There's a cool new segment on the Vancouver Is Awesome blog called The Opening, where they feature local artists, shows and interesting people in the visual arts community in Van.  Check it out here.  A few weeks ago they featured artist and associate curator for the Vancouver Art Gallery, Kathleen Ritter.  She was responsible for the How Soon Is Now show at the VAG which featured some textile based artists, (ie.Kristi Malakof - above).

And speaking of fibre-based art, there is a must-see show at the Richmond Art Gallery, Fibred Optics, on until August 28th. Read a review here in Canadian Art Magazine.   Montreal based artist Jerome Havre (above) is one of the featured artists.

Okay, so I know this is a different kind of post for us, but when I saw these on the Maiwa blog all I could think about was who and what Vancouver blog I could send them to so they could blog about it.  Instead I've decided to jump out of our usual realm and share them myself.  Aren't they spectacular?  They are made in India of reclaimed wood and are just some of the new stock at Maiwa East in East Van.  Maiwa East is the Maiwa store in Vancouver (one of three) which sells home decor items and furniture.  The other two stores, in case your unfamiliar, are both on Granville Island.  One is the textile supply store (including yarn), and the other is the textile store which sells beautiful clothing and home textiles as well as accessories and books.  All of their fabrics are naturally dyed, hand-woven and printed in India, South America and other places around the world where Maiwa has close ties.  Also a lot of their clothing line is designed in Vancouver.   Bellow are a few of my favourite things on the Maiwa website.

Why I love places like Maiwa:

About 6 years ago I decided that I would try to buy more locally made clothing and stop buying stuff that's made in China (unless I find it in a thrift shop) and found that purchasing less items for a slightly higher cost really pays off.  Not only am I now wearing more clothing that will last a lot longer than the China-made stuff that I would only wear for one season before it started pilling, stretching and falling apart, but it also feels really good knowing that my clothing is made and bought ethically.  Check out Maiwa's definition of "slow clothes" here.  I have a block print dress, a pair of linen pants and a linen tunic all from Maiwa that I've gotten a lot of wear out of for the past four spring/summers.  

PS.  I also love shopping at Tutta Mia for Vancouver/Canada-made clothing and accessories.


Janna

Fun times at the Craft Pride Procession!  Look at that community tapestry!  Seriously, Wow!

Photos taken from the Craft Pride Procession website.  See more here.

August is an exciting month for Vancouver crafters with a million crafty things going on (which we've got on our calendar) beginning tomorrow with the Craft Pride Procession at Thornton Park at Main and Terminal.  Bring your banners, decorated bikes and of course your knitting/crocheting/embroidery/rug hooking etc to celebrate craft!  KT Kilgour will be weaving a community tapestry with YOUR fabric - so bring some ;)

Next Saturday (13th) is the Knit Social Yarn Swap where you bring yarn, needles, hooks, books and whatever other yarn-related things you care not have, to trade or sell.  As they put it, "How you swap is up to you - straight up, three-way, or a little cash thrown in to sweeten the deal, it’s your choice".  There will also be local vendors there to make experience even sweeter if that is possible.  It all takes place at the Cambrian Hall and entry is only $4.

On Sunday the 14th Britannia Centre's outside arts market, Artful Sunday is hosting a knit-out from 12-5, so here's an opportunity to show off your newly swapped goods and chill with friends in the community - you'll most likely make new ones too.

Also don't forget about the August workshop series occurring on the Sunshine Coast.  It's not too late to plan a weekend knit-away.

Something to keep your eye out for in the future is the Knit Mobile by Knit Social where they will be hosting yarn crawls, knitting cruises and more all right here in Vancouver.  But of course you'll always have us to remind you :)

Wow, this town in becoming the most craft-savvy place I know!  Love it!

Happy August!

ox Janna

PS.  Baaad Anna's is turning two at the end of August, so mark your calendars for their anniversary sale on the 27-28th