Crafts
TLC’s Mark Montano on Today’s Shoptalk Lifestyle Podcast
Click on the player below to listen:
Today I chat with celebrity designer Mark Montano of TLC’s “While You Were Out” and STYLE Network’s “My Celebrity Home” about how to make some easy fashion and décor pieces at a fraction of what you’d pay in a store. s.
Three Things You’ll Learn From our Interview with Mark
- Mark’s Book,The Big ### Book of Crafts, really is a big ### book of crafts. Like hundreds of them. Read it and you’ll be overcome with the urge to jump in your car and head to your nearest Michael’s (make sure to bring a coupon).
- It’s amazing what you can do with a bottle of glitter, some tree leaves, and elmer’s glue. Listen to the interview to learn more.
- Having a craft night with friends and family is an excellent (and cheap… really cheap) way to get together. Rather than take your kids to a movie- which can run you up to $40 (when all they really want is to watch Wall-E for the 15th time), stay at home and make something together. Then watch Wall-E cause it really is a good movie.
Click on the above audio player to listen and don’t forget to call us with your advice related questions at 201-984-5633
Build a Knit-tastic Wardrobe
Attention, all knitters and crocheters. Quamut.com (a ginormous how-to site created by Barnes & Noble) is offering up its knit and crochet patterns for free! They normally cost $2.95 each. Do-it-yourself arts and craft type people are good at saving money, and this is a great way to save even more of it. Knit a sweater for your chihuahua, a scarf for your upcoming ski trip, or even a clutch for your upcoming date. Only problem is much of Quamut.com’s patterns are geared toward winter (fuzzy sweaters and whatnot).
But if you’re a knitter/crafster, start downloading Quamut’s how-to PDFs now, because they’re only free for the month of February.
Anthropologie Introduces Craft Workshops
What: Anthropologie recently launched free in store “reinvention” (aka craft) workshops in select stores nationwide, with the goal of helping customers get the most out of their clothing.
From Anthropologie: “We wanted to share something really personal, which is our creative side, on a one-on-one level,” said Anthropologie’s chief merchandising officer, Wendy Wurtzburger. From an earlier press release: Just in time for the holidays, Anthropologie will debut a special series of craft workshops that will tug at customers’ heartstrings, as well as those of their family and friends. Given the current state of the economy, customers will be thrilled to discover how extraordinary and meaningful a hand-crafted, remade gift can be. They will find that their work possesses more of their true self and sentiment and helps to convey crucial messages regarding the needs for reinvention and reuse from economic to environmental.
Check out your local Anthropologie stores for workshops
Craft Alert: How to Make a Floral Pin
This spring, use a floral pins to add a much-needed splash of color to your outfits. The accessory, which showed up during the Spring 2006 fashion shows and is currently being worn by fashion trailblazers like Miss J from “America’s Top Model”, retails from $4 at stores like H&M to over $20 at major department stores like Nordstrom. Now, you “craft challenged” fashionistas may decide to brave the lines at your local H&M to purchase the accessory. However, for those of up to this simple craft challenge, my advice is to get creative and make your own.
Here’s what you’ll need:
- A silk flower (they usually come with two to three flowers per stem)
- Glue gun (with glue of course) or some really strong fabric glue
- Package of undecorated hair clips or pins
(These items may be purchased at any craft or dollar store. Remember to check your local papers since craft stores like Michael’s often have deals on silk flowers)
Instructions
Remove the flower from the stem and cut off any extra fabric or plastic at the base. Heat up the glue gun and apply a thin line to the flat side of the barrette (applying it to the flower, as I learned, it not a good idea). Press the flower to the base and hold for about 10-15 seconds. Sit to dry.
I’ve made several floral pins for myself and for friends and family members as gifts. I usually purchase my flowers from the local dollar store and make about 3 flower pins for less $4; cheaper than buying a floral pin from H&M.
If you have a great fashion craft, send it to me. I might try it out and blog about it.
For more crafty inspiration, visit Craftster.org.
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