SPONSOR NEWS: February 2012

jen — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 14:08:38 +0000

This month we have another stellar line up of workshops for crafters and crafty biz people (including a cool new demo series) from Wise Daughters, and a unique opportunity to own some incredible rugs like the ones pictured above from Afghanistan. Read on for February news from our darling sponsors!

Please contact sponsors directly to sign up for classes or with any questions related to their listings.

Textile Museum of Canada
www.textilemuseum.ca
55 Centre Ave
Toronto, ON M5G 2H5
news@textilemuseum.ca

The Textile Museum of [...]

GET SCHOOLED: Valentine’s Craft Workshops at the Design Exchange (February 1st, 2012; 6:30-8:30pm and February 11th, 2012; 12-3pm)

tara — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 16:46:47 +0000

Lots of fantastic things have been happening at the Design Exchange as of late. Last week, I attended a screening there, where I learned about these great little Valentine’s-oriented workshops happening within the next few weeks, held in partnership with awesome locals Preloved and The Japanese Paper Place. Click the links below to save your spot…

Valentine’s Day at the DX  !

Share the Love with Preloved
February 1, 2012
6.30 pm – 8.30 pm
Design Exchange, 234 Bay Street, Toronto
$85 / person
$75 [...]

SPONSOR NEWS: January 2012

jen — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 16:17:49 +0000

day 55 by Lucky Jackson via the Craft Toronto flickr group

Happy New Year Everyone! After you emerge from your holiday food coma (and all-day pyjama fest), it’s a great time to think about picking up a new skill or taking your craft biz to the next level. Check out these listings from Wise Daughters for some great options.

Please contact sponsors directly to sign up for classes or with any questions related to their listings.

WISE DAUGHTERS CRAFT MARKET
www.wisedaughters.com

GET SCHOOLED: Leather Accessories at The Make Den (January-February 2012)

jen — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 14:16:23 +0000

Finding handmade stuff for men is an ongoing challenge, even in this crafty mecca we call Toronto. So kudos to The Make Den for putting together this series of workshops to create objects that will warm your dude (or leather loving lady)’s heart on Valentine’s Day.

Make (Den) it for your Mate with Cat Essieambre

Rock your own adorable and totally matching DIY accessory kit – or give the BEST handmade Valentines Day gift ever!

This winter, The Make Den is your one stop [...]

GET SCHOOLED: Bohemian Wrapsody @ City of Craft 2011 (December 10, 2011)

jen — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 17:11:17 +0000

I mentioned this workshop briefly earlier this week, but thought I’d let you all know in more detail what myself & my pal Day will be going over in our DIY gift wrapping workshop at City of Craft tomorrow (!).

Bohemian Wrapsody
With Jen and Day
Saturday December 10th, 2011 – 4:00pm-6:00pm
At City of Craft 2011
The Theatre Centre , 1087 Queen Street West

Found some amazing, made-by-hand gifts for your special someones at City of Craft? Don’t dull your giftly treasures [...]

SPONSOR NEWS: December 2011

jen — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 18:34:24 +0000

This month’s TCA Sponsor News is chock full of great holiday activities, sweet sales and even a sound and craft installation. Read on & get out there and make stuff!

Please contact the sponsors directly to sign up for classes or with any questions related to their listings.

NANOPOD: HYBRID STUDIO
www.nanopod.tv
322 Harbord Street
647.780.4478
nanotopia@me.com

Wonderlandish
December 10 (11:00am-6:00pm) & 11 (1:00am-5:00pm), 2011
a nanotopian installation
Sound + Vision by Andrei Gravelle & Tosca Teran

nanopod: Hybrid Studio is taking part in this year’s City [...]

GET SCHOOLED: Letterpress Workshops @ KOZO Studio (December 2011- February 2012)

jen — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 14:12:34 +0000

Over the years I have gotten many inquiries about letterpress workshops, so when I saw these ones listed in the TCA forum I thought I’d share them with you. Letterpress workshops can be pricey, so I appreciate the fact that KOZO offers an affordable intro option for those who want to dip in their toes to see how they take to the press before going on to a more advanced class for the fully committed.

