Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with craft

please help me harden my resin

donabean — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 17:05:04 -0800

Help! I'm making a craft resin beltbuckle for an xmas present-and I have done the first layer which hardened just fine over the photo in the mold-but the second layer is still unhardened at the 40 hour mark-its not totally liquid-but sticky to the touch. Is there any way to make this harden-I'm heating it under a heat lamp-but any crafty people got a sure fire solution? I don't have time to start over.

70's Genie Bottles of DEATH!?

The otter lady — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 11:43:38 -0800

A bottle full of swirling, opaque, pearlescent liquid, that did not homogenize; how did we do that? When I was in first grade (back when dinosaurs roamed the earth; 70's), I remember a craft our teacher did with us. We kids each brought in a clear cleaned glass bottle (mine was a Wishbone salad dressing bottle) and the teacher put a quantity of something she wouldn't let us touch (I think it was a "magic powder" but it might have been a liquid), let us add a couple drops of color of our choice, and then the bottle was filled with liquid (water? I don't remember) and sealed. The fluid inside was opaque, pearlescent, and swirled like magic smoke, sort of silver metallic tinted with the chosen color. You could turn it over and shake it and whatever and it would keep making swirls, rather than homogenizing. We called them "Genie Bottles".

The stuff used may have been toxic (we were more casual in those days, and I remember the bottle top being glued or sealed so we couldn't open it again)

Occasionally I've seen fancy bubble baths that seem to exhibit the same pearlescent swirly ability, but now that I think of it I haven't seen that kind of bubble bath in years and years, so it might have been toxic too.

Anyone know what the heck that all was, and how I could do it again??

Knock it off

Sophie1 — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 15:44:50 -0800

I have a creative block. Every time I start a creative pursuit, I accuse myself of a lack of originality and/or plagiarism and quit. I am a pretty decent craftsperson. I have two business ideas, one of which I would love to start but I have always found a way to talk myself out of business before I get my DBA. The self-talk usually goes like this:

Me: I would love to start business x! I'll look into how to do that!!!

EvilMe: There are so many other people doing business x and they've been doing it longer and are much better at it than I. Also, they're going to see what I've done and sue me for ripping off their ideas. I need to come up with a completely original idea of my own.

Me: Well, back to the drawing board then, because I'll never come up with anything in that area that's as creative as what others are doing.

I know this is just a bunch of negative self talk. I know that plenty of other people are making things that other people make. I can't seem to get out of this loop, though, where I am this person with integrity who would never do something that was even mildly hinting at plagiarism.

If I can convince myself that it's not a rip off, then I start the loop about how I'm not as good as others and should wait until I am better at it.

Writing it out, I sound like a psycho, but I could use a bit of help here.

Projects for Christmas-weary adults?

ollyolly — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 01:43:24 -0800

Monopoly and decorating cookies aren't interesting enough to woo my relatives away from their naps. What are some fun projects, challenges, and DIY kits the adults in my extended family can do together for entertainment over Christmas week? I'll be spending Christmas with my extended family, which is mostly adults (teenagers through 60ish). We'd like some group activities for when the conversation lulls--preferably, fun things we can do together around a table, tasks that require some creativity or mental challenge. These can be individual tasks we all do at the same time, or things that require group effort.

Things we've enjoyed in the past (but that are getting old):
-carving pumpkins
-gingerbread and card houses, cookie decorating
-sculpting with clay
-working on logic and Microsoft Puzzle Challenge problems

I'd like some more ideas in this vein--things that take up enough mental effort that everyone has something to do if conversation lulls. Bonus points for anything mildly competitive (e.g. highest card tower) or producing a finalized product worth keeping or eating (this bunch likes puzzles and Make-style DIY kits).

Will putting cloth through a paper shredder kill the shredder?

patheral — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 08:31:52 -0800

I have old clothes, I have a paper shredder (confetti style), can the two come together and make stuffing for pillows? I'm poorer than dirt, and I need things that I can't afford -- like pillows. I have access to a paper shredder, and I have old clothes that just don't fit or are unfit to wear. The paper shredder is not mine (it's a relative's) so I don't want to break it, which is why I'm asking before trying.

The clothes have been sitting in my trunk for about four months now, just waiting for me to take them to the Salvation Army. I read on their local website that they actually have more clothes right now than they know what to do with, hence the wait. Then it hit me that old clothes = cloth! and an idea was born.

