All in the Famiglia: An Interview with Rain's Embellishments

Family. There is nothing quite like family, that is unless it's crafty famiglia, and we are so lucky to have Lorrain Garcia , aka, "Rains Embellishments" as a fellow crafty sister in this big crafty famiglia called the "Craft Mafia."

I first met Lorrain when she joined us for the Petaluma Craft Mafia's first show, "Craftaluma."
Lorrain is part of our big extended crafty famiglia, and she is part of the extraordinarily talented Sacramento Craft Mafia.

We love our Capitol City Crafty gals! Here is what I know about Lorrain, not only is she a kick-ass talented jewelry and bauble maker, she also has a fine sense of humor, is an accomplished cupcake baker and one of the best dressers I know. She and I share a deep fondness for owls, (you've all seen my owl necklace she made). Lorrain has a generous heart and not a mean bone in her body. She's also an Aquarius. But oh, psst...she's also baaaack! We are thrilled because she and some her crafty Sacramento Craft Mafia sisters are joining us for "Mafia Made Holiday Craftacular." Nope, there is nothing like famiglia.

C: Okay Ms. Lorrain, please tell us how you came up with the name of your crafty enterprise.
L: Hey there! My name is Lorrain Garcia, my business is Rain's Embellishments. My business name just sort of came into being because it's my nickname Rain: I use to hang out all the time at my bf's house in grade school. She had a little brother who had a hard time saying Lorrain. Whenever he would talk to me he would call out "My Rain" it was so cute it stuck! And Embellishments because my jewelry is my embellishment!

C: Where are you located?
L: Sacramento, CA

C: Hometown?
L: Sactown!


C: Yay Sactown!! Home of Merlino's Orange Freeze and the Sacramento Craft Mafia!! Tell the folks what it is that you make.
L: Currently I've been working with enameled flower pieces, (sugar)skulls & owls!
My three favorite things of the moment. I take a variety of different beads an mold them into
necklace pendants, earrings and bracelets.


C: What is your favorite and least favorite thing about what you do?
L: I love making things with my hands! It really gives me a sense of accomplishment to take different random elements and make them into something to wear! Sometimes it's heart-breaking to sell a piece that I've fallen in love with. Other times I just think I'm making items to add to my ever-growing collection! I'll stay up many a night on a creative binge and then wake up in the morning with sore wrists & hands! I'd have to say that over-working my hands is a major draw-back. Over the summer I was actually having a real hard time with my wrists hurting, so I wasn't able to create that much. I've had to train myself to stretch before I work. Sometimes I forget, but my joints always remind me when I do!

C: Oh boy. Do I know that feeling. I used to ignore it - until one day it refused to be ignored! The pain and numbness started shooting up my shoulder and neck. Still, the pain is worth the creative binges. Speaking of which, what brings you creative inspiration?
L: Sometimes it's as easy as visiting a bead store or fabric store. Other times it's from walking through a gallery or museum...being influenced by other peoples art. Sometimes it's a minor suggestion that someone gives me. I've actually dreamt a piece of jewelry into being! I know it kinda sounds hokey, but I have definitely dreamt about placing certain colors together or various beads.

C: It's not "hokey." I'm a dreamer myself, and trust dreams and intuition. Anytime I've gone against my intuition is when things tend to go awry! Clearly, your dreams are working for you Rain. I sense an extra dimension at play when I look at your work. You have a richness and depth in your color palette as well as the design elements in your pieces. You are fearless, and I tend to admire courage and kindness in all aspects of life. What advice would you give to a designer who wanted to start a business such as yours?
L: For one thing, I have found that there are A LOT of jewelry designers out there! So I definitely recommend that you find your niche! Figure out what makes your pieces yours...figure out your "signature"!
Try something different that sets you apart! That's what your audience will notice!

C: Do you have any exciting news or future business plans you'd like to
share?
L: Shh... it's a secret!

C: Gotcha. We gotta keep it on the "down-low" in the Mafia. LOL! Do you have any favorite crafty haunts?
L: Geez! Where do I start? I love bead stores, fabric stores, scrapbook shops....I loved the bead store I use to work at with all my heart! Sadly, BeadWorks closed two years ago! I do love visiting The Bead Fetish & Piece of Mind, Beverly's Fabric & Crafts, Rumpelstiltskin, The Scrapbook Station, Fire & Rain, Art Gallery, The Crocker...funny enough, Empire Comics, craft night at a friends house - and for that matter, my mom's sewing room!

C: Curve ball question: Sean Connery or Roger Moore?
L: Man, are you kidding, Sean Connery! He's still sexy!

C; It's that Scottish brogue, you can't figure out what the devil he's saying! Tres sexy in it's confusion! What is your favorite midnight snack?
L: Cookies & ice cream!

C: Nummy! Hard question now, Favorite book and movie?
L: Lordy, ya know... there are just too many wonderful ones to name! Empire Records, Reality Bites, Sex and the City, Anam Cara, Love Story, Harry Potter 1-7, if there is ever a Buffy movie based off the TV show, that would most definitely be on top! High Fidelity, gosh, Frida, practically anything by Michele Gondry or Sophia Coppola, the early works of V.C. Andrews...dude, I know I'm missing some other great material! Most any art book
with Frida Khalo, Gustav Klimt or Alphonse Mucha!

C: Le sigh. All excellent choices. Love Story, even the theme song to the movie makes me get a big 'ol painful lump in my throat. I can't handle it. Harry P. rocks. I'm a huge John Cusack fan. I wanna marry him when I grow up and together we shall have fifteen crafty children and a purple-painted picket fence with an orange Karman Ghia parked in front. Someday, Rain, we are just going to have to have a big 'ol sister city movie and dinner craftalong in each of our fair towns. Let's make it happen! Okay, the dinner party question, your throwing a dinner party, who would you invite and why?
L: My Grandma Carmen because I miss her laughter! My mom, sis, niece, dad, bf Chris, and my other bffs Amanda & Erin all because they are all the people I depend on the most! And when I close my eyes, they are the people I see sitting around the table! I could probably name other "famous" people, but really, I think I would just be too nervous to eat and I'd rather be enjoying the delicious meal full of warmth and laughter!

C: Now that is a typical Rain response, and why we love you so much! Thank you darlin' and we can't wait to see you and your sisters next Saturday in Petaluma!

You can find more Rain Goodness here at her blog and more about our crafty cool sisters in Sacramento right over here.

