crafts

Stitch ‘N Bitch Superstar Knitting: Go Beyond the Basics

gwen — Thu, 03 Feb 2011 08:00:00 +0000

I have a confession to make: I am not much of a knitter. I feel like I should be, and I’ve tried to get beyond the basics numerous times in my life, but to little avail. My mom was a fantastic knitter. She inspired me to try it as a child, but I never quite got the hang of it. I focused instead on cross-stitch and other needlework and yarn crafts, as well as other art and craft forms more generally. Maybe the knitting talent skipped a generation. If so, my niece should be an excellent knitter (my sister-in-law is an admitted failure at knitting too and I don’t think my brother has ever tried it).

Lucky for me, my partner is an extraordinary knitter. Between holidays and my birthday, I’ve probably received six new and gorgeous knitted gifts from her this past year, with arm warmers, a hat, a cowl scarf, and a headband just in the past two months. She inspires me and makes me jealous at the same time! I want to be able to make her and the rest of my friends and family knitted gifts too! So, when I had the opportunity to read legendary yarn artist Debbie Stoller’s newest knitting book, Stitch N’ Bitch Superstar Knitting, I took advantage—and learned a lot.

By now Stoller has made a serious name for herself in the word of knitting and crocheting, with no less than eight books, journals, and calendars published under the Stitch N’ Bitch name, plus many more patterns published in various online locations. In addition, she’s the co-founder and editor-in-chief of BUST magazine. It’s no wonder why her knitting and crochet books are so popular; Stoller imbues them with a feminist irreverence and sense of humor about crafting mixed with a celebration of what has traditionally been considered “women’s work” for multi-gendered audiences. She makes knitting fun and accessible to a wide range of people—even those of us who have tried and failed to grasp anything more than the basics too many times to count.

Stitch N’ Bitch Superstar Knitting is divided into two sections: the first describes in detail various kinds of advanced knitting techniques, such as intarsia, cabling, lace knitting, and adding embroidery and beads to knit objects, while the second consists of knitting patterns for projects that make use of these kinds of techniques. It is the first half of the book that is particularly stellar here. Stoller excels at writing in a fun, instructional manner for knitters of all stages. She presents the goals of each technique in clear, conversational language and explains through drawings, photographs, and charts what each step of the process should look and feel like. Stoller makes seemingly-complicated procedures, like that of creating cables in a knitted work, seem a natural part of the kitting process. She even critiques or “re-writes” certain conventional knitting instructions to make them easier to understand.

Debbie Stoller’s Stitch N’ Bitch Superstar Knitting: Go Beyond the Basics is a thorough and helpful addition to her catalogue of yarn art texts. It will motivate even the most basic of knitters to want to try something new and more complicated than the stockinette stitch or the potentially monotonous back and forth of a scarf project. I’ve got plans for trying to complete the Hip Hop Bunny Blanket pattern, from the second half of the book, for my niece’s first birthday present in October. Thank goodness it’s ten months away! It might take a while to complete for this still-novice knitter, but with Stoller’s help, I think I’ll make it just in time.

Written by: Stefanie Snider, February 3rd 2011

Origami Pyramid Bag

admin — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 16:11:00 +0000

By Silvermint

It’s a hot July evening and I’m feeling like a wilted flower. Fashion has always been a great pick-me-up and I’m looking forward to sporting Silvermint’s strawberry Origami Pyramid Bag with a simple black sundress to a friend’s party.

The bag attracted me with its unique design, convenient wristlet style, and high quality, interestingly-textured fabric and materials. The vintage button accents in soft pink and grey give it a girly but sophisticated charm and the grey origami-style animal characters printed on the off-white fabric also elevate it to a conversation piece. When I mentally put together my outfit I saw the bag as an artsy, yet practical and intriguing accessory, perfect for holding onto the few essential items I’d need while at the party. Yet as I stand before the mirror the little 6.7 x 5.9 inch pyramid looks funny hanging from my wrist: like a starched handkerchief or an old-fashioned nurses hat.

