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 feel like I’ve joined an elite club of hip craftsters. I know how to screenprint! Well, I had a couple glasses of wine during my screenrprinting lesson, so I might not be able to recall all the details. I think I’ve got the general idea, though!
Because I’m working with the Lillstreet Art Center this summer on a series of DIY video tutorials, including “How to Screenprint a Onesie”, I was invited to one of their new art parties to actually see how it’s done. Claire (pictured above left) put together a fun screenprinting party for some ladies and bloggers-about-town, including myself and my good pal LB. The ladies behind Events By Willow (pictured above center and right) brought the wine and yummy snacks!
Thanks for coming along, LB!
After we filled our tummies, we grabbed our aprons, and the fun began. I don’t want to give too much away about the process — you’ll have to wait for our video to learn how to screenprint yourself. But the following pictures from Lillstreet’s photographer & videographer, Joe Tighe (and instagrams from me!) should give you an idea of how much fun it is!
If you just can’t wait for our video to find out how to be a cool screenprinter like me and LB, look for short workshops at local art centers or screenprinting studios. You might be surprised at how affordable they can be. Lillstreet will even host a private screenprinting party for you and your crafty buddies. I think I know what I want to do for my birthday (hint hint, Brian…)!
You: Wow, Sarah! Are you crocheting?
Sarah: Why, yes. Yes I am.
You: That’s so cool!!!!!! I wanna be just like you.
Sarah: Well, you can be. Let me show you how.
We’re on the last leg or our crafting journey, and we’re finally getting to the fun stuff. Crocheting! You heard me right. We’re gonna learn how to crochet. Remember when I said I was gonna teach myself to crochet? Well I did! That weekend. For serious. It wasn’t nearly as difficult as I thought it would be. If I can do it, you can too. And remember, if you get frustrated and wanna give up, just refer to the “30 Steps to Mastery“.
This is exciting. Trust me. Let me introduce to you another esteemed guest blogger: Jed “Ray” of Ray’s Garden. From time-to-time I hope to check in with Jed to see how his world of green-living and garden-growing is going. In his first guest-post on Westervin, he’ll be taking us through some composting basics:
When we first moved into my most recent house I decided to start composting. Composting is just a win-win-win situation. Not only is it a great way to give back to the environment, but it reduces your waste, and it’s a great way to add organic matter to gardens.