Chicago Style Crafters

Tips on how to approach a show app by Tina Seamonster over at the Crafty Bastards Blog -

http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/craftybastards/2008/04/02/make-...

It never hurts to read up on tips, especially if you're new to the application thing! Just remember to breathe :)

We're introducing a new written feature here called CSC Q&A!, an interview series that will firstly focus on team members, and as time progresses, other indiepreneurs in the community - Because after all, this is about Chicago Style Crafters! So without further ado, here is our first interview of the series, with Donovan Beeson.

What's your business name, and tell us a bit about what you create?

I run my own etsy shop under my name: Donovan Beeson and I co-run 16 Sparrows and the Letter Writers Alliance, a stationery company/letter writing club with my friend Kathy Zadrozny. I make paper goods such as stationery and books and letter-writing accouterments.

Why did you go into this as an artist/artisan/crafter/designer?

I like to be busy, and with a degree in arts but a job in "real-life", I needed an outlet. When I moved to Chicago, Kathy was my roommate and she was already into the whole DIY crafting thing and I feel under the spell of paper and paper crafting rather quickly.

Why did you turn it into a business?

When Kathy took off for grad school, she needed someone to handle the reins of 16 Sparrows. My stuff is a little different from the feel of the products at 16 Sparrows; so I began an Etsy shop to handle my personal line of handmade goods.

What do you think is the best part of what you do?

Meeting other people who have the same odd fascinations and quirks that I do. Nowhere else can I find people who get as excited about office supplies or a bunch of old library cards as the people I've met through crafting.

The worst?

Logistics. It's a pain trying to get from place to place with all my stuff without a car. I have to rely of the kindness of my friends more often than I'd like to.

How do you get the word out about your business?

I've had enormous luck with The Sampler, and 16 Sparrows was a Daily Candy feature which was a crazy propeller.

How do you feel about selling online, & what do you think is/are the biggest challenge/s there?

Getting your name out is the hardest thing and maintaining that is the next hardest. You've got to stay on top of everything if you want to stay in business.

What do you like about your online presence (ie, your shop, you pictures, your copy)?

I love my pictures. I'm constantly surprised by the quality I can get with just natural light and a regular old Nikon. And this isn't my online presence per se, but I really enjoy doing my packaging and I often receive compliments on it.

What don't you like, and what do you want to do to improve it?

I don't like that I'm constantly referred to as Mr. Donovan Beeson. But I try to correct that whenever I see it. It's the curse of the gender-ambiguous name.

If there was one art/craft you could try, all expenses paid, what would that be?

Silk screening and Weaving. And I may get around to both sooner or later.

Whose work are you digging right now?

I love the shirts at Dyslexic Press and just got one of the Obama buck prints from there.

What are you currently reading, online or off?

System of the World
by Neal Stephenson

Chicago Public Radio,
Around Comics pod cast,
Comic Geek Speak pod cast,
The Moth pod cast, and an audio book by Neil Gaiman
.

Any advice or words of wisdom you'd like to impart upon fellow creative types?

Do something every day. It doesn't matter what it is, as long as you stay in the habit.

Many of you good folks may already have read about the demise of DEPART-ment;
this post is to just remind you that another organizer is taking over the reigns of the Pitchfork Music Festival's Arts/Crafts section, and that's Coterie.

Applications are up for it till the end of May; $150 to participate plus table rental of $10 should you need it. Larger spaces (6x8) and you're still under the big tent, so no need for EZ UPs!

All info here: http://coteriechicago.com/

Please join me for the OhNoDoom Gallery's shoe buying extravaganza. Shoes will be hand painted by various artists and sold. so come by and get your one of a kind pair.

OhNoDoom Gallery
http://www.ohnodoom.com
Saturday, April 25th
1oo - 6oo pm
2955 W Lyndale. (near the california blue line)

This is a part of TOMS Shoes Vagabond Tour 09'. For every pair of shoes you purchase, TOMS will give a pair of shoes to a child in need.
http://www.tomsshoes.com

How things will work:
There will be about 15 different artists. You will come in and buy a pair of shoes then you will bring the shoes to "one of the artist" for a little painting. It will take no more than a half hour per shoe. Each artist can work on 4 pairs of shoes at a time.

Hope to see you there.
Jessica / Cranky Pickle
www.CrankyPickle.etsy.com

Shana and Shawn have to go to the suburbs for some family time. The meeting will now begin at 1pm instead of 2pm.

For address/directions, please contact shana or shawn. if you don't have phone numbers or e-mail, try flickr (cookoorikoo/manischewitzbacon) or an etsy convo (cookoorikoo/pixelparty)

see you then!

Dear Chicago Style Crafters,

The team was contacted about an event that will be taking place in October of this year called Holly Days Marketplace - The following is an organizer's description:

"The event will benefit Children’s Hope House, a non-profit hospitality house that provides shelter, meals, and peaceful refuge for families with hospitalized children who are critically ill or injured. If selected, your team member/s will be among approximately 150 other, carefully selected and unique merchants. Our merchants will offer the latest trends in apparel, jewelry, art, home accents, gourmet food products, specialty gift items, just to name a few.

