The Hip List: FOXY, adaptive reUse, Camps, Classes and a New Shoe Cobbler!

WOW - there is soooo much to choose from for this week's, The Hip List....  Who made it?


CRAFTY SHOPPING!

Mother's Day is over - whew!  Now it's time to concentrate on DAD!  Make the man in your life feel FOXY for Father's Day with a 20% off coupon from FOXY Fusions.  Shop online and use the code "foxypop" for 20% off cufflinks, matching tie tacks and money clips.  BONUS - The code is good for ALL her inventory, so buy something special for you - after all, he couldn't be a Dad without you in his life!

I can't believe it's the Fourth Friday already - this means May is almost over and we all need some new jewelry for our summer sundresses!  Feel good about what you're wearing by stopping into Moxie for the adaptive reUse Trunk Show.  It's 10% off all items with snacks and drinks included.  Shopping starts at 5:00pm.  BONUS - Moxie is in the East End IBIZ District and Christine has a walking tour guide on her blog!

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MAKIN' IT CRAFTY!

I have a guilty pleasure... I love to watch TV!  Yes, I know, it's horrible, right?  It could be worse - I could be ON TV...  Well, Make Great Stuff has some creative and crafty tips for us TV lovers - 5 Creative Things to do in Front of the TV!  Let the crafting begin... just after this commercial break!  BONUS - Did you know PBS is crafty??  Check out the CraftAPPARENT blog from Vickie Howell and KnittingDailyTV for the ultimate in watching TV while crafting night!

Since summer is right around the corner, we all know what that means... kids are HOME!  It's great, isn't it - no rushing out the door for school with breakfast "to go" in the car, no backpacks full of crushed food that is turning into penicillin, and no teacher notes saying your child was on the "red light" today (wait, I think that might have only been my experience as a mother of young children??).  To save the sanity of all mothers, Marmalade Skies has their fantastic Camps, such as Magical Mystery Tour on Broadway, Art Connection and Just Glue It!  Register now and avoid late fees.  BONUS - Parents can have a little Pinot and paint like Picaso next Thursday with Collin Welsch!

The Common Thread is hosting another Sewing Boot Camp with classes from Shauna Smith.  This "start where you are" boot camp is for the newbie to the designer (and probably for me, Allison, the never-sewer!) Classes begin June 7th and you can sign up on the Selvedge Sewing website.  BONUS - Shop Austin vendor, Anslee Connell, of SavannahRed is featured in the Selvedge Sewing SHOWCASE!

"Paint the Paramount" and get one FREE 2010 Summer Classic Film Pass!  Sounds weird, right - paint the Paramount?  At first, I had visions of artistic graffiti in my head, but since the email I got was from Painting with a Twist, I knew graffiti wasn't on the menu; however, popcorn is!  The Paramount has teamed up with Painting with a Twist to sponsor their latest painting class.  For $45 you receive instructions w/all materials needed to "Paint the Paramount", all you can eat popcorn and one 2010 pass to the Paramount's Classic Film Series.  Class is next Friday, June 4, 7pm-10pm.  Register here.  BONUS - Preview the Classic Film Series schedule online here!

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CRAFTY MAKERS - IN THE SPOTLIGHT!

Is the old saying, "The cobbler's kids wear no shoes" fact or fiction?  In the case of Amanda Dimova of the newly launched "Dimovi", it was true!  Read all about this shoe-less cobbler and her new line of handcrafted shoes in the Austin American Statesmen.  BONUS - Recognize Amanda Dimova's name?  She was a Shop Austin vendor in 2009 with Vinca USA.
(photo from Ralph Barrera/Austin American Statesman)

XO,

allison

P.S. - Don't forget the "hippest" thing of all - Shop Crafty Vendor Applications are OPEN!

Announcing - Shop Crafty, presented by The Lone Star Ladies

Well folks - you've asked for it - and now we're going to do it!  Shop Crafty will be the first Fall Show produced by The Lone Star Ladies, and it holds all kinds of crafty delights in store for Austin, Texas!

