Call for donations!

House of Ruth Maryland's Art+Craft Program is in search of crochet hooks of all sizes, and yarns of all colors and materials, for their Advocate Through Art workshop series. Workshop participants will create a series of crocheted creations to be displayed as part of a public art installation in June 2010.

Advocate Through Art teaches domestic violence survivors and their children to create public artworks about their experiences. An exhibition of recent work is currently on display at Jubilee Arts, 1947 Pennsylvania Ave, with a closing reception scheduled for February 27th from 3:30 - 5:30.

The Art+Craft Program at House of Ruth Maryland's emergency shelter was founded in 2008. Its mission is to use crafting to help domestic violence survivors heal and regain confidence. In fall 2009, the Advocate Through Art workshops were launched with the intent to educate the public about domestic violence, and the myriad of issues and warning signs connected with abusive relationships. These workshops simultaneously provide an outlet for women and their children who are living in House of Ruth's temporary shelter. By telling their stories, domestic violence survivors gain the power to break the cycle of violence, create awareness, and instigate action.

Please contact Hannah Brancato, hbrancato@hruthmd.org, to arrange a pick-up or drop-off time!

Tonight at Station North Art Cafe Gallery

Come and see local artist Laura Kindseth's collection of vibrant color photographs, captured during her time in the American Southwest. Last summer, during an extended stay in Santa Fe, Laura embarked on what she calls "an expose of the Southwest." Laura's images are an exploration of smaller details, rather than larger landscapes. "Instead of depicting scenes or panoramas," she says, "I wanted to capture the feeling of close up and behind walls and gates, without being too nosey!"

And while most of the images on exhibit were taken in Santa Fe, a few are from another recent trip through southwestern Colorado and the historic mining town of Crested Butte.

The reception will run from 5pm until 7pm. Station North Art Cafe Gallery is located at 1816 North Charles Street.

DIY block printing

Looking for something creative to do this afternoon? I know it's a little last minute, but think of it as a mini adventure through the snowy streets of Baltimore to the Woman's Industrial Exchange where from 12pm - 3pm, you can learn single-color block printing.

Free of charge, this hands-on DIY workshop will explore how to create block prints on paper. Other methods of DIY block printing, such as linocutting, will also be discussed. Materials are provided. Simply call 410.685.4388 or email wiedirector@gmail.com to reserve a space in advance.

Of course if you're like me, and have not yet managed to dig your car out of the second round of snow but would still like to try your hand at block printing, check out this awesome tutorial by Lizzy House.

Image courtesy of dailyartmasomenos.

Faythe Levine comes to MICA

On Thursday, February 25th at 7 pm, the Maryland Institute College of Art will host Faythe Levine, director and producer of Handmade Nation: The Rise of DIY, Art, Craft, and Design to present a free screening of the 2009 documentary film and discuss the contemporary craft movement with guests.

Dubbed "the ambassador of handmade" by the New York Times, Levine traveled to 15 cities in 2006, where she interviewed more than 80 indepedents artists and designers about their growing community. Handmade Nation has since been shown at hundreds of museums, festivals, colleges, and universities around the country. There's also a corresponding book with the same title.

The screening and talk will be held in the Brown Center's Falvey Hall. For a sneak peek of the film, visit http://www.handmadenationmovie.com/.

Seriously people, do whatever you must to re-arrange your schedules and go see this film and its founder in the flesh. You won't regret it.

Image courtesy of the New York Times.

Indulge in BOCAGE

At the risk of sounding selfish, I should preface this post by admitting that I haven't written about BOCAGE New York before now because I covet everything they sell. Somewhere in my feverish brain, I've convinced myself that one day I'll buy everything on their site...but that's ridiculous...or is it?

BOCAGE is a wonderful website that caters to the hunter in you. They carry oodles of handpicked beads, bobbles, chains, buttons, feathers, ribbons, findings, trimmings, paint, paper, stamps, and embellishments - almost all of which are out of circulation or vintage. Founder Stephanie Kheder Bodine developed BOCAGE to "share her lifetime passion for vintage materials and accessories with people just as obsessed with the constant hunt for special, hard to find treasures that make life more beautiful." The best part: Stephanie has killer taste.

So while you're navigating the delightful maze of treasures on BOCAGE, I'm going to sweep up a few of my favorite things before they're all gone. Happy hunting!