Last year, we didn’t get to post all the Q&As of vendors who participated in the 2007 Crafty Bastards fair, so here they are now!

This blog is no stranger to the exuberance that is the Peacock Blue Design Studio. The studio is known for its gorgeous collection of feathered hairpieces, cocktail hats and flamboyant coutures. Though the pieces can range anywhere from goth to cocktail to burlesque to pretty in pink, they are unified by a touch of class that makes the accessories downright fit for royalty.

Wendy took a moment to chat with us, and even provided an update in her own words about her upcoming shows!

“Right now my primary project is creating a new line of lavish couture burlesque ensembles for the Convergence fashion show in Ybor City Florida this August. The theme for the outfits is a secret at the moment. I want to make everything a huge surprise for the show.

I also have some local events coming up over the next couple of months. One is vending at DC’s “Goth Prom” on May 22nd at the TOWN nightclub. Another is a fashion show for Exposureon June 5th at club LIV.

My newest lineup on the table for the boutique is a limited edition series of handmade latex millinery flowers for fascinators and hats. I had a recent client request some hairpiece and wigs with latex floral elements to match the latex clothing that was being made for her. So, I transferred what I usually do with fabric to a latex format. I am really excited about the results, and I’m looking forward to unveiling them on the website very soon.”

1. How long have you been making things?

I have been making things since I was at least three or four years old. I come from a pretty creative background. My grandmother sewed clothing for her family and people in the community, and I used to watch her while she made things on her sewing machine. My mom also did a lot of sewing for us as kids, and she has also done ceramics, rubber stamping, tole painting, etc. My Aunt Lynn makes handcrafted cards and jewelry, and has done handmade candy, decorated cakes and all sorts of other fabulous things that have inspired me all my life.”

2. What is your earliest/favorite crafting memory?

The thing I recall doing first is making little illustrated books. I would write little stories and then draw illustrations to accompany the stories and bind it all together. Since I was only almost four years old and still learning how to read and write, most of the first stories were spelled phonetically. The spelling improved quite a bit after first grade, though!

3. Why do you make things?

It’s my creative outlet. My day job is kind of dry and very scientific, so making accessories allows me to express the more
imaginative side of my brain. It helps me feel balanced as a person. I consider my creations to be my children, so it is often very hard to part with them for the boutique. I always want to make sure that my creations get good homes where they’ll be appreciated and well cared-for.

4. What sort of things do you make?

For the boutique I create outrageous ornamental accessories, ranging from huge sculptures of hair and odd adornments to cocktail sized hats decorated with feathers to wee little pasties with tassels. I also do some card making around the holidays and for special occasions, because a handmade card really expresses how much you care about someone. I also make clothing for myself and a couple of my friends, although I’ve never ventured into a retail market with my clothing designs because I’m finicky about fit and sizing. I prefer to create and market accessories because they’re usually one size fits everyone!

5. Any success stories you’d care to share?

One of my wigs was featured with an article in Italian Vogue magazine in 2006, which is a pretty neat accomplishment.

6. Inspirations?

My hero is Elsa Schiaparelli. She was one of the most innovative, creative and courageous designers in all of history. Schiap pioneered the fashion show as we know it today, with all of the wild and crazy antics on the runway. I also draw a lot of inspiration from historical and vintage clothing. I have a shamefully huge collection of books about the history of fashion.

7. Craft supplies you can’t live without?

I always need hair, feathers, fabric and Swarovski crystals.

8. Describe your work area (photos please!)

Well, it’s definitely too small, mostly due to the fact I’ve decreased the room size by installing wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling cabinets around the room to store all of my supplies. Despite the cabinets, it still isn’t enough storage, as I’ve been crowded out by supplies and finished pieces that I’ve been compelled to keep. I’m also a packrat and compulsive “nabber” - anytime I see something with potential for a project I tend to nab it and hang on to it until I’ve found the perfect idea for it. One of these days I hope to have a larger studio.

9. Family? Pets? Plants?

I have a younger brother and a younger sister, but no pets or plants.

10. Favorite color or pattern?

My favorite color is peacock blue.

11. Have you been a Crafty Bastard before?

The September 2007 show was my first year as one of the Crafty Bastards.

12. Tell us about other crafters you love and your favorite handmade
purchases.

One of my favorite purse designers is Jenae Michelle of Range of Emotion. I purchased one of her bags from her Torpedo Factory studio. It has the most amazing construction! It is so sturdy I would feel confident carrying a few bricks in it. I also love how she uses recycled and vintage fabrics to construct her bags.

