CREATIVE
CRAFTING MAGAZINE
FEATURES AND BEST BITS
Summer 2011
Anna-Marie Miles, Avril White
Copyright Creative Crafting 2011
Published by AvAnna Publications Publishing at Smashwords
Smashwords
Edition, License Notes
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CREATIVE CRAFTING MAGAZINE FEATURES AND BEST BITS
Summer 2011
Creative Crafting magazine was first published in October 2009. Created by a small group of Crafter’s to raise the profile of the Crafting Community. Every two months anyone can send in articles or projects to be published to the world. Wonderful handmade items are featured and showcased giving people a true sense of achievement and often a well deserved boost to their small business.
Each new issue (along with all back issues) can be found on the main website.
http://www.creative-crafting.com
Various methods of purchasing a printed copy of the magazine are also gradually being rolled out.
In this ebook you will find condensed versions of our favourite features and articles from the Summer 2011 edtion, issue 12, first published on 1st August 2011. You can find the full version of these articles along with more images in the magazine itself.
We hope that you enjoy this ‘potted’ version of our creation and will look out for further publications.
Your Editors,
Anna and Avril
Modern Life is rubbish so let’s get crafting.
Written by Betty Bee
It’s been a pig of a day, bad tempered and irritating in equal measures. For many people the only way to redeem it would be to crack open a bottle and put their feet up in front of the TV. That is of course unless you are a crafter.
A crafter will clear the dinner dishes away, put the kids to bed and then with the radio tuned in to something relaxing start working. Not that it feels like work. Whether you are crocheting a blanket, decoupaging a jewellery box or painting a chair you will quickly enter the craft zone and feel your troubles melt away.
The therapeutic qualities of arts and crafts have long been recognised and classes are run in hospitals, prisons, care homes and having been a lifelong crafter I’m a massive fan of using your crafts as a relaxation tool.
That’s not to say mastering new disciplines is always the fastest way to achieve blissed out contentment. We all know the black clouds that form when an idea doesn’t work out, or a project simply gets the better of us. Our crackle glaze goes lumpy or we sew our tapestry to our trouser leg but often even the moments when you are shouting at your sewing machine are good as they totally force you into the moment. There’s little time to worry about, love, money or kids when you are trying to get the tension right on an ancient singer machine.
For my part I get the most satisfaction from up cycling items. Turning discarded items usually destined for the tip into beautiful pieces you will use and enjoy.
It makes me feel virtuous as it’s a green way to get new things (and I’m a gal who loves to shop) and the feeling of satisfaction I get when I finish reupholstering a beat.
Crafting is also a brilliant way to indulge your creative side and carve out a space that’s just for you. In a world where we are increasingly slaves to our phones and computers (guilty as charged) it actually forces us to step away from the laptop and engage our brain in a more practical way.
So the next time you feel stressed out, don’t buy up all of ASOS.com or eat that family pack of twirls, log onto Creative Crafting and see where the mood takes you. It’s natures Prozac-trust me.
Betty Bee regularly shares her craft projects on her blog http://www.talesfrombettybeetowers.blogspot.com and writes a regular column for Vintage Life Magazine “Betty Bees How to…” which show readers step by step craft projects.
http://www.vintagepamperbox.com - The alternative hen party for sassy ladies.
An Interview with Micah Stuart from Metal of Ages
Addicted to flames, sparks, molten metal, cut and abraded fingers, and that burning bright polish on a finished masterpiece! We meet the man behind ‘METAL OF AGES’.
Tell us about Micah Stuart
My name is Micah Stuart and I am the owner of Metal of Ages Jewelry! www.metalofages.etsy.com I'm a quarter century old, mustachioed, Rogue jeweler, who loves to wear black, even in the summer time. I was born in Wiesbaden, Germany on a tiny U.S. Air Force Base. Unfortunately I was so young when we left I have no memory of Germany at all. Which is a shame because there are some wonderful sights to see in Germany. My family then moved to Florida briefly before settling down in the North Georgia mountains where I have spent most of my life until recently (I still miss the Florida weather!). Two years ago I finally escaped to Nashville, TN where I live a bachelor's existence and make my jewelry full time. It's quite a pleasure living in Music City and a definite upgrade from the rural life of the North GA mountains.
