Buy Handmade
October 24, 2007 at | In Administrative, Blogging, Gifts, Halloween/Thanksgiving/Fall, Indie! | 3 CommentsToday it’s come to my attention that I have offended in my blog, and for my sins I apologize. I have good intent, but not always good execution. I make mistakes and I learn from them, and I do my best to fix my mistakes where I can. I have done so here.
Allow me to state for the record that I am a huge supporter of handmade, crafters, independent artists and designers. I encourage everyone to support these people with their funds and encouragement so they can thrive in their chosen professions, and to encourage everyone else they know to do what they can to support indie as well. If you need any help with this, I offer my Index of Indie, where I have gathered all sorts of sources, and which I continue to add to.
I do have things to post - my husband and I have made and decorated the very awesome 3-D cookies from Williams-Sonoma, and I did some decorating I was going to share. However, I believe I’m going to take a hiatus from blogging instead, and come back when I’ve had a chance to think - I’m an introvert, after all.
Meanwhile, I’ll leave you with something I just found at the Craftzine and I strongly encourage you to participate as well. It’s the Buy Handmade Pledge for the Holiday season.
Go to BuyHandmade.org and sign the petition. You pledge to buy handmade for the holiday season, and to encourage others to do the same for you. After all there’s nothing as good as handmade, is there!?
Plaid Crochet Scarf?
October 23, 2007 at | In Crochet, Fabric-Related, Gifts, WIP | 3 CommentsMy brother has requested that I make a scarf for his girlfriend Stephanie. This is no problem - just whip up quick fuzzy scarf, right? So - onto the choices. I put lots of thought into these things.
Stephanie’s personality makes certain things necessary. She needs to be able to wash & wear this easily. Wool will not work. Also, she wears her stuff until she wears it out - so it has to be long-wearing. She doesn’t approve of a great deal of expense, either (actually, one of her favorite things is “sweet deals”). So it needs to be cheap. And she likes pretty stuff (who doesn’t?) and natural stuff, so we’re going to be approximating pretty wools.
The right yarn appears to be Lion Brand Jiffy. Mohair-look means soft and fuzzy. Acrylic means wash n’ wear and hopefully long-wearing. It’s pretty. And mostly, I really like the colors. This one’s going to be primarily caffe (soft brown) and avocado (bright green) with accents of apple green (essentially a lighter shade of avocado), denim and chili. They’re natural-looking colors, rich but still soft. I’m using a large gauge hook (K) to make it fluffy and because I need to weave it. Why?
Here’s the kicker: it also needs to be plaid.
So I needed inspiration and looked about, and I found the following useful. There’s the plaid baby blanket and the felted windowpane purse (the green/brown one) from Lion Brand. Or the afghan plaid crochet (top blue one) on eBay. There’s a Christmasy plaid scarf over at Michaels that has promise. Yarn market sells a kit for a plaid felted bag (the burgundy weaving) that I’d like to buy when I have time for a new project next millenium. An event plaid from the DIY network (the orangey pillow). I may have to purchase this book of tartan plaid crochet blankets. And a lovely pattern for a fringed plaid blanket (the bottom blue one) at Fairy Threads. And finally, because the plaid is really well done and actually really plaid-ish, the lovely green plaid toilet tissue holder. I shall work with these and see what I come up with.
Crafting for Charity:
October 23, 2007 at | In Crafting for Charity, Why craft? | No CommentsI like writing. It makes me think about things, and be more aware. It’s nice.
I have a few charity-related items to post I’ve run across.
1) One is a swap - the Stamping Out Alzheimer’s Charity Fat Book Swap (via).
2) A news item - Quilters’ handiwork speaks volumes to soldiers hurt in Iraq.
3) A fundraiser - Fiberart for the American Cancer Society by Virginia Spiegel (her stuff, by the way, is amazing. You should really take a look).
Do you know what I think the best thing about charity and crafting is? Crafting is something people generally do because it brings joy to their lives (for example, this woman for whom quilting is a source of joy). And in many cases, it seems like crafts bring joy to people to whom they are given. The fit seems , natural - joy in making and joy in receiving.
I’m always particularly struck by how many times I see quilting and knitting referenced in regard to charity. I think this is because quilts and knitted items are very comforting by their very nature. By giving a quilt or knitted item, you are giving comfort by virtue of the materials, or the warmth it provides, or the knowledge of the care and work that went into it, and often the beauty of the item.
Makes me want to crochet something for everyone, thinking about it that way. ‘Scuse, have to get back to work on those scarves and afghans for Christmas now! 
Mabel and The Cat in the Hat
October 21, 2007 at | In Pets, Stories, Why craft? | 3 Comments
Many people live near their extended relatives while growing up. I was not one of those people. I lived near none of my extended family and traveled to see them about twice a year. What I did have was a next–door neighbor named Mabel Mattingly, who was a pretty darn crafty lady. She was in many ways my stand-in grandmother and gave me a deep appreciation for things done by hand.
