Vender Calls & Deadlines

Via the TCA: Saturday August 13 the Bloorcourt BIA will be putting on a streetfair to fill the streets between Shaw and Dovercourt (on Bloor) with crafty goodness. There are some places left for venders.


Bloorcourt Arts and Crafts Streetfair
August 13, 2011
Craft fair: 11am – 7pm (Streetfest: 11am -10pm)
Shaw to Dovercourt along Bloor
http://bloorcourt.com/

::::APPLICATION::::

Wanna participate? Return your completed questionnaire (cut and paste into an email with ‘APPLICATION’ in the subject line) to: bloorcourtcraft@gmail.com

Your name:
Email:
Company Name:
Website (if any):
Phone Number:
What type of stuff do you plan to sell at the show:
Price range of goods:
Space/table requirements (choose one):

+ Space only ($40). If this is your choice, please describe how you plan to display your goods – i.e. what type/size display you plan to bring.
+ Table and two chairs ($45)

Note: additional chairs can be rented for $2 each. If you need any, please let me know here.

Did you want to be seated beside anyone else who is applying? (please provide their company name)*:

If you want to be awesome, you can attach a 150 x 50 pixel web graphic to display on the vendor page with the questionnaire. Otherwise I will ask for this later (if you make it in to the show).

*I will try to accomodate booth neighbour requests as best I can!
_______________________________________________________________________________

CITY OF CRAFT


Via the TCA: Applications for the December 2011 event are now open!
They will stay open through Midnight EST on August 31, 2011.
Hooray!

First, Read the Application FAQ

Then, APPLY!

Questions? Contact cityofcraft at gmail dot com. Also, you can stay on top of application announcements and deadlines by siging up for our participant email list, joining our facebook group, or following our tweets on Twitter.

We are really looking forward to seeing what you’ve been making Toronto (and beyond)!

Happy Crafting,

City of Craft
_______________________________________________________________________________
Via Canada Arts Connect: Something a little different!

The Last Savage – art show and literary reading / memorial service for Randy “Macho Man” Savage Naco Gallery, Toronto, November 2011.

Curated by Nathaniel G. Moore featuring readers David Brock, Spencer Gordon and several visual artists to be announced.

The art show and reading will celebrate the life of Randy Macho Man Savage, and anyone else for that matter that made your life a little easier as a child. Participants are encouraged to draw or write short pieces exploring sentimental or trivial heroes from their childhood. For me wrestling was just one little item, and now it is more a fond memory of that summer passion, to become something extraordinary , to be an invincible champion, even if it was just in my backyard, and to get excited about the maniacal fantasy of pro wrestling, that’s it, nothing more. It was never more than a doodle day dream, a way of counting sheep to fall asleep, but instead of sheep it was off the top rop flying elbow drops. I’ve been collecting commissioned drawings of Savage for the last 3 years and this show will showcase that work. The reading portion of the night will take the form of a “live” anthology of childhood hero poetry or prose.I’m looking for work that celebrates infantile and juvenile memories. So find your own Randy Savage, write something and get in touch with me about being a part of this show.

Deadline is 3RD September, 2011. Send stuff to bowlbrawl '@' gmail.com
_______________________________________________________________________________



Via akimo: THE TORONTO AFFORDABLE ART FAIR
APRIL 19-22 2012
METRO TORONTO CONVENTION CENTRE

Presented by the Toronto Art Expo, going into its tenth anniversary edition, the show that has brought unparalleled opportunities for artists and in the last few years, attracting major world galleries and publishing houses, will once again occupy Toronto's premier art venue, the MTCC in the Spring of 2012. Do not miss this opportunity to be part of the most unique and elegant art fair in Canada, combined with renowned marketing support to promote your art business through sales and contacts.

"The Toronto Art Expo presents one of North America's most elevated platforms for doing the business of art, we were most impressed by their organization and promotional passion."-Masterpiece Publishing.

"The 2011 show was my best yet, the sales just keep coming"-James Lane, Artist

"I wish to thank .....the Toronto Art Expo, for their expertise and excellent organizational skills, in promoting Canadian Artists by creating a venue which attracts art lovers, connoisseurs, curators, and International interest and favour". Gary Barnhart-Sculptor

See http://www.torontoartexpo.com/2011/virtualgallerypages11/barnhart.html for full blog.

Jury and price guarantee deadline Sept. 15th
For more information call 416-265-6988 or toll free 1-866-228-4238
www.torontoartexpo.com info@torontoartexpo.com
www.torontoaffordableartfair.com info@torontoaffordableartfair.com

_______________________________________________________________________________
Also OCAD U Alumi are invited to submit to the 2012 Alumni show. Deadline: December 1, 2011.



