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The Valentine's Trunk show was great, so many people showed up and it was great to see what everyone had made. I took home a few treats, there were just too many nice things to tempt!

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I've got enough things to go in my suitcase, just needs a little tidying. This is for the Valentine's Trunk show tomorrow. In case you're not sure, everyone is absolutely welcome to come, all the vendors will have their things for sale displayed in suitcases, and there are snacks. For example I'm bringing some chocolate chip cookies with walnuts and raisins in them. Also, if you have any extra new hand-knitted items please bring them to donate to the StreetKnit project.

Where? the workroom
When? Sunday February 10th, noon until 5pm
Who? City of Craft's site has a list of vendors and links to their sites
Why should I go? Find cute presents for your valentine, or a little treat for yourself. Why not? Maybe something cheerful to get you through the winter. Also the workroom is very cosy and nice.

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I'm having a little sale on ebay.


You remember these pieces from earlier in this blog, right?

Well, if you lusted after them before, now's your chance. They've been marked down a whopping 45%!
(I'm not sure how I feel about putting my work on sale, but it seems to be the way of things, and in the spirit of the new year, I figured what the hey.)

They're all 5 x 7 inches, done with Polychromos, and matted with an 8-ply matt. Yes, 8 ply. They'll fit into any 8x10 frame.

Such a deal. Go. Splurge. You know you want to.

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This is my new logo, created for the web page for the The Valentine's Trunk Show in February. This is such a nice idea for a fair, all the vendors are displaying their handmade things in a suitcase each and then we can mingle and have snacks. I love it. Obviously I will have to find and buy a charming vintage suitcase. I was thinking this could become the perfect place to store my shop between shows.

As you know I also love the Workroom so I think it's the perfect venue. If you haven't been yet, you have to come just to gaze adoringly at Karyn's covet-worthy shelves of fabric.

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NOTE TO SELF: USE GIFT CARD


There used to be a time when store clerks and shoppers dreaded the day after Christmas in anticipation of the post-holiday return madness. The endless line-ups to bring back items that were the wrong size, bad color selection, vile scent or mis-guessed sizes appear to be on the wane with the growing popularity of gift cards.

Surveys according to America's Research Group, which polls shoppers for retailers, indicate that significantly fewer shoppers would be returning gifts this year. Ten years ago, the group found, 38 percent of consumers said they had an unwanted gift to return after Christmas. Five years ago, that number was 33 percent; this year, it is 14 percent.

The National Retail Federation surveyed shoppers and found that 64.3 percent didn’t return anything last holiday season, up from 62.4 percent in 2005.

When you think about it a gift card makes a lot of sense since it allows the recipient a good span of time to reflect upon what they really want or need. However, the trick is to remember that you received one and to check on the expiry date. Also, you can't re-gift a gift card!

Read the rest of the story here: http://www.nytimes.com/2005/12/27/business/27returns.html

What gifts did you return this year?

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The craft sale at the Tranzac went pretty well. I had Bradley to keep me company and a few friends dropped by. So nice to see you!

I'm wondering about going back this weekend. I don't have a table reserved but the organizer said I could come by and there would either be a cancellation or she could find me a small table/corner. So if you missed me last week you could come this weekend.

My table was a bit dark so these aren't great pictures, but here are some of the bags:These are my new needle books. There are just three left. The covers are brown cordoruy or linen, with wool applique flowers and cream-coloured wool pages.
I found this glass tray recently and used it to display my jewellery:
I like the Tranzac Club. I used to live on Brunswick Avenue in a rented studio apartment on the third floor of one of the old Victorian houses. Now that I think of it, the bathroom floors on the second floor had nice old hexagonal floor tiles. And I used to go to the Tranzac a lot. They have lots of different events there, including my friend John Southworth who played last Saturday evening - a show I was sorry to miss. And they've had lots of crafts shows over the years, back when I was wondering if I would try it myself one day. So it feels quite cosy...and sort of nostalgic.

