Check it out, a recent post I made got picked up by Boing Boing, one of the most popular blogs around:

http://www.boingboing.net/2007/01/15/evening_gown_made_fr.html

The post is about a dress I made out of recycled FEMA blue tarp for entry into Etsy's Upcycling contest.

http://www.missmalaprop.com/missmalapropcom-charity-fundraiser-kickoff/


I came up with the idea for a special project I wanted to do awhile back, but I only recently found a great website that would help me bring my idea to reality. The website is Firstgiving and it allows anyone to easily set up a fundraising campaign for any U.S. based tax-exempt organization. (There's also a sister site for the UK called Justgiving.)

I just set up the first MissMalaprop.com Charity Fundraiser page. Every two months I'll set up a new page and pick a different charity to raise awareness and funds for. For the kickoff fundraiser, I chose Big Brothers-Big Sisters of Southeast Louisiana, as this is an organization I've recently started volunteering with and feel a strong personal connection to.

This first fundraiser will run through the end of February. Feel free to give as little or as much as you would like, and even if you can't afford to give, you can still help by spreading the word about the fundraiser and the organization.

Of course, probably the best thing you can do of all to help out is to volunteer your time. Just by spending two or three afternoons or evenings a month one-on-one with a child, you can really make a difference in their life. Not to mention that it's pretty fun to be able to act like a kid again! Check out the national Big Brothers-Big Sisters website to find the local agency in your area and to find out more about volunteering.


Donate here or help spread the word!
http://www.firstgiving.com/missmalapropJanFeb07

Here at the New Orleans Craft Mafia, we've decided to kick start holiday giving a little early this year with our Handmade Holiday Gift-Away! Just for signing up for our e-mail newsletter, you'll be automatically entered to win cool prizes created by NOCM members.

The Handmade Holiday Gift-away runs from November 1st through November 30th, and the winners of the three fabulous prize packages will be chosen on December 1st and announced throughout the month of December via the NOCM newsletter. A special ..Loyalty Prize.. will be awarded, as well, to one lucky recipient who signed up for our newsletter previous to the November 1, 2006 contest start date.

The Handmade Holiday Gift-away was conceived in appreciation of shoppers who patronize and otherwise support the indie craft artists, designers, and shop owners of the New Orleans Craft Mafia. It is also our hope to raise awareness for all our fellow artists/crafters in New Orleans and the rest of the Gulf Coast.

You can view the contents of the prize packages, read the contest rules, and enter to win here.



If you..d like to meet the members of the NOCM in person and see their crafty wares up close and personal, the group will also host a "Last Stop Shop" holiday market at The Big Top (1638 Clio Street) on Thursday, December 21 from 6-10pm. It will double as a re-Launch party, since the original Launch Party scheduled for September 2005 was curtailed by the hurricane. This is the official kick-off for monthly NOCM-sponsored craft markets, which will begin in January at The Big Top.

We are currently accepting applications for like-minded crafty guest vendors for our Holiday Market as well as the upcoming Monthly Markets. You can apply here to be a guest vendor. We are also always accepting applications for new members of the NOCM.

Co-op America just announced the top 10 finalists for their People's Choice Awards. These finalists for the Green Business of the Year award were the 10 businesses most nominated by everyday people.

This year's nominees include fair trade chocolate, coffee, and tea companies, environmentally minded newsletters, organic clothing designers, all natural body & skin care, as well as last year's winner: Ten Thousand Villages, a fair trade, nonprofit online retail store.

You can find out more about the finalists and vote for your favorite here. Voting ends October 24, and the winner will be announced on November 10 at the San Francisco Green Festival.

I just voted for my favorite daily newsletter that's packed with eco-friendly tips, Ideal Bite. Who will you vote for?

As if running an independent shopping blog and working 2 part-time jobs wasn't enough, I also create original and reconstructed clothing & accessories in my spare time (what's that?).

dismantled designs is my main website for the clothing & accessories that I make, but I also have a separate Myspace profile just for dismantled as well.



I am very proud to say I've finally gotten around to setting up my own Etsy shop (I've only been a member of Etsy since right after they first launched over a year ago).

You can find some of my creations available for purchase on Etsy:
dismantled.Etsy.com




I've also got a few other things up for sale in the New Orleans Craft Mafia online store.

Be sure to check it out and let me know what you think!


P.S.  I also do custom orders, so if you see something you like but it's not in your size, let me know.  I can create something similar especially for you!

I'm so excited! MissMalaprop.com just got a mention in the Bust magazine newsletter. Pretty cool for a blog that's only a little over two weeks old! You can check it out on our press page.