Crystalyn Kae Blog

If you’re searching for Urban Craft Uprising vendors or wondering why some longtime makers aren’t at Seattle’s biggest holiday craft show this year, here’s my story. After nearly 20 years with UCU, I’m stepping away due to logistics, jury unpredictability, and a shift toward events that better support small businesses year-round. Here’s an honest look at why — and where you can shop my work this season instead.

A rare discovery from a Boeing pilot’s estate inspired a special collaboration with Seattle’s Museum of Flight. Crafted from genuine mid-century airplane upholstery, this limited run of 96 one-of-a-kind bags connects aviation history with sustainable design.

Purse Display Ideas for Boutiques, Craft Shows & Pop-Up Shops

Discover creative, high-impact ways to display handbags in boutiques, craft shows, and pop-up shops—plus our favorite tools and real examples from Crystalyn Kae stockists.

With 2021 coming to a close, and 2022 finally here, it is so important to take time to reflect on what success and highs got me to this point and the new year. So let’s get into it!   Expanded my...

Up-cycle a Coat into a Purse: FRIDAY, 2:00 - 4:30 PM (PST) SUNDAY, 11:00 AM - 1:30 PM (PST) Have a favorite coat or jacket that no longer fits? Let Crystalyn show you how you can deconstruct any jacket into a useful purse! You...

Other than pounding the pavement going door-to-door to boutiques, in-person events like this trade show are the most effective tactic for getting a company's name out there. 

And since the San Francisco Gift Show closed, there hasn't been a wholesale market that would showcase the unique work of designers of hand-crafted gifts and home accessories, and attract Bay Area independent boutiques and retailers.  This is why a small rep group stepped up to do just that.  They know what it's like to be a vendor - and they they make you feel like a partner and a teammate, not another body filling a booth to cover their rent. 

You may remember Geneieve, as she was a featured customer in one of our "Whats in Your bag" posts, and if you've been following her journey, she was wearing a Crystalyn Kae hobo on the day her (now)  husband proposed!  So we were doubly thrilled that she wanted to carry one of our Large Valet pouch on her wedding day! 

This season, we took a bold choice to NOT pay thousands of dollars for a booth amongst thousands of other vendors - and instead book a showroom within walking distance of Javits Convention Center.   We offered it as an alternative for our stores to escape the din of trade show lighting,

2016 was a year of big moves and even bigger leaps of faith, and we couldn't be happier with how it all turned out! As we roll headfirst into a new year - we thought we would take a few moments and celebrate all the awesome that came in 2016

 

Meet the Vendor: Crystalyn Kae Accessories - Urban Craft Uprising

Who are you and what do you do? I make hobos, totes, and cross-body bags with a unique blend of sustainable materials. The main core of my designs are made with glazed fabric – which is a coated canvas that looks and feels like leather – but is vegan and machine washable. From there …
urbancraftuprising.com

  Via Seattle Magazine "There are 10 million cool things to do in Seattle this weekend (Queen Anne sidewalk sale, Ballard SeafoodFest, Sub Pop’s Jubilee, West Seattle Summer Fest), including Urban Craft Uprising, an artisan-tastic event at the Seattle Center Exhibition Hall....

Well, I was accepted to my first Brooklyn Renegade as a New Yorker - but with most of my studio supplies and materials still in Seattle, I bought a sewing machine!  And found some gorgeous dead-stock silk intended to make ties, which I have turned into flower pins and pillows for my booth.

I'm not sure why I do this, but I get very OCD about my booth displays, often at the 11th hour before the show.  This time, I got the whim to tea-stain my hang tags.  Because: Brooklyn!

On Sunday at Renegade, Sara (the genius behind the Chicago School of Shoemaking) stopped by my booth and introduced herself.   Elated at the concept of an actual shoe-making school, I figured she would be just the person to  ask 

 

I have just returned from Chicago Renegade Craft. This was my second time as a vendor in Chi-town and man, this show has set quite the precedent as being a fantastic show for me. Hands-down my best Renegade show this

 

I have just returned from  Austin Renegade Craft Fair and man was it a blast!  This was my first visit to Austin, and boy did I love it there!  Great food, oodles of sunshine and fabulous friends: both old and new!

 

Last weekend I attended my very first out of town show: Renegade Craft Fair, which was also my first time visiting Chicago. The first two days were spent vending at the show – where nearly 50,000 customers came to shop. … Continue reading →

 

It’s hard to believe it was 10 years ago that I quit my day job and embarked on this crazy ride. My business has grown exponentially over the years, and sometimes it’s a challenge to keep my sanity and still...