futurenatural
organic beauty lovers, unite.
it can be difficult to find safe & natural products that satisfy your beautification & ethical needs. the tiny offering at sephora and whole foods, sometimes just doesn’t cut it. and to be fair, buying glittery eyeshadow at the grocery store is decidedly unglamorous.
enter futurenatural.
water-based nail polish, wood-pulp & hemp oil facial blotters–even an apothecary, travel & men’s section–to satisfy all your fancy party-face needs.
futurenatural are giving away a full-size Mod.Skin firming serum ( full of DMAE, chlorophyll and Klamath blue-green algae & valued at $40), on all orders over $60!
use the code: MOD during checkout. the freebie will ship automatically but will not show up in your cart.
so, as they say, “live well, do good & look gorgeous!”
craft party 2011
It’s time to celebrate! Last year’s first-ever global Craft Party was so much fun, we’ve decided to orchestrate it again this year on Friday, June 10, 2011. No matter where you live or what you love to make, you are invited to participate. Musicians, painters, sculptors, photographers, farmers, hackers, gardeners, designers, jewelers, bookbinders, printmakers, teachers, makers and doers of all stripes, as well as art enthusiasts, curators, vintage lovers and supporters of the independently made, we’re calling on you! We challenge you to meet your neighbors and come together to make something surprising.
Last year, over 5,000 people participated in over 500 meetups from Dallas to Romania, and this year our goal is for over 15,000 people to share in the spirit of Craft Party. Since we can’t do this without you, we’re calling on your help to mobilize in your local community. To participate, either as a local Craft Party organizer or party-goer, head on over to Meetup Everywhere (as created by Meetup.com) to put your town on the map. Meetup Everywhere is a powerfully simple way for our creative community to, well, organize meetups everywhere. It’s free and designed to spark face-to-face gatherings around the world.
We envision Craft Party to be a celebration of the wide array of making and an expression of the diversity in your local community. What do you love to make? What are your favorite community organizations and space? How can you band together to craft a positive change in your town?
As the dictionary says, a craft is anything “made or produced with care, skill, or ingenuity.” We challenge you to be creative with the format, activities, and location of your Craft Party — after all, it is yours to define. Here are some ideas to get you started:
- Host a Craft Night-style even, and invite local makers to teach hands-on workshops.
- Gather a group of programmers for a Code as Craft inspired event.
- Work with your local farmers markets & CSA for a celebration of fresh food, cooking, and sustainability. Make seed bombs and planters.
- Host a potluck, picnic in the park, skillshare, or swap meet.
- Have a parade on two wheels! Meet at a bike shop, tune up your bicycles and hit the town.
- Make your hometown a better place. Use your skills for good and host a craftivism party by connecting with community organizations to make something beneficial.
- Hit the streets for a guerrilla art project or a photography tour of unusual spots.
- Work on a collaborative art project together.
- Use a material as a starting point. See how you can creatively transform something specific like cardboard, tape, wax, glass jars, dead computers, etc.
- Meet up with mechanics and seamstresses and have a fixing and mending session.
- Connect with a local venue like a library, bookstore, coffee shop, cookware store, art and craft store, music venue, museum, gallery, school, etc.
- Make some noise! Celebrate the craft of music.
- Bring some handmade fun to a nursing home or a daycare center.
- Connect with a business bureau and brainstorm a celebration of local small businesses.
- Hook up with an existing local creative group, like an Etsy Team, Church of Craft chapter, Craft Mafia, or Meetup group, to collaborate and celebrate.
- … these are just a few ideas to get your wheels turning and your brain storming. Craft Party is yours for the making! As the Craftifesto says, “The power is in your hands!” (quite literally).
Be sure to check out some tales and photographs from last year’s events to aid your planning, and join the new Crafty Party Etsy Team to converse with fellow Craft Partiers to scheme and dream in preparation for the big day. We’ll highlight notable photos, video, and stories surrounding these category suggestions below, and everything else you all bring to life at your Craft Parties, in a wrap-up post shortly after the confetti has settled from June 10th.
