Summer '06 Hot Shot (and 20x200 darling) Kate Bingaman-Burt is one of many superstars in a new documentary by Faythe Levine, Handmade Nation: The Rise of DIY, Art, Craft, and Design .

A new wave of craft is catching the attention of the nation. It has emerged as a marriage between historical technique, punk, and the DIY (do it yourself) ethos while being influenced by traditional handiwork, modern aesthetics, politics, feminism, and art. In June 2006 director Faythe Levine set out with her one camera crew to document this emerging trend. Levine traveled to 15 cities and over 19,000 miles to capture what is unfolding around America in the indie craft movement. Handmade Nation, the book based on the documentary process, features 24 of the interviewed makers and four essays on the community. Handmade Nation, the documentary which will premiere in New York at MAD on Thursday February 12th features segments on influential indie craft community members, including: Jenny Hart, The Little Friend of Printing, The Dirt Palace, Susan Beal, Nikki McClure, Deb Dormondy, Mandy Greer, Stephanie Syjuco, Kathy Sever, Buyolympia.com, Whitney Lee, Knitta and Jenine Bressner. Following the screening, Faythe Levine will be joined in a post-film panel discussion about the indie craft movement by artist Mandy Greer, and Kate Bingaman-Burt.

Kate designed the Handmade Nation logo you see above, and then Sublime Stitching magically transformed it into a cross-stitching pattern. How's that for artists inspiring artists? I'd say it is pretty rad. I'm looking forward to seeing the NYC premier next Thursday at the Museum of Art and Design, and sticking around for the promising panel discussion that Kate will be part of. Huzzah!

Handmade Nation NYC Premiere and Director's Panel
Tickets can be ordered here
Museum of Art and Design Theater
Thursday, February 12 6:30-8pm
2 Columbus Circle
NYC