An Interview with Twin Crow Studios

Courtney Cerruti of Twin Crow Studios was one of our amazing vendors at Craftaluma. I was thrilled to have her join us again for our upcoming show, as her world of bell jars, re-purposed tea cups, mushrooms, and other assorted flora and fauna of beauty and kitsch drew me. I wouldn't mind living in a Courney Cerruti made world!

C: Welcome back Courtney. We are happy as clams to have you back for one of our crazy shows! Tell the folks who I'm sure are salivating over your lovely crafty wares the name of your business and how you came up with it?
CC: Twin Crow Studios was created out of a brainstorm between me and my boyfriend. I love birds and bird imagery and I have a bit of a bird nature in my collection of seemingly random bits of things, paper, string, objects etc. I use twin imagery in my drawings and ATCs and it also

C: Where are you located?
CC: the Bay Area

C: Hometown?
CC: Oakland, CA

C: What is it that you make?
CC: I make all things paper. Currently I'm into making miniature paper shoes and miniature worlds in teacups or inside of cloches.

C: What is your favorite and least favorite thing about what you do?
CC: I love making things, its just what I do. My boyfriend's 6 year old says her dad is a good reader and I am a good "maker." She thinks I can make anything!
What I like least about making things is that I don't make enough money in crafts to do just that and nothing else.

C: Where do you find creative inspiration?
CC: Objects, images, beautiful things inspire me. I love saturated color, antique and vintage objects, the beauty in things used, things that have a history. I also like materials, often a discarded piece of metal, a broken nutshell or a piece of moss is enough to get me going on a whole series of work.

C: Any favorite crafty haunts around the bay area you like to visit?
CC: The Alameda Antique Market on the 1st Sunday of the month is a good place to find unusual and old things. But usually just a trip to the thrift store will suffice.

C: Have been wanting to make it out to the Alameda Market. Bless those Thrift stores for their crafty inspiration and goodness! Courtney, what advice would you give to a designer who wanted to start a business such as yours?
CC: Make stuff and see what happens.

C: Mmmhmm... Do you have any exciting news or future business plans you'd like to share?
CC:Visit my blog to see what's new!

C: Sure will. Now what the folks really wanna know is, Sean Connery or Roger Moore?
CC: Sean Connery.

C: LOL! You were expecting that one. Finally Sean stands a chance in this Roger Moore biased blog! :) What is your favorite midnight snack?
CC: Tea and chocolate chips with Mila (my boyfriend's 3 year old)

C: That could certainly lead me astray in the midnight-hour for sure. Favorite book and movie?
CC: Anything by Toni Morrison, and Bleu with Juliet Binoche

C: I'm a huge Juliet Binoche fan, in my minds eye, I had cast her in "Chocolat" years before the film came out! Okay Courtney, If you were throwing a dinner party, who would you invite (living or not living) and why?
CC: Other than my boyfriend, I would invite Frida Kahlo, Maria Janosko, Marilyn Manson, Nathalie Cheung, da Vinci, and Morgan Freeman. I was in love with MM when I was in high school and how often do you get to live out a high school fantasy? Maria because she's hilarious and a good friend, Nathalie because she lives in France and I miss her, Frida because I love her work, da Vinci because he was my first favorite artist and Morgan Freeman because I want him to be my friend.

C: Morgan is the man, would love to have him as my friend and neighbor. He's a cool cat with a big heart. I just might crash that dinner party. Maria Janosko...hmmm, she sounds like one of our crafty vendors! You have great taste in dinner partners Courtney. We will see you both soon at Mafia Made Holiday Crafacular!

The Crafty Wren

As I was saying in a prior interview, when the shadows come calling, I feel lucky to gain so much inspiration from my fellow craftisans. We had Wrenay Charlton, aka, "Whimsy" 'and her other business venture "The Crafty Wren" at our first show Craftaluma. I adore Wrenay not just for her positive and creative spirit, but also because she is a joy to be around, and lucky for us joy is contagious. One thing we can promise you is that Wrenay is one crafty chick.


C: Okay, Ms. Wrenay, I'm a big fan of your crafty wares, but tell the folks who may not be familiar all about your crafty self.
W: "I actually have 2 businesses; Whimsy & The Crafty Wren
Whimsy came about as a way to frame all the things I make. I like to dabble in different arts and crafts, so I felt it best to come up with a name that describes the mood and feel of my products."

"The Crafty Wren" developed out of "Whimsy" I started to make jewelry from my art and recycled materials. I wanted to separate the jewelry from all of the other goodies I make, so I decided to create the secondary business. My name is Wrenay, but my friends and family call me Wren, so that's where the Wren comes from.

C: Where are you located?
W: Crockett, California. Never heard of it? I'm not surprised! Crockett is actually in the East Bay, off of Hwy 80. It is the last exit before you cross the Carquinez Bridge into Vallejo. It's really a sweet little town, and home to the C&H sugar factory.

C: Oh, I know where Crockett is! If there's a sugar factory you can bet I know my way there. I can see a visual on those tall sugar stacks in my mind's eye when I cross the bridge! Me and Crockett go waaaay back! :)

C: Hometown?
W: Los Angeles, CA.

C: What is it that you make?
W: I love experimenting with new processes and materials. I always have something in development! Currently, my focus is on paper goods, plush creatures, and pendants.

C: What is your favorite and least favorite thing about what you do?
W: For me, the process is always the most interesting and fun part of creating something. There is always a new discovery along the way, so I am constantly learning how to improve the final piece, or coming up with something new. I guess the least favorite part of creating is the clean up!

C: Amen, to that I'm a bit of a neat freak, but lately my desk has exploded. What brings you creative inspiration?
W: My schedule is pretty hectic, so I tend to appreciate the quiet moments and I give myself at least 15 minutes each day to sketch down ideas, and thoughts. Lots of those seeds turn into my creations. Music, nature, my kid's laughing, all hugely inspiring as well!

C: What advice would you give to a designer who wanted to start a business such as yours?
W: First and foremost, love what you do and be your own biggest cheerleader! When you make the leap from creating for recreation, to creating for business, you spend a ton of time marketing your work. I cannot stress how important it is to do your research, get your paperwork in order and network as much as possible. A great book to read when you are ready to take the leap is Craft, Inc. by Meg Mateo Ilasco

C: Do you have any exciting news or future business plans you'd like to share?
W: My products are now being sold in brick & mortar stores throughout the bay area. One of my goals for this year was to make connections to get my work off-line and into boutiques, so I am very happy to have met this goal.

