Category: News

click on the pic to get a signed copy! Some of you who live far away or who just can’t make it to any of my signings requested that I post a link to purchase a signed copy, so I put a listing up on Etsy after asking Etsy if I was allowed to sell my book on their first! Just let me know if you want it signed to someone and what the name should be in your Notes To Seller when you check out! 🙂

This Sunday, I will be at ImagiKnit from 4:00-5:00pm, giving a crochet cupcake demo/class/hangout times! Then at 5:00pm I’ll be signing books. Please come visit at my most favorite yarn shop in the Bay Area. I could sit there and stare at yarn for hours!! YARN NERD! Also, if you come in on Sunday and purchase a book from ImagiKnit, you will be automatically entered into a raffle to win a free Yummy You scarf! If you’d like to sit with us and make a cupcake, please bring your hooks and some different fun cupcakey yarns. Of course you can also purchase hooks and yarn at ImagiKnit as well! If you have basic crochet questions, I am happy to answer those if I can as well! Hope to see you there!!!

Celebrate Sanrio’s 50th Anniversary! One of the secret projects I’ve been working on are special scarves for the 10-day celebration in LA among a huge group of other awesome artists! Check out these parties that my pals at BubblePunch are hosting! Here’s info about the NERD PARTY on Saturday, November 13th in Santa Monica. I will be going to this! Here’s info about the Kitty In Pink retro 80s prom on Saturday, November 20th in Santa Monica. I REALLY want to go, but I have a book signing/workshop at ImagiKnit back here in San Francisco on Sunday afternoon 🙁 so I don’t know that I can make it back and forth in time to be perky and personable at ImagiKnit. Locals should check out my ImagiKnit event, though, Sunday November 21st, at 4:00pm. It’s my favorite yarn store in the Bay Area, and we’ll be working on making a cupcake patch together! But I digress!! Sanrio!

Click the pic to shop!

Hey hey! We are working on updating TwinkieChanBooks.com with more infos, but I wanted to post a tentative list for my West Coast book tour right away since people are starting to ask, and I want you put dates on your calendars! 🙂 🙂 My first/launch date will be here in San Francisco at Booksmith in the Haight. We plan to have raffle prizes, a Yummy You pop-up shop for one night only, and if I can get my shizz together… little gift baggies for the first X people to arrive! (X = the number I can actually pump out! 😛 ) For most of the events, I will be talking about how the whole Twinkie Chan universe came to be and the philosophy behind my pattern making. At certain venues, we will also be working on a small crochet project together while I talk. At the two craft fairs I will be at,  I will not be giving a talk but just chit-chattin’ with you and signing your books! 11/9/10 – Booksmith, San Francisco, 7:30pm (http://www.booksmith.com/) 11/10/10 – Urban Craft Center, Los Angeles/Santa Monica, 7:00pm (Etsy night!) (http://www.theurbancraftcenter.com) 11/12/10 – Stories, Los Angeles , 7:30pm (?) http://www.storiesla.com/ 11/16/10 – Books, Inc., Berkeley, 7:00pm (http://www.booksinc.net/Berkeley) 11/21/10 – ImagiKnit, San Francisco, 4:00pm This is my favorite yarn shop in SF! Come see the place that makes my yarny senses tingle every time I go in! We will probably work on a project together while I talk. (http://imagiknit.com/) 12/3/10 – Third Place Books (Lake Forest Park), Seattle, 6:30pm We might work on a project during this event as well. (http://www.thirdplacebooks.com/node) 12/4/10 & 12/5/10 – Urban Craft Uprising winter show, Seattle – signing books Saturday 12:00pm-1:00pm, Sunday 2:00pm-3:00pm (http://www.urbancraftuprising.com/) 12/5/10 – Fiber Gallery, Seattle,  4:00pm-6:00pm (http://www.fibergallery.com/) 12/10/10 – Twisted, Portland, time TBD 5 or 5:30pm (http://twistedpdx.com) 12/11/10 & 12/12/10 – Crafty Wonderland, Portland – signing books Saturday 1:00pm-3:00pm, Sunday 11:00am-1:00pm (http://www.craftywonderland.com/) 12/12/10 – Powell’s, Portland, 3:00pm (http://www.powells.com/) I try to vend at Renegade, SF, too, which is December 18-19 but I haven’t decided yet cuz it might be too crazy to cram in!

Thanks, BUST Mag for the blurb on their book about my book! Click on the image to see it on Bust. In other news, I got sick this weekend :(. Am still recuperating! Hairy’s magical concoction for colds is: One glass orange juice, one Airborne tab, and one squirt of echinacea/goldenseal liquid. I’m gonna go make one now!!

