Artsy, Crafty and Cutesy Go Underground and Get a Mohawk
Issue no. 12 | Post no. 3: Three seasons out of the year, I am a solid girl. I wear solid colors, I eat off solid colored plates, I dream in solid colored dreams. I play the game of life in safe mode. Then summer drives in, bouncing atop a vintage orange Vespa, music blaring, pink paisley sarong flying, her over-sized yellow and lime-striped shades concealing one brown eye and one blue. She is fearless in her mismatched clothes, her joie de vivre. She has a reckless disregard for anything solid, anything stable or safe. Summer is here and she is all about mixing, but not necessarily matching. Summer insists that my alter ego come out and play.
The Caring Forest, by APAK
Today’s post is a mismatched, stream of consciousness celebration of the creative, colorful spirit that summer brings out in us all. Plus, I saw the movie Handmade Nation last night, and it’s driving me crafty.
Here, listen to this while you read on: Handmade Nation Theme by Noisola.
Oh, about the print above: BuyOlympia.com sells this enchanting print- The Caring Forest- for $35.00. It’s a great little online store, if you’re staying inside and chilling with the A.C.
The Little Friends of Printmaking sell this lovely orange lady print as well as the pink skull print. These two print makers are on the edge of artsy/ crafty/ crazy.
Handmade Nation: the Movie
I wasn’t sure what to expect from this exposé about the rise of the underground crafting culture in our nation, but Holy button holes, Batman; it is truly inspirational. From the handmade title animation and sing-songy, clapping “Hands On” theme music (are you listening to it? isn’t it great?), this documentary weaves its tale through the mouths of dozens of artisans, telling their stories with a deadpan seriousness, often wry and darkly humorous. Suddenly, you find yourself hooked like a handmade rug in the DIY spirit. And if that handmade rug has a naked woman or an oversize skull on it, then it’s surely circa 2000-2020. Craft has gone a bit subversive. It laughs at itself now and it has one wicked sense of humor.
The film succeeds at elevating wonky felt monsters and mittens-as-punk-band-swag to a hip, refreshingly real, reflection of the times, which in many ways is an anthropological, evolutionary consumerism backlash against anything sold pre-packaged in plastic at Walmart. Ho boy. I just realized my fascination with Anthropologie is a direct result of their manipulation of the handmade, unique item, one-and-only-vintage, foreign/thrift-store appeal cravings that we are all having. Yet, they are riding the wave with a mostly mass-produced sales floor. Well, aren’t they sly and stealthy geniuses?
(Oh, and to slip quickly down another rabbit hole- here’s a link to Anthro’s chief buyers TV show: Man Shops Globe. Haven’t seen it. Can’t wait to, though.)
We Rejoin our Regularly Scheduled Movie Discussion…
Besides, leaving a theater with a rediscovered desire to break out your glue gun, is what I call a fine use of an afternoon. If you haven’t seen it, yet, you may want to check the schedule to see if/when it’s coming to a theater near you. Or, buy the book. Yep, there’s a book.
June Apron | Eliza Kate Designs 
This is the spunk. This is the spunk we all need more of. I love this pose. I love those boots.
Our June apron (really a child’s apron dress) can be found on Eliza Kate’s Etsy store. And as we all know, Etsy is the ultimate online sales tool of stay at home crafters and professional artisans.
Are the Scandinavians cool or are the Scandinavians what?
Those stylish Scandinavians are at it again. They’re having fun with modern shapes, materials and graphic design. Here’s a melamine chicken tray from huset that is pecking away at my heartstrings. Is a product designers mission nothing but to entice you to buy what you never knew you wanted?
True, this chicken tray is possibly mass-produced, but it sure has the look and feel of a crafty style.
It’s Madness, I Tell You
Oh, and I’m reading these craft books. And I have my sewing kits out- this is progress! And here’s a handmade bustier that I made years ago, back when I was feeling quite crafty and totally crazy and well, less bust-ier. I’m off to get into some trouble. Enjoy your day!
