Our Holiday Booty Market is shaping up to be a super rad show. This fun event will be your last chance to find that perfectly unique handmade gift before the holidays. Come and check out our indie craft event in the heart of Washington, D.C. Admission is free. Music and snacks provided! All you have to bring is your shopping list!!! Click events above to get all of the details including how to get there (easy! Metro!). Make a day of it, come to our show, get some dinner and then check out the National Christmas Tree! Details on our rad vendors are on the way, so check back often.

For all the crafters, we are collecting both promos for our goodie bags and ornaments for our ornament drive. Just email us for details.

Make something! We are encouraging shoppers to participate in our ornament drive! Make a holiday ornament, bring it priced and ready to hang on our tree. Money raised from holiday ornament sales will be donated to both a food pantry, and also a DC schools arts project (More info coming soon). Show up early to give your ornament more time to sell. We are encouraging both traditional and slightly odd ornaments. Just make something! If you cannot come to the show, but still want to send ornaments, just email us for details.

We would love to see both odd and traditional ornaments. Here is the one that I made last night:

Jen is not only the newest Mutineer, but one of the vendors for our upcoming Mutiny Market!

1. What do you make and do you have a website?

I make soap. 8thstreetsoap.com

2. Why do you make things?

Mainly because I get real joy out of the process -- there's something about ending up with something tangible from your efforts that is very gratifying. I sit behind a computer all day, so it's especially fun to get my hands dirty...so to speak. And I will admit there's weirdly subversive element to it that I enjoy -- my own little way to sock it to The Man (I don't need your stinkin' soap, Procter & Gamble! hah!). If you want to get all philosophical about it, there's also the whole creating-order-out-of-chaos angle. It's human instinct to want to make stuff.

3. When did you start making things?

I started making soap around 2000. I had picked up an intriguing book about soapmaking. It wasn't until my first 50-pound container of coconut oil came in the mail that I realized I was in deep. When did I start making other stuff? Since I was a little kid. An early project was making my mom a "pillow" out of fabric scraps, filled with cherry blossoms, and stapled shut all the way around. It got all moldy.

4. Why buy handmade?

Handmade is one-of-a-kind, no two things end up exactly alike. Everytime you buy handmade you are acknowledging and connecting on some level with the individual who made it.

5. What craft supplies would you take to a deserted island?

I'd need more information to answer this question accurately. A saw?

6. What crafters or artists do you love?

Too many to mention (my fellow Mutineers, for starters). There are a lot of clever people out there with cool ideas and mad skills. The internet is an amazing place.

7. What new craft/skill do you want to learn?

Paper-marbling. Sewing machine and power tools. Pottery. Glass-blowing. Drawing. Papel picado. That's just the tip of the iceberg -- in my ideal world, we'd all get sent off to adult arts-n-crafts camp every summer.

8. Tell us something funny about yourself.

I spent the first two-thirds of my life mispronouncing the word "lapel". I always thought it rhymed with label.

We're excited for these folks from Baltimore coming to our lil' craft fair!

1. What do you make and do you have a website?

We make many many things and have many many websites! www.charmcitycraftmafia.com is our headquarters, and under "members" you will find links to all of our individual business sites!

2. Why do you make things?

Well, why not! We love to make things, and handmade is so much nicer than Mass Produced! We want people to buy local because it is better for local economy and, at least in our case, more guaranteed to be worker friendly! We craft because we need to be doing something
with our hands, and clapping was getting old.

3. When did you start making things?

That is also probably a huge range, as we're a collective. If we had to estimate, I'd say most of us started crafting in the womb.

4. Why buy handmade?

Oops, we accidentally answered this in question two, but here's more on that: Handmade means- you're buying from the artist, and the artist will therefor, theoretically, get more of the profit, It means you're buying local (see above) and that you get to feel extra special, but
you own something that is NOT mass produced, and might just be the only one of it's kind in the world!