Mabel made me my first quilt, which I will show you all sometime. Should I have children, that quilt and its matching pillow is my daughter’s. Mabel also made awesome apple turnovers, the like of which I’ve never had again. She provided our house with various jellies and jams for all the years I was growing up in that house. She used to go to Louisiana to visit her family and pick mayhaws and come back and make ‘em into jelly. Mmmmm. She also had a big garden and taught me how to garden as well. I had a postage-sized plot out back that gave me great joy. She canned a lot of vegetables- she is the reason I adore pickled okra today.
One of the major things that Mabel did was make ceramics. She was not a wheel potter, she was a ceramicist; she used molds. She had hundreds of molds on shelves in the garage, all tied up or wrapped with giant rubber bands. She had a big, deep kiln by the door to the kitchen, so deep that my small self couldn’t reach the bottom. She made me various things over the years, and I have 2 of them - a little turtle to put plants in, and a black witch hat. I also have a very pathetic vase she made with me - it’s the paint job that’s mostly pathetic. Mabel was an excellent painter - her colors were even and her finishes glossy. My witch hat isn’t very complicated, but some of the paint jobs she did were really intricate.
Hope you enjoy the little show that my kitten Callie put on with the hat that Mabel made me. Although I don’t know what happened to Mabel after she moved away, I always feel big warm fuzzies for her whenever I get out her handicrafts and remember the things she taught me to love.
Saturday at the Maker Faire
October 20, 2007 at | In Conference/Fair | No CommentsWow. Maker Faire.
I was not sure what to expect when I went, but let me just tell you that I have never seen such a collection of involved and amazing stuff in one place. The Faire is HUGE, first of all. Ten booths just for the Robot Group here in Austin. A whole floor of electronic geekery, a field of organic foods, a store of kits and books, a barn full of DIY. I was worn out well before it was finished.
So, what was there? Modded computers, animatronic animals, air & water pianos, robot spin art, mechanical flowers that open up, a kick ass beer brewing setup, mini transistors to make, crazily articulated models, dimming 3-color LED lights - oh, and Instructables was there …
Organics: lots of tea, brownies, vegetables from multiple places, honey, goat cheese
Art cars, make-your-own buttons, carnival rides, demonstrations on several stages, Tesla coils, Jacob’s ladder, mechanical wood carvers (at least 3 kinds), Darth Vader Legos, Tinker Toys
(deep breath)
Sewing demonstrations, a truckload of yarn to try out, a big ol’ clothing swap & fashion show made of re-made clothes, spinning and weaving demonstrations, and various kids of machines that screamed and wailed when you touched them.
And dude, they had those guys with the Mentos and the Diet Coke - the Eepy Bird guys. And did I mention the rockets?
Seeing all the Austin people represented was very nice, although clearly there were a lot of out-of-towners as well. Very inspiring to go to, very obvious that a large part of Austin certainly doesn’t go home after work and crash in front of the TV.
So tired now. Will do show and tell later.
Cute? No. Not this Friday.
October 19, 2007 at | In Halloween/Thanksgiving/Fall | 1 CommentYeah, so basically what I was looking for was really crazy pumpkins. And I found them. If you have a moment you should really go check out Extreme Pumpkins (.com). This is absolutely the way that Pumpkins were Meant To Be. Here’s some of my favorites (bwahahahahaha).
@ the Market
October 18, 2007 at | In Blogging, Conference/Fair, Why craft? | 3 CommentsIf you’ve ever been to a craft fair, purchased a craft or piece of art, or sold at a fair, you’ll want to read the following two posts and the comments on them. This is the sort of post to inspire a new appreciation of artisans and handmade items - a great deal goes into the production of these items and what goes into being the person producing them.
I was really sorry to hear about Margaux’s experience at the Crafty Bastards fair in DC. As a regular Barbie-defacer when I was young, I am quite taken with Margaux’s work and the statements she makes with it. I really wish she made something with Barbie hair, as that was my favorite aspect to deface.
I am really disappointed in the show attendees. I am a former DC resident, and although it’s not probably the artsiest place around, it’s not a void, either, so why the unfriendlies? Plus,I’m sure the show attracted plenty of non-residents as well. So why so many people who came to a craft fair and made stupid, insensitive comments. Were they not expecting artisans? And for pete’s sake - the artist is right there and you’re being rude about her art to her face? Hello basic politeness? Plus, what’s up with people telling an artist what she “should” and “should not” be creative about? I think Margaux (and the other artists who put up with this crap) had tremendous restraint.
I have quite a few more thoughts about all this, and hey! I have a blog, so I can sit down and tell all of you all about them. If you want to read (and I am somewhat garrulous), then the rest is after the jump.
The First Amigurumi: Bear
October 17, 2007 at | In Crochet, Finished Projects, Pets | 4 CommentsOh - I wanted to say HI to Jenna of Corgipants. I love your Swapdex! You’re awesome. Did you know she’s doing an October Tutorial Extravaganza? Today she has a TIE for DOGS. Awesome.
