ReMake this blockbuster lamp!

If you're in New York this weekend, come to Maker Faire and ReMake projects with me and the rest of the designers, hackers, makers and creators there!

Catch my old movie filmstrip into lampshade project on Saturday at 11am on the Maker Square Stage. Plus the first 25 of ya'll will get your own materials to create a gift bow.

If you can't MAKE it there, then ReMake this lampshade by following along with the instructions I wrote up for Made + Remade over at the DIY Network.

MAKE it this weekend!

Hey ReMakers! The Greatest Show (And Tell) on Earth is coming to NYC this weekend and I know I wouldn't miss it. This fourth annual World Maker Faire will launch on Saturday and Sunday at the NY Hall of Science. Where else can you make something explode, solder a circuit board, learn to knit, pick a lock, find a secret restaurant, upcycle your soda bottle, and just join one big celebration of geekdom with your fellow Makers? Maker Faire - that's where!

I'll be on-site on Saturday at the Maker Square Stage from 11 - 11:30 showing you how to upcycle movie film into a lampshade and more. PLUS, the first 25 people at my demo will get their own kit of materials to ReMake a gift bow from movie film which I'll walk them through step-by-step. These projects are easy to do - and they're sure to be blockbuster hits.

If you can't make it to the NYC Faire, then see if there's an event in your neck of the woods. I hear there's even Maker Faire Rome coming soon. A world of Making is out there!

Breath new life into old tents

Here's the perfect summer project that lets you bring a little bit of the outdoors inside. When your old curtains are ready to take a hike, upcycle retired tents into new window treatments.

I created this project just for the good folks at the Made + ReMade site on the DIY Network, where you can find the complete how-to. Not only will you create one-of-a-kind curtains for your lovely home, but if you're using old materials, this budget-friendly project can't get much cheaper than free. And that's something that everyone can go wild about.

Yes you "can" upcycle your paint cans!

Give a splash of color to your kitchen with fun paint cans turned planters. Simply use any leftover paint to paint the outside of the can and plant your favorite seedling inside. The complete how-to for this project is over at DIY Network.

Bottle cap magnet photo mementos!

This project is picture perfect for that next summer wedding or graduation that you're headed to. Once you've collected all of the supplies, it takes less than an hour to create. It's a great way to add your own handmade touch to your gift and preserve some precious memories... the upcycled way! It's even easy to do for the not-so-crafty. Just crack open a beer (or glass soda bottle), save the cap, and get to work.

You can view the complete how-to over at Made + Remade.

Tea Thyme!

Here's a great way to dish up your plants this summer - transform mismatched teacups into pretty planters. It's a great way to display herbs and flowers in your window or as a table centerpiece. The complete how to is over at DIY Network.

Destination: Maker Faire, San Mateo, California!

It's been five years since I last attended the Mother of all Maker Faires in San Mateo, California. And I'm very excited to be returning this year with GoGo squeeZ and TerraCycle!

If you're out that way, it's a must-see event. I've attended Maker Faires in Michigan and have a soft spot in my crafty heart for the one in New York City. But there's nothing like Maker Faire when it's hosted in its own hometown in California. You don't even bat an eyelash when you're standing in line at the coffee stand behind a motorized cupcake. Or when a car passes you adorned with robotic, singing fish. It's hacker-overload when you're at the Faire, and will hold promise to blow your crafty mind. Even though it's only a weekend long, you're sure to run home afterwards and want to make stuff, which is a mindset much longer than a weekend.

If you're at the Faire, be sure to stop by the GoGo squeeZ booth, get some free samples of delicious (preservative-free) applesauce, and Make some do-it-yourself goodness with me. I hope to see you there! Happy ReMakering!

Made + Remade !

Hey there readers - get ready for more upcycled fun at the newly launched Made + Remade blog! This site is hosted by the DIY Network and I'm excited to be one of the regular bloggers posting projects and ReMaking anything that comes my way.



My first posts are great crate designs made from upcycled wooden wine boxes. I've written and illustrated step-by-step instructions for turning a wine crate into a under-the-counter stemware holder. I've also provided the how-to for creating a minibar from two empty wine crates.



Help get the word out! If you want to "like" or "share" my projects, I wouldn't mind.

Put this new blog on your daily check list because new projects are posted every day. This new site is only just beginning of the Made + Remade posts. There will be a whole lot more do-it-yourself goodness coming your way. Let's hear it for Making + ReMaking! Hurray!

A recycled recycling bin?

Well, what else would you expect it to be made from?

I'm pleased to share that the crafty RePlayGround crew will be at the Queens Library over the next few weeks helping to spread our do-it-yourself recycling goodness to the good people there. These events not only include fun, upcycling projects, but they're also free and open to the public! Woo hoo! Our first stop is the Fresh Meadows Library at 4pm, this Friday, May 3rd.
Other locations and dates include:
Flushing, May 8 at 4pm
Windsor Park, May 13 at 4pm
McGoldrick, May 13 at 5pm
Central Library (Jamaica), May 22 at 4pm

We'll be demonstrating how to create a recycling bin from 2 hardcover books (retired books, of course!).

Why buy a new recycling bin when you can create your own? This one already has a great story!

DIY wedding photo booth!

A good friend of mine got hitched to her honey this past weekend. I was honored to be assigned the project of capturing photos of guests while the wedding party was off with the wedding photographer getting their more traditional photos taken.

It's the perfect easy project to catch fun wedding pics. Plus who doesn't like to try on different mustaches for size?
Congrats Josette and Ajay! Hurray!


Materials you need: Props on a stick (like these from Etsy)
Dry erase board for writing messages to the bride and groom
Digital camera
Flickr account
Tripod
White wall or other plain background
Enthusiastic wedding guests!

