Search results (tags) for: "change"

October 24 is International Day of Climate Action!

2009-10-23T10:20:00-04:00

If you haven't heard already, tomorrow, October 24, 2009, people all over the world are coming together in places as simple as your local park and diverse as the Taj Mahal and the Great Barrier Reef to send a big, loud, important message to world leaders: "Solutions to climate change must be equitable, they must be grounded in science, and they must meet the scale of the crisis."

In December, world leaders will meet in Copenhagen, Denmark to craft a new global treaty on reducing emissions and stemming global warming. People around the world are encouraging their leaders to consider the 350 parts per million test when making this legislation.

Check out this video animation that explains the concept without words. Or you can read (in at least a dozen languages) more at www.350.org to learn why "350" is such an important number.

So hop on your bike, take public transportation, run or walk to an event and show your support for keeping our planet green. It's not too late to make a difference...yet!

More Craftivism Posts | Earth Tones Blog Series | Environmentally Friendly Gift Guide

How-Tuesday: Smocked Sundress from Weekend Sewing

2009-08-11T16:06:00-04:00

I particularly love craft passed down through generations; every time I use my grandmother's heavy green metal sewing machine, I imagine channeling the DIY genes through my fingertips. Heather Ross's vibrant book, Weekend Sewing, not only inspires blissful projects like hostess aprons, garden gloves, and baby bloomers, but it also focuses on taking time out of the daily grind to relish the simple joys of sewing. For this week's How-Tuesday project, we're sharing Heather's Smocked Sundress along with some useful tips for sewing with children. You can download the PDF here or follow along below, courtesy of STC Craft/A Melanie Falick Book.

Purchase Weekend Sewing

As a child, I lived with my mom and twin sister in a one-room schoolhouse in the mountains of Northern Vermont. My daily routine was guided by the light and the seasons because — aside from school — there really was nowhere else to be. Our property was bordered by a rushing river that tumbled into a tall waterfall and ended in a deep and perfect swimming hole. Whenever we could, my sister and I would swim and explore the woods and orchards around our house, but when the long, dark winters drove us inside, we would spend countless hours executing elaborate craft projects.

These days, I live in New York City, a place that is ruled by the clock. My life as an artist and designer of fabric and clothing requires me to be accessible, punctual, and dressed appropriately (which means shoes, even in the summertime!). From Monday morning through Friday afternoon, my life is generally about deadlines and timelines and bottom lines. Often, it is only during weekends and holidays — and those few work days when I sneak away and play hooky — that I can take time out to sew for pure pleasure. I think of this as "weekend sewing." Logical as it may seem, for me weekend sewing is not limited to Saturday and Sunday. Rather, I consider it to be any time I am able to immerse so fully in the joy of sewing that I lose track of time and even myself, just like I did as a child. It is my hope that with Weekend Sewing, this book, I will inspire you to steal some time from your busy life for this simple joy — whether sewing for you is a newfound passion or a lifelong friend.

Sewing with Children

In my home studio, I keep a small basket filled with wool scraps, buttons, and various trims. If young guests express an interest in sewing, I help them make a small stuffed toy to take home.

Children aged 5 and up can learn the basics of sewing using simplified tools: try threading embroidery thread through the large eye of a plastic children's sewing needle (these are not too sharp and are easy for small hands to grasp), and practice making simple stitches together on scraps cut from an old sweater. When a child has mastered a basic running stitch and expresses a desire to sew seams more quickly than can be managed by hand, they are ready to be introduced to a sewing machine.

In recent years, a good number of children's sewing machines have become available. Try www.hearthsong.com for wonderful new sewing machines (not toys; these are real machines!) and projects designed for kids. Many people collect vintage children's sewing machines, which are beautiful and fun to use. Some of these vintage machines are operated by hand crank, which can be a bit tedious but gives good control over speed. It can be fun to work together on a hand-crank machine, with one person cranking the wheel while the other guides the fabric.

My students at Purl Patchwork in New York City love this dress, in part, I'm sure, because it only takes an hour or so to make. (I actually whipped one up on the morning of my wedding for my cousin's daughter to wear as my flower girl.) The real beauty of this dress is its shape and fit. It's a great summer standby — casual made in quilting cotton and a little dressier made in linen or printed chiffon. It will fit for more summers than most cotton dresses, due to its stretchy nature and the fact that, in a pinch, it can work as a skirt. You can also extend its life by making it with shoulder straps that tie and can be easily adjusted or by leaving off the straps on the back of this dress, then tying the front straps, halter-style, around the wearer's neck.

