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. This is no ordinary coloring book. It’s the Dr. Sketchy’s Official Rainy Day Colouring book. Never heard of Dr. Sketchy? I only discovered it recently through a friend. It’s difficult to describe so I won’t even make the attempt. You can read more about the history on their website Dr. Sketchy’s Anti-Art School. What I will tell you is that I will be attending my first ever Dr. Sketchy session which involves burlesque dancers, circus personalities or other unusual guests AND you and your art supplies. Huh? Still confused? You and your art skills, or lack thereof, will be attending an unusual life drawing class, sort of. Yes, nudity is involved at times so be warned. You can view some of the sketches from a previous Las Vegas session on Facebook. Are you interested? It’s a good thing that Dr. Sketchy can be found in various cities around the world. See if there is a branch in your neigborhood. For you Las Vegas residents, the next drawing session is on August 17th at 7pm to 10pm at Dino’s Lounge, 1516 Las Vegas Blvd. South. I’ll be there! .
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I was going to post this on my other blog Wow Chick but decide that my crafty peeps would benefit from this too. You can download a FREE ebook, 42 Ways to Recycling Crafts. Maybe this will inspire everyone to go dumpster diving or search for freebies on Craigslist (oh look, Craigslist LV has free boy toys…oh, my bad. It’s boyS toys). “Create Honey, create!” Yes, I am geek and you are too if you know that line came from the movie Mannequin. Heloooooo? Kim Catrrall and Andrew McCarthy? Oh well, happy crafting! |
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I am extremely excited! I have been trying very hard not to spend money on anything because the unemployment voices tell me not to. But I shut out the little voices today and signed up for an online course offered by Nicole’s Classes. Yes, Illustrator 101. I have used Illustrator, but I am pretty sure I am using it incorrectly. It probably takes me twice as long to do something that should only take 2 minutes to complete. I am looking at this as an investment. I also have a Kanvuus Artist tablet that I have yet to learn to use. In any case, the course starts on August 2nd and lasts for 4 weeks. AND there is homework. Did I stutter? Yes, homework! What am I getting myself into? The course will be taught by Alma Loveland (pictured above). The course itself costs $125 and the textbook is $45. Luckily, I stopped to read the course description again, only to find that you can get 7% off the textbook with the promo code “ONLINEBUNDLE“. I will keep everyone posted on my progress when class is in session! |
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If you live in the San Francisco area or are visiting, be sure to attend the 3rd Annual Renegade Craft Fair in San Francisco from July 31st through August 1st. This FREE event will have vendors selling handmade goods, craft workshops and entertainment. You will find Twinkie Chan and Elsie Cake there too! |
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Bushwick, Brooklyn – Better Than Jam, along with the Shops at the Loom, is once again spicing up the neighborhood of Bushwick with its First Friday Event. . “Our First Friday Event is growing, and this month we have some great things in store,” said Karin Persan, owner of Better Than Jam. . Better Than Jam is planning some great things for the 2nd First Friday event on May 7th from 7-10pm. Attendees will get to meet some up-and-coming local designers while sipping on wine from Bodega Wine Bar and snacking on some tasty treats, like homemade jerky. Deep discounts will be offered by select designers, so anyone eying a particular piece would be well-advised to arrive early. . “May’s guest artist, Marina Reiter, will be installing some of her wonderful surrealist paintings and collages,” said Persan. “I love that this neighborhood is so full of talent, and it’s my goal to show them off. Some performers from the House Of Yes might be showing up too!” . The Shops at the Loom is becoming a fixture of Bushwick at 1087 Flushing Ave. The Loom will be hosting this monthly event, where one can expect great deals, complimentary refreshments, special performances, and artworks from local talents. Better Than Jam’s new neighbors include Bushwick Deli, purveyors of amazing sandwiches and all the essentials, Brooklyn Yarn Cafe, which carries a plethora of both knitting supplies and tasty treats, The Orphanage, where you can buy a moped, supplies, or have your moped repaired, and Brooklyn Vintage, which specializes in repairing and restoring vintage furniture. These other Loom businesses will be joining in the First Fridays celebration by offering their own amazing specials. For full details and list of participating businesses our website www.shopsattheloom.com. . Contact Karin Persan |
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. Indie Industries was just voted Best of the Bay for the 3rd year in the row. They are throwing a Customer Appreciation Event on Friday, April 23 fro 6-10pm at their North Beach Store. Hey, that’s today! Enjoy… 218 Columbus Ave., San Francisco, CA 94133 RSVP with going.com! |
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Lazy Daisy Marie offers the cutest crocheted creatures. There is Stella the Sock Starfish, Ocho the Octoplush, Troy the Seahorse, and Georgie the Giraffe. Get them all and you can start your own aquarium and zoo. .
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After visiting Keeping Up Appearances, I can see all the possibilities. Apparently you can light up just about anything in your home. I love the metal mesh and rose bead fixture but am fascinated by the multi-colored colanders! Who knew kitchen utensils could make such funky light fixtures? Make sure to visit Woof woof and check out the whisk light fixture too. .
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Sushi, one of my favorite food groups! I don’t think I could surround myself by these fantastic Original Sushi Pillows without being constantly hungry. You can get an inarizushi or makizushi pillows and even an edamame body pillow. If you can’t decide you can get the bento box bargain, an assortment of sushi style pillows. .
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. I love the images in this magazine called Seasons. They even have a section on craft blogs too which I will try to post at a later date. The only problem being that I can’t read Russian even though I find the look of the language very artistic. Here are a few images that I think are inspirational. .
