Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Solar Jar DIY

Maybe it is due to the days getting darker and colder, but as I have been grasping for warmth and light, I suddenly remembered—doh! We had a great DIY for solar jars, by Erin Duffey, this summer that we (well, more accurately, I) was supposed to post with pictures! DOH!

So, even if our backyards might no longer be places to hang out, follow Erin's instructions for some beautiful little lights that will brighten up the darkness!


Drying jars!


Mod Podge—a crafter's best friend!


Jar top + solar lid = almost there!



Brillance! No more dark days! 


Call for Art!

Are you an artist specializing in simple line drawings? Or do you just love to doodle? Regardless of where you see yourself on the self-appointed "artist spectrum," we want your work!

C.L.A.P. is currently looking for simple black and white line drawings/images to adorn the cover of our Winter 2011 issue. Ideal designs would reference this issue's theme of "Our Bodies, Ourselves" and would lend themselves to easy photocopying. Depending on how many submissions we get, we may be able to feature multiple images on the cover and/or run them within the zine itself.

If you are interested, or have any questions/comments about art submissions, email us at creativeladiesarepowerful@gmail.com! Images must be submitted by December 1st, 2011 to be considered for the cover.

Thursday, November 10, 2011

C.L.A.P. Features: Miller Upholstering



In the spirit of supporting and promoting creative women, we are starting a new project on the C.L.A.P. blog called "C.L.A.P. Features." For it, we will be showcasing independent female-friendly businesses, organizations and individual creative types that are hip to the C.L.A.P. mission. 


I am very excited to present, for our first "C.L.A.P. Features" post, Helen Miller of Miller Upholstering. I first met Helen when she swung by the C.L.A.P. booth at a show we were sponsoring at the Kitty Cat Klub a few months ago. She was very enthusiastic about the zine and bought a couple to send to her daughter in London. A while later, she contacted C.L.A.P. about carrying the zine at her shop, Miller Upholstering, and is now one of our vendors. 


With that, I am pleased to present one of C.L.A.P.'s biggest supporters, Helen Miller of Miller Upholstering! 

The shop!
How and when did you start your business?

2001 – started as a result of not being able to be “hired”  in an established interiors/upholstery workroom at a living wage.  Also wanted more authority and creative license than such a position would have afforded.  Wanted to combine professional workroom practices with a craft/fiber-arts approach and see both disciplines have a place in home decoration.

A sample of the fabrics Miller Upholstering carries
What services or products do you offer that readers of C.L.A.P. would be interested in?

•FABRIC ! (new and vintage) and a go-to source of know-how in interior/domestic arts.

I assist the DIY’er with supplies and instruction as well as take custom orders for upholstery and soft home furnishings.  Vintage restored furniture and one-off cushions and fabric are for sale in shop and millerupholstering store on etsy. 

Helen at work
What is the best thing (or things!) about your job?
 
Full-on, hands-on arts and crafts every day, the study of interiors, furnishings, textiles thru the ages, the endless surprise of weave and pattern and how they work for or against certain frames (clothing constructionists know about this too), finding notes, photo’s, money and toys in furniture, redecorating the shop, THE WINDOWS!, playing great music in the shop, not having a boss make me listen to KQ or BOB-what is that?102?, counting my moneybags, watching my bank account rise (and fall – witnessing and learning the direct result of my endeavors) – oh and so I don’t sound completely self-indulged,  the sight of people reunited with their restored/reupholstered piece of furniture  - tears of joy, gasps of disbelief, pride of ownership and pleased with their decision to reupholster (no buyer’s remorse here!)

More of Helen's cute space
What advice do you have for other creative women interested in starting their own business?

