Anthology

summer calendar, other peoples'

Phew, summer already?!  I can hardly believe it.  But I'm starting to see notices for summer craft fairs and even for fall planning-ahead, so I thought I'd post some of the many opportunities to vend and shop.  There are so many ways that you can support local artists (and farmers)!  I have to admit that I'm usually at the shop on summer weekends so not only do I miss out on summer garage sales, but I miss out on the shows.  But in most cases, I know some/many of the artists involved and am pretty confident that there will be goodies to be found.

SHOPPING & CREATING OPPORTUNITIES

Dane County Farmer's Market, State Street corner, summer Saturdays.  Madison, WI.

East Side Green Market. summer Saturdays.  Milwaukee, WI.

Tosa Farmer's Market, summer Saturdays.  Wauwatosa, WI.

Constructor Craft Fair, June 9.  Berwyn, IL.

INDIEana Handicraft Exchange, June 9.  Indianapolis, IN.

Thread & Ink, June 23.  Madison, WI.

Vintage Flea and Finds Market, July 8.  Madison, WI.

No-Coast Craft-o-rama, July 22.  St. Anthony, MN.

Eighth Annual Summer Craftacular, July 29.  Madison, WI.

Create Mixed Media Retreat, August 22-26.  Chicago, IL

(Anthology will be at the Vendor Faire, August 24).

Craft-Apple-Ar, August 26.  Poynette, WI.

Renegade Craft Fair, September 8 -9.  Chicago, IL.

 

 

 

ARTIST APPLICATION OPPORTUNITIES

Renegade Craft Fair, September 8 -9.  Chicago, IL. (due June 8)

Handmade for the Holidays, November 17. Oshkosh, WI.

 

 

If you know of other shows and opportunities, please leave me a comment and I will add them to the list!

Confectionique, C'est Manifique!

Confectionique's visit to our shop was just a teaser... so I had to go out myself and check them out.  This is the weekend of their monthly market: sneak peek on Thursday night, then Friday May 11 from 11 am - 2 pm; Saturday May 12 from 10 am - 4 pm and Sunday May 13 from noon to 4 pm.  Those two crafting sisters are so clever!

They have so many treasures packed into that little airport space.  Now I know how some people feel when they come to our shop and comment that they have to go around the shop three times before they see everything.  Luckily, Jessica and Stasia don't mind if you linger for a while to take it all in.  You can even have a glass of wine while you are shopping.

I love all the little details and treasures hidden in little nooks and crannies.

Their little workshop space is quite tempting and they have a fun collection of ephemera for your own crafty projects.  Seriously, what's not to love about a bowlful of ballerinas?

I'm also quite charmed by their stamps, but I think I'm holding out for an "ooh la la." I did finally manage to make up my mind... but I can't show you since it is a present for my sister. 

Hamilton pilgrimage

I just learned of some water damage to one of my favorite spots:  Hamilton Wood Type & Printing Museum (and if you go to the website, you can join us in helping them out with fundraising/clean-up efforts).  I'm still a couple months away from my annual trip, but the news has caused me to think more about this great spot.

I think we first came to the museum on a rainy day several years ago(as a family, we often camped at nearby Point Beach State Forest).  We got a tour from a retired Hamilton employee, who showed us around all the products that Hamilton made over the years, as well as the process of making wood type.  At the time, it seemed like a slightly sad, but really cool museum.  A little like a basement that had been turned into a museum.  I want to make sure I don't oversell it - it still has a old warehouse feeling to it and I have a feeling that temperature control has got to be an issue during the extremes of Wisconsin seasons.  Nonetheless, it has a very genuine feeling to it, as well as a great sense of potential and creativity.  But maybe that's just 'cause I've always been such a sucker for drawers.

Honestly, I wish that I had scads of money - this place seems like a true gem of Wisconsin and I feel like it deserves to be housed in a fabulous space, with tons of workspace for people to print & work, and lots of walls to display prints that people have made, plus more retail space, and plenty of room for drawers, too.

