DIY Waxed Canvas Tote Bag - easy sewing project - use upcycled belts for handles

This waxed canvas bag is great for toting all your junk, I mean awesome stuff around. It is also a great beginner sewing project. The fabric I'm using in the tutorial is the canvas that I dyed with onions skins, and you can check it out here:
https://youtu.be/Sns3BAoutRI

Waxing canvas to make it waterproof or life proof is easy if you are patient. I have more tutorials here for waxing if you still have questions: 
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOX77G0f2fvJMyYCSbfhgt7m5LcCnNgGw

I used upcycled belts for handles on this bag, but you can use anything you'd like. If you have extra fabric or webbing, like what cloth belts are made of, you can use that to make your handles as well. 

Materials:
18" x 40" piece of canvas - you can really make it any size you want, but if you are just starting out with sewing, use this measurement
2 belts cut to 19" - again it's dealers choice, but this is what I used
Lipstick chalk
Clear ruler
Scissors
Seam gauge
Craft knife
Sewing needle
4 parts carnauba wax
1 part beeswax
Melter for wax - however you melt the wax, it will be wax forever.
Pastry brush
Iron
Scrap fabric/towel
Sewing machine/thread
Serger

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Music composed for Break + Remake by Janet Overfield

DIY Natural Dye - eco-print or bundle dyeing and low water immersion

I couldn't decide on which method of dye I wanted to do, eco-printing/bundle dyeing or low water immersion. So I tried both! The results are pretty cool. and I can't wait to experiment more. Materials and some explanations are below.

You should totally view this as an experiment if you try natural dyeing. Some stuff is going to turn out exactly how you planned and some are not. HAVE FUN! And be safe, read up on dyeing safely. I've been dyeing with chemical dyes for YEARS, so I kinda know what's up. 

If this something you are into, check out these links and books!
Dye safely!
http://www.wildcolours.co.uk/html/safety.html

Modern Natural Dyer by Kristine Vejar 

Natural Color by Sasha Duerr 

Dyeing with red onion skins from Folk Fibers
https://www.folkfibers.com/blogs/news/6579481-natural-dyes-red-onion-skins

Scouring and mordants from Wild Colours http://www.wildcolours.co.uk/html/cotton.html

If you are in Oakland, go to A Verb for Keeping Warm!
https://youtu.be/cKAoAh3vezw?t=1m45s

Materials
Water, a pot, and a stove.
Soda ash- and a washing machine to wash your fabric on hot and remove sizing. I used about 1/2 cup for 2 yards of fabric
Fabric - any light-colored natural fiber fabric will work. Think linen, wool, silk, or cotton. I used cotton canvas here.
Dyestuff - I used leaves and onion skins. The onion skins were in my freezer, and I keep adding to the collection as I cook.
Alum - I didn't use that much! I used 2 tablespoons for both projects. You can get this at the grocery store!
Twine or floss - this is to tie-up the bundles if you eco-print/bundle dye. 
Container for Low Water Immersion dyeing - something you can pack the fabric into pretty tight.

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Music composed for Break + Remake by Janet Overfield

Reusable Containers at the Bulk Bins - wins and fails!

You may be scared to use your glass jars or glass storage containers at the store bulk bins. Let me tell you this: it's not as scary as you think! I was scared to try it at first, to look like a nerd or a weirdo. But the store I was shopping at was TOTALLY USED TO PEOPLE bringing in jars. Big shout out to Lazy Acres in Long Beach, CA for putting me at ease and cleaning up my mess. Yipes and stripes. 

I still looked like a nerd though. sigh. 

Here's my adventures in reusable containers at the bulk bins!

This is another great resource if you need more inspiration! https://www.litterless.co/journal/howtobulkaisle

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Music composed for Break + Remake by Janet Overfield

DIY Reusable Straw Holder - green on the go

You can be green on the go with this reusable straw holder. I made mine with pre-washed canvas, so the straw can be used and thrown back into the bag and washed when it gets gooey. 

