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Making Art/Crafting
20110127-fi6cws13q6i57727cmpyyqb9a9

As you read this, many members of the Questionland community are busy making beautiful, interesting things. We have your art and craft questions covered.

Answers
  • How much might I charge for a handmade plushie like the one pictured below?
    Cateyes_small

    Kristen, this is adorable! Since it's handmade, I'd estimate a price of around $30-40, plus shipping. Look up "plush toy" on Etsy, and you'll see that prices go up as the toys get more complicated.

    I also think you could charge more if you customize them somehow.

  • My Shrinky Dinks instructions say to use a paper bag in the oven...isn't that dangerous???
    Ava_small

    Everyone should know how high paper burns at thanks to fiction- 451

    I'm assuming you aren't heating the oven higher than that since plastic will burn at a much lower temp, and you're just trying to melt it. You'll be fine

  • Knitting terminology - help!
    Davidclose2_small

    I don't think this is a problem. It describes the stitch for you right there.

    I try to stick to the methods in the pattern (I'm not expert enough to pick my own styles of decreasing/increasing). (I've used that stitch before myself too!) The knitter may have personal preferences, or thinks a particular method looks good. So I just trust the pattern and learn new stuff :)

    That all said! Check this out:

    http://www.knittinghelp.com/videos/decreases

    My first answer said they're the same, but reading more carefully, the SKP entry says k1, not k2. Your decrease is for 2 stitches, not 1, yes?

  • How do you get an object in motion to be in focus when photographing it?
    Qlandav2ex_small

    This depends a great deal on what capabilities your camera has for defined operation, but use these guidelines. This is written assuming you are using a digital camera.

    Set your camera so that it is prefocused for the distance you are going to be from your cat. Sometimes a focusing range can be selected ahead of time or you may need to focus an automatically focusing camera and hold the setting by keeping the shutter button halfway pressed while waiting for the desired action to occur.

    Use a shutter speed that is 1/125 of a second or faster - the faster the shutter speed the less distance your cat will be moving in that slice of time.
    Faster shutter speeds will mean that you will need more light available for proper exposure. You may be able to set sensitivity of the camera by selecting a higher ISO setting but this can also make the image more grainy and possibly introduce more 'noise' in the results.

    Using the electronic flash will ensure the camera is using a fast shutter speed. However, your results will be affected by the possible reflections and shadows created by the bright light. Flash can also flatten the image into a more two dimensional appearance because other light sources are not as prominent to give depth to the objects in the field of view. Using the flash to stop action and having bright available light may give you the best results

    Lastly, practice. Take lots of photos and see what the effects are. This will also get your cat used to the presence and sound of the camera as well as the burst of light from the flash. Have someone else play with the cat using a wand with a feather on it or other point of attractive motion. Try to catch the cat in mid-air as it jumps and leaps.

  • Who can I pay to make me a shirt?
    N1462072360_2869_small

    I would go to Etsy.com and find a shop that makes clothing, and if you like what you see, just ask for a 'custom request' item. I have a shop and have gotten a lot of business through custom items. Hope that helps!

  • Posca Pens or equivalent?
    Photo_on_2012-01-03_at_17

    You might want to test out different kinds. Have you tried Prismacolor pens? They are great, although expensive. Sometimes getting a set is cheaper than buying them individually though. I also sometimes use Sharpies believe it or not. They have various size tips for sharpies from very tiny to super huge. It is kinda cool!

    Here is something I did with pens, crayons, paper, glue, etc.

    http://kristinbell.files.wordpress.com/2009/11/hansendogs.jpg

  • Where can I buy cigar boxes in Settle?
    0prr6_small

    Rain City Cigar in Georgetown is a wholesaler with a retail storefront. They have the best prices and selection in town on all thing cigar related. They give empty cigar boxes away for free and sell fancy wooden humidors.