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We're back at home and all the tiles are installed. There's still some finishing work to do but I think it's going to be really nice. So today I'm getting everything ready for the craft sale tomorrow:

The Artisans Gift Fair (free admission)
The Tranzac Club (south of Bloor between Bathurst and Spadina)
292 Brunswick Avenue
from 12-6pm

I've made a few pincushions recently, from lovely fabric I bought at a wonderful new shop, The Workroom, that we visited the other day after the Designer Fabric Outlet. The owner Karyn, imports all the best Japanese fabric, and has pretty displays of vintage threads and jars, and has a row of little tables with sewing machines you can rent by the hour. The shop has classes and a library with all the best crafts books. It was like looking at my own bookself!Today I'm finishing up little details such as adding nice pearl snaps for the handbags. I really love my new labels and have been adding them to everything. My table will have pouches, handbags, totes, pincushions, needle books, silver beaded jewellery, portable shoppers made from red and white leafy IKEA fabric that have matching little bags to keep them in, wool trivets for your teapots, knitted eyeglass cases and every purchase comes with free Thumbelina gift tags! Hope to see you there... Read the rest of this post

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Many thanks to Heather for letting me slide into the Tuesday position instead of my regular Saturday posting. There's a method to the madness and it goes hand-in-hand with our blog theme this week...

I am giving massive thanks today for one very special reason...from Publisher's Marketplace:

******
CHILDREN'S: YOUNG ADULT
Marley Gibson's GHOST HUNTRESS series, featuring a transplanted Chicago teen who begins to experience a psychic awakening, then forms a ragtag ghost hunting team to research and battle the belligerent ghosts in her historic Southern town, to Julia Richardson at Houghton Mifflin, in a very nice deal, in a three-book deal, by Deidre Knight of The Knight Agency (NA). [email protected]

I am sooooooooooooo pleased to announce the sale of my new series and I can't wait to finish writing the books (I sold on proposal.) These books are very near and dear to me because, while doing extensive research for this series, I met some wonderful people and had some very interesting experiences while ghost hunting. Here are some of the pictures I snapped while out and about on my research:



(See all of the orbs?)



(See the whispy thing above her hand?)



(See the light anomaly on the right side of the mirror?)

So, what do you think of these pictures? Ghosts? Dust? Spirits? Lens flares?

Hugs,
Marley = )

SORORITY 101: ZETA OR OMEGA?
SORORITY 101: THE NEW SISTERS
writing as Kate Harmon

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I've been hoping for years to have lots of things made and be able to rent a table at a Fall/Christmas crafts sale. I've decided this year I'm finally going to do it. I've even ordered "needle book" fabric labels to put in my things. I was inspired recently by Practically necessary's barkcloth bags. I finally won a little bit of barkcloth on ebay and made some messenger bags. I love how they turned out, the hard part will be parting with them.I've also been making granny bags after creating a pattern for myself. A bit tricky but I think anyone could do it. Mine are all one-of-a-kind, depending on how big I want to make them, the amount of fabric I have and where I feel like putting the pleats. I make coordinating lined pockets to go inside and of course attach those before assembling the bag.

I like this one, from a wool tweed:

This ones is from my Cath Kidston circus fabric with olive green straps:
And I've made a bunch of pouches:
My favourite pouch is made from Liberty fabric:My favourite fabric these days is still the scenic barkcloth and I'm trying to buy more on ebay, but I keep getting snipered with 5 seconds to go! One auction went from $75 to $225 in the last 5 seconds. My maximum bid was $220 for 10 yards of barkcloth which I already thought was high. But I loved the pattern and I was very disappointed. It was part of my new plan to think big, and invest in my craft business a bit more so I could make enough things to have a proper table.

It may be for the best though because my dining table is still covered with stacks of fabric...but that's another story.

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Below Evan Schnittman shares his personal opinions on royalties and advances. This isn’t Oxford University Press’s official stance - but represents just one of the many opinions floating around our office on this very tricky subject. We hope that by sharing his views an open dialog can be initiated.

