See more from this member on their Handmade Spark mini-site.

How to Make A Good Listener

Today you will learn how to make a good listener.

For this project, you will need a 100% wool sweater and a small collection of wool sweater scraps and cotton fabric scraps.  Solid, striped or patterned.  As with the Tiny Birdhouse, Swittens, andSweater Mouse projects, add your wool sweater (do not dismantle it yet) to the laundry batch and wash and dry on normal to felt.  This project also requires aneedle, thread, an embroidery hoop, embroidery thread, and somestuffing like organic cotton stuffing, hemp fibers or wool.  We are known to borrow synthetic filling from retired threadbare elderly friends.  I’ll admit, I’m kind of fancy and I opt to insert a small bean bag or pebble-filled bag in the base of the owl to provide ballast.

Final owl size is determined by the size of your sweater.  Cut a sleeve off your sweater near the armpit, leaving the side seam alone.  Lay the sleeve flat so the seam sits naturally at the side.  Trim the armpit end (SLEEVE BOTTOM) in a semi-circle about 10” away from the wrist end of the sleeve, matching front and back.  Cut a long symmetric lens-shaped piece (BASE) from the sweater fabric, matching the length of SLEEVE BOTTOM.  Turn SLEEVE inside out.  With right sides together, sew BASE to SLEEVE BOTTOM.  Turn right side out.  Place a pebble-filled fabric bag (this is simple to make) inside the sleeve.  Insert stuffing into the owl, filling ¾ up to the sleeve.

Now, you and your starry-eyed design team must do a little research and envision your friend’s outcome.  Things you should probably consider: curved beak, facial disk and ear tufts.

All owls have a short, curved, downward-facing beak that is hooked at the end.  It is designed for gripping and tearing prey.  As well, the bill is curved downwards in order to keep the owl’s field of vision clear.  To make the owl beak, cut a diamond shape out of lightweight wool sweater scrap material.  Fold the diamond in half and sew at the edges.  To provide some shape, insert a teensy bit of stuffing inside before putting in the final stitch.  To provide a curve, use small internal stitches to “grab” the pointy tip and pull it down and back toward the base.

Many owl species have large parabolic facial disks called “ruffs” that focus sound—not unlike a parabolic microphone.  Its shape ensures that all distant sound waves that strike the surface parallel to the central axis (the direction the owl’s face is pointed) will be focused exactly on the owl’s ears.  To make the owl’s facial disk, place a lightweight contrasting sweater into an embroidery hoop.  Sew on the beak.  Add eye “patches” with frayed fabric scraps, stitching at the edges.  Embroider curved sleepy eyes with a backstitch.  Just in case you need it, Purl Beehas a fantastic backstitch tutorial.  Embellish the owl’s face with frayed wool or cotton fabric scraps—add a “cere” or “operculum” at the top of the beak where the nostrils are set, add “brows” above the eyes—use your best judgment.  Then, remove your sweater from the embroidery hoop.  To make the owl’s facial disk., cut a large oval around the beak and eyes.  Sew it to the front of the owl’s body.

An owl’s ear openings are often asymmetrically-set (one ear is placed slightly higher than the other) which increases sound reception.  This is fantastic news for someone like me who finds symmetrical sewing to be somewhat challenging.  Some owls have ear tufts—these are located on the top of the head and are often referred to as “horns” or “ears” but are really just clusters of long feathers and have nothing to do with the owl’s ability to hear.  There are several interesting hypotheses about just why these exist (e.g. provide camouflage, threaten predators, provide intra-species recognition), but the mystery remains unsolved in the scientific world.  Just a small something for you and your tiny team to think about.

To make ear tufts, you must first tuck in the SLEEVE TOP and stitch, leaving about 2 inches un-sewn on both sides.  These unsewn sides will form the owl’s ear tufts.  To fully form ear tufts, make indentations with stitching on outer sides.  Embellish the ear tufts with frayed cotton remnants.  Use lightweight contrasting sweater remnants for wings.

There.  You are done.  You have made a good listener.

And everybody likes a good listener.

~Marcie

Mossy is a website devoted to families who share a love of slowing down, simplifying, finding connections, getting dirty, playing outside, community gardens, things with history, small houses, tag sales, compost bins, early risers, dirty fingernails, dirty feet, hiking, mudpies, field guides, good music, dress-up bins, and all things handmade.