For questions or to register, please reach KOZO studio at [...]

SPONSOR NEWS: November 2011

jen — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 14:54:29 +0000

Holy moly, I can’t believe it’s November already….which for many of us means time to start crafting for the holidays (or putting together our handmade gift lists). The sponsor listings below present some possibilities for both approaches.

Needlefelted fox, Lesley-Anne Green Collectables (available at the 2011 One of a Kind Christmas Show & Sale)

2011 One of a Kind Christmas Show & Sale
www.oneofakindshow.com/toronto
Direct Energy Centre
100 Princes’ Boulevard
416-960-3680

We’ve turned up the STAR POWER at the 2011 [...]

GET SCHOOLED: Power Kids: Make a Book Workshop at The Power Plant (Sunday, October 23, 2011; 3 pm)

tara — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 11:59:22 +0000

I admit to being a little out-to-lunch when it comes to keeping informed about The Power Plant‘s programming. I can’t for the life of me remember where I found out about it, but I came across this neat little bookmaking workshop for kids that will be happening there this weekend. Cheers to The Power Plant for spreading the artists’ book gospel to people of all ages!

POWER KIDS: Make a Book

Taking cues from Derek Sullivan’s interest in books [...]

GET SCHOOLED: Vegetable Dyeing 101 @ The Make Den (October 28, 2011)

jen — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 13:51:24 +0000

I am excited to see so many opportunities to learn the craft of natural dyeing around town these days – it is a process that feels good to do and the unpredictability of the results only adds to the beauty. The Make Den is offering an affordable class as part of their “Which Class” series (a play on “witch”y crafts) on the 28th – but you’ll need to sign up asap as they need you to drop off your fabric a week in advance for pre-mordanting.

Double, [...]

GET SCHOOLED: Post-Post Graduate Studies with Paul Butler at the AGO (until November 20, 2011)

jen — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 14:39:28 +0000

Some of you may be familiar with Paul Bultler’s roving Collage Parties, where the public (or a group of artists) is encouraged to get down and dirty with a giant pile of magazines and art supplies and create a temporary exhibition on the walls of the party space where individual creations mash up and riff off of those of other attendees. It is the simplest of ideas, but really very liberating to make something just for the sake of making something, and to share (and get inspired [...]

SPONSOR NEWS: October 2011

jen — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 14:11:51 +0000

Upcoming October goodies from our sponsors!

TEXTILE MUSEUM OF CANADA
www.textilemuseum.ca
55 Centre Avenue
416-599-5321
info@textilemuseum.ca

For the Love of Cloth: Decorator Fabric Sale
Friday October 14 12:00 – 5:00 pm and Saturday October 15 11:00 am – 3:00 pm
Mark your calendars! The dates have been set for our annual boutique-style sale of fabulous designer fabrics generously donated by Primavera. New this year, the sale will feature sample lengths from Robert Allen and Beacon Hill as well as a selection [...]

GET SCHOOLED: Free Craft Fun at Culture Days (September 30 – October 2, 2011)

jen — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 00:31:49 +0000

The Love Lettering Project by Lindsay Zier-Vogel @ Annette Library

This is one busy weekend for arts and culture in Toronto with both Nuit Blanche AND Culture Days going down. For those looking to roll up their sleeves and make stuff (sometimes the best way to fight that feeling of overwhelm that this time of year can bring), [...]

SPONSOR NEWS: September 2011

jen — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 13:16:32 +0000

After a long hot summer it’s back2skool for our dedicated TCA sponsors! Check out what is going down at Wise Daughters in September and beyond. Those of you looking to freshen up your stock of craft supplies should definitely take note of the Handmaker Heaven Trunk Sale on Sept. 30 where you’ll find some major deals.

WISE DAUGHTERS CRAFT MARKET
www.wisedaughters.com
3079B Dundas St. W.
416-761-1555
wisedaughters@sympatico.ca

Stitches from the Start – Beginner Knitting
Thurs, Sept 8, 15, 22 from 7:00 – [...]

