Tuesday, October 31, 2006

call for submissions: what does the greenbelt mean to you?

here's a call for submissions for a subject that's especially close to my Y and it IS where many of Toronto's pumpkins came from, and hopefully where more and more of Toronto's produce will come from.

THE GREENBELT PRIZE - $10,000

WHO CAN ENTER: Actors, Animators, Cartoonists, Chefs, Choreographers, Comedians, Dancers, Fashion Designers, Graphic Designers, Journalists, Painters, Rappers, Sculptors, Singers, Writers...

And anybody who has anything to say about...

ONTARIO'S GREENBELT

WHAT IS THE GREENBELT?

Ontario's Greenbelt is our living countryside.
The Greenbelt surrounds the province's Golden Horseshoe, the most populated area of Canada. At 1.8 million acres it is larger than Prince Edward Island.
The Greenbelt preserves some of the best agricultural land in Canada, which in turn provides fresh fruits and vegetables, dairy, beef, pork and poultry products and grapes for prize-winning wines.
The Greenbelt ensures that everyone has access to parks, hiking trails, rivers, lakes, places for cycling, bird watching, horseback riding, weekend getaways and a myriad of other outdoor activities.

WHAT IS THE GREENBELT PRIZE?

A competition looking for:
the funniest...
or the most compelling
or the most descriptive
or the most evocative
or the most entertaining...
Skit...
or cartoon
or dance
or comedy routine
or clothes design or graphic design
or article
or painting or sculpture

or poem or short story...
or song or dish or...

HOW DOES IT WORK?

Email greenbeltprize@chumtv.com to receive an entry form. Or contact Robert Rames at 416-388-8675 for more information. Return the completed entry form by November 10th. Semi-finalists will audition at CHUM Television in Toronto in November. Viewers will vote on the 10 finalists to determine the winner.

Monday, October 30, 2006

open Call for a Miniature Sculpture Show

Loop Gallery is seeking miniature sculptures for a group show called art: to ease crappy conversation.
The criteria for the show is that each sculpture (created in any medium) does not exceed 10 x 10 x 10 inches
and is no heavier than 5 pounds. Up to two (2) sculptures can be submitted, with your name printed clearly somewhere on each piece. Sculptures will be on sale for $200.00 although you can choose not to have your work for sale. 70% of the sale will go to the artist and 10% will go to the Toronto Food Bank.

I'd love to see some crafty multi-media entries in interesting mediums (textiles, ceramics, found parts, etc...). If you enter, let us know, and we'll keep an eye out for your creation at the show.




Important dates
Sculpture drop-off dates: Tues, November 28th, 2006 5-7 PM and Wed, November 29th, 2006, 5-7 PM
Opening: Saturday, December 2nd, 2-5 PM
Exhibition dates: Sat, December 2nd – Fri, December 22nd, Wed – Sat 1-5 and Sun 1-4
Sculpture pick-up dates: Fri, December 29th, 2006, 5-7 PM and Tues, January 2nd, 2007, 5-7 PM

Please R.S.V.P. with your Name, Phone #, Address and e-mail address via e-mail by at loopgallery@primus.ca, November 25th, 2006, at to receive a contract.

ask crafty response: citric acid, shrink plastic, and machine knitter

Anyone else with some words of wisdom? fire away with all your crafty knowledge and help out your fellow crafties... post replies to these questions in the comments or email me with your tips.

x Where in T.O. I can buy citric acid for making bath bombs? I've found many websites for how to make them, but none of them tell you where to get citric acid. - Rennee Charles

    • Citric acid is available at most health food stores - that's the cheapest place to get it.
    • You can also get it at places like SoapScope on Roncesvalles, but it's way more expensive.

x I'm searching high and low for shrink plastic - you know the stuff that shrinky dinks are made of. I would like blank pieces that I can either draw on or send through my inkjet printer. I would prefer to buy locally and avoid US customs and crazy shipping charges. I've been calling places all weekend and have only been able to locate it at Michael's stores, but none are TTC-friendly, since they're in Markham, Brampton and Oakville! Is there a source for these in Toronto? - Susan

