Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Haha! I like this write up!

THE ARTS > ARTIFACTS
ARTIFACTS
(notes on culture)
BY SARAH FISCH

Holiday shopping season may lurk around the corner like an aggrieved sweathouse elf, but the Current is feeling pretty psyched about the Second Annual DIY Factory happening this Saturday.


What the Sam Hill is that, you ask?

See here: 50-plus cutting-edge arts-and-crafts revolutionaries will hawk their handmade wares, while indie musicians rawk La Plaza del Rey Ballroom.
In addition to the crafts market and music, there’ll be a fashion show from 10-11 p.m. featuring Thomas Jefferson Fashionistas, Agosto Cuellar, and Paris Ann.
And for those of y’all who harbor a craftster itch, a Make-n-Take table will provide materials and tools to create your own “cigar-box shrine.” (The Current can’t wait to find out what the hell that is, exactly.
)

… Did we mention the VaVaVoom Vaudeville Inspired Belly Dance Theatre? Or that the first 100 guests will nab a free hand-silkscreened goody bag?

And how much will this all-day (3 p.m.-1 a.m.
!) ticket to crafty paradise set you back? ..FIVE MEASLY DOLLARS.
And if that weren’t enough, the event benefits the Battered Women & Children’s Shelter of Bexar County.


If we don’t see y’all there, we won’t even be able to figure out why.
More info at thediyfactory. org

In the San Antonio Current

Special events
The DIY Factory
Saturday, November 15 at 3pm-1am

Showcasing 50+ alternative arts and crafts vendors epitomizing the Do-It-Yourself ethic.
Unique fashions and accessories, art dolls, handmade house wares, jewelry, found object art, paintings, silk screened tees, totes, and more

Critic's Pick
Indulge your crafty side with the second annual DIY Factory, which showcases more than 50 alternative arts and crafts vendors who epitomize the Do-It-Yourself ethos. You’ll find unique fashions and accessories, art dolls, handmade house items, jewelry, found-object art, paintings, silk-screened tees and totes, knitted goods, and many other one-of-a-kind hand crafted oddities. The celebration of creativity brings together a diverse group of cutting-edge crafters, artisans, designers, and musicians who display their talents in a market setting, allowing first-time vendors to learn from those who have sold their goods for years. A fashion show from 10-11 p.m. features established local designers Agosto Cuellar, Paris Ann, Thomas Jefferson Fashionistas, and more, and local musicians performing include The In & Outlaws, PiƱata Protest, and Los Rokmantix. Guests can get their craft on at the make-n-take table, complete with materials and direction, and obtain information from local organizations that believe in DIY and promote the scene at the community info and action area. $5 adults, children 12 and under free, 3pm-1am Saturday, November 15, La Plaza del Rey Ballroom, 2716 Fredericksburg Rd.
, thediyfactory. org.


Nicole Chavez

In 210SA!

Glue guns and glitter: Welcome to DIY factory
Jennifer Lloyd | 210SA

Renegade crafters will unite for the second annual DIY Factory on Saturday, Nov. 15, in greater numbers and with wild creations. This year, attendees can join in the Swap-O-Rama-Rama by redesigning used clothes on-site for a retrofitted-fashion show during the event at La Plaza del Rey Ballroom.


Missy Ozuna, producer of the show, said about 50 vendors and artisans will be selling their wares at DIY Factory. Expect to find purses made from vintage curtains, found-object art, baby clothing, ceramics, jewelry and feather hairpieces. Lots of stuff will be priced $20 or less, Ozuna said. Visitors can also watch local painter Lawrence Trujillo create art or get into the do-it-yourself spirit themselves.


Those willing to take some design risks can join in the Swap-O-Rama-Rama hosted by Greater Austin Garbage Arts. Ozuna described the swap as an area where guests can donate and swap clothing and transform items with a little design help.


Those who create their own fashions can be part of the fashion show later that night, Ozuna said. Participants can either wear their redesigned clothes themselves or dress a model to show alongside the work of local designers.