C: Send me your links to the brick and mortar before you walk away Wrenay. ;) Okay, I'm gonna throw you off track here a bit, Sean Connery or Roger Moore? :)
W: hee hee. Roger Moore

C: What is your favorite midnight snack?
W: Pizza!

C: Favorite book and movie?
W:There are so many…
My current favs:
Fiction book: A Lion Among Men (from the Wicked series)
Fine Art book: By Hand, a look at craft in contemporary art practices
Movie: I'm really behind on movies. One of top 3 of all time is Cinema Paradiso

C: I wanna go see "Wicked" in the city! Love Cinema Paradiso, too! Okay Wrenay,Your throwing a dinner party, who would you invite (living or not living) and why?
W: Mae West-someone has to be brasher than I, since I will be hosting!
Ryan Adams-love his music and he could entertain during any lull in the festivities
Jack Black-for obvious reasons
Yoko Ono-aww, poor yoko…has she finally overcome the Beatles, "killer" stigma?!! I think so. She is an amazing conceptual artist.

C: I'd better be getting an invite to that dinner party! Please seat me between Jack and Mae...or better yet Jack and Ryan, I promise to behave.
Thank you Wrenay Charlton, and we will see you at Mafia Made Holiday Craftacular quite soon!


You may find The Crafty Wrens' goodies right here, lookie.

Velvet & Tweed

Working solista in the creative field certainly has it's highs and lows. Even in this downslide economy, I'd still take working for myself, and all the risks that come with that, then working for "the man" in a corner office cubicle again, le odor of burnt microwave popcorn wafting down the blue industrial carpeted, bad fluorescent lit hallways, the lonnnng meetings that seem to go nowhere, but offer a great excuse to order in Thai food for everyone. And there always seems to be at least one manic and crazy-eyed co-worker everyone is afraid will go off the deep end someday and maybe take a few of us down in the process. Zoikes! Nope, I sure don't miss those days at all, even when it's so tempting to pack it all in and receive a hard earned fat regular paycheck with paid vacation and benefits again.

It's not easy wearing all the hats sometimes, and though it's self imposed, in order not to burn out I often look for inspiration and guidance from others in the creative field. I learn a lot from these women (and men) and am inspired again and again by these generous and talented folks who like me, are risk takers at heart.

Enter, Tina Schreiber of "Velvet & Tweed." Tina found me on one of my blogs, (I've been a bad, bad blogger of late). Tina's shop is an adorable
infant and toddler's clothing shop in the city, and she is one of our many talented vendors joining us for Mafia Made Holiday Craftacular. I liked her and her chosen craft immediately, and though she's made her home in San Francisco, she's a midwestern gal from Cleveland, Ohio, with a midwesterner's sensibility, and a fine mind to dream and create with. Her love of her chosen craft of well-constructed children's clothing is obvious and her eye for wonderful design and fabric shines through. Psst. I'm a sucker for a finely outfitted dapper little dude, and the lovely laughing little ladies modeling Velvet & Tweed's fine collections.

C: Welcome Tina, please tell us how did you come up with the name of your business Velvet & Tweed?
T: The name came from a passion for textiles, their textures, colors, and ability to transform a simple frock into something that evokes emotion and creates memories. When looking back on photos from a first Christmas or a family picnic, it is wonderful to remember how your little girl twirled in her favorite dress, or how dapper your little boy looked on grandpa's lap. Fabric such as tweed, velvet, pink silk, and crisp cotton can turn an ordinary outfit into something really special.


C: Where are you located?
T: San Francisco


C: Your hometown?
T: Cleveland, OH


C: What is it that you make?
T: "We design and make special occasion clothing for infants & toddlers, intended to be timeless and lovely, heirloom outfits that can be passed down for generations."


C: What is your favorite and least favorite thing about what you do?
T: "My favorite thing about what we do is seeing the reactions of moms & dads to our clothing-- the look of nostalgia and an innocence captured for their little ones. After all, children grow up quickly; there is no need to rush it! My least favorite thing about what we do is finding enough time in the day to do everything we want to do for this amazing brand!"


C: Tina, what brings you creative inspiration?
T: "My creative inspiration comes from my childhood. My parents had lots of diverse interests and I always wanted to be involved: from sewing and baking to camping and woodworking. These wonderful childhood memories inspired me to capture these moments in design: the perfect garden party dress, the sweetest pink birthday party dress, or the coziest corduroy jacket."


C: What advice would you give to a young designer who wanted to start a business such as yours?
T: "Get as much experience as you can in your field. Realize that you can learn a great deal from working for big companies and finding mentors to guide you. Your perfect business will reveal itself with the experience you've collected."


C: Do you have any exciting news or future business plans you'd like to share?
T: "Our most exciting news is how quickly we are growing and how well received we are by the most beautiful baby boutiques across the country and around the world! Internationally, we can be found in Australia and Norway!"

C: That is wonderful news! Velvet & Tweed going international. And speaking of inernational, or international man of mystery that is, Sean Connery or Roger Moore?
T: "Roger Moore (but actually, I'd like to nominate a candidate: Daniel Craig!")


C: LOL! I'd have to agree with that one, Roger Moore is infinitely more interesting then Sean Connery, devilish glint in his eye as though he is in on a private joke with you. And Daniel C. isn't too shabby either, we almost share a birthday!

C: A lot of us creatives burn the midnight oil, I'm one of them and often find myself on a weird eating schedule not in sync with my 9-5 friends. What is your favorite midnight snack?
T: "Cheese & Crackers!"


C: Thatta girl! And in my book, the stinkier the cheese, the better! Favorite book and movie?
T: Favorite Book: "Water for Elephants."

C: I loved Water for Elephants! I read it when it first came out, it was my inspiration for Craftaluma. Plus, I have a major soft spot for Elephants, and am sickened by how they are mistreated in captivity and hunted down for their tusks in the wild. Do you have a favorite movie?
T: (at the moment) "Miracle on 34th Street."


C: Your throwing a dinner party, who would you invite (living or not living) and why?
T: "My closest girlfriends (4 of the most inspiring, fun, professional women ever), Martha Stewart (my role model), and my boyfriend (lucky guy to be surrounded by such amazing women!). Oh, and Julia Childs as the chef, and Bing Crosby to sing while we dine."

