The DIY Trunk Show Preview

November 15, 2010November 15, 20101 Comment

The one and only great and fantastic DIY Trunk Show is this upcoming weekend – on Saturday, November 20th from 10am to 5pm in Wicker Park’s Pulaski Field House. Pierogi Picnic will be there – in the same spot as last year – hawking our wears. Though I’m always excited about showcasing my work in person – this is the show where I shop till I drop. Everything from Christmas presents, to housewares, to clothes – the DIY Trunk Show is the whamy of craft fairs.

The secret to the Chicago Craft Mafia’s bazaar’s success lies in one of the underlying premises – all vendors must live within a 100 mile radius of the city. So not only are you buying handmade – you’re truly supporting local artisans! So be sure to pencil in this coming Saturday into your calendar as the day you shop till you drop. Until then – here’s a sneak peak at some of the new goodies I’ll be bringing.

Sustainable Style: Holiday Gift Guide #1

October 29, 2010June 8, 2011Leave a comment

I know it’s a bit early to think holiday shopping – but those of you doing it online know that it takes some time before the items reach your doorstep. So a little planning now can save you a lot of trouble later. With this in mind, here is my first collection of eco-friendly gift suggestions to get you thinking:

Creative Day: New Designs!

October 27, 2010June 8, 20111 Comment

So I’ve already broken my vow not to experiment with new designs pre-holidays. I’m supposed to be focusing on PP staples for both seasonal online shoppers, but also the upcoming DIY Trunk Show.

But alas – I woke up this morning with what feels like the beginnings of a nasty flu (David has had his for six days now!) and I just didn’t have the heart to sweatshop myself out. So I leisurely cut some classic silhouettes and then graciously distracted myself by making some fun new products! Continue reading →

Devising Strategy

October 22, 20101 Comment

Fall is by far my favorite season. Some people consider Spring a time for renewal – but autumn is my time to shine and muse and focus on the coming months. Perhaps it’s knowing that another Chicago winter is upon me, and this pushes me forward to breathe in all of nature’s fading smells. It’s also my last chance to prepare for the holiday retail season. In the past two years I never went forth with a specific strategy towards making an easy flow for production, promotion, and product prep. But this year I am devising a plan. Continue reading →

Inspirations: NYC

October 17, 2010June 8, 2011Leave a comment

David and I moved back to Chicago from the Big Apple back in 2006 and not one week goes by when we don’t hearken to the NYC days in a conversation, comment, or day dream. So we decided to use this past Columbus day weekend for a quick roadtrip to the East Coast and the timing couldn’t be better as I was finding myself in a slight rut. Continue reading →

Staying Inspired – 11 Tips

October 7, 2010October 7, 2010Leave a comment

"Keep it Easy" by Laura George

These past few weeks have been a real whirlwind between my day job and Pierogi Picnic. Renegade took months of preparation but paid off by encouraging and inspiring me in totally new ways – so the trade off worked. But September was rough on my Etsy and this weekend’s show was a bit ‘wha wha’. What normally is one of my best months of the year was a total bust this time around.

At the show I had the chance to connect with other artists and share similar thoughts about the unpredictability of crafty businesses. One week your up – the next your down – but staying inspired is a daunting task when juggling day to day life, work, and a creative biz. So here are my tips for turning things up when they’re looking south:

1) Experiment. Continue reading →

50/50 The Blurring of Art & Craft – this weekend!

September 30, 2010September 30, 2010Leave a comment

Pierogi Picnic will be hawking our wares alongside 14 other incredible indie artists local to Chicago in the “50/50 The Blurring of Art & Craft” show. Come out on Friday for the neighborhood’s monthly First Fridays gallery walk and swing by our show to say ‘hi.’ David is running our nook solo that night so if you come out shower him with some extra love. The show takes place 6-10pm Friday, and 12-7pm Saturday and Sunday. Food, baked goods, music, and amazing handmade goodies and art will be there – and so should you!

What: 50/50 “The Blurring of Art & Craft”

When: October 1st 6-10pm; October 2nd & 3rd 12-7pm

Where: Chicago Arts District Exhibition Gallery 1915 South Halsted Ave.

Participants:

1: subversive seamstress

2: laura berger

3: my mish-mosh

4: kiku handmade

5: megan lee designs

6: souldier

7: pretty theory

8: ad love