Finished Dimensions
Fits 12 months-size 4 (instructions are given for 12-month size, with measurements for size 4 included in parentheses)

Materials
3/4 yard of 45"-wide quilting cotton or lightweight woven fabric, pre-washed (fabric should be lightweight enough to yield to elastic thread)
All-purpose thread to match fabric
Elastic thread wound around an extra bobbin
Water-soluble fabric-marking pen
Transparent quilter's ruler or straightedge
Measuring tape
2 yards of spaghetti strap, bias tape (sewn closed), or ribbon for ties, cut into four equal lengths

Sewing Instructions

1. Press Fabric's Top Edge
With the fabric wrong side up, turn and press the top raw edge 1/4" to the wrong side, and then turn and press this edge again 1/4" to the wrong side. Do not sew this folded edge yet; the pressed lines will be important guides later on. Unfold this edge, and lay the fabric flat.

2. Mark Smocking Lines
With the fabric right side up, use the water-soluble pen and the quilter's ruler or straightedge to draw six (eight) straight lines, each 1/2" apart, across the fabric's width, beginning 1" below the fabric's top edge.

3. Sew Smocking
With elastic thread in your bobbin and the fabric right side up, sew along your marked lines to create six (eight) rows of elasticized smocking. Backstitch or lockstitch at the beginning and end of each row to secure the stitching, and cut the thread before starting each new row. Now you have a panel with elastic smocking across the top.

4. Measure and Trim Smocked Panel
Using a spray bottle filled with water, generously dampen your "smocked" stitches. With a very hot iron set on steam and cotton, press the smocked area flat. You'll notice that the elastic "shrinks up" nicely and that your water-soluble pen marks disappear.

Using a measuring tape, take the chest measurement of the child you're sewing for, and with a water-soluble marker, mark the line from top of dress to hem. Before cutting the panel, secure the elastic threads by stitching across them at your chest measurement with a short, closely spaced straight stitch. Then trim off the marked, excess portion of your panel.

5. Sew and Turn Smocked Panel
Fold the smocked panel with the fabric's right sides together, align the cut edges, and sew these edges together with a medium-width and -length zigzag stitch.

Turn panel right side out, press seam flat (with the seam allowances pressed to one side), and topstitch the seam allowances in place by stitching 1/4" from the seam. This seam now marks the center back of your dress.

6. Mark Strap Positions
Without stretching the smocking, measure 2" from the center-back seam in each direction, and mark these two points with your water-soluble pen. Then measure 6" from each marked point toward the center front of the dress, and mark two more points. These points mark where you'll attach the sundress's four straps.

Turn under the dress's top edge along the pressed creases, tucking the end of one strap underneath the folded edge at each marked point. Fold each strap up, as shown, and press the strap in place before edge-stitching the entire folded edge and the straps in place. Knot the other end of the straps to finish them.

7. Hem Dress
Determine the dress's hem length by measuring the wearer from her underarm to just below her knee, and add 1" to this measurement for the hem itself. Measure and trim the dress to this length. Turn and press the dress's bottom raw edge 1/4" to the wrong side, and then turn and press this edge again, this time 3/4" to the wrong side. Finally edge-stitch the double-fold to finish your hem, backstitching at the beginning and end of your stitching.

Think this dress would be just as cute for Mom? Find the adult version of this pattern on Heather's blog! Thanks to Heather Ross and the good folks at Stewart Tabori & Chang for sharing this project with us.

More How-Tuesday Posts | Supplies Category | DIY Made Simple Gift Guide

10 Everyday Tips to Change the World

2009-08-05T10:30:00-04:00

Going green can often feel overwhelming. For every eco-friendly decision I make, I can't help but think of the thousands of other ways in which our society is having a negative impact on the planet. We Are What We Do's book, Change the World for Ten Bucks, is a refreshing reminder that small efforts can incite significant change, when applied globally and consistently. Focusing on what I do each day to help the environment, rather than feeling guilty for my shortcomings, is just the sort of encouragement I need for an enduring green lifestyle. I've chosen ten tips from Change the World for Ten Bucks to share with you along with items right here on Etsy to make this mission that much more feasible.

We Are What We Do is a global social change movement. We believe it is not just politicians, institutions, and big business that change the world — it is also ordinary people like you and me. Our aim is to bring people together and demonstrate how, using simple, everyday actions, we can create a global movement of doing and changing; doing small actions and changing big problems.

We started back in 2003 with a simple question, "What would you ask one million people to do to change the world?" We received thousands of suggestions from all around the world and the result was this book, first published in the UK in 2004 and now published in countries all around the world.

But this is just the tip of the iceberg. You can find out more about us at our website and in this video.