C: It's so important for women and entrepreneurs to surround themselves with supportive great gals and cronies, I'm totally down with that. Thanks Tina. I can't wait to see you soon at Mafia Made Holiday Craftacular!

You can find boutiques that carry Tina's delightful wares at:

Velvet & Tweed
http://www.velvetandtweed.com

Have you been Naughty or Nice?

Just thirty-six (3-6) more days until Mafia Made Holiday Craftacular!! (le Gasp)!!

I feel like a multi-tasking Elf amped on caffeine, stress and red vines, busy putting the Holiday Craftacular site together, swag, vendors, sponsors, canoodling around town with the crafty famiglia handing out posters, postcards and charming and okay some extortion of our local and very supportive sponsors. :) Kidding, really, no "protection fees" have yet been mentioned.

Crikey! I haven't even pressed one single Moxieville card yet! Why does this seem familiar? Ack! It's just my job to stress a bit, I suppose, whilst hatching and making the crafty plans come to fruition. Yes, some pretty busy elves we be.

We have a great show planned! We've assembled some of the hippest and awe inspiring professional crafty DIY'ers you ever saw, (they are SO together!)- I'll betcha a hot butterered rum that your shopping list items will miraculously get checked off one -by-one before you know it. Don't go for the bland, go for the grand, unique handmade this holiday season. Our crafty vendors can dish it out. This ain't your dear granny's craft show, but y'all know that by now! But certainly bring your dear granny to the show, I'll bet she'll be inspired by how much craft has progressed.
Yep, we have the best vendors again! We love our crafty friends and famiglia.

Now, the question is, have you been naughty or nice? A little of both? Sippin' too much egg nog? Regardless, you owe it to yourself this busy holiday season to join Petaluma's Crafty First Famiglia for some holiday crafty merrymaking and mischief. Meet the Petaluma Craft Mafia under the mistletoe with your favorite beverage and get down to some serious, awe-inspiring shopping with local talent and some inspiring gorgeous crafts from some of the most prolific DIY'ers south of the north pole. Dang!
We have a super talented photographer who will be a vendor this year, and rumor has it she'll be taking holiday pictures, so you'll want to be sure to get some holiday memories all the while grooving to some Sonoma County's finest homegrown bands.

We're counting the days here at the Petaluma Craft Mafia until Mafia Made Holiday Craftacular, and we can't wait to see you December 13th at the Petaluma Veteran's Hall!! Don't forget we have some mighty fine raffles,so save your ticket receipt at the door for a chance to win some way cool swag and prizes.

Don't forget to bring a toy for tots and get an extra raffle ticket!

P.S. Happy Birthday to all you November peeps in the house! Scorpios , just rock! xoxo!


Cheers,

Ms. Moxie and the PCM

Petaluma Craft Mafia Presents: "Holiday Craftacular!"

Dreams of holiday tinsel and Sugar Plum fairies waltzing through your head? Have you ever wanted to meet Bumble the abominable snowman from "Rudolph the Red nosed Reindeer?" Stir that together with a little Nightmare before Christmas and you have Mafia Made HOLIDAY CRAFTACULAR! You can bet your candy-cane striped toe socks, we've got another crazy show planned!

The Petaluma Craft Mafia is pleased to announce our first annual holiday show, "Mafia Made HOLIDAY CRAFTACULAR" to debut on Saturday, December 13th from noon to five at the Petaluma Veteran's Hall.

Our first show CRAFTALUMA was such a success, we keep getting requests for when we would have another show, so we decided to put together a holiday show with some of the most talented DIY'ers, crafty crafters and kick-ass artisans we could assemble - that includes you!

We will have plenty of crafty how-to demos from many of our inspiring and talented vendors. Mojo talented and local live entertainment from the ever-fresh and pretty dang crafty themselves, Bluebellies and adorable Gabby LaLa. You'll be thrilled to know that the Petaluma Craft Mafia plans to have another crafty raffle. **Vendors, (please send us your swag and any goodies you would love some lucky person to have to promote your wares and your crafty company). Swag bags to the first 50 folks through the door. Our theme is a Retro Winter Wonderland with a hint of kitsch and a bit of underground fantasical Holiday flavor going on -remember, this ain't your dear granny's craft show. Bumble the Abominable snow man may drop by and take pictures with the young folk...and you never know who else....

Get your Holiday Shopping done in one fell swoop, and come away inspired by our crafty cast of characters this year at Mafia Made HOLIDAY CRAFTACULAR. Belly up to our decorate your own christmas cookie and cupcake table... I might have to find an excuse to work that table...hmmmm...


** VENDORS: Vendors, applications are now available, Send me an e-mail (here or at cheryl@petalumacraftmafia.com) and I can forward you an application. FYI: This show is for Crafty, DIY, craft and art, items only, no re-sale or multi-level marketing items, thank you! I'm working on the downloadable application and website as we did for CRAFTALUMA in my spare time, so please be patient. :)

** SPONSORS: Please contact cheryl@petalumacraftmafia.com if you are interested in sponsorship and/demo table.

Show attendees and adoring public: We heart you! Thanks for coming out to support your crafty famiglia and their friends at CRAFTALUMA, and making our first show such a success. We couldn't have done it without you!

HOLIDAY CRAFTACULAR starts at noon and admission is 2 dollars. You will get a raffle ticket for a chance to win one of our awesome crafty prizes, and if you bring a toy for our "Toys for Tots" you will automatically get another chance at the raffle. Children under 16 are free. Crafto'licious swag bags for the first 100 folks through the door!

Come on down and meet Petaluma's Crafty famiglia, we'll have a jolly 'ol tinse'licious time!

Cheers,

Cheryl and the PCM


"Mafia Made" HOLIDAY CRAFTACULAR
Saturday, noon-5 December 13th, 2008
Petaluma Veteran's Memorial Hall
1094 Petaluma Boulevard South
Petaluma, CA 94952

Working Girl's Guide to Handmade Jewelry!

Okay, ya'll know I heart Jen Perkins of Naughty Secretary Club to death ...and I haven't even met her yet, she along with my mum are probably the sole reason I got back into crafting.

As an illustrator, I'm always trying to find new media in which to work my own original art into, and being a huge fan of resin, it was Jen's jewels that got me hooked on resin. She has a funky and unique spin on her jewelry which just speaks to me; Kitsch, soul and fun.
So, I've been anxiously tapping my foot waiting for her new book to come out, and at last it has! Woo hoo! My local bookstore, Copperfields, called me last week and delivered the good news!