So I’ve pretty much finished the bear I saw here according to the pattern here. However, I need a bit of felt to finish off the face so the bear has no smile yet. But - I’ve mostly finished my first amigurumi project! It was a giant pain! I can’t believe how much of a pain it was to get the legs attached! Holy cow I have to write to people who do amigurumi projects a lot and ask how they manage those tiny little things. I do like the green accents I put in. The eyes kinda look like they’re glowing right now.
The bear on the right is the unstuffed version that’s still in pieces. Perhaps that gives you some idea of why I thought it was hard to put together.
And now, I leave you with a gratuitous kitten picture. Having a new kitten is incredibly addictive. Callie is stalking my foot here. Very intent.
Charity for … you know, random stuff
October 16, 2007 at | In Crafting for Charity | No CommentsCurrently listening to Putumayo’s Music from the Coffee Lands. I love this stuff. Next up is Music from the Chocolate Lands. Just recently discovered Putumayo (where have I been?) via their Internet radio shows. So pleased. What, not heard of Putumayo? It’s a group (non-profit) that introduces more cultural music to theworld. Very enjoyable.
OK - to the crafting! So, I have not been to Craftster enough. However, I am beginning to solve that problem. One of my most recent discoveries is the forum for Charity. There are all sorts of fun ideas there and possibilities for charity, some of which I’ve posted before like Afghans for Afghans, and some of which I’d never even thought of before like soft cloth for ferrets.
I saw several people consider on the forum consider ideas for running an Etsy shop with donated items. The sale of donated items would benefit charity. I think this seems like a stunningly good idea, and something I might yet do myself one day. Some people are already doing this:
Items for Autism/Aspergers Awareness from Crystal Flipz designs.- Jek in the Box is offering purple items for October, which is Lupus Awareness Month (that’s one of the items - a cozie for glasses/ipod/etc there on the right).
- There are a bunch of people offering items for Breast Cancer Awareness, which is also in October.
I’m thinking of doing monthly giveaways for various awarenesses. Pretty much every month is some sort of awareness month for something. What I give away would be something that benefits charity by its purpose - like the items from Jek in the Box. I don’t know - it’s just a half-baked idea. Anyone like it? Anyone have any more ideas about it? Suggestions?
Speaking of giveaways, have you heard about Moby Gratis? Moby’s put up 65+ songs on his website that are free to download for noncommercial or non-profit films/shorts/videos. Pretty awesome. Anyway, if you have a need - what a great resource!
Blog Action Day: Crafts, Environmentalism, Swapping, Etc.
October 15, 2007 at | In Environment, Why craft? | 2 CommentsToday, October 15, is what they call Blog Action Day - a day during which bloggers are encouraged to make posts about the same thing - in this case environmentalism. Count me in.
What shall I post, thought I? I’ve already posted about crafts made from recycled stuff. It’s fairly obvious, if you read my blog at all regularly, that I approve of being environmentally conscious, and try to be environmentally friendly myself.
The main way that I try to be environmentally friendly, craft-wise, is by reusing things. For example, I shall soon be going on a hunt for wool sweaters and thrift and vintage stores that I can felt and turn into other shapes. Plus I tend to read Treehugger. Sometimes I feel like an environmentalist just for reading it. Is it totally cliche to like the Sierra Club these days? I still do, and I find myself envying their fundraising budget whenever I go to work, too.
SWAP STUFF:
Participating in swaps also helps with the re-using things. For example, there’s SwapDex, which posts swaps you can participate in. You can also check out the Swap Area on Craftster or log onto Get Crafty and check out the Swap Forum. On this coming Saturday you can participate in the Swap-O-Rama at the Maker Faire Austin or check out the Swap-O-Rama website for other swaps they do. Plus a lot of blogs/websites do swaps periodically, you just have to keep your eyes pieeled.
RECYCLED ART/CRAFT:
Your trash is truly someone else’s treasure. My friend Paula was halfway sure earlier today that a glittery top she gave away found its way into a costume store.
I live in a city that’s fairly environmentally conscious - for example the Keep Austin Beautiful campaign. This city is a place where I’m completely not surprised to see a Cathedral of Junk (and particularly unsurprised to see it on the south side) or have you ever heard of the “Enchanted Forest” work/live space here? I used to read articles about the “forest” back when it was a living place for the homeless. Interesting repurposing. Plus, I swear, Austin has the largest number of resale, consignment, thrift, junk, trash and/or secondhand stores on Earth.
Outside of Austin, the recycle/reuse thing is huge in the Craft world in general. Have you heard of Trashion? It’s a group of Etsy artists that make their art from what others throw away. They even have fashion (trashion, ’scuse) shows! And you can always find some kind of recycled art/craft being featured on the Craft zine. Re-made plastic shopping bags are completely chic at the moment no matter what they’re turned into.
Plus there’s lots of places to find/get/use vintage, but I’ll get into that on another date!
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