Vancouver Folk Fest

I go to Folk Fest every year. The music is not nearly as "folky" as the name implies, it ranges from world to folk to - well, this year Arrested Development closed the Friday night (Yes - they are still together!). Mostly I go down there with a bunch of friends, bring some bevvies and park it on the beach with a few thousand other people. It's pretty much the best people watching of the year. Aged hippies mix with earnest eco-youngsters, Kootenay queens, hoopers, families and people just generally letting their freak flag fly. The main stage faces out to the inlet and you can hear everything, just a wire fence separates those who paid to get in from those who sit on the beach for free.

Went down on Sunday by myself and it was lovely. I was leaning against the wire fence watching Veda Hille and others perform The Craigslist Contata, when a rather cut dude with gangsta tats walked straight up to me and offered me a free wristband to get into the festival. I was a bit confused. Me? (gingham summer dress)... taking a wristband from you? (tattoos, ripped, and SILVER TOOTH)?

Gah - OK - thanks!

So for the first time ever, I went *inside* the fence!
I'm happy to report that there is nothing but magic and unicorns and rainbows inside the perimeter of that wire fence. Also some more hula hoops, plus a beer garden. Pretty much heaven.

I had wanted to see The Great Lake Swimmers close out the Sunday night on the small stage - so - perfect!

Sorry about the crotch shot at the end. I don't know how to edit video on my computer!

www.buenostyle.com

Summer Blues Necklace

Summer Blues Necklace, originally uploaded by buenostyle.

New styles for mid summer. Check out the etsy shop.

Etsy Visits Vancouver!

Last night was the much anticipated Etsy meetup. Three people from etsy graced us with their presence; Matt, Anda and Etsy's Chief Executive Officer, Maria.

Matt and Anda are both old school etsyians who've been around for ages - Matt since the very beginning. Maria has been brought in more recently and it was impressive to hear her past credentials with Amazon.com and other big companies. I got to chat with all three visiting "dignitaries." Anda has that funny/quirky quality to her that I am always drawn to. She's got a great laugh and some amazing tattoos. Matt is the rockstar of etsy - he's charming, has great style and used to be in the band The French Kicks. And Maria was, of course, very business-like and professional in a laid back, likable way.

Overall, Maria did most of the talking, she's a very good public speaker and addressed each and every question thrown at her. It seemed to me that the general theme to be a bit on the defensive. She was emphasizing all of the changes that have been made, upcoming changes and new features. I guess there's been a lot of complaints/concerns.

Personally, I've never had many complaints with etsy. Maybe a few, years ago when it was first starting out. But I've mostly found it easy to use, easy to navigate and ridiculously affordable to set up a functioning on-line shop. Yay etsy!

It was a pretty good turnout, about 65 people all together. It was held at the super cute Cambrian Hall, where I put on the Green Christmas market last year. It has great light and the sun was streaming in all "aaaaaahhhhhhhhh" through the windows. Kind of church-like. Yessssssss, the church of etsy.

I ran out of the cute name tags I ordered from etsy's PacoKeko

and it was great to see some old friends and meet new crafty people.
Oh, and you are wondering where I the cute top - it's by Peel Designs and I got at at Dream.

Open Filigree Flower Vintage Locket Necklace

Open Filigree Flower Vintage Locket Necklace, originally uploaded by buenostyle.

www.buenostyle.etsy.com