Sherry Insley of Dandelion Blu’s got a knack for divining the special qualities in everyday things and then turning them into precious adornments for your neck. Look out for her “Lace Collar” series at the Crafty Bastards festival this month! She’s added new colors since the last showing.

1. Is there a specific product that you will be selling at the fair that you would like to talk about?

I am re-introducing my “Lace Collar” series in different colors at Crafty D.C. I had a few at the Silver Spring show in light pink and light blue. I added white, black and a lovely light violet. They are enamel on copper with either silver or gun metal chains.

2. Does this product have an origin story? Did the idea come to you in a dream or through a portal or other strange way?

I have been working with lace but in a different application. Previously, I was using pieces of lace to screen the powdered glass through, resulting in a flat image of lace. One day while working in my studio I thought “why not try using the lace as a stencil, cut the copper out by hand and then enamel it- That won’t be time consuming!” I was picturing those crazy lace collars that ladies (and gents) wore in the Renaissance- with a modern twist. After several tries, a trip to the Dr. for a tetanus shot, and many misses, I got the right shape.

3. What famous personality (alive or dead, real or imagined) would most likely be found wearing/holding/admiring this product? Why?

Hmmmm, someone sort of girly but likes an edge, since it’s glass on metal. Maybe someone historical since the lace I used as the template was vintage. Marie Antoinette? She definitely was girly and liked her jewelry.

4. Convince me that this piece should be one of only 3 things I could take with me to a deserted island!

Well, you want to look good for your rescue, no? And if all else fails you could probably use the reflective qualities to start a small fire with, or signal passing planes. Bartering with natives????

I met a crafter the other night who asked me a really interesting question. How do you go from a “dabbler,” someone who makes all kinds of stuff to a crafter with a brand and a product line? How do you go from the early phases of making stuff to give to your friends as gifts to making stuff that you want to sell (and that people want to buy!)?

I thought I would ask some of this year’s Crafty Bastards vendors this question. First up is Tamara of Block Party Press. She uses hand carved stamps (blocks, hence the Block Party title) to create amazingly textured polymer clay jewelry.

Here you can see how her work has progressed. The pendant on the left is from 2006 and the one on the right is brand new.

Question: How long did it take for your product line to become what it is today?

Answer: It has taken about 2 1/2 years. I stumbled upon my signature technique quite by accident while trying to make myself a pendant I couldn’t find in the store. Around the same time I found Etsy and thought I would give it a try. I had been a stay at home mom for 3 years, and I had been trying to come up with a way to make some money so the planets aligned and I started Block Party Press. Honestly it was the right product at the right time. I wish I could say it was a brilliant scheme that I had planned all along, but it was just me jumping in with both feet hoping to make it work. I learned all of what I know now about selling my art by doing it.

Question: What did you start making at the very beginning?

Answer: In the beginning I was strictly making pendants. Basically I had very little jewelery making skills or supplies, so I worked with what I had and at the time I thought the majority of buyers were crafters, so I thought selling a “supply” rather than a finished piece would be more profitable. Eventually I have expanded to finished jewelry pieces and now I am moving into creating wall art and home decor items. I think it is important to always keep innovating. I am always trying to think of new products, new color combinations or new themes for my art. I am always working on something new and I think that keeps things fresh for both me and my customers.

Question: How did you know when you got it right?

Answer: Honestly, I didn’t know. I knew that I liked what I was making and I just hoped someone else would too. I knew that other people really liked what I made from sales and from comments from fellow artists and crafters. Their comments and support and customer feedback made me want to continue to improve and create new things.

Question: How did you know it was time to start selling your creations?

Answer: I think when I found a technique that worked for me, that I enjoyed making and a venue that worked for me I just couldn’t pass up the opportunity to try. I knew very little about the indie craft scene and have never been to art school, so I was pretty in the dark about the possibilities of selling my art and so my expectations weren’t very high. I also had the encouragement from family and friends which is always helpful.

Question: Final thoughts?

Answer: My main thoughts are make something unique, make it well, love making it and know your audience. Take a chance.

Tamara has a blog where she writes about her craft and her inspiration. I love how she is always examining texture. Check out http://blockpartypress.blogspot.com/

You can find (and buy!) some of Block Party Press’ work at the Crafty Bastards Arts and Craft Fair on September 28th. She is booth number 38.