Another favorite of mine is Ellita’s Flying Snail. She makes the most exquisite hand-knit collars, hats and scarves. I’ve collected quite a few of her pieces, and I am looking forward to adding more to the growing collection.

13. Would you like to include a HOW-TO for the blog?

I would absolutely love to write a HOW-TO for the blog as soon as I think of something really nifty with widespread appeal. I’m one of those people who is better with a demonstration than a written description of how to do something. So, it will have to be a pictoral demonstration of the how-to!

14. What is one thing everyone should know how to do themselves?

Everyone should know how to sew on a button and hem a pair of pants.

Last year, we didn’t get to post all the Q&As of vendors who participated in the 2007 Crafty Bastards fair, so here they are now!

Art School Dropout is aptly named, as its creations seem to exude irreverence for everything formulaic, and to embrace, instead, a love for all colors and creatures that tickle the momentary fancy. These creatures include everything from hot pink octopi to the delightful “Funny Little Man” (pictured below).

According to Jessee Maloney, making crafts helps to calm the mind and keep her fingers happy. All hand-cast plastic pieces are made in-house with handmade silicone molds. All embroidered bags are hand-drawn on the computer, stitch by stitch, and also embroidered in-house on Maloney’s own personal machine. To see more Art School Dropout crafts, visit the website, where you can even get gift certificates!

Art School Dropout

1. How long have you been making things?

As a business… almost 4 years now - otherwise I’ve been making things my entire life, my mom and grandma made sure I knew how to sew at a young age and they both did art projects with me all the time.

2. What is your earliest/favorite crafting memory?

My earliest crafting memory is of making little dolls out of my mom’s scrap fabric, I would sew them up in weird shapes and put little ribbon and scrap fabric cloths on them. They always fell apart since I wasn’t that great at sewing. Sometimes I wouldn’t even make the dolls, I’d just made little clothes to go on my fingers and basically have finger puppets.

3. Why do you make things?

It’s very calming for me. I’ve been told many times that I’m a happier person when I get to make things all the time, and my husband says it’s my therapy.

4. What sort of things do you make?

I make jewelry, small accessories, handbags, pouches, stuffed toys, pillows, screen printed things, embroidered items (hand and machine embroidered) plus loads of other stuff… not all for my business, and I ALWAYS want to learn to do more. I get very fidgety if I can’t learn something new every so often.

6. Inspirations?

I love colorful Japanese art, clothes and toys. Plus I really love the simple designs of the 60’s and 70’s. And lately I noticed that I get a lot of inspiration from my two little sisters. When making my jewelry I think, “Would Ashley or Cori wear this?”

7. Craft supplies you can’t live without?

My sewing machine, scissors, wire, x-acto knife and 3-in-1 pliers.

8. Describe your work area.

My work area use to be my entire house, and it was a horrible mess!!! I feel very embarrassed to even own photos of that. I seriously work on 5-10 projects at once! But now since I just got married and we’re trying to save up for a house, I’ve had to down grade. I now work in a 4′x6′ area at the end of my bed in my bedroom. It consists of a table, two bookshelves and a bunch of drawers. In that area I make all my jewelry and package orders. I do all my casting and sewing in the basement. In 2 months I’ll have a proper craft room that I’ll probably want to show off.

9. Family? Pets? Plants?

I don’t have any pets but I do have a husband named JC. He’s extremely supportive of what I do, and always jokes that one day he’ll be able to quit his job and I’ll support him. And anyone who’s ever seen my booth at a show knows all about my little sister Cori who tags along to almost every show and even helps out! She’s a very crafty girl. She’s growing up though, so I don’t know how much longer she’ll think its ‘cool’.

10. Favorite color or pattern?

My favorite color right now is Teal, and my favorite patterns are Damask (old looking wallpaper pattern) and woodgrain.

11. Have you been a Crafty Bastard before?

I’ve done the show before… but I’m assuming that’s not what the question meant. Or is that what you’re asking?

12. Tell us about other crafters you love and your favorite handmade purchases.

The crafter I really love is Heidi of My Paper Crane. I own over 25 of her plush toys, plus I’ve bought even more as gifts, and Heidi is so talented and sweet. My other favorite is Danielle Maveal I LOVE her jewelry, I’m not normally a jewelry type of girl, but I wear her necklaces all the time. And she also is a very nice, talented person!

