Search results (tags) for: "craft night"

Come Craft With The Uniform Project & Megan Nicolay of Generation T

2009-12-22T15:31:00-05:00

UPDATE: We had such a fun time last night! Thank you to all who brought your questions to the Q&A in the Virtual Labs, and thanks to Sheena and Eliza for their very interesting A's. Today, Sheena is wearing the free-form, radical, catatonic kitten from outer space T-shirt she made last night, under Megan's tutelage. More photos from last night are posted on our Flickr stream.

[The following was originally posted on December 17, 2009.]

Why stay in and craft all by your lonesome? Come join us for a used clothing reinvention and swap with The Uniform Project and Megan Nicolay of Generation T — whether you're in Brooklyn or anywhere in the world. Stop by for our weekly Craft Night in our online multi-user chat room, the Virtual Labs, for a live online demo at 5 p.m. ET, or in person at the Etsy Labs in Brooklyn anytime between 4-8 p.m. at 55 Washington Street, Suite 512 in Brooklyn, New York. (Click here to see what time 5 p.m. ET is in your hometown.) Craft Night is a time to make things, sharpen your craft skills, and connect with fellow crafters.

Have you ever done a 365 day challenge? What's your New Year's resolution? How about starting with giving old clothes new lives! This week, on Monday, December 21, visit the Etsy Labs and the Virtual Labs for a used clothing swap and clothing reinvention project.

The Uniform Project will talk about the 365 day challenge they're pursuing to raise money and awareness about disadvantaged school children. Sheena (see at left in the stylish bob) is wearing one little black dress for an entire year and documenting her inventive outfit customization methods with handmade and vintage accessories. Eliza (pictured on the left) designed the frock, which has turned out to be infinitely adaptable. Read our full interview with the Uniform Project here.

This Monday we'll roll up the sleeves of our used t-shirts and make a project too. Megan Nicolay (pictured below), author of Generation T, will be at Craft Night to demo a no-sew project for turning your old t-shirts into something new and fresh. We're inviting everyone who comes to bring some used clothing you'd like to swap with other attendees, cut up and reinvent with Megan, or if you don't have any clothes that fit the bill, Threadless will be sending us a box of misprinted t-shirts ready for reinvention.

If you are attending Craft Night virtually this week and would like to reconstruct a t-shirt with us along with us, be sure to bring along a t-shirt and a pair of scissors.

Here's a sampling of Megan's no-sew projects:

Upcoming Events at the Etsy Labs in Brooklyn:

12/28/09 through 1/18/10: Craft Night Hiatus (No Craft Nights at the Etsy Labs during this time.)

1/25: Stenciling with Ed Roth of Stencil 101
2/1: Matchbox Valentines with Rachel Johnson of Swap-bot

2/8: Heatpress printing with Dari of papismami

Looking for further fashion inspiration? Try these links:

Accessorize This: The Uniform Project | Handmade Portraits: Built by Wendy

Will we see you Monday, ready to reconstruct your old clothing? Let us know in the comments below.

Come Craft Plush Toys With Wendy Gardner at Etsy Labs

2009-12-10T15:30:00-05:00

Why stay in and craft all by your lonesome? Come join us for a teddy bear workshop with Wendy from Scary Stories — whether you're in Brooklyn or anywhere in the world. Stop by for our weekly Craft Night in our online multi-user chat room, the Virtual Labs, for a live online demo at 5 p.m. ET, or in person at the Etsy Labs in Brooklyn anytime between 4-8 p.m. at 55 Washington Street, Suite 512 in Brooklyn, New York. (Click here to see what time 5 p.m. ET is in your hometown.) Craft Night is a time to make things, sharpen your craft skills, and connect with fellow crafters.

This week, on Monday, December 14, Wendy Gardner will show you how to turn any old shirt into an adorable teddy bear for a great holiday gift idea. There's no better way to clear out those closets and gain a handmade gift in the process! So, pinch a nice cotton button-down from the closet of your husband/boyfriend/grandpa and come on down to the Etsy Labs for some fluffy stuffy fun!

Wendy Gardner is the founder of Scary Stories Inc., and she loves dogs, cats, chickens, and pets of all kinds. An artist originally from Toronto, Canada, Wendy began her career as a painter. She studied at the Ontario College of Art and Design and moved to New York City to work as an illustrator. She soon fell in love with a pug named Ivan and formed her company, Scary Stories Inc., and began selling Dig Ivan Dig and other characters in her line of unique plush toys, all playfully scary with angry eyes and growling teeth. The toys are sold in boutiques, design stores, gifts shops, and museums throughout the world. Her work can also be found in her Etsy shop, HappySugar.

If you are attending Craft Night virtually this week and would like to create teddy bears along with us, you'll need to gather the following supplies:

Mens' shirts
Sewing machine
Thread
Pins
Embroidery thread
Embroidery needles
Buttons
Teddy bear byes (snap in)
Stuffing (poly fiberfill)
Holiday adornments such as bells or little Santa hats
Blue, red, green, or silver fabric
Sequins
Ribbon
Glitter trimmings

Upcoming Events at the Etsy Labs in Brooklyn:

12/21: TBA
12/28/09 through 1/18/10: Craft Night Hiatus (No Craft Nights at the Etsy Labs during this time.)

Looking for further crafting inspiration?

Make a Donkey Stuffie | How-Tuesday Projects | The Do-It-Yourselfer Gift Guide

Will we see you next week? Let us know in the comments below.

