Stitch Machine

Surprise Package from Mom



I got this in the mail yesterday. A few weeks ago I was telling my mom about the vintage slips I was shortening, repairing, dying, and printing. I didn't know it, but since then she had been keeping her eyes out for them at thrift stores, and even collected some from her friends. She sent a boxful of 10 or 15 of them. Blank canvases, ready for creating. Thanks mom!

I'm still trying to figure out a way to photograph this project. I think I need a dress form. So they will be up in my shop once I get it figured out.

The Fantastically Strange (Or Strangely Fantastic) World of Richard Cowley


I did a photo shoot with my good friend Richard last week. He needed some photos for his various online projects. Plus, it's always fun to take portraits of a friend- I highly recommend trying it. This was a collaboration. I took the photos and Rick edited them. The final product turned out just right! Richard is on day 56 a year-long photo project where he has been taking a photo a day for a year. Take a look into his world: http://www.worldofrichardcowley.blogspot.com/

For a laugh do check out his reaction to the beloved Charlotte Pub "Sir Ed's" abruptly closing last week. I think this is how all of Charlotte felt!

Oh yah and if you want to see the rest of the photos from the shoot look here: Richard on Flickr.

Design-a-Dress Birthday Party!


On July 8th, a group of girls cut, sewed, and glued their way to a unique dress at Miss Patsy's 9th birthday party! Patsy's mother had the idea, so she collected plain vintage bridesmaid dresses from thrift stores. She enlisted me to help with the technical sewing- customizing the structure as directed by the girls and fitting the slightly oversize dresses to the girls. I helped them change lengths, add slits, and re-imagine necklines and straps. It was hard work, but so much fun! It was great practice having to work with a "client" quickly under pressure. Once the dresses fit, the girls had fun rummaging through the trims, laces, feathers, sequins, flowers, and ribbons that were set up in stations. I taught some of them how to use a sewing machine, while some of them chose to add flair with hot glue.


Once the girls finished embellishing the dresses to their liking, they headed to Makeup and selected a few accessories. Then they made their way to the runway for, drum roll please: a red carpet fashion show! as Glamorous by Fergie blasted through the speakers, the party-goers walked down the red carpet (a red plastic banquet tablecloth) making sure to strike a pose here and there. Each dress said something about the maker's personal style- there was a blue and green earthy dress, a bold red dress with black flowers, and a simple, yellow dress with white lace, to name a few. The show was caught on video camera, and a roving spotlight (a camping light) added more excitement.

It made me happy to see the girls confidently showcase the re-imagined dresses they worked so hard on! This party encouraged the girls to tap into their own creativity, and also reinforced positive body image. The family put so much effort into this day of design, and I was pleased to be part of it!

SASE Project on Farthing Collective



For about 5 months now I have been part of a blog called Farthing Collective. The website's About page describes it as "a virtual collective consisting of numerous artists and correspondents from all types of mediums. On the blog we cover everything from gallery openings to a great spot to grab a bite to eat. We are currently working on new roots of our collective and establishing new projects." Farthing recently re-launched with a more streamlined grown-up look. The banner at the top will rotate with different members' work, one of my paintings is up there now. Yippee!

One of our projects is the SASE Project. The title came from the phrase "Self-Adressed, Stamped Envelope." When we first started the project, people would just send us a SASE, and we would return it with free stickers and stuff. Recently Farthing Collective has been receiving so much cool stuff for the project from publishers and DIY businesses that we have bolstered the project to allow us to deliver a heftier 6 x 9 inch envelope filled with stuff. All you have to do to get one is visit the SASE page where you can PayPal $2 to help us cover shipping (it usually costs about $2.05). A great way to get your hands on some stuff you might not have access to otherwise.



Follow Farthing Collective on Twitter and Facebook to see what is currently in our SASE bin from week to week!

The current contributers of publications and goodies are: Microcosm Publishing, Punch Drunk Press, Stitch Machine (me), Not Made In China, Needles & Pens, the Poster Cause Project, Mercy for Animals, Vegan Outreach, The Niche Market, and more...

