Friday, March 28, 2008

Crafty Chica and L.A. Craft Mafia to show Ellen glitter love!


From Kathy Cano Murillo:

Hola, my crafty friends!!

I'm writing to you to see if you or any of your posse would be
interested in joining me and other glitter lovers across the land in
standing up in the name of sparkle in front of Ellen DeGeneres'
Burbank studio!

Attached is the press release that went to Ellen's producers today,
along with some ideas for safe-sparkle alternatives. I'll have samples
of these at the rally, bring yours too!!!!

WHAT: Safe Sparkle Glitter Rally
WHEN: Tuesday, April 8, 2008.
TIME: Noon to ???
WHERE: NBC Studios, 3000 West Alameda Avenue in Burbank, Calif.
WHO: Lead by Kathy Cano-Murillo, the Crafty Chica. Also attending are:
- Mark Montano (TLC Network star, author of The Big Ass Book of Crafts and L.A. Craft Mafia member)
- Jenny Ryan (Community Marketing Manager for Craft: magazine)
- Cathy of California (LA-based window dresser and craft designer)
- Cathie Filian (co-host of Creative Juice on the DIY Network)
- Members of the various Craft Mafias, including Los Angeles Craft
Mafia, San Diego North Park Craft Mafia)
- Many more! And anyone else who wants to join us!


Background info:

Ellen wants all glitter banned!

I LOVE Ellen and was heartbroken when she started dissing glitter on
her show because it is messy and gets everywhere. She even went on a
jumbotron on Hillary Clinton's press rally and asked if she would ban
glitter if Hills became our next Prez. I've blogged about it and sent
letters to her explaining all the different kinds of glitters.

I want us crafters to educate Ellen and let her know about the many
"safe sparkle" alternatives out there. We could help her choose the
right glitter for her, so she will stop judging all glitter the same.
It is LOOSE glitter she hates, so her fans need to know to send her
other kinds of sparkle. Ellen is a sparkling chica, she deserves
glitter that suits her!

OK...I know glitter won't be banned, but I thought it would be fun if
all of us crafters stepped up with "safe sparkle" alternatives. I
think Ellen would get a kick out of it and maybe even come outside to
meet us!

Mucha gracias (holds scissors over heart in respect)!

Kathy :-)

PEACE, LOVE, & GLITTER!!

--
For more information, contact:
Alyson Udell
559-294-3335
audell@duncanmail.com
OR

Kathy Cano-Murillo
http://www.CraftyChica.com

Saturday, March 22, 2008

Feria Arbol de Vida April 19th!

FERIA ARBOL DE LA VIDA - APRIL 19TH, 2008

Celebrate life at the First Annual Self Help Graphics & Art Feria Árbol de la Vida. Saturday April 19th, 2008
12:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

Taking place in the spring, when seeds are sown, when new beginnings are celebrated and when the earth beckons us each to look inward. Feria Árbol de la Vida will create the natural balance to our annual autumn journey to Mictlan when we honor loved ones at El Dia de los Muertos.

The overall mission of Feria Árbol de la Vida will be to emphasize that Todos somos de la misma raiz, (We are all from the same root). Through themes of regeneration, rebirth and renewal, this new celebration will focus on the growth of life and the planting of new seeds, within ourselves and the community. An event for the entire family, Feria Árbol de la Vida will feature afternoon children’s workshops and entertainment, a variety of new organic foods and refreshments, live art and top local performers.
EVENT HOSTED BY
Fidel Rodriguez - Divine Forces Radio
Pocho Hour of Power

LIVE ENTERTAINMENT BY
La Banda Skalavera
Miktlan
Cava
PACHAMAMA
El-Haru Kuroi
Son del Centro de Santa Ana
The Leaf Blowers
Los Poets Del Norte
Teatro East of the River
Michael Heralda (Aztec Stories)

COMMEMORATIVE PRINT, by artist Leo Limon.
Only 79 available, purchase it at the event!

BE A VENDOR - Space still available!
If you are interested in being a vendor for this event, Click here for a VENDOR application. Vendor questions & application submissions should be directed to arboldevida@selfhelpgraphics.com.
BE A VOLUNTEER - It's fun!
If you are interested in Volunteering for this event, please contact volunteer@selfhelpgraphics.com.





