I'm not Dead yet!

Nope still here. Just uber busy with Independents day! Also branding myself a little more and working on my website and figuring the logistics of hosting and what I need to pay.

I am the Craft Alley essentially for the upcoming Independents day Columbus which means managing 40 arts/craft vendors, Interactive make and take tent and Crafty Death Match on the Stage from 6-7pm.  What that also means is hauling around tents, tables, materials for all said things which also includes a 6x4' plinko board, 2x2.5' table vending machine, lights, 6 chairs, 2 tents, 4-6 tables and all of my booth materials to vend as well. Then there is all the intense PR work I am doing to make sure EVERY single one of my vendors is being represented in a promotion and the vendors giving us Donations for the prizes are getting as much promotion on facebook and twitter as I can crank out. It is a ton of work. Next year I will demand an intern. Even with all this hard work I love this Festival. To me it really embodies and spirit of supporting local and upcoming artists all around our community.

Do me a solid and please follow @CraftAlleyCbus and retweet all my vendor promotions or just your favorites.

Also in more Independents Day news I will have two pieces up for Raffle with the Ohio Art League tent. They are some of my early works from my new study on wounds and human emotions. These are small works 3x3" and 4x4". Perfect for a little desk or office space art to remind you whatever hurts you will heal eventually.

I am unfortunately ill prepared as I am overflowing with knitwear and the weather looks to be about 80 degrees that day. I'll need to get my butt moving on some new skirts to sew, flower hair pins and my new lace tatted necklaces I've been itching to debut.

I have a very busy weekend ahead of me with much sewing and crafting.
I hope you have a great weekend and see you next week!

Narrator Bob

A couple weeks ago while I was up at the Lake house I took some time to just figure out the Narrator Bob fair isle mits from Moonrise Kingdom. it was tough since I didn't have any good clear pictures but after a good bit of testing I think I finally got it nailed down.

I just used some scrap acrylic yarn from baby toy amigurami's to test it out. It took me about two tries to get it where I wanted the pattern and then a final two in a full mitt version to get the sizing and spacing on the pattern worked out.

This was one of the tests in final yarn. I have it all charted out now I just need to finish up the written instructions and I can post the PDF on Etsy for sale! I plan to add in a gusset thumb hole as well. With all the crazy from Craft Wars and festivals I'm still working and making things for the fall shows.

In August I am going to be traveling a lot so I am going to take it easy on meetings unless they are for Independents day. I am really looking forward to my trip to NYC in about a week to see the Impossible conversations, Prada and Schiaparelli at the Met and seeing friends of mine!

Do you have any trips planned in your near future?
How about projects that are longstanding that are coming to completion?
Cheers!

Tomorrow is a new Craft Day

Tomorrow is Independents Day here in Columbus, Ohio.  A wonderful festival to show off and help support independent artists, crafters, bands, restaurants and other various entrepreneurs.  I was interviewed for an article Here with Outlook magazine. 

This will be my second year organizing the Craft Alley. It is sort of amazing to me how people come together and make such great things happen.  Last year I did it alone and it was hard, a bit overwhelming and I didn't get to enjoy myself that much.  This year has been a breeze with my two friends Laura of Creux Poche and Miss Megan Mac helping me carry the load of responsibilities.  I also feel this second time I knew a lot more so I know what I am getting myself into.

This was a photo from Last year nearly all the ladies pictured will be in attendance this year. Starting from the left side:

Miss Megan Mac

Mary Moon Designs

What the Rock?!

Poshta

Out of the Pink Sky

Umbrella Girl Productions

Torn Angel

Wholly Craft

Maram

Stinky Bomb 

(whom unfortunately will not be here this year but we still love them!)

Aside from missing Stinky Bomb we will also be adding some more fine artists into the Craft Alley and we had applications.  This being the 4th year of the festival and 2nd year of the Crafty Cotillion managing Craft Alley we wanted to raise the bar and show the very best of Local goods as well as a variety of different types of craft and art. It was a very hard choice and we tried to make it as painless as possible on the application.  It was also unfortunate that some great people just couldn't seem to get their application filled out or back to us in time or even neglecting to pay their vendor booth fee.  We had to be fair and not play favorites and not give anyone leeway. It was tough but necessary.  After doing this I feel like I have just gotten a taste of what bigger craft shows must go through when they have people applying all over the State or Country for hopes of their 6 ft table or 10x10 ft space.

