Take a self-guided tour of about 30 artists' studios in Amangansett, Sag Harbor, Southampton and East Hampton, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday to Saturday, $60 a couple covers both days, buy at Ashawagh Hall, Springs Fireplace Road, East Hampton, 631-324-2225, artistsstudiotour.org
Batik craftswomen apply melted wax to fine cotton textiles to produce characteristic figurative designs at a workshop in Solo city in Central Java on June 29, an area well known for producing the best batik in Indonesia. Traditional Indonesian batik fabrics are made through a process of textile dyeing rendering incricate handmade designs using wax. Batik has been an art and craft for centuries in Indonesia with certain designs reserved for the nobles.
Photo credit: Getty Images
Every now and then, I receive an e-mail from a reader offering a fantastic tip that must be shared. I'd like to do just that with a tip from Denise Ramo, a scrapbooking enthusiast in Ronkonkoma. Here's her suggestion for a great rubber stamp resource:
In case you are unaware, the Material Resource Center in Ronkonkoma has a lot of unmounted rubber stamps. They're easy to use and all you need is an adhesive and an acrylic block. (In a pinch, you can use a sturdy, clear ink pad top as a block!) Gals I know use a variety of adhesive, such as Velcro (on block & stamp), double sided tape on block, Alene's Tack It Over & Over, or EZ Mount.
At the Material Resource Center, there are small stamps you would find on pegs at Michaels and others are alphabets on full rubber sheets, with some trimming required. They were roughly $4 a pound, if you are not a member. There are also bags with the smaller stamps for sale, many are duplicates but are perfect for kids, classroom use, or sharing with your stamping pals!
They also have great mat board -- it's super cheap -- for book board projects. A super deal if you have a Bind-It-All and are making your own books in different sizes
Thought you might want to know. Hope you find it useful!
~ Denise Ramo
Do you have a crafting tip or resource to share? Please drop me an e-mail and I'll tell everyone about it. Looking forward to hearing from you!
Summer is full of outdoor craft shows, and while I adore checking out the latest handmade goods by local artists, I hope to sell my own crafty goodies, too!
I asked Carolina Estrada of Rocca Designs to share her best tips for selling at craft shows. Here's her advice:
1. Dress it up: Nobody wants to buy pieces from an artist who doesn't feel confident about her product. If you sell accessories -- hats, clothing, jewelry or other types of wearable art -- make sure you are wearing your own creations. You'll feel like a fake if your potential customers ask you where you got that pretty necklace, purse or dress and it's not your own.
2. Do what you can to accept credit cards: People tend to buy more and spend more per transaction when you give the option to pay with a credit card. If you have a PayPal account, you can bring your laptop ... believe me it will increase your sales due to impulse purchases.
3. Survey: It is a good idea to do your research before you pay a costly booth fee. Make sure your items fit in with the overall environment of the craft show. Also make sure there aren't a lot of sellers in your category. For example: If you're selling earrings, check to see how many other people will be there selling earrings.
4. Rehearse: If you live in or close to any big city, you can find local artist markets or gallery nights; these usually have low-cost setup fees and may even be free for sellers. Take the opportunity to rehearse, come up with your selling strategy and practice your booth setup and other details without hurting your wallet.
Pictured: Carolina's jewelery line Rocca Designs.
To learn more about Carolina Estrada and her handmade jewelry, visit her Web site: www.roccadesigns.etsy.com
Got a great tip for creative do-it-yourselfers? Let us know! You might see your helpful advice on the Cheap Thrills blog.
Channel your inner herbalist in this class about growing and using medicinal herbs, 10 to 11:30 a.m. tomorrow, Bridge Gardens, 36 Mitchell Lane, Bridgehampton, $5, 631-283-3195, ext. 10, peconiclandtrust.org.
Are you ready for summer? Here's a crafty project that will get you in the mood for sun and surf.
I just discovered this awesome video tutorial by Anne-Marie Faiola, owner and chief executive of Brambleberry, a soapmaking supplies company. She has launched a series of soapmaking videos via SoapQueenTV.