If you would like to share your From Dabbler to… story, email Tina at craftyupdates@washingtoncitypaper.com

Take a trip to TLane’s Etsy store and you’ll find a candy shop for all ‘green’ shoppers. At the Crafty Bastards Festival, be on the look-out for her adorable canvas lunch bags!

1. Is there a specific product that you will be selling at the fair that you would like to talk about?

I’d like to tell you about my canvas lunch sacks because they are great for any green-minded person on the go! I use one everyday to carry my lunch to work. They are made out of cotton, washable canvas, and are 7″ wide by 10.5″ tall with a 4.5″ gusset. All of the stenciled designs are one of a kind (each lunch bag is unique).

2. Does this product have an origin story? Did the idea come to you in a dream or through a portal or other strange way?

Many of my lunch sacks feature utensils (knife, fork, spoon). I started using these because they remind me of signs on the highway notifying drivers that food is at an upcoming exit. I also create stencils featuring a bear with a giant fork or dropping/juggling fruit. They remind me of roadside attractions and oddities across America. I love road trips.

3. What famous personality (alive or dead, real or imagined) would most likely be found wearing/holding/admiring this product? Why?

Johnny Appleseed because he could easily transport his seeds in this sturdy sack. I think he would also really be impressed by the velcro closure and handle.

4. Convince me that this piece should be one of only 3 things I could take with me to a deserted island!

This sack would be very helpful if you were on a deserted island because you could collect food from the beach and the ocean in it. It is washable, so after collecting food you could wear it as a hat. Finally, if you found some soft grasses, you could stuff them inside, seal up the velcro and use it as a pillow at night.

From now until the fair, we’ll be spotlighting awesome items that you will find at this year’s Crafty Bastards. Check out the complete vendor gallery to plan your shopping!

Steve Strawn has a story to tell. It is a fascinatingly beautiful tale of robots kicking the crap out of us. Since he is the world’s only photojournalist war correspondent sending back photos from Great Robot War, I was lucky to get the chance to ask him a few questions about his photography. Here we go:

Question: How long does it usually take to set up a scene for your photos?

Answer: It can take from minutes to days, depending on the inspiration, complexity, and the amount of stuff needing to be blown up. In particular, if something is to be destroyed, the setup needs to be much more meticulous, because the ligthing needs to be exact.

Question: Are you constantly searching for new toys to use?

Answer: All the time. My wife is convinced it is an excuse to just go ahead and buy more toys. It kind of is.

Question: Your robots are very simple, unlike most toys in stores today, where do you get them?

Answer: They are from Stikfas, who makes these wonderfully unbranded and incredibly articulated toys. They are not Power Rangers, they are not Transformers, they are some ambiguous robot from another world who is perfectly posable.

Question: Do you build/make any of the items in your photos?

Answer: I am starting to build more of my figures. There’s a lot that goes into my shoots that is hand-built, and a lot that is store bought. I do want to get away from the store-bougth stuff more for creative and lawsuit reasons, though.

Question: Do you have a true fear of the kinds of attacks that you are creating in your photos? Are they therapy? (That question isn’t meant to be rude, most of what I make is about zombies, even though I am not afraid of zombies. I am really afraid of sharks and seamonsters, actually!)

Answer: Robot invasion scares the shit out of me. Zombies are scarier because they were once people, and now they are something else, and for some reason that is far more terrifying than an automaton that’s here to tear us up. That being said, a zombie can only do so much damage, a robot can blow shit up hard, and really wreck things badly. And yes, it is therapy.

You can pick up some of Steve’s work at Crafty Bastards on September 28th at the Marie Reed Learning Center, 2200 Champlain St NW, Washington, District of Columbia, DC. Check out more of Steve photos at www.splutphoto.com

Tina Seamonster blogs her life and craft at I Like Seamonsters.com. Her biggest fear is men with shark heads. What the hell does that mean?

From now until the fair, we’ll be spotlighting awesome items that you will find at this year’s Crafty Bastards. Check out the complete vendor gallery to plan your shopping!

