Cheap Thrills

This week's featured do-it-yourselfer is a mother of 2 boys, an artist, and a nature lover. Let's meet Debbie!

Name: Debbie Prestom-Nyhus, 44
Hometown: Levittown, NY
Occupation: Homemaker/ computer programmer by trade
Craft: Landscape paintings and prints
Web site: beadmedley.etsy.com

Where do you find inspiration?

I find inspiration anywhere there is natural beauty. My family and I love boating, and we spend many weekends on the Great South Bay. I also love the Planting Fields Arboretum, Westbury Gardens, Fire Island, and the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge, to name a few. The best part about these places is that you could visit them 100 times a day and always see something new, wonderful and different.

How did you get into your craft?

As far as I could remember, I’ve had a love of color and nature. I didn’t start painting, though, until about age 30. I was always good at math and was a computer programmer by trade, and assumed I had no artistic abilities. When my first son was an infant, he recognized a cookie monster that I drew for him. I’ll never forget the look on his face, as his eyes wandered back and forth from my drawing to his cookie monster toy! At that point, drawing and painting with pastels became an integral part of my life. I said when I started that I wouldn’t stop until the walls in my house were full. Since then, we’ve added three extensions to the house and I’m removing old paintings to hang new ones. I’m still painting!

What do you love about painting?

I love painting with pastels because it allows me to put my feelings down on paper in living color. My goal isn’t to replicate a scene like a picture, but to express my feelings about a scene.

Where do you get your supplies?

I buy many of my art supplies at Michael’s in Levittown, NY and
at Pearl Craft in East Meadow, NY.

What's your biggest craft challenge?

One of my biggest craft challenges is trying not to be overly critical of my work. I’ve learned from experience to recognize when I’m doing this. That’s when I put the piece aside and I don’t look at it for awhile. I'll come back to it when I’m much more relaxed and ready to look at it with a fresh vision. The last thing that I want is for my work to look forced. It should reflect nothing but positive feelings!

What's your best craft tip?

My best craft tip would be to always carry a camera, extra batteries and plenty of memory or film! It’s not necessary to aim for the best shot for a painting. Some of my best paintings originated from my worst photos. “Bad” photos leave much more to the imagination and allow you to paint from the heart.

What craft would you like to try next?

I’ve just started experimenting with polymer clay. I’d love to be able to combine my love of painting and photography with my ability to make and design jewelry. I’m very interested in learning how to transfer images onto pendants to create wearable art!

Any advice for beginners?

My best advice to beginners would be to not take painting too seriously. If you relax, and have fun with it, your love of doing it will shine through. I would also say that you should always finish a project. Some of my projects that I felt started out poorly, ended up becoming my favorites. This might not always be the case, but you’ll gain valuable experience while trying.

Visit Debbie's Web site (http://beadmedley.etsy.com) to learn more about her landscape prints and handmade jewelry. Or go to www.etsy.com and search for her username -- beadmedley.

Want to show off your creative side? Send me an e-mail with pictures showing off your favorite craft and you might be chosen as our next DIYer of the Week!

Cupcakes are delicious, but did you know they can be crafty too?

Etsy Labs is hosting a special event called "Cupcakes Take the Cake" from 2-6 p.m. on Saturday, July 7th in Brooklyn. It's an afternoon
of arts and crafts themed around everyone's favorite snack, the noble cupcake. To particiapate, bring your crafting tools or just some creative ideas and dive right in!

Wanna go? RSVP by e-mail -- rsvp@etsy.com

Pictured: Cupcake and crossbones tote
by In-Hope.com

-- Corris

My husband isn't in the armed forces, but you wouldn't know that by speaking to him. In his younger days he was in ROTC, twirled trick rifles in front of large audiences, and briefly attended
a local maritime college. He even folds his clothes the same way many soldiers are taught in boot camp.

He's truly an all American guy. So, imagine
my glee when I saw this great bargain in the latest issue of Real Simple magazine.

