Phantom Limb

Draw your own conclusions

2009-11-25T12:47:00.001-08:00

Hi everyone,

Please take a seat and get “comfortable” as I deal with some unsaid business. Go back with me, if you will to the first DUCF.

Why? Because that is when I started making my mixed paper journals – in fact, I sold the first batch of about 20 during the show August 2006. During the first year that I made these books they had library pockets in the front and due date slips in the back. I know we’ve all seen them, but here are some photos just to remind us what they look like.

All from my Flickr May 2007

Now here are journals by Comfortably Lovely. These journals were posted by her blog on January 28, 2009

And some more posted by her this year:

Similiar notebooks she put in a store here are the exact same size and page count as mine.

Oh, if only that were the only thing I’d like to point out. Here are some other things that look suspiciously like my work.

My work:

Posted to Flickr March 2008

Comfortably Lovely:

Posted 2009

My work:

Posted May 2007

Comfortably Lovely:

Posted 2009

The back of my journals:

Posted March 2008

Comfortably Lovely:

Posted 2009

I use paper quotes in my collages a lot:

Posted August 2007

Comfortably Lovely:

Posted 2009

Shall I keep going? OK.

Here are the stationery sets I had been making since 2008, and sold first to Drake General Hotel in early 2009.

Posted to Flickr Oct. 2008, sold at DUCF 3 in Nov. 2008.

Then suddenly, surprise! This post popped up on the Comfortably Lovely blog this past Saturday.

The “art” of letter writing is something I have been talking about online lately for my new zine “Write Back Soon!” and my new line of extended letter kits which debuting at DUCF this past Saturday.

My Etsy listing for Write Back Soon

My Facebook post about my new line of goods

I am happy to discuss where the ideas for my work comes from and how my work fits into a larger philosophy about work produced in Detroit and remaking the city.

I am also happy to talk about how I operate with transparency and fairness in both Handmade Detroit and my own business, or anything else that anyone may have heard a rumor about.

I am also happy to openly discuss the ex-boyfriend that the artist behind CL and I share -- because that relationship has absolutely nothing to do with anything that I sell in Phantom Limb.

If you spend 5 seconds with me, you’d see how much I value creativity, originality and independent spirit, and how important I believe it is for not only the Detroit community but the handmade community at large.

I hope you will continue to support original work and their makers.

Thanks everyone for reading this,
Stephanie

p.s. In the time it took me gather all this stuff today, it looks like she is claiming I'm stealing from Emily Kircher. Hey Emily, can you post the truth about that in the comments please?

Birthday Sale!

2009-06-12T06:15:00.001-07:00

It's my birthday! I'm happy to be alive, let's celebrate!

25 percent off everything in my Etsy shop! Free shipping on orders over $40! Free goodies packs with every purchase! Today only! (6/12/09)

Discount prices are as marked. Get shopping!

http://thephantomlimb.etsy.com

Classic

2009-05-26T18:20:00.000-07:00

Join us tonight!

2009-05-07T10:20:00.001-07:00

I'm speaking with the other Handmade Detroit ladies tonight at the Indie Biz Chicks Conference.

From HD: "News update! The members of Handmade Detroit will be speaking at the Indie Biz Chicks Conference this Thursday, May 7, at 8 p.m. We’re joining a pretty bad-ass roster of lady speakers, including Jenny Hart and Gwen Bell! We’ll be talking about craft fair questions 101."

Lish will also be speaking at 7 tonight about low-cost online marketing.

It's free to register and listen live. Otherwise you can purchase all the recordings and related materials after the conference. And if you click on the banner above or ad on the right, I'll get a percentage of the sale. So, um, do that, please?

This cloud pin is Lish Dorset approved!

2009-05-07T08:58:00.000-07:00

Get yours here.

Ohio and Minnesota and restock

2009-05-05T07:41:00.000-07:00

Hello to all my new Green Street readers! Here's a quick update of new Phantom Limb goods and restocks.

Wholly Craft now stocks new Ohio map cards and mixed-paper journals.

For Minnesota map cards and journals, head over to i like you and Truly.

Letter sets are at the Drake Hotel General Store. And Renegade Handmade has some as well -- along with a few new original tree collages.

New felt pins based on my collage characters: Quote trees, rain-filled clouds and bird wings have made their way to 323 East.

And if you are not near any of these shop, all of these items are slowly being added to my Etsy shop this week.

Inspiration in an unlikely place

2009-05-04T11:39:00.000-07:00

I really did not expect the Watkins Museum in Winona, MN to be this crazy-inspiring place so all I had was my camera phone. Watkins was a door-to-door sales company that sold everything from soap to spices to both my grandmas. Though it's no longer a door-to-door operation, the company is still around -- and their branding is smart -- catering to a sensible sense of nostalgia.

The museum was small but is jam-packed with old products with some seriously sweet color and design things happening. You can check out fuzzy photos of some of my favorite packaging here.

Yay Ferndale artists!

2009-04-16T08:07:00.000-07:00

New bike

2009-04-09T14:43:00.000-07:00

I am going crazy because I can't work on this today.

My next show is

2009-04-07T09:25:00.000-07:00

Mystery of the Car Driving Another Car

2009-04-05T19:35:00.000-07:00

We heart the Pierce. Multi-colored watermelon with batwings. Prince hat. Yes.

Can you relate?

2009-03-31T19:26:00.000-07:00

Mike: Wanna hear a crazy story?

Me: Sure!

Mike: OK, but so you stay interested, every time I say "Grateful Dead," just substitute it with the words "valuable crafting supplies."

You are inspiring

2009-03-28T09:44:00.000-07:00

Colorful favorites, lately.

1. 3.23 some to grow into, 2. what else?, 3. type, 4. lil' pouches, 5. yellow stripes, 6. coming soon!, 7. Untitled, 8. Molly's Sketchbook: A Wedding Quilt, 9. Thrifted cup

Looks painful

2009-03-24T18:13:00.001-07:00

Flipping through the channels tonight, I see a young Angelina Jolie on Lifetime. "What is this?," I ask myself. So I Google Lifetime to find a TV schedule and click on the homepage. And then

oh my Jerry O'Connell.

If there was ever a doubt that I'd read a Nora Roberts book, this seals it. This designer's Photoshop skills be workin' overtime. Airbrush just got realz.

Roundup: Friends of mine

2009-03-04T09:46:00.000-08:00

My buds have been busy!

+ Mike recently answered some questions on MotorCityRocks about about one of the bands, Pinkeye. They play Saturday, but Mike is also playing with Lull Tucker tomorrow and Red China on Saturday.

+ Bethany was recently featured on ChristyNelson.net.

+ I just found out about this lovely blog that my friend Asako is keeping. Oh, to take photos like she does.

The Projects

2009-03-02T09:10:00.000-08:00

Change sparks possibility. Sometimes those possibilities can be overwhelming and you end up with a desk that looks like this. This is what it looks like when you have trouble deciding a direction. When you suddenly find yourself with many ideas and limited time. Skipping from one project to the other {mainly in an attempt to get the ideas semi-fleshed out} has been my method as of late.