YOUTH WORKSHOPS- Day of event
April 19th 12:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.


Arbol de la Vida Clay Sculptures with Marianne Sadowski

Drawing on symbols from their own lives, the children will learn to construct their own personal tree of life out of clay. There will be paints, sequins, and beads to further personalize El Arbolito de la Vida. Marianne Sadowski is an artist and art teacher who was born in Mexico City and now lives in Los Angeles, with her husband and two sons. She completed her Masters in Painting in Mexico City and has exhibited her art throughout Mexico and the US. She has been teaching art for over 15 years in schools, museums and cultural centers. Currently she works for the LA County Museum of Art (LACMA) and City Arts Resources (CARS).



Broken Pottery Mosaic with Dewey Tafoya

Have you noticed the beautiful colors and types of broken pottery on the Self Help Graphics’ Virgen grotto? We have much more broken pottery to use in creating your own outdoor vase. Learn to adhere broken dishes and tiles to a clay pot, than seal the pieces to create a beautiful home for a plant. Dewey Tafoya a native of Boyle Heights and graduate of UCLA, has been coming to Self Help Graphics since he was a kid. In the last 5 or more years, Dewey has been a dedicated volunteer for Dia de los Muertos, teaching Paper Mache and mask decorating. Bring a plant pot to this worksohp.



Zine Making with Becky Cortez

A "Zine" is an abbreviation of the word "Magazine" and is usually created in a small circulation for self-publishing purposes. Using the collage style of cutting images and words from magazines, the children will create pages incorporating nature themes. The children's zines will be photocopied for exchanging and collecting. Becky Cortez, a native of Texas is an elementary school teacher in a progressive Los Angeles charter school. She is currently in a Master's Degree program, yet has always made time to lead children's art workshops at Self Help Graphics for the last 4 years. Bring magazines to share and cut, also bring your favorite scissors.



Create a Bark Cloth Painting with Ofelia Esparza

By using items found around the house–learn how to create a bark-like cloth painting. This technique is meant to replicate the Amatle bark paintings of the Mayans. The Amatle tree's snake-like massive roots grow downward from the limbs, powerfully latching onto other trees, cliffs and buildings with a strangulation hold. The impressive and beautiful bark of the Amatle, according to legend was used to dress the Goddesses. Ofelia Esparza is a Master Altar Maker and visual artist from East Los Angeles. Her family's intergenerational knowledge of traditional Mexican art making and the preservation of those skills in the United States, have made them the subject of studies, books, lectures and documentaries.



Nature Painting with Antonio Rael

Born and raised in Los Angeles, Antonio Rael's paintings with a bold style of bright colors and black outlines, have been featured on concert posters, magazine covers and the merchandising of Latino Pop. His charming designs and themes capture his Latino heritage through its symbolism, spirituality and mysticism. Antonio has led children's art workshops for over 13 years and loves the creativity and energy that kids bring. Join Antonio for a unique afternoon of inspiration, imagination and sharing. To see Antonio's work go to www.latinopopshop.com

Thursday, March 20, 2008

Thanks...




for coming out on Tuesday night. It was fun:) You can view more pics on our myspace page.

Sunday, March 16, 2008

Craft Tutorial: Spray Painted Lace Candle Holders

"Spray Painted Lace Candle Holders" by Mark Montano from The Big Ass Book Of Crafts.

See more sample projects at http://www.bigasscrafts.com/

If you buy the large prayer candles and want to decorate them a bit
more this is the perfect project for you. You can also take any small jar
or juice glass and use this technique to make it into a wonderful
candleholder.

Here's what you'll need:
Candle in glass or some glass containers
Black spray paint
Krylon spray adhesive
1/4 yard of lace in a pattern that you like
Newspaper for your workspace
Scissors

Here's How:
Cut a piece of lace that fits all the way around your glass container
or candle.
Trim the edges so it fits over the glass perfectly.
You can do this by measuring the circumference of the glass and the
height.
Cut your lace this size
Spray the Krylon spray adhesive to the lace. Be generous or else it it won't
stick to the glass. 2 coats of it should be enough.
Stick your lace to the glass
Lightly spray the glass with the black spray paint
Lightly spray it again until you've sprayed all of the glass in
between the lace.
Let dry for about 15 minutes
Remove the lace.

