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Reviews Archive: Reviews

March 3, 2009

Book Giveaway: Button It Up by Susan Beal

Button It Up: 80 Amazing Vintage Button Projects by Susan Beal

West Coast Crafty's Susan Beal has a new book out today, Button It Up: 80 Amazing Vintage Button Projects. If you are a lover of vintage buttons like me, this book is filled with projects to inspire you and keep you crafting. The variety of projects is fantastic -- learn how to turn your buttons into necklaces, earrings, rings and embellish napkins, curtains, bags, and more. I love the the photos in the book and the detailed illustrations that take you through the steps of making the projects. Many of the projects in the book would be fantastic and easy gifts to make for friends and loved ones.

Here are just a few of my favorites:

Triple Dip Feedsack Necklace

Button Embellished Handbag

Check back here on Friday at Noon when this Loop-D-Loops curtain project will be available for download in our CRAFT Pattern Podcast.

We are giving away 2 copies of Button It Up to 2 lucky CRAFT readers! Just leave a comment in this post and tell us why you need this book! Please make sure you include your email address in the comment form field (won't be published). All comments will be closed by 10am Wednesday, March 4th. The lucky winners will be announced on Thursday on the CRAFT blog. Good luck!

Join the Button It Up Flickr Group and share the projects you've made from this book!

February 25, 2009

Book Giveaway: The New Terrarium by Tovah Martin

The New Terrarium by Tovah Martin

Terrariums are getting a new life these days and I am loving this new book, The New Terrarium: Creating Beautiful Displays for Plants and Nature by Tovah Martin. For those of us who are city and apartment dwellers, this is a great way to bring in a mini-garden into your home. The project ideas are endless in this book and there are a lot for those of us who don't have a natural green thumb. I love the idea of collecting various ferns and plants and collecting them together into this decorative ecosystem. You'll love all the inspirational photos and the various jars or cases you can use to create the terrarium you want. Spring's coming soon and this is a perfect book to have in your gardening/craft collection.

Now, here's your chance to get a FREE copy of The New Terrarium! We are giving away this book to 5 lucky CRAFT readers! Just leave a comment in this post and tell us why you need this book! Please make sure you include your email address in the comment form field (won't be published). All comments will be closed by 10am Thursday, Feb 26. The lucky winners will be announced on Friday on the CRAFT blog. Good luck!

February 23, 2009

Blog Spotlight: Chez Pim

I came across the Chez Pim blog from a Chronicle Books' Tweet about it being rated #6 in The UK Times Online's 50 of the world's best food blogs. I took a clicky over to the blog and now I'm hooked. The beautiful food photos, the recipes, and her down-to-earth / humorous writing style of Pim Té had me scrolling and reading on and on. Some of the recipes I want to try out this dark chocolate hazelnut bites (wouldn't that make a sweet gift for a friend?), pork ragu, thai fried bananas, and chocolate caramel shortbread sandwiches, to name just a few. So if you love the idea of being inspired with new recipes or like to look at photos of good food -- hello, if just like to eat, head on over to the Chez Pim blog.

February 9, 2009

Pet Projects book review

Pet Projects came into the office recently, and I have to admit a high degree of skepticism at first. Does the world really need another book of pet knits? Even if it does, is it really likely that someone who has a horse will also have a dog, a cat, a turtle, a hamster, and some goldfish??

After taking the book home, however, I began to see the light. Sure, you may not have all of those creatures in your life, but you probably know a few people who have one of them. And the projects are cute. Heck, some of them are cute enough to make even if you don't have a pet.

My favorite project is undoubtedly the recycled plastic bag water lilies. Sure, your goldfish might like them, but they'd also make a great centerpiece, floating in a bowl of water in the dead of winter. And what a great way to reuse plastic bags! (How many plastic bag totes and bathmats do you really need?)

This charming knit blue ribbon is another project that caught my eye; I do indeed know a bunch of horsey people, but I can also imagine giving this to a friend as congratulations for getting into grad school or running their first marathon or just because you think they're awesome.

Most of the projects are much more pet-centric, of course. There are a bunch of classy dog sweaters, some collars and chew toys (although I'm doubtful they'll last long), a really nice bean bag cushion, a wire knit bird feeder, and, perhaps most useful, an anti-firework balaclava for dogs (a really cute little hat with knit rosettes over the ears to muffle the scary sounds). I could go on, but if your interest is piqued, you should probably just check out the book yourself!

I also noticed that the authors have a long pedigree themselves: they made the totally hot sheep sweater Princess Diana wore in the early 80s (scroll down the page for a glam shot) and have several pieces of knitwear in the permanent collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum in London (if you ever have a chance to visit this museum, do it; it's heaven for anyone interested in fashion, the decorative arts, and design).

