Zeichen Press back in the News!

This time as one of Minnesota Monthly's "Best of the Cities" picks!

Greeting Cards

Truth be told, Zeichen Press owners Fran and Jen Shea didn’t start a letterpress intending to be the next Hallmark. Sure, Zeichen can be sweet, but when you’d rather be honest, borderline snarky, Zeichen’s notecards are refreshingly blunt. The 30-something sisters-in-law have backgrounds in design—Fran formerly an art director and Jen previously worked as an interior designer—and both had been stay-at-home moms prior to starting the press. The Shea sisters use an antique press to make bold, new statements such as “I’m glad you’re having a baby and I’m not.” If it’s true, why not say what you feel? www.zeichenpress. com

Not Your Granny's Craft Sale? I Think Not!

Here at No Coast Craft-o-rama planning headquarters, we are heads down, feverishly putting the finishing touches on the big event -- ordering tables, passing out postcards, getting ads ready for VitaMN and City Pages and generally just running around like chickens. And I'm sure all the vendors are even more so, cranking out all the goods we can't wait to get our hands on!

I thought I'd take a moment to reflect on why I was motivated to get this group of people together to plan this event, and hopefully dispell any rumor that this craft sale harbors any ill will toward crafting grannies. Let me tell you what I mean.

In 2005, my mom retired. She has always been crafty, in fact she is my inspiration in that arena. So, I thought I'd plan a craft sale she could participate in, and it would give her something to do with all her new free time. Fast forward to now. My mom, also a "granny" (In fact her business name is Granny's Closet), is a big seller on Etsy (six hundered and thirty some odd items sold...wah hoo!) and also No Coast Craft-o-rama. This week I did an interview with her on my blog. I think it's kind of cute.

My point in all this? Granny's rock, and we love them as much as we love Cricket Syndicate and his handmade underwear, or Rar Rar Press and her "F that S" postcards! Truth be told, a granny might be our very reason for being!

Zeichen Press Featured in the Strib!

Okay, okay, I know it's over 3 months old, but there was a great article on our very own Zeichen Press in the Strib August 8th. I've never met Fran and Jen, but I imagine two witty and sarcastic women, feverishly pressing out billions upon billions of letterpress holiday cards for the No Coast Craft-o-rama. Personally, I am looking forward to picking up this one, and sending it to my friend Jen. Good work, ladies. Looking forward to meeting you in a matter of weeks!

Papered Together

We were excited to see that Papered Together, one of our new vendors this year is featured in the December/January issue of Mary Engelbreit's Home Companion as well as getting noticed in the upcoming December issue of Minnesota Monthly, the Holiday Gift Guide.

Way to go Krista!

Great Gifts for Daddio, Boyfriend, Gramps and Bro

We here at No Coast headquarters think long and hard about how to ensure that our shoppers can find things for everyone on their holiday shopping list at our sale. One of the toughest to find is good gifts for the male species. After all, not too many men in our lives are big fans of knitted tea cozies or smelly candles. This year, I really think we did a good job in sniffing out some fantastic crafters of good gift ideas for guys. Here are a few of my favorites:

• For the boyfriend, how about a fantastic pin-up calendar or cityscape calendar made by poster artist Adam Turman?
• For your little Anglophile baby bro’ -- a totally hip Union Jack shirt from Charlie and Sarah!
• For dad, a clever film canister by Marti Nelson.
• Great for all the hot rodsters on your list, a cool vinyl art piece by Nate’s Custom Sewing
• What I want to send my husband, the punker: a sweet punker postcard by Rar Rar Press.
• Another great boyfriend gift, a set of coasters featuring “social don’ts” from Zeichen Press
• For dad or grandpa, a beautiful Japanese woodblock-inspired stained glass window by Green Lantern Glass

2007 Poster

And the postering begins! This year's awesome poster is designed by Adam Turman. A downloadable copy is available on the No Coast Craft-o-Rama website. Print one out 8x11 or handbill sized.

Thank you Adam!

Midwest Living

Thank you to Midwest Living for this great buzz on our sale!!

Armato Design Featured Seller on Etsy

Our vendors are on fire this month! A new seller at the 2007 No Coast Craft-o-Rama is Armato Design. See what she's all about in her interview on Etsy.

