Get By With A Little Help
"It is not so much our friends' help that helps us as the confident knowledge that they will help us." ~ Epicurus, Greek philosopher
Winter in the tri-state area so far has been cold, damp, and seemingly determined to last for quite some time. Whenever I find myself cussing at the dark that descends way too early, my first instinct is to reach out to a friend and make a little bright spot in the evening. Whether its drinks, dinner, a movie, or crafting in companionable silence, we all find ways to remain connected and to draw on the support our connections provide.
The {NewNew} is a vibrant collective of cross-discipline handmade artists devoted to supporting one another in developing our creative and business potential within the New York tri-state area. We share the tremendous resources New York City has to offer, mentor new craft business owners, and seek out new marketplace and business opportunities for our highly eclectic membership.
The aspect of the {NewNew} team I most enjoy however is the sense of community. I know if I'm struggling with how to take better pictures for my Etsy shop, need a table at the last minute for a street fair, or simply want words of encouragement for a new venture, someone in the group will have an idea or even a possible solution.
As a team, we work well together to make events like our Spring Handmade Cavalcade and our Governor's Island Handmade Treasure Chest pop-up shop -- both happening again this year -- great places to shop for truly unique handmade goods. I like to think the care we take in supporting each other is reflective of the care each of us takes in crafting our items.
Finmore and Finley, from McFlashPantsPerhaps that's why shopping with the {NewNew} on Etsy sometimes feels like hanging out with an old friend. It's familiar, but you still don't know what they might say to surprise you.
I Ate Paste Blue Print, from LennyMudClick here to spend a little time with some friends from the {NewNew} on Etsy.
Sue De
persuede.etsy.com
made for you
Seventeen years ago my husband and I had, apart from the keg of beer and some catered Chinese food, a completely Handmade Wedding. We had very little money but plenty of friends and relatives ready to help us out, and since I lived at the General Theological Seminary in Chelsea, a completely gorgeous spot to get married in. So I gave myself a year to complete all the tasks, which included designing and sewing the dresses for myself and the bridesmaids, making the cake, the flowers, the invites, the decorations and of course, the wedding favors.
When I got them back I had no intention of dealing with glazes and a second firing, for as I said before, I had more time than money. Instead I dipped them in a very, very watery acrylic bath. I mixed up three colors with my acrylic paints: white, magenta, and a little red for the warm pink, phthalocyanine blue and white for the sky blue, and ultramarine blue, magenta, and white for the lavender. I then slowly mixed in more and more water so that each was more like colored water than paint. Using my fingers, I dipped each heart in one of the colored waters and then put it on wax paper to dry, though I think I would use tweezers or tongs to do it today. It makes for a very pleasant soft watercolor effect and the 300 hearts were done in no time.
One friend painstakingly wrote our names and the date of our wedding on the back while another tied on the ribbons, and our nieces handed out the favors to our guests. Many of my friends and relatives still have them!
I think today there are many different air-drying clays you could use instead of actual pottery clay. They are available at art stores and online suppliers and would require a little research. There is certainly a greater variety of cookie cutters! You are sure to find a shape with special meaning for the special couple. For an experienced crafter this is a fun way to handmake a wedding favor that your friends will keep and remember.
