Story Time at Monkeyhouse Toys

Amidst all the holiday preparations, I almost forgot to share this super fun event!

Monkeyhouse Toys in Silver Lake (Los Angles) presents "Story Time," a group show where each artist was invited to dig deep into their childhood and create a character we all would have loved to watch on TV, read in a book, or dream up. There will be giveaway items, and the event is family-friendly so swing on by. The illustration above is a two parter so you'll just have to visit the gallery to see its companion piece.

Opening reception: Saturday Oct. 19, 5pm-8pm

Show runs Oct. 19 - Nov. 17

Monkeyhouse Toys

2874 Rowena Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90039

Birthday SALE Surprises & Renegade Craft Fair LA

For one day only, use coupon code YOUREOLD when you checkout for a free gift and free shipping. Select items will be on sale, too! If you're in the mood to celebrate in person, visit Renegade Craft Fair Los Angeles in LA State Historic Park and enjoy some snacks and drinks from me & my boothmate, Homako. Look for the ice cream cone balloons :). Wish me a happy birthday for a bonus surprise! More info on the fair below. Hope to see you this weekend!

A Weekend of Craft Fairs!

It's been a strange goal of mine to do two craft fairs in the same weekend and this Saturday and Sunday, my dreams are coming true. I'll be vending in person at Bazaar Bizarre in San Francisco, while Kevin (with my former intern Jackie on Saturday, and partner-in-calendar-crime, Victoria of Paper & Type on Sunday) will taking care of business at Unique LA in downtown Los Angeles. It's been utter mayhem preparing for two simultaneous fairs and planning booth set ups but I'm excited it's finally here. Come say hello!

New for the SF fair: narwhal & elephant chalkboard ornaments, 5x7 Holiday Clink print, framed prints, and yes, they're back... plush muffs! I'll be bringing the full range of goodies next weekend to Renegade Craft Fair LA, so don't stress if you miss this weekend. Kevin will be happy to see you though :)

Los Angeles in the wintertime

A trip to Disney with Laura, Chris & Keiko. My picture taking was limited but I did see John Lasseter's office!

a painting for the Supahcute show

findings from the Rose Bowl Flea

MINE!! It's the perfect height for standing & painting :)

Plush Meets Paper: A Renegade Craft Fair Recap

break time under the tableanthony's feet

More mentions of Le Petit Elefant/Paper & Type at Renegade Craft Fair by LA Weekly, Zakka Nouveau, Justina of Compai, our intern Jaclyn, & OldBrandNew

My last day at 26

I spent the afternoon (3+ hours) at LACMA exploring the Tim Burton Exhibit. So so good. I got teary-eyed when I saw all the Vincent stuff. These art/animation exhibits always get to me here. I was tremendously inspired by his humor and work unrelated to his movies. I loved his number series so much I could eat it up! I purchased his book of illustrated poems, "The Melancholy Death of Oyster Boy & Other Stories" and sat outside for a couple hours to churn out some Burton-inspired pieces.

A Return to Renegade Craft Fair LA!!!

Lots of exciting things have been happening for me & Le Petit Elefant. The craft tour has been absolutely wonderful thus far and this weekend marks the 1 year anniversary of my craft fair adventures. What better way to celebrate than sharing a booth with {Paper & Type} at the fair that started it all, Renegade Craft Fair in LA State Historic Park in Chinatown!

There will be the usual backdrop of food trucks, a free photobooth, drinks (both the rated G & fun kind), and workshops galore as well as 200+ unbelievably talented artists, crafters, jewelers, you name it. Don't let the closing of the 405 fwy get you down--hop on a bike or a car full of folks and head on down. It'll be a great time. Victoria & I have also been hard at work putting together a SNEAK PEAK to our 2012 calendar. Plus, you can meet our amazing intern, Jaclyn :)

Renegade Craft Fair Los Angeles
LA State Historic Park
July 16 - 17, 11am - 7pm
more info here

And if you can't make it, I'll be in Portland on July 28th, and back in SF August 27-28 ;)

More from Unique LA!

Hey look it's me!

