More news about our amazing makers - Eric Bartholomew of Uber Tuber Enterprises participated in an all potato art exhibition in Sydney Australia last weekend, called the Humble Spud. Their local news covered the show, and they’ve even featured an Uber Tuber card!
Congrats, Eric!

hey everybody! if you’re wondering julie ghatan of clank was at the last show, we’ve got news for you. she’s been busy starting a cool new boutique of mid century modern furniture and vintage clothing! its called dovetail and its on chicago avenue near sonotheque. they’re having a sneak preview party tonight, if you can you should check it out! laurie and i stopped by yesterday, and its beeeautiful! here are the details:

dovetail chicago sneak preview party
friday, may 2 6pm-12am
cocktails | raffle | after party at relax
1452 west chicago avenue
rsvp: dovetailchicago(at)gmail.com

ariel

Howdy all -

I just got an email from the lovely DIY Trunk Show peeps announcing that this fall’s show will be on November 22nd, and applications will be up in June.

They also told me about YarnCon, also at the Pulaski Park Fieldhouse here in Chicago, on October 4th. Applications are being accepted through June 15th for all things fiber/knit/crochet related. More info on their website.

And of course we’re really excited about our next DEPART-ment, at the Pitchfork Music Festival coming up July 18/19/20. Our application should be up in late May (drop us a line if you’d like to be put on the mailing list for sellers), and the FAQ about this particular show will be updated soon.

Now get back to work!

xox
laurie

thanks everyone for coming out to the spring show! we had a great time, and hopefully so did you. for those of you who didn’t know, we were featured on wttw as a time out pick for the weekend! thanks time out!

some of you have been getting some cool press too! scott sullivan of aut0matik homegoods was written up in the wall street journal, and rebecca kowalkowski of lily sky designs had a big feature in the tribune! we love to hear about participants making it big, so if you and yours have something awesome to tell us, don’t be shy - give us a holler!

if you’re wondering about the next show, it will be at pitchfork music festival july 18, 19, 20. the application and info will be up soon, so until then keep on dreaming, scheming, and making!

<3<3
ariel

spring’s finally just around the corner, and so is the next DEPART-ment! our first show of the year will be april 25, 26, and 27 at AV-aerie. want to participate? apply here. want dates for the rest of the year? DEPART-ment will be returning to pitchfork music festival july 18, 19 20; and occurring again at AV-aerie december 5, 6, 7. we’re excited about the coming year and hope you are too!

team DEPART-ment

First off, happy new year! We’re in planning mode for DEPART-ment for the year, but the first big crafty event at AV-aerie (so far) is Swap-O-Rama-Rama, and they need your help!

Swap-O-Rama-Rama is a giant clothing swap and series of do-it-yourself workshops in which a community explores reuse and creativity through the recycling of used clothing. Attend a one-hour meeting to find out more!

The next Swap-O-Rama-Rama Meeting is on Sat. Jan. 26 @ 11am at AV-aerie, 2000 W Fulton *310, Chicago. For more information, see Swap-IL.com.

we’d like to thank everyone who headed out to DEPART-ment this weekend. all in all, it was a great success. we had amazing vendors (extra special thanks to you guys!) + lots of shopping activity *even* in that crazy weather. special thanks to critical mass, who ended their november ride with us!

we know you have other options to shop, but you came, you browsed, and you bought handmade. all of you can pat yourselves on the back, and while you’re at it - why not officially take the handmade pledge? read why here at buyhandmade.org.

xox,
laurie

please join us for the next DEPART-ment, just in time for the holidays! we have everything you’ve come to love, plus new items from over 120 local + national makers. from housewares to art, fashion to jewelry + accessories, bath + body to paper goods, to plush, knit + more – we’ve got a wealth of gift-friendly goods for anyone on your list (including yourself!). the details:

DEPART-ment at AV-aerie (formerly open-end)
2000 W. Fulton, at Damen, *310 (third floor) Chicago
Friday, November 30, 7-11p opening
Saturday + Sunday, December 1+2, 11a-5p
cash only/atm onsite

hey everyone! guess what? we had the pleasure of being interviewed by natalie zee drieu for craft magazine, check out the article here!

just wanted to let everyone know, in case they don’t already, that our former co-depart-ment-organizers (could that have another dash?) have been busy as all get out!
we all know shawn and jen and their lovable shawnimals, but did you know that there is a ninjatown game coming out for nintendo DS next september? it’s true! check out the trailer, along with a nice article here.

can’t wait that long to get a wee ninja fix? then head on over to rotofugi this tuesday, november 27th from 6-9p, for the ninjatown collectible micro plush release party and signing! rotofugi is at 1953 w. chicago ave in chicago. i know i’ll be there with my kids - god knows with only a dozen or so shawnimals in the house, we need more…

kisses,
laurie