Search results (tags) for: "book review"

News From the Craft + Style Blogosphere: August 13, 2009

2009-08-13T17:00:00-05:00

“Mistakes are the portals of discovery.” — James Joyce

This week's edition of News From the Craft + Style Blogosphere has oversize knits (but not to wear!), vibrant textile portraits with venerable old Hollywood icons, a metal menagerie and sleight of hand that requires analysis (and perhaps a second glance).

Read on!

Knitting project gone wild? Nope, it's just an amazing art piece (or maybe rug?) by Christien Meindertsm. I can't get over the gauge of the yarn... [Via Apron Strings and Pretty Things]

The lush textiles and vibrant colors of Carl Van Vechten's portrait series is truly breathtaking (as well as its subject matter: a young Billie Holiday and Eartha Kitt!). According to the Beinecke Rare Book Library, "For a quarter century, [Van Vechten] invited friends and acquaintances, well-known artists, fledgling entertainers, and public intellectuals to sit for him, often against backdrops reminiscent of the vivid colors and patterns of a Matisse painting. Among his subjects are a very young Diahann Carroll, Billie Holiday in tears, Paul Robeson as Othello, Althea Gibson swinging a tennis racquet, and a procession of opera stars, composers, authors, musicians, activists, educators, and journalists who made notable contributions to the cultural and intellectual life of the country." Wow! [Via Nothing is New]

Jessica Joslin is both a sculptor and a bit of a magician. She assembles a mechanical menagerie of creatures from a unique melding of oddball artifacts, organic materials and brass bits, all hinged and jointed with seemingly effortless results. These little guys remind me of Gremlins in the worst way! [Via PamelaMala]

I was completely enthralled to learn about “Digit,” a live performance by Julien Maire. The piece begins with Julien sitting at a writing table with a piece of paper. However, there are no obvious writing instruments, no computer, nada. As he slides his fingertips over the blank piece of paper, words magically...appear. I've yet to figure out how this is accomplished, but until then I'll just be fascinated by the video footage! [Via Today and Tomorrow]

Wanna give me some more artsy, style or design blogs to peruse? Leave them in the comments! And check out past installments of News From the Craft + Style Blogosphere!

News From the Craft + Style Blogosphere: June 18, 2009

2009-06-18T15:00:00-05:00

“Consistency is the last refuge of the unimaginative.” — Oscar Wilde

This week's edition of News From the Craft + Style Blogosphere has frills and lace for any season, forgotten illustrators and long lost art, a modern rustic apartment with beautiful plants aplenty, Peggy Moffitt as 1960s music video ingenue, and one woman's experience renovating a 257 year old house by the sea.

Read on!

Florist Nicolette Camille's light and bright abode makes my heart all-aflutter. Having that many plants in a single apartment is my idea of heaven! I love the jadeite dishes in the kitchen, the plank hardwood floors and the mellow shade of blue throughout. [Via Design*Sponge]

There are so many amazing children's books (and illustrations) floating around that deserve their due. A Journey Around My Skull's Forgotten Illustrators series aims to shed light on the work of these artists. The adorable monkey above is the handiwork of the Danish illustrator Egon Mathiesen, who published Aben Osvald in 1947 (later translated into English as Oswald the Monkey in 1959). Although his work is considered to be a classic in Denmark, it has been out of print for 50 years in the U.S. Learn more about Egon Mathieson's art for children here.

In the words of many flabbergasted folks: Wow, just wow. This video shows off everything that fashion from 1960s evokes: it's kind of psychedelic, definitely unorthodox, and just as much about the culture as the clothing (also, Peggy Moffitt in her signature bowl cut). This is a must see for anyone who loves 1960s fashion. [Via The Look See]

Lover's new collection, White Moon Rising, is so frilly and feminine. I love the different interpretations of the theme for the Northern vs. Southern hemisphere. [Via This is Glamorous]

Katy Elliott's blog is one of the more inspiring things I've seen in a while. If you're in a domestic mood, look no further! Katy's got the best taste when it comes to decorating, affordable art, textiles, furniture, paper, and insight into renovating a 257 year old house by the sea (yay for historic details!). The beautiful shots above are just some of the wallpaper options that Katy is weighing. Reading her blog is like vicariously renovating a beautiful mansion, minus the stress and dirty work. For more info on the wallpaper above, go here.

Wanna give me some more artsy, style or design blogs to peruse? Leave them in the comments! And check out past installments of News From the Craft + Style Blogosphere!

Featured Buyer: The Breeders' Kelley Deal

2008-12-31T14:00:00-05:00

You may know this week's Featured Buyer, Kelley Deal, rocks... but did you know she also knits and crochets? It's true! (Her new book, Bags that Rock, has 20 great purse patterns to prove it!)

This long time musician and fan of all things handmade took a break from touring the world with the Breeders in support of their latest album, Mountain Battles, to search Etsy using some of her favorite words as inspiration. Check out her finds below.