See more from It’s Our Earth on their Handmade Spark Mini Site.

Recently while searching Handmade Spark for artists/crafters who create with recycled materials, Emily Kircher’s fun colorful pieces caught my eye. Cute & clever, her rag rugs, baskets and bowls are made from reclaimed fabrics. She also makes whimsical necklaces from bottle caps, vintage playing cards and old children’s books.

Emily kindly agreed to share with us about her life & art. (By the way, you can click any of the photos for details about each piece. They are all available through her Handmade Spark Mini Site )

EK: Hi. I’m Emily of EKRA (Emily Kircher Recycling Artist). I’ve always been a maker, but it wasn’t always my full time job like it is now. I used to be a scientist!

I was always interested in biology and concerned about the environment. My concern for the environment and love of science and learning led me to an environmental toxicology (ie. the study of poisons) PhD program. I had dreams of working for the EPA, or the DNR, and figuring out how to save the world.

Little did I know when I started graduate school that what I would really be trained for was to work for a pharmaceutical company. Yikes! That’s not what I wanted at all. In fact, working in a lab turned out to be pretty lonely. I was working on a project that so few people in the world new about, I didn’t have much to talk about with normal people.

So, how did you get from a career in science to creating unique home decor pieces with salvaged fabrics?

EK: Fast forward 4 years. It was getting harder and harder to get up in the morning and go to my lonely lab. My boyfriend (now husband) said to me, “Do you know you don’t have to do this?” I had no idea! I could change my course! It felt like a huge weight had been lifted off of me and I immediately started actions to leave grad school with a MS and not continue on to complete my PhD.

My science friends were shocked! Everyone wanted to know what I would do. I didn’t know, so I told people that I would get my teaching certificate. Others believed that was a viable option, but I didn’t. I’m not a patient person when it comes to teaching. I pretended this was my plan, but had a secret plan in my head….

I had always been a maker, crafty, whatever you want to call it. I had been crocheting rugs as a hobby and giving them away as stress relief while in grad school. I would try to turn my hobby into a business! I loved crocheting rugs and I had also taken a class in mosaics. I called myself a Recycling Artist because I didn’t really know what I wanted to focus on except that I would use recycled materials.

What are your favorite materials and why?

EK: I like working with / recycling fabrics. When I lived in Madison, WI there were tons and tons of thrift stores and there were limitless amounts of fabric to be recycled.  I could take my pick of the best sheets and linen.

I recently moved to Carbondale, IL where there are far fewer thrift stores. So… I had to get creative about getting fabric to recycle. One of my new sources is a warehouse that houses factory mill ends. When factories are making things like sheets, or pillowcases, or whatever, they will take an entire roll of fabric and cut it to the widths they need. A small portion is left over called a mill end. This fabric is narrow and yards and yards and yards long. It is essentially waste to the factory but great for making rugs with. I like this form of fabric because I can get large amounts that are the same color and texture which allows me to make solid colored rugs and appliqué them. Also, it allows me to make style of rug over and over.

I still go to every thrift store I see and do a lot of yard sale shopping in the summertime. I love fabric!

Where do you find inspiration?

EK: Lots of places… I like to browse through the treasuries on Etsy.com and I follow a few design blogs. I also draw a lot from things that I like, and hope others will like too. When I was young, I wanted to be a marine biologist, and I still like sea creatures, so they show up in my work a lot.

Do you listen to anything while creating? If so, who is on your current playlist?

EK: When I’m working alone, I alternate between watching TV and listening to my iPod. When the TV is on it is usually on some sort of Law and Order. I cycle through “favorite bands” pretty frequently – right now I’m playing Standard Fare, Wavves, and Soft Pack over and over again. One band that is always at the top of my favorites list is Jaill – a band my brother is in.

How long have you been selling your pieces?

EK: I started selling my work in 2004, as soon as I registered my business.

EK: My favorite rug right now is the Happy Narwhal Rug which is collaboration with Aorta.etsy.com. Jessica, the woman behind aorta, makes the most amazing appliqués’! I found her on Etsy when it first started, either 2005 or 2006 and have been a big fan of her work ever since. Every time I wear one of her pieces, I get tons of compliments. I contacted her to see if she would be interested in selling me her appliqués to use on my rugs and she said yes.

