Showing posts with label handmade. Show all posts
Showing posts with label handmade. Show all posts
April 24, 2014
April 10, 2014
March 13, 2014
Team Finds: Celebrate Women's History Month...
By buying handmade by women from our team shops for the awesome women in your life!
See links to the shops below.
Links to shops on Etsy.
By
February 12, 2014
January 21, 2014
January 8, 2014
A Quilt for Elias
I have never made a quilt before, but I was determined to make a nice keepsake for my little nephew. I scoured the internet, and found some basic instructions. Traditionally, quilts are made with different squares of fabric pieced together. But, for my first try, I decided to keep things simple. I purchased 4 yards of a colorful fabric and another 1/2 yard for the trim, I also purchased some crib size quilt batting.
First I cut and measured the fabric and batting, then pinned them together (right sides facing each other.) I sewed them together and turned the fabric right side out. I passed a light iron over the whole thing to smooth out any wrinkles.
After I had everything assembled, and sewed up all edges, I used a fabric pencil and marked off 12" sections. I then ran the whole thing under the sewing machine to "create" the quilting. I must admit, the lines were very wonky, but not that noticeable.
Using a bias tape maker, I made a 2" trim for all 4 edges of the blanket. I pinned the trim in place, and sewed three of them in place.
Before sewing on the last piece of trim, I decided to embroider his name on it....just to personalize it a bit more.
Here it is....the finished quilt. I was able to give him the blanket when he was two weeks old. I was so proud of my efforts! Maybe with the next quilt, I will get a bit more fancy, and try to piece different squares together.
Until next time....happy crafting!
Nordea
nordeasoaperie
November 22, 2013
November 4, 2013
October 21, 2013
September 4, 2013
Oranges For Your September
1. Robot kid's organic t-shirt -- Lunacy Designs11 || 2. Custom cap -- A GoodLHOOQ
3. iPad mini case -- Fritz and Fraulein || 4. Frida Kahlo doll - Snap Dragoon 13
5. Ninja Dragoon Monster -- La Muse Kalliope || 6. Coin purse -- Pinot by Lyn
7. Double sided Necklace -- Be In The Moment || 8. Unicorn horn -- Brooklyn Owl
July 20, 2013
Night Markets Take Over New York City
Night markets are taking over Gotham!
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| Gotham by night. |
In two weeks, on August 3rd, the Hester Street Fair will string white lights in the trees and through the tents, dust off their liquor license, and turn the Fair into August Nights at the Hester Street Fair, a month-long Saturday night (only) market on the Lower East Side at the corners of Hester and Essex Streets. It will feature a DJ, all your favorite Hester food vendors, and booths, including a collection of vintage clothing and jewelry companies.
Hester already runs Hester Nights at the eventi hotel in midtown, where eleven vendors provide a wide array of food and the Brighton Bar serves drinks to tired New Yorkers every Thursday evening in the summer and fall.
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| The eventi Hotel. |
Night Markets were brought to New York by Aaron Broudo who founded the Brooklyn Night Bazaar. The first one, held in the area created by Urban Space, called the DeKalb Market, was such a success, it didn't take long for imitation to become the sincerest form of flattery. Subsequent BKNB markets were held in Brooklyn warehouses.
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| Artificial "Night:" BK Night Bazaar in a Kent Street warehouse. |
Founded with a Kickstarter fund raiser in 2011, it was conceived as "a summer night market, held outside on the Brooklyn waterfront. The Bazaar was inspired by the night markets across Asia. These are fun gathering places for locals and travelers to eat, drink, shop and check out performances all in an animated setting. The Brooklyn Night Bazaar will provide a uniquely Brooklyn version of this great tradition." The thing morphed into its own Brooklyn-ized version that Aaron masterminded, with live music, vendors, sports, food and things I probably never found out about cause I was always setting up the Wink and Flip table. It took New York by storm.
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| Brooklyn Night Bazaar; Holiday Edition |
Now comes the news that just last week, the Union Square Farmer's Market celebrated an important milestone birthday with their own version of a night market.
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| Union Square gets into the act.
In Queens, the Astoria Market went to the dark side, and turned its beer garden location into a night market. What's next? Stay tuned. This can't be the end. "If you can make it here, you can make it anywhere."
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February 13, 2013
What About Love...
Let me just say...I don't really hate Valentine's Day. I just find it slightly annoying. If you love someone, you should let them know all year round....not just on Valentine's day! The day is completely jammed down our throats, I barely had time to take down my Christmas lights. As soon as the new year began...hearts and candy began to choke the aisles of my neighborhood convenience store. And I might just throw up if I see another Jared commercial!
Ok, so my mini rant is over...I feel better getting that off my chest! Anyway, I thought it might be interesting to highlight a few etsy artists that have some "anti-valentine's day" items. The one thing that I love about etsy is that you will probably find something cool, interesting, and definately one of a kind!
Until next time....happy crafting!
Nordea
nordeasoaperie
November 26, 2012
What was the best holiday gift you have received?
