Appendix E-J » handmade militia

Things We Love: Vital Industries

The Communiqué — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 18:26:23 +0000

Everyday Joe’s recently had some t-shirts (official merch, yo) screened. During the preliminary stages of the t-shirt production process, we searched high and low for just the right company to produce the shirts for us. Fort Collins has several t-shirt printing outfits in town, our musical friends all had their reccomendations, the internets suggested things…but what it came down to was relationship.

In May we hosted the Handmade Militia Spring Market. 144 S. mason was full of people selling their handmade gifts & wares. I ended up having a conversation with Brett & Crystal from Vital Industries. I was attracted to their exhibit space because of the nicely-done screen prints on everything from t-shirts to scarves to glasses perfect for drinking whiskey out of. Then my wife bought me a shirt with a scooter on it. Then Brett & I talked about scooters. Then they gave me a tote bag with a scooter printed on it. Then I got on my scooter and rode home.

Once our search for a company to print our new t-shirts had reached the point of frustration/being overwhelmed, I sat down to do something else. This is when Vital popped into my head and off went an e-mail to check if they would be willing to do some custom printing. They were and we are grateful and are now Vital customers and advocates for life.

A bit about Vital (via vitalindustries.com):

Brett + Crystal + a little house + a couple of bikes = Vital

Brett – I’m a food guy… in addition to eating a lot of it, I’ve spent the last 15 years working in restaurants, from burgers and pizza joints to Denver’s Brown Palace Hotel, where I made pastries and petit fours for the lobby tea, desserts for the restaurants, and the occasional wedding cake. Now I screenprint and sew and manage our Etsy shop! I really like bacon. And coffee. And Crystal.

Crystal – Call me a maker. It’s more than something I do – it’s ingrained. I need to be creating things all the time; if not, I get a little on edge. Vital helps keep me sane! What do I do when I’m not making things? Talk about making things better; whether it’s the restaurant we’re dining at, the chair I’m sitting in or the town in which I live. Oh… and I like Brett.

A tiny little home/studio – we work out of our house in Denver, Colorado. It’s filled to the rafters (literally) with fabrics, sewing machines, tshirts, screenprinting supplies, paints… Vital has taken over our entire house!

A couple of bikes – Brett’s currently riding a spankin’ new masi fixed gear, crystal’s got a commuter ride.

You can read more about this wonderful little company at vitalindustries.com. On the site, you’ll also find all their merch…which includes things like bugs and bikes (lots of bikes) and cameras. In other words, everything to satisfy your inner hipster.

FURTHER

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Danielle Ate The Sandwich Is Creeping Up On Fame To Give It A Hug

The Communiqué — Fri, 01 May 2009 18:13:12 +0000

Danielle Ate The Sandwich is a lovely young lady that makes things with her needles and music with her voice. She’s had a cult following on YouTube, with a subscriber count close to 10000 and growing. That is where she releases her new songs, played from her living room or kitchen or bedroom.

Part of my morning is usually spent perusing various other blogs…one of which is Westword’s Backbeat Online. Backbeat has taken considerable note of Danielle as of late, introducing their readers to the lovely young lady we’ve known & adored for years. She won Westword’s Best Singer-Songwriter Of 2009 (odd because it’s only May) and she’s nominated in the Best Singer-Songwriter category for this year’s Westword Music Showcase.

Yesterday, Backbeat posted a piece about her fame on the internets. You can read that piece here & watch her latest video below.

If all this coverage has piqued your interest beyond containment, you should know that Danielle will be playing two sets on May 1 at Everyday Joe’s during the Handmade Militia Spring Craft Market. She’ll play at 1 & 3 pm. You will love it.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gyg973AhEv0

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Handmade Militia Spring Market: Call For Entries

The Communiqué — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 21:04:40 +0000

Back in November, we became quite excited about the Handmade Militia…a group of local artisans celebrating all things handmade and even hosting seasonal markets to sell the product of their handiwork.

Well, I’m excited to let you know that the Handmade Militia Spring Show will be taking place on May 2 at Everyday Joe’s. We’re normally closed Saturday during the day, but we love & appreciate these folks so much that we jumped at the chance to help them out.

Here’s the details from Susan & Whitney, the minds behind the militia:

How To Enter

1. www.HandmadeMilitia.com to download application.
2. Fill out application
3. Add a few photos of your work
4. Send back to me [susan@susanhazelrich.com] before the 15th of April
5. We will reply to you on or before April 20th

Gritty details: Booth spaces will be roughly 8′ by 10′ and are $95 a piece. Location you ask? Everyday Joe’s located on Mason Ave. in Old Town.

First time show jitters? Don’t be nervous we at Handmade Militia are just about as friendly as a couple of koala bears. Okay, so I couldn’t really think of a good example. Anyhow, email us and let us know if you have any questions.

Extra credit?? Forward this info onto all your creative friends. We are super excited about the response we have had thus far but are certain there are gems just like yourselves out there who’ve yet to apply.

Questions? Concerns? Don’t hesitate to email me (Susan).

Sounds like a pleasant time, huh? They still have 22 spaces available, so if you have something you have made and want to distribute to the masses, do yourself a favor and enter. If not, come down on May 2 and support local people making things.

Further:

Handmade Militia Official Site

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She’s Crafty: Handmade Militia Holiday Craft Fair

The Communiqué — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 15:15:19 +0000

Any assemblance of good design will catch my eye…especially in poster or flier form. We have no shortage of posters & fliers here at 144 S. Mason – promoting both our events and others around town. What’s more exciting than assemblance of good design though, is when the good design is promoting something good and exciting and worthwhile…though I guess that is subjective. But not here. My iron fist is down on the table.

The other day I was perusing the community events board and noticed this little diddy:

Oh, the holiday craft fair. Hand-knit tea cozies, clothes-pin Rudolph tree ornaments, pine cones with glitter glued on here and there. More often than not, if I see a sign for a holiday craft fair I make ever y effort to immediately head in the opposite direction. Especially before the better half sees the advert.

BUT WAIT! You, Handmade Militia, have charmed me. Charmed me with your wonderful poster and cursive writing. It’s good to see things like this popping up in Fort Collins, and I give my whole-hearted ringing endorsement of this craft fair, though that endorsement most likely holds little clout with anyone. Either way, go to the craft fair and support local folks by purchasing their handmade goods. Plus, Cafe Ardour will be serving beverages and we love them as well.

It’ll be crafty like ice is cold. Details:

Handmade Militia Holiday Craft Fair

December 13, 11 am – 7 pm

Gallery Underground, 109 Linden in Oldtown Square

Further:

Handmade Militia official site

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