Fabulous Finds Friday!

Being that it's now the holiday season, I thought I'd start posting up some awesome stuff I've been seeing on that thar new fangled World Wide Web (yes, an Alton Brown quote). This will be a weekly thing to share with all in case they haven't seen it already (^_^) Let's begin!

For those that are totally into cowls, and possibly make their own, here is a rustic cowl pattern by Faima Othman. She's designed a slew of patterns for the everyday crafty fashionista that takes the time to make the look rather than spend the money. She has great deals on all of her designs so go check out her Etsy store!

Also from Etsy:

Jay C. of Contradictions Jewelry has simple hand-crafted jewelry that look like they belong in a store in Soho! This feathered chain maille like piece was what caught my eye. People are still wearing long chains with a major focal point at the very end and this piece can work for anyone! Her prices are great and shipping is affordable. She also has other accessories like earrings, cuffs and extensions that she all makes herself so go check her out and show some support for a local crafter

I am a yarn fiend, a fiend with the need for free patterns so I know I'm not alone. Bernat sent an email out about their new collection "Mosaic" and send this as well:

I flipped through this and had to get the patterns. The pattern on the cover is for their Crazy Eights Shawl but there are other patterns like the Bobble Beret and the Basic Cap that are easy patterns to follow for anyone to use.

Practically every woman is in search of that perfect bag. Personally, I don't think there is one and if we do find one, it'll get work down or something wrong will happen to it to cause you to look for another one. It's a vicious cycle but we can try to help that by making one of these:

Francine Toukou has these seriously fabulous boutique-style patterns that really should be in a store in Soho. The Oversized Tote was too good to resist so I purchased the pattern through Ravelry and it's on my bucket list of things to make for myself in the future. She also has these adorable Slipper Bundles in her Ready-to-Wear collection just in time for the holidays. I might cave in and buy a pair for myself for Christmas!

Stay warm, my friends, because staying thirsty could mean that something's wrong :o

Happy crafting!

The Next Great Showing!

NYAF was great. We did some good business there. of course, not as much as one would ever hope but still, a good experience. Now, it's time to move onto the next. Two Squash Cafe will be at the American Legion's Holiday Craft Fair! 

We will have some of the things that were at our table and more! Some things that will not be available for sale at this event will be the suicide chains and hats. This is a family event so I do have to dumb down the strange a bit. However, we will  have some great bargains and be with others who are bringing their hand crafted goodness to you. So if you're in NYC that day, take a trip to Queens and come on by. It's a one-day event that is worth checking out and maybe, just maybe, you can get some holiday shopping done, too :)

Surviving a Con as a Newbie (sorta)

Omg we made it! New York Comic Con/ New York Anime Festival is THE biggest con in NYC and it was the first time working it without partnering with ATNYC. Since the beginning of this convention, my sister, Tina, and I had always been just plain old attendees walking the long walks thru each and every aisle seeing everyone's offerings. Last year, I agreed to work with ATNYC to share a table under said name and test the waters of how things were. Since then, I've wanted to be a vender. Yes, I got to see screenings as a plain ol' attendee, but I felt it was time to move on and so did Tina.

Let me tell you, my sister and I were freaking out. We took a week off from work to work on things to sell b/c, thanks to dad, we were ingrained with the notion that we needed to have more, that what we had wouldn't be enough. So Friday (one week before NYCC/NYAF) thru to Tuesday, we were cranking out product. Tina worked hard on making our table sign:



We had gotten a chip board set on clearence so it saved a load of time. Add in scrap booking paper I had saved a while back and bam! a table sign was born :D The con was letting pros and artists come in starting that Tuesday but we decided to go in Wednesday and set up:


I'd like to thank scrapbookers everywhere and The Martha (Stewart) for helping me in making this garland sign possible. Without the awesomeness of the scrapbooking section, I don' t know what would have come of that side. We were the first artists to arrive and you can see in the back the few others that made it in after us. So we worked a demo, felt good with what we had, took a pic and put it all away. Being the first con we were working, we didn't feel comfy enough to leave everything out just yet.

Thurday was the first day of the con and was only open to VIP pass holders, press and pros (exhibitors/artists). The alley we were in wasn't open to the public and according to the email we got, we only had till 12:30 that afternoon to finish up then gtfo. We walked around, visited our awesome artist friend Echo Chernik, buy a few things we either never got to get last year or new things that came this year. Then, with a keen eye, Tina saw people walking upstairs in our alley. We were like "Omg no they didn't just let someone upstairs." We got our poker faces on and went to investigate. Turned out they were letting artists come in and set up. Made sense since some poeple probably couldn't come till that day. So we worked on our setup again and placed a bedsheet over it for a table cover. Yea, a bedsheet with little red roses on it. Someone further had a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles bedsheet over theirs so, it's all good :)


Day 1 of the Anime Artist Alley! We finally made it past the starting gate and our table was loaded with stuff. That's me sitting behind the table with a serious frow going on. I was working on hats b/c the supplier made our order in by the skin of everyone's teeth.

