Make Out: March Madness

March Madness is upon us, and "Free for All" describes March's Crowntown Handmade Make Out in both spirit and price. This month you decide the craft! Bring along a portable project of your own and join

us for an evening of crafting comradery (and maybe a little booze). If you don't have something to bring, join Donna Kirby of In Ten Years in folding paper cranes. Our cranes will join others being sent to sister cities in Japan as a show of support after the tsunami.

But since it's March Madness, we're not done yet. If you have a craft project that turned out more frankenstien than fabulous, bring it in for the Craftastrophe Contest and Swap. Feel free to trade and see if one crafter's trash can become another's treasure.

Optional BYOB, $5 corking fee per container/6 pack. Sodas for sale. Patchwerk Playhaus, in the back room of Century Vintage, 1508 Central Avenue, Charlotte, 28205. Enter in the alley past Soul Gastrolounge and Snug Harbor.

All Arts Market - March

Soda Can Rings!

Here's the ring Sarah made.

We had a great turnout for Crown Town Handmade's most recent Make Out Craft night! About 25 people gathered around Elizabeth of studio-e on 2/24/11 to learn how to make flower rings out of soda cans. Elizabeth had gathered an impressive collection of cans of all colors for everyone to use. We crimped wire, cut petals out of aluminum and learned how to use pliers to get the look that we wanted. Each person's creation was 100% unique!


Elizabeth demonstrates the best way to bend wire to form a ring.

Online Finds: Feed Your Soul

By Emily Brown, Made by Emily


Though not my creative outlet, I admire the creative work of a visual artist. At times I find myself browsing through and admiring a variety of artists' work online, such as  Danny Phillips Art , or The Preppy Possum.

 I also love free. With the economy and my budget these days, free art is likely the only way I will acquire any art in my home. So imagine my delight when I came across Feed Your Soul: the free art project. Artists from around the world submit art each month that can be downloaded, printed, and enjoyed in your home for free. Check it out, and you're welcome.

artwork: Escape Route Rowboat, by Danny Phillips

More Handmade Valentine's.

Did you miss our last Make Out and are now going to be scrambling for handmade Valentines? 

 Then check out these print-it-yourself Valentines from a slew of cool artists! There are also other fun projects included in this 30-project kit.

Feelin' Hot Hot Hot

Need something to do this Friday night? Join several Crown Towners at the Mint Museum for First Friday, this month's theme is EndearMINT. We'll be in the DIY lab showing attendees how to make a felt flower accessory for your hair or his lapel.

Then, after you make your fab flowers, head on to the rooftop terrace to catch a salsa lesson!  This late night event, hosted in conjunction with the Charlotte Symphony's KnightSounds series, will feature music by Orquesta Mayor and a performance by dancers from Metropolitan Ballroom.

First Fridays is an ongoing series at the Mint Museum Uptown. Each evening is loaded with artsy fun for all ages, including museum tours, live entertainment, art-making activities, a cash bar, and more! Admission is free for members, $10/non-members. For more information on each event or to pre-purchase tickets, call 704.337.2034 or visit www.mintmuseum.org/firstfridays.html.

Valentine's, the CrownTown crafty way

Here's a great Valentine's post featuring CrownTown Handmade by The Painted Rabbit, a South Carolina artist.