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Florida Etsy Street Team brings monster art show to Dinosaur World

By Dalia Colon, Times Staff Writer
In print: Thursday, March 13, 2008

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ADVERTISEMENT [BECKY SINN | Florida Etsy Street Team] Becky Sinn, who created Marina the Mermaid, a soft-sculpted doll, is one of about 20 vendors who will set up at Mega-Craft-Zilla.

Florida artists are preparing for a craft show of behemoth proportions.

Mega-Craft-Zilla, Sunday at Dinosaur World in Plant City, will be the first art sale organized by Florida Etsy Street Team. The statewide group of about 50 crafters sell their creations on Etsy.com, an online emporium for handmade goods. Because the artists are spread throughout Florida, they stay connected through a Yahoo! group and chat online every Tuesday to discuss project ideas.

Mega-Craft-Zilla is akin to other hipster art shows, like Tampa Bay's Crafting Out Loud and Sarasota's Atomic Holiday Bazaar. About 20 artists will display their woodwork, screen prints, knitted items and more.

But . . . Dinosaur World?

"We wanted to support a local Florida roadside attraction, being the Florida Etsy Street Team," co-organizer Shannon Schafer said. The merchandise isn't dino-themed, per se.

"A few different places came to mind, and Dinosaur World was the one that the team really went berserk over."

Schafer, 31, of St. Petersburg, said she sells two to three pieces of jewelry a week — or more, with marketing — at www.boogiebead.etsy.com.

For Becky Sinn, 27, of Ocala, hawking dolls and charm bracelets online allows her the flexibility to care for her sick mother. Sales from www.beckysinn.etsy.com supplement her income from working part-time at a video store.

"I live in a very small town — they're getting ready to build a third Wal-Mart — so I just want to do what I can. Etsy is so helpful, and it's really great to have all these close people that you can email anyone and they will help you with your problem if you're trying to start a business and create a brand for yourself," said Hudson, who administrates MySpace.com/etsyfest.

"I just am so excited about the kitschy, really different atmosphere for the show. With word of mouth and getting the buzz going about this show, I got five custom orders this week, and it's answered my prayers."

Dalia Colon can be reached at dcolon@tampabay.com or (727) 893-8717.