First Mondays Giveaway August Edition!

Congratulations to Erin M. of good ol' NYC, who won a fabulous pink leather card case and a pair of handcrafted earrings in last month's giveaway!

This month, we have a nature theme (my favorite!), representing land, air and sea. First up is an absolutely stunning photo by Zahner Photo. Do yourself a favor and look at his amazing underwater shots. This is one of my favorites and in person, it's spectacular. Terence Zahner has been a certified scuba diver for over 10 years and finds inspiration in shadows and patterns. His photos let us in on a magical world that most of us will never see,
Next up, and a little to the left of realism, are Bugged Out's adorable set of cards. Click here to see all the cheerful bugs that will be represented in your collection. I was going to tell you my favorite, but I can't pick just one. I can guarantee that receiving one of these bugs will brighten anyone's day! I love the vibrant colors that Dina, the creator, employs in her t-shirts and totes, too.
Here is a sweet and tiny starfish bubble pendant by Ami Nyitray. Browsing Ami's etsy shop is like a visit to an old curiosity shop where every drawer is filled with something unique, fascinating, and even sometimes a little creepy (but in a good way!) Ami's love of science and ephemera inspire her jewelry, apparel, and artwork.


Rules 'n' stuff:

The winner of this giveaway will be announced on Monday, September 5 and our new September giveaway will be posted! To enter:

1. Make sure you are a follower of this blog.

2. Your comment is your entry. Only comments received by August 15 will be eligible. Please include a way to contact you!

3. One entry per person, but if you tweet, blog or facebook about this giveaway it gets you additional entries. Post a LINK back to your personal post right here in the comments section.

4. Winner picked at random. Winner must ship to USA address only (sorry!).

5. Items will be shipped individually.

Enjoy the rest of your summer!

Good luck!

LuCrafts

Giant Pinwheel

So, I had this idea to make a pinwheel, but not an everyday ordinary pinwheel (as cute as those may be). No. I wanted to make a really big pinwheel. Just for fun, and for the challenge of it (assuming there's a front-end reason most pinwheels are the sizes they are). And it was a challenge. But the end result was as fun. With the challenge part of it overcome, making them is a snap.

Materials

Don't be daunted! It's a lot but you probably have most of it on hand.

• Two pieces of 12" x 12" cardstock (only one piece actually needs to be that large; the other can be as much as 1/4 that size)
• Wood dowel
• One 18-gauge 5/8" nail (make sure it has a nice head on it)
• Two pencils, one for marking and one with an eraser you can cut off
• Small knife
• Ruler
• Scissors
• Glue stick
• Tacky glue
• One-sixteenth inch hole punch
• Drill and 1/16" drill bit

Steps

If you like, cut your dowel down to about half its original length or about 24" (I used the full 48" length). Drill a hole about 1/2" from one end. Set aside.

Cut the eraser off of a pencil (the eraser should be new or only very slightly worn). Set aside.

Fold a piece of cardstock in half diagonally (corner-to-corner) in both directions to create 4 triangles on the surface.

On the fold lines, make a pencil mark about 1/3 of the way from the center. Cut paper along fold lines up to the pencil marks.

Punch a hole in the left corner of each triangle.

Get your nail. Pull the first triangle corner toward the center of the paper and insert the nail point-first from the top.

Pull the second corner toward the center and position below the first corner and over the point of the nail. Repeat until all four corners are on the nail. Push the nail through the center of the paper.

Hold the pinwheel by the nail from the back and gently flatten the triangles a bit. This will make it easier to work with going forward.

Lay the pinwheel face-down so the end of the nail is pointing up.

Fold the other piece of the cardstock in quarters. Cut along fold lines. Take one square and cut the corners off. Apply glue stick to one side and then push it sticky-side down over the point of the nail. Press into place on the back of the pinwheel. (I would actually cut the paper down a bit more than pictured.)

Flip the pinwheel over while holding everything in place. Insert the pointy end of the nail into the hole in the dowel.

Lay the pinwheel face-down again so the dowel is on top with the nail poking through it. Push the cut-off pencil eraser onto the end of the nail. Adjust its position to allow the pinwheel to spin. Set into place with a dab of tacky glue.

Allow to dry, then gently un-flatten the triangles. You may have to bend them forward from their base a bit too. Stick the whole thing into a planter or a vase filled with stones, or affix to anything tall and free-standing (like a lamp) and wait for a light summer breeze to blow by and spin it.

Until next time --

Linda

PurtyBird

Beat the Heat with Early Christmas Shopping Deals

So here's my Christmas shopping list to take advantage of the {NewNew}'s Christmas in July sale (coupon code CIJ11) which ends on Sunday:

For my husband:

Bus Ticket Cuff Links by Aminiytray

For my kid:

Tooth Fairy Pillow by FeltIt

For my mother:

Simplicity Collection by KeyElement

For my dad:

Two Year Planner by PriaVanda

For my brother:

Marathon Medal Display by PrettyLovelyPainting

For my sister-in-law:

Graphic Tee by Kimmchi

My shopping is done! How about your's?

