Unleash your inner Picasso at the Big Draw on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., where New York City artists oversee art projects for doodlers of all ages at three lower Manhattan venues. Free. Call 212-219-2166 or visit drawingcenter.org for more information.
Dixie Rodriguez's artwork started on New York City streets and subway stations. He quickly found a new canvas for his "street art," using shoes, handbags and shirts.
Learn more about his hand-painted designs helped kick start his business, 1Eleven Designs.
Photo credit: MCT
Try your hand at "The Art of Chinese Brush Painting." Classes Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., at the deCordova Studio & Gallery, 538 Main Street, Greenport, NY. Cost $200, plus $20 materials fee. Call 631-477-0620, deCordovagallery.com.
Photo credit: Chinese brush painting by SilentLotus Creations.. A portion of Silent Lotus' profits will be donated to The Nature Conservancy's Plant a Billion Trees cause.
Take a self-guided tour of about 30 artists' studios in Amangansett, Sag Harbor, Southampton and East Hampton, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday to Saturday, $60 a couple covers both days, buy at Ashawagh Hall, Springs Fireplace Road, East Hampton, 631-324-2225, artistsstudiotour.org
Batik craftswomen apply melted wax to fine cotton textiles to produce characteristic figurative designs at a workshop in Solo city in Central Java on June 29, an area well known for producing the best batik in Indonesia. Traditional Indonesian batik fabrics are made through a process of textile dyeing rendering incricate handmade designs using wax. Batik has been an art and craft for centuries in Indonesia with certain designs reserved for the nobles.
Photo credit: Getty Images
Every now and then, I receive an e-mail from a reader offering a fantastic tip that must be shared. I'd like to do just that with a tip from Denise Ramo, a scrapbooking enthusiast in Ronkonkoma. Here's her suggestion for a great rubber stamp resource:
In case you are unaware, the Material Resource Center in Ronkonkoma has a lot of unmounted rubber stamps. They're easy to use and all you need is an adhesive and an acrylic block. (In a pinch, you can use a sturdy, clear ink pad top as a block!) Gals I know use a variety of adhesive, such as Velcro (on block & stamp), double sided tape on block, Alene's Tack It Over & Over, or EZ Mount.
At the Material Resource Center, there are small stamps you would find on pegs at Michaels and others are alphabets on full rubber sheets, with some trimming required. They were roughly $4 a pound, if you are not a member. There are also bags with the smaller stamps for sale, many are duplicates but are perfect for kids, classroom use, or sharing with your stamping pals!
They also have great mat board -- it's super cheap -- for book board projects. A super deal if you have a Bind-It-All and are making your own books in different sizes
Thought you might want to know. Hope you find it useful!
~ Denise Ramo
Do you have a crafting tip or resource to share? Please drop me an e-mail and I'll tell everyone about it. Looking forward to hearing from you!
Summer is full of outdoor craft shows, and while I adore checking out the latest handmade goods by local artists, I hope to sell my own crafty goodies, too!
I asked Carolina Estrada of Rocca Designs to share her best tips for selling at craft shows. Here's her advice:
1. Dress it up: Nobody wants to buy pieces from an artist who doesn't feel confident about her product. If you sell accessories -- hats, clothing, jewelry or other types of wearable art -- make sure you are wearing your own creations. You'll feel like a fake if your potential customers ask you where you got that pretty necklace, purse or dress and it's not your own.
2. Do what you can to accept credit cards: People tend to buy more and spend more per transaction when you give the option to pay with a credit card. If you have a PayPal account, you can bring your laptop ... believe me it will increase your sales due to impulse purchases.
3. Survey: It is a good idea to do your research before you pay a costly booth fee. Make sure your items fit in with the overall environment of the craft show. Also make sure there aren't a lot of sellers in your category. For example: If you're selling earrings, check to see how many other people will be there selling earrings.
4. Rehearse: If you live in or close to any big city, you can find local artist markets or gallery nights; these usually have low-cost setup fees and may even be free for sellers. Take the opportunity to rehearse, come up with your selling strategy and practice your booth setup and other details without hurting your wallet.
Pictured: Carolina's jewelery line Rocca Designs.
To learn more about Carolina Estrada and her handmade jewelry, visit her Web site: www.roccadesigns.etsy.com
Got a great tip for creative do-it-yourselfers? Let us know! You might see your helpful advice on the Cheap Thrills blog.
Channel your inner herbalist in this class about growing and using medicinal herbs, 10 to 11:30 a.m. tomorrow, Bridge Gardens, 36 Mitchell Lane, Bridgehampton, $5, 631-283-3195, ext. 10, peconiclandtrust.org.
Are you ready for summer? Here's a crafty project that will get you in the mood for sun and surf.
I just discovered this awesome video tutorial by Anne-Marie Faiola, owner and chief executive of Brambleberry, a soapmaking supplies company. She has launched a series of soapmaking videos via SoapQueenTV.
I'll be sharing her videos regularly, so stay tuned in. Today, check out her very creative tutorial on making clam shell soaps! These make perfect little gifts for a summer beach party, or use them as guest soaps at your vacation cottage. How unique!
I am going to try out this neat tutorial and post my results. Thanks Anne-Marie!
Try this adult watercolor workshop with Stony Brook artist Elisabeth Greaf, Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., the Long Island Museum, 1200 Route 25A, Stony Brook, $160, 631-751-0066, longislandmuseum.org.
More than 250 artisans exhibit at the Renegade Craft Fair, selling jewelry, knitwear, prints, paper goods and more. Tomorrow and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. McCarren Park, Driggs Avenue and North 12 Street, Brooklyn. Free, renegadecraft.com
ClayNation is a place where anyone can have creative fun!
You can go at any time during business hours - no appointment is needed - or, if you like, you can schedule a birthday party. At ClayNation, you pick out a piece of pottery you like. Some examples of things to choose from are cats, dogs, piggy banks, plates, cups and even a vase. The size determines the cost. A staff member sets you up with paints.
When you get your paint, you choose the color from the color chart. The colors may look a little different at first from the color chart, but don't worry. They will change to the color you like when the pottery has been fired in the kiln.
It doesn't matter if you are a good or bad artist. What matters is you are having fun. If you happen to use the wrong color, they have sponges that take the paint off like magic.
I painted a panda. Some of my friends who went with me painted an owl, a teapot, a penguin and even a food bowl for pets. We were also taught some tricks to make painting easier. It was cool to learn how to blend colors and work on shading.
They put the painted pottery in a kiln, and a few days later you can pick up your finished work.
Where to go: 31 Village Sq., Glen Cove, 516-671-8788; claynationonline.com
-- SABRINA MAGRINI/KIDSDAY
See works of art made from Lego bricks and become an artist yourself by painting a portrait on the street during the 13th Annual Community Mosaic Street Painting Festival from noon to 5 p.m. Sunday in Riverhead. Main Street will be closed off from Roanoke Avenue to East Avenue, and the East End Arts Council's grounds are part of the festival. Go to Eastendarts.org or call 631-369-2171 for more information.
For interesting crafts, try the Spring Crafts and Fine Arts Fair at the Nassau County Museum of Art, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday and Monday, 1 Museum Drive, Roslyn Harbor, $7, children younger than 12 free, 516-484-9337, nassaumuseum.com/events.htm#festival
Fourth-, fifth-, and sixth-graders at Fire Island’s Woodhull School had the opportunity to participate in the "Warm Up America Afterschool Knitting Club." It's been said that knitting helps children improve motor coordination and problem-solving abilities, encourages positive social behavior and teamwork, and engages students in community service activities. Above, students with an afghan they created and will donate to a hospice.
Photo credit: Handout
"The Kitchen Linens Book: Using, Sharing, and Cherishing the Fabrics of Our Daily Lives," by EllynAnne Geisel (Andrews McMeel Publishing, $19.99)
For those who love the feel of fabric in a down-home setting, this book has plenty to offer, topped off most of all by the author's own sense of style and comfort. While showing readers napkins, tablecloths, aprons, kitchen towels and more, the author evokes the past, taking us back to a time when women made their own linens and added their own personal touches. The materials used vary considerably, from cotton feed-bag cloth, favored by farmer's wives, to silk.
The author offers advice on the care of various fabrics, the packing of picnic lunches and includes some recipes, describes the kinds of weaves used for different items, and provides what amounts to etiquette lessons from days gone by that work just as well today. Lots of photos accompany her advice.
There's almost nothing here on how to reproduce the illustrated designs, though there is a transfer pattern to create a vintage kitchen towel. But the illustrations and obvious love for past craftsmanship may be enough to encourage fans to explore their own creativity or at least appreciate and perhaps collect items made in the past. -- PAM ROBINSON
The Old Town Arts and Crafts Guild on the Main Road in Cutchogue will be having its Open House on Saturday, May 16, from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. They will be featuring demonstrations of arts and crafts all day, free refreshments and sign-up for classes offered at the guild this summer. For more information, visit: www.oldtownguild.com/
Have you ever hosted a TV show ... in your head? Well, if you’re into “Do It Yourself” home projects, there could be a real audience in your future.
Here’s the deal: the DIY Network is scouting its next host in what the producers call the “Stud Finder search.” Viewers — those who are outgoing and passionate do-it-yourselfers — are invited to enter a contest via the network's Web site. Submissions include a video and photos as well as an explanation of why you are the right person for the job.
“We are looking for the next true DIY Network star, someone who has the right combination of skills and personality to make their way into living rooms across America," Kathy Finch, the network's general manager, said in a statement.
Entries must be submitted by July 13. The network will select four finalists, while viewers choose the fifth via online voting. Of course, the five will compete before a winner is named.
— LISA DOLL BRUNO
Find creative gifts by independent local designers and craftsmen at The Spring Handmade Cavalcade. Tomorrow and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.. The Bell House, 149 Seventh St., Brooklyn. Free, handmadecavalcade.com
Photo: Gold Coin Earrings with Malachite by Lingua Nigra, one of the many handcrafted items for sale at the Spring Handmade Cavalcade,
Oprah is a woman after my own heart. She loves a good bargain and is always giving something away on her talk show. This time, she's giving away a coupon for a free two-piece meal for that new Kentucky Grilled Chicken. You'll get two pieces of grilled chicken, two individual sides and a biscuit!
