Sunday, June 24, 2007

Crafty Classes for the Masses at Felt Club

A great place to find crafty classes is at your local craft fair! I just got word about an awesome class being held at the Felt Club XL Summer Event taking place on July 15th. Laura Stokes of Charcoal Designs will be teaching Charm Jewelry 101. This is just the first of many classes to be announced. For news about additional classes, and the how-to's of signing up, check out the Felt Club blog!!

I again want to say that if you have a crafty class you would like to share, please send them along. I have gotten a few so far and will be posting about them soon!

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Thursday, June 21, 2007

Etsy seller of the week: Astarchild
Anna Torado is a painter living in Portland, OR. Her Etsy shop is jam packed with vibrant pieces of art, both originals and Giclee prints, that will make your heart sing!!

Her inspiring palettes make all of the organic shapes undulate and float across the canvas as if part of a symphony. Each one has its own personality and mood. The imagery feels almost like looking through a microscope at another world. I am truly loving these!!

To see more of Anna's work, please visit her website.
(All images courtesy of Anna Torado)

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Wednesday, June 20, 2007

Artist on Artist

Artist on Artist - Marilyn Manson and Danny Elfman



I was on MySpace a few days ago and I can across these artist on artist interviews. There are about a dozen of them and some of them are pretty interesting. Check 'em out. Here are links to a few of my faves:

Patti Smith and Michael Imperioli

Zach Braff and Kevin Smith

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Tuesday, June 19, 2007

Threadbanger Episode 18



Leave it to the awesome crew at ThreadBanger to teach you how to crochet, and all about a new way of recycling all in the same episode!

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Sunday, June 17, 2007

Crafty Classes for the Masses (So. California)
If you are crafty then you know how much fun, and how cathartic, it can be to take the occasional class at your local craft shop. This can be a great way to meet fellow crafters and learn new techniques, or just brush up on the ones in your arsenal! I was sent an email by an aspiring artist in Los Angeles asking me about local places to take classes and so I thought I would do a little searching and let you guys know what I could find. All the listings have the zip codes in parenthesis in case you want to map them out!

OH, I am sure that everyone out there has a favorite place to take a class. If you would like to share with the rest of us (please!!!!) leave a comment or send me an email and I will add to this list! Doesn't have to be strictly CA. Anywhere in the US would be awesome!!

If you are near La Crescenta, you should definitely check out the class schedule at Violets are Blue. (91214)

A Little Bizaar is a stamp shop "dedicated to the hands-on art experience," so you can bet their classes will be great! They are located in Lake Elsinor. (92530)

Every Saturday at the French General there are workshops were you can learn to make a necklace, bracelet or earrings from vintage beads. (90028)

Paper Post will be my next stop for sure since they are not far from my home. Their list of classes includes an Assemblage Doll class where you get to decoupage a 15" wooden doll! Glue and paper? Sign me up!! (91301)

The Little Knittery offers a huge array of kitting and crochet classes, including one called "Disaster Control" where you can learn how to diagnose and correct your dropped and twisted stitches! Plus, the 2nd Thursday of every month they have charity knit-togethers. You must check it out! (90027)

The Pink Porch is a small yarn shop in the very quaint Tujunga Village area of the Valley. Anne, the teacher there, is a yarn genius! She will be teaching many upcoming classes and believe me, they are worth it! Here is the list: Tuesdays - open/sweater workshop 7:30 to 9:30 ($20 per week or 3 sessions for $50), Thursday - beginner (as in never touched needles) workshop 7 to 9 ($20 per week or 3 sessions for $50). Semi private lessons can be scheduled on tues, thurs, or fri between 2 to 7 ($60 for 3 one and half hour sessions). Most Friday nights the place is open late and we all sit around with beer and pizza and knit ourselves silly. Since they don't have a website for this gem, here is the info: The Pink Porch, 4379 Tujunga Ave., Studio City, CA (818)506.7899. Click here for a map. (91604)

