Merrily

So for those of you that found me because of the Silver Spring snow-out '09...whew...hi and I hope you've warmed up.
I'll be honest, that was a miserable weekend. A show that probably shouldn't have happened and then I spent 12 hours moving my crap across town the next day. Luckily, I have some of the best friends a girl could ever ask for and we got it all done!
Super huge shout-out to Colleen for braving the COLD weather and the long day of moving...

The good news is, now I actually have stuff to list on my etsy page- i have three squirrels up and a few owls- Tigerflight on Etsy

A december to remember

Well, maybe not- maybe a December to make me want to shoot myself in the foot.
Big changes are ahead!
I'm moving- not to Chicago (although a girl can still dream, right?) After 7 years as a Ward 7 resident (Not Marion Barry's ward- one over) I move back to Ward 6 where I began my life in DC 12 years ago.
While i wish I were a bit closer to Eastern Market, I can't complain. Near a coffee shop, a BBQ place and lots of windows and light. I'll be happy to not have to cross the Sousa bridge every day and deal with that ridiculous snare of traffic.
Not to get all Jerry Seinfeld on you, but what is UP with people driving across bridges? They simply can't!

For the handful of you that actually check this to see what shows I'm doing, here's something for you too!
Saturday December 5- Handmade Mart Holiday Shop and Stroll. How am I going to move and have a show within days of each other? I don't know either my friend....I don't know either....
Also- Tina, Debbie (60 bugs) and I are putting on a show with about 15 of our friends in the DWR showroom in Adams Morgan on Saturday the 19th.
And hopefully somewhere in between will be the Rock and Shop at the Black Cat.

So....more soon. I promise.

Thank you!

WOw-thanks to all who came out to Crafty Bastards on Saturday. I have never felt so successful in my entire life!
But what I loved the most were the stories i got to hear- from those of you who purchased my work in the past and the travels my creatures have taken with you...And to the woman who owns "Chester" who is with her daughter in Florence, I'm not kidding! I would love a photo of him on the Ponte Vecchio! I have a picture of me from 16 years ago sitting on it and I'd love a picture of one of my owls there too!
If you have pictures of where your tigerflight animals are- I'd love to see them!

Argyle elephant

Argyle elephant
Originally uploaded by tigersscareme

I'll have more of a Crafty Bastards preview tomorrow (I hope) but here's a little taste- ELEPHANTS!
I'll have a few of these guys at Crafty Bastards on Saturday- only one Argyle elephant 'tho.

Crafty Countdown!

seahorse1
Originally uploaded by tigersscareme

Whooo, it's getting close! Less than two weeks until Crafty Bastards, and I have SO much work to do! This sea horse was sold at the Handmade MArt show in Silver Spring this past spring, but my goal (key word) is to have 100 brand-new items. Plus, sell off my old stock- so you can look forward to some discounted stuff for sure.
Ideally, I'll have 10 of these sea horses, plus some new elephants and the ever popular squirrels along with the owls which always delight.

Hope to see you there! It's a Saturday this year- October 3rd from 10 am-5pm.
xoxo
beth b.

good stuff

http://www.bakeitpretty.com/images/large/095.jpg
First, if I may indulge in a little coveting- lookit this!

How cute are those? I think this fall there will be acorn cookies!

Tomorrow is the last day of Artomatic- I want to thank anyone who finds this because of my display at Artomatic. I've had probably the best response I've ever had at any of the Artomatic's I've particpated in. This is my 6th artomatic!

Second, Art Whino is having a juried plush show called Mortal Plush, and the Defeated Pugilist which you will see a few entries down was selected to be in the show! There are also rumours of a book to accompany the show which I am super excited about.

Bad news/ good news

There has been a lot of bad in the past week- I've lost a dear friend, a hugely tragic metro accident and now I just found out that an artist that i like and respect is in a coma.
I have some good news to announce too, but for right now, I'm just going to ask that you all hug your friends and family as close and as tightly for as long as you can.

Love
beth b.

Create healthy!

I'm going to be doing a monthly(ish?) feature on safety for the crafter. It makes me crazy when I hear people are pouring resin in their livingrooms or melting records in their oven.

I know, live and let live, right? A little information can't hurt.
Check out my first post on understanding your (chemical) materials at the Hello Craft blog on MSDS sheets

defeated pugilist

defeated pugilist
Originally uploaded by tigersscareme

the fantastic gallery Art Whino is having a plush show this summer, i made this as an entry. Fingers crossed it makes it- if not, it'll go into my artomatic display...somehow.

