City of Craft

Get Ready for Your New Year!

2011-12-13T14:00:00.001-05:00

The big show may have come and gone, but we know that that does not mean your holiday shopping is done. And as we careen towards another apocalyptic year, I thought I would share some 2012 calendars from our vendors and friends. All available for purchase online!

First and foremost, I fear I would be run out of craft town if I didn't mention the mother of all handmade calendars - the annual Kid Icarus screen print opus that has become a cult phenomenon among local design lovers. Featuring twelve glorious pages designed by twelve distinct artists, the calendar is an art collection unto itself. It is also a one two punch for City of Craft fans; not only is it printed and curated by Kid Icarus, it also features City of Craft 2011 vendors Selena Wong, Reverend Aitor and Claire Louise Milne amid its artist ranks. At $80, it is less than $7 per hand-pulled, two-colour, 100% cotton, heavy-weight page - which is crazy. Available at Kid Icarus and other Toronto locations.

Feeling like a new year is just another twelve months lost at sea? Well you are not alone. Actually, you are, but you are alone in good company and this screen printed calendar by Jacob Rolfe is the perfect way to commemorate your endless drift.

You just can't take the cat out of Fieldguided's designs, can you? And who can blame them? Cats own the internet and our hearts. These dreamcats 2012 calendars, designed and screen printed by Geoff Piersol, are available in either mint or peach from their shop.

Claire Louise Milne's contribution to the next year takes a more DIY approach. She has designed an ingenious fabric through Spoonflower as her 2012 calendar. Order a fat quarter and you have one full calendar, order a yard and you have four! Just hem (or bind) the edges and you're done!

Finally, Laura George, who joined us all the way from Chicago this year has also created a multi-page 2012 calendar that expresses the joys of each month in her own inimitable style. Personally, I am partial to February's mix tape, and not just because I want the children of today to know what they are.

Sponsor Profile: Bespoke Uprising

2011-12-13T08:43:00.004-05:00

Who are you? I'm Roisin, maker of textile goods at bespoke uprising.

Where are you located? A new migrant to Hamilton, with a very lovely studio on James Street North. Previously in London, Ontario & Halifax, Nova Scotia

What do you/your business/your product do? I do heaps of drawing and screenprinting, and also lots of sewing on an industrial Brother machine that my brother shipped to me in Halifax when he lived in Vancouver. I also do a good bit of fabric dyeing, including a natural fermentation indigo vat as well as marigold and queen anne's lace that I grow on the back deck of my studio.

What gets you pumped about doing what you do? Colour, pattern, and form! I love the science of it all, how various mordants react to the plant dyes and fabrics, and how specific fabrics function best with specific jobs - like the hemp & organic cotton that I use for my teatowels. It's just such a great absorbent cloth, and washes up so nicely. I am also thrilled over tiny details that I put into my work, including my patterns. The new burlesque print has a man in it, after years of requests!

What does your sponsorship for the show entail? I've printed 20 small cotton bags, and filled them with some of my hand printed fabrics, and put one of the fabric covered pins on it as well. I think they're going into the swag bags on Saturday. I also just finished printing jersey circle scarves and bandana scarves for the volunteers.

What are you crafting this holiday season (festive beverages & baked goods count)? Well, my mother-in-law has been hinting at cushions for her livingroom, so some of those for sure. Also all the goods that I'm bringing to the City of Craft show, and hopefully many cookies and a cake or two. Oh, and festive cocktails!

When City of Craft (and other awesome indie shows) is not on, where do you go for your crafty fix? I sell my work in a few shops, so I get my fill of craft most of the year in my studio. Across the street from me is White Elephant, and when I'm in Toronto I make sure to buy too much fabric that I'll have a hard time cutting up at the workroom. I also teach at Sheridan College, and the Alberta College of Art, both of which are full of so many fantastic crafty staff and students.

Prolonging the Magic (or How to Keep Crafty When City of Craft is Sleeping).

2011-12-12T13:09:00.005-05:00

So, the big weekend is now behind us. It was a real rush for all involved and it's easy to feel an end point after that. But nothing is stopping in this crafty city! Below are some tips on how to extend the crafty love right through to eternity (or at least the new year).

1. Come back to this blog. We have a whole bunch of content scheduled through the holidays to maintain the wonder, and share information and resource with y'all.

2. Browse back through our vendor list or 2011 Pinterest board. Many of our vendors sell online or locally, so if you missed something at the show, you may still be able to get it. But only maybe.

3. Other shows. There are two weeks left until Christmas and lots of fairs all over the city. We are especially excited about two events run by friends, The Sassy Little Craft Fair (Thursday in Mervish Village) and Movies & Makers (Saturday in The Beaches). And I plan to stuff some stockings (okay, maybe my own, too) with some micro publications from the second annual XPACE Zine Zone (also happening Saturday on lower Ossington).

4. Make something! You still have time. We have lots of favourite shops that sell excellent supplies - the workroom, The Knit Cafe, Lettuce Knit, Knit-O-Matic and The Paper Place to name just a few. Most, if not all, of these establishments also offer classes, tips and general insights through their knowledgeable staffs.

5. Read about our sponsors. I know, you think 'sponsors' and the word somehow means cold corporations. Not so at City of Craft. In fact, that could not be further from the truth. We partner up every year with a slew of amazing makers, supply distributors, indie publishers, bloggers, florists, DJ's, venues, shops...you name it. And most of them offer either gift ideas or can direct you towards holiday activities. They are all really inspiring as a matter of general course, too. Grab a cocoa and read up!

6. Toronto Craft Alert. As always, your source for a thoughtfully curated stream of craft-specific news in the city. I am actually on the blog team there, but Jen and Tara are the real stars. They seem to be able to hunt down every single cool craft thing going.

That seems like a fair amount to get you through the next two weeks.

Personal goal: no malls or big box whatsoever.

Thank you!

2011-12-12T12:00:00.000-05:00

Photos by Celine Kim

Greetings Citizens,

I just wanted to pop out of my post-fair coma to thank each and every one of you for making City of Craft 2011 the dazzling spectacle it was. I also wanted to share a few rush images taken by our lovely event photographer, Celine Kim. Going through these photos I am reminded of how it takes literally 100 people to make this event happen. It is amazing to me that all these people want to pour their hard work and inspiration into this one thing and I am so blown away by the work that vendors, staff, installation artists, community groups, workshop instructors, volunteers and friends put in every year.

Click on photos for vendor/artist information. For more photos, check our Flickr account and group pool (you can add your own to the latter!).

Sponsor Profile: Deadweight

2011-12-10T22:25:00.001-05:00

Who are you? Sandi Falconer / Deadweight.

Where are you located? Toronto!

What do you/your business/your product do? I am a designer & screen printer. I do custom illustration and design work plus a slew of personal projects/paper goods! I also make screen printed leather goods with my friend Danielle under the name Falconwright.

What gets you pumped about doing what you do? Learning new things, trying to get better, having something to direct my nervous energy towards, and being exposed to tons of neat people who make cool things.

What does your sponsorship for the show entail? I am the 2011 designer for all City of Craft related imagery! Becky and I decided that playing on the culty-ness of craft circles with witchy images, magic eyes, and various other tools of the trade would be a fun direction for 2011. A spell has been cast on you! Did it work? I hope so!

What are you crafting this holiday season (festive beverages & baked goods count)? Besides a slew of Deadweight stuff, I hope to put together some sweet personal gifts for pals (can't discuss that - shhhh!) and a big meal on Christmas Eve with those pals (my fave Christmas tradition).

When City of Craft (and other awesome indie shows) is not on, where do you go for your crafty fix? Mainly the vortex that is the web! But I get sucked into package design at the supermarket, books, and magazines too!

Sponsor Profile: Yelp.ca

2011-12-10T12:33:00.000-05:00

Who are you? My name is Vivek S and I'm the Community Manager for Yelp in Toronto.

Where are you located? Well, Yelp is everywhere. As long as a business has an address, anyone can review it. As for me personally, I can be found behind a brewed coffee from one the city's finest cafés, or exploring an undiscovered 'hood, or at an event with the Yelp community!

What do you/your business/your product do? Yelp is a website where you can read and write reviews of great local businesses. You can find all the places Torontonians love from bars and restaurants, to local services and shopping. We also have a weekly newsletter where you can learn about unsung local biz heroes; in our latest newsletter, yelpers share where to find those great one-of-a-kind gifts this holiday season (in addition to City of Craft, of course)!

What gets you pumped about doing what you do? I love connecting people with local businesses. With online and big box shopping everywhere, people sometimes forget that there are amazing, unique and absolutely perfect finds literally right around the corner from where we live. Toronto is a treasure trove of amazing businesses, so it's easy to get excited about that. Plus, as an Official Glutton™, Yelp keeps me in the know about the best places get my eat on.

What does your sponsorship for the show entail? Yelp is donating gifts for the gift bags and is featuring City of Craft as the sponsor of our Yelpiest Gift Guide Ever! We're also asking yelpers to pledge to shop local this year. We're helping the cause by pointing yelpers to local shops and fairs — like City of Craft!

What are you crafting this holiday season (festive beverages & baked goods count)? Does eggnog and rum count as "crafting"? If so, I will be crafting up a storm this holiday season. Oh, and my greeting cards are always handmade.

When City of Craft (and other awesome indie shows) is not on, where do you go for your crafty fix? I live for Toronto's many arts and crafts stores. I've even started a list on Yelp to keep track of my faves. Yep, you can review art supply stores too!

Sponsor Profile: Coldsnap Bindery

2011-12-10T08:14:00.000-05:00

Who are you? I'm Leah of Coldsnap Bindery!

Where are you located? Coldsnap operates wherever I geographically find myself. It used to be Toronto, but these days it's I'm making books in a little studio in Berlin, Germany.

What do you/your business/your product do? I make blank journals, sketchbooks, and albums. Everything is cut, sewn, and hand-bound by me. Once in a while I also make a zine or some such ephemera to go with the zines.

What gets you pumped about doing what you do? I like to use the books I make as a sort of canvas for trying new things and experimenting with paper and fabric. Lately, embroidering everything has had me excited to sit behind my work table.

What does your sponsorship for the show entail? I send a box full of books over the seas and continents to be won or given away over the course of the weekend.

What are you crafting this holiday season (festive beverages & baked goods count)? For the first time in about 10 years, I've decided to be all festive and get a little pine number for our dwelling so I'll be making a few tree decorations! Yay!

When City of Craft (and other awesome indie shows) is not on, where do you go for your crafty fix? Oh my, I've met so many brilliant and crafty people on both continents so when necessary, I don't have far to go.

Sponsor Profile: Celine Kim Photography

2011-12-09T12:30:00.001-05:00

Who are you? Hi, I’m Celine. It is very nice to meet you.

Where are you located? I travel to shoot on location but my base is Toronto.

What do you/your business/your product do? I am a lifestyle/wedding photographer and I document my work, personal projects, adventures and observations on my blog.

What gets you pumped about doing what you do? I love meeting new and interesting people on the job and I love that these people inspire me to see things in a different way. I love being behind the camera, it feels like home. And I love that I can take that feeling along with me on all my adventures in life.

What does your sponsorship for the show entail? I will be photographing and documenting the vendors and the fun happenings at the City of Craft!

What are you crafting this holiday season (festive beverages & baked goods count)? I am hoping to start a quilt for our little baby who is expected to arrive next spring. Other than that, I have been making little chai tea packages for friends to enjoy, complete with tea and spices! All you have to do is add slices of ginger, water, and milk!

When City of Craft (and other awesome indie shows) is not on, where do you go for your crafty fix? The Workroom, possibly my most favourite place to be in the city. If I am lucky enough with my time, I like to go to their stitch n’ bitch Tuesdays to catch up with friends and their crafty creations, or I just love dropping by to say hi to the lovely ladies in the shop!