So I wonder if it would be okay to run things like cotton t-shirts or denim through the paper shredder to make stuffing for pillows. I tried looking this up on Google and other search engines and only found similar (and unanswered) questions.

Does anyone see anything wrong with this idea? Will putting cloth through a paper shredder gum up the works? or can it be done if I keep an eye on the fuzz that's likely to result?

Perforating Paper

edmz — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 12:04:56 -0800

Is there a machine that will allow me to cut a hole in a stack of paper? I need to cut either circles or rectangles in stacks of paper of around 200 sheets.

In case it matters, the size of the paper is a letter. I started doing this with an exacto knife but it will take me ages to finish this. Plus, the result is not very precise.

Is there a machine that will allow me to do this?

What non-food consumables can I make for holiday gifts?

mr. remy — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 05:07:08 -0800

I want to make lots of neat little gifts to give friends for Christmas. I'd like these gifts to be useable, elegant, consumable, and grown-up (not decorative, artsy-fartsy crafty crap). My recipients are Pragmatic New Englanders, and would be irked receiving potpourri, eye pillows, embroidered towels, door-hangings, pine-cone-bird feeders, or anything of that ilk. Hence: consumables. In the past I've had past successes making figgy pudding with brandy butter and a collection of homemade ketchups, relishes, mustards, and chutneys, but this year I want to move out of the kitchen. Blow me away with millions of amazing little home-made gift suggestions. Trio of caveats:

1) Soap initially seemed like a good idea, but now feels expensive to start, if I want to do anything but melt-&-pour.

2) Not into making fabric/textile art. I'm okay doing crafts, but I'm not – 29 year old male – gonna learn to embroider/knit/needlepoint. Also not consumable.

3) I have no access to a woodshop, specialty tools, nor lots of $ to spend on these projects. My kitchen, however, is loaded to the gills with specialty equipment I could commandeer in the name of the holidays.

Where to find gutta percha?

aladfar — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 13:21:06 -0800

How to obtain gutta percha? Once used to fashion tintype cases and to insulate the first trans-atlantic cable, it's since fallen out of fashion. Now, it's primary application is for the filling of root canals. Where can I find some in sufficient quantity for a craft project?

What can I make from a broken crystal chandelier?

jeather — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 08:19:26 -0800

I have the crystal pieces from an old, broken chandelier. What can I make from them? The pieces are all clear, and there are three shapes: octagonal, cut like a diamond (pointed on one side, flat on the other) in various sizes, but mostly about 2 or 3 cm wide; trapezoidal, about 1.5 cm on the short side, 2.5 on the long and 7 cm tall; and teardrop shaped, also about 7 cm long. The teardrops have one hole at the top, and the others all have two holes, one at each end. The shapes do not refract light into rainbows particularly well.

I have access to any supplies I might need, as well as any other kind of beads. I have thought of suncatchers but haven't really thought of any designs I like. I have also thought of jewelry, but the same issue. I'd prefer not to make a lamp.

Woodworking without modern fasteners?

odinsdream — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 08:20:55 -0800

Where can I find woodworking plans or guides for creating outdoor furniture with a minimum of fasteners? I've always admired wood furniture that's constructed with a minimum of modern fasteners (screws, nails, etc.) but is instead cleverly cut or shaped so that pieces interlock, dovetail, or pin together like a puzzle. I've seen an entire cupboard that practically falls apart if you lift off the top piece, otherwise it's perfectly strong.

I'd like to create some outdoor benches, chairs and small tables from a bunch of wood from an old fence using these kinds of techniques. Where can I learn more about this kind of construction? Does it have a name?

Thanks!

Too bad I don't have a vintage cat...

kathrineg — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 13:46:52 -0800

What should I do with this awesome vintage cat carrier? As you can see, the top is transparent and there are ventilation holes on both sides. Th pattern is a small houndstooth.

I might be able to get an identical one and have a pair...

Its dimensions are:

H: 11"
W: 17"
D: 8.5"

I was thinking about making it into a light fixture, but what bulbs would be cool enough to ensure it's not a fire hazard?

Recommendations for new and unusual crafts?

psychostorm — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 04:44:02 -0800

Knitting, crochet, beading, sewing.. what am I missing? Looking for some unusual craft techniques and projects. Oh hivemind, I'm asking for your most obscure and unusual self-contained craft techniques and skills that will keep a long-time crafter entertained over the long autumn nights. (Level of experience if it helps: intermediate jeweller, no stranger to beadweaving, improving knitter and crocheter.)

