Bella Bags by Marcia & Cadence Innovative Designs Giveaway!

Spring has come, Summer is near, and Cadence Innovative Designs and Bella Bags have teamed up for a giveaway!! Warmer weather means you need some fun and bright new pieces to add to your collection! All you have to do is visit each of our Etsy stores, choose your 2 favorite items for Summer, and email both of us with your 4 choices! That's it!!
Grand PrizeWinner will receive a $25 credit to each of our shops, 2nd place will receive $15 to each of our shops and 3rd place will receive $10! The best part is ... there is NO purchase necessary!!
Treat yourself or choose a great gift for Mother's Day, Graduation, or Birthdays!!!

Starting today April 27th thru May 11th, go to BOTH of our etsy shops, (http://www.cadencedesigns.etsy.com/ & http://www.bellabagsbymarcia.etsy.com/ ), choose your 2 favorite items from each shop, and email BOTH of us cadence@cadencedesigns.net & marcia@bellabagsbymarcia.com with the 2 items from each shop!

Winner will be drawn from a hat on May12th, and notified by email! Only 1 entry per person (and cheating is not only bad karma, but will result in disqualification :) Please email either of us with any questions, and also take advantage of FREE U.S. Shipping in both of our shops going on Right Now!!

Happy Earth Day- FREE Eco-logo tote!!

In honor of Earth Day, I am giving away one of my Eco-logo Shopping totes FREE with every purchase in my etsy shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5554943 Today Only!

This is on top of FREE Shipping going on 'til Mother's Day (May 10)!!!

Enjoy! In my opinion, the easiest way to start going green is repurposing and upcycling things you already have! If not, at least reuse this shopping tote instead of a plastic or paper bag and then send ME all of your old books, jars, buttons, postcards, maps, etc!!!! LOL

(P.S.- Don't forget that if you bring this bag back to any of my shows, you get 10% off your purchase-just remind us if we forget! See calendar at right for show dates!)

Just Some New Things...

Here are just a few new bangles to give you a preview of what's to come @ my Upcoming Shows beginning May 1st-2nd @ Twist Fair and then Opening Weekend @ SoWa Open Market May 16th & 17th!--For details, see calendar @ right or previous posts!

FREE Shipping until Mother's Day - May 10th!!!

In honor of Mother's Day, I am again offering FREE shipping on any and ALL things in my etsy shop, www.cadencedesigns.etsy.com & www.cadenceclassiques.etsy.com !! Why not take advantage and get something for Mom and for yourself?? If you'd like a bracelet with a different print, a ring with a different type of wire, or anything you've seen at a show thats not listed, this would be a great time! Simply "convo" me through etsy or regular email and I will create a custom listing for you! I will combine items purchased from different shops into one box as well, or ship yours to you and Mom's to Mom! Remember, this only lasts 'til May 10th!

Won't you be my 200th sale?

I have been slacking a bit due to prepping for shows and some lovely medical procedures--and am still just inches away from my 200th etsy sale in my main shop- http://www.cadencedesigns.etsy.com/ . I did a little prize/contest for my 100th sale (see older posts) and so I thought I would up the ante a little more this time! If you are my lovely 200th etsy sale (feel free to be my 199th also) you will get a $20 credit to use in any of my three etsy shops or at a show! Use it right away, or save it up for a gift or holiday! Also, if you are the 200th sale, or any sale of $25 or more, you will receive the Eco-logo Reusable Shopper Tote which allows you to get 10% off at any show or event! (see post below).

Want something you don't see in my shop? Let me know and I will do my best to list it for you and if its the 200th sale, you will still win!

Hope you'll take advantage, and Good Luck!

Save a Bag, Save a few $$$, Save the Planet???

So, I had been giving out CID logo eco-friendly shopping totes (designed by my friend, Brian) this past fall for special events with $50 or more purchases, and have had such a good response with it, that I have developed a new promotion for Spring/Summer Shows and beyond!

