Boston Handmade is now on Instagram

by Abby Bohn

Boston Handmade is now on Instagram!!! If you are on Instagram follow us at @bostonhandmadeteam for what is going on with our members and the latest news with the team. Also use hashtag #bostonhandmadeteam for more posts from our team members. We hope to see you on Instagram but in the meantime check out these posts from our page.

Jessica Burko

Lady Dye Fibers

Upcycling with kids: How To Make a Drum

by Jessica Burko

It's no secret that I love to make use of everyday objects and what other people might call "trash" to create my own artwork and also to do craft projects with my kids. A couple of years ago I wrote a blog post featuring my then 3-year-old son making a drum from an oatmeal container, and since then we have made many, many musical instruments with recyclables. Recently my almost 3-year-old daughter made a drum for her friend's birthday and I thought I'd share this updated DIY post for a slightly different way to achieve child-made drum greatness!

This project is appropriate for any child able to sit up and hold a paint brush, with a parent along side of them providing age appropriate assistance. Especially good for toddlers and children ages 2-4.

Materials:
• cardboard container - - such as an oatmeal container
• dry pasta - - any type but we prefer penne
• liquid glue - - white school glue or glitter glue
• paint - - the washable kind is recommended!
• paint brushes - - foam or bristle with an easily grip handle

Instructions:
1. Select your container. Any size will do, and the best ones will have a plain cardboard surface.
2. If your container has a removable label, peel it off.
3. Once you have a blank "canvas" you're ready to begin creating your percussion masterpiece!

4. A cardboard egg carton makes a perfect paint pallette
5. Dispense one paint color in each egg cup and set-up your brushes

6. Before you paint add a couple of handfuls of dry pasta to the inside of your container. This adds a great additional sound to your drum while playing and also allows the instrument to double as a shaker.
7. Depending on hand size, 2-4 handfuls of dry pasta should do the trick.

8. It's important to glue the lid to the container top after adding the dry pasta so that the drum stays intact while being played by small children.
9. Any liquid glue will work. My daughter's favorite is purple glitter glue so we used that. Make sure there's an adequate amount all around the interior edge of the lid but not too much so it drips down the outside of the container.

10. Begin painting the outside of your container and paint it some more!
11. Anything goes for the decoration of you drum and it's guaranteed that your toddler will love getting into the painting process!
12. Once your drum is painted to your child's satisfaction let it dry completely before playing.

Bonus step (not pictured) is to cut the letters of your child's name out of colorful construction paper, and using a glue stick, adhere it to the outside of the drum so your toddler can feel even more pride of ownership! Have fun!

Handmade for Kids: How to make a puzzle using a cereal box

by Bev Feldman of Linkouture

 Here is a really simple project that you can do with your children's drawings so that they can be enjoyed again and again in a new way. Just make sure to check with your children first that they don't mind cutting up their pictures!

All you will need for this project is:

• A drawing (or even a photo your child took, enlarged to fit a sheet of paper)
• Cereal box
• Glue
• Scissors

Cut open a cereal box and cover it with glue (I recommend using a glue stick or spray adhesive) and adhere the image to the picture side of the cereal box. Make sure the entire picture is securely glued onto the box; you don't want to miss any spots, otherwise it might not stick properly after you cut out the pieces. 

After the glue has dried, trim any excess cardboard.

Now comes the fun part! Flip it over and turn to the plain side of the box and draw in puzzle shapes. You can make the pieces as big or small as you would like (depending on your child's age), and draw whatever shapes. There is no right or wrong way to do it! Or, if you need help, you can download a puzzle template and glue it to the cardboard. 

Once you have all the shapes outlined, cut along the lines.

Your child's puzzle is down! Now it's time to put it all back together. 

Handmade at Plimoth Plantation

By Lucie of Lucie Wicker Photography

This spring I revisited Plimoth Plantation for the first time since I was a kid. It was exactly like how I remembered it- maybe even better!

What's Plimoth Plantation? From their website: "Plimoth Plantation provides an engaging and experiential outdoor and indoor learning environment on its main campus and at the State Pier on Plymouth’s waterfront. Our permanent exhibits tell the complex and interwoven stories of two distinct cultures - English and Native. The main exhibits are enhanced with an exciting menu of special events, public programs and workshops that offer a rich and diverse exploration of the 17th-century."

One thing I noticed was all of the ways the plantation features historical crafting and how people in the 1600's created things they needed all by hand. 

At the Craft Center when we first walked in, there was a man making Native American headdresses out of dyed porcupine quills, something he'd learned how to do from his father who was a member of a tribe in Quebec. There were also people making traditional English items- from cabinets, to pots, to the costumes for the English Village.

In the Wampanoag Homesite, they were repairing nets for fishing, cooking in pots over campfires, and one man described how they make and maintain their canoes.