While the bag didn’t make it to the party, it has occupied a prominent place on my desk, awaiting the writing of this review. Given that my home office is also the living room, I’ve been gazing upon this finely constructed bag with a mixture of delight, curiosity and appraisal daily for the past two weeks. Each time I look at it I think I really love this little pouch!

Silvermint has an interesting story on how she moved from the world of online gaming to the world of handmade crafting. She began to study how real things are actually made vs. the world of “clicking on an icon with the mouse and Poof! a mechanical chicken has been created.” She gets bonus points for her support of ACRES (Animal Concerns Research & Education Society) and a waste-free philosophy, which leads to greater creativity with materials and design. Her Etsy store is stocked with other cute and adorably unique little clutches and pouches as well as graphic-printed tote bags.

I’ve tried the Origami Pyramid Bag on a few times since the night of the party but I doubt I’ll frequently wear it as a purse. I am sure it will find a welcome home storing small treasures or perhaps protecting a snag-prone item in a drawer or suitcase. The cotton webbing strap is detachable so it can hang from a peg and it also stands on its own (especially if the packing folds are ironed out) so it would also make a cute storage container on a shelf or other visible location.

Written by: Matsya Siosal, August 18th 2010

The Paper Bride: Wedding DIY from Pop-the-Question to Tie-the-Knot and Happily Ever After

admin — Sun, 04 Apr 2010 16:01:00 +0000

By Esther K. Smith

Potter Craft

Weddings are expensive. CNN Money states that, even with the recession, the average cost of a wedding in 2008 was $21,814. Paper goods, like invitations, save-the-date cards, and guest books can add up—so why not make them yourself? Esther Smith's instructional how-to book, The Paper Bride, goes over absolutely everything you need to make a wedding the way you want.

The Paper Bride starts with a cute proposal idea—a ring hidden in a book—and moves onto alternative ways to let people know you are engaged: postcard, magnets, or even traditional save-the-date cards, but with funky envelopes and mailers. Smith comes up with out of the ordinary ideas for invitations and bridal showers. Not a fan of finger sandwiches? How about a liquor shower, where each guest brings one bottle for the party and one bottle for your liquor cabinet. The book truly sticks to its name, even showing off a paper wedding dress.

Smith's background is in letterpress, so she goes into great depth about making your own books and journals, and even has a chart for doing calligraphy yourself. If you have never done paper crafts before, don't worry: Smith goes over each step in detail, and provides diagrams that even a first time DIYer can follow. In the back of book, there are templates for making envelopes, boxes, program fans, and coasters. Some of the crafts are offbeat, like making paper flowers, while others are great even if you aren't planning a wedding, such as making your own photo album.

The great thing about The Paper Bride is that Smith emphasizes putting your own style into your wedding. If you're not into the traditional white wedding, then you can design your paper goods to reflect that. No matter what type of wedding you're having, this book has something you can use. But as Smith reminds her readers, the wedding day should not be the pinnacle of the relationship: “it will be wonderful, whatever happens, but it shouldn't be the happiest day of your life. You don't want the rest of your life to go downhill from there. You want to live happily ever after!”

Written by: Elizabeth Stannard Gromisch, April 4th 2010

Waking Up in the Land of Glitter: A Crafty Chica Novel

admin — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 16:01:00 +0000

By Kathy Cano-Murillo

Grand Central Publishing

Waking Up in the Land of Glitter is Kathy Cano-Murillo's first foray into the world of novel writing. The author, known to her crafting disciples as "Crafty Chica," already has a well-established fan base because of her popular crafting books, web series, nationally syndicated newspaper column, instructional craft cruise to Mexico, and product line.

A few pages into the book, I could have sworn it was written by the same author as Houston, We Have a Problema. I quickly detected the same seemingly recycled character types: the young fiery Latina with no sense of direction, and her suave Latino love interest, always so cunning and elusive. Admittedly, I’ve grown sick of these caricatures, but I’m happy to report that Waking Up in the Land of Glitter scores much higher marks than its doppelganger.

