The Make Lounge

Good Wood: Super Scrap Furniture

When it comes to wood, there is no such thing as rubbish, according to Sicilian-born cabinet maker Arcangelo Favata. In fact he's made a business out of breathing new life into scrap wood, with a line of beautiful one-off furniture made exclusively from cast off materials he finds on the streets of Turin, Italy.

Check out these lovely pieces! Don't you think they look happy to be refashioned?

A chair that folds out into...

... a table complete with tiny drawer, neat!

A rather wonderful sliding door inspired by the artist Paul Klee, made from small scraps joined together, tetris-style!

Or howabout this anglepoise lamp, featuring a shade made from bits of reclaimed hinged measuring rulers!

Arcangelo doesn't miss a trick. Even pencils are salvaged and used to 'reupholster' a chair!

And finally, look at these wholesome toys, each with plenty of character! 

Crazy Crochet: Performance art by Olek!

This takes the idea of being mad on crochet to another level!

Having spent the past seven years blurring the line between art and life on a mad journey crocheting everything from bikes to people, Polish-born performance artist Agata Oleksiak's (Olek for short) work goes way beyond regular yarnbombing.

Playing on our natural fear of the faceless, its her people-covering activities that have drawn most attention around the world. Get a load of her putting the finishing touches on a recent exhibition Knitting is for Pus**** in New York (pictured above)!

When not reclining in totally crochet homes, her acrylic camo figures hold signs on street corners wishing folks a good day! Anther cool video of this project here ;)

Crazy balloon man hails a cab...

... while scary sea balloon men emerge from the deep?

Bonkers! :)

Brighton Maker Faire: Calling All DIYers!

 

The very first Brighton Maker Faire is coming this September and organisers are looking for local makers to get involved! If you'd like to take part, be quick - you only have until 30th June to get in touch with the organisers. As a not for profit enterprise most spots are free to non-commercial exhibitors, so check out the website for more info on applying.

We're big fans of the American craft extravaganza that is Maker Faire and we're pleased that the festival, running since 2006, has inspired growing interest across the pond!

Following on the success of last year's Newcastle Maker Faire, the Brighton edition similarly aims to showcase all manner of resourceful tinkering going on behind the closed shed doors here in the South.

Described rather amusingly as being like Burning Man for the pocket pen knife set, here's a flavour of the weird and wonderful stuff that goes on across the pond . . .

[via QUEST on KQED Public Media]

Best of luck with your applications and we look forward to seeing everyone in September! ;)

Sarah Greaves: Embroidered Graffiti

It has been a good week here at The Make Lounge; lots more happy crafters and we released dates for our exciting new Creative Cross Stitch workshop! Something else raising smiles is the stitch-based work of Manchester artist, Sarah Greaves (above).

Juxtaposing embroidery with food and other found objects, Sarah's work has great double take appeal! We also like it for its fun, Surrealist twist on familiar feminist art themes of domesticity, gender roles and body image.

Some food for thought now... and a comment on fad dieting?

Surely resistance is futile?

"I'm alright now" on a chair... the first port of call for the shocked! I wonder if she has done a kettle?

Show 'em the door - "The End" writ large!

Want to see more? You can visit her upcoming exhibition, Pulling The Threads: Embroidered Graffiti by Sarah Greaves on at the Central Art Gallery in Manchester from 26 June – 3 September. If you do have a chance to see the exhibit, please tell us what you think in the comments!

Book Giveaway: Everything Alice

UPDATE: Thanks to everyone who entered, the winners are announced in the comments, below. Come back often as we'll have plenty of lovely giveaways in the near future!

 

No strangers to a soya teacup candle or a spot of paper cutting ourselves, we are big fans of the super stylish new craft book, Everything Alice, featuring 50 magical projects inspired by Lewis Caroll's famous work, Alice In Wonderland.

The book's due out in July, and rather excitingly, we have five copies to give away to you, lovely blog readers! Just tell us in the comments below what you love about Alice In Wonderland. Five winners will be chosen on Friday, June 24. Now that really isn't mad ;)

Designed and styled beautifully thoughout, the book was masterminded by fashion stylist and graphic design duo, Hannah Read-Baldrey and Christine Leech. More on them on the book's web site.

Full of wit and whimsical ideas, we're particularly enamoured with a set of tree lights with cardboard rose shades and giant shadow puppet theatre (above)! There are also some downright lovely projects, like place settings and jam lid toppers that would translate well for general entertaining and even weddings. 

Ooo, and check out these Red Kings Red Velvet Cupcakes - a sparkling addition to any tea party! So get going! Comments at the ready...good luck to each of you!

Handmade In Britain: Bath-Based Festival Starts Tomorrow

Don't miss out as Handmade In Britain opens tomorrow at the glorious Assembly Rooms in Bath!

On for just two days, 17-19th June, this market - which prides itself on nuturing craft start-ups in their first year - features some of the newest British talent. What's more, each designer-maker works to minimise their own carbon footprint by using local materials and making exclusively in the UK. Good stuff!

With 60 hand-picked vendors, plus a special focus on jewellery designer-makers, there's bound to be plenty to catch your magpie eye.

