Hey all! There has been so much great stuff going on in Ottawa this fall, and it looks like there’s more to come! Here’s a few calls for participation in Ottawa  to share with y’all – note the deadlines are coming up!

• Idle Hands Craft Sale (Sunday November 28th): A unique holiday gift sale of local handmade items. Something for everyone, naughty and nice. The extended deadline for applications is today! (Monday October 4th) Download the application here.
• Tarts ‘n Crafts (Ladyfest Ottawa Craft Sale) (Saturday December 4th): One of Ottawa’s most popular sales is presenting their holiday edition!  Definitely not one to miss. The deadline to apply is Sunday October 10th. View the application here.
• Mini Maker Faire (Saturday November 6th and Sunday November 7th):  Artengine is presenting a version of Maker Faire in Ottawa. If you’re a maker, submit your idea for a table or project or demo and become an exhibitor. The deadline is Monday October 18th. View the application details here. To get an idea of how Maker Faire works, check out some of the photos in this Flickr set when Spins & Needles participated in the San Francisco edition.

There’s still time left to apply – deadline is Sunday, August 1st. From the Puces Pop 2010 crew:

Our 6th edition of Puces POP is coming up and it’s time to send in those applications! Puces POP returns along with Fashion POP, the Record Fair and Gear Swap, Lil’Biz and the newest addition to the family, Vintage POP! This year, the Puces POP weekend of crafty madness, kids workshops and DIY frenzy goes down on October 2nd & 3rd.

You know the drill!

• Send over 3-5 good, clear pictures with your application.
• If you have an Etsy site, a facebook group, a website or online store please send us a link.
• Make sure you’ve filled out all the requirements of the application and make it good!

Tables are 6 feet for $100+ tx. and spaces are limited!
Sound good? We look forward to receiving your applications! Send them over to puces.pop@gmail.com subject PUCES POP APPLICATION 2010 by August 1st with the following info. Please do not hit reply to this email, but rather send us the application in another email. Thanks!

YOUR NAME & BUSINESS NAME
WHAT DO YOU MAKE?
WHAT FAIRS HAVE YOU DONE BEFORE/ PRESS?
DO YOU HAVE ANY SPECIAL REQUESTS?
WHY DO YOU WANT TO SELL AT PUCES POP & HOW DID YOU HEAR ABOUT US?

We look forward to seeing your new work!

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Notre 6e édition de Puces POP est de retour et il est temps de nous envoyer vos applications! Puces POP nous revient avec Fashion POP, la vente de disque et échange d’équipement, Lil’Biz et la dernière addition à la famille, Vintage POP! Cette année, la fin de semaine de frénésie DIY, d’artisanat et d’ateliers pour enfants se déroulera les 2&3 octobre.

Vous connaissez la chanson!

If you’re a homeowner and interested in real estate and design, take a look at this casting call we received from Mountain Road Productions. They’re looking for people who are selling their home and need help to get it market-ready:

Are you planning on selling your home in the next 6 months? Is your home in need of some renovation and/or design improvements before it goes on the market? Do you have very little money to put towards these improvements? Are you willing to roll up your sleeves and do the work yourself?

If you answered “YES!” to any of the above questions – apply today!

Ottawa-based Mountain Road Productions is in search of homeowners (couples & families) who are excited by creative solutions that don’t break the bank, and are happy to roll-up their sleeves and strap on a tool belt – even if they’ve never done it before!

If selected, we will provide you with the guidance of a savvy real estate agent and an expert designer. You may also be eligible to receive the commission-free services of an agent to sell your property!

You must be outgoing, energetic and fun!

Send the following to lisa@mountainroad.ca with subject heading ALL FOR NOTHING:

• A photo of you and/or your family
• Photos of your home
• A letter explaining why you would like to be selected for this exciting new television show.

Applicants will be notified if selected to audition. Email questions & inquiries to lisa@mountainroad.ca

To celebrate the first day of spring this weekend, here’s some news from Greta Grip, one of the urban cozy artist profiled on this blog. She’s calling on local Ottawa-Gatineau artists to add some graffiti to a non-descript tree in downtown Ottawa for all to see. Here’s the details:

SPRING HAS SPRUNG YARN GRAFFITI

When: Sunday March 21st (official first day of spring)

Where: The Tree: located at the traffic lights, on the War Memorial triangle between Elgin and Wellington ( >Google Map: The tree by the girl walking by in blue). The Tree is directly across the street from the row of provincial flags, in between the Congress Centre and NAC. I have tied red yarn around the tree.

