**December CRAFTY DRINKS!!**

Hey all!

Come meet us at Open City tomorrow at 5:30 pm for Crafty Drinks! Just down the block from Woodly Park Metro (red line), Open City has half price wine and pizza on Tuesdays. Bring your crafty pals, crafty ideas and crafty creations. We look forward to seeing you tomorrow!

~emily

http://craftydrinks.eventbrite.com/

Things We Love: Etsy's Gift Guide

As an absolute foodie (and self-proclaimed fattygirl), I was so excited to see that Etsy created a gift guide dedicated to the aesthetic, and way of life, of slow food.

Besitos,
Vanessa

"Slow Food" On Etsy Gift Guide, December 2009
Slow Food, the global, grassroots movement that connects the pleasure of food with a commitment to community and the environment, is right at home on Etsy. The vision of a "slow planet" is rooted in appreciating local farmers, gathering friends, telling stories, and taking some time out of our day to express our gratitude. These values, applicable to a wide range of consumer goods, is what Etsy is all about. Create a meaningful food experience from garden to table with each of the selections below. For more tips and inspiration, shop the Plants and Edibles Category and check out Slow Food articles on Etsy's blog.

Inspiration: DC 'au naturale

If you're looking for a little creative inspiration as the work week begins, find an excuse to explore the greener side of DC. From the banks of the Potomac River to the tip of Rock Creek Park, inspiration abounds within the boundaries of the District. Here are just a few places to soak up the colors, smells and wonder of the natural side of D.C.

Morning, when the water lilies are in bloom, is a great time to take in Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens. (free!)

Pack a picnic lunch and your walking shoes and head to the National Arboretum to explore the national herb garden, bonsai museum, fern valley and so much more! (also free!)

And, if you're looking for an excuse to come in out of the sun, round out the day with a trip to the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History's (live) butterfly exhibit. (not free.)

Big Tools

I used to work in a rubber stamp store and as I'm sure any crafter can imagine, I usually spent most of my paycheck there. Two of my favorite purchases are the big tools that make paper crafting, especially when I'm cranking out multiples.

The Scotch™ ATG 700 tape gun lets you easily apply glue tape to just about anything, is permanent and comes in different widths:



The Carl® DC-238 is an 18" rotary paper cutter that can cut up to 30 sheets of regular weight paper at once! This is also available in 12", 15" and a massive 25" version and you can get scoring and perforation blades. We call it Big Carl in our house:


If you do a lot of paper crafts, these big tools are definitely worth the investment.

I'll blog about my shiny, new Cricut Expression® next.

Shayne
noveltykitten.com

P.S. We'll be posting the vendor list for November 21st's Holiday Heist soon!

DIY: Matchbook notebook promos

Want to show off your handmade goodness? Make yourself some handmade promos! Here's one that's fairly quick, easy and functional for recipients--matchbook notebooks!


What you'll need:
-cardstock or other fairly stiff paper
-thinner paper for the interior (I like to use orphan tractor-feed paper)
-stapler
-paper cutter (scissors would work too, but a paper cutter helps keep the lines straight)

You'll also want to somehow get your shop name on there. I like to print mine, but you could also hand write them, use a sticker/mailing label, etc. In addition to my shop name/url, I like to print one of my designs or something related to my shop on the covers. You could also use decorative paper, cut out images, use a rubber stamp, etc. (have fun with it!).

Getting started:
The size of these can really vary--it all depends on how big a matchbook you want to end up with.

The cover: I make six covers using one 8.5" x 11" piece of card stock. That means each cover piece is approximately 2.5" wide and 5.5" tall when cut. (This makes a finished book that is about 2.5" x 2.5")

Interior pages: You'll want your interior pages to be slightly smaller than the cover. With the above cover specs, my interior pages are approximately 2.25" x 2.25." How many pages you'd like to include in each book is also up to you. Experiment to see what works best for your books and stapler (12 pages works well for me).

Assembling:
Fold each cover piece approximately a quarter inch up from the bottom.

Insert your interior pages and place a staple in the center.

Fold your cover over so that it tucks into the flap above the staple.


If you haven't done so already, decorate your cover, add your shop name/url and start handing them out!

I may be the minority here, but...

So with all this hot, humid, sticky, weather, I'm ready for fall.

The changing leaves...back to school supplies...hooded sweatshirts...college football...hot chocolate...my birthday! What's not to love?