Our Craft Lounge will feature Studio Sponsors from Austin - set up to teach you how to craft, sew, bead, felt, scrapbook and more!  Austin has a wealth of creative learning centers - and we want to share their offerings with you!

You'll also be able to shop over 60+ Handmade Vendors from across the US, participate in a Crafty Scavenger Hunt - and do good by helping to raise money for Crafting Comfort - a local non-profit that provides comfort to those in need through gifts of handcrafted items.  A portion of our ticket sales will benefit Crafting Comfort, and 100% of our amazing Raffle will go to them as well.

So save the date - Saturday, October 16th, from 10am to 5pm, to get out and Shop Crafty!  

Event held at The Marchesa, 6406 N. IH-35, Ste. 3100, Austin, TX  78752.

Whipstitch Wednesday: The Mona Lisa Project

"whipstitch" - a quick note, or a little bit of info...


The Mona Lisa is the perfect work of art for a Whipstitch Wednesday feature - DaVinci gave us "just a little bit of info" into who she was with his mesmerizing painting.  It has allowed women of all generations since then to place upon her their own belief in who she was.  I've always thought she was a strong and independent woman, with a smile that was a little naughty, like she was hiding a secret only she and DaVinci knew....

I'm sure you've heard the saying, "Mona Lisa Smile".... but have you ever thought about what it means when someone says it to you, or a friend?  What about the idea of embodying this portrait and smile in a unique way - starting with a photograph taken by a male photographer of a female artist and then seeing what that female artist creates with her self-portrait - how does she make it her own vision and experience, how does she embody Mona Lisa? 

The first stage of this experience, The Rehearsal, is finished, and the visual and performing arts organization, Women and Their Work is inviting you to join in on what looks to be a fascinating panel and public discussion around The Mona Lisa Project, and with the 16 artists who will embody the Mona Lisa through the different stages. 

Where: Women and Their Work, (map it)
When: THIS Thursday, May 27
Time: 7:00pm
BONUS: You might recognize some of the art in their shop from Shop Austin vendors, such as Kate Winternitz and adaptive reUse!

(picture from photographer Rino Pizzi)

XO,
allison

The Hip List: Hip Events, Spring Cleaning, Art Bras, Cake Jar and more!

The Hip List - where to go, what to buy, who to see, and more...  Who made it this week?

Member's Only Opening Party at the AMOA.  Not a member?  Join today!  AMOA is celebrating three contemplative exhibits with Chris Jordan - Running the Numbers, New Works from Sunyong Chung and the new Collections Selections!  Complete with great hors d'oeuvres and drinks, celebrate TONIGHT May 21 from 6pm-9pm.  (map it)  BONUS - in August there will be an official Austin Fashion Week event featuring local designers transforming recycled materials into wearable works of art - save the date now!

Jerry's Artarama makes the hip list this week for several reasons: (1) FREE Demonstrations at the store - this week it is a Golden Acrylics Demo with Beth Wild; (2) Amazing coupons with their "Special of the Week"; (3) Being an amazing store that supports local artists and supplies great products at great prices!  You can subscribe to their weekly newsletter to find out all the great info! (map it)

Spring Cleaning at The Stitching Studio!  It's time to show your machine some love!  On Saturday, May 22 from 9am - 3pm bring in any make and model sewing machine or serger for cleaning and maintenance by Armando Alvarado of Artisan Sewing Machine Repairs.  The cost is $55 and you'll get your machine back the same day! The fee applies to cleaning and routine maintenance only.  Repairs may cost extra and take additional time. (map it)  BONUS - 25% off your entire purchase from Thread-Bare during the Spring Cleaning event!

Springboard: East Side Arts Showcase on Saturday, May 22, 2pm-9pm.  Visit Austin's largest studio complexes: Pump Project, Pump Project Satellite, Big Medium and Artpost.  Spend your afternoon exploring these studios that provide space for 80+ artists.  You will also get to meet the artists and enjoy an artist talk with sculptor Hank Waddell about Wonderlanded.

