Search results (tags) for: "lifestyle"

Resolutions for Reuse

2010-01-05T14:02:00-05:00

Garth Johnson is an artist, writer and educator who lives in Eureka, California and teaches at College of the Redwoods. His book, 1000 Ideas for Creative Reuse, was just released by Quarry Publishing. Additionally, he maintains the blog Extreme Craft and a new blog for ReadyMade Magazine about his adventures with his 1905 Victorian home. Garth is also the co-host of Reconstruct: Eco-Friendly Crafts Made Easy, a step-by-step DVD that shows viewers how to make their own projects out of recycled materials.

Quarry recently published my new book, 1000 Ideas for Creative Reuse, which gathers 1000 projects from contemporary crafters, artists and makers from across the globe. Every project in the book reuses materials in a clever way, transforming everyday materials into exciting pieces of fashion, art, jewelry and furniture. There are stunning works of craftsmanship in the book by established masters, but also "quick and dirty projects" that may not have taken much time or elaborate equipment to assemble, just a leap of imagination.

I invited many of the contributors to the book personally, asking them to submit projects I had seen or written about previously, but the bulk of the contributors came from an open call for entries that circulated on blogs and message boards. I spent countless hours sifting through Etsy sellers, trying out every variation on "repurposed," "recycled," "upcycled" and "trashion" that I could think of. I also had the good fortune to host a few Etsy Shop Live events where I got to play show-and-tell with some of my finds and chat live with Etsy makers. In fact, the book wouldn’t have been possible without Etsy. I would estimate that nearly half of the contributors have (or have had) shops on Etsy.

I spent a solid year soliciting, then sifting through the more than 7,000 files that were submitted. I had to juggle paperwork and files for each artist, which was almost as challenging as the agonizing decisions about which projects to choose. In the end, though, the monumental amount of work that went into assembling the book was well worth it. My book designer, Sandra Salamony, helped make visual sense out of the material, giving harmony to the wide range of work.

The best part for me was getting to know the people who submitted work to the book. I had met a handful prior to putting the book together, but I was introduced to the plenty of new people in the process.

It’s now 2010. My wife and I just bought an old Victorian house in Eureka, California. We’re doing a lot of decoration and restoration, and we’re trying to fill the house with as much repurposing as possible. One new acquisition is an exquisite chandelier from John Hardin, an artist featured in the book, which is made out of tin cans that have been transformed with a welding torch.

We’ve actually been writing a blog for ReadyMade Magazine called Keeping Up With the Johnsons, which has been a fun 21st century experiment in home renovation. It’s been really helpful to ask advice from ReadyMade’s readers, as well as sharing our tragedies and triumphs. We’re going to be working on other repurposed projects like a souvenir-plate tiled backsplash for our kitchen and shelving made from old wooden soda crates. We’re trying to furnish our entire house in antique, refinished and repurposed furniture.

After all of the work it took to put the book together, it’s amazing to finally hold a finished copy in my hands. Every page is loaded with exciting ideas that inspire me to create my own repurposing projects rather than following step-by-step instructions. In fact, the main part of the book only contains photographs and some information about the maker. My hope is that the reader is constantly guessing what materials were used and flipping to the index in the back of the book for more information.

Response to 1000 Ideas for Creative Reuse has been tremendous so far. I owe a huge debt of inspiration and gratitude to the makers who submitted their work. Creative reuse has always been a part of life in the small town in Northern California where I live, and it’s great to see that the concept is opening up new avenues of creativity for people around the world.

In conjunction with the book, I’ve been looking at instances of creative reuse throughout history, and I found that creative reuse has always been the norm. It’s time we catch up to our ancestors. Etsians who contributed to 1000 Ideas for Creative Reuse share some repurposing tips and new year's resolutions below.

FrucciDesign: I collect the wrapping paper of all my gifts and I reuse it. I'll make some jewelry out of it, but you know, there are many ways to reuse paper, such as mail envelopes, cards, placeholders, name tags, and collages just to name few.

EyePopArt: Don't be afraid to start with next to nothing! When I discovered that I wanted to paint, I was super poor and couldn't afford to purchase canvases. So I just started painting on whatever was around. The first painting I ever did was on the side of an old hard shell suitcase. If you have a creative impulse, there is no reason to be limited by lack of access to materials. There are materials all around you!

It's been over a year since I've taught an art class to kids, and I really miss that! One of my favorite lesson plans is painting mandalas on recycled vinyl records. In 2010 I resolve to volunteer my time to teach this creative reuse class to kids at a local elementary school. I love talking to kids about upcycling and repurposing, because they totally get it! It's not a hard sell, especially when they see what beautiful creations they are capable of making from scraps, trash, and junk! I think art and recycling go hand in hand, and kids understand that. They just need a little guidance. The more kids we can educate about reusing and recycling, the better the chances are for our planet's future.

thistledownandfinch: The best piece of advice I have for folks looking to creatively reuse is to open their minds. Wide, wiiiiide open. Think outside of the box. Literally anything can be reused — and (nearly as literally) anything can be made from that said-initial-anything. That's what makes Etsy so great. That's what makes art art and craft craft. (And art craft and craft art.) Reuse is as good for your brain as it is for your soul. And in this age of excessive consumption, it's better for the planet than most things I can think of.

My mantra for 2010 is "search for the bigger picture." There's enormous impact hidden behind everything that we consume, and it can be so simple to miss it — but it's so important to pay attention, because, often, I think, our intent can be nullified without our even knowing. People decide to buy organic to protect ecosystems and reduce greenhouse emissions, but their town only carries things flown the width of the country, wrapped in four layers of plastic, or someone wants to support sustainable clothing, but the mother-company is a conglomerate and the proceeds are in the hands of folks with abominable environmental records.

It merits enormous pats on the back for making that initial commitment, for leading by example and trying to effect real environmental change, but marketers are saaaaaaavvy these days. It is (almost) the future, after all, and so it's important to remember look behind things and to collect as many facts as you can to be sure that your resolve isn't in vain and that this happy little planet of ours has us all watching its back as well as we think we are.

woolybaby: Most of my creativity regarding reuse comes from the thrift store, where there are so many treasures just waiting for a new life. I also "reuse" in lots of ways other than in my finished product. Just now I was turning my husband's empty beer boxes into cubbies for my cut leather inventory. This summer I turned a tea box inside out and into a card holder for a craft show. Maybe these are ideas that others could try.

In the new year, I plan to find a source for previously used tissue paper (for stuffing my slippers), perhaps from a local store, and find durable recycled shipping envelopes.

OffTheHooks: Instead of buying brand new yarn, why not try recycling and unraveling a second-hand sweater? This can often be even more earth friendly than buying new "eco" yarn as it takes no new energy to produce. Look for higher quality fibers such as soft wool, cashmere, cotton or even silk — avoid serged seams and sweaters that have been shrunk or felted — these are very difficult to unravel. Once unraveled, you can even dye your yarn!

One of my new year's resolutions to help the environment: To find more sources of local fiber for spinning my yarn. Until I can raise my own sheep for wool, I'd love to be able to meet and support the farmers who do this already!

1byliz: Spend time with children. Notice how they interact with their environment. They see possibilities everywhere and sometimes we need to shift our perspective to foster our own creativity.

Resolution: Bike more, drive less.

margauxlange: An idea for creative re-use that I really like (but, I should be clear, I DID NOT personally come up with) is a "kitty scratcher stump" made out of cardboard boxes. I collected used boxes and other various discarded scraps of cardboard for about a month and a half and cut them into 6" strips. Then I coiled the strips onto themselves, gluing with a hot glue gun as I went, until the circle was about 2 feet in diameter. I then painted the edge of the outside of the stump (colorful circus-like stripes), sprinkled the top with some catnip, and voila! My cat LOVES the thing and scratches on it all the time. I plan to eventually make more at various heights.

westernartglass: When nibbling shapes from sides of beer and wine bottles, have an ample supply of band-aids, and be up-to-date on your tetanus shot! For the noodle year, as always, keep a wary eye for feral mushrooms and pheromone marshmallows.

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

Merry Christmas, Seasons Greetings, and to All a Good Night

2009-12-24T13:15:00-05:00

We are wishing you the happiest of holidays with your family and friends.

We love you, Etsy people!

The Collectors: Jelene's Nutcracker Suite

2009-12-22T16:36:00-05:00

Woowee! This is such a magical time of the year: beautiful music, gorgeous festive colors, and a little fairy dust that seems to dance in the air everywhere we go. How grand!

For me, one of the most nostalgically captivating scenes of the year shines bright on the stages around the world as Tchaikovsky’s ballet, The Nutcracker Suite, thrills children of all ages. This whimsical fairytale, where toys come alive and vivid color swirls all around, tells the story of a world filled with whimsy, festive fashions, and something glorious to capture the imagination of every child.

So here’s the perfect collection for such a magical world. Hope you’ll love Jelene’s festive nutcrackers!

Who (are you) : My name is Jelene Morris — my Etsy shop is jelene.etsy.com

What (are you collecting) : Nutcrackers

When (did you start) : I started collecting nutcrackers when I was a teenager.

How (many do you have?) : I have 25 of them so far.

Where (do you find them) : I collect them from all over. I have some from Germany, some my family and friends have given me.

Where (do you keep them) : I keep them in my doll case, but during Christmas, I have them out on display for everyone to see them.

What (‘s a crazy/interesting story behind one) : I became fascinated with nutcrackers when I first saw the play The Nutcracker at age 11. I wanted one for Christmas, but they were really expensive… so unfortunately I didn't get one that year. I think during that time, most of them were around $150 or more. Since they have become more popular with Christmas, now they are easier to find.

