crafts

Crafts Hacks for makers; a digital vision board with clever tips, ideas, techniques and materials for DIY creations.

High Above Water
Moving back home after living in a densely populated metropolis wasn’t what I would describe as easy. None of it was easy, but especially re-acclimating to the emptiness, the agile and arid wind, the unending winter and the acute isolation. It wasn’t easy because I knew all the reasons I left.
By Rebecca Peel5 years ago in Lifehack
The house that Tammy built
Once upon a time, there was a girl named Tammy. Ever since she was a little girl she loved dolls and most of all she adored dollhouses. As she got older, she would see lots of dollhouses. There were fancy ones, little ones, toy ones, various kinds that she had never seen before.
By Tammy Marsh5 years ago in Lifehack
Sew Happy
When the pandemic locked down the country I was hit with a lot of extra time. My college classes were moved to online Zoom sessions and not having to spend time in class or on the way to class left me at home feeling the onset of the doldrums. It was around March 11th, 2020 that I first started wearing a mask when out in public. Yes, I was one of those people, the ones that would get weird looks from the other customers. I am sure that they were thinking that us mask wearers were paranoid and I will admit I am an overly cautious person, not to mention OCD, like for real OCD, diagnosed and dealing daily. So with the mention of a mysterious virus that had made its way to my city in less than two months I was worried. I often wonder if other OCD suffers are amateur virologists, watching movies like Outbreak and Contagion, and reading books like The Coming Plague. I began thinking about my friends and family, how were they staying safe? Were they wearing masks or social distancing? Being the next in line as matriarch of our family its just a natural instinct I have acquired, I worry, probably too much. I couldn’t bear the thought of others getting sick and the virus was so new that we didn’t even know the full impact it could have.
By Jen Handsel5 years ago in Lifehack
Craft + Cinema:
Amongst the multitude of detriments the world has experienced last year due to COVID-19, we as people have discovered new hobbies to 'distract' ourselves from the pandemic. In the context of this new distraction and my craft as an artist, I've found myself to be submerged into the vast realm and artistry of cinema in quarantine. As I began to renew my sense of nostalgia through revisiting old films and trying new films, I devised a way to weaponize these movies to combat my constant boredom. I realized that merely watching movies as a pastime simply wouldn't suffice. Despite how egotistic it sounds, I've decided to put my divine-given talents to use. As a result, I've begun my quest of immortalizing my favorite films on my garments.
By DukeTheVirgo5 years ago in Lifehack
My First Quilt
As I walked along the gravel road on my way to my neighbor’s house, little did I know that this particular day would shape much of the rest of my life. I made the 1,800 foot journey from my doorstep to hers nearly every day the summer that I was seven years old. Normally my reward upon arrival to Ms. Frances’ house was a big piece of cake. Sometimes it was coconut cake, sometimes Mississippi mud cake, and always with a big glass of milk. However, on this day, as I topped the hill at the end of my long driveway, Ms. Frances was waiting for me in a chair on her porch. In her hands were a pair of orange-handled Fiskars scissors and two small pieces of fabric. Next to her was a shoe box full of more fabric pieces, which were sorted into several stacks. I was about to learn how to piece a quilt...and not just any quilt, but a Double Wedding Ring quilt!
By Teresa B.5 years ago in Lifehack
A Million Different Shades of A Million Different Colors
Hand made items are luxuries that many do not appreciate anymore. But for the ones that do they are able to enjoy knowing that they have something that nobody else has.
By Whitney5 years ago in Lifehack
Transforming Trash
Transforming Trash is the story of a woman who has loved crafting since childhood. Sylvia grew up in England in a generation whose parents sewed their own clothes, knitted their own sweaters, grew their own food, and fixed their own cars. Her favorite toy was Leo the Lion: a stuffed animal as tall as her, and made by her mom.
By Sylvia Worsnop5 years ago in Lifehack
Mom-mom's Tradition
When I was younger, before I can even remember, I received one of my longest lasting gifts. My great grandma, Mom-mom, knitted 2-year-old me a Christmas stocking. All reds and greens and whites, Santa even had a fluffy beard because of a different type of yarn she used. Mom-mom knit a stocking for all the member of our family. Her kids, her grandkids and their spouses, all of the great grandchildren. She knit me and many of my cousins more than one stocking, so that we would always have the memories and love she put into them with us. Unfortunately, she passed away in 2014 due to pancreatic cancer. My grandma was taking care of her at the time, and from my Mom-mom, she learned how to carry on the making of Christmas stockings.
By Alexis Cordova5 years ago in Lifehack
The Art of Candle Making
The inspiration for the idea of making my first candle stemmed from Pinterest, as most ideas used too, and still somewhat do to this day. I began searching for Christmas present ideas that were not only cost-efficient but somewhat simple to make as well. Finally stumbling upon a tutorial on DIY soy candles, figured why not? This is totally something that I could pull off. Started some basic research on what items would be needed. Set off to purchase these necessary items and got to creating. I do not exactly remember my first batch however; the rest is now history in the making.
By Brandy Goncalves5 years ago in Lifehack
Bend until you break through
An acquaintance asked me recently how my diagrams were coming along. Diagrams! He might as well have ruffled my hair and said How are you enjoying your nice little hobby? or Isn’t it great to have an interest?
By Megan Anderson5 years ago in Lifehack
The love of silk
As I take hold of my scissors and make that first snip in the measured, scoured silk, I am shaking in anticipation. I pull the silk apart in a straight tear from the first cut and hear that musical rip. Almost like the silk is singing for joy, knowing it soon will have dye to quench it’s thirst. I place each edge of the silk along the wooden frame and attach the stretch claws into the silk, allowing the elastic to pull it tight. With each claw from one side of the frame to the other, I weave back and forth until all sides of the frame are tight with the silk. The silk shimmers as it is held tight waiting for the first drop of resist and then I begin. Line by line I draw out my pattern, and as the resist sinks into the silk it dries as a solid barrier to hold in the dye. I wait in anticipation for the resist to dry, all the while mixing my dye colours near. Making the silk quiver with envy and want. Then the moment has come, I hold my brush over the silk and let it touch the silk ever so gently. The dye races along each thread and tries to reach beyond the resist lines with no success. It flows along the edge of the resist hoping to continue but it is cut short by the defined resist pattern. Each drop of dye held in its confined place is left to dry. Then as I bring yet another brush over it the two colours mix and create another. The silk is happy to be so wet and alive. I will let it dry and then steam it over hot water to set the dye in. A simple washing by hand will remove the resist and leave crisp white lines because the dye has been set and the silk cannot move it. I will add quilt batting and fabric and sew some quilt stitches along those crisp white lines. To create depth and define that which the silk helped to design. There is a canvas waiting to be covered and put on display. A silk that is coloured, quilted and stretched over the canvas beneath will be proudly watching people pass and say it is wonderful thing. The silk is complete and though it doesn’t know the picture it holds, the audience sees it and marvels at such a blend of colour and design.
By Gina Solomon5 years ago in Lifehack
Orange-Handled Scissors.
“Orange!” My Grandmother exclaimed, “Grab me the orange-handled scissors!” My earliest memory of cutting fabric was with a pair of Fiskars. I was 6 years old. Fast forward 40 years and I still use Fiskars today!
By Erika Tryon5 years ago in Lifehack