Posts with tag crafts

Our very own Cat Lincoln introduced us to the wonder of craftastrophe.net, a website where you can send pictures of horrible crafts you've seen (or personally created) for review and perhaps publication. We have been checking said website obsessively ever since. Above, you can see why. We are delighted and horrified. We are delorified.

We love all of the amazing independent designers out there and we wanted to find out more about what makes these creative types tick. If you do too, check out more of our Indie Designer Interviews.

Sometimes creativity is a family affair, and that's certainly the case with today's featured artists, Krafty Krew, aka Rita, Frances, and Irene. This mother-daughter trio crafts designs from the heart, including some adorable plush toys for the little ones.

We found you something. It's Maryink.

Maryink is an Etsy shop that sells t-shirts, jewelry, tote bags, candle holders, and more. They are run out of Nashville and have a terrific Scandinavian fairy tale meets punk rock vibe, resulting in designs that are retro-cool and playful. According to Mary, yes, the Mary, one of their items was even inspired by Sesame Street! (Blue Russian Nesting Dolls Tote, click here.)

Here's a link to a great video about the designers, Mary and Chris.

We love all of the amazing independent designers out there. In order to find out more about just what makes all of these creative types tick, we present to you an ongoing segment called Indie Designer Interviews.

MissEvilkitty is the alter ego of one very eccentric young woman named Gabbie. This Modesto, California based designer has been offering up her modern-meets-vintage handmade jewelry and more since 2002 at MissEvilkitty.

Well, it beats spending time on a decades-long waiting list for an iconic Kelly, doesn't it?

New York blogger Karyn Bosnak drew our attention to a new feature on the Hermes website which shows you how to make your own Hermes bag, just like the real thing. The only downside? You have to make it out of paper... a fun craft project, perhaps, but not likely to withstand the first rainy day of summer.

If you'd like to make something a little more substantial (but only a little more substantial), why not try your hand at making a bikini?

We love all of the amazing independent designers out there. In order to find out more about just what makes all of these creative types tick, we present to you an ongoing segment called Indie Designer Interviews.

Today's interview is with jewelry designer Sharla Oliveri of Sharma Designs. She creates bold, one-of-a-kind pieces for the modern woman at totally affordable prices. Sharla also co-authors a fabulous shopping blog which showcases other independent artists at Rare Bird Finds.

Here's another purse we're gonna have to call WTF on. Why? Because it's made of popsicle sticks, people. Popsicle sticks.

There is a place where arts-and-crafts meets fashion. This purse is not that place. The flowers rest atop it like condolences on a coffin. A coffin made of popsicle sticks.

I'm a big fan of all of the amazing independent designers out there. In an effort to get inside the mind of the indie designer and find out just what makes all of these creative types tick, I present to you an ongoing segment I call Indie Designer Interviews.

Today's interview is with Manyi Au, designer and owner of MAUstudio, an online boutique which offers Manyi's own adorable paper goods, stickers, buttons and cellphone charms in addition to a variety of other handmade jewelry and accessories from like-minded independent designers.

Tell us a little about yourself and your shop. I'm a graphic and web designer and have always loved making crafts since I was little. I enjoy designing fun characters to use on my stationery and accessories. I'd been wanting to start a business ever since college. The skills that I learned as a graphic designer helped me make my dream come true. MAUstudio started out as a shop to showcase my own products. After 2 years, I decided to offer my shop as an opportunity to showcase other talented indie artists and designers who share the same passion as I do.

Cross stitch has gone subversive. And not a moment too soon.

subversive: a systematic attempt to overthrow or undermine a government or political system by persons working secretly from within.

Are you as excited about this as I am? My knees are bouncing under my desk.

On the website, you can buy kits for designs that say things from "TRUTHINESS" to "Don't Make Me Cut You". I can just imagine myself relaxing on the couch in front of The Soup and stitching, and my roommate coming in and saying:
Roommate: Whatcha doin', Annie?
Annie: Just some cross stitch.
Roommate: Oh, that's so quaint and adorable! What's it say?
Annie: "Life Sucks, Then You Die."

The website sells a book, a calendar, and note cards, and has an extensive How-To section. Knitting is so passe. I'm talking to you, Julia Roberts.

