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Onlookers watched as June Covington sat on a short stool and fed a fluffy white mass of silk into the spinning wheel, where it was spun into a neat thread of yarn. No, she wasn’t in colonial Williamsburg. Over the weekend, Etsy Dallas— a collaborative of talented Dallas craft makers and artists who use the popular website– threw the 2011 Etsy Craft Party at Oil & Cotton in Oak Cliff to draw attention to the local arts movement and celebrate a milestone, the sixth anniversary of etsy.com.
Covington educated folks about the art of weaving while local artisans showed off their handiwork in rope-making demonstrations to loom-weaving lessons. “We want to get people into the handmade movement,” said Pamela Dowdy, a member of the Etsy Dallas Street Team.
Everyone got into the DIY spirit at the hands-on “craftivity” stations, including a leather station where partygoers could design their own
bracelets and cuffs. There was a massive arts-and-crafts table, complete with an assortment of construction paper, glue, yarn and markers, that had most of the younger crowds’ full attention.
Guests could also play dress-up in the funky photo booth or snack on handmade treats from Society Bakery. Both adults and children enjoyed the bash, which was all for a good cause. The event raised proceeds for art class scholarships for Oak Cliff kids–and hopefully helped inspire the next generation of Dallas artists.
