Come Tie One On at our Grand Opening!

For all the vendor & sponsor links, see our handy-dandy clickable poster.

This is going to be a blast, y'all! We hope you'll come out to craft with us, peruse the awesome handmade goods in our lovely little Airstream boutique, and learn about our craft classes & parties. We'll also have some of our favorite local makers vending at the event, so you won't want to miss all of this amazing handmade goodness!

While you're there, you can enjoy tasty treats from our fabulous sponsors, including Blue Note Bakery, Apothecary Cafe & Wine Bar and The Cupcake Bar.

We'll be posting features on each of our sponsors & vendors from now up until the Grand Opening, so stay tuned. Be sure to check out the write-ups we've done recently on Squid Ink Kollective and Merritt Gade if you missed 'em!

Artist Spotlight - SquidInkKollective

Last night I met the lovely and super crafty Lynnea 1/2 of SquidInkKollective at our monthly EtsyAustin team meeting. So naturally I had to check out her goods this morning especially since she'll be joining us for the upcoming Grand Opening of our WonderCraft boutique location February 25th 2010! Come check out her beautiful and unique screenprinted shirts, linens, and accessories.

The Squid Ink Kollective was founded in the fall of 2007 by Brian Maclaskey, who has been studying printmaking since his early teens. Brian was drawing his own cartoons from the age of 5 and grew up on a healthy diet of Robert Crumb, Propaghandi and anti-circus protests. When he's not screen printing, he's working on his own art (see http://conybologna.etsy.com), playing the drums, or making food with Lynnea.

Lynnea Edwards, the other half of the Kollective, was groomed to be a professional musician but decided to learn a more important skill than composing for whenever the apocalypse occurs. She is an entirely self-taught seamster and loves nerding out about fabric weight and different types of interfacing.

Squid Ink Kollective consists of a great team, Brian and Lynnea along with their simple set up of 1 six color manual print press, 1 exposure unit, 3 sewing machines, a whole ton of ink, screens, squeegees, thread, fabric, rulers, scissors, some trusty computers and a printer.

The mediums they have chosen to pursue our artistic creativity in allow them to share their passion with the general public as an accessible alternative to mass production. This company represents the hard work and commitment of artists dedicated to a creative-based living.

To learn even more visit their website at http://www.spiralloop.com

Awesome.

Glazed Happiness

I'm not sure why it took me so long to fire my first batch of ceramic pieces. I've had my kiln for 2 years, fired PMC (Precious Metal Clay) in it and for my birthday last year, bought myself a block of clay. I stayed in my studio for days playing with the clay, re-familiarizing myself the texture and work time. I made some really cute stuff and rediscovered my love for basically playing in the mud.

And then all the work sat there. For almost a year.

As my dear friend, NJ would say, I had THE FEAR.

Not sure why I was afraid of running the kiln. I mean really? What was the worst that could happen? A few pieces explode? I've had that happen before, no big deal. So, I kept looking at the fragile greenware in my studio day after day. I moved them around, sanded down some edges, shuffled them from place to place when they were in the way, but never bothered to put them in the kiln. I used every excuse I could come up with... the garage was too messy so I can't get to the kiln, I should make other pieces just in case these break, I shouldn't be playing with these at all because I should focus on my resin pieces, maybe they aren't dry enough yet (because 8 months isn't enough time, LOL).

Well, 2 days ago, I got over it. I now have several bisque fired pieces with glaze drying on them, ready to be loaded back into the kiln for their final firing. Yes, I should have photos but it is the middle of the night. Give me a break. Taking almost a year to get this far has been work enough :) (UPDATE 02-04-10: added a pic at the bottom.)

Instead, here are some of my favorite ceramic inspirations. I'm looking at them with new eyes and a braver creative heart. We all get THE FEAR. Sometimes you just have to jump in and do. Stop thinking too much and do it.

Pigeon Toe Ceramics

Lyn Power

Jill Taylor Clay & Magic


Magnolia Pottery

************************************************************

Yes, not very refined pieces but apparently getting back into pottery is not like riding a bicycle. I need more practice. At least I have a good idea how the glazes react now. But I couldn't justify keeping the results to myself :) Along the top of the photo are some mini pots for my succulents, I also tried a little owl and mushroom sculptures to decorate some of my other potted plants and a few pendants. Enjoy!

Glazed Happiness

I'm not sure why it took me so long to fire my first batch of ceramic pieces. I've had my kiln for 2 years, fired PMC (Precious Metal Clay) in it and for my birthday last year, bought myself a block of clay. I stayed in my studio for days playing with the clay, re-familiarizing myself the texture and work time. I made some really cute stuff and rediscovered my love for basically playing in the mud.

And then all the work sat there. For almost a year.

As my dear friend, NJ would say, I had THE FEAR.

Not sure why I was afraid of running the kiln. I mean really? What was the worst that could happen? A few pieces explode? I've had that happen before, no big deal. So, I kept looking at the fragile greenware in my studio day after day. I moved them around, sanded down some edges, shuffled them from place to place when they were in the way, but never bothered to put them in the kiln. I used every excuse I could come up with... the garage was too messy so I can't get to the kiln, I should make other pieces just in case these break, I shouldn't be playing with these at all because I should focus on my resin pieces, maybe they aren't dry enough yet (because 8 months isn't enough time, LOL).

