10 Artists, 5 Porta potties, 5 hours to pimp them!

June 4th, 11 to 5

Paste 1009 Russell Blvd.

Shoppers can expect to find a variety of handmade items including: jewelry, plush, bags, totes, handmade clothing, accessories, terrariums, and house wares. In addition to crafts, several vendors will be selling fine arts items like mixed media, photography, and paintings.

Organizer and local arts and crafts store owner, Katie Shanahan says, “I’ve had the pleasure of meeting some really amazing artists and crafters since opening Paste. There is no other place I would rather bring them all together than the Soulard neighborhood,” Shanahan says. “Soulard Market Park is a fantastic location with easy access from all areas and the culture of the neighborhood is creative and fun – it’s a perfect fit.”

The Soulard Market Park Arts and Crafts Fairs are sponsored by Paste and The Soulard Business Association.  They will be held the second Saturday of every month in May, June, July, and August.

Here at Paste we are committed to being more than just a craft store and we love to give a shout out to our friends in support when we think they’re doing something cool. Our very own Holly, resident instructor and artist, has an awesome seed swap project going on right now we thought was worth sharing. It’s totally FREE and open to the community (advance registration is required). Next Sunday,March 6, from noon to three, at Urban Eats Cafe.

The purpose of the event is to share seeds and knowledge. Participants sign up and log the seeds they plan to bring (store-bought or harvested). When they arrive, they’ll check in, then enjoy some peer-to-peer education with four lovely ladies who will be talking about various topics: Gardening 101, Urban Chickens, DIY Planters, and Harvest Cooking. After a little learning and a little socializing, everyone will be invited to come through the seed buffet and make their selections.

To learn more about this event or register, please visit the website at www.dropswapgrow.com.

Spring is quickly approaching meaning hibernation season is soon over and people are going to be out and about looking for things to do. We are excited to announce second series of craft shows this summer! Paste and The Soulard Business Association are proud to present the second annual  Soulard Market Park Arts and Crafts Fair, an event featuring local artists as well as live music. There are four event dates May 14, June 11, and July 9 and August 13. The fair will take place in the Soulard Market Park located at the corner of 9th and Lafayette. Fair hours are from 9am-3pm.

The best part of holding the fairs here in Soulard is the already available crowd that frequents the market every Saturday.  Last year was a huge success so we are at it again!

Each artist will be given a 12×12 space. The artists are required to bring their own tents, tables and display items. If there are more than two artists sharing a booth there will be an additional fee. Booth fees are $55 a space per event. Any artists who wishes to sign up for all four dates (and is accepted) will receive a discounted price of $25 for the last fair date.. All items sold MUST be handmade!

Please fill out the online application and mail it with a check to Paste or call to pay by credit card. Any applicant who is not accepted will get their check returned in the mail within 10 days of being notified.

Click Here to Apply!

If you have any questions about this event, please email pastesoulard@gmail.com

Paste and South City Studio are teaming up for the fourth installment of Needles for Newborns to benefit St. Louis Children’s hospital. The goodies we make keep little preemie babies toasty at Children’s hospital. Mark your calendar, right now! February 19th, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

FAQ

It’s a noble cause and all, but why should I waste a precious Saturday when my life is already so busy?

• Babies. Teeny tiny babies who get chilly easily.
• Crafting with purpose feels really good!
• It’s a super-duper fun time. We are a diverse bunch of really interesting people.
• If you’re rusty or just beginning, this is a great opportunity to pick up some skills. Sit near an experienced stitcher and watch ‘em go. We’re a generous bunch, you can ask questions, too.

Do I have to stay the whole time? Can I come late?
You don’t have to stay the whole time by any means, drop in when it’s convenient and stay for however long you’d like. Warning: You’ll have such a good time, you won’t want to go.

What should I bring?
A chair (just in case), a friend (if you can), a snack to share (we’ll provide some snacks), and yarn/needles/hook.

Do I have to bring my own yarn? Can I buy yarn at Paste?
Most people bring their own or buy on arrival. We’ll have some donated yarn up for grabs and there is a fantastic selection of really pretty yarn at very reasonable prices.

Can I donate yarn/supplies/food to the event?
Heck, yes! We love that and thanks in advance for being such a generous soul. Snuggles from the babies.

What kind of yarn is best for babies?
Babies have really sensitive skin, cotton or acrylic is best. No wool.

I can’t come, can I drop of things I make on my own?
Of course! The babies don’t mind one bit.

What are we going to make?
Hats, booties, and blankets.

Will you have patterns?
Yep, we’ll have some. Please feel free to bring your favorite. There are scads for free on the internet if you don’t have a favorite yet, just Google it — free pattern knit crochet preemie baby. BAM! Zillions.

How big should a preemie hat be?
A very wise NICU worker told me think plum, tennis ball, orange. Yes, THAT tiny! Some of the preemie babies only weigh a couple pounds, so they’re gosh darn tiny.

Is this a kid-friendly event?
It breaks my heart to say this because we love the little people, but not really. A) A bunch of ladies cackling and stitching is pretty boring for the kiddos. B) The conversation tends to lean PG-13 and some of the adults like to consume adult-beverages. As a rule of thumb, I’d say it’s probably too “educational” for anyone younger than 14.

I’m a dude, can I come?
Yes, please join us! Disclaimer: If you’re planning to shop the crowd for single ladies, may I suggest match.com?

