the missability radio show is once again hosting a walking stick cosy competition - The Knitted Walking Stick Cosy Competition #1 was so successful that there will be a second round! There are instructions for making the cosy and patterns too. (caption Oxford Kitchen Yarns cosy from cosy comp #1)

independent craft show Bazaar Bizarre San Francisco 90+Vendors ✪ Workshops ✪ Local Music ✪ Free Goodie Bags for the first 300 customers | When: December 15th 2007 from 11:00 am to 6:00 pm | Where: San Francisco County Fair Building in Golden Gate Park, San Francisco (Lincoln Way at 9th Avenue) | Admission: $1.00

first annual Great American Craft Off! It will start Nov. 1 - This unique contest calls for American crafters to present a one-of-a-kind creation that exemplifies their personal vision of what America is all about – whatever that may be. The winner will be awarded a prize package valued at over $6000!

4th Handmade market next Saturday Nov 3rd in Raleigh, NC. - The Handmade Market: Because “MALL” Is a Four-letter Word
Shop for unique handcrafted goods and support independent designers at The Handmade Market in Raleigh, NC.

The Holiday Softie Awards - entries close October 31st!. check out the current entries and enter yours under one of these categories (make sure you check out the rules about entering) Categories are: Deck the Halls, Animals Dressed for the Holidays, Nightmare Before Christmas and Let it snow - other categories that need your entries are: Holiday Smorgasboard (food) (come on guys - where are all those soft food makers, Under the Tree (toys) - more toys - come on - come on, The Worst Gift I Ever Got (this could be really funny and fun), Doll Dress Up (come on you know you want to) Holiday version of a Softie from the Softies Book.

Get Made: SF Craft Mafia’s Annual Fall Shopping Extravaganza

October 21, Mafia Made 2007 will showcase the diverse work of over 40 clothing, accessories, jewelry, craft-related businesses, artists, and designers.

Mafia Made 2007 | October 21, 2007, 12-5pm @ Hall of Flowers (Golden Gate Park, 9th and Irving) | Free to the public, $1 suggested donation to benefit SF SPCA | Come early for goodie bags for the first 100 shoppers and stay for a raffle of fabulous, crafty prizes!

hand-making competition
The competition aims to support small hand-making businesses and to encourage craftspeople to ditch the 9 to 5 drudgery and pursue their handicraft passion.

Grace at design*sponge is adding a DIY Wednesday segment to her blog - she says when i sat down to reimagine the new d*s one of the first things i wanted to add was more diy and craft-based content. Grace has invited lauren smith and derek fagerstrom of the curiosity shoppe to do a weekly segment and the first project looks pretty good - re-using wine crates as display cases.

Chara is hosting a fall swap on her blog - go and get involved.

Heather wrote in to tell me about blog action day - so sign up for eco activism on 15th of Oct - and look out for here for environmentally crafting on that day.

Blog Action Day is October 15 with a topic of ‘the environment’. The group is requesting that any willing bloggers sign up to show a united voice all discussing the same topic on the same day. With activism being one of Whip-Up’s regular topics, in terms of reusing media and recreating with it; finding inspiration for our art in our environments; handcrafters and artists creating to create local items, etc. I thought this would be an excellent concept to bring forward. Thank you for your lovely blog, a creative environment unto itself!

Here is an excerpt from their press release - go here to read the rest…

On October 15th, bloggers around the web will unite to put a single important issue on everyone’s mind. In 2007 the issue is the environment. Every blogger will post about the environment in their own way and relating to their own topic. Our aim is to get everyone talking towards a better future. We’re looking for bloggers of all nationalities and backgrounds, writing about all topics to join in. Here’s what you have to do:

Publish on October 15th - Publish a post on their blog which relates to an issue of their own choice pertaining to the environment.

Poppytalk Handmade launched this month - it’s an “online virtual flea market” curated by Jan featuring handmade and vintage goods from 75 emerging designers/artists from around the world (literally)! Artists from Paris to Israel, South Africa, the U.S., Canada, England, and Holland .