Go on, try it out. It's really free! Limited time only. Get more details on Oprah.com. Offer good at participating Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurants only. You have until May 19th to redeem the coupons.
Update: The download time frame has now expired.
>> More details: KFC free chicken vouchers create frenzy in NYC
Are you counting the days 'til summer begins?
I know I am!
I'm most looking forward to enjoying a nice tall glass of fresh lemonade on a hot summer day. So imagine my glee when I discovered this neat little recipe for Lemon Loofah soap. Trust me, it's just as good!
What is loofah? It's a plant that grows much like the cucumber, can be dried, shredded and added to handmade soap for a natural exfoliant. It's a really unique ingredient to add to your homemade soaps.
Once you're done, this delightful soap smells like fresh lemons!! Or if you're a candy addict, it'll remind you of a box of LemonHeads, too!
I recently demonstrated how to make this recipe for my craft club, The NYC Soapmaker's Circle. Here's feedback I received from a pal:
"The demonstration and information was excellent and the soap was awesome. It smells like fresh lemonade and makes your skin great. I didn't want to leave the shower and when I did I made a glass of lemonade."
Ingredients:
1 4-ounce bar unscented glycerin soap
1 teaspoon powdered loofah
15 drops lemon essential or lemon fragrance oil
1 4-ounce soap mold
Directions: In a double boiler on the stove or in a microwave on a low setting, melt the bar of glycerin soap until liquefied. Remove from heat and stir in powdered loofah and lemon oil. Pour melted soap into the mold and let set for three hours or until hardened.
Resources: Supplies can be purchased at your local craft store, such as Michaels or online at WholesaleSuppliesPlus.com
Crafty Tip: For easy removal, put the filled soap mold into your fridge or freezer for a few minutes and then pop your soap out of the mold. It works every time!
Photo by Natural Brands Inc., a maker and distributor of premium fresh-squeezed juices, including lemonade.
Did you know that the Campbell Soup Co. grows its own tomatoes for its tomato soup? I didn't until it launched the Help Grow Your Soup program this year, announcing that for the first time in the company's 100-year history, it is making its specially cultivated seeds available to the public. Read more about this great offer and score some free seeds ....
Love gardening? Check out my pal Jessica Damiano's Garden Detective blog.
Photo credit: Burpee.com
Register for this oil painting class, which starts Thursday, and is offered every Thursday for six weeks, 1-3 p.m. at the Henrietta Acampora Recreation Center, 39 Montauk Hwy., Blue Point, $25. Call about supplies, 631-363-5193.
With more consumers turning to coupons as a way to save, Amy D'Agrosa of Huntington has gone from coupon newbie to coupon diva in a few months. So much so that she has started running coupon parties to help others save, too.
At her kickoff party Friday, she showed attendees how to get the best deals by using more than one coupon for the same product; how manufacturers get consumers to apply coupons to their pricier products; and how to organize coupons without all that clipping.
"The time is right," D'Agrosa, 26, told the group of female friends and family. "You love your pocketbooks and wallets and want your money to go as far as it can."
She asked her guests to guess how much she paid for two baskets of household products. For the collection of mostly Lysol cleaning products, the guesses ranged from $7 to more than $20. But D'Agrosa explained how, through a combination of coupons and a mail-in-rebate, she paid just $5.62 for items that otherwise would have cost $19.46.
Continue reading this article by Newsday's Patricia Kitchen ...
Today only, pick up a tasty iced coffee from Dunkin' Donuts for a mere 50 cents. Yep, you heard right!
But wait, it gets even better! For every 16-ounce iced coffee purchased, 10 percent will be donated to The Dunkin' Brands Community Foundation to support homes for our military servicemen and servicewomen. Offer good at participating Dunkin' Donuts.
Last year, Dunkin' Donuts offered a free iced coffee to java lovers and now it's being offered for 50 cents. Could this be an end to our beloved freebies at Dunkin' Donuts? Is it the economy? Stay tuned ...
Over the weekend, I was invited to spend the afternoon crafting with some friends -- Gayle, Heidi, Eileen, Yvonne to name a few -- in Upper Manhattan.
We all learned how to make these fun altered pendants using domino game pieces, rub-ons, beads, alchol inks and Hodgepodge Hardware from Stampin' Up, a craft supplier.
Here's a look at mine. Aren't they adorable? Special thanks to Eileen and Heidi for hosting this fantastic event. To see more photos of our handiwork, go to Eileen's blog - Art Saves Lives.
Photo credit: Corris Little
My craftin' buddy Heidi e-mailed me this cute tutorial on card making, which happens to be one of my favorite hobbies. Star of May is the crafter in this video and she's using craft supplies from Stampin' Up. Check out the video and enjoy. It's totally addicting to watch!
Do you have a great tutorial to share? Tell us about it!
Head to your local Target on Sunday and get a reusable Target tote bag with any in-store purchase while supplies last. Target and GE are celebrating Earth Day by giving away 1 million bags; each will include a coupon for $2 off a GE compact fluorescent lightbulb.
Learn the benefits of using lemons, lavender oil and other "green" products at a spring cleaning workshop at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday in Southold, sponsored by the Group for the East End. You will make some of your own household cleaners, so bring plastic spray bottles. It's free, 54895 Main Street, 631-765-6450, ext. 211.
Don't discard your cereal box! Instead, transform it into this super cute wallet packed with recycling power! With a few cuts and folds, you'll have a one-of-a-kind wallet made from your favorite breakfast brand. Makes a unique Father's Day gift and works great for business cards, too. Tutorial by Tiffany Threadgould at RePlayGround!.
Ingredients:
Empty food box - like a cereal box
Elastic cord
Paper template you can download here (Adobe Reader required to view)
Tools:
Scissors
Pencil
Ruler
Paper scoring tool - like a butter knife or bent paperclip small paperpunch (1/8" hole) or tack
Instructions:
1. Cut out the template and place it on top of your box. Trace around the edges.
2. Cut along the lines and punch holes where indicated either with a small paper punch or a tack. If you're using a tack, wiggle the tack in the hole so it's large enough to fit the elastic cord through.
3. Then, place the ruler on top of your cut-out and run your paper scoring tool along the lines. Fold at these lines.
4. Tie a double knot at one end of your cord and slip through hole A with the knot on the inside of the box. Then thread through B, going through the inside of the box and ending on the outside. Next, thread in through C and out through D. Then, thread in through E, and back in through F ending on the inside of the box.
5. Tuck in tabs A and F and fold up the wallet. Then tie a double knot in the end to secure. Make sure the elastic is snug, but not too tight. Slip the elastic over the corners of your wallet and it's ready to be filled with your money, business cards or even coupons to buy more cereal.
For more information on recycled or repurposed goods with a twist, check out RePlayGround! in Brooklyn, NY.
Combine last month's magazines with some old magnets and you'll have a fun new word play game that you made yourself. This simple project is sure to make headlines. Tutorial by Tiffany Threadgould at RePlayGround!
Ingredients:
Magazines
Mint tin
Flexible magnet (like the kind you get advertising the local pizza shop) or get the adhesive kind from a craft supply store
Tools:
Glue stick (if using a nonadhesive magnet) scissors
Instructions:
1.Lay your magnetic piece on a flat surface. Cut words from magazine pages. Make sure you have enough to cover the whole surface of the magnet.
2. If you're using a nonadhesive magnet, lay your words upside-down on a piece of scrap paper and use your glue stick to make it sticky. Stick onto the magnet. Repeat until your whole magnet is covered. If you're using an adhesive magnet, peal off the waxy layer and stick the words to the magnet.
3. Use your scissors to carefully cut apart the pieces. Then stick the pieces to your mint tin or refrigerator and rearrange the words creating sentences and fun phrases.
For more funky recycled and repurposed goods, check out RePlayGround! in Brooklyn, NY.
Do you have a favorite craft or DIY project to share? I'd love to have you as a guest blogger for Cheap Thrills!
Currently, I'm looking for crafty gals (and guys) to share tutorials, write about the latest Etsy finds, share photos of works in progress, show off your crafts and share the story behind it, and more. The ideal person for this gig should be crafty or love handmade objects, write well, have Internet access and a camera. Cheap Thrills guest bloggers aren't paid, but I will link to your blog, Etsy site, Web site, etc. It's a great way to get exposure for what you love to do -- creating cool stuff!
Contact me via e-mail to learn more about the opportunity.
For more information, visit the Handmade Cavalcade Web site.
Martha Stewart makes an L.I. appearance to sign copies of "Martha Stewart's Encyclopedia of Crafts" (Clarkson Potter). At noon, Michael's Arts & Crafts, 1280 Corporate Drive, Westbury; 516-693-0420.
Spring has sprung and summer is just around the corner. It’s time to get glowing skin!
Here’s a great little recipe for a sugar scrub that will help exfoliate your skin in the shower and leave you feeling soft and supple.
I love sugar scrubs because they’re fairly simple and cheap to make from ingredients found in your own cupboard. Plus, you can give this away as cool summer gifts to all your friends and they will think you're soooo crafty!
Basic Sugar Body Scrub:
1 clear plastic jar
1 cup sugar (can be brown, raw, turbinado or any type will do)
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
A few drops of a scented oil (optional)
Directions: In a plastic bowl, mix the sugar and olive oil and if you like, you can add a fragrance to make it more fun. Try lavender essential oil to soothe your senses or a citrusy fragrance oil for an energizing experience. Fragrance oils are safe for use on skin and can be purchased at your local health food store or online. Put the mixture in a plastic container or jelly jar and keep in the bathroom for use anytime.
This scrub works best in a shower. Rub all over your skin and rinse off. Enjoy!
Note: After time, it’s normal for the oil to rise to the top and the sugar to settle to the bottom. Give the mixture a quick stir and you’re back in business!
Photo by From Nature With Love, one of my favorite suppliers of natural, organic ingredients for making beauty products.
BY MEREDITH DANIELS
Craig Belson, 27, of Valley Stream, proudly took a sip of the spiced brown ale he brewed back in November as he steeped a muslin bag in a stock pot that sat on two burners. "I can't wait to see how this one turns out," the smiling home brewer of two years said as he patiently watched brown drippings from the 3-pound bag of grain fall into the pot of what eventually would become a porter.
