I’m promoting promotion again only because I’ve found another awesome opportunity for you to get your work out there and/or sample some wonderful products.

The Little Black Box is a site that collects and sells samples of handmade goods. Each month, they mail out more than 150 promo boxes that contain a handful of promotional and full size items sent in from independent crafters and artists (all profits go towards maintaining the site). With a mailing list of over 8,000 people, Little Black Box is basically a vehicle for free advertising. It works particularly well for artists who have online shops and rely solely on photos and product descriptions to sell their work.

It’s easy to sign up, though there are monthly deadlines. Simply send an email expressing your interest along with a banner ad which will be displayed during the month that you are participating. You choose the number of samples to send and from what I’ve seen they can be just about anything from bath and beauty products to magnets or postcards. Of course, the more you send, the better your chances of gaining some business. I can't speak from personal experience, but the site guarantees that if your samples really WOW the box buyers you are guaranteed sales.

You can see Who’s in the Box this month or visit their FAQ page for more information. Also visit their blog for Black Box Reviews by customers.

Posted by Christy Zuccarini at 11:22 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)
                    

Have you heard of Ponoko? It’s the world’s first personal manufacturing platform - an online marketplace of sorts that helps you turn your crafty ideas into products that are laser cut from acrylic or wood. They have a variety of templates and tools to guide you and once you’re finished you can either ‘Mingle & Share’, ‘Browse & Buy’, or ‘Make & Sell’. You’re free to make just about anything – key chains, coasters, kitchen chairs – you pick!

I recently caught up with jeweler Brooke Medlin of Gemmafactrix, who designed a set of awesome rings and submitted them to Ponoko’s 10-Day Design Challenge, a monthly event that offers cash prizes and free advertising to the winning designer.

Summer in the City Skyscape Ring Set by Brooke Medlin. Vote for her design here.

Brooke makes a living making jewelry and in so doing, she has developed quite a gift for promoting her work. She says, “For me, the Ponoko challenge was a way to branch out into a medium and style I'd been itching to try, and the added benefit was getting my name and work recognized. I feel that, as an artist, going outside your safe zone, entering contests, getting your work out there and seen by as many eyes as possible, can only be a good thing. Your work is out there in a place where it may not have been, being seen by people who may never have seen it.”

The moral of the story is that places like Ponoco offer great opportunities for you to promote your craft, even if acrylic isn't your material of choice. It's about experimentation. Whether or not you win the prize, the simple act of participating – showing the world your work – is worth a try.

Photos courtesy of Brooke Medlin.

Posted by Christy Zuccarini at 8:59 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)
                    

Craft guru Vickie Howell wants your story for her next book. The following is an excerpt from her blog :

Calling all crafters! I’m gearing up to write my next book, Craft Corps (pronounced Craft Core) which will focus on the community perpetuated by craft and the designers & hobbyists who feed it. As part of the content, I’m hoping to include 50-60 short profiles of crafters of all types. If you knit, crochet, embroider, decoupage, paint, sew, bead, tat, work with ceramics, collage, etc.---I want to hear from you! Whether you’ve found success selling your handmade sock monkeys on Etsy or you crochet chemo caps for charity, I want to know who you are, what you craft and why you do it. YOU DO NOT NEED TO BE PROFESSIONAL CRAFTERS (in fact, it's preferable as the book's other content will focus on that)!

I’ve been fortunate enough over the years to receive e-mails from people all over the world, sharing their favorite memory of crafting, what crafting has done for them or what got them started and how they’ll never stop. These stories--from hilarious craft mishaps to touching crafty life stories-- have inspired me to collect more to share with the public, handmade community.

If you’re interested in possibly being a part of Craft Corps, please fill out the following questionnaire, cut and paste it into the body of an e-mail, and send it to: craftcorps@gmail.com as soon as possible (but no later than AUGUST 15th.) If we’re able to use your profile, an editor will contact you directly with more info.

Posted by Christy Zuccarini at 9:51 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
                    

Who says it’s too soon to begin preparing for cooler weather? Fluffy fashionable pieces like this Cloud Cowl crocheted by Laila Ann Grainawi of rawfish help us endure the change of seasons in style. It is like a cloud for your neck and shoulders.

