Apolo Ohno buys handmade

I'm writing this while watching the closing ceremony for the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics. For the past 2 weeks I've been glued to the screen because I am an Olympic junkie. I love the pageantry of the opening, closing, and medal ceremonies; I love seeing the world come together to compete; and I love cheering for Team America.

I also love the little factiods I pick up about Olympic sports and athletes along the way. Did you know that the speed skates Apolo Ohno used to win his record breaking number of Olympic medals were handmade in Rock Hill, Missouri? (Just 8 miles west of here!) I didn't either until a few days ago. It turns out a former speed skater who was tired of skates that broke or didn't fit well set up shop and started making them in his backyard using carbon fiber composite and titanium on custom molds for each skater.

Higher quality materials, customization, greater care of workmanship, Olympic victory - all the benefits of buying handmade.

Illustration Friday - propagate

Illustration from 2/19/2010. Theme Propagate. Still working on a good way to get my drawings into the computer.

Show Me Etsy membership drive

Are you an artist living in or near the St. Louis area who would like to join a local group of business minded artists? Well you are in luck! Show Me Etsy the St. Louis area Etsy street team is currently doing a membership drive.

Go to www.showmeetsy.org for more information. Applications are due Feb. 24