Posted by Erin Scialabba | July 29, 2010, 2:01 pm | Permalink |
In an email, reader Daniel Thomas told us he hoped his story would encourage ReadyMade to continue to share our ideas so readers could enjoy some of the luxuries they put off when money’s tight. Well, we’re more than encouraged—inspired, even—and we’d like to share the Thomas story with you.
It all started with a tear-jerker of an email from Daniel’s wife Tia. Raising a family with three children, Tia dreamed of summer dinners on her back porch in Tennessee. But money always seemed better spent on necessities than on patio furniture. Enter our recycled wood dining table. From Tia:
I received my first issue of ReadyMade magazine (June/July issue) a couple of weeks before our 12th anniversary. I found so many projects that I loved, but I was especially drawn to the pallet table on the cover. I showed it to my husband who seemed about as interested in it as he would be a root canal (he’s not really the constructing type). But, a week or so later, he called me from work and told me he had found some chairs he thought I would like. I asked what in the world we needed chairs for and he replied, “that table you wanted me to build.” He then procured pallets and the other materials and used his only day off to build the table as an anniversary gift for me! I love my husband and I love my table! It is the best gift I’ve ever gotten for our anniversary. I have attached pictures of my beautiful table (and the awesome chairs he found at Lowe’s for less than $12 each!)
Build it he did (see photo below). “Simply put, she inspired me to make the table due to her love and care for our family along with the sacrifices she makes each day to do so,” Daniel said.
Not bad for someone who’s “not much of a craftsman.”
“Probably eight or nine years ago, Tia gave me a circular saw, jig saw and a drill for Christmas, and this project was the most I have used those tools in all 9 years combined,” Daniel said.
But Daniel wasn’t the only one who worked on the table—his 7-year-old son helped with the sanding. In the end, the table cost ‘em 20 bucks. Again, not bad.
Daniel said Tia’s reaction may prompt him to tackle some more projects in the future. “The important thing is that Tia was super excited about it and was thrilled she now had a table to go on our back deck that has been empty since we moved in. The kids love eating out there and we really enjoy the time together we spend out there. The most important thing about the table is, she’s happy.”
[Read more →]
Posted by Amy Palanjian | July 29, 2010, 12:00 pm | Permalink |
Kelly at Eat Make Read has a real treat in store with these beauties—which I have to assume taste like a little bite sized blueberry pie. Which sounds like heaven since blueberries are one of my absolute favorite things in summer (where I am from in NJ is very close to the Blueberry Capital of the World, just saying). Find a pint or two and bake up a batch.
Click here for the recipe.
[Image: Eat Make Read]
Posted by Amy Palanjian | July 28, 2010, 3:52 pm | Permalink |
Who: You!
What: It’s summer, which means that we in magazine land are looking for projects for our Dec/Jan issue.
Why: We know you’re all crafty people making your way through the year and we want to share what you are making with our community—and give you the chance to be highlighted in the issue. Dig deep and think about some of your best winter appropriate projects—holiday decor, wrapping tips, giftables, entertaining ideas, recipes, cold weather crafts, quick tips and tricks are all on our wish list.
When: Now!
How: Email us at articles@readymademag.com by Thursday August 5.
P.S. If you don’t have a project to share, but would like to see a specific type of content or story in the issue, post a comment to let us know and we’ll see what we can do.
Posted by Margo Cochran | July 28, 2010, 12:11 pm | Permalink |
With the season of outdoor parties and barbecues in full swing, paper plates are coming out in full force. While convenient, this is not the best for the environment. WASARA combines convenience and sustainability with its design-minded line of single-use plates, bowls, cups, and trays that are all made from 100% tree-free renewable materials. Made from ingredients like sugar cane fiber, reed pulp, and bamboo, the products are also biodegradable and compostable. This 14-piece collection was designed by Shinichiro Ogata, and can be purchased in retail or bulk. The fluid, organic design may even make you forget you are eating on paper. Put these out at your next barbecue and not only will your paper plates be sustainable, they will be the talk of the party.
