"If you ask me what I came to do in this world, I, an artist, will answer you: I am here to live out loud." ~ Emile Zola
After months of being unable to sit and create, I was able to start some sewing projects this week! Working on some new bags for an upcoming show I am doing, the Craft-O-Tron All Fools Ball! this Sunday. This will be my first show since before the holidays, and only my second show since early last summer. I feel both nervous and excited! To maximize time, I've adopted an assembly line approach to make a bunch of totes and pouches made entirely from vintage, antique and thrifted fabrics and trim (many of which I've found at Creative Reuse Pittsburgh). Almost all of my threads and zippers are recycled, too. Most of the fabrics have been hand dyed by moi. :) 
Sooo, I start by choosing a fabric, cutting pieces, then laying out bits of embellishments to plan out the design- each one is original and one-of-a-kind. I do this for several bags at once, then iron all pieces and sort. Step two involves pinning and sewing the embellishments on the front panel of each bag. After sewing the front and back panels together, I get to any hand sewing of buttons or various delicate pieces onto the front. Next comes cutting, pinning and sewing straps. I cut and sew the lining, fit it inside the outer panels, then add the straps. Voila!
Hope you're able to come out and see my new goodies this weekend! Happy handmade, and happy spring!
Just got done vending at a string of awesome shows over the past few weeks! Lots of interesting venues, environments, people, handmade eye candy, and colorful sights! :) Thanks so much to Steel City Rockers vs. Mods, to PCC for a terrific Crafts N'At, to Friends of Ohiopyle for a delightful weekend at Music in the Mountains, and to the Steeltown Shakedown for the most colorful, old skool-ified weekend I've had in a while. :) And a big welcome and fat 'thank you' to all of my new customers!
Check out some of the best sights!
Cuties in the Rockers vs Mods pin-up contest!
Testing my new display setup at Rockers vs Mods.
Adorable rocker baby with her rocker daddy (who just happen to be my brand new niece and brother-in-law- lol).
The fabulous space and artisans at the Pittsburgh Craft Collective's annual show, Crafts N'At!
Can you believe this view of the Monongahela River from my tent at Ohiopyle' Music in the Mountains? It looks photoshopped! It was beautiful!
Crafty pal Rachel in her flirty and fabulous hand-altered dress at Steeltown Shakedown (that she helped organize). You should see the awesome flame applique she handsewed onto to the bag to match her sweetie's car! :) 
Old-skool cool!
This weekend will be my last show until the holidays! Come and check me and lots of other fabulous local artisans out at Art Harvest on Sunday, September 26th from 12-5 at the East End Food Co-op! :)
I will be vending at two fabulous upcoming car and motorcycle rallies over the next month! Woohoo! My craft business, SilentLotus Creations, is teaming up with other Pittsburgh indie crafter to vend our handmade wares alongside hot rods, pin up girls, live music, prize givaways, old school good times, and the coolest of the cool around Pittsburgh! The 1st Annual Steel City Rockers vs. Mods on August 21st (this Saturday!) and the Steeltown Shakedown on Sept. 11th are two events you definitely won't want to miss!
Mention this blog post when you visit my booth to save $2 off every $10 you spend! Hope to see you there!
1st Annual Steel City Rockers vs. Mods Vintage Motorcycle & Scooter Rally
Pittsburgh's first vintage motorcycle and scooter rally! Get out the gear, polish up the Nortons, Triumphs, and BMWs or Vespas, Lambrettas,and Allstates (depending on your allegiance) and commemorate this unique period in Motorcycle history with the First Annual Steel City Rockers vs. Mods! Join us for a one-of-a-kind rally featuring bands, DJs, a pin-up-girl contest, raffles, tattoos, entertainment, vendors, and of course, lots of bikes! Special guest judges will be on-site to distribute awards to both motorcycles and scooters. Come on out and help us make this event one to remember! A portion of our proceeds will benefit Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh's Hard Head Patrol.
Visit http://steelcityrockersvsmods.com for more info!
Steeltown Shakedown, hosted by The Drifters Car Club
On Saturday, September 11, The Drifters will be hosting the 5th annual Steeltown Shakedown at the Twin Hi Way Drive-In on Route 60 in Robinson Township. This all day car show is open to all pre-65 rat rods, hot rods, and custom cruisers. Shop the vendors and enjoy the various raffles, flamethrower contest, pin up contest, and live music. If that isn’t enough for, then prepare yourself for a one night only showing of a true vintage movie when the sun goes down. Bring your old ride and help us celebrate the 76th anniversary of the very first drive-in movie theater the only way we know how: ol’ skool.
Visit www.steeltownshakedown.com for more details.
Getting all prepped and juiced up for a three-day weekend of crafty vending coming up at the end of this week! Woot! :) Come and check me out there, along with lots of my talented fellow crafters. Hope to see you there!
SouthSide Works Exposed is an outdoor bazaar and music festival celebrating summer and the arts in Pittsburgh. The setting for this event is in and around the Town Square of the SouthSide Works.
More than 70 local artists and craftspeople will be selling handmade wares including ceramics, photography, paintings, jewelry, clothing, nat...ural body products, woodworked games and more.
Each day features food from SouthSide Works restaurants, drinks, music and traveling entertainers – and a dedicated area for kids!
To learn about the excitement and to see a sample of the artisans, visit http://www.imadeitmarket.com/ or http://www.southsideworks.com.
We went, we vended, we bought, we roasted. Fellow Steel Town Etsy members Tam of Barker's Herbs & Heirlooms, Kathryn of Go Carr Go, and I (SilentLotus Creations) headed to Lawrenceville this past Saturday to take part in the charming and eclectic Little Flea! The Lawrenceville Little Flea is a weekly neighborhood marketplace that happens every Saturday at 36th & Butler, with rotating local vendors of both typical flea market fare and handcrafted goods. From 8am - 3pm, the three of us peddled our handmade creations and vintage goods in the sweltering heat with 12 other vendors, using the temp and hot sun as an excuse to seek out thirst- and tummy-quenching treats from Butler Street's yummy coffee and bake shops (thanks for the iced soy chai and vegan cupcakes, Espresso A Mano and Dozen). :)
Some of my jewels crafted from vintage jewelry components and findings.
Tam indulges my picture-taking urges and oversees our tent. :)
Kathryn's fabulous paper-cutting work!
The other vendors were in good spirits, chatting and laughing with one another and with flea shoppers. It was great to meet the friendly bunch, who provided us with some handmade, vintage, and thrifted bargains when we needed a break from our tables. I found an old rocking chair and vintage pieces to use in my jewelry making. :) There were clothes, dishes, photographs, textiles, chairs, tools and hardware, and plenty of supplies for upcycled art and craft projects. Chris from Signworks managed to sell a ginormous disco ball- wish I had a picture of that guy rolling away his enormous (seriously, I betcha two people could curl up inside) purchase, the glass tiles flashing in the sun and blinding passersby. lol
Little Flea.
Customers were friendly, too, and curious, quick to ask questions, join in a conversation, and or express support of our wares. Sales were okay, but I'm told there has been a much better turnout in previous weeks. And, in any case, I witnessed plenty of folks carrying their finds happily away. Like any market, success ebbs and flows on any particular day. I'd definitely recommend giving Little Flea and the Lawrenceville area shops a visit as either a vendor or shopper. It was a great day, and the rotating vendors promise new treasures every week!
Tamara's unique steampunk creations made with upcycled materials.
My original art prints and magnets.