Mike Deinhardt, 56, of Centereach held up his empty 10-gallon firkin and gave a primal scream along with several dozen others who sampled his Scotch ale made especially for Blue Point's Cask Ale Festival in January. Deinhardt, who has been brewing since 1991, made this batch in his new $1,200 self-contained system that he and a friend built in his garage.
Home-brewing equipment and home brewers, themselves, come in all shapes and sizes, but it's the common interest of creating and sampling good, flavorful fermentations that draws them together.
"My favorite part of the process is brewing with other people and the camaraderie of it all," said Deinhardt, who is the president of the club Brewers East End Revival (also known as BEER). "Summer is great. We'll have a brew-fest at my house, and we'll barbecue and just have a fun time."
Craft brewing began to emerge across the country in the late 1970s as the beer industry was beginning to consolidate and
Continue reading "Long Islanders make beer at home for fun, profit" »
Scrapbooking can be a great way to preserve cherished moments and stay connected to the past.
With spring approaching, now is the time to tidy up those stacks of photos you've been hoarding and create a meaniful album of memories. There are many crafters who run their own scrapbooking classes in Queens and Long Island via Meetup.com, a cool social networking Web site.
Curious about the art of scrapbooking? Would you like to meet other crafters? On Meetup.com, you're likely to find fun and friendly people who share your interests. Check out this sampling of local scrapbooking groups and dive right in!
Group name: Sassy Scraps & Stamps
Class: Spring Fling Scrapbook Class
Students can expect to go home with a completed 12x12 double layout perfect for showcasing their favorite Spring-themed photos. This particular class will focus on adding dimension to our pages using patterned paper-piecing and embellishments. All supplies are included. People interested in attending must RSVP by April 1, 2009.
Date: Sunday, April 5th from 1- 3 p.m.
Cost: $20 per person.
Web site: http://www.meetup.com/Sassy-Scraps-Stamps-Meetup-Group/
Group name: Stamp It, Scrap It, Stick It!
Class: Build Your Own Layout Class
In this class, participants will have the opportunity to create their own fantastic two page layout. This class will give people the opportunity to practice creating a layout that is balanced and beautiful. Each person will bring their own paper, creating something personal and unique. We will review the basics of designing a template using a 12 X 12 guide. Each person will cut their own paper to exactly match their template. Once the basics are completed, the fun of embellishing and stamping begins! Each participant will be able to browse through a variety of embellishments including ribbon, buttons, brads and flowers to add some beauty and distinction to their layout. There will also be quite a few stamp sets and inks available for people to create titles and journaling spots on their pages.
Date: Sunday, April 18th, 8-10 p.m.
Cost: $10
Web site: http://www.meetup.com/stamp-and-scrap/
Group name: Oceanside Scrapbookng/Card Making Crop
Class: Monthly Scrapbooking and Card Making Workshop
New members will have the opportunity to attend two mini workshops within the crop to learn card making and scrapbooking techniques and layouts. Members will complete two or three cards and one 12 x 12 scrapbook page.
Date: April 18th, 10 a.m - 3 p.m and 4:30 p.m.- 7:30 p.m.
Cost: $15 daytime crop; $20 evening card making workshop
Web site: http://www.meetup.com/scrapbook-2258/
Please note: Some of these groups may require registration or an event fee, which is standard.
Photo credit: Denise Ramo
Today, March 20 is the first day of spring and Rita's Ice is giving away free 10-ounce Italian ice treats in your choice of available flavors from noon-10 p.m. at more than 500 locations in 17 states. New flavor for 2008: Birthday Cake Cream Ice.
Here are the Long Island locations:
Bellmore
2942 Merrick Rd.
Directions
Deer Park
2158 Deer Park Ave.
Directions
East Islip
105 E. Main St.
Directions
Huntington Station
107 Walt Whitman Rd.
Directions
Medford Commons
2717 Rte. 112
Directions
Oceanside
2791 Long Beach Rd.
Directions
One of my favorite papercrafters is Angie Kennedy Juda. She makes adorable things out of gorgeous paper. Well, she's at it again. This time, she is creating a fun book to hold all those annoying passwords -- computer logins, e-mail, -- we have to keep handy. If you're like me, then this creative craft is great for those "senior moments" when you forget things.
Check out a video of Angie Kennedy Juda's password book ...
Special thanks to Angie Juda over at the Chic n' Scratch blog for the video tutorial! For more information on Angie's altered creations and other crafts or to inquire about craft supplies, please visit her blog: http://www.chicnscratch.typepad.com/
Nothing about Alison Lewis even suggests "nerdy." But ask her about circuits or diodes, and you'll see she is more than familiar with switches and soldering irons. Her book, "Switch Craft: Battery-Powered Crafts to Make and Sew" ($24.95, Crown), brims with instructions for projects that combine technology with clothing and accessories, say a music-blaring bag, a pillow with a cell phone headset, an illuminated skirt. Her message: Technology can be stylish. -- AP
You may think of felt as the stuff of kids' craft projects, but the fabric can be used to create sophisticated sculpture, fashion, furniture -- even a yurt, built on the museum premises. Check out this extraordinary event today until 5 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sunday noon to 6 p.m. (through Sept. 7), Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum, 2 E. 91st St. Cost: $15, 212-849-8300, cooperhewitt.org
Take 50 percent off gently used children's and women's clothes, jewelry and more at the Community Thrift Shop today, tomorrow and Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at 274 New York Ave., Huntington, 631-271-4883.
Make your own jewelry using beach glass, shells and other natural materials, Saturday, 1 to 3 p.m. or 3:30 to 5:30 p.m., in these workshops hosted by the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County at the Kermit W. Graf Building, 424 Griffing Ave., Riverhead. Cost: $25, pre-registration required, 631-767-5142.
BY SYLVIA E. KING-COHEN
Ever looked at a piece of art and thought, "Heck, I could do that"? Maybe your drawings of a horse always comes out looking more like a long-legged guinea pig?
Across Long Island, there are groups, classes and instructors available to help you sort out your pastels from your charcoals. Whether you'd like to attempt your first still-life or are a burgeoning artist ready to fine-tune your skills, here's a sampling of what's out there.
STUDIO TIME
The Art Studio: 125 N. Park Ave., Rockville Centre, 516-763-2050, theartstudiorvc.com
When: 7:30-9:30 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday
Cost: $90 a month ($25 yearly registration fee for materials)
Are you a budding sculptor, a frustrated painter or just wondering how artistic you really are? This fine arts studio provides the basic supplies for those who want to paint, draw or learn graphic design and mixed-media art forms. Roving instructors stop by each student's station to answer questions, tweak projects or just help get the creative juices flowing.
WATERCOLOR CLUB
East End Arts Council School of the Arts: 141 E. Main St., Riverhead, 631-369-2171, eastendarts.org
When: 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Wednesdays, March 11-April 1
Cost: $180
Think abstract, very abstract. Watercolor enthusiasts with some experience can amp up their creativity at local artist Linda Nemeth's class, which incorporates various types of music as inspiration.
Also try: The council's other upcoming classes include a hand drawing workshop ($60, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. March 14), drawing with pastels ($180, 6-8 p.m. Thursdays, March 19-April 30) and animation art with Don Duga ($65, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. March 28).
PET PORTRAITS
Art League of Long Island: 107 E. Deer Park Rd., Dix Hills, 631-462-5400, ext. 222, artleagueli.net
When: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. March 14-15
Cost: $185
This two-day workshop will help you draw or paint your favorite animal. You'll learn how to capture expression, particularly the eyes, and handle the texture of fur or feathers. Bring lots of photos for reference.
Also try: The Art League hosts dozens of classes in printmaking, watercolor, sculpture, clay and other arts. Of note: A "Lithuanian Decorative Egg" workshop (11 a.m.- 3:30 p.m. March 15, $65), in which students will design 3-4 hollow-shell eggs using dyes and wax techniques. "Works on Paper in Gouache Painting Flowers" (10 a.m.-3:30 p.m. March 28, $87) will focus on painting floral material with Gouache paint.
Discover the stories that quilts told in the days of the Underground Railroad. Learn about the symbols and shapes as children design their own quilt patterns. Ages 5 and older, 3 p.m. Saturday at the Long Island Children's Museum, 11 Davis Ave., East Garden City, $3 with museum admission. 516-224-5800 or licm.org
Photo above: Danny Drain, collector, with a Civil War quilt with a flying geese pattern used by enslaved Blacks of the South that carried secret codes related to the underground railroad.
(Newsday Photo / Sune Woods)
Kids explore their creative sides as the Creative Art Space Foundation hosts an open studio for age 5 to 12, allowing them to work with paints and drawing materials. Kids 13 to 17 can participate in the teen program. From 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday at Creative Art Space, 48-D Atlantic Ave., Lynbrook. Free. 516-596-4278 or creativeartspaceforkids.org.
Terry Matthews Jewelry Online Sample Sale
Mother Nature-inspired jewelry designs (some pieces made from recycled gold) priced 55 to 70 percent below retail. Sale runs from noon, Sunday through noon March 4, at TheSavvy.com. “Kana” earrings with white onyx were $70, now $30. “Kasmir” necklace with ruby-kyanite was $100, now $30. Set of three sterling-silver square bangles was $155, now $70. Leaf earrings with Keishi pearls were $120, now $50. Tiny leaf earrings were $60, now $30.Sterling-silver India hoop earrings were $155, now $45.
In the Bag
Authentic designer handbags, new and vintage, including Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Dior, Hermes, Prada and Fendi, up to 70 percent off retail, plus wholesale prices on other designer items including ready-to-wear apparel, coats, jewelry, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. tomorrow-Friday and to 5 p.m. Saturday, Flatotel Hotel, 135 W. 52nd St. (between 6th and 7th avenues), 5th floor; 917-453-6687.
Visit the International House of Pancakes for a deal you'll flip over!
The restaurant chain is celebrating National Pancake Day from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. today. Stop by your local IHOP to pick up one free short stack (three) of their famous buttermilk pancakes. IHOP is asking that you consider making a donation to support local children's hospitals through Children's Miracle Network.
For more information or to find an IHOP near you, visit: www.ihoppancakeday.com
Psst! Don't go there trying to fill up on pancakes for the long winter. There is a limit of one free stack per person for a dine-in visit. Enjoy!