  • What's a good adhesive that's photo-safe?
    Img_5852_small

    Hmmm...there is a wide variety of archival photo-safe glue sticks and other adhesives out there. Any decently-sized office supply, stationery, or scrapbooking store should be able to recommend some specific products/brands. (Personally, I'd try the main University Bookstore and ask them, as Stylus Paper & Pen (nee Sabtec) is out of business now). http://www.bookstore.washington.edu

    But I'm a bit confused by your description. Are you hoping that, some time in the future, you can un-peel/un-layer the collage and have those bits of photo that had bits of other photos glued on top of them to be undamaged? Because that I've not really heard of. I know of lots of items that will glue to a wall or backing well, but if you want to be able to remove them later, that might be harder. In that case you may want to look into a hard laminate over each photo first. *shrug*

    (You may already have thought of this, but rather than adhere them directly to the wall or board surface, I think it'll be easier if you get some sturdy posterboard in the same size as the photo display board. Then you can assemble the collage on the poster board on a flat surface. Once it's finished, you can transer the whole project to the wall). Good luck.

  • Where can I learn to make my own lingerie?
    Img_0355_small

    Pacific Fabrics has a lingerie class coming up in about a month at their store in Everett.

    http://www.pacificfabrics.com/shop/product/ooh-la-la-lingerie/

    I haven't taken a class from this instructor, but the classes that I've taken from Pacific Fabrics in the past have been informative and well-done.

    For this sort of sewing, you'll need to have solid garment-construction skills. If you've never sewn before, this is NOT the place to start. I would start with a few basic sewing classes - skirt, pajama pants, etc, and then doing some sewing on your own before you attempt lingerie sewing. The nice thing about doing it yourself is that you can pick nice fabrics - silk rather than the polyester crap they sell at Victoria's Secret, etc - and you can make sure that it fits the way you want it to rather than settling for ready-made stuff.

    In my experience, sewing my own clothing (and clothing for my daughter) is not cheaper than buying clothing in stores, especially when you consider the time you have to spend doing it. It might start to come close to parity or economy if you're sewing REALLY high-end, couture-level stuff that would be astronomically expensive to purchase. It takes time and effort to develop those skills, too, so my recommendation would be to pursue sewing only if the activity itself is something that you think you will enjoy and are interested in. If you're just trying to save money, this is probably not the best way to do it.

  • Your video on making a needle felting tool
    M_c3f4dfde8bc8775637192138b57b3e7d_small

    Hi Caroline!

    Can't wait to see your mushroom/toadstool delight!

    The tutorial you're talking about is down because it was eventually published in the print version of Craft, volume 4.

    Here's a link to the online copy of the magazine. You may have to register/subscribe or something, but here's where it can be found:
    http://www.make-digital.com/craft/vol04#pg1

    Felt on!

  • What is that kind of clay-like stuff called that you can use to make little jewelry charms, beads or whatever? It comes in all sorts of colors...
    Cateyes_small

    You're thinking of Fimo, or plastic/polymer modelling clay.

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fimo

    And yes, it does get baked.

  • Best cast-on for a sweater?
    Cateyes_small

    This is the one you want -- Long-tail cast-on:

    http://www.knittinghelp.com/videos/cast-on

    It's a nicely stretchy cast on, and is easy and quick. The trick with this cast on is that you need to leave a significant tail before you start -- I usually do a few test cast-ons before I start for real.

    If you're just getting into knitting, I recommend the Vogue Book of Knitting (or whatever it's called) -- it's an encycopedia of knitting stitches, and has fantastic diagrams. There are also TONS of great knitting websites out there that should help you. For this cast on method in particular, I recommend watching a video.

  • Overstock/discontinued paper store?
    Gold-head_small

    The Salvage Broker, 13760 Aurora Avenue North, (206) 365-7771, is what you want. No web page. You might want to bring some hand wipes for later; it is, shall we say, a little untidy.