What (piece would you like to add): I've seen some nutcrackers that have costumes, or ones that look like chefs. Those would be fun to have.

Why (do you love them) : I've just always loved them ever since I saw them as a child. I think of them as dolls, but just in wooden form. Some of them are really detailed. I think it's funny how originally they were for cracking nuts, but now they are just mainly for decoration.

Which (one is your favourite) and why : My favorite one is the smallest one I have. It's about a 1/2" inch tall. I just love it so; it's so incredibly small.

What (else do you collect) : I also have tons of dolls that I've been collecting since I was a kid. I also love art toys and vintage toys.

How fun! Thanks so much, Jelene.

Continue delighting your senses this season with a visit to Jelene’s bright and beautiful studio, where her pop art playground-of-a-shop is a wonderland for every age. Her fun and festive designs are just the thing for the young-at-heart and sugar-plum fairies this season!

Happy Holidays, nicies!
And may all of your festive dreams come true!

What do you collect? I’d love to hear! Please post in the comments below!

The Collectors Series | Etsy Nutcrackers | More Collections Posts on Rikrak's Blog

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.

Keep it Weird: Kindred Spirit

2009-12-18T16:00:00-05:00

For this week's Keep it Weird, fellow Etsy shopper Fata shares his favorite specimens for our viewing pleasure.

We are all a collection of atomic particles interacting in a quantum dance with all other particles in the universe. I am one such unique organization of this matter that seeks the blend of science and art because some collection of matter organized into neurons in my brain is excited, which my biochemistry interprets as pleasing. Some would extend that to "weird" when referring to me, but sometimes weird is good. I work to blend biological and computer sciences but find my creativity in making music.

Have you ever wondered what organisms may have lived in the past that went extinct, leaving us perhaps just a trace fossil record in some obscure location like the bottom of the Marina trench? Perhaps those creatures live here on Etsy, brought back to life by the collective creative. Can you prove otherwise?

Specimen Box No. 1 by specimen7, Screamin' Green Monster Wave by Psculptures, and obliterati specimen F by danamilton. Check out the Related Items below for more of Fata's picks.

More Keep it Weird Posts | Specimens on Etsy | Art Tagged "Organism"

Furoshiki for the Holidays

2009-12-16T17:00:00-05:00

This holiday season, once the gifts under the tree have been ravaged and unearthed, avoid dragging that garbage bag of crumpled wrapping paper and wilted bows down the driveway. Designer and illustrator Jenn Playford offers an environmentally-friendly and irresistibly pretty alternative.

Jenn's interests in colors, graphics, and textile, led her to the traditional Japanese wrapping cloth of furoshiki, and eventually, her own line of reusable fabric gift wrap, called Furochic™. Here on The Storque, Jenn shares some techniques and inspiration from her book, Wrapagami, the Art of Fabric Gift Wrap, along with a fascinating history of this resurrected craft.

I love fabric. Walking into a store where the shelves are filled with beautiful fabrics makes my heart race with anticipation, and the gorgeous colors, textures, and patterns are always invigorating and inspiring. I have always enjoyed making things using my vast collection of fabric, ribbon, yarn, trinkets, gems, and odds and ends — and, especially, using these embellishments to decorate gifts. For years, pages from fashion magazines were my gift wrap of choice, as I felt that wrapping paper was wasteful. Eventually, my love for textiles and concerns about the environment prompted me to try wrapping gifts with fabric remnants from my collection.

An interest in Japanese art and design, especially textiles, led me to furoshiki, a cloth wrap used in Japan since the seventeenth century to wrap and carry items.

History of Furoshiki

Nara Period (Eighth Century): Starting in the eight century, a square piece of fabric called hokei-fuhaku was used to wrap special items of value, including clothing for Buddhist priests and elaborate minstrel costumes. The wrapping was called tsutsumi, and its main purpose was to protect and carry garments.

Edo Period (1603-1868): As bathhouses increased in popularity, the square wrap became known as furoshiki: furo meaning "bath" and shiki meaning "to spread." Furoshiki were used to carry toiletries and clothing to the bathhouses and were also placed on the floor to act as bathmats. During this period, wealthy families commissioned bridal furoshiki of different sizes, decroated with their family crests and symbols of good luck.

1800s: When cotton was introduced from overseas, furoshiki began to be produced on a larger scale. At the same time, people of Japan were traveling more for pleasure, often selling goods along the way. Furoshiki were used for not only transporting the travelers' belongings but also their goods for sale.

1900s: At the turn of the twentieth century, the advances in textile production — mainly automated looms from overseas — made furoshiki even more accessible to the public. Furoshiki became mass-produced, and the tradition of using cloth to wrap gifts was established. Gifts wrapped with furoshiki would often be presented in person; the person giving the gift would unwrap and reveal the gift, and then keep the cloth to take home. The bridal furoshiki also became commonplace, and the bride used the large cloths for wrapping her belongings and the small cloths for wrapping gifts.

Post-World War II: After World War II, the Japanese became more highly influenced by American culture, resulting in the decline of furoshiki. The invention of the paper bag, followed by the plastic bag and the emergence of supermarkets across Japan in the 1970s, contirbuted to the disappearance of furoshiki. Plastic boxes and bags replaced furoshiki as a means of storage and for carrying goods. By the 1980s, the custom of using furoshiki to wrap gifts had declined almost to obscurity.

1990s - Present: When Japan's economic boom ended in the early 1990s, people began to reflect upon the disadvantages and waste in a disposable society. In 2006, Japan's then Minister of the Environment, Ms. Yuriko Koike, launched a campaign to encourage the use of furoshiki, instead of paper and plastic, and bring back the cultural tradition of wrapping and carryin gitems in fabric. She designed a furoshiki called the "Mottainai Furoshiki," mottainai, translating to "waste not, want not." The result has been a renewed and widespread interest in the tradition of tsutsumi and a flowering of creativity associated with it. Furoshiki are beginning to be seen outside of Japan as people worldwide embrace greener lifestyles and adapt different cultural solutions to their own ways of living.

The 4-Tie Box Wrap is simple yet elegant. This wrap can hold almost any square box securely, and it works equally well for small or large and light or heavy packages. You can even carry the box from the top, holding it under the knots as a handle. The knots on top of the box give the illusion of a fancy bow.

What You Need
1 square wrap. The size should be large enough to have 5" (12.5cm) left after tying the knots. A 28" x 28" (71 x 71cm) wrap works well for a 6" x 6" x 4" (15 x 15 x 10cm) box.

Fabric Notes
Almost any fabric will work, but if your box is heavy, it is best to avoid stretch fabric. Stay away from fabrics that are too thick, or the double knots will be bulky.

Tips + Variations
This wrap works well with a scarf that has a 5" (12.5cm) border. The wrap to the right has a solid color border, which looks like a separate element sitting on top of the box — a big, complementary bow.

Tuck a note, card, or photo beneath the first (lower) bow for a surprise when the recipient opens the gift.

How to Do It
1. Lay wrap flat on a diagonal and place box in the center.

2. Pull up "b" and "d" and center above the box while arranging gathers evenly. Tie a square knot.

3. Adjust corners of first knot. Turn box and pull "a" and "c" up, arranging gathers evenly. Tie a square knot above the first knot.

4. Adjust bow corners so that there is one flap in each of the four directions.

The Over-the-Shoulder Wrap is simple yet functional. Three knots (two hidden) hold it in place and leave room for the bag to slide over a shoulder. Inside, there is ample room for items of varying sizes. It's a great way to wrap a gift for the crafty person on your list — fill it with yarns and other knitting and crochet supplies. This wrap can be easily reused because it holds its shape even after the gift is "unwrapped."

What You Need
1 square wrap. The wrap has to be at least 36" x 36" (91.5 x 91.5cm) to sit over the shoulder; otherwise, it will be more of a handbag.

Fabric Notes
A strong, durable fabric such as a thick cotton or denim is best. If the fabric is too flimsy, it won't hold its shape and may tear when carrying heavier items. Try a thick embroidered Chinese silk for a more formal look.

How to Do It

1. Lay wrap flat on a diagonal and fold "c" up toward "a" to form a triangle.

2. Gather corner "d" and measure approximately 1/2 the length of the side of the triangle. Tie into a single knot. Repeat the same for "b."

3. Flip the wrap inside out so that the two knots are sitting inside of the bag. Hold "a and "c" up.

4. Tie "a" and "c" into a square knot. Adjust fabric and gathers and place your gift inside the bag.

Thanks to Jenn Playford and the good folks at St. Martin's Griffin for sharing these projects with us. If you're looking for more reusable wrapping inspiration, check out Wrapagami and Jenn's Furochic website.

More Craftivism Posts | Environmentally Friendly Gift Guide | How-Tuesday Series

How-Tuesday: Sweater Computer Cozy From Refashioned Bags

2009-12-15T10:46:00-05:00

When it comes to tech possessions, we all have to try a little harder to express our individuality. I carry around my computer, phone, and mp3 player, self-conscious of the fact that I am merely one in a sea of identical metallic cubes. I may not be able to customize my electronics quite the way I like, but boundless opportunity arises in their accessories. Why spend money on some uninspired plastic case made in a factory halfway across the world, when you can create your own upcycled masterpiece? This week's How-Tuesday comes from Faith and Justina Blakeney's Refashioned Bags, teaching us how to turn a sweater that's past its prime into a laptop's fuzzy best friend.

