Another overhead shot with the community table in the center. Many a great idea, I'm sure, has been mulled over and crafted at this emblem of an active and creative community. Photo: www.johnnybetts.com
Side view of the building with the original signage on the brick face. I wonder how long they will keep the writing on the wall. The stained glass window from the outside still maintains a visual welcome. I had wondered for some time what was going on in there and I was not disappointed by the atmosphere and creative energy the building provokes. Photo: www.johnnybetts.com
View from above to give the viewer an idea of the tremendous support of participants and volunteers for this year’s Craft Lake City DIY Fest. The Church and State community work space was alive with conversation and mingling among all types of people who love what they do, how they do it, and the people they do it with. Photo: www.johnnybetts.com
A food table as eclectic and tasteful as those attending the mixer. The cucumber with hummus mousse was probably my favorite. Photo: www.johnnybetts.com
The mixer event was held at the absolutely intoxicating Church and State building. What previously was the location for the Central Christian Church is now the think tank and gathering place of many of Salt Lake City’s finest entrepreneurs and sole proprietors. The interior tells a story of intentional design with architectural artistry through a mixture of woods and metal, as well as collective and private offices and gathering spaces. If you are on the prowl for a private event or even a wedding reception, this should be the first place to explore. Photo: www.johnnybetts.com
Introduction and greetings to those attending the CLC Mixer. Photo: www.johnnybetts.com
Donna Reed and Bonnie Nell kicking ass and literally taking names for the attendees of the 2015 CLC Mixer. Photo: www.johnnybetts.com
Coming through the gates. Greeted by CLC’s founder, Angela Brown (not pictured) and other volunteers. Photo: www.johnnybetts.com
(L–R) Brandon Ealdarv and Rebecca Merril are friends of friends, showing their support and smiles for Salt Lake’s finest entrepreneurs, artists and DIY enthusiasts. Photo: www.johnnybetts.com
(L–R) Candice and Rachel enjoying some of the fine treats provided for the mixer. These two lovely ladies own and operate Mayberry Vintage, a local vintage clothing shop in the heart of downtown Salt Lake City. Business is doing well, as I’m sure it would when you are as dedicated and beautiful as these two. See the ins and outs of their store at http://maeberryvintage.com Photo: www.johnnybetts.com
Coyote Vision Group represented by Brittany Pate, Joey Pedersen and Taylor Clark. A musical group from SLC, they often alternate instruments throughout their performances. Photo: www.johnnybetts.com
Kenny Bozich and friend representing Winding Wheel Supply Co. Kenny hand-crafts leather goods out of a workspace at the Local First community space on 900 S. You can check out their beautiful workings and website at http://windingwheelsupply.bigcartel.com. Photo: www.johnnybetts.com
Another overhead shot with the community table in the center. Many a great idea, I’m sure, has been mulled over and crafted at this emblem of an active and creative community. Photo: www.johnnybetts.com
(L–R) Jonathon Deurig and Mandy Giles of Tenrec Builders. They construct and sell affordable book “scanning” jigs. Their creation is helping smaller libraries and non-profits to convert paper books to digital format without breaking the bank. tenrec.builders Photo: www.johnnybetts.com
(L–R) Gabe and Dan donated their time from Photo Collective in support of the mixer. They offered fun, impromptu photo shoots with accessories and skill. Photo: www.johnnybetts.com
Dan Christopherson from Big Cartel and Angela Brown of Craft Lake City sharing their passion for the artists and creatives at the mixer. Photo: www.johnnybetts.com
(L–R) Ashely Pacheco and Carlé Ridley are two of the finest volunteers for Craft Lake City. Carlé has been a volunteer for more than 10 years and loves every moment of it. Photo: www.johnnybetts.com
This little guy is representing Garwood’s Ginger Beer. Possibly the best mascot I’ve ever met. I could have possibly spent my entire time just hanging out with this little guy. He is quite photogenic as well. Garwood’s Ginger Beer recently and successfully finished their Kickstarter campaign, raising enough funds to start major production of their delicious beverage. Photo: www.johnnybetts.com
Meg Hinds is a belly dancing artist who will be performing with a team for the Craft Lake City event in August. She is an instructor and advocate for belly dancing and a wonderful conversationalist. The beauty and passion involved with her art is evident in her person. If you find yourself wondering what the world of belly dancing entails or would like to join a class, visit www.beauteobscure.com. Photo: www.johnnybetts.com
(L–R) Nella Holden and Lance Iden. Lance creates the most mind-blowing synthesizers, including the design and fabrication of intricate point-to-point boards and made-to-modify modules. Lance is a genuine dude with a huge heart for the pioneering and joining of DIY synth module and music scene. Witness more of what he does at www.softwiresynthesis.com. Photo: www.johnnybetts.com
(L–R) Chloe Monson and Mark Jones. Chloe is a master of embroidery and the founder of Black Hole Needle Works (which is a rad name, I might add) and Mark is a talented potter. They will be sharing a booth at this year’s Craft Lake City. Photo: www.johnnybetts.com
In case you hadn’t noticed, allow me to point out the stained-glass window that cast its offerings of a possible spiritual input to the mixer. Photo: www.johnnybetts.com
(L–R) Bobbi Hillman and Stephanie Hillman representing Stephanie Hillman Design. Stephanie is a potter, fine arts artist and designer. This is her first time at Craft Lake City, but she has successfully been selling her work across multiple states in a variety of art festivals and venues. She crafts some beautiful items, including wine glasses which I currently have my eye on. Check out her creations at http://www.stephaniehillmandesign.com. Photo: www.johnnybetts.com
(L–R) Tony Barbano and Adrian Prazev. Tony makes gorgeous glass jewelry–fused with fine metals and Adrian is a copper and brass jeweler. I had the privilege of viewing a fine piece of Tony’s jewelry adorning his lovely wife (not pictured). Photo: www.johnnybetts.com
Kellie Call is an event coordinator for Craft Lake City. She organized all the performances and bands for the event in August and has a tremendous love and passion for the community and it’s contributors. Photo: www.johnnybetts.com
Nico Romero(L) and Cardi Bentler(R). Cardi is a local clothing designer and fabricator. She takes vintage clothing and repurposes it into something unique and jaw dropping. Her clothing company is called Hell Bent Clothing. You can purchase and support her amazing work at http://www.hellbentslc.bigcartel.com Photo: www.johnnybetts.com
The Craft Lake City mixer is a great opportunity to rub shoulders with the finest artists, entrepreneurs, and DIYers in our city. A gathering of those who share their gifts with Salt Lake City, the Craft Lake City mixer brings together exhibitors who will be presenting their wares and services at Craft Lake City’s DIY Fest from August 8th-9th. The event was organized by Craft Lake City and orchestrated by a handful of volunteers. There’s something uniquely reflective about knowing that you are in a room filled with people who are incredibly talented and have decided to make their talents and passions accessible to the community. So much creativity and hard work is represented through the individuals and businesses at this event that one cannot help but be impacted and inspired to support or contribute in our own way. A deserved reprieve, the Craft Lake City mixer is aimed at allowing the participants to engage with and for each other; laying aside for one evening the pressures and stresses of running your own business and building your dreams to cultivate relationships. I had the opportunity to witness these conversations and capture the people who are shaping and empowering our community.
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