The SOLD OUT Graphic IV Art Bra Fashion Show on Saturday May 22, 7pm-11pm. This auction and fashion show is a major fundraiser for the Breast Cancer Resource Centers of Texas.  It's too late to get tickets, but we think it's amazing that it sold out!  This year the event is at the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum and News 8 anchor Crestina Chavez and Paramount Theatre's executive director Ken Stein will be the hosts!  Watch a video here about using art bras to raise money.



Don't fret over a sold out event - there is still time to attend Les Artistes: The Revolution Fashion and Art Show!   "The Revolution is a fashion and art event. This is not just another fashion show or art show. It is an event that gives the artists the freedom to express themselves through their art and display it according to their particular vision."  Tickets are $8 in advance, or $10 at the door.  Takes place on Saturday, May 22, from 8pm to close at The Scoot Inn (map it).

After all that running around - couldn't you use some cake for nourishment?  How about the new Cake Jar?  It's the cake you eat with a spoon, and out of a jar (it's another great dessert from the Cake Plate)!  Available in different flavors such as Lemon Drop, Peanut Butter Chocolate Bomb or Austin Cream Pie, the Cake Jar has a flavor for everyone!  You can order online or find them at Austin Java or Mangia Pizza.


XO,
allison

Whipstitch Wednesday: All FREE Craft Tutorials

"whipstitch" - a quick note, or a little bit of info...

"Why go anywhere else..." is what the blogger behind DIY Craft List asks her readers, and she is right if you are interested in access to craft tutorials from all over the web!  Let her do the dirty work of searching the web late into the night or early into the wee hours of the morning to find all those fantastic tutorials she posts - giving credit where credit is due, of course.  She even showcases edible handmade tutorials with cupcake recipes!

What: DIY Craft List Blog
Featuring: Craft Tutorials
Where: http://www.diycraftlist.blogspot.com/
BONUS: All tutorials she links to are FREE!

Now, get to work on this Whipstitch Wednesday with a wrist pin cushion, pretty stuff, painted wedges, or become a craft genius and let us know how we can become one, too!

XO,
allison

Treasure Tuesday: Deluxe Origami Kits

Origami - The Japanese art of folding paper into shapes representing objects...

If you've never tried Origami, or maybe you have and love it, Jerry's Artarama has a fantastic coupon for you that is ever so deserving of being a "Treasure Tuesday" feature!  Right now the Yasutomo Deluxe Origami Kits are ONLY $3.25 with this coupon - that is a 54% savings!  The kit includes pre-printed folding paper, practice sheets, a folded sample, fully illustrated instructions and themes such as sea life, dinosaurs, insects and birds.  Summer break is right around the corner and these will make great projects for anyone to keep that summer boredom at bay!



Coupon Limits and Restrictions - 3 per customer, must have coupon in hand and no rainchecks.  Valid only at the Austin location (map it) and ends on 5/19 at 7:00pm. 

XO,
allison

Maker Monday: Fisch Out of Water

"I have always been concerned with the making of jewelry to be worn, of unique works of art, which have the human body as their site." - Arline Fisch

Mother's Day is a day I always get to choose what our family does, and this year I chose to spend the afternoon as a family at the Mingei International Museum in San Diego.  It is a museum showcasing "art of the people".  My main reason for wanting to go was to see what looked to be a spectacular exhibit showcasing "Fisch Out of Water" by Arline Fisch, and I wasn't disappointed!

Who is Arline Fisch?  She is a San Diego based artist, professor of art at SDSU (emerita), was named a "Living Treasure of California" in 1985 and way back in 1961 she established the jewelry making and metalsmithing program at SDSU - just to name a few things about her!  Arline Fisch's main focus is on body adornment, or what some people call "jewelry" and on a large scale - such as collars or arm wraps.  What is so unique and special is the jewelry is knitted, weaved, plaited, or crocheted out of textiles like different colored copper wire - yes, wire!

