Red Prairie Press

A taste.

2012-01-26T10:12:00.004-05:00

Wanted to share a SUPER exciting project I've been working on that is finally near completion.
Here's a sneak peek at my very first foray into clothing design (that's CLOTHING design, as opposed to graphics ON the clothing - which I also designed here). Our brand new 2012 Red Prairie Press jersey stretch a-line skirts - in Midnight and Magenta.
I've been working closely with a pattern maker and sewing house - both right here in the great city of Baltimore. It's been such a fun adventure to have these made, and such a great experience (albeit, FAR more difficult than I thought it would be to develop your own products!)
I can't wait to have them available to you (Look for them in early March), and I am so very optimistic about all of the future designs to come! For instance, if we can do skirts, surely we can do dresses. In which case, we won't have to keep discontinuing styles based on our blank apparel suppliers. I know--- crazy, right?

There is a wide world out there. I just peeked out the window, and I feel like applauding for it.

Want to be sure to know when these come in? Sign up for our mailing list at the upper righthand corner of this blog!
(http://www.redprairiepress.blogspot.com)

Valentine Gift Ideas

2012-01-24T16:35:00.007-05:00

Not to go all Downton Abby on you, but your girl is "a lady, afterall, not Toad of Toad Hall." She wants to look her best. Therefor, shopping Red Prairie Press this Valentine's day MAY be your only option. Thank goodness we're here for you!
Really, it's no problem! We're glad to help. You're welcome!
How about our magenta Vine Flowers Cardigan to cure her of the chills at work?
Or the cupid's arrows triblend pullover for lounging in your arms, watching that romance movie marathon you agreed to?
The ON SALE pink feather sundress, perhaps? For dreaming of warmer days, and beachfront cottages.
Or, if she's just not into the pink, and you just really. really. REALLY. don't want to guess her size on Valentine's day, how about a scarf like the Creme Queen Anne's Lace scarf? It's sure to make her smile.

If all else fails, homemade cards with glitter and paper doilies are the way to go.
We're rooting for you!

What football has taught me.

2012-01-23T11:35:00.013-05:00

Ray Lewis, who has decided not to retire.
Oh Baltimore, it's not so bad. We made it pretty far this year. And I don't just mean football. We're doing okay as a city too. They call the Ravens a defensive team, and that's how I see the city as well. A great team, but more because we're able to defend ourselves and because we have all sorts of silly pride in this place... Not because we're ever assumed to have many unmatched assets.
We are who we are: Scrappy, hilarious, overdramatic, imperfect, talented, spirited and working with what we've got. Look at one of our star players, Ray Rice (who celebrated his 25th birthday yesterday by defending his fellow teammates on his own facebook page). The guy is between 2 and 17 feet shorter than an average NFL player, yet he consistently disproves any theory that he's too small for the NFL by outplaying everyone else on the field, and somehow defying physics by not being crushed to death under massive pigpiles of 5 fellow players twice his weight. Instead of mourning the end of our promising season and loss of a chance at the superbowl, we should be celebrating the fact that we are a team (and also a city) constantly defying the rules and even in failure, maintaining a stubborn pride in our team. We small businesses should be celebrating Rice himself, for proving the little guy can play with the big guys.
The good news is that we had a damn good season, and anyone who blames someone screwing up in the last 20 seconds of a game for the loss should go soak their head and watch a singles tennis match. That's like saying a restaurant closing on North Avenue has destroyed the city's chances at culinary greatness. Like running a city, football is a team sport. Part of the challenge is that we have to rely on each other to succeed - which means supporting each other in the weaker moments. In this city as with this team. Perhaps our current recession is that missed catch in the end zone, or that missed kick at the 30 yard line, or a disappointing start to an important game. Our boarded up properties are the holes in our defensive line. A lack of local government support for small businesses & arts organizations could be summed up with the self conscious appearance of an unprepared offense. Frustrating, angering even. But in order to have a successful Team, you have to have fans and support. They have to believe in how good you'll do next year. As our friend Ray Lewis said at the end of the game: "As a team, we just got to keep moving. We just got to keep building, keep building, keep building and remember this taste." Yes, I think we can learn a lot about a lot from watching this sport.

That, or my metaphors could be off, and football could be about our animal urges for yelling, watching violent physical conflict and large daytime consumption of beer and sauces of the nacho cheese and bbq variety. (In which case, we can learn a lot about a lot from watching ourselves watching this sport)...
Either way, I've enjoyed my first year as a football fan. Enjoyed it quite a bit.

Keep Going

2012-01-19T09:06:00.002-05:00

Phil and I are having one of those weeks (collectively) where literally nothing seems to be going right. A studio I thought I had slipped out of my hands, A gallery show I was asked to be part of turned out to be something I wasn't comfortable doing, The fabric I ordered for the skirts I'm developing came in the wrong color...and also the wrong fabric...
Nothing catastrophic, but everything frustrating and nothing smooth. Which makes me realize I shouldn't be complaining, I should be celebrating that what I've come to expect is smooth sailing. It really is.
So to hell with this week, I'm just going to plow through it with goggles on, because I heard there's a football game at the end. (Which is exciting because I'm allowed to consume massive amounts of nachos, not because I know the rules of football).

Today I get to go pick up my new bicycle, which I'm really excited about. I also get to sit in my sweatpants and finish my designs for spring 2012. Then I get to go burn the screens for them later this week at another awesome independent business in Baltimore. I also get to drink as much coffee as I want, because no one is watching, and listen to 80's music while I work.
Then I get to spin in my office chair and gaze at my super talented and ever-so-loveable husband behind me and tweak his ears all day long - because he's still on winter break, and he's working on two music videos that are going to blow your socks off. Lucky, he's got big headphones on to block out my own questionable music choices.

Pattern

2012-01-16T09:55:00.003-05:00

I was just asked to be in a show featuring artists who use pattern in their work, and a day later, these caught my eye. They're images made by Carl Kleiner for IKEA (using the homegoods chain's kitchenware as a medium with which to make beautiful patterns). It got me thinking that my use of pattern - generally isolated to women's dresses in my paintings - could be broadened. What if the subjects themselves made a pattern? I'll get back to you on how this goes.
In other news, and speaking of pattern:
Have you seen the Print by Print show at the BMA? it's quite good.

Happy Martin Luther King day.
If you're home from work today, I hope you're enjoying a nice day off. I'm having a nice morning finalizing some new tshirt (and SKIRT) designs for printing this week and next. Can't wait to show them off to you!

New Waves by Jordan Bernier - Saturday

2012-01-12T09:25:00.002-05:00

When it comes to Baltimore artist Jordan Bernier, I'm pretty much a fangirl. Jordan is not only the most prolific person I know in the city, but also one of my favorite artists anywhere, and a standup guy to boot. He's currently pursuing an MFA from Towson University, where Phil teaches, so we've gotten the sneaky inside scoop on what he's been doing these last few months (animating screenprints, for one). It's with eager anticipation that I'm awaiting his upcoming solo show at Nudashank Gallery this Saturday (January 14). The show is full of Jordans drawings, videos and prints and is absolutely not to be missed. See you there!!

New Waves - Work by Jordan Bernier
Nudashank Gallery
405 W. Franklin St, FL 3
Baltimore, MD 21201

Opening Reception:
Saturday, January 14th
7pm - 10pm

2012 Calendars! A few left!

2012-01-09T11:10:00.004-05:00

Wanted to plug these exciting 2012 Calendars of my work one more time. This was a collaborative effort with my friends at Art Star Gallery & Boutique in Philadelphia, and they are exclusively available in that shop (and online HERE). Always fun to be able to use my work in a more utilitarian way, like a calendar. One of the main reasons I started a Tshirt company was so that I could make my art more widely accessible to a larger audience of people, and I think it's worked. I get butterflies every time I see someone out in the city wearing one of my tshirts, and I get the same smile when I see a calendar on someone's wall... even my own. Often fine art seems so inaccessible to the majority, because of high price points, and the exclusivity of one-of-a-kind. I like knowing that I can hold onto a copy of something I've made, and at the same time, let 100 other people have it too!

With that spirit in mind, this weekend Phil and I cleaned out the college artwork under our bed and in our closet, invited a few close friends over and had an impromptu art giveaway. It was SO fun to see our old unwanted prints & drawings going to good homes, and so relieving to have it out from under the bed, where it was slowly being eaten by dust bunnies, but we couldn't bring ourselves to throw it away. It's nice to have the empty space (not to mention to compliment of someone wanting our less-favored projects) and it was a good motivator to start making new things! Something even better, perhaps.

While you wait for that to happen, grab one of the few remaining calendars, if you'd like!
CLICK HERE TO ORDER

Old News

2012-01-06T16:55:00.002-05:00

This is from over a year ago, but I realized I may never have posted photos of this installation I did at Art Star in Philly last year... the fine gals who run the shop just sent me these and I thought I'd share. My first installation involving painting directly on the wall (I think) and I plan to do more of that in the near future. I'm really loving patterns lately, and want to focus on them in all aspects of my work.
Getting busy around here... must be a new year, indeed.

Here is 2012

2012-01-05T07:42:00.005-05:00

We're back from our Christmas trip to NH and feeling revived and excited for the new year. Just reserved plane tickets and a hotel tell room for my trip to POOL tradeshow in Las Vegas this February (which, I can joyously report a friend is accompanying me on for research. I've never been more thrilled). A new run of Red Prairie Press sewn-in-Baltimore pieces will be ready by the show, and I am so proud to debut it (along with our other new styles and prints).
I've spent this week searching for a studio in Baltimore, as we've finally reached the point of clothing explosion in the basement studio. It's been a fantastic journey so far. I've met a lot of wonderful people in the city, all of whom are trying to get artists into working spaces and "make stuff happen" in Baltimore, and all of whom are confidently charging lots of money... (so the search continues). but I'm happy that Baltimore is a thriving city in which realtors of small rooms still demand and expect - in exchange for the privilege of being in a blue light district with no heat or water (but four walls potentially) - the amount I pay in mortgage for an entire house in Charles Village.
However. spaces in abundance there are, and I haven't seen the half of them yet. I journey on completely entertained into the new year, In which I will turn 30, travel to Austin, TX, debut my first ever clothing designs, move to a new space, learn how to plug my iphone into my computer, and who knows what else! My own blossoming expectations being just as high as the rest of Charm City, I hope for both working water and heat in the location where I'll be printing. And I swear, we'll find a space with both, and a window or two to boot. I just know it.

Happy Birthday, Calendar.
Happy New Year, You.

Stay Glad, Dream Good.

2011-12-21T13:45:00.003-05:00

Someone sent me this gem the other day, and it was too good not to share (though I know I'm not the first to do so). It's a two page selection from the journal of one of my heros - Woody Guthrie. Here are his new years resolutions for the year 1942 (click on the image to enlarge it).
As 2012 draws near, I find that most of these should be MY new years resolutions. Funny how in this technology filled world that Guthrie wouldn't even recognize, his own words and ideas of 70 years ago are still so relevant. I've always loved and respected his quest for optimism. Screw weight loss. Shouldn't we all be resolving to keep the hoping machine running, learn people, and stay glad?
I'd say so.

Buy Me This Happy Week

2011-12-15T11:47:00.004-05:00

Not sure if it's my super exciting meeting with designer Julie Bent this morning over coffee and fabric samples (wouldn't YOU like to know!) or if I'm just having one of those weeks where everything's going almost inconceivably well... but I'm thinking in bursts of color today, and dreaming in confetti shades and smiling at the colored christmas lights everywhere in Baltimore.
It inspired me to show you some things in my inspiration folder from the week, in hopes it will make your week bright too!!
Love this scarf by PidgePidge and these super cool re-purposed ceramics by NinaInvorm.
I love the spirit of this season... even the chaos that comes with it. It makes stopping for a hot tea with friends, or a movie at the Charles Theater just that much more of a treat. Getting really excited for 2012, but trying to enjoy the rest of 2011 while we're still in it. Enjoying the thought of the coming weekend - the holiday parties, the time to bake granola, make a batch of eggnog, and work on some crafty gifts for family. We're still busy - and we're still shipping your orders out daily - don't worry. We're just suddenly giddy, and enjoying ourselves twice as much as usual!