Murillo’s first novel tells the story of Estrella (Star) Esteban, the wacky, spoiled daughter of two of Phoenix’s most prominent proponents of the local art scene. Star's parents own La Pachanga, a restaurant/community center/art space that also happens to be where Star works, doing what can only be described as a half-assed public relations job.

Crafty Chloe, the villain for the first two-thirds of the book, first comes into Star’s life when she interviews her after someone defaces a popular mural at La Pachanga, which happened to be created by local artist and Star’s sort-of-boyfriend, Theo Duarte. What Chloe doesn’t know is that Star did the defacing herself after one too many tequila shots.

What ensues is not original, groundbreaking, or thought provoking—it’s simply cute. After Theo and Star's parents find out she’s the one that ruined the mural, Theo breaks up with her (though they were never really together; "it’s complicated"), and her parents fire her, making her sign a contract saying that if she doesn’t get her life together she’ll have to move out of their home and stop working at their restaurant.

It is during this time we get into the cheesy coming-of-age tale, in which Star bands together with her best friend Ofie, an obsessive crafter with no crafting talent, Chloe, and a young gay teenager named Benecio to create centerpieces for what’s called the Crafting Olympics. It is also around this time that Star becomes an artist after talking about it for years, despite never picking up so much as a pen.

Despite clichés, bad dialogue, and not-so-intriguing characters, I was pretty hooked on this book and read it in just a few days. I suppose I’m a sucker for stories revolving around charmed lives—you know the type: it always works out for them in the end. And for Star, it all works out: She has an art show at her parent’s restaurant and sells every piece within hours, Theo proposes in a ridiculously elaborate way on her birthday, and she has enough money to buy a property on the same lot as La Pachanga so she can open her own crafting studio.

As I get older, I realize that not every book I spend time reading has to be an earth shattering, groundbreaking, eye-opening event. What you get with Waking Up in the Land of Glitter is a cute though trite little tale that will leave you wishing real life worked out as seamlessly as it does in books.

Written by: Tina Vasquez, March 25th 2010

Quilted Gadget Bag & Small Pouch

admin — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 11:07:00 +0000

By bagonebagshop

For no apparent reason, I fell in love with elephants when I was a little girl and started an ad hoc collection. By the time I was an adult I had gathered a small army of elephant kitsch that included everything from crystal statues to jewelry to candles to clocks. My penchant for all things pachyderm made gift-giving occasions an effortless affair for all of my family and friends, but while they were appreciative of the low maintenance mental exertion, their lack of creativity had me a little bit miffed. And when I sold all but my most precious belongings before moving to India—the country with the largest elephant population, by the way—my collection didn't make the cut.

The loss didn't strike me as particularly bothersome until I visited an elephant breeding center in Chitwan, Nepal, where I saw a particularly uncommon occurrence: captive elephant twins! My fondness for the largest living land mammal returned while attempting to pet the ever-mobile baby giants in a manner that was matador-esque. Already strong enough to knock a grown man out of their way (a feat I witnessed several times by a handful of foolish men who wanted them to stop and pose for a picture), as the two month old twins trotted from one end of the enclosure to the other, I would swoop in for a pat as they passed. Once the darling duo renewed my amorous inclinations for their species, Tina Hsieh's Small Pouch was the perfect way to be re-introduced cute creature consumption.

A stay-at-home mother, Tina's creative interest came from her father, a costume tailor. She honed her skills at a fashion design school in Taipei before settling into her current location: Singapore. When she's not looking after her thirteen-year-old daughter, Tina runs her bagonebagshop through Etsy.

Tina's bags are impeccably constructed with sturdy material and reliable stitching. While the Small Pouch (3.5 x 5 inches) works for pocket-sized items—money, a U.S. driver's license, or a compact cell phone—the Quilted Gadget Bag (6 x 4.5 inches) comes in handy for those who prefer to carry goods of a larger variety, such as a Blackberry, iPod, or passport. The Small Pouch comes with a d-ring attachment that can be used with a spring hook to snap it to your belt loop, and the Gadget Bag has a multi-use strap that facilitates several wearable configurations. Both are of excellent quality and affordably priced, even when you add international shipping.

