Creative Spaces

Ever since I made the gradual transition from housemate/squatter to Grown Up Living Alone, I have been obsessed with turning my home studio into the perfect space. As it is, my work area is just a tiny partitioned corner of my living room, but I'm still dreaming. I like to cruise various flickr groups and Tumblrs for home/studio design inspiration... I am far from being an organized person, and I just love seeing how well-designed and tidy and cute, to boot, these spaces are. A few faves:


from Jenny B of AllSorts


from Julochka in the Creative Spaces pool


Do you have a saucy studio space that makes you proud? Or have you book marked any from blogs that make you droooool? Share 'em in the comments! This slow trickle of spring weather makes me want to re-vamp my modest little nook.

Rally in DC to Save Handmade Toys!

From the Handmade Toy Alliance:

We would like to invite all to join members of the Handmade Toy Alliance at a rally in Washington DC to openly discuss the unintended consequences of the CPSIA.

OVERKILL: HOW THE CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY IMPROVEMENT ACT IS DAMAGING AMERICAN BUSINESSES FLY-IN, RALLY AND CONGRESSIONAL BRIEFINGTO FIX FLAWS IN NEW PRODUCT SAFETY LAW

Washington, DC - April 1, 2009 Implementation of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) is following a worst-case scenario for manufacturers, retailers and charities. Thanks to the flaws in this law, millions of perfectly safe products are in the process of being destroyed, costing U.S. businesses billions of dollars in the midst of one of the worst economic crises in U.S. history. Charitable organizations and thrift stores are being forced to pull inventory from their shelves at a time when American families need them more than ever. The supply of science supplies to schools is being curtailed. Youth model ATV and dirt bikes are no longer available creating a safety issue because more than 90% of injuries to kids on ATVs occur on large adult size models. Even libraries are at risk of legal liability for lending children’s books. All of these violations of common sense are being done in the name of “safety”. From unrealistic compliance deadlines that made it impossible for industry or the Consumer Product Safety Commission to adequately prepare before the law went into effect, to the unprecedented decision to retroactively apply the new lead standards and phthalates ban to inventory already sitting in stores and warehouses, CPSIA is causing massive disruptions to industries across the board, particularly small and medium-sized businesses. So far, Congress has ignored the calls of thousands of small businesses, charities, parents and teachers to fix the flaws in this legislation, refusing even to hold public hearings on the problem. That’s why business and charitable groups are organizing a fly in, rally and Congressional briefing on Capitol Hill to meet with Members of Congress, provide information and bring attention to the CPSIA crisis. Wide participation is anticipated in this unique event to call upon Congress to urgently fix the CPSIA. Date and

Location: April 1, 2009, 10:00am, Capitol Visitors Center, Room HVC201 A&B

The U.S. Capitol Speakers will include Members of Congress and representatives from:· Charitable Organizations·
National Association of Manufacturers·
Small Business owners from various industries affected by CPSIA·
Motorcycle and ATV dealerships·
Publishers and Library Associations·
Product safety and lead experts (to discuss science-based risk assessment)
Confirmed Participating Organizations (as of March 16, 2009) ·
Alliance for Children’s Product Safety·
American Apparel and Footwear Association·
American Motorcycle Association
American Specialty Toy Retailing Association·
Fashion Jewelry Trade Association; ·
Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association·
Handmade Toy Alliance·
International Sleep Products Association·
Motorcycle Industry Council·
National Association of Manufacturers·
National Association of Resale and Thrift Shops National School Supply & Equipment Association·
National Bulk Vendors Association·
Specialty Vehicle Institute of America·
Toy Industry Association

For additional information, please contact the Alliance for Children's Product Safety at 202-828-7637 and visit the web-site at http://www.amendthecpsia.com/. For those who can not attend, the event will be telecast on the mentioned web site.

Intro to Weaving with Carly!

Class starts Tuesday!
There is one space left in the Intro to Weaving course at Carlybird Weaves Studio and it has your name on it!

This course is open to just three students, so you'll get plenty of one-on-one attention. Students will learn to dress a 4-shaft floor loom using a warp that Carly prepares for you, and then move on to learning the basic weave structures necessary to create a beautiful piece of cloth. After six weeks you will have a handwoven scarf and the know-how to do it again!

