Brooklyn collective The Amatures are planing to make a special mad max outdoor paint gun mural and need our help. Check out the movie of their last adventure. Will they be my new friends?

Scott on 08/02/05#

Dennis Stevens is a ceramic artist and thinker living in San Jose, California. His weblog, Redefining Craft always has novel takes on Craft, the Universe, and Everything. His most recent salvo involves imagining a scenario in which crafty folks actually benefit from PEAK OIL. His article quotes Robert Heinlein, references William Morris, and quotes the great craft philosopher...erm..Hank Williams Jr. From the article:

This is a transition that many craftspeople and those that work with their hands would openly welcome, as the sociocultural playing field would be leveled, in short order. Just imagine the consequences… some of it would be laughably dreamy for those of us that know how to work with our hands. That is not to say that it would be a pleasant experience, but it might be a neat social experiment, nonetheless.

Extreme Craft on 08/01/05#

Imagine going to dinner, and being served your entire meal in pitch darkness. How much would your other senses be heightened if you couldn’t see your food? Think of how intense the aromas and flavors would become. Imagine the thrill of trying to figure out what you were eating in the first place.

Dining In the Dark is an event that’s enjoyed great popularity in Europe, and has just landed in the US. The first dinners are being held in Los Angeles, with San Francisco, San Diego, and Las Vegas soon to follow. Here’s a summary from their website:

“In this era of information overload, visual stimulation has reached an all time pinnacle.
…The dining in the dark experience allows you to willingly plunge into a world of sensitivity you have never experienced before, taking you through a journey of taste, sound and touch….”

Admittedly, tickets are a bit pricey, but this is an experience you can easily replicate at home. Given all the stim we contend with day to day, what a nice idea it is to deliberately give one of our senses a break, and deepen our experience of the others.

Sister Diane on 07/30/05#

I've been waiting for this forever… A frequently updated consolidated listing of open bars in New York City. Also, more daily free events at FreeNyc.net and New York magazine.

Holly on 07/29/05#

The Henry Art Museum is having a fund raising party celebrating country music and Nashville culture. Art works will be for sale for (relatively) cheap AND there will be a chandelier made of 300 coutnry albums. C'mon down y'all.

Scott on 07/26/05#

Corny corncob pipes, are these things ever ugly. But they endure as a classic crochet project. Ever wondered how to make one? Welp, the complete instructions can be found here. Or, you can just bid on one on ebay! Indicate your status as the official life of the BBQ by doffing one. Or don't. Regardless, they deserve their place in the history of crafts.

sublimestitcher on 07/23/05#

The last secret in Soho is ALJO. They have dyes for everything- even wood. The color range is wide and beautiful.

Scott on 07/22/05#

I'm pretty sure that this is still in the prototype phase, but designer Rebecca Spender has designed "Smart" knitting needles that keep track of the number of stitches that you've already done. She has integrated movement sensors into the end of the needles to record their movement, then the data is streamed via RF to a remote base station that decodes the movements. Apparently, when a stitch is made, the LCD counter on the base station registers it.

LINK via MAKE

Extreme Craft on 07/20/05#

There is a transmitter that one can make to change red traffic lights to green. It isn't legal, but it isn't the Weather Undergroud either. Don't you want to know someone who has one?

Scott on 07/19/05#

It's summer, which means that most people probably drink more soda.
If you're looking for a cheap and easy craft that also recycles, Pop Tab, or Soda Tab Crafts are for you!
If you don't drink soda, steal those tabs from your friends, neighbors, and recycling bins. [just ask nicely!]
There are basic instructions for a belt at the link below, but you can easily expand that into other things like purses, bracelets, chokers, etc. Just use your imagination, and feel good because you're recycling!

http://ohsocrafty.blogspot.com/

JediEmpressMel on 07/18/05#