I can't wait to get my hands on a brand spankin' new copy of, The Naughty Secretary, "The Working Girl's Guide to Handmade Jewelry".... I love that Jen adds all kinds of fun tips, recipes - that's my kind of book!

Check it out now, hot off the presses!

Mrs. G's Stickylicious Annual Sale...Tomorrow!!

Okay. You can stop holding your breath now...collectively, Petaluma. The day has arrived!
Exhale.

So get ye down to Mrs. Grossmans on Cypress Avenue and throw a little mad money for a lot of way cool and cute stickers at Mrs. G's. This only happens once a year, so you won't want to miss. I got a first-hand peek at the goodies offered up...and smokes, something for everyone and SO much to choose from!

And even if you're not a stamp book queen, never fear, all kinds of uses and juicy goods to haul away to make any crafter and collage artist happy! Day sleepers, set your alarms, 9:00 - 5:30!

Cheers!

Mrs. Grossman’s
3810 Cypress Drive
Petaluma, CA 94954
mrsgrossmans.com

The Working Girl' Guide to Handmade Jewelry

It’s no secret I heart Jen Perkins of Naughty Secretary Club. She’s a swell chick, incredibly inspiring and funny and I’ve been her customer long before I became infiltrated into starting my own organized craft famiglia here in Petalumasky.

However, my particular craft is not really jewelry. My craft is making stationery and all things paperie, though I do some sewing and a few odd-ball other things such as resin jewelry which I make from my own original illustrations.

I love the medium of resin. It has a chunky funky look, and you can do SO much with this versatile if stinky solution, that I find it incredibly inspiring. The fact that resin lends itself so well to the retro look and feel I really dig, doesn’t hurt either. Though the stuff is kinda toxic and sometimes takes FOREVER to get really solid...like a couple of months on some of my rings. But practice, practice. I will get this resin thing down, even if I lose a few resin brain cells in the process. (yes, work in a well ventilated area when working with resin).

Well, now my favorite naughty secretary has gone and made it darn impossible for me to avoid working with resin again. She went and wrote asuper faboo book on making hand-dandy, be-dazzling baubles and jewels. And I SO have to have this book! I believe it’s available for pre-order at the moment at your favorite bookstore or Amazon. I cannot wait!

Though if resin is not your thang, don’t despair, because Jen has plenty of other juicy chapters on jewelry tidbits and recipes to share with you in the world of handmade jewelry.

Hard to believe with so much going on and so many crafty happenings that May is half-way gone. So happy birthday to all my Taurean bulls out there, you're stubborn but with the exception of a few rare bulls out there, generally your generosity and sweetness makes up for it!

Cheers!

CRAFTALUMA: Venue Change

Gather round crafty-cool crafters and craftoholics, due to a plethora of crafty applications, we have been forced to change our venue from the beloved downtown Phoenix Theatre, to the Petaluma Veteran's Hall. Both great venues.

Though we can't stay away from the Phoenix, so expect the PCM to host trunk shows at the Phoenix and a few charity events as well.

The new address for Craftaluma, "The Greatest Show on Earth" is:

CRAFTALUMA
Petaluma Veteran's Memorial Hall
1094 South Petaluma Boulevard
Petaluma, CA 94952

(by the bowling alley) ! Huzzah!

Come on down and meet the "notoriously crafty" Petaluma Craft Mafia. (We promise to behave).

See you there!

Mrs. G's Fabulosa Warehouse Sale!

Listen up my fellow crafters, collage artists, scrap bookers and sticker aficionados: our own home-grown Mrs. Grossman's is having a craftastic warehouse sale on Friday, June 27th, from 9:00 A.M. to 5:30 P.M. Now, I've been inside the trenches of that warehouse and there are some mighty cool goodies in there! Some of my favs (besides the signature heart sticker include, fabric stickers, artsy paper stickers that just never hit it with the scrap book crowd, and are totally gorgeous!

I scored some cool fabric stickers not long ago poking around in the amazing finds of the warehouse, that looked like ric-rac and am having so much fun with it, and some fabric stickers in ticking stripes and dots that I printed right on top of! Very funky!

I urge you to head over first thing with your latte and a big tote to carry all your fabulous finds and bargains galore home in. Your boss will just have to understand that you have priorities before heading into the office on a certain Friday in June. And hey, maybe invite them to come along too. Share the good news and score some points at the same time!

If you sign up here for Mrs. Grossman's newsletter, you'll get to find out first-hand about all future such events and special sales.

So mark your calendars now, 'cause if your like me, those dates get filled fast, and you won't want to miss what our Mrs. Grossman's is bringing to the warehouse sale.

See you there!

Mrs. Grossman’s
3810 Cypress Drive
Petaluma, CA 94954
mrsgrossmans.com

I done been tagged

Frankly, I love a good game of tag. Sure do. Do you ever notice you tend to get tagged when you least expect it, or your brain is so engaged elsewhere, that what's left over to return the tagging favor with is mushy grey tissue for brain? I swore I was much more interesting than this, ...but on paper, hmmm ...

So my crafty friend Elaine Barr over here, done tagged me, (the rascally varmint). See what I mean? I'm starting to sound like Yosemite Sam ... but I've been tagged and I'm a good sport, except when it comes to spelling-bees, that is. (see below for details).

Okay, so heads-up y'all. You never know who is gonna get tagged. It's a wild-card. You've been warned.

xo,
Cheryl

I've been tagged by Elaine! (famous line from movie, "The Graduate")

this is how it goes:

1. Once you are tagged, link back to the person who tagged you.

2. Post THE RULES on your blog.

3. Post 7 weird or random facts about yourself on your blog.

4. Tag 7 people and link to them.

5. Comment on their blog to let them know they have been tagged.


Here are 7 random facts about me:

1. I decided when I grew-up, that my vocation in life was to be a mermaid or a bus driver. Neither happened. :)

2. I have a Whoopie Pie named after me. http://www.westcoastwhoopies.com

3. I have a photographic memory due to my synesthesia, and will beat you in a card-game of Concentration every time.

4. I collect vintage and kitschy salt & pepper shakers, and funky head vases.

5. I cannot attempt to speak Spanish without craving Mexican food.

6. I won the spelling bee many times in grade school. Once, in the second-grade because I refused to sit-down after misspelling one word, and nobody noticed. (Still feel guilty about that one).

