The WonderCraft

Or two! Actually there will be more of us, but TWO local celebrity judges! First on our hot list is the awesome Austin personality Tolly Moseley!

Tolly Moseley writes the blog AustinEavesdropper.com, which won “Best Local Blog” in the Austin Chronicle‘s 2011 “Best of Austin” Contest.  She covers the creative culture of Austin and beyond, and also works part-time at Austin’s NPR affiliate, KUT.  She brings years of valuable experience judging the merits of crafty, manly men, having married a chainsaw-wielding wood worker.  Follow her @TollyM.

Next up is the woman we owe so much to, who helped us get the word out in the very beginning when Stella was just a wee babe, Candace Carlisle.

Candace Carlisle is a talented graphic and interactive designer, social media savant, event planner, and girl-about-town on the Austin nightlife circuit. With a primary focus in marketing, she has designed for clients in the entertainment, communication, publishing, and gaming industries. Her clients and one-of-a-kind parties have been featured in The Austin American Statesman, Austin Monthly, Texas Monthly, In the Austin Fashion Awards, on KVUE-TV and many more. With all this experience, she knows a good man when she sees one.

And lastly, us! The WonderCraft ladies need little introduction for most of you, but why not give a little look behind the scenes.

From left to right there’s Kimberly Sae-Eua, Beth Albrecht, and Jenifer Bryan. This pic is from Beth’s NYE party this year, where Jen had her awesome photo booth set up.

Kim hails from San Diego and has a degree in music, with such amazing pipes we’re all afraid to sing even happy birthday next to her. She’s been the designer behind Broken Ear Productions, an amazing line of jewelry with hand-sawed metal and glamorous trimmings which won Austin Fashion Week’s Rising Star award in 2009. Currently when she’s not working & living at The WonderCraft she’s a badass business consultant, traveling the world. Oh, and you’ve probably already met her out on the town, she’s our social butterfly.

Beth also hails from Southern California (a little north of LA) and has a degree in studio art as well as a fashion degree from Parsons (no, she doesn’t know Tim Gunn). She’s the shop’s screen printer and owner of Paired Hearts, which is her awesomely unique line of tee shirts & baby stuff. When Beth’s not working on The WonderCraft she does custom invitations, triathlons, hosts parties, and playdates with her one year old.

Jen is our token Texan redhead and has also endured art school. With her degree in photography she’s able to create distinctive resin jewelry  for her brand, Lucy Blue Studio. Jen’s DIY factor is high and is always striving to make new and different things. When Jen’s not working on The WonderCraft she’s planning her wedding (super DIY), adding to her home menagerie, and preparing for the zombie apocalypse.

And of course our lovely and talented assistants Shawn, Mellissa, and Peter will be guest judging, so many tastes to satisfy!

Judging of our Stella Needs a Man talent search is underway and we’ll be revealing the contestants soon for you all to comment on.

Melissa and Beth here.  I thought I’d just call it out in the title in case you didn’t already know.  We were doing a little research for our ongoing Stella Needs a Man Talent Competition and were surprised to find how hard it is to find pictures of hot dudes who make things (ok…so it’s redundant…in case you men didn’t already know, guys who make things are HOT).

We have to start things off with a great button designed by Pop + Shorty and our favorite “Hey Girl” with Ryan Gosling.

 Next up we have our collection of crafty carpenters. First, Jesus, I mean he’s got great abs. (Actually all of these carpenters do!)  Then, Hello there, Ty Pennington, of HGTV fame and Carter Oosterhouse, who also got his start on Trading Spaces. We’ll take two.

Finally we’ll get down to business, literally. (And figuratively, tee hee.) First here is Tom Ford, famous designer for Gucci now has his own label and film (and he’s totally hot), bet you didn’t know he was born in Austin. (Thanks wikipedia!) Next up, Marc Jacobs, nuff said. And lastly, this hottie is genius Jack Dorsey. CEO of Twitter and inventor of Square, the amazing little square thing that attaches to your phone and accepts credit cards anywhere (aka hero of small business crafters).

Of course these guys are outta our league, but maybe one day, your Wikipedia entry will read: “Got his start with creative brand The WonderCraft.” So, go ahead, be our Tom Ford, or Ty Pennington, (or Jesus!). Only one way to get out there, apply!

We know there are so many of you HOT guys out there that are crafty and it is YOU that we are looking to match up with Stella. She has needed a man for a while and it’s high time she got some man love! So get out your industrial strength glue guns and get ready to get photographed….just be careful, those high temp glue guns will scald!

Hey all you creative folk out there, do you know someone who fits this definition:

1. badass
The epitome of the American male. He radiates confidence in everything he does, whether it’s ordering a drink, buying a set of wheels, or dealing with women. He’s slow to anger, brutally efficient when fighting back.

The badass carves his own path. He wears, drives, drinks, watches, and listens to what he chooses, when he chooses, where he chooses, uninfluenced by fads or advertising campaigns. Badass style is understated but instantly recognizable. Like a chopped Harley or a good pair of sunglasses: simple, direct, and functional.
He is a badass.