So in honor of my want for fall, here are some of my favorite fall-inspired items on Etsy:

1. Wild Turkey - Feather Hair Clip by chelseaofthesea

2. The Wayfarer Purse in Corduroy with a Cherry Blossom Applique by peskycatdesigns

3. Autumnal - Leaf Shaped Sterling Hoops by sstargell

4. 1/2 lb Pumpkin Pie Caramels 8 oz by CaramelJubilee

5. Fox Woodland Forest Scene Wreath with Miniature Bobble Head by KnockKnocking

6. Autumn themed letterpress card by twotonepress

7. Squirrel on Table - 8 x 10 Fine Art Photograph Print by GreenRootsPhoto

8. Cinnamon Apple Peach - Cold Process Vegan Soap by HoneybeeSoapShop

You know what else is in fall?

Our fantastic Holiday Heist show! Did you get your application in? We'll be announcing the vendors soon!

Hot time, summer in the city

It's getting toasty out there. Here's some local hotness from our region's crafters on Etsy.




And if you'd rather be thinking about something cool, turn your thoughts to Holiday Heist in November...ummmm, crafts in November.

Craft, here there & everywhere!

Looking to learn a new craft skill, or perfect one you have previously learned? Members of the DC Craft Mafia will be putting on several workshops starting this Fall at The Soundry in Vienna, VA. The Soundry is an awesome open studio for artist. It also happens to be the location of the Holiday Heist (don't forget to apply if you haven't yet). Go here for a full list of classes offered at The Soundry. I will be teaching sewing & hand forged jewelry classes starting in September. Our lovely Ninny will be teaching crochet (of course). Regina of BeadJewelry will be teaching beadweaving. Plus many more classes by the talented mafia crew.

Before the craft classes this Fall come out & hang with DC Craft Mafia at Crafty Cocktails this Tuesday from 5:30-8 PM at Tryst in Adams Morgan. Come to craft, come to drink, we don't care, just come! We'd love to see you!

And finally, if you are in the Pittsburgh area this weekend come out to I Made It Market at SouthSide Works Exposed. I will be there along with some of Pittsburgh's most crafty people.

Spotted in The Storque

Take a peek "Inside Etsy HQ" and see an address file box made using recycled magazine subscription cards by the DC Craft Mafia's own My Ugly Kitty. Read all about it in The Storque!

DI(wh)Y

I've always been a DIY-er. I'd mend my own clothes. I'd make my own cards. I'd decide that it's a good idea make all the flowers for my up-coming wedding out of paper....

Not sure why, maybe it's genetic. I come from a long line of crafters and people who had to make everything they needed - gardens, woodworking, sewing. Or maybe it's just because I'm a total control freak and it's just more reliable to do it myself :).

But, I'm not alone. The DIY movement is living the high-life right now. Martha Stewart on daytime TV, "Handmade Nation" (screening this weekend at the Summit of Awesome in DC) being attended by thousands, and major craft shows like Crafty Bastards, Art Star Craft Bazaar, Spring Bada-Bing, and Bust Craftacular, and Renegade are popping up across the country and inspiring many more.

So why do we "DIY?" I figure some people are simply born with a natural propensity to create. Some call it creativity or control-freakism. Others see it as a way to "stick it to the man." With consumerism getting higher all the time, stores are competing more and more to cut their costs and claim to be the "lowest price this side of the Mississippi,"it's satisfying to know that something you made from scratch has love and care put into it. Others do it to be environmentally friendly or to save money. Whatever the reason, I fully-support the DIY movement.

So I thought I'd try my hand at the top ten reasons you should DIY:

(poster by BoldandNobel)

1. It helps save money. If you look back through history, recessions, etc. are always followed by a resurgence of the handmade movement. Buying fabric for a dress is cheaper than a new dress, gardening is cheaper than going to the grocery store. Plus, people may not be able to pay to have things mended :).

(photo of EtsyLab class, via EtsyLab Flickr)

2. It's fun. Everyone needs a hobby and making things is a great one!

(bag by ShaggyBaggy on Etsy)

3. It's environmentally-friendly. I'm sure it's not coincidence, but there is also a huge green movement in the crafting community. The amount of recycled materials available are not only earth-friendly, they're cheap (see reason #1). Recycled materials also encourage you to be creative, "What could I make with that old coffee sack."

(from the DC Craft Mafia Flickr Group)

4. It's a community. I've met so many wonderful people through crafting! Above, are some of the awesome people I've met *cough* the Mafia! Mary, Erica, and Shayne talking crafts and more, I'm sure. There are bitch and stitches, kitting groups, quilting circles, and even the Etsy Forums! People everywhere are getting together over a love of handmade.

(tote from weatherandnoise)

5. It reduces your consumerism. Well, I guess that's not entirely true. You can still be a consumer of handmade items, and if you really get into it, will probably buy more than you would at the mall. But, at least your new items will be made by hands, with love. Either way, you're staying out of the Mega-Marts that are taking over the world.