So my dad got me an HD digital camcorder for my bday (yay!) and I have no idea how to use it (boo!) or edit video properly (double boo!), so I’m not there yet on video quality, but I think this video is a fun answer to “HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO MAKE A CUPCAKE SCARF?” plus it shows a nice preview of the projects you can make from my book! Now I gotta actually go and build a more informative and detailed website for the book. Don’t forget I also have a project in Jenny Harada’s “ME MAKE MONSTER”. Or at least, I think I do. I haven’t seen a copy yet. I’m gonna go put that in my shopping cart, too!

Hi Hi! OH gosh this move has been epic! I don’t know why it was so hard! The new house is still a giant mess that needs to be organized, but I finally unpacked all my yarn and can start working again! Also we have been in this house for a week, but tonight was the first night the internet actually worked! We had to call AT&T for a kabillion techs and it felt like my whole week was devoted to waiting for them. But it works now, so phew!!!! Yummy You is now available at a few sites!! These are the ones that I know of, although there may be more. YummyYouClothing.com is still a few months away from offering items for sale 🙁 but you can still get your hands on Yummy You at: JapanLA! YAY!!! Check out the super cute photos starring zilla308! ModCloth! More YAY!!! NerdKungFu.com! I just met Mr. NerdKungFu at the Pooltradeshow a few weeks ago and he was super duper nice! Pink Addict! Tilly’s! (selling scarf/mitt sets!) TheGiantPeach! (How cute is their model?) Go shop!! 🙂 In the meantime, I have a few fun secret projects to work on as well as continuing to organize the new place. Here is Bibi helping:

It’s done! I’ve been wanting to get some fabric printed to make custom tote bags, but I never have time to finish the graphics. Since I wanted to bring something fun with me to the POOLTRADESHOW to promote Yummy You this coming week, I just bought a plain bag at Michael’s and some fabric paint and went to town! I’m really happy with how it turned out, considering it’s all free-handed. Painting was very relaxing! I had to mix my own blue, so I’m kinda bummed you can see some inconsistencies in color, but….for having worked on this while packing up the loft to move next Sunday….I’m pretty proud! I still want to install a zipper in it. Ideally a pocket, too, but who am I kidding?! We still need to pack and move more stuff to the new house tonight, and I still have to pack my suitcase! When does a gal get to paint her nails?! 😛 If any buyers read my blog and are going to the tradeshow to shop, my booth is #911. Easy to remember! 🙂 I’m not sure how much I’ll have a chance to blog while I’m away. I get REAAAAALLLY tired at stuff like this. I’m used to being home alone all day with the dogs, so being super social is really taxing! 😛 I might Twitter some pics here and there. We’ll see!!!

Not only can you get 2 Yummy You tshirts at Delia’s, but now you can get a few Yummy You items at ModCloth.com !! I’m half excited and half nervous!! AHHH! Hehehe. Thanks to the lovely Susan of ModCloth for her support!

I’m gonna update the Etsy Shop here in a few minutes!!

Come visit me and Elsie at Renegade Craft Fair San Francisco this weekend at the Fort Mason Festival Pavilion from 11am-7pm on Saturday and Sunday! I’ll be debuting some fun new items and also a new booth design (which we’re still building and I have no idea how it will turn out!). I also just got a few copies of my book and will have one on display at my booth so you can check it out in person! Also, in fun announcements: Delia’s asked me and Yummy You! to design two exclusive t-shirts for them, and the shirts are available now both online as well as in stores! Check out this pic that grrrfeisty took! She is holding up the Cupcake Scarf tee, designed to look like you’re wearing a cupcake scarf without really wearing one! The other style is a giant frozen soda shirt with glitter, designed to turn you into a delicious frosty bev!!! Search “Yummy You” at Delia’s to check them out. (Don’t search for “Twinkie Chan” cuz nothing will show up!). I also made a fun VLOG for Delia’s about who I am & what Yummy You is, that I believe Delia’s is supposed to post to their Facebook page at some point…..so when it posts, I’ll let you know! I was gonna wait for the video to post before making an announcement here, but since people are starting to msg me already about seeing the tees, I figured I’d let the rest of ya know! 😉