Sponsor Profile: Ontario Crafts Council

2011-12-09T09:22:00.001-05:00

image: Studio Magazine, Fall/Winter 2010

Who are you? The Ontario Crafts Council (OCC) is the province’s only non-profit, multi-disciplinary craft organization that supports craftspeople and their work while making connections with the cultural fabric of our communities. The OCC was established in 1976 as a merger between the Canadian Guild of Crafts (1931) and the Ontario Craft Foundation (1966).

Where are you located? The OCC has its offices and public gallery located at 990 Queen Street. W. in Toronto, and its retail venue, The Guild Shop, is in Yorkville at 118 Cumberland Street. To find out more you can check out www.craft.on.ca and www.theguildshop.ca.

What do you/your business/your product do? The OCC currently supports 1500 members across Ontario - 1000 of which are active professional craftspeople - by offering programs and services on both local and regional levels. OCC publication services include the nationally distributed Studio magazine.

What gets you pumped about doing what you do? We love being able to support craft and craftspeople – it’s the whole reason we’re here!

What does your sponsorship for the show entail? We were more than happy to be able to offer space and AV equipment for the City of Craft jury, and to contribute copies of Studio magazine for the swag bags.

Totes-ally!

2011-12-09T08:23:00.001-05:00

Behold the 2011 City of Craft tote in all its glory. Designed by Sandi Falconer and printed by Shannon Gerard, Sandi, Roisin Fagan and myself these babies are the natural cotton, rugged, high-volume answer to all your toting needs. What's more? The first 100 people through the door on Saturday get a free one of their very own stuffed full of goodies. We must be crazy!

Look at Karyn here. Armed with her hefty totes, she is ready to walk into that alley and face whatever may come.

And for those who do not make it down early on Saturday, a few extras will also be available on site all weekend (or while supplies last) for $15 each.

Big thanks to Karyn for being my model...oh and for the sweeping moral and technical support she and the workroom provide to me and the show.

Sponsor Profile: The Theatre Centre

2011-12-08T18:15:00.000-05:00

Who are you? The Theatre Centre

Where are you located? 1087 Queen St. West (Entrance on Dovercourt!) Our future home is 1115 Queen St. West.

What do you/your business/your product do? The Theatre Centre develops, presents, produces and hosts live performance through collaboration between artists, staff and community. We provide artists with infrastructure and resources to make their art – from idea to production.

What gets you pumped about doing what you do? The super creative people we work with, extremely interesting ideas they come up with and being a place where these ideas sometimes take shape.

What does your sponsorship for the show entail? We provide our space for City of Craft.

What are you crafting this holiday season (festive beverages & baked goods count)? Roxanne is making mulled wine, ginger snaps and cardamom biscuits. Franco is making panettone from scratch and singing “Hanky, the Christmas Poo”. Anthony is making a baby. Lilya is knitting a long scarf and making pierogis. Mason is making lots and lots of coffee.

When City of Craft (and other awesome indie shows) is not on, where do you go for your crafty fix? In numerous crafty places on amazing Queen West!

Swag Preview: Fabric, Fashion, Stitches and Cleanliness.

2011-12-08T15:00:00.000-05:00

hey look, more previews of swag with which to entice your wild minds - fabric sample packs from Bespoke Uprising, gift sets of WORN Fashion Journal, and a tote bag embroidery kit from Sublime Stitching.

And to keep you both fashionable and clean, every swag bag gets a sample of SOAK. Warning: you will be hooked on this rinse-free cleanser for your textiles.

Sponsor Profile: Omiyage.ca

2011-12-08T12:28:00.000-05:00

Who are you? We are Marisa & Elias of Omiyage.ca

Where are you located? We live in Toronto but Omiyage lives online!

What do you/your business/your product do? Omiyage is an online shop selling creative, crafty and clever goods. We carry cute paper goods, packaging materials like Divine Twine, origami paper, and oodles of washi tape.

What gets you pumped about doing what you do? It's really so exciting to be sharing the things we love with people all over Canada and the world. When we send an order off to Yellowknife or Charlottetown, Lisbon or Rio, it's such a thrill!

We're lucky in Toronto, having access to pretty much any and everything, but in smaller towns, it can be frustrating not to have access to unique goods. Maybe you can find them online but the shipping from the US or overseas plus duty is atrocious. We hear back from Canadian customers all the time that they're so happy to have found us - and that feels great!

What does your sponsorship for the show entail? Our sponsorship this year is all about the swag! We've packed little goodie bags filled with washi tape and mini spools of Divine Twine to be included in this year's swag bags. You'll also find a special coupon from us in the bags. As well, four of our Limited Edition Stationery Sets will be prizes for the raffle game.

What are you crafting this holiday season (festive beverages & baked goods count)? We crafted our Christmas tree out of washi tape this year and we love it! Perfect if, like us, you just don't have space for a real tree. Otherwise, it's the usual suspects around here - Advent Calendar, new felt stockings and ornaments. We'll also be sharing fun tutorials for holiday wrapping and crafts on our blog.

Oh, and it's just not the holiday season without mint nanaimo bars, so we'll be making some of those!

When City of Craft (and other awesome indie shows) is not on, where do you go for your crafty fix? The internet is such a great source of crafty inspiration - blogs, Pinterest, online magazines. So much goodness!

Installations: Northern Beaver Gallery Vending Machines.

2011-12-08T09:40:00.005-05:00

I just got these preview images in from the Northern Beaver Gallery of some of the work on offer over the course of City of Craft 2011. Housed in Canadian-made vending machines, the Northern Beaver Gallery strives to present tiny works of art by Canadian artists at low low prices. I am really excited about these tiny wooden sculptures and wants by Toronto artist, Holly Wheatcroft. And all for just a $1-$3 (with candy for 25¢)? I feel bewitched already!

Check out all of our 2011 Installations and Interactive Programs here.

Sponsor Profile: Broken Pencil

2011-12-08T09:09:00.001-05:00

Who are you? We're Broken Pencil, a 16-year-old magazine about independent arts and publishing, with a particular focus on zines. I'm Lindsay Gibb, editor for the past 5 years.

Where are you located? Our office is near Kensington market in Toronto

What do you/your business/your product do? We put out the magazine four times a year and, since 1995, we've been holding a large zine fair (Canzine) once a year in Toronto. From time to time Canzine travels to other provinces, most recently in Vancouver and previously in Halifax.

What gets you pumped about doing what you do? I still get excited every time a new issue comes back from the printer. I used to make zines, and there's the same sense of satisfaction when the thing you worked on for months finally comes together and exists. Hearing back from people who have been reading Broken Pencil for years, or even people who just discovered us, is a good motivator too.

What does your sponsorship for the show entail? We donated 200 copies of the magazine for swag bags, vendor packs and volunteer/staff packs. This is our third or fourth year sponsoring.

What are you crafting this holiday season (festive beverages & baked goods count)? Winter is my heavy knitting season. I'm knitting the usual scarves and hats for my friends and their children. I may knit a little toy or two for the kids if I get the time. The squirrels are looking really fat this year, so I think we all might need the extra warmth.

When City of Craft (and other awesome indie shows) is not on, where do you go for your crafty fix? I go to the knit cafe to grab yarn and tools and to sit around with friends. I also like the workroom, but sometimes going there reminds me just how sad my sewing skills are.

Swag Preview: Handbound Books by Coldsnap Bindery.

2011-12-07T20:11:00.000-05:00

Check out this incredible array of handbound books that came to us all the way from City of Craft co-founder, Leah Buckareff, in Berlin. There are more, too! At the show, you will find these as prizes for the NUTZO! midway game and who knows, we have been known to slip a couple big things into some very lucky swag bags - just to keep things interesting...

Sponsor Profile: Kid Icarus

2011-12-07T15:30:00.001-05:00

Who are you? We are the creative duo Bianca Bickmore and Michael Viglione known as Kid Icarus!

Where are you located? In the heart of Kensington Market.

What do you/your business/your product do? We are screen printers and operate Kid Icarus where we sell handmade goods made by local artists, letterpresses cards, stationery, screen printed posters, along with other handmade goods.

We also have a print department located in the back of our store, if you are lucky you might catch us printing a project.

What gets you pumped about doing what you do? Running our own business is hard work especially with the mixed retail / printshop workspace. When we print up new things to sell or hand off a print job to a client, the excitement in people's eyes is something that gets us pumped up. Most people are generally super excited about the work we do and their enthusiasm is the ultimate pay off.

What does your sponsorship for the show entail? We screen printed the promo posters and vendor call out postcards for City of Craft this year.

What are you crafting this holiday season (festive beverages & baked goods count)? We just finished an intense printing session, our annual art calendar featuring 12 different artists, all printed here in house by hand. Bianca will be working on a cookie dough trade-off and Mike is prototyping his paint-by-number project.

When City of Craft (and other awesome indie shows) is not on, where do you go for your crafty fix? Readymade blog, Craft blog, Instuctables, all great websites on a cold night. West end to east end shops that carry locally made goods are all on our list of places to visit.

Sponsor Profile: Caitlyn of Lemonade

2011-12-07T11:56:00.001-05:00

Who are you? caitlyn of lemonade

Where are you located? toronto

What do you/your business/your product do? i share things i've made and things i haven't made on my blog, lemonade.

What gets you pumped about doing what you do? doing it!

What does your sponsorship for the show entail? i've been making and designing the program guide for three years, and this year is no different. oh, and nods of encouragement.

What are you crafting this holiday season (festive beverages & baked goods count)? presents for my family. i'm off school for a month so i'm going to be cranking out as many personal projects as i can.

When City of Craft (and other awesome indie shows) is not on, where do you go for your crafty fix? school, toronto craft alert (my alma mater), my books.

Swag Preview: Japanese goodies from Omiyage.ca

2011-12-07T08:30:00.000-05:00

Hello, Citizens, just dropping by the blog to tantalize you with some swag teasers from this weekend's big event. All of the goods pictured here come courtesy of Omiyage.ca, your source for adorable and function Japanese imports in Canada. Up top is a selection of washi tape and stationary that will be up for grabs through the amazing NUTZO! game and below are some beautifully packaged washi tapes and spools of baker's twine for the swag bags. Each bag will either have one or the other.

In case you did not yet know, the first 100 people through the door on Saturday morning get amazing totes stuffed with goodies. What joy!

Sponsor Profile: Pas de chance

2011-12-07T07:24:00.001-05:00

Who are you? My name is Ian Phillips and I operate a small press called Pas de chance.

Where are you located? I am located in SoDa (South Davenport), not far from The Great Hall.

What do you/your business/your product do? I publish small hand made artist books with a literary leaning.

What gets you pumped about doing what you do? Good writing really turns me on, and beautiful paper. A blank sheet of paper with an interesting SOUND will really get me going. I could make a whole book of noisy paper.

What does your sponsorship for the show entail? I have loaned City of Craft, along with rcboisjoli, the Nutzo! plinko game board we made for Come Up To My Room. I also have some books to donate for the gift bags.

What are you crafting this holiday season (festive beverages & baked goods count)? This year I am assisting rcboisjoli with an amazing new line of ceramic vessels. That man is so talented.

When City of Craft (and other awesome indie shows) is not on, where do you go for your crafty fix? When I'm not scouring the beaches of Toronto for bits of flotsam I am often spotted at The Paper Place, drooling over their sample binders.

Sponsor Profile: WORN Fashion Journal

2011-12-06T20:48:00.006-05:00

Who are you? WORN Fashion Journal

Where are you located? We used to be run out of our editor's living room, but just recently 'moved on up' to our very own office at Queen and MacDonell. Okay, so it's only blocks away from the old office. We have Parkdale separation anxiety.

What do you/your business/your product do? WORN Fashion Journal is a print publication that comes out twice a year (once in hot weather, once in cold) based in Toronto, Canada. However, our content is not time or location specific. Since we do not report on trends or promote the newest items on the market, our content is as interesting and relevant today as it will be five years down the road. WORN discusses the cultures, subcultures, histories, and personal stories of fashion. We strive to embody a place between pop culture magazine and academic journal that opens new avenues in art and fashion theory by hovering where these two ideas intersect, connecting with fashion scholars and artists.

