Craft Links a la Mode: 12.10.09

Sooo much of the focus in craft this time of year is on the shows and shopping. It's really hard to avoid if you're as broke as I am. But does it depress me? Hell no! Just because I can't buy anything, doesn't mean I can't enjoy the amazing parade of inspiration that is seasonal crafts! What do you think? I've tried to gather a few links of the non-shopping variety, but the shows are unavoidable people. Unavoidable. Go forth and at least window-shop all the great inspiration out there. Maybe it will help you make a list of new things to do/attempt in 2010.

• Over at Craftivism, Betsy announced the launch of Make and Meaning. I think this is going to be a really outstanding project: "We believe in making, and we love the fact that the internet allows makers to meet and geek out together, regardless of geography. There are many, many websites that celebrate making in all its forms. We created Make & Meaning to celebrate all the ways making enhances our lives, and all the things it causes us think about."
• American Craft Magazine posted an online exclusive "Crafty Living Online." You can read it here. I was sort of blown away by the comments just now and I'd be interested in hearing what you all think. Is there a place in American Craft for Etsy and Craftster?
  
• Another new project out there on the internets is The Hand Embroidery Network. "The Hand Embroidery Network (HEN) is a new exciting community for hand embroiderers across the globe. The website's aim is to encourage and promote the practice and knowledge of the art of embroidery in all its forms and to bring together like minded people who enjoy needlework and wish to learn and share their knowledge."
• Speaking of embroidery, Jenny Hart is in Los Angeles next week at Home Ec! The class is closed now, but you can still come to the book signing on December 16from 7 to 9. Stop by Home Ec's calendar for the details. And if you did get into the class, let me know...I'll be there too!
• Speaking of classes, the Urban Craft Center has their January Calendar up here. Yudu screen printing looks interesting and not out of range price-wise.
• Maker Faire is headed to the Motor City That's big news for our friends over at Handmade Detriot, and maybe Craft Con too. More as that develops.
  
• ArtFire has announced a huge change in the way crafters may list items in their shop: "As of today, there is no longer a limit on the number of items sellers (Basic or Verified/Pro) can list on ArtFire! There are no limits: no insertion fees, final valuation fees, commissions or hidden fees. Unlimited listing and selling is completely free for all members of ArtFire. "For some time, the ArtFire team has discussed how the cost of hosting a product listing today is dramatically lower than it was just 4-5 years ago. The old-fashioned model, which charges fees and commissions at every step, has been copied by almost every venue since eBay. This model was based on the very real costs of a listing in the late 1990's, however, the model has not kept up with advances in technology and costs of service, and it's time for a change."
• The Marimello Craft Calendar is hard work peoples...especially this time of year. Craft's blog seems to be doing a pretty good job though. I wonder if they have elves or something. Check out this week's list here.
• And finally, speaking of events, if you're not doing anything this weekend, why not volunteer at City of Craft? I got the message via facebook, but it's posted over on the Toronto Craft Alert here.

Craft Links a la Mode: 11.21.09

• Over at Craftivism, Betsey brings us a really interesting story about a WWII prisoner of war who knit a giant rug while imprisoned in Germany. See it here.
  
• Are you using Twitter lists? I am. And I can tell you while there are a lot of good uses for lists, the devil in me wants to make a list called, "hey I'm ignoring y'all." Anyway, Listorious has a good "Handmade Nation" list you might want to check out. Lot of my favorite people are on there.
• Speaking of Handmade Nation, Faythe tells us via the Handmade Nation blog that her presentation to the American Craft Council last month is live on the ACC site. You can download most of the presentations here in case you weren't able to be in Minneapolis in person. Neat!
• Etsy changed the rules. What's new you say? Plenty as usual.
• Speaking of Etsy, Rob Kalin gave an interview to Reader's Digest here. It's always interesting to me to read about something familiar in an article geared toward people to whom it is not familiar at all.
  
• Last week I asked about Regretsy. Well now Regretsy got a book deal. You can read about it, oh, pretty much everywhere, or you can read what April Winchell has to say about it on Regretsy here.
• I also talked about The American Craft Council's big move to Minneapolis next summer. Chair Leilani Duke talks a bit more about why they're moving on the MinnPost here. I know I was curious.
  
• And finally in internal Marimello news, the Craft Calendar is up and running again. I had been taking some time off of maintaining that, but I shall slack no more. If you have any events you'd like to submit, leave a comment and I'll get right on it.
  

Craft links a la mode: 11.14.09

Marimello isn't quite dead, but it sure needs a major overhaul. So while I'm busy thinking about what I want to do with this space, here's some pretties for you to peruse.

• Paper Fashion accessories (ahem, SHOES) from LeCreativeSweatshop. Art? Craft? Design? Whatever. It's certainly inspiration for the paper crafter. (via GreenMuze)
• This cute unicorn is on my list of to do. It reminds me of my mother's knitted creche animals.
  
• These are also AHHHMAZING.
  
• Wool and the Gang (kind of like knitting for hipsters, but cool) opened up a shop in SoHo. I'll be in New York next week and I'm definitely going to check this out. I'll post more about it after I visit, but I'm really looking forward to checking out this new twist (yuk yuk) on the traditional LYS. (via coolhunting)
• I've been recycling a lot of chains to make necklaces lately (see above) and apparently I'm not the only one. Check out this convertable chain project posted on M.I.S.S. this week. (via IFB)
• In case you've been living under a rock, the Handmade Nation DVD is finally shipping from Buy Olympia. I pre-ordered it and when I got it a couple weeks ago, I watched it twice in one night.
  
• Speaking of just out, Powell's tells me that Jane Austen's Sewing Box is out. I don't have a copy for review yet, and I'm not much use when it comes to sewing, but no doubt some bloggers out there will preview some of the projects for you. Ms. Austen seems to be having quite the fall if you ask me. The New York Times tells me that there's a good Jane Austen exhibit at the Morgan Library. Maybe I'll check that out next week too. (via Craft)
• In the Important Craft News category, the American Craft Council has announced that it is moving headquarters from NYC to Minneapolis. This is really interesting and seems to be a move inspired by the high cost of doing business in the city. I wonder if this is part of a larger shift in the focus of the future of the craft movement. What do you think?
• I'm also interested to know what you all think about Regretsy and Badder Homes and Gardens. Both are getting a lot of press. Both are hilarious. Is everyone in on the joke though?
  
• And if you've been missing Marimello, well I'm sorry. I've been posting more inspiration, some of it crafty, over on my tumblr here.
  

Marimello Takes on the Naughty Secretary

Marimello has been taking a bit of a summer vacay here, but not on IndieFixx, where today you can read my review of Jennifer Perkin's Naughty Secretary Club book, The Working Girl's Guide to Handmade Jewelry. Check out the review here.