***If you would like to contribute anything to go into the SASE envelopes, whether you have a business or not, just shoot an email to sase@farthingcollective.com.

Craft Corps Book Giveaway!
Who would you induct? A drawing & conversation on the SM Blog.


Lark Books and Lark Crafts just published a new book, Craft Corps, Celebrating the Creative Community One Story at a Time. Lark Crafts team member Kathleen, who I met through the Belt Buckle project last year, emailed to see if I wanted to give away the new book on my blog, so of course I said yes!

THE AUTHOR
The book was written by one of my favorite handmade gals Vickie Howell. She is quite the crafty celebrity. She hosts the show Knitty Gritty and , is part of Austin Craft Mafia, once had her own yarn line, and writes a column for PBS Parents called Craft Apparent. I've followed Vickie since before I started Stitch Machine- I used to check her blog daily while I was working in an office and dreaming about being a crafter full time.

Keeping up with her along with Jenny Hart, Jennifer Perkins, and Kathy Murillo around 2005-2006 is what really got me excited about the modern handmade movement and starting a crafty business. What I loved about these ladies was that they were very successful, while still being independent and extremely accessible. They coded their own websites (at first), they spoke often at conferences, did their own video updates on their blogs, and manned their own booths at craft fairs. I thought this was the bees knees! But, I digress...

THE BOOK
Vickie's new book Craft Corps is a series of in-depth interviews with the most interesting people. If Handmade Nation was Handmade 101: The Rise of DIY, Art, Craft and Design , then Craft Corps is Handmade 202: The Steady Steering of an Ongoing Movement. Thirty of the superstar Makers are there, like fabric designer Amy Butler, stencil artist Ed Roth, Big Ass Book of Crafts writer Mark Montano, and TV icon Carol Duvall. I love that this book also includes lesser known quietly successful business owners and people who craft for fun.

See an interview excerpt: Travis Nichols Interview



Watch Vickie's video trailer for the book:



And now, without further ado, enter Stitch Machine's book giveaway drawing!



CONTEST RULES
Anyone in the world who visits the Stitch Machine Blog can enter the drawing and possibly win a free Craft Corps Book- it may as well be you! You can enter the contest a maximum of 3 times, once in each of the ways listed below.

1. COMMENT ON THIS BLOG POST
Only one entry will be accepted via commenting on my blog. Include the following information:

a. Tell me who your favorite crafter or maker is and why. Someone you know? A relative? A character from a movie or book? A celebrity? (Induct them into our Mock Craft Corps list below by leaving your comment! :) )
b. Your email address. I don't need this if you have a profile that links to an email, but just remember- if I can't contact you, you can't win.

2. FACEBOOK
www.facebook.com/stitchmachine
Your name will be entered into the contest once if you become a fan of Stitch Machine on Facebook AND tell your friends about this contest using @stitchmachine in your status update somewhere (so I can track it).

3. TWITTER
www.twitter.com/stitchmachine
Your name will be entered into the contest once if you Tweet one of these sentences, or something like it, being sure to put @stitchmachine somewhere in the update:

Who's your favorite crafter or maker? Tell @stitchmachine for the chance to win a free copy of the book Craft Corps. http://bit.ly/aVfev3

Induct ur fav. crafter 2 the Mock Craft Corps at @stitchmachine blog & U might win a Craft Corps book by Vickie Howell! http://bit.ly/aVfev3

Entry period begins July 23, 2010 and ends on July 30, 2010 at midnight. One winner will be chosen randomly using Random.org. I will announce the winner on this blog, my Facebook page and my Twitter page as soon as I get a response from the winner.

Alright, good luck everyone and I can't wait to see who you will induct into my Mock Craft Corps below! (And you can always join the REAL Craft Corps on Vickie Howell's website, which is not directly connected with this particular contest.)

If you don't see a space to comment below, click here.

Custom Rasta Hair Clips for Ace

Rasta Lotus Hair Clip


The Challenge: Create a set of custom hair clips for hip Oakland, CA blogger and photographer Ace (www.elloace.com). She loves the Earthy Rasta feel and was looking for something bold but still wearable.

