Argyle Acorn

The Last Minute Market

2011-11-21T09:24:00.001-08:00

VENDOR CALL!
The Last Minute Market
Craft fair and one of a kind art show.

December 24th 2pm until Midnight!

Get all your last minute holiday shopping done in one location!

The Tranzac Club; 292 Brunswick Ave, Toronto

Located between Bathurst and Spadina, off of Bloor.

Show time is 2:00pm until 12:00 am (Midnight)

Set up time is between 12:45 and 2pm

The fee for a table is 50$.

Application deadline is December 3rd

To Apply to be a vendor:

Please send an email to: TheLastMinuteMarket@gmail.com

List the following details;

Name:

Email:

Website:

Twitter:

What do you make/ plan on selling?

Please attach photos if you can.

Big On Bloor 2011

2011-07-19T13:13:00.001-07:00

This upcoming weekend is the Big On Bloor Festival!

The Bloor Improvement Group is run by a board of directors and volunteers.
Their mandate is: “BIG commits to advancing the economic, physical, cultural and social life of Bloor Street by creating opportunities and events that improve and celebrate the area.”

Annually the BIG host the BIG On Bloor Festival!
It’s July 23rd and 24th, 2011 from 1pm to 9pm.
The party is on Bloor, between Dufferin and Lansdown!!!

There are lots of food vendors, music and arts and crafts!
I’m going to be at the Ransack The Universe tent helping them out for the weekend… I’ve been looking forward

I hope a lot of people come out this year! The weather is promising to be fine (not like last year’s downpour) and it’s always a great time!

Zipper Bags!

2011-01-07T12:44:00.000-08:00

When I first learned to sew zippers I made a million tiny bags… they mostly have ended up as makeup bags, pencil cases, or as my camera bag…

When I inherited a few dozen zippers I invited over a few friends to teach them how to sew zippers… I gave up after the first thirty or so bags, thinking I’d never have to make another… I pinned the pieces together with the chosen zippers (hoping my friends would take a few home with them)… I totally forgot about them till last week… a friend asked if I had any leftovers and so I dug them out…

I apologize for such terrible photos… I was trying to hard to take decent photos I broke my sergers needle in the process of sewing…

The ‘package’: two pieces of vintage floral fabric with ironed on interfacing holding a blue lining… the safety pin is keeping the right size zipper nearby…

I’ve pre sewn a seam along one side… it’ll get ripped out once the zipper is in place.

Open the pieces of fabric along the zipper. Place the zipper face on top of the seam facing out

Sew one seam (using zipper foot) to hold the zipper in place.
(note I didn’t do a very good job where the fastener is at the end

Sew the second seam together…

Turn the project over so the outside of the bag is facing you…
Take your seam ripper (or tiny scissors) and rip up the original seam… the zipper should be underneath…

Once the zipper is free you should shut it again and finish the 3 sides of the pouch.
I chose to use my serger to finish the edges…

Flip it inside out…

Voila… a zipper bag!

Felt Baby Booties

2011-01-07T08:37:00.001-08:00

I started making baby booties a few years ago… these are the remaining bits I never bothered to sew together…
I have a few dozen more I recently cut up and remade into head bands and brooches…

My mom had made similar booties before for my dolls… and I thought they might make a cute project… they are an easy shape to work with and work best as replacements for socks… they can fall off or be pulled off easily by an active baby so ornaments should be sewn on tightly… (Also why I never sell baby stuff…)

I’m giving these boots to my (toddler) cousin… she has a few dolls that they should fit on nicely…

The sewing for this took a few minutes… I’m not sure why I hadn’t bothered to sew them up before… they were just in the ‘half finished drawer’ that I’m finally trying to get through…

Pesky Parrots

2011-01-06T10:56:00.000-08:00

This is a lovely parrot patch that my pen-pal sent to me a long while ago.
I wanted to make a purse out of it… quilting it on the front… but I never got around to it…

Then I thought I might mount it and frame it… but I never bothered… now it’s been on the top of my sewing drawer/mending pile for over 2 years and it taunts me every time I open the drawer.

Someone please do me a favour and take this mocking parrot away from me.
Make something crafty…

I can mail it to you… or arrange a pick up…
Its 8.5” X 11”… it has a solid lime green back.
i just want it to go to a good home... (and see photos of whatever you end up doing with it!)