Thanks to fellow Newsday blogger Mark La Monica for the freebie reminder!
Did you know? Seaford has a long history of decoy carving. Check out this interesting video on the Long Island men and these handmade objects.
Intimacy -- Intimacy on 1252 Madison Ave., at 90th Street -- is having a blowout sale today through Sunday, March 8, where shoppers can save 40 to 60 percent off designer lingerie (including bras, panties and sleepwear). Brands include La Perla, Chantelle, Lise Charmel, Aubade, Simone Perele, Prima Donna, Marie Jo, Fantasie, Freya, Fauve, Empriente, Lejaby, Elixir and many more. Free bra fittings. Reserve your fitting appointment at myintimacy.com.
Bruno Magli -- Women’s 2008 collection of classic Italian leather shoes and handbags up to 70 percent off retail today through Friday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. at Savvy, 145 W. 18th St. (6th and 7th avenues); 212-388-0339. “Filiano” metallic Nappa silver thong sandals, were $330, now $125. “Novenia” Shimmer suede black handbag, was $390, now $170.
St. Joseph the Worker thrift shop offers gently used clothing, toys, jewelry, books and kitchenware for great prices. Hours: 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Friday; 9 a.m.-noon Saturday; 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Sunday, 510 Naragansett Ave., East Patchogue, 631-286-9133, stjosephep.4lpi.com
Shop designer Alexander McQueen’s new clothing line for Target (bubble dresses, coated-cotton poplin black trench, slim skirts, cuffed shorts, tattoo print overlay tanks and color block one-shoulder dresses) before it hits the store racks, Feb. 14-15, from noon-10 p.m., at St. John’s Center, 330 West St. (at West Houston Street). Prices range from $19.99-$129.99.
Lingerie experts find the right bra size for you at Bloomingdale's Intimates Boutique, Roosevelt Field. Then head over to the Estee Lauder counter for an iMatch consultation and a free 10-day supply of liquid foundation (no purchase necessary; one per customer, while supplies last); 631-425-6700. Feb. 12-15.
Feb. 11-13: Take up to 50 percent off retail prices on an assortment of Hanky Panky’s lingerie, thongs, dresses and tops, 10 a.m.–8 p.m., (Feb. 12: complimentary wine 6-8 p.m.) at Savvy & Co., 145 W. 18th St. (between 6th and 7th avenues). White Mesh Babydoll with G String, was $75, now $50. Crystal embellished thong, was $38, now $24. Signature Lace Bralette in Cotton Candy was $45, now $30. All dresses $50 and all tops $30.
Learn about woodcarving from the Suffolk County Woodcarves in a free class every Monday through Thursday of the month, 9 a.m.-noon, New Village Recreation Center, Wireless and Hawkins roads, Centereach, 631-732-2338.
Decorate a heart-shaped wreath for your home using an assortment of fresh greenery; add some of your own ribbons for a personal touch for Valentine's Day, on Saturday at 1:30 p.m. at Caleb Smith State Park Preserve, Jericho Turnpike in Smithtown. hearts will be provided. Admission costs $3. Call 631-265-1054 or visit www.nysparks.com, pre-registration is required.
Try this knitting class, where participants will create knitted fingerless gloves on Thursday, 12:30-2:30 p.m. at Keep Me in Stitches, 77 Smithtown Blvd., $20 plus supplies, 631-724-8111, keepmeinstitches1.com
Get a complimentary 30-minute rehydrating skin treatment when you book a custom makeup lesson ($100; used towards product purchases) at the Estée Lauder Spa, Americana Manhasset; 516-869-9100. Offer good today through Feb. 15.
Shopping Party Fundraiser. Clothing and accessories designers including Lara Kazan, Bellissimma, Sandra Paez (Frida’s Closet), Deborah Goldstein (Misswit), and Meiling Chen, mark down their merchandise to benefit the New York Theatre Workshop, Feb. 5 from 5-9:30 p.m., at 79 E. 4th St. The bash is hosted by Fourth Arts Block with Fundraising in Style.
Score great discounts on apparel and accessories from Chilean designer Maria Cornejo’s fall/winter 2008 collection and on highlighted samples from the label’s 10-year archive, Friday to Monday, 12 to 7 p.m. Highlights include the “Leah” leather coat for $561 (originally $1,871). 225 Mott St., btwn. Prince and Spring sts., 212-925-3849.
Compiled by Ginny Dunleavy and Julie Gordon
Stock up on handmade soaps, milk baths, edible massage oil, gift baskets and natural products for men just in time for Valentine's Day. Lisa P. Mitchell, owner of Nyah Simone bath products, will be there to greet you and talk about natural skin care.
* Special offer: Free bar of soap if you spend $35 or more.
Bellmore Knights of Columbus Hall
2333 Bellmore Avenue
Bellmore, NY 11710 US
Sunday, February 8, 10 a.m.
Shopping hours are from 10 AM - 4:00 PM EST
Scrapbooking is often described as dowdy, but this hobby is about to get a major shakeup.
Over the weekend, Paris Hilton's line of craft products called the Paris Hilton Creativity Collection (www.pariscreativity.com) was on display at the Craft and Hobby Association in Anaheim, Calf. Yes, you heard right! Paris allegedly keeps a scrapbook .. one can only imagine what's inside it.
The Paris Hilton Creativity Collection is made up of scrapbooking and embellishment kits aimed at teens and it's expected to appear in stores within 6-8 months. While Paris hardly seems like a crafter -- does she even lift a finger to dress herself? -- she's been working with Wooky Entertainment, a Montreal-based company, and she personally approves the style and look of the products. Think lots of pink, rhinestones, and whatever else she deems to be "hot."
"In the craft market we see a lot of demand for tweens and teens," said Genevieve Lecompte, Wooky's vice president of sales and marketing, "but there’s not much to offer." Seeking a personality to pair with craft kits, Wooky executives approached Hilton, who liked the idea. "She's a great icon for teens and young adults," Lecompte said in an interview with the Los Angeles Times.
Watch Paris Hilton Unveils Scrapbooking at CHA in Celebrity Videos and Webisodes | View More Free Videos Online at Veoh.com
Should Paris Hilton be the celebrity face of scrapbooking? Will you buy her products?
I asked some New York crafters to weigh in on the topic:
I am always an advocate for things that keep kids and teenagers crafty and creative. In this sense, Paris' line seems like it could be a big hit. For those crafters that are experienced or like a more mature look, it isn't for them. Paris certainly knows what's hot and how to market herself. -- Heidi Davenport, Heidi's Crafting Mecca
Well ... what do they say? Any press is good press?
Paris Hilton is learning what many of us have known for a long time -- scrapbooking is hot! And we know that there are some who enter the art/business of scrapbooking just for the money -- I am not against someone making a buck. If the quality of her products are up to par, I would consider looking at her items. But personally, I tend to gravitate to a line/product company that is in tune with my artistic tastes and interests and is a good quality product.
This may be more attractive to a younger (beginning scrapbooker) audience. You have to start somewhere! If it brings more people to the world of scrapbooking, I say good, but hopefully not at the expense of the true art. In the end, if true scrappers and crafters who drive the industry do not like her products then it will fail. So I say bring it on! -- Yamilee Bazile
I doubt that Paris Hilton's line will be taken seriously by seasoned crafters. However, I think it's a good thing for scrapbookers and crafters that a high-profile celebrity figure is making scrapbooking "cool." It may attract younger folks to the fold and that's a good thing. Many people think of crafting as something for suburban older women and Paris doesn't fit that mold. We can make fun of her all we want, but I actually think it will be good for the scrapbooking industry. -- Laurel Carpenter, Crafting With an Edge
Well, I think Ms. Hilton's business manager told her crafts are hot and she should get her name on a product line. She related to the stuff in her booth like she was seeing it for the first time. Honestly, can you picture her sitting home on a Saturday, ruining her manicure with ink and glue? The little glimpse I got over her shoulder, looks like images the very young might like. Anyone into a more artistic form of scrapbooking will roll their eyes. I think Paris should stick to designing (or maybe just wearing) accessories, etc. and leave crafts to people who actually DO crafting. -- Eileen Bellomo, Art Saves Lives
Want free cosmetics? It's yours for the asking today at Macy's, Bloomingdale's, Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus, Carson Pirie Scott and Nordstrom.
The giveaway is the result of a 2004 legal settlement in a case that accused cosmetics companies and the retailers of price fixing. Although the companies deny any wrongdoing, the settlement requires them to give away $175 million in makeup to customers who purchased a product between 1994 and 2003.
No receipt? No worries. They're operating on the honor system. Customers claiming a free product will need to sign a form stating they're eligible.
The giveaway runs while supplies last, through Jan. 26. Any remaining items (like there will really be any) will be donated to charity.
Manufacturers involved are Estee Lauder, Clinique, Lancome, Clarins, Guerlain, Chanel, Boucheron, L'Oreal and
A list of available products is posted at www.cosmeticssettlement.com.
Tracy Reese Deal
Take 40 to 60 percent off coats, jackets, dresses, shoes and handbags (plus another 10 percent off fall/holiday items) starting Saturday through the end of January. Head to 641 Hudson St.(between Hudson and Gansevoort streets); 212-807-0505. Hours are Monday-Wednesday and Friday-Saturday 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Thursday 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Sunday noon-6 p.m. Silk/wool raven’s wing feather-print trench was $695, now $208.50. Metallic tweed pocket cardigan jacket was $525, now $157.50. Silk/wool back-belt printed dress was $405, now $121.50. Leopard print long cardigan was $275, now $82.50.
Yumi Kim up to 85% off
Girly tops, dresses and other items from Lower East Side boutique Yumi Kim are 50 to 85 percent off. Tops that were $125 to $155 are now $25 to $55. Today and everyday until Monday, 12 to 7 p.m. at 105 Stanton St. (at Ludlow Streeet), 212-420-5919.
Tracy Reese Silk/Wool Back-Belt Printed Dress (Handout Photo)
Beach glass jewelry class: Kermit W. Graf Building, 423 Griffing Ave., Riverhead, 631-767-5142 (registration required), cce.cornell.edu/suffolk, 1-3 p.m. Jan. 17. Cost. $15.