Do I need to RSVP?
Probably not. If you are planning to bring a bus load of people, then, yes please, let’s talk. Otherwise, no worries, just show up. Early and late tend to be the least busy times, mid-afternoon is the busiest.

Rachel Shelton, Mom, wife, and eco-sewer!

What is the worst craft fail you’ve had?

I once tried to make a stuffed rabbit from a pattern. When it was done, my grandma asked me why I made a long legged grasshopper.

Where do you get your materials from?

I work very hard to use materials that are natural, recycled, or upcycled so I find myself ordering stuff from all over the world. However, I am fortunate because I have teamed with a local university to obtain some really lovely discontinued upholstery samples! You may not be able to have a couch covered in these awesome fabrics any longer, but now you can have a rocking bag made from it and be good to our planet.

If you could talent swap with another local St. Louis crafter for a day who would it be?

Lindsay Brenner. I would love to use a wheel and make pottery.

Ok enough about you! Tell us what you like about Paste!

I love that Paste is locally owned and it has a fun, crafty, unique atmosphere. I also totally dig that Paste supports us local artist. Oh and I think it is very cool that Paste offers such a wide variety of classes.

Ok shamelessly plug yourself! (Where to find your goods, websites, etsy shops etc,)

My goods are available at Paste and the many local shows I participate in. My calendar of events is available at my web site, www.sewgoodandtrendy.com.

Tiny Pimp

Ok who the Heck are you?

I’m, typically referred to as Raw Toast. Raw Toast Design is the name of my traveling studio where all commercial and non commercial types of illustration and design work are commissioned and concocted.

What is the worst craft fail you’ve had?

I recently came across a very old box of potholders that I had created on one of those little potholder looms for kids. I used to make a ton of these ugly little guys when I was like 6 or 7 and then my mom would sell them for me at her craft shows (for a quarter each I think). My color combinations were pretty bizarre and they were usually pretty warped and un-uniform (I think people paid for them out of pity). I charged 0.25 each for them (a quarter went a lot further back in ’85), and I used to get so excited when one of them actually sold. Even though this was not some of my more award winning and collectible work (I still have inventory left over for any interested pots ‘n’ pans), I was hooked on the idea of creating and selling my art from that moment on.

Where do you get your materials from?

For the most part my current materials are pretty standard, using ink and paper for my illustrations. After I’ve inked my illustrations I scan them in and finish my color digitally. I collect textures too, these get photographed or scanned in and are used during my digital processes.

If you could talent swap with another local St. Louis artist/crafter for a day who would it be?

I love letterpress and silkscreen (unfortunately all the equipment for it doesn’t really fit my mobile lifestyle). I did a lot of printmaking during college so it would be pretty sweet to get to trade places with The Firecracker Press for a day. I’ve always really admired their work. – http://www.firecrackerpress.com/

Ok enough about you! Tell us what you like about Paste!

Ummm, Katie is awesome I love the location and am always stoked when anything arts related opens in the city.

Ok shamelessly plug yourself!  (Where to find your goods, websites, etsy shops etc,)

Online:
http://www.rawtoastdesign.com
http://www.rawtoastdesign.etsy.com

Shows and news typically get posted to my blog and twitter
http://rawtoastdesign.blogspot.com/
http://twitter.com/rawtoastdesign

and now Paste Crafts!

2010 Soulard Mardi Gras Poster Contest

Official Guidelines

This year’s prize package includes:

• $1,500 cash prize
• 2 VIP Passes to the Mayor’s Tent for Grand Parade Day
• 25 official posters
• 1 dozen official T-shirts
• $50.00 gift certificate to Paste

Contest will be held on Friday November 13th through Friday November 20th at Paste (1009 Russell, next to johnny’s in Soulard) in conjunction with the Soulard Saloon Safari Pub Crawl which will be held Saturday November 21st.  Winner of the Poster Contest will be announced at Paste at 2:00 on Saturday November 21st.

Final Size: 24″x30″ (please scale your submissions appropriately.)

Any reproduceable medium will be accepted. (painting, drawing, photography, digital media, collage, etc.)

Submitting artists can be of any age.

Adherence to the parade theme is not mandatory.

Any artist can submit as many entries as they like.

All submissions must include the words, “Soulard Mardi Gras”, the Soulard Star image and the festival dates: “January 6th – February 16th, 2010″

All artwork must be submitted no later than November 12th, 2009 and dropped off to Paste, 1009 Russell in Soulard.

Please feel free to direct any additional inquiries to soulardpostercontest@gmail.com.

If you’d like to see winners from previous years, please visit soulardframery.com.

Strange Folk Festival according to Holly

Holy gnomes and polka-dotted mushrooms Batman, Strange Folk is THIS weekend (September 26 & 27 from 10-6). This is going to be a totally awesome show. There will be more than 100 vendors representing a huge variety of crafty goodness. The festival will be located in O’Fallon, IL only 15 minutes from downtown St. Louis. In addition to the fabulous wares there will be live bands, a wine tasting, eco-conscious craft activities, a sandbox, petting zoo and lots of yummy food to eat. One of my favorite features of the event is The Upcycle Exchange. To participate, check out the online wish list and take advantage of a great excuse to clean out those closets! All donated items will go straight back in to the artist community to be upcycled into new stuff. How cool is that? I hope to see you there this weekend!

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Look for the Paste booth!  Girl Scouts selling cookies and free eco friendly crafts to wake up your creativity