Barf Scarf

2011-01-06T10:47:00.001-08:00

These are some of the photos from my Barf Scarf…
The Measurements are 17” X 60”.

It’s quite large…
i think thats why my hands hurt!

I think it makes a better blanket for Pickles…

the yellow bit is where i didn't leave enough blue yarn to cast off... my aunt told me two lengths for each stich... but i must have measured it wrong...

(so this is yet another reminder to measure twice; cut once)

A New Craft For A New Year

2011-01-05T13:25:00.001-08:00

So last weekend (Friday the 31st) I decided to end 2010 with a new crafty addiction.
I watched a few knitting tutorials at home…
I wasnt sure what i'd start with until after i fished through my beautiful junk box and found a new set of knitting needles, a ball of royal blue yarn and decided to knit…

In the first hour I didn’t make much headway… I figured I’d knit until it was time to put it down and take up the Champaign (it was NYE after all)…

My friend came over and eventually I put it down for a night of fun and debauchery…
The next day, hung-over I took it up again…

with no other plans but knitting while my hangover wore off; I spent the entire day on the couch…

8 balls of blue yarn later I have what I call my barf-scarf…

(Photos of scarf to come…)

The only thing I didn’t anticipate was how sore my hands and elbows got… I think you’re suppose to build up a knitting tolerance before going full throttle the way I did… the tops of my hands are still tender and I’m having a hard time holding pencils to write with…

Tranzac Artisan Gift Fair Nov 27th &28th 2010!

2010-11-23T10:46:00.001-08:00

I’ve been taking a break from the crafting scene lately…
However this year I’ve agreed to fill in a last minute opening at The Tranzac’s annual Artisan Gift Sale.

I’ll be at The Tranzac Saturday November 27th and 28th from 12-6pm

Come by and say hello!

May 29th Craft Fair!!!

2010-05-20T07:55:00.000-07:00

Ransack the Universe presents
Indie Craft Fair
Saturday, May 29th
12-5pm
At The Garrison, 1197 Dundas St West
Free admission

Trunk Show!

2010-04-23T07:19:00.001-07:00

Last weekend I was lucky enough to participate at the The Workroom’s spring trunk show.

The ladies and gents I met were fabulously crafty.

Someone took lovely photos of my work (thanks!)

Here is a link that sums it up much better then I ever could!

Call for Vendors!

2010-03-18T08:53:00.001-07:00

Call to Vendors:
Vintage. Crafts. Zines. Art...

Ransack the Universe presents
Indie Craft Fair
April 10th
12-5pm
At The Garrison, 1197 Dundas West
Free admission

Table fee is 40$.
(Note tables are approximately 3ft x 3ft and are already on the premises)
Set up and take down times are 11am-6pm on the Saturday!
It's indoors so it's rain or shine!

Please send photos, links and a brief description of your work to:
indiecraftfair@gmail.com

Cheers!

Getting Crafty Again!

2010-03-02T09:04:00.001-08:00

I know I haven’t written in a while…
I’ve been super busy doing nothing lately.
It’s been lovely.

I have some grand plans for some new headpieces!
I have a large collection of new peacock and emu feathers that are freshly dyed… I just picked them up from my friend’s farm!

i have a big week of creating ahead of me!

I hope to drop the new pieces by the end of the week at Ransack the Universe! They still have a bunch of my pieces if you want to drop in and say hello!
1207 Bloor West. Inside and downstairs at Vintage69!

Getting Crafty Again!

2010-03-02T09:04:00.000-08:00

A Crafty New Year...

2010-01-13T09:22:00.000-08:00

2010 has turned into a crafty new year so far!

I'm back from Iceland and i'm totally refreshed!

when i was there i was in total awe of all the amazing art that was everywhere.
everyone i spoke to was creative and crafty!

i came back with a zillion new ideas (new fashion ideas,dresses, scarves, hats, bags, purses, leggings, mittens, totes, felt wollies and head peices)... i can't wait to get started...

i got the best pair of wooly socks when i was there and i'm determined to make a few pairs on my own... i've got to step up my knitting game!

Take a look at this photo!