What gets you pumped about doing what you do? Being able to bring alternative ideas and representations of fashion, and beauty to the masses is VERY important to us here at WORN, and we get super pumped about any opportunity to do that, be it in print or on our blog (www.wornjournal.com). Recently we had a woman in her 70s submit photos to our model database, and a fight broke out about who could use her in our upcoming photo-shoots for issue 14. There were ripped cardigans, sequins and blood everywhere. But seriously though, opportunities to show a wide range of beauty are rare in the fashion industry, and gets us really jazzed about each project we work on.

What does your sponsorship for the show entail?

Title: Pencil Skirts and Crayon Pants

Description: The moments that define us, more often than not, take place while we’re wearing clothes. Sometimes we look back at our milestone outfits and wonder if we would have been more fashionable naked. WORN invites you to reminisce about the fashion triumphs and style-tastophes of days gone by. This year, at City of Craft, we’ll provide the paper and drawing supplies necessary for you to transform your sartorial history into Art.

You just have to show up wearing clothes.

What are you crafting this holiday season (festive beverages & baked goods count)? There is typically always something crafty going on at the WORN office -- think of us as Santa's workshop, but replace elves with Wornettes, and curly-toed shoes with oxfords. Today we worked on making crowns and headpieces for an upcoming blog post, but other projects include barrettes, peter pan collars and tie-dye. You can always check out our monthly Mending Night for other crafty projects!

When City of Craft (and other awesome indie shows) is not on, where do you go for your crafty fix? There are so many good places right down the street (and some a little farther) that we love to visit. The Workroom, The Knit Cafe, Freedom Clothing Collective and The Paper Place are a few that you could regularly find a Wornette or two perusing.

Photos by Samantha Walton

Workroom Fabric Sale.

2011-12-06T19:41:00.002-05:00

Hey all, One of our biggest sponsors, the workroom, is having a sale! A fabric sale - and it goes until tomorrow. Just read that poster for details, or click on it for even more details, or just hurry on down there to ogle the fabrics for yourself!

Sponsor Profile: TheVinylDen

2011-12-06T10:17:00.000-05:00

Who are you? Pierre Bois - Vinyl Lover and Principal of TheVinylDen.

Where are you located? Toronto, Ontario - corner of Young and Funky.

What do you/your business/your product do? TheVinylDen is a dj project celebrating the vinyl format from the 50s to the 2000s. We specialize in not-for-profit and grass-roots organizations, craft and art shows, as well as house and block parties.

What gets you pumped about doing what you do? Seeing the smiles on peoples' faces when they hear those songs from times past, and then realizing that the sound is actually coming from vinyl. Listening to my record collection for a few hours is always a bonus.

What does your sponsorship for the show entail? 13 hours of spinning the wheels of steel at the Thrush Holmes Empire location of City of Craft.

What are you crafting this holiday season (festive beverages & baked goods count)? Sweet beats and funky treats with a cup of hot dicso.

When City of Craft (and other awesome indie shows) is not on, where do you go for your crafty fix? TheVinylDen is always open and always crafting some great sets. My craft Mecca though, Queen street row of record shoppes - Kopps Records, Neurotica Records and Rotate This.

Totes.

2011-12-05T15:00:00.000-05:00

Some shots of out tote bag printing lock-in this past Sunday. Big thanks to Shannon for heading up the print crew, Sandi for doing the design and helping out and Roisin for lending the use of her prodigious biceps.

The first 100 people through the door Saturday get one of these for free and stuffed full of goodies. If you don't want to line up, more will be available at the Merch/Reception table for $15 each. Trust me, this is the best tote bag you will ever own - heavy-duty recycled cotton canvas and big enough to fit a whole grocery shopping trip. Plus they have Sandi's brilliant artwork on them. What more could you as for?

Sponsor Profile: rcboisjoli

2011-12-05T09:59:00.001-05:00

Who are you? rcboisjoli is a small design factory in Toronto run by Alexx Boisjoli with various other hands to help stir up the pot.

Where are you located? We work within a co-operative ceramics studio within a greater unit full of great designers/artists/crafty people in the Junction area. Our building is a terribly ugly retro concrete castle, that was originally built to house the Toronto Food Terminal.

What do you/your business/your product do? rcboisjoli focuses on domestic ceramics, as in we make ceramics for the home. We work mostly with mold making and porcelain with silk screened graphics. We love collaborative work, we often work with other illustrators/designer to fabricate work, like our collabro-illustrative initiative The Bottled Project. Recently we've explored more lighting installations and larger scale commissions.

What gets you pumped about doing what you do? We love working with process, we love making things by hand, we love fabricating. We do every stage of production in studio, from the plaster lathe for our models, to our own molds and glazes right down to our hand silk screened decals. We are inspired by old fashion mass production, where people lived what they produced.

What does your sponsorship for the show entail? We've sponsored the show with many ceramic goodies. They may end up as raffle prizes, or door crashers or prizes for that fun carnival game.

What are you crafting this holiday season (festive beverages & baked goods count)? rcboisjoli has no problems getting busy this time of year. It's always super busy with craft shows, design week just around the corner and studio mates producing for One Of A Kind too. The studio has been a flurry of production and creativity, and it rubs off when everyone is busy. There are also less distractions, like gardening, as it's getting pretty cold out.

When City of Craft (and other awesome indie shows) is not on, where do you go for your crafty fix? We're surrounded by so many crafty-happenings in Toronto that there’s never a shortage of things to explore year round. We've heard good things about the Art Crawl in Hamilton too, but only have made it out once now, definitely need to explore that more.

Sponsor Profile: blogTO

2011-12-04T09:49:00.000-05:00

Who are you? blogTO

Where are you located? We're everywhere in Toronto. But if you want to pin us down we just moved into an office space near Queen and Bathurst.

What do you/your business/your product do? We cover Toronto. If you haven't discovered us, just click here or download our free iPhone or iPad app.

What gets you pumped about doing what you do? We love writing about things in Toronto that will surprise and delight people. And readers send us awesome tips like these Toronto etiquette cards that a local designer just created.

Now, we're really excited about out mobile apps. We've been getting great feedback about our just released iPad app and new iPhone app and will be coming out with an Android app very soon.

What does your sponsorship for the show entail? We're helping promote the show. We want all our readers to know about it so they can show up and take a look at the amazing crafts being created by local designers.

What are you crafting this holiday season (festive beverages & baked goods count)? We're waiting for readers to send us their favourite spiked egg not recipes (hint hint) so we can taste test them in our new office.

When City of Craft (and other awesome indie shows) is not on, where do you go for your crafty fix? We go wherever our readers tell us. We get lots of craft events, pop-up shops and other design events submitted to our events section and we're always scouring local shops including these notable ones for awesome finds.

Sponsor Profile: Soak Wash

2011-12-03T07:58:00.001-05:00

City of Craft is super lucky to have an amazing crop of sponsors again this year generously providing incredible loot, services & fun at the show. We'll be introducing them to you as the show approaches so you can meet the folks that turn the show up to 11 and learn more about their contributions. Sponsors, we salute you!

First up, Soak Wash, first choice of discerning textile launderers:

Who are you? Jacqueline Sava, Visionary Leader at Soak Wash Inc.

Where are you located? Our office is in a very sexy industrial strip mall, just outside the big city (Mississauga).

What do you/your business/your product do? We make Soak. Modern care for the laundry you love. Soak is a rinse-free wash formulated for your laciest lingerie, softest sweaters, swimwear, quilts, even baby and vintage clothes. My job is to spread the Soak love, identify designers and products that are Soakworthy and ensure everyone has the chance to try Soak on the delicate items they love most.

What gets you pumped about doing what you do? Breaking new ground, bringing ideas to life, and changing the perception of a product or industry. We revolutionized hand-washing creating a delicate detergent people love and brag about using.

What does your sponsorship for the show entail? We’ve included a mini-soak single use sample in every goodie bag and volunteer bag. We’ve also sent our new temporary tattoo sheets and some gift sets for prizes!

What are you crafting this holiday season (festive beverages & baked goods count)? I’m quilting up a storm, I have a few full-size quilts on the go. I look forward to days, alone, in a room with my sewing machine. I’m finishing off a few knit scarves, I’m baking cookies (biscotti is my go to favorite) and I’ll likely throw in a beading party with my sister.

When City of Craft (and other awesome indie shows) is not on, where do you go for your crafty fix? My favorite part about the Soak family is that it extends to crafty people in this and other cities. So, I tap into my social network to secure crafty delights straight from designers, makers and creative crafters whenever possible. Alternatively, I invite over some friends for a home-made crafting night.

Nutso!

2011-12-02T16:43:00.004-05:00

Photo by Ian Phillips

Raffles are so 2010, right? That's why we are incredibly excited to have this 'NUTSO!' board on loan from the cuties at Chevaux de Bois (Ian and Alexx). Every ball is a winner! With prizes from Coldsnap Bindery, SOAK, Sublime Stitching, Sweetie Pie Press, Omiyage.ca, Bespoke Uprising, rc boisjoli & more!

Who is as excited as I am?

Guest Blogger Picks: Serena McCarroll.

2011-12-02T09:00:00.000-05:00

This was a tough assignment. Tough but fun! Like when you enter a shopping spree contest and then spend days meticulously planning out exactly how you would go about it should you win (but you don't win. YOU NEVER EVER WIN). So, here we go, if I won the chance to pick out eight things at City of Craft I would end up with something like this:

1: Julie Moon makes me swoon! Isn't this beautiful? Seriously, stunning.

2: All or nothing! Go big or go home! This hard-carved brass pendant is all in, yo. It references Kierkegaard which is totally dope. Not dopey, D-O-P-E. From the "Protect Ya Neck" collection by Old Weston.

3. Wood is good! This wood belt buckle is made of recycled off-cut scraps. Eco-fantastic! By Broundoor.

4: Blinging it up is totally cool but it's also nice to have jewelry you can wear on casual Friday. Here we have a hand-tooled, hand-painted, hand-dyed and finished leather necklace in a primitive pyramids design. By Scouts Handmade.

5. Stamps! These ones are hand-carved out of rubber and mounted on a piece of salvaged wood that's been sanded and lacquered for a durable finish. I love the impossible cube and penrose triangle designs but I'm also generally a big fan of crystal configurations. By Stephanie Galea.

6. Learn To Multiply. Yes, please!

7. The Misanthrope Specialty Company never fails to amuse and astound.

http://misanthropespecialty.blogspot.com/

8. And finally, something practical! I really like this. I like it aesthetically but also it is a useful postal tool. And made from wood! By Sweetie Pie Press.

Serena McCarroll is a visual artist. She recently received her MFA in Documentary Media from Ryerson University. You can check out some of her work here. She maintains a blog called "What a Deal!" about, you guessed it, D-E-A-L-S.

Guest Blogger Picks: Rosalyn Faustino.

2011-11-30T09:00:00.001-05:00

i. bunny tote made by morico

ii. wooden sugar bowl made by offcut studio

iii. pins made by sweetie pie press + sarah mcneil

iv. mini blackboard pennant banner made by killside krafts

v. anchor pill bottle made by rcboisjoli

vi. rabbit outfit, mixed media made by selena wong

vii. uncorked, print made by laura george

Rosalyn R. Faustino is a maker and the lady behind art attic. She's been involved with the Toronto Craft Alert since 2008 and is always interested in connecting with local craft and design artists. if you don't find her at the workroom, she's either experimenting on textile explorations, eating and/or dancing.

Bird of a Feather.

2011-11-29T15:00:00.002-05:00

Look what just flew into my inbox, mere days after the pom pom party, from 2011 vendor Claire Louise Milne. I was joking about the perfectionism of crafters at the party, but this takes the cake. Claire figured out how to make a chickadee pom pom! My mind is currently boggling. And it was a welcome surprise amid all the show details I am usually dealing with. Amazing.

Guest Blogger Picks: Hollie Pocsai.