Injustice comes in many forms, even fashionable ones. Here's what I mean: you get a cool t-shirt, but when you put it on, you look like you're wearing a potato sack. Lousy, isn't it?

Luckily, crafty hipsters have figured out a way to deal with this problem. Online you can find dozens of options for t-shirt refashions that range from super easy to impossible difficult.

My favorite DIY remake is a shirt resizing pattern that comes from the website whatthecraft.com. Even if you're not much of a sewer, you can still pull off this easy alteration. Here are the three basic steps:

1. Turn your big t-shirt inside out.
2. Place a t-shirt that fits on top of the larger one, and align their collars.
3. Pin and cut around the outline of the smaller shirt.
4. Sew where you have pinned, but be sure to leave the armholes and bottom open.
5. Hem the armholes and the bottom of the shirt.
6. Turn the shirt right side out and voila! You have a new zesty girl shirt.

Just last week we were talking about new outfits on the runways designed completely from garbage bag material. Now comes news that one woman has been making 1950s style outfits completely from grocery bags. Is this a coincidence, or are designers actually turning plastic bags as a legitimate material for their new designs?

Cathy Kasdan, who created the outfit, wrote in an email to Craftzine.com: "The dress is all hand knit from grocery bags that were the result of actual trips to the grocery store. As soon as I told people I could use their old bags for a project they brought them in by the bag full, I received thousands! The plastic grocery bag came about in the 1950's along with futuristic optimism about America, so I made a "typical" 1950's ensemble complete with pillbox hat and purse..."

I actually think the outfit looks fantastic, though I can't imagine it'd be very comfortable to wear. Great for a night out when you're really trying to turn heads, as an all-out 1950s look by itself would get you some attention, and I can only imagine people's reactions when they realized it was made out of grocery sacks.

For more trash used for fashion, check out Haute Trash.

[via BoingBoing]

Earlier this month, Deidre went all fangirl on us for JustJenn Designs, a line of stationery from a woman named Jenn who bakes, crafts, makes stationery, and amazingly still has time to be a mom. Jenn has been ever so gracious and sent us a sample set of her cards to give away to one of our favorite Styledash readers! The cards are the "Curse"-ive Flat Cards that have phrases like "punk ass" and "f*cked up" on them, as well as a set of the Sweet Tooth Glossies.

Okay, so we're not going to play favorites. All you have to do is leave a comment for us today and we'll randomly pick a winner. No need to be witty or anything like that in the comment; just let us know you're here.

As I've mentioned in the past, one of my goals this year is to highlight the work of individual craftspeople. Let me introduce you to 3 Hip Sisters. Self-described as "three average gals selling their wares," the sisters traffic in beautiful handcrafted glass pieces. They make colorful plates and ornaments as well as glass pendants and earrings which would make great simple Valentine's Day gifts. For just $8.95 you can get the heart necklace shown here. And yes, there is a blogger involved, check out the Cooper Chronicles.

One of my major goals for 2007 is to draw more attention to independent craftspeople who are running small businesses. It's style at its roots, the vision of one person rather than a marketing department.

I love the work of Alicia Paulson who runs Posie! an online boutique that features darling little crocheted baby items, collages, postcards, and barrettes and more. Her Pirouette handbags are party bags of dupioni silk and silk taffeta in sweet spring friendly colors. The totes are lined in cotton muslin and have a satin ribbon tie and a giant handcut silk flower for a bit of flourish. They sell for $46. If you are looking for a Valentine gift for a friend you might want to send one of her paper flower bouquets which come crammed into colorful takeout boxes. She also has a blog which is just as charming as her products.

Built by Wendy is a line of fun, whimsical and very unique clothing for men, women and children. For example. I just saw a dress in her online store featuring giant penguins around the hemline of a shiny dress.The creativity behind the designs come from Wendy Mullin, who learned to sew at a very young age while growing up ip Chicago. She now designs and runs her own stores in New York (2) and Los Angeles (1).

If Wendy's designs inspire you, now you can make them yourself. The designer has teamed up with Simplicity and is offering some of her patterns so that Built by Wendy is Built by You! I am particularly fond of the coat and jacket, and though I am not in love with the fabrics that are shown, the patterns are a great place to start for great lines and shapes. Once I dust off my old Singer, I just might have a new winter jacket!

Built by You patterns are available from the Built by Wendy website and run around $15 each.