Blog
April 22, 2026
Hello Spring!
It’s spring! Kinda. Temps in Astoria are still pretty low for my tiny outdoor town garden but I’m starting catnip seeds from local Laughing Rabbit Farm for my three kitties (including my silly fat blind runt darling)
and planting peas using saved seeds. My strawberry hanging baskets from last year are tryyying to show up for the party. Indoors, my divided aloe babies are doing ok 
still figuring it out in some cases. Perhaps they will show up for sale at the flea market in June. FYI, all the plants on this shelf are self-propagated (my grandma’s antique christmas cactus!!) except for the amazing Alocasia macrorrhiza “Stingray” that I won a few months ago at Feral Flora bingo aka Wildwood Wager. Next one is May 1. I’ve won several cool plants, and also purchased some specialty items like cactus soil mixes. Check it out if you like plants and cool local culture. Their events are fun & inclusive. Pizza, drinks and daubers available. And oh hell danielle tattoo upstairs. Maybe I’ll see you there!
May will be busy with community outreach. I’ll be vending at the Pacific Grange Flea Market & Craft Fair May 1-3 with some GET OUTSIDE stuff. A never-used steel crab trap (you don’t need a boat!), a big round kid swing (you need a tree!), 
beaded car seat covers for road-trippers, IKEA candle lanterns for porch-sitters. And if (when!) it starts raining, I've got retro board games & science kits plus National Park puzzles. Need more B-I-N-G-O? No worries; pickup this vintage metal spinny cage bingo set for $5.
After the market closes at 4pm, I’ll be headed downtown to Astoria’s Garden of the Surging Waves to participate in the May Day Stitch-In 5:00-6:30pm. Bring a chair and stitchy project, all are welcome. I’m bringing my DIY cloth diaper info & free patterns to share with caregivers who want to avoid plastic & save money. 
FREE pair of diaper pins you can use to make diapers from t-shirts, flannel sheets, dish towels or scrap fabric! 
Make an informed choice away from chemical-laden Proctor & Gamble products. Info for babies, adults and pets.
I’ll have a sign-up sheet for anyone interested in cloth diaper workshops, sharing supplies through a craft co-op (an exciting new local endeavor!), and entering crafts in the Clatsop County Fair. Handwork is real work!
Do you have some ideas for sharing traditional crafts? Email me at [email protected]
March 29, 2026
Let's Go!
Exciting things happening… You might notice I’ve added logos of my other projects to the RainyDay.Studio home page. What the heck am I up to?! Always looking for ways to engage folks in DIY, handmade, reduce, reuse, recycle...cut the capitalist consumer cord!
Rainy Day Studio
Rainy Day Studio is my passion. It’s a slow fashion venture, offering vintage, handmade, and upcycled clothing and home goods. Look here for wool, cashmere, hemp, linen, and organic cotton fabrics reused in a modern way. I’m designing some new creative cushions and quilts in 100% linen, in an Oregon coast color palette. Always sustainably sourced, and customized in-house, from my hands to yours. I make stuff and I help you make stuff too.
Zoom Baby Gear
ZBG is my cloth diaper legacy from 2003-2010. I was active in the modern cloth diaper renaissance back then, holding in-person monthly “diaper circles” to help parents get on board with this traditional method. I collaborated with local non-profit low-income parenting support services to bring this knowledge (and donated supplies) to families at all income levels. I served on the non-profit Real Diaper Association board so you know I’m passionate on this topic. My kid is all grown up, but I’m noticing a new generation of parents looking to reduce plastic/petrochemical exposure and save money. So I’m bringing back the cloth diaper love to my local area with DIY classes, and new handmade stretchy preflats, terry flats, and wool covers.
Band Baby Basics
This is a reduce/reuse/recycle project pattern and class! You’ve seen the t-shirt quilts and other ideas for reusing your t-shirts. But did you know you can make baby stuff too? Save money, reduce waste, show your style! Patterns and instructions to turn your cool t-shirts into baby bibs, pants, onesies and more. I’m creating the details now and will offer an in-person class in Astoria, Oregon, as well. Stay tuned!
Craft Club Astoria is an inclusive community of makers focusing on creative reuse and upcycling. Our goal is to re-ignite and re-imagine traditional handcrafts including needlework and paper crafts. Astoria, Oregon, workshops include crafty meetups, snip & socialize, scrap art, denim upcycling, and cardboard dollhouses. Always free to everyone. Currently sourcing accessible locations and looking for co-teachers.
