1 Year!

We can’t believe how fast this past year has flown by! On the other hand, February 24th, 2012 seems so long ago. At this time last year, the 5 of us, Vicki, Kristen, Michelle, Ashley, and Marie pulled together(in a month) about 50 artists, a handful of thrifted and donated furniture pieces, one awesome sofa, and a lot of paint and enthusiasm.

In the last year, displays got changed, Michelle moved on, and the sofa went back to Vicki’s apartment to help make room for almost 90 more artist’s work from all over VA. The only thing that hasn’t changed is the enthusiasm. We still love what we do, the folks that entrust their work to us, and the folks that come in to say hi and shop every day.  All of us have grown and learned A LOT in the last year and have enjoyed watching our artists grow their businesses and get better and better.

Can’t wait to see what the next year has in store for us and are still so excited to be a part of a city and community that gets more fantastic every day!

Some snapshots from the past year(Pulled from our facebook page – it’s been a trip trying to pull just a few!)

2 days before opening, still frantically inventorying and arranging displays.

Vicki ringing up our first sale!

One of our many classes – this one was tie dye, taught by the talented Angel of Impressed. From resin crafting to sewing to terrariums, it was great to see makers of many different backgrounds willing to share their knowledge with others.

Along with our shop dogs, Lola and Kiah(and now Brownie), we had some great furry visitors(you can call this one Al).

We took field trips – this one was Hearthside Farms, the makers of Tasha’s Own soap – here our resident local celebrity and artist, Hollywood shows off the horses.

We partied. Our 6 month and Etsy Global Craft Party was a huge success, bringing a bunch of folks from all around the area to craft, eat some great food from Hubcap Grill and hang out in the great weather. Here’s the 5 of us in our photobooth shot with the awesome sign made by one of our great crafters, What the Duct?.

The carpet and the sofa went away, but the great events continue – including singalong time!

New Art! Carl Floyd Medley III

This month’s artist, Carl Floyd Medley III claims to be able to draw, and has built a really good case for it. From the fast food icons to hip hop to Jesus, he uses his talents to bend pop culture in a wonderfully twisted way.  He’s our February artist and you should come check it for yourself…

Wendy the Bearded Lady, Colored pencil on paper

From Carl’s website:

Through his work, Carl Floyd Medley III attempts to confront his surroundings the only way he knows how; with humor. As a child of the 80s, Carl (b. 1981) grew up with a healthy mix of Choose Your Own Adventure books, cartoon merchandising and a family whose method for dealing with life’s trials and tribulations was centered around jokes. He now uses his foundation in realism to turn cultural references on their heads and create narratives ranging from absurd to heartfelt. By employing various techniques and mediums, Carl continues his journey to create encompassing experiences and ignite dialogues that lead the viewers to question, understand and even laugh at themselves and the world they live in.

He also loves blueberry cake doughnuts and doesn’t fully understand 0% financing.

Big Ups to Crunch, Swag Pop, Screwball Wu-Ball

 

Trophy: Yellow Battle, mixed media sculpture

 

Trophy: Red Battle, mixed media sculpture

 

Batman, colored pencil on paper

Bouquet, Oil on Canvas

 

Jumbo Peanuts, acrylic on wood

 

Mary from the Block, colored pencil on paper

 

My Jesus Chain, colored pencil on paper

Carl’s work will be hanging through the month of February.

Foolin’ Around Kitsch Style with Skye Zentz

One of our favorite local songbirds took some time to hang out, sing a couple songs and model some stuff for us! We absolutely adore this chickadee with an amazing voice, kind heart, and mad songwriting(and ukelele!!) skills.  Tomorrow night, she’ll be having her cd release party and show at 757 Creative Space in Norfolk – 7:00pm, $5 suggested donation…Bring the kids, bring your friends –  there will be cupcakes from Call me Cupcake, we’ll be hosting a craft table, a writing workshop hosted by The Muse, locally brewed Kombucha from Kombuchick,  and a vintage photobooth by the lovely ladies at With Lavender and Lace Vintage. You’re very own copy of  ”Bird Heart” can be downloaded here .

Gettin’ fancy with a Vintage by Luna Rosa bird necklace and Wired by Lena ring – origami mobile by Pretty Neko.

Salvaged Love necklace, CJ Sparkles shawl – perfect for a slightly chilly Summer night.

Taco earrings by Crafty Library Lady, felt wristcuff by Gymbohanna.

Cuddling with some friends – Sock pig and kittie by Get Your Art On, Owl pillow and necklace by Gymbohanna, Silent Orchid sugar skull, 80′s owl by Normal is Boring, Lil Fox by The Burbs, Shlii mushroom house, Patches and Jackson’s Corner fishie, Fairview Place button earrings, Sophia’s Lament pinwheel hairclip.

Fun at the Naro – Fairview Place felt popcorn, Luna Rosa earrings, Impressed scarf.

She’s a rainbow – Duct Tape Creations clutch, Gymbohanna charm bracelet, One Delightful Button earrings.

What flavor? Cupcake headband from Happy Felties, Amiably Crafted necklace, 23 Hearts hand stamped clutch

Rick Nickel one of a kind cup, sterling silver ring by My Precious Studio.

Shlii hairclip, Sophia’s Lament rocket pillow, Crochet it Baby wristcuff.

closeup of Shlii galaxy flower hairclip, Itsy’s Designs infinity scarf.

Zigswag necklace, bangle and wood ring by Angie Van Dyke

Deflated – Ashley’s Senior Show!

We’re so stinking proud of our co-owner, Ashley Pickin! She’s now the proud owner of not only Kitsch and Pic-N-Paint(The best dern face and body painting in Hampton Roads!), but a brand spanking new degree from ODU! She has her senior solo up for the next week at the shop. ALL MADE FROM BALLOONS. See, her fiance is this guy. So there are a LOT of bright, colorful balloons lying around – many deflated and broken and looking for a new purpose. And an art medium is born. We’re particularly in love with Latex Stalagtite Tipped in Gold – 4 feet’s worth – thousands of balloons, all tipped in gold paint – and Para Pinata(Para is the name of the South American tree that latex comes from) – a practically huggable rainbow ball…Deflated will be hanging at the shop for about another week!

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Home Stretch

Things are really coming together! We have heat! A phone number! New inventory arrives daily! If the rain ever stops, we’ll have a sign! We’ve been so overwhelmed by the support and excitement that the community has given us – really makes us feel welcome and that this was an idea who’s time had come…:) We’re so very looking forward to the Grand Opening weekend festivities next weekend, 11-7 on Saturday and 12-5 on Sunday- music, refreshments, demos, make and takes, a raffle, and some great shopping!
Check out these awesome soft sculpture dolls from Silent Orchid!

People…People who Need People

Ohmigosh. So much work to be done. LOVING every minute, though. The shop’s well on it’s way to being fully painted…beginning to meet with the artists(meeting new people, yay!)(btw, y’all, I’m meeting with a jewelry artist on Monday that shares studio space with a taxidermist…HOW COOL IS THAT?)…Eventually, I’ll even get our mugs up on here so you can meet the partners in crime behind this operation.

Speaking of artists, we’re loving the response we’re getting, but since we’re greedy and all…WE WANT TO SEE MORE!

Especially want to see wearables(hand pulled screen tshirts/clothing, redesigned/refashioned clothes, Virginia fashion designers), housewares/tableware, pet stuff, funky cool stationary, and possibly something we never knew we needed?

Thank you all for your support in this journey Michelle, Vicki, Marie, Ashley and I are taking…we can’t wait to get this thing in the air!
Much love,
Kristen (KR)