Published on June 23rd, 2008
Like this post? Subscribe to our RSS feed and stay up to date.
To spread the word about the need for meaningful climate action and motivate our elected officials that we need to act now to solve global climate change, Bill McKibben, of Step It Up fame, has stepped it up himself with his new organization 350.org.
350.org is spreading the word far and wide about the importance of the number 350 and you can help! Together with Craftster, Etsy, Craft Magazine, Burda Style and Thrifty Fun — 350.org has launched the Creativity 350 partnership and contest to draw creative energy and attention to 350.org’s goal of reducing atmospheric carbon dioxide to 350 parts per million to stave off dangerous climate change.
The contest is in two parts; a 350-themed craft contest and a 350-themed T-shirt design contest. For the craft contest, you are invited to craft any project that creatively expresses the importance of the number 350, using any crafting technique. For the T-shirt contest, you may create an original T-shirt design that creatively expresses the importance of the number 350.
Read the rest of this entry »
Tags:
350,
challenge,
climate change,
Contests,
craft,
creativity,
design,
diy,
environment,
global warming,
t-shirt
Published on May 19th, 2008
Ah, science fairs, the rite of passage for middle schoolers everywhere. A perpetual procrastinator, even to this day, my late night project for my school’s science fair consisted of testing the hypothesis of which plant fiber made the best paper. Using various plant fibers from the field by my house, I created lumpy pieces of “paper” and tacked them to poster board.
I didn’t win.
But here is a chance to try and redeem myself:
Intructables along with Discover Magazine have teamed up to bring the Green Science Fair for a Better Planet contest. By testing out a “green” hypothesis you could win some great prizes. Enter an eco-friendly project, test and compare “green” products, repurpose old parts, or just show how to live a more greener life. Prizes range from a GPS system, hand-crank radio, MP3 players, and t-shirts, stickers and books.
So get crackin’! The deadline for entries is June 6.
Oh, and maybe leave the potato clock for another time.
Published on April 29th, 2008
Michael Miller Fabrics is co-sponsoring a Baby Bootie contest with Craft Magazine. I would love to see a green crafter win this with organic or recycled materials.
I do suspect there’s some kind of craft hive mind episode going on here, because I’ve planned to write about their organic fabric line this week - and just last week, Autumn posted here at Crafting A Green World about recycled handmade shoes. I fully intend to investigate this set of coincidences, but first let’s talk about Michael Miller Organics.
Michael Miller Fabrics launched its organic line at the beginning of the year. The sneak peek on their blog last fall included a shot of the supercute booties shown here. That blog post gave a snapshot of some of the challenges facing folks who want to bring organic cotton to market:
Did you know that organic cotton has to be grown for at least three years without chemical pesticides, defoliants, or fertilizers? It costs more because organic farms are more labor and management intensive. They’re also usually smaller and do not receive federal subsidies like conventional farming.
Read the rest of this entry »
Published on March 25th, 2008
Crafter extraordinaire and co-host of DIY Network’s Creative Juice TV show - Cathie Filian - also has her own production company. With her fellow executive producers Greg Byers and Steve Piacenza, Cathie is on the hunt for teen/young adult crafters to show off their skills on a new craft show she is working on. Think you got what it takes (CAGW is sure you do)? Then check out the details below from Cathie herself on how to enter!
Casting Notice – Untitled Teen Craft Show
Our production company, Two Bees and a Pea, is casting young adult & teen crafters for a new “untitled” craft show. This show will be guest based - so you could be the star of the show. We produce Creative Juice on DIY and HGTV and this will be a brand new show.
We are seeking crafty guests from all over the USA and will begin the process with DVD submissions. The DVD’s are not for air on TV they are for casting purposes. Fear not if you don’t have access to a video camera. Just send a photo of yourself (big smile) holding or showing off your handmade items.
Here are a few guidelines:
Read the rest of this entry »
Published on March 24th, 2008
Lark Books is a fantastic publishing company that brought us all kinds of art and craft books including the addictive “500 Series.” Every year they publish 60-70 new titles and invite artists to submit work to be included in future books.