Enjoy, you crafty animal lovers!

February 4, 2009

Infant mittens

Just to continue the accidental baby theme I notice we've got going on here, I thought I'd post up some baby mittens I'm working on from Kris Percival's Knitting to Go deck from Chronicle.

I've been looking for a good, quick knit project for all my friends who are having babies right now--booties are great, but they're always a little more time-consuming than I want them to be, and I've missed the size window more than once! These mittens are the perfect thing for winter babies. (Although a friend pointed out that they could protect even summer babies from scratching themselves if knit in a light cotton yarn.) An average speed knitter can easily finish them in a solid afternoon, or they'd be the perfect thing to knit in odd moments over a weekend.

The pattern is rated "Difficulty Level 3", but I found it really easy to do (if you know how to knit in the round, increase and decrease, you're set). Joining the first few rows is a little tricky just because the work is so darn small, so that may be why it rates for difficulty! (As you can see in the photo, with k1, p1 ribbing, the cuff is tiny!) I didn't make things any easier for myself by choosing a fuzzy, lace-weight yarn instead of the recommended fingering weight yarn, but I think they're really cute. I just moved up a size in the needles required to make the gauge. (Tip: if you're looking for small-sized double-pointed needles and you happen to have a set up Pick Up Sticks lying around, you might have just what you need! It turns out the sticks are just the right length, smoothness and sharpness to stand in for DPNs, and by checking them against a needle size card I have, I found a set of size 2s and size 3s just waiting to be repurposed!)

I love the card deck format of Knitting to Go, which came out a few years ago: each pattern is printed on a folded card with a difficulty rating and really clear instructions (there's a separate card that has all of the abbreviations). It's so nice to just toss your yarn, needles and the card in a bag without lugging the whole pattern book around, or squinting at a photocopy, and the card's much sturdier than a print-out. I'm looking forward to trying some of the other patterns in the book (there are a bunch of baby and toddler projects, which is great for me, but there's also a cute knit belt, a man's sweater that doesn't look too intimidating, some patterned shawls and throws, and even some adult-sized mittens). The infant mittens are definitely going to be a staple for me, though! They're adorable, and the perfect thing to use up odds and ends of yarn.

January 6, 2009

Hawaiian Quilt Masterpieces

Cool Hunting has a book review up about Hawaiian Quilt Masterpieces by Robert Shaw. From the review:

Hawaii's geographic isolation is a blessing and curse. Though often lacking the attention of their continental neighbors, the separation helps fosters a distillation and refinement of native style. In the late 19th century, western traders brought quilting techniques to the archipelago. And for the next hundred years, natives injected the art with their own regional distinctiveness, namely botanical imagery and vibrant, symmetrical patterns Print styles passed through generations like sacred heirlooms and often depict moments from personal or Hawaiian history.

It's not quite out yet, but you can pre-order on Amazon.

December 22, 2008

Last-Minute Craft Book Gifts!

I just noticed that you can still ship items 2nd day air from Amazon until 3pm PST today (that means you have practically all day to dawdle, east coasters!) and overnight until 3pm PST tomorrow, so I thought I'd post up a couple of craft books that crossed my desk recently that could make a fun gift for the crafter in your life. Now that it's too late to make any but the quickest knits in time for Christmas, a good craft book is always a luxury that someone might not indulge in unless it's under the tree on Thursday.

Decorating Pumpkins and Gourds by Deborah Schneebeli-Morrell

This is a gorgeous and creative little book, chock-full of great things to do with gourds. If you're like me, you still have a few sitting around from Halloween and Thanksgiving, and now you can transform them into decorations for Christmas or New Year's Eve (although frankly, many of the ideas would be beautiful to have around the house year round). The author explains how to choose a gourd, demonstrates a bunch of carving techniques, and then has a plethora of great projects, from turning a Little Gem pumpkin into a tea light holder to packing a carved Kabocha squash full of fairy lights. My favorites are her Pierced Gourd Lanterns, which look like porcelain, and the pale green Bengali gourd lamps (both can be seen inset in the cover image). They can be cured and reused year after year. I had no idea what I'd been missing when I just assumed pumpkins were for All Hallows Eve!

Lye in Wait and Heaven Preserve Us but Cricket McRae

This pair of Home Crafting Mysteries would make a great present for the mystery-addicted crafter you know. I loved Lye in Wait (but haven't read Heaven Preserve Us yet); it had been years since my Agatha Christie days, but I dove right in. It's a light, quick read with fun characters and even a little romance thrown in for good measure. I'm not a soap maker myself, but Sophie Mae, the crafter who discovers a dead body in her workroom, makes soap for a living, so it was fun to learn about the process as she simultaneously unraveled the mystery.