The Solution: I used muslin fabric, which is natural and undyed, with visible speckled imperfections in the cotton. I hand dyed it the 3 colors of the traditional Rastafari flag- green, gold and red. I used the fabric to make 3 different types of hair clips and incorporated beads from my local bead shop- Beadlush- including a brass glazed ceramic bead that I love. BTW- Ace loved them an they are on the way to Oakland as we speak!


Hand Dyed Bow


Rasta Flower Hairpin

Paper Bag Curls Tutorial from Michelle Phan

I am quickly becoming a fan of these YouTube Tutorial-Makin' Ladies! (You may remember the Victory Rolls tutorial I posted from Lisa Freemont Street last month.) In this video Michelle Phan thoroughly explains how to make beautiful curls using nothing but a few paper bags. I have to try this! You can see Ms. Phan's many playful tutorials on YouTube if you like this one.

Dance Party last night at The Milestone


A huge impromptu dance party broke out last night at Charlotte's ghetto fortress (as The Milestone is affectionately known). I was there supporting my buddy's band, but had never seen Future Islands before, even though they are from North Carolina. I can honestly say they lit the place up. So much heart. So much fun.

It can really pay to take a chance on a show you know little about.

Shipping out this custom Beauty today


Sculpted Satin Magenta Skull Hair Clip for Carin

What makes it so special?
-hand cut, burnt, and stitched magenta satin
-skull bead from Beadlush
-tiny pearl beads are faux vintage from my boyfreind's grandmother Pauleen's stash
-black eco felt (made from plastic bottles)
-gunmetal sheen reclaimed high quality vinyl from ThingsSHEcarried's stash
-speckled guinea feather from my mother's farm
-high quality metal pinch clip with teeth to hold the hair clip in place.




I'm just thrilled with the way it came out, and I hope Carin likes it too! For a custom order of your own, don't hesitate to contact me by email at sarah@stitchmachine.net.

A Sweet Summer Montage by Monkey and Squirrel



My Hand Burned Satin Bow in Taupe was featured in a fun summer outfit on the Monkey and Squirrel Blog yesterday! I could see this outfit effortlessly going from a cookout to a swanky nighttime patio party uptown! Jenn (pictured) and I were selling at the same craft fair recently and she bought the bow off etsy a few days later to go with this dress. I've been a fan of her business Monkey and Squirrel for awhile now, ever since I first saw her selling on the street in Plaza-Midwood. I feel extremely flattered when someone who makes amazing hair accessories buys my work. Thanks Jenn!

Little Queen Hook

Jenn also sells cast iron decor that she hunts down and beautifies through layers and layers of paint (and love!). Her tagline is "handmade goodies for you and your home" and she donates 5% of her sales each month to North Mecklenburg Animal Rescue.

See her Handmade Wedding 'Til Death Do Us Part on the Etsy Storque Blog.

SHOP:
www.monkeyandsquirrel.etsy.com

Trunk Selling Can Be Fun



I just sold these Ocean Blue Button Snap Clips to Carin this morning out of the trunk of my car in a parking lot. Nice. I am also making a custom Magenta sculpted satin hair clip for her. Give a listen to the current project Carin is working on in Philly: Everyday Rockets. Their new 7" is being pressed right at this moment with album art from a talented Charlotte artist. Keep tabs on their page to find out when the album is available and who the painter is. (And NO, it's not me- that would make me the worst confidant ever!)

Meanwhile, at FarthingCollective.com.....



We're working on a big project. More details to come.
www.FarthingCollective.com

Join Crown Town Handmade in Charlotte this Friday for a two-part craft party!!! This is an Etsy initiative to get the world crafting simultaneously in celebration of Etsy's 5th Birthday. First Stop: Midwood Park to make a miniature terrarium, swap your old craft supplies, get a ticket for the handmade raffle and have cupcakes and punch. Next Stop: Patchwerk Playhaus (in the back of Century Vintage) for Happy Hour craft circle where you can work on your own personal project, and then....FREE screening of Handmade Nation, a documentary about the Rise of DIY, Craft, Art, and design in America. I've read about screenings of this in other major cities, but never in Charlotte, so this is very exciting! You can BYOB to Patchwerk Playhaus, just be sure to bring $5 cash corking fee per 6-pack/container (this is the only money the venue will make for offering their space to the community for this event).