Come Craft With KnitKnit at the Etsy Labs

2009-12-03T14:00:00-05:00

Why stay in and craft all by your lonesome? Come join us for a needle felting workshop with KnitKnit — whether you're in Brooklyn or anywhere in the world. Stop by for our weekly Craft Night in our online multi-user chat room, the Virtual Labs, for a live online demo at 5 p.m. ET, or in person at the Etsy Labs in Brooklyn anytime between 4-8 p.m. at 55 Washington Street, Suite 512 in Brooklyn, New York. (Click here to see what time 5 p.m. ET is in your hometown.) Craft Night is a time to make things, sharpen your craft skills, and connect with fellow crafters.

This week, on Monday, December 7, join us for a needle felt ornament Craft Night! You'll learn how to "sculpt" with a felting needle and wool with Nguyen Le from KnitKnit (pictured right). We'll start out with the basics, and let your imagination go from there — the possibilities are endless! This craft is not recommended for children due to the sharp needles.

If you are attending Craft Night virtually this week and would like to felt up some ornaments along with us, you'll need to gather the following supplies:

Felting needles
Wool
Foam cushion to felt upon
Ribbon or embroidery thread for ornament

Upcoming Events at the Etsy Labs in Brooklyn:

12/14: Plush toys with Wendy of Scary Stories
12/21: Bottlebrush trees with Daniellexo
12/28/09 through 1/18/10: Craft Night Hiatus (No Craft Nights at the Etsy Labs during this time.)

Looking for further crafting inspiration? Check out the video we made with KnitKnit!

How-To Needlefelt a Turkey | How-Tuesday Projects | The Do-It-Yourselfer Gift Guide

Will we see you next week? Let us know in the comments below.

Coast-to-Coast: Craft with Etsy Labs in Brooklyn and San Francisco

2009-11-26T10:30:00-05:00

This week we are pleased to announce crafting events across the United States! Join the Etsy Labs in both Brooklyn and San Francisco (and online!) for free hands-on workshops.

So, read on for double the crafty events this week...

Crafting in Brooklyn, NY:

Open Craft Night at the Etsy Labs in Brooklyn, NY

Bring along any project you'd like to develop during this week's Craft Night, or start a brand new project using our tools and extra supplies. To craft-finity and beyond!

When: Monday, November 30; drop in any time between 4 to 8 p.m. ET.
Where: Etsy Labs at 55 Washington Street, Suite 512, Brooklyn, NY

Upcoming Events at the Etsy Labs in Brooklyn:

12/7: Needle-felted ornaments with Nguyen from KnitKnit
12/14: Plush toys with Wendy from Scary Stories
12/21: Bottlebrush trees with Daniellexo
12/28/09 through 1/18/10: Craft Night Hiatus (No Craft Nights at the Etsy Labs during this time.)

A photo of Susan and Amy from a recent needlepoint Craft Night at the Etsy Labs.

Crafting in San Francisco, CA:

Student Night + Craft Bar With Etsy Labs at the Museum of Craft and Folk Art in San Francisco

Escape winter’s chill at the Museum of Craft & Folk Art! Join us for Craft Bar with Etsy Labs @ MOCFA, a free event co-sponsored by Etsy. MOCFA is throwing the gallery doors open for you to brush up on your knitting skills with a quick and easy hat project that will keep you warm and stylish during the winter months — it's perfect for gift-giving. Sessions are free and open to all skill levels, from beginner to expert. Materials and instruction will be provided.

Local artists Jackie Huang will be on hand for a plushie felting demo, and fiber store, A Verb for Keeping Warm, will share techniques for spinning yarn. Sip locally brewed Trumer Pils at the custom-built Craft Bar, visit the Open Source Embroidery Exhibition and pick up a new hobby.

Don't live in California? Fear not, MOCFA will also host a live demo of the evening's craft projects via webcam in Etsy's Virtual Labs for all of our faraway friends. If you would like to knit along with us, please download this free pattern.

When: Thursday, December 3 from 6 - 8 p.m. PT. Online demo at 1 p.m. PT in the Virtual Labs.

Where: Museum of Craft and Folk Art at 51 Yerba Buena Lane, San Francisco, CA

Looking for further crafting inspiration?

How-Tuesday Projects | Supplies Category | DIY Made Simple Gift Guide

Will we see you next week? Let us know in the comments below.

Come Craft With the Etsy Labs & Esther K. Smith: Rolling Ball Books and Ornaments

2009-11-19T10:30:00-05:00

Want to test out our latest How-Tuesday project with us at the Etsy Labs? Come join us for a free workshop with artist and author Esther K. Smith— whether you're in Brooklyn or anywhere in the world. Stop by for our weekly Craft Night in our online, interactive classroom, the Virtual Labs, for a live demo via webcam at 5 p.m. ET, or in person at the Etsy Labs in Brooklyn anytime between 4-8 p.m. ET at 55 Washington Street, Suite 512 in Brooklyn, New York. (Click here to see what time 5 p.m. ET is in your hometown.) Craft Night is a time to make things, sharpen your craft skills, and meet new friends.

This week, on Monday, November 23, Esther K. Smith will show us how to make rolling ball books and ornaments. Is it a book or a toy? You decide!

Esther K. Smith is Purgatory Pie Press designer and author of How to Make Books and Magic Books & Paper Toys. She handcrafts artist books and limited editions at Purgatory Pie Press in New York City, collaborating with typographer Dikko Faust and other artists and writers. Keep an eye out for her new book, The Paper Bride, in December 2009.

