Hey There, Cupcake! (Melcher Media)
by Clare Crespo
In the early 1990's, I lived in, and around, Silverlake, CA. My friends were an extended group of super-freaks and creative-types, rock musicians, club promoters and drag queens. You get the picture. We stayed up late dancing and drinking and having a very chaotic and artistic time.
One Thanksgiving during this period, I tagged along with a friend to a party hosted by this girl from CalArts named Clare Crespo. There was a lot of drinking from beer cans and smoking cigarettes and playing of Ozzy really loud. But the most amazing part was that the food was actually edible. More than edible. It was delicious! And the turkey had three legs! Clare had added one on before she cooked it! And she served Jaeger Meister pie! From that moment, I thought she was the coolest lady around and I've been inspired by her incredible animation, weird food concoctions, drawings and crochet projects ever since! She is the surrealist, funniest, most down-to-earth crafter/artist this side of the altantic.
Her latest book, Hey There, Cupcake! is more of her weird, groovy, lovely creations that you make in the kitchen out of cupcakes. They are great for mommy and me time with your kiddies, but certainly who couldn't refuse a shark or crab cupcake? The recipes are pretty easy -- and the photos are super-inspriring. I've made them for my toddlers friends and my grown-up neighbors.
comment by researchasaurus Tuesday October 19th, 2004 02:23 PM
Ooh, I will have to check this out. I made her Red Velvet Cake (which is on her website somewhere) last year and it was very very wonderful. I can't imagine these recipes are anything less! Thanks for the review.
comment by shawneemonkey Tuesday October 19th, 2004 05:20 PM
isn't she the one with the recipe for Monkeypops on her website?
comment by udandi Wednesday October 20th, 2004 07:47 AM
mmm, cupcakes!
by the way, jean, I love your avatar!
comment by jean Wednesday October 20th, 2004 08:26 AM
shawneemonkey: yes, her website is yummyfun.com
comment by noodletherapy Saturday October 23rd, 2004 01:11 AM
omg, clare is indeed the coolest!
she has a regular 'column' in tokion magazine... the last month's issue has this amazing cake she made (and included the recipe for) that looks like a dj-mixing-station (whatever the official name is for those things.)
i think i originally discovered her through this site -- wasn't there an article about her crocheted sushi? and she has way inspired me since! i can't wait to get her new book, especially now that i have a new home to create cupcakes in!
(i'm sure i'll win lots of point with the neighbors by bringing some of those around!)
comment by jean Monday October 25th, 2004 09:56 AM
yup. i did interview her years ago about her crocheted sushi! and hopefully will interview her again one day soon.