Need some more ideas for what to do at your Craft Party? Let these categories be a springboard:
- Best Themed Party
- Best Craft Projects
- Best Party Decorations
- Tastiest Party Food
- Best Creative Party Challenge
- Most Spirited Collaborative Art Project
- Sweetest Craftivism Project
Etsy and the Craft Party sponsors (more to be announced soon) will provide every event organizer with a free downloadable Craft Party Kit containing how-to project instructions and templates, party decor ideas, along with all sorts of other tips and ideas for hosting your own party. There might even be a few fun coupons and surprises — who knows?
FAQs
Can anyone be involved? I don’t live in the U.S.
Yes! Craft Party is all about connecting with your local art, craft, and design community to celebrate creativity, no matter where in the world you live.
Do I have to have an Etsy account to join in the fun?
No! Anyone can join, start or organize an Etsy Craft Party Meetup. We just want you to have fun and make things together.
Do I have to have a Meetup account to join in the fun?
No, you can RSVP with your Facebook sign-in, if you don’t have a Meetup account. If you don’t have a Facebook account or a Meetup account, you’ll need one or the other to RSVP and/or step up as an organizer for a Craft Party. It’s free and easy to sign up, don’t worry!
Does the event need an organizer?
Not at first; however, in order to put on a great event and really connect with Etsy, someone will need to step up and take charge.
Can we change the time of the event?
Yes. The event organizer can change the time and set the location of the event.
Can I add a new Meetup to the map, even if my town already has one?
Go for it. If the current Meetup is too far away, feel free to schedule another.
Does using the Meetup Everywhere tool cost money?
Nope. The Meetup Everywhere site is free and so is creating a Meetup.com account. You might want to pitch in for refreshments and party supplies. Check out more ideas for how to throw a great craft party without breaking the bank here.
What project(s) should we make at our Craft Party?
That is up to you to decide. With some help from our creative partners, we’re going to be offering ideas for inexpensive party crafts that are fun in a group setting. Also, be sure to browse the Make section on Etsy’s blog for inspiration and instructions and read through the ideas list earlier in this post.
What’s the difference between Meetup Everywhere and Meetup Groups?
Meetup Everywhere is not a Meetup Group. A Meetup Group is a local community group. Meetup Everywhere is a simple way to spark Meetups all over the world.
This sounds great. How can I help get the word out about Craft Party?
Help us spread the word about this global Craft Party. If you tweet about your Craft Party, make sure to add the hash tag #CraftParty. Get ready to share photos of the event by joining our Craft Party Flickr Group. Also, don’t forget to join the Craft Party Etsy Team to plan with fellow organizers and partiers leading up to the big day.
Feel free to use these badges and banners on your blog or website to help spread the word and promote your Craft Party.
Copy and Paste This Code: <img src=’http://www.etsy.com/storque/media/bunker/2011/04/craftpartyMEXYBOLD
storque.jpg’>
Copy and Paste This Code: <img src=’http://www.etsy.com/storque/media/bunker/2011/04/craftpartyTRI-RADICAL_storque.jpg’>
Copy and Paste This Code: <img src=’http://www.etsy.com/storque/media/bunker/2011/04/craftpartysquare.jpg’>
Copy and Paste This Code: <img src=’http://www.etsy.com/storque/media/bunker/2011/04/craftparty125px2.jpg’>
Copy and Paste This Code: <img src=’http://www.etsy.com/storque/media/bunker/2011/04/craftparty125px.jpg’>
Right click & save this avatar and update it with your photo.
Right click & save this avatar and update it with your photo.
reanimation library
black beauty was my favorite book as a kid. i think it actually started me down the path of animal rights. i kept it out for months reading–& re-reading–the sorrow of that poor horse. while i am quite certain it can still be found on the shelves, what happens to all those books no one thinks about anymore? the ones that focus on the basics, the how-to books. the ones we used before the internet made everyone so damn savvy.
the reanimation library is a small, independent library based in brooklyn. it is a collection of books that have fallen out of mainstream circulation. outdated and discarded, they have been culled from thrift stores, stoop sales, and throw-away piles across the country and given new life as resource material for artists, writers, and other cultural archeologists.
pay them a visit the library at 543 union street, at the corner of union and nevins in the proteus gowanus complex. enter through proteus gowanus at the gate on nevins.
