Dranks, Smokes, and Rock n Roll

My good friends The Spinto Band are playing The 8x10 Club tonight with a few other bands, including The Whigs. You should come out and have a DRANK with us, and celebrate the last night to smoke in a bar in Charm City!!!! Most of Baltimore seems pretty peeved about the smoking ban, which goes into effect at midnight tonight, and that's only plausible...seeing as how about 105% of Baltimore smokes, including pets and toddlers...but I think I might have to side with City Paper on this one. I know it's a crime...the government robbing us of one more right...(our right to smoke tobacco and exhale wherever we darn well please)... but it will be nice not to wake up half-blind and smelling like BBQ after a night out in Baltimore. And, like BCP points out, this city is in dire need of outdoor dining.
Question though: Once the stench of cigarettes is gone... what will Baltimore's watering holes actually smell like? I imagine something quite unlike roses.

Get Some Sun Gifts

Just a reminder that this weekend, you can find us at Crafts and Kisses in DC. Come out of your hibernation hole and explore the Josephine Butler Parks mansion it's happening in, and pick up a treater for your sweet self. 40 superb crafters will be there selling wares, and dare I say that the walk, bike or drive there will be good for you? You're looking a little deficient in chroma.

People Of Paper

My Mom (whose birthday is today, so wish her a happy birthday) just showed me an email she got with entries for an art contest at the Hirshhorn Modern Art Gallery in DC. The Rules being the artists could only use one piece of paper. Wow.

Citizen Cane...

Happy Birthday Marmie.

MD State Arts Coucil Grant

I recently received notice in the mail that I won a big MD State Arts Council Grant! Hooray!!
May I tell you that getting funding to make my own artwork is one of the best feelings I've felt. Not because it's money that will last forever, which it certainly is not, but because somewhere in setting the budget, Maryland allowed some money to go to the arts. In a time when art classes and music classes are fewer and further between in the U.S. I guess it's just nice to know there's still SOMETHING set aside...and with that in mind, I feel quite humbled to receive part of that funding. In the packet with all of the paperwork on getting a grant (who knew it took so much legal attention?) was a list of all the other artists that won. Being excited to see a few familiar names, as well as lots I'd never heard, I went about googling some of the latter. Turns out, there are some pretty awesome artists in Maryland that I've never heard of... and only a handful of them live within the city of Baltimore. They're everywhere!!


These pieces by Hadieh Shafie, where some of my favorites, but perhaps I'll try and showcase a few more new finds in the coming weeks. In the meantime, I'm busy flailing my arms around, procrastinating on the screen-printing front (just kidding- I've been working on a new design, and will show you soon), and planning out what brand of gouache to stock up on.

Get a Life Job!

Washington City Paper is hiring a Marketing Specialist to take over marketing and promoting things like the one and only Crafty Bastards craft fair in Adams Morgan. If I didn't already have a job...I would consider commuting to DC just to do this every day. WHY? Because the organizers of Crafty Bastards are some of the most wonderful and charming ladies in the craft world, and I would love to have coworkers I admired and respected AND got along with. In fact, sometimes I would just love to have coworkers at all! Also, WCP is big on aiding small art businesses, and has given a hand in advertising the Craft Mafia fairs without so much as a beg from our camp. They are an inspiration to our own City Paper, which is wonderful in itself, of course. I can just imagine how much fun it would be to work at ANY City Paper. It's time for YOU to move up in the world, and help out the alternative weekly in your nation's capitol. Be patriotic. Be American. Be Alternative. Convinced? APPLY HERE!

Weekend Recap

This weekend was full of surprises. Surprise one was finding myself awake until 2am twice in a row. (Once at the Lithuanian Hall, and once in my own home, painting the living room shades of tan with Phil). That one is only surprising because I'm apparently known for being something of an early-to-bed old lady. Perhaps I should get some farm animals to ensure proper validity to my early-to-bed-early-to-rise mantra...? Surprise two was waking up to construction in the lot next door, resulting in our entire house shaking non-stop from all the dumptrucks and tractors dragging dirt back and forth. At least the inside of our house is now cozy...even if it is vibrating from 9-5. It's funny how different a room looks when it's no longer all white. Tan is not a revolutionary color, but it's just dark enough to offset all the art in white frames we've somehow accumulated, and just deep enough to feel warmer and cozier. Also, just distracting enough to make our ugly furniture look more adult...though it's not represented that well in this photo. Also a big step in the direction of living-room-perfection was our decision to discard the TV (it's now upstairs instead). Funny how much happier I feel drinking tea and reading books (currently, "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep") when the only technology in a room is a stereo. Almost like we mean to live here long term. keyword: Almost.