In his blog post Royalties Macmillan CEO Richard Charkin, posits that trade publishers and authors/agents would be well served if the standard for paying authors switched from a percentage of retail price to a percentage of gross earnings. He writes, “How about agreeing new equitable royalty rates based on real money not a notional recommended retail price?

Charkin also points out that, “The percentage is linked to a price which applies in only a minority of cases. It doesn’t apply to all sales overseas; it doesn’t apply to nearly all sales made in supermarkets, Internet bookshops and many bookshop chains.” In other words, paying on the percentage of a price that isn’t applicable to the majority of income isn’t logical or easy – which may lead to wildly confusing royalty statements.

As expected, within hours a series of rebuttals hit the comments field by individuals and groups rejecting Charkin’s notion as folly; stating the view that the retail price is the only thing that is transparent on publishers’ royalty statements, which are notoriously mysterious and murky at best.

While the debate will continue, it misses a far more important problem. (more…)

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Here's a sneak peak at my new BirdyBear Pin collection which will be up for sale for the first time at the Down town Edmonton Farmers market (104th and Jasper ave) this Saturday from 9am to 3pm. After this I will upload some of them (those left over) to my etsy page. They are handmade: woodburnt, original drawings which are painted in high grade acrylics then varnished. The pin is gold on the back. A couple of the pins are adorned by a gemstone which is inset in the wood. Too see all the pictures I've posted and probably lots you haven't seen from other projects I've worked on click on the title of this post (it'll take you to my flickr page).

Cheers!

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I've been wanting to blog about Illustrator and good friend Michelle McBride for so long now and finally the time has come. Michelle and I met at our last full time job where we illustrated for years together creating many images of snowmen, santa clauses and reindeer (as well as some children's books and a very savvy set of CD covers... remember those michelle?). Michelle is simply brilliant at Adobe Illustrator and knows not only the program inside out but can create vector artwork like nobody I've ever seen before. She's fast, trendy and her colour palettes are always at the height of trendy. She's been a teacher, illustrator, designer and even one of only two bridesmaids at my wedding (yes, we're this close!).

Michelle has always amazed me with her multi-talented guru skills (yup, you heard me correctly). She took up silver smithing, jewlery making, crafting and lately sewing her own creations/plush toys. It seems whatever she puts her heart into becomes a fabulous, quality product that anyone would be proud to own. The pair of us have decided to put our crafting skills to the streets and have signed up for the Downtown Farmers Market. You will be able to visit MIchelle in person on August 18th at our booth. I'll give you more information as the time comes closer.



Here's the interview (michelle's comments in ALL CAPS).

Michelle just spent the last couple years living in New Zealand as an illustrator. I'm curious to know whether this move has helped or hindered her professional life and how a big move such as this can affect creativity/her views on illustration.

1. How does the Kiwi Illustration world differ from the North American world and how has living abroad changed you professionally?

BEING THAT NEW ZEALAND IS SUCH A SMALL COUNTRY, IT IS DEFINITELY EASIER TO FIND THE ARTISTIC COMMUNITY. WITH SITES SUCH AS, www.thebigidea.co.nz, YOU ARE ABLE TO LOCATE CREATIVES ON ALL LEVELS. WHETHER IT BE A GRAPHIC DESIGNER, JEWELLERY DESIGNER, OR A LANDSCAPE ARTIST. IT IS A COMMUNITY WITH ALL FACETS OF CREATIVITY. FINDING WORK SEEMED HEAPS EASIER THAN IN NORTH AMERICA. HERE, IT SEEMS A TREND TO NOT ADVERTISE YOUR POSTING AND THAT WORD OF MOUTH IS THE ONLY WAY TO HEAR OF NEW OPPORTUNITIES. WHICH I FEEL IS VERY UNFORTUNATE, BECAUSE BOTH EMPLOYER AND ARTIST ARE MISSING OUT ON GREAT RELATIONSHIPS.