I'll be sharing her videos regularly, so stay tuned in. Today, check out her very creative tutorial on making clam shell soaps! These make perfect little gifts for a summer beach party, or use them as guest soaps at your vacation cottage. How unique!
I am going to try out this neat tutorial and post my results. Thanks Anne-Marie!
Try this adult watercolor workshop with Stony Brook artist Elisabeth Greaf, Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., the Long Island Museum, 1200 Route 25A, Stony Brook, $160, 631-751-0066, longislandmuseum.org.
More than 250 artisans exhibit at the Renegade Craft Fair, selling jewelry, knitwear, prints, paper goods and more. Tomorrow and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. McCarren Park, Driggs Avenue and North 12 Street, Brooklyn. Free, renegadecraft.com
ClayNation is a place where anyone can have creative fun!
You can go at any time during business hours - no appointment is needed - or, if you like, you can schedule a birthday party. At ClayNation, you pick out a piece of pottery you like. Some examples of things to choose from are cats, dogs, piggy banks, plates, cups and even a vase. The size determines the cost. A staff member sets you up with paints.
When you get your paint, you choose the color from the color chart. The colors may look a little different at first from the color chart, but don't worry. They will change to the color you like when the pottery has been fired in the kiln.
It doesn't matter if you are a good or bad artist. What matters is you are having fun. If you happen to use the wrong color, they have sponges that take the paint off like magic.
I painted a panda. Some of my friends who went with me painted an owl, a teapot, a penguin and even a food bowl for pets. We were also taught some tricks to make painting easier. It was cool to learn how to blend colors and work on shading.
They put the painted pottery in a kiln, and a few days later you can pick up your finished work.
Where to go: 31 Village Sq., Glen Cove, 516-671-8788; claynationonline.com
-- SABRINA MAGRINI/KIDSDAY
See works of art made from Lego bricks and become an artist yourself by painting a portrait on the street during the 13th Annual Community Mosaic Street Painting Festival from noon to 5 p.m. Sunday in Riverhead. Main Street will be closed off from Roanoke Avenue to East Avenue, and the East End Arts Council's grounds are part of the festival. Go to Eastendarts.org or call 631-369-2171 for more information.
For interesting crafts, try the Spring Crafts and Fine Arts Fair at the Nassau County Museum of Art, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday and Monday, 1 Museum Drive, Roslyn Harbor, $7, children younger than 12 free, 516-484-9337, nassaumuseum.com/events.htm#festival
Fourth-, fifth-, and sixth-graders at Fire Island’s Woodhull School had the opportunity to participate in the "Warm Up America Afterschool Knitting Club." It's been said that knitting helps children improve motor coordination and problem-solving abilities, encourages positive social behavior and teamwork, and engages students in community service activities. Above, students with an afghan they created and will donate to a hospice.
Photo credit: Handout
"The Kitchen Linens Book: Using, Sharing, and Cherishing the Fabrics of Our Daily Lives," by EllynAnne Geisel (Andrews McMeel Publishing, $19.99)
For those who love the feel of fabric in a down-home setting, this book has plenty to offer, topped off most of all by the author's own sense of style and comfort. While showing readers napkins, tablecloths, aprons, kitchen towels and more, the author evokes the past, taking us back to a time when women made their own linens and added their own personal touches. The materials used vary considerably, from cotton feed-bag cloth, favored by farmer's wives, to silk.
The author offers advice on the care of various fabrics, the packing of picnic lunches and includes some recipes, describes the kinds of weaves used for different items, and provides what amounts to etiquette lessons from days gone by that work just as well today. Lots of photos accompany her advice.
There's almost nothing here on how to reproduce the illustrated designs, though there is a transfer pattern to create a vintage kitchen towel. But the illustrations and obvious love for past craftsmanship may be enough to encourage fans to explore their own creativity or at least appreciate and perhaps collect items made in the past. -- PAM ROBINSON
The Old Town Arts and Crafts Guild on the Main Road in Cutchogue will be having its Open House on Saturday, May 16, from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. They will be featuring demonstrations of arts and crafts all day, free refreshments and sign-up for classes offered at the guild this summer. For more information, visit: www.oldtownguild.com/
Have you ever hosted a TV show ... in your head? Well, if you’re into “Do It Yourself” home projects, there could be a real audience in your future.