So here's to tomorrow!  That everything goes smoothly and I will do my best to put a blog recap on Monday.  Other things on the blog queue are Bachelorette at the Lake House, Rehearsal Dinner, The Grand Nerdtastic Wedding (which will be awhile), Making my Brother's Fiancee's Wedding dress this Sunday, Honeymoon from London/Paris/Rome! and some Sewing projects I have completed since I got back about a week ago.  

I know I have a problem I can stop sewing..........

Just a little Craft

I took some photos of my newest little creations for Craft shows.  I try to get in a little here and there to make some new things since I don't want to be bum-rushed after the wedding to make new stock for the fall shows.  This year I decided I might try and apply for some shows outside of Columbus just to see if I can cut it or not.  Also the extra cash would be great.

Needle felted Pin Cushion Rings

 Fabric Hair Kazanshi Clips

The hardest thing for me is trying to keep true to my Identity fashion wise as Torn Angel and be selling my crafts under that same name.  I've teetered back and forth with using my side teaching name to sell my crafts but I've been under the name Torn Angel for the past 3 years at craft shows I don't want to rock the boat with changing names.  Also since I started out primarily as clothing and knitwear I've had to change my craft a bit to accommodate for the other seasons or just to have items that are year round friendly.  That has been my biggest challenge in trying to stay true to my aesthetic under Torn Angel.  I find there are so many things I could make that would probably sell well but they don't fit in the overall identity of what I am heading towards for Torn Angel.  It's a slippery slope my friends trying to be in the art/fashion game while still enjoying and trucking it through the craft circuits.  Just this year is the first time I felt comfortable putting my craft out in other stores as consignment.

I will be at Independents day (you know, since I am the organizer for Craft Alley and all) and I am applying once again for Craftin' Outlaws.  Hope to see you at one of those events!

Midwest Craft Caucus

 It was a great event.  One that I wish I could of been a part of the entire time but even going for just the Sunday portion was a great experience.  Olivera of Wholly Craft was the main organizer of this event and it came together great.  We had such a huge list of speakers and panels leaders.

• Suzy Ultman
• Amy Turnsharp of Little Alouette
• Elizabeth Jones of Poshta
• Laura Kuenzil of Rivet
• Megan Green of Stinky Bomb
• Emily Westenhauser of Umbrella Girl Productions
• Danielle Maveal from Etsy
• Alison & Nick Nocera of Alison Rose
• Clinton Reno
• Grace Dobush of Gracie Sparkles & Author of Crafty Superstar
• And many more that you can read on here

 We got to hear from Danielle a representative for Etsy about the great conglomerate and how it started, where it's going and what changes are happening.  It was also wonderful for everyone to get a chance and ask her in depth questions regarding, sales, listings, business practices etc.

Other Great Panels provided information on hiring interns/employees, small business legals, how to take better stock photos, booth set up and presentation for craft shows and events, keeping relations with current and making new customers and those are just to name a few.

 Each panel was packed with a lot of eager people to learn as well as seasoned crafters to put their knowledge out to the collective.  A lot of great conversations were started as well as new friendships and connections.  Some of the key panels that I think were especially helpful were about pricing your work, how to apply for craft shows and inquire why did not get in with grace, also how to get published

Craftin' Outlaws Showcase Showdown!

This was Saturday night after the first day of the Caucus.  We had a mini craft show with the Craft Corner Deathmatch as the highlight of the evening.  We had a great turn out and it helped that it was near tornado weather outside so people got to be stuck indoors drinking more free beer and shopping around while they waited it out. 

I shared a table with my friend Laura Stith of Creux Poche who does these cute reversible fabric bowls.

Some close- ups of a few of my wares that I brought out..  it is hard to be a knitter and sell for these warm months so I have evolved myself into some knit accessories such as my Cat's Band yarn Guards, then my Sewing Pincushion rings and just cute Kanashi type hair pins that I enjoy making.

Here's AmyD Sporting the Craft Corner Deathmatch Champion Belt before the real show begins!

The judges seriously deliberating and trash talking as the teams work hard on their crafts all for the Glory of an Original Flamestitch champion belt.  It was great times and I made out better then I expected for this first time event.  I'm excited to apply for Craftin' Outlaws.  If I get in this will be my 3rd year with them.  

I've also just released the applications for Independents day 2011 also so I'll be busy with that.  I might as well commit Social Suicide because with the wedding coming up and all the sewing and DIY decorations I have I'm not going to have a social life at all.

If you would like to Apply for Craft Alley the Application can be found here!

