WHAT WE DID: FEBRUARY 24TH

Guys, we're sick of doing stuff. Can we just cancel all of the events for this next week and just chill at home? We still haven't finished season 2 of House of Cards and we constantly feel like a spoiler is around every corner. Oh well, we doubt you'll listen. You'll just keep doing stuff. This weekend was worth the exhaustion, though. We got to hang out with a bunch of people dressed like Minecraft characters, listen to ideas, drink a bunch of tequila and a whole lot more. 

Thanks for tagging your photos with #WDDI. We always enjoy living vicariously through your photos. Have a great week, y'all. 

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DENTON CREATIVES MIXER

The Denton Creatives Mixer: Idea Pitch Edition (we just came up with that title and we're gonna stick with it) was last Monday. Rubber Gloves was packed for the event and we don't think even a single person from ASCAP was there. We heard lots of great ideas. Some of our favorites included tax incentives for vertical expansion to combat urban sprawl, a mobile kitchen for nutritional education (SED is basically a food desert) and one for temporary art installations, but we'll have to concede a major bias on that front. We certainly hope that some hands were shook and that some of those ideas have taken off and are in the process of coming to life. 

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Rose Costumes is one of the coolest places you can visit in Denton. In fact, any time one of your friends or family members visits, it should be on your agenda. It might not look like much from the outside, but inside you'll find all sorts of cool stuff. Their newest room is dubbed The Circus Rossini and features a man-eating lion in a cage (among other things). They want you to stop by and submit a name for said lion. Do it. 

Mouthwatering Wednesdays just finished up it's first seasonal run at the downtown DCTA station. We've been pretty happy with how well Denton's food trucks have integrated themselves into our everyday lives and we look forward to the next round of Mouthwatering Wednesdays and other opportunities we have to eat at The Pickled Carrot, Waffle Wagon, Lean Machine, Shiitake Swerve and others. Photo by Bryce Olcon. 

So much local (and soon to be local) coffee! Photo by @dentonkate. 

Dallas band (featuring ex-Dentonites), Bethan, played Dan's this past weekend. Here's lead singer, Jesse Hall. Photo by Corey Van Hunter. 

Sarah Jaffe at Dan's Silverleaf. Photo by Corey Van Hunter. 

Zach Ashcraft has been working on some UNT college of music portraits and we think they're just awesome. 

Denton, we've heard tales that you sometimes steal copper mugs from bars around town. We're not sure what you do with 'em after that. Do you melt them down to make fake pennies? If so, that seems like a lot of work. Please stop. That way places like East Side Social Club can continue to serve us delicious Moscow mules in these lovely mugs. Photo by @jadewintersee. 

Reader @mattyray likes his beer big and his ladies cute. We like the cut of his gib. 

The DIME Store has your fix of Denton-related art. We're partial to the coasters, but once again; major bias.

MINI A-KON 7

Photo by Cynthia Pantaleon

Photo by Makenzie Spurgin

Photo by Makenzie Spurgin

Photo by Daniel Holden

Photo by Makenzie Spurgin

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UNT's Innovation Greenhouse had an awesome party last Friday complete with food trucks and family friendly activities. Photo by Naomi Wood. 

More UNT Greenhouse fun. This time with Sunday Print Shop. 

Austin Street Apothecary has been keeping our hands healthy this winter, too. We can't wait for their new products including a spring scene for their beard tonic. Photo by @kokiri330. 

Hares on the Mountain at Dan's Silverleaf. Photo by Paige Gibson. 

BOOZE

We might've taken in the lime jello shots at Mulberry St. Cantina, too, but we made sure that no photos of that exist. 

Margaritas at home

Photo by Rachel Aughtry. 

Saturday was "National Margarita Day," and while we normally hate fake holidays, who are we kidding? A town full of alcoholics is always going to embrace any reason to drink. Especially when said drinking involves tequila and limes on a beautifully sunny day. It also got us back into Mulberry St. Cantina when we hadn't been there in a while. And they drinks were delicious and the place looked nice. We wanna go back right now, actually? When is National Margarita Day Part 2? 

