Hooray! The Dallas Craft Mafia is mentioned in today's Funky Finds post recapping the Urban Street Bazaar. !! check it out: http://tinyurl.com/5mntj6
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
YAY! DCM & USB in Funky Finds
Monday, May 12, 2008
Do you Get All the News?
While it may at times be sporadic, we're getting better at offering more information, news, links and other interesting info in our newsletter! Be sure to sign up for the inside scoop on the Dallas Craft Mafia and all of our events, etc! Here's a sample of our last one--
Friday, May 9, 2008
This Weekend!
Hope to see you there!
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
The Paper Quilt Project
A few months ago I sent in a submission for an on-going project that I think is pretty amazing-- the Paper Quilt Project. Check out the website for more details:
http://www.freewebs.com/paperquilt
the gallery: http://www.freewebs.com/paperquilt/gallery.htm
or the blog here: http://paperquilt.blogspot.com
For 12 months artists of different backgrounds, countries, etc submitted a small paper collage made of samples sent out by the organizer. This happened from January 2007-December 2007. They had a few days to complete and send back their submission- and each month a different mini quilt was made. The theme was "a day in my life" to give a tiny glimpse of our day via a small paper collage-- I did have fun making it-- I used screenprint, gocco, and collage to complete my sample (shown).
Now that it is being completed, the quilt will be sewn together and auctioned off for charity. I can't wait to see the final quilt. With each submission there was a little interview/questionnaire we had to fill out-- asking a few simple questions but giving a much better look at who each artist was. Reading through them is as interesting and fun to me as it was to be part of the quilt.
I would definitely recommend checking out the site, gallery, and blog. It is a amazing how many different views, looks and ideas were generated from small scraps of paper, and one determined eco-conscious organizer (Dawbis).
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Crafting A Success Plan
Like many other artistic/ crafty people I feel like my mind is going 1000 miles an hour and there are so many wonderful ideas and just not enough time to execute them. I was given this wonderful book by a dear friend and I thought this bit of direction would inspire others to create a success plan for themselves.
The Book:
Handmade for profit!
The Woman:
Barbara Brabec
The Goal:
Put your plans in writing to make them achievable
************************************************************************
**The following is quoted from the Book, Handmade for Profit by Barbara Brabec**
#1 My Dreams & Goals (immediate and long-term)
#2 Money talk (your reasons for working, your income goals, an estimate of how much money you'll need to get started and where you'll get this start-up money)
#3 Time (number of hours you plan to work each week, where you will find them and how you plan to fit everything into your daily schedule)
#4 Business Brainstorming (business names you like, ideas for products you might make, where you will set up a business management corner in your home, what office supplies and equipment you'll need to manage your moneymaking endeavor, how family and friends might help you achieve your goal, etc.)
#5 Production Plan (supplies and materials needed, supply sources you need to locate, how you and others will produce goods for sale, what outside help you might need)
#6 Marketing Plan (how and where you plan to sell everything you make)
********************************************************************
By creating the above template for my business I have found my mind more focused. So I hope that this helps you as well. I have also attached a photo of the book for all of us visual creatures. Go out and purchase the book, I found it worth every penny!
Lovesss!
Tara to the T
Thursday, February 21, 2008
KICK-ASS GNOME KISSES
Hello everybody! So I think these little guys are a great little treat to give for kid's at school or if you are like me I handed them out at work as my Valentine's Day gift. They are perfect especially if you are on a budget. A bag of kisses comes with 54 and lots of the rest of materials most of us probably have lying around the house.
HAVE FUN!
KICK-ASS GNOME KISSES
Here is what you need:
- Package of Hershey kisses (I like the multi-colored Holiday packs. For today I used the Easter ones but for Valentine's Day I used the Red and Silver ones)
- Package of Garage Sale Labels-The circle kind
- Package of 7mm wiggly eyes
- Contrast color thread and needle (or elmer's glue)
- Hot Glue (or elmer's glue)
- Felt (I like a contrast color from the kiss)
- 8oz Can for circle template
- Scissors
- Marker for Tracing
- Pens
Step 1- Trace circle on felt using 8oz can as template.
Step 2- Cut out circle and cut in half.
Step 3- Cut in half again so you have 4 pieces.
Step 4- I use contrast embroidery thread (same color as kiss) to hand stitch the hat into cone shape. However you can use Elmer's Glue to glue the edges together and secure it with a paperclip while it dries. I just don't have patience for Elmer's Glue.
Step 5- Put Hot Glue (or Elmer's Glue) on inside rim of hat and adhere it to top of kiss. It should fit nice and snug on top.
Step 6- Glue on wiggly eyes.
Step 7- Write message on label and stick to bottom. Voila! Now you have a KICK-ASS GNOME.
Gnomes and Kisses!
-Whitney
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Have you read this?
I was sent this link for an article in the New York Times on the Handmade Consortium- if you have a vested interest in the DIY movement you should take a look at it. (Even if you are not a crafter or maker but just wondered how the whole thing got started you should read this, too.)
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/16/magazine/16Crafts-t.html?pagewanted=1&ei=5070&em&en=f6aed7d6861c7a73&ex=1198040400
by the way, have you pledged to have Handmade Holidays at http://www.buyhandmade.org/ ?
and have you checked out What Would Jesus Buy? http://wwjbmovie.com/
Happy Holidaze,
Amber
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