Monthly Archives: August 2014

Aug 31 2014

DIY Office Supplies (or Convention Displays)

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I was wandering around on Pinterest the other day and one of my dear friends has a folder that she keeps on her Pinterest page of all the things she thinks I would love.  And let me tell you, she is always right!  Anyway, one of the things she put up there was a DIY cross-stitch office supply tutorial and I cannot wait to try it!

Camille Styles shows us how to turn ordinary office supplies into something unique that we can call our own!

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All you need in addition to the holey desk supplies are some spray paint (if you want), some yarn or thick Baker’s Twine, needles and scissors!  And don’t forget your imagination!  You could create your own cross-stitch pattern.  Put in your favourite video game sprite, some Celtic knots, or just an abstract design.  Anything you want!  You could even use beads to make the design instead of cross-stitching it.

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This puts so many ideas into my heads to snazz up my next convention table!  I am so happy that I just so happen to have 4 of these card/letter stands in my craft room upstairs.  Complete happy accident!  Honest!

– Lindsay

Aug 30 2014

Smooth-On and Glow Worm Powder

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When we were at Gen Con there was this really interesting booth next to us.  It was a company called Smooth-On.  I didn’t really understand what it was at first until one of our Craft Hacker members started getting all excited about it.  From their site:

“You may never have heard of us, but you’ve seen our products at work. If you’ve ever been to the movies, admired a piece of sculpture, marveled at detailed architectural ornamentation or used a telephone; then you’ve encountered the handiwork of people who use Smooth-On rubbers, plastics, foams and other products to turn their ideas into 3-dimensional reality.”

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They make the materials that you use to make Special Effects, Sculpture, Restoration, Prototypes, and much more!  I watched them explain it to people walking by and played with some of the props and was really impressed.  I realized later that their product wasn’t just for props and costume accessories (which are amazing), but has many many crafting applications including candle making.

 

If you would like to learn more about their mold making and casting process check out their website here.  I plan on talking about some of their specific products in the upcoming months so if there is something specific you would like me to talk about, let me know.

-Toni

Aug 29 2014

Quiltoni

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Return the favor she bestowed upon me a few weeks back, I want to talk a bit about the head of our site here: Toni.

Toni

Yup. Our fearless leader. ^_~

While we’ve only known each other for the past few years, Toni and I have so much in common that it feels like longer. And during that time, she has always been synonymous with quilting and quilts in my mind. I have family members that quilt of course, but Toni was the first person I saw do something with it that I would enjoy cause -let’s face it- most of the younger generations out there look at quilts a bit distastefully as their geometric designs and patterns don’t hold much appeal in our media saturated world. Thankfully, Toni agreed with the concept as not long after learning how to do it, she started making quilts that we didn’t even know we wanted until we saw them.

Mega Man Quilt

Totoro Quilt

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Once she saw how much people enjoyed her work on forums like sprite stitch, Toni decided to put her degree to use and make a business out of it. She’s been making quality hand made quilts ever since really, and I’m always amazed by the beautifully complex designs and custom works she consistently turns out.

Star Trek Queen Sized Quilt

Kirby Dreamland Lap Quilt

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Give her a shout out in the forums or even peruse her site if you have time. She’s a wonderful woman whose more than happy to talk to people about what she does. 🙂

~Nicole

Aug 28 2014

Meet the Hackers: Fan Expo

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If you live anywhere near Ontario all everyone is talking about this week is Fan Expo.  Opening day is today and it runs four days in Toronto at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre.  There are some great guests you can see such as Matt Smith, Karen Gillan, Nathan Fillion, Patrick Stewart, Stan Lee, William Shatner, Elijah Wood, Hulk Hogan, and so much more!

 

There are also some fantastic artists you can see including Craft Hacker member Geek @ <3.

FanExpo

 

She can be found at booth A43.  She will have her hand made bows and jewelry.  So if you are planning on going to FanExpo, make sure you stop by and say hello!

-Toni

Aug 27 2014

If I only had a cat…

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I live in a pet-free house and not by choice!  The husband is allergic to the fluffy cuteness that are kitties and our place just isn’t “appropriate” for a dog right now.  You can tell that I’ve been fighting this battle for a while now!  🙂  As a result, I am always lamenting about the lack of furry creatures in my life.  However, this does not stop me from looking up things that I would buy them if I could!

Miso Handmade makes the cutest toys for cats (and dogs).  Who wouldn’t want fortune cookie or zombie toys for their pet?  I know I would and just as soon as a particular someone gives in, I will have squeaky donut toys for my puppy!

Fortune Cookies Zombie Donuts

Check out her etsy store!  You will not be sorry!  Well, at least not until your kitty is high on catnip!  🙂  Enjoy!

– Lindsay

Aug 26 2014

Let’s do the Time Warp Again!

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Do you love steampunk? Rhetorical I’m sure as steampunk is beautiful as an art and fascinating as a sci-fi concept. But, do you also like Doctor Who? While both deal with time travel, the two surprisingly don’t meet as often as you may think they should but when they do…..oh. Just. Just look.

BAD WOLF Pocket Watch by Time Machine Jewlwery

Hidden Universe Locket by Time Machine Jewlery

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SO PRETTY!! 😀

This talented artist of Time Machine Jewelry works out of Illinois, and while I found their shop through their beautiful crossover genre pieces, they also have a wide variety of more typical steampunk jewlery, as well as recreation pieces from the Victorian and Edwardian eras.

