Be Not Afraid

A fantastic pasta sauce

2007-10-05T10:33:00.000-07:00

Forget buying fancy canned tomato sauce. You can make it yourself for less money, with higher-quality ingredients, and it will be a much more rewarding process that opening a jar.

Ingredients:
2 cups baby portabella mushrooms
10 leaves of fresh basil
4 tbs organic extra virgin olive oil
1 large can of organic fire roasted tomatos
1 large onion
1/2 head of garlic
1/4 cup of pine nuts
5 leaves fresh oregano
ground pepper and salt to taste

-- Add olive oil to a large sauce pan and warm on medium heat.
-- Chop the onions and mushrooms into small pieces; add the to the pot
-- peel, crush and mince the garlic; add it to the pot
-- put the pine nuts in a small pan to roast on medium heat, no oil. Take up when browned
-- crush the pine nuts and put them in
-- roll up the basil and oregano leaves like a cigarette and cut them finely. Add them to the pot.
-- open the fire roasted tomato can and pour it in.

Stir and serve. I like a chunky sauce like this on a flat noodle like fettuccini.

Spicy Shrimp Pasta

Ingredients:
Small carton of heavy whipping cream
A box of fettuccini
A bag of frozen shrimp or crawfish tails, thawed
A head of garlic
Olive oil
White flour
Tony's cajun seasoning

-- boil the pasta
-- add oil and garlic, minced
-- add shrimp or crawfish
-- add lots of Tony's cajun seasoning. This is where the heat comes from
-- add heavy whipping cream and simmer on medium for about 5-7 minutes
-- add a pinch of flour to thicken the sauce.
-- add fettuccini and stir
-- salt & pepper to taste

Crash Couches Abroad: Bumming Goes High-Tech

2007-09-21T06:54:00.000-07:00

Traveling is a good time, but it can be lonely and expensive if you don't know any of the locals. Hotels are out of most travelers' price range, hostels are a little cheaper, but what if you would be content with crashing on someone's couch? The less money you spend while you're asleep, the more you can experience while you're awake. Now there's a solution to all of these problems: couch surf.

This website, couchsurfing.com, has put together an amazing network of travelers and hosts throughout the world that are all committed to having a good time and giving or receiving hospitality. You create a profile, search for people in the area where you want to travel, and arrange to crash their couch. Members are vouched for by trusted members that have also been vouched for. Couch surfers build networks of friends and mutual contacts as they travel the world on the cheap.

Pancake Meow taking Pre-orders!

2007-07-01T12:54:00.000-07:00

Pancake Meow, run by Leslie who makes the most adorably quirky scented clay jewellery, is now taking pre-orders for her custom coloured and scented cupcakes. These tend to run out quite quickly- order before it's too late!

She's also begun to offer the CUTEST sugar-cookie heart rings. Ok. It's been confirmed. I really need to eat right now.

Link.

-Amanda

Exotic Foods for the Lazy

2007-07-01T11:40:00.000-07:00

This list is for the people who love trying new foods, but are either too busy or too lazy to make them. I've included recipes for foods found all around the world, because everyone's version of 'exotic' differs according to where they live. All of these items are quick and easy to prepare, and for the most part only require ingredients found around the house. They make great party foods, or simply treats to gobble by yourself as you watch reruns of Project Runway or America's Next Top Model . Yes, I am one greedy, happy person- thanks for asking.

1. Vegetable Pakora are the tastiest, crunchiest snacks from India. They're traditionally made from veggies like carrots, onion rings, potatoes, cauliflower and/or broccoli coated in a spiced flour batter. Allrecipes has a pretty good, detailed recipe, though in a pinch I'd use ordinary white flour mixed with some corn flour (as opposed to the traditional chickpea) and whatever spices I have lying around the house. Traditionally, Indians also coat pieces of bread in the batter to be deep fried. These taste really good served with ketchup.

2. Tres Leches is the name given to a Latin American dessert (alot of Venezuelans I've met really enjoy preparing this dish) that should really be called Manna or Ambrosia. It's basically a sponge cake soaked in three types of milk- evaporated, condensed, and plain full cream milk. The result is very moist and very sweet. I've always seen this cake topped with whipped cream and dusted with cinnamon. Here's another detailed recipe from Allrecipes. though you'll get similar results from a box-cake that's been soaked in the three-milk mixture. Don't forget to mix some cinnamon and other spices of choice in the milk mixture itself before pouring into the already- baked cake! The recipe given seems to exclude this step.
(picture from about.com)

3. Banana Fritters- this dessert seems to find its roots in the Caribbean. My Jamaican grandmother always used to prepare these to the great delight of my very sweet teeth. This snack taste the best when very ripe bananas are used. Here's a basic recipe.
Dust the fritters with brown, cinnamon or icing sugar when finished frying.

4. Peanut Punch- An easy recipe for a great smoothie-type drink that perhaps many readers have already tried. The interesting thing is that this drink is also Afro-Caribbean in origin. Simple recipe here, though instead of peanut butter many prefer to use pre-roasted peanuts.

This post has made me very hungry....

-Amanda

Summer Solstice

2007-06-21T11:25:00.000-07:00

Being that today is the longest day of the year, it is important to take into account just how much time you will have to spend absorbing sunshine and warmth. According to timeanddate.com , Germany will have four extra seconds to bask in warmth before the moon and stars come out to play. With that time, it is your decision how to enjoy it. Whether you decide to go out for a night on the town, exercise, or just watch television, it's important to be grateful for such time. I've decided that since I have such an enormous amount of time to love life, these are the things I've come up with to consider doing:

1. Take the shortest drive ever
2. Read a book
3. Discover a new band
4. Write a short story in record time
5. Sunbathe on the sidewalk
6. Check email
7. Take a walk
8. Visit a neighbor
9. Take photographs of the clouds
10. Sit with friends/boyfriend/girlfriend/wife/husband and gossip about work and how much it sucks

I hope you all enjoy your summer solstice. This is the longest day of the year. Take advantage of it!

Motivation in a sugar-coated video pill

2007-06-02T15:44:00.000-07:00

Need a lighter under your bum to motivate you to start a project, or perhaps even a diy business? Here are some great resources I've found by Internet trawling to assist you in doing just that.

The insanely pretty prettymperfect from livejournal's T Shirt Surgery has happily modernized ye olde MS Paint tutorial of yesteryear (or rather, of 5 days ago) by starting a new series of video podcasts. C'est vrai; she teaches you how to easily make a simple babydoll top quite like this one^
link.
And yes! She's taking requests for more video tutorials, you lazy-poos, you.

It's no secret that I think reconstructed vintage is the coolest thing since KFC began to offer macaroni & cheese. Preloved, based in Canada, is probably my latest favourite reconned-vintage store. On their site, they've posted this cool video from around 2005- a clip from Fashion File showing how their business works, including the selection, design and construction process. Yummy, and no danger of clogged arteries here!

Also loving: the new threadheads podcast, the fact that all of readymade magazine's archives are available online (and are searchable!), Sanjaya running for I Love New York Season 2, Henry Cavill (the succexy Duke of Suffolk on the Tudors).

Trying not to get carpal tunnel from all of this typing I've been doing lately (but not on the blog, haha... still finishing up exams- sorry for slow posts!)
-Amanda

Like Tropical Pepsi without the horrible aftertaste

2007-05-31T15:48:00.000-07:00

I'm now a member of Wardrobe Refashion! Four months without buying new clothing- just wearing altered, handmade stuff. Check out the Flickr community- really inspiring stuff.

I Amanda C.Q. pledge that I shall abstain from the purchase of "new" manufactured items of clothing, for the period of 4 months. I pledge that i shall refashion, renovate, recycle preloved items for myself with my own hands in fabric, yarn or other medium for the term of my contract. I pledge that I will share the love and post a photo of my refashioned, renovoated, recycled, crafted or created item of clothing on the Wardrobe Refashion blog, so that others may share the joy that thy thriftyness brings!

Signed, Amanda C.Q.

For some reason, the phrase "thy thriftyness" is really funny to me.

Flippin' Sweet

2007-05-16T12:48:00.000-07:00

Remember Twinkie Chan, the food-themed-scarf-crocheter extroadinaire Raven interviewed a while ago? After a several month haitus, she's back with new listings on ebay.

Check out the super cool fuzzy poptart scarf, with half-eaten poptart!

If sweet treats aren't your thing, there's also a toast scarf with heart shaped pats of butter-

Auctions end in a day!

Also flippin' sweet is this dress by Keiko Lynn of Postlapsaria. Though this dress isn't on sale, she's got some other items marked down by almost 50%.

Next on the super-awesome list are these Crafty Curio Kits by Jennifer Perkins of Naughty Secretary Club- also the host of the DIY Network's Craft Lab. Each kit contains several bits of vintage and other collectibles and crafty items you can use to create your own repurposed jewelry. Items are arranged in packs according to colour.

Avaliable on etsy.

Last on the flippin' sweet list is Sipderman 3, 'cause by going to see it, I think I was enlightened. I got some really important questions answered, for example: How good does the pie you've been eating at a quaint little cafe taste after you've told your best friend that you've been intimate with his lady friend?

The Answer:

-Amanda

Not Deaf and Nowhere Near Dumb (Luck, That Is)

2007-05-14T09:29:00.001-07:00

Jimmy Tamborello is one man who works hard at what he does. When his new album, Dumb Luck arrived in stores, it was as if I was hearing the gentle sounds he has spent almost the last six years working on for the very first time. Simple sounds coupled with simple words makes this a smart work of art. I've been a fan of Mr. Tamborello as one of the men of the Postal Service, so being able to listen to him apart from Ben Gibbard is a new form of relaxation in itself. He has earned yet another star in my book.

Minimalism and Mud

2007-04-20T17:17:00.000-07:00

"...for dust thou art, and unto dust thou shalt return..."

Can you believe it? These globes that look as though they are made of porcelain or marble actually consist of mud. Molded mud. They're called hikaru dorodango, or shiny mud balls, and the art of making them has been practised in Japan for centuries. They're featured in the new issue of Craftzine which focuses on Japanese crafts.

Each ball is made through a process of shaping the mud into a spherical shape with the use of water, allowing it to dry, and then rubbing the surface to make it shine (they're actually measured according to a shiny scale). I love the simplistic beauty of each ball, which retains the characteristics of the dirt from which it was made. Earth and Water. Art and Spirituality. Minimalism and Mud.

^Pics taken from dorodango.com.
Also see:
Article.
Instructions.

And before you begin to see an activity like this as pointless, a Japanese professor by the name of Fumio Kayo has used dorodango to launch investigations into the psychology of children's play. Some things only appear to be pointless.

-Amanda

Handmade High Fashion: Designers to watch

2007-04-20T15:41:00.000-07:00

It's really astonishing, the levels of craftmanship and ingenuity you're only too lucky to encounter within the handmade/diy arena.

Elizaveta Yankelovich on etsy uses all sorts of ephemera you'd overlook in a thrift shop- from plastic stained glass ornaments torecords and even condoms and rolling papers (though you probably wouldn't find these in a thrift shop!) to make one-of-a-kind art you can wear.

Kick- ass in the "What? You're weird cause you're not wearing an oversized fruit!" kind of way. The American Apparel-esque models probably add to the appeal.

I was always a huge fan of Armour Sans Anguish, but this year the duo (Tawny Holt and Julie Edwards) really seem to be outdoing themselves. Take a look at this adorable dress, currently being sold off of BTC Elements, a boutique specializing in eco-friendly clothing. (All AMA clothes are made from reclaimed materials).

This dress captures the essence of AMA- whimsical, vintage-inspired, and not afraid to experiment with layers, types of fabric and texture.

They were recently hired to create bridesmaids' dresses for a wedding- be sure to look for pics soon on their blog. Also check out their tops made from reworked felted sweaters.

Seed clothing, run by Amy Blea, is a company that tries to "get back to the art of sewing and creating and designing well-made fashionable garments". All garments are handmade and in limited editions.
I swear, the Doris dress inspired by Twiggy or Edie Sedgwick would make the coolest prom dress, period. Check Amy's etsy account for other designs.

Hope you enjoy, or at least find some form of motivation,
Amanda.

News

2007-04-20T14:40:00.000-07:00

Piece of Art of the month will be changed soon, we promise!

Oh, Joy!

2007-04-20T11:51:00.000-07:00

Bettyjoy is a one-woman business started by Lucia that gives a whole new spin on the term cottage industry- it's run from her 'little cottage' in the North of England. I stumbled across her site and was impressed by the sheer variety and quirkiness of the items offered- a plethora of cool crafts made by consigners I'd never heard of or seen before. The thing that should really strike you about Lucia is that she seems like you, me, and everyone- a woman who, quite simply, enjoys seeing other people's creations and wishes to share this passion with the world.

