Strawberryluna

Thank you Chicago & Renegade!

Just wanted to give a bustass shout out to everyone in Chicago who came out and made this year’s Chicago Renegade Craft Fair so fun and so amazing. It’s always so great doing a busy show and getting to meet so many awesome people. I was a little overwhelmed with the idea of working this 2-day, outdoor festival solo, but man oh man, things could not have gone more smoothly. Perfect weather, lovely neighbors, and awesome shoppers. The crowd was really big, and everyone was super friendly and nice. What else could a craft show boother ask for?

I got a quick chance to step out into the crowds on Saturday & take this one. Busy all of the time!

I got a quick chance to step out into the crowds on Saturday & take this one. Busy all of the time!

A typical view of the weekend from booth #135, strawberrylunaville.

A typical view of the weekend from booth #135, strawberrylunaville.

A special thanks to Sue Daly & everyone else of Renegade for all of your hard work, I can’t imagine the monumental kitten herding feat it must be to bring this fair to order. You guys did a phenomenal job! And a double extra special thanks to my homies in Pittsburghtown, the little area of Renegade where fellow Pittsburgh Craft Collective crafters Rag Trader, garbella and Cosy Knits and myself were. Thanks for looking out for me, and most huge thanks to Rag Trader Beth &  her brother Joel, I could not have done it without you cats.

This trip was super special as it was the 2nd part of a 2 week show tour that I did with friends and fellow print and poster artists Hero Design & Delicious Design League too. Thanks for your hospitality Delicious! We love hanging around Chicago, as the photos while working and playing below can attest to. And there are more boring photos on my Flickr page here!

Lamps

Lamps by neighbors Bright Lights Little City made from vintage ribbon. Click for more info!

And below, some photos from our day off in Chicago on Monday. It’s always so nice when we can build in a little time to walk around and do quintessential things in other cities.

A bag by Pink Corporation that I wish I'd bought. Can't find it anywhere online now, Darn!

A bag by Pink Corporation that I wish I'd bought. Can't find it anywhere online now, Darn!

Heading into Wrigley Field, go Cubs!

Heading into Wrigley Field, go Cubs!

The awesomely pretty field before the game got started.

The awesomely pretty field before the game got started. PS-those are bleachers on the buildings across the street...yowza!

Instant Cubs fan. The whole field smells like popcorn, cotton candy  happiness.

Instant Cubs fan. The whole field smells like popcorn, cotton candy happiness.

Wizard Car!!!! Found in Indiana, with Mark Hero feelin' the magic.

Wizard Car!!!! Found in Sandusky County, Ohio on the way home, with Mark Hero feelin' the magic.

Handmade Nation movie screenings & release

picture-1

DIY art and culture lives, thrives and has been gaining a massive resurgence in the past decade. The growth of hand crafted work, arts and crafts that could easily have been made by machines and digital media, but wasn’t, by choice of the artists, is astonishing and rad.

One artist, director, craft show creator (Art vs. Craft), retail craft store co-owner (Paper Boat) and all around superwoman of DIY, Faythe Levine also undertook the writing of a book and making an extraordinary documentary film about this movement beginning in 2006. The film is called Handmade Nation and is just beginning to screen all around the country, and the newly released book is called Handmade Nation The Rise of DIY, Art, Craft, and Design. Both authors Faythe Levine and Cortney Heimerl are touring the US and abroad with their film screenings and talking to folks about the passions and work of folks who make art and crafts with their hands. Both the film & the book have been highly anticpated for 2 years and counting. I can’t wait to see the film and have the book in my wishlist, ready to come home any minute now.

For screenings, or to book a screening (they welcome the inquiries) check out the Handmade Nation website and/or the Handmade Nation blog. The Handmade Nation book is available here, and for more photos, visit the Handmade Nation flickr page. 

Awesome Blossom!
picture-31