Have You Met Chickenpants?

Closeup of the Chickenpants flock
Originally uploaded by absolutely small

NO!? Well you should.

A couple of years back, Claire Chambers of Absolutely Small and I sorta/kinda crossed paths briefly as fellow members of the Sacramento Craft Mafia. Unfortunately, just as I was leaving to focus more on my art gallery shows she was joining, so we didn't get to know each other much ... well, not at all, really.

Luckily though, Sacramento's creative community, while wide-spread, is tightly knit. Everyone seems to be within 0.5 degrees of separation, so I kept up on what Claire was doing through my other crafty friends like Tamie of Roxycraft and Amy of Peptogirl Industries. I also saw her creations showing up at second Saturday art shows in galleries like Side Show Studios and the now defunct Cool Cat Gallery. After a while, I found Claire (or maybe she found me?) on Flickr and I started keeping track more closely of the Chickenpants family.

In May, I accosted her while she was busy working at Maker Faire '09 and subjected her to a photograph (with me hidden safely BEHIND the camera). She said she didn't want her photo taken, but DANG she sure is cute!

So just about the time I though Claire had reached the peak of cuteness, July rolls around and I find out that she is taking part in Stitch Wars (somthing I'd have jumped on had I been paying attention and known about it). Wait. She'd cute AND geeky? Awesome. I posted a link to her Star Wars Chickenpants collection in a Scary CRAFT blog post and decided that this whole Chickenpants family needed a much MUCH closer look.

Yep. As I suspected. More geekery. Check out this video featuring Flight of the Conchords' Foux de Fafa.



Oh, and did I mention she has a pug? If Claire or the Chickenpants family gets any cuter or geekier, I may pop.

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Potter Mania hits Night of the Creators

June 09 "Night of the Creators"
Originally uploaded by Skelekitty (Krissi Sandvik)

My new "must have" item: super awesome Golden Snitch earrings by Lorrain of Rain's Embellishments!

She is creating a whole line of jewelry dedicated to the Harry Potter series in general, and to The Half-Blood Prince (Film of Book 6) specifically.  Check out her Half-Blood Prince earrings!  Oh boy oh boy!

How many minutes until the movie is released?

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You KNOW You Do It Too

A week back I posted a contest asking folks to post about how they break the rules in their artwork and crafts.  For the original post (and to enter) - clicky click right here.

A few people seem to think they're not qualified to enter.  I think they are dead wrong.  Therefore, I've decided two things today:

1. I'm expanding the scope of the contest from just art to ALL creative endeavors
   which brings us to:
   
2. I'm extending the deadline until Thursday night,
   so be sure to post a comment here or on the original post before I log in on Friday "morning" and you'll be entered to win a set of my new Loteria note cards - oh, and by then, I believe there will be two new additions to the set (angel & devil, of course!).  The winner will receive 6 cards of their choosing to be hand-embellished by yours truly.  Yes, you may mix/match or get 6 of the same design.  If you win, you call the shots.
   

This scope creep (thank you project management speak) occurred after I read a blog post by Bill Shafer, owner of Hyaena Gallery in Burbank.  A few readers missed the point of the post, thinking he was success-bashing or saying that big-name artists all suck.  On the contrary, Bill's well thought out and eloquent point was simply that, "you shouldn’t like something only because everyone you know likes it. Decide your own tastes [whether or not it's popular]..." (be sure to read the post for yourself too - don't take my word for it).  Which made me realize that my question should also encompass things like "I started a gallery so I could carry art that the mainstream hates, but that I love" or "I homeschool my kids" or "I'm a practicing atheist living in the Bible belt" et cetera. 

Now that you and I both have a broader view, I will ask again, "HOW DO YOU BREAK THE RULES?"  Even if you don't want the cards (you can pass them on to the next person in 'the hat,') I strongly encourage you to post for the benefit of your fellow creative types. 