Looking for more paper projects? Try these how-to's:

Paper Flowers | Do-Si-Do Books

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

Come Craft With Bags for the People & Katherine Bell at Etsy Labs

2009-11-12T17:00:00-05:00

Why stay in and sew all by your lonesome? Come join us for a bag-making workshop with Bags for the People and Katherine Bell — whether you're in Brooklyn or anywhere in the world. Stop by for our weekly Craft Night in our online multi-user chat room, the Virtual Labs, for a live online demo at 5 p.m. ET, or in person at the Etsy Labs in Brooklyn anytime between 4-8 p.m. at 55 Washington Street, Suite 512 in Brooklyn, New York. (Click here to see what time 5 p.m. ET is in your hometown.) Craft Night is a time to make things, sharpen your craft skills, and meet new friends.

This week, on Monday, November 16, we will be making bags with Bags for the People and Katherine Bell, author of Quilting for Peace. (Check out a bag-making how-to project from her book here.)

Bags for the People is a non-profit organization that provides the public with a sustainable alternative to plastic bags. They use all repurposed materials and give bags out for free. Bags for the People also perform community building workshops and events (like this one!) to convince people to make the switch from plastic to reusable and inspire the public to take an active and creative role in life. Learn all about Bags for the People and what they do here.

We'll have all the materials you'll need to sew a bag of your own here at the Etsy Labs, including beautiful surplus fabrics donated by Serena and Lily! If you have any other fabrics or old clothing that you would like to turn into bags, please bring them along.

If you are attending Craft Night virtually this week and would like to stitch up some bags along with us, you'll need to gather the following supplies:

Fabric (an old T-shirt would do the trick)
Sewing machine, or a sewing needle
Thread
Scissors
Pins
Iron
Download Bags for the People's instructions

Upcoming Events at the Etsy Labs:
11/23: Rolling Ball Book Ornaments with Esther K. Smith
11/30: Open Craft Night
12/7: Needle-Felted Ornaments with Nguyen of KnitKnit
12/13: Plush Toys with Wendy of Scary Stories

Looking for more bag-making projects? Try these how-to's:

Quilting for Peace: Stitch Your Own Shopping Bag | Lunch Bag | Eco-Friendly Bags

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

Quilting for Peace: Stitch Your Own Shopping Bag

2009-11-06T10:15:00-05:00

Stitch-by-stitch throughout the decades, the art and craft of quilting has long held a quiet power to gather communities together — whether it be through quilting bees, wartime efforts, painstakingly creating heirlooms and gifts, or resourcefully gathering together fabric scraps to mend a garment or create an object of comfort.

Katherine Bell's new book, Quilting for Peace, explores the the stories, social causes, and common threads of making the world a better place one thoughtful stitch at a time. She also includes a plethora of projects and inspiration for reclaiming peace and meaning in our world, using your own two hands and a few basic craft supplies. Below Katherine Bell has generously shared with us the 30 Minute Shopping Bag project from her book.

Purchase Quilting for Peace from Amazon or an independent bookseller.

Project: 30 Minute Shopping Bag

Use recycled fabric or leftover scraps from quilting projects to make this bag extra
eco-friendly. If you want to use small scraps of fabric, read the patchwork instructions at the end of the pattern. Double seams make the bag more durable for heavy groceries, giving it a longer life.

Finished Size:
Approximately 15 4/4" z 16 3/4"

What You'll Need:
- 3/4 yard of 44 inch wide quilting or home decorating weight cotton (preferably recycled)
- Knitting needle or chopstick
- Matching cotton thread

Sewing Instructions:

1. Cut two 18-inch x 20-inch pieces of fabric for the front and back of the shopping bag, and two 18-inch x 4-inch strips for the handles.

2. Fold and press a 1/2-inch hem on one long edge of one handle strip. Fold and press a 1-inch hem on the opposite long edge of this handle strip. Fold and press the side with the narrow hem so it overlaps the side with the wide hem by 1/2 inch (see Diagram A).

3. Edge-stitch the edge of the overlapped hem, and then topstitch 1/4 inch on either side of the ﬁrst seam.

4. Repeat steps 2 and 3 to make the second handle.

5. Working with one of the 18-inch x 20-inch rectangles, fold and press to the wrong side a 1/2-inch hem on one short end. Fold and press this hem edge another 1 1/2 inches to the wrong side. Next position each end of one handle 4 1/2 inches from each side edge of the rectangle and tuck the handle ends under the double-folded hem, snugging them to the base of the hem (the handle will now face into the center of the rectangle), as shown in Diagram B.

Pin the double-folded hem and handle ends in place, and edge-stitch as close to the edge of the hem as you can, taking out the pins as you come to them. Fold the handle up over the hem, and press it in place (see Diagram C).

6. Topstitch a box with an X inside it on each end of the handle, covering the bag’s hem (see Diagram D).

7. Repeat steps 2-6 with the second fabric rectangle and handle.

8. Place the bag’s two sides with wrong sides together and the edges aligned. Sew a 1/4-inch seam along both sides and the boom of the bag, backstitching at the beginning and end of the seam to secure it. Turn the bag wrong side out, using a knitting needle or chopstick to gently push the corners fully out. Press the bag’s edges, and, with a 1/2-inch seam, sew around the three closed sides, again backstitching at the beginning and end of your stitching. Trim any loose threads, turn the bag right side out, and press it again.

Patchwork variation:
Piece together strips or scraps of fabric, and trim your patchwork to create the two -inch x -inch rectangles. Then follow steps 1-8 above to make your shopping bag

Thank you to Katherine Bell and the good people at STC Craft for sharing this project with us. For more ideas on how to improve your world through quilting, check out the website, Quilting for Peace.

More Craftivism Posts | Quilts Category | DIY Made Simple Gift Guide

Come craft with author Katherine Bell at two upcoming events in Brooklyn, NY:

Saturday, November 14 (12-6 p.m.): DIY Design Day at 303 Grand. More details here.

