Spotlighting some vendors...

CHECK OUT SOME OF THE VENDORS...

www.etsy.com/shop/dearbeatrice

How long have you been doing this?

I have been making and selling handmade items for my shop since January 2009.

Where do you get your inspiration from?
I love vintage so most of my inspiration comes from that. I also love the Victorian era and you will see that influence in the jewelry pieces.

What is your favorite piece from your collection?
My favorite piece is the Dear Marie Antoinette Ring. I love it so much I also made one for myself. (pictured below)

How would you describe you and your company in a couple sentences?
My shop is for all of those who share my love for all things unique and crafty. It's sweet and whimsical just like me and reflects my own personal style. I make everything with my little two hands wit a lot of care.

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www.theposterlist.com

How long have you been doing this?
Been a graphic designer for 15 years. The Poster List has been running for the last 4 years, but really seriously the last 2 years.

Where do you get your inspiration from?
I get my inspiration from photography, street signs, textures, old buildings, pop culture, tv, pretty much all over the place.

What is your favorite piece from your collection?
That's a tough one, I love all the pieces. Probably the biggest resonating piece is the "Keep Calm and Rock On" poster I did in August 2008. (Pictured above the question and answer portion)

How would you describe you and your company in a couple sentences?
Pop art posters, postcards, iPhone covers, and soon t-shirts.

BELOW IS SOME OF THE POSTER LIST'S WORK

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Ever since her artsy parents and girl scouts introduced her to the world of
making things, she fell in love with being creative and getting inspired
on a daily basis to try new arts and crafts.

Check out her blog at www.cessielove.blogspot.com
or follow her on Twitter at twitter.com/arteatcraftoc

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www.theheadshop.etsy.com

Going Downtown Fullerton tote bag

Vincent van Gogh apron

Peace Pilgrim Tee

Oh Yoko/John Lennon Men's Tee

AND MUCH MORE TO OFFER...

Things you may not know about Downtown Santa Ana

Here is an article wrote by Vicky Baxter, Executive Director of Downtown Inc.

Inside Downtown

By Vicky Baxter

One of the critical aspects of any Executive Director is to promote their organization and be the “head cheerleader”. As I attend many meetings and serve on many committees, I enjoy singing the praises of downtown Santa Ana. I have a 30 second elevator speech all the way up to a power point presentation extolling the virtues of shopping, dining, playing, living and why entrepreneurs should check out downtown when looking for a business location. I will be happy to speak to your group just give me a call 714-547-6100.

One of the frequent questions that I am asked is; “Do you personally shop in the downtown?” Let me be very clear: I most certainly do! Not only personally but at Downtown Inc we always shop here first and if we cannot buy it, rent it, lease it, or borrow it, we are forced to look elsewhere. We support our downtown!

To that end, I tried to compose a listing of all the merchants I have shopped in the downtown. The number was well over 110. There are over 800 businesses in the downtown so I have a ways to go before I hit them all. Here are a few: At El Faison I found a complete compilation of the Beatles music that has taken me 20 years to find! At Kid Avenue flower girl accessories are half the price of David’s Bridal. The Fiesta Swap Shops have Sketcher shoes actually ½ the price of the mall. At Christmas, I wore my boots purchased from Anna at Fiesta Shoes up to Northern California for Christmas and ended up sending 3 pairs to my daughters. The grandkids all got their winter wardrobes at Fallas Paredes saving me so much money that I adopted a family in Santa Ana and got their kids outfits too. Teresa’s Jewelers protected my wedding ring by repairing my loose diamond and had a collector nutcracker lapel pen that I just had to have. Over at the Santora Building, I have practically gone bankrupt purchasing beautiful art pieces from The Green Door Art Gallery and pictures at Ellen-Ments of Photography. Martinez Bookstore sold me their last copy of “Orange County” by Gustavo Arellano. American Apparel is where I got my youngest daughter’s Christmas outfit. AT&T right under our office is where I purchased my new IPHONE and (husband) Norm his Blackberry. Food 4 Less and Northgate Markets happen to have the freshest and best prices on fruit and vegetables and long before rolled back prices they had the best bargains and still do. Every bouquet of balloons I buy, come from Mi Fiesta Party Supply. Brian’s carries men’s silk socks by Pierre Cardin that all of the ladies in the family steal from Norm. La Moda had a corduroy jacket that was under the Christmas tree for my son-in-law. Shawn at Telas Fabrics has several unusual baskets (similar to Longaberger), that are on my list for future purchases. He’s a little surprised that people actually collect baskets. The Ford has new brakes from Firestone Complete Auto Care and an oil change from Pep Boys. Rite Aid and CVS continue to gain our sundry supplies business with quick in and out service. Calacas and Cantera’s for that international flair we can’t find anywhere else in the world! Next stop Mega Furniture, Dearden’s and Casa Linda and Ray at R & R Sportswear has a pair of striking cowboy boots that would make Norm 2 inches taller! We could see “eye to eye”. J

In the service category, the best customer service in downtown Santa Ana has to be from the professional staff at Dr. Art Lomeli’s Dental Practice. My tooth broke and they worked around my schedule and stayed late to fix it. Thanks Doc!