5. What craft supplies would you take to a deserted island?

wow, we'd have to pack a pretty big box. Is there electricity on the island? Yarn, Clay, Felt, Sewing Machine, Recycled fabric, squeeguees and ink, needles and thread, hot glue guns (because, why not?), more fabric....

6. What crafters or artists do you love?

We love ALL crafters and artists, because if you have the drive to do this, we know it's out of love, and not about the big bucks. We also love all of our vendors for Pile Of Craft, Holiday Heap, and shows in the future that we get the pleasure of jurying.

7. What new craft/skill do you want to learn?

We would like to learn to make buttons. We could use some button making skillz.

8. Tell us something funny about yourself.

We aren't really a mafia and we don't hurt people...we help them love crafts. Haaaaa!

Rock N Shop!' at the Black Cat!

In Addition to OUR Booty Market - many of the Mutineers will be at the annual Black Cat show.

Sun Dec 9- ROCK'N'SHOP: A Rock'n'Roll Garage Sale free Mainstage 8:00 pm.

"Hunting for that perfect holiday gift? Looking to augment your hardcore collection with some essential records? Searching for the perfect T-shirt? Stop right there, my friend! Rock-n-Shop is where it's all at. This yearly junk sale offers more than the standard fare...for one thing, it's not all junk...

Visit the site here here!

Let's talk to another of the rad vendors who will be selling at our Holiday Booty Market on December 15th!

We here in the Craft Mutiny have been eyeing Saint Bob since Crafty Bastards, wishing we'd had time to step away from our own booths and take a look at the fun! We are glad he's joining us... we almost had to promise him our first-born or something to convince him to come!

What do you make and do you have a website?
I make artwork dedicated to celebrating PBS painting legend Bob Ross. Though I don't use the same techniques he taught on his show, The Joy of Painting, I draw inspiration from his soft words of encouragement. Bob was fond of saying that when you buy your first tube of paint, it comes with an Artist's License that says you can paint whatever you want. I believe him.
website: http://www.squished.com/saintbob.html

Why do you make things?
I sense a feeling inside me that needs to be expressed, a sort of energy that needs to escape. It's nothing tangible or even easily explained. It's like a word that's juuuuust on the tip of your tongue, yet you can't quite grasp it. Making things is my way of reaching for that word, for the elusive ability to express something from within. Maybe someday I'll finally get it out, but hopefully not.

When did you start making things?
When I was just 10 minutes old, I fashioned my own umbilical cord into a balloon animal.

Why buy handmade?
There is a direct connection to the hand that makes the piece. You can meet the creator in person, and see whose labor bore your fruit. It's like going to a farm and selecting your own cow to be slaughtered. Seeing the face close up makes you appreciate the tastiness of the burger that much more.

Hmmm. Maybe that's not the best analogy, but you get the point.

What craft supplies would you take to a deserted island?
Spray adhesive, rubber cement, and spray paint. After I got high on those, I suppose I'd need a paint brush or something, too.

What crafters or artists do you love?
Tough one, but I'll have to go with Bob Ross. His paintings are kind of ugly, but his philosophy is noble: you are the artist, and you can do whatever you want. Think of how many limits we have on ourselves, generated both externally and internally. Any artistic pursuit should be a release from those limitations, and if it's not, you've got the wrong hobby.

What new craft/skill do you want to learn?
Printmaking. There is something soothing about the gentle repetition of crafting.

Tell us something funny about yourself.
I discovered that, though cans of spray adhesive and cockroach spray may look similar, their contents are not. Poor, poor, slow-motion cockroach.

Remember to check out Saint Bob at the Holiday Booty Market, Saturday December 15, 2007 * 12-6pm, Hilda's @ National City Christian Church * 5 Thomas Circle Washington, D.C.

Let's talk to another of the rad vendors who will be selling at our Holiday Booty Market on December 15th!

We are all in awe of Block Party Press. We love her use of color and texture and the way that she makes simple things seem extraordinary. She also have possibly the best Etsy shop on the planet. It is a like a little art gallery with it's amazing pictures. We can't wait to see all of her work in person and know that she will have something for at least one person on your holiday shopping list (besides yourself, of course!).

