by deets

2011 was a great year for Deets, and I want to sincerely thank all of my customers, family, and friends for your support, and thank you to the Rust Belt Market, Handmade Detroit, DIYpsi , Flint Handmade, 826Michigan, and Found as well for the opportunity to sell my wares and build this dream of mine.  This past weekend marked the final indie art show for my season, and what a season it was!

If you are still in need of a last minute present by Deets, don’t fret.  Simply send me an email,  deets[at]bydeets.com  with your request and I’ll do my best to make and ship in time for the holidays.  Alternatively, you can still find some bots, magnets, and ornaments at Found in A2s Kerrytown.

As a lifelong Michigander, my optimism for our future is higher than ever (despite our current “leadership”).  So many awesome people, and so much talent keeping Detroit alive…

It’s amazing how quickly the end of summer went by; full of art shows, family, and project after project partially crossed off the to-do list.  Now as I sit here sipping a warm latte at my favorite cafe with the wind and rain outside making it clear that summer is over I realize that the busy holiday season is going to be here before I know it.  Halloween is just around the corner, and with it come pumpkins and frankenbots and ghosts.  I’ll be making lots of new work in the upcoming weeks, and soon you’ll be able to find them in my etsy shop, so stay tuned!

The 52nd Ann Arbor Art Fairs are set to begin this Wednesday, July 20th and continue through Saturday, the 23rd. Now, if you weren’t already planning to come, you should change your mind after hearing this…  the Second Annual Robot Art Fair within Art Fair at 826 runs the whole time too!

By Deets’ bugs, bots, and octopi will be there for sale, with 20% of each purchase going to support this fantastic organization.  In addition to the local robot art offerings, there will be robot art projects for kids, and an industrial robot who is set to appear in Spiderman 4.  Can you think of a better way to escape the heat for just a bit?

It’s with a very happy geeky heart that I’d like to announce that I’ll be a vendor at Craft Faire 2011, part of Maker Faire Detroit at the Henry Ford July 30/31st.  Last year’s event was beyond awesome, and I expect this year to be every bit as wonderful and more.

I will be there all weekend with my army of bots, octopi and bugs as well as some new work.  It’s only 44 days away, and that means there is lot of making in the near future…. *geeky squeal of delight*

“It’s the fuzz” sums it up.  The creatures (mostly zombies) created by the artist behind uglyclothes on etsy, Liz Kruckmeyer, are all about the fuzz.  They are one of a kind, needle felted zombies and other strange creatures that are so cute, even the dripping blood is somehow adorable…. sort of.

It’s the Fuzz was at the Rust Belt Market on grand opening weekend, and although I’ve been anxious to share my coffee shop zombie and angry garlic, I didn’t want to spoil the birthday surprise for my sister.  Now that she has gotten her present, I’d like to share them with everyone else!  So without any further to do, here they are. (the pink tin tea cup holding the zombie was an addition by my daughter)

If the vendors at the Rust Belt Market continue to be this awesome my pocketbook may be in real trouble.  It’s the Fuzz will be there again on July 9/10, September 17/18, October 15/16, and November 26/27.

One of my favorite parts of being an artist is the appreciation and respect the community shows to one another.  We know the work that goes into something, and like to support one another whenever we can.  It often leads to me spending much of my earnings before going home for the day… and sometimes I get lucky and the artist wants what I make and I want what they make, and we trade.

The Rust Belt Market has been a fabulous place to buy and sell, and luckily, trade a little too.  For the price of a couple of bots I was able to get two new necklaces, one from the Earthenwood Studio and another from Illumination Jewelry.

The Earthenwood Studio is a combination of handcrafted ceramic beads and pendants, and unique artisan and usa-made jewelry supplies.  Melanie Brooks is the artist behind the studio, and her work is fabulous!  I fell in love with her porcelain “gear” pendants, and with the addition of two adorable gear findings it makes a wonderfully unique necklace.

Another artist at the Rust Belt is Stacy Dumas, known as Illumination Jewelry. Her work is varied, from feathers, birch pendants and bracelets, leather rings and cuffs, paintings, and vintage finds - a fascination with clowns.  Her booth at the market is an ever changing display that pulls you in, and lets you find a new treasure each time you explore.

This weekend you’ll be able to find all three of us at the Rust Belt Market again, along with 60 some odd other vendors you don’t want to miss.  The Rust Belt will be open Friday 6-10 (to coincide with a ton of awesome Pride events in dowtown Ferndale, including a march that comes right through the market itself), and both Saturday and Sunday, 11-7. Word is there’s a coffee roaster right next to me this weekend.. what service!

Thanks to everyone who came out to the Rust Belt Market this past weekend!  Up next, Art in the Park - an event to support the Ypsilanti Senior Community Center.

My new octopi and framed bots were a hit, and there will be more coming out of my studio for Saturday.  Rain or shine, come out to show your support and shop from fantastic local artisans!

This past Sunday I had the privilege of setting up shop inside the Rust Belt Market in Ferndale for their grand opening weekend.  If the enthusiasm and talent at the first market is any indication, this place is going to make a big mark on the indie art/craft scene.

Opening weekend had a little bit of everything awesome.  Surprisingly comfortable gorgeous concrete furniture, amazing pop art portraits in lego, needlefelted coffee shop zombies,  upcycled accessories, and (my highlight in the middle of the afternoon) roos roast espresso cart. ahhhh.

I have reserved space at Rust Belt this coming weekend, May 14-15 and the first weekends of both June (4th/5th) and July (2nd/3rd).  Stop in, enjoy the music, and hang out for a while! Really, you won’t regret it.

I’ll be participating in the Flint Handmade Spring Craft Market this Saturday, May 7th.  Look for my booth in the Loft.  The first 25 shoppers will receive a swag bag, including a cute little robot pendant I’ve made for the occassion.  I look forward to seeing you there!

In the midst of gearing up to begin the Spring show season, I had the opportunity to attend a wonderful Handmade Detroit event at the Loving Touch, Ferndale.  It was the third annual Craft Revival, showcasing some of the best handmade vendors in the Detroit area, including Dang Argyle, Phantom Limb, Perfect Laughter, Re-Zip It, Reware Vintage, and Barrel of Monkeys among others… the list is awesome.

After some wonderful conversations and a purchase of a bracelet and flower brooch from Re-Zip It, I was inspired and ready to make!  If you haven’t seen the zipper awesomeness yet, no worries.  Re-Zip It will be in the Flint Handmade Spring Craft Market May 7-8th, along with yours truly.