Urban Street Bazaar founder Julie McCullough Kim in front of her line of handbags, Enju.

Guest blogger Lydia Regalado is an arts educator, crafter and blogger who writes about people who gather to make things.
Things couldn’t be better for DIYers in North Texas! This past Saturday, Urban Street Bazaar took place in Bishop Arts district. People packed the tiny portion of Bishop Street that was blocked off to shop and peruse the fashions, jewelry, stationery, things for Fido, the kiddos, the home and more. This was the 7th Urban Street Bazaar, a holiday preview of sorts, and a great event to meet local designers who supply many of the boutiques here in town. This holiday season, Do-It-Yourself, or at least buy local. So, what’s next for Julie and these fellow DIYers? They are heading to Maker Faire this weekend in Austin and gearing up for the next Urban Street Bazaar, Dec. 6.

Next Up: Maker Faire Austin 2008

Part science fair, show-and-tell, with arts and crafts class, Maker Faire claims to be the “world’s largest DIY festival.” It’s a two-day event for geeks, crafters, artists, techies, kids, adults and everyone in between. Maker Faire has been described as Martha Stewart meets Burning Man, and I’m heading down south to check it out. There will be performances, hands-on activities, and how-to demonstrations. For example: how to carve a nut shell, how to create an art car, how to make your own laser cutter, how to build a combat robot, and my personal favorite, how to make a LED hula hoop. There will even be performances by Fritz Grobe and Stephen Volt, also known as the Diet Coke and Mentos Dudes of YouTube fame, as well as a meet and greet with Crafty Chica, Kathy Cano-Murillo. Should be a mighty-fine time!