Artisans will set up shop next to community action advocates this year. The community info and action portion — with reps from Esperanza Peace and Justice Center, San Antonio Free Speech Coalition and Battered Women and Children’s Shelter of Bexar County — “gives people the opportunity to take the DIY ethic one step further in their community,” Ozuna said. And for each $5 entry free, DIY Factory will give $1 to the Women and Children’s Shelter.


“The craft movement has been going on elsewhere for quite a while, and the craft movement plays a big part in the DIY ethic,” Ozuna said. “It’s about recycling old stuff, about making things unique and not buying mass-produced junk and not supporting large corporations. ..... I think it has to do with individualism, not looking like everybody else.


THE RUNDOWN
WHAT: Second annual DIY Factory
WHEN: 3 p.m. to 1 a.m. Saturday, Nov.
15
WHERE: La Plaza del Rey Ballroom, 2716 Fredericksburg Road
HOW MUCH: $5 (children 12 and under free with adult)
INFO: thediyfactory. org

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Mini-Swap-O-Rama

For all you aspiring fashionistas out there....

The 2nd Annual DIY Factory is hosting a FREE mini-Swap-O-Rama this year. Did I hear someone ask...."What is a Swap-O-Rama?"?

Well..... a Swap-O-Rama-Rama is a clothing swap and series of do-it-yourself workshops in which a community explores creative reuse through the recycling of used clothing. The 2nd Annual DIY Factory will provide a space where guest can donate unwanted clothing, peruse others’ donations, and rework their selections into new and unique fashions with the help of design and sewing savvy volunteers.

Guests are welcome to bring clothing and/or accessories to donate to the swap. Every swap begins with a giant collective pile of clothing, the unwanted clothing of attendees and donors. Everyone is welcome to dive in and find his or her next new/used items from the pile. Take as little or as much clothing from this pile as you like, it's all free!

Swap-O-Rama-Rama also offers on site DIY with skilled artists to help you get started. You'll find professional designers with sewing machines ready to teach you how to make modifications to your new/used duds.

Guests are encouraged to enter their new designs into the fashion show, which starts at 10pm. They can strut down the runway in their fabulous new fashions or use one of our models to show off their design talent!

More information on the Swap-O-Rama-Rama movement can be found at:
www.swaporamarama.org

This year's Swap-O-Rama is being coordinated and produced by our friends at GAGA (Greater Austin Garbage Arts).


Saturday, November 15th

3pm to 1am


La Plaza del Rey Ballroom

2716 Fredericksburg Rd.

(Conveniently located between Hildebrand and West Ave.)


$5 Admission – All Ages

(12 and under free with adult admission)


A portion of the proceeds benefit:The Battered Women and Children's Shelter of Bexar County.

Friday, November 7, 2008

Taking the DIY ethic one step further

The DIY Factory is an annual celebration of creativity that brings together a diverse group of cutting edge independent craters, artisans, designers, and musicians to showcase their talent to the general public. The D.I.Y. (Do it Yourself) philosophy is not restricted to music and the arts; but encompasses community action as well.

We want to giver our guests and participants the opportunity to pursue activism beyond the D.I.Y. scene, and we are proud to announce that this year we have added our new facet to our program where participants and guests can gather information on local organizations that parallel D.I.Y. ethics in their quest for social, political, and economic justice. The non-profit organizations below will provide The DIY Factory guests and participants with the knowledge and tools they need to support and act on behalf of justice on the local, national, and global level.

The DIY Factory is proud to announce that we will donate a portion of the event profits directly to a community organization that struggles valiantly in the fight for social justice, the Battered Women and Children's Shelter of Bexar County.

Stop by our Community Information and Action area on November 15th to learn more about the following organizations.

Battered Women and Children's Shelter of Bexar County is a program of Family Violence prevention Services, Inc., dedicated to breaking the cycle of family violence and strengthening families by providing the necessary tools for self-sufficiency through delivery of emergency shelter, transitional housing, education, effective parenting and early intervention with children and youth.






In its history of over 75 years, LULAC has worked to bring about many of the positive social and economic changes that Hispanic Americans have seen through voter education, seminars, public symposiums and citizenship awareness sessions.








EchoTown is the "Go To" information portal and social network that helps its users "go green" through communication and economic incentives.