Cloud Cowl by rawfish, $28.

And on the subject of handmade cold weather accessories, why not pay tribute to decadent baked goods in this funky and unusual knitted cherry pie hat by Katherine Miller of kateydidhandmade? Yum.

cherry pie hat by kateydidhandmade, $17.

Posted by Christy Zuccarini at 9:14 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
                    

I’ve never been one to dream about my wedding day. I think about it occasionally when I hear a romantic song on the radio, like "November Rain" by Guns-n-Roses. Remember the video with Stephanie Seymour in that short wedding gown? She looked so cool. Of course it all went downhill after the ceremony, what with the cake being smashed and her dying. I certainly don’t want to experience any sort of gothic tragedy, particularly after having searched high and low for the perfect wedding gown. Why did she die anyway? That was never clear to me…

I haven't listened to Guns-n-Roses for a while, but I have been thinking about weddings and wedding gowns since discovering Katie Jean Walker of kt jean designs last week. She’s a stay-at-home mom in Phoenix who makes custom wedding gowns out of recycled, vintage and new fabrics and trims. She offers a variety of styles, all of which are stunning, but the one that caught my eye was her Vintage Slipdress made from a vintage slip and a variety of lace, silk and chiffon. It’s got just the right amount of spice, wouldn’t you say? And paired with some cowboy boots…look out!

Vintage Slipdress (left), Birdcage Veil (right).

Ivory Silk Bridal Gown (left), Vintage Slipdress (right).

Katie’s overall presentation is also worth noting. Her use of models and professional photography puts her pieces into a fun or romantic context. She has another shop, Cadenza Clothing, where she sells custom- made clothing for kids.

Needless to say, if and when I do get married (ahem) I will be wearing one of Katie’s designs and I’ll have a much happier wedding than Stephanie and Axl (like that would be hard to do).

(Photos courtesy of Katie Jean Walker, taken by The Visionyard Studios and Stephanie Desaga).

Posted by Christy Zuccarini at 8:59 PM | Permalink | Comments (12)
                    

What you will need:

Aluminum cans
Snips or metal shears
Hand files
Sandpaper
Found objects, paper, beads, etc.
Decoupage, two-part epoxy or other adhesives
Pin backs

Step 1.

Cut out the base of a soda can (just above the beveled edge). If you use snips, start from the top of the can. I used a piercing saw and cut straight across the bottom.

Step 2.

Use a hand file to even out the edges and sandpaper to smooth away any additional rough parts.

Step 3.

Decide which found objects you would like to adhere inside the base, and which adhesive is most appropriate. For example, if you use fabric or felted beads like I did, a glue gun will work. You can use decoupage for paper, or clear polyester casting resin for embedding objects like small flowers or glitter. Be sure to follow the instructions, as some adhesives are more toxic than others. After affixing your object collage, allow it to dry.

Step 4.

Attach the pin back with a two-part epoxy. You may have to bend it a bit with pliers to be sure it fits the base.

Step 5.

Put on your brooch and show it off!

This DIY is from the wonderful book "Fabulous Jewelry from Found Objects."

(Photos by me)

Posted by Christy Zuccarini at 8:10 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
                    

Local fibers artist, Mom, teacher, and self-described “community spirit” Elizabeth Morisette is an avid collector of things. Her whimsical pieces – often made up of everyday objects – are woven, sewn, felted, tied, and stapled sculptures that exemplify the art of transformation. She graciously took time between shows, classes and selling her house to answer some questions. Enjoy.

Shoe In (35"x12"; cotton fabric and shoe stretchers woven on a cotton warp), Portrait of the artist, Keep This Coupon (20" x 8" x 4"; tickets, thread, and glue).

Please introduce yourself.
My name is Elizabeth Morisette. I currently live in Greenbelt, Maryland, but my family is moving to Fort Collins, Colorado, this summer. I work for Arts for the Aging providing arts programming to senior citizens. I have a husband and an 8-year-old daughter.