Monday, November 16 (4-8pm): Bag-making Craft Night with Bags for the People at Etsy Labs

Come Craft With the Etsy Labs & AMH Design: Needlepoint Gift Tags

2009-11-05T10:30:00-05:00

Why stay in and craft all by your lonesome? Come join us for a free needlepoint workshop — whether you're in Brooklyn or anywhere in the world. Stop by for our weekly Craft Night in our online, interactive classroom, the Virtual Labs, for a live demo via webcam at 5 p.m. ET, or in person at the Etsy Labs in Brooklyn anytime between 4-8 p.m. ET at 55 Washington Street, Suite 512 in Brooklyn, New York. (Click here to see what time 5 p.m. ET is in your hometown.) Craft Night is a time to make things, sharpen your craft skills, and make new friends.

This week, on Monday, November 9, we will be making needlepoint gift tags with artist Amy Holbrook of AMH Design. (She is also our neighbor here on Washington Street.) Make your own needlepoint gift tags for the upcoming holiday season. This project is an easy and fun way to learn the basics of needlepoint while making some cute gift tags. Needlepoint adds a personal touch to your gift without a lot of effort!

Amy Holbrook, the founder of AMH Design, is bringing needlepoint into the 21st century with her collection of contemporary needlepoint kits. Easy, stylish, portable and all-inclusive, AMH Design needlepoint kits are perfect for beginner and veteran stitchers alike.

If you are attending Craft Night virtually this week and would like to stitch needlepoint gift tags along with us, you'll need to gather the following supplies:

Perforated paper sheet
Perle cotton floss size 5 (embroidery floss is okay)
Tapestry needle — size 24
Needle threader
Scissors
Colored cardstock paper
X-acto blade
Paper glue
Hole punch
Download the instructions

Upcoming Events at the Etsy Labs:

Saturday, November 7: Sock Monkey Workshop at the Etsy Labs

Join us this weekend for an afternoon of creating original sock monkeys for Fresh Art's Sock Monkey Program.

Fresh Art is a 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, November 7, 2009; 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Where: Etsy Labs at 55 Washington Street, Suite 512, Brooklyn, NY

Please RSVP for this free workshop at rsvp@etsy.com or on the Etsy Labs Meetup page.

Additonal Upcoming Events
11/16: Bag-making workshop with Bags for the People
11/23: Rolling Ball Book Ornaments with Esther K. Smith
11/30: Open Craft Night
12/7: Needle-felted Ornaments with KnitKnit

Looking for more holiday craft projects? Try these how-to's:

Felt Garlands | Snowflake Gift Wrap | Holiday Table Decor

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

Coast-to-Coast: Come Rock and Craft With Etsy Labs

2009-10-29T16:33:00-05:00

This week we are pleased to announce crafting events across the United States! Join the Etsy Labs in both Brooklyn and San Francisco (and online!) for free hands-on workshops to kick off a crafty month of November.

So, read on for twice the fun...

Crafting in Brooklyn, NY:

Open Craft Night at the Etsy Labs in Brooklyn, NY

This week we will stitch pincushions with Elizabeth from the band Elizabeth & The Catapult (pictured in the red dress above). The band will perform a very special live acoustic set of songs from their new album, Taller Children, at 6 p.m. ET in the Etsy Labs. For a preview of their music, be sure to listen to the songs streaming on their website.

When: Monday, November 2; drop in any time between 4 to 8 p.m. ET. Live acoustic set at 6 p.m.

Not in Brooklyn? Be sure to tune in to the Virtual Labs at 5 p.m. ET to catch the pincushion demo.

Where: Etsy Labs at 55 Washington Street, Suite 512, Brooklyn, NY

A big thanks to Spoonflower for donating the custom printed fabric we will be working with this evening!

Upcoming Events at the Etsy Labs in Brooklyn:

11/7: Sock Monkey Workshop (10 a.m. to 3 p.m.) with Fresh Art
11/9: Needlepoint with AMH Design
11/16: Bag-making workshop with Bags for the People
11/23: Rolling Ball Book Ornaments with Esther K. Smith

A photo of rawfish from last week's Craft Night at the Etsy Labs.

Crafting in San Francisco, CA:

Student Night + Craft Bar With Etsy Labs at the Museum of Craft and Folk Art in San Francisco

Get off campus and out of the cubicle! Come to the free Student & Young Professionals Night at the Museum of Craft & Folk Art, co-sponsored by Etsy. Join us for Craft Bar with Etsy Labs @MOCFA SF, see the Open Source Embroidery Exhibition, listen to a live performance by Bay Area artist, Beep!, and enjoy tasty refreshments from local artisans. Stroll through the gallery, visit the museum store, relax with your favorite drink, dance to the music or even pick up a new hobby. Crafting sessions are free and all materials will be provided.

Don't live in California? Fear not, MOCFA will also host a live demo of the evening's craft projects via webcam in Etsy's Virtual Labs for all of our faraway friends. If you'll be crafting along with us, be sure to download this knitting pattern.

When: Thursday, November 5 from 6 to 8 p.m. PT

Where: Museum of Craft and Folk Art at 51 Yerba Buena Lane, San Francisco, CA

Looking for further inspiration?

Handmade Instruments | Handmade Portraits: Armor Guitars | Etsy Finds: Smells Like Teen Spirit

Will we see you on Monday for sewing and singing? Let us know in the comments below.

Come Craft With the Etsy Labs and Rawfish

2009-10-22T16:16:00-05:00

Bring along any project you'd like to develop during this week's Craft Night. (Might I suggest working on your Halloween costume?) You are also welcome to start a brand new project using our tools and extra supplies, or finish a Craft Night project from a past week.

