Mandy of madcanvases shows us how to give new life to old clothes while creating charming holiday gifts in the process.

As is usually the case in our household, when the weather changes my husband goes through all of his clothes and puts together a bag for me to donate to Goodwill.  As I looked through the bag, there were a couple items that stuck out because they weren’t in bad shape and I thought they could be re-purposed and given new life.  Around this time of the year, there are countless Holiday parties to attend and possibly bring a small gift to, so I thought I could make some unique wine or liquor bottle covers to jazz them up for giving.

Jeans Cover

Step One: I started out with the pair of jeans and wrapped it around the bottle I was using (a larger vodka bottle in this case) to size it.  This lined up perfectly with a rectangle that included the detailing of both the back and front pockets.  I flipped the wrong side out and pinned the jean material around the bottle, keeping my pins snug to the side of the bottle.

Step Two: After sewing that seam, I traced out a larger circle of denim using the bottom of the bottle as a guide.  Again I flipped that circle so the right side of the fabric was down, placed the bottle and the sides on top and pinned the sides to the bottom, creating a circle seam so the bottle could stand flat.

Step Three: To finish the top, I cut the cuff off of one button down shirt which was the perfect size to slip over the top of the bottle and imitate a shirt collar.  I sewed a quick stitch around the top of the denim to keep the two pieces together.  When unbuttoned, it slides down the bottle snugly and closing the button secures the whole thing to the neck of the bottle.  The pockets provide a good place to add a small note or a gift card to accompany your gift.

Jersey Cover

Step One: For my other cover, I used an old Chicago Bears jersey.  I liked the detail of the v-neck collar, so I cut that piece out and held it around the neck of a wine bottle to pin it where I wanted it to sit.

Step Two: I cut out the front numbers from the jersey, split it into strips and sewed it back together for some texture.  I sewed those pieces to the v-neck and realized that it wouldn’t reach all the way around the bottle, so I cut a narrow piece of the stripes and GSH initials from the jersey sleeve.  I used that strip to secure the back.

Step Three: I used the same technique as above to create a circular base from more of the striped sleeve material.  The elastic in the neck allows the bottle to slip in and it holds it securely once it reaches the neck.

“Chicago Style Animals” treasury by Nancy, owner of PetCollage: “From farm chic to elephunky, from antelopes to owls, here’s an all chicagostylecrafters treasury for the animal lovers on your holiday gift lists.

“This treasury was inspired by my love for animals, especially the one that inspired my own art-making: Roscoe, the Persian cat.  You can see his beautiful self and read about him on my blog at  www.petpooparazzi.blogspot.com.”

You can view the treasury in its entirety here.

Vintage Deer Planter in Pink by Jill Hannah

Polka-dot Dachshund Sticker Seals Set of 40 by PigeonPaperie

Elephunky (8 x 10) print by jessbobess

Bird on a Branch Gift Tag by luvs2create2

Jewel Toned Butterfly Wings Glass Tile Necklace by Wooden Nickels

Molly of rags by sock monkey offers this treasury inspired by nostalgic thoughts of Thanksgiving, memories of snow, soil, and warmth.

View the treasury in its entirety here.

Thanksgiving Pumpkin Pie Decoration by ErinF115

Coffee Sack Curtains by Hodgepodge Arty

Scotch Gift Bag by HenBecDecor

Chicago Snow Day by Helene Smith Photography

Hand Crocheted Detachable Collar by WrensandRoses

Featured Event:
Handmade Market
Saturday, November 12 (12-4p.m.)
Empty Bottle – 1035 N. Western Ave.
Free
Handmade Market is a unique event to connect the makers of beautiful things to people who appreciate the unique and handmade. The Empty Bottle starts serving at noon, so feel free to shop with mimosas in hand. (We do encourage relaxed shopping.) You can also grab brunch at the tasty Bite Café next door.

