Search results (tags) for: "brooklyn"

News from the Etsy Labs: 12/1 Craft Night

2008-11-26T13:32:00Z

Have plans on Monday night? Well, you do now! Dust off your crafty pants and come join us for our weekly Craft Night at the Etsy Labs in Brooklyn. Each craft night is also broadcast live into in the Treehouse room of the Virtual Labs. All demos will be shown both in the Labs in Brooklyn and in the Treehouse online.

Craft Night occurs every Monday from 4-8pm at 325 Gold Street, 3rd floor in Brooklyn, New York. Each week the Etsy Labs organize a skill-sharing project. We provide supplies, tools, snacks, and know-how. Participants are also welcome to bring their own project to work on independently. Craft night is a time to make things, learn new skills, and hang out.

This week, on Monday, December 1, we will be making ornaments! We will demonstrate how to create lovely ornaments using felt and the versatile blanket stitch. These plushie ornaments are perfect to sell in your Etsy shop, decorate your home over the holiday season, and to give as gifts to friends and family.

If you are joining us virtually for Craft Night this week and would like to make ornaments along with us, you'll need a few supplies: felt, thread, scissors, sewing needle, pencil, and any embellishments you'd like to add to your ornament (buttons, lace, trim, etc). Or, just be ready to take some notes and see if this is a project you'd like to try out later on.

Upcoming Craft Night Projects:

12/8: Paper gift bags with melangerienyc

12/15: Snowglobes with Ryan Green

12/22: Linocut giftwrap with julieincharge

Want to learn more about the Labs? Check out our FAQs. Want to receive email updates? Join our Etsy Labs mailing list. Will we see you Monday? Let us know in the comments!

Gift Ideas: Shop Local the Borough of Brooklyn, New York

2008-11-26T11:00:00Z

Alicia Kachmar aka EternalSunshine is a freelance writer, crafter, baker and sometimes pool-hustler. She has lived in Brooklyn for four years and contributes to BrooklynBased.net. We invited her to highlight some handcrafty talent from the "County of Kings" in this installment of our Shop Local series.

"In Brooklyn, it was as though you were in your own little bubble. You were all part of one big, but very close family...." Although this was uttered many years ago by a pitcher for the Dodgers, I think it still rings true today for many Brooklynites, and definitely for those who consider themselves part of the local DIY scene. We inhabit a rapidly developing part of New York City, and while some are wary of the changes, the creativity and number of artists living and working in all parts of Brooklyn is downright impressive, inspiring and exhilarating.

LoucheLab - Ned and Aya in front of a Brooklyn mural at the corner of Bedford and North 3rd right by the best place for bagels in Williamsburg! (psst! Check out the Handmade Wedding video Etsy made with them. Their love story crossed international borders!)

katecusack - In the midst of her supplies.

Naokosstoop - Prospect Park, her "second workplace during summer."

sweetestpea (now zooguu) - Jen, far left in pic, watching election results in Red Hook with some other Etsy folks.

luckyduckletterpress - Patrick in his printing studio near the Gowanus Canal.

fernfiddlehead - Cathy in Prospect Park with her dog.

kateblack - In her old apartment in Williamsburg.

EpochBeads - Tracie with her crafting supplies stacked to the ceiling.

VigilanteLabs - Lianna working on her patterns in Brooklyn.

My Etsy shop was born 2 years ago right here in Brooklyn, and even though it's a virtual shopping experience, it isn't without a personal touch — many of my buyers tell me cute stories and inside jokes about their purchases. My favorite came from someone just a few neighborhoods over from me, truly a "Shop Local" story: she bought one of my smiling crochet s'mores for her 4-year old son, who was overjoyed at the sight of the plush and promptly named it "Fred."

They took Fred out to the Promenade, a beautiful walkway in Brooklyn with a view of the Manhattan skyline, because he wanted "to show Fred the Empire State Building." Imagine this small child, facing the glistening lights of New York skyscrapers, holding up the soft s'more in his hands! When she told me this story, I felt so happy to be part of this "little bubble." Even though I will meet very few of my customers, we are "all part of one big, but very close family."

whimsyandspice - Jenna on the Promenade with Mark, the pastry chef part of their duo.

TeeShirtGnome - Ezra, at Fulton Ferry Park.

Please let Etsy's blog know about your favorite local Etsy artists. Pitch your town, state, country or region and let us know which sellers will fill their holiday-shopper-neighbors with glee (we're talking catalog-quality photos, 100% feedback, and top-notch items at a variety of price points); include a screenshot of your Poster Sketched picks and a link to a pretty photo of yourself in your neighborhood. Tell us why you love where you live and why these sellers are distinctive. We can't wait to hear from you!

Shop Local Posts | Gift Ideas | Shop Local in Your Area | {NewNew} York Team

News from the Etsy Labs: 11/24 Craft Night

2008-11-19T13:13:00Z

Have plans on Monday night? Well, you do now! Dust off your crafty pants and come join us for our weekly Craft Night at the Etsy Labs in Brooklyn. Craft Night occurs every Monday from 4-8pm EST at 325 Gold Street, 3rd floor in Brooklyn, New York. Craft night is a time to make things, learn new skills, and hang out.

This week, on Monday, November 24, we're hosting an open craft night! Instead of an organized project, this week we are throwing the doors of the Etsy Labs wide open and letting you work on any project that suits you. Bring along any project to work on during this week's craft night: that half-finished scarf you are knitting, paper you would like to bind into books, an embroidery-in-progress, a skirt you would like to alter, a jewelry project, a holiday gift you're making... The sky's the limit!

If you need help with a project that you are working on, we are happy to put in our two cents and share our expertise. If you learned a skill in a past craft night or class, here is your chance to develop that skill further. As always, our tools and supplies are available, so join us for a crafty free-for-all.

