Vroom, Vroom

"I've got to get back to 1985!"

Yep, that's right...the DeLorean is back, and Houston engineer Stephen Wynne is making it happen. And in the spirit of DIY, he's building the new cars from scratch. The "new" DeLoreans will feature approximately 80% newly fabricated parts made in Wynne's shop in Humble. The rest of the parts will be prefab or from original DeLoreans.

If you want to read a bit more, check out this article on Fox News or visit the DMC Houston website.

I was sick yesterday...

...and didn't post. So here's a double whammy for you (to make up for my slacking).
San Marcos designer Kaite Wallace likes all things pink and imperfect. She takes vintage fabrics, beads, bags, and more and remakes them into pretty little things to wear and carry. I discovered her at a show here in Houston, and even though she's not from here, I thought I'd post her anyway. San Marcos isn't too far away...

Kaite's line is called Katinka Pinka, and it's available through Etsy.

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Working in both watercolor and oil, Houston artist Selma Cooper's current work is focused on creating oil renderings of flowers. But these flowers aren't your ordinary still life...they're big and bold, and they are really more of a study in texture, color, and shape than actual flowers. But that's why they're so cool.

Cooper's painting can be found in the Reef Gallery in Key Largo, FL and Sheldon Fine Art gallery in Naples, FL; her work is also available through her website.

On the Event Calendar - "2nd Saturday Shopping Spree"

If you don’t already have plans for this Saturday (and even if you do!), come out to the Midtown Farmers Market for the “2nd Saturday Shopping Spree” event.

Houston Craft Mafia members Feto Soap and Rara Avis (that’s me!) will be there with tables full of handmade goodness. I’ve got new notebooks from the Inked and The White Tree stationery lines, new Signature notecards, and fun summer jewelry from EUTECTIC. Lisa from Feto Soap will have lotion bars, shea butter lip balm and handmade soaps. Come by and say hello.

The Market runs from 8am - 12pm on Saturdays at t’afia restaurant (3701 Travis & W. Alabama), rain or shine. See you there!

I used to be a gamer

Seriously...don't laugh! Now I'm too busy with other stuff (though I still can spend the entire weekend parked in front of my PS2), but I still like to remember the good old days. Like when I used to read a lot of comic books...
I ran across Houston artist Mark Lyons's profile on TalentDatabase.com the other day and thought I'd share. Besides creating some awesome surreal artwork, his pen and ink drawings are excellent and superbly detailed. And what really caught my eye is that he illustrates comic books (a personal fave...my 2nd cousin used to pen The Amazing Spider-Man).

Mark has a comic book/graphic novel coming out this Fall called The Plague Doctor. To find out where to purchase his comics or any of his other artwork,visit his MySpace page or take a look at his Talent Database profile.

Craft for a cause

From the Women's Home of Houston Website:

Be Creative & Benefit The Home

Do you enjoy creating beautiful and imaginative gifts? Are you “the crafty one?” If so, HomeWorks is for you.

HomeWorks gives volunteers and friends the opportunity to create custom gift baskets, boutique items and specialty foods. These exceptional gifts are sold at corporate and church fairs and auxiliary events. All proceeds benefit The Home and support our growth.

Every Thursday of the month, this group meets at 607 Westheimer. A willingness to help others and have fun is all that’s needed. Everyone works on the same project, and instruction is available. And if you want to help, but making crafts isn’t one of your strengths, positions are also available on our “sales” team at local shows and bazaars.

The Women's Home of Houston was founded in 1957 as a part of the United Way charity group. Residents live in the either the Home's dormitory, one of four transitional houses, or "A Room of Her Own Apartments." Also on campus is a non-denominational chapel, the administration offices, the Life Learning Center and the Cottage Thrift Shop. Residents of the Women's Home receive clinical care (including a substance abuse program) and vocational training.

For more information about the Women's Home, or to donate or join, visit their website, email them, or call 713.521.3150. To apply to be a part of the HomeWorks program, or to donate goods or services to their fashionable and crafty charity events, contact Marcia Tapp, Director of Volunteer Services & Community Outreach, at 713.328.1975.

