3Doodler by Wobble Works: Petroleum Products

The 3Doodler is a fancy glue gun. Plastic is a petroleum-based product, but oh how cool to instantly make 3D objects! Like every other kid-at-heart, I got very excited about 3D printers; now there’s a goo-spewing pen that instantly cools the glue and you can paint with it, and no computer required.

BUT, aren’t WE (earthlings) trying to use less plastic in the 21^st century? Is this a green product? Where does the plastic come from, and where is it going? To find some answers, I sent this message to the WobbleWorks folks:

Subject: Kickstarter and 3Doodler: Please tell me about the plastics you are using

Dear WobbleWorks,

Congratulations, you have made your goal. I recognize and value your innovation and capabilities.

It’s all so cool, everyone will want it. But we earthlings need to use less plastics, not more. Tell me about any and all aspects of environmental impact and sustainability that you have considered in the development of this product. Is this a viable product as we face the struggle to control petroleum availability and its looming scarcity?

Thank you.

Mary Yaeger

www.maryyaeger.com

FYI, WobbleWorks asked for $30K and got $2M-plus, one of the most successful kickstarter projects ever. When I get an answer to my questions I will post them here and on Facebook.

National Craft Month on Michaels: Craft Master Contest

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Michaels kicked off National Craft Month with a Project Runway-style competition called “Craft Masters.” Hint: you have to scroll down a little—I guess Michaels doesn’t worry about the “above the fold” rule.

http://www.michaels.com/CraftMasters/MdCM1Vm3060,default,pg.html

I enjoyed the short video, and no commercials. It’s nice to know that opinion is just as subjective in craft design as it is in fashion and the other arts. The work one judge considered “a little disconnected” and lacking in a focal point ended up winning the contest.
What I couldn’t figure out (and I watched the video repeatedly to verify this) was where the winning piece used  the “mystery item,” a topiary. Was it the stick?

Katie Hacker at the Beadalon Booth, CHA Winter 2012

Katie Hacker, Beadalon Designer and host of ‘Beads, Baubles & Jewels’ TV show, demonstrates techniques from her just-published book Live Wire Jewelry: Make Colorful Designs That Shine (North Light, 2012).  During a lull in the booth buzz, I took the opportunity to ask Katie for tips on getting published. I was gifted with “Katie Hacker’s Ten-minute Talk on How to Propose a Book,” which will appear soon in another Stabbed! blog post.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Craft and Hobby Association (CHA) Charity Wings Flash Mob

Here is Elena Lai Etcheverry, of Charity Wings, is pictured here wearing wings created by L. Grace Lauer

 

and the back–lovely weaving of newsprint with the feathers:

 

 

These wings are hinged and open up by a handle operated by Elena. I don’t have a photo of that, but if you go to this YouTube video of the flash mob, you can see more.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RvulLFTGCKw&feature=youtu.be&utm_source=120216+newsletter&utm_campaign=120209+newsletter&utm_medium=socialshare

Yours truly participated in the flash mob–great fun for a great organization!

Beading Daily and Seed Beads: What’s There Not to Love?

I just read Jen VanBenschoten’s Beading Daily post, “I Never Met a Seed Bead I Didn’t Like.”

That title would apply to my one collecting passion. Okay, I also collect Czech pressed glass beads, but not a lot of anything else. Wait a minute, I’ve also amassed a large collection of art, textile and design books, and …

But seed beads are my first love, believe me. If it’s a color I’ve never seen before, I have to have it for my collection. Which means I may never use it, and I’m okay with that.

The colors on JB’s post look just like the project scattered on my work table:

Compare my colors to Jen’s

Seed beads in gorgeous colors!

I just love it when this happens!

You Turkey

A Beaded Turkey Pin for Thanksgiving

Beadwork Magazine Pattern Play Challenge 2009

Here’s the piece I designed as a dress yoke for the 2009 Beadwork Magazine Pattern Play Challenge

Dress Yoke Patter Play Challenge Beadwork Magazine

The entries are listed on Beadwork magazine’s Facebook page:

Here’s the Fossil handbag that was my inspiration. I love how the printed patterns overlap, and the pretty sherbert colors

Fossile handbag with pastel flora print

Beadwork is running the contest again this year. The magazine says there’s a link somewhere in the contests section of beadingdaily, but I couldn’t find it so you’re on your own.

Melinda Barta launches melindabarta.com

Melinda Barta decided to launch her new web site to coincide with the publication of her latest book, Custom Cool Jewelry. I’m hoping to get back the copy I loaned to my sister in San Diego; in the meantime, I’d like to recommend my favorite parts of the site:

Melinda’s Musings

This blog dates back to 2005, making it ancient by web standards, but who said I was keeping up with anything? I just discovered Melinda’s Musings, a blog that accompanied the publication of Melinda’s first book, Hip to Stitch. I’ve been enjoying my copy of the book for several years now, with its original, easy-to-follow projects that are “crafty chic.” Nested in MM are:

CraftSanity: podcasts; and where I read about postedstitches, where two quilters hold a monthly conversation. I had a similar fiber art pen pal idea during my design school days. I sent out a bunch of cloths with an inch or so of my handstitching, asking friends to add something and send back. Unfortunately, of the four embroidered cloths I sent out only one came back and then I started grad school and all hell broke loose so the idea got scrapped. I still think it’s a great idea.

Also: Melinda has a link on her friends page to Renie Breskin Adams’ web site and blog. I’ve loved and admired Renie for years and took a course at Penland from her in 1998. Renie is the Queen of the Detached Buttonhole Stitch, and a Master Embroiderer. Looking at Renie’s blog and cartoons brought back memories of her delightful silliness. And like the Dalai Lama, she seemed ready at any moment to break into hysterical giggling. I’m glad that R has brought her whacky whimsy to the web.

Below: a detail from the narrative embroidery I worked on in the course at Penland:

Beadwitched Earrings at Quilt Visions Art Quilt Gallery

Beadwitched Earrings

My witch earrings and pendants can be purchased at Quilt Visions Art Quilt Gallery in San Diego. For information enquire at visions@quiltvisions.org or 619-546-4872. If you incline toward the tactile, you’ll enjoy viewing their web site. Be sure to visit on your next trip to San Diego.

My fairy jewelry-making kits are also available in the Gallery Shop. They come in three styles: original pastel, woodland colors and a slightly larger fairy with vintage repro flower and leaf beads.

Pictured: larger fairies (kit makes 9)

If you’re interested in making your own witches, see this post.

Beadwitched Earrings

Beadwitched Earrings

Beading Daily has published the instructions for my wirework witches. They are available for free from now until October 27, 2008.