Since our first visit, the outlook of the museum has improved somewhat - each year I visit and I find little tweaks and signs of coming-to-life.  I think one of my favorite trips was in 2010; usually when I arrive, I'm the only car on the street, but this time there were two cars parked outside: 

 

And the cavernous warehouse was filled with the sounds of machines, the ka-chunk of the press, the chatter of voices.  Turns out, I had stumbled in on a workday for an Illinois printing company.  Since then, I have seen evidence of many visiting art classes and groups (Like them on Facebook and you can too).

Every time I visit, I am charmed once again by the drawers and their contents, as well as the inspiration of artists who have left their prints behind.

 

If you've never had a chance to visit, I recommend making the trip soon - well, perhaps give them some time to mop up. They usually have an exhibit of pieces that were printed with their wood type, from one of the many visiting groups, and they have workshops for the public as well. I'm slowly amassing a collection of prints, and there's always lots of inspiration.  I feel like setting type takes a lot of patience and precision so I'm rather nervous about trying it myself - because of course I would want to use lots of letters.  Maybe someday.....

 


But really, it's worth it just to visit and peek in the drawers.

 
 
 
 
 
 

one last library look

I've been thinking a bit about the fuss over the 100 block of State Street.  I will return to it in its own post, but my thoughts are connected to the Bookless event at the downtown library this weekend so I can't help making the connection here as well. 

Bookless seemed to perfectly encapsulate what I consider the best of downtown Madison - the diversity of people - all ages, all economic backgrounds - the mix of art and academics - in fact, these are qualities that I consider key to libraries themselves.  They have a very (lowercase d) democratic quality about them. 

My concerns about downtown Madison development in general have to do with gentrification, unification, privitazation and aesthetics.  On the other hand, the generous spirit of a plan that would help fund the now-nonprofit Overture Foundation cannot be ignored.  But I really need to do more research about the 100 block instead of jumping to conclusions so I'll get back to the topic at hand.

Saturday at the library was AWESOME.  If I somehow I didn't convey that enough via Facebook or otherwise propel you to get to the library, I apologize.  Because you missed some great fun.

The downtown Madison library is slated for de/construction, with the new library opening up in the summer of 2013.  The books have been moved out, the temporary location is up and running, and for all intents and purposes, we were to have said our goodbyes to the library when it closed in November. 

UNTIL, some ingenious librarian (the famous Trent Miller, whose company Babysitter Deandra and Girl Lily always enjoyed on visits to the library) came up with the wonderful Bookless plan.  There are pictures here on Flickr from the party, which went on until the wee hours of the morning. 

Sachi and I each managed to grab a little time away from the shop in the morning, running over to the library during the 10 am - 2 pm free family-friendly activities.

I had to go back again, just before the 2 pm closing time because a customer showed me a great James Marshall stamp that she'd used on a catalog card.  In related news, we got a big box of library catalog cards from Memorial library, which is clearing them out... and I have some idea of an art/journal project.  I'm not sure what it will be.  But I love all the worlds that spin off of just the many titles of books on the cards.

I have to admit that I'm a little jealous/sad that I didn't get involved - it looks like it would have been so much fun to get to trick out a room in the library, make an art installation with library catalog cards.  Though, looking back on the last two weeks of year end tax prep work, I'm not sure when I would have had time.

I really admire the nimbleness of the artists, many of whom seem to have changed their installation based on the materials at hand. 

So a huge kudos to the artists, but also to the library.  Because it is rare that artists in Madison get quite such a large canvas to work on.  How wonderful would it be if more building and property owners were open to something like this!  Aside from the spaces that are currently vacant, what a wonderful way this would be to say goodbye to a building.

There's something a little sad and poignant about being in a space after its function has been trucked away - those dark corners, the abandoned hardware, the emptiness. 

Not to mention the fact that I have grown up with this library, tromped up the stairs as a child, thrown a penny in the fountain,  checked the answer to the riddle in the clown's pocket.  After thirtysomething years of living in Madison, I'm starting to see how an old brain could be totally confused - all those layers of memories: what is a UW Credit Union doing there?  Wasn't there a Kohl's (grocery store!) with a big yellow arch that we used to try to slide down?  Didn't there used to be fountains in this mall?  And where did that Gimbel's go to?