Introduction to Weaving
Tuesdays, March 31, April 7, 14, 21, 28 and May 5
6:30pm - 9:00pm
$190 (materials included)
For more information or to register, email Carly at carlygoss@yahoo.com

Can't make this session? Another one begins on Wednesday, May 20th.

Weekend Sewing Demo and Signing!

Don't forget, crafty peeps, that this Sunday, March 29th, from 4-6, is the Heather Ross book signing/sewing demo extravagannnnnza at Atomic Books in Hampden. Get yourself all dolled up (wear the project you've made from Heather's book, if you've got one), and come say howdy!

Weekend Arts To-Do List

FRIDAY, March 27
Nudashank Gallery, Grand Opening Show!
Nudashank is a brand new gallery, founded by Alex Epstein and Seth Adelsberger, in the H&H Building on Franklin St.
The first show, Wise Guise, promises to house a great collection of familiar artists both local and beyond.

Wise Guise opens March 27th
Reception 7 - 9 pm
After-party in the adjacent Whole Gallery with performances by Talk Normal , U.S. Girls and Jana Hunter
Nudashank
405 West Franklin Street 3rd Floor
Baltimore, MD 21201
On View from March 27 - April 25


SATURDAY, MARCH 28
AfterGlow Party Tomorrow Night at The American Visionary Art Museum!
Come and BE BRILLIANT!
SPECIAL offer: buy 5 or more AfterGlow tix @ $50 ea.
Otherwise $75 per person at the door
Valet Parking available.

8:30pm- 12:00am

Dance the night away to The Amish Outlaws and DJ.

FOOD & LIBATIONS:
Beer generously sponsored by Max's! Wine and Spirits sponsored by Reliable Churchill!
Valet sponsored by Ritz Carlton Residences! Food generously donated by Provisions Catering!
DAZZLE & DECOR:
In addition to YOU and your friends, we will have plenty of visual candy onsite...
Body painters, Light Box, Flame dancers, Fashion Photography, and MORE.
Dress to dazzle, shine, glow, illuminate. Anything Goes.
All ticket proceeds benefit AVAM's K-12 programming and annual exhibitions


SATURDAY, March 28
An Everything Installation
Maryland Institute College of Art
March 28 to April 25, 2009
Artist Denise Tassin works with current students enrolled in the Maryland Institute College of Art’s Post-Baccalaureate program to create a “project room” where all is considered, and nothing rejected out of hand. An opening reception will be held Saturday, March 28, 3:00-6:00pm, and the installation will be open for the general public on two additional dates.
Part of the ongoing Art On Purpose project "Everyone An Artist"


MONDAY, March 30th (well...not really the weekend, but...)
The Load Of Fun Theatre - 120 North Ave.
Jackie Milad! SCHOOL! The LOF/T! Monday, March 30th, 7pm. Free and tea.

SCHOOL is regular show-and-tell series that features one artist or collaborative group talking about or demonstrating their work in front of live human beings. Artists will be encouraged to prepare lectures about a topic, presentations about their work (specific projects or general retrospectives), or even a performance of a work in progress. Then we all talk.
As simple as it sounds, these forums geared towards in-depth discourse seem hard to find outside of our academic institutions. All are welcome.


ONGOING
Rosenberg Gallery - Goucher College
This show is up and open, though technically the reception is not until April.
Letters, Words, and Phrases - Monday March 23 - Sunday April 26
Artists' Reception: Thursday April 9 at 6 p.m.

The Rosenberg Gallery presents works by painter Cara Ober, printmaker Rebecca Katz, photographers Susan Elder and Craig Dennis, sculptores Ruth Bowler and R.L. Croft, and mixed-media artist Susan Brandt, and drawings by Julie Marie Geare and Molly Springfield in an exhibition that explores how letters, words, and phrases translate into visual ideas.

Baker Artist Award WINNERS!!!!

