Wednesday, August 29, 2007

Handmade Parade Fall '07: Part 2

Sweet Addie-Kelly Jones
As a stay-at-home mother to three children under the age of three, I seek refuge in all things creative! Sweet Addie, named after my daughter, Addison, combines many of my loves including, my passion and commitment to my family, and my obsession with items “with a past”. I spend my evenings and weekends creating beautiful wearable art pieces that will bring as much happiness to others as they do for me. I am a self-taught artist which means I work tirelessly to find ways to bring my visions to life. I am ever thankful to my supportive husband, who puts up with my tireless efforts, which often mean late nights at the craft table! While I never pictured myself as a mother to three, so close together, I am blessed to be able to watch them grow and learn everyday. Without them I would never have had the guts to start my little business, so thank you little babies!

Curly-Cue Design- Charissa

Charissa is a fifth generation California native who comes from a long line of antiquers, junk yard haunters, and funny little artisans. “My grandmother decoupaged and painted, my grandfather constructed everything is his yard out of junk yard finds, my mother pretty much tried her hand at most kinds of handcrafting, and my dad makes interesting objects d’art out of driftwood.” Charissa has been an artist of one kind or another her entire life. She has made a living as a freelance graphic designer since the early nineties, in addition to exploring any media that peaked her interest at the moment. She attended the MA program in Transformative Arts at JFKU in Berkeley, but took a leave of absence to finish raising her daughter as a single mom. Her previous business venture was RetroMynx.com, a gallery of vintage-inspired pin up with a digital art sci-fi comic strip as it’s central theme. She is a published writer, accomplished photographer and painter, and feels like she has found her tribe inside the DIY community that is catching fire all over the country. She lives in Petaluma, California with her teenage daughter, where she finds the blend of farm-country rustic and urban grunge inspires her craft best of all.

stylerecycled: Kelly Malone

stylerecycled was formed in 2000 by kelly malone. it started making bad kitty crafts with her mom as a kid and blossomed into reconstructed vintage, a line of barbie shoe earrings, guitar pick earrings and anything weird she can basically drill a hole in. recently she just started designed clothing, pillows and vintage style aprons. she likes puppies, kittens, rainbows and moonlit strolls. just kidding. she loves san francisco and puts on the mission indie mart where she has found a way to combine crafting, shopping & beer.



ZNE-Chelise Stroud Henry


Chelise Stroud Hery is a professional mixed media artist living in the San Francisco Bay Area. In addition to being a whimsical artisan whose work is collected by patrons worldwide, Chelise also has extensive experience providing art and art-business related workshops. Chelise’s artwork was juried in to the 2002 Pro Arts Gallery (Oakland, CA) Emerging Artists show, and she has sold pieces in other local galleries as well. However, Chelise is largely a self representing artist and she has made building a support structure and community of fellow self representing artists a cornerstone of her professional life. She is also the founder of the international mixed media art group, variaZioNE (or, ZNE). ZNE is well known in the mixed media art community as a vibrant and active group, and it boasts over 1,000 members worldwide. A California Native, Chelise has completed courses in art history and the creative process through the Cal State East Bay University system ~ however, she is primarily self taught. Her teaching style incorporates her emphasis on the joy of creating as opposed to flawless technique.





Valeriote Designs-Melissa Valeriote
For as long as I can remember, I have been enchanted with the holidays falling prey to the magic of the seasons and inspired to create small bits of art that pay homage to holiday lore. What started out as an artistic passion has become a year round venture for me. With great love and attention to detail I hand sculpt and paint my holiday creations in my studio utilizing an endless variety of media. This journey has brought me exciting opportunities and the chance to participate with fellow artists in local folk art shows. Being part of a community of artisans and collectors is truly refreshing, bringing me great joy with endless sources of inspiration. I am grateful to be part of something that is an extension of who I am and surround myself with things and people that truly inspire me. Celebrate the magic in life and let imagination reign!





Bratitude Clothing Co.-Sondra


Bratitude Clothing Co is a small company that specializes in children's t-shirts and onesies with attitude.















Smash Toys- Lauren DeSalvo



I am Lauren. I am 26 years old, live in Oakland California and love art. love sewing and making stuffed toys for all to snuggle and adore. I also enjoy painting, drawing, and baking things :)***Handmade Parade is so happy to welcome Lauren and her sweet little toys to our event!