My mom and dad are from West Virginia. There is a rich tradition of needlework and handcrafting there. I can remember my grandmother, hands gnarled with arthritis, crocheting intricate lace using a tiny hook and what was basically thread! My mother taught me how to crochet when I was little and she and I continue to share a love of handwork. We have made quilts together and even roped my sister, Kim, into the process. Kim hand-quilts so beautifully and perfectly I had to encourage her to "make it look more hand done" or people would think it was machine quilted.

I found it impossible to just start at the Etsy home page and pick a dozen or so items. Hours would go by as I just got lost browsing and ambling from one unique piece of art to the next. I had to shake off the "Etsy art fog" and focus my search. What I did was to enter specific keywords about stuff I liked. Like...Ohio, crossword puzzles, yarn, beads and so on. That really helped me narrow down my list.

Smokestack Ohio Tee by ChopChop

I was born and raised in Ohio. Do you know hard it is to find an "OHIO" shirt that is not some variation of red, gray and white? I gotta get this.

Crossword Puzzle Glass Image Pendant by JoanJewels

I am addicted to crossword puzzles...this is adorable.

My Baby Crossword Puzzles by CubistLiterature

When I searched using the keyword 'crossword' this came up. I have no idea why it came up, but I kept going back to it. It's just really funny: this nice muted polo with these scary, alien bunnies. Very strange. I must have it.

Felt Beads Assortment With Polka Dots by kjoosupplies

These are exquisite! Look at the color palette. I could just frame this picture and hang it as art.

Mastiff Stitch Markers (set of 5) by weeones

An item that unites my love of knitting and of bull mastiffs? Please. My dog's name is Carter and he's a good boy.

Hand knitted Super Wash Merino Wool Socks Handspun Blue Yellow by cherryblossoms

Good lookin' socks! I haven't made a pair yet, but when I do, I want them to look just like these.

The Breeders Concert Poster by vrsdesign

Great job! Uh, you need to send me one....

Hand Spun BFL Wool..Tencel.. Merino- 4.5 oz - 2 Ply - Serendipity by Epicurus

Oh my. Look at the colors. I don't know anything about spinning or rovings or whatever. Is the whole process just a big experiment? How does someone plan for yarn to look like these? Maybe it's best just left as a mystery.

Haphazard 1 - One of a Kind Mini Quilt by summersville

This is really lovely fabric put together so randomly and yet so right.

Art Nouveau Inspired Felt Flowers Brooch, Wintery Skies by designedbyjane

All of this artist's work is exquisite: such attention to detail and such neat work.

Graffilthy Hoops by dmdmetal

Oh my god: These are so cool. I know this guy. He's a graffiti writer and he is so talented. His shop is called dmdmetal. Hi Wand - everyone in Ohio says "Hi!" Let's see, there's the 'A', then the 'B'....

For more on Kelley and her new book, check out kelleydeal.net. For more Breeder's updates, visit breedersdigest.net. Thanks to Kelley for taking the time to visit and happy New Year to all!

Looking for past Featured Buyers? Check out our archive!

How-To: Stitch an Apron

2008-12-31T10:15:00-05:00

Nothing beats a cool, retro style apron to make you feel like the hostess with the most-est. So whether you're holding a New Year's brunch, or a tea for two, tie on a party-proof print and be ready to toast!

Aprons are deceptively simple to make, requiring just a small amount of fabric and the most basic sewing skills. Why not give this sweet number a shot?

Today author Nathalie Mornu of instructional handbook A Is for Apron is here to share the "Kaleidoscope" apron by designer Angelina Williamson, who says, "I used pin-tucks to confer the formality of an obi or a corset. It was exciting to discover their value as both a structural and a textural element."

Download the free pattern and complete instructions here or follow along below.

Kaleidoscope Apron

Materials:
Apron kit (fabric sheers, scissors, threads, pins, sewing needles, tape measure, sewing machine, iron and ironing board, water-soluble fabric pen, and transfer pencil)
Pattern (see download)
¾ yard (68.6 cm) of fabric for the front
¾ yard (68.6 cm) of coordinating fabric for the waistband, hem, and ties
¼ yard (22.9 cm) of batiste for the waistband lining
4 buttons (with holes, not shanks), 7⁄8-inch (2.2 cm) in diameter

Tools:
Spaghetti-strap turner
Seam gauge

What You Do:

Step 1: Enlarge and cut out the pattern pieces from the project download. Cut the front out of the main fabric and the remaining pattern pieces out of the coordinating fabric. Cut the waistband out of
the batiste.

Step 2: Overlock, serge, or zigzag all the raw edges of the front and hem pieces to prevent them from fraying.

Step 3: With right sides together, pin the hem to the front, starting from the center and working toward the edges to ensure the edges match up correctly. Stitch.

Step 4: Press the seam toward the hem, and then topstitch the seam down on the right side of the fabric.

Step 5: Turn to the wrong side. Press and stitch down the sides.

Step 6: Turn back to the right side, press the hem, and stitch it down.

