DIY Exhibit in Sheboygan, WI
Sun, Aug 17 2008 — Comments (0) |
July 27, 2008 Sheboygan, WI
Do It Yourself at the John Michael Kohler Arts Center
This summer and autumn, the John Michael Kohler Arts Center offers a
unique exhibition and series of community collaboration workshops
about the Do-It-Yourself (DIY) movement. The DIY craft movement
emphasizes sustainability, individuality, and living simply. DIY
craftspeople strive to stop the homogenization of American culture and
to create work driven not by capitalism but rather by a sharing
community. This project promotes DIY ethics to make craft technologies
and skills accessible to all and to encourage individuals to create
their own material goods.
DIY “Do It Yourself” Series: An Exhibition
The DIY “Do It Yourself” Series exhibition features the work of the
eight do-it-yourself crafters who will be in residence in the summer
and early autumn for a Connecting Communities collaboration. The
exhibition is accompanied by a short preview of Handmade Nation: The
Rise of DIY Art, Craft, and Design, a soon-to-be-released film by
artist and documentary filmmaker Faythe Levine (WI). Providing an
introduction to the emerging indie crafts movement, Levine’s work
records the marriage between historical craft technique, punk culture,
and the DIY ethos. The exhibition runs through September 23.
Other artists of the DIY movement whose works are on display are
Heather Cameron (CA), John Murphy (NC), Jonathon and Valerie Nicklow
(CO), and Betz White (MD). They take old clothes, fabrics, and even
plastic bags, and give them new life as quilts, stuffed creatures,
soft sculptures, and totes. Vinyl records, old garden hoses, drums,
vacuums, and hubcaps are transformed into lamps, coasters, and clocks
under artist Jeff Davis’ (PA) and Rodney Allen Trice’s (NY) direction.
Artist Sarah Kate Burgess (MI) believes the value of jewelry comes
from the process of making it, such as distinctive rings made of
simple paper. You and community participants of all ages have the
opportunity to create DIY works, and selected works will be added to
the exhibition throughout the series.
DIY “Do It Yourself” Series: A Connecting Communities Collaboration
The artists whose works are featured in the DIY exhibition also are
leading a series of weeklong workshops devoted to do-it-yourself (DIY)
crafts. Join them to learn new skills, to create fabulous objects for
your personal use, or even to generate additional income.
Participation in the open studio sessions costs $5. Each open studio
session will take place in The ARTery, located on the left as you
enter the Arts Center. Ages 13 and younger must have an adult
collaborator.
Saturday, August 23, 10:00–4:00 p.m.
Workshop: Everyday Jewelry-Making Open Studio
Among her many artistic talents, artist Sarah Kate Burgess (MI)
creates rings made from an inexpensive and fragile material—paper. She
believes that often the preciousness of an object, especially jewelry,
has little to do with its market value and that the preciousness of
her rings comes from the experience of making them with her own hands.
Use some of her techniques to create your own “precious” jewelry and
in the DIY tradition, even share your design so others can make it.
For more information, go to www.adorneveryday.com.
Saturday, September 6 – 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Workshop: Vinylux Open Studio.
While literally billions of long playing record albums (LPs) still
exist in the world, most will soon become garbage. Artist and designer
Jeff Davis’s company, Vinylux, harvests obsolete piles of records and
gives new life to this neglected, but not forgotten, material. At the
open studio, explore the myriad reuses of vinyl records under the
guidance of the artist. This open studio is part of the Arts Center’s
continuing series of Do-It-Yourself (DIY) workshops. For more
information about Vinylux, go to www.vinylux.net.
Saturday, September 20 – 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Workshop: MYOB (Make Your Own Bag) Open Studio
Betz White, artist and author of Warm Fuzzies: 30 Sweet Felted
Projects, recycles wool sweaters to create felted pillows, baby
blankets, felt-covered journals, bags, and more. She is passionate
about recycling, specifically of plastic bags. In the open studio,
White will teach participants to make reusable bags using an endless
variety of recycled materials including plastic disposable bags,
sweaters, sheets, jeans, juice pouches, Tyvec mailers, vinyl banners,
and anything else participants have on hand. For more information
about Betz White, visit her website at www.betzwhite.com.