Each month the store will feature new sellers and new themes - watch out for a “Call For Submissions” monthly on the poppytalk blog.

Already there are some great handmade items - I love wolfie and the sneak, small stump, and dejarnette - there is lots and lots more.

Holiday Softie Awards

How to enter:
- Enter a softie in one of categories (see below) by uploading a photo of your softie to the flickr group.
- Open for entries Oct 1 and the last day to enter is Oct 31.
- Use the tags for your entry - see Softies Central under ‘Tagging’.

Categories are:

1. Deck the Halls - softie decorations like Christmas trees, ornaments, stockings, advent calendar, tree toppers, mistletoe, a snowflake mobile.
2. Animals Dressed for the Holidays – Cute animal softies. Dress them in their holiday best! You can also enter softies made with holiday-ish fabric. (doesn’t have to be red and green or have snowflakes, but could be festive or sparkly)
3. Doll Dress Up – doll softies dressed for the holidays
4. Under the Tree – Toy softies that aren’t animals or dolls. If you make a reindeer pulling a sled, put it here. If you make a reindeer with a holiday vest, put it in the Animals Dressed for the Holidays category.
5. Holiday Smorgasbord - softie holiday food: gingerbread, fruitcake, milk & cookies, turkey dinner, mashed potatoes, ham, Hanukkah gelt, latkes, etc.
6. The Nightmare Before Christmas - creepy/cute for the holidays – Halloween and Christmas
7. Let it Snow! - white softies only i.e. snowflake, polar bears, an all-white Santa. Softies must be at least 75% white. That means you can use other colors for trim, eyes, the inside of an oyster etc.
8. The Worst Gift I Ever Got! - Have fun with this one. Please include a note on this softie’s flickr page to tell us a little about this horrible gift!
9. Holiday Version of My Softie Book Softie – make any softie from Softies and dress it up, or otherwise make it holiday-ish!

The Storque, Etsy e-zine! has launched and is replacing the Etsy Garden blog.

The focus of The Storque is to take part in the DIY movement. Starting with Etsy members and branching out to other small business people and artists, bloggers and notables, The Storque will have valuable insights into entrepreneurship, art, and conscientious consumption. The Storque covers all things handmade and inspiring — not just Etsy-centric items. YOU can contribute stories, photo essays, videos and audio podcasts. email storque@etsy.com if you’d like to participate.

———–

Amy Butler competition winner
Protagitron: My Rural Messenger Bag is not only my favourite Amy Butler pattern that I’ve made, it’s simply one of my favourite bags. I used a really cute Amy Butler print with this magical property of going with everything I own, and a salmon lining from thrifted material. I also have good memories, because I made it with my Mom over Christmas, as my introduction to sewing (aim high sez I), and it’s one of the few times we bonded without tears. I have a feeling the pattern may have been replaced by the High Street Messenger Bag though, alas.

———–

check out DIYscene.com - a discussion forum devoted to people who DIY and Craft and consider themselves Indie Designers - a community of girls (and guys!) to share ideas and strengthen the idea of DIY Culture.

Connecting craft artists in Ireland Irishcraftupdate.com/blog is here! Once you begin in a craft it will most definitely lead to other things and so most craft people will dabble and master many different skills together. Irishcraftupdate.com/blog is providing the link between crafts. Information is sourced from the Craft Council of Ireland, County Enterprise Boards, Craft Associations, guilds, and most importantly from Crafts People themselves. Karen Harper has been writing a newsletter for some months now and emailing it to over 400 subscribers. The Blog site will allow people to subscribe and receive new posts when they are written, and keep them updated with all events. For additional information contact harperkaren[@]eircom.net.

If you are interested in Irish craft blogs make you check out siopa Eile

Registration is now open for The American Craft Wholesale Show in Baltimore Feb 19-21, 2008 Baltimore Convention Center. f you’re looking for a competitive advantage for your business, this is it. With more than 850 of the nation’s leading craft artists in one place, this show is the one stop event for anyone who’s looking for what’s new, what’s hot, and what’s happening today in American craft.

