diy table @ Got Craft

photo credit: Spool of Thread

Feeing inspired by the handmade goods at Got Craft on Sunday? Want to try making a few things yourself, but don't know where to start? Spool of Thread Sewing Lounge will be hosting a FREE DIY table at Got Craft!

Spool of Thread is a modern twist on making. Opening later this Spring, it is part retail store with a wide selection of unique and hard to find fabrics and part sewing lounge with sewing machines available for pay-by-the-hour rental. In addition to the machines, the workshop area will also have large cutting tables, irons, dress forms and all the other sewing accessories you need to help start your next project! Need some help along the way? Spool of Thread will also be used for sewing workshops and classes with instruction from crafters and sewing experts.

Have more questions? Come check out the DIY area on the stage at Got Craft and meet Lili and Henry, owners of Spool of Thread. They will be on-hand to show you how to make your own pinwheel pin and to answer any questions about their shop. Supplies are provided.

want :: swag goodness

Doors to Got Craft open at 10:00 am, but attendees have been known to begin lining up for one of the coveted swag bags starting as early as 7:00 am!

Yes, it is a Sunday. Yes, that is REALLY early, but look at these goodies! This is only 75% of the items in each of the 30 bags given to the first 30 people through the door on Sunday, May 2nd. It was all I could cram into the light box. There is just too much goodness! Not to mention that each tote bag is also *ahem* handmade by yours truly.



Got Craft?
Sunday, May 2nd, 2010
10:00am to 5:00pm
Royal Canadian Legion – 2205 Commercial Drive (at E. 6th Ave)
Admission $2.00 (kids 10 and under are free)

Vancouver’s largest indie craft fair is kicking off the 4th annual Spring show with 55 local, handmade vendors and a DIY table hosted by Spool of Thread to make your own crafts.

For more information and a full list of participating vendors, please visit our website. Thank you to all of our lovely vendors and for our awesome sponsors for making Got Craft, Vancouver's largest indie craft fair! Hope to see you on Sunday!

Also check out the lovely mention over at Vancouver is Awesome today!

things to do :: Got Craft?

illustration by The Beautiful Project

Vancouver’s largest indie craft fair is kicking off the 4th annual Spring show with 55 local, handmade vendors and a DIY table hosted by Spool of Thread Sewing Lounge to make your own crafts.

Got Craft?
Sunday, May 2nd, 2010
10:00am to 5:00pm
Royal Canadian Legion – 2205 Commercial Drive (at E. 6th Ave)
Admission $2.00 (kids 10 and under are free)

Did I mention there will be swag bags? The first 30 people through the door will receive a handmade tote bag filled with goodies from all of our vendors! Here are some sneak peeks from hudsonny, Owl + Pussycat, telly designs, kove handmade and Bliss in a teacup.

Also, check out these lovely posts including....
Hold Handmade, heyday design and telly designs feature on Scout Magazine

Girls of Got Craft feature on Handmade Evolution

A round up of Got Craft vendors on Poppytalk

Buy handmade write up on Granville Magazine

For more information and a full list of participating vendors, please visit our website. See you there!

inspire :: A Beautiful Idea

The other day, Amy from Handmade Evolution sent me an email directing me to check out Evie Shaffer’s new project, A Beautiful Idea.

Created to deal with her struggles between her creative urges and using her creativity to make a project, Evie came up with an idea to help motivate artists to open their hearts, share their skills and inspire others to do the same. Can you imagine if all the makers from around the world joined forces to make a difference in the world.? Wouldn’t that be something?

Evie says…



A Beautiful Idea has a clear message and a easy to follow model that is outlined on the website. Basically, artists create a unique product to list in their store. Once the sale is made, the artist donates 100% of the funds to the chosen charity. Every 6 months or once the monetary goal has been met, a new charity or cause will be selected. Currently, there are 35 participating artists including Vancouver’s own Kove Handmade and Field Trip donating their proceeds to the World Vision’s Relief Effort in Haiti (charity of choice until June 2010).

You can bookmark Evie’s website, Facebook and Twitter for up to date donation totals, fundraising goals and participating artists. If you are interested in being a part of A Beautiful Idea, full details can be found here.


One of the many lovelies you will find in Evie's etsy shop available to purchase.

It’s a three-fold beneficial cycle:
Artists have a way to create work for a greater purpose.
Consumers are given the opportunity to buy a unique product that supports a cause.
Charities are given the proceeds to help their mission.

Check out Amy’s post and Q&A with Evie with herself over at Handmade Evolution.

shop tour :: Plum Project Studio

* ding * * ding * Making a Crafty Shop Stop over at Plum Project Studio in North Vancouver, a fibre arts shop and stitch lounge featuring materials, contemporary patterns, classes and workshops for all skill levels.
 