Crafternoon by Maura Madden

This would be a fun gift to give to a bunch of people you want to lure into crafting and would like to spend more time with! While a touch too basic for people who are already pretty handy, it's a nice guide to a wide range of how-to projects, like quilting, quilling, jewelry-making and knitting. I like that Madden includes recipes to make for group crafting sessions, too!

Cushions, Quilts & Throws by Lucinda Ganderton and Lucy Berridge

This book is full of eye candy and thoughts on creating, well, cushions, quilts and throws. Some are a little more involved, like making your own chunky mattress cushions, but others just involve simple techniques, like elegant cut-out flower motifs bonded onto white net with an iron or attaching flea-market costume jewelry to an already-existing pillow. The book covers a ton of decorative styles and techniques to recognize at the flea market, like broderie anglaise, but also teaches techniques like ladder hem stitch.

December 12, 2008

Photo Ornament Holiday Card from Handmade Hellos - CRAFT Pattern Podcast

Handmade Hellos by Eunice Moyle and Sabrina Moyle (Chronicle Books)
Buy the Book ($19.95)

I don't usually think of myself as a paper crafter--my comfort zone is definitely sewing--but the new book Handmade Hellos has me positively itching to break out the paper and glue. Created by Eunice and Sabrina Moyle (who run the Hello! Lucky Letterpress company), Handmade Hellos features a heap of clever card ideas from some of today's hottest crafters and designers, including The Small Object, Binth, Shim + Sons and more. There's a card idea for every occasion in here, and you can experiment with a bunch of different techniques from simple stamping and collage to creating pop-ups and screenprints. These cards are total works of art you can send off in the mail, and you've gotta love that.

This week's CRAFT Pattern Podcast features an excerpt from Handmade Hellos: Amy Karol's Photo Ornament Holiday Card. Download our free PDF to learn how to make this adorable holiday card that doubles as a reusable wooden ornament.

Download the Pattern PDF | Subscribe in iTunes

Also! One lucky Craftzine reader will win a copy Handmade Hellos! Just leave a comment on this post by 11am PST on Saturday, December 13 telling us why you need this book. Please make sure your e-mail address is included in your profile so we can contact you if you win.

November 17, 2008

Book Review - Mason-Dixon Knitting Outside the Lines

Mason-Dixon Knitting Outside the Lines by Kay Gardiner & Ann Shayne

Buy the book ($19.77)

Mason-Dixon Knitting blog

This isn't your average book of knitting patterns. Kay Gardiner and Ann Shayne have wit, insight, and "true confessions" about knitting that makes Mason-Dixon Knitting Outside the Lines read more like a sketchbook or journal than a pattern book, and it's a pleasure. Oh, and the projects are nice, too. Take the mystery out of Fair Isle, knit a sweater a kid would actually want to wear, make a lampshade or kitchen duster, and laugh a whole lot in between. A lot of patterns and collections try to ignore the awkwardness and disappointment that accompanies knitting projects, but Kay and Ann embrace those things and manage to worth through them with the reader to not only make the specific projects in the book, but to actually become a better knitter.

October 30, 2008

Maura Madden Q & A and CRAFTERNOON Book Giveaway

CRAFTERNOON: A Guide to Getting Artsy and Crafty With Your Friends All Year Long by Maura Madden
Buy the Book ($16.95)
CRAFTERNOON: The Web site
CRAFTERNOON: The Blog

CRAFTERNOON is a book that speaks directly to the heart and soul of what I love about crafting: connecting with other people while engaged in the creative process. Maura Madden's new book, CRAFTERNOON: A Guide to Getting Artsy and Crafty With Your Friends All Year Long, lays out the tools, projects, tips and even snack recipes so readers can easily put together their own Crafternoon groups and get to makin' stuff with friends and family in a relaxed, fun setting.

Initially, I just loved the idea of an actual guide that motivates people to craft together for the simple pleasure of having fun and connecting with one another. Creating community through crafting is one of my mantras. But as I started reading the book, I fell in love with Madden's wit, her glowing stories of crafting with her mom, and - mostly - with her preaching of pressure-free crafting and an embrace of imperfection.

Crafternoon is all about being around friends who support your work, who encourage your growing craftiness, and who inspire and get inspired by you. Crafternoon is about getting back to the roots of crafting. It's about getting pleasure out of the process as much as the product. It's about making room for the input of other crafter and allowing yourself to be open to new ideas. It's about the contentment you feel when you are surrounded by happily crafting friends, friends who can see the beauty in imperfection, the pleasure of happy mistakes.