Purchase Change the World for Ten Bucks

1. Decline Plastic Bags Whenever Possible
Every person in the country uses an average of 330 plastic bags each year. That's 100 billion plastic bags all together. A plastic bag can take up to 500 years to decay in the landfill. There is an alternative. It's called a shopping bag; it's reusable, and apparently in France, it's very chic.

Imperial Trellis Tote Bag

By decorativeinstincts, $80.

View Item | View Shop

Cloth Market Bag Reusable Shopping Bag

By RosyUndPosy, $25.

View Item | View Shop

2. Plant Something
Flowers, vegetables, herbs, house plants, bamboo, ferns, trees — we don't mind what it is, just get planting. You'll turn carbon dioxide into oxygen, calm your mind, relax your body, and potentially have something delicious to eat. Even being short on space is an opportunity to get creative and connect with your inner child by planting bean sprouts in an egg shell.

Aqua watering can with dots.

By vesselsandwares, $86.

View Item | View Shop

Face Flower Pot

By amyhuntpottery, $46.

View Item | View Shop

3. Shop Locally
(Editor's note: Have you tried Etsy's Shop Local tool? You may be surprised just how many Etsy sellers are in your area! Meetalls is from Argentina and MayBeMe is from South Africa. Etsy can be an invaluable way to find local artisans.)

Copper Half Moon

By Meetalls, $26.

View Item | View Shop

Stingko Trubbleton the Couchie

By MayBeMe, $25.

View Item | View Shop

4. Give Your Change to Charity
If we all put our spare change into charity donation tins, the world would be a lot better off. So, the next time you buy something and get change back, look around for the donation tin. After all, one cent per person per week adds up to $156 million per year.

Vintage Tin World Globe Bank

From RobertaGrove, $22.

View Item | View Shop

Ceramic Owl Bank

By fruitflypie, $32.

View Item | View Shop

5. Try Watching Less TV
Rearrange your pictures. Make a cocktail. File. Write a song. Apply makeup. Swim in a pond. Wear gold. Revert to childhood. Stay up all night. Change your hair color. Turn left instead of right. Streak. Massage someone. Dust. Shave something off.

human skulls book

By grimm, $34.

View Item | View Shop

avenue - pack of 4 screenprinted fabrics

By summersville, $25.50.

View Item | View Shop

6. Turn Off Unnecessary Lights

Recycle-Me Soy Candle

By nettiescrub, $14.

View Item | View Shop

The Mystery teacup Soy Wax candle

By TwilightSpells, $21.

View Item | View Shop

7. Have More Meals Together
Research has shown that children who have meals with their parents are much less likely to suffer from anxiety or stress disorders. So why not try chatting to each other?

Mist Morning, large casserole baking dish

By GREENware, $44.

View Item | View Shop

Striped Wool Felt Table Runner GB

By InboundThread, $48.

View Item | View Shop

8. Use a Mug Not a Disposable Cup
Every year Americans throw away an estimated 25 billion Styrofoam cups, which is enough to circle Earth about 400 times. Additionally, 410,000 paper cups are used every 15 minutes in the United States for hot beverages. But why not just put your coffee into a mug, not a Styrofoam or paper cup? It'll taste better, and you'll be doing your part for the planet.

Animated mug set

By maryeverett, $40.

View Item | View Shop

Cloud Cup

By scottjennings, $30.

View Item | View Shop

9. Buy Fair-Trade Products
Fair-trade products guarantee to give the people who grow them a fair share of the profits. You'll see all sorts of fair-trade products in the stores these days — from bananas to coffee.

Fair Trade Tree of Life Pendant

By ethora, $150.

View Item | View Shop

S'mores Marshmallows

By haveitconfections, $9.

View Item | View Shop

10. Write to Someone Who Inspired You

Ink Acrylic Notecard Blank Inside

By leahfelicity, $10.

View Item | View Shop

After Craft Seed Cards (4)

By GreenPost, $4.

View Item | View Shop

Inspired to learn more ways you can change the world? Chronicle Books is offering a special discount to Etsy readers! Just use the code "ETSY" at checkout on their site, and you save 20% off the price as well as free shipping.

More Craftivism Posts | Environmentally Friendly Gift Guide | Earth Tones Series

How-Tuesday: Make a Stella Pixie Hat

2009-06-09T14:33:00-04:00

Are you a knitter with a baby in your life? Need a sweet little project to keep your hands busy during the summer months? Or if you're one of our Southern Hemisphere friends, you're in luck! Download the complete project instructions here, or follow along below, courtesy of Vintage Baby Knits by Kristen Rengren.