Here’s the deal: the DIY Network is scouting its next host in what the producers call the “Stud Finder search.” Viewers — those who are outgoing and passionate do-it-yourselfers — are invited to enter a contest via the network's Web site. Submissions include a video and photos as well as an explanation of why you are the right person for the job.
“We are looking for the next true DIY Network star, someone who has the right combination of skills and personality to make their way into living rooms across America," Kathy Finch, the network's general manager, said in a statement.
Entries must be submitted by July 13. The network will select four finalists, while viewers choose the fifth via online voting. Of course, the five will compete before a winner is named.
— LISA DOLL BRUNO
Find creative gifts by independent local designers and craftsmen at The Spring Handmade Cavalcade. Tomorrow and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.. The Bell House, 149 Seventh St., Brooklyn. Free, handmadecavalcade.com
Photo: Gold Coin Earrings with Malachite by Lingua Nigra, one of the many handcrafted items for sale at the Spring Handmade Cavalcade,
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'll remind you of a box of LemonHeads, 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-ounce bar unscented glycerin soap
1 teaspoon powdered loofah
15 drops lemon essential or lemon fragrance oil
1 4-ounce 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.
Register for this oil painting class, which starts Thursday, and is offered every Thursday for six weeks, 1-3 p.m. at the Henrietta Acampora Recreation Center, 39 Montauk Hwy., Blue Point, $25. Call about supplies, 631-363-5193.
Over the weekend, I was invited to spend the afternoon crafting with some friends -- Gayle, Heidi, Eileen, Yvonne to name a few -- in Upper Manhattan.
We all learned how to make these fun altered pendants using domino game pieces, rub-ons, beads, alchol inks and Hodgepodge Hardware from Stampin' Up, a craft supplier.
Here's a look at mine. Aren't they adorable? Special thanks to Eileen and Heidi for hosting this fantastic event. To see more photos of our handiwork, go to Eileen's blog - Art Saves Lives.
Photo credit: Corris Little
My craftin' buddy Heidi e-mailed me this cute tutorial on card making, which happens to be one of my favorite hobbies. Star of May is the crafter in this video and she's using craft supplies from Stampin' Up. Check out the video and enjoy. It's totally addicting to watch!
Do you have a great tutorial to share? Tell us about it!
Learn the benefits of using lemons, lavender oil and other "green" products at a spring cleaning workshop at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday in Southold, sponsored by the Group for the East End. You will make some of your own household cleaners, so bring plastic spray bottles. It's free, 54895 Main Street, 631-765-6450, ext. 211.
Don't discard your cereal box! Instead, transform it into this super cute wallet packed with recycling power! With a few cuts and folds, you'll have a one-of-a-kind wallet made from your favorite breakfast brand. Makes a unique Father's Day gift and works great for business cards, too. Tutorial by Tiffany Threadgould at RePlayGround!.
Ingredients:
Empty food box - like a cereal box
Elastic cord
Paper template you can download here (Adobe Reader required to view)
Tools:
Scissors
Pencil
Ruler
Paper scoring tool - like a butter knife or bent paperclip small paperpunch (1/8" hole) or tack
Instructions:
1. Cut out the template and place it on top of your box. Trace around the edges.
2. Cut along the lines and punch holes where indicated either with a small paper punch or a tack. If you're using a tack, wiggle the tack in the hole so it's large enough to fit the elastic cord through.
3. Then, place the ruler on top of your cut-out and run your paper scoring tool along the lines. Fold at these lines.
4. Tie a double knot at one end of your cord and slip through hole A with the knot on the inside of the box. Then thread through B, going through the inside of the box and ending on the outside. Next, thread in through C and out through D. Then, thread in through E, and back in through F ending on the inside of the box.
5. Tuck in tabs A and F and fold up the wallet. Then tie a double knot in the end to secure. Make sure the elastic is snug, but not too tight. Slip the elastic over the corners of your wallet and it's ready to be filled with your money, business cards or even coupons to buy more cereal.
