I'm actually making some stuff this week (gasp! I know!) but I've been meaning to share some fun stuff that I brought home from Maker Faire, so until the other projects are complete, these pics will have to do.
Laser Cut Wooden Blocks from Xylocopa
This Bazaar Bizarre booth was a favorite of a lot of folks. The amazingly intricate, beautiful designs on jewelry and wooden blocks were hard to resist. I coveted the octopus necklace, angler fish earrings, and wanted to bring the entire alphabet of blocks home. Budget constraints, though (ya know... the whole spinal cord surgery for the dog thing) limited me to just bringing one block home. Here are pictures of all the sides, though.
Teeny cute stamps from Craft Chi
I saw these stamps on Amy's web site and really liked them. They're just darn cute and the packaging was ingenious. I still haven't gotten them inky yet, but can't wait to.
Monday, October 27, 2008
A Few Goodies from Maker Faire
Friday, October 24, 2008
Eeeps! Look at that!
Weee! I'm happy to announce that I'm now a regular contributor over at Craftzine.com! My Maker Faire stint went really well, and I've been asked to stay on as a contributor. I'll be posting up crafty fun stuff every day over there. This is, quite frankly, a dream job for me. My favorite thing to do is find cool stuff on the internet and send it to friends (just ask friends on my regular email list ... or even random email list ... I'm queen of sending the "holy smokes! check this out!" emails) so I could not ask for a more perfectly fitting job. Not to mention, the folks on the Craftzine team are about the most fun, kind, smart, cool people you could ever hope to be around (read: I'm totally intimidated, but I'll get over that ... maybe). I just feel incredibly lucky.
And if you find something you think might be of interest to the Craftzine.com readers, send an email to me at rachel at craftzine dot com.
I'll also mention that my first article for CRAFT magazine (co-written with one of my crafty BFFs, Diane!) is coming out in Volume 09, which will be out soon. I got to see a sneak peek at Maker Faire and almost peed my pants. For a gal who had high aspirations of writing for magazines in high school and college, but then got married and had kids (which is great, you know, but ...) it felt pretty dern good to see my name - especially alongside the name of one of my favorite people on the planet - in print. Whew boy!
So if you don't already have a subscription to CRAFT magazine, what on Earth are you waiting for!? Seriously! Subscribe now, and your first issue you receive will have the article Diane and I wrote in it!
It's the happiest day when I open my mailbox and see my CRAFT in there. You can read all about why I love CRAFT magazine over here on a post I wrote back in May. And then you can go subscribe.
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
A Call for Austin Crafters for SHOP AUSTIN
Some Austin crafters may be still dusting their boots off from Bazaar Bizarre, but in the busy holiday season you can't rest for long. If you're looking to go ahead and get a Spring show on your calendar, you might want to check out SHOP AUSTIN presented by The Bearded Ladies Production Company. They've just opened up applications, and here's some information from one of The Bearded Ladies, Anne Marie Beard.
The Bearded Ladies Present: SHOP AUSTIN
Independent Designer, Craft & Fine Art Show Case
Date: Saturday April 18, 2009
Time: 11:00am to 5:00pm
Location: Saengerrunde Hall, 1607 San Jacinto Blvd, Austin, TX 78701
Tickets: in advance $8, at the door $10.
Website: www.TheBeardedLadiesPresent.com
Contact: info [at] TheBeardedLadiesPresent.com
Event Info:
The Bearded Ladies Present is set to produce their first show in Austin, Texas. The 2009 event will be a craft fair, fine arts festival, and independent designer showcase all wrapped up into one. By featuring the best vendors in Austin, The Bearded Ladies Present: Shop Austin will provide shoppers an opportunity to find one of-a-kind gifts, unique accessories, fashionable attire, home decor and more.