CRAFTY BIZ: From Maker to Making a Living – CraftSmarts Lecture Series by Jacqueline Sava of Soak (October 3 – 25, 2011)

jen — Fri, 19 Aug 2011 13:33:36 +0000

Cat toys by at.aw, posted by glasco54 the Craft Toronto flickr group

When I think of business savvy crafters inToronto, Jacqueline Sava of Soak is one of the first people that come to mind – and not only because of her appearance on Dragon’s Den! Girl not only identified a very real need for crafters – to clean their woolens without felting them – but worked out a formula for a product that met this need and more, packaged it beautifully, and [...]

GET SCHOOLED: Chair Reupholstery Workshops (first class: August 6 & 7, 2011)

jen — Fri, 15 Jul 2011 15:13:11 +0000

For years we lived with a matching sofa and arm chair set, super stylish mid-century canadiana bones covered in your great uncle Harold’s stained tweed blazer fabric, chewed through from years of cat nail sharpening/stuffing hunting. The set itself was quite reasonably priced from Bungalow in Kensington market, but anytime I looked in to getting it recovered I had my hand slapped away by quotes well beyond our means. As a very generous housewarming present my parents paid to have it recovered in a very handsome charcoal upholstery [...]

CRAFTY BIZ: Crafting a Well-Rounded Business Workshop by Becky Johnson (June 23, 2011)

jen — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 00:44:35 +0000

As regular readers are no doubt aware, Becky has many crafty feathers in her cap, including her celebrated sweetie pie press blog and the annual City of Craft festival. I believe that one of the reasons why her endeavours get so much love is her unwavering transparency and genuine support of her fellow makers in the age of premeditated social media strategy and soft-focus blogging. I am excited to announce that Becky will be sharing her unique perspective on indie business at the Etsy [...]

EXHIBITION: Cold Comfort: New and Improved Souvenirs of Canada at the Textile Museum of Canada (June 18-September 18, 2011; Workshops June 25-26, 2011)

tara — Sat, 11 Jun 2011 23:55:44 +0000

Just in time for Canada Day! This fabulous-looking exhibition– a collaboration between Waterloo-based art collective Dodolab and the Textile Museum of Canada– will feature both a slew of vintage Canadian souvenir pillows and artifacts and an interactive pillow making workshop. If mounties and beavers aren’t your idea of Canadian symbols, attend the workshops over the weekend of the 25th and 26th and create your own Canadian iconography. I fully intend on attending and making a pillow or two based on my favourite [...]

SPONSOR NEWS: June 2011

jen — Wed, 01 Jun 2011 13:20:53 +0000

Is it just me or does Spring make you want to make stuff?? Thankfully our stellar sponsors have a full roster of classes, events, and even camps for you to get busy with. For complete listings, head over here. Contact the sponsors directly to sign up for classes or with any questions related to their listings.

pinning up an Amish Bars Quilt at the workroom

NANOPOD: HYBRID STUDIO
www.nanopod.tv
322 Harbord Street
647.780.4478
nanotopia@me.com

GET SCHOOLED: Silkscreening Workshop at Wise Daughters Craft Market (June 1, 2011; 6:30-9:30pm)

tara — Thu, 26 May 2011 23:08:47 +0000

This just in from Mary B., head honcho of The Junction’s craft hub, Wise Daughters: they are hosting a screen printing workshop next Wednesday, lead by artist Christine Pensa. Apparently there are only a few spots left, so if you’re a west end guy or gal and are print curious, book your spot ASAP!

SILKSCREEN WORKSHOP

Wednesday, June 1st, 2011
6:30-9:30pm

Screen printing is one of the most versatile, low-tech and easy printing methods available…once you know how. Join artist Christine Pensa to learn to [...]

GET SCHOOLED: Hand Carved Stamps with Geninne at bookhou (July 23, 2011)

jen — Wed, 25 May 2011 03:27:10 +0000

Just catching up on my reader and I came across this stamp making workshop listed on bookhou at home, which looks great. There are only 2 spots left so act fast & sign up on the workshop webpage if you are interested!

