Monday, December 29, 2008


This is a repost from a fellow Texas crafter Jennifer Perkins. New York Times entitled For Craft Sales, the Recession Is a Help.

I have always been one to make holiday gifts for my family and friends. Now that my business has taken off I found it hard to hand make everything myself this year so I relied on my fellow crafters and Etsy heros to help me stuff my friends and family's stockings this year.

I have to admit my favorite gift was my Marilyn Monroe painting by my very talented honey Joey Seeman. Pictures to be posted very, very soon.

Pin Show 2009



We did it again! We're in like flin....to the pin show that is. If your not familiar with this amazing event, I just want to let you know it's something you don't want to miss! Last year I was very fortunate to be a participant in the first event and this year is going to be bigger and better than before if you can believe it.

This fabulous Red Carpet event will feature 20-45 independent fashion and accessory designers showcasing over 200 looks on the runway. Beyond the runway you will witness live photoshoots on two styled sets, mingle with designers and even get the rare opportunity to purchase your favorite look right off the runway before it hits stores.

I am going above and beyond my hat designs and adding a line of apparel for 2009. It's a large step to take, but I'm so excited about my upcoming year.

Wednesday, December 24, 2008

Christmas Time





If your like me you've been running late with the finalization of your holiday gifts. To be completely honest I haven't event shipped my family's gifts yet. But possible my gift will be more memorable that way...actually that just sounds like an excuse for me being late.

Obviously these PROUD recycling people in Portugal did not waist any time with their handmade holiday. They made this amazing Christmas tree out of recycled soda bottles.....Talk about going green for the holidays. My version of going green tends to be re-gifting haha!

Merry Christmas!!!

Friday, December 12, 2008

Planning for the new year?

My friends Jessica and Joe of Funky Finds are organizing a great handmade shopping event in Fort Worth. There is plenty of time to apply....but why wait? Spaces are filling up quickly and you don't want to miss out on this awesome Spring Fling.

Apply at:

Thursday, December 11, 2008

Oak Cliff and our handmade community



I like to read about my neighborhood as well as so many other Oak Cliff Dwellers.

The December Issue featured a few of my favorite interests: History of my neighborhood, Make Studio, The Urban Street Bazaar and sweetie pie Pamela Michelle! Check it out!

Friday, December 5, 2008

And once again...more fab press

I'm so excited about this weekend that I couldn't even sleep last night! If you don't already know this weekend will kick off with:

Friday: "Stand by your man" A tribute to Bonnie & Clyde
7:00-10:00pm
411 N. Tyler st.
Dallas, TX 75208

Saturday: Urban Street Bazaar
11:00am - 10:00pm
313 N. Bishop ave.
Dallas, TX 75208

Sunday: Deck the Halls
11:00-6:00pm
South Side on Lamar

Thank you so much to the following peps of featuring us. You rock my socks off and I can't wait to see you all this weekend!!!

Thank you Sarah Toler from the Dallas Examiner you ROCK!!!



www.examiner.com





www.gaylistdaily.com


http://funkyfinds.blogspot.com



www.quickdfw.com

Wednesday, December 3, 2008

Press, press...and more PRESS!

I am so excited and mildly overwhelmed by the major steps of success I have made on my Tara to the T line in the past few months. I owe many thanks to all my wonderful customers and great friends who have supported me along the way.

Please take a minute to check out my recent press.

F!D luxe spends four minutes with Mix 102.9
Thank you to Jason Sheeler for taking my feather fascinator headbands and the supper nice shout out on the radio!


Mixed Plate: Funky Finds

My Funky Friend Jessica of Funky Finds speaks about her amazing blog and shops. Read more...

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Dallas Indie Experience weekend

Come out and make your holiday shopping experience all handmade this year!

Friday Dec. 5th 7pm-10pm
"Stand by your Man" A tribute to Bonnie & Clyde
Art meets fashion in this unique show dedicated and inspired by the infamous Dallas based outlaws



411 N. Tyler st.
Dallas, TX 75208
(west of the Bishop arts district)



Free drinks all night long brought to you by



Saturday Dec. 6th
Come shop handmade artists and designers at the Urban Street Bazaar


Sunday Dec. 7th
Rock it out with indie shopping, drinks and pictures with Santa at Deck the Halls

Tuesday, November 18, 2008




Stand By Your Man: A Tribute to Bonnie and Clyde
Fashion by Tara Tonini • Paintings by Joey Seeman

Opening reception: Friday, Dec. 5th, 2008 7-9 p.m.
411 N. Tyler St. Dallas, TX

Art meets fashion at this unique collaborative show featuring handmade designs and art dedicated to the infamous Dallas based outlaws; Bonnie and Clyde.

Designer Tara Tonini will be debuting a one of a kind line of women’s and men’s hats and hair accessories inspired by Depression-era America. She recently received outstanding reviews from her runway looks featured in the Pin Show, Dallas’s independent runway show.


