Turquoise Love

I read the other day on the design*sponge blog that purple is all the rage right now (which might explain the ravenous wolves descending on our supply of the "Purple Marsh" tee at Crafty Bastards this weekend). However, what with being out of touch with most trends, and coming on to them about 3 years later than most people (This from being raised in NH, where currently trends include Stonewashed mom-jeans, wool clogs and Red Sox sweatshirts) I tend to have my own little trends. Maybe later, I'll come up with a witty name for them. Something about Red Prairie Press maybe? Prairie Trends?
Currently, the latest Prairie Trend appears to be this: Coveting all things turquoise and green. You know what... It doesn't even matter if the actual item is turquoise... you'll get me just by putting something turquoise BEHIND what you're selling, and I'll still like it!
Here are some recently coveted things I've found in my office chair travels to etsy.com:
(clockwise from upper left: Shirtdress from RamonaWest, Fabric Remnant from luckykaerufabric, Loose Fit Tee from Ahpeele, Windmill Print from DutchDoor, Insect Wing Necklace from Imogene, Felt Flower pin from Accessoire .

New Exhibit at Current Gallery

We first got to Baltimore just as the original members of Current Gallery were signing on to the year lease to run a cooperative gallery in a made-cheap-with-mayor-magic building. Since then, Current has remained an artist co-op but changed members and themes quite a bit. In the last year or so, it seems like the Gallery has been putting on more community awareness type shows (for the betterment of this or that) than the solely visually pleasing shows I so secretly covet. Since leaving art school overwhelmed by the conceptual, I've become increasingly curmudgeonly about spending my time looking at Social awareness, community building or conceptual art (I know....I know... it's horrible & closed minded) and maybe it's added insult to injury that we overloaded on every single art event in the city the first couple years here, but I'm not leaving the house as much as I used to and that's that. Maybe that's because I'm busier than I was 2 years ago... but I like calling myself a curmudgeon. It makes me think I might be good at the fiddle soon... and maybe I could start wearing grandpa clothing and pulling it off better than before... and maybe the little girls next door will be afraid of me and stop elmer's gluing drawings to our front door as a means of proclaiming affection for my husband.

Anyway, crappy point being- I don't seem to get off my butt that often for shows, but this sounds like my kind of show:

"Stories From The Woods investigates a fascination with the natural world. The showcased artists explore a contemporary reinterpretation of nature, while simultaneously drawing from past folklore and classic painting. Through stylized, representational, sculpture, narrative paintings, and whimsical installation pieces by a group of invited, regional artists, Stories from the Woods seeks to transform the space into a platform for these fantastical narratives.

October 3 - 31
With a Reception on Oct 3 from 7 - 10 PM
Artists: Bonner Sale, Christine Buckton Tillman, Emily Nachison, Emily Slaughter, John Bohl and Annie Gray Robrecht
Curated by Alex Ebstein"

Weekend Recap

WOW. what a spectacular and exhausting weekend we had. So much so that i was going to write you a recap, but I've forgotten parts of it.
Friday night I have absolutely no recollection of what I did....if I was with you... I hope we all had fun!
Saturday Night Phil and I went to the Platters & Pourers show at Baltimore Clayworks. Our friend Shawna was in the show and her work was amazing as always. Met some good people, including someone demanding that he was "the artist formerly known as prince," and saw some good claywork.
Sunday was Crafty Bastards in DC. Holy cow. DC shoppers were ironically unaffected by the economic crisis when it came to t-shirt purchasing. We had a great show as always at CB, got to talk to some really awesome folks who came out to the show- some from hours away- and even though it rained a bit (making it official that it's rained at EVERY SINGLE OUTDOOR INDIE CRAFT FAIR we've been to this season) the tent held strong and we stayed dry and so did our apparel. We had a blast, and celebrated afterward with an indian food feast so large & delicious that our entire bodies ached on the drive home. (I'm actually still recovering). Most enormous thanks go to the Crafty Crew of the Washington City Paper for organizing the event. They work tirelessly, and are hopefully able to rest today. We heard they were at the fair sight at 4am, and if WE were as tired as we were last night, i can't even imagine how they all were still standing. Good work.

Also new, and now available, are the 2008 Calendars, a small batch of which the fine printers of Graphic Imaging rushed to get done in time for the show, bless their big process magenta hearts. You can snag one on the etsy shop already if you're quick (only a few in stock, but a larger order to come this week).... more photos to come soon.