Marcie Harruff

Please note that this information was sent to us for distribution, and we cannot vouch for the venue, the organizer, or the area.

That being said, if anyone signs up for it, let us know how it goes!

Our next in person meeting is April 11th, 2oo pm, at Shana (cookoorikoo) & Shawn's (pixel party) house 4516 Lawndale, Chicago.

I would also like to use this meeting to put together/gather promo items. We will be using the promo bags for the up coming Do-Division Street Fest. Only members in good standing can contribute to the promo bags. So if would like to be a part of this great marking opportunity and get our name/store out there be come a member.

- For the bag please bring a minim of 100 items, the more you bring the more bags we can have.
-- any left over items can be used in future bags if you would like.
- The items can be any size you want but nothing to big. Some example of items from previous bags are business cards, stickers, tea lights, magnets, buttons, hair clips, ect.
- This is a Promo Bag so please make sure your items contain a logo, URL or business name as the main feature. If you still have questions about what a promo item is you can find a definition here www.homeofthesampler.com/info/faq.html#difference

Jessica / Cranky Pickle
www.CrankyPickle.etsy.com
jesswhit(at)gmail(dot)com

March 24, 2009

Dear Artist:

The Association for the Wolf Lake Initiative (AWLI) and South Shore Arts invite you to exhibit your work at our 4th annual Greening of the Arts Reception and Show. The art show will begin Saturday, Oct. 24 at the Environmental Education Center, 2405 Calumet Avenue, Hammond, and concludes on January 9, 2010 at Substation 9, Hammond Arts Center, 435 Fayette Street, Hammond.

Artists will set up their exhibits at the Environmental Education Center from 4:30 to 7 p.m. on Friday, October 23. The Art Show begins at 10 a.m. the next day. Exhibitors will have a chance to discuss their art at 11 a.m. at an artists’ forum. Speakers will include Mary McClelland, Gallery Manager of South Shore Arts, and others. Lunch for exhibitors will be served at noon. The band Just for Fun will play from 5:30-6 p.m at a wine and cheese reception. The Art Show closes at 8 p.m. and reopens at 11 a.m. Sunday. It concludes at 4 p.m.

Artists may remove their work at the conclusion or between 9 a.m. and noon, Monday, October 26. Artists are invited to bring their art to Substation 9 during that period on Monday. Other arrangements can be made by reaching Ms. McClelland at 219 836-1839, ext. 108 or at mary@southshoreartsonline.org.

*The Art Show features artists who use recycled products or who focus on nature and the environment.* Feel free to recommend colleagues who fit this category. As in the past, AWLI asks a 10 percent commission on all works sold during the first two days of the event.

Attached is AWLI’s participation form. Please request a copy of South Shore Arts’ contract from Mary McClelland. We are looking forward to hearing from you. Please call if you have questions.

Sincerely,

Robert A. Victor
President

Michael L. Boos
Executive Director, AWLI

/2405 Calumet Avenue
Hammond IN. 46327 PO Box 17080
Chicago, IL 60617
219-933-7149
312-220-0120
awli@sbcglobal.net
//http://www.wolflakeinitiative.org//

This opportunity is about fashion. And completely recycled materials. And a real fashion show. If you live in one of a number of northern Chicago suburbs you can join up for this fabulous opportunity.

SWANCC is the Solid Waste Agency of Northern Cook County (Illinois)
Note: your kids and non-etsy folks can sign up too. You just have to work with recycled materials and live in the specific towns in SWANCC's District. The towns are listed in the link below.
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Be Part of SWANCC's Trashy Fashion Project!
SWANCC is looking for creative people to turn garbage into great-looking runway outfits for the Agency's Trashy Fashion Show. In recognition of America Recycles Day observed on November 15th, SWANCC will host a fashion show to showcase trashy fashions on Friday, November 13, 2009, at 7 pm at the Park Center in Glenview.

Who can participate?
Anyone-students, all grades, and adults-who lives in one of SWANCC's member communities can participate. The "trashy fashions" need to be created from materials destined for the garbage - NOT purchased materials!
Three complimentary accessories made from trash should be included.

SWANCC will be hosting informational workshops where you will find out project criteria, learn techniques from a local artist and create a unique trash-to-treasure piece. You must attend one of the following workshops to be part of the Trashy Fashion Show or send a representative:

Thursday, April 23, 2009, 6:00-8:00 pm
Wednesday, May 27, 2009, 6:00-8:00 pm

The workshops will be held at SWANCC's office in Glenview and light refreshments will be served. If you plan to attend a workshop, registration is required at swancc.org/trashyfashionsworkshop.

There is no fee to participate in this program, but space is limited (20 per workshop) and will be granted on a first-come, first-served basis. You will be emailed a confirmation notice with additional details for the workshop once you are registered. SWANCC reserves the right to cancel a workshop if less than 10 people are registered or will add workshops on an as-needed basis.

If you have questions about this project, please contact SWANCC's Recycling and Education Director, Mary Allen, at mary [!at] swancc.org or call (847) 724-9205, extension 204.

Register today!
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I have seen a dress of ribbon and thousands of pull tabs, another dress made of aluminum cans and bottle caps, clothing of newspaper, plastic garbage bags, etc.
The sky is the limit.