2009-12-22T12:19:00.000-08:00

how cool is that? the girl in the forefront is trying on one of my hair fascinators!

it was taken at the Winter 30 under 30 craft fair... and its in an ad for the next 30under30 fair!

Happy Holidays

2009-12-21T09:29:00.001-08:00

Thanks for the great season!
i'm done with fairs for a while...
i'm off on vacation (Iceland!) and i'll be back in the new year...

take care.
keep crafty!

check out Ransack the Universe if you get the chance.
they are located at 1207 Bloor W inside and downstaris at the new Vintage 69 location... my stuff is on display and the other artists are amazing!

Winter Trunk Fair

2009-12-14T12:36:00.000-08:00

Heartbeat 960 is hosting an Artisan Trunk Fair.
December 20th from 4pm until 8pm.

Local art, crafts and vintage finds for sale!

pop in and view the space.
ask us how out collective is run!

http://www.heartbeat960.com

Heartbeat960 Trunk Fair!

2009-12-14T07:47:00.001-08:00

we are full up at the momment!

Two places at once…

2009-12-09T14:01:00.001-08:00

So as a last minute addition I will be at the Ransack the Universe craft show on Saturday the 12th, during which time my dear friend Rochelle will be manning my booth at the Tranzac… look at that Argyle Acorn will be at two places at the same time…

This doesn’t change my plans for my Sunday exhibit either… so I’ll be at Ransack two days in a row! Come in and check out the new store. I’m really looking forward to seeing it! Oh and incse I haven’t gushed enough about it yet, Vintage 69 has a new location just above the shop!

Crafters I love...

2009-12-09T09:49:00.000-08:00

So I’ve been spending a ton of time on Etsy lately.
There are so many shops I love… since I don’t really know how to use computers/technology I feel a bit overwhelmed/jealous when I’m looking at my fellow etsy vendors… oh and then of course I want to drop a ton of money on amazing stuff… in order to support the arts of course…

So I thought ‘why not write about the artists I love so much’?
Here are a few of my faves right now… in no particular order…

My Dear Thing
Based out of Brooklyn she is a former knitwear designer for Urban Outfitters and Anthropologie… doing her own thing now…

Grapestain
ok so I’m biased. She’s a good friend and I was her MOH at her wedding recently… but I do really love her jewellery…

melaniefavreau
Melanie hails from Montreal (or at least her profile tells me she does) I really like the quirky sense of humour that comes across in her pieces… and she’s the first bilingual Joailliere I’ve seen on etsy…

Spiderlilly
Spats are my new obsession… or rather old obsession… Spiderlilly has such cutesy spats. Cute but not too-girly accessories and clothes…

i have hundreds more that i love... i could write all day... but i won't i'll just send you to my etsy account and if you want to peruse my faveourites i highly encourage it!

This weekend I’m doing two of my bigger fairs!

2009-12-03T09:04:00.000-08:00

I know I’ve been talking about this non-stop but I’m really excited!

Saturday the 5th I’m at the Tranzac Club for the Artisan Gift Fair.

Sunday the 6th I’m at the Under30 fair.

I’ve been gluing like mad lately and I’ve come up with a few (smaller) variations of my feather fascinators… I think they are less intimidating for most people and are more functional for day-wear…
I’m hoping to take a ton of photos tonight and update the Flickr site & etsy account… depending entirely if my friend/volunteer will be coming over and sit patiently for hours as I put stuff in and accidentally pull out her hair

Oh if anyone is interested in something they see on Flickr send me a link to the picture and I can tell you if it’s still available for sale or not…

Keep crafty!

Other Crafty Bitches Like Me!

2009-12-02T11:08:00.000-08:00

This past weekend I met some really neat-o artisans at the Woodbine Baptist Church Craft Fair… it was a small gathering and I only managed to grab a few cards… but these are some of the amazing artisans I was surrounded by… we it any wonder I rushed home to make more brooches?