UPDATE: I just remembered what I did friday. I watched the Presidential debates with Bonnie, Kohli, Phil, Curt & JP.
can't wait for the V.P. debates this week....

New American Paintings

In 2007 I had the honor of being a part of that year's New American Paintings Mid Atlantic Region. It was a great experience, of which I'm still reaping the benefits. Artists making 2D work of any sort (not just painting), and living in the region (DC, DE, MD, NJ, PA, VA, WV) are encouraged to apply. Applications are open now, and you need only send:

-$35 Application Fee
-Resume with Name, Address, Email, Phone
-4 35mm slides or 4 Printed images (8.5 x 11 or smaller) of your work
-A Self Addressed and Stamped Envelope to get these things, and notification of acceptance/rejection back to you safely.

The shipping address:
The Open Studios Press
450 Harrison Ave #47
Boston, MA 02118

The (In-case-you-don't-believe-me) website:
www.newamericanpaintings.com

Apply Now! Applications are due November 7th, 2008.

Paul Newman

Perhaps it was fitting that it was raining as we heard the news this morning on the way home from the farmer's market.
A real life good guy died yesterday.

Oh What Else are You Doing Tomorrow?

FREE Artists' Professional Development Workshops is tomorrow, Saturday, September 27 at 2pm at Maryland Art Place.
Saturday, September 27, 2008 / 2:00pm-3:30pm
with Ober|Kaler attorney and MLA Board Member Cynthia Sanders

“Pictorial, graphic, or sculptural” works are protected by federal copyright law. But that protection isn’t unlimited. Find out where the sometimes shifting boundaries lie and what you need to do stay on the right side of them.

MLA Board Member Cynthia Sanders is an experienced intellectual property and entertainment lawyer with a practice spanning copyright, trademark, fair use, licensing, advertising, and technology transfer issues. She represents publishers, advertisers, advertising agencies, filmmakers, producers, performing artists, visual artists, songwriters, authors, graphic designers, health care companies, colleges and universities, trade associations, and software developers. She is a graduate of the University of Maryland School of Law and the Maryland Institute College of Art.

Learn more about this workshop series by visiting www.mdartplace.org

This workshop is FREE and OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. Reserve your seat by calling 410-962-8565, or emailing Emily Hunter at: registry@mdartplace.org with your name, and number of people.

ALSO TOMORROW:

The Platters & Pourers Show at Baltimore Clayworks!
juried by John Glick
Opening reception is Saturday, September 27 6:00–8:00PM

Go see work by artists worldwide, including Baltimore's Own (and craft mafia's own)Shawna Pincus

Application Nation

Station North Bike Rack Project - Call for Entries!

DEADLINE: Friday, November 7, 2008

Station North Arts & Entertainment, Inc. announces the Station North Bike Rack Project. Eight (8) uniquely designed bike racks will be created and installed throughout the Station North Arts & Entertainment District to enhance the area with these sculptural installations, while simultaneously promoting bicycling within the city of Baltimore. Winning designers will be compensated $4000 (this must cover the cost of fabrication) to create their projects. The Station North Bike Rack Project is being underwritten by the Baltimore Mayor’s Office of Neighborhoods and by the William G. Baker, Jr. Memorial Fund.For submission guidelines and more info, contact: David Bielenberg at 410-962-7075 or dbielenberg@stationnorth.org

Speaking of applications... DID YOU APPLY TO HOLIDAY HEAP YET?????

This show opens tonight and includes some of my favorite Baltimore artists.

Personal Vocabulary
Curated by Ann Fine Foer

Artists:
Seth Adelsberger
Tom Block
Alyssa Dennis
Melissa Dickenson
Sue Johnson
W.C. Richardson
Chris Siron
Nora Sturges
Jessica Van Brackle

(Pictured above- The show card, and "Wrestlemania" by Seth Adelsberger. This painting is from 2006, and probably not in the show, but Im not that into the postcard & wanted to make this post prettier. tahdah!)

Reception: Thursday September 25th 5pm-7:30pm Gallery Talk @ 5:30pm
September 13th - December 18th 2008 @
Maryland State Arts Council
James Backas Gallery
175 W. Ostend Street, Suite E
Baltimore, MD 21230

Crafty Bastards THIS WEEKEND!!!

Christy over at Baltimore By Hand was nice enough to include us in a preview medley of Baltimore Artist/Crafters tritty trot trotting down to DC this weekend for the happiness-inducing CRAFTY BASTARDS craft fair. The fair is our last outdoor show of the season, and has always been our secret favorite. Maybe this is because 2 years ago, it was the FIRST indie craft fair we vended at, and changed our view on business. In fact, it might have been where I decided "Hey, I Can do this full time!" And what do you know?

