I <3 the Visionary Arts Museum

So, Artscape was loads of fun last Saturday. A steady stream of people from 11:30 am 'til after 10:00 pm meant I didn't have a chance to explore even a fraction of all there was to offer, but there was still plenty to see and experience.

From the DC Craft Mafia's booth, we heard live music, were tempted by yummy food and experienced some great people watching. What does this have to do with the Visionary Arts Museum (as the title of this post implies)? Well, they brought an art car parade down the thoroughfare in front of our booth. Here are a few of my favorites:

Anybody got some butter?

Pop Art that pops

We all live in a Yellow Submarine

Make a joyful noise

Go Herbie, go!Anybody got some film?

See you Saturday at Artscape!

If you're looking for something fun to do this weekend, make a date and head out to America's largest, free arts festival--Artscape in Baltimore.

I'll be sharing my handmade scootery goodness (debuting some new belt buckles, cards and anything else that gets done in the next 24+ hours) and hanging with fellow peeps from the DC Craft Mafia on Saturday in the Artscape DIY Pavilion, booths C-6, C-7 and C-8. The DC Craft Mafia will be there all three days--be sure to check stop by and say hey.

Hope to see you there!

Summer? Really?

The water is still pretty frigid along the banks of the Chesapeake, but that didn't stop me from dunking a toe (well toes and ankles) in this weekend. It was great to spend an afternoon at the beach trying out my new kite during the "official" start of summer.

Back home, I could tell it might actually be summer because it was finally warm enough for more than a few hours at a time to successfully pour resin and finish a few of the belt buckles I started months ago. Now I usually try to space out adding new items to Polly Scoots, but I was sooooo happy to have these ready that I couldn't resist sharing them all at once. Enjoy!

Arts Festival--this weekend!

Looking for something to do on Saturday? Come on out to the Hyattsville Arts Festival! Live performances, yummy foods from local favorites like Franklin's and arts and crafts from more than 30 exhibitors--sweet!

And don't forget to stop by the DC Craft Mafia booth and say hello! Polly Scoots will be sharing some space with fellow DC Craft Mafia members Erica Burns Designs and Ninnycat Crochet.

See you there!
When: Saturday, May 16, 12:00 to 5:00 p.m.
Where: Baltimore Ave & Longfellow Street, Hyattsville, MD
Click here to learn more.

A fun show!

Good times in Richmond on Sunday with the DC Craft Mafia at Spring Bada-Bing hosted by our cousins to the south, the Richmond Craft Mafia.

But don't take my word for it, check out the write-up on the Richmond Time Dispatch Website!

Richmond or Bust!

I'm super-excited to be headed to Richmond on Sunday with the DC Craft Mafia for Spring Bada-Bing! This super, awesome "boss of all craft shows" is hosted by our friends at the Richmond Craft Mafia.

Polly Scoots will be representing for the DC Craft Mafia along with these talented ladies: Erica Burns Designs, NinnyCat Crochet and Herban Lifestyle.

It will be weird to be in Richmond (just down the road from Scoot Richmond) and not have a scootery purpose, but the indie crafts will be wickedly good. And I'll be bringing lots of handmade scooter swag with me--come check it out in person!

Blog land

Okay, I've been MIA here in Polly Scoots blog land way to much this year. I haven't been completely uncrafty and unchatty lately though. I've been doing some time on the DC Craft Mafia blog. Want to see what I've been up to? Check out my "Meet the Mafia" post for starters.

The party has begun!

In honor o f the upcoming inauguration, several artisans from the Capital Region Etsy Street Team are hosting an Inaugural Celebration Sale. Each shop is offering it's own bargains--discover them all by searching for "etsycrestsale" on Etsy.

With temperatures in the single digits, it's WAY too cold to be out on the scooter battling my way downtown for the big event, so, here at Polly Scoots, I'm excited to be taking part in the sale instead. Take 15 percent off every purchase made January 17-25 at Polly Scoots. After making your purchase through Etsy, please wait for a revised invoice before submitting payment (or I can send a refund after purchase).

Happy shopping!

Etsy Buy Handmade PollyScoots

Not to be redundant, but woot, woot!

01-10-09_10-13amEDT
Originally uploaded by getglassy

Polly Scoots made it to the front page of Etsy for the second time this week. On Tuesday, Etsy admins were kind enough to use the treasury I created on the home page.

And today, the lovely treasury curated by mujoyas, which included one of my belt buckles, made it. I can't help but repeat, woot, woot! Thanks to mujoyas and Etsy admins!

Woot! Woot!

We made Etsy's front page! Guess those last bursts of energy at the end of winter vacation do come in handy.

And thanks to CreativelyTangled2 for including my belt buckle in this lovely treasury.

Playing

As the last few hours of my vacation tick by, I decided stalking a treasury spot on Etsy was a good way to spend my time...thank goodness I was successful.

I started with a lovely canvas by jodiehurt (I have two of her art cards, have gifted another and lust for more) and searched the categories for beautiful items to complement it.