AS FOR THE ARTISTIC WORK BEING PRODUCED, I FOUND NEW ZEALAND WORK TO HAVE A DELICATE EDGINESS TO IT. WITH INFLUENCES FROM THE PACIFICA ISLANDS AND THE MAORI CULTURE, I FEEL THERE IS AN ORGANIC-NESS AND A WARMNESS TO A LOT OF WORK. NEW ZEALAND ALSO HAS A FREEDOM THAT I FEEL NORTH AMERICAN COMMERCIAL ART IS LACKING. THEY HAVE AN EASY GOING ATTITUDE, AREN'T AFRAID TO SAY ANYTHING, AND HAVE A SENSE OF HUMOUR REMINISCENT OF THE UK.

I LOVED BEING IN NEW ZEALAND, I FOUND IT REFRESHING AND IT REALLY REVITALIZED MY WORK, LETTING ME EXPLORE NEW PATHS IN MY ARTISTIC VISION. I THINK EVERYONE SHOULD LIVE ABROAD IN THEIR LIFETIME, OR AT LEAST TRAVEL WHEN YOU CAN. I FOUND THAT I BECAME VERY ISOLATED IN MY ARTWORK, AND (HOW CAN I PUT THIS?), MY WORK FELT STRICTLY INFLUENCED BY NORTH AMERICAN CULTURE. GETTING OUT AND SEEING NEW STYLES, NEW INFLUENCES, NEW CULTURES AND DEFINITELY SEEING WORK FROM A DIFFERENT COUNTRY'S BEGINNINGS, REALLY OPENS YOUR PERSPECTIVE AND AWAKENS YOU TO EXPLORE NEW IDEAS.




Michelle owns a company called Miss Dishy which currently encompasses the great realm of Michelle's craft and creative line/products which you can view by clicking on the title of this blog. Her products speak of high quality, creativity and of course safety.

2. What's on your horizon and what do you see your new company, Miss Dishy, becoming?

WELL. I CURRENTLY HAVE 8 CHILDREN'S BOOKS ON THE GO. I FOUND MYSELF WRITING A LOT IN NEW ZEALAND, AND CAME UP WITH MANY STORIES THAT I JUST ADORE. I HAVEN'T FOUND A FULL TIME JOB YET, SO I AM JUST CONCENTRATING ON MY ILLUSTRATION AND OF COURSE MISS DISHY CRAFTS. IN THE VERY DISTANCE FUTURE, ONE OF MY GOALS IS TO BECOME A MARTHA STEWART TYPE. I LOVE MANY THINGS BEAUTIFUL, AND I HOPE TO INSPIRE OTHERS THE WAY SHE INSPIRES ME. IF YOU HAVEN'T BEEN TO HER MICHAEL'S CRAFT AISLE, DEAR LORD GO! I LOVE CREATING SOCIAL STATIONERY, AND I LOVE ILLUSTRATING, SO, MY FUTURE HOLDS A LOT OF GLITTER AND SQUIRRELS I THINK. MISS DISHY REALLY IS A MISHMASH OF EVERYTHING THAT I LOVE, AND WHATEVER INSPIRES ME THAT DAY. FROM SEWING TO JEWELLERY MAKING, YOU'LL SEE MANY THINGS THAT I LOVE. NOT TO SAY THAT I AM UNFOCUSED, I JUST WANT TO MAKE IT ALL.



I admire your work ethics. You have always been so quick at designing such beautiful vector illustrations and now you're moving back into a more hand-made world. Do you see yourself moving more of your efforts in the future to designing toys, house hold objects and the like?

