There are a lot of pretty cool things going on today! If you don’t mind the round-up format here are three things I am pretty excited about this morning.

Sweaters!
First, in honor of Fred Rogers’s 80th birthday, be sure to wear a sweater today! If you haven’t already seen it, this video (starring Mr. McFeely the delivery man) inviting everyone to participate is so charming. I’m a big fan of both Mr. Rogers and cardigans, so I am happily putting one on for the afternoon. Happy birthday, Mr. Rogers!

Jewelry classes!
I also just heard that Jennifer Perkins is teaching a new series of classes at Craft-O-Rama in Austin. If you want to make a super-poppy charm bracelet using a variety of wire techniques, or a fantastic set of fabric jewelry (a ring, ponytail holder and two different bracelets), zip on over and register. As a bonus, Jennifer says, “Not only will we be learning how to make jewelry, we can also chat about running a small business, marketing, correct ways to open a jump ring and more — for 2 whole hours I am yours to quiz on all your hot burning questions.”

fabric jewelry galore

To sign up for either or both classes, register through the store’s website, call 512-707-2405 or stop by (3100 S Congress Ave Austin, TX 78704). I love Jennifer’s work and I am so lucky that she is one of my guest designers for Bead Simple! I wish so much that I could take her classes myself, but they are both scheduled for the week of my due date, so not this time… but hopefully I can catch an encore series later in the year. At age 34 I still have not made it to Texas, I am sorry to say, and I definitely need to do something about that.

The Design-It-Yourself Revolution!
Here in town, Contemporary Crafts Museum is hosting a pair of excellent craft and design events this week with Ellen Lupton, author, designer, and curator at the Cooper-Hewitt Museum: one tonight and one on Saturday. Don’t miss them!

EXCELLENCE IN CRAFT LECTURE
Ellen Lupton
The Design It Yourself Revolution
Thursday, March 20, 7 PM at PNCA, 1241 NW Johnson
$5 (Free for members and students)
Ellen Lupton wants to bring design to the masses. In the much-discussed books D.I.Y.: Design It Yourself and D.I.Y. Kids, Lupton shares design concepts with writers, teachers, crafters and children. Now she’ll deliver her message in person. Lupton’s Excellence in Craft Lecture investigates how increased access to desktop publishing tools, paired with the growth of “do-it-yourself” culture, has changed the way we think about design. Drawing from her books, she will share ways to use design principles in everyday life.

SPECIAL FAMILY EVENT
D.I.Y. Kids Day
Saturday, March 22, 1-4 PM, Free, The Lab at Museum of Contemporary Craft
Work alongside Ellen Lupton and crew to design a button, a book and magnet art. These fun creative activities will engage all kids — and adults will have a blast too — making unique items from an exciting array of materials.