HyperCraftive

Once again, time escapes me...

2009-10-25T17:14:00.003-05:00

I can't help it; I'm hopeless. But at least I'm still out there in the real world. Want to see where I'll be next? St. Louis's fabulous Rock N Roll Craft Show, that's where. Roll your turkey-fatted self off your couch and get your butt down to U City after Thanksgiving for one of the best holiday season, hand-crafted buying experiences in the region.

Big Ass Indie Art & Craft Show -- December 2009

2009-09-22T20:40:00.003-05:00

Yes, we are doing it again! The call for artists closes in a mere 8 days so get on it people! Kick A$$ at Big A$$!!

Kick Ass -- Big Ass

2009-08-01T08:49:00.006-05:00

I felt like I was finally let into an arcane society being there last night. Clown Elvis, burlesque stripteases (one on a swing) and Leslie & the Lys doing their crafty rap song and dance. It was all so awesome.

Summer 2009!

2009-06-26T21:09:00.006-05:00

Find me at these fine locations...

http://www.bigindiecraft.com/ -- July 31-August 2, 2009

http://www.ucityloop.com/ -- Delmar Market, August 22, 2009

http://www.tgmarket.org/vendors.php -- August 8th, September 12th, October 24th 2009

http://www.strangefolkfestival.com/ -- September 26-27, 2009

Holy cramoly, where did I go???

2009-05-28T21:13:00.004-05:00

I committed to more posts and I was doing so well for a whole week or two. So now what? I've been very inspired with my gardening & my craftiness so maybe I share my #1 favorite blog in the whole world for 2D design inspiration. Just go there & you'll see what I mean...

http://printpattern.blogspot.com/

How has it inspired me this month? #1 pattern design for...well...um...#2. These were created by swedish designers tio gruppen for edet.

Those silly Europeans!! Too bad this doesn't translate well to wool felt products.

Saving Jesus by Mike Turney

2009-04-19T21:47:00.010-05:00

My husband is not an articulate man. His words are few, but his voice is loud. It comes out in his art. His latest series of concepts have been coming together nicely and we're hoping that 2009 will be the year that he's coming to make his debut as an independent artist. In this series, Mike has used found objects in assemblages depicting his voice and experiences with organized religion. Within me, each piece has provoked a strong reaction of thoughts, feelings and memories. This is just a small sampling of his current work.

Back to happy thoughts.

2009-04-12T10:49:00.009-05:00

It's a beautiful day and the snails are happy. The rain has wet the forest that will shelter and feed them. Such interesting creatures. It;s no wonder so many crafters use snails for their subject matter.

From Amy Gaines, the amigurumi crochet pattern queen of Etsy.

From Platines, the sterling silver version for your neckline.
From Laurel White, baby accessories with adorable snail fabric.

From Alison Tauber, a lovely throw pillow.

And of course, I make things with snails too.

Things that give me the creeps

2009-04-11T21:27:00.007-05:00

Yeah, yeah tomorrow is Easter. Everyone is happy, flowers are blooming. Blah, blah, blah. I don't know what, but today I started thinking about the bat boy. Remember him? He was on the cover of the National Enquirer in the early '90's and he gave me nightmares like nothing else. Today, instead of bunnies, I share my nightmares with you. So much for happy spring thoughts. I'm not sure what kind of craft-therapy will rid these from my brain. Maybe I'll post something cute tomorrow. www.scaryforkids.com/antique-doll/

I can't pay the rent. But you must pay the rent.

2009-04-05T11:15:00.009-05:00

I'm a little obsessed with the recent influx of moustaches in indie crafts. I haven't incorporated this trend in any of my items, but I don't need to since these fab crafters are doing such a bang-up job. I love me some waxed handlebars! Links below each pic.

http://www.rarrarpress.etsy.com/

http://www.littleangelsjewelry.etsy.com/

http://www.breadandbadger.etsy.com/

http://www.avrilloreti.etsy.com/

I wake up early to plan my crazy.

2009-04-04T09:30:00.011-05:00

And therefore I drink loads of coffee. These coffee cuffs are made from recycled and renewable materials. I use old felted wool sweaters from thrift stores and vintage flour sack fabrics -- the main goal is to get as many colors as I can onto each cuff. Anyone can match colors, I'm trying to create some diversity in my little woodland creature world.

Blue Bunny ♥'s Yellow Squirrel!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Purple Snail ♥'s Green Birdie!

Many of these can be found at the following local shops in the 'Lou:

Cranky Yellow at 2847 Cherokee Street, Saint Louis, MO 63118 (grand re-opening tonight from 7pm to 1am)
Laumeier Sculpture Park gift shop at 12580 Rott Rd, Saint Louis, MO 63127

Wooly Wall Squares

2009-04-03T06:40:00.005-05:00

I know, I know. I haven't blogges since I promised I would. So shoot me :-( ...no don't; I want to live. I have been busy. I've blown many resolutions, but I've kept a few. I've been busy craftin! Here's the newest creations that will be available at Laumeier Sculpture Park this weekend.

Made from recycled wool sweaters & scrap construction wood!