Brand New Cardigan Wraps

2011-12-08T14:26:00.003-05:00

Slub Cotton Cardigans by Red Prairie Press
Introducting our new Cotton Slub Knit Cardigan Wraps!
What's this? A NEW style in the midst of Holiday craziness? But of course! And one more color is on it's way to Red Prairie HeadQuarters right now (slate gray, for those of you that can't stand the suspense).
These magnificent pillars of comfort are the most versatile thing we offer. Wear them open and loose over a white tee and leggings or jeans. Or belt them wrapped kimono style around your torso for a more fitted look with a pencil skirt and your favorite boots.
The front panels of fabric are full and when worn open, drape beautifully over any body type.

Truly my new favorite (especially with all the extra christmas cookies I've been sneaking)
and TODAY ONLY - we're offering them for $2 off in the etsy shop!

CLICK HERE TO BUY NOW.

Thank you Baltimore

2011-12-05T13:12:00.004-05:00

An enormous thank you to everyone who came out this weekend to our Baltimore craft fairs. I'm so happy to report that Holiday Heap was our most successful show of the year! Phil and I joked in the car on the way home, "If you want something done right - then do it yourself." Despite the stress, exhaustion, and time taken away from my own work being made - I've been so proud to be part of the Craft Mafia and organizing these fairs for these last five years. This was our tenth show together, which is quite a milestone for me.
The truth, of course, is that the statement we "do it ourselves" is a ridiculous one. There are 14 of us in the craft mafia, and even as a 14 person team, we can't say we do it ourselves. It's the thousands of people in Baltimore that make the choice to spend their Saturday at a run down church in Charles Village shopping for handmade pottery, hand printed tshirts, and hand sewn sculptures instead of heading to the mall, or shopping online at big box stores. It's the husbands and friends who put on a two-headed tshirt and parade themselves around the farmer's market with a Ukulele. It's the interns who drag themselves out of bed at 6:30 to come carry crafts & string christmas lights, and the local businesses that sponsor the show so generously. It's the vendors who promote us online, and who make such beautiful things that make people want to come back!
Baltimore is an imperfect place. It's part of the city's charm, for sure (See: Every John Waters film), but it's often a source of endless frustration for me. We are sometimes a city of grand ideas and no follow-through, with an apathetic attitude towards seeing things through to their full potential. (I'm guilty of that attitude at times as well). So it's with extra pride, then, that we find our craft fairs jam packed with people willing to support local businesses, and fine artists running their own independent operations. The city really comes together as a whole with us, and it's so nice to feel that support around something I care so much about.
I find myself finishing off 2011 completely confused about how to move forward with my business - which has grown quite a bit this year. As a business, we probably won't be selling at craft fairs forever... and I likely will not be part of organizing them forever. But for now it is such a sweet feeling to be part of a group of artists that support each other so much, and a community still willing to rally behind the little guy.
Our final show is Handmade Holiday - this Sunday - December 11th in Richmond, VA. I can't wait to see everyone there!

Holiday Heap/Merry Mart - Baltimore!

2011-11-30T10:44:00.003-05:00

Two great craft fairs this weekend in Baltimore! There is nothing more to say, except that all of your holiday shopping can be done by Sunday evening, Baltimore - because everything you need is at these two shows! Check out the vendors ahead of time so you know what to get. Come early in the morning or late in the afternoon at both shows for smaller crowds & a calmer shopping experience!

HOLIDAY HEAP
Saturday, December 3rd
10am-5pm
2640 St Paul Street
Baltimore, MD 21218
RSVP here: http://www.facebook.com/events/291079287580993/

MERRY MART
Sunday, December 4th
11am-5pm
Creative Alliance
RSVP here: http://www.facebook.com/events/297648170258959/

Baltimore Twinkles

2011-11-27T22:03:00.005-05:00

photo of the Red Prairie Press booth at Bazaart on Saturday
Photo by Kim Bentley
It's officially winter. They lit up 34th street in Hampden. I know it happens the same weekend every year... but this year it seems absurd. It was so warm and lovely today that we took a walk this morning at 9:30am in nothing but longsleeve shirts, and didn't return until 4pm because we kept wanting to be outside more. It hardly seems like winter!
Despite the warm weather, I'm stuffed full of pie & mashed potatoes as promised. I successfully made a vegan seitan roast on Thursday that no one spit out, and I'm having a free shipping sale (enter THANKSGIVING2011 at checkout on redprairiepress.com or redprairiepress.etsy.com) - which is extended through Monday because of the response I got this weekend.

I had an absolutely fantastic show at the visionary art museum this weekend for Bazaart holiday market. I sold out of a few styles and am working hard to reprint and reorder everything in time for the upcoming Holiday Heap and Merry Mart (December 3 and 4 - both in Baltimore). So nice to have our most successful shows be right at home in our fair city. Fun to have so much space at an indoor fair, and get to put up my own little version of the 34th street lights.

Bazaart

2011-11-22T09:39:00.004-05:00

My favorite holiday approaches. Hang on to your pies, or I might swipe them.
I love Thanksgiving not just because the word itself sounds nice. I love an excuse for lots of people to be in my house, hot cider to be on the stove (a jug of bourbon next to it) and for all those people to be stuffed full (for my greatest joy in life, besides eating, is feeding other people twice as much) and pretending to care about football. I just love it!
And what better activity to follow gluttony with, than buying new clothing! AM I RIGHT!??

Ok no, hear me out - because it won't be for yourself. It's the HOLIDAYS, dummy! You're buying for your family (who is likely suffering a similar case of chubbabutt right now to all of us, but who will likely deflate in future months, and by god, they'll want something to wear when they do). Also - we sell scarves. Jersey cotton scarves that are eight feet long - which is plenty long enough to wrap around anyone, even if they are still full of turkey. And with these gems, you won't have to guess a size for anyone... making them the ultimate gift as they are also affordable, hand printed, and super cool.

Your next chance to get Red Prairie Press gifts in person will be at Bazaart - A craft fair at the American Visionary Art Museum in Baltimore that is not to be missed!

BAZAART ARTFUL HOLIDAY SHOPPING!
Saturday, November 26, 2011 • 10am–5pm
FREE ENTRY–open to the public!
More info: avam.org
(Friday preview party $20 or $10/Members. Tix at the door! 5:30-8pm)

in the meantime, be well, tell your friends & family you love them and take a second helping. Life's too short to pass up pie.

Repurposed Mexican Embroidery

2011-11-17T10:12:00.005-05:00

I'm headed to Philly first thing tomorrow to set up for Art Star Craft Bazaar. I'm super excited for the weekend, and for my luxurious 10'x10' space at the 3 day show! I find that if I'm able to have apparel hanging on racks, it makes it much more shopper-friendly. Not to mention, I always secretly think of my 10 x 10 tent (which yes, I'm totally bringing - tricked out as an indoor booth) as a cozy little fort, like the ones I used to build with my brother as a kid. Except in this fort, people come visit and hand me money... instead of fighting with me over toys. So actually, it's even sweeter. (No offense to my brother, who I'd totally still build a fort with anyway).

As weekend inspiration, I wanted to repost this chair I saw on Design*Sponge today, made by Katie Steuernagle (of Apartment Therapy, and Matsutake). I'm a huge fan of Mexican embroidered dresses and absolutely love what she's done with them in the chair and the faux taxidermy. Hope you love them as much as I do!

Introducing - Scarf Packs!

2011-11-15T08:06:00.000-05:00

Her majesty, Miss Susie Martinez (a.k.a. our talented & spectacular fall intern) took some great photos of our new scarves last week (please welcome Forest Green with blue ink, and Light Blue with Forest ink!). We were so happy with the way they came out, that I had her do some fun "group" shots of scarves together for etsy. Just in time for the holidays, we're offering the jersey cotton scarves in 2Packs and 3Packs (you pick which ones - let us know in the comment section of your order), to save holiday shoppers a bit on shipping costs!

Phil and I had a great time in Pittsburgh at Handmade Arcade this weekend. A successful kickstart to the next two months of holiday craft fairs, and I'm very excited. I love this time of year, despite how busy we are (and the state of turmoil our house maintains) - it's when I get to see other crafters, and feel like I'm part of the great community I am a part of (rather than just dreaming of it from my studio). I'm headed to Philly on Friday for Art Star Craft Bazaar. Will I see you there?

Touchdown

2011-11-07T13:26:00.005-05:00

The plane just landed, and I've eaten my free pretzels. It's back to reality. We went to NH for an early family thanksgiving this weekend and had a wonderful time despite the cold weather and slow-to-melt snow (not pictured). We cooked, we ate, we played games, we took walks to the river, and all was good. Just like it always is...NH is just like it was when we grew up there.
I've got a busy couple months ahead - starting right this second. We have craft fairs booked every weekend straight through Christmas, and lots of tees and scarves to print between now and then.
We start with Handmade Arcade this weekend in Pittsburgh, which I look forward to, despite my fear of any Steelers fans finding out we're from Charm City. I've recently become aware of football, and I'm slowly learning the rules. If last night's game between Bmore and Pitt was any indication of normality, I'm going to admit it's an exciting sport. Along with my new knowledge of football (or as the Brittish call it, "that game Americans call football, but are mistaken") I will also be bringing my very first iphone to Pittsburgh. I have owned it a week, and understand it about as well as I understand football... which is to say, "It seems exciting, if I could just figure out what's going on and what all these strange signals are." But my friends in the know (on either topic) assure me that great things will come of my learning to grasp both. Apparently, "Ray Lewis" "App Store" and "Square" are all household knowledge here in 2011.
I'm not one to adapt easily to new things... but we're nearing the end to another year here, and the start of another. The world is changing, technology is all around us and we might as well keep up... otherwise, the refs are sure to throw their arms up in what looks (to me) like unanimous robotic despair, and everyone around them will cheer, and we won't know what the #*&( is going on.

Paper Chasers at Nudashank

2011-11-03T09:41:00.003-04:00

"Lap Warmer" - Part of the Paper Chasers show at Nudashank Nov 5
Look! I still make artwork too!
I have a new painting in a really great show at Nudashank this weekend, featuring a couple dozen artists' works on paper, hung salon style. The show is (aptly) called Paper Chasers, and the opening reception is Saturday (Nov 5th) 7-10pm. Be there or miss out big, because my small contribution will be mingling with work by some of my absolute favorite artists in Baltimore (Jordan Bernier, Cara Ober, Caitlin Cunningham, D'Metrius Rice...). I'm honored to be a part of this one and I promise it will be worth the trip downtown!

Paper Chasers
Nudashank - H&H Bldg 3rd FL.
405 W. Franklin St.
Baltimore, MD

Facebook invite is HERE - please RSVP & spread the word!
To contact the gallery - visit the Nudashank website HERE.

Baker Artist Awards

2011-10-31T06:04:00.004-04:00

My favorites from the Baker Artist Awards
Next Monday, the Baker Artist Awards will give out their first round of "B-Grants" for the year. Are you on the site yet, oh artist friends of mine?
If you're somehow living in a hole (one with internet connection) and don't know about the grants - let me school you now. The Baker Art Awards were developed in 2008 to promote and support the arts in Baltimore by way of a free website for artists to upload images of their work. Everyone gets a personal "nomination" page which is shared with internet users round the world on the main Baker site (thus putting Baltimore on the map as a place where folks make some pretty cool stuff - rather than just reenacting scenes from The Wire all day). Site users are allowed to comment on, favorite, share, and view artists work & profiles. A select jury chooses from the full pool of artists (which includes dancers, musicians, filmmakers and writers, along with visual artists) for prize winners for both the Mary Saywers Baker prize ($25,000 awarded to three individuals in January) and "B-Grants" (smaller prizes of $1000 each, given out in November, December and January). It's free to start your own nomination page, and the only requirement is that you are a resident of the Baltimore region. (See HERE for details).

Above is a collection of some of my personal favorites from the nomination pool so far. You can check out who made what by clicking right HERE. You can view my own page right HERE... and if you're still reading this blogpost and haven't left it to sign up yet, CLICK HERE.

