Check out these events:
Debbie Bliss Event: Debbie Bliss, yarn maker, author, and knitter extraordinaire, will be at the Woolie Ewe Store this Friday, January 19, 2007 for two 3-hour seminars. She will talk about the design process, color forecasting, and also show her new designs. Located in Plano, TX.
Crafty Supply Swap: Another event to swap or trade craft supplies you thought you'll use. January 20, 2007, 2:30-5:30 pm. Located in Seattle, WA.
Social Philly Young Entrepreneur Networking Hour: Are you in Philly? This event, which is part of the Social Philly's Young Professional Series, is specially designed for business owners and is a great way to meet new contacts and possibly gain new business. January 18, 2007, 6-9 pm. Located in Philadelphia, PA.
An Elegant Affair Expo: Bridal, Prom, and Special Events Expo: For those with wedding-related products or services (photography, event planning, etc). January 21, 1-5 pm. Located in Sullivan, MO.
Monday, January 15, 2007
Wednesday, January 10, 2007
Second Week of January Events
Some events to keep you busy this weekend:
Post X-mas Craft and Gift Swap and Sale: Purge of your unwanted crafts or designs! Sponsored by Blim Art Society, Vancouver, Canada. January 13, 7-11 pm.
Crescent City Craft Mart: Sponsored by the New Orleans Craft Mafia, New Orleans, LA. January 14, 2007 2-6 pm.
Mid-Atlantic Crafter Expo: Great event for anyone looking to profit from their art or craft. You will be able to interact with professionals in the crafting industry and learn tips on how to run your business. Tickets are $30 for the day and are available at the door. Event will be held in Annapolis, MD. January 13, 2007, 9 am -4:30 pm.
Down the Street Bead Show: For jewelry makers in the Florida region. Retail/wholesale show featuring beads, findings, PMC supplies, wire wrapping supplies, string materials, and other jewelry supplies. Located in St. Augustine, FL. January 13 and 14.
Post X-mas Craft and Gift Swap and Sale: Purge of your unwanted crafts or designs! Sponsored by Blim Art Society, Vancouver, Canada. January 13, 7-11 pm.
Crescent City Craft Mart: Sponsored by the New Orleans Craft Mafia, New Orleans, LA. January 14, 2007 2-6 pm.
Mid-Atlantic Crafter Expo: Great event for anyone looking to profit from their art or craft. You will be able to interact with professionals in the crafting industry and learn tips on how to run your business. Tickets are $30 for the day and are available at the door. Event will be held in Annapolis, MD. January 13, 2007, 9 am -4:30 pm.
Down the Street Bead Show: For jewelry makers in the Florida region. Retail/wholesale show featuring beads, findings, PMC supplies, wire wrapping supplies, string materials, and other jewelry supplies. Located in St. Augustine, FL. January 13 and 14.
Monday, January 8, 2007
Open Studio, Open Creativity
As indie entrepreneurs involved in creative pursuits, we are always looking for new ways to improve or expand our craft. I am always looking to learn a new skill or knowledge, and if you’re like me, you’ve discovered how expensive the pursuit of knowledge could be! Half-open supplies and barely used tools have taken over my hobby room, hoping to be used in my next project.
That’s why places like Craft Gym and the soon-to-be-opened Ekcetera studio are the perfect practice boards and playgrounds for the creative types. With prices ranging between $10-20 for daily use or $50-60 for a monthly membership, you can (inexpensively) play at you’re heart’s delight, with jewelry tools, photography equipment, ceramic kilns, and other goodies ready for your disposal. Many of them also offer workshops and classes. These places allow you to try a new project or create product prototypes without the initial investment of new tools and equipment.
If your community does not have these craft-type places mentioned above, you can also check out art studios at local colleges. While these studios are usually reserved for their students, some of them may allow non-students use of their studios and equipment for a minimal fee. Certain cities also have recreation centers with open studios for both residents and non-residents.
Here are some to get you started:
Irvine Fine Arts Center: has a ceramics studio equipped with wheels, kilns, slab roller, wet storage and a complete glaze room.; a photography darkroom; and a jewelry open studio. Located in Irvine, CA.
Lakeside Pottery: a pottery school, gallery, and open studio. Located in Stamford, CT.
The Workspace: an open studio through the Iowa State University offering jewelry, screenprinting, photography, woodshop, printmaking, and glass making. Located in Ames, Iowa.