Photos by Tsz Chan

Oh my I'm still on a Unique LA high, really happy & grateful for all the new friends and sweet messages. Two blog posts in particular by Craft in the City & Nikki have me blushing quite a bit.

Unique LA Day 3: The Final Day & Mother's Day!

Last day & very few pictures to show for it. Oops. It was so busy! But in a good way of course :) I had a lot of entertaining visitors who came up with creative ways to interact with the giant HELLO. Fortunately! I happened to capture my favorite:

This little man was running around the table, picking letters & tossing them in the air. THEN! He started busting out wrestling moves on the O! He threw it down on the ground & pounced it, getting the letter in a headlock of sorts.
Then his mommy took over hehe:
This one was taken by Dabito of Old Brand New:
Overall, I really loved Unique LA! It was fun to put etsy usernames with faces, recognize returning friends & customers, meet & make new friends... I especially loved my neighbors I Heart Pies, Heather & her lovely crew at The Scootabaker for the sweets & happy hour cheer:
Unicorn Crafts for the necklace:
& a special shout & thank you to Margaret of Paper Pastries for making her way to my booth to help me vend despite her injury!

I hope to be in future Unique LA shows! It's soooo gooooooood. I'm absolutely thrilled about my craft fair tour.
OK, on to prepping for Maker Faire!

Unique LA Day 2: And we're open for business!

Nothing like a morning bike ride to start the day. After paying $18 for parking yesterday, I REFUSED to pay again! I got to the fair early & waited for the doors to open along with all the other eager vendors.
Good morning table #85 in the corner next to the yummy food booths.

Yes, being next to Scootabaker does make me hungry.
Caught after slyly walking away with my giant plush O. Without it, it would just say HELL. That just can't be!Dawww, she's so cute!

After the fair, I took a look at my inventory & realized the Rawr cards were doing really well aaaaand I had run out! I hastily traveled to Pasadena via Gold Line & bicycle to visit paper source before they closed. Phew I made it! So I printed more rawr cards & whipped up a new batch of business cards because I too had run out of my moo business cards. Take a peak!
I'm very very grateful for the help & companionship of my friends, namely Abel, Shweta & Rachel, and the friends, old & newly-acquainted, who visited! Ya'll made it awesome!

Last night I called my mom & she told me doing well at UniqueLA is the best mothers day gift one could give her. Dawww... Happy Mommy's Day, mommy! I'm gonna make you proud today!

Unique LA: Day 1 of Prep!

The fair starts tomorrow but I had a busy BUSY day of running around the city making sure everything was in order. Best part? I did it on my own!! Yeaaaahh!organized the inventory
loaded up the car
drove to jo-ann's fabric for polyfil & stuffed the remaining letters. for whatever reason, this batch of polyfil is particularly soft & squishy... a la:


headed to flock shop for inventory drop off, then AT LAST... to Unique LA!

slowly putting it together...
i'd show you the finished table buuuut, you'll just have to see it tomorrow :)
then AFTER that, I biked 11 miles to yoga. whuttup! :)

The Summer Craft Fair Tour 2011 starts THIS WEEKEND at Unique LA!!

The tags have been punched.

The plushies have been tucked away.
& it's time for YOU to throw on your springtime shoes & make your way to the California Market Center for handmade crafts, delicious foods, a free photo booth, DIY workshops, music, & FREE DRINKS. It also happens to be Mother's Day weekend so treat your mom to a bit of handmade goodness (& FREE DRINKS!).

You can find me along the southside wall, perfectly located on your walk from the free drinks booth to the cafe ;). Just keep going past the FREE DRINKS & look for the plush letters greeting you! I'll be debuting my NEW narwhal tote bags & narwhal plush, & vending alongside over 300 talented artists, designers & crafters.

The 3rd Annual Unique LA Spring Show
May 7th + 8th, 2011 (11am – 6pm both days)
California Market Center’s Penthouse (110 E 9th St – Map It)
$10 at the door or in advance (kids 12 and under are free)

I can't tell you enough how thrilled I am to see & meet you this weekend :)