It’s here! Above is the first DIY video in the Make It series that I helped produce with the Lillstreet Art Center! If you’re interested in learning how to professionally hand-dye a silk scarf with an even and intense dye color, watch this short video. And, below is the companion video, which shows you how to mix the dye concentrate for your hand-dying projects.
As you may know (from this post), I’m producing a series of DIY videos with Lillstreet Art Center. We’ve now shot 4 of the 5 planned, and it’s been a blast! For someone with no prior filmmaking experience, the project has been incredibly challenging as I try to effectively navigate the roles of efficient task-master and supportive, creative professional. Needless to say, it’s been an invaluable learning experience and an incredibly rewarding project.
I love feeling connected to a creative community, like that of Lillstreet, and it’s been great to be instrumental in shaping a creative video product, to connect art & craft teachers with a wider online audience, and to learn a little about various crafts in the process.
We really can’t wait to release these video tutorials, but for now, we’ll all have to make do with these photos I snapped during the filming of our third video, “How to Screenprint a Onesie”, which was taught by fiber artist and sewing instructor Nora Renick Rinehart.
I mentioned that I’m producing a series of DYI videos for Lillstreet, which is, quite possibly, the coolest project I’ve gotten my crafty little hands on to date. And it’s been so much fun! We hope to release the videos next month, but I wanted to give you a sneak peek of our first shoot.
We just shot our second video last night with fiber artist Camille Canales. She showed us the professional technique of immersion dyeing for creating a hand dyed silk scarf. I didn’t get any shots of that fun project (you’ll just have to trust me that it was awesome), but I did manage to take a few from our first video (seen here).
For the first video, Katie Mills of Lady Faye Jewelry (I’m buying this ring, BTDubs) taught us how to make simple brass bracelets, which could be customized with one’s initials using a letter stamp.
See those pretty brass bands above!
Photographer & videographer, Joe Tighe of A Couple of Dudes, was our skilled director & cameraman. He’s also finishing up the editing now, and I can’t wait to see the finished product. I’ll be sure to share it with you, of course, next month!
This past December I had the fun opportunity to sign up for the Great Necklace Exchange of 2011, hosted by Janette of Fashion Loves People. In short, this exchange consisted of making a necklace for a stranger and receiving a handmade necklace from a different stranger. I was a little intimidated at first–not knowing if I could make a necklace that I would be proud to share with someone I didn’t know–but I needed some motivation to get crafty. Without too much thought, I signed up and let the journey begin!
Well, here it is folks. My sixth and final hat. That’s all and there ain’t no more.
I used the same taupe colored felt that I used for my wedding veil. Using a scrap of it, I created a little faux feather, and added some vintage trimmings. The blue velvet leaves and blue-grey veil are from our instructor’s extensive collection of vintage frills & frippery. The tiny sparkle beads were from an old necklace I had.
You like?
Sadly, ladies and gentleman, my millinery class has come to an end. We met for the final time on Tuesday for our critique. However, I don’t think this will be the last time I make a hat. Oh no, I enjoy it way to much. I will find a way to make hats, even if I have to wait a few years… And luckily, I have a few more hats to share with you, including my second straw one–the little brown boater. You like?
Time for another hat making update! Next Tuesday is our final class period–the critique. I will have 6 finished hats to show (2 felt, 2 straw, 2 cocktail hats), and I couldn’t be happier with all of them. You’ve already seen my two felt hats–the cloche and the fedora. Now, say hello to my straw hat numero uno! I chose a black, finely woven straw and an eye-catching, geometric jacquard for the trim. I actually formed this hat rather quickly–I just grabbed the closest hat blocks (a flat top for the crown and a short, gently sloped brim) and steamed the straw material on the blocks in the few minutes I had before class was over. Turned out to be one of my favorites. It’s sleek and somewhat androgynous, perfect for everyday!
Taking some time for myself, soothing the slightly stressed soul with some crocheting and loved ones. Posting from me should be light again this week. I must get caught up on emails and laundry and hat sketches and other sundries that were ignored the last week or two.
See that little zig-zag business up top? That’s gonna be a throw! It seems like it will take about one million hours to complete, but I’m trying to be more of a “process crocheter”, rather than a “product crocheter”. I’m hoping the repetitive, simple pattern will help to calm some anxieties that are rising. You might remember the accounting test I was studying like a mad-woman for? Didn’t go so well. It was a long-shot, but at least I tried! Looks like I’ll be taking an accounting course this summer, in between wedding plans and exercising (yuck).
Good thing Fitzy’s always got my back! He’s so helpful with my craft projects. If “helpful” means eating my yarn and sitting on my handiwork. He’s lucky he’s so cute…
Hello, bookish readers! I’ve been absolutely smitten with textiles in the last year or so. When it comes to DIY projects, I can’t get enough. Inspired by this Embroidered Dolphin Pouch by Trulie Gifted, I got the idea to make book covers: the perfect way to protect your favorite new paperback on-the-go! And so, here’s how to go about it:
{ Disneyland Mad Tea Party 1957 from Mike Middleton }
Have I got a treat for you, little buddies! On this very special Tuesday, in this very beautiful month of April, we’d like to introduce you to Westervin’s newest guest blogger! Say “Hello!” to Amy E. (or Amykins, as I like to call her), everyone! What? I couldn’t hear you. Let’s try again. “Hello, Amy E.!” Amy is one crafty lady (along with many other talents), so with a dose of sass and a pinch of savvy, she’ll be sharing her DIY experiments with us. What’s first on the bill? Teacup candles! ‘Cause we should all know by now that vintage teacups aren’t just for tea (or Disneyland rides, for that matter). They’re also for crafting up some cuteness!