14. What is one thing everyone should know how to do themselves?

How to sew on a button, I’ve sewn so many buttons on people’s clothes over the years! It’s crazy. What would they do if I wasn’t there?

I have always felt like sort of a one trick pony when it comes to crafting. I gocco. I used to do other stuff, but when I got my Gocco Printer about 5 years ago, I stopped doing much else. Nothing matches it when it comes to ease of use. And my lifestyle only gives me small units of times with which to make stuff, so the Gocco makes sense.

But this past month, I decided to venture out and commit to two art projects that would require that I use up lots of Gocco screens and bulbs. Like, lots. This was getting expensive and stressful, so I decided it was time to learn something new. I started researching ways that I could transfer lots of words onto wood. Stories from my blog, twitter posts, all kinds of stuff. I wanted each piece to be relatively one of a kind, I wanted the freedom to be able to randomly make a piece of wall art the way I would jot down a note in my Moleskine notebook. I wanted to be break free from the Gocco.

A call to the factory where I was buying irregular bits of wood for these projects helped me discover the wood burning pen/tool. You know, the kind of thing that Boy Scouts use to draw deer heads on patches of leather? Apparently everyone’s older brother had one of these things. Still not sure what I am talking about? Here’s the page from the catalog that I ordered mine from:

You can totally pick these up at any craft store for about $35, but those places stress me out with all the scrap booking stuff, so I try to stay away! For about another $20, you can pick up a set of alphabet stamps! This was my first idea, to burn in my silliness one letter at a time. That was until the woman taking my order told me about the transfer tip for the tool. It sounded too good to be true. With the flat tip of the pen, one can transfer laser prints onto word, fabric, leather, whatever. Just reverse any text, heat up the pen to 750 degrees and you are in business!

My first night of learning was stressful. Here I am working on my first transfer:

And after about an hour of working on it, this is what I got:

Not great, but not bad either!

Note to self (and Crafty Blog readers): Do not ever try to learn a new craft 15 days before needing 40 new pieces for two different venues. Don’t do this to yourself. Even if the instructions on the box make it look like anyone can wield the wood burning/transfer tool, know that it is not this easy. And if you only have two hours a day to perfect your new craft, odds are you will not perfect it in time to actually finish said 40 pieces. Ok. End rant.

My second night of trying out the tool yielded slightly better results, if still not perfect. Here is a “finished” piece:

Each time I use the tool, I learn something new and get better at it. This past weekend I got some help with my twins and was able to work for about 3 hours uninterrupted and finished about 6 pieces (photos to come once Artomatic opens!).

I am energized by my ability to pick up something new and encourage everyone to step out of their crafting comfort zone and try something different.

What is your dream skill? Mine is actually quilting, oh my, who has time for that?

Tina Seamonster blogs her life and craft at http://www.ilikeseamonsters.com. The title of this blog is what she was burning into wood today.

It is totally too bad the Crafty Bastards application doesn’t require video submissions. Check out Cousin Loomis’ plea for Spooky Daddy to get into Crafty Bastards:

I would totally watch Sesame Street again if Cousin Loomis replaced Elmo. Ok, maybe not Elmo, maybe just Telly or Grover.

Are you making creative videos with your handmade goods? Be sure to share them with us by emailing us at craftyupdates@washingtoncitypaper.com.

Last year, we didn’t get to post all the Q&As of vendors who participated in the 2007 Crafty Bastards fair, so here they are now!

Readers of this crafty blog would probably agree there’s little that art + craft can’t do. For The Cupcake Girls, art + craft managed to keep a group of friends together as they traversed the Atlantic over the years. Consisting of 6 members, The Cupcake Girls’ story began in London where they first met in art school. They were determined to keep in touch through their work, and eventually set up shop (literally!) along the East Coast where they run their website and Etsy shop.

The Cupcake Girls create a diverse array of delicate, colorful, vintage and edgy, yet sweetly schoolgirlish goods. Starring Courtney England, Lillian Gu, Ann Higgins, Marilyn Steranko, Jenny Lyn Estil, Rachel Goldstein, The Cupcake Girls took a moment to answer some of our questions.

1. How long have you been making things?

Courtney: I’m not sure. I have always tried to make things. But it wasn’t until art school in London where it kicked in really.
Lillian: Since I was a little kid, around 5 or 6 years old.
Ann: Since elementary school.