I gave myself a straw challenge last week: https://youtu.be/n2wq2l-W7oo

The fabric in this video is from MonaLuna and is organic! Check them out here: https://monaluna.com

Materials:
Fabric -  an 11 inch by 11 inch square of fabric. If your straw is bigger, you'll want to measure and make the bag longer than the straw by 3-4 inches. The width can be the same. 
Velcro - I found the velcro wasn't the best option, use a bit of elastic or twine and a button to keep your bag closed.
Scissors
Sewing machine
Thread to match your project

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Music composed for Break + Remake by Janet Overfield

Reusable utensils - Reusable straw challenge!

600 million single use utensils go into the trash every year! Yikes! Here are my favorite ways to help combat the waste. And to learn more about being straw free check out. https://www.ecocycle.org/bestrawfree

To Go Bamboo Travel Utensils
Pure Ripple from Spruce + Pine: https://www.etsy.com/shop/SpruceAndPineCo
Reusable straws from Mulled Mind:
https://www.etsy.com/shop/MulledMind
Glass straws

I'm challenging myself to use metal straws instead of plastic when I get drinks in the wild. Next week I'll be making a straw carrier for my purse so I can have them with me at all times. 

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Music composed for Break + Remake by Janet Overfield

DIY Air Dry Bowl - pinch pot vs rolled and stamped with lace

Make these pinch pots to hold your jewelry, keys or change. Rolling out the air dry clay was harder than the pinch pot, but if you're patient you'll be able to figure it out. It only took me 2 tries, HA! I used acrylic paint and gold fabric paint, just cuz that's what I had around. But you can use just acrylic, or whatever you have around the house. 

Materials:
Air dry clay of your choice
Earth clay - this is what I am using
Air dry modeling clay
lace
roller - if you can't find one at a second-hand store or don't have a glass or wine bottle, use this one
acrylic paint
brushes
cutting tool
rag

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Music composed for Break + Remake by Janet Overfield

Oakland and East Bay Sustainable Crafter's City Guide

Summer ROAD TRIP!

Here's a sustainable crafter's guide to Oakland and the East Bay. I went over a course of 2 days to hang out with friends, thanks for showing me around Kiffany! 

0:00 Monaluna in Walnut Creek, CA
www.monaluna.com
I loved this store! And it's a good place to stock up on supplies and notions. I had to refrain from getting all the Merchant & Mills notions and scissors. But I did get some canvas for MAOR WAX PROJECTS.

1:07 East Bay Depot Creative Reuse
http://creativereuse.org
Gotta dig, but fun stuff to be found for sure. I found great tins, but they have gently used art supplies, yarn and cool stuff for assemblage. 

1:34 Flax Art and Design
http://flaxart.com
Really fun place, more traditional art store. They have a great selection of recycled content art pads. 

1:45 A Verb for Keeping Warm
https://www.averbforkeepingwarm.com
I'd really like to take a class here! It's a really lovely store filled with treasures! So much cool yarn, fabric, everything. Would live there if possible: 10/10. 

2:03 Free Up Oakland
http://www.freeup.us/free_oakland_up
Really cool idea and fun shop. Lots of treasures to be found. Support them by giving them cool stuff!

2:17 Long Weekend
http://longweekend.virb.com
There are some really awesome supplies at this store, I got some Toronto Ink Co ink in iris root violet. And I got some rose and Palo Santo mist from Woodlot.  

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Music composed for Break + Remake by Janet Overfield

DIY Waxed Canvas - using an iron vs dryer - easy duck canvas - for waterproofing

Here's a handy guide for you to make waxed canvas! I made 2 bags so I could test different methods for you. The one I set with the dryer did not turn out as nice as the iron. It's an easy way to waterproof fabric. 

Waxed canvas also is known as duck canvas, because of its water resistant qualities.

If you like waxing stuff as much as I do, check out my other waxy videos:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOX77G0f2fvJMyYCSbfhgt7m5LcCnNgGw 

Here's the recipe:
4 parts carnauba wax
1 part beeswax

Paint the wax on and iron the fabric with steam to set.

When using wax, remember that the tools used for the waxing process become wax forever. And when heating wax in any kind of vessel, keep an eye on the wax so it doesn't scorch. 

And let's all agree that when I say "washing machine" or "dyer" that I mean dryer. *headdesk

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Music composed for Break + Remake by Janet Overfield

DIY Canvas Essential Oil Bag

This DIY is great to keep your essential oils from clunking around in your bag while you are on the go! 