When
we’re kids the gifts we ask for are largely influenced by television. I can
still recite all the words to My Buddy and feel the sense of loss at never
having had one despite the fact that, thinking back, I always thought he was
kind of creepy. It sure was a catchy tune though! Aside from the occasional She-Ra Cloud
Castle
As
time goes on we stop seeing our parents as bringers of stuff and things and
begin to see them more the way we see Grandma…as a dispenser of cash. It’s not
because we’re greedy. It’s because that’s what we need most at that time in our
lives. How will you get through college if you can’t buy coffee and burritos?
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| Fiber Dance Weaving Studio |
This
is generally followed by a brief, well-meaning, but delusional stage when we
inform our friends and family that all we want for the holidays is their Love. This is a confusing time for many
and, while you do mean it, you’re not doing anyone any favors. Your loved ones
are going to get you something regardless and now they have no idea where to
start. While you run the risk that everyone will take you seriously and you’ll
get nothing but Love. That’s great and all but, let’s face it people, Love doesn’t keep the snow from getting
under your coat collar and trickling freezing torture liquid down to the small
of your back. That’s SCARVES! Scarves
do that.
Now that I’m an adult I think I finally get how this whole thing works and, after
interviewing some of the awesome vendors from the upcoming Holiday Cavalcade I
think I can safely say that all great gifts fit into one of three catagories…
1.
Gifts that help us find our way - Jean of Fiber Dance Weaving Studio tells us about the 35mm camera she got in high school, "Having such a great camera allowed me to explore my creativity in a way I never had before. I went on to make photography my career. (...) Eventually, I found my way to weaving, a craft which I believe has many similarities to photography. Not only is weaving a wonderful collaboration between man and machine (looms do have a mind and a personality of their own) but also, because I never really know what I've got until I pull a woven piece off the loom, there's a good bit of mystery and anticipation involved, as well.
"So now, instead of envisioning things in black and white and using different papers and chemical processes to achieve my objective, I am working with colors and fibers, and adding a whole new dimension (literally) to my creative process, while continuing a way of life that all started with the gift of a camera."
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| Windows Of Agate |
2. Gifts that make our lives easier - Karina makes tons of cool toys and coloring books for kids in her shop Windows Of Agate, but with all the work she puts into her creations it's got to be hard to find time for anything else. That's why this gift was so spot on, "When I received a standing mixer from my husband the Christmas after my second child was born, I was elated! I was sleep-deprived and overwhelmed, and getting the standing mixer did wonders to my lofty goal of baking cookies for all my neighbors."
Besides being incredibly thoughtful, and making the lives of the recipients better in some way these gifts share one more thing in common. The third and, what I consider to be, the most important category...
Find your special holiday gift at the upcoming Holiday Handmade Cavalcade
Jessica Alpern
Shop http://www.etsy.com/shop/JessicaAlpern
Blog http://jessicaalpern.com
Fun http://www.facebook.com/JessicaAlpernCutsPaper
October 18, 2012
Crafts in Chelsea Returns!
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| Lulu Vintage Shell Edged Cloche |
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| Merry Christmas Dude, Set of 6 Cards |
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| Ninja Dragon Monster by La Muse Kalliope |
groundsel.etsy.com
October 10, 2012
25 Questions: Meet Karen Seiger, "Markets of New York"
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| Karen Seiger, in one of her favorite months, October, at a market. |
Karen Seiger is the author of the book and website, “Markets of New York.” She is a market enthusiast, author, blogger about markets and founder of Sirene MediaWorks, a marketing company that helps businesses with social media, loyalty programming, and sustainable/green marketing.
Previously, Karen worked in international marketing, loyalty, partnership management, and business development at American Express. She managed international aid and development programs in Latin America and Africa before that. She travels to Paris any chance she gets, and you can find her most weekends at New York City’s outdoor markets. Her website, and books, is a wealth of information, especially for people who love things handmade. Many crafters know of Karen, but don't know her personally, Here she is, in 25 questions.
1. What are you listening to right now? Having a Flight of the Conchords revival today. Can’t stop listening to “Frodo, Don’t Wear the Ring” and cracking up. I also can’t stop listening to Challa, a new song from my Bollywood crush, Shahrukh Khan.
2. DC or New York? New York! I lived in DC for 11 years and loved it, but New York is home.
3. What is your favorite weather? Cool, sunny fall or early spring. Any day that’s
cool enough so I can wear my favorite sweaters or warm enough to jump in a lake.
4. Where was the best meal you ate? Well, aside from pretty much every bite I’ve
had in the markets, the very best meal I’ve ever had was for James’ birthday at Blue Hill at Stone Barns. They made us a butter tasting, and everything was literally fresh from the farm. Then we had dessert outside and watched a million fireflies put on a show for us on a hillside.
5. Favorite airline? How about “Least Favorite Airline”? United/Continental
6. Facebook or Twitter? Facebook.
7. Who was the last person you talked to on the phone? My mom.
8. What’s your favorite TV show? Anything on Masterpiece Mystery, especially the new Sherlock Holmes. CBS Sunday Morning, too. I like really good stories.
