Well it seems we will be hitting up the Chicago Renegade Craft Fair this weekend once again, but this time as a crafty vendor! Three years ago I blogged about this event after stumbling on it in downtown Wicker Park when we lived nearby. We loved it so much that we vowed to someday participate… even if it meant traveling a few thousand miles to get there. Not only do we want to experience Chicago again (we will take wind over rain anyday) but it’s a good way to see old friends, see a new indie craft scene and best of all EAT SOME REAL FUCKING PIZZA!

Below is a quick video I put together of Julia printing our newest design in the studio. At first we were just screwing around with color on test sheets but we liked the psychedelic Abe Lincoln head so much that it stuck and voila!

A few weeks ago we pulled the sheet off of what has been absorbing my wife, Julia and I for the last few months- Craft Services, or from here on out just Craft Svcs. As stated in the about section of our site:

Born out of the need to be crafty in the 2nd or 3rd coolest town in Oregon, CSDC is a collaboration formed by husband and wife Truen and Julia Pence. Inspired by antiques, the sea/trees/sasquatch of the Northwest, repetition, and Charles and Ray Eames (but who isn’t, really?) the duo introduced Craft Services as a way to showcase some work, use up those sketchbook gems that have been itching to get out, and create more with handmade influences.

Not only do they peddle lots of graphic goods in their online store, but also offer design services, occasional custom prints, and collaborate surprisingly well!

So not only will I be posting more posts regarding pieces from our collaboration, I hope to be updating you on how this venture evolves. Our first big opportunity is Crafty Wonderland on May 1st and 2nd in Portland. There will be more news following that show and hopefully these will lead to some new types of opportunities, but more than anything we just want it to continue to be fun and exciting to create new types of work. Thanks for supporting us and stay tuned for more. Here are some images below:

www.flickr.com Truen’s CRAFT SVCS. DESIGN CO. photoset

I’ve been on this wood-crafted items phase lately, and this made me consider shelling out $82. I want… Check out Merchant no. 4

I bet it would even impress this guy

Starting to teach my class tomorrow night. I think I’ll show this clip. Ira Glass sums it up better than I’ve heard it said before. Love this clip

I think i could do this with all of the unread magazines i have stacked up next to my bed. See more here.

House hunting this weekend + me = remodel ideas + cheap!

Even though my parents’ generation will tell me wallpaper is for the birds, I came across these wallpapers that would make this bird very happy. Check them out at roseandradish

Here is a holiday card we put together showing our “Oregon-ness.”

Thanks to benpotter for this post, but I’ve got to say, this is some very nice craftyness. A nice mix of landscape, cartography, and just plain cool designs… Check out the work of Leah Evans here, and an article from cartype.com on the work here.

Jazzed to check out the craft scene this weekend at the crafty wonderland.

In the market for a pair of squirrel cuff links? How about a squirrel-clad mug to sip your holiday hot toddy out of? Squirrel iphone case? If this year’s Holiday Craft Fair in Chicago is anything like the September event in Wicker Park, I will no doubt find all 3. This Saturday and Sunday at the Pulaski Park Fieldhouse in Chicago, over 100 artists and crafty individuals will be displaying and selling their goods just in time for the holidays. It looks like their will also be over 20 DJ’s spinning music for the event also…No wonder mom used to love going to craft fairs!

There may also be some non-squirrel items for purchase. More info here