What do you do outside of making your own art?
I teach art to whomever I can. I especially love doing intergenerational community projects that pull people from all ages, races and socio-economic backgrounds together in the process of creating art.

Why did you pursue becoming an artist?
I always had my own way of doing things. I remember one time when I was about 8 years old spending an entire day wrapping my friends swing set with yarn. Her Mom called early the next morning demanding that I come and unwrap the swing set. I had as much fun unwrapping as I had wrapping the swing set! I have seen things this way ever since.

What is your process like? How do you begin a piece?
I always start with the materials. I gather bits of collections from people, on Ebay, at thrift stores. Then I find a way to make them visually interesting. I try to use only one item, like, say, bottle caps, and maybe wire or something to bind them together. Then, I experiment with different ways they can relate to each other.

What do you do to promote your art?
I have a blog and Flickr site. I have just recently become represented by Heineman-Myers Contemporary Art in Bethesda, Maryland.

Stance (8"x10" x5"; zippers and thread), Beauty School Dropout (40"x25"x3"; Cotton fabric and warp with plastic hair rollers), Blister (20"x40"x3"; plastic blister packaging and glue).

At the moment, Elizabeth is building a sculpture out of grocery bags for the Virgin Festival. She also has several pieces in the show "Art From Trash" at the Baltimore Public Works Museum, currently on exhibit until Oct. 6; Pier 7 of Baltimore’s Inner Harbor at 751 Eastern Avenue, Baltimore.

Posted by Christy Zuccarini at 3:42 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
                    

Grace Bonney, writer and editor of popular daily website Design*Sponge, will be leading a D*S Biz Ladies Series this month at the American Visionary Art Museum. If you have ever wondered about starting your own business, particularly within the realm of art and design, this is an opportunity you should not miss.

D*S Biz Ladies Series in Los Angeles.

The D*S Biz Ladies Series is part of a national series of networking events, hosted by Grace, that are intended to bring together local designers and offer free advice on the intricacies of running one’s own business. Topics include PR/marketing, wholesale/retail and business/legal issues.

Design*Sponge, which was started in 2004, is a website "dedicated to home and product design.” A Brooklyn-based writer and contributing editor to CRAFT magazine, Grace is a design guru with an incredible resume of experience as a freelancer for publications like Home and Garden, Everyday with Rachel Ray, and Food and Wine (to name a few). Read more about her here.

Next Thursday’s lineup will include local designer Kat Feuerstein of Gilah Press + Design, a custom letterpress stationary company. Kat is a graduate of the Maryland Institute College of Art and her designs have been featured in Style, Lucky, The Washington Post, as well as numerous other international publications. Recently, Gilah Press + Design collaborated with the design department at Anthropologie to create a series of hand pressed postcards that are currently being sold in 85 stores nationwide.

Megan Luther and Lesley Jennings of doubledutch Boutique in Hampden will also speak at the series. doubledutch won Best Women’s Clothing store in the City Paper’s 2006 and 2007 Best of Baltimore. The shop carries a funky collection of apparel and accessories from established and emerging brands including a healthy handful of local designers. doubledutch has been featured in Style, Paper Doll, and Baltimore Magazine.

Details about the evening:

Location: American Visionary Art Museum (click here for directions)
Date and Time: Thursday, July 31, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
RSVP (requested but not required): Send an email with the subject line 'Baltimore RSVP' to designsponge@gmail.com

Finally, these are pot-luck style meet-ups, so if you can, bring some goodies.

See you there!

{Special thanks to Rachel Bone and Sarah Allred of the Charm City Craft Mafia, and to Anne Ditmeyer of Pret a Voyager and Design*Sponge}

Posted by Christy Zuccarini at 10:12 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
                    

A good number of you who read this blog might already be sellers on Etsy (myself included) and many more of you may shop there. But for readers who are not yet familiar with this virtual craft fair/art show, I wanted to write just a bit about the ins and outs of the site.

The short and sweet

Etsy is an online marketplace for all things handmade. Their mission is to enable people to make a living making things, and to reconnect makers with buyers. With approximately 170,000 shops worldwide, Etsy is dizzying and addictive. Items range from traditional to bizarre, with everything in between.