9. What’s your favorite holiday? Thanksgiving! No religion, just eating, snoozing, and eating some more, with friends and family.
10. What is your favorite month? Well, my birthday is in March, and I celebrate it all month long. But I have a soft spot for October weather.
11. Best job, and why? Best job I ever had was as a writing tutor for students with learning and physical disabilities in college. A bunch of us worked in a huge open space and shouted out grammar questions to each other as needed. So much fun, so much collaboration -- and some real learning went on there.
12. Favorite market food? I truly, deeply love it all. Except I can’t do kimmchi, ever since a jar of it popped open in my totebag on the subway. (I’m sure I‘m not the only one who will never forget that experience, i.e. everyone else who was on that train car.)
13. What was the last movie you saw? It was “Kites,” another awesome Bollywood movie (I just get sick of Hollywood, and they never break into singing and dancing.)
14. Butter, plain, salted, cheese or caramel pop corn? Butter on a savory day, caramel on a sweet day. Have you tried maple syrup popcorn? Delicious!!
15. Favorite NYC neighborhood? I love so many, but the West Village is my favorite to live in.
16. Favorite piece purchased at a market? I love everything I purchase in the markets. But my perfect, handmade, black suede loafers from John Lobb for Hermes that I got at Hell’s Kitchen Flea are way up there.
17. What 3 things are physically close to you? Right now? My cellphone, my lovely handmade onyx desk lamp that my parents got me in Mexico a million years ago, and an orchid we rescued from the trash room.
18. Have you ever crashed a car? Not personally, but I’ve been in some bang-ups, and I’ve had whiplash twice, although once was from an incident in gym class.
19. What time did you wake up this morning? Crack o’ 8:30
20. What does your last text message say? “Funny!”
21. Have you ever been to a different country? Yes – 29 I think.
22. What is your favorite sushi roll? The Karen Roll at Sakura Hana in the West Village. Followed closely by the James Roll. (Really!)
23. How old will you be turning on your next birthday? I haven’t decided yet.
24. Are you a day person or a night person? DEFINITELY a night person, despite the universe conspiring to the contrary.
25. Can you taste the difference between Coke and Pepsi? OMG Yes! Can’t you? I’m a Mexican Coke person – I love the real sugar.
Susan Spedalle/Wink and Flip
August 29, 2011
Handstamping: A Tutorial
Hello there, New New Blog readers! I'm Kerry - a new contributor here. My Etsy shop is K. Batty Design & Stationery (or kbatty.etsy.com) & it's filled with personalized stationery, custom invitations, greeting cards & a few other paper products coming soon. Many of the items in my shop are hand stamped so I thought I'd kick off with that - a little tutorial on hand stamping with a simple one-stamp greeting card. Heeeeeeere we go...
Supplies: a CLEAN rubber or polymer stamp, a CLEAN ink pad (not something your toddler has been playing with - you know how they are with the paints...), something to stamp on – for this tutorial, as I said, we’re hand-stamping a card, but you could easily personalize notepads, notebooks, gift tags, address labels…you get what I'm saying. You can purchase any of these things at your local craft or stationery store.
Step 1: Prepare your surface – any flat surface will do. Make sure it’s clean - let’s not get the jelly from your morning toast on your project. I like to stamp on my cutting mat..
Step 2: Placement - Decide a head of time where you’re going to place your design. Line up your clean stamp on your paper until you get a design/placement that you like.
Step 3: Ink up! Lightly dab your stamp around the pad. Check your edges for over inking (places where the ink pools in your design or on the stamping block, like that spot on the right side of my stamp. Oops!).
Step 4: Stamp! Use even pressure on the stamp, particularly in the center if it’s a large stamp like this one. Avoid “mashing” the stamp on the paper – the design will look fuzzy & bloated. Oh! This is why I like using my cutting mat. I use the grid to help line up my stamp on the paper.
Step 5: Let it dry! As you stamp, carefully move your pieces aside to dry. Some colors will dry quickly; others take a while, particularly the metallic inks so be patient. Don't smudge it! Also, some surfaces/papers will absorb ink faster than others. Just leave your project on your work surface while you go on to the next step…
Step 6: Clean up! Cover your ink pads first to help keep them from drying out, ensuring a long life for your stamp pad. Wash your stamps & leave them to dry. Usually, I just wash my stamps with water, especially if I get to the sink as soon as I’ve stamped, but it depends on the ink you’re using. Some of it can be a little stubborn, especially if you have been stamping a lot of pieces.
Ta-da! You have a greeting card (or any other paper-product you can dream up)! All you need is an envelope, which can also be stamped if you want. It’s relatively easy & quick but takes some preparation & practice to do it consistently. If you’re a newbie, definitely practice your impression & alignment on a scrap piece before you move to your stamp surface.
Questions or comments? Leave them here & please do report back on what you create! Happy Stamping!
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