Thursday, September 27, 2007

SUPPLY YOUR HABIT: crafty yard sale this saturday

Heads up on a crafty yard sale hosted by Katie Muth:

I am having one CRAZY-COOL AND CRAFTY YARD SALE this Saturday that I thought the TCA readers might like to know about to get stocked up with amazing art and craft supplies AND original art! Not to mention great vintage clothing, hats accesories, beautiful and original furniture and home furnishings. Here's a link to photos of the sneak peek Design Sponge did of my home:
http://flickr.com/photos/71112133@N00/sets/72157601439016555/show/

So much great stuff going for cheap!

Saturday Sept. 29th 9am -3pm
162 Howard Park Ave.
(corner of Indian Road, 2 blocks west of Roncesvalles)

www.katiemuth.com

1116176362_ccf3784662
Crafty interior of Katie's home



CRAFT SHOW: ladyfest craft & zine fair

ladyfestposter

LADYFEST CRAFT&ZINE FAIR at ST STEPHENS!

A collection of local crafty ladies will be on site at Saint Stephens September 30th 12noon-6pm displaying their DIY designs at the Ladyfest Craft&Zine Fair. Craftista-designers include Danielle of Zippan Designs, Chantal Braganza from A Heart Apart, Siobhan Bonistell of Sacred Lotus, and Heidi from Puberty Press. Artists Chantal Lefebvre and Janet Romero-Leiva will also be joining us at the fair, as well as Jen Pilles and Chantel Lefebvre with their collection of zines. An assortment of DIY crafts will be available for purchase, all of which will reflect the individual designer: jewelry- pearly necklaces, sterling silver, carved wood earrings; patches, pins, t-shirts, paintings, knitted silk scarves, tote-bags, eco-conscious creations, wooden lapels, sock beings, hand-made natural face creams, journals, hand-painted treasure boxes, magnets, hand-woven rugs, and the list continues…

Auction: As part of the Ladyfest Craft&Zine Fair, the auction of donated DIY items from participating vendors will be on the block. Tickets are $1 or 5 tickets for $3.

Because we love to bake & eat, vendors and organizers will also be hosting a bake-sale. See you there!

Ladyfest Toronto is a grassroots, do-it-yourself community-based organization. Ladyfest Toronto 2007 continues the tradition of breaking down barriers for women artists and marks the first time since 2004 that the festival has taken place in Toronto.

In the last seven years, Ladyfests have been held in North and South America, Europe, Asia and Africa. Canadian cities that have hosted Ladyfests include Vancouver, Guelph, Toronto, Halifax and Ottawa.

For more information please contact
ladyfesttoronto@gmail.com or visit our website at
www.ladyfesttoronto.ca for the full program of events.

ladyfestmap



CRAFTY HAPPENING: art gallery of missisauga turns 20

evite
Click here to enlarge

WEEKEND ROUNDUP: courtesy of cha cha

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tote by cha cha

A handy little reminder/digest came through from Lori of cha cha, highlighting a bunch of the arty-crafty-designy action on this weekend:

Don't forget to stop by this Saturday Sept. 29th between 11am-6pm to check out the Cha Cha studio sale.
Expect to find one of a kind handbags, belts, samples, slightly "irregular" pieces as well as the fall line up most available only through Cha Cha and all at 15% off.


So much is happening in the Queen West area this Sat.
Just up the street from me is the annual Clothing Show www.theclothingshow.com
Around the corner is the Common Cloth fashion show www.commoncloth.com
and of course Nuit Blanche www.scotiabanknuitblanche.ca

So stop by Cha Cha while getting your fashion and art fix.358 Suite 101 Dufferin St. between Queen and King.

Hope to see you there!
Lori
cha cha

EXHIBITION: memento vivere - new shadowbox curiosities by magda trzaski

memento vivere [reminder of life]

image

New shadowbox curiosities by Magda Trzaski

In memento vivere [reminder of life] artist Magda Trzaski exhibits her trademark characters in shadow boxed scenes. Her interest in compartmentalization; taxonomy, order, boxes, collections, cabinets of curiosities, and photographs held captive within their frames has captivated her work and style for the past seven years.

As discussed in a recent review of her work, “Her tiny sculptures of gangly limbed and cracked-skinned characters enclosed within shadow boxes, redefine and reconstruct the norms of life and escape which, in turn, present a depiction of the beautiful decay of life. Her exaggeration of surrealism through her animal-inspired characters alludes to elements of mystery as well as a reminder of our own mortality. There is a looming feeling of cynicism, and a sense of life floating away that can only be contained within Trzaski’s shadow boxes. The strange, yet intricate figurines highlight dark undertones of otherwise-innocent subject matter.” (Emily Lam, university of Ottawa's FULCRUM, September 10, 2007)

C1 art space
44 Ossington Avenue
October 5 to November 4, 2007
Reception: Friday, October 5th at 7pm
Gallery Hours: Thursday to Saturday 12 to 6pm, Sunday 1 to 5pm or by appointment

http://www.c1artspace.com
info@c1artspace.com

EXHIBITION: world so small at OCAD student gallery

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World So Small
Student Gallery

Wednesday September 12, 2007 to Saturday October 6, 2007

An exchange exhibit between ceramic students from OCAD and the University of Regina
An exchange exhibit between ceramic students from OCAD and University of Regina in which they employ the material qualities and associative meanings of clay to investigate how we engage with others and the world. World So Small will coincide with Craft Year 2007 a nation-wide celebration of professional Canadian craft and was previously exhibited at the 5th Parallel Gallery in the University of Regina last winter. It is also being held in conjunction with Scotiabank Nuit Blanche, September 29.