2011-11-28T09:00:00.002-05:00

The thing that is so great about craft shows is the tactile nature of them. The internet is a wonderful tool for being able to hunt down incredible works by incredible artists that you've never seen before, but there's nothing quite like actually being able to see those works in person, with your own eyes, holding the work in your own hands, and getting the chance to meet the maker behind the whole thing. I'm getting really excited about this year's City of Craft because there are so many local artists whose work I've admired for many years, and also those who I was introduced to through the jurying process this year. There's just so much g-d talent out there.

The Century Farm tea towel set by Bespoke Uprising has been on my wishlist forever. It should be on yours too. If you stop by the Bespoke Uprising booth, you'll be blown away by maker Roisin's undeniable charm.

Oak Savanna is just appearing on the crafting scene. City of Craft will be her second craft show ever! So show her some love, it's well deserved. Melissa comes up with all of the patterns for her knit shawls and kerchiefs herself, using antique patterns as inspiration. Made with superfine merino wool and/or silk, these delicate pieces are like nothing you've seen before.

Embroidery is a soft spot of mine. Especially when an artist can make it into a conceptual piece of art. I have long looked to Hillary Webb's work as inspiration, and I am very much looking forward to seeing these meticulous pieces in person.

I love Selena Wong's delicate imagery. Her work is exquisite, done in soft colours, and possessing a little bit of magical imagery, and a little bit of darker undertones.

I was recently introduced to Knitdown SVP when Jen (a City of Craft co-founder) pulled out her amazingly fun and whimsical keychain. I immediately coveted it, and am so happy that I'll be able to pick one up (and maybe a brooch, and maybe a necklace) for myself this December from the lovely Hazel Meyer herself.

And there are so many more makers that I am thrilled to check out. Gosh, I just can't wait. I'll be able to do the handmade pledge this holiday season no problem with the help of City of Craft. It's going to be SO good.

Hollie Pocsai is co-owner of White Elephant and a founding member of The Beehive Craft Collective in Hamilton, Ontario. Her hands are never idle and her heart is always bursting with love for the crafting community.

Pom Pom Power!

2011-11-26T12:43:00.002-05:00

Photo by Karyn Valino

A huge thank you to all who came out to the Pom Pom Party on Friday night. We made over 200 woolly balls with which to deck the halls! What a night!

Guest Blogger Picks: Reva Quam.

2011-11-25T09:00:00.000-05:00

For kids!

Fidoodle

Reva Quam is a maker and teacher. Currently on hiatus from most creative endeavours, she crams in as much making and craft/design blog viewing as her almost 2 year old will let her. Formerly a costume designer, she most recently designed a line of sustainable men's accessories called mr. sköna. She teaches a variety of crafty classes at The Workroom.

Guest Blogger Picks: Marsya Maharani.

2011-11-23T09:00:00.002-05:00

People say that art is a matter of personal taste. What someone gets from a piece is not necessarily the same as what another gets out of it. While the artist’s intention is always important, each viewer is free to add their own interpretation of the work. This is one of the reasons why I find art to be a gift that can very effectively carry a meaningful message that is personal between the giver and the receiver. This year’s City of Craft features quite a few wonderful artists who have printed multiples of their original works. Here are a few of my favourites, along with my thoughts on for whom they would make great gifts.

1. Katie Muth, winter morning by the lake, $120.

For those who need to be reminded of the beauty of winter before they can crawl out from under the covers.

2. Selena Wong, If you see a crow, eat its liver and eyes.

For those who see beauty in a little darkness.

3. Hillary Webb, Tree Study I.

For those who are soothed by the detail in nature.

4. Jacob Rolfe, A Dream, $65.

For the dreamers...

5. Tea towel by Gezellig and The Forest Guardian glow-in-the-dark tee by 1% Talent.

...for those who like their art more on the utilitarian side!

Together with Karen Carrillo and Jelena Pticek, Marsya runs Freedom Clothing Collective - a non-profit co-op that supports local artists and designers. She also curates monthly art exhibitions at Freedom, contributes to WORN Fashion Journal, and thinks that trees are really pretty.

Guest Blogger Picks: Jen Anisef.

2011-11-21T09:00:00.003-05:00

Colour and pattern are my lifeblood. A glance at my wardrobe may cause heart palpitations among the basics–inclined; it is a riot of florals, geometrics, earth tones, neons & primaries. So when tasked with selecting my favourite City of Craft picks, I set out to discover works that had palettes or patterns that please me. While choices in this category overfloweth, somewhere along the way I found my eyes taking a rest on the more pared down items, where their beauty can be found in their simplicity. So in a radical (for me) move, I challenged myself to find a selection of pieces for the friend or relative with simpler tastes, but that even I could get excited about taking home with me. Here are my finds:

This super spare vegetable tanned leather pouch by Caboto is the thing that set me down this pared-down path. I am finding myself compelled more and more to invest in everyday beauty, and this would be a beautiful thing to use everyday!

Oak Savanna’s heirloom-inspired knit patterns are complex but make me think of simpler times. Love this Bramble shawl in a natural yarn.

Nostalgia also factors into my appreciation for these wooden Skateguards by Off Cut Studio. Makes me want to protect all of my sharp edges with lovely wooden things.

I love the ancient vessel/contemporary Japanese vibe of these bud vases by Chiho Tokita.

Though probably not structurally sound, I would love a bicycle with lines this great. Aptly named “It’s a Bicycle silkscreen print” by Raymond Biesinge r.

I am excited to see more knits at City of Craft this year, and would go greyscale for these adorable fingerless wrist warmers by Stephanie Galea.

Jen Anisef is a craft community organizer, having been involved in the development of projects that include the Montreal Church of Craft, the Toronto Craft Alert and City of Craft. Inspired by her Master's thesis on community development and activism through craft she can sometimes be found researching, writing, and moderating panels for organizations such as the Textile Museum and the Ontario Arts and Crafts Councils. Having recently moved to Hamilton, Jen is excited to get back to making more, particularly in the realm of quilting and textiles.

A Craft Fair Every Weekend!

2011-11-21T08:00:00.001-05:00

Check it out, Citizens! From this week until Christmas, there is a craft fair every weekend! No only do these fairs offer a diversity of makers, they also happen in four distinct Toronto neighbourhoods (Leslieville, Kensignton Market, Queen West West & The Beach(es)). What a way to explore your city while crossing everyone off your list and shopping local/handmade.

Big thanks to Lisa Pijuan-Nomura for suggesting we all team up to make these postcards. You may be seeing them around the city already.

The fairs mentioned (in chronological order) are:
Crafternoon Tea
A Handmade Holiday
City of Craft (naturally)
Movies & Makers

Poster Time!

2011-11-21T00:30:00.001-05:00

Citizens! Check out these process shots I just got from the midst of Kid Icarus's poster printing afternoon. These fancy prints, designed by Sandi Falconer, will start popping up around the city right away - and we'll have a few set aside for purchase at the big show!

Guest Blogger Picks: Caitlyn Murphy.

2011-11-18T09:00:00.001-05:00

1. Medium Cardigan by Civic Trust, please.

2. Falconwright is a collaboration between Deadweight and Caboto and they just released some images of their goods! I can’t wait to see these in person.

3. Ceramic mugs by Gezellig. New on my radar thanks to City of Craft and everything looks stellar.

4. Really love these pins by the Pin Pals, excited to see what they’ll have to offer this year.

Caitlyn Murphy is an Illustrator who runs the blog Lemonade. Sometimes she sells things and sometimes she just draws. She's been our program designer since 2008. Booga booga.

Pom Pom Party (November 25, 7pm-10pm).

2011-11-16T10:00:00.002-05:00

Greetings, Citizens.

Say, are you feeling the itch to make pom poms? Want to help your favourite craft fair create some overwhelmingly marvellous decorations for our upcoming show? The you are in luck! We are bringing back our annual decoration-making party and this year's theme is the mighty pom pom.

Oh, that image up there? That's just an optional outfit suggestion from the depths of the internet. What we will actually be doing is making ten trillion (give or take) li'l fluff balls made from templates lovingly laser cut at the workroom (pictured at bottom).

The decor party was always a great place for vendors, volunteers, staff and friends to mingle away from the mad rush of the big weekend and we are tickled pink that it is making a return!

The skinny:

City of Craft Pom Pom Party

Friday, November 25, 2011

7:00pm-10:00pm

the workroom

1340 Queen Street West

Toronto
(facebook event)

Free! Fun! Everyone is welcome.

Supplies:

Although we do have a bunch of supplies, we would be deeply grateful if you happen to have yarn lying around that you would like to contribute (it can that stuff you never found a way to love). If you have any of your own tools to use, that's wonderful, too.

Things you can bring:
Yourself
Friend(s)
Scissors (sharp and pointy)
Yarn - all varieties
Yarn needles (you know, the kind for weaving in ends)
Pom pom makers or templates

If you would like to contribute yarn but can not come to the party, pack it up in a box or bag labelled 'City of Craft' and drop it off at the workroom in the next week. We would be deeply grateful and it will make the big event all the more amazing!

A huge thank you also goes to out to Karyn for being so great in helping us laser all those circles!

Guest Blogger Picks: Anabela Carneiro.

2011-11-14T09:30:00.001-05:00

1. Smooth Ride by Selena Wong. I love Selena's art and hope to pick up a print or two.

2. I am a huge fan of Good Night, Day's knits, and have accumulated quite a few pieces. They're so easy to justify since they're so cozy. I love all things dip-dyed, so this Meaford Cowl is perfect for winter 2011.

3. Marshmallows from I Love Puffy Love. The coconut-topped ones look especially delicious.

4. There are always a few kids on my holiday shopping list and stuffed toys from Fidoodle could be just the thing.

Anabela maintains the blog Fieldguided from her home in Toronto, which she shares with her partner Geoff and their two cats. Together, Geoff and Anabela run the Fieldguided shop.

Poppy Time.

2011-11-11T09:00:00.000-05:00

Citizens,

It's November. You know what that means? Poppy time. It's also as good a time as any to mention these poppy pins made by 2011 City of Craft vendor, Julie Moon. Of course, we want you to buy things at the show but just in case you wanted a poppy pin in time for Remembrance Day (hurry), I believe these are also available at Kid Icarus, Magic Pony and probably other places.

As an added bonus, this photo is also taken by City of Craft 2011 photographer extraordinaire, Celine Kim!

Canzine City.

2011-11-10T10:00:00.000-05:00

Just popping in to share a few pictures from our table-top paper city at Canzine this year. I forgot my camera so I am extra thankful to Danielle for taking these lovely shots. You can see the whole collection here. Pictured (from top) are houses by Tara Bursey & Michelle Renaud; Kid Icarus & Ian Phillips.

Guest Blogger Picks: Tara Bursey.

2011-11-09T09:30:00.003-05:00

When City of Craft happens next month, Toronto will either be a winter wonderland, or-- more likely-- just relentlessly cold. I can't help but associate the last few City of Crafts with trudging through ice, snow and sleet carrying everything from bookshelves to a life-sized knitted skeleton to wine boxes and milk crates overflowing with zines. As nice as the winter months can sometimes be, my choices below evoke more carefree, temperate seasons filled with sunshine, snacks, see-saws and sea breezes.

1. The Maple Ridge: Wacky Illustrated Signs
I fell in love with these signs when I first learned about The Maple Ridge before last year's City of Craft. I adore the hand-lettered fonts, colours and sign shapes. Can you imagine an entire house labelled with these signs? Rich eccentrics: why don't you do this so Andrew can make a small fortune for himself?!

2. Sweetie Pie Press & Deadweight: Charm Pins
One of Sweetie Pie Press' latest pin sets is also one of my all-time favourites of the series. I especially love the eye, which reminds me of the pretty-yet-slightly-eerie painted eyes of an Egyptian sarcophagus.

3. Scouts Handmade: Pennants Bunting
Ahhh...being away from home, this bunting made of scavanged pennants reminds me of my own collection of souvenir pennants back in T.O, especially my Canadian National Exhibition one. I miss them!

4. rc boisjoli: Porcelain Peanuts
What a genius idea! Beautiful packaging, too. I wouldn't want to bite down on one, though.

