Does this substance exist? Arts & crafts people or hardware store people: for a craft project, I want a material that is malleable like clay but winds up lighter-weight like styrofoam/polystyrene once it has set and hardened. Maybe it it's dispensed from a tube or can? [more inside]
posted by kookoobirdz on Nov 13, 2009 - 18 answers

My grandmother just gave me some of her old knitting and sewing supplies, including what appears to be some sort of plastic knitting machine. Tell me more about it and how to use it! [more inside]
posted by sabotagerabbit on Nov 8, 2009 - 2 answers

Does anyone remember a website a few years back that would post scans of crafts and recipe books from the 50's-70's for the sole purpose of making fun of them for being horrible? I think it had "Lavender" in the name somewhere? It might be still going. It was a huge site with a lot of different sections of content and all of it was really funny. [more inside]
posted by amethysts on Nov 2, 2009 - 9 answers

I have been taken over by an urge to embroider a Xmas tablecloth. Trouble is, I know nothing about embroidery or cross-stitching and I need a little (a lot of) help getting started, if you would be so kind. [more inside]
posted by widdershins on Oct 29, 2009 - 23 answers

What Halloween crafts / art activities do the 5-8 year olds in your life enjoy doing? [more inside]
posted by nothingsconstant on Oct 24, 2009 - 5 answers

I'm working on reproducing an old childhood amusement with less messy waste or just dealing with ignoring the debris .... eggs to throw at each other. [more inside]
posted by tilde on Oct 23, 2009 - 13 answers

what are the best places to buy cross stitch supplies in nyc? manhattan or near-ish brooklyn preferable; happy to take online suggestions if that is, as usual, where the best options are. [more inside]
posted by lia on Oct 9, 2009 - 7 answers

What can I make with these decorative letters that I bought at a gift shop clearance sale? [more inside]
posted by cabingirl on Oct 8, 2009 - 11 answers

Where do I buy aluminum or bamboo Tunisian (afghan) crochet hooks in Los Angeles? Alternatively, is there a reputable online source for them? I'm looking for something in the smaller sizes-- it's for a scarf, so no size-Q monster hooks. I've seen plastic ones here and there, but I'm tough on plastic hooks and would prefer to avoid them. Thanks!
posted by fairytale of los angeles on Oct 4, 2009 - 10 answers

I'd like to make a permanent 1-inch grid on a chalkboard. How would I go about doing that? [more inside]
posted by ChrisR on Oct 2, 2009 - 22 answers

Which woods are good for making a salad bowl, and what preparation would the newly-made bowl need before being used? [more inside]
posted by vogel on Oct 2, 2009 - 7 answers

Can a novice in Boston turn casual crafting into a social outlet? [more inside]
posted by Diagonalize on Sep 25, 2009 - 9 answers

I have the crystal pieces from an old, broken chandelier. What can I make from them? [more inside]
posted by jeather on Sep 14, 2009 - 9 answers

Has anyone ever used the "Picture This" photo transfer product by Plaid? I have, with some mixed results and I was wondering if there was any particular paper that yields better results than others. I suppose this should be used with an inkjet printer, but ours isn't very good. Any other recommendations?
posted by m0kingb1rd on Aug 31, 2009 - 1 answer

Are there less expensive alternatives to ScrapnCubes? I need lots of storage for my scrap-booking and card-making paraphernalia. [more inside]
posted by Corky on Aug 21, 2009 - 6 answers

Help with productive vacation ideas? Of all the things to avoid, I have been putting off taking vacation and now suddenly the summer is slipping away... [more inside]
posted by messica on Aug 17, 2009 - 5 answers

Suggestions for converting clip-on earrings into post earrings? [more inside]
posted by orrnyereg on Aug 17, 2009 - 7 answers

Help us make a special and creative gift for a newly-married friend! [more inside]
posted by pised on Aug 4, 2009 - 1 answer

Are there services to assemble your quilt squares for you? In other words, can I pay someone to make a quilt out of a bunch of decorated squares of fabric that I provide? [more inside]
posted by otherwordlyglow on Jul 31, 2009 - 13 answers

Anyone know any good music games/activities for inner city elementary school kids? [more inside]
posted by cloeburner on Jun 29, 2009 - 10 answers

What should our five month old baby wear to our local 10th Anniversary Metafilter Meetup in 3 weeks? [more inside]
posted by onlyconnect on Jun 28, 2009 - 15 answers

Looking for websites where children can create (and print) an art project or picture on-line. [more inside]
posted by JoannaC on Jun 28, 2009 - 6 answers

What should I do with a bunch of glass shelves that I came across? [more inside]
posted by TedW on May 24, 2009 - 10 answers

help me make a microwaveable heating pad that doesn't burn or smell bad. barring that, help me buy one. [more inside]
posted by nadawi on May 18, 2009 - 11 answers