Any purchases of $25 or more will receive a FREE Reusable cotton Shopper Tote, complete w/ CID logo. Bring this tote back to any of my shows (check out the many throughout New England to the right--->) and receive 10%off all of your purchases over $10!!!! I think this is a great way to get people to remember to bring their reusable totes, as I often forget mine whenI shop, and a great way for you loyal customers to save money as well!!! Please remind us about the discount if we neglect to mention it--as sometimes shows can be long and sometimes I have people filling in for me for breaks, etc.

I gave out a few this weekend at Holy Craft Fair & Flea Market in Cambridge, and many back in the Fall, and hope that people will bring those back to the shows as well, as this applies to anyone already having them ! I am excited to be doing shows already scheduled in Boston, MA, Cambridge, MA, Mashpee, MA, Concord, NH, Providence, RI, and hopefully others all spring and summer!

Come to the Special Get Green & Groovy Event April 5th@ Design Hive Market -Cambridge, MA and get one of your own! It is a great way to start off any eco-friendly lifestyle change and celebrate Earth Day!!

Also, especially for my customers who can't make it to shows in person---mention this when shopping on my etsy shop and I will credit your acct back 10% for every purchase over $10 as well!

Check back as I will be unveiling NEW Tote designs!!

Come out to some shows!

Get out of the house and get creative! Winter has been such a bore, and I believe that if we act like it's Spring, it will be Spring! I think everyone needs a pick me up, so how about something like this ? :
"Get Green and Groovy" Event @ Design Hive Market, Cambridge, MA--
"In addition to our regular music-meets-indie market mashup, on Sunday April 5th, we’ll be hosting the “Get Green and Groovy” event featuring products made from salvaged and recycled materials by local indie designers and a fashion show presented by Fashion With Impact (FWI). FWI will adorn the runway with recycled fashions and debut its Re/fash-en collection of unique garments made from recycled fabrics (fashion show starts at 1pm)Plus, Autonomie Project, a new Boston-based fair trade fashion company, will have artists on-hand to help shoppers design and paint their own Ethletic custom footwear and screen print their own t-shirts. "

Sounds like fun, right?

Check out a review of my things, and of the design hive market itself, by Virgina of YazBerry Fashion:
http://yazberry.blogspot.com/2009/03/design-hive-market-is-better-than-honey.html

Also, check out her stuff, which is cool too: http://www.yazberryfashion.etsy.com/

I am also hoping to see everyone out at Holy Craft Fair @ Cambridge Elks Lodge on March 21st--check out all of the good designers and who it benefits-www.holycraft2009@blogspot.com
See more about it in previous posts!

NEW Etsy Supply/"Destash" Shop- www.cadencesupplies.etsy.com

I spent today, as I do many, wading through the insane amount of art/craft supplies and displays that inhabit my "art room". I decided that once and for all, I needed to open a supply shop on etsy--as I have a treasure trove of items that I will very likely not be able to use myself in the forseeable future! I have accumulated these from past jobs designing displays and teaching classes for a National Art & Craft Supply Store (discounts make it hard not to buy everything) and some displays from both my jewelry design career and from retail stores where I was a manager! Anyway, it will take awhile for me to sort out, but check it often for a whole range of things from beads, findings, wire, display cases, art supplies, etc. Let me know if you're looking for anything particular!

www.cadencesupplies.etsy.com

Spring Show Schedule!!

Lots of upcoming shows to tell you all about! Even though I always have next few months shows listed on the side of this blog, I like to tell you a little bit more about them!

March and April will be mainly for designing and creating for the weekly shows coming up. I attended a snowy Design Hive Market in Cambridge, MA on March 1st, which was going on simultaneously with a great clothing swap! Unfortunately, after several days of warmer weather, we got another lovely New England snowstorm, which seemed to keep the crowds down from the normal Design Hive turnout. Anyway, the participants all had a great time anyway seeing each other's newest creations, and getting back into the swing of things with the show circuit! There were some great people excited to participate in the clothing swap, and clean out their closets, but also add a few new treasures--yay for reusing/recycling/repurposing!

Just added--March 21st I will be @ Holy Craft! Fair. Holy Craft! Is a DIY craft flea market where vendors sell a variety of goods including handmade crafts and apparel, vintage clothing, records, baked treats, antiques and much, much more! All proceeds including table fees are being directly donated to AFSC MAP which provides the homeless, domestic violence survivors, the previously incarcerated, immigrants and others in need in the Greater Boston area with material goods such as clothing and housewares, resource management and job training. Check out their blog www.holycraft2009.blogspot.com. Show runs from 12-6 PM!

