I Heart Libraries!

I confess!  I’m a total book nerd- and proud of it.  I love reading and libraries almost as much as I love crafting. I love the smell of books, finding a quiet corner to read in, and getting lost in a book by my favorite author.  So, when the SF public library asked me to create a series of workshops for their One City One Book: San Francisco Reads program, I was very flattered and super proud.

Here are a few snaps from my recent SpaceCraft: Mini PlushieWorkshops I taught at Visitation Valley and Ingleside Branches.  I love to see the creative touches kids and adults add to my patterns.  For even more photos of the workshops go to the GoGo Craft flickr page.

Let's craft and chat about Mary Roach's book, Packing for Mars.  As of this moment I'm on the stomach churning chapter 6!  So join me for my SpaceCraft: Upcycled Cup Cozy Workshops on Oct 30th at the Presidio Branch and Nov 3rd at the Sunset Branch. Please call those branches to reserve your spot.

The Ladies of LIDL

Usually my blog posts are about the latest GoGo Craft project or event, but I'm changing it up to tell you about the amazing women of LIDL (short for Ladies Independent Design League).  This is an amazing group of artists, illustrators, photographers, and crafters that meet weekly to discuss ideas, projects, business, or just life.  I am proud to say that I am part of this group, and these women are a constant source of inspiration and support in my life.  

Read on to see what these talented gals have been up to this week...

Cindy Ann

Things have been clicking into place for Cindy Ann and she has some exciting thing on the horizon.  Read more here.  And for those of you in the UK you can now get your hands on her cards at Must Get A Card. 

Jen

Jen's in Istanbul! She's busy filling her sketchbook with drawings inspired by some of the city's amazing sites (it's even possible her 2012 calendar will have a lot of Byzantine and Ottoman influences). Check out her photos here.

Mati

Mati is excited to have her lucky elephant art displayed in NYC on Pier 1's windows! She never thought when she started to be an artist that she would ever have her art blown up larger than life in NYC!! Mati's husband Hugh reported yesterday on a shopping trip to Pier 1 to get a basket, "Wait, that's my wife's art all over the gift cards!". Yay! He brought one home for Mati to see :)

Stef

Stef has been getting ready for The Instant Magic workshop coming to Teahouse

next weekend.  Along with preparing for her first wedding Photoshoot this weekend!

Steph

Having just done a couple of 2-day craft shows in a row, Steph is stoked to be gearing up for her next event: Hello Etsy with CCA! She'll be teaching an Etsy Shop Tune-Up workshop and leading some rad crafting tables with her fellow I Heart Art: SF volunteers on September 18th in San Francisco.

Willo

Photo Credit: Stephanie Renee

Willo's been having a blast consulting cool clients like San Francisco designer feistyelle, who makes beautiful laser-cut felt jewelry, and tech startup Stitch Labs - who's revolutionizing inventory management for small businesses.  She's also putting the final touches on her latest WilloToons Connect episode, that launches next week, and it's going to be amazing! 

Amelia

Photo Credit: Stephanie Renee
Yup, that's me.  Just one of the photos from my "grownup" portrait session with the talented photographer Stefanie Renee.  Not only did Stef make me feel totally relaxed and comfortable in front of the camera but hanging out with her was a blast!  This week I've been gearing up for my first workshop in the SpaceCraft: Mini Plushie series, launching this Monday, Sept 12th from 4-5:30pm at the Visitation Valley Public Library Branch.  Come join me if you want to learn to make a retro spaceship, astronaut, or alien plushie for FREE!