Joey Seeman takes his inspiration from the work of the W.P.A. muralists and particularly the American Regionalists who told the American story during the Depression. His most recent one-man show at Canvas Gallery in Dallas followed on the heels of two successful shows in Los Angeles.

Living in Dallas, the home base of many of Bonnie and Clyde’s endeavors, gave the pair the original inspiration for creating a tribute to the notorious outlaws who roamed the American countryside but always considered Dallas their home base.

This show is part of a three day alternative shopping event, Dallas Indie Experience which also includes Urban Street Bazaar in Bishop Arts district on Saturday Dec. 6th and Deck the Halls at the historic South Side on Lamar building on Sunday Dec. 7th. All three shows will spotlight independent Dallas business and artists.

For more information on Stand By Your Man, contact:
Joey Seeman info@joeyseeman.com
TaraTonini info@taratothet.com

Thursday, November 6, 2008

Get your Girly On!!!

This weekend start your holiday shopping in OKC!

Monday, October 27, 2008

New seller on Funky Finds

I am now selling my accessories on the Shops @ Funky Finds. Come check out this great 100% handmade on-line shop.

The Shops @ Funky Finds

The Shops @ Funky Finds

The Shops @ Funky Finds

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

Austin Maker Faire 2008



One word to describe this event would be BLAST! I made a ton of new friends like Bonnie Rue from Model Citizens, I received a lot of love from the local shoppers and even got a change to hang with my favorite Austin Mafiosa's Jennifer Perkins from Naughty Secretary Club and Hope Perkins from Hot Pink Pistol.


The event was full off really cool hand made items! I picked up a business card holder from 11:11 enterprises, a hand painted wooden ring from Pamela Michelle, a killer necklace from Sprout Jewelry and new iron transfers from Sublime Stitching and some kids items from Baby Bolt.

Now it's back to work!

Lovessss!
Tara to the T

Monday, October 13, 2008

Thank you!!!



Urban Street Bazaar was a huge success for me this past saturday. I want to give a special thanks to all my customers for the sweet words and rock'en Tara to the T designs. I am supper excited about the feather fascinator headbands and and feather fedoras.

I will continue to sew my brains out this week to prepair for Austin Maker Fair. If you heading down make sure to stop by my booth.

Lovessssss,
Tara to the T

Friday, October 10, 2008

Wonderful wonderland of JUNK!



It's been officially 1 week since my trip to Canton, and boy do I miss it already. For those who know me, you would agree that I have a soft spot in my heart for junk!!! Last friday I scored a 1950's kitchen table, which ended up in my sewing studio because I don't eat much at home these days. I also purchased a plethora of vintage hats that I will be restoring for my restored vintage hat collection that will day bu at this Saturdays Urban Street Bazaar. The $200 that I stuffed in my cowboy boot got me a long way in this wonderful wonderland of junk...BUT WARNING! Scooters are all over the place so watch out for your toes...old people tend to get feisty when they have 4 wheels of pure scooter power under them.

That's it for today.....Lovesssss!
Tara to the T

Wednesday, October 8, 2008

Art Chicas Unidas


The Art Chicas Unidas program is run by La Reunion. The Dallas Craft Mafia will be sponsoring a girl for this upcoming art event. Check it out!!!

WHAT IS IT - ART CHICAS UNIDAS
Small teams of high school aged girls will work with professional women artists selected by jury and create one of a kind art works based on materials from our 35 acres site in Oak Cliff. The finished art works will be on display that same evening and all proceeds from sales go back into the Art Chicas Unidas program. What makes this program unique? This year we are working with Deaf Action Center, socio-economically challenged schools as well as girls that are getting the full art experience like at Booker T. We engage all walks of life and backgrounds and introduce new skills and interests, from photography to guitar to encaustic.

We will honor our Mentor Madres this year with your names across our invitational postcard to the reception. Even if you can't make the reception November 8, please support this program today. Download the form and mail or email back. Deadline Oct 18 to be on the card! Don't delay!

Want more info? Check out the la Reunion blog and watch the video http://www.lareuniontx.org/lareuniontx/blog/2008/10/mentor-madres-sponsor-girl-today.html

Monday, October 6, 2008

Tara to the T in Dallas Morning News!!!



Thats right, a Tara to the T feather fascinator headband was featured in the Dallas Morning News with the Kim Dawson Model Search!

Check out the full article at http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/fea/fashion/modelsearch/stories/DN-fd_modelsearch_1002liv.3625a71.html

Get the look at: www.taratothet.etsy.com

Monday, September 29, 2008

Fall Bazaar



This is going to be a really exciting show for me! I have an entire new line of fedoras, caplets, scarfs and great new fall fabrics. Come out to shop handmade and be part of the experience!