June 25th, 2010 at 12:26 pm
What a fun post! I couldn’t read it fast enough and I will run, not walk, to see Handmade Nation at the Nick sometime before the weekend is over. I love “The Caring Forest” – it is just the sort of whimsy I am looking for! Thank you! And thank you for reading The Avarice (you are one of 5 followers [yay!]) I look forward to meeting you soon – in Columbia or France or wherever it might be!!
June 25th, 2010 at 2:39 pm
Oh Whitney! I’m afraid it was a one-night showing. I’m not sure why- it sold out- so there was certainly a lot of interest. Anyway, I’m sure you can find it somehow- it may be on Netflix before too long.
And, I have so enjoyed your blog- in fact, I have been inspired all week by a painting I saw in one of your recent magazine shots- the blue hued abstraction of hanging ladles and pots. I would love to have that painting. Your posts are always thought provoking and your aesthetic- so feminine and fresh. It’s perfectly reflected in the photographs you post- I want to lounge around in every room. So don’t get discouraged- just keep up the great work and people will find you, I promise! Whitney’s blog: The Avarice
Oh, and one other arts & crafts note- in Columbia, on July 4th the Crafty Feast (a crafts fair) will be held out at Sandhills mall. If you’re in town- it lasts from early afternoon to late night- it should be fun. See Crafty Feast.
June 28th, 2010 at 6:53 pm
Hey, I’m really glad you liked my movie and I wanted to tell you this was my favorite review I’ve read in a long time. I’m on the train smiling thanks to you.
Also, if any of your readers are interested, you can pick up the DVD via Buyolympia.com feel free to share it and watch with your local crafting groups (I just ask you don’t charge admission).
Warmly,
Faythe Levine
Director
Handmade Nation
June 29th, 2010 at 4:03 am
I love the fact that people are going back to homemade. I have been combing yard sales, estate sales, auctions, and flea markets even before I left home. Now I’d like to take everything I own and throw it. I am so sick of old and shabby chic. I want all chrome, modern black leather. But I guess that’s what happens, you finally get your house done, and then you have to change everything!
June 29th, 2010 at 9:13 am
I just found your blog last week and I absolutely love it; your writing is fabulous and engaging, your design is brilliant and your choice of products, blogs, food, ideas, travel is marvelous. Can I gloat anymore? Luckily I get to read these sorts of things for work – research. I am a copywriter for a wonderful specialty food company in Maine. I want to thank you for your post regarding Handmade Nation which I will pass along to my friend in Colorado who owns the store – Magical Scraps (magicalscraps.com), she will love it. I cannot wait to watch it as well. And how very excited was I to see you mention Man Shops Globe! I caught one episode awhile back and I have been searching high and low for it again. It was so good! Thanks again for the great blog. I look forward to reading and learning more.
June 29th, 2010 at 6:20 pm
Holy FAYTHE LEVINE, Batman!!! She dropped by to visit! How cool is that?! And I made her smile? That’s so nice. Especially because this woman is making people smile all over the world with her terrific film.
I really do want us all to see it. So, I just ordered one from buyolympia.com and when it comes in, we can have a little give-away and one of you will win it and watch it and after that, perhaps you’ll pass it on to a friend who will love it, too.
@Faythe, you made my day. Again.
@Angie, I hear you. In my brain, I have a contemporary side and an old junk side. They fight for rooms in my house. Usually, they learn to share.
@Nina, are you up in Maine working at my dream job?? Thank you for turning us onto MaryAnne’s shop– Magical Scraps. What a perfect name- just perfect! And, an adorable shop. I wish I could sew like her. I need to go skiing in Breckenridge so I can visit. Okay, back to what’s really got me curious–which specialty food store in Maine? Share, please! It’s funny, I find myself making grammatical errors in this reply and I’m sweating them. I think, oooh, a copywriter, I’ll bet she’s memorized Strunk and White. Speaking of, don’t you just love the illustrated, red-cover version of the Elements of Style? Okay, enough. I’m off to roll out pizza dough.
June 30th, 2010 at 7:40 am
@Kim – Yes, you MUST ski Breckenridge. Let me know when you go & I’ll go with you. Breckenridge has the BEST shops and downtown ever! I’ve spent many a late afternoon there – after the slopes close, of course! But you will love the skiing too – lots of terrain from easy to difficult, so there is something for everyone. We found the coolest little off-the-beaten-track place in 2009 where they have live music each night. LOVED it! And don’t EVEN get me started on the hip, yummy places to eat. HEAVEN!