HAHA. I AM ADDICTED TO VECTOR! BASICALLY, I WAS FORCED INTO THE HANDMADE WORLD. WELL.. A LITTLE INSPIRED TOO. I MET A FASHION DESIGNER IN NEW ZEALAND WHO WAS WRITING A CHILDREN'S BOOK. BASICALLY, SHE DREW EVERYTHING BY HAND, SCANNED IT IN, THEN OVERLAID COLOURS, PATTERNS AND TEXTURES. SHE REALLY LOVED HER ORGANIC PENCIL LINES, AND NEVER TRACED OVER THEM. I REALLY LIKE THE IDEA OF THAT, SINCE MY ILLUSTRATIVE BEGINNINGS WERE REALLY JUST, SKETCH IT, TRACE IT, COLOUR IT, SEND IT. I WAS FORCED TO RETURN TO MY HAND MADE ROUTES WHEN I DIDN'T HAVE A WACOM TO DRAW WITH ANYMORE. I DIDN'T HAVE A MOUSE EITHER, SO TRYING TO DRAW ON A LAPTOP TRACK PAD WAS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT. BUT NOW I AM REALLY EMBRACING MY REGRESSION BACK TO HAND MADE. I ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT. MY LINES FEEL FREE, AND MY OTHER CREATIONS FEEL MORE PERSONABLE. I PUT LOVE INTO ALL MY WORK. LOVE AND PERFECTION... I'M A LITTLE BIT OF A FREAK. LIKE I SAID, I WANT TO DO IT ALL. I LOVE CREATING THINGS, AND WHERE EVER THAT PASSION TAKES ME, I WILL FOLLOW EAGERLY.

You and I are going to dabble in the world of farmers markets & art/ craft fairs. Our first confirmed show is August 18th, downtown, for their summer weekly farmers market. I have to say that your line of plush toys are so adorable and original! What sorts of inspiration helped you create these quirky characters?

WOW. YOU KNOW... I CREATED A MONSTER CHARACTER ONE NIGHT, AND THOUGHT, HEY, THIS WOULD BE GREAT TO SEW. MANY OF THE INDIE CRAFTERS ARE VENTURING INTO THE PLUSHIES REALM. WITH SOCK MONKEYS IN THE LEAD I THINK. THERE IS A REALLY FANTASTIC GIRL IN NEW ZEALAND THAT MAKES THESE WONDERFUL HANDMADE DOLLS (HER WORK IS OUTSTANDING!) www.geekfreeks.com SHE REALLY INSPIRED ME TO CREATE EXTREMELY WELL MADE PRODUCTS. WHEN I WENT TO SEW MY WEE LITTLE MONSTER, HE NEEDED LARGER EYES, AND POOF! MY LITTLE GUYS WERE BORN. I'LL NEVER SELL THE FIRST TWO I MADE, FOR SENTIMENTAL REASONS, AS WELL AS THE FACT THAT THEY ARE HORRIBLY MADE.HAHA.




What else will you have at your table?

I LIKE TO HAVE MY HANDS IN ALL POTS. I MAKE A LOT OF JEWELLERY BECAUSE I AM DYING TO BE A SILVER SMITH. UNFORTUNATELY I DON'T HAVE ALL THE TOOLS, SO IT'S A DREAM I HAVE YET TO FULFILL. I 'LL ALSO HAVE MAGNETS, GREETING CARDS, PLUSHIES, COIN PURSES, FABRIC BRACELETS AND SOME NEW ZEALAND WOOD NECKLACES.

You mentioned on your blog that you have 8 children's books in progress. Can we have a tiny sneak peek on what they are about or see a sketch?

HAHA. HMMM... ANOTHER ARTIST KEEPS THREATENING TO STEAL MY BOOKS... SO I AM A LITTLE PROTECTIVE AT THIS TIME. BUT I WILL HOPEFULLY HAVE ALL MY COVERS COMPLETED THIS WEEK, OR AT LEAST HAVE MY CHARACTERS FULLY DEVELOPED.

(She has promised a jpg of her characters which I will post very soon)

What's been your biggest challenge since graduating from University?