Put a bird on it

2011-10-27T17:48:00.004-04:00

My friend Jen (of Yummy & Co fame) was kind enough to snap this photo for me of my custom made scarves at the BMA shop in Baltimore. The scarves are available exclusively through the museum shop until after the holidays, and are a limited edition for now... so grab one while you can! As I said in my previous post - all the artists in the MD made section were asked to choose a piece of art that inspired a new product. I chose a piece of yellow lusterware china with a similar bird design on the side. Can you find it in the museum?

While Supplies Last?

2011-10-26T13:37:00.002-04:00

Did you know we're discontinuing a couple colors of our jersey cotton scarves, to make way for some new colors?
Yup, it's true. We're waving a sniffly goodbye to the Mauve poppies scarf, and the Olive lace scarf today... there are only THREE left of each of them. I can't believe it! We've been through so much together, Olive & Mauve... I'll miss you both!
Hope the last few find good homes!

Speaking of scarves, do you know I have two limited edition scarves in the Baltimore Museum of Art shop right now? The "Made in Maryland" shop is full of custom items made just for the BMA by local artists - each of us using inspiration from a piece in the museum of our own choosing. I picked the yellow lusterware pottery from England as my inspiration. You'll have to go see for yourself what piece I loved most.

Nubabushka

2011-10-24T10:25:00.003-04:00

Hooded Scarves by nubabushka on etsy
My summer intern Natalie was very tough to let go this August. I miss her dry sense of humor around the studio. Her willingness to appreciate Ally McBeal with me (while we worked in a less-than-glamorous basement on less-than-glamorous things) was a true inspiration for interns around the world. In fact, I recommend you hire her when she graduates from MICA this spring.

I ran into Natalie this weekend, and she told me to check out her etsy shop, as she'd been busy putting up photos of her hand sewn, reversible, hooded scarves. I don't know about you, but I want every single one of these things. The fabrics are beautiful. The zip-up pocket is big enough to hold a lightweight wallet, phone, or just an ID and some cash - which for me, solves the serious problem of thigh bulge when these things are carried in my pants pockets. The hoods dress up a sweatshirt or tshirt, warm your head and neck on a cool day, and if that's not enough... they just look darn cool.

You can buy your own Nubabushka Hooded Scarf by visiting Natalie's shop: nubabushka.etsy.com

Fall

2011-10-17T08:20:00.004-04:00

What an great weekend we've had in Baltimore. The leaves out front have started to change and the weather on Saturday was picture perfect for the Baltimore Marathon - which we did not run but DID cheer on as it passed by our street. Phil got on TV for playing his guitar for the runners, and we both got inspired to go for a 6 mile run in the park on Sunday.
(The aftermath of which was me putting on sweatpants for the rest of the day, mind you. So I'm still unclear how anyone functions after 26.2 miles).
Our days this month are filled with working, but also with making soup + baking bread and pies for cooler weather, going to neighborhood fiddle jam sessions, taking walks, watching football, drinking apple cider and absorbing the last rays of autumn sun before it's too cold to bare any skin outdoors. I've always loved fall. My favorite foods abound, good smells waft through the air, there is an abundance of candy, and everyone wears scarves.

I start this week particularly inspired to have a great fall, and I hope you're feeling the same. The bright colors & crisp air insist a new season is upon us, and so- a new beginning. Despite what Fall promises in fact (a few cold, dark, months of lifeless winter) I still find this season the most refreshing. Leaves on trees die in the most graceful, colorful way, and we get to enjoy the whole thing! Is the irony of finding inspiration in death & decay lost on me? No it is not. But neither is the irony of being inspired by a fellow human willing to suffer 26.2 miles of running without being paid or chased.
There is great absurdity all around us... but lets be inspired by the less sensible things, or we might all end up forgettable.

2012 Calendars!

2011-10-14T13:37:00.003-04:00

I'm so excited to announce that my 2012 Calendars are now available, exclusively through Art Star in Philly (and, of course, on their website).
The calendar is a collaboration between myself and Art Star, and features 12 paintings from my Alphabet series with the shop, and hand drawn calendar months. I can't wait for you to have one! I won't be selling these in my own shop - they'll only be available through Art Star for now.

CLICK HERE
to see more images, and to get one of your very own.

I'm having a really fun week. I got to visit a Senior Thesis class at MICA yesterday and be a guest critic, and then give an artist talk (have I mentioned I HATE public speaking? Luckily these guys & gals were super cool and I was happy to share my work with them after they'd graciously shared theirs with ME for 5 hours). Today I was interviewed & photographed by the Baltimore Sun for an article about Baltimore Print Studios, and now I'm working on an exclusive project for the Baltimore Museum of Art which will be in their gift shop for the holidays! I'm happy that the weekend is almost here, but really feeling great about work this fall.

What's New!

2011-10-04T13:24:00.003-04:00

Thanks to everyone who came out to Crafty Bastards this weekend in DC. I left the booth in good hands with my pals Jon & Nogeeshik, and they absolutely loved meeting you all, even with the chilly weather. DC you are an inspiration to shoppers everywhere, and we salute you as always!

My next show will be in Pittsburgh - Handmade Arcade on November 12th. It's another one of my favorites, and I'm already getting excited! In the meantime, I'm keeping busy working on Holiday Heap for Baltimore in December (APPLY NOW!) as well as gearing up for some NON-craft fair October appearances with a guest critic & artist talk at MICA and some panel discussions at the Summit of Awesome in Baltimore. Really excited to meet everyone at both of those events, even if it means I have to conquer one of my biggest fears (public speaking). I'm glad to get out of the studio for a bit.

Today Phil and I met with a rep from Alternative Apparel here at the studio to look at some new apparel for this winter. I am feeling invigorated and excited about a few new pieces, and still swooning from just TOUCHING the soft soft fabrics that were at the table with us!

Can't wait to get started. Happy Fall, everyone!

CRAFTY BASTARDS - OCTOBER 1

2011-09-23T08:29:00.003-04:00

Pretty excited for my favorite craft show of the year - coming up October 1st in Washington DC - It's CRAFTY BASTARDS time!
I will sadly only get to see the very beginning of the show this year, as I'll be playing it like a movie star, and jumping on a plane to NH (right? aren't movie stars always flying to rural new england? what?) to go partake in a special friend's unmissable wedding that same afternoon! (thus practically achieving the age old pursuit of being in two places at once).
But don't worry - the Red Prairie Press booth with rage through the day regardless. My outstanding & knowledgeable friends Nogeeshik & Jon will be there to guide you to fashion perfection with their sparkling smiles & alluring aussie accents. They'll be selling you the same great tees and would love to say hello!

In a week where almost nothing has gone according to plan, I'm so glad to be able to count on great friends and great organizations like Hello Craft - who organizes this awesome fair. Can't wait to see everyone!

Crafty Bastards
October 1 - 10am-5pm
Marie Reed Learning Center
Adams Morgan
Washington, DC

American Folk Art Museum

2011-09-19T14:21:00.007-04:00

Credit: Marilynn K. Yee/The New York Times
I've had a bittersweet weekend and I mention it not to invite sympathy but as an excuse for the extra anger I feel toward something else: the apparent eventual loss of one of my favorite Museums - the American Folk Art Museum in New York.
This 50 year old institution has, according to a recent NY Times article, had trouble keeping afloat in the past - and certainly this can be said of many art institutions. But in a time where nearly every piece of unpretentious art and every quietly celebrated artist inside the museums walls can be credited with influencing the current craft movement I feel so connected to, I cannot believe that the problem appears to be ability to attract community support (read $$$$$).
How can a collection of art so directly linked to current trends in both painting, design, American craft, and the DIY movement of this last decade especially, be so entirely disregarded? And by it's own trustees, no less? Do we not still value our history as a country, just a handful of centuries after fighting for it? Don't we value the progression of domestic craft? Aren't we currently a country obsessed with announcing the locally made status of each and every article of clothing we dawn, and flaunting our personal relationships with the makers themselves? Is this museum REALLY so ironically lacking in relevance that it's own trustees can't find funding? Who are we, America?

The American Folk Art Museum's recent plan to disperse their collection all over the country and dissolve the institution altogether seems to me a story that's already been written. If we have learned nothing from the consequences of poor judgement and acts of irresponsibility in folk tales - then surely in our own short and notably fragile lives. Have we forgotten some of the morals that folk art once sought to instill? Seek to protect and cherish those things that give you a sense of self. Put value on hard work and physical labor. And perhaps the most potent to me at the moment: once you act on a bad decision, you can't always take it back.

This collection has influenced the movements with which I associate myself and my own work tremendously. Outsider artists like Henry Darger, and iconic groups like the Pennsylvania Dutch quilters have shaped who I am as an artist, and given me both the aesthetics and values for hand made products that I hold dear. I can only imagine they must have this effect on others?

In the words of the New York Times - "Please. Someone, everyone, do something."

Chicago!

2011-09-15T10:29:00.003-04:00

Cards from 1Canoe2
I can't believe it's somehow already Thursday. How did that happen??
I had a great time in Chicago last weekend at Renegade Craft Fair with my friend Vanessa helping out. Thanks to everyone in the Windy City for coming to the fair, including mayor Rahm Emanuel! We met some lovely people, visited with wonderful old friends, and had our most successful show of the year so far. This weekend was quite a kickoff to fall shows! We're sold out of a few things, but will be restocked by next week for Crafty Bastards!
One of my favorite vendors and new crafty buddies from Chicago Renegade was 1Canoe2 - a letterpress trio from Missouri featuring cute hand drawn designs on stationary, posters, calendars and cards. Nice to see new (to me) things, and enthusiastic vendors. Not only did we have a good show and meet lots of new cool folks, but we also got to eat some pretty stellar food at Handlebar Cafe, 90 Miles Cafe and Milk and Honey Cafe. I also met some fine folks of Chicago Local Intelligentsia Coffee, who kindly gave us two free bags of their coffee at the end of the weekend. YUM.

My sister-in-law and niece are visiting this week, and it's super fun to have a four year old in the studio with me. We made some pretty silly tshirts last night featuring about 9 designs (and a few fingerprints) each while Mom baked a wedding cake in the kitchen above us for a wedding in town this weekend. Good to have the house full and lively, and smelling this delicious!

Goodbye Vneck Dress!

2011-09-06T17:01:00.002-04:00

Came home from a rather spectacular weekend with friends on the eastern shore yesterday to the news that our Cotton Vneck dresses are being discontinued!
BOOO.
Sorry to disappoint any of our wholesalers looking to carry them for the fall.

Luckily, we have quite a few in stock, shoppers- so we'll have them in Chicago this weekend, and may even have some left at Crafty Bastards in October, if they're still around. In the meantime, dry your eyes and get your closets ready - because I'm working with some folks on a very special new product which will hopefully be ready by the holidays (if not sooner).

Can you stand the suspense?

Horrible Adorables

2011-09-01T09:50:00.004-04:00

Felt Peacock by Jordan Elise aka Horrible Adorables

I absolutely love this. I have nothing more to say about it, except that you too should probably start gawking constantly at the work of Jordan Elise of Horrible Adorables, because she is one of the most talented folks in the craft world right now. She makes her felt sculptures by hand, in Cleveland, Ohio. So Great. Go "like" her on Facebook, and then Buy everything in her Etsy shop and ship it on over here. Thannnnnnnnks.

SIDENOTE: When shipping us all of these gifts, we recommend shipping with our good friends at FedEx.com... who recently decided to reimburse us for the $700 worth of tshirts we had stolen off our porch this summer. We salute this company!!!

Summit of Awesome!

2011-08-31T10:18:00.004-04:00

On October 20-22, I will have the honor of joining some rather intimidating forces of indie craft as a panelist/speaker at the third annual "Summit of Awesome" - this year in Baltimore. The Summit of Awesome is a three day conference of business and technical education seminars as well as hands-on workshops produced by the non-profit group Hello Craft. Summit seminar topics range from how to organize craft fairs and develop successful product lines to teaching crafters how to prepare taxes and form LLC’s. The conference is organized with a desire to help sustain the handmade movement and support independent crafters within the community.