CONGRATULATIONS to all of the winners of this year's Baker Artist Awards and Baltimore's Choice awards!
Below are the 2009 winners, and links to their work on the Baker Artist Awards website. What a great new resource for our city's art community. I know that I for one have discovered dozens of new artists, and art enthusiasts in the city that I never knew existed. Free exposure, a place to check out other local artists, find inspiration, and share what you're up to? Check. Thanks to all who organized this site, and funded the awards. In these here hard economic times, it's sure nice to know that art has not been financially abandoned. Congratulations again to this years winners!!!:

Mary Sawyers Baker Award Winners:
Carl Grubbs
Jon Ruppert
Hadieh Shafie

Baltimore's Choice Award Winners:
Milana Braslavsky
Becky Alprin
Rob Levit
Sarah House
Jim Lucio
Adam Hopkins
Vincent Thomas

Baker Artist Awards - Announced Wednesday, March 25!

Weekend Sewing book WINNER!

Ok, folks... here's the word from our friend, the Random Number Generator...



RANDOM NUMBERS - (click 'More random numbers' for more!)
Random lottery number between 1 and 33
27



Jennifer, that's you! Please email me at hvmdesigns AT gmail DOT com with your mailing address, and we'll send the book on its merry way!



Thanks for playing, everyone, and happy sewing!



Don't forget to mark your calendars for this coming Sunday afternoon, when Heather will be doing a sewing demo and signing at Atomic Books in Hampden!

Summit Of Awesome- Hosted By Hello Craft!

Hello Craft is hosting it's first ever SUMMIT OF AWESOME: 3-days filled with business seminars for artists and crafters, hands-on workshops, the D.C. premiere of the Indie Craft Documentary, Handmade Nation, and a Saturday night party. Through a partnership with the MidCity Business Association, all Summit seminars and workshops will take place in the wondrous and vibrant independent businesses in MidCity (14th and U Streets NW). There will be informal tours of DC’s coolest indie shops and a welcome reception for early arrivals on Thursday, April 30th. Register Now!

Blog tour: Welcome, Heather Ross!

Today, I'm thrilled to bring you an interview with fabric designer Heather Ross. She's recently written a book, Weekend Sewing, and she's worked on everything from children's pajamas to stationary. She also has the coolest first name ever.

HVM: Thank you for spending this time with me! Let's jump right in. I've read that you spent some time studying law before you changed directions and studied fine art- I feel as though so many of us "creative types" feel passionate about our creative work, yet apprehensive when considering making our creative life into a career. What was the deciding factor for you?

HR: The word "studying" might be an overstatement. I was extremely unsure about what to do, work wise, for some time, and tried a few things out before ultimately ending up here. I loved animals and being outside, so I did jobs that allowed that for as long as I could, but there were just too many ideas needing to get out so eventually I started drawing and taking classes in everything from printmaking to silver casting and one thing led to another....

HVM: Tell us a little bit about your creative process. What inspires your designs? How much do you tend to morph your ideas as you move from inspiration to finished design?

HR: Usually it’s a character that shows up in my sketchbook, like my little mermaid. I imagine a dynamic, a conversation, an interaction, and go from there. I suppose that’s why my prints are referred to as "conversational".

HVM: I love the line of pajamas you design, Munki Munki. Many of our readers have smaller scale businesses, but wonder about wholesale and retail relationships. Can you share with us a little bit about how this relationship developed? Any advice for designers looking to jump over to retail/wholesale?

HR: I started Munki Munki (as a childrens wear line) when I was 26. By 30 I realized that I was neither good at or interested in running a manufacturing company, as much as I loved the brand and the creative work. I sold Munki Munki about four years ago and have continued to design for the brand.

I think that by working in both manufacturing and licensing and by getting to know other designers and companies I have learned one very important lesson. You cannot use someone else's life as a model for your own. If you want to be a successful creative entrepreneur, focus on what you do well, not on what is working for anybody else. The most successful designers (be they fabric, pattern, or clothing designers) in this market are women who have built beautiful, healthy, and fulfilling lives for themselves, and have become inspiration for others by doing so. That inspiration, ultimately, is the most important product that they design, and something that is very difficult to fake or to license out.

HVM: You have been sewing and knitting since you were a little girl- can you recall a project you made early on that you were especially proud to have made?

HR: I knitted a little scarf from embroidery thread, using toothpicks. It was for a little blue jay that my cat had caught and killed, and I wanted to bury it properly and express my regret. It was red, and I was in the second grade.