Block Party Press

What do you make and do you have a website?

I make wearable art jewelry and accessories and I am starting to get into making wall art and home decor items as well. I don't have a website yet, but I blog about my business here: http://blockpartypress.blogspot.com

Why do you make things?

I make things because I have to. There is something inside me that compels me to make things. This is what led to my business, because I had way tpo many things that I made piling up. Plus it's just fun and it is so cool to come up with an idea and see it through to completion.

When did you start making things?

I have always made things from as far back as I can remember. I have been drawing, doodling and painting since I was a toddler.

Why buy handmade?

Buying handmade is a personal experience. you get deal directly with the artist and you know that their heart went into the item. You can't say that about mass produced items. Also you are supporting an artist and not a greedy CEO when you buy handmade!

What craft supplies would you take to a deserted island?

A pencil and paper. My first love is drawing so I always like to have pencil and paper around. Drawing up new ideas would be a great way to pass the time while I waited to be rescued. Plus I could also draft a note to send out in a bottle.

What crafters or artists do you love?

Too many to list. I love Tina Seamonster because she is super nice and supportive and all her items are so original. I also love Marissa Swinghammer from Mlee.etsy. The way she combines and layers color and texture fascinates me.

What new craft/skill do you want to learn?

I would love to learn to sew. I just have this fear about all the measuring and accuracy involved. I'm not much of a measurer. I am much more of an eye-baller, but I have so many ideas that involve sewing. Maybe Santa will bring me a sewing machine!

Tell us something funny about yourself.

I am a very big clutz and I have passed this on to my oldest son (so now I can blame it on genetics). It's not too funny to me, but most others get a kick out of watching me trip, spill things, knock things over, etc.

1. What do you make and do you have a website?


I silkscreen and applique vintage clothing and accessories and make jewlery. Unfortunately i don't have a website but I do have a live action store which sells records as well as clothing-Smash! 2314 18th Street NW 2nd Floor WDC 20009-come visit!



2. Why do you make things?


I make things because I enjoy it!



3. When did you start making things?


I have made things since I was a child but I turned it into profitable endevor about four years ago.



4. Why buy handmade?


Handmade things are so much more unique and generally better quality than mass produced goods!



5. What craft supplies would you take to a deserted island?


I would take paper, scissors, glue, dowel rods and string to make a kite!



6. What crafters or artists do you love?


I love BANG!, Muss, everyone involved in the craft mutiny-the list goes on.



7. What new craft/skill do you want to learn?


I would love to learn to cast things to make jewelry and to etch wood and to blow glass-pretty much anything craft related that I don't know how to do I would like to learn.



8. Tell us something funny about yourself.


When I was 15 I learned to silkscreen and I was totally obsessed with Morrissey. I made about seven Morrissey silkscreens-one for every day of the week!

If you are looking for safe, kid-friendly (and lead-free) gifts for the little ones, you will find lots of options at the our Holiday Booty Market on December 15th. Check out these cute kid-friendly plush creatures from Tree Man Jake! Dirty Snowball, anyone? We are excited to have Edie at our show and think you will love her stuff. Let's talk to Edie from Tree Man Jake:

What do you make and do you have a website?
I create super-soft and squishy plush for little ones and big people
alike. From dirty snowballs to hunks of coal, I give smiles to the
lonely, unwanted creatures of the world. The website for my happy
plush can be found at www.treemanjake.com

Why do you make things?
The answer to this question is very simple… it makes me smile and I
like to make other people smile. I have a lot of stuff wandering
around in my head and it is so much fun to see it turn into a reality.

When did you start making things?
From the moment I made my first pom-pom caterpillar magnet in
elementary school, I was hooked on crafting. While my crafting has
progressed a little beyond the pom-pom caterpillar, I still get the
same crazy excitement when I make things for other people. I have
been seriously crafting for about 8 years now.