Restful Healing

Some people ask me how I can run around and do so many things.  Well it doesn't come without a price.  I get worn down like everyone else and this week has been especially bad.  I've gone and gotten myself sick with something.  I'm slightly hoping it is just the weather at the same time I'm hoping it isn't because I have never been a person held up by allergies. What started out with a little scratchy throat left over from a weekend of bar "talking" exploded into swollen throat, fever, lightheaded and loss of voice by Wednesday morning. No one can do everything all the time. I used this weekend to rest as much as possible.  I missed hanging out with a lot of friends and going to some great events but I needed the rest and kitty love.

Being home all weekend I did get a lot of things accomplished.  We cleaned the house thoroughly, did laundry, cleaned litter boxes.  I finally ironed a bunch of dress shirts, and did adjustments to some clothes I got from the Flea swap weeks ago. I also repaired our grill cover, finished the production sewing project I'd been working on for a client.  I watched a lot of Hulu and Dvd's from the Library.  Hulu Plus on the Xbox 360 is my new favorite thing next to Netflix.  

 Otherwise a reasonably quiet weekend with a lot of couch and bed surfing and oodles of water.

The one Event I managed to Drag my sick butt out to was on Friday,

The Independents Day 2011 Launch Party.  Where I had no idea that Wolf Starr of the SBB would make me get on the stage at Kobo to say anything.  We still are a long ways off but off to a great start hitting this event organization early.  I am once again in charge of the Craft Alley and looking forward to it.  I learned a lot from last year, this year will be much better.

Mark it On your Calenders September 17th, 2011 "THIS IS INDEPENDENTS!"

Independents day Pre-game

So tomorrow is Independents day!  Am I seriously ready to wake up and be there by 8 AM to start set up?  It's kind of a huge deal that I am in charge of keeping 32 vendors in order and timely.  I need to get my stuff out together and positioned ASAP and then just be there for everyone else.  Is this the kind of stuff being a mother will feel like?

You should all come out and visit me it's from noon till midnight downtown around Pearl and Gay Street.  Craft Alley will be open from noon till 10 pm and we have an AWESOME line up of Craft Vendors.  Lot's of representation from the Crafty Cotillion.

Today I finally caught up on my blog reading and it's fun to see what all the "Big Blogger's" have to say about fashion week and their grand experiances.  Little ol' me just worked my ass off at the gym and sewing a frenzy.  I feel so disconnected with what is going on fashion wise.  It used to be my dream to do a runway show and now I wonder where it went?  Now I am just super happy to make things, anything all the time. 

I also realized while going through the blogs I haven't taken any pictures of myself in the past few months with outfits.  I promise that will change.  I might even keep a little trip pod set up in my cubicle for this.

I did see ONE thing that makes me want to get intensely involved in making some jackets/coats at least something for myself this fall.

Images from atlantis home

Something about the construction of this jacket is divine and I really want to try my hand at leather ruffles.  I've done pintucks and pleating and even the mutton sleeves but this seems like so much fun and I do have some leather sitting around.

P.S.  for wedding stuffs I did try on dresses for the first time and you can hear my thoughts here!



As the World Turns

Whilst the rest of the world is obsessed with the going ons for NYC Fashion week I am patiently awaiting the publications to follow.  I find hardly any time to keep a firm grasp on what is in style and what is not.  Sadly I am most involved with the consumer ridden publication that is "Lucky"  I feel it is the ultimate trickle down with a pinch of straight off the runway fashions.

Aside from my patience in Fashion coverage I am working dilligently on new items for the coming fall craft shows and how I should set my display.  I am this odd wonder at the shows.  I am walking the line between crafty and fashion.  Trying to bridge the gap with accessories that are both unique and me yet useful.

My new thing that I LOVE to make is these pincushion rings inspired by coral and anemones.

I'm also doing these knitted cord necklaces which I had been wanting to do for myself for years but now I figured I would just do them for the craft shows as well.  I know there are some other people out there doing something similar from t-shirts and such but these are knitted and with embellishments such as my Kanzashi flowers, freshwater pearls and Swavorski crystals.

My Next upcoming event is this Saturday where I will be selling at Independents Day in Downtown Columbus.

It has been really interesting experiance for me as the Group I am with "The Crafty Cotillion" trusted me enough to spearhead the Organization of Craft Alley.  I feel awesome that they trust me to do it but also flustered because it is a lot of work.  I tried to delegate some things but then I ended up being able to figure it out or do a lot of it myself.  Definately and experiance and I think if I didn't have so many other things going on I would be happy to do it again.