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Which Italian Fashion House Went Craft Punk in Milan?
A luxury Italian fashion house put the design process on display at Milan's Salone Internazionale del Mobile, asking up-and-coming designers to create objects of art and furnishings using materials discarded from the label's production process, including leather, fabrics, plastic elements, and metal hardware. You never knew your baguette could become a sculpture for your home, did you?
This Just In: Craft Magazine Closes, Lives On Online
I have some more sad news today. Craft magazine has made an official announcement that its latest issue, Volume 10, will be its last. Due to diminishing interests among advertisers and the rise in print and distribution costs, the magazine was facing more and more challenges in publishing a print issue, and decided print publishing is no longer sensible.
Home Library: French General: Home Sewn
On Project Runway, co-host Tim Gunn's most dismissive comment on a garment was that it looked home sewn. Given this unfavorable recent pop culture reference, it's refreshing to see a beautiful book proudly bearing a title of the same name.
Kaari Meng, owner of the adorable Hollywood crafts and notion store French General, has extended her expertise to the book world with French General: Home Sewn ($24.95).
Casa Quickie: Instant Faux Bois Wrap
I love this idea for wrapping holiday presents, which I found on Craft. Just use faux bois contact paper over some plain brown wrapping paper. Finish it off with some leaf cutouts, and you have a well-presented gift worthy of any of your faux bois-loving design-maven friends.
Top Chef 5.2 — Show Your Craft Recap
Hot dogs and ostrich eggs were important ingredients on last night's episode of Top Chef. Things heated up in the kitchen of Tom Colicchio's Craft as the cheftestants had to make "new-American" cuisine. To discuss the episode (warning: spoilers ahead), read more
Open House: What Projects Are You Working On?
Last weekend, I found this very cool Danish dining chair at a flea market for the low, low price of $2.50 (yes, it was that cheap!). Right now, I'm in the middle of taking all of the staples out of the chair's ugly, tweedy beige upholstery and reupholstering it in something more updated.
What projects are you working on?
Cool Idea: String Theories
I'm always keeping an eye out for unexpected centerpieces for your next party. This pretty alternative to flowers, which was created by New York event designer David Stark, was fashioned by first shaping wire into floral shapes. Then, biodegradable sisal twine was carefully wound around the wire forms.
Kidoodles: Magical Firefly Booties
Many of my childhood Summer vacations were spent in the South where fireflies lit up the night sky. I have a soft spot in my heart for the light-emitting bugs, which explains why I am swooning over this pair of hand-crafted LED booties. Made with denim, elastic, a battery, and light, the supplies are simple but the handiwork is impressive.
Have You Helped Make a Ribbon Bouquet?
If you've ever been to a bridal shower, you may have been responsible for helping to DIY the ribbon bouquet. At bridal showers, it's traditional to gather all of the ribbons together from the gifts and construct a bouquet, which will then be used at the wedding rehearsal.
Source
Have You Helped Make a Ribbon Bouquet?
Cool Idea: An Update on Crochet
Even though crafting has become cooler, the art of crochet is still seen by many people as belonging to little old ladies with big bags and crochet hooks. Even knitting is now vastly cooler than crocheting. Leave it to an innovative lady to turn that idea on its head.
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