Craft Wed Nov 18 2009
Embroidery, once a craft embraced by grandmothers and the perpetually pregnant, is getting a contemporary facelift this Saturday thanks to the ladies at Renegade Handmade, 1924 W. Division.
Embroidery empress Jenny Hart will host a workshop and sign copies of her latest how-to book, Embroidered Effects: Projects and Patterns to Inspire Your Stitching, on November 21st from 4:30 to 8pm. The event kicks off the third in Renegade's Spotlight Series, the In Stitches Showcase, which features the handiwork of 15 fabric artists adept at stitching slightly sardonic designs into overly precious mediums. (Ironic sayings prettily sewn into lacy pillows, anyone?)
The first 15 buyers of Hart's new book will get a sit-down course on how to amp-up their stitchery. Everyone else is privy to a book signing and reception with purchasable work from all artists in the exhibition. And free wine and beer.
Pictured artwork available from Chicago-based crafter Mandy McGee, via Etsy.com.
— Katherine Raz /
Craft Fri Jul 17 2009
Busy Beaver will be giving out free buttons at Pitchfork Festival July 17-19. Get your photo taken for free by Actionbooth.com and get a free button when you stop by Busy Beaver at Booth 40. The first 50 people wearing buttons to Pitchfork win a free gold button from Busy Beaver! Enjoy!
— Margo O'Hara /
Art Thu Jul 16 2009
If you're like me, you love the way some things look more than they taste: cotton candy looks like sugar-spun clouds of heaven but leaves an unfortunate residue and makes the molars tingle. If you're not like me, you can still have it both ways with local crafter Steff Bomb's plush, a poly-filled array of sweet, vegetable, and occasionally Krylon-wielding delights.
— Rose Miller /
Art Mon Jul 06 2009
Chicago visual artists are invited to submit their work to a competition sponsored by Gapers Block and the Rockford-based arts purveyor Wall Blank.
The four winning artists will be featured on Gapers Block, and their work will be offered as prints for sale on Wall Blank during "Chicago Week" in August 2009.
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— David Schalliol /
Feature Mon May 18 2009
Every once in a while I look at that big bin of scrap wood in the shop and think I should do something with them. Obviously, most are odd shaped pieces and relatively small, but it would be a waste to just through them away, so why not make some toy cars?
Kids like toys, kids like cars. Toys can be expensive, so making some toys is a no-brainer. Making toy cars isn't really hard: a piece of wood is cut into a car-like shape, and some wheels are put on to make the toy functional. Not hard at all. What I'm going to do is show how easy this can be and show some different interpretations of the idea of moving toys.
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— Christian Scheuer /
Craft Fri Apr 24 2009
Bill Guerriero shared this photo of some of the vibrant glass beadwork on display at the National Museum of Mexican Art in Pilsen.
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— Jamie Smith /
Feature Mon Mar 02 2009
Recently I decided that making simple furniture is something I should do more often, and in doing so, I should make some items others could do at home with a little knowledge and simple tools, or access to some other bigger tools.
This project is something that I've been thinking about for the past few months, a Slatted End-Grain Side Table with storage. I like plywood, I like it a lot, and multiple layers of wood stacked up just looks cool. Keeping with the theme, the project I had in mind was something that someone could make with limited tools and -- importantly -- stuff one could get at the local home center.
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— Christian Scheuer /
Art Sun Feb 15 2009
Baker/artist extraordinaire Zilly Rosen created an amazing 5,900 cupcake mosaic featuring President Obama and Lincoln in honor of President's Day.
Check out Illinois' Presidents in all their butter cream glory here on Cake Wrecks.
I desperately want to see a sped up version of the web-stream from that day if anyone has a link.
— Kristin Barrick /
Craft Mon Jan 26 2009
So how awesome was Aretha with that church-going hat? How many of us kinda wanted to run right down to the local craft store, buy a Bedazzler and get down to it?
Over at Threadbanger.com, they've got some talk in their forums (here and here) about how to make one for yourself.
Of course, if you're a little lazy or chained to your computer, have some fun with Photoshop and get yourself and Jack Nicholson an Aretha hat.
— Kristin Barrick /
Art Tue Jan 06 2009
There's a great opportunity at the Museum of Contemporary Art for some stitching, bitching and conversation with the great artist Karen Reimer.
From 5:30 to 8pm at the MCA's Puck Café, knitters and hookers (crocheters) will be getting together with guest artist Karen Reimer to share techniques and stories and some good wintery bitching.
Check out more of Reimer's conceptual fiber art including embroidery here, here (LOVE the Equal packet and crossword puzzle) and here.
— Kristin Barrick /
Art Wed Dec 24 2008
The overpass at Grand Avenue and the underpasses at North Avenue, Sacramento Boulevard and Logan Boulevard and 90-94 have some new residents: dozens of piñatas stuffed with emergency blankets. They're part of "a one-time community based sculptural installation organized in collaboration with arts organizations throughout Chicago, a high school art classroom on the South Side, and a number of Chicago artists."
It aims to draw attention to the issue of homelessness in Chicago and the spaces that used to act as shelter before they were fenced off/in. The piñatas are the output but are far less important than the community and awareness brought about by the process of manufacturing. Over 60 Chicago area youth, more than 30 community members, and numerous artist volunteers provide a large scale and social context.
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The piñatas are made of materials reclaimed from the Center for Green Technologies dumpsters and trash piles alike throughout Chicago. The paper mache pinatas are %100 biodegradable and are stuffed with emergency space blankets in case some of the underpasses are inhabited. Production began at the factory nearly two years ago in a makeshift workshop on Chicago's West Side. Demand increased as the fences went up and now we are out of space.
In this collapsing economy the factory could no longer afford the high cost of storing the piñatas or feeding the volunteers. Labor conditions also began to deteriorate as temperatures fell and it became evident that it was time to release these recycled beasts to the streets from which they came. So come on down to your nearest underpass to see if the menagerie is in your neighborhood (bring a plastic bat and a ladder if you need a blanket).
More photos of the piñatas' construction and installation here.
— Andrew Huff /
Craft Thu Dec 11 2008
Not as excited about Winter Break as your kids? Sign them up for one of these Chicago Winter Break Camps, pour yourself some egg nog and relax.
Wishcraft in Lakeview has it's Craft and Theater Camp where 8-12 year olds will write, design and perform a play with the theme of "eco-super heroes" saving the galaxy. Actor camp leaders assist the kids with improv games, costume construction and poster design. Cost is $240 and $200 for additional siblings.
The Noyes Cultural Arts Center up in Evanston focuses on giving during their Winter Break Arts Camp 6-day camp beginning December 22nd. Each day is self-contained and will explore crafts, cooking, art, music and drama. Depending on your budget or your child's interests, you can go in for all six days or a one-day break from the holiday. Call 847.448.8260 for registration and price details.
If you're up for some family art-making and low on cash post-holiday, the Art Institute of Chicago has numerous family workshops featuring DIY snow-people family scenes and colorful pastel environments. Cost is your museum admission with kids under 12 getting in for free.
— Kristin Barrick /
Art Thu Dec 11 2008
Tangible World has created some great gocco prints, as well as t-shirts and posters, worthy of giving to your Chicago-obsessed friend this holiday season. I'm a fan of the simplicity of this one.
And speaking of holiday shopping, Blue Buddha Boutique is hosting a holiday show tonight from 5pm to 9:30pm, featuring its own chainmaille designs as well as art, jewelry and crafts from a variety of local artisans, including the Chicago Craft Mafia. Worth checking out.
— Andrew Huff /