The event also reminded me of a few years ago when my parents were moving from my childhood home.  I was wrestling with some emotions of loss but a friend suggested that I make a journal of the house.  I ended up spending a lot of time taking pictures of the space after the bulk of the moving was done.  It was a new way to look at space that was usually filled, but spending time taking pictures was a helpful way to say goodbye.

And, of course, seeing some of those traces of the old library experience were a little trip back in time.  I ran into an old childhood friend and we reminisced about trying to find those wheely stools so that we could reach books too high above us, how you could never find one when you needed it.  I overheard a parent telling his son, "those are the cards we used to keep track of books, before there were computers."  So strange to imagine the different world that exists.

I do have to admit that I'm glad to see I'm not the only person with a surplus of rubber bands.  What's the deal with that?

I can't believe I forgot to take a picture of the Oracle, but that's just evidence of the way that every corner of the library had something going on.   I didn't have nearly enough time to explore it all and I'm sure that I missed a lot, but I was worried that the accountant was going to show up for the aforementioned tax work.  I could have spent the entire four hours taking pictures of the space, the art, and the people amidst it all.

 

Plus, it was cool to see the labyrinthine backways in the basement and upper floors, those mysterious places usually for staff only.

 

To sum up, Bookless felt like the epitome of an urban artful experience. 

The level of participation from artists was fabulous; the repurposing of an unused space and supplies (catalog cards, stamps, shelving, labels) and the fusion of looking back and going forward was inspiring; apparently a lot of money was raised for the library foundation; and the turn-out of the community was seriously off the hook, and I don't use that phrase lightly.  And I didn't even muster up the energy to go to the party at night, but I can see from the pictures that it was quite the party.

Art/craft, learning/doing, seeing/making, repurposing/recycling, old/new, community participating/celebrating/remembering.  All that I can really hope for is more of the same for downtown Madison. 

Thank you, Hamilton

If there is just one additional stop I make on my summer trip, after the Point Beach, it is to the Hamilton Wood Type and Printing Museum.  How much do I love this place?  Probably not as much as someone who actually knows how to print.  But, still, a lot.  I've always loved letters and fonts; combined with my love of drawers, this place is pure heaven. It's amazing to see all the different fonts, not to mention see how they are made and used, and even to see them in use.

I feel rather proud, Wisconsin-proud, that this collection is here in our state. AND it is a working museum, because people are often printing there, though I've never done any printing myself.  Having seen the work that my sister went through for her M.F.A., I'm a little intimidated by printing presses, but perhaps I will add printing at Hamilton to my bucket list.

I have enjoyed visiting over the years and especially love to see how things change from year to year.  There are rotating exhibits so you can see everyone's recent print works (many different art departments and printing groups visit the museum to work over the course of a year).  And they've started a collection of prints for sale... and I think I might have to start my own collection of Hamilton prints.  I'm trying to figure out what wall in my home will work, and also how to display things (hmm, perhaps a Pinterest search is in order).  I might have to do some tweaking of the color schemes.

My first acquisition (twenty bucks!  a bargain!) is a navy print with silvery lettering that says : "more type is better."  That one fits the color scheme of my bedroom but it is tempting to have a whole wall of just type. 

It is quite a treasure and I strongly recommend that you make a plan to visit.  It's really not even that far to drive from Madison; if you had to, you could do it in a day, but I would recommend an overnight so you can also go to the Kohler Arts Center.

 

And check out this gigantic 2, with the girl for scale.

Oh, I will also note, in light of Wisconsin's new concealed carry laws, how much I appreciate their sign:

 

the cleverness of knitters

 

I have to admit that my knitting skills are very very basic so I just stand in awe of the yarn-bombing movement which involves guerrilla knittas attacking trees and benches and signs and other things with yarn and needles.  Today is International Yarn Bomb Day and I was excited to learn that the protests at the Capitol have become a part of the event.  Here are some pictures from around the Capitol Square:

 

 
   

There was a man sitting at this bench reading a paper.  I asked him if he wouldn't mind moving for a minute so I could take a picture.  He got up and then read the bench and said, "apparently we will be."

 
All right, for the sake of a photograph, yes, but as for the rest... Fight on, Wisconsin!

