Guest Blogger Picks: Katie Merchant.

1)  Worn Fashion Journal Issue 15:  First on my list is the newly designed, newly spined issue of WORN Fashion Journal.  This is seriously the best issue yet and belongs on everyone's bookshelf.  

2)  Coriander Girl - Coriander Girl bouquets are the subject of many an Instagram and blog post of mine, and although I visit Alison's beautiful Parkdale-based shop often, I'll take any excuse to pick up some of her pretty (and long-lasting!) flowers.  

3) Snacks Zine by Caitlyn Murphy and Sandi Falconer:  Hi, this is an amazing zine full of SNACKS!

4) Good Night Day Elora Slouchy Toque: Winter is coming and this slouchy hand-knit toque by Tara-Lynn looks like something I need on my head.

5) Zip Pouch by Falconwright - I have one of Falconwright's well-patterned clutches already, but I see no reason why I shouldn't add this pouch to my collection, especially to use for a secret candy stash, as Sandi and Danielle suggest.

Katie Merchant lives in Toronto and blogs for herself at thank you, ok. You can check out more of her photos of snacks, flowers, and magazines by following her on Instagram @thankyou_ok.  

Guest Blogger Picks: Covet Garden.

City of Craft has always been one of the Covet Garden gang’s favourite destinations for finding fantastic and affordable artwork — both for our magazine and our own homes. Over the years, we’ve amassed quite the collection of prints and original paintings for our walls and have all sorts of amazing sculptures and other 3-D pieces decking our halls.

This year, we’re saving our pennies to finally pick up a piece by ceramicist Julie Moon. Specifically, this matte and shiny skull is calling out to us!

And we cannot wait to see crafts made by some of our favourite artists, such as Shannon Gerard, who crochets plants, makes books and draws beautiful pictures like “Mr. Tough Guy,” pictured above.

Another favourite vendor is Doublenaut, makers of bright and graphic screen printed posters such as this here wordy bird! We first spotted their stuff at City of Craft and have featured them in our online magazine and blog a couple of times now.

We’re also looking forward to discovering new makers — like Touch the Dutch. While artist Anneke van Bommel’s specializes in gorgeous jewellery pieces with a distinctively Canadian feel, we found this woody wall piece of high-fiving grizzlies on her Etsy shop, and can’t wait to see what else she’ll have in store on December 8th and 9th.

Covet Garden is an online interiors magazine dedicated to taking you into the creatively decorated homes of Torontonians from all walks of life. We feature spaces that have been styled by their inhabitant. We also have projects and inspiration to give readers ideas to help them create their own ideal space.

Window Dressing.

Citizens!

The big weekend is fast approaching and we are really excited to announce that due to some excellent venue support from The Theatre Centre and Pemberton Group we have been allowed to start taking over Queen Street earlier than ever.

Between now and the December 8/9 weekend, we will be setting up in windows and spaces covering a half-block of Queen West West. Keep an eye out, folks!

This show will probably be our most sprawling ever, too, as we occupy spaces in 1087, 1093 & 1095 Queen West. We're going to rock the block!

Big thanks to Kalpna Patel for making the cardboard city and coming up with our design concept and to Serena McCarroll and Mark Andrada for helping with the installations.

Guest Blogger Picks: Becky Johnson.

Greetings, Citizens.

As we hit the ten-days-until-the-show mark, it feels like high time to start seriously showing off what our amazing vendors are going to have on offer on the big weekend. To that end, we are launching a series of gift guides selected by a crew of lovely invited guests and staffers.

Even though I do not like to pick favourites (every vendor at City of Craft is top notch in my books), I thought I would kick the series off by showing off the work of a few vendors who are brand new to the show. With just over one third of our vendors never having done a City of Craft show before, this was no easy task. Here goes!

I am really excited to see the work on Hamilton's Crownland not just because owner Amy Kenny's design sense is so clean and iconic but also because she hunts deer and tans leather herself. I give major props to makers who get that involved in the sourcing of their materials.

If you are more geared toward animal motifs than products, Dawn Petticrew's ceramic works may be just what you are looking for. Striking a balance between fantasy and earnestness, her work is completely beguiling to me. Skill, voice - she's got it all. Plus, I dig florals with some punch to them.