[via (wit + delight)]
Posted by Erin Scialabba | July 28, 2010, 8:59 am | Permalink |
If you’ve got the itch to create but can’t make sense of those wordy tutorials, then you should check out DIY Couture’s 12-part sewing series. The sewing guides—one book per garment—strip away the verbiage and allow new and seasoned seamstresses to (literally) build a wardrobe with visual instructions. Pictures and diagrams guide readers through 12 classic pieces like the pleated skirt and the gathered dress. (Not sure if “classic” applies to this cloak, but I’m feelin’ it.)
Though they’re based in London, DIY Couture ships internationally. The books go for £9 each or £22.50 for a set of three. If you’re lucky enough to be overseas, check out the site’s guide to fabric shops in the royal city.
[Image: DIY Couture]
Posted by Alexa Fornoff | July 27, 2010, 12:56 pm | Permalink |
Even if you don’t have a new tyke in your life, you could do up this bird mobile from Eighteenth Century Agrarian Business for yourself! Follow along with the tutorial to concoct your very own hanging embroidery hoop perch.
[image via Eighteenth Century Agrarian Business]
Posted by Margo Cochran | July 27, 2010, 11:33 am | Permalink |
If you have extra mason jars lying around your house…
Try making a this chandelier with instructions from Kara of Kara Paslay Designs. Bursting with light, it has a homey feel to it, making any room feel warm and cozy. Its a multi-step project (which you might need an electrician for if you are unfamiliar with electrical wiring) but the results would be well worth it! Get the how-to here. If you love this design but aren’t sure you can make it on your own, its also available for purchase on Kara’s website.
[via Kara Paslay Designs]
Posted by Amy Palanjian | July 26, 2010, 12:31 pm | Permalink |
We’ve been making our way through a fridge filled with veggies from our garden, our neighbors garden and our CSA. Which means that we’ve been making meals with them as our base, which is healthy, to be sure, but can be a bit of a challenge especially when most of it arrived simply because it was ripe—not because it was intended for a specific recipe.
But that’s part of the fun of eating seasonally and I love seeing how I can make good use of seven cucumbers (more on that later this week) and bags full of squash. One good idea is to make a vegetable gratin, like the one pictured here from Ciao Chow Linda—which features squash, zucchini, tomatoes, onions, parmesan cheese, thyme and bread crumbs— or this Layered Vegetable Torte from the NYTimes last week. When all of the vegetables bake and melt together, you will happily eat this as your main course. (At least I would.)
My other recommendation for gobbling up veggies is to cover them with pesto. This was my dinner from Saturday which sure might not be professionally plated, but man oh man was it delicious. I made a mother lode batch of pesto from our basil plants (click here to see some tips about making pesto) and we poured it over steamed purple potatoes, beans, and squash. Definitely tasted like summer on a fork and I am quite sure this will be repeated numerous times through August.
[Images: Ciao Chow Linda (via the kitchn) and me]
Posted by Margo Cochran | July 26, 2010, 10:42 am | Permalink |
Mondays suck. Especially if you hate your job. But the day doesn’t have to be a total waste. You can look forward to reading about ReadyMakers who have worked their way into f*&%ing awesome jobs—and maybe find a little inspiration to jumpstart your own career in the process.
You’ve probably been to the circus at least once in your life, and watched in awe as the performers achieved amazing physical feats. Kari Podgorski was working for an environmental group when she discovered that a circus arts group practiced in the same building, and turned an interest in the circus arts into her profession. From performing in cabaret productions to teaching students at the School of Acrobatics and New Circus Arts in Seattle, Kari tells us a little about her life in the spotlight.
VITAL STATS:
Occupation: Circus performer and circus arts instructor
Location: Seattle, WA and on the road
Age: 33
First Job: Tap-dancing peanut vendor
Best Job: It’s a tie between the Lovely Assistant opposite comedian Matt Manges’s stuntman Bunny LaMonte, and the role of the Cherry Fairy in a recent Teatro ZinZanni cabaret production.