Questions
Recent Comments
  • Comment on sublevelthree's answer…
    Photo_on_2012-01-03_at_17

    oh, it is about 11 inches wide by 3 inches deep by 10 inches high. The baby is about 2 inches wide by 4 inches high by 1 inch deep. :) Thanks. I can't really do mass production. I'm mostly doing it out of a spread the love kind of thing :)

  • Comment on sublevelthree's answer…
    Spaceship_small

    Hey Kristin,
    If you're doing this for fun, and just want to spread the love, then low-ball the price. But if you're thinking of mass production to actually MAKE money, all the tips above are important to cover your time, materials, profit, shipping and promotion.
    I'd like some idea of the scale of the item. It's hard to judge how large it is without something like a ruler, shoe, cell phone, SOMETHING in the picture to compare it to.

  • Comment on MyrnaMinkoff's answer…
    Photo_on_2012-01-03_at_17

    Thank you Myrna! :)

  • Comment on sublevelthree's answer…
    Photo_on_2012-01-03_at_17

    Thanks! :)

  • Comment on sublevelthree's answer…
    Ava_small

    Then you have to decide if you're okay with not being paid fir your time. I wouldn't recommend it as something to do alot of if you're not covering your time, but something you just do a few of and biting the cost. But please make sure thaw cost at least covers the materials or you're paying for people to have then instead of just giving away your time...,

  • Comment on sublevelthree's answer…
    Photo_on_2012-01-03_at_17

    well, if I charged even minimum wage for my time it would be ridiculously expensive. These things take quite a while to make.

  • Comment on sublevelthree's answer…
    Ava_small

    Materials + time. (if its a line of them do time it takes to assemble after youve made a few and worked out the kinks) always make sure your materials are covered (if you make your first one with scrap fabric see how much the amount you use would cost you for future ones and build that cost in)

    Etsy will let you pick shipping options or you can build your own. Then that automatically gets included but isn't part of the actual price of the item (make sure to include a section for higher shipping abroad or you will get screwed).

  • Comment on sublevelthree's answer…
    Photo_on_2012-01-03_at_17

    I'm probably just going to sell a few on etsy. Someone on facebook actually wanted to buy one, but I didn't know how much to charge, so I just shot her a price. Shipping is a killer! Plus I don't think people want to pay a fortune for a stuffed toy, but it does take a while to make.

  • Comment on BasementDweller3's answer…
    Photo_on_2012-01-03_at_17

    Thank you so much! I'm probably just going to sell them on etsy or something. I just came up with the design and someone on facebook wanted to buy one, but I didn't really know how much to charge. :)

  • Comment on Black Beetles in Amber's answer…
    Ava_small

    Thanks, the new scenes just went up!

    Just wanted to point out the lightfastness, not always important to all people, but can cause a monkey wrench if you're selling the art because people don't like buying stuff that can change that dramatically. I used doc martens alot in high school and all that work that I still have has gone really dull. Lucky for me it's not anything important, as it's almost 20 years old and definitely not what I would use to represent my self in any way, but if you're making stuff that's going out of your hands and you want to represent yourself something that doesnt change dramatically in a few years is probably better so it doesn't come back to bite you, people expect some change over time, but if it's super quick it will get around.

    But flourecents in general are tricky, they tend to be more of a craft material than an art material because of the fade factor. There might be a way to fake it with really saturated archival paints if that's a concern, but if it's just for your own home or illustration work then not a huge deal ( if it's getting scanned and reproduced for print be aware that any type of printer from home quality to professional doesn't do great with super saturated colors, especially in the red range, if it's for web view you'll have better luck since monitors can handle the colors much better since it's making it on a light based background instead of a paper based one and you have the luminosity kick behind it)

  • Comment on Black Beetles in Amber's answer…
    Bierce1_small

    Thanks for the addendum, all true.