Learn how to create your own eco-friendly jewelry using beach glass, seashells and other materials collected from nature in this all-ages class hosted by the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County.
Personal finance expert and author Suze Orman is offering a free download on Oprah.com for anyone needing advice on how to revamp their finances.
Her new book is called "Suze Orman's 2009 Action Plan: Keeping Your Money Safe and Sound," and she'll take your money questions in a Webinar on Oprah.com on Thursday, Jan. 15, at 9 p.m. EST. (Registration required) Hurry! The free Suze Orman download is only available on Oprah.com for one week.
Sure, you could always go to a local jeweler and buy a lovely beaded necklace, but then again, why not try your hand at making one yourself?
Options abound. Create a single strand of sparkling Swarovski crystals, colorful gemstones or polished glass to adorn your neckline or wrist, or tackle more intricate works of art that are sure to get attention.
Here's a sampling of the local shops that offer classes. Advance registration is necessary ...
-- PAT BURSON
Last year, I resolved to give up ice cream and failed miserably. I'm sorry, but that bowl of Haagen-Dazs was calling my name!
My best bud Jeannine fared much better with her annual to-do list, which included giving up sodas, spending more time with friends (me) and saving money for a rainy day. In honor of everyone attempting to keep a New Year's resolution, check out this personalized clipboard you can use to check off your accomplishments and dream up new goals.
Want to make one of your own? No problem. I learned how to dress up a basic office supply clipboard by watching this video by Angie Juda, a Stampin' Up! demonstrator in Overland Park, Kan. Check it out!
Special thanks to Angie Juda for the video tutorial! For more information on Angie's altered creations and other crafts or to inquire about craft supplies, please visit her blog: http://www.chicnscratch.typepad.com/
New Year's Eve can be hard on your toes, especially all that dancing and walking around town. For a relaxing bathtime treatment, try making your own bath salts. Here's an easy recipe you can create at home and enjoy on New Year's Eve.
Midnight Wishes Bath Salts
3/4 c. epsom salts
1/4 c. sea salts
1/4 c. baking soda
5 drops patchouli oil
4 drops lavender oil
3 drops vanilla fragrance oil
2 drops cedarwood oil
Mix all ingredients and stir until blended. Store in a country Mason jar or similar airtight container. Will last for several weeks as long as you don't add water to the mixture. Use about 1/4 cup in a your bath. Enjoy!
"Decorating Gift Baskets: 35 Projects to Make Plus Ideas to Inspire for Baskets, Boxes, and More," by Catherine Woram (Cico Books, $19.95): For the creative, making gifts with a personal touch may come easy. Others may need guidance and the creativity shown in this book. Gift baskets outlined here are designed for several holidays, including Christmas, Easter, Valentine's Day and Father's Day. Specialized categories including one for writers, those concerned about the environment, students, knitters and men. The tips are easy to follow and the final projects are shown in bright, colorful photos. -- Pam Robinson
Professional gift wrappers at Papyrus in Roosevelt Field mall spend all day cutting, taping and tying ribbons on packages for oh-so-busy customers who don't have time to wrap their presents.
 |
| How to wrap a gift and tie a bow |
To do it yourself, see a step-by-step video tutorial, which includes a demonstration for dressing up gifts with pretty ribbon bows tied by hand.
Newsday Photo / Ken Spencer
This craft and gift fair features hand-crafted items, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, Newfield High School, Marshall Drive, Selden. Free admission. For more information, call 631-846-1459, depasqualeshows.com
For handmade artists who sell their wares, I believe the best gift you can give is a glowing recommendation. Awhile back, I asked Cheap Thrills readers to share their favorite places to buy lovely hand-crafted items for the holidays. Thanks to you, I discovered quite a few gems and was reminded of all the creative work that is being done on Long Island and in NYC.
Take a look at what readers picked as their favorites:
"I would like to nominate Cathy Buckley of "The Cat's Meow" jewelry.
Cathy designs the most exquisite earrings, necklaces and bracelets for all ages, in all colors and shapes and in all price ranges.
I have introduced Cathy's jewelry to my friends and business associates and they have all been pleased not only with her jewelry, but with her customer service and friendly attitude.
Her items are one-of-a-kind and most are made with swarovski crystals, sea pearls, semi precious stones and in the most unique style! Whenever I am wearing a Cathy Buckley item, I always get plenty of compliments. She has a knowledge of color and texture from being a faux and decorative painter and brings that knowledge and experience to her jewelry design. Cathy's a Registered Nurse with a Master's degree, too! As you can see, this woman is multi-talented and deserves to be featured in your next issue." -- Eileen Dolan
"It is my pleasure to nominate Karen Milroy to be included in your holiday guide. I discovered Karen's company in your guide last year and having been ordering ever since. Her quality and customer service is far superior to other companies I have had dealings with over the years." -- Beth Sherman
"I love items from Cakehouse.etsy.com. They combine many passions -- animals (cats in particular here), housewares, vintage and being environmentally conscious. It's amazing her items fulfill all of that and so elegantly -- handmade napkins and table dressings made from recycled vintage fabrics that are then silkscreened or appliqued with animals or other prints. I just love them!" -- Kimm Alfonso
"One of my faves is this awesome clutch "Wild Side Cotton Clutch" from Jaatee's Etsy shop. Made of ethnic print cotton, this clutch fits right in with the "boho" side of today's woman. I'd be "chuffed" (as the Brits would say) if I were so lucky as to receive this as a holiday gift." -- Marilyn ng-a-qui
Special thanks to everyone who sent in recommendations to Cheap Thrills! Click here to read more from our handmade holiday guide. It's chock full of great artists, do-it-yourselfers, and crafters who make amazing things you can purchase for gift-giving.
Spa Adriana, at 266 Main St., Huntington Village, is marking its 25th anniversary with two complimentary express services on Dec. 18. Get a 60-minute Aveda deep-conditioning hair glossing treatment or a plant facial peel when you book any other spa or salon service from noon to 6 p.m.; call 631-351-1555 for appointments.
Continue reading "Bargain Alert: Complimentary services at Spa Adriana" »
Enjoy cocktails and take up to 70 percent off clothing, jewelry and accessories from emerging designers’ fall collections Dec. 18 to 20, Thursday to Friday, from 5 to 10 p.m. (Friday is sold out) and Saturday noon to 4 p.m. and 5 to 10 p.m. (ticket good all day) at The Altman Building, 135 W. 18th St., between 6th and 7th avenues, Manhattan. Tickets are $10 and $30 (includes goody bag worth $100). Purchase online at Sheckys.com or at the door.
No need to scourge through crowded malls or mega-chains for holiday shopping this season.
Head over to Bust's Holiday Craftacular to peruse over 200 innovative craft vendors. And don't forget to stop by Amy Sedaris' booth, where she'll be autographing her book, "I Like You: Hospitality Under the Influence."
Bust's Holiday Craftacular is this Sunday, 10 a.m.-7:30 p.m.; Metropolitan Pavilion (123 W. 18th St. between 6th and 7th Aves.) Admission: $2; 718-387-0505, for more information: www.bust.com/Craftacular/BUST-Holiday-Craftacular-2008.html
(Image from Kirk Miller)
On my daily commute to the office, I enjoy looking out my car window at the falling leaves in autumnal shades. In colder months, I often visit the beach just to smell the salt air and feel the cold, grainy sand in my hands. I guess you could say I'm a 'nature lover.' Here are a few handcrafted creations inspired by nature that would make wonderful gifts.
Roses always remind me of love and this Carnelian Rose necklace-earring set by Nature Manipulated would be the perfect gift to say "I love you." Cost: $75. Don't miss Nature Manipulated's beautiful photography, too. To buy: naturemanipulated.etsy.com
This greeting card by WildWheat evokes those fond childhood memories of jumping into a pile of leaves. Cost: $6.50. To buy: WildWheat.etsy.com
Give your dry winter skin a treat with a moisturizing bar of vegan soap by Dirty Bird Soaps. This is a gift that gives back as 10 percent of every sale goes to the Humane Society, according to their Web site. Cost: $4.50. To buy: dirtybirdsoaps.etsy.com
If you're baking gifts this Christmas, presenting them in a holiday-worthy container is almost as important as the cookies.
We asked some crafts-loving staff members to take food canisters from oatmeal, bread crumbs, coffee and grits and decorate them in the spirit of the holidays. Here's what they came up with:
1. Ribbon container
Cover container with wrapping paper. Cut ribbons to the height of your container and affix one at a time, using a small amount of glue to secure each end. To make the bow: Cut a piece of ribbon to twice the width of the container's lid and glue one end over the other to form a circle. Pinch the middle of the circle flat to create two loops (use a dot of glue on the inside to hold the shape). Repeat several times and layer loops on the container's lid to create a bow.
2. Angel canister
Paint the container gold and allow to dry. Attach a background of wrapping paper using spray adhesive. Find a picture that can be cut out of an old calendar or from a holiday card and attach using spray adhesive. With a foam brush, apply 1 to 3 coats of a decoupage medium, such as Modge Podge, allowing ample drying time between coats.
Continue reading "How To: Deck the tins with the spirit of Christmas" »
Discounts up to 55 percent off brushed 18 kt gold and semi-precious necklaces, earrings, bracelets and rings. Cuff bracelet with Dolomite stones was $128, now $55; Heart Necklace with tree engraving, was $60, now $33. Sale runs noon (EST) Dec. 8 through midnight Dec. 10 at www.TheSavvy.com
This holiday boutique features original art, stained and painted glass, Christmas ornaments, pictures with Santa and more, Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. at Deepwells Farm County Park, Route 25A and Moriches Road, St. James, $5 admission, call 631-563-8551.
(AP Photo)
Great savings from the Spa at East Wind in Wading River: Choose two of four 25-minute treatments for $109 ($160 value) and get full-day use of indoor pool, fitness room, steam and sauna. For information, call 631-846-2339, www.eastwindlongisland.com
Photo credit: Bruce Gilbert/Newsday
My favorite decorating magazine, Domino, just launched its holiday gift guide online. (Thanks Katie!) The December/January issue featuring lots of gift suggestions won't be on the newsstands 'til Dec. 2, so take a gander at their offerings here.