Other Events:
Friday, November 11-Sunday November 12
The Vintage Bazaar Holiday Pop-Up Show (Fri 7-10p.m.; Sat-Sun 10a.m.-7p.m; 2133 N. Milwaukee Ave; Free;) More than a dozen vendors sell second-hand decor, furniture, clothing and accessories plus holiday gifts in a storefront space.

Saturday, November 12
Chicago Yacht Club Foundation presents: Holiday Shopping Event (10a.m.-6p.m; 300 W. Belmont; accepting donations) Get a start on your holiday shopping by checking out these 35 vendors.
Handmade Holidays Craft Fair (11a.m.-6p.m.; 2229 S. Halsted; $1 suggested donation) Get some early shopping done in the heart of Pilsen. Put on by the Chicago Urban Art Society.

Hey, what is this thing? It is a type of bar code called a Quick Response Code. People (i.e., customers) use their smart phones to scan the QR code and capture information embedded in them, such as links to websites.  You’ve probably seen them in magazines or on packaging or real estate signs.

How are QR Codes created? There are a lot of free code generators available (just Google it), so it is easy to make your own.  Type in your website, Etsy shop, blog, or Facebook info – whatever location you want to be your landing page.  Code is based on your URL. As long as you own that URL, the code is yours.

How does it work? Smart phone users have to download any one of the numerous free apps to read the codes.  The reader apps are also able to read regular bar codes.  When scanned, the app takes the user to the destination site and captures the information for future reference.  People take a snapshot of a QR code with their iPhones, smart phones, or tablets, and “QR reader” software automatically opens it on your website.

How can QR Codes be used? Let’s say I’m out for a jog and I run past a condo for sale that captures my eye. I scan the code on the For Sale sign with my iPhone and have the information at my fingertips for later use.  I don’t have to remember the name of the company selling the condo or try to memorize the phone number or even recall the exact address. I stop for a coffee on the way home and see a dog walker’s card on the bulletin board.  I can’t just take the card and put it in my pocket.   If the business card has a QR code, I can scan it and take the info with me. There are now secret message games where people read codes with phone scanners, which lead to other codes and clues. There are currently 145 items for sale on Etsy that can contain your QR code, such as t-shirts, bags, key chains, stickers, business cards, and coffee mugs.

How does this relate to Etsy or arts and crafts shows? Print out the code in a large format and post it at craft shows.  Shoppers can scan your code.  Yes, they could pick up your business card and maybe check out your Etsy site when they get home, but what if they lose the card or accidentally run it through the wash?  I recently used a QR code at a show and had a few people scan it. Others asked what it was about, and so it became a good way to start a conversation with a potential buyer.

Even if you don’t have a smart phone you can still have a QR code available for those who do have a smart phone. Make stickers for your shopping bags or the back of your business cards. Wear a T-shirt with your QR code to the show.  Print you QR code on iron-on transfer paper and make your own t-shirt or bag. Some helpful hints:  Be sure you have fresh ink in your printer so the image is sharp and crisp.  Test it with various readers to make sure it actually works. The future is coming, so scan it!

Featured Event:

Other Events:

Friday, November 4th
Flat Iron Arts Building First Friday (6 p.m.-10 p.m. 1579 N. Milwaukee Ave.; $5 suggested donation)

November 4th-6th
18th Annual SOFA – Sculpture, Objects and Functional Art (11a.m.-7p.m. Fri-Sat, 12-6p.m. Sun; Navy Pier; $15)

Sunday, November 6th
The November Craft Fairy (3-8 p.m.; Nineteen Hundred and One Gallery, 1901 W. Belmont Ave; Free)

Tell us a little about yourself and what you create.
My name is Alexandra Jamroz and I design and create one-of-a-kind metal jewelry under the name of MAKA designs. The name of my line is important and dear to me as it is named after my beloved Dachshund.

When and why did you decide to turn your talent for making jewelry into a business?
MAKA designs is more of a hobby for me as I do have a regular job as well as currently attend school. The important aspect for me is that the funds I do put toward MAKA designs solely come from the shows I do each year. I have been creating metal jewelry for about five years now.