As a special spin on this month's open Craft Night, Laila of rawfish fame will be on hand with her Lendrum Double Treadle spinning wheel, shown at left. She will demonstrate the twists and turns of a variety of techniques for creating artful handspun yarns throughout the evening.

When: Monday, October 26; drop in any time between 4 to 8 p.m. ET.

Not in Brooklyn? Be sure to tune in to the Virtual Labs at 5 p.m. ET to catch the demo!

Where: Etsy Labs at 55 Washington Street, Suite 512, Brooklyn, NY

Upcoming Events at the Etsy Labs in Brooklyn:

11/1: Church of Craft meeting
11/2: Sewing Pincushions with Elizabeth & The Catapult
11/7: Sock Monkey Workshop with Fresh Art
11/9: Needlepoint with AMH Design
11/16: Bag-making workshop with Bags for the People
11/23: Rolling Ball Book Ornaments with Esther K. Smith

A photo of from last week's Craft Night at the Etsy Labs.

Looking for further fiber inspiration?

Stella Pixie Hat | Tatami Socks | Frog Suit

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

Come Craft With the Etsy Labs & Kata Golda: Felt Photo Pockets

2009-10-15T15:25:00-05:00

Why stay in and craft all by your lonesome? Come join us for a free sewing workshop with artist and author Kata Golda — whether you're in Brooklyn or anywhere in the world. Stop by for our weekly Craft Night in our online, interactive classroom, the Virtual Labs, for a live demo via webcam at 5 p.m. ET, or in person at the Etsy Labs in Brooklyn anytime between 4-8 p.m. ET at 55 Washington Street, Suite 512 in Brooklyn, New York. (Click here to see what time 5 p.m. ET is in your hometown.) Craft Night is a time to make things, sharpen your craft skills, and meet new friends.

This week, on Monday, October 19, we will stitch fall-inspired felt photo pockets with Kata Golda. This project can be found in her new book, Hand-Stitched Felt: 25 Whimsical Sewing Projects.

As Kata says, "Holding a photograph in your hand is a special and intimate treat, and it is especially rare these days, as so many pictures are stored and shared digitally instead of in an album.This pocket is a lovely way to keep a special stash of photos on hand. It makes a perfect gift for grandma or any family member or friend who appreciates this old fashioned pleasure."

Kata Golda creates and sells a line of hand-stitched items from her home in Port Townsend, WA. We hope you'll join us at the Etsy Labs to share in an evening of sewing this Monday.

Want a chance to win Kata Golda's book? Just leave a comment about the video here by Friday, October 30.

If you are attending Craft Night virtually this week and would like to make felt photo pockets along with us, you'll need to gather the following supplies for a 4 1/2" x 7" photo pocket:

7" x 13" felt for envelope
6" x 3" felt for pocket
Felt scraps for applique
Sewing needle
Embroidery floss
Scissors
Cutting mat & rotary cutter

Upcoming Events at the Etsy Labs:

10/26: Open Craft Night
11/1: Church of Craft meeting
11/2: Pincushions + special musical guest appearance (details to come)
11/9: Needlepoint with AMH Design
11/16: Bag-making workshop with Bags for the People
11/23: Rolling Ball Book Ornaments with Esther K. Smith

Looking for more felt projects? Try these how-to's:

Pillow with Rosette Clusters | Felt Rug | Felt Mushroom

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

Come Craft With the Etsy Labs: Skeleton Softies With Diana Schoenbrun

2009-10-08T15:00:00-05:00

Why stay in and craft all by your lonesome? Come join us for a free sewing workshop with artist and author Diana Schoenbrun — whether you're in Brooklyn or anywhere in the world. Stop by for our weekly Craft Night in our online, interactive classroom, the Virtual Labs, for a live demo via webcam at 5 p.m. ET, or in person at the Etsy Labs in Brooklyn anytime between 4-8 p.m. ET at 55 Washington Street, Suite 512 in Brooklyn, New York. (Click here to see what time 5 p.m. ET is in your hometown.) Craft Night is a time to make things, sharpen your craft skills, and meet new friends.

This week, on Monday, October 12, we will make spooky skeleton softies with Diana Schoenbrun. These plush toys are perfect decorations and gifts for Halloween parties.

Diana Schoenbrun is a published illustrator, crafter, and author currently living in Brooklyn, NY. She is best known for her use of recycled fabrics and materials in her softies and 3-D sculptures. She strives to create a balance in her art between character design and materials. Diana has taught children puppet making and playwriting workshops and she has also performed puppet skits for comedy shows in NYC. Her next craft book, Beasties, is being published by Penguin Perigee Books in August 2010.

If you are attending Craft Night virtually this week and would like to sew skeleton softies along with us, you'll need to gather the following supplies:

Skeleton pattern pieces page 1 and page 2
2 sheets colored felt for body
1 sheet white or light colored felt for bones
Sewing needle
Thread
Embroidery floss
1-2 handfuls of stuffing
Craft glue
Thin marker
Stuffing stick or pencil
Beads, sequins, buttons, etc. (optional for eyes)

Upcoming Events at the Etsy Labs:
10/19: Felt Photo Wallets with Kata Golda
10/26: Open Craft Night
11/1: Church of Craft meeting

Looking for more softie projects? Try these how-to's:

Donkey Softie | Chipmunk Softie | Bunny Bowling

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

Come Craft With the Etsy Labs & Esther K. Smith: Exquisite Corpse Books

2009-10-01T17:00:00-05:00

Why stay in and craft all by your lonesome? Come join us for a free bookmaking workshop with artist and author Esther K. Smith— whether you're in Brooklyn or anywhere in the world. Stop by for our weekly Craft Night in our online, interactive classroom, the Virtual Labs, for a live demo via webcam at 5 p.m. ET, or in person at the Etsy Labs in Brooklyn anytime between 4-8 p.m. ET at 55 Washington Street, Suite 512 in Brooklyn, New York. (Click here to see what time 5 p.m. ET is in your hometown.) Craft Night is a time to make things, sharpen your craft skills, and meet new friends.