A philosophy on crafting and community doesn't get much better than that.

Each month in the CRAFTERNOON book outlines everything from project supplies, tips and resources, to recipes for snacks and even provides a sample email you can send to friends to get them to come to your Crafternoon gathering. It's a great source of inspiration (not to mention humor - Madden's writing is easy to read and hilarious) and a nice departure from typical project-only craft books.

Another important presence in the book is Madden's mother - whose warm personality and gentle guidance is what brought heart to the initial Crafternoon gathering. Reading Madden's account of crafting with her mom, and the influence her mother had on Madden's work and perspective is sweet without being corny and leaves me wishing I could sit in on a Crafternoon with Madden and her mom.

So often, I hear friends saying they want to get together and get crafty, but never seem to pull it off. CRAFTERNOON is the perfect remedy to all that. It takes the guesswork out of planning the event and serves as a fantastic catalyst to get your craft on, community style. And for that, it's one of my all-time favorite craft books.

And Craftzine readers are in luck! We've got a copy of CRAFTERNOON to giveaway to one lucky winner. Just leave a comment to this post and tell us why you need this book. (Please make sure your email address is in your profile so we can contact you if you win.) All comments will be closed at 9PM PST on Friday, October 31. The lucky winner will be announced on the Craftzine blog on Monday, November 3. Good luck, have fun, and tell your friends!

Here's a little more background on author, Maura Madden, and why she wrote the book.

What made you decide to take your Crafternoons and translate them into a book?
My dear friend Emilie thought that it would be a good idea for a book. It was really all her idea! But once I started thinking about it, I really got excited. The goal of the book is to inspire people everywhere to host their own Crafternoons. If I can do that, I will be so happy.

How does hosting/attending Crafternoons make you feel?
Crafternoons are mentally refreshing. But if you're the host, they take a lot of energy, too. Being a good host of a Crafternoon is the same as being a good host at any party - you run around a lot, you make sure that everyone has something to craft, someone to talk to and something to drink. And that can be a little bit tiring, but so very worth it, 'cause you get love and good times in return.

What's the most common excuse you hear people make on why they can't come to a Crafternoon, and how do you overcome those excuses?
It's usually some form of "I'm not really a crafty person" or "I'm just not creative." It can be really hard to convince certain people that everyone has the potential to be creative and crafty. I just try to be encouraging, and I explain that Crafternoon is not about competitive, perfectionist crafting - it's about having fun and letting your imagination take the spotlight for a few hours. I also let them know that Crafternoon is more about the process of communal crafting than about some perfectly crafted end product. If all else fails, I just tell them there will be lots of cool folks there. And if they're single, I like to remind them that there will be lots of cool single folks there. That often seals the deal.

How do guests usually respond to their time at Crafternoons? People have an overwhelmingly positive response to Crafternoon. They leave happy and inspired. The experience is really gratifying. And I know they're not just saying so, because they come back, and they bring friends.

Describe your favorite Crafternoon experience you've had:
It's impossible for me to pick just one experience, because each Crafternoon is so unique and cool, and there are so many great moments every time. But watching any self-described "uncreative" person try their hand at a craft project and really get into it - that's satisfying every time.

What tips do you have for folks who are interested in starting a Crafternoon group, but aren't sure if they are quite ready to commit to it?
You certainly don't have to do a Crafternoon every month. You can start out by throwing one to see how it goes, and even then you can just throw them whenever you feel like throwing them. And if you do want to make it a monthly gathering, but you don't want to have all the responsibility of choosing the date, hosting the afternoon and being the point person, you can recruit a group of friends to be rotating Crafternoon hosts. And that way you get to experience new craft environments each time!

How do you maintain playful crafting time in your busy work schedule?
You just have to make time. It can be very hard, and believe me, there have been periods when I thought I would never have time to host another Crafternoon. But important things like crafting and spending time with those you love - you just have to set aside time for that.

How would you describe your philosophy on living a creative, independent life vs. working for "The Man?"
It's funny, because technically I work for "The Man." I have a full time job in an office, and it's a very creative company and a great place to work, but it definitely qualifies as working for "The Man". But I'd like to think that I can inspire other "Employees of The Man" that you can find time in your life to be creative, and, in fact, it's imperative to find that time. Because humans are creative creatures - isn't that what distinguishes us from the other animals that roam the earth? It's not just our creation of governments and currency - it's our creation of ritual, of art, of writing, of performance. It's our desire to express something. I firmly believe that we humans must express ourselves to feel whole and happy. So my philosophy is just lead an independent, creative life in your own independent way, which may include working for "The Man" to put food on the table, or may mean living off the grid, growing your own food. As long as you prioritize your creativity and community, you can live a creative life.