Purchase Refashioned Bags from Amazon or an independent bookseller

Recycling and reappopriating everyday items into designer accessories is fun, cheap, easy, and oh-so-eco!

But have no fear; you need not be a seamstress or a metalsmith to make it happen. This book, like recycling, is for everybody. With just a few basic tools and a spare afternoon, you'll be making everyday bags, utility bags, totes and shoppers, clutches, and other small bags for special occasions.

So it's time to get creative, clean out the closets, and discover what hidden treasures lie within. Your wardrobe, your wallet, and your planet will thank you.

We all have mini fashion disasters — buttons falling off of coats, stains, and worst of all, shrinking that fave old sweater in the wash. At the Compai Compound, we have learned to see these mishaps as windows of opportunity. So the next time your favorite wool sweater ends up in the wash, don't use it to clean your bathroom floor — hook your computer up with a new winter wardrobe!

Quick Tip: Make sure the sweater is made of at least 80 percent animal fiber (wool, alpaca, cashmere — you know, the good stuff), or it won't felt. Then machine wash your sweater in hot water and dry it on hot in the dryer.

You'll Need
1 old wool sweater
3 yards (2.7m) yarn
1 zipper, about 20" (51cm) long
Pins

Dimensions
16" x 10" (32cm x 25.5cm)

1. Wash your wool sweater on hot so that it shrinks and "felts." Dry your sweater.

2. If your sweater has a zipper or buttons that open the sweater in front, cut them off. If it does not, cut the front of the sweater open anyway.

3. Cut the sleeves of the sweater off.

4. Stitch both armholes closed.

5. As shown, fold the sweater on its side so that one of the stitched armholes lies center-front. Place your laptop computer onto the sweater. Mark the length of the computer with pins on the sweater. Cut the collar and the bottom off of the sweater so that the remaining piece is 1/2" (13mm) longer than the computer on each side.

6. Sew the top edges of the bag together with a clean finish.

7. Pin the zipper onto the open edge of the case, wrapping it around the open corner of the sweater. Stitch the zipper into place and then whipstitch any remaining openings closed if the zipper doesn't reach the bottom corner of the case.

8. The pom-poms on our design were originally part of the sweater that we used, but if you'd like to add pom-poms to your design, wrap the yarn in a figure 8 around your index finger and thumb, in small loops, about 70 times. Pull the looped figure 8 off your fingers, then wrap the yarn around the center of those loops several times, tie a knot. Cut the loops open and throw the pom-pom in the dryer. When the dry cycle is complete, tie the pom-pom to the hole in the zipper pull.

Thanks to Faith & Justina Blakeney and the good folks at Potter Craft for sharing this project with us. For more upcycling inspiration, check out Refashioned Bags.

More How-Tuesday Posts | Supplies Category | The Do-It-Yourselfer Gift Guide

Show Us Your Crazy Christmas Tree

2009-12-14T18:30:00-05:00

PollyPainting's blue Christmas tree literally made me squeal with delight. It really does look like something out of Dr. Seuss! How's that for holiday cheer!

What's your interpretation of holiday decor — whether you celebrate Christmas or Hanukkah or another holiday? Are you a classic traditionalist or do you go in for zany vintage kitsch? Contemporary, monochromatic, all white?

Paste links to photos of your family's tree or other fabulous seasonal decorations in your home in the comments or add pictures to our There's No Place Like Here Flickr group. Show us what you got!

Keep it Weird: In the Ecozone

2009-12-11T15:00:00-05:00

Is global warming the Debbie Downer to your unseasonably pleasant winter? Before biodiversity drowns under melting glaciers, let's celebrate the ecological niches of eccentricity. This week's Keep it Weird took me on an off-roading tour of biomes. I'd love to inhabit any of these environments, where the strange is a particularly aggressive invasive species.

Explore the ecosystems with Desert Couture by attilladesign, Forest Triple Lipped Vase by ingermaaike, and Muncher - Driftwood Monster by SeanGrady. Check out the Related Items below for weird in its natural habitat.

More Keep it Weird Posts | Swamp Creatures | Driftwood Sculptures

How-Tuesday: Felt Garlands With Littleloveblue

2009-12-11T13:32:00-05:00

YouTube | blip.tv | MP4 | Subscribe in iTunes

We're bringing this lovely project back from last year, because it's that time of the season! Can you smell pine in your living room yet?

[Originally published December 16, 2008.]

This week, Etsy How-Tuesday presents Cary Walker, a.k.a. littleloveblue. Cary shows us how to make a holly leaf and berry garland out of felt. This simple but elegant project makes a great gift or a holiday decorating project to do with family and friends.

Materials Needed:

Holly leaf pattern
- Download it here, or draw your own
Green wool felt (or felted wool from a sweater, etc. as long as it's fairly sturdy)
Red wool roving
Felting needles
Felting pad
Scissors
Pins
Thread (red for the berries, and a color to match your ribbon choice)
Sewing needle
Tape measure
Ribbon (at least 2 yards)
Small bells (optional)

Steps for Making Felt Garland

Cut out your leaf pattern from the paper.
Pin the pattern to your wool felt and cut out the leaf.
- Repeat this step until you have 12 leaves.
Pull off a small amount of wool roving and then roll it into a ball about the size of a berry.
Using a needle felting needle, poke the ball many times over a needle felting pad, until it holds together firmly in the shape of a berry.
- Repeat steps 3 and 4 until you have 18 berries in total.
Thread the red color thread onto a sewing needle and sew three of the berries together, leaving the needle and thread attached to the berries (for now).
Gather two holly leaves and overlap them slightly at the top. Take your red thread through the two layers of leaves, attaching the berries to them. Bring the thread back and forth through the each berry to secure them well.
- Try to come through the same place in the back of the leaves each time, to make it neater.
Knot the thread in the back of the leaves and cut the thread.
- Repeat steps 5-7 until you have 6 sets of leaves and berries.
Measure at least 2 yards of ribbon. Starting about 12 inches from one end of ribbon and using the thread that matches, sew a set of leaves and berries onto the front of the ribbon.
Continue attaching each set, about 8 inches apart on the ribbon, knotting and re-threading your thread and needle for each one.
Make a 2 inch loop at each of the ribbon and sew those in place as well. You can make more sets of leaves and berries, and use longer ribbon to make your garland as long as you like.
Hang your garland and enjoy!

Watch more how-to videos and check out these how-to projects too!

Etsy Israel Team Wishes You a Happy Hanukkah!

2009-12-11T10:40:00-05:00

Hanukkah, or The Festival of Lights, is an eight day Jewish holiday commemorating the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem at the time of the Maccabees Revolt of the 2nd century BCE.

The holiday is observed by the kindling of the lights of a special candelabrum, the nine-branched Menorah or Hanukiah, one light on each night of the holiday, progressing to eight on the final night. An extra candle called a Shamash (Hebrew for "guard" or "servant") is also lit each night for the purpose of lighting the others, and it is given a distinct location, usually above or below the rest.

The holiday bears different meanings to the members of the Etsy Israel Team. Ever since I rented my first apartment, lighting the Hanukiah meant I am the queen of the castle. Even though Passover is considered the celebration of freedom, for me, it is Hanukkah that symbolizes accountability, self-sufficiency and standing on my own two feet. This Hanukiah shows a young family — mother, father and a young child waiting to light the Menorah, which is traditionally following by singing.

Ooty created this festive and happy Hanukiah, which elicits warm feelings of family and holiday time. She says, "This is my favorite holiday. Eight days of family and friends gathering, eating lots of holiday goodies and sharing little gifts and love. Feeling warm in the heart and around the house when it is wintry and cold outside."

Another popular Hanukkah tradition in Israel is eating fried doughnuts and potato latkes. At the rededication following the victory of the Maccabees, there was only enough consecrated olive oil to fuel the eternal flame in the temple for one day. Miraculously, the oil burned for eight days, which was the length of time it took to press, prepare and consecrate fresh olive oil.

Shay Aaron, who creates wonderfully realistic miniature food jewelry, says, “There are a variety of doughnuts around the world, but for me, the ultimate doughnut must be filled with jelly and powdered sugar. It reminds me my father, who used to work at night in our local bakery shop. That was our breakfast every day in December.”

Inbar talks about the tradition of Hanukkah coins: "Money is often distributed to children to enhance their enjoyment of the holiday. The amount is usually in small coins, although grandparents or other relatives may give larger sums as an official Hanukkah gift. In Israel, Hanukkah coins are also known as Dmei Hanukkah."

The dreidel, or "sevivon" in Hebrew, is a four-sided spinning top that children play with on Hanukkah. Each side is imprinted with a Hebrew letter. These letters are an acronym for the Hebrew words that mean: "A great miracle happened here" (or “there” on dreidels created outside of Israel), referring to the miracle of the oil.

Tamar, who created these colorful dreidel cards, says: “Hanukkah, for me, is the holiday for extended family and friends. The fact that it is celebrated for eight days gives you the opportunity to be both a guest and a host and the whole week becomes one long colorful and tasty feast."

Neta loves the homey aspect of the holiday: "Hanukkah always reminds me of cozy gatherings with the family on winter evenings when it is cold and rainy outside. As a young girl, I was always fascinated by the beautiful flickering lights of the candles. One of the things I liked most was creating amorphous forms by dripping the candle wax into small bowls of water."

These slippers remind me of the beautiful colors of the candlelight, and the cozy atmosphere associated with Hanukkah.

P.S. Silly Pinky tells the kids about lighting the candles in this video.

