city of craft news

We're back in The Good Catch's backyard with tons of local goodness!

2008-08-07T17:30:00.000-07:00

Sunday, August 17

The Good Catch General Store (backyard)
1556 Queen Street West

Noon - 5 pm

Come out and satisfy both your buying and making itches. Make, stitch, & embroider pennants with the Church of Craft and check out the amazing wares of these vendors:

*Nightjar Books *Ella's Botanicals
*Fiona Bailey *Emma Gerard
*Coldsnap Bindery *Zippan Designs
*BawkBaGawk Redesigns *Pixie Fashions
*Sarah Torrie *Nanopod
*Katherine Duffin *caramhel villegas
*Julie Dix *LINObaby
*Carol Barrett *L'aura Dee
*Heartbeat

Also, check out things happening down the street and around The Workroom (1340 Queen St.W)
at the Kid's Trunk Show!!

Applications are alive for City of Craft 2008!

2008-08-05T06:50:00.000-07:00

Applications are now open for City of Craft 2008, so get those crafty thoughts flowing and send your email off today!

We are currently soliciting applications and proposals from craft vendors, community groups and craft-based installation artists. Find out more right here or by clicking that little icon to the left. All applications are due by midnight on August 31, 2008. The application process has changed somewhat from last year, so be sure to read the FAQ that applies to you.

We would also like to extend a huge thank you to Shannon Gerard for doing all the illustration and design for the 2008 event. You rock, Shannon!

Clothing Swap Party - This SUNDAY!

2008-07-14T14:15:00.000-07:00

This is the ultimate clothing swap party taking place Sunday, July 20 from 1pm - 4pm at The Workroom - 1340 Queen St. W.

Not only will we be swapping all our old clothes, but we'll be giving demos on how to do quick alterations and fittings. All The Workroom's equipment will be available for you to work on your swap items, so that you can take them home and wear them right away.

There will be summery refreshments in the garden and a how-to zine for all attendees to take for future reference.

All this for $20

Spring Thing Trunk Show

2008-04-17T11:14:00.000-07:00

Despite the frigid temperatures on the day of the last trunk show it was attended & enjoyed in droves, so I can't think of a good reason not to head over to the workroom on for our springtime show on May 4th.

The Spring Thing Trunk Show, another event co-presented by City of Craft & the workroom, is vaguely Mother's Day themed, with 15+ local vendors selling mom-friendly and generally awesome stuff in suitcases . Guests (aka you) will be plied with free yummy snacks and as a special added bonus free Tea from local tea boutique Tealish.

The details:

The Spring Thing Trunk Show
co-presented by City of Craft & the workroom
Sunday May 4, 2008
Noon-5pm
the workroom
1340 Queen Street West

Toronto vs. Nagoya: Round 1

2008-04-08T22:59:00.001-07:00

Announcing Toronto vs. Nagoya: Round 1, a cross-platform trans-Pacific "art fight" between art/craft makers of Toronto and art/craft makers of Nagoya, Japan.

A collaboration between City of Craft and former Toronto-based craft star, Saddle Kobayashi, Toronto vs. Nagoya is a two-day exhibition of Toronto-made art in the heart of Nagoya's thriving Creator's Market.

For round one of what we hope to be a continuing partnership, artists are being asked to make pieces 4" square and no deeper than 1". All media are welcome (but watch the weight for shipping).

Email submissions are being accepted by Saddle through April 20th, 2008, with final works to be mailed by May 10th, 2008.

If this sounds interesting to you, click the button to the left or read more here.

Supply Swap 2

2008-03-30T14:34:00.001-07:00

photo by the workroom

Just a friendly reminder that the next City of Craft/workroom supply swap is just around the corner.

To refresh your memories:
Sunday, April 6th
1:30pm - 3:00pm
the workroom
1340 queen street west

You get a free lunch bag to fill if you bring a contribution of craft supplies to swap.
Subsequent bags are $5.
All proceeds go to support City of Craft 2008.

You can also check the event out on facebook.

Strut your crafty stuff at Show & Tell

2008-03-06T07:19:00.000-08:00

Show & Tell

Tuesday March 11, 5.30-7.30pm
Justina M. Barnicke Gallery
FREE

In conjunction with the Paul Butler Collage Party taking place from March 9 (opening 1-4) to March 12 at Hart House, UofT, Toronto Craft Alert, Susan Rowe Harrison & City of Craft present Show & Tell on Tuesday March 11 from 5:30-7:30pm.

Show & Tell is a casual opportunity to come together to share what you've been working on and get a peek into others' craft practices. This will also be an chance to check out the Collage Party installation - show up early to make stuff! If you are interested in participating in the Show & Tell please RSVP to susanroweharrison@gmail.com with a general idea of what you plan to share.

Some ideas for what to bring to Show & Tell:

*Projects that you'd like some feedback on
*Your favorite craft book or magazine
*Latest project ideas

Anyone is welcome! Warm beverages and treats on site.

