We have a short but exciting week to start our How-To Month in the Virtual Labs.  We hope you can stop by and pick up some new techniques this week to add to your crafting portfolio!   These How-To's will be broadcast live from our new Craft Station in the Virtual Labs.  If you haven't visited the Virtual Labs, check out this FAQ about how they work (or just come on by and we'll show you the ropes, they are very user-friendly and fun!) 

New Crafting Station!

Supplies Needed:

• Plastic bags (thin, flimsy ones work best)
• Parchment paper, freezer paper or plain old copier paper
• Iron (and your favorite ironing surface)
• Scissors

& a well-ventilated area!

Extra Credit:

Fused plastic makes fun and easy-to-clean bibs! Download this pattern and cut out two pieces (one from the plastic and another from a pretty cotton fabric), pin together with 1/4" bias tape (you'll need about 48") and run a zip-zag stitch around the edges with your sewing machine.

Can't make it to this live How-To?  Check out this Storque article with photos and instructions.

Wednesday July 2nd - 5pm - Print Gocco with Julie in the Treehouse of the Virtual Labs.  

Supplies Needed:

• Riso Print Gocco
• B-6 masters (screens)
• Print Gocco Lamp (bulbs)
• Riso Gocco ink for paper
• Riso Gocco pens OR photocopy images (no larger that 3.5” x 5.5”)
• adhesive blocking strips (optional)
• 2 AA batteries
• Gocco cleaner
• blue filter (for use with photocopies)

Extra Credit:

If you already have a Gocco set-up, print out this Buy Handmade Postcard and make it along with us!   If you don't have a Gocco but are curious about this printing method you should come on by and find out how fun and easy print Gocco is! 

Can't make it to this live How-To?  Check out this Storque article and video.

Thursday July 3rd -  2pm - Crafting with Acrylic Sheet with Daniellexo in the Treehouse of the Virtual Labs. 

Supplies Needed:

• 1/8" thickness Cast Acrylic Sheet Scraps or Sample sizes
• Jeweler's Saw
• 1/0 Saw blades
• Bar of Soap
• Bench Pin
• Emery paper
• Hand files
  
• A simple silhouette to cut out
• Dremel rotary tool or flex shaft motor with bits (helpful but not necessary)

If you don't have these tools (or have any idea what these tools even are) don't worry!  Come check out the How-To and we'll explain the tools and how to use them.  Then you can decide if this is a technique you might want to try!

Want to find out what the next round of How-To's will be?  Have a peek at this article.  We'll have more details on next weeks skill shares later this week, so stay tuned!