(Etsy pack from greenka)

6. You get exactly what you want. Being able to make what you want, also lets you make it however you want. Even if you're working with someone else, having something handmade for your gives you ultimate control on the outcome - colors, shape, size, style...it's up to you!

7. It's personal. Nothing says I love you like a handmade gift. Remember making cards and pasta necklaces for your aunt's birthday? She loved those more than all the Hallmark crap in the world. She may still even have them. Being able to give a gift that you made yourself is the ultimate way of showing someone how much you love.

(photo from emmegab via Flickr)

8. It's tradition (or could be). So many of our craft are handed down through family traditions. For example, I learned painting from my grandmother. People used to hand make things out of necessity - sewing clothes, knitting blankets, etc. Today, that necessity is overpowered by readily-available, inexpensive merchandise, people don't *need* to learn to make things by hand. However, it's a wonderful way to bond with family and friend. It gives you a chance to spend time with your grandma, mother, father, uncle, etc. and learn something new from them. It's also something great to share with your children, nieces, nephews, grandchildren, etc. Pass the craft on!

(photo from Say Llama on Flickr)

9. It instills confidence. It's so satisfying to hold up something you've worked so hard on and know that you put your love and time into it. Whether it be a necklace or a pie, making it yourself teaches you that you can do things for yourself.

(nesting dolls from sherla on Etsy)

10. It exercises your creativity. One of my firm beliefs is that creativity is not based on having all the supplies you could ever need at your disposal, but just the opposite. Creativity comes from being forced to use what you have....what can I make with green paper, glue, and old wire? Exercising your brain like this will help you see ways out of any situation, or give you new ways to solve problems at work, or thing of new products that could end up of Oprah's favorite things.

Why do you DIY?

Earth Day on Etsy

With Earth Day only a day away - this Wednesday! - I did a search on Etsy to see what crafters have to offer. You can find a lot of great sales and great ways to reuse and recycle. Here are a few stand-outs:


There are a lot of super cute reusable sandwich bags! These almost make me wish I didn't work from home - brown baggin' it has to be fun with these bags. [greenstreetbags]


What could be more environmentally friendly than a reusable shopping bag made out of recycled plastic bags? Not much! Buy the pattern to crochet your own. [tlwoldc]


Here's another fun sandwich bag. I also really love the apple print fabric! [mamamade]


Make your morning cuppa' a little more earth-friendly with this reusable cup sleeve! [agreensleeve]


Make your own snacksleeves with this PDF pattern! [agreensleeve]


I was going to make some very clever comment about this little tote bag made from Capri Sun pouches, but mostly I just want some juice now. [iluvmojo]


If I wasn't allergic to wool, I'd seriously consider buying this adorable skirt - the flowers are from recycled wool sweaters! [consciousclothing]


Actually, *this* recycled baby sweater is what I would get - you know, if I was a toddler. [consciousclothing]

---

Have any other fun Earth Day finds? Leave a comment here with a link.

More Peeps Postcards!

San Francisco anyone?

Offering some pointers on my golf swing.....

Why Support Your Local Artists?

For years now the buzz words have been ringing and won't stop echoing no matter where you live - "Buy Handmade", "Support Your Local Artists," "Handmade Revolution," "Craft Revolution" - whatever term you use the message is simple - supporting your local artists and crafters go a long way in making for a cleaner, healthier and richer environment for everyone.

We all know that production of handmade products have lesser impact on the environment. Take a look at HerbanLifestyle's post on making violet syrup. Everything made from simple natural ingredients - no chemicals or harmful byproducts. There are even crafters that recycle materials to create new products, like creating jewelry out of found objects, or sewing tote bags out of a pair of old denims - how much greener can that be?

Supporting your local crafter also strenthens community. Everything comes full circle. Your local artists and crafters are independent businesses in your community and when you buy their products the money actually goes back into your community by way to taxes. But as a buyer, you also have the advantage of buying products that are high quality and give you value for money. Why pay $40 for a jar of salt scrub from a retail chain, when you can get a much better quality scrub from your local crafter for half the price? (Sorry, my obsession with bath and body products is showing!)

Last but not the least, a handmade item is special and unique. Because each item is hand wrought and created it's the best gift item to give a loved one or yourself. When you give a handmade product, you're telling your friend/loved one that they are special and unique. What better way to show you care for them?

So the next time you come across an arts and crafts show, show your support and buy handmade!