Well, 2 days ago, I got over it. I now have several bisque fired pieces with glaze drying on them, ready to be loaded back into the kiln for their final firing. Yes, I should have photos but it is the middle of the night. Give me a break. Taking almost a year to get this far has been work enough :) (UPDATE 02-04-10: added a pic at the bottom.)

Instead, here are some of my favorite ceramic inspirations. I'm looking at them with new eyes and a braver creative heart. We all get THE FEAR. Sometimes you just have to jump in and do. Stop thinking too much and do it.

Pigeon Toe Ceramics

Lyn Power

Jill Taylor Clay & Magic


Magnolia Pottery

************************************************************

Yes, not very refined pieces but apparently getting back into pottery is not like riding a bicycle. I need more practice. At least I have a good idea how the glazes react now. But I couldn't justify keeping the results to myself :) Along the top of the photo are some mini pots for my succulents, I also tried a little owl and mushroom sculptures to decorate some of my other potted plants and a few pendants. Enjoy!

Not Your Average Neckwear!

Last night, The WonderCraft gals hosted a little party at our new space at The Art Pad as a trial-run for the fabulous Grand Opening celebration we're planning on Feb. 25th. Stay tuned for more details on that - you're gonna love it!

The theme of our GO party is "Tie One On" & we'll be doing techniques such as embroidery & screen-printing on thrifted, possibly super-ugly, neckties all night long. Here are some more pics from our experiments last night:

Our crafty pals from the EtsyAustin team, Samantha of Nepenthe's Bathtime, Cathie of Sweet Wolf & Camille of Diamonds and Guns, checking out the beautiful selection at Lapis Lane Beads.

Camille sported one of the pretty crystal-adorned fascinators she's making now - love it!





See all the pics from our pre-party in our Soft Grand Opening Flickr set. And be sure to mark your calendar for Thursday, February 25 so you can come out & embellish a necktie with us, enjoy fantastic local makers of handmade goods, tasty local food & drinks, plus lots more!

Artist Spotlight: Merritt Gade

Merritt Gade is one of the awesome artists we represent in our trailer boutique. We've known Merrit for a while now and have always admired her work, professionalism, and dedication, so thats why I decided to have her as our very first in our Artist Spotlight series. Right now The WonderCraft carries her earrings and crocheted bracelets, come by to see her work along with over 10 other vendors in the trailer during open hours at The Art Pad, this weekend and most, Saturday and Sunday 12-6pm.

How and when did you decide to start your crafty business?
I have been crafting in my spare time since graduating from college in 1999 with a degree in Fine Arts. I worked a standard office job for about 10 years and, at one point, begged for and received a modified schedule so I could have a full extra day for crafting. Over those years, I made a few sales off and on and felt optimistic about people receiving my work well. I grew a belief in my own drive and ability to get up every day and work. I could not see a future doing anything other than making and creating things for a living, so I saved money, planned ahead, and finally took the leap to full time crafting on January 9th, 2009. It's been barely a year and I have no regrets and no intention of stopping. I love it and hope to just improve and grow and craft all day, everyday for as log as I can.

What is your favorite product to make?

My favorite things to make are tiaras. I've been in love with the Crown Jewels since childhood and find the intricate beauty of each unique piece enchanting. I could get lost in their eyes, so to speak. My tiaras are on a smaller scale than those, but creating twists of gold with pearls on the ends and crystals wrapped around is just too much fun. I love that each one is different, too. My favorite is the Wild Tiara, because of it's color and texture.

Anything new coming up?
I'm working on improving my tiara line as well as learning more about marketing in that field. Each person is different and has plans all their own for their special occasion and I want to better serve those needs. I also have items for the home, like furniture and lampshades, made and it is on the agenda to make more. I plan to open an Etsy shop that gets these unique pieces out there. Photographing lighting is hard, though, so I have a lot to learn and hone before launching.

What is your favorite local business (besides The WonderCraft of course)?
It's a toss up between Legendary Beads and Bead It, and luckily they're within walking distance of each other. Both offer totally different and inspiring goods. Any time I get cranky about anything having to do with this job, I remind myself that I get to bead shop for work and that's never a bad thing. Also, I could probably eat a Thundercloud sub every day.

It's a Wrap!

Join us this weekend at th Cherrywood Art Fair to learn awesome upcycled gift wrap techniques. Make a unique statement with beautiful and upcycled gift wrapping.


With these simple supplies you can create memorable and affordable packaging that is green too!


Wrap gifts with old paper shopping bags and use punches or confetti to create a pattern, and decorate with feathers and yarn.


Yarn and paper can make a simple and sophisticated look.


This one uses two different ribbon scraps and some berries off an old wreath.


Newspaper is instantly spruced up with an old shiny ornament.


Get creative, this one has a paper bag handle attached with brads.


Check back for a quick tutorial on how to make these bows, one from a toilet paper tube and the other from magazine.