RCF sneak peek: Robo Roku + This Creative Life

All week we’re revisiting some of our favorite art and craft vendors from last year’s inaugural Austin show for Renegade Craft Fair, and previewing some of the awesome new stuff they have to show this coming weekend. The list of featured artists includes lots of Etsy Austin team members, and this one is no exception. Next up in the series is Robo Roku, which will be sharing booth #161 with an equally fun new business called This Creative Life!

This will be Robo Roku‘s 5th RCF, and their 2nd Austin Renegade Craft Fair. Last year my kids and I walked away from their booth with some awesome notebooks that we’re still using. 🙂

Notebooks by Robo Roku. Photo: Number 9 Photography

The Austin-based business is the collaborative effort of designers Josh (Robo) and Renee (Roku), and was founded in 2006. Their RCF offerings this year will include some of the familiar character illustrations and products we love, as well as some exciting new items, including prints from their Tofu Who collection. Limited edition prints will be available of the last 2 Doctors, and you’ll be able to sign up for the Robo Roku mailing list while you’re there so you won’t miss the announcements when new Tofu Who characters are released!

Alongside the Robo Roku booth you’ll find This Creative Life, a solo endeavor wherein Renee makes uncommon art and illustrations. Available at RCF this year will be encaustic and acrylic paintings, screen-printed polo shirts, and accessories ranging from found object rings to original laser-etched wooden brooches and necklaces.

Here are a few examples of the cute, handmade goods you’ll find at the TCL booth:

embroidered dandelion painting, This Creative Life

mix tape screen printed polo, This Creative Life

laser-etched wooden tile brooches and necklaces, This Creative Life

In addition to the polo shirts, the mix tape design will also be available in a variety of colors on paintings. No shortage of fun, functional, creative items in this corner of the craft fair!

We can’t wait to see what other surprises Robo Roku and This Creative Life will have this weekend. Of course, there will be pics and info following the event (on the Jennifer Hearts Art public Facebook page), but you’ll have to check it out in person to get your hands on some cool of the craft goodies for sale. You can also follow @RoboRoku and @CreativeLifeATX on Twitter to get first dibs on announcements and event info.

RCF Austin sneak peek: The WonderCraft

Renegade Craft Fair is returning to Austin for the 2nd year (May 21-22), and there’s no better place to get crafty and shop handmade this weekend! While we (im)patiently wait to see the vendors’ new selections of art, crafts, and fashion apparel, I thought it’d be fun to share some information about a few of last year’s favorite businesses, along with previews of what they’ll have in store for visitors this weekend at the Palmer Events Center.

First up, The WonderCraft! I first encountered Stella, the Airstream trailer that houses the WC boutique, at the 2010 Renegade Craft Fair, and she was an instant hit with my entire family. The kids hung out outside the trailer working on cool paper crafts at one of the company’s signature make-and-take stations. The photo immediately below is of Stella inside the event venue during RCF last year, with details on this year’s DIY project further down.

Last week on their blog, Get Crafty, Austin!, Beth Albrecht at The WonderCraft announced that this year the big make-and-take project will be Upcycled Cardboard Matchbook Wallets! This is a brilliant idea and a wonderful way to make something useful and personalized out of re-purposed materials. And, of course, the cool music theme in the preview/example photo speaks to another facet of Austin’s culture. I can’t wait to see some of the unique wallets people will create!

Photos courtesy of The WonderCraft

Not only will there be fun craft projects for you to make, The WonderCraft will be open for business, selling locally handmade items and signing people up for classes and parties. Get Crafty, Austin! The WonderCraft insists. 🙂

Opening tonight- Cathedral of Junk photo art exhibit by Number 9 Photography

The Cathedral of Junk, an eclectic and endangered Austin landmark, is something you have to see to believe. The local team of artists at Number 9 Photography captured the cathedral’s details back in February 2010 prior to the news it would be dismantled, then revisited the location in March 2011. The photos they captured are on display to the public as of tonight’s opening reception at Starving Art Studios.

A percentage (20%) of the artwork sales will be donated to the owner, Vince “Junk King” Hanneman. Your patronage helps to support the Cathedral of Junk, as well as local artists. All of the photos will be on display until May 31, 2011.

The opening is May 6th at 7:30pm and the galleries are open every weekend. Check out www.austinstarvingart.com for detailed information and specific times.

Art, Food, and Fashion at 6th and Waller – 2/26/11

Check out the new post up at Austin Art Events Examiner, where you’ll find a detailed list of the fashion designers, booth vendors, featured artists, and food vendors who will be showcasing their talents this Saturday at 6th & Waller. (The original post gives a music lineup, but that part has been canceled due to circumstances beyond the control of event coordinator, Strong Deer Art.)

Here’s the link:
Art, Music, and Fashion at 6th and Waller – 2/26 – Austin art events | Examiner.com.

Aside from the fashion show at 3pm and the art (of course), my favorite part is the artist market! @FancyPantsATX and @JenHeartsArt will be sharing a booth space full of wearable art, visual art, and fun, original gift items. Our designs complement each other well, allowing for an exciting collection of pop art and cute accessories featuring modern cultural icons.

Both Dani and I will be selling lots of new work never before seen on Etsy or in stores, so we urge you to stop by, take advantage of the awesome deals we’re offering, and give us your feedback about the current designs. Most pieces are under $20, with many $10 and under!

For examples of some of our styles, check out our Etsy shops:

FancyPantsATX on Etsy.com

JenniferHeartsArt on Etsy.com

I am also particularly stoked to see what Animated Closet, Jinxedaposed, Malissa Long Wear, and BonBon by Micah Yancey will be showing, as well as what some of our friends and fellow vendors will have for sale in 2011. (Can’t wait to visit the Robo Roku booth and stock up on super-cute new stuff, either! They’ve always got adorable, useful things that make fantastic gifts.)

First F.A.M. inaugural weekend featuring food, art, and music – Austin art events | Examiner.com

Update: Due to weather, the programming for 2/4 (6:30-12am) has moved to the evening of 2/26. It has been added to 2/26 daytime programming (12pm-6:30pm), which includes a fashion show and is still in the process of being finalized, making the upcoming date an all day event lasting from 12pm-12am.

Local artist and small business owner, Chantell Champlain (Strong Deer Art, Kalei Doscope Aromacare, and more) is launching her new monthly recurring art event on February 4, 2011. Subsequent events will take place at 6th and Waller on the first weekend of each month, and will feature live art, music, food vendors, an artist market, and more. Get all the details here:
First F.A.M. inaugural weekend featuring food, art, and music – February 4th-5th – Austin art events | Examiner.com.

You can also RSVP on Facebook (Friday, Saturday) and Do512 (Friday, Saturday). Check out the links for each day to see the lineup, as music and live art will differ from day to day.

Below are a couple of photos – consider it a pre-exhibit sneak preview – of two of the artists showing new work at the show. The photography and styling is by Keep Austin Pinup, a collaborative project by Phill Janzen and Kira Pinion. Want to see more? Don’t miss this event!

Artist and event organizer Chantell Champlain, styled and captured by Keep Austin Pinup

Artist Nicole Menard, styled and photographed in her element by Keep Austin Pinup