This week, on Monday, October 5, we will make Exquisite Corpse books with Esther K. Smith, in honor of Halloween on the horizon! These interactive books are based on the collaborative Surrealist parlor game called Exquisite Corpse. Bring collage materials and your good scissors. We'll have plenty of extra supplies on hand as well.

If you are attending Craft Night virtually this week and would like to make Exquisite Corpse books along with us, you'll need to gather these supplies:

Paper (something foldable, but pretty thick — a 90lb all purpose paper can work)

Scissors

Bone folder

Glue stick, or wheat paste and a glue brush

Rubber stamps & stamp pads

Collage materials

Upcoming Events at the Etsy Labs:

10/12: Skeleton Softies with Diana Schoenbrun
10/19: Handstitched felt with Kata Golda
10/26: Open Craft Night

Looking for more paper projects? Try these how-to's:

Spooky Shadow Puppets | Paper Flowers | Do-Si-Do Books

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

Coast-to-Coast: Double-Stuffed Craft Night with the Etsy Labs

2009-09-24T14:30:00-05:00

This week we are pleased to announce bi-coastal crafting events! Join the Etsy Labs in both Brooklyn and San Francisco (and online!) for free hands-on workshops to kick off autumn, here in the U.S. of A. So, read on for double the crafting merriment this week...

Crafting in Brooklyn, NY:

Open Craft Night at the Etsy Labs in DUMBO

This week we're hosting an open Craft Night, as we usually do on the last Monday of each month. Instead of an organized project, this week we are throwing the doors of the Etsy Labs wide open and letting you dive into any project that strikes your fancy. Bring along any project you'd like to develop during this week's Craft Night, or start a brand new project using our tools and extra supplies. To craft-finity and beyond!

When: Monday, September 28; drop in any time between 4 to 8 p.m. ET
Where: Etsy Labs at 55 Washington Street, Suite 512, Brooklyn, NY

Upcoming Events at the Etsy Labs in Brooklyn:

10/4: Church of Craft meeting

10/5: Exquisite Corpse Cards & Books with Esther K. Smith

10/12: Skeleton Softies with Diana Schoenbrun

Crafting in San Francisco, CA:

Craft Bar with Etsy Labs at the Museum of Craft and Folk Art in San Francisco

Join us for the first Craft Bar with Etsy Labs @ MOCFA SF! Local artists will teach you how to embroider, or you can brush up on your knitting skills with a quick and easy scarf. Learn how to make a fun, free project that is perfect for gift-giving. Sessions are free and open to all skill levels from beginner to expert. Materials and instruction will be provided.

Don't live in California? Fear not, MOCFA will also host a live demo of the knitting project via webcam in Etsy's Virtual Labs for our faraway friends. If you're joining us virtually, be sure to download this pattern of the project (designed by Amelia Strader) so you can follow along.

The Craft Bar will also include beers and wine from the region, as well as DIY bar design. Don’t forget to peruse the gallery and Museum Store for inspiration! The Craft Bar with the Etsy Labs sessions kick off Thursday, October 1 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. PT in the Museum of Craft and Folk Art store. Admission is free. Stay tuned for details about Student Night at MOCFA in November.

When: Thursday, October 1 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. PT
Where: Museum of Craft and Folk Art at 51 Yerba Buena Lane, San Francisco, CA

Looking for more crafting projects? Try these how-to's:

Tatami Socks | Like-New Shoes | Natural Dye | Tool Apron

Will we see you at an Etsy Labs event this week? Let us know in the comments below!

Come Craft With Bags for the People at the Etsy Labs

2009-09-17T16:00:00-05:00

Why stay in and sew all by your lonesome? Come join us for a bag-making workshop with Bags for the People — whether you're in Brooklyn or anywhere in the world. Stop by for our weekly Craft Night in our online multi-user chat room, the Virtual Labs, for a live online demo at 5 p.m. ET, or in person at the Etsy Labs in Brooklyn anytime between 4-8 p.m. at 55 Washington Street, Suite 512 in Brooklyn, New York. (Click here to see what time 5 p.m. ET is in your hometown.) Craft Night is a time to make things, sharpen your craft skills, meet new friends, and hang out

This week, on Monday, September 21, we will be making bags with Bags for the People, a non-profit organization that provides the public with a sustainable alternative to plastic bags. They use all repurposed materials and give bags out for free. Bags for the People also perform community building workshops and events (like this one!) to convince people to make the switch from plastic to reusable and inspire the public to take an active and creative role in life. Learn all about Bags for the People and what they do here.

We'll have all the materials you'll need to make a bag of your own here at the Etsy Labs, included some misprinted t-shirts, thanks to our pals at Threadless! If you have any fabrics or old clothing that you would like to turn into bags, please bring that along.

If you are attending Craft Night virtually this week and would like to stitch up some bags along with us, you'll need to gather these supplies: fabric, sewing machine (or needle and thread), thread, scissors, pins, iron.

Upcoming Events at the Etsy Labs:

9/28: Open Craft Night

10/4: Church of Craft meeting

10/5: Exquisite Corpse Cards & Books with Esther K. Smith

10/17: Sock Monkey Workshop with Fresh Art

If you'd like to lead a Craft Night, 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! If you'd like to learn more about the Etsy Labs, check out our FAQs. Want to receive email updates? Join our Etsy Labs mailing list. If you're on Meetup, please do join the Etsy Labs Meetup group.