Lucia picks her favourite 5 items from the shop (at present!) and tells us why she likes 'em so much.

Lego Earrings

These are fabulously retro and remind me of my childhood making lego houses and gardens. There are matching necklaces too – how fab!! Also by Swank – check out the lizards and lightbulbs earrings and the feathery earrings made from the lesser spotted tigeroo bird!!

Cassette Purse

This is a fantastic design – It reminds me of the good old days before CDs, when your tapes always got chewed up my the cheapo walkman your mum got off the market!! This purse is also really trendy now with the 80’s revival, there are tapes and synths everywhere- speaking of which, check out the patches by Ohgoshmassacre instore too- fab for jazzing up your bag/coat/whatever.

Custom-Made Shopper

I love all the items by Custom-Made but I think this is my fave. Its a really great fashionable shopper, great for carrying your college work in or to wow your work colleagues with. If you are feeling bit down or you think your outfit looks tired just make sure you have this bag with you to jolly it all up and you will be smiling in no time! The little cherry pin detail is really sweet too. I also love the ice-cream pins and hairgrips too – I love anything kitsch and bright. If blue or orange aren’t your thing check out the selection of bags by Sugarcane – I have my beady eye on the leaf and berry bag!!

Sugar Plum Charm Bracelet

This is a much more ‘grown-up’ item than the previous ones, but I absolutely adore the colors of the pearls and wearing this I actually look and feel sophisticated- a mean feat!! This bracelet is really versatile too and could be worn with a jeans and top outfit or to accessorise a much more glamorous outfit for a posh ‘do’. These items make really great presents and I know if I got one of these as a present I’d have a big smile on my face! By Stardust Jewellery.

Cutesypoo Skunks

These little guys are really kicking up a stink at Bettyjoy!! I absolutely adore everything Cutesypoo makes and these are no exception. The detail of the plush toys is fantastic, I love their eyes and eyelashes too! We had really gorgeous some bunnies and bears in before Christmas which sold out almost immediately. We also have other plush toys by different designers –the plush owls are a hoot and the dog with treats on a stick is totally adorable!

For more Bettyjoy, check out her Myspace and Etsy account.

-Amanda

Sophisticated fashion on familiar streets

2007-04-17T09:08:00.000-07:00

Being from Seattle myself, it has always been a treat to explore the streets. With Diesel on one corner and Starbucks on the next, it's easy to find inspiration in the various pieces men and women wear these days. Though runway models are meant to show off complex (and simple) pieces that are known to cost hundreds or thousands, it can be as simple to find similar pieces at the local thrift store or Target.

I haven't been to Seattle in almost a year, but it's still hard to forget the various handmade scarves and modified skirts that many women are seen wearing at the local record store. Pike/Pine is a blog that features these citizens. Many of these people are just souls wandering the streets. Their clothes radiate beauty and creativity to those who see them, and that is what the blog portrays. The captions may leave you to your own opinion, but that makes the photographs the true landmarks of the writer's talent. Being able to capture these magnificent subjects is something that allows the reader to feel inspired by creativity. If one more person feels the need to create a simple outfit into an original ensemble, then maybe they, too, can feel the spotlight upon their skin.

Word.

2007-04-14T22:16:00.000-07:00

Article from New York Times published earlier this year.
Link found via James Spooner's myspace (editor/director of Afro-punk: The Rock n' Roll Nigger Experience).

TRULY INDIE FANS
By JESSICA PRESSLER
Published: January 28, 2007

WHEN Douglas Martin first saw the video for Nirvana's "Smells Like Teen Spirit" as a teenager in High Point, N.C., "it blew my mind," he said. Like many young people who soothe their angst with the balm of alternative rock, Mr. Martin was happy to discover music he enjoyed and a subculture where he belonged.

Except, as it turned out, he didn't really belong, because he is black.

"For a long time I was laughed at by both black and white people about being the only black person in my school that liked Nirvana and bands like that," said Mr. Martin, now 23, who lives in Seattle, where he is recording a folk-rock album.

But 40 years after black musicians laid down the foundations of rock, then largely left the genre to white artists and fans, some blacks are again looking to reconnect with the rock music scene.

The Internet has made it easier for black fans to find one another, some are adopting rock clothing styles, and a handful of bands with black members have growing followings in colleges and on the alternative or indie radio station circuit. It is not the first time there has been a black presence in modern rock. But some fans and musicians say they feel that a multiethnic rock scene is gathering momentum.

"There's a level of progress in New York in particular," said Daphne Brooks, an associate professor of African-American studies at Princeton. She was heartened last summer by the number of children of color in a class she taught at the Willie Mae Rock Camp for Girls, where kids learn to play punk-rock standards.

There is even a new word for black fans of indie rock: "blipster," which was added to UrbanDictionary .com last summer, defined as "a person who is black and also can be stereotyped by appearance, musical taste, and/or social scene as a hipster."

Bahr Brown, an East Harlem resident whose Converse sneakers could be considered blipster attire, opened a skateboard and clothing boutique, Everything Must Go, in the neighborhood in October, to cater to consumers who, like himself, want to dress with the accouterments of indie rock: "young people who wear tight jeans and Vans and skateboard through the projects," he said.

"And all the kids listen to indie rock," he said. "If you ask them what's on their iPod, its Death Cab for Cutie, the Killers."

A 2003 documentary, "Afropunk," featured black punk fans and musicians talking about music, race and identity issues, and it has since turned into a movement, said James Spooner, its director. Thousands of black rock fans use Afropunk.com's message boards to discuss bands, commiserate about their outsider status and share tips on how to maintain their frohawk hairstyles.

"They walk outside and they're different," Mr. Spooner said of the Web site's regulars. "But they know they can connect with someone who's feeling the same way on the Internet."

On MySpace, the trailer for Mr. Spooner's new film, "White Lies, Black Sheep," about a young black man in the predominantly white indie-rock scene, has been played upward of 40,000 times.

Rock was created by black artists like Fats Domino, Chuck Berry and Little Richard, and Elvis Presley and other white artists eventually picked up the sound. In the '60s, teenagers were just as likely to stack their turntables with records from both white and black artists — with perhaps a little bit of Motown, another musical thread of the time, thrown in, said Larry Starr, who wrote "American Popular Music: From Minstrelsy to MTV," with Christopher Waterman. But that began changing in the late '60s. By the time Jimi Hendrix became the ultimate symbol of counterculture cool, with his wild wardrobe and wilder guitar playing, the racial divisions were evident.

Paul Friedlander, the author of "Rock and Roll: A Social History," noted that Hendrix became popular just as the black power movement emerged. Yet his trio included two white musicians and his audience was largely white. That made him anathema to many blacks.

"To the black community he was not playing wholly African-American music," Mr. Friedlander said, even when Hendrix formed a new all-black band.

By the early '70s, "you began to have this very strict color line," Mr. Starr said. Music splintered into many different directions and, for the most part, blacks and whites went separate ways. Black musicians gravitated toward genres in which they were more likely to find acceptance and lucre, such as disco, R & B and hip-hop, which have also been popular among whites.

The next few decades saw several successful and influential black musicians who crossed genres or were distinctly rock, such as Prince, Living Colour and Lenny Kravitz, and rock melodies and lyrics have been liberally sampled by hip-hop artists. But rock is still largely a genre played by white rockers and celebrated by white audiences.

THE recent attention given several bands with black members — like Bloc Party, Lightspeed Champion, and the Dears — could signify change. "Return to Cookie Mountain," the second album by the group TV on the Radio, a band in which four of the five members are black, was on the best-album lists of many critics in 2006. Around the country, other rock bands with black members are emerging.

On an evening in December, at Gooski's, a crowded dive bar in Pittsburgh, Lamont Thomas, sweating through a red T-shirt that read "Black Rock," played the drums behind the lead singer Chris Kulcsar, who was flinging his skinny frame around the stage, and the guitarist Buddy Akita. The bass player, Lawrence Caswell, dreadlocked and gregarious, introduced the band, a punk quartet from Cleveland with the name This Moment in Black History.

"The funny thing is, a lot of people assume from the name that we're just white kids being ironic," Mr. Thomas said.

This may be because their fans, like the ones who attended the show at Gooski's, tend to be white, although there are usually one or two people of color, Mr. Caswell said.

Nev Brown, a photographer and writer from Brooklyn, said that at the indie rock shows that he has covered for his music blog, FiddleWhileYouBurn.com, he is almost always the only black person in the room. Some fans are curious about why he is at the show and try to talk to him about it.

"And then you get idiots, like people who think you're a security guard," he said.

Damon Locks, a Chicago-based publicist and singer in a hardcore band called the Eternals, said he is frequently mistaken for "one of the other three black guys" in the city's rock-music scene. "We joke about it," he said. "We've been thinking about getting together and starting a band called Black People."

That kind of isolation is one of the reasons Mr. Spooner, the documentary director, regularly showcases black and mixed-race rock bands at clubs. For a band to participate, the lead singer must be black. This caused some friction early on, he said. "A lot of white people were offended that I was saying, 'This is for us,' " Mr. Spooner said on a recent evening at the Canal Room, a club in downtown Manhattan, where he was the D.J. between sets for multiethnic bands like Graykid, Martin Luther and Earl Greyhound.

But, he added: "Almost every black artist I know wants to play in front of their people. This is bigger than just rocking out or whatever."

Mr. Thomas, of This Moment in Black History, said that white fans sometimes want to know why he is not rapping. "It's the stupidest question," he said.

Just as often, it is African-Americans who are judgmental. "There's an unfortunate tendency for some black people to think if you listen to rock music or want to play rock music, you're an Uncle Tom," Mr. Thomas said.

LaRonda Davis, president of the Black Rock Coalition, an organization co-founded by Vernon Reid of Living Colour in the mid-80s to advocate for black rock bands, said the resistance is rooted in group-think. "Black people were forced to create a community," she said. "We're so protective and proud of it, like, 'We have to protect our own,' and why should we embrace something that has always excluded us?"

Nelson George, author of "Buppies, B-Boys, Baps & Boho's: Notes on Post-Soul Culture," suggested that the rock 'n' roll aesthetic had been a major deterrent. "Black kids do not want to go out with bummy clothes and dirty sneakers," Mr. George said. "There is a psychological subtext to that, about being in a culture where you are not valued and so you have to value yourself."

But lately, rock music, and its accouterments, are being considered more stylish. Mainstream hip-hop artists like Kelis wear Mohawks, Lil Jon and Lupe Fiasco rap about skateboarding, and "all of the Southern rap stars are into the '80s punk look, wearing big studded belts and shredded jeans," said Anoma Whittaker, the fashion director of Complex magazine. At the same time, the hip-hop industry's demand for new samples has increased the number of rock songs appearing on hip-hop tracks: Jay-Z's latest album features contributions from Chris Martin of Coldplay and R & B artist Rihanna's current single samples the New Wave band Soft Cell.

"Hip-hop has lost a lot of its originality," said Mr. Brown of Everything Must Go, the East Harlem skateboard shop. "This is the new thing."

^Filmmaker James Spooner above. Picture from citypaper.com.

Also check out: Reviews/selections of afro-punk bands as picked by Spooner.

Thoughts? Comments? I've never heard about Spooner's documentary, but this sure has piqued my interest. Anything that discusses race and music is a definite must-see in my opinion.

-Amanda C.Q.

I spend enough time on ebay to know a good thing when I see it.

2007-04-13T11:11:00.000-07:00

T-shirt surgery is all the rage on the indie fashion circuit, but if you're familiar with the whole-and I hate to use this word- scene, you know that there are lots who do it but few who do it right; to a high degree of professionalism. Ok, so diy is not supposed to be about attaining mass-produced perfection.. but you have to give props to people who put so much effort into the creation process that the end result is like, wow.

Valerie reconstructs threadless and band tees and sells them mainly through her ebay store. She also sells her handmade originals through her etsy store. Her style is vintage-inspired/ j-pop/punk like many indie designers nowadays, but there's a distinct uniqueness that marks her items as stand-outs from your average diy creation.

It's a highly competitive race trying to buy one of her items on ebay. Those ebay snipers who wait until the last minute to purchase something are vicious! I have never won a single auction of hers, but hope to soon!

She tells me that she may be updating next week, so add her store to your favourites now!

Do yourself a much-needed favour and check out her portfolio here for inspiration.

-Amanda.

I'm selling my soul- why's nobody buying it?

2007-04-12T08:36:00.000-07:00

On crafting forums sellers usually ask questions like, "Why doesn't my stuff sell?" You pour your heart and soul into creating knitted pot scrubbers or candles shaped like mixtapes only to find that nobody's interested. Instead of digging into your past to figure out what you've done wrong to deserve such bad karma, take some advice from a buyer who spends way too much time shopping for crafty goods on the internet for her own good.