For the rest of the month, I plan on completing more of the newer designs I've been creating, hopefully sprucing up websites, blogspots, shops, etc...along with some more medical things.

April, so far, seems to be also more for revamping displays, new designs, and getting ready for the craziness of schedule for May and beyond!! (Hopefully, some nicer weather, too!) I will be appearing at Design Hive Market again, on Sunday April 5th, so by then I should have even more new things completed! I think that is the only show I will be doing in April, in order to prepare for May shows.....

Speaking of MAY, there are lots of great shows I am doing then! Starting off the month (May 1st & 2nd) is Twist Fair, a 2 day show that is really a unique experience. It is held in the Northampton, MA Center for the Arts Ballroom, which has beautiful architecture and character all on its own! The show starts off with a Market Party Friday night from 5-9, where vendors and shoppers alike are treated to a live DJ, a variety of beverages (yes, even adult beverages), and lots of great artisans! (http://www.twistfair.com/) Then, Saturday, beginning @ 10 AM, it reopens and once again you get to enjoy this truly unique shopping experience all day! Next, I'll be @ Opening Weekend (May 16th & 17th) for SoWa/South End Open Market, Boston, MA! It's a great outdoor setting with a ton of Boston and vicinty's wonderful artisans along with fresh produce from area farms, local baked goods, and much more! Parking and admission are FREE, and this year, there is also an Antiques Market, where I know I will likely spend a good portion of my profits!!! I will also be here nearly every Sunday all the way through the end of October!!(http://www.sowaopenmarket.com/). May also brings another new experience, as I will also be attending the Providence Open Market, in Lippitt Park, on the East Side on their Opening Day, Saturday, May 23rd! It will also have art, healthy edibles, handbags, jewelry, accessories and much more. Hopefully, I will be able to do more shows there in the Fall, schedule permitting!

(http://www.providenceopenmarket.com/)

Phew!! I think that is all 'til June......Stay tuned for a NEW way to save money at my shows and be earth-friendly at the same time!!!

NEW Contest on Facebook Fan Page

Hi! I have always done contests for myspace friends, and I realized I had never done one for Facebook! I decided to create one based upon recruiting people to be fans of my product page (not to be confused with the cadence innovative designs group--though feel free to join that as well!!).. All you have to do is become a fan, then get other people to become fans and post on the wall that (your name here) recruited them! Make sure they do that part, as otherwise it will not count (i.e.- I will not know if they were referred at all or who referred them). Being a fan of the page has its own rewards, as you often will see pics of new items right after being made (pre-etsy store) and find out about events and shows I'll be attending by a direct invite!!

What do you win for recruiting people--Well, $50 in free product, either from my online shop, shows, or a combination thereof!! Not too shabby!!! Also, feel free to friend request me! It has been great meeting completely new people already from this contest! Not on Facebook yet? Well, what a good excuse to join! Rules are below. (Here's a tip--Go to the cadence innovative designs fan page, hit "Share" in the top right, Post it to your page. Then, Copy and Paste the paragraph below as a comment below the post--that way, people know what to do! Feel free to contact me or comment with questions!

NEW contest announced! Whoever recruits the most new fans to the cadence innovative designs fan page will win a $50 credit to my online store/shows/combination thereof. New fans must post right on the page's wall who referred them, or it will not count! Contest ends Feb 28th, midnight, EST. Do not try to cheat, as I reserve the right to disqualify you! Good Luck!

First Spring Shows

I have just finalized shows I will be doing for March and April. I will be back at Design Hive in Cambridge on March 1st and April 5th!! If you havent been to Designs Hive yet, here is a blurb from their site:
The Design Hive is part urban street market, part collective retail experience featuring different local indie designers, live DJs, and more! Shop from over 50 designers selling an array of handcrafted, one-of-a-kind items including:* clothing (modern and vintage)* handbags and accessories* jewelry* housewares * ceramics, prints, and paper goods* and much more!