Greatest Professional Challenge: Tireless self-promotion
Salary During Your 20s: Varied wildly! I could boast of a spectacular hourly wage of up to $750, but sometimes paying the bills was a scramble.
1. How did you get that f*&%ing awesome job? Performance began as a hobby, but teaching came out of necessity. Both have greatly evolved: teaching has become a way to share my knowledge and increase my own depth of understanding, and performing has become a profession.
2. How did you get started in the circus arts? Have you always been involved with them? I began as a dancer at age four and gymnast at age seven, but did not discover circus arts until my mid-twenties. At the time I was working for an environmental restoration group that functioned out of a space in a defunct naval base, when I noticed a sign for a small performance troupe called Circus Contraption that rehearsed in the same warehouse. I quickly signed up for an aerial class with co-founder Lara Paxton and soon found myself performing as a guest in Contraption’s next show.
3. What does a typical day look like for you? During a performance contract, I’ll rise around 9 a.m., enjoy the morning to myself, train from 2:30 to 4:30, and be at work by 6 p.m.. Shows end around 10 o’clock (though sometimes closer to 11), then it’s time to clean up, have a meal, and unwind.
4. What is your favorite act to perform? I have worked on a variety of equipment, but my favorite is an aerial apparatus called the static cloudswing. My current number is a dynamic one, and I performed to a wonderful piece of music composed and recorded for me by the Circus Contraption band.
5. What is the best part about what you do? Any parts you could do without? I love traveling, and I almost always adore performing. Every once in awhile there will be an, ahem, more “challenging” audience: generally too drunk, trying to show off for each other with their less-than-witty and rather loud commentary.
6. What kind of students do you get when you teach a class? I have taught students from the tot level to the pre-professional level in a range of class settings. I currently only teach adults, and my favorite setting is the private lesson. I can tailor my instruction to a student’s level of experience, strength, and individual goals.
7. Tell us a little bit about the School of Acrobatic and New Circus Arts. It seems like a pretty cool place. It is. Co-founders Jo Montgomery and Chuck Johnson wanted to share their love for circus arts with a teaching space that afforded everyone the opportunity to learn non-competitive, creative physical skills. We currently have over 700 students from age two through adults (we once had a septuagenarian come in to fulfill the lifelong wish of doing a cartwheel; he succeeded!). In consideration of the escalating cost of many kids’ sports clubs, SANCA offers over $25,000 in need-based scholarships each year.
8. Any tips for people who may want to get involved with acrobatics or circus arts? First, start sooner rather than later. The circus arts certainly offer a greater level of sustainability than traditional gymnastics, but a youthful body is an advantage. That being said, there is really something for everyone—young or old, already fit or wanting to get in shape. Circus arts have been around for a long time, but they’re still a bit of a fringe pursuit, so finding a club or school near you may be a challenge. Some colleges have clubs or even school-funded programs, and major cities are more likely to have resources. There are a few circus arts hubs around the U.S.: New York City, Brattleboro,Vermont, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Boulder, and Seattle, to name a few.
[Photography by John Cornicello (top image) and Jon McClintock]
Posted by Margo Cochran | July 23, 2010, 4:44 pm | Permalink |
Are you enjoying the wide variety of just-picked fruit this summer and wish you could taste fruit this good all year round? The Washington State Fruit Commission has your answer and their new website, Sweet Preservation, gives instructions and tips for beginners to can and freeze cherries, plums, peaches, and apricots. It also has some fun recipes (featured this week is a brandied cherries how-to) and steps for throwing your own preserving party (a great way to get help from friends and family!) complete with a playlist to really help you “jam out.”
[Images from Sweet Preservation]
Posted by Alexa Fornoff | July 23, 2010, 1:56 pm | Permalink |
As someone that always wants a peek behind closed doors, Sarah Dayo’s Glimpse mirror definitely satisfies the less voyeuristic side of that impulse (it reflects you, not other people that can’t see you!). The mirror, shaped like a sliver of space beyond a partially closed door, can be placed anywhere and instantly transforms a wall, bushes, the sky—you name it—into an instant escape.