Why buy handmade?
I choose to buy handmade because each piece, artwork, creation, and
critter is an expression of the artist or crafter's heart and soul.
You just don't find the same level of uniqueness anywhere else.

What craft supplies would you take to a deserted island?
I would have to take my needle and thread along with a big pile of fun
fabric. It is very important to have cute, stuffed toys when you are
stranded on a deserted island, you know!

What crafters or artists do you love?
I honestly love all of them. Even if I don't care for a particular
style, I admire anyone who has the bravery to put their craft out
there for the world to see.

What new craft/skill do you want to learn?
I love knitting so I have always wanted to learn to spin and dye my own yarn.

Tell us something funny about yourself.
I like to split things in ½ with my finger. OK… that's a bit neurotic.

I've been seeing so many great ideas for holiday decorating on blogs - here are a few ideas for you! Bonus points go to anyone trying these out and donating one or two to our cause!

salt dough ornaments - Montessori by Hand has some good instructions on making cute, classy ornaments.

modern paper ornaments - Design Sponge has a tutorial on these simple mod ornaments!

Cinnamon Ornaments - I am a sucker for anything that smells good, and tasty smells just scream holidays to me! You can make some sweet-smelling ornaments with this recipe and a cookie cutter!

Classic Glass - Looking for something less messy? These balls at fabgreen.com can be filled with anything you can think of!

Fabric Balls - Plastichearts on Etsy tells you how to make some neat ornaments with a little scrap fabric, pins, and a foam ball!

Do you have a favorite DIY Ornament? Share in the comments!

Kristina Bilonick sceenprints on new + vintage clothing and makes superneat glass jewelry. Her work is all over the place, in numerous shows and fairs! She's also taken on managing the Ballston Arts + Crafts Market this year! We're glad she is joining us with her screen printed designs and jewelry!

1. What do you make and do you have a website?

I make hand printed apparel and kiln fired jewelry. My designs are a mixture of retro-vintage images and nature silhouettes and I print on a variety of new and vintage clothing. My glass jewelry ranges from kitschy (like my fried egg pendant) to elegant glass dangles in a variety of colors.


you can check out my stuff at www.kristinabilonick.com


2. Why do you make things?


I've been making stuff for as long as I can remember, but I really took the 'leap' a few years ago when I quit my full time job and started depending on my sales for half of my income..then you really are motivated to make and make..but it doesn't feel like work when you're having fun!


3. When did you start making things?

I have a picture of myself at age 8 (before my ears were pierced) wearing some paper clips on my ears with cardboard 'lightning bolts' dangling from them.. and my sister and I used to make toilet paper evening gowns for our barbies..


4. Why buy handmade?

Buying something handmade makes you feel good. You know the money you spend is going directly to the artist, you are getting a one of a kind or limited edition piece that has that handcrafted quality you can't find and stores, and if you're buying something as a gift, you know you're giving an interesting unique piece for the same price or less than something you'd find at the mall.


5. What craft supplies would you take to a deserted island?

hmmm.. how big is my life boat? almost everything I do requires lots of equipment so I'd probably have to invent some kind of new craft when I got there.. sand sculptures and shell jewelry and palm-frond outfits!


6. What crafters or artists do you love?

too many to mention!..there are lots of awesome crafters in dc. I particularly dig Daisy Lacy's screen printed vintage wear, REALM jewelry by Jesse Walker, Dirty Pictures hand printed rock posters and Ben Claasen's bittersweet comics..Lots of cool stuff going on within the Craft Mutiny group too!


7. What new craft/skill do you want to learn?

I'm dying to add airbrush techniques to my printed wearables.. gotta love the oldschool graffiti, and unicorns and stuff..I may be too late to jump on that bandwagon, but I wanna make spacey-landscapes like Bob Ross painting Mars.


8. Tell us something funny about yourself.

uhhh.. I have one eyelash that grows longer than the rest..it's really scary. I think it's precancerous..is that funny or gross?


see you soon! xo, kristina