Step 7: Turn the four tie pieces over, wrong side up, and press one end of each, so the right side is turned over to the wrong side.

Step 8: Pin two ties together, right sides together, and stitch the sides using a ¼-inch (6 mm) seam allowance. Repeat to create the other tie.

Step 9: Turn the ties right side out using the spaghetti-strap turner, and press them. Topstitch three sides, leaving the raw edge unstitched.

Step 10: With the right sides together, pin the waistband to the waistband lining. Stitch the sides, using a ¼-inch (6 mm) seam allowance. Turn the waistband right side out and press.

Step 11: Turn in the ends of the waistband ½ inch (1.3 cm) and press. Insert the raw end of each apron strap into the ends of the waistband. Pin them in place, and topstitch the entire waistband.

Step 12: Use a temporary-ink fabric pen to mark the center of the waistband at the top and the bottom. On one side of the center, use the seam gauge to make 15 small marks at the top and the bottom edges of the waistband at 1¼-inch (3.2 cm) intervals, starting from the center and working your way out. Repeat on the other side of the center mark.

Step 13: Fold the waistband at the center, wrong sides together. Stitch a seam ¼ inch (6 mm) in from the centerfold. Work from the center out toward one end (figure 1), and then turn the waistband around, and repeat to finish the other end. Refer to the marks you made to fold each tuck at the right spot. Stitch ¼ inch (6 mm) in from the fold each time.

Step 14: Using a temporary-ink fabric pen, mark the center of the waistband by measuring its longest vertical length and dividing that number in half. Pin the front of the apron to the point you’ve marked. Then pin the rest of the front to the waistband, keeping it centered along the waistband (figure 2).

Step 15: Use an uneven slipstitch to sew the apron front to the waistband.

Step 16: Sandwich the end of each apron tie between two buttons, and stitch the buttons to each other. Put it on and go out for ice cream. You’ll look as cool as you feel.

Many thanks to Lark Books for sharing this project with us!

For more hostess fun, try these searches:

Vintage Aprons | Vintage Tea Sets | Entertaining and Decor Gift Guid

Crafting + Activism with Betsy Greer

2008-12-19T16:00:00-05:00

To keep the spirit of the season in perspective, we invited Betsy Greer, author of Knitting for Good! and founder of Craftivism.com to engage in a little Q & A on the topic of changing your life and your world one stitch at a time. Her coinage of the word "craftivism" and the movement it represents inspired this very section of the Etsy blog!

Please introduce yourself and talk a bit about your blog and book.
I'm an overly curious dilettante who is always asking questions and
looking for new adventures. For the past 4 years, I've been writing about craftivism, the place where craft and activism connect, from a cultural perspective. The nerdy stuff began in 2004 when I wrote my master's dissertation on knitting, punk/DIY culture and community.

Craftivism.com started out as a sociology project: What happens when you create a theory/idea using a new word and don't tell anyone about it? Who finds you? Why? I'm so happy to see that so many people also feel that used in tandem, craft and activism can be incredibly strong and powerful.

The main message of the book, Knitting for Good!, is that craft can change yourself, your community and your world. It was written for people who want to get more from their crafting than solely product or sales. I hope that it will encourage readers to expand their own thoughts about what their two hands can make and do.

Can you talk about the inspiration for the book and how it came together?
In late 2006, I was contacted by Shambhala Publications about the possibility of writing a book for their new creativity imprint, Trumpeter. Jennifer Brown, my editor, (who knitted the globe on the cover) was interested in a project that would show where craft could take you... if you let it. We agreed that there needed to be more out in print about the driving forces behind crafts, instead of just craft itself.

I was lucky to have the opportunity to explore where I wanted to go with the text, which includes some sidebars by some of my favorite crafters, makers and thinkers. It was lovely to share some of the dialog I've been having with people, in their own words. The main inspiration was to excite people about craft in deeper ways. We hear all the time about all the cool things we can make, but we don't always hear a lot about how craft can be a catalyst for change.

I had a vision of the intended reader being someone who wondered, "So I know how to knit. I know lots of patterns. Now what do I do with it?" That being said, there are 9 knitting patterns by talented designers in the book, all examples of items you can make for charity, we just didn't want the patterns to be the book's focus.

Can you give an example of an unexpected use of craft for good?
One favorite project I discovered while writing the book was Naomi Dagen Bloom's condom amulets. After discovering that women over 50 were contracting HIV at an alarming rate, Naomi decided something should be done. She made patterns of necklaces that had a place to hold a condom. Not only were they created to promote safer sex, by turning them into jewelry, they were a starting point of conversation.

She has really helped spread the word about the rising illness rate of a demographic people don't often associate with HIV/AIDS, older women, who are often seen as non-sexual entities instead of sensual individuals. I love how Naomi discovered a need for education and then filled that need in such a way that conversation about the issue naturally flows from the crafted item.

How do you plan to give back this holiday season?
This season I've been working on some newborn infant caps to donate to the local hospital, and participated in The Chicago Sun-Times Season of Sharing program.

