a peek behind Lark Studio...

Help me say it and win

I need a new slogan/motto for my business and I would like your input. Lark Studio is going green(er) this year. I'm using the supplies I have and when I need to purchase something I'll be using only second-hand materials aside from some basic findings. How can I let folks know in a short, snappy statement? I haven't been able to come up with much, just these:

• Making junk look good
• We make junk look good
• Trashion for you and your home 

So, please, please, please give me some suggestions/feedback in the comments of this blog post. If I choose your suggestion you can shop Lark Studio with a $10 gift certificate!

Hit me with your best shot!

Creative reuse

Do you repurpose items for your craft? If so, Rockport Publishers/Quarry Books is looking for you! They are seeking submissions for 1000 Ideas for Creative Reuse, an upcoming book by Garth Johnson of ExtremeCraft.com. The book will feature items all made with recycled, upcycled, repurposed and reused items. No matter what your poison - paper and book arts, jewelry, textiles, furniture, art or miscellanea - all are encouraged to submit their work.

The deadline for submissions is January 5, 2009 and early submissions are highly encouraged. For details and more information head over to www.creativereusebook.com

Wooly Jacket by SewOno ap*par*el and Button Ring by Nicole Lee Designs.

You too can enter the State Fair

For the past several years, every year, I say "I'm going to enter something into the State Fair competition...".  And unfortunately I have yet to do so.  Usually, I remember sometime around the entry deadline and it's too late.  But, not this year - the entry deadline isn't until September 5th AND you can apply online so there's time!

The State Fair of Virginia hosts numerous art & craft competitions each year.  Of course ribbons are awarded but they also give away good cold hard cash.  I have to give it to the Fair - they totally embraced the whole DIY craft thing some time ago.  I do believe their Duct Tape category is going on 5 or so years old.

Trust me: if you can make it there is a category for it at the Fair.  You can find the guidelines and how to enter here.  Anyone up for a little friendly crafting competition?

Fashion designers - here's your chance

If you are a fashion sewing enthusiast and you don't know about BurdaStyle - tsk tsk! BurdaStyle is a website that offers open-source sewing patterns, forums, a sewpedia (an encyclopedia of sewing terms and information) and much more. I've been a fan of Burda patterns for years. The Burda name means consistent, accurate, quality patterns and an unique style. BurdaStyle has put out an open call for designers:

The darkest days of the year are upon us again. Last light leaves the sky long before we trudge home from work, and the cold of winter settles in. We bundle up, hunker down, put extra blankets on the bed. As we settle down for our long winter's nap, instead of visions of sugarplums, let's imagine something even more delightful and inspiring . . . SUMMER IN THE CITY!

What do we want to wear when the days get long and warm again, darlings? We want you to dream up the summer fashion forecast, design it, and share it with everyone on BurdaStyle! Though we decided to leave Workingland and instead jump into a world a bit closer to home, we will continue to look for submissions in these three categories: Women's Trend, Women's Plus Size, and Men's Basic.

The deadline is December 22nd. For more information, check out the Burda website.

So, who's up for the challenge? Post here and let me know.

Craftzine.com apron contest

For all you makers out there, here's the latest contest from Craftzine.com:

Aprons by Erin Taylor - Erin Taylor Designs

Just a reminder that our Prairie Girl-inspired apron contest is still running until November 12th, so get stitching!

Here's the scoop again!

We know there are lots of wonderful homemade aprons out there, and we want to see them. Taunton books has generously offered a copy of Prairie Girl to each of the five winners, and we'll be featuring the aprons in the Curio section of the next issue of CRAFT. Send photographs of the aprons you've been working on to curio[at]craftzine[dot]com by November 12th. (Be sure to include your website or Etsy shop!)[via]