[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).

exciting projects being showcased at the what are you making forum thread

bitter betty is tatting necklaces/collar - they were the sort of thing a girl might make from the abandoned detritus of a romance gone bad
to help ease the boredom of her own isolation.

ric rac has these quick fix button rings [tutorial]

the long thread is making the cutest plush geese [pattern/tutorial]

maurtiz is showcasing her finished quilt

and the most gorgeous plush toy diggers at elsie marley

more at the what are you making thread at the forum

zebra knits is making an african quilt

foxy art studio repurposed a mens cashmere sweater

lulalouise has a tutorial for a reversible shoulder bag

paper and cloth has a great idea for using some of those beautiful christmas cards

Am loving some of the projects that people are posting on the forum:

Like this guitar bag (with tutorial - see link) boredandcrafty blog

and this gorgeous girls cape (perfect for our month of children’s crafts)

Also Jan 22 there is a craft mafia meetup - If you’re interested in becoming a member or just want to meet some new people, come on out! Bring a friend, the more the merrier! all info here.

anyone know anything ‘they might be giants’ knitted puppets?

more on ‘is selling your craft worthwhile?’

Selling your arts & crafts for a living IS a hard job, but I wouldn’t trade it for the world… I’ve heard lots of great advice from various people, but one of the best things to keep in mind is… ‘Don’t have all your eggs in one basket’. That might mean making/selling a variety of things, it might mean selling in a variety of places, etc… each person has a different idea, but definitely diversify and expose yourself to a wider market, and you’ll have more success… more visibility in the world…

get involved at the forum | join in to the ‘what are you making’ show and tell | introduce yourself here and meet others too | find out about swaps - Elsa Marley is hosting a mobile swap - mobiles for your baby’s room or your home, made out of any material using any pattern you can dream up - information here | tell us about exhibitions and artists you admire - such as Bonita Sennott’s exhibition “The Dickinson Series: Paintings and Lace”, at the Center Gallery at Kingston Gallery in Boston to the end of December | join the discussion ‘is selling your craft worthwhile‘ or start your own discussion topic.

this thread at the forum is still active and current and there are some awesome projects being added.

dabbled posted about her elepurse made from felted recycled woolen sweaters.

fabulous is making adorable pillows (see etsy store)

and ric rac has an absolutely adorable teapot softie - with tutorial.

and elsa marley has a pattern for a half eaten gingerbread man ornament (bit late but too adorable to miss out on)

knitology has been making very cool bags - called the Shirt Sleeve Tote and is made with re-purposed fabric from a men’s shirt, and also has a hat pattern available for free download on her site. [sorry knitology link here]

What are you making thread is still going - get on over and add your current project - little thing has a link to a tutorial on making this lovely patchwork basket and the long threads has instructions on making silhouettes of people. Both of these would make neat gifts for family.

Carrie is selling her craft room and handmade goodies in order to pay some vet bills - check out this forum thread to find out more.

check out the ideas for mens christmas gifts - and add your suggestion too at this forum thread.

towhee has a link to an interesting article on craft at this thread here - read the article and let us know what you thought.

gracie has a question - does anyone know if pebeo setacolour dyes are safe or toxic? give your thoughts at this thread. Gracie is in desperate need of some advice for good quality books on natural dyeing, she is living in an isolated area and needs to do some shibori - give your advice at this thread.

check out more on the forum:

Gracie desperately need some advice for good quality books on natural dyeing - if you can help go this forum thread.

Buhnuh says: I’m running low on ideas for my Dad and 21 year old Brother. If I give my little brother one more knitted beanie I think he might throw it at me! - ideas at this forum thread

See what everyone is making at this forum thread:

Towhee is submitting to The Visual AIDS Postcards from the Edge exhibit is coming up on World AIDS Day, December 1st.

fabulous fabulous is making laptop cozies

And some lovely little booties from bored and crafty

the forum is slowly gaining momentum and people are using it to ask advice from fellow crafters. Nancy is asking about buddha board paper - which you paint with water, creating a work that disappears when the water dries? - what it is exactly and where to purchase it? and Betsy bush is asking about how to make a t-shirt with a circle

A few more hours left to post your whiplash entry and be in the running to win one of the fabulous prizes on offer - check out prizes here and include your entry in this forum thread.

Our new forum is slowly gaining momentum - there is lots going on over there - the Oct/Nov whiplash - mixed media and fibre jewellery competition thread has some great entries in it - go and check them out and then upload your own entry - read more information here.

biscuit bear is offering magazine giveaways - the what are making forum thread is super popular - tell us what you are doing and you may get featured here at whipup. Polyrific is asking for sewing tips - she is a beginner and would like to know some basic how-to’s sewing maching tips and reading a pattern etc. links to sewing sites would be good.

There are some great ideas about future feature posts at the forum thread - ideas include exhibition reviews (doing more), art quilts (yep doing that too), how about unusual crafts? Like the guy that makes eyeball prosthetics or “glass eyes”, or those who polish those weird dirt balls (sounds like fun). Historical crafts and polymer clay (anyone want to contribute an article - read our submission guidelines)

Check out this thread at the forum and add your current project to the list.

my creativity journal made a patchwork apron

mary, jane and midge are making gruesome knitted eyeballs and have a pattern to go with.

Check out this thread at the forum and add your current project to the list.

Towhee says: I just finished a vinyl totebag yesterday with Kaffe Fassett lining. No pattern, just improvisational sewing. It was like painting with scissors.

tatting my doilies made a softie knitted squid and now is working on a sea monster … beware the kraken from the deep!

mveian - I made a bread bag out of linen this week, - and love it already! Guess I have to make a few more when a change is needed. (with tutorial)

meggymac says I’ve fallen for Built By Wendy patterns. My first attempt was inspired by the shirt pattern in her book, Sew U. I’ve called it the Heather Ross Cowgirl Shirt

check out what everyone is making over at the forum - and add your link too - what is your current project?

sammi bag is giving away halloween PDF downloadable printable decorations to use to make halloween goodie bags and notebooks.

foxy art studio is making inchies - to find out more about these check out this PDF tutorial and pattern from quilting arts.