They now have a wonderful opportunity for artists that work with recycled plastics! I hope to see some submissions from our readers! To read the call for submissions… Read the rest of this entry »
Published on March 21st, 2008
For me, the term DIY dosen’t always conjure up the most inspiring of images. So I wasn’t sure what to expect when Grace Bonney of Design*Sponge announced that she would be running a DIY contest through her Brooklyn-based website. But I needn’t have worried.
Over 500 entries were whittled down to a 20-strong shortlist with an astonishing diversity of projects.
The winning entry, this super-cute dog bed is as ingenious as it is stylish. My only worry would be finding a suitcase big enough to squeeze my long-legged lurcher into.
My favourite entry though has to be this rather macabre baby doll coat rack. I’d love to make a version with teddy bear parts. What was great about this contest was the fantastic amount of reappropriating and reusing of materials that was displayed. Inspiring stuff.
Published on March 4th, 2008
Looking to add some spice to your Spring wardrobe? Need a new creative project to work on? We introduced you to Burda Style during the early days of our blog. Now its time to share the details for their first mini-challenge for all the sewers out there.
How do you enter? All you have to do is create your own version of Burda’s Sidonie skirt pattern. “This simple A-line mini skirt is a quick project ideal for your perfect little basic skirt that has been missing in your closet. Even better, you can use it as a base for your own designs and develop it further,” says the Burda Style website.
How long does the contest last? What do you win? Keep reading for the rest of the details, straight from Burda Style’s news blog.
Looking for some extra inspiration? Check out Burda’s own variation to get your own creative juices flowing.
Read the rest of this entry »
Published on February 26th, 2008
When was the last time you cleaned out your attic? How about your basement? Are there still boxes sitting around from when you first moved in years ago?
Under all that dust and clutter, I bet there are some pretty random things lying around your home - you know, in those far reaches that rarely, if ever, see the light of day or the end of a Swiffer.
From VHS tapes and phone books to empty pens and packing peanuts, the readers of ReadyMade Magazine have found new uses for once useless items via the MacGuyver Challenge.
In each issue, the editors choose a specific item for readers to find new uses for. The winning project from a previous issue is also featured, along with directions on how to make it yourself. In the current issue (#33), two ladies from Wisconsin won the broken umbrella challenge by making a magazine rack. Runner-up projects are now featured online; this item’s secondary ideas include two dog outfits and a gym-style parachute (now that’s a flashback, huh?).
Read the rest of this entry »
Published on November 23rd, 2007
Feeling patriotic? OK, so it’s nowhere near July 4th, but that doesn’t mean you can’t try and channel your love for the stars and stripes … especially for over $6,000 in prizes! The Great American Craft Off was established by Homegrown Market and features the most extensive Grand Prize package I’ve ever seen:
+ An all-expenses-paid trip to the John C. Campbell Folk Art School including one week’s tuition, room & board, and round-trip airfare. Total value over $1500.
+ A Singer CE-250 embroidery/sewing machine & serger valued at $1200.
+ A complete custom website design including online store and hosting from BizLandCrafters.com valued at $2100.
+ A $500 gift card to Michaels Arts & Crafts.
+ A gift certificate to SonicPrint.com for 2,500 custom postcards and business cards.
+ A $375 Premium Subscription to the Online Learning Library at Lynda.com.
+ A signed copy of Nifty, Thrifty, and Kitschy Crafts by Leah Kramer, founder of Craftster.org
+ A HomeGrownMarket.com Handmade Gift Pack valued at $350
+ PLUS the winner will also be featured in the Spring 2008 issue of Adorn Magazine!
In addition to the Grand Prize, two runners-up will receive a HomeGrownMarket.com Handmade Gift Pack and a signed copy of Nifty, Thrifty, and Kitschy Crafts by Leah Kramer, founder of Craftster.org.
What kind of creations are permitted in the contest? Read the rest of this entry »
