Well, it’s my birthday today, so I scoured the web for a creative, handmade birthday gift tutorial. As quirky as it may seem, I settled on this handmade card, from the The Storque. Pop-up pirates are cool, right? I think so. And you don’t need much – just some card stock, construction paper, glue, scissors and couple of other odds and ends. And actually, this card is appropriate for any occasion, not just birthdays. You can download the full instructions (including templates) here.

(Image courtesy of Sheri Giblin of Etsy)
(Original project courtesy of Handmade Hellos by Eunice Moyle and Sabrina Moyle)

Posted by Christy Zuccarini at 11:58 AM in DIY projects | Permalink
                       

OK guys, this one’s for you. It’s a tutorial from Photojojo on how to make your own photo cuffs. You don’t need much – just a cool picture, some Inkjet-printable canvas, felt, velcro, fabric glue and the essentials like scissors and a ruler. This project works best with images that look good when cropped down to a horizontal strip. Consider using pictures of things like graffiti, grass, rusty metal or tire tread. For the full tutorial, visit the Photojojo web site.

(Images courtesy of Photojojo)

Posted by Christy Zuccarini at 11:35 AM in DIY projects | Permalink
                       

I am in love with the blog painted fish studio, which is where I found a wonderful tutorial for making papier-mache bowls. They’re simple and pretty and require supplies that you probably already have around the house (like paper and plastic wrap). I also think they’re perfect for Mother’s Day but you could make them for any occasion. And, if you’re feeling ambitious, try mixing some glitter into the pva or perhaps even painting the finished product with gold leaf. The possibilities are endless.

(Images courtesy of painted fish studio)

Posted by Christy Zuccarini at 10:16 AM in DIY projects | Permalink
                       

I received an email the other day about a new crafty product that I must share with you – the Doodle Bra. Essentially, it’s a craft kit that contains one white cotton bra and a set of nontoxic erasable markers and stencils. The bra can be decorated in any way. Once washed, it’s back to a clean, blank canvas. So you can doodle to your heart’s content, wash, and then doodle again and again.

Perhaps this would make the perfect Mother’s Day gift, an appropriate accompaniment to the fused glass suncatchers in yesterday’s post, I think.

You can purchase your own Doodle Bra online for around $15.

(Images courtesy of Doodle Bra)

Posted by Christy Zuccarini at 9:48 AM in DIY projects, Gifts | Permalink
                       

Corradetti Glass Studio will host its last two hot glass mini-workshops of the season.

On April 18, learn how to make a fused glass suncatcher from pre-cut shapes that you design and assemble. Then, on May 2, learn to stretch and shape molten glass into a colorful flower – a perfect handmade gift for Mother’s Day.

Workshops are open to kids and adults, but spaces fill quickly. To register, visit www.corradetti.com/workshops.html.

(Image courtesy of Corradetti Glass Studio)

Posted by Christy Zuccarini at 9:30 AM in DIY projects, Events, Gifts | Permalink
                       

I guess I’ve never considered how creative one could be with a simple film canister. Typically, I’m so consumed by what’s inside of a film canister that I rarely pay enough attention to its potential as a craft material. But fortunately for me (and possibly for you) I subscribe to the Photojojo newsletter and I’m now seeing film canisters in a whole new light.

As Photojojo points out, the canister is just a sheet of decorated metal, so there are tons of things you can make out of it. Among their suggestions: earrings, belt buckle, dog tag, key chain. They’ve got instructions for each item too. All you need as far as supplies go is a bottle opener, scissors or tin snips, sand paper and an empty film canister. Hey, it’s a good enough excuse for you to put down your digital camera for a few days, right?

(Images courtesy of Photojojo)

Posted by Christy Zuccarini at 10:22 PM in DIY projects | Permalink
                       

OK, so I’m assuming that at this point, you’ve finished with your holiday shopping. If however, you’re anything like me, you are waiting until the last minute to wrap everything. Take note: wrapping gifts provides the perfect occasion for using all of those leftover pieces of paper, ribbon, yarn and various doodads that have been floating around your craft space for some time:

I love the idea of using old catalogues - even old Polaroids - as gift tags. All you need are scissors or a tag punch and some pretty ribbon or cotton string. See the original tutorial here, courtesy of Peapods.

There are so many ways to spice up even the simplest brown wrapping paper. How about huge pom-poms, made from leftover yarn and a piece of cardboard? See how to make one here, courtesy of Bugs and Fishes.

Does your craft stash ever include what's in your pantry? Using cereal boxes to wrap your gifts is eco-friendly and it adds a touch of humor to the holiday. See the original tutorial here, courtesy of Curbly.