_______________________________________________________________________________
The Bazaar of the Bizarre FALL 2011 - Vendor Application

What: A Halloween Marketplace
When: Sunday Oct 23, 2011
Where: 6 Noble Street, Toronto -------------------------------------------------------------------
Artists, clothing designers, craft-folk, publishers and other independent makers of all things creepy, exotic, whimsical and macabre are encouraged to join us for this marketplace of curious crafts, to be held Sunday, Oct 23, 2011 at 6 Noble Street (Queen West of Dufferin). -------------------------------------------------------------------
Apply now! Space is limited. -------------------------------------------------------------------
1. Your payment is your commitment to participate in this event and, as such is non-refundable.
2. In the event of cancellation of this event due to circumstances beyond our control, table fees will be refunded but Plastik Wrap is not liable for any other expenses
3. Note that vendors are responsible for staffing and decorating their own tables/booths
-------------------------------------------------------------------

Made by Hand Show - deadline August 15th

Vendor Call: The Made by Hand Show is a showcase of all things handmade, showcasing the work of 150 talented artists and crafters. The second round of jurying has begun, and we are continuing to recruite handmade vendors to join us at our event on November 5th at the International Centre (Derry Road & Airport Road) in Mississauga. We welcome artisans of all categories. The deadline to apply is AUGUST 15, 2011.

Why vendor at this event?
1.  Made by Hand is a large handmade only show featuring over 100 quality handmade vendors
2.  It’s at the International Centre (well-known venue, has held some of Canada ’s largest and most popular events. This is a highly visible venue with a high potential to attract pass-by customers.)
3.  Reasonable Booth Rates & spacious booth sizes $160 (plus HST) which includes a 10’ x 10’ area with a 8’ table and two chairs. (Limited $90 (plus HST) Booths, please inquire.
4.  Excellent Promotion and Advertising Planned (Newspaper ads in Mississauga News & Brampton Booster, 10,000 flyer distribution through Mississauga News, Flyer posted on Flyerland.ca, www.internationalcentre.com, Portable Sign Rental, Displayed on two large LED signs and more!)
5.  Excellent opportunity to showcase your handmade items, meet fellow crafters and more.
6.  It’s going to be FUN!

Get your applications in early and don't miss this opportunity to showcase your work! For more information, please email us at madebyhandshow@yahoo.ca or visit our website http://www.madebyhandshow.com/

Made by Hand Show
November 5th, 11:00am - 7:00pm
International Centre, Hall 1
6900 Airport Road, Mississauga, Ontario

Facebook: www.facebook.com/madebyhandshow

Vender Call: Paint-A-Thon

Calling all local artisans!

Paint-A-Thon is an innovative event that strives to engage and unite the community through art in public spaces. Paint-A-Thon is currently recruiting for handmade vendors to join us at our event on July 16th at Markham Civic Centre (Hwy 7 & Warden Ave.). We welcome artisans of goods including, but not limited to accessories, bath and beauty products, art, paper goods and needlecraft.

A 10' by 10' booth space is given free of charge (refundable deposit applies) and you can bring your own supplies and equipment.
We also provide rentals for tents, tables and chairs. Please note that there is a $5 fire safety fee.

Don't miss this opportunity to showcase your work! For more information, please email sales.pat@power-unit.org

Register early as space is limited!


ABOUT PAINT-A-THON

On July 16th, for the first time ever Markham Civic Centre's parking lot will be transformed into a mini arts village featuring communal painting, live entertainment and local artisans. Members of the community will converge to paint to their hearts’ content on thirty-two 4x5 ft large-sized canvases. The best part is (besides all the fun and interaction with art), proceeds from the event (rental costs and patrons' charitable donations) will go to our beneficiary, Free The Children.

For more information about Paint-A-Thon, please visit here.

T.E.S.T. interview: Menace Creations

We hope to introduce you to all the great etsy sellers to be found right here in Toronto. Here at the T.E.S.T. blog, we plan to interview them all. This is the 19^th in our series, an interview with MenaceCreations.


I loved the Enginearrings title and the item. How does your training as an engineer influence your art?


Thanks, I'm glad you like them! Civil Engineering is all about simplifying a problem, and capturing it's essentials. In my earlier work, I strived for photorealism to the extreme of shading individual leaves on a tree separately, or drawing individual blades of grass separately - even my "sketches" took me hours to complete, and as a result my drawings, although they were impressively accurate, lacked life and movement. In my more recent work, I've been more successful at catching the essentials of my subjects - the movement and shape, and allowing the viewer to fill in the more minute details. For example, drawings like my jellyfish are something I wouldn't have been capable of a few years ago.

I think this newfound respect for simplicity is also what has drawn me to start exploring origami again. There is something incredibly elegant about making complex shapes out of nothing but paper. I'm particularly proud of having developed my own origami/kirigami dragonfly pattern. You can see an example here .



I love the natural feel and flow of your pieces. What is the creative process behind collecting the materials and creating the pieces? Do you spend a lot of time gathering the materials?

I've always been a bit of a tinkerer and collector, and I'm very drawn to the natural world, so I find it really gratifying and cool to use found objects and upcycled vintage pieces in my work. When I crafted just as a hobby, I would just "come across" cool things every so often to craft with on hiking trips, visits to the beach or browsing through a vintage store.