Looking through my recent photos, I notice how even the light in my new place is different; bright and moody. Gone also is the white table which I relied on for product shots. Both have forced me to consider new photo possibilities. It's a small thing, but it matters.

Lost February

2009-03-01T18:33:00.000-08:00

Did that just happen? Did I just go a month without blogging this site? Sad.

I promise I do have some stuff to share this week. I can hear you sighing with relief.

Mike makes rad stuff

2009-01-28T08:19:00.000-08:00

This calendar was Mike's big Christmas project for friends and family. It's very rad. Each month features a drawing of a dead musician and some writing about them.

Each day of the year lists musicians who have a birthday on that day.

This makes or a rather fun game of "imagine that band" for any given day. I'd personally love to see Susannah Hoffs collaborate with Stephin Merritt and/or Steve Earle. If you threw in Kid Rock though, it'd all just come out sounding like Bob Seger anyway.

If you'd like one of these awesome calendars, Mike would be happy to make one for you for $15 (and shipping if you live far away), basically the cost to get it printed. Shoot him an e-mail or leave a comment here with your e-mail and he will be in touch. The whole thing came packaged with a mixed CD featuring each month's hand-drawn artist, but you may not get that part given copyright laws and such.

Shop update, Facebook offer

2009-01-20T16:02:00.000-08:00

The Phantom Limb shop is slowly being updated with new items -- a bit every day this week. If you've been waiting patiently for new stuff (especially those Letter Sets) make sure to check it out, and check back often.

As always, because of the nature of my work (every item is one-of-a-kind), not everything makes the online shop. If there is something you're looking for in particular, for example, an orange Michigan map card, chances are good I have it -- just message me. And yes, I can make your state.

Also, my Facebook fan list is growing! If it reaches over 100 peeps by the end of the week (that's only 6 more people), I'll be sending everyone who joined a coupon code for 10 percent off my shop and free gift with purchase. If you're not a fan, now is the time to do so! The only way to get the code and gift is to join up.

What to do with a suit this awesome.

2009-01-18T19:29:00.001-08:00

A few days ago, Mike came over and said he had something to show me. Giggling, he went into the bathroom and a few minutes later came out wearing this:

Uh, yes. That would indeed be a denim and leather 3-piece suit. The details on this beauty are pretty choice. Let's get a closer look, shall we?

So the story goes that Mike spotted this a few years back, at least, in a thrift store. It being what it is, and fitting Mike well, he bought it without hesitation. The ultimate thrift score. As these things often go, what seems like perfection is sometimes just too much, and the occasion where one might wear such a super suit has never arisen. I suggested that we throw a fete in the suit's honor. Mike wants to retire it to eBay. I think we're going to do both.

We interrupt this melodrama to bring you

2009-01-09T17:29:00.000-08:00

My new favorite show

Crafty Road Trips Part 2: Minnesota Center for Book Arts, Big Brain

2009-01-06T18:16:00.000-08:00

Reprinted from Handmade Detroit.

Read Part I here.

Le whoa. I am behind. Where was I? Oh yes, "my new favorite place on earth and blowing all my money on art comics."

The new favorite place is the Minnesota Center for Book Arts. I'm sure other cities have these. Ah yes, New York, San Fran, you are lucky.

In Ann Arbor there is Hollanders, of course ... but ... I think I'm getting ahead of myself. Here are a couple of crummy pictures I took outside the MCBA. It was absolutely freezing the day we visited (go figure), so my patience for standing outside taking photos was nil.

The Center offers workshops and classes for students of all ages in all my favorite mediums: Letterpress, silkscreen, bookbinding and paper making, among many others -- there are also drop-in times to use the cool machines and such. The day we were there, they were teaching saddle stitch a group of elementary students. With so many people around, I got a little camera shy inside the workshop area, so just imagine a big room filled with typepresses and paper cutters. Yeah, it was awesome.

In the gallery, I was enamored with Brian Aldrich's paper work.

These "things" were free for visitors. Each came with instructions on how to fold them and carry them around. Very Fluxus.

He was also responsible for these "Art balls" made of "100 percent pure art."

I really wanted one of those crates.

The little typewriter-written sign said "Contents -- Boiled Art and Various Ingredients." A single ball was only $20 and you could save by buying a crate of them -- 6 -- for $90. Although I left the art balls behind (hehe), I did manage to pick up some binding supplies and a few zines I have been wanting forever. Score.

And while we're on the subject of printed matter: If you go to the MCBA, just a few steps down the street is Big Brain Comics. The guy behind the counter was super friendly -- chatting us up about Detroit's indie book and comic scene. I ended up spending the rest of my money on comics and magazines here -- but it was totally worth it.

Next up: The final installment of the Crafty Road Trip series, in which I travel over the border ... and buy more comics!

Crafty Road Trips Part I: No Coast, Craftsmas and Truly

2008-12-23T10:06:00.000-08:00

Reprinted from Handmade Detroit

I recently returned from crafty adventures in Minneapolis and Toronto. Dedicated readers of this blog will remember that Minneapolis is dear to my heart -- the place where some of my favorite craft proprietors and my sweet younger sister call home. First up on my agenda was participating in a few craft fairs. The No Coast Craft-o-rama is one of my favorite shows -- Crafters Local 612 never fail to pack the Midtown Global Market with eager shoppers and the atmosphere is always exciting and fun. Here is what part of my booth looked like:

I also had a prime spot near the entrance next to some super awesome peeps -- on the right was crafty buds Sarah and Angela of I Like You. I was too slow to get one of Angela's adorable scarf/hat combos -- a "scart" I believe they were calling them. To our left was our entertainment -- Andy and Micah of Campfire Goods. Check out their site for a load of Michigan (and Midwest) themed shirts -- I already traded them for this one.

It was also great to chat with Reba, Fran of Zeichen Press, the ladies of Rectangle Design and Oona of Run Amok. I'm still regretting hesitating and missing out on a handpainted Wooden Folk figure (they don't seem to have a site), but I did score some adorable stuff at Studio Mela's booth.

After No Coast, it was time for The Handmaidens' Craftsmas show held at a cool old VFW in Uptown. Here's my table (and sister) for that show:

I had sold a lot and was worried many of the shoppers would be the same from the day before. This was a silly fear -- One sweet lady said she couldn't stop thinking about my stuff and had made the trek in just for me. Awesome.

Because this show was less packed than No Coast, I was able to have more meaningful conversations with some other makers -- I love running into Dawn, who made the awesome cat shirts from Summer Smash 8. I also got to meet the sweet Sarah of Truly Fine Design (and traded for some of her sweet stationery) and -- here's hoping this blog can help -- a really nice ceramicist recently transplanted from Brooklyn with her girlfriend. {I sadly lost her card, but if you are her, please get in touch!}

The next day we headed to Truly, an indie design store in White Bear Lake. Pardon the pun, but this store is truly adorable, carrying everything from crafting books and supplies like handspun yarn to the finished products of local and national artists.

We picked up a few of Minneapolis artist Adam Turman's postcard prints as well as some of our Christmas presents in the store. Right now it's the only place you can buy my Minnesota map cards and journals pictured at the top of this post.