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I don’t know if it’s the architecture background speaking or the need to always draw things to a certain scale, but I love graph paper and I tend to buy journals with grid paper. After I draw something I get upset because the grid lines are in the way! I just hate it when that happens. Anyway, you don’t need to purchase graph paper any longer. Print your own in different sizes and colors with this nifty graph paper generator site. I think this will be a big hit with all of the crafters and designers out there. .
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. For My Darling is a wonderful shop full of upcycled goodies. I love the felted wool owls stuffed with lamb wool. I am amazed at how someone can take something old and make it into something new and fashionable like the linen bags and wool cuffs. Absolutely wonderful! .
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When I stumbled upon Twinkle Kids, I seriously thought these were yummy edible cakes. I was surprised and a little disappointed that they were made of felt. The great thing about these cakes though is that they are so pretty that you can’t eat them! .
. Space Cake .
. Jack & Beanstalk Cake .
. Ocean Cake .
. Spooky House |
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. I love to flip through Nylon magazine for its vibrant and hip take on art, fashion, beauty, and music. Inside each issue of Nylon you’ll find cutting edge trends in clothes, beauty, music, culture, interesting interviews and great photography. It’s really different than most magazines out there today. This is an inspirational magazine that features the hippest trends before they even become trends. Check it out. There is also special at Best Deal Magazines. You can get a 1-year subscription for $4.69 and I think you can use the code “WKLYSPEC” to get another 20% off for a grand total of $3.75. If the code doesn’t work $4.69 is still a great deal! |
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I have a couch that I just can’t make myself throw out. It was a custom couch that cost me big bucks and is down-filled. Unfortunately one child and two dogs later, it’s a disaster. It’s taking up floor space and I need it reupholstered and keep calling it my “project couch”. One of these days I will fix it up. I have been saying that for the past year. I wanted to try my hand at making into a patchwork/bohemian type of couch but didn’t really know what that would mean. I found this chair by Kaleidochairs and am once again inspired to have a couch makeover. .
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Handmade Puppet Dreams is a selection of short puppet films by independent artists. These artists/puppeteers are extremely creative and you just have to watch some of these videos to see what I am talking about. I’m hooked! . . Tim Lagasse – Sammy & Sofa! . . Laura Heit – Mary Anning and Her Monsters |
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Being from Hawaii, I am always looking for ways to bring the islands into my home without going overboard. I don’t want a house that looks like a hotel room with a ton of floral prints. Just little things like these cool petroglyph concrete pavers by Da Kine Concrete. .
. Honu Design .
. Native Design .
. Native with Paddle Design |
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. I adore Chronicle Books .
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. Around The World With Mouk .
. The Life & Love of Trees .
Lotta Jansdotter Stencils: Decorate Your Walls, Furniture, Fabric and More .
. Sticky, Chewy, Messy, Gooey – Treats For Kids |
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. I heart The Bright Side Project, a website dedicated to daily giveaways. Each day they feature a brand or product that will add a little sunshine in your life. I know that this Stop Smile Breathe Life Is Beautiful Postcard brings sunshine to my life. I have already inquired about posters and am told that it is already in the works. I can’t wait! Until then, you can download the pdf postcard here. |
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. Brooklyn, NY—Spring is in the air, and plans are already under way for the second-annual Spring Handmade Cavalcade. On Saturday April 24th, this handmade shopping event will set up for the day in the beautiful new Williamsburg bar, Berry Park. .
. Contact Karin Persan |
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. Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn— April 3rd and 4th, Saturday 11-7 and Sunday 11-6, will mark the 4th grand reopening of Brooklyn Indie Market (BIM), a weekly weekend market showcasing some of the freshest names in jewelry, clothing, handbags, kidswear, bath, silk screened men’s t-shirts and product design. Located on Smith and Union Streets in Brooklyn’s Carroll Gardens, indie designers of all stripes and inspirations will once again be found under the red and white striped tent, which has become a weekly gathering spot for in-the-know Big Apple shoppers. The gutsy little marketplace which places an emphasis on showcasing limited-edition, emerging designers has been touted by media like Time Out New York, New York Magazine, Italian Marie Claire and a bevy of fashion blogs as a beloved neighborhood style dealer for your fashion and design fix. BIM is conveniently located steps from the Carroll Street Station of the F/G trains. April 3rd and 4th you can peruse your favorite indie designers of seasons’ past and get to meet some new-on-the-scene faces as well, offering the public a first glimpse of the many new names in fashion and product design. . Kicking off the roster of re-emerged designers: .
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For more info on the market, directions, and offerings visit www.brooklynindiemarket.com or call 718-753-2180, take the F/G train to the Carroll station stop. . Contact: |
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. Starbright Girl Jewellery Design is the creation of Megan-Jayne McFall based in Durban, South Africa. What I love about her pieces is that it’s very nostalgic, to me anyway. I can’t remember the last time I saw Little Twin Stars. I grew up around everything Sanrio and had a ton of Hello Kitty stationary. Natsukashii-na! .
. Little Twin Stars Kiki and Lala Earrings .
. Kitty Brooch .
. Smurfy Brooch .
. What Would Buffy Do? Sterling Silver and Resin Ring |
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. I am truly amazed by these prints. I could never have the patience to hand cut these fabulous maps. The detail and thought that went into them is incredible. What happens if you make a mistake? Do you start over? I think I will leave the intricate paper cutting to the experts. Visit Famille Summerbelle for your favorite map print. .
. London Map .
. London Map Detail .
. New York Map .
. Paris Map |
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We took our son to the Touch-A-Truck event where all proceeds support Family-to-Family in Las Vegas. The kids were having a great time laying in on the horns and sitting in the backhoe, ambulance, police cars and fire trucks. My son’s favorite wasn’t even a truck. It was playing inside the hot air balloon. I thought I’d share these photos with you. Happy Monday! .
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