How does your relationship with your mom affect how/why you craft? My mom is the reason why I craft. She is an incredibly creative person, and, obviously, an incredibly crafty person. It's kind of astonishing how many types of crafts she is good at, but she is an especially phenomenal knitter and seamstress. And we really get along, so it's fun for us to hang out together and craft. I wouldn't have begun hosting these parties if it wasn't for my mom. She inspired them!

As for how the relationship affects how I craft? Well, it's funny, because my mom is actually a very precise and patient crafter, the polar opposite of my crafting style. But maybe that's where the rebel in me comes out. I like to do things my way, and maybe I don't always want to do what my mom tells me. Besides, I know she'll love whatever I make, so I can't go wrong when I'm crafting with my mom. I also try to impart that feeling to my Crafternooners - nothing is wrong at Crafternoon.

What's the one crafting supply you can't live without and why?
My imagination. Oh, and glue sticks. I love a good glue stick. Liquid glue is great, but paper collages, which I love to make, require a glue stick. And every craft requires your imagination. I cannot live without that.

October 24, 2008

Microsoft Home Magazine reviews Fashioning Technology

Heather Camlot reviews Syuzi Pakhchyan's Fashioning Technology in Microsoft Home Magazine:

I received a new craft book this week. When I saw the cover -- a photo of a woman with rock star headphones and the title Fashioning Technology (O'Reilly, 2008) -- I knew the book wasn't going to be your typical Holly Homemaker tome.

Syuzi Pakhchyan -- artist, roboticist and teacher -- subtitles her book "A DIY intro to smart crafting." Smart refers to the types of materials used, including fibre optics, phosphorescent powder, LED lights, capacitors and cell phone flashers.

And the 12 projects she crafts, from a Space Invaders tote to the LED chandelier and photochromatic blinds, are real geek chic.

"Smart materials and electronics have opened an exciting new world of possibilities for traditional crafting," Pakhchyan explains in the enclosed press release. "With this new palette of materials, we can now create objects infused with magical and mysterious qualities."

From the Maker Shed:

Buy Fashioning Technology by Syuzi Pakhchyan in the Maker Shed today!

This book demonstrates how to blend sewing and assembly techniques with traditional electronics to assemble simple circuits using conductive thread, solder joints for snaps, and switches for buttons. With the sewing machine as a viable substitute for the soldering iron, you can craft a new generation of objects that are interactive, quirky, and fashion-conscious.

October 10, 2008

Blogs We Love: A Little Hut

Finishing of this week's "Blogs We Love" series from the Craft bloggers is my blog pick, A Little Hut by Patricia Zapata. Each time I go to her blog -- there's always something new that inspires me, from her recycled paper projects to her artwork to her graphic design projects. I love Patricia's clean aesthetic that is consistent everything she does.

Even in between working on her upcoming paper craft book, she still finds time to squeeze in projects such as a new 2009 calendar printable PDF as well as showcasing her beautiful paper cut-out art in her online store.

But Patricia's not just all about paper crafts! This lady can even sew, making this adorable linen baby bootie for our CRAFT contest as well as using her graphic design background to try her hand at designing fabric. To top it all of, she's a wife and a mother of two. Inspirational in all that she does. Take a visit to A Little Hut today!

If you are headed out to Austin for Maker Faire, come by the CRAFT booth on Saturday, October 18th at 2pm where Patricia will show you how to make a diorama, her project she contributed to CRAFT: 07.

Last year at Maker Faire, Patricia showed us how to make junk mail art in our CRAFT Video Podcast. Watch the video and enjoy!

More:

Blogs We Love: Reference Library
Blogs We Love: Core77
Blogs We Love: Craft Chi
Blogs We Love: Scrumdilly-Do

October 9, 2008

Blogs We Love: Reference Library

This week the Craft bloggers are sharing some of our favorite blogs with you. One of my favorite daily blog visits is to Reference Library (except for Mondays, Reference Library is closed on Mondays). Reference Library is where blogger Andy Beach documents items that he didn't win on eBay. I can't imagine how Andy finds these items or what he would do with them if he won them, but I get such a kick out of seeing them. They tend to include a lot of interesting antique furniture, clothing and notions. much broke sign

Andy also looks outside eBay and finds a lot of great typography like this Much Broke sign or interesting art objects like a set of 5 creatively counterbalanced shelves by Daniel Eatock. And every once in a while, he even wins an auction.

More:

October 6, 2008

Blogs We Love: Scrumdilly-Do

It's time again for another installment of "Blogs We Love"! All week long, we Craftzine bloggers will be sharing some of our personal picks for the blogs that keep us clicking. Stay tuned for more from my fellow bloggers!