Hi! I just wanted to share the granny squared blanket, from a Paton pattern, that I have just finished. It is a different take on the granny square in that it is just one large square, no sewing squares together. Link

Mary-Lou wrote: I see that your theme for this month is recycling / using things up. Last year I acquired a large amount of eyelash yarns for charity knitting, and I still had a lot left over after I had knitted loads of scarves. It felt wrong to just dump it as some people suggested, and I was pretty sure that I wasn’t going to be able to offload it on eBay, so I decided to use it all up and make a blanket. See instructions and images - link.

To help support & promote indie business owners there will be no vendor fees for The Creative Bazaar! The date is set for Saturday, October 13th, 2007 from 11AM - 6 PM
The Creative Bazaar is an independent craft fair that will feature a variety of vendors. email your name, what you sell, your website link, and how you want to be listed on the vendor link. You will receive a return email within a week that will confirm your place and give you additional information. No tents. Tables are not provided. In return we ask you to help promote The Creative Bazaar by emailing your friends, posting on forums, calling radio stations, contacting newspapers, posting on your blog; anyway you can think of to spread the word. Your space is free, but the venue is not. There is a chip in button on the sidebar of the blog for when you are feeling generous~ Thank you!

Big news items from Felt Club HQ! Applications are now online for the HOLIDAY event on November 18. New location, the campus at Los Angeles City College on Vermont! And teaming up with Maker Faire to present “Maker Square” at Felt Club.

And a reminder about Canberra’s Craft-a-noon

So, because its super fun to make random stuff out of material/paper/anything - a sewing “jam” could be fun. With like minded people, sewing machines, coffee and stuff. Bring some crafty supplies, a sewing machine, or anything at all. We can make a group project or individual things, or just listen to cheesy community radio and chatter.

Sunday 16th September 3-5pm || Friends of Blue Gum Lounge, Hackett Shops || RSVP Fri 7th sept. heather.cocquio[@]gmail.com

On September 30th, Schmancy and Made by Moxie are teaming up for a prePlush You! Event at Victrola coffee at 310 E. Pike St in Seattle, WA. - Needle felting demonstration - free event supplies included. Meet fellow crafters and drink a damn good cup of coffee.

Schmancy is a toy store in Seattle selling toys from large stuffed cigarettes and stuffed donuts to vinyl bunnies - lots of fun toys for adults and children. Once a year Schmancy, along with their friends over at Nancy and Fancy + Pants, team up to bring you Plush You! This year’s show opens up Oct. 12th and will feature over 100 artists from all over the world. The show has received so much attention that this October, F+W Publishing will be releasing a book titled ‘Plush You!:Loveable Misfit Toys to Sew and Stuff’. [congratulations - ed] To see more about the show visit: plushyou

The BUST Magazine 2007 Holiday Craftacular is set to happen on Saturday, December 8!

BUST will be handpicking 200 of the most unique and talented crafters from across the country to sell their wares.

If you would like to participate as a vendor, applications are now available! There are no exceptions as to who can apply: hip handmades, accessories, housewares, vintage clothing, knitwear, silk-screened items, cosmetics, paper goods, handbags, ornaments, cards, and whatever else your crafty canny brings to a table. For a list of FAQ and information on how to apply, please visit http://www.bust.com/craftacular

Be a sugarplum and jingle-tell all your crafty pals about BUST’s Holiday Craftacular by sending them our way!

The Norfolk Craft Mafia is extremely excited to announce their first annual holiday arts & crafts bazaar: Handmade Parade!. They are now accepting applications for vendors and sponsors. When and where: Masonic Temple, 7001 Granby St. Norfolk, Virginia 23505 || Saturday, November 10, 2007 10am - 5pm.

Poppy talk has announced a new project - Poppytalk Handmade! Jan is now calling for Submissions for her new online street market. Just like a real street/flea market, indie makers of all kinds will be able to rent a virtual table at Poppytalk Handmade for an opening date of early October/07 (just in time for the christmas season)! The market will feature products that Jan personally loves - each piece handpicked by Jan (who has a great design sense and excellent taste). More info here.