Not into elephants? No problem. Tina's wristlet and clutch designs run the gammut from mod to modern and back again with fabrics that feature everything from flowers and flying birds to fluffy clouds and phrases. And if that's still not enough variety, she'll even customize orders to suit your style. That's what I call thoughtful gifting.

Written by: Mandy Van Deven, November 17th 2009

Poppies Silhouette Pendant

admin — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 09:46:00 +0000

By NoisyBirdStudio

This simple yet beautiful handmade pendant has a base of a one inch square piece of fiberboard and is but one of the hundreds of choices available from NoisyBirdStudio, a husband and wife team from New Hampshire. The husband cuts out the fiberboard tiles, and the wife does the rest.

Once she creates her tiny pieces of art and prints them “using high-quality laser print and paper,” she sands and seals the edges and applies a “non-toxic glass-like resin” to the top. The resin on my pendant seems very sturdy and resistant to cracks and chips. I was able to make small dents in it with fingernail and teeth while putting it through rigorous product testing, but there were no problems from normal wear around my neck. The pendant did come with a tiny note specifying that the top finish is water-resistant, but not waterproof, and recommending removal before showering, swimming, and other wet activities.

The pendants are sold alone, without any chain or cord, allowing for individual choice. NoisyBirdStudio does sell both 2.4mm silver plated ball chain and 2mm, 18-inch long black leather pendant cord with a sterling silver spring clasp. Another option would be to hang it from a matching or contrasting length of ribbon, yarn, or braided embroidery floss. My poppies hang from an old, dull ball chain, which makes the overall look a little tougher, a little less dainty.

The pendants can also be used as zipper pulls. A three-inch, silver-plated ball chain with clasp can be added to any pendant, making it a fun addition to backpack, purse, coat, jacket, or any item carried or worn by someone who doesn’t wear necklaces. For folks who can’t find the perfect words or image among the multitude of offerings, NoisyBirdStudio takes on custom orders, even creating designs from scratch. They can turn a photo or other work of art into a truly one-of-a-kind creation.

The affordability of the lovely pieces from NoisyBirdStudio, coupled with the abundance of designs, makes it easy to pick out a special piece for every friend and family member. I think I can make all my winter holiday purchases in this one little Etsy shop.

As for my poppies, I enjoy the unusual pairing of brown and pink, their subtle beauty dangling at my throat.

Written by: Chantel C. Guidry, November 16th 2009

BooBoo Unisex Wrist Bracelet, Woven

admin — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 08:48:00 +0000

By Truth

The story behind a company and its products really makes or breaks my decision to purchase. Yes, aesthetics are a key determining factor, but my criteria goes beyond this alone. I want to know the who, what, where, when, and how behind it so that my money supports my values. Truth, as it turns out, is a company with a great product and a great story.

I’d heard a bit about this Canadian company, but didn’t know what they were all about, so I was especially excited to review Truth’s Woven Wrist BooBoo. Given the unisex cuff style and my extra-dinky wrists, I hoped I’d be getting the S versus the other size, L. Indeed I got the S woven style Booboo in the “brown/pink” combo and instantly loved the contrast between the serious snaps set in a pewter-colored faux leather and the soft baby pink, raspberry pink, and ivory threads tightly woven with burgundy, brown and taupe threads.

I like that it’s not woven into a perfect checkerboard-like basket weave. It’s totally cute, but has an edge. Browsing their website I could see a range of tastes going through their wares, from preppy to punk. The materials are all vegan and their line includes several style of wrist cuffs, belts, bamboo fabric t-shirts, and clean, simple necklaces.

The story behind Truth is especially interesting. When owner and designer Renia Pruchnicki started the company in 2001, she was used to working with technical fabrics as an outerwear clothing designer and naturally gravitated toward a “technical” faux leather fabric. Truth's "leather looking" belts became very popular within the vegan community and their website reads: “When I started this company, I was not a vegetarian and was not even thinking of pursuing anything along those lines in terms of a market. But the path that I took opened my eyes to many things and over the years and my diet slowly became mostly vegetarian.”