    • It's true - I've only even been able to find shrinky dink plastic at Michael's or at Staples (if there' out of stock they will order it for you - bring the UPC code from their website).
    • I've seen cheap shrinky dink material at the Dollarama in the crafty section but it's pre-printed.

x I am looking to hook up with a machine knitter; someone who knits with a machine. Someone who does modern work, and can possible work without a pattern. Do you know anyone like this? - Jennifer (this is more of a help-wanted question)

Sunday, October 29, 2006

inspiration: crafty books

here are reviews for two books on contemporary craft that I'm dying to get my hands on! (thanks to meguchan for the stylebytes tip!)

By Hand: The use of craft in contemporary art

via stylebytes.net:
"This book works as an excellent coffee table book, it contains useful and
interesting information along with beautiful photos, and last but not least,
it´s a great source of inspiration for all of us crafters. You´ll find DIY
designer bags, embroidered pictures, crocheted lampshades, vinyl cars and so
much more. It´s art I can relate to in a whole different level because it´s
closer to what I do. I can recommend it to all of you interested in art or
crafts in any way."
Craftivity: 40 projects for the diy lifestyle

via designsponge.blogspot.com:
"it's quite possibly the best design/craft book i've seen in years. craftivity
chose a simple goal and executed it almost flawlessly. they set out to introduce
and teach 40 craft projects from real designers and crafters and went above and
beyond their mission. i found myself endlessly inspired by the projects they
chose (broken up into areas like: knitting, wood working, glass, etc.) and the
designers behind them. almost all of them are projects that even i (a non-crafty
person) feel comfortable attempting. from sewing a stylishly "moth-bitten"
sweater to creating your own handknit backyard hammock,
craftivity has your diy needs covered."

enjoy.

Thursday, October 26, 2006

crafty on the road - sacred valley crafts

the outskirts of the Pisac marketBy far the craftiest component of my trip has been my time in the Sacred Valley. This is the area surrounding the capital of the Inca empire, Cusco - a lovely (if gringo infested) city that most people use as the jumping off point to Machu Picchu. The Valley area (also known as the Cusco region) is chockful of Inca ruins that hold spiritual significance for many Peruvians, and for new-agey types internationally. Instead of ruin hopping I pursued my spiritual practice of choice: visiting local markets and artisan shops.
It is hard to walk a block in any Peruvian city, town, or mountain range without hitting some sort of market. The major ones in the Cusco region are the Sunday market at Pisac and at Chinchero.

Pisac market - view from my hostelMari of Las Pallas had warned me that they have become increasingly junky, and I must admit to becoming a little jaded through overexposure to the mass amount of tourist-oriented crap being shilled at these markets and otherwise (such as cheapo synthetic fibres and slapdash workmanship, if items were even made by a human being). But with some patience and a certain amount of resistance to the constant call of ¨Seniorita! Chullos, mantas, ponchos, very beautiful!¨, some lovely stuff can indeed be found. The best part is that many booths are occupied by women and children weaving on backstrap looms or spinning sheep or alpalca wool on spindles.
Chincherans drinking chincha (made from purple corn, sugar, and spices).Yarn for weavers (mostly synthetic dyes)

