As you are sorting through your winter wardrobe this weekend, don’t throw out your ripped jeans. Rather, check out these projects:
Finish it off with a
Tin Clocks by Jen's World!
Re-Creative by Steve Dodds seeks to introduce you to ways to re-use and re-purpose materials in order to create items that “function well, are pleasing to the eye, well-crafted, and pleasurable to have around. ” In his Getting Started section, he invokes Shaker and Modern Design ideas as sources of inspiration and discusses how to design with recycled items. He suggests using unorthodox materials to create everyday items, such as stationary, and celebrating a found object by placing it in unexpected surroundings. From there, Dodds launches into his projects. Each project includes a list enumerating the time and skill involved as well as the materials and tools required.
For this meeting, Jennifer of Jen’s World reworked her grandparents’ novelty tins into wonderful keepsake clocks. She commented:
The book had some clever ideas but out of 50 projects there were only one or two projects that were appealing to me. There are great pictures and I like the lists of supplies that they give you in the beginning. It is always disheartening to find out half way through a projects that you don’t have the equipment necessary to complete it. I also love the idea of using found items for home decor. But you know me, I love a good deal. Free being the best deal of all!
Julia of M.O.M - Mother of Michael found:
Like Jen, I only found a few projects I was interested in. Since Jen beat me to the finish with the tin clocks, I put together a plastic bag dispenser using one of my dish towels. The instructions were clear, although I have to admit, I didn’t follow them.
I think my lack of woodworking skills was one of the reasons that there weren’t that many projects I felt able to replicate. The thought of cutting wood and drilling holes intimidates me to no end. However, if you don’t have that hang-up, there are some wonderful ideas in Re-Creative like a window sash bookcase and a drop-front cabinet night stand.
The book concludes with a description of some techniques like drilling holes, clamping, and cutting various materials. The technique descriptions strike me as too basic for the experienced woodworker and not sufficiently explanatory to make a phobic crafter like me feel comfortable with a power tool.
At the end of the book is a list of online resources. The American Science and Surplus store is the most interesting. Their front page currently offers mood pendants, a hamster wheel, DIY lab slides, an organizer, a pull chain switch, promo pencils, and a Sharp speaker. You could write a whole blog entry just about this company.
If you have made anything out of Re-Creative, share your experience in the comment section. The next book club will meet on May 6th to discuss Sew Darn Cute by Jenny Ryan.
This is my new table! Thanks to my teammates of the {NewNew} York Etsy Street Team, I found out about this cool camping table. It folds up to fit in this bag:
Once you put it together, it is the perfect size for a 4 ft space:
Now I’m working on my setup. 
See you on Sunday, 3/22 at 81 Front Street in Brooklyn with my fellow teammates:
Just a reminder that the Craftevolution Craft Book Book Club will meet on Wednesday, March 25th. So get those projects underway! Here is a peek at some of the projects described in the book.
And while we are in the repurposing mode, this is a little reversible bag I just finished. One side uses fused plastic. Those of you living in the Philadelphia area may recognize the remnants of the logo of a certain science museum. The other side is a fabric scrap.
I will participate in two craft fairs this Spring:
The Spring Handmade Cavalcade on May 9th and May 10th at the Bell House in Brooklyn. You can register for this event here and receive a free, limited edition tote bag with all kinds of goodies inside.
And in less than ten days (yikes) on March 22nd, the Dumbo Winter Pop-up on 81 Front Street.
If you know of any craft fairs in your area, why don’t you share them with us in the comment section.
My tomboy girl’s first communion is coming up and after much cajoling she has agreed to a skirt. A velvety skirt. With much potential of looking like an Easter Bunny, but I guess that would be seasonal attire. I’m thinking of making her a twirly skirt. Maybe something like Hope’s skirts as featured on Goingsewcrazy:
Or this one by Erin of house on hill road:
This pattern from Stop Staring and Start Sewing! also looks intriguing, but it may be a wee bit too girly for my girl.
Do you have a favorite skirt pattern you can point me to?
Do you enjoy using a slingshot to shoot hearts at people? How about an elephant? Do you like to spin around in your virtual chair like crazy? Most importantly, do you like to learn about new crafting techniques and ask the instructor real time questions while catching a paper airplane? Then make it virtually down to the Etsy Labs in Brooklyn on Monday Craft Night.
First, if you don’t already have one, set up an Etsy user account: User name, password, Re-type password, email. That’s it. Really. Proceed to the classroom of the Virtual Lab. (www.Etsy.com -> Community -> Virtual Labs). Take a seat by clicking on one of the squares.
Virtual Lab Chat
While you are waiting for the instructor to get settled, play with the tools on the bottom of the screen. Send a message to everyone in the room. Click the circle arrow to swivel around in your seat, or select an item from the list of icons to throw at someone by pulling your avatar like a slingshot.
Virtual Lab Tools
Then sit up and listen, ask questions, craft along. It’s easy, fun, you learn new skills, and meet some people who share your interests.
The next craft night is on March 9th at 5:00 p.m. EST and features Diana of Sweet Buddha who will show you how to make melt-and-pour soap. For upcoming craft nights check Etsy’s blog The Storque. If you can’t wait until then, here are some Etsy How-Tos:
Embellished Frames with Kayte Terry
Favor Bags with Brooklyn Bride
Make a Box with Mary Andrews
Scented Bath Salts with Mary Helen
Knitted Postcard with Knitknit
Make a Stocking with Fernfiddlehead
According to Random.org’s new widget:
Rachel who liked the elegant blue star bag best:
and Myrnie of iwonderwoman.blogspot.com who preferred the fused plastic card holder:
They will receive these wooden eggs:
I can’t wait to see what they’ll make. More eggs are available in my shop.
By the way, the most popular item was this bag:
Last week I wandered into the MoMA Design Store and discovered some interesting things by South Korean designers. For example, a pasta inspired brooch, fingerprint cufflinks, and miniature meal business cardholders.
Upon further investigation it turns out that for the past few years South Korea has been promoting young local designers in an effort to establish an audience for its fledgling talent and demonstrate the global importance of Seoul as a city of design. Here are some other captivating ideas by South Korean designers:
A bookcase that comes alive by Sungmin Hong.
Bookcase by Sungmin Hong
A book converted into a flower display by the NOTHING design group.
Book as an Object by NOTHING dESIGN GROUP
Here is a pictorial tutorial for this display.
And finally, Mina Kwag’s button ring; part of her Only 1 Degree Celsius Change Can Affect Us project.
Mina Kwag Only 1 Degree Celsius Change Can Affect Us
