speaking panel @ MOV

Yay! Our first speaking panel!

The Museum of Vancouver hosted a screening of Handmade Nation last Friday to a diverse crowd consisting of DIY crafters and members of the Museum.

Following the screening, the MOV held a guest panel to speak about the DIY movement in Vancouver and answer questions raised by the audience. The panel consisted of Robert from Got Craft? and lotus events inc., Kim Werker from CrochetMe.com and Erin Bonniferro from Collage Collage and facilitated by Amanda Gibbs from the MOV. Topics covered included the growth of DIY and craft fairs in Vancouver through the last couple of years and how they have changed, the difference (if any) between the DIY movement in the US vs. Canada, the difference in crafting for a hobby and crafting for a living, DIY vs. fine art, gender in the craft movement, to name a few.

Read more over on the Got Craft blog

handmade nation - tickets now on sale!

I am so excited to announce that the new Got Craft website is now up! This is a one stop shop for all of the information that you need to attend or participate in our upcoming shows. Vendors now receive an image on the website as well as a link back to their site and their very own page where they can post more pictures! Everything is laid out clearly and the website is easier to navigate. I love it and I hope you do to!

To celebrate the new site, Got Craft? is proud to present the Vancouver Premier of Handmade Nation.

Thursday, July 9th, 2009
Rio Theatre, 1660 E. Broadway
Screening at 8:00pm, Craft Showcase at 7:00pm 

Traveling across the world to sold out crowds, it is Vancouver’s turn to join the handmade revolution!

Join Director Faythe Levine, July 9th, for Western Canada’s premier of Handmade Nation.  Be the first in Vancouver to see the film, meet Faythe Levine and participate in a Q&A session after the screening.

Tagged as the ‘Ambassador of Handmade’, Faythe Levine has traveled 19,000 miles to document what has emerged as a marriage between historical technique, punk culture, and the D.I.Y. (do-it-yourself) ethos.

A companion book, Handmade Nation – The Rise of D.I.Y., Art, Craft, and Design, features 24 artists, their work environment, their process, their work, and discussions of how they got their start and what motivates them.

Tickets went on sale this morning and they have been coming in fast and furious! Space is limited. First 100 sold receive a free swag bag. For more information about the event or to purchase your tickets, please visit Got Craft?.

Swag bag participation! If you are interested in submitting items to the swag bags, please contact us. Lovely tote bags have been donated by Craft Stylish!

* squeal *

We literally signed the contract and confirmed the flight before the first email came in asking...

"Is it true?"
Andrea: "What? How do you know already?"

Yes, it is true. Lotus Events and Got Craft? is proud to present the Vancouver premier of Handmade Nation.

insert (squeal / screaming / excited noise) here. Woot!

Faythe Levine will be live and in person on July 9th to introduce the film and do a Q & A session after the screening. Want to attend? Stay tuned for more details!

What is Handmade Nation?
Handmade Nation documents a movement of artists, crafters and designers that recognize a marriage between historical techniques, punk and DIY (do it yourself) ethos while being influenced by traditional handiwork, modern aesthetics, politics, feminism and art. Fueled by the common thread of creating, Handmade Nation explores a burgeoning art community that is based on creativity, determination and networking.

In 2006, first time director Faythe Levine traveled to 15 cities, interviewing 80 individuals. Levine captured the virtually tight-knit community that exists through websites, blogs and online stores and connects to the greater public through independent boutiques, galleries and craft fairs.
(taken from http://handmadenationmovie.com)

For more information about Faythe and Handmade Nation, visit her blog here