A little bit of this and that for this post folks. Consider it a community noticeboard post. Here goes.

25 Things for Charity, via Counting Mermaids.

Make a commitment to craft 25 things for charity in 12 months. It can be any item for any charity.

Quilt Block Swap, deadline for July’s swap is 25 June. Details here.

A couple of Aussie mentions. The Alice Springs Beanie Festival from 1 to 16 July.

Beanie Central is an large and wonderful display of beanies from all over Australia.
Central Australian Indigenous fibre art will also be sold, including the famous Tjampi Aboriginal Baskets and batik and wooden beads and pottery from Ernabella Arts Inc. The famous beanie cafe- home made cakes, soup, tea and coffee. The Desert Spinners: Free Demonstrations of Anangu Spinning and Basketry

Creeping up on us also is Pod: The 2006 Melbourne Scarf Festival. Wish I was in Melbourne for this one and that I’d gotten my act together to enter. Anyone entered? Leave a comment, love to see what you’ve done.

Pod: The 2006 Melbourne Scarf Festival Presented by Craft Victoria In the middle of Melbourne’s grey winter, Craft Victoria holds an annual celebration of a universal garment – the scarf. After exploring the religious, cultural and tribal meanings of scarves, the fourth festival moves to technology: Pod. Pod focuses on ways that scarves might house accessories such as iPods, mobile phones and precious objects. Think scarves with secret compartments or techno functions. A Pod can also be a group or collective. Scarves that can be worn by more than one person, or have been made by more than one person, are encouraged: not just iPods – wePods! The opening night launch will be a major event at the BMW Edge, Federation Square with a fashion parade and awards ceremony. The Scarf Festival will also feature events, workshops and forums relating to the theme.

New Zealand craft fair - CraftWerk, applications close 16 June. Another I’d love to see.

The Paramount Theatre Wellington’s oldest Cinema and now its hottest events venue is where CraftWerk calls home. The Paramount’s lounge bar is stocked with a wide range of beers and wines as well as soft drinks, snacks and Kapiti ice-cream. This relaxing atmosphere, in the middle of Wellington’s hub of entertainment and nightlife, Courtenay Place, allows vendors and shoppers alike a break from the bustle and a chance to absorb the CraftWerk experience.

Grand Central Terminal 2006 Holiday Craft Fair, applications by 12 June. For further information email Karen Weber, karen.weberATam.jll.com

The Holiday Fair in Vanderbilt Hall features selections of merchandise from outstanding specialty vendors. Vendor selection criteria are based on quality and uniqueness of product, originality of display, vendor experience, compatibility of merchandise with overall Fair mix.

Phew…anyone still here? Oh good. Finally, but definitely not leastly a new needle arts show called “Uncommon Threads” for the DIY Network is looking for needle art groups based in the USA.

CALLING ALL NEEDLE CRAFTERS!

Are you a part of a fun and creative needle crafting group? Then the DIY Network is looking for you!

We are looking for needle arts clubs to feature on a TV show for the DIY (Do-It-Yourself) Network. DIY is the network that brought you “Knitty Gritty,” and now we’re producing a second season of “Uncommon Threads,” a show that focuses on all kinds of stitchery and fiber arts‹from crochet, embroidery, quilting, sewing, rug hooking, weaving and even needle felting. This program will inspire a new generation of crafters to explore all the great needle arts. If you work your needle to create it, you’ll see it on our show.

If you and at least three friends would like to share your hip and inventive projects on television, we’re looking for you! Your club can be made up of friends, business or work associates, church groups, civic clubs, or any other organized or non-organized entities. Candidates must be fun and outgoing and willing to travel to our studio to show us how they have created some of their unique projects.

For more info, send an email to akerbeinATsdetv.com

Dawbis (Dawn) is an artist who creates some lovely collages with cut paper and intriguing characters. She is also the developer of the Open Yours Too group swap; and has come up with an ingenious approach to personal swapping: The Trade Catalog. (Thank you to Dawn for letting me include images of her work :)

Dawbis used to sell her work, but now explains that she “prefers trades to sales”. She photographs her recent works she wishes to swap and puts them in a ‘trade catalog’ which she announces on her site, and gives it to the first 15 people who write her. She tells people how to propose a swap for whichever package they choose. She also lists things she is into, so people can know how to make a good package proposal.

I asked her to share a bit more about the process, and she swiftly wrote me back! Thanks, Dawbis! In her own words:

” It’s a bit like normal store catalogs, except nothing is for sale. I only send out about 10-15 catalogs via email and I limit the amount of things people ask for, depending on how much work I have available. After all catalogs have been passed out, others, like yourself, propose items that they wish to trade with me for what is in my catalog. For example, for the last catalog trade a girl offered to trade me a handmade purse for one of my original pieces that was in the catalog. I was very interested in her purse (she showed me a picture of it) and so we made an agreement to trade. I hold the right to refuse a proposal, but most of the time I like what people offer. It is good to show me pictures, that way the trade is as fair as possible. I usually write in my blog and in the email I send out what items I am interested at the time, like purses or handmade jewelry, etc. Not everyone who receives a catalog proposes to trade, which is perfectly okay. Most of the time people do not ask for the same thing, but if they do I let them know that it is taken. To avoid this, I suggest that people list up to 5 items they would be interested in starting with their favorite. I’ll go down the list until an item is available and propose a trade with that item. “

I have to say that this approach appeals to me. I know it removes some element of surprise… but it also removes the element of bad surprises. It reminds me of the Likes/Dislikes thread one must fill out to take part in the Coloriffic Swap-o-Rama.Yes, writing your dislikes feels a bit negative, but it’s telling to see how many don’t want cosmetics/soap due to allergies, or those who don’t want specific things like clowns, religious or gothic things, etc. It’s all a matter of taste, but I’m sure that no one wants to send a package with things that will be unloved.

Also, rather than selling, it’s an interesting idea for offering up your wares to bartering rather than ‘monetary remuneration’. I really think it’s a brilliant idea!

Thanks for sharing, Dawbis.

The folks at The Nipple Project ask that you send them “your own hand-made artistic interpretation of your nipple or of someone’s nipple you love.” And why not?

Nipples don’t have to be knit. There is a gorgeous one carved from a gourd in the online gallery.

If a nipple isn’t enough for you, don’t forget Tit-Bits!