What: knit/crochet Signs of Spring: flowers, leaves, animals, insects etc…

How: Go to The Tree on Sunday March 21st (any time) and attach your Signs of Spring to the tree.

Who: you, me and everyone! (pass the word)

NOTE: organizers take no responsibility for take-down. Graffiti at your own risk!

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And in case you were wondering why I’ve been a bit MIA the last few weeks. I’ve been taking a much needed R&R from the hectic months of January and February with mini-breaks to Montreal and Europe. Posts on my crafty adventures there and photos to follow shortly plus some other exciting news!

We’re interrupting Winterlude Urban Cozy Project scheduled blog posting to bring you a Call for Entry from the Ontario Crafts Council. Hurry – the deadline is this Friday!

Masterworks Southwest is a juried travelling exhibition that will take place between March – October, 2010. In an effort to highlight the best contemporary craft this region has to offer, this exhibit will showcase approximately 40 pieces in five galleries between Owen Sound and Windsor. This call is open to all makers in southwestern Ontario residing in postal codes that begin with N, L0S, L0R including the urban centres of St.Catharines, Niagara, and Welland. If you have created an outstanding piece of work in any craft media (clay, metal, fibre, glass, wood, stone, etc.) within the last two years, we urge you to apply. The exhibition will travel to the following locations:

* Tom Thomson Art Gallery (Owen Sound)
* Art Gallery of Windsor
* Station Arts Centre (Tillsonburg)
* (additional venues to be confirmed)

Deadline: FRIDAY, JANUARY 15, 2010

We are SUPERexcited about this upcoming project next year, especially since we’re calling on you to be part of an international public art/craft installation that will transform Canada’s national capital during the Winterlude festival, one of the largest winter festivals in the world. And anyone can participate!

This February 2010, Spins & Needles in collaboration with the National Capital Commission, is calling on artists, crafters and the public, individuals and groups, of all ages, and all creative levels, and from all over the world to be part of the Winterlude Urban Cozy Project. Various warm coverings, or cozies, wrapped around trees, lampposts, and other urban elements will be installed on two major festival sites. The intervention will remix warmth, cold, art, craft, music and the city, and also play with traditional images and conceptions associated with a country known around the world for it’s cold weather climate.

Here’s some ways you can be a part of this project:

• Cozy maker –> to make cozies
• Cozy installer –> to tag and put cozies around at two Winterlude sites
• Cozy photographer –> to photograph cozies at two Winterlude sites
• Cozy on-site workshop assistant –> to help out with cozy-making at weekend workshops
• Donation of materials –> to donate any  cozy-appropriate materials (e.g. old sweaters, yarn, sewing needles + thread, knitting + crochet needles)
• We’re open to other ways!

Makers from the Ottawa-Gatineau region, across Canada, and around the world are invited to participate! We want cozy contributions from near and far. Once we receive your cozy, it will be labelled with your name(s) and city or residence, and installed at one of the two Winterlude sites. We’ll also post a photo with your name, city and website info on the Spins & Needles site. Plus if your cozy is something to talk about, we’ll profile it and you on the Spins & Needles blog as well!

And if you’ll be in the Ottawa-Gatineau region during the festival and want to get involved, let us know – we’d love for you to help out in other ways.

Submission deadline for cozies is February 1, 2010.

If you’ve got some downtime during the holidays (e.g. travelling between two cities) or are looking forward to the slow, relaxing weeks of January,  here’s the perfect way to maintain your crafty/DIY itch AND at the same time contribute to this international project! Plus it will be a great way for those involved in knit/craft/art to connect with others around the world.

For more information, FAQs, and how to submit cozies or volunteer for the festival, check out our website: http://www.spinsandneedles.com/winterlude2010.

So if you’re getting that itch to start your holiday shopping, here’s some local Ottawa sales taking place in the next few weeks that feature art, craft and the handmade. Hit up these places for one of a kind gifts and at the same time, you get to support your local artists and crafters.