Add to your Daily Reading...

We have finally pulled ourselves together and begun using the Charm City Craft Mafia Blog. Starting with a great interview with project felt today, this week will feature some of Baltimore's emerging crafters. We'll be switching bloggers each week, so stay tuned for all kinds of new stuff in addition to this weeks spotlights. Enjoy!

The Notable Animal

Even though I barely saw past my table neighbors at the mayhem that was Bust Craftacular 2007, I did manage to find Screech Owl Designs. Jacqueline and George Schmidt are a husband and wife team based in Brooklyn, and they have artwork in New York City, Chicago, Michigan, Mexico, and in Amsterdam, as well as in the form of notecards (on recycled paper, no less) on their website. You can find the card to match your zodiac sign (mine is the rust colored truck below), just browse from three collections, or get yourself a box set. Why not? I'm a huge sucker for illustrative artwork that tells part of a story not there. Why these animals are all over Eames chairs, or guarding this luggage is left to the sender, or receiver of these cards. Now, you have no excuse not to write your mother. The new site will officially launch this weekend, so watch out for new and exciting stuff to come.
Also, just so you know, the Screech Owl is New Jersey's most common breeding owl. Adorable, right? You're welcome.

Imogene and Annie

My friend and fellow Craft Mafia member Annie runs imogene.org, which until 2008, was an online shop selling a medly of things from calendars and stationary to clothing and jewelry. However, Annie has finished hocking other people's gear, and is determined to sell only her own jewelry line, "Imogene and Annie," now through her Etsy shop. She's recently challenged herself to make a new piece of jewelry EVERY DAY until February 29th. At which point, I can only assume her pretty little fingers will fall off, and she will sit and eat french baked goods for a bit.
Annie is one of the hardest working small business owners I know, not to mention, one of the more creative and talented product photographers in the crafty world. And you ought to check out her site and her jewelry if you haven't already. As for me, I'm considering re-piercing my ears, so i can pull off these whale earrings. In the meantime, I'd better go make some fricking t-shirts, so as not to feel like a slacker in the presence of greatness at tonight's Craft Mafia meeting!

I am Error

Dear Etsy, You are so hipster it hurts. I love you. Seriously. I do. (this is what appears when you accidentally go to the wrong page). I just laughed out loud while surveying my Etsy Shop options. To have one, or not to have one. I need to pay attention to it, is the big problem.
In all seriousness. I have enormous love for Etsy.com I hope you do too.

You and Artscape

Artscape, Baltimore's premier art's festival (and supposedly, the largest FREE arts festival in the country) is now offering a DIY craft section to vendors at a reduced rate (for a 6' table, instead of a 10x10 foot tent). We're really excited about this over at Craft Mafia headquarters, and hope you'll take advantage and apply like we are! Last year, Red Prairie Press had a full size tent in the fashion section, which went stupendously well, and we ate heroic amounts of fried dough (they call it "funnel cake" here, but just because it went through a funnel to get to the hot oil, doesn't mean it's not fried dough).
We will be honored to join the DIY section this year in hopes of bringing craft and homemade to the masses, and seeing some of our friends from the normal crafty circuit eating corn dogs and blooming onions right along side us.

We'll bring the tums.
Apply HERE

Weekend Recap

What better way to spend a chilly Saturday than throwing piggy slop at a rock band, you ask?







...only to do it all on film. With your friends. And, perhaps to follow that event with a four hour sing-a-long marathon. That's what.
What wonderful friends I have, and what endurance The Spinto Band has. Covered in condiments in 40 degree weather, they sure know how to take one (or six) for the team. Keep your eyes peeled for the video to "Summer Grof" and know that I threw some wads of spaghetti and few flour bombs.

