Toronto Craft Alert

Hollie and Jane on White Elephant’s 1st Birthday

Interview by Jen Anisef

When I mentioned a plan to visit friends in Hamilton, everyone crafty that I spoke to told me “you have to go to White Elephant!” (including said friends).  So I went, and I strongly suggest that you believe the hype!  The boutique (located at 152 James Street North) is a perfect fusion of sweet vintage housewares and stylish crafty goods from indie artists near and far (lots of TO talent represented as well as [...]

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Interview by Jen Anisef
Photos of student work by Andrei Gravelle

This past weekend, when attending Quilt Sunday at the workroom, I was lucky enough to spy on the tail end of the Ukrainian Easter Egg (Psanky (or Pysanky or Pysanka)) workshop.  Having always had a hankering to learn more about Psanky, I caught up with the instructor Andrei after the class and asked him for the lowdown on the craft and how he got in to it.

(p.s. I found this great Flickr group if anyone is interested in exploring the world of Psanky further…)

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QUESTIONS FOR CRAFTERS: Genevieve Jodouin

Interview and photos by Sara Titanic

Describe the process of creating your work. What is involved for you to make one of your pieces?
Once I’ve come up with my initial idea for the piece, I take many photos that will act as reference for my drawings. I’ll then draw all the figures in the piece, as well as the decorative and background elements.   I draw everything on tracing paper so that all the layers fit together. Once the drawings are done I’ll move [...]

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Miki Sato is a Toronto-based illustrator who uses a mixed media approach to creating her designs. You may have recently seen her work in our inaugural craftoon feature (or take a look here). In this interview with Amy Borkwood, Miki discusses a bit about her process and creative inspirations.

Can you tell me a bit about the process of your work?  How does your work come together, from initial idea to finished piece?

The ideas usually come to me when I let my [...]

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Interview with Beside Herself: Carolyn Self and Alda Escareño
By Amy Borkwood

Can you tell me first about your backgrounds as individual artists, and what brought you together to work as Beside Herself?

Carolyn: I have three brothers and come from a small town, which means I had to entertain myself while growing up. I spent a lot of time on my own filling sketchbooks and sewing. In high school I taught myself to screen-print so that I could make my own fabrics, and [...]

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***GIVEAWAY EXTENDED TO OCT 27 – COMMENT AWAY!***

Worn Fashion Journal is throwing another Slowdance, and this one is gonna be deadly!!  Read on for an interview with Wornette Alexandra and comment on the post by October 26th with your favourite Hallowe’en costume of all time (could be one you’ve worn or one you’ve seen) to be entered to win a pair of tickets to the dance.

Interview by Amy Borkwood

For those who don’t know too much about WORN, can you tell me a bit about the concept of the magazine, and [...]

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