I'm looking for separate craft techniques and projects rather than something that is a sub-set of another craft. So, good examples would be quilling or kumihimo. Not so good: Tunisian crochet.

Bonus points for crafts that do not require the purchase of a whole heap of new, single-purpose supplies.

What are some good resources for learning to craft old tyres into products?

Not Supplied — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 03:40:46 -0800

What are some good resources for learning to work with old tyres - crafting them into products and designs? +or could you explain the basic processes? I'd like to learn

the best way of cutting them

how to make flat bits of rubber (a heat process?)

how to make them seamlessly into one surface as in a recycled tyre hut I once saw

Any other useful processes

Any good sites for inspiration - what to make, particularly sweet designs etc.

Any help appreciated, cheers

What kinds of advertising options should a new internet startup offer its customers and how should they be priced?

tnoetz01 — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 15:46:06 -0800

What kinds of advertising options should a new internet startup offer its customers and how should they be priced? I'm starting an online service targeted at beer enthusiasts, and we're considering offering advertising to the industry.

I'm trying to build some revenue model scenarios based on advertising options and rates. Specifically, I'm looking for help deciding what advertising options to offer and how much to charge for each, likely on a CPM basis.

What advertising options are typical, and what are typical CPMs for a site targeted at a fairly niche audience like ours?

Cheap, good dressmakers in London?

shewhoeats — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 06:25:39 -0800

I have a dress that I love. I want more dresses just like the dress that I love. Help me find someone in London who will make me cute dresses! I bought a dress last year from a high street retailer, and I absolutely adore it. It's a perfect cut for me, I look damn cute in it (if I may say so myself), it works for work and play, winter and summer. But it's only the one dress. I'd love to have it reverse engineered and several copies made of it in different fabrics. Short of rustling myself up a crafty friend with a sewing machine, how do I do this in a vaguely affordable way?

A search for tailors or dressmakers in London just brings up endless bespoke Saville row tailors and high end dressmakers (all far, far out of my budget), and I'm having trouble searching for the right thing. Any recommendations for tailors/dressmakers/seamstresses(seampersons?) in London who could do this kind of thing would be much appreciated.

Crunchy, crafty mom shopping nirvana in NYC?

printchick — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 19:35:56 -0800

Which crunchy/crafty/eclectic/kid-centered type stores should I visit when I'm in NYC? I'll be there for a seminar but will have some free time afterwards. I am going to spend a weekend in New York City next month for a work seminar. While most of my time will be spent at the seminar, I should have time in the evenings and during the afternoon before my flight home. I'm looking for suggestions for great toy stores, craft stores, crunchy stores, funky home decor stores, markets -- in short, any place a kinda crunchy/crafty/resourceful mother of a toddler would love to visit in NYC. I'll probably stick around Manhattan but would take a subway trip to a borough if the place seems fantabulous enough.

Pearl River and Paper Source would be fun stops (we don't have Paper Source where I live) but I'd welcome suggestions for other places.

Thank you!

Don't get me wrong, clotheslines are great, but help me make one AWESOME!

variella — Wed, 27 May 2009 08:10:27 -0800

Items weighing less than 1lb that make you think "WOW that's cool!" or "GOT to buy that!" on first glance? Catch: items already in your home or could do a bang-up job of creating in two weeks. The bartering comm I belong to (which also uses local alternative 'currency') is having a community centre sale. Theme: anything you can hang up on a clothesline (celebrating National Clothesline Day). I have to book a table ASAP for June 10- time to create but not much to decide if I have enough ideas or not. Food is the only forbidden item.

I'd love to participate because the theme sounds fun. I have a half dozen brand new blouses (with tags on), knitting patterns, and sheet music that I could have up. I'm willing to trade/sell these and anything else I have up for token amounts just to participate. All profits/exchanges go to me, the group considers my mere participation to be their return on giving me the space :)

Any ideas for other hangable things I could sell? Token items are fine, not looking for a huge return, just a full display of useful/fun items. I've got tons of used books but they aren't clothesline friendly.

Skills: sew, knit/crochet, papermaking, calligraphy, photography, etc., generally crafty and creative but help me brainstorm some basic and/or crazy out-of-the-box ideas!

Where can I get large pieces of velcro?

arnicae — Tue, 26 May 2009 23:15:54 -0800

Where can I find colorful velcro larger than 3" in diameter? I need a couple of pieces of velcro that are at least 3" in diameter and colorful for a project. I need the loop side to match the hook side in color, so as far as I can tell Veltex is out. I've called fabric stores (Jo-Ann's), craft stores (Michael's) and home improvement stores (Home Depot) with no success. I only need a couple pieces, but am willing to buy a foot or a yard of each color if necessary. Any suggestions as to where I can source it?