 

 

artists at work: made by amy

Whether it's notecards or notebooks, a look at Amy's work will often cause a spark of nostalgia.  Her Uno card notepads are some of my favorites for just that reason -- all those nights spent playing Uno as a kid...

 

 

What inspires you to make what you do?

For me, everything starts with the vintage imagery I find and love. And depending what it is I will decide what to do with it. Some things I see right away and know they will be good for a focal point of a collage and painting piece. Other things I see as perfect for background. Occasion specific clippings (like Christmas ads) are immediately pulled out for greeting cards. I like the idea of using this old print and making it into something useful and fun.

What's an average studio day/session like?

Because I do housecleaning about 35 hours a week, I mainly craft in the evenings... shorter chunks of time than I would like. I decide what I'm going to work on during that time and go at it. Typically I do many of one thing at a time. I mean, I don't sit down and make a card or minibook start to finish. I will cut a ream of paper down into minibook paper one night. Then another day I'll punch covers, divide the paper among them and finish them. Some days I'll just go though magazines pulling pages out and sorting them. Some days I'll collage and paint.

  

Where is your studio?  What does it look like?

I have a studio space in our downtown Madison apartment. It is a great space for my needs. It is long and narrow and I have set up three workstations. One is for crafting of cards, journals, etc. The second is my art area which includes my easel for painting and my art table which I use for mostly for doing collage. The third station is for various personal projects, like scrap-booking and sewing. Between these stations are bookshelves with old games, magazines, and other vintage ephemera that I incorporate directly into my work and stacks of thin drawers where I file magazine clippings.

 
What supplies are in your studio? What's your favorite storage/organization gadget or tip? 

As I go through old magazines I pull pages out and sort them into categories. I file magazine clippings that I will most likely use in artwork based on subject – Cleaning, Beauty, Kitchen, Travel, etc each get their own thin drawer. I can pull these drawers all the way out to sift thru the stacks of imagery and text. I make a separate stack of pages that I know I will use for cards; I then cut these down and file them into a big file folder by occasion – Wedding, Birthday, Christmas, etc.

 
Do you have some favorite crafty websites/blogs that you'd recommend?

I must admit I do not do much online other than email, facebook and etsy. I'm much better at making stuff than I am at taking photos of my work, downloading them and posting my creations on Etsy. But I do love the way it connects people. It is has been a great way to get in touch with other creative people and of course browse and buy as well!

 

Any other thoughts you'd like to share?

I'm so grateful to be in a city where handmade is appreciated. A big thank you to Anthology and Madison for inspiring creativity!

 

Thank you, Amy!

artists at work: Nancy Burkholder

 

Nancy Burkholder is another artist whose work we carry at Anthology.  As a fan of Japanese papers and patterns, we love her scrabble tile necklaces, and have also enjoyed seeing what new creations Nancy brings to us (notably, her yo-yo necklaces).  I particularly appreciate her approach to creating - this, I think, is what is essential for all of us.  Even if you don't have a dedicated space and even if it isn't your full time job, I think it behooves us all to find even 5 minutes a day where we can think about art projects.  We just wish we could have seen a picture of her aunt's sewing armoire.

What inspires you to make what you make?
I’ve always had at least three things going at once. I love sewing, tried knitting, love beading and making jewelry. I got a sewing machine for my 16th birthday and a serger when I turned 21, which I guess are not typical gifts at those ages. If I see something I like and think I might be able to make it, I’ll give it a try. Right now I’m on sock animals.

Making the Scrabble Tile necklaces for Anthology came out of my appreciation for Japanese papers. My husband and I love Japanese paper, and have a giant piece framed in our living room. When I saw origami paper, I thought it was so beautiful and I wanted to do something with it that I could wear every
day. We had extra scrabble tiles left over from a baby shower game, and my second job was born. I really like them because they’re not expensive, can be layered, and can be made in any color.

What’s an average studio session like?
What’s great about making jewelry is that you can do it in small increments. I have another job and two little kids that have to be driven everywhere. I try to squeeze in a little bit of something every day, even if it’s just looking at what I have and thinking about what I could turn it into. So I might do five minutes, or if I’m lucky, I get in a half hour.

