Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Well done!

Applications for Pile of Craft are closed!  We'll be in touch with all you crafty rock n roll gods next week!
................

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

A Coupla Wicked Important Notes!

A Public Service Announcement from Your Resident Massachusetts-Born Mafiosa!!

[okay, this message has absolutely nothing to do with where I grew up except for the fact that...seriously, who says, "wicked" any more besides Mass-holes?]

Photo courtesy of mobtownblues

This is important! The Charm City Craft Mafia will love you THIS MUCH if you take note of the following reminders.

1) If you are applying to be a vendor at Pile of Craft (and you ARE) please be aware that the application is finicky and/or not functional when using Google Chrome as your browser. Avoid Google Chrome! We apologize for the inconvenience, but please use another browser such as Firefox, Safari, or Internet Explorer when applying. We highly recommend Firefox. If you don't have Firefox installed on your computer, just hop over to the website and follow the easy instructions to download it for free. Or get a friend to help you!

2) Also very important! When preparing your images to apply for Pile of Craft, you must size them appropriately. Our guidelines in the application say that your images must be no larger than 600 pixels in either dimension and should be set to 72dpi. For those who are not familiar with sizing digital photos, the 'Help' menu on your photo imaging software is your friend.

Typically what you do is this:
  • Open your image in your editing software (Photoshop, Gimp, whatever you use)
  • Click on "Image" in the menu
  • A drop-down menu will appear
  • Most likely you will pick "Image Size." Sometimes it will say something like "Scale Image" or "Size Image" depending on your software. Click till you find the choice that brings you a little box that gives you options to change the size of your image
  • Enter 72 in the box that says "DPI" or "PPI." It's talking about dots-per-inch or pixels-per-inch, and it matters.
  • If the numbers in the 'length' and 'width' boxes are larger than 600 pixels, you must change them to 600 pixels. Change the longest side. The other side should automatically change proportionally. If it doesn't, you may need to click something that says "Constrain Proportions" or something to that effect.
  • BE SURE TO NOTE WHETHER YOUR DIMENSIONS ARE BEING MEASURED IN PIXELS OR INCHES (or some other crazy thing). There will be a little drop-down menu for this, too. We want 600 PIXELS (or smaller).

I know this is kinda crazy and a little overwhelming for folks who aren't very comfortable around computers, but I guarantee...if your images are too big and they take a half hour to load on our jury's computers, you will not score highly. Get a friend to help. Google how to resize photos in your particular photo editing software. So important.

In conclusion:

No Google Chrome. Try Firefox instead.
Size your images correctly and get help if you need it.
Apply to Pile of Craft! The deadline is the 22nd, people!!

Love,

Carly(bird Weaves)

The 2012 Handmade Olympics are here!

 
 

Did you know that the world of craft has their own Olympic Events? No? Well they do! The 2012 Handmade Olympics are well on their way over at the Rikrak Studio. There are 7 events and you can vote in all of them!

voting rules:
1. you can vote once in each event.
2. voting closes on friday april 27th at 11:59 EST
3. the top 3-vote getters in each event will be announced on monday, april 30th: when they'll be awarded their amazing prize packs! woohoo!!! don't forget, over $1700 worth of handmade and vintage prizes to be won!

Be sure to vote for our own Pinkkiss Pottery while your checking out all the cool stuff! Her elephant pitcher is up for a medal in event #4  "your favourite handmade goodie that inspires wellness & loveliness." Paul Lowe, the mastermind behind the lovely online magazine and blog, Sweet Paul, was the judge for this event.


Be sure to check out (and vote for!) another of my favorite artists (and former Baltimorian) Chrissy Prusha Mahuna of Felted Chicken. Her Felted Koi is up for an award in event #1. Chrissy creates amazing sculpture with a needle and felt when she's not creating amazing sets for Hollywood. She's even crafty enough to make her own how-to videos so you too can learn her super felty ways! Head over to her website and learn a thing or two!



I hope you take the time to go check out all the crafty folks whose work made it to the top 10 in their category. I love all the work and am super excited to be nominated this year!

As always, thanks for your support Baltimore! 
xoxo
Shawna - Pinkkiss Pottery

Thursday, April 5, 2012

PULLED at Casewerks Gallery TONIGHT!


There's a really interesting looking fine print show tonight at Casewerks Gallery on St Paul street tonight, Baltimore.

PULLED
Opening Reception
April 5th, 5:30 – 8 pm
Sponsored by Urbanite@Case[werks]

PULLED curates the curators of Baltimore’s top print studios, presses and galleries. Participants were asked to not only include instances of their own endeavors, but also to invite printmakers and artists who inspire their studio, are represented by their gallery or who have helped forge or expand their understanding of community. It's co-curated by Goya Contemporary/Goya-Girl Press, Typecast Press, Gilah Press and Design, Litho Shop, Baltimore Print Studios, Open Space.

Monday, April 2, 2012

APPLY NOW!



Applications are available ONLINE through April 22nd
for CCCM's Pile of Craft June 16th, 2012
@ St. John's Church, 2640 St. Paul Street
Baltimore, MD 21218