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Night of the Creators - "scary" or "pretty" as you like it: TONIGHT

Tonight, we'll be treated with a really fun little project that the "Crafty Chica Creativity Cruisers" really loved on the 2009 floating art retreat. Our very own Yoli will be demonstrating a very simple, yet superbly awesome little silk scarf project using stuff you must certainly have around the house.


Yoli's "demo" scarves for the altered silk scarf tutorial/demo. You won't believe how easy they are to make!


I turned this baby out in less than 30 minutes on the Crafty Chica Cruise under Yoli's tutelage!

Silk scarves and the "magic ingredient" are available to anyone who would like to make one of their own for a supply fee of $3. Yoli will also have other supplies Psssst! If you have some favorite permanent markers (Sharpie, Copic, etc.) or a favorite color of alcohol ink, bring it with you. You might also want to bring any of your favorite stamps, fabric paints and/or permanent ink pads (like Staz On).

TONIGHT! Join us for Sacramento's original FREE craft night on Tuesday, March 31st, from 6-9pm (or any portion thereof) at Side Show Studios aka "a clean, well lit place to craft."

You know the drill: bring your project and your supplies and create as you are wont to do. All adults & mature "tween" artists, crafters and creatives of any type are always welcome! You can even use this time to get away from the drudgery of home, drama and the little ones and catch up on some of those magazines gathering dust. It's your time - use it as you please.

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Night of the Creators & FREE Movie Pass Giveaway TONIGHT

Hi there creative types, don't forget that TONIGHT is the very last Night of the Creators for 2008.  Be there and join Scary CRAFT's own "Sacred" Yoli Manzo, who will have some hand-molded sugar skulls ($1 supply fee each) for you to decorate, along with decorating tips, ideas and examples.  Bring some embellishments and make your own custom calaverita de azucar for your Dia de los Muertos ofrenda!  We'll even have some glitter glues, puff paints and a few other goodies available in the Scary CRAFT community supply box, but bring "extra" stuff and use this night as a great opportunity for a supply swap.

We're also excited to announce a giveaway!  To celebrate the 'dark' holidays and our successful first year of craft nights, Sacramento's own Movies on a Big Screen has generously donated two pairs of free passes to the The Rocky Horror Picture Show, showing this Friday night at 9:30pm (yep ON Halloween!).  MoBS has also donated two pairs of free general admission passes (psst!  They're showing Suspira at 7pm on Friday, and their list of other indie movies is mighty impressive). They have a MySpace page too, so go check out their blog!  Everyone in attendance is eligible to win, so what are you hemmin' and hawin' fer? 

Thanks for all of your support in our first year and be sure to stay tuned to our Scary CRAFT blog for tutorials, a Scary CRAFT auction and challenges during November and December.  Then we'll see you at the craft tables in 2009!

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Terroriffic Craft Projects with Madge Every Tuesday!

Hello my little scaries! Here is some really fun and super SCARY news I just posted on our craft group, Scary CRAFT's blog!

Thanks to Margot Potter's new craft blog, The Impatient Crafter, I've gotten what my old high school chum, Joe "Tex" Selby, calls 'bees in the head' - you know, like when you're playing with a cat and they're so excited that their head starts to quiver? That is me whenever I see a new FREE HALLOWEEN CRAFT PROJECT posting on her blog every week through the month of October!
You know what makes it even better? Madge is just one of the artists/crafters who post creepy craft tips, projects and ideas in the spirit of the season! Several cute & creepy creatives are participating in "Terroriffic Tuesday," the brainchild of Alexa, aka Swell Designer.  Be sure to link over to both the Madge's The Impatient Crafter and Alexa's The Swell Life and check all of the projects out, not the least of which is Madge's Crystal Web Collar Necklace (click on photo below) featured in week #1, which I think I may just be forced to make for myself.


Wouldn't this darling sparkler (complete with a little friend) make Morticia Addams jealous enough to kill?