The artesania that I was most impressed with (and sadly, least able to afford) was the stuff produced by initiatives that focus on preserving natural dyeing and weaving techniques. I was thrilled to discover casa ecologica in the lovely little town of Ollantaytambo. The Casa sells locally produced textiles, ceramics, yummy organic treats, and medicines. Almost all textiles are made with organic, natural dyes and fibres. Traditional knowledge is shared among Ollantaytambo region communities, where a textile practicioner versed in natural techniques visits communities that have become dependent on synthetic materials and shows them what´s up.
Mantas - shawls (Casa Ecologica)Chullos - hats (Casa Ecologica)Chalinas - scarves (Casa Ecologica)Poncho is an example of synthetic stuff that tourists tend to go for and the blanket is made with natural fibres and dyes.
If this sounds familiar, perhaps you read my last post about the
Centre for Traditional Textiles based in the city of Cusco. Since the late 1970s, Nilda Callañaupa has been working with communities in the Cusco area in persuing a mission to revive ancient Incan styles and techniques that were/are dying out due to the tourist demand for non-traditional weavings. Today the CTTC - a non-profit org since 1996 - works with Quecha weavers and their families to engage in skill-building, community networking, and market development. In addition to the sale of top-quality weavings produced by the CTTC communities, the centre in Cusco city (Avenida Sol 603) houses a must-see museum that investigates the art and culture of weaving in the Cusco region, as well as an ongoing weaving demo by weavers from multiple participating communities.
Weaving styles by region (Centre for Traditional Textiles - Cusco)Pillow shams. etc. (Centre for Traditional Textiles - Cusco)
I took a mini weaving course through the CTTC´s education centre and produced part of a little Jakima (belt), which really hammered home how much skill and energy goes in to the production of the the insanely complex works done by master (and even intermediate) weavers at the Centre and elsewhere.
Weavers at work (Center for Traditional Textiles - Cusco) Me and my little Jakima loom (Center for Traditional Textiles - Cusco)

Incidentally, while I was learning to weave at her Centre, Nilda, the director of the CTTC was in Toronto for the Textile Society of America´s biennial symposium. The coincidence factor was magnified when I just happened to meet her brother, Angel, at his lovely little textile shop & natural dye education centre (Kamaq Maki - Calle Rumañawi #3) in Chinchero, and watched their mother in action at the Chinchero branch of the CTTC. Small world indeed....

Kamaq Maki
Natural plant dye demo (Kamaq Maki - Chinchero)Natural alpalca and wool balls (Kamaq Maki - Chinchero)A complex piece of work (Kamaq Maki - Chinchero)
CTTC: Chinchero branch
Chinchero teens hanging out (Center for Traditional Textiles - Chinchero Branch)Chinchero chiquita working it (Center for Traditional Textiles - Chinchero Branch)

stay tuned for the next dispatch

Wednesday, October 25, 2006

oh dear...

we totally missed posting about the October 14th episode of CBC Radio One's 'definitely not the opera', which was all about Do-It-Yourself culture. but here we are, a few weeks later and you can download the podcast of this episode, you don't even need an ipod, you can listen to it right on your computer if you like. check out their page for instructions if you are a podcast newbie.


Sook-Yin Lee
for this special episode on DIY and craft-culture, DNTO held a crafty contest,
101 Uses for a DNTO Square, where Canadian rocker Sara Quin (of Tegan & Sara) picked the winner. Each contestant was given a large piece of blue fabric emblazoned with several DNTO logos, and given free reign to do what they wished with their crafty hands. the finalists included: a tote bag, a treasure box, and an apron.
the lucky DNTO listener and crafty machine Jane Merks won first prize, which was to co-host an hour of the radio show with Sook-Yin Lee. Jane talked about her winning creation, the 'cootie catcher' and gave some advice on craft inspirations.


Jane's cootie catcher with bag

Tuesday, October 24, 2006

halloweenie

TCA reader and Consumer Life writer Tara is writing an article on DIY Halloween costumes for CBC.ca and is interested in speaking with anyone who is crafting a unique, homemade costume.

i feel silly i know there must be some super-crafty home-made costumes in the works for the big day. send me pictures of your costumes as you are making them, and in their final glory. this could be a costume for yourself, your friend, your kid or your pet (?!)

what other halloween crafts are you working on? i haven't decided yet how many mini-pumpkins and little gourds to buy, but i'm thinking of making a parade of mini jack-o-lanterns for the front walkway of my house, to greet little monsters on the evening of the 31st.