P Dot-Sarah Potter



With parents running a cabinet shop from home, my summers as a child were spent creating. This was not just a time-filler. I met many a 4H obligation by entering crafty items in the county fair. While no longer crafting for county-wide notoriety, I now sew and craft with eager randomness. Whether this is an attempt to keep up with my inspiration or to test my crafting ADD is anyone's guess. Like Alice in Wonderland, I sort of fell blindly into the craft fair world. I've had such a great time and met so many talented people the first time around that of course I'm here for the second Handmade Parade. Hope to see you there! In the meantime, check out my blog and etsy shop.



Storklings-Megan Udell

Storklings is my ultra-crafty alter-ego. The things I make have absolutely nothing to do with baby storks. I strive to make something a bit like wearable pop music: colourful, bright, bouncy & bubbly, and mix in a little bit of an "in-your-granny's-attic" kind of vibe. I've knit and sewn since I was in elementary school and taught myself to crochet last year-- now you'll practically never see me without a hook and yarn. My work is also influenced by Scandinavian hipsters, Japanese kitsch, old McCall's needlework magazines, old photographs and a variety of music. I live in Rocklin and when I'm not making things, I love to draw, read, go on adventures and try to fix up my bicycle. I vend my wares at http://storklings.etsy.com/.





Speckled Hen-Lauren Brandy


I'm Lauren, a stay-at-home mom and maker of stuff. My laundry isn't done, there are dirty dishes in my sink and my kids are running wild in crazy dress-ups of their own imaginations. That's how wonderful life is here. I hope it's just as happy for you. *** Lauren makes adorable accessories, jewlery, toys and clothes with a simple fun asthetic.

Sunday, August 19, 2007

Handmade Parade: Fall '07

Part 1


Absolutely Small: Claire Chambers

The purpose of Absolutely Small is to create and distribute approachable, enjoyable, and live-with-able art and art toys. I create in plush because you cannot hug a painting. I create in paint because it can take you places that nothing else can. Every one should have the option to have original art in their homes- it shouldn't be the exclusive domain of the wealthy. If I can get people to smile or laugh at what I've created, then I've succeeded.Absolutely Small is run by Claire Chambers from a teeny tiny town in the foothills of Northern California. All art, softies, and other creations in the Absolutely Small shop are my original designs.








katie jean: Katie Trott
katie jean is about renewing the older things that we love, and giving them new life and new meaning. katie jean finds vintage fabrics, ribbons, and papers, and reuses them in a new way. And occasionally I find a new item that just looks vintage. Whether for your home, family, or gift for a special (and lucky) friend, katie jean will help bring your childhood memories into our grown up world and pass them onto those around us that we love.





Pantyline Productions: Jennifer Gurecki

I come from a long line of crafters, but I can't say that my mother ever thought I'd do anything withpanties in public. I've never been one to subscribe tothe status quo, so when I wanted to make a statementabout my distaste for the political climate in the US,I started printing "the only bush i trust is my own"on panties. That's how it all started. Printing cheekysayings on panties was fun and was one way that Iadded creativity and joy into being an activist. Ialso teach English and Sociology, so making pantieshas been a way to balance out the rest of my life. I've been working on expanding the line and creatingdesigns that aren't necessarily slogans, but I stillwanted to keep the social justice part of the businessalive. I decided to donate 20% of all sales to afabulous organization in Kenya that I worked with whoteach young girls and boys how to protect themselvesfrom HIV/Aids and violence in their communities. You can find my good at http://www.pantylineproductions.com/,http://www.pantyline.etsy.com/, http://www.mymy.us/,http://www.smashingdarling.com/, and at http://www.girlistic.com/ andhttp://www.boutiquecoquette.com/ in the near future.


Peptogirl Industries: Amy Cluck
Peptogirl is a writer, web designer, baker, lover of all things pink and covered with sprinkles, hostess-with-the-mostess, president of the Sacramento Craft Mafia, and all around crafty gal. Visit her online at http://www.peptogirl.com/ or read her blog at http://www.peptogirl.blogspot.com/.









SewBitchy: Chrystine Druge

Born out of a love for fashion, SewBitchy is about clothing with attitude. It's not the stuff you see everyone else wearing, it is one of a kind and unique designs. It is all about re-use, re-design and re-purpose. Making new out of old and saving the landfills from unwanted textiles and clothes. My designs are eclectic, my creativity sparked by the fabric I hold, and vintage style which I love. I make things I would want to wear, and I hope you will too.









Creatress: Antionette O'Neill

I am and always have been a Creatress. I thrive on art in all it's forms. I enjoy working in silk and semi-precious stone, high quality metals, mixed media art, photography, muraling, cooking and poetry. I hope to learn the cello before I turn 40. I have been a muralist, art teacher for special needs children, Waldorf art teacher and summer art-camp leader. I am always a student and constantly learning. I am currently focusing my efforts on my own line of jewelry. I am happily married with one teenage man-cub. The city of Davis is my home and provides me with much of my nature-focused inspiration. I live a blessed life and appreciate each day as it comes.