See all of the details on our Facebook Event Page. (You don't have to be a member of Facebook to see it.) Hope to see you there, and please help us spread the word!

wow-E-wee-WAH!



That's the odd sound my boyfriend makes when he unexpectedly spots a reallly hot girl (He's mine, but hey, he's still human!) That's about the same thing I said when I came across this photo of one of my customers, Jenna, on Facebook. Jenna runs the delicious business Pin-Up Cupcakes. I reviewed her Irish Car Bomb cupcake on my blog last year. Jenna is also a friend who followed Stitch Machine and was a repeat customer back when I was first starting out. It's pretty amazing how just one vote of confidence can keep you motivated when you are first trying to get things going. (Photo by D. Jonathan Hutchings.)

How fitting that her favorite hair clip was my Pink Satin Pin-Up Clip?

Revisiting the Fantastical Hairstyles in The Labyrinth

The 1986 cult classic film The Labyrinth was one of my favorite childhood movies. It was directed by Jim Henson, produced by George Lucas, and starring David Bowie and Jennifer Connelly. David Bowie wrote and performed some of the music in the film. Earlier this week some friends and I watched it again for fun. It was like a new movie for me, because for the first time I was paying attention to all of the wild and wonderful hairstyles.


This style is 80's Rock Star all the way. Blonde with dark roots and teased up. So many spikes and tons of volume. The bangs are my favorite part. Those long pieces might be extensions, but I'd like to think his hair was really cut this way- knowing Bowie's other projects, it's likely. David Bowie plays Jareth the Goblin King. Photo from www.imdb.com.





Connelly's innocent look is transformed to take on an Elvira, or Bride of Frankenstein influenced look. The entire length of her hair was probably set in curlers. I love the silver wires and leaves. Her hair is like a sculpture. Jennifer Connelly as Sarah at the Goblin Ball. Image from www.blogcabins.blogspot.com.





Another view. I can only imagine how much hairspray was used between the two of them to get the volume on both of these looks. It looks like Bowie also has some painted in blue highlights for this scene. Image from www.knownpleasures.wordpress.com.





A simple, straight style with the front pinned up. She wears one simple black hair clip on her right side. Image from www.fanpop.com.






A Medieval Hairstyle. Gathered in mounds on the back of the head and decorated with ribbons and a flower crown. Image from www.thealmightyguru.com. Get your own flower crown at www.witchgoose.etsy.com.

Which is your Favorite Jenny Hanson Photo?

Check out these images captured by photographer Jenny Hanson at the Charlotte Arts Catalyst Simulation on May 21, 2010. I love her quirky, fun style and also her etherial, haunting double exposures and unconventional photography methods.

Teaching crocheting and working on the collaborative public sculpture:


Craft With Me/SM table:


I bought a photo from Jenny Hanson at an exibition back in the day that still hangs on my wall: Blog Post> New Art For Me! Please check out her newest photos at: www.flickr.com/photos/babojeen/sets/

Page through her photos and tell me which is your favorite! Post a link to it below! Here are a few of her sets:
Holga work
Fisheye
Wide & Slim
Polaroid Transfers

Do your own Victory Rolls!
In honor of Memorial Day.



The 1940's are a time I am particularly enamored with.
What I love about the 40's:


4. My grandparents were in their teens and 20's then.

3. Women played a pivitol role in the WWII effort working in factories, as nurses, and serving in the military.

2. The war history. I've had the opportunity to visit the Ardennes+ The Eagles Nest + more.

1. The STYLE! Versitle, functional, neat and pretty.



Inspired by a post Rachel Taliaferro did last week about a vintage hair class she attended with Big Mamma D, I went trolling you tube for some tutorials on how to create my own 40's hair. This was something I always wanted to learn, particularly the "victory rolls" women wore in celebration of the end of WWII. I had seen people wearing them, but figured it was too complicated for me to pull off in my own home. Not so!

