Craftside

Repurpose buildings and trash into new uses, just 2 ideas from the new book: 1000 Ideas by 100 Architects

This book is one of those that isn't exactly crafty but boy is it creative and it really gets my mind going. The world around us really can spark creativity (and just general eye candy), and reading about what other creative people think about is cool.

Inside the mind and behind the scenes!

Click on the image to enlarge and read a bit about taking a building from one use to another and trash for new construction. These are just 2 ideas from the new book:

1000 Ideas by 100 Architects

By

Sergi Costa Duran and Mariana R. Eguaras Etchetto

Architecture is an art form that provides both function and beauty. Each architect brings something uniquely distinct to his or her work. Learning what makes an architectural work or the body of an architect's work unique is difficult to deconstruct. This book provides behind the scenes insight into the work of 100 top international designers through the deconstruction of 1000 architectural details and projects.

1000 Ideas by 100 Architects is an unrivaled sourcebook for ideas. This collection also provides details and information that are not available on this level through any other source.

Sergi Costa Duran is the author of the architectural books Green Homes, New Prefab, High Density and Earth. He lectures frequently on environmental subjects for the Catalan Government (Generalitat de Catalunya) and the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB). He lives in Barcelona, Spain.

Mariana R. Eguaras Etchetto is an architecture and interior design editor. She lives in Barcelona, Spain.

 Holiday Goodness Giveaway Time!

Here's how it works:

• We ask a question each weekday.
• You leave your answer in the comments section each day to the question (and you can enter each day!).
• We will randomly pick a winner each day to send a free book to!

Today is DAY 5 of 19!

Question:

Have you ever gotten your crafting or decorating inspiration from a piece of architecture?

My answer:

YES, big YES. Not only the buildings themselves, but photos of them hold all sorts of possibilities. I walk in my neighborhood every night and it is so interesting how all the different shapes of the houses and then the decorations on them make you look at different shapes and color pallets.

Different styles come through: whimsical, retro, classic. There were some "tee pee" shaped light-up Christmas trees on one person's lawn that I definitely had not seen before, and it sparked some thoughts and I came to the conclusion I prefer the coil style of construction.

And on a materials front, aluminum trees still coordinate nicely with my aluminum Airstream!

Be sure to read the comments of others; maybe you can pick up a good idea, a new place to find your inspiration, or just a good giggle!

Turn those tomato cages upside down and recycle them into Christmas trees

Today's transformation uses tomato cages turned upside down to make Christmas trees.

 

When your tomatoes start looking like this:

You know it's time to decorate for Christmas.

Turning a tomato cage into a Christmas tree is so easy.

1. Turn it upside down.

2. Tape the ends together. I used clear packing tape.

3.Then head to the ornament stash and hook on your ornaments. I did mine in different colors.

If you want to get fancier, try this tomato cage tree made with lights and a recycled sweater.

And to not leave out Hanukkah, check out this Menorah made from repurposed plumbing pipe!

 

It was made by Josh Korwin and Alyssa Zukas of the website Notschlock and is just one of the cool projects in one of my all-time favorite books:

1000 Ideas for Creative Reuse
Remake, Restyle, Recycle, Renew
By
Garth Johnson

Artists and crafters have always been recyclers, but for many, it has not only become a thrifty choice, it has become a moral imperative. 1000 Ideas for Creative Reuse contains a cutting-edge collection of the most inventive work being made with re-used, upcycled, and already existing materials. The work in this book ranges from clever and humble personal accessories to unique and important large-scale works of art, including paper art, fashion, jewelry, housewares, interiors, and installations.

Garth Johnsonis a studio artist, writer, and educator who lives in Eureka, California. In addition to maintaining the website "Extreme Craft" (www.extremecraft.com), Garth writes about a variety of topics, including art, craft, and creative reuse.  He and his wife Claire are currently writing a blog for Readymade Magazine called "Keeping Up With the Johnsons (http://readymadeblogs.mydevstaging.com/blogs/johnsons/). His DVD, ReVision: Recycled Crafts for Earth-Friendly Living, was released by Eyekiss Films earlier this year (www.reconstructdvd.com). His artwork was recently featured in solo shows at Gallerie Maxim in Cologne, Germany and the Clay Studio in Philadelphia. Garth received a BFA from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and an MFA from Alfred University. He has taught at Georgia State University, Columbus State University and is currently an assistant professor at College of the Redwoods in Eureka, CA. In addition to teaching, he is a sought-after lecturer and visiting artist, with recent lectures at Ohio State University, Louisiana State University and the Pottery Workshop in Jingdezhen, China.