2. What is your earliest/favorite crafting memory?

Courtney: Shrinky dinking and the Easy Bake Oven.
Lillian: Folding origami with my mom.
Ann: Pillows with scraps from my grandmother’s quilts

3. Why do you make things?

Courtney: I don’t know. Maybe nervous energy?
Lillian: Crafting really relaxes me. Initially, it was a way for me to relieve stress.
Ann: I like Inventing things

4. What sort of things do you make?

Courtney: notecards, necklaces, paper collages, doodles
Lillian: sewing kits, felt plushies, bulletin boards, wall art
Ann: tampon holders, pouches, pillows, and ribbon flowers

5. Any success stories you’d care to share?

Courtney: We have been around for almost a full year now (June 16th is our anniversary). We have Crafty Bastards ‘07 under our belt. We are aiming for 4 craft shows this season. So far we have been accepted to Richmond’s Spring Bada Bing and Brooklyn Renegade Craft Fair. We have also been in several blogs like poppytalk, cuteable, design sponge, modish which is super exciting!

6. Inspirations?

Courtney: Yoshitoma Nara, music, funny friends and artsy friends. Oh and my funny friends.

Lillian: My mom… She can knit, crochet, embroider, sew. I’ve always been in awe of her creative abilities and by how easy she makes it seem.

Ann: My grandmother. She loves to sew and makes quilts and pillows all the time.

7. Craft supplies you can’t live without?

Courtney: x-acto blade, cutting mat, PVA(glue), computer, pencils
Lillian: Felt, that’s my favorite
Ann: fabric…

8. Describe your work area (photos please!)

Courtney: It’s all over the place. When I see really orderly craft spaces I get real jealous.
Lillian: Painting at the kitchen table or stitching felt while on my comfy couch.
Ann: I converted my computer room Into a craft room

9. Family? Pets? Plants?

Courtney: I am cat sitting my parents’ cat, Sammy. I am also trying to keep some cat nip alive. And my boyfriend lives in England.

Ann: I live with my boyfriend and our 4 children, Tootie, Kittie, Peter, and Dexter (dogs and cats).

10. Favorite color or pattern?

Courtney: green and stripes
Lillian: pink, brown, florals
Ann: My fav color Is orange, but I don’t use It a whole lot

11. Have you been a Crafty Bastard before?

Courtney: Yep! We were proud bastards in 2007!
Lillian: I was a Crafty Bastard
Ann: Yep, we were last year…we hope to be one again. Yay!

12. Tell us about other crafters you love and your favorite handmade purchases.

Courtney: I have been following Frecklewonder for a few years now. She is my hero. Now that I know my way around etsy and flickr. I have many more heros on there too.

Lillian: I have a beautiful handmade tote, which was a gift, that I love love love!

13. What is one thing everyone should know how to do themselves?

Courtney: Everyone should know how to brush and floss their teeth as well as wipe their own ass, definitely!

Ann: Everyone should know how to sew a button on. Man, woman and child…everyone!

Vendor status notifications for the spring Crafty Bastards festival were sent via email this afternoon. If you completed an application, but don’t see the notification email from Crafty Bastards, please do the following:

1. Check your junk mail/spam folder. The email was sent from: Crafty Bastards
2. Still not there? Email craftybastards@washingtoncitypaper.com and let us know.

The Crafty Bastards jury judged a field of over 200 applications from crafters of all types and was limited to accepting approximately 60 vendors for the Silver Spring festival. Don’t be discouraged if you didn’t get in! Keep making things and applying for craft shows. Set up a shop on Etsy and tell people about it. The indie craft community continues to grow by leaps and bounds and we encourage everyone to keep on crafting!

Applications for Crafty Bastards DC will go up in May. Stay tuned.

Today is the last day to submit vendor applications for Crafty Bastards Silver Spring!

Not sure where to start? Check out previous blog entries for basic registration instructions and get application advice and hints from former Crafty Bastards jury members and vendors.

But hurry! All applications must be completed by midnight!

Last year, we didn’t get to post all the Q&As of vendors who participated in the 2007 Crafty Bastards fair, so here they are now!

Today we feature none other than Tina Seamonster, whose quirky ingenuity has contributed to Crafty Bastards in more ways than we can count. Tina gets her namesake from her fantastical world of zombies, cyber warriors, bunnies, and split-second Internet poetry that can leave imprints on your heart for days. She also acknowledges that pandas poop too much, and that tickles to no end.

In addition to her creations, Tina maintains a strong digital presence, providing helpful tips and how-to’s at the Crafty Bastards blog, sending out podcasts on cult sci-fi at Television Zombies, and keeping a colorful Etsy shop that pleases all of our aesthetic sensibilities.