Next up in my crafty adventures: I find my new favorite place on earth and blow all my money on art comics and zines.

Craft-venture

2008-12-02T13:07:00.000-08:00

I'm heading out of town kiddos. Heading to Minneapolis for these shows -- and then to Toronto for this one.

In Minneapolis, I'm debuting Minnesota map notebooks and cards! My booth for No Coast is awesome -- right at the entrance of the fair, with a bunch of peeps I heart. Please stop by and say hello to my sister and I!

If you're coming to City of Craft, I will be handing out really awesome goodie bags, full of info and products from Detroit-area crafters and bands (like shirts, CDs, cards and soaps), to the first 50 or so people who make a purchase from me.

Hope to see you!

Dec. 5 + 6: No Coast Craft-o-rama

3-8 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday
Midtown Global Market, Minneapolis

Dec. 7: Handmaidens MLPS CRAFTSmas

10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Upton VFW Hall, Minneapolis

Dec. 13: City of Craft

Noon to 8 p.m.
The Theatre Centre, Toronto

Elephant ears endorsement

2008-11-25T11:02:00.001-08:00

Two out of two Tardy girls agree: Elephant ears are delicious. Get yours today!

Proof that I am still alive

2008-11-24T11:53:00.001-08:00

Uploaded by sweetie pie press on 19 Nov 08, 8.03PM PST.

I stole this photo from Becky as proof I am still alive -- and that the knitting continues.

While I've made it into my new place, many things are still in boxes, including my utensils, which are proving to be quite hard to find. My internet connection is also not up and running. Though Comcast finally got it connected, I'm missing a wireless card for my Mac -- and my laptop, despite my pleading, is picking up my signal but doesn't actually want to load any inner-net pages. This is proving to be both a blessing -- as there is plenty to do outside of the internet distractions -- and a curse -- as I am superiorly behind in my e-mail communications, bill paying and other parts of my life that this world wide web keeps a-chuggin.'

When you toss in the big, exciting shows and travelling just around the corner, the to-do list at this very moment feels a bit overwhelming. I find myself saying often "Let's tackle that in the new year." I've got so much put off that "new year" is sure to turn into "spring" for some of these projects -- unless someone can make December last 3 or 4 months.

Finally, Angela's Eye made a super cute video about DUCF that I am in -- and co-founder Carey and A Bag: A Dress genius Adrienne and many others, too. Check it out here.

Lately and housekeeping

2008-11-18T15:52:00.000-08:00

This is going to be one of those posts with no real point, but lots of ramble. My attention is split between the tasks of moving, finishing up my holiday show making and looking forward to all the stuff that this work will be for. A new place, Mike's birthday, seeing my sister, and hanging out with Becky, Aitor and Jen -- I am really looking forward to the next month or so though my updates may be super light.

A few housekeeping items:

+ I had hoped to update my Etsy with some PL goodies before December, but that is looking less likely as the tasks pile up. If there is something you'd like to purchase, a Michigan item or even a custom order, for a holiday gift, please get in touch -- my e-mail is listed in the sidebar.

+ If you're the designer type, the Celebrate Michigan Design lecture and reception (put on by Detroit AIGA) is taking place tomorrow night. Sadly, I can't make it, but Handmade Detroit totes and mitten pins, designed by me, are going to be there holding the awesome Michigan product bags up for silent auction. I'm super honored to be included in this -- thanks so much to Colleen!

+ The PCCA holiday show, which includes some of my work, opens this week.

+ If you're coming to City of Craft -- and as my stats are showing lately, many of you are interested -- I have a special something awesome planned for my table. Stay tuned for more details on this ...

DUCF recapped

2008-11-18T15:48:00.000-08:00

And my thoughts are here.

DUCF is this Saturday

2008-11-13T08:38:00.000-08:00

Yep, it's true. DUCF #3 is this Saturday @ the Fillmore in Detroit. We're all putting the final touches on -- get all the knitty gritty details of directions, parking and other important info over on the HD blog.

See you soon!

We miss you dearly Samo

2008-11-10T21:31:00.000-08:00

You never really had a choice with Salem -- he was your friend right from the start. Even if you didn't particularly like cats, his purr, generally audible from 2 or 3 rooms away would melt your heart. He captured the hearts of friends and even the stray kitty that Mike eventually coaxed inside and named Olive. He was also the master of any situation, a calming force of cool confidence with his broad chin and sweet and strong demeanor. He was nuzzler and liked to place himself in sometimes awkward spots, close to you, but in spots that demanded attention like in the photo above. Clearly he wants to be directly where I am sitting.

And did I mention that purr? You'd only need to look at him and he'd get so excited his motor would turn on full speed. Sometimes he would shake if a particularly good rubbing session was happening. While Rutager is my baby, Salem, or Samo as we tended to call him, was Mike's buddy. Mike would often say "sorry folks, best cat ever" and no one was ever silly enough to disagree. He really was the sweetest cat ever.

When we had to put him down yesterday, he was purring right until the end. The most heartbreaking thing. We all miss you Samo. Thank you for bringing joy and comfort and companionship to all of us, and especially to Mike.

What's on your mind?

2008-11-07T07:42:00.000-08:00

Send your message to our next President.

My holiday show list

2008-10-28T12:49:00.000-07:00

Nov. 7: Detroit Artists Market Holiday Show
Opening reception 6-9 p.m.

Runs through Dec. 21.

Detroit Artists Market

Nov 15: Detroit Urban Craft Fair

10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Fillmore Detroit (fomerly the State Theatre), downtown Detroit

Nov. 22: PCCA Holiday Gift Gallery

Preview from 9 a.m. to noon

Runs through January 3

Paint Creek Center for the Arts, Rochester, MI

Dec. 5 + 6: No Coast Craft-o-rama

3-8 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Midtown Global Market, Minneapolis

Dec. 7: Handmaidens MLPS CRAFTSmas
10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Upton VFW Hall, Minneapolis

Dec. 13: City of Craft

Noon to 8 p.m.

The Theatre Centre, Toronto

Dec. 21: Holiday Sunday Crafternoon

Noon to 5:30 p.m.

The WAB Lounge @ the Woodward Avenue Brewers, Ferndale

Letters are awesome

2008-10-27T13:41:00.001-07:00

I scored this super awesome box of vintage cardboard letters a few weekends back. Spell things out with me here.

Working on new designs for Handmade Detroit

2008-10-15T09:27:00.000-07:00

Personal knitting victory

2008-10-12T17:39:00.000-07:00

This may look like an ordinary knitting swatch, to me it's so much more. It's a personal knitted victory -- the first time I held straight sticks and had the thing I was working on come out looking nice. It's a basic rib stitch, and it only took 3 open knitting books in front of me and 2 YouTube videos on purl stitch, plus about 3 hours, to get this far. But it looks really great to me.