Student Gallery
285 Dundas Street West
Toronto
Ontario
416-977-6000 Ext. 262
www.ocad.ca
Free

CRAFT SHOW: irina rapaport invites you to the clothing show

b-zoo_pic_e-invitation_clothing_show
irina rapaport, jewelery maker
www.irinarapaport.com
invites you to
THE CLOTHING SHOW
www.theclothingshow.com

this weekend
SATURDAY AND SUNDAY
SEPTEMBER 29 AND 30
clothing show evite

crafty guide to Nuit Blanche 2007 - Zone C

this is part 3 of the TCA's list of Nuit Blanche events with a focus on crafty themes or handmade goods.
more info:
Nuit Blanche.

Zone C

Locust, 2005
Noboru Tsubaki and Hishashi Muroi - Hyogo, Japan
Installation
Noboru Tsubaki and Hishashi Muroi - Locust, 2005
Noboru Tsubaki's lone, gargantuan Locust descends upon Lamport Stadium. Separated from its migratory swarm, its status as a remnant or threat of airborne plagues to come is unclear. Is this cute, colourful, cartoon-like insect a real threat or a personal omen? What is our crime and what is our defense? Do we take comfort in Liliputian safety? For how long will these ropes hold? For how long can we keep our fears at bay?

Femmebomb, 2004 - Janet Morton
Installation
Janet Morton - Femmebomb
In this adaptation of Femmebomb, a wellworn, often overlooked concrete edifice is consumed by a giant shock of pink, a textured flora. Here, with magic realism, the domestic arts amplify and reveal the darker workings of an interior. Passers-by are invited to touch a site destined for and concerned with the care of those individuals at risk in the community.

Fluorescent Dome - Michael Bartosik
Michael Bartosik - Fluorescent Dome
Situated on the edge of Trinity Bellwoods Park, a luminous fluorescent dome serves as a beacon for the city. Universal in form and origin, it resonates in a dynamic equilibrium; unifying cultural difference through a non-hierarchical structure.

Bloor Nightlight - Dyan Marie Projects
Group exhibition

Artist Dyan Marie, with more than 30 contributing artists, takes back the night with 10 transformative light art projects.
Streetlight Sculptures
Curated with and work by Orest Tataryn and others. Overhead sculptures are exhibited fixed to city streetlight poles creating a street-long exhibition of contemporary light art.
Light House
A projection house made of ice created by Joe Fleming, with his videos glowing through the walls.

Body Light
Fashion, performance, projections, videos and installations transform the House Of Lancaster Strip Club and surrounding area at 1215 Bloor St. W.
Clouds of Doubt
Objects and lights sources wrapped into place along the street create lingering clouds by JP King and Stephen Marie-Rhodes.
Bloor Bike Light
A bike parade, tricked out in light for the night. Curated and bike by Bruce Ward with Mark Greenhough, Herb VandenDool and others.
Store Sculptures
Storeowners host light sculptures made for their storefront windows by participating artists working in neon, blown glass. Light installations by Ian Worling, Alfred Engerer and others.

Plus, miniature light sculptures, wearable light jewellery, apartment window installations, light hand sculptures and roaming green "vine people".

The Late Great Pom-Pom Exchange - Knit Café
The Late Great Pom-Pom Exchange - Knit Café
Learn to make pom-poms in this audience participation installation piece. Create a pom-pom, then trade it for another in this enormous pom-pom exchange which will grow larger all night long.

Paul Petro Multiples & Small Works - Home-made Home-grown
Miles Collyer

A series of hand-stitched flags and wall tapestries that reproduce emblems used by the politically unofficial. A one-night performance will also occur in the space on the occasion of Scotiabank Nuit Blanche.

XPACE Cultural Gallery - Wall + Paper
Curated by Matthew Nye

XPACE presents a group of emerging artists and designers, who will be installing wallworks throughout the night. Each piece considers the conceptual and stylistic possibilities of wallpaper.

Fly Gallery - Water Fountain
Katharine Harvey

"Water Fountain" is a site specific installation constructed out of recycled transparent plastic objects at Fly Gallery, a storefront window on Queen Street West. The installation is lit up at night with LED lights that shift and change colours throughout the evening.

Ontario Crafts Council - Elemental Connections
Group exhibition

An exhibition of Sustainable Craft examines the notion of sustainability and intends to make a strong connection between the natural elements and their artful interpretation.

The Smith Café and Gallery - Urban Talismans
Elana Ginsberg

Urban Talismans explores this relationship with wearable objects through one-of-a-kind handmade jewellery in gold, silver and mixed media. The Smith Café and Gallery will be open all night with full café service of espresso, coffees, organic teas and decadent treats.

Index G - G (art)Fair 07
Group exhibition

At INDEXG, G (art)Fair 07 is an annual event held in a professionally operated gallery showcasing 30+ Canadian artists from the collectors' watch-list as well as artists of the new/neo generation.

Wednesday, September 26, 2007

crafty guide to Nuit Blanche 2007 - Zone B

this is part 2 of the TCA's list of Nuit Blanche events with a focus on crafty themes or handmade goods.
more info: Nuit Blanche.

Zone B

Swap'til you Drop - Collective Project and Alyson Mitchell
Allyson Mitchell - the Hungry Purse: the vagina dentate in late capitalism
Collective Project and Alyson Mitchell Bring a bag of clothing and shoot espresso. Get hopped-up, dressed-up and fired-up at Swap'til you Drop where stylists and seam rippers help you re-vamp your finds. It's political reduction and recycling in shopping. Plus, a work by Allyson Mitchell entitled the Hungry Purse: the vagina dentate in late capitalism.