Atlanta Art Worx: jewelry and metal arts open studio. Located in Marietta, GA.
That’s why places like Craft Gym and the soon-to-be-opened Ekcetera studio are the perfect practice boards and playgrounds for the creative types. With prices ranging between $10-20 for daily use or $50-60 for a monthly membership, you can (inexpensively) play at you’re heart’s delight, with jewelry tools, photography equipment, ceramic kilns, and other goodies ready for your disposal. Many of them also offer workshops and classes. These places allow you to try a new project or create product prototypes without the initial investment of new tools and equipment.
If your community does not have these craft-type places mentioned above, you can also check out art studios at local colleges. While these studios are usually reserved for their students, some of them may allow non-students use of their studios and equipment for a minimal fee. Certain cities also have recreation centers with open studios for both residents and non-residents.
Here are some to get you started:
Irvine Fine Arts Center: has a ceramics studio equipped with wheels, kilns, slab roller, wet storage and a complete glaze room.; a photography darkroom; and a jewelry open studio. Located in Irvine, CA.
Lakeside Pottery: a pottery school, gallery, and open studio. Located in Stamford, CT.
The Workspace: an open studio through the Iowa State University offering jewelry, screenprinting, photography, woodshop, printmaking, and glass making. Located in Ames, Iowa.
Atlanta Art Worx: jewelry and metal arts open studio. Located in Marietta, GA.
Friday, January 5, 2007
Upcycling: The New Recycling
The famous Bizarre Bazaar craft show and Etsy auction site had teamed up to offer a special contest called Upcycling. Upcycling was coined by authors William McDonaugh and Michael Braugart in their book, Cradle to Cradle, and is the practice of taking something that may be considered trash and transforming it into an object of design, use, and utility. In this contest, Etsy users are challenged to create objects from materials that would otherwise have been recycled or thrown away. Entries must be posted on Etsy by January 15, 2007 and prizes include a free booth at the May Bizaare Bazaar show, an Etsy gift pack, and a trip to San Francisco. See Etsy for the complete contest details.
Kim Family Auction
There is nothing like crafters getting together for a good cause. Sisters Lisa Congdon and Stephanie Barnes, and their mother Gerrie Congdon organized an auction of delightful arts and crafts handmade goodies donated by generous artists to benefit the James Kim Family. 100% of the auction proceeds go directly to the Kim Family Fund. While it is too late to donate items, support your fellow crafters by buying auction items or telling your friends about this worthy cause. Auction bidding runs January 3-7, 2007.
Organize
The crisp blank pages, the uncreased binding, the distinctive smell - new planners/calendars signal new beginnings and endless possibilities. Bearers of to-do lists, important events, or mundane thoughts, we treasure these objects for their ability to keep us on time, in control, and in touch. Months before the new year, I am already on the hunt for the perfect one. Not too big, not too small, not too loud, yet not too simple- I strive to find the perfect balance for my life and my needs. If you're still in the quest for one, here are some to aid you in your journey. Calendar above from JHillDesign. Also check out these ones from Jill Bliss and Sherwood Press.
Thursday, January 4, 2007
Grammar is your friend
So you’re typing away and writing your press release/website contact/business plan and you’re stuck. Where do I put the apostrophe? Is it affect or effect? Do I use your or you’re?
But who cares, you say, I have my glossy pictures and my eye-catching graphics. I will wow my customers with my logo, my format, and my profound knowledge of Adobe Photoshop. But that’s not enough. To present an image that projects professionalism, it is necessary to look at how your words are presented on paper.
Here’s Grammar Girl to the rescue! I listened to her podcasts and I was hooked. They’re short, witty, easily digestible, and most importantly, fun. A much better way than going through your tattered elementary school grammar books (if you can still find them!) or pouring over thick boring textbooks. Now who says grammar can’t be fun?
But who cares, you say, I have my glossy pictures and my eye-catching graphics. I will wow my customers with my logo, my format, and my profound knowledge of Adobe Photoshop. But that’s not enough. To present an image that projects professionalism, it is necessary to look at how your words are presented on paper.
Here’s Grammar Girl to the rescue! I listened to her podcasts and I was hooked. They’re short, witty, easily digestible, and most importantly, fun. A much better way than going through your tattered elementary school grammar books (if you can still find them!) or pouring over thick boring textbooks. Now who says grammar can’t be fun?
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