Are you doing enough to spread the word about your online store on the Internet?

Some free places to advertise:

Post your link on Bust's Girl Wide Web.

Post ads for your store in livejournal communities, such as diymarketplace, tshirtsurg_sale, hotfashionsales (there are so many others... just do a search!)

Myspace. Create a myspace profile for your business. Use the 'photo' section to post photos of stuff for sale, or your best work that's already been sold. Add indie businesses you admire as friends. You can do the whole "Thanks for adding me, check out my business" thing, which users of myspace normally post in the comments of others who accept their friend requests to gain more exposure. While this may generally be considered annoying with regards to musicians who use the technique to market themselves, it's still an effective technique for indie buyers. If the ad for yourself that you post in other people's comments is eye-catching, you've got yourself a potential buyer.

There are some myspace profiles dedicated to exposing the best in indie craft/design. They take the format of a directory; when you add them you get to post an ad for your site on their particular profile. The one I check most often is Diy directory, which has interviews and featured items, (and mostly has links to incredibly cool handmade fashion-check it out!) but I'm sure there are others. Do a search and see what you come up with.

On Craftster, you can post a link to your site in the "Links" section. You can also post a tutorial for one of your projects in the forum. Although you can't mention that you're advertising it for sale (strictly forbidden and slightly unethical), I find that if somebody really likes something you've created, they'll private message you to find out where they can get it or check out your site. I've done it countless times myself.

Always have a link to your site available in your signature! Of course, this works for every forum- not just Craftster.

On livejournal crafting communities such as t_shirt_surgery or craftgrrl, you can mention, however, that you have an item for sale when you post a project.

Send an e-mail to an indie blog dedicated to diy product reviews asking to be featured. The popular ones are Modish, whipup.net and Design*Sponge. You may even want to send samples of products for consideration.

Participate in The Sampler.

There are several other ways to promote businesses that I probably don't even know about. The Switchboards, Craftster and Supernaturale are always good resources for opinions, advice and comments on your crafty business.

If you spend some time using these sites to market your items, you'd be amazed at the difference this may make in sales. There are so many buyers who just spend their time browsing through these places, looking for cool new items to buy!

Coming Soon:

Are pictures of your items taken well enough?

and others!

-Amanda

NB: don't forget to comment if you have any questions, ideas, recipes and/or salutations.

The Cinematics – A Strange Education

2007-04-11T10:48:00.000-07:00

They are a band from the faraway land of Glasgow, Scotland. With emphasis and influence dipping into various pots - The Smiths, Talking Heads, Television - they have shown themselves to be a delightfully entertaining band. I listened to several tracks, and I have come to admire the way they seduce their lyrics into manipulating themselves into a sort of masterpiece. After listening to Human, I'm reminded as to why I enjoy listening to European bands so much. Being in Germany myself, it makes me think of the beauty this continent holds. It's truly a beautiful feeling.

One song that conjured up mixed emotions was Keep Forgetting, otherwise known as track eight on the album. A combination of guitars and drums make the track dance-worthy, but with lyrics like, Riot shields and plastic bullets / An eye for an eye / We'll keep pushing, we'll keep pushing / All our very modern ways, I'm left recalling the days of the WTO protests that occurred several years ago in my home state of Washington, specifically Seattle. With lyrics like that, it is no wonder they are so popular. They've hit the hard notes, and they're not afraid to stop just yet.

I find the Cinematics to be a band that could set the way for many to come. Their lyrics are amazing, and their talent leaves me anxious to hear more. Their musical influences are strong in their own sound, which pays tribute to the old and the new. It is a kind memory that allows me to reminisce back to the days when I was just a teenager, with the hobby of going to shows, and basking in the beauty of the sounds leaving the mouths and instruments of struggling bands. Long summer drives and cool summer nights were the constant reminders bands like the Cinematics gave me. If these men can do that, then I applaud them. I hope to see many more who can do the same.

Understanding our Brave New World: Myspace, your space, whose space is it?

2007-04-09T19:35:00.000-07:00

I'm not really a big fan of Oprah. This is not because I agree with rapper 50 Cent, who defiantly (and perhaps, somewhat ignorantly)- proclaimed that she sold out. I don't believe that she sold out. But anyway, that's not the point.

The point is that I should look at Oprah more often, despite the association I make in my mind between her talk-show and the pastime of middle-aged housewives. As I glimpsed a snippet of an episode entitled "America Speaks Back" sometime last week while channel surfing, something that was said really struck a chord. They were speaking about celebrity, fame, or something of the sort, when a psychologist made a statement that does not seem so prolific now as it did then- but I'll repeat it anyway. "In my time, celebrities were respected because they actually did something. I mean, just look at Paris Hilton!"

Wow, I remember thinking. He's right.

But of course, you knew that already. If you're reading this zine, chances are that you've already become disenchanted with the way 'mainstream society' perceives celebrity. Perhaps you see the media as a gigantic conspiracy; a way to extort more money from the common man. Perhaps you don't care about Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie's baby, nor do you care about what the next celebrity power-couple name will sound like (Personally, I'm waiting for Petelee- a neat portmanteau* celebrating Ashlee Simpson and Pete Wentz's hooking up, as seen on thesuperficial.com. I suppose I'll have to keep on waiting). Perhaps you do.

Then, I thought about one of my most favourite time-wasters in the world (after Facebook)- Myspace, and an article I read in the latest Venus.

The article was about the rise in fame of e-celebrities- you know, the people whose profiles receive more views that the most ambitious pre-teen could ever dream of. People like Jac Vanek, and Audrey Kitching, and various other scenesters. Obviously, this seems to be the 'new' kind of celebrity, built to suit our technologically-saturated society. But what is it that these people do?

Why is it that so many girls want to be them, and actually pretend to by assuming their identities? Just take a look at how many profiles/ fan-pages there are dedicated to these people- it's mind-boggling, really. I had the pleasure (question mark?) of browsing through a few, where the only things fans of aforementioned celebrities seem to admire about their hero/ines are "their friends" and the way they "dress". Excuse me while I lapse into msn-speak, but this warrants an OMG.

Girls (and youth in general) have always been impressionable, as they try to create their own identities and while making their way to adulthood. The interesting thing is that it's no longer the Britneys or the Hilary Duffs or even the Avrils of the world that are making the impression. It's women who fit a tougher aesthetic- chicks covered in tattoos and piercings; girls who are too cool for television or teen magazines (though, ironically, we may be seeing more of them in said publications because everyone likes to cash in on a new teen trend) and Suicide Girls themselves. Perhaps, I may go as far to say that Myspace has spawned a new Internet subculture- one that is quickly worming its way into popularity and acceptance. Is it a good thing that girls who don't exactly fit what people seem to ordinarily consider 'beautiful' are becoming more popular? Or, is our concept of 'beautiful' and 'cool' simply changing, while our same sense of superficiality and materialism stays ever present? I mean, girls are obsessed with Audrey Kitching's friends, for chrissakes. As well as the fact that she's dated members of emo bands. Did I mention that already? Well- boo-ya! I just did.

I'm not saying that people like Jac Vanek and Audrey Kitching do nothing to improve our society. I perhaps implied it, but it's something that still needs to be worked out in my mind. Vanek's simply a photography student, still in college, who took pictures of herself because she thought that she was her best subject. She, according to the article in Venus, never imagined that her profile would get millions of views. And I understand that- but this whole business still leaves a bitter taste in my mouth.

Consider this- Social networking sites receive more members because of prominent characters like Kitching, and Vanek, and countless others. People want to be able to see their profile pictures, become their friends, and send them messages. And, of course, these sites- who I believe receive a great deal of money from companies for advertising (correct me if I'm wrong)- realize this. Just look at ads for Buzznet (if you're not familiar, think Hi-5, or facebook, or myspace). They're trying to get members by advertising that proclaims that if you join, you can be Audrey Kitching's friend immediately. You can be in her clique; in her circle, in a manner similar to myspace's Tom. People like Vanek and Kitching are the tools being used to market such sites. Girls who, in many ways, remind me of myself.
Perhaps that is what irks me the most.

*A beautiful word that I hope was used in a grammatically correct manner.

-Amanda C.Q.- who, from now on, is spending more time watching Oprah and less time on the Internet (except for the zine, of course ;)

^Audrey Kitching. Do not know who took photo, but if you want credit/ want me to remove it, just contact me.

Grindlebone: Haven for the Arts

2007-03-27T19:19:00.000-07:00

Artists are often depicted in movies and literature as an elite, unapproachable, enigmatic group of people- a club you often see and admire, but somehow can never become a part of. The Grindlebone Arts Collective, according to member Gem Oddfellow, is not this sort of group. Instantly, when you browse through their website, you realize that she's right. With branches involved in film, publishing, theatre, and even fashion, Grindlebone accepts all who are able to offer a unique perspective, who wish to get something more out of life- which, when you think about it, refers to everyone.

What exactly is the Grindlebone Arts Collective?

The Grindlebone Arts Collective was started by Dr Donald Elwell with the intent of spreading quality, new work theatre and art to the public. Dr Elwell was tired of seeing the same production of the same play over and over again- the nine thousandth version of some musical written in nineteen fifty-six when someone else had just written someone new and shocking and no one will produce it. Also, Dr Elwell wants to create a space where artists can create and be supported by their art without the distraction of a day to day job. We're not saying that already written and established works are bad, no, just over done.

You guys have just staged a theatre production called Cyberpunk Opera, of which a film will soon be made. What role do you play in the film? How exactly will the company be incorporating the online game Second Life into the making of the film?

In Cyberpunk Opera I'm now playing duel roles- Justine and DCX 2026. Justine is a teenage girl whose father catches her online with another woman and sends her to a cruel and abusive camp- almost like the one in But I'm a Cheerleader except much more like a concentration camp. Her story is about how she gets out of the camp and overcomes what should be a scarring experience. The character of DCX, who is one of the SecondLife avatars, is the program that runs the computer world that all of the other characters exist in. She knows she is not human and yet she knows she can think for herself, so she begins watching these people- almost narrating their stories- as she learns how to act among them. Half of the script takes place in Virtual Reality and we will be using SecondLife to animate that. We have built the avatars that the characters talk about seeing and being and are currently in the middle of filming that section of the movie. This has been a learning experience for myself and several actors who have never done animation and voice work before.

From the Grindlebone website, you get the idea that being part of the Collective is like being part of a warm, welcoming family. Do you feel that way?

Grindlebone welcomes everyone. If you are an artist, or wishing to become an artist, we welcome you into our lives. Writers, painters, actors- whatever your flavor is. We all learn from each other and we all grow from each other. I feel very close to the people involved in this idea, and I really think that all of our current plans are going very smoothly and are going to work out really well. We are the dreamers and the lovers and the thinkers and the outcasts who want something a little bit more, a little bit more edgy, and a little bit more exhilarating. We are a group of people who work hard at what we do and support each other when we need it- and we keep all drama on the stage. I love Grindlebone and everything it stands for, and I hope it will be around for a long, long time. As a sidenote, to become a "Grindleboner", contact Dr Donald Elwell at delwell@grindlebone.org to see what you can do. From promoting us to sending us things to publish to watching what we do to being in what we're doing. Some of our most dedicated members we haven't even met... yet.

If you help advertise for us, we'll help advertise for you. That's how we work- we're a somewhat dysfunctional, fun family of artists who just want to take care of each other. It's all about the work, you see. The Art.

I think it's pretty interesting that you've made an attempt to incorporate a clothing line inspired by Cyberpunk Opera.

Paul Meyd and I came up with the idea during rehearsal to turn a stencil I'd done of him for the 2006 production of Cyberpunk into a way to contribute. We're both a little bit broke and wanted to contribute something since the film has almost entirely been out of Dr Elwell's pocket. Also, we want to see Dub For Babylon filmed as well and make sure that Grindlebone is taken care of. So we started the etsy shop and welcomed people to donate used T-shirts and clothing for us to stencil on. So far the reactions have been positive, but I don't think we'll start seeing any money until after the movie is released. A lot of artists have come to us, as broke as we are, and asked what they can do without spending money. We're working on a stencil that will be released to the public for free for people to make Cyberpunk shirts, pants, bags, posters- anything- with, in the hopes that it will spread the word about Grindlebone.

You also plan to record an album later this year with James Henrique, who wrote the music for the play.

