Weekend Guide: September 24 + 25

The Dallas Flea 

Date: Saturday, September 24th 

Time: 9am-4pm 

Location: South Side on Lamar, 1409 S. Lamar, Dallas, TX 

More Info: http://thedallasflea.com/index2.php#/home/ 

Participating Etsy Dallas Members: Dowdy Studio, Modest Ambition, The Paper Nest Co.

Fall on the Mound 

Date: Saturday, September 24th
Time: 9am - 4pm
Location: Trietsch Memorial Methodist Church, Flower Mound
More Info: http://www.tmumc.org/ministries_womens_fallonthemound.htm
Participating Etsy Dallas Members: K8made, maggie may i 

Dowdy Studio Wagon @ Good 2 Go Taco

Tacos and Tees + much more! See you there, friends! 

Date: Sunday, September 25th 

Time: 7am-3pm
Location: 1146 Peavy Rd, Dallas
More Info: http://dowdystudio.blogspot.com/2011/03/wheres-that-wagon.html
Participating Etsy Dallas Member: Dowdy Studio Wagon 

Keeping Cozy in Dallas

Tree by Modest Ambition

Here’s the surprising thing about yarn bombing a tree: it’s really rough on your hands. As I carefully wrapped the trunk and branches with layers of crocheted and knitted yarn, my fingers and hands were scraped and scratched. I watch tiny ants scurry about as I pulled my oversized needle and thread through the yarn and bound up the branches. I worked back and forth to secure the tops of the tree scarves to withstand drooping from the weight of water from rain and wind.

Yarn bombing has been going strong in Dallas this last year, but this is the biggest project to date. When you visit the Winspear Opera House grounds, you’ll see that it has been transformed by unexpected bright and colorful handworked yarn. There are cozies on every parking bollard arranged in a rainbow spectrum, trees wrapped in full sweaters, and dangling flowers and peace signs overhead along the walkway.

Colorful bollards

This particular installation was requested by the opera house to celebrate the opening of the musical “Hair.” KWitta and the Dallas Yarn Bombers helped coordinate the local knit/crochet community to take on this large-scale project. Over the summer it took shape: taking counts of bollards, measuring trees, and showing off progress to each other.

Using fibers to create public art rather than functional knitwear is still a new idea here, though it’s been done elsewhere. I like to think of it not just as public art, but as social sculpture, working together to build community as we finished off each row. In the end, this whimsical and charming installation is our gift to the public. 

Detail, tree by Modest Ambition

For lots more installation shots:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Dallas-Yarn-Bombers/227336423947158

http://www.theaterjones.com/stagewhispers/20110916075143/2011-09-16/Friday-Night-is-the-Yarn-Bomb%27

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ByMgiy1DKJc&feature=player_profilepage

http://www.smugmug.com/gallery/19075663_rJp9p4#1483962604_NxcZZj9

Story and photos by Modest Ambition.

Weekend Guide September 16 + 17 + 18

Bolsa Cafe

Date: Friday, September 16th - Sunday, September 18th

Time: Friday 5pm-9pm, Saturday 12am-9pm, Sunday 10am-2pm

Location:  

614 West Davis Dr Dallas, TX

 

More Info: http://www.bolsadallas.com/

Etsy Dallas Member Participating: Dowdy Studio Wagon

Blog Walk!

What’s going on around town with Etsy Dallas’s fine young talent?  Erin of Haute Hardware delved through our blog list to find out. 

Meredith of One Sheepish Girl crocheted an adorably calorie-free rainbow cake, and then shared with the world how she did it in this awesome tutorial. 

Power couple Pam & Dylan of Dowdy Studio took Oklahoma by storm at the Dustbowl Arts Market: 

Jonathon of Napkin Art was commissioned by the Texas Theatre in Oak Cliff for two of his posters – how rad is that? 

Silla of Silla Soup is up to her usual whimsy and delightfulness with these new butterflies:

Thanks for journeying along through these blogs, and please visit them (and more) by clicking the links on the left-hand side of this page!

Etsy Dallas Artist Playlist: The Ruffly Owl

Hi everyone! This is Meredith from Sheepish Knitting & Crochet! I asked Dacia from The Ruffly Owl what music she listens to when she is creating her beautiful paper goods...

What kind of music do you listen to when you create? Don't listen to music? TV Shows? Movies?

When I am working on a project in Illustrator, I tend not to listen to any music. My mind is totally focused on designing and tweaking so outside noise sometimes overstimulates me. When I'm crafting and punching tags, etc I like to either listen to John Mayer and the likes... it relaxes me. When I sew, I tend to listen to the early jazz station on pandora. Maybe the sewing reminds me of my Grandmother (who was an amazing seamstress) and feelings of nostalgia get stirred up. Something about sewing while Ella Fitzgerald sings makes my old soul happy. :) 

Do certain genres of music affect your creative process?

I don't think any particular genres affect my creative process. But Lady Gaga might distract me from creating because I'd likely jump up and start dancing if she comes on. I can't help it.

How does music fit into your creative routine? 

Sadly, music has gone by the wayside for me these days but when I know I'm going to be working on something for hours I like to go to Pandora and pick a station I'm in the mood for. Hmm... answering these questions is making me realize how much strain I put myself under when working. It's probably counter-productive for my creative side!

Name some of your favorite artists/bands.

Some of my favorite artists and bands are: Lady Gaga, Modest Mouse, Sarah Bareilles, Coldplay... 

Thank you so much Dacia! 

Weekend Guide September 10 + 11

White Rock Local Market

Date: Saturday, September 10, 2011
Time: 8am - 1pm
Location: 702 N. Buckner, Dallas 75218
More Info: http://www.whiterocklocalmarket.com/
Etsy Dallas Members Participating: Dowdy Studio Wagon, La Alicia, Regal Cottage

Good 2 Go Taco

Date: Sunday, September 11, 2011

Time: 7am-3 pm

Location: 1146 Peavy Road, Dallas

More Info: http://www.facebook.com/good2gotaco

Etsy Dallas Member Participating: Dowdy Studio Wagon