An annual showcase and celebration of all things DIY, the Stitch Fashion Show and Guerrilla Craft Bazaar returns for its fourth installment this Saturday with an even bigger and better lineup. Back in 2003, local designers Jesse Kelly-Landes (Amet and Sasha), Tina Sparkles (Sparkle Craft), Karly Hand (Identity Crisis Clothing) and Jennifer Perkins (Naughty Secretary Club), dismayed that Austin lacked an effective outlet for independent designers to exhibit their work, orchestrated one of the city's... more ›

The DIY Network, already home to Austin Craft Mafia's new show, Stylelicious, just finished producing another program called Craft Lab, starring mafiosa and Naughty Secretary Club prioprietess Jennfer Perkins. Tony Federico, TV producer by day and self-admitted crafter, says the show's "more Ready Made and Bust magazine than Grandma's Bazaar - we're geared for a younger audience." It looks like they're already done with the first season, with guests including nationally-syndicated craft columnist Kathy Cano Murillo of Crafty Chica, collage artist Claudine Hellmuth, Traci Bautista and Jenny Harada. Tony says they're set to shoot a slew of episodes for their second season in the next couple of months, which will air sometime next year, but they're still looking for a bunch of "cool guests" to bring on the show. And by "cool," they mean "vivacious, interesting and engaging people to share their love of crafting on national television." Think you've got what it takes? Send 'em an email. Hell, they'll fly you out to LA if you're a good fit. More deets after the jump! more ›

Just in time for Valentine's Day next week, local design boutique Sparkle Craft opens its studios for the very first time! Impresaria Tina Sparkles (the fashionista behind the fabulous) has rallied together a fantastic coterie of independent Austin labels - Amet & Sasha, *AnneMarie*, All Dressed Up & Shy, Lawless Revolution Wear, Naughty Secretary Club, OtterOtto by Donna Soo, Will Heron, Tokyo Valentine, and Sublime Stitching - to offer up an assortment of one-of-a-kind goods.... more ›

Progress Coffeehouse pleases us. Nice atmosphere and nice people working there. By the look of the crowd, it seems like a place that has developed a lot of regulars--dotcommer types and some eastside hipsters, as well as a sprinkling of suit and tie businessmen.
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A recent article in Metropolis magazine points to more bad news from the Bush administration. It seems that the proposed 2006 budget for the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) will be drastically cut. This is the program that helped fund the Austin Resource Center for the Homeless (ARCH) building downtown, which the article calls: more ›