I also bought handmade gifts for many people on my holiday gift list, buying from local artisans and businesses. (I wish I could buy everyone handmade, but we still have a ways to go before everyone starts to realize that craft does not equal crap, the way that some people still have the idea that making a gift for someone is not as good as buying from the mall.)

[Baby hat by Uproar. Proceeds from the purchase of the yarn went to safe shelter, education, and health care for the women of Nepal.]

As such a stigma about handmade exists, I've been really excited to have the chance to talk to people of varying demographics about the significance and strength of craft! The book has allowed me into conversations I would have otherwise never had. It's my hope that through dialog some people's opinions have changed regarding craft. In a perfect world, people looking for gifts for others would immediately think of a local store or artisan rather than Amazon or Wal-Mart.

[Handspun Suffragette Yarn by WeirdAndTwisted. Donations to Terre de Femmes.]

How can people integrate craftivism into their everyday lives?
Finding something that you're passionate about is a very good first step into activism. It may be craft, it may be soccer, or fishing. If it is craft, then craftivism is something you should look into! If it's fishing, you can take the tenets in the book to apply them to your situation, it just may need a different name?

After you've discovered what makes your heart sing, you can the brainstorm ways you can use it to connect with others and make positive change. One of the nice things about craftivism is that it's based in the idea that one small act can have an enormous impact. For example, if you knit a hat for a homeless shelter, it will go to someone who was previously hatless. You are not only showing them that they are worthy of handmade objects and that someone cares for their welfare, you are also helping make their life a little better in an instant.

[Hand-dyed yarn by Sanguinaria. Donations to a girl's summer camp in Maine.]

Another thing that I think is imperative is to really start opening yourself up to where you live. There are so many things going on in our own lives that strangers often become blurs in our peripheral vision. In order to help make your environment better, you need to start paying attention to its needs, both immediate and long-term. Make eye contact with the homeless man that asks for change, acknowledge his presence, don't just avert your eyes; bake dinner for your neighbor that just got home from the hospital; offer your crafty knowledge and volunteer to teach art classes when the arts funding is cut. We tend to get so into our own little bubbles and shy away from what others around us are going through that we become disconnected from our community and our world, not to mention our own whims and desires. By starting out small and opening your eyes to what's happening around you, you are more apt to see what voids you can fill.

[Photo by localcolorist, who makes paper cranes for peace.]

Once you truly understand that your actions really do make a difference, then in many ways everything you do is a craftivist act. At the end of the day, craftivism is about turning two culturally negated words into something positive that helps towards the greater good. The hard part is finding that place between the vastness of the planet and how you as one person with your specific talents can help. It may take some seeking, but it's worth it.

Anything else you'd like to share?
I'd like to challenge people to learn a new craft in this upcoming year. And then once you've learned it, find new ways to use it to help yourself, your community and your world. In learning from scratch, you allow yourself to make mistakes and explore, something you might not necessarily be able to do in a craft or hobby you've participated in for years. By picking up something new we can begin to not only increase our skillsets, but we can live our lives in a more creative manner by giving ourselves license to discover and question.

Please share your craftivism projects in the comments below!

News From the Craft + Style Blogosphere: December 18, 2008

2008-12-18T17:15:00-05:00

Looking for inspiring artwork? Look no further. This week's edition of News From the Craft + Style Blogosphere includes my doppelgänger (!), paper sculptures, fabric collages, Modernist design for the discerning bibliophile and moody photography.

Onward!

Can you believe these are made of paper? These mouth watering works are from designer/illustrator Yulia Brodskaya. [Via Seesaw]

Bobby Doherty's photography is so evocative and moody. It pleases me to no end. [Via For Me, For You]

I was recently alerted to the fact that I have a doppelgänger wandering New York's busy streets. Designer Camilla Stærk was spotted on style blog Altamira NYC, and I am now left wondering if I have a twin out there. (As we look very, very similar.) I've been wanting to get a turban, so this is actually like looking in a mirror!

If you're a lover of Modern design, this is for you. Nothing is New has compiled some of her favorite book covers from the golden age of design, and they are incredible. She also revealed the Holy Grail of Modernist book covers (enter if you dare!): Felix’s Index of Book Design Stories. Enjoy!

I am loving artist Emily Eibel's stitched creations. (Thanks, objecked!)

Wanna give me some more artsy, style or design blogs to peruse? Leave them in the comments! And check out past installments of News From the Craft + Style Blogosphere!

How-to: Knit Baby Legwarmers

2008-12-12T15:02:00-05:00

That's one happy baby! Indulge your precious bundle in cozy cashmere warmth with a pair of knitted legwarmers just her size.

Designed by Patti Ghezzi for Storey Publishing's Luxury Yarn One-Skein Wonders, this project knits up quick - perfect for that last-minute gift! And, since it only requires one skein of yarn, it's an inexpensive way to explore this luxury fiber.

Download the complete instructions here, or follow along below.

