Archive for Eleven Questions for Crafty People
Eleven Questions with Mark Frauenfelder
Posted by: | Comments
Mark Frauenfelder is the Editor in Chief of Make Magazine, the founder of the blog, Boing Boing and the author of a new book about his trials, triumphs and lessons learned with DIY projects, Made by Hand: Searching for Meaning in a Throwaway World.
A copy of Mark’s new book was sent our way – and we were instantly engulfed in both the creativity of his projects and his attitude towards DIY (mistakes are OK!). His DIY journey started when he, his wife and two young daughters moved the remote Island of Raratonga, part of the Cook Islands, to literally get away from it all and enjoy a simpler, more direct lifestyle where they could forge a deeper connection and more rewarding sense of involvement with the world around them.
Mark and his family did return to the comforts of California about a year later, but not without lessons learned. In the family’s time in Raratonga, Mark was inspired by the world and environment around him to adapt a DIY lifestyle. In the past few years he’s tackled gardening, keeping bees, building working guitars from cigar boxes, making yogurt and other food, and tutoring his daughter, amongst other projects. And, for those of you who have heard about my latest obsession with keeping chickens, Made by Hand is where I first got that idea.
Mark was kind enough to let us ask him a few questions about his new book and some of his recent DIY projects: Read More→
Eleven Questions for Crafty People: Marisa of New Dress a Day
Posted by: | Comments
The very crafty Marisa of New Dress a Day
You might remember our post from a few weeks ago on a fabulous blog find – New Dress a Day. LA-based, Marisa, wanting to get out of a creative slump designed an excellent DIY experiment: Using only $1 per day for a whole year, could she craft a new piece of clothing every day from a thrift store find with great potential? The answer is a resounding YES. With 136 days to go, Marisa has already proved that brick-and-mortar stores ain’t got nothin’ on a girl armed with a strict budget and a sewing machine.
We talked to Marisa about how to find great potential pieces in your local thrift store, if she’s ruined against shopping forever and the one tool she can’t live without….
What We Did This Week
Posted by: | CommentsEarlier this week, Lia and I met up with Jordan Reid, one of our favorite bloggers to talk about all things blogging, Internet and life related. We’re a little more than obsessed with her blog, Ramshackleglam. You’ll remember Jordan from her “11 Questions for Crafty People” a few months back. Here’s a pic of our night out!
Eleven Questions for Crafty People: Kate of Centsational Girl
Posted by: | Comments
The Centsational Kate
Super talented? Check. Beautiful home in California wine country? Check. Totally adorable? Check. Kate of Centsational Girl goes three for three, and it’s why I’m just kind of obsessed with her! I mean, her blog. Yes, that sounds less creepy…
In all seriousness, when Leslie of The DIY Diaries introduced us to Kate’s site, it quickly became one of our favorites because quite simply, she is incredibly creative. Though she is very crafty with her smaller DIY projects (these paper mache eggs are a recent favorite), it’s Kate’s simple and easy furniture renovations and redecoration projects that keep us coming back.
Kate was kind enough to talk with us on how you too can cast a discerning eye on flea market finds, how she learned to refurbish, and how she finds the time to do it all.
Eleven Questions for Crafty People: Laura Leu
Posted by: | Comments
Funny, crafty and always ready to eat, Laura Leu is the stuff girl crushes were made of.
By day, Laura Leu writes racy and hysterical articles for magazines like Time Out New York and Maxim. But don’t let her tales of awkward sex fool you – underneath the words lies a sweet Wisconsin girl who loves cheese, pickling her own veggies and decorating her adorable apartment in New York City.
Recently, Laura added a new adventure to her many (which includes cheerleading each year at the Coney Island hot dog eating contest) and it’s the ultimate DIY undertaking. Along with her boyfriend, she is trying to eat a meal from every nation on the planet without leaving New York City. With a catchy name – The Navigeaters – and big appetites they’ve set out to bring world cuisine into their lives for less — which is something we, as penny-pinchers who love food, fully appreciate.
We talked to Laura about her inspirations for home, how you can bring the food of the world to your table, and how you stay in shape when your blog requires you eat…constantly. Read More→
Eleven Questions for Crafty People: Jordan Reid
Posted by: | Comments
As one of the bloggers of NonSociety, Jordan Reid caught our eye for her honest, fresh approach to DIY. Her “I’ll try anything once!” attitude is so refreshing – so much of DIY is experimenting with various methods and materials until you find the perfect combination. Jordan just gets that. We love that no matter if she’s whipping up a quick dinner for friends or repainting a piece of furniture, she keeps it real – detailing what went right and what can be done to improve the next time in each post. Oh, and she’s totally gorgeous and married to an equally good-looking indie musician. Jealous!
Jordan took some time out from her busy schedule to answer some questions on finding balance at home, navigating the path to domestic goddess-dom and some of her favorite DIY projects.
Eleven Questions for Crafty People: Gretchen Hirsch
Posted by: | Comments
Gretchen Hirsch
Warning: The following interview might make you want to both a.) run out and buy a sewing machine and/or b.) invent a time machine to go back to the fabulous 50s.
For the uninitiated, meet Gretchen Hirsch. And trust when we say that you’ll want to get your Web browsing eyes over to her blog, Gertie’s New Blog for Better Sewing stat.
Gretchen is a home seamstress in Queens (holla!) aiming to make all 14 looks from her favorite vintage sewing book, “Vogue’s New Book for Better Sewing.” The book promises that by creating the looks within, she’ll become a better dressmaker – and she’s looking to prove them right. But along the way, she is making some incredible detours, sharing her trade secrets with readers and showing how they can recreate her incredible 50’s inspired style.
Gretchen recently walked us through where she gets her inspirations, her background and how you, too, might start on your way to creating, not just buying, your own fabulous wardrobe.
Eleven Questions for Crafty People: Edith Zimmerman
Posted by: | Comments
- The lovely and talented, Edith Zimmerman.
Yay! DIY is so happy to start off a new series today, “Eleven Questions for Crafty People.” We’re even happier to
Edith's parsnip mermaid attacks!
launch with Edith Zimmerman, food artist, writer and one of the newest editions to New York Magazine’s Culture Vulture blog.
I’d be lying if I didn’t mention that I’m a little obsessed with Edith’s blog and short stories, which walk the fine line between dark and hilarious. And it was through poking around the archives of her site that I discovered her other talent – hysterical food art.
Edith answered our questions on how she got started, finding inspiration in the produce aisle and why parsnips are awesome.
