got craft :: swag!

Yes, swag bags are a dime a dozen, but not these bags. No, siree. As Kove Handmade mentioned, swag is a BIG deal at Got Craft. Like be at the venue at 6:00am before the tables and vendors arrive to set up kind of big deal. So, when the doors open 4 hours later and you are one of the lucky first 45 through the door, you understand why these are so coveted. I mean, just take a look at some of the goodies that are in each bag and, I use the word 'some' as swag items are still coming in! See here and here for past Got Craft swag bags.

Starting in December, we've bumped up the number of bags from 30 to 45. That's 15 additional bags! Thanks to efreeme.com for providing us with the reusable totes. For those that miss out on the swag bags, not to fret, we have 50 additional totes (sans swag) to give away at the door. Not an early bird? We have you covered as well. Five local blogs including Vancouver is Awesome, Got Craft (below), Vancity Buzz and Granville Online (<- enter here / contest ends Dec 1) are giving out free passes to Got Craft as well as swag bags, so keep your eyes open for the announcements!

Get a good nights sleep and a bag full of swag by leaving a comment below telling us which vendor you are most excited to check out at the show. One lucky winner will be chosen randomly. Contest ends Thursday, December 2nd at noon (PST). Winner will receive two free passes plus one Got Craft swag bag to be picked up at the event. Please leave your contact information in your comment.

make :: spicy beans canning tutorial

Looking for something to do this weekend? Check out Jackie's spicy beans canning tutorial over on the DIY Vancouver blog at granvilleonline.ca.

shop tour :: Room6 & RubyDog's Art House

photo credit: Room6

A while back, Robert and I made a 'Crafty Shop Stop' to Room6. Just past North Vancouver, tucked into a quaint little place called Deep Cove, Room6 is about connecting just the right "special thing" with just the right "nice person". Started in 1997 and opened in Deep Cove in 2005, Room6 is never the same shop twice! Head over to Granville Online to read all about some of owner Megan's favourite things in the shop and what this little gem is all about.

... and while you are there... make sure to check out another 'Crafty Shop Stop' featuring RubyDog's Art house....

photo credit: RubyDog's Art House

Located in the up and coming part of Fraser and Kingsway, RubyDog's Art House is filled with all kinds of art materials for whatever crafty project that you can think of. You can find all kinds of stuff in here including vintage ephemera, antique papers, collage materials, rubber stamps and shelves full of inspiring books and magazines. This place is a treasure trove of art materials and a must stop for local crafters.

If you are lucky, you can even catch Ruby dog herself!

shop tour :: Plum Project Studio

* ding * * ding * Making a Crafty Shop Stop over at Plum Project Studio in North Vancouver, a fibre arts shop and stitch lounge featuring materials, contemporary patterns, classes and workshops for all skill levels.
 
We asked teacher and owner Janice Agar three questions to tell us a little about what Plum Project Studio is all about.
 
Read more over at Granville Online.

tutorial :: DIY lip balm

I am a lip balm fanatic. So after a little research and an ingredient tracking mission, I started making my own. Two simple steps and you have lip balm to last you for at least a year! Check out the full tutorial over at Granville Online here.

contest :: Yarn Bombing

Hey! Have you made your way over to Granville Online to enter the Yarn Bombing giveaway? That's right. You can enter to win a copy of your very own Yarn Bombing - The Art of Crochet and Knit Graffiti by Vancouver locals Leanne Prain and Mandy Moore. All you need to do is follow this link and post a comment about the DIY project you're currently working on (or want to start). A lucky winner will be chosen on March 31st, 2010.

Yay! Free stuff!

shop tour :: Collage Collage

photo credit: Emily Haggar

First stop on the 'Crafty Shop Stop' over at Granville Magazine is Collage Collage. Check it out here!