Come see me at the Pacific Grange Flea Market & Craft Fair
APRIL 3 & 4
Friday & Saturday only, 9-4
I have a fantastic new selection of downsized kitchen gear including a large roasting pan, food mill, new bail-top canning jars, mixing bowls etc. I’ve pulled out some reusable bag back-stock as well. Use these 100% cotton flip-top “baggies” to organize your purse, travel bag, desk. Take a small step to go plastic free! Of course there will be plush toys (frogs in pots!) and adorable handmade baby beanies (not Beanie Babies; those are listed on my eBay account). And a variety of kids musical instruments including a pink ukulele with case, handmade maple fife and a couple tambourines. Welcome spring with a joyful noise!
Come see me April 3 & 4 from 9am-4pm at the Pacific Grange, 90475 Hwy 101, Astoria, OR 97103. It’s the big yellow building between the Sunset Beach turn and Cullaby Lake and Carnahan County Parks.
Hope to see you there!
February 9, 2026
To Market, To Market, Jiggity Jig
It’s been a bit since I’ve done a market or craft fair. *Checks notes* it looks like I did my first one almost 30 years ago! That was the Eugene Holiday Market in 1997. I had recently quit my corporate design job, and a dear friend kindly offered to share her booth with me for the November/December show season. My wares included handmade paper, bound books, and frames... I actually recently found a small stash of these OG paper goods and will do a mini post about them soon. This Oregon market is still going strong and starts the weekend before Thanksgiving, running every weekend through December 24. This special market transforms the Lane Event Center in Eugene, Oregon into a winter wonderland with over 250 vendors. I highly recommend it for shopping and vending alike.
I took a break from markets to work in publishing (and parenting!) until starting a tiny little sewing business around 2005. That jumped from sewing for my friends and family, to mini craft fairs like the early days of Crafty Wonderland 2006 in the intimate, rustic-modern basement venue of the Doug Fir Lounge in Portland, Oregon. I remember we each got 4’ (1.2m) of space for something like $40? Crafty Wonderland now operates a permanent retail shop downtown and hosts 200+ vendor, twice-yearly markets at the Oregon Convention Center. Highly recommended for shopping and vending, too. 2026 marks 20 years since the first event at the Doug Fir Lounge. Franklin High School article about the market. We didn’t have the internet when I was editor of my high school newspaper!
Around this time, I rented a 325 sqft riverfront industrial workshop space at what was then named Cathedral Park Place. It was formerly the US headquarters of Columbia Sportswear from 1962-2000; a sprawling warren of random office, design, factory and warehouse space with a view of the St. Johns Bridge. Since retail access was difficult, I used the space to store fabric, produce sewn products and teach sewing classes. I still have an industrial metal and wood rolling table I bought for $75 at a clean-out sale. Now the property is called Workshop St. Johns and continues the legacy of maker spaces.
I played around with Alberta Street Fair pop-ups occasionally for some exposure. At the time, these were first come, first serve, grab a few feet of street events.
That’s some ancient history! There’s a bit more in-between then and now, which I’ll share later, but I live on the Oregon coast in a town of 10,000 with a wonderful Sunday market. It runs from Mother’s Day through October with an amazing selection of local vendors: Astoria Sunday Market
But that’s not my next market. Nope. I’ll be digging deep into community at the Pacific Grange monthly flea market and craft fair. I like the small town vibe. The organizer wrote down my name and phone number in a lined school notebook, and cautioned me that their phone is a landline; make sure to leave a number on the answering machine! The twelve or twenty vendors have a potluck lunch on Sunday. It’s a mix of garage sale and mini-makers that I hope is a good fit for Rainy Day Studio.
Love Your Local Grange: Clatsop County
What is a Grange?
From their website: “Ask members and you’ll discover a Grange is a community service focused, agriculture rooted, family encompassing, ceremonial styled traditional or modern-day styled, grassroots-activism, leadership teaching, work ethic inspired, fraternal, networking, character developing, community organization focused on education, deaf awareness and health, legislative policy, fun, food, veterans, education, crafts such as canning, preserving, baking, quilting, leather working, art and much more. Our Halls are used for community events, markets, haunted houses, meals of all types, classes, clinics, voting (not so much today in Oregon), community forums, dances and concerts, inexpensive rentals for memorials, families and community groups and numerous other purposes. Grange is non-partisan, non-sectarian and has always treated women equally.”