The restaurants in downtown Santa Ana range from Orient Express on 4^th, Venezuelan flavor on 5^th at Mil Jugos, to best goat cheese & beet salad and Southern crab cakes at Memphis, thick cut Maui style onion rings and BBQ burger at Original Mike’s keep Norm happy while I prefer their “Soon to be Famous” clam chowder and Super Cheesy garlic bread. Lola Gaspar has this smoke chicken and brie pressed sandwich to die for. Gypsy Den has the best coconut cake and unique vegetarian goodies that lure us to a healthier lifestyle (we continue to resist). Head over to the Crosby and you will be treated to epicurean delights that defy logic such as fried cheese rolled into an appetizer (huh?). My favorite Mexican and Latin cuisine comes from all these places; Jugos Acapulco, Karmina Restaurant and Grill (tilapia fish with mango salsa) , Las Briscas 2 (Queso Fresco enchiladas), Taqueria Guadalajara (steak/chicken tacos), Chimichurri, Rancho de Mendoza for lunch buffet, Mariscos Tampico (fried fish) , El Carbonero for Salvadoran, Las Casuelas and the Fiesta Imperial Meat Market that offer tortas that require 10 napkins because of all the juicy stuff inside. We’ve eaten at all of these and still have more to chose from. To all our relatives in Tillsonburg, Ontario, Canada; “Eat your heart out”. They have no Mexican restaurants! Other restaurants that we find to our liking are: 828 Pho, Tommy Pastrami for a mile high sandwich worth sharing, Bistro 400 for Romance and Chicken Marsala. All time favorite fast food; Subway, Jack in the Box, Taco Bell and Burger King (friendly employees). We like the night life; we like to BOOGIE at Proof and haven’t been to Festival Hall yet. Coffee kudos to Starbucks for their skinny latte’s. Moya’s Bakery spoiled us and the Board of Directors, with Mexican breads that melt in your mouth. Along with the great dining and gastronomic experiences, we have the YOST Theatre providing top quality entertainers in the downtown. Among them, is Carter Dewberry who resides in our district and provides music of the Gods with her symphonic cello masterpieces. Watch for more excitement as the Yost remodels and expands their venue.

As you can imagine, I’m probably in “big trouble” because I just named a few of the many I shop. That’s the fun and excitement of downtown Santa Ana. Come shop, dine and play downtown and share your good deals, good meals, good times and unexpected finds. Send me a blog at downtown-santaana.com

For Your Sweet Tooth..

Oh For Sweets Sake Mobile Cupakery is joining us at the Block Party also!!!

Orange County's first mobile cupakery with a menu consisting of
cupcakes, bundt cakes and even whoppie pies!

Some of the ingredients include Couverture Chocolate,
Madagascar Bourbon, Mexican and Tahitian vanillas, sweet cream butter
and fresh fruit. Topped off with buttercream
and cream cheese frosting.
Not to mention everything is baked fresh daily!

Find out where the mobile cupakery is at
follow them on twitter at
@Ohforsweetssake

Or check out their website at
www.ohforsweetssake.com

Come out and enjoy some arts and crafts
and satisfy your sweet tooth
with some yummy and delicious treats.

Yummy In My Tummy!!!

The KOGI Truck is going to be at the Block Party!!!!

Kogi BBQ is a traveling LA landmark that serves Korean Mexican
tacos, spicy pork tacos, kimchi quesadillas and short rib sliders day and night.
They have four trucks - Azul, Verde, Naranja and Roja.
They are also at the Alibi Room in Culver City.

KOGI uses Twitter to tell all their many loyal followers
where the trucks will be and Chef Roy Choi's daily specials.
Follow them on Twitter at @Kogibbq.

Also check out their website that includes there menu,
pictures and their personal blog.
www.kogibbq.com

Kogi's menu consists of:
Short rib, spicy pork, chicken and tofu tacos and burritos.
Kogi favorites - kogi dogs, kimchi quesadilla, and kogi sliders.
Chef's specials - blackjack quesadilla, calamari tacos, and kogi desserts.

Make sure you come out and try
some of this amazing food that is a huge
buzz in LA and cities alike.