Saturday, October 4, 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Workshop: Handmade Nation Embroidery/Appliqué Open Studio
Photographer, entrepreneur, artist, and prominent figure in the Do-It-
Yourself (DIY) ethic indie craft movement, Faythe Levine will share
her unique embroidery/appliqué techniques along with her savvy
marketing skills and knowledge of the emerging self-reliant movement
during her residency. A twenty-minute preview of her film Handmade
Nation: The Rise of DIY Art, Craft, and Design, will be featured at
the open studio and a discussion session on how to market your
newfound DIY talents. For more information about Lavine’s film, go to
www.handmadenationmovie.com.
Saturday, October 18, 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Workshop: T.O.M.T. (The Other Man’s Treasure) Open Studio
Artist Rodney Allen Trice created T.O.M.T. with the vigilante mission
to recover and reassign the purpose of objects considered too
“difficult” to recycle. This open studio gives you the opportunity to
save your own trashed or forgotten objects or anything else you might
throw away or overlook in your garages, pantries, and other storage
spaces, and give them new life. For more information about TOMT, go to
www.tomtinc.com.
DIY in The ARTery
The ARTery space is your DIY headquarters through September. Adults
and children, you are welcome to drop in any time during regular
ARTery hours to experiment with DIY crafts in the ARTery and to make
your own material goods.
Become a collaborator
If you would like to participate as a collaborator for any of the DIY
residencies and work with artists-in- residence in the days leading up
to the workshops, call Community Arts Department Head Amy Horst at
920.458.6144. Look for information about more workshops on DIY crafts
at www.jmkac.org.
Connecting Communities projects are supported in part by an award from
the National Endowment for the Arts, which believes that a great
nation deserves great art, and by an anonymous foundation.
For more information about the DIY Series exhibition and community
collaborations, please telephone 920-458-6144 or http://www.jmkac.org/DIYDoItYourselfSeries
and http://www.jmkac.org/DIY.
The business of crafting
Mon, Jul 07 2008 — Comments (0) |
Since many of Chicago's crafters and makers of art use Etsy to sell their wares, I thought you might be interested in a post I came across today. Apparently some people enjoy making spreadsheets just as much as other people like making purses. I don't quite understand it, but I'm able to accept that it is a similar creative exercise. And this particular creative exercise just might make it easier for you to keep track of your business sales. I'm perfectly comfortable filling in spreadsheets, but not creating them. Thankfully there are people who are happy to create them and share them. If you've come across another helpful business organizing tip that you'd like to share with other crafty-minded folks, feel free to leave it in the comments.
The DIY Trunk Show application is live!
Tue, Jul 01 2008 — Comments (1) |
If you've been anxiously awaiting the arrival of the application, it is now here!
Please read all of the information at http://www.diytrunkshow.com/join before filling out the application.
Some things to note:
The show is only open to people who live within a 5-hour radius of Chicago. Why? It's Chicago, in early winter. Who knows what the weather will be like? Also, we're trying to create a community where the people who come to shop just might keep shopping throughout the year with the vendors of our show. If you live in Florida, that's not as easy to do in person.
Do not pay until you're accepted into the show.
This is a juried show. We divide applications into categories by merchandise-type and then pick the widest variety of vendors in each category. Jewelry is always our most popular, and therefore the category with the most number of people we have to turn down. We'd love to have everyone in the show who wants to be in the show, but we also want to create a memorable experience for the shoppers so they can enjoy the experience and spend money.
Even if you've been in the show before, you need to send us links to your images, or email us images directly. Without these links or images, we regretfully won't be able to consider your application.
And to all the shoppers who get this email, put November 22nd on your calendar now! You so don't want to miss this show.