Fisch Out of Water is her first life-size exhibit of sea creatures crocheted out of beautiful color-coated, thin copper wire.  Originally commissioned by the Racine Art Museum, the sea creatures were grouped in six adjacent window spaces, but at the Mingei the jellyfish and seaweed floated in the air above your head in their Rotunda Gallery, and the coral was grouped in a nook on the staircase.  Over 150 objects make up the entire exhibit.  See all the pics here.

It was a wonderful day and experience to see such fine craftmanship revered and viewed as art.  The day ended with my oldest daughter, Greta, being inspired to start knitting again, and this time, possibly with wire (and a funny mom-daughter pic in the gardens around the museum!).  Greta couldn't understand why Arline Fisch would have her jewelry for sale in the museum gift shop for $, $$ or $$$ of dollars, and also have a book teaching anyone how to do the same thing.  I explained to her that a true artist is inspired to share and teach their passion to others, and not keep it just for themselves.

XO,
allison

The Hip List: Grow Show, Art Auction, Sublime Tools and Bathing Suits!

The Hip List - where to go, what to buy, who to see, and more...  Who made it this week?

The Grow Art Show & Sale is back for its third year and is definitely a Hip Event.  On Saturday evening, May 15, from 6-11pm enjoy the nature inspired work of four outstanding women artists: Ally Winningham, Ann Woodall, Anne Woods and Kerry Schroeder.  Rain or shine, the bar opens at 6pm and this year the event takes place at the studio of Ann Woods (map it).  Art to be shown includes work on or with acrylic, oil painting, photography, metalwork and mosaic.

Caring Family Network invites you to their Art Auction and Exhibition benefiting Children in Foster Care on Sunday, May 16.  The exhibition starts at 5:30 and auction begins at 6:30 with live jazz, complimentary glass of champagne, fruit and cheese.  Cash bar is also available.  CFN supports 150 foster and adoptive familes across Texas.  The Art Auction and Exhibition will be held downtown at the Marriott (map it) and the donation is $20 per person.  More info can also be found at Do512.

Sublime Stitching is having a "tool problem" they are sure you will love!  Three new tools have been added to their website.  The new "thread heaven" makes pre-conditioning your floss a dream come true, and without silicone balm or wax.  The new "cool tool case" makes carrying your floss and tools look snappy and sleek with features such as elastic bands to keep everything in place, a magnet for needles, and a place for scissors AND it will fit in your purse!  If you want a pair of scissors that scream "I am not a traditional crafter" then purchase the new "wicked step scissors", handmade in the USA with nickel free alloy.

Swimsuit season is upon us all, so why not have a custom fit, handmade suit created just for YOU!?  Etsy's official blog, The Storque, posted a great blog (by marymary) about finding the right bathing suit for you, and on Etsy, of course!  Check it out and all the options Etsy sellers have to offer from one-pieces, to two-pieces, cover-ups and more!
(swimsuit in photo by avabelladesigns)

 XO,
allison

P.S. Don't forget the Haute Event for the week, Renegade Craft Fair!  Be crafty this weekend!

Whipstitch Wednesday: Five x Seven Show

"whipstitch" - a quick note, or a little bit of info...

THIS Thursday marks the 11th anniversary of Five x Seven, which is an annual fundraiser for Arthouse.  It's an "art splurge and exhibition" where over 100 well-known contemporary artists, mainly from Texas, create unique works of art, all on the same exact 5x7 board.

When: Thursday, May 13th
Time: 7:30pm-10:00pm
Where: 301 Brazos St, Austin, 78701 (map it)
Cost: Tickets are $125
BONUS: 5x7 Art SOCIAL on Friday

XO,
allison

P.S. We also blogged about Arthouse a couple of weeks ago because the Frontier Scholarship recipient, Nichole Shinn, volunteers at Arthouse for their teen program!

Haute Event: Renegade Craft Fair in Austin!

Austin is ON the Crafty Map.  Yeah - we're a pretty hip city that has been known for quite some time for our amazing music scene, tex-mex, arts culture and yes... CRAFTINESS!  Here at Handmade Happenings we like to keep you in the know on all things handmade going on around the ATX and Texas - and this - friends, this is BIG!