Not in Brooklyn? At 7pm, we will be turning on the webcam for a Show and Tell for Sellers in the Lounge room of the Virtual Labs. Come share what projects you are working on! Everyone will get their own time to talk about a project they are working on and get feedback. Come with links to pictures of your work in progress, or if you have a webcam, you can show us live! Craft night participants at the Etsy Labs will also have a chance to share their projects with the online community.

Want to learn more about the Labs? Check out our FAQs. Want to receive email updates? Join our Etsy Labs mailing list.

Will we see you Monday? What will you be working on? Let us know in the comments!

Handmade Portraits: Leslie Stein

2008-11-14T11:30:00Z

YouTube | MP4 | blip.tv | Subscribe in iTunes

(music by Prince Ruperts Drops)

Leslie Stein, aka larrybear, spends most of her time drawing comics, listening to old time radio shows and playing records. Leslie started her first comic series, called simply Leslie, back in high school. It revolved around her wacky adventures with her magical bunny and bird that helped her out in gym class and other misadventures.

After discovering underground comic book artists like Dan Clowes and P eter Bagge when she was an angsty teenager, Leslie decided comic books would be the perfect medium for her to tell her stories. Both of her comics — Eye of the Majestic Creature and her more experimental construction paper comics — are hand drawn and printed at a small printing press. Unlike mainstream super hero comics, her stories are autobiographical and don't have a typical plot. As Leslie says, "If you're looking for thrills and drama, this might not be for you, but if you're interested in seeing the world the way I see it, pick one up."

Leslie decided long ago that rather than work professionally as an illustrator, that she would hold a regular job and save her creative energy for her own work. She dedicates all of her free time to her creative pursuits and she finds inspiration everywhere. From walking down the street in Brooklyn to looking at an empty field, humanity and curiosity light the way to new adventures and new tales to tell.

Leslie won a Xeric Grant to print her work "Yeah, It Is!" and was nominated for Best New Talent in 2004 by the Harvey Awards. Keep you eye on this one!

Watch more Handmade Video Portraits on Etsy's blog!

Books and Zines Category | Book Worms and Writers Gift Guide

Zines Posts | Comics Posts | larrybear's Shop

Fresh Shops: DiscreetCharm

2008-11-13T11:15:00Z

I'm a big fan of anything of the natural history vein, so when I saw DiscreetCharm's animal inspired metalwork, I was hooked. Her jewelry features wolf heads and antelope horns, all small enough to carry with you. She's been on Etsy a little less than two months and is still getting her feet wet on the site. Here's a little interview we did with this Fresh Shop.

Can you tell us a little about the people behind DiscreetCharm?
I was born and raised in a small suburb of Chicago, but I've been living in Brooklyn since I graduated high school. I've always had an interest in jewelry and I had made a few pieces here and there, but August '08 is when I started to actively create a line. My boyfriend, Paris, actually came up with the name of my line. It comes from a film by Luis Buñuel, one of my favorite filmmakers. I wouldn't say his work directly inspires mine, but his films have a restless nature which I appreciate and relate to.

What inspires you as a creative person?
My first series was obviously inspired by wild animals. I love the shapes that I find in nature, but I am also really inspired by the experience of being outside. Going outdoors and exploring is a way for me to flush away all the BS that can stave off my creativity. In the summer of 2007 I traveled to South Dakota, and I was lucky enough to see male bighorn sheep. One generally encounters female and baby sheep, which have much smaller horns. The males are much more reclusive, but driving through Badlands National Park, I saw a whole group of them and it was amazing. Their horns have a beautiful shape and texture, and I made a pendant based on them. I also looked at a lot of National Geographic pictures and Ernst Haeckel drawings while creating this series.

I have already started sketching out my next collection. It is inspired by a whole mess of things including childhood, Art Nouveau, Dia de los Muertos and the Victorian era. It should be really interesting to see how the two collections reflect each other because the ideas behind them are so different.

How do you like Etsy so far? What are your favorite features of the site?
I love Etsy, it's a brilliant idea. I love the variety of things being sold. One of my favorite features is being able to mark sellers as favorites, so I can keep tabs on their goods. I also love being able to see that people have marked me as a favorite!

Anything else you'd like to add is also welcome! (Your blog, etc.)
I'm in the process of creating my website and it should be up soon. Check it out at discreet-charm.com. Thanks!

Looking for more Etsy newbies? Check out our previous Fresh Shops coverage!

News from the Etsy Labs: 11/17 Craft Night

2008-11-12T13:40:00Z

Have plans on Monday night? Well, you do now! Dust off your crafty pants and come join us for our weekly Craft Night at the
Etsy Labs in Brooklyn. Each craft night is also broadcast live into in the Treehouse room of the Virtual Labs. All demos will be shown both in the Labs in Brooklyn and in the Treehouse online.

Craft Night occurs every Monday from 4—8pm at 325 Gold Street, 3rd floor in Brooklyn, New York. Each week the Etsy Labs organize a skill-sharing project. We provide supplies, tools, snacks, and know-how. Participants are also welcome to bring their own project to work on independently. Craft night is a time to make things, learn new skills, and hang out.

This week, on Monday, November 17, we will be making lip balm! (We had so much fun at our past lip balm craft nights that we decided to do it again!) The lip balm we use for demos will be given away at our booth at upcoming craft fairs to help spread the Etsy word. Come help us make this happen! All participants will also take home their own completed lip balm tubes, as well as the knowledge to make lip balm independently. We will demonstrate the melt-and-pour technique of lip balm making that is perfect for creating fun promotional items for your own Etsy shop, as well as gifts for friends and family. We'll also cover tips on labeling, sealing, and packaging your lip balm containers.