It was a little slow that day but we did make some sales. While we did get placed by the front for everyone to see, we got the "let's go see what else is here and we'll come back" from lots of people. While that was a little discouraging, people I knew came by and gave praise so that felt good. Even saw a couple of coworkers I didn't expect to see there! That was awesome.

Day 2 and 3 brought us to the realization that, yes, we needed to change things up on our layout. I was now well hidden working on more hats b/c that seemed to be the thing that sold the most and it was the thing I didn't have enough of.

My sister's side of the table was much more like a bakery than my choppy jalopy side of little bits and bobs but it did reflect out products. Felt foods is what she does.
This is a shot of how we had them Day 1 and and you can see from above, we learned that bigger is better. She had those wicker baskets for ages and they finally got used.
Day 2 definitely brought us the most business, including this custom request. Cupcake by Tina, mounting it on the headband by me. it was a good thing I packed ribbon I hadn't used yet b/c they worked fantabulously with the cupcake. She was very pleased.

Overall, we were pleased. No, we didn't sell everything but no one ever does. Proof positive that making more of something means it may not sell out while making not enough of something means it will. I think I'd have to thank dad for that philosophy. He tends to do that at his job and all we can do is *smh* when mom tells us so. Anyway, other things we learned:

• Being in the front may not have been the best place to be but placement is something that's out of our control. We can only hope that next year we'll be given someplace in the middle.
• Layout is important. We ended up taking down some of the displays we brought b/c we ran out of room and some ended up not working out in the end. We really shoulda worked on that better and now we know.
• Having enough change on the last day is muy importante! Stupid coin toss told us to stick with $20 in change. Last time we listen to Washington again. Luckily, people came with just enough from time to time so we didn't have to bug the nice guys at the table next to us. Never ignore that gut feeling!
• Portable table! Working on a sliver of your sales table just doesn't cut it.

All in all, we did good for our first time rocking a convention. Our next event (hopefully) will be the American Legions' Holiday Crafts Fair next month. A rep from Cook's Crafts had come by our table and invited to attend. Also, the organizer of Roc-Con invited us to be venders ao we're working out plans for that. Only good things can come from now on! Bring it! >D

Finally! Direcroty Info for NYAF!

Good news, people! I finally found out where we will be in the NYAF Artist Alley. Table E1, according to the chart they emailed me, is one of the fisrt 4 tables at the entrance for the area :D So if you're attending the con, come by, say hi and see if we got something you like. Totally psyched! Just 3 more weeeks!

Editorial: Is Fashion Journalism Dead?

**Original posting on Daily Fashion Report's Blog**

DFR Daily Fashion Report for Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Editorial: Is Fashion Journalism Dead?
Informed vs Uninformed Criticism: Who Needs It?

Do designers care or even want anyone reporting on their shows who has an experienced & educated eye that really looks at the clothes, how they are made, fitted and presented? Sure, there are plenty who write about the shows - the Internet is awash with these so-called journalists expressing their opinions about this designer or that one. But what of all these opinions? Is everyone an expert who has an opinion? What is the difference between informed and uninformed criticism? Should someone with 20 years experience covering the shows be of equal weight with someone whose only experience in fashion is viewing collections on the Internet? If the editor with 20 years experience gets a 1000 readers a day and the 16 year old blogger gets 10,000 a day is the blogger's content better informed or more valuable?

"Sorry but due to the great demand, we cannot not accommodate your request for tickets this season". - KCD

Critical review of collections is an essential. Good criticism helps point out the areas of strength and the areas of weakness in a given collection. This feedback helps the designer grow and develop. But, these days, everyone is an expert. Informed opinion is lost in a sea of uninformed opinion that permeates magazines and the Internet disguised in clever graphics, snarky tweets and celebrity worship.

Frankly, most designers are not interested in someone who is in a position to really judge the quality of their designs. What good does it do them? It is just another opinion among so many. Just look at any major NY show and you will see who is considered of real importance. The front rows are filled with celebs, socialites, family, close friends and those editors of status deemed friendly to the designer. Hardly a critical audience. The designer is preaching to the choir.

There was a time when the out-of-town press would come in to cover and review the shows for their readers. These full-time paid fashion writers took their jobs seriously and expressed their approval or dismay over what they saw on the runway. They also provided serious feedback to the designer. But, over the past 10 years, most of them are gone now. They do not come in because they are not invited. Why, because their opinion is no longer wanted. Why should a designer risk negative press? No press is better than negative press.

So, in their place, the rooms are now filling with 20-something year old fashion bloggers (and even younger) with mostly dubious credentials and questionable taste, junior staff members of major magazines (how many depending upon how much the designer spent on advertising in the magazine), pr firm "favorites" with no direct relationship to fashion other than they are well connected, sponsors' friends, and more and more these days paying ticket holders who have deep pockets.

