Sunday, April 20, 2008

What a blast!!!! We're having a repeat during Inman Park Festival

Well we have been having such a great time with the wonderful vendors who participated during our very first I AM HANDMADE craft fair that we are doing it again next weekend. We will have vendors setup April 26th and 27th in front of Irwin Street Market. If you participated in this weekend's event then please contact iamhandmade@gmail.com for special discount info. If you are interested in setting up on April 26th and 27th please email iamhandmade@gmail.com for more info on how you can setup.

Thursday, April 10, 2008

Vendor Spotlight: Iram-Inal Designs





Fresh. Funky. Bold. Timeless. iram-inal designs is a handmade, custom jewelry line created by St. Louis natives, and sister-designers, Mari ("iram") and Lani ("inal") Davis. Having made jewelry casually for twelve years, the sisters recently decided to begin selling their wares on a professional basis in boutiques in Atlanta, Georgia, and St. Louis, Missouri. The iram-inal collection brings out pure audaciousness in the individual who chooses to wear the sister's one-of-a-kind designs. Created for the person seeking to make a statement, the designs are always colorful, chunky and dynamic, no matter the time of year - making the wearer an "iconic woman." The sisters' process in creating their pieces is purely organic, deriving from inspiration pulled from the beauty of the semiprecious stones they use in their custom creations. Inspired by cultures around the world, many of the designs are reminiscent of large, ornate cuffs and collars worn by the indigenous people of Africa, Indonesia, and India, with a modern twist and flair. While ever bright and bold, there is a special piece for everyone. Their specialty lies in their beautiful woven designs, using large stones, versus small seed beads, as is customary in woven jewelry. Their necklaces and flexible stone cuffs consist of two, four and six strand woven designs. They also create cluster, drop and hoop earrings made with sterling silver chain and faceted gemstones. In addition to their participation at the I Am Handmade Market, you can find iram-inal's current line at the Beehive Co-op at 1831 Peachtree Street, Atlanta, Georgia, and always at http://www.iraminal.com/, where you will soon be able to view their spring/summer collection.

Vendor Spotlight: Ethel Ruin Designs



Ethel Ruin? What is that?
Well, it is a little bit country and a little bit rock-n-roll. It is where country couture meets urban chic. It is a line of aprons, hand bags, clutches and other designs to suit your fancy.
Ethel Ruin Designs are the creation of Melissa McLamb, a native of North Carolina and a real, live country girl. Her inspiration for design spun from the up-bringing she had on her family’s farm – simple but classic. When Melissa moved to Atlanta four years ago, her classic country designs became infused with city flare – funky and modern. Ethel Ruin Designs was born out of this meeting of two different worlds, and will satisfy those who sit on both sides of the fence. (Note: A full launch of Ethel Ruin Designs is scheduled for early summer 2008.)
Contact Information:
E-mail: designs@ethelruin.com
http://www.ethelruin.com/

Wednesday, April 9, 2008

Vendor Spotlight: Will "Cognak" Watkins

Will “Cognak” Watkins is an artist on a mission, but his is no solo trip: He wants to take you on the journey, too. His destination is a place where everyone can appreciate, own and even create fine art that honors their rich heritage and hope filled destiny. So far, hundreds of people have willingly followed Watkins to that vista – including writer and singer Jai Black of Metropolis, and celebrity choreographer Tina Arnold. From celebrity homes to small businesses, corporate offices and women’s spas, Watkins’ original and lithograph artwork hangs from coast to coast.



As an upcoming artist in the African-American print market, Watkins is a popular personality at national art shows, conferences of African-American groups and major international events, including the Essence Music Festival. His art has been featured in music videos, jazz clubs and galleries. An artist who has received no formal training Watkins’ success has been in what some may call non-traditional methods of reaching art consumers. He’s taken a ‘pass’ on formal galleries or exhibits – but it’s a path with which he is comfortable.