 Holiday Goodness Giveaway Time!

Here's how it works:

• We ask a question each weekday.
• You leave your answer in the comments section each day to the question (and you can enter each day!).
• We will randomly pick a winner each day to send a free book to!

Today is DAY 4 of 19!

Question:

How do you decorate outside? Is it the same every year or do you do something different each year?

My answer:

As you can see in the photo, I have my little forest of tomato cage trees and my candy cans (which I must point out I rescued/liberated from the recycling center).

I really want to cut out some deer from leftover wood I have around but as of yet each day gets away from me and I don't get to it.

If you want to see what I did last year (it was pretty cool!), pop over to this post.

Be sure to read the comments of others; maybe you can pick up a good idea, a new place to find your inspiration, or just a good giggle!

Steampunk-Style Jewelry: Victorian, Fantasy, and Mechanical Necklaces, Bracelets, and Earrings by Jean Campbell

Mixing beautiful elements with a touch of industrial bits is what the Steampunk style is all about.

Check out how to make these Steampunk earrings with clock hands:

 

Click on the images to enlarge and read how to make these cool steampunk style earrings.

 

This Steampunk jewelry is from the hot new book:

Steampunk-Style Jewelry
Victorian, Fantasy, and Mechanical Necklaces, Bracelets, and Earrings
By
Jean Campbell

This how-to jewelry-making book features the work of an array of invited jewelry designers influenced by the growing Steampunk trend. In Steampunk circles, jewelry-makers are often master metalsmiths who combine found objects with fine metals to create elaborate pieces. In Steampunk-Style Jewelry, the projects focus on "no fire" techniques -- like simple stringing, wirework, hammering, stamping, gluing, stitching, and off-loom beadwork -- so that even a beginner can create pieces in the style.

Each project provides a complete materials and tools list, step-by-step instructions, and clear illustrations. Steampunk-Style Jewelry offers a broad overview of a growing design trend that is part of the literary, industrial design, fashion, and popular culture scene. You will learn about the art movement through the many photographic sidebars that explore the many aspects of the trend.

Jean Campbell is a freelance craft editor and author. She is the founding editor of Interweave’s Beadwork magazine and has written and edited more than 40 books, most recently including CPi’s Beadwork Inspired by Art: Impressionist Jewelry and Accessories and Beadwork Inspired by Art: Art Nouveau Jewelry and Accessories. Other recent books include The New Beader's Companion, Getting Started Stringing Beads, Beaded Weddings, The Art of Beaded Beads, Beadwork Creates Jewelry, and Beading with Crystals. Jean has a widely followed weekly blog on Interweave’s Beading Daily, and has appeared on the DIY Jewelry Making show, The Shay Pendray Show, and PBS' Beads, Baubles, and Jewels where she gives how-to instructions, provides inspiration, and offers crafting advice.

I love making jewelry with unexpected things. One of my favorite all-time industrial parts are bobbins from sewing machines. Here are 3 necklaces I had made with 3 different bobbins.

 

-The first is a simple gold one, as it turns out one of the fancy sewing machine uses gold bobbins as part of its sensor equipment. I simply looped it onto a tiny gold ball chain.

-The middle one is a very old blackened metal one that I used the little secondary loop of ball chain traditionally used in dog tags. This allows the bobbin to hang sideways very nicely, really featuring the holes on the side.

-The third necklace is really in the Steampunk style in that I mixed in an old big single earring part, and a new charm set from the Manor House collection. This necklace combined all sorts of shapes and metal finishes.

 Holiday Goodness Giveaway Time!

Here's how it works:

• We ask a question each weekday.
• You leave your answer in the comments section each day to the question (and you can enter each day!).
• We will randomly pick a winner each day to send a free book to!

Today is DAY 3 of 19!

Question:

This is a percentage question:

What percent of your holiday crafting is new material vs. recycled or from your stash? And if you are buying new supplies, what are you getting and from where? Do you have a favorite source that's either non-traditional or a small business that you want to share with others?

My answer:

I am definitely digging from my personal stash for most of my gift giving supplies and going to my stash of craft books for ideas to put my own spin on something like today's project. My family has already requested the jewelry pieces they want that are made from recycled shotgun shell ends. I made a set and they all wanted one. Yup, that's my family! Well, part of it - I have some cross stitches going too! I did have to buy a bit of the cloth for that.

So I am going with about 85% from the stash/recycled and 15% newly bought!

Be sure to read the comments of others; maybe you can pick up a good idea, a new place to find your inspiration, or just a good giggle!

