Spring Bash 2010

I am so excited about being a vendor for this show. So many incredible artists and what a great location. Come check out all the new Spring jewelry from Texas Tarts!

New Year Brings New Inspirations

How amazing are these rings made from the common drinking straw. Love it!

Tarts and Burlesque This Saturday!

Jingle Bash this Saturday!

Just 2 days until the greatest event in town. Where else but the 2nd Annual Jingle Bash can you find 40 of the most talented local artists, music, swag bags, cocktails and all for free!
Come check out the new vinyl pendants, necklaces, and rings with graphics from bombs, owls, to initials to robots. New charm bracelets and necklaces and so much more. And still all made Texas proud with recycled records.

You can find your Texas Tarts in the upstairs ball room of the historic Sons of Hermann Hall this Saturday from 1 to 7pm. Viva La Bash!

The Girlie Show This Weekend!

Pink cocktails, talented artists, shopping and music all under one roof? Yes, I'm talking about The Girlie Show in Oklahoma City this Friday and Saturday.
Texas Tarts has been hard at work making new vinyl creations. We will be launching our new line of embellished pendants and cuffs with owls, robots, birds, bombs, initials and so much more. Also, check out the vinyl charm bracelets and necklaces. Each one is one-of-a-kind and sure to get you noticed!
See you at Girlie 09!

Look Out Oklahoma City!

I am giddie as a school girl to be doing Girlie Show this Friday and Saturday in Oklahoma City. This show is what every girl dreams of, shopping, music, and cocktails all rolled together! Come check out Texas Tarts along with a host of other amazing vendors from Texas such as Tara to the T, Cut Out & Collect, Pamela Michelle, Enju and Super Chica. See ya!

http://www.thegirlieshow.net/about.php

Just Around the Turntable

Where did October go? Since I was a wee girl October has always been my favorite month.
It's my birthday month, the weather is changing and I absolutely love Halloween. Now as adult it still is my favorite. From getting pumpkins carved, costumes made and celebrating my 10 year wedding anniversary on the 30th, October has it all.

Texas Tarts is getting ready for some amazing shows!
On November 6th the Tarts will be heading to Oklahoma City for Girlie Show! Come check out tons of female vendors, music, and good times on Friday, Nov. 7 and Sat. Nov. 8 at Farmers Public Market, 311 S. Klein Ave. http://www.thegirlieshow.net/about.php

Then on Saturday, November 21st from 1 to 7 at Sons of Hermann Hall you will see 50 of the greatest local vendors around. This show will be awesome and take care of all of your holiday gift giving needs. http://www.etsydallas.com/

Saturday. December 5 from 6 to midnight come check out the Tarts at Gifts and Garters at Excuses Cafe 3025 Main in Deep Ellum. Burlesque, music and vintage holiday shopping all under one roof! myspace.com/giftsandgarters

So mark your calendars and come by and say Hi!

Have you seen the new personalized vinyl charms from Texas Tarts? Keep rockin with a black vinyl pendant with your initial or say that of a loved one. Either way you will rock!

Vinyl and More Vinyl

Yeah, Texas Tarts was included in this lovely Etsy Treasury of all things vinyl. Yes, oohing and aahing are allowed.

Urban Street Bazaar

Next weekend, Sat., Oct. 10 & Sun., Oct. 11 the Bishop Arts area will be rockin with so much indie goodness it will make your head spin. Texas Tarts along with a host of others will be there for a two day festival in the heart of of the Bishop Arts District. Come say Hi!

Urban Bazaar 9 announces it's vendor list for the October 10&11 show in Bishop Arts District for 2009. Save the date!!

Baby BOWtique
BlackCatWhite Designs
boots too bags
Dowdy Studio
dreamstar creations
Heather L. Chang/Heatherly
j margot | artisan crafted jewelry
Miamaria Design
Ornamental Things
Pamela Michelle
DreamStar Creation
Shy Violet Clothing
Three Yellow Starfish
Wrap Couture
Karmacrochet
MandiBeads
Jane Joss