Speaking of those knitting books, surely someone has noticed the sameness between "Knitting in Plain English" and "Stitch n Bitch." I guess that makes them good companions -- two people saying essentially the same things helps drill it in. The former, in combination with my first pair of circular needles, was the catalyst that got me here. I had felt beaten by knitting -- that it was smarter than me. The book touted itself as "The only knitting book you'll ever need" and that, in combination with a 40 percent off coupon, sold me on a last-ditch effort to enter the side of the knitting knowledgeable. Circular needles are short and less awkward to hold -- this may sound silly, but oh, oh how my life has changed. Less bulk! That is the ticket!

I now understand the knitting addiction, for all I want to do is watch Tudors on DVR and get in a few more rows before bed. Just a few more rows. All of this is to say: Knitters of the world. I get it now.

This week has been two months long

2008-10-03T11:18:00.000-07:00

Rachael got married.

Toured Gwen Frostic's place.

Miket played with John Sinclair. They are playing a few more times, if you missed this one.

Somewhere in the middle of all of this, I got sick and I tried to work on Craft-o-ween. It's going to be a late night for me!

Handmade Nation book

2008-09-26T19:57:00.001-07:00

More here.

Thriller

2008-09-14T07:38:00.000-07:00

Seeing my name in print has always held a special thrill for me. Even as a kid, when I got published in an anthology or something, seeing my byline was a concrete example that I had created something. Usually though, one can anticipate this moment. You write something and it has a publication date. Imagine my surprise then, to pick up the softcover of this book in Borders yesterday ...

and in the back, see that I've blurbed Amy Spencer's other book, the excellent "Crafter's Culture Handbook."

Yeah, pretty shocked. We will forgive them the typos because the thrill, well, the thrill is still there.

xoxo,
crafter Stephanie

Pretty, pretty

2008-08-29T10:59:00.000-07:00

Seeking: A free afternoon to clean this blog up

2008-08-26T12:15:00.001-07:00

Sorry for not posting much lately. I'm behind on lots of things. For an example, please see the just-opened box of Easter-themed Nerds I'm currently eating. To no one's suprise: They don't really go bad. I'm considering burying them in a time capsule and trying to eat some in 30 years. Ten bucks says I wouldn't even notice.

This is what it looks like when you smash old Nerds together mid-air.

I have been thinking a lot lately of the things I own. Here's a nifty project I found via Good Magazine: The ConsumeReconnection Project.

Today = FAIL

2008-08-04T18:15:00.000-07:00

Today I had about 800 things to do. And the day actually got off to a good start -- I woke up early and starting attacking my list like something that attacks things in a big, mad way. But then the car repair vortex swallowed my entire day and to-do list.

Tip of the day: If you have to get a new battery for your car, bring your own tools to Murray's.

--

Yes, I am still working on cleaning up this blog. I'm sneaking in what I can when I can, so please excuse the mess for the next few weeks.

Please excuse the mess

2008-07-29T08:48:00.000-07:00

Please excuse the mess. You've caught me in the middle of changing over blogs. Sadly the process is proving slow. Thanks for understanding! stephanie

You can go home again, but it's probably been re-sided.

2008-07-25T14:37:00.000-07:00

This is the lesson learned three times in the past month. Or I guess, technically, twice; though I’ve visited three of houses I grew up in. And, yes, visited might be a strong word, as all we really did was drive by slowly, too chicken to stop and take a photo, lest anyone think some sort of weird house stalker was roaming the neighborhood. What is that? That awkward feeling when looking at our old homes? What was once so familiar gets changed, maybe in the most subtle ways, like a giant metal star now calls our former front porch home, and that change makes our former routines seem like another life.

I've lived in a lot of towns. And maybe this is why my life has always felt as if it contained more definitive growth markers than others' lives. When you are young and you change schools every few years and you change friends every few years -- and those changes just happen to occur at the end of grade school, middle school and high school -- you learn to accept the change as a signifier, a marker of a chapter closed. In fact, you start to yearn for change, or maybe more accurately, you start to yearn for the markers.

I turned 30 this year and that alone has not felt like a big enough marker; not yet, but I'm working on it, ready for it.

---

Totally unrelated: Miket recently recorded with John Sinclair and that is cool!

Quick notes

2008-07-16T14:37:00.000-07:00

+ Alli interviewed me about Phantom Limb on her blog Handmade Wonderful this past weekend.

+ Angela interviewed me for the "In the Workplace" series on her blog beyondwords recently, too.

+ I am in the (very slow) process of moving this blog from TypePad to Blogger. I adore TypePad and wish I could stay here, but quite frankly TypePad costs money, Blogger is free; Stephanie is poor. If you're reading this in a RSS feed, you will need to add my new address: http://yourphantomlimb.blogspot.com before the end of the month (when I pull the plug on this site).

Yarn over, or I admit an embarrassing discovery

2008-07-08T14:36:00.000-07:00

When Becky stayed with me, I noticed that her crochet style seemed a bit different than mine. I think I even commented on it. My aunt taught me the basics and everything else, I've had to figure out alone. For that reason, it takes me a really long time to figure out patterns and get it look like the photo. Or at least I thought that was my issue.

I borrowed this book from the library because there is a plaid scarf pattern that resembles a weaving technique that I have an idea for, much like Pam's woven green scarf. The plan was this: Learn this technique, adapt it to the idea I have. But what actually happened was this: I realized I have been crocheting wrong the whole time. Well, no wonder it's been so hard for me! And the thing I was doing wrong? In my crochet, there was no "yarn over." (The crocheters out there just rolled their eyes or spit our their drink. In other words, this is a super basic step.) Thusly why Becky's style seemed different -- she was doing a forward movement I never did. When I think of how long it's taken me to get a stitch looking right in the past -- well, I guess there is something to be said for professional training.

Anyway, I apologize for anyone that I've taught to crochet wrong -- try adding in this "yarn over" thing. It will change your life.

Remember 2005?

2008-07-01T14:36:00.000-07:00

There was like Hurricane Katrina and Live 8 and ... I actually had a zine out. Well, I got a handful of that zine back from a distro today and threw them up on my Etsy shop. This is almost certainly your last chance to buy a copy. And relive 2005. Pick yourself up a copy.

Love this

2008-06-27T14:35:00.000-07:00

The romanticised struggle

2008-06-24T14:34:00.000-07:00

There is an episode of Punk'd where Ashley Simpson still has her old nose and they take her to an art gallery and set off the water sprinklers. The prank really works because the art is all painted on cardboard and gets drippy when the water flies -- as the fake brother explains, the artist was too poor to buy real canvas. I would comment on the romanticised struggle of the poor, unknown artist (who is fake) and the juxtapoz of a someone famous before she even produced a work (and maybe she is still to produce her own work) who is real, but mostly I'm surprised I watched an episode of Punk'd in the first place.

Anyway, I am a struggling artist so I'm updating my Etsy shop a little bit each day this week -- keep checking back for new newness.

My new favorite sandwich

2008-06-23T14:34:00.000-07:00

There use to be this really fancy take-out place by my work that served a ham sandwich with a slice of cooked peach in it. The way the sweetness of the peach played off the spice of the ham was so yummy. Although I can't remember the exact things on that sandwich, I have lately been making this similiar sandwich for lunch.

A crusty bread of your choice
A slice of Mozarella
A thick slice of white peach
2 slices of ham
(and/or) A small smattering of uncooked spinach

Melt the Mozarella onto the bread (in a microwave this takes about 35 seconds), then build in your favorite order. (Mine is the order listed.)

