Do you have a special talent? Would you like to showcase that talent? You can do just that at the first Cranky Yellow Variety Show, Too Late for Fun Time. The show will be at Cranky Yellow on Friday, March 19, at 9 pm.
Cranky Yellow provides the theme, you provide the interpretive dance, circus act, poetry, music, you name it! TOO LATE FOR FUN TIME will be a showcase of the wide-ranging interpretations/spins/manIpUlashunons that creative people in St. Louis come up with based on the chosen theme.
The theme of this first TOO LATE FOR FUN TIME is based on what Cranky Yellow believes to be one of the more beautiful Missed Connection Ads from the St. Louis Craigslist. Please interpret this passage as you see fit:
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Post-it note inside of a Death Cab for Cutie album – m4w (a secondhand record (cd?) store)
Date: 2010-01-13, 11:56PM CST
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This CD was actually purchased as-used quite some time ago, but upon finding the CD case (I lost the post-it), my curiosity has been once again sparked.
There was a cell phone number written on the post- it under the words “Risk it. You know you want to.” and a picture of a hand holding up a peace sign. I must’ve been feeling particularly ballsy that day, because I called it, only to be greeted with complete confusion and me apologizing to the girl on the other end for such a bizarre phone call. I can only assume that one of three things happened- someone beat me to the punch and harassed the shit out of you, it was a prank on a friend/enemy, or you got a new phone. Either way, my curiosity stands. I don’t know if I would want to meet you (probably not- I bet you are horribly disfigured in ways that only my darkest nightmares could possibly materialize), but I would definitely like to know what prompted such a feat.
Tell me what you drew between the index and middle fingers on the peace sign, the title of the album, and where you may have sold this album to so I know it’s you. Thanks!
•Location: a secondhand record (cd?) store
•it’s NOT ok to contact this poster with services or other commercial interests
PostingID: 1551879822
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Not sure if you have a special talent that you can use to interpret the theme? Cranky Yellow can offer you some ideas: -musical acts (cabaret singin’, solo musicians, bands, electronikkkkka, acapella, the spoons)
-poetry (spoken word, reciting original work)
-comedy (sketch comedy, stand-up, improvisation)
-any kind dance/movement/interpretive dance/step
-exercise/yoga instruction
-burlesque
-pole dancing
-magic
-any circus acts (NO LIONS)
-illegitimate medical/legal advice
-storytelling
-video shorts
-dream interpretation
-narrated slideshows of photography from really good and/or fancy vacations
-drag
-trivia
-origami lessons
-belly dancing
-creative writing readings
-soap box political speeches
-rants/raves
-etiquette lessons
-special talents (hula-hoop, fire-eating, speed dating?)
-anything else you can possibly think of..!
But, make sure you follow the guidelines:
1. Please refrain from acts containing Physical Violence and/or Hurting.
2. Participants are strongly encouraged to wear festive costumes.
3. Due to time restraints, each act must be no longer than five minutes. Going overtime may result in some confrontation with a vaudevillian-style hook.
So how can you get your fabulous act into this variety show? Send your name and a three-word description of your act to Jo Firestone at jo@crankyyellow.com by Saturday, February 27. You can also contact Jo with any questions.
Shop at Stick to Your Knittin’ Kitten & Donate to Master the Met.
STL Craft Mafia member Amy Rickles of Stick to Your Knittin Kitten is donating 10% of the sales from her shop between now and March 5 to the American Lung Association via Master the Met. We caught up with her to find out more about the local event and how others can get involved. Read on, my crafties.
What is Master the Met? Master the Met is the 2010 Fight for Air Climb to raise money for the American Lung Association. It takes place on March 6, 2010. Participants (myself included) will be climbing 42 flights of stairs (that’s over 1000 stairs!) to the top of the Metropolitan Building in downtown St. Louis. Each participant pays a $25 registration fee and must raise at least $100 to participate in the event.
How did you get involved?
A friend of mine learned about the event and decided to get a team together to participate. Our team is called Drinkers with a Climbing Problem. I decided to participate in this event because I have personally been touched by lung-related issues: my grandpa died of emphysema and related problems in 2007; several of my family members have severe asthma, and I have mild asthma; and the mother of a friend of mine was recently diagnosed with lung cancer. I also thought that training for the event would a good way for me to improve my health.
How can our fans participate/get involved?