“I have never been really interested in the wine and cheese scene. I believe that my calling is more personal than major events or business meetings. I strive to capture the essence of Love, Life, and the depths of the soul in my work. If people evolve to love art, and then start to collect art, I want it to be because something pure in my work caught their attention. If that has happened – if they’ve fallen for the pure message in my work – then my mission is accomplished.”

Velvet Influence
Dressed in jeans and a contemporary shirt, and sporting an Atlanta Braves fitted cap tilted to the left, Will Watkins looks every bit the cutting-edge artist and entrepreneur whose busy day include juggling clients, throwing events and fathering his three year old daughter.. So, it’s surprising to hear this 21st century businessman reveal his old-school philosophy that is the inspiration behind his art.

“The velvet paintings that were popular in the late 70s and mid 80’s…,” he whispers, as if he’s carefully revealing a secret. “I can remember my familiy and their basement parties, and the LPs, and the Afrocentric sculptures and all the blackness.” His memories ring true for many, taking us all back to a time when kids peeked in on parents parties or finally got to see the Ohio Players “Sweet Sticky Thing” album cover, unfolded. And to the more recent, you might remember the Outkast album Stankonia and the music of the early to mid 90’s.

“The 70s seemed like a time of such sensuality and independence for black people to me,” he said. “My early art definitely leans toward that sensuality touched with the woman’s anatomy – a sort of ‘soul gothic’ inspired by black power and Michelangelo.” Williams says that the independence of Black people in the 70s to the 90’s that he so admired is right in line with the independence contemporary artists seek. “Today, we have the freedom to create more expressive art that isn’t censored or restricted at all.”


Watkins currently resides in Atlanta.

For information on Will Watkins, call 404-573-1018
or
www.myspace.com/ aquariunartistry
email yeaah_buddy13@yahoo.com

Tuesday, April 8, 2008

The First I AM HANDMADE is fast approaching

Well we are beyond excited about the list of vendors that are participating in the first I AM HANDMADE. A few are listed below and we have more spotlights to come. For those vendors who are still on the fence we have a few spots still available so send an email if you need additional information. We have a very special event planned the Thursday before I AM HANDMADE that will benefit all participating vendors tremendously. Our contact info is listed to the left underneath the header, but here you go again. You can send an email to iamhandmade@gmail.com.


Once again we will be located at the Irwin Street Market located at 660 Irwin Street Atlanta Georgia 30312. Our hours are Friday, Saturday and Sunday 10 am to 6 pm.

Vendor Spotlight: Stacey Page




Stacey Page is a local artist and former student of Atlanta College of Art. Her studies include painting and fibers. She has also studied millinery and felting in Chicago under Jan Wutkowski, Tammy Deck, and Eia Radosavljevic. Today, Stacey is an accomplished milliner and fiber artist experimenting with combinations in wood sculpture and painting. Her artwork focuses the human experience with story telling and repetition. The work is executed in a raw like manner with references to modern life. Her hats are hand sewn using straw or felt and are shaped with her own hat block designs.




To the left are some examples of her fiber art. Her contact information is below:

Contact info is

Monday, April 7, 2008

Vendor Spotlight: LeAnn Christian

Me? I’m an artist. I’ve finally come to accept it. I’ve tried to stop it, and it keeps coming back. I remember my Mom asking me one time when I was going to get a “real” job. What did that mean? I finally decided that if I’m going to spend more than a few hours a day doing something, I should enjoy it. Life is too short to spend a lot of time doing anything you are not passionate about. These days there is nothing I enjoy more than the time I spend working with glass. I am completely fascinated by glass. You can cut it, break it, and melt it. You can’t destroy its beauty. You hold it up to the light and its personality changes. It’s amazing.I love being surrounded by color.

