Down the Rabbit Hole...and Out Again!

For my post today, I am offering up some sweet Etsy finds.  (I am too lazy to write, and plus I will use any excuse to virtually window shop!)  ;)  However, I thought I'd try to make things a little interesting; there will be no theme, per se, but each find will be in some way connected to the previous....let's see how things go!

My inspiration for this all begins with Alice in Wonderland...

...a red and black Mad Hatter painting by RW2Gallery

...leads to this red and black bracelet by lupin

...and a search for more bracelets lead me to this fabulous, reclaimed/recycled/repurposed crochet bracelet by fantasticplastics!

...so I searched for more "reclaimed" items, and found a mini zen garden by aimeesarmoire; (what a cool concept!)

...which leads up to lovely and unique yard art!  by steelknightdesigns

...so in connection with the Asian theme, I found this gorgeous "Opium" bracelet by lilikoicottage.

searching for more "drug-related" items, I stumbled upon this adorable little necklace by starsprinklez!

...and this brings us full circle. :)  a sweet print by thepoppytree.

Hope you enjoyed!!!

CRAFT ON!

Leanne

folkcraft.blogspot.com

Giveaway @ FolkCraft!

I haven't checked in with my cohorts to see if there's a Wichita Handmade giveaway this week, buuuut...... there IS a giveaway at Folk Craft!

Check it out, y'all!

Thanks and take care!

Leanne

Say NO to Sweatshops

Reasons #173 to buy handmade*:

Imports suck!

Yes, I may have mentioned this once...or twice....or 50 times.   But it's so true.  Imports from China (and other assorted countries) may be cheap, but they are going to cost in the long run; and they are costing some people right now.

It's no secret that most manufactures use child labor.  And it's no secret that the working conditions are atrocious.  People working in the factories, whether they are children or adults, are underpaid and overworked.  My neighbor, who is from Cambodia, says that her cousin in Cambodia is paid $0.75 per hour at the factory where he works.  And that's not the worst!

Of course, I have seen the phrase "Responsibly made in China" stamped onto products.  This may or may not be true.  But, even when working conditions are good, the money you spend on a Chinese import is money that is being drained from our economy.  

I know that it is sometimes impossible to find and item manufactured in the USA.  I myself have searched for particular items and have not found a one that wasn't made in China. It's a sad reality. 

HOWEVER--if you can buy an item that is made here, and preferably handmade, do it!  You won't be sorry.  You can feel good about supporting people within your community.  And you can feel good about having something unique, well-made, beautiful, or all of the above.  

I hate to have this sound like a commercial for Wichita Handmade.  It isn't.  This is a call to take positive action.   Please, be a responsible consumer!  Buy handmade, whether it's from me, my friends, crafters in your community, or any of the other millions of good folks on Etsy. 

Lovely pillow found on Etsy, handmade for you by FennelStudio!

Craft on!

Leanne

folkcraft.blogspot.com

*There may need to be some clarification about the term handmade; when I say handmade, I am referring to items created by artisans, who create items because they want to. 

Island of Misfit Crafts

As a crafter, I spend a lot of time making stuff, and, obviously, that stuff doesn't always turn out just the way I planned. Sometimes, that's because I'm working on something new and have to figure out all the quirks and work out the bugs. Other times, it's because I'm not paying attention and I muck it all up! Case in point, the potholder I made on Friday evening as a gift for a friend.

That's "Exhibit A" there on the left. Pretty quilted potholder with a big blank field of blue! For some reason, it didn't register with me that I needed to add the embroidery before I sewed the whole thing together. Never mind that this is the fourth time I have made this particular potholder. Yep! I got to start over and make another potholder! That's it on the right, just so you know what it should really look like!

Anyway, the question is always what to do with these poor misfit crafts! The misfit potholder went to my kitchen to serve as a constant reminder that the embroidery is the middle step and not the last one! I also have a patchwork puppy on my couch. He taught me the not-so-good way to stitch up a puppy after stuffing him. I've also got a host of bags that I ran out of fabric on or forgot to put in the pockets or fastener.