A friendly note: Remember kids - always play nice! As with all blogs, tutorials and designs, please DO make 'em for yourself and your "fiends" and family, but DO NOT create or copy to sell or make a profit! If you want to copy or sell a copyrighted image or project, be sure to obtain prior written permission directly from the individual who originally created the design. Not sure if it's covered by copyright? ASK THE ORIGINAL BLOGGER!

We now return you to your regularly scheduled blogging.

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Skelekitty goodies ARE available on the web!

Skelly wanted me to remind y'all about some of the swag & merch out there with her cute little face on it:

First, in my Etsy shop, lots of handmade goodness:

Etsy: Your place to buy & sell all things handmade krissi.etsy.com

And also on Zazzle, coffee mugs, mousepads and more coming soon!

create & buy custom products at Zazzle

And on a non-skelekitty bit of news, look for a blog on Scary CRAFT tomorrow about the upcoming Night of the Crafters (with a very special guest!).

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Scary CRAFT's "Night of the Crafters" is tonight!

Don't forget, my little zombies! Join the ladies of Scary CRAFT -scariness optional- and create along with your pals tonight and on the 4th Tuesday evening of the month (Jan - Oct) from 6pm - 9pm!

The very generous Side Show Studios offers a bright, well lighted place for crafts with plenty of parking.

There's no admission fee and we have a community box o' goodies for you to pull from (or donate to) as well.

Tonight, Dy of DyMa Creations is doing a Make & Take Tutorial that will knock your socks hats off!

Little Black Hats by DyMa Creations!
Originally uploaded by krissi's stitchery & mexiphemera
(kits available for a small fee - must be reserved in advance)

Yoli and I hope to see you at the crafting tables!

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A Goth Seamstress's Delight!

My pal and fellow Scary Crafter, Melody of the Sugar Cube Society recently opened a new business called CrimSin Dark Arts, featuring creations from the twisted side of her personality (actually, I think both sides of her personality are twisted, which I why I love her so). Check out her newest creation!



There's only ONE of these precious little gems listed on her Etsy shop right now. However, something tells me that she just might have found a money-maker here - and at only $4, you won't be out much of your own green stuff to have a WAY cool (and safe!) way to carry your scissors to your favorite craft night! I bet if you ask nicely, she'll make more.

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Scary CRAFT's Night of the Crafters approacheth...

It's just over a week away - find out what's up for Sacramento's original craft night this month!

Scary CRAFT: August Craft Night - Little Black Hats & More!

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Yes, Virginia, There IS A Craft Night!

Fear not, fellow craftistas! We will be crafting with abandon tomorrow (Tuesday) evening from 6-ish to 9-ish at Side Show Studios!

Your lovely hostesses have decided to forego the challenge and the tutorial portions of our program, and have cleared the entire evening's schedule so that you, dear crafters, can focus on your projects in earnest! (Actually, as most of you know, I was under the weather, and Ms. Yoli was working like a dawg, so we were unable to update the blog and pimp out the features in the manner they deserve.)

So, without further ado....

NIGHT OF THE CRAFTERS (a B.Y.O.C. event*)
presented by Scary CRAFT and Side Show Studios
June 22nd (and every 4th Tuesday), 6:30 to 9pm
Side Show Studios
5635 Freeport, 6 - Sactown
(adults and mature teens only please - thank you for helping to give our Mommy-members the night "off")

*bring your own crafts ( and chair).

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The Amazing Colossal Art Show - B-Movie themed benefit for flood victims!

The Amazing Colossal Art Show is TOMORROW! What is it? you ask. Well I'll tell ya:

A “B-Movie”-themed art sale to benefit the flood victims in Franklin, IN, home of the Midwest’s second annual “B-Movie Celebration.” The Amazing Colossal Art Show will be hosted by Franklin’s adopted daughter and Sacramento's own local B-Movie goddess, The Queen of Trash!