How did the pizza turn out? Despite making it frequently, I am now sold on a recipe/tips I saw in Cooking Light a couple of summers ago. My trick: pre-cook the crust for @10 minutes at 500 degrees, THEN put on the toppings. Cook for @7 minutes more for pizza perfection… Summer veggies are tops on my list for pizza topings now, especially fresh Johns Island tomatoes… YUM!
June 30th, 2010 at 11:49 am
@Kim – Eck…The pressure! I fret over grammar, and can’t get enough of style books
(happy to see your appreciation for the red book!), and I especially enjoy reading good writing, such as yours. But, I try to keep Kerouac in mind when making sure I understand how it all works; “I never delighted much in contemplating commas and colons, or in spelling or measuring symbols.” On that note… Yes, indeed working my dream job as well! I just started working at Stonewall Kitchen in York, ME. (Stonewallkitchen.com). I feel very lucky! I lived in Breckenridge for five years. It is a fantastic town in an absolutely majestic part of the country. Summers are spectacular as well. I worked in the ski industry then. Check out the Minturn Market (where Maryanne started) if you go in the summer. “Farmers Market” but really a craft market since fruits and vegetables are a bit hard to grow in the dry climate of the high-country. Keep up the great writing! Your description of summer was wonderful and I really enjoyed your story about Chef in Editor!
July 1st, 2010 at 4:38 am
@Kelly, hooo, just the thought of those high Colorado mountains makes my head swoon. I know I want to see them. But can I actually ski them? It’s possible!
I still make pizza about once a week here. Now that tomatoes are ripening up, I’ll start to make a quick homemade sauce along with the dough. I experiment with my dough almost every time I make it. And truly, it comes out about the same no matter what I try. I want to incorporate more wheat flour, but it’s never Rich’s favorite dough. He loves the all white versions and we both love a thin crust. I love your idea about pre-heating the dough. I pre-heat my pizza stone, but there are always burn accidents when I’m not paying enough attention. Lately, I’m into roasted eggplant and goat cheese pizzas topped with fresh jalapeno. Pizza can be such a healthy meal– when it’s homemade. I’ve heard good things about those Johns Island tomatoes. Rebeca’s first job was working at a tomato farm in Mt. Pleasant. Lowcountry tomatoes are huge down there, aren’t they?
@Nina- Stonewall Kitchen?! Ah, you are a lucky duck. Of course, I would end up trading my paychecks for cases of Stonewall Roasted Garlic Onion jam and Fig and Ginger jams. In fact, looking around, I’m kinda surprised I don’t have any of your jars on my shelves right now. I need to go shopping!
July 1st, 2010 at 8:02 am
Kim, YES YOU CAN SKI THEM! No doubt about it. There are plenty of runs for you to do that won’t test your resolve or potentially mess up your dental work, I promise!
Gregg & I are thin crust people too – crisp & airy. Love the idea of roasted egg plant, goat cheese & jalapeno. I am a big fan of goat cheese. Have you tried White Wheat flour for pizza crust? I use the King Arthur brand, and it is terrific. Can’t really tell that it isn’t white flour after baking – it looks more like unbleached flour than wheat. Yet you still get the benefit of lots more fiber & such.
Tomatoes here ARE huge! I didn’t used to eat tomatoes at all (too mushy for my taste) but since I’ve been a Lowcountry girl for over a dozen years now, I have been converted. Nothing like a caprese salad with fresh basil from the garden to make a girl’s heart sing! If only I could grow my own tomatoes… But alas, between the deer & the raccoons, only herbs survive in my garden. Lucky for me there is a wonderful farmer’s market a couple of miles away, so I haunt it all summer long & bring home basketfuls of fresh veggies. YUM!
July 2nd, 2010 at 5:38 am
One bag of White Wheat Flour. Check. I’ve heard about it, but haven’t sought it out, yet. It sounds too good to be true, but I believe you- you always know these great little tidbits. So hallelujah for today, because this little piggie is going to the market! And most all of all – hallelujah for a long holiday weekend. Happy, happy Fourth of July!