What do you like to do when you are not creating?

EK: When I’m not working on making things or running my business, I like to read, travel with my husband, and play with my cats.

Emily, thank you for stopping by & sharing your whimsical work today.

And  thanks to those of you who visited with us. Please be sure to leave a comment. Your interest in these features is what keeps them coming! And the artists & artisans love the feedback.

Want to see more of Emily’s recycled creations? Check out these links:

www.etchouse.com/ekra – also lists retail locations for buying Emily’s rugs

www.facebook.com/pages/Emily-Kircher-Recycling-Artist/11474348141

~Stacey

Stacey is one of the talented members of our writing team. She loves working with her hands, blogging, painting and restoring antiques.

Annie Bella’s represents one of the many facets of Robin Gay White’s painting styles. Whimsical patterns and colors make up the designs painted on upcycled vintage pieces, canvas, wood and stone, making Annie Bella’s a very fun place to shop or just linger awhile for creative inspiration! ~Annie Bellas

See more from AnnieBellas on their Handmade Spark Mini Site.

If you’ve perfected The Tiny Birdhouse and are considering enhancing or refining your newly-acquired skills, or you are simply looking for a more practical way to shamelessly debut your crafty accomplishments, you should consider making old sweater mittens—in our house, they are called Swittens.

Like The Tiny Birdhouse, this project requires at least one medium-weight 100% wool sweater (or two or three).  I’m often partial to snazzy colors for this one—luminous greens, saucy oranges—although, surprisingly, humble grays and browns can be powerful.  You will also need some soft fleece for the mitten lining.  Optional matchy-matchy.  A small handful of you with nimble fingers and minimal time constraints may prefer to hand sew this project.  In the interest of cold-handed project members craving speedy outcomes and post-project refreshments, I use my trusty sewing machine.  You might also need a few random buttons for flare.

As with The Tiny Birdhouse, add your sweater(s) to the laundry batch and wash and dry on normal.  The sweater is now felted and can be cut into the mitten pattern.

Pattern:  Pattern size is up to you.  I recommend that you size your first mitten batch to be gifted to (or kept for) larger hands.  For me, there is a significant positive correlation between successful project outcome and project size, when measured by various indicators, such as big smiles.  Don’t start out too teeny.  With right sides of fabric together, cut both the sweater and the fleece lining as follows.  So that one hand does not get gypped, be sure to cut out two of each pattern piece.

Sewing Instructions:  With right sides of the sweater fabric together, match thumbs from Piece 1 and 2.  Sew along thumb from notch to notch.  Flip sewn piece right side out.  With right sides together, pin Piece 3 to sewn pieces 1 and 2.  Sew edges together, leaving the bottom unsewn.  Trim excess wool around the edges as close to seam as possible. For the fleece lining, follow the same instructions for sweater fabric.  Turn everything right side out.

Cut the sweater cuff from the cuff of the original felted sweater.  It should be 3 ½ to 4 ½ inches long.  Pin the cuff to the bottom of the fleece lining with right sides together and rough edges together.

Sew around the cuff’s rough edge.  Turn the fleece lining inside out and put it inside the mitten.  Turn the sweater cuff up and over the mitten.  To secure the cuff, sew a button or stitch around the cuff’s top edge.  Chop-chop you’re done, with an impressive finish.

~Marcie

Mossy is a website devoted to families who share a love of slowing down, simplifying, finding connections, getting dirty, playing outside, community gardens, things with history, small houses, tag sales, compost bins, early risers, dirty fingernails, dirty feet, hiking, mudpies, field guides, good music, dress-up bins, and all things handmade.

Happy Buttons Versatile Bracelet/Necklace | TomBjornDesigns

By upcycling you can make your life and the life of your customers greener. Why not making craft and at the same time changing world for the best? Here are some ideas about where to get alternative supplies for your craft and what to do with your own unnecessary supplies.

1. First of all, check vintage and second hand shops in town - many of those offer amazingly cheap old and tired items. Give them another chance! Moreover, in many second-hand shops one can find leftovers of yarn and other supplies – use it!  This ring is crocheted with red yarn I have bought in a charity second hand shop and is embellished with a turquoise bead from a vintage necklace.

