No Foolin' Around...

Gotta love Pam Grier. 

 Image source.

The American Craft Council Show

I had the pleasure of attending the 2011 American Craft Council Show yesterday,  where I spent five gloriously overwhelming hours strolling through isle after isle of high quality artisan booths:  large-scale moving sculptures, free standing water fountains, handmade leather shoes, Native American flutes, chainmail dresses, and hypnotizing hand blown glassware were just a few of the things on display.  The highlight of my day was getting to buy a piece from Andy and Nancy of Circa Ceramics.  They were just as awesome as their pieces, and their booth was total eye candy.  I know they'll do well this weekend.  : ) 

Above are a few of the cards I picked up during the day.  1) Dicky Stone, a wood artist from Savannah, who cleverly put his artist statement on the back of his postcard (a good artist statement is worth everything- if you're an artist, take the time to learn how to write one).  2) Penelope Rakov, a jewelry maker from Philadephia.  I love her simple, square calling card.  3) Owl + Mouse, a handmade apparel company hailing from Kansas City.  They dye and screen print all their own fabrics.  4) Rebound Designs, gorgeous handbags made from the coolest vintage and antique book covers (took me back to my book binding days...).  5) Maxwell Silverball, a furniture company out of Bedford, VA that had a booth setup with nothing but furniture made out of vintage pinball machines!!  It was almost too rad to handle- I'm sure these guys have at least one or two celebrity clients on their list.  6) The Cordwainer Shop, handmade custom footwear from New Hampshire.  Beautiful leather shoes with a bit of vintage flair.  7) Patrick J Payne Wearable Art and Design- you haven't seen a quality, handmade record bag until you've seen his.  He told me he makes his bags to feel like high quality designer handbags, and they absolutely do.  My fave one was Prince (of course).  8) Observatory Place- amazingly awesome upcycled and organic pillows, cushions, and ottomans from New Jersey.  Great vintage patterns (she was really sweet, too!).  

All in all a really great day.  The best of luck to everyone for the weekend!  

Small Skull Bowl by Circa Ceramics

Petek Design

I love these playing card posters from Israel based designer Efrat Elie (a.k.a. Petek Design).  Check out her shop here.

Image courtesy Petek Design.

Shoes Galore

Got some fab shoes up on my shop site today- check 'em out! ; )

Images by Open Eyes Press Vintage.  

San Fran, Love Your Local Artist!

This Friday, Urban Bazaar is having a gallery-style party to honor and celebrate the fabulous local artists and craftspeople who have their work in the store, and they would love for you to attend!  It is open to the public, and they will have all kinds of complimentary goodies, including Valentines day crafts, and a fire pit in the back garden complete with supplies for makin' s'mores!  Rockin'! 

'Love Your Local Artist'

February 11th, 2011, 7-10pm

@ Urban Bazaar, 1371 9th Ave, San Francisco

Vintage Photo: WWII Soldiers

I picked up this photo a couple years ago in Tennessee.  On the back it says, "Rome, 1944".  I really like the soldiers' sunglasses and body language.

Image source: personal collection

Vincent Moon

Somewhere around 2006, I remember reading this small magazine article about a French guy who was making music videos using a cell phone.  The basic concept was that he would take a band, put them in an unusual environment (an elevator, a hotel lobby), and record their performance in one take.  There was no money involved, and in the end everything was uploaded onto the internet for people to watch for free.  It was brilliant, and led to the taking off of La Blogotheque, a now famous website which allows viewers to watch recorded performances of indie rock bands (and some famous ones, too) in all their organic, uncut glory.  

Regarding his low/no-budget philosophy, Moon says, "I just want people to think about my work more and share my work as they want [...] I’m not getting a lot of money for what I’m doing, I just want to be able to continue doing this. I really try basically to make movies for no money and I don’t want to have money involved [...] It’s all for free so I like to keep it that way." (source)

Moon continues to dedicate himself to traveling and filming musicians and artists, and is currently working on a new series of recordings, Petites Planetes, that experiment with images and sounds recorded around the world (wiki).  His website is www.vincentmoon.com.

"No matter what part of the world we come from, we are all basically the same human beings." - Dalai Lama of Tibet

Geeks Unite!

The Space Invader Snack Pack has arrived!  Get your lunch time game on by packing your munchies in this eco-friendly reusable sandwich bag.  Alien approved.

 Also, check out these Space Invader handwoven baskets by Italian artist Alberto Seveso.  I like how he's combined modern technology with a traditional art form.

Basket image courtesy Alberto Seveso.

Depression Era Recipes

Depression Era recipes are not only nostalgic, they're useful, especially in these hard economic times.  Many of the recipes call for fresh, all natural ingredients (this was before processed foods were around), but omit staples like eggs, or meat for people on tighter budgets.  They're great if you can't get to the store and need to whip up something tastey and satisfying, and many of the recipes are even vegan/vegetarian friendly (tomato pie anyone?).

Here's a recipe I made a few years ago when I was snowed in and out of eggs.  It's was actually pretty good- like a moist spice cake.  : )

Depression Cake (vegan)

(no eggs, no milk, no butter)

Heat oven to 300 degrees F.

Mix in saucepan:

1 c. brown sugar                          4 tbsp. veg. oil

1 c. white sugar                          1/2 tsp. cloves

2 c. hot water                            1/2 c. raisins 

2 tsp. salt 

Boil 5 minutes and cool.  Add 2 tsp. baking soda in 1 tbsp. warm water, and 3 c. flour.  Blend well.  Bake for 1 1/4 hours in 9 x 13" pan.  Cool.  Top with whipped cream. 

Check out this interesting article connecting health and the economic downturn.

Image source.  

Vintage Postcard

Mid-century postcard for "The Modernaire" hotel in York, Pa, now known as The Modernaire Motel.  I picked up this postcard in Tennessee several years ago, not realizing that at the time I actually drove by the building every time I went to see my doctor.  

From Yorkblog.com:

"Before the bypass and the growth of chain hotels, salesmen stayed at the Modernaire. That business dried up by 1980. Now, most of the guests are tourists. "I get a lot of older people who are looking for a clean, economical motel," Straw says. A single guest can stay one night for $25 plus tax; two people, $30 plus tax. As Zimmerman did when he owned the motel, Straw's husband works a full-time job: as director of the York County Emergency Management Agency. "This is a family business," Straw says. "I have a brother who helps with the pool. I have another brother who helps with painting and repair work."

The hotel has remained unchanged since it was first built in the 1950's.

Image source: personal collection

Pin-Up Housewares

Visit Crumpet & Skirt, a website boasting simple and elegant pin-up decor for your home!  The brainchild of London designer Elizabeth Pinnock, C & S offers up cushions, mugs, greeting cards, tea towels and more, all adorned with iconic pin-up images from the 1950's.  

Above: Jane Russell Pin Up Girl Card, $4.50

Image courtesy of Crumpet & Skirt.