HVM: What professional goals do you have for the next year or so? What are you dying to work on that you haven't been able to yet in your career?

HR: I am in the very beginning stages of becoming children's book illustrator. I am really ready to allow my characters, mermaids, gnomes, unicorns and surly princesses, and the worlds they live in to develop. I am hoping to continue to be a resource for mothers and children, especially little girls with extremely active imaginations. I do hope to design more sewing projects and fabrics, and maybe even another sewing book. One thing I have always wanted to do?? WALLPAPER.
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Thanks so much, Heather! We can’t wait to see your new projects!

Now, for the really fun part… interested in learning more about Heather’s projects in Weekend Sewing? We’ve got a copy of the book to give away to one lucky commenter on this post! Just leave a comment sharing with us the project you’d like to make using Heather’s fabric, or the part of our interview today that you enjoyed the most. A winner will be drawn at random on Monday, March 23rd, and posted here.
You can thank Heather for her pearls of wisdom in person (and take your copy of the book you've won from this post to be signed!) at two upcoming local events:

March 21
Silver Spring, MD
Demo and signing at Honfleur Home – 1pm
More info: here

March 29
BALTIMORE, MD
Demo and signing at Atomic Books in Hampden 3pm-5pm
More info: here

Happy commenting, and good luck!

Blog tour with fabric designer Heather Ross!

Hey, all you fabric-o-philes! Fabric designer and author Heather Ross is doing a whirlwind blog tour right now... you might have seen some of the posts about her new book all across the blogosphere. Check out the schedule below, and be sure to come back and visit on Friday, when Heather will stop in here at the CCCM blog to answer some burning questions! (pssst: there might be a really extra super compelling reason to comment on Friday's post, if you know what I mean...)

2/26 The Purl Bee

http://www.purlbee.com/the-purl-bee/2009/2/26/weekend-sewing-by-heather-ross-book-signing-at-purl-patchwor.html

(Technically not part of the tour, but still, a beautiful article! Do check it out!)

3/9 Make , Grow , Gather

http://www.makegrowgather.com/

Interview with tales and pics of young Heather growing up in Vermont.

3/11 Heart Handmade

http://www.hearthandmadeblog.com/

A Day in the Life of Heather Ross.

3/12 Disdressed

http://disdressed.blogspot.com/

Q and A? Expose? Find out!

3/ 13 Freshly Blended

http://www.freshlyblended.blogspot.com/

A fresh review of Heather and Weekend Sewing.

3/16 Whip-up

http://whipup.net/

Illustrated sewing demo – learn fun tricks!

3/17 House on Hill Rd.

http://houseonhillroad.typepad.com/

Erin shows off her lovely finished projects, and asks Heather about her inspiration for each.

3/18 Belle Epoque

http://www.belleepoquewhimsy.com/

Fit and style. Know what you sew, win a book! – Part 1

3/19 True up

http://www.trueup.net/

Fabric design - Process and inspiration - Part 1

3/20 Charm City Craft Maffia blog

http://charmcitycraftmafia.blogspot.com/

Heather burns rubber heading to signings in DC and Baltimore, with the Charm City Craft Mafia in hot pursuit!

3/23 Philly Etsy Team blog

http://phillyetsy.blogspot.com/

On the road again…this time to a sewing weekend at Spool in Philly. The Street Team investigates, and throws the book at a lucky winner!

3/25 Knotions

http://www.knotions.com/

Fit and style. Know what you sew, and win a book! – Part 2

3/26 Cathy of California

http://www.cathyofcalifornia.typepad.com/

Heather discusses her old school inspirations and aesthetic!

3/30 Wardrobe Re-fashion

http://www.wardroberefashion.net/

Spring into DIY fashion, win a book!

3/31 Thisisloveforever

http://www.thisisloveforever.com/

Fabric design - Process and inspiration with fabric giveaway - Part 2

4/1 Craftypod

http://www.craftypod.com/

Book review and giveaway…no April Fool’s joke!

4/7 Etsy’s The Storque

How-Tuesday! Virtual project demo from the Etsy Headquarters! http://www.etsy.com/storque

Attn: all local DIY lovers!