7. I broke my ribs twice during my first year of college. Once in a nasty car accident. Weeks later after some fast healing, a cute guy asked me to dance at a Halloween party. Apparently he had a jealous GF lurking abouts, who walked up and punched me hard ...in my broken ribs.

Seven bloggers I've tagged...

1. Anna

2. Allison

3. Amy

4. Carrie

5. Colleen

6. Jen

7. Marilyn,

Posted by Cheryl Aronson

S.F. Bazaar Bizarre/Maker Faire 2008

Long time no blog, I know. I won't offer up any excuses. Just bizzy around here at Moxieville getting our Craftaluma on and wearing a gazillion hats!

But I pause for a quicky blog because I just had to remind you all to hold on to your felted beanie caps because Baz Biz/Maker Faire San Francisco is just three weeks away!
I know you've been waiting, wondering and anticipating.
Crafty crafters, mad scientists galore this year at Biz/Baz. You won't want to miss this annual extravaganza and discounted tickets are available here until April 25th.
Check out what this year's Faire has to offer right here. We love the folks over at Craftzine who help make this awesome event happen.

This year's event introduces an evening program on Saturday,May 3rd from 6-10PM featuring Fire Arts, Power Tool Drag Racing, Flaming Lotus Girls, Steampunk Spectacular, Boiler bar, Abney Park, and many, many more treats in store...

The Faire has grown to over 400 makes this year, which is just incredible: The Crucible, Swap-O-Rama Rama (yes!) Bazaar Bizaare, Cyclecide, MakerKids, TechShop, Neverwas Haul, Homegrown Village, Exploratorium, Live Music, Life-sized Mousetrap...are you feeling the excitement yet?
And I haven't even mentioned the make events ...such as cars, sustainable food, photography, DIY Camping (now I though all camping was DIY, but I gotta check THAT out), Pinball, Robots, Rockets. Too many to list here, whew, but enough diverse events for everyone to get all tingly and inspired by.

Here's the specs:

Maker Faire
May 3rd&4th
San Mateo Fairgrounds

If you can imagine it, you can MAKE it!

Hope to meet you there.

CRAFTALUMA

CRAFTALUMA is just around the corner. I panicked last night having just returned from a mini working-vacation (is there any other kind?) and realized we have less than 3 months to do everything. It sent me straight into a design binge fueled by coffee and red vines and I got the application, poster and postcards designed last night. Still need to get our web page up and running. Whew! I was certain my creepy clown dream would re-surface due to our carnival theme (and all those clowns) we have going on for CRAFTALUMA, but thankfully it did not. It's a little macabre, yes? High on creepishness and macabre garish wonder and colors. Well, we are at the Phoenix after all, and it has it's ghosts to be sure!

Vendors, I will have the vendor application up shortly. In the meantime CRAFTALUMA is Sunday, June 29th from 12-5 at the Phoenix theatre in Petaluma. We're panicking a bit as we are getting so much interest that I'm afraid we might not have room for all the vendors. Maybe next year we'll host CRAFTALUMA at the Mystic as we get rolling!

Happy April, happy spring and Happy Birthday to all my awesome Arien friends!

Cheers!

Big Ass Book of Crafts!

Does this book make my booty look big? Looking for a new crafty book to move and inspire you into Craftdom? Or at the very least motivate you to pick up some odds an ends around the house and make something cool, clever and real purrty? Then you’ve gotta check out Mark Montano’s big ol’ book "Big Ass Book of Crafts" which is chock-full of inspiration for any age, and craft skill level.

I love that Mark is VERY keen and passionate to help you get your craft on. He covers interior design from furniture making to recycling bits and pieces to make a gorgeous and useful project. He’s got a great eye and relates to the projects as though he is on your level, not a craft god who assumes you know a brad from a staple. Fun for family, week-end crafters or those with oodles of craft muscle and know-how. Lots of variety to keep creative minds challenged and inspired by the beautiful photos.

I'm looking forward to making the lampshade and a few of the other intriquing hip projects Mark has lined up!

Lawd, I love crafty folks! I’m trying to get Mark to do a demo or signing here in Petalumsky at Copperfields! Wouldn't that be cool? He knows and loves Petaluma very well! Hmmm ... I wonder if I could get him to got through my garage with me ...I know he'd have a ball looking through all my cast-offs that are clogging the main artery of our little garage. I'll be he could do a craftolicious make-over on all of it!

The Big Ass Book of Crafts is BIG and chock-full of ideas for recycling stuff you never knew had so much oodles of potential. The bottom line is ya'll are just gonna have to go out and find the book yourself and get inspired!

Sqrrrrl Power!

Okay, "corny" is the theme of this blog, to be sure. We don't stand for pomp and puffed up circumstance around Moxieville, as you can see from the photos.

Typical day around Moxieville, with the occasional head bobbing squirrel (which is made in Germany) I picked up from my friend Drew at Heebe Jeebe here in Petaluma. More on that later!
I posted a blog on the Petaluma Craft Mafia blog a few months ago regarding my wish to have a Moxieville postcard mailer that was a scratch n' sniff. Remember that? Well, if not here tis the link. As the squirrel is Moxieville's mascot along with oak trees, acorns, oranges and the colors orange and chocolate, I thought "Orange and Chocolate" or a citrusy scratch n' sniff would delight those who received a Moxieville Scratch n' Sniff postcard thus etching Moxie in their hearts and memory.

Well, It turns out making scratch n' sniff is a whole lot more involved then I even thought or at least more expensive ... just as I thought. It involves quite some expense and print technology that I am not capable of ... yet! A scratch n' sniff dream not yet a reality. Sighh. :)

Sure, If I wanted to pay k-thousands to have somebody in China manufacture this dream, then yes, our scratch n' sniff would be a reality, but as the moment, I shall pass.

Remember, this stationery maker and papervoire is still saving her pennies for a new (actually ancient) letter press. A larger model, well put together model would be nice this time.

So a heads-up to those of you who receive a Moxieville Squirrely greeting in the mail, you can scratch, but sadly, you cannot sniff. Though some cards I've spritzed with one of my favorite scents, "Hesperides" so you may think the scratch n' sniff feature works on your card. Alas, it doesn't. It just means the scent has not yet faded on the cards I spritzed. But at last, the post cards came in last month and I've been mailing them out.
Though, sorry to disappoint, but no scratch n' sniff, however Moxieville is that much closer to the realization of a brand new letter-press or a new car ... whichever comes first!

