DIY

Meet fabric artist Amy Butler at Fancy Tiger Crafts tonight

By Susan Froyd Wed., Apr. 17 2013 at 6:00 AM
Categories: Arts and Culture, DIY, Shopping, Style

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A galvanizing figure of the new craft movement, Ohio fabric and pattern designer Amy Butler is in Colorado for a Makerie Sewing Retreat at Chautauqua in Boulder. But she's kicking off her visit with a meet-and-greet tonight at Fancy Tiger Crafts, the craft palace on Broadway run by Jaime Jennings and Amber Corcoran, which carries Butler's beautiful, modern fabrics, patterns and books.

See also:
- The ten best stores on Broadway
- Paul Michel will unleash The Fanciest Tiger at Fancy Tiger's Civilized Living tomorrow
- Best Holiday Market, 2011: Holiday Handmade, Fancy Tiger


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DIY

Denver Craft Ninjas will have you in stitches at Mutiny Information Cafe

By Susan Froyd Tue., Apr. 2 2013 at 6:00 AM
Categories: Arts and Culture, Classes, DIY

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Jack Jensen's Mutiny Now bookstore, now under new ownership, morphed into Mutiny Information Cafe just one month ago. But the changing of the guard at the South Broadway is already making itself evident, as the new book and coffee place begins to add events, such as the Westword Best of Denver-winning Mutiny Word Night, to its roster.

See also:
- Broadway's Mutiny Now! evolves into Mutiny Information Cafe
- Best Political Open Mic, 2013: Mutiny Word Night
- Photos: Mutiny Information Cafe serves up Pablo's Coffee


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Comedy

Mara Wiles on her return to comedy following a kidney transplant

By Josiah M. Hesse Wed., Mar. 20 2013 at 9:03 AM
Categories: Comedy, DIY, Interviews, Popular Culture

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Comedian Mara Wiles hasn't had it easy the last few years. After establishing herself as an intelligently goofy performer on the local comedy scene, she was diagnosed with a potentially life-threatening kidney disorder that, to say the least, interrupted her ascending career as a standup. And Denver's comedy community, which had grown to know her so well, came to her aid with old-school, pass-the-hat donations taken at regular events, as well as several standup benefits that brought together the best performers our city has to offer. Now home from the hospital after her recent kidney transplant (special thanks to Jessica Anderson for her selfless donation) Wiles chatted with us about about how her illness prevented her from working, saying goodbye to Ladyface, and why Denver comedians are so loyal.

See also:
- Arguments and Grievances second-anniversary edition at Vine Street Pub
- Kickstarter campaign for Denver comedy documentary Joke Life now live
- Offended: Why Anthony Jeselnik will never be Joan Rivers, or The Onion


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Tags:

Charity, Denver Comedy, Josiah M Hesse, Ladyface, Mara Wiles
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Comedy

A guide to DIY comedy tours with the Fine Gentleman's Club

By Byron Graham Tue., Feb. 26 2013 at 8:27 AM
Categories: Comedy, DIY, Performance, Travel

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Interstate comedy tours have typically been the métier of famous names capable of drawing big crowds and veterans of the club circuit. Many obstacles stand in the way of aspiring comedians eager to earn their living on the road, from bookers who are unwilling to take a chance on an unknown commodity from out of town to the financial constraints of travel. For most novice comedians, a "tour" of open mics and free showcases in other states amounts to little more than a road trip taken at their own expense, which is fun but fiscally unsustainable.

See also:
- The Fine Gentleman's Club fights tragedy with Too Much Fun!
- Lucky '13: Comedian and Fine Gentleman Sam Tallent
- Too Much Funstival comedians on how Denver's scene has evolved

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100 Colorado Creatives

100 Colorado Creatives: The Ladies Fancywork Society

By Susan Froyd Thu., Jan. 17 2013 at 8:24 AM
Categories: 100 Colorado Creatives, Arts and Culture, DIY, Street Art

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#100: The Ladies Fancywork Society
The Ladies Fancywork Society -- a somewhat anonymous collective of crafty women -- has been delighting Denver for a half-dozen years, working covertly in the dark of night to create yarnbombed installations that sprout out of nowhere in the strangest of places. They've made us laugh and look in wonder as trees grow sweaters and flowers bloom on chain-link fences. As they say in their statement, "They believe in taking ownership of our surroundings, and putting skirts on the world is their way of doing it." It's a whimsical message that anyone can make art, underlined by the feminine...and maybe a little of the feminist.