At the Stampers Warehouse in Danville you can take a class on painting silk scarves or scrapbooking. There is even one called "Pez Totems" which I think would be a blast! (94526)

Kit Kraft has been a fixture in the San Fernando Valley since 1954. They offer a Precious Metal Clay class. (91604)

In Monrovia, Stampin' on Cloud 9 has a huge array of classes ranging from Paper Dolls to Stencils. Download the Newsletter on their site to see the full schedule. (91016)

They actually carry my work at Creative Courage so I have personally gotten to craft there and the classes are awesome! I took a Tin Fairy House class that was just completely fun and interesting. The teacher ROCKED and the other students were so fun to meet and talk to! (91364)

The ARTbar is the kind of place I don't think I would ever want to leave! Located in the Santa Ana Artists Village, they believe "everyone is an artist". This mixed media art studio has a rockin' events calendar. (92701)

I have been hearing about Zinnia for months and have been dying to go check it out! They offer sock creature classes, and mini quilts. You can even take in an old pair of jeans and join a class that is all about painting them and making them new again! This is definitely on my must-check-out list! (91030)

There is an awesome yarn shop in Santa Monica called Wildfiber. They have a great list of beginning and intermediate classes. (90404)

Sweetpeas and Snapshots is a scrapbooking mecca! You can find their list of upcoming classes in the right sidebar on their blog. (90064)

Baron's Sewing Center has two locations, one in Woodland Hills (91364), and one in Camarillo (93010). Both offer extensive Quilting and Sewing classes. They also each run a children's sewing camp!!

Most locations of the Paper Source offer classes. Click here to choose your state for a complete list of workshops.

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Friday, June 15, 2007

Etsy seller of the week

Paper & Paste


Kellin, a NYC based artist, has been crafting for as long as she can remember. Although she has a vast interest in all kinds of mediums, once she discovered bookbinding she knew she had found passion. Her Etsy shop, Paper & Paste, is where you can find the fruits of that passion. Her handmade books are all one of a kind and can be made to order. Each journal is worthy of your deepest darkest secrets! They could not be kept in better style!


(All images courtesy of Paper & Paste)

Thursday, June 14, 2007

The Next BIG Thing!!
Fred Flare has announced their picks for this years Next BIG Thing Contest and my oh my there are some cool products featured, and the fun is just getting started! Starting June 19th polls will be open so that we can all vote for our favorite designer featured from the 36 winners! The top pick will win $1000 and lots and lots of fame! ;) Here a 3 of my top picks!

The Baker's Edge Brownie Pan is the best thing I have ever seen! Who doesn't love the contrast of the crispy edge of the brownies with the soft gooey center? I for one always steal and hide the corners! ;) You know you do too!

I love the idea of these Easy Needlepoint Kits from Miss Wooly! As someone who has wanted to try out needle pointing, I think these are a great way to do a fun project and learn how it is all done! I love that caterpillar!

I was especially excited to see the Jay McCarroll Bowling Bag! The embroidery is totally fun! You may remember Jay as the winner of season 1 of Project Runway! His funky design sense and killer personality really crack me up!

Be sure to check out the rest of the really cool items! And don't forget to vote!

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Wednesday, June 13, 2007

ThreadBanger/ Dressform tutorial




This is a super interesting new video out from ThreadBanger all about altering clothing. There is also an interesting tutorial about creating a custom body form given by Anda Lewis from the EtsyLabs that is super inventive and crafty

Friday, June 08, 2007

Etsy seller of the week
AnnushKa


AnnushKa is one of the newest shops on Etsy to feature screen printed wares. With a lot of her inspiration coming from nature, AnnushKa has created simple yet elegant designs that will help to brighten your home decor and every day. Who wouldn't love to carry that gorgeous coral tote to the beach this weekend? (Psst, it is on sale too!)


(All images courtesy of AnnushKa)

Tuesday, June 05, 2007

Women in Art

How about a little inspiration?