Guest blogger Lydia Regalado is an arts educator, crafter and blogger who writes about people who gather to make things.

I knew the Etsy Spring Bash was going to be a fabulous event with scads of unique items. But, when I walked up to the door of South Side on Lamar on Saturday in the pouring rain and approached a girl carrying a giant pillow in the shape of a toast, I thought to myself, “this show might take the cake!” The Spring Bash had a great turnout with a creative, DIY, party atmosphere. Fifty designers sacrificed their weekend to put their Internet inventory on display and meet their local market. For the Etsy Dallas members and others who participated in the Spring Bash, it’s a labor of love. About 90 percent of these entrepreneurs create their work in addition to having a full-time job, but their crafty ventures offer a little extra income and creative outlet. Creator of the giant toast pillow Christina Wezwick, first-time participant and owner of Midnight Snack, said that Etsy is a way to enjoy a hobby that pays for itself. Ms. Wezwick does have dreams, like the others, of supporting herself through her creations and expanding their lines. Thanks in part to the show of support South Side shoppers showed Etsy Dallas, it’s so wonderful to see the community supporting local artists and crafters. Thank you Etsy Dallas for the Spring Bash – we can’t wait for the next event!

BTW, that next event will be the Second Annual Jingle Bash, Nov. 21 at Sons of Hermann Hall.

For more pics from the Spring Bash, check the Art & Seek Flickr page.

Next up: Diorama-O-Rama!

Last Friday night I went to jail. No, it wasn’t for breaking the law, it was to volunteer with Resolana, a creative arts program for incarcerated women. Five volunteers, including myself, helped Shannon Driscoll of Paper Nerds lead a workshop for the women to create dioramas. With limited materials, lots of paper and small boxes, we created dioramas that represented a happy place. Working mostly with paper, our classroom was a mess after a while with scraps, feathers, glitter and fabric. After two hours our dioramas were complete; it’s amazing what a little ingenuity can inspire. I walked into Dallas County Jail in low spirits due to a particularly tough personal day last Friday, but by the end of the evening, I walked out a new woman, uplifted from a great evening of creating and conversation with the inmates. It was an amazing experience. For more information on volunteering with Resolana click here. The dioramas we created will be on display this Saturday at Diorama-O-Rama, a creative art happening and event benefiting Resolana. I am so excited about this event – I have been looking forward to it since last year. Diorama-O-Rama event organizers are preparing for a bigger bash this year with more prize categories, a goodie tote for the first 50 guests and a taco truck.  Diorama-O-Rama will be held at F. is for Frank Studio, 1216 Manufacturing, Dallas from 4 to 7 p.m., with KERA’s own Jeff Whittington and Rawlins Gilliland as the live auction MCs.

If you are interested in donating a diorama and participating in this Saturday’s festivities, it’s not too late. Participation is open to anyone with no restrictions or size limitations, just e-mail [email protected] with your name, e-mail/Web site, and cellphone number. However, pre-registration ends this Thursday. Winners of the contest will be announced at 7 p.m. There is a $5 admission fee for adults, kids get in free. Last year’s event was great fun, but there wasn’t a taco truck… This year’s Diorama-O-Rama is sure to be DYN-O-MITE!

See you there!