Only one month ’til spring!
The 4th Annual First Craft Of spring
On March 20th, 2012 Booze & Yarn, will be joined by artists all over the country for the 4th annual First Craft of Spring. The sole purpose of the project is to promote public art and community initiative. Change is possible and even a bleak landscape can be transformed o…vernight by individuals. Be a part, take a walk to see the blooms, perhaps even pick one by your favorite artist…but most importantly, enjoy and embrace the first day of spring!
The project has been a great success the last 3 years, with artists across the country creating unique and beautiful flowers. Please join us!
- Corinna Mantlo,
Founder, Booze & Yarn
miss1932@gmail.com
Mutant Blooms, East Village NY
Booze & Yarn, Cine Meccanica, Happy Homesteader Magazine
“Nature, to be commanded, must be obeyed” – Sir Francis Bacon (1561-1626)
Artist Showcase: Marijana for M Voli E
The general theme for all the artists participating with this project being the daffodil, the subject was already set up for me. I focused on highlighting the features of the flower by giving them sparkle and texture through the combination of beading and knitting. The beading is an integral part of the flower, and actually knitted into the flower rather then sewn on later. For the yarn I picked a variety of colored yarns I saw in pictures of daffodils and added a gold thread to up the fun factor. I wanted to infuse something glamorous to contrast against the folk nature of the knitting and bring it to a different level.
Is this your first time participating?
There is a first time for everything and this is my first!
What other art projects are you currently working on?
I design a contemporary accessory line, called M Voli E, inspired by historical techniques and patterns I learned while doing reproductions of folklore clothing from Croatia (my families heritage is from Croatia). I am constantly working on something new, momentarily I am working on some bridal pieces and creating an instructional belt kit with embroideries.
How would you describe your own art? Medium, influences, style, etc.
Growing up with artist parents, creativity was a normal part of my life and I’ve been fortunate to try my hand with drawing, painting and sculpture. My sweet spot is fashion and I graduated from F.I.T. with a degree in fashion. I live a creative double life of inspiration though, I am highly influenced by my studies into folklore clothing and historical dress but also adore a clean, urban, sometimes deconstructed aesthetic. I suppose that’s why I started with my accessories. I love the artisan, handmade quality of ethnic dress but I don’t want to feel like a walking museum. Also I’ve worked for many years in the fashion industry so I’m sure that has also influenced my work to resonating with contemporary design. That M Voli E it doesn’t feel alien to this time in history but rather something you feel is an extension of your personality and possibly strikes at a deeper level. What accessories I have available for purchase now is primarily based on knitting techniques but eventually I want to branch out into other areas of design too.
What city and location will you be “planting” your daffodils in and why?
My hometown New York City! I decided to make a contest out of it for my M Voli E fans. Anyone who takes a photo with one of my daffodils and posts it on the M Voli E Facebook page will get a discount off an item when they purchase something from my Esty shop or come to Astoria Market in Queens where I often have a table. I will post locations during the day on the M Voli E Facebook page as daffodils are planted.
Where can we see other art you’ve done?
I have a website for my accessories line, I don’t sell directly through there but it has my current collections and projects, a gallery of one of a kind work, news and contact info:
mvolie.com
I have some of my work available for sale on Etsy, mostly one of a kind and samples. If there was something a person wanted to purchase from my website that wasn’t on Etsy I would be happy to put up a reserved sale for them.
www.mVOLIe.etsy.com
Also I have a Facebook page, M VOLI E, where I tend to do most of my updates including the ones for this First Craft of Spring Daffodil Contest.
Follow this blog by email and RSVP to the FaceBook event page for up to date information.
Get involved. Spread the word, and happy planting!
Click HERE for Project rules, instructions and patterns
I try to bring a sense of humor to all of my artistic projects.
This year, my inspiration comes from a deep and demented love of animated cartoons and science fiction “B” films. Think Sam Raimi, Little Shop of Horrors (the 1960 version and the 1986 version), and The Young Ones…On March 20th, Look for my vicious mutant daffodils menacing unsuspecting blooms around the East Village of New York
And of course The Day Of The Triffids!
“All plants move, they just don’t usually pull them selves out of the ground and chase you!”
As project organizer, I’ve been involved in the First Craft of Spring since the beginning, so this will be my third year. I love the opportunity to collaborate with and hopefully inspire other artists working in all mediums. In past years, I’ve stuck to Knitted daffodils for the First Craft of Spring to represent Booze & Yarn, a free knitting class and social circle I’ve run in the East Village of New York for almost 10 years.
