RSS
Archive: Tools
June 17, 2009
Lessons From My Dad
I'm a rebel. I've always tried to avoid picking up habits from my parents. What can I say? I'm just anti-authority and I love to teach myself. So despite almost 30 years of fighting it, I have finally realized you can't always deny the effect your dad has on you. And for that, I consider myself to be quite lucky.
My dad, Steve Morris, is a crafty maker who invents, repairs and most of all, improves most things. He has introduced me to many adventerous hobbies, including welding and abalone diving. He loves to encourage my own work, and has even requested a needlefelted cuff for one of the handlebars on his Harley (I'm working on it dad!). I want to share three of the more important lessons I have learned from his diligent teaching (whether I wanted to learn them or not). These lessons might seem mundane, but they stick with me, and I often hear my dad's voice while I'm working- generally reminders to be respectfull of my tools, and that shortcuts might not be the best way. Even though he didn't teach me how to sew or felt, he taught me about crafting, and about the importance of having good form.
Dad Lesson 1: Everything is better in it's original box.
My dad's car battery charger is still in its original packaging, lending it an extra level of authenticity. He taught me that this is a great way to keep things tidy and secure, and I learned that over time, the original box also adds nostalgia to an otherwise mundane object.
Dad Lesson 2: Always keep the camera strap around your neck.
My dad's Minolta camera is my favorite of his tools. When I was a kid, he generously let me use it- as long as I followed the only rule- WEAR THE STRAP. It's a habit I still have, and the only reason I've never lost my camera off the Golden Gate Bridge.
Dad Lesson 3: Don't pull on power cords.
I've always been a tiny bit lazy, and it took my dad's vigilant instruction to break a very bad habit. I used to yank power cords right out of the wall, from the furthest possible distance. "What's the harm?" I used to ask. Well, the outlet, the plug, and the sewing machine are all relieved that he made me walk over to the wall, every time.
Posted by Brookelynn |
Jun 17, 2009 06:00 PM
Tools |
Permalink
| Comments (1)
| Email Entry |
Suggest a Site
May 20, 2009
How-To: Dapping Punch From Steel Bolts
Instructables user cr8ive1 writes:
This is how I make steel doming punches to shape soft metals (gold, silver, copper, brass) for jewellery making. Doming (or dapping punches as they are often referred to by jewellery makers) punches are expensive for what they are- basically highly polished pieces of curved steel. I have a few commercially made punches and a brass dapping block but I needed larger ones for a project. I couldn't justify the expense knowing they would only see occasional use, so I made my own. For this project I've used an old carriage bolt (domed bolt). As I don't have a lathe to remove large amounts of material a piece of preshaped steel was important to reduce the need for labourious hand work (this project is about saving money not losing time).
Hey jewelry makers, how do you improvise your own tools? Post in the comments.
Posted by Becky Stern |
May 20, 2009 04:00 PM
Jewelry, Metalwork, Tools |
Permalink
| Comments (1)
| Email Entry |
Suggest a Site
April 18, 2009
Cardboard Box Slide Duplicator
Gareth @ MAKE found this simple setup for transferring your old film to digital. From the Flickr user svofski:
A lens (or a macro lens, or a lens with extension rings) is inserted in the circular hole in front. A negative holder made of two sheets of vinyl with spacers is at the opposite end. After film is inserted, the box is closed and camera is aligned.
Since any remote source of light will be hopelessly out of focus in such setup, no special diffuser is really necessary. I normally use LCD display.
Posted by Becky Stern |
Apr 18, 2009 12:00 PM
Design, Recycle, Technology, Tools, Vintage |
Permalink
| Comments (0)
| Email Entry |
Suggest a Site
March 25, 2009
How-To: Bamboo Chalk Holder
Instructables user Saul shows us how to make an easy chalk holder from a piece of bamboo. If there's none in or around your back yard, maybe they have small decorative pieces at your local import store, or maybe even the thrift store! This should be useful for all you schoolteachers out there who've yet to change over to a white board.
Posted by Becky Stern |
Mar 25, 2009 09:00 AM
Tools |
Permalink
| Comments (0)
| Email Entry |
Suggest a Site
March 16, 2009
Yudu Screen Printing Video Review
Handmade Detroit did this awesome video review of the Yudu screen printing machine. It has a hefty pricetag, but this video review has even me convinced that it it might be worth it. Via Core77.
