Here’s a few images that inspired and helped us develop the event theme, our poster design and the project for this month’s event.

For more photo inspiration, check out our Pinterest board.

Photo credits: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11.

Cinco de Mayo is around the corner, so it’s perfect timing to throw an event inspired by fiestas, pinatas and tequila. Pinatas are one of our favourite DIY projects. Last time we threw a Cinco de Mayo party, there were all sort of crazy characters up in here.

For more event info check out our website listing or Facebook invite.

We traveled to Miami last month for the Winter Music Conference and had such a blast. Jason has been attending WMC for the last three years to hear some of the freshest beats in house and techno music, and I joined him this time around. We can’t wait to go back to Miami again.

We got to take in some much needed sun, listen to some great DJs, and get inspired by the architecture and the local art, design, and food scenes. We also got to connect with friends and new peeps from other cities in Canada and internationally, one of our favourite parts of going to out-of-town conferences.

 

This year was special because we were soft launching the new Spins & Needles online label and our first compilation, as well as some newly designed merchandise, including handsilkscreened tote bags and t-shirts.

Jason joined the All in the Fam and The Hawt Fiasco crews, alongside some of the best DJs in house music, and played two funky house sets. (Shaquille O’Neal himself stopped by twice!) All sets were broadcasted live on Chicago House FM (CHFM).

> You can listen or download Jason’s Hawt Fiasco Mix here.

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This post is just a quick recap of  trip highlights, but you can also read more about it in upcoming posts on Mobile & Making.

Our roundup of a few links from the interwebs this past week (formerly called Monday Links):

• Record packaging is taken to the next level with this record case made of sugar from the Ghostly label.
• Watch the White House in discussion with leaders of the Maker movement at a Google Hangout.
• An interview with Chilean artist Maria Aparicio Puentos, one of the artists who inspired last month’s geometric-themed party, on her own inspirations and how she creates.
• The top 20 NYC rap albums of all time, courtesy of the Village Voice.
• From the creator of 2009′s Handmade Nation, comes Sign Painters, the first anecdotal history of the craft in the United States.
• The Supercool: a mobile emporium from Australia that goes to the people with an eclectic mix of everyday objects from around the globe. Interview with the founders here.

Some of our fave links from the past week:

• We’ve just come back from the 2013 Winter Music Conference in Miami, so the city’s on our mind. It seems to be a dynamic moment in the city’s art, culture and tech scene. Projects like O Miami Poetry Festival and Sketchy Miami are some inspiring initiatives that tap into the city’s artists and residents as co-creators and participants who are actively contributing to the city’s cultural development.
• We first came across British artist and musician Martin Creed’s work serendipitously while walking along East Pender Street in Vancouver a couple of years ago (see photo above). His exhibition at the National Gallery of Canada ended today, but if you weren’t able to catch the exhibition, you can check out examples of his interactive work  here and here.
• MoMA Learning kicks off their new series, Art Hangs, on Google Hangouts, where MoMA educators invite art enthusiasts discuss selected works of modern and contemporary art. The first Art Hangs is April 4th, 6 p.m. EST and explores the theme of identity, with a focus on works by Cindy Sherman and Martin Kippenberger.
• The MetaMuseum: a multi-museum, multi-curator Tumblr project.
• Skillshare’s School of Design aims to make learning design skills accessible, and on your own time.
• Mad Men (one of our fave shows) star Jon Hamm discusses being relevant as an an actor and artist, public art and other thoughts on The Nerdist podcast. Definitely more than just a pretty face.

Thank you to everyone who came out for our first Curated Castoffs swap event last Wednesday! We and co-organizer Jenn from Idle Hands were really happy to hear all your great feedback about the event.

The event focused on swapping art and decor items. There were some amazing finds (like the deer head and bird cage above and frames below, plus some wonderful art pieces) going to happy new homes. Jason set the tone for the evening and played a diverse set of beats throughout the night. With all the artwork and frames on the walls, Patrick Gordon Framing Studio was the perfect space to host the event. And all our enthusiastic volunteers rocked it!

We’re planning the next swap event for June, and we’ll post more details closer to the date.

For more background on the Curated Castoff series, check out this previous post.  Some of you also asked about how to host a swap at your own home or on your own, so we’ll post a few tips in an upcoming post.

As part of our programming for 2013, we’re teaming up with Idle Hands Craft Sale in Ottawa to host a new swap and barter series, Curated Castoffs.

Some of our most popular programming in the past has included swaps, where items like clothing, art + craft supplies, music gear and audio-visual items, and jewellery were exchanged. It was a great way for people to clean out and renew their own wardrobe or creative tool kit with found treasures, but without spending a lot of money.

We wanted to bring the swap back, but in a more mindful way. Talking with friends, and in our own lives, we’ve seen a a shift in the last few years towards consuming and owning less, but bringing higher quality and distinct items into our spaces.

So with Curated Castoffs, it’s going to be a different kind of swap.  Participants are asked to select up to five high-quality items they no longer need or want,  but upon which others would place high value. In return, the pool of items from which all participants get to select is smaller, but of quality.  It also asks participants to be critical of what they choose to take home with them.

If you’re in Ottawa, our first edition of the Curated Castoff series will focus on art and decor. Refresh your walls and shelves, start a collection, or exchange pieces.

Here’s the details:

What: Curated Castoffs: Art + Decor Edition
When: Wednesday, March 27, 2013, 7:00pm – 19+
Where: Patrick Gordon Framing Studios (160 Elm St, Ottawa)
> More information on how the swap works.
> Facebook invite

Hope to see you there!

> We travelled to Toronto a couple weeks ago. One of the highlights was seeing Stefan Sagmeister’s The Happy Show

> Searching for geometric inspiration for our last party, we came across this really awesome thread and nail line art on telephone poles

> Wondering what this pop-up would look like in our city (and perhaps even starting one up?)

> A concern on collage, including interviews with some of our favourite collage artists

> Another really fun initiative: graphic designers putting mix tapes together, designing the album artwork, then exchanging them with fellow designers

> Vancouver’s Legion Hall is becoming an it spot

> Collection of beautifully arranged items

> Listen to the history behind 808s, 303s and 909s, according to the BBC, through different hip-hop, house and techno samples. Plus Richie Hawtin’s take

> How to transform a Hoarders-level mess of records and gear into a home DJ studio using Ikea furniture

Thanks to everyone who came out Friday night for the geometrics party – super funky beats + some great looking projects!

We alluded to our inspirations for the March installment here and here. The projects for this month were string art and geometric collage. We’ll be posting instructions for the projects in an upcoming post.

Thanks to DJs Jason Pelletier + Meterman for laying down the funk and for Raw Sugar for hosting us!