Anyway, come visit us! Booth #61, Sunday, September 28. More info HERE

Self Sufficiency.

My latest inspiration.

Looking for a cool job?

Joanna from PaperSource emailed the Craft Mafia today to announce that they are looking for crafty ladies and gentlemen to help run the NEW PAPERSOURCE shop in Annapolis! If only I had more than 24 hours in my day, I might even consider it. I LOVE me some Papersource. If you're crafty and in the area and looking for a job... check it out!

Restock talk

THESE are back HERE.
you can officially stop emailing me to issue complaints about the matter. I'm toooootally on top of it....
yay!!!!
Though of course.... now the pink one's are sold out until next week.
booooooo.

Pidge Pidge, Home, and Hearth

I'm finally back at home base after my long long tour of the rainy rainy country, and trying to catch up with everything on my desk and in my email. Two weeks is apparently longer and more eventful than I thought...
I had a great trip. Got to meet some wonderful new people in Northampton and Chicago, got to see what my good college friends are up to in Rochester, and got to see my two dear and wonderful ladyfriends LEGALLY MARRY in the great state of Massachusetts this weekend. YEAAAAHHH !!!!!!!

Speaking of friends, and my trip, I thought I'd show you just what the people of Rochester ARE up to. My friends Albert and Jon are working on film called "The Beast Pageant." Website to come. My friend Nick is working on a new book and some T.V. pilots, and my friend Vanessa has a new stitching & weaving business called Pidge Pidge, complete with an ETSY SHOP!!!!! (pictured above). I've been coveting her scarves and stitched illustrations since college, and recently acquired one of each, thanks to getting married and getting one as a wedding gift, and staying in Rochester too long. Jealous? Now, you can have one of each too. You can also get your very own custom pet portrait, or give one as a gift! (We are now accepting ANY illustration of Mr. Sammy as gifts, but especially those made by Pidge Pidge). Have a look HERE.

New Ladies 3/4 Length Tees

Two New 3/4 Sleeve floral print tunics ready for the snagging from the Etsy Shop Today!
Cozy Pima Cotton, gathered in the front and back, boat neck, long flowy shirt for fall.
In celebration of getting things dry, I thought I'd sneak these in there before I get back to Baltimore. I'm shipping things from the road, so most orders are being sent out as they come in, as usual.

Having fun in upstate NY. This place is full of fresh apples, decent coffee shops, picturesque fall days and good people with an affinity for board games and tomato sandwiches. I could get used to this stuff.

Workshops not to be missed

MLA Fall Workshops Focus on Visual Arts
MARK THESE DATES: Descriptions follow.

Sept. 27: "Protecting Your Work: Copyright" at Maryland Art Place
(Power Plant Live! 8 Market Place, Suite 100, Baltimore 21202), 2:00
to 3:30 pm. Free.

Oct. 4: Legal & Business Issues for Phographers at Creative Alliance
(3134 Eastern Ave, Baltimore 21224), 2:00 to 4:30 pm.

Oct. 11: "Marketing Your Work" at MAP, 2:00 to 3:30 pm. Free.

Oct. 25: "Protecting Your Work: Navigating Contracts" at MAP, 2:00 to
3:30 pm. Free.

Nov. 15: Free Legal Clinic at CA, 1:30 to 4:00 pm.

*************************************************

Sept. 27: "Protecting Your Work: Copyright" with Ober|Kaler attorney
and MLA Board member Cynthia Sanders. "Pictorial, graphic, or
sculptural" works are protected by federal copyright law. But that
protection isn't unlimited. Find out where those sometimes shifting
boundaries lie and what you need to do stay on the right side of them.

Oct. 4. Legal & Business Issues for Photographers at Creative
Alliance. Join MLA volunteer attorney Michael Yang, UMBC Curator Tom
Beck, and photographer Jefferson Steele for a wide-ranging discussion
on the art and business of photography. Learn how to protect your work
through contract and copyright. Get a working photographer's
perspective on the business of photography and a curator's perspective
on the art of photography, including the recent controversy over
renowned photojournalist A. Audrey Bodine not being included in the
BMA's exhibition "Looking Through the Lens." Question and answer to
follow. Advance registration $20, $15 members, Walk-in $35, $30 members.

