Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Etsy Craft Party!

Quirk is hosting an Etsy craft party on June 18 from 3 to 5 p.m.  This day just happens to be Etsy's birthday, and Etsy wants to celebrate with as many craft parties around the globe as possible!  Come join this global initiative to make art together.  Please go to this site to RSVP: http://www.meetup.com/Etsy-Craft-Party/4036/

Saturday Stroll


Saturday, June 19th, is our monthly Saturday Stroll!  Come on out and enjoy restaurant specials, live music, and more! It last from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Midtown, Richmond, starting at the 300 block of West Broad Street.  Your local businesses need your support, so join us for this fun event!

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

We've Found It!



This is the perfect marker. Choose from 24 different colors - each marker has a fine and a medium point and are all acid free and non-toxic. $3 each.

Monday, May 24, 2010

Couldn't We Ride

Starting July 1st, 2010, Quirk will open an exhibit called Couldn’t We Ride. In this exhibit, artists from all over the country will demonstrate the art of making and designing a bicycle. There are more artistic factors that go into a bicycle than one would imagine. From the leather saddles to the elaborate chain guards to the beautiful design on the handlebars, art is present in all aspects of the bicycle. The artists we have selected incorporate creativity and beauty with practicality into everyday items. In this exhibit, artists also include paintings and photographs of bicycles.

Participating artists include Kevin Dillard from Washington D.C., Justin Rothsank from Goshen, IN, Taliah Lempert from Brooklyn, NY, R.E. Load from Philadelphia, PA, Stellina Sport from Richmond, VA, Noah Rosen of Velocolour from Toronto, ON, Suzanne Carlsen from Toronto, ON, Villin Cycle Works from Gainesville, FL, Bilenky Cycle Works from Philadelphia, PA, and Kara Ginther from Madison, WI.

Todd Reed and Miel- Margarita Paredes

We have had the wonderful opportunity to showcase work by Miel- Margarita Paredes and Todd Reed. The show takes place in the main gallery from May 6th to June 26th. Todd Reed uses the raw diamond to create beautiful works of jewelry. Miel- Margarita Paredes’s “Gnaw” and “Standards” series is on display. Paredes embraces the rodent and the dog in her architectural ornamentation. Together, these two artists create a wide array of beautiful works of art in the main gallery.



Todd Reed’s enchantment with diamonds grew when he thought of “a way to question the fascination with diamonds used as a status symbol in our current society… it became a fascination for me to use and make aware the beauty and raw elegance of the diamond in its most pure form.” Todd Reed Inc. is centered around our natural and social environment and makes all decisions with this at heart. Todd Reed creates his art in eco friendly ways and all of his pieces are hand made in his Colorado studio. Reed is most well known for using raw diamonds to create beautiful works of fine jewelry. Examples of this fine jewelry may be found in Quirk’s main gallery.



Miel- Margarita Paredes’ series “Gnaw” is also seen in the main gallery. “Gnaw” combines a beautiful architectural design with the face of a rodent. She decided to use the rodent because they are most commonly thought of as lovable pets or annoying creatures that dwell within the walls of a house. So she chose to put a twist on the rodent’s role and turn them into beautiful ornamental creatures. Her “Standards” series “incorporates the traditional use of the decorative grotesque and festive swags with examples of purebred dogs.” She chose the dog because she is enthralled with the fact that dogs are descendants of wolves, however dogs have been bred to provide security and love to humans. Together, these series provide the viewer with deep insight on “the standards that we choose to identify with and judge others by.”

Thursday, May 20, 2010

Depression Hurts

It is a fact, Quirk loves Lamplighter big time. Thanks to our friends at RVA Mag we love the Archibald Family even more.


We are also very proud to see that somewhere between Hotlanta and a second run at RVA , Zach found the glory of a mustache.

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Baby Octo

You know it's impossible to resist this face. One of our favorite plushy crafters, Phil Barbato has created the most adorable baby octopus toys just for us!
This baby is available for only $25!



Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Film-tastic

Give your little one the opportunity to make a movie with some of Richmond's most artistic movie makers...
July 19 - 30: Monday - Friday at Quirk from 9am to 2pm, Ed Trask, Matt Lively, and Emmy award winner Alex Germanotta will be hosting a film making workshop for kids ages 7-12.
$300 per child

Monday, May 17, 2010

2 Cuties

OK OK so this may not be a fair entry... Karen Seifert sent in her headshot and it's well... one of the cutest darn photos ever. Karen is an amazing Richmond photographer and we love her dearly. Thanks for the headshot Karen!

