Sewing in the rain

With "Frankenstorm" Sandy heading towards the east coast and expecting to hit early this week, there's going to be a lot of rain and heavy winds -- not exactly umbrella friendly weather. We do hope everyone stays safe and damage is minimal. If you're simply waiting out the storm, then it's the perfect season for scavenging broken umbrellas just waiting to be rescued and repurposed.

We have a few old favorite umbrella creations on our website, like transforming them into a skirt or purse. I even have a purse video tutorial from ages ago (please ignore the poor sound quality). And if the frame is salvageable you can turn it into a jewelry and scarf holder like project number 80 in my book ReMake It.

What else can be done with broken umbrellas? These waterproof beauties are the perfect craft material for that rainy day.

Uncommonly Good studio tour!

Uncommon Goods featured a studio tour of me at my workshop at TerraCycle. There's a Q&A of design essentials on their blog and you can read the whole article here.



If you're in the New York City area, be sure to catch me speaking on the panel of their design event at Powerhouse Arena on October 29. I'll be alongside Rebecca Krauss from Eco Biz NYC and the evening will be moderated by the lovely Yuka Yoneda from Inhabitat and Clossette. See you there!

UPDATE: This event was postponed due to Hurricane Sandy. We hope everyone out there is safe and we'll let you know as soon as it's rescheduled.

Putting a new spin on Maker Faire!

We’re ReMaking it at Maker Faire in New York City again this year! It’s coming up this weekend from September 29 – 30th and being hosted by the nice people at the New York Hall of Science.

This year’s RePlayGround project is a DIY pinwheel made from scrap materials (what else would be use?) attached to a straw. It’s one of my favorite new projects and definitely takes upcycling for a spin.

If you’re there on Saturday be sure to check out my soda tab bracelet demo at the Maker Square Stage from 1 – 1:30. Bring your own soda tabs or be one of the first 20 people at the demo and get free supplies to make your own bracelet. If you can’t make it to the event, you can always check out this easy how-to video.

Hurray for ReMakers and Faires!

A light fixture that has “pop”!

Shine a new light on your empty soda (pop) bottles and combine them to create this fancy fixture. I was at the New York Hall of Science and we teamed up to create a video to show you how. What you need to get started are soda bottles, twist ties, a permanent marker, a 1/16” hole punch (or drill bit and drill) and a strand of Christmas lights.

Grab your bottles and start popping!

Turn your tabs into jewelry that's fab!

I recently visited the NY Hall of Science, showing them how to ReMake soda tabs into wearable accessories. And we felt we had so much recycling goodness going on, we wanted to get the message out to all of you! Catch this video which takes you through the step-by-step of creating your very own soda tab bracelet. Grab a pile of soda tabs, some stretchy cording, and start ReMaking!

Mix up your bracelet with different colored tabs and cord. They'll look great on your own wrist and make great gifts, too!

If this bracelet project left you thirsty for more do-it-yourself goodness, visit us at the NYSci during Maker Faire, September 29-30. It will blow your crafty mind!

Grandma Threadgould's craft book

My mom was recently cleaning out some relics from the past and came across a notebook from my Grandma Threadgould. It was full of crafts and recipes and all sorts of do-it-yourself goodness so she passed it on to me. I recognized patterns for ornaments that my mother still has - one of an angel and another of a mailbox that she still hangs on her Christmas tree.

I always remembered this grandma being crafty. And flipping through her book I realized there was no choice but for me to have crafting in my blood. In fact, my father once traced our lineage of the "Threadgould" name back to tailors of generations ago who lived in England.

I think Grandma Threadgould said it best from the entry she wrote over 40 years ago:
Spring Craftshop - 1966 "He who acquires a hobby has started on a glorious adventure - he has thrown boredom overboard and contracted an incurable disease."

This entry was right over top instructions for a do-it-yourself shadow box from Reynolds aluminum foil. Go Grandma Threadgould! Hurray for passing on glorious adventures!

You've got upcycled mail!

The latest upcycling project at TerraCycle has been turning these super sweet, super vintage mail bags into products. We created them in partnership with the USPS. You can choose from a tote bag, ipad case, or coin pouch. Or get one of each! You're certain to have a first class look when you're carrying one of these items. Buy them online at Uncommon Goods.


images courtesy Uncommon Goods