The event is currently full, so it is too late to sign up to participate in the climb itself. However, there are still several ways to get involved. I am donating 10% of my sales through March 5 to the American Lung Association, so any purchase from me will help this cause. They can also donate directly to the American Lung Association through my personal page, through my team page , or through the main Master the Met site.
Established in 2007, The Sparrow Fist is home to lovely collection of beautifully designed jewelry and hair accessories. Lydia’s work feels modern with a vintage twist. Check her out on Etsy to see her fabulous creations!
Meet Lydia.
When did you start crafting?
I have been dabbling in different crafts forever. I got more serious about it at the end of 2006 which led me to open my shop in 2007.
What types of materials do you use for making your products?
I use a lot of ribbon (vintage and new), paper flowers, random trinkets, and pretty much anything that has the potential to be turned into something wearable.
How did you find your way to your current medium?
I started doing only jewelry for the most part when I opened my shop. When I fell in love with some of the hair accessories online and in magazines, I decided I would give it a go. Something really clicked with designing and making hair accessories and it’s probably my favorite thing to make at the moment.
Anything new in your plans for 2010?
I am really interested in working more with felt and fabric in my jewelry.
What’s your workspace like?
Chaos. I try to reign it in with bins and whatnot but in the end it’s really just organized chaos.
What inspires you?
It depends on the day really, a visually interesting film one day or the feel of a certain era another day. At the moment, I am really into films like Bright Star and Atonement, and the feel of those movies and the way women dressed – a sort of disheveled elegance.
When do you feel most inspired?
After a good nights sleep.
What shows have you done?
I haven’t done a ton but I can’t really remember them all either. Some off the top of my head would be Strange Folk, Green with Indie, Big Ass Indie Craft Show. Currently I am gearing up for the Indie Craft Revolution show.
What was your first big project?
I don’t really do big projects per se. My first large output of designs though was probably the first Strange Folk I did. My fingers were sore from all the bending, cutting, wrapping, fastening. It was great though and I am glad I did it.
Pimp your fellow crafters. Name three favorites.
That’s actually really hard! I have so much love and respect for the talent that’s out there. If I had to choose I would say Mermaid Garden Party, Fancy Lamb, and Beqi Clothing.
Vote for The Fancy Lamb in the 2010 Rikrak Studio Handmade Olympics.
Vote for our very own The Fancy Lamb in the Rikrak Studio 2010 Handmade Oympics: where the handmade world comes together to celebrate making things! Robin (The Fancy Lamb) is nominated in the “Thrifty-forward, Sustainability-Minded” category for her amazing handmade pieces created using one-of-a-kind vintage items. Check out the work in her shop and then go vote!
St. Louis Craft Mafia member Julie Birkemeier is a talented photographer. We recently spoke to her about her newest endeavor, pet photography.
Q: What’s the focus of your business?
A: The main focus of my business is pet photography. I love, love, love, love, love it. I adore animals and working with them. A lot of my personal work in the past has been macro nature work, because I thrive on focusing on the little details of life that often go unnoticed. I think I’ve brought an element of that to this part of my work. I want to capture the soul of each animal in my work. I continue doing fine art personal work, and I’m still shooting weddings and portraits, as well.
Q: Tell us about your photos, what made you decide to start taking photos of pets?
A: It’s difficult for me to describe my own photographs because I see them as so simple, which is the point. I don’t have this huge process for my photography. There’s no hype in my photography–it’s all about the subject. And have an absolute adoration for animals, and because I love focusing on little things that go unappreciated or unnoticed every day, I think photographing people’s pets was a very natural step for me. Everyone loves the greeting they receive from their dogs when they come home from work, and to capture that energy in a photograph to look at forever is something special. When I started volunteering for Stray Rescue in November of 2008 things started to click. I wanted to photograph the personality of each dog I met. I’ve taken a few of them to the park and snapped some photos, loved it, and that’s how I got started.
Q: What do you like best about taking pet photos?
A: Several things. I love interacting with animals in general, so getting to meet a new furry friend is always fun for me. I love listening to pet owners gush over their animal companions. The more pets I photograph the clearer it becomes that each and every animal has their own personalities, and I love he challenge of trying to translate that personality into a photograph. When an owner tells me I have captured their pet’s personality to a T it makes me incredibly happy.