For a limited time Amy Butler is offering some products at a 40% discount. Their way of saying “Thank You!” for making their new web store a great success! Visit her web store to check out the sale.

Go and check out Sister Diane’s new podcast - craftypod #57 - featuring …. me Kathreen from Whipup.

SiopaEile.com today launched auditions for a new premier Irish Artisan group blog. The auditions follow on the trend from other countries where there has been a boom in artisan blogging. Blogging has been slow to take off in Ireland, but this is rapidly changing with many media personalities and businesses starting blogs. A lot of bloggers are now becoming well known names in Ireland with book and newspaper deals. Auditions for the SiopaEile.com group blog will be accepted until October 30th, 2007. Full details on www.SiopaEile.com

I wanted to let you know about a unique craft fair in LA called The Little Monster Market. It’s made up mostly of vendors who are moms who left the corporate world (VPs, designers, ex-tv execs) to stay home with their kids but found a way to turn a hobby or new found creative outlet into a work from home situation by selling cool, hip, handmade clothes, furniture, blankets, etc… For more information on the market, go to www.littlemonstermarket.com. It’s being held in Studio City at the Sunnyside Preschool on September 4th from 9am-3pm.

Kerrie over at Hipknits had a big task in narrowing down over 100 entries to just 5. (see all the entries here). Here are the winners of the wonderful yarn and thank you to everyone for entering - good luck with your projects.

Emily wins the Chunky / Aran weight yarn pack:

I am the librarian for teens at a branch in south-central Los Angeles. We have a twice-monthly crochet and knitting club. One of our younger teens tried for many weeks to learn to crochet, without much success. Then last month she tried knitting, and in one lesson she blossomed into a confident, capable knitter. The Aran / chunky cashmere for a hat or scarf is something that would just amaze and delight her, because the only yarn she’s ever used is crunchy acrylic. She is already in love with knitting, but beautiful, soft yarn would be a wonderful reward for her perseverance.

Tien wins the Aran Silk pack:

My husband has had a very serious relapse of MS. So we had to cancel our vacation with our youngest son. All I can do, next to taking care of my man and the household, is knitting, spinning and a little sewing. I had to throw out a lot of stuff to make room for a nursing bed and other equipment for my husband’s care. So I’m looking forward to some lovely yarn to make a sweater for myself. It will be a long term project to enjoy the yarn the most, sitting next to my man, between the times of care taking.

Clair wins the Lace Silk pack:

Wow - what an inspiration. I am about to have my second child & I am also looking to get started with my own small business & was wondering how I would fit it all in. I think flexibility is the key & being prepared to work hard - which is not difficult when it’s something you love. I do love knitting, but I am not so good at it, so I would probably make some lovely Cashmere baby booties & mittens for a friend of mine who is having a little girl in December. She really appreciates hand-made gifts, so I know that she would love that, but saying that, I would also love to knit myself a silk shawl!

Helen wins the Cashmere sock pack:

Kerrie, my only son who is near and dear to me will be leaving for college very soon. I twill be a difficult time for me… seeing him ‘leave the nest’. I have grand plans sending him ‘care packages’ while he is gone to let him know I’m thinking about him. The packages will include knit socks (which he loves) and it would be great to use your cashmere fingering weight and pattern for socks for him! Many thanks for a great web site!

MommyknitsJen wins the Cashmere lace pack:

I am 8.5 months pregnant with my fourth child and my midwife just told me that her husband who has never smoked has fatal lung cancer. I want to make her something to show her how much I have appreciated her all these years and that she is not alone in this world. I have been pouring over lace patterns for a week or so and I think that I would like to make her some kind of a shawl or stole. That way she could wrap herself in comfort when she needs it.

CALL TO ARTISTS | Touching Warms the Art | Deadline to apply: August 15

The Museum of Contemporary Craft - MuseumofContemporaryCraft.org - is accepting applications for this interactive juried exhibition of innovative approaches to art jewelry that opens in January 2008, concurrent with Framing · the Art of Jewelry, curated by Ellen Lupton.