library hours:
thursday and friday: 3 - 6 PM
saturday and sunday: 12 - 6 PM
and by appointment.
single fare art show
operation PROM
say “bridesmaid’s dress” and you’ll induce a bunch of sighs and eye-rolling.
the longstanding joke about bridesmaid’s dresses being horrid may or may not be true–depending on the good taste and compassion of the bride. but chances are you won’t wear it again. and with NYC real estate costing what it does, coveted closet space should not be sacrificed for things that serve you no purpose.
donate your old gowns to OPERATION PROM. this organization provides dresses (and school supplies) to deserving individuals. they’ve got drop-off centers in jersey, westchester county, yonkers, NYC–or you can mail them in too. in fact, if you drop off between today and friday at 57 grand, you’ll get a discount on any new purchases.
style tips
cash.
it makes a great last minute gift, and offers you salvation for all those peeps you still need a present for. as a kid, i always loved getting that envelope in the mail from my grandparents. inside was housed a $20 (usually) that meant so many possible possibilities–i used to save up for cookbooks! but, the cards themselves were noteworthy. typically, there was glitter or some flocked element–with the paternal face of washington looking out from the cutout window.
i know, i know. cash is impersonal. a wee-bit above the ubiquitous gift card, still cash carries a hint of golden, olden days of yore. i mean, it’s paper not plastic. all this to say, with cash–presentation is everything!
while i try to show my appreciation all year long, the holidays bring the expectation of tips from those in the service industry. i’m really frugal–i cut my own hair, i do my own pedicures, and mend my own clothes (most of the time). so, i am off the hook in tipping those areas.
but, my doormen go above & beyond so they deserve a little bit of extra love. in years past, i have given them gift certificates to the diner across the street, wine, champagne, chocolate truffles. however, we are all feeling the financial pinch and so cash wins this year. although, somehow simply sliding a couple bills in their hand is a bit mafia-oso, so, i decided to get crafty.
i dipped into my craft box (yes, we all have a special place where we go to create–in NYC all my supplies are quarantined in a box that lives in the front closet) and pulled inspiration from stuff i already had stored. candy canes & wooden snowflakes were leftover pieces from holiday gift-wrapping for a client. so, everything is recycled, reused or saved from the lonely bin.
because i too am feeling broke, homemade cookies were in the mix. i am hoping the gesture gets across my appreciation for hard work & kindness. and make my offering seem less light on the green. it’s a risk another way as well. this year i made first-timers–recipes not pulled from the stand-by favorites. this flies in the face of rule #1 of hostessing–NEVER USE UNTESTED RECIPES FOR A PARTY (OR GIFTS). but, this has been a year all about risk, so here goes…
everyone is getting…
gingerbread
peanut brittle
spice cookies
spice bars
peanut butter chocolate chip
whatever you decide to bake/create, embrace the season and show your appreciation for those in your community–that support you, that love you, that help make your life what it is.
oh, lemon cookies & chocolate-dipped coconut macaroons…they get some of those too.
street fair: 2.0
The street fair is a hallmark of summer and a powerful means of inviting people to share the city’s most ubiquitous public space. But for most New Yorkers, the sight of fried dough and Italian sausage carts inspire little more than an eye-roll and a step in the opposite direction. Once vibrant gathering places that reflected the rich diversity of New York’s neighborhoods, today’s street fairs are mass-produced affairs that offer little variety and even less opportunity for local vendors to participate.
The Atlantic Antic in Brooklyn is one of the sole New York street fairs today that truly reflect the local community.
Even in their watered down state, street fairs still attract crowds because of the novelty and pleasure of mingling in the street. But there is little doubt that they fail to live up to their true potential. With this in mind, the Center for an Urban Future gathered 25 New Yorkers of all stripes—architects, developers, artists and other innovative thinkers, including PPS President Fred Kent—to brainstorm “New Visions for New York Street Fairs.” One central theme ran throughout the report: by showcasing local merchants, organizations, home cooks, gardeners and kids, street fairs could be “a great opportunity for city neighborhoods to show off.”
see the original post here, on a project for public spaces.
sweet treats
i am already planning my holiday baking.
