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News archive for November 2006

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Kudos from the Indie Craft Documentary folks

Tue, Nov 28 2006 — Comments (0) | Cinnamon

Its hard to get a pic of Amy or I sitting still, let alone one of us together sitting still. But somehow Faythe Levine managed to tame the wild, crafty wildebeast that resides within us and came away with a fantastic image.

And at the bottom of this post, she thanks Amy and I for donating funds (she could use some more, folks) to help fund their travels and filming. But the gratitude is misguided. Sure we had the idea to funnel money their way. But the real thanks go to vendors of the show (the vast majority of whom donated a prize), the kind and hopeful folks who purchased raffle tickets (once my voice comes back more of you winners will be getting phone calls), and also to our legion of volunteers and Mr. Mark Smithivas of Bad Kitten Soaps for womanning and manning the raffle table all day long and collecting hundreds and hundreds of dollars which we were happy to hand over. So really, the thanks go to you. Yes you.

And if you'd like to see some of the amazingly cool folks who have donated items to be sold to help them raise funds, head on over to their Etsy shop and do some holiday shopping. Remember to shop handmade for the holidays.

News archive for November 2006

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Chicago Craft-Centric for Gapers Block.com

Sat, Nov 25 2006 — Comments (0) | Cinnamon

Howdy, everyone! Hope you're having a fabulous Thanksgiving weekend. As many of you know, I, Cinnamon Cooper, have been a staff writer for Gapers Block for quite a long time. And after talking with the editors I've gotten permission to create a piece that supports all of the wonderful folks in Chicago who make handmade and beautiful things.

I'm going to be putting together a Detour feature (a large feature that will be up for one week) and I want to include as many of you as I can. If you currently make an item that somehow expresses your love for Chicago (maybe it incorporates the skyline, or maybe it has the Chicago flag embroidered on it, or maybe it says Chicago, or maybe it is made from items that express some aspect of Chicago's personality) I'd love to include you in the feature. The idea is to create a gift guide for the person who loves Chicago and wants to share their love of Chicago by buying handmade items from Chicagoans that reflect Chicago.

What I will need is for you to email to cinnayaya@yahoo.com a link to where this item can be bought on your own website (or some third party site), an image of your product that is no larger than 390 pixels wide, and there needs to be a 1-paragraph description of the item on your page or in the email for me to put in the feature. I'd also love to have you finish this sentence "I love Chicago because. . . ." That will also be included in the feature.

Deadlines: If I get enough items, the feature will go on the site on December 3rd which means I'll need your items by December 1. This is ideal so people can buy your item with plenty of time for it to get shipped anywhere in the country before the Christmas happens. Otherwise, if things come in more trickily I'd like to get items by December 8.

If you're interested either email me your info or send me an email letting me know when to expect your info to cinnayaya@yahoo.com

News archive for November 2006

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Thank you one and all!

Fri, Nov 24 2006 — Comments (1) | Cinnamon

We want to take a moment to thank everyone who came to the DIY Trunk Show IV. Whether you were a vendor (holy crow you guys rock!), a shopper (thanks for buying indie!), a volunteer (especially if you were a volunteer), a workshop participant (thank you all so much!), or a member of Kitchen Chicago (that mustard! those crepes! and Limonata!), we want you all to know how much we appreciate everyone coming together and helping us grow the handmade indie businesses of the Chicago area. If you didn't know it, everyone who was at DIY is within a three-hour or so drive of the city. So if you need more, it can easily be found. Check out the Participants page for an idea of who you might want to shop with until next year's show.

And we also have to congratulate and thank Faythe Levine and Micaela O'Herlihy of the Indie Craft Documentary. They came out to film the show, take pictures of many of the vendors, and interview us for their documentary in progress. They also sold a selection of handmade goods that had been donated to them by crafters all over the country to help them raise funds to pay their production costs. And speaking of raising funds: We want to thank everyone who donated an item for the raffle or bought a ticket. Thanks to your wonderful generosity, we raised $569 to help Faythe and Micaela. Once the documentary is finished, we hope to have a screening here in Chicago, which we'll be very happy to notify y'all about.

And last of all, we have to thank the wonderful folks who work for Pulaski Park. Jim Boldt was fantastic in helping us get everything figured out before our big day. Bobby, Richard, and Jackie were wonderful in helping us set up on Friday and kept everything running smooth the day of the show. They're a fantastic group of folks and we're incredibly grateful to have them be a part of our planning. And if you, or something you're involved with, is interested in renting out space, we can't recommend Pulaski Park enough. Not only is the space beautiful, but the people are awesome. If you want to get rates and more info, call Jim Boldt at 312/742-7559 and tell them those DIY gals sent ya.

And in case you took pictures at the show, we'd love to have you add them to the DIY Trunk show Flickr pool. Unfortunately Amy and I were just too dang busy all day to take pictures, so we'd love to see yours.

News archive for November 2006

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Business POV--Points to DIY

Tue, Nov 21 2006 — Comments (0) | Cinnamon

Ian Sklarsky and the wonderful folks of Business POV have put up a short but fantastic little piece about the 2006 DIY Trunk Show. Several of y'all are in there so go look for your work.