How to make a ribbon-wrapped mirror or wreath from the new book The Complete Photo Guide to Ribbon Crafts

When I saw this project in The Complete Photo Guide to Ribbon Crafts, I thought, "Wreath!" Wouldn't this be cool to do with recycled bits of ribbon or leftover ends that are too short? I could see it in any of the Christmas color combos. Or how about yarn scraps or strips of fabric cut or ripped?

This fun project is from the jam-packed-full-of-cool-projects new book:

The Complete Photo Guide to Ribbon Crafts
Over 700 Photos - Bows - Flowers - Embroidery - Weaving - Jewelry - Fashion - Décor - More

By

Elaine Schmidt

The Complete Photo Guide to Ribbon Crafts provides a reference for all kinds of crafts that involve ribbon. It includes step-by-step photographed instructions for a wide range of techniques as well as projects to accompany each area of ribbon crafting. This is a comprehensive guide as compared to most books on ribbon crafts that are specific by technique or end result (ribbon flowers, silk ribbon embroidery, making bows).

This book explores a wide range of techniques and end products using all kinds of ribbon, making it an essential reference for all craft enthusiasts. It includes ideas and projects for scrapbooking, home décor, general crafting, and fashion.

Elaine Schmidt is a freelance designer, consultant, educator and spokesperson in the craft and hobby industries. She is the former design coordinator for a chain of ribbon boutiques and has developed award-winning product concepts for several manufacturers. Elaine’s original designs are featured in a variety of books, magazines, project sheets and TV segments. Elaine enjoys teaching, demonstrating and thinking up new project ideas that make sewing and crafts fun and easy. Elaine lives in Long Valley, NJ and loves being surrounded by her growing stash of ribbons, fabric, buttons, beads and all the “fun stuff.”

Now onto:

The Holiday Goodness Giveaways!

Here's how it works:

• We ask a question each weekday.
• You leave your answer in the comments section each day to the question (and you can enter each day!).
• We will randomly pick a winner each day to send a free book to!

Today is DAY 2!

1. Do you make or buy your holiday wreath? Describe... (or, said in the tone of Saturday Night Live, "Discuss.")

My answer:

Both.

I have made them out of recycled dry cleaning bags cut up and tied onto a frame like this ribbon wreath in today's post and torn scraps of fabric. 

And I also bought one. I scored a vintage bottle brush style one at a thrift store a few weekends ago that has a bit of flocking on it and I just love it! It has some standard poinsettias on it, and I have my thinking cap on as I wonder what I can swap them out for, but as of yet it is intact!

19 Days of Holiday Goodness Giveaways Starts Today! And Cyber Monday Crafty Blogger Links

California pardoned turkey. Hehe

Happy Cyber Monday! To kick off this festive holiday season, we are bringing back:

The Holiday Goodness Giveaways!

Here's how it works:

• We ask a question each weekday.
• You leave your answer in the comments section each day to the question (and you can enter each day!).
• We will randomly pick a winner each day to send a free book to!

This year, we are starting earlier (19 days) so we can give away more books!

Today is DAY 1! Can I get whoop!? Or maybe a jingle of bells?

1. It's an easy question:

Did you shop on Black Friday? Did you buy any books or craft supplies? What was your biggest score? Was it something you had "pre-shopped for" and lined up insanely early for? Was anyone maimed in the acquisition of said shopping item?

My answer:

I did not shop on Black Friday; I did holiday crafting and I pulled out my Christmas decorations and had a fabulous trip down memory lane. A significant chunk of the decorations are either hand-crafted or have fun memories attached.

Be sure to read the comments of others; maybe you can pick up a good idea, a new place to find your inspiration, or just a good giggle!

If you are like me and make a lot of your holiday accoutrement, here are what my fellow crafty bloggers have to share with you:

Aileen's Musings
Aileen invites you to join a creative challenge with her called the Erosion Bundle Project. Take a peek at her pictures and find out exactly what erosion bundles are!

Crafty Princess Diaries
Tammy is making her first crocheted hat for herself. Now, hopefully it will be done by the time it gets cold down South!

Cross Stitch at About.com
The 2009 Holiday Ornament Collection is ready! Whip up some super quick back stitch ornies or cross stitch some more colorful ones.

Farm Girl Roots, City Girl Style
Don't fence her in! Linda shares the story of her Fences and Ferns Quilt and how creativity can prosper even in dark times.

Mixed Media Artist
Mixed media artist Nicolette Anderson shares her lovely work!

Stefanie Girard's Sweater Surgery
See a necklace and bracelet made from the same Blue Moon Beads pendant with a how-to video with me.

