Library.  Proceeds from VG's receipts will be split 50/50 between Flint Handmade and Genesee County Little Free Libraries.

We are also in the process of installing an Arts, Crafts and Creativity Little Free Library at The Lunch Studio in Downtown Flint and we hope you will support that effort, too.

THANK YOU!

Arts, Crafts and Creativity Little Free Library at The Lunch Studio!

Flint Handmade, in partnership with Genesee County Little Free Libraries, is bringing an Arts, Crafts and Creativity Little Free Library to The Lunch Studio in Downtown Flint!

We were personally contacted by Todd Bol, Co-Founder of the national Little Free Library organization, who pledged to donate a Paint-Your-Own library to us!

Now, we need to raise funds to personalize the library, print informational materials, order logo merchandise and bring more LFLs to the Flint area.

Please consider donating to this very worthy cause through our Downtown Flint Little Free Library Indiegogo Campaign!

P.S. There are some great perks for contributions of $10 to $500!  Check out the campaign page for more information!

Yarn Bomb: Knitting/Crocheting Happy Hour at El Potrero!

Help Flint Handmade prepare our "Yarn Bomb" Public Craft Project for Craft City at Buckham Alley Fest!

We are hosting a Knitting/Crocheting Happy Hour on Thursday, June 21, 2012 from 5:30pm-7:30pm at El Potrero in Downtown Flint!

We welcome knitters and crocheters of all skill levels. Just bring your needles/hooks and some stash yarn. We will also have extra yarn available.

Please feel free to bring any abandoned knit/crochet projects that you want to contribute to the Yarn Bomb, too!

RSVP on our event page on Facebook!

July crafLAB: Basic Beading!

Join us for a FREE Basic Beading Workshop at craftLAB on Sunday, July 1, 2012 from noon-3pm at The Lunch Studio! 

Learn basic beading techniques from craftLAB Coordinator Jenni Snyder!

Create your choice of bracelet, ring, earring set or charm pin.

All tools and materials will be provided, but feel free to bring your own supplies if you have something special you would like to use!

Flint Handmade hosts FREE craftLABs on the first Sunday of every month at The Lunch Studio in Downtown Flint!  Come explore and express your creativity!

Yarn Bomb: Knitting/Crocheting Happy Hour THIS Thursday!

Help Flint Handmade prepare our "Yarn Bomb" Public Craft Project for Craft City at Buckham Alley Fest! 

We are hosting a Knitting/Crocheting Happy Hour THIS Thursday, June 7, 2012 from 5:30pm-7:30pm at Blackstone's Pub & Grill in Downtown Flint!

We welcome knitters and crocheters of all skill levels. Just bring your needles/hooks and some stash yarn. We will also have extra yarn available.

Please feel free to bring any abandoned knit/crochet projects that you want to contribute to the Yarn Bomb, too!

RSVP on our event page on Facebook!

Quilling craftLAB Recap

We had a great time learning the coiled papercraft known as quilling during our May 2012 craftLAB!

Jenni (left) is our new craftLAB Coordinator!  She will be leading the majority of our craftLABs from now on! She is pictured here with her daughter Mallory.

Sarah is as colorful as the quilling paper!

Maureen (left) and Jeanette start quilling!

Jenni was so prepared with a demo board!

Lovely quilled tags to match a lovely smile!

Hayley's son really took to quilling!

Mallory (left) and her friends show off their handiwork.

Jeanette's quills!

Jenni and her awesome demo board!

Check our more photos from our Quilling craftLAB HERE!

P.S. Jenni is leading our Decoupage craftLAB this Sunday at The Lunch Studio.  Hope to see you there!

May 2012 Volunteer Work Party: Prepping for Craft City at Buckham Alley Fest!

Join us at Flint Crepe Company in Downtown Flint on Saturday, May 26, 2012 from 11am to 2pm for a Volunteer Work Party!


Maureen (l) and Sarah tied ribbons on cards

at our March 2012 Volunteer Work Party.


We need help preparing for our upcoming event Craft City at Buckham Alley Fest.

