« April 2007 | Main | June 2007 »
Few crafts require the dexterity, skill and design sense of the glassworker. Newsday's Jan Tyler tracked down five Long Island glassworks run by artisans who welcomed her into their studios and demonstrated some of their specialized techniques, each working with the fragile medium in his or her own way.
Read the article: Shopping for handmade glass
View an audio slideshow: Making glass
While surfing the Web for new crafts to obsess over, I came across the word "craftivism" and was instantly intrigued. Turns out, the act of craftivism is all about DIYers becoming active in their communities to promote change, whether it's fighting social injustice, making crafts for charity, or helping to make a difference in the environment. Pretty cool, eh? They are like the super heroes of the craft world!
Well, I've volunteered for various mainstream charities on and off, but have had a hard time sticking with it. I know, I know, shame on me! But craftivism is something I might be able to do -- in my own way -- since I'm making stuff almost every weekend. I'm thinking along the lines of knitting caps for cancer patients or creating some of my homemade soaps for the needy. As a budding "craftivist," I took another gander at the Web to find their leader or at least, their hall of crafty justice to learn more about these do-gooders.
After a few mouse clicks, I've found that knitters are very active in their communities, so I'll focus on them this month. They range from conservative to radical. I hope they encourage you to get active in your own way. Enjoy!
Pictured above: Yarntini from Pure Knits.
This week's featured craft artist believes 'everyone needs a bit of magic in their life.' Let's meet Sarah Jane...
Name: Sarah Jane Evans, 24
Hometown: Brooklyn, NY
Occupation: Bookmaker, illustrator
Craft: Nightmare Snatchers
How did you get into creating Nightmare Snatchers? The Nightmare Snatchers actually started as an assignment for a class I took at the Rhode Island School of Design. As our final project, we had to make a product in multiples and sell it at an upcoming craft sale. I wanted to make something that felt magical and fanciful, something that evoked the same feeling that I strived for in my painting and illustrative work.
While I was pondering what to make, I wandered into a bookstore and found a "dream journal" and I thought to myself "wouldn't it be more beneficial to write down your nightmares than your dreams?" From there the Nightmare Snatchers were just a natural solution to what a nightmare journal would be like, cute but ferocious and more than able to gobble up your fears.
I came up with the name “Nightmare Snatcher” and asked my resident wordsmith, my father, to write a spell for them, something that would capture all the nightmares and fears inside. After that they just took on a life of their own, as monsters tend to do, and continued to evolve into the fuzzy friends you see today.
Where do you find inspiration?
I find inspiration all over the place, through other artists, museums, my favorite books, and in anything strange and fantastic. I’ve always had a special fascination for old books. The smell, look, and tactile quality of them have always seemed so magical to me. I spend hours at a time sitting in used bookstores just poring over the shelves. I have a tendency to buy books compulsively, and am quickly running out of shelf space. Therefore, I think it’s only natural for me to make books for other people to take home.
Fill your days with crafty activities that are lots of fun:
How to Make a Bathing Suit @ Etsy Labs
Get in touch with your inner designer! After taking this class, you'll be the envy of everyone's eye as you strut down the boardwalk in your one of a kind design.
Wallpaper Workshop @ Make
Get an introduction to wallpaper making and add some pizazz to your walls. Bring your color samples, sketches, and home decor dreams to this class.
Scrapbooking @ A.C. Moore
This national craft store chain offers prospective scrappers informative classes on the best way to preserve special memories. Classes vary by location. Check your local A.C. Moore for details.
Create the Ultimate Garage @ Home Depot
You know it's time to get organized when you can't fit your your car into the driveway. If that person is you, then try this class on for size.
Photo by Etsy Labs
One of the great things about New York is all the freebies to enjoy, including "Good Morning America's Summer Concert Series." Come down to Bryant Park in Manhattan to hear a free concert by some cool acts, including Fergie, Norah Jones, John Legend and Robin Thicke.
All concerts are free and open to the public and take place live during "Good Morning America," on Friday mornings from 7 a.m. -- 9 a.m. Additional dates and acts will be announced throughout the summer.