Think legwarmers are beyond your skill set? Not so! ... If you can knit a scarf, you can make these cashmere cuties. ... Can't knit a scarf? Learn the basics here.

For more great gifts for knitters and knitted gifts, check out Featured Buyer Jessica Marshall Forbes of Ravelry.com; Trends: Oversize Cowls ; Knitted Postcard How-to and the related items below.

How-To: Play with Your Food

2008-12-05T16:45:00-05:00

Young people (of all ages) know food is fun. But before you turn your perfectly edible parfait into pulp, why not whip up a faux version in felt that looks good enough to eat?

Create your very own Blackcurrant Mousse, like the one shown here, or share one as a gift with someone you find sweet. You can start out with one, then build your way to a whole plate of petit fours to enjoy with friends ... Now that's what I call having your cake and eating it too!

Get the complete project instructions on PDF right here, they're free to downoad! Yum!

Some of the projects may not be appropriate for babies that really do want to nom nom nom.

Many thanks to Kodansha America for sharing this treat of a project, from My Favorite Felt Sweets.

For more fun with food, check out the related items below and these search terms:

Amigurumi Food | Felt Food

Children's Gift Guide | Holiday Shopping Lists: Faux Food

News From the Craft + Style Blogosphere: October 30, 2008

2008-10-30T15:00:00-05:00

Where has the time gone? November is almost here, and my Elaine Benes costume for Halloween (tomorrow?!) is in a desperate race for time against the inevitability of a vintage Lucille Ball mask I have lying around. I'll let you know what the final verdict is...

This week's edition of News From the Craft + Style Blogosphere is all delicious bisque, pyramids, Scandinavian design, a crying tyke and John Waters' house. (YES!)

I am deeply in love with Richard Colman's artwork. He rocks my world. [Via About Today]

The work of Swedish stylist Sofie Andersson is pretty cute. Love all the patterns! [Via Desire to Inspire]

Todd Oldham's new line of books, entitled Place Space, is totally on my wishlist. The series explores "innovative, brilliant, singular places and the uncommonly devoted people that create them, one book at a time." John Waters' house (who I LOVE!) is included, as well as many others. Check it out! [Via Book By Its Cover]

Dutch Design Week is underway, and this rug by Julie Maeseele has captured my imagination. He's crying! [Via Bloesem]

Design*Sponge highlighted this innovative packing peanut light fixture. Learn how to make it here.

VeganYumYum's delicious delicata squash bisque recipe is sure to be a hit. This stuff looks BEYOND om nom nom nom.

Hey readers! If you (or anyone you know) has an amazing home, styled to perfection with a unique sense of decor that isn't cookie cutter, send us an email with a link to photos! (Please don't send photos, just a link to existing photos on the web.) Please make the subject of the email "Get The Look Videos." We might want to make a video with you!

Wanna give me some more artsy, style or design blogs to peruse? Leave them in the comments! And check out past installments of News From the Craft + Style Blogosphere!

Recycled Glove How-to: Make a Chipmunk Softie

2008-10-17T15:34:00-05:00

Gloves (like socks), while born to be part of a pair, often end their days in lonely solitude, separated from their mates by the forces of the universe that conspire at every turn to pull them apart. Alone, they sadly serve little purpose (aside from the occasional show biz appearance for only the most sparkling among them), and are left to languish in the backs of a drawers and bottoms of closets — that is, if they're not disposed of all together. Ah... but it's a new day.

With her book, Happy Gloves: Charming Softy Friends Made from Colorful Gloves, she's given hopelessly single gloves a new lease on life as cozy companions. In her able hands, one glove's worth of material becomes an elephant, a penguin, a donkey, a bunny — you name it — all set free to romp and play together. (Can't you just hear the claps of cheer?)

Crafter and author Miyako Kanamori has a plan and she's ready to share it!

Try your hands at this chipmunk to start your very own menagerie of recycled glove critters. Download complete instructions here or follow along below.

BUY the book at Amazon!

Thanks to the Penguin Group for sharing this project from Happy Gloves.

Author Miyako Kanamori is a crafter who lives in Tokyo. She is also the author of Sock and Glove. You can see more of her work at her website: bananawani.org/nuiguroom.

For more cute critters made from recycled materials, search "Recycled Softie". Some examples plus a few other autumn-inspired creations can be seen in the related items below.

Complete Embellishing: Kayte Terry Shares Inspiration, Embroidery and More

2008-08-22T15:50:00-05:00

Multi-faceted designer, blogger, and now, author Kayte Terry gives us a look inside her very first book, Complete Embellishing. Feeling crafty? Kayte's kindly shared a download with full project instructions for your very own ribbon-embroidered tunic.

Please introduce yourself and talk a bit about your book.

My name is Kayte Terry and I am a stylist/writer/crafty lady from Brooklyn, NY. Complete Embellishing is my first book and covers all sorts of embellishment techniques—from appliqué and needlefelting, to printing and dyeing fabric.

You cover so many different techniques in the book, what

do you hope people will come away with?