The Renegade Craft Fair brings it's calvacade of all things crafty to Bat City this weekend - May 15th and 16th at the Palmer Events Center.  If you want to know more about Renegade you can check out our previous post on them (thanks again for Sponsoring Shop Austin!) - below you'll find out the highlights of the event.  See you there!

National Artists

Featured below from Left to Right: Elsie Q Designs, Mehoi, modest ambition and Somebody's Darling

Local Artists

Featured below from Left to Right: *annemarie*, Kristin Laing, The Flashbulb and Model Citizen Clothing.

Craft Workshops

Austin Craft Mafia girls are back in the saddle, with a sponsorship by Yudu, and will be scheduling their demos in tandem with the lovely ladies of the Stitch Lab.





The line up includes Screen Printing with the ACM, and coordinating crafts with The Stitch Lab like embroidery (by hand AND machine), stamp carving, denim destroy and more!  So bring some
of your old clothes that need sprucing up - and give them a makeover at Renegade with Austin's Crafty Royalty!

Wait - you know all about Etsy, don't you?  Well - apparently a lot of people don't.  Way back in tha day (2005) after the popularity of online auction site Ebay was reaching superstar status, a couple of crafty minded folks founded Etsy - a place for you to "buy and sell everything handmade."  Now they're the world's No. 1 handmade buying and selling website - and they're coming to Austin for Renegade!  We're not sure what crafts they will have in store for us - but we're sure it will be amazing!  If you want to meet the Etsy Team and mingle with Austin based Etsy Sellers - come to the pre-Renegade meet-up!  It will be on Friday May 14th - you just have to RSVP here.

Newest on the Austin Craft Scene, and kicking up quite a storm, the fab four gals of The WonderCraft will have their refurbished AirStream Trailer, Stella - parked inside the Auditorium.  Their craft projects are going to involve wood - and you can see a sneak peak of the projects on their blog.  While you're back in that area don't forget to stop by the booths of many Etsy Austin Street Team members, including *annemarie*, BabyBolt, Nepenthe's Bathtime, Squid Ink Collective, Craft Chi, Nepenthe's Bathtime and more!

So You're Coming, Right?

What: Renegade Craft Fair
When: Saturday and Sunday, May 15th and 16th, 11am to 7pm
Where: Palmer Events Center, 900 Barton Springs Rd., Austin, TX 78704
Cost: FREE - $7.00 to park at Palmer
Who: You, your quilting granny, your knitting niece and your secretly craft-loving boyfriend!

xo, Anne Marie Beard

BRAVO Casting Call UPDATE for The Fashion Show!

Is it weird, cool or both that the casting producer for The Fashion Show emailed me today about an update (I vote cooooool - even though it was for a correction!).

From her email:

"Bravo and the production company Left/Right, Inc. are conducting a nationwide search for a select group of fashion designers who will compete head to head in the ultimate fashion competition series.  Hosted by Isaac Mizrahi, The Fashion Show will give designers a once in a lifetime opportunity to have their work seen by icons of the fashion industry…and viewers around the world!

In order to apply for the show, you must be 21 years of age or older.  You can be a fashion school grad or you can be self-taught; you can specialize in haute couture or street wear.  What matters most is that you have a creative vision for your designs and the technical skills (sewing, sketching, etc.) to back up that vision.  The winner of the competition will receive a cash prize!!"

Also, for a VIP PASS you can email Vanessa Bond at vanessa.bond@yahoo.com - TAKE ADVANTAGE!  If it's anything like Hollywood, then it's still just hurry up and wait, but still, you get to SAY you got a VIP PASS - okay, that's cool - plus you can take a picture of the pass and scrapbook it or put it on your blog with a picture of you - you know, for when you are FaMoUs!  If I was in Austin right now, even though I can't sew a stitch, I would go.... oh, yeah!