The Etsy Israel Team wishes everyone a wonderfully bright, homey, loving and happy Hanukkah!

More Posts About Jewish Culture & Holidays

News From the Craft + Style Blogosphere: December 10, 2009

2009-12-10T16:15:00-05:00

"Nothing risqué, nothing gained." — Alexander Woollcott

This week's edition of News From the Craft + Style Blogosphere has costumed spiritual messengers, animations to make your eyeballs dilate (with fashion!), minerals as art and an inspirational stone house that makes being a Flintstone an appealing prospect.

Read on!

Reed + Radar's freaky deaky animated GIFs marry fashion editorial and Paper Rad-style animation. I prefer my fashion consumption in eye-dilating doses. [Via Style Bubble]

This bulbous stone house is reminiscent of Fred Flintstone's cavernous cottage. Located in the mountains of Fafe, Portugal, this modern sculpture makes me ache to be a cave dweller! Check out this video for a view of the home's interior. (I wish I knew Portuguese!) [Via FlyLyf]

The brightly costumed wooden katsina dolls of the Hopi and Navajo tribes are a serious source of fashion inspiration: the textures, the layers, the patterns and prints! These beautiful dolls are also believed to be spiritual messengers with supernatural powers. These powerful symbols are thought to have the ability to bring the rain, punish offenders of ceremonial or social laws, and, in general, to function as messengers between the spiritual domain and mortals. These vibrant paintings by Raymond John Poseyesva revive these icons for a new century. [Via Nothing is New on Art 21]

Nature is a curious sculptress, and these minerals and gems salute the skilled hand that is time's gentle progression. But wait — these are actually not photos at all, but mind-meltingly realistic mineral paintings by the very talented Carly Waito. [Via Design*Sponge]

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

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.

Handmade Portraits: Enhabiten

2009-12-09T13:07:00-05:00

Friend Etsy on Youtube & Blip.tv | Subscribe to Etsy's iTunes Podcast | MP4 Verson

Like all our videos, feel free to re-post and embed the video on your blog!

(Music by Eric Beug, animation by JuliaPott)

Liane Tyrell, a.k.a. enhabiten, is interested in handmade marks. Whether they're in paintings, drawings or the stitches she makes on her unique housewares, the patterns and textures of a surface entice her. Liane specializes in pillows using vintage fabrics but has been known to make other domestic wares such as table runners, soft sculptures and embroidered wall hangings. Her rustic pillows are functional, but they also serve as tactile works of art.

Liane makes a point to surround herself with objects beautiful in their age and simplicity, from the furnishings in her fixer-up farmhouse to the fabric she uses for her creations. She believes that old things are imbued with a history and a presence that you cannot discount. Although she started enhabiten using new fabric for her goods, she quickly made the switch to vintage. When not using repurposed vintage fabrics, Liane picks environmentally-friendly materials such as organic cotton, buckwheat hulls and kapok.

Her love of simple things and vintage handmade elements makes each of her one-of-a-kind pieces personal and meaningful. From worn-with-love quilt scraps to delicate embroidery, each enhabiten piece is saturated with a history and thoughtful attention to detail that recall an austere time in the not-so-distant past.

Watch More Handmade Video Portraits

Take a look at Design*Sponge's Sneak Peek of Liane's rustic New Hampshire farmhouse!

How-Tuesday: Gingerbread Man Puppets From Felting for Baby

2009-12-08T15:50:00-05:00

Craft projects provide ample opportunities to spend time with your family and build anticipation for the holiday in the weeks leading up to Christmas. The sound of slippered little feet scrambling down the stairs will be irresistible! Saori Yamazaki's Felting for Baby offers beautiful inspiration to create everything soft and warm your baby needs. For this week's How-Tuesday, Saori shares the fundamentals of felting three-dimensional forms along with her pattern for Gingerbread Man Puppets to get your baby's first Christmas started off just right.

Purchase Felting for Baby from Amazon or an independent bookseller

Felt work involves taking fluffy wool fibers and working with them until the fabric is just the way you like. The items you can make vary widely, and there's no limit to what you can do with your ideas: making cute accessories, practical bags, and items for everyday life.

Making something by hand for someone else is a lot of fun, but a special joy is found in making something for a tiny, tiny baby. For example, if you're making booties, you can't help thinking of the cute little feet that you are making them for, and you find yourself smiling. A regular population explosion has been happening among my friends in recent years, and even though I enjoy buying baby gifts in a store, most of the time, my friends expect something handmade. At times like that, I get excited about making something.

I'm confident that my friends are pleased with the warmth of fine handmade felt items. I'd like all of you to try your hand at making felt items, too, whether for an infant, for someone else, or even for yourself.

Getting Started

The basic principle behind felt work is taking fluffy, raw wool fibers and intertwining them to create a stable form. This process is the act of felting. Wet Felting: In this technique, you take a small amount of liquid detergent, add it to hot water (this mixture is referred to simply as hot, soapy water in this book), moisten the wool fibers with it, and push and rub the fibers into shape. The chemical properties and heat of the liquid detergent, and the vibration and friction from your hands, cause the wool fibers to entwine and mat evenly, resulting in a smooth, strong fabric. This efficient technique is appropriate for making sheets of felt or felt with a lot of volume.

Tools and Materials:
The main type of wool used in this book is known as roving, which is raw wool that has been cleaned, carded, and gathered into long strips.

Shallow Basin: A shallow basin or container of some kind is useful when making a sheet of felt as it helps to contain the water used in the felting process. Alternately, you can use the kitchen sink.

Hot, Soapy Water: Add 3 or 4 drops of dishwashing detergent to about 1 quart of hot water. Adjust the amount so that it will foam slightly when you apply it to the wool, and rub. The hotter the water is, the faster the felting process will occur. Lukewarm or cold water takes more time.

Watering Can: Use this to sprinkle the carded wool lightly with hot, soapy water so that it doesn't separate. A spray bottle also works.

Waterproof Pattern Paper: Make patterns for your projects from a material that will not lose its shape when wet. Plastic sheeting and bubble wrap work well, but you can use the coated cardboard from milk cartons, too.

Wooden Dowel: You can advance the felting process by wrapping the wool around a wooden dowel or rolling pin. The larger your project is, the thicker the rolling pin should be.

How to Make Bag-Shaped and Three-Dimensional Forms

1. Arrange Side A
Take about 1 ounce of wool and divide it into eight equal strands. Make two layers, one horizontal and one vertical, on the pattern paper, using one strand of wool per layer. Even out the area, and spread out the wool so that it's a bit larger than the pattern area. (I refer to the front of the bag as side A and the back as side B.) Apply hot, soapy water to the two layers of wool and work it in thoroughly with your hands.

2. Work Side A
Turn the whole project over, along with the pattern paper. (If the piece is large, remove the pattern paper before turning it over and then replace it on the new top side.) If any of the fibers are sticking out, fold them over the pattern paper and work the edges and corners thoroughly.

3. Arrange Side B
Make two layers, one horizontal and one vertical, on another piece of pattern paper, using one strand of wool per layer. Then place side B on top of side A, pattern papers together.

4. Work Side B
Work the surface of side B with hot, soapy water, then turn the whole project over again. Turn it gently to make sure that the part you worked doesn't come apart or tear away.

5. Make a Bag Shape
As in step 2, fold over any wool fibers that stick out. Repeat steps 1 through 4 on both sides so that both sides have four layers of wool each.

6. Continue Felting
Put plastic bags over both hands, and start rubbing the felt in circular motions around the center, first gently, and then with more force. You can increase the pressure by pressing with the very tips of your fingers. Be sure to work the edges and corners thoroughly.

7. Pinch Test
Pinch a bit of the surface to see whether the fibers are firmly intertwined. (Be sure to check both side A and side B.) If the fibers come lose or break off, then the felting process is incomplete; repeat step 6.

8. Cut an Opening
Use scissors to cut an opening on the side that will be the mouth of the bag. (You'll felt the cult in step 11 to strengthen it.)

9. Remove the Pattern Paper
Slide the pattern papers out. Because the felting process is not yet complete on the inside of the bag, hold the bag carefully so that the insides don't stick to each other.

10. Turn It Right Side Out
Turn the bag right side out, taking care not to tear or stretch any of the felted fibers.

11. Felt the Edges and Opening
Flatten out the side edges of the bag and carefully rub and work them so that they felt. Since the opening cut in step 8 may be weak, work it for a while so that it's straight and sturdy.

12. Roll Up All Sides From Four Directions
Use a wooden dowel to roll up both side A and side B from the top, bottom, right, and left. Each time you unroll the felt, smooth out the wrinkles. If it starts to dry out, apply a little more hot, soapy water. Repeat this step until the whole piece has shrunk evenly and to the desired dimensions.

13. Shape the Bottom
Fold the bottom so that it's like a paper grocery bag, and rub and work it to form and stabilize the shape. Do the same with both side A and side B.

14. Make It Three-Dimensional
Stand the bag up, insert your hand, and flatten the inside bottom. Consider the proportions of the entire bag as you carefully felt the interior sides, angles, and opening, so that no distorted or uneven surfaces remain.

15. Adjust the Opening
Adjust the opening so that the bag is a uniform height. Apply some more hot, soapy water to the cut edges of the opening and work it in.

16. Stabilize the Shape
Rinse the bag in lukewarm water and briefly run it through the spin cycle of a washing machine. Stabilize the shape by ironing it, using a towel to keep the bag's shape.