In the 1940s and 1950s pointy "pixie" hats were all the rage for babies. For this 1944 version, a knitted rectangle is folded in half and grafted together, then a strap is added along the bottom to secure the hat firmly on baby's head. I selected a soft, springy wool sock yarn for this project. I often choose sock yarn for baby clothes because it is durable, washable, and soft, and because it knits up in the finer gauges that are so common in vintage patterns.

Sizes
3-12 (12-24) months
Shown in size 3-12 months.

Finished Measurements
Approximately 13 (13 3/4)" [33 (35) cm] as base of neck, buttoned
8 3/4 (9 1/2)" [22 (24) cm] to highest point, at back of Hat
Note: Choose the appropriate size based on the height of the hat. You can adjust the fit of the neckband if necessary.

Yarn
Blue Moon Fiber Arts Socks that Rock
Medium weight (100% superwash Merino wool; 380 yards [347 meters] / 155 grams): 1 hank Coral

Needles
One pair straight needles size US 3 (3.25 mm)
Spare needle size US 3 (3.25 mm) or smaller, for Kitchener Stitch
Change needle size if necessary to obtain correct gauge.

Notions
One 11/16" (15 mm) buttons

Gauge
36 sts and 36 rows= 4" (10 cm) in 2x2 Rib

Notes
This hat is very easy to size up or down from the sizes given. Simply add or subtract sts in a multiple of 4 and work the crosswise ridges as instructed until you have only 2 sts in ribbing at the center of the Hat. Then complete the Hat as instructed. When sizing, keep in mind that for every 4 sts you add or subtract, you will also add or subtract 1/3" (8 mm) to the height of the Hat, in order to complete the crosswise ridges.

Stitch Patterns
2x2 Rib (multiple of 4 sts + 2; 1-row repeat)
Row 1 (RS): K2, *p2, k2; repeat from * to end.
Row 2: Knit the knit sts and purl the purl sts as they face you.
Repeat Row 2 for 2x2 Rib.

1x1 Rib (multiple of 2 sts; 1-row repeat)
All rows: *K1, p1; repeat from * to end.

Hat
CO 98 (106) sts. Begin 2x2 Rib.
Work even for 4 rows.

Shape Hat
Row 1 (RS): K6, work in 2x2 Rib to last 6 sts, knit to end.
Row 2: Knit the knot sts and purl the purl sts as they face you.
Row 3: Repeat Row 1.
Row 4: K8, work to last 8 sts, knit to end.
Row 5: Repeat Row 2.
Row 6: Repeat Row 4.
Row 7: K10, work to last 10 sts, knit to end.
Row 8: Repeat Row 2.
Row 9: Repeat Row 7.
Row 10: K12, work to last 12 sts, knit to end.
Row 11: Repeat Row 2.
Row 12: Repeat Row 10.
Row 13: K14, work to last 14 sts, knit to end.
Row 14: Repeat Row 2.
Row 15: Repeat Row 13.
Row 16: K16, work to last 16 sts, knit to end.
Row 17: Repeat Row 2.
Row 18: Repeat Row 16.

Note: You are creating "crosswise ridges" of three rows of St st, alternating with 3 rows of Reverse St st, at the beginning and end of every row, with the 2x2 Rib continuing in the center.

Rows 19-64 (70): Continue until 2 sts remain in the 2x2 Rib in the center of the hat, increasing the number of knit sts worked at the beginning and end of every third row by 2, decreasing the number of 2x2 Rib sts worked in the center of the hat by 2 on each side, and working all intervening rows by knitting the knit sts and purling the purl sts. Break yarn.

Transfer first 49 (53) sts to spare needle, with point facing towards center of work. Using Kitchener Stitch (see Special Techniques, page 158), graft sts together, beginning at center of work.

Neckband
CO 10sts. Begin 1x1 Rib. Work even until piece measures 12 (12 3/4)" [30.5 (32.5) cm] from the beginning, or to 3 3/4" (9.5 cm) less than desired length.

Make Buttonhole
Row 1 (RS): Work 4 sts, k1-f/b, p1, pass second st on right-handed needle over last st, k1-f/b, pass third st on right-handed needle over last 2 sts, work to end.
Row 2: Work 3 sts, p2tog, k2, p1, k1, p2tog, work to end.
*Work even for 7 rows. Repeat buttonhole rows. Repeat from * once. Work even until piece measures 15 3/4 (16 1/2)" [40 (42) cm] from the beginning, ending with a WS row. BO all sts in pattern.

Finishing
Block pieces lightly. Sew side edge of neckband to CO edge of hat, beginning with CO edge of neckband flush with right edge of Hat. Sew button to neckband, so that when fastened, neckband fits comfortably around neck.