New Years Resolutions

2009-01-07T19:52:00.002-06:00

There are people who always resolve and people who always don't. Personally, I find this a convenient time to reflect on a year past and look to committing to my goals for the next year. It's convenient because there are traditions all around me reminding me to do this -- not only the tradition of making resolutions, but the annual performance appraisal, the changing of the fridge calendar. Yeah, yeah...resolutions are a tad..well...trite, I know, but they work for me.

Here's my list this year (in no particular order):

Make new friends -- no offence to the old friends, just trying to spread out a bit.
Organize stuff -- clear containers and label printing machine is ready to go!
Eat healthy -- no really, this year I'm going to make it past January 14th.
Exercise more -- no starting until March; all other resolvers will be out of the gym by then!
Take the GMAT test (this involves studying too, but I better get used to it)

And the big one...

Take my crafts to the next level -PUBLIC-or give it up already. This means a lot of things. I'll have to commit to updating this blog, do some real-live craft shows (punk-indie-green shows, not the smells-like-old-ladies-and-cat-boxes-selling-wood-chips-and-walnut-shells shows), keep up the Etsy shop, keep up the Flickr account and post my items to more groups and promote, promote, promote!

If Barack Obama can be president, I should be able to accomplish the measily things. Thanks for supporting me (or being kind enough to laugh behind my back and not to my face). Peace & promises of postings...

Happy little clouds

2008-10-04T17:56:00.004-05:00

What a pretty day today! I thought I'd share some of my recent greeting card happiness! I love cloudy days and a nice gentle southern rain. This is my take on such a perfect day! I made a couple varieties of trees...

It's getting colder

2008-10-03T20:18:00.004-05:00

I love fall. I love the smell of fire pits and burnt marshmallows. A woman I work with put it best when she said ideal weather is the kind that allows you to still wear shorts, but requires a big cozy sweater or sweatshirt. That is a perfect day indeed. Similarly, that day could be had with jeans, a long sleeved shirt and just a scarf. Because, in my opinion, if my neck is warm and cozy, then I'm warm and cozy. I've crocheted several scarves and I love the end result and yet I'm conflicted. How can I (spastic, hyperactive and fickle) get that scarf project down to something a bit sleeker and less time consuming. I know I didn't invent anything special, but it's still nice knowing that I came up with the idea on my own. Here it is, the curly-q scarflette:

I never actually write down any of my patterns, but I'm trying to get better. This one was really simple despite it's lovely little curls. Don't expect this to become a regular occurrence, but here's my attempt at a pattern:

Gauge: Not important as long as it fits around your neck. I used a bulky weight acrylic with a J-sized hook.
Row 1: ch 10, plus 1 turning ch.
Row 2: 10 sc, chain out an additional 5 sts, plus one turning ch.
Rows 3-60: 2 sc into each ch st, then 10 sc (one into each sc st), chain out an additional 5 sts, plus one turning ch.
Row 61 (button holes): 2 sc into each ch st, then 2 sc, ch 2, skip 2 stitches and sc into next 2 sts, ch 2, skip 2 stitches and sc into next 2 sts, chain out an additional 5 sts, plus one turning ch.
Rows 62-63: 2 sc into each ch st, then 10 sc (one into each sc st), chain out an additional 5 sts, plus one turning ch.
Finishing edge: **2 sc into each ch st, 1 Sl st, chain out an additional 5 sts, plus one turning ch** repeat between the ** 3 more times and fasten. Weave in ends. Sew on buttons (mine are vintage from my grandmothers collection -- I find it honors her well).

Owls

2008-09-06T19:42:00.010-05:00

I went to the St. Louis Art Fair today; what a beautiful day it was too. As always I find inspiration in nearly every booth and I am humbled and reminded that my entire being is only as crafty as these folks are in their tiny little pinky. As always, I find recurring themes at the art fairs each year. After all, it can only be called contemportary if it keeps evolving and staying current. This year's most recurring motif had to be birds -- mostly swallows and wrens but my daughter was so pleased to see that owls were also a popular subject matter.

She loves them -- all of them. The great horned owl, the eastern screech owl, the snow owl, the barn owl, and especially, her all time favorite, the barred owl. We've done birthday cakes...

...and we've recycled old thrift store finds...

...and the mini cards we've made (3"x3")...

...and the pajama's we just had to have from Target...

---to the piece of art that we purchased today at the fair...

Piece done by Dolan Geiman -- I love that he's green in his art by reycling materials, in how he produces and how he ships his work.

http://www.dolangeiman.com/
http://www.dolangeiman.etsy.com/

Kusadama Flowers

2008-07-06T20:07:00.001-05:00

Kusadama Flowers, originally uploaded by hypercraftive.

When I was young, I loved to find a quite place to make origami creations. A few weeks ago, I saw my 4-year-old folding some of my scrap papers and I was once again inspired. Instead of cups and frogs and cranes, I wanted to make pretty flowers and found the instructions for these on the internet here: www.thepeaceofpaper.robogumby.com/2007/07/16/kusadama-flo.... I couldn't stop myself. I think I need a whole bouquet.