ACA Gallery - Art Can Change the World
Group exhibition

ACA Gallery creates art video screened every 30 mins in Moss Park with music score by composer Jana Skarecky. In partnership with ReelHeART International Film Festival short screenings.
After 1 am: Mature content, suitable for audiences 19+
Create art bookmarkers with messages of peace as art installations. Bookmarkers to be sent to an Afghanistan library. Music by Friendly Rich and the Lollipop People, the Woodchoppers Association and the Samba Punk Sound System.

401 Richmond - Open Studio - Shameless Promotion
Group exhibition curated by Suzanne Carte-Blanchenot
Shameless Promotion - Open Studio
Viewers are invited to witness artists creating integrated prints using the cadaver exquis approach to printmaking where each print changes hands and techniques. Concurrently in the Open Studio Gallery will be the group exhibition Shameless Promotion featuring works by Doublenaut, Stacey Case, Jesjit Gill and Nick Kennedy, and curated by Suzanne Carte-Blanchenot.

Beaver Hall - Art at Beaver Hall
Group exhibition
Art at Beaver Hall
Resident artist members collaborate to present outdoor video projections and painting, photography, sculpture and mixed media in the gallery space. Plus, live music at 8 and 10 pm and a printmaking demonstration at midnight.
Mature content, suitable for audiences 14+. Sharron McCleod jazz performance 8:00 p.m. & 10:00 p.m.Peter Brickell, printmaking demonstration at 12:00 midnight.

The Distillery District - Case Goods Warehouse - Inside Out
Group exhibition

Experience a 50 ft. "time sensitive" mural painting, raku clay firing, installation/performance art, dance, film and "Distillery District Ghost" storytelling. Come see, make, feel, touch, experience and be art from the "Inside Out"!

Marie Josette Wearable Art - Wrapped in Art
Group exhibition

An exhibition of innovative wearable art shawls, capes and wraps by prominent and emerging Canadian and international textile artists. Opening night launch held for Scotiabank Nuit Blanche celebrations.

Jewel Envy - Conceptual Jewellery as Communal Art
Group exhibition
Jewel Envy - Conceptual Jewellry as Communal Art
Work alongside artists and be part of the creative process of jewellery making. Contribute to the design and creation of a larger-than-life necklace; this exhibition piece will be made in parts and assembled by the participants on site. Suitable for audiences 10+.

Ontario College of Art & Design (OCAD) - Transformed by Imagination
Group exhibition

OCAD presents an exhibition of diverse work by students, faculty and visiting experts that showcases materials and a school itself transformed by imagination. Exhibition includes Currents, an extravaganza of work by faculty and alumni of Material Art & Design.

Tuesday, September 25, 2007

CRAFTY GUIDE: Nuit Blanche 2007 - Zone A

there is so much going on and so many things to see and do for this year's Nuit Blanche [the sequel to last year's crazily successful all-night contemporary art thing] how will you ever pick? the TCA has compiled a short list of events with a focus crafty themes or handmade goods.
more info:
Nuit Blanche.

for starters...
Zone A

Art of Fashion, 2007 - Surreal Journey
Group exhibition
Art of Fashion 2007 - Surreal Journey

Discover rising Canadian designers showcasing their Scotiabank Nuit Blanche exclusive collections. Vote on the designer you feel best interprets the Zone A theme; the leader will be named the Art of Fashion 2007 Designer of the Year.

The Gardiner Museum - From the Ground Up
Group exhibition

Art installation by Ben Oakley and free hands-on art projects and museum admission from dusk to dawn. Get dirty in the clay studios, enjoy the unique collections and beat the night away in an all night drum circle with BOOM!

The Guild Shop - Fine Canadian Craft
Greg Hobbs, Michael Laderoute, Oskar Graf, Grit Laskin

Petrie Dish Management presents song crafters, Greg Hobbs and Michael Laderoute performing at The Guild Shop, a subtle way to weave the idea of song craft and artisan craft, the inanimate object and sound. The work of master luthiers, Oskar Graf and Grit Laskin will be showcased in the main window.

Monday, September 24, 2007

talk amongst yourselves...

monday morning water cooler
as part of the Toronto Craft Alert's goal to galvanize the city's craft community, we'd like to get a bit of a discussion going.

It's monday morning and we'd like to know how you spent your weekend. did you attend any craft fairs or shows? did you make something crazy? did you take a workshop? did you read something interesting about the world of craft? do you just want to send a shout-out to some crafty comrades?

discuss any crafty topic you like... we'll be re-posting this thread every monday morning, so that the discussions can continue in the comments section of this post.

Sunday, September 23, 2007

GET SCHOOLED: workshops at kozo studio/gallery


Workshops at KOZO Studio/Gallery
257 Broadview Ave
Toronto, ON
M4M 3G6
Phone: 416-214-1882

[Check out Jiangtou's awesome little YouTube video of the Letterpress 1 workshop. Definitely a motivator to take the class]

Letterpress 1

Saturday and Sunday Sept. 22 and 23 from 10 am to 4pm

OR Dec. 9 & 15 from 10 am to 4 pm

In this intensive two day workshop participants will learn how to lock up a form and registration in order to print in two or more colours. Participants will create an edition of their own unique letterpress printed Broadsides

Participants should have 'Letterpress Printing Intro.' or have discussed their previous experience with the instructor.

Workshop price for the 2 day workshop is $153.70 plus a $15.00 supply fee.

Intro. to Letterpress

Sun. Oct. 28 OR Sun. Nov. 18

from 12:30 to 5:30 pm

Learn the basics of printing on a flatbed press with Akemi Nishidera at her studio.

The Vandercook press is one of the most popular presses for letterpress printers and the little Showcard is perfect for small editions, gift tags, and quick prints. In this introduction class participants will learn to print from a combination of wood type, metal type, and metal cuts.

