crafts

Crafts Hacks for makers; a digital vision board with clever tips, ideas, techniques and materials for DIY creations.

The Quilter
When I was younger, I was definitely an outdoor kid. Riding bikes, playing in the huge dirt pile my dad created, or just exploring the neighborhood. As I got older, I became a video gamer and tech geek, usually sitting at my computer playing a game or listening to music. Eventually I would learn the basics of computer repair and would often help out a friend with tech problems just for the challenge. I sold wine for twelve years, split between two different companies. After medical problems forced me to leave my job managing the wine shop at the Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire, I took the first job I could get: a part-time supervisor at a fabric store. That was when I learned I had an interest in quilting buried deep inside of me, like a genetic code hidden within, buried under my father’s genetic predisposition to tinker, build, and fix things. I could sew basic quilts, and I kind of enjoyed it.
By Jen Sullivan5 years ago in Lifehack
My Not-So Crafty Story
Why would you say ‘not-so crafty’? Well, see, because my story is about other people to be crafty. A few years ago, I took over the promotion for a worldwide charity collection at our small church. We filled shoe boxes, you know the cardboard boxes you get when you buy a pair of shoes. We filled them with toys and clothes and some hygiene items for children in other countries. Then, the non-profit organization Samaritan’s Purse would collect and ship them, seriously all over the world, from anywhere in Africa, Central and South America, through India and Russia. The recipients are children between the ages of 2 and 14, often living in orphanages. Some of the ones who live in small and remote villages are the main caretakers of their families. For many of these children it will be the only gift they will ever receive in their lives, the only not hand-me-down items but brand new and picked out just for them.
By HEIKE ODAY5 years ago in Lifehack
Paper Pusher with a Twist
The definition of paper pusher has always had a kind of negative connotation to it. The common meaning is someone who does paperwork for a living. Well, I was a paper pusher of sorts working as an administrative assistant for a computer company. I was asked by a coworker to help her create a diorama for her son’s school project. That was when I discovered you can really build just about anything out of paper. We built a Shakespearian theatre that is located in England. It turned out very well, so I started experimenting more with paper craft. As a member of our social committee at work, I was in charge of decorating cubicles for coworkers and managers birthdays as well as other special occasions. For one such occasion, I created a Hawaiian themed tiki hut. For another, a sunflower garden complete with a white fence and a flower garland complete with butterflies. All of this was done with paper! I continued experimenting over the years and have come up with many different types of paper craft projects. When I was working in the office, I always wished for more time to dedicate to creating artwork. My life changed dramatically a couple of years ago when I was diagnosed with a degenerative disease. I am currently disabled and no longer working, so now I have even more time to enjoy creating these unique art pieces. I have found it to be true that every cloud has a silver lining.
By Lacy Hall5 years ago in Lifehack
I Challenge You!
Hail and well met! I am Lady Eadaoin inghean Chionoidha of the Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA). I have been fascinated with historical dress since I was a little girl. Sadly, I had few outlets for it in a small town and didn't know how to express this love to my parents. I didn't even realize that I could make it myself! It was during my senior year of high school that I happened to stumble across the SCA. I didn't think I could ask my parents to drive me up to fighter practice after working all day, so I checked to see if there was one in the college town I would be going to in the fall.
By Shauna Holmes5 years ago in Lifehack
DIY Tie-Dye Tapestry
Are the walls of your new apartment or dorm plain and boring? There’s nothing that adds a lot of colors to a dull space like a tie-dye tapestry. They are available for purchase at popular retailers, but you can also make your own customized tie-dye tapestry for half the price.
By Michala 5 years ago in Lifehack
Fit For a Princess
Scissors have been my go-to favorite crafting tool for as long as I can remember. Ever since my mom gave me my first pair of bright pink safety scissors when I was around five years old, I could not create fast enough. I made paper dolls, made my own little storybooks, cut out pictures in newspaper ads to use as food and merchandise for my Barbies, even gave myself a haircut once (I'm so sorry, Mom!) and when I started to learn how to sew as a child-- my Fiskars were invaluable to me and continue to be to this day.
By Alicia Foreman 5 years ago in Lifehack
The submarine
My whole adult life has been spent working with metal. From the very thin, foil almost, to projects of steel, inches in thickness. Most of my work you will never see. Unless of course you are in some industrial setting from salt to cullet, from concrete to gravel.
By Katie 5 years ago in Lifehack
Forgotten Love Rekindled
Once upon a lifetime ago, I loved sewing. As a little girl, I'd watch my mom sew really beautiful dresses for me--for my first day of school, for my Brownies induction ceremony, for a birthday party... until she didn't. My brothers and I were growing like weeds and Mom had to go to work to help make ends meet. The sewing machine sat curiously in a lonely corner. After some years and some really well-timed hinting, she opened up the machine and taught me to use it--just a little. I made simple Barbie clothes by recycling fabric of outgrown clothes.
By Mary Lou Nielsen5 years ago in Lifehack
Trash to Treasure.
Many crafts satisfy me, but if I were to choose a craft or project, it would be the trash to treasure project (I do not know if it is a craft or a project.) What even is a waste to treasure project? trash to treasure project is where you make different articles (a hot air balloon, stain class, a toilet, the list is endless, honest) out of scrap (primarily cans, bottle caps, leftover paper, cardboard, and textile.)
By Ceo Of Dying5 years ago in Lifehack
For the Love of Fiber Art
When friends ask me how I stay sane being a stay-at-home mom, I always tell them that fiber keeps me sane! This is true in more ways than one.
By Danielle Hall5 years ago in Lifehack
Scrap Love by Tracy 💜
Hi I’m Tracy, creator of Scrap Love. I make original textile artwork by cutting down old clothes and unwanted fabrics, then stitching them back together in unique and unexpected ways. This craft of mine started in April of 2020 as a way to pass the time during quarantine. Up until then I had been working in a costume shop that made mascot costumes and puppets for live entertainment venues. If you ever saw Sesame Street Live or Paw Patrol Live, you saw my work in action. In the shop, there were always piles of fabrics that were up for grabs as room had to be made for new inventory, and I ended up amassing a huge amount of textiles without knowing exactly what I was going to do with them.
By Tracy Schultz5 years ago in Lifehack
Five Reasons You Should Make a Pandemic Scrapbook
As we are getting to what I sincerely hope is the end of the pandemic, I have been wondering if there is anything from the past year that I want to save. The past year was a significant moment in history. It has taught us lessons about society and ourselves, that are going to shape us for the rest of our lives, and that we may one day want to share with the next generation.
By Joyce Kay5 years ago in Lifehack