not so pretty

sadly we will not longer be selling our line at Pretty Penny but you can still shop us local in the city at RAG Co-op!  And don't worry, benny & i are on the hunt for a new awesome oakland store to work with...

friday! friday! friday!

We cant wait to see all your awesome smiling faces friday night at the Oakland Museum to celebrate the best of the east bay!!  Calling fellow science nerds...come train to be an astronaut with us at Chabot Space Center's party area!



new styles available friday...

The Bazaar

Don't forget, saturday is the day Pretty Penny and the Parlour Gallery present the Craft Bazaar!!  We are soo excited to be participating and can't wait to see all your smiling faces tomorrow.  And to make things even more enticing we kindly donated one of our one-of-a-kind beer cozies to the bazaar's one dollar raffle!

So come to shop or come to win the raffle either way we would love you to be there!



When:  Saturday!!
Where: Pretty Penny  5488 college ave, oakland

Participating Artists:
Wonderwear , bennykelly , Crooked Sister , It's Scrap , Queen of Hearts Apparel , Volta Press , kittinhawk , Pollyannacowgirl , Salvaged Beauty , Abeo Bestia Design , BirdversusBird Design

one dollar RAFFLE!
we will be having a raffle where you can win all these awesome prizes...
$25 gift certificate from SLASH DENIM
$25 gift certificate from VOLTA PRESS
custom made beer cozy by BENNYKELLY
fabric flower hair piece by CROOKED SISTER
leather earrings by IT'S SCRAP
handmade coin purse by BIRDVERSUSBIRD
Handmade brooch by SALVAGED BEAUTY

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="298" caption="you could win this at the raffle!"][/caption]

SAVE THE DATE...

We have been silent for the past few weeks and we wanted to let you in on why.  First off kelly got a job...so her time is, unfortunately, more limited but at least now she can pay the bills!  Secondly we have been helping Pretty Penny and The Parlour Gallery plan and promote their very first Craft Bazaar!

The Bazaar will be a day focused on a small number of handpicked local fashion and craft designers and their amazing fares.  With an intimated feel, shoppers will have the chance to come say hello and talk with each designers about their goodies, all while shopping the best vintage in the bay. Best of all Pretty Penny and The Parlour are hoping to make this a reoccurring event!



So mark your calendars and come see how talented your neighbors really are!  There will be good music and FREE libations!!

When:  Saturday July 25th  11am - 7pm
Where:  Pretty Penny 5488 college ave, oakland
Cost:  FREE!

go shop!

We just dropped a bunch of new renewed styles off at Pretty Penny today for your shopping pleasure.  So we thought that we should give you all a small taste of these awesome creations to trigger your desire to shop.  Kelly and I are so excited for these new pieces...think stenciled leather!! Go, quick before they are no more!

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="298" caption="ORGANIC!!"][/caption]

more photos after the jump...

ABCO craft fair!

This saturday, ABCO Art Space is hosting the start of a series of crafty shows. The event will featuring local artists from around the bay area. Shoppers will find clothing from local designers, hand made belt buckles, hair accessories, organic body products, ceramics, original artwork, organic coffee, and so much more. There will also be live music, DJ's, Food and Beverages.

The idea was first explored last November by ABCO's founder and director, Barry Monigle. With no place for artists to gather and sell their wares, Monigle stepped in to offer up the expansive amount of space that ABCO has to offer for an event like this. With a huge outside area, a large indoor gallery and an expansive warehouse to spread the event through, it is an ideal location for a craft fair.

When:  saturday June 6th  12pm - 8pm
Where:  ABCO Art Space 3135 fillbert st, oakland

Art in a Box

Benny and I are just loving this new art concept!!  Join The Compound Gallery’s in launching this new Art Subscription Service! If you subscribe at the party you'll get $10 off your subscription! For $30 a month you can pick up your very own Art in a Box at The Compound on the second weekend of each month, or for $50 a month you can have your Art mailed to you with a bonus piece! Art in a Box is like a wine club, but with art….start collecting art for yourself or give away a subscription as a gift.

Featured artists: Adrian Van Allen, Audrey Roy, Ben Belknap, Crystal Morey, Eric Sanchez, Kerri Lee Johnson, Lena Verderano Reynoso, Matt Reynoso, Obi Kaufmann, Tallulah Terryll, YaChin Bonny You

When:  Launch Party  Tonight  7pm - 10pm
Where:  The Compound Gallery  6602/6604 san pablo ave, oakland

friday means art murmur!

