Written by Jamie Ervin
Published on July 30th, 2009
There are days when my relatively crafty self looks at my piles of crafty-goodness and let’s out a long sigh… What on Earth can I create (or entertain all these kids) out of all this JUNK????
Enter Trash Matcher from Imagination Factory. On the left side of the grid are types of trash (foil, paper, beads, plastic) and the right a description of what you can make out of it. If you click the trash word, you will be redirected to a tutorial, complete with substitutions (I hadn’t thought of using leftover white house paint as gesso).
With a metal coat hanger,… Read the rest of this entry »
Written by Jamie Ervin
Published on July 25th, 2009
Tonight I’ve been pondering crafts involving old books. Obviously collector books, library quality books and books we just plain love get pampered and kept on our shelves and tables…
What about the rest? Obsolete manuals, damaged books, those which have only kind of survived the toddler years… where do they go, what do they become?
Disclaimer: If a book is not salvageable (or any parts of it that are beyond reuse), please tear it apart and recycle it.
If books are in good shape and no longer needed in your household, please consider donating them to a hospital or shelter. A great idea for children is to have a book exchange party or a books for the children’s hospital party (ask everyone to bring their gently used books to donate).
Here are some great ideas I found for making a book into something new. Read the rest of this entry »
Written by Wenona Napolitano
Published on July 24th, 2009
I found an awesome new company I can’t wait to try out, Earth Safe Finishes.
Instead of finding one eco-product here and one there, Earth Safe Finishes has paints, stains, sealers, varnishes, waxes, glazes and even fabric dyes…all in eco-friendly formulas. Read the rest of this entry »
Written by Wenona Napolitano
Published on July 10th, 2009
I inherited my grandmother’s house many years ago. I still have not went through everything that came with the house. Boxes remain that have not been sorted and organized. My grandmother was a pack rat but the awesome thing is that she left behind memories of her life like pieces to a puzzle for me to put together.
I have found newspapers and photographs from the 1800s, old magazines, some cool handbags and hats and tons of letters, cards, and little mementos of a long life.
Read the rest of this entry »
Written by Lucille Chi
Published on June 30th, 2009
New York City’s Cooper Hewitt is highlighting their Fashioning Felt exhibit in a big way. My mind is now filled with ideas about the possibilities of felt.
”Fashioning Felt presents an extraordinary range of felt. From two-dimensional carpets to three-dimensional environments, each work reveals the virtuosity of both the material and the designers. The exhibition and book focus on felt that has been produced by traditional hand- or machine-felting processes; they exclude non-woven felt and techniques, in order to underscore the essential elements of feltmaking — wool fiber, agitation, moisture, and pressure.”
I fell for this Felt Ovoid Jacket and Empire Pant look. Isn’t this draped felt suit creative?
Keep reading for more inspiration: Read the rest of this entry »
Written by Wenona Napolitano
Published on June 19th, 2009
I love vintage glass. I have a few hoarded bottles and unique finds that are currently stashed away so my kids don’t break them. Eventually I will have all my antiques displayed around my home and not stuffed in boxes…after the kids have grown up.
If I displayed everything now it would just get broken. But broken glass pieces don’t always get wasted. There are many artists who have found creative ways to turn broken glass into works of art. Some make mosaics, others make new bottles, glasses or tumblers, and some, like Laura Bergman of Bottled Up Designs , make pretty pieces of jewelry. Read the rest of this entry »
Written by Wenona Napolitano
Published on May 29th, 2009
I love Eco-Artware’s wonderful selection of handcrafted goods from many crafty green artists. They have a wide variety of items to choose from including kids stuffed animals made from upcycled sweaters, jewelry made from old pennies, typewriter keys, and watch faces, bowls made from old records and signs, coasters made from old unplayable vinyl records, and my favorite- baskets made from chopsticks. Read the rest of this entry »
Written by Wenona Napolitano
Published on April 13th, 2009
I think being green and crafting go hand in hand, especially when it comes to anything that involves decorating- mainly events like parties and weddings.
I love making things for parties and when it came to decorating my wedding I was very hands on. That’s why I really like The Green Wedding Guide: Creating a Celebration That’s Elegant and Ethical
by Valerie Edmunds.
Read the rest of this entry »
Written by Lucille Chi
Published on March 29th, 2009
Paper N Stitch is an amazing online exhibition space created specifically to promote talented artists, designers, makers selling handmade goods, and indie boutiques. The exhibition space is currently curated monthly and showcases the best of the best in handmade highlights on an international level.
The Paper n Stitch Blog is a constant source of inspiration too. Shown above is the Studio Fuller shop from their recent reviews, and below are their picks from Blue Thimble’s hand screen prints and textile art.
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Written by Lucille Chi
Published on March 24th, 2009
Do you create and assemble vintage or antique collections that are unusual and artful? If so then meet Lost Found Art: a unique design company that specializes in sculptural installations and assemblages using antique and vintage pieces. LFA may just be interested in acquiring those odd collections (you’ve been thinking of selling) for their unique contemporary art sculptures.
Read the rest of this entry »
