19 posts tagged “art”

I'm not a political junkie, but OOOHHH, there's a new law here in the US that's making me angry.  Luckily they've put a stay on it, but we need to let them know that we want them to change it.

It's called the CPSIA.  It's designed to help protect toys from being contaminated with lead.  It will require the testing of anything that is or can be used as a child's toy to be tested for lead.  If it hasn't been tested by the CPSIA, then it's illegal to sell.  

Sounds good, right?

On the surface, yes, but if you read it, it's going to have terrible ramifications for a lot of people.  You might think this won't affect you.  You don't make plushies or dolls or anything that can be used as a toy, so you're good, right?  Nope.  What if you want to BUY handmade toys?  

You think, "Well, the makers should just get them tested, then - That's not hard, right?"
It is, because getting things tested for lead ain't cheap.  We're talking three or four figure numbers, here.  And the new restrictions posed by this law are so harsh that there's a lot of commercially made toys currently out that will be deemed unsafe, even though they're entirely non-toxic and haven't hurt anyone for YEARS.  The average independent, self-employed artist is lucky to make that amount in a month - Trust me, I know.  How much is the average rent/mortgage?  Utilities?  Food?  Do we have insurance?  Usually not.

Chances are good that those of you who sell or enjoy buying handmade plushies from cons aren't going to be able to anymore.  Parents or soon-to-be parents like me aren't going to be able to buy handmade toys for our little ones.  Traditional toy items like corn husk dolls and toy war shields - Made by my tribe. Yep, Crazed is a Native American, did you know that? - won't be able to be sold and thus put many traditional artists out of business.  Even Japanese temari balls can't be sold as toys because they can be used as a toy.  Art objects that were traditionally toys but are now made as replicas can't be sold under this law, including art dolls.  Even if they're made entirely of cloth, they still need to be tested.

So...  Kachina Dolls?  Important cultural and religious tribal item?  No longer are they used as toys, but they are "dolls".  They will be illegal to sell unless they've been tested.  Handmade rocking horses out of wood like my grandfather used to make?  Also illlegal.  Sock Monkeys?!  Those, too.

I know a lot of people who make and sell handmade toys and children's items for a living.  I want to be able to buy them for Lemony when she's old enough to have them because I want to buy local (well, as local as possible, in today's world, so that means buying things made in the US) and all-natural as much as I can.  Please read this article on Etsy and call your state senators.  Ask them to support amending this law because of how it will affect your life.  Don't forget to mention that it will put a lot of AMERICANS out of business in an already floundering economy where small businesses are closing down left and right.  It will impact a lot of our cultural heritage as well, Native American and otherwise.  Please call them or pass it on.  It only takes a minute.

And if you just want to call your senator right now, call ths number: (202) 224-3121 and tell them what state you are from and that you would like to talk to one of your senators.  That's the number for the Senate Switchboard.  Be polite, be nice, and in the end, thank them for listening to you.  It doesn't matter if you are of voting age or not.  This only takes a minute.  The switchboard was busy when I tried last time, so I'm going to hit redial on my cell in half an hour and try again.  It's that simple.

Please, please, please call.  We CAN make a difference.  We've ALREADY made a difference by signing petitions and getting this law put on hold for a few more months while people look it over.  We can change it.

Thank You,
Crazed

More tales from the Faire!

    First off, in case no one knows, half the point of chainmaile (and what first addicts us crazy maillers) is the sheer tactile joy of it.  It's made of metal, yet it's very soft, pliable, and collapseable.  It likes to be touched, and people love to touch it.  I constantly tell people that they're in a "Touching Booth", and that it's all right for the wee ones to walk up and play.  Besides, it's all made of metal, and chances are they aren't going to hurt it.  Crying babies are often quickly calmed when handed a small piece of aluminum maile to jingle and knead at.
    But Saturday we had a new experience in our tent.  Two ladies, one with a guide dog and the other wearing very corrective glasses, came in to "see" what we had.  The lady with glasses was helping the other along, and they were both having a great time, touching the different weaves and testing the weight of things.  The lady with the dog was totally blind, and Brian and I had the lucky chance to see her figure out European 4-in-1, the most common maile weave.  She had picked up a strip that I had been working on and using in demonstrations, and was running her fingers along it, feeling each ring and checking its orientation.  She was talking her way through it to herself, and suddenly went "Oh!  I get it!"  I handed her a patch of maile, and began nodding.  "Yep, I see it now," she said, "That's really clever!"  She then went beck to the necklace rack to check out the weaves again and figure those out.
    The moral - Chainmaile is for everyone!

Some things that have happened at the Faire today.  Oh, the things that happen when you're a Rennie!

