Make and Takes?

Okay, I have a show coming up first weekend in November and I want to do something a little more interesting so I thought about having a Make and Take. Has anyone tried this and are they usually free or do you charge a little for them to cover the supplies? Here are some ideas I was trying out.

First is the wire wrapped beaded cocktail spoon. The spoons you can get for around $1.00 and then it is just adding some 20 gauge wire and beads, so not a lot of cost. The second is a wire pendant. Using copper in 14 gauge wire, I made a few curvy bends with a loop at the top and bottom then added a large gemstone as a drop. The real cost here was the stone as not much wire was used so about the same cost as the spoon but I could use cheaper stones. The third option is the key fob. The corks I have a ton of so no cost there, just the copper hardware, some 14 gauge copper wire and a few beads. I already had the copper washers but I could probably get the silver metal tone ones at the hardware store cheaper.

Which would you be more inclined to sit down and make? Any other ideas? I would love to have your opinion. Oh and thanks goes out to my good friend Glenda for the beaded spoon idea.

Crafty Monday - Reuse old Jewelry

The Better Homes and Gardens site has some great ideas for reusing some of that old jewelry you have lying around you aren't wearing or using items found at a flea market. I especially like the beaded napkin rings and the wall art using vintage colorful pins.

Using vintage pins and buttons to create wall art and simple frames.
Beads wrapped around a metal napkin ring for a one of a kind look.

I love these filigree frames that vintage earrings and brooches have been used as embellishments.

Colorful large pins used in a shadowbox frame to create art work...I'm sure I have some similar large pins laying around and wouldn't these look great in a bedroom above your dresser.

A necklace that has been taken apart has transformed a plain cake plate into something special. Find simple instructions on the BHG web site.

If you are in the mood for something different in the way of crafting, check out my crafty blog for the newest post on making a paper fan.

Crafty Monday - Tissue Box Cover

For our craft day I found this tutorial for a reversible tissue-box cover. A bit of a reminder from the 70's when these were really popular...hummmm, but I bet we could make it better with some of the great fabrics we have available today.

Canadian Living : Crafts : Sewing : Home craft: Sew a reversible tissue-box cover

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Make it NOW

What’s going on right now? Everyone I talk to seems to be in a funk and not looking that far forward. It’s like something might happen next week that will bring everything to a halt. I think that with the world economy we should go back to our roots, whatever that is. I have seen more people getting into crafts and making their useable items, cooking/baking more and spending more time with their family. I’ve always been one to see something in a store I like and think to myself "I could make that much cheaper" and then go home and not make it. Now, I find that I am making those items that I once wished I had purchased, such as a crocheted scarf or afghan, good smelling soap, sachets, decorative pillows, curtains, jewelry, dinners I can pop in the microwave for lunch, art glass plates and fine art paintings. If you want to start a hobby/craft of your own, there are numerous resources on the web such as Wiki How http://www.wikihow.com/Main-Page, EHow http://www.ehow.com/ and DIY Crafts http://www.diynetwork.com/diy/crafts/ just to name a few.


There is even more that we seem to be cutting back on and that is services such as manicures and pedicures, massages, hair treatments, house keepers, lawn maintenance workers and travel agencies. All these things we can and are doing ourselves and saving money, but what happens to those service people if all of us stop using their services? I think this is what we are seeing. I do know that if I was to lose my full time job tomorrow all the extra services that I use would be stopped. I would have no apology as it is just a fact of life and survival becomes primal and our first priority. Who will care if my nails aren’t filed and painted to perfection?


I have no answer, but do know that the worst may be yet to come and we may have to tighten our belts a little bit more. My best advice that I may have to take real soon is to either make it or do it yourself. Plan now for your kid’s future and your retirement.

Paper Cuts

Our City Arts magazine featured local artist Nikki McClure in their January 2009 issue. Nikki is a self taught artist making calendars and illustrating children’s books for ten years. Her art is in using an X-Acto knife and paper, cutting images of everyday life. Nikki indicates in the interview that "My work is very much based in reality. I’m not one to draw my dreams or anything. Its kinda nature porn." I find inspiration in some of the simple images of trees, leaves and children. Art is everywhere and in all communities we only have to look for it. Find your inspiration and absorb art.

If you would like to read about Nikki and her rise from punk performer with Nirvana to artist and book illustrator, please visit her web site. http://www.nikkimcclure.com/. I find the simple images reassuring.

My friend, we will call her J..., just loves crows and Nikki's work reminds me of her. This one's for you...caw. caw..