Thanks to Kristen Rengren and the folks at Stewart Tabori & Chang for sharing this project with us.

Read more knitting-related posts. More crafty project downloads can be found in our How-Tuesday series on the Etsy blog. And did you know that you can buy Supplies on Etsy?

Off with the Lights! Turn 'Em Out for Earth Hour!

2009-03-26T15:04:00-04:00

Ok, friends, it's officially time to conquer your fear of the dark. And to take action against global warming (the thing that we should be really scared of). Join in with eco-minded neighbors and shut off your lights for one hour. People — individuals the world over, the World Wildlife Fund, whole towns even — will be switching off their lights for at least one hour this Saturday, March 28th, 2009 at 8:30pm (your local time).

It's an international show of hands. By "registering to vote for the earth" on Earth Hour's website, you will be counted as a light switcher-offer. Etsy.com has voted. The goal is to reach 1 billion "votes" to be presented at the Global Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen 2009, where world leaders will be meeting about next steps post-Kyoto Protocol. According to their website, "Earth Hour began in Sydney in 2007, when 2.2 million homes and businesses switched off their lights for one hour."

And for all you crafters out there, this brings the boast of being able to make your items with your eyes closed to a whole new level. Who is bluffing and who can really knit in the dark?

Earth Tones | Etsy International | More Craftivism Posts

Environmentally Friendly Items on Etsy | Shop Local

Guest Curator: Sabrina Gschwandtner of KnitKnit

2009-02-18T15:10:00-04:00

This week's Guest Curator is artist, writer and curator Sabrina Gschwandtner. Sabrina's work bridges the fields of conceptual art, handcraft, activism and social history. Her book KnitKnit: Profiles and Project’s from Knitting’s New Wave was published by Stewart, Tabori and Chang in 2007; the audio version was just published by Knitting Out Loud. Sabrina served as Artist Consultant for the Museum of Arts and Design’s “Radical Lace and Subversive Knitting” exhibition, and is currently an artist-in-residence on the 6th floor of the museum’s new building on Columbus Circle in New York. Visit her there from 11am to 6pm any Thursday between now and April 23rd, 2009.

I’ve been interested in the intersection of fine art and traditional handcraft since I started my ‘zine KnitKnit in 2002. Here are my picks for supporting, living with, wearing, using and making great stuff!

Handmade Nation Sublime Stitching Embroidery Pattern

Faythe Levine turned her life upside down to make a documentary about the indie craft movement. I supported her film, Handmade Nation, by buying this embroidery pattern. By indiecraftmovie, $4.50.

View Item | View Shop

Color Study 308

I’m a huge admirer of Sherri Wood’s quilt work. I hope to take one of her improvisational quilting workshops one day, or maybe commission her to make something from the boxes of old clothes and family fabric remnants I’ve been holding onto. By Daintytime, $1400.

View Item | View Shop

Antique Black Glass Buttons Floral Design Marcasite Style Edging and Back Molded Glass Shank

I’m always looking for unusual buttons to use in craft projects. By SalvageNation, $18.25.

View Item | View Shop

Artist Canvas Zipper Pouch

This canvas pouch is perfect for storing crochet hooks. By callieco, $15.

View Item | View Shop

sailor boy 90 yds 5.8 oz

I recently took up spinning and it’s HARD. I have new respect for artisans like Island Sweet, a painter who I imagine spins while looking at the Atlantic Ocean from her cabin in Newfoundland. By islandsweet, $40.

View Item | View Shop

Reclaimed Cloth Linen Napkin with Hand Embroidery

This embroidered handwork by Karen Ruane reminds me of Louise Bourgeois’ fabric on fabric book Ode a l'Oubli. By contemporarystitches, $28.

View Item | View Shop

Horizontal Letterpress Frame Mat in Water

I fell in love with Sycamore Street Press’s letterpress mats when I saw them at the Renegade Craft Fair in Brooklyn last summer. My husband and I bought two to use for our favorite wedding photos. By sycamorestreetpress, $15.

View Item | View Shop

Practice Kindness 6 Dollar Gocco

Some of Lisa Congdon’s work makes me sing Linda Perhacs songs in my head. I like the idea of buying this card and giving it to people who need a reminder. Is that passive aggressive? I live in New York City and people are constantly pushing me on their way to get somewhere really fast. By lisacongdon, $6.

View Item | View Shop

annie hall hat

I love how this ‘70s style crocheted hat by Cal Patch of Hodge Podge Farm keeps the winter sun – or paparazzi flash bulbs - out of your eyes. By hodgepodgefarm, $68.

