Do I ever have a great treat for you today- the fantabulously talented, tireless cheerleader of all things crafty, Kristal of The RikRak Studio, is dropping by to share a guest post on her online event the Handmade Olympics! If you haven’t visited her blog and read her Etsy Storque articles then be sure to do so. I am convinced that Kristal is one of the sweetest and most supportive ladies around. Visiting her site is like getting a big hug from someone who thinks you are just the best thing ever! I am also constantly inspired by the creative ways Kristal supports her sponsors and approaches giveaways, contests, challenges and interviews, plus her great eye for finding the best handmade wonderfulness. The Handmade Olympics is an incredible example of the handmade community at work, sharing love and supporting each other. See my votes in all 8 Handmade Olympics events below, then read on to learn more about the Handmade Olympics and how you too can be cheerleaders & champions of crafty goodness:
thanks ever-so-much for having me chit-chat about the *handmade Olympics*, jessika.
it’s such pleasure being part of *oh my! handmade* for the day- such an inspiring & resourceful home for many things near and dear to my own heart: kids & mommying & hand making! yay to that!
oh what a wonderful handmade world we live in!
So here’s the tale: with celebrating *creating* at its artsy soul, last year around this time a little idea known as the *handmade Olympics* was crafted. born out of the excitement of the world coming together for those *other* Olympics here in lovely canada, i thought a few weeks of cyberly handmaking celebration would be great fun!
the basic pattern: just 3 easy steps – step 1: folks nominate their favourite hand makers, handmade items and crafty bloggers in 8 events. it’s a great way to pay homage to the works of others you love, to show the world what you’re making, and to discover amazing works from around the world! and just in case you needed another incentive … there are also over $2000 worth of handmade & vintage prize packs up for grabs!
now in it’s 2nd year, the 2011 handmade olympics shortlists (step 2) have just been announced {woohoo!} this year’s illustrious panel of judges { a.k.a. amazing superstar cheerleaders from around the world of design, handmaking & craft: jaime derringer, the editor of design milk; kristen chase & liz gumbinner of cool mom picks, artist & author betz white, ez of creature comforts; amanda oaks of kind over matter; alison feldmann – aka blogger teenangster & etsy admin fame; danielle maveal– creative superstar & etsy admin fame; and anna maria horner: artist & designer } have chosen their top-10ish lists from the 1000s of entries and wowsers, they’re amazing!
and now … it’s your turn again, nicies. step 3 – let the voting begin!
your chance to demonstrate your demoCRAFTic right and come VOTE for your faves!
check out all of amazing shortlists here.
and yay hand making!
So head on over to The RikRak Studio and cast your votes in all 8 fantastic events then be sure to come back here and tell us all about what you love!
vote in event #2
vote in event #3
vote in event #4
vote in event #5
vote in event #6
vote in event #7
vote in event #8
Learn more about Kristal by visiting her on Etsy and following her on Twitter @therikrakshop also check out her feature in Etsy’s Quit Your Day Job series!
