Meet Pile of Craft Vendor, Open Eyes Press

 
Please describe your work in 140 characters.
I primarily screen print and sew eco-friendly housewares.  Much of my designs take inspiration from vintage advertising and industrial design. 

What's at the bottom of your "pile of craft?"
Fabric scraps, drawings and ideas scribbled on random sheets of paper, old receipts for supplies, etc.

If I were to miss Pile of Craft (which would never happen!), where would I find more of your work?
On Etsy, of course, and at select retail locations in the US: Young Blood Gallery, Atlanta; VIX Emporium, Philadelphia; Urban Bazaar, San Francisco; and Meadowview Farmers' Guild, Virginia.

June 25th is National Catfish Day AND National Strawberry Parfait Day! What would your National Food Holiday be?
National Avocado Day!  I love avocados and eat them all the time. :)

Meet Pile of Craft Vendor, Hillery Sproatt

Please describe your work in 140 characters.
My prints, drawings, and embroidered objects are made with careful attention to detail and much care. I grew up around soft handmade goods and have always been interested in smallness. The smallness we sometimes feel, the smallness of special objects found and lost, the smallness of everything as it relates to everything else. As of late, I have been making men and women figures. I am excited by the intimacy of creation, the small details that describe the human figure, and each dolls lovingly familiar expressions drawn with stitches.

What's at the bottom of your "pile of craft?"
Scraps of paper, bits of thread, and a tiny brush.
 
If I were to miss Pile of Craft (which would never happen!), where would I find more of your work?
I just launched an online shop called Specks & Keepings. Specks & Keepings is a small shop filled with handmade and collected objects and design. It is a showcase of thoughtfully made goods that aim to inspire a simple lifestyle that is carefully shaped and chosen.

Specks & Keepings is an environment where I can continually share my new work along with wonderful objects made by talented artists from all over the country. The shop currently features handmade clothing, artwork and items for the home by Anschtecka, Adam Wolpa, Eric Stiner, Hillery Sproatt, Karen Thurman, Kotoa & Rebe. When browsing the shop, I hope people will be overwhelmed with a sense of wonder at the beauty of a handmade life. I aimed to create a shopping environment that encourages people to think about what it is they are bringing into their homes and into their lives. I believe on some level, our possessions are an extension of ourselves and they should speak to who we are as individuals. Things are always more beautiful when they mean something to us.

To see what pieces are currently available for sale, visit www.specksandkeepings.com.

June 25th is National Catfish Day AND National Strawberry Parfait Day! What would your National Food Holiday be?
Bread Puddings Day. My mom makes the most wonderful bread pudding.

You could win 2 tea towels from Open Eyes Press!

Just another sneak peak at what you could be taking home as the winner of this years amazing Raffle! Rachael from Open Eyes Press is offering up 2 of her lovely tea towels for the raffle basket. You can see more stunning items from Open Eyes Press by clicking here OR by coming to Pile of Craft and taking home some new eco-friendly handmade goods!
All proceeds of the Raffle basket go to support the Baltimore Clayworks:)

Win a print from Jaime Zollars!

Win this amazing limited edition 5 color print from Jaime Zollars! It's valued at $70 but all you need is the winning raffle ticket from Pile of Craft 2011! Jaime Zollars is a local illustrator who will be showing her amazing prints and apparel this year at Pile of Craft. Check out her website to peek at more of her dreamy illustrations and make sure to stop by her booth this year!
All the raffle proceeds will go to support the Baltimore Clayworks.

Pile of Craft Raffle Basket time!

This year the Charm City Craft mafia is happy to host a really awesome raffle basket to benefit the Baltimore Clayworks! The Clayworks is located in lovely Mt. Washington and if you've never been there I highly suggest taking a trip to check out the amazing studio space and gallery located there. Baltimore Clayworks is a non-profit ceramic art center that exists to develop, sustain, and promote an artist-centered community that provides outstanding artistic, educational, and collaborative programs in ceramic arts. Click here to learn more about them!

Stay tuned for a sneak peak into what the raffle basket will hold! It's going to be simply amazing and a great haul for the lucky winner!! Tickets will be available at the info table during Pile of Craft 2011. Good luck!

Our BEST Friends are Hosting a Party!

Come join BEST for the second annual Etsy Craft Party, sponsored by I Heart Art: Baltimore. This year, we'll be meeting up at Maryland Institute College of Art in the Fox building, rooms 214, 215 and 218. We'll have fun, free, activities for all ages, including a community bunting project, a papercut project, and funky make-your-own hon glasses! So put on your best crafting gear, and come out and play!RSVP here! We can't wait!

Gunpowder River Artfest

Great art, food, wine and music! Gunpowder River Artfest is being held this year at Boordy Vineyard in Hydes, MD. The artfest is sponsored by the Northern Baltimore County Art Foundation. The event features juried artists from around the area, live music, food and great wine.

CCCM's own Spaghetti Kiss, Pink Kiss Pottery, and Sugar Paperie will be there showcasing their wares. Why don't you come out for a visit?

Date: June 4th, 2011 Time 11:00 am- 8:00 pm
Admission: $12 adults, $10 teens (13-20), kids free

Admission includes wine tasting for those 21 and up, parking, live music and children's activities. For more information visit the NBCAF website.