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And then there's Hunter. This may be cheating, but I'm submitting this photo/headshot of Hunter because... it's awesome.
Hunter is one of the craftiest DIYers out there. And yes, she made that headdress.


Thursday, May 13, 2010

Liza, Sweet Liza


Liza's headshot has been anonymously submitted, which earns her extra points.
We miss you Liza! But as anyone can plainly see, you're very Happy at TMA!

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

Jonathan Adler

I'm still so smitten with Jonathan Adler. We just got our Bird Salt & Pepper shakers. It completely renewed my love of all things Adler. $50

Friday, May 7, 2010

The Heat is ON!

Check out our latest entry in the Head shot contest. Anthony Tammaro, one of our most favorite
jewelers, just kicked it up a notch.
If this is not professional, I don't know what is.

It's Getting Neck & Neck

So the headshots are rolling in this morning - competition's starting to get tough.
First up, we have Ross Catrow of RVAnews. This YOPRO headshot says "I'm totally OK with this pink button down." Truly amazing. Thanks Ross!

And then we have Matthew McDonald. This is the real deal of headshots. Want to find Matthew at the Martin Agency? There he is. You might also recognize him from his super-popular blog: Chewylives.
This really doesn't do Matthew justice, so here's a little tidbit of this Graphic Artist's nerdology:
"thats the magic of gifs
they animate with minimum effort..."
"i want to make an animated gif banner
i love gifs"


You guys are the best of sports - thanks for the pics!


Thursday, May 6, 2010

Leo Takes the Lead

OK folks, you're going to have to work pretty hard to have a sweeter mugshot than this one. Thanks Leo for putting yourself in the running. This headshot of our amazing online wiz, Leo Caldas (by Todd Hale of Sun Portraits) puts him at the top of our list right now.

Miel, Miel






Just a few quick snapshots of Miel's installation - alllllmost ready for tonight's reception!
Look at that cutie!

Wednesday, May 5, 2010

Enter to Win

Send us your most professional headshot! The best one wins! (prizes are subject to change based on the mood we are in at the time of voting.)
Check out our first contestant, Phil. You may recognize him from the GRTC iphone giveaway "Transit Talk."
Next up is our own Maggie Smith. Look at that smile. She's obviously happy to be here.

Tuesday, May 4, 2010

Prepster Alert!

New in the shop: these fun key rings are the perfect upgrade for those keys. Choose from 4 funky charms on a colorful leather strap. $18 each

Karyn Shonk

This Friday one of our favorite Richmond jewelers, Karyn Shonk will be selling her wares at the First Friday Art Walk. Look for her outside of Quirk and check out her signature beaded jewelry.

Monday, May 3, 2010

Maggie's break

During the quiet before the storm of First Friday week Dave and I escaped for a day in the sun at The Maryland Sheep & Wool Festival. We made tons of new friends visiting all of the sheepies, Alpaca, and other fiber producing critters.

Dave got to eat his favorite soft serve. Twice. One was Chocolate dipped in Strawberry, the second was Chocolate dipped in Peanut Butter. I got that one too. Yes, I only had one.
Then we made more friends. There was a wonderful tent where kids had the opportunity to learn all about the animals and the art and crafts they can create using the fibers from the animals. This sweet girl had needle felted a pretty wonderful radish. Some of the sheep, such as this dapper dresser, came all the way from California. This little rabbit taught me that French Angora rabbits have their coats pulled like a horses tail.
By the end of the day Dave and I were as worn out as this little lamb. But I had some pretty great and geeky scores from the vendors. I got a ton of spring green roving for needle felting (more house plants to come), a hunk of bees wax, and the big deal purchase of the day set of cobalt blue glass double pointed needles.

Jasmine Lofgren



Jasmine's creative whims have been encouraged since birth culminating in a degree in fine art from Virginia Commonwealth University. After college she quickly joined the ranks of corporate America, but when the bottom fell out of the economy so did she. Now after a several year break from her creative exploits, she has made a much needed return and is loving every minuet of it!