Bridal Necklace by Time Machine Jewlery

Victorian Era Steampunk Necklace by Time Machine Jewlery

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you’re looking for a new piece for your costume I definitely suggest giving their work a look over as their price point is unreal for the quality work they do. ^_^

~Nicole

 

Aug 25 2014

Maker Faire in Milwaukee

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The Maker Faire is coming to Milwaukee on Sept 27 & 28th at the Wisconsin State Fair Park.  What is a Maker Faire?

Maker Faire is the Greatest Show (and Tell) on Earth—a family-friendly showcase of invention, creativity and resourcefulness, and a celebration of the Maker movement. It’s a place where people show what they are making, and share what they are learning. Makers range from tech enthusiasts to crafters to homesteaders to scientists to garage tinkerers. They are of all ages and backgrounds. The aim of Maker Faire is to entertain, inform, connect and grow this community.

Maker Faire Milwaukee will feature makers showing off technology, art and craft making, electronics, pyrotechnics, engineering, gardening, and other projects created by the makers themselves. In addition to displays and exhibits, Maker Faire will feature a Power Racing Series event, FIRST ROBOTICS teams and special performances, speakers, demonstrations and workshops featuring 3D printing, laser cutting, microcontrollers, learn to solder, science experiments… and much more.

The best thing about the Maker Movement is it is FREE to attend!  If you are a crafter, artisan, tinker, etc and you want to exhibit then fill out this form ASAP because it is after the deadline, but they may still consider you.

If you live anywhere near the Milwaukee area (or want to visit for the weekend) then you should put this on your things to do list.  It looks like an amazing time.

If you would like to see some of the artists that will be showing their talent, things to do, or anything about the faire you could possibly want to know, head over to their site at https://makerfairemilwaukee.com/.

 

Aug 24 2014

Gnomes!

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I don’t think there’s anything I love better than gnomes!  No matter what’s going on, gnomes can always put a smile on my face!  This is why I was so excited to crochet my very own gnome at GenCon.  Still not finished that, by the way…  🙂

Today I’m going to share with you a few of my favourite handcrafted gnomes.

First, from Hello Little Cloud, we have a super cute polymer clay gnome.  He is so adorable that I want bunches of him and will just hide them around the house and at work!  Then Work of Whimsy presents us with a gnome wedding cake topper that’s made of paper clay and wood.  Such an amazing way to make your wedding cake unique and utterly awesome!  Wendy’s Ceramics allows us to paint our very own gnomes.  I think I’ll be ordering one or five of these!

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Now, if you’re looking for something that’s not as cute as the typical gnome, how about a zombie gnome?  These will definitely scare away the birds and bugs from your garden.  And maybe even little children!  Check out RevevantFX for all the best in zombie garden gnomes!

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Finally, I’ll share with you some ways to incorporate gnomes into your day-to-day!  For starters, how about with jewelry?  Savoir Faire Jewelry does just that with this stamped gnome necklace.  I don’t think anyone’s Christmas tree can be complete without this felt gnome ornament from Enchanted Forest Craft.  And lastly, Dot and Ann turn gnomes into fantastic aprons!

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Are you with me yet on how gnomes are awesome?  Come on!  Just admit it!!  🙂

– Lindsay

Aug 23 2014

A New Challenger Approaches

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One of the things I’ve loved the most about being into ‘fandoms’ for shows/movies/genres, is finding that community that you just instantly feel apart of thanks to your shared interest. Something that I see happening more and more as I go to cons now as an adult is how often younger children are being encouraged to join and express their love as well. Not to say it didn’t happen at those cons when I was 14, I’m just more aware of it now I think. So today, I wanted to celebrate the youngest generation of fans and the things their parents do to help them join in the fun. ^_^

Doctor Who Themed Mobile by lausz7

 

Avengers Bunny Mobile by P-isfor-Plushes

It can start before they are even born as you can see above with these adorable mobiles. My husband and I have agreed on a video game themed nursery personally, but I will definitely take a note from these artists and make a mobile. Speaking of babies, a crafter named Darling Army actually specializes in making baby bibs (among other clothing pieces) from a wide rage of fandoms, and I highly recommend checking out at her store.

Oh my ovaries. Toddler cosplay. There is nothing better.

By the time they are 2-4, kids begin to express what they are interested in and what they want to dress up as and I love seeing parents that go the extra mile to help. A+ job parenting for all these children. Children are just (if not more!) passionate about what they love, and adorable to boot. I could just go on and on covering kids and their crafty parents, but I’ll just point you towards these resources instead, should you be interested in learning more.

~Nicole

Aug 22 2014

Meet The Hackers: Intervention

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This weekend is Intervention in Washington DC.  It is a unique convention that celebrates everything internet.  So comics, blogs, videos, podcasts, and makers are all guests at the convention.

They offer many things to do including workshops (there is a cool one Saturday where you can learn to make your own web series), arcade gaming, board gaming, larp, and movies and video.  Oh and they have an artist alley!

This is important because Craft Hacker member White Tree Chainmail will be there!

You can find him at table 54.  Make sure you stop by and say hi to him!  This is his debut convention as a Craft Hacker and I can’t wait.  His table looks amazing and he has some really fantastic Chain Mail items for sale.  Oh and make sure you have fun!

Toni