For more information on recycled or repurposed goods with a twist, check out RePlayGround! in Brooklyn, NY.
Combine last month's magazines with some old magnets and you'll have a fun new word play game that you made yourself. This simple project is sure to make headlines. Tutorial by Tiffany Threadgould at RePlayGround!
Ingredients:
Magazines
Mint tin
Flexible magnet (like the kind you get advertising the local pizza shop) or get the adhesive kind from a craft supply store
Tools:
Glue stick (if using a nonadhesive magnet) scissors
Instructions:
1.Lay your magnetic piece on a flat surface. Cut words from magazine pages. Make sure you have enough to cover the whole surface of the magnet.
2. If you're using a nonadhesive magnet, lay your words upside-down on a piece of scrap paper and use your glue stick to make it sticky. Stick onto the magnet. Repeat until your whole magnet is covered. If you're using an adhesive magnet, peal off the waxy layer and stick the words to the magnet.
3. Use your scissors to carefully cut apart the pieces. Then stick the pieces to your mint tin or refrigerator and rearrange the words creating sentences and fun phrases.
For more funky recycled and repurposed goods, check out RePlayGround! in Brooklyn, NY.
Do you have a favorite craft or DIY project to share? I'd love to have you as a guest blogger for Cheap Thrills!
Currently, I'm looking for crafty gals (and guys) to share tutorials, write about the latest Etsy finds, share photos of works in progress, show off your crafts and share the story behind it, and more. The ideal person for this gig should be crafty or love handmade objects, write well, have Internet access and a camera. Cheap Thrills guest bloggers aren't paid, but I will link to your blog, Etsy site, Web site, etc. It's a great way to get exposure for what you love to do -- creating cool stuff!
Contact me via e-mail to learn more about the opportunity.
For more information, visit the Handmade Cavalcade Web site.
Martha Stewart makes an L.I. appearance to sign copies of "Martha Stewart's Encyclopedia of Crafts" (Clarkson Potter). At noon, Michael's Arts & Crafts, 1280 Corporate Drive, Westbury; 516-693-0420.
Spring has sprung and summer is just around the corner. It’s time to get glowing skin!
Here’s a great little recipe for a sugar scrub that will help exfoliate your skin in the shower and leave you feeling soft and supple.
I love sugar scrubs because they’re fairly simple and cheap to make from ingredients found in your own cupboard. Plus, you can give this away as cool summer gifts to all your friends and they will think you're soooo crafty!
Basic Sugar Body Scrub:
1 clear plastic jar
1 cup sugar (can be brown, raw, turbinado or any type will do)
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
A few drops of a scented oil (optional)
Directions: In a plastic bowl, mix the sugar and olive oil and if you like, you can add a fragrance to make it more fun. Try lavender essential oil to soothe your senses or a citrusy fragrance oil for an energizing experience. Fragrance oils are safe for use on skin and can be purchased at your local health food store or online. Put the mixture in a plastic container or jelly jar and keep in the bathroom for use anytime.
This scrub works best in a shower. Rub all over your skin and rinse off. Enjoy!
Note: After time, it’s normal for the oil to rise to the top and the sugar to settle to the bottom. Give the mixture a quick stir and you’re back in business!
Photo by From Nature With Love, one of my favorite suppliers of natural, organic ingredients for making beauty products.
BY MEREDITH DANIELS
Craig Belson, 27, of Valley Stream, proudly took a sip of the spiced brown ale he brewed back in November as he steeped a muslin bag in a stock pot that sat on two burners. "I can't wait to see how this one turns out," the smiling home brewer of two years said as he patiently watched brown drippings from the 3-pound bag of grain fall into the pot of what eventually would become a porter.
Mike Deinhardt, 56, of Centereach held up his empty 10-gallon firkin and gave a primal scream along with several dozen others who sampled his Scotch ale made especially for Blue Point's Cask Ale Festival in January. Deinhardt, who has been brewing since 1991, made this batch in his new $1,200 self-contained system that he and a friend built in his garage.
Home-brewing equipment and home brewers, themselves, come in all shapes and sizes, but it's the common interest of creating and sampling good, flavorful fermentations that draws them together.