Baltimore's City Council is once again working on legislation that could have a very real (and likely, limiting) effect on some of your favorite DIY spaces and venues throughout the city. With the passing of the Live Entertainment - Licensing and Regulation Bill, venues would have to fulfill an extensive list of prerequisites before applying for licenses for events. Though initially well-intentioned, this vague and poorly-written bill essentially limits some of Baltimore's favorite happenings--dance parties, small shows for local bands, poetry readings, experimental noise collaborations, and other artistic performances--to the very few venues that can afford the licensing fees and ongoing list of other (often extraneous) required services.

What can you do to support your creative colleagues? Read the proposed document here. Check out the City Paper's article which details the effects this bill could have on all of your favorite venues. And then join your fellow musicians, artists, and DIY fans in any of the following mobilization meetings:

Tonight, Monday March 16th:
Meeting #1: Metro Gallery, 4 PM (facebook event)
Meeting #2: The Hexagon, 7 PM (facebook event)

Community Work Sessions sponsored by the City of Baltimore:
Wednesday, March 18, 2009, 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM
Cristo Rey High School, 420 South Chester Street

Community Work Session (NE)
Tuesday, March 31, 2009, 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM
Morgan State, Communications Center, Room 101, 5601 Perring Parkway

Community Work Session (NW)
Thursday, April 16, 2009, 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM
Baltimore City Community College, Liberty Campus, Auditorium, 2901 Liberty Heights Avenue

Community Work Session (SW)
Thursday, April 23, 2009, 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM
Federal Hill Preparatory School, 1040 William Street

Chelle Paperie closing it's retail location.

For your weekend ears, in the Station North Arts District

Friday, March 13th: at the Hexagon, check out the MT6 Show, featuring performances by experimental faves Nocnitsa, Heroin UK, Hexspeak, Tom Myers, Pilesar, Newagehillbilly, Dr. Tuborg. The Load of Fun Theatre (LoF/T) puts on an evening celebrating the avant garde with Popping the Cosmic Philter, a quartet of avant garde shorts. Next door at the Wind Up Space, check out a film screening of Darius Goes West. And across the street at Joe Squared, check out The Nerftones

Saturday, March 14th: Dinner time jams at Joe Squared with Sujay Pathak, followed by Erin Nicole Carey & Mike Schmidt Duo. Or put on your dancing shoes and head to the Wind Up Space for a little Facetime, a funk and soul dance night with Outta Control and Mikie Love. Finish your evening with a little celebration, a little vinyl at the Metro Gallery for the El Suprimo Records 6 year Anniversary with Mopar Mountain Devils.

Info for Baltimore Artists & Crafters

(pictured: Ikea "Gunghult" - just THINK of the possibilities!)
Some info that might concern you, brought to you by way of one of Baltimore's finest artist/organizer/get-done-ers, Kristen Grey. I hadn't heard about the last one, and got particularly excited. Just the names of ikea items alone could allow you to come up with ridiculous fashion. Not sure if I'll participate, but any excuse for a trip to ikea is a valid one, in my opinion. It's so ridiculous and exciting and even though I'm usually far too overwhelmed to remember what it was I wanted when I started driving there, I can't help but feel like it's a fun game of sneaking peeks into other people's very very clean houses. Have you read David Byrne's ramblings on Ikea, actually? Read them HERE.

Lotta Art
School 33s annual fundraisor - a lottery style art “auction” where donated artworks are given to people who purchase tickets. Submissions are juried w/ best in show awards (winners get solo shows). Plus it's at silo point this year! Fancy. Pants.

DIY@Artscape
A DIY craft section at artscape. The spaces are affordable, the crowd is insatiable, and the weather is always dire. Application cost $10. Educate the public about buying handmade, and build a greater craft community. If you have an etsy account this event is for you! Stop making excuses- start making money. Dolla dolla bills yall.

Sew me what you got! Partnership with IKEA whereby participants compete, project runway style, creating garments with fabric/things purchased at IKEA. Winner gets $1000, there are fashion shows, and cool events surrounding the competition.

To Do This Weekend!

