book review: Heather Ross Prints

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​Heather Ross Prints (STC Crafts, September 2012) is a crafty take on the book + cd bundle. The disc contains dozens of files of Heather Ross's pattern designs based on her charming illustrations; the intent is that the reader print out the files on paper or fabric on their home inkjet printer. (The designs are also available to print on-demand on Spoonflower.) The completed projects include dishtowels, pillowcases, aprons, nightgown, stitched journal, notepads and other simple items. "It makes use of printers and computers just as much as it does sewing machines and decoupage glue," writes Heather in the introduction.

​The book is amply illustrated with nice style shots of the completed project and how-tos illustrated by Heather. With the premise of the crafts being made from the files included on the DVD, then the eager crafter must have a certain level of computer prowess as well as patience to wait for a delivery of internet-ordered fabric in the mail. If you want to make a tablecloth, wallpaper, or other items specifically because you're a fan of Heather's illustrations, then having access to these files is a real treat. That being said, the votive holder, apron, cotton napkins, etc would be nothing special without using beautiful patterns and textiles. 

The most interesting section of the book reveals Heather's step-by-step ​process of creating designs in Photoshop. With screenshots of the entire process, it is quite informative to snoop over her shoulder and see a scanned pencil sketch turn into a wonderful illustration and pattern design. For me, this section is the reason to purchase the book. I would assume that someone wanting to create digital fabric and use it in their sewing in fact aspires to print their own designs and this section shows you how. (Heather has some previews of these pages posted on her blog.)

Etsy & UPPERCASE: owl factory

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A film by Isobel Knowles made with the magical characters of Cat Rabbit. Set by Isobel & Cat, sound design by Finn Robertson and music by Billy Whims. Thanks to Rebecca Hayes and Abby Fraser. Owl Know How is now a 32 page children's book published by Thames and Hudson! Check out www.owlknowhow.com for more information. Exhibited at No-Vacancy Project Space April/May 2011.

In issue #11 Glen wrote a piece about owls and their wisdom. ​We found this charming video on The Etsy Blog. It's a wonderfully inspiring meld of craft and animation—and an amazing example of marketing a handmade product. The owls along with many other items are available in the Owl Know How Etsy shop. 

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draw ralf

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Meet Ralf, one of Donna Wilson's creatures.​

I'm busy busy working away on the design of issue 15 which will feature the wonderful work of Donna Wilson. I had the pleasure of meeting Donna and her crew this past spring during my whirlwind trip to London.​

Donna's having a fun giveaway project on her blog this month. Draw Ralf, above, being sporty for your chance to win him!​ Details over here. >>>

I like this submission by Oana Befort.​ Click on the image to get to Oana's blog. Lots to love over there!

hey yyc: market collective

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For $5 I added this FAB tray to my little collection. Purchased from Jennea Frischke's "Around t​he Block Vintage".

Small Ghosts' collection of printed papers and zines.

​A selection of zines from Small Ghosts.

Keb Leeto Creations quilts and bags.

​Jennea also has a line of jewellery.

Market Collective is on this weekend at the former Ant Hill Fabric building in Kensington.​

marblellous platters by a subscriber in Athens

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Combining experience in mining engineering and interior design along with a family history of stonework, UPPERCASE subscriber Filio Pnevmatikou used this interesting combination of skills to produce unique marble products:

"I grew up working in our family marble company and I adore marble and everything that comes out of it. A month ago, I launched an online store on Etsy, called Marblellous, which is a project that I have been working on for a while and that I am really excited for! Marblellous includes handrafted marble kitchenware made of unique greek marlbe. Marble platters, serving plates, small dishes, coasters...  And this is just the beginning!"

​Strikingly delicate, Filio's marble tableware creates the perfect spot to rest an icy drink on a hot summer afternoon.  

w.i.p.s wednesday: Eva Franco on the design process

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In Issue #13, I shared my experience about visiting the Eva Franco studio in Los Angeles last summer. It was an amazing experience to meet with Eva and see the full scope of her fashion enterprise: from the inspirations and sketches to the samples, manufacture and warehousing. I'll be posting more about Eva throughout the day—let's start with her design process!

The Case for Off-Line Creative: Embroidery & Education

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This post is fourth in a series of posts by Christina Crook.
 

Karen Ruane:

Contemporary Embroidery


For Karen embroidery is both a vocation and obsession. She sets her hands to work every single day. Mixing classic and contemporary techniques, her sophisticated white-on-white designs are in high demand.

“My work is born from tradition and respect. Respect for my female predecessors and a wish to continue the traditions of needlework taught to me as a child.”

In addition to creating, Ruane has exhibited her work all across England, offers online courses in embellishment, buttons and more and runs an Etsy shop. The Internet plays an important role in her instructional work, but she sets aside at least four hours a day simply for making.

For her it comes down to priorities.