1. How long have you been making things?
My baby book says, “At two, Tina drew her first pircture. She says it is a monster.” This says it all.

2. What is your earliest/favorite crafting memory?
Watching my grandfather make doll furniture out of clothes pins. I used to collect them for him, pick them up at the store as a kid, hundreds and hundreds. He made me a set of furniture with fabric that I picked out myself at around 8. The fabric was brown with little white stars. He was nearly blind, but sat for hours carving and glueing.

3. Why do you make things?
So that I won’t turn into someone I don’t like.

4. What sort of things do you make?
Shirts, cards, lots more.

5. Any success stories you’d care to share?
Every time you make something, it is a success. The act of being alive and not being a drone and adding someting interesting to the world is a success.

6. Inspirations?
Color and dreams and the funny small things in the world.

7. Craft supplies you can’t live without?
Gocco ink, bulbs and screens.

8. Describe your work area.
Kitchen table. Small corner beside the couch. Sad tiny spaces.

9. Family? Pets? Plants?
Twin two year olds. Husband. 10 year old Boston Terrier.

10. Favorite color or pattern?
Orange!

11. Have you been a Crafty Bastard before?
Every single year.

12. Tell us about other crafters you love and your favorite handmade purchases.
I really dig Rania Hassan and Sean Hennessey. They are super supportive and their work is just so thoughtful. My favorite handmade purchase are all from Glitterlimes. I get a new one each year for Xmas and they last and last and are so pretty. El Lohse is also amazing because her work is so colorful and inspired by t.v. and movies. Her paintings live right over my work space.

13. Would you like to include a HOW-TO for the blog?
See Tina’s Etsy and Gocco entries on the CB Blog.

14. What is one thing everyone should know how to do themselves?
Use a computer.

If you are looking for something to do this weekend in D.C., we’ve got a few suggestions.

On Friday, Crafty Bastard Matt Hollis will be showing a new free-standing sculpture in “The End of Nature” art exhibit at the Warehouse Gallery. About the show:

In this wide-ranging group exhibition, artists take a melancholy, hopeful and sometimes humorous look at what they will miss most after “The End of Nature.”

The End of Nature at the Warehouse Gallery
Opening Reception Friday, April 11th, 6-9pm
1017-1021 7th Street NW Washington DC
Metro: Mt. Vernon Square Green/Yellow Line

And Saturday, you can do some shopping over at The Shop at Civilian Spring Trunk Show.

About the shop:

Tucked in the back-office of Civilian Art Projects, The Shop presents Civilian visitors with a ‘curated shopping experience’ featuring hand picked items by local artists and designers.

Unique items available at the Shop include limited edition hand-printed tees, small works of art by local artists, limited edition art books, videos & dvds, letterpressed notecards, leather wristbands, silkscreened ties and scarves woven from recycled clothing.

Featured artists include Erik Jackson, Lisa Marie Thalhammer, Cynthia Connolly, Betsy Packard, Bookish Lady, FIsticuffs, Anita Walsh, Angela Jerardi, Linda Hesh and Richard Chartier (just to name a few!)

Many of the artists will be on hand to talk about their work at the trunk show.

The Shop [at] Civilian- Spring Trunk Show & Reception!!
Saturday, April 12- 11am – 4pm
406 7th St. NW (3rd floor)- Just 2 blocks from the Verizon Center and Chinatown Metro.
For more information call 202-347-0022

Join us at Quarry House Tavern on Monday, April 14th, 7pm-9pm, for a chance to ask questions and get advice on everything from vendor statements to application photos and other general tips to help make your vendor applications stand out.

We would love to see all you veteran Crafty Bastards who are interested in helping people with their applications and encourage anyone looking for an excuse to hang out with like-minded crafters to attend. Come out and enjoy the awesome beer selection and yummy food at Quarry House while we fill the place crafty chatter. No need to RSVP, just stop on by.

Where: Quarry House Tavern (8401 Georgia Ave. Silver Spring, MD)
When:Monday, April 14th from 7pm-9pm
Cost: Free!
Who should attend: Crafters in the DC area

Don’t forget! Application Deadline is next Wednesday 4/16!
Vendor applications are due next Wednesday, April 16 for Crafty Bastards Arts & Crafts Fair being held Saturday, June 28 at Pyramid Atlantic Arts Center in Silver Spring, MD. Apply today.