If you are joining us virtually for Craft Night this week and would like to make lip balm along with us, you'll need a few supplies: lip balm base, essential or flavor oil(s), pipettes, a microwave, a glass measuring cup, spoons, lip balm containers, shrink bands, paper towels. Or, just be ready to take some notes and see if this is a project you'd like to try out later on.

Would you like to lead a craft night project? Send your ideas to labs@etsy.com with "Craft Night idea" as the subject line.

Have you participated in Craft Night? Share your photos with the Etsy Labs Show and Tell Flickr group!

Want to learn more about the Labs? Check out our FAQs. Want to receive email updates? Join our Etsy Labs mailing list. Will we see you Monday? Let us know in the comments!

News from the Etsy Labs: 11/10 Craft Night

2008-11-05T12:02:00Z

Craft Night occurs every Monday from 4-8pm EST at 325 Gold Street, 3rd floor in Brooklyn, New York. Each week the Etsy Labs organize a skill-sharing project. We provide supplies, tools, and know-how. Participants are also welcome to bring their own projects to work on independently. Craft night is a time to make things, learn new skills, and hang out.

This week, on Monday, November 10, Wendy, a regular craft night superstar, will be teaching us how to transform junk mail into snazzy envelopes and mini matchbook-style notebooks. These techniques are great for making eco-friendly holiday cards and small gifts. This project is open to everyone, regardless of crafting experience. Please bring along your finest junk mail, including old envelopes with security lining and old greeting cards or postcards. All other supplies will be provided. We'll start demos on this week's project at 5pm (rather than 4pm). If you're an early-bird, you are welcome to participate in open crafting from 4-5pm.

If you are joining us virtually for Craft Night this week and would like to craft along with us, you'll need a few supplies:

old envelopes from credit card, utility, bank companies with security lining on the inside (make sure not to include private info!)
old greeting cards or post cards
scrap paper, envelopes or copy paper that's been printed to make pages for the notebook
paper scissors and craft scissors (the kind that cut interesting shapes)
stapler and staples
glue sticks
templates (circles or different shapes) to make designs to collage onto envelopes
trimmings, glitter, beads, sequins to add onto notebooks

Or, just be ready to take some notes and see if this is a project you'd like to try out later on.

Upcoming Craft Night Projects

11/17: Making Lip Balm

11/24: Open Craft Night

Would you like to lead a craft night project? Send your ideas to labs@etsy.com with "Craft Night idea" as the subject line. Have you participated in Craft Night? Share your photos with the Etsy Labs Show and Tell Flickr group! Want to learn more about the Labs? Check out our FAQs. If you'd like to receive email updates, join our Etsy Labs mailing list.

Will we see you this Monday? Let us know in the comments.

News from the Etsy Labs: 11/3 Craft Night

2008-10-29T15:00:00Z

Have plans on Monday night? Well, you do now! Dust off your crafty pants and come join us for our weekly Craft Night at the
Etsy Labs in Brooklyn. Each craft night is also broadcast live into in the Treehouse room of the Virtual Labs. All demos will be shown both in the Labs in Brooklyn and in the Treehouse online.

Craft Night occurs every Monday from 4-8pm EDT at 325 Gold Street, 3rd floor in Brooklyn, New York. Each week the Etsy Labs organize a skill-sharing project. We provide supplies, tools, snacks, and know-how. Participants are also welcome to bring their own projects to work on independently. Craft night is a time to make things, learn new skills, and hang out.

This week, on Monday, November 3, we'll be creating our own rubber stamps. This technique is great for printing your own notecards, art prints, fabric, and more. We will demonstrate how to carve linoleum and rubber stamp material. This project is open to people with all levels of printmaking experience. Please come with image ideas for your stamp. If you have a particular paper or fabric you'd like to print upon, please bring that along too. All other supplies will be provided.

If you are joining us virtually for Craft Night this week and would like to sew along with us, you'll need a few supplies:

pen/pencil
linoleum carving tools
newspaper (for under workspace)
blockprinting inks
surface for rolling inks (such as plexiglass)
brayer
wooden spoon or wooden doorknob for burnishing
paper of fabric to print upon
linoleum blocks or E-Z Cut or Mastercarve or a similar type of printing block

Or, just be ready to take some notes and see if this is a project you'd like to try out later on.

Upcoming Craft Night Projects:

11/10: Recycled Envelopes and Mini Notebooks with Wendy

11/17: Making Lip Balm

Would you like to lead a craft night project? Send your ideas to labs@etsy.com with "Craft Night idea" as the subject line. Have you participated in Craft Night? Share your photos with the Etsy Labs Show and Tell Flickr group!Want to learn more about the Labs? Check out our FAQs. If you'd like to receive email updates, join our Etsy Labs mailing list.

Will we see you this Monday? Let us know in the comments!

A Very Steampunk Halloween

2008-10-23T19:24:00Z

Steampunk style is hot this season. We've seen the Trend grow on Etsy, ever since we first noticed it. People gotta have their gears, brass, and leather, and Etsy artists, jewelers, designers are happy to oblige. (In fact, we just launched a Steampunk Gift Guide for all you fanatics!) If you dip into Alchemy, Etsy's site feature that enables buyers to request custom items, custom Steampunk Halloween costumes are all the rage. Indeed, Steampunks are a creative breed, yearning for a yesteryear overflowing with homespun engineers, tinkering up fantastical inventions.

Kathy Malone aka fofolle of the Brooklyn Indie Market will be hosting a Steampunk themed day on October 25th, 2008 here in Brooklyn, NY. She said the idea was sparked from seeing Steampunk items flourish on Etsy. The event, sponsored by Brooklyn Based and Bust, promises to be steamy (in that anachronistic way), with lots of handmade creativity. Fashion show, tarot card readings, music and cordials — sounds good to me!