News archive for November 2006

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Raffle time

Thu, Nov 16 2006 — Comments (7) | Cinnamon

Not only are there fantastic crafts you can buy, fantastic workshops so you can learn to craft, scrumdillyumptious food you can buy and eat, cool new ways to find out about deals, and someone to keep you relaxed, there are going to be fabulous handmade items you can win in a raffle. Tickets are $1 each or 6 for $5. All the money raised from the raffle will be given to the Indie Craft Documentary.

And to help them raise even more money, we'll be selling copies of Craft magazine and handing out sample copies for free. It's a great magazine and very in touch with the hip, indie craft scene. We here at the DIY Trunk Show have a major heart-on for the fantastic folks at Craft Magazine and once you see it, you will too.

News archive for November 2006

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Massage at DIY Trunk Show

Wed, Nov 15 2006 — Comments (0) | Amy

If all the great shopping at DIY Trunk Show wears you down, Wendi Freeman's got your back. And neck. And shoulders.

Wendi is a licensed massage therapist who will be on hand (pun!) at the show to help your tired muscles. Look for her on the stage by the workshops.

Rates:
10 min/$15
15 min/$20.

Wendi Freeman has been a certified practicing massage therapist for 3 years. She combines Swedish, deep tissue, sports, acupressure and reflexology techniques to give a massage custom suited to your needs. Graduated from Hired Hands Academy she uses her knowledge of anatomy and physiology to help relieve stress from aches and pains.

Wendi is also the official massage therapist of the Windy City Rollers.

She can be reached at massagebywendi-at-gmail-dot-com for private appointments.

News archive for November 2006

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Get DIY Trunk Show updates on your cell phone

Tue, Nov 14 2006 — Comments (0) | Cinnamon

If you're planning on coming to DIY, take a look below. Could save you a lot of money, or you may find out about something you would have missed, or you might just get to take your raffle prize home with you.

News archive for November 2006

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Wheelchair Accessibility at the show

Mon, Nov 13 2006 — Comments (0) | Cinnamon

I received a question by email that was good enough to merit a post:

I am interested in seeing the DIY Trunk Show, but would bring someone who needs elevator access or a ramp. Is there an elevator/ramp to get into the auditorium?

Answer:
There is a ramp at the front entrance which will take you to the main door. The rooms for this show are all on the same floor and they're all wheelchair accessible. There are washrooms upstairs but not on the main floor, but there is an elevator which may be turned on. If it isn't any of our volunteers can help get a staff member of the park to do so. I know they try to combat the kids who like to play in the elevator.

News archive for November 2006

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Parking at DIY Trunk Show

Sun, Nov 12 2006 — Comments (0) | Amy

If you're coming to shop at the DIY Trunk Show, be forewarned that parking can be a little tricky. Pulaski Park Fieldhouse (map) is in Wicker Park, one of the more "happening" neighborhoods in Chicago, and one that gets more crowded every year. Plus there are some random "zone" parking areas scattered around the park.

There is a public metered parking lot (bring some quarters) on Bosworth half a block north of Division, and metered parking on Division, Ashland, and Milwaukee.

To ease the parking situation a bit, we suggest carpooling with your pals or taking advantage of our city's fine public transportation. The park is near three bus routes (#9 Ashland, #56 Milwaukee, #70 Division) and the Division stop on the Blue Line El. There are also plenty of places to lock up your bike.

See you Saturday!

News archive for November 2006

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Pretty Mural

Wed, Nov 08 2006 — Comments (0) | Cinnamon

Pulaski Park received a grant this summer so they could get the wonderful mural that was on the wall in the auditorium redone. And all I gotta say is WOW! It's beautiful. And I thought it was great before, but now it is really great. So while you're out shopping and looking at tons of crafts, don't forget to take a look at the mural. It's amazing.

News archive for November 2006

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Workshops! We've got workshops!

Sun, Nov 05 2006 — Comments (0) | Amy

DIY Trunk Show is all about bringing craft to the people, and one way we do this every year is through workshops on the day of the show.

This year, we've got two groovy workshops lined up. Come and learn a new skill while you browse the booths!

DIY Trunk Show Workshops
11 am - 1 pm: Chainmaille Jewelry Making with Rebeca Mojica

Blue Buddha Boutique founder (and kickass instructor) Rebeca Mojica is back again this year! Learn some basic ring-weaving techniques to make a nifty pair of earrings. This workshop is first-come, first-learn and there's a $1 fee for materials.

2 pm - 4 pm: Knitting with the Kelly Girls

Are you a new knitter, or just knitter-curious? Stop by the Kelly Girls knitting workshop! Whether you're casting on for the first time or looking for techniques to expand your repertoire, this laid-back workshop is the spot for you. Show up, hang out, play with yarn -- it's all good. And it's FREE!

News archive for November 2006

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Where can I find . . . ?

Sat, Nov 04 2006 — Comments (0) | Cinnamon

Whether you're hoping to find your best friend at the show, or relocate the cool person who made that great lamp/bar of soap/scarf/pair of earrings that you purchased last year, you migth be interested in seeing a map of the rooms for this year's show.

Auditorium
Gymnasium

And in case you're a vendor who didn't get the letter with all the details you need, here it is:
Hi Crafter!