We asked teacher and owner Janice Agar three questions to tell us a little about what Plum Project Studio is all about.
 
Read more over at Granville Online.

things to do :: Blim + PW

It's that crafty time of the month again. Grab some brunch and head out to these two markets this Sunday!

Blim
Sunday, April 25th, 2010
11:00am to 4:00pm
Heritage Hall - 3102 Main Street, Vancouver
Admission: by donation

Blim will be presenting a monthly Main Street Community Market this month to take place at Heritage Hall. This months' market will include 48 vendors, music, hot food, beverages, and entertainment. Vendors will include food, fashion, accessories, supplies, fine art, vintage items and records, and not be limited to crafts, and there will be a focus on nurturing and promoting creative production in our community.

Love Bobbie and I are sharing a table at Blim, so come by and say hi!

********

Portobello West Fashion and Art Market
Sunday, April 25th, 2010
Noon to 6:00pm
Rocky Mountaineer Station - 1755 Cottrell Street, Vancouver
Admission: $2.00

Featuring over 100 local artists and designers, it is the perfect place to pick out some new items for Spring! Shop from independent artists and designers for original works of art, clothing and accessories.

hints :: win a YUDU

We announced last week that Got Craft will be giving away a YUDU to one lucky winner at our Spring show on Sunday, May 2nd. You can read the full announcement and contest details here. Remember, contest closes on April 30th, so start uploading!

A few of you have been asking me for hints and we have been staying pretty tight lipped, but thought we would share a few tips...

1) Check out the photos in our flickr group. Just because somebody has uploaded an image, doesn't mean that you can't go to the same street corner and take another photo.

2) Check poster poles in these neighbourhoods - Kitsilano, Commercial Drive, Main Street

3) Does Your Mother Know?, Capers on 4th, Barefoot Contessa on Main St, Bean Around the World on Main St, Plush on Main, Kitsilano Neighbourhood House, Gene, Solly's on 7th Avenue, IGA on 4th Avenue, Black Dog Video, Jitters Caffe, Arbutus Coffee, Our Town, Britannia High School, JJ Bean on Commercial, Commercial Drive Organics.... some places to check ... you know.. just saying

xx double points xx
If you see our poster covered by somebody elses, please remove it and reposition theirs elsewhere. Take a picture before and after.

things to do :: BLIM Sale

photo credit: Blim

Blim is moving to a new home at 115 East Pender starting May 1st, so to get ready for their big move, they are holding a GIANT sale!

Here are the details:

Saturday, April 24th, 2010 from Noon to 6:00 pm
Sunday, April 25th, 2010 from Noon to 4:00 pm
197 East 17th Avenue (old location)

You'll be able to score art supplies, equipment, books, clothes... it's Blim, so you KNOW it will be a good one!

present&correct

photo credit: Neal Whittington via The Design Files

When I first stumbled upon the online shop, Present&Correct, my exact words were "I just want to eat up this store and then spew hearts at everything". Ahhh.. so much fantastic!!


Based in London, UK, Present&Correct and run by graphic designer, Neal Whittington, the store features handmade goods, vintage items and work by designers from all over the world. Here, you'll find vintage style school exercise books, paper bags from all over the world, giant dominoes and so much more. All the items listed is accompanied by a thoughtful description and beautifully taken image that makes you want to place everything into your shopping cart.

Make sure you check back often as the store has a constantly evolving inventory of goods and you can read more about Neal and his shop over at The Design Files!

summit of awesome (pdx)

Founded in 2008 by four crafters / craft fair organizers, Hello Craft is a non-profit trade association dedicated to the advancement of independent crafters and the handmade movement, as well as empowering small business owners and educating the public to the benefits of buying handmade. They actively pursue their mission through various events such as the annual 3-day conference, the Summit of Awesome.

Mark your calendars for Wednesday, June 16th, 2010 to Friday, June 18th, 2010 and join Hello Craft at the 2010 Summit of Awesome in Portland, Oregon. This year's Summit will take place at the McMenamins’ Kennedy School in the Alberta Arts District of Portland.

I am a big fan of Portland and can't wait for three days of seminars, speakers, workshops and overall awesomeness!

Hello Craft is a membership-based trade organization that offers yearly memberships to crafters and makers of all levels. To sign up and for more information, click here.

Check out photos, press and a podcast from last year's Summit of Awesome, click here.

Official registration will be available soon. Today is the last day for early bird tickets, so check out their website for more information! Visit Hello Craft and sign up for their email list to be first in line and to receive all the latest news.