Nick Cave

 

My Personal favorite photo in the show.

 

So last night was our first official date night, which was the idea of my wonderful bf. We decided to take the bus into the big city and see some art. “Meet Me at the Center of the Earth” is the featured art by Nick Cave at the Seattle Art Museum. On now through June 5th, and I am going to make a point to tell everyone to see this show! In short this was an amazing display of he calls “soundsuits”. *Nick Cave is a Chicago based fabric sculptor, dancer and performance artist.  His first suit was made of twigs, following creations include dyed human hair (bought already dyed from a wholesaler in New York) , sisal, plastic buttons, beads, sequins, feathers and toys… anything he can possibly collect.*

One could spend hours looking at the details of just one of the 50 suits he currently has displayed. Each is uniquely its own yet they seem to fit together nicely into sets. Displayed on mannequins for viewing to the masses as visual art, and also displayed throughout the exhibit on projectors to be seen as movable pieces of functional art. Using both dance and music to help show the mobility and true nature of each soundsuit. Each suit is created using found materials of all mediums bright and colorful, natural and ornamental, anything and everything.

Not only did I feel like Nick’s work was interesting to the eye, but I love that it was all recycled and re-purposed  material, but that he uses craft as part of the art. YES! He has a whole screen dedicated to just a bunch of granny squares and doilies that he found and photographed before  using them in the soundsuits.

I didn’t get to see the suits in motion, but just read when Nick Cave does shows, one component is to partner with community dance groups to create what are called Invasions. *Kind of like a monster flash-mob, the suits show up in public for quick mini-performances. Both Cornish and Spectrum will be performing over the course of the exhibit. The first one happened in a window of Nordstrom.* Follow SAM on Facebook or Twitter to figure out where they’ll be next.

I can’t say enough good about this show, and be sure to check out what I’m calling “The big pile of happiness”, in the first room with all the furries. Basically a bunch of rolled up afghan you just want to jump in and all will be happy and right. Go Nick Cave! Go SAM! Go see a colorful fun world of a different beauty and happy weirdness.

 

* two awesome links I am referencing.
joeyveltkamp.blogspot,

Oakazine

 

Craft Swap!

CRAFTswap Sunday, September 26th from 1p – 4p. Happy Delusions, 924 S. 3rd St. Renton WA. 98057.

One person’s old stack of craft supplies could be another person’s pile of inspiration! Bring any used or unused craft or art supplies and swap them for FREE!!!!

Remember when you were gonna start making jewelry, but then found you weren’t into it. All that supply you bought will be perfect for someone else, just think you can snag up someone else’s yarn because really you just want to knit. Oh wait! I think I’m talking about me. So I know what I’m bringing, and hoping to take home.

Any supplies left over at the end of the day will be donated to our local Salvation Army. Think of it as a great way to clear out space for supply you might actually use, instead of hanging on to those trinkets that you haven’t been able to get rid of because you know they could be perfect for some craft that you’ll never do.

Suggestions of things to bring; fabric scraps or remnants, scrapbooking supplies, rubber stamps, kids crafts, craft storage, beads, jewelry supplies, yarn, thread, stickers, sewing notions, anything that might inspire or be used in handmade crafts.

And be sure to let Me know if you bring something to swap so you can receive a $5.00 gift card to the store. Oh yeah! You win twice when you come to happy delusions.

Oh, and be sure to give a great big hug to Kelly of tomato tomato design + print because this wouldn’t be happening without her, and she’s basically one of the biggest rockstars I know. Thanks Kell!

Love to Love You!

OMG! I just bought the cutest skirt EVER! Of course I found it on Etsy. And of course it’s from Portland, OR., which just seems to cultivate amazing crafters. The seamstress behind this beautiful skirt made from vintage fabric is Loni Gaghan, who’s online shop on etsy is lovetoloveyou. Most of her items are one of a kind being that she uses a mixture of vintage fabrics in most of her work. If you don’t see something in your size, you can contact her and she will see if she can make something similar in your size. What a nice lady. Man I love esty! And I’m gonna love rockin this diddy around town. Oh yeah!

The Retro Rita Ruffle Skirt!

Tie purses and more…

I am loving these tie purses by Trizanh. Anh has traditionally done knit purses, and recently started experimenting with more. Although I do love her knit purses, The tie ones just stand out a little more for peeps needing that extra flair of personality by way of accessories. Anh’s beautiful knit bags are a perfect size for a night on the town and have nice soft colors that match the smooth texture of the yarn. Either way you really can’t go wrong because all of her items are made with lots of love and attention. She lines all her purses and with nice fabrics that compliment the outside. She even goes as far as to include nice cell phone pockets. What a nice lady.

Playin in the 70′s

Mary never fails to bring in funky jewelry made not only with love, but with charms of times past. I love all the fun plastic charms of my childhood, and get so giddy when I see them reappear in my life in form of something I can cherish once again. Being a product of my time, I also enjoy her fun wall hangings done with fabrics that are so fabulously vintage it’s hard to pick just one.

Nothing could possible complete my kitchen better than this 8x12 mushroom wall hanging on vintage fabric.