The Artful Crafter
Whatever the holiday, make cute pop-up place cards to organize the dinner table and delight guests of all ages.

The Impatient Crafter
Madge is ready for Christmas so bring it on! Check out this retrolicious frame she designed for iLoveToCreate.

About Family Crafts
Does your family have any creative Thanksgiving traditions? You can read about other people's Thanksgiving traditions and then share your own!

Another Great Turkey Leftover Recipe from The Gourmet's Guide to Cooking with Beer

I think I'm starting a tradition. Last year I posted a recipe using turkey leftovers, and I am posting another yummy recipe using beer and turkey this fine post-thankful day. It is from the book The Gourmet's Guide to Cooking with Beer.

To see the beer and turkey recipe from last year, pop on over here.

The Gourmet's Guide to Cooking with Beer
By
Alison Boteler

Continuing the concept of The Spaghetti Sauce Gourmet and The Gourmet’s Guide to Cooking with Wine, this book shows how to use beer, ale, stouts, ciders, and nonalcoholic brews such as ginger and root beer as a convenience ingredient that will add nuanced flavor and earthy flair to your cooking and baking repertoire. Why? Beer, like wine, is versatile. It can be used with nearly every type of food. Use it to marinate meats, flavor stews, punch up sauces for fish, chicken, pasta, vegetables, and take desserts from standard to savvy.

Alison Boteler is the author of eight books on cooking, crafts, and entertaining children, including The Disney Party Handbook and Creative Children’s Parties. She has contributed to magazines as well as Family Fun’s website. Television credits include appearances on NBC’s Today Show and she is a regular guest on Lifetime’s Our Home.

A Tasty Pumpkin cookie recipe from the book: Enjoy Life's Cookies for Everyone!

Happy Thanksgiving Ya'll!

I am thankful for all my great co-workers in crafts and you, my readers!

I would first like to announce the winner of the Dada Doll contest:

Shari

We received so many wonderful comments - thanks to everyone who participated, and congratulations to Shari!

One of my co-workers spotted this cool craft that was so cute I just had to share. It is a pineapple with a little turkey cozy! Fun huh?

Enjoy a great day and if you are looking for a fun pumpkin cookie recipe why not try this tasty one from the book Enjoy Life's Cookies for Everyone!:

Click on the image to enlarge this pumpkin cookie recipe.

And for another yummy rice ball treat recipe pop on over to this post.

Enjoy Life's Cookies for Everyone!
150 Delicious Gluten-Free Treats that are Safe for Most Anyone with Food Allergies, Intolerances, or Sensitivities
By
Leslie Hammond

Enjoy Life’s™ Cookies for Everyone! offers allergy-friendly cookies, brownies and bars that are safe and delicious that every kid—and adult— can enjoy.

Each of the 150 recipes are free of gluten as well as the eight most common allergens, thus taking the guesswork out of determining which recipes are safe—and which are off limits. Culinary expert Leslie Hammond teaches readers how to use naturally allergy-free ingredients and substitutes to add richness, texture, pizzazz and nutritional content to cookies and bars without losing the “yummy” factor.

Reviews:
GoDairyFree.org

Each recipe is vetted for taste and safety by Enjoy Life® Foods, a leading maker of great tasting allergy-friendly foods. Watch this CNN video about the company for more information.

Leslie Hammond (Ft. Bragg, CA) is a culinary expert who focuses on allergies and allergy-free goods. She volunteers her time to educate the public and create awareness about alternative eating.

Founded in 2001, Enjoy Life® Foods now offers more than 30 delicious products under the Enjoy Life® brand, including allergy-friendly AND gluten-free cookies, snack bars, granolas, trail mixes, bagels, chocolate chips, chocolatey bars, and more. All Enjoy Life® products are free of the eight most common allergens* and are made in a dedicated nut- and gluten-free facility.

Yummy Biscuit Recipe from Baking Artisan Pastries and Breads by Ciril Hitz

Oh I love bread, all kinds! I want to bake everything in this book.

I think biscuits and scones are my favorite. Aw who am I kidding, I love it all.

Click on the pages from Baking Artisan Pastries and Breads to read this yummy recipe and it's variations.

And if you need more, grab yourself a copy of:

Baking Artisan Pastries and Breads
Sweet and Savory Baking for Breakfast, Brunch, and Beyond

By
Ciril Hitz

Baking Artisan Pastries and Breadsoffers illustrated recipes that cater to all breakfast needs: from muffins ready within the hour to more decadent treats, such as lemon brioche doughnuts and chocolate croissants. The formulas are generally progressive--the easier recipes are at the beginning and more complex ones are later.

