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

Why do you make handmade? I’ve seen this question asked a lot recently. Here is a brilliant animation that crankbunny did to explain why she makes handmade. I think it’s the best explanation I’ve heard so far.

Crankbunny video on Flickr

You can read more about her animation process and tools in this storque article, and visit her website here.

In this video, Ira Glass of “This American Life” explains why we should all keep working on our craft. He talks about storytelling, but I think this can apply to just about anything. I haven’t seen someone so eloquently express that it takes a long time to get good at something creative. This is something that I have totally reminded myself and others of over the years; that the best makers or storytellers or artists are those people who keep at it.

Tina Seamonster blogs her life and craft at I Like Seamonsters.com. She finally found something useful on YouTube.

This past Saturday night was the opening of Location in Baltimore, MD. Location is the travelling art gallery project behind Crafty Bastards Entertainment Alumn, AM Radio. Sponsored by Scion and composed of more than 40 members, AM Radio is a group of artists and DJ’s with impressive portfolios.

Location is the first stab at this type of project for Am Radio. Per their own blog, Am Radio descibes Location as, “A project in partnership with SCION where we’re transforming a chic 4 floor townhouse into a lifestyle gallery/residence by fusing original art and multi media elements.”

Am Radio presented just a sampling of their work at Location, in a tour du force opening night. I was invited by DJ Two Tone to get a sneak peak of Location while the paint was still wet on the walls.

AM Radio artist Buck delivered a short but sweet intro to the space:

Opening night hosted DJ’s and breakdancing on the first floor, as well as work from emergin artists. Two more floors showed off impressive murals, paintings and Munnys. The top floor boasted a room designed by industry notable Shop Gentei, and a shoe drive hosted by Grand High; shoes will be donated to The Carmelo Antony Youth Development Center.

Don’t take your sweet ol’ time to check out Location because this space is only open until April 18th. The art gallery is open 2-3 days a week, and AM Radio will host 2-4 different events. Location is located on 17 W. Chase St. in the Mt. Vernon area of Baltimore, MD.

The Charm City Craft Mafia is accepting applications for the 2nd annual Pile of Craft. The show will be held in Baltimore, MD on Saturday, June 21st from 10am-5pm.

Non-refundable application fee is $10. If accepted, vendor fee is an additional $55. Vendor spaces are 8 ft. in. length. Chairs and an 8 ft table will be provided. The deadline to apply is May 1st, 2008.

Applications and more details can be found on the Charm City Craft Mafia web site.

You can read the review and see the pictures we took at last year’s Pile of Craft. Plus, watch Kim Dorn’s video interview with Pile of Craft organizer Rachel Bone to learn more about Charm City Craft Mafia and get the walk through experience:

I am always excited to see crafty businesses get smart with marketing. Below is a short video featuring Chickenpants by Absolutely Small:

Not only is the video super cute, but it shows off the product in a fresh and interesting way. Makes me want to pick up a few plushies and make my own video to post to YouTube.

In the Absolutely Small shop, you will also find limited edition prints of Chickenpants dolls in funny situations. Here is one called To The Moon:

So if you don’t know what to do with a Chickenpants of your own, you can just pick up the print for $10. Absolutely Small is run by Claire Chambers. In her shop profile she writes:

“Every one should have the option to have original art in their homes- it shouldn’t be the exclusive domain of the wealthy. If I can get people to smile or laugh at what I’ve created, then I’ve succeeded.”

Congrats, Claire! You have totally succeeded.

Tina Seamonster blogs her life and craft at http://www.ilikeseamonsters.com. She thinks you are rad.

Congrats to the Charm City Craft Mafia for producing such a well-run, heavily attended event! Check out the video interview with organizer Rachel Bone:

The organizers did a great job promoting the fair, as evidenced by the press coverage they got leading up to the event and the nonstop flow of shoppers. Often by the end of a fair, the crowd has dropped off and there is very little activity. Not sure what other vendors experienced, but Liz doubled her pillow sales in the last hour of the fair, which gave us an extra boost of energy as we packed up our goods.

C.C.C.M. members were just great! They were on hand to help us unload in the morning plus they negotiated free burritos from Chipotle and water from Trader Joes for all the vendors. How awesome is that?

For the poor souls who missed out, here’s a taste of what we saw and bought.

Liz picked up some fabulous lamps made from recycled furniture by Jason Kirker of Kirkiture. I enjoy his tagline: “Because wood doesn’t grow on trees anymore.”

A friend discovered the Guardian Gnomes (pictured below) offered by A.Bel Studio and promptly scooped up 5 of them.

Cotton Monsters were all the rage at Crafty Bastards 2006, so no surprise they were pretty popular at Pile of Craft Fair. This shot was taken in the afternoon with just 4 lonely monsters left.

Juliet, the lovely woman behind Broken Plate Co. is super sweet and super crafty. She’s pictured here with her case of broken plate pendants. Make sure you check our her new Mutha Crafter clothing line for craft-oriented mothers-to-be and infants.

Ft. Cloudy Sarah makes fun clothes that incorporate her many appliqué designs, including the wonderful Ninja Fetus mentioned in a previous entry. She also had a bunch of great wire sculptures made by her brother on display.

Kpoene’ Kofi-Bruce of Mignonette and Ladies Independent Design League brought some wonderful designs with her, including the dress below. On a side note, you can watch Kpoene’ in action on TLC’s new competitive design show, “I’ve Got Nothing to Wear” this Friday 6/29 at 10pm.

We thought the stained glass, dark wooden floors and aged walls of St. John’s Church served as the perfect backdrop for all the handmade goods on display.

I bought these splendid button rings from Tigerlillyshop. I love the carrot background on the bunny ring.

The Charm City Craft Mafia has been hinting at another show around the winter holidays. We’ll keep you posted.

Don’t forget, the deadline to apply for Crafty Bastards 2007 is this Sunday, July 1st! Hurry, hurry! Apply now.

Already applied? Sit back, relax and enjoy the video from Crafty Bastards 2006. Ah, memories.

The Crafty Crew introduces VIDEO. Kim Dorn (the woman behind the camera) and I had a chance to chat with local crafters Rania Hassan and Kristina Bilonick at Ballston Arts + Crafts Market last Saturday. We are vlogging virgins, so please excuse the rough nature of the interviews.

Rania and I discuss her lovely Knit Paintings, her print-making process and Gocco. We’ll bring a microphone next time. Promise. Visit Rania’s shop and check out her blog.

We talked to Kristina about her experience organizing the market and to get a preview of the July 14th market, which happens to coincide with Bastille Day. Wine specials, anyone? Visit Kristina’s site or stop by Smash Records and Junction to purchase her goods.