Fee $ 50.88 plus supply fee of $10.00.

KOZO workshop image 1


FOR YOUNG ARTISTS !

IT'S JUST PAPER!

This series of workshops will focus on all the possibilities of paper.

Students will learn papermaking by recycling fabric, create three dimensions from two with paper sculpting, use paper pulp as a modeling compound and decorate the surface of paper with printmaking methods and orizome. The topics of environment, culture, and recycling are subjects that will be addressed as part of the workshops.

The individual projects are geared towards the two different age groups.

Ages 6 - 10

Saturday mornings beginning Oct. 20*

9:30 am- 11:00 am (1.5 hours),

Cost $ 103.88 (8 classes)

Ages 11 - 15

Wednesdays beginning Oct. 17

4:30 pm - 6 pm (1.5 hours)

Cost $ 116.60 (8 classes)

*This is a series of 8 classes in total, running to mid December.

Holiday Letterpress Cards and Tags

Tues. Dec. 4 from 6 - 9 pm

Choose from a variety of special Holiday images to letterpress print your own cards and tags for a unique holiday statement. No experience necessary.

Fee $ 30.74 plus supply fee of $10.00

Intro. to Book Binding

Tues. Oct. 23,30, Nov. 6,13,20, 27

from 6 - 9 pm

In this set of 6 workshops participants will learn about and create a variety of book forms (concertina, stab bound single page, pamphlet, experimental, etc.). Students will learn about the book structure and the importance of the papers that are used. Book and paper embellishing will also be taught and used.

Cost $ 153.70 plus $20.00 supply fee

KOZO workshop image 3

Star Ornament Books

Tues. Dec. 11 from 6 - 9 pm

So many people have asked me how to make these beautiful little books, so here it is.

Learn how to create a beautiful tiny book that can be hung and opens to form a star! The pages can be decorated too. Great for special gifts.

$ 30.74 plus $10.00 supply fee.

Book Transformation

Thurs. Dec. 6, from 6 - 9 pm

Bring in an old thin boring book and learn how to transform it into an exiting piece of artwork. By tearing, cutting, colouring, adding, painting and embellishing these ho hum books will become personal treasures.

Cost $30.74 plus $10.00 supply fee.


Progressions in Paper

Sat. Oct. 27, Nov, 3, 10, 17 from 1 - 4 pm

Four days of playing with paper! In this series we will explore the world of paper and methods of decorating them Participants will try paste papers, orizome, relief, washes and glazes and momigami. The resulting papers are unique and perfect for scrapbook projects, book binding, cards, collage and so much more!

Cost $72.08 plus $15.00 supply fee


Chigiri-e

Sunday Nov. 25 from 10 am - 5 pm

Chigiri-e is a Japanese art form that uses paper to create a 'painting'. Washi (known as rice paper) of varying colours, weights and textures are torn in small pieces to create an image that looks very much like a watercolour painting! Participants will learn about washi and why only it can be used, create their own 'painting' and frame it in a traditional Japanese style.

Cost $ 56.18 plus $15.00 supply fee.

KOZO workshop image 2

Registration Information

Payment is by cash, cheque., VISA or MC. If you wish to pay in person please call or e-mail me to set up a time to visit the studio. Registration may be mailed to

Akemi Nishidera, 51 Cummings St., Toronto, ON M4M 1M9

Full payment is required upon registration to guarantee a space in the workshop. We will contact you by telephone or e-mail to confirm your registration. Supply Fees are due on the date of the workshop and are payable to the instructor in cash.

Studio Rental is available for doing independent projects on the Vandercook SP 15, Showcard Mini Press, Papermaking equipment and studio.

For rental you must be interviewed to assess technical knowledge and equipment use.

Private and pre-scheduled group workshops can be arranged.

Please contact Akemi.

CRAFTY HAPPENING: st. clair artwalk

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Received a note about the St. Clair ARTWALK from
Scott Wilk of Wilk Jewellery Designs who will be participating in the Outdoor Art Market on Sept 29th and 30th.

Here's some background on the show.
Visit the website (http://www.stclair-artwalk.org) for all the deets.

ARTWALK, the St. Clair Arts Festival and Studio Tour is an annual community Arts Festival celebrating our diversity and cultural heritage through the ARTS. It is a multi-disciplinary arts event.

There are a multitude of different events planned to keep you excited.

This year an incredible 91 artists will be showing their work in their studios, on the street, in business venues and in special gallery exhibits. There's music both days on the Main Stage outside St. Michael's & All Angels Church, and there's music at neighbourhood bars/restaurants on Saturday evening. Literary arts will be celebrated on Saturday evening too, at Ellington's Music & Café.

Be sure to start your festival tour with a visit to one of our Event Central locations. Pick up a detailed ARTWALK program and plan your walk. Or pick up a program now at either of the St. Clair West Second Cup locations at 511 and 696 - buy a coffee and browse through the pages. There's an easy to follow map to all the cultural events. Look out for an ARTWALK flyer in your mailbox in the next few days and watch for posters all along St. Clair West. It's going to be a great weekend - don't miss it!