"My favorite part of the process is brewing with other people and the camaraderie of it all," said Deinhardt, who is the president of the club Brewers East End Revival (also known as BEER). "Summer is great. We'll have a brew-fest at my house, and we'll barbecue and just have a fun time."
Craft brewing began to emerge across the country in the late 1970s as the beer industry was beginning to consolidate and
Continue reading "Long Islanders make beer at home for fun, profit" »
Scrapbooking can be a great way to preserve cherished moments and stay connected to the past.
With spring approaching, now is the time to tidy up those stacks of photos you've been hoarding and create a meaniful album of memories. There are many crafters who run their own scrapbooking classes in Queens and Long Island via Meetup.com, a cool social networking Web site.
Curious about the art of scrapbooking? Would you like to meet other crafters? On Meetup.com, you're likely to find fun and friendly people who share your interests. Check out this sampling of local scrapbooking groups and dive right in!
Group name: Sassy Scraps & Stamps
Class: Spring Fling Scrapbook Class
Students can expect to go home with a completed 12x12 double layout perfect for showcasing their favorite Spring-themed photos. This particular class will focus on adding dimension to our pages using patterned paper-piecing and embellishments. All supplies are included. People interested in attending must RSVP by April 1, 2009.
Date: Sunday, April 5th from 1- 3 p.m.
Cost: $20 per person.
Web site: http://www.meetup.com/Sassy-Scraps-Stamps-Meetup-Group/
Group name: Stamp It, Scrap It, Stick It!
Class: Build Your Own Layout Class
In this class, participants will have the opportunity to create their own fantastic two page layout. This class will give people the opportunity to practice creating a layout that is balanced and beautiful. Each person will bring their own paper, creating something personal and unique. We will review the basics of designing a template using a 12 X 12 guide. Each person will cut their own paper to exactly match their template. Once the basics are completed, the fun of embellishing and stamping begins! Each participant will be able to browse through a variety of embellishments including ribbon, buttons, brads and flowers to add some beauty and distinction to their layout. There will also be quite a few stamp sets and inks available for people to create titles and journaling spots on their pages.
Date: Sunday, April 18th, 8-10 p.m.
Cost: $10
Web site: http://www.meetup.com/stamp-and-scrap/
Group name: Oceanside Scrapbookng/Card Making Crop
Class: Monthly Scrapbooking and Card Making Workshop
New members will have the opportunity to attend two mini workshops within the crop to learn card making and scrapbooking techniques and layouts. Members will complete two or three cards and one 12 x 12 scrapbook page.
Date: April 18th, 10 a.m - 3 p.m and 4:30 p.m.- 7:30 p.m.
Cost: $15 daytime crop; $20 evening card making workshop
Web site: http://www.meetup.com/scrapbook-2258/
Please note: Some of these groups may require registration or an event fee, which is standard.
Photo credit: Denise Ramo
One of my favorite papercrafters is Angie Kennedy Juda. She makes adorable things out of gorgeous paper. Well, she's at it again. This time, she is creating a fun book to hold all those annoying passwords -- computer logins, e-mail, -- we have to keep handy. If you're like me, then this creative craft is great for those "senior moments" when you forget things.
Check out a video of Angie Kennedy Juda's password book ...
Special thanks to Angie Juda over at the Chic n' Scratch blog for the video tutorial! For more information on Angie's altered creations and other crafts or to inquire about craft supplies, please visit her blog: http://www.chicnscratch.typepad.com/
Nothing about Alison Lewis even suggests "nerdy." But ask her about circuits or diodes, and you'll see she is more than familiar with switches and soldering irons. Her book, "Switch Craft: Battery-Powered Crafts to Make and Sew" ($24.95, Crown), brims with instructions for projects that combine technology with clothing and accessories, say a music-blaring bag, a pillow with a cell phone headset, an illuminated skirt. Her message: Technology can be stylish. -- AP
You may think of felt as the stuff of kids' craft projects, but the fabric can be used to create sophisticated sculpture, fashion, furniture -- even a yurt, built on the museum premises. Check out this extraordinary event today until 5 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sunday noon to 6 p.m. (through Sept. 7), Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum, 2 E. 91st St. Cost: $15, 212-849-8300, cooperhewitt.org
Make your own jewelry using beach glass, shells and other natural materials, Saturday, 1 to 3 p.m. or 3:30 to 5:30 p.m., in these workshops hosted by the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County at the Kermit W. Graf Building, 424 Griffing Ave., Riverhead. Cost: $25, pre-registration required, 631-767-5142.