All are welcome to attend, and passes are available for sale HERE.
Today is the LAST DAY to purchase a pass to the Summit at the Earlybird Price, so jump on it while you can!!
The all-inclusive pass gets you into the entire line-up of Summit seminars, mentoring sessions, snacks, hands-on workshops and night owl networking activities (including a craft fair/meet & greet with all of the speakers & organizers).

Holiday Heap

2011-08-29T09:22:00.002-04:00

It's hard to believe that in the sweltering head, it's already time for Holiday craft fair applications, but it's true! You can now apply for Holiday Heap in Baltimore (December 3, 2640 Space) - HERE. This is the Charm City Craft Mafia's TENTH craft fair together, and we are really excited about this one. 60+ crafters, Food trucks, music, merriment. It's going to be great! Apply today. Applications are due October 8 at midnight.

We're all safe in Baltimore after a memorable week of natural disasters - which luckily didn't hurt us. The house is dry, no trees fell on us, and the rain stayed mostly outdoors. We're feeling very lucky, and thinking of our friends in town and in New England today who were flooded or damaged by the storm. Here's hoping for a dry week and a quick recovery.

Happy Monday.

Eagle Print Scarf in Orchid

2011-08-23T09:56:00.004-04:00

Ahoy there - what's this? a snazzy new scarf with the same spectacularly patriotic Eagle print as the pullovers posted last week?
Why yes, dear reader! Your eyes are working well! Here is the new Orchid Scarf with Eagle Print you've been waiting for.

A bright sunny day here on the Prairie. Natalie is coming in for her last day, and I'll be missing her by the end of the week, I know. Looking for a new equally enthusiastic new intern to come on board for the semester... if you're interested, feel free to email me here!

Goodbye Sometimes

2011-08-22T10:11:00.004-04:00

photo from kibrly on Flickr
This weekend was a lot of things...
We built shelves in the new office, we were home all weekend, and it was a rare one where I stayed out late two nights in a row - Once for the Baltimore Rap Round Robin (if you're surprised at this, you don't know my history) and once for the very last Sometimes Dining - which has been a staple in Baltimore for the last couple years. What started as our three pals wanting to cook fancy and inventive dinners for larger groups of friends turned into a much competed for, reservations-only sporadic dinner party/restaurant in a beautiful secretly located Baltimore backyard. It's been not only the best meals I've eaten in the last two years, but also the best company I've kept, and the best way to spend weekend nights with friends old and new. The dining series ended this weekend with an invite-only grande finale deliciously (and bittersweetly) worthy of it's own sendoff. Here's a photo my friend Kim snapped of Phil and I in the middle of the 10 course extravaganza. If I look extra happy, it's because I'm among very very good people... a fact of life in Baltimore of which these dinners always helped to remind us.
Admittedly spent most of yesterday recovering from two nights out late in this glorious city... but the weather cooperated with me and thunderstorms were the perfect backdrop for a day of reading, baking cookies, and adoring the cat with Phil.

Now we're back to work in full force. It's the last week with the awesome intern Natalie and time to look for a new one.
New apparel needs advertising and prints need printing. If I didn't love doing this stuff so much, I might just be counting the days to my next weekend...

New Folksy Eagle Pullover & Scarf

2011-08-19T15:54:00.005-04:00

Eagle Print Pullover by RedPrairiePress
You ask and we deliver! New for fall - a navy blue version of our popular tri-blend pullovers - now with our new Eagle design!
It's just shy of 1000 degrees in our office, yet I'm already wearing mine proudly!
Buy yours in our etsy shop by CLICKING HERE!

Finding Inspiration

2011-08-18T15:12:00.003-04:00

Took a quick one-day trip to NY yesterday! After six hours of walking the NY International Gift Fair, the single craft piece I saw that made my heart race yesterday was not on the show floor - but in my inbox.
Shannon of SweetPepita bought a big pile of shirts from our discount bin at Artscape, and I knew something was up. Shannon makes wonderful one-of-a-kind dresses and tees for kids out of recycled apparel and I had a feeling her daughter (one of the coolest kids I know) was about to get a new back to school wardrobe. Sure enough...
Voila! from one of our "red prairie vintage" tees - the Dog Mandala for ladies - came this super cute Sleeveless Summer Swing Dress with gathered shoulders! I absolutely love seeing that shirts we've discontinued, burned or damaged slightly with ink spots end up with glamorous new homes... and this one takes the cake!
I came home yesterday from the gift fair invigorated, but very overwhelmed by all my options and ideas. Even in a cloud of exhaustion and overstimulated stupor - This talented Mamma and extra rad model totally made the day shine brightly for me, reminding me that even when I've lost my way or given up on certain things (in this case, a tshirt design)... I still can find a small team of supporters that will rally for me, and nudge me along. Thanks gals. :)

Lucky You, Maryland! It's Tax Free Week!

2011-08-15T11:41:00.003-04:00

IT'S TAX FREE MARYLAND WEEK!!!!!!!
Buy anything in the Red Prairie Press Shop (or etsy shop) now through August 20th and you won't pay MD Sales Tax. That's a savings of 6%, Marylanders!
We're just back from a fantastic trip on the Appalachian Trail going through part of PA... Found this four leaf clover just outside the tent on Saturday morning while checking out a misty morning view of PA Dutch Country (for a few more shots of what we look like schlepping our backpacks around in the woods, just click on the clover) just south of the Delaware Water Gap. Glad we made it back indoors in time for the epic thunderstorms hitting Baltimore right now. A good day to be busting through the to-do list.

Sandy Skoglund

2011-08-10T10:48:00.003-04:00

Phil and I are both covered in drywall dust at the moment, as we're remodeling the back office to fit us both in it, and we're doing all the sanding today. I was cleaning out my office a bit, to get ready for my move into the new one, and I re-discovered some postcards that made me smile - I've had these images of Sandy Skoglund's work hanging around my workspace for about 10 years now - since college. Her bizarre scenarios and powerful use of color have had a big impact on my own artwork, and I just realized I don't think I've ever mentioned her before now. Look her up. You'll love her work.

Jonathan Mann - Song a Day

2011-08-02T08:46:00.003-04:00

If you are familiar with my paintings at all, you'll know that I generally paint women. I can't entirely explain where this came from. Maybe it's that I started my foundation drawing in a women's college that refused to use male models (true fact). Maybe it's because I now model for every painting myself, in reference photos. Maybe it's just that I like painting dresses more than pants?
I've been called a feminist artist, which has always made me chuckle, because I'm more self-absorbed than anything else, with this routine. But in any case, I don't draw men that often, and I decided recently that perhaps I should start.
Enter, Jonathan Mann! Do you know about Jonathan Mann? For the last two years, he's been producing an original song, with an accompanying youtube video FOR that song every single day. 365 days a year. Even when he's sick with the stomach flu or on vacation. The project has gone so well that Jonathan is now producing an album with a few choice songs from the last two years (he allowed his loyal fans to vote on which songs got in)... and in a kickstarter campaign to fund the albums production, he promised higher donars a tshirt or poster with an original design - and he asked me to make that design.
I loved doing it, and can't wait to see the tees and posters done! check out songatron.com for more info on the song-a-day project!

wanna see the only other commissioned illustration project I've done of men in the past 10 years? Here it is. A collaboration with my pal Mikey, with very specific instructions. Other than that, I have no explanation at this time.

Having a time.

2011-08-01T09:47:00.004-04:00

Oh life.
Happy August everyone!
Woke up this morning with a nasty case of poison ivy all over the backs of my legs - must be that I'm correctly approaching summer then, right?
This last month has been a flurry of activity for us here at Red Prairie HQ. I worked on my first ever illustration of men (I'll show you soon - just need to get the ok from the commissioner), My first ever Movie poster, My first real "acting" gig in a music video (see above)... and so much more! We have also been seeing lots of friends, having yard sales, tubing on rivers, eating things like watermelon gazpacho, and fried green tomatoes... and doing some demolition work to Phil's office closet, which is making way for my desk! We have decided to share an office and make my current office into a guest room - very excited about this, especially since it means we'll be moving our TV out of the living room and up to that room. I love the idea of replacing it with plants and artwork and can't wait until we're all done and organized. In the meantime, Phil's hand is healing nicely and he's working hard on a hand drawn animation, which should be done by fall.
Loving life. Hope you are too.

SUMMER SALE! 25% OFF!

2011-07-27T08:35:00.002-04:00

So tell me, fellow survivors of July, Hows it going? Draw me a picture.
Are you melting on your laptop on your kitchen table like me, or are you freezing at your desk job because someone's over-doing it with the central air? As far as jobs go, there are those which require a tank top in the summer (mine) and those which require a sweatshirt (my mom, a librarian, keeps a cardigan at her desk). LUCKILY, we've got plenty of both! And everything in the shop is on sale for 25% off if you can just beat the heat delirium and remember the coupon code: "SAVEOURSUMMER" Now through July 30th.

www.redprairiepress.com

We highly recommend eating a popsicle before/during/after shopping... but hurry! we aren't restocking the site until after the sale, so once these gems are gone, they're... well... more expensive later.

Pinecone + Chickadee - Maine

2011-07-25T13:58:00.002-04:00

My craft fair pals Pinecone + Chickadee have some big news - they've opened a brick & mortar shop selling their own tees & stationary along with other indie lines of jewelry, apparel and gifts-including Red Prairie Press tees, scarves, dresses & Sweatshirts! I can't wait to visit in person, but until I do - everyone in Portland, ME should go check out the new space - which will be having a grande opening party on first fridays - August 5!

Pinecone + Chickadee
6 Free St
Portland, ME 04101

Congrats Noah + Amy!!

In a box

2011-07-20T09:17:00.005-04:00

Necklace from Yummy and Company

Today my morning started with a phonecall. I've simplified it for your entertainment:

Me: Hi there, I'm looking for a package that was supposedly delivered on 7/18. It says delivered on the website, but the doortag I signed is still stuck to my door, and there's no package.
FedEx: Yes. I see that it was delivered on 7/18. R. P. Press signed for it.
Me: Oh... that's my business, Red Prairie Press.
FedEx: Oh - Okay. So, one of the people at your business signed for it.
Me: I'm the only one at my business though.
FedEx: Oh! Okay, then YOU signed for it.
Me: No I didn't.
FedEx: Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm. Ok, I'll call the driver. This will take 24-48 hours.
Me: That's a REALLY long Phonecall.

So. It appears our restocking of tshirts sold out at Artscape will be delayed a while, but in the meantime, I'll pump my fists for how great Baltimore is (minus the safe delivery of tshirts to my home) and how much fun we had at Artscape this past weekend. My pal Vanessa came down to help out since Phil has hurt his hand, and my glorious intern Natalie came Sunday and gave us both a little break too. I met so many cool folks, and saw lots of wonderful artwork. Loved the Sondheim Semi-Finalist show (especially Missy Webb & Kelley Bell's pieces - the best I've seen from either of them!) Clapped with giddiness for the Art Car Parade and Nana Projects team on stilts. I traded with Yummy & Co for a beautiful necklace similar to the one above, and somehow lost it off my neck by the time I got home (devastating, but now that I've tasted the glory of having one of these around my neck, I will be obtaining another in one way or another).
We sold out of a lot, so please be patient with us as we re-stock the shop... Baltimore, you blew us away, as usual. I can see why The Sun is spouting out 100 reasons they love you today.

See everyone soon!

Artscape - Baltimore - This Weekend!

2011-07-13T08:36:00.002-04:00

If you're in Baltimore, you likely already know that Artscape is happening this weekend. The country's largest FREE arts festival has been setting up tents on Mt. Royal and Charles Streets for the last week, the Sondheim Prize winner was announced Saturday (congrats to Matt Porterfield - whose film Phil did sound recording for, so I'm extra proud!), the shows are up, the buzz is buzzing, and we are frantically printing away in the studio trying to build up stock for the weekend rush!
Artscape has all sorts of new stuff in store for you - an 80's only stage, for instance, celebrating the festival's 30th birthday... and has impressed me in particular with the organization of more green touches: There are 10 recycling centers on the festival grounds this year - including 4 recycle bins and 2 composting bins at each location, along with a volunteer willing to explain the difference in trash to those needing assistance. There's also a huge push for folks to bike to the festival, and there's a place to lock your bike safely.