(source:  http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=badass)

If so, let them know to apply for our Stella Needs a Man Talent Search.  We’ve already got some amazing candidates, but we’d like some more awesome dudes to throw their hats in the ring…and get this, for each applicant who applies and lists you as their referral source, you get a $5 gift certificate good at our store and Make and Take Bar!  Here’s how it works:

1. Direct your friends to http://www.thewondercraft.com/the-man
2. Make sure that when they fill out the application they list you as a referral source and have them provide us with your email
3. We’ll contact you with instructions on how to retrieve your $5 gift certificate!

 The 2012 winners have been selected!  Check them out here:  Matt Bradshaw & Mamus Judd.

but check out the details below and join us at the Beef & Cake event Saturday February 11th from 6-10pm at The WonderCraft handmade shop and make-and-take bar located at 1601 E. Cesar Chavez #103, Austin, TX.

The WonderCraft girls are on the hunt for the perfect match.  Could it be you?  Are you funny? creative? hot? just plain awesome? How about all of the above?? The WonderCraft is looking to hire one or two excellent men to serve as consultant/model/promoter/idea-generator and all-around bad-ass.  Here are some details as well as a link to the application.

• Who is Stella?
  • Stella is our vintage 32 foot Airstream trailer!  She operates as a mobile craft studio and pop-up shop in addition to our brick and mortar location at the corner of East Cesar Chavez and Comal.  See http://www.thewondercraft.com/location-hours

• What’s involved?
  • Sit down over a couple of drinks with the WonderCraft girls every other month or so and discuss and help us come up with new ideas for:
    • Make and take projects
    • Events
  • Come hang out at our events/parties and bring your friends
  • Help us to promote the events online (facebook, twitter, etc.) and by word-of-mouth
  • Pose for an occasional picture for marketing materials, and to model some of our handmade goods (we’re also considering doing a calendar…maybe)

• Is there a specific profile you are looking for?  Are there any specific skills/abilities you’re looking for?
  • If you can answer “YES!!!” to any of the below questions, we might be looking for you.
  • Do you:
• Have a drain pipe outside your window for Stella to shimmy down when your girlfriend/boyfriend comes home?
• Do you love Chuck Norris?
• Does your beard hold the secret to life?
• How do you feel about making kick ass shirts that literally kick people’s asses?
• Can you simply make someone want more by the look you shoot them?
• Do you win dance offs?
• Do you know when a roundhouse kick is necessary?
• Do you automatically know what kind of drink Stella needs depending on her mood?
• Do you carry big package(s)
• Seriously though, we are looking for someone creative and awesome.  What do we mean by that?  While in general there are no specific set of requirements we are looking for, some skills/characteristics that could be looked upon favorably might include (but not be limited to)
  • Sense of humor…no…seriously
  • Creativity as potentially demonstrated by making cool things and/or helping other people to make cool things
  • Event production or promotion
  • Carpentry or any other craft
• We encourage any and all to apply!

• How do I apply?
  • Please apply online here and be as a creative as possible with your application.  The deadline to apply is January 15^th.

• What do I get out of it?
  • Besides getting to hang out with super awesome creative chicks on a regular basis at a business that has a largely female audience?
  • Possibility of sponsorship of your work (e.g. a hosted show/party showcasing your work)
  • AND this is a paid consulting gig.  To give you an idea, we’re probably talking more like beer money than rent money.

• How will the winner(s) be selected?
  • Step 1 – fill out the application
  • Step 2 – Semi-finalists will be selected and announced by a special panel of judges sometime in January.  The semi-finalists may be asked to demonstrate their qualifications:
    • Contributing to our blog
    • Coming up with some proposals for event and project concepts
    • Taking and submitting photos of cool stuff they’ve made
    • Having their photos taken for promotional material and/or to model some of our handmade goods
  • Step 3 – The finalists will be selected by the WonderCraft girls and announced in early February. 
  • Step 4 – The winners will be selected from the finalists by popular vote.  We will begin accepting votes once the finalists have been announced. 
  • Step 5 – We will announce the winner(s) at the Beef & Cake Party scheduled for February 11^th
  • Step 6 – Winners will come in for a first meeting

• How much of a time commitment will this be?
• At a minimum we are looking for someone who can meet with us every other month or so for a couple of hours over a couple of drinks, join us at our events, and talk those events up.
• Beyond that, there may be an opportunity for further involvement based on individual qualifications and our business needs at any given time

• Terms and Conditions:  
• By submitting an application you understand that any and all information, images, concepts and/or media you provide or allow, including your likeness, may be published, released and/or used by the WonderCraft for promotional and/or business purposes.  You agree to indemnify and hold The WonderCraft LLC harmless from any and all claims, liabilities, damages and expenses.
• You must be at least 21 years of age to be selected and live in the greater Austin area

I spent last Sunday in the shop wrapping up my (almost 100% handmade) gifts. As an avid environmentalist/hoarder/cheapskate I never buy wrapping paper and thus always want to get creative with my holiday wrapping. Last year I used up all the paper that came with my then recent Ikea remodel of my craft cave/office. The off white smooth paper was perfect for gift wrap, and a blank canvas for lots of stamping and glitter.