I really wanted to show people that it's not that hard to turn ordinary clothing and home decor into something really extraordinary and they don't have to sacrifice fashion or style.

Also, I think the modern crafter is more experimental: she doesn't just think of herself as a knitter or a sewer. Crafting is more of a way of life. The book is split into Techniques and Projects because I really wanted to encourage people to experiment and mix and match techniques, not just follow my patterns exactly.

Would you say your experience as a visual merchandiser and photo stylist effected your approach to the book and if so, how?

Oh, definitely. I worked as a Visual Manager at Anthropologie for many years, and it was such a creative environment: we were always dreaming up new displays and learning new craft techniques. I learned to switch gears very quickly and be an omni-crafter. One day, we would be making giant fruit out of fabric, the next day we would be making trees out of books and we would all just roll with it.

Also, when you are a stylist or a merchandiser, you really have to look at the big picture, so I thought a lot about the overall aesthetic of the book when I was making the projects. I wanted everything to make sense together, but still offer projects that appealed to lots of different people. I hope people can see that in the book.

Can you talk a little bit about where you find inspiration and your creative process?

I would say I am just constantly looking for inspiration. I carry a digital camera and a sketchbook with me all the time. I do a lot of people-watching and daydreaming. When I need to think, I take long walks and think and plan and sketch in my head. I read a million magazines and books: I love Japanese craft books, Selvedge magazine and Elle Decoration UK especially.

I love craft blogs too, but I am actually trying to curb the habit a bit. I found that I spent hours reading about craft and not so much time making things. As much as I love getting inspiration from the outside world, sometimes you just need to turn everything off and focus on your own creative process.

You seem to have a hand in so many different aspects of craft and creativity; how did that develop, and how do they all play off each other?

I have been making things my whole life. When I was growing up, I had a different career dream every other week, and I would get totally obsessed with something, read all about it, get a bunch of tools, then move on. I decorated cakes, painted silk and drew fashion illustrations. Honestly, I thought this was a major character flaw and that eventually I would have to settle on one thing, but actually, I think my short attention span has worked in my favor!

When I stopped working full time at Anthropologie, I thought I was going to sit at my sewing machine and make things to sell all day long. I quickly realized that I just couldn't do that: I hate making multiples of things and I never would have made any money with one of a kind crafts.

That's when I got the opportunity to work at Adorn* magazine as the stylist, and the experience was just awesome. In addition to styling, I started making a few projects an issue and writing for the blog. I am at my happiest juggling a few different tasks at a time and wearing a few hats at once. What I really love is craft: it doesn't matter if I'm writing about it, styling a craft magazine or sewing a dress, I'm just happy to do it and so thankful that this is my job.

*Full disclosure: I was very lucky to witness Kayte's creativity first-hand, having worked together on Adorn magazine.

What's next for you?

Well, I have another book in the works that will be out next year. I am also working with the new and fabulous Craft Stylish magazine. I have quite a few projects in the upcoming Holiday Makeover Ideas issue and styled the whole issue too!

I'm also a member of the Etsy {New New} team and we've been planning a few of our own craft fairs: the Handmade Cavalcade on September 13th in Beacon, NY and a big holiday event too!

I am also hoping to carve out a little time for myself! I have quite a few sewing projects I want to work on and some new things I want to try. My latest obsession is making hair accessories and I'd like to get a few of them up in my own Etsy shop, loveforever.

Anything else you want to share?

I just hope, more than anything, that people are really inspired by this book! For updates on the book and everything else I'm doing, visit my blog, thisisloveforever.com/blog.

-Thanks, Kayte! Click here to download project instructions for the Ribbon Rose Tunic pictured above, designed by Kayte for her book, Complete Embellshing, from Creative Homeowner publishing.

For more with Kayte, check out the Storque articles she's reported, including a trend story on Scandinavian design and this post from the front lines of Brooklyn fashion.

Fashion photos care of Creative Homeowner publishing; button collage, care of Kayte Terry.

Rob Walker's Murketing Book: Buying In

2008-08-06T12:07:00-05:00

Tinaseamonster recently interviewed author Rob Walker for her Crafty Bastards blog in the Washington City Paper (click here for the whole piece). As many, many of you know, Rob Walker writes a regular column for the New York Times Magazine called "Consumed" and penned a feature article "Handmade 2.0" that introduced the indie craft scene to a larger audience. You may also be interested in following his blog, where he analyzes and muses about the intricacies of material culture in America. He's a great writer and we recommend checking out his new book, Buying In.

For those of you in DC, you can meet Rob in person tonight:

"In his fascinating new book, BUYING IN: The Secret Dialogue Between What We Buy and Who We Are, Walker examines the dialogue between who we are and what we buy. His research into brands like Red Bull, Sanrio and Converse is eye-opening and funny.
Walker will be discussing his new book at Politics & Prose (5015 Connecticut Avenue, N.W.) on Wednesday, August 6th at 7 p.m. Plus — he’ll be giving away 25 of these awesome screenprint posters from Little Friends of Printmaking. He was nice enough to answer our questions about marketing, Etsy, Hello Kitty and more."

