Oh man, if you’re in the Los Angeles area this coming Sunday, July 15, from 11am-7pm head on over to the Felt Club: XL Summer event with 70+ crafters from SoCal and beyond (click here to check ‘em out!) who’ll show off their latest and greatest D.I.Y. wares for your handmade-shopping pleasure! You’ll enjoy fresh and delicious snacks and sweets from renowned Eagle Rock eatery Auntie Em’s Kitchen and a selection of all-natural sparkling fruit juices from IZZE (free while supplies last) - in addition to happy shopping music from our DJs, Dirty Robot and Lance Rock. The event will be hosted by lovable L.A. “histo-tainer” Charles Phoenix!

With your $1 donation at the door, you’ll receive a ticket to win a door prize, and the first 250 visitors will be treated to swag bags full of books, magazines, craft patterns, coupons, buttons, li’l gifts and samples from our sponsors and vendors (sneak peeks are viewable in our Flickr pool!). They’ve even published an event program full of D.I.Y. craft projects (limited to 2,000 copies)!

The event happens at the Ukrainian Cultural Center, 4315 Melrose Ave. (between Vermont and Heliotrope). The UCC is located near LACC, the 101, and the Red Line Metro. Right around the corner, you’ll also find a fabulous ice cream shop called SCOOPS. The owner agreed to stay open on Sunday (it’s usually closed!), so be sure to check it out and tell them Felt Club sent ya! There’s a ton of metered street parking (ranging from 2-6 hrs), plus unmetered spaces on side streets, or you can buy a $2 parking pass in the garage at the LACC lot on Vermont (btw Melrose and Monroe, right behind the swap meet…click here for a map.).

Last but not least, they’re offering a full roster of hands-on craft classes throughout the day. How cool is that!

Throughout the day, Felt Club is offering a selection of craft classes taught by various vendors. The classes are free, you only pay for materials. Space is limited and spots are first-come, first served. You must sign up at the Felt Club Info Table when you arrive and pick up your supplies.

Here’s the class list:

11:00 AM - PRINT GOCCO DEMONSTRATION - FREE
w/THE EDITORS OF CRAFT MAGAZINE
A hands-on demonstration of the Print Gocco, a Japanese tabletop silkscreening device. You’ll be able to make (then take!) a fun commemorative Felt Club print of your very own.

12:00 PM - HANDSPINNING YARN 101 - $20 for supplies
W/JAMIE CHAN OF MARYJANE’S ATTIC
Ever wonder how yarn is made? Yarn is simply a long, twisted continuous length of interlocked fibers, for use in the production of textiles, sewing, crocheting, knitting, weaving and rope making. Yarn can be made from a variety of natural or synthetic fibers. Students will learn a brief history of yarn making, then learn how to spin yarn with some colorful wool and a drop spindle.

1:30 PM - NEEDLE FELTING 101 - $15 for supplies
W/JAMIE CHAN OF MARYJANE’S ATTIC
Ever wonder how wool felt is made? Felt is very easy to make given the right circumstances. Wool, which comes from sheep, is a very strong and stretchy fiber. When you use a needle to add pressure, wool shrinks and becomes felt. In this class you will be learn to make felted balls, beads, bracelets and flat objects. You will be given a variety of colorful wools and shown how to make these objects with just your hands and felting needles!

2:30 PM - CHARM JEWELRY 101 - $15 for supplies
W/LAURA STOKES OF CHARCOAL DESIGNS
Learn to use jump rings, metal or plastic chain, lobster clasps and more to make one-of-a-kind, super-colorful jewelry (bracelets, earrings, etc.) using kitschy-cute handmade resin charms.

3:30 PM - HANDSPINNING YARN 101 - $20 for supplies
W/JAMIE CHAN OF MARYJANE’S ATTIC
Ever wonder how yarn is made? Yarn is simply a long, twisted continuous length of interlocked fibers, for use in the production of textiles, sewing, crocheting, knitting, weaving and rope making. Yarn can be made from a variety of natural or synthetic fibers. Students will learn a brief history of yarn making, then learn how to spin yarn with some colorful wool and a drop spindle.

5:00 PM - NEEDLE FELTING 101 - $15 for supplies
W/JAMIE CHAN OF MARYJANE’S ATTIC
Ever wonder how wool felt is made? Felt is very easy to make given the right circumstances. Wool, which comes from sheep, is a very strong and stretchy fiber. When you use a needle to add pressure, wool shrinks and becomes felt. In this class you will be learn to make felted balls, beads, bracelets and flat objects. You will be given a variety of colorful wools and shown how to make these objects with just your hands and felting needles!

Meet Gluey Gluerson (I didn’t name him, they didn’t ask me.) the officlal Felt Club mascot. He’ll be there on the 15th at the Felt Club table. Who is this intriguing character you ask? What makes him stick? Read his recent interview with the fine folks over at CRAFT Magazine/Blog.

The last Felt Club was held in December 2006 and featured on the Your LA news magzine show. Check out the following clip from the tv segment:

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