Simone
groundsel.etsy.com

Shopping For a Buzz

We can all agree that indulging in a little shopping spree for ourselves definitely ranks high on the list of feel-good activities that we partake from time to time. It's also a given that supporting a cause or charity that is near and dear to our hearts ranks high on the bliss-boosting meter. When the two are combined, you can only imagine the euphoric buzz that results!

Which is why you'll definitely want to be in the know about the Ahkun Summer Pop-Up event, taking place on July 30 and 31 from 11am-6pm at the Lower East Side Girls Club (56 East 1st Street.) Ahkun, a New York City nonprofit, is hosting this pop-up sale event featuring clothing and accessories from independent designers, sustainable brands and fair trade organizations. And the best part of all? Each vendor has pledged 10 percent of sales to Kiva, a micro-lending website that lets individuals make small loans to entrepreneurs around the world.

Among the selection of carefully curated wares you'll find fabulous eco-friendly items for the home from SimplyNu and colorfully eclectic handbags and wallets from Lolafalk, two of our own {NewNew} members.

Stop by and check it out - and maybe you'll catch that euphoric buzz that's been going around lately...

Learn more about Ahkun at their site Ahkun.org and stay up on all The {NewNew} news by following our blog just enter your e-mail in the box over there to the right.

LolaFalkDesigns

How to Make Egg Shakers

One of my favorite parts of parenting is inventing strange crafts out of random materials that engage my two kids for the longest amount of time for the least amount of money. The idea for this project came about from broken eggshells. I've been washing and saving eggshells for the last few months to crush and add to my garden as well as to compost. Then I realized that if you keep the two eggs halves they almost fit perfectly back together. Which made me think of the plastic egg shakers that are all the rage during preschool music classes and sing-a-longs. Which made me think what a brilliant idea someone had to make those plastic egg shakers. Which made me think that someone is making a lot of money off of that idea.

And you see how twisted and random my thoughts can be. Sometimes these thoughts turn to something productive, like developing a new hobby (gardening, recycling old clothes into new clothes, composting). Other times... well, let's just say sometimes my time can be better spent sleeping.

Back to the original point of this post, which began with me staring at half broken eggshells and feeling like they could be something more. I loved the way they fit back together after being broken, so I thought we could make real egg shakers minus the plastic. This turned out to be a multi-day process with the drying times factored it, but it was really sort of fun. So here's how to do it.

1. Clean your eggshells thoroughly and lay them out to dry.

2. Fill partially with different dried beans. We used lentils, split peas, and black beans.

3. Apply a thin layer of glue along the rim of the eggshell and fit the other side snugly on top, making sure it matches up perfectly.

4. Let dry for a few hours or overnight.

5. Cut thin strips of newspaper, about .5 inches by 2 inches, for the paper mache. Make a paste from flour and water (boil half a cup of water on the stove and whisk in a heaping tablespoon of flour - simmer lightly for a minute and then let cool). Dip paper in paste or use a paintbrush to apply the paste on the egg and cover the eggs with a few layers of newspaper and paper mache paste.

6. Let dry overnight. (Lay them on the egg cartons and make sure to rotate them so the entire egg dries.)

8. Use poster or acrylic paints to add color to your egg shakers.

9. Do a lesson on color mixing by only starting out with red, yellow, blue and white. Use the egg carton to mix colors (yellow + blue = green, red + blue = purple, red + white = pink, etc). 

10. Paint!

11. Let dry and then let the musicians loose on the shakers! I find the sound of beans on eggshells really soothing and much more pleasant than the plastic variety. Store the egg shakers in the dried out egg carton and also use in food play.

Cute Stocking Stuffers

For me, the main event on Christmas morning is the stocking. A well stuffed stocking needs to have a new toothbrush, and a brand spanking new set of unmentionables. Once these basics have been taken care of, I can go to town with all kinds of interesting, smallish and cute items to round out the selection. Lucky for me my team's current Christmas in July sale offers up a treasure trove of small presents that are perfect for filling up that stocking.

Tomato Garden Monsters by Takokids

This little basket of tomato puppets will kick off Christmas morning with all kinds of silly puppet play. (15% off with coupon code CIJ11).

Mini Flowerpot Pincushion by FeltIt

I also love this tiny pincushion by FeltIt. I must have this to keep track of all those errant pins I keep dropping under the dining room table. (10% off with coupon code CIJ11.)

Enamel I Heart my Bike Necklace by Beinthemoment

This pretty little bike would be the perfect small something for the avid cyclist in the family. (15 % off with coupon code CIJ11.)

Amigurumi Video Game Monster AmiTownCreatures

And, as all of you who know my 9-year-old sidekick would agree, this precious amigurumi monster would be the perfect gift for the gamer in my family. (10% off with coupon code CIJ11.)

For a very simple purchasing experience, browse our catalog of vendors participating in the Christmas in July sale this week, which ends fittingly, on July 24th. Happy Shopping.

Want to get Published in a glossy Stampington Magazine?