More posts from tinaseamonster.
More posts about Rob Walker.

Congrats to Etsy Jewelers: 1000 Jewelry Inspirations

2008-05-28T19:13:00-05:00

Thanks to fraiseonline (formerly known as RoccaDesigns) for writing up a post about this book!

A few months back I was searching around the usual websites to promote my shop and found a request for artists to send in submissions to appear in the book “1000 Jewelry Inspirations” by fellow artist and author Sandra Salamony. Needless to say, I was skeptical, but after a few e-mails I sent in my pieces to be photographed for the book, as did many other Etsy jewelry artists, and now the book is finally out!

After seeing the finished product, I have to say I was astonished by how many Etsy artists contributed to this fabulous book. Many lucky ones like Emily Conroy from Preciousmeshes or Paperflowergirl got featured spots.

Many others like Pequitobun and me (RoccaDesigns) were featured on smaller areas, filling this book’s pages with amazing works of art, and incredibly creative pieces.

Rockport Quarry, the company behind this publication and many other colorful crafting compilations, plans to launch this book in June of this year, but you can already pre-buy on Amazon. Help support the Etsy members who contributed to this amazing compilation of photos.

The author of this book is Sandra Salamony, who is an accomplished jewelry artist and photographer and has written a few books on jewelry crafting. She has been featured in numerous newspapers and publications for her fine photography and artwork.

Further Resources:
To check out the author’s website, go to www.sandrasalamony.com.

To get your copy of the book, go to Amazon.

To see other books from the publisher, visit Quarry Books.

For a full list of contributors, go here.

Please give a shout-out in the comments if you're a jeweler featured in the book!

Required Reading for Etsy Sellers: Craft Inc.

2008-01-18T12:28:00-05:00

Reviews of Meg Mateo Ilasco's book Craft Inc: Turn Your Creative Hobby Into a Business had been swirling around the blogosphere since the book came out this summer. I hadn’t had a chance to pick up a copy and was thrilled to see that Santa had put one in my stocking. Finally I could read what all the buzz was about.

While I am already past hobby-mode and have been running my little letterpress business Paperstories for a few years now, I still found this book to be very helpful. Craft Inc. starts you at the beginning, giving advice on all the necessary stuff like getting a business license, setting up your product line, and even choosing an appropriate name. Once you get through the basics, the book gives lots of helpful tips on everything from setting up wholesale accounts, creating a marketing plan, and how to grow the business. With chapters like “Your Creative Mind,” “Production and Pricing Plans,” and “Ups, Downs, and Next Steps,” there is a wealth of useful information not only for the newest crafter but for the seasoned veteran as well. Also, as a new mom, there were some wonderful words of wisdom for about running your business during major life changes such as having a baby.

In my opinion, one of the best aspects of the book is its integration of fourteen interviews with some current craft and design heavyweights. Here's just a sampling: home-goods designer Lotta Anderson (aka Lotta Jansdotter, who did a Open Studio Tour video with the Storque) to design-blog heartthrob Grace Bonney of Design*Sponge (see Grace's Trends piece on the Storque) to shopkeeper Rena Tom of the Brooklyn based Rare Device (see the Storque's Featured Buyer piece with Rena's partner Lisa Congdon and another video piece on an American Craft Council event with Rena). Each interview is thoughtfully interjected into the chapter that best fits the tone of the interview. For me, these interviews were pure inspiration.

A quick read and beautifully laid out, Craft Inc. also covers topics that have been the source of many lengthy forum threads on Etsy, such as the copyright issues involved using commercially purchased fabrics or patterns. This book answers a variety of questions related to good business practices and is full of appropriate resources. In the back there is a handy internet resource guide that even gives a nod to Etsy. I wholeheartedly recommend this book to every shop owner on Etsy. In fact, I think it should be required reading prior to opening a shop. You will learn a lot and hopefully be inspired along the way.

Further Resources:
Meg Mateo Ilasco's website
www.mateoilasco.com

U.S. Small Business Administration
www.sba.gov

American Craft Council
www.craftcouncil.org

Home Made Tattoos Rule

2007-10-15T07:19:00-05:00

I did my first homemade tattoo about three years ago while living alone in a mansion, about two acres from my nearest neighbors. It's a small lightning bolt on the side of my left foot, seen below. It came out alright (hey, its still there), but more importantly, it felt good to do it, like I didn't have to ask anyone to give me a tattoo. Since then I've given myself three other homemades and I have tattooed my (then future) wife and she's tattooed me. The intimacy of homemades makes them even more special than shop-made tattoos, but the casualness also leaves the door open for spur-of-the-moment, dumb, funny ideas. Home Made Tattoos Rule is a book of such ideas, put onto the skin of friends and folks and all photographed by Thomas K. Jeppe.