Applications are now being accepted
— Comments (0) |If you haven't already heard, The DIY Trunk Show is now accepting applications for our 2008 show. If you're interested in applying, get thee to our application but make sure you read the details before applying. For example:
• Our show is only open to folks who are within a 5-hour drive of the show. We know that there are wonderful makers of high-quality merchandise all over the country, and honestly we would love to get see your work in person ourselves, but there are other shows in Chicago which have a national focus and we really are all about keeping it local to build a sustainable community that lasts all year long, and not just for one show.
• Even if you've applied in the past, we need to you to email chicago@diytrunkshow.com 3-4 images, or direct links to images, of items that you would like to sell or that are like what you would like to sell. Without us getting this info, we will NOT consider your application complete. A link to your website is sadly not enough.
• Read the Craftifesto before you apply. If your business goals are in line with ours, then they'll probably also be in line with our shoppers.
Volunteers needed
Fri, Nov 09 2007 — Comments (5) |
Hello crafty and crafty-friendly Chicagoans! The DIY Trunk Show is looking for several volunteers to help us keep our show organized and running smoothly. Would you like a delightful button from the DIY Trunk Show? Would you like 5 free raffle tickets? Would you like the admiration and adoration of more than 100 vendors who know that your presence is making their selling experience better?
If so then leave your name in the comments below and let us know what time slot you would like and what your first two choices for activities will be. It's first come first served. We'd be most grateful if you'd join us.
November 17th from 10am to 7pm (with setup and teardown time)
1419 W Blackhawk (two blocks northeast of the Milwaukee/Ashland/Division intersection)
9am to 11am
From 9am to 10am you'll be directing vendors to their spaces, pointing out the bathrooms and taking raffle items. After 10am you'll be handing out brochures, answering questions of shoppers, and directing shoppers and vendors to the raffle table.
1-East doors to direct vendors: Mara Myers
2-West doors to direct vendors:
3-Take raffle items at the West entrance:
The volunteers who will wander through the show selling raffle tickets may also be asked by a vendor to watch their booth while they run to the bathroom or go to get food or something to drink.
11am to 1pm
1-Handout brochures at the East doors:Cynthia Xerogianes
2-Handout brochures at the West doors:
3-Wander through show approaching people and selling raffle tickets:
1pm to 3pm
1-Handout brochures at the East doors:
2-Handout brochures at the West doors:
3-Wander through show approaching people and selling raffle tickets:
3pm to 5pm
1-Handout brochures at the East doors:
2-Handout brochures at the West doors:
3-Wander through show approaching people and selling raffle tickets:
5pm to 7pm
After 6pm you'll help direct vendors on where to put their tables and chairs when they leave, help pick up trash left on the floors, and assist vendors with carrying items out of their space if asked.
1-Handout brochures at the East doors:
2-Handout brochures at the West doors:
3-Wander through show approaching people and selling raffle tickets:
We'll add your name from the comments into the slots above. And we'll add your names into our list of people that we're incredibly grateful for.
This year's raffle
Wed, Nov 07 2007 — Comments (1) |
Continuing the great tradition of raising money for fabulous nonprofit organizations or events that help enlarge and support our beloved Crafting Community, we've decided to raise money this year to support Handmade Nation. Faythe Levine is in post-processing on the movie and she's excited to get it out of her studio and into a theater near you. She's also writing a book that will be released in a year by Princeton Architectural Press. The DIY Trunk Show may just have a small piece in the book. *wink, wink*
So as you enter the show, look for the raffle table near the main entrance where you can view all the fabulous items on hand that you may be lucky enough to win. But you'll only be able to win if you buy a ticket. $1 each or 6 for $5. A pretty moderate price that will help support a fabulous movie about the current crafting movement as well as give you a chance of walking out the door with a fabulous handmade item.
And what can you win? Take a look at our Participants page to view work by this year's vendors. And some of the vendors who will be donating an item will leave comments to this post to entice you.
Web Banners
Wed, Oct 24 2007 — Comments (0) |
Would you like to help attract attention to the DIY Trunk Show? Then feel free to download these files and post them on your blog, your news site, or email them to your friends.