• Craftalicious takes place on Saturday November 14 from 10:00-5:00 p.m. at St. Matthew’s Hall (217 First Ave.) It will feature a mish mash of everything from gourmet goodies to jewellery to children’s items to tarot readings to piano playing.

• The Glebe Community Centre (175 Third Ave.) presents an a Craft and Artisan Fair from Friday November 13 to Sunday November 15. It will feature the handmade works of over 50local  artisans.

• The Ottawa Potter’s Guild is holding their 2009 Fall Sale at the Hellenic Banquet Centre (1315 Prince of Wales Drive) from Thursday November 12 to Sunday November 15 (check the website for details). As the most comprehensive sale of pottery in the region, it will functional and decorative pieces by over 70 potters.

• SKETCH is Galerie SAW Gallery’s (67 Nicholas St.) ever popular holiday fundraiser, is the ideal place to buy affordable and original works of art for your lovers, friends and family. The event is on Friday November 27 from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. If you want to submit a piece to be included in the show, there’s still time: the deadline for receipt of works is Tuesday November 24th. Spins & Needles is teaming up with the Gallery to present an activity at SKETCH this year – think sketchwork meets photobooth. Stay tuned for more news!

• Patrick Gordon Framing (160 Elm St.) presents Idle Hands on Sunday November 29 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., a unique holiday gift sale of local handmade items, “something for everyone, naughty and nice”. Admission is $2.00

• 101 Frames is Gallery 101‘s (301 1/2 Bank St) largest annual fundraiser, and for this year’s silent art auction and party, local and regional artists will interpret and incorporate the second deadly sin of pride. It takes place on Saturday December 5th. There’s also still time to participate in the show: frames are available for pick up until November 21st.

• Ladyfest Ottawa Tarts ‘N Crafts well-known craft sale takes place Saturday December 5 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Jack Purcell Community Centre (320 Elgin St.) Expect lots of hip, one of a kind items and edgy wares from crafters from Ottawa, Montreal, Toronto and more. Spins & Needles will be there with new items by yours truly and our popular craft kits – watch for our booth!

Apartment613 also has a great post on some other sales happening in the next few weeks.

If there’s any other sale you’d like to include, feel free to leave a comment or send me an e-mail!

Brad Turner (glass):  Recipient of the 2008/2009 The One of a Kind Award for Excellence in Craft, presented by the Ontario Crafts Council. 

Here’s an exciting call for submissions sent us from the Ontario Crafts Council:

The OCC has a NEW designated section within the Toronto One of a Kind Show! Spring 2010 will feature craft artists from Eastern Ontario.

Following the success of the OCC’s Craft Community Initiative in eastern Ontario during 2008-09, the OCC will feature eastern craft artists for its new section within the choice market of the 2010 Toronto One of a Kind Show and Sale. Not only will this section highlight and provide sales opportunities for vendors, each participant will grow through professional development experiences and will have fewer burdens than solitary exhibitors.

Twenty applicants will be approved for participation through a juried process. The deadline for submissions is December 1st.

For more details and application forms, check out the OCC’s site.

Looking for a way to sell your goods this summer in Ottawa? We received this call out from the Council for the Arts in Ottawa:

Wanted – Local Artisans & Craftspeople for Ottawa’s famous ByWard Market

Have you wanted the opportunity and experience of selling your hand-made crafts at Canada’s largest outdoor Market? Now’s your chance – the City of Ottawa’s new vision for the ByWard Market includes local farmers, artists and craftpersons.

If you would like to explore the possibilities call Renée at 613-244-4410 today. An information session is being planned for late March. Get your application in by April 7 and start selling in May! Be part of this exciting change!

Recherchés – Artisans de la région pour le fameux marché By d’Ottawa

Avez-vous jamais eu envie de vendre vos produits faits à la main au plus important marché extérieur du Canada? Voici votre chance – La nouvelle vision du marché By de la Ville d’Ottawa comprend les producteurs, les artistes et les artisans de la région.

Si vous souhaitez explorer cette avenue, appelez Renée au 613-244-4410 dès aujourd’hui. Une séance d’information est prévue pour la fin mars. Envoyez votre demande d’ici le 7 avril et commencez à vendre vos produits en mai! Soyez engagé dans ce changement passionnant!