Check out these pieces by some of this year's featured sellers:

Rather lovely procelain and lace bracelet by Rose Ellen Cobb.

Amazing interiors inspired brooches from Miriam Rowe.

Glorious colour and laser-cut pieces by Heather Fox.

Also join Handmade London later this year in London at Chelsea Town Hall on Oct 28-30.

Knotty Fun: Embroidery Thread Jewellery

Granted, the idea of making jewellery from embroidery thread might seem like something best left to preteens, but this tutorial thought up by the clever stylists at Honestly...WTF might just change your mind!

 

They have come up with a devilishly simple idea for a exotic, colour blocking dream of a necklace that's super stylish and inspired by high fashion.

We had a quick scout round online for more ideas too...

How about wrapping rings instead and connecting them with findings like this Aziza necklace at Oliver Bonas? Or replacing the washers with wrapped rings like this one from Dorothy Perkins (below)? FYI: for more elborate style rings, check out Dorset button making!

This bracelet by Proenza Schouler looks totally DIYable thanks to this tutorial too! Just add a carabiner (and you thought they were only for rock-climbing and other adrenaline-fueled activities!) :)

See, knot to be sniffed at at all . . . and a great use of left over embroidery thread! 

 

 

 

Happy Hankies by Mr. P.S.

What a wonderful Father's Day gift these would make!

Hand-screen printed, and available in four colourways with two handkerchiefs per pack - just £10. Get them here - and don't forget to click over and look at all the other lovely goodies in the shop!

Make, Bake, Sew, Grow: Free June 11 Workshop for Makers

Are you an artist or maker with a germ (or gem) of an idea to sell your handmade items at Christmas time, but aren't sure how to get started?

Join Louise Kamara and Robin Whitmore on Saturday 11 June 2011 from 2pm - 6pm at the Barbican Centre for a free workshop on making and selling homespun indie arts and crafts. The aim is to encourage individuals who want to produce and sell housewares, artworks, clothes, speciality foods, jewels, potions and cards.

'Bring any images, sample or any ideas you have. This is a chance to meet other creative types for potential collaborations,' says Kamara, sustainable design curator of the Eco Design Fair and of Vintage Festival 2011.

This practical workshop is a great way to get involved in The Duckie Christmas Market, which will run from December 10-31, 2011 in the foyers and walkways of the Barbican to accompany the Duckie Christmas show in the theatre. The Market will showcase crafts makers, artisans, designers and thrifty retro hawkers.

To book a place on the free June 11 workshop, email Simon at the Duckie Theatre or ring 020 7737 4043.

Cupcake Decorating: Figurines & Flowers

Our customers can't get enough of our culinary workshops!

We run two different Cupcake Decorating classes at The Make Lounge, and last night we hosted a sold-out 'Figurines & Flowers' workshop in one of our two London venues.

This is a great class for people who want to learn how to model with sugar paste to create cake toppers or other special decorations.

This stylish penguin is waiting to get some eyes so he can devour his fish.

A loveable polar bear chills out. . .

And a cheeky whale takes a dive.

There are also some sweet flowers on the agenda; lovely carnations, mini-roses and elegant lilies.

We run the Cupcake Decorating: Figurines & Flowers class roughly every month. More info here, with the next class on Wednesday, July 13. We hope you'll join us!

Crafty Fashion Fix: Trompe L'oeil Tricks!

If you're seeking the fast track to cool design, one formula that never fails to raise a smile is trompe l'oeil, a French term meaning 'trick the eye'.

First applied to fashion in the 1920s by designer Elsa Schiaparelli (see above), trompe l'oeil is riding high in fashion again as part of the jazz age trend kick started by Sky Atlantic's recent series, Boardwalk Empire.

As such, we thought we'd share some modern takes this timeless technique to inspire you! Enjoy ;)

The 1980s classic tuxedo t-shirt gets a stylish update at How About Orange.

A cute idea from accessible fashion rebels, Thursday Friday. (Hint: Check out The Make Lounge's screen printed textiles workshop to learn ways to create your own stylish totes, and other items.)

Or channel trompe l'oeil designer du jour Rosalind Keep's fashion hits (above) using topstitching, like littlepiere on Craftster.

And finally, cute 'Button-esque' button badges by Molly and Berts.

 

A Grand Day Out: Mums, Mobiles, Kids & Cakes

We recently packed up our rolling pins and edible glitter and headed out to one of the many creative business events currently on The Make Lounge's calendar. This time around, we had the pleasure of working with Amplify on a day-long event with ThreeMobile, intended to give mums a bit of a fun day out while teaching them about the time-saving apps available to smart phone users.

Our ever-lovely instructor Louise (who teaches our Swirls, Sparkles & Roses and Figurines & Flowers cupcake classes as well as our Cake Pops workshops), held court for three hands-on workshops teaching simple but effective icing and cake topping techniques.

Grown-ups and little ones alike went crazy for the cakes. :) (Why does that not surprise us?)

If you'd like The Make Lounge to help create an unforgettable event for your company, please get in touch!