Craftzine.com blog: February 2007 Archives

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Archives: February 2007

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February 28, 2007

Maker Faire @ San Mateo Fairgrounds - Tickets On Sale Now!

Tickets for the Saturday May 19th & Sunday May 20th, 2007 Maker Faire @ the San Mateo Fairgrounds are now available - save up to $5.00 if you order now.

Maker Faire - A two-day, family-friendly event that celebrates arts, crafts, engineering, science projects and the Do-It-Yourself (DIY) mindset. It's for creative, resourceful folks who like to tinker and love to make things. We call them Makers. Note: Maker Faire tickets will be sent via FedEx, beginning in April, no PO Boxes please.

Get them @ the Maker store - Link.

Dog Fur Felting

Mamaqilla has a special crafting friend, her pet pooch Ursa who not only helps supply fur for felting but pitches in on the process too. Link.

From the pages of CRAFT: 02:
Bigwheel
"Big Wheel Keep on Turning" by Shannon Okey p. 150-153.
Knitgrrl Shannon teaches us how to spin different fibers including dog hair! Digital Subscribers can click here to read the article. - Link.

Maker Faire proposal deadline extended to Sunday March 18, 2007

Phil @ MAKE says:

Dale has some good news - the Maker Faire proposal deadline has been extended!

We are getting many, many terrific proposals for Maker Faire. Nearly half of them have come in at the last two days. To relieve this crunch, we've decided to extend the deadline about two weeks to Midnight (PST) Sunday March 18.

We will begin reviewing all of those proposals submitted by the deadline and follow up on them very soon. In other words, if you got your proposal in by the deadline, you'll hear from us before the date of the new extended deadline. You'll be ahead of the rest of them.

Last year, we did accept a bunch of proposals up until the week before the Faire because it's hard to say no to cool projects. However, accepting late proposals means that the programs and maps for attendees weren't as helpful as they could be. So, to demonstrate that we learned something from having done this once, we really want to give ourselves (and you) the time to do it right. Thanks for your help.

Finally, here's some ideas for topics that we're looking for:

Halloween projects (props, costumes, interactive displays, music)
Recycled things
Ham Radio
Weather stations
Cars (hot rods, custom vans, especially with a tech flavor)
Airplanes and Aeronautics (models, etc)
History of Science & Engineering
Biology/Biotech
Chemistry
Cool RC Toys & Mods
Video Games (retro, arcade and more)
Trains
Looms (historical or unusual)
Sewing demonstrations
Kites
Boats
Old Farm or Garden Equipment (Tractors, etc.)
Temporary Structures (Tents, Domes, etc.)
Unusual Tools or Machines
How to Fix Things or Take them Apart (Vacuums, Clocks, Washing Machines, etc.)

We are really excited to see the wide variety of projects already proposed.

Thanks,
Dale

HOW TO - Make a Bedwarmer

Christy points us to this great tutorial on making bedwarmers to keep your toesies warm at night! Link.

Threadbanger - New Online DIY Fashion Video Blog

Check out this great new video blog called Thread Heads. It's a weekly online show for people who make their own fashion (yes that's us!). Hosted by Rob and Corrine, this week's episode takes to the streets of LA in search of hipsters, as well as a how-to on t-shirt stencils from the infamous "Spray Can" Michaelangelo. They've also got a blog. New episodes are up each friday night at midnight! Link.

Fred Flare Next Big Thing 2007 Call for Entries

Fredflare Nextbigthing2007
Hey Crafters! Fred Flare's annual Next Big Thing contest is starting up again looking for your cool creations!

Here's what Fred Flare says:

This year we're selecting 27 of our favorite items to be featured in an exclusive online boutique that will also include designer bios. If your work is chosen, we'll place a wholesale order with you for the item you've proposed and will purchase the stock outright. Your designs will be seen by thousands around the globe and awesome opportunities WILL result. Almost all of last year's winners reported an increase in web traffic on their sites, mentions in local and/or national media as well as unexpected wholesale opportunities. This year we've added a fun new twist and will also be awarding a $1000 prize to the designer voted the "fred fan fave" by our awesome customers. Right on! The NEXT BIG THING contest is best suited for artists, crafters or designers who are serious about taking their business to the next level.

Find out more on fredflare.com and enter the Next Big Thing Contest. - Link.

Quick Links - Feb 28

Cat Bishop is having a buy one pair of earrings get one free sale at her Etsy store. Today Feb 28 only, now through midnight. - Link.

Amy Butler is now selling finish products like handbags, pillows, and notebooks in her online shop - Link.

Mayhar Drygoods sells beautiful vintage and artisan crafted goods. - Link.

The Logic Alphabet -- at the Museum of Jurassic Technology

The Institute for Figuring has another great exhibition looking at the fusion of math and craft, this time at the Museum of Jurassic Technology. From the press release:

In 1953, while working a hotel switchboard, Shea Zellweger began a journey that would culminate in a radical new notation for formal logic, the set of relations that underlies modern computing. From a garage in Ohio, Zellweger developed a visual language he dubbed the "Logic Alphabet," in which a group of specially designed letter-shapes are maneuvered like puzzles to reveal the geometric patterns hidden beneath the symbolic web of logic.

Opening Reception: Saturday March 3, at 7pm
@ the Museum of Jurassic Technology
9341 Venice Blvd, Culver City, CA 90232

Lecture: Saturday March 3, at 5pm
Join exhibit curator Christine Wertheim and IFF director Margaret Wertheim
for a discussion about logic and a conversation with Dr. Shea Zellweger
@ Foshay Masonic Lodge
9635 Venice Blvd (2 Blocks West of the MJT)

Spins and Needles Second Anniversary Night

Crowd Shot

Spins1

Congratulations to Spins and Needles' 2nd Anniversary! Spins and Needles is a non-profit montly crafting + DJ night in Ottowa, Canada. I first posted about them last year on the MAKE blog here. CRAFT and MAKE helped them celebrate in full style with their raffle that night. The winner of the free subscription to CRAFT is Lisa Hagar and the winner of the free subscription to MAKE is Jennifer Smart, both from Ottowa.

Melanie of Spins and Needles helps us recap the event. Melanie says:

It was a mad house as Spins & Needles Craft + DJ Night celebrated its 2-year anniversary this month with an all-out DIY + DJ + Disco Bingo party. Five different craft projects with materials and instructions were provided, alongside DJs playing funky beats throughout the night. Plus tons of bingo prizes donated by the international craft community, including Craft and Make. Everyone had an amazing night!

Read more about Spins and Needles and their upcoming events. - Link.

HOW TO - Mod Your Shirt into a Fitted T-Shirt

Lenore of Evil Mad Scientist writes, "Free t-shirts are almost never girl shaped. Here is one technique for making your freebie wearable. Darts in the front and back contour the shirt to fit your curves." Link.

UV Nintendo Wall Art

Jay says, "I was thinking it would be cool to have some UV art on my wall, so I painted this awesome 32" square, glow in the dark, UV reactive 1up mushroom on my wall. I started by finding a suitable image to paint. I settled on a sprite of a 1up mushroom I found on Google image search or something. I blew it up with MSPAINT and I printed out. I Stuck it on my wall, and started drawing a 16x16 grid. It took time. and patience. and pencil." Link.

DIY Book Press

Lauren McNees points us to this great article on DIY book press with tutorials on book binding explained in detail, for both hardcover and paperback. Link.

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