Here's what the offer says:

Don’t get caught without your red, white, and blue this Fourth of July. Get a free three-by-five-foot polyester flag from AmericanFlags.com (usual price: $20) and pay only $6 for shipping and handling. While on the site, check out the flag trivia, which includes why Old Glory gets folded 13 times.

Note: Long Island boaters can pick up nautical-themed flags too!

I plan to order now in time for the upcoming holiday!

-- Corris

Just off Montauk Highway, in a neighborhood of pizzerias and car dealers, is Amity Auction Galleries. The white clapboard house seems an unlikely destination for antiques collectors, but the monthly sale is a big draw.

Some of the crowd are milling about on the driveway, where the coffee vendor does a brisk business, but most are inside. The bidding starts in less than an hour, so this is the last chance to inspect the jumble of treasures - the flowery sconces and funny portraits, the boudoir chairs and bronze statuettes - that are for sale.

With all eyes on Sotheby's and Christie's, it is easy to overlook the local scene. For many years, though, a handful of auction houses have flourished on Long Island. These places are known to dealers, but are sometimes overlooked by collectors, for whom an auction suggests big bucks and mystifying expertise.

Click here to read the full article by Newsday's Amy Gale and learn tips for first-timers.

View photos from an auction on Long Island.

Pictured above: Thomas Cornell Galleries: Elk statue and mirror up for auction.

I love PBS! They offer really informative television shows about topics that seems to fly under the radar of mainstream America.

Recently, I was curled up on the couch watching PBS and caught three installments of this inspiring documentary called Craft in America. It was fantastic! I was amazed by Mary Jackson who keeps her family heritage alive by weaving sweetgrass baskets, a tradition passed down by her ancestors. Mrs. Jackson also teaches the art of basket making to her children and grandchildren.

If you adore handmade items, you should consider learning as much as possible about the history of the arts and crafts movement. This documentary is a best bet!

Check your local PBS station for a repeat broadcast of the show. Can't wait? Here's another way to enjoy the program:

Read the book: www.craftinamerica.org/book

Meet the artists: www.craftinamerica.org/artists

Watch a virtual exhibition: www.craftinamerica.org/virtualexhibit/story_40.php

Pictured above: Mary Jackson's Cobra Basket.

-- Corris

Ever wonder what happens to plants that aren't sold during the planting season? Well, I suppose if they're dying they're destroyed. But what about the healthy ones? What do wholesalers and growers do with the millions of surplus trees, shrubs and perennials that go unsold each year? Wouldn't it be nice if someone were just giving them away? Turns out, someone is ...

Read the full Gardening Detective's blog post.

Recently, Newsday asked readers to nominate friends and relatives with a passion for decorating - the ones who keep hearing how they should become professional interior designers (and who may harbor dreams of doing that someday).

The nominations for these natural-born decorators came pouring in, with admiration and enthusiasm. Click here to read the full article and see the nominees. -- By Carol Polsky

View our do-it-yourself photo gallery of amateur decorators on Long Island.

Think your home looks great? Submit your own home decor photos.

Pictured above: Serge Alahverdian tackles the decorating decisions in the Bethpage split-level he shares with his wife.

Newsday photo by Karen Wiles Stabile.

What: BagBorroworSteal.com clearance sale
When: June 12- July 2

Beginning today, the company that lets its customers rent designer purses from the likes of Fendi, Gucci and Prada is having its first-ever public summer clearance sale to permanently cast off gently carried and brand new handbags at 20-70% off regular retail prices.

Highlights from sale, which is open to the public, include goodies such as a Michael Kors woven straw tote (pictured) with bronze leather trim that's selling for $169 (retail $348).

Check out the sale (Note: Free site registration required).

The 2007 National Stationery Show recently invited hundreds of greeting-card, invitation, photo- album and home-office designers to the Javits Center in Manhattan to show off their latest creations. Most are due to arrive in retail stores later this year. Read the full article by Shawna Van Ness.