Waiting

2008-06-20T14:33:00.000-07:00

In the photo: 1. hasselblad dream, 2. Mark Kozelek Gigposter, 3. [LINBT], 4. They left, 5. Untitled, 6. Top of Skates, 7. Piecework Magazine Pincushion Contest!, 8. Type, 9. Untitled

Felty

2008-06-04T14:33:00.000-07:00

Shortest trunk show recap ever!

2008-06-03T14:32:00.000-07:00

I'm having issues with Typepad, so please excuse the lack of photos and cleverness -- after the 4th time re-writing this post, I decided to just keep it simple. :)

Thanks to everyone who came out to the Trunk show @ Naka! And especially thank you to Kelly for hosting, Brittany for all her help, Bethany for being a great partner and Mike for being awesome. I had tons of fun -- it was a thrill to see my art hung in a shop like that and I definitely hope to do more similiar ventures in the future.

Photos of my set up can be seen here.

Felty corners

2008-05-27T14:31:00.000-07:00

+ I've been posting about DIY bike projects over at Handmade Detroit.

+ DUCF is moving to November and has a new location for 2008.

+ Trunk show Thursday! I'm getting really excited about this. In addition to Phantom Limb cards and journals, I will debuting a 15 piece art grouping titled "Summer Lines and Shapes." I'll also be bringing a new line of small collage art pieces inspired by my Michigan mixed paper journals. Here's a sneak peak at one of the "Summer Lines and Shapes" pieces:

The girl's distracted

2008-05-19T14:31:00.000-07:00

I am suppose to be working on art for the upcoming trunk show, but today the DHL dude arrived with my new phone. Then my entire schedule changed from art, art, art, art to just 15 more minutes to figure this out, cut someting, just 15 more minutes to figure this out, glue something, just 15 ...

Full disclosure: I'm blogging this so I will feel guilty, stop playing around and get back to work.

Upcoming show

2008-05-13T14:30:00.000-07:00

Click the flyer for the info!

Home again

2008-05-02T14:29:00.000-07:00

I went away but now I'm home. A proper update on that is coming soon. Here is a photo of snow snowing outside the window above my table at Craftstravaganza last weekend.

Tomorrow is Green Street Fair in Plymouth and Phantom Limb will be there.

Girl seriously loves new product, waits for company to stop making it

2008-04-22T14:29:00.000-07:00

When it comes to a lot of bathroom-y products, I am not much of a brand loyalist. Generally, I buy whatever soap is on sale or shampoo I have a coupon for -- as long as it doesn't smell like lavender. So I had a bunch of coupons, as I'm sure the other Detroit newspaper readers recently did, for Dove products. I bought some of this "energizing" deodorant in grapefruit and lemongrass scent. (Just ignore the 4 pack thing, I stole the image from Amazon.)

It is total heaven. I also got the body mist stuff with the same scent -- it's like being a big giant ball of yum all day. You should check this out next time you are sweaty!

100 trees in 2008 progress

2008-04-21T14:28:00.000-07:00

I've got 27 trees so far. Check out the progress here.

--
All of my making is done for St. Paul and Green Street. Hip, hip! I am super exhausted/excited. Also, I put my Etsy shop on vacation so that everything may come with me. It will reopen in the beginning of May.

Home stretch, sort of

2008-04-16T14:28:00.000-07:00

My list for Craftstravaganza is finally seeming managable. Only decorating these big books, and making as much art as possible. My list for Green Street, well, that's another story.

Used some scrap paper to package up some 2 pack mini journals. I have to remember to use this kid paper for more packaging.

Interiors, two

2008-04-15T14:27:00.000-07:00

The Easy Peasy DIY ephemera journal kit

2008-04-15T14:26:00.000-07:00

Working out a DIY journal kit for Green Street Fair. The kit will include everything needed to make a one-of-a-kind journal from reclaimed and scrap paper.

Interiors, one

2008-04-14T14:25:00.000-07:00

"Let it take us" grouping

2008-04-13T14:24:00.000-07:00

I am posting photos like mad today because I'm making like mad today. This is the first of hopefully 2 series of prints ... that is, if I figure out where and how to make art prints. Anyone got tips or a Detroit-area printer they like?

Getting to work

2008-04-13T14:23:00.001-07:00

The most in one batch: 153

2008-04-13T14:23:00.000-07:00

Hearsay

2008-04-11T14:22:00.000-07:00

What ever happened to Apollo Sunshine? Are they still around? Sure, I could probably Google them and figure that out myself, but I am so tired of the Internet's convenience! I want secondhand information from a third party source that isn't quite correct, but I repeat anyway. I want the shaky information like what Yahoo Answers would give me. Someone tell me something like: "They didn't officially break up, but the keyboard dude went on tour with his side project all last year and no one is any hurry to get back together to make Stephanie another good summer record." Ahhh, yes, that's it.

Also, since music seems to be on my mind a lot lately, here are two related thoughts:

1. Ryan Adams makes me feel really lazy. And the thing is, I am so not lazy! But that dude does so much in one day! Like write 5 songs, paint 8 art pieces, interview Bob Mould, shoot and edit a few videos of songs he made up on the spot and post 36 blogs about all of it. (Yes, I'm exaggerating, but it's still a lot.) How is that possible? Perhaps he has found a way to bend space-time.

2. On Pandora the other day, the little robot was recommending some really good stuff. I was digging it. It was sweet. Then it starting playing Phish. I was so offended I cancelled my account. Then I cried myself to sleep. (Yes, I'm exaggerating, but I did feel a twinge of insultment, that is, if it's even possible to feel something called insultment.)

Those were our times

2008-04-08T14:21:00.000-07:00

In Beirut's "Postcards from Italy," I particularly like the part about 2 minutes in when the horns start to carry the melody, then sink away when he starts singing:

"And I will love to see that day
That day is mine
When she will marry me outside with the willow trees
And play the songs we made"

When I say I like it, I mean I've rewinded the song to that part about 35 times so far today. If you haven't heard it, here is the video:

My favorite activity returns

2008-04-03T14:20:00.000-07:00

Happiness for naps in the spring sun.

All signs point to

2008-03-24T14:18:00.000-07:00

A few new things in the shop this morning.

Total sneak peek

2008-03-23T14:20:00.000-07:00

Bad lighting and all ...

Thoughts on DIY's "threat"

2008-03-18T14:18:00.000-07:00

The March/April '07 issue of Print has an opinion piece on DIY design, which ties into the discussion about traditional and new craft, happening on imogene's blog recently. I randomly read that article last week and have been thinking about it, but now feel compelled to work out some thoughts on the subject.

The Print article concludes that DIY designers will never replace degree holding designers, and that this is good thing because "The more amateurs do things themselves, the more they develop a refined taste for good professional work — whether in the kitchen or at the design station." This left me uneasy. DIY designers cannot be accepted or wished away by declaring them potential customers of good, actual design. Doing so misses why we are DIY/indie/alternative designers, and what that actually means.