Happy birthday to all my fellow dreamy and uber creative Pisceans this month. Did you know we funky fresh fish are considered the "artists of the zodiac?" Ask fellow Pisceans Drew Barrymore, Michaelangelo, Elizabeth Barret Browning, Kurt Cobain and Albert Einstein. Uh, actually,I guess it will have to be Drew,... unless your good at channeling the spirit world, and if you so happen to be a Pisces you probably are good at channeling spirits!

Happy Birthday my fellow funky fish!

Downward Dog & Devil's Food

Yoga and Cupcakes ... these are a few of my favorite things...

A few weeks back you may remember the Petaluma Craft Mafia meeting and cupcake swap in which we at the Petaluma Craft Mafia baked cupcakes and swapped 'em. I thought it might be a great ice breaker for new members and I hastily put together some purple and pastel cupcakes some adorned with tiny dancers, cause really, what grown girl, aka woman still doesn't harbor memories of ballerina dancers? Whether you dance or not isn't the point.

I enjoy blogs, but have been a bad blogger of late. Shame on me. There isn't always as much time as I'd like to write my own blogs or read other's blogs. Lawd knows just how many awesome blogs I'm missing out there!

The mere thought hurts me a little, ya know?

When I do get a chance to read, I read for information and education, and others are pure candy ...I just really enjoy seeing what a few handful of my fellow bloggers are up to, and enjoy the voyeuristic peek into their lives. Some just make me laugh and make me happy.

Blogs are pretty voyeuristic by nature. You never really know who is reading your blog. Of course this can have potential for good and bad.

Some of my favorite blogs I stumbled upon by accident such as "Eat like a Girl," and "Naughty Secretary" who I discovered like a gazillion years ago totally by accident and also fell in love with her jewels. Or maybe I fell for the jewels first, anyway. Blogs have a re-bound effect, you tell one person about them and next thing you know others are also visiting the site. One of our favorite family stories is when my mom tried to hunt down Jen Perkin's site for a horse brooch for my niece one day while at the office. I had told her about the site months before. She called me one day while I was heading out the door and asked me for the URL. I stressed to her to use the world "Club" in the URL. My mother had a habit of hearing half of what a person is saying.

Using her own secretary's computer who happened to be away at lunch and who's office is very visible, she entered the URL "Naughty Secretary" omitting the world "Club." Very important not to leave out the word "club." Well you can guess the sites that sprang up and my very down to earth but modest mom who was not very internet saavy, couldn't close them down fast enough. She was concerned what her secretary Elaine, must have thought once she got back from lunch and found the pages still looming on the desk top. Hillarious.

I discovered this evening a blog called "Cupcakes and Yoga." This is a delightful blog about,well, yoga and cupcakes! No hidden gimmicks or funny business or read between the lines irony here! Marilyn, a native New Yorker writes about her blog's namesake. The cupcakes she posts from various cupcake arteests and cakey connoisseurs are absolute works of art. And she has a gazillion links to various cupcakedy folks to inspire awe. Of course she also talks about her other passions as well such as design and yoga!

Marilyn obsesses about cupcakes and makes me want to make a batch now! Check it out y'all, Marilyn will have you wanting to make a batch in no-time. Who says cake can't be crafty?

Butterflies are Free to Fly

November 16, 1944 - February 22, 2007

I miss you everyday mom.

Squirrelly Love

Felt has been on my crafty "to-do" list forever. Besides actually wanting to "felt" wool, which I understand is incredibly simple, I've been wanting to make something out of felt as well. Where to start? I decided Moxieville's mascot, 'Mr. Squirrel' would be perfection.

So one rainy evening about a month ago, I dove in and drew a quick squirrel pattern, and made use of some felt I had purchased at Michael's. Now for these kind of projects, you really ought to use a better quality felt that can be purchased at Fabric stores, but as I was dying of impatience to try my hand at sewing a softie creature, I used what I had. When you use a lower grade felt such as what you find at most craft stores, you'll find the felt is really too thin and transparent to make a very sound softie that is durable and will hold stuffing or the threaded stitches. On my Mr. Squirrel, I stuffed him with lentils to make him stand up. Due to the fragile nature of this particular felt, Mr. Squirrel leaked a few lentils!

Let me tell you, there is nothing worse than when your squirrel leaks lentils! Whats a girl to do? So some repair work was in order,and I tightened the stitch level on my sewing machine. I haven't sewn in forever,so going around those corners was tight! But remember I'm the Cal-Expo sewing gold medal winner, so I was up for the challenge!

Now I'm inspired to make a few more creatures, but I'd really like to get into felting wool.

If you've been reading my Petaluma Craft Mafia posts over on the PCM blog, you'll note we have a new member,Tami Lovett-Brumfield, aka "Felt Baron", who specializes in felted fruits, veggies, and even a Neopolitan ice cream sandwich as well! I am delighted to have her as part of our crafty famiglia. I think she may have this felty craft stuff down better than I do. I told her about Mr. Squirrel a few weeks ago over coffee, and she gave me some great tips. Most of all, buy good felt! Life is much easier that way!

Happy Valentine's Day to all my dear hearts and Happy Birthday to all the Aquarians in the house!

Gouache B'gosh

So I sort of committed myself to the "First Love" exhibit at my favorite store in Petalumsky, which is of course the Boomerang Gallery at Heebe Jeebe. Why oh why do I commit to things when I haven't the time? Why? I truly am my mother's daughter. My sister and I used to bemoan my mother who was the queen of volunteering herself to this and that, sometimes at the expense to herself. I guess the women in my family are slightly kooky, it's the Irish and Scottish genes duking it out with the French ones. Or, perhaps we simply like challenges.

Then Drew, the proprietress extraordinare let me know last week that it's going to be a "kid's show" as a lot of kids are in it. Now I can compete with anybody, or at least I'll try, but kids?
Jeesh! The pressure. It should be fun even if they do show us adults up.

So, two days before my project is due, I decide to finally make something. Not only did I procrastinate, but I also chose a medium I've never used before; gouache! Now I have never been a big fan of watercolor and watercolor is much like gouache I am told. I find the medium wishy-washy and lacking in life and character. Most watercolor paintings I've seen look like bad hotel art to me. Plus, living in Sonoma County, it seems most watercolor amateurs as well as professionals go for that 'uber So-Co look' of the stale and tame bunch of water-color grapes.