First off, a group of men entered my booth - Probably my age, mid-twenties.  I was behind the counter, having a drink from my tankard with pliers, piles of rings and half-finished things scattered on the counter before me.  Brian wasn't even at the Faire at this time; he had a meeting downtown, and was attending it in full garb because he had to rush to get there. ^_^
Anyway, the guys were poking at the chainmaile, taking turns trying on the steel coif (I have a sign up saying they can) and generally having fun.  I was working on stretchy Byzantine bracelets, making the little "units" to be later strung together.  One of the men noticed this, and said idly (while poking at the sterling pieces), "Oh hey, you're helping out, that's really cool."
His friends saw me bristle, some of them going "Oooo...  Uh oh," and the like under their breath.  I know for a fact my eye twitched.  "Helping out?"
He was still not looking directly at me as he picked things up and looked at them.  "Yeah, it's good you're helpin' out making things and stuff."
"I'm not helping out, sirrah.*  This is my work.  I am the chainmailler."
He was shocked, and his friends were laughing at him.  "You really made this?  All of this stuff?"  I was a bit insulted that he was so shocked, but I was good; I feel I remained civil.
"Yes, I did.  Ring by ring, all of it."
The man looked around as though in a daze.  I think I broke him because he didn't seem to be able to fathom that a single person could do all of that, and especially because it's chainmaile, and especially not a girl.  He kept picking things up, asking questions, and I answered them all.  I even gave a quick lesson in how to make Euro 4-in-1 (the most basic of weaves, the weave everyone pictures when they think of maile).  I explained how scalemaile was made, showed them all the different kinds of pliers, pointed out different weaves and how they can be combined, which materials were good for what, properties of metals... 
I think I spent at least twenty minutes talking about maile to these guys, but things were slow and I think it was time well spent.  All the guys walked away with at least more knowledge about medieval armor and an appreciation of medieval vs. modern uses - I had to explain several times how it was not and never was stab-proof and no, it's not bullet-proof.  One man walked away, shaking his head and in awe that someone could be so crazy as to dedicate all their time to putting one ring next to another in an ancient art form that requires the patience of a saint, the hands of a surgeon, and stubbornness greater than steel.
And that someone is a girl.

Story Number 2 is a better story, and one that I'm still smiling about.
I was tending the booth (again alone) when a couple with a stroller came in to poke at the shiny things. In the stroller was an older girl toddler; not young enough to "need" a stroller, but still at an age where sudden tiredness may occur, and a stroller wouldn't be a bad thing to have handy. She was fast asleep.
The couple explained that they were going to go to the Steelers game with some friends (probably to tailgate) but their friends had bailed on them, so they decided to come to the Ren Faire instead. They had actually arrived not long ago (it was about 2:30 at this time). I made sure to tell them that the Friar always knows the score, and he could keep them updated. While I was explaining where different stages were and what shows would be good for the whole family, their little girl woke up. She looked at me and froze. Her eyes were huge. I thought, "Oh, no - this little girl just woke up and the first thing she sees is an unfamiliar, strangely-dressed woman wearing lots of metal. She is going to scream."
The little girl gasped, and said, "Mommy, it's a princess!"
I about died on the spot. I started to laugh, thanked her, and said I wasn't a princess (I'm sure I was beet red). I explained that the Princess has an even prettier crown and a prettier dress, and that she could see them if they went to the joust. The little girl asked who I was, then. "I'm the chainmaile lady. I make chainmaile." I grabbed an in-progress mantle to show her what it was.
She touched it and said, "Knights wear this! You make what knights wear!"
I smiled and nodded, and said, "And someday, I'll learn to make a whole suit of armor."
She gasped, "Really? You could DO that?"
"Yep." ^_^
Her parents were happy (her mom, especially), and then realized they had to run to get to see a show they were planning on catching, now that they knew where it was.
I waved as they left, almost able to see the visions in the little girl's head of a female Vulcan, giant hammer in hand, forging mighty suits of armor and huge swords to go with them.
And I felt really, really cool.

That's it for today! ^_^ I'll try to remember more stories and post them during the week.
Later!
Crazed

*sirrah - formerly a contemptuous term of address to an inferior man or boy; often used in anger - In case you're wondering, no, no one in the tent aside from me knew that I was using an insult, but it made me feel better.  Catty and immature, I know, but I was ready to take someone's head off with those pliers and antiquated insults do very little physical harm.  Pliers, especially in the right/wrong hands, are another story.