Friday, March 13th
Closed Caption Comics - Issue 8 Release Party
10PM. Annex 4th floor. $5. wear a costume :)
First 50 people get free posters. Free back issues available for everyone.
a night of Bands, Puppets, and humiliation.

featuring:
Witch Hat
Hitty Titty
the DEVIL'S DEN
Ra Khuit Noor
Brendan Sullivan
The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse
Pre Lay
Dead Journal
Smileydon


Friday March 13
Camm Shorts at the Creative Alliance
$10, $8 mbrs. Members’ Happy Hour 7pm w/ munchies, $2 drinks & priority seating. Free tkt if you join or shanghai a new member!
Local filmmaker Rod Lopez (Pizza Palace) presents two new stories in this cornucopia of fantastic short films from Baltimore and beyond. In Dating License, Lopez peeks into the near future of dating and international politics; Cleaning Law explores the romance between office cleaner and attorney. Carr Kizzier's music video Elle S'Appelle Jolie, features the fantastic guitar work of Courtney Eckler and the scenery of Fells Point, and NYC filmmaker Alex Johnson's Pickup & Return follows production assistants to the dead ends of their jobs. CAmm Slamm veterans RedStarKGB present their 2008 entry Anti-Pasta and CAmm Slamm 2008 champion Bryan Grasshopper Robinson screens his winning film BROKE.

Saturday March 14 & Sunday March 15
Baltimore Heritage Quilter's Guild Show
at Goucher College March 14th & 15th 10am to 5pm.
The Expo showcases over 100 quilts made by guild members, ranging in style from traditional to contemporary, as well as art quilts. The Expo also features quilts and handmade items for sale, a Silent Auction, and an expanded Vendor's Mall. In addition, there will be technique demonstrations, a Bernina sewing machine raffle, and work by award-winning featured quilter – Didi Salvatierra.
Raffle tickets are available for the pictured quilt (made lovingly by guild members) for just $1 each or $5/six chances!
Admission: $7 at the door, $6 online, and $5 each for groups of 5 or more when purchased in advance, Children under 12 free, when accompanied by an adult!

Nothing says "I Love You" like delicious, delicious bacon

Do you have a fan of bacon in your life? Know someone who just loves fried, salted pork products? Why not help them celebrate this tasty breakfast meat with some bacon-inspired craft!



1. Egg & Bacon Ring by I am Snizzle.
2. Super Breakfast Set (vegan soaps!) by Dirty Ass Soap.
3. Upcycled Maple Bacon Notebook by Ivy Lane Designs.
4. Vegan Bacon Chocolate Bar by Choco a Gogo. (aside: Ma Petite Shoe in Hampden has a bacon-chocolate bar... has anyone tried it?)
5. What's Shakin Bacon? letterpressed card by Pinkeye
6. Unsettlingly Real-Looking Felted Bacon Scarf by Chris Chunski.

While you're waiting for your bacon crafts to arrive in the mail, you might find yourself hungry for even more internet bacon entertainment (really, who doesn't). Check out Bacon Today, your comprehensive news resource for breakthroughs in the Bacon universe. Feeling bard-like? There are always haikus. Or if you just want to look at a beautiful piece of crispy bacon, dodge around it as you try to read your blogs, just tack Bacolicio.us to whatever you're reading. Genius!

And finally, just a little shout-out to our friends in Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Maryland: Scrapple Craft



The fine and delicious qualities of this breakfast meat are too many to contain in this post, but 'til next time, feast your crafty-eyes on these collaborative Scrapple-inspired goodies by Leah Mackin and Julianna Lose from Philadelphia, PA.

Biz Ladies - Online Info at Design Sponge

(photo from karen of clothes-pin)

Those of you that made it to the Baltimore "Biz Ladies Meet-up" hosted by Grace Bonney of Design Sponge fame, know what great information you can get out of such events. Bonney gathers together locals with information to share on sales, advertising, self promotion, tax & legal issues, etc.
Since money is tight, she is slowing down the traveling and in-person events in exchange for an online series, which is proving to be just as helpful & informative in my opinion. This week's blog post is on wholesaling - just in time for spring.

check out the latest in the series HERE.


Thanks to Design Sponge for starting this forum, and to Karen of the Clothes-pin shop for writing this weeks post. If you haven't checked out Karen's shop- an online "sample sale" for indie designers, you're missing out. Click HERE.