Yawn.

My favorite paintings are acrylic and oils, and I may still go over this for some depth with acrylic. I have no idea how acrylics will behave with the gouache. I cannot think it will be an incompatible mixture.

Hence, my ambivalence and disrespect for watercolor. However, I have seen a few paintings I've liked, one from my aunt who actually does watercolors that make me change my mind about this medium. I'm told watercolor behaves much like gouache, but more opaque and dries quite chalky. Boy, is that the truth.

So, I started on a painting in a medium that is a bit of a learning curve as I absolutely do not know how to tame this gouache and get it to go and stay where I put it. This medium moves all around and flows into places you don't want it to go. It's layer upon layer. And you have to be careful or you can build up layers where you don't want them. Also, I'm not so sure I was supposed to have used canvas, I think a good piece of Arches watercolor paper would have worked out much more seamless with this medium, particularly with my delicate brushes which would whisk the paper much more smoothly and not lift -off as nubbier canvas does.

My original concept was to paint a fantastical stack of books, as books were my "First Love" so to speak. Instead I painted what I love to paint best, wistful looking gals. She looks completely bereft about something. A lost first love perhaps? But this is what came out instead of this funky book concept I originally started with.

Sighh. So here I sit with a half-finished painting. The clock is ticking. Can this rebellious water-color artist finish or will she smash it against the wall and start over?

Heart of Gold

Neil Young was searching for it, fellow Piscean Johnny Cash bemoaned it, and Hank Williams Sr. wailed about it... uh, that might have actually been "cold, cold heart" in Hank's case, but as you may have guessed, the esteemed heart of gold is a mighty scarce commodity. Everyone's had their heart broken, but finding a person with a heart of gold is mighty slim pickins. And if you did happen to stumble upon a person with a heart of gold, they may just want to consult a cardiologist, like pronto!

So, this week-end we've been busy at Moxieville Press. I'm working on some Valentine's Day cards, and even tried my hand at a felt softie creature. More on that later. I've been locked in printing all week-end ... and I love it.

Then we took Georgia over to the dog park,and she got to meet two new Great Dane friends this week-end, one a sweet boy named Dozer who I think has a crush on Sweet Georgia.

Then, I went over to Anna's and I twisted her arm into helping me make a few schwag items for the Petaluma Craft Mafia. It was a pattern we had done for some other giveaways at craft shows, and as we are gearing up to do more in the near future, we needed more schwag. It seems we can never have too much schwag at the PCM.

Actually, I never have twist Anna's arm to do anything. Our resident mermaid is my number one helper, and 'can-do' partner in crime crafter and I am ever so lucky to have her as a friend. And, she can make a mean martini or cosmo.

Speaking of heart of gold, I would say Anna is one of those that has a heart of gold. Yep, Most definitely. You will have to go over to the PCM blog and see what Anna is concocting next. It sounds as yummy to eat as it would be to apply to the face, and it's all strawberry and cream which would make a swell Valentine prezzy for somebody. Of, course, I need to come up with a label for it. Add that to my lonnnng to-do list.

Tis the season of hearts and flowers, and don't look now, but cupid is lurking. I hear Cupid is feeling mighty mischievious this year, so look out for stray love-laced arrows.

Friday Night Knitting Club

A few weeks ago, author Kate Jacobs, invited me to come to one of her book signings for her new book, The Friday Night Knitting Club.

I am not a knitter, though I believe I would like to learn. My mother was teaching me a few crochet steps, and last winter we started a very easy project of a hot pink crocheted scarf. Alas, we never got to finish it. So there it sits, in my knit/cross-stitch project bag mocking me to finish. I've got a lot on my plate right now, but knitting has long appealed to me. Its a very tactile and portable craft, and once you get the hang of it, I hear it's a wonderful way to knit and purl your cares as you work stitches.

Kate is from Canada. Hope, B.C., as a matter of fact. Like me, she's a small town girl who couldn't wait to set off for greener pastures after school. She is a writer and editor and has worked for Working Woman and Redbook among other publications.

Kate says she loves writing for and about women. The Friday Night knitting Club is about a diverse group of women who get together for knitting, encouragement. Each sharing their own tales of heartbreak and joy. How they come together is un-premediated, and each member of the group have their own quirks and problems they are trying to cope with. Some of the friendships are not easy ones at first. Some gel immediately.

The central character is a single-mom and successful entrepreneur named "Georgia." (Of course, you already know why I like this name). Georgia is trying to raise her daughter and juggle her Knit Shop, "Walker and Daughter". I skipped ahead in the book by accident, and hit the Reader's Guide. I was stopped cold when I read that one of the characters gets cancer. Ovarian Cancer. That's all I'm going to say, because I don't want to give the book plot away. But, I found it interesting that Ovarian cancer was the cancer of the character.

Ovarian cancer is the most deadliest of cancers for women, but it doesn't get the press other cancers do. Since our family has experienced first hand how horrible and devastating this cancer is, I felt it was an interesting twist of fate that Kate had invited me to her book signing. I applaud her for writing a bit about it and doing the research. And oddly enough, I felt it was my mother saying "hello, dear. When are you going to pick-up that crochet project we started?"

Of course, my mother wasn't large on endearments, "cher-bear" was one, but "dear" isn't one she would have used. Being at Kate's reading was where I was meant to be this crazy past week-end.

Kate's reading was at Reader's Books in Sonoma and The Book Passage in Marin. I missed the Reader's event, but I made it to the Marin reading. I very much enjoyed her reading, and hearing about Georgia, Darwin, Peri, Anita and the other unlikely friends in the Friday Night Knitting Club. Kate herself is a delight, and I was surprised Copperfield's Books was not on her Book Tour for FNKC. Knitterly, here in Petaluma, would have been an ideal place for her to do a reading. Perfect. Would have drawn quite a crowd.

Kate was headed for NYC, after her Marin signing and back to the publishing world to share a reading back in the Big Apple. Her favorite thing to do is write fiction in her pajamas at home in the wee hours. My kind of gal. Kate lives in Los Angeles with her husband and beloved pooch.

If you're looking for a great winter read to curl up with along with a mug of tea, you simply must pick up a copy of Friday Night Knitting Club. You will find a recipe or two in the novel to try. Speaking of which, Kate's new novel, Comfort Food will be coming out in May.

Look forward to it Kate! We hope to see you in the Spring!