The measurements for the canvas are 6"x7" but I think I would make it 7"x7", it closes a little tight around some of the oils. 

Materials:
Canvas - I got my from a friend
7" zipper
1/2" elastic

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Music composed for Break + Remake by Janet Overfield

DIY Pin Catcher for Dear Handmade Life - display your enamel pins

I collaborated with Dear Handmade Life and made a DIY Pin Catcher, a display for all your enamel pins. I used a thrifted embroidery hoop and upcycled fabric for this project!

For the full tutorial head over to Dear Handmade Life:
https://dearhandmadelife.com/diy-embroidery-hoop-enamel-pin-catcher/

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Music composed for Break + Remake by Janet Overfield

Long Beach Repair Cafe 2017

The Repair Cafe was put on by the Long Beach Time Exchange and held at the Michelle Obama Library. Micky was gracious enough to share her time with us and explain what was going on.

For more information on the Long Beach Time Exchange go here:
https://lbtimeexchange.com

For more pics of the event head over to Facebook!
https://www.facebook.com/pg/562TimeBank/photos/?tab=album&album_id=1421448664558739

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Music composed for Break + Remake by Janet Overfield

DIY Zero Waste Vegan Food Wraps - made with candelilla wax - replaces plastic wrap

If you are zero waste and also vegan, you'll want to make these food wraps for your kitchen. They replace plastic wrap and snack baggies. And use pre-washed fabric, that way there's no weird sizing or factory goo on your fabric! 

I was challenged to make a bee-friendly version of these beeswax food wraps: https://youtu.be/1JkmJ7at-qk

Materials
Prewashed fabric
*Carnauba wax
*Candelilla wax
Jojoba oil
Large pan
Oven

*These waxes come in plastic containers, heads up if you are trying to be 100% zero waste. Let me know if you can find them bulk or in recyclable containers anywhere!

Finding a good recipe was harder than I thought.  Let me know if you have a different recipe! 
More sticky:
3 tablespoons Candelilla wax
1 teaspoon Jojoba oil

Less sticky
1 tablespoon Carnauba wax
1 tablespoon Candelilla wax
1 teaspoon Jojoba oil

Big thanks to Mommypotamus for her tips and tricks on making a successful food wrap, found here: https://www.mommypotamus.com/diy-reusable-food-wrap/

I'll be tweaking the recipe so follow me on Instagram to watch the process! 

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Music composed for Break + Remake by Janet Overfield

DIY After Sun Skin Care Spray - soothing skin spray

It's getting to be summer time in California. Treat your skin right with this DIY after sun skin care spray. It's great post-sun relief for your skin. This works best for skin that isn't burned, but could use some love. Recipe below!

I was inspired by The Hippy Home wife, check out her original recipe with more ingredients here: http://www.thehippyhomemaker.com/natural-after-sun-care/
(just as a warning, her first pic is of a gnarly sunburn!)

Recipe for a 2 oz spray bottle:
1 Tablespoon Aloe
1/2 teaspoon Vegetable Glycerin
1/2 teaspoon Apple Cider Vinegar
5 drops Lavender Essentail Oil
Filtered water to fill bottle

Use a funnel and add all ingredients, shake and spray!

Here's my words of warning though, use sun screen!

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Music composed for Break + Remake by Janet Overfield

DIY Jeans Hem - no specialty thread required

Subscribe for more sustainable crafts: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOhexBb29dNc2vH4TrqrhIQ

This is a super sneaky way to hem your jeans. No specialty thread is needed as you keep the factory hem. Just pinch out the amount you want your jeans shortened and sew it up. So much easier for you, rather than trying to make a perfect new hem that looks like the factory hem. 

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Music composed for Break + Remake by Janet Overfield

Invisible Mending - jean darning - patch ripped jeans

This is mending technique is best for rips that are in crotches, or if you don't want the rip to be seen. It's called jean darning, but you can do it on any garment that you want to fix and have the mend disappear. 

This is part of Me Made May and Mend It May! I made my t-shirt and my skirt. 