Search for handmade "steampunk" items

See Storque posts by Kathy

Get Halloween costume ideas

Read all "Steampunk" Etsy blog posts

Give a shout-out in the comments if you love steampunk!

News from the Etsy Labs: 10/27 Craft Night

2008-10-22T14:25:00Z

Have plans on Monday night? Well, you do now! Dust off your crafty pants and come join us for our weekly Craft Night at the Etsy Labs in Brooklyn. Craft Night occurs every Monday from 4-8pm EDT at 325 Gold Street, 3rd floor in Brooklyn, New York. Craft night is a time to make things, learn new skills, and hang out.

This week, on Monday, October 27, we're hosting an open craft night! Instead of an organized project, this week we are throwing the doors of the Etsy Labs wide open and letting you work on any project that suits you. Bring along any project to work on during this week's craft night: that half-finished scarf you are knitting, paper you would like to bind into books, an embroidery-in-progress, a skirt you would like to alter, a jewelry project, a costume you'd like to stitch together, a pumpkin to carve for Halloween... The sky's the limit!

Note: We do have some pumpkin carving tools and templates on hand, since Halloween is just around the corner. So, if you'd like to carve a pumpkin, it is B.Y.O.P. (That is, Bring Your Own Pumpkin.)

Not in Brooklyn? At 7pm, we will be turning on the webcam for a Show and Tell for Sellers in the Lounge room of the Virtual Labs.Come share what projects you are working on! Everyone will get theirown time to talk about a project they are working on and get feedback.Come with links to pictures of your work in progress, or if you have awebcam, you can show us live! Craft night participants at the Etsy Labswill also have a chance to share their projects with the onlinecommunity.

Want to learn more about the Labs? Check out our FAQs. Want to receive email updates? Join our Etsy Labs mailing list.

Will we see you Monday? What will you be working on? Let us know in the comments!

News from the Etsy Labs: Sock Monkey Workshop!

2008-10-19T10:00:00Z

Join us for an afternoon of creating original sock monkeys for fresh art's sock monkey program. fresh art is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization dedicated to providing expanded artistic, personal development, and entrepreneurial opportunities to New York City artists with special needs. The sock monkeys we create this afternoon will be sold to raise funds to support fresh art's programs. All skill levels are welcome, though basic hand sewing skills are helpful.

When: Saturday, October 25, 2008; 10am-3pm
Where: 325 Gold St, 3rd floor, Brooklyn, NY 11201
Who: Ages 12 & up are welcome

Brought to you by fresh art, the {NewNew} York team, and Etsy Labs.

Please RSVP at rsvp@etsy.com for this free workshop.

Not in Brooklyn? Join us on Thursday, October 23 at 6:30pm EDT the Treehouse room of the Virtual Labs for a chat with AnnMarie Harris from fresh art. In this online workshop, we will discuss how to use crafts to fund your non-profit organization.

See more posts about crafting for good in our Craftivism section.

You might also enjoy this chipmunk project!

Featured Buyer: Carrie Blaydes of Borderline Mag

2008-10-15T14:03:00Z

This week’s Featured Buyer is Carrie Blaydes, a women’s clothing designer living in Brooklyn, New York. For the past year and a half, she has also been one side of the editorial duo behind the online street fashion magazine Borderline Mag, which she founded with her old friend Nick Whitehouse. Thanks to a longtime love of sewing, vintage clothing, and a closely related addiction to garment reconstruction, she recently co-authored Fashion DIY: 30 Ways to Craft Your Own Style from Sixth & Spring Books.

For me, fall has always been the ultimate bonanza of style inspiration. In a world where I already tune intently to the weather vane of my fashion sense regardless of the season, I readily admit that fall provides me the ultimate frisson of sartorial expectation. I spend countless hours with Nick selecting the best street fashion photos from around the world to post on Borderline Mag, and get extra excited about the crafty, vintage-loving style visionaries who submit editorial spreads swathed in fall's coziest layers. In my own little studio at home, I can't stop sketching, collecting, customizing and creating.

This fall I want to take a moody approach to dressing, with lots of beatnik references and nonchalant-but-oh-so-chic neutrals. I'm looking to Etsy for handmade and vintage pieces that I can't live without as I construct the perfect look for the season. Everything I want is here, from buttery soft leather and edgy accessories, to artful basics and the perfect sketchbook. Best of all, each piece feels like a true find thanks to the loving hands that thrifted or created it. I even found the inspiration image that gave me the essential color story and definitive vibe to pull it all together. I was so excited that I couldn't resist making a board that captured the bongo-drumming harmony of it all. And the beat goes on....

I find this Polaroid image by FuturoWoman, aptly called "Frozen Sunset," to be incredibly evocative of the shortening days and early evening chill of fall. The quietly inspiring color palette reminds me of an Egon Schiele painting.

Like a work of art unto itself, this cheekily mod white dress by neringaci could have graced an early Avedon photo. I'd stick with the black-and-white theme and pair it with matte black tights and soft black oxfords.

Though I love many of stacyleigh's beautifully handcrafted leather bags, this is my absolute favorite. The design is a perfect balance of structure and softness, deliciously rendered in my favorite dove grey color.

A flattering high waisted silhouette and cute inverted pleat keep the line of this OrangeNYC skirt nice and slender. As cute with a plain white tee as with a posh silk secretary blouse, this is the kind of fresh new basic I want to fill my closet with.

I always carry a blank book for notes, sketches and collected bits of visual inspiration. This recycled blank notebook by PigseyArt is larger than average and stylishly tongue-in-cheek thanks to a former life as a 'Psychological Testing' textbook.

