The Bounty of Summer

June 16, 2009 by NY Handmade Collective in "fruits", "newnew team", "produce", "shopping guide", "summer", "vegetables"

It is less than a week until summer officially starts which means that it is time to hit up the New York City Greenmarkets and revel in the produce of summer. Soon there will be corn as far as the eye can see, which is just fine by me.

Here are some {NewNew} members who can help you in your quest for the perfect pint of fresh berries and vegetables:

Cherry Necklace from pulp sushi

Artichoke Notecards from Blue Stitch Books

Strawberry Swarovski Earrings from Mulry Jewels

Tea and Cucumber Soap from Dirty Loves Clean

Cherry Basket Cards from CLine Creations

--Lisa
pandawithcookie.etsy.com

How-To: Re-Purposed Pants -- The Yoga Sling Bag with 2 Pockets

April 13, 2009 by NY Handmade Collective in "Lorina Pellach-Ladrillono", "The Original Beadscarf", "how-to", "newnew team", "re-purposed", "upcycle", "upcycling"

I’ve yet to find a yoga sling bag to tote my yoga mat around that will suit my needs at a reasonable price! I want one with pockets for a MetroCard, some cash, and keys. It should be comfortable to carry, have a little extra room for a small towel, and not cost 50 bucks!

So I have these cargo pants that I haven’t worn in a while and decided that they will make a GREAT bag to carry and store my yoga mat. AND I can incorporate the pants' pockets in the redesign! You can make one too, and here’s how…

You’ll Need:

An old pair of pants or jeans
A good pair of scissors
Sewing machine (preferably)
Webbing (for the sling strap)
Shoe lace or other means to close the bag

How To:

1. Fish out an old pair of jeans, preferably boot-cut and big enough to fit your rolled up mat. It should have a little wiggle room, but not be too roomy.

2. Cut the pants/jeans in half so that the two legs are separated. Turn the half you will use inside out.

3. This is how to cut up the pants if you want to use the button fly as the opening for the yoga mat sling bag.

4. Sew the button fly back onto the pant leg.

5. Next, put the yoga mat into the pant leg to measure how long the bag should be. The top of the yoga mat should sit where the waistband meets the pant leg. Cut off the bottom portion of the leg. You can use this remnant for the base of the bag.

6. Measure the diameter of the pant leg bottom. Using the leftover pant leg fabric from Step 5, cut out a circle with the same diameter plus a 2 inch seam allowance. This will become the base for the sling bag. I traced a circle around a cordless electric kettle for a perfectly shaped base.

7. With left sides facing out, pin the circle to the bottom of the pant leg. Decide where you want the strap to run across the bag and position one end of the webbing between the base and the pant leg.

To recap, the pant leg should be turned inside out with the left side facing out and the webbing should be inside (touching the right side) of the pant leg with one end positioned between the circle base and the pant leg.

Sew the base to the pant leg with 2 or 3 seams to attach the strap and the base securely to the sling bag.

8. Turn the bag right-side out. Secure the loose end of the webbing by sewing it to the opposite end of the bag with an “X-shaped” seam.

9. To create a drawstring closure at the top of the bag, carefully cut two slits in the exterior part of the pants' waistband. Do not cut all the way through the waistband! Pull a shoelace or other heavy string through the waistband "tunnel." Pull the ends of the drawstring tight to tie the bag closed.

10. If you are so inclined, go ahead and embellish the pocket with an “ohm” for extra credit :)
You’re ready to go!

By Lorina Pellach-Ladrillono of The Original Beadscarf and beadscarf.etsy.com

Cold Weather & Warm Hearts...The NewNew Team Party from a Newbie’s Perspective

January 21, 2009 by NY Handmade Collective in "newbie", "newnew team", "party"

If I asked where you would like to spend a cold, snowy, Sunday afternoon your answer would probably be home. So why would anyone brave the cold to meet a bunch of strangers. For the New New Team’s first party …of course.

The January 18th party seemed the perfect time to put faces to all the email addresses I had learned since joining in December. Held at the Bell House in Gowanus, I entered with no idea of what to expect. I was greeted by a group of warm and welcoming people that had tons of advice and encouragement for someone as brand new as I.

There was a huge table of food and great draft beer. As time passed and conversations deepened, it felt as though I was part of a family of artists with similar hopes, dreams, concerns and passions.
The energy was so inspiring I decided to network around from place to place meeting new artists and learning about the history of New New. Although most people knew each other from hours of flea market chats and years of friendship I was welcomed with open arms and engaged in every aspect of the event. I doubt that I could have found a group more organized, supportive and forward thinking than the New New Team.

One might ask, given the recent article about the New New on Esty are they really as wonderful as everyone says? Well from this newbie’s perspective I can offer a resounding YES !!! There is something for everyone in this group and I plan to stick around for a long time to come.

Sarah the food Goddess with a vegan cupcake

Kari & Joanne

Submitted by
Lydia
http://www.boxofjoy.etsy.com/