Show & Tell

Justina M. Barnicke Gallery
West wing at Hart House, University of Toronto
7 Hart House Circle
416 978 8398

Gallery Hours: 11 to 7pm, Sunday 1 to 4 pm

Directions here.

hope to see some of your crafty jems (or jems-in-progress) out there.

Supply Swaps!

2008-02-28T22:37:00.001-08:00

After the great fun of this last swap we did with the workroom, we have decided to keep the ball rolling and plan another one.

Mark your calendars:
Sunday, April 6th
1:30pm - 3:00pm
the workroom
1340 queen street west

For those who came to the last swap, this one will be structured somewhat differently. If you bring a contribution, you get a free paper bag to fill. If you don't have anything to bring, you can buy a paper bag for $5. Everyone can also keep buying paper bags to fill for $5.

Given the loot available last time (and a few things we have in the works for this upcoming swap) $5 a bag is going to be a steal of a deal.

All the proceeds will go towards making City of Craft 2008 the best event ever.

Supply Swap at the workroom

2008-02-20T13:57:00.001-08:00

City of Craft and the workroom present...
A Supply Swap!
Sunday, February 24
3:30 - 5:00pm
@ the workroom
1340 Queen Street West

Start your spring cleaning early! Craft supplies of many sorts are welcome, but for this first swap, we have a sense that fibrous stuff will take centre stage (fabric, yarn, textiles...). It's also a give what you can, take what you need kind of set-up so don't worry if your contributions are low. We have a bunch of fabric/yarn graciously given to us by Laura-Jean at Fresh Baked Goods and Haley at Knitomatic that will surely get the wheels rolling.

Leftovers go to local charity groups.

De-stash, re-stash and mingle. What fun!

Services at The Valentine's Trunk Show

2008-01-26T09:14:00.001-08:00

Okay, so maybe knitwear or greeting cards aren't your thing. That's okay, we understand.

That's why, in booking the Valentine's Trunk Show, we made sure to include some brilliant interactive projects by some very talented local artists.

Those of you who attended City of Craft in December may remember Reverend Aitor and Zeesy Powers. Aitor will be continuing his Unflattering Portraits project (at a special in-person price of $10) and Zeesy will be offering her watercolour portraits (again at some ludicrously low price) on heart-shaped paper for the impending holiday. Both Zeesy and Aitor are able to work from photos, too, should you want to ply your darling with a surprise portrait (flattering or not) for Valentine's. Zeesy will also tell you what she thinks of you for $5 and put it in writing for an extra $2.

Newer to the City of Craft family is Lauren Bride who, when stood up by a booth partner at Canzine, launched a project of love letter writing on demand. This project is an obvious progression from other love letter-based projects she has undertaken. For the Trunk Show, Lauren will be offering love letters for $10 (I think, maybe it's even $5) with flourishes like rose perfuming and locks of hair added at a surcharge. And don't think she comes armed with a bag of hair. This is the real deal!

For more information on any of these artists, go the Valentine's Trunk Show page (button to the left) and click through to their websites.

Participants Announced for the Valentine's Trunk Show.

2008-01-09T10:26:00.001-08:00

Hey all,

The vendor list is up for the Valentine's Trunk Show.

Click the button the the left (or here) to see 'em all.

See you at the show!

Valentine's Trunk Show.

2007-12-30T18:00:00.000-08:00

City of Craft is partnering up with the workroom to present a small, informal craft sale that aims to fulfill all your Valentine's needs.

The Valentine's Trunk Show will feature 15 local vendors, confined to setting up their displays in suitcases!

Jewellery! Crochet Woolies! Stitched medallions! Reimagined romance novels! Hair ties! Plush Anatomy! Handmade Pipes! Handbags! Craft Supplies! And, of course, heaps of cards and paper goods by local stuff-makers.

Sunday, February 10th, 2008
Noon-5:00pm
the workroom
1340 Queen Street West

This event is invitation-based and curated by Becky (City of Craft) & Karyn (the workroom).

If you are into that sort of thing, we have made a listing on Facebook. It is here.

Craft Toronto Photo Pool.

2007-12-28T19:36:00.000-08:00

Hey Toronto!

In an effort to create some wide open places for Toronto crafters to intermingle, we have launched a the Craft Toronto Photo Pool on Flickr.

Feel free to post any and all of your crafty creations there (but no promotional materials, please.) There are also discussion features, so dive in!

The group can be found here:
http://www.flickr.com/groups/crafttoronto/

And don't worry, you don't need a pro account to contribute.

City of Craft Expands in Scope.

2007-12-27T17:41:00.000-08:00

Hello folks,

This is Becky.

Okay, so, after our post-City-of-Craft meeting, Jen and Leah and I decided to use the City of Craft umbrella to present other programming beyond our big annual event. These events will include some of our independent projects as well as new collaborations with other people/organizations. This expansion means that our programming will open to include things like craft chats, workshops and other small fairs.

