I first heard of this video with Annie Leonard when commenter, Tabitha, suggested it on our site. Then I saw it mentioned again and again on other sites and finally I checked it out. I wanted to share it with our readers , not because the subject is unfamiliar, but because her argument is so strong and clear.
After watcing the Story of Stuff I was reminded, as I need to be over and over, to be aware of the amount of things I throw away. I often choose to buy second hand, which ends the chain of consumption on one end. But unless I make and effort to reuse all of the items that I purchase, or just purchase less items in the first place, I am still adding to that pile of stuff that doesn’t really go away. It’s a truth that can’t be avoided.
So watch The Story of Stuff, and think about how you are contributing to the chain. I don’t pretend to think I can make every wise purchase, and every wise decision. But as we all grow more aware, we will be making better choices over all. And that’s all I can hope for.
Here’s a simple craft to make for your children who like to make up stories or do puppet shows. These sturdy toys are small enough for bringing along on roadtrips, customizable for the tastes of many different children, and open ended in the way they can be played with. They are coated with Mod Podge, so they are stiff and water resistant, though I would not give these to a child who likes to put things in their mouth. Use discretion on age appropriateness, I made these for a child less than 2, but I knew she would not mouth it. When in doubt, and up is a good rule of thumb.
To make this project you will need paper images from books and magazines, recycled cardboard from food packaging, and cardstock. You will also need a pair of sharp scissors and an x-acto knife or other craft knife. To secure the multiple layers together you will need an all purpose craft glue and Mod Podge to coat the final toy. You may also want to find some plastic toy stands (like the kind from board games) so that the dolls and toys will stand up. The instructions for assembling the craft are in the video tutorial below.
I just finished watching the video “Craft in America”. It’s a three-part (and 3-hour) video interviewing artists on three topics-memory, landscape, and community. I rented the movie from Netflix, but found you can also watch it on the Craft in America website.
Overall I enjoyed the video and gave it a 4 out of 5 stars. It was ripe with pithy thoughts about why artists are compelled to create, how their craft connects them with their past (personally and culturally), how nature, politics, and culture drives craft, and how the craft community is a support system to crafters.
A quote resonated with me from the section about landscape. An artist said, ” You perfect your craft, and then you start putting your voice into it…and your heart.” This put words to what I’ve been thinking about. I’ve spent a number of years learning my crafts, and each day I learn more and continue to refine my skills, but as far as my particular voice, that’s something I know I’m developing. This quote reminded me that this process is a natural progression, and it will come with time.
Now although there were many interesting aspects of the video, I was personally disappointed because all the artists were a generation or two older than me. I didn’t feel like my craft community had been represented! But it’s good to get a glimpse of the artists who have lived before me and are passing along their craft and wisdom to the next generations. And if that’s what you’re looking for, this video is well done & interesting for that perspective.
E2 is a PBS series about being environmentally conscious. Today I watched a season 3 episode called Superuse (got it from Netflix.) It’s about an architectural company (2012 Architects) in the Netherlands and the amazing design they create with reused items. They also have an online community where designers & architects can share their inventive ways of recycling.
In the photo to the right is one of 2012 Architects projects, a bar made from building trash. Another favorite from the video is the shoe store shelves made from car windows.
I’ve been waiting for my local television station to get Beads Baubles and Jewels. In the process of looking at their site I found that you can watch video segments of the show online at howtotvonline.com. They show full projects like the Bling Ring pictured to the right and short how-to’s such as how to use jump rings.
Currently there are over 50 segments. They are short, concise, & include printable instructions. Plus, the site also has scrapbooking, cake decorating, and kids crafts videos.
I just finished watching the video “Craft in America”. It’s a three-part (and 3-hour) video interviewing artists on three topics-memory, landscape, and community. I rented the movie from Netflix, but found you can also watch it on the 