Once you arrive in the Village, the "settlers" are busy building or repairing the houses and they are more than happy to explain their techniques. We stayed with one builder for 15 minutes talking about how he framed one of the houses and constructed the chimney.

Even at the gift shop they have handmade things for sale! There are all kinds of craft kids for kids and pottery and woodwork from the Craft Center.

 

If you have never been to Plimoth Plantation or if it's been a while, I highly recommend a visit. So much of our history is preserved there and as appreciators of handmade craft, there is lots to see. It's amazing get an idea of what it must have been like to live here all those centuries ago!

Plimoth Plantation

137 Warren Avenue

Plymouth, MA 02360

The Wampanoag Homesite, English Village, Mayflower II and Plimoth Grist Mill are open everyday from the third Saturday in March (March 15, 2014) through the Sunday after Thanksgiving (November 30, 2014) from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Earth Day = Craft Day with Boston Handmade

Next Monday is Earth Day and Boston Handmade has been planning a celebration of community, art, and the earth. In light of our recent local tragedy we considered canceling or postponing this event and then decided to keep our plans as scheduled in an effort to unify our community. When discussing our potential cancellation with local artist Carol Johnson, who is planning an art activity for Monday's event, she said, "I feel even stronger about providing a creative arts experience for people, children and adults alike. I would like to help with healing." We would like that too.

We hope you can join us in Jamaica Plain at the JP Branch Library (12 Sedgwick Street, Jamaica Plain, MA 02130) on Monday, April 22nd from 10am-4pm for an art and craft upcycling extravaganza, as we make art together from recyclables. Transform egg cartons, old magazines, shoeboxes, water bottles and more, into musical instruments, toys, and art. Activities will be led by members of Boston Handmade and local Jamaica Plain artists. This is an all-ages event, free and open to the public.

Boston Handmade is a group of Massachusetts artists, artisans, and craftspeople who embrace the concept of Earth Day every day. As independent creative business people the members of Boston Handmade produce and sell art and craft locally, each working from a small studio which reduces our own the carbon footprint and those of our customers. Through our choice of materials, methods, and the mindset we keep, “reduce, reuse, recycle” means more to us than a slogan on a blue box. Conserving resources is something each one of us keeps in the forefront of our minds, and harnessing the power of our own hands propels us.

DIY How To: Making toys from everyday household objects

by Jessica Burko

You might not be surprised to learn that my house is full of art and music. In our family we have a very creative and active 3-year-old toddler and his easily entertained 8-month-old baby sister. Our toddler loves having "concerts" for us with drums, maracas, bells, and various other percussion instruments, and one of our favorite things to do is find music in the everyday like wind rustling trees, birds singing, wooden spoons banged on the sofa, and from instruments that we make ourselves. 

When our toddler was very little I made a few toys for him by myself but now that he requests "an art project" almost every day, we can make things together. We frequently talk about recycling and not wasting what we have, so I always jump at the chance to upcycle household items into something fun. I call these random creations: Garbage Toys. Our latest upcycled creation was from an oatmeal container that had an easily removable label revealing a beautiful white canvas. We used the empty container to make a bean-filled percussion instrument. It was easy, fun, and a great rainy day activity for kids of all ages.

Supplies:
• Any kind of empty cardboard container (We used an oatmeal container from our local Stop & Shop grocery store.)
• Your preferred art material like crayons, markers, paint, and/or stickers.
• A handful of dried beans (Any kind will do, we used kidney beans.)
• Strong glue

Instructions:
• Decorate the outside of your container any way that you like - the more colorful the better!
• Add beans.
• Glue the top on tight and let dry overnight (Or less time if you use quick-dry glue).
• Shake it baby shake it, and enjoy your own concert!

Cute Lunchtime Creations

By Jennifer T. of MaJenta Designs

My friend got me the adorably cute book above, inspiring me to make creative and cute lunch bento box creations! Its so fun, so then I started to look around online too, and found this cute blog dedicated to bentos! Who knew that lunch time could be a place to extend your creative juices!

Here is yet another great blog that includes some instructions on making her creative bento creations too. So much fun, I cant wait to start making something cute!

Spontaneous Celebrations

by Lucie of Lucie Wicker Photography

Over the past few months, I have photographed several events for Spontaneous Celebrations, a group that provides cultural programming and performing arts events based in Jamaica Plain. Last night I photographed their "Tropical Fiesta" which featured several acts including the aerialist in the photo above. I never know what to expect at Spontaneous and I love that!

Handmade Gifts for Men

By Celeste of ElephunksTrunk

Having taken the handmade pledge, I am always on the look out for great hand made gifts for everyone I know. The women in my life are easy to buy for, but I always struggle to find interesting gifts for men. I know I am not the only one to struggle with this, so I have taken the time to put together a list of ideas:

Unisex Ring by Christina Hurley

This oxidized sterling silver ring is a wonderful piece of masculine jewelry. Christina Hurley makes these rings in any size, so you will be sure to get one that fits the special man in your life.