When did first begin creating your designs, and why?
Well, it all started nearly 10 years ago. My first creations were pieces of chainmaille made from electric fence wire wrapped around a dowel rod. Somehow I managed to produce 3 different chainmaille shirts without going insane. It was mostly a hobby in my spare time that slowly but surely led to ever more intricate chains and finer materials. It wasn't long before I acquired some basic jewelry tools and started in on the world of silver smithing. I taught myself how to solder, make rings, weave chains, mount stones, and the list goes on. Looking back I would have to say my "designs" have DEFINITELY evolved since those early days.
What is it that you enjoy about your work?
What do I enjoy about my work!? The hours, the flexibility, the creative license, being my own boss... did I mention the hours? Don't be jealous, but I often watch movies while I work as well. My work also gives me the freedom to be my eccentric and quirky self pretty much all the time. No cubicle, uniform, or good behavior for this guy. After all what's someone going to do? fire me?
What is your biggest crafting achievement, and why? I don't think I could possibly narrow my biggest achievement to one great piece or one fantastic moment. The most remarkable thing would have to be my transition from being a regular bench jeweler and repairman, to an independent business owner, and what's more, I've managed to do it all without any formal schooling or other instruction. I have come such LONG way and the journey from point A to point B is the great achievement. Only B through Z left to go.
Other than your crafting, what else do you like to do?
When I am not working on jewelry it is time to relax! I spend most of that time catching up with friends, watching movies, enjoying the Nashville night life, etc. Once upon a time I was heavily involved in the theatre, but there is definitely no time for that anymore. My work occupies the overwhelmingly vast majority of my time... and I like it. I have also been known to read and learn new things whenever I get the chance.
If you had to choose your favourite from the items you are selling, which one would it be?
If I HAD to choose I suppose my Fleur De Lis bracelet would win the prize. It currently resides on the island of Curacao along with some more of my recent work. I finally had some time that I could set aside for a large intricate project that truly displays a bit of skill. I will be fortunate enough to create meany more pieces of that caliber in the near future so keep your eyes peeled! http://www.etsy.com/listing/63648201/modern-artifact-stainless-fleur-de-lis
Where does your inspiration come from?
There are several themes that normally drive my imagination. The basis of my designs reflect techniques from the jewelry masters of centuries past as well as artifacts in museums, sunken treasure, Classic art, and classic architecture. Aside from that it could be any image, color, or texture that catches my eye. Most every time I close my eyes the thoughts and images come together. When the time for a new project comes it's not uncommon for me to spend quite a few meditative hours sitting and doing all the work in my head before I actually go and DO the work.
Do you have a favourite material to work with?
My all time absolute favorite is, without a doubt, STAINLESS STEEL! I love working in a medium that very few craftsmen are utilizing. I get to invent completely new things and explore the limits of a relatively new material. It feels a little bit like an adventure every time I design something new. It also appeals to my "jack of all trades" mentality. Working with stainless requires you to be a little bit of a welder, machinist, bench jeweler, and black smith all at the same time.
Do you have a favourite website?
Well, Etsy would be my most frequented individual site. I have conversations and other business to attend to on Etsy every day. Not to mention the fact that Etsy is awesome and can provide hours of eye candy. It comes highly recommended! I definitely enjoy tending to my Facebook business page with posts and updates about what is going on at MOA. Honorable mention would include Google image, which is not so much a site as it is a portal to all the wonderful photos and relevant material one can get one's hands on. http://www.facebook.com/pages/Metal-of-ages/136167189759911