We’re happy with the progress of our A-Team.  Everyone is working in an area of interest making big improvements to our production.  Nancy Coplin did a great job on the music line up.  We’ve got some excellent new acts this year.  We’re working with Hank Alrich making further improvements on our sound system for the enjoyment of all.

We visited many shows, large and small, this year.  We talked to artists at Bayou City, Cottonwood, Bellevue in Washington State, Georgetown Arts on the Square, Fiesta San Antonio, Art City Austin and made several new friends.  We also made a point of seeing the small local craft shows looking for up and coming talent.   

We got a new mascot at the office last month.   Mr. Chicken, aka Captain Gumbo made a surprise entrance into the backyard.  Without a fence or a coop he’s claimed the yard as his own, took the 5 cats as his hens and now rules the roost.  We like him.

Viola Sue Barnett was born on May 3rd, 2011 to assistant producer Amanda Barnett and husband Beau. She came into this world weighing 10 lbs, 7 oz! We are excited to see a growing number of 2nd generation Armadillo babies among us. Be sure to meet Viola at the 2011 show! And don't forget her big brother, Parker!

Parker turns 4 this August.

While visiting, we took our friend, Judy Cooper, to lunch at Tom Douglas’ Dahlia Lounge on St. Patrick’s Day. 

Our waiter realized that he didn’t have any green on, so Annie took off her Armadillo Christmas Bazaar button and gave it to him. We watched our waiter talking to his customers, pointing out the button.  He was delighted and intrigued.  He told us he would wear the button all day and loved hearing about the show.  He was looking forward to looking us up on the web when he got home.  Through out lunch he came by our table often to chat.

The Dahlia Lounge is known for it’s outstanding coconut cream pie, a portion that is way to big for two people. Since we were three, we decided to go for it, but we couldn’t quite finish it off.  When our waiter presented the bill, he comped our pie in exchange for the button!  Leaving our mark on Seattle, even if it’s just a little bit. -Bruce & Annie

 
 

Selling my work at SXSW this year was a new experience for me. In fact, it was my first time to be  in town at all during SXSW after living in Austin for 24 years. Usually I'm in the group of Austinites who  leave town during the madness.

I primarily sell handmade stationery through my web store Crab Apple Designs and only sell directly at 2-3 shows a year, so I was a bit hesitant to try selling during South By. But I dove in anyway hoping that SXSW would bring the kind of geek (which I say with love) that shares my passion for retro paper goods. My craft emphasizes notebooks and sketchbooks made from old books and games, but my focus during SXSW was recycled comic books. I thought that a product that appeals to guys would be a good item to showcase.

I'm sure glad I took a chance.  What a great time! I participated in a “pop-up shop” on South Congress with local live music within earshot and a flow of foot traffic from morning until night. This was my kind of crowd: friendly, happy, and genuinely excited about the products I make. Evidently, comic books aren’t just for guys! I was thrilled to meet girls and guys of ALL ages who found something to love about vintage comics.

The happy energy that the festival brings to downtown is addictive and I will surely plan on participating again next year! - Melissa Stewart

A quick but important review of my favorite festivals in Austin in the next couple months. 
 
Stage dive hip(ster) deep into SXSW. As a native Austinite I usually cringe at the thought, but this year with a good mate to entertain from the UK, I am embracing the city and all it’s foreigners (bloody, I may even put on an English accent and pretend to be one). 
 
Running through April 3rd is ye olde Sherwood Faire. Just outside Austin you can scarf a turkey leg, watch a jousting match and go back in time. I go to see wonderful Armadillo Christmas Bazaar Artists like Gaila Designs & Face Painting, Two Sisters Henna & Face Painting, and Mark Cooper with Signs of Spirit. I also cannot refuse any opportunity to dress up. I love costumes!!
 
In mid-April, the Old Settlers Festival is held nearby in Driftwood, TX. Their lineup is right up our alley at the Armadillo Christmas Bazaar. They even have Armadillos crawling around on their website. Cute! The headliners, The Avett Brothers are AMAZING and I am super excited to see them live.  A few Armadillo artists are also featured at the festival like The Gourds, Band of Heathens, Suzanne Choffel, Warren Hood and our very own Sahara Smith. 
 
Finally, my most favoritest, fun festival to frolic frantically in Austin is Eeyores Birthday Party. This is the place to see Austin at its weirdest. I’m a sucker for birthday parties, and the underdog, so Eeyore’s is dear to my heart (you get to wear costumes at this one too)!
 
Let’s hope I make it out of the Austin festival season alive. - Anne Kelley

Geesh. New websites are hard work. So much work goes into planning, acquiring content, evaluating, what colors to use, what font, what copy, in what order……AHHH!  Luckily we have a magician named Kendall Witherspoon with Thinkspoon that makes things happen with a click of the mouse and in record time too! We also have Sherry Smith Marketing Partner on our side, the best lady in Austin for marketing. We joined forces and our team could not be better, look around our new Armadillo Christmas Bazaar site and see for yourself!
 
Now, I know we are a Christmas show and you are thinking, what’s the hurry? Surprisingly enough, the planning for 2011 starts as soon as the 2010 show ends (after we hibernate for a few days of course). 
 
We ARE in a hurry!!! The most important thing to us right now is getting our application process open and getting our butts in gear to start reviewing amazing new artists for our 2011 show. We would be delighted to receive applications from exciting artists that might fit effortlessly into our community and family. We are looking for handmade, local and awesome additions to our merchandise mix. This year we especially want to add more fashion and gifts for pets too! Many trips to local spring shows are in order to scout out the best artists in Austin. Check out the application page for more details and general information on applying. 
 
Coming soon… Armadillo Christmas Bazaar Save The Date Cards! Look for them wherever you see stunning art in Austin. Cheers! -Anne Kelley