Think rubber monsters, zombies, go-go girls, Mexican wrestlers, space girls in silver bikinis, paper plate saucers, giant robots, brains in jars, kung fu masters, skulls, death cars, radioactive insects and, of course, amazing colossal people!

Several local artists have donated works to this worthy cause, including:

The Scary-Art of Nicolas Caesar
C!nder
Lobo-Trash
Krissi Sandvik
JaredK
Samantha Marie Grove
Evie Turner
Barry Barnes
Jill Stafford
and MANY MORE!!!

Here’s the best part: ALL of the pieces will be under $100, and the majority will be $50 or under! The very air will abound with affordable art, jewelry and trinkets!

100% of profits will benefit the Johnson County Flood Relief Fund.*

Saturday, July 19^th, 6pm – 10pm
Vox Sacramento
Corner of X & 19^th
Sacramento

* unsold pieces will be shipped to Franklin, IN to be included in a silent auction in September.

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Skelekitty's Fave Blogs

So Skelekitty has been adding to her list of favorite crafty & artsy bloggers on a regular basis and has awarded the "Skelekitty Stamp of Approval" to the blogs listed on the right hand side of this very blog.

When you're cruisin' the web, check these folks out. You'll be glad you did! Also, if I'm missing a GREAT blog, please nominate them for the SK SoA!

• Threadbanger
• The Impatient Blogger
• Suzi Boneshaker
• Sew, Mama, Sew!
  
• Scary CRAFT blog (home of Sactown CRAFT NIGHT)
• Santa Clarita Craft Lab
• Sacred Snatch Designs
• Pimp Stitch
• Peptogirl (Handmade & Homebaked)
• Jaxx's Artgurl blog
• Janene Ford
• IKEA Hacker
• Girl Gone Thread Wild
• Diary of a Crafty Chica
• Creatress's Creations
• CRAFT:blog
• Collage Contessa
• C!nder
  

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Art Show and Benefit for the Midwest flood victims

Artists and art collectors, we have an AWESOME event coming up in a few short weeks to benefit the flood victims in the Midwest. Here's a quote from my beloved pal, The Queen of Trash, which got this all started:

FLOODING IN FRANKLIN, INDIANA

On a serious note, I have been very upset about the flooding in Franklin. Mister Lobo and I were in Franklin last year for the B-Movie Celebration. Upon arriving it looked like one of those small towns that only exist in the movies. Now, being that I'm The Queen of Trash, and quite prone to walking around in public in nothing but my corset and underwear, I was honestly expecting the angry mob to attack at any moment--but it never happened. In fact, something far stranger happened. They loved me!

Walking around Franklin on a Sunday morning, the old folks coming home from church waved and said "hello" and that they hoped that the festival was enjoyable. Almost anywhere else in the United States, I would be getting nasty glares, car horns honking, or perhaps even a piping hot cup of Starbucks to the noggin! They smiled and waved and as I got to know them, made me feel like I was part of the family. It boggled me to think that there was so much love and closeness in this community. If it weren't for the Cicadas (I'm terrified of bugs), I would have already packed up my things and settled there.

Now with the flooding, the town has been torn apart. They are bravely pulling together as the strong community that they are, but they need help. At the The B Movie Celebration this year, I will be donating many items to a silent auction, including a one of a kind, never to be made again, life cast of my bust! In the meantime, if you have anything that you can spare, I am asking you to please donate to the relief fund.

To further help with donations, The Q-o-T has rallied her artsy-type pals in Sacramento and elsewhere to donate artwork for a benefit show: The AMAZING COLOSSAL ART SHOW and benefit is a “B-Movie”-themed art sale to benefit the flood victims in Franklin, IN, home of the Midwest’s annual “B-Movie Celebration.” The event will be hosted by Franklin’s adopted daughter and our own local B-Movie goddess herself, The Queen of Trash, with an appearance by Mister Lobo!

