La Sha LaSha Lasha lasha la sha Ackerman

I remember when we first got the Internet at my house.

After waiting twenty minutes for the loud modem to crank up the AOL Internet Explorer homepage, my Brad gave me and my sister a lesson in computer safety.

Never go into a chat room.

Never download anything.

Don't click anything unless you absolutely must.

Never tell anyone where you live. Not even the state.

Never upload anything, ESPECIALLY pictures.

and never never NEVER use your real name.

(This is the short list, folks. Don't get me started on outdoor safety, travel safety, or fireproof SAFE safety. I shutter to think of all the danger that fireproof safe could have rained down without the solid set of rules involved.)

I don't think my 1992 self would believe that not only do I use my real name (and maybe a couple of variations) but I've got hundreds of pics stored online, and even some video... including this one I didn't even realize existed.It's pretty weird to google yourself and see a video of yourself you've never seen before. This is from the night that I taught my fabric flower technique at Etsy Labs.

The full tutorial is at this post.

Yep, I'm pretty fast and free with the info these days, even my crafting secrets. I could hoard my experiment-burn-melt-ruin-practice-perfect learned techniques (that's what we call learning the hard way) but I don't think there's anything to be gained to keeping it to myself.

Feel free to try it out. Make 'em, keep 'em, give 'em away, heck... sell 'em.

Maybe you could tell folks where you learned how to do that or just subscribe here or something.

Maybe you could even give me a little link on your blog.

Fabric Flowers; Here's How!

These aren't your grandma's flimsy fabric flowers. These beautiful blossoms are tough enough to take daily abuse, which means they can be attached to clothes, accessories, even keychains.

Here's what you'll need to make some yourself: synthetic fabric (wide ribbon works well, also), a pencil, scissors, a candle, a lighter, a bowl of water, thread, needle and some random beads or buttons Here's how:

First- Find some synthetic material. (Cheap Dollar Store scarves work great!)

Next cut out some circles to make the petals. They don't have to be perfect- look at any real flower and you find that petals aren't perfect- they're all different shapes and sizes.

When you've cut out as many petals as you'd like your flower to have, get out a bowl of water and light a candle.

Hold each petal just close enough to the flame to singe the edge.

Go all the way around, until the petal is singed all the way around.

Not only will holding it near the flame keep it from unraveling, but it will also cause the fabric to warp, making the circle look more like a real petal.

If you hold the fabric too close and it catches on fire, don't freak out- just dunk it in the water.

After you have all the petals singed around the edges, arrange the petals in the shape you would like them, and stitch straight through the middle. Make sure that each petal is securely attached to the others. Sew several stitches to make it stronger and more durable.

Next, find some beads or buttons that coordinate with the flower and cover the center stitches by sewing them on one by one.

Make sure to securely knot off the thread when you're finished sewing on the last bead on.

Now you can sew the flower onto anything you'd like.

BIG NEWS! (well, big for me, anyway)

Did you know I love Etsy Labs?

If you don't it's because you haven't talked to me in the past year or haven't read this blog post.

Well, BIG NEWS- I'LL BE TEACHING AT ETSY LABS JUNE 1ST!

I'll be teaching my technique for making silk flowers by hand, using fire as the shaping mechanism.

IT. WILL. BE. AWESOME.

So, let's recap: Etsy Labs, 4-8 pm, June 1st. It's completely free and all materials are supplied.

If you're not in New York City, we'll be broadcasting live on the web here.

(Yes, you have to make a username to log in, but it's free and only takes a second, so don't be lazy.)

If you're not crafty, it's o.k.- my etsy shop is coming up roses!

Things I Love About New York #4 : Etsy Labs

Imagine a place where shelves are stocked with craft supplies, sewing machines are available by the dozen, where arts and crafts experts are on hand to give advice, where lace and buttons flow freely... and for free.

Sounds mythical right?

Well hang on to your (hand knitted) socks because...

THAT PLACE EXISTS!

... and it's called Etsy Labs.

Every Monday, Etsy Labs opens its doors to crafters of all persuasions, in a weekly crafting free-for-all. Somtetimes there will be a lesson on a particular craft for those who would like to learn it, and other times it's a come-with-what-you-will-and-work-on-it in the fellowship and bounty that is Etsy Labs.

I've missed it for a few weeks because of the holidays and family being here and whatnot, but now that the holidays are over, I fully intend to find myself on a train to 325 Gold Street around 4:00.

If you're into arts and crafts...

COME!

photo credit: yourseceretadmiral