As an activist-minded consumer it’s heartening to find such a great example of the power consumer demand has to actually change the marketplace. In this instance not only did demand directly influence the company’s products, the personal values of the company owner were also affected. And for this I love wearing my stylish, comfy, cruelty-free Woven Wrist BooBoo even more!

Written by: Matsya Siosal, November 2nd 2009

Paperie for Inspired Living: Stationery and Decorations for Weddings, Parties, and Other Special Occasions

admin — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 00:03:00 +0000

By Karen Bartolomei

Potter Craft

Ever since I was in elementary school, I have been a DIY girl. I always received craft kits as a kid, and even now, I will not buy a sweater if I think I can knit it myself. So when I saw a book that claimed it could teach me how to make stationery and paper goods for special events, I was intrigued. In short, Paperie for Inspired Living is a DIY dream!

Karen Bartolomei provides easily to follow instructions for each of the projects provided. In the first section, Bartolomei goes over how to make your own stationery, business cards and labels. The next two sections cover parties, both formal and informal. Bartolomei also explains how to put together all of the paper goods for special events, like weddings, birthdays and holidays. The best part is that all of the projects Bartolomei provides look like they could be professionally done.

Besides giving step-by-step instructions for the paperie, Bartolomei gives great decorating and party advice. The suggestions range from the affordable to the extravagant, so it can fit into anybody's budget. Some of the ideas are ingenious: one of the party ideas is a wine tasting event, and Bartolomei explains how to make your own coasters. Even if you are not big into throwing parties, this is a necessary book to have on your shelves. Many of the project ideas are perfect for gifts, and there is room for customizing every idea to your tastes.

In addition, Bartolomei provides excellent resources in the back of the book for any craft necessity. Bartolomei goes over where you can find artwork, fonts and papers needed to put these projects together. She also lists different stores that you can go to for supplies, as well as websites that can be helpful. Bartolomei does not leave anything out, and can help any new crafter feel like a professional.

Written by: Elizabeth Stannard Gromisch, October 19th 2009

Slanted and Enchanted: The Evolution of Indie Culture

admin — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 11:49:00 +0000

By Kaya Oakes

Holt Paperbacks

I’ve always thought of indie culture as the marriage of individuality and community, and of course, a celebration of the do-it-yourself (DIY) morality that is ingrained in our society. However, some of our most creative pioneers are often obscured from mainstream art, music, and literature. Kaya Oakes’s Slanted and Enchanted: The Evolution of Indie Culture offers a well-researched history and analysis of the DIY movement and the creative brilliance this community has generated. An engaging and remarkably informed cultural survey, the book examines the development of independent culture in the United States from the Beats and the Diggers through the current explosion of user-created content on the web.

Oakes presents indie culture as a deserving slice of American cultural history, offering an accessible academic portrait of icons such as Mike Watt of the Minutemen and poet Alan Ginsberg. She defines the often hard-to-peg genre of indie culture skillfully and provides major examples in the fields of art, literature, and music. A historical overview of indie culture is followed by chapters surveying the different areas of indie culture including independent publishing, music, zines, and crafting.

As someone who grew up in the post-punk years, I appreciate the detailed background Oakes provides because it gives me a better understanding of how the indie rock bands I love today, as well as their labels and distributors, progressed from the independent communities of earlier decades. And, as a crafter, I enjoy learning how independent culture has given rise to the online crafting communities and knitting collective I participate in today. My favorite quote from the many personal stories Oakes shares throughout the book comes from Handmade Nation’s Faythe Levine. When asked to reflect upon her first forays into independent culture, Levine refers to zine making as “my gateway drug to realizing that I would do whatever I wanted, and by myself.” This perspective really sums up DIY culture for me, as it is empowering to take the reigns of creativity into your own hands and realize you can truly participate in the independent cultural community.