Friday, September 21, 2007

CRAFTY CHAT: ann hamilton at OCAD - FREE

The Textile Museum of Canada Calls Next Material Witness:
Internationally acclaimed artist Ann Hamilton

The Textile Museum of Canada is pleased to welcome internationally acclaimed artist Ann Hamilton for a free public lecture on September 26, 6:30 pm as part of the Material Witness Lecture Series, co-presented by the Ontario College of Art & Design (OCAD) and the Jean A. Chalmers Fund for the Crafts. Hamilton will visit OCAD from September 24 to 28, as part of the Nomadic Residents program, sponsored by Partners in Art.

sep20tmc_3
Public Lecture by Ann Hamilton
Wednesday September 26, 6:30 pm
OCAD Auditorium, 100 McCaul Street, Toronto
Admission is free, all are welcome, please arrive early

Material Witness is a groundbreaking lecture and workshop series, developed by the Textile Museum of Canada. This series brings together international thinkers and artists who will address textile concepts and practices through several lenses, including those of ethno-anthropology, current practices by artists who use textiles as media and inspiration, and theories of cultural translation and diversity. Each event in the Material Witness series will offer an individual way of seeing and understanding the diverse human experiences that are embedded in textiles. These discussions will also explore how the fields of fine art and textile crafts can lead to a further appreciation of the richness and diversity of the world we share.

CRAFTY CHAT: design aid & the q'enco project in peru

This topic is close to my heart as I travelled to this region about a year ago and met many weavers (some of you may recall my posts from the road)...

textile talk#2

TEXTILE TALK: Richelle Sibolboro
Design Aid and the Q'Enco Project in Peru

Friday, Sept 28, 7 pm. PWYC ($5.00 suggested)
Contemporary Textile Studio Co-op
401 Richmond St. West, Studio 109
cts.member@gmail.com
cts.classes@gmail.com

Richelle will talk about Design Aid’s project working with traditional weavers in the mountains of Peru. She will bring examples of weaving and naturally dyed hand-spun yarns.

Q'Enco is a small village of 60 families, located 40 km north of Cusco, Peru.

Subsistence farming and the sale of hand-woven textiles largely drive the community's economy. Like many small, indigenous communities around the globe, it suffers from the effects of a global market that has not sufficiently solved the problems of economic isolation and cultural exploitation. Dependent upon a fickle tourist community, Q'Enco artisans are forced to compete in an overly saturated local market of machine-made textiles at the expense of their artistic traditions and cultural vitality.

In support of this remote Andean community's endeavors to develop a viable and culturally-sustaining economic strategy Design Aid (Richelle and Bao) has initiated a collaborative project with the Q'Enco Weavers' Association.

In October 2005, the two traveled to Q'Enco, Peru to meet with the Weavers' Association and to act as consultants. Together, they have implemented a series of design strategies and projects that foster confident artistic expression and technical expertise.

Their vision is simple: translate rich Peruvian textile history into viable, sustainable and beautiful contemporary designs that foster cultural vitality and economic sustainability.

textile talk#1

Thursday, September 20, 2007

SHOP CRAFTY: beads & photography backyard sale

D6253-Orchid

Vida Beads and Nomura Photography host an afternoon sale of one of a
kind beaded pieces, jewelry by Vida Beads and photographic prints of
David Pijuan-Nomura.

After moving out of our studio at the Distillery, many people have
asked us where to purchase Dave’s work and my beads. As an end of the
summer celebration we will host an outdoor art show and sale in our
backyard! Dave will feature his matted 8x10 , 5x7 and 4x6 prints as
well as larger framed work and cards. All work will be reduced by 10%.
We will also have a Garage Sale Table which features vintage fabrics,
hundreds of books, and lots of other goodies. And just to make it
lovely, we will also have some complimentary lemonade and cookies to
enjoy!

Join us on Saturday September 22, 2007 from 11. a.m. to 6 p.m.
88 Hallam St.
North of Bloor and West of Ossington.
Side entrance to our lovely backyard.
We are the very colourful garden with the sign that says
“Plant your Dreams” In our garden.

For information please call 416-516-4925

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CRAFTY HAPPENING: the ribbon project

The_Ribbon_Project_ poster_HLG

The Ribbon Project

For five days in October a small group of people, of which I hope you will be one, will tie ribbons to things. When other people pass they might see those ribbons and, if they do, something might change for them. They might smile. They might tut. They might feel united, having just tied a ribbon themselves.

Each day will have a different colour and the group will be notified of the colour by email.

You will need 7 coloured ribbons:

Blue, yellow, green, red, pink, purple, orange

If you would like to join, send me an email [gooodcheew@yahoo.com] entitled “The Ribbon Project” and I will send you the dates and then, at the proper time, each day’s colour.

See links below for photos from last year and a digital story about the project.

Warm wishes,

Hannah

http://www.flickr.com/photos/hanfrey/sets/72157600280448967/

http://www.bristolstories.org/play.php?story=124&size=480

Wednesday, September 19, 2007

CRAFTY HAPPENING: world carfree day

Sara tipped us off to this event in her comment on the water cooler post. Her suggestion:

i'm thinking it would be super fun to bring out the lawn chairs, the crafting gear, and some snacks for a stitchnbitch in the street
does this sound fun to anyone else?

email sara here if you are interested in joining forces.

Read on for details about the event...

sam_higgs

World Carfree Day!

Join millions of people in over 1500 cities around the globe in celebration of WORLD CARFREE DAY!

In Toronto, SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 22nd come out and show how much fun carfreedom can be! Host a PARKING METER PARTY (*see below) along Queen Street West from 1pm, then join the CARFREE PARADE at 6:00 (5:00 assembly at Trinity Bellwoods, heading east)

BRING YOUR: family, bike gang, best friend, band, costumes, banners, instruments, human powered floats, badminton rackets, dance party, clown troupe, cardboard, crayons, imagination, sense of humour, whatever you do best!
DON'T BRING: a car!

HOW TO HOST A PARKING METER PARTY:
JUST IMAGINE: WHAT CAN YOU DO WITH A 6 X 12 FOOT PARKING SPACE?