Jim is a genius musician and pretty much a one man digital recording show. I've written the lyrics and will be singing, and Jim is writing the music for the album. Since we've only just started production on that project it is hard to say exactly what genre of music it fits into. There will be a lot of different styles of music, from the cyber styles heard in the play to a punkish song called "My Fuck You Song". I have released to certain members in our group the lyrics to that song and there has been a lot of positive feedback This album will be available late summer of 2007 online for download or hard copy. If you go to the Grindlebone website you can by pre-sale copies that will be autographed and you'll recieve your album when it comes out. The song list includes "Sadie" (inspired by Preaching to Angels), "Dysnomia the Lawless" (inspired by the story of St Mai Reynolds), "Mermaid's Ballad", "Should've had Her Kiss" (inspired by the story of Cyrano de Bergerac) and "Proscenium Nightmares". Some of it comes off as angry girl music, but for the most part they are just fun, whatever occurs to me kind of songs.

Anything else you'd like to say?

Grindlebone has made an important impact in my life and is sure to make a positive, important impact in the lives of anyone that is now or will be involved. Never have I felt so good about myself and my friends and my art. I feel important and wanted and unique- and that's what Grindlebone wants everyone involved to feel. That- and loved. We are an on the level, take us or leave us, all or nothing group striving to make it in a country where corporate headquarters rule and art is slowly dying. At least, that's how we felt when we started this company. This is our slice of hope. Help us build our dream.

Check out grindlebone.org for more information. Be sure to take a look at Gem's site @ gemoddfellow.com as well, or support Grindlebone by purchasing merch available here.
-Amanda

Cute Food

2007-03-25T17:33:00.000-07:00

A couple of months ago I stumbled upon a site that was filled with delicious treats made out of yarn. Being a yarn lover/crocheter, the scarves on this site really appealed to me. Twinkie Chan makes such adorable scarves, all based on foods!

I recently had the privilege of doing an interview with her, about her crafty business and such.

So tell us, who is Twinkie Chan? On a very literal level, Twinkie Chan is me! :) I wanted a different name for my crafty persona, to make a clean separation from my day-job/serious persona. Twinkie Chan is a gal who finds the world delightful and delicious and wants to share that joy with you!

How did you come up with the name? Chan is my mother's maiden name, and twinkies are just a funny food item to me. I don't like to eat them, as they seem to be made out of spaceage radioactive materials that will last the centuries.

What inspired you to start crocheting such cute things? I've crocheted weird little things since I was really little. I've always been obsessed with fake plastic food. It's just hilarious to me for some reason. So when I wanted to make some scarves for myself a few years ago, I found myself wanting to make them look like foods.

What is your favorite part about having your own business?
I work in publishing by day, and it's my job to support, and guide creative people. I really love helping other people's dreams come to life, but with my own business, it is extra fun to see my own ideas come to fruition.

What else do you do in your spare time? My daytime career is quite demanding, so with my crafty side business, there's not much time to spare! Mostly I just try to spend time with my friends and eat tasty meals together! I've been extremely obsessed with being productive lately, so I tend to use my free moments crocheting or sketching silly ideas on my computer.

What is your advice for people who want to start their own crafty business? There are a kabillion crafty people out there, so if at all possible, try to set yourself a niche, a specialty, a particular manifesto, style, and/or type of crafty item. I think that's helpful in marketing your unique skill and product. I know there is probably a devil's advocate opinion on that one, but it's the philosophy I've chosen for myself!

you can check out more of Twinkie Chan's cute crocheted items at http://www.twinkiechan.com/

Breaking into the Biz #1

2007-03-19T09:33:00.000-07:00

"I want to feel more independent and more like an adult. My parents pay for practically everything. What can I do? Have any ideas?"

"What about that t-shirt business you were thinking about years ago?"

"I guess..."

"I've got some money to invest from giving lessons. You know how to make t-shirts. I'll be the capitalist and you can be the proletariat I exploit. We'll sell them in the music store. This is going to be fun."

"Hell no! It was my idea in the first place. Remember when I was going to make you a t-shirt that said 'My penis is handcrafted by God?'" We'll both be CEOs, only I'll be CEO #1 and you can be CEO#2."

"'My penis is handcrafted by God' was my idea! You don't have a penis!"

"Whatever, CEO #2."

And so, it begins. On Friday, when my boyfriend and I came home from seeing 300 at the cinema, we started talking about the things we wanted to change in our lives. After planning out a strategy to achieve the perfect Spartan body ("I'm in a new band now- maybe I should work on amping up my sex appeal..."), we decided to start a t-shirt business. We came to the conclusion that there's a definite shortage of cool, affordable clothes in Trinidad. But, more importantly, we realized that we need the extra cash.

I'll document the gruelling, inevitably entertaining journey here in the blog-slash-zine. Hopefully someone is able to learn something from our experience, or at least get a good laugh.

Next week: A peek into our brainstorming session for t-shirt slogans ("How about, like, something saying 'Puppets Rule'? Wouldn't you wear that? I know I would!"), a name for the company, and our shopping for supplies. Yes, we are total newbies at this. No, we have no business sense whatsoever. We're artists, man.

Link: Check out Mark Lim's guide to making and selling t-shirts online here. This guy left college to become an entrepreneur, something that I could probably never do. He's now the owner of a clothing company called Poison Apple. Check it out here.

(above- Mark Lim and one of his creations from Poison Apple Shirts).

-Amanda

Lighten up, it's just fashion!

2007-03-16T10:48:00.000-07:00

Santino Rice has been, without a doubt, the most memorable contestant of Project Runway. With talent like his, you'd have expected him to have already presented several collections, or at least to have launched a successful singing career (anyone else remember that masterpiece entitled "Daniel Franco, Where did you go?"). We chat with Santino about everything from why he's decided to take it slow to his plans for the future (which may even include an appearance on a Broadway production of Project Runway: The Musical. It could happen!*)

How does it feel going from 'Santino Rice, the guy who lives next door' to Santino the Reality-TV star? Did you learn anything from the experience?

Well, this question alone could take up pages and pages of your zine, Amanda. Let me start by saying that I'm a fashion designer, a creative person that has always been an eccentric. Project Runway is more or less a "Reality Show" and yes, I'm a STAAAAAAR, darling, but I look forward to shaking off any label of being a "Reality TV Star". A TV star, sure... Fashion Star, most definitely... and I'd be involved with more TV, if it feels right to me- it's just that Reality TV as a genre has more mediocrity than positive attributes. I've seen what else is happening on other reality shows, shit is pretty wack! I became "The Star" of Project Runway 2 and magazines were saying I was made for TV, and all of this, but I feel like it didn't take much. Read a fucking book you idiots! That's what I want to scream at the TV set! I've learned a tremendous amount of things now, but that was my first time being involved in something like that. The next time will be much more and much funnier. Superlatives personified! I always knew I'd be famous though, that was always in my DNA. This fame, this amount of fame that I have right now though, is bullshit compared to what I envision...but you gotta start somewhere!
I honestly can't imagine you'd think of me as "the boy next door" type, but it's charming... I think that I've got a lot of special people in my life and I'm pretty special to those people as well. I rather fancy the idea of being a Star in real life rather than being a "Reality star".
Did I learn anything? Where to I begin with this one. Yes x 100,000,000! Simplifying your question to just what I've learned from going from anonymity to being a celebrity... I've said before that fame without fortune is annoying. As much time as I thought about it beforehand, you can never really prepare yourself for fame. I learned I made a lot of people a lot of money! You're welcome folks! Wanna buy a dress? People think the show was all fun, fun, fun. but you quickly see that the work you have to try to accomplish in the time frame allotted is so bogus, it's not fun at all. I had to bring the Fun! I was fun for me, everyone got to watch me entertain myself!
Seriously though, I learned a lot about how these shows work. I learned a lot about myself. I learned a lot about human nature. I learned a lot about the media. I learned that ultimately, who I am, is RIGHT and anyone who disagrees with who I am and what I create, and what I say, is WRONG! But on top of that they're none of my concern. And that one is a BIG one! I've always been confident about my ability and my brain. But what I went through, and in many ways that I am still going through, gives me so much solace in knowing I'm RIGHT, I'm O.K. It was more like a reconfirmation, but most importantly it enables me to really live and learn new things and create without caring about the finger-pointers and haters. Those fucks will always be there in your life and mine. Success is the best revenge!

What/who inspires you when you're designing and creating clothing?

God, Nature, and Music inspire me most. I feel that because I'm always soaking up everything around me, constantly reading, constantly learning, and listening. My work and my designs reflect that mix of information. I talk about God in my process because I get ideas and inspiration from "somewhere else" many times and I think it's God talking to me or my guardian angels talking to me...almost like they're saying,"Hey! Look over there, Santino!" and at that split second I see a snapshot of life that inspires a whirlwind of ideas in my mind. Of course, I'm not hearing voices! But I catch little snapshots like that all the time and they're very important to me. As well as when I'm sketching, I often feel more like a conduit and messenger than just drawing the list of ideas that I was wanting to sketch down that day. I start getting ideas from outside my conscious mind. Women and Men are, of course, majorly inspirational to my process as well. A clients personality...physical beauty, all very important to be stimulated on many levels.

What's the most interesting question fans ask you, and how do you answer them?

I don't know if it's so interesting, but more perplexing to me, that many young people ask me, "How did you know that you wanted to be a designer?" It then leads to them telling me of their ambitions to design as well, and I all I can tell them is to just pursue it! If it doesn't work out eventually then try something else. Of course there are plenty of people who's parents have lied to them and told them that they're super creative, or they should be a model, or whatever. But look at Michael Kors! Shit, if he can do it kids, you can too! ha ha... Seriously, even at that, if you really, really, love something, it will show! Whether or not you had a gift for it at birth or not, it will show. And the more you try, the more likely you'll be successful. Persevere, don't half-ass it! But also, look around, look at all the bad clothes that are being sold and all the bad clothes that people are wearing! There's work for you as a designer even if you suck! Sucking at design is obviously working out really well for many designers! Look at Michael Kors.....ha ha ha. I kid, I kid, I don't really think his clothes are so bad, they're just boring and he's just appropriating everything Halston already did. Michael Kors would like you to believe that he invented the mirrored Aviator sunglasses. But shit whatever, Knock 'em dead Mikey!

What's in store for the future, especially with regards to your clothing?

I'm still working on custom one-of-a-kind pieces. It's what I can afford to maintain. I'm in no hurry to try to put on fashion shows. I'm in no hurry to take out huge loans with the bank. I'm still looking for the right deal financially. Still talking to potential investors. It takes a lot of money. I know I can't expect anyone who doesn't work within the garment industry to understand this, but even if I scrounged together enough for 1 collection and show...it doesn't mean I'll be around next season! Then say I get $1 million dollars in orders, which isn't a lot for a fashion house to produce, but it can take $300,000 dollars to produce those orders. I understand viewers see designers on the show and then when the show's over, they're expecting everyone to magically have a dream career and have stores around the world carrying their clothes. Unfortunately for all of the designers on the show it doesn't work that way. The designer's who have been able to do so are fortunate enough to have the means by which to do it, ie: have family money, or took out loans. I recently read an article in New York Magazine about Jeffrey Sebelia and the reporter makes all these ridiculous comments about how "unfortunate" Jeffrey's life is and I'm thinking Jeffrey has more shit going on then anyone from the show! Yeah, yeah, Chloe and Emmett have stores, but Jeffrey has a legitimate fashion brand that was off the ground prior to Project Runway. Jeffrey's famous now, but it doesn't mean you become a millionaire because you were on TV! And what, it's been like 3-4 months for him? Whether people want to be patient or not, it's going to take years, not months! Years, before you start seeing what happens with these designers. Jay McCarroll was, I'm guessing, so frustrated by all the questions of, "Where's your line?" for the past 2 years that he showed a collection 2 seasons ago in New York and I'm thinking, for what? To prove to people that you still exist? Big, expensive show...even if some of it was donated, I feel like it's really unnecessary for a young designer with unsure financial footing to throw a big fashion show! It's not like my ideal client is the same as the demographic of the show. I never thought 1+1= Billionaire! I realized long before that maybe I'd sell a few more dresses because I'm famous but any headway I'd make would be because of me. Having done the show has enabled me a certain amount of freedom as a designer. I'm still very happy of having made the choice to participate on the show. I don't live in the Hollywood Hills yet, but that's really unrealistic to have thought in the first place.

If you decided to be a crime-fighting superhero and got the chance to make your costume yourself, what would it look like? What would it be made of?