I'm especially fond of the DIY gift ideas. You can make all sorts of inexpensive presents with your hands and a few materials, such as bath salts, foam fridge magnets, and more.
Here's a recipe for sooting bath salts from Domino staffer Amy Shearn:
Materials:
coarse sea salt
lavender essential oil
dried lavender
spice sachets
clean, empty jars
Epsom salts (optional)
ribbon (optional)
How-to:
Mix several drops of essential oil into about 4 cups of salt. Alternately, combine 3 cups of salt with 1 cup of Epsom salts.
Sprinkle in dried herbs. Mix well.
Pour into jars (and tie on a ribbon if you're feeling fancy).
Include spice sachets that bathers can spoon some salts into before using, to keep the lavender bits from floating around.
Nov. 28-30: Bensoni Sample Sale
Take up to 80 percent off some very feminine blouses, skirts and dresses from 8 a.m. (EST) Friday, Nov. 28, to midnight Sunday, Nov. 30, at thesavvy.com. Flapper wing layer dress, was $586, now $150; Peter Pan collar blouse was $340, now $110; ink splatter tuck top was $245, now $75.
Dec. 1-2: Designer Bag Sale
Click on to HauteLook.com and take 40 percent off bags donated by top designers including Oscar de la Renta, Salvatore Ferragamo, Valentino, and Carolina Herrera. Sale begins on Monday Dec. 1 at 11 a.m. (EST). Proceeds to benefit New Yorkers for Children, a non-profit group providing college scholarships, tutoring and mentoring programs to foster care youths.
-- Tania Padgett
DESIGNER ACCESSORIES
Authentic designer handbags, new and vintage, including Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Prada, Fendi, up to 70 percent off retail, plus wholesale prices on designer sunglasses, jewelry and furs, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday, Holiday Inn, 369 Old Country Rd., Carle Place; 917-453-6687.
JAMES JEANS SAMPLE SALE
Men’s and women’s jeans are 50 to 80 percent off retail (now priced between $20 and $80), Tuesday to Thursday 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Friday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., at James Lounge, 500 Greenwich St., Suite 202 between Spring and Canal streets; 212-221-4603.
DDC LAB
Nov. 26 to Dec. 2, 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Men’s and women’s fashions are 75 to 90 percent off at DDC Lab, starting today to next Tuesday. Women’s cotton cardigans and v-neck knits that were $158 are now $30. Women’s leather pants that were $900 are now $75. Men’s linen jackets and pants that were $248 are now $40. Head to Chelsea Market, 75 Ninth Ave., between 15th and 16th streets for the deals. DDC Lab also has a store in Soho 7 Mercer Street, 212-226-8980.
One of my favorite DIY magazines, MAKE, has a whole bunch of do-it-yourself projects in time for Turkey Day, including tutorials on how to make a paper turkey, fry a turkey, and more. Click here for the tutorials.
Photo of turkey frying by MAKE
Brrr! Baby, it's cold outside!
Thanks to the chilly temps, I was reminded that I need a new scarf and preferably one that's handmade. Just like purses, I believe you can never have too many scarves. A girl's gotta look good right? I'm hoping one of my dear friends will see this wish list and surprise me with one for Christmas.
Here's a few fabulous, handmade scarves worth a look:
A Victorian-inspired scarflette by Feeting Frenzy evokes true romance. It's made of a variety of materials, including wool, acrylic, alpaca, cashmere and viscose. Cost: $49. To buy: FeetingFrenzy.etsy.com
The made-to-order scarves by Miss Bruno are edgy and chic. "Each piece is a one-of-a-kind, no two are ever exactly alike," according to their Web site. I love the idea of wearing a unique creation that no one else will have. Cost: $60 and up. To buy: www.missbruno.com
One of the most intriguing scarves I've seen so far, the Pembroke Cowl by Yokoo is simply stunning and so versatile. You must stop by this online shop to look at the interesting photos of Yokoo's work. Cost: $99. To buy: Yokoo.etsy.com
Calling all knitwits!
Supernaturale, a site dedicated to the DIY lifestyle, is hosting their sixth annual winter hat and scarf drive. Handmade knit items are donated to Sanctuary for Families, an organization that helps battered women and their children.
It's time to break out those crochet hooks and knitting needles to support a great cause. Deadline for submissions is December 10th, so they can be distributed in time for the holiday season.
Mail to:
SuperNaturale
c/o Flat
391 Broadway, 3rd Fl
NY NY 10013
Hurry down to DSW Union Square for their men’s and women’s crocodile shoe sale (loafers and pumps were $2,000, now $495) while supplies last. The store, located at 40 E. 14th St. at Broadway, 3rd Floor, is open Monday-Saturday 9 a.m.-10 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m.-8 p.m; call 212-674-2146 for more information.
"Crafty Mama: Makes 49 Fast, Fabulous, Foolproof (Baby & Toddler) Projects," by Abby Pecoriello (Workman, $15.95): For the practiced or the unskilled parent interested in crafts for young children, finding practical and attractive projects isn't always easy. This book will show readers just how to create a good project, while would-be crafters are encouraged to connect with other mothers to work on tasks together. Some of the projects: now-sew fleece blankets, bibs, booties, hats, fringes or accessories for flip-flops and more. The book also offers a guide to online parenting forums and resources for finding the items needed to make the projects.
-PAM ROBINSON
Isabella Fiore
Get clutches, handbags and small leather goods for 50 to 70 percent off retail (wallets were $185-$245, now $50-$100; clutches were $195-$395, now $100; handbags were $395-$725, now $150-$300), today and tomorrow, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., 80 W. 40th St., Floor 8. Call 212-947-9001, ext. 278.
Yigal Azrouël
Take 60-80 percent off current and past-season items today and tomorrow from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., at 225 West 39th St., 7th Floor (between 7th and 8th avenues); 212-302-1194 cq. Tops and knits were $375, now $100; pants $340, now $75; dresses were $565, now $125.
-- Tania Padgett
The fall crafts fair sponsored by the Ladies Auxiliary Albertson Fire Company features jewelry, ceramics and handmade items. It's Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at Albertson Firehouse, I.U. Willets Road, Albertson. Admission is free. For more information, call 516-747-3231.
Photo credit: South Florida Sun-Sentinel
The hottest thing to happen to country music is teen singer Taylor Swift. Now you can get her new CD "Fearless," for an affordable $3.99 today on Amazon.com. Talk about great stocking stuffers for the holidays! Hurry! This deal may not last long.
Kiehl’s Since 1851, which offers skin care, hair care and body care products, celebrates its history every Nov. 12, honoring its original location on Pear Tree Corner, site of Manhattan’s oldest tree. They’re offering giveaways all this week, plus limited-edition pear body scrub, liquid soap, body cleanser and lotion. Want...change? You can vote for the next pear formulation--nominees include bath soak, hand cream, essence oil or write in your own idea. Vote at Kiehl’s stores or kiehls.com through Saturday. -- Tania Padgett
Rebecca Taylor is offering 65 percent off of her 60’s and 70’s inspired collection. Get a lace runway dress ($390 retail) or stretch flannel dress with metal beading ($430 retail) for $175; The sale runs today 1-8 p.m., Thursday and Friday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m., at a new location, 145 W. 18th St. (between 6th and 7th avenues); 212-388-0339. No cash or checks.
Housing Works, which provides housing, food, medical and job training services to homeless New Yorkers with HIV and AIDS, is offering 50 to 70 percent off designer duds, such as a $395 Diane von Furstenberg cocktail dress, which is now $145. Sale is Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m-7 p.m.; Sunday, noon-6 p.m., at Housing Works Thrift Shop, 143 West 17th St. (between 6th and 7th avenues), Manhattan. Free admission.
-- Tania Padgett
On Election Day, many voters were met with long lines in chilly temps, watched lots of media hoopla, and endured endless predictions of who will win the White House. Does anyone have election fatigue yet? Well, as a reward for casting your ballot today, you're entitled to get a bunch of free treats!
Here's a sampling of what's free to voters:
Starbucks coffee -- Stop by your local Starbucks and get a free tall cup of brewed coffee (limit one per customer).
Ben and Jerry's -- Visit Ben and Jerry's between 5 and 8 p.m. today and get a free scoop of ice cream! Sweet!
Babeland -- Voting feels good! Babeland wants to make sure all voters go home with a free sex toy -- Maverick sleeve or a Silver Bullet. This offer is good at any Babeland location in New York until Nov. 11.
Last year's handmade holiday gift guide was a tremendous success, so we're doing it again and this time with a twist!
I want you to tell me about your favorite handcrafted gift items to buy, give and receive. Did you spy something on Etsy.com or Lov.li that's really cool? Or maybe you spotted a beautiful object made by a local artisan. Please let us know all about it!
This is a great opportunity to rave about your favorite artisans, crafters and do-it-yourselfers from Long Island and New York City. We're looking for handmade objects that are not edible: furniture, jewelry, clothing, artwork, bath and body, etc.
To Enter: Send me an e-mail with the subject line: Holiday Guide. Please explain why you love the handmade object, the item's Web site, and your own contact information in case I have follow-up questions.
Note: You should nominate someone other than yourself. Nominations are due Friday, Nov. 14.
Happy holidays!
Photo: Christmas Ornaments in Sock Yarn by Kalamazoo Knits
My favorite Web site for scouting handmade objects is Etsy.com and every Tuesday they are featuring cool tutorials.
This week: Bleeding Vampire Cupcakes
In preparation for Halloween, we bring you Alicia and Tracy of Sweet Tooth of the Tiger who show us how to make Bleeding Vampire Cupcakes! Here are the steps for making Bleeding Vampire Cupcakes!
Also, there's a very cool blog called Cupcakes Take the Cake. It's about all things cupcake and they even meet in person to eat cupcakes around New York City. Pretty tasty, eh?
If that's not enough, social networking site Meetup.com offers a variety of groups that meet in person over a variety of topics, including dessert! Check out their dessert and cupcake groups.
Halloween costumes are a must, but they can be a hassle -- from long lines at the store to purchasing a one-time-use costume. HGTV.com has an entire page devoted to inexpensive ideas for toddler and kids costumes that you can make yourself. Try your hand at making Halloween favorites -- wizards, fairies and ghouls, oh my!