5. Wolfe Island Woolworks: Tasty Looking Yarn
When I look at this luxurious yarn, I think of the best parts of both the summer and the winter: being warm and cozy when it's cold out, and wandering around a street fair or midway in the summer with a huge, fluffy cone of cotton candy.

Tara is an artistic jack(queline)-of-all-trades who does everything from sculpture and installation to zines to crafts to performance art to writing to curating and organizing. She is a regular contributor to Toronto Craft Alert, and is currently living and studying Art History in Baltimore, Maryland. She curated installation and exhibition programming for City of Craft in 2009 and 2010. Though she is sad to miss this year's fair on account of being out of town, she is already looking forward to next year's model.

Guest Blogger Picks: Michelle Renaud.

2011-11-07T09:30:00.002-05:00

I generally enjoy picking out (or making) gifts for loved ones during the holiday season, but one gift purchase tends to stump me. The 'gift exchange' gift. Also known as Secret Santa, White Elephant or (and this term is new to me) 'Christmas Swamp Thing'. You know, the unique, yet mass appeal gift you bring to a holiday party that will be (hopefully) fought over by participants in what is usually a pretty fun game. This year, I'll be participating in three gift exchanges so I really need to come up with some fun gifts that my friends and colleagues will enjoy fighting over and be happy to bring home. Luckily, the vendors at City of Craft have got me covered.

1. A plant you can't kill by Shannon Gerard. Cute, unique and can be enjoyed by green and non-green thumbs alike. I have one of these already and can vouch that it really is impossible to kill them!

2. Edible gifts are always a hit at the Secret Santas that I've attended. I'm thinking that some handcrafted gourmet marshmallows would be a most welcome treat, especially the Orange Burst flavour. Yum!

3. And for the ever popular silly or gag gift, how about some ceramic jumbo peanuts? Amaze your friends, confound your enemies! Great work by the very creative rcboisjoli.

4. Finally, to wrap up these excellent choices, I'm going with kid icarus' fantastic 3D wrapping paper. I'm sure you'll agree it's pretty much a gift in itself.

Thanks to City of Craft, I'm all set for my gift exchanges. Now I just need to hone my no holds barred, take no prisoners, gift stealing strategy. I will be victorious!

See you at City of Craft!

Michelle is the City of Craft Volunteer Coordinator. She likes crafts and coordinating, so it's win-win. Get in touch if you want to volunteer (cityofcraft@gmail.com)!

Unspent Love Book Launch.

2011-11-06T11:00:00.001-05:00

Citizens,

City of Craft staffer, past designer and forever-vendor, Shannon Gerard is launching a book. Launching it right out into the world! And you can catch one - at the launch.

Here are the deets from Shan:

UNSPENT LOVE, or, Things I Wish I Told You
Shannon Gerard

Conundrum Press is bustin out a paperback version of UNSPENT LOVE! YYZ is holding a launch to celebrate it on NOV 11 (11 11 11— make a wish!)

FRIDAY 11 NOVEMBER, 2011
7-10 PM
@ YYZ ARTIST’S OUTLET
401 Richmond Street West, Suite 140
Toronto

Originally drawn and written as a series of online poetic vignettes, UNSPENT LOVE addresses themes such as hope, fear, and human frailty. Evolving through numerous iterations, including a gallery installation supported by the Nick Novak Fellowship at Open Studio, UNSPENT LOVE most recently appeared as an experimental wall installation at YYZ Artist’s Outlet. One chapter of this work won first place in the graphic narrative category of This Magazine’s Great Canadian Literary Hunt in 2010.

Conundrum Press is thrilled to announce the book version of the project, complete with a letterpressed wraparound jacket printed at Gaspereau Press. Embracing a variety of genres, from poetry to relational art to graphic novel, UNSPENT LOVE is as varied as the characters who populate its quintessentially human stories.

Animations from this series will be playing on the walls for one night only. Live music! And it’s a sushi party!

Read! See an animated wall! Use chopsticks! Laugh your head off! Find true love! (And spend it all. Just go for it. Don’t hold anything in reserve for your recovery. Love like crazy.)

Graphic Novel
Conundrum Press
ISBN 978-1-894994-58-3
8.5×5.5 inches / 176 pages

PS - You may see some (ahem) familiar crafty faces in those Unspent pages. Just sayin'.

Guest Blogger Picks: Leah Buckareff.

2011-11-02T09:30:00.001-04:00

Being so far from my (other) home during the dark and cold days of a Berlin winter, I want nothing more than to hibernate with a brood of weirdo characters to keep me company. There are some incredible imaginations at work behind those vendor tables this year and these are just a few additions to my family I'd like to make.

1. Yermit : Drunk Russian Retired Circus Bear

I think my extended family might already have one of these, but I'm far away from most of them so as the holidays come and go, I'd like to count on this guy to always bring the party when I need it.

2. greasychickenface : girls original paintings

These ladies look like they're up to no good. Perfect for mid-winter mischief making!

3. Selena Wong : Yellow Zine

With the damp and gray foliage-free outside licking at my windows, I would love to take cover under some wool blankets and these fauna-morphing creatures to remind me that the forest will be back soon.

4. rcboisjoli : Nolan's Lion

Of course, with all the windows sealed tight, I'll need a little life in my hibernated existence and what better vessel than this little king to keep me company!

5. AT.AW : Orphan

A resolution for the New Year? More good deeds! I would gladly adopt an orphan. These tiny strongmen fit the bill. Even more so as I travel lots and these little guys don't require to be fed.

6. The Maple Ridge : Wolf Couple

As most of my real life friends will be dealing with their own wintery confinements, I think I want these two around. I only know them from their picture, but they look like hairy little BFFs in the making.

7. nanopod : discoMedusa Amulet

I don't know about you, but darkness at 3pm makes me a little drowsy (even in anticipation). I think late afternoon naps with this beauty nearby can only help conjure some other-warmer-worldly dreams.

Leah Buckareff is a far-flung citizen-at-large and co-founder at City of Craft. As a piece of her heart belongs to the crafty city, she sends help and sponsorship via post and various wonders of technology. She makes books as Coldsnap Bindery, makes noise as one-half of Nadja, and organizes little exhibitions for handmade wonders within The Wunderkabinet.

Guest Blogger Picks: Becky Johnson.

2011-10-31T09:30:00.002-04:00

Okay, so this is a cheat. I am not a guest. I run this show now, but I didn't have anyone for today and thought I could use the slot to present work from our 2011 Vendors that illustrates some themes very dear to my heart and intertwined with City of Craft - cities and citizenship. Here goes!

1) Misanthrope Specialty Co. : Good Morning, Citizens

Oh, the numbness, the mysterious high-up forces, the offering up of babies - it would take a collective of misanthropes to present citizenship in this soothingly oppressive manner.

2) Alternate Histories : Pittsburgh Zombie Outbreaks: A Map

Joining us all the way from Pittsburgh this year, Matt has made a business for himself by intervening in images of the past and rewriting history through his own twisted and pointedly destructive lens. I actually could have grabbed just about any image from his shop to illustrate his crumbling view of the cityscape. Pittsburgh, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Washington DC - They have all fallen victim to his monsters, lasers and tentacles. What's more? He has promised some new Toronto-specific releases just for the show! Watch out!

3) Fidoodle : City Blocks Set

Kids these days, right? They grow up against all sorts of backdrops. That's why I think it is so brilliant that the folks over at Fidoodle have developed simple block sets for all of the city, the suburbs and the country.

4) The Pin Pals : Eileen and Minou Shadow Box Print

I love how cityscapes provide the backdrop for so many of the tiny moments illustrated by Sara Guindon of the Pin Pals. I love love what the city looks like through her eyes - the seediness isn't gone, but somehow all is safe and everyone is going to get tucked into their beds at night.

5) Raymond Biesinger : Edmonton Civic Crest Silkscreen Print

Also joining us for the first time and from afar (Montreal by way of Edmonton), Raymond Biesinger plays with civic identity here through the appropriation and artistic mutilation of the civic crest from his native Edmonton. Isn't it about time all of our cities got real about what they have become and updated their crests to include more weapons?

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.

Guest Blogger Picks: Serah-Marie McMahon.

2011-10-27T09:30:00.001-04:00

Greetings, Citizens! Following is the first in a new series of guest blog posts from a slew of local bloggers, writers and creative sorts. Throughout the series you will see tiny collections hand-picked from our vendors' collective output to represent themes interesting to these guests. Read on!

I always have an eye out to find new fashion items and makers at craft fairs. This City of Craft I'm looking for warm, cozy items to wear and love.

1) Supayana: Red Fox Dress (above)
Designer Yana Gorbulsky has been making some extremely charming pieces lately that make me think of fairy tales and folk stories. I imaging myself wearing this dress with thick wool tights and a sweet cardigan. I fell like it's something Emily Winfield would wear, and really my life is a lot about wishing I was Emily Winfield.

2) Broundoor: Sparrow Purse
I would die, not literally of course - the world uses the word "literally" incorrectly way too much. So I would die, figuratively, to have this purse. I've admired it from afar for quite a while and maybe it's about time to admire it up close. In my closet.

3) Deadweight: Hands Print

The only thing better than getting this print of gloves would be to get these actual gloves, because they are lovely. Alas, since these only live in the imagination of Deadweight's head, I'll have to resign myself to do the same.

4) Good Night, Day: Markham Alpaca Loop Collar
I'm very doubtful that this piece would do anything at all to keep me warm. However, it is gorgeous, and it makes me feel like I am embodying Amelia Earhart. Or at the very least the actress who played Amelia Earhart on that episode of Star Trek Voyager when they find the spot what was sucking everyone out of the Bermuda Triangle.

5) I (Heart) Puffy Love: Coconut Marshmallows.
Okay so this is not clothes. I know. But it IS a bag of crispy coconut homemade marshmallows. Do I really need to explain myself further?

Serah-Marie McMahon is the founder and Editor of WORN Fashion Journal, and a maker of fun things. She likes to mend, especially at WORN's mending circle - Thursday Night Your Stockings Needed Mending. You should go mend stuff with her. Or visit the awesome table WORN will have at City of Craft.

The Ephemeral City at Canzine (Sunday).

2011-10-21T16:00:00.000-04:00

Canzine is this Sunday and we hope you will come down to check it out and say hi.

This year's show boasts even more vendors than ever before (193 is the number I have heard bandied about) and a full bill of programming - panels, readings, death matches. You know, zine stuff.

City of Craft is really excited to be using our table space this year as a tiny installation venue. Above is the beginning of our display, a paper town, being figured and fussed with on my kitchen table. The houses up there are by Ian Phillips and Kid Icarus. Over the rest of tonight and tomorrow I will be adding work from Cecelia Hayes, Michelle Renaud, Tara Bursey, Reverend Aitor, yours truly and more!

It has been really thrilling to open attachments and envelopes to find the surprises within. Airplanes! Igloos! A whole block of Nassau street (by Kid Icarus, above).

So c'mon down, check out our tiny village, pick up some of the swanky new postcards that Sandi designed, say hello and check out our archive of merch from past years! Then check out the other 192 vendors and have your brains filled with indie goodness!

Canzine 2011
Sunday, October 23
918 Bathurst Arts/Culture Centre
918 Bathurst Street
(North of Bloor)
Toronto, ON
1pm – 7pm
$5 entry includes the fall issue of Broken Pencil

Tickets available at the door or online in advance.

Occupy Queen Street (or City of Craft gets a Second Venue - Thrush Holmes Empire!)

2011-10-19T15:00:00.002-04:00

Citizens, I have some wild news to report - because we were bursting at the seams with talented applicants this year, City of Craft is going to explode out into a Second Venue on Queen West. True fact! This development is going to make the show bigger and better than ever!

We were lucky enough to secure the amazing Thrush Holmes Empire for the December 10-11 weekend. A city in an empire? What could be more fitting?

All the arrangements were finalized today and, I have to admit, I have been chomping at the bit to get this all nailed down, confirm some vendors into the space and start working on the exciting challenge of completely taking over Queen and Dovercourt for the big weekend.