Currently all of my split personality projects are up as independent blogs.
Booze & Yarn, Cine Meccanica, Happy Homesteader.
Follow this blog by email and RSVP to the FaceBook event page for up to date information.
Get involved. Spread the word, and happy planting!
Click HERE for Project rules, instructions and patterns
It’s that time again!
The 3rd annual “First Craft of Spring”
Deadline: March 19th, 2011
On March 20th, 2011 Booze & Yarn, will be joined by artists all over the country for the 3rd annual First Craft of Spring. The sole purpose of the project is to promote public art and community initiative. Change is possible and even a bleak landscape can be transformed overnight by individuals. Be a part, take a walk to see the blooms, perhaps even pick one by your favorite artist…but most importantly, enjoy and embrace the first day of spring!
The project has been a great success the last 2 years, with artists across the country creating unique and beautiful flowers. Please join us!
Rules:
1. The only flower type to be used for this project is the Daffodil.
2. Daffodils can be knitted, crocheted, sewn, drawn, screened. Any artistic medium is accepted.
2. Each flower should have a tag with a positive message or quote. You can use any message you want. The tag should be easily visible to viewers
3. Each tag must say below the quote: “First Craft of Spring” www.boozeandyarn.com.
4. On March 20th, earlier in the day the better, find locations anywhere on your daily route, and “plant” your flowers.
5. Take a photograph of each flower you plant. Cell phone pictures are fine in a pinch. Make as many flowers as you can, and plant them anywhere and everywhere.
7. Email them to me, to post to the blog with a location, your name, and the art medium used. You can also include contact details to you, your artwork or your website. (miss1932@gmail.com)
Please pass this call for artists on to as many people in as many cities as possible.
Click here for the knitted daffodil pattern That you are more than welcome to use, or adapt.
Hope you all can participate in this public art experiment!
Corinna
miss1932@gmail.com
Meredith plants on the Jersey Shore
This year’s First Craft of Spring project happened to fall on the same day as one of my dearest friend’s wedding. This brought me down to the Jersey Shore where I planted the polaroids I had taken of the youngest shoots of the year, from Point Pleasant up to Neptune City. It seemed fitting, as a spring wedding is a perfect symbol for a new beginning, and the shore is such a burgeoning source for nostalgia fixed in a long lost moment. I’m reminded of the transience of life as it constantly changes and fades into new cycles.
Love this real time, spring polaroid retrospective, Thanks Meredith!
Check out her contribution to last year’s First Craft of Spring
Ariel plants in Forest Hills, NY
I planted 5, but this was my first and favorite. It’s at the 71st and Continental stop in Forest Hills, my old neighborhood.
They look great Ariel!
Artist showcase: Sue
Thank you Sue. This is lovely. What a great idea to make it a pin!!
I wanted to make special present for my mum and found your daffodil pattern (she loves daffs). I adapted the pattern slightly, and made her one in double knit with a brooch fitting on the back. Then, chuffed with the first one, I made another one out of embroidery silk on tiny needles. Nearly sent me cross-eyed but I’m thrilled to bits with it. Thanks for the pattern and the inspiration.
Best wishes
Sue Parish (singer by trade, also a gin drinker!) Lancaster UK
Artist Showcase: Ariel
Ariel is a long time Booze & Yarn veteran, and was involved in The First Craft of Spring last year. See her work from last year, HERE.
This year, she chose Emily Dickenson quotes for her Daffodil tags. Love it!
“Hope is the thing with feathers, that perches in the soul, and sings the tune without words, and never stops at all.” – Emily Dickinson
When asked about her inspiration and art, Ariel said:
I am a maker. When objects find their way into my life, I make them into something else. I harvest old jewelry and create new. Usually my creations are inspired by my favorite book series: Harry Potter. I design and create house color earrings and necklaces, and fashion golden snitches to wear around the neck. For this particular project, I took some left over beads (mostly Slytherin and Hufflepuff colors) and wire, and shaped them into Spring’s first daffodils.
When she’s not making beautiful things, Ariel works full-time as an Editorial Assistant at a not-for-profit organization in NYC, and attends part-time graduate school for a Master’s Degree in Information Sciences.
As if that wasn’t enough to make you tired already, she also sings in her own Wizard Rock band called Madame Pince and the Librarians. They sing about books.
Ariel also maintains a blog: Ariel does not go to London
