Despite forces working against us (two freeway closures and bad weather), we got to Nashville late Saturday night and pretty much crashed right away from exhaustion. We spent Sunday checking out downtown Nashville and visiting the Country Music Hall of Fame. That night we went to a few different bars on Broadway and listened to some really fantastic local bluegrass and country bands.

Monday (my 30th birthday!) we ventured to Mammoth Cave and took an a amazing 2 hour tour of the caves. It was breathtaking, and very interesting (and cold!). I wish we could have spent a few days there taking more tours and walking the trails of the park! That night we went to a local Italian restaurant and had a really great dinner and the best chocolate mousse I’ve ever tasted. The night ended with me finding a 6 inch long grey hair in the mirror and embracing my new age anyway.

Tuesday we drove to Columbus and spent the evening with our friends Jeff and Mandie. They are old friends of ours from college, but we only get to see them rarely now so it was really great to see them. Mandie was a finalist in a season-long Euchre tournament with the final night that night and she and her partner won 1st place while we watched and drank on the patio of the bar. Add Euchre to the list of Mandie’s skills, along with all the games at the Lawn Sport Olympics!

Wednesday morning we packed up the car again for the drive to Cedar Point. It was ridiculously hot (over 90 degrees!), but we still managed to have a good time at the park. We went on some of our old favorite coasters - The Raptor, The Iron Dragon, and The Gemini and also rode the new roller coaster, The Maverick. In the end the heat won, and we left for the trip back home.

Kona (our dog) was so happy to see us when we picked her up from Dan’s parents house, and it was nice to be home after a long trip! We had such a great time and I feel so re-energized from the experience and ready to throw myself back into work and the busy summer of shows and sales we’ll be diving into this weekend!

We’ll be back Wednesday night, and I’m sure there’ll be a lot of work waiting for me when we return (i.e. shipping out 5 days of orders). Thanks in advance for being patient receiving your orders a little late for the next week! We will have internet access most of the time, so please feel free to email me if you have any questions!!!

I’m so excited!

Friday and Sunday nights I had a great time hanging out with Sandhya at the Flair Boutique booth at Cityfest (formerly Tastefest) in Detroit. I had a lot of fun - and tried my best to help her out. I tried some really fantastic food when we had a quick opportunity to eat, and decided that Dan and I really need to hang out at this fair next year!

Saturday night was the Baar Bazaar, and my favorite one yet! Phil from the Magic Stick booked some rad bands (Bad Party, The Dead Bodies, and Deastro) and the DJ’s (Art Fag) playing in between sets were awesome! We had a great mix of vendors as always, selling anything and everything under the sun! The turnout was absolutely amazing and  everyone really seemed to have had a great time!

The new “Alley Deck” is now open outside of the Magic Stick and it is incredibly cool, too. It was a perfect night to sit outside and get some fresh air and a cheap drink, and it was packed all night! What a great new addition to the Majestic Complex!

You can see more pictures from the Baar Bazaar on our Flickr page, and on the Cement blog!

Thanks to everyone at the Magic Stick, Sandhya at Flair and everyone who came and supported all the local businesses involved at each event!!!

The moment you’ve been waiting for is here!

Vendors applications for 2008 are now available on the newly redesigned (and seriously cool!)Detroit Urban Craft Fair site (www.detroiturbancraftfair.com). This year’s fair will take place on Saturday, November 15, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at The Fillmore Detroit (formerly the State Theatre).

Some important stuff:
+ Deadline to apply is August 15, 2008.
+ Our FAQs, including the Vendor FAQs, have changed for 2008. Please make sure to read them before applying.

Seeking sponsors
E-mail Stephanie {At!} handmadedetroit {!DOT!} com for more details.

p.s. If you live in Metro Detroit, you really should subscribe to this blog - it’s on my short list of subscriptions, and has helped me make lots of weekend plans!

As always it is free admission and an awesome mix of vendors selling vintage and handmade clothing, comic books, records, indie crafts and art, candy, jewelry, bath and body products, old toys and collectibles! Doors will open at 8:00.

Whats new this time - Live local bands! Art Fag, Bad Party, and Deastro will be joining us and playing a free show while you shop!