17. Finishing
Let the felt dry naturally, and you will end up with the main body of a bag.

Finished Size 5 1/2" x 9 1/2"

Materials:
Wool for the main body: Natural or camel, 1 ounce
Wool for the face and buttons: Brown, small amounts

Instructions:
1. Divide the wool for the main body into eight parts.

2. Cut out a piece of pattern paper (download pattern here). Felt four layers of wool on both sides of the pattern paper to make a bag shape.

3. Cut an opening across the bottom, remove the pattern paper, and turn the puppet right side out. (Carefully use a rod to turn the arms and neck inside out.) Felt the puppet by rolling it up from all sides until it reaches the size indicated in the diagram.

4. Rinse and spin the puppet, iron it, and let it dry naturally.

5. Put a sponge inside the puppet and use a needle to felt the face and buttons onto the puppet.

Thanks to Saori Yamazaki and the good folks at Trumpeter Publishing for sharing this project with us. For more sweet wool, check out Felting for Baby.

More How-Tuesday Posts | Supplies Category | The Do-It-Yourselfer Gift Guide

Keep it Weird: Mangy Manger

2009-12-04T10:15:00-05:00

There is so much potential for self-expression in holiday decor that going traditional seems like a cop-out. If miracles of blazing oil or immaculate conception inspire you to reimagine our accepted constructs of reality, consider your tree a canvas for experimentation. How do you plan to provoke the relatives this year? Keep it Weird for God's sake!

Deck the halls with Hanukkah Fox Print by pamelaklaffke, Shower Art - Merry Buy Stuff Day by UglyBaby, and Art Doll Mouse Ornament by loopyboopy. Check out the Related Items below for a fire hazard of freaky.

More Keep it Weird Posts | Christmas Monsters | Vote for Super-Lux Gifts

News From the Craft + Style Blogosphere: December 3, 2009

2009-12-03T16:03:00-05:00

"All my hummingbirds have alibis and a 100 profound virtures cover my body." — Max Ernst

This week's edition of News From the Craft + Style Blogosphere has sophisticated anoraks, jodphurs and suspenders (with horses, to boot), pleasantly bizarre illustration, gently decaying wax beauties and white on white interiors.

Read on!

Oh, sweet equestrian fantasy! Dace's fall line is delicate and lovely (with a touch of masculinity — my favorite combo), and the lookbook makes for dreams of an equine companion and azure fog. (Coats on horses: also welcome in my book!)

I'm kind of obsessed with Native American artwork, as well as creatures that remind me of wookiees, so Dantes Wharf is an ideal melting pot of weirdo tubular proboscises, geometric masks and bowl haircuts. As Picdit says, it's like "Russian prison tattoos meets R. Crumb meets Star Wars. Happy nightmares!" [Via Picdit]

When I first laid my eyes on Barbara Abel's photos of antique shop-window mannequins, my heart began to beat a little faster. Part of a series she calls "Tragic Beauties," the photos were taken in a a "dimly lit mannequin warehouse in downtown Detroit, [where] they sat, covered in plastic for decades, until a few years ago when they were sold to collectors." These vividly realistic wax busts were modeled for by actual women at the beginning of the twentieth century. (Check out the last photo to see these ladies in their natural habitat, circa 1920.) Their expressive visages are complemented by human hair and glass eyes. What I wouldn't give to own one of these beauties! [Via Morbid Anatomy]

As time goes on, I get closer and closer to identifying what the perfect room is. Natalie from So Much to Tell You seems to be on the same page as my own endlessly evolving interior aesthetic.

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

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.

The Great Etsy Office Move of 2009: Our Quiltsy Quilts

2009-12-03T10:15:00-05:00

Thank you so much to the Quiltsy Team! Last summer, we commissioned this set of custom quilts to spell out "ETSY.COM." It's the first thing people see when they enter our new office, and it doubles as a movable wall for this now very cozy meeting room.

These quilts, like the Etsy community, spell out a big, bold vision. And when you get close up, you see so much distinctive variation in texture and detail.

The quilters also added a label on the back with all of their shop names, so Admin and guests can put a name to the stitching.

Team leaders kimbuktu and Pamelaquilts coordinated the project. Pamelaquilts figured out the pattern and process of the banners, and did the coordinating between all the members who worked on it. kimbuktu encouraged the Team to take on the project, was the mediator between Etsy Admin and the Quiltsy Team, and collected the panels, finished them up, and shipped them on to Etsy.

Pictured here is ForQuiltsSake, who remarked that she didn't have a big enough place in her house to photograph the entire "E" panel!

Teamwork is a beautiful thing, and we can't thank the Quiltsy Team enough for their hard work and craftsmanship.

We also want to thank Charles, our former coworker who masterminded this project!

Find Items by the Quiltsy Team | More Photos on Etsy Labs' Flickr

How-Tuesday: Jam Jar Gift Toppers From A Rainbow of Stitches

2009-12-01T16:19:00-05:00

While most of my gifts for Hanukkah this year will be coming from Etsy, I still try to look for ways in which I can add my own handmade touch, whether it's in the gift wrap, cards, or embellishments. The encyclopedia of embroidered design, A Rainbow of Stitches, offers over a thousand motifs to inspire you to add personal details to your holiday gifts. For this week's How-Tuesday, the authors share the fundamentals of cross-stitch along with a PDF of holiday cheer motifs to get you in the mood. Besides the lovely jam jar toppers above, how else would you put these seasonal patterns to use? Leave your ideas in the comments below!

Purchase A Rainbow of Stitches from Amazon or an independent bookseller.

If you haven't tried embroidery or cross-stitch before, a quick look through this book will give you overwhelming proof that you can stitch on virtually anything made from fabric. More than eighty inspiring ideas for stitched embellishment are shown, from wearables and personal accessories to a variety of decorative items for every room in your home.

So dig through your closets and open your dresser drawers to find an item that needs a little extra "something," then take a trip to your local crafts or fabric store to get some basic supplies. A rainbow of stitches awaits!

Before You Begin

Before you start, make sure your fabric is well prepared so it won't fray as you're stitching it. You can either hem the edges with a large basting stitch, or simply apply fusible web strips around the fabric's perimeter. Keep in mind that the piece of fabric should always be larger than the pattern to be stitched.

Working With Fabric

Fold your fabric in four to find its center point. Make large basting stitches along both the horizontal and vertical folds to serve as guidelines as you stitch. Align the center point of your motif with the point where the two lines of stitching intersect. Remove these guidelines once you've finished embroidering your motif.

To help stitches stay even, use an emboridery hoop. Gently stretch your fabric on the hoop, making sure to reposition it frequently — or to remove it at the end of each stitching session — to avoid damaging its weave.

Working With Embroidery Floss

Two or three strands of six-strand cotton floss were used to stitch all of the projects shown in this book. Whenever you start a project, you'll find it helpful to make a sampler of stitches on the fabric you're planning to use to determine how many strands of floss you'll need. As a general rule, lower-count Aidas — a type of counted thread fabric that's traditionally used for cross-stitch projects — require more strands, while higher-count Aidas and linens need fewer. For example, most projects stitched on 14-count Aida require three strands of floss, while those stitched on a 28-count linen, which has a much tighter weave, would probably need just two strands, and even one might look fine.

Transferring Motifs

To transfer motifs to your fabric, use carbon transfer paper, which is specially made for embroidery and is available in several colors. Choose the one that works best with your fabric. For example, white transfer paper is best for dark fabrics, while blue or red work best on lighter ones.

Start by photocopying the motif, which you can enlarge or reduce to get it to just the right size. Trace the photocopied motif on a sheet of tracing paper, following its outline and making sure to include all its details. Prepare your fabric according to the instructions on the previous page, then iron it carefully before spreading it out on a flat surface, such as an ironing board or clean work table.

Place the transfer paper between the fabric and the tracing paper, making sure to put the colored side of the transfer paper face down. Keep the papers in place by pinning them to the fabric. With a hard pencil or a pen, carefully trace the motif, pressing down so that the entire image transfers properly. Once you've finished, separate the papers and fabric carefully to avoid smudging the fabric.

Starting and Ending Off

This method of starting and ending off avoids having to tie knots on the back of your piece. To begin, take about a yard of floss, using as many strands as you need for your project. Fold it in two, then thread the needle. Bring the needle up through the fabric, leaving the loop created by the folded floss at the back. Bring the needle back down to start your first stitch, passing it through the loop, then pull gently to lock in the thread. Once you're done stitching, slip your thread under your last three or four stitches.

Essential Stitches

Cross stitch method 1
Cross stitches are typically worked on counted-thread fabric. This method is especially useful for lines of cross stitch.

Come up through the fabric at point A, then go back down at point B, up at C, down at D. Come back up at E and, working in the opposite direction, go down at B to form an X.

Cross stitch method 2
This method can be used either for lines of cross stitch or to make individual stitches.

1. Come up at point A, go down at B, come back up at C, then down at D to form the first cross stitch.

2. Come back up at B, go down at E, come up at D, then go down at F to the second cross stitch.

Stem stitch
Stem stitches create a continuous yet slightly staggered line.

1. Bring the needle up at point A, then into B and up at C (midway between A and B). Note that thread should loop under the needle.

2. To make the next stitch, go down at D and come back up at E, above the previous stitch and midway along its length.

Download a PDF of holiday cheer motifs here.

Thanks to Agnès Delage-Calvet, Anne Sohier-Fournel, Muriel Brunet, Françoise Ritz, and the good folks at Watson-Guptill Publications for sharing this project with us. For more inspired stitching, check out A Rainbow of Stitches.