Rara Avis to be a part of September's "The Sampler"

Okay, so if you don't know what "The Sampler" is, then here's the quick rundown. You make stuff, you send stuff to The Sampler, the Sampler sends you a great little package of handmade goodies and information. Even if you don't make stuff, you can still subscribe for a small fee. Then you just get to sit on your couch and wait for your package of goodies. How cool is that??

I decided to participate for the September package. I'm sending in 50 pair of medium charm hoops (Made of brass... You want gold? Go buy it!) from my EUTECTIC line, so if you subscribe, you may be one of the lucky people that get my sample. I'm planning on continuing to send in stuff (maybe a charm for the hoops next time, or a handmade holiday card), so stay tuned.

Cheers.

Order up!

Thought I'd brag a bit on who else...me! Here's my first order packed up and ready to go out to Hella Good. If you haven't been by their shop, take a peek. They have some REALLY cute indie stuff.Or you could wait until the end of next week to visit (b.c my stuff will be there ready for you to buy!). Cheers.

Let's get Kinky

Love him or hate him, Kinky Friedman is Texan to the core. And now he's got another product for his fans to scramble for: cigars. I couldn't find a logo graphic worth a darn, so you'll have to put up with this one...
Kinky was at the Sugar Land Town Square last night promoting his new line, but alas, I was out playing soccer and had to miss it. Too bad. The line will soon be available online at his store (the place for all things Kinky).

Get your mind out of the gutter.

"Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens..."

"...these are a few of my favorite things." And here are some Beadiful Things for you:
Houston artists and mommy-prenuer Ann Westby has been handcrafting jewelry since 2001. Born and raised in the Netherlands (which no doubt influences her simple, pretty style), she studied journalism in Boston and then finally landed here in H-town.

Ann markets her handmade jewelry on her Etsy shop, Beadiful Things. She recently added Buttons on Ice Cream, where she sells buttons and pins that she makes with her button machine (a recent super fun gift). Besides on the web, Beadiful Things jewelry is available at Oolala in the Heights (833 Studewood, Houston, TX 77007 - (713) 862-9800).

Resources for networking

I've recently joined two online community sites that have helped me find new Houston artists and crafters to post about. Here's the info:

Spacetaker.org
This online community for Houston artists lets you build a free profile and link back to your website. Free is good, linking is good...this site is just plain good!! I've found so many cool people from this site, I can't wait to post about them!

I really like two things about this site.

1. You can browse by artist TYPE (i.e. jewelry, art car maker, chef, musician...). And they include all kinds of art types, not just visual. good for us who aren't considered typical "artists."
   
2. It has an awesome calendar to which you can post your events and openings. People looking for art in Houston can see where you're going to be. How cool is that?

Here's a link to my profile if you want to see what one looks like.


TalentDatabase.com
The title says it all...this is a database for talent. Photographers, musicians, models, designers, and artists can create free profiles and network. I found Marilyn Cassidy and Sophisticated Bitch there, and I've got a few more people to post about coming up. You can search by city and by type, which is neat. Plus, they let you put up a lot of artwork.

Networking is an important part of the DIY and indie communities. Since our advertising budgets are generally low, we have to create our own buzz and followings. Putting profiles out there is one way to do it.

Now get busy and go network! :) Cheers.

How to Make Money at Craft Fairs and Shows

This is a neat article I found on digg. It has a lot of info that I already knew, but some that I didn't. Good reference material.

read more | digg story

You Rock!

You rock...you are a rock. Or at least you could be...Houston artist Bonnie Blue knows that women rock. She can pick up a smooth stone and give it a face...literally! In addition to "paper weight" type rocks, Bonnie uses smaller stones to create jewelry. She also creates custom items for the home and other wardrobe accessories.

Her cute characters and wacky women are the perfect gift for someone who needs a little pick-me-up (or just has a great sense of humor). No two are ever alike! Visit her website to order.