Written by: Meg Rayford, October 3rd 2009

Mortal Plush: I Am Not Your Toy (08/2009)

admin — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 23:56:00 +0000

Art Whino Gallery

National Harbor, Maryland

As soon as I walked into the gallery, I became a former version of myself: a little girl who was absolutely giddy upon seeing so many wonderful stuffed animals. Each lovely creature was mounted and labeled (it is an art gallery, after all), but I wanted to reach out and touch them all, as though they were living creatures, like I used to believe my stuffed animals were.

The pieces were exquisite. With masterful detail, each artist had projected precise human emotion onto their works of felted wool, cloth, or other fiber art medium. Ranging from haunting to delightful, these creatures beckoned gallery visitors to step into their whimsical worlds while simultaneously inspiring awe at the sheer artistic ability that went into many of the works.

Numerous pieces were sold, and prices ranged from $10 to $700. Artists were not only from Washington, D.C. and Maryland, but from a dozen states and another half-dozen countries. Some of my favorite artists were Kit Lane, Kerry Flaherty, Claire Streatfield of Fur Will Fly, Diane Koss of Cutesy but not Cutesy, Chelsea Bloxsom of Love and a Sandwich, and Sharon Baldwin of Pepper Stitches. Another of my favorite artists curated the exhibition: Tobiah P. Mundt of Licorice Tree. Sculpting creatures named “Octobunny,” “Madame Hoof-n-Foots,” and “Ulric: Sexy Beast” from felted wool, Mundt gives her creations a dissonant combination of innocence and eeriness that I loved. Mundt, an architect by profession, has been needle felting for two years, and her work can be seen in the upcoming Seattle show Plush You.

Written by: Meg Rayford, October 2nd 2009

Birds of Paradise Earrings

admin — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 08:25:00 +0000

By Stars + Rocks

Not ever being one to splurge on jewelry, I’m often times frustrated by the cheap and mass produced items I find myself buying off racks in department stores. I am no stranger to a green finger, a necklace that breaks as I’m putting it on for the very first time, or an earring that manages to fall off in transit, which always provides for a few strange glances once I arrive at work. I have also suffered the mortification that comes when you realize someone is wearing exactly the same bracelet, in exactly the same color, from exactly the same place.

So I was both surprised and delighted to find the Birds of Paradise earrings made by jewelry designer Jazmine Bowe for her “urban gypsy” Stars + Rocks jewelry line. At an incredibly reasonable price, these handmade earrings are intricately detailed and visibly of quality. I love wearing large earrings, and these lightweight pieces don’t leave your ears feeling as if they’re hanging two inches lower after you wear them for a day.

These earrings are versatile enough to be worn during day or night. So far, I’ve sported them—and received compliments doing so—with a black strapless dress and a t-shirt and jeans. They have an ethnic vibe that goes well with many current trends, and their size is big enough to grab attention, but not so large that I would recommend those with smaller faces not wear them.

But the greatest part comes back to knowing I won’t go out and find myself surrounded with twenty other girls wearing forty of the same earrings. There’s a pride that comes from supporting an artist and getting to look good doing it. I’m excited to have found unique and beautiful jewelry that didn’t come at a price I couldn’t afford. I will most definitely be looking at Bowe’s inexpensive and creative creations for gifts, self-indulgences, and fashion sense, instead of chunks of plastic on the racks of a department store.

Written by: Melissa Ablett, August 30th 2009

Upcycled Box

admin — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 09:10:00 +0000

By Malcolm Studio Shop

When I met my friend Jo at Café Coffee Day, I brought a gift for her with me: York Peppermint Patties. My mom gave me a bag full of the tiny circular treats before I hopped on a plane to return to the place of my temporary residence. From time to time she sends me care packages with miscellaneous unattainable American goodies that can’t be found in Kolkata’s plentiful markets: grits, nutritional yeast, black beans. It’s not that I can’t live without garlic powder or stick antiperspirant; it’s just that sometimes when living outside of one’s country of origin for a lengthy period of time, one needs something to keep them grounded, a small reminder of home.

When Jo saw my gift, her face lit up with a smile. “You know these things make one of my favorite sounds!” she exclaimed to my complete surprise. Um, sound? This was not exactly the reaction I’d anticipated. Unwrapping one of the chocolates, she handed it to me and said, “Hold this to your ear and break it open.” Confused, but willing to play along, I did as instructed. Jo wasn't kidding; the sound is fantastic!