More How-Tuesday Posts | Supplies Category | The Do-It-Yourselfer Gift Guide

Keep it Weird: Plymouth Rock

2009-11-27T12:30:00-05:00

If yesterday was a whirlwind of tofurkey and pie, sit back and relish the day-after food coma with some puritanical oddities. It's time to go against the grain in celebration of the pilgrims' journey for freedom. This week's Keep it Weird goes down real smooth with leftover gravy.

I give thanks for the Zombie Thanksgiving Turkey by IckyDogCreations, Vintage Pilgrim Candles from bythewayside, and Han Solo Being Harassed by the Puritan Squad by MattiasA. Check out the Related Items below for a curious cornucopia.

More Keep it Weird Posts | Thanksgiving Art | Vintage Turkey

Thank You, Etsy Community

2009-11-26T10:35:00-05:00

In the United States, we are gathering together with family and friends this Thursday to celebrate Thanksgiving, a day of gratitude for all we have. For fellow Etsians outside the U.S., it may be just another day hard at work; nevertheless, it is a good reason to take pause and thank each of you for being our partners in this wildly wonderful and inspiring venture we call Etsy.

As Etsy grows, the responsibilities we have to our community also grow. We take our responsibility very seriously. It is humbling to know that so many of you have come to depend on the service we provide. We are grateful for your support and will strive to continually earn your loyalty.

Over the course of 2009, I’ve had the great pleasure of meeting many Etsy sellers not only in the U.S., but also in Canada and Europe. Next year, I hope to meet in person with many more members of our global community. It is incredibly motivating to hear your stories and to understand what Etsy means to you. I am excited and inspired by the possibilities of what we can accomplish together.

Here’s to you, your many achievements, your vast creativity, and your immense talent.

Warm wishes and a heartfelt thank you.

Maria

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

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, 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.

The Collectors: My Favourite Dress's Vintage Pyrex Bowls

2009-11-25T15:16:00-05:00

I just love seeing what folks are collecting. I guess I feel it tells us just a little bit about what inspires them, what they love, and what they choose to surround themselves with in their homes. Today, I'm delighted to present the next in an ongoing series here on The Storque: The Collectors. First published on my own little blog, the rikrak studio, it's 11 and a half quick questions with a wonderful artist on what they're collecting (apart from their art supplies!). Hope you'll just love this vintage kitchenware collection with the charming myfavouritedress.

Yum!

As our thoughts turn to the upcoming holidaying seasons around the world, our kitchens emerge as our handmaking studios and workshops, where we each combine tradition and creativity to handcraft scrumptious feasts and delicious delights to share with friends and loved ones!

Indeed, cooking and baking are, for me, a wonderful part of the delight of holidaying time, and I thought you might just love a peek at this particular gorgeous collection of vintage kitchenware, which would surely inspire any home chef, and host(ess) as we look forward to the season of entertaining.

Psst: And just in case you’re like me and love the idea of baking, cooking, and entertaining, but it isn’t quite your forte (let’s be honest – I’m a wonderful disaster in the kitchen!) — fear not! Help is near! How about some delectables by the pros!

Who (are you) : Claire of myfavouritedress

What (are you collecting) : pyrex

When (did you start) : This collection here is about 6 years old.

How (many do you have?) : I have around 30-40 here in Vancouver, and a whole lot more in storage at my dad's in Australia.

Where (do you find them) : I find them all at the thrift stores (or op shops) and church sales.

Where (do you keep them) : I keep them in the kitchen. They get used every day.

What (‘s a crazy/interesting story behind one) : I have a friend who often picks me up little things at the thrift store, and one time we were sitting at the kitchen table talking when she casually reaches into her handbag and pulls out a huge butterprint bowl in perfect condition, and hands it to me — "Oh, I found this for you," and keeps on with what she was saying. Like no big deal. She's actually given me some beautiful pyrex and Fire King over the years. She is awesome.

What (piece would you like to add): Dots. I have absolutely no dots. And I love them.

Why (do you love them) : They're beautiful and functional, and they obviously last a long time.

Which (one is your favourite) and why : This tiny little blue bowl that is quite old, but I love the shade of blue and how it has worn away at the top.

What (else do you collect) : I have a pretty ridiculous collection of kitchenware and fabric, but I'd say what I really collect would be records.

Oh, how wonderful! I love how Claire USES her collection in a functional and wonderful way on a daily basis! How splendid! And I adore the ways in which she craftily combines her love of sustainable living in her home and in her own beautiful handcrafted works, too!

So let’s raise a toast: to the kitschy kitchen and all that is created in it! I think my perfect kitchen is like that ideal holiday recipe: You start with tried and true main ingredients, add a handpicked pinch of vintage, a dash of modern, and a teaspoon of eclectic to make something all your own!

Thanks so much, Claire. And be sure to visit her lovely shop and fabulous blog, Just Me and My Dad (What a brilliant idea this one is: dual photos by Claire and her dad! Love it!) and her deservedly popular and inspiring Flickr photostream!

Cheers! And happy celebrating, nicies!

What do you collect? I’d love to hear! Please post in the comments below!

The Collectors Series | Vintage Pyrex | More Collections Posts on Rikrak's Blog

How-Tuesday: Stuffing Recipe From The New Thanksgiving Table

2009-11-24T16:00:00-05:00

When it comes to the Thanksgiving feast, I reserve most of my plate for the stuffing. Savory, moist, and hearty, the irresistible mixture is my primary motivation for stumbling across the Turkey Trot's finish line.

Families tend to adhere to traditional Thanksgiving recipes for generations and generations, but I love the idea of incorporating regional flavors and techniques to truly reflect contemporary Americana. Diane Morgan's The New Thanksgiving Table introduces tapenades, ginger brines, and enchiladas to the standard fare. For this week's How-Tuesday, she shares her recipe for Linguiça Sausage Stuffing With Mushrooms and Caramelized Onions — my salivary glands have officially kicked into overdrive.

Purchase The New Thanksgiving Table from Amazon or an independent bookseller

Thanksgiving is the one day of the year when nine out of ten Americans sit down to a home-cooked meal, and that meal, according to one survey, almost always features turkey. Depending on where you live, however, that turkey is roasted, smoked, grilled, deep-fried, or turned into the elaborate Cajun specialty known as "turducken," in which a boned chicken is stuffed inside a boned duckling, which in turn is stuffed inside a boned turkey, along with stuffing, to boot! There are also regional preferences in seasonings: sage and garlic are perennial favorites in some parts of the country, while rosemary, paprika, and cloves seem to rule in the South.

The New Thanksgiving Table commemorates this quintessential American holiday with a spotlight on the regional specialties that make this vast land of ours so gastronomically amazing. While the classic Thanksgiving meal includes turkey, cranberries, pumpkins, and root vegetables, those same ingredients have been reinterpreted in myriad ways that reflect the diversity and breadth of twenty-first-century America.

Traditional cranberry compote, for example, may have Yankee roots, but it has metamorphosed into a cranberry salsa with onions and chiles in the Southwest. Or, the classic savory bread or rice dressings used to stuff turkey in the Northeast is often replaced with versions featuring crunchy, ebony-colored wild rice farther west in Minnesota, taking advantage of the native grain — actually a grass — of the region. In the Heartland, late-harvest corn is made into a pudding to accompany the holiday bird, whereas corn bread dressing and sweet potato spoon bread are served in the South. Along the Chesapeake Bay, a crab appetizer often starts the Thanksgiving feast, while along the Gulf Coast, pickled shrimp or oysters on the half shell whet the palate in anticipation of the holiday meal.

Here's wishing you a bountiful and peace-filled Thanksgiving — with a regional twist, of course!

Our culturally diverse nation may have strong Yankee roots that defined much of what we know as the traditional Thanksgiving meal, but recognizing and incorporating other wonderful ethnic foods into our harvest feast speaks to the spirit of the holiday. I couldn't resist using Portuguese linguiça sausage in this stuffing. The smoky, zesty sausage is a great match for roast or grill roasted turkey. Ask your local butcher or specialty-foods shop about availability, or order online from www.gasparssausage.com, a fourth-generation family-owned business.

Serves 12

5 tablespoons unsalted butter at room temperature
10 cups unseasoned dried bread cubes
1 tablespoon olive oil
3/4 pound linguiça sausages
1 pound cremini mushrooms, wiped or brushed clean, stems trimmed, and quartered
1 bag (14 ounces) frozen pearl onions, thawed and blotted dry with paper towels
1 tablespoon sugar
2 large carrots, peeled and chopped
2 large ribs celery, chopped
1/2 cup minced fresh flat-leaf parsley
1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
1 tablespoon minced fresh sage
1 teaspoon kosher or sea salt
Freshly ground pepper
3 large eggs, lightly beaten
4 cups homemade chicken stock or canned low-sodium chicken broth

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Coat a deep, 9-by-13-inch baking pan with 1 tablespoon of the butter.

Place the bread cubes in a very large bowl. In 10-inch sauté pan, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat and swirl to coat the pan. Add the sausages and cook, turning as needed, until nicely browned on all sides. Transfer to a plate and let cool. Drain all but 3 tablespoons of fat from the pan. Add the mushrooms to the pan and sauté, stirring frequently, until lightly browned, about 4 minutes. Add to the bowl with the bread cubes.

Return the pan to medium-high heat and add 2 tablespoons of the butter. Add the onions to the pan and sauté, stirring frequently, for about 3 minutes until soft and lightly browned. Sprinkle the sugar over the onions and sauté, stirring constantly, for 3 to 5 minutes until the onions turn golden and the edges caramelize. Add to the bowl with the bread and mushrooms.

