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Bored of Trade

March 20, 2009 by Morgan

Bored of Trade is not a craft show; it’s a Basement Retail Collective. This Saturday, March 21 from 3PM – 9ish, you can stop by 1513 Oak St., NW for the full experience: 6 vendors, 3 DJs, artwork and refreshments galore – and it’s all hosted by Lindsay Hart of Flowerhead Vintage, who was so kind as to give us the skinny on what this new shopping event is all about.

Where did the name come from?
Lindsay: I wanted to create an event title that would do all the work for me – describe a collective atmosphere, promote a unified front of DC do-it-yourself-ers who are tired of the lack of interesting, accessible, affordable and FUN shopping experiences that DC rarely offers.

How will Bored of Trade differ from, say, a Crafty Bastards or Crafts & Kisses-type event?
Opening up part of my home to friends and strangers alike creates a really great warmth to the event, and also allows us to cut out all the corporate advertising that tends to ruin everything. Since Bored of Trade is a collaborative effort, there isn’t a competitive market situation, it’s friends promoting friends which is the best way to go. My vision for future Bored of Trades is to have more of a “happening”, to eventually become more of a 50% art 50% crafts collective. Think sound and video installations, oversized oragami, poetry readings, etc. Also, free booze.

For the most part the vendors traffic in vintage. What’s your take on the city’s current vintage scene, and how does Bored of Trade fit in?
The DC vintage scene in the recent past (I’ve lived here for only 5 years) has been mostly costume-y and not really as relevant as I would have hoped – and definitely overpriced. I think there is a surge of vintage collectors who are ready to hit the store-front market, or have recently done so (Mercedes Bien). There is SURRIOUS talk of Listopad opening a storefront which I am very excited about – I think those girls have a really great eye. There has been a lot of local interest in independent designers and collectors alike, which is really promising.

Your own collection, Flowerhead Vintage, will be available at the event. What’s in store (literally and figuratively!)?
Oh man, so many things, for chicks AND dudes. I have a men’s suede/fringe button up that SOMEONE has to leave with or else I might start throwing cupcakes (away from the merch). There are also some great dresses, shortsleeve summer sweaters and some awesome trench coats for the Ladies. I have a pretty substantial, organized pile of shoes. I’ve provided a few photos that highlight a couple of things from the collection, notably the striped jumper and the lace baby doll dress. I’ve included these great images (all by the lovely Liz Gorman [and styled by Lindsay Hart -ed]) in the look book to show the importance and possibility of providing vintage relevant to current trends. Flowerhead Vintage has a strong future which I am not yet willing to discuss (wink).

Can you tell us a little bit about the other vendors? How did you get everyone together?
Tim of Dynamite Printworks I’ve known the longest of the bunch. He is a staple in the Mount Pleasant Community. I’ve never met anyone in this city who is more involved in the promotion of community activities and neighborhood beautification. You can check out one of his murals across from Wonderland in Columbia Heights, or, if you are lucky enough to be in the Mt. Pleasant/CHeights area every other Tuesday, you can catch his Local Love radio show on 97.5 Radio CPR.

Jenn of Jules & Juniper is not only the area’s most productive (and, dare I say, talented?) cupcake baker/ambassador, she also creates gorgeous jewlery made from vintage dead stock and raw materials. I am most excited to see her metal craft, which she is currently studying at the Corcoran.

Chandi of Manatea Party is a neighbor of a friend of mine (and therefore also a friend of mine!). I had only had a slight knowledge of what she created until I saw her table at last years Crafts & Kisses. She embellishes really amazing vintage finds for ladies and guys, and also has an eye and a funny bone for kitsch-ey home decor and accessories. She has such a great sense of humor and it really shows through her work.

Megan of Sister Sadie is affiliated with one of the DC Vintage staples, Junction on U street. Being involved with Junction has given her the patience and the ability to find beautiful vintage pieces. I actually met Megan while I was apartment hunting in the area and was THIS close to living in her awesome Mount Pleasant group home. That didn’t work out, but we bonded over vintage and selling said vintage through Etsy.

Speaking of Etsy, Kristin of Featherbrain was someone who I had never ever laid eyes on until last week. I found her store through the website’s local DC search and thought that her feather headbands would make a great addition to our spring shopping event (feathers are something that should definitely not be overlooked when ironing out your spring wardrobe wishlist). Turns out she is a great person, too, with wonderful positive energy that might stop me from throwing those aformentioned cupcakes at people.

And finally, there are Victor and Mark of Taupe. I think I first met Victor [a few years ago], and soon found out he was a bonafied artist who has since then displayed his work in a group show at Transformer. Not only did he design the sweet flyer for Bored of Trade, he has helped with a lot of behind-the-scenes work and collaboration. Victor is one part of the collective, with artist Mark Keeler. I have only recently met Mark, but I have taken a peek at his past work which is really incredible. He also has an EPIC BEARD. The thought of what these two can produce blows my mind into a million happy pieces.

Will Bored of Trade become an annual event?
I am actually hoping that Bored of Trade will become a bi (or tri) annual event. I would love to showcase different and new vendors, expanding everyone’s knowledge of what is being designed/produced/created in our lovely nation’s capitol and surrounding areas. At the very least, there will be a Spring (check) and Fall Bored of Trade. Lets just keep it at that for now since I don’t like broken promises.

What are you most excited about for Saturday?
Honestly, just seeing everyone’s smiling face. I am really happy with the quality of STUFF we have to offer and the way we are presenting it. The basement is PACKED full of goodies for you to buy (don’t worry, there is room for dancing/socializing/drinking/eating in the back yard). I’m also looking forward to some impromptu dance parties while listening to the awesome DJs (Ana of Fives, Issamu “Kuntrock” and Jennder). Come early to make sure you have dibs on the highest quality vintage, designs and the freshest cupcakes (I may have eaten them all by the time you get there. Siiikke)! Can’t wait to see everyone there. Remember, this is literally a BASEMENT sale, so come around back (to the right of the house) and don’t park in the church parking lot or you will have angry old church ladies hobbling after you. Love you, mean it.

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