Oct. 11: "Marketing Your Work" with art consultant/dealer and MLA
Board member Ann Clark Priftis. Making a living from one's work
requires one to look at the selling of art as a business. Ann Clark
Priftis presents the "Top Ten Ways to Increase Your Art Sales,"
gleaned from her years of experience as art appraiser, dealer, and
consultant.

Oct. 25: "Protecting Your Work: Navigating Contracts" with Gorman &
Williams attorney and MLA Board Member Michael Yang. A road map to the
types of contracts artists can expect to encounter—services,
consignment, assignment, licensing, and sales—and overview of common
terms and concerns.

Nov. 15: Free Legal Clinic for Artists, appointments available 1:30 -
4:00 pm. Advance registartion by phone or in person only (410)
276.1651. Bring your contract, copyright and other legal questions
for a 25-minute, one-on-one consultation. Sponsored by MLA and the
University of Baltimore School of Law.

MORE INFO: Go to HERE

Renegade Recap

well, we're home a day early from chicago. I have wet stuff & lost money rather than making it, but I think i'm happy to be in a dry place...and trying to feel really good about that.

This weekend was a wee disaster, but _________ (while we're wringing out, and I make my way toward the level of maturity it takes to conclude that sentence with a positive note, please enjoy these distraction photos of the Chicago Skyline Sign, and a very good sport named Vanessa - holding together the remains of our wet wet tent on Sunday Morning...before we gave up and sloshed home).

I feel guilty for quitting early on a craft fair for the first time ever, and more than a bit bummed to have spent so much time, gas and money on the trip, and left an empty spot next to the people who stayed (who should win awards, size: LARGE). Hope we didn't disappoint too many people that wanted to come by the booth and found it missing.

The good news is: The apparel is mostly fine (and still available! online. where it's really really dry shopping. ahem. hint hint.) My tent has been easily reclaimed, our clothes are in the dryer, we listened to "The Time Traveler's Wife" most of the way home, and today, a nice lazy day was had.
Yes... somewhere in here.... i swear I still love my job.

Still on the road... aiming back at baltimore next monday.
Until then, mind the rainclouds, and make sure to over-appreciate your friends.

Checking in before the journey west

I'll be at Renegade Craft Fair in chicago this weekend hocking my apparel from the NEW TENT, and not even slightly worried about rain, because we now have walls! Renegade is a great fair, if you happen to be in the area, you should come out. Upwards of 300 vendors will be there selling the good stuff, and this year there's also some quality music to boot! Check it all out, and get directions HERE. I've got 2 new longsleeve designs, a new kids tee, a new scarf (though it sold out this week, so that's not really worth mentioning) and a lot of love.
My good pal Vanessa is coming along for the trip and will be smooth talking quick deals, left and right all weekend. You'll leave our booth needing a duffle bag, you'll have purchased so much. seriously.

Hope to see you there. on friday night, you'll want to think of us one book on tape more knowledgeable, and by monday, make that TWO!

Crafty Docs and Swap

This weekend, Charm City Craft Mafia along with the Baltimore Women's Film Festival, is hosting a crafty film fest and craft supplies swap this weekend!

Don't miss this fascinating fall collection of films created by women! Feature documentary Fresh Women follows the lives of six female artists in San Francisco struggling to balance work life, art life, and family life. The shorts Knitting Lesson, Grandma Goth, and Bella Bella round out the bill with portraits of spirited, crafty women. The event includes Q&A with filmmaker Mary Dalton (Knitting Lesson) and the Charm City Craft Mafia's special craft supplies swap: Trade your leftover materials, pick up some new craft supplies, and network with other crafty folks.

The event will take place on Sunday, September 14th from 12:00 to 3:30 at the Creative Alliance at the Patterson (3134 Eastern Ave, Baltimore, MD 21224). Admission is $10, $8 for members, students, and those who bring craft supplies for the swap.

You can get your tickets at the door, by calling 410-276-1651, or by clicking here.

A hello from the road

Just dropping in to say,
Twist Craft fair was spectacular. (better than I could have expected - to say the least...) and new england is/was shiny and lovely just as always. Christa and Dara were wonderful hosts in Northampton. I stayed up too late and laughed harder than I have in a long time. Good to see mom & dad in NH, and go apple picking with Willie & Alethea. Here I am picking the perfect apple, after taking a bite while it was still on the tree.
Thank you to New Hampshire, Nature, and Alethea for giving me something to visually post about.
I've been driving far (sincere apologies to the environment) and listening to some nice books on tape.
More to come. I'm safely in Rochester for a few days and enjoying time with some good people.
missing Phil and Mr. Sammy but coping by seeing photos of them all over the apartment I'm staying in. Nice to see them both on the fridge. Nice to have a job that allows me to visit faraway friends and get paid for it.
xoxo
rachel

And the scarf contest winner is....