Buying on Etsy

Buyers beware! Etsy contains endless amounts of handmade jewelry, clothing, books, ceramics, toys, furniture, art, housewares, zines, music, bath and beauty products ... the list goes on. Items are typically categorized according to technique and materials used. The best thing to do is visit the main page and go from there. See what catches your eye.

Each seller has his or her own selling preferences but most accept PayPal and/or major credit cards. Shipping is also determined by each individual seller, and it is charged in addition to every item. Most rates are very fair as there are a lot of sellers who cut back on costs by using recycled packaging.

Setting up shop

Setting up shop is relatively easy. Simply visit their main page and click Sell. From there, it’s an intuitive process (just be sure that you choose your shop name wisely, as it cannot be changed). Listing fees are 20 cents per item and Etsy takes a 3.5 percent profit from each sale. You get your own virtual storefront and web address (www.yourownstore.etsy.com), a profile page where you can talk about your background and process, selling preferences (I recommend opening a PayPal account if you don’t have one already), and a range of resources at your fingertips.

A couple of tips for new Etsy sellers

Fill out the profile page – tell people who you are.

Take good photos of your work – even if all you have is a point-and-shoot camera, use a simple background, get close and use plenty of light.

Be descriptive – share a bit about how you made the item, what techniques and materials you used, and how long, wide or tall it is (remember that all they’re seeing is a photograph).

List often – newly listed items pop up at the bottom of Etsy’s main page every 15 seconds, so the more often you list, the better the chance that you will be seen.

Et si

And if you take the leap and open a shop, or even if you’re there just to buy, rest assured that you will be part of an encouraging and inspiring community. I’ve met some incredible folks on Etsy from all corners of the world. Some are very experienced crafters who make a living at selling their art. Others are there simply there to nurture their part-time passion for making things.

I should warn you that there is a 99 percent chance that you will become addicted to Etsy, so it’s best to start with a little at a time. Just don’t forget to check out the Storque (the Etsy blog), Alchemy (a place to post requests for custom made items), the Treasury (featured items picked by Etsy sellers and buyers), Shop Local (a listing of local Etsy sellers), Pounce (recently updated shops or shops that just had a sale), the Geolocator (a map-based showing of shops) or the Forums (discussions about setting up shop, promoting, site help, critiques and ideas).

A few of my favorites

Coaster sets made from original record albums at Liquid Vinyl.

Hand tooled leather handbags, wallets and belts from Moxie and Oliver.

Precious metal clay jewelry at Honeybee.

Realistic needle felted versions of pets from KaysK9s – send her a photo of your dog or cat, and she will sculpt a small replica out of raw wool!

I also forgot to mention earlier that there are oodles of supply shops on Etsy - selling everything from knitting needles to beads to handspun yarn. Some of these sellers simply specialize in supplies, whereas others are crafters and artists who just need to get rid of their extras.

That's it for now. If you have additional questions or even a tip to share, feel free to post a comment. In the meantime, head on over to Etsy and see what you can find.

Posted by Christy Zuccarini at 9:44 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
                    

The first person who caught my eye was Huichole artist Francisco Loza at the Creative Alliance tent. His beadwork was simply stunning and he will take part in Songs on the Wind at the Patterson on July 24.

Artist Francisco Loza beads at the Creative Alliance tent.

My next stop was at greenstarstudio, where I found a mountain of Knitimals and a basket of Toothfairy Pillows that I wish had been around when I was a kid.

Toothfairy Pillows at greenstarstudio.

Art with a Heart had a tent full of beautiful handmade objects and artwork. I was pleased to meet young artist Audrey Lewis, who explained that the organization's mission is to enhance the lives of people in need through visual arts and that they teach more than 1,100 art classes each year in Baltimore.

Audrey Lewis, age 14, shows off her "Britto Table."

In the middle of the festival, under a canopy of trees, people sat on Jessie Reid's handmade ottomans and chatted with one another. Sit, Eat, Chat is a sculptural installation that serves as a meeting place of sorts. Each ottoman is made from hewn wood and cast bronze feet and they are situated closely together. A colorful dialogue took place among everyone who stopped to rest, as was Jessie’s intention, “It seems if you can get people within arm’s reach of each other and stationary, they begin to share an experience more intimately together and realize or remember that they aren’t so dissimilar to the next guy.”

