Lark Books: CALL FOR ARTISTS

500 Found-Object Works Juror: Suzie Millions Editor: Suzanne Tourtillott Entry deadline: March 15, 2009 Lark Books seeks one-of-a-kind images of found-object art to publish in a juried collection representing the most creative examples in this exciting genre. While material options are endless (recycled/repurposed wood, paper, plastics, electronics and the like), we will accept only professional quality photography. Due to trademark considerations, very few works featuring recognizable brand names or logos will be accepted. This publication is scheduled for release in Fall 2010. There is no entry fee. Download an entry form here.

Weekly Giveaway on the Gift Guide!!

This week you can win this great necklace made by Visionquest. You can enter every week, so check out the gift guide for more information. http://www.handmadeincalifornia.net/

CCCOE Member Studio Tour: Featured Artist-MyFriendRoze

Tell us a little about yourself and how it all began.

You want me to tell you where babies come from? When a man and woman love each other.... I'm originally from Buffalo, NY but I went to Parsons School of Design in NYC for sculpture. While I was there I learned some jewelry making techniques from my Aunt Marge who lives in Philadelphia. After school somehow I got sucked into the music industry for several years and had no time for jewelry (well I made it as often as I could in my "spare" time). So about a year ago I quit and started traveling around the world and when I came back I began making jewelry in earnest. Wish me luck!

Where do you work? Show us your space please!

I work in a crowded bedroom.

What is your favorite tool?

Ball Peen hammer... I want a new smaller one though my dapping block is a close second and now disc cutter. oh wait that's three...

What time of the day are you the most productive/inspired? I work early in the morning/late at night (which sometimes overlap) but I think I might be the most PRODUCTIVE in the midafternoon.

What inspires you?

Everything... I can't focus, I see bubblewrap and I think I want to make pendants out of that, and then I see a tool I like and I want to try that, I look in a book and I want to try that, a friend comes over and tells me about something and I want to try THAT, I go to a store and I want to use the color I see on the wall, I buy a vintage magazine and I want to have a retro feel... blah blah blah,

How do you promote yourself and your shop?

Through CCCOE mostly- on other peoples blogs, on facebook and myspace, through my family and friends...now I started doing craft fair

How long have you been on Etsy?

Since April 29th, 2008

What else do you enjoy doing other than creating?

Wine tasting, and eating.

What would you like to see happen/change with CCCOE?

More meet ups

What is your favorite thing about CCCOE?

Meeting all the new people and making new friends

What is your favorite food?

Food in general

Favorite book or movie?

I love movies and books how can I pick a favorite?

I love the 1981 french film Diva and I am presently reading "when you are engulfed in flames" by David Sedaris

One thing you absolutely cannot live without?

Food and water, my dog, my credit card wait that's four...

Lastly what piece that you have created is your favorite and why?

I don't have an all time favorite- because everytime I make something that actually comes out right I love that one- right now I like one of the bubblewrap pendants. You can see more of MyFriendRoze's unique jewelry at her Etsy shop.

CCCOE Member Studio Tour: Featured Artist-The Chainmaille Lady

Tell us a little about yourself and how it all began.

I have been pretty crafty all my life. My mom was extremely crafty, she was always creating something, paper mache’, painting, throwing pots, and macramé. My mom and I each entered a collage in the local craft fair and I took home first prize and mom took home second! I think it had something to do with me being a kid : ). At our local park they were always giving free classes in knitting, crocheting, and various other crafts and mom made sure I attended all of them. So ultimately I have “many talents”. I knit, crochet, cross stitch, Swedish weave, bobbin lace, needlepoint, and hardanger. In 2003 I entered two items I had made, a Swedish weave blanket and a hardanger wall hanging into the L.A. County Fair. The blanket won third place and the hardanger won first!

Where do you work?

Well, I have a bedroom that has been converted into my "studio" which is very nice but I do most of my work in the living room on my swivel chair.

What is your favorite tool?

My Lindstrom pliers made in Sweden . What time of the day are you the most productive/inspired?

Usually right before I go to bed, I will think of something I could create and then I can't sleep! I have to stay up until I either get it down on paper or actually create it!!! What inspires you?

Everything. Sometimes I sit out on the back porch and just stare at the wonders of nature. Other times I'll be watching T.V. and I will see something that will trigger my creativity. My husband is great source of inspiration. He is very helpful when I am bouncing ideas off him, he usually will help me to name some of my pieces. How do you promote yourself and your shop?

One place is at the weekly Farmers Market & Craft Show where I have a booth. I love to talk about my jewelry and give demonstrations as to how it is made. People really appreciate the information. I wear my jewelry and always have business cards on hand to give out. I have a few The ChainMaille Lady T-shirts I wear. I use Flickr, Twitter, Blogspot, Kijiji, Craig's List and have also joined a couple of Etsy Teams.

How long have you been on Etsy?

Since May of 2008 What else do you enjoy doing other than creating?

Spending time with my husband and my little Chihuahua Miss Gizmo. Visiting with family. What would you like to see happen/change with CCCOE? What is your favorite thing about CCCOE?

