Chandra, IMHO is one of the best when it comes to merchandising product.  Take a look at some of these shots of her store and you’ll see why.

Located at:

1657 North Wells St
Chicago, IL 60614

312-337-8000

http://www.greerchicago.com

Nov. 14th - Dec. 7th, 2008 Opening Reception: Friday, November 14th, 6-10pm

Subtext has teamed up with Zakkamono, to bring you an incredible custom vinyl show just in time for the holidays. The format will be the new Miao (Lucky Cat & Mousubi), and they  have curated 50 artists from around the globe to do custom versions of this great toy! Yes 50. Miao is the first collectible designer vinyl figure designed by Zakka. It is an updated design of the Japanese Maneki Neko/Lucky Cat (an iconic Japanese figure that brings good luck and good fortune). Miao measures 7-inches tall and comes with his BFF Mousubi, a 3-inch character designed with the elements of a musubi/onigiri (Japanese rice ball wrapped with Nori/seaweed) and a mouse. This is shaping up to be an insane show. The first pictured above is from Sandra Equihua, and the second is from Long Lé.

Participating Artists: Simone Legno (Toki Doki), Touma, Phu!, Aaron Martin (Angry Woebots), Brent Nolasco, Brian Flynn (Super7), Julie West, Mar Hernández, Matias Vigliano, Joel Nakamura, Nick Deakin, Kelly Vivanco, Slobot, Craig Hewitt, Long Lé, Sandra Equihua, N.C. Winters, Bucky Lastard, Justin White, rc88, Serge Seidlitz, Rudy Fig, Newkon, CkaweekS, Phoneticontrol, Persue, Mark Nagata, Amy Davis, Jasper Wong,Urban Medium, Paul Wee, Vogue, Katsuhito Miki, Shunichiro Miki, Satoshi Tomioka, Uji Nishimra (M1), Alex Wald, Rae Huo, Estria, Mitch O’Connel, DOLCEQ, Malakias, Hans-Peter Schutt, Zakka, Steve Ford, Shawnimals, Hawk Ostby, Pose 2 & more.

The cake was from:

Cakes with Character
Jean Schapowal
momschap@verizon.net
Hicksville, NY
516-935-6924

and here is the announcement that it was all inspired from

Letterpress is one of the earliest forms of printing text on paper. Circa 1439 Johann Gutenberg was the father of letterpress printing in Europe, but the Chinese had developed similar types of relief printing as early as the 2nd century A.D. The Letterpress printing process is printing in which the raised surface of type and/or images are inked and then pressed against the paper to obtain an image in reverse. Historically this raised surface was movable type (characters cast as individual letter forms in wood or metal) where each letter was placed by hand to form the words and images. Here at elum we use photopolymer plates to create the raised surface. The artwork is created digitally and then we transfer the work to film and use the film to expose the plates. This allows us to create the artwork and typefaces we specifically want.

During the printing process the “plates” are inked and pressed into the paper to create a canyon of space where the ink is then deposited into the bottom of this impression. Only the most skilled and precise process keeps the walls of impression clean and the bottom filled with a thick and even layer of ink. The high contrast of the color and shadow created by the ink filled impression and clean walls gives letterpress its distinct allure and charm. At elum we pride ourselves on our ability to produce the finest example of letterpress printing. Our process is labor intensive and each item is run through the press one at a time. This is a time consuming process which has been forsaken for faster and cheaper processes such as offset and thermograpy printing. We have preserved this traditional way of printing and inherent in our process is the visible craftsmanship, skill, and handmade care that is obvious in every single piece.

Subtext’s Beasts of Burden show opened this weekend, and people turned out in numbers to get a look at some of the amazing customs on display. Many artists and friends of Subtext were in attendance including Tessar Lo, Chris Ryniak, Yoskay Yamamoto, Nate Frizzell, Patrick Ballesteros, N.C. Winters, Haubs, Colby Nichols, Alex Willan, Zakka and Rae from Zakkamono, Angry Woebots, Joel Nakamura, Kirby and Whitney from Rotofuji & more. If you missed the show, and are interested in a piece, check the preview below for availability. Subtext will have a handful of Yokas that will be on display at Subtext for the next week.

View a full preview of the show

Participating artists include: Doktor A, Cameron Tiede, Scribe, Daniel Fleres, N.C. Winters, Abe Lincoln Jr., Bucky Lastard, Kelly Vivanco, Colby Nichols, Angelina Wrona, Scott Altmann, Tessar Lo, Chris Ryniak, Tom Haubrick, Munk One, Josh Kenyon, Patrick Ballesteros, Camilla d’Errico, Alex Willan, Phu!, Dave Chung, Andrew Holder, SatOne, Steve Chanks, N8 Van Dyke, Yoksay Yamamoto, Nate Frizzell, Alisa Ross, Aaron Thomas, & Sita Lawton, & Long Lé from Elum Designs.

She also makes other adorable cookies such as these diamond rings,

as well as a number of lovely sugar decorations which you can apply yourself, such as these adorable song birds.

There are also non-wedding-y treats such as these cool fondant bones.

Wendy also makes beautiful wedding cakes and recently co-authored Martha Stewart’s Wedding Cakes (Clarkson Potter 2007). View and order her lovely creations or read more about Wendy Kromer here.