Jessica Wilson (a/k/a Jek) is one of the craftiest people in cyberspace. Not only does she keep her own grown-up craft blog called Scrumdillydilly, but she also writes a fabulously entertaining kid-craft blog called Scrumdilly-Do. Both are great but I'd like to shine a light on the latter for the moment since I find it so inspiring.

Scrumdilly-Do is full of anything and everything fun and educational for kids. Jek posts in-depth book reviews, fun recipes for things like puff pancakes and painted marshmallows, and craft projects galore. Her photos are colorful and sweet and really give you the urge to break out the poster paints and glitter.

I especially appreciate that Jek shows off unexpected ways to use recycled and common household materials to create cool new projects, whether it's toilet paper-tube cuff bracelets or strawberry basket pendants. I like when blogs get you to look at the creative possibilities of your daily life in a whole new way, and Scrumdilly-Do definitely succeeds on that front. There's even a Flickr group where families can upload pix of kiddy art projects inspired by the blog.

Book Review: Seven Things that can "Make or Break" a Sweater

Margaret Fisher Designs web site Seven Things... at Amazon

Seven Things that can "Make or Break" a Sweater is based on a class that Margaret E Fisher started teaching in 2000. The book covers a lot of those nagging little decisions that always come up during the knitting of a sweater starting with which side of the cast on should be the right side. She also provides help with increases, decreases, blocking, picking up stitches and buttonholes. The book is really geared for knitters that already know the techniques, but need a little help applying those techniques as appropriate to different projects. The best part about the book is that all of the techniques are covered by 7 sweater patterns included in the back of the book. That way, knitters can be working on a project that requires these techniques as they move through the book.

August 29, 2008

Book Review & Craft Biz Q+A with Jennifer Perkins

Naughty Secretary Club: The Working Girl's Guide to Handmade Jewelry by Jennifer Perkins
Buy the Book ($11.55)
Naughty Secretary Club
Stitch
Austin Craft Mafia

Jennifer Perkins' jewelry company Naughty Secretary Club is a major fixture of the indie craft scene and it's easy to see why. Her hyper-colorful, supremely kitschy creations are so unmistakably hers, and wearing them will put you no danger of being called subtle. Fans of the larger-than-life look are going to flip for Jennifer's new book The Naughty Secretary Club: The Working Girl's Guide to Handmade Jewelry (North Light Books). It boasts more than 50 fun secretary-themed jewelry projects that will find you turning your entire house upside down to see what you can turn into jewelry next. There are plenty of projects for beginners, but the book is also full of clear and helpful photos and instructions that give you the confidence you need to experiment with new tools like high-speed drills and embossing enamel. The whole book has a cheeky, pop-culture infused tone that makes it as addictive and easy to ingest as candy, only learning to make awesome jewelry is a whole lot better for you.

You can find the book online at Amazon--or if you're in the Austin area, come meet Jennifer and pick up a signed copy at the book release party Craft magazine is co-hosting on Saturday. You can also sign up for special subscription deals on CRAFT, or win a whole host of fun door prizes.

Reading Jennifer's new book gave me the urge to chat with her about her company's background and her views on being an independent businessperson an increasingly challenging marketplace. If you can't get enough of her advice, check out her guest blog entries on the topic at Indie Fixx. Read on to find out what doing it yourself really entails.

CRAFT: How did you make the transition from working for "The Man" to working for yourself? Did you ever find yourself doubting your decision, or was the transition a smooth one?

I was working as an Executive Administrative Assistant to Business and Government Relations at a Telecommunication company in Austin when I started Naughty Secretary Club. Shortly after I was hired my boss left the company, was never replaced and I was hardly ever asked to do another thing. All through high school and college I had done a print zine called Scratch-n-Sniff. Out of sheer boredom at work I decided to put it online and rename it Naughty Secretary Club. I started doing band interviews, crafts and recipes and after a few years I started dabbling in resin jewelry as a hobby. The hobby got to be so popular locally I decided to sell the bracelets with pictures of pop stars on Naughty Secretary Club and soon jewelry took up all my time and record reviews fell to the side. I had started to garner a little bit of national press for my jewelry and at this point was still working as a secretary but was having to make jewelry before work, after work, sometimes at work and go to the post office on my lunch break to ship packages. I received a feature on my jewelry in Bust Magazine and things went through the roof. I got a TON of orders, so many I had to give 3 days notice at my job. It was a tough call because I was scared the orders were just a fluke and the money would not always last. In the end I decided there were other secretary jobs to be had if the jewelry thing did not work or God forbid I would go get my masters degree. Lucky for me I have never had to go back to working for the man or to school.

