Crafty Ramble

wristlet progress

Nose to the grind stone.  I have some sewing to do.  I’m gearing up for the Handmade Throwdown at Crossroads Art Center!

The Richmond Craft Mafia is participating in the “The Art of Business Throwdown.” It is a competition between two teams (RCM and the Real Small Art League)  competing to promote 2 visual artists of different styles. ( us = craft, them = art)  The teams will be judged on: media coverage, overall sales, (from the gallery show) and the impact of the event on the artist’s platform.  Think Donald Trump’s television show “The Apprentice.” and you have an idea of whats going on… HANDMADE THROWDOWN!  Its going to be paint, clay, soap, beads, and fabric carnage everywhere!  I kid, I kid!  It will cool and you need to be there!!  (did I use enough exclamation points!)

Wristlets

-Opening Reception  is July 16th (6-9 pm) at Crossroads Art Center, 2016 Staples Mill Rd (we are in the Caboose Gallery) – The show run from July 16th to September 8th. 10% of opening night sales & 5% of sales thereafter benefit the Richmond SPCA.
Tell your friends about it on Facebook!

Handmade Throwdown

I read a couple of really cool blogs that are written in exotic languages from people in far off lands. Now before you think I am fantastically multi-ligual…I am not. HA!  I grew up in Los Angeles and sadly the only spanish I managed to pick up were colorful swear words  And I took a french class in college with the dreams of fab Paris fashion trips…yeah, I dropped that class. But I do remember the phase “where is the toilet = Où sont les toilettes?”  Very handy to know but thats it for conversation. One of these days I’ll get some tapes and learn a new language. Its somewhere in the 20′s on the “Things to do before I turn 40″ list.

I follow these two blogs in particular for fashion inspiration:
http://www.leblogdelamechante.fr and Le blog de Big Beauty.  I’m lucky some blogs I follow have a translation script already as part of their blogs, but if not Google translator does all the hard work I couldn’t do back in the old school days.  If you do find a cool looking blog  that you want to translate, all you have to do is enter the blogs url at http://translate.google.com. You can also use it to translate text and documents.  Très bon!!

Finally, Spring is here and this equals new designs in my book.  I’ve been awfully quiet lately, due to winter season blahs, (we had more than our share of snow here in RVA, for real!) and working on new stuff.  Still working on secret project #1 and #2. But what I can share are my new super fun eco felt pouches.  On their debut at Spring Bada-Bing, I got a custom request for one sized for a netbook. How awesome!  It was sent off to the new owner last Tuesday.  So here are pictures of some the smaller ones (8″x 9″)  but I guarantee more in the netbook size (12″x 8″).  My mom has her request in already.  

I’m having a March madness sale on my shoulder bags, from now to March 12th.  I’m making room for the Spring = new fabrics, new designs.  Yay!

Shop NLD  on Etsy for the sale at:  http://nicoleleedesigns.etsy.com/

Swap art & craft supplies this Sunday! De-stash, acquire, do good!!

Admit your craft addiction

The 3rd annual Crafters Anonymous Craft Swap is this Sunday from 2:00 – 5:00 pm at Art Works. The Craft Swap is an opportunity for artists and crafters of all types to get together in a fun, social environment and trade craft supplies. This event is also a benefit to support Art 180 – a Richmond based non-profit organization that creates and provides art-related programs to young people living in challenging circumstances, encouraging personal and community change through self-expression.

Entry into the swap is $6 at the door. If you bring a bag of supplies to swap, the entry fee is $1. Upon entry you will get 1 grocery bag to fill to your hearts content. You are welcome to purchase additional bags for $5 each. If you have your own reusable bags please feel free to bring those to use (fees will still apply). There will be tables set up to hang out and craft so feel free to bring a small project to work on.

So gather up all those unused supplies and come hang out with us this weekend!

Crafters Anonymous Craft Swap

Sunday, February 28th
2:00 pm – 5:00
Art Works
320 Hull Street

I’m a big fan of gadgets – cooking, office, craft/sewing, etc.  Especially sewing gadgets.  I have my eye on the bias tape maker as I write this. I just haven’t convinced myself I need it…yet. 

I finally ordered a ruffler sewing foot. I’ve been thinking about a couple of designs that would require a bunch of small pleats.  I already do some things that have a couple of pleats or a little bit of gather, but if you plan on doing lots this will help loads.  Ruffling/pleating isn’t hard to do but time consuming and taxing on patience. Your fingers will thank you.

Test shots:

ruffler foot2

ruffler foot

Ikea Fabric

Well, they do have the furniture too. The closest Ikea is about 2 hours away so it is not the easiest place to just pop over for a look-see. There has to be a list and a road trip with two of my crafty friends Dawn and Kelly. Which is always fun. There are usually show tunes, Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings and many laughs. ‘Nuf said, fun! My excuse main agenda was to get a nice cabinet (Linnarp in red to be specific). Maybe another trip is in order to look for  more fabric office chairs.

YDGMG2YQ8STA

Do the folks at the art supply store know you by name? Do you have supplies for a project but can’t remember for what  project. (thats me!)  If so it may be time to admit your addiction, and we can help…

Crafters Anonymous Craft Swap

Join us for the 3rd annual Crafters Anonymous Craft Swap!

The Crafters Anonymous Craft Swap is an opportunity for artists and crafters of all types to get together in a fun, social environment and trade craft supplies.

This event is also a benefit to support Art 180 – a Richmond based non-profit organization that creates and provides art-related programs to young people living in challenging circumstances, encouraging personal and community change through self-expression. In addition, we will be supporting other local non-profits that utilize art/craft in their programs.

For details check out http://www.rvacraftswap.com

Wishing you a very merry holiday season!

Seasons Greetings!

Its that time again! The 5th annual RCM Handmade Holiday craft show, our second year at the Visual Arts Center of Richmond at 1812 Main Street, Richmond, VA 23220.  I’m going to be there, my  peeps the Richmond Craft Mafia and 40 more awesome crafty Richmonders.
If you are there, you’ll get to see the new Nicole Lee Designs pillow line in person.  Cute Eh?  I think so.

Pretty Birdie Pillow

Fun Fungi Mushrooms pillow

The details:
Preview Party Friday: December 11th – 7pm to 10pm, first dibs on fabulous local handmade gifts. No tickets or invite required, just a suggested donation of $10 at the door to benefit The Visual Arts Center of Richmond (formerly the Hand Workshop). There will be yummy holiday snacks and a cash bar for beer & wine with the music of Fan District Caroling Association.

Free & Open to the Public Saturday: December 12th – 10am to 5pm, Buy local & handmade from some of Richmond’s most talented indie crafters and designers.

Handmade Holiday