The holiday wouldn't be complete without a pumpkin and HGTV has traditional and not-so-traditional projects, including 19 exclusive, creepy carving templates. You'll discover concept ideas, step-by-step instructions and more. One of the not-so-traditional pumpkins doesn't even require a knife, instead it's spray painted and made to look like the Tin Man from the Wizard of Oz.
By Gary Dymski, Newsday writer
As the drywall installation crew -- mostly Jamaicans in dreadlocks -- was finishing its job four years ago, Deon Leftenant wondered how much easier the task might be if only for their hair. "They kept getting dust on their hair during sanding," Leftenant said, "and it was just a hassle for them to work that way."
With the struggling group at a Westbury construction site as inspiration, Leftenant, 48, of Brentwood, hatched his idea for Locks Down, a wrap for securing the long hair of active people, especially athletes and laborers, in ponytail fashion.
As Leftenant has pitched Locks Down at festivals and trade shows, many have asked the plumber-turned-entrepreneur if baseball slugger Manny Ramirez was the inspiration. But Leftenant conceived the idea unrelated to Ramirez's growing his locks and helping his team, the Boston Red Sox, win the 2004 World Series.
Leftenant said while Ramirez's locks could benefit from the wrap, Locks Down is not just for dreads. "It's for anyone whose long hair gets in the way."
Photo: Clarice Miller is seen working on a sewing machine where she makes the LocksDown hair wrap in Brentwood, New York, (Newsday Photo/Robert Mecea)
Continue reading "Brentwood entrepreneur has hopes for hair invention" »
The Fine Art of Craft in Southampton exhibit showcases the work of six local artisans at the Rogers Mansion, 17 Meeting House Lane, Southampton. Show runs through Nov. 1 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Cost: $4. For more information, visit online: www.southamptonhistoricalmuseum.org
The {NewNew} York Street team has teamed up with crafters' marketplace Etsy Labs to host a sock monkey making workshop. Free.
Fresh Art is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization dedicated to providing expanded artistic, personal development, and entrepreneurial opportunities to New York City artists with special needs. The sock monkeys we create this afternoon will be sold to raise funds to support Fresh Art's programs. All skill levels are welcome, though basic hand sewing skills are helpful.
Saturday, October 25, 2008; 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
325 Gold St, 3rd floor, Brooklyn, N.Y. 11222
Ages 12 & up are welcome.
Please RSVP at rsvp@etsy.com for this free workshop.
Hosted by Fresh Art (www.freshartnyc.org), the NewNew (thenewnew.blogspot.com), and Etsy Labs (etsylabs.etsy.com).
Join us in Etsy's Treehouse room of the Virtual Labs, for an online workshop with AnnMarie Harris from Fresh Art for a chat about using crafts to fund your non-profit organization at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, October 23.
Photo credit: Mikey the Sockmonkey created by Siansburys on Etsy.com.
With Halloween just around the corner, costume-making is in high gear -- you'd be amazed at what a corrugated box can transform into -- with a little imagination and a lot of that aforementioned hot glue.
Ditto for home decorators: All around the Island, ranches and Cape Cods await a liberal dousing of faux cob webs and foam gravestones. Don't hide your creative light under an, er, uncarved jack-o-lantern. Email photos of your cute or over-the-top Halloween costumes (for you, your kids, your pets) and house decorations to us at part2@newsday.com, along with your contact information. And then get back to work.
You can also browse and add your photos to our reader costume and decor galleries.
Newsday Photo by Ken Spencer of Jamie and Mike Kelley's home in Huntington Station.
The Phoenix Fine Arts Gallery, 139 South Country Road in Bellport, presents "Windmills and Lighthouses," on display 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sundays through Nov. 9; 631-776-0811, www.phoenixfineartsgallery.com.
Do you have a Halloween costume yet? Well, have no fear ... the crafty folks at Threadbanger.com have many videos to inspire and maybe even light a fire under your rump!
Check 'em out!
DIY FAIRY WINGS: No fairy wings ... no problem! Learn how to make fairy wings from some old coat hangers and stockings. Time to fly!
Continue reading "DIY Videos: Design your own Halloween costumes" »
The Brooklyn Indie Market is proud to announce: Steam Punk Day and Fashion Show!
Saturday, Oct. 25, 2008
11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Brooklyn Indie Market
Smith and Union streets
Brooklyn
Web site: www.brooklynindiemarket.com
Greetings Halloween revelers! You're invited to a steam-themed day at Brooklyn Indie Market that includes a steam-themed fashion show at 1 p.m., designers, artists, musicians, tarot reading and curiosity seekers! Free admission.
Perfectly timed for a lousy economy: the new Norma Kamali Collection for
Take a gently used coat or sweater to Banana Republic from Oct. 16 to 26 (they will be given to Goodwill) and you'll get a 30 percent discount on regular-priced merchandise (some exceptions) for the same period.
Halloween is just around the corner! Now is a great time to make your own ghoulish creations with DIY style! Check out two of our favorite projects for making your haunting extra special.
Create customized candy - vampire suckers, grave robber goodie bags and more!
Make your own shrunken heads - apples are turned into spooky decor.
All tutorials courtesy of crafter extraordinaire Steven James.
Need more help or have a question about these projects? E-mail Steven James at create@macaroniandglitter.com. Visit his Web site at www.macaroniandglitter.com and his Etsy store at macaroniandglitter.etsy.com
Photo courtesy of Steven James.
Fashionistas are made, not born.
"Project Runway" closes in on its next design meister when season five of the Bravo series catwalks to a close in a much-anticipated two-part finale. If the cutthroat competition has you wanting to traffic in tulle and tartan, take heart: There are plenty of local resources where you can nurture the Coco and Giorgio within.
Continue reading about sewing classes by Newsday's Denise Flaim ...
Book fast to get in on $50 treatments at nearly 40 local spots during Spa Week, Oct. 13-19. Treatments range from laser hair removal to massages. We're intrigued by the Chocolate Banana Facial at Polished in Sayville (631-218-5888); spaweek.org has list of participating spas.
Photo: iStock
Since when did Halloween become yet another opportunity to outdo your neighbors by having the most inflatables and decorations in your front yard? Or sending the kids off to school with spookily decorated cupcakes?
Halloween used to be so simple, just a fun holiday for kids -- and kids at heart. Homey touches included displays of pumpkins, gourds, acorns or pine cones that you picked yourself; simple decorations were made from fallen leaves and twigs. Homemade costumes were cool, and home-baked cookies and harvest-fresh cider after a round of dunking for apples made the day complete.
It's not all that hard to get some of that feeling back. Here are some classes and workshops to help you get in the Halloween mood.
Continue reading about creepy crafts by Newsday's Judith Bernstein ...
Learn how to create an individual square-foot stained-glass panel at the Southampton Historical Museums and Research Center's adult workshop "Introduction to Stained Glass," taught by stained-glass artist Hallie Monroe, from 6 to 8 p.m. today through Dec. 2 at the Rogers Mansion, 17 Meeting House Lane in Southampton. Fee: $325 for the series, plus $50 materials fee. For more information, call 631-283-2494 or click here.
-- M. BOZENA SYSKA
Photo courtesy of Southampton Museum
Crafty Brooklynite Tammy Christian would like to invite DIYers to join her craft club called the Brooklyn's Phenomenal Crafter's Circle. Here's a word from Tammy:
Are you Looking for some fun? Then come out to a event with the Brooklyn's Phenomenal Crafter's Circle. This crafty group has a lot of fun going on. Past classes included rubber stamping, card making, soap making, and more. It's free to join.
To learn more about this craft group and join, visit: http://rubberstamp.meetup.com/461/
(Handout photo)
SITE WorldofGood.com
DESCRIPTION
TARGET AUDIENCE Consumers who want to align their social values with their shopping decisions
BOTTOM LINE With the millions of eBay users, the site might do some good.
Consumers may associate eBay Inc. more with vintage lunch boxes than laptop bags made from recycled plastic by women in New Delhi. The online auction operator is trying to change that perception with WorldofGood.com, a site that sells goods produced with social and environmental goals in mind.
EBay developed the site with World of Good Inc., a startup focused on "ethical supply chains" behind consumer products, and licensed the group's name for the marketplace. World of Good will get a share of the revenue from the site, which had been operating for the past few months as an online community focused on the social impact of business.
Shoppers can search for products by certain social or environmental categories, revealing, for example, a photo of the man who produced the fair-trade coffee you're interested in buying, details of its origins and whether some of the proceeds support a charitable cause.
Such independent third-party organizations as Rainforest Alliance and Co-op America will screen sellers and verify the items listed on the site.
And while there are plenty of places to buy such items already, eBay and its 84.5 million active users might dramatically increase awareness for artisans. WorldofGood.com items will be cross-listed on eBay, blended into standard search results. --
Target feels more like Intro to Art with its new Jonathan Saunders collection, which hits stores Sunday. The line ($14.99 to $59.99) is awash in vivid prints plucked from museum walls, like the color-block tunics (Mondrian, just $16.99, pictured); Target stores and target.com through October.
Oct. 2-3: Enjoy cocktails while you shop from 50 vendors products and services at Shecky's Beauty Night Out, 5-10 p.m., at La Venue, 608 W. 28th St., (11th and 12th avenues), Manhattan. Tickets: $10; $30 includes deluxe goodie bag; purchase online (sheckys.com) or at the door.
Oct. 3-5: Alvina Valenta bridal gown trunk show, 15 percent off trunk show dresses at Adriennes, 614 Main St., Islip; call 631-581-4145 for appointment.
I received this open invitation to craft, and I thought I'd share it with you. Church of Craft is a group of women (and men) who get together to make all sorts of things in various public locations in New York City and other spots across the country. This is not your grandmother's craft circle. Check it out!
To learn more about the Church of Craft, visit its official Web site: www.churchofcraft.org or visit their Flickr group to see them in action: www.flickr.com/groups/churchofcraft
Event: Church of Craft monthly meeting
Sunday 10/5 2-6pm
at Etsy Labs!
325 Gold St., 3rd Floor (buzz #3)
Downtown Brooklyn
www.etsy.com
I only have two words for how I feel about the beginning of Fall: Wool & Halloween!