Men's Shirt Inspiration

At least SOMEONE is doing it right! I spent yesterday searching the world wide web for some inspiring men's tees, and came up with very little that I liked.
Come to think of it, most fairs we've gone to really don't have much for men in general and we're apparently in on the trend.
Let's face it, Red Prairie Press is LACKING in Men's Apparel, and in 2008, we're seeking to change that. But who to look to for inspiration? Louisiana based Supermaggie is a small tee company run by Supers: Maggie and Michael. We recently ran into them at Renegade Craft Fair in Brooklyn, and then happily again in Chicago a few months later. I love the designs Maggie concocts, mostly from photos of her own yard and garden, and I got a huge kick out of comparing stories about printing in a shed with her. Check out their latest in quality men's garb above (the design comes in women's tees too).

The Art of Trash

JK Keller's website is sorta all over the place, but I'm into some of his trash art the best. Above is an ASL Alphabet made entirely from matchbooks found discarded on the street. You might notice an extra...less wholesome 28th letter at the end. I wish it wasn't there, but I had to chuckle a little to myself. After all...he did pick all these books of matches up off the street. Seems only fair he be allowed a little one-finger salute to whoever left them there. Below is a set of houses he made for an installation at a Pittsburgh Filmakers Event. (for the latter, he used only junk mail received by Pittsburgh Filmakers from the time of his proposal for the project, and the event itself. The recycle factor is a nice touch, and I can't help but relate to the interest in junk mail. Today I opened the door just as my friendly neighborhood mailman was stuffing a handfull of pennysaver type newspaper sheets into our newly installed mailbox (newly installed as the old one was too small to hold such precious mail, and ill-fitting legitimate mail was being returned to sender). He went to pull his hand away, and the sweet Baltimore breezes exploded the paper from the mailbox and all the way down the street. Nice.
In any case. Look at this site. Lots of cool projects and original ideas.

Miss us? Come visit and give us candy in DC on February 3rd.
Heck, maybe, if we're feeling frisky, we'll bring YOU candy.

Weekend Recap

What a nice weekend here in Baltimore. No work. All nice weather. Nothing to do but roam our fair city and let the wind carry us.
On Saturday, Phil and I (having been tipped off by my friend Annie) drove to Fells Point and ate a late breakfast at Bonaparte Bakery on South Ann Street (right on the water). If you've never been there, as we hadn't, you're in for a delicious french baked treat. We each had chocolate and almond croissants and coffee (mine was decaf, for the record). Then we took a long stroll on the boardwalk and watched the houseboats and trash floating gayly together.

Sunday was a day of lazy brunch with my good pal Angie. During which she convinced me to try embroidery. So we drove to our local craft store and picked up supplies, and went home. I spent Sunday afternoon watching The Rainman and making the above dishtowel (that's a Bolex camera I found a photo of online) for Phil. On embroidery: I could get into this! While I find that my impatience usually gets the best of me with most needle-oriented crafts (sewing, knitting, crocheting, cross stitching) I either found the right one this time, or Dustin Hoffman just always needs to be present when I'm feeling crafty. Either or.

Happy Monday.

New to you?

If you haven't seen us at a show recently, then you might have missed the first few months of our first 3/4 length sleeve shirt. This comfy garment is a similar cut to the women's cap sleeve tee's we've had for a while, but a bit more snug fitting, and now, more likely to keep you warm in the cooler months. Stay tuned for other colors in this style coming soon, as well as a new men's tee, a new cap sleeve tee, and perhaps, more surprises to come.

While you're waiting for these new things, say hello to our new supermodel, formerly of Cape Cod, Mass. Phil and I, along with my Mom and Dad, went for a walk while on a weekend vacation in Chatham this December and came across what used to be my Grandmother's favorite local clothing store (garments for people who wear loafers.. if you will) with a big "CLOSING SALE" sign on the door. Feeling nostalgic, we went in, and found that they were not only selling their apparel for cheap, but they were selling their display fixtures as well (much more exciting). We got this dress form and a metal clothing rack for under $50. Woooo!