The people of Esperanza dream of a world where everyone has civil rights and economic justice, where the environment is cared for, where cultures are honored and communities are safe. The Esperanza advocates for those wounded by domination and inequality – women, people of color, lesbians and gay men, the working class and poor. We believe in creating bridges between people by exchanging ideas and educating and empowering each other. We believe it is vital to share our visions of hope…. we are esperanza.


San Antonio Free Speech Coalition defends the rights of the people to march in the streets. The coalition holds that the recently passed City of San Antonio ordinance on "Parades, Runs, Walks, and Related Events" violates our constitutional rights by charging prohibitive costs to citizens who exercise their free speech by marching in the streets.


Planned Parenthood Trust of San Antonio and South Central Texas is dedicated to providing and protecting the sexual and reproductive health care and information people need to plan their families and their futures.


Fair Trade Certification empowers farmers and farm workers to lift themselves out of poverty by investing in their farms and communities, protecting the environment, and developing the business skills necessary to compete in the global marketplace.




Jump-Start Performance Co. is dedicated to the discovery and support of new ideas in the arts and art education. By encouraging visionary thought and non-traditional approaches, Jump-Start is committed to the creation of art that is a lasting voice of diverse cultures and communities.




Local 782 was established to bring awareness, support, and innovation to San Antonio's music community. Uniting musicians to create opportunity by organizing, educating, and performing.



GreenScene in S.A. is a non-profit organization that educates the public about the benefits of recycling. GreenScene believes that recycling is a small effort that helps in a major way. Their volunteers provided collection and recycling services for small businesses, classrooms, nightclubs and events.

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

Free Make-n-Take!

After perusing all of our vendors’ handmade goods, you just might feel inspired to follow through on the DIY ethic yourself. That is why every year The DIY Factory provides a free make-n-take table for guests of all ages to get their CRAFT ON.

Last year guests were invited to decorate their very own sugar skulls. Over 200 sugar skulls where distributed and decorated. This year we have decided to provide an assortment of materials, tools and guidance for YOU to MAKE your own unique cigar box alter or matchbox pocket shrine, which you can then TAKE home and enjoy.

Even though we will have a wide assortment of materials, we encourage you to bring your own bits and pieces with sentimental value to build an art piece truly special and personal to you. Also, donations of cigar boxes, match boxes, beads, trim, glue, paper, ephemera, and miscellaneous objects would be greatly appreciated.
(No glitter please or tiny beads please)


A cigar box shrine made by Kathy Cano Murillo (Crafty Chica).


Some pics from last year:


Laura using Missy’s oven to make over 200 sugar skulls.

Glad we don’t have to clean up that mess again!



Guests at The 1st Annual DIY Factory getting crafty!

So…COME GET CRAFTY AT THE DIY FACTORY!

Saturday, November 15th
3pm to 1am

La Plaza del Rey Ballroom
2716 Fredericksburg Rd.

(Conveniently located between Hildebrand and West Ave.)

$5 Admission – All Ages
(12 and under free with adult admission)

A portion of the proceeds benefit:
The Battered Women and Children’s Shelter of Bexar County.

Monday, November 3, 2008

You can be an Ethical Shopper too!

The 2nd Annual DIY Factory will take place on November 15, 2008 from 3:00pm to 1:00am at La Plaza del Rey Ballroom, centrally located just North of Hildebrandt on Fredericksburg.


This holiday season, give yourself the gift of ethical shopping!

At the 2nd Annual D.I.Y. Factory, you can buy handmade, unique gifts in every price range made by local artists, crafters, and designers.


On November 15th, come shopping at our showcase of 50 alternative arts and crafts vendors epitomizing the Do-It-Yourself ethic. You won't see your grandma's country crafts, painted bluebonnets or jams and jellies at our fair. You will, however, see unique fashions and accessories, art dolls, handmade house wares, jewelry, found object art, paintings, silk screened tees and totes, knitted goods, and many other one-of-a-kind hand crafted oddities.


In addition to shopping, enjoy four local bands and a dance troupe performance, and stop by the community action area to learn more about how you can participate in activism beyond the D.I.Y. scene.


Only $5 (or $4 with a flier) gets you in the door, so come support the Battered Women and Children's Shelter of Bexar County, local artists, designers, and musicians while having a blast!