The idea that DIY designers, musicians, writers sit down and teach themselves Photoshop, a guitar chord, or self-publish with the intention of one day replacing all the pros with their BFAs and MFAs, vocal lessons and Random House contracts is comical at best. Our reasons for starting anything are the same, varied as they may be, but rooted in a passion for that pursuit. Arguing about how these actions can never replace a trained or specialized action, is to take DIY as an aesthetic movement. DIY, whether it be indie pop, punk, zines or crafting, has always been more than more than an ornamental style, it's an adherence to specific principals.

When my DIY craft friends talks about "replacing a system" is not aimed at traditional crafters, it's aimed at corporations and the current values of our mass produced society, which create a disconnect between our goods and the producers. This is what DIY can teach the larger craft community.

DIY crafting is hard to define, to sound bite, because we don't share a common voice, a common school, a common background -- so it's easy to see how this could be confused. Slogans like "not your mama's craft fair" give the impression that we're out to overtake older crafters. Why is it being used then? A few reasons: First, we are a newer movement, to be sure; one without a ton of conferences and central, national agenda-setting organizations, or much of the resources to create them. And second, our media representations are filtered through a traditional craft understanding -- indie crafters are often compelled to resort to comparisons with a more familiar type of crafting (even myself) so that younger people will attend our events.

Defining ourselves in comparison to other crafters is a weak, easy explanation and I take it to be a signal that there needs to be more voice to the concerns and agenda of the DIY community from within the community. We must first be able to understand ourselves before we can expect others to do so. I'm not necessarily arguing for a concise definition or agenda, but more discussion, the creation of guilds and organizations. I've started to notice that the Etsy forums are often turned into a makeshift outlet for DIY crafter's concerns that a national organization would address -- a development that sits uneasily with me, despite the fact that I admire Etsy immensely. It's obvious, though, that this development signals a huge need within our community. Events like Craft Congress (or documentaries like the forthcoming Handmade Nation) are a great start. But it has occurred to me: A sole focus on local organizations like Craft Mafias and Handmade Detroit may be hurting us as a movement in the long run.

A few more specific thoughts about Annie's post:

I found myself upset about all discussion, and then justification, on education. I do not care about fancy MFAs in DIY craft (hey, new t-shirt slogan!) -- I care about passion, creation, community, talent, vision, ownership, change. Notions that make us an art movement outside of style sensibilities; things that are not given out as certificates or degrees. Presenting us under educational standards gives a false impression that we aren't sincere or serious. Our reasons for being creators, of being interpretors and inventors, of given voice and outlet for artists, are the same as any other artist, crafter, designer, thing maker or related organization. Could this notion that degrees matter be coming from traditional craft's struggle to define itself within an artistic framework? It brings up a lot of questions about the limits of a set definition for me. (Interesting especially in the DIY movement, with it's sprawling meaning.) What does one have to gain from a set definition? And what does one give up?

Overall, I left with this: Traditional publications, guilds, and conferences addressing and discussing new craft without making new crafters stakeholders will never work. I say this because DIY crafters are unbelievably savvy and we understand that larger, more established fields of fine and traditional craft have a lot to gain from marketing alt-crafters as a ornamental trend -- without ever adapting, or even understanding our methods, ethics or means. (Check out this Creative Leisure News article.)

If DIY crafters are stakeholders in the movement, it's not about sectioning them off into a "New Wave" section. It's about asking them to make the presentation to your organization. (I'm not saying this wasn't or isn't being done, just that a true understanding involves ownership.) It's about putting them on your board, in your shows, and working with them -- to develop their initiatives as much as yours. In terms of reaching out, DIY must have a meaningful seat at the table.

Phantom Limb news and notes

2008-03-14T14:16:00.000-07:00

I am buried under book making this week, starting to prep for a slew of big shows that kick off with the St. Paul Craftstravaganza at the end of April. I'll have more details on the schedule in the next week or so -- mostly I just can't get over how un-characteristic it is of me to start this early.

I'm also doing a smaller show tomorrow (March 15) at Evolutions Salon in Berkley. Mingle with creative folks, enjoy free food and drinks, and enter to win a $50 gift certificate. Details here.

Finally, Phantom Limb has a fan page on Facebook now and would love to be your friend.

Is there less you could be doing?

2008-03-04T14:16:00.000-08:00

I forgot how much I love being read to. I'm currently listening to this book before bed and totally digging how given a single focus, I can fall asleep much easier. That is sort of bad in terms of how quickly I'll make it through the book -- after about a chapter, I am asleep. My cat is probably plotting a full-scale revolt, bored with hearing the same parts repeated night after night. It's also bad in terms of possibly becoming addicted to audio books like others become addicted to white noise machines or whale sounds. But it's good in every other way. Including -- perhaps best of all -- not having the little dent just below my collarbone from holding a hardcover book up while laying down; and not having to endlessly rearrange myself from one position to another trying to avoid that little dent. In conclusion, I am apparently lazy even in leisure activites.

Thoughts on DIY and Michigan

2008-02-26T14:15:00.000-08:00

Remember how I promised to write in this blog about DIY's meaning in Detroit? Well, I'm not very good at keeping blog promises ... but I did write a guest post for MiLife MiTimes this month on the role of DIY crafting in Michigan's reinvention. Over on Handmade Detroit, I've posted some related thoughts on what DIY can do.

I couldn't end this post without saying: Many thanks to Julie for asking me to write about this -- it was really awesome to put these thoughts to keyboard.

Plus minus, inspiration

2008-02-25T14:14:00.000-08:00

+ Finally finished and sent art to Renegade Handmade.
+ I'm in an Etsy treasury today ... and I actually got to see it. I've been in them before but always heard about them after the fact.
- Forgot to take photos of the last 2 trees I made. Doh!

Some things that have been inspiring me lately:
1. This post
2. This site
3. This magazine
4. This story

100 trees in 2008

2008-02-19T14:13:00.000-08:00

I love trees. Why not make 100 of them in 2008? More info here.

Monday making revisited

2008-02-18T14:13:00.000-08:00

Been really busy working on a bunch of new collages for various things. My craft area looks like this:

These, and a few more like them, are headed to Renegade Handmade in Chicago this week:

And this, another collage piece and some Michigan journals will be up in my Etsy shop today:

View more of my current creative output on my Flickr.

Monday morning making

2008-02-11T14:12:00.000-08:00

Mike brought over his drill yesterday and I was finally able to finish a prototype for new books. This tree design has been in my mind for quite a while, though it took a few attempts to get the proportions right. I'm pretty happy with the overall outcome, but think it needs to have more pages, maybe doubled binding. More photos, including the inside with a bazillion pockets on my flickr.

Up at the top is evidence that: 1. I'm a pretty bad drawer. 2. I still try. 3. I've been watching the Complete Jane Austin on PBS and am totally enamored with scroll-y designs.

Some basic thoughts on DIY's purpose

2008-01-30T14:11:00.000-08:00

This is my comment to this post.