Elephant in the room?

Introducing: the 100% organic cotton elephant onesie.
aroooooooooooogghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhgh. (elephant noise).
earth day is every day.
enjoy.

havea cuppa tea.

The Kinks sang about it, the British plan their days around it, stuffed animals attend parties based on it, and some women's colleges have hours of the day set aside to enjoy it.
So... I'm diving in too. I'm going to be a tea drinker.

I'm officially attempting to quit drinking coffee, and switch to tea.
It's going to be healthy, and delicious, and I'm going to lower my blood pressure and...someday...perhaps years from now... when I pass coffee on the street, I'll be able to give it a polite nod without tearing up over fond memories.
Okay. I'm not all for this plan. can you tell? 2008, however, is going to be a healthy year, and this is my alternative to halting consumption of mass quantities of cheese. (One thing reduced at a time, right? No reason to be drastic).

So far, friends have been pretty helpful in suggesting different varieties, but I thought I'd put out a call for tea favorites on here, just for good measure. So far, the most delicious tea I've come across is "African Nectar" by Mighty Leaf Teas. The downside of this one being- it's caffeine free. Not helpful when you're aiming to give up coffee. I've recently discovered Mate (the e has an accent over it, making the pronounciation: "Mah-TAY") which has substantial amounts of caffeine, but I haven't found a good brand yet.

I'd love to find a local tea maker and feel even more earth happy than I already do. Any Baltimorons out there making tea? (so long as it's not from local plantlife..because.....agghhhhhhhhh).

There's Art in New England?

I went to a printmaking conference at Boston University about 5 years ago and remember being impressed by the range of work coming out of the city. Having grown up just a couple hours north in a small town outside Keene, NH (which is also a small town), I've admittedly done my best to evacuate what I often size down to be a region that paints decoys and landscapes. Even though Boston is tucked away in New England and more emphasis is placed on the Red Sox than on ... well... anything else, there are half a dozen schools in the area that make it more of a thriving art community than I once thought (MassArt, BU, SMFA, Smith College, Hampshire College, UMass Amherst...I could go on). There are also stores and groups in the area making it just as craft happy as Baltimore, too. Grace at Design Sponge did a great Boston Design Guide HERE

Recently transplanted from the farmlands of upstate NY to the depths of Cambridge, MA, My friend Jon Daly is working on an MFA in painting at B.U. and has just updated his website for the first time in a while. Since his time at Syracuse University, Jon's paintings have gone in a million different directions- but at the moment, have settled in a place that is a great amount of creepy and beautiful rolled into one. We here at Red Prairie Press love us some creepy girls on the beach, some little twin boys skinning foxes, and some...guy playing tag with a fence post. Not sure I can actually credit Boston with any of this progression really...but it makes for a good mention of beantown without having to talk too much about sports. Go check out Jon Daly's paintings for yourself at www.jonathandaly.com and his other life as half of the design team at www.entirecatalogue.com.

Felt Goodness

Having decided to embark on wedding decorations for our July 5th wedding using felt and twigs as materials, Phil and I aren't really growing a reputation for matching fabrics to the seasons very appropriately. Nothing like wool on a summer's day...yes?
However, of all the wonderful wintery gifts in the world, and all the craft shows we've been to and vendors we've met at each, we managed to give each other gifts from the SAME felt-happy vendor this year... perhaps with those little felt leaves on our minds? Saltlick NYC has long been our hero for their use of hand stitching, cut felt designs, labor intensive crafting, and witty themes. The owners themselves are the type of people that make craft fairs fun to be a part of. Always upbeat. Completely intelligent and down to earth. Plus, last I saw them, they gave me a free tote bag. Hoorah. They appear to do lots of custom work, which is quite chivalrous of them in my own lazy opinion, and last I heard, even after growing in size, Saltlick has vowed to do all of their sewing themselves. Inspirational work ethic. Also, having accidentally already put one of my Saltlick shirts through the wash with normal laundry... I can vouch for their quality control. Three cheers for handmade. And now- back to gluing felt leaves to dried out twigs. Nothing like free decorations to keep us motivated...albeit a little early.