You're coming to the Conference of Creative Entrepreneurs? Hooray! They've picked a really good neighborhood. Here is a list of places I know and love, all within about six blocks of the Century Ballroom (Friday's conference location). I've included an address and a link to a Google map for each below in the hopes that those reading this on a mobile device (hi there!) find it easy enough to use. Please note, there are more places mentioned on the bottom of this page of the CCE's website, as well as their Where To Eat series: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6. Do know that the conference will be providing breakfast and lunch.

You need to eat:

Oddfellows Cafe - This restaurant is in the same building as the Century Ballroom, the entrance is just around the corner. It's charming and has a good menu, open all day long and late into the night. (Breakfast? Yes!)
1525 10th Avenue, Seattle, WA 98122
[map]
(206) 325-0807

Via Tribunali - Serving some seriously good Neapolitan pizza. The pizza come unsliced so if you're sharing ask the server to bring some kitchen shears that they have for this purpose. Seriously, it's the easiest way to cut pizza and you'll ditch your pizza cutter shortly after you return home. (Breakfast? No.)
913 East Pike Street, Seattle, WA 98122-3816
[map]
(206) 322-9234

Boom Noodle - Yummy noodles, well designed interior. (Breakfast? No.)
1121 East Pike Street, Seattle, WA 98122
[map]
(206) 701-9130

Vermillion - They serve a small menu, usually a soup, a cheese plate and a few other things, but they are cozy and charming and have a good wine list. Walk through the art gallery to the cafe space in the back. (Note: Vermillion is where we held the first year or so of Grassroots Business Association meetings, we *heart* Vermillion.) (Breakfast? No.)
1508 11th Ave, Seattle, WA 98122
[map]
(206) 709-9797

Cafe Presse - Located across an annoyingly busy street but so worth the trek for amazing and unpretentious French food. A Stumptown coffee is next door. (Breakfast? Yes!)
1117 12th Avenue, Seattle, WA 98122
[map]
(206) 709-7674

You need to eat some sugar:

Cupcake Royale - One of the original cupcake places in Seattle. My favorite cupcake is still the ballerina (vanilla with pink vanilla frosting). They also have good espresso here.
1111 East Pike Street, Seattle, WA 98122
[map]
(206) 328-6544

Molly Moon's Ice Cream - Amazing ice cream in amazing flavors. Expect to stand in a long line of impressively dressed people. This is about five inches from the Century Ballroom entrance so I expect you'll be having ice cream before you leave Seattle.
917 East Pine Street, Seattle, WA 98122
[map]
(206) 708-7947

Old School Frozen Custard - Amazing custard with your choice of things to add. Expect to stand in a long line of impressively dressed people.
1316 East Pike Street, Seattle, WA 98122
[map]
(206) 324-2586

You need to eat because you're happydrunk and it's 1 a.m.:

Big Mario's Pizza - Seattle's newly opened New York style pizza by the slice place has your back, open until 4 am.
1009 E Pike St, Seattle, WA 98122
[map]
(206) 922-3875

Po Dogs - Ever tried a Seattle hot dog with cream cheese on it? Now is the perfect time. This place has an impressive menu and vegetarian options.
1009 E Union St, Seattle, WA 98122
[map]
206-325-6055

It's the morning and you need coffee and a pastry before you see anybody:

See above: Oddfellows Cafe (right downstairs from the Century Ballroom) and Cupcake Royale (cupcakes for breakfast!).

Cafe Vita - This one is closest to the conference locations, and another of their shops is my own local coffee place so I double love them.
1005 E Pike St, Seattle, WA 98122
[map]
(206) 709-4440

Stumptown - Two locations, one is near Cafe Presse, both a few blocks away. Excellent coffee.
1115 12th Avenue, Seattle, WA 98122
(206) 860-2937
616 East Pine Street, Seattle, WA 98122
(206) 329-0115
[map]

Victrola - This one is a few blocks away, but it's close to the Cakespy shop. Excellent coffee.
310 East Pike Street, Seattle, WA 98122-3610
[map]
(206) 462-6259

Take a shopping break:

Cakespy Shop - So worth the short walk down, it's filled with stuff you'll love. (Also the owner, Jessie, is speaking at the conference!)
415 East Pine Street, Seattle, WA 98122-2311
[map]

Elliott Bay Book Company - Right next door to the Century Ballroom, this historic independent Seattle bookstore recently relocated from it's (beloved, sniff) original location in Pioneer Square.
1521 10th Ave, Seattle, WA 98122
[map]
(206) 624-6600