A Sparrow Named Emily
Pettit
Through the Looking Glass Studio
Belle Serelle
Cut Out And Collect
Handmade Hooligans
art-T-dolls
maneki
Texas Tarts
Superchica
Via Christa
Sweet Baby Design
2Random4U
artfull Expression
Sophia Aster
Yomono
Felix & Jayne
f. is for frank
Green Mountain Energy
Lolafalk
saints and sinners tattoo studio
Domestic Arts
SylettSoap
Sutecchi
Long Way Home
Maritere / Rewerked Vintage
Kessler Craftsman
Kitchen Beautician
Caprichos Studio
Blue Dream Glassworks
Disco Dali
sweethead
Eye on the Sparrow Designs
Pigsey Art
Wade College
Seen Studios
Cricket Shack
Elements By Mercury
Sublime Stitching
Kraftivity Studio
Bolsa Bonita
Laura Strother
Amy Huff
The Gretchen Show
Yoga Bloomers
Loop and Lil
Brooke Drake Jewelry Design
Seasons Change Designs
The MOCHA Butterfly
Tashumbra Brightman
madeline wood
DIXIE
Sheffield by Stacy Sheffield
Sketch Customs
All About Henna
The Silver Magpie
Photopol.us
choca loca designs
luscious art studios
Angela Mosera
Atom-In
One Up Designs
Freeforged Jewelry
J Margot
DH Originals
Kitman Figueroa
GFigueroa Designs
Meline Collection

Amazing Things to do With Vinyl

As I have been using vinyl for the last 3 years to make everything from business card holders to earrings and necklaces, I know the amazing things you can do with once loved music. But when I saw these artists I was blown away.
Enjoy!






Vinyl Baby:

Phenakistascope:


Walk That Vinyl:

Tarts at Gifts and Garters

Save the date. Texas Tarts will be a the first annual Gifts and Garters. You so need to be at this show!

Gifts and Garters: A collaborative event between Through the Looking Glass studios and Bewitching Burlesque. It's going to be THE shopping event of the holiday season with vendors featuring vintage and one of a kind gifts and a fabulous Burlesque show featuring the JiggleWatts from Austin as well as local favorites and debutantes! Keep your eyes here as more information will be coming soon....

I CAN COMPOST THAT?

75 Things You Can Compost, But Thought You Couldn't

Can I really compost that? Yes you can!

Howard Oates/istockphoto

READ MORE ABOUT:
Composting | Composting Tips | Gardening

The basics of composting are simple. Most people know they can compost fruit and vegetable peels, leaves, and grass clippings. But what about that tea bag you used this morning? Or the fur that collects in the brush when you groom your cat?

The following list is meant to get you thinking about your compost possibilities. Not every item on the list is for everyone, and that's fine. Imagine how much trash we could prevent from going into the landfills if each of us just decided to compost a few more things. Here are 75 ideas to get you started.

From the Kitchen

1. Coffee grounds and filters
2. Tea bags
3. Used paper napkins
4. Pizza boxes, ripped into smaller pieces
5. Paper bags, either ripped or balled up
6. The crumbs you sweep off of the counters and floors
7. Plain cooked pasta
8. Plain cooked rice
9. Stale bread
10. Paper towel rolls
11. Stale saltine crackers
12. Stale cereal
13. Used paper plates (as long as they don't have a waxy coating)
14. Cellophane bags (be sure it's really Cellophane and not just clear plastic—there's a difference.)
15. Nut shells (except for walnut shells, which can be toxic to plants)
16. Old herbs and spices
17. Stale pretzels
18. Pizza crusts
19. Cereal boxes (tear them into smaller pieces first)
20. Wine corks
21. Moldy cheese
22. Melted ice cream
23. Old jelly, jam, or preserves
24. Stale beer and wine
25. Paper egg cartons
26. Toothpicks
27. Bamboo skewers
28. Paper cupcake or muffin cups

From the Bathroom

29. Used facial tissues
30. Hair from your hairbrush
31. Toilet paper rolls
32. Old loofahs
33. Nail clippings
34. Urine
35. 100% Cotton cotton balls
36. Cotton swabs made from 100% cotton and cardboard (not plastic) sticks

Personal Items

It might be a good idea to bury these items in your pile. Just sayin'.

37. Cardboard tampon applicators
38. Latex condoms

From the Laundry Room

39. Dryer lint
40. Old/stained cotton clothing—rip or cut it into smaller pieces
41. Old wool clothing—rip or cut it into smaller pieces

From the Office

42. Bills and other documents you've shredded
43. Envelopes (minus the plastic window)
44. Pencil shavings
45. Sticky notes
46. Business cards (as long as they're not glossy)
47. Receipts

Around the House

48. Contents of your vacuum cleaner bag or canister
49. Newspapers (shredded or torn into smaller pieces)
50. Subscription cards from magazines
51. Leaves trimmed from houseplants
52. Dead houseplants and their soil
53. Flowers from floral arrangements
54. Natural potpourri
55. Used matches
56. Ashes from the fireplace, barbecue grill, or outdoor fire pit