Find out more about Me Made May on Instagram using #mmmay17
And Mend it May is on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/menditmay/

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Music composed for Break + Remake by Janet Overfield

DIY Visible Mend for Jeans - inspired by Boro mending

Did you know it was Mend it May? Didja know it was Me Made May?!
IT'S BOTH!

This mending technique is great for a funky addition to your pants. I'm all for funky additions, so when the hole in my artistically ripped jeans started getting big enough to catch my toe I thought of this patch. 

This is great if your pants are stretchy and have holes. Keep in mind if you have stretchy pants, your patch should probably be stretchy too.

In this vid Me Made May is represented by my scarf that Rosalie and Kelly taught a call on at Craftcation. Reverse appliqué for LIFE!

Rosalie of Ugly Baby http://www.uglybabyandlaru.com
and Kelly of Tomato Tomato https://www.facebook.com/tomatotomatodesign

Next week I'll show you how to a more discrete mend for your more discrete rips... *ahem* in your crotch. 

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Music composed for Break + Remake by Janet Overfield

Craft Swap at Craftcation 2017

Craft swaps are an easy way to clean out your craft supplies and make sure they go to a good home. You've heard of clothing swaps, right? Where people bring all their old clothes and have a party while trading? Craft swaps are just like that! I helped host one at Craftcation Learn all about Craftcation here https://dearhandmadelife.com/craftcation-conference/about/

You can host, or you can trick - oh I mean ask, your friends to host. Bring only items you are would be getting rid of anyway. And make sure there's a place lined up to take your crafts that didn't get picked. 

Happy crafting!

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Music composed for Break + Remake by Janet Overfield

DIY Dryer Balls - wool felting in the washer

These DIY dryer balls are made out of felted wool, and guess what you can felt them in your washer and dryer at home. These replace dryer sheets when you do laundry. The wool I used was underneath my bed for YEARS. So I don't remember where it came from, but there are PLENTY of sustainable ways to get wool. Check below for more info.

Materials
Wool roving
Dead nylons, just the leg
Washer and dryer

According to Sunday from Knitpunk if you buy roving from a small farm that is local to you it is sustainable. Read more about her take on sustainable fibers here:
http://knitpunk.net/fiber-harvesting-and-sustainable-practices/

And here is a link to information on sustainable wool: http://www.hearts.com/ecolife/sheep-leap-joy-crueltyfree-wool/ 

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Music composed for Break + Remake by Janet Overfield

3 Easy Ways to Help the Planet as Crafters

Here are 3 easy ways you can help the planet as a crafter! These are just tips and tricks I use, let me know what your favorites are. Start small and simple, that's the easiest way to make change.

1: DO NOTHING, that's the best isn't it? Buy nothing new and treat your stash like the store. It's even better than the store because you don't have to pay for anything.

2: Borrow or trade with friends- If you are new to a craft borrow the tools first, or take a little from their stash in exchange. When a friend of mine started to collage, I gave her a small container of PVA so she could see how she liked it. 

Or take all your supples that you know you're not going to use any longer, tell your friends to do the same and do a craft swap! It works just like a clothing swap, bring all your stuff and put it in a pile. Your friends will do the same. Then go "shopping" in the piles. 

3: Just like the things you put in your body, read the back of your craft supplies. I aim to purchase all my supplies from countries that have strict environmental laws. This includes Canada, the EU, USA and Japan

What are your favorite tips? Let me know, I'm always looking for more ways to help the earth.

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Music composed for Break + Remake by Janet Overfield

Bead weaving - part 2 - finish weaving and making a closure

For episode 1 and setting up the loom go here:

https://youtu.be/fKXkWBmul2Q

This is the second and final part to DIY bead weaving! In this episode I'll teach you to take your work off the loom and weave in any ends. You'll see how I make my closures too, it's just a vintage button!

For more bead weaving tutorials check out this playlist:

The beads in the video are upcycled paper and from Outreach Uganda

https://outreachuganda.org

I got the evening sky mix

https://outreachuganda.org/zencart/regular-paper-beads-c-48_92/evening-sky-mix-p-1326.html?zenid=b23e1b1a7dfe13bbaa3ff5fba404e0c0

The beads are upcycled paper made by women, who are oftentimes the sole income earners in their household.

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Music composed for Break + Remake by Janet Overfield