Volunteer tasks may include making guitar pick keychains, stuffing Flint Handmade cards in business card holders, etc.

New and returning volunteers are all welcome!

Flint Crepe Company will be open for business (their crepes are DELICIOUS!) and each volunteer will receive one free beverage courtesy of Flint Handmade.

We hope to see you there! :)

P.S. If you can, please RSVP on our Facebook Event Invite. Thank you!

June craftLAB: Decoupage!

Join us for a FREE Decoupage Workshop at craftLAB on Sunday, June 3, 2012 from noon-3pm at The Lunch Studio!

Learn the basics of decoupage from Flint Handmade Founding Member Jenni Snyder!

Bring your own item for decoupaging, such as a photo frame, trinket box, wood plaque, vase, etc. 

All other supplies will be provided, but feel free to bring your own paper (e.g. vintage magazines, sheet music, photos, etc.) if you have something you specifically want to use for decoupaging. 

Flint Handmade hosts FREE craftLABs on the first Sunday of every month at The Lunch Studio in Downtown Flint! Come explore and express your creativity!

IMAGE CREDIT: Mod Podge drawing by Yasmin Ladha!

"Yarn Bomb" Public Craft Project for Craft City at Buckham Alley Fest!

Flint Handmade is again taking over the sidewalk next to the Rutherford Parking Structure during Buckham Alley Fest on Saturday, July 14, 2012 in Downtown Flint for the Second Annual Flint Handmade Craft City! 

Craft City is a self-contained DIY community within Buckham Alley Fest to support the craft businesses our generous members.

We will feature jewelry, bath & body products, clothes, accessories, plush toys, papercrafts and much more, including a free gift for visiting the Flint Handmade table.

NEW FOR 2012: We are featuring a "Yarn Bomb" Public Craft Project in Craft City! 

In addition to bringing craft to the streets during Buckham Alley Fest, the "Yarn Bomb" Public Craft Project will include opportunities for learning how to crochet/knit for beginners as well as social crocheting/knitting for all skill levels in June and early July in Downtown Flint!

For information on participating in the "Yarn Bomb" Public Craft Project, email us at flinthandmade@hotmail.com.

For information on vending at or attending Craft City at Buckham Alley Fest, visit OUR BRAND NEW WEBSITE at flinthandmade.org.

Give Handmade for Mother's Day!

We have new Mother's Day cards in our shop at The Lunch Studio!

Our amazing graphic designer, Yasmin Ladha, has created these witty cards for her Circle Cat Studio line of handmade goods.

We also have soap, jewelry, crocheted hats and many more items made by local crafters in the shop that would make perfect Mother's Day gifts!

Mother's Day is Sunday, May 13, 2012.  Give handmade!

5th Annual Spring Craft Market THIS Saturday & Spring 2012 Members Only Raffle Winner!

REMINDER: Flint Handmade will host the 5th Annual Spring Craft Market THIS Saturday, May 5, 2012 from 10am-4pm at The Masonic Temple in Downtown Flint!

The Spring Craft Market will feature a large variety of unique, modern handmade items such as original illustrations, screen-printed shirts for adults and kids, reconstructed jewelry, knit and crocheted goods, hand-poured candles, natural bath and beauty products, plush toys and much more from 45 vendors!

The first 25 shoppers of the day will receive free goodie bags filled with vendor coupons, merchandise, and other treats.

The Temple Dining Room inside The Masonic Temple will be open for sit-down and take-out lunches from 11am-3pm.

Admission is free for all. Donations welcome.

The Masonic Temple is located at 755 S. Saginaw Street in Downtown Flint, MI 48502.

BECOME a MEMBER of FLINT HANDMADE

and JOIN US at the MEMBERS ONLY PREVIEW!

Friday, May 4, 2012 from 6pm-8pm

New Members Welcome!

CLICK HERE FOR MEMBERSHIP BROCHURE.

***

SPRING 2012 MEMBERS ONLY RAFFLE

Congratulations to Hayley Morris!

Hayley is the randomly selected winner of a $25 Gift Certificate to Angelic Soaps & Gifts in our Spring 2012 Members Only Raffle!