Long Island-based exhibitors talk about this year's trends.

See photos of new offerings on display at the show.

"Sex and the City" superstar Sarah Jessica Parker released her ultra-cheap clothing and accessories line yesterday at Steve & Barry's retail stores.

The debut collection includes a few styles of denim jeans, linen and seersucker pants (all $14.98), shorts ($9.98), and several button-up shirts and layering tees ($7.98-$12.98). There's also a black shirtdress ($19.98) and a cropped denim jacket ($14.98). Prices for other pieces range from $5.98-$19.98.

More on SJP's line

Click here for Steve & Barry's locations.

Newsday photo by Dick Yarwood

This week's featured crafter really knows how to stay busy! She attends Dowling College, teaches classes at Etsy Labs in Brooklyn and works for an East Hampton jeweler. Let's meet Leslie!

Name: Leslie Elizabeth Routh, 26
Hometown: Rocky Point, NY
Occupation: Studio assistant
Craft: Metal jewelry

Why do you love making metal jewelry?

I love the possibility metal offers. The process can be challenging, but the results can also be immediate. Metal forces me to think differently. I find thinking in its dimension to be very engaging. It has given me the ability to better understand how things are made and how they work. It's like having a new set of eye glasses and looking at things more clearly. And besides, what is more fun than seeing someone wearing something you made?

How did you get into your craft?

In 1999, I transferred to SUNY New Paltz. As a transfer student I was only able to register for the classes that were leftover from early registration. A basic metals class was one of the only classes available. It turned out to be my favorite class. I learned to make jewelry and hollowware (metal tableware). In 2002, I graduated with a Bachelor's of Fine Arts Degree in Metal.
Where do you find inspiration?

My inspiration comes from numerous places. I am a collector of many things and I draw from them. I really enjoy textiles and paper, two things that directly inspired the lace and butterfly collections. Frequently, one piece will lead into the next, everything draws off one another.

Where do you get your supplies?

Most of my tools have been purchased from Rio Grande, a large jewelry supplier located in New Mexico. I buy all my metal and solder from Hoover and Strong, a refiner in Virginia with some of the best products. Both companies have very knowledgeable and courteous staff.

What's your biggest challenge?

The biggest challenge is connecting with the public. Until I found Etsy.com, I sold my work mostly by word of mouth. Etsy is a Web site that allows people to sell handmade goods in their own "shop". My shop can be found at www.studio72.etsy.com. They promote the sale of handmade goods as opposed to things that are mass-produced.

I have also, until now, had a hard time finding a place to teach. I have always enjoyed teaching and was lucky enough to be able to assist classes at New Paltz. There are very few venues to teach at unless you have a Master's degree. Etsy recently opened a lab and I have been able to teach classes there.

What's your best craft tip?

The best tip I can give was once given to me. Always ask yourself: "Am I going to make this better or am I going to make this worse?" It reduces the frustration that can occur when making things in general, but especially in metal. Working in metal is a slow process, everything you make will take five times longer than you expect. This advice has kept me from making many mistakes and given me the perspective to put what I am making down and think before I continue.

What craft would you like to try next?

I would like to try silk screening.
It would be great to print jewelry right onto clothing.

Any advice for beginners?

Be prepared to break a lot of saw blades - just kidding! The best advice for beginners is to take your time. Working with metal is incredibly satisfying, but it can also be frustrating. Be patient, go slowly and relax. You should also take classes with many different people. There are as many different ways to do something in metal as there are people. Different teachers will allow you to get a different perspective to learn from.

Check out Leslie Routh's classes at EtsyLabs:

Learn to make a brooch ~ July 7th

Learn to make a ring ~ July 14th

Learn to make a pendant and chain ~ July 28th

Learn to make earrings or cufflinks ~ August 4th

Want to show off your creative side? Send me an e-mail with pictures showing off your favorite craft and you might be chosen as our next DIYer of the Week!