If you are still craving some arty fun after thursday's events, no sweat just wake up and do it all over again at oakland's art murmur!!  Here are a few exhibitions we thought were worth checking out.  Also bennykelly will be representing in tomorrow's art murmur as a crafty street vendor!  So as long as it's not raining, you can find us and our goodies around 23rd and telegraph!  Hope to see you there!

Tendril

Rock Paper Scissors is stoked to be hosting Tendril, an Oakland textile show, bringing together an eclectic group of textile artists who share a passion for fabrics and thread as their main mediums. The artists-Amber Collison, Amy Cools, Helen Poulshock and Mali Mrozinski-are additionally tied together by their exploration of scavenging and collage. Found materials, ideas, and images are scattered throughout all the pieces from illustrative quilts, to silkscreened prints, to "Thinking Caps."

A perfect fit for RPS, each artist in this show is searching for ways to integrate art with life, exploring everyday adornment, and moving with ease back and forth across the lines of art and craft.  The exhibition will be up through June 27th.

When: (opening reception)  June 5th  6pm - 9pm
Where:  Rock Paper Scissors Collective  2278 telegraph st, oakland

more arty events after the jump...

help needed...

Recently we shared with you all the sad demise of The Parkway Theater and helped spread the word about the amazing group i like the parkway.  Well i like the parkway has been working non-stop trying to get The Parkway back for oakland.  The group recently announced that there are investors currently in talks to re-open the Parkway Theater!

These investors have asked i like the parkway to help them gather feedback from the community as to what we want the future of The Parkway to be.   So they need a just little help from all of us oakland lovers in the form of a quick online survey.  If you have five mintues to spare, please visit www.iliketheparkway.com to share what you would like The Parkway to be!

Remember if you don't get involved, you can't complain if the Parkway doesn't come back!  If you feel the need to do more then pass this along to all your friends, sign up for the i like the parkway mailing list or just volunteer!

1st Annual RPS Cupcake Bakeoff!

The oh so awesome Rock Paper Scissors Collective (RPS) is bringing together local baking talent for the first ever cupcake bakeoff!  Only $4 and your excitement will get you access to an amazing array of sugary goodness.  But the best part of the whole thing is you get to be the judge of these baked lovely and vote for your favorite!

But that was not enough...RPS went even further and complied all the competing recipes to bring you a cupcake cookbook!  Now you can make yourself these goodies any day of the week.  So stop on by RPS for a sweet treat before you head on over to oakland DIY's spring craft show!

When:  Today May 9th  2pm-4pm

Where:  Rock Paper Scissors Collective 2278 telegraph ave, oakland

see you there...

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="490" caption="ignore the sunday part it lies...TODAY IS THE DAY!!"][/caption]

We cannot wait to see your awesome faces this evening!  And don't forget to drop the secert code, "stenciled geese", in order to recieve 10% any one item of your choice!  See you there...

we smell art...it must be First Friday!!

The first weekend of the month always gets off to an artistic start and this Friday is no exception!  There is art everywhere this evening and to make it easier for you to explore tonight we have put together a list of some shows that caught our imaginative eye.

The Home Show

FiveTen Studio and artists Linda Braz and Elyse Hochstadt present The Home Show, an exhibition featuring six Bay Area based artists working with the concept of ‘home’ defined by its origins in a historical and contemporary context.  The Home Show explores and expands the well-worn definitions that suggest a singular space or construct could identify one ideal designation equating the concept of home. Two of the participating artists explore origin myths and the psychological site of home, while others present vivid representations through a range of media.

When:  Tonight May 1st   6pm - 9pm
Where: Five Ten Studio 831 broadway, oakland

Out of the Woods

Rare Device will be showing Portland Artist Rachel Denny's amazing knitted sculptures May 1 to June 2.  Stop on by the opening reception tonight to meet Rachel in person and see her awesome art!

When:  Tonight May 1st  7pm - 9pm
Where:  Rare Device 1845 market st, san francisco

Bathing in the Crystal Light

Bathing in the crystal light is a show of Kristine Reano sweet drawings. To make the opening reception a little more entertaining Lulacruza will be performing some awesome beats!  Stop on by tonight and show some love and support!!

When:  Tonight May 1st  7pm - 10pm
Where: Gallery Extrana 2912 telegraph ave, berkeley

a day of spray paint, live beats and awesome people!