SUGGESTION:
If you want to take it to the next level, add some glitter glue or
rhinestones to your candleholder and make it shine.

More cool projects here: http://www.bigasscrafts.com/

L.A. Craft Mafia Meet and Greet Tues March 18th!


Hey everyone, the next meet and greet will be on Tues March 18th 7pm at Saints and Sinners Lounge in West L.A. If you have an indie craft business and you're interested in joining the L.A. Craft Mafia we will have applications for membership on hand, so come on out! If you're just interested in hanging with some crafty chicks and crafting along with our special guest Mark Montano, author of "Big Ass Book of Crafts" that's cool too. Just bring your crafty friends and meet us at:

L.A. Craft Mafia Meet and Greet!
Tues March 18th at 7:00pm
Saints and Sinners Lounge
10899 Venice Blvd
W. Los Angeles, Ca 90034
www.SaintsAndSinnersLounge.net

Friday, March 14, 2008

Big Ass Book of Crafts book signing Saturday 3/15!



Don't miss this book signing for BIG ASS BOOK of CRAFTS tomorrow at Skylight Books in Los Feliz!!

Time: Saturday, March 15, 2008 5:00 p.m.
Location: Skylight Books
Title of Event: MARK MONTANO
Big Ass Book of Crafts: More Than 150 Crafts to Fill Your Home, Give to Friends, Decorate The Yard, or Send to Mom (Simon & Schuster)

Montano, who is host of TLC’s 10 Years Younger, part of the design team for While You Were Out and cohost of the Style Network’s My Celebrity Home and She’s Moving In, has a crafty conversation about great things to make.

SURPRISE GIVE-AWAYS!!

He says, “Growing up, I never even thought that we should go out and buy something new—it was always more fun to see if we could make something from scratch or rework something we already had. For me, crafting isn’t about attaining some level of perfection, but about making something so funky and unique that it could never be mass-produced.”

"Finally!" VenusZine writes. "A how-to craft book for the practical, curious, and 'granny-chic' alike.

Renegade Craft Fair- San Francisco




Renegade Craft Fair - San Francisco is happening on July 12th. Starting today, vendor applications are being accepted for this crafty extravaganza! Go to www.renegadecraft.com/sanfran/index.html to apply. Here's more info about RCF-San Francisco straight from their website: "The Renegade Craft Fair is a unique DIY event held 4 times a year in Brooklyn, NY, Chicago, IL and San Francisco, CA. RCF has gained a reputation over the last five years as being the biggest, best and the most well-known of all the DIY craft fairs out there. Each individual fair draws hundreds of applicants and tens of thousands of shoppers from all over the country and abroad! At the RCF you'll find all sorts of cool handmade stuff ranging from comic books to craft kits, silkscreened posters to reconstructed clothing."

Tuesday, March 11, 2008

This Saturday in L.A.!

This Saturday March 15th you can find us selling at the bout. This week it's Fight Crew VS. Sirens. "Banked track roller derby, beer, bands, vendor village shopping." Come check it out! ladd 1
http://derbydolls.com/la/index.html

Thursday, March 6, 2008

CraftCon.org


How exciting, a conference for owners of indie craft businesses! Here's the scoop: "Craft Con is a business development conference for the craft community. People who make things of all types, of all backgrounds, will come together to talk about the business side of crafting, how they market themselves, and the philosophies behind it all. The conference will be held April 4-6 in San Francisco, California." Go to www.CraftCon.org to submit an application.

Wednesday, March 5, 2008

Mucha Muchacha is headed for the Rose Bowl


I've got a whole bunch of new jewelry ready for Rose Bowl this Sunday. I'll even have earrings available for sale! Rose Bowl is a HUGE flea market that is held on the second Sunday of each month in Pasadena. If you're looking for vintage clothes, modern furniture, funky jewelry or custom items then this is the place for you. It's this Sunday March 9th from 8am to 4pm. Go to http://www.rgcshows.com/RoseBowlFleaMarket/tabid/52/Default.aspx for more info.