Rosebud Designs: Jenn de la Fuente

Hi, I'm Jenn. I'm a really goofy girl who likes to make things. I mostly knit and crochet — I have been known to knit while standing in really long lines and in random places — but I do a lot of crafty stuff. I like to doodle and make paper goodies too. I'm also a web geek/fledgling graphic designer, and my wrists will probably fall off soon because I spend a lot of time typing on a computer and wielding knitting needles. You can find my stuff at my online shop, Rosebud Designs, and I like to blog about cool indie stuff at indie*galore.








Rain's Embellishments: Lorrain Garcia

Rain's Embellishments is a concept I had considered for quite while before I began to actively sell my wares. I have a ferocious love of color that stands out in each piece of jewelry I design. I like to use a diverse range of materials such as natural stones, sterling silver, glass, etc. in my work while incorporating various beading mediums (stringing, stitching, wire working, and bead knotting). I have also learned how to create my own beads and pendants using glass fusing, soldering and casting. My jewelry collection includes an eclectic array of designs that stand out for themselves. I strive to create one-of-a-kind pieces because I love unique things. In my heart, there's no better feeling than to create something rare that people love and can't wait to own!

Haworth Handmade: Melissa Haworth
I'm Melissa, the gal behind Haworth Handmade and this little shop. When I'm not at my day job and once my toddler is asleep I like to make things.My dad taught me to sew when I was a little girl and I've been at it ever since. I love making stuff. I met my husband in a woodworking class (he was the teacher ;) I've dabbled in pretty much any craft medium you can think of but always come back to sewing and quilting.




Ignition Girls: Shonda Honkanen

My name is Shonda and I am a stay at home mom, licensed cosmetologist and complete craft freak. I started Ignition because I am in love with glamour, rockabilly and swing culture, the kitsch of the fifties and sixties, tattoos and of course the modern pin up dolls! Not satisfied making things for myself, I began taking my things to local art events and car shows and it has really started to take off! I was thrilled to find Etsy and am hoping to now offer my goodies to even more people. I hope you will enjoy the things I make as much as I enjoy making them!
Ignition Girls on Etsy.




Mohair Circus: Missy Ballance

I've been making crafty things since I was a kid, and crafting as a professional since my early 20's! My grandmother taught me how to sew, and my mom sewed too, so that made it pretty easy to pick up on things. I can sew almost anything but I hate to do clothes! I feel very lucky to be able to work in mohair now. It is expensive, but so satisfying! I love what crafting brings to me and my family, and I'm so thankful that I can make a living doing this!


Handmade*Luck: Melody
Melody likes to write about herself in the third person. Here are some other things she likes to do: piece together the objects that take up the space in her imagination with the help of string, plastic, glass, glue, rocks, paper and scissors. She creates collages with realtor postcards and sticks them on her fridge. She's heavily influenced by the Swedish artist, Pippi Långstrump and the pop ghosts of her childhood. The Smurf she most identifies with is Handy. She's very manually inclined. She's also maternally inclined with two younglings, but only one husband. She loves getting things in the mail. You can email her at: handmade.luck@yahoo.com


Mukibubb: Shannon Udell

About the style that is uniquely Mukibubb...In the 1970's, Sacramento was a small town with a growing culture of young artists and cool blues bands. My mother is a textile artist and my dad is a photographer. My love and vision for art and all things handmade grew quietly in my hideaway beneath a large oval quilting frame with my very own needle and what scraps I could salvage.Why all the blocky forms in my work? That's derived from the homespun items that I wore and played with and ate from and lived off of in my childhood home and garden.Why the heavy black thread? Yeah, that's probably an admission of my need to keep things under control, obviously tacked down. Growing up with artists, you don't get a strong sense of security. Those black lines keep me safely tethered to my home and family, and help keep chaos contained. Why the childish stitchery, by machine and by hand? Don't be fooled it's sturdily and consciously done. My solid black thread is my faith that God champions the fragile things and even my clunky, earthly applications of all God is give a hint of His purpose. There are no accidents in my stitchery.The story of simplicity should always be told. The folklore of quiet work and creative play gives our fancy a sturdy ledge to leap from.Be friendly, visit!http://myspace.com/mrsudell and atmukibubb.vox.com




Coming in Part 2:

Bratitude Clothing Co.


Smash Toys


little lovelies handmade


Storklings


Lil Sis Designs


P Dot


Valeriote Designs


ZNE


Speckled Hen


Sweet Addie

And more!