The step-by-step full-color process shots of techniques and inviting beauty shots of finished products coupled with clear directions will instill confidence in even the most novice baker.

A short (20-30 minute) DVD accompanies the book, adding an invaluable level of instruction.

Ciril Hitz is the Department Chair for the International Baking and Pastry Institute at Johnson & Wales University in Providence, Rhode Island. He graduated from the Rhode Island School of Design, after which he returned to his native Switzerland and completed a three-year apprenticeship as a Pastry Chef/Chocolatier.

Hitz was first introduced to bread baking while in Europe, which laid the foundation for the skills that led him to where he is today. He has been recognized nationally and internationally with numerous awards and accomplishments and was selected as a Top Ten Pastry Chef in America in both 2007 and 2008 by Pastry Art & Design magazine. In 2004, he competed in the National Bread and Pastry Team Championship, winning the overall team Gold Medal as well as all individual bread awards. He was a member of the Bread Bakers Guild Team USA that competed at the 2002 Coupe du Monde de la Boulangerie in Paris, France, where the team captured the silver medal. He has been a guest instructor and expert at many national and international culinary events and schools and serves on the Advisory Board of the Bread Bakers Guild of America. Ciril Hitz is frequently seen on The Food Network and has been featured on the NBC's The Today Show. His work has graced the pages of numerous magazines and the interiors of exhibition halls and museums, including COPIA in Napa, California. He is the producer of his own line of educational DVDs. For more information on his work, visit www.breadhitz.com.

Bead Quilled Jewelry: New Beadwork Designs with Square Stitch By Kathy King

Are you looking at these pretty earrings and wondering how they were made? Designer and author Kathy King calls it bead quilling. Click on the inside peek at her new book Bead Quilled Jewelry to read how to bead quill this lovely pair of earrings.

 

Bead Quilled Jewelry:
New Beadwork Designs with Square Stitch
By
Kathy King

Author Kathy King has developed a variation on the decorative paper craft of quilling to create unique designs in beadwork. In bead quilling--instead of thin strips of paper--thin strips of beads, made with square stitch, are wrapped to form circles, scrolls, and squares. The holes of the beads, rather than the sides, are exposed, to become part of the distinctive design. The author works with simple and complex combinations of quilled beads to create a variety of jewelry designs. She also incorporates crystals, pearls, and decorative threads into the pieces to add interest and texture.

Kathy King is a bead artist whose work has been featured in Bead & Button, Beadwork, and Belle Armoire magazines. Her bead-quilled necklace (Red Empress) was a finalist in Bead & Button magazine's 2007 Bead Dreams competition. Another quilled piece was featured on the cover of Bead & Button magazine in June 2008. Her website is kathykingjewelry.com.

A sneak peek of new books to come and crafty blogger links

Wondering what's coming up here at Craftside? Well, I'll show you....

Here are 5 new books that will be out verrrry soon, and I will share with you an inside peek! So come on back for some fun ribbon crafts, Steampunk Style jewelry, to find out what bead quilling is, a tasty Artisan pastry recipe and a bit of architecture. For today, I have some links to what my fellow crafty bloggers are up to:

Farm Girl Roots, City Girl Style
Linda shares one of the first quilts she designed and tells the first of many stories about lessons learned.

Mixed Media Artist
Cyndi has finished a second Garden Quilt and is offering her tutorial!

Stefanie Girard's Sweater Surgery
Sweater Surgery attacks t-shirts and cuts them up into some cute gathered tops with the help of Generation-T Beyond Fashion

The Artful Crafter
Check out Eileen's latest craft finds: lots of free stuff and free advice! (Well that's usually free, isn't it? LOL.)

The Crochet Dude
Drew kicks off the holiday season with a crochet pattern event!

The Impatient Crafter
In this week's teen crafts blog for iLoveToCreate, Madge makes a stunning mixed media necklace. You might just want to sport this one yourself!

About Family Crafts
Do you play with clay? If so, please take a moment and share your favorite stories, projects, recipes, techniques, and more.

Aileen's Musings
Aileen is offering Vintage freebie images for you to download and use in your art. Get started on those digi holiday cards using some of them.

Cathie Filian
Cathie has lots of Thanksgiving recipes, crafts and family activities posted. Plus, tips for a smooth Thanksgiving!

Crafty Princess Diaries
Mix up altered books, glitter, and teenagers, shake well, and voila! You have a fun day of art combined with writing.

Cross Stitch at About.com
Stitch a Simple Hanukkah Menorah Motif for a card or ornament. Suitable for knitting or crochet projects too.