Old and tired wool sweaters can be easily felted into beautiful new accessories. Just as tiny bit of unwoven wool can make a stunning felted flower.

Check out the tutorial of TonyaUtkina on how to create a felted flower

Moreover, youtube is full with video-tutorial on what to make out of old woolen sweaters.

2. Find soulmates! I regularly post on a local blog an advert saying that I exchange my products for a bunch of old jewelry, even broken or torn (anyway I will upcycle it), leftovers of yarn etc’. You won’t believe it, but MANY people are happy to get rid of things they do not need – especially if they get a handmade designed item in exchange. Besides local online forums you can find handmade clubs in town or designs faculty in university or college and simply put paper advert on their board. Believe me, you will be surprised by result!

That’s the treasure I got lately from such exchange for only one of my necklaces.

That red broken necklace is made of real red corals. Good bargain, isn’t it?

3. Revise your old stocks.
Every craft artist has a bunch of old supplies, those that are not colorful enough, shining enough, those that cannot be incorporated into any of your designs, or those little bits that are simply left over and are not enough for a new design. What do you do with them?

- Change them!
Color them, crochet around them, reshape them: I have a lot of amazing buttons. Many of them are absolutely unique and vintage, other more common and dark.

In my designs I mainly use happy colors, so brown and black buttons will have hard time finding their way to my necklaces. But I still love them, and I have an idea what to do with them – I will crochet around them and make necklaces out of them. Just wait and see!

- Exchange them!
Yes, your boring leftover supplies maybe a real treasure for someone else. Find your local fair and forum – give advert that you want to get rid of them and see what people can offer you in exchange – their leftovers can be a real find for you.

- Sell them!
yes, as simple as that. List them in your shop and sell. If you have them for couple of years, you haven’t used them until today and still don’t have any idea of how you will use them – get rid of them!

- Combine the leftovers.
do you have a bunch of old beads of different size and color! paint them in one color or crochet around them with similar yarn – and then they will make a nice necklace or other accessory. Their different size will only add uniqueness!

In this particular necklace most of the beads come from different other necklaces. Even the yarn I used to crochet over is of different shade. And yet, this necklace is charming, isn’t it?

As I said, I love seeing old and sad things getting new life and starting sparkling again.

I hope this can inspire you to reuse and recycle. You can both make crafts and make the world better. So why not simply doing that?

~Etsy Russian Team

Story by Irene of TomBjornDesigns

See more of Hungry Hollar here.

Canceled or expired credit cards are great sources of raw material for jewelry making. The plastic is durable but light weight. Many credit cards have interesting pictures or designs on the face of the credit card. I recently canceled a credit card that had a scene of mountains on it. Since my daughter and I already demonstrated how to make a gift card into a bracelet and earrings, I thought this time we would use the credit card to make a necklace.

Materials

• Credit card, gift card or other plastic card
• 18-gauge round copper wire
• Tools
• Disc cutter
• Size 50 drill bit
• Drill (Flex shaft, Drill Press or Dremel)
• Center punch or automatic center punch
• Round nose pliers or 3-Step wire looping pliers
• Chain nose or bent nose pliers
• Wire rounder or needle file or cup burr and flex shaft

Step 1

Cut the credit cards. Cut the credit card into disks using a disc cutter, craft knife or scissors. We cut three 3/4-inch disks and four 7/16-inch disks for our necklace.

Step 2
Use a center punch to mark the disks where you want to drill holes so the drill bit will not slip when you drill.

Step 3
Drill two holes in each disk.

Step 4

“B” links made from copper
Create links to link the plastic disks.

We used some “B” links that were left over from the from our copper bib necklace project on December 21, 2010. We made the “B” links for that project and then decided to use “S” links instead, so we had a bunch already made. We used round nose pliers to form the “B” links by hand and then adjusted the links as needed using chain nose pliers. We then filed the end of the links smooth using a cup burr and our flex shaft.

Step 5
Make the clasp.

Step 6
Assemble the necklace.

Step 7
Check the necklace for any sharp spots and file until smooth.

~GeltDesigns

Find more great jewelry tutorials from GeltDesigns on the blog, New Jewelry A Day.

Would you like to learn how to make this adorable (and versatile!) shirt? Check out the blog Made by Dana Willard.  A fun place filled with tutorials and a kid in a candy store  selection of patterns available in her Made Shop.