One of the cutest new items that I saw at Crafty Bastards Silver Spring was the tiny Tofu for Obama plush by Chris Creatures. Not only is this tiny tofu cute, he includes a removable t-shirt and an Obama sign for rallies. He’s ready for campaigning!

Chris was nice enough to chat with me about this little guy.

Question: Where did this silliness come from?

Answer: I’m a huge Obama supporter, so for a long time I kept trying to think of how I could show my love. I’m also a big fan of tofu (fried, steamed, grilled, you name it, I eat it!). In my world, tofu would be an Obama supporter. I’ve made the tofu plush before, but he always seemed like he was missing something. I thought it would be funny to give him a sign and a removeable Obama t-shirt.

Question: You sold these at Crafty Silver Spring, what was the reaction?

Answer: I sold the Tofu for Obamas at Crafty Bastards in Silver Spring. It was fun to see people’s reaction to it. They stopped to laugh and take pictures. I made 30 of them for the fair. They sold out and then I took advance orders. I spent a couple of days after the fair sewing those little guys.

Question: Have you sent one to Obama?

Answer: I have not sent one to Obama yet. What is the best way to send it to him? That is the question. I fear that the tofu would sit in a pile of unopened mail for months. He needs to breathe!

I promise to make more for Crafty Bastards in September. A portion of the purchase will go to the Obama 08 Campaign.

The question that Chris didn’t answer was: What food would be for McCain? Pork chops? Sardines?

Be sure to check out Chris Creatures on September 28th at the Marie Reed Learning Center, 2200 Champlain St NW, Washington, District of Columbia, DC.

Tina Seamonster blogs her life and craft at I Like Seamonsters.com. She is currently being vetted for the V.P. slot.

Celebrate summer shopping in DC with the Mid-City Dog Days of Summer Sidewalk Sale. This weekend-long event will take place on August 2nd and 3rd in Mid-City, the area surrounding 14th and U Streets NW.

This Sidewalk Sale is not only a great opportunity to eat, drink and shop at discount prices, but it also takes place during DC’s Tax Free Holiday, which is an awesome bonus!

Mid-City doesn’t have the frenzy of tourists that Downtown has, nor the shopping frenzy of places like Georgetown… and that’s a good thing for locals. Mid-City’s attraction is its ever-growing assortment of small restaurants and cute boutiques that ooze neighborly charm… and it’s the cute boutiques make this area a definite stop for weekend shopping.

We all know that shopping for affordable indie finds in the District used to be almost impossible…. but Mid-City has become a hub of sorts of eclectic clothing stores with handmade dresses and accessories from local independent designers, not-your-average shoe stores, funky shops that sell everything from magnets to one-of-a-kind glassware, and a Saturday Farmer’s Market that supports local growers.

Some of my favorite Mid-City shops that support local indie crafters and artists, or are just plain cool, include:

Dekka (1338 U Street, second floor)
Nana (1528 U Street)
Lettie Gooch Boutique (1911 9th Street)
Garden District Interior (14th and Church Streets)
Miss Pixies (1626 14th Street)
Pop (1803-A 14th Street)
Go Mama Go (1809 14th Street)

So get down to Mid-City this weekend for the Dog Days of Summer Sidewalk Sale. You’ll be in for some sweet shopping and a host of other free activities. For a full list of participating shops, restaurants, bars theaters and galleries, as well as discounts and events, check out midcitylife.com.

In the week leading up to last month’s Crafty Bastards Festival, we began posting a series of interviews of crafters who were going to be there. Unfortunately, in all the hustle & bustle we were unable to publish them all. This continues the Q&A’s that we weren’t able to get to!

The devil was of ahead his times when he made Tamara Embrey start her own line of upcycled sweaters and and knit caps. The Devil Made Me Do It builds on Embrey’s determination as a teenager to make the clothes she wasn’t seeing on store racks. Her designs showcase her eye for both elegant designs and jagged-edge sensibilities, all rooted in her concern for the environment. Visit The Devil Made Me Do It online and drape yourself in Embrey’s lovely designs.

1. Using three words, how would you describe your work?

Whimsical, Elegant, Punk-Rock

2. What are you doing to prepare for Crafty Bastards? Are there any new products or techniques that you will be trying out for this show?