HONESTLY, MY BIGGEST CHALLENGE WAS TO BECOME LESS EMOTIONALLY ATTACHED TO MY WORK. WHEN YOU ARE YOUR OWN CLIENT, LIFE IS BLISS. (WELL SOMETIMES, I FIND I AM VERY HARD TO PLEASE.) BUT WE ARE IN A BUSINESS PROVIDING A SERVICE, SO, MANY TIMES I HAVE HAD TO LET MY EMOTIONS SIT WAYSIDE, TO KEEP A CLIENT IS SATISFIED. ONE THING I HAVE LEARNED SINCE MOVING TO NEW ZEALAND IS TO KEEP ALL EMOTIONS AT THE DOOR WHEN DEALING IN BUSINESS. WE WORKED AT A COMPANY THAT REALLY UNAPPRECIATED AND TOOK ADVANTAGE OF THEIR STAFF, AND I FOUND THAT VERY DIFFICULT TO NOT GET UP IN ARMS ABOUT. NOWADAYS, I PICK MY BATTLES AND LEAVE EMOTIONS OUT OF IT. IT DID, HOWEVER, HELP ME UNDERSTAND THE VALUE OF EMPLOYEES AND HOW TO KEEP WORK ENVIRONMENTS POSTIVE AND INSPIRING. SOMETHING I WILL ALWAYS KEEP IN THE FRONT OF MY MIND.

What is your favorite illustration medium to use and why?

HMM.. I STILL LOVE MY VECTOR. I HAVE A STRANGE EMOTIONAL ATTACHMENT TO IT. I THINK IT IS BECAUSE IT IS FAST, AND NOT PERMANENT. BECAUSE I HAVE HAD NO FORMAL TRAINING IN ILLUSTRATION, I'VE MERELY DABBLED IN WATERCOLOURS AND ACRYLICS. BUT I LOVE TO DO BOTH, SO THEY WOULD BE MY SECOND.



Are there any inspiring illustrators out there you follow?

OH! SO MANY. KIRSTEN ULVE (www.kirstenulve.com) AND JIM PAILLOT (www.jimpaillot) WERE THE FIRST TWO ILLUSTRATORS I STOOD UP AND TOOK NOTICE OF. SOMETIMES I FEEL I CAN BE VERY SELF INVOLVED IN MY WORK, AND SINCE WORKING WITH YOU, I ACTUALLY HAVE REALLY GONE OUT AND LOOKED AT OTHER PEOPLE'S WORK. NOW IT'S A HOBBY. I LOVE FINDING NEW ILLUSTRATORS AND SEEING THEIR SUCCESSES. KATE SUTTON (www.sleepycow.com) IS REALLY TERRIFIC. I'D HAVE TO SAY ANOTHER PLEASURE WOULD BE CHICKEN GIRL DESIGN, JANNIE HO. (www.chickengirldesign.com) SHE HAS QUITE THE INSPIRING RESUME.

Best Illustration gig/client ever:

I DID HAVE AN AMAZING JOB BEFORE I MOVED TO NEW ZEALAND. IT WAS A JOB THAT LAUNCHED MY CAREER TO WHERE IT IS TODAY. UNFORTUNATELY IT DID HAVE SOME NEGATIVES, BUT I CHALK THAT UP TO A LIFE EXPERIENCE.

What blogs are you addicted to?

HMM.. I HAVEN'T REALLY BEEN KEEPING UP MY BLOGGING SINCE I MOVED HOME. BUT I LOVE ANYTHING QUIRKY AND FUNNY. I'VE BEEN HANGING ROUND HERE LATELY:
weewonderfuls.typepad.com
katesutton.typepad.com
illosaurus.com
jeffvictor.blogspot.com
boygirlparty.com
nutandbee.com
feltclub.com
thesmallobject.com
danger.uk.com
....etc...




Last but not least if you could have a super power what would it be?

TRANSPORTATION (NOT LIKE, CARS OR TRAINS) BUT THE ABILITY TO TRANSPORT FROM ONE SPOT TO ANOTHER. THEN I CAN GO TO NEW ZEALAND WHENEVER I LIKE, WITHOUT HAVING TO TRAVEL 36 HOURS.


this was a little bag michelle made for me! Isn't it darling?


Thanks for the great answers michelle! Look forward to seeing more of your work as your career progresses.

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