The Official Answer: The Grange is a family, community organization with its roots in agriculture. Founded in 1867, the Grange was formed as a national organization with a local focus. Our members are given the opportunity to learn and grow to their full potential as citizens and leaders.”
Patrons of Husbandry MottoIn necessariis unitas In essentials, unity
in dubiis libertas in non-essentials, liberty
in omnibus caritas in all things, charity
Patrons of Husbandry Slogan
Esto Perpetua May it be eternal
What I’m working on
Designing, cutting and sewing new reversible linen petal hats, Japanese knot bags and some really cute embroidered sand dollar cushions. And the whales! All made by me, in lambswool, denim and even some vintage cut n’ sew panels. Some other new items include leather, wool and linen patches designed to reinforce and/or repair your hard-working clothes instead of tossing them out; plus a selection of retro spring décor and natural fiber clothing.
Come see me March 6, 7, 8 from 9am-4pm at the Pacific Grange, 90475 Hwy 101, Astoria, OR 97103
It’s the big yellow building between the Sunset Beach turn and Cullaby Lake and Carnahan County Parks.
December 31, 2025
About Rainy Day Studio Products
Hello and welcome to the online home of Rainy Day Studio! I created the idea and registered the domain name back in 2017 but got sidetracked by work & life in a new place. I'm excited to finally be stocking my store with handmade, upcycled and hand-selected clothing, home decor, books and toys.While I'd love to create each and every item myself, I know from experience how mentally & physically taxing that can be. Many items are sewn by me personally, in my Oregon coast cottage. The product listing will let you know if it’s “Sewn by Cyn”. I also partner with some wonderful suppliers discovered over the past 10 years.
Here are some of their stories:
Mr. Sogs Toys & DIY Kits
Mr. Sogs is a women- and veteran-owned eco-friendly handmade business established in 2007 and based in Seattle, Washington. Their goal is to bring creations to life based on imagination and modern design by producing affordable, unique designs parents will want for their children, as well as capturing the whimsy of adults being children at heart. All creatures features safety eyes, allowing children of all ages to enjoy them because they are securely fastened with a washer/clamp device on the back of each eye. There is also the convenience of being able to throw the toys in the washing machine when they get dirty from play. With every product they put out, lots of love and consideration go into every detail to make sure that each individual piece is unique in its own way. Made in USA.
Heron Hill Stitch Co. DIY Craft Kits
Heron Hill Stitch Co. creates the cutest handmade stitching kits from Denver, CO. Heron Hill Stitch Co. is women- and LGBTQ+-owned, created because they have a deep, passionate love of crafting and want to share it with you while keeping stitching traditions alive: We hope that our kits inspire everyone, but especially kids, to explore their creativity and gain tactile skills. We had kids aged 7 years and up in mind when we were creating our kits, but 5 and 6 year olds can accomplish them with the help of an adult. Our kits are for adults, too! You just need the skills of a beginner and the willingness to give it a try. We think that hand-sewing and working with soft things can offer a bit of respite from all that we face in our daily lives and everyone can benefit from an adorable wooly friend. We’ve taken care to select the finest natural materials for our kits to encourage anyone who does them to deepen their connection with nature. We have designed our packaging to be compact to reduce waste and we’ve kept it lightweight, minimizing our shipping weights, to reduce our carbon footprint. Nature makes amazing things and we thank you for helping us respect this planet that we share. Thanks for stopping by. We hope you enjoy our kits as much as we do! Made in USA.
Nickwilljack DIY Kits
At Nickwilljack, our cut-and-sew fabric panels are designed to make sewing your own dolls and plush toys accessible and fun for everyone. Each panel comes with colorful printed pieces you simply cut, sew, and stuff to bring to life — no advanced sewing skills required! Whether you're an absolute beginner looking for a simple, enjoyable project or gifting someone a creative experience, our kits make it easy to dive in. From adorable plush animals to inclusive dolls, these kits are perfect for weekend projects, a handmade gift, or offering a screen-free activity that's perfect for spending quality time with loved ones. We’re an eco-friendly women owned company based in Orrington, Maine. Made in USA.