I wanted to wear something that crossed a suit of armor with the more traditional ease and range of motion that you get from good ol' Lycra tights. The cape is to fly of course! Who needs a jet; I'm bi-coastal in 30 minutes! The film Excalibur (1981) was a huge inspiration for me. That film has the most beautiful medieval costumes and the chrome and gold metal was ultimately what I decided to fabricate my own superhero costume from. I also quite like the idea of not only being a superhero but also a patron saint of sorts; For those who have been beaten down and discouraged while expressing their own creativity and imagination. The "S" radiates with the passion and love that I feel for my work. Its rays inspire new ideas and create hope in those who feel hopeless and confused. Thanks for asking, I had a great time living out this fantasy! Much Love and Respect!

*Check out what may be Santino's big break into the music industry, "Blow You Kisses" here. For more info on Santino's life after Project Runway, check out his Myspace, blog, and soon-to-be-updated website.

-Amanda C.Q.

Tutorials on Home of the Sampler

2007-03-15T11:25:00.000-07:00

Missed the opportunity for this month's Sampler? Use the tutorials to inspire you to make your own stuff!

This month, Sister Diane from thecraftypod.com (a brilliant podcast that features all aspects of art, craft and design) presents a how-to on Dorset Buttons.

These buttons are a great way of decorating crocheted and knitting projects, but they'd also look wonderful on sewing projects as well. Replacing ordinary buttons with dorset buttons would definitely give your handcrafted goods more value if you decided to sell them.

-Amanda

Indie Craft Calendar!

2007-03-15T10:59:00.000-07:00

Taryn at My My Distro has compiled all the crafty happenings across the US into one cute little calendar.

Look at it here.

Craftster.org also has a calendar of crafty events, which includes some dates that are in the UK as well.

-Amanda

Sustainable Magazine Reading

2007-03-14T15:36:00.000-07:00

Nylon, a magazine that's incredibly attuned to indie culture, is now available in electronic form for $2 US a year for 10 issues. That's less that the cost of one issue in print. What's better is that you can sign up for a three-month trial. Right now I'm digging the current (free!) issue with Christina Ricci on the cover. Finally, I can understand the decision to star in Black Snake Moan!

Nylon Mag for men, released quarterly, is also available in electronic form.

-Amanda

Crafting up a Revolution- The Rise of 'Alternative' Craft Books

2007-03-13T13:48:00.000-07:00

Debbie Stoller's Stitch and Bitch seems to have inspired a craft book revolution. And yet, Some of the new books being released (see below) place more emphasis upon the alternative aspect of the new crafting movement than Stoller ever did. Marketing gimmicks by big publishing houses to appeal to myspace-embracing, Hot Topic-wearing youth culture of today, or a way of spreading a real do-it-yourself ethic? Would Karl Marx be proud of the revolution, or would he shrug his shoulders and go back to sleep? Read them and make up your own damn mind!

Pretty in Punk: 25 Punk, Rock and Goth Knitting Projects by Alice Benevides, Jacqueline Milles and Rob Benevides (Date of release unknown).

I'm not going to argue though, the knitted mohawk hat featured on the front cover is nothing short of cool. But then again, everything's cool to the knitter whose only completed project ever has been a scarf. Ok, so it was more like a swatch. Oh well.

Search amazon.com for other upcoming releases in this vein. There are several.

If knitting isn't your s(ch)tick, there's a new book that reconstructs another fashion staple we seem to have way too much of in our closets- the denim jean. This book, released by the authors of the celebrated 99 ways to Cut, Sew, Trim and Tie your T-shirt into Something Special, offers you the potential to create more than just the boring skirt-from-jeans plastered all over the Internet. Don't judge the book by the simpicity of its cover- it teaches you how to create everything from jackets to blouses to a very cute bubble skirt. I'm drooling with anticipation over this one, though it probably won't stop me from pre-ordering Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows first.

Not so 'alternative', per se, but definitely eco-friendly.

-Amanda

Creative Ideas Needed

2007-03-10T22:55:00.000-08:00

If you haven't heard about my crazy idea then let me tell you. I'm pursuing $10,000 in 6 months. I really need ideas, and need your help obtaining my goal. I'll be writing this blog for JaneMag.com. So please readers, my fellow bloggers tell me how you make money on the side or at least your ideas on how to make money on the side.

Email me your ideas @ jamiebriggs7@hotmail.com

And please don't send me referred links because I won't sign up.

Fan Art, Fan Fic

2007-03-10T17:42:00.000-08:00

During my senior year of high school and into my college years, I found myself an outlet in which to escape the stresses of term papers, exams and the social pressures that come with a higher education. I found TV's The X-Files.

I can't even tell you any more exactly what it was about the show that dragged me into it. Was it the whole conspiracy of hiding the truth about extraterrestrials? Was it the thrill of things making me jump when I least expected it? Or perhaps it was the sexual tension between the show's two lead characters. Whatever it was, it became my little safe haven of "insanity" within the confines of the sane world I was striving to succeed within.

My interest in the show soon brought me to trying my hand out at fan art and, ultimately, fan fiction. I took photos of the actors, screen captures of episodes and the show's logo to create (what I thought was) brilliant works of art. I built a web site to display my creations to all who shared my "addiction" to the show. I later tried my hand at writing fan fiction -- stories based on the show manipulating the characters the way I wanted to see them act and react.

Sometimes I would wonder if I was just wasting my time doing these frivolous acts. These works of visual and written art would only ever be appreciated by a relatively small community of people. Those outside of the community would probably laugh at me for doing these things. However, they kept my mind active and my mood upbeat, therefore, I continued to perfect my skills.

I've long ago left behind my fan art and fan fiction days. My beloved show came to an end, and life no longer gave me the freedom to indulge myself in these things. However, I came to realize those "frivolous acts" were not wasted time.

For one thing, though my art I made friends. I made many friends all across the world with which I stay in close contact still today. More importantly, my skills in fan art using Photoshop quickly paid off though a job at a newspaper, and my fan web site developed into doing a few sites professionally. My fan fiction taught me ways to better understand my audience and helped me learn more about how to write in general.

Things we love to do are never frivolous. For one thing, it makes you happy and gives you an escape from the world we live in today. Secondly, you never know when the things you do might just pay off in the future though the knowledge you gain.

Dare to be "silly" and to "waste time." Sometimes wasted time is really just an education in disguise.

Not your grandmother's doilies

2007-03-10T13:37:00.000-08:00

Have you ever spotted someone you wished you could immortalize forever? Someone who you'd never seen before, but triggered some kind of spark or connection. Perhaps it was their facial expression, or the way they were sitting. Maybe, if you'd remembered to carry your digital camera, you could have snapped a photo of them when they weren't looking. Netamir from Israel creates crocheted dolls, which all seem like the snapshots of strangers we wish we could capture at times.

Check out the crocheted anarchist inspired by some guys she passed by near her house:

Crocheted artist:

You can even order a doll in your own image and likeness for $55. It's the ultimate birthday present to give yourself. Or, better yet, order a doll for your best friend or your mom and leave it somewhere conspicuous enough for them to discover it on their own. They'll either be really flattered or really freaked out.

Check out her blog and etsy shop.

Link found via Whipup.
-Amanda

Threadbanging

2007-03-10T13:07:00.000-08:00

The most frustrating thing about living in Trinidad is that the diy ethic hasn't really caught on yet. The arts and craft industry is geared towards generating souvenirs for tourists- there isn't really much of a market for handmade stuff otherwise. People hardly make their own things, 'cause they aren't really given an incentive to do it by the government, or by society. 'Making stuff' really isn't considered that cool anyway.

I discovered Threadbanger via the Craftzine blog. It's this new video podcast that's especially dedicated towards clothing reconstruction (if you've been reading the zine for some time, you'd probably know that it's something I find pretty interesting). Each week the hosts interview an artist or feature tutorials or clips sent in by viewers. Right now they're asking for suggestions for upcoming videos. Sign up and you can upload video clips of your own. The best thing about the podcast is that it combines activism and awareness, a very cool punk sensibility, and tips that you'd actually use into one convenient form. Like a Willy Wonka three-course meal pill, without the blueberry side effect.

Here's the first video (other two available at threadbanger.com)

-Amanda

Going Into the Closet.

2007-03-06T00:27:00.000-08:00

Going Into the Closet
BY NICK COURY

The few nights during the month (during my college days), when I go out to the bars or a friend’s house party, I make sure to get my hair did and look good, in a manner of speaking. When it comes to sexuality, I’m pretty much your average straight guy, but for some reason I have been picked up and flirted with by more gay guys than straight girls. I am curious about this odd phenomenon.

Last year, at a friend’s birthday party, I left feeling that I was hit on by her gay friends. Very comfortable with myself, I was flattered and admitted to my friend that the guy was cute. This is one of many examples of my flirtation with the same sex. Being very much straight, I find it funny and I am OK with it happening. If anything, it’s an opportunity to make a new friend: a platonic friend.

I am just a very open person and whatever people choose to do with their sexuality is OK with me..

Some of my favorite music artists are those who have a lesbian following, such as Tegan and Sara, KT Tunstall and Melissa Etheridge. My friend, a lesbian folk musician, and I listen to similar artists. She cleared up my sexuality for me. “You’re a straight guy, but I’m attracted to you.” She made me an honorary lesbian.

I love short hair and like a girl who wears sweaters and glasses. Some people may call this look a bit masculine, but hey, I like it. People should be able to dress however they want and feel comfortable being who they really are.

On another note, I also realized that I do not really have a crush on many actresses or female musicians. I would, however, marry Johnny Depp if he was OK with it and am I love with Jack White.

To my credibility, I do like girls and cannot wait to have sex with one (read my old Velvet Rope for more on that). I like the finer things in life; jazz music, good wine, cooking and scrabble. Except for hockey, I’m not much into sports.

I may be more in touch with my feminine side and I am OK with that. In my opinion, more people need to be open to not following societal norms and be themselves, regardless of how others may percieve them.

I’m totally flattered with anyone finding me attractive enough to flirt with me.

Jen Stark

2007-03-05T13:26:00.000-08:00

Today in my art class my teacher showed us this website. I was absolutely amazed by Jen Stark's use of an everyday object such as construction paper, and her colorful and inventive drawings and sketchbook pages.

KneLow Cosmetics to take over the world?

2007-03-03T07:21:00.000-08:00

Hello. My name is Raven, and I am addicted to lip gloss, lip balm, & basically anything that could fall under that category.I have searched far and wide for the best chap stick around, and Knelow Cosmetics is definitely where it's at. So far I've tried the Pomegranate and Vanilla Tingle "Lip Mercy"s, and both are to die for. Definitely one of my favorite cosmetic companies around.
So I did an interview with one half of the cosmetic company, Jamie, about the company itself and the founders.

Who are the creative girls behind KneLow cosmetics?

Jamie and Lisa are the KneLow Girls!
Jamie loves the edge of contrast including 50's pin-up girl style that borders on rock-a-billy, clothes and decor of black and white and stripey things. Her style in clothing and all aspects of decorating are slightly harder edged and organized. She is very co-ordinated from her shoes to her eyeshadow. But sometimes a girl has to relax and she also loves the rock-n-roll fashions made famous by Anita Pallenberg or the smudgy make-up worn by Chrissie Hynde the lead singer of The Pretender's who perform her favorite song "Brass in Pocket"! One word describes Lisa...Eclectic!!! She also loves fashion but it's harder to pinpoint for her. She loves romantic ruffles and lace but also the bright colors and bold prints of Pucci. Bohemian style clothes and attitude is her closest match. She also uses this same style to decorate her home as well,using shabby chic and designer style to clash in a beautifully artistic way. Scarves of all shapes, sizes and colors are also a favorite staple for her wardrobe and she wears them in all kinds of combinations.

How did you two meet?

We met in the second grade in our home town of Seattle. We didn't become friends right away but we soon started to get into misadventures that led to weeding the schools gardens. Some one definitely should have called the CPS! By high school we where inseparable and still are. The only thing that has changes is 20 something years is when we are feeling mischievous we try to channel it into more creative endeavors instead of juvenile destruction.

What inspired you to start your own cosmetics company?

We have both always loved cosmetics and bath products and one day we decided to start our own company so we could make them the way we wanted them to be. We thought about what products we would want to start off with and did research and made them. It was all really simple and way less complicated than you would think. We have a high quality standard and are very discriminating on what our product should be so it was easy for us. We also have a great group of family and friends who know that we appreciate honesty so they were the perfect guinea pigs!

How did you come up with the name for this awesome company?

That also is simple we just incorporated parts of our last names, the"Kne" comes from Lisa's name and the "Low" comes from Jamie's.What do you like to do in your spare time? KneLow is what we do in our spare time. Jamie is a full time stylist in a salon and Lisa is a full time florist. KneLow also lets us do our favorite thing, shopping! Got to research and keep up on the competition to be current and hip!

What do you like to do in your spare time?