Workshop description:
we are truly excited to have Geninne D. Zlatkis from Geninne’s Art Blog to share some of her ideas and methods in learning how to make your own hand carved stamps. During the one day workshop you will [...]

GET SCHOOLED: Washi Workshops at the Toronto Washi Summit (June 2-18, 2011)

jen — Mon, 16 May 2011 13:39:39 +0000

Even though I don’t end up making it out to as many workshops and shows as I’d like to, I am truly grateful that the Washi Summit exists in Toronto. Since 2008, The Japanese Paper Place has been hyping the wonders of fine Japanese paper (washi) to Toronto via workshops, exhibitions, and special events in partnership with a variety of galleries and institutions across the city. As a hand-craft form threatened [...]

SPONSOR NEWS: May 2011

jen — Sun, 01 May 2011 08:24:01 +0000

A detail of my shibori piece made at the workroom’s Shibori & Ombré Dyeing workshop. Loved this class!

Below are a few selected listings for crafty happenings by some of our lovely sponsors coming up in May. For the full scoop, head over here.

WISE DAUGHTERS CRAFT MARKET
www.wisedaughters.com
3079B Dundas St. W.
416-761-1555
wisedaughters@sympatico.ca

Japanese Paper Pendants
Wed, May 4, 7:00 – 9:00
Learn how to apply Japanese papers to glass tile to create lovely and [...]

GET SCHOOLED: Handmade!: A Summer DIY Camp at the Textile Museum (July 18-22 and July 25-29, 2011)

tara — Mon, 11 Apr 2011 14:15:56 +0000

I think we’re all starting to dream up plans for summer right now as the weather is starting to improve. I came across this listing the other day for kids handmade day camps at the TMC…boy do I wish these existed when I was young! I know from experience that registration for workshops at the Textile Museum start very early and fill relatively fast– if you have a crafty kid, jump on this while you can! [...]

GET SCHOOLED: Bunny Head Needle Felting Workshop @ bookhou (April 16, 2011)

jen — Fri, 08 Apr 2011 12:56:23 +0000

This picture kind of kills me with cuteness…I had to post about this bunnyhead felting workshop at bookhou. My kinda easter fun!

needle felting workshop with midori sukurai
the class will be focusing on making a bunny head
it would make a great object or you can sew on a pin back and it can be a brooch.

all materials for the workshop are included
the class is limited to 8 participants.

DATE: Saturday April 16, 2011
TIME: 11:00-1:30pm

SPONSOR NEWS: April 2011

jen — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 11:17:57 +0000

Behold Sponsor News for April! (Also, don’t forget that the OOAK Show is on now until Sunday)

Image courtesy of the Textile Museum of Canada

TEXTILE MUSEUM OF CANADA
www.textilemuseum.ca
55 Centre Avenue
416-599-5321
info@textilemuseum.ca

Silk Oasis on the Silk Road: Bukhara
New Exhibition at the TMC Curated by Natalia Nekrassova
March 23 – September 25, 2011
Silk, a precious fibre from China, was for centuries a connecting thread between regions and cultures. Silk Oasis on the Silk Road: Bukhara speaks to the influence of a single site within [...]

GET SCHOOLED: Upcoming Craft Workshops at Harbourfront Centre (April-June 2011)

tara — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 18:04:11 +0000

With everything that goes on in this city for culture vultures and art/craft fiends, it’s easy to take things for granted. Take craft workshops at Harbourfront Centre, for example– there are an amazing variety of them taught by incredible local craftspeople, yet I often find myself forgetting about them and then having these eureka moments of rediscovery. The city is full of fantastic workshops like these that happen seasonally…lets take advantage of them to ensure that they always [...]

GET SCHOOLED: Design Camps for Kids by the AGO & OCADU (starting July 4, 2011, registration open)

jen — Fri, 11 Mar 2011 15:28:38 +0000

Wow, it looks like summer camp is a different animal for kids these days – my experiences were more PB & J than sustainable architecture! Kinda wish my parents would register me for these camps run by OCADU and the AGO…

Register your child for OCAD U and AGO Design Camps this summer

Register your child for summer camp at Toronto’s ultimate Design campus! OCAD University, in partnership with the Art Gallery of Ontario, is offering an exciting camp experience for children, ages 8 to 13. Two-week design camps, starting July 4 and [...]