Pictures on the square. Photo by @jesskachav. 

Have y'all ever noticed this awesome statue at the Abbey Inn? We sure haven't. Photo by @hollyintexas. 

Requisite taco photo from Shaina Sheaff. Tacos from El Taco Rico. 

ARTIST INTERVIEW: KATIE KELLY OF ARCHER + HARE

This month, DIME caught up with Katie Kelly of Archer + Hare to see what maker secrets she has up her sleeve. She still claims she’s new on the scene, but she’s a seasoned pro when it comes to accomplishing any project with her own two hands. Read on to learn more about this gem (sorry, we had to).
 

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WDDI: First of all, what’s the story behind the name “Archer + Hare"?

Katie Kelly: It's silly, really. The short version is that it is named for my daughter Nola and my husband Lou. Archer because Nola is a Sagittarius, and the symbol for them is the archer. Hare is because I call my husband rabbit. Bunny is a term of endearment I have used for the ones I love. Archer + Hare just jazzed it up a bit. I don't know if Nola + Lou holds the same magic. Haha.

Have you always been involved in creative things and making?

Yes! Always! I love the learning/creating process and trying to work things out on my own. I'm a total jack of all trades and master of none. I love cooking, painting, building and sewing. I will give most things a try - I might not be successful but I am and always have been happiest fully submerged in one project or another.

We know your Etsy shop is really new, yet you have a very specific product line. What made you immediately choose the amazing agates and crystals that you work with?

I wanted to make jewelry for a long time and always sort of dismissed it for some reason. Then after my daughter came, I made the switch to being a stay at home mom. It was really tough at first. She was 2 months premature and the first year of her life was really stressful and I felt like I completely forgot I ever did anything creative. But sometime after her first birthday the fog started to lift and something clicked - I was like, "I need to make things!"

I have always loved fossils, agate and crystals. Initially I chose to make things I wanted to wear myself. It never occurred to me to do otherwise. Everything I make I want to keep. They are all one of a kind, so it's easy to be like "well, I don't have one like this one." It's like giving away your treasures.

We saw your work at the Christmas Show last year and noticed that you make a big variety of other great products. Yet, the line in your Etsy shop if very curated. How do you think that helps your brand?

The Christmas show had a lot of the things I make for Nola and that we give as gifts when our friends have babies - bandit bibs, leather headbands and bows. It just made sense for that event to include the items in with the rest of my stuff (and clears out some of my vintage fabric hoard!).

My etsy shop is different in that I started out wanting to make one thing really well. When you are making so many items that are completely different things can get out of hand pretty easily and seem all over the place and I would like to avoid that. I have already shifted and added earrings to the mix, which I didn't plan on in the beginning. I hope I continue to change and grow into more skills that will let me add more items that fit. I would love to be able to make rings and prong settings so I hope metal-smith is my next step. I would also like to add some fun hair accessories to the shop. I never thought I would be drilling stones, so why not?

In addition to your fantastic work through Archer + Hare, you're also a hair dresser and mom to a very busy 2-year-old. With so much going on, what helps you stay motivated to work on your creative business?

Motivation is hard! I am a wife and mother first, and I wouldn't ever change that. So that means a lot of cups of coffee and nap time/after bedtime scrambling. On days when I absolutely have to get things done I try to get Nola involved so we don't both go crazy. For Christmas I got a new dremel tool and she got a work bench with tiny tools including a drill. She gets first dibs on all my broken stones and loves to "make necklaces". We make a good team!

“Everything I make I want to keep. They are all one of a kind, so it’s easy to be like, ‘Well, I don’t have one like this one.’ It’s like giving away your treasures.”

— Katie Kellie

How did you become involved with DIME?

I connected with Rachel on Instagram! I didn't really have any plans to grow very quickly but she was too wonderful to not link up with.  Every day I meet more local makers and feel so excited and humbled to be a part of the life that is being breathed into this little world!

If you’re not hanging out up at the DIME Store, what are you favorite places to be around town?

We love breakfast at Loco, bi-weekly trips to Denton thrift and the antique malls on 288 and 35(seriously, go y'all!).

Where can we shop your work?