KneLow is what we do in our spare time. Jamie is a full time stylist in a salon and Lisa is a full time florist. KneLow also lets us do our favorite thing, shopping! Got to research and keep up on the competition to be current and hip!

Any other projects that you are involved in?

We do numerous events through out the year. Some of the regulars are I Heart Rummage a really fun Indie craft sale in Seattle the first Sunday ofthe month at the Crocodile Cafe on 2nd Ave. Check out I Heart Rummage for current details. We also do an event called the Swank show that is 4 times a year before holidays like Christmas, Mother's Day, etc. also featuring the best Indie crafters Seattle has to offer. This year will be our second year at Bumbershoot, Seattle's premier music festival that is scheduled Saturday, Sunday and Monday of Labor Day weekend. This is a very big one folks and if you've ever been you know how much fun it is and the music rocks! We will be in the Indie CraftMarket by the famous International fountain. Go to www.bumbershoot.org to checkout the full line up of crafters attending and the full line up of musicgroups. This event never disappoints! What does the future hold for KneLow Cosmetics?World Domination! If that doesn't happen immediately we'll take barrelsand barrels of success and brand recognition. Our line will also beintroducing several new products this year for sure and a few maybes. A few of our fragrances are waving bye-bye and we are introducing 3 new ones to take their place. Wilhelmina a pretty rose floral blend, Lavinia a sassylavender, and Antoinette a sexy amber infusion. New Products we will belaunching this year are; Shower Gel (name to be announced) in all 12 fragrance and fragrance free, Sweet Mercy a lip treatment with sugar toex-foliate dry lips in all six of our fabulous flavors, Retro Cream Perfume also available in all 12 fragrances. The maybes include incense sticks and cones, Retro Cream Soap, and Candles all in our 12 fragrances.

Q&A with Santino Rice soon

2007-02-26T14:02:00.000-08:00

Q&A with Santino Rice -arguably the most memorable contestant of Project Runway- coming soon.

-Amanda

Notable mention!

2007-02-19T21:12:00.000-08:00

We got a notable mention in Whipup! Whoopee!

-Amanda

Neat magazine

2007-02-19T21:06:00.000-08:00

Anxiously awaiting the new issue of N.E.E.T magazine, dedicated to- as the editor says- 'grassroots creativity'.

*Edited to say... the new N.E.E.T is available in all its splendiferous glory. Yes, it does warrant making up a word to describe it on the spot.

Christina from Rx Apparel Part Deux

2007-02-19T18:59:00.000-08:00

Above: the artist in the flesh, quite unlike the mannequin beside her

Interview with Christina Ewald Continued...

What's it like to be self-employed- to live by your own deadlines and your own rules?
It's terrible! I am really a bad procrastinator, but then, I do much better work when I've invested interest in something, when it's for me. In New York there are so many distractions, but you have to know where to draw the line. I like to go out a lot, and I'm always mixing up business with my personal life- like I'll say that if I go out tonight, I might meet someone interesting or important. But sometimes, you need time alone.

What do you spend the most time doing, apart from your job?
Seeing friends. I have a lot of artsy friends (that are into the same things as me). I go out to dinner alot- I'm always networking. I like talking to new people.

Do you have any favourite designers, or indie designers?
Well, I have a lot of friends who do art. I'm really into Vivian Westwood now, but her older stuff from the 70s when she was working with the Ramones and other rock bands. I'm into her at the moment. Since I just got started at making clothing, I don't really know any designer names and I don't have any real influences.

That's cool, though- it's like the process and the clothes come wholly from you, or maybe from some subconscious area, since you don't think you've got influences.
Yes, I wish I had more things to say! I just have this whole arsenal of vintage, and I'll just grab a polka dot thing and chop off of sleeves. I use this weird stream of conscious method of creating. I just start without knowing what I'll end up with. That's another thing- I don't work with patterns.

So, are you still fluent in Japanese?
I haven't studied Japanese for years! I used to be very fluent. Fortunately, in Minnesota they offered it in High School so I ended up studying it for like seven years. I've forgotten a whole lot of it though. I should really pick up a few books; I miss studying it but I've been so busy!

Why are vintage stores in New York so incredibly expensive?
[Laughs] It bothers me too. I have no idea! Everything in New York is so expensive, and vintage clothing is cool now. I haven't really bought anything in clothes stores here. They're boring to me, and everything is too expensive! I like to window shop, though.

Have any vintage shopping tips?
Go to legitimate thrift stores, where they sell clothing by the pound. Unfortunately, there aren't any that I know of in New York.

I meant to go to Beacon's closet when last I went to New York, but it didn't end up working out.
I've heard good things about it. Perhaps I'll go this week.

During your travels as part of the theatre troupe, which state do you think has got the best vintage clothing?
Any place that is not New York! I found a lot of stuff in thrift stores in Boston and Philadelphia, as far as cities go. We ended up in some really random small towns, so it was fun to go to random small thrift stores!

What catches your eye when you're looking for something to reconstruct? What has got the most potential?
Anything really bright, ridiculous, and polyester! I like to pick out ugly things and make them look cool. I especially like huge heinous things from the 80s, like sweaters and appliques. Sometimes I'll just keep them heinous- there's beauty in everything, and hipsters will buy anything!

Do you consider yourself a hipster?
Some people would. I consider myself a bohemian artist.

-Amanda

Word

2007-02-19T18:48:00.000-08:00

SG: What advice do you have for girls who wanna learn how to play guitar and write songs?

Chan: My advice is to go to a guitar store and get a flamenco-style acoustic guitar—they’re usually cheap—or just a cheap electric guitar. Or, you know, go get a casio keyboard or beg your parent to get a piano. Actually, you can often rent a piano for about 25 bucks and once a month they will come by your house and tune it. You know, get some instrument and stash it in your basement or whatever….and then whenever you have that feeling like….like, I want to paint or I want to make something, like, a purse, or I want to cut my t-shirts up and make a new outfit or I want to call my friend Susan and do something, but I don’t just want to go to the mall or hang out in the park, I want to do SOMETHING. Whenever you have that feeling, then go to the instrument of choice or get a pencil to write or steal your parent’s video camera and make a short film—whatever it is, just go to that thing and do it. Whether it’s once a month or after school or before you go to sleep, just make something or create something…and let it be just for you. Don’t ever listen to what anybody says about what you’re doing. I never let anybody teach me how to play guitar because I never wanted to play like anybody else. Just as long as you’re being creative and not getting wasted or doing drugs or just hanging out with dudes because they are in a band and seem cool, but they are really just trying to sleep with you or whatever….as long as you are making music or making art for yourself and for the sake of doing something good in the world—not to get famous or rich to date the cool guy or girl—then you’ll never fail. Even if you don’t become famous, you’ll still have given yourself something really important.

Excerpt from Chan Marshall interview via Soundgirl.

-Amanda

Explorations of the Familiar

2007-02-19T11:46:00.000-08:00

I'm really intrigued by Keri Smith at the moment. She's an author, illustrator, and self-described "guerilla artist". Her illustrations are quite familiar- you may have already seen them in your favourite magazine. They recall the whimsy, simplicity and childish innocence of artists such as Susie Ghahremani of boygirlparty.

Keri's site is like a virtual playground, with cool new things to discover at each click. One of the most fantastically wonderful finds is her blog- The Wish Jar journal (discovered via Whipup)- which chronicles her various projects. Recently, she's been trying to make connections between herself and strangers through the use of creative media. (See above)

Also worth mentioning are the activities and advice featured in the 'play' section of the site, for the times when you're bored or stuck in a creative rut.

-Amanda

Mac Has Done It Again

2007-02-13T20:04:00.000-08:00

M·A·C Cosmetics | Barbie Loves MAC

Just like fashion the world of makeup brings new concepts to old ideas. Mac Cosemetics presents...A Limied Edition Collecton names after Barbie. This collection is splended mixed with bold and vibrant colors, looks that no one but Mac could create. These six different looks will have everyone turning there heads. Each look has intructions on how to create that same look.

At last: Christina from RxApparel- Part 1

2007-02-13T13:38:00.000-08:00

If there's anything you learn from Christina while chatting with her, it's this- sometimes you've got a plan for life, and sometimes life's got a plan for you. Pursuing a major in Political Science and Japanese in Chicago, Christina never thought she'd end up a designer, struggling to keep afloat in the great big sea of New York. Yet, it's evident that she's succeeding- her soon-to-be- opened store in Brooklyn is a testament of that fact. Presenting Part 1 of a conversation with Christina Ewald of RxApparel.

How did Rx Apparel begin?
This is going to be a long story, because I tend to ramble a bit. I'm from Minnesota originally, I did a double major there in Japanese and Political Science. I never studied Fashion or anything. Then I moved to Chicago to start fresh. I grew up poor, so when I was younger I was really into thrift store shopping. I was bored one day, and I found this awesome dress in a thrift store in Chicago. It was huge, so I decided to spread it on the floor and chop it up. I took the whole day. I didn't have a sewing machine so the entire thing was hand sewed. I wore it the next night... I went into a thrift store downtown and the girl behind the counter asked where I got it. I thought she was making fun of me! I don't normally make stuff, and I never sew ever. She told me that she liked it, and said that she was the owner of the store. She said that she would so sell something like that! Her name's Jamie, she's the owner of Clothes Optional in Chicago. While I was in Chicago I toured with a Children's Theatre Troupe for 3 months. We rented a car and for every city we stopped at, I would drive to thrift stores, make things in my hotel room and send them to her. She'd sell them on consignment and send back the money. I was able to afford to live on this, and then I realized that I could make it a more lucrative business.

Do you think this will be your main career, or do you have plans to pursue something else in the future?
This will be my main career. It's a good thing you asked me this question now- two days ago I might not have given that answer. I just signed a lease for a store front in the Lower East Side, Manhattan. It's going to be an Andy Warhol type Factory, where I plan to sell vintage clothing, vintage reconstructions, and other artsy stuff. I do plan to do this now, forever. Here, it's impossible to be a starving artist- it's really expensive. It's been hard moving, New York is a city that can really eat you up and spit you out alive. I thought that my back up plan would be to study hairdressing and become an apprentice to my friend Daniel, a hairdresser in Manhattan. Four years ago I never thought I'd be doing clothing. Ten years from now I used to think that I might be in law school, or teaching English in Japan. But, I'm having a good time doing this.

That sounds really depressing, what you said about New York.
It's hard unless you're really doing very well. You can't be a struggling artist. You need a back up plan. But then, the potential for success is so great. The grand scheme is so much bigger and better. I used to be a big fish in a small- what do they say? Sea? [laughs] But now I'm a small fish in a big city, a very big city. There's so much potential to grow. New York can be a wonderful place. I've heard that it's always hard the first year!

So, how'd you end up in Brooklyn, where you live currently?
I felt that I'd done everything there was to do- no, that's not right [laughs]. I think my ego was getting far too big for the city of Chicago, so I moved to New York. I thought it would be the perfect place to move to. My friend Ethan (Ethan Bee, illustrator) had moved from Chicago to New York three months prior, and he was able to suggest a place that his friend owned. It was perfect timing, I was like “I'll be there tomorrow!”.

Right: One of Christina's creations (alliteration, woot!)

Part 2 coming up next week!

-Amanda

Q&A with Yana of Supayana

2007-02-13T12:24:00.000-08:00

Yana Gorbulsky's living proof of the success that the Internet can provide budding entrepreneurs. Originally from Moscow, she taught herself to sew as child. Since then, she's relocated to New York. Her business has garnered an enormous following, from livejournal hipsters to members of indie rock bands. Supayana's combination of edgy vintage and and girly japanese lolita have had a huge inspiration on the tastes of many aspiring fashion designers and diy-ers today. Read and become inspired as well!

How did the Supayana clothing line begin?
I was in college (majoring in speech pathology) and started selling clothes I made on eBay to pay for textbooks.

You've never recieved any professional training in fashion design. Was this ever an obstacle in clothing contstruction?
Well, it just took me longer to figure out the right way to construct things...I had to learn from trial and error instead of somebody showing me the correct way from the start. From what I hear about fashion schools, however, is that they don't really emphasize

the importance of being able to sew your own designs. They train you for the field, where you pay people to make your patterns, samples, and produce your garments. I don't really think I missed out on anything.

You're originally from Russia. Has your heritage impacted upon your clothing in any way?
I think it makes me less wasteful than most Americans I encounter, but other than that...not really? I try to use up all my scraps and ship in materials that can
be recycled easily.

What's the most important thing you've learnt from your experience as a designer and business owner?
Be grateful for your customers!

It's undeniable, the impact you've had on other budding designers. How do you react to people who have borrowed heavily from your designs?
Well, when it first started happening I would get really upset about it, but I'm too busy to even care about. It's just part of the fashion industry!