We have already confirmed a full weekend of DJ services from The Vinyl Den and the whole staff is busily plotting strategies for linking the two spaces and filling that huge picture window. It's such a fantastic space. Oh, the possibilities!

With the Knit Cafe hosting an installation, too, it is starting to feel like we are building a little Empire of Craft. I, for one, cannot wait to take over Queen West West before spaces like THE are squashed by condos next year. Occupy Queen Street, indeed.

Big thanks to Thrush Holmes for working with us, to Katharine Mulherin for being so smart and to The Theatre Centre for constant and kind venue support.

Canzine!

2011-10-12T13:00:00.002-04:00

That's right, Citiznes, the air is finally cooling (maybe) so it must be time for Toronto's biggest and baddest-assed zine culture explosion - Broken Pencil's Canzine!

We have been chummed up with BP for a while now - since very close to our inception, in fact - and we love them to pieces. Canzine is always extra fun for us because it affords us a rare opportunity to do outreach at a non-City-of-Craft event. Trust me, not being in charge is a real relief around here when it happens. In the past we have set up a one day general store, hosted a pinback button making station and generally chatted our faces off.

This year, as always, we are using the opportunity to do something altogether different. The City of Craft staff (and a few friends near and far) are working together to construct a collaborative table-top installation - a tiny paper city. Since we are all working on our own elements, even we don't know what the final piece will look like. How exciting! Keep checking here for previews as the big day draws closer.

We hope you will come down to check it out, say hello, dive into the other programming and support all the busy zinesters who descend on the city for the day.

Canzine 2011
Sunday, October 23
918 Bathurst Arts/Culture Centre
918 Bathurst Street
(North of Bloor)
Toronto, ON
1pm – 7pm
$5 entry includes the fall issue of Broken Pencil

What's more? This year, you can even buy tickets in advance and circumvent the line-ups! Just look in the BP store for options.

Holiday Multiples Fair at O'Born Contemporary.

2011-10-07T13:30:00.002-04:00

Just saw this call from O'Born Contemporary's Holiday Multiples Fair via Akimbo and it seemed like a noteworthy thing to post, not just because it is a timely call for a unique holiday sale but also because there seems to be much confusion in the indie craft world surrounding what art multiples are. So much, in fact, that I am removing the category from our applications - it was just being used so often by such a wide range of inapplicable products.

So here is my attempt at a run-down of what art multiples are:

Art multiples/Artist's multiples/Multiples are objects or prints, usually released in limited edition and usually signed that are made specifically for commercial purposes. They are designed and released to be relatively accessible. Their production is often semi-mechanized to support this goal. What differentiates these works from other craft fare is at least some amount of conceptual backing (ie. work that is purely functional and/or decorative probably does not qualify). With many things in our current indie craft world, lines are blurred and definitions are malleable, but these ideas can provide a starting point.

Below is one of my personal favourite projects in multiples, the Velcro Pins by Sandy Plotnikoff (circa 2004). In this image you can see how he has taken a very standard object (the pinback button) and transformed it into and unruly and interactive piece with endless sculptural possibilities. Existing between craft, art and commodity, I find this a really playful example of what multiples can become from a starting point very recognizable in our indie culture sphere.

Applications for the O'Born fair are being accepted through November 1. Full details and a downloadable call for submissions can be found here.

Craftstock 3.

2011-09-28T10:00:00.000-04:00

Craftstock 3 Poster by Selena Wong

Every once in a while, a notice or call for vendors passes by me that reminds of the good old days, like when I saw the vendor call for Goldsoundz' Craftstock 3 (via the Toronto Craft Alert). It's a rock show with craft makers and the tables are free! I've always like shows like this for exposing my nerdy, old ears to cool new tunes. They might even have a few vendor spots left. Vendors seem to be curated on a rolling basis and selected for their symbiosis with an indie-pop aesthetic. For more info, look here!

Call for Volunteers: City of Craft wants you!

2011-09-26T20:10:00.001-04:00

Craft You Day Job punch cards by Old Weston. Photo by Karyn Valino.

Hi! Michelle here - City of Craft's Volunteer Coordinator. I took on this role a couple of weeks before City of Craft 2010 and am happily doing it again this year. It's a pretty easy job because City of Craft volunteers (like all CoC Citizens) are generally amazing and a lot of fun to work with. And since it's clear to me that CoC blog readers are also amazing and fun, City of Craft is inviting you to join the roster of volunteers for the 2011 show. Huzzah!

Volunteers are a key component to City of Craft and help out during the event itself, which as you know is December 10 & 11, 2011. 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

We also sometimes ask for volunteers in the weeks leading up to the event to help with making decorations, signage, etc.

It's really that easy! 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 biggest indie craft shows. And it's important to know City of Craft loves and appreciates its volunteers and will thank them with amazing (and sometimes limited edition) swag. 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. If you use Facebook to keep track of your schedule (I can't be the only one who does), here's the event page.

Once we have a critical mass of names, we'll send out an e-mail with more information and start asking volunteers about their scheduling preferences. If you've sent an e-mail in the last few months indicating you'd like to volunteer, you are already on the list! Good for you!

Thanks Citizens!

Stay crafty,
Michelle

Shannon Gerard's Animations

2011-09-26T19:14:00.004-04:00

Just dropping a line to share this animation that City of Craft staffer, Shannon Gerard, made on the wall of YYZ Gallery. On the wall! These mural animations are part of Shannon's ever-expanding Unspent Love project. You can check it out in person, or go to the blog documenting it. Mind boggling!

2011 Notifications Are Out!

2011-09-25T23:01:00.004-04:00

Photo by killside krafts

Greetings Citizens,

Well, I am breathing a sigh of relief because all the 2011 vendor notifications are now out. If you have not gotten yours, please get in touch (after you check your spam folder).

2011 was an exceptional year for City of Craft applications. We got more than ever before (by a hefty margin) and the quality was off the charts. The jury met last Wednesday for a session that went deep into the night (big thanks to Leah, Jen, Hollie, Hazel, Janna & The Ontario Crafts Council). It was not an easy task by any means. After all was said and done, there was only room in the show for around 10% of applicants. All this to say that the work of lots of truly amazing artists passed by our eyes and I, for one, was really humbled by the quality of work being made in Toronto (and beyond). It's also to say that there is some truly amazing work that did not get in, many times just because of saturation in a specific category.

I really hope that Torontonians go out to more local craft fairs than ever this year. Every indie show has its own vibe, aesthetic and neighbourhood. Going to many is the only way you can start to see the amount of awesome craft we have seen. Some local favourites and friends include A Handmade Holiday, Crafternoon Tea and Movies & Makers.

Have another show you like? Feel free to share it here! Know a show accepting applications? Let everyone know!

And, of course, we will see you all at City of Craft!

Time to sleep,

Becky

Three Dimensional Pyramid Quilt by Happy Sleepy.

2011-09-24T15:01:00.003-04:00

Images by Magda Wojtyra

Citizens, this 3D quilt from the Land of Happy Sleepy (Magda Wojtyra & Marc Ngui) is veritably blowing my mind. Bound for installation at the Gladstone as part of the upArt Contemporary Art Fair, it will be viewable to all at the end of October. I can't wait to see it in person! Although, for the moment, watching the above animation of Magda trying to figure out pyramid arrangements is deeply satisfying. Not only does it fill me with a sense of endless possibility, but it also completely maps the process I am currently going through inching table spaces around to see how many awesome vendors we can fit in the 2011 show. Tetris everywhere!

Other Shows (That You Can Still Apply to).

2011-09-22T12:44:00.006-04:00

Photo by Handmade Detroit

While we tally numbers and consult floor plans for the 2011 show, I thought it would be a good idea to do a wee round up of other shows (near and far) that are still accepting applications for their 2011 holiday shows. Deadlines are very rapidly approaching on some of them!

It's far afield, but the folks at Halifax Crafters are accepting applications until tomorrow night. Although there is some sort of complicated cheque delivery system that may get in the way of out-of-towners applying now. Still, we have pals there and have heard great things about the show so it is worth checking into.

A drive, but not as long of a haul, The Detroit Urban Craft Fair is also accepting applications for their sixth annual show on December 3rd and 4th.

Closer to home, there are two shows on the east side still accepting applications. First, Movies and Makers at the Fox Cinema in Leslieville. Applications can be found via their blog. The show happens super late, December 17, which is a great time to get in on the frenzy of last-minute shopping.

Nathalie-Roze's Crafternoon Tea is also accepting submissions for their November 26th edition through October 3. To apply to that show, you just need to send her an email with some product images and a blurb about what you make.

And, as always, for local listings we recommend checking in with the calls for vendors page in the Toronto Craft Alert forums.

From the Design Files.

2011-09-16T10:00:00.002-04:00

City of Craft 2011 Ad for WORN Fashion Journal. Design by Sandi Falconer

Just dropping a line from the midst of jury prep to mention yet again what a boffo job Sandi has been doing with the 2011 design. Above is a print ad she made for our buddies at WORN Fashion Journal. But it was just so rad that I also wanted to share it with the citizens of the internet, as well. Sandi, you blow my mind!

Jury Time (Well, Almost).

2011-09-14T15:25:00.003-04:00

The Clock Watcher by The Pin Pals

The big jury session is now just under a week away and preparations are well under way. It's hard to explain how much work goes into jurying the show. I never would have understood the scale of prep involved until I got into this line of work. But now, I feel the home stretch coming!

As an update to those who asked for a reminder, notifications are scheduled to go out on September 25. I am working hard to edge that date up by a few days but I make no promises. After the jury's votes come in, I have to do some hard math and figuring, map out floor plans and make sure everyone can fit before sending out notices.

Even amid the weeks of prep work, it has been a great joy to wade through all the amazing things this city (and beyond) is making through the hands of its citizens. You guys rock!

Back to the spreadsheets,

Becky

Ring Leader

City of Craft

The Red Handed Child in Ceremonial Head-dress by KipikArt.

2011-09-07T16:00:00.001-04:00

Doll and Photo by KipikArt

There is something in this doll/fetish that makes me feel the magic and the warmth of autumn.

The Craft Toronto photo pool is a rolling stream of craft projects being made in the city (and thereabouts). It is an initiative hosted by City of Craft and reflects more makers than any of our real-world events ever could. What's more? You can join!

New Juror Announced - Hazel Meyer!

2011-09-02T11:00:00.001-04:00

If there is a downside to working with amazing, talented and busy ladies, it is that they get overbooked. For that reason, we lost one of our 2011 juror, Allyson Mitchell to an install of her new work (which you will probably want to see).

The upside to losing Allyson is getting to book last-minute addition, Hazel Meyer. Read below to find out more about her illustrious career and the exciting happenings she undertakes:

Hazel Meyer is a visual artist and aspiring athlete. She spent ten years in Montréal, earning a BFA from Concordia University, designing fabric for the textile industry, founding the Hound’s tooth, forsooth! fabricLAB, and coaching the jump rope team Smooche de la Rooche. Presently she is living in Toronto, having recently completed an MFA through the Interdisciplinary Master’s in Art, Media & Design program at OCAD University, with her thesis project Hyper-Hyper. Working primarily in installation, intervention and performance, with textiles and drawing, her projects have been shown through various Artist-Run Centers and festivals across North America and Europe.

You will also be able to meet her at the show as she will be there with her latest project, Knitdown SVP!

Phew! (Or Applications are Now Closed for 2011).

2011-09-01T10:45:00.004-04:00

Whoa, Citizens! Last night's application deadline was totally bonkers! 2011 has shattered every single record for application volume and I was up all night making sure that everything was in its place for the jury.

There is still a lot of work to do to get ready for the jury session. And I am currently strategizing ways to keep the process under eight hours even with an extra 50+ applications to go through.