For a prospectus, please contact Kat Perez, Curatorial Assistant Kat@MuseumofContemporaryCraft.org

Craft Work, Craft Play: An Afternoon with the SF Craft Mafia

A Family Affair: Tips and Treats with the SF Craft Mafia || August 12, 2007, 2-6pm || @ Stitch Lounge || 182 Gough Street (@ Oak in Hayes Valley) San Francisco, CA 94102-5918 || Free to the public, $1-2 donations gladly accepted

San Francisco, CA August 12, 2007 – The San Francisco Craft Mafia (SFCM) strikes again with a community event for Bay Area designers, crafty businesses, and the general public alike. A Family Affair: Tips and Treats with the SF Craft Mafia offers local businesses and designers the perfect chance to network as well as fabulous opportunities to gain new, crafty skills.

Stitch Lounge—a member of SFCM—will sponsor and host, A Family Affair on August 12, 2-6pm. The event will feature a number of work stations to pick up jewelry-making tips, work on selected patterns from Stitch Lounge’s published guide to clothing customization, Sew Subversive, embellish and bedazzle garments with an assortment of buttons, beads, and sequins, and decorate delicious cupcakes. Business owners and designers can mingle over treats and exchange their own business tips and experiences.

Knitted Walking Stick Cosy Competition 2007: WIN £40 IN YARN VOUCHERS! Inspired by the dignifying powers of health-related knitting projects
everywhere, The Missability Radio Show is organising a walking stick cosy knitting competition. With your great ideas, knitting skills and visionary
powers, you can transform even an ordinary grey walking stick into a fantastical design!

The competition is open NOW and all entries must be received by 7th September 2007.

What could be better than gazing longingly into a glass of white wine? How about gazing into that same glass and seeing someone gazing right back at you? :) That might sound a tad creepy now, but take a closer look at our awesome photo wine glass photo frames and pretty soon you’ll be scowling, growling, and grinning… whatever it takes to make the perfect cup-bottom portrait. How to at Photojojo

Idle hands has a cute tutorial on making journals - linkable journals

check out Tante Sophie knitting studio

Joan at Lazy girl says I love buttons! They are such an easy way to add fun to many projects. I use buttons a lot and I wanted to give my readers my tips for perfect placement.

I am an unschooling mom of 3 (5,3,1 yo) and often feel like my daily adventures should earn me merit badges. Well, none existed (I searched!) so I created them! They are meant to be fun and irreverent but I think they have a certain
subversive aspect to them too. I am thinking about hosting a performance/event where women share tales (like on the website) and are awarded merit badges in a ceremony.

Saturday Aug 4 is officially ‘Apron Day’! read more at Pat Sloan

Jennifer wrote: Hi, love this site! I posted a tutorial on using double knit for a button band that your readers might find useful.

Spring Maxfield wrote:
I absolutely love the work of ceramic artist Todd Barricklow. He’s very traditional in his attitude about art, but completely unconventional (in
regards to modern uses, but drawing heavily on ancient sgraffito) in his use of ceramics as a medium.

American Craft Council will be hosting the second part of a three part lecture series, which features speakers like: the Reverend Callie Janoff from The Church of Craft, Cal Patch from Hodge Podge, Amy Shaw from Greenjeans, and Rena Tom from Rare Device. Their discussions are not only going to be super interesting, but they’re also free!

Thursday, July 26 6 pm, reception to follow

Marketplace Intervention: The Do-It-Yourself Renaissance. Join Reverend Callie Janoff of NYC Church of Craft and Hodge Podge clothing designer Cal Patch for a discussion on how they’re converting, inspiring, educating and creating the next wave of craft lovers.

RSVP required: education@craftcouncil.org or 212-274-0630 x.234.

The American Craft Council Library 72 Spring Street, 6th Floor (between Crosby & Lafayette)

Thank you for sharing my yo-yo maker tutorial with your readers. I’ve received some very nice emails from your readers letting me know they appreciated finding the resource. My very best to you,
Joan Hawley
Lazy Girl Designs

Kledilton Pinto wrote: Hello from Brazil!