CRAFTY CORRESPONDENT: miss Sue does the CreativFestival

What's the big deal?
miss Sue reviews the scrapbook & paper craft section of the Fall 2006 CreativFestival

Bargains. Cheap. Deals. Those are words we want to hear when we go to huge consumer shows like the Creative Needlework and Sewing Festival (
re-branded this year as CreativFestival). The bi-annual event is held at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre in the fall, and the International Centre in Mississauga in the spring. Every event is filled with mainly Canadian vendors for all types of creative crafts.

My main target is the paper crafts section of the fair - so if you’re into quilting, sorry, I’m not going to be very helpful. But if you’re even a wee bit interested in paper and all kinds of things you can do with it, well, read on.

Unlike last year, when I felt a little cheated, I walked out the door of this year’s show feeling happy little tingles all over because I managed to uncover some great bargains. With so many stamping, scrapbooking and paper craft vendors in attendance to show off their wares, you can get great bargains - if only you know where to look.

Although this is a review of the Fall 2006 show, these vendors come back during both the fall and the spring show, so my tips may be useful for the upcoming show in April 2007.

Scrapbooking vendors
There are many booths in the paper crafts area, so like a breakfast buffet, don't fill your plate on the first trip 'round. Be careful not to buy something you like at the first booth you stop at (except, perhaps, at
Unique Pages). I discovered a Hero Arts Clear Design alphabet stamp at $18.99 and $16.50 at two different booths (guess which price I paid? Yup, $16.50!).

With a massive collection of scrapbooking-wares, be careful and do your research. Even stores located directly opposite one another can have substantial price differentials. For example, something as simple as mini glue dots, on sale at the
Cherished Scrapbooks for around $6.99, the exact same glue dots box could be found just across from that booth at Herrschners, for only $4.99. That’s what I call a shame. There are lessons to be learned here for sure.
7gypsies products - I love the phrase stickers and I just can’t get enough of the little cards. Great scrapbooking tools!
If you’re big on card-making and stamping, you’ll find great deals on inks and stamps.
Unique Pages is where you want to go. Although they have a store on Lakeshore West which offers great prices, they were offering a ‘no taxes’ deal on their already affordable prices, BONUS! You can find EK Success punches here too, in all shapes and sizes. In fact, if you don’t make it to any other booth, this booth itself makes the show’s $16 ticket price worthwhile.

My American Cousin
Deals aside, I love how at least some of the scrapbooking stores are keeping up with the times. Besides the ultra snazzy
Quickutz or similar-styled products, I was particularly impressed with Bizzy B’s collection of 7Gypsies products. As a Canadian resident reading US-based magazines like Simple Scrapbooks, I get envious of those cool and snazzy American products. Which cost way too much once you add shipping to Canada, and customs, and duty... So, when companies bring over stuff from over there so we can buy it over here - I am absolutely thrilled and ready to fork over my credit card!

Make & Takes
One of the best things about this show is how many free make-and-takes there are. Vendors are keen to share techniques using new products. You should take full advantage of the opportunity to try these out, and take home some lovely samples. My favourite make-and-take was the one at the Cherished Scrapbooks booth, done by Emily, the designer of Stamping Bella stamps. She is truly passionate about her stamps and their design, and I loved the glitter she let us add to all finished samples. Bellissima!

Classes
The CD-Accordion tin made during the class. All materials provided (including the ribbons).
There is also a wide range of fee-based classes and workshops to participate in. I took part in one hosted by EK Success. They didn’t tell you what they were doing in advance, so the content of the class was a surprise. I debated about doing it at first, but I got lucky with this one, since the class was very good value for money! The class registration fee was $25, but included the materials kit, which had products worth nearly $50. We made a CD-tin accordion album which was cute and sassy. I’m really into mini albums right now, so this class was just what I needed.