Entrance to Sit, Eat, Chat (left) Baltimore resident and festival goer Helen Solomon chats with artist Jessie Reid (right).

I headed over to the DIY section and said hello to a few folks from the Charm City Craft Mafia and the Baltimore Etsy Street Team. I couldn't resist a recycled leather cuff from Fisticuffs, and I marveled at Linda Johnson's vibrant pottery at little flower designs.

A row of Fisticuffs recycled leather cuff bracelets (left) and Linda Johnson of little flower designs (right).

Charles Street was full of peculiar treasures. Cameras were clicking a mile a minute around the art cars – each one was a handmade wonder.

Art car.

On my way out, I met up with my friend Kristen Faber who was preparing to stiltwalk the festival. I helped her tie on her pantaloons (my own tiny handmade contribution for the day).

Stilter Kristen Faber.

What were a few of your favorite things at Artscape this year? Post your comments below.

Posted by Christy Zuccarini at 11:47 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)
                    

Wouldn’t you rather own a collection of Monica Stroter’s handmade rickrack stationary instead of a box of embossed thank-you cards from Target? Or how about some of SpaTherapy’s Dead Sea Mineral Mud Soap in place of your Neutrogena? At this year's new DIY section of Artscape, you will indeed find handmade stationary, soap, handbags, jewelry, comic books, pottery and much more – all from local artists and crafters who live according to the ‘do it yourself’ ethic.

(From left: "Oh My Darlin" by Kiss My Crafts, screenprinted cotton dress from Red Prairie Press, "So So Pretty" by Sugar Paperie).

In the words of Sara Allred, a member of the Charm City Craft Mafia, this new DIY section is going to breathe new life into Artscape. "The DIY movement is alive and well and this new section showcases artists who truly value the idea of ‘craft’ and have a fresh approach to making and selling handmade items."

Artist Jen Menkhaus, who is a co-founder of the Baltimore Etsy Street Team, has a broad perspective on what it means to be DIY. "I was telling someone the other day that I just didn’t understand the ‘do it yourself’ term because for me, the most critical element of the DIY movement is the community. For me, it’s awesome to be involved in a community that is interested in making choices that are environmentally and socially responsible, that supports independent businesses of all kinds, and that is so encouraging of other artists rather than competitive."

(From left: Dead Sea Mineral Mud Soap by Spa Therapy Works, "Drop-O Honey" by Jill Popowich Designs, umbrella brooch by Jen Menkhaus).

The Charm City Craft Mafia did the decorations for the DIY section, including all of the signs and flags that indicate where it begins and ends. "We do think (and hope) that the DIY movement will grow tremendously in the future. We live in a world where it is too easy to go to a big-box store and buy everything for cheap," says Sara. “There is something much more pure about purchasing an item from the person who created it. You are directly supporting an artist or independent business, which is something to feel really good about."

(From left: clothing for toddlers by Sweet Pepita, "Sex Pot Mug" by Pink Kiss Pottery, handmade book by Bowerbox Press).

For a complete listing of this year’s DIY artists, visit the Artscape website.

See you there!

Posted by Christy Zuccarini at 12:44 AM | Permalink | Comments (5)
                    

Danamarie Hosler of greenstarstudio, is the visionary behind Knitimals: hand knitted and hand sewn “soft sculpture sweeties” that are made from local yarns and other eco-friendly materials. Danamarie, who grew up in Miami and moved to Baltimore to attend the Maryland Institute College of Art, came up with the idea for Knitimals while sick in bed ten years ago. “I started making these dolls of comfort in an attempt to make available the same sense of importance imbued in the dolls we love when we’re little; something that is completely okay to cuddle with and take with you when you’re in need of support.”