We picked from a hat this morning, and the winner is: Melissa of "Operation Nice" and Melissahead Designs!
When clicking on her profile, I came across the Operation Nice blog, which is all stories of people being nice. Now that's the kind of thing I'd like to wake up to reading every morning. What a great find!

Thanks to all who entered the contest- I loved reading your entries and as soon as I get back from my trip, I'll have to look into a few I didn't recognize.

Until then, be nice!

Wednesday DIY Collaborate Do It!

just saw this cool collaboration project from Art House Coop & Design for Mankind (found via Pret A Voyager).

The Scavenger Project is a book compiled by Art House Co-Op and Design for Mankind where each chapter will reference a moment or scenario found by YOU. Here’s how it works:
1. Go here and sign up.
2. Receive your welcome kit, participation info and a list of 24 items, one for each chapter.
3. Visually represent each item in whatever way you’d like– paint, illo, photograph, 3D dioramas, etc.
4. Send in your submissions and watch the beauty of our individual perspectives unfold.
If you’d like to participate and want to pre-order the book, you can do that right here.

Sweet! Everyone who enters ($15 to enter) is guaranteed at least one image spot in the book!

The long to-do list

slowly checking things off the to-do list I pretend I'll have done in time to leave for my trip.......
finishing the 2009 calendar and getting it to the printer's is one of the things with a big old star next to it, still in progress of being checked off. I'll keep you updated, but I hope to have some copies by Crafty Bastards on September 28!

In case you didn't click the link, I found a local printer this year, rather than outsourcing to New Jersey, like last year.
more on this lovely family-run company later.

In the meantime, did you enter to win a scarf yet? Do it HERE. Contest ends Wednesday, 9pm!

Just purchased a new tent..... with WALLS! after 2 years of cheap wall-free tents, I've decided to upgrade to this one!
This is the year of upgrades. New press (coming soon), New computer (just purchased 2 weeks ago. very exciting. it doesn't die midway through a photoshop session anymore), and now, new tent! Anyone in the market for a used pop-up (white) without walls?

Dear Red Prairie Press, welcome to the 21st century.
Dear world, Thanks.

I'm soon off on my craft fair journey. Packing, printing, and organizing like crazy today and tomorrow.

September 5&6th we'll be at Twist Craft Fair in Northampton
September 13th & 14th we'll be at Renegade Craft Fair in Chicago
September 13 Craft Mafia AND B.E.S.T. will be at Hampdenfest in Hampden. You should stop by!
September 20th we'll be at a lovely wedding in Massachusetts
September 28th we'll be at Crafty Bastards in DC!

Remember to enter a comment on THIS blogpost for a chance to win a scarf, and apply to be a vendor at THIS craft fair, if you haven't already!

Continuing to Labor

It's Labor day, and laboring we are! It's 7:16pm, and I'm hard at work on the 2009 Calendar...
I suppose you could say that the workers of Red Prairie Press are unionized... if only that we have such a close relationship with our boss that it sometimes feels like we're the same person (GUFFAW!). Sadly we've managed to work all weekend, including today, but don't feel too bad, because today, bonnie and curt had a tasty bbq and yesterday Jenny and I scored free tickets to the MD state fair so I snuck out of the office for a few hours to enjoy both.

The fair is a glorious thing. Despite not having any desire to ride the rides (okay, except the swings, but we were too poor to ride them) I still love the fair. I love saying hello to the livestock (pretending not to notice the labels "beef" and "poultry" above the cows and chickens) eating fried food, people watching, looking at the 4-H booths, and sunbathing in the glory of blinking lights and loud noises. Sorry if you missed it... i think today was the last day (?) but there's always next summer, right?
Here are some photos from my day inside the gates with Jen. The free passes meant more spending dough for extra french fries and lemonade. We couldn't get enough of all the animal loving, the bright colors of the rides (which we managed not to ride) and the tasty grease of the fried goodness. You can look at the rest of my photos (including one of some jazzercise-ready sheep, which i'm not sure how didn't make the cut on here...) HERE.




Also- don't forget to leave a comment with your favorite cartoon under THIS blogpost! Contest ends wednesday night!!