Spring DIY

Spring Cleaning? It's time. What to do with all the stuff you need to get rid of? 

The Instructables website offers up some great ideas for re-use. According to their website, "Instructables is a web-based documentation platform where passionate people share what they do and how they do it, and learn from and collaborate with others." In effect it is a community of doers who constantly create, share and collaborate on DIY projects.

Lots of old tees? Turn them into comfy shorts for a great beach cover up, lounge wear or pyjamas. Turn a loveable old hard back into a purse. You would be amazed at how easy these projects are. With step-by-step instructions and photo documentation it's hard to go wrong.

Now that you've made a start, let your imagination run wild and create your own reuse project with those book pages. Break down the steps. Take the pics. Join the Instructables community. Share. Repeat.

--till next week Restore, Recycle, Refresh, Renew  

Iceland Inspired Scarf Part 1

In honor of my spring break study tour to Iceland, I am posting the project we will be completing there so you can join in. You can follow our escapades on the d&m abroad blog.

Iceland Workshop Getting Started.
This week we will gather your supplies, look at our goal and some inspiration.

Goal: Use Icelandic design as inspiration to synthesize the Icelandic design concept -maximizing resources through re-use to create hand-crafted products using a “raw” aesthetic, inspired by the powerful visual and forces of Nature.










Haugkaupf Tee Shirt - mesh, jersey 1
Project: Using the visual examples in your packet and inspiration from the items you have seen at Gallery Kraum and Rosa’s studio, create a 48” (approximately) scarf out of recycled tee shirts.









Rosa's pieced, jersey skirt close up 1

Supplies:
Gather old tee shirts these can include artwork or decoration if you like. You will cut these next week into 20 6”x 6” pre-cut squares. (You will need 16 to complete your project. Cut an additional 4 for experimentation and trading.)

Cotton or Cotton-Polyester thread. (You can use one color, or several that match or contrast with your tee shirt squares.)

2-3 needles that you can thread;)

1 pr. scissors that will cut both your thread and your squares.

Optional: Any decorations – buttons, beads, sequins, fringe, soda tabs, etc. Use the Icelandic design concept -maximizing resources through re-use to create hand-crafted products using a “raw” aesthetic, inspired by the powerful visual and forces of Nature to select your decorations as well.

Next week we will prepare the tees and stitch them together.

--till next week Restore, Recycle, Refresh & Renew

Too Many Sweaters?

We are enjoying a bit of a January thaw in the North East, but we are sure to have another bitter snap before Winter is done with us. How about upcycling an old sweater into a new accessory for the final push to Spring?

What exactly is Upcycling? Wikipedia offers a concise definition: "Upcycling is the process of converting waste materials or useless products into new materials or products of better quality or a higher environmental value." The Upcycling movement is growing and it is easy to participate.

We've talked about it before in many of my blog entries. If you aren't so crafty or you just don't have the time, here are a couple of services that will do the work for you:

Got an old cashmere sweater and a friend with a new baby? Contact TeddyLux. This Georgia based company offers plush animals and toys from recycled cashmere. You can also order a custom plush from your own sweater. Prices are reasonable. Animals are $50-$60 each with toys on offer for $15. They accept donations as well and will reimburse you for postage.

ReKnit is another company that upcycles. Each month ReKnit converts your old sweaters into a new product. This month - scarves. Users get to vote on the next item. You send in your sweater and the yarn is unraveled and reknit into the item of the month. The reknitting fee is $30. That's quite a bargain.

Best of all, you can re-purpose that sweater and learn a new craft yourself. First, check this unravel tutorial from Neauveau. Then select an old sweater from your closet or acquire one from friends or a local thrift shop. Next check out these resources on learning to knit. Better yet, find a local knitting group. Knitting circles are everywhere - from bars to home parties it shouldn't be too hard to find one in your community. A local yarn store is a good place to start or find one at Stich 'n Bitch.org.

--till next week Restore, Recycle, Refresh & Renew

She's Crafty

Ah November. The season of craft shows is in full swing. It's time for holiday shopping, gift giving and the party extravaganzas. Here's some thoughts about doing it green.

Look to nature for decorations. Fallen branches can be painted with metallics and arranged in a container with some floral foam to create a stunning "tree", "bush" or festive arrangement.

Here's an idea for easy DIY "ornaments". Pull fruit sections out of citrus fruits and then cut the skin into shapes with kitchen shears - stars, half moons, suns, whatever you heart desires. Let them dry naturally and then coat with a thin layer of watered down white glue to seal them. Tie with raffia and voila instant decorations or garland to use or give. These items could also be arranged into a fantastic center piece around a log with a few drilled holes for candles - just make sure to keep the flames away and don't leave the candles unattended! Holiday fires are bad for you and bad for the environment;)
•Best bet for natural items in Philly - Fairmount Park

Holidays parties are the perfect time to go vintage. You can find really unique and show- stopping pieces. With this years trend toward shine, look for items from the 40's and 80's to get you through. Beading, sequins, metallic jacquards and stretch are must haves. Throw in a "real" boyfriend jacket and some shoots (shoe/boots) and you are on your way to being the belle of the ball. There are a variety of vintage and thrift stores in all areas of Philly. Some places to check live - Vintage Connection, Retrospect, Decades Vintage (615 Bainbridge/South Street Area), Sugarcube, Forbidden Planet (10 N. 3rd basement in Olde City), the Second Mile and online Vintage Looks and Etsy.

Gift-giving should be a treat for both giver and receiver. Look for interesting handmade or eco-friendly options to suit the receiver's interests. If you are feeling really ambitious, make things yourself. You will feel immense satisfaction giving something that you have made. It comes from your heart and hands and will be cherished by the recipient. There are so many things to make to meet any skill level.
•Some sites to check for ideas and directions - DIY Network, PioneerThinking and Make-Stuff.

Here's an idea for a quick and easy dessert stand idea I got from the Sunday London Times Magazine last year. Find 2 beautiful plates and a pair of candle sticks (preferably vintage or second hand). Get some epoxy or bonding glue that will work for ceramic and glass. You will need to read the label or go to a local hardware store where the merchant can give you the correct adhesive. I like to use E6000 which is readily available at craft stores. Glue on of the candle sticks to the center of one of the plates. Weight the stick while it drys. Bake or buy some holiday goodies. Put them on the stand with a festive doily or vintage napkin. Wrap with colored cellophane. Include a note with instructions to hand wash the stand and handle with care. This is a great holiday or hostess gift for any occasion. You can alter the includes based on the recipient - make a two tiered stand for a High Tea theme, include napkins and place mats or a runner for those with new homes, etc. Easy, fun and unique.

Now for some shameless self-promotion - check my rocklava shop for some vintage treasures and a variety of handmade items to give.

--till next week Restore, Recycle, Refresh & Renew