My DIY Light Box

At the Summit of Awesome one class I was especially interested in was how to improve my photographs using my own camera. I have a Nikon Coolpix P60 with 8.1 megapixels amd 5v Zoom, not that I know what any of that means. I am not someone who usually reads the instruction manual when I get something new, so it is no surprise that I didn't really know how to use my camera. After my class, I feel that I am a little better versed at taking pictures, but there is a whole ocean of knowledge to learn to really be a good photographer.

One helpful thing I learned was how to make my own light box. My kids were intrigued, but didn't understand what it was used for. To the best of my limited knowledge, it helps create better light and a seamless background for the items I am trying to photograph. My first attempt at a light box is a bit tipsy, but it will do for now.

To make your own light box and get some tips on photographing your own work, check out
http://www.etsy.com/storque/how-to/fortys-foto-tips-2-make-a-light-box-244 found on Etsy's Blog, the Storque.

Summit of Awesome

The names says it all. Summit of Awesome! I have spent the past two days at the Summit of Awesome in Portland learning all about the business of craft. It is being held at McMenamin's Kennedy School, an awesome place in itself. Along with a couple hundred other crafters, I am learning how to be a better craft business person. I have attended classes such as "Craft Show Set-up", "Craft Show Applications" and "Photographing Your Work with Your Own Camera". We started the show with a walking tour of Alberta Street. Then came back to the Kennedy School to make a couple of crafts while we waited for your first sessions to begin. Imagine a room with tables of craft supplies at your disposal for the times you just need to make something... and it is open all day long! We ended the day with a White Elephant Gift Exchange where many of us brought in our handmade items to exchange. I walked away with a cute needle felted coin purse.

Today was Day two of this three day event. I joined up with my new friends and spent a jam packed day attending sessions and being torn between wanting to learn more and wanting to get started everything I learned. We were entertained by our craftnote speakers, Pat and Aaron, the owners on BuyOlympia.com and the new shop "Land" on Mississippi Ave in NE Portland. They were the pioneers of handmade craft shops on the internet, blazing a path for other crafts to sell online. They started Buyolympia.com before there was even an online shopping cart! After more sessions, (I sadly missed the Craft Throwdown where crafters competed to make crafts from given materials within a certain amount of time), we ended the day at "Land" where we took a tour of the shop and warehouse.

Tomorrow promises to be another wonderful day at the Summit of Awesome!! ... don't you just love that name?!

Crafty Wonderland Super Colossal Spring Sale

Crafty Wonderland is almost here! I hope to see you at the Convention Center in Portland on May 1st and 2nd from 11am- 5pm.

Brewery Banner Bags

I have been trying to find local businesses that have vinyl banners that they are ready to get rid and find a new use for them. Full Sail Brewing found 4 banners that they were able to send my way to make into bags. At Hood River's Earth Day Celebration, I had a great response to these new bags. I am now pursuing other businesses to send me their old banners to do the same thing. What a great way to collaborate and promote your business while recycling your waste.

Come see the bags at Crafty Wonderland (craftywonderland.com) at the Convention Center in Portland this weekend, May 1st and 2nd from 11am-5pm. After that, I will try and put them on my website, rethinkcrafts.esty.com.

Placemat purses

Let me start by saying, my family is in the process of moving and I am frantically trying to prepare for two more spring sales coming up the next two weekends. The last thing I need is to begin any new projects, or buy any new materials. While at a local thrift store I can across a stack on wonderful place mats made out of Naugahyde. Of course I thought, what can I make these into? I got all 8 for a dollar each and went home to create. I came up with these fun recycled place mat purses. What I love most is that they look like I have great sewing skills with the expertly sewn circles on the front of the purse.

What else can I make out of billboards?

Now that I have so much billboard vinyl to use, I have been trying to come up with other ideas besides just tote bags. I have found two ideas that I like that also serve another purpose.

1. Luggage Tags
Crafty Wonderland is quickly approaching and vendors were asked to contribute items for the goodie bag giveaway each day of the sale. The first 200 people each day will get a bag full of handmade goodies from various vendors (so if you are coming, get there EARLY to take advantage of the giveaway). I came up with a luggage tag made from the billboard material. I am really pleased how these turned out. Not only was I able to use the scraps of vinyl from the tote bags, but I also got to highlight my latest venture, used billboards. I included a business card with each luggage tag for the giveway, so now I need to update my Etsy shop to include more that just diaper covers. My billboard bags and crafts will soon debut on rethinkcrafts.etsy.com.

2. Stadium Seats or Garden Kneelers
I have been spending more time at my daughters school working with recycling. During a conversation with the principal, I found out that three boxes of foam padding was donated to the school by a woman in the community that gets her medication sent in boxes packed with this foam padding. The principal asked if I had any ideas of what to do with this non- recyclable material. I went home and came up with this simple stadium seat covered with the used billboard. When I brought in the prototype to show the principal, someone else thought they were garden kneelers. I realized both are great ideas! I used mine while weeding my flower beds over the weekend as well as sitting on it while at my Earth Day Celebration.

The possibilities are endless!

Billboard Bags and Earth Day

I have been busily working on my billboard bags for two upcoming Earth Day events. The first will be held in Hood River on April 17th in the parking lot across from Full Sail. I loved this event last year and am looking forward to spending the day show everyone my crafts made from recycled materials and being surrounded by people wanting to know more about caring for our Earth!!

The second event is the following week in Portland at the Laurelhurst Whole Foods store from 2-7pm. This is the first time I will be attending this event, but am excited to see other handmade recycled crafts.

To get my billboard bags ready, I spread out one in my backyard. I was amazed at it's size! The girls had a great time playing tag on the billboard before I started cutting it up for my bags. Just imagine, if this was not rescued for reuse, it could have ended up in the landfill. Every billboard you see in town or as you are driving down the highway has to end up somewhere!