You can find my babies at Dime Handmade, on etsy (archerplushare) and on Instagram (archerplushare)! I love social media and how it has become part of our everyday lives. If you haven't joined Instagram and you are making something you would like to be seen, you are missing out! It is a truly great tool to share glimpses of your daily life and connect with some incredibly talented people while also directing people to etsy. I do a lot of flash sales on there also which are a great way to snag some of my items before they go to etsy and usually for a discount!

Do you have any advice for aspiring makers?

Find one thing you like to make, make it well and expand from there. Don't let fear keep you from beginning something and don't let stress keep you from slowing down. You are the boss!

THE DEN10: FEBRUARY 19

It’s another eclectic week. At least it's nice outside, though (for now). We’re secretly hoping the weather stays like this until next December. This weekend, you'll find us flipping through graphic novels on a blanket on the courthouse lawn - maybe with a bottle (or two) of wine. Make sure to check out all that Denton's got going on and don't forget to tag those pictures with #WDDI to be included in Monday’s What We Did post.

Questions comments or tips? Email glen@wedentondoit.com

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Wednesday, February 19
Snarky Puppy | Hailey’s | 8PM | $20-$75
Grammy Winners, hometown heroes and toasts of the town, Snarky Puppy are making a triumphant return to town/Hailey’s. We're thinking they deserve the key to the city now. Is there a key to the city? Does it open those secret underground tunnels we've heard so much about?

Shipwrecked! | Redbud Theater Complex | 8PM | $10

Real Ale Brewing Company Tap Takeover | East Side Social Club | 7PM
Meet the brewer from Real Ale, get a pint and answer some trivia. All seven varieties of Real Ale will be present, on tap and delicious. 

Friday, February 21
Violent Squid / Nervous Curtains / Dome Dwellers | Rubbergloves | 9PM | $5
Violent Squid was once a mainstay of the North Texas noise rock scene, but they've since splintered around and we sadly see them play less now. They'll have their new album available at this show. We're looking forward to this one.

Third Fridays At Innovation Greenhouse | Innovation Greenhouse Acoustic Gardens | 4PM-8PM
Bashe, Blessin’, food trucks and environmental innovation. Not bad for a Friday. Lean Machine will be there for sure. 

Saturday, February 22
Mini A-Kon 7 | Denton Civic Center | 10am - 5PM
With so many Dentonites working at FUNimation this cosplay anime festival seems like a natural thing. This event has been held at the Denton Public Library's North Branch for past years, but in recent years, it's grown too big for that space. We're glad we’ve got the Civic Center for these types of large events, though. Expect food trucks, galore (including Easy Slider, Cupcakin' and Nammi), photobooths and lots of awesome handmade costumes for your people watchin' good times. 

Boxcar Bandits / Hares On The Mountain / A.M. Ramblers | Dan’s Silverleaf | 9PM | $5

Sunday, February 23
Sarah Jaffe / Bethan | Dan’s Silverleaf | 5PM | $15 
Cause duh. We don't think this has sold out yet. Is Jaffe still in her "electric phase?"

Monday, February 24
Paul Slavens & Friends | Dan’s Silverleaf | 10PM | FREE
Always a good time. 

Tuesday, February 25
GeeKon Author Faire 2014 | Public Library North Branch | 6PM-9PM
It’s a meet and mingle with local authors. GeeKon is actually a larger event that spans from Feb. 22nd until March 1st and it encompasses Mini A-Kon, a Pokemon battle (yes), an author faire and much more. You can find the full schedule here. 

PEOPLE OF DENTON: ERIN SUMMERLIN

Interview and photos by Wesley Kirk 

EDITOR'S NOTE: This is a new column as part of a new ongoing partnership with Wesley Kirk's People of Denton project. Check his bio at the bottom of the story for more info!

Erin Summerlin is an Radio-Television-Film major at the University of North Texas. Before the first day of the Spring 2014 semester, she and a few friends wrapped the statues outside the Environmental Science Building with some cozy & colorful winter wear. The photos of her sweater-bombing that were posted on People of Denton became a big hit, and eventually ended up on the evening news. We spoke with Summerlin about her adventures with sweater-bombing and worrying about what her mom would think.