Looking for more bag-making projects? Try these how-to's:

Favor Bag | Lunch Bag | Eco Friendly Bags | Applique a Cameo Tote

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

All about Etsy FAQ Series: Welcome to the Etsy Labs

2009-09-17T13:08:00-05:00

We here at the Etsy Labs are often asked questions about what the Labs are and how the community can get involved. We realize there isn't really any published material about the Etsy Labs on the site other than our Merchandise shop, so we hope that we can clear up a few of the most frequently asked questions concerning the Etsy Labs in this article.

For more on this All About Etsy FAQ series, check out the intro, the All About the Teams post or the All About The Storque post.

What are the Etsy Labs?
The Etsy Labs are the physical Etsy offices located in Brooklyn, New York: Etsy central! Within the offices, the Labs functions as a community workspace where we hold Craft Nights and occasional events. The Etsy Labs folks run the community workspace, host events and visiting members of the press, design and make handmade Etsy merchandise and press kits and promos, manage the Etsy Labs shop, host online workshops and tutorials each week and represent Etsy at craft shows. We also work as Admin who are here to help you whenever you need shop advice. Whenever we have an event here at our offices, we try to broadcast it via webcam to the Virtual Labs. In short, Etsy Labs is much more than an office: We work to bridge the online and offline worlds of Etsy.

Can I come visit the Etsy Labs?
We welcome visitors at the Etsy Labs and love putting faces with names and avatars! The best time to come by and say hello is on Mondays from 4 - 8 p.m., when the community space is open to the public for Craft Night. We are now located at 55 Washington Street, Suite 512, Brooklyn NY, 11201. (We moved from our 325 Gold St, Brooklyn location in August 2009.)

How do I keep up with what's going on at Etsy Labs, like finding out about events and online workshops?
To find out about events at the Labs and any online workshops that are coming soon, we'd recommend joining the Etsy Labs mailing list to receive occasional updates from the Etsy Labs straight to your inbox.

Also, you may wish to keep an eye on the Etsy Labs column of the Storque or the Events section of the Storque. We're always updating what's going on and how you can be a part of it!

If you're a member of Meetup.com, please do join the Etsy Labs Meetup group. If you're a fan of flickr.com, you can keep track of what's going on at Etsy on our flickr page and our Etsy Labs Show & Tell group.

What is Craft Night and how can I get involved?
Every Monday from 4 - 8 p.m. we hold a free weekly, walk-in Craft Night where the community space in our offices is open to the public. 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. This is the perfect time to see the space, use the equipment and supplies free of charge, and learn a new skill. Just stop on by!

If you're not in the area, visit the Virtual Labs where we fire up the webcam and share in the fun.

If you would like to lead a Craft Night or have a suggestion for a 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!

The first Sunday of each month from 2 - 6 p.m. the Church of Craft meets at the Labs, which also serves as an open crafting time, and you are welcome to join in.

Do you still offer classes at the Etsy Labs?
At the beginning of 2009, we discontinued our class program here at the Etsy Labs and embarked on a collaboration with the Brooklyn artist facility, 3rd Ward. This collaboration is called Etsy at 3rd Ward, and it is a craft education program born from Etsy and 3rd Ward's shared spirit of hands-on innovation. Together we present the opportunity to learn skills to expand creative know-how and craft a handmade life. Check out this program for a host of exciting craft classes.

May I rent equipment from Etsy Labs?
Tools and supplies are available for use during our weekly Craft Nights. We have a slew of crafty equipment on hand and open for use during Craft Night, including sewing machines, sergers, a one-inch button maker, paper cutters, fabric, paper, sewing notions, rubber stamps, linoleum carving tools, irons, cutting mats, and a whole lot more. To use specialized equipment at the Etsy Labs, like sergers, we ask that you have demonstrated previous experience. To use the button maker, please bring your own button one-inch parts.

At this time, our screenprinting equipment is reserved for use by Etsy for in-house production of promotional materials.

What are the Virtual Labs and how do I participate in an online workshop?
The Virtual Labs are Etsy's online, interactive, multi-user chat room. We use the Virtual Labs to connect with our community, host events, live webcam how-to's, Team meetings, newbie chats, show and tell, shop critiques, and more! To find out what is happening in the Virtual Labs this week, just visit the lobby of the Virtual Labs for a schedule or check out the Virtual Labs Storque articles for the details. More info about the Virtual Labs here.

Apply to host a workshop in the Virtual Labs here.

Why is your Blogspot blog so out of date?
Our Etsy Labs blog is what we used to communicate with the community before The Storque made its debut on Etsy. Now that The Storque is here, we now keep in touch with you guys over here. However, since there is so much useful information and so many resource links over at our old blog, we wanted to leave it up for you all to access everything that still lives over there.

Do you accept donations of crafting supplies?
Through your generosity we have a full house of donated craft supplies and equipment at the Etsy Labs, and we are pretty much filled to the brim. We are limiting what we can take at this time, so if you would like to send a donation, just send us an email to labs@etsy.com to work out the details.

Can we have an Etsy Labs in our city/area?
It would be wonderful to have an Etsy Labs in every state or in non-U.S. countries. It is our hope that through the Etsy Teams and partnerships, people will be able to meet up and form their own community workspaces in their areas where they host skill shares, get donations, and generally help each other spread the Etsy love. If you'd like to take on a project like this, please keep send your idea to labs@etsy.com.

Soooooo...all you ever wanted to know about the Etsy Labs! Didn't see the answer to your question in this article? Send us an email to labs@etsy.com or post in the comments below, and we will be sure to get back to you with your answer!