We worked on the accordion album by pasting the background circles on them (e.g. of the L - lean on me on the far right circle). I then went home to complete it with a Friends mini album about my 2 year-old daughter’s friends.
The class focused on using the really handy Circle Scissors tool. Afterwards, the instructor announced that the Circle Scissors and glass mat used in the class would be sold at a discount to class participants (from about $35 to only $20, plus tax of course).
Can’t get enough of this Circle Scissors tool. It makes circles from 25mm in diameter.
Final Words
Personally, I really enjoyed this year’s show. I think there’s a great range of products being sold and the vendors are generally friendly and helpful. Bear in mind though, if you have no self-restraint, you have to be willing to part with large amounts of cash (or be prepared for huge credit card bills)… and that’s only in the paper section of this huge consumer show.

I’m definitely going again, next year. After all, I can’t resist a good deal (you can read that both ways!)

miss Sue.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sue Mylde is a writer, editor, scrapbook enthusiast and paper arts instructor living on Toronto’s Harbourfront. She loves being creative, and being a mother, which, are often not two separate things. You can read more about her up-and-down life at
http://missusem.blogspot.com/

Monday, October 23, 2006

donate your arts & crafts

earthtones benefit concert
the U of T Dept of Medicine in conjunction with UTIHP (U of T International Health Program), will be holding its annual benefit concert EarthTones, which takes place this November 18th on U of T campus.
Last year, ~800 tickets were sold andover $10,000 raised . This year's beneficiaries are:
Free the Children, the Kampot HIV Village, the Panzi Hospital Fundraising Campaign.

the musical performances are the main fundraiser for the 3 international charities, but there is also a silent art auction that same evening.

this is where the crafties come in! the U
of T med students who are organizing this event are hoping to get some support from young artists and crafters in Toronto to donate any of their work to the auction and hopefully they'll be able to provide the artists/artisans with excellent exposure and more experience with exhibiting their work to a non-art/non-craft population. plus, they're offering donators who are non-medicine students (i.e. you!) free admission to the EarthTones benefit concert in appreciation.

see what is
already being auctioned, find out more or donate your art or craft.

canzine, can you?


Canzine, the annual festival of zines is happening this Sunday at the Gladstone Hotel: indie publishers both in print and online come from across the country and the continent to show their wares! Be amazed at the creativity, ingenuity, and sheer weirdness!
The event is only 5$, which includes the latest issue of Broken Pencil, the FOOD issue. To celebrate the launch of this special issue, there will be an 'Indie' Iron Chef competition, hotel room installations, radical readings, underground video screenings, and a puppet-making workshop.

so, whether you're into paper crafts and book binding, or you're a big fan of Iron Chef, come check it out. it sounds like fun, I don't think I can miss it.

on top of all this madness, Allyson wrote to tell us she is having a craft supply yard sale in her studio at the Gladstone Hotel. "the stuff is weird, dirty and cheap. Paints to pom poms. swing by her studio on the second floor during the earlier part of Canzine.

blurring the line between craft sale and craft party

this Thursday (October 26th), Nathalie-Roze will be hosting a shopping party & sale to thank all of the people who've been so supportive of her latest project: nathalie-roze & co., a new-ish shop/studio in Leslieville:

"Please come by for drinks & nibbles and a gander at all the quirky-cool merch that's come in for Fall - no pressure to buy anything, but you may be tempted. I'm now carrying handcrafted lovelies by over 80 indie craftista-designers (primarily from Toronto). Expect to find inspired clothing, jewellery, handbags, baby-wear, beauty products, paper crafts, buttons galore, hats & mitts and lots more (incl. a capsule collection of menswear & home decor items)."

Nathalie-Roze tells us that everything will be reduced by 20% or more for this night only & there are some fab prizes to be won. (she also tells us to bring friends!)