This year, the shows will bw in the much larger gym area of the Maria Baldwin School (Thank Goodness!!) and there will be themes for each show, with coordinating happenings in the cafeteria:
Design Hive celebrates SPRING CLEANING on Sunday, March 1st: Designers will be cleaning out their showrooms so stop by and scoop up some great deals. And if your closet's in need of some paring down, join us that afternoon for our first DH clothing swap (same location, we make it easy). Stay tuned for details!

Here's how to get there:

The Design Hive is within walking distance of both Harvard and Porter Squares in Cambridge.

Address: Maria Baldwin School (formerly the Agassiz School)
28 Sacramento St. (off Mass Ave. @ corner of Oxford St.)
Cambridge, MA 02138

Directions from Harvard Square T stop
Take the red line to the Harvard Square T station and walk north past the Common along Mass Ave. Turn right at Sacramento St. and the market is at the end of the block at the corner of Oxford St.

Street parking available on Sundays!
Resident permits are not required on Sundays so plenty of street parking is available


PS--you'd already know about this show, and ALL my shows, if you were a fan of cadence innovative designs on facebook---join for exclusive contests, item pictures right as they're made, and other insider info!

See you soon! ~Cadence

Spring Shows are Just Around the Corner...

Spring shows will be here before we know it! I have lots of brand new things I am still making--as you read! I have yet to release any pictures of them, as I am not quite done tweaking! While you wait, I am still offering FREE Shipping and lots of SALES in my etsy shop 'til Feb. 14th. I will be listing dates for Spring Shows very soon! Check back!!

You create something, send it out into the world and...

...you never know what happens to it!!
It is soooo wonderful when you create things that you like and you see someone actually using it! I am pretty sure that's what gets a lot of artisans up in the morning. This excitement is especially true for me when people are selecting gifts---you hope the recipient is actually excited to get the item that this person has so thoughfully selected for them! Often, we never find out if the recipient is pleased, or if it sat in a drawer hidden and unloved. I LOVE when people who geographically wouldn't likely see me in person at a show are nice enough to let me (and sometimes the world) know that they did, in fact, like what they got!!

Recent examples: http://inthenightkitchen.wordpress.com/2008/12/30/love-ly-letters/trackback/

http://bikesandbirds.blogspot.com/2008/09/twist-fair.html

http://passionforoldfashion.blogg.no/1227395373_vintage_gavetips_.html


I am soo glad you love them, and I appreciate the feature and just knowing that the creation was loved!

I would love to hear from anyone who received something---as I often remember the person who bought it for you and its nice to see it all come full circle!! Pictures are great too!!

Bangles on skirt! Boston

I randomly found my bangles on Skirt!Boston Magazine as one of their "loves" :

http://boston.skirt.com/node/24724

Now, I need to brave the snow so that I can get an actual copy at one of the many locations that it's available. for purchase.....

Thanks, Skirt!

Phew!! This crazy holiday season is over! (Although I am feeling very confused to have had a Saturday and Sunday off!) From crazy weather and power outages, to life-changing medical issues, to a ridiculous show schedule---I am wiped out!!
Thanks to everyone who went out to the great shows I participated in all of Novemeber and December! You helped keep small, local businesses thriving, and liked getting handmade, intimate, personal gifts for those you loved!! The shows in Cambridge (Designs Hive) and Boston (Prudential Artisan Market) were wonderful experiences, with lots of great vendors to meet and run by great people!!! Customers came out in bad weather, when they could've just gone to the mall--and we appreciate that! I loved meeting people from all over the world, and felt priviledged to make some personalized custom orders for people to give as gifts!
Now, it is time for a revamp and some new products, new displays, even new websites--so stay tuned!!! The New Year is here and it is not called "Cadence INNOVATIVE Designs" for nothing!! Also, check http://www.cadencedesigns.etsy.com/ for tons of things listed daily that you may have missed at a show, or feel free to still request custom orders!

Be a fan on facebook or myspace to really get the first scoop on things!!
facebook:cadence innovative designs
myspace:www.mysapce.com/cadenceinnovativedesigns

Thanks, ~Cadence