Scout out a parking spot where you'd like to spend the afternoon

Park your non-motorized "vehicle" (i.e. your bike, trike, roller-skates, dinky-car) along Queen West

Pay the meter. For $1.50/hr the spot is yours! (be sure to display your parking receipt on the "dash" of your "vehicle"!)

Have fun showing Toronto how much fun carfreedom will be! dance! paint! play a game! read a book! make music! make people smile!

It's fun! It's legal!
Bring your fellow revolutionaries!

The revolution will not be motorized!

TCA READER SURVEY: results part one

pie.chart

Thanks again to everyone who participated in the TCA Reader Survey & for your patience in waiting for the results (busy/crazy/crafty times!). I've decided to do a two-parter: first I'll post the results of the survey that relate to you, the TCA readers, and I'll follow this up in a bit with your feedback on the blog which was supremely constructive (and thus deserves its own post).

So, without further ado:

A BIT ABOUT YOU

While most of you live in Toronto or the GTA, there are a number of you reading from more exotic climes like Whitby, Waterloo, Hamilton, Peterborough, and even Montreal.

A good chunk of you (61.6%) are 25-36, but 17-24 and 37-50 are representin' at 16.2% and 15.2% respectively.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, 97% of you are of the female persuasion. 1% identified as "robot".

More of you identify as makers (27%) than pure consumers (9%) of craft, while the majority (71%) are playing for both teams in making stuff and enjoying the work of others. Many of you are into fibre crafts like knitting & sewing as well as jewellery making, and some of you branch into less traditional territory like zine making & sound sculpture.

The vast majority (91%) read the TCA in part to find out about crafty events about town. I was pleased to see that lots of you are also seeking a connection to the Toronto craft community (77.4%) as this is the TCA's primary raison d'etre. Other popular uses of the TCA include referring to the blog/mailing list to find craft supplies (74.2%), discover local designers & makers (67.7%), workshops and classes (58.1%), and where to buy local (58.1%).

Loads of you shared your crushes, far too many to list here. But a few names that came up frequently were: nathalie-roze & co., the beading & textile shops of Queen West, Freedom Clothing, Propaganda, The Rage, Lettuce Knit, The Sweetie Pie Press, Julie Moon, Ugly Bunny, Mokuba, Distill Gallery, Romni Wool, Heart on your Sleeve & MADE.

Some new finds for me included:
Stephanie Cormier: Image 1 2 3
Michelle Kosoy
Red Om Glass
Mixed Media independent art shop (Hamilton)

It was really great to hear from so many of you & learn more about who you are and what you are interested & engaged in.

Stay tuned for Part Two of the TCA Reader Survey results...

EXHIBITION/VENDOR CALL: BIGlittle fibreFIBRE/pieceWORK

ATTEND & APPLY!

The Gladstone is hosting a textile exhibiton as well as a fibre show & sale.

08_Thumbpins
Emily Hermant, "Thumbpins"

BIG little fibre FIBRE
The Gladstone Hotel's 2nd Annual Juried Textile Exhibition
Opening Reception Thursday Oct 11 2007 6-9pm
Exhibition Hours 12-5pm Daily
3rd and 4th Fl Exhibition
Friday October 12 2007 to Sunday November 25 2007

Sex, lies ' but no rock and roll (we're working on that one) ' inhabit the world of BIGlittle fibreFIBRE, the Gladstone Hotel's second annual show of textile art.

Inspired by a surprised 'Gee, it's so big!' overheard from a viewer looking at a piece in last year's show, the curators have brought together a group of works that explodes the perception that textile work is exclusively delicate, diminutive, fragile and decorous.

From Emily Hermant's breathtakingly huge Thumbpins to Andrea Vander Kooij's sly little fifteen fucks, the works in the show - like Alice's mushroom - bring the viewer to the VERY BIG and the very small, depending on which side they experience.

And, courtesy of Keith Bentley, there's a life-size horse.

Participating Artists:

Amy Bagshaw, Barbara Bailey, Keith Bentley, Louise Lemieux Bérubé, Kate Busby, Florencia Caligiuri, Suzanne Carlsen, Sarah Comfort, Gabriel Dawe, William Elsworthy & Deborah Wang, Misha Gingerich, Miriam Grenville, Jessica Harrod, Emily Hermant, Jane Lowbeer, Feliz Klassen, Amanda McCavour, Tammy Osler, Tania Ursomarzo, Lois Schklar, Andrea Vander Kooij, Lois Shklar, Barbara Wisnoski, and Ute Wolff.


CALL FOR INTEREST
SHOW AND SELL YOUR WORK AT THE GLADSTONE!
DEADLINE SEPT 28, 2007!

pieceWORK
A SHOW AND SALE OF TEXTILE AND FIBRE ARTS
OCT 11-14, 2007

The Gladstone Hotel is renting second floor exhibition studio spaces to individuals or groups of artists interested in showing and selling textile and fibre based work during the opening weekend of BIGlittlefibreFIBRE the hotel's second annual juried textile exhibition. We're looking for a diverse group of artists who can produce high quality multiples or short run production work in specifically fibre based mediums.

Interested artists please apply by Sept 28, 2007 by contacting:
Chris Mitchell at 416-531-4635 ext 7105 or chrism@gladstonehotel.com

• Showcase your work in the bright, beautiful spaces and restored Victorian grandeur of the Gladstone.
• The second floor pieceWORK show and sale will be held in conjunction with the Gladstone's annual juried exhibition opening on the 3rd and 4th floors of the hotel.
• Opening Reception will be combined for the two exhibitions on Thursday, Oct 11, 2007 6pm-9pm - cash bar
• Exhibition will be promoted in our Gladstone Bag e-Newsletter, Gladstone website, and printed event listings.
• Reasonable rental rates - only $250 + GST for 4 days. This includes install day, opening reception night and three days of exhibition hours 12-5pm.
• Individual secure space for each artist/s.