Check out some Polly Scoots in person!

I'm going to skip over the fact that I haven't updated the blog in FOREVER and just do some shameless self promotion instead. This Saturday, Polly Scoots (a proud member of the DC Craft Mafia) is very excited to be taking part in the DC Craft Mafia Unusual Suspects Arts & Crafts Fair! Good news for you if you're in the Washington, DC metro area and have a hankering to check out some Polly Scoots goodies in person and maybe give them a good new home.

What will you find at the booth? I'm not 100% sure yet myself 'cause I still have a list of things I want to make, but you'll be sure to find: belt buckles, wine glass charms, stickers, patches, buttons, cards, mileage log books and magnets--all scooter themed and inspired of course!

I'm a little worried about how much money I might spend shopping some of my fellow vendors, but that's what craft shows are for--you definitely want to see these folks in person!

So come one out this Saturday, November 1, from 12 to 6 p.m. to the Bethesda-Chevy Chase Rescue Squad's Anatasi Room. It's a free festival and $1 door prize tickets will benefit the Washington Humane Society.

NEW DATE for The UnUsual Suspects Holiday Arts & Crafts Festival

The DC Craft Mafia just informed that The Anastasi Room was double-booked and, due to circumstances beyond our control, we got bumped. The UnUsual Suspects Holiday Arts & Crafts Festival will now be held on Saturday, November 1, 2008. Same place, same time.

If you've already submitted your application, please check your e-mail for important information about your application. If you haven't yet applied, well, what are you waiting for?
The deadline to apply has been extended to October 1st! If you wanted to apply but weren't available on the 2nd, you're in luck! Hopefully, everyone will still be available, and having the show on Saturday instead will actually bring in more traffic!

Click here to apply or here for the vendor FAQ.

Rising gas prices? 80 mpg baby!

Long before gas topped $4 a gallon, I was one of those folks who calculated how many miles per gallon I was getting out of each trip. Of course, keeping track of it with a scooter is big fun, because the gas mileage is awesome!

I'll admit that I'm nerd enough to have logged some of my early mileage figures in an excel chart. While I won't bore you with that level of detail, I will share the results. My Stella is no longer stock and my commute has changed quite a bit, but here's where things stood about two years ago.

Year: 2005

Make: Genuine

Model: Stella

Motor: Stock 150

Riding Style: Predominately used for the daily commute. Stop lights are widely spaced and speeds often reach 45 mph or greater. Delays are usually caused by backups at a few lights. On average, it takes 40 to 45 minutes to travel 13 miles one way. Weekend riding includes some in town errand running and longer rides with fewer lights. Average of 83 mpg.

To keep track of things with the Stella (and because the gas gauge shouts empty long before it actually is), I had a pocket full of gas receipts with the mileage at fill up written across the top of each one--kind of messy and not the best way to keep track of things. So, I made myself a mileage log book--then I made another for Polly Scoots.

To keep with the theme, I hand-cut a scooter stamp to decorate the front. Then, for his birthday this year, I made Ryan one with a scooter cut from a map highlighting some of his favorite ride routes. And, of course, he wanted his at least a little water resistant, so I laminated the front and back covers.

I was so happy with how it turned out, I decided to add the new style to my shop.

part of la famiglia

Big fun ahead!

Creative Binge

It hasn't happened in awhile, but I went on a creative binge this weekend. Now it's time to play catch up--taking photos and uploading all the great new items to Polly Scoots on Etsy. I listed new stickers and wine glass charms for you tonight and will be posting new, handmade goodness every day this week.

Stay tune for some BRAND NEW designs on belt buckles, mileage log books and stickers as well as the return of a few of my favorites. I hope you'll check in throughout the week and discover a few favorites of your own!
Also new this weekend, a newly redesigned Polly Scoots Web site. Enjoy!

Multiples of 100

It's rally season and I've decided to contribute mini magnets for rally bags this year. Handmade, of course. That's a lot of cutting. See you in Philly!

Scooter World!

Getting a new scooter magazine is always super fun--it's even better to see your own stuff inside! Couldn't be more excited to see Polly Scoots in the Dec. 2007/Jan. 2008 edition of Scooter World. Big thank you to all the folks at Scooter World for including my belt buckles in the holiday gift guide!

Go get yourself a copy!

Check out some Polly Scoots in person!

I've been burning the midnight oil in preparation for The UNusual Suspects Arts & Crafts Festival on Saturday, Nov. 3, in Bethesda, Md. Several brand new pieces will be on display and ready to go home with you.

This should be an awesome show--come check it out!

Sat., Nov. 3, from 12 to 8 p.m.

The Anatasi Room, 5020 Battery Lane, Bethesda, Md., 20814

good morning

It doesn't take too much anymore to make my day--so it was great to start up the computer, do my first check of Etsy and see my button gracing the front page. But really, who wouldn't want to look at scooters?

Thanks to CMEscout for making such a stellar list!