CALLING ALL BLOGGERS

The HandMade Brigade would like to give you a personal INVITATION
to come out and join us at the BLOCK PARTY

Upon arrival you will receive a special gift
along with an escort to show you around the event and fill you in on everything we
have to offer.

BLOGGERS : If you are interested in coming to our event please
RSVP with Jessica @
jesskabrittanymegan@yahoo.com

Hope to hear from you soon and see you at the BLOCK PARTY

SUPPORT THE CAUSE. BUY HANDMADE!!

Run Down of the Roster of Vendors

Come shop over 70 Indie craft Vendors selling handmade goods.
SUPPORT THE CAUSE. BUY HANDMADE!

Here is a roster and run down of all the vendors that will be at the block party:

1023 Vintage
Aileen Holmes www.aileenholmes.com
Au She Cosmentics www.au-she.com
Baby by Stevie BABYBYSTEVIE.COM
Bead Attic www.beadattic.etsy.com
Boo and Boo Factory www.etsy.com/shop/booandboofactory
Brandie Mata www.brandiemata.com
Cessie Love www.cessielove.etsy.com

Chantal deFelice www.chantaldefelice.com
Cy&Cy CYthinksyoureOK.etsy.com
DearBeatrice www.etsy.com/shop/dearbeatrice
Design with Heart
di Palermo Body www.dipalermobody.com
double-sided tape www.double-sidedtape.com
Engineered Knits www.engineeredknits.etsy.com
Fahmina fahmina.com
Fiber by Nic www.suzooswoolworks.com
Found & Made Designs www.foundandmade.com
Found Days www.FoundDays.etsy.com
Giddy Girlie www.giddygirlie.com
Girl Always Falling
J.Holden jholdendesigns.com
jam baby jambabys.com
Jenuine Articles www.jenuinearticles.com
Jeraluna Designs www.JeraLunaDesigns.etsy.com
Jewelera www.etsy.com/shop/jewelera
Julie Ann Art www.julieanna.etsy.com
Kait Emerson Designs www.kaitemerson.com
kangacoo www.kangacoo.com
Kelso Doesnt Dance www.KelsoDoesntDance.com
Kiss Every Comma www.kisseverycomma.etsy.com
Late to the Revolution www.etsy.com/shop/LatetotheRevolution
Le Modern Trinket www.lemoderntrinket.blogspot.com/
lerf ewe www.lerfewe.com
Loschy Designs www.melissaloschy.etsy.com
LOVE NAIL TREE www.lovenailtree.com
Maiden Voyage www.maidenvoyageclothing.com
Melia shopmnb.com
Merry Blues Art merrybluesart.etsy.com
Micaela Aldana Salatino www.aldanamica.etsy.com
minimalista clothing minimalista.etsy.com and mexiKITSCH.etsy.com
Molly Made www.MollyMade.net
Namaste Designs elsiee.etsy.com
Nena Soulfly nenasoulfly.etsy.com
Not Quite Vintage
Plush Parade trishans.etsy.com
PrettyParis prettyparis.etsy.com
Punk Masters www.punkmasters.com
random nicole www.randomnicole.com
Rebel Road Designs www.rebelroaddesigns.etsy.com
REDSTAR ink www.redstarink.com
Roscata www.etsy.com/shop/roscata
Rosie Girl Art www.rosiegirlart.etsy.com
Rubyblu Jewelry www.rubyblu.etsy.com
safiyabeauty safiyabeauty.com
Sail On Baby www.sailonbaby.etsy.com
Salvage Life www.salvagelife.com
Sawdust Bear Makes Things specimen7.etsy.com
Slowlane www.slowlane.com
Sol der Sur www.soldelsurshop.com
Spicy Toast spicytoast.etsy.com
Stuck On Vintage www.StuckOnVintage.etsy.com
Tacos 'n' Eggrolls
The Head Shop www.theheadshop.etsy.com
The Poster List www.theposterlist.com
tinywino handmade tinywino.com
Voz Clothing and Art
Wolves and Willows www.wolvesandwillows.etsy.com
Yellow Wallpaper Handmade www.yellowwallpaper.etsy.com
Zazu Faure www.zfla.etsy.com
zombie sugar www.zombiesugar.com

Take a peak at the vendor's site, check out what they have to offer, and come out and support.

SEE YOU THERE!! : )

Well, the time has come.
The vendors have been chosen.
Now we need your help to PROMOTE!
If you are a vendor, you'll be receiving your postcards in the mail this week.
If you are not a vendor, but would like to be a part of our "Street Team" please send an email to HandmadeBrigadeofoc@gmail.com with street team in the subject. We can use all the help we can get to help get hoards of people to this amazing event!

Be sure to become a fan of HBOC on facebook, follow our TWITTER, and RSVP to our facebook event!!