The fashion forward shape of this charming french terry turban would be a step up from my usual beanie. I also love the cabled fingerless gloves and cashmere cowl in the aCommonThread store. They form a cozy little style triumvirate I'd love to nestle into.

The perfect shoes to wear with everything I want this fall, I'm simply in awe of these handmade black beauties by zerkahloostrah. They're custom fit to your feet, making them the height of old-word craftsmanship and below-the-radar luxury.

I love this LaMixx handmade white tee so much that I want two or three of them to wear between laundry days. The ideal boyfriend fit in a slightly more feminine cut, it begs to be layered under all my favorite cardigans this fall.

Designer shades fit and look so much better than cheapos, but cost way too much for something I'm probably going to leave on the subway. This oversized vintage pair from CherryPickVintage is the real deal (mmmm Dior!) without the crazy price tag.

I'm always drawn to layers of chain like this piece by wheatJENINE because they oxidize nicely the more you wear them. I especially like the way the two white bone feathers hang: balancing two focal points rather than centering a single one feels fresh and a little edgy.

Finding a hoodie with this much style (like this one by wearflock) is like discovering the perfect pair of dark denim jeans: a second skin that makes you feel cool and pulled together but completely comfortable at the same time. Basic+Chic=Genius.

This vintage mod masterpiece from retrogarb cuts an equally striking and gorgeous silhouette from any direction. I would pair it with long wooly gloves on extra chilly nights and keep the volume balanced with skinny pants or a pencil skirt down below.

Carrie's really got her finger on the pulse! For more fashion editorials, street shots and style insights, check out Borderline Mag. Looking to do more shopping? Check out our fall fashion ideas and Featured Buyer series.

News from the Etsy Labs: 10/20 Craft Night

2008-10-15T12:06:00Z

This week, on Monday, October 20, we'll be creating Halloween coasters with Kimm of The {NewNew} York team and kimmchi fame. She will show us how to create Halloween-inspired drink coasters out of felt and thread. These coasters are perfect for fall decorations and Halloween parties. We will demonstrate how to cut and stitch these spooky household accessories. This project is open to people with all levels of sewing experience. If you would like to add a cork backing to your coasters, feel free to bring some sheets of cork with you. (That's optional.) All other supplies will be provided.

If you are joining us virtually for Craft Night this week and would like to sew along with us, you'll need a few supplies:

- Sheets of felt (mainly black + contrasting colors)
- Scissors or craft/exacto knife
- Embroidery floss + needle
- Sheets of cork (optional)
- Templates for the coasters. Download coaster templates here.

Or, just be ready to take some notes and see if this is a project you'd like to try out later on.

Next Week's Craft Night Project:

10/27: Pumpkin carving with Christine!

Want to learn more about the Labs? Check out our FAQs. Want to receive email updates? Join our Etsy Labs mailing list.

Will we see you this Monday? Let us know in the comments!

News from the Etsy Labs: 10/13 Craft Night

2008-10-08T12:30:00Z

This week, on Monday, October 13, we'll be performing a little eco-alchemy with seamstress extraordinaire Alexia of sakidesigns. She will show us how to transform old t-shirts into new totebags. These upcycled totebags are perfect for carrying your groceries, library books, and Halloween candy! We will demonstrate how to cut, hand-stitch and machine-stitch, and embellish these bags. This project is open to people with all levels of sewing experience.

If you have 2 old t-shirts of the same size that you would like to use to create your project this week, feel free to bring those along. Otherwise, we have everything you will need, including a big ol' box of t-shirts, thread, needles, and sewing machines.

If you are joining us virtually for Craft Night this week and would like to sew along with us, you'll need a few supplies: two knit t-shirts in the same size, hand sewing needle or sewing machine, thread for hand sewing (preferably embroidery thread) or for machine sewing (any thread is fine), a sharpie to trace the pattern and that's it! Or, just be ready to take some notes and see if this is a project you'd like to try out later on.

If you are joining us virtually for craft night this week, please be sure to download the totebag pattern PDF: download pattern piece 1 and download pattern piece 2.

Here is a sneak peek at a few upcoming craft nights:

10/20: Make Halloween-inspired coasters with kimmchi.

10/27: Carve pumpkins with Christine

(Photo by NicoAndMooMoo)

Want to learn more about the Labs? Check out our FAQs. Want to receive email updates? Join our Etsy Labs mailing list.

Will we see you this Monday? Let us know in the comments!

Process: Ziptie Rings by Metalnat

2008-10-03T12:00:00Z

The studio of Natalia Gomensoro, aka Metalnat, walks the line of serene organization and cluttered potential. Natalia grew up in Uruguay and comes to jewelry with a background in design and architecture. She got started making jewelry in 1994 and studied with Latin American jewelers before moving to Brooklyn. In this edition of Process, we get a chance to see Natalia resize one of her rings cast from a zip tie.

Natalia's work has an industrial feel to it. She uses materials that you wouldn't expect in jewelry like cement, rubber O-rings, and magnets.

Process is a new Etsy video series that features the intimate relationship formed between Etsy sellers and the handmade items that they create and make available to the world through their online shops. Process is not to be confused with a How-To video, as each video is intended to show each seller's unique artistic voice through the process by which their items come to be.

Did you know you can get videos downloaded automatically by subscribing in iTunes! You can also check us out on Youtube, blip.tv and get the MP4 video too.

In the comments, let us know if there's an artist's process you'd like to see in a video!

News from the Etsy Labs: 10/6 Craft Night

2008-10-01T14:44:00Z

Fall is in the air! This week, on Monday, October 6, we'll be making pumpkin pincushions. We will demonstrate how to hand sew and embellish these lovely little creations. These pincushions make wonderful gifts and decorations for the fall. This project is open to people with all levels of sewing experience.