As a larger community/movement, DIY's overall focus or goal seems lost or scattered sometimes. I'm thinking here of crafty conversation happening in blogs -- a lot craft blogs seemed to focus on two things: Neat things to make and neat things to buy. Both of these seem to say "get more stuff," though it might be unlikely that either means to. What might be happening is that these are "sound bite" conversations -- due in large part to their format, the ease of having them, and the extra income that running a blog can now bring through advertising.

I will concede that as we are getting bigger, our focus seems to be more watered down. In a lot of ways, DIY has been growing organically and it would be great to keep having some focused discussions on what our end goals as a movement are. It's a mainstreaming thing happening, and the easiest thing to label us is as a consumerist venture. These are the outside views.

The problem I have with a straight equation of (making, selling) craft = consumerism is that it doesn't consider *why* we make, our intentions as makers -- and why we band together to make, or to sell what we've made. (Still with me?) A straight equation also assumes that consumerism=bad, always. But sometimes consumerism isn't bad. Sometimes involving yourself in consumerism pays someone's mortgage or buys them a winter coat. Sometimes it gets you something you actually need, like a diaper for your kid.

One of the best things I've ever read about modern crafting is HobbyPrincess' Craft Manifesto. Some of the things on this list have absolutely nothing to do with consumption and yet #3 stick out most to me.

"3. The things people make they usually want to keep and update. Crafting is not against consumption. It is against throwing things away."

I'd like to take that a bit further and say that DIY sets out to reclaim a responsibility for what we have and do with the "things" in our life. It's the whole "recover that chair instead of buying a new one." Is this responsibility completely lost when turning your crafting into a profitable product? I think that while, yes, "it's shopping," it's true purpose is deeper: That indie craft fairs reinforce a way to think about consuming differently.

It's easy to point to re-making crafters here -- those who take dumpster or thrifted materials and turn it into something useful. But, it's more than that: Every indie fair I have been to has crafters with some sort of personal mission -- whether it's vegan, organic soaps, reusable diaper cloths, stationery to encourage the intimacy of handwritten letters, or a million other mini, personal and progressively-minded missions. These are people who need an outlet for this type of creativity because Wal-Mart will not support their blatantly conscience-consuming missions. These missions are a lot of what sets indie crafting apart from the other kinds of craft fairs -- filled with creative, but generally decorative and useless items.

But here's the really awesome thing: I know these mini missions exist because of the conversation happening around indie crafters. Being in front of a good's maker allows this conversation to happen. And this is what really sets indie craft buying apart from Wal-Mart -- the way a community forms in setting up to sell (in person and online). This conversation happens not only with other sellers, but with customers. Thoughtful customers will leave an indie shopping event wondering where the things they buy and use are made, how they are produced, etc.

I have no problem with the Buy Handmade pledge, because even though it's sponsored by big craft players, it helps support this mission of thinking about the way we consume. The Pledge site included a bunch of links to inform yourself on what you buy. I think I could get into a "trade-off" conversation here, but I'll save that.

Yes, not everyone buying crafts will get this, sometimes shopping is just shopping -- but doesn't intention of maker still count in this transaction? Like Greg said, some people will get it, some won't. I have faith that those who hold fast to these tenants will continue to make thoughtful, caring decisions about purpose and practice.

Also, I just want to add that I think Detroit may be a somewhat special situation regarding indie crafting, and I'm going to explore that in my next post. But I'll stop here because I could go on all day ... truly these topics are a book or wiki waiting to be written.

Covet

2008-01-23T14:10:00.000-08:00

Dear consumerist gods, please bring me this.

Welcome to 2008, two weeks late; Let's look back at 2007

2008-01-16T14:10:00.000-08:00

Ah, life. How it sometimes gets in the way of blogging. I really want to post some of my favorite things from 2007, so here it is, long after everyone's made the mental switch to 2008.

+ DUCF, Handmade Detroit, Phantom Limb, etc. Let's just get this out of the way first. 2007 saw us grow by bounds and it's all just too exciting ... there are a lot of good things to mention here: Being named a 20 in their 20s, having a story in Hour, attending Craft Congress and meeting some of my crafty idols, doubling DUCF's attendance, PL finally making a small profit by the end of 2007 ... I am still so happy to be a part of it.

+ Curare: Mike puts on this festival and I always end up having a true blast. It's my new Summersmash, except 2 times a year and not as stressful.

+ 2006 saw me read barely anything, so it's refreshing that I can't remember all the books I read this year. Hands down my favorite was Chris Ware's Jimmy Corrigan: The Smartest Kid on Earth. I'm not sure it techinically counts, because I was re-reading it, but that says something about just how good this book is. Now if I had finished Alison Bechdel's Fun House about 2 weeks ago, that would be the best. But since it just got read two days ago, Fun House will have to settle for a Top 5 ever ranking. Some other books I highly enjoyed off the top of my head: My New York Diary, The History of Love, and Chip Kidd: Book One.

+ I'm turning into a Harp magazine type of lady, so my favorite music, not suprisingly, is mostly not even from this year. The things that spent the most time spinning with me were Okkervil River's album from 2005, Beirut's album from 2006 and Joanna Newsom's 2006 thing. But I also fell hard for Amy Winehouse, Feist, Wilco, seeing Ryan Adams in concert, Andrew Bird's whistling, the Jim James/Calexico cover in "I'm Not There," and naming craft events after Kinks songs.

+ Movies? TV? I didn't really see that many new films, and just recently got my cable back. But Science of Sleep, anything Audrey Hepburn and Independent Lens on PBS all made me happy. I cried appropriately when the last episode of Gilmore Girls ended.

I'm probably forgetting things, but work calls ...

My contribution

2007-12-17T14:09:00.000-08:00

For the Holiday Ornament Swap

Tangled

2007-12-11T14:09:00.000-08:00

Highly adaptive, quick growing, they climb and cling to their enviroment. Grow where you are planted. But they are not self-supporting, can bind bigger trees and are sometimes seen as predators -- fighting for resources, crumbling walls.

1. Vine, 2. Vines, 3. 08_09_2006 Vines, 4. dequindre_cut-16 Created with fd's Flickr Toys.

The doer

2007-12-04T14:08:00.000-08:00

"The doer is merely a fiction added to the deed -- the deed is everything."
Nietzche

Doing something

2007-11-28T14:06:00.000-08:00

"Doing something

"It is so much easier to not do something than to do something. Even the smallest task, like filling out a Scholastic Books order form or putting away the butter, requires time, focus, and follow-through. It’s astounding, actually, that anything gets done at all, by anyone.

"But then, let’s say you finally are prepared and determined to do that thing, whatever it is, but you wake up to find that your basement has flooded and you must spend your day making phone calls to the contractor, plumber, and carpet people. Or not that but something else—perhaps you must stand before a committee for approval, a committee that neither grasps your intent nor appreciates your ingenuity, and anyway, they are in a bit of a hurry to break for lunch.

"Yet. Still. Somehow. I am encouraged to see that despite the colossal effort, despite the odds against one, despite the mere constraints of time and schedules and sore throats, houses do get built, pottery gets glazed, e-mails get sent, trees get planted, shoes get reheeled, manifestos get Xeroxed, films get shot, highways get repaved, cakes get frosted, stories get told."

