SXSW Recap

Where to start? Food is always my favorite part of any event and I had several new experiences while tending my booth in the Guero's parking lot this weekend. First, a unique flavor combination from a pollo asados trailer on S. 1st and Oltorf—baked potato with carne asada. (The link is just to one of many pollo asado places in town but I think the Oltorf location might be one of the only ones doing the potato thing. They all rock and the green sauce is to die for!). Looks sketchy in my photo but so good!Next new favorite... The Mighty Cone. I tried it a week ago and spent the rest of the week craving it. I've had it twice and could probably eat it everyday for quite a while without tiring of it. I get the chicken and avocado cone. I'm glad to hear that the S. Congress location is a permanent one. This video is thanks to Addie Broyles.

I also finally tried Home Slice. Pretty good. Not sure it was authentic New York pizza but it was good after a long day in the sun. I still prefer Southside Flying Pizza. The dough is incredible and the waitstaff are amazingly nice. It reminds me of Grimaldi's in Brooklyn (in taste not ambiance).

So while I was munching on all this great food, I was also selling my belt buckles and art. I introduced my photo boxes and received a lot of positive responses to them. I should be dropping off a set to Austin Handmade this week or next and maybe offering them in my Etsy shop. I was surprised that I sold so many photographs. I rarely bring those to shows because they are hard to set up and, quite frankly, they make me nervous. I know I'm not the best photographer out there. I might have a degree in photography but I always feel like an amateur. But I sold several and that was what seemed to be pulling people into my booth. I might have to re-evaluate my views of my work :)

SXSW Fun!

Everyone in Austin and well beyond knows that SXSW turns this city into one big festival and party for the better part of March. All the music, movies and events happening can keep even the most energetic person going until they drop. Some of my favorite events usually aren't a part of the official line up but that what makes SXSW great... so many creative people joining in the celebration and turning it into something even better. I have a few things on my to-do list this year.

One, is the Flatstock Poster Show. I don't even have room on my walls for all the great posters I walk away with every year, but the images are so wonderful that I buy them anyway. When I clean out my studio, it is always like Christmas when I find my poster collection and go through it again. I end up going to the store and framing new ones to redecorate the house.

Two, is the Handmade Austin Market's booth at Guero's, March 19th-22nd. I'll be there with some of my belt buckles and prints along with tons of other local artists.



Three, is the Etsy Austin booth at Hill Country Weavers on South Congress, March 14^th, 15^th, 20^th, and 21^st noon to 7 p.m. This event features Etsy artists from Austin (obviously!) and is a good way to see what the Etsy community has to offer. Some of the artists will be hosting demos, some of the artists will be walking around downtown handing out some of the promo bags many in the group have spent days working on. They are really cute and were made using old t-shirts. Kim of Broken Ear Productions was great enough to post a how-to video for the bags.


Come out and join the festivities. You are guaranteed to have fun at SXSW this year!