If you have any fabrics that you would like to use to create your project this week, feel free to bring that along. Otherwise, we will have all the fabric, thread, and tools you'll need.

If you are joining us virtually for Craft Night this week and would like to applique along with us, you'll need a few supplies: a circular template, fabric, felt, fabric scissors, a needle, quilting thread, embroidery floss, stuffing, a pencil or tailor's chalk. Or, just be ready to take some notes and see if this is a project you'd like to try out later on.

Here is a sneak peek at our upcoming craft nights:

10/13: Learn how to turn a t-shirt into a totebag with sakidesign.

10/20: Make Halloween-inspired coasters with kimmchi.

10/27: Carve pumpkins with Christine.

Want to learn more about the Labs? Check out our FAQs. Want to receive email updates? Join our Etsy Labs mailing list.

Will we see you this Monday? Let us know in the comments!

News from the Etsy Labs: 9/29 Craft Night

2008-09-24T13:00:00Z

Have plans on Monday night? Well, you do now! Dust off your crafty pants and come join us for our weekly Craft Night at the Etsy Labs in Brooklyn. Craft Night occurs every Monday from 4-8pm EDT at 325 Gold Street, 3rd floor in Brooklyn, New York. Craft night is a time to make things, learn new skills, and hang out.

This week, on Monday, September 29, we're hosting an open craft night! Instead of an organized project, this week we are throwing the doors of the Etsy Labs wide open and letting you work on any project that suits you. Bring along any project to work on during this week's craft night: that half-finished scarf you are knitting, paper you would like to bind into books, an embroidery-in-progress, a skirt you would like to alter, a jewelry project, that spandex jumpsuit you've been meaning to bedazzle... The sky's the limit!

Want to learn more about the Labs? Check out our FAQs. Want to receive email updates? Join our Etsy Labs mailing list.

Will we see you Monday? Let us know in the comments!

News from the Etsy Labs: 9/22 Craft Night

2008-09-17T15:59:00Z

Craft Night occurs every Monday from 4-8pm EDT at 325 Gold Street, 3rd floor in Brooklyn, New York. Each week the Etsy Labs organize a skill-sharing project. We provide supplies, tools, snacks, and know-how. Participants are also welcome to bring their own project to work on independently. Craft night is a time to make things, learn new skills, and hang out.

This week, on Monday, September 22, we're doing applique! Applique is a surface design technique in which pieces of fabric are sewn or fused together to create images and designs. This technique is great for embellishing clothing, tote bags, banners, quilts, wall-hangings, and any other fabric-based projects. We will demonstrate how to fuse fabric together and sew fabric images. This project is open to people with all levels of sewing experience. If you have no sewing experience at all, this is a great opportunity to get familiar with using a sewing machine. If you do have sewing skills up your sleeve, join us for a lovely evening of stitching, and maybe you'll get to help a newbie discover the charm of sewing!

Please bring an item to applique upon, such as an article of clothing, totebag, or pillowcase. We will have spare fabric available if you would rather just practice or sew your own item to applique onto.

If you are joining us virtually for Craft Night this week and would like to applique along with us, you'll need a few supplies: fabric, fabric scissors, fusible web (such as Wonder Under or Heat & Bond), an iron, a sewing machine (or needle and thread, if you don't have access to one), and any embellishments you would like to use (such as fringe, ribbons, buttons, lace, sequins, bedazzling supplies, etc)., Or, just be ready to take some notes and see if this is a project you'd like to try out later on.

Would you like to lead a craft night project? Send your ideas to labs@etsy.com with "Craft Night idea" as the subject line.

Have you participated in Craft Night? Share your photos with the Etsy Labs Show and Tell Flickr group!

Want to learn more about the Labs? Check out our FAQs. Want to receive email updates? Join our Etsy Labs mailing list.

Will we see you Monday? Let us know in the comments!

News from the Etsy Labs: 9/15 Craft Night

2008-09-10T15:17:00Z

This week, on Monday, September 15, we will be making lip balm! (We had so much fun at our June lip balm craft night, that we decided to do it again!) The lip balm we use for demos will be given away at our booth at upcoming craft fairs to help spread the Etsy word. All participants will take home their own completed lip balm tubes, as well as the knowledge to make lip balm independently. We will demonstrate the melt-and-pour technique of lip balm making that is perfect for creating fun promotional items for your own Etsy shop, as well as gifts for friends. We'll also cover tips on labeling, sealing, and packaging your lip balm containers.

Would you like to lead a craft night project? Send your ideas to labs@etsy.com with "Craft Night idea" as the subject line.

Have you participated in Craft Night? Share your photos with the Etsy Labs Show and Tell Flickr group!

Want to learn more about the Labs? Check out our FAQs. Want to receive email updates? Join our Etsy Labs mailing list. Will we see you Monday? Let us know in the comments!

Handmade Portraits: 1AEON

2008-09-04T14:49:00Z

MP4 | Youtube | Blip.tv | Subscribe in iTunes

[Music by The Assemble Head in Sunburst Sound, Jukeboxer, The Fucking Champs & The Mystick Krewe of Clearlight]

This article was originally published on May 13, 2008. We are reviving it as part of the Best of the Storque series. Enjoy!

Gabe Molnar of 1AEON says his designs often come from his dreams. The fantastical imagery includes lions, dragons, skulls and owls ("since before all the owl hype," as Gabe says). Working non-stop in his small kitchen in Brooklyn, this Hungarian-born artist is driven to be the best at whatever he does and to push the boundaries (maybe this comes in part from growing up under Communism?). But his passion and ambition hasn't made Gabe lose sight of his humble beginnings. We were very inspired to meet the maker behind 1AEON and hear his story.

