Craft Test Dummies

Another confession: I hoard fabric scraps. Sometimes is the color, sometimes it’s the texture, sometimes it’s just that it’s a bit of a piece of clothing or reminds me of something I can’t let go of yet. So I hold on to a ton of fabric scraps! Today, I have a ton of great ideas [...]

    My name is Becky Striepe (pronounced “stree-pee,” like “sleepy”), and I am a freelance writer and vegan crafter living in Atlanta, Georgia. My life’s mission is to make green crafting and vegan food accessible to everyone!     5 tools or supplies you can’t be without 1. Vintage buttons 2. Ric Rac 3. [...]

Ok- Time for a show of hands- who here is a paper hoarder?? Don’t worry- you are among friends. No judgment here. I find that not only that sometimes to I have a hard time cutting into my favorite sheets of paper, but sometimes when I do, I can’t even toss the little baby scraps. [...]

This craft ran last year on CraftsUnleashed.com- but I thought you all might like to see it here on CTD. Get your fabric scrap ready, and make a guest book/open house/autograph book that will be a treasured keepsake! Yesterday I showed you how to use recycled fabric to make shabby-chic flowers. Today, I’m going to [...]

  This post originally ran on CraftsUnleashed.com last year- but I thought y’all might like it here, as well! Get your fabric scraps ready and craft it up! I love to be able to recycle- it means I can stretch my money and save more for my craft shopping! Well, this handy-dandy flower is made [...]

It’s no secret- I love recycle/”green” crafts. There’s something about taking something that is headed for the garbage or donation bin and then transforming it into a new, useful or beautiful object. Today’s tutorial is both useful AND  beautiful- we’re going to make luggage handle cozies and tags from old neckties- the wilder the print, [...]

Hello, Crafters! It’s Earth Week, and that means a special spotlight on a “green” or Earth-friendly tool or product is in order. So today, I’m turning my attention to X-Acto 9-inch Recycled Scissors. These scissors feature a green plastic handle that is made from recycled materials, and the blades are about 3.5 inches long. The [...]

Today’s review is a fun one for me- I’m reviewing the Pick Punch that my dear, sweet son bought me for Christmas last year. I geeked out when I saw it in a catalog because it’s a great way to reuse old bank cards, gift cards etc. And you all know that I love “green” [...]

So, this is new to me: my kids celebrate the first 100 days of school. (We didn’t do this back in the day.) As a result, my first grader was required to bring in 100 items- anything, really- and display them for the class. The purpose is counting, I suppose. But I saw this as [...]

In my previous career as a Music Therapist, I came up with a number of crafty projects, and making musical instruments was my favorite! We were always working on a super-tight budget, with an eye toward recycling when we could, and making instruments that adults wouldn’t be embarrassed to play. One year, I came up [...]

I love crafts that use recycled materials- besides being economical, you get that “warm fuzzy feeling” that you are doing something positive for the environment. So this month, the Linky Party Theme is GO GREEN! Link up your best craft projects (up to three, please) that recycle, upcycle, or otherwise use items/materials that might be [...]

Hi!! My name is Christine and I am the Host of Scrap Time!! Today I am here at Craft Test Dummies to share a review with you on the book ‘Wee Wonderfuls’ by Hillary Lang! I love Handmade Dolls!! I had a pile of my daughter’s clothing and I though instead of giving it away, [...]

It’s a new school year and new backpacks and jackets have been purchased- but it’s only a matter of time before my kids yank the pulls right off of the zippers! So I’m getting the jump on repairs by making some fun, recycled ones that the kids can personalize. We’re building the base on an [...]

Little known fact: my #1 search term that brings people to my blog is “Necktie Crafts.” Really. And I don’t know WHY I have such a fascination for old neckties…but well, I do. And here’s another craft to get you scouring your grandpa’s closet and thrift stores! These coffee cuffs are  also a NO-SEW project- [...]