Santa and Mrs Claus need a storage system(s) for a million tiny parts... [more inside]
posted by rokusan on May 5, 2009 - 15 answers

My grandmother is looking for a way to paint metal and/or wooden objects to make them look like they are pewter (or nickel plated). What's the easiest way for her to achieve this effect? Bonus points for grandma-friendly techniques.
posted by jgee on Apr 17, 2009 - 12 answers

Does anyone remember an infomercial from the late 80s/early 90s that advertised a product that you could easily crochet "granny" squares? I think the squares actually popped off this thing and then you could sew them together. I can't remember the name of the product!
posted by LiquidKarma on Mar 13, 2009 - 9 answers

My friends keep bees...they have a ton of beeswax lying around. How do you make candles out of raw beeswax?
posted by QAF on Mar 13, 2009 - 7 answers

I've been doing some cross-stitch after a break, and have been enjoying it. Where can I find some cool, non-chintzy designs? Especially if something other than cards or big projects. Recommendations for pattern software good too! [more inside]
posted by mippy on Mar 13, 2009 - 13 answers

I would like to have my extracted wisdom teeth made into...something. [more inside]
posted by Morrigan on Feb 23, 2009 - 25 answers

Where can I find synthetic scrimshaw materials? I've been googling and I'm having a lot of trouble just finding an online store that sells blank pendants and belt buckles which are not made from ivory or whale bones. I really want to get into scrimshaw crafts but I dont want to use animal products to do it. [more inside]
posted by minicloud on Feb 16, 2009 - 6 answers

Crafty girl needs advice on improving her jewelry business [more inside]
posted by lizbunny on Feb 13, 2009 - 11 answers

Cross-stitch supplies in DT Toronto? [more inside]
posted by crawfo on Jan 21, 2009 - 3 answers

Hey cross-stitchers: when you're working on a pattern that's more or less solid, do you do work on a blob of one color at a time, or on one row at a time? [more inside]
posted by tristeza on Jan 5, 2009 - 18 answers

I am looking for recommendations of art/craft projects that involve glitter. [more inside]
posted by foxinthesnow on Jan 1, 2009 - 17 answers

How can I add unwashable letters to a coffee mug? Need to make a few gifts by the beginning of next week. [more inside]
posted by NeoLeo on Dec 19, 2008 - 7 answers

How can I make this felt barette? [more inside]
posted by sweetkid on Dec 18, 2008 - 2 answers

My mother-in-law loves to sew and knit, but fibromyalgia is slowing her down. Can you recommend any tools or gadgets that might help her? [more inside]
posted by palmcorder_yajna on Dec 9, 2008 - 17 answers

Will clear finish/gloss still work in the cold? [more inside]
posted by A Terrible Llama on Dec 9, 2008 - 5 answers

Crafty Gift Filter: Help! I need a place in the DC metro area that sells crafty gifts. [more inside]
posted by JoanArkham on Dec 5, 2008 - 11 answers

I want to chop off a foot of hair. Because it is highlighted, I can't donate it to Locks of Love or any other charity that makes wigs. What are some interesting and/or useful things I can do with this much hair?
posted by cereselle on Nov 7, 2008 - 12 answers

There have got to be some fairs, antique markets, or craft events going on in southern California. Right? I'm dying to find some sort of fair or bazaar setting where people offer mostly hand-made or collectible trinkets, or similar odds-and-ends - without any 'modern factory-based goods' making their way into the booths. [more inside]
posted by Bakuun on Nov 2, 2008 - 6 answers

I'm trying finish up a mask I'm making for Halloween; it' s basically a giant papier-mache eyeball, and I'm looking for suggestions for suitable paints to use to make it look good. [more inside]
posted by millions on Oct 27, 2008 - 8 answers

Are there stronger versions of clip-on craft magnifiers, such as this one? [more inside]
posted by CKmtl on Oct 25, 2008 - 4 answers

Experienced knitter seeks tried and true hat pattern to be made with wool and love. [more inside]
posted by geekchic on Oct 24, 2008 - 14 answers

I am making a toddler-blanket for Christmas, but I've managed to buy fabric that I don't know how to work with. I know, smart, right? [more inside]
posted by Medieval Maven on Oct 9, 2008 - 7 answers

How much should I charge for a baby blanket I crocheted for an acquaintance? [more inside]
posted by purpletangerine on Oct 9, 2008 - 21 answers

I am trying to duplicate a unique trophy any way possible. [more inside]
posted by Flying Saucer on Sep 28, 2008 - 9 answers

How do I make a prop electric guitar? [more inside]
posted by mhum on Sep 17, 2008 - 14 answers

I'm looking for a project management/social networking site for fabric craftspeople, artisans and hobbyists (can include sewing, weaving, whatever) on the MyFolia model. In other words someplace on line where I can organize my projects and connect with other craftspeople. The forums just aren't working for me-- too much chat, not enough organizing.
posted by nax on Aug 31, 2008 - 6 answers