Just think: rubber monsters, zombies, go-go girls, Mexican wrestlers, space girls in silver bikinis, paper plate saucers, giant robots, brains in jars, kung fu masters, death cars radioactive insects and, of course, amazing colossal people! Here’s the best part: ALL of the pieces will be very affordable (most under $100) and the majority will be $50 and under! The very air will abound with art, jewelry and trinkets that won’t put a dent in your wallet!

WE STILL NEED DONATIONS! There is still plenty of room for more art donations, so if you're interested, please e-mail me (art@krissisandvik.com) or Her Majesty (queen-of-trash@hotmail.com) and let us know. We are also in the market for a couple of sponsors to offset the venue fee and to provide some snackage, so if you know of some folks, please pass it on.

100% of profits will benefit the Johnson County Flood Relief Fund.*

Saturday, July 19^th, 6pm – 10pm
Vox Gallery Sacramento
Corner of X & 19^th
Sacramento

* unsold pieces will be shipped to Franklin, IN to be included in a silent auction in September.

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Take It Easy Kid, It's Only a Movie

For my younger friends (or those who weren't watching late night TV on Saturday nights during their youth), who haven't seen Hardware Wars, here you go: This is why those of us in the 35-45 age range get all goofy looking when we actually meet Ernie Fosselius.


HARDWARE WARS (1978), PART 1


HARDWARE WARS, PART 2

Not to mention why Ron and I crack up and shout "Tractor Beam!" every time we see one of these!


Oh, he worked on this, too!



Looking around at some of these sites, I see posts like "what's Ernie doing now?" He's working on some amazing little carvings - two were for sale in February at the Scary Art show at Grind & Groove in Sacramento, and we hope to see him at more shows in the future.

More on the wonderful world of Ernie ... NOW:
MAKE interviews Ernie
Ernie on BOING BOING
Fan photos of Ernies recent work

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Night of the Crafters is back!

It's that time again already! It's fourth Tuesday and that means it's time for Night of the Crafters in Sacramento.

This month, we'll be:

• looking at the creations resulting from the "monster" craft challenge from April
• announcing the craft challenge themes for June, July & August
• announcing the hands-on technique/tutorial for June
• CRAFTING (isn't that what it's all about?)
• and watching Miss Sam Marie use her scissors and a little magic to turn T-shirts like this:
  
  
  
  into T-shirts like this!
  
  HUBBA HUBBA! If you would like to craft along with Sam Marie, please bring a T shirt or another article of clothing for reconstruction, a pair of scissors, a needle and thread and anything you'd like to add to your new creation (beads, buttons, lace, etc.)
  

No matter what you'll be working on, be sure to bring your craft supplies AND A CHAIR! Last month's turnout was great, and we expect to have more people this month (so if you have a table too, we welcome it warmly). We'll see you at the:

NIGHT OF THE CRAFTERS
graciously hosted by Side Show Studios
May 27th (and every 4th Tuesday), 6:30 to 9pm
Side Show Studios
5635 Freeport, #6 - Sactown
(adults and mature teens only please - thank you for helping to give our Mommy-members the night "off")

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Woo Hoo! Now I can do something with those T-Shirts!

I'm excited that my pal Sam Marie Grove has agreed to grace the Scary-Art CRAFT crowd at our next craft night, Night of the Crafters, and show us how to do a little wardrobe refashioning!

Watch Sam use her scissors and a little magic to turn T-shirts like this:


into T-shirts like this!


HUBBA HUBBA!

Check out the Scary CRAFT blog for more info on Sacramento's original craft night, "Night of the Crafters" with Side Show Studios & Scary-Art CRAFT.

I wish you were ALL in Sacramento!

xo

K

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Don't forget, Sacramento...

tonight is the first NIGHT OF THE CRAFTERS!

Watch out for crafters with scissors, glue and zombie-like walks (or just give in and join us). Clicky the link above to find out how!

xoxo Krissi

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Learn the secrets of The Machine

Well, my sewing machine, anyway.