See also:

- Fancygasm
- The arts in Denver: Ten people to watch in 2013
- Lucky '13: Lauren Seip of Lowbrow Arts and Ladies Fancywork Society
- Fifteen best Denver ART moments in 2011

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Street Fashion

Menswear Mondays: Graphic designer Vladimir Von shares his DIY style

By Mauricio Rocha Mon., Jan. 14 2013 at 1:55 PM
Categories: DIY, Fashion, Photos, Street Fashion, Style

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All photos by Mauricio Rocha
While temperatures were certainly frigid this past weekend, some people managed to remain stylish even in this cruel climate. One was Vladimir Von, a graphic designer from California who uses buttons, studs and patches to create his own look. Keep reading to find out what music Von is into, where he shops, and why he will always be a punk kid at heart.

See also:
-Menswear Mondays: Poet Kirkland James
-What's in your bag? Rock-inspired menswear and more!
-What's in your bag? Microphones, lapel pins and more with Don Champion


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Tags:

16th street, Denver, DIY punk rock, Graphic Design, Mauricio Rocha, Menswear Mondays, street fashion, street-style, Vladimir Von
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Fashion

Knit wit: Local crafter Daddy Lion Legs makes made to-order hats and scarves

By Bree Davies Wed., Nov. 14 2012 at 9:47 AM
Categories: DIY, Design, Fashion

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A Daddy Lion Legs original scarf.
A Daddy Lion Legs piece is unmistakeable -- thick knitting stitches run diagonal and in tube-like formations, brightly-colored fabrics clash pleasantly with muted yarn. And the designs -- all one-of-a-kind, made-to-order pieces -- come from a single knitter, Jennah Black. What started out as a hobby is now a part-time job, and Black hopes to make it a full-time thing, as she knits every spare moment she can wrangle.

See also:
- Holiday Gift Markets: Shop local all weekend...and beyond!
- What's in your bag? Jackalope carries flatiron, antlers, makeup and more!
- Buyer Chrissy Giles explains Buffalo Exchange's purchase (or pass) policy on your resale fashion

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Tags:

Daddy Lion Legs, Jennah Black, knitting, local fashion, yarn bombing
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Holidaze

Denver Arts Week: Get ready for the holidays at the Ink Lounge's Sweet T Tuesday

By Susan Froyd Tue., Nov. 6 2012 at 6:58 AM
Categories: Classes, DIY, Denver Arts Week, Holidaze

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© Ink Lounge
In the midst of a modern DIY craft revolution, more people are resolving to make their holiday gifts, rather than dropping big bucks on impersonal gifts from the mall. And besides, it's fun to really get your hands into the holidays -- and even more fun to do it in a group, with other crafters. Novices do best in a setting where materials and instruction are provided, as they are in recurring Sweet T Tuesday screen-printing workshops, including one that will be offered from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. this evening at the Ink Lounge printing studio.

See also:
- Best Manly Holiday Craft Market - 2012: Holiday Mancraft
- Make. Workshop: Illuminated Sculpture with Melissa Borrell
- Ladies Fancywork Society members open Lowbrow on Broadway


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Tags:

handmade holiday gifts, Ink Lounge, screen-printing workshop, Sweet T Tuesdays
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Street Fashion

What's in your bag? Rock-inspired menswear and more!

By Mauricio Rocha Thu., Sep. 6 2012 at 7:59 AM
Categories: DIY, Fashion, Photography, Street Fashion, Style

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Denver will be all about fashion during today's Fashion's Night Out. But as we continue to move toward fall, more and more people are bringing out new fashions every day. Here for your viewing pleasure is a double dose of menswear that emphasizes the DIY punk-rock aesthetic. Meet Slug and Cassius Wolfe, who prove that not all the best fashion is found on the Parisian runways: It can be crafted with your own hands at home in Denver.
See also:
-What's in your bag? Style as sharp as a knife and as smooth as a llama
-What's in your bag? Modern-day Cinderellas reveal style secrets
-Street style: What's in your bag? Novels, sandwiches and more!

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Tags:

Cassius Wolfe, Death rock, Mauricio Rocha, Menswear, Punk Rock, skateboards, Slug, street style
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Denver County Fair!

Ruby Ann Boxcar brings trailer park truth to Denver County Fair

By Laura Bond Thu., Aug. 9 2012 at 9:53 AM
Categories: Art, Arts and Culture, Classes, DIY, Denver County Fair!, Drag!, GLBTQ

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Ruby Ann Boxcar is one of the bonafide stars of this year's Denver County Fair, which runs tomorrow through Sunday. Hailed as the Dame Edna of the Trailer Park, Boxcar is a performer, speaker, and the author of numerous cookbooks that celebrate the art of frugal, second-hand living. A big personality with hair to match, Boxcar will share some of her white-trash wisdom with fairgoers during several workshops and activities that explore everything from gastronomy to cheap-and-green crafting. We asked Boxcar, who visits Denver by way of her hometown of Panbgurm, Arkansas, to give us a taste of what she's cooking up this weekend.

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Tags:

Denver County Fair, larkspur, Ruby Ann Boxcar
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