Red Prairie Press will be at booth #43 in the DIY section. We hope to see you there!
Don't forget your water bottle, hat and sunscreen!

Congratulations - Trohv!

2011-07-11T12:52:00.006-04:00

A big congratulations to our pals at Trohv - one of the outstanding & wonderful shops selling Red Prairie Press- on a successful grand opening of their second retail location in DC this weekend! Visit Trohv in Baltimore OR DC today for gifts of all shapes & sizes - including red prairie press gear (and occaisionally, some of my original paintings- as seen on their website)!
We love these guys - and we're so proud to be in both shops!

TROHV Baltimore
921 W. 36th Street
Baltimore, MD 21211
410-366-3456
hellobmore@trohvshop.com

TROHV DC
232 Carroll Street NW
Washington, DC 20012
202-829-2941
hellodc@trohvshop.com

Sparkle Farm

2011-07-08T13:17:00.004-04:00

Until this past weekend, I hadn't seen my friend Erin Graves in about 5 years, so when I heard she was coming to the big dig (see below post), I got really excited... I always loved her artwork at Syracuse, and I knew she must be up to something cool. Turns out, Erin started her own Etsy business - called SparkleFarm - and sells jewelry made from vintage nautical themed brassware. I'm in love with pretty much everything in her shop - especially this chevron necklace. Her prices are VERY inexpensive, and she offers free shipping to everywhere in the US. So great to find friends doing spectacular crafty things!

Dig Deep

2011-07-06T17:58:00.003-04:00

On Tuesday, Phil and I celebrated our 3rd year of marriage together... and this weekend, we rang it in with a whole lotta friends with an annual tradition called the Big Dig in Eatonia, PA. I'm nervous about going into too much detail about this event, as I know some of those friends read this blog, and I feel that I wouldn't do the true explanation of the event any justice, so I'll just say that we dig a big hole together in a beautiful place, and enjoy each other's company while camping, swimming, singing and getting good and dusty and sweaty. Sometimes, there doesn't need to be a reason... or maybe those are all perfect reasons.
The top photo is a bandana I designed & printed for my friend Jon, who celebrated his 30th birthday at the dig. I can only hope my 30th year involves that many friends in one place, shovelfuls of dirt, and leaps into a swimming pool!
In any case, we are, as always, feeling quite blessed to have such wonderful people in our lives, supporting and challenging us to travel and find adventure and throwing us continuous reminders to dig deeper... if you will.

Chow Wagons

2011-06-30T11:41:00.004-04:00

I've said it before, and I'll say it again. I'm really enjoying the new-to-baltimore trend of food trucks popping up. We've got the Burrito truck, the soup truck, the grilled cheese truck, the burger truck, the crêpe truck, the Miss Shirley's truck, the cupcake truck, the falafel truck... and we can all agree that all of these foods taste infinitely better bought for cash and handed through a window on the side of a the street. They just do.
But you have to be in the right place at the right time to catch your favorite truck... the food trucks are quite polite with one another, and try not to wheel on each other's turf - so usually there's only one-a-day somewhere nearby. Not next Friday though! On July 8th from 5-10pm, all the food trucks will be coming together in tasty mini-kitchen-on-wheels unity and having a cocktail hour with Food (duh), Wine, Beer & Music, so you can taste them all at once! So the only problem left will be trying to fit a burrito AND a burger AND a macncheese grilled cheese in your little tum tum all at once, while gently wrapping your cupcake in a dessert crêpe and chugging a Boh while you dance the night away.
I believe in you.

BALTIMORE TO HOST FIRST FOOD TRUCK GATHERING!
July 8, 2011
421 Central Avenue @ Eastern Avenue
5-10 PM Harbor East
Benefits http://theregoesmyhero.com
follow @chowagons on twitter

THANK YOU!

2011-06-27T14:50:00.005-04:00

sneaky photo taken by Ashley North Compton, the official CCCM photographer :)
Thanks to everyone for coming out to Pile of Craft this weekend - truly spectacular turnout on Saturday!
I had a blast meeting tons of new Baltimore pals, tickling the toes of craft mafia babies, eating grilled cheese from GrrChee grilled cheese truck (who jumped in at the last minute & saved the hungry bellies of hundreds of shoppers, when our original food truck broke down mid-week).
As Charm City Craft Mafia barrels toward our TENTH craft fair together, I can't help getting a bit sentimental, and saying I freaking love these guys. And by these guys I mean my fellow mafiosos, all the folks who help out with the show in small & large ways, and all of our crafters & shoppers who so loyally come to each and every event and support handmade and locally made shopping.
The church was crowded all day, people were super friendly, and everyone was smiling and being nice to one another.
We had a really successful day, and I spent Sunday recovering by eating doughnuts, drinking sweet tea, and playing badminton with my friends.

Baltimore, you make me happy.
Have a great week, everyone!

Pile Of Craft - SATURDAY June 25

2011-06-23T23:43:00.003-04:00

Pile of Craft - An indie craft fair for Baltimore, featuring 65+ uber talented and exciting hand-makers from all over the country - is THIS SATURDAY! June 25th, at Saint John's church. Maybe you saw us represented on the front cover of Bmagazine today, or (if you're in the future) featured on Fox News on friday morning? WOO!

Come shop for yourself (or all of the upcoming birthdays, weddings, showers and from-the-heart gift givings on your list) on Saturday from 10am-5pm. The show will feature Screenprinted apparel, hand sewn accessories, knitware, children's items, ceramics, jewelry, paper goods, belts, hats, home goods, 2D & 3D art and so much more! Plus, a free weaving demo, a photobooth, a food truck or two, some coffee, and some great face-to-face time with your Baltimore friends, neighbors and fellow art lovers!

I mean, c'mon. It's a given! Don't forget to RSVP on Facebook to our EVENT PAGE & help spread the word!

PILE OF CRAFT
June 25th, 10-5
2640 St Paul Street
Baltimore, MD 21218
FREE!

Choose your own adventure.

2011-06-20T13:35:00.006-04:00

Well, Hello Monday, June 20th. How are you?
Not sure about you, but I find myself with a choice this morning, about how my week will go:
I could either:
a) Wallow in self pity that this morning I got an email from Readymade Magazine - who'd asked me last week for some scarves to feature on their website - telling me they'll no longer be needing them, as they were ironically shut down within hours of contacting me... Or self pity that Phil is leaving for a work related trip to Scotland tomorrow that I'd planned to join him on, but that we couldn't afford at the last minute...
OR
b) Rejoice that in the last few days, I've managed to pull together a brand new art website for myself in time for my 3rd appearance in New American Paintings magazine (Issue #94, out now at your local bookseller), And that I ran 3 miles without stopping on Saturday, after we had an impromptu jam session with instruments on the sidewalk at 8am to cheer on runners in a local 10mile road race going by our street (which you'd think would have annoyed the neighbors, who came out in their pajamas to see what was the matter, but instead of being angry, they just grabbed tambourines and sang along), and that Saturday night, Phil + I celebrated 100 years of this magical community existing by taking on our first catering gig (cooking for 120 vegetarians) for the Abell Community Centennial Celebration. I spent plenty of time outdoors all weekend, didn't work at all, and saw a beautiful puppet show, a friend's band play in the park, and drank fresh vegetable juice cocktails on a porch full of flowers last night before walking back home hand in hand with my #1 sidekick while the sun set over Baltimore, and one of those bizarre motorbike parades whizzed by doing wheelies.
I mean really. Why aren't people flocking here? It's amazing.

fine! b. I choose b.

Super Snooze.

2011-06-17T11:38:00.004-04:00

Went to see Super 8 with Phil last night, and here's my review: Don't see it.
instead, go rent every 80's movie you ever loved... picture someone hot gluing all those movies together in a jumble, then spitting and sneezing on them and putting in some unnecessary computer graphics... and you'll have watched Super 8... But you'll be much more satisfied.
Unless this was a spoof I didn't catch. Did it trick me like Christwire recently tricked my friend Ben? I kept waiting for there to be a wink, or a nudge nudge, indicating that it was actually a parody of Hollywood being nostalgic for 80's originality... but I didn't see one...which lead me to assume they were thus trying to sincerely present this movie, and these characters as a new idea, which would have really just disappointed me, if I hadn't had 2 glasses of wine with dinner, and gotten to be on a date with my sweetie (so instead, I just didn't care). Plus the finished Super 8 film, played over the end credits was just charming enough that all was well, and we walked home already forgetting the entire thing.
Know what IS good?
These stripey shirt portraits by designer Mary Matson featured on the Anthology Magazine website today. Pictured are "portraits" of Zoe Cassavetes and Maira Kalman.
Click here to go to Chance Co. where the set of six prints are being sold — proceeds will go to the Japan Society’s Earthquake Relief Fund.

Thank You

2011-06-14T07:47:00.003-04:00

by Erica Weiner
We had an unexpectedly fantastic weekend in Brooklyn this weekend for Renegade Craft Fair (Unexpected because it was supposed to rain 24 hours a day, and strike us down with lightening, according to weather.com, which was thankfully incorrect).
Friday night I picked up Phil from the airport as he flew home from Greece that day - we dropped our stuff at a pal's Park Slope apartment, and wandered around the park laughing about how the craft fair was going to be a rainy disaster the next day. We came upon a huge crowd of people having picnics on blankets, and just as we were about to ask one of them what was going on, a woman's voice coming through the park on a loudspeaker announced that Andrew Bird would be playing a free concert in just one moment. So there we stood, and there we got a free concert, through the trees, from one of our favorite musicians. This wouldn't happen in Baltimore, we thought!
Saturday we were up at 7 and somehow even though it misted rain most of the day, and rained harder in the afternoon, New Yorkers weren't fazed, and we managed to have a decent day. Sunday was beautiful all day, and so busy that we went from the 9 bins of apparel we brought to 4 bins on the way home. A record day in Brooklyn for sure.
I always say I could never live in NY. It's too crowded and busy for me. But moments like these... where my favorite bands play free in a park, people come out to support the arts even in the rain and where at the end of the day, there are homemade Polish donuts a few blocks away, and delicious Venezuelan Food in the other direction... I can see why other people want to.

Also, I got this sweet new necklace from Erica Weiner to help conquer my anxiety over plane landings (and also, maybe to suggest that I know, or exist secretly as, Superman).

Bite Me, Summer

2011-06-08T07:52:00.003-04:00

My own lunch yesterday
photo from Smitten Kitchen
My friend Ali stopped by the house yesterday (and I made her come in the back alley because the porch was drying) and brought me a present - these beautiful vintage plates from Finland. I love that I'm becoming one of those people you can see something in a thrift store and know instantly that I'll like it. It just have to have folk art designs on it, really. And this saves ME the trip the thrift store, because my wonderful friends go for me! hurrah!
It's supposed to be 100 degrees today (102 tomorrow) and I must say, I'm happy to be down in the cool damp basement printing for once! I've been on a kick of eating oatmeal every day, but I think it just ended...
I made myself a tasty salad yesterday with Sorrel, Kale, Peas, Avocado and Tofu and I must say, I'm eyeing this popsicle recipe from Matt Bites Blog (via Smitten Kitchen, who actually made them for this photo)...

Painted Ladies

2011-06-07T09:38:00.004-04:00

One of my favorite things about living in Baltimore city is the trend of the "Painted Ladies" - rowhouses painted different (sometimes clashing) bright bold colors, all in a big rainbow row. It's a small thing that makes living in a city with a rather gloomy reputation seem much more positive, and it's something that totally sold us on our house two years ago, before we ever stepped foot inside.
While Phil is out of town this week, I've been getting lots of little projects done to entertain myself. My biggest feat is the painting our front porch, which I new had gotten dirty & scraped up, but hadn't really noticed just how bad until I started painting it - look at the difference in color (same yellow paint, just a few years of wear)! The whole porch looks amazingly brighter now that I've done the whole floor, and I'm inspired to paint the rest of the detailing on our railing, but I'm going to need another trip to Sherwin Williams, because our lady is a whole rainbow of colors, and I only bought the yellow!
Because I've been outside on the street for a few hours a day, I've gotten a lot of socializing done with my outstandingly cool neighbors, as they sit out on their porches watching my progress and routing me on. And my friend Dave stopped by last night while I was painting and offered some hot pink left over from his own porch a block away... wouldn't Phil be surprised!