Some of these pieces are given away; some are bad enough to be pitched in the trash. Most of them stay in my house - The Island of Misfit Crafts.

Emily's Tool Box #2

This week's tool is... is... well I don't know that it has a name. My figure painting teacher used one and told us how to make our own. I call it a "pouncer" and don't ask me why, except maybe it's because he said his daughter like to POP him on the head with it. Simply it is a long dowel with some pantyhose on one end, held on with rubber bands. The dowel acts as a resting place for your wrist to avoid laying your hand in wet paint. It helps steady my shaking hands as I paint fine details. The pad (pantyhose) on the end keeps the dowel from scratching the surface of the painting. Another simple, but handy tool I created myself and use all the time.

Trinket Tuesday WINNER!

SHILOH
YOU WIN!

This set of Fire Cracker Pony O's are yours. Enjoy this piece of Wichita and think of us when you see them!
Congratulations and thanks for entering!
Be sure to check back next week to see what Wichita Handmade has to offer!

Stitch like you know how.

Recently, I've been obsessed with crocheting baskets to use around the house. My first one was made with a giant hook and strips of cotton scraps; the result is a fabric that is thick enough to stand up well enough on its own and hold my current needlework projects. Now I'm working on a couple wool ones that will be felted (or "fulled") in the washer. And the crazy thing is that I don't know how to crochet!!

Okay...technically--or perhaps not-so-technically--I guess I do know how to crochet, or I wouldn't be doing it...but I don't know the right way to crochet. I don't think I'm making the stitches in the...ahem..."standard" way. I can't read a crochet pattern. All I know is that I'm pulling one loop through another loop. But you know what? It works! I'm accomplishing what I want, and that is to create a basket-shape piece of fabric.

When people are hesitant to try new things, I think that many times it's because they are afraid they'll do it the "wrong" way. Granted, there are some things that must be in a certain way, like, you know, performing surgery or repairing your car. However, this is not the case with crafting!

When it comes to crafts and the arts, I would definitely say that the end justifies the means. There may be an easier or more conventional way to do something, but it's all up to the artist. There is no cosmic rule that says "paint must be applied in this way," "your stitches must look like this," or "you must use this fabric." Though there are some people who might say these things, the craft gods aren't waiting to strike you down if one of these "rules" are broken.

Think about the very first artists. The people who invented knitting, weaving, the ones who did the first paintings on a cave wall. The first artists certainly didn't have anyone tell THEM what to do, nor did they have any training! They made it up, and it was alright. It was more than alright, in fact, it was the beginning of ART!

So to make a long rant short: when it comes to crafts, art, and creativity in general, do what you feel like doing. Some projects might not turn out as well as you expected. This is how we learn! And, on the other hand, you may stumble upon something original and completely fabulous.

Craft on!

Leanne

folkcraft.blogspot.com

PS--Folk Craft is having a giveaway! Check out the Folk Craft blog

and enter; a winner will be drawn on Friday, June 19th.

Trinket Tuesday GIVEAWAY

This Gorgeous Set of
FIRE CRACKER PONY 'S
Could be yours!

How to ENTER?
Leave a comment letting me know you want it
want ANOTHER entry?
"Follow" this blog. Add yourself over on the right sidebar
(Already are? You're automatically entered in, Just remind me)
Want to be added in again?
Make a post about this giveaway on your own blog with a link
(be sure to let me know)

Okay, another 5 entries?!?!

Go on over to Ribbon Candy and browse around for a while and pick your very favorite item in her shop. Tell me your favorite with a link in a comment.
********************************
Winner is chosen through a random number generator
The giveaway closes on FRIDAY, June 5th!
********************************
Would you like to be a sponsor for Trinket Tuesday? Email me !

Trinket Tuesday WINNER!