I am also a sucker for all things DIY (naturally). That is why I find these animal embroidery kits by Kiriki Press so fantastic. Practising your stitches and ending up with a totally unique plushy in the end? What a great way to spend some frosty evenings. And you don't have to deal with the daunting aspects of designing the project, if that's not your bag. Magic!

Further on the semi-DIY tip are the full line of colour books by Team Art. I especially appreciate how this collective seems to be picking themes for books completely based on their own varied interests - Dogs, Voldemort, 90's Pop Divas, Jon Hamm. That's a team I'd like to join (and a Hamm I'd like to party with).

Speaking of personal interests, I would be remiss if I did not mention Fila Arcana, the art outlet of embroiderer Mine Sewell Mancuso. Working from arcane imagery based in mysticism and secret societies, her work very much appeals to the our more esoteric selves. I always find these themes especially resonant in winter - less sunshine, all that time indoors...what better time to contemplate the mystical?

Becky Johnson runs this here City of Craft and also her own craft outfit, the Sweetie Pie Press. Sometimes, she speaks at conferences about craft-related themes, sometimes she curates things and still other times she makes up jokes on stage.

Call for Youth Vendors!

 

Willy Brown at City of Craft Spring 2012. Photo by Serena McCarroll.

Hear ye, hear ye!

Due to some very incredible venue support from Pemberton Group and The Theatre Centre, we have ended up with enough space to open a small last-minute call for Youth Vendors at our upcoming show.

In fact, we will have a whole dedicated space for vendors 15 and under at the Theatre Centre Pop-up (1095 Queen Street West). This is a rare opportunity for young makers to get involved in our holiday show. In fact, it is unlikely that we will have the space to do this again in future years, so we are delighted to be able to offer this very special entrée into the holiday craft fair world to our craft stars of tomorrow (and today).

Requirements:
Youth Vendors must be 15 years of age or younger
Youth Vendors must make their own crafts
Only handmade goods are appropriate for this show
Youth Vendors must be accompanied by an adult on site at all times
Youth Vendors must be available for both days of the event including load-in and load-out

Details:
City of Craft 2012 runs December 8 & 9, 2012 (11am-6pm and 11am-5pm, respectively)
Youth Vendor spaces are 4ft (half and 8ft table)
The Youth Vendor fee is $40 for the two days
The Youth venue (1095 Queen Street West) will not be ticketed - entry is free for shoppers!

Applications:
Applications will not be juried
Youth Vendors will be accepted on a first-come-first-served basis
There is no fee to apply as a Youth Vendor
Space is extremely limited, so get your materials together quickly if you would like to apply

Wanna hop on board? Apply HERE. We can not wait to see what you are making!

Fat Goose Craft Fair Today In Kingston.

Greetings Citizens,

Just popping in to let those of you in the Kingston area know that your very own indie craft fair, the Fat Goose Craft Fair, is happening today. It's an afternoon/evening affair, so no need to rush your brunch or hurry out of bed. Just mosey on down later in the afternoon. Check out their website for more details. And keep it crafty!

Volunteer for City of Craft 2012!

Hello!!! Michelle here - City of Craft's Volunteer Coordinator on the search for a few dozen crafty citizens to help out at the fast approaching City of Craft!  
Volunteers are a valuable component to the City of Craft weekend. Some of the tasks volunteers take on include:
- setting up and tearing down tables/chairs
- handing out swag bags at the door
- taking admission
- selling official CoC merchandise
- helping out vendors by getting them change or watching over their tables when they need a washroom/food break
- being generally helpful, friendly and welcoming to the City of Craft

It's easy work at a fun event! In exchange, volunteers get the chance to meet neat, creative people in Toronto's craft community (and beyond) and be a part of one of the city's awesome indie craft shows. In addition, City of Craft loves and appreciates its volunteers and will thank them with goodies. It's win-win!

To be a volunteer, you must:
- be able to commit to a minimum 3 hour shift during the event (though you're welcome to sign up for more!)
- be a human being 

Interested? Of course you are! So send a quick e-mail to cityofcraft[AT]gmail[DOT]com and be sure to mark CoC down in your calendar - December 8 & 9, 2012 at The Theatre Centre & beyond (1087, 1093 & 1095 Queen Street West).

In a few days, those who have written to us about their interest will receive an e-mail from me with instructions on how to sign up for a shift (or two) as well as other important info. 

Thanks Citizens!

Stay crafty,
Michelle

Photo Above by Have & Hold Design / Sara Wilde Photography