Renegade Craft Fair this weekend!

2011-06-06T13:29:00.004-04:00

Hello from back in hot & humid & lovely Baltimore, where I'm having to water the outdoor plants every single day due to heat, but am having lovely nights out on the back deck. Phil's gone to Greece for a conference, so me and Mr. Sammy have the run of the place all week. I'm scraping and sanding the porch to prep for repainting, and catching up on some wholesale orders to ship out today.

This week, Natalie and I will be packing up the car for Renegade Craft Fair in Brooklyn - Saturday/Sunday June 11-12. Can't wait to see all of our NY pals, and spend the weekend in beautiful McCarren Park!
We'll have all apparel with us, including some sale kids tees and men's tees too if we have room.
It's a great time to stock up on summer dresses, and we've got 2 different styles, in 4 colors. Take your pick!

Mawwwaige.

2011-05-31T09:48:00.002-04:00

Hello from sunny beautiful NH where this weekend, I was a bridesmaid in a very special gal's wedding. Kimmy has been my close friend for 24 years, and is, quite frankly, the original BFF. Most of my childhood memories include her. We had our first boyfriends together (Best friends, as it would turn out. which maybe is why we chose them?) we conquered new schools and fashion statements together, learned to drive together. I call her Grammy by that name without hesitation and still have a key to her family's house on my keychain. She is my only remaining close friend who knew all of my grandparents before they passed away and she was beside me when I got married. I'm so happy to see her glowing with glee as she does the same.
On Saturday we were tattooed with henna for the occasion (The bride and groom come from very different backgrounds and managed to gracefully incorporate traditions from from both sides in the coolest way) with the rest of the women in both sides of the family. I've never had this done before and am completely in love with the experience. My tattoo is still really dark 3 days later. I hope it stays all month! Phil was up at 5 this morning and is out fishing with his dad, while i putz around my parents yard, water the plants and lay in the sunshine enjoying life.

Buy Me This - Fabric

2011-05-26T09:09:00.005-04:00

Flying Geese Napkins by Sara Lee Parker
Cloudbird Fabric by Skinny Laminx
If there was one thing I wish I was doing that I'm not... it's designing hand printed fabric. But until I get more hours in my day, I'll be pretty content drooling over the beautiful things I see in passing at craft fairs (Like the magical work of my new craft fair pal Sara Lee Parker - who was my neighbor at Art Star, and formerly employed by one of my favorite print shops in the universe - The Bird Machine), and on Etsy (Like the crisp and spot on colors & patterns from Skinny Laminx).
Sites like Spoonflower.com make digitally printing your own fabric yardage very accessible, but I do really love the look of great screenprinting... and there's a feeling of accomplishment that comes with printing your own designs by hand. Can't decide which I'd do!
Until I figure out my own yardage printing setup, you can buy me anything in either of these shops. (Actually... nevermind... you can do that even AFTER I start my own setup. These are my heros.)

Off to a wedding in New Hampshire tomorrow, and staying there for a week to enjoy family, friends and non-skin-scorching temperatures for a bit. (in Baltimore, it's so hot I'm sweating straight through my tank top at 8am). Ew!

Have a good weekend, team.

For the Record...

2011-05-25T14:11:00.003-04:00

ALL ART PRINTS ON SALE!

2011-05-24T13:58:00.003-04:00

BIG NEWS!
We're putting all of the art prints in the Red Prairie Press shop up on sale - 50% off!
The alphabet series prints are only $12.99. Larger Giclee prints are $89.99. 2010 Calendars? ONE AMERICAN DOLLAR! (They may not be useful as a date saver, but you can cut out all the prints and tape them to your cubicle, or use them as greeting cards, perhaps)
We're already selling out a few letters in the alphabet series, and when they're gone, they're gone for good!
Get your favorite letter while you can!

Pom Pom

2011-05-24T09:02:00.004-04:00

Last night I had a dream that I visited a friend at her job as a diner waitress, and I sat drawing a portrait of her for hours. When I was done, the portrait was of me, dressed as a famous country singer. Oops!

On the subject of dreams, check out this poofy dreamlike inspiration from Pom Pom Factory. They made me laugh this morning.

Weekend ReCap

2011-05-23T15:12:00.003-04:00

No seriously. it's our home!

Thanks to all who came out to support the handmakers this weekend in Silver Spring! We had a blast chatting up our fellow Charm City Craft Mafia members and show neighbors Bowerbox Press and Illegible Ink. In fact, while I was temporarily kidnapping and cooing over the offspring of the latter, a woman came up and told me I looked "Pretty Good" for having just had a baby.
(Hey, I'll take it!)
We had a blast, ate free donuts, sent plenty new shirts out into the world, answered some sassy questions from folks headed to an adjacent festival, surprisingly confused by the word "handmade"... and then we came home to delicious fruit salad and veggie burgers and (most importantly) our very own bed! Local Craft Fairs for the win!

Next Fair: Renegade Craft Fair - Brooklyn - June 11 + 12

Handmade Mart - Sunday

2011-05-19T09:07:00.005-04:00

Although we work from a home studio, we're not actually always home. In fact, we are AWAY from the studio for most of the summer... and this 10x10 foot space is our "summer house" if you will.
If we sold it, we'd list it like this:

FOR SALE! Charming Summer "Cabana" - Easy to clean and maintain. 1BR 0Bath. Detachable walls. Potential to be a lakehouse, beachfront property, or woodsy getaway! Compact, Mobile, breezy and colorful. Comes fully furnished with a new wardrobe. Four oversized windows provide views of whatever vista you desire. May need sandbags as foundation.

won't you come visit?

This weekend we'll be at Handmade Mart in Silver Spring, MD along with some of our best Baltimore, DC, & PA Crafting Buddies, and (according to weather.com) a whole lot of sunshine.

Handmade Mart
Sunday, May 22, 10 to 5
Ellsworth Drive
Downtown Silver Spring, MD

To Do.

2011-05-16T12:45:00.004-04:00

You know how there's the daily to-do list AND then that weird uncomfortable other to-do list in the back of your head that makes your body hurt and heart ache when you remember the things on it that you keep putting off? (Some tame ones on mine, for instance: learn how to use quickbooks, figure out what I want to do with my business, unpack the last of the boxes we still haven't unpacked since purchasing our house in 2009, learn to play guitar, Find a studio, sign up for spanish classes, learn to make my own website, attempt to stop eating like a frat boy...) well, this painting was on THAT to do list. A wedding gift for a close friend who was married two years ago, It's been eating at my sub-conscious for two years... growing increasingly more intimidating to finish, and more easy to put off. But I finished it last week, sent it to Boston, and thus, made an enormous red check mark in the brain-storage to-do list - which is less gratifying than having something to mark on paper, but let's face it. If any of us wrote down ALL of the things on that list, we'd be too embarrassed to show the lists to each other, and would have to burn them anyway.
In any case, I'm happy to have finished something on mine, and I hope to get to more sometime before next Saturday, when (according to the billboards on the way to Philadelphia this weekend) the world is going to end before I'll be able to really use my newfound Spanish, Guitar, Quickbooks and Webmaster skills or live to old age from healthy food choices anyway...so maybe I shouldn't be stressing too hard over any lists. At least my friends will have a solid week to enjoy their new painting (Or in the case they don't like it... they'll only have to look at it for a week?) Meanwhile, I'm going to go on enjoying the world however long it lasts either way - and I hope you do too.

Media Arts Festival - Trailer

2011-05-11T18:03:00.000-04:00

EMF Media Arts Fest 2011 from Phil Davis on Vimeo.

If you're in Baltimore this weekend - check out Towson University's EMF Media Arts Festival!
Professor Phil made this super awesome hand drawn trailer to entice you to come out and watch all the end-of-year student films. I'm bummed I won't be able to see it this year, as I'll be in Philadelphia all weekend at Art Star Craft Bazaar, but YOU should go for me. (Unless you're coming to Art Star that is - in which case - OMG SEE YOU THERE!)

EMF Media Arts Festival
Saturday May 14, 7pm
Towson University - Van Bokkelen Hall
Rm 204

Jump in The Line...

2011-05-09T13:27:00.005-04:00

We had such a great time at the Maryland Film Festival this weekend. I can't begin to imagine how much work it took, and how many hours of movies were watched in order to curate such an outstanding weekend of film. So glad we have such a fantastic resource here in Baltimore, and if you didn't make it out this year, you should definitely try for next year.
I think my favorite film this year was a feature called Shunka made by CJ Gardella (who we also met in person and quickly befriended)
Shunka - a really beautiful exploration of life through animal and human experience. Definitely the most magical cinematography in the festival for me (followed closely by Meeks Cutoff, which I disliked as a movie but adored as imagery), and being from a family of scientists & naturists, we loved all the planet-earth style filming of insects and animals. A truly honest and seemingly unbiased look at humanity and spirituality. I'm going to have to highly recommend you find a way to watch this one, and if you also manage to meet CJ in person, I recommend that too.

Another highlight of the weekend was watching a documentary on one of my favorite musicians of all time, Mr. Harry Belafonte, Being treated to his presence at the festival and at the screening was quite powerful, as was the film on his life. I had no idea the extent of social activism this man has done, and how involved in so many different projects all over the world. If you get a chance to see "Sing Your Song" I also recommend doing that... especially if you can do it in a theater, as it's impossible for an audience to not sing along to all the songs together.

Modcloth!

2011-05-04T14:05:00.004-04:00

Tick Tock Ya Don't Stop Tee - Red Prairie Press for Modcloth
Pretty excited to have a couple products available through Modcloth.com starting today!
We were beyond stoked to meet some of the lovely ladies behind this indie shopping site at POOL, and gleefully took on their custom order.
Check out these custom designed tshirts, our cuckoo clocks design on an ocean blue-gray tee - this style and print is exclusive to Modcloth and available now! Modcloth is also carrying our feather print slate gray cardigans on their site. Show your support and click on "LOVE IT" on either of these products (upper righthand corner, when you follow the below links:

Tick Tock Tee
Nom De Plumage Cardigan

Maryland Film Fest This Weekend!

2011-05-03T10:38:00.005-04:00

Jon Moses as Zeke in The Beast Pageant
Okay Baltimore friends, this is your chance!
The MD Film Fest is this weekend, and we'll be there! Our friends' film The Beast Pageant is playing on Friday night - and I would like to strongly encourage you to go. It's a film that's been in the making for a few years, and one Phil and I have both been invested in in different ways (Phil is plays in the film's "Beast Pageant Orchestra" - as it is a MUSICAL).
The film shows Friday night at 10:30 - it's worth staying up late, so drink your coffee, grab some candy, and buy a ticket in advance!!

Party Like it's 2004

2011-05-01T21:45:00.004-04:00

Just laughed out loud coming across this postcard I'd made during my first (MISERABLE) summer in Baltimore in 2004, when Phil and I moved down for him to go to grad school, and for me to teach art with Americorps. The latter fell through in my first week in town, as the head of MICA's Community Art Corps suddenly and abruptly stopped returning my calls, though I'd been promised a position over the phone (in a conversation that also included the question: "Do you dip your feet in, or dive?")

So instead, I spent the first months here doing what every other recent college graduate did - searching craigslist for jobs and slowly deflating my enormous sense of entitlement and pesky self-confidence. In that time, I apparently got hold of a pad of postcard sized watercolor paper, because I set up a little studio in our Southwest Baltimore apartment (to which Pizza guys wouldn't deliver after dark, and at which Phil and I were referred to as "Kitty" and "Mcenroe"). (No, I'll let you guess) and let out steam by hand painting fake advertisements for my melodramatic unemployed self (See above) while Phil absorbed his first semester of grad school.
It's somehow not sad to me, remembering that person, and how completely and totally miserable she was in Baltimore that year... because somehow she ended up still here, seven years later, the happiest she's ever been (and in a living situation which includes neighbors who call her by her name, and pizza places that deliver 24/7)

If I answered truthfully in that phone interview, then I said "dip my feet in." But I probably lied and said "Dive" thinking it was what she wanted to hear.
You know how you think of great ways to reply to people like... 7 years after you needed the comeback? I wish I'd said "Bellyflop". Here's why: I don't know how to dive. I'm not graceful or patient enough to LEARN to dive. And I'm happy to be awkward and imperfect at what I do sometimes, as long as I know I get to end up swimming in the pool in the end.