I've been collecting pop tabs for months, now...  At least since Christmas.
Recently I received a pleasant surprise when I discovered that the tabs harvested from out latest D&D game wouldn't fit into the slot of my tab bucket.  It's not really a bucket, mind you - It's a plastic container that I think once held cottage cheese.  I just wish it was a bucket.
Anyway, I wondered just why the tabs wouldn't fit, so I opened it and discovered that it was full!  I then realized that there was a small pile of tabs around the base of the container.  Apparently my subconscious had known it was full for a while, but has decided to be sneaky and keep that information from my brain.  It's tricky like that.
Anyway, I excitedly washed and sorted through all the tabs, making sure there were no really sharp bits and whatnot before I got down to business.
This is the business of which I speak:  A scalemaile purse and a woven Rexlace bracelet!
These are both, as usual, for sale in my Etsy Shop for anyone who might be interested.
But I still have more tabs just waiting to be made into cool things!

Later!
Crazed

I am going crazy with chainmaile and marbles, both round and flat.  I can do pretty things, gothy things, vaguely-Victorian things, techno things...  ^_^ Theyr'e so fun!
And they are also for sale on my Etsy Page.  I've only got a few things up from this batch so far, but hopefully I can get everything up there next week.  Some of the pictures I took today looked kinda blurry, too...  Gotta re-do those; they looked fine in the camera.
In other crafty news, I got a little cheap Xylon Sticker-Maker! ^__^ I do like me some stickers, and I got some circle (and 1 square) punch to make life a little easier for me.  I got some Mod-Podge, too (thanks, Lost Mitten!). I'm wondering if I can put some pretty or shiny paper behind the clear glass flat marbles to make some really nifty maille-wrapped pendants.  Something to dress them up a bit, you know?
Anyway, we're visiting the in-laws tomorrow, and it's a bit of a drive, so I've got to get to bed...

'Night!
Crazed

I'm a sucker for handflowers, I really am, and since I live barefoot as much as I can, the barefoot sandals are a must for me, too.
Although I can (and have) made the traditional mostly beaded handflowers, I like the all-maile ones better. ^_^ They're fun, they're jingly, and they've got rubber rings on the base so you don't have to worry about fiddling with a clasp while you're tying to keep the chain ring on.
The barefoot sandals have a small-sized hair elastic for the toe ring, because I've made them with chain for me and it just doesn't hold up well.  Also, it gives you a nice, snug fit so they're not drifting under your foot or getting caught in your flip-flops (I like to wear mine over my shoes, too).
And yes, these are for sale on my Etsy page.
I'm off to make more chainmaile!

Later!
Crazed

I finally got my hands on some Swarovski crystals! *dances*
They're so pretty and sparkly and I can't say enough good things about them!  If you've heard of "ferret shock", you have a good idea of what sparkly things do to me.  My awesome husband did a silly but wonderful thing by saying (whilst I was standing in front of the crystals in Pat Catan's) "Get whatever you need."  Silly, silly, man.
Although he helped me pick some out!  In fact, this necklace here was his idea.  He loves the crystal snowflakes, and picked out all the crystals and the sterling clasp, too.  The sterling chain bits were my idea, and as far as I know, the weave is a personal invention, although I wouldn't call it a "new weave".  If any maillers out there are familiar with Camelot and Celtic Visions, this is a Camelot-ified version of Celtic Visions, and it can apparently be sheeted. ^_^
As always, if you're interested in "Flurry" you can buy this in my Etsy shop.  The chainmaile bits are made from bright aluminum rings, and it was a jaw-dropper at the festival.

So, lots of new things to toss up here in the next few days.  I made a pile of things in preparation of the Fairy Festival, and have a day of taking pictures and posting on Etsy lined up for tomorrow.
But dinner smells almost finished, so I'm going to see if I can help with the table or maybe get a few more links of the crystal necklace I'm working on finished up before the food is done...

Later!
Crazed

There's a craft show here in Pittsburgh that just started up, and they're lookin' for crafters!
Their first event was last month, and I tried it out.  It was my first craft show ever, and I think I did pretty good, especially since it seemed pretty out-of-the-way to me.
But this month things are different!  The event will be held outside, rain or shine, in Braddock.  Check the poster I've got up here for info.
As I recall, the cost is $10 if you can bring your own table, $15 if you need to use one of theirs, and you can even pay through PayPal.
If you've got a site or an Etsy page, they'll link to it on their MySpace page, too! ^_^
So, if you're in or around the Pittsburgh area and feel like selling, please sign up!  The girls running it are doing a great job of advertising it, I think (Channel 4 News was at the first event!) and it's only getting bigger.  I hear the new Mayor of Braddock is big on bringing in art and culture, which is why he's all for this show, which I think is awesome.
See you there! ^_^
Crazed