XO,
allison

The Art Glass Guild Annual Show in San Diego

 This weekend the Art Glass Guild of San Diego will be hosting their annual Show and Sale:

Where: Spanish Village Art Center (map it)
Dates: Saturday - Sunday, May 8-9
Time: 10am-5pm

Over 30 juried artists will display all forms of glass including blown, fused, torched work, stained glass, cast, mosaic, etched and more!  Plus you get to spend the day in the Spanish Village, located in Balboa Park,  enjoying the work of all the other handmade artists this unique village has to offer!  The Spanish Village was built in 1935 to depict a "charming old village in Spain" and was built for the second California Pacific International Exposition.  It is also home to the San Diego Potters' Guild, Sculptors' Guild, Enamel Guild, Southwestern Artist Association and the San Diego Woodcarvers' Guild.  The Art Glass Guild is Studio 25 in the village.  What a wonderful way to spend a beautiful afternoon in San Diego!

XO,
allison

The Hip List: Violet Crown, Top 110, Funky Experience and More!

What is The Hip List?  It changes every week - hip events, artists, news, shows, places to go, things to make and all centered around handmade goodness!  Check out this week's list:

Violet Crown Festival - This event supports "Friends of Brentwood Park", neighborhood volunteers dedicated to maintaining the park and continuing to develop it as a community resource.  A day filled with music, kids' activities, art vendors, and a health fair!  Saturday, May 8, 11am-6pm at Brentwood Park (map it).

Who made it onto Austin Monthly's 110 Fun Things to do in the Summer??  The Wondercraft - yahoooo!  Way to go gals from TWC... Keeping Austin Crafty!

Heads up vendors, The Funky Finds Experience just opened vendor apps for their November 6-7th show in Fort Worth, and the application deadline is August 1st!  This two day show will be sure to delight vendors and shoppers alike, so shoppers go ahead and save-the-date!

While we are talking about "out & about" shopping, Bazaar Days is this Saturday, May 8th in Addison, TX.  This urban shopping market features art, crafts, music and dance - featuring traditional Bulgarian Folklore Dancing -  at the Addison Conference Center (map it).  You can also drink traditional Turkish coffee, eat baklava, and listen to an African Doumbek drum player.  While all of the vendor booths are not handmade, we still think this is a hip event for out of town adventures!


Just in time for Summer - a Pedicure Kit Tutorial from Pickup Some Creativity (a blog I just came across today!):

Part One - slippers!

Part Two - the pedi bag!








So, that's The Hip List for this week... if you want to be considered for The Hip List, submit your event/info to us!

XO,
allison

Art of the Pot - Mother's Day Haute!

If you are looking for a fantastic handmade way to spend Mother's Day, look no further than the Art of the Pot Studio Tour.  This year marks the 7th annual tour and focuses on 16 artists from Austin and the rest of the country.  AOTP is an invitational pottery show, free to attend and held on Mother's Day weekend every year!  There are four tours hosted by different Art of the Pot artists:

Tour Location 1 - Host and AOTP Artist Claudia Reese and featuring special guests artists:
Joe Bova, Nancy Gardner, Mark Shapiro, and Ryan Takaba

Bonus: Her studio will also host Guest Chefs in Action - fill up the cup you just bought with ice cold beer and eat off your new plate! (map it)

Tour Location 2 - Host and AOTP Artist Lisa Orr and featuring special guests artists:
Jennifer Allen and Jane Shellenbarger
(map it)

Tour Location 3 - Host and AOTP Artists Keith Kreeger and Chris Campbell and featuring special guests artists:
Ben Bates, Charity Davis Woodard and Amy Halko

Bonus:  They are hosting and showing at Domy Books (map it)!

Tour Location 4 - Host and AOTP Artist Ryan McKerley and featuring special guests artists:
Ted Adler, Sanam Emami, and Brenda Lichman
(map it)


This event is free to attend and runs Saturday, May 8 through Sunday, May 9, from 10am-5pm both days.  Be sure to check out the official tour information and workshops that are offered from AOTP.  If you want to see more about this weekend's event, watch the KEYE interview!




XO,
allison