The Handy, Crafty, DIY Folks of Maker Faire in Detroit!

Posted by Crystal
I have always loved Craft: magazine.  I remember the flutter of sheer joy I felt in my chest when I saw the first edition at Border's.  "These are my people," I thought....and probably said out loud!  I have been known to talk to myself.  ;)

The Premiere Issue of Craft:

Anyway, I was super bummed when it was announced that Craft: would no longer print the magazine after Volume 10 featuring the hilarious and crafty Amy Sedaris.  (Inside Joke Alert: "Looks better on the floor, Dave!")

Fortunately, Craft: still maintains an awesome website dedicated to transforming traditional craft.

ANNNNNND...Craft:'s partner publication Make: magazine is still in print!  In fact, Volume 23 just came out.  Make: focuses on technology, electronics and gadgets.  It really taps the DIY resurgence that our country is experiencing right now. 

How do I know?

I went to the Motor City Maker Faire in Detroit last weekend!

May I just say...WOW!  I was so supremely impressed with all the handy, crafty, DIY folks showing off their awesome creations.

Bre from MakerBot Industries promoting their 3D Printer.  MakerBot was on the cover of Volume 21 of Make.

Matt of i3 Detroit built this DIY organ out of glass jugs (beer growlers), garden hose, garbage bags and duct tape.  I love the crazy things that people create just for the love of making!

So, totally random, but I ran into a band at Maker Faire that I saw a while back at The Flint Public Library!  This is Light in August.  Alex (vocals and guitar) is in the middle, Mark (bass and vocals) is on the right and Alex's brother Paul is on the left.  I like them all that much more for being fans of Maker Faire!

Rick casts aluminum.  He recommends Backyard Metal Casting for all your casting needs!  Rick teaches jewelrymaking classes, too...I totally wanna take his class!  He was a super nice and funny presenter, so I'm sure he'll be a great teacher.  :)

This cast came out a little wonky, which is why Rick displayed it...to show us what NOT to do!

Artists from several foundries in Chicago, including Happy Accident Sculpture Studio and  Chicago Crucible, joined forces to do an amazing Iron Pour demonstration.

Get your fresh baked cannonballs!  Only $20!  Joe Sandor was the mastermind behind the Iron Pour.  Thanks for making a point to display the pieces to all of us in the audience, Joe!

This is a sweet laser engraver.  It will be housed at Maker Works in Ann Arbor.  Maker Works is a 10,000 square foot workshop full of modern tools that will be opening in Spring 2011.  I can't wait!!!

 Lish of Handmade Detroit holds it down at the Craft: table.  Handmade Detroit organized a Craft Faire within the Maker Faire...how cool is that?!?

FH Director of Sales & Merchandising Amy (l) and I in front of her Made With Luv booth at the Craft Faire! 

I love when I find crafts for guys!  These ties from Cyberoptix are suh-weet!  I might try to make some with my Yudu.  ;)

More guy-friendly crafts!  Cutie robot head magnets from Deanne of by deets (who I met at Baar Bazaar).

I did not catch this gal's name, but her yarn was adorable.  Check it out at hands + notions.

Julie from Nourishing Notes is so stinkin' nice...and her cards rock, too!  Perfect for the foodie in your life.

Nayyirah of Crochet Science (l) and Erin of Stone Sheep rep for Flinttown!

Tuesday of MuggyTuesday is the sweetest!  She and her sister came all the way from Chicago to vend with us at our 2010 Spring Craft Market.

Allie from Mitten Made!  When I finally get a chance to post about my trip to The Blue House in Ann Arbor, you will see the awesome crocheted flower brooch I bought from Allie.  ;)

Sara from Broadstreet creates the most awesome upcycled necklaces from vintage jewelry.  I absolutely adore her work!

Olivera from my favorite craft store in Columbus, Ohio!  You may recall my Wholly Craft road trip blog post from June.  Wholly Craft is totally awesome in store and on the road!

Stephanie (l) and Amy of Handmade Detroit with their pinata friend. 

Thanks so much for working to put this show on, ladies of HD!  I hope Maker Faire and Craft Faire come back again to The Henry Ford again next year!

Upcycling Love: Spare Metal Car Parts into Home Decor!

Posted by Crystal

What do you do when you are an automotive engineer and you love cars and you have a ton of spare metal parts laying around?

Well, if you are my friend Tom, you bust out your welding gun and make some sweet ass candlesticks and a toothbrush holder!

The bases of the candlesticks are spider gears from a rear axle.  The stems are exhaust valves from an engine and the candle holders are valve springs.

The toothbrush holder is a large intake valve from an engine with two valve springs welded to it.

Close-up of the toothbrush holder.  The metal can get a little rusty in the moist bathroom, so make sure to apply lots of layers of clear coat!

