Durham Art Walk is This Weekend

Durham is an awesome city full of awesome artists.  Every year the Durham Arts Council hosts a fun event called the Durham Art Walk that, like Black Friday, kicks off the holday buying season for art lovers.  I'll be out and about Saturday evening checking it all out.  See you around town!

Durham Art Walk celebrates the creative energy of our local artists, arts organizations and downtown entrepreneurs by combining downtown spaces and businesses with local artists and performers in a unique showcase weekend. Unlike conventional studio tours, the Durham Art Walk places visual and performing artists in both traditional and unexpected sites throughout downtown Durham. Sites are within easy walking distance through newly renovated streetscapes and plazas.

Started by a group of downtown artists and businesses with support from the Durham Art Guild, the Durham Art Walk remains an un-juried event powered by a zest for transformation, experiment and surprise. From the visionary legacy of historic Parrish Street, to the courage of our newest businesses and youngest artists, Durham is built on innovation. Take a little walk, take a leap of faith and find out what Durham is all about.

Great Deals on Tools for Black Friday

"Black Friday" here in the USA is the day after Thanksgiving.  This year it is on November 27 (OMG next Friday!).  In years past it has unofficially kicked off the annual December-holidays spending-spree.  Given that us Makers and Crafters are going to be building and creating all of our gifts to our relatives and friends (right?!?) here is a great resource on some tools to help you accomplish that goal.  Home Depot, Sears, Harbor Freight, Lowe's, Costco, Northern Tool, and more are shown as of posting.

These People "Get It" Business Profile: Spoonflower

Spoonflower - These People "Get It"Just in the few weeks that I've been working on the MakerFaire:NC project I've already met and virtually met dozens of fascinating people and businesses!  The word is definetly spreading quick around North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia! Woot!

One of the businesses I've discovered by virtue of my role here is Mebane, NC's Spoonflower.  The outfit has been featured all over the web and print publications including Craft, ReadyMade, the New York Times, Make, and more.  It's a bit of a miracle that I hadn't heard of them before now.

Spoonflower prints custom fabric on demand for anybody from any design you create or offer for sale on their site.  They're a community too so, like industry stalwart Etsy, you can sell your designs and products right from their own way-cool site.  The community feeling really comes across in their contests and theme projects. Go check 'em out and print yourself some awesome customized bed sheets or what-have-you.