Friday, September 26, 2008

Halloween Sale!!


I have so many cute new items so come out to Make and check them out. All Dallas Craft Mafia members merchandise will be 15% off.

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Getting Naughty with Jennifer Perkins



This saturday the ever so talented Miss Jennifer Perkins of The Naughty Secretary Club ventured north to visit to the Big D. Jennifer was the featured guest teacher at the Make Studio located in the Bishop Arts District, where she taught a funky fabulous jewelry making class.

I love Jennifer's use of color and her humongous pink vintage suitcase full of fabulous jewelry finds. After the class Jennifer had a fun book signing party for the release of her new book The Naughty Secretary Club, The working girls guide to handmade jewelry. I made the investment and added the colorful book to my collection. Not only are the pages covered with fun handmade projects, but there is a step by step guide for all the fabulous tricks Miss Jennifer teaches in her class.

You can purchase your book on her website or myspace.....so snap to it....get some crazy color combinations in your life....and start crafting!!!

Monday, September 8, 2008

Website launch


My website is up and running! Stop by and check out pictures from my events, upcoming show dates and even stop by my on-line Etsy show.

www.taratothet.com

Tuesday, September 2, 2008

N.E.E.T !!!!!




I'm really excited about my first advertisement! N.E.E.T is an on-line magazine featuring independent designers, on-line vintage shops and amazing articles and photo shoots highlighting trend, fashion, and style.

Check it out!

www.neetmagazine.com

Monday, August 25, 2008

Bazaar Bizarre at Maker Fair, Austin



Bazaar Bizarre
Austin, TX
October 18th- 19th

I have an enormous amount of upcoming shows, but I am extremely excited about Bazaar Bizarre in Austin, TX. Handmade vendors are coming in from all over the USA for this show. Wozers I have my work cut out for me before October, I've got to work on my booth set up and stock up on inventory.

Check it out!

Monday, August 18, 2008

The Show Pony Show



(Above the lovely Jessica of Funky Finds & Me)

Sunday was such an amazing day for me! The Dallas Craft Mafia presented The Show Pony Show. The day was filled with shopping from all handmade vendors including artists, designers, and makers of all kinds. There was a free Progressive craft sponsored by the Etsy Dallas Team, swing dancing preformances from ACME, pictures with the pony, and a killer raffle benefiting La Reunion and last, but certinly not least, Jason Cohen from Curiosities was our guest DJ spinning a collection of all vinyl though out the day.

I really would like to thank all of our wonderful sponsors, talented vendors, and amazing customers who all came out to the Continental Lofts to make the show happen. I am relieved to have my first show under my belt, and to honest I am looking forward to organizing next years event ;0)

Thank you Funky Finds for you wonderful re-cap on the event!


Lovessss!
Tara to the T

Monday, August 11, 2008

Giddy-up Pony's!


No doubt you’ve heard about the handmade movement that’s sweeping the country. The New York Times recently raved about the back-to-basics shift that many communities have embraced in the article Handmade 2.0. That progressive, independent spirit is catching on fast and strong right here in Dallas and you can find it at the Show Pony Show!

Presented by the Dallas Craft Mafia, a local set of women crafters and artisans each with their own distinctive business and style, the Show Pony Show assembles some of the best in local designers and crafters presenting shoppers a unique experience. A nod to the handmade movement sweeping the country, Show Pony offers a hyper local variety of high quality goods along with raffles benifiting La Reunion, pictures with the pony from noon-2pm and an opportunity to be involved in a free “progressive craft”, building on the hands-on approach handmade is all about.

The mission of this round-up is to wake up the public from their mass produced, mall induced coma with vibrant, classy, well-made, long-lasting, locally handmade products and the who, what when and where goes a little like this: Show Pony will prance out at the historical Continental Lofts on Sunday, August 17th from 11:00am to 7:00 p.m. featuring Harrilu, Superchica, Chromosapien, Enju, Tara to the T, Brokn Doll, Texas Tarts and many, many more..

Bring the entire family for a day of community-minded fun and shopping. Giddy-up, baby!

showponyshow.blogspot.com
myspace.com/showponyshow

Tuesday, August 5, 2008

LA Reunion



I met with the wonderful Sara Jane this past friday. She is the executive director of LA Reunion. LA Reunion Tx is creating an arts residency in Dallas that will host artists in both new and traditional media for periods ranging from one week to one year. In exchange for live/work space, artists give back to the community through programs, exhibits, performances, and installations.

The residency will be build on a 35 acre site in my neighborhood Oak Cliff!

All proceeds from the raffle at The Show Pony Show will benefit La Reunion. So come by and check it all out!

The Show Pony Show
Sunday, August 17th, 2008
11:00am - 7:00pm
Continental Lofts
3311 Elm St. Dallas, TX 75226