'handmade then and now' at the NYPL

(a 1930s/1940s craft booklet, as seen in fishstique's etsy shop)

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this one is for the new york city craft geeks (like yours truly!) who have a deep hankering to learn know more about the history and culture of their craft(s):
the new york public library is hosting a FREE program called handmade: then and now, hosted by jessica pigza (check out her blog!), a librarian in the NYPL's general research division on august 19, 2009, at 6pm, at the stephen a. schwarzman building at 5th ave. and 42nd street.
the description of this program is thus (taken from the NYPL's website):

"Are you a fan of vintage patterns for knitting, crochet, and more? Do you like to make stuff? Does craft history pique your interest? Crafty librarian Jessica Pigza explores how NYPL’s books, magazines, and digital collections can inform and inspire you in your own handmade work."

search for the class name if interested in more information about the class, etc. on the the new york public library's website.

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it's my baby-girl's FIRST BIRTHDAY that day (!!!), but perhaps i can sneak over for a listen after sundown/baby-bedtime...?

serial cultura: (pretty) prints

(images via serial cultura)

some print-emblazoned frocks and such from the serial cultura spring 2009 collection, brainchild of san francisco bay-area designer jennifer jennings. the complex geometries of her textile designs meet the simple, yet thoughtful designs of the frocks on which they live, and the results are, as you can see, stunning.

the essential art of african textiles: design without end @ the MET

(images via the metropolitan museum of art)

from the "better late than never", "interesting to me because it's african textiles," and "reason # 348467362536 i wish i still lived in NYC" department:
the metropolitan museum of art in new york city has a compelling show on at the moment called the essential art of african textiles: design without end, which is hosted in the museum's arts of africa, oceania, and the americas/ michael c. rockefeller wing. said show runs until april 5, 2009. more select, stunning images from the exhibit can be viewed here.
the exhibition looks at (west) africa's stunning and varied textile traditions, the place of said textiles in the marketplace, and the varying ways that contemporary artists have interpreted and used such textiles in their work.
for those (like me) who aren't able to go see this show in person, you can instead check out the accompanying exhibition catalog. i ordered one for myself...i cannot wait for it to arrive!

(via fibercopia)