In this vein, we are already brewing up a couple of events for 2008 and one's right around the corner! But more news of that in a few days.

Much of this growth comes from our inidvidual desires to expand the scope of activities we undertake together, alone and in new pairings. For this reason, the events will vary greatly. Everything is possible - from small invitational exhibitions to lottery-based sales to the flagship City of Craft event that we have committed to remounting in late 2008.

Until then, I personally apologize for my ineptitudes in web design (all the bugs on this site are my fault) and wish you all a happy new year.

CITY OF CRAFT ESSENTIALS

2007-11-30T13:38:00.000-08:00

WHAT: City of Craft
WHO: 60+ craft vendors, community groups, installation artists & workshop leaders
WHEN: Saturday December 1, 2007, 11am-8pm
WHERE: The Theatre Centre, 1087 Queen Street West at Dovercourt (enter in the blue doors on Dovercourt).

See you there, Citizens of Craft!

Schedule of Events.

2007-11-28T07:19:00.001-08:00

The Toronto Zine Library Needs Your Pillows...

2007-11-23T19:35:00.000-08:00

ATTN: Toronto/GTA zinesters
The Toronto Zine Library Collective wants your old throw pillows, couch cushions, bed pillows, etc. for our Reading Room at City of Craft.

The TZL is a not-for-profit collective who operate out of a donated space at the Tranzac Club in downtown Toronto.Cushions can be dropped off at the Tranzac (292 Brunswick Avenue. west of spadina, slightly south of bloor st.) THIS SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 25th from 1:00-3:00 PM.

---OR--- email us to arrange a drop off or pick up.Thanks kindly,-aMy leighon behlaf of the the toronto zine library collective

contact.aMyleigh at gmail dot com
http://sitekreator.com/zinelibrary/

Activities!

2007-11-22T09:18:00.000-08:00

We're not just a place to shop; City of Craft offers ample opportunities to make stuff.

Here is our 2007 schedule of activities:

1-2pm
crochet workshop taught by Shannon Gerrard (let's just say it's connected to her latest project).

2:30-4pm
craft materials swap run by the workroom & Sew Be It Studio
To participate in the swap, bring fabric, notions, yarn, or beads to swap and canned goods to donate the Daily Food Bank. Leftover materials will be donated to charity.

4:30-7pm
make-your-own gift wrap session hosted by Toronto Church of Craft

So come on down, and get your hands dirty (figuratively, of course).

Bags of Swag.

2007-11-05T20:47:00.000-08:00

It's official.

City of Craft is going to have awesome goodie bags to hand out to our first 100 attendees.

The bags themselves are being sponsored by Etsy and will feature the silk screened imagery of Schoolyard (Hilary Dennis & Katy Chan). As if that wasn't already enough, we already have goodies in our grubby hands from Sublime Stitching, Handmade Detroit and Broken Pencil. And there are more surprises on their way!

We also have some big raffle packs taking shape full of even more awesomeness. They will be on display and raffled away at the event.

Want to promote your crafty business through a swag bag or raffle contribution? Well, it's not too late to sneak you in under the wire. Just email cityofcraft@gmail.com for the details. But be forewarned, our deadline for swag is November 14th.

Participants announced!

2007-10-23T21:57:00.000-07:00

Acceptance telegrams have been sent out.

We would like to give a big thank you everyone who applied.

For our growing list of vendors, please check here. Watch it grow!

StreeKnit needs your help to knit a house!

2007-10-15T18:55:00.000-07:00

Word on the streets of the City of Craft is that the StreetKnit Project plans to knit an entire home over the course of our little event.

In order to do this (and to staff their table in general), they are looking for some sturdy volunteers.

Read more here. Or here.

A knit home? How awesome is that?

Application deadline news - there's still time.

2007-10-13T08:57:00.000-07:00

If you want to apply but have not had a chance to mail your application (or are concerned that it won't arrive on time for the October 15th deadline) - there's still hope!

Applications postmarked by October 15th (this coming Monday) will be accepted.

So get thee to the postbox and join our all day craft party.

Toronto Zine Library & City of Craft.

2007-09-27T20:12:00.000-07:00

This just in!

We have confirmation that the Toronto Zine Library will be setting up a reading room for the day at City of Craft.

They plan to bring their entire collection which will remain available for perusal in the comfyness of whatever magical lounge we manage to set up with them.

As always, donations of zines will be accepted during the day. So if you have some of zines that you would like to contribute to their lending library, bring 'em down!

Applications available.

2007-09-18T12:19:00.000-07:00

It is true, applications are now available for the first ever City of Craft. We are currently accepting applications for craft vendors, installations and communtiy exhibitors.

Follow the links above (or go here) for FAQ's and applications.

We look forward to recieving your applications!

Becky, Jen & Leah
Co-coordinators
City of Craft