How cool is it to take something you love and bring it into your home in creatively upcycled ways?!?  

So, blog readers, do you have any nifty upcycled projects made from things you just adore?  Are you a bibliophile and make purses/lampbases/shelves out of books?  Or maybe you love vintage china and use it to make trays/wall decor/mosaics? 

Email us at flinthandmade@hotmail.com and we'll post your upcycled projects on our blog!

Fantastic Craftiness Photo Tour: 2010 Baar Bazaar!

Posted by Crystal

May I just say...Baar Bazaar at The Majestic Theatre was freakin' awesome!  I saw soooo many of my favorite vendors and lots of new crafters with really innovative products.  Plus, there was TONS of good stuff for guys! 

Allow me to take you on a photo tour of the fantastic craftiness:

Liz of Random Noise Bursts makes the coolest drawstring bags out of old tshirts.  She accepts donations of tshirts, so feel free to send some her way!

Rachel (l) and Jennifer of The Funky Eye Patch are the cutest crafty sisters ever!

I am madly in love with the Boh Bon Soap Company packaging.  You rock that paper, Chrissy!

Krystal of White Lily Jewelry is my new favorite jewelry artist!

Jill's Barrel of Monkeys buttons and magnets are always clever and hilarious.  I had to get a True Blood magnet for my little sis.  :)

Christina (l) and Dennis with their gorgeous Perfect Laughter screenprinting.  Crafty couples rock my socks!

Who can resist a tough guy selling baby gear for his girlfriend?  Justin watches over Butter Bean Inc. while cutie patootie Ashley shops the Bazaar.

Amber of Woolly Mammoth Design makes the most adorable sweater creatures.  The squid is just perfect!

Deanne of by deets was selling these nifty radio tube critters.  Deanne, I saw a bunch of radio tubes for sale at an antique store in Northville!  I'll email you the info.  :)

Jason (l) chucks the deuces...and paints the most adorable pictures!  He sells as Paintings by Jason Gibnerd on Etsy.

Chris of Detroit GT had THE BEST automotive/Detroit apparel.  I still need to get one of those Detroit Vette shirts, Chris!

I didn't meet you at your Paper a la Mode table, Ashley.  But, your mom really held it down!  Email us at flinthandmade@hotmail.com when you get your Etsy up.

These nerdy lovebirds (and their Scrabble tile crafts) were so stinkin' cute!  Check them out at Double Nerd Score.

Two of the lovely ladies of Handmade Detroit: Amy (l) of My Marigold and Bethany of Reware Vintage.  Great job putting together Baar Bazaar, Bethany!

This is Leann.  Leann works at The Majestic Cafe.  Leann is my new best friend because she totally gave me a bag for all of the stuff I bought at Baar Bazaar.  I gave Leann a Flint Handmade Follower Card and took her picture for the blog.  This is that picture.

My haul (l-r): Wellies Notecards by Sloe Gin Fizz, Aqua Flower Hairpin by ttishbite, Black and White Button Ring by The Funky Eye Patch, Green Owl by Woolly Mammoth Design, Black Flower Ring by White Lily Jewelry, True Blood Magnet by Barrel of Monkeys and Scrabble Tile Keyring by DoubleNerdScore.  All of my stuff is displayed on vintage fabric I bought at Baar Bazaar from Justin.  :)

For lots more pics, check out our 2010 Baar Bazaar set on flickr.

June craftLAB Recap: No Sew Duct Tape Bags!

At our June craftLAB, Amy (FH Director of Sales and Merchandising) taught us all how to make no sew bags with fabric, duct tape and staples.  You may recall that Amy previously inspired Becky to make a similar bag.

Well, Flint Handmade decided to give everyone the opportunity to make these awesome bags! 

Lorraine and her daughter Sophia taping their bags.

Nicole shows off the very straight edges of her bag after she trimmed off the excess tape.

April creates one of the handles on her bag.

Jenny is the first one to finish her bag!  Amy strikes a crafty superhero pose!

April's finished bag!

Desere got fancy and added a ribbon closure tie to her bag.  Clever girl!

Laura and her daughter Jamie have cute bags and cute smiles!

Nicole is beaming with her rainbow bag!

"Oh, yeah, check out my bag!" says Jennette.

Tina is already using her bag...which would make a great lunch tote because of the water resistant duct tape lining!

Nayyirah looks so sweet carrying her new no sew bag...and wearing the adorable poncho she crocheted!

If you make a no sew duct tape bag, email photos to us at flinthandmade@hotmail.com.

NOTE: The first Sunday in July is Independence Day, so there will not be a craftLAB.  Join us on Sunday, August 1 for the Craft Supply Swap!