Harvest for the Hungry

MD Food Bank is now accepting your non-perishable food donations... at your mailbox!
Announcing "Harvest for the Hungry". From March 7-March 14th, you can purchase groceries from a list of most-needed non-perishable items, and leave it at your mailbox anywhere in MD, and volunteers from the Girlscouts, Boyscouts, or your postal carrier will pick them up and deliver to MD Foodbank. "Wait", you say, "I don't even have to drive them anywhere?" Answer: Nope.
If you'd rather, you can also deliver groceries to the post office or any safeway store, and workers there will make sure they get to the right place.
To read more about the drive, and to view a list of most needed items, visit mdfoodbank.org

Seriously...what are you waiting for!?

Collaborating with Clay at the Baltimore Clayworks.

Baltimore Clayworks hosts the exhibition COUPLETS, curated by Exhibitions Director, Mary Cloonan featuring established and emerging ceramic artists who share a studio. This exhibition runs March 7th- April 17th, 2009 with an opening reception on Saturday, March 7th, from 6 to 8 pm. Admission is free.

The exhibition Couplets explores the studio energy between artists who share a space and the artwork from that collaboration. Creating a dynamic show of several pairs of artists that illustrates the talent and enthusiasm in the realm of ceramic art and the synergy of a communal studio.

These partnerships may be domestic or creative; married couples, friends or family. The studio environment may have one person throwing and the other decorating or working separately under one roof. The resulting work may be a singular voice or two diverse styles that are united in dedication and passion for clay.

This show is really worth checking out! I went this weekend for the opening and was blown away! To top it off in the Solo Gallery clayworks artist Ann Hazles has a show of work done with the man of her life combining her ceramics and his photography. Truly worth the drive or walk over next time you make a Whole Foods run.

Quilt Expo 2009! This Weekend!!

Baltimore Heritage Quilter's Guild is putting on their biennial Expo of member's works this weekend at Goucher College March 14th & 15th 10am to 5pm. Please consider coming out and supporting this collective keeping the tradition of quilt making alive in Charm City!

Admission is $7 at the door, $6 for an advanced sale online, and $5 each for groups of 5 or more when purchased in advance, Children under 12 free, when accompanied by an adult!

The Expo showcases over 100 quilts made by guild members, ranging in style from traditional to contemporary, as well as art quilts. The Expo also features quilts and handmade items for sale, a Silent Auction, and an expanded Vendor's Mall. In addition, there will be technique demonstrations, a Bernina sewing machine raffle, and work by award-winning featured quilter – Didi Salvatierra.

Raffle tickets are available for the pictured quilt (made lovingly by guild members) for just $1 each or $5/six chances!

More info/ticket sales/directions can all be found at their user-friendly website.

(Also of note, the website has a great resource of fabric shops around Maryland!)

American Craft Council Show: Fiber Focus: Part 4

The final post in our series will focus on two of our friends who had booths on the main floor of the show. They both make bags, although the materials they use are very different. Today we'll again exercise some stretching of the "fiber" rule- starting with Caitlin of Rebound Designs. Caitlin removes the pages of old books (books-made of paper, paper- made of trees, trees=fibrous, yes?), then turns the remaining spine and cover into a purse- and for this show, she came up with what I think was a genius idea- she used some of the pages from those book centers to cover the metal armature of her booth display! Check it out!

All that punching took a long time, but the results were so cool! She sewed the pieces together, then used little magnets to hold it all up. I think I might be more excited about this than Caitlin was, but I am strange that way. She looks pretty happy, though, don't you think?

Next, we have our superhero and fellow mafioso, Ali Dryer of pistol stitched. She became my personal superhero when she agreed to hold onto our stuff, so we didn't have to lug it all over the place with us. She should be your personal superhero because she makes the most exquisite bags known to us. I mean, really. Check her out:

I love this picture, for so many reasons. Another of Ali's superpowers is making her bag handles herself. I'm still pretty sure that she can fight crime with her work, I'm just not exactly sure how yet. I'll keep you posted.

And with Ali, our tour has reached its end. I hope you've enjoyed it as much as I have!