Stitches - Fabric, yarn, needles, ribbon, felt, findings. All your therapeutic crafting needs (or adhesive needs) have been curated here for you. They even have sewing machines that you can rent. And Japanese fabric. And needle felting supplies should you feel the need to stab somebody something. Honestly, when I need something I come here first, they have some of the best fabric offerings in the city.
711 East Pike Street, Seattle, WA 98122-3719
[map]
(206) 709-0707

Value Village - Thrifting! This is across the street from Vermillion.
1525 11th Avenue, Seattle, WA 98122-3903
[map]
(206) 322-7789

You need to sit on some grass and do some people watching:

Cal Anderson Park - The side of the park closest to the conference location (right across the street) is all soccer fields, but walk deeper into the park and you'll find an impressive fountain and lots of places to stroll or sit for a while.
1635 11th Ave, Seattle, WA 98122
[map]

Other vital needs:

Drugstore: Walgreens - Just a block away from the Century Ballroom, no need to bring your own band aids.
1531 Broadway, Seattle, WA
[map]
(206) 204-0599

Grocery store: QFC - Just a couple blocks away, for all your special snowflake food needs.
1401 Broadway, Seattle, WA
[map]
(206) 860-3818

Post Office - Because the TSA won't let you carry on the new fabric scissors that you bought at Stitches.
101 Broadway East, Seattle, WA
[map]
(206) 324-5474

You need to borrow a computer - Some nearby internet cafes (yes they still exist) because you, like me, never bring your laptop along but always find a near emergency situation where you're handheld thingy just won't do and you need a computer NowNowNow and cannot wait until you get back to your hotel.

Uncle Elizabeth's Internet Cafe
1123 Pike Street
Seattle, WA 98101-1923
[map]
(206) 381-1600

Online Coffee Company
1404 East Pine Street, Seattle, WA 98122
[map]
(206) 323-7798

The Conference of Creative Entrepreneurs here in Seattle is coming up! If you already live here in Seattle there is an event at the conference that is free to attend:

Are you looking to connect with the art, craft and design community?

We are excited to announce a special special round table reception hosted by The Conference for Creative Entrepreneurs.

The event will feature small group discussions about running a small business, networking opportunities with members of the the art, craft and design community, craft and product demonstrations, special discounts on services and products from our sponsors, and sweet snacks too!

Free To Attend
Friday, August 13th from 4:15 - 6:00 PM
Century Ballroom, 915 East Pine Street, Seattle, WA 98122-3849 (map)

RSVP now at: Eventbrite.

As a SPECIAL THANK YOU to the first 50 people who register by August 11th, you get one FREE conference session of your choice on Saturday or Sunday! Session registration will take place on Friday when you check in for the round table event. RSVP today to ensure your space at this amazing event!

To see conference choice options on Saturday and Sunday check out our schedule.

Additional classes will be available for $25 per session - cash only - register day of at venue location.

Will I see you there?

All You Can Eat | Din Tai Fung opening in Bellevue: xiao long bao fans rejoice. Soup dumplings are coming to Bellevue.

Bars with Outdoor Seating! Also: A/C and Ice Cream | Slog | The Stranger, Seattle's Only Newspaper.

Curio Confections Re-Opens Tomorrow | Slog | The Stranger, Seattle's Only Newspaper.

Oh Fuck, Not the Buck: Historic Fremont Tavern to Close in September - Seattle Restaurants and Dining - Voracious. NO!

Wheeling to winery country: A scenic ride with a fruitful stop. Bicycling from the Burke-Gilman to Redhook, my sort of trip.

Seattle's Top Five U-Pick Berry Farms - Voracious.

This summer Urban Craft Uprising show here in Seattle is coming up on July 10th and 11th and this year I'm extra excited because on Saturday the 10th Mobile Chowdown will be nearby, also Seattle Center. Shopping from indie businesses and excellent food from trucks, it's perfection.

Last weekend we headed to the Cakespy Shop grand opening party. Jessie, of course, had cupcakes but they were made extra special by sporting her own artwork. These were madey by Trophy Cupcakes, the images were edible. Fantastic.

This one is Jessie and Danny, her husband, standing outside the store. How sweet!

There was a crowd there the whole time we hung out. Danny's band Exohxo played two sets. I must get out to see that band soon.

Upstairs her collection of Capitol Hill themed images were displayed, along with a hello letter:

I really loved this little note hanging over a chair that invites you to sit down:

I spotted some of Dave Sheely's jewelry in the shop, and we ran into Paola of mirrormirror with her husband and daughter, and I also got to meet Carrie, the owner of Bella Cupcake Couture!