This year I have not bought a load of Ikea shelving and thus no between the boards paper for me, just my constant stash of paper grocery bags. The bags are great for wrapping paper, but you have to prep them by cutting them open, cutting off the bottom and pulling off the handles. I wrapped everything in the brown paper and used white fluffy yarn, blue and green twine, silver sharpie, stamps, and glitter, again of course.

I was particularly happy with the tissue paper pom-pom light blue accent with the kraft paper and the hand drawn chevron pattern accented with a red paper rosette thingy (not sure what to call that).

Want to try it out and glitter up our space instead of yours? Come out to our next wrap party on Thursday the 22nd all day, bring your gifts and get everything wrapped up & pretty, FREE! (also, Champagne mimosas will be had!)

Jen here. First, let me say that I love giving presents. More than getting presents. And that is a bold statement considering how much I LOVE presents and surprises. But there is nothing better than hunting down that perfect present for someone… the one that makes someone’s eyes sparkle with joy. For me, the perfect gift opens up potential, potential to create something new, potential to get lost inside your own imagination, potential to spark a new adventure. That said… here are some of the highlights of my Christmas wishlist, links below.

1. Indian Head Ring by Debbie Carroll – I love these rings we just got in! Available at the WonderCraft :)

2. Art & Graphic Design Knife No. 02  – Unfortunately, I think this sold out. But the No. 1 is pretty nice, too.

3. 943 Benchmade Pocket Knife – a necessity, of course.

4. Tom Waits Necklace – Cool.

5. Lytro Camera – I want.

Beth adding in here, now its my turn to unveil my little list, links below:

1.  Mini Harrington Ampersand Necklace by Isette – She’s a new vendor with The WonderCraft and I LOVE her stuff!

2. Criminals du Monde Calendar from Mr. Boddington’s Studio

3. Cotton Voile Robe from Plum Pretty Sugar – I’ve been eying this robe for like 2 years, I need it!

4. A massage. – I’ve been dying to visit the Lake Austin Spa & after the holidays, I’ll need it!

5. The creme of the crop: Wacom’s Inkling – I’ve read varying reviews, but I’m still intrigued! Seems amazing & sold out. Watch the video!

Cherrywood Art Fair is coming up this weekend!! We are super excited to be at another year of this awesome show. There are going to be lots of WonderCraft vendors selling their wares, too! We will be hosting a make and take craft station where everyone can come make felt ornaments. (We’re also selling them in kits for those that want to do it at home, also makes a great stocking stuffer ;)

We debuted this craft last weekend at Renegade and it was a smash hit! So I thought I’d share with you some of the amazing ornaments crafty peeps came up with all on their own.

We’ll have patterns and kits available for an Airstream trailer ornament, a robot and a cute fox like this one:

Hope to see you there!!

And if you are looking to get on Santa’s good list, they’re still looking for volunteers at the show, click here for more details.

Jen here. I was lucky enough to be able to go out and explore E.A.S.T. (East Austin Studio Tours) last weekend. My friend Brandon went with me and we had a blast going from studio to studio. I was silly and didn’t write down all the artists’ names but I do remember where they were. I think Brandon and I both agreed that stops #8 and 12 were our favorites. There was a great variety of art at stop 8, from paintings to ceramics to sculpture. It was all well executed and they had fresh posole on the stove! Sometimes I forget you can also eat your way through E.A.S.T.

Stop 12 was amazing. It looked like a junk yard. It was full of random metal pieces that the artist, Barry George, uses to make his sculptures. Most of them have cranks and are meant to be played with. There was one that was even bicycle powered.

Pump Project Art Complex had quite a few artists. My favorite was Brooke Gassiot and her light boxes.

The WonderCraft was also a pretty bustling place during the tour. I hope some of you guys got to come out and make a few things. We had a special E.A.S.T. menu that included etching on glasses. And the DIY photobooth was a big hit during our Mustache Mania event.

If you haven’t gone out and done E.A.S.T. before I highly recommend it. It happens every November so keep a look out for it next year.

This weekend marks the beginning of the 10th annual EAST tour! We’re in our third year of participating in this amazing collection of artists and studio spaces on the east side. Both weekends promise to be a bast mobbing around the Eastside meeting artists and seeing a lot of great stuff. Don’t forget to visit us, we’ll have a great fixed craft menu and you can always refresh with a tasty soda.

I created a little guide highlighting some friends and nearby businesses you should totally check out:

1: Domy Books, just down the road is featuring their Monster Show 6.
2: Big Red Sun, amazing landscape designers studio.
3: US, The WonderCraft, duh!
4: Masion d’Etoile, A Hair and Pirate Party!
5: Starving Art Studios, this is still Stella’s home, and is also home to Up Collective, a bunch of great artists including Rob Rough‘s work shown above.
6: MakeATX, they’re a laser cutting studio that we are very inspired by and curious about.
7: Nepenthe’s Bathtime, our awesome soap vendor is setting up shop with a bunch of great artists.
8: Christine Terrell and Holli Brown show off their amazing up cycled jewelry at the northern end of the tour.

And when you’re finished, don’t forget to visit Craft Riot this weekend too! So much to do in Austin!