American Craft Council Show: Fiber Focus: Part 3

Today, in fiber focus, let's look at some fabric artists. Whee!


Loring Davena Boglioli works in felt and found objects, with fun buttons and other notions thrown into the mix...




...to make lovely little splashes of color for the home. I can imagine one of these works could really spice up my boring white walls...



I adored the colors in Loring's booth.

Here's some eye candy for all the quilters out there, from the Gallery G booth, and Jagodzinski Design:



So beautiful. Click through to see Janis' other quilts- I especially love her profiles of humans, but the animal designs are great, too.

Here's Janis in her booth (she's on the right hand side in this shot):



We've got one more post before we close out the series on ACC!

American Craft Council Show: Fiber Focus: Part 2

Continuing on our fiber fest journey, let's check out Columbia, Md, artist Susan Levi-Goerlich. Susan creates amazingly intricate landscapes with felt techniques and needlepoint. Her work is so much fun to walk up close to and step away to watch the picture come alive. I had a hard time tearing myself away from Susan's Stitched Impressions booth. (images from Susan's website, with permission)

And now, for something completely different! I realize this is stretching the definition of our theme of local (the Bronx) and fiber (wire), but the work of Reina Mia Brill is knitted, and it is beyond inspiring, so I had to share it. Let's bend those rules, shall we?

Two more ACC installments to come!

ACC recap - b magazine

Click on the image to check out a larger version of the online edition of "b" magazine (the relatively new, alternative daily magazine- free on baltimore street corners) from monday. Featured are some of our favorite Baltimore crafters (tigerlilly shop, pistol designs, sweet pepita & imogene to name a few!) in their booths at the ACC show this past weekend! Congratulations to all of the crafters that participated in this years show. Great work!

Bijou Handmade Market - Delaware - Friday

Bijou Handmade Market is a small showcase featuring regional craft artists that are creating innovative handmade craft items. Alternatives Museum Shop at the DCCA presents four Baltimore-based craft artists (Two of whom are Charm City Craft Mafia members, & ALL of whom are B.E.S.T. members!) on Friday, March 6, from 5-9 pm:
bowerbox press: books and letterpress cards handmade with the highest of standards
The Broken Plate: fun, colorful, one-of-a-kind jewelry and more made from broken plate fragments
Jennyjen 42!: riginally designed fabric bags and home accessories inspired by birds and other whimsy
Sweet Pepita: urban, green, unquestionably hip children’s clothing made from recycled and organic fabrics

Presented by Alternatives Museum Shop and the Delaware Center for the Contemporary Arts during Wilmington’s Art on the Town. Enjoy live music, gallery opening receptions, open artist studios, food & drinks, shopping, and more.
Deleware Center for the Contemporary Arts is conveniently located 1.5 hours north of Baltimore, and just 30 minutes from Philly.

American Craft Council Show: Fiber Focus Part One

Wandering through the many aisles of the ACC show can be overwhelming. Rachel and I spent over 2 hours doing just that, and we still couldn't hit every row. Luckily, I put a plan into place to focus on local (I used this term pretty loosely, as you'll see) fiber artists.

Yes, I am slightly biased, but you've got to admit, there's something about fiber that begs you to come closer, and even touch, if you dare. And of course, only if you're invited. Thank goodness some artists did invite, such as Chris Rom and Geoff Buddie, a husband and wife sculpting team from Ohio. They work in felted wool, but also in ceramics and other media. Here's Rachel giddy with excitement before the invitation:

And, after indulging:

Oh yeah. That's good stuff right there. Check out the other installations from this booth, equally squishy and delicious:

Next, let's check out the work of artist Shelley Jones, of Richmond, Virginia (if you'd like more info on Shelley, contact me at hvmdesigns AT gmail DOT com). Shelley also works in felted wool, incorporating beads and silver as well. I loved these structured cuffs:

And these beautiful flowers, which were displayed on the wall of the booth:

But my favorite piece was this great spiky cuff, and as I looked at it, I first thought about how long it must have taken to needle felt all those little spikes into the background, and then I couldn't get Fraggle Rock out of my head. And of course, that is a compliment of the highest order.

Mmmmmmm, fiber... More to come, stay tuned!