Floor Plans
— Comments (0) |Are you curious where your favorite crafter is going to be so you can rush in and have the pick of their selection? Good for you!
Below are links to floorplans for the three different rooms we'll have packed full of the hottest craft that the Chicago area has to offer. And let me just tell you, these crafters are steaming hot! They'll add some heat into your life on November 17th.
Poster and Postcards for downloading
Tue, Oct 23 2007 — Comments (0) |
Hello, all! If you're interested in downloading the files for the posters and postcards you should have received in the mail, then here you go.
Poster
Postcard Front
Postcard Back
Craft Business Opportunity
Wed, Aug 29 2007 — Comments (1) |
While the Chicago Craft Mafia is getting our ducks in a row (and info processed and spreadsheets filled out and pictures edited), we thought you might like to know about a few other opportunities for crafters like you.
Madison's Craftacular is scheduled for Saturday November 24 and Sunday November 25. Head on over to their site if you're interested in taking advantage of freshly excited holiday season shoppers.
I think they've closed their application process now, but I know that I'm going to be shopping at YarnCon.
And we received information about a Hyde Park art/craft cooperative. The email was long, so click the "More" button.
More»Problems with Gmail
Sat, Aug 18 2007 — Comments (0) |
Hello happy applicants for and vendors of the DIY Trunk Show.
It's come to our attention that a number of people didn't receive the email we went out either letting people know that we were happily asking them to join us, or sadly letting them know that we don't have room for them this year. This is the first time we've had a problem with Gmail (and Cinnamon was even a beta user for a long time with no problems) so we're sorry that such a personal response from us was not received.
We'll be sending out emails again verifying status with people so if you get a duplicate email, don't think it is us trying to be mean, or rub it in, or anything like that. We just care that we respons personally to everyone who took the time to apply to DIY and we want to make sure you get our full explanation.
If your name isn't on the list submitted in the previous post, then it means that we didn't immediately have room for you but we want you to consider applying to the next show. We've also got something in the works to serve as as new style source for future calls to vend or gather information that is pertinent to crafty business owners. The Chicago Craft Mafia is intent on making Chicago seem smaller and providing as much information to help you help your business thrive. If you're interested in doing some crafty-style networking, put September 26 on your calendar. That is when we'll be having our next Craft Racket where we get people together to share information, network, create ideas, understand concepts, and work on making the indie, designer based business sour together.
DIY Trunk Show 5: Taking Craft to School
Wed, Aug 15 2007 — Comments (0) |
We've made our list, checked it twice, cried over the pile of crafters we don't have room for and are now ready to announce the list of crafters we've chosen for the 2007 show. If you applied, you should have received an email from us either accepting you and giving you instructions or letting you know how sorry we are that we didn't have room for you. And we are sorry. But we're hoping that you'll join us at the show anyway. Because these crafters are amazing. Absolutely amazing.
We received 218 applications we only had space for 95 of them. We'll have three rooms chock-full of some of the best crafters in the Chicago area. Whether you're interested in kids goods (no lead paint applied in sweatshops at the DIY Trunk Show), hand-crafted jewelery, hip clothing that fits your style and your wallet, accessories to pull together all of your favorite ensembles, small batch soaps, snazzy paper products suitable for gift giving or keeping for yourself, art work to spruce up your living room or your bedroom, beautiful works of glass that straddle the line between craft and art, and much, much more.
So start saving your pennies, make your shopping lists, and be sure to put Saturday November 17th on your calendar. We've extended the shopping times this year to be from 10am to 6pm so you'll have two more hours to shop for fine handmade products.
2007 Vendors
100 Spinning Plates
16Sparrows
Arm Candy
art reco
artgoodies
As Time Goes By
Bee13 Paper Goods
Bethany's Designs
Better Than Jam
Blosse Designs
Blue Buddha Boutique
Blue Canary Creations
Boxspring Creative
Chel Decorative Accessories
Circa Ceramics
Citizen Shay
Coriander
Craft Ladies
Craftwerker
Dan Grzeca
David R Head Jr.