What do you enjoy most about your online Etsy shop?
People from as far away as California, New York and Canada have purchased my work through Etsy. This is amazing for me as they somehow found me through the tens of thousands of Etsy shops! So the visibility I get is great and this I like the most.

What inspires you and your creative process?
Talking to people about my work inspires me the most. Every once in a while I do a commission job within my design; for example, the bangles were first made for a birthday gift. The client wanted specific dimensions and a set of five bangles. I immediately got to work and figured out how to size bangles. There are certain circumferences used as it fits the wrist and hand. Apart from talking to people anything can inspire me: a walk by the lake, looking through an interior magazine, attending a Yoga class, listening to music.

What is your favorite thing about creating?
It opens me up, it gets me out of my day time job mode, it makes me think and be truly who I am. I love to work with my hands.

How do you keep your creative space inspiring?
I keep my work space clean and organized; I work in the metal studio at Lillstreet Art Center. I always have a small note pad nearby to sketch out an idea. Often though I have a “vision” and then need to figure out how to create it. This part I really like as I enjoy the process of creating something out of nothing but a thought. Jewelry is one of the most personal items we own. Everyone has a special piece or two which means something important, be it a person who gave it to us, a special moment on your life, etc. If I can create such a piece for someone I become a part of that memory and that is great!

Find Alexandra selling her MAKA wares at the following upcoming shows:
First Fridays at Lillstreet Studios (November 4 and December 2)
DIY Trunk Show (November 19)

MAKA designs:
Etsy
Website
Facebook

Valerie William is the owner of Additions Style.

It took some time but I finished my shag rug. You can make one too, especially if you like to cut up T-shirts but never know what to do with the scraps afterwards. The scraps from my scarves are perfect candidates for making a rug. And this craft is very easy, even children can learn how to thread the rug with some assistance with cutting the scraps. The idea and instructions for this rug came from the book Generation T, which is a great purchase if you like making eco-friendly T-shirt clothing and crafts. Please visit their website and check out their multitude of fantastic ideas.

Materials:

1 XL T-shirt
cloth scissors
lots of small T-shirt scraps

Step One: For the base of the rug, lay the XL T-shirt flat and cut a large rectangle out of the shirt, as large as you would like the size of your rug to be. It’s possible to make a larger rug by sewing more T-shirts together (two to make a runner, four to make a large square, etc.). You could also cut it into a circle shape for a circular rug.

Step Two: If you are me, you have scraps of T-shirts all over your apartment. If you aren’t, you may need to go to the thrift store and purchase a lot of T-shirts to make into scraps. I would go for 10-12 to start, although I’m not positive exactly how many you will need. Go for more rather than less, and choose complimentary colors, or try to purchase T-shirts that are the same color for a monotone rug.

Cut these T-shirts into strips that are approximately 5-6’’ long and 1-1 ½’’ wide. You can use scissors, or if you are lucky, a rotary cutter and board, which helps make things faster. Some T-shirt fabrics stretch and so you can pull them to make them longer. Others don’t.  Once you cut a few T-shirts you’ll begin to see what works. Also, don’t be afraid to use imperfect scraps. They add to the shaggy look of your rug.

Step Three: Starting 1’’ from the edge of the base, carefully poke or snip horizontal and vertical rows of small holes about 1/2 ’’ to 2/3’’ inches apart. It will look like a big Lite-Brite board without the little pegs! You can also do this as you go along while putting the rug together, as I did, or just go ahead and make all of the holes before you start to thread the scraps into the rug. If you want perfect rows, you can mark the holes first using a ruler to mark the spots.

Step Four: Beginning at one corner, thread a strip down through the first hole and back up through the second. Take a second scrap and thread it through the second hole (the same hole you just pulled the first scrap up through) so that it shares this hole with the first scrap, and then pull it up through the third hole.

Continue doing this for a very, very long time… Do this while watching movies, television, when you have a really short moment of time and you don’t know what to do. It will take time, but it will be finished!