Hayley, stop by the Flint Handmade table inside the auditorium at the 5th Annual Spring Craft Market to claim your prize!

CALL FOR VENDORS: Flint Handmade Craft City at Buckham Alley Fest!

Flint Handmade is again taking over the sidewalk next to the Rutherford Parking Structure during Buckham Alley Fest on Saturday, July 14, 2012 in Downtown Flint for the Second Annual Flint Handmade Craft City!

Craft City is a self-contained DIY community within Buckham Alley Fest to support the craft businesses our generous members.

We will feature jewelry, bath & body products, clothes, accessories, plush toys, papercrafts and much more!

Many of the Flint Handmade Craft Markets are juried, but Craft City is a first come, first serve vending opportunity for all current and new members of Flint Handmade who wish to sell handmade goods.

Approximately 2/3 of Craft City vendor fees will go directly to Buckham Alley Fest to ensure the continued success of the overall event.  Last year, Flint Handmade donated $1,000 to Red Ink Flint, the sponsoring organization of Buckham Alley Fest!

This year, the remaining vendor fees and new Flint Handmade memberships will support our mission as a 501c3 nonprofit organization to promote creative expression and commerce in Downtown Flint!

To apply to Flint Handmade Craft City, please CLICK HERE.

For more information and photos from Craft City and Buckham Alley Fest 2011, please check out our Craft City Recap Blog Post and the Flint Journal Article about the event.

New Display Heads in the Flint Handmade Shop!

We are getting so excited for the 5th Annual Spring Craft Market NEXT Saturday, May 5th from 10am-4pm at The Masonic Temple in Downtown Flint!

But, if you just can't wait to get your fix of handmade goods by local crafters, then check out our Flint Handmade Shop at The Lunch Studio!

We have a large variety of handcrafted items ranging from record album cover notebooks to wonderfully aromatic soaps to notecards featuring original illustrations to felt jewelry and more!

We especially love the new display heads we got for the crocheted hats by Misty of CrazeCrafts!

Visit the shop Monday-Friday from 8am-4pm and on Saturday from 11am-3pm at The Lunch Studio and stay for the delicious soups and sandwiches while you are there!

P.S. We hope to see you at the Spring Craft Market, too!

Seeking Volunteers for Spring Craft Market!

Flint Handmade is looking for volunteers for our 5th Annual Spring Craft Market (Saturday, May 5) and/or Members Only Preview (Friday, May 4) at The Masonic Temple in Downtown Flint.

Volunteer shifts are 2 hours long. 9-11am, 11-1pm, 1-3pm or 3-5pm on Saturday. 4:30-6:30pm or 6:30-8:30pm on Friday.

Tasks may include staffing the welcome table, handing out programs, collecting donations, etc.

All volunteers will received a special thank you gift for their time.

Email us at flinthandmade@hotmail.com if you are interested in volunteering.

April craftLAB Recap: T-Shirt Reconstruction!

Posted by Crystal Pepperdine, Founder and Executive Director of Flint Handmade

We had a great time at Buckham Gallery reconstructing t-shirts with Christa Irons of Ms. Christa's Rockin' Accessories!

Christa wore her reconstructed Flint Handmade shirt to crafLAB. 

She showed Theresa (l) and Nicole how to transform their regular t-shirts into scoop neck shirts with cap sleeves.

Mary cut and pinned her shirt and started sewing right away.

Mary finished quickly and modeled her shirt by a piece of art at Buckham Gallery.

Christa assisted Monica with sewing her shirt.

Toe used Christa's serger to sew her scoop neck without pinning.

Toe was all smiles in her modified shirt!

Christa helped Nicole with pinning her shirt and sewing on Flint Handmades' new-to-us sewing machine.

Theresa (l) and her daughter, Nicole, showed off their cute new shirts.

Group photo!

Special thanks to Buckham Gallery for hosting craftLAB.

In May 2012, we will be back at the The Lunch Studio for craftLAB to learn the coiled papercraft known as quilling. 

We hope to see you there!

May craftLAB: Quilling!