During the course of our conversation, Jo played with the patty’s square, aluminum wrapping. She carefully peeled the silver topcoat from the thin, white paper interior and then used the paper to create an origami crane. She smooshed the aluminum up into balls of varying sizes and then ordered them from large to small in a curved line behind the paper bird. “Some people are just more imaginative than others,” I thought to myself. Where most would see a candy wrapper in need of a dustbin, Jo saw the potential for creativity.

Karen Malcolm shares this way of viewing the world with Jo. The driving force behind Malcolm Studio Shop, Karen takes discarded items and upcycles them into works of art, jewelry, and boxes. The vintage Buxton jewelry box I got a hold of has an exterior lining of chocolate brown velvet with a resin tortoise shell gem affixed atop. The interior lining is pink satin on the lid and a piece of cream handmade paper in the bottom, both of which are stamped with a gold flowery design and the bottom edges are lined with tiny, dark-colored beads. At approximately six inches by four inches, the delicate box is a nice size to house my earrings and rings. While a larger jewelry box that can hold all of one’s treasures may be warranted for some, I’ve learned to make due with and appreciate what I have at my disposal, a sentiment that resonates in the creation of Malcolm Studio Shop's found object crafts.

At home I don’t eat York Peppermint Patties, but I wasn’t about to tell my mom “no” when she offered me the silver bag. I don't consider myself to be a spiritual person, but I do like to think there are reasons for odd happenings and the uncharacteristic decisions we make. I like to think my intuition was at play when I grabbed that crinkling plastic and shoved it inside my bag before boarding the plane. Perhaps this is what Karen thinks too as she picks up the random assortment of fabrics, beads, buttons, pins, and other items that go into her creations. Happiness can be found in the most unlikely of places.

Written by: Mandy Van Deven, August 25th 2009

Vulva Portrait Pendant / Gush! Menstrual Pads / Vegan Lip Balm

admin — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 09:17:00 +0000

By Vulva Love Lovely

Would you send a photo of your vagina to a stranger online? Sounds like a MySpace porn scam, right? In one particular situation, you’d be totally wrong. As I write, I have a replica of my own vulva around my neck. It is amazingly accurate and arguably one of the more tasteful pieces of jewelry I own—assuming you aren’t offended by my own very special vagina. I’m not.

My necklace—and matching charm—are based on a photo and description I sent to Vulva Love Lovely, an Etsy shop that celebrates all things vaginal. In order to have such a personal item produced, one has to engage in an inherently feminist exercise: describe your own vulva in detail, or take a photo. After consulting with vulva artisan Jessica Marie in an attempt to help her be as accurate as possible in her representation, I did both. In doing so, I learned a tremendous amount about myself. I also realized that most men would probably have no trouble describing their goodies, and neither should women. In return for my thoughtful and enlightening self-exploration, I received two vulva personal pendants handmade from polymer clay. The detail is extraordinary, and you can tell much thought and love was put into these completely unique pieces of work.

Jessica Marie has all sorts of products celebrating women's bodies and all their natural occurrences, and after getting hooked on the idea of wearing my own disembodied vagina around my neck, I checked out the rest of her stock. I have loved cloth menstrual pads since I splurged on one at Bluestockings once upon a sojourn to the historic bookstore. Despite really loving and using it for the past four-plus years, I never bought a second, mostly due to my inability to find a size/shape that suited my needs.

Gush! cloth pads have completely changed this. In a gorgeous deep crimson color with black stitching and pearl snaps, my Red Dress pads are not only the perfect size for my body; they are easy to care for and won’t show stains. In a set of four that includes three types of protection, I no longer need to search for backup pantyliners on light flow days. As of my next cycle, I intend to fully phase out disposable pads. Washing instructions are included for your health and convenience.