Party and Holiday Supplies

57. Wrapping paper rolls
58. Paper table cloths
59. Crepe paper streamers
60. Latex balloons
61. Raffia
62. Excelsior
63. Jack o' Lanterns
64. Those hay bales you used as part of your outdoor fall decor
65. Natural holiday wreaths
66. Your Christmas tree. Chop it up with some pruners first (or use a wood chipper, if you have one...)
67. Evergreen garlands

Pet-Related

68. Fur from the dog or cat brush
69. Droppings and bedding from your rabbit/gerbil/hamsters, etc.
70. Newspaper/droppings from the bottom of the bird cage
71. Feathers
72. Alfalfa hay or pellets (usually fed to rabbits)
73. Rawhide dog chews
74. Fish food
75. Dry dog or cat food

I know that the longer I've had a compost pile, the more likely I've been to take a second look at something I was preparing to throw in the trash. "Hmm. Can I compost this?" is a frequent question in my house. And, as you can see, it's surprising how often you can answer "Yes!"

I'm in Love With These!

Here’s a great way to make use of your outdated gadgets by turning cassette tapes into functional household lamp enclosures.

The designers make each lamp from dozens of individual cassette tapes, arranged into visually appealing patterns. Not only do they look cool as a sculptural piece, they cast dramatic shadows onto surrounding surfaces.

Tarts at White Rock Local Market Sept. 12

Come check out the Tarts Saturday, September 12 from 8am to 1pm. at your local White Rock Market.

Our Mission

White Rock Local Market aims to promote regional, sustainable agriculture and ensure a supply of fresh, local produce and artisan foods for residents of east Dallas. White Rock Local Market supports local farmers, food producers and craftsman, providing an opportunity to sell fruit, vegetables and other products directly to our community. Our mission is to offer an alternative to conventional shops with products that are high quality, aesthetic, and useful.

And we hope to enable the growth of our communities by creating a place where people can shop and socialize in a friendly environment.

Our Story

Stocking up on locally grown produce and natural foods is about to get easier for residents of East Dallas. The White Rock Local Market will be held in the parking lot next to the Green Spot on the second Saturday of every month from June 13 to November 14, 2009.

The market features artisan foods, local produce and natural meat and dairy products, as well as vendors offering an assortment of art, furniture, locally made clothes, music and more.

"We know there are several markets opening this year, but none serving this active neighborhood," says Bruce Bagelman, owner of the Green Spot and one of the organizers of the White Rock market. "But we'd really like to provide what people in this community need – and at the same time offer a great venue for local vendors."

Bagelman opened the Green Spot Market and Fuels in 2008, combining the convenience/ gas station concept with the notion that consumers prefer healthy snacks and treats. He quickly saw a demand for fresh local produce and other goods. He started by carrying some produce in his store – and the idea to expand into a local market began to take shape. When some neighbors approached Bagelman about a farmers market, he was ready.

White Rock Local Market – at the intersection of Buckner Boulevard and Northcliff Drive – promises to have a baker, butcher, dairy man, and farmer, in addition to a jeweler, dressmaker, and florist, all artisans you might actually need on a regular Saturday of shopping – plus a little extra.

"Local food, local goods and local friends are what makes our community special," says Bagelman. "Our market will no doubt be a success. After all, ours is the best neighborhood in Dallas!"

Cleaning Without Harm

Homemade, Dollar-Saving, Fragrance-Uplifting, All-Purpose Spray

The Goods:
-1 empty 32 oz. spray bottle
-3/4 c. Distilled White Vinegar
-1 c. Hydrogen Peroxide
-1 1/2 tsp. Castille Soap (Such as Dr. Bronner )
-30 drops Tea Tree Oil
-30 drops Essential Oil of choice (some of my favorite choices include lavender, lemongrass, rosemary, lemon verbena, spearmint, clove, cinnamon, anise, sage, grapefruit, lemon, and lime; experiment with one or a combo and see what scent makes you want to get lean and clean!)

The Deal:
-Place all ingredients into the spray bottle using a funnel or measuring cup with a spout.
-Add water until contents reach top of bottle.
-Shake vigorously and use with abandon!

*For those with no time, or inclination, to make their own natural cleaning products but still needing a good cleaning kit, these companies offer a repertoire of items you can feel good about purchasing:

* Mrs. Myers
* Seventh Generation
* Method
* Ecover
* BioKleen

New Age Gardening

So, I have really been trying gardening this summer and let me tell you, it's going decent at best. I talk (maybe even sing a little), compost, water, and even fertilize with bat gauno but still my bumper crop is out of reach. Well, with this little ditty maybe it would take the guess work out of what to plant. And then maybe I would be up to my ears in veggies (maybe).

