see what everyone is making at the forum

Beruta has made an adorable doggy from an old tablecloth and this beautiful Indian (Native American) doll. Part of her series on world dolls – plush ladies.

see what everyone is making at the forum

lil birdie is into cupcakes – and has a tutorial for making both of these – a recycled cupcake and a cupcake bag

zebra knits posted a link at the whats knitting forum – she made a beautiful cabled throw

vintage ric rac is making selvedge scarves. Tell us what you are making at this forum thread and see what others are making too.

check out the paper lamp at ihanna thanks mereteveian for the link. send in your links for ephemeral crafts via this forum thread.

[forum discussion]

vintage ric rac – bag tutorial

all around us – needle felted rabbit

lil birdie stitches – patchwork ball tutorial

sew christine – wallet tutorial

There is a definite revival of DIY in our culture. It’s interesting a question as to how this all started. My belief is that it parallels the last revivial of DIY spirit in the 1970s. At that time as well as today people felt disconnected, isolated, and desperate. People struggle to be heard especially in relationship to war and a repressive government. Art making of any kind is therapuetic and it restores our sense of empowerment. The DIY movement has been sparked by several different, maybe complimentary reasons:

• the need for individuals to have an outlet.
• the need to form community.
• the need to access ones independence as a reflection of the ill equipped nature of the state.
• the need to invest in the self.
• the need for revolution.
• the need for economic independence.

The nature of the DIY movement is thus to satisfy the retaliatory nature that arises when one feels repressed, isolated, and lacking the independence that every individual has a right to.

[comment on this discussion at the forum]

Have you noticed that a very high number of crafters-artists-makers have cats? I`m afraid that this gives us a lot of clues about both personalities and way of living…
What do you think about it?

[read more and comment on this discussion here] [check out the crafting with cats flickr group]

I was curious as to what you guys think, but does it seem like crafting/ homemade projects are more popular lately than they have been in years? For example, I’m in my early twenties, and everyone around me (that is also in their twenties) is knitting! (okay, some are croqueting…)[crocheting] Men and women alike.

I wanted to hear some feedback on this. Why do you think it’s having it’s own… renaissance… if you will. I’m more interested in knitting, since it’s something that i usually associate with my grandmother and pregnant aunts (no offense!!) but really, overall, I’m intrigued. I’d love to hear what you have to say, or if you know any good articles that are related.

[read more and comment on this discussion at the forum]

Join the forum and showcase your stuff – make, do and sell…

beruta love the gorgeous cat (gato). Elsa marley with a sewing (book) prototype. The long thread and a fabulous plush rocket (pattern and instructions too). Oh the cuteness with a DIY umbrella light fixture (instructions).