GET SCHOOLED: Chair Caning & Seat Weaving Classes (starting March 21, 2011)

jen — Thu, 03 Mar 2011 14:55:22 +0000

One of my life craft goals is to collaborate with my woodworker husband on chairmaking projects. I’ll handle the weaving bit, and he’ll do the frames. While past visions have tended towards 70s crewel graphic pattern insanity or japanese rag weaving, there is something so elegant and not to mention durable about more traditional woven fibres like Danish Cord and Fibre Rush. Donna Kim offers a variety of workshops in the art of chair and footstool weaving and caning in her Wallace Ave. studio, such as Bring Your Own Chair (BYOC), or learn [...]

SPONSOR NEWS: March 2011

jen — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 12:27:09 +0000

image courtesy of nanopod: hybrid studio

As the keenly observant may have noticed, some of the sponsors listed on the right sidebar have been with us for a very long time – keeping our fees paid for and our website free for all. We really couldn’t have made it this far without them, and we have invited these crafty heroes to share their monthly happenings with you guys. Here are a few highlights for March – the full listings can be found on our Sponsor News page which we will [...]

Toronto Craft Alert » Get Schooled

SPONSOR NEWS: February 2012

GET SCHOOLED: Valentine’s Craft Workshops at the Design Exchange (February 1st, 2012; 6:30-8:30pm and February 11th, 2012; 12-3pm)

SPONSOR NEWS: January 2012

GET SCHOOLED: Leather Accessories at The Make Den (January-February 2012)

GET SCHOOLED: Bohemian Wrapsody @ City of Craft 2011 (December 10, 2011)

SPONSOR NEWS: December 2011

GET SCHOOLED: Letterpress Workshops @ KOZO Studio (December 2011- February 2012)

SPONSOR NEWS: November 2011

GET SCHOOLED: Power Kids: Make a Book Workshop at The Power Plant (Sunday, October 23, 2011; 3 pm)

GET SCHOOLED: Vegetable Dyeing 101 @ The Make Den (October 28, 2011)

GET SCHOOLED: Post-Post Graduate Studies with Paul Butler at the AGO (until November 20, 2011)

SPONSOR NEWS: October 2011

GET SCHOOLED: Free Craft Fun at Culture Days (September 30 – October 2, 2011)

SPONSOR NEWS: September 2011

CRAFTY BIZ: From Maker to Making a Living – CraftSmarts Lecture Series by Jacqueline Sava of Soak (October 3 – 25, 2011)

GET SCHOOLED: Chair Reupholstery Workshops (first class: August 6 & 7, 2011)

CRAFTY BIZ: Crafting a Well-Rounded Business Workshop by Becky Johnson (June 23, 2011)

EXHIBITION: Cold Comfort: New and Improved Souvenirs of Canada at the Textile Museum of Canada (June 18-September 18, 2011; Workshops June 25-26, 2011)

SPONSOR NEWS: June 2011

GET SCHOOLED: Silkscreening Workshop at Wise Daughters Craft Market (June 1, 2011; 6:30-9:30pm)

GET SCHOOLED: Hand Carved Stamps with Geninne at bookhou (July 23, 2011)

GET SCHOOLED: Washi Workshops at the Toronto Washi Summit (June 2-18, 2011)

SPONSOR NEWS: May 2011

GET SCHOOLED: Handmade!: A Summer DIY Camp at the Textile Museum (July 18-22 and July 25-29, 2011)

GET SCHOOLED: Bunny Head Needle Felting Workshop @ bookhou (April 16, 2011)

SPONSOR NEWS: April 2011

GET SCHOOLED: Upcoming Craft Workshops at Harbourfront Centre (April-June 2011)

GET SCHOOLED: Design Camps for Kids by the AGO & OCADU (starting July 4, 2011, registration open)

GET SCHOOLED: Chair Caning & Seat Weaving Classes (starting March 21, 2011)

SPONSOR NEWS: March 2011