it’s a lot of work. fingering pages of veggie times, my mother’s cookbooks – comparing & contrasting different recipes. making mental adjustments & substitutions. deciding on the playlist & cocktail that will accompany the task. all of this sounds wildly stressful, but really it makes me excited and happy and i feel connected.
connected to my mother as i read her notes in the margins–”this is really good”.
connected to those that will eat my treats–the doormen, the couriers, the friends and love in my life. i’ll get to share with my community the things i enjoy–baking, eating, laughing.
so, with all this care in planning, i intend on using only the best ingredients.
afterall, it’s just another way to show caring for those close to me and those far. using simple, organic ingredients that respect our bodies and the earth is a great tradition to start this year.
check out the sugared-goodies at:
naturalcandystore.com
kingarthurflour.com
or nix them altogether and opt instead for dried berries & nuts.
dye coconut flakes with natural food dyes from naturesflavors.com
or
chocolatecraftkits.com (they also have modeling chocolate for aspiring sculptors).
sling shot seed bombs
while lots of the energy behind the green movement comes from super-cool, new technologies that “oooo & ahhh” us, where i am emotionally attached are by those things that remind of simpler times.
yes, my heart skips beats upon hearing about algae being grown to produce alternative fuel. but, what melts my heart most are stories of seeds buried in earth, sprouting up, standing tall, surviving, thriving, providing, then their wither & death. it’s the dirty cycle of life and makes me feel connected. not just to the earth below me, but all the people who survived on wholesome foods, grown in well-loved gardens. my grandparents for instance.
i feel connected to my childhood, the generations before me, and to the world i am a part of.
this said, it should not surprise you that this lovely little seed bomb pack from green aid, really bubbles with nostalgia for me. you can choose bombs for different climate zones across the US–ensuring all on your holiday list will be launching the appropriate clusters into forgotten/unloved spaces in their hometowns. made from a mixture of clay, compost, and containing hundreds of native seeds–the bombs come in a recycled tube, with a wooden slingshot for flinging into the hard to reach places! each tube has instructions and a seed list attached. while they have the ability to lay dormant for up to a year, once they receive a little sun & water, they’ll sprout in just a few days & begin to grow.
sidenote: the wooden sling-shot is the best “value-added” item to accompany something, anything–ever! it makes such perfect sense and encourages even more intrepid bombing.
i am snatching up the holiday special–10 bombs for 10 bucks–and the wooden slingshot. plus, they have a special TEXAS variety in the mix. these are the best of all my worlds!
international pickle day
This Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m
Parking lot on Ludlow and Broome Sts
In cahoots with the NY Food Museum, creating programs that encourage thought about what we eat, NYC International Pickle Day will have activities for young & old – and of course, free pickles!
Here’s a full list of vendors:
Whole Foods
Rick’s
Saxelby Cheese Monger
Picklena
Roni-Sue
Brooklyn Kitchen
Russ and Daughters
Ithaca/MacDonald farms
Peanut Butter & Co.
McClure’s
MILK
Two Boots
Herb Folks
Brooklyn Brine
Mama O’s
New Korean Kim Chi
Horman’s
Greenmarket Demos
Sahadi
Kalustyan
Pickle Guys
China Food
Divine Brine
Fizzie Lizzie
Roasting Plant
Café Katja
there will also be a performance art, curated by unami….
Umami was created as a meeting ground to people who use food as a medium and who present their audience with a multi-sensory experience in the dining room, or gallery space. Our objective is to open avenues of collaboration between these artists and culinary professionals. Choosing food as a common thread allows the festival to present new ways to look at art and to integrate art into daily life. We offer an environment for non-commercial, ephemeral art and encourage artists who work with non-traditional mediums and forms. By bringing these artists together with culinary professionals through panel discussions and workshops, we wish to expose them to new audiences while stirring a debate around the role of food and food professionals in our society. Our intention is to use art to increase awareness of the power food has to influence and shape both diners and cooks.
Our goal is to establish the festival as a biennial event, which targets changing concerns at the intersection of food and art. This is a non-for-profit venture, sponsored by Roulette Intermedium, Inc. All proceeds from the festival go to support participating artists and educational projects.
Umami is engaged in a variety of educational projects aimed at both children and culinary students. In these workshops on food and art, Umami uses art to uncover new ways of thinking about food in our society.