Creating each Knitimal takes Danamarie anywhere from two hours to one day and an average of two hours to piece together and stuff. She doesn’t use patterns, nor does she repeat designs, so no two Knitimals are alike. And though they are meant to be for comfort, Knitimals are also intended to introduce children to what it’s like to own a work of art. She says, “I’ve always wanted to make art for kids. I started off as a muralist and a children’s book illustrator, and eventually realized that I needed to bring my designs to life…when you’re little, you probably don’t have the occasion to buy paintings or sculptures, so I also see Knitimals as a way of starting a child’s art collection.”

They really are a wonder to see. Each one has its own personality and the amount work that goes into making them is evident – even to a kid. “Kids always seem blown away by the fact that I made them with my hands. At shows, they pick up a particular Knitimal with such determination like it's speaking to them or to a part of them that needed filling. Those kids ‘get it’ and I think that ‘getting it’ is a big door opener to other exploration, culture and creativity.”

With the scraps leftover from Knitimals, Danamarie also makes Recyclimals (knitimal-esque dolls made from old sweaters and baby blankets) and cozies for cell phones, cameras and coffee cups. She also sells original illustrations, prints, coloring books, zines, greeting cards, bookmarks, magnets, pins, plates, boxes, frames and soaps. Knitimals, however, are the heart of her product line.

So, if there is a young person in your life who you think would like a Knitimal (or if perhaps you would like one for yourself) come visit Danamarie in the Artists' Market section at Artscape. She has been furiously sewing for the last few weeks in preparation for this weekend and consequently getting very little sleep, “I LOVE Artscape. Love it! I knit and paint and sew until I’m dizzy, but it’s perfect.” To learn more, check out Danamarie’s blog or visit her online shop, greenstarstudio.

Posted by Christy Zuccarini at 11:37 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
                    

Two years after graduating from Towson University with a degree in jewelry design, Annie Chau took a creative leap. "I made a definitive DECISION to become an artist,” she says. “I quit my cubicle job to pursue my jewelry-making dreams and never ever looked back.”

Every ring, pin, pendant and earring at Annie’s online shop imogeneANDannie, begins its life as a plain piece of fine metal – mostly sterling silver and 14kt gold. Using classic techniques like sawpiercing, soldering, etching and riveting, Annie fashions delicate woodland creatures and intricate organic shapes into wearable works of art.

I asked Annie about being an independent crafter and why she defines herself as such. “I am the principle in charge from the design stage of the piece up until the piece is shipped out to a client. Right now, I'm a one woman show, but in the future, when I may need to add an employee or two, I would still consider myself independent because I will always solely be in charge of my vision.”

This week, Annie is busy preparing for Artscape. “I am very excited to be a part of the new DIY Artscape section! It's one of my favorite summer activities, except this year, I will be exhibiting instead of visiting! My only anxiety is the long hours I will have to spend in the potential summer heat. I have never done such a large scale show before. The largest show I have participated in included 200 vendors and ran for only two days. The amount of things to see, hear and do at Artscape is staggering in comparison!”

Prices at imogeneANDannie range from $25 to $220 depending on the materials used and the intricacy of the work. Be sure to visit her at Artscape this weekend or for more information, check out her blog and read about what she’ll be up to next.

Posted by Christy Zuccarini at 10:18 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
                    

Welcome to Baltimore by Hand. In the coming months, I’ll be sharing all that I find and see in Baltimore's independent craft community. This blog will feature interviews with local crafters and artists, D.I.Y. projects, crafts for kids, tips and news about upcoming events and places to shop. And every so often we’ll detour and take a broader look at the independent craft scene beyond Baltimore.

Be sure to check out the community links and resources, which include links to the new Baltimore By Hand Flickr group and to my favorite local crafters on Etsy. There is also a list of Baltimore boutiques that sell handmade goods by local designers, and a blogroll of crafty web sites.

I hope that everyone who reads Baltimore by Hand will participate in some way. Your comments, questions and ideas are welcome. If you are a crafter who would like to be featured or if you know of someone who is, I want to hear from you!

Over the next few days, I will showcase some of the local crafters who you can expect to see at Artscape this year, so be sure to bookmark this blog or subscribe to the RSS feed.

Posted by Christy Zuccarini at 10:56 PM | Permalink | Comments (10)