Ms. McDonogh, if you read this - I'd like to change my answer: Bellyflop.
(No thank you, I have a job)

Royalty

2011-04-29T10:47:00.003-04:00

There's an old Super8 Film in existence of my husband, sister-in-law, and their cousins reenacting the royal wedding of Princess Diana and Prince Charles back in the 80's... followed closely by a hilarious reenactment of the "royal birth" of william (Played by Phil, who was both the only boy in the family, and the only baby at the time). The kids are out on their front lawn in New Hampshire. They're wearing white gowns made from bedsheets - marching around regally, pretending to be royalty. It's all we could think about this morning as we peeked at photos from the event of the decade (Well, that, and "THANK GOD we're not from royal families, because I didn't even allow a family videocamera at our ceremony, let alone international news stations).
I'm not much for pomp or circumstance, but I did demand that we eat English Muffins for breakfast as a nod to our friends overseas. It may be over the top, and completely invasive of two people's great moments together... but it's taking our minds of devastating tornados in the south, War and Nuclear catastrophe. If only for a minute.
I can't say I'm not enamored, right along with the rest of the universe this morning... and dreaming of castle living and tiara owning. But in the end, I'm quite happy to have married the adorable actor who PLAYED William, and not William himself.
We'd not quite cut it as royalty. I prefer to be a commoner.

Put a Bird On It.

2011-04-26T09:47:00.003-04:00

I was thrilled to see that Google was giving a nod today to one of my favorite artists of all time - John James Audubon. He was born today in 1785- which come to think of it... makes him one of the first to "put a bird on it."

Five-O

2011-04-25T10:09:00.003-04:00

Video by Mike Maiatico, Tony Stanford + Paul Hutson

As the wife of a media arts professor, I get sneak peeks at quite a range of student projects - and when they're good, I can't help but be proud of them. This video was made by three students for Phil's Visual Effects class at Towson (so- please note the fine job of editing and addition of ridiculous visual effects). I laughed so hard that it seemed only fair to pass it on. The combination of three college guys even KNOWING the punchline of this joke, and the fact that it's really quite well shot and edited make it video gold to me, and it's getting quite a bit of play at Red Prairie Press Headquarters.

I dare you to find a better way to start your week.

Free Shipping for Earth Day!

2011-04-22T09:50:00.003-04:00

Even though I agree with Phil (who mumbled "Earth Day is every day" and fell back asleep when I tried to wake him up with the announcement it was Earth Day - and we could go get free Starbucks coffee with our travel mugs) - I still like that we have a designated day.
To celebrate this year - we decided to offer FREE SHIPPING to US customers for our more earth friendly items - the organic cotton collection at Red Prairie Press.

This deal is good for shipments in the US only, and only on the items marked "Organic Cotton"
Just our way to root you on for shopping responsibly!

CLICK HERE TO SHOP AND SHIP FOR FREE!

Shop Ruche

2011-04-21T11:58:00.003-04:00

I'm just loving working with ALL the new shops we picked up in February at POOL Tradeshow. One of my favorite websites from the new batch of stores is Ruche - they not only sell part of the Red Prairie Press collection (dresses, scarves and tanks) but also feature a huge selection of other designers - both large and small. I adore the look of their website, and covet almost everything on it. Ruche is run by super friendly (and adorable) husband and wife team Mai & Josh, who I had the pleasure of meeting in Las Vegas. I loved reading their startup story in the about section of the website, and smiling at the inspiring reminders that hard work, sacrifice and perseverance can pay off big time with such a fantastic company.

You can visit the site HERE!

Printing Lessons

2011-04-20T15:20:00.003-04:00

Question: "Wait... who the heck is THAT!??" (you're probably asking yourself) "I thought you had to have red hair to work the squeegee shift at Red Prairie Press!"
Answer: FALSE!
Sometimes when the workload gets to be too much, you have to ask for help - and so, meet Natalie: Summer intern and printer extraordinaire! Technically, Natalie's been interning here at Red Prairie Press for a few months now, but only part time. This summer, she's decided to sign on for some serious heavy lifting - and today was her first screenprinting lesson (she did fantastic!)
I'm so happy to have her here. She is two extra hands, a bundle of enthusiasm, and very good company. Plus, she loves Mr. Sammy, which is the only other requirement of this job.

Amazing how much more TWO people can get done in a day compared to one...

Baker Artist Awards announced TONIGHT!

2011-04-19T10:54:00.003-04:00

The Baker Artist Awards are being announced tonight on Maryland Public Television - 7:30pm EST. We'll be at the Windup Space for the awards celebration party tonight to cheer on the winners and celebrate the arts (and awesome arts-funding) in our fair city. (Also, to get free pizza & beer).
The Baker Artist Awards present 3 artists from any discipline (writing, music, performing arts or visual arts) each with a $25,000 prize to do with what they wish - a very exciting night, and I can't wait to see who they've featured this year.
Loving on Baltimore Arts today.

Handmade Arcade - Pittsburgh - Saturday!

2011-04-15T10:25:00.002-04:00

We'll be in Pittsburgh tomorrow selling tshirts, dresses, scarves and onesies at HANDMADE ARCADE!
We love this show - usually around the holidays, but this year in the spring - it's one of our absolute favorites every year.
Packing up the car now, with apparel old and new! See you tomorrow, locals!

Handmade Arcade
SATURDAY, APRIL 16, 2011
11 AM - 7 PM
David L Lawrence Convention Center
1000 Ft. Duquesne Blvd.
Pittsburgh, PA 15222

Motivation.

2011-04-14T13:11:00.005-04:00

This has nothing to do with craft, per say... but it has everything to do with endurance and motivation - for which I'm constantly looking for inspiration. My cousin Dave lives in Portland, OR and after years of some less-than-healthy choices, he has decided to turn his life around. Lose a bunch of weight, get in shape physically and mentally, and be healthy. He's started a rigorous program of excersize and weight lifting and has lost almost 50lb already. If this video is any proof... I'd say "In Shape" is an understatement.
Can YOU jump 47" high?

Pasta-matic

2011-04-14T11:09:00.003-04:00

Here is some proof that occasionally, things are made here at Red Prairie Press that don't involve tshirts. But when that happens, it's definitely food that's being made. We had two types of ravioli going last night - Squash with walnut/mint/creme sauce, and Spinach/Ricotta with spicy tomato olive oil. A couple pals stepped in to make it go smoothly.

Although Baltimore has a bustling little Italy, full of fancy restaurants - I've never found one that satisfied me as much as the food we make at home. Maybe it's because in the US, Italian restaurants evolve around meat and marinara sauce, and aren't exciting for a vegetarian. Or maybe it's just that I haven't found the right one yet. But I think I prefer making my own anyway. There's nothing better than making big piles of food and drinking wine with your friends.

We've decided it's spring for real

2011-04-12T09:15:00.005-04:00

Let's all agree it was 85 degrees outside yesterday, and thus, it's staying warm from here on out. We've already made our first homemade popsicles, grilled our first meal of the season, gone to the beach, planted flowers out front, eaten outside, and taken off our wool socks and stored them in the closet.

We're digging these popsicle makers from Ikea that have an ingenious little cup at the bottom to catch the melted parts and pour it directly into your mouth at the end.

Liberation By Design

2011-04-08T08:32:00.007-04:00

UPDATE: Bids are now online - you can bid on this dress HERE!
Liberation By Design
April 9th - 5pm
Silk Road Cafe-Mattin Center
Johns Hopkins University Homewood Campus
N. Charles Street
Baltimore, MD 21218

I'm so pleased to have taken part in this project with John's Hopkins University!
Liberation By Design - A challenge in which 12 designers were given a "Little Black Dress" which we were told to alter & embellish according to our own artistic vision. So, in typical Red Prairie fashion, I chose to screen print bicycling ladies and feathers all over it (in addition to trying my hand at sewing, and altering the sleeves into capsleeves). The dresses will be on display in a fashion show featuring JHU students as models tomorrow night (Saturday), and afterwards for sale in an online auction. (Visit the project's Facebook Page for up to date info on where to buy my dress or others).

The proceeds of the online auction will go to the Women's Housing Coalition.
I hope you can make it out, and I hope you snag a dress for a good cause!

Nature Inspires.

2011-04-07T11:56:00.000-04:00

Like I said, I'm a big tulip fan. But just TRY to not like the above photos of beautiful fields of tulips in Holland.
Just TRY to dislike them.
Found Via Lemme Make It Blog.
Isn't it a good day to be alive?
When I took the recycling out this morning I noticed all my daffodils out and the crocuses too. Time for another trip to Sherwood Gardens to check on the tulip situation in our neck of the woods. Phil and I walked up there Sunday but only the stems were out. Maybe by now?

Summer Craft Fairs - PILE OF CRAFT

2011-04-07T09:24:00.000-04:00

It's that time of year again, my fellow crafters.
Time to apply to Pile of Craft 2011!

Pile of Craft is an annual juried craft fair in Baltimore - Featuring 50+ talented hand-makers of ceramics, jewelry, apparel, homegoods, soaps, toys and more... put on by the Charm City Craft Mafia.
If you've never been to the fair, it's time you did. If you're a crafter and haven't ever applied - well, it's time you did that too!
The show features some of the nations best artisans, along with local food, coffee and crafty demonstrations - it also features a charity raffle basket full of all sorts of one-of-a-kind prizes for one lucky winner to take home. 100% of proceeds go to a different arts-related charity of choice for each show.
With thousands of shoppers and a beautiful location (the 2640 space- inside St. John's Church on St Paul St.) - it's easily a favorite fair of the season!

APPLY HERE!

Kim Bently - Just Because

2011-04-05T08:25:00.000-04:00

Video by Kim Bently, Music by Dan Deacon

My friend Kim Bently made this nice short video for the fun of it. I love the handmade type made out of holepunch dots, not to mention the sentiment. Swoon! Made at Baltimore Print Studios - where good things happen all the time - often to the music of Baltimore's own Dan Deacon, as is the case above.

Monday Inspiration

2011-04-04T08:30:00.000-04:00

Galoshes photo from Trohv

Painting by Lena Corwin - via Pikaland

Awesome Faux CrossStitch Fox Tee by NewDuds.

Well it's finally sunny in Baltimore after what seems like a week of rain. All this rain must be making my mind go to rainy day colors, because here are some photos from my inspiration folder on the desktop... all the grays and greens of our soaking wet city. Never fear though. Here comes the sun.
It's a new month, and yesterday I dragged all my houseplants outside and repotted those too big for their pots. (most of them). I love April. It's a month full of new beginnings. Daffodils, Tulips and Forsythia - all my favorite flowers - are coming out. Seeing life recovering from winter always makes me feel slightly guilty about all the energy we've consumed all winter: keeping the house warm and light when it's dark and cold outside and we should all be hibernating. I'm happy to be opening the windows today to let some fresh air in. Keeping the lights off a little longer in the evening, while we still get sunlight from outside.
We're hardly model environmentalists in this house, and rarely make large sacrifices for the sake of the earth. But we recycle, buy organic, aren't very materialistic, and try to stay eco-conscious. (As a business, we're also trying to introduce more organic cotton into our business, which is very exciting to me).
I'm so glad it's almost time for all our produce to come from right here in MD again. (Baltimore Farmer's Markets - at least some - have stricter locally grown rules as we get into the summer growing season). I can't wait. I watched Food,Inc last night and went to sleep slightly terrified. I'm looking forward to growing my own food as much as possible this summer and worrying less. But before that, I think I'll just enjoy the daffodils for a moment.
Happy Spring!

APRIL FOOLS!

2011-04-01T11:13:00.000-04:00

Sometimes I don't even care that my emails get spied on in Gmail. Those nerdy programmers crack me up every single april fools day. check out the video HERE for GmailMotion.
Why do I sorta wish this was real?
Also, have you googled the word "Helvetica" today?