Where is your studio? What does it look like?
I don’t have a studio, though I wish I did. I have a desk in our office/guest room, which has most of my supplies. But since I am usually in the kitchen, I have a tiny desk in our pantry, and some space on the shelves for some things I can grab easily. I’ll take whatever space I can get!

What supplies do you have?
I have lots of fabric remnants left over from various sewing projects. I have boxes of beads and buttons. Some are nicely organized so I can find them fast. Some are still in the organizing process. I have my great-aunt’s sewing armoire, which is full of threads, bits of lace, ribbon and some things I’m not quite sure what to do with yet.

Any crafty websites or blogs you particularly enjoy?
I love to cruise around on Etsy to see what people are doing. I also like to check out businesses like Tuvalu and Three Orange Doors, and of course, Anthology, to see what people are making here in Madison. There’s also a quirky little Canadian show called "She’s Crafty" on Ion TV which has some fun projects.


Any other thoughts you'd like to share?
I feel pretty lucky that I get to make something I love and actually earn a little money while doing it. I think crafting keeps my brain going!

Thanks so much, Nancy! 

artists at work: Picture Day

I'm trying to remember the first time that I saw the works of Picture Day.  I think it was at the fabulous, now gone, vintage shop, Epoch Vintage.  And I'll admit that while I was otherwise very sad to see Epoch close, I was selfishly hopeful that we would get to carry Rebecca's fabulous creations.  Her fun button pins and accessories always caught my eye, with their clever yearbook-picture labels.  And I still sigh over the light blue sweater with birds and striped flowers, and the navy blue typewriter sweaters, neither of which were my size.  Her sweaters always bring people in off the street and rarely stay long in the store (also, they are one-of-a-kind so if you ever see one you love, you should get it without delay!).

Happily, Rebecca was willing to share her creative process with us.

What inspires you to make what you do?

I love vintage imagery. I subscribe to vintage fashion and ephemera blogs, and have amassed a folders full of inspiration. I look for motifs, color combinations, and textures.

What's an average studio day/session like?

The amount of time I spend on projects each day varies quite a bit because I am busy with other work too. I will often design several sweaters at once, then complete the sewing over the next few days or weeks. Though I do both, I find hand sewing to be a stress-relieving activity, while machine sewing is often stress-filled. 

Where is your studio? What does it look like?

My studio resides in my two-bedroom apartment. I sometimes find it challenging to create in my small space because I don't have a room devoted entirely to my work, just corners. A big part of my design process involves laying out materials to find the right color and style combinations. I never feel like I have enough space to do this! I dream of having my own studio room one day.

What supplies are in your studio? What's your favorite storage/organization gadget or tip?

I use floor to ceiling shelving with the heaviest fabric bins on the bottom and smaller materials above. I love the look of highly organized craft spaces with color-wheel folded fabrics, but it's just not practical for my design process. Instead I organize by size, fabric type, and color. Being able to toss unused materials back into bins at the end of a design session makes clean-up easy.

Do you have some favorite crafty websites/blogs that you'd recommend?

I can't say enough about the benefits of using blog aggregators like Google Reader or Bloglovin' to become an efficient blog reader. Vintage-themed Tumblrs can be a great source for design inspiration. Blog aggregators facilitate easy browsing and provide recommendations for related sources.

Some favorite blogs are: Kitten Feathers, The Year 2050, My Vintage Vogue, A Beautiful Mess, Something's Hiding in Here, Poppytalk, Gertie's Blog for Better Sewing.

 

Thanks, Rebecca!

artists at work: EKRA

That's Emily Kircher Recycling Artist, one of the very first artists whose work we brought to Anthology.  I think the first time I met her was at a Craftacular at High Noon Saloon, several years ago.  I love how diligent she is about recycling and repurposing, and I'm envious of her crochet mastery.  I don't know if it is because of my geography background, but I've always loved her bottlecap map necklaces.  I dream of a charm bracelet filled with all the places that I've been to, though it would be a little on the heavy side. I know this doesn't speak a lot to her art, but I totally love her "before" pictures also - just look at those colorful balls of yarn that she created!

