cw&c

We’re joining over 300 other vendors this weekend in Brooklyn at the Renegade Craft Fair.  Come by and see us at Booth #8 (right next to BurdaStyle) if you’re in the neighborhood.

We’re taking our show on the road!

Clay Wood & Cotton will have booths at some of the biggest and best indie craft fairs this spring. We’re kicking off our spring tour this coming weekend, May 15th & 16th, with not one but two great shows:

We’re really excited to part of the first ever Renegade Craft Fair in Austin. Yeehaw! We’ll be in booth number 87.

And we’re just as thrilled to be part of one of our very favorite shows, the excellent Art Star Craft Bazaar in Philadelphia. Clay Wood & Cotton will have booth number 70. And since Kristen & Kristy will be in Texas, the lovely Nguyen of KnitKnit will be holding things down for us in Philly.

If you’re in the area, stop by and see us!

Our 1st Annual Cookie Bake-Off was a whole bunch of fun, and we’re already looking forward to the 2nd annual….

All of our entries were delicious, but of course this was a contest, and there had to be winners.  Sadly we don’t have a picture of the People’s Choice Award winner (as decided by a vote of everyone in attendance), the simply perfect Beacon Blue Chip chocolate chip cookies.

The winner for best appearance was never in doubt… The Texas-sized Recycled Peep cookies took it easily.

And the Overall Best prize went to the rich and decadent Chocolate Sparkle Cookies (center in the picture below) that made the trip all the way up from Brooklyn to take home the prize!

And we have the recipe for you right here–enjoy!

Chocolate Sparkle Cookies

(originally from Senses Bakery in Vancouver)

*The dough needs to be chilled overnight, so plan ahead.
*Be sure to beat the egg-sugar mixture to ‘ribbon’ stage and to chill the dough thoroughly.

1/2 pound bittersweet chocolate (this is one box with 8 cubes)
3 tablespoons butter, room temperature
2 eggs
1 tablespoon honey
1/3 cup sugar, plus more for rolling
3/4 cup ground almonds (optional)
2 teaspoons cocoa powder
Pinch of salt
Powdered sugar, for garnish

1. Melt the chocolate on top of a double boiler, over simmering water.  Remove from heat.  Cut butter into small pieces and mix into the heated chocolate until melted.

2. Beat eggs with electric mixer, gradually adding the sugar and honey until light and the mixture falls in a thick, smooth ribbon from the beaters (about 10-15 minutes, could be even longer). Fold into the chocolate-butter mixture.

3. Mix the cocoa powder and salt (and the ground almonds, if using); gently add to the chocolate mixture.  Cover and refrigerate overnight.

4. Preheat oven to 325.

5. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.  Use a cookie scoop (or a spoon and your hands) to form the dough into 1-inch balls.  Working quickly, roll the balls in granulated sugar.  Place on the baking sheet about 2 inches apart.

6. Bake at 325 F for 12 minutes, until the centers are moist, but not wet.  Cool on the cookie sheet a few minutes and then move cookies to a wire rack.

Makes about 36 cookies.

Looking for something to do this Saturday? Head over to Beacon’s Main Street and join the Dutchess County SPCA & Beacon Barkery for their 4th Annual Beacon Barks Parade!

The Dutchess County SPCA, The Beacon Barkery and the City of Beacon invite all dog lovers to “Beacon Barks!” on Saturday April 24, 2010 from 11am-3pm on lower Main Street Beacon.

Parade line up is at 11:00am in Peace Park at Bank Square. Everyone is invited to march with us. There will be trophies for “Best Canine Group”, “Best Canine Marcher” and ” Best Canine Spirit.” Put on your dog’s finest and support the homeless dogs of the Hudson Valley.

Dogs will be welcome in many shops that day and welcome at many restaurants. Just look for the special “Beacon Barks! Welcome Here” signs in the windows. The Dutchess County SPCA will be selling Beacon Barks! Bucks coupon booklets and the proceeds will benefit the animals in the Dutchess County shelter. The booklet will have special offers or special price coupons for use at many Main Street stores and restaurants. Beacon Barks! Bucks will be available for sale in advance at The Beacon Barkery and on the day of event.

There will be demonstrations and performances throughout the event.

All funds raised will benefit homeless dogs.

For further information please call the Dutchess County SPCA at
454-5345 ext 100 or the Beacon Barkery at 845-440-7652 or
beaconbarks.com or beaconbarkery.com

Calling all cookie bakers — and cookie eaters!

Clay Wood & Cotton is hosting its inaugural cookie baking contest Saturday, April 17 from 2-4pm. We’ll have prizes for Best Overall and Best Appearance as decided by our esteemed panel of judges, plus an Audience Favorite Award.

Contestants should bring a dozen of their best cookies — 2 or 3 dozen if you want to be considered for the Audience Favorite Award.

Come to compete, or come to taste, just come on by!