As many of you know, I’m the Editor over at www.CraftsUnleashed.com, the blog that ‘s sponsored by ConsumerCrafts. I got to post one of my favorite crafts over there, altered dominoes. I love reusing game pieces, and you only need a few supplies- some alcohol inks, a black ink pad, and stamps, plus some paper [...]

Here at the Casa of Crafts we are trying to squeeze as much out of the rest of summer as we can; and while the sun is still shining brightly, we thought we’d try out some Solar Print paper as a fun science/nature craft. This quasi-educational project can be done over a few different stages, [...]

Jenny is teaching soldered glass memory charms at Grand River Beads in Rocky River, OH.

The Craft Gods keep sending me button goodness to share….must be some kinds of harmonic convergence in the crafty universe! I got online today and found this FAB-U-LOUS button coaster craft at CraftStylish for a button coaster. Wow! I LOVE the way it looks, and you could create all kinds of designs if you used [...]

I love buttons- both the functional, keep-your-sweater-closed variety, as well as purely decorative/design elements. Yup. Love buttons! So, since it’s National Craft Month in March I thought I’d share a few resources with you! Make a cute button-covered tote…I reposted it from Martha Stewart a while back. Great way to use up those funky buttons [...]

So I wasn’t sure if I should share this now, or wait until after the holidays. I figured that if you’re like me, you still have last year’s holiday cards, or if not, make sure you don’t toss them on December 31st! Here’s the deal: Aileen from Aileen’s Musings came up with the idea of [...]

Ok, I love me some recycled neckties! So I’ve taken a moment from sewing up little necktie purses to share this nifty scarf from CraftStylish. I won’t give it all away here, but the gist is that you’ll need 8 gutted neckties. (Gutting them is when you slice open the back seam with a seam [...]

My kid’s daycare had a bunch of scratched records that they wanted to recycle into art. So I thought spin-art record clocks would be just the ticket! We first took a little sandpaper and scratched up the records even more- that way the tempera and acrylic paints that we’d be using would stick better to [...]

I was making my blog rounds this morning, and ran across this idea from Crafty Goat. And since I love polymer clay AND bottle cap art, this worked for me! (Alternatively, I could use my polyclay and then have a brew. That also works for me!) Anyhoo, she suggests making your own molds from cool [...]

So, I’ve been really busy this last week with kid’s classes, too, and I’ve got a few more classes lined up to share with you…. or inspire you to do yourself with your own (grand)kids! First of all, I have one more class at Grand River Beads on July 2nd. We’ll be doing washi-paper beads, [...]

Ahh, spring is here and it’s time to put those sweaters away. Or is it? Maybe it’s seen it’s better days. Or your weight has changed, and it doesn’t fit like it used to. Or you’re just itching to go thrifting and engage in some Earth Day craftiness. Well, I’ve found an idea for you! [...]

I was doing my regular surfing, and ran across this GORGEOUS paper bead necklace from Mazel Tov Jewelry. Really transcends paper beads into high art. Tell me it’s not fabulous and I’ll call you a liar!

Well, I’ve been working on a new set of classes, this time covering old Altoid-style tins with polymer clay.  I also was playing with a new cane, and came up with these. I think they look like orange poppies!     

Well, I sent off my Necktie Bags today to my CPS Group swap hostess today, and wouldn’t cha know, I ran across another necktie craft!! These are super cute, and kind of fall in with my yo-yo obsession, too. The tutorial was found on Craftster, and the idea is simple: take the small points from [...]

Not that I’m on a kick or anything, but I ran across this cute button tote today at Martha Stewart Crafts. She give the directions for making the tote and then covering it with buttons, either by gluing or stitching. I had another idea. (Don’t I always?) Why not cover up a give-away tote – [...]

So I’ve been visiting Martha Stewart’s Craft of the Day site, and today’s “Shirt Sack” I thought was worth sharing! Basically you take a man’s shirt and stitch in into a little backpack. True, it’s not a heavy-duty rucksack, but it would be a cute little tote. Here are my ideas for them: Add an [...]