Also, special note to Judy E: I'm not doing art star this year. it was just too expensive to apply when I had to...maybe next year. hopefully next year. it's a fun show!

This weekend!

Tonight kicks off the Summit of Awesome! sponsored by Hello Craft. I am honored and thrilled to be leading a workshop (I'll be showing you how to make a pin out of a sweater) (just part of a sweater. A sweater-sized pin sounds....big)
I'm at Miss Pixies saturday morning at 11 am. You have to register here:
http://www.hellocraft.com/

If you come to my workshop, you will get a special, one-time-only coupon!

Diabolique!

Admittedly, I have a weakness for French films. At the Goethe Institute they are showing the classic (not to be confused with the Sharon Stone version). The cinematography is incredible, and I'll admit, some of the subtitles make me laugh. I remember scribbling down "My actions provoke laughter from my friends" in the dark as a student was reprimanded after misbehaving in class.
This showing also includes a champagne reception- Tickets for the screening only may be purchased individually for $6/$4.

DC & Me

Today is kind of a dubious anniversary that I have with Washington, DC. 5 years ago I was driving myself home from working on a public art sculpture that I had been working on in the SW Waterfront mall. It was about 7pm, and the next day I was to create a number of flower arrangements for my dear friends Sean and Rania when some teenage thugs threw a brick through my front passenger window. I didn't know what had happened at first- i thought perhaps I had been shot at? There was a loud noise, an explosion, I was covered in glass and I no longer had a window. I pulled over (how I didn't hit anyone, I'll never know- i don't remember other cars on the road tho) and a woman yells something like "did those kids get you". I remember begging her to stay 'til the police came to give them a description, but the kids (taking a cue from their school uniforms) all basically have a street uniform- xxxl white t-shirt and dark pants. It's sinisterly brilliant if you think about it. If someone attacks you, all you'll really remember are the large color blocks. Not facial features) were like every other child on the streets of DC.
I called my did because I didn't have anyone else to call- most of my friends were at a dinner for sean and rania.
the police came and to the officer's credit- went beyond helping me clean a good deal of glass out of my car and checked my ears and eyes. he even (using gloves) took the brick that landed in the footwell of my car in case they could get prints. I knew he couldn't. Part of me wishes i had kept the brick.
That night two (colleen and alicia) helped me push back the crap in the garage and we moved ryan's dead van into the garage so i could park in the driveway and cleaned out the car more and taped up the window. I think i remember watching DVDs with them too and maybe falling asleep on the sofa finally. I'm glad they were there.
I'm saying all this as some work stuff is really bringing me down. Quite a bit. It's stupid stuff mostly brought on by stupid, petty people who either don't get public art, or have no eye whatsoever.
And on that note, there are a lot (a lot) of DC-centric blogs. Many of which claim to offer "creative" DC type things, and they're completely boring.
I wish I had moments of my day to report and post here and make this a destiation of all things artsy and DC, so I will have to try harder.
Starting with the next entry because no one will read down this far, i'm sure, to see it.

sneaky squirrel

sneaky squirrel
Originally uploaded by tigersscareme

I made a second (and third) squirrel this weekend. And a mess of owls. And one cat that began as an owl.

Now i really need to clean, but I'm VERY happy with the way this squirrel turned out.

My favorite house in Chicago

I'm dreaming of my summer vacation...


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Olive Owlington

olive owl
Originally uploaded by tigersscareme

I took advantage of the sun this past weekend (which was great because it seems like we won't see the sun again soon) to take some photos of some work i've done recently.

This is Olive Owlington. She will be listed in my Etsy shop tomorrow.

Thank you!!!

Hey, look ma! I won something!
Readers' Poll: Best Local DC Crafter
First: Beth Baldwin (tigerflight)
Second: Tina Seamonster
Third: oblinaknit

Philadelphia Craft Shows

The deadline for Art Star is soon! Next wednesday April 1 to be exact-
find more info here:
Art Star Craft Bazaar

Also for Philadelphians- there's a new show on the block! Two weeks before art star- here's the info:

RoxanneCooper says:
Call for Artists: Philadelphia City Paper's Greatest Trunk Show on Earth

Join more than 100 artists, designers and homemade crafters on May at 16 on opening weekend at the all-new Piazza@Schmidt's in Northern Liberties.

This is our second show and it will be well-advertised in City Paper, online and on various social networking sites.