Instructions:
1. Create (or order) your props.
2. Set up your tripod and digital camera. Test out a picture or two to make sure lighting is right.
3. Recruit wedding guests to try on a mustache, bow tie, or other prop. It helps to have a little champagne and a friend to help recruit guests!
4. Snap your shots.
5. Download from your camera, and upload them to a Flickr or other photo account. Share the memories and enjoy!

DIY treehouse!

Image courtesy Apartment Therapy

Even though it was snowing on the east coast this morning, Spring is definitely on its way. No better way to celebrate than to add a little play to your day.

I was happy to come across this simple treehouse with easy instructions over at Apartment Therapy.

Plus, as your carpentry skills increase over the years, you can always add on a level or two.


Image courtesy Inhabitat

Make your own fingerless gloves!

I'm excited to share my latest DIY project that I wrote for the always-fantastic DIY Network. This project shows you how to transform old sweater sleeves into new fingerless gloves. Show off your crafty handiwork and reuse some of those old sweaters you have laying around. They're the perfect crafty accessory because your fingers can move freely... a necessity for creating even more craft projects!

Get the complete instructions in the decorating section of the DIY Network.

Help with my Happy project!

image courtesy Pinterest

Hey there RePlay blog readers! I recently moved and am having a blast decorating my new space. I have a large wall over my fireplace that is just begging to have a large-scale art piece and upcycled is my favorite genre of art. When I was a kid (and heck, even now) I always loved Happy Meal toys. I even had quite the collection when I was working at a toy company about 10 years ago. I don't eat so much fast food these days, but still love those toys and have some grand plans for my art project.

If you have any fast food or similar sized toys, send them to my way! Email me at tiffany(at)replayground(dot)com and I'll help to figure out shipping and the easiest way to get them to me.

Stay tuned. I'll be sure to post the finished work on this blog.

ReMake the holidays at NYSci!

Hi friends! If any of you are going to be in the NY area between Christmas and New Years, then a visit to the NY Hall of Science is a must!

We'll be there from noon to 4 on December 28, 29, and 30th helping them ReMake the holidays!

On December 28th we'll help you set your new year to the perfect tune by helping you create a recycled rockband. We'll provide the tissue box, some rubber bands and you reply a little bit of crafty power!



Then, on December 29, we'll help you frame your holiday with a picture perfect project made from scrap paper.



And we'll finish up on December 30th helping you create your very own soda tab bracelet. If you can't make it to the NYSci over the holidays, we created a video together to show you how to ReMake It on your own.



Happy holiday ReMaking!

Create your own minty fresh ornament!

Hi friends! Looking for a fresh idea for your holiday tree? Look no further than that toothpaste tube in your bathroom. Tomorrow I'll be showing you how to transform that tube into a one-of-a-kind holiday ornament.

You can join the Google+ event or tune in to the livestream on YouTube. And if you just can't wait until the Google Hangout session, you can always view the step-by-step PDF from TerraCycle's website.

Happy holiday upcycling!

Mosaic everything!

I was exploring the Magic Gardens with some friends in Philadelphia this weekend and when I left I had this amazing urge to mosaic everything in sight! The artist, Isaiah Zagar, is a true inspiration, maker, and artist.

I feel like I already have a pretty open mind when it comes to transforming found objects, but Isaiah opened it even further... and filled with glass bottles, toy animals, ceramic remnants, bicycle wheels, and just about anything else that others might consider scrap, but is actually wonderful in its new life.

Create a cereal box cyborg! This weekend!

Make it to the last weekend of summer Maker Days at the NY Hall of Science! In honor of Make's iconic robot, RePlayGround will be on site helping museum goers reate their own upcycled version. We'll have super-crafty super-friendly instructors help you customize robot from cereal boxes and other upcycled materials. You can find us at the NYSci from 11 – 4pm this Saturday and Sunday, August 25-26. This project is free with museum admission. Making stuff doesn't get any better than that!

Then, be sure to put Maker Faire on your calendar - September 29-30. It's two jam-packed days of making, crafting, hacking, deconstructing, reconstructing, building, and just bout anything you can add -ing to. Whew. It will blow your crafty mind!

Go to camp without leaving home!

It's the last week of Maker Camp so tune in this week for DIY bookbinding, creating your own marshmallow cannon, and more.

The great thing about Maker Camp is that if you miss a session you can always tune in on Make Magazine's YouTube channel. If you missed my session last week, you can still catch the complete video on how to make your own woven basket from scrap paper and weave as you watch.

The basket pictured above is the one I wove during the session. It took me over an hour to make, so I finished it up at my Brooklyn studio, then took it up to my roof for a glamour shot. Make your own upcycled fun before summer is over!

Got a bug to make stuff? Come to the NYSCI this weekend!

This weekend we'll be at the New York Hall of Science for Maker Days! Can I hear you say woo hoo?!?

We had loads of fun at the last event creating art just for the NYSCI from keyboard keys. See a few highlights below and you can view more pics on our photo album.




This weekend's projects include cereal box rockets and bottle cap bugs. Sure to be loaded with do-it-yourself fun! We'll be there from this Saturday and Sunday, August 11-12 from 11am to 4pm. Meet up and make stuff with us again on August 25-26. Same time, same place. See you there!

Weave your way to Maker Camp!

Can't get away to camp this summer, but still have that bug to make cute and crafty things? Maker Camp is virtually the best camp for you! It's hosted on Google Plus so you can tune in from your own home.

There are tons of projects like making your own junk art robots with with Joe Szuecs, and creating marbled paper with Dale Dougherty. And I'll be on hand Monday August 13 doing a do-it-yourself woven scrap paper basket. Check out the schedule for what you want to make. Material lists and instructions are posted just before the project week starts.

Come to Camp and Make stuff!