Loose Ends: Archives Donated

I can hardly believe that in a little over a month it will be the 3 year anniversary of the Handmade Nation Premier in Milwaukee, WI.

In mid-2011 I donated the Handmade Nation archives to the Museum of Contemporary Craft in Portland, OR for an exhibit 75 Gifts for 75 Years. I had collected so much stuff while working on the project during my research and while traveling during the filming process and then during all the screenings. So many of the events had beautiful handmade posters, postcards, flyers, tickets and ephemera which was all packaged up and sent along with the original unedited tapes. Also donated were many elements from the stop motion opening sequence and hand-sewn banners, plus promotional items I had made for fundraising during the production. Over-all it was a lot of memories to let go of, but I feel confident that it should all stay together in a place that could be accessed.



It really was a closing of a chapter for me sending all the boxes off to Portland and it feels really good knowing that Handmade Nation has a home in such a fantastic space.

The archives are now part of the Museum's permanent collection. Any researcher can make an appointment to access items in our archive, including the Handmade Nation materials. The catalog will be available in early 2012 from the museum.

A special thanks goes out to the museum's curator Namita Gupta Wiggers who's continual support for Handmade Nation has been very encouraging in my work.

Installation view, 75 Gifts for 75 Years, Museum of Contemporary Craft, Portland, OR, 2011.
Photo Credit: Justin Tunis.

Although I am working on a new film and book I continue to do workshops and lecturing surrounding community, making, DIY and craft. Please keep track of my going on's on my blog & via twitter @faythelevine

Happy New Year everyone-- 2012 can you believe it?!

Warmly,
Faythe Levine

Welcome 2011

Hello Handmade Nation followers,

Just one more quick reminder we are phasing out this blog and directing traffic to Faythe Levine's site where all Handmade Nation programing is listed clearly on the sidebar along side her other current projects. 2011 is starting off strong with programing in Alaska & Thailand.

Happy New Year & Wishing you all the best.

Warmly,
Faythe Levine
Director + Co Author
Handmade Nation

twitter: @faythelevine

Updates! News! Events!

I've said it before & I'll say it again, the continual support for Handmade Nation has and will keep blowing my mind. I just spent the last hour updating the screenings for the remainder of 2010 and into 2011 (ALASKA!!).

This summer has been good to me with a full 2 months without getting on a plane, but now things are picking up and I realized I know what I am doing every single day through January. The three main things that I am focusing on right now aside from programing surrounding Handmade Nation along with promoting the empowerment of making are:

#1 My gallery Sky High, specifically the upcoming Pop-Up Boutique I am curating from October 15- December 31 2010. I have artist Sofia Arnold in there right now painting the walls with her beautiful magic to set the tone for the shop. It's gonna be rad.













*Image from Sofia Arnold's webiste

#2 My new documentary, Sign Painters: Stories from an American Tradition. I just got back from Syracuse filming artist Steve Powers and his crew painting 3 train trestles with their community based messages.













*Follow us on twitter @signpaitnerdoc

#3 Art vs. Craft is quickly approaching. I can hardly believe it, year number 6. My baby is getting old.











As I mentioned at the beginning of summer, I am phasing out this blog, if you want to keep track of all my madness do it over at www.faythelevine.com

Ta-ta for now lovelies,
xo Faythe Levine















*Me in the middle of nowhere Montana this August

MAKING IT HANDMADE- the movie!!

As I attempt to fade out this account and take a bit of a break there are some things that are too important to not post about. The new documentary film by Australian director Anna Brownfield "Making It Handmade" is premiering this August at the Melbourne International Film Festival and is not to be missed if you are in the area. Anna said the film will begin to screen in the states soon after so I suggest to start to follow this fantastic woman and her progress. More information and tickets for the premier can be found here. Meanwhile check out this clip from the film with Rayna Fahey of Radical Cross Stitch "I Wanna Live Here"- a fantastic example of Craftivism in action!



FUN FACT:: I was interviewed by Anna for her film in my hotel room when I was in Melbourne last year. I have no idea what I said and am totally nervous to see myself on screen, it's really weird to be on the other side of the camera.

HELP the Dream Rocket Project!

I just got an email from Jennifer March who is the powerhouse behind The Dream Rocket. They are in a Pepsi competition for $50,000 based on public votes and need our help. She says "if we win this money we have a chance at finishing the wrapping of the Saturn V and we are able to give out 2,500 free spots on the quilt!".

Can you take a moment to go vote here and pass this on?

HOME. SUMMER GOODBYE'S. ANIMATIONS.

I'm home from Scotland, not only that but I'm home for over a month and a half which I couldn't be more excited about. I will be spending this time focusing on my new gallery at Sky High as well as working on the Sign Painter Documentary and getting ready for Art vs. Craft in the fall.

I must warn you, I will be drastically blogging here less and less as programing I am traveling to dwindles but you can always keep up to date with my going on's by following me on twitter (I am @faythelevine) and by bookmarking my other blog. BUT I will continue to update Handmade Nation screenings on the sidebar to the right.

Meanwhile, I though it would be fun to show you these two animations from my good friends Kate Bingaman-Burt (aka Obsessive Consumption) and Tracy Bull (aka Happy Owl Glassworks).

Kate is the best. She has done so much to support the Handmade Nation project from lettering the hand drawn type in our book to designing posters, merch, etc. I urge you to go and support her on her Summer Zoom tour!



This stop animation (I can't seem to find a way to embed the video) was done by Tracy as a way to promote Renegade Brooklyn that happened last week. Although the show is past, it is so lovely I think you should all take a peek. My friendship with Tracy goes back to some of the first craft fairs I participated in as a designer when I was still running my company Flying Fish Design. She has not only extensively supported Handmade Nation with generous donations but I have worked with her in my gallery selling her amazingly designed glass objects and her fantastic illustrations.

Hope you all enjoy the beginning of summer......... x Faythe

Dundee!