It is hard to communicate the work involved in jurying - or how truly massive the process is. On the actual day the the session, the five of us will spend what amounts to an entire work day looking through applications. We will view something in the neighbourhood of 1500 images and read what I can only imagine to be millions of words (but I haven't counted). We also might go through some serious amounts of coffee and tea. And maybe eat a cupcake or two (thank you, food applicants).

Over and out,

Becky

PS - That image up there is from the treasure trove of downloads that Sandi has been making. Feel free to teef any and all of them and plaster them about the internet.

Applications About to Close for the 2011 Show.

2011-08-28T09:25:00.000-04:00

Citizens, do not get snowed. You now have four days left to apply for City of Craft 2011 (including today).

Look here for all details and the online application form.

Bubble bubble!

Craft Toronto: Emerald Shiners by Happy Sleepy.

2011-08-24T10:49:00.002-04:00

Fish and photo by Magda Wojtyra.

From the artist:

These are made from silver lame fabric and plastic food containers for the transparent fins.
The eyes are made from silver chocolate wrapping for the sclera and bicycle innertube rubber for the pupils, held together with globs of transparent plastic glue to give it dimension and a glossy, wet eye look.

Calls for Submission: Canzine and TCAF.

2011-08-20T19:04:00.002-04:00

Greetings, Citizens, just checking in to share news from some friends in the book arts, comix and literature worlds:

1. Canzine currently has calls open for both zinesters to table and artists to take over rooms at their November event. It's great! Zinesters can sign up on a first-come-first-served basis and artists rooms are decided upon in a more conversational manner with Broken Pencil's editor, Lindsay. Find more information here.

2. The Toronto Comic Arts Festival (TCAF) 2012 is also accepting submission for sequential artists to table in the vendor section of their massive event. Over the past years, TCAF has become a real player on the comics events circuit and vendors spaces have become very much in demand. Be sure to read their guidelines before submitting to up your chances of getting in.

Good luck, Citizens!

Find us on the Face Place.

2011-08-19T10:30:00.000-04:00

Image scooped from the incomparable Sarah McNeil

Citizens!

Until the next big thing comes along, we are on facebook. This is just a wee nudge to remind you all of that fact.

We have a page that always provides a rolling stream of information and the 2011 event listing is already up. These are both great ways to stay apprised of City of Craft happenings.

I am not going to make any promises just yet, but I can say that I am cooking up schemes around the camp fire to make membership have its privileges. That's right, there may be gifts for you in following our page! Gifts hidden in the internet! Neat, huh?

Two weeks left to apply to City of Craft 2011.

2011-08-17T19:58:00.002-04:00

Photo by the workroom

Greetings Citizens,

You now have two weeks left to get your vendor applications in for City of Craft 2011, our ever-awesome December show.

Get on it, dudes! All the info you need and the online submission form are here.

Hey, why not tell your friends who might be interested, too?

Dream a Little Zine.

2011-08-15T12:30:00.000-04:00

Yes, City of Craft loves Zine Dream. We love its organizers, too. And if you love all things ziney, literary, doodly and designy, you will love it, too!

Zine Dream happens Sunday, August 21 at the Tranzac in Toronto. For more details, check out their flashing website.

Nutso!

2011-08-10T10:00:00.000-04:00

Ian and the NUTSO board by rc boisjoli

Citizens, guess what! We have managed to finagle a brand new element to the show for 2011. We will be kicking our dusty old raffle to the curb in favour of a much more fast-paced, instant-gratification, everyone-wins, prize-winning activity - NUTSO!

The awesome gents at Cheveaux du Bois, Alexx (not pictured) and Ian (pictured above), have agreed to lend us the interactive midway board (not to be confused with Plinko which is probably trademarked by someone else) so that we can give you all the chance to win awesome handmade, indie and/or local prizes.

Not only will this be great fun to play, we also think that the accompanying prize display will make our donated good shine even more than they have in the past.

Feel compelled to help stock that prize shelf with your wares? We are actively looking for in-kind sponsorships for just such a purpose! And you get lots of hype and love in return. Just email cityofcraft@gmail.com and we will hook you up with the 2011 Sponsorship Package.

Sponsor City of Craft 2011.

2011-08-09T17:46:00.004-04:00

Prize pack from Sublime Stitching

Citizens,

It has come time to nail down our awesome sponsors for 2011. And that could be you! That's right, the 2011 Sponsorship Package is now ready and offers multiple ways to get involved with City of Craft if you can't be a vendor (or even if you can).

City of Craft offers lots of channels through which to spread the word about your business. We love our sponsors and choose them to fit in with the ethos of our event and organization. We especially like to partner up with local and/or indie and/or arts and crafts projects and groups. And we have come up with a bunch of ways to work with all sizes and types of business.

Ceramics from Krystal Speck

Aside from monetary sponsors (which, don't get us wrong, keep the show alive) we also have a great need and use for all sorts of in-kind sponsorships. City of Craft fills a raffle, vendor packs, volunteer rewards, staff packs and swag bags with goodies from the community at large. We also need printing, and refreshments, and materials for our workshops...the list goes on. We even make great use of things we didn't think of until they presented themselves to us (can anyone say floral sponsor?)

We also love to work out new partnerships with like-minded businesses and groups. Have an idea you would like to partner with us on? Want to support a specific project or piece of programming? Let us know!

For more information and to request the 2011 Sponsorship Package, please email cityofcraft@gmail.com.

Yours in Craft,

Becky

Ring Leader

City of Craft

Lavender sachets from Coriander Girl

Bloorcourt Arts and Crafts Street Fair.

2011-08-08T10:30:00.000-04:00

Artwork by Sandi Falconer

Greetings, Citizens!

Just dropping in to put a big bug in your collective ear about this coming weekend's Bloorcourt Arts and Crafts Street Fair. The show is chock full of former City of Craft vendors and friendlies and is organized by one of our co-founders, Jen Anisef. The astute among you may also pick up our 2011 designer, Sandi's hand at work in all of their posters. And...um...amateur wrestling? I can't think of a better way to defy the dog days of summer (and maybe get the jump on some back-to-school shopping).

Bloorcourt Arts and Crafts Street Fair
August 13, 2011
11:00am-7:00pm
Shaw-Dovercourt along Bloor W.

Your Design Here: The Bottled Project by rc boisjoli.

2011-08-03T15:14:00.003-04:00

Photo by rcboisjoli

This just in! City of Craft vendor and pal, rc boisjoli, is searching for a crack team of designers with whom to engage in collaboration. The Bottled Project is a new initiative by the Toronto ceramics studio to fuse graphic design and porcelain (literally?) by collaborating with ten select designers. Want one of those people to be you? Alexx has both a project run-down and brief on his blog.

How amazing would it be to see your work in glaze?

One month left to apply for City of Craft 2011.

2011-08-01T12:42:00.005-04:00

Photo by Trip Print Press

I am sorry to break it to you all, citizens, but summer is entering its last month. You know what that means? There is now one month left to apply to City of Craft 2011. Do not dally and do not delay. We feel terrible every year when we have to tell folks they missed the jurying deadline. Do not be one of those people. And hey, why not tell your interested friends, too?

Online applications and an FAQ can be found here.
Applications close August 31, 2011 at Midnight EST.

Craft Toronto: Citizenship by Lido Pimienta.

2011-07-29T09:15:00.000-04:00

Citizenship by Lido Pimienta

Citizenship is a theme dear to our hearts here in the City of Craft. That's why we were extra tickled to see Lido Pimienta's new illustration pop up in the Craft Toronto photo pool. Even better yet, it was made in celebration of her upcoming Canadian citizenship oath-taking. Congratulations!

Here are her comments about the piece:

Today I got a letter saying in less than a month I will take an oath and become a Canadian Citizen.

This is a happy drawing.

Hoy recibí una carta diciendo que en menos de un mes me vuelvo ciudadana Canadiense.

Este es un dibujo feliz.

Meet the Jury!

2011-07-26T10:25:00.000-04:00

As you may or may not know, we take jurying very seriously at City of Craft. Because we are in the thankful/difficult position of having to narrow down way too many excellent applications into 40-50 spots, we employ the help of crack team of jurors every year. On top of City of Craft's three co-founders (Becky Johnson, Jen Anisef and Leah Buckareff) we always invite in two guests from the greater craft community. This year, they are multi-faceted "maximalist" artist, Allyson Mitchell and White Elephant co-owner, Hollie Pocsai. Read Below to find out more about all these fine folks. They are all amazing!

Allyson Mitchell is a maximalist artist working in sculpture, performance, installation and film. Her practice melds feminism and pop culture to investigate contemporary ideas about sexuality, autobiography and the body, largely through the use of reclaimed textile and abandoned craft. These articulations have resulted in a coven of lesbian feminist Sasquatch monsters, a room-sized Vagina Dentata, an army of super genius Holly Hobbies and a woodland utopic library complete with a wishing well of forbidden political knowledge.

Her works have exhibited in galleries and festivals across Canada, the US and Europe, including the Textile Museum of Canada, the Museum of Contemporary Canadian Art, the Andy Warhol Museum, Walker Art Center, The British Film Institute, Winnipeg Art Gallery and the Art Gallery of Ontario. Mitchell recently attended the Canada Council for the Arts International Studio (ISCP) in New York City. She is based in Toronto, where she is an Assistant Professor in the School of Women’s Studies at York University.

Hollie Pocsai is a co-owner of the handmade and vintage shop White Elephant in Hamilton, Ontario. She is also a founding member of the Beehive Craft Collective, a craft and homesteading collective, based in Hamilton as well. Passionate about her city, sustainable living, and creating adventure in her day-to-day life, she can most likely be found bike riding, farming, antiquing, embroidering or behind the lens of her camera. She is thrilled to be a part of the jury for City of Craft this year.

One of the co-founders of City of Craft, Jen Anisef has had her hand in a number of community-based craft initiatives that include Toronto Craft Alert, The Church of Craft - Montreal, and goodEGG industries. When not organizing crafty projects or engaging in arts marketing, Jen loves to oogle fabric, make quilts, and daydream textile designs.

For a very long while, Leah Buckareff was involved in Toronto's craft community. First as founder of the Toronto Church of Craft back in 2003 and later as co-founder of City of Craft. Since then, Leah has relocated to Berlin, Germany where she makes weird and loud music with her partner which she then tours around the world to perform. When not on the road, she is making books as Coldsnap Bindery, embroidering into foreign currency and calling it art, and tending to her newest craft project, The Wunderkabinet.

A co-founder of City of Craft, Becky Johnson now sits at its helm occupying the role of 'Ring Leader'. When not working on the fair, she can be found peddling her wares from coast to coast with her one-woman craft concern, the sweetie pie press. Becky also makes large works in crochet, small works of ephemera and other things that pop up in all sorts of gallery, exhibiton and installation projects the world over. Sometimes, she waxes philosophical about craft in the form of lectures and sometimes she teaches craft skills. Becky also performs things on stages across the world.

Bloorcourt Show.

2011-07-25T14:20:00.004-04:00

We don't usually have much time to post calls for vendors here for other shows (if you are ever looking for calls, though, I recommend going here). However, City of Craft co-founder and Toronto Craft Alert head honcho, Jen Anisef, has recently teamed up with some other friends (like Comedy Bar) in the Bloorcourt BIA to present an awesome-sounding outdoor show. They will be shutting down a stretch of Bloor Street for the event and the tables are super cheap! Amazing!

For more information, mosey on down to the post Jen wrote about applying.

Zine Dream.

2011-06-24T10:32:00.001-04:00

Our buddies at Zine Dream have just opened up their first-come-first-served call for ziney vendors. This year's show is going down in August. Contact them for more details. Let's keep the dream alive, Toronto.

Let's Talk Business! (or Becky Gives a Chat in Brooklyn that Streams Online).

2011-06-21T12:00:00.004-04:00

Photo by Stacey Bode

Attention, Citizens!

City of craft Ring Leader, Becky Johnson, will be speaking this Thursday at the Etsy Labs in Brooklyn, New York, on topics of offline indie craft business. That means craft fairs, retail, wholesale, travel and more! City of Craft will probably come up in the conversation and most of the talk will be driven by audience interest. Do you have some pressing questions about offline sales or the craft fair experience? Let 'em rip!