Join us for a FREE Quilling Workshop at craftLAB on Sunday, May 6, 2012 from noon-3pm at The Lunch Studio!

Learn the basics of the coiled papercraft known as quilling from Flint Handmade Founding Member Jenni Snyder!

PHOTO CREDIT: http://cynchronicity.wordpress.com/2010/08/09/paper-quilling

VERY IMPORTANT: PLEASE BRING A QUILLING TOOL.

You can make one yourself with a wine cork and large hand needle or you can buy one from a craft supply store. 

We will have some corks and needles on hand for those who want to make their quilling tools at craftLAB, but it might take a while for the glue to dry and we want to make sure we have lots of time to quill!

All other supplies will be provided, but feel free to bring any of your own papercrafting or quilling supplies (including scissors, scrapbook paper, etc.) if you would like to use them!

Flint Handmade hosts FREE craftLABs on the first Sunday of every month at The Lunch Studio in Downtown Flint! Come explore and express your creativity!

St. Patrick's Day Volunteer Work Party Recap!

Posted by Crystal Pepperdine, Founder and Executive Director of Flint Handmade

Thank you so much to the Flint Handmade volunteers who attended our work party at The Lunch Studio on Saturday, March 17, 2012! 

The weather was beautiful and we got to see a lot of colorful St. Patrick's Day revelry on Saginaw Street.  :)

Maureen arrived first, so she got to choose her task...stamping the Knuckles logo on to our new small merchandise bags!

Sarah pitched in to work on birthday cards for our members.

Juanita (l) and Jodi took hundreds of our Knuckles tape measures out of their individual plastic bags.  The tape measures are on sale for only $2 in our Flint Handmade Shop inside The Lunch Studio!

Amber drove over an hour just to help us out!  She cut cards for our vendor table signs.

We wrapped up the day with Maureen and Sarah tying bows on the birthday cards.

Special thanks to Amy and Danielle who also volunteered but managed to escape getting their pictures taken! ;)

Everyone had a great time chatting with fellow crafters while helping out Flint Handmade with some fun projects.

We will host another Flint Handmade Volunteer Work Party at The Lunch Studio in Downtown Flint in couple months, so keep an eye on the blog for the announcement!  

2012 Cool City Art Auction Recap

Posted by Crystal Pepperdine, Founder and Executive Director of Flint Handmade

Thank you SO MUCH to everyone who attended, volunteered at or donated handmade items to the 9th Annual Financial Plus Cool City Art Auction!

Flint Handmade raised over $1,000 to support our efforts to encourage creative expression and commerce through handcrafting in Downtown Flint!

We packed the front of The Lunch Studio with dozens of handmade goods for the auction!

It was great to see so many people enjoying our auction.

Bidding started at half the retail value, so there were some great bargains to be had.

We also offered "Buy It Now!" pricing to purchase items at the full retail price before any bids were placed.  Just like on eBay!

One of our first "Buy It Now!" purchasers was this lovely gal who was excited to "eBay it" to buy her notebook!

Another great score at the auction!

As usual, we had fantastic catering from The Lunch Studio.  Everyone was raving about the cream cheese dip!

People loved the music provided by DJ Pale Ale as well, who returned for his second Cool City Art Auction with Flint Handmade.

Robert (l) and Karasten were two of our awesome volunteers who got to enjoy the auction after their volunteer shift ended.  Special thanks to our other volunteers: Heidi, Ali, Toe, Danielle, Rudy, Angela and Russ!

We also want to specifically thank Sara from Heaven Sent Crafts and Amber from Handleber, who donated Scrabble crafts for our theme table this year.  :)

Finally, very special thanks to our location sponsors:

The Lunch Studio

d'Vine Wines

Flint Downtown Small Business Association

Handleber

We hope to see you all again next year!

Interested in becoming a Flint Handmade location sponsor for the 2013 Cool City Art Auction?  

Click HERE for more information!

Care to read more about the 2012 Cool City Art Auction?

Visit The Flint Journal website from their article on the event.

Want to know more about past Cool City Art Auctions?

Check out our posts from 2011 and 2010!