Blogs

DIY Trunk Show showcases the best of the Midwest

Chicago's holiday shopping season kicked off with a bang on Saturday, Nov. 19 with the DIY Trunk Show (http://www.diytrunkshow.com), the city's largest Midwest-focused craft fair. Shoppers packed the Broadway Armory, the show's new Edgewater location, to stock up on everything from handmade holiday cards to stuffed monsters to one-of-a-kind pens.

Local crafters Amy Carleton and Cinnamon Cooper launched the show in 2003, and it's since been taken over by the Chicago Craft Mafia, an organization of local craft business owners.

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Taking Over the World, One Ring at a Time

Posted by Darlene Ostrowski

As an artist and crafter, Rebeca Mojica understands how important it is to use the highest-quality supplies one can find. But when she started her online chainmaille jewelry and supply company, Blue Buddha Boutique (http://www.bluebuddhaboutique.com), in 2003, finding the materials she needed seemed easier said than done.

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Chicago's Gothic Crafters Celebrate Halloween All Year Long

Posted by Darlene Ostrowski

In October, even the most mainstream stores are filled with skulls, spiders, and vampires of all varieties, from sexy to scary. But for Chicago's gothic and dark alternative crafters, every day is Halloween.

These local artists create things that go bump in the night all year 'round, and spoke to IndieMade about creating art inspired by the darker side of life.

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Brick and Mortar: The Striving Artist

Posted by Kerry Burki

Here is our first post from Melissa Williams Netherton of ZD Studio. She is our San Diego Craft Correspondent.

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Handmade Market: Crafts and Cocktails in Chicago

Posted by Darlene Ostrowski

On a recent 80-degree Saturday afternoon, Chicago's Empty Bottle bar was transformed into the Handmade Market, one of the city's most popular craft fairs. Shoppers mingled with sellers over beers and mimosas, and even a dog or two was spotted wandering past the crafters' tables or snoozing by the bar.

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News from the Craftosphere: October 2011

Posted by Kerry Burki

This is a monthly column dedicated to art, craft, and music shows and news. Want to submit your event or project? Click here.

To Visit:

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Featured Shop: Erica Harris

Posted by Carrie Keplinger

Each month we feature one of our awesome & successful IndieMade sellers. This month, get to know Erica Harris!

In a nutshell, what do you do?

I'm primarily a collage artist. I also draw, paint, sometimes sculpt, and sometimes teach.

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Indie Inspiration: Get Moving!

Posted by Daniella Lekach

You've been there: The feeling of the looming deadline.

Scratching your brain endlessly to come up with the next great story or product in the collection‚ but to no avail. You're stuck. If you're lucky enough, you'll be struck by inspiration like a muse in a classical painting. But if not, well, that's where this column comes in: Going through different activities, you'll learn how to get those creative juices flowing again.

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Renegade Craft Fair 2011 visits Chicago

Posted by Darlene Ostrowski

No Chicago craft show is quite like the Renegade Craft Fair, Chicago's largest handmade event. Now in its ninth year, this huge and always-packed show filled several blocks of Division Street on Sept. 10 and 11 with handmade goods from Chicago and beyond.

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In a nutshell, what do you do?

You've been there: The feeling of the looming deadline.

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