View Item | View Shop

New Crochet NAME Doily with 2 Rows of Letters up to 12 Letters

I wrote a book on knitters, but I’m also really into crochet. This mom will crochet your name, or your name + someone else’s name into a cream-colored doily! By crochetingbyrose, $28.

View Item | View Shop

Visit Sabrina Gschwandtner at these upcoming events:

KnitKnit Audio Book event
10am, February 20, 2009
Brooklyn General Store
128 Union Street, Brooklyn, NY 11231
Knitting Out Loud audiobook authors Sabrina Gschwandtner and Lela Nargi will discuss their books with publisher Kathy Goldner.
www.brooklyngeneral.com

KnitKnit Audio Book event
Noon - 2pm, February 21, 2009
Knitty City
208 W. 79th Street, New York, NY 10024
Knitting Out Loud audiobook authors Sabrina Gschwandtner and Lela Nargi will discuss their books with publisher Kathy Goldner.
www.knittycity.com

“New Directions: Fiber Arts” Panel Discussion
2:30 – 4pm, February 21, 2009
The Museum of Arts and Design
2 Columbus Circle, New York, NY 10019
Join artists Norma Minkowitz, Suzanne Tick, and Grethe Wittrock for presentations of their current work and a conversation about new directions in the fiber arts lead by fiber, film, and performance artist Sabrina Gshwandtner.

Looking for past Guest Curators? Check out our archive.

Artistic Endeavors Posts | Fiber Art Items | Fiber Art Posts

Oeuvre Evolution: annarubyking

2009-02-13T15:05:00-04:00

This month Anna from annarubyking tells us about how her flourishing shop started with Christmas cards sent to family members and friends. She became a professional card-maker in two years, and had to learn the same lesson that our previous Oeuvre Evolution artist, Tabitha from ThePairaBirds, was faced with: how to simplify one's own design.

When did you start crafting with paper and textile? Why did you choose this medium?
I think paper is where every artists starts: it's affordable, accessible and you can do so much with it. At university I majored in printmaking, so basically all the processes of print media (etching, screen printing, photography, lithography, graphics) involve paper. In my minor, painting, there was a whole wonderful unit on creating and preparing canvases, as well as making gessos, temperas and varnishes. While this was one of my favorite classes, spending 3 hours making and preparing a canvas really didn't suit my style of work. I was also rather frightened of drop saws, band saws and staple guns.

My interest in textiles comes no doubt from my mother. She quilts, sews, knits, and crochets. I do none of these things. I tried to learn but it just didn't fit. However, I do covet the raw materials, especially fabric. My mum and I would go to fabric shops together, and she would buy fabric and wool for her latest projects, and I would buy fabric just to hoard. I love the colours and patterns and textures.

When I started to make my cards, I decided I needed to incorporate some of my fabric. My stash was growing and growing, and it was time I started using it for something.

How do you evaluate the change between your first piece and the works you do now? In what way did your style change, and why?
The first set of cards that I made was to send to my family and friends for Chistmas, 2006. It was my first Christmas living in another country, and when I went out to buy cards to send that November, there really wasn't that much to choose from. I decided that since I had time to spare, plus an arts degree, I really should be able to make my own.

The cards that I made turned out really well. Everyone told me they loved them, and I decided that I could make some to sell and earn myself a bit of money. When you start wanting to get paid for something, though, you start to rethink how you make that thing, how much the supplies cost and how much time you spend making the item. These cards I made must have taken me 30 minutes each, which is just too much work for a gift card. I had to think about how to simplify my designs and find faster methods. I also started thinking about how my cards would look, as a product, in a shop. I wanted to create a "look" for my cards, so that even if I used different designs and motifs, all my cards would look like Ruby King cards.

In which area do you think you evolved a lot?
I'm really happy with how I managed to simplify my designs. The first cards I made had so many elements. When I look at them now, I think there is too much going on. I was using too many techniques, with no direction. The thing is, I am still using all those same techniques that I used in those first cards. However, in my cards now, I have learned how to be more selective in the ways I use those techniques.

You use a lot of birds in your cards. Why did you choose these flying animals?
Well, birds came about thanks to more product development. I know I'm supposed to say birds are my favorite animal, and I did have many, many pet birds growing up (most were called Oscar or Ernie, if you are curious), but they are not my favorite animal (horses, followed by Labradors).