Then we went across the street to have cocktails on the deck of the Capitol club and eat this tempura battered bacon with spicy chocolate dipping sauce. It was delicious but half of one piece was already too much.

On Saturday, April 17th I'll be participating in a Seattle bake sale for Share Our Strength. Seattle food bloggers are donating baked goods to raise money and we'll be selling them from Metropolitan Market (100 Mercer Street) between 10 a.m. and noon.

I'll be making something yummy that will come baked in jars. (Hint: they aren't the pies baked in a jar that I did a few years back.) I did a test run last night and ate three today (breakfast, lunch and dessert!). I'm a bit giddy with how much fun this has been.

And? I'm not even that good a baker. Just go and check out the list of people baking for you.The spread at this bake sale will be epic. Hope to see you there.

I'm happy to let you know about the Conference of Creative Entrepreneurs happening here in Seattle August 13th to the 15th. It's three days of classes and talks on how to thrive as a small business owner focusing on those who work in the handmade realm. The conference is located in Capitol Hill and the meeting spaces are split between two very cool venues a short block apart. It's surrounded by restaurants and boutiques and you'll be getting to visit the best parts of Seattle while you're here, and hang out where people, well, hang out.

The speakers and classes are incredible. The speakers include Lauren Bacon from Raised Eyebrow Web Studios, Lisa Congdon, Jessie Olsen of CakeSpy, Susan Beal of West Coast Crafty, Becky Stern from Craftzine, Faythe Levine of Handmade Nation, Jenny Hart of Sublime Stitching, Garth Johnson of Extreme Craft, Jennifer Shea of Trophy Cupcakes and the guys from Wexley School for Girls.

If you own a small businesses and struggle to find people who you can commiserate with, or want to swap tips with others who sell on Etsy this conference will be your new best friend. They are offering an Early Bird rate for all three days of the conference if you buy your ticket before June, or you can buy a one day pass for any of the three days.

Earlier today I was headed to Venue when I spotted this Airstream outside of Blackbird. I briefly wondered what sort of food Moore & Giles were selling before getting close enough to see that it is actually a traveling showroom for leather goods.

They even have chairs welcoming you inside where you can see more of their things.

They've traveled all the way from Virginia and they'll be at that spot in Ballard today at tomorrow. They'll be in Seattle outside Mario's on Friday the 16th before heading to Portland and San Francisco.

Their craftsmanship was impeccable, the company started with shoes and upholstery and know how to stitch something together. If you're curious and stop by to see what they have I might also mention that Blackbird's oldey timey candy shop is about ten steps away.

Dear census people: Oh creepy! First you sent us a letter to let us know the census was going to arrive, then the census arrived (which we filled out and returned), then you sent a postcard to let us know the census should have arrived. And now you're in my fortune cookie. Cut it out.

p.s. Should you ever be in Seattle the hand shaved noodles at Shanghai Garden are excellent.

update: To be a bit clearer, actual fortunes were printed on the other side of these slips of paper, I knew that the Census Bureau had purchased space on the back of the fortunes, I think it is important to make sure that people know why being counted matters, and I applaud the Census Bureau for doing something with such a sense of humor. I was just surprised to be so incredibly well informed that the census was going on.

The other day I was passing by Wallingford Center and decided to stop in and have a look at the new home of Fabric Crush, which recently moved over from Magnolia. I was very excited to visit the shop for the first time after hearing good things about it from Robin of Red Bird Style.

The space is lovely, the tall windows let in lots of natural light and there are wide open spaces for you to wander in. Every fabric shop should have this light. The collection of fabrics, books, patterns and notions is very well currated and it's so lovely to wander around looking at nothing but excellent fabrics.

She even carries some great oilcloth and laminated fabrics. Most fabrics are quilting weight cottons and it's full of Amy Butler, Alexander Henry, Michael Miller, Free Spirit, I even spotted some of the Jessica Jones (aka How About Orange) home decorating weight fabrics.

I was surprised to find out that she carries some fabric lines that have local connections. Clothworks Textiles is based in Seattle. I know I saw some of the Fleur Nouveau fabrics designed by Don Baker. They carry fabric wheels of the Robert Kaufman fabrics designed by Josephine Kimberling. And I found out that Kona Bay is a Washington company. Fabric Crush stocks some of the Japanese fabrics they import each year and offer at good prices.

Fabric Crush is lovely and if you live near Seattle I highly recommend you rush right ove to have a look. It's right next to Bad Woman Yarn and just down the hall from Trophy Cupcake, it couldn't get much better.