If you’re not the super handy dandy green thumb type? A new tool out promises to help you.

You want to start a veggie garden, but you want to make sure you plant the right veggies for your climate and soil conditions. You also want an easy and fast way to do this. Cool. Then you will be delighted to learn of Easy Bloom, an environmental sensor.

image via Like Cool

This is not your mom and dads gardening. This is high tech awesome stuff for sure, but its not complicated at all. Essentially Easy Bloom is a tool for those who want to create a wonderfully eco friendly garden. Because when you pick the best plants according to your climate, less waster is used – less care is used, etc.

The $40 to $60 device analyzes sunlight, temperature, humidity, and soil drainage. Simply stick it in the soil for one day, then plug it into your computer’s USB jack and behold the breadth of the gardening guru’s wisdom. Matching the data from the soil to the EasyBloom’s library of plants, it suggests the best vegetables, herbs, trees, shrubs and flowers suited for your garden.

I am so loving this idea and product, as I’m not the best green thumb out there. What could be better than to literally stick a tool in the ground, then stick it in your PC, and voila! a list of the appropriate veggies for your area and soil are given to you. Very useful indeed.

New Dallas Mobility Ride

Dallas Police Gets Sentinel Police Mobility Vehicles

by Brian Yalung on Monday, July 27th, 2009

The Dallas Police Department will be enforcing the law better with these new vehicles transported from Xtreme Products. This development promises to be a big improvement towards the surveillance and monitoring measures needed by the neighborhood, a new eco-friendly vehicle slated to replace the old bicycle and foot patrols in use before.

The Sentinel can travel at speeds up to 29 miles per hour and offers a range of 80 miles per charge at a cost of about 1 cent per mile. The transition is sure to be a welcome development to the security of the Dallas neighborhood which can now be monitored better and raising the level of interaction between the police and the community.

Super Cool Dumpster Diving

Haul Pass
Ref-use Recycled Home Furnishings

You carry a heavy load.

But nothing like the guys behind Ref-use home furnishings.

The Austin-based duo hawks over dumpsters to collect plywood waste destined for landfills from obliging cabinet and woodworking shops. Then they haul the scraps to their milling warehouse, where they sand and shape them into modern tables, chairs, and shelves.

The look is super basic (no curvy legs or fanciful accents), as are the finishes: four stains (i.e., smoky gray, dirty brown) and ten paint colors (bright orange and purple to dark blue and earthy green). All paints and clear coats are nontoxic and formaldehyde free.

Get a load of that.

Available at Dh Collection, 3320 West 7th Street, Fort Worth (817-877-1994). To see styles, go to ref-use.com.

Urban Farming Looks so Cool

So, in the Dallas, TX area the new fad is Urban Farming (keeping your own chickens and goats in the city limits). I myself grew up an urban farm and never realized it until recently. We had 12 acres in town (about one whole block) with a blackberry patch, cows, horses, honey bees, 3 orchards and a huge garden. We also had a windmill so we never paid a water bill. It really made me appreciate how things are grown, not to waste, and the value of knowing what goes into one's food.
After a year of composting and gardening I have been thinking of raising my own chickens. Once I found this it's on. Now the set up is a little pricey but organic eggs are totally worth it. My kids and I have decided to save our pennies for chickens.
Check this out:
Chicks Dig It
Eglu Modern Chicken Coop

They say you shouldn’t count your chickens before they hatch.

But bet on enjoying your own incredible, edible eggs with help from Omlet, whose new Eglu Cube makes it possible for city dwellers to own chickens.

Depending on your outdoor space, you can opt for a six-foot (for six chicks) or nine-foot (for up to ten) run. You’ll need to clean the roost once a week, but it’s easy with slide-out dropping trays and plastic surfaces you can hose down.

The party fowls will be warm in winter and cool in summer thanks to twin-walled insulation. The steel weldmesh run keeps out pesky rodents, and a skirt lies on the ground to prevent foxes and other predators from digging their way in.

Three hens can lay their goods in the secluded nesting booth, and an egg port makes collecting easy.

So you won’t have to scramble.

Available online at omlet.us.

Hens in your backyard and fresh eggs every morning!
If you have been thinking about keeping a couple of chickens for a while but just didn’t know where to start, or you have a small flock of faithful hens who you would like to reward with a new house then Omlet can help!

Using the experience of thousands of delighted customers we have developed the eglu and our personal service to offer you a truly innovative, practical and fun way of keeping chickens. Collecting fresh eggs from hens in your backyard not only ensures you get fantastic tasting eggs but you also get a good feeling inside from knowing exactly where your food comes from.