From An Encyclopedia of an Ordinary Life

Phantom Limb in Snippets

2007-11-27T14:05:00.000-08:00

Read about Phantom Limb's "Creative Space" here.

Crafty roundup

2007-11-20T14:04:00.000-08:00

HDHM was a blast! I took Sunday off and started my holiday shopping, but it's quickly back to work for some upcoming shows.

+ Becky wrote a nice post about visiting Detroit and our crafty happenings.
+ I'm super excited that my work will be in the Detroit Artists Market for Noel Night Dec. 1 through the end of their holiday show Dec. 22.
+ I'll also be at the Shadow Art Fair Dec. 1 in Ypsi with more scarves (most of them sold at HDHM!) and the usual Michigan-loving goods.

Also, I am so thrilled about these ...

Here's Mike:

Unflattering Portrait of Mike

The WAB
Detroit, MI
November 17, 2007

Uploaded by sweetie pie press on 18 Nov 07, 10.31PM PST.

And here's me this summer:

Unflattering Portrait of Stephanie

Big Art Show Detroit
Detroit, MI
June 11, 2007

Uploaded by sweetie pie press on 13 Jun 07, 9.35AM PST.

See more here.

Put your money where your mouth is.

2007-11-06T14:03:00.000-08:00

For a couple of years, pre-Handmade Detroit, I was able to make at least one gift or bake some cookies for everyone on my holiday list. In the past few years, this has become almost impossible. So this year, what I do not make, I plan to buy all handmade or from independent retailers. No Amazon. No Target (that is the biggie for me). No Hallmark.

I urge everyone to buy some of your gifts at the Handmade Detroit Holiday Market,* from someone on Etsy, or to go all out and make them yourself. Gift-receivers will appreciate the specialness of handmade items and many, many things are not only affordable, but infinitely delightful and unique. If you need some place to start, check out my "Adore" list on the right sidebar.

* I had to sneak that one in.

Getting crafty in Hour magazine

2007-11-06T14:02:00.000-08:00

The November issue of Hour has a big story on the Detroit "Craft Revolution," featuring the ladies of Handmade Detroit and lots of folks we work with. The writer did a fabulous job of understanding our collective histories and highlighting lots of ways to get involved with local crafty groups. The magazine is way too big for my little scanner, so make sure to pick up a copy to read the whole thing!

Thank you, Hour! We love it.

This is for Rachael

2007-10-31T14:02:00.000-07:00

Because Rachael will remember.

Happy Halloween!

2007-10-31T14:01:00.000-07:00

I am watching you watching

2007-10-30T14:00:00.000-07:00

I hadn't been to the movie theater since I saw The Devil and Daniel Johnston at the DFT. In other words, a really long time. In the past week though, I've been twice.

Wes Anderson is one of my favorites because of his use of color, typography and cute boys. In other words, I absolutely adored Darjeeling. There are more overt jokes in this movie ... but do you wonder, as I do, that an Anderson audience is laughing at the correct times, not for an understanding of the actual words? The mood around an Anderson audience is intense. People want to love it, they want to fit in and "get it." Could you image the same mood for a Tom Hanks movie? It's as if Anderson audiences are trying to express some sort of community with the other audience members. {"We find this funny together! We totally understand it and fit in as a hip and intellectual audience member!"} Or, conversely, to express some sort of superior intellect. {"Why are you not laughing? Are you not smart enough?"}

I think this same audience followed us to Control. The man who beat his leg with uproarious giggles after The Fall mention. The man who laughed a little too loud at the Buzzcocks jokes. OK dudes, we get it. You get the references. You are both with us and more superior. You win life.

Total side note: I do wish that at some point Wessy will try a movie with a majority of lead female characters. Exploring girls in relation to other girls (instead of always in their relationships to boys) would be nice. I'm starting to wonder if he's a little sexist.

Recent press of note

2007-10-19T14:00:00.000-07:00

There's an interview up with me about Phantom Limb and Handmade Detroit on Indie Entrepreneur today. Hopefully I don't sound like a complete dummy. Thanks Cristina!

Handmade Detroit was also named "Best 'Hey, We Have That Too' Culutral Movement" in the Metro Times Best of Detroit staff picks this week. (almost to the bottom of the page) This was a total suprise ... and I hope we get one of those plaque things. Congrats to all the other HD ladies and fellow DIYers out there.

Perfectly scuffed jeans.

2007-10-19T13:59:00.000-07:00

I am still alive

2007-10-17T13:59:00.000-07:00

Mostly my life has been looking to get a new one of these:

And prepping for this:

And making a ton of these:

More soon!

Thursday Flickr Faves 10.04

2007-10-04T13:52:00.000-07:00

I've got the blues (and reds) this week.

1. flint tattoo close, 2. Untitled, 3. close up "hang me up", 4. the warmth in cooling objects, 5. wedding quilt, 6. Untitled, 7. High School, 8. TypeMap, 9. First day of school Created with fd's Flickr Toys.

Phantom Limb on Craftzine!

2007-10-03T13:35:00.000-07:00

Woo hoo! Click the photo to read the post. Thanks to Jenny!

Ridiculous!

2007-10-01T12:28:00.000-07:00

So today I was in Kmart buying a new muffin tin. Actually, the story begins that I woke up this morning all excited to make lemon muffins and then remembered I had to throw my muffin tin in the recycle bin like a year ago because it was all rusty and it freaked me out. So that will tell you, I was really excited for these muffins. It's been a while and all. So I'm in Kmart, checking out the pans, and side note: Do those silicone baking pans work? They sorta scare me in a futuristic, chip-in-your-head way. Anyway, I find a good pan, with a little lid and everything just in case I ever need to tote muffins around. Probably won't happen but the lid one was less expensive than any Martha Stewart one, and anyway, it will keep them fresh on the counter maybe. Not sure it's an air tight lid or anything. Might just be decorative. After I've got my tin, I'm looking around the Halloween items. Cute candy corn placements (good craft project idea), loads of candy, weird wigs; what do I want to be for Halloween; oh, I've still got time, I think. Then I turn the corner to see: The rest of the seasonal aisles are filled with Christmas stuff. You know how like every year people complain, "they put that stuff out so early!" It's October 1. But don't tell Kmart. Kmart is all "I don't care that you complain. We might sell a roll of gift wrap this week."

May I suggest, that instead of supporting this consumeristic mess, you consider spending any holiday gift money at a Handmade Detroit or similiar DIY event? We are properly timed.

In the past week or so

2007-10-01T12:27:00.000-07:00

First, the yucky:
- Mike got hit by a car while riding his bike and sprained his sholder. He's OK though and the whole thing could've been so much worse.
- My car was in the shop again, facilitating the emminent purchase of new transporation.

And the good:
+ Curare was a resounding success. (That's my Wildcatting CD book contribution up there.)
+ HDHM applications are up.
+ Been working on new knits for the coming winter. I'm really excited about having new designs and they will start becoming available for sale at the Loop Craft-o-ween on Oct. 20.

How was your week?

Etsy Treasury picked by Phantom Limb

2007-09-20T12:26:00.000-07:00

Read about it here. Then check it out here. Hurrah!