SARASOPHIA
YOU WIN!
tout-est-des-roses.blogspot.com
This adorable little Apron is yours. Enjoy this piece of Wichita and think of us when you are whipping up those cherry pies!
Congratulations and thanks for entering!
Be sure to check back next week to see what Wichita Handmade has to offer!

People Who Aren't in the Group (YET...) ;)

Naturally, the first thing I think of when I want to buy something locally handmade is--say it with me--Wichita Handmade!!

But...there isn't anyone in the group yet that offers local wool.  (Or any wool, for that matter.)  Then I realize that there are other craftspeople in the area who may not have an etsy shop, and therefore, aren't in the group...yet.  

Here are some Kansas goodies that you haven't seen at Wichita Handmade...YET!!!

Head down to Historic Delano and there you will find a lil' yarn shop called Twist; inside, the walls are lined with skein after skein of magically delicious yarns!  And there, you will also find bags of lovely, unspun wool, waiting to be made into lovely, knittable filament, courtesy of Naked Pines Ranch.  [I am currently working through a bag of luscious brown alpaca...]

If you're looking for something new, check out the Mosley Street Market.  This hidden gem is located at 312 N. Mosley; the format is similar to a flea market, and the shops are varied.  There are a few sellers who deal mainly in mass-produced wares, but there are also quite a few who sell their handmade items.

This is the first lovely I bought from the market, and I am so sad to say that I did not find out the name of the lady who makes these cute wallets, pouches, and purses.  But she was sewing when I purchased it!

I also bought a soy lotion candle [scent: Cool Rain] from Good Stuff Inc., and my mom found some great hand cream there, too.  (And this cream--it works soooo much better than anything from a department store!)

These are just a few examples of the sweet handmade things you can find here in Wichita.  There are many more, and I will no doubt keep you updated on the crafty goodness in posts to come.

Peace out!

Leanne

{Folk.etsy.com and SugarPickle.etsy.com}

Trinket Tuesday GIVEAWAY

It's Time for a GIVEAWAY!

REGISTER NOW, WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED ON FRIDAY!

This Gorgeous Apron Could be yours!
How to ENTER?
Leave a comment letting me know you want it
want ANOTHER entry?
"Follow" this blog. Add yourself over on the right sidebar
(Already are? You're automatically entered in, Just remind me)

Want to be added in again?
Make a post about this giveaway on your own blog with a link

Okay, another 5 entries?!?!

Go on over to Ribbon Candy and browse around for a while and pick your very favorite item in her shop. Tell me your favorite in a comment.
********************************
Winner is choosen through a random number generator
The giveaway closes on FRIDAY, June 5th at High Noon

Emily's Tool Box #1

Welcome to the first in a series where I will highlight a tool I use in my various arts. Part of why I enjoy making things is being able to use all the coolest tools to make making things easier and more efficient. Sometimes I feel I have too many tools, but I wouldn't want to be caught without one that I need. I love shopping for, looking at, creating, and using new tools. Some tools are works of art in themselves. I really enjoy tools and I think as fellow creative individuals we may share this appreciation for THE RIGHT TOOL.

This week's tool is the BEVEL TOOL. I had seen one in a catalog and could've ordered it from China, but thought I could make one just as easy. So that's what I did. I have actually sold quite a few of these at Wichita Pottery where they have all sorts of clay classes.

Okay, so what does it do? Well I gave you a hint a second ago. It is used for clay, specifically slab building. When building things with slabs in clay, you often need to join two slabs either at a corner or butting them together. However, the joint is much stronger if is an angled cut rather than a straight one. So this is where the BEVEL TOOL comes in. It makes straight cuts and bevels them by simply sliding this tool along the side of the slab. The wire is mounted at an angle which cuts the clay. The shell on top of the tool is to add tension to the line and is merely slipped in.

If you want a BEVEL TOOL of your own without having to make it, visit Wichita Pottery.

I would love to hear about your favorite tool. Maybe I will highlight it in a future post!