Yesterday we hosted our second annual earth day extravaganza at Pretty Penny here in Oakland and it was the best yet!!  We are soo thankful to everyone that came out to support us and create some fantastic new pieces.  We could not of asked for a better turnout! Check out some pictures of the event taken by the lovely Christopher Bennett!

more after the jump..

TOMORROW!! TOMORROW!! TOMORROW!!!

can you tell we are excited?

Only 3 left to gather up those swappables..

we just hit up goodwill yesterday to pick up some extra goodies for the clothing swap!  we can't wait to swap and stencil with you all!

SAVE THE DATE: oakland DIY Spring Craft Show!

We are stoked to announce our participation in oakland DIY's Spring Craft Show and we are sure it is to be bigger and better than the holiday show!!  The show will be taking place on saturday May 9th in this amazingly awesome abandoned factory turned into artist living/show space.  This place even has a kitchen where oakland DIY will be whipping up some fantastic treats!  So mark your calendars...we'll see you soon!

When:  Saturday May 9th  doors open at 6pm

Where:  Sunshine Biscuit Factory  851 81st ave, oakland

*To make this show just a bit sweeter benny & I are offering 10% off one item of your choice if you use the code word "stenciled geese"!!

Chruch of Craft

We are loving this new movement and we just had to let you in on the awesomeness that is the Church of Craft!  The church is a collective of people coming together to create an environment where any and all acts of creation have value and simple satisfaction.  The Church of Craft maintains no dogma or doctrine beyond what every member believes for themselves.

These churches have begun popped up throughout the US, Canada and now the UK!  We are lucky to have one of these great churches locally meeting in the always crafty Rock Paper Scissors Collective!  This month's Sunday School will be teaching embroidery basics on refurbished and recycled fabrics.  Come and spread a little crafty goodwill!



When: Sunday, April 19th, 12-5pm (always the 3rd Sunday)

Sunday School from 12pm - 1pm

Craft On from 1pm - 5pm  (craft whatever you like, open house style)

Where: RPS Collective 2278 Telegraph Ave, Oakland

What to bring for Sunday School: Embroidery Basics
Needles, thread and fabric scraps will be available for use in the class. Bring clothing or household items (such as pillowcases or napkins) to begin or discuss an embroidery embellishment project now! OR use the fabric scraps to master some of the basic stitches. A hoop and a highlighter is helpful but not required.

You can hear the art calling...

There is no better way to start off your month then taking in some awesome local art.  Well for those in Oakland, here are a few spots getting down with the Art Murmur.

RSP Collective: Heroes and Villians



When: TODAY  6pm - 9 pm

RPS is touching on one of our favorite subject matters, the classic struggle of good versus evil!  Hero stereotypes beware, these artists offer a new take on chivalry, life & death, caricature and beauty.  Participating artists:  Arnell Ando, Teppi Ando, Graham Annable, David Ball, Ben Catmull, Mary Cook, Alika Cooper, Matt Hart, Matt Hewitt, Obi Kaufman, An Nguyen, Jonah Olson, Deth P. Sun, Mark Todd and Derek Wood.

21 Grand:  [Print] RUN



When:  TODAY 6pm

21 Grand presents the artist reception for the exhibit [Print] RUN which features prints by Patricia Wakida and paintings by Jason Byers.  Here are a few things 21 grand had to share about the artists...(after the jump)

Want to help save The Parkway Speakeasy?

As we explained earlier this week, today is the last day The Parkway Speakeasy Theater will be open!!  If you are as bummed as we are to see this Oakland landmark close its doors, well then join in the fight to keep it open!!  Today around 3pm come show your support at The Parkway!  There will be time to reminisce with neighbors or maybe even catch one last movie, but most importantly there will be a sign up list for volunteers!  The plan is to try and make The Parkway something of a volunteer run coop in order to keep the movies playing and the beer flowing!

They need all the support they can get, so please for the love of Oakland SAVE THE PARKWAY SPEAKEASY!!

here are a few things the organizers are asking you keep in mind for the event...after the jump!

The Parkway is closing its doors...

We were welcomed back home today with some extremely sad news, The Parkway Speakeasy will be shutting its doors this coming Sunday. We know times are tough, but we have been hoping to see our favorite independents be able to stick it out.  So as we say farewell to a local landmark and one of our favorite movie houses, we ask that you join the fight to save the Parkway!!

Join the Fight on Facebook...http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/group.php?gid=57726393239&ref=mf

For those that tweet...http://search.twitter.com/search?q=%22parkway+theater%22+OR+%22parkway+theatre%22

the message sent out from the owners after the jump...