Pom Pom Power!

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.

For kids!

Broundoor

GEZELLIG

good night, day

Laura George

rc boisjoli

Stephanie Galea

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.

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.

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 Biesinger.

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!

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!

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.

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.