New Uses for Old Things #4

Inspired by an empty Tic Tac® box, these mini-er than mini business cards are a fun way to market your work! I used a large box for this tutorial but you can size your cards to fit the standard box (they'll just be even mini-er!)

Here's what you need:

• an empty mint box

• heavy card stock

• a ruler
• scissors or paper trimmer
• rounded corner punch (optional)

Step 1:
Peel the label from your container and pop the top off.
Soak both pieces in hot, soapy water and then rub clean (this should get rid of any label residue). Mineral oil will remove any remaining sticky bits (be sure to wash the box again with soapy water to remove all traces of oil).
Allow to air dry completely.



Step 2:
Before you make your mini-mini cards, you need to take two measurements: the height of your container and the width of the lid opening. These measurements will determine the size of your mini-mini cards. For your cards to easily slide out of the case they need to be slightly smaller than the measurements you get. For example: the measurements I took from this large container mean that each of my cards will be 1cm wide by 5.5 cm long.

Step 3:
Create your cards!
Design them on your computer and print them out or cut your card strips and write them out by hand. If you decide to print them from your computer and you want double-sided cards, you may have to do some test prints to ensure your front and back images line up.

Step 4:
Cut 'em out!
(you can round the ends for added flair!)



Have some fun!
Add some quotes, a discount code or holiday greeting etc.


Make lots!
(the large container shown here holds 120 cards)



Step 5:
Place your cards in the container and pop the top back on.
Your ready to start marketing your work! I'm sure you can think of many creative ways to utilize these teeny promo tools!

Have fun!

(FUN)draiser!

I will be participating in the Instruments & Easels fundraiser for the Oshawa Community Health Centre.

Local artists and musicians are coming together to support this community-owned, non-profit, charitable organization.

Hope to see you there!

Two's A Party?

I was so excited to host an Etsy Craft Party! I created the Meetup page, sent invites via facebook and tweeted about it…

A local printer I work with quite often (I am a graphic designer) agreed to sponsor the event by printing (in colour!) the Craft Party hand-outs Etsy provided and the local university provided me with an amazing meeting room in which to hold the event.

Friday at 5:30 my husband and I made our way to the campus to set up for the party. (I have to tell you that spending a beautiful summer evening in a boardroom making crafts is not high on my husbands list of things to do).

I set up a table with handouts, name tags and sign-in sheet then got to work organizing the craft supplies. I had decided to make two crafts - fabric banners and paper tube sculptures.

As I waited for folks to show up, I began making a fabric banner.

I cut out the triangles.

I cut out letters.

I glued the letters onto the fabric triangles and then glued the triangles onto some ribbon.

I finished my banner.

At this point I began thinking that maybe no one would show up!

My husband is a photographer and after helping me get my supplies up to the room, he decided to walk around the campus to take some shots. He returned as I was beginning my second banner and was surprised to see no one had arrived yet.

He took some photos as I finished the second banner and began making a paper tube sculpture.

"What time are people supposed to be here?" he asked

"Anytime between six and eight-thirty" I replied.

"It's seven thirty" he said.

I started on my third banner…

The party was scheduled to run from 6:00 - 8:30 pm. At 8 pm we decided to pack up and head for home.

I was a bit sad that no one came to the party but I have to say I still had fun creating and crafting! I'm going to organize another craft party at some point ~ I think if I keep trying, eventually someone will turn up!

Craft Party!

The Etsy Craft Party is just around the corner, so grab your party hat and join us to celebrate creativity and community in Oshawa, Ontario on Friday, June 18, 2010 (which just so happens to be Etsy's birthday!).

We will be crafting in room CC2214 at Campus Corners (Durham College) located on the southeast corner of Simcoe Street and Colin Road. Check in at the security desk – tell them your here for the Etsy Craft Party!

Crafting supplies will be provided!

Etsy has provided us with some fun handouts and discount coupons from various sponsors!

If you are in the area and would like to join us you can sign up here.

Rekindleme (a fellow Etsy Recyclers Guild member) recently passed this award to me! Take a moment to check out her wonderful blog here. She turns recycle items into artistic treasures!

In accepting the award, I must now complete the following 7 steps to give this award its proper respects!! They are:

1. Post the award on my blogspot.
2. Thank the person who gave it to me. Thanks so much Sharon!
3. Link to the person who gave this to me. You can find her here!
4. Share a list of 7 things that you probably don't know about me... (or were afraid to ask!!) :)
5. Choose 7 great bloggers to give the award to.
6. Share a link to their blogs.
7. Leave a comment on their blog.

And now for the 7 things about me!!! Hold onto your hats!

1. In high school, I dreamed of being a comedian
2. I know almost all of the dialogue to The Philadelphia Story.
3. All my life I picked the pimento out of any olive I was about to eat until my husband told me it tastes like the rest of the olive.
4. I like to write the word "Canada". It's such a lovely word to write. Try it!
5. I was born with an extra pair of ribs.
6. I once had a summer job cleaning office phones. I had no idea phones could be so disgusting!
7. I learned to drive stick in a Volvo that once belonged to Farley Mowat.

Now I need to pass this award on to 7 wonderful bloggers!! They are:

Brooke at http://cherubsn.blogspot.com/. She creates amazing jewelry and clothing from vintage, recycled and preloved materials. I have one of her button cuffs and I LOVE it!!!

Christi at http://fatbottombags.blogspot.com/. She is a wonderful eco-concious crafter and the founder of fatbottombags.com - a plastic bag recycling program.

Chriss at http://theartofzencrochet.blogspot.com/. I can't wait to try her recipe for Home Made Laundry Detergent Powder!

For those of you who live in Ontario, Shirley & Susan have created a website that showcases local artisans, cool stores & restaurants that offer local fare and funky things to do. Their blog has all sorts of info and links to local stuff http://100milefinds.blogspot.com/

Emily at http://candycalamity.blogspot.com/ makes art from candy wrappers! A feast for the eyes!

Visit Pam at http://re-maker.blogspot.com/ to see her FABULOUS FINDS FROM LIFE'S DAILY GRIND™. I like "The Wisdom of Fortune Cookies" post because I save them too!

Fun and inspiration from Katie at http://matsutakeblog.blogspot.com/

Thanks again to rekindleme for passing the award along - this has been fun!

Happy Day!

Rescue Me

A short time ago I found a pattern online for a knitted lariat. I really wanted to make one as a birthday gift for my dear friend. The pattern has a skill level of "Easy" so with my VERY basic knitting skills and some help from my MIL, I figured I'd give it a try.

Next time I visited my in-laws, I brought my knitting along with me. My MIL helped me with the abbreviations and stitches I wasn't familiar with (adding stitches for example). Confident I would remember my "lesson" I packed up my knitting and headed home.

Later that week I decided to finish the lariat. As I continued with the knitting, I couldn't recall some of the stitches my MIL showed me and she was now on vacation! Argh!

To the computer I went!

In quick time, I found a fabulous knitting site! I registered, posted my question in the forum and in a FLASH received the help I needed from some wonderful members! I was thrilled to say the least! How fantastic is THAT?!

So, with much help from some kind KnittingHelp.com members I finished my first lariat and have been making them ever since!

A big shout out to those who saved the day for me! The internet is fabulous and so are you!!!

P.S. she loved her birthday gift

Etsy Trashion Street Team

I am also a proud member of the Etsy Trashion Street Team. We are a group of Etsy sellers who focus on recycling and upcycling all kinds of discarded and found materials. We are creative artists and crafters who are dedicated to making trash into treasure!