Sooooo I have been alluding to a big announcement for a little while, and I wanted to wait for some of the paperwork to clear up before mentioning anything. Then, I lagged on saying anything because I got mired in the stress of it all, and then it didn’t seem like such exciting news anymore…. and then it was like… what is the statute of limitations on hinting at something exciting….being able to announce it…and then failing to mention it anymore and let it fade and pretend like you never mentioned it in the first place? Hehehe, Ok maybe I over-think! Anyhoodles….!!! My news is this: YummyYou! by Twinkie Chan There’s not really anything up there yet, just a placeholder, but everything has been happening at lightning speed and this is all I got right now! 😛 (btw….does the pic have a blue-ish hue to you? Let me know how it appears on your monitors!!! I am still having weird color issues I think!) So yes, I partnered with a company to help me mass-produce (but still hand-make) my scarves and stuff and bring it to a bigger level. It’s what I’ve wanted for a long time, and I’m excited and scared that it is starting to happen. I could have tried to go bigger on my own, but I really didn’t want to end up spending all my time managing more helpers, dealing with quality control, handling fulfillment on a larger scale, etc. In fact, perhaps un-like many crafters, I never really dreamed of running my own business. I don’t have the entrepreneurial blood. I have the creative blood! Some people have both. I kinda don’t :P. I want to have lots of time to design new things…and considering how long it takes me to design/make ONE scarf … I need all the time I can get! We went into super warp-drive, because the company was excited, and we were excited that they were excited, and we are prepping for a booth at the Pool Tradeshow (or the Magic Tradeshow) in Vegas on February 16-18. We kind of attempted to create something out of nothing in just TWO MONTHS. Sourcing the crochet goods. Making/designing new and exciting samples you’ve never seen before. Designing tees and hoodies. Packaging. Everything. It’s been crazy. Plus I’ve been working on my book! So this is why my Etsy shop has been like a ghost town! The cool thing is that you will soon be able to get all your favorite Twinkie Chan goodies at a more affordable price, and there will definitely be more than, like, two cupcake scarves available at one time :). I will still be here as Twinkie Chan, with my Etsy shop, designing new stuffs and handmaking old-favorites. Yummy You! will be the icing on the proverbial cake :). So I can’t wait to share more about all of this as it happens! It’s really weird and bizarre and I have no idea how it will all pan out. […]

Cat from Cut Out + Keep asked if I would do a little interview and pattern for the holiday mini version of their online magazine, Snippets, so I said sure!! This is the first pattern I’ve ever posted anywhere, and it’s FREE!! I tried to keep it simple and sweet for the holidays. I hope it’s easy to understand! I haven’t really had a chance to check out Cut Out + Keep yet, but there are like 30,000 members, and I just got an account. I know you might be thinking, “Oh no, not another online community!” But I think they did such a great job with my Snippets stuff, that I’m curious to find out more about the rest of the site!

***** So basically, there is an art show opening, and a bunch of crafty vendors will be piggybacking the opening in the form of the New People Artist Village, so if you go, you’ll get to see some cool art, and maybe do some cool shopping with us! Looks like you need to RSVP if you want to come to the preview night on Friday! You can sign up in the lower right corner of the New People home page. The only other Artist Village vendor I know is Shrinkle. Come visit us and we’ll talk about our big heads. The vendor list with pics and bios can be found HERE! Hope to see you Nov. 20-21st! ***** Saturday, November 21st – January 17th at SUPERFROG Gallery TOKYO CREATORS MARKET: SUPERFROG Gallery presents an exhibit of the works of seven unique artists from Japan distinctive in their mastery and originality. These creations come in many dimensions and reach ambitious heights of expression. Get invited to the private opening party! Sign up to receive the NEW PEOPLE newsletter ASAP and get invited to the private party on Friday, November 20th 6pm – 8pm and meet the artists from Tokyo! NEW PEOPLE ARTIST VILLAGE will also have its sneak peak on that night! Its an all-floor event! sign up into the email slot on our homepage (bottom-right) ! NEW PEOPLE ARTIST VILLAGE: Starting the holiday off in festival fashion, NEW PEOPLE and Bazaar Bizarre SF create an all-day, all-floor vertical art village. Come join the shopping fun! Information is available on our event flyer. A New Store is Born! A new shop for NEW PEOPLE! Art makes us grow our imagination, our creativity, our wisdom. Enjoy a stroll in our new GARDEN of art gifts and enjoy the bounty! GRAND OPENING! Also on November 21st, we open TOKYO CREATORS GARDEN accompanying our TOKYO CREATORS MARKET exhibition. The new store is located on the 2F of NEW PEOPLE. TOKYO CREATORS MARKET Artists Introduction: Junko Mizuno Kim Songhe Mikito Ozeki NORITAKE ON ZA LINE KAZMO YUICHI YOKOYAMA

Hello Kitty has graced everything from coin purses, erasers, and gum, to toasters, couture, and diamond jewelry. She has long been a muse to artists & designers worldwide and has brought smiles to fans 35 years. Now, in honor of her 35th Anniversary celebration, Sanrio is proud to bring an event to the U.S. like nothing America has seen before! Three Apples is a multi-dimensional exhibition and celebration of all things Hello Kitty running from October 23 to November 15. The celebration will kick-off with a VIP gala opening event, followed by a three-week residence at Royal/T café / shop / art space in Culver City, CA. Three Apples is open to the public and free of charge and will feature an art exhibition, unique product and design displays, a one-of-a-kind shop, and special events for fans of all ages – all celebrating Hello Kitty! There is a fashion show on November 14, so that’s the secret project I have been trying to work on while also working on my book samples! All the art and outfits will be for sale.