Anyone get you good? I don't have any co workers to play tricks on, but Mr Sammy played the hilarious joke of barfing up something that looked exactly like my oatmeal just as I took my first bite this morning.
He's a real piece of work, that cat.

Lindsey Adelman

2011-03-29T12:22:00.000-04:00

Lamp by Lindsey Adelman. Photo from Apt Therapy.

While we're on the subject of house projects... does anyone have $12,000 I can ~~borrow~~ have? I want this lamp by Lindsey Adelman to be in our dining room. It's so pretty, and if I tried to make something similar on my own, it would fall and bonk Mr. Sammy on the head, and then the bed would be cold at night and Phil would be pissed at me... so I think it's best I spend your money on this real one instead, thannnnnnnnks.
love,
rachel

update: a reader pointed out that in further Lindsey Adelman awesomeness, her website features a DIY section for those of us who don't have friends who will loan them 12k - here's an example of someone following the directions for the chandelier, and building it for $120 out of Home Depot parts! WOW!.

Loading Dock

2011-03-28T12:03:00.000-04:00

It's already noon on Monday, and I haven't gotten much done. It's not that I'm not working... it's that I'm sore from a weekend of learning to use power tools on my own, doing some really basic plumbing in the studio (and getting water everywhere, all the same), and visiting one of my favorite places in Baltimore: The Loading Dock.
If you don't know about this place, you should. It's a business that gives a second life to used hardware, wood, appliances, fixtures, tiles, bricks and leftover housepaint - and sells it on the cheap to people like me who are doing projects on their own, and don't want to spend a fortune. I went with a friend Saturday and found that they had piles of used 2x4's they were giving away FREE to make room for nicer wood. SCORE! I bought $6 worth of plywood - enough to make six 4' shelves, and found enough free 2X4's to build the walls. I came home a happy gal, and after a brief rally session to convince myself I could work the chopsaw without Phil around, I cut it all down and got to work!
I've been building walls on the screen printing washout booth in the studio - which should have had walls long ago, but I hadn't gotten around to it. Poor Natalie (the fearless intern) has been getting soaking wet reclaiming screens recently, and I decided it was time to step it up a notch. The rest of the wood was for shelving behind the washout - these will hold screens and tools, and will have a workbench in between.
I'm about 3/4 of the way done, and I can't wait to show you my very first "plumbing" and "construction" projects.
Feeling quite handy, if I do say so myself.

Kathy Fahey at Metro Gallery TONIGHT!

2011-03-25T11:00:00.000-04:00

I'm just going to outright plagerize here to tell you what to do tonight in Baltimore.
I'm learning all about plumbing this week, and I'm so exhausted, I haven't really had time to think up interesting things to tell you. HOWEVER - if you're around in the city tonight, you should go to this:

"Katherine Fahey, who is a Pile of Craft & Holiday Heap veteran, a Shapenote Sister, and an all around important Baltimore artist to know, presents The Paper Fish tonight at Metro Gallery.

Your favorite Baltimore band and mine, Wye Oak, commissioned Kathy, along with Michael O'Leary and Owen Lang, to create the music video for their song, Fish, from their new album Civilian.

In true Fahey form, the work itself is a collaboration, but the evening's festivities will be as well. You will have the opportunity to view the video, the paper cuts and shadow puppets used to create it, photographs of the process, AND you will be invited to create a shadow puppet of your own.

If that's not crafty, I don't know what is." - Carly Goss / CCCM blog.

The Paper Fish
Exhibition opens Friday, March 25 and runs through April 30

Metro Gallery
1700 North Charles Street
Baltimore, MD 21201

Hatch Showprints at MICA tomorrow

2011-03-21T15:25:00.000-04:00

Jim Sherraden of Hatch Show Print
Tuesday, March 22nd, at 6 PM
Falvey Hall, Brown Center
MICA, 1301 W. Mt. Royal Ave.
Baltimore, MD 21217
There is a really exciting talk tomorrow night at MICA with Jim Sherraden of Hatch Show Print - one of the oldest and most respected letterpress poster production houses in the country. If you don't know - MICA recently purchased the full print archives from Baltimore's own Globe Poster, which closed it's doors a few years ago. The men of Globe will also be on stage to talk about that acquisition. A great way to ring in a new season, don't you think? If you are interested in printing of any sort - you won't want to miss this.
Spring is in the air in Baltimore. We had a beautiful weekend, and took lots of walks, grilled lots of food and threw the windows open and let fresh air into the house for the first time in a while. I love how giddy people get when the weather changes. Today while doing errands, I passed a man trying to stuff a huge bouquet of inflated balloons into the backseat of his car. He was being enthusiastically routed on by two (possibly inebriated, but awefully cheerful) men waiting at the bus stop nearby. A block north, a kid was standing waving a dripping ice cream cone at passing cars and grinning and leaping around. I asked a neighbor how he was in passing and he said only "It's SPRING!"
Say no more!

Mmmmmm Donuts

2011-03-17T10:58:00.000-04:00

Bad news for my health on this fine St. Patty's day.
Phil and I went grocery shopping last night, and on the walk to Giant Foods, we passed our new favorite sign on the building on the corner of 31st and Greenmount. It says "Greg's."
Why is this our new favorite sign, you ask?
Because underneath the word "Greg's" it says things like "Cake" and "Donuts" and "Bagels" and they're not even lies. I went in there today, and sure enough.... SUGAR FIX!!!!!
A tasty one too, and reasonably priced! Coffee is only a dollar, my cinnamon bun was $1.50... and the lady behind the counter was a sweetie pie. The woman in front of me in line told me she lives on the block, and has already tried one of almost everything.

Bad news bears.

Panama

2011-03-15T11:30:00.001-04:00

Hi there! Long time no see, huh?
I'm printing up a storm this week, recovering from 10 days of business-abandonment, and total vacation bliss in Panama. I had such a wonderful time that I don't even know where to start!
I do know that after working 15 hour days for a week straight, a vacation to a foreign country, in which every single interaction was a hilarious adventure - every busride a daring feat - and every bit of wildlife, a total masterpiece- was exactly what I needed to re-energize and get some perspective.
I looked a tarantula square in the eyes, played softball with a group of village men, danced in hose-water with thousands of Panamanians, hiked a mountain, swam in a river and later the ocean, navigated some seriously ridiculous public transportation, learned a little more Spanish, and snoozed in lots of hammocks. Met lots of amazing people and I think I ate my weight in fresh Pineapples and Bananas.

Now I'm home, looking at photos, wondering if it was just a dream. It seems like I was never gone, but I feel just a little more relaxed. Could it be that 10 days of travel gives you the right amount of patience to go back to your day to day? More Energy, when the whole trip seemed exhausting? I can't say for sure, but I certainly feel more focused, and less panicked about the large amount of work I have. Not sure if it's that I got to rest, or if it's that after sleeping on a cement floor and seeing how other parts of the world live... maybe such hardships as printing become that much less intense.
Or maybe it's just that I love my job, and it took getting away from it to remember?

Either way, an inspiring trip. Here's to five years in a business in which I can pick up and leave for 11 days when I feel like it... and somehow not get fired.

First Fridays + Art

2011-03-01T21:49:00.000-05:00

I'm packing the rest of a big box of paintings to deliver to the newly named Trohv tomorrow - The store formerly known as Red Tree on 36th street in Hampden has changed its name to match the one of its new sister store - Trohv of DC. I'm helping them celebrate their chain status with a wall of small paintings and hand painted key hangers like the ones above being featured for first fridays in Hampden.
All your favorite shops on "The Avenue" will be open late on Friday, and many of them offer up free specialty cocktails and snacks along with one-night sales.

I love how festive Hampden feels on First Fridays and will be sorry to miss it - but alas, I'll be in Panama, doing some celebrating of my own! Red Prairie Press turns 5 years old while I'm there, and what better way to ring in a milestone than to go to Carnivale in Central America? I anticipate sunshine, floats, costumes, and me fleeing from the crowds pretty quickly...

Won't you do the local celebrating for me, by showing up to First Fridays in Hampden?

First Fridays At Trohv
(f/k/a Red Tree)
921 W. 36th Street
Baltimore, MD 21211
410-366-3456

March 4th - till 9pm!

Best Oscars Moment

2011-02-28T09:09:00.001-05:00

PS22 Chorus Photo from AP
ok NOW will you support keeping the arts funding in public schools?

Belle Jar

2011-02-25T08:04:00.000-05:00

from Paint What I Tell You
I like pretending that something like this would work at our house, but alas - even our adorable tin flour, sugar, and coffee containers have a secret back-stock of crumpled 1/4 full bags in the pantry. I can barely remember to go food shopping, let alone remember to buy amounts of food that fit specifically into awesome looking containers. Plus, we - like the blog I stole this photo from (Paint What I Tell You) also eat foods that might expose us for the junkfood hoarders that we really are, if we put it all out in the open.
PLUS our black (not orange) cat might be standing right here too, but he'd be thinking about how he was gonna crash all the jars to the ground to get to the Zatar seasoning...

But man this looks cool, right?

The Look

2011-02-24T11:39:00.001-05:00

A big thank you to my two synthetic cohorts for modeling expertly in Vegas last week. They look good, don't they?
Want what they're wearing? Go here: www.redprairiepress.com.

Today my favorite barista at Donna's told me she's moving to Los Angeles to be a hair model. She DOES have lovely long red-blond hair, but I'll miss our morning chats and having someone that knows to hand me soy milk before I ask. Someone saw a photo of her promoting her band, and told her they'd sign her to their agency if she moved immediately, and she and her husband decided it was a way to leave Baltimore and start something new, so they now list their address as the historic hollywood hotel.
Good luck Crystal. I can't wait to see you in one of those shampoo commercials where you pull a train with your hair.

On Flying

2011-02-22T16:57:00.000-05:00

I am notoriously uncomfortable with plane landings, and generally just keep my eyes down and recite the US presidents or state capitals to myself (not that I know all of either) while squeezing the life out of Phil's hand, if he's unlucky enough to be on the plane with me. But it's a little known fact that I actually love flying itself. Landings, no. But takeoffs and flight itself, I adore. (there's got to be a metaphor here, but I'll let you work it out for yourselves however you want).
I even like airports - despite having been stuck in them so much lately that the staff in the international terminal at Atalanta started to recognize me this week. I like people-watching, and guessing where everyone's from. I like how many bathrooms there are, and how emotional it is to see people finding each other at the baggage check. Pure exhausted relief that journeys are over, and travelers have made it to wherever they're supposed to be: weddings, vacations, meetings, funerals, births of babies, with family for holidays. Women are always primping in the bathroom trying make themselves look presentable before being seen. Men are always waiting outside the ladies bathroom with piles of baggage, looking passive and rebooting their cell phones. Kids are standing in obstructive places, finding creative ways to annoy the crap out of each other.
You see snippets of a hundred stories that you don't understand and get to guess about.

I was more than thrilled to fly out of Vegas on a clear sunny day last Thursday because it meant that I got to see the city from above, as well as the beautiful desert & mountains of Nevada, and then the Grand Canyon and the Colorado River and parts of New Mexico, Texas and Alabama, which the pilot was awesome enough to point out. I'm not usually one for busting out the camera and shooting from my window seat, but I was so enamored with the vast open landscapes, I couldn't resist.

I Want Proof

2011-02-18T11:46:00.000-05:00

Sustainable Wood Sunglasses by I Want Proof
Because I was by myself except for the first day, I had approximately 30 minutes total at POOL to zip around the convention center and see who else was there - without making anyone nervous by going in their booth uninvited (WOW are tradeshows different than craft fairs in this way. Friendly, but much less camaraderie, and I got the feeling I shouldn't even make eye contact with exhibitors making products similar to my own)... but I couldn't take my eyes off (no pun intended) these amazing sustainable wood sunglasses by the brand I Want Proof. I'm not usually a big shopper, but the show was so inspiring and some booth setups were just out of this world cool. These folks finished off their sunglasses display with a big pile of sawdust on the floor, which I thought was clever. Check them out at www.iwantproof.com