We are very glad We’ve found Whip Up! We are a virtual store where you can find handmade crafts from the Amazon Region of Brazil, i.e. Paintings, Indigenous Basketry, Bio-Jewellery, etc. Besides, everyone can learn more about the Amazon Region, send e-card or even save wallpapers available in our site. Please, pay us a visit and hope you may enjoy your stay! :) Thanks and best wishes

SouleMama’s book is available for pre-order - its called The Creative Family: How to Encourage Imagination and Nurture Family Connections This is what its about - Between work and school, music lessons, and sports practice, there is less and less time to connect as a family. Those few moments together are often spent making meals, doing homework, or watching TV. In this inspiring book, Amanda Soule, a young mother of three, presents simple ways to use arts and crafts and other forms of creativity to deepen family connections. For parents of all backgrounds, The Creative Family offers unique creative activities for the whole family. The range of projects includes: imaginative play such as dress up, home theater and parlor games; arts and crafts such as family drawing time and knitting with children; nature explorations such as creating garden journals and making natural toys; and family celebrations that include making music and displaying children’s art. These fun and engaging alternatives to television, video games, and the computer are meant to captivate children´s imaginations, celebrate their achievements, and express love and gratitude as a family.

We’ve started a new show at Threadbanger called “How To Tuesdays”, which is a weekly DIY summer special. This week Rob and Corinne show you how to beat the heat by making an old t-shirt a little cooler (with only a pair of scissors)! Check out our latest episode here!

Readymade have some new crafty green products in their store - including sets of notecards with envelopes made from their supply of damaged back issues. We’re very excited about how cool they look, and pleased with how we’re able to reuse our magazines for something that’s both useful and green.

Hi whipup team,

I am starting up an internet campaign to raise awareness of mental illness, particularly Depression. Titled “Knit and Fight the Black Dog” I am hoping that people will come forward and share their experiences with similar conditions, and if their craft has helped them in anyway. More information, including details of my personal battle, are available on my blog.
Regards,
Meg

Hello there to all the wonderful people at Whip-up….Love your site..!

I am a new crafting blogger and I have made my first tutorial. It is a tutorial for children to make their own fabric collage which is then mounted onto a canvas. My 6 year old had a ball doing it and it kept her attention for an hour or so on a rainy Sunday afternoon…

Hi Kath -
Am a loyal subscriber to your blog and can’t tell you how much I love it!! Wanted to let you and your readers know I’m posting on my blog the progress of my new quilt studio being built [wow its huge - lucky you - ed] and running a contest for suggestions for the studio. I’ll draw for an Amazon gift certificate from the entries: deadline July 20th. I saw Weeks’ quilt at Quilt National and it was one of my favorites: a simple idea but masterfully design and executed.

Joan from Lazy girl designs sent in a link to a tutorial for making Yo-yo’s using a yo-yo tool! who knew. Also check out our own yo-yo tutorial at whipup if you missed it. And amazing original way to use these yo-yo’s - a barnacle wool throw rug (see image below).

The 2007 Annual Toilet Paper Wedding Dress Contest is officially underway. It runs from May 1 to July 31, 2007. Grab your friends, your toilet paper and a digital camera and get creative. You can use tape or glue as well. See the official rules for all of the details.

I am a regular visitor to your fantastic blog and it truly inspires me! I’m a few days behind but saw that you had a bunch of book recommendations. “Printmaking for Beginners” caught my eye (and is now on my Amazon wish list :) For my day job I work for a small family run production company in Oregon (we’re about an hour south of Portland). I spend all day editing art and craft (collage, silver clay jewelry, fabric collage, etc) videos and we have a new one on monotype printmaking with a mother/daughter team Julia and Gail Ayres. I thought I’d send you the link because it seems right up your alley! Thanks for all you do! Kelly Here is the youtube link to a preview of the video (looks good) and here is the link to the website.