Crafts in Chelsea

I've got to put the word out on the very fun Crafts in Chelsea fair that will be going on this weekend.   While I wont be vending, a lot of my friends will be and they do fabulous work.   It's also in a very good cause...   PS11's arts program will be funded with the proceeds.  As an artist who can't imagine going to school without an art class... this is a great way to support a child's creativity while also showing them the huge range of things that can be done with it.

Just a few of the amazing items that will be for sale:

Metalicious

Panda with Cookie

Nordea Soaperie

Take Me Homeware

Brooklyn Lyceum's Food & Craft Fair

I'm debating what to write about this weekend's show...   The pic pretty much says it all.  Food. Crafts.  Spring.  Lyceum.  Talking Bird.   Gonna be good times!

And if my gushing endorsement as well as my lovely presence with lots of punctured paper products wont induce you...   Then I should tell you that there will be over 100 vendors on two floors in a this fabulous Park Slope, Brooklyn location.   It's right down the street (1/2 a block) from the D, M, N, R station.   Map says it all.

Hope I'll see you there!

Take a peek at the Spring Handmade Cavalcade

I was going to write an entry about all the wonderful vendors that will be at he Spring Handmade Cavalcade (and I still might), but Wabisabi Brooklyn put me to shame with her Treasury on etsy.   Once again a picture proves it's worth a 1000 words!

The lushness of Spring

I love the flowers of spring.  Not only because it's the sign that winter is over, but because they are so bold and strong and extravagant.   The cherry blossoms at the Brooklyn Botanical Garden are peaking...   I was there alone, but I can't keep my pictures to myself.  It was glorious!

Sustainable art is in your backyard!

In less than two weeks the {NewNew} invades on Williamsburg, Brooklyn when we take over Berry Park for our Spring Handmade Cavalcade.   This year's show has a special emphasis on sustainability and eco-consciousness.  Each vendor has a different angle on what they do to promote good environmental behavior.   Some use recycled materials.  Some upcycle old materials.   Some source only local raw materials.   Some buy in bulk.   The one thing we all have in common is that we make our work locally to keep our carbon footprint small.   Take a look at all the amazing vendors!

Join us in our efforts to shrink our carbon footprint by shopping locally.  Come to the SHC for art, food, clothing, jewelry, and so much more!

How to Make a Lampshade... warpeDesign style

It's up!   My step into fame... dunno about fortune.   While I don't think I'm destined to become a web phenom, I think the episode on Threadbanger.com's Decor it Yourself about my NYC Skyline punctured paper lampshade is quite respectable.  The best compliment on it came from a friend who claims to be "artistically incapable".  She said that she thought even she could follow these directions!   Yay.  Success!   

So check it out, give me your (not so honest reviews), and enjoy.  

Filming for Threadbanger.com

Yesterday I woke up with a knot in my stomach. They were coming TODAY! The apartment was cleaner than it had been in ages.... I could see floor in places I hadn't seen in years. The kitchen table was carefully set... with 5 different stages of a lampshade. I had the basics of a script outline laid out. I was ready.... but that still didn't make the knot unwind.

One hot shower, one tasty sausage-egg-and-cheese bagel, and a support message from mom and I was still nervous. Nothing to do but wait. and wait. and wait. No.... they weren't late. But when you are waiting for something to start minutes just seem so much longer than 60 seconds!

Then... they were here. In my apartment. Setting up a camera. Checking out my lampshades. Meeting my cat. Using my bathroom. And the adventure really began....

"Talk into the camera, just like it's your audience", they told me. I've heard those words before, but this time it was me that had to do it! Why do words flee from my lips when the spotlight comes on? Ah well, I stumbled through. They seemed to like what I did, usually took only one take, but after each one I could never remember what I had just done. It's like a small blackout after each take. So glad it's on tape so I can eventually see what I did.

The results will be revealed next week... If you've ever wanted to learn how to make a lampshade, check out Decor It Yourself next Wednesday on


ps - Meg & Corinne, thanks so much for making it all so easy! It was a great pleasure to work with you.