You've said that your parents encouraged you to study speech pathology, because you weren't sure of what you wanted to be. How have they reacted to your occupation as a designer?
They've been really supportive! My mom collects all of my press and shows her friends. It's so cute!

What's the best and the worst thing about living in Brooklyn?
The best thing is the diversity of people living here. I rode my bike from Williamsburg to Sheepshead Bay a few times, and I was always astounded by how many different communities I rode past along the way. You have people from all over the world in one place. It's an amazing thing.
The worst thing...it's overpriced. So many neighborhoods in Brooklyn have Manhattan prices nowadays, and I think that's just ridiculous. NY used to be a place for artists, but artists can't even afford to live here anymore. I feel like the growing prices have really stifled creativity here.

Check out Yana's site for more information on purchasing.

gURL.com also has a great feature on Yana's day-to-day life as a designer.

Over and out.

-Amanda C.Q.

Nostalgia

2007-02-11T06:54:00.000-08:00

I was born and raised on the Internet, I'll admit it. I got my first computer when I was about seven, and from the age of ten I was addicted. I was an only child and I'd spend most of my time in the company of a cold, dimly-lit screen, absorbing information like an over-enthused vacuum.

Was that an entirely healthy way to grow up? I'm not too sure, but I do credit those moments for shaping the person I am today.

One of my favourite sites was . I don't think that it bears much relation to the Get Crafty which exists presently, but has since then been reincarnated into the online magazine Supernaturale (both of which are worth checking out).

The original Get Crafty was responsible for my crafty/diy ethic. I was able to become proud, instead of embarrassed, about anything I'd create. It made me feel cooler, in a way, to wear something that was completely original and made from my own hands. It introduced me to a wider group of people who were always there to answer any questions I'd ask, or to share useful information. I was encouraged not to be afraid to try new things. I learnt about music and society and people and relationships. I learnt that, no matter how far away people may live, ultimately they're the same.

I'm currently in the process of checking out Get Crafty in the Web Archives, searching for posts I made on its forum, and sifting through memories.

I think I'll make a project of it to rediscover the crafty sites I frequented when I was younger.

-Amanda

Life's Hard

2007-02-10T22:08:00.000-08:00

The biggest thing about living the "grown up" life is creating a Budget. Budgeting will keep your head above the water. My first thought was to purchase cable or to get After taking the time out to weigh the Pros and Cons I decided was the way to go.

This Is My Pro and Con List
Pros-Netflix
*Free Trial
*Prices Starting at $4.99
*Cheaper Than Cable or Satellite
*No Late Fees
*I can get T.V series episodes for cheap
*Did I mention no late Fees

Cons-Cable
*No Free Trials
*Installation Fee
*For the Basic service $29.95
*Late Fees
*Cost extra to see T.V Series I love with On Demand

I've had Netflix for a while know and must admit I am a very satisfied customer. Just try it!!!! What a free trial going to hurt? Nothing!!!!

link: netflix.com

Put Some Flare In Your Life

2007-02-10T00:38:00.000-08:00

You have to see the funky clothes and accessories at Fred Flare. Fred Flare allows you to dress with a look that will turn all heads. Fred Flare has women and men clothing, stationery, books, and things for your home. The item I'm loving are their shades, never can have enough shades !!! Everything is really affordable and stylish, what else could you want? They have a cute little blog, they podcast( a must see) and a diary of them presenting themselves.

If you're lucky enough to live in Williamsburg, Brooklyn NY they are hiring for "supermodels". The also have unpaid internships for the buying department and technology development, forget pay-experience rules.

Click the link and check out this site.

Art meets Craft, and Crafters meet Bliss

2007-02-09T19:20:00.000-08:00

The beta issue of LAB magazine is finally here. Don't let its uber-chic layout intimidate you, however. It's brimming with interviews with artists, creators, and diy business people. The zine is a combination of hip and edgy fashion/art magazines like Nylon or Artforum and zines like Croq, Craft, or Venus. It's also reminiscent of some sort of children's activity book, where projects are included so that you can interact with the text instead of just reading it.

The layout's clean and minimalistic, allowing the focus to be strictly on the interviews and articles.

The writing style is friendly and often humourous, never pretentious or preachy.

Best of all, it's absolutely free and available for download as soon as you're able to click on this link.

-Amanda

P.S. If you're not familiar with the magazines mentioned, please promptly check them out. Many (including LAB) offer the opportunity for you to submit articles or illustrations. Just in case you wanted something to do for the weekend.

Love, for real

2007-02-09T18:39:00.000-08:00

Valentine's day is coming up soon. It feels as though it has crept up upon me.. it's not something I look forward to- or, in fact, have ever looked forward to. I've never sent a card to anyone, or even written a love letter (God forbid!) Sharing intimate feelings has always left an unnerving aftertaste of embarrassment and awkwardness in my mouth. If I'm asked as to whether I have a valentine this year, I'll most likely laugh and change the subject.

It always impresses me when people are able not to be as guarded as I am. Take Asia, for instance, webmistress of sleeptrip.com and creator of the love letters project. I discovered this link a few years back and recently happened upon it again. The site features 400 letters, written to strangers, friends, enemies, and lovers. The actual letters that were sent are published online, in such a frank and honest manner that I never could fathom applying to my own life. They're refreshing, sweet, and sometimes unpleasant glimpses into Asia's actual experiences with actual people.

Read, and don't forget to explore Asia's other noteworthy projects.

-Amanda

Learning from each other

2007-02-07T22:21:00.000-08:00

Tonight while I was washing dishes, the story of a fifth grader at a local elementary school came on the local news. I had to stop what I was doing to listen to her story.

Tara Galvin created a button bracelet to call to mind children who have been physically or sexually abused. She organized a campaign, “Operation Hot Button,” in which friends and family donated buttons so that she and her classmates can make approximately 600 bracelets for a fundraiser for the local child advocacy center.

This young girl has taken a stand and is making a difference in her corner of the world. Her inspiration came from a button display in the advocacy center that stands to remind the children that come there that they are not alone.

Her inspiration then went on to inspire everyone around her.

Every day we all come in contact with people – family, friends and even strangers – who have the potential to light a fire in us to get up and do something. In some cases, we strive to make a real difference in the world and in others. In other cases, we simply are moved to enrich our own lives.

I wrote a letter to my brother once, and in it I told him how his son, my nephew, had reintroduced me to the world. Through his eyes, everything was new and fresh again. I felt compelled to go out and discover my own new things. That little boy is still my greatest inspiration.

Take a moment when at the mall to sit down on a bench and watch the people move around you. Take in those that walk with determination and purpose. Look for those who have no real aim and wander without a goal. Take in children and the elderly. How do each of these people make you feel?

We can find inspiration in others every day. Galvin is leading a movement to help and support children who have been abused. My nephew showed me how to look at things I see every day with a whole new light. Watching people at the mall makes me smile and moves me to tears all at the same time.

Open your eyes and your ears. Learn from some; reach out a helping hand to others. We all need and affect one another whether any of us are willing to admit it or not.

- Denise

Read, then do

2007-02-07T09:46:00.000-08:00

The best thing about the growing popularity of crafting is the new wave of oh-so-cool books!

Second Time Cool: The Art of Chopping up a Sweater

Not really new, but translated from an original Swedish book to English. The book seems filled with pictures of sweater reconstruction possibilities, but skimps on the intructions. Oh, well- the pictures are fantastic!

Check out a few free sample pages from the publisher here.

Alternation is a book that hasn't been released yet. It deals with reconstruction of thrift store finds. Will be available some time this year; I haven't seen the exact date posted anywhere.

Check out the Alternation blog for updates.

The last is a book which hasn't been getting much publicity at all, when compared to other popular books such as Craftivity and Tease. This is really surprising, as the title's been out for a while, seems pretty interesting and includes contributions from the superstars of indie craft and design, like Jenny Hart. It's called Making Stuff: An Alternative Craft Book and features basic knitting, crocheting, sewing and other craft projects. The snippets provided by Amazon are tantalizing enough to push the book into the realm of something I'd buy.

Apparently I qualify for a free trial of Amazon Prime, so these plus the new Harry Potter will definitely make my year. Expect real reviews pretty soon, as well as reviews of Sew U, Tease, and 108 Ways to Reconstruct a T-shirt.

-Amanda

Be not afraid of what you may find...

2007-02-07T07:45:00.000-08:00

Check out Drop Spots.

Ever thought of starting your own record label?

2007-02-07T07:34:00.000-08:00

Well, start thinking.
Dave Conway shows you how, as he chronicles his (mis)adventures in doing just that.

Record Label 101.

-Amanda C.Q.

The Evolving World Of Fashion

2007-02-05T21:03:00.000-08:00

It's not even spring yet, but the world of fashion is already telling us what to wear for Fall 2007. Oh, the excitement, the hair,the shoes, the makeup, the clothes!!!!!!!! Can't you smell the innovation in the air ? The talk of the town was Kimora Lee Simons Fall 2007 Baby Phat collection this past weekend. They compared her to Micheal Kors, get it Kimora! There was other Fashion Collections that had me saying Oh my, of course. You can see all the looks by going to WWW.NYMAG.COM/FASHION/FASHIONSHOWS. Please go to the website so you can know what to sell at your yard sales, give away at freecycle.org, or swap with a friend. Wearing last seasons fashion is a NO-NO.

If you have any questions about where to get these looks at regular price or for less or in your size, please contact me at ehbmoore@peoplepc.com .

Be Not Afraid Of Self-Expression :All You Aspiring Designers

2007-02-05T20:50:00.000-08:00

Have You Heard ? Do You Know ? If you don't than allow me to tell you ....

Bacardi wants to give you the hottest Fashion Designers $5k

Go to www.fashionweekdaily.com/expressyourstyle and find out the details.

Open to U.S. residents age 25+, void in CA, UT, RI, and where prohibited.

Distros, Zombies, & Zines! OH MY!!!

2007-02-05T20:21:00.001-08:00

When I first started out running Avocado Tree Distro, Mae Undead of Gimme Brains!!! Distro was the first to message me wishing me luck & offering flyer & link trades. I had the chance to interview her tonight about running a distro and writing some amazing zines.

Raven: okey doke. So first off, tell us about yourself!
Mae Undead: well, i'm mae undead in my zines but for real, i'm lisa mae that loves zombies way too much. i also run gimme brains!!! distro and write several other zines
Raven: Lisa Mae is such a pretty name! How did you come up with Mae Undead as a pen name?
Mae Undead: thank you! that's a kinda funny story about the name. i showed my friend andrew a picture i took of myself from halloween (2004) and he was like, "that would look great on a shirt. underneath would say mae undead." and i totally just laughed and the name stuck with me ever since.
Raven: Haha. That`s awesome. So how long have you been running Gimme Brains!!! Distro?
Mae Undead: almost 2 years! next month is going to be the 2 year mark.
Raven: Congratulations! What got you into zines in the first place? & do you remember the first zine you ever read?
Mae Undead: i got into zines because of my friend joyous, who ran frenzy distro. i met her my sophmore year. she was my cousin's best friend's sister and it so happened she was also in my class! we hardly talked in that class though. she handed me a flier of her distro and i totally looked it up. it opened me to a new world! but the first zine i read wasn't from her. it was from this couple. i forgot their names. the zine was called, "i love her, dude" and it was about their relationship and how they toured with each others bands. it was cute. i can no longer find that copy though.
Raven: Awww. So I`ve read a couple of your zines, which I absolutely love! What is your inspiration for writing them?
Mae Undead: thanks for reading 'em. for "i know you're out there" that was totally just a gift for one of my friends(now partner!), i wanted to tell him a sort of life story and stories that i found are important in my life. i copied it in color for him and it was so nice! he loved it! i wasn't sure if i wanted to get it distributed since it was way personal. so i decide to forget about my worries and just send it out to a couple of distros and they picked it up! i was really surprised.

now for my other zine, i was participating for 24 hour zine thing. i remember reading "High on Burning Photographs / Laminated Hearts Club" and i was like, "this is way amazing." i decided to do it in a similiar way with my alter ego. i like to create gory stories in my head, stories that i would love to make into short films. the other side was just all me! no alter egos!
Raven: Everyone Has a Summer was an amazing zine. I could never write one so personal! How did you feel writing it?
Mae Undead: it felt like i was having sex with a zine! well, mentally. when i would write some of the pieces, it would just come so naturally. especially my dream. it felt good to get that out, i wanted to share just thoughts i had on the subject.
Raven: So what is in store for the future of the distro, your zines, and yourself?
Mae Undead: for the distro, i want to expand other sections like more crafty or random things. as long as i have stories to tell, i'm sure i will write zines. the future holds a lot, i'll just open to new experiences as they come!
Raven: any advice for people who are looking to open a distro?
Mae Undead: to be passionate about it! i find that if you lack passion for your project, it would be a pain to open one.
Raven: that`s really good advice. Thanks so much for your time, & good luck with all your projects!
Mae Undead: thank you, i hope the same for you!

definately check out her zines, Everyone Has A Summer, My Mystery Girl, and I Know You`re Out There!