Many of you know Emily from her booth at the Farmer's Market.  Late last summer, Emily moved to Illinois so she isn't at the market on Saturdays but we are happy that she still stocks our shop and others, on top of her Etsy shop and the many shows that she travels to throughout the year.

What inspires you to make what you do?
Up until I was about 27, I was working towards being a scientist.  I got a BS in Biology and headed to graduate school to pursue a PhD in Environmental Toxicology.  I have always been interested in how life works (biology) and concerned about the environment (hence, the study of toxins in the environment).  I really thought I was being trained as a scientist who would be able to save the world (or at least make a dent in saving the world).  However, I could see that what I was really being trained for was a career in the pharmaceutical business.  Once I realized that, it was really hard for me to get up and go to lab everyday.  I was miserable, not knowing what to do since I had invested so much time and work going down this scientist path. 

One day, my boyfriend at the time (now my husband) asked me a simple question about school.  "You know you don't have to do this if you don't want to, right?"  I was stunned.  No, I didn't know that I didn't have to do this.  Almost immediately, I felt a sense of relief and started planning my escape.  I had enjoyed crafts my whole life and at that point had been crocheting rugs for fun and giving them away for a few years.  I left school with a MS and jumped in with both feet and started my crafting business.

   
 
 
That's a long winded way of saying that what inspires me to create is that besides really making me happy, I feel like making crafts from recycled materials makes a difference in the world.  I know I only take a tiny, itty, bitty bit of materials out of the garbage stream, but with my presence at shows, in stores, and online, I hope that people recognize what I'm doing and think twice about what they do with their unwanted items.  I tell everyone who will listen that I get nearly all of my materials from thrift stores, and remind them that if they are finished with something, to take it to a thrift store where someone can reuse it and keep it out of a landfill.

 
What's an average studio day/session like?

One of the best things about working out of my house and being my own boss is that I don't have a set schedule.  I pretty much work when I feel like it and do what I feel like.  That being said, this job is not without stress.  My average day goes something like this: Get up, check my e-mail, etsy, and facebook and make a list for the day, photograph any work I finished the night before while the light is good, by that time it is about lunchtime.  I usually spend the afternoon watching Law and Order reruns and cutting fabric into fabric yarn and the nights watching new TV and crocheting.  Pretty sweet, huh?

Where is your studio?  What does it look like?
My studio is in my house and it is a mess!  I have a really big room where I can store all my supplies, but I do most of my actual work outside of my "studio" in the living room while watching TV.  There are balls of fabric yarn everywhere, in baskets, on the floor, in piles.  There is usually a pile of books waiting for me to cut up for bottlecap magnets and necklaces, and a tray of bottlecaps with the necklace components glued on and drying.

What supplies are in your studio?
My supplies are fabric, fabric, and more fabric!  Fabric in the form of old clothes, bed sheets, fabric remnants, curtains, and whatever else catches my eye at a thrift store or yard sale.  I also have a cutting mat and rotary cutter to cut my fabric into strips to make yarn and a super sharp scissors.   Besides crocheting rugs and bowls, I also make resin-filled bottlecap magnets with images cut from old books and playing cards.  You know what that means, tons and tons of bottlecaps, books, decks of cards, and bottles of resin also litter my craft room.

Do you have some favorite crafty websites/blogs that you'd recommend?
One of my favorite blogs to read is the Craft: blog.  They are always featuring cool stuff that takes me to other crafters' blogs to show off tutorials and beautiful completed projects.

I love to browse Flickr and Etsy to see what other people are doing.
   


I try to keep up with what my favorite artists are doing.  Some of my favorite artists include: boygirlparty, Melissa Sue Stanley, inblue, the ladies at Anthology, Orangyporangy, and so many more!  I hear the music playing to cue me off the stage so I better wrap it up here.

 


any other thoughts you'd like to share?

Yes.  I didn't know anything about business when I started and I made A LOT of mistakes.  The most important thing I learned was that you need to learn from those mistakes and not make them again.  Mistakes almost always cost money and that is one thing most new businesses don't have a lot of.  I learned almost lesson the hard way (by messing up), but more importantly, I learned the lesson. 

Thanks so much Emily!