Muscle Marcel by Hibou Designs

This tough guy plushie from hibou designs is the perfect gift for the man who's soft at heart.

Man Cave vinyl wall decal by OldBarnRescueCompany

Does the man in your life need to stake out his own territory? Get him this man cave sign from OldBarnRescueCompany.

Steampunk Kilt from techdragon

For the non-traditional man in your life, how about this leather paneled steampunk kilt from techdragon?

Sports Fever

by Kerry of Kerryhawkinsphoto

Superbowl Fever was all over New England. Even at the School of Fashion Design on Newbury Street, Boston. I took this Tuesday afternoon before the Superbowl. I love the gown with the Patriots Helmet and football.The Patriots lost but, it was a good game and there is always next year.

Super Bowl Snack Stadium Inspiration

By Jennifer T. of MaJenta Designs

Regardless of whether you are a big football fan or not, the Super Bowl is probably still one of the biggest sports festivities to partake in...even after it's over, you leave inspired by some of the exciting plays, the funny commercials, and...the FOOD! I'm inspired by these awesome food snack stadiums...something to plan for next year's Super Bowl! ;)

2012 Spring Color Trends

by Kerrie of Cody's Creations

The New Year is upon us what a better way to welcome the New Year than by shopping for supplies to make new items?

I was curious to see what the 2012 Spring Colors were so I consulted the Pantone Color Report, after all you want your pet to be in fashion as well don't you?

Tango Tangerine is the Color of the Year:

and for Spring, be on the lookout to see:

Bellflower

Cabaret

Cockatoo

Driftwood

Margarita

Sodalite Blue

Solar Power

Starfish

Sweet Lilac

I will be incorporating several of these colors into some new products, what color will you be most excited to see this spring?

My 2011 Knitting Resolution Update

by Karen Mahoney of City by the Sea Ceramics

Last January I wrote about my resolution to learn how to knit in 2011. Further more, my resolutions included finishing my project I was learning on, and knit something with alpaca yarn.

In 2011 I did learn to knit. In fact, this beginner is kicking butt! Not only did I finish my learning project quickly, I rocked out another nine projects last year! I did not however knit a single thing with alpaca yarn, my whole reason for wanting to learn in the first place. While I didn't meet that goal, I'm not too worried about it because I was so productive otherwise. Also, Diane has some alpaca yarn stashed away for me and I have a pattern in mind for it, so the time will come.

How did your crafty 2011 resolutions go? Did you make any for 2012?

Puzzling Cats and Dogs

By Nancy of nancyrosetta

My sister and former Boston Handmader Kathy Weller, has recently reached the big time. Well, she is on her way anyhow! She has been working to have her illustrations licensed in various ways including this one that I am super excited for! Puzzles!

She has two designs in partnership with Andrews & Blaine available at Barnes and Noble and as soon as I found out, I was on a hunt for them. Sadly, my hunt was premature since no B&N in my area are stocking the puzzles yet. They are so new that they are probably still on the truck!

I was able to order them both online, though.

Jive Cats are hip well dressed cats and I heard from the artist that this puzzle is super challenging, I can't wait to get it and find out for myself!

Community Bridge features dogs that will teach you how to speak french, so I'm told!

Even though these puzzles are not handmade, the blood, sweat, and tears behind the artwork is, and I love that I can share this with you. I am so proud of my sister, she is living her dream right before my eyes.

Both puzzles are available at Barnes and Noble online. I can't wait to see them displayed in a store. I will be keeping my eye out for these colorful cats and dogs each time I visit the bookstore, I am sure!

Our Feast of the Seven Fishes

by Lucie of Lucie Wicker Photography

One of my friends decided that this year we should try making a Feast of the Seven Fishes, an Italian Christmas tradition. Since cooking, eating, and drinking are some of our favorite activities, it was not hard to convince the rest of us that this was a good idea. We each picked a few dishes to try and attempt, and I brought my camera to document the evening-

Making fresh fettuccine (with a Kitchenaid mixer)

Waiting patiently to be cooked.

Appetizers

Eating mussels with mussels.

Smelts!

Fritto Misto

Wrapping the stuffed branzino

Seasoning the Whole Roasted Branzino with Fennel and Onions

Baccala (salted cod) with Polenta

We were all working somewhat outside of our comfort zones, working with techniques and ingredients that were new for us. Overall, we deemed the evening a success and already decided we would try it again next year!

I linked the dishes in the photos to some of the recipes we found online, here are a few more-

Jump Shrimp Marsala House-wife Style (Gamberoni Casalinga Siciliana)
Sauteed Broccoli Rabe
Chocolate Espresso Balsamic Fudge