This Saturday brings with it the long-awaited show, "Taking Textiles Seriously" to Side Show Studios. Cy and Char, co-owners of this fine establishment have been wanting to showcase the textile arts for some time and announced last November that it would happen in the spring. Well, my friends, your patience has paid off!

Taking Textiles Seriously Art Reception!
6pm - 10pm
Saturday, April 12th
Side Show Studios Custom Tattoo & Fine Art Gallery
5635 Freeport Blvd., Ste. 6
Sacramento

The traditional craft of working with fibers arts (aka textile arts) like spinning, cross-stitch, knitting & quilting is enjoying a resurgence. What makes the current popularity more interesting than just another turn of the fashions-come-and-go wheel is that fiber arts are also experiencing a renewal. The generation who cut their teeth on punk rock & monster movies (a lot of whom are now stay-at-home Moms) are busy redefining what it means to be a textile artist. Case in point: happily mixed in with the traditional needle arts, you will find beaded 'paintings,' pirate costumes and, yes, quilts featuring holy cupcakes and maybe even cat skeletons (I wonder who makes those...).

But don't just come to see the finished artworks! This show is also special because several of the artists will be demonstrating their secrets! Here is the tentative schedule (I'll update it as any changes are made):

6:30 No Sew Catnip Toys by Evie of Evie's Ark, All Things Animal
Evie will show you how to make several kitty faves, including her "knotty catnip cat toy," a fun catnip "destructable" using leftover TP rolls and more!

7:00 No-Sew Patches by Yoli Manzo of Sacred Snatch Designs
Yoli will show you how she makes her own patches from fun prints and a product called "fusible web."

7:30 Bobbin Work by Krissi Sandvik
Krissi will demonstrate her technique for sewing with threads that are too thick to go through a needle. (Hint: she winds it on a bobbin and works from the back.)

8:30 Custom 'Coloring Book' Fabric by Kim Brownell
A fun way to make your own fabric designs! Kim will show you how to make "coloring book" pages on fabric that can be used in your quilts or other projects.

9:00 Free-Lace by Krissi Sandvik
Krissi will show you how to recycle your thread "garbage" into beautiful lacy art and fashions.

I hope to see y'all there!

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She'll probably kick my butt with her giant Amazon feet

...but I just had to share.

My pal Sara (aka the QoT) came over today after WAY too long of an absence so we could get super crafty. Well, I was supposed to get crafty and she claimed that she was incapable of doing crafts. My response was something like, "Pshhhhh!"

Of course, it was so nice today that we had to take the ’stang out for a spin first, with the top down (the car’s not Sara’s). After we finished terrorizing Folsom, we came home for a tasty lunch and a few episodes of Beavis & Butthead before setting to our projects. First, she got to observe two of the crafter’s best friends - the color copier and the 1" craft punch. She got a lesson in basic wire wrapping (and did pretty dang well right out of the gate) by adding skull beads to her kitties’ new collars. She reglazed a shrinky dink skelekitty necklace (of Welcome Home) that got goofed up and got to take the necklace home for her efforts.

And then we really got down to the business at hand. All I did was toss some polymer clay (the very awesome Sculpey Lite - 1/3 less calories than regular Sculpey) and some skull molds (mexicansugarskull.com) her way and off she went!

The molds left the skulls a little "soft" looking, so she improved on their features with some tools and then went to town with leftover wire from the kitty collars and a few nails that were in my workspace. I sort of pointed her in the direction of my paintbox, glitters and brushes, then went off to sew and swear (those two go together).

Check out what this self-proclaimed "non-crafter" turned out!

Aren’t they the cutest couple EVER? (Some of the glaze is still a little milky looking in this photo, but she had to go to work this evening...).

Here’s Mr. punky dude with a view of his awesome mohawk and lip ring:


A few more crafting sessions and I think I can get her to acknowledge her inner craftista.

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