Reclaim2Fame

One of my favorite things about the handmade movement is finding new and fascinating handmade stuff, and getting to know the people who make it. The inaugural Odd Duck was already a heart warming day, but meeting Will and his vintage & recycled robots made the show even more special for me.

His creations bring new life to old view finders, vintage tins, and other seemingly random bits and pieces. Even with being new to the indie craft scene, Will is friendly, open, and enjoys spinning yarns about the origins of his creations. It’s so exciting to meet a new (to me) crafter with so much talent, warmth, and love of what they do. I’m sure it doesn’t hurt that everyone else loves Will and his robots too!

Check out on www.reclaim2fame.etsy.com, or visit him Will and his creations in person at the Odd Duck Bazaar. I’m hoping he brings the Foible, his four foot long, steam-punk dragon, so be on the lookout for that enormous piece of fabulousness.

Trying out the Lapel Stick

I just tried a new product called the Lapel Stick. The description claims it replaces baste stitching, pinning, taping, spray adhesives and stabilizers, and I found this to be accurate. The product comes packaged looking like one of those glue sticks I use with my children during crafting projects, and the consistency of the sticky material also seemed comparable. I used the Label Stick to finish the crown in this blog photo. I found the stick to be very easy to use, and it did indeed replace pre-pinning and ironing during my sewing project. However, I found it a bit awkward to avoid getting stickiness on my fingers while trying to keep the fabric folded within for a neat seam. After making two crowns, I had to wash my hands. Other than that, there was no residue leftover on my crown and if I wasn't telling you now, you'd never know I used it in my project! It is non-toxic, biodegradable, and fragrant free. Not only is it safe for all fabrics and water soluble, but it claims to not gum-up sewing machines either. I liked using the Lapel Stick because it saved me time, so I will definitely keep this in my sewing kit!

You might be wondering why it is called the Lapel Stick. The card insert also promotes using this product for fashion emergencies, fallen hems, gaping buttons, popping collars, slipping straps, and stopping a run in tights or nylons. Although I did not try using it in all these other ways, I have to admit it is a pretty nifty product. Anyway, I just had to share this little discovery and if you have any experience with it, please feel free to respond with your comments.

Cheers,
Christine
Belle Adore Boutique
Hollywood Craft Mafia

Don't miss out on Saturday the 26th!

This Saturday, February 26th is jammed pack with two great crafty events! Start your day in Plantation's Liberty Tree Park, located at 7421 NW 5th Street at a Green Day Environmental Expo. This is a family friendly event with loads of shopping, raffles, live music, demonstrations, a bicycle parade and more! Shopping includes handmades, plants and foods. Hollywood Craft Mafia's own Christine Klein of Belle Adore Boutique will be there as a vendor. The event takes place between 9a and 3p.


Then, skip over to Fort Lauderdale to see two more of our own Hollywood Craft Mafia members, Tina Wright and Shelley Mitchell, who will be volunteering at the 2nd Annual Swap-O-Rama-Rama. If you haven't been to this event before, don't miss out this year! Start going through your closet and drawers now and dig out all those clothes you never wear. Bring them to the Swap-O-Rama-Rama between 1p and 5p and get $5 off your $10 admission. You give your unwanted clothes away and then shop through the loads of other clothes on racks and take what you want. You can try clothes on, get them altered at the sewing machines, or even screen print on them to make your items completely unique! Arrive between 5p and 11p with your bag of clothes and admission is $10. Lastly, there will be an ever-so-fabulous fashion show at 10p. Everything takes place at IWAN's the Bubble, 810 NE 4th Ave, Fort Lauderdale.

Time to clean-up your crafting space!

Given up knitting? Taken up beading? Tried decoupage and you're over it? Whatever your reasons may be, this is a great opportunity to take your unwanted crafty supplies and give them to someone who will put them to good use! The Hollywood Craft Mafia is hosting a craft supply swap at Undergrounds Coffeehaus on Sunday, February 20th from 4p to 6p. Hope to see you there!

Radio-Active Records

There’s something to be said for local indie music stores, and there’s even more to be said about great local indie music stores. Radio-Active Records definitely qualifies as great. Not only do they carry a huge selection of vintage vinyl and shiny new turntables, they support handmade by hosting events like the mini Odd Duck Retro & Geek Show and sponsoring the Odd Duck Handmade Bazaar and Indie Craft Fair.

After a brief hiatus, live shows have returned to Radio-Active Records! Check out the blog to keep in touch http://radio-active-records.blogspot.com/, or just head over to the Gateway Plaza in Ft. Lauderdale to check out the free, all ages show by the Whole Tones February 19th from 7pm-10pm.

Remember to show your love to Radio-Active Records on Record Store Day, April 16, 2011!

Retro Indie Market - Tomorrow- Boynton Beach - South Florida

Two of our very own Craft Mafia girls will be vending tomorrow at the Retro Indie Market in Boynton Beach.  Shelley will be there with her Kitschy Aprons and a few choice softies and Tina Wright (workinggirl) will be there with her jewelry created from vintage papers and handcrafted art books and notebooks. 

Whole Foods Market Plantation

Whole Foods Market Plantation is the named sponsor of the Odd Duck Handmade Bazaar and Indie Craft Fair for the second year running, and we couldn’t be more thrilled! Catherine and the staff are wonderfully supportive of the show, wearing buttons, displaying postcards, and hanging an enormous poster right in the front window. But being and Odd Sponsor is just a small part of what Whole Foods does to nourish our community.

This month, Whole Foods Market Plantation will help you find gluten free goodies in the store, or transform a fattening dish to a healthier version, then help you teach your kids the importance of living green (after reading The Lorax by Dr. Seuss.) Check out the event calendar for more information on cooking classes, Kid’s Club events, and local charities that Whole Foods Plantation supports. http://wholefoodsmarket.com/stores/plantation/store-calendar/

Be sure to stop by the store for one of these great events and be sure to check the front window for our giant Odd Duck poster within the next couple of weeks!