Another great idea from Bugs and Fishes by Lupin. These gifts are meant to stand out, with letters cut from beautiful decorative papers. See the tutorial here.

Posted by Christy Zuccarini at 6:30 AM in Christmas, DIY projects | Permalink
                       

Monica Stroter of Sugar Paperie first came to Baltimore from the Midwest to study Fibers at the Maryland Institute College of Art. Now an elementary art teacher, she creates greeting cards out of found and rescued materials in her spare time. She says, “I seem to have made it my mission to rescue all things pretty. I also adore old things and the history that they reveal.” Monica’s cards are adorned with vintage fabric and laces, old maps, buttons, trims and specialty papers. Each of her “paper confections” exemplifies what wonders can be made with the simplest of materials and a whimsical imagination.

What you will need:

Heavy duty cardstock and a coordinating envelope
Scissors and rotary cutter
Metal ruler
Elmer’s glue
Tacky glue
Toothpick
Paintbrush
Found objects (fabric, paper, trimmings, beads, charms, etc.)

Step 1.

Using a paintbrush, apply a very thin layer of Elmer’s glue to the back of the fabric and trim. Place the fabric onto the cardstock and slip the trim underneath. Press firmly for a few seconds.

Step 2.

Use a rotary cutter and metal ruler to trim the fabric so that it is flush with the edge of the cardstock.

Step 3.

Select a small adornment to adhere to the fabric. Remember that it should be relatively flat so that it can be sent through the postal service. Using a toothpick carefully spread a tiny bit of tacky glue onto the back of the object. You may need to explore other adhesives, but tacky glue will work for many materials. After affixing your object, allow it to dry.

Step 4.

Compose a love note or a thoughtful well-wish, and send it to someone special! It will be sure to bring a smile!

Charming Lace and Floral (left), All Girl (middle), Batik Thank You (right).

(DIY and photos courtesy of Monica Stroter)

If you would like to submit your own DIY project to Baltimore by Hand, email me!

Posted by Christy Zuccarini at 7:29 PM in DIY projects | Permalink | Comments (1)
                       

Have you heard of Ponoko? It’s the world’s first personal manufacturing platform - an online marketplace of sorts that helps you turn your crafty ideas into products that are laser cut from acrylic or wood. They have a variety of templates and tools to guide you and once you’re finished you can either ‘Mingle & Share’, ‘Browse & Buy’, or ‘Make & Sell’. You’re free to make just about anything – key chains, coasters, kitchen chairs – you pick!

I recently caught up with jeweler Brooke Medlin of Gemmafactrix, who designed a set of awesome rings and submitted them to Ponoko’s 10-Day Design Challenge, a monthly event that offers cash prizes and free advertising to the winning designer.

Summer in the City Skyscape Ring Set by Brooke Medlin. Vote for her design here.

Brooke makes a living making jewelry and in so doing, she has developed quite a gift for promoting her work. She says, “For me, the Ponoko challenge was a way to branch out into a medium and style I'd been itching to try, and the added benefit was getting my name and work recognized. I feel that, as an artist, going outside your safe zone, entering contests, getting your work out there and seen by as many eyes as possible, can only be a good thing. Your work is out there in a place where it may not have been, being seen by people who may never have seen it.”

The moral of the story is that places like Ponoco offer great opportunities for you to promote your craft, even if acrylic isn't your material of choice. It's about experimentation. Whether or not you win the prize, the simple act of participating – showing the world your work – is worth a try.

Photos courtesy of Brooke Medlin.

Posted by Christy Zuccarini at 8:59 PM in DIY projects | Permalink | Comments (3)
                       

What you will need:

Aluminum cans
Snips or metal shears
Hand files
Sandpaper
Found objects, paper, beads, etc.
Decoupage, two-part epoxy or other adhesives
Pin backs

Step 1.

Cut out the base of a soda can (just above the beveled edge). If you use snips, start from the top of the can. I used a piercing saw and cut straight across the bottom.

Step 2.

Use a hand file to even out the edges and sandpaper to smooth away any additional rough parts.

Step 3.

Decide which found objects you would like to adhere inside the base, and which adhesive is most appropriate. For example, if you use fabric or felted beads like I did, a glue gun will work. You can use decoupage for paper, or clear polyester casting resin for embedding objects like small flowers or glitter. Be sure to follow the instructions, as some adhesives are more toxic than others. After affixing your object collage, allow it to dry.

Step 4.

Attach the pin back with a two-part epoxy. You may have to bend it a bit with pliers to be sure it fits the base.

Step 5.

Put on your brooch and show it off!

This DIY is from the wonderful book "Fabulous Jewelry from Found Objects."

(Photos by me)

Posted by Christy Zuccarini at 8:10 PM in DIY projects | Permalink | Comments (1)