Love,

The Etsy Labs

Craft Night is Back at the Etsy Labs!

2009-09-10T15:00:00-05:00

We've been unpacking a mountain of boxes and getting settled into our sunny new space after our great office move of 2009. We are excited to announce that our very first craft night in our new home at 55 Washington Street, Suite 512, Brooklyn, NY 11201 will be Monday, September 14 from 4 to 8 p.m. Stop by to see our new home in Dumbo, share recipes, and nibble on sweets.

From here on out, Craft Night will be resuming at the new Etsy Labs in Brooklyn and in our online interactive classrooms, the Virtual Labs, on our previous schedule. Craft Night will continue to be held as a drop-in affair from 4 to 8 p.m. each Monday (with the exception of holidays), with demos held in person throughout the evening by a fierce line-up of artists, crafters, authors, and more. Online demos in the Virtual Labs will be held at 5 p.m. each week (or as announced) for our faraway friends.

This week we're hosting a recipe swap, complete with lovely letterpressed recipe cards printed by our new neighbor Rebecca of Moontree Press, as well as a bake sale with Tracy of Sweet Tooth of the Tiger. Bring your tastiest recipe to share, and we'll show you how to make and decorate a case for your new recipes. Bring your handwritten recipe ready to go in 4" x 6" format to photocopy and share, or a recipe to copy by hand onto the letterpressed recipe cards.

If you are participating remotely, you are welcome to contribute to the recipe pool by emailing your 4" x 6" recipe to labs@etsy.com.

If you are attending Craft Night virtually this week and would like to make a recipe card case along with us, you'll need to gather a few supplies:

Paper
Scissors
Ruler
Bone folder (if you have one)
4" x 6" recipe cards
Paint, colored pencils, markets, stamps, etc. for decorating

Be sure to also check out Sweet Tooth of the Tiger's Bleeding Vampire Cupcake video for Halloween baking ideas, and the Handmade Weddings: Invitation Options article with Moontreepress for invitation inspiration.

Upcoming Events at the Etsy Labs:

9/21: Bag-making workshop with Bags for the People

9/28: Open Craft Night

10/5: Exquisite Corpse Cards & Books with Esther K. Smith

A snapshot from last month's DIY Thursday series at the Museum of Arts & Design.

Looking for further cooking inspiration? Try these links:

Mee Goreng Recipe | Spicy Coconut Soup | Party Planners with Food & Wine Magazine

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

Etsy Finds: Pulp Fiction

2009-08-29T10:16:00-05:00

Unlike most people, Monday is my favorite day of the week. When I reach for my Monday day-of-the-week undies, I know it's going to be a good day, since I'll be getting my weekly crafting fix with a vibrant bunch of artists at Craft Night at the Etsy Labs in Brooklyn, NY. No matter where you call home, you can get this Monday glow (or any other day of the week, for that matter) by throwing a craft night of your own with your favorite crafty pals.

In today's edition of Etsy Finds, I've scoured Etsy for supplies, kits, and tools to help you open new doors in your own crafting adventures with paper.

For even more hands-on creative ideas, be sure to peruse the DIY Made Simple Gift Guide.

DIY Library

Bookbinding is a favorite craft of mine, and I will gladly talk your ear off about my favorite bone folder or the intricacies of paper, if you let me! If you're looking for a bookmaking project, might I suggest folding a weekly planner or stitching a do-si-do book? If you want to go DIY all the way, why not make your own paper, too?

Solid Oak Book Press

By UberArt, $75.

Search results (tags) for: "craft night"

Come Craft With The Uniform Project & Megan Nicolay of Generation T

Come Craft Plush Toys With Wendy Gardner at Etsy Labs

Come Craft With KnitKnit at the Etsy Labs

Coast-to-Coast: Craft with Etsy Labs in Brooklyn and San Francisco

Come Craft With the Etsy Labs & Esther K. Smith: Rolling Ball Books and Ornaments

Come Craft With Bags for the People & Katherine Bell at Etsy Labs

Quilting for Peace: Stitch Your Own Shopping Bag

Come Craft With the Etsy Labs & AMH Design: Needlepoint Gift Tags

Coast-to-Coast: Come Rock and Craft With Etsy Labs

Come Craft With the Etsy Labs and Rawfish

Come Craft With the Etsy Labs & Kata Golda: Felt Photo Pockets

Come Craft With the Etsy Labs: Skeleton Softies With Diana Schoenbrun

Come Craft With the Etsy Labs & Esther K. Smith: Exquisite Corpse Books

Coast-to-Coast: Double-Stuffed Craft Night with the Etsy Labs

Come Craft With Bags for the People at the Etsy Labs

All about Etsy FAQ Series: Welcome to the Etsy Labs

Craft Night is Back at the Etsy Labs!

Etsy Finds: Pulp Fiction

DIY Library

Lasting Imprint

Icing on the Cake

Craft with Etsy at the MAD Museum with Aaron McIntosh

Craft with Etsy at the MAD Museum with Nicole Licht of Astulabee

Craft with Etsy at the MAD Museum with Megan Nicolay

Craft with Etsy and the MAD Museum with Sabrina Gschwandtner

Join the Etsy Labs at the Last Open Craft Night on Gold Street

Come Craft With the Etsy Labs: Coast to Coasters

Come Craft With the Etsy Labs & Bags for the People

Come Craft With the Etsy Labs: Knitted Postcards

Come Craft With the Etsy Labs: Open Craft Night

Come Craft With the Etsy Labs: Lip Balm Making

Come Craft With the Etsy Labs: Crochet Night with Kim Kotary

Come Craft With the Etsy Labs: Paper Puppets With Crankbunny