What everyday objects can I turn into nifty bracelets?

NoraReed — Tue, 19 May 2009 18:19:52 -0800

My girlfriend really likes bracelets made from ordinary objects. She has a fork bracelet and a bike chain bracelet already. What are other objects that I could turn into bracelets for her? Or, alternatively, what are some cool Etsy shops that make cool bracelets out of everyday stuff? She likes them to be thick enough to cover a (fairly small) scar on her wrist, so nothing that only wraps partially around (or that's super thin).

Made of cocaine and the tears of child actors

klangklangston — Fri, 01 May 2009 12:31:29 -0800

LA Gourmet Cocktails? What are the finest, most crafted cocktails you've had in LA? High-end genius drinkology? Even just the best-balanced martini? Is there a molecular gastronomy equivalent here? For a story I'm working on—If you're LA based and have nothing going on this weekend/week and you want to meet me for a drink, send me a memail.

fun things to make with business cards

girlgenius — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 18:42:53 -0800

what is the coolest thing I can make using 1000 redundant business cards? My employer has recently changed phone systems and given out new phone numbers. As a result, all our business cards are now redundant.

The social club is holding a competition to see which team can build the best sculpture or other object out of their old business cards. What can my team build to ensure we win the competition and stay the coolest team in the building?

We have about 1000 cards between us, they are recycled board and uncoated. White with black print on the front, small coloured logo on the back. Other materials are allowed to supplement the business cards, but the cards have to be the dominant material. Jokes or ironic references to environmental politics will be a plus.

We are competing for the mere glory of winning and we have two weeks to build our ____________. Have at me, hivemind!

Funky origami advice?

tnygard — Sat, 21 Feb 2009 20:21:11 -0800

Hi all, I have recently become obsessed with origami, and I love the funkier side of the craft. Bright colors, geometric patterns, modular pieces. I have the basic folds down, but now I want to make and learn about really cool stuff. Do any of you have suggestions about the most interesting origami papers, websites, discussion groups, patterns, etc.? Or any other origami advice?

How can I NOT set this craft on fire?

cranberrymonger — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 11:51:03 -0800

I'm trying to figure out how to colour some clear glass tea light holders to maximize sexiness and avoid flames. I'm trying to figure out how best to dimly light my bedroom. I have a set of clear glass tea light holders that look like this but are contained in a thin metal frame like these ones. Note that the tea lights are shorter than the holders so the light shines through the sides of the glass, not out of the top like in the second example.

They produce a good level of light but it's so yellow/white that it's not flattering. I think a pink, purple or red hue would work better, but I want to know how I should colour these holders.

Would tissue or thin decorative paper and decoupage work? Would paint? Are either of these likely to catch fire if I applied them to the inside of the holders? Any other suggestions?

Do you have any good DIY resources

Ookseer — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 14:52:19 -0800

Can you recommend some alternatives to Make magazine/blog without the social baggage and less emphasis on blinktrons and noisetrons? In the craft & DIY spectrum I'm very much a practical solutions for practical problems person*. I don't want to be part of a culture or movement. I don't want to fill my house with bare wires and raw bits of 2x4. And I've never seen anything that needed to blink more or make more noises.

On the other hand I have skill working with all kinds of materials, I can tackle medium difficulty electronics projects, cook, bake, sew and program a computer, and I'm generally of the opinion it's not a good project unless I get burned and/or cut. I don't want to save the planet or make a statement, but I just a lot of satisfaction from making something that I can use.

Make magazine is too haphazard and their agenda makes me weary, Craft magazine is too ribbons and lace. Instructables is on my list and slowly increasing in quality. ReadyMade is...okay. Although not a DIY blog, I get a lot of inspiration from Notcot.

What are the other web sites, blogs, magazines, organizations, and other resources that are going to inspire me? What are the ones that inspire you?

*Try saying that five times fast.

Where can I find light weight potatoes made of foam/plastic/etc?

Seeba — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 12:42:32 -0800

Where can I find light weight potatoes made of foam/plastic/etc? I am looking to find potatoes made of a light-weight material (obviously not for consumption) so that I can mail what looks like a "five pound bag of potatoes" and not get hammered with shipping costs.

I'm in the Houston area, and don't mind using the internet.
Thank you.