Thursday October 26th, 2006 from 5pm to 10pm. nathalie-roze & co., 1015 Queen Street East (at Pape) on the S. side.

toronto craft fairs seek talented crafties

get your portfolios ready! there are several toronto craft fairs coming up that are still looking for crafters to join the retail ranks (and have fun and meet people too!). take note of deadlines, and get your goodies out there!

church of craft: pedal to the metal craft fair
the Church of Craft's Pedal to the Metal craft fair is happening December 4th and is still accepting vendor applications. for more info check out the website or contact leah at thegood@churchofcraft.org.

the Last Minute Craft Fair is a new event for crafters in the Toronto region. Scheduled the week before the Christmas holiday break, this is a great opportunity for crafters to reach an audience keen to find unique handmade products and last-minute, affordable gifts and stocking stuffers. this fair is happening December 16th at Trinity St. Paul's United Church on Bloor (near U of T).

the fair will feature approximately 40 crafters, and they're currently accepting applications from crafters who wish to take part. This is an excellent venue for selling and reaching ready buyers! more info and the application.


First Annual Holiday Spectacular Craftacular at nanopod: hybrid studio, a nano shopping bonanza running all day Saturday December 9th and Sunday December 10th where there will be handmade, one-of-a-kind, or limited edition:
  • Knit, felted, screen printed, crocheted = scarves, belts, books, brooches, hats, necklaces, arm warmers, leg warmers. Show us what you’ve got!!
  • Jewelry- precious or non, contemporary or retro, art to wear
  • Paper goods like = cards, books, jewelry
Nanopod: hybrid studio is a small space (thus the name) so crafters need not be present during the event. Nanopod studio will be transformed for this event into a complete retail show and sell space with an ultra holiday feel.
the plan is to pack the space with beautiful gifts making it completely irresistible to holiday shoppers! Nano-helpers will be on hand to help with sales, gift wrapping and serving up the yummy holiday treats!
get the details here

Friday, October 20, 2006

"shorter name, same great show"

geez, I've been seeing the ads for this creativfestival all over the city, but little did I know that it was the good old creative sewing and needlecraft festival, with a new name! and it's going on right now (until sunday).

this festival started off with a focus on sewing and needlework, but now includes many more creative art forms and mediums; from textile, fibre and paper arts to beads, embellishments and crafting.

if you're in the market for any tool or machine, this is the place to go see and try them all. I bought my trusty janome sewing machine there two years ago, and got a super deal (-%50). you'll have brand reps there showing you how to use the machines, ready to give you deals and throw in extras.


this year the festival is at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre again (south building, halls d & e), with over 200,000 sq ft packed with ideas, solutions, supplies and techniques for all sorts of crafts. there's even some free workshops. it does cost $12 to get in, but you'll find great bargains for fabric, trim, notions, tools, machines, everything. and there's door prizes and sometimes freebies.
watch out!
the funny thing about this festival is that the average age of attendees is about 55, and they're all carrying one of those rolling shopping bags, so watch out!

the good thing about the age factor is that you'll probably be able to find what you want while the target market fights over the items that might not be your style. you might end up buying so much stuff that you'll need a rolling shopping bag!

Thursday, October 19, 2006

be part of the collective

the Indie Collective is hosting a 2006 Holiday Gift Guide, and they'd love to get some Toronto people in on the action.

back in 2004, the Indie Collective was born as a holiday gift guide for 30 designers. They're revisiting their humble beginnings with an exciting new holiday shopping guide that will promote the best in independent design & fashion - and they want you to be a part of it! The 2006 Indie Collective Holiday Gift Guide will draw style-savvy shoppers the latest offerings from innovative independent designers, a great way for your crafts to get some exposure for the holidays!


the 2006 Indie Collective Holiday Gift Guide will feature designers in the following categories:

  • Bath & Body,
  • Handbags,
  • Home Accents,
  • Jewelry,
  • Kids, and
  • Paper Goods.
ad placements will include product photos & descriptions, your shop info, a link to your website, and the option to include an exclusive holiday discount.

for more information,
visit their blog.

get schooled - open house at OCAD

thinking about trying a new craft?

OCAD is having an open house where you can "See the intricate processes of art making: silk screening on fabric, acid dying on silk, throwing on a potters wheel, editing images and sound for film, making paint from scratch, digital photo printing and even digital painting are a few of the examples of demonstrations underway in our open studios...Try your own hand at mold making, drawing with charcoal, illustrating a live model in period costume, or participate in a "learn to draw" session for beginners."