Describe your relationship with the Web. I am amazed and totally in awe of the internet. It opens up so many possibilities for communication, interaction and learning and I wonder constantly how we ever managed without it. It's like when you have kids, you can't remember what life was like before. That goes for the web with me too.

What advice would you share with others regarding the interplay between the physical work of making and the online demands of the Internet? I try to make the internet work for me yet not take over. I don't want to be an administrator, I want to be a maker and a teacher. It is a conscious effort daily to set aside the time for both as separate aspects of what I do, embroiderer and online creative. Divide your time, prioritize, is your heart with making or do you prefer the interactive aspects of what you do....?

Do you try and restrict your time online? Why or why not? I try and control rather than restrict my time online. I have to have a certain level of online presence to work with students in my online classes but making is my passion and I set aside at least four hours a day purely for making. The internet time is decided by how much time I have remaining after making is planned.

What do you love about the Internet? I love that the internet gives me an opportunity to reach the world, for free in order to promote my work. I love that it allows me to teach in places like the US, Canada, Australia and Europe without leaving the house…isn't that amazing? Having access to the internet also allows me to keep up to date with contemporary art, see what is new and developing in terms of my peers.

What do you dislike about the Internet? My main concern about the internet is the misuse of images relating to creative work. I have seen numerous examples of images being used without proper credit given to the maker. I also think that as the internet is such an 'instant' media there is an assumption that creativity is 'instant' which in some cases can devalue the work of talented, original makers.

Unique LA this weekend

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The Unique LA show is this weekend:

The largest independent design show in the USA, attendees get the rare chance to meet and shop directly from over 325 hand-selected designers and artists. The exciting two-day shopping event makes it easy for you to buy local and support LA’s economy, discover great design and deals, join in community, and have a blast. 

I'd love to attend one day... oh, to see and do it all...

Stitch: Amanda McCavour

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I get a lot of email and lots of submissions and suggestions and genuine interest in the magazine. It can get overwhelming in that I don't have time to reply as personally or quickly as I'd like to, but I do review everything and it all gets categorized into Evernote for future reference and possible posting on the blog. I appreciate your submissions (keep them coming!), but be patient with hearing back from me...

Amanda McCavour sent some notable examples of her installation work this week. Using thread and dissolving fabric, she sews intricate scenes of domesticity.

In my work, I use a sewing machine to create thread drawings and installations by sewing into a fabric that dissolves in water. This fabric makes it possible for me to build up the thread by sewing repeatedly into my drawn images so that when the fabric is dissolved, the image can hold together without a base. These thread images appear as though they would be easily unraveled and seemingly on the verge of falling apart, despite the works actual raveled strength. 

I am interested in the vulnerability of thread, its ability to unravel, and its strength when it is sewn together.  I am interested in the connections between process and materials and the way that they relate to images and spaces.  Tracing actions and environments through a process of repetition, translation and dissolving, I hope to trace absence.  My work is a process of making as a way of tracing and preserving things that are gone, or slowly falling apart.  

Dispatch from London: Donna Wilson studio visit!

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I had the privilege of visiting Donna Wilson's studio Tuesday morning to interview her for the magazine. We did our interview on-camera, so I have lots of interesting footage to edit when I get home. More to come later! (Issue #15, fall)

Thank you to Siew, Grace, Erin, Eva and Donna for welcoming me (and my camera and tripod!) into the studio. Donna was soon off to the Milan Furniture Fair, so I appreciate her taking the time on a very busy day.

This guy will be taking a suitcase back to Canada:

Visit the Donna Wilson online shop.

Dispatch from London: More Homespun Style pics

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Homespun Style Market and Book PartyThe cards that I collected from market sellers.Such an appealing mismatch of vintage and floral fabrics everywhere!I've made a Flickr set with all my photos and links to the sellers' websites.

It is just about noon, London time. After some restless hours in the middle of the night I needed to get some sleep and happily slept in this morning, something I never get to do at home!

Today I am off to explore some Saturday markets and perhaps a touristy bus tour for the grander sights.

Happy Easter

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Pantone Eggs by Jessica Jone (How About Orange)The Pantone motif is a simple designer icon that lends itself to parody, play and product design. Jessica Jones has made Pantone eggs by dipping them in dye and creating the type by printing onto inkjet temporary tatoo paper.

I'd like to thank Jessica for sharing one of her other DIY project photos in the current issue. I compiled art and craft inspired by the elements (sun, wind, temperature) and featured her project of using Inkodye to make sun prints on fabric.

Hmm.... I wonder if you could sunprint an Easter egg? Maybe next year...

type tuesday: Rae Dunn

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Visit Rae Dunn's Etsy shop for these and other designs.

I love Rae Dunn's ceramics. They feel so good in your hands—just the right combination of weight and delicateness that makes ceramics so appealing. I have a small plate in the bathroom for rings and earrings and some salt and pepper pots in my kitchen.

Here's a post I did about her booth at the Renegade Craft Fair last year.