So it's a windup and a pitch -- but are we talking about that guy on the mound with the hardball, or the folks in the stands unsnarling their yarn and embroidery thread and sharing their passion for handcrafting? And is that a designated hitter or a designated knitter?

Actually, it's both. In Flushing on Aug. 8, the Mets battle the Braves and host their first Stitch N' Pitch, aiming to draw fans of both baseball and needle crafts.
-- by Judith Bernstein Read the full article on Newsday.com.

Learn more: Sign up for the Stitch n' Pitch newsletter, check out upcoming events, and view photos of previous games on the official Stitch n' Pitch Web site: www.stitchnpitch.com

Crafty contest: Craft magazine and The National NeedleArts Association are seeking original designs in needlearts -- crochet, needlepoint, embroidery, knitting -- that fits a baseball theme. Winners will receive a large goodie bag filled with prizes, including needlearts products. Enter to win: www.craftzine.com/stitchnpitch

Photo of knitters by blogger Life in Cleveland

Recently, I was playing with my digital camera and came across this adorable photo. It's my dog Roxie sporting a pink dog sweater crocheted by a relative. I just love handmade gifts!

Wanna score handmade items for your pet?
Check out these links:

Honeybark Bakery -- www.honeybark.com
This is a true Long Island gem! Honeybark’s treats are homemade with organic whole grains, fruits, vegetables and meat free of chemicals. They come in tempting flavors, such as banana bliss, granny’s apple pie, flax happy, and minty kisses to name a few. If you live in the Long Island area, owner Geri Sim will whip up a "barkday" cake for your dog's special day. They are naturally delicious too!

Kya's Collars -- www.kyascollar.com
Named after a dog named Kya, this NYC-based crafty outpost allows buyers to pick from various bottle caps to create a unique dog collar for your pet.

Petsy -- petsy4etsy.wordpress.com
Etsy is the hottest place to sell your crafty wares to a national audience and now they have a blog called Petsy that's dedicated to sellers of unique goodies for your pet. You'll find dog toys, stuffed animals for kids, animal sculptures, and more!

Did you score a cool handmade item? Tell me about it!

This week's featured crafter juggles work and home and still makes time to knit baby gear for family and friends. Let's meet Alison!

Name: Alison Coe, 27
Hometown: Brentwood, NY
Occupation: Teacher's Aide
Craft: Machine Knitting

Why do you love knitting for tots?
I love giving someone a unique, handmade gift, especially when it's something that's so useful. What baby doesn't need a hat and sweater?

How did you get into knitting baby gear?
My friend was expecting her second son and I wanted to crochet a blanket for the little guy. And then, surprise! I got a knitting machine for Christmas! I got totally into it and made a whole layette. Then, I find out more and more people are expecting babies, so off I went! So far, I’ve made three and I am hoping to make at least three more.

What's your best craft tip?
My best tip is don't be afraid to try something new. You’ll never know, if you don't try!

Where do you find inspiration?
I know seven people who are pregnant right now!!!

How do you come up with patterns?
I ordered a pattern book from www.bond-america.com, but I wasn't totally in love with any of the patterns in the Ultimate Baby and Toddler books. I ended up combining elements of three of the sweaters to make the sweater pattern I've been using. The booties are a simplified version of some from the same book, and the hat is a more complicated version of one from the book.

Where do you get your supplies?
I shop mostly at my local Michael's and A.C. Moore craft stores. Also, I get my buttons at Wal-mart and my machine knitting patterns from www.bond-america.com.

What craft would you like to try next?
I have a scrapbook kit that I'd really like to get into when I get time.

What's your biggest challenge?
I think my biggest challenge is really just finding time to just sit and do it. My daughters Dana, 5, and Leah, 2, are so active, so doing something sedentary with them around is a real challenge.

Any advice for beginner knitters?
My advice for beginners is to keep trying, but don't expect perfection right away. And you should really read your manuals well.

Want to show off your creative side? Send me an e-mail with pictures showing off your favorite craft and you might be chosen as our next DIYer of the Week!