Now that I'm crafting for a wider audience, I've had to start planning my supplies collecting a lot more carefully. I go on full-day seaglass-hunting outings with my ever-eager little sister, I have a circuit of thrift and vintage shops I visit on a regular basis for different supplies. I buy brass findings in bulk (conventional brass production uses over 98% recycled materials). I'm currently sourcing some fair-trade recycled glass beads for my necklaces and sari scrap ribbons to hang pendants from in place of chain. I do still use some conventional materials, but I'm working very hard to gradually transition to all environmentally-responsible materials.

It does take me a lot longer to get my materials this way. I'd say about a quarter of my crafting time is currently dedicated to acquiring materials, but I love every moment, and I know that it makes my products unique. You won't find a necklace like this one anywhere except for the Menace Creations shop.


What was the most exciting part of your venture to open the Menace Creations Etsy shop?



The most exciting moment for me was when my first notecard order arrived from the printers. It's a dream come true to have a stack of professional looking greeting cards with my artwork printed on the front and my company name and URL printed on the back. What's even better is that people are actually buying them.

Do you find a lot of support in your family, friends or community? If so how do you keep them involved?

My parents and partner are unwaveringly supportive of everything I do, which is really helpful in my moments of self-doubt. My partner has helped me with everything from photography to banner design to notecard layout, and my parents promote me on facebook. My friends are all encouraging, and more than a few have remarked on my crafts and artwork "Wait, you MADE all these things? Why the hell did you ever go into engineering?!?!"


My most avid fan by far, though, is my younger sister. She looks up to everything I do, and wants to help out every way she can. She comes materials-searching with me, gives me advice and inspiration for my artwork, even folds origami for me, and always thinks I'm the coolest older sister ever, even when nobody else agrees with her.

It's really great to have such an awesome support group.


Any suggestions or lessons for fellow creators who want to take their hobby to a greater public?

Have a clear goal about what you are trying to sell and who you want to sell it to. When I opened my shop, I really wasn't sure what I would sell except for "my crafts". I went out and bought materials for all sorts of different things, most of which ended up deciding I wouldn't sell anyway. Even now I have trouble controlling myself and not starting 27 unrelated projects at the same time, and I'm having a lot of trouble figuring out how to narrow my focus.

Which is your favorite item in your store?


I wouldn't try to sell anything that I didn't think was wonderful in some way, but I have a particular soft spot for these snail notecards.

Earlier this year I left engineering school for mental health reasons, and was feeling very down on myself. Getting back to drawing and crafting was very therapeutic for me and that little snail was one of my first sketches in years, and I'm really proud of it.

Check out more of MenaceCreations artwork, cards and jewelry in the MenaceCreations Etsy Shop. Interviewed, June, 2011, by Pusha

Vender Call: Creative Heart Collective

The Love Collage presents Creative Heart Collective, a Fall themed show and sale for local artisans, crafters, designers, bakers and retailers. The mission of the event is to give artists, entrepreneurs and retailers an opportunity to connect and showcase their wares with the community in a fun and inviting atmosphere. We will also be hosting free community workshops where attendees are invited to participate in craft or art activities.

The focus for the show will be:
• Emerging and local artists (small sized artwork, prints, cards)
• Indie arts and crafts (toys, art/craft supplies)
• Fashionable artisan gifts (jewellery, accessories)
• Homemade food (baked goods, preserves)
• DIY presents
• Apparel & Vintage

Creative Heart Collective is looking for a variety of high-quality artisans, bakers, artists, crafters and local retailers to exhibit and sell their work on Sunday, September 18th, 2011, 12pm – 6pm. This daytime event will be taking place at The Gladstone Hotel (1214 Queen Street West, Toronto ON) in The Ballroom during the weekend of Queen West Art Crawl.

Submissions will be accepted until Saturday, July 30th, 2011, however, please apply early as the number of available spots is limited and will be curated on a first-come, first-served basis. For more detailed information on how to apply, please visit http://www.creativeheartcollective.com

Vender Calls: Keep and Collect

The Keep & Collect Market is Hamilton's favourite destination for everything crafty!
Art, crafts, accessories, vintage items, jewellery, photography, fashion, stationary and baking. All locally made!

The Keep & Collect Market acts as a launching pad for local creators to showcase and sell their products while providing a new a different shopping experience in Hamilton. It's a place where shoppers can find one of a kind pieces and meet the talented people who've created them.

Launch date: Saturday June 25th
Time: 11am to 4pm
Location: The Freeway Coffee House located at 333 King Street East at the corner of Wellington St. N. in downtown Hamilton

Contact Info. / Vendor Info.: keepandcollectmarket @ gmail.com

Facebook: facebook.com/keepandcollect

Twitter: @keepandcollect

Craft Events: Eye Spy Art Collective Spring Show

Torched Studio and Sea Flower Studios will be at the Eye Spy Art Collective Spring Show Spectacular at the Cameron House today! Noon to 5pm. www.thecameron.com

The Cameron House -Toronto's Original artmusictheater bar located on Queen Street East.