From her site:
Passing through the everyday spaces we inhibit, the door half opened always stirs up a sense of seduction and curiosity within us. Inspired by these ordinary yet inexplicable moments in our daily lives, I designed a mirror that gives an illusion of a door opening on any given surface.
[from Neatorama, via Make]
Posted by Amy Palanjian | July 23, 2010, 12:14 pm | Permalink |
I LOVE pie. Maybe it’s because we always picked up a few pies at a farm on the way to the Jersey shore during the summer when I was a kid. Maybe it’s because I ate the last of a peach cherry cobbler this morning and the baked fruit flavors are stuck in my brain. Regardless, it’s the perfect time of year for pie made from fresh local fruits. Here are some that I’d love to eat.
Above left: Peach Pie from the Blue Ridge Baker because nothing is quite as delicious as baked fresh peaches.
Above right: Sour Cherry Pie from Tim at Lottie + Doof. I’ve never had this kind of pie, but the photo and Tim’s description makes me want to dive right into a slice.
Above left: Double Crusted Blueberry Pie from Whisk (and a Tuesdays with Dorie post) which she made into personalized pies. That’s a new idea to me and while I might skip rolling that many individual pie crusts for anything but a very special occasion, I love the idea of getting my very own pie.
Above right: Peach and Creme Fraiche Pie from Smitten Kitchen, which sounds crazy easy to make. I’m curious about having the richness of the cream inside of the pie (you probably wound’t want this one a la mode, right? too much?) and I love only needing one bottom pie crust. I might need to give this one a shot as soon as I can get my hands on more local peaches.
Speaking of local peaches, I’ve started dreaming of planting an orchard along the side of our house. I have a lot of research to do about which varieties of plums, peaches, apples and pears will survive the Iowa winters, but I know that all of these things grow here since I’ve seen them around our neighborhood. We’re thinking 8 trees will give us plenty to can and freeze to take us through the winter, and I am sure, provide us with a lovely way to have homemade gifts on hand for the holidays. But until that actually happens, I’m crossing my fingers that our neighbors share some of the pears growing in their yard!
[Images: Blue Ridge Baker, Lottie + Doof, Whisk, Smitten Kitchen]
Posted by Margo Cochran | July 23, 2010, 11:21 am | Permalink |
Nautical themed jewelry is popping up everywhere, but my favorite is still the classical sailor knot bracelet. I got my first bracelet after sailing in my one and only regatta at summer camp, and wearing it always reminds me of the feeling of being out on the open water. Because its made of durable twine, it holds up amazingly well against the elements and has lasted me years. A perfect go-to accessory for a day at the beach, grab a few yards of twine and an old can and make one with this easy tutorial from Etsy.
[via The Storque]
Posted by Margo Cochran | July 22, 2010, 5:29 pm | Permalink |
Did you catch the gardening bug after reading Amy’s post about her first garden? Even though it’s already mid-July, its not too late to start your own garden this year and have homegrown produce this fall. If you’re not sure when or what to plant, check out “What to Plant Now” on Mother Earth News, a that site breaks down planting by region and month.
Now that you’ve figured out what to plant, you’ve got two options: starting your plants from seeds, or buying transplants. Planet Green recommends starting things like arugula, beans, beets, carrots, lettuce, and peas from the seed; and buying transplants of veggies like broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, and kale.
Okay, are you ready? Head to your local nursery, find a spot in your yard, and start on your very own garden. Just think of all the fresh produce you are going to have come fall!
[via Planet Green,with photo from Silver Creek Garden on Flickr]
Posted by Amy Palanjian | July 22, 2010, 3:03 pm | Permalink |
The lovely Kelly of Make Grow Gather has an awesome project (with a how to slideshow) on turning tomato cages into pretty lanterns up on the Washington Post’s site right now. I won’t be touching my tomato cages until we enjoy our crop, but this could be a really fun party prop come early fall.
[Image: Make Grow Gather]
