bubbledog blog

have a retro 80's christmas - part 4

Whether you like it or not, the 80's inspired holiday gift ideas are still coming ;)  If I think back to being a kid in the early eighties, the thing I coveted most was an Atari 2600.  My brothers and I wanted it so badly that when my family finally got one, we didn't leave the TV for weeks.  These Atari related gifts are awesome... the Atari logo makes me so nostalgic every time I see it.  Check them out:

Atari Belt Buckle at 80stees.com
Atari Wristbands at 80stees.com
Atari Keychains at firebox.com (these are extra cool because they each contain some Atari games and you can plug them into your tv and play them)

I don't know what game is officially the most popular Atari title, but to me, Atari is synonymous with the game Space Invaders.  These little Space Invader-esque products are also really cool.

Ice Invaders at plasticland.com
Super Invasion Pendant at helplessromantic.bigcartel.com
Paper Invaders Gift Wrap at whimsypress.com

woodland critter belts

I started offering these belts in my etsy shop this past fall.  They've really been doing well for me over the last month, particularly these four designs.  I was really going through them at my last two craft shows... especially that blue chipmunk belt.  I'll be adding more belts to my etsy shop over the next few days.  This could be that holiday gift idea that you've been looking for ;)

Speaking of holiday gifts and my shop...

According to the United States Post Office holiday shipping calendar, to ensure receiving your packages by Christmas, they must be in the mail by December 21st for domestic mail and December 11th for international mail.  So, as of today, I am no longer able to guarantee holiday shipment for international packages.  For you domestic shoppers, you still have some time! 

have a retro 80's christmas - part 3

Still looking for a gift for that special someone who is stuck in the eighties?  Well, if my other suggestions haven't tickled your fancy yet, try one of these retro t-shirts from 80stees.com.   They have tons of designs to choose from, but their cartoon inspired shirts are definitely my favorite.  These pics are of my nine favorites. 

survived my holiday craft shows

I haven't blogged in a while, but it wasn't because I was being lazy or relaxing... no, I was getting ready for two craft shows over this past weekend.  The Indiemade Craft Market was Saturday and the Bust Holiday Craftacular was on Sunday.  It was a fun, but BUSY weekend! 

The Indiemade Craft Market was in Allentown, PA.  It is held in the Starlite Ballroom which is this retro banquet hall complete with working disco ball.  The vendors set-up on the dance floor and there is food, a bar, and live music all day.  This year had a good crowd at first, but then it slowed down to a crawl about halfway through the day when it started to snow.  Packing up and loading the car was fun in three inches of snow :)  Still though, I had a good time.  My friend Laura (dogboneart) was also a vendor at this event and the company is always good to have.  This was her last show... or at least that's what she says ;)  I had to take a picture of her set-up because it looked great!

The Bust Holiday Craftacular was held on Sunday in New York City.  It was a HUGE show with 200 hundred vendors.  I have never seen such an enormous indoor set-up and it was amazing to see.  There was a steady amount of customers and there was a line around the block almost the entire day waiting to get it in.  It was a long show, from 10:00 am to 7:30 pm, but the steady stream of customers helped make the time go by. 

 My only real surprise of the day was that the tables were not as deep as the tables that I am used to.  I had to do some last minute adjustments, but I was still pleased with my overall set-up.  Unfortunately, since the tables were packed in one right next to the other, the only way in and out of the vending space was to crawl underneath the table.  This made for some awkward moments.

Aside from the business and getting to meet customers and see their reactions to your work, the other great thing about doing these shows is getting to meet the other artists.  On Saturday, I got to spend some time swapping stories with Kim and Julia from Brubaker Design about our adventures in screen printing.  They make great printed kids clothes, totes, and holiday gift tags (I really like these JOY tags).  Stevie from Stevie Lynn Jewelry, who makes cute diecut acrylic jewelry, and I talked a lot about doing different shows.  She has a very busy show schedule with lots of travelling.  I really like her Apple A Day pin... go check it out!   On Sunday, there wasn't a lot of time for talking, but I did manage to get to meet Jemma from Jemmanimals who was directly behind me.  She makes three dimensional plushies, my favorite of which was her hot dog (unfortunately this is to a sold link, but I am sure she will have more listed at some point).   In addition to being talented, all these people were really nice and I really enjoyed getting to meet them!

 

free shipping on orders of $20 or more

Free domestic shipping on items in my etsy shop through midnight EST on Monday, November 30th on orders of $20 or more.  To receive the free shipping just enter "BLOGREADER" in the message to seller at checkout and wait for a revised invoice from me.  Unfortunately, Etsy doesn't process discounts, so I will have to do it manually.  Here are a few of my current items for sale :

Etsy Buy Handmade bubbledog

holiday giveaway winner

Congratulations to Eric C for winning my Christmas Card giveaway!  I used the free random number generator on random.org to select the winner.  Thanks to everyone that participated.

gingerbread men

I've been working on some new holiday items for upcoming craft shows.  These little gingerbread men are screenprinted on canvas, adhered to wool felt, and then hung with embroidery thread.  They are real thin (about 1/8" thick) and my idea is that they can be sent inside a Christmas card as a little surprise gift.

Speaking of cards, my Christmas Card Giveaway ends tomorrow at midnight.

happy thanksgiving

Smurfette helped me out by posing for this litte Thanksgiving picture in my front yard.  It may look more like something out of the movie The Village, but my intention was to use it to say, "Have a Smurfy Thanksgiving!"

have a retro 80's christmas - part 2

Here is my second round of 1980's inspired gift ideas.  I get very nostalgic with the imagery of old-school eighties video games.  Whenever I could save up enough of my allowance as a kid, I would beg my parents to let me spend it at an arcade.  I love the thought of those dark arcade rooms with all the noises from the games, the eighties music in the background, the neon light decor, and the waiting in line with your quarter sitting on the machine to reserve your turn to play.... ah, the memories. 

Anyway, these two items caught my eye as a good gift for that thirty-seomthing nostalgic someone in your life.  The Donkey Kong Jenga is interesting; I'm not really sure how it works, but I love the idea and design.  The Pac-Man and Ghost Sour Candy Tins are A-M-A-Z-I-N-G.  I don't only offer them as a gift idea, but they are on the top of my want list for the holidays ;)  I absolutely love the two ghosts.  My friend Amy sent me a pic of them over the summer and I have been meaning to blog about them ever since.  I want, I want, I want!  

 

bubbledog's holiday giveaway

This is my last blog giveaway of the year.  There will be one winner for this giveaway and the prize is one set of my 2009 Christmas Cards.  To learn more about these cards, check them out in my etsy shop.

The winner will receive six cards.  Each card is printed on heavy white cardstock, has a glossy finish, is blank on the inside, and comes with a coordinating white envelope.

• The winner of this giveaway will be chosen at random. 
• All entries must be made by midnight EST on Saturday, November 28th. 
• The winner will be announced Sunday, November 29th.
• No purchase is necessary to be entered into the drawing. 
• This giveaway is open to US residents only.  
• Void where prohibited.

You can have multiple entries for this giveaway:

1.  Receive one entry by leaving a comment on this post.  Just make sure you enter your email address correctly when leaving the comment (that's how I will notify you if you win).  If you read my blog in a reader or through email updates, you will have to go here to leave a comment.

2.  Receive one additional entry by becoming a fan of mine on Facebook between the date of this post and the end of the giveaway.  Go to bubbledog on Facebook.

3.  Receive FIVE additional entries by making any sized purchase from my etsy shop between now and the end of the giveaway.  Just mention "holiday giveaway" in the message to seller at checkout.

Good luck :)