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.

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 a brand new series of craft shows this summer! Paste and The Soulard Business Association are proud to present The Soulard Market Park Arts and Crafts Fair. An event featuring local artists as well as street performers, food vendors and live music. There are three event dates May 15, June 19, and July 17. The fair will take place in the Soulard Market Park located at the corner of 9th and Lafayette. Fair hours are from 9am-3pm.

We are excited about this fantastic opportunity to hold shows at the Soulard Market Park. We will be able to make the most of the large crowd that is already in attendance for the farmer’s market. We have also carefully chosen the fair dates to coincide with other happenings in Soulard that would draw additional crowds to the area. With a readily-available audience, tons of advertising and promotion planned for the fair – we are sure to be a huge success!

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. There is a $5 non refundable application fee. Booth fees are $50 a space per event. Any artists who wishes to sign up for all three dates (and is accepted) will receive a discounted price of $30 for the last fair date. Payment must be made in full for all dates in which you are accepted no later than 14 days after the acceptance email. All items sold MUST be handmade! Application deadlines are April 15th .

May 15th is quickly approaching, so make sure you reserve your spots ASAP! If you have any questions please contact Katie at Paste. Application can be emailed or dropped off at Paste. Application fee must be postmarked no later than 5 days after you submit your application.

Sincerely,

Katie Shanahan

Paste
1009 Russell Blvd
St. Louis Mo 63104
(314)577-6930
pasteevents@gmail.com

Ok who the Heck are you?

Sydney Woehler, Legal Assistant by day, crafter by night.

What is the worst craft fail you’ve had?

I tried to make a hat for myself from reclaimed wool, and it came out so small that it fit my cat.

Where do you get your materials from?

Paste Crafts, Jan’s Jewelery Supply and Etsy.

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

Bella Luna Crafts. Shannon makes the most awesome lotions and soaps.

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

I love that it’s not a chain and that I can talk directly to the owner, who will order me anything I can’t find in her store.  I also love the local artist love.

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

My goods are available at Paste, Pets in the City, Urban Art, and Etsy.

You can find me online at: http://clayshion.etsy.com
http://modcreations.etsy.com

Haven of Grace is also in need of knitting/crocheting supplies for women at the shelter.  If you have unused of yarn or some extra hookes or needles sitting around and feel like helping feel free to drop if off at the store anytime.

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!

The event started at 8am Saturday morning and continued until somewhere around 3am on Sunday.  The store was packed with food donated by local restaurants.  I foolishly bought food the night before thinking we would not have enough, and I couldn’t have been more wrong.  A Super thanks to Nadine’s Gin Joint, Ferraro’s Pizza, Soulard Coffee Garden and Carondelet Bakery for keeping the girls fed!

And now for the super big thanks… Thank you to all of the forty some people who came out to knit/crochet for St. Louis Children’s Hospital. And a special thanks to Holly from South City Studio for helping me plan the event.   We created over seventy pieces to be donated.  With all the ohhs and ahhs one would have thought we were holding a baby shower here at Paste.  From blankets and bibs to booties and burial gowns and even some pumpkin hats.  We had everyone ranging from beginner to expert.  The stuff is so cute I have to admit it’s going to be a little tough handing the boxes over.

What was most spectacular were the women who gave up their time on a Saturday to be here doing something for a good cause.  There was such a feeling of community all day long here at the store and I would be lying if I said it doesn’t make me a little teary thinking about it.

Since Needles for Newborns was such a success we’ve decided to launch a sorta-monthly series of gatherings at Paste for charity called Crafting With Purpose and have Needles be the big annual event. The next event will be on December 13 from 10-8 and will benefit The Haven of Grace, a shelter and rehabilitation center for homeless pregnant women and their children. In addition to needle artists, we’ve decided to invite the scrappy/card making folks as well. When you’re starting a new life, words of inspiration are important! I hope you will join us and bring your big hearts!

One million thanks for not only supporting this event but for supporting Paste.

Katie

We are teaming up with the owner of City Art Supply to bring you many of the items they offered in their store.  Packing one store inside another is a bit of a challenge so I thank all of you who have been dealing with my mess the past few days.  We have added a variety of products including acrylic paints, water colors, colored pencils, pastels, sketch books, inks, screen printing materials, pens, Sharpies, more glue than you could ever need, X-ACTO knives, oil paint supplies and tons more.  Please pass this information on to your artsy friends!  I look forward to seeing you all when you come check it out.  We look like a whole new Paste.