As a bit of a balm snob and a vegan, I’m hard to please when it comes to lip emollients. Jessica Marie, being a vegan herself, spent roughly a week toying with ingredients until reaching her perfect concoction of avocado and coconut oils, candelilla wax, and flavor. The result—in a fabulously erotic tin that reads “for your lips”—is a delicious fruity treat that will last for months.

Need more reasons to support a body-positive feminist craftster? The recession hurts us all, but buying cloth pads and giant tins of salve are investments that will help you ride out the economic collapse in comfort and style. Monthly sales and charity donations are listed on the Vulva Love Lovely blog and VLL’s Twitter. I happened to find Vulva Love Lovely because she’d previously advertised here on Elevate Difference, and I figure the if she supports us, we can support her. If I can trust a stranger with a photo of my vagina, you can too.

Written by: Brittany Shoot, August 21st 2009

Bit of Arts and Crafts II Ceiling Fan Pull

admin — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 09:07:00 +0000

By Trace Ellements

It’s hard to know exactly how to describe a product that is, at once, so lovely, functional, and distinct. The Trace Ellements ceiling fan pull is a handmade, sturdy item that consists of smooth moss green and deep caramel swirled beads held together by thick brass wire. It can easily fasten to most ball chains, and adds a nice burst of color and elegance to an otherwise undecorated ceiling fan. It doesn’t matter whether your fan has a wooden finish, though it certainly complements a brown backdrop. I’m not the kind of person who adheres to a particular decorating scheme, but I think it’s safe it say that this little fan pull would accent just about any color palette in your home. As far as I’m concerned, the kitchen is a nice spot because it makes getting up in the morning that much more pleasant.

The combination of bead designs and textures layered on top of one another forms a coherent pattern of shades. Such a mixture of colors is enhanced by the different shapes of the beads. Indeed, Trace Ellements is defined by difference, given its integration of materials like semi-precious stones; German, Czech, Chinese, and Indian glass beads; and crystal, porcelain, metal, and fabric elements.

Founder Tracy Ellison has been creating inventive jewelry and home accessories, since 1990, and there’s no limit to her artistic combinations. The company also has a range of goodies from earrings to bookmarks to zipper pulls. Ellison's really got something for everyone. If you tend to lead more toward the silver than the gold, or toward bright and busy hues rather than the more muted variety, Trace Ellements has a range of fan pulls to choose from at the very reasonable price of $16.

Written by: Heather Brown, August 20th 2009

Kilobyte Couture: Geek Chic Jewelry to Make From Easy-to-Find Computer Components

admin — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 17:16:00 +0000

By Brittany Forks

Watson-Guptill Publications

As someone who has recently begun making and designing jewelry using the standard materials—such as beads, chains, ribbons—I was impressed to see a book about jewelry made from computer parts. Yes, that’s right, computer parts. Written by former Etsy seller Brittany Forks, Kilobyte Couture touts itself as "geek chic", but I think many of the designs and styles are simply chic! For many of the styles, if you weren’t told it was made out of computer parts, you might never know. Forks literally transforms these “uncool and ‘nerdy’ things” and makes them “100 percent cute.” It connects women to things that may have in the past been relegated only to men: computer technology. It’s a fun way to creatively reclaim and rebrand what it means to be a geek while celebrating your love of uniquely geek-y things. There’s everything from rings and bracelets to ID holders and Wii charms.

Forks tells the reader where to get the items you'll need—whether online, from Radio Shack, or from local universities. You’ll also need some basic jewelry making tools from a craft store. There are vivid color pictures of the finished products along with detailed drawings of some of the more difficult (yet clear and easy to read) instructions. (As someone who teaches technical writing, I know clear and easy to follow directions are paramount!)

Kilobyte Couture isn’t just about creating fun and unique jewelry. It's an historical celebration of technology as well. Scattered throughout the book are Top 10 lists of the best nerdy date activities, leading men, cities, books, and more. There is also a timeline that traces the components you’ll be using for your jewelry back to the late 1800’s, which is when the first radio signal was transmitted.

Kilobyte Couture will inspire you to be proud of your inner (and now outer) geek!

Written by: Kristin Conard, July 21st 2009