Rare Earth Magnet source February 15, 2008
I found a great online source for cheap Rare Earth Magnets. Check out the Surplus Category at K & J magnets
Gifts for the Crafty - Part I December 4, 2007
Ahh the holidays…. Egg nog, cold weather and… SHOPPING! Seems like as good a time as ever to tell you about the things that I like to buy. I thought for the next few days I would highlight some of the things that I really like, and maybe you can discover some resources you didn’t know about. Most of the products I will mention are things that I have purchased myself, so I am fully comfortable recommending them to you. If nothing else, you can send your relatives/loved ones here for gift ideas. It is slightly less obvious than just flat out posting on your blog the things that you want them to buy (though I fully support that idea).
So what should we talk about today? Let’s start with Magazines
Getting a magazine subscription for your crafty friend or loved one is a way to keep them inspired all year long. They are also a good solution for last-minute shoppers since you can give gift subscriptions online.
- Craft: Magazine ($34.95 - 4 issues/year) Innovative craft ideas with complete instructions. Everything from knitting patterns, to sewing electronics into your wardrobe. At first glance this publication looks a little pricey, the final object is very nice. Like its sister (brother?) publication, Make: Magazine, the format it more like a softcover book and you can imagine referring back to these for years to come.
- Adorn More similar to a fashion mag (in a good way) than any other crafty publication that I can think of, Adorn epitomizes classy yet accessible craftiness. i like it!
- Martha Stewart Living ($24 - 12 issues) I am not a self-proclaimed Martha Fan. I mean, I like her stuff enough, and I like that she seems like she has overly high standards and is kinda mean… And she is like the craftiest ex-con ever… But I wouldn’t call myself a fan. I don’t get this magazine, but every time I read one, I found something in it I really like. I guess that makes me a closeted Martha fan.
- ReadyMade($18 - 6 issues)
I am always impressed in the number of crafty projects in Readymade that I feel I could actually put to use in my apartment. And they always have an article on some craftsperson that I am completely intrigued by. Plus, they are practically my neighbors so it is like supporting the locals when i pick up a copy.
Zines
Independently published pamphlet-like magazines are also a great read!
- Craphound ($10) People. just go buy one of these now - I’ll wait. This Zine is a big fat pack ‘o fun. I think it would be an understatement to call it clip-art so instead I will say that it is a collection of illustrations and images on various themes. Issue #6 is the most recent and is titled “Deaths, Telephones and Scissors”. These are a pure joy to look at and use as a crafting reference. If you are the least bit intrigued just go buy one NOW - The back issues sell on ebay for a mint.
- Croq Zine ($15 - 4 issues) Still crafting strong and headed for their 11th issue, this zine has never let me down. There are always a couple of article or projects that I enjoy reading about. These guys and gals have their act together and you can purchase a pack of back issues, as well as a 1 year subscription.
- Church of Craft Zine ($3- 5 back issues)- Sister Diane of the Portland Church of Craft has made available back issues of zine she produced. Take a look around her etsy shop, because she has several other crafty zine offerings.
- MixTape($6/issue +hella$$ for international shipping) Wassup Melbourne?? has anyone else noticed that Melbourne is like the Portland of Australia - totally busting with craftiness. I visited there last year at about this time, but somehow managed to not investigate the craft scene. This zine shows me that I missed a lot…
That’s all the magazine ideas I have. But i have many more crafty guide ideas so stay tuned for a few more posts!
See all of my 2007 Craft gift guide posts
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No time for chit-chat October 29, 2007
A quickie post to finally purge all of the things I have been meaning to tell you…
Secret Knitting Project
I have a secret knitting project that I just finished. Technically the cat is out of the bag with this one, but I haven’t told you about it here so it is still kinda secret. Details will follow shortly
Undies
yes, I am telling you about my underwear. This weekend I found some underwear at the gap that has a fair isle print on it. Not-knitted knit underwear. Hooray!
Gocco Mania
I finally had a chance to break in my Gocco, and do some printing for a new product tthat will hit my shop soon. i have a lot to learn and I think starting with the fabric paint was a little ambitious. I am happy with the results.
Anyone knitting any exciting Halloween Costumes?
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Make a junky wish October 12, 2007
Tomorrow is the annual El Cerrito city wide garage sale. The city publishes maps with marked locations of the homes having sales, and you can download it ahead of time to plan a shoping strategy. I have been several times, and I usually go hoping to find something in particular. One year it was a hot air popper, one year french onion soup bowls, a crock pot (I wrote about my loot from last year here)…. The thing is, the sale never disappoints. My friends found the ceramic pirate ship, matching tennis rackets, and giant ridiculous painting that were on their list last year. All of my junky wishes have come true, and everything is at a price I like.
