I just spotted this site today and thought I would share. The cost seems pretty cheap - worth a try.

Weekend at The Bobbin

The Bobbin has a lot of fantastic things happening this weekend. Kick the winter blues in the butt and go get your craft on.

Friday January 30th
2-way Aprons!
Create your own personal reversible, everyday apron from local recycled + vintage materials. $40 -price includes 2 hours of instruction in our sunny Sew Bar and all materials for one apron. 2pm to 4pm

Saturday January 31st
EcoKids: Haiku Books!
Guest Instructor Catherine Tremblay will guide kids and their favorite grown-ups in making Haiku books our of recycled materials! $10 per kiddo ages 5-10. From 11am to 1pm

Sewing: Messenger Bags!
Intermediate Sew class. Learn how to transform recycled denim into everyone's favorite on-the-go bag. $40 -includes 2 hrs of instruction and all materials for one bag. From 2pm to 4pm

Sunday February 1st
Learn to Crochet!
Learn all the basics of crochet on your way to a quick, fun new skill. $40 -price includes 2 hours of instruction, crochet hook + yarn for first project.
From 2pm to 4pm


The Bobbin Sew Bar + Craft Lounge
299 N. Winooski Ave.
Burlington, VT 05401
(802)862-7414
www.thebobbin.com
info@thebobbin.com

Frog Hollow closing Middlbury location

In sad news the BFP reported this morning that Frog Hollow will be closing it's Middlebury exhibit space, retail store, administrative offices and classroom studios.

Read the full story here.

Sweet axe

(EMILY NELSON, Free Press)

The BFP did a q&a with Burlington musician and guitar builder Creston Lea. Sarah Ryan who QCC recently interviewed paints some of his guitars. The guitar in the picture is her work. Read the article here.

Call to crafters!

Call to Artists for the Fourth Annual beCAUSE Craft Show
Artists are needed whose purpose is to increase community awareness of local and global need. There is no fee for vendor participation, however a portion of the days events much be donated to charity. Those interested in participating should contact PJ Neverett, neveretts3@yahoo.com.

Crafter Spotlight - Stephanie McKay of rivulette

Stephanie McKay of rivulette
Burlington, VT
rivulette.com

I had the pleasure of meeting Stephanie when she became a member of the now defunct Burlington Craft Mafia. This is one dedicated and talentde lady. She has the true spirit one would think of when they think of indie craft. enjoy.

1. What is the name of your business, what do you create and sell and how did you get started?

My business is called Rivulette. I create handmade glass beads, ready-to-wear jewelry, and handspun yarns. I also teach glass bead making lessons at my studio. I recently took a business start-up course through Mercy Connections in Burlington. They taught me the details of business ownership and I left the course with a complete business plan. It was a deeply valuable experience for me and for my business.



2. What/who inspires you?

I am inspired by good music, Andrew Bird and Neko Case especially, by craft and design blogs, by the work of Sarah Sze, Wolfgang Liab, and Tord Boontje, by the punk spinning style of yarn pioneer Lexi Boeger, by the wise and encouraging words of Keri Smith and Jen Lemen.


3. Give us a peek into you work space. Where do you create? Describe your work space or studio.



I make my work in a 10’x12’ space rented from a motorcycle shop (ICCE) in the South End of Burlington. My space is divided into two parts, half for spinning and fiber work, and the other half for glass bead making. Since the space is small, it forces me to keep things simple and really consider what I need and what I don’t. I would LOVE to find a larger space once Rivulette grows but for now, my little nook is just right.


4. Where do you sell and promote your work?

I sell on Etsy, through my web shop on Bigcartel, at craft shows in Vermont, and soon, retail shops in VT and NY. A little shop called Commotion in Lexington, KY carries a few of my items right now, and some jewelry I designed for new moms went off to Bebop Baby Shop in Essex Junction, VT last year. I promote my work through my blog, www.rivulette.blogspot.com, on flickr www.flickr.com/photos/madamemckay, on twitter, and through word of mouth.



5. What are three things you can't live without?

My boyfriend Ty, fried eggs, and my down comforter.



6. What are your three favorite things about Vermont?

Going swimming in Lake Champlain in the summer, being able to ride my bike anywhere in Burlington, the wonderful local foods movement.



7. What does the term indie craft mean to you?

Indie=self-sustaining, small, spirited, righteous, confident, inspired, of the moment, reactionary, inquiring, underground

Craft=handmade, creative, fresh, process-based, grassroots, resurgence, tradition, method, practice, transformative

Indie craft= a self-sustaining, small, spirited, creative, and fresh resurgence based in a tradition of method and practice with a reactionary, transformative confidence.





8. Any new products, projects or news you want to share?

I am working on a new line of jewelry made from glass that resembles smooth gray river stones with a splash of juicy color. It’s very exciting!


thanks steph!

Vendors needed

the beCAUSE craft show will be held at Saint Michael's college this year on March 21st. This is a show where there is no vendor fee but each vendor chooses an organization or cause to donate a certain % to after the show.

Contact PJ with questions and availability at neveretts3@yahoo.com

I did this show last year. It was quite slow but it was also at a different location. With no vendor fee, a better location and being able to donate some money towards a worthy organization of my choice made it worth it for me.