But I digress. Using birds came about for two main reasons. First, I wanted to have some sort of cute creature as a motif on my cards, and it had to be something that was suitable to many occasions. Second, it had to be something with a shape that was easy to cut out in fabric. All my bird shapes have either one or two sides, making them much easier to cut out than horses or Labradors, for example. I know this process sounds very cold and business-like, but by going through all this design work using birds, I have actually really become quite fixated with them, as you can see by my other artworks — they might now have moved into the third favorite position (sorry, tigers).

What kind of evolution do you see as necessary in the future? What are your plans (if any)?
I still want to try and reduce the amount of time I spend making my cards. I've pretty much halved the time I was spending before. Learning to make things in multiples was a fine revelation, although some of the designs, like the fabric squares cards, have no quick method. I really want to come up with some designs that are a lot speedier so I can have some lower priced options available.

Also, I recently made the decision to stop buying new fabric altogether, and only use recycled and off cut fabric, so once I get through my collection of bought fabrics (okay, that might take a year or more...) my cards will be made of 90 -100% recycled materials, which for me is something really important.

See other Oeuvre Evolutions on the Storque. Vadjutka highlights many more artists' evolutions on her blog, Craftsthenandnow.blogspot.com. How has your craft changed over the years? Post in the comments below!

An Historic Day: Obama's Inauguration

2009-01-20T10:50:00-04:00

On this historic day in the U.S. — with Martin Luther King, Jr. Day just yesterday — let us be thankful that the United States as a nation has made so much progress. Whether you're watching the inauguration from the crowded streets of Washington D.C. or from your television set, it's sure to be a monumental day full of hope and enthusiasm. This collection celebrates Barack Obama as he ushers in a new period of U.S. history. Happy inauguration!

Read more election-related articles like this one.

Etsy In The Press: Ho Ho Ho-liday Press

2008-12-19T13:24:00-04:00

Tis the season to shop on Etsy! And we're not the only ones who think so. Check out this veritable blizzard of stories, starting with this doozy from Good Morning America Weekend. Smart shopping, indeed. My favorite part of that one (aside from the correct pronunciation and spelling of E-T-S-Y-dot-com) is the "Sneaky Santa" graphic. Check it out! Also on the tube, KOMO (ABC) in Seattle and KSL (NBC) in Salt Lake City chimed in too.

Online, this sentiment has been echoed by The Today Show.com, MSNBC, The Wall Street Journal, She Knows, Madison Decider, World Changing, Single Minded Women, and on New University. And let's not forget print. Great shopping tips and stories can be found in the pages of The Sydney Morning Herald, The Boston Globe, The Orange County Register, the Courier Post of New Jersey, the Willamette Weekly, and the Grand Junction Sentinel. Break out your snow shovels.

For those of you who like to make things, there were several articles describing the joys of selling on Etsy coupled with some heartwarming seller stories, from the likes of The Los Angeles Times, Deseret News, ECommerce Guide, and the Knoxville News Sentinel.

And this icing on this ice storm, The Martha Stewart Show has been kind as well, featuring Etsy sellers Caroline Stender, aka papertreats, Katie Steuernagle aka matsutake, and Ashley Steele aka hiccupdecor. Great job ladies!

In summary, the flurry of press should make this a very happy holiday season for shoppers and sellers alike. See you in '09!

For more Etsy in the Press, go here!

Oeuvre Evolution: thepairabirds

2008-08-18T13:11:00-04:00

A month ago PamelaAngus found an early piece of hers hidden in the drawer. Now Tabitha from ThePairabirds is delving into the past to show us her beginnings. The Chicago-based illustrator came a long road from manga-styled figures to pop-art, and she is still evolving.

When did you start drawing and painting?
I started drawing regularly when I was eleven. I became interested in comic book art. I didn't begin painting until 2001, when I started college.

How do you evaluate the change between your first drawings/paintings?
My early drawings were inspired by Japanese manga work. I was really entranced with the use of line-weight and light and dark contrast. My style began to take on its own when I started art college. In school, I had the chance to experiment with different media, study different cultures, and learn and share with my classmates. This blending of cultures encouraged me to blend the beautiful linework of Japanese manga with nostalgic American pop culture.

In which area do you think you evolved a lot?
I think my use of linework has evolved. I used to add so many details to a piece that it became over-worked. I am drawn to clean and uncluttered design (which is ironic since I am a pack-rat), particularly in interior design. This look is finding its way into my pieces more and more.

What kind of evolution do you see for yourself in the future? What are your plans (if any)?
I think my art is beginning to focus on the juxtaposition of human and nature. I think the most beautiful relationship is the one between humans and their environment. I am intrigued by people and how they relate to their environment, specifically their homes. So it is interesting for me to see how art and furniture is arranged in the sacred place of "Home."

