Craft and the New Economy Symposium.

Greetings, Citizens.

I am just dropping a line to let you all know about a very exciting and fast-approaching conference that City of Craft is involved in. I can let their press copy do most of the explaining (see below); I mostly wanted to share this information because this event is doing a lot to bridge those ever-present gaps between divergent craft communities and practices in our area (and beyond). With speakers flying in from all over, this is the sort of convergence that the indie/DIY scene can rarely muster the resources to produce. That's why we are so fortunate that the Ontario Crafts Council took the project on. And here it is, in our city and open to all!

As a side note, yours truly (Becky Johnson) will be present and will be moderating a session on DIY and Craftivism and City of Craft co-founder Jen Anisef, will be presenting her findings from a brand new study of craft in non-urban Onatrio (commissioned by the OCC). I am really excited for that latter happning.

The run-down:

Craft and the New Economy Symposium
Saturday, March 10, 2012
Registration opens 8:45 am l Symposium from 9:45 am - 6:00 pm l Reception 6 - 8 pm
OCAD University, 100 McCaul Street, Auditorium

Craft and the New Economy is a one day symposium that will create a conversation around the different contexts of making a living, and the intersections between craft, technology, DIY, design, and architecture.

We’ve got a lineup of incredible local, national and international speakers, including Sandra Alfoldy, Jen Anisef, Maria Buszek, Melanie Egan, Neil Forrest, Kriston Gene, Rachel Gotlieb, Becky Johnson, Garth Jonhson, Patty Johnson, Shelia Kennedy, Marie O'Mahony, Justin Novak, Matthew Ratto and Ruth Scheuing.

Topics include Sustainable Business Practice and Commercial Contexts, DIY and Craftivism and well as Engaging with Technology and Design.

The day finishes with a closing reception for registrants to be held onsite at OCADU in the Great Hall from 6 - 8 pm.

This is not only your chance to think through some of today's challenges and opportunities, but to meet up with other people who care about the same things you do. Who knows where ideas and connections will lead to? Come to Craft and the New Economy to find out.

Craft Toronto: A History of Hunger by Tara Bursey.

I have to admit that it has been far too long since I took a wander through the Craft Toronto pool on Flickr. The array of new work is astounding. Pre-emptively planning for the thaw, City of Craft staffer, Tara Bursey, seems to be hatching her own brood of food-based histories. Enigmatically, these delicate "books" have little writing with which to explain themselves. I am sure this is a situation that will rectify itself soon enough - Tara is one of the sharpest critical craft writers going (says me). For the best mastery of foodcraft I have ever witnessed, I also recommend a stroll through her portfolio site.

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 Design!

Greetings, Citizens!

As you may or may not know, City of Craft works with a different local designer every year. That person is responsible for coming up with and entire design theme for the year. The motifs they choose then get extended into the website, his blog, posters, flyers, merchandise and more!

This year we are very pleased to have the lovely Caitlyn Murphy on deck as our designer. Caitlyn has been a part of the family since we set up shop, designing our event programs, flyers, t-shirts and more along the way. Her hand-drawn touch is definitely woven into the very fibre of us. She is also endlessly active away from the fair as both a full-time student at OCADU and in her personal art practice (a collaborative series with 2011 design Sandi Falconer, countless illustrations and hand-drawn multiples, zines - the list goes on...)

For 2012, Caitlyn has decided to overhaul City of Craft with a quintessentially Canadian motif - the rocky art of curling. With its skips and hollers and crests, the rink can probably feel a bit like a craft event to a different generation. The sport certainly provides a similar social club to the craft scene. And oh, the fashion! Tams and pins, anyone? Hopefully she will find time to share some of her own thoughts and processes with us over the year. It's always hard to paraphrase and it's always great to hear Caitlyn's thoughts on things.

But until then, hurry hard! Check out her hard work! And get ready for a year of icy smoothness and woolly sweaters.

Bring Out Your Bottles!

Throughout 2012, City of Craft will be embarking on an exciting new partnership with local bar room lecture series, Trampoline Hall. We will be programming a series of 3-4 craft artists to create the one-night-only sets for the show.

The first installation in this series will be coming to life on March 5, 2012. It will feature the work of the brilliant and inimitable Tosca Teran and will be constructed from a massive collection of plastic bottles. This is where you come in. In order to execute her fantastical vision, Tosca needs way more plastic bottles than she can come upon alone so she needs you to help. Any and all sizes and colours are welcome - as long as they are plastic.

Got bottles? Contributions can be dropped off at her studio:

Nanopod

322 Harbord Street

Toronto
(map)

Thank you in advance and we will see you all at the show!

Update: We will be doing one last collection push at February Quilt Sunday at the workroom. February 26, 2012. 1pm-3pm. 1340 Queen Street West.

Trampoline Hall + City of Craft.

Greetings, Citizens,

We here at City of Craft HQ have something very new and exciting to announce - over the course of 2012 we will be teaming up with local bar room lecture series, Trampoline Hall, to present a series of craft-based installations to serve as the one-night-only sets behind (or around) their trio of lecturers.

Dates and artists are still being worked out, but we wanted to give you all a heads up. Trampoline Hall is a wonderful and unique happening that has now being running in the city for over ten years! It is one of those special events that makes Toronto what it is and we could not be happier to be teaming up with them. Don't know about the show? Read up!

We will be posting more info and individual set/installation details as they emerge. See you there!

Get Ready for Your New Year!

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

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.