For more information please check our Call for Submissions page . Send submissions to:

Chris Mitchell
c/o Gladstone Hotel
1214 Queen Street West
Toronto
, ON M6J 1J6

Tuesday, September 18, 2007

VENDOR CALL: harbourfront centre urban market

Luminarium Image
Architects of Air, Luminarium (onsite at Harbourfront Centre from
Oct. 6-8 )

Harbourfront Centre is seeking vendors to participate in our Urban Market/ Comfort Food Cafe during our HarbourKIDS Festival set for October 6th, 7th, and 8th.

HarbourKIDS is a children's and family festival with themes that explore the living city, how we interact in urban spaces, architecture and the way we're impacted by built and organic environments. Other events take of where our food comes from, how we can be more ecologically aware, integrating living art, imagination and discovery into our everyday lives.

We are seeking vendors who might compliment our programming and who offer quality products to our patrons.

If interested please email klannin@harbourfrontcentre.com or call 416-973-4239

VENDOR/EXHIBITOR CALL: city of craft applications now online

cityofcraftlogo-proof


Hi all,

You may recall we posted about a crafty event in the works called City of Craft a little while ago.

To refresh your memory (and to quote ourselves) City of Craft is a, "community-based craft culture event where local guilds, community-arts groups, craft based initiatives/projects, studios, and other organizations are invited to do outreach to the public alongside a curated craft fair and craft-based installations. City of Craft is a place to buy, observe, experience, chat about, share and reimagine all things handmade."

Well applications and FAQs are now online, so please visit the site at http://cityofcraft.com and apply away. The application deadline is October 15, 2007, FYI.

Hope to hear from many of you soon. Please contact us at cityofcraft@gmail.com with any questions.

Monday, September 17, 2007

CRAFTIVISM: cuts to essential services/arts funding

Received the following note from Lisa Pijuan-Nomura about an important demonstration taking place regarding municipal budget cuts. After receiving a slew of recent emails regarding possible cuts to arts funding, Lisa was inspired to connect with other artists equally disturbed by this possibility to organize this gathering.

If anyone is willing to make flags, puppets, or signs to animate this event, it would be much appreciated.

DEMO
NO CUTS TO OUR ESSENTIAL SERVICES
because it's tough as hell to swim in empty pools

Gathering at Nathan Phillips Square
Wednesday, September 19th
4 - 6 PM
please circulate widely

On WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19TH, 4-6PM we are calling on ALL MEMBERS OF THE ARTS COMMUNITY AND ANYBODY ELSE to convene at NATHAN PHILLIPS SQUARE to make it clear that we will not tolerate cuts to our essential services and that we support the Land Transfer tax.

IT'S URGENT: the councillors will be meeting on the 20th to discuss this and we need to show our city officials that we are organized and strong in numbers and that we are horrified by the city’s deteriorating quality of life.

Please show your concern by attending WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19th!
because it's tough as hell to swim in empty pools.

If you have suggestions for speakers, activities or want to help organize please contact:

Heather Haynes - heather@torontofreegallery.org
Darren O'Donnell - darren@mammalian.ca
Lisa Pijuan-Nomura - girlcancreate@yahoo.ca

- the land transfer tax is a one-time 2% cost payable only when you choose to buy a house; if implemented it will avert large annual property tax increases payable each and every year
- first time home buyers will receive a rebate for the land transfer tax
- only 6 cents of every tax dollar you pay goes to the city. The remaining 94 cents goes to the provincial and federal governments.

******
Here's a note from the President of the
Canadian Bookbinders and Book Artists Guild for more background re: cuts to arts funding & some action you can take. [Thanks to Akemi Nishedera of Kozo Studio Gallery for passing this on]

Dear Toronto CBBAG member:

What do you value about Toronto?

This note from me, as president of CBBAG to you, a Toronto arts supporter, is to alert you to the biggest crisis facing our city since amalgamation.

The papers have been overflowing with news of Toronto’s desperate financial state. In the next couple of months the city must either find significant new revenue sources or drastically reduce services.

As a Torontonian and an arts supporter, it is now time to make your voice heard.

If you believe, as I do, that city services, including investment in hundreds of arts organizations, are important – please:

Contact your city councillor (go to http://app.toronto.ca/im/council/councillors.jsp) and let them know city services, especially the arts, are important to you

Vote Toronto – ask for a commitment from your provincial candidate to put adequate funding of Toronto at the top of their agenda

Join the Toronto Arts Coalition and find out more: www.torontoartscoalition.org
I support the arts in Toronto and I know that:

The arts are the creative engine which drives much of Toronto’s vibrancy and future economic growth.

The arts engage our youth offering opportunities for thousands of kids in at-risk neighbourhoods through programming in community centres, schools, libraries and parks.

Toronto is already trailing major North American cities in terms of arts funding: Vancouver, Montreal, New York, San Francisco and Chicago invest substantially more in their artists than does Toronto

The culture sector in Toronto employs 100,000+ and contributed over $8 billion to the city’s GDP in 2001 (Deloitte).
Each $1 investment by Toronto Arts Council (TAC) to the city’s arts organizations attracts, on average, an additional $17 in revenue

Arts events fuel restaurants, hotels, taxis – the entire tourism industry

More Torontonians attend arts events than sporting events every year

Toronto Arts Council’s entire budget costs each homeowner a mere $7 per year.

If you want to live in a city that refuses to close its community centres, shut its subway lines, limit access to skating rinks and reduce funding to its artists… let your political leaders know what you think.