Can you live on selling your drawings?
At the moment, yes. I'm single and child-free. It means going without an iPhone, a lot of social events, and having to live with family. But, those are some of the sacrifices I have to make right now that will hopefully change over time.

See other Oeuvre Evolutions on the Storque. Vadjutka highlights many more artists' evolutions on her blog, Craftsthenandnow.blogspot.com. How has your craft changed over the years? Post in the comments below!

Oeuvre Evolution: PamelaAngus

2008-07-18T10:48:00-04:00

I am sure that from time to time, every artist and crafter finds an early piece of theirs hidden somewhere in a drawer. They look at the piece and ask themselves, "Who made this?!" Sometimes it is good to stop and look back to see where we started. PamelaAngus, Irish glass artist, started with traditional stained glass in 2003, and ended up making three-dimensional pieces inspired by Asian textiles.

When did you start crafting with stained glass?
I took a traditional stained glass course with David Walsey in England in 2003. I was not a particular fan of stained glass but I had been working on very detailed black and white pen and ink work and thought I needed to learn to use colour again. Also the idea of learning such a traditional craft was appealing. I moved to France shortly after finishing the course so it was about a year before I started to experiment with making pieces.

How do you evaluate the change between your first piece and the works you do now?
My first piece was made in the traditional method of lead came, which is great fun to construct - lots of messy putty, chalk dust, etc. I'm still very proud of it: David encouraged us to design our own pieces rather than take a copy from stained glass pattern books. I took my inspiration from a rhinestone hairclip and I still use jewelry for design ideas now. However, I found that the work I wanted to try out was not possible with lead and I started using copperfoil because it's lighter and more versatile and allowed me to experiment and make the sort of stained glass I’d want to live with myself. It has enabled me to put movement into the pieces and also for the overall shape to be more organic. I want the work I do now to be beautiful first and stained glass second if that makes sense – I want the pieces to be tactile and I hope they make people want to stretch out and touch the beads or ribbons or whatever.

Which area do you think you evolved a lot?
Well I’m still learning technique, but I think my designs have evolved. When I started, I bought pattern books and searched the Internet for designs like everyone does when they are starting out and haven’t found their groove yet. But it was only when I started to look at non glass work for inspiration that it all clicked for me – hand embroidered textiles from India, collected trinkets, knitwear, etc. – if I love something I’ll look at it and think how I can interpret it in glass. And I think my use of colour has evolved – which was the whole purpose of the exercise!

What kind of necessary evolution do you see for yourself in the future?
I’m always looking to try out new ideas and want to work on more 3D pieces such as cups and saucers and start adding my own etched patterns to the glass. I’ve also recently started experimenting with glass sewn onto painted stretched canvas and I’m using ribbon and tiny bells there too, so that you can brush your hand gently over the work and there’s just the gentlest of noise and slight movement in the glass pieces. Who knows, it could be a total disaster, but you have to try these things.

Vadjutka highlights many more artists' evolutions on her blog, Craftsthenandnow.blogspot.com. How has your craft changed over the years? Post in the comments below!

Tech Updates: "Bead" Tags in Jewelry Changing to "Beaded"

2007-10-25T14:41:00-04:00

Update!

In the tagging saga that continues each day, we have some exciting news for anyone browsing the jewelry categories looking for something "beaded." We are in the process of changing "bead" (as in, subcategory of jewelry > bracelet > bead or jewelry > necklace > bead, for example) to "beaded."

What this means is that when you are browsing the jewelry categories looking for a beaded necklace, you should no longer see the actual beads used as supplies in your search results. In the future, suggested tags will reflect this change, and "beaded" will be available as a suggested tag. As an additional note, this change will only affect the categories while you are browsing. It doesn't affect the search now, but will at a later date.

We suggest that anyone with current "bead" tags for their jewelry items change their tags accordingly to reflect the new subcategory. We are sorry for the inconvenience! Our hope is that beaded searches in the future are more straightforward and that all your jewelry searching dreams come true!

Policy Change: Abraham Link-in!

2007-10-16T15:52:00-04:00

A very smart man I like to call George Bernard Shaw once said, "The golden rule is that there are no golden rules."

With that in mind, I am pleased to announce that we will be altering two of our rules for the general benefit of Etsy. Effective immediately, the admin reserve the right to include links and attachments in the emails we send out. We will soon be beginning a number of opt-in emails that will help drive sales and keep users informed. Including links back to Etsy will be essential in making these emails effective, and do not, we have ascertained, pose an increased security risk. Furthermore, we are exploring ways to improve the registration process, and have decided that link-based confirmation may be required. As before, no email from Etsy will ever ask for your password or credit card information. Thanks.