Shannon came by as a customer with her adorable daughter Olivia… we got to chatting and it came about that she too is crafty! She gave me her card… she makes bags out of re-claimed fabric and leather…
I think they are amazing! I need to clean up and tune my industrial machine and get going sewing with leather… I’ll admit I’m kinda afraid I’ll break a needle and poke my eye out or something (Ok… so I’ve watched a Christmas carol a few too many times)…

Monia makes the yummiest smelly/cutest soap… She’s still setting up her Etsy store so all I have is her email (moniabergeron@yahoo.ca). we’re working on a trade… she’s making me some grapefruit soap in a Buddah shape and I’m making her a peacock fascinator… looking forward to grapefruit baths!

Tricycle Crafts had some adorable kids stuff, and some really cool cards and calendars…. Shawna is really nice and her portable change pads were super cute! If you have a baby to buy for this x-mas I’d totally recommend her dresses and shirts!

fyflephotography
Katrina had some great stills… she was sitting next to another vendor who’s name & card I didn’t manage to grab. Their stuff was great… I think they need a gallery show along queen…

Noisy Butterfly (also without etsy) is available at The Purple Thumb
… a crafty store along Queens East and Woodbine. (for some reason my browser won’t load the website so I hope this link works). Raquel works at the store (here: I found a link).Her jewellery would also make a great x-mas gift… I’m pretty sure she makes the rings that are in this photo…

I highly recommend checking out their sites and dropping by The Purple Thumb…

peacocks feathers and grrrrrrrrrrrrr

2009-11-30T13:19:00.000-08:00

For some reason i keep making growling noises when i think of crafting...
i think it might be the huge pile of feathers, felt, tissue paper and other crafting acoutrement that has taken over my dining room... i need to clean some of that up... grrrrrrrr

This past weekend I went to the Woodbine Baptist fair… it was great. I met some lovely-crafty-ladies (whom I’ll post about at a later time!) and had some good chit-chat…

I had a bit of a brainstorm re: peacock feather when I got home and made a few really fancy fascinators… photos to be uploaded soon!

my hometown-friend (and secret source of feathers) said she finally has 4 white peacock feathers set aside for me that are in decent condition… those things are more valuable to me then golden eggs…
I’m still trying to find a local eco/animal-friendly-feather-source in Toronto… I shiver then I think of them being pulled out of the live birds and the poor half-naked thing is poking around wondering what TO fashionista is wearing his ass-end… so… yeah… any leads let me know!

Updates:
This Saturday I’ll be at the Artisan gift fair.
It’s at the Tranzac Club on Brunswick (near Bloor) (spitting distance to the Brunny and Future Bakery…. Mmmmm cake)
The fair runs for quite a few days through December… from 12-6pm… It’s great because there are different vendors every time so you can come two days in a row and see different art!

On Sunday I’ll be at the Under 30 craft fair…
It’s from 2:30 till 8:30pm… looking forward to it too since the Ralph Thornton Center is gorgeous (and close to my house!)!

Ransack the Universe is looking for vendors… They are located at 1207 Bloor West…
The market is confirmed for the 12th, 13th, 19th, 20th. (more details to come!)

Heartbeat960 is also still looking for collective members! i was there a lot this weekend and their store is looking ship-shape. they had a chocolate workshop in one of the workrooms and i got to eat some of the end results!!!

Busy Weekend of Crafting!

2009-11-27T13:37:00.000-08:00

Tomorrow I’m going to be at the Woodbine Baptists Church Craft Fair.
I’ve never done a bonafide Church Sale before and I’m looking forward to it! I really hope that the fact that it’s at a church won’t dissuade friends and locals from coming in and visiting! (I have a few friends that have made reference to catching on fire if they set foot in a church)…

Check out the flyer here!!!

Tonight is Heartbeat960’s makeover… we’ll see how much we get done but we’re hoping on getting some rearranging and some painting done!
I’m hopefully going to start getting some hours in the front of the store so you should come by and say hello!

I spent some time lately taking what felt like a million photos of my products… instead of making new ones (oops)… there are a ton of things that still need to be photographed and if any photographers out there think they can help me out I’d be more then willing to trade for trade!!! (think about it you won’t have to buy x-mas prezzies for the ladies in your life!)

Check out my new photos!!!

My first etsy sale!

2009-11-25T13:58:00.000-08:00

Yay!
Today I got my very first etsy customer!
The package is ready for the mail (first thing tomorrow I’ll line up at the post office!)
Thanks to all for checking out the shop! There are many more photos of new items on the way soon!