Broke? How about a trade?

While it's all good fun to run around in blind panic about our collapsing economy, eventually we need to find a way around it. One solution? Barter and trade! Yessir crafty folk, if you posses talents ranging from knitting to plumbing, you can save your money and instead exchange goods for services or goods for goods. If you're looking to sake your crafty lust, how about offering a trade on Etsy Alchemy? Need to fix your car? Community bartering networks are popping up all over, so you can trade your skills or goods for things you need without breaking your budget. Can't find one in your town? Start one!

> Niamh on 10/22/08 #

Evil Mad Scientist

Great DIY Halloween ideas including a bat costume complete with wings at and instructions for a robotic snap-o-lantern at Evil Mad Scientist Laboratories.

> Riva on 10/16/08 #

Scary Inflatable Street Art

Joshua Allen Harris Street Sculptures are just in time for Halloween. Thanks Cheeta Fight

> Tsia on 10/15/08 #

INHABITOTS How-To Green Halloween Contest

Calling all super crafty families & peeps. The totally design-rad Inhabitots is sponsoring an (eco) fab Green Halloween Contest where readers simply have to share their eco-savvy ideas for greening Halloween this year. Leave a clever comment and be in the running for some pretty sweet treats! You know you want an owl onesie for you know-hoo!

> Abigail on 10/14/08 #

Halloween Crafiness

It's not long till Halloween now, and if you haven't already got your craft on, well now's the time. With the economy looking about as optimistic as a snowball in hell, all those shiny Halloween decorations at Target might look a bit pricey. (That hasn't stopped me from buying too many of them, but still) If you're looking for some serious Halloween DIY inspiration, you have to check out the blog of Dave Lowe, halloween aficionado extraordinaire. He's got a whole bunch of swank DIY crafts. I already made the flameless candle...

> Niamh on 10/14/08 #

Trip the Light

Justin Quinnell makes stunning pinhole camera photographs that show sun motion over 6 months. He wants you to too. More of his work is visible by downloading a pdf from his homepage. Thanks to NewScientist.

> Scott on 10/14/08 #

African Textiles in NYC

Two shows of African textiles are up in NYC: One at the Met and one at NYU's Grey Gallery. As I uderstand it both will be presenting current textile and art work with historic textiles. Heaven.

> Scott on 10/07/08 #

Knitting for Good

Betsy Greer's Knitting for Good is my new favorite book. Will write a review as soon as I can. But don't wait, get it now!

> Tsia on 09/30/08 #

Sarah Palin donations to Planned Parenthood

The best culture jamming I've heard in a while: give ten bucks to Planned Parenthood in honor of Sarah Palin. They will send her a thank you card for it! Donate here and send the card to McCain for President, 1235 S. Clark Street, 1st Floor, Arlington , VA 22202. Hats off to the person who thought this up.

> Tsia on 09/30/08 #

Save Bitch!

Bitch Magazine is barely hanging on. Fortunately, recent donations equaled $40K (enough to produce the December issue), but they still need help to stay afloat in the long-term. This amazing, independent magazine has, for 13 years, been a funky, unique voice for DIY and the arts.

Watch the live plea for donations or go to their site for more details.



> Riva on 09/24/08 #