Add the remaining 2 tablespoons butter to the pan. Swirl to coat the pan and add the carrots and celery. Sauté, stirring frequently, until the vegetables are soft and lightly browned, about 5 minutes. Add the parsley, thyme, sage, salt, and a few grinds of pepper and sauté for 1 minute longer. Add the vegetable-herb mixture to the bowl and stir to combine.

Cut the sausages into 1/4-inch rounds and add to the stuffing. Add the eggs and stock and mix well. Scoop the stuffing into the prepared pan and bake, uncovered, for about 1 hour until the top is lightly browned and crusty.

If you have room in your oven, bake the stuffing while the turkey is roasting. Otherwise, bake it beforehand and reheat it once the turkey is out.

Do ahead: The bread cubes can be prepared up to 3 days in advance. Store in an airtight container at room temperature. The sausages can be browned up to 1 day in advance; let cool, place in a covered container, and refrigerate. The mushrooms, onions, and vegetables can be sautéed along with the herbs up to 1 day in advance. Let the mixture cool completely and refrigerate in a covered container. Remove the sausages and vegetables from the refrigerator 2 hours before assembling the stuffing.

Thanks to Diane Morgan and the good folks at Chronicle Books for sharing this recipe with us. For more mouth-watering Thanksgiving recipes, check out The New Thanksgiving Table.

More How-Tuesday Posts | Plants and Edibles Category | The Home Chef Gift Guide

New Rules: Support Your Local Economy

2009-11-20T15:00:00-05:00

Stacy Mitchell is a senior researcher with the New Rules Project at the Institute for Local Self Reliance (ISLR), an organization started in 1974 to work with citizens, activists, policy makers and entrepreneurs to help communities improve their economies, reduce waste, manage local infrastructure and provide better overall living environments.

The New Rules Project “challenges the wisdom and inevitability of economic consolidation and works to advance policies that support strong local economies and vibrant communities.” In a nutshell, she works to advance many of the same things that Etsy stands for — handmade, local, independent production, and a connection to communities and producers.

I’ve had the pleasure of speaking with Stacy about the growth of local and independent businesses over the past several years, which many people attribute to both a backlash against “big box” retail and an appreciation for knowing one’s maker. Stacy took some time to talk to us about these issues, and her latest book, Big-Box Swindle: The True Cost of Mega-Retailers and the Fight for America's Independent Businesses, goes into much more detail.

Tell us a bit about the New Rules Project.
The New Rules Project is a national initiative started by the Institute for Local Self-Reliance. The project's mission is to make the case that bigger isn't necessarily better — that small-scale production and independent businesses nurture community and create a more sustainable and democratic economy.

Our focus is on changing public policy. If you look at the laws and regulations in place today, many of them actively favor big corporations. Federal farm policies subsidize big agribusiness; local zoning rules favor Wal-Mart; banking regulations aid big banks; and the list goes on.

We're calling for New Rules: public policies that support local economies and build strong, self-governing communities.

How did you get involved in the organization and what do you do?
I started working for the New Rules Project when it was founded in 1997. Much of my focus has been looking at the consequences of the rise of big retail chains, like Wal-Mart, Home Depot, and Barnes & Noble. These companies have taken over much of our economy with the promise of delivering good deals, but it turns out that the big-box model has been incredibly expensive. In my recent book, Big-Box Swindle, I document how these companies are fueling many of our most pressing problems, from the shrinking middle class to rising greenhouse gas emissions.

The good news is that there's now a widespread backlash. The New Rules Project has helped hundreds of grassroots groups stop big-box development projects and enact new policies that keep the chains at bay and support local businesses instead.

Even more encouraging, our research is finding growing public support for locally produced goods and independent businesses. Local food is soaring in popularity. Over the last four years, we've seen increasing numbers of new independent businesses, from bookstores to food markets, opening across the country.

Local business alliances — like Stay Local New Orleans, Local First in Salt Lake City, and Portland Buy Local in Portland, Maine — have now formed in over 130 cities and collectively count some 30,000 businesses as members. These alliances are running very creative "buy local" campaigns that are not only changing people's shopping habits, but engaging them in a conversation about community and how to transition to a more sustainable future.

Why should people shop local this holiday season?
One reason is that shopping at an independent business, instead of a chain, generates far more benefit for your local economy. Several recent studies have found that a dollar spent at a locally owned business generates 2-3 times as much local economic activity as a dollar spent at a chain and supports many more local jobs.

Another compelling reason to go local this year is to make the holidays fun again. Who wants to sit in traffic at the mall? It's so much more rewarding to stroll through the small stores in your neighborhood or downtown. You'll not only find unusual gifts that don't come from a sweatshop, but you're bound to run into friends, get into an interesting conversation, enjoy the beauty of historic buildings decked out in lights, take time to savor a hot chocolate at the local café — in short, you'll have a chance to really experience and celebrate the place in which you live.

Of course, you can't always find everything you're looking for in your own backyard, and that's why sites like Etsy and Indiebound are a great way to take advantage of the convenience and diversity of the web while still supporting independent artists and small businesses.

What kind of impact does supporting the local arts have on a community at large?
Buying anything produced locally — food, art, music, fashion — has a sizeable economic benefit for your community. The money you spend stays in the local area and helps to keep your neighbors employed.

These creative professions also contribute to the welfare of the community in so many other ways. They make the places we live interesting. They create focal points for reflection and community.

Artists and craftspeople are great problem-solvers too. As we grapple with big challenges, like climate change, we need their special abilities to help us envision a different way of living.

Do you have any specific examples of cities or towns that are experiencing a positive change?
Thanks largely to the work of Sustainable Connections, a coalition of about 500 local businesses in and around Bellingham, Washington, that community has made huge strides in incubating new businesses, expanding regional food production, and reducing the carbon footprint of buildings.

Local First Utah has changed how residents and elected officials in Salt Lake City think about economic development. A recent survey found that three-quarters of residents want fewer chains in their neighborhoods and more local businesses.

Arizona Local First was instrumental in convincing the state legislature to outlaw the kinds of subsidies that are commonly provided to big-box development projects.

Here in my hometown of Portland, Maine, many local business owners say that Portland Buy Local has made a big difference in terms of galvanizing public support and helping them survive the recession.

What are you doing to support your local community in Portland, ME?
I'm one of many volunteers with Portland Buy Local, which has about 280 members, including local businesses, artists, and nonprofits. We create new poster and advertising campaigns every couple of months that highlight the value of independent businesses and encourage people to support them.

Our posters, which are displayed on hundreds of storefronts all over the city and reproduced as ads in local newspapers, are all designed by local artists, so they are very eye-catching as well as incredibly varied in their style.

Steve Darnley and Arielle Walrath, for example, designed this gorgeous poster (pictured below) for our holiday campaign last year. Sean Wilkinson produced a very powerful graphic for one of our economic messages (shown above).

Poster by Steve Darnley and Arielle Walrath

Etsy seller pineconeandchickadee created this amazing Valentine's Day poster, which was so popular that we turned it into T-shirts that have been selling like hotcakes.

Poster by pineconechickadee

Our latest poster series, by photographer Nathan Eldridge, emphasizes the wide range of products — from the unusual to the everyday — that are available from independent businesses.

How should people get involved with New Rules?
The best way to keep up with what we're doing and learn how you can start some of these initiatives in your own community is to sign up for our monthly email newsletter, The Hometown Advantage.

We publish lots of useful research and information on our website. Take a look and, if you find an idea or an article you like, please forward it to your friends, your neighbors, your elected officials, your local newspaper. We're a small organization, so we need all the help we can get to make our research and ideas part of the public discussion.

Lastly, like any nonprofit, we are dependent almost entirely on donations to keep the lights on and our staff fed. Contributions of any size are gratefully appreciated.

Any Etsy sellers you're particularly fond of?
I adore ferdinandhome — terrific T-shirts, my favorite greeting cards, and fabulous potholders made from vintage fabric.

Another favorite is pineconeandchickadee. I'm smitten with Amy Teh's designs.

I hope my husband is reading this, because one thing I'd be super happy to find under my tree this year is a messenger bag from bobbinstudio.

And, lastly, there's a real gem of a little business in my neighborhood that just became an Etsy seller a few weeks ago: HomegrownHerbandTea. Sarah Richards is a skilled herbalist who has been blending teas for both health and pleasure at her tea shop here on Munjoy Hill for several years. She just made the leap online and her teas are definitely worth checking out.

Further Resources:
The Institute for Local Self-Reliance (ILSR) proposes a set of new rules that builds community by supporting humanly scaled politics and economics. The rules call for:

Decisions made by those impacted
Communities accepting responsibility for the welfare of their members and the next generation
Households and communities possessing or owning sufficient productive capacity to generate real wealth

NewRules.org discusses the importance of rules and catalogs the best. We make the rules and the rules make us.

The Related Items below are all from Stacy's native Maine!

Find Etsy Sellers in Your Town | Read Our Shop Local Series | Check Out the Etsy Maine Team

Join the Etsy Facebook Community: New Etsy Fan Page & My Etsy Application

2009-11-19T15:20:00-05:00

More Etsy fun on Facebook! Become a fan of our Facebook page and install the new My Etsy application.

Show Some Love for Our Brand New Facebook Page
Check it out here and click the Become a Fan button. If you're already a fan, well then hey, aren't you too cool for school! We redesigned the page to give new visitors a better sense of what Etsy is all about.