Step Five: When you are finished, you can give your rag a little haircut to even out any longer scraps that look off, or you can leave your rug uneven for a shaggier look. But remember, these scraps don’t grow back!

The top side of the rug looks great, but so does the bottom side. Flip the rug over for a new look and feel! If a scrap falls out or gets uneven, simply put it back in or pull it until it is even. It’s very easy to maintain. If you would like to wash it, please use a lingerie bag and run it in a delicate cycle as it could fall apart in the wash. However, the fabric is not delicate itself, so if something were to happen, it can be cleaned.

Featured Event:

Atomic Sketch
Thursday, October 27 (6-11p.m.)
Green Eye Lounge – 2403 West Homer Street
Free
At this month’s Atomic Sketch Event a panel of artists (Ghostspine, Uriel Correa, soopaqoot, [ad7m], Robert Gross III, and Nerd) will create original works of art through the night that could be yours for an affordable price. In addition to the panel, drop-in artists are always welcome to bring their materials and sell their work. It’s a great chance for up-and-coming artists to get recognized and for up-and-coming collectors to start or continue a great art collection.

Other Events:
Saturday, October 29
Division Street Farmers’ Market (7a.m.-1p.m.; 50 W. Division St.; Free)

Sunday, October 30
Pilsen Community Market (9a.m.-3p.m.; 3107 W. Logan Blvd.; Free)

Preparing for Halloween this year, I realized my decor was severely lacking. After a couple cheap shopping trips and some quick craftiness, I was able to put together two easy centerpieces that will take me through the fall season.

The focus for my centerpieces was mainly natural elements (pumpkins, corn, pine cones, wheat stalks) and dark, old, creepy looking decor you might already have around your house (candle sticks, glass jars, black frames). I added a couple skeleton items for Halloween that can easily be removed after the holiday to leave the centerpieces in tact until it’s time for Christmas decor.

Harvest centerpiece: I started off at the grocery store, grabbing a couple different-sized bunches of Indian corn and a bag of six mini pumpkins.

With the ears of corn, I removed a majority of the outer stalks and folded the stalks closest to the ear up against the kernels. Using a pillar candle as the base, I hot glued the ears to the side of the candle and secured it with a very autumn looking jute ribbon.

For the mini pumpkins, I used three different metallic paints to cover the pumpkins and arranged them in a cheap glass apothecary vase from Marshall’s. A black webbed cloth over a white tablecloth adds a vintage, creepy touch. Over that, a simple black serving tray works well to hold a bag of very earthy looking dried kidney beans picked up from the grocery store and a half buried plastic skeleton from the craft store.

Skeleton vignette: Wanting to create a more Halloween focused vignette on a side table, I picked up a couple plain, white ceramic plates from Goodwill along with two pairs of old candlestick holders.

Reading the blogs online, I had heard of transfer paper made for inkjet printers that works on many surfaces including ceramic. I found a skeleton graphic online and altered it a bit in Photoshop with filters to make it a bit abstract and printed out a couple versions on the new paper. After letting the image dry for about 30 minutes, I cut the graphic out from the paper. In hindsight, I would recommend cutting very close to the image since the paper will dry white and doesn’t look as seamless as if you left a big background. Once it’s ready to adhere to the plate, soak the image in a bowl of warm water until the top layer of the paper detaches from the backing paper.

Lay your image where you want on the plate and let it dry for a couple hours. I had two plates, a bigger dinner plate with a border and a small salad plate to layer on top. With the dinner plate, I picked up a Porcelaine pen at an art supply store and using that you can very easily add words or graphics to the ceramic and let cure for 72 hours to create a great custom serving piece.

To put that table together, I propped the plates up on a stand, added a Day of the Dead painting (that I got at an Urban Folk Circuit show!) and all of my candlesticks. I lined the table with some burlap strips, another black serving tray and layered empty glass containers adorned with vintage looking poison labels found on the internet. All of the empty glass containers got some dried wheat stalks and I think with some lit candles, the look will really come together.

Happy Halloween and happy decorating!