BY SYLVIA E. KING-COHEN
Ever looked at a piece of art and thought, "Heck, I could do that"? Maybe your drawings of a horse always comes out looking more like a long-legged guinea pig?
Across Long Island, there are groups, classes and instructors available to help you sort out your pastels from your charcoals. Whether you'd like to attempt your first still-life or are a burgeoning artist ready to fine-tune your skills, here's a sampling of what's out there.
STUDIO TIME
The Art Studio: 125 N. Park Ave., Rockville Centre, 516-763-2050, theartstudiorvc.com
When: 7:30-9:30 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday
Cost: $90 a month ($25 yearly registration fee for materials)
Are you a budding sculptor, a frustrated painter or just wondering how artistic you really are? This fine arts studio provides the basic supplies for those who want to paint, draw or learn graphic design and mixed-media art forms. Roving instructors stop by each student's station to answer questions, tweak projects or just help get the creative juices flowing.
WATERCOLOR CLUB
East End Arts Council School of the Arts: 141 E. Main St., Riverhead, 631-369-2171, eastendarts.org
When: 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Wednesdays, March 11-April 1
Cost: $180
Think abstract, very abstract. Watercolor enthusiasts with some experience can amp up their creativity at local artist Linda Nemeth's class, which incorporates various types of music as inspiration.
Also try: The council's other upcoming classes include a hand drawing workshop ($60, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. March 14), drawing with pastels ($180, 6-8 p.m. Thursdays, March 19-April 30) and animation art with Don Duga ($65, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. March 28).
PET PORTRAITS
Art League of Long Island: 107 E. Deer Park Rd., Dix Hills, 631-462-5400, ext. 222, artleagueli.net
When: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. March 14-15
Cost: $185
This two-day workshop will help you draw or paint your favorite animal. You'll learn how to capture expression, particularly the eyes, and handle the texture of fur or feathers. Bring lots of photos for reference.
Also try: The Art League hosts dozens of classes in printmaking, watercolor, sculpture, clay and other arts. Of note: A "Lithuanian Decorative Egg" workshop (11 a.m.- 3:30 p.m. March 15, $65), in which students will design 3-4 hollow-shell eggs using dyes and wax techniques. "Works on Paper in Gouache Painting Flowers" (10 a.m.-3:30 p.m. March 28, $87) will focus on painting floral material with Gouache paint.
Discover the stories that quilts told in the days of the Underground Railroad. Learn about the symbols and shapes as children design their own quilt patterns. Ages 5 and older, 3 p.m. Saturday at the Long Island Children's Museum, 11 Davis Ave., East Garden City, $3 with museum admission. 516-224-5800 or licm.org
Photo above: Danny Drain, collector, with a Civil War quilt with a flying geese pattern used by enslaved Blacks of the South that carried secret codes related to the underground railroad.
(Newsday Photo / Sune Woods)
Kids explore their creative sides as the Creative Art Space Foundation hosts an open studio for age 5 to 12, allowing them to work with paints and drawing materials. Kids 13 to 17 can participate in the teen program. From 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday at Creative Art Space, 48-D Atlantic Ave., Lynbrook. Free. 516-596-4278 or creativeartspaceforkids.org.
Did you know? Seaford has a long history of decoy carving. Check out this interesting video on the Long Island men and these handmade objects.
Learn about woodcarving from the Suffolk County Woodcarves in a free class every Monday through Thursday of the month, 9 a.m.-noon, New Village Recreation Center, Wireless and Hawkins roads, Centereach, 631-732-2338.
