About a show: The More Than Metal Show

For the past few months I worked relentlessly to put produce a very successful jewellery show here in Toronto.

The show went great, just really tiring. I'm planning on doing it again, but with more help next time for sure. I did all the website stuff, press copy and releases, ad, postcard and poster design, door-to-door flyering (I was really paranoid about getting the word out effectively), getting sponsors, performed the catering etc. etc. OMG.

The funny thing is that the show was partially conceived out of frustration with my experience with a lot of craft shows - I wanted to put on a show that would suit my type of work and others like me, but of course I had no time at all to man my own table. Very ironic.

I only had a chance to take a small handful of photos, but you can see the ones I got with the help of a friend here some photos One of the participants blogged about it too http://sahetahscrazedwritings.blogspot.com/2011/07/more-than-metal-show.html

I mean, everyone looks like they had a good time and all of the written feedback I got from the artists says they had a very positive experience so I'm relieved.

Toronto Erotic Arts & Crafts Fair

My Secret Music Box will be at the Erotic Arts & Crafts Fair this Saturday at the Gladstone. Remember, romance is erotic too! It looks like a good day to be at the Gladstone Hotel; Skin Tight Outta Site Rebel Burlesque will be performing downstairs, too.

Erotic Arts and Crafts Fair
Saturday, February 12, 2011

NOON – 8:00pm
The Gladstone Hotel
1214 Queen Street West
Toronto
Admission: FREE
http://www.eroticartsandcrafts.com

This weekend: Make your own music box & the Wandering Winter Craft Show

I'll be running a workshop today to teach 5 or 6 people how to build a real mechanical music box using my DIY Music Box Kit. No flimsy paper strips here, this is the real deal with a mechanical wind up movement at its core. This happens from 2-3 PM at the City of Craft event. If you miss the event you can also pick up a kit at one of my favourite shops, the Wise Daughters Craft Market in the Junction at 3079 Dundas Street West.

 do it yourself music box kit - supplied by Tuned Teeth Music Box Supply Company

available at Wise Daughters Craft

THEN on Sunday December 19th, I'll be doing my last gift show of the year at the Gladstone Hotel Wandering Winter Craft Show. The Wandering Winter Craft Show happens from 10-4 PM.This is just down the road from City of Craft and happens at the same time, so it's a good chance to hit two excellent craft shows at once if you're in the neighbourhood.

December, already?

Getting things back in gear again after the Danforth East Arts Fair, which was such a great show.

I got a "no" from City of Craft (again) so yes that was very sad, but later on the same day - a big ole "we are happy to announce" from the 16th annual CBC show so that was heartening. I was so relieved, I was able to get all philosophical about it too. It's important to find the right show for your particular product and the jurying process usually helps with that step, though it may not feel that way at the time.

I saw the vendor list for the CBC show and recognized a few other names, including two whose wares I had my eye on at the DECA show last weekend; Kynk Natural Hair & Skin Care  and Coy Clothes, so I know it's going to be great. There are 62 vendors in total, plus a fair trade market.

Oh and in honour of Dec 1st World HIV/AIDS Day, vendor fees and a day of donations at the CBC Craft Sale will go to Unicef and directly to Child Protection around the world, which includes testing and prevention for mothers, babies and children.

December is going to be so busy, and it all starts now too. I'll also say, although it is only almost official, that though I won't be a vendor at this year's City of Craft, my little supply shop is in plans to be one of the sponsors, and I'll have the opportunity to spread the word about how fantastic music boxes really are.

The Burlesque Bazaar - a sneak peek and a coupon

It's the last night before the Burlesque Bazaar and my last chance to lure to you my table. Here's a little peek at some of my newest work.

Mariposa: A blue butterly themed music box pendant with vintage metal butterflies and silver swallow detail.

This already spoken for peice, may be scheduled for a trip to the U.K.! 

 Sweet Hibou: I love this owl's little face peeking out in front of leaves. He is part of my new Woodland Collection.

Sweet Heart Locket for your sweetheart. Pink glass drops and vintage faux pearls, this locket is part of my Clockwork Fantastica Heirloom Collection.

And finally here's the coupon for show attendees:

I hope to see you there,

Ola

I'll be at ** The Burlesque Bazaar Trunk Show & Sale **

Ladies and Gentlemen, come get your Valentine's goodies at The Burlesque Bazaar! We have everything from pasties, jewelry, fascinators, lingerie and even Japanese Rope Bondage Lessons!!

Workshop Schedule - each workshop is $5 to participate

Crash Course in Tango (BASIC BEGINNER TUTORIAL) 11:30am

Stocking Tease Workshop w/Esther De Ville - 2pm

Belly-Dance Burlesque Workshop w/Emmanuelle La Gitane - 3pm

Japanese Rope Bondage Lessons - 4pm

There will also be a swap meet area open to all Burlesque Dancers and Glamour Enthusiasts alike!!! Bring your old costumes, jewelry, supplies or fascinators to trade and barter with!!!

Cover: PWYC (suggested $2)
Featuring:
UvKITTY Handmade Hair Accessories Bows and Jewellry! 
At Home Vintage Love!
Clockwork Fantastica Handmade Musical Jewellery!
Love Poetry Corsets!
Jaloux!
Kaotic Ekkos Curiosities!
Decadent Betty Handmade Sweets!
Cherry Riot Alternative Fashion Accessories!
Kiss This Boutique!
Fashion Whore!
Cinched Tight Corsets!

Queen West Love-In

Gentle Readers! It's Saturday night. I'm finally getting around to sharing some pictures of our day at the Art Crawl. I got a ton of love at my table from people I've loved almost my whole life. Thank you for supporting me! Every couple of hours there would be a familiar face approaching my booth; it made my day when this happened.

Mr Man helped me run things at an even keel, even on Sunday when most of the Trinity-Bellwoods neighbourhood converged on the park towards mid-day, snapping up some of my favourite pieces too.

A lot of people's faces broke into great big smiles and wide eyes when, after approaching my table and looking at the pendants & pins on display they were told "you can wind them up you know - they are mechanical music boxes that you can wear." (Me and the mister joked about a drinking game based on my booth and the phrase "Ahhhh So Cute!!!")

This was my first show presenting my own work - I'm ridiculously happy to say "they love me! they really love me!"


I'm setting up my booth a few hours before the show

A vintage Japanese lacquered music box presents my business cards.
A ballerina music box holds my miniature creations.

Booth D27


My silent familiar looks on from her perch. "chirp"

Meet me at the Queen West Art Crawl Booth D27

I've been itching to announce that my work has been accepted into the Queen West Art Crawl show and sale happening on September 19th & 20 - two short weeks away. It's the arts event of the season featuring downtown artists and it happens in Bellwoods Park, nearby the Plucked Pins home and headquarters.

I live in an apartment in a converted Victorian house in my city's Little Italy. It's a good place to be. My favourite time to work is Sundays outside when everything is steeped in quiet and mild early morning sunshine, when the older people who live in my neighbourhood take their walks in twos with slow care. It's the time of day that requires no translation if you were a child in Italy once but find yourself now across the ocean in your 70's in Canada.

Of the different pieces I've been preparing for the show, I've really been enjoying filigree and floral themes the most lately. Here are a few examples in those styles that I'll be bringing to the Art Crawl.

These pendants have winding keys on the reverse side that operate the mechanical music boxes that they contain. The filigree pendant plays a song called Love Story. The sunny yellow pendant and the pretty pink one are decorated with vintage floral findings and they play You Light Up My Life.