Well, I’m making like crazy, of course. I am trying to make a few summer-weight items, because so many people have asked for them. But my true love is wool, so I’m still doing that too. I want to get some men’s shirts done because I think guys ought to have something interesting to wear other than a t-shirt.

3. Is your craft widespread in the handmade community? What makes your stuff different from others in your craft genre?

My craft is fairly widespread, but re-cycling, or up-cycling, clothing is really FINALLY coming into its own. More and more people are doing it, and doing it well. And more and more boutiques are carrying it, and celebrities are wearing it. In the last few years, I’ve really noticed an upsurge in respect for this kind of work, especially in Europe and on the West Coast. What makes my stuff different is, I guess, my design eye. That’s unique to everyone, I suppose. All those years of living in New York City and looking at art and fashion every day definitely seeped into my bones.

4. Starting an independent shop takes a lot of dedication, planning and hard work. At what point did you realize you had the chops to start your own indie craft business?

After I did it. I never thought about it like, Hey, I think I’ll open an indie shop. I have been making things for a very long time for myself. At some point I decided to make things for other people and to try to sell them. People liked my stuff and were willing to pay for it. That allowed me to keep making more stuff. Pretty soon that was what I was doing full time. Oh yeah, it’s always a lot of hard work. But it’s work I love doing, so…

5. Where are your favorite places to find your supplies?

Value Village. All thrift stores, really, but Value Village is my current fav.

6. Crafting is a grassroots revolution of sorts. It’s catching on as people appreciate all things handmade, original, recycled and environmentally/socially conscious. Does this influence/inspire your work? If so, how do you incorporate it into your craft?

I am definitely all about the grassroots, one-of-a-kind, handmade, recycled AND environmentally/socially conscious aspect of Crafting, both as a maker and a buyer. One of the reasons I decided not to go to fashion school was because I HATE the whole consumer culture machine that pumps out (insert adjective or expletive here), tells people they aren’t already fabulous and so absolutely MUST buy some certain (usually banal) thing, and ruins the environment in the process. I didn’t want any part of that. At the same time I recognize the pleasure beautiful things give people. That’s where the handmade and the artistry come in, and why I work exclusively with recycled materials. My idea is: fewer things, better things.

7. After seeing your work, may would-be crafters are inspired to start their own creations. Could you provide any simple how-to’s or tips for readers who want to get started on their own designs?

I do have a little advice about trying to sell your work, though: Pay yourself. Don’t undervalue your time (In other words: Put a decent price on your work). You’re not competing with Walmart (you can’t, so don’t try); you’re making Crafts with your hands. Really think about how much work you put into a piece, taking into consideration all the practice of your craft and promotion and research and all that you do to really make your work fine. Then don’t be afraid to charge people for that. That’s the only way to truly revolutionize the way people shop and spend and think. And chances are that if you haven’t learned to value what you’re doing yet, the public won’t either.

Don’t forget! Today is the last day to apply for Crafty Bastards DC! The festival will take place on Sunday, September 28 in the Adams Morgan neighborhood of Washington, DC.

Applications will be accepted through midnight. You can read the instructions here and some helpful hints here.

We will notify all applicants of their status by Friday, July 25.

Questions? Send us an email: craftybastards@washingtoncitypaper.com

Already sent in your application? Sit back and enjoy this video treat from the first ever Crafty Bastards Silver Spring.

Crafty Bastards Silver Spring Video Highlights

In the week leading up to last month’s Crafty Bastards Festival, we began posting a series of interviews of crafters who were going to be there. Unfortunately, in all the hustle & bustle, we were unable to publish them all. This continues the Q&A’s that we weren’t able to get to!

Just as you shrink from buying soaps for fear of synthetic additives, Biggs & Featherbelle have decided that you should have an alternative — handmade body care products that are free of synthetic fragrances, dyes and additives! Their soaps are made from unique recipes that use the properties of natural resources to heal and nourish different skin types. Pamper your eyes with their array of body butter bars, lip balms, soaps and bath soaks at their official website.

1. Using just three words, how would you describe your work?

Clean, natural and fun

2. What are you doing to prepare for Crafty Bastards? Are there any new products or techniques that you will be trying out for this show?

Making soap…we are always making soap. We are excited because we have a new summertime product. We are bringing our new body scrubs to Crafty Bastards!