Besides Cathy Horyn, and maybe Robin Givhan, in New York where is the cadre of "informed" independent writers who cover the designer collections? Even WWD, being owned by Conde Nast, is alway suspect of playing up those designers who advertise the most in their other fashion books. Who dares speak for fear of not being invited next season? Designers and their publicists have to put up with some of the big national press, but for the rest of us it is: "Sorry but due to the great demand, we cannot not accommodate your request for tickets this season".

-Ernest Schmatolla

I have to agree with Mr. Schatolla on this subject. I understand that celebs are the walking ad boards for designers. What they wear is supposed to set the trends of the streets. Where have all the independant writers gone? I did a few locan fashion shows so I was more concerned with press than "omg what if X is actually going to show up?" Really? Like, since when was is okay to wear bootie shorts outside the clubs and have your ass cheeks and boxers out for all the world to see? My sister got flashed one day on the bus and you call that fashion? If looking like jail bait and walking around with the prison calling card that you want it in the back fashion, then bring on the zombies! We're ready for anything now. Just the last few days, women are wearing burnout tees with nothing underneath but their bra. When did that happen? it's bad enough I can see the print and color of a bra under a regular bra but a different thing to see it as clear as eye-searing day.

Call me a little old fashion, but certain things just should not be worn during certain times of the day. It seems that, thanks to popular media like the music industry and celebrities, it's okay to go to school like you're ready for the clubs. Yes, I went to a fashion school and that corta thingis expected. I knew a girl that came every day looking like at any moment she would be needed to walk the cat walk but to see kids that go to normal schools dressed "like they grown", as a coworker put it, bothers me. When I was their age, we had a dress code. Now, the dress code seems to be just how "fly" I can look. Girls look like they're asking to be attacked and guys are walking around like they "hood" enough. And when I think about it, if I had to choose the fashion of now and what I wore back in the day (my day being all black, chains, spikes and the stuff that labeled me "goth" even though I got along with everyone) then I choose to put my platforms and ripped fishnet stockings back on than have my ass cheeks hanging out and risk twisting my ankle (again) for the sake of looking like I'm in.

Mr. Schmatolla's article just raised the point that I have felt for the ages: who really does say it's okay to look like a skank hoe at 6 o'clock in the morning when you're on the way to school or work or where ever? With the exception of select locations, I really, really REALLY don't need your cheese searing my retina's so early in the morning before I've had at least 2 cups of coffee to restrain myself from telling you off.

NOTE: No, I don't know Mr. Schatolla nor to I work for DFR but their opinions matter to me and his article merely inspired me to write/ vent and say, "finally! an authority that speaks truth!" if you feelthe same, go follow DFR. If not, continue to be one with the flock and jump off that cliff like the lemming that some of the population seems to be.

Bracelet Demo 8/30!

So, I got an email from someone at the Bead Corner Academy informing me that a demo was scheduled at my store. I assume all instructors get similar ones so I dunno if it's in all Michaels locations or just mine. What I can tell you is that I will be doing this demo! :D

Location: Michaels (808 Columbus Ave.)

Date & Time: Tuesday, August 30th @ 6pm

The demo involves showing how to make a memory wire bangle and informing people on what they can learn when they sign up for a class. The photo below is an example of what I'd be doing that night. It's a 1-hour demo and I know it's after work but I hope that some of you will be able to make it :)

Jewelry Classes for September

Hello!

Xmas may be the last thing on anyone's mind but what's better than a gift made with love and thought? Sign up and learn how to make simple jewelry for yourself and your loved ones. What first may seem simple will show you techniques that can go beyond what you may think.

Fundamentals of Wire Wrapping:

Make simple yet elegant dangling earrings!

Sunday 9/4, 9/11, 9/18, 9/25 at 12pm-2pm
Monday 9/5, 9/12, 9/19, 9/26 at 5pm-7pm

Fundamentals of Crimping:

Learn how to make a necklace with the illusion of floating beads!

Sunday 9/4, 9/11, 9/18, 9/25 at 3pm-5pm
Wednesday 9/7, 9/14, 9/21, 9/28 at 7pm-9pm

Fundamentals of Bead Stringing:

Use color and visual techniques to make a lovely memory wire bracelet!

Sunday 9/4, 9/11, 9/18, 9/25 at 5pm-7pm
Friday 9/2, 9/9, 9/16, 9/23, 9/30 at 5pm-7pm

Remember, I will be teaching out of the Columbus Ave. store located between 99th and 100th st. You will need to go in person to sign up but you will receive a syllabus and all the supplies listed in it will be available in-store. You can call them at 212-865-0814 and store hours are Monday -Saturday from 9am-9pm and Sunday 10am-7pm.