OCAD

Look Inside
OCAD's 2nd Annual Open House

Saturday, October 21, 2006
11 am to 4 pm
Ontario College of Art & Design
100 McCaul Street, Toronto

if this gets your crafty fingers tingling and your crafty heart a-flutter, check out the 'get schooled' section of links to find people & places where you can play and learn even more.

Monday, October 16, 2006

crafty on the road - Lima, Peru


Hola amigas and amigos!

This first installment of TCA does Peru is a long time in the coming - connection speeds at internet cafes have been a little dire, and thus uploading photos a bit of a crapshoot. But I´ve managed to get the first little batch of photos up, so I give you: Crafty Lima.

Two major hubs of quality craft in Lima are in Barranco, the "bohemian quarter" of Lima. Barranco is a little more manageable than the traffic-choked insanity of Lima Centro, with some lovely Republican style buildings (like Colonial architecture, but different, somehow...), some fun stencil art, and good bars and such.



quechan textile flats (dédalo)totally beautiful baby alpalca scarves (dédalo)tote with quechan textile flower (dédalo)


The first shop of note is Dédalo, which is largely a contemporary fine craft shop, but many of their wares incorporate traditional textiles. This can result in fun stuff like like ballet flats and hobo bags in the colourful woven fabric many of us associate with Peru. I was rendered most drooly by the finely woven baby alpalca scarves in lovely rich colours, some which incorporate yummy metallic or nubby threads. If in Lima, this shop is definitely worth a gander, and don´t forget to check out the huge back garden for tea and treats.

Dédalo
Paseo Saenz Peña 295
Barranco, Lima

hobo bag (dédalo)woven fringe bag (dédalo)cutie necklaces (dédalo)

On the one hundred percent traditional tip, Las Pallas has an incredible selection of knits, woven textiles, wall hangings, ceramics, jewellery, fine gourd art (a big deal here), and really anything you can think of from all over Peru. I had a bit of a disheartening chat with Mari, the Welsh proprietress of Las Pallas, about how over the years she has seen a decline in the quality of workmanship and materials used in Peruvian handicrafts. For example artificial dyes are much easier and cheaper to use in colouring fibres, so many indiginous communities have ceased to use natural dyes. And of course one should always be skeptical in markets of claims that a garment is 100% baby alpaca or the like, as it could be acrylic or worse. Over the years Mari has developed direct relationships with craftspeople in multiple remote villages and is very discerning in the selection of her stock, sending things back if they don´t meet her standards. She also stocks works produced through projects like
The Center of Tradicional Textiles of Cusco, who aim to restore and preserve regional and traditional techniques and practices.

Las Pallas
Cajamarca 212
Barranco, Lima

washbasin full of woven textiles (las pallas)knit cat dolls (las pallas)

Tuesday, October 10, 2006

tall tales from nuit blanche



i was really excited about the whole idea of nuit blanche, but had to be in michigan for a wedding.


now that you've all had a week or so to recover from the all-night-art-party that was nuit blanche, does anybody have some sweet stories to tell? did you make or build anything? did you see anything that inspired you?

here is one account from Monster Factory

Friday, October 06, 2006

scavenger

crafty finds on craigslist

sewing
vintage WHITE-brand electric zigzag sewing machine - $140
new WHITE-brand sewing machine - $150 this lady is offering free fabric and thread with this machine. the machine is still under warranty and comes with the instruction manual.

knitting
contents of knitting studio needles, yarn, books – everything!
knitting machine make an offer

kids’ crafts
crafts bin (filled with craft tools and accessories) - $20
scrapbook cart by generations - only 1 left-great for kids crafts - $45

last yard sale of the season?
moving sale saturday, october 7. keele & bloor

wanted
scrap fabric for quilting

other…
five wood frames with mirrors - $15