As happens every year around this time my craft yearnings develop in two directions:
a. having anything to do with yarn, knitting, crochet: I can't set it down. I look forward to long subway rides where I can knit uninterrupted and without any distractions.
b. Halloween is like my Christmas: I absolutely adore the spontaneous creativity coupled with the opportunity to dress up like something or someone you are not.
So bring your yarn or your costume plans and supplies or anything else that inspires you to use your creative energy.
Come craft with us!!
Our meeting will be the usual casual drop in affair, come any time, bring anyone, bring anything you are working on or come and just check out what everyone else is up to. Snacks are welcome.
Your Humble Servant,
The Very Esteemed Callie Janoff
Sculpture of a horse by Margaret Wozniak exhibiting at Crafts on Columbus, which is an annual craft show featuring handmade jewelry, art and home decor. All the fun kicks off this weekend from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and continues for October 11, 12, 18 and 19th. Free admission. For more information on this crafts event, call 212-866-2239.
A true shopper, one who's born to the sport, may visit the mall, but that's sort of like hunting at a zoo - it's not much of a challenge.
No, the true shopper scouts out hole-in-the-wall boutiques and dusty thrift shops, combing through discount stores and tag sales to find the best buys and one-of-a-kind treasures.
But as summer cools to autumn, there's a whole range of other arenas for the true shopper to tackle: Vendor-laden fall fairs and antiques shows, fundraising yard sales and flea markets. The extra-special allure of these venues is that you never know what you'll find.
Here are some highlights of Long Island's fall shopping season, places where the true shopper can find, bag and tote home bargains. Click here to start shopping!
These 21 ideas, each for less than $21, show you that Vegas is still the land of the cheap and home of the free, if you know where to look. Photos: Enjoying Las Vegas on the cheap.
Crafts expert Hannah Milman will be appearing on QVC to demonstrate the newest offerings from Martha Stewart Crafts on Friday, September 26 at 9 a.m. EST. This is the first time Martha Stewart crafts products have been on QVC. Watch for spooky Halloween and special Christmas projects and custom kits that will be available for purchase during the one-hour broadcast.
Among the offerings: A Cutting Tool Kit, Halloween Punch Kit, Christmas Ribbon Storage Kit, Food Packaging, and a Glitter Stamp Craft Kit.
Martha Stewart Crafts will be available through QVC at 1.800.345.1515 or QVC.com
Photo: Martha Stewart stands by a table set for 50 guests at her home and 153-acre farm in Bedford, N.Y. (AP)
Spending too much shopping online? Many Web stores offer coupons and promotional codes. Here's how to find them.
1. When shopping at a particular store, do a
2. Whenever you check out online and see a discount coupon or code window, use the method in Step 1 to see if any are available. You must do this before finalizing the purchase.
3. Two of the numerous discount coupon sites we like are dealcatcher.comand couponcabin.com, which also have printable coupons for brick-and-mortar retailers. For example, we found a printable coupon for 20 percent off any single item at Linens-n-Things good until Dec. 31 while researching this article.
-- Ronnie Gill
Southampton, NY: A handmade object from the annual powwow hosted by members of the Shinnecock Indian Nation during Labor Day weekend.
Photo: Newsday / Silvana Velarde
Got a favorite craft? Share photos with us and you may see them on the Cheap Thrills blog.
Please e-mail them to Corris Little with a photo description and your contact information.
Walt Disney Parks and Resorts on Thursday announced a new promotion to admit visitors free on their birthdays next year.
"Every guest gets in free to one of our parks on their birthday in 2009," Jay Rasulo, chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, said at a news conference in Manhattan.
Read more about this great deal and view photos of the Magic Kingdom.
100 dealers offering formal 18th and 19th century furniture, quality country, quilts, silver, prints, clocks, pottery and unusual decorative objects, outdoor under tents for the annual Cold Spring Harbor Fire Department Antiques Show held on Sept. 14th.
View our photo gallery from Cold Spring Harbor Fire Department Antiques Show.
Nesconset: Miriam Acard holds up a needlepoint cupcake. The pattern and yarn for this project can be found in her store called Stitch by Stich LTD.
Photo: Newsday / Karen Wiles Stabile
Got a favorite craft? Share photos with us and you may see them on the Cheap Thrills blog.
Please e-mail them to Corris Little with a photo description and your contact information.
Though this is a novelty site, it links directly to
so you can perform a real Google search from your stylized page.
1. Go to pimpmysearch.com and type your name or a short phrase (up to 28 characters) in the "Enter Your Name Below" window.
2. Click "Create Now."
A window will pop up and ask if you'd like to set the new page as your home page. Click "Yes" or "No" depending on your preference.
3. A new screen will appear with your personalized Google page. If you haven't set it as your home page, but want to keep it, save it as a favorite. Change the logo at any time by typing new words in the search window and clicking "Change Logo Text," but remember to save it to favorites.
Ever heard of a yarn tasting? Neither had we, but knitters can try out a sampling of new luxury yarns at 7 p.m. tomorrow at Three Black Sheep, 213 Lake Ave., St. James. $10 includes samples and refreshments. Space is limited; reserve a spot at 631-584-9276.
Are you looking for a way to preserve special memories? Try scrapbooking. This craft is growing in popularity and so is the industry that supplies all the cool tools and scrapbooking kits to crafters who've become addicted to scrapping.
I interviewed Tricia Canonico, owner of Cocoa Daisy, a scrapbooking kit supplier, to learn more about this crafty phenomenon and what inspires her.
Cheap Thrills: How did you get into scrapbooking?
Tricia Canonico: In 1998, I was invited to a scrapbooking home party at a friend’s house. At the time, we were living in a very small town in upstate New York where there wasn’t very much to do. My girlfriends and I started getting together once a week to chat and scrapbook. More than anything, these Thursday nights started out as a way of getting out of the house. But, before I knew it, I was completely hooked on scrapbooking!
What is your favorite topic to scrapbook?
My children. I have a 5-year-old little boy and a 3-year-old little girl. Like most parents, it seems like all those little things your kids do that you think you’ll never forget, I forget. By scrapbooking those everyday moments, I have a way to hold onto them and at the same time provide my children, when they are older, a glimpse back into their early years.
Why is scrapbooking becoming more popular these days?
I think the reasons for scrapbooking’s popularity are two-fold. First, scrapbooking provides [ a sense of] community. I would say scrapbooking is the modern day equivalent of the quilting bee. It’s a craft that brings women together and unites them in a common interest. Moreover, the community building of scrapbooking isn’t geographically limited. There are countless online communities and message boards where women can find others around the world who share their love for scrapbooking. Secondly, scrapbooking is a means of preserving the important moments in life while also creating art. In a world that revolves around technology there’s something so compelling about getting messy and just creating!
What are scrapbooking kits?
Scrapbook kits consist of coordinating products that take the guess work out of scrapbooking. A scrapbook kit brings together complimentary scrapbook papers and embellishments that can be used to create layouts or other scrapbook projects. Kits can revolve around a single manufacturer’s line or they can bring together products from a wide assortment of manufacturers. Some kits are small in size with only enough patterned papers and embellishments to create a few pages. Others can be very extensive with enough materials to create countless layouts.
What made you start a business selling scrapbooking kits?
Like many others, for a very long time I had wanted to turn my passion for scrapbooking into a vocation. I had considered purchasing an existing store but realized with very small children, that probably wouldn’t be the best idea for our family. And then, in the summer of 2006, a friend was a guest designer for another scrapbook kit. As I was perusing that site, I started to realize a kit club just might be the perfect fit for me and I immediately ran with the idea. I knew that if this was really what I wanted to do, I just needed to go for it. Within two weeks, I had hired a Web designer and within five months our site was up running.
(Above: Cocoa Daisy's September scrapbook kit, photos courtesy of CocoaDaisy.com)
Sept. 9: Heidi Klum signs autographs during a personal appearance to launch the Fall/Winter collection of “Heidi Klum by Jordache,” noon-2 p.m., at Bloomingdales, 59th Street and Lexington Avenue, Manhattan.
Sept. 10: Frederic Fekkai offers free color and style consultations and advice on how to get that salon look at home with his new hair color system, 4-7 p.m., Bloomingdale's, 59th Street and Lexington Avenue,
Sept. 10: ULTA and In Style Magazine offer free skin, makeup and hair makeovers from 6 to 8 p.m. at the ULTA store, 3377 Hempstead Tpk., Levittown. Visit ULTA.com to receive an invitation, or call 888-266–1686 to RSVP.
Sept. 12: A Pea in the Pod, 7 for all Mankind and basq Skin Care treat mommies- to-be with hand and foot mini-massages, a personal jean fitting and style and skin care advice, 3-7 p.m., at Destination Maternity, 28 E. 57th St., Manhattan. Get a gift and a chance to win merchandise with your basq and 7 for all Mankind purchases.
Sept. 13: Push Play performs live and signs their debut album "Deserted," 4 p.m., at Bloomingdale's Roosevelt Field. Bloomingdale's donates $1 to Friends of the Arts, today only, with every pair of Y.E.S. denim sold.
For more shopping events, visit online: www.newsday.com/shoptalk
AP Photo
Domino, my favorite home decor magazine, published a photo gallery of “Budget Decorating: $1 Design Finds” online! Be sure to check it out.
Their clever editors have found amazing-looking pieces all for under one dollar. You can't beat that! And I love how their fabulous finds are utilitarian, yet beautiful. Enjoy.
Photo: Ikea's Snärtig vase by Katy Elliot for Domino
Housing Works is having a block party and you're invited!
Housing Works, the non-profit organization committed to ending the twin crises of AIDS and homelessness, teams up with Rebecca & Drew, the brand known for revolutionizing your work wardrobe with its ingenious tailor-fit shirts and dresses. Rebecca & Drew and Housing Works will co-host a block party September 7 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. (13th between Gansevoort and Hudson, NYC) to raise awareness and donations.
And part of the proceeds of that day's sales will go towards Housing Works. Look for fabulous fashions, alterable items, craft supplies from the Ink Pad, and more.
Update: Due to inclement weather, the event has been moved to Sunday.
Glassblowing, scrapbooking, painting pottery, oh my! ExploreTV host Anne Machalinski unleashes her inner artist and takes a crafting tour across Long Island.