CRAFT: How do you structure your days when you're the boss (do you stick to a set schedule, etc.?), and do you have any tips on time/task management? (On a related note, how on earth did you find time to write a book when you have so much going on?)

I don't have a strict schedule, though I probably should. I find not having a schedule is one of the beauties of working for yourself. Some days I answer emails first thing in the morning other days I don't answer them at all. If I had a strict schedule it would be back to what I hated about working and school. I like to have each day be a little different. There are some constants like my assistant gets here at noon and stays until 6. That being the case, I try to get a lot of things done that I need quiet for before they get here like interviews, blogs any writing that needs to be done. Speaking of writing, I don't know how I managed to get my book done. They fast-tracked it so everything had to be done very quickly. I had to do all the writing right smack during the height of Stitch planning. So there I was planning what is basically a party for 3,000 people and writing a book. That took a little more discipline and I did put myself on a schedule for that like how many projects I needed to write per week.

CRAFT: How would you compare the challenges of working for yourself with working for "The Man"?

Working for the man was much easier. I got home at 5 and had nothing to worry about or think about. My weekend were free, there was paid vacation and I had benefits. When you work for yourself it never stops and in order to be successful you need to eat, breathe and sleep what you do. Sure there are vacations, but you worry and hope that your assistants have things under control. Benefits, that's one of the main reasons I got married so that I could get on my dudes health insurance. Working for yourself just takes a lot of discipline. People think you can slack off and I used to get comments that insinuated I took long lunches and watched a lot of Lifetime Movie Network. Anyone that knows me knows that is not the case. If anything the one thing I have a problem with is turning it off. I'm all Naughty Secretary Club all the time and sometimes I need to do better about finding time to just be Jen.

CRAFT: How important has the internet been in relation to the growth of your business? Also, would you say the bulk of your business comes from your own website, or from wholesale accounts and/or craft show sales? (Basically I'm wondering if you think it's best for folks to diversify their sales approach or stick with a slow-and-steady plan.)

The internet has been crucial to Naughty Secretary Club. With the internet you can reach so many people around the world. I would definitely say the bulk of my business comes from the internet. It seems often times people either do majority of their business from direct sales through the net, wholesale or making the craft show circuit. I do a fair amount of wholesale, though it by no means pays the bills. Often times I am so busy fulfilling my online orders I don't have the time to court wholesale accounts. I know for some people wholesale can be very lucrative and I have friends that make a living off of just wholesale purchases. I only do 1-2 craft shows a year. I used to do a lot more, but as my business has grown I don't do as many as I used to. Plus the largest one in Austin is Stitch, which I produce so I would not be able to have a booth and help run the show.

CRAFT: Is there anything you wish you'd done differently when starting your business, knowing what you know now? BONUS: Any resources for upstart craft businesses that you'd care to recommend? (This can be a web design company you worked with, a business class you took or book you found useful, banking information you've discovered that was helpful to you, etc.)

I got really lucky with the way my business went. I am very close friends with Tina Sparkles of Sparkle Craft and Jenny Hart of Sublime Stitching. I was super fortunate that 3 of us not only lived in the same town, became friends, but also decided to start our crafty businesses at the same time. We would meet regularly and swap tips and stories from what we were learning about business. This was how the Austin Craft Mafia got started. My hot tip would be to find local like minded crafters and do the same thing. I promise there is a craft mafia, stitch-n-bitch or Etsy street team in your area that would love to meet you. Other hot tips would be to read the interviews with your favorite crafters, buy a copy of Guerilla Marketing and memorize it, join the Switchboards or Craftster. There are so many resources out there to help you make your business a success, a lot of which is free, be sure to take full advantage of it.

CRAFT: Any tips on how to keep your business fresh and thriving/growing? How do you stay inspired?

Update your content regularly, have sales, rotate the look of your front page, take out ads. For someone like me who has been in business for several years it is important that I change things up. Everyday there is a new Etsy store selling jewelry just as cute as mine, so I have to find new ways to stay ahead of the game. That is key. Lucky for me I have crafty ADD so I constantly want to try and make new things. I get bored easily so my style and aesthetic, though always tack-a-licious changes often.

I love cruising Flickr, Etsy and various style blogs for inspiration. Often ideas come to me from various color combinations I see in fabrics.

CRAFT: Becoming an author-- was there a bit of a learning curve for you, or did it come as naturally to you as it seems? Would you do it again?

Becoming an author was not that tricky for me. I was always that kid in college that when the teacher gave us a writing assignment that had to be 1500 words and everyone complained I did too, but because it was not enough words not too many. I had also written my own zine as well as written for other publications like Venus Zine, Held Like Sounds, Splendid and more. Not to mention my blog, so I had quite a bit of writing experience under my belt. I would totally do it again. As a matter of fact I am cooking up ideas for book number two as we speak. I'd also love to do a book on marketing your Indie business.