Decorate a heart-shaped wreath for your home using an assortment of fresh greenery; add some of your own ribbons for a personal touch for Valentine's Day, on Saturday at 1:30 p.m. at Caleb Smith State Park Preserve, Jericho Turnpike in Smithtown. hearts will be provided. Admission costs $3. Call 631-265-1054 or visit www.nysparks.com, pre-registration is required.
Try this knitting class, where participants will create knitted fingerless gloves on Thursday, 12:30-2:30 p.m. at Keep Me in Stitches, 77 Smithtown Blvd., $20 plus supplies, 631-724-8111, keepmeinstitches1.com
Stock up on handmade soaps, milk baths, edible massage oil, gift baskets and natural products for men just in time for Valentine's Day. Lisa P. Mitchell, owner of Nyah Simone bath products, will be there to greet you and talk about natural skin care.
* Special offer: Free bar of soap if you spend $35 or more.
Bellmore Knights of Columbus Hall
2333 Bellmore Avenue
Bellmore, NY 11710 US
Sunday, February 8, 10 a.m.
Shopping hours are from 10 AM - 4:00 PM EST
Scrapbooking is often described as dowdy, but this hobby is about to get a major shakeup.
Over the weekend, Paris Hilton's line of craft products called the Paris Hilton Creativity Collection (www.pariscreativity.com) was on display at the Craft and Hobby Association in Anaheim, Calf. Yes, you heard right! Paris allegedly keeps a scrapbook .. one can only imagine what's inside it.
The Paris Hilton Creativity Collection is made up of scrapbooking and embellishment kits aimed at teens and it's expected to appear in stores within 6-8 months. While Paris hardly seems like a crafter -- does she even lift a finger to dress herself? -- she's been working with Wooky Entertainment, a Montreal-based company, and she personally approves the style and look of the products. Think lots of pink, rhinestones, and whatever else she deems to be "hot."
"In the craft market we see a lot of demand for tweens and teens," said Genevieve Lecompte, Wooky's vice president of sales and marketing, "but there’s not much to offer." Seeking a personality to pair with craft kits, Wooky executives approached Hilton, who liked the idea. "She's a great icon for teens and young adults," Lecompte said in an interview with the Los Angeles Times.
Watch Paris Hilton Unveils Scrapbooking at CHA in Celebrity Videos and Webisodes | View More Free Videos Online at Veoh.com
Should Paris Hilton be the celebrity face of scrapbooking? Will you buy her products?
I asked some New York crafters to weigh in on the topic:
I am always an advocate for things that keep kids and teenagers crafty and creative. In this sense, Paris' line seems like it could be a big hit. For those crafters that are experienced or like a more mature look, it isn't for them. Paris certainly knows what's hot and how to market herself. -- Heidi Davenport, Heidi's Crafting Mecca
Well ... what do they say? Any press is good press?
Paris Hilton is learning what many of us have known for a long time -- scrapbooking is hot! And we know that there are some who enter the art/business of scrapbooking just for the money -- I am not against someone making a buck. If the quality of her products are up to par, I would consider looking at her items. But personally, I tend to gravitate to a line/product company that is in tune with my artistic tastes and interests and is a good quality product.
This may be more attractive to a younger (beginning scrapbooker) audience. You have to start somewhere! If it brings more people to the world of scrapbooking, I say good, but hopefully not at the expense of the true art. In the end, if true scrappers and crafters who drive the industry do not like her products then it will fail. So I say bring it on! -- Yamilee Bazile
I doubt that Paris Hilton's line will be taken seriously by seasoned crafters. However, I think it's a good thing for scrapbookers and crafters that a high-profile celebrity figure is making scrapbooking "cool." It may attract younger folks to the fold and that's a good thing. Many people think of crafting as something for suburban older women and Paris doesn't fit that mold. We can make fun of her all we want, but I actually think it will be good for the scrapbooking industry. -- Laurel Carpenter, Crafting With an Edge
Well, I think Ms. Hilton's business manager told her crafts are hot and she should get her name on a product line. She related to the stuff in her booth like she was seeing it for the first time. Honestly, can you picture her sitting home on a Saturday, ruining her manicure with ink and glue? The little glimpse I got over her shoul
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