Watch our other Handmade Video Portraits and make sure to subscribe to our YouTube Channel and Subscribe in iTunes.

If you're interested in all things Hungarian, check out this post on traditional and contemporary Hungarian crafts.

News from the Etsy Labs: 9/8 Craft Night

2008-09-03T14:54:00Z

Have plans on Monday night? Well, you do now! Dust off your crafty pants and come join us for our weekly Craft Night at the Etsy Labs in Brooklyn. Each craft night is also broadcast live in the Treehouse room of the Virtual Labs. All demos will be shown both in the Labs in Brooklyn and in the Treehouse online.

For our Monday, September 8 Craft Night, we will be making instant books! This instant satisfaction method of making simple books is a fun way to make your own books and zines out of a humble sheet of paper or scrap of fabric. Make a zine, write a letter, compose a short story, create a one-week dayplanner. Please bring any papers and collage materials that you would like to transform into a book. If you have a bone folder, bring that along too. All other tools and supplies will be provided by the Etsy Labs.

Are you joining us virtually for Craft Night this week? If so, and you would like to craft along with us, you'll need a few supplies:

bone folder (if you have one)
paper
scissors
any additional paper, ephemera, collage material and pens you'd like to use to embellish your book

Craft Night occurs every Monday from 4-8pm at 325 Gold Street, 3rd floor in Brooklyn, New York. Each week the Etsy Labs organize a skill-sharing project. We provide supplies, tools, space and know-how. Participants are also welcome to bring their own projects to work on independently. Craft Night is a time to make things, learn new skills and hang out.

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Have you participated in Craft Night? Share your photos with the Etsy Labs Show and Tell Flickr group!

Would you like to lead Craft Night or do you have an idea for a Craft Night project? Send your ideas to labs@etsy.com with "Craft Night idea" as the subject line.

Keep an eye on the Storque Events calendar for future updates from the Etsy Labs.

Want to learn more about the Labs? Check out our FAQs. Want to receive email updates? Join our Etsy Labs mailing list.

Will we see you on Monday? Let us know in the comments below!

Etsy in Action: Upcoming Events August 29 — September 5, 2008

2008-08-28T14:55:00Z

Enjoy the summer and its many leisurely outdoor activities while they last—just a few days remaining! Let us know what's happening in your area by sharing in the comments below.

Seattle, WA: August 30 — September 1, 2008

Explore the finest selection of regional indie crafts, imported treasures from around the world, and other interactive surprises at Bumbershoot's Indie Market! Etsy Admin missbatch and objecked will be joined by a few Etsy sellers. (For a sneak peak check out the related items below!) You will find us at the International Fountain, hope to see you there!

This just in: Naughty Secretary Club Book Release Party

Austin, TX: August 30

Join in the fun at Craft-o-Rama, Austin from 3-6pm. There'll be make-and-take projects, Craft Magazine subscription sign-ups, door prizes, snacks, and... of course the Naughty Secretary herself, Jennifer Perkins and her brand new book, Naughty Secretary Club: Working Girls Guide to Handmade Jewelry!

Call for Artists!

Brooklyn, NY

Brooklyn Indie Market is looking for Steam Punkers to contribute to their fashion show and Steam Punk themed day! For more info contact Kathy Malone.

That's all for this week! Are you doing something crafty this weekend? Let us know in the comments below!

News from the Etsy Labs: 9/1 Craft Night is Cancelled

2008-08-27T12:06:00Z

NEWSFLASH: Craft Night is canceled this Monday, September 1st, 2008 for the Labor Day holiday. Join us the following Monday, September 8th for another night of crafting festivities!

So what exactly is Craft Night, you ask? Craft Night is a free event held at the Etsy Labs every Monday (except September 1) from 4-8pm at 325 Gold Street, 3rd floor in Brooklyn, New York. Each week the Etsy Labs organize a skill-sharing project. We provide supplies, tools, and know-how. Participants are also welcome to bring their own project to work on independently. Craft night is a time to make things, learn new skills, and hang out. Each craft night is also broadcast live into in the Treehouse room of the Virtual Labs.

Would you like to lead a craft night project? Send your ideas to labs@etsy.com with "Craft Night idea" as the subject line. Have you participated in Craft Night? Share your photos with the Etsy Labs Show and Tell Flickr group! Want to learn more about the Labs? Check out our FAQs. Want to receive email updates? Join our Etsy Labs mailing list.

See you next time!

See the gallery below for upcoming classes at the Etsy Labs.

News from the Etsy Labs: 8/25 Craft Night

2008-08-21T15:00:00Z

Have plans on Monday night? Well, you do now! Dust off your crafty pants and come join us for our weekly Craft Night at the Etsy Labs in Brooklyn. Each craft night is also broadcast live in the Treehouse room of the Virtual Labs. All demos will be shown both in the Labs in Brooklyn and in the Treehouse online.

For our Monday, August 25 craft night, we will be demonstrating glass etching. Etching is a fun way to embellish glass and mirrors. Please bring a smooth glass cup or tumbler or a mirror to etch. If you have a pair of safety goggles on hand, bring those along too. All other tools and supplies will be provided by the Etsy Labs.

Craft Night occurs every Monday from 4-8pm at 325 Gold Street, 3rd floor in Brooklyn, New York. Each week the Etsy Labs organize a skill-sharing project. We provide supplies, tools, space, and know-how. Participants are also welcome to bring their own projects to work on independently. Craft night is a time to make things, learn new skills, and hang out.

Are you joining us virtually for Craft Night this week? If so, and you would like to craft along with us, you'll need a couple supplies:

glass or mirror to etch
contact paper
Armor glass etch cream
foam brush
baking soda
simple design to etch
alternative etching resists: fabric paint, stickers, packaging tape

Will we see you on Monday? Let us know in the comments below!