I found the most wonderful youtube channel/blog/empire that makes vintage hair look easy! It is Lisa Freemont Street. I found the amazing site while looking at some photos on a Swiss Hair Blog. At Lisa Freemont Street I was delighted to find tons of original tutorials that this lovely lady made about hair! Hair is a passion of mine, so I'm hooked! Hopefullly I'll be able to get to the next Big Mama D class to get even more insight.

See my first (successful) attempt below. Photo taken after they survived a shift at the grocery store.



What do you love about the 1940's?

All Arts Market starts Tomorrow!

Come see me this Wednesday and Thursday! I'll be there, near the stage sharing a booth with Jessica's Jacket.

My article is featured in the current FNO Newsletter

Festival Network Online is and extensive online source for music festivals, art and craft shows, home and garden shows, and specialty events. This organization is located in the mountains of Western North Carolina and has a small staff of nine. My blog post "What to do When You're NOT Accepted to a Craft Fair" appeared in the May 2010 FNO newsletter.



See my full article in the newsletter:
http://festivalnet.com/other/news_letters/Artists/05_10/not_accepted_cont.html

See what they're saying about my article on the FNO Facebook page:
http://www.facebook.com/festivalnet

See back issues and sign up to receive future issues for free:
http://festivalnet.com/other/news_letters/index.html

Make Out Craft Session #2.
I'm leading- join me!

Join Crown Town Handmade, Charlotte's new group of artistic entrepreneurs, at our second monthly Make Out session this Thursday, May 27, at 7:30 PM. The event is free and will take place at Patchwerk Playhaus, in the back room of Century Vintage, 1508 Central Avenue in Charlotte, 28205.

I will be leading a session on how to make tie-dyed underwear. From panty hose to briefs to slips to boxers, stop by to give your unmentionables a boost of summer color!





Additional Information:

Participants must bring their own underwear to dye and should wear clothes that they don't mind messing up. Supplies are free, but donations are gladly accepted.
To participate, bring at least one of the following:

(A) CLEAN used/vintage slips, bras, camisoles, undershirts, or leggings;
(B) NEW washed underwear/boxers/briefs or socks.

For sanitary reasons, no used underwear bottoms are permitted to be dyed in our dye baths. New underwear dyes best after it is washed to remove “sizing” and chemicals. Natural fibers like 100% cotton, linen and silk work best. Cotton blends will work, but will dye lighter. White or light colored items dye best.

Those 21 and over can bring their own alcohol to Patchwerk Playhaus with a $5 corking fee per container (bottle of wine/6-pack).

Crown Town Make Out sessions are free craft workshops for the community, designed to spread the DIY spirit and get people making their own handmade creations. A different Crown Town Handmade artist will teach a craft to the community each month, and the group will cover a widerange of topics for both the new and experienced crafter. Make Out sessions will regularly occur the last Thursday of each month at 7:30 PM at the Patchwerk Playhaus. All ages are welcome.

Please visit the Crown Town Handmade blog for more information: http://crowntownhandmade.blogspot.com.

(Press release courtesy of Amanda Fisher.)

Bartering brings Fresh Music to my Tired Ears

I love bartering. A friend in Asheville, NC was just telling me that trading goods and services is so common there that some businesses (like restaurants and barbers) have ledgers to keep track of what favor has been traded for what service. In that spirit, my friend Michael and I recently did a trade. We traded some records from his collection for a painting of mine. Since most of my money is going back into Stitch Machine right now, my music collection has definitely suffered. This trade was the perfect solution!

Michael + percussion + his most recent project



The painting I traded him was a diptych called New Beginnings. The painting is basically about how things were bad, but now they're finally starting to get good. It started as two separate oil paintings, but I sanded them down and painted over them. You can still see some of the old paintings peeking through. I layered all kinds of media to simulate texture- acrylic, oil, pencil, colored pencil, watercolor pencil, ink impressions from hand carved stamps.





...And in exchange for the painting I got this stack of records!! Michael wrote a note explaining which tracks were his favorites. It's always interesting to get insight on what inspires someone else's creativity. I am listening to my new (old) tunes now as I work, and they are bringing new energy into the studio.


