“Those recent works may appear to be abstract on the surface, however, most shapes and colors have meanings and origins that are very significant to me in the way I feel them, therefore they are very representational and are reflection of my state of mind.”

See more of his work here.

via pinterest, from kickcan & conkers

photo credit: anamu <– have you checked out her new blog design? what are you waiting for!?

Do you collect anything? Feel free to leave and comment and share your treasures!

photo credit: (1) flickr viviana, (2) hilda grahnat: at home, (3 + 5 + 6 + 8) BLEUBIRD Vintage, (4) Erin Ciulla, via CBBAG The Art of the Book, (7) Fine Little Day

name: Jocelan + Jason
company: cutesypoo toys
links: website | blog | shop | twitter

What do you make?
My husband and I make cartoons for a living and formed this company out of our love of toys. I just wanted to recreate the kind of toys that inspire kids, instead of the toys you just get from the toy store that are made in china, why not make one of a kind of toys that kids really fall in love with? Plus we always wanted to make our cartoons come to life and animating them is ok..but when a kid can hold and touch and hug a toy…then that is really something!! Most of the toys we make are custom printed with ecofriendly inks such as the cone gnomes, but recently we are making embroidered toys with our new embroidery machine such as our cutesypoo pillows and plush kitties. Of course, we always try to make out toys ultra cute!!

What or who inspires you?
Kawaii culture like Hello Kitty, I worked on the Pucca tv show and that was an influence, japanese zakka style magazines, friends, flickr..food! I think of food when i make toys ..like the colours i will ask myself …does it look yummy enough to eat??

photo credit: studio jeanie

How did you get started?
I have been to japan twice and after i got back from the first trip there i started to try to sew my own toy bunny from a japanese felt book and when i did i was hooked! Funny thing is I tried hard not to create my own stuff because i am so creative at work I wanted to do a “mindless thing ” while i relaxed in front of the tv at night ..but eventually I couldn’t help myself when i started to draw something in my sketchbook i just HAD to make it!! The first thing i made was a plush coconut bun and i still have it.

What are your favourite materials to work with?
Cotton canvas, vintage scraps of fabric because it looks good and fleece and minky because it is easy to sew.

What is the hardest and your most favourite part of crafting?
Easy! My favourite is drawing up the ideas and also the satifaction of a completed project and my hardest is the whole part between that!!

Do you have any advice for those in the biz?
I know everyone says this but it’s true! Stay true to what you are and what you want to create but also be realistic with your products and see what sells and do research by doing craft shows to see what people think of your stuff. In other words..don’t just ask family and friends…

I’m super excited that the next Got Craft? Vancouver is coming up on Sunday, May 6th, 2012 at the Royal Canadian Legion from 10-5pm! For those that have attended past events, you know that it isn’t a typical craft fair. Spool of Thread sewing lounge will be back to host the DIY lounge, DJ Duff will be there to spin some crafty beats, and there will be lots of tasty treats to satisfy your sweet and savoury cravings! Robert and I (along with our jury members) also work hard to curate a list of vendors to showcase some of the best indie craft from the Lower Mainland (and beyond!).

Applications are due on Thursday, March 1st, so if you are interested in being a vendor at the event, please fill in an application here. If you are new to the event, please take a look at our flickr, website and vendor page to get a good feel of the event and the type of products / vendors that participate. Hope to see you there! x

via anthropologie, except for painted spoons from milk farm road

“Helping local individuals and groups to work with councils in converting less glamourous spaces to good use” – The Times.

For the past 22 years, as part of the City’s revilalization efforts, the Portland (OR) Development Commission has offered a Storefront Improvement Program to help rebuild business districts and enhance surrounding neighborhoods.

The Empty Shops Network was created in London, UK in 2001 to support new and old business, give space to the creative industry and for social enterprise by adding art, culture, community and a punch of fun to high streets.

Storefronts Seattle is a neighbourhood activiation program, supporting the health and viality of a city’s walking neighbourhoods through temporary pairings of artists and creative businesses with vacant storefronts spaces. Storefronts Seattle started in September 2011, and is currently accepting applications for their 2012 Projects Roster until February 22nd, 2012.

Other cities with similar programs include: Manhatten, NY (Swing Space), New Haven, CT, (Our Empty Space), Charlottesville, VA (Commonplace Arts), Newcastle, Australia (Renew Newcastle), Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.

via Celebrate Everyday!, purl soho

These empty storefront programs, such as the one in Portland, are often run by state and local government that provide cash grants and technical assistance to business and property owners to:

• Help new and established businesses attract customers
• Leverage private investment from current owners and inspire improvements to neighbouring buildings
• Enhance the appearance and charm of commercial areas while building a safer street environment
• Re-establish pride in various neighbourhoods throughout the city

Reading all of these articles makes me wonder why Vancouver, BC doesn’t have its own empty shops network? I know that pop up shops has been “popping” up around the City, but a creative enterprise such as this program would be a perfect place for local artists to create temporary installations (see this most recent project in Willesden), to provide artists a creative space to pursue new projects, and for local organizations and designers / crafters / artists to test out new business ideas and create a short term retail space. Do you think that we should have similar to this in Vancouver? Would love to hear your thoughts!

My blog posts for this week are ready to go, so please check back tomorrow and, keep me entertained via twitter and facebook! I may need some hand holding to get through this * nervous smiles *

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