I was the little girl who used all the crayons in the big box. I spent 16 years as a floral designer. My quest for a “real” job led me out of that field, but my desire to create things and be around color never went away. I took my first stained glass class in 2003 and my life has not been the same. I first melted glass with a torch in 2005. It was unbelievable! I have never had that “I need to do this” kind of feeling so strongly before. Now I’m doing something I love every day. Sorry Mom - no “real” jobs here. Just days filled with magic – and glass.

You can view LeAnn's work here:

www.leannchristian.com
www.LeAnnChristian.etsy.com

Vendor Spotlight: Winsome Expressions

Winsome Expressions - your place for greeting and note cards, stationery, invitations and other items for all occasions.

For a Winning Expression on any occasion, shop our online catalogue

About Us
Owner / Artist: Winsome Jean

Years in business: 8

Our Motivation for Creating
To do good and be good by providing unique, quality, afforable graphic design solutions to corporate and individual clients. Winsome Expressions is a perfect avenue to parlay the owner's God-given design talents and business skills born through twenty years in management positions for government and industry.

External Return: Satisfied customer who keeps coming back and refers others.

Internal Return: Satisfied soul.

http://www.winsomecards.com/

Vendor Spotlight: Gifts on a Mission

From Jackie Brantley, Founder

"It all started in a Moscow flea market where I was buying a beautiful, hand painted nesting doll. I said to my fellow mission-team member, 'why don't we buy several of these, take them home and sell them to raise money for the orphans we are working with here?' We knew it would help the artist we were buying from who obviously wanted to support herself in a very tough city. It was a simple concept and one that had certainly been done before, but I knew there was a need to do more. That was five years ago now and I have learned that God sometimes unveils his purpose for us bit by bit. I also learned that God can speak through a variety of methods. For me it was Rick Warren and his "Purpose Driven Life", several other books about understanding God's will, a variety of mission trips to South America, Mississippi and Russia, dear friends and mentors, and of course His word, the Bible.

Then, another bit of His plan, some friends of mine introduced me to a pastor from Kenya who was visiting the U.S. Shortly thereafter I went on a mission trip to Kenya and I knew God was calling me not only to start this business He had been planting in my head, but to start first in Kenya.I believe that people want to help themselves. They just need a chance, a break, an opportunity. You can give a person money but if they don't have some investment in what they are doing, it won't stick. They will be waiting for the next time you can give them money. I believe this ministry is just about leveling the playing field a bit so that everyone can do better for himself.

The last element is that my passion is 100% children. They have so much potential. Unlike adults, they can't always create opportunity for themselves. They need a "hand up" for sure.So, Gifts on a Mission was born.

Today, we are small but mighty and working primarily in one country. Tomorrow, we will import from a variety of countries and bring you even more opportunities to make a difference. What a privilege! I pray that those I am helping are half as blessed as I am for working with them. We seek out the best products and the artists who don't have a lot of opportunity for sales. Then, we seek out the opportunities to help children, whether it be building schools, buying school supplies, assisting orphanages – anything that will give a child a fighting chance to grow up and contribute back to his community!"
www.giftsonamission.com
www.giftsonamission.blogspot.com

Vendor Spotlight: PhemSoul Fashions

Kenyetta Chinwe started crocheting when she was 14 years old. She was taught by her mother who is a skilled crochet artisan. Over the last 20 years she has evolved from her humble beginings into a designer of original crochet fashion and jewelry. She is currently in the process of launching her latest enterprise "PhemSoul Fashions". It is a hip urbane line of clothing and accesorries aimed at the women who likes to stand out from the crowd and a cut above the rest.

Kenyetta resides In Atlanta,Ga.
Her contact info:
Phone: 404.914.4980
Email: PhemSoul@yahoo.com

Thursday, April 3, 2008

Vendor Spotlight: Kyra's Kreations

Kyra Crawford owner of Kyra's Kreations will participate in the I AM HANDMADE MARKET at Irwin Street Market on April 18th. Kyra's Kreations consist of hand crochet and knitted accessories. Come by and peruse the great items that Kyra creates.