Happy Labor Day! We're super busy getting ready for Renegade Chicago, but I Heart Indie Rummage will be showcasing our goods at Bumbershoot in Seattle this weekend. So, if you're lucky enough to be there, be on the look out for Sublime Stitching gear in between rockin' out to the Shins and watching fire-eating acrobats! Woo hoo! Rock on Seattle!
-Jessica
Croq zine No. 10 is now available, and there's a really great three page interview with Jenny inside! Croq is made and independently published by a group of crafty people, many of whom run their own business, and it's full of articles about the particulars of running your own crafty business. It's like the best of all the crafty blogs and websites out there, that you can actually slip in your purse, hold in your hand, and read whenever you want. Plus you'll look sooo cool reading it.-Jessica
We have a new retailer in Missouri, and boy did I get hoot out of their name!
She's Crafty, in case you aren't into alternative-rap music, is a reference to a song on the Beastie Boys' first album. And their web address, www.bringincraftyback.com, in case you aren't into dance-pop music, is a reference to a Justin Timberlake song.
She's Crafty, in case you aren't into alternative-rap music, is a reference to a song on the Beastie Boys' first album. And their web address, www.bringincraftyback.com, in case you aren't into dance-pop music, is a reference to a Justin Timberlake song.
The DIY ethic has always been shared by crafters and musicians, so I think it's only fitting for a craft store to embrace the similarities, don't you agree? Okay, so maybe Justin Timberlake doesn't exactly fall into the "Indie-alternative-punk-DIY" category, but you know what I mean!
-Jessica
Austin slackers - you're in luck! Another extended deadline! The Maker Faire organizers have set a new deadline of Thursday, September 6, which gives you a couple extra weeks to build that mad-cap invention that's been brewing in your brain. Austin is full of crafty, geeky, eco-friendly, DIY-lovin', family-fun types, so the event is sure to go off with a bang in it's first year here.
From the Maker Faire site:
Organized by the staff of Make and Craft magazines, Maker Faire is a newfangled fair that brings together science, art, craft and engineering plus music in a fun, energized, and exciting public forum. The aim is to inspire people of all ages to roll up their sleeves and become makers. This family-friendly event showcases the amazing work of all kinds of makers--anyone who is embracing DIY and wants to share their accomplishments with an appreciative audience.
Show off your inner geek! Enter a project to exhibit. You can submit an entry through the web right here. See you in October!!! -Jessica
Are you familiar with Stitch? Probably, because it's only like the largest fashion show and craft bazaar in Austin! But in case you need a refresher... Stitch started five years ago when (fellow Austin Craft Mofisoas) Jesse Kelly-Landes of Amet and Sasha, Tina Sparkles of Sparkle Craft, Karly Hand of Identity Crisis Clothing and Jennifer Perkins of Naughty Secretary Club, decided Austin needed a forum for independent fashion.
Apparently others agreed. Last year they had over 3,000 people in attendance and this year they're moving to an even bigger location. The best part is that no matter how big it gets, the rock 'n' roll spirit of the diy community always prevails. In fact it's just as much about community as it is about the clothes. Friendly, generous, supportive people are so much more inspiring than surly, aggressive, competitive ones - wouldn't you agree?
Check out their website, because they're looking for tote bag makers to donate for the goodie bags, models to strut their stuff on the runway, and crafty participants for the bazaar. The deadline was just extended - apply by midnight, Tuesday, August 28th! -Jessica
We like Girls. Sublime Stitching recently sponsored the 2nd Annual Gender Equality Festival in Brooklyn, NY. Girls for Gender Equality is a NYC organization that runs really great programs for teen women like, gender respect workshops, self-defense/violence prevention courses, leadership and community organizing groups, workshops on sexuality and healthy relationships, and after-school basketball soccer and boxing. The event was a success with over 400 people in attendance - networking, sharing resources, enjoying spoken word artists, musicians and free food! Yea! -Jessica
"YES! Portugual Carries Sublime Stitching!" Jenny's friend, Shannon Lowry of Round Robin Press, was recently in Lisbon and saw our sign in a shop window! Sure, we knew we had a retailer in Portugal, but somehow it makes it seem so much more real when someone you know sees it in person with their very own eyes. A visit to Fermento's blog is worth the next half hour you'll spend "awwww-ing" over the color-rich, playfully cute 'n' crafty goods they carry. -Jessica
Make, paint, sew, carve, weld, knit, staple, draw, weave or design stuff? Live in the South Cenral region of the U.S. (or fancy a visit)? Want to show yer goods and make some cash in a festive party like environment? Well, maybe you ought to submit your work to The Girlie Show! The deadline for submissions is fast approaching (August 15th). -Jessica
Sublime Stitching is proud to sponsor PieceWork Magazine's 2008 Excellence in Needle Arts Awards. Submit your pincushion creation incorporating cross-stitch, needlepoint, crochet, knit, lace making, tatting, quilting, or embroidery. And if you know any young'ens who are talented in the needle arts, there is an exciting new category for "Next Generation Embroiderer" open to stitchers between the ages of 15 and 25.
But hurry, the deadline is less than seven months away! Okay, I'm being a smarty pants. It would most definitely take me at least that long to make a pin cushion. -Jessica
If you live in Austin, you've probably seen Whitney Lee's "craftiti" in your neighborhood. A couple months back, Whitney began slowly posting icons of traditional domestic crafts across the streets of Austin. While the posters may remain on the electrical boxes and dumpsters around town, her show at Women and Their Work Gallery closes tomorrow. -Jessica
You remember back in April when Jenny blogged about the independent craft movement documentary in the making? Well, the filmmakers of Handmade Nation are now in post production (hooray!) and they still need our loving encouragement and financial assistance. Handmade Nation t-shirts are on sale in their Etsy shop, so if you don't have one yet - now's the time!
Three Reasons to buy a Handmade Nation t-shirt right now.
- Handmade Nation is an important film. It's a work of art and it will encourage other works of art!
- So far the film has been funded solely by Faythe's personal credit cards and generous community support. It is truly an independent endeavor.
- The t-shirt is really cool. (I hope the trend of off center silk screening never fades away.)