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What made you want to do it?

The statues had sweaters on them when I first came to campus, but no one had done it since. When I first saw that, it made me really happy, and glad I went to school here, because it’s not something you see everyday. I think it’s definitely something everyone can appreciate, when you walk by the same thing everyday and suddenly it’s different and it’s funny to look at, it can really brighten your day, every single day. That can be really impactful.

What did it take to plan?

There were a couple months of talking about it. One day I even went out and measured the statues. I asked my friend, Caitlin Antkowski, who’s a fashion major at TWU & UNT, and her friend Savannah Flusche, if they’d want to help. We didn’t want to knit sweaters for each statue, because it would take too long, so we went to Denton Thrift and bought sweaters that would fit them by cutting them up and sewing them on. I looked for the most awkward, brightest sweaters I could find, and I was keeping different sizes in mind, like kids sweaters for the little deer and coyotes, and extra large for the man.
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What was it like when you were putting the sweaters on them?

It was an adrenaline rush. I felt like I was in high school again. I’m kind of a goody-two-shoes, so getting in trouble is not OK with me. I love my mom a lot and I would never want to do anything that would make her disappointed in me. So I was very nervous. I was scared someone would stop us and we’d get in trouble somehow. But after a while, when people passed us and didn’t stop or ask us what we were doing, I realized they were OK with it.

“ I love my mom a lot and I would never want to do anything that would make her disappointed in me. So I was very nervous.”

— Erin Summerlin

What was the process of putting the sweaters on?

First we had planned out which sweaters would go on which statue, and how they had to be cut to fit over them, and how to stitch the sides back up. After we got the main statues, we started going through all our material, trying to make the best use of it, with scarves, hats, and little mittens.

Why did you stitch #SweaterBomb on the man’s sweater?

Caitlin & Savannah did that so that we could keep track of who was taking pictures of it, or tweeting it, or even on Facebook. We wanted to make sure there was a way to connect all the news about it.

What did you think would happen the next day?

I honestly had no idea. I wasn’t prepared for the reaction that came from it. But it was cool, because it was a source of people’s attention and they wanted their pictures with it, and pictures of it. There were a lot of comments of people saying “I love my school!” or “This is awesome!” or “This is so cute!” or “This made my day!” and those comments made me really happy, because that was the whole purpose. Just to know that it worked was very satisfying. Very, very satisfying.

What was your favorite reaction?

I called my mom and explained to her what I did, because she didn’t even know. At first she was totally expecting me to say I got kicked out of school or something, because we’re both the same way, we worry. So she was freaking out until I told her it might be on the news. She went home and shared it all over her facebook, and she was just so proud!

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Wesley Kirk is a student at UNT majoring in Film with a perspective that we can't get enough of. He is the owner and founder of The Vision Beautiful, Click Clack Short Films, People of Denton and is heading up the Short Film Club. He is one busy dude to say the least. Catch him if you can running around campus with a camera of sorts strapped to his hand headed to the next adventure. 

WHAT WE DID: FEBRUARY 17TH

Thin Line was able to defy Denton festival weather! Congrats! In fact, the weather this weekend was wonderful. We saw basically everyone we knew wandering around the square on Saturday. We saw that Denton Square Donuts closed up shop for good on Friday, sadly. We hope to have more info on that for our next Mr. Farris column. 

Anyway, y'all have really upped your photography game as-of-late. There were tons of really excellent #WDDI photos that we had to pull from this week. Thanks for sharing them with us. Looks like we've got another busy week coming up with the library's Mini A-kon and some more great shows. Tag your photos with #WDDI to be included in next week's What We Did. 

Thin Line was back and bigger than ever this year. We're not sure whether that was due to the absence of 35 this year or if was always in creator, Josh Butler's plans to go that route, but whatever the reason, we're happy. 

The music portion of Thin Line was new this year. We hear that next year they'll expand even further and have a photography competition/exhibition. Star Party at Haileys. Photo by @DentonKate. 