Thank you.
Yours truly,

Scott Duncan, President, CBBAG

CRAFT SHOW: lines by: davis at ladyfest ottawa

If you're in the Ottawa area next weekend, Not your Grandma's Craft Sale, the Ladyfest Ottawa craft fair, should NOT be missed. Toronto-based designer Davis Khonnoraj of lines by: davis sent along this invite to visit his booth:

ladyfest invite copy

Friday, September 14, 2007

WEEKEND ROUNDUP

ist2_2607087_lasso

Tons (and I mean TONS) of crafty action this weekend:
  • The Queen West Arts Crawl is going down all weekend, with the Outdoor Art Show in Trinity Bellwoods Park from 11am-6pm, tons of performance art in Art that Binds, and events galore along Queen West. See the QWAC page for the full rundown of happenings.
  • As part of QWAC, the Good Catch Dear Diary Craft Fair is happening at Good Catch General Store (near Sorauren). TCA will be there so come by and say hello!
  • Imprint begins at the York Quay Center Gallery (Harbourfront) on Saturday.
  • Arts at the Heart is on on Sat & Sunday at Yonge-Dundas Square
  • Another craft sale on this Saturday is taking place at Mount Dennis Legion (1050 Weston Road) from 9:00-1:00pm. There will be a variety of items there, including flea market items clothes, toys, household items, etc.
  • Handwork Studio is having an opening on Saturday night
  • StudioN are hosting a Bon Voyage Sweet Summer Exhibition and Sale on Sunday
  • And join the Church of Craft for some outdoor crafting on Sunday at 1pm in Trinity Bellwoods Park
See you out there!

CRAFTIVISM: streetknit kicks off 07/08 winter drive

streetknit.art

I am amazed at how much this project has expanded...well done guys!

Streetknit Kicks off 2007-2008 Winter Goods Drive for Homeless

Streetknit
will be kicking off our 2007-2008 winter goods drive. Streetknit will be encouraging knitters throughout Toronto to donate winter knit goods for the homeless to our drop off points before the coming cold. We also wish to bring attention to the fact that there is still a crisis of homelessness in the city of Toronto. http://www.streetknit.ca/.

Founded in 2006 by Sadie Lewis in Toronto, Streetknit rouses the knitting communities of Toronto, hobbyists, s n' bs (stich and bitches), society yarn-darlings , needle-clackers of all ages to put needles together and spend some time knitting some warmth into an extra scarf, maybe some toques with affectionate or somber colours, mitts, blankets, socks, even a sweater and see it reach those without home.

These goods can be dropped off at friendly-neighbourhood StreetKnit drop-off points: local yarn-knit shops Knit-O-Matic (1378 Bathurst St.), The Naked Sheep (2144 A Queen St. E.), Sew Be It Studio (2156 Yonge St.) and The Knit Cafe (1050 Queen W.). Streetknit will be distributing to homeless outreach programs all over the city again this year including Windfall Clothing , Ve'ahavta, St. Francis Table, Scott Mission , Parkdale Community Health Centre as well as future friends PARC and Out of the Cold.

Every year people in Toronto freeze to death because they have nowhere to come in from the cold. Since 2006, Streetknit has helped inspire and organize office clubs and yarn-shop drives and knitty parties to do our small part to alleviate this situation, craft drives with DJs spinning, knitting classes for teens and adults, and drives within offices to donate to Streetknit, combining fun and sociability with doing good for the community. See our site for more details of some of these past events and drives: http://www.streetknit.ca/.

We have been featured on Omni Telivision and City News as well as here or there and everywhere, all over the local print and blog and knit-blog media.

Interested in hearing more or organizing your own Streetknit drive?: contact streetknit@gmail.com, or ryan.kamstra@gmail.com and we can help set you up.

Thank you Toronto.

Yours Gratefully,

Ryan Kamstra

Thursday, September 13, 2007

GET TOGETHER: church of craft meeting & crafty news

churchofcraftlogo

Received this bulletin from the Toronto Church of Craft:

So we were on a short hiatus and now our palms are itching to handle some sticks or needles - or, whatever your crafty vice might be.

We're going to take advantage of the lovely outdoors one more time and meet in Trinity Bellwoods Park this Sunday at 1pm - look for the flag under a tree near the Queen St. gates. Come out and work on anything! Something you've just got to finish or maybe something you just want to try out.

Also, in other craft news....Get inspiration and check out some super crafty finds at The Good Catch 1555 Queen St. W. where The Dear Diary Craft Fair will be going down either in the backyard or upstairs (weather depending). Look here: http://www.goodcatch.ca/craftfairs.html

Also....I was recently sent some info that might be of interest to those of you out there thinking of crafypreneurship - I know, that's not a word but you know what I mean. This is a great event that'll cover things from marketing yourself to legal advice. Here's the invite/flyer: http://mail.google.com/mail/?attid=0.1&disp=inline&view=att&th=114bd627ed4aef7d

And this, from the International Fiber Collective: International Fiber Collaborative

Seeking Participants

The goal for the International Fiber Collaborative is to give a opportunity to people who enjoy working with crafts, whether professional artists,hobbyists or students to come together all over the world to express our concerns towards our countries extreme dependency on oil for energy. Those who participate will crochet/knit/stitch/patch/ or collage a 3' x 3' fiber panel that will express each artists view on this topic. By taking the step to create a panel with any design, and sending it in, in the larger picture, is expressing your concern towards this topic. Once all 800 panels that are needed are received, they will be sewn together to completely cover an abandoned gas station and gas pumps in central New York. You can check out the website at internationalfibercollaborative.com or contact Jennifer Marsh at 614-561-9057 or blueangle1412@yahoo.com

In craft,
Leah