3. Is your craft widespread in the handmade community? What makes your stuff different from others in your craft genre?

Surprisingly we never see many other body care vendors at the shows we do. There are tons of great handmade body care folks in the community but there is not an abundance of them at the shows we do. I never frown upon other body care vendors or view them as competition. We are all working together to open up the customers eye to using natural, handmade goodies for their bodies instead of all the commercial junk out there. Our products generally stand out for their ingredients and packaging. We are sticklers for a very clean product with only essential oils and nothing synthetic.

4. Starting an independent shop takes a lot of dedication, planning and hard work. At what point did you realize you had the chops to start your own indie craft business?

We slowly have worked our way into it over five years. The dedication, planning and hardwork never ends but we love it!

5. Where are your favorite places to find your supplies?

We source our raw materials from a lot of different places. A large chunk of our money goes to Columbus Foods for soap making oils and Camden Grey for essential oils. We would love to get everything local but some of our ingredients are unique and not available everywhere. We like to get the best quality and a fair price so we can pass that along to our customers.

6. Crafting is a grassroots revolution of sorts. It’s catching on as people appreciate all things handmade, original, recycled and environmentally/socially conscious. Does this influence/inspire your work? If so, how do you incorporate it into your craft?

Our products are all about being handmade and green so we love the fact that more people are understand and embrace the value of it.

7. After seeing your work, many would-be crafters are inspired to start their own creations. Will you have any DIY kits available for sale at Crafty this year? Could you provide any simple how-to’s or tips for readers who want to get started on their own designs?

People are welcome to ask us questions anytime! We have even done some demos on making products. We learned by reading books and experimenting. If anyone is interested in handmade body care products, we have a lot of good books and information to pass along.

Get to know this year’s Crafty Bastards vendors! We’re posting a series of interviews of crafters who will be at the CB festival Saturday, June 28, at the Pyramid Atlantic Arts Center in Silver Spring, MD.

Sean Hennessey is a bit of a Renaissance man when it comes to art. He started out in theatre and has since journeyed to become an artisan who knows how to manipulate concrete and glass into monumental works of relief art. Based in DC, Sean insists that his work is better for you than breakfast. Well we’re not inclined to argue with that! Check out more of his work at his Where’s My Coffee Blog and official website.

1. Using just three words, how would you describe your work?

archaeological, metaphorical, industrial

2. What are you doing to prepare for Crafty Bastards? Are there any new products or techniques that you will be trying out for this show?

I am working on a new series of working focusing on using kiln formed plate glass pieces, coated with oxidized concrete. I’m very excited about this new direction!

3. Is your craft widespread in the handmade community?

Yes! Since I travel in and bridge the circles of the arts community and the craft community, my work gets widespread coverage through the diverse audiences that both attract. Recently I collaborated on a theatrical performance/ installation that brought in an even more diverse audiences.

4.What makes your stuff different from others in your craft genre?

I’m utilizing skills and materials not generally seen in the craft world. concrete, industrial plate glass, but in a narrative way. plus, its ruggedly manly!

5. Starting an independent shop takes a lot of dedication, planning and hard work. At what point did you realize you had the chops to start your own indie craft business?

I worked in professional theatre previous to going full time as an artisan. Working 90 hours a week, for little money was rewarding for a time, but after 10 years of it, I decided I’d be better off working for myself and making things closer to my heart.

6. Where are your favorite places to find your supplies?

Hardware stores mostly. Salvage places are great too! I’m mostly found of Second Chance, in Baltimore.

7. Crafting is a grassroots revolution of sorts. It’s catching on as people appreciate all things handmade, original, recycled and environmentally/socially conscious. Does this influence/inspire your work? If so, how do you incorporate it into your craft?

I come from a fine arts background, and was always drawn to the notion of the artists/ crafter designing and creating their own works of art. To me, the art and the craft are interwoven, and I don’t have the desire to separate them.

8. After seeing your work, many would-be crafters are inspired to start their own creations. Will you have any DIY kits available for sale at Crafty this year? Could you provide any simple how-to’s or tips for readers who want to get started on their own designs?

I’m always happy to talk about techniques with people. I would always encourage people that if they see a technique they are interested in, Ask!