Concert schedule:
May 25: Fergie
June 1: Daughtry
June 8: Robin Thicke
June 15: Brad Paisley
June 22: Miley Cyrus as Hannah Montana
June 29: Patti LaBelle
July 6: Norah Jones
July 13: TBA
July 20: John Mayer
July 27: Sugarland
Aug. 3: John Legend
This week’s featured crafter adores tinkering with flowers and seashells to create beautiful wall decor. Let’s meet Joanie McGuiness …
Name: Joanie M. McGuiness, 44
Hometown: Baldwin, NY
Craft: Wall décor
How did you discover your craft?
I've been crafting since I was a child. But I started making wreaths last year. I was working at a Michaels craft store and noticed they posted a sign for a part-time floral arranger. Since I had previous experience in this field, I mentioned it to one of my managers and was given the job. I don't work in floral full-time, only during the holidays or when they need more help in that department.
I wish every day was a holiday because I love making wreaths so much that it has become a major hobby for me and soon it will be a new business. I recently showed my wreaths along with my seashell adorned plaques at the Hofstra University Dutch Festival.
Where do you find inspiration?
I don't think I will ever get bored doing my craft because there are always new varieties of flowers (depending on the season) and new seashells to try. It keeps things fresh and exciting. The change of seasons is always welcome with open arms, but for me, Christmastime is the most fun. I get to decorate the Christmas trees we sell at Michaels. Once, I actually had a line of customers waiting for me to finish the next Christmas tree so they could purchase it. Now that is cool! 
What’s your best crafting tip?
The best part of doing my crafts is designing them, the worst part is all the bad burns from the hot glue gun. Watch out! Those darn things (and the hot glue) can give a pretty bad burn. I recommend having an Aloe Vera plant standing by at all times. Tear off a little piece and rub it on, it really sooths the burns. It's also important to remember not to rub the hot glue off with your other fingers because then you'll end up with two bad burns. Just rub the glue that's burning you on the table or something else handy.
Where do you get your supplies?
I work at the Michaels craft store in Oceanside, NY, so I buy a lot of my supplies there. I do use other sources as well, so I have a greater variety to choose from. For my seashells, I've contacted US Shells for their wonderful assortment of seashells. My picture frames come from The Oriental Trading Company that's a great site for all sorts of fun stuff. And don't rule out your local Dollar Store! I've found a treasure trove of inexpensive flowers there. 
What's your biggest challenge?
I've always loved all sorts of crafts, but I think my next challenge will be painting landscapes with acrylics. I've dabbled in it a bit in the past and really enjoyed it. I'll see where that leads me. A few lessons with a pro would be welcomed though.
Any advice for beginners?
The most important piece of advice I can give to a beginner is to find the craft that gives you the most joy and then dive on in to it. Life is short ... let your creativity shine!
For more details on Joanie's wall decor, please contact her via e-mail: seasidegardensdecor@msn.com.
Want to show off your creative side? Send us an e-mail with pictures showing off your favorite craft and you might be chosen as our next DIYer of the Week!
If you love all the fashionable clothes found at your local H&M store, then you're in for a treat!
H&M is offering 25% off all of your purchases made during the Memorial Day weekend -- May 25-28.
It's the perfect reason to buy that cute little dress you've been eyeing or just stock up on summer essentials.
To take advantage of this sweet deal, you must register online in advance and then you'll receive the discount offer by e-mail.
Sign up here: www.hmfriendsandfamily.com
Are you counting the days 'til summer begins?
I know I am!
I'm most looking forward to enjoying a nice tall glass of fresh lemonade on a hot summer day. So, imagine my glee when I discovered this neat little recipe for Lemon Loofah soap. Trust me, it's just as good!
What is loofah? It's a plant that grows much like the cucumber, can be dried, shredded, and added to handmade soap for a natural exfoliant. It's a really unique ingredient to add to your homemade soaps.
Once you're done, this delightful soap smells like fresh lemons!! Or if you're a candy addict, it reminds me of a box of Lemon Heads too!
I recently demonstrated how to make this recipe for my craft club, The NYC Soapmaker's Circle. Here's feedback I received from a pal:
"The demonstration and information was excellent and the soap was awesome. It smells like fresh lemonade and makes your skin great. I didn't want to leave the shower and when I did I made a glass of lemonade."
Ingredients:
1 4 oz. bar unscented glycerin soap
1 teaspoon powdered loofah
15 drops lemon essential or lemon fragrance oil
1 4 oz. soap mold
Directions: In a double boiler on the stove or in a microwave on a low setting, melt the bar of glycerin soap until liquefied. Remove from heat and stir in powdered loofah and lemon oil. Pour melted soap into the mold and let set for three hours or until hardened.