The members and the weekly thread. The Yahoo Disgest is good to because I can keep up to date on the group.

What is your favorite food? Taquitos from Pepe’s Favorite book or movie? Grease One thing you absolutely cannot live without? Chocolate and milk. Lastly what piece that you have created is your favorite and why? My Hardanger Eyelet Chainmaille bracelet. It looks like a delicate piece of Norwegian Hardanger. To see more of Lauren's beautiful jewelry check out her Etsy store.

CCCOE November Happenings

November is here. I can't believe it.

CCCOE members will be very active this month around Cali. Get ready for the holidays this year by buying handmade at some of these great shows. If you are doing any events and want them on the blog please email me.

November 1st: Creative Play Center Holiday Boutique in Pleasant Hill 10-2 p.m. at 2323 Pleasant Hill Road October Photography will be at this event November 2nd: SoCal Handweavers Guild Show PrimaDonna Beads will be at this event http://www.schg.org/festival/index.html

November 8th: Holiday Craft Faire @ the Campbell Community Center 1 W. Campbell Ave 9-4pm in the Orchard City Banquet Hall Free Admission Over 35 Artisans with Handmade Gift Items TreasuresByTina will be at this event November 8th: Holiday Faire at the Irvine Fine Arts Center Fundraiser

14321 Yale Avenue (in Heritage Park) Irvine from 9am to 4pm

Over 150 Vendors $2 admission, Children 12 and Under FREE!

Genene's Jewelry and Yolanda's Clay will be selling there.

November 8th: Holiday Hotness Bazaare in LA @ the Gam Art Center 4975 West Pico Blvd. from 11-7pm $2.00 Admission, Kids under 7 and under are free Organized by SpringCartDesigns www.thahotness.com Knittergirl, MyFriendRoze, Annie K Designs, Amanda K Lockrow Jewelry, A S K Designs November 8th: LA Derby Dolls - Season Championships! in LA Starts at 6pm - ALL AGES! The Doll Factory 1910 W. Temple Street http://www.DerbyDolls.com Lucky Find Designs will be at this event November 8th: Zenia's Handcrafted Creations Bazaar in Oakdale @ Zenia's Yoga Boutique 205 North Second Avenue from 2-10pm AlliesAdornments and 2Dy4 will be at this event November 9th: Patchwork Fair in Santa Ana @ A Road Less Traveled Store 2202 N. Main, Santa Ana from 11-5

Red Bess Bonney Creations, AM PM Creations, Off the Hook Hats, Yolanda's Clay, Porterness, MyFriendRoze, Amanda K Lockrow Jewelry, ClayDame Free Event, Music, DJ's, Great Handmade Wares, and Kid-Friendly

November 9th: Traveling Boutique in Santa Paula @ Santa Paula Inn AnnieKDesigns will be selling her wonderful wares here from 11-5 November 9th: Babes and Babies Shopping Event in Mill Valley Mill Valley Community Center, 180 Camino Alto from 10-2 Oishi Knits will be selling at this event. November 15th: Fammatre Elementary Holiday Boutique in San Jose 2800 New Jersey Ave from 10-3pm TreasuresByTina will be at this event November 15th: Sidewalk Sale in Santa Monica Ocean Park Blvd. between 17th and 18th St. 12 to 5pm Organized by Artful at 1726 Ocean Park Blvd Great variety of handmade crafts can be found here! ElenaMary and Palleiko Designs will be at this event November 16th: Felt Club in LA @ the Shrine Center 700 W 3rd St from 11-7 www.feltclub.com Porterness, MiriamDema, MyFriendRoze, Amanda K Lockrow Jewelry November 20th: Ventura Baptist Church Holiday Faire in Ventura AnnieKDesigns will be selling her wonderful wares here from 5 - 9 PM November 21st: Home for the Holidays Craft Faire @ Grace Harbor Church 12881 Newport Ave. from 3-8pm Yolanda's Clay and LuckyFindDesigns will be at this event November 22nd: Craft Fair at Olive Knolls Church in Bakersfield 8am - 2pm JamieSews will be at this event

November 23rd: Sonoma Artisan Faire in Sonoma At the Sonoma Veterans Memorial Hall 126 First St. West 12-5:30pm www.sonomaartisanfaire.com Organized by Tara of Combustion Glassworks DennisAnderson, AlliesAdornments, CombustionGlassworks, OhMay, QuirkyNBerkeley, LocalColorist, ShopWhimsy/Wrenay, MolecularMuse, Phydeaux Designs, MyFriendRoze, ButtercupBloom, Estudio Martita, ThisIsIt, Audelaine, OctoberPhotography, HeArtCollective, ArtToWearDiva, Amanda K Lockrow Jewelry will all be at this great event. November 23rd: Santa Margarita Craft Fair @ the Community Center Event is from 9 to 5pm There will be 25 vendors at this event. PegGradyArt and SarahWinklerArt will be at this event November 29th: Hand Born in Modesto Multiple locations, J. Street from 6-11pm http://www.handborn.com/ AlliesAdornments will be at this event