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Have you participated in Craft Night? Share your photos with the Etsy Labs Show and Tell Flickr group!

Would you like to lead craft night or do you have an idea for a craft night project? Send your ideas to labs@etsy.com with "Craft Night idea" as the subject line.

Keep an eye on the Storque Events calendar for future updates from the Etsy Labs.

Want to learn more about the Labs? Check out our FAQs. Want to receive email updates? Join our Etsy Labs mailing list.

News from the Etsy Labs: 8/18 Craft Night

2008-08-13T14:59:00Z

Have plans on Monday night? Well, you do now! Dust off your crafty pants and come join us for our weekly Craft Night at the Etsy Labs in Brooklyn. Each craft night is also broadcast live in the Treehouse room of the Virtual Labs. All demos will be shown both in the Labs in Brooklyn and in the Treehouse online.

For our Monday, August 18 craft night, we will be demonstrating how to make paper boxes. These boxes are wonderful to use as gift boxes, storing your favorite trinkets, using in displays at craft fairs....The list goes on! Creating these paper boxes is a great way to breathe new life into old papers, such as discarded magazines, junk mail, and any other paper scraps you may have around. You may wish to bring some paper if you have any on hand that you'd like to put to good use and a bone folder (if you have one). Bringing these supplies is totally optional, as all tools and supplies will be provided by the Labs.

Are you joining us virtually for Craft Night this week? If so, and you would like to craft along with us, you'll need a couple supplies:

paper (any paper will do, including fancy paper, junk paper, old magazine or book pages, etc)
scissors

Craft Night Study Tip: If you'd like to be ahead of the game for Craft Night, check out this video by marymary all about this box-making technique. We'll be on hand in the Virtual Labs to answer questions during the live broadcast of craft night.

See you Monday!

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Have you participated in Craft Night? Share your photos with the Etsy Labs Show and Tell Flickr group!

Would you like to lead craft night or do you have an idea for a craft night project? Send your ideas to labs@etsy.com with "Craft Night idea" as the subject line.

Keep an eye on the Storque Events calendar for future updates from the Etsy Labs.

Want to learn more about the Labs? Check out our FAQs. Want to receive email updates? Join our Etsy Labs mailing list.

Etsy in Action: Upcoming Events August 7-14

2008-08-07T11:55:00Z

Summer is in full swing. Why not get out and see what your fellow art and craft lovers are up to? Here are a few of our picks. Let us know what's happening in your area by sharing in the comments below.

Chicago, IL: August 7

Faythe Levine is a filmmaker, author, independent curator and creative director who is currently documenting the rise of DIY and the new wave of art, craft and design in the United States in her film, Handmade Nation. The heart of this new wave of creativity is the community, which is equally influenced by traditional handiwork, modern aesthetics, politics, feminism and art. More information here.

Stop by the Jane Addams Hull-House Museum to see a 20 minute sneak preview from a work-in-progress from the feature film to be released in 2009. After the screening we will hear from Faythe about her thoughts on craft, community, and the nature of DIY. Crafters, artists, filmmakers, labor artists and the general public are all encouraged to attend!

Brooklyn, NY: August 11

Come visit the Etsy Labs for a very special edition of Craft Night. The Etsy Labs and Sweet Tooth of the Tiger join forces to create a recipe slam! We'll be sharing recipes with one another and binding them into little cookbook zines. Come early for a reception from 5-6pm replete with sweet treats. The serious crafting will run from 6-8pm. Learn all about the event here.

San Francisco, CA: August 15

Join the American Craft Council for a lively conversation on the topic of The Politics of Craft and Design. The conversation will delve into how craft and design manifest at the cultural cutting-edge and how makers respond to issues of urgency in the current political climate.

Featuring :

Tina Barseghian, Editor in Chief, Craft Magazine

Garry Knox Bennett, Artist, American Craft Council Fellow

Rob Forbes, Director, Studio Forbes

Robin Petravic, Co-owner, Heath Ceramics

Edie Kahula Pereira, Artecnica

Stephanie Syjuco, Artist

Moderated by Andrew Wagner, Editor in Chief, American Craft

When: Friday, August 15, 2008 from 6-8 p.m.
Where: The Golden Gate Room, Fort Mason Center
Admission: $12 (cash only), includes entrance to the American Craft Show on Saturday or Sunday.
Free with Friday show admission and for American Craft Council members

RSVP by August 11, 2008 to ahenry@craftcouncil.org or call 212-274-0630 ext. 274.

While at Fort Mason, visit the American Craft Show, where over 250 craft artists will be presenting their latest jewelry, furniture, clothing, home décor and more. Enjoy fine wine tastings, new artists, a featured green component, live demonstrations and walking tours. Friday and Saturday, August 15-16 (10 am-6 pm); Sunday, August 17 (10 am-5pm).

Call for Volunteers: The American Craft Council is also looking for volunteers to help run the event. They need assistance with everything from light set-up to registration at the door to light clean-up. In exchange, you'll receive eternal graditude and free admission to the program. If you're interested in volunteering, please contact email MHampton@CraftCouncil.org.

San Francisco: Call of Vendors

Bazaar Bizarre SF and the curator of Plush You are teaming up to bring you the indie collaboration known as You Bazaar! This event, held on November 2nd, 2008, will feature 30 select craft vendors selling quality handmade wares and a series of rotating workshops throughout the day with some of your favorite plush designers.

The deadline for applying is August 15. This is a first come first served show. Applications will be approved as they come in and will be juried by the organizers, so apply here asap.

Made it out to any events we've listed in this column? Upload your "Etsy in Action" photos to Flickr here.