This thin book (think photo essay, like Tulsa in color and with less guns) documents the culture of DIY tattooing in Jeppe's native Australia, and later New Zealand, and attempts to elevate the aesthetics of homemades to that of a legitimate art form in its own right. HMTR's rich and raw photography has the close, blown out feel of Nan Goldin's snapshots and conveys an intimacy between subject and photographer that mimics a relationship between tattooer and tattooee.

At the same time, this is offset by a sparse, one-tattoo-to-a-page layout which gives power and emphasis to each design equally. I for one would have liked to have a little more writing to contextualize these pieces. The short preface and introduction, both by Jeppe, give only a glimpse into the lives of these people who he describes simply as “musicians, academics, professional tattooists, designers, illustrators, cooks, punks, mums, dads, framers, travelers, dockers, painters, photographers, and hairdressers.”

It's hard to tell which is more beautiful, the tattoos or the pictures of them. Both have the broken beauty of the cultural fringe, but the photos are much more aestheticized. That's the great thing about DIY tattooing: it sits outside the “lifestyle fashion” of popular tattooing today and focuses on an impermanent and non-commodifiable nature of this art form. This is a vital, urgent art, one that values the relationship between artist, subject, and design, as well as the process of making the tattoo over a finished product.

Even if a tattoo comes out bad, it is still special and maybe even more loveable for it. And Home Made Tattoos Rule has got some clunkers! But the wide variety of designs, as well as range in quality, shows the democratic and subjective nature of tattooing. Each design is valued as a success by the artist and wearer. Jeppe himself has tattooed many of his friends, but has also been tattooed by them. In fact, this exchange of tattoos is key. (If you don't trust someone to poke a deer smoking a joint into your arm then maybe you shouldn't put a farting tooth on their leg!)

Each tattoo is unique, whether shop-made and homemade, but how cool is it to have a great story involving a bunch of your friends, dinner and drinks that ends with “...so I ended up with this tattoo.”? Pretty cool.

To purchase the book:

Serpspress.com

The Whimsical World of Lavender Diamond

2007-08-31T20:00:00-05:00

Lavender Diamond's music has been described by Matador Records as "pull[ing] together elements of folk, pop, country, performance art, children's music, and protest anthems to make one of the most original musical statements we've heard in years." The key to Lavender Diamond's appeal can be found in its simple, pretty harmonies and front-woman Becky Stark's earnest, loveable stage presence. However, The Storque was interested in talking with the band about more than just the music: Lavender Diamond is actually a very handmade, multi-media endeavor.

The project started with Becky collaborating on a series of musical plays with her friend Xander Marro. Marro is now involved in the Dirt Palace, a feminist art collective in Providence, RI. At the time of their collaboration, Providence was thriving on an underground culture of creativity. Many creative projects emanated from Fort Thunder, a former textile mill building used by RISD students and other modern day beatniks for studio space, squatting, and as an informal show venue. Lightning Bolt, another band to emerge from the scene, also played loosely with various media forms: collaborations flowed across music, elaborately costumed performances and screenprinted music packaging. The Providence scene remains a vital center of art and creativity that continues to influence artists to this day.

Becky and Xander's collaboration consisted of handmade sets and costumes, hand-developed films, and silkscreened CD-cases sewn up with silver thread.

"Lavender Diamond" was the name of a part-bird-part-woman emissary that sang to humans about peace. After Becky moved to Los Angeles, she started playing with Elvis Perkins, but when she had the idea to do a "country pop record, kinda like Linda Rondstadt," the project morphed. In 2004, the lineup of Lavender Diamond became a quartet with Becky, Steve Gregoropoulos, Jeffrey Rosenberg (who has since left the band), and Ron Rege, Jr. In addition to playing the drums, Ron brings his totally unique illustration talents to the Lavender Diamond mix. His work adorns the "Imagine Our Love" album, as well as posters, hand-drawn t-shirts, and other doodads. Ron has been creating and self-publishing comics for years. Becky learned to screenprint while making the album covers with Marro, and continues to sew patches and make buttons with lavender crystals.

The band has since been signed by Matador Records and has toured with the Decemberists. Despite hitting at least a lil bit of the big time, the band continues to make handmade merch and spread their earnest message of peace and love. After all, the band came together agreeing to "focus our intention on making music in a way that would be uplifting to people." Ron told us that he is fascinated by the fact that many Lavender Diamond fans are older people or little kids, and says the band is looking for alternative times and venues in which to perform for their "not-so-traditional" audience. In a recent interview in Performer magazine, Becky said that she would even like the band to perform at nursing homes. As Becky told us, "It's been a very funny, long road."

We had the chance to interview the band backstage at the 2007 Siren Festival, an outdoor music festival held at Brooklyn's legendary Coney Island.

See Video Part 1:

See Video Part 2:

See Video Part 3:

More information:

See our Flickr photos
Lavender Diamond's website
Matador's Lavender Diamond site
Lavender Diamond is on Wikipedia!
The Siren Music Festival
The Dirt Palace
Fort Thunder wrestling match