Congratulations Amy!

Rebecca Yaker is Up To Her Usual Monkey Business

Rebecca of Hazel and Melvin is featured in today's Star Tribune article, "Monkey Business". The article delves into her love-hate relationship with sock monkeys and why she is compelled to create them! You can't miss her sock monkey T-Shirts, sweatshirts and kids' outfits (pants include sock monkey tail!) at No Coast Craft-o-Rama 2007!

Miss Amy Jo is in the Press!

Amy Jo, local poster artist, illustrator and No Coast Craft-o-Rama vendor shines in the limelight with several articles and interviews! Pictured above is her interview in Venus Magazine, and she has also been featured in The City Pages and MNartists.org.

Congratulations Amy Jo!

Cricket Syndicate featured in Star Tribune

Christopher Straub of Cricket Syndicate is featured in today's Star Tribune in the Lifestyle Section. The article is called "Homegrown Chic". Find it online here. He presented his line of custom underwear to Macy's at the 2nd Annual Distinction in Design competition.

Congratulations Christopher!

Fantastic Toys feaured on Etsy

We love it when one of our vendors gets recognized for the amazing crafts they make. A few weeks ago, Fantastic Toys was the featured seller on Etsy.com. Check out his interview here. Congratulations Tim!

2007 Vendors Announced!

Yay! My favorite time of the year -- when we unveil all the talented and inspiring folks who will join us at the No Coast Craft-o-rama. This year we had a record number of applicants, which always is a bittersweet feeling. We see so much amazing work, but can't possibly squeeze everyone into the space.

What we ended up with this year is a great mix of crafters we've known for years like Run Amok, and some new faces, like Sketchbook. We even invited some crafters from far away places (that have coasts!) like Charlie and Sarah from New York.

It's going to be a great time, and I am seriously impatient to start shopping!

Applications

We've received tons of talented applicants for the 2007 No Coast Craft-o-Rama and now is the difficult part of narrowing down the vendors. Thanks to all who applied, and we will notify everyone in September.

Thank you!!

A Major Success!

Man-o-man, I don't think anyone would have predicted that between 8,000 and 9,000 people would have stormed the Midtown Global Market for the 10-hour feeding frenzy that was No Coast Craft-o-rama 2006. The day started early with most vendors arriving around 7 AM to get setup and have their breakfast tamale at La Loma (yum!). I myself opened my day with Huevos con Chorizo.

Thanks to dozens of great volunteers and the Crafters Local 612 members who did not have stuff to sell (Chrissy, Kristen), at the door the shoppers got great programs with maps to all the crafters, as well as free stuff from Bust, Alter Magazine, and Craft Zine. Roe Family Singers, Sister Gin, the Sandburg Steppers, and Kristi and Joel provided musical ambiance all day. I heard Santa stopped by, too, but never saw him.

One of the highlights of my day was the Roller Girls Kissing Booth. I saw many a shopper walking around with a big, happy, holiday Roller Girl kiss on the cheek!

Unfortunately I didn't get to shop much, but luckily I know where to find the vendors! I'll be checking them out after the fact as I wallow in sadness that I only bought two things all day!!!

Here's some photos of the big day:

http://www.flickr.com/groups/17116503@N00/

--Tracy

It's a-coming!

NCCOR is only two days away now and we are so gratified and pleased by the mention in Wednesday's Star Tribune Home and Garden section. We are also listed as a Hot Ticket in Pulse, the area's best music rag.

Thanks to everyone for your support and we'll see you in 48 hours!

CRAFT:zine sponsorship

We are ever-so-pleased to announce that CRAFT:zine is sponsoring No Coast! They will be on hand promoting their delicious new magazine and reporting on the show. So come on out December 2 and be a part of the fun.

Meet Greet and Mingle at the MGM

MGM Here we come!

This weekend we're touring the Midwest Global Marketplace scoping out the areas for our booths. It's only a little over a month away! Yes, by the way, those are tiny snowflakes falling in this picture.

Exciting sponsorships in the works

We are working on some big plans! Stay tuned here, or sign up on our website to signup for our e-newsletter.

This is gonna be so much fun you will hardly be able to stand the wait. Plus, how can you resist the great food at MGM? Can't wait to see you in December!