Shoppers can browse the work of talented artisans who buck the trend of mass-production by offering handcrafted goods that are finely constructed and very unique. These independent entrepreneurs are locally based, but also come from surrounding areas to participate in what is sure to be a fun family event filled with items you can’t find anywhere else. The first thirty shoppers to arrive at the event will receive a goodie bag stuffed with great giveaway items from vendors and local businesses. Shopping begins at 11:00 a.m., and admission is $8 in advance, $10 at the door; parking is available near Saengerrunde Hall.
The Bearded Ladies Present: Shop Austin is currently accepting applications for vendors. All local crafters, independent designers, and fine artists that want to broaden their customer base are invited to apply. Let all of Austin know what you have to offer and join The Bearded Ladies Present: Shop Austin!
To apply go to: http://www.TheBeardedLadiesPresent.com/apply_here.html
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Knit-a-Tit: Fun to Say and Fun to Make For a Good Cause This Weekend in Austin
Leslie passed this info on to me, and I couldn't help but pass it on here. I've had several friends/family members affected by breast cancer, and I'm willing to bet most of you have, too. Here's a fascinating and fun way one woman dealt with her new body after having her breast removed. Her full story and the pattern for the "tits" is over on the Knitty web site.
This weekend, there is a Knit-a-Tit day here in Austin. All the information is below. Join in or pass on to friends whom you think would enjoy or appreciate it.
"KNIT-A-TIT" FOR BREAST CANCER AWARENESS
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Gauge Knit, 5406 Parkcrest Drive, Austin, TX 78731
3-6p.m.
After losing her breast to cancer, knitter Beryl Tsang was depressed and frustrated by her options in prosthetics: all were "too heavy, squishy or ugly... they reminded me of raw liver, and the bra resembled the suspension system of my 1995 Volvo." She decided she could knit something better from the luxurious yards in her stash. The result— the "Tit-Bit"— is a hand-knitted breast pattern which can be customized in dimensions and materials to satisfy the requirements of any woman.
To conclude Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Gauge Knits and the Breast Cancer Resource Center of Austin are hosting a "Knit-A-Tit" afternoon on Sunday, October 26, from 3-6 p.m. Participants are invited to knit Tit-Bits, check out an array of examples from practical to outrageous, and talk to breast cancer survivors modeling their own Tit-Bits. BCRC staff will offer information on prosthetic options as well as on breast cancer detection, education and support.
If you plan to knit-a-tit for donation, you will need:
Any sport weight yarn that's machine washable and soft
Your needles and a copy of Beryl's pattern available at http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEfall05/PATTbits.html
We will supply fiber fill, weights and copies of the pattern.
Please contact us at 512.371.9300 if you have any questions. We look forward to seeing you!
The Breast Cancer Resource Centers of Texas is a grass roots, non-profit organization created by breast cancer survivors. The Center exists to serve women with breast cancer, their families and support systems, women who have questions about screening and biopsy, and others in the community who are concerned about breast cancer issues.
Contact the Breast Cancer Resource Center for information or questions at:
http://www.bcrc.org
Monday, October 20, 2008
A few fun Flickr sets to browse
I'm still recovering from Maker Faire. This morning, I literally fell asleep in my chair while I was writing. Once I got my post ready, I scurried upstairs and took a long nap. (my body says 'thanks!')
So while I can't write much right now, I do have two fun Flickr sets for you to browse.
Created with Admarket's flickrSLiDR.
First up is my Flickr set from Maker Faire. I haven't been able to go through and add titles/descriptions yet, but they are at least all together and uploaded! I think some of my favorites are the ones of my son's face while he was watching the giant ping-pong-flinging robot. It was hilarious. I'll be posting highlights all week over at Craftzine, so be sure to check those out.
Created with Admarket's flickrSLiDR.
Next up is a slide show from my good pals, Sarah and Josh, of Sewer-Sewist and The Obama Craft Project. They were so inspired by the Obama Screen Party that the Studio 1408 gals threw last month, that they replicated the event up in dearl ole Portland. Sarah just sent a link to the pictures, and it makes me miss Portland and my Portland friends even more. Sigh! Enjoy, and I'll be back tomorrow with some book reviews and giveaways so stay tuned!