If it sounds a little far from home, do not fret. The whole thing will be streamed live online, too, so you can tune in from the comfort of your own home. You can even make crafts WHILE YOU WATCH. What could be better?

Read up on all the details on the Etsy blog here.

And we'll see you online or in Brooklyn at 7:00pm EST.

Jenny Hart's work Stolen in Toronto.

2011-06-10T12:45:00.001-04:00

John the Baptist by Jenny Hart

Citizens, we have a problem. Long time City of Craft friend, supporter and sponsor, Jenny Hart of Sublime Stitching has had a terrible mishap in our fair city.

Two of her incredibly valuable original pieces were stolen from a recent show at the Drake called Wrap Your Head Around This. The larger question of how work like this could even go missing from a show is greatly eclipsed by Jenny's desire to get the work back. You can read more on Jenny's blog here. If you have any information about this, please please get in touch with her. She is putting forward a no-questions-asked policy.

Also, feel free to spread the word.

Jenny, Toronto is way better than this. We guarantee it.

Printing Flyers.

2011-05-16T12:17:00.003-04:00

Check it out, Citizens - I just got these awesome production shots from our brilliant friends at Kid Icarus. These are our annual call for submissions flyers (with a side order of business cards), this time designed by our 2011 designer extraordinare, Sandi Falconer of DEADWEIGHT. Aren't they filling you with a spooky interest in crafts?

After some slicing and dicing, these puppies will start to make their ways out into Toronto (and beyond). Word to the wise: they also have mostly blank backs and are rigid enough to mail as a postcard! Just sayin'.

You want something awesome screen printed? Kid Icarus can do that, too. Just ask 'em.

Spring Trunk Show Today!

2011-05-15T08:56:00.001-04:00

C'mon down! Free snacks for all and awesome craft wares, rummage and vintage.

City of Craft & the workroom present
Spring Trunk Show
Sunday May 15, 2011
Noon-5pm
the workroom
1340 Queen Street West
FREE Admission

More Peeks at the Spring Trunk Show.

2011-05-14T14:46:00.003-04:00

Spring is springing, the rain is falling and everyone knows what that means - flowers are on their way to our fair city. We've even found them popping up in the crafts on offer at tomorrow's Spring Trunk Show. Check out these peeks and then c'mon down tomorrow!

Needle book by needle book

Anchor cup with floral arrangement by rcboisjoli

Florals buttons by Alec Thibodeau for the sweetie pie press

City of Craft & the workroom present
Spring Trunk Show
Sunday May 15, 2011
Noon-5pm
the workroom
1340 Queen Street West
FREE Admission

Fabric Sale at the workroom.

2011-05-12T13:15:00.000-04:00

Greetings, Citizens. As an added bonus to attendees of the Spring Trunk Show, the workroom will also be wrapping up an awesome fabric sale (details above). So you can check out the wares of a dozen local vendors and take advantage of fabric deals. What could be better?

City of Craft & the workroom present
Spring Trunk Show
Sunday May 15, 2011
Noon-5pm
the workroom
1340 Queen Street West
FREE Admission

Spring Trunk Show. C'mon Down!

2011-05-10T13:00:00.001-04:00

Applications now open for City of Craft 2011.

2011-05-08T11:53:00.003-04:00

2011 Vendor Flyer by Sandi Falconer

Boo! The online application is now up for our 2011 December show and will stay live until the end of August.

Want to apply? First, you should read through the 2011 Applications FAQ. Really, it is full of useful information. Then APPLY!

We can't wait to see what you have been up to, Toronto!

As Applications Approach - Some Tips.

2011-05-07T11:51:00.004-04:00

2008 planning meeting with Jen and Leah

Applications for the 2011 show are currently in the works and, barring any calamity, should be up by the 15th - maybe even sooner! So this seemed like as good a time as any to share a few tips on submitting successful applications. Years of sitting on craft juries have taught me a lot about the art of application-making and it is time to share some of my insights with you.

First, I would like to share this excellent recent post on craft fair applications by the equally excellent crew at Renegade Craft Fair in Chicago. Although tastes differ from fair to fair, the basics they run down of professionalism and clarity are bang on.

I have little to add to their reflections except for specifics that pertain uniquely to City of Craft. Those (and a few key point that bear repeating) are submitted for your consideration:

1. Photographs
Our jury sits for up to eight long hours. We review the hundreds of submissions we get visually through a projected slide show. When thought of in those terms, the need for clear and striking images becomes obvious. There is also more than just your craft on display in a submitted image. Your styling and visual ability communicate a lot to the jury. After all, you are not submitting your work to a store, you are submitting to set up your own space at a group show. On the days of the event, you will be responsible for your own display and strong photographs do a lot to communicate your abilities to have a strong presence at the show. Product photographs are also a key way to subtly communicate your personality as a maker and that's a good thing!

2. Long Answers

The jury also employs readers to read out the written materials in the applications. At City of Craft, we like to curate a show that is more than just a sales-based event. Yes, helping vendors sell their wares is a central focus for us, but we also mandate the support of work that is thoughtful, reasoned and executed with quality. This is why we ask we questions about the process and reasoning behind the things you make. The best answers are short, clear and to the point. These questions offer a huge opportunity to let the jury into your studio practice and into your creative process. It is worth giving these answers some thought and then boiling your practice and rationale down to their essential elements.

3. Knowing us, knowing you

New to City of Craft and/or the indie craft fair circuit? If so, it will serve you well to do some research - see what kinds of vendors we tend to book and what sort of programming we run. Knowing our organization and events better will help you put together an application that is more likely to appeal to the jury. When it comes to spying on our past, you are in luck! City of Craft maintains an archive of all our past programs. You can check them all out here.

Now, back to pushing code and getting the applications up.

Happy crafting!

Becky

Ring Leader

City of Craft

Spring Trunk Show Sneak Peeks.

2011-05-06T14:40:00.001-04:00

Printed Cards by Petra C.

Bird Vessel by rcboisjoli

City of Craft & the workroom present
Spring Trunk Show
Sunday May 15, 2011
Noon-5pm
the workroom
1340 Queen Street West
FREE Admission

Spring Trunk Show!

2011-05-05T09:23:00.000-04:00

Citizens,

It is time once again - dewy drops are collecting, buds are sprouting and the Spring Trunk Show is gearing up to unleash some awesome craft and vintage into Hogtown.

We here at City of Craft have been working tirelessly with Karyn and the staff at the workroom to bring you a small yet excellent sampling of home town goods. You can expect crochet, paper goods, ceramics, housewares, textiles, sewn goods, apparel and, of course, surprises. Plus, free snacks, as always.

Keep your eyes on this blog, too, for little sneak peeks at the goodies on offer at the show.

It's spring, let's get out and see each other!

City of Craft & the workroom present
Spring Trunk Show
Sunday May 15, 2011
Noon-5pm
the workroom
1340 Queen Street West

Outdoor Booth Tips from Renegade Craft in Chicago.

2011-05-02T10:44:00.004-04:00

Image by Renegade Craft Fair

Here at City of Craft, we don't run outdoor shows (well, we haven't, anyway) but we know that a lot of your participate in them in one way or another. It is certainly the start of the outdoor season, too. That's why we wanted to share this great run-down of outdoor display tips from our friend at Chicago's Renegade Craft Fair/Renegade Handmade. Sure, some of these displays do set the bar awfully high, but good strategies to defy the elements are always a must no matter what level you or your business are at.

City of Craft looks forward to seeing you at one of Toronto's many outdoor shows this summer! Let's make those craft booths shine!

Free Plush to be Found Around Toronto.

2011-05-01T13:30:00.001-04:00

Photo by glasco54

Hey, Citizens! Guess what. We have it on good authority that there are free orphaned plushes hidden around Toronto just waiting for you to find them. Then they will be yours!(Click the image for more details - but not much more).

Kicking Butt.

2011-04-23T12:27:00.002-04:00

Just a heads up that City of Craft ringleader, Becky, is currently working her buns off to get her annual summer craft tour off the ground. On top of the fact that these tours fill her head with resources and information to bring back for the running of City of Craft, she also has a whole bunch of awesome rewards you can collect on when you pledge. Rewards vary from far-away devisings of your name to a touring resource zine to art and craftworks by the likes of Shannon Gerard and The Misanthrope Specialty Co. and more. Go check it all out!

It's a Date!

2011-04-09T07:52:00.004-04:00

Photo by Something's Hiding in Here

Huge thanks to the wonderful folks at the Theatre Centre for firming up our 2011 dates. That's right, we now know when this winter's show is taking place!

Now is a good time to mark your calendars for...

December 10 & 11, 2011

Saturday 11:00am-6:00pm
Sunday 11:00am-5:00pm

Applications should be opening in the middle of May and staying open until the end of August. But more on that in the coming weeks. For now, just add those dates to your day planners, PDA's and whatnots.

See you in December!

Craft Toronto: Birds on a Wire Emroidery by katherine skene

2011-03-01T08:45:00.000-05:00

Seriously, is it Spring yet?

The Craft Toronto photo pool is a rolling stream of craft projects being made in the city (and thereabouts). It is an initiative hosted by City of Craft and reflects more makers than any of our real-world events ever could. What's more? You can join!

Love Day.

2011-02-14T08:00:00.001-05:00

Have a crafty Valentine's, y'all!

Love,

City of Craft

Necklace Giveaway from Lemonade.

2011-02-08T16:13:00.003-05:00

Hello, Citizens,

We just got wind of a great Valentine's giveaway by our friend and program designer, Caitlyn Murphy, of lemonade.

Go on over to her blog to check out the rules and details.

Good luck!

Installation Goes Digital: Coast to Coast to Coast.

2011-02-07T09:30:00.005-05:00

It has been on the internet for a year, but I just discovered this digital version of Meags Fitzgerald's and Pamela Norrish's Coast to Coast to Coast (with music by Aaron Read). Some of you may remember it as an installation in the 'broom closet screening room' at the 2009 City of Craft show. For those who don't, it is an animation made entirely from non-digital photobooth frames. The props and characters were also constructed using myriad craft practices. The hands that made everything even make some cameos.

Enjoy!

Fabric Sale at the workroom.

2011-02-06T07:20:00.000-05:00

Good Morning Citizens,

As if the Trunk Show is not enough, the workroom is also hosting a Winter Fabric Sale that ends today (Sunday). That's a true fact. They are giving you 10% off any purchase of two metres or more and 20% off 4 metres of more of their impressive selection of fabrics - and that applies to any combination of yardage, fat quarters and bundles.

Vendor Profile: Becky of the sweetie pie press

2011-02-06T07:15:00.000-05:00

Yes, I did an interview with myself.

Who are you...you, as a person?
Becky Johnson

What is your business called?
the sweetie pie press

What does this business specialize in?
The sweetie pie press makes 1" buttons, artist button sets, crochet warm things, accessible installation kits, paper goods and other ephemera.

Where are you located (home, studio, store front)?
Everything I make comes out of my warm Parkdale apartment wherein I listen to podcasts and act like a hermit.

Do you have any new products/inventions/designs/projects up for grabs at the Love & Rummage Trunk Show?
Yup! Just in time for this show, I have a new botanically-themed button set by Milwaukee artist, Matt "Matty 8080" Cipov, a new floral button set by Alec Thibodeau and some laser cut plywood and masonite postal measuring boards.

What is one thing from your trunk that would make a great Valentine?
I will have lots of rummage this time around including a bunch of vintage suitcases. Clearly, I have a fondness for them. If it came with a trip (even to the lake for a winter picnic) I'd be down with that.

What would be your ideal Valentine to receive?
Mint cocoa in bed.

How do you feel about February in Toronto - drab or dazzling?
Softly dazzling.

Do you believe in true love?
I believe in BIG LOVE.

City of Craft & the workroom present

The Love & Rummage Trunk Show 3
Sunday February 6, 2011
Noon-5pm
the workroom
1340 Queen Street West

Admission: FREE