Criminal Birds at Dan's Silverleaf. Photo by @veronica_n_denton. 

On Saturday, we presented a Thin Line show featuring 90's indie giants, Sebadoh. Above is frontman, Lou Barlow. Photo by @allegrareads. 

Robert Gomez performing at Thin Line. Photo from Discover Denton. 

The combination of Thin Line and wonderful weather made for an extremely crowded square this weekend. Photo from Discover Denton. 

Sean Starr (whom we interviewed last spring) was on hand and taking questions for a screening of Sign Painters, the movie he is also featured in. Photo by Todd Spigener. 

Cornell Hurd Band performing at the Thin Line tent. Photo from  Paige Gibson.

Photo by UNT College of Music. Tuba valentines. may be our favorite way to say "I love you' to that special someone with large brass. 

The DIME Store even had flowers ready to pair with your locally sourced gift. Photo by @mkernan. 

Valentine's dinner at Hannah's is definitely one way to impress a lady. Look at that meat! Photo by @stefinseascales. 

Madeline Wood is now at the Dime Store and they make this cool, vintage quilt collar. Photo by @jadewintersee. 

A French 77 and an  Old Fashioned shared over the square at Paschall's window. Photo by Sarah Lanette. 

Collage DNTN at JandJ's. Photo by @mbryceo. 

Photo by @stefinseascales. 

Oh man, the sky this weekend. Y'all apparently dug it, too, judging on the amount of photos of clouds we saw. Photo from  Paige Gibson.

Brunch at Queenie's. This brunch bunch just had to give it a try on their first brunch-able weekend. Photo by Michelle Bradley. 

Homemade oreos. Photo by Gabe Bunch. Are they double stuffed, though? 

BBQ chicken tacos from Cowboy Chicken look delicious. Did y'all know this place delivers? Photo by Zach Ashcraft. 

The food truck scene in town is getting better and better. We consistently have four or five trucks out on most weekend nights and we're bringing in more and more trucks from out of town. This weekend, we saw Bellatrino, the pizza truck, and Dough Boys, as well. Photo from Paige Gibson.

J Sushi or Haru? As far as 2nd tier (you know, after Keiichi) sushi goes, we're not sure who takes the cake  . Photo by @DentonKate. 

Kei from Keiichi hard at work.  Photo by Josh Piers. 

We're in the habit of going over to Denton Camera Exchange to build our vintage camera collection. We wish there were prices on the actual products, but they've got an awesome selection. 

The crew of Shift ain't lazin' around during their absence. Here they are at a barista competition in Ft. Worth. We miss you, Shift! Photo by @thedapperbat. 

This guy is repping the only area code we care about. Photo by @therachelelise. 

The future service center for Serve Denton. 

Bell and Oak sure knows how to take a great product photo. Can't wait to get these wallets in our hands when they ave their products for sale at Bell and Oak very soon. 

A ride on the A-Train is always fun. Photo from Amber Briggle. 

Double exposure photo featuring Sweetwater and a flower from Shaina Sheaff. 

JIVE FIVE: DATING IN DENTON

Love is in the air, Denton. It's why our air quality is so bad. The most romantic day of the year is Friday and we hope you're prepared. Actually, if you're not, that's fine, too. We've got you covered. Read on for a few do's and don'ts regarding dating in Denton. 

Good Dates:

• Picnicing on the courthouse lawn then playing with the inevitable puppy that will show up afterwards. Heck, you can even play croquet on the courthouse lawn if you want to. Although, that’s best enjoyed when it’s accompanied by a bottle of prosecco from Wine Squared in your own wine glasses.
  
  
• Speaking of Wine Squared, they’ll also give you a quilt and wine glasses to lay out on the square if you buy a bottle from them. They’re good with the recommendations, too. Remember that drinking on the square is legal if you’re drinking from a glass container.
  
  
• Long walks are always great and Denton has plenty of ‘em. Taking your boo rollerblading in cut-off shorts around South Lakes park (Editor's Note: ugh, barf) can be fun in a “people are looking at us weird” kind of way. Make it complete with Walkmans from Denton Thrift and a mix tape if you still have a tape deck. Walking around Unicorn Lake or North Lakes Park can also be nice and neither are ever too crowded.
  