Today we went to the Ren Faire grounds here in Pittsburgh and looked over some of the pre-built structures and the open spots. It was kind of eerie being there with no costumed performers or vendors. All the shops were shuttered and many had vines crawling over them from being unused in two years. It really looked like a ghost town and I kept expecting to see a peasant walking by or something, but there was no one there but us and some workers fixing up the jousting ring.
But we found Our Spot.
Right now it doesn't look like much. It's a patch of ground in the forest area, sort of raised with some chunky bark laid down on the ground and back against a hill with a little bit of slate in the front forming a kind of mock foundation. There's a nice, shady tree overhanging it and even a little wood step going up to it, and we're near the pub that will be revamped with a pirate theme.
It really doesn't look like much and I wasn't that interested in it when I saw it from the Festival Organizer's SUV, but when I wandered over from one of the pre-built structures that we had been looking at (its former vendor had sort of abandoned it) and actually stood in the space it just felt right and I KNEW that this was the right place. There's an energy there that I like, and it feels really familiar in a wierd way. The lady showing us around understood completely, which I thought was very cool. She said that a lot of people think they know what they want, but when they get there they'll find a place and just Know that this is where they Belong. Their Spot.
And now we've got one.
Because we're renting the spot, we are allowed to build on it. It is expected by the guy that now owns it that should we return next year that we will be building a real structure on that space that we will keep until we decide to stop vending at the Faire. When that happens we can take the building down, sell it to a new vendor who is interested in the spot, or just abandon it and let the Festival lease it to a new vendor.
I would really like to have a real roof over my head (tis a rain or shine thing), but for now I'll settle for some solid wood planking to put a tent on. I've been to that Faire enough to know that it isn't fun at all when it rains, and I felt so bad for the vendors with just dirt under them - Things got so muddy and they had puddles right in their booths!
So a wood platform for me, please! I'll be talking to my step-dad later (he is a carpenter) and see what advice he can give me. Once the spot is paid for we can go down and work on it during weekdays from 9 to 5. ^_^ I can't wait to get started!
The other really signifigant thing about this is now I have a picture in my head.
Before things happen, especially big things like craft shows or whatnot, I have a picture in my head of how things are going to happen. They've never precise, I'm no good at prognosticating, but they're really close. In situations where I don't have any pictures in my head, the event in question usually doesn't happen, which is the wierd bit. It gets rained out, or something unexpected pops up and we can't go, etc.
Before I stood in that spot, I didn't have a picture in my head. It was starting to bother me. The event is months away, and even though I tried to form a picture nothing was coming forward, just grey smoke/fog. When I stood in what is now Our Spot, when I first looked out onto the little road and at the vendors buildings facing me, I saw it. I saw in my mind people walking by, the other vendors selling, a juggler entertaining some children; hell, I could even hear some singing coming form the pub! I heard my feet step on planking that wasn't there, and I even got a glimpse of how the shop will be laid out. This didn't happen in the spots we looked at before. The feeling wasn't there, and there were no pictures, no sense of place or anything. Just weeds and some lonely spiders.
Call it what you want, but I've got a good feeling about this. ^_^

Later,
Crazed

Wow, I feel so wierd and... Adult-like.
So, what's been going on with Crazed?  Lots of crazy, crazy stuff!  The craziness is because the business seems to be taking off!  There's a Fairie Festival coming up on June 9th and 10th at Cooper's Lake here in PA.  Any of you Pennsic SCA-types out there should know your way there blindfolded, I'd imagine! ^_^ But I got into the Fairie Fest today!  So I will be peddling my chainmaile wares there in an "Emerging Artists" (read:Noob) Tent with 2 other crafters, I believe.
It should be fun - It's like a Ren Fest but more relaxed and not terribly inclined to be historically accurate.  And there's pirates!  So that's awesome.  I also got a call from a gay pride shop in Arkansas and they want me to do a bit of wholesale with my stretchy maile bracelets! ^_^
So yes, business is keeping me busy as Hell and there's so much to keep track of!  Not to mention the looming Ren Faire and the monthly I Made It! shows.  Those shows are great to keep some cash in the pocket and to get my name out there.  Some people who were at the first I Made It! recognized my little bun-pelli trademark and were all excited to see me in a real show as opposed to a flea market.
So yeah - Busy busy busy busy.  And there's a maile skirt deadline coming up (we're working on it) and we've got the supplies for a stainless halter top coming tomorrow! *faints*
But I feel all weird and responsible because I have speadsheets in Excel to track things, itemized deductions, etc etc etc... It's so odd.  I don't want to be a responsible adult! T_T But I do need money for supplies and that pesky student loan, so I guess this is the trade-off.  Who knows?  Maybe someday I'll have a real storefront, a REAL SHOP.  That would be so many flavors of cool.
So where can you stalk Crazed?
The Western PA Fairie Festival, June 9th and 10th
The I Made It! Sunday Market in Pittsburgh, June 24
The Pittsburgh Renaissance Festival, Weekends in August/September
See you guys there!

Later,
Crazed