My Bustacraftacular Sunday In Chelsea!

How many can say that they were greeted and almost spanked by sexily clad Tina Fey? Well, more specifically Tina Fey as a magnified scale Bust Magazine cover lady on board? Only those who came, saw, and conquered.

This past Sunday, just a few days ago, I made a last minute decision to attend Bust Magazine's Craftacular & Food Fare, awesome two-day holiday craft fair. Had such a marvelous time.
However, before enjoying the wonderful company of sweet, talented artisan women and before an adorable Adopt-A-Pup kissed me and I liked it some ditzy shenanigans happened.
I almost missed the 5AM Megabus (it was a cheap steal for $9!) due to my MFL SEPTA just passing me by. Two minutes! It came two freaking minutes early! With only nine measly minutes left, I hailed a taxi and told him to put the pedal to the metal.
"To the 30th Street Station where the Megabus stop is!" I exhaled, though not in that exact fancy fashion. My fingers were digging into the seat. Palms that were once nearing frostbitten territory, despite wearing killer Therasulin gloves, sweated with anticipation and dwindling hope. I hate to say it, but I prayed roads were so slippery that the bus would be delayed or that the Abominable Snowman from Rudolf the Red Nose Reindeer gave the driver a fear so frightening that the bus made a frantic u-turn.
The cabbie was nice and said, "you'll make it. Don't worry!"
Alas, he was right.
I made the Megabus right behind a modest line.
Now when I got to New York, my plan was to go to the Starbucks nearest the Metropolitan Pavilion where the main event would take place.  Now, I'm not the best at understanding Google's special brand of NYC directions. I got off the Megabus on 7th and 28th Avenue and was supposed to walk down to 15th Street. Did that. However, I didn't stay on 7th. I ended up along scary, sinister ice and traffic and almost met a grisly death at Hudson River. I knew I should've packed salt. Winter is nothing to sneeze at.  Until you get a cold. Then yes. Lots of sneezing ensues.

May be a beautiful sight, but it was slippery up there! Whoa nelly!

I was seriously very close to going in and asking for clarification on these directions. Dead serious.

A lady running late for work gave a lost woman advice. We walked and talked as she said:
"I think it would help if you find the Metropolitan Pavilion first and it's just three blocks that way."
By then it was 8 AM. So I had been out in the cold for a whole hour just looking for a nearby Starbucks. And yes, I passed by three locations, but I, the determined-not-to-get-lost individual had a specific choice in mind. Plus Google said it would only be a twenty minute journey. Wrong.

8:15 AM Metropolitan Pavilion shot. I spy them getting ready for Day 2.

So I found a Starbucks, had a free hot chocolate (waving Gold card flag), and consumed leftover Nog scones.
Already sugar high and delighted, I made my way jovially to the Bust Craftacular with a huge ole smile.
"Yes!" bellowed inside my head like a victorious champion.
I paid the $3 admission, received a great goodie bag, and entered a raffle.

Goodie tote bag featured a Bust Magazine, Nick Bantock's The Trickster's Hat: A Mischievous Apprenticeship in Creativity, a compilation cd called New Arrivals: Volume 2, & 4 Sublime Stitching's sew-in woven labels (oh yes! I love anything made by unicorns). Not bad for a $3 entry fee!!! 

They had a tree all festively decorated. Hayley's red hair bringing brightness of the spirit.

Shameless love alert: OMG!!! An Issa Rae, creator of the phenomenal web series Awkward Black Girl!, interview??? Swoon!!! Sorry. I just love her. Smart, brilliant, funny, creative, honest, and ala naturale. The low fro cut is darling too. Soooo excited about her pilot with Shonda Rimes (please come on tomorrow!!!) Good job Lisa Butterworth- the writer & Verity Jane Smith- the photographer.

Amongst the jamming music (shocked to find no dance floor), I strolled over booths containing unique, handmade gifts. After rolling the dice twice and scoring 10% off, my first purchase was a soft cotton tank from the kind, gentle ladies of MettaT. The message is near and dear to the heart of every vegan: "may all beings be peaceful." Yes indeed. Though the quote is on the back, I plan to wear it backwards.

I met Dahveenya, the lovely owner of Plastic Heaven. She makes the most wonderful scarves and I certainly hope to acquire a piece of her work. She let me have 2 business cards. Just love the powerful symbolism of the free flying fro, especially adorned with her handiwork. What a talent!

Next to Plastic Heaven's booth was Melissa's Metal Sugar! I loved these brassiere necklaces!

I also found an adorable chick that will probably be my future engagement ring. Gotta love those rubber ducks right?

I had no choice but to buy the rubber duck earrings. They are yellow gold over sterling silver & were frankly too irresistible to pass up!

I sampled delicious Maya's Jams made from 100% REAL fruit! The cherry & blueberry were my favorites. I also tried quince for the first time and had pear jam to boot just to see the difference! I think I may be buying quince in my future. Very interesting flavor. Bought Ma a sample trio!

I headed off to visit JWhite Originals creator, Jessica, another person I discovered on Instagram! She hand designs and hand screenprints all of her pieces with eco friendly inks on various surfaces. The images are diverse and unique, inspired by various cultures. I bought my first pair of Egyptian panties and a Spinx sticker!

Chickpea & Olive offered up splendid vegan fare and free samples of scrapped truffles! "Peace on a plate" is their motto and they're organic! I got a mini box of truffles for Ma.

At the recommendation of Lois from LOVE Lois Vegan Eats, I went to a restaurant called Terri, which has an impressive array of vegan delights. This delicious meatball sandwich was to die for! So fulfilling and amazing thanks to the addition of melted Daiya and a side of marinara sauce. Mmmmmhmmmm!

I really, REALLY enjoyed this raspberry crumb bar- a self indulgent from Chickpea & Olive. Fantastic! Simply fantastic raspberry heaven sandwiched between oaty goodness! Why didn't I buy two?

While I was in the bathroom, this happened. An actual owl jumper!!! Isn't it cute? I don't think I could pull this off.

My beloved Frida was resurrected in vivacious glass form thanks to EFM Studio!

Fair Isle has everything for us vegan beauty loves from lip balms, hand creams, and soaps handcrafted with natural organic nature. They also had infused oils, cookie mixes inside jars, syrups (I'll have to try the Wild Grape Nantucket Syrup- sounds yummy!), and preserves!

Check out the amazing ceramics from Doreen Baskin! Just beautiful craftswomanship and bright, vivid color.

Had a delightful Chelsea rendezvous at Flavaboom.  Despite the coldness of the outdoors, I devoured a concoction of Pomegranate-Raspberry Sorbet topped with fresh pineapples & shredded coconut flakes. Divine bliss!

Scored some tights to add to the growing collection from Old Navy (royal blue with turquoise polka dots!) & TJ Maxx (Christmas red with abstract burgundy line design).

Jams, truffles, and Kenyan tea (okay, from Marshall's but still...) will make Ma happy come next Wednesday. Also bought gorgeous vintage inspired earrings for my BFF from Fleurs Jolies (not pictured until after Christmas, she visits this site. Ha!).

I left New York City on a Megabus without power outlets and heat, but there was light, a Bust Magazine and Nick Bantock to keep me entertained for two hours straight.
So closing, rather in cheesy form, I must say thank you to Bust Magazine for making my Sunday not a complete bust! Maybe we'll see each other again next year.
Oh and lemme see if someone is selling their Janelle Monae cover girl back issue! How did I miss that????