Posted by Becky Stern |
Mar 16, 2009 09:00 AM
Printing, Tools |
Permalink
| Comments (4)
| Email Entry |
Suggest a Site
March 13, 2009
CRAFT Video: Machine-Knitted QR Code Scarf
In this week's video, I'll show you how to turn a 2D barcode into a knitted scarf! This is a fun way to get information from a garment into an electronic device, such as a cell phone equipped with a barcode-scanning camera. Anyone who takes a picture of my scarf can decode the message. I used Photoshop to modify the QR code I got from Kaywa (whose barcode scarf inspired me to make my own!) into a usable knitting pattern, but you could easily use graph paper instead. I programmed the pattern into my computerized knitting machine, a Brother KH 930. If you know how to do stranded knitting (learn how here), you can knit this without a machine - just use really small needles! As a side note, a friend and I are working on an interface to download patterns directly from the computer to the knitting machine, instead of having to sit there and input every colored stitch. We'll keep you posted!
Subscribe to the CRAFT Podcast in iTunes, or download the m4v (iPhone) or mov movie.
More:
- QR Code Cake
- Semacode Needlepoint
- Space Invader and 2D Barcode Scarf
- Skeleton Cardigan - CRAFT Pattern Podcast
- Skeleton Cardigan Part 1 - CRAFT Video Podcast
- Skeleton Cardigan Part 2 - CRAFT Video Podcast
Posted by Becky Stern |
Mar 13, 2009 11:00 AM
CRAFT Podcast, Knitting, Technology, Tools, Video |
Permalink
| Comments (0)
| Email Entry |
Suggest a Site
January 14, 2009
HOW TO - Embroidered Scissors Cozy
Wild Olive shares a PDF download for this clever embroidered scissors cozy, perfect for protecting your snips.
Posted by Jenny Ryan |
Jan 14, 2009 12:00 AM
Organization, Tools |
Permalink
| Comments (0)
| Email Entry |
Suggest a Site
January 7, 2009
HOW TO - Resin Knitting Needles
Craftster user Ammasmama created these gorgeous handmade knitting needles by casting items like glitter and yarn in resin. She even provides a tutorial so you can try making your own!
Posted by Jenny Ryan |
Jan 7, 2009 08:00 AM
Knitting, Tools |
Permalink
| Comments (4)
| Email Entry |
Suggest a Site
November 29, 2008
HOW TO - French Knitting, Tools to Product
Marc @ MAKE found this amazing three-part tutorial about French knitting, the kind done with a loom. It goes over creating your own knitting loom and using it with recycled plastic bags to knit a reusable (and very strong) purse or grocery bag. Be sure to see all three pages!
From the pages of CRAFT:09:
The Green Issue is packed full of recycling projects! Subscribe to CRAFT.
Posted by Becky Stern |
Nov 29, 2008 12:00 PM
Green, Knitting, Recycle, Tools |
Permalink
| Comments (0)
| Email Entry |
Suggest a Site
November 21, 2008
HOW TO - Cut Curves with a Rotary Cutter
The Craft Apple shares her tips on cutting curved edges with a rotary cutter, which can take some getting used to. Check out her blog post on the subject, which even features a video.
Posted by Jenny Ryan |
Nov 21, 2008 09:00 AM
Tools, Video |
Permalink
| Comments (2)
| Email Entry |
Suggest a Site
November 18, 2008
Cool Tool: Shredding Scissors
Mister Jalopy tips us off to these crazy new scissors from The Container Store, which are like having not three, not four, but FIVE scissors in one!
Posted by Jenny Ryan |
Nov 18, 2008 12:00 AM
Tools |
Permalink
| Comments (0)
| Email Entry |
Suggest a Site
July 23, 2008
HOW TO - Make a Floor Loom
Simone from Crafty Daisies tips us off to this great guest entry by Bree of Hot Tea Apparel, who shows us how to build a floor loom for weaving. I love the idea of using this to make rugs from recycled, cut-up fabrics, t-shirts, plastic bags, and more.
Related:
• HOW TO - Make a PVC Pipe Loom
• DIY Weaving Loom
• DIY Knitting Loom
Posted by Jenny Ryan |
Jul 23, 2008 02:00 PM
Tools |
Permalink
| Comments (1)
| Email Entry |
Suggest a Site
July 1, 2008
Glue Gun Recall
Heads up, Crafters--there's been a glue gun recall. Be sure to check and see if this one if hanging around in your stash of crafting tools.
Dollar Tree recalls 470,000 China-made glue gunsTue Jun 24, 8:55 AM ET
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Dollar Tree Inc recalled about 470,000 Chinese-made hot glue guns because they are a fire hazard, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said on Tuesday.
Dollar Tree said it was aware of four incidents in which the recalled Crafters Square Hot Melt Mini Glue Guns short-circuited, causing the craft gun to smoke. No injuries have been reported.
The recalled glue guns were sold from December 2007 through March 2008 for about $1 each, the safety agency said in a statement. Customers should stop using the recalled glue guns and return them to the store where purchased for a refund.
Posted by Jenny Ryan |
Jul 1, 2008 07:00 PM
Tools |
Permalink
| Comments (4)
| Email Entry |
Suggest a Site
