LOOMLAB in SOMA

I'm highlighted in SOMA this month - just wanted to share! :) 

Concoctions [In the Kitchen]: Strawberry Shortcake

Growing up, summer always meant fresh strawberry shortcake at my grandmother's, usually eaten after a long day at the beach.   Now that summer is official upon us - what better time than to welcome the strawberry season and make some strawberry shortcake.

I prefer fresh dropped biscuits drizzled with strawberries and topped with fresh whipped cream (real cream, not the cool whip!)

- dropped biscuits I use Bisquick: (Will need 3 tablespoons butter (melted), 2/3 c milk, 3 tablespoons sugar, 2 1/3 cups Bisquick.  Heat oven to 425 degrees F.  Mix all ingredients together until soft dough forms.  Drop by 6 heaping spoonfuls on un-greased baking sheet.  Bake 10-12 minutes or until golden brown.)

- 1 basket of strawberries:  Slice strawberries into bite size pieces.  Sprinkle with 2-3 teaspoons of sugar.  I try to do this at least an hour before I serve the shortcake so the sugar has time to sweeten the strawberries.

- fresh whipped cream: Whip cream with electric mix until cream starts to form stiff peaks in bowl.  Optional: While whipping sprinkle confectioners sugar and/or a drop of vanilla to taste.  Start small and add small amounts.  I prefer it barely sweet.   The confectioners sugar/vanilla combo is called "Chantilly Cream".

Split warm shortcakes in half, fill with strawberries, and heap with mounds of whip cream.  Enjoy!

For those who like to experiment here are a few fun variations found that I am tempted to test:

- The Best Whipped Cream in the World Recipe

- The Great Strawberry Shortcake Cookie Experiment

- Strawberry Shortcake Snake

-Strawberry Shortcake (layered cake)

Spring Shows Wrap Up

Another spring run of shows has passed and what a season!  LOOMLAB showed at both Unique LA and Bazaar Bizarre Maker Faire this May.  It was so amazing to meet all who stopped by the table and good to see familiar faces too!  From Jackson Pollack connection to fractals, to the Ogham Ruins, to seismic activity, you learn something new everyday... [and it's a learning day on steroids while at the Maker Faire.]  Interacting with such creative, inspiring, and thought-provoking people, some who perhaps I will work on a project soon together, it reminds me why I love doing what I do.  Thank you!

While I was stuck behind my table for most of the shows, I was still able to venture out a bit and check the neighboring vendors (or perhaps you stopped by my table).  Below are a few highlights.

Unique LA  |  Downtown Los Angeles, California

HM Sound System captured the event in photos (and they even jumped on the 1s and 2s for a bit).  If you haven't made it to their Broader than Broadway they have every Thursday night, then you are missing out.  Peep the photos here: http://hmsoundsystem.com/fr_uniquelamay7.cfmGreat

If you have a sweet tooth, make sure to check out Blissed Out Chocolates.  They are to die for (and I still cannot believe how healthy they are!)  Erika, the chocolate innovator behind blissed out, is "dedicated to bringing the purest, most bliss inducing chocolate to the world."  My favorite? Dark Energy, with hints of cayenne pepper and lots of caffeine.   Available online or at select local retailers.

Also, try the scones from Sugarbird Sweets and Teas - She is also at the South Pasadena Farmer's Market every Thursday evening.

And thank you to Shawn of SOB clothing for being a kick-ass table-neighbor at the show.

Bazaar Bizarre at the Maker Faire  |  San Mateo, California

The World's Largest DIY Festival: Maker Faire is a family fun festival to MAKE, create, learn, invent, CRAFT, recycle, build, think, play & be inspired by celebrating arts, crafts, engineering, food, music, science, and technology.

Here are a few stand-outs from the show, geektackular, or just simply genius.

Focal Length Designs: sick creations by Isaac Watson, who "reclaims old, broken and neglected camera lenses and turns them into one-of-a-kind cuff bracelets perfect for the photography geek, designer or fashionista. Each bracelet is hand-formed, filed, sanded and buffed with a focus on the intersection between photography, fashion, art and design."  I have one of his creations and cannot take it off.  I wear it with everything.

Archicraft: insane rope-scarf necklaces

Stuart's of Bend: "Breidenstein's work gathers different media – from wood to copper to bright pink Nerds candy – and imaginatively walks the line between wearable fine art and edgy high fashion."
Jenine Bressner: flame-worked glass and glass bead aficionado

DREAM, DESIGN, BUILD, REPEAT (from a google tee seen at the Maker Faire)

See you on the next LOOMLAB mini-tour - lots planned for the Fall/Holiday season!

Onward and upward,

Jane

Unleash Your Fingers

Finger Tutting for Samsung. For the launch of the Galaxy SII in France, Samsung brought JayFunk, the internet Finger Tutting phenomenon to Paris to deliver an incredible and surprising choreography. notcot.org

Art Director : Olivier Stephane Picard
Realisation : Heaven / La Bande Originale
Post Production : MotionFanClub
Performer : Jay Funky

How to Tie | OUTTAKES

I've been getting great feedback on our How to Tie Videos - and I can't wait to bring you some new ways of tying and styling!  Just in case you missed our outtakes video, I wanted to share it with you again.  Onwards and upwards, Jane.

Maker Faire San Mateo | May 21 + 22

LOOMLAB will be part of Bazaar Bizarre at this weekend's Maker Faire.

May 21 & 22  |  San Mateo County Event Center  |  Saturday 10am - 8pm • Sunday 10am - 6pm

Sooyeon Lee: Grand Slam

Sooyeon Lee: Grand Slam on Nowness.com.

 

The Table Tennis Champ Stars in Matthew Donaldson's Slow-Mo Homage to the Sport

Sporty elegance.  We had the privilege to see Lee volley at Susan Sarandon's SPiN opening at the Mondrian - her ability to athletically perform while wearing couture is inspirational.  It answers the "Where are you going to wear that dress?" question - to play ping pong, of course.