  
• The Greenhouse can be nice if you never look to the left when you walk in. The nice wooden bar is dimly lit and their drink menu is extensive and updated often. They also have a nice bar area for close seating, and is pretty couple-friendly even when it's live jazz on Mondays.
  
  
• Getting lost in Recycled is always a wonderful first date. You can find out a lot about a person by watching which direction they head to when they first walk in the store.

Bad Dates:

• While we love Paschall’s, the thick cloud of smoke can leave both of clamoring for oxygen if you aren't’ chain-smokers. Nothing is less romantic than getting a whiff of your date’s smoke-laden hair - it’ll soak it up like a sponge.
  
  
• Oak Street Drafthouse tends to give off the "we're just hanging out vibe" which can be great for what some might call a “group hang,” but isn't too romantic when you have to sit elbow-to-elbow with your date at a picnic table, no matter how local your brew is.
  
  
• Rubber Gloves, while awesome, can be a bit strange for a first date - especially if you don't know the person all too well. Save "drinks at 'gloves" for later on in the relationship when you need some excitement and don't need to impress your S.O. with restroom cleanliness. 
  
  
• Cuddling and "watching the stars" (Editor's Note: ugh, double barf) anywhere on the UNT campus or its grassy knolls is just a bad idea. Campus cops will come and break up your cuddle session post haste and your date might even end with a ticket-able offense.
  
  
• Please don’t even think about taking your date to the Golden Triangle Mall like you might have done in the 6th grade. Although, this could be salvaged if your date includes the dollar theater and a viewing of the hilarious movie summaries, or if its some sort of ironic date that includes a visit to Hot Topic.

THE DEN10: FEBRUARY 12

Remember heart shaped pizzas from The Flying Tomato? Such fond memories of St. Valentines days past and this one seems to be creeping up on us like a rabid ice monster. There is just too much going on to fit in our carefully curated top ten things to do list this week so maybe go check out some of the other blogs and see what they’re recommending.  We’re looking forward to hearing the creative juices flow Monday at the Denton Creatives Mixer at Rubbergloves. That’ll be a real treat seeing some folks try and elevator pitch within 2 minutes. Don’t forget to #WDDI your grams and posts and we’ll post the best ones on Monday. Will you make the cut? 

Questions, answers or comments? Email glen@wedentondoit.com.

Wednesday, February 12
The Pack AD / The Days / voltREvolt | Dan’s Silverleaf | 8PM | $13

Thursday, February 13
Unleashed! A Dog Dancing Story | Fine Arts Theatre | 8PM 
This is a real thing, and we can’t wait for it.

Hearts & Crafts Valentines Party | DIME Store | 11AM - 8PM

Snow Tha Product / Booty Fade / Sam Lao / Jenny Robinson | Thinline Tent off Oak St. | 6PM | $15

Friday, February 14 (and before) 
Tuba Valentines | All over | All the time | All the tuba
Order your crush a tuba valentine and make a lasting memory. Really, really, ridiculously long lasting memory, that is - because it’s a tuba valentine.

Saturday, February 15
We Denton Do It Presents: Sebadoh | Thinline Fest Tent off Oak St. | 9PM
This is a pretty big deal and we’re not ust saying this because we had a hand in lining this one up for y’all.  Sebadoh is one of those bands from yesteryear that is reuniting and we're so happy to have 'em in town.

Denton Coffee Taster’s Club | Sweetwater | 11AM
This is a battalion ready to wage a coffee war that is cleverly disguised as a club. We’re on to y’’all. 

Icky Antics Presents The Lonely Hearts Club: A Comedy Show | Last Drop Tavern | 9PM
The stand up comedy scene seems to be even more happening than the house show scene. We blame the weather.

Monday, February 17
Ideas For The City: A Denton Creatives Mixer | Rubbergloves | 5:30PM
What would you do to make the city a better place to live? Sign up here and pitch your idea. 

Tuesday, February 18
Hayes Carll | Dan’s Silverleaf | 8PM | $20
Arkansas Blues