CRAFT: What's your favorite project in your new book and why?

It's a funny thing my favorite things are usually never other people's favorite things. It's a fact that if I make something I love and put it up for sale on Naughty Secretary Club it will sit there forever. If I make something that I hate and want to take apart it sells first. It's a weird thing. The same seems to be true of the book. Out of all the reviews, blogs and mentions of the book no one has said anything about the Specs Appeal Necklace and that is my favorite. It's made with a pair of old cat eye glasses and has a picture of my hubby Chris and I inside the lenses. It makes me giggle. I'm a huge fan of Make and Craft Magazine contributor Matt Maranian author of the Pad series. He used a pair of old glasses to make a picture frame in one of his books and this was my inspiration for the necklace.

July 24, 2008

DIY Sock Potholder

Potholder.Final072208
Apartment Therapy Re-Nest helps you recycle your socks and weave them into a potholder.

May 27, 2008

Book Review: Sweater Surgery by Stefanie Girard

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Sweater Surgery: How to Make New Things with Old Sweaters by Stefanie Girard

Buy on Amazon

Sweater Surgery blog

I recently got my hands on a copy of Sweater Surgery, the new book by Stefanie Girard; it's literally "how to make new things with old sweaters." I never knew there were so may creative things one can make from well-loved-but-damaged sweaters, thrift store finds, or even that charming number your great aunt gave you last holiday season. If it weren't for the "before" pictures of each sweater she used in this book, I'd hardly believe her charming creations are made from former (sometimes even downright unflattering) garments.

Stefanie provides clear instructions and techniques for deconstructing the sweaters you use. She even goes over the basic tools and supplies you'll need. For each project, she includes a clear, concise materials list which includes brand and part numbers for accessories like handles and buttons. Cutting patterns for every project in the back of the book make it easy to get started, but my favorite part about this book are the generalizable techniques that allow you to get creative on your own. For example. use the ribbed bottom edge of a sweater to create the cuff for a new pair of mittens, or use felted sweater scraps to make adorable swirly bobbles for necklaces and other accessories.

The most dramatic transformation in this book has got to be the Snow White Scarf, where a downright ugly white bobble texture sweater is transformed into a lacy delicate scarf. The last section of the book is a gallery of projects created by Stefanie and other designers to give you plenty of inspiration and put those new skills to use.

Before reading this book, I thought I would have to know a lot about kitting to understand the projects inside, but I was completely wrong. Your sewing skills will come in most handy, as most of the projects treat the sweaters as fabric. Stefanie has a great eye for spacial transformation, and it shows in the creative ways she reworks any kind of sweater into something new and unexpected.

April 2, 2008

The Chronicles of Yarnia

Sister Diane wrote up a great post about her recent visit to a clever new shop in Portland called Yarnia, and the place sounds downright magical. At Yarnia, visitors can choose from countless colors, textures, and fibers to create their very own custom yarns that are whipped up right there on the spot. This place is definitely on my must-visit list for my next trip to Oregon!

March 19, 2008

How to Make Books by Esther K. Smith

Esther K. Smith's How to Make Books: Fold, Cut & Stitch Your Way to a One-of-a-Kind Book came out late last year, but I only just got a chance to dig into it recently. It's a gorgeous book, with thick chipboard covers and a kinetic layout that makes you itch to jump in and start making stuff yourself. The good news is, if you've got scrap paper and some easy to find supplies like an awl, linen thread and scissors, you're good to go.

The book details various methods of bookbinding, from the simplest folded-paper quickies ("Instant Books") to sewn cloth books (perfect for making baby gifts), concertina-style books featuring multiple folds to hand-stitched leather journals. There's something for every interest and skill level, and the clear, easy-to understand instructions will have you hunting around your house to see what you can turn into a book next.

Here's an "Instant Book" I whipped up for myself after reading How to Make Books. It's just a single sheet of paper, turned into a sweet little inspiration book full of fabric and ribbon scraps with just a bit of super-easy folding and cutting. Next on my "Books to Make" list? The "Cake Box" book made with a cardboard cake mix box as the cover.

Visit Purgatory Pie Press to purchase How to Make Books directly from Esther K. Smith--it'll even arrive signed and accompanied by a free gift.

Related:
Bind Used Office Paper into a Stab-Stitched Book

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Book Review: Seven Things that can "Make or Break" a Sweater

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DIY Sock Potholder

Book Review: Sweater Surgery by Stefanie Girard

The Chronicles of Yarnia

How to Make Books by Esther K. Smith

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