Q: What is it like to get pets to “pose” for photos? Are they cooperative? Do you need to bribe them with treats?
A: I definitely don’t take the Sears photo approach to photographing animals. Sure I’d love for them to sit still and pose for me, but what if a dog is known for running around like a maniac while she tries to kill her stuffed squirrel? I want to photograph that, too. My approach is to let whatever animal I’m photographing do his thing, and if he sits, great. If he doesn’t sit I’m still going to get the pictures I want because they’ll reflect who that dog is. Every animal is different.
Q: What is one of your favorite pet photo session experiences/stories?
A: My favorite photo session was actually very recently. I was photographing a 14-year-old Shar Pei. He was very slow moving, and his appearance was a bit crusty, but to witness the deep love his owner has for him was moving. The connection between them was amazing, and I was so happy that I could help preserve that love with some photographs.
Q: Do you have any animals?
A: Two cats: Francis and Sherman. They are best friends.
Q: What’s on the horizon for 2010?
A: Mutton Chops. I want to incorporate pet photography in with my dog walking and pet sitting business, so 2010 is all about launching this business. I’m also continuing photo work with a local program called Loosen the Leash, in which shelter dogs get trained by troubled teens. It’s a lot of fun to photograph, but I also want to help bring exposure to the program.
Q: Do you take the photos just for friends or do you take commissions from anyone? If you do take commissions from anyone, what is the best way for someone to contact you to get more information?
A: I do both! I’ll take as many animal photographs as I can handle! If anyone wants to contact me for a session they can email me at jbirkemeierphoto@gmail.com for a price quote. In the meantime, they can visit jbirkemeierphoto.blogspot.com to view more of my work.
Cara McKinlay is one of our newest members and brings enthusiasm and creativity to the table in spades. This girl’s got mad skillz and it is our pleasure to introduce you to her. We know you’ll love her as much as we do – and that’s a lot! Here’s an interview short to get you started.
What types of products do you make? I sell post cards and little screen printed arts.
What is your favorite to make? I can’t pick! I love making both.
What types of materials do you use for making your products?
I draw most of my illustrations then use a computer to upload & outsource those designs. I use recycled paper and envelopes, biodegradable plastic, wood, staples, ribbon, and lots of hot glue for packaging and finishing touches.
Anything new in your plans for 2010? New product? New material? New medium?
Oooh, I love new ideas and projects! Right now I’m working on having my designs printed on bigger fabric (as well as screen printing myself!) and I hope to sew some goodies. I’m also playing around with hand painted canvas art mixed with recycled stuff… but I always have weird ideas, we’ll see what happens!
Here are some great opportunities to check out St. Louis Craft Mafia members around town and get some holiday shopping done!
Local Artisan Holiday Market Thursday, December 10, 6-9:30 pm and Sunday, December 13, 10 am-3 pm (see flyer below for details)
Artisan Showcase at Whole Foods Town & Country Saturday, December 12, 1-4 pm
Along with local artists, including Villa Design, there will be music by Hot Club Caravan, Holiday Tasting and a Gingerbread workshop. Stop on by to find truly unique gifts!
Red Anvil Open Studio
Sunday, December 13, 12-5 pm
1210 Sunset Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63117 (studio is in back)
314 368.9107
Come to shop or hang out! Make a gift for yourself or someone else. Gifts start at $4.
Holiday Open House at the Contemporary Art Museum.
Several St. Louis Craft Mafia members will be among the artists participating in the Holiday Open House and Art & Craft Show at the Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis Thursday, December 10, 6-9 pm.
Enjoy holiday cocktails and light bites. View the exhibition, For the blind man in the dark room looking for the black cat that isn’t there. Mingle with friends and take a little time to relax during the busy holiday season.
Browse through local art and craft booths, as well as MUSE gift shop specials! All guests will receive 25% off their entire purchase at MUSE. Contemporary members will receive an additional 10% off! Artists participating in the art & craft sale include: Beqi Clothing, Sherry Bingaman, Jessi Cerutti, Lisa Colby, Cranky Yellow, Firecracker Press, Jane Linders, Chris Lucas, Amber Marshall, Marie Oberkirsch, Suzanne Schmid, Daniel Shown – Kung Fu Chicken, Sarah Vaughn and Amanda Verbeck – Pele Prints. There will be clothing, jewelry, glass, prints, and more, all hand created, making for a unique gift!
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