Resources: Supplies can be purchased at your local craft store, such as Michaels or online at WholesaleSuppliesPlus.com
Crafty Tip: For easy removal, put the filled soap mold into your fridge or freezer for a few minutes and then pop your soap out of the mold. It works every time!
Photo by Natural Brands, Inc. a maker and distributor of premium fresh squeezed juices, including lemonade.
A roundup of the best DIY projects spotted in this month's magazines, TV shows and websites...
DIY Ideas: Photo chair rail
Use a series of tiny framed photos to make a visual statement on the wall.
Domino: How to start a new garden
What to do if you're starting from scratch.
ReadyMade: Make a raised garden bed
Creat your own window box style container.
Blueprint: Handmade patchwork quilt
Simple cutting and sewing pattern.
Makezine: DIY Photo Block
Artfully display a photo.
Scrapbooks etc: Made in minutes pages
Impressive-looking pages if you only have 5, 15 or 30 minutes to work.
It's finally Hump Day, the weekend is nearing and there's still lots of crafts to do!
So, round out your week with a few cool crafty activities ...
Wednesdays -- Etsy tea party
Enjoy afternoon tea with crafters of all stripes at Etsy Labs in Brooklyn, NY. Go there to network, discuss ideas, plan events. It's totally free!
Thursdays -- Make time for playtime at Claytime, a paint-on-pottery studio in Huntington, NY. Be sure to go on a Thursday night from 6-9 p.m. for adults-only fun! Other days are open to all ages. For prices and hours, please call: 631-425-6133.
Various dates -- Michaels craft store is offering a 4-week course in Wilton Cake Decorating. Plus, this tasty course is 30% off in May! For full details, visit Michaels online.
Do you know of a great place for crafty fun? Share it with us! Click here to send us an e-mail.
Cheers,
Corris
New York-area commuters are cordially invited to stop and smell the flowers today and take home a free bouquet!
Come to the Spring Fair in Grand Central Station's Vanderbilt Hall in Manhattan between Monday, May 7 - Saturday, May 12 and present your Visa Signature Card to receive a bouquet of fresh flowers -- while supplies last -- courtesy of Visa Signature ... just in time for Mother's Day!
Featuring over sixty diverse vendors, craftsmen, and artisans, the Spring Fair is the perfect venue to find that Mother's Day, Father's Day, Graduation or Just Because gift.
For information about other offers and events from Grand Central, go to: www.GrandCentralTerminal.com
Happy Monday!
This week's featured crafter is inspired by her children and loves to capture precious memories on paper. She also organizes weekly crop banquets for scrapbookers. Let's meet Misha!
Name: Misha Monticciolo
Hometown: Coram, NY
Craft: Scrapbooking
How did you get into scrapbooking?
I started about 8 years ago when my husband ordered me a big box of scrapbooking supplies from QVC because I walked by the TV, saw it on, and said, “Oooh, that looks neat!”
Where do you find inspiration?
I get a lot of my inspiration from various online scrapbooking groups, scrapbooking and stamping magazines, and of course, my children provide quite a bit of inspiration too!
Where do you get your supplies?
I get 90% of my supplies and ideas for projects from a scrapbook club I belong to called Club Scrap. The remaining 10% come from local scrapbooking stores, such as Your Happy Place in East Northport, NY and Not Just Scrap in Centerreach, NY.
What's your biggest challenge?
Finishing things I start! I have a million and one projects I work on and I have been known to start 2 or 3 at the same time, then put them aside to start something new. There is always something I want to work on right away! Also, keeping my scrap room organized is a big challenge for me.
What craft would you like to try next?
I have a binder full of techniques and things I would like to learn and I work my way through it slowly. Right now I am working up the courage to play with my melting pot, maybe trying beeswax.
Any advice for beginner scrapbookers?
Don’t go crazy and think you need everything! It can be overwhelming to try and learn how to do everything at once. Go to crop events, workshops, and local scrapbook stores to learn all sorts of new things and join some online groups for inspiration.
Pictured: A beribboned piano-hinge scrapbook (above) and a star book filled with summer memories (below).
Want to show off your creative side? Send us an e-mail with pictures showing off your favorite craft and you might be chosen as our next DIYer of the Week!