    Also, I enjoy walking by your windowbox in the ID to catch my bus :D

  • Comment on sublevelthree's answer…
    Ava_small

    It looks like Blick also carries them online, don't know about in store though, I only have to get drawing stuff for work so I haven't been through their paint selection. A&c's prices are usually better though if you can get to the u district, but you may wanna call first because it's been years since I bought the stuff and alot of the stores have been downsizing the high quality items

  • Comment on Black Beetles in Amber's answer…
    Ava_small

    If you have concerns with light fastness doc martens aren't the way to go the colors fade dramatically in sunlight, you can notice a diffrence in about a year. They're fun to paint with but the pigments just aren't quality ( that said most fluorescent paints do fade quicker than traditional pigments). You might also look into gouache (opaque watercolor) sometimes their flourescents are brighter because of the opaquing agents). Are you using them for normal viewing or blacklight? If blacklight you will have much more dramatic results with the gouache

  • Comment on sublevelthree's answer…
    N1462072360_2869_small

    Thank you so much!!!

  • Comment on internet_jen's answer…
    Avatar_default

    Thanks for the ideas! I happen to live right by a coin store so I'll see what they have...

  • Comment on Bion Satir's answer…
    Avatar_default_user_small

    I just think paddles are supposed to work in water, and snow is just frozen water. So that is false advertising on their part.

    And no, I am not serious.

  • Comment on Ed B's answer…
    Larry_2_small

    There's a link to the artist's page near the top of the post. There's no sale information on her page, but there is an e-mail address.

  • Comment on ozchick's answer…
    Enso_circle_small

    I'm assuming you are honestly asking:
    etsy.com is an online market place intended for individuals to sell hand made craft and art, but it also stocks an enormous amount of crap, both handmade and mass produced.

    regretsy.com is April Winchell's piss take site, featuring the most craptastic cream of the etsy crop. And sometimes some truly excellent stuff. She is very funny and regretsy is one of my daily places to visit

    The regresty comment streams are the source of such phrases as "douche canoe" and "twat waffle"

  • Comment on ozchick's answer…
    Subcultureoftwo_small

    Etsy is a website for people to sell antiques or handcrafted items online. Knitted stuff, jewelry, ceramics, etc.

    Regretsy is a blog that highlights and mocks some of the terribly-executed items that pop up on Etsy.

    http://www.etsy.com/
    http://www.regretsy.com/

  • Comment on ozchick's answer…
    Wa_usa_small

    wait, what is etsy and regretsy?

  • Comment on Ed B's answer…
    Subcultureoftwo_small

    I wish I could find out if he's selling these, because I WANT.

  • Comment on ozchick's answer…
    Spaceship_small

    Go for it, if you think there's an actual market for this kind of thing.

  • Comment on Bion Satir's answer…
    Spaceship_small

    You're not serious. He freely admits that he abused the paddle, in a manner it was not designed for. And you think he should get a full refund credit for it?
    What, are these paddles certified indestructable?

  • Comment on Ed B's answer…
    Spaceship_small

    Beautiful project.

  • Comment on ozchick's answer…
    Bierce1_small

    I need to filter "shabby" out of every single craigslist furniture search I do.

  • Comment on ozchick's answer…
    Subcultureoftwo_small

    Vintage retro authentic timeless shabby-chic antiqued, artfully broken paddle. Lots of character, one of a kind!

  • Comment on Bion Satir's answer…
    Avatar_default_user_small

    If you used your membership then they should have a record of your purchase. Ask to talk to a manager. :)

  • Comment on Bion Satir's answer…
    Wa_usa_small

    Maybe 1996, actually

  • Comment on Bion Satir's answer…
    Wa_usa_small

    But I don't have a receipt and I bought it there in 1999...

  • Comment on O my captain's answer…
    Spaceship_small

    After answering honestly, I came back to revisit this question, and was immediately struck with a funny, sarcastic answer.... but I'm too nice to say it... just use a little imagination and you'll be laughing too....LOL!