cathy of california

yarn and ribbon...hand-knit with a paris pedigree, 1952

"Nubby wools and lustrous ribbons...brilliant core of the newest fall and winter French couturier collections. The thoroughbread ingredients adapted for hand-knitters by Nomota...choice imported Splendor yarn...Ruban d'Art rayon taffeta ribbon. Either can be kint alone or combined to reflect the season's newest fashions. Endow all your hand-knits with the mark of Paris breeding...buy Nomotta instuction books featuring exclusive designs* at your nearest store."

*ribbon-knitting instructions for making schiaparelli (!) designs were available.

hat by mr. john.

(illustration from a 1952 "nomotta yarns" ad)

hi there

just wanted to check in and let you know i have not forgotten about my blog! i'm in the midst of a couple of big projects and am still trying to catch up from my whole computer break down situation.

see you soon!
xo

(image from a 1960s notepad found at my mom's house)

LA county fair crafts building, late 50s

aleene jackson (of "tacky glue" fame) along with fellow craft pioneer hazel pearson orchestrated the design and construction of a permanent building to showcase crafts and hobbies at the LA county fair.

the tradition continues today and i am so proud to join the ranks of all of the crafty ladies who have shown their work at the LA county fair. tomorrow, as part of the series of felt club craft classes i will be demonstrating how to make pincushions based on a project i found in a 1965 issue of "family circle" magazine.

crafts are in the "tapestry" building (that's what they call it now) which is under the grandstand and kitty corner to the deep fried twinkie stand. my demo is from 11am - 4 pm. i will also be selling kits so you can make the project at home.

wish me luck and i hope to see you there!

(image from "aleene, a tacky lady" by aleene jackson)

"the arts of daily living" los angeles county fair, pomona, california 1954

the 1954 fine arts exibition "the arts of daily living" at the los angeles county fair featured the work of some amazing artists & designers.

in the living room: mural by richard haines, sculpture by albert stewart, benches by georg jensen and ceramics by bernard kester, eunice prieto and peter voulkos.

the room in the center picture was designed by house beautiful magazine and is accessorized with ceramics by harrison mcintosh, gertrude & otto natzler, rupert deese and bob stocksdale. tile mural by phil dyke.

the furniture in the dining room was made by george nakashima and the table is set with pottery by marguerite wildenhain.

(postcards from my collection)

i'm having some computer problems so i won't be posting for a few days!

image via computer history museum.

"before we can make things that are pleasant to see, we must find pleasure in seeing the things that are offered to our sight" - eva zeisel

"eva zeisel: extraordinary designer at 100" opens tonight at the craft and folk art museum in los angeles and runs through decemeber 30th.

this image is from the book "on design - the magic language of things" by eva zeisel. it's full of her thoughts and design inspirations, such as this beautiful shot of fall leaves. maybe she should start a blog...

crafts design, 1962

this is the first vintage craft book i ever purchased. i really don't remember how long ago but it was pre-ebay and the used book shop where i bought it has since gone out of business, so i'd say sometime in the early 90s.

i just fell in love with the cover. i guess you could say this is how it all started for me.

(cover of "crafts design - an illustrated guide" by spencer moseley, pauline johnson and hazel koenig, wadsworth publishing company, belmont, california, 1962)

thank you meg!

if you have any desire to start your own crafty business - anything from a few things in an etsy shop or fullfilling your desire to become the next jonathan adler - drop everything you're doing and go out right now and buy this book.

in my little window dressing and crafty business i have to wear all of the hats (as i'm sure many of you also do), even those i can't stand (like bookkeeping). i have to admit i've been winging it in a few areas and really thought i was totally together in others.

meg's book is chock full of both practical (like what licences you need) and inspirational (interviews with some of your favorite crafters) information. i learned i am probably doing a few things totally wrong and most likely doing some things i don't really need to. it also helped me see that i've proably achieved more than i realize.

now that i'm hoping to grow my business, this book has come along at just the right time.

"craft inc. turn your creative hobby into a business" by meg mateo ilasco, is published by chronicle books.

here's the schedule for felt club craft classes at the LA county fair

if you live in or around los angeles i'm sure you're planning a trip to the LA county fair. while your're there plan on stopping by the "tapestry building" (that's under the grandstand right across from the krispy kreme sandwich guy) so you can check out the felt club craft classes.

here's the lineup. see you there!

SUN, SEPT 9, 11am - 4pm
learn to make FABRIC HEADBANDS with nicole of queen puff puff

WED, SEPT 12, 4-9pm
CHARM JEWELRY 101 with laura of charcoal designs

SAT, SEPT 15, 11am - 4pm:
roll up your own PAPER BEADS with the folks from craft magazine

THUR, SEPT 20, 11am - 4pm:
BOOKBINDING from tyler bender book co.

SAT, SEPT 22, 11am - 4pm:
i will demonstrating how to make a PINCUSHION based on a project i found in a 1965 issue of family circle magazine.
i'll even have some kits you can purchase!

SUN, SEPT 23, 11am - 4pm
whip up SOCK CREATURES with jessica of jek in the box

WED, SEPT 26, 11am - 4pm:
learn the art of NEEDLE FELTING from jenny of sew darn cute

SAT, SEPT 29, 11am - 4pm
ARMIGURUMI 101 with narumi of mr. funky