Set-up is from 9:30 am and the show runs from 11 am to 4 pm. $100 gets you a 10x10' space and we'll provide a 6' table. Vendors are free to set up their space with tents, wardrobe racks, etc. as long as they can break down their space by 5 pm. Interested exhibitors should contact roxanne.cooper [!at] citypaper.net.

Hurry! Space is limited and going fast!

squirrel version 2

squirrel version 2
Originally uploaded by tigersscareme

I tried my hand at a more dimensional squirrel this weekend. I think i like him- although i wish he wasn't so 'flying-squirrel-y'.

I'm felting some sweaters now, so maybe i'll try again later today.

Squirrel racoon beaver

Ok, so here's a bad photo, but this is an idea for a squirrel. Although he lika looks like he could also be a beaver. Or a racoon.
I think i need to work out the eyes some more.

Vote for me!

Everyone is doing it!http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/bestofpoll/nominees/408/vote


And by everyone, I mean a handfull of other people...

Crafts and Kisses to you all!

Thanks everyone for coming out to the Crafts and Kisses show! It was great to see so many familiar people and meet new ones too! The smaller owls and the pins were definite hits, so look for more of those in my future.

In the mean time, I am going to regroup and use the next month or so to work on some new ideas rattleing around in my brain.
see you soon!
xoxo
beth

new work!

I am madly making a new fleet of owls for the Crafts and Kisses show this weekend.
I keep trying to make new creatures, but the owls are just fun. And people like them. I'm going to try to have more sizes (less expensive tinies, big artsy higher-ticket ones) we'll see how it goes.
I'm using a bunch of high-end fabric memos I got from a guy who works at the Washington Design Center which has lead to probably two of the most beautiful owls I've ever done. Hopefully this time I'll remember to take photos!
I dont know if I'll have the seahorse done in time....here's hoping!

The Kiely has landed!

This past week (Thursday) I was running an errand an popped into a Target in Northern Virginia "just to see" if the Orla Kiely schwag had hit the shelves yet.
Lo! It had!
I picked up a flat tray box, a medium media box and a large box as well as an over the door shoe holder (that I've already put to use sorting my supplies in my work room) and 2 (yes, I bought 2) laundry bags.

I hung one on the back of my door in my bathroom to act as a hamper and I don't know why I didn't think of that earlier instead of tossing my clothes on the floor in what is already a tiny bathroom.

Get out and go!

It's far too easy to sit in my house, 'East of the River' as they call it in this town and hibernate, so it's good (nay, GREAT) to have friends like Sean with whom to see shows such as the Anthony Pontius show atProject 4 Gallery.
First, their new space is *insane*. It's just gorgeous. Just watch the tall Margaret Boozer piece to your right as you enter. I'm guess it's going to have to be permanent now. I also urge you to view it as close as you can from the balcony of the 2nd floor of the gallery so you can see how delicate it is.
Love it.
Anthony Pontius' work is exciting and evocative. It has this great feeling of a flickering film frame with all the dust and visual noise common in an old strip with some really well mastered painting techniques. Particularly the eyes which all have a very well executed roundness and sense of life. Also in this show are the teeeeny tiny studies for each of the larger works- there's one study that I fins slightly more exciting than the actual piece, but I urge you to go. It's a great show and the new(ish) digs at project 4 should be checked out too. I can't wait to go to a show there in the spring.

New show!

Whew I've been away from this for awhile, huh? I've been working with the lovely people at Mad Cap Players designing the set for their annual Winter Carnival of Plays. It runs until the 1st of February so you have some time to check them out!

I have one show coming up and it's a fun one! The lovely Moira behind Bookish Lady puts together one of the cutest and most fun shows of the year- Crafts and Kisses! I've got to get my butt in gear and make stuff.
I've been in such a creative slump lately.
I'm hoping to buckle down this weekend and really get into it.
You have my word- hold me to it.

fresh supply at Pyramid Atlantic

Today I dropped off three owls, one whale, two bats and a Pirate Yeti at Pyramid Atlantic.
I'm working on a new batch of owls and a new scheme of something...well...new.
Right now I'm dealing with itchy eyes and hoping I'm not allergic to wool. That would be crappy.

I'd like to say, to other crafty-type making folk...it's ok to be inspired by people. it is. But you should say hello to them when you're at shows and kind of ripping off their ideas. Particularly ideas that you fawned all over and purchased one of some six months earlier.
I'm just saying.

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year one and all! I hope that this year brings many new and exciting artistic ventures for both you and I!

More soon...I promise!

xoxo
beth