We'll be featuring lots of gorgeous items on there, plus you can get a snapshot of what's going on at Etsy through blog feeds, videos and lots of other enticing bits.

Stay up-to-date about special promotions.
Find out about events and get reminders.
Share photos with us.
Join the lively discussions on our Facebook wall.

Get the New My Etsy Facebook Application
Install the new application called My Etsy, which automatically feeds in your most recent 21 Etsy Favorites and 5 favorite sellers to a special tab on your Facebook profile or your fan page. It's a great way to support handmade and share your good taste. You don't have to have an Etsy shop; the app can tell if your Etsy account is shopping-only and will default to your faves.

Here are some ideas for fun ways to share your picks by using this app:

Load your Favorites up with your holiday wishlist and share it with your friends and family.
Transform your Favorites into a Treasury list — along a theme or color palette. We might even feature your list on the home page of Etsy, our Community Hub or The Storque.
Fill your Favorites with some items you think a friend would like and share it with her.
Bloggers, with the new My Etsy app, you can pull in an RSS feed of your blog to your My Etsy tab, a great way to share your blog and your favorite Etsy items together.

We want to see what you love! Once you've added the tab, link to your page or profile on Etsy's wall here. We'll be searching for fresh items for a special Gift Guide, so use the app to show us your picks.

Here's a sample of what the app looks like:

If you're a seller, check out this how-to with tips for using the new My Etsy Facebook app to promote your business: Seller How-To: Plug in the My Etsy Facebook Application. Here are some reasons why you should install the app:

Get notified if your item is featured on Etsy's home page or in a Gift Guide.
Build out your business' fan page with your latest items automatically.

More Options for Facebook
The new My Etsy Facebook application joins our suite of options for sharing the Etsy experience on Facebook:

Use Facebook Connect to post your newly listed items and Favorites to your Facebook News Feed.
Look for the Share link on item listing pages, shop pages and public Favorites pages for an easy way to post to Facebook and other sites.
You can also use the original Etsy Shop Facebook application to show off your items or Favorites and see a sampling of the Etsy items your Facebook friends are adding to their Favorites.

The application updates about once an hour, so if your Favorites or listings don't appear immediately, that's why. If you're having other technical difficulties, make sure to check out our Help section.

What are you waiting for? Get set up!

More Social Networking Posts

News From the Craft + Style Blogosphere: November 19, 2009

2009-11-19T15:00:00-05:00

"One day, someone showed me a glass of water that was half full. And he said, 'Is it half full or half empty?' So I drank the water. No more problem." — Alexander Jodorowsky

This week's edition of News From the Craft + Style Blogosphere has human forms breaking from within their porcelain constructs, rustic and moody country interiors, a jaunty take on the alphabet, master + pet daguerreotypes, and surreal visions of Hansel and Gretel.

Read on!

I'm always so impressed by the variety of forms porcelain can assume. Kate MacDowell's organic sculptural style is at once fragile and challenging. I love the intersection of anatomy and nature (birds in lungs!). [Via Blood Milk]

Be still, my heart! Miss Amy of Emerson Merrick fame recently ventured to the summer home of Moon River Chattel's owners (which is basically my favorite store in Brooklyn, ever). It is my idea of heaven: historical tidbits, structural decomposition, complete with simple furniture and decor, and — a hayloft. Sigh.

Another week, another rendition of the alphabet! Photographer Julian Hibbard's The Noir A-Z gives a blithe, "adult" take on an abecedary, pairing images with words representing each of the 26 letters. Provocative and a tad bit racy! Love it. [Via Flavorwire]

Fairy tales are my jam (especially the Brothers Grimm's macabre versions). This fantastical Hansel and Gretel Vogue editorial has combined my love of fables and fashion, with surreal results. [Via Haute Macabre]

The Beloved Pets — From Daguerreotype to Digital Flickr set makes me squeal like none other. I love animals, but antique photos of men posing with pet roosters — well, that trumps all. (See also: cats with banjos.) [via photo_history]

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

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!

Trading for Art and Odd Objects With bARTer Sauce

2009-11-12T16:00:00-05:00

Rosalie Gale, a.k.a. UglyBaby, is a waterproof shower art maker, stand-up comedian and blogger, who is currently obsessed with German board games (Settlers of Catan, anyone?) and embroidery. She likes to ride bikes that fold up into small pieces and develop websites (like the Seattle Street Team site) in Drupal, an open source, database-driven, content management system that is currently her true love (along with her human husband, Doug).

bARTer Sauce is an experiment in trading for art and odd objects. The idea behind the project is that whatever I get, I trade for something else — and everyone I trade with has to tell me a story. I document it all on http://www.bartersauce.com. When I started this project, I planned to only run it for one year but I have been so captivated by people’s stories that three years have flown by already and I’m nowhere near stopping.

In the beginning, I was going to examine the transitory nature of objects that we "own." That’s just a highfalutin way of saying that I like weird stuff in my life — but I don’t like it to stay around too long. I live in a tiny apartment so starting bARTer Sauce allowed me to trade for weird things, live with them for a bit, and then send them along on their way to a new home.

A few things I’ve learned along the way:

It’s pretty easy to let things go. The question I am most often asked is whether I’ve ever gotten something I’ve been tempted to keep. I really haven’t*. I think I get more excited knowing that a really great item will lead to lots of trade offers with interesting stories from people I would have never met otherwise. *There is one exception to this rule (isn’t there always?). A nice lady named Ariane traded in a cardboard cutout shaped like me. I traded for that. Who wants a cardboard cutout of themselves hanging out in someone else’s house? No one.
Good stories can increase the value of an item. Sometimes I’ll trade for a terrible item that has a great story just because I want the story to be part of the project. It’s great to have an item with an interesting story behind it. It makes you feel closer to the person who gave it to you. And it lets you have a tiny glimpse into what their life might be like.
Bartering works. Period. Are you in need of something? Chances are you can trade for it and not spend a dime.
Event planning sucks. One of my original ideas was to end the project with a big event where I invite everyone I’ve traded with to bring the item they received and we all get to exchange stories. I think this is part of the reason I’m hesitant to end the project. You see, over the years I’ve learned more and more about myself and I found that I really hate event planning. More than pretty much anything. Except spiders.

If bARTer Sauce does nothing else, at the very least it starts a conversation. I’ve traded with old friends. I’ve traded with new friends. I’ve traded with a friend of my boss. I’ve traded with countless people that I met once and with whom I would — under other circumstances — have never kept in touch. I’ve traded with total strangers. I once traded with myself. And whether the trade takes place in person or oceans away, I still get a little interaction with someone I would have never known otherwise.

I’ve traded with many Etsy folks during my project — and here are some of my favorites.

Betsy, a.k.a. baddinsdesign and happybetsy

We’ve traded twice. The first time she traded me Jar Grandma for a Tiny Landscape Painted on a Pill. Read my interview with Betsy after trade number one here.

In our second trade, she gave me Lord Bratnose in exchange for two Glitter Cats. Read my interview with Betsy after trade number two here.

Betsy’s thoughts about The Sauce:
“I think one of the most fun parts of the bARTer Sauce experience for me was writing the stories for the objects I traded. As an adult, I'm just not given enough short creative writing assignments. The challenge of coming up with a back-story for my barter items is a really fun, creative exercise that reminded me of everything I loved from my high school creative writing class. I still remember my teacher's awesome mustache and brilliant poetry. Free entertainment + rekindling old interests + kitsch is a pretty awesome combo.”

Sara, a.k.a. rekoj

Sara traded me Two Red Screamers in exchange for the “Mona Didn’t Need Bling” shadowbox. Read my interview with Sara after the trade here.

Sara’s thoughts about The Sauce:
“My bARTer Sauce trade has graced my kitchen with a wonderful art shadow box. Many of my housemates have commented on just how lovely "Mona Didn't Need Bling" is. It enhances our dining experience with a curious stare and lots of shiny stuff to look at. Basically, ever since I heard about bARTer Sauce (through our EtsyRain connection) I had my eye out for something rad to bring in to trade. When Marlo and I found the Two Red Screamers discarded and hiding in the bushes near her studio, I knew I had found my trade. The red screaming guys had to be brought to The Sauce right away!”

Tara, a.k.a. RevivalInk

Tara traded me a Twisted Tree Tee in exchange for Two-Headed Boy painting. Read my interview with Tara after the trade here.

Tara’s thoughts about The Sauce:
“I think bARTer Sauce is important because it brings people together both online, and in the real world. I think trading is always better than using cash, and I like to do it whenever possible. In fact, most of my favorite items were obtained by trading. Usually I only get to trade at craft shows and markets, but bARTer Sauce brings that experience to my computer! I was very happy with my trade because it was a gift for my nephew. When I get gifts for people, it’s very important that they are original. It's also important that they are made locally. It's my way of supporting other local artists, and letting my friends and family know what great things you can get that are made in Seattle. Most of my family is unaware of this, so it has become my mission to inform them. The painting I traded for was a perfect gift for my 3-year-old nephew. Initially, it frightened him very badly but he has warmed up to it. In fact, for Halloween this year he wants to be a monster, like the one in the painting.”

Sauce It Up Yourself:
If you would like to participate in the bARTer Sauce project, check out the Available Items. Then, make a Trade Offer that includes a picture and a story — about anything at all.

You can also keep in touch with The Sauce on Facebook and my blog, I Like Pretty.

Stay warm and eat more potatoes.

Items on Etsy Tagged "Object" | More This Handmade Life Posts | Keep it Weird Series