Deborah Kerr
Dejahmi
Dollybird Design
DyMax Coco Art Gallery
Edgewater Soaps
Effin Effigy
EKRA
Emily Berman
Evil Eye Emporium
ExIconoclast
Featherproof Books
Flamebabe Candleworks
Flower Girls Gifts
Fold to Center
Forgotten Toybox
Foxglove Accessories
Girl Metro
Glashjarta Glass
GroveCraft Recycled Style
Gypsy Thief
Hello Hannah
Hubcaps/Mubka Millinery
Hubwear
iFuse Solutions
In the Flesh
Jengibre
Kiku
Kitty Grrlz Knits & Spins
Kristena Witherspoon
KUU
Lily Sky
Little Pearl
Ljubica Designs!
Loosetooth.com
Lotions and Potions
Love LA
Lucky Penny Handmade
Mary Wells Design and Henry Baby
MAUstudio
Megan Lee Designs
Meg's Millinery
Melissa Zeigler Monroe Studio Designs
Melty
Mesh Décor
MoeG
Moira & Obbie
Monster Fashion
Moxiedoll
No Meat Mafia
orangyporangy
Phizza'z Designs
Poise.cc
qylaar
re-conceived
Red Glow 1500
Sarah Bortt
Sassy Desings
ShayneArt.com
Sheriff Peanut
Small Screen Designs
Smashing Cars Creations
Snuggle Bug Knits
spinalfusion
Starshaped Press
Stonesters
Sue Rosengard Jewelry
Sweet as you Please
Talizman
The Copper Dragonfly
The Needle Shop
Truche
TwinPets
VoodooToaster
Weener Ware
The application process has closed
Wed, Aug 01 2007 — Comments (1) |
Once again, I'm amazed at the number of crafty folks who are starting up businesses here in the greater Chicago area. Again we have more than 200 applications for this year's show. Unfortunately we only have 96 slots so that means that we'll not have room for more than half of the people who applied. It breaks our hearts that we can't take everyone in. So keep an eye on your email around August 15th. That's when we'll be sending out the official word as to who we have admitted.
And if you've missed the deadline for this year, make sure that you sign up on the front page in the Google box at the bottom of the page so you get an email notifying you of when next year's show will take place.
YarnCon
Wed, Jul 18 2007 — Comments (0) |
If you're eagerly planning your fall show attending or vendoring, be sure to put October 13 on your calendar so you're at the fantastically amazing Pulaski Park Fieldhouse for the first ever YarnCon. If you've attended Stitches, or some other yarn/fiber/kntting/crochet-based convention, then you'll be very interested in this. It's organized by two wonderful and creative folks named Natalia and Sara. And I'm delighted that they have also chosen to support the fantastic Pulaski Park Fieldhouse (1419 W. Blackhawk). Applications are accepted for yarn-related vendors through August 15th. Make a belt buckle with a ball of yarn on it? Apply! Make special knitting bags? Apply! Have patterns you want to sell to the public? Apply! Spin yarn that you shear off your sheep? Apply!
DIY Trunk Show 5: Application is Live
Sun, Jul 01 2007 — Comments (1) |
It's true. The DIY Trunk Show turns 5 this year, which means we'll
continue schooling Chicago on not only who the best area crafters are,
but also how they can learn to craft for fun or profit.
If you're interested in applying to be in this year's show, head on
over to DIY Trunk Show, read
the FAQ, the Craftifesto, and the About page before filling out the
application. Once you've filled out the application, email 2-3 (and no
more, please) images for us to place on our website if you're chosen
as a vendor. If you include print-ready images they'll be included in
information we send out to promote the show.
The Chicago Craft Mafia
will be organizing this year's show. Vendors will be announced by
8/15/2007 and more information will be provided then.
If you're just interested in shopping for crafts, then be sure to mark
Saturday, November 17 on your calendar.