How To Make Violet Syrup

Over the past few years, there has been a rising interest in DIY. And more recently, as the economy has taken a a downturn, many more people are turning to the ideals of simple, handmade. There is a satisfaction you get from making things yourself that you can never attain by just buying stuff. And you have the comfort of knowing exactly what when into it (e.g., natural ingredients, no sweatshop labor, no lead). I like the idea of getting back to basics, and in that vein, I'd like to share an olde timey recipe for violet syrup. It's easy, it's fun, and it tastes good too!


This tutorial was originally posted on herbanlifestyle.wordpress.com





I love the deep purple hues of violets. These beautiful little flowers grow in abundance this time of year, so I took the opportunity to try out one of the recipes from Gibbons' book, Stalking the Healthful Herb. According to Euell Gibbons, violets are "nature's vitamin pill" containing 150mg of vitamin C per 100g of blossoms, three times the amount of that in oranges weight for weight.

I decided to make violet syrup, since it is healthful and a gourmet addition to desserts or cocktails.

So, I went out into my yard and picked about a cupful of violet blossoms. I did this in the early afternoon on a sunny day, a good time to harvest blossoms and herbs since the sun has dried off any moisture that might have collected on them overnight.

I placed the blossoms in a clean, dry canning jar.

Then I covered them in an equal amount of boiling water (1 cup). You can see from the photo that the water begins to take on a beautiful light blue hue.



Then, I let the mixture steep for 24 hours. I then strained out the violet blossoms (and put them in my compost canister, pictured behind the jar). What was left was this gorgeous jewel-toned blue liquid. Violet essence!



I put the strained liquid into a sauce pan and added the juice of half a lemon, and 2 cups of sugar (the only sugar I had was vanilla sugar that I had made by placing a halved vanilla bean in a jar of sugar and letting it sit for two months -- the color was a light brown, which may have affected the color of my syrup). The addition of the lemon juice caused a chemical reaction, turning the blue liquid into a pinkish-purpleish liquid. I brought this to a boil, and cooked it for about 3 minutes.



I then poured the syrup into a sterilized canning jar, and placed it in the refrigerator. The final result is below. I will try this recipe again with less lemon juice. I'm not sure how the taste will compare, but I'd like to preserve as much of the gorgeous blue color of the violet water as possible.



According to Gibbons, ancient herbalists used violet syrup to cure epilepsy, pleurisy, jaundice, consumption, insomnia and more. He found that it had demulcent and expectorant properties, making it a tasty cough syrup. However, he recommends enjoying just for the pure pleasure of the taste, putting on pancakes, making drinks from it, or pouring some over shaved ice.

Postcard from Polly's Peeps

Where my peeps at?

Where my peeps at?
Originally uploaded by ericaburnsdesigns

Several DC Craft Mafia members met up at La Casa de Ninny Saturday for a photo shoot of our crafty wares. Shayne of Novelty Kitten gave each of us a few these little peeps since they kept getting in trouble with her. A day later look who I found in my picnic basket! These peeps are relentless. I caught this one trying to get in my Izze! Where will they pop up next?

Tweet! Tweet!

Last Saturday, Erica Burns, Novelty Kitten, Polly Scoots and BeadJewelryShopgirl decided to hang in NinnyCat's cozy pad. Novelty Kitten introduced an adorable new peep - Tweet! Watch Tweet's adventures as she makes the rounds with each DCCM peep and gives her point of view on art, crafts and life! She's already getting into trouble with BeadJewelryShopgirl!

Go Green: Shop Local

DC Craft Mafia + green = : )

Get your green on! Shop local with a bit of green from the Capitol Region Etsy Street Team (CREST).

Taking a cue from Shayne

A few posts ago, fellow DC Mafia-er, Shayne, posted some of her favorite green items from Etsy, and I'm going to copy her, but with a slightly different definition of "green."

(photo courtesy of heidiandseek)

Here are some of my favorite recycled, upcycled, reused, repurposed, eco-friendly or otherwise "green" handmade goodies from Etsy.

kittybblove

Fabulously adorable kitty crayons made of old crayon bits!


foundling
Gorgeous jewelry from old paper and recycled fabric


loranscruggs
Seriously, how cool are these? Toys made from recycled metal and soda caps. She makes whistles too!

betzwhite
Betz White is an all time fave (and a resident of Maryland)! Her recycled sweater crafts are too cute for words!

artandphilanthropy

This beautiful, fresh collage print is reminding me of how much I'm ready for Spring.

artjewelryonline

Reclaimed mink from a former coat is transformed into this stunning ring.

uglykitty
Pendants from recycled envelopes - how'd those get in here?

crowbiz
Love this! Made from a vintage Russian postage stamp.

Got other fabulously recycled crafts? Post them to the DC Craft Mafia Flickr Group!