I can’t figure out what to wish for…. A nice pair of Danskos. A Crock pot for dyeing roving… I think I will wish for a jar of buttons. Sounds do-able. I’ll let you know how it turns out.
If you are in the east bay tomorrow and want to check out the sale, I recommend heading up to the recycling center on Schmidt or the community center on Moeser to pick up a map to get you started. What is your junky wish?
Edit: As I am getting ready this morning, I remembered that I really want a guillotine-style paper cutter. I think that might be pushing it….
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Faux Bois September 12, 2007
Though I’m not particularly a fan of Martha, I want everything in her Faux Bois collection - Sheets and towels decorated woth faux wood grain.
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Saturday Shopping August 11, 2007
I had a plan to get a lot of work done today, but I couldn’t start until after a visit to my favorite thrift store. Carmen and I walked the few blocks that separates our apartment building from an adorable little thrift store. I had two great finds today - a set of 4 woven placemats, and a pyrex bowl. edit: How could I forget to mention… the bowl was only $1
And they happen to match! How cute!
Speaking of cute, I noticed that Superbuzzy is having a sale on some of their items. If you haven’t shopped there before, Superbuzzy carries a TON of cute Japanese import fabric. Be warned - it is too adorable to resist. Here is a selection from one of my previous purchases.
I noticed that there are some cute cross-stitch tape kits on sale too. Tempting…..
Hopefully next time I post I will have finished a pair of handknit socks for myself.
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Where’d you get that? April 20, 2007
I sometimes have a tendency to be a bit selfish. Sometimes I find something wonderful online, and I don’t tell you because I don’t want to share. I am trying to get better about that, because let’s face it, behavior like that is just plain mean. Since I shop on etsy a lot, I have been meaning to give you some etsy shop recommendations, and I am finally getting around to it. (so is aija if you can’t get enough).
I don’t wear necklaces too often, usually because the clasp on the back rats my hair. Now, when I am feeling fancy I have a selection of lovely glass pendants, all from etsy. I discovered that I really like small, squarish pendants made with just a few colors. Here is most of my collection
The top left is one of my favorites. It is from swivelglass and has the most unique addition…. The flower shape you see is a small copper flower in the glass. It has a nice iridescence yet still kinda matches the pink part of the glass. I finally got around to buying the other pendant at Swivelglass that I had my eye on, which is why I finally finished this post.
In the top right is a pendant from iFuse Solutions. It is pretty obvious why I like this one so much (look around at my color scheme). this is the necklace that I used to tie myself visually to my adult science fair presentation.
Both of the pendants on the bottom are from Pollyfusia. I am so happy to be a repeat customer there. The service is excellent, and the pendant is shipped in a lovely metal tin (bonus!). I have always been sad that he/she has not made anymore red and turquoise pendants because the ones listed in the ’sold items’ are stunning. Looks like something happens right on the edge where the turquoise reacts with the red and it is just gorgeous.
I know I don’t need any more pendants, but I might not be able to stop. Have you purchased any pendants lie these on etsy? Leave a comment and let us know what you thought!
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I just spent all of my Christmas shopping money. November 19, 2006
I just spent all of my Christmas shopping money. On myself. The explaination requires a bit of a back story…. Many years ago when I was an undergradute in the Geology program at the University of Rochester I got to go on an amazing adventure. I spent a few summers in the Canadian Arctic helping one of the professors collect rock samples. I had/got to live in a tent and sleeping bag for the entire season. Before I could go, I had to purchase adequate outdoor gear so that I would survive the summer. Outdoor gear isn’t cheap, especially on the budget of a work-study college student. I think I spent every penny I had equipping myself to go. At the time, the Mountain Hardwear jacket i purchased was one of the most expensive things I ever bought myself. And I loved it. And that was the birth of my love for technical outerwear.
Yellow jacket in action
This love affair continued throughout college as I was constanly reading catalogs and doing a lot of camping. After moving to the bay area, I was excited to be in the heart of outdoor gear universe. Minutes from my house are a North Face outlet store, and REI, a Marmot store (that has killer sales), a Sierra Designs Warehouse (which has since moved) and a Mountain Harwear warehouse. And though the warehouse has a sale once or twice a year, they don’t have a store. but oh, the sale. I had stumbled across the sale in the past, but nothing compared to this weekend.
It was an early wake-up call from abby that broke the news: The Mountain Harwear sale was starting in 15 minutes. It was nothing like the previous sales I had been to there. There were tons of jackets, tents, and most of all, tons of people. I swear, the deals were even better than ever (nothing like getting a $100 jacket for $15). I shopped like I have never shopped before. I was after a tent and a new waterproof jacket. I got that covered about 3 times over. It was seriously the best shopping i have ever had, and I am certain that I will be bragging about my purcheses in future posts.
If I haven’t bored the crap out of you by talking about camping gear on my primarily crafty blog, click through the photo to see the details.
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