Is getting published in a magazine a big dream of yours? 

 So many artists and crafters dream of getting their creations published. It can feel so far out of reach or just plain confusing, so....

Here's a brief 5 step process to get you started.

1. Look inside the magazines that you love and ones that would be a good fit for your work. Find out what their submission guidelines are. There are lots of inspiring themes that Stampington put out on their submission page for all their publications. Other magazines such as "Cloth, Paper, Scissors" set challenges for their readers so this is also a great way to get your artwork out there.
2. Find out who the editor of the magazine is and write them a cover letter, talking a little about your work, what inspires you and the process you went through to create your piece. be sure to include links to our blog/website too. Many magazines accept international submissions, but if in doubt reach out to the magazine.
3. Make up your package to send to the magazine (the details of what to include will be in the submission guidelines). Package it up and decorate the outside of your box/envelope so it looks pretty when it arrives on the editors desk.
4. If you are a writer, photographer or have a great idea for an article, you can also send email submissions to magazine companies such as Stampington outlining your idea.
5. Don't be discouraged if your initial work/submission doesn't get in the first time you submit, keep trying and one day you will find a magazine and a little congratulations note yourself in your mailbox.

When I first started on this journey, being published felt like such a difficult thing to do and I was so confused as to how to go about it, however it really is about reaching out and looking at the opportunities through submission guidelines and challenges.

Then inhaling deeply, being brave and taking that first step.

Good Luck!

*****

Louise Gale - Your Creative Career Consultant for the NewNew Blog

http://louisegale.com/

Shake it like a Polaroid

I love photos...I can't resist snapping them and everywhere I go I am capturing something...

Did you know that The {NewNew} has some seriously talented photographers on the team…? These adventurers capture the moment in their fine art prints that range from street art to landscapes to still life and even underwater photography, their photos are sure to impress.

...here are some of my favorites, sure to put a smile on your face!!

Deborah, from DeborahJulian.etsy.com, took this photo in Prague and it has been shown in galleries in NY and NJ.



Kelly, from kgudahl.etsy.com, took this lovely photo in Sheep's Meadow in Central Park on a stunning summer day!

Kelly, from ApertureAgog.etsy.com, captures NYC street art and graffiti in her fine art prints. I love this photo for reminding me...'It's OK'.

Terence, from ZahnerPhoto.etsy.com, focuses on underwater photography who says his vision is "preserving fragile, fleeting moments of natural beauty".

Angel, from AstrOdub.etsy.com, captures the beauty of what she calls "...ordinary and forgotten buildings..." around NYC. She says she takes photos of "anything that makes me stop dead on my tracks".



Jennifer, from bubbaandboo.etsy.com, creates modern hip wall art using photos she takes around NYC. This one "B is for Bike" is so vibrant and fun!
Want to see more work by these and more {NewNew} photographers? Search on Etsy.com using the keyword 'newnewteam', then narrow down by category choosing Art -> Photography.

Or, click --> here !!

Thanks!

Corey // Sans Map

Handmade Bags & Accessories

Stitch A Journal

Journal by Aperture Agog

The {NewNew}Team on Governors Island presents another craft workshop! Saturday afternoon on July 16th from 2-4 pm you can find Pria, Jean, Melissa, and myself on Governors Island on the porch of Better Than Jam's outpost in Nolan Park stitching up some journals using the stab stitch binding technique. Once you have mastered this technique you'll be able to re-purpose any and all scrap papers you may have lying around the house. Careful, this craft is terribly addicting.  If you can't make it to the island, or want to practice binding a journal before you come to the island, check out this demonstration by Tia of Primrose Press that was recorded by the Eco Etsy Team when they visited New York a few weeks ago.

Watch live streaming video from etsy at livestream.com

See you tomorrow!
Simone
groundsel.etsy.com

Christmas in July Sale

While the weather outside is frightfully - hot, we can enjoy some festive summer savings with the NewNewNY's Christmas in July promtion. Search Etsy for CIJ and newnewteam and use the coupon code CIJ11 from July 14th to July 24th to find a wide range of handmade goodies that have storewide sales of 10% to 25% off from over 25 NewNewNY team members. These kind of deals make any handmade shopper melt.

After sending a joyful garden party why not send a personal thank you note full of summer green and happiness that will be 25% off.

Green Branches Folding Card by Fubabee

Bring some good fortune to your summer lovin with 15% off this sterling silver fortune cookie necklace.

Sterling Silver Fortune Cookie Necklace by KimLast

Be squeaky clean after a long day at the beach with 20% off this refreshing castille soap.

Daisy Castile Handmade Soap by Simplynu


What is a picnic without Monster Blueberries by Takokids that are 15% off to liven up your table and the kids?

Blueberry Garden Monster by Takokids

For a long bike ride through the boroughs represent with this Brooklyn Puppy dog tshirt for Women and Men that is 20% off.

Brooklyn Puppy Dog Shirt by Valtine

So spread the summer cheer from July 14th to July 24th searching coupon code CIJ11 on Etsy for all the NewNewNY deals.