Here are the all of the records:

Sade- Promise
Isaac Hayes- Hot Buttered Soul
Fleetwood Mac- tusk
Tom Tom Club- Genius of Love & Lorelei (45)
The 5 Stairsteps- O-o-h Child & Dear Prudence (45)
5 Stairsteps & Cubie- We Must Be in Love & Little Young Lover (45)

Speckled Guinea Satin Bows
Now available exclusively at Paper Skyscraper in Charlotte, NC.



These bows are intentionally oversized, measuring just under 5 inches (13 cm) at their widest. A speckled guinea feather from my mother's farm keeps it light and airy, and a vintage shell button (given to me by my boyfriend's grandmother) completes the look. A large 60mm snap clip holds the bow in place. A fun party hair clip!



I also just dropped off some smaller Hand-burned Satin Bows and Button Snap Clips at Paper Skyscraper that can be worn everyday. Remember, my snap clips are in limited supply right now, so get them while you can.

A Real Life Simulation & Long Live the Living
Recap

"It's not painful, but it will give you a good jolt."



Above, artist Jon Prichard describes what it's like to ride on the standing adult see-saw he built. But if you didn't know any better, you might think was is describing his bizarre "Circus Circus" performance that the see-saw was made for. It was performed on May 21st as part of Long Live The Living, a partnership between Dugg Dugg and Charlotte Arts' Catalyst. Earlier in the day Charlotte Arts Catalyst opened up the doors of a temporary space to show what things might be like once they secure a permanent space. This day was part of a week-long Charlotte arts celebration called Southern Holiday.


Prichard teaching someone how to use his adult see-saw before the show.

The Circus Circus performance got my attention right out of the gate, and gave me a jolt that made me want to see how all of the fragmented information would eventually be tied together. The larger-than-life props also piqued my curiosity. The performance centered around a giant clown birthing rambunctious, feuding brothers and sisters. An ominous bearded lady narrated the action. A conflict between two of the characters came to a head as they battled it out on the see-saw.

Did the mother clown represent mother earth? Did she represent someone the artist knows? I took away a comment on the high standards that some parents hold for their children, and how their children are sometimes forced to perform. It also criticized people that want to pop the balloons that are your dreams. There was a bit of religious commentary thrown in there too. (Performance presented by Sinergismo. Performers were Mary Ellen Beaudreau, Gene Bledsoe, Michael Gentry, David Ingram, Gretchen Jax, Paul Martyka, Brittney Prichard, and Jon Prichard.)





A collaborative art collage was led at the Real Life Simulation Event by Andrea Vail from 2pm- 10pm. Many attendees contributed their ideas + materials and made this possible. It started as a freeform crocheted piece, than became a standing wooden structure with fiber added, then someone got the idea to turn it upside down and hang it from the rafters, then more and more was added on. It turned out great!

Watch a video of the finished project in motion:









Video installation for Long Live the Living by Philip Shive. You may recognize the actor- he's Andy the Door Bum!


Stitch Machine and others were there representing area crafters and makers. Once CAC secures a space, they plan to have a coffee area with products for sale from local makers.

A Real Life Simulation- TODAY!

My friends at The Charlotte Arts Catalyst would like to invite everyone to share the opportunity to see (almost) exactly what a regular day in the life will be once they have a space to call home. From noon til 6 pm today they encourage you to stop by 2300 N. Davidson Street (Charlotte, NC 28205) for an open house and "simulation" day. This is FREE! The space is a giant brick warehouse right across from Amelies Bakery. You can park on the street or in the gravel lot at the space. There will still be stuff going on after 6 too.

I'll be there with my Stitch Machine goods and also I'll have a craft table where you can make a small addition to add to the Charlotte Arts Catalyst collaborative art project.

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=117028011670386

Choose Your Own Adventure


I saw this on the Gala Darling blog and loved it. I know from experience that the "change something" bubble can be incredibly life altering and hard to do. But it's worth it a million times over if you do, indeed, want to be happy.