♥Raven

Get busy living, or get busy trying!

2007-02-05T16:03:00.000-08:00

So you're probably sitting in front of your computer, tired from a long day at school or work. Maybe you've just put the kids to bed- maybe you're just trying to avoid the pile of work you've got to finish tonight. In the fifteen minutes you've got to yourself, you recall the times you used to dream about becoming an astronaut, or a director, or a famous writer. Maybe you still dream about these things. Maybe you make excuses- you think you're too broke, or you didn't go to some fancy film school. Sigh.

Here's where Jim from No Media Kings comes in. He used to be a novelist under HarperCollins, then decided that he could publish his work on his own. He has subsequently released several novels, short films, and is currently publishing a graphic novel. He's not a magician who keeps the secrets of his trade up his sleeves-on his site are detailed guides to writing, marketing and releasing books and films. Special mention goes out to the short guide on "Time Management for Anarchists", as well as the screenprinting tutorial.

Two of his books are available for free download here. (This site is also pretty great- it offers other free books you can download and put on your ipod!)

And if you were wondering- yes, this guy is incredibly awesome.

-Amanda

Inspiration..Schminspiration? Part 1

2007-02-04T13:13:00.000-08:00

What exactly is inspiration? Where does it come from? How is it helpful?

Inspiration's something that triggers off a spark, or one of those cute little cartoon lightbulbs in your brain. One of my favourite authors, Philip Pullman, has said that if we wait too long to become inspired, we'll never get anything done. He relies more on self-motivation than on inspiration.

For me, however, both concepts are the same. We can motivate ourselves to start a project by using the things that inspire us as a springboard to create new ideas and concepts.

Inspiration's especially a useful tool for when you've got "creator's block". You know you want to do something, let's say- design a logo, sew a dress, or maybe cook something new for dinner- but you've got no idea where to begin. Here's what you do:-

1. Research. Look through crafty communities, read interviews with your favourite designers, look through Google images, listen to music. Try to find pictures or ideas that you admire, and that you'd wish to try yourself. Also look for tutorials for projects, if it's the first time you're trying a particular technique.

2.Compile. Whip Up and Handmade Detroit, two of my favourite crafty blogs, both have a lot to say on the concept of an Inspiration Board. Use an ordinary message board or even an old piece of a cardboard box hung on your wall to store all the bits and pieces of things you collect.

3. Brainstorm. Most people just stop at the compiling step. I know I do- I'm a HUGE craft hoarder. Patterns, pictures, links, tutorials, you name it.. I've probably got it. I'm a self-confessed procrastinator- I hardly get at much done as I want to. I sometimes think this is due to information overload. The Internet provides so many resources with regards to diy and making stuff that you can become bombarded and stifled. If you realize that you're falling into this trap, don't! Spend some time away from your computer with your inspiration board for a little while. Challenge yourself to think of new, interesting ideas to build upon those you've already collected.

4.Do. Set aside some time to make one of the ideas you've just come up with, using your inspiration as a starting point. Pretend it's a reality show- challenge yourself to think of ideas that are original, interesting, and practical. If they aren't practical, try to work out the kinks by breaking the idea down into manageable steps. Make a plan or design and stick to it- without forgetting to have room for experimentation. But, most importantly, have fun! This may just be a prototype for yet another cool project! How about only using recyled items, or only using things you find around the house?

In a next post, I'll illustrate the process by using something that inspires me to create something new. But, for now, I'll just share a fascinating inspiration board I've found on Flickr.

Board from
Tania Ho on Flickr.

-Amanda C.Q.
happiness_is_a_pretzel@yahoo.com

Stay tuned for follow up!

The longer the name, the better the band?

2007-01-30T10:14:00.000-08:00

Hello there, you hopefully soon-to-be-faithful readers.

As any fan of the genre knows, hardcore music has been flailing about terribly for the past 5 or so years. It's been gaining awkward followings and been putting out even more awkward music. When the local Abercrombie and Fitch poster child starts wearing an overpriced From Autumn to Ashes t-shirt under her even more overpriced hoodie, you know something started going wrong with the genre. Not to say I don't want music to be widespread, oh no. Far from it. I just wish that GOOD music would be widespread.

Which brings me to this review of a little ol' EP from an oft unheard of band. Please Inform the Captain this is a Hijack(who shall now be referred to as PITCTIAH) was a band I, admittedly, started listening to on the basis of the name alone. Something so quirky just HAD to be good, right? Well, in this instance, yes!

The self-titled EP is only six songs long, but each is good enough that you'll want to listen to at least 4 or five of them on repeat. The band is an underground powerhouse consisting of people from bands like Former Members of Alfonsin, Dirty Dirt and the Dirts, Torches to Rome and Fuel. The music harkens back to the golden days of old school(hate that term...) hardcore, with one guitar pounding out gain-filled chords and the lead guitarist following along with impressive licks. Still, the drums and bass on some songs provide an almost dance worthy rhythm that, while a stark contrast with the guitars, somehow blends and fits perfectly along.

The biggest note of the band, though, is the sampling. Every song begins with several spliced together samples, providing an interesting border to the music itself. Everyone from Richard Nixon to the Great Goblin from the Hobbit movie is used in the merging and mixing of sampled quotes and music.

The first track on the EP, "Your good thing is about to come to an end", starts off with an intro to the band itself. Spliced together bits and pieces of what sound like old instructional videos(and a 70's funk band?) repeat "Please inform the captain this is a hijack!" twice before slowly melting into the sliding guitar and whiny feedback of the song. While this is my least favourite song on the EP, it's still a solid track and showcases the talents of two of the singers. A more muted first singer who sticks to lows, and an insanely high-pitched second singer who more resembles a child going through another stage of puberty. But hey, it works, and it works extremely well.

The rest of the album follows this formula. The two singers duel back and forth over the energetic and frantic music, leading up to a slow breakdown and an ending that usually has all the crash cymbals on the drum set ringing and all the band members singing at the same time, giving it the feel that it would have been one hell of a live show.

One track of note, and my personal favourite, is "Postcards from the Future". The song has one singer who hadn't taken the forefront for the rest of the album covering the entire track with his raspy, powerful vocals. The music itself is different from the rest of the album too, taking a less complicated approach to hardcore and sticking with octaves for the entirety of the verse. The song, lamenting the garbage that is fed to people as entertainment is the best one in terms of music and energy, especially when the ending hits and it almost reaches anthem status. "Broken children, it's not too late, the future is unwritten..."

All in all, it's a great album and worth searching for. It can't really be bought anymore, as there were very limited pressings, but the songs can be found on almost any p2p network, and hell, I'll even send them as a zip file if you'd like.

And away I go.

Have You Heard of Buffalo Exchange ???????

2007-01-29T18:58:00.000-08:00

What a girl to do with an addiction to shopping but with funds so low Target seems like a luxury consignment shop.Buffalo Exchange is one of the most wonderful consignment shops in the USA. Buffalo Exchange started out with simple beginnings in the State of Arizona in 1974 and know has several locations in 12 states. Buffalo Exchange presents a type of atmosphere that has you walking in and out feeling the same way Happy. Buffalo Exchange have steals and deals galore. I went there and purchased pair of Armani heels for only $12.99. My best friend got a gown for a pageant for around $25.00 and a pair of heels for $9.99 can't beat those prices. So know your probably sulking, say to yourself there no Buffalo Exchange in my city!! No fret there a Buffalo Exchange on EBay allowing you to get a taste of their sweet deals.

Until Later... K.Monroe

First Post :D

2007-01-29T09:46:00.000-08:00

Seeing as this is my first post, I guess it would be good to start off with an introduction:

My name is Raven. I`m a graphic artist currently residing in SW Virginia, and I run Avocado Tree Distro and Panda Girl, a little DIY business. I`ll be blogging about everything artsy- interviewing new and upcoming artist, doing book and zine reviews, posting tutorials, and giving advice on running your own distro or DIY craft business. If you have any questions, you can find my e-mail address in my profile :]

& also for my first post, i`ve decided to review one of my favorite craft zines, Scrappy!

Scrappy Zine No. 1: Stitches by Niku
$3 / 33 pages / half size

I`ve noticed that most craft zines are usually in color, and have tons of handmade touches to them, and Scrappy is no different. When I opened the neatly decorated envelope from Niku a couple of months ago, I knew I was in for something good. The cover alone grasps your attention, & once you open to the table of contents, you know this is going to be a great zine. Hand-drawn and mostly handwritten, Niku has made her first craft zine unbelieveable. This issue features sewing projects, from cardgian reconstruction to zine cozies, to funky Christmas stockings to fun with felt! She has included basics for sewing, which i found extremely helpful, especially for first time sewers. Purple cover with title of zine in color glued on, and bound with cute fuzzy yarn. Definately a best seller in the distro.

♥Raven

Interview with Christina of Rx Apparel Soon

2007-01-29T08:43:00.000-08:00

As soon as I arrived in NYC during my visit last year, I knew I had to visit The Market. It's this huge room packed with indepedent designers (mostly in the form of students, or graduates) trying to find a safe and loving home for their wares. I tried very hard to hide my enthusiasm- obviously not hard enough! I'm originally from Trinidad and Tobago, where the glory of independent/diy culture and crafting hasn't really caught on yet.
I'd never been presented with so much choice in my life- the kind of things I'd seen in stores on the Internet, but never in person. As I swooped repeatedly round each vendor, I couldn't help but engage in conversation with Christina, the owner of Rx Apparel. For the zine, I arranged an interview with her- hopefully to be posted next week.
Visit The Market! Or, even better, hone your crafty skills and get yourself a spot there!

From Rx Apparel by Christina Ewald

-Amanda C.Q.

DeviantArt Tutorials

2007-01-29T08:01:00.000-08:00

So you've scoured craftster.org, tried every possible search engine, and thoroughly investigated every diy livejournal community. Thankfully, there's a new resource overflowing with tutorials, patterns and instructions for any crafty endeavour you may be interested in- be it the study of human anatomy to improve your artistic skills, a beginner's guide to photoshop and sculpting, or a instructions for drinking beer underwater (seriously). Some are incredibly cute, most are very well-illustrated- works of art in themselves.

Just remember to put all of these tutorials to good use. As a fellow pattern-hoarder, I know what it's like to have most of the space on your computer taken up with saved files from the internet, all including instructions for making cool clothes (and yet, an empty closet). Why not join DeviantArt while you're there and display all the stuff you've created from their helpful tutorials?

Right: How to Crochet Tutorial by ~VolensVivarium

Link
-Amanda C.Q.

Movin' on up

2007-01-28T14:26:00.000-08:00

We have got a team of writers on board, and are ready to go.

What to expect from the zine in the near future:

2007-01-22T15:16:00.000-08:00

Interviews with Indie (and other!) musicians
Interviews with various independent and grassroot businesses
Diy projects and tutorials
All-round advice from people who've done cool stuff
Reviews of albums, concerts, books, etc
The inspiring
The unexpected

Ambitious much?

News

2007-01-21T11:39:00.000-08:00

1. We've got a new a new writer. Her name's Max California, and she specializes in sewing, pattern-making, and all-round diy goodness. Expect some neat tutorials in the near future.

2. We decided to start an art ring. Any artist who wishes to have a painting or photo or anything at all featured on the front page of the blog can do so for a month. We'll host the pictures. After the month is up, they'll choose a new artist who we'll contact to have work featured on the blog. In the event that a new artist can't be found, we'll chose a new artist. That's it... so submit your work!

Be not afraid needs writers

2007-01-20T14:54:00.000-08:00

We need a team of writers for our blog!
We're looking for dedicated bloggers from any country, beach or cave on the planet to write about any interesting events or people in fashion, the diy/craft movement, music, film, or literature- or anyone who has done something unbelievably great for the world in which they live. Interviews or reviews would be good; any dissertations or essays would be good as well. Write about anybody or anything that inspires you.
We also need writers to provide tutorials for diy projects.

contact happiness_is_a_pretzel@yahoo.com if you're interested.

The First Post.

2007-01-20T13:23:00.000-08:00

This is an indie culture zine of sorts.
But then, it isn't.
This is a blog dedicated to everything that makes you feel something.
Everything that gives you goosebumps.
Everything that makes you realize that the artist and the spectator are one and the same.
It probably won't change your life,
but you probably will.