Chronicle Books
Chronicle Books is an independent publisher based in San Francisco that has been making things since the Summer of Love. We are inspired by the enduring magic of books, and by sparking the passions of others. As soon as you pick up our publishing, we want you to be able to tell that what you're holding comes from us. We consider every detail, and ask questions like these: does the design support and enhance the content? How does it feel in your hands? What special touches can we add to make it an object you'll treasure? We apply this approach to everything we make, whether it’s a book, journal, game, ebook, or our newest invention. We’ve often been told "I see your books everywhere" and that’s just how we like it—you'll find our telltale spectacles on store shelves of all kinds, all over the world. Once you start looking, you can’t miss us. Wherever you are, we invite you to see things differently too.
Primitives by Kathy Toys
Primitives by Kathy began in 1997 when Kathy handmade her first “primitive candle box” — carefully sanding the edges, tying ribbons by hand, and crafting each piece with heart. What started as a creative passion quickly became a growing women-owned business, fueled by her entrepreneurial spirit and a love of meaningful design. As demand grew, Kathy partnered with Goodwill Services to help produce her handmade creations — forming a philanthropic partnership that continues to this day and remains core to PBK’s mission. More than 25 years later, Primitives by Kathy has grown, offering heartfelt gifts and home décor that blend creativity, humor, and inspiration. Recognized as a leader and trendsetter in the gift industry, PBK continues to create products that bring connection, laughter, and joy to homes everywhere. Kathy remains at the helm, guiding the brand with her artistic vision, innovative spirit, and dedication to giving back. Based in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
Fabrics-Store.com Linen Fabric
In 1998, Nikolai Karpushin founded this business as a way to sell affordable fabric online in the United States and introduce people to a natural, timeless textile: 100% linen fabric.
Today, Fabrics-store.com has grown to have one of the largest inventories of European and US linen fabric online. We provide access to the finest linen fabrics because we work directly with our mills.
Why are we unique? We think that what you buy should help the world, not hurt it. Every one of our fabrics is environmentally friendly and no part of our production causes air, noise or water pollution. We only sell 100% natural fabrics and believe that wholesome fabric is the better alternative to today's synthetic textiles.
Nick of Time Textiles
Nick of Time Textiles Ltd. is based in Allentown, PA and are a family owned business. Cheap prices, low minimums, unsurpassed quality, quick turnaround times, personal "old fashioned" service & a variety of payment options are just a few of the things we offer.
Thunder Acres Raw Cotton Stuffing
Thunder Acres is a family farm in south-central Kansas near the rural town of Conway Springs. For nearly 100 years, our family-owned and operated farm has raised wheat, cotton, corn, and grain sorghum (milo). As a part of our commitment to bringing our healthy products to a larger group of people, we are proud to offer a variety of farm and garden products, including wheatgrass seed, natural wheat straw, oat seeds, catnip seeds, and natural fertilizer. If you have any questions about our farming practices or agriculture in general, please contact us. We would love to help you learn more about what we do and how it can benefit you.
Fairfield Poly-Fil Stuffing
Fairfield takes great pride in its rich history as a third generation, family-owned and operated American business. In 2025, the company celebrated 85 years of innovative products and brands.
Sustainability: As an industry leading company, Fairfield feels responsible to bring new ideas to the marketplace and that includes pioneering sustainable practices in the manufacture and distribution of their products.
Infrastructure: Fairfield products are proudly made in the US. Strategically located facilities throughout the country aid in lowering freight costs and improve sustainability. Transit costs are reduced with shorter shipping times and less emissions.
Compression: A unique manufacturing process employs high-compression capabilities that significantly improve shipping container yields. Pound for pound, this measure greatly reduces costs of corrugate material. When you open a box of Poly-Fil® you quickly see the difference that compression makes.
Renewable Resources: After years of research and development, Fairfield has identified unique and renewable materials to incorporate into our manufacturing processes. Soft, versatile fibers such as bamboo and corn are part of the Nature-Fil® brand. Other renewable resources include organic cotton, soy fiber and wool. In addition, you can take comfort that many Fairfield foam products have been created with the environment in mind. These high-density polyurethane foam products contain bio-based materials which are derived from renewable biological resources.
Fairfield supports environmental initiatives. The majority of fiber related products are made from recycled PET water bottles from around the world. This regenerated polyester saves over 100 million soda/water bottles each year from reaching our landfills.
Watch this space for information on shopping local!