Yesterday we were notified about being accepted to Bazaar Bizarre, so mark your calendars if you are in the Bay Area!!! More infos HERE! I haven’t fully decided yet (still concentrating on delivering my book + pattern samples!) but I might focus on sweets-related items only for this craft fair. Twinkie Chan’s Sweet Shoppe! We’ll see! I also got this email re: the Bust Craftacular, so if you are on the East Coast and you are a craftacular individual, check it out! CALLING ALL CRAFTERS! – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Vendor applications due November 2nd! – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Happening at: THE METROPOLITAN PAVILLION (125 West 18th street, NYC) BUST Magazine’s Holiday Craftacular is set for Sunday, December 6th in NYC and is set to be our biggest yet! BUST Magazine will be hand-picking over 200 of the most unique and talented crafters from across the country to stuff your holiday stockings with the very best in indie-designed and handmade wares! Take care of your entire shopping list while browsing thousands of ware that will include knitwears, jewelry, beauty products, ornaments, vamped up vintage clothing, silk-screened apparel, gourmet sweets, handbags, chic and original iPod cases, funky home décor, books, sassy soaps (for the naughty and the nice!), cards, the best gear for babies and more. Then take a break from shopping as the BUST DJs jingle your bells on the Craftacular dance floor. Independently owned and operated, BUST Magazine has been a leader in the crafting movement since 1993. Now in its 16th year, BUST continues to support and influence the handmade revolution though constant editorial coverage, sponsorships, and events such as the Holiday Craftacular. Always on the cutting-edge, BUST is a revered and trusted authority in the DIY and crafting community. The Metropolitan is located at 125 West 18th Street Seventh Avenue, between 6th and 7th Avenues. Subway to Manhattan: 1, 2, or 3 to 18th Street, or F, V to 23rd street. BUST Magazine’s Holiday Craftacular will take place 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM on December 6th. Your entry ticket also gives you a shot at winning a BUST-load of booty in the Craftacular Raffle! 1. Fill out our online vendor applications today! Apply here: http://www.bust.com/craftacular/apply.html 2. Pay the required non-refundable $10 application and processing fee that is payable at the time you submit your application. Checks and money orders should be made payable to BUST Magazine (78 Fifth Avenue, 5th Floor, New York, NY 10011, Attention: BUST Craftacular 2009) and must be postmarked by November 5th, 2009 for your application to be considered. We will notify […]

Oh my gosh, I’m not done listing all the goodies, but two neckwarmers and a zipper pouch have already sold!

Click on the image to check out the little Q&A I did for Shut Up Magazine’s blog: Thanks, Sahar!

I can’t remember if I ever posted info for the fair! It’s July 18-19, in Fort Mason here in San Francisco. Here is a link to the Renegade site. I went to this fair last year as a shopper/visitor, and I was AMAZED at how many vendors there were! So Much stuff!!! Bring lots of cash!!! We ran out! Manda and I will be at booth 92, which will be nearish to the frontish. I’m starting to feel like there are 12 stages of planning for a craft fair. At first I felt anxious, then I felt relaxed (about having plenty of time to make stuff for my table), then I was in denial (about having no time to make stuff for my table), then I was FREAKED THE EFF OUT, and now I’m excited. I wonder what tomorrow will bring! Probably more freak-the-eff-out before this event is done. Please come say hi. If all plans turn out well, I will have a really cool booth display, and LOTS of new, fun items!

I just updated my Etsy shop with a TON of new items!!! Whipped cream circle scarf, cupcake beret, shirts, sugar cookie head bands, more radish scarves, ANNNNNNNND even more than I’ve just listed!!! (Oops, the whipped cream scarf sold while I was typing this update!!!!) Here are some of my favs:

I really adore every item listed. Everything is POPping with cute! Hope you agree!

Boing boing. Crunchety crunch!

If you didn’t get a chance to nab goodies on eBay, come check out the last of my V-Day items on Etsy! Free upgrade to Priority Shipping within the US!