Be ready to hunker down for a long slog – plan, and have as much capital as you can, because if you shoe-string it, you will be hating life.  But if you shoe-string it anyway – try and have a good time…enjoy yourself 100% or it ain’t worth it.  Have your support systems in place, i.e. mentors,  smart advisors (as opposed to ignorant advisors – and know the difference!), friends, etc.  Be adaptable, pay attention, cross-promote and be friends with other businesses, be good to your customers, treat them like gold,  KNOW WHO LIKES YOU ON FACEBOOK AND ACKNOWLEDGE THEM – if they are fellow or neighboring businesses LIKE THEM BACK if you deem them worthy.  Eat well and get a good nights sleep.  Don’t forget to exercise.

Anything else you would like to add?

Have no regrets – it’s a journey, not a destination, right? 


To find Miller Upholstering:  


Miller Upholstering

3614 E. Lake St. Mpls MN 55406
612-729-1841

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Girl A Whirl Re-cap AND Sweet MPLS.TV Article!

The second Girl A Whirl went off without a hitch! To check out all the highlights, be sure to check out Yeti Record's photo album of the event here.




ZINES! 


Bad Ass! 


The lady behind it all—Mrs. Lisa Luck! 


C.L.A.P. contributor Littlefoot plays as a potential future C.L.A.P.per looks on! 

Also very exciting: Lisa Luck (curator of Girl A Whirl, co-owner of Yeti Records and regular C.L.A.P. contributor) was interviewed by Lacey Prpić Hedtke of the Zine Apothecary for MPLS.TV about Yeti's new local zine section. Check out the interview here and be sure to swing by the store to pick up some of the other sweet publications our neighbors have been putting out there.

Friday, November 4, 2011

C.L.A.P. Sponsors: Girl A Whirl!


Mark your calendars for the second Girl A Whirl THIS SATURDAY, November 5th! From 5 pm to 10 pm, Yeti Records will be rocking with the sounds of local lady bands Jaded Matron (Gibbous & Tabitha Sheets), IS/ISLittlefootCadette and Brute Heart! Hear dj sets by the fabulous (and regular C.L.A.P. contributor) Jen Hughes of Hot Roxx and Carol (Double Trouble)! AND....witness the unveiling of Yeti Record's new ZINE SECTION!!!!! It is going to be totally bodacious. 


 C.L.A.P. is sponsoring this sweet  FREE event, curated by the fabulous artist/record store owner/regular C.L.A.P. contributor Lisa Luck. Since she is the mastermind of this event (and really funny), I wanted to get the inside scoop on Girl A Whirl, how it came about and what attendees can expect. We were finally able to catch up and I got it! The scoop!



Q.How did Girl a Whirl come about?

A. Well Holly, let me tell you. The first Girl A Whirl came to be 

on Yeti Record's first Record Store Day. It just so happened, that
 my business partner (aka my husband) was out of town. I knew 
I wanted to do something with pizzaz. I also knew I love girl 
bands.
So tada! I put together "Girl A Whirl". A rad lady band
extravaganza!


Q. When was the first one, what happened at it?

RSD, 2011. April 16th. 4 radical instores occured. Girl Germs DJed. 

We gave away some raffles.... and had a big ole 45' Sale. It was 
awesome.

Q. What can we expect from this Girl A Whirl?

More Awesome, this year 5 radical lady bands. Also the unveiling of 

our new Zine Section.

4. What are you most excited about for Girl A Whirl?

I am excited to hear the bands! Something great about having a 

record store is getting to put together shows. I get to see 5 of my 
fave bands perform and host a party. I like hosting. In fact 
every time someone comes to the store, I feel like they are at my 
house and I want to offer them a martini. Also the Zines.
I mean come on. How great are Zines!

5. How do Girl a Whirl and C.L.A.P. fit together?

How do they not? Creative Ladies are powerful dudes and dudettes. 

Also some of the contributors to C.L.A.P. are involved musically. 
Jen Hughes is Djing and Steph Onasis Nelson plays in Cadette.
Cool right?

6. Tell me about Yeti’s new zine collection!

So many people have been bringing them in. It is so exciting! From 

cooking, to music interviews, fashion.. art .. humor. It's so great 
and it's so local.

For more info on Girl A Whirl, check out the event page here and 

stay tuned for a recap of all the radical happenings that took place!