Kokeshi Dolls originated in North-East Japan as wooden toys for children. They began being produced towards the end of the Edo period (1603~1868) by woodwork artisans, called Kiji-shi, who normally made bowls, trays and other tableware by using a lathe. They began to make small dolls in the winter to sell to visitors who came to bathe in the many hot springs near their villages, which was believed to be a cure for the demands of a strenuous agricultural lifestyle. [more inside]
posted by nickyskye
on Dec 19, 2011 -
20 comments
Steampunk Insects. "Tom Hardwidge’s Arthrobots are robotic insects — steampunk creations made from upcycled gears, nuts, bolts… and bullets!"
posted by Phire
on Mar 9, 2011 -
15 comments
The Japanese word
kōgei (also as
kougei) [工芸], basically translates as 'crafts', or even 'handicrafts'. In many places in the world, such products are generally considered as something lesser than 'arts'. In Japan however ... Please meet Mr. Lionel Dersot, Tokyo resident for 25+ years, who is ready to take you on a (bilingual) survey of some wonderful work in the field, both old and new, at his blog '
The Daily Kogei' -
Un petit détour bilingue dans l'artisanat japonais et bien plus, diffusé de Tokyo.
posted by woodblock100
on Mar 2, 2011 -
9 comments
"Gerhard and I spoke to each other over the course of a few hours on Boxing Day, December 26th, 2010. On each end of our respective phone lines we both had an intimidating stack of books — the almost five thousand pages that Sim and Gerhard created together over the course of those 20 years. We flipped through the books chronologically, with the idea of
discussing the evolution of Gerhard’s process and techniques, focusing on his development as an artist and a craftsman."
posted by Brandon Blatcher
on Feb 24, 2011 -
36 comments
Laneyards: A Guide for Lanyards, Gimp, Scoubidou, Boondoggle, and Craft Lacing.
Square (box),
Circle (Barrel),
Triangle (3-Strand),
Twisted Triangle,
Pentagon (5-Strand),
Twisted Pentagon,
Brick (Supersquare),
Twist (Supercircle),
Wall (Superbrick),
Corkscrew (Supertwist),
Quad,
Tornado,
Fluted Columns,
Twisted Fluted Columns,
Zipper,
Cobra,
Twisted Cobra,
Super Cobra,
Butterfly.
posted by Fizz
on Aug 3, 2010 -
28 comments
Making Something New Everyday ; a blog where old-time MeFite
Alison tries to make something new everyday. With over 100 projects posted so far, there's plenty for you to gawk at, such as a
Robot Tea Cup and Saucer, a
Color Perfect Pitch Tester, a
Hidden Chamber Hamburger,
Capacitor Bugs,
Accidentally Gay Cardinals, a
Fibonacci Petticoat,
Marzipan Birds and Laptop and, erm...
poop (possibly NSFW). Something for everyone, then!
[via mefi projects]
posted by Effigy2000
on Apr 19, 2009 -
19 comments
Dyeing with Kool-Aid basic how-to. The best thing is the
color chart. A good idea for
a party, maybe? As usual, the folks at Flickr have got the goods: Kool-Aid dyed yarns in the Hand-dyed pool [
1], [
2], and the Yarn Porn pool, [
1], [
2]. And if you're one of those people who just hates to do things the easy way? Multi-colored custom yarn with Kool-Aid tutorial
part 1 and
part 2.
posted by taz
on May 2, 2008 -
29 comments
"When I get the time when I'm not raking, whenever I'm near water, I'll beach comb for bits of wood, feather or anything else that appeals and make
some boats."
posted by nthdegx
on Apr 21, 2008 -
13 comments
I pledge to buy handmade this holiday season, and request that others do the same for me. Why? Better gifting experience, better ethics, better for the environment.
posted by divabat
on Nov 23, 2007 -
95 comments
With winter's cold touch around the corner, some of us may need a little something
to keep us busy by the fireside on those chill winter evenings. With the abundance and variety of craft
blogs to be found, everyone from the novice to the expert should be able to find
inspiration
(and
even great tutorials!) for a
fun and
cute project. Enjoy!
posted by honeyx
on Nov 14, 2007 -
11 comments
Up here in the Northern Hemisphere, it's time to break out the sweaters. Wool too itchy for you? (
It is for poor Simon Cowell.) Cashmere and alpaca are easier to wear;
a surface comparison shows why. But you can also steer clear of animal fibers altogether and opt for fabric made from
wheat. For that matter, while you're at the greengrocer, also pick up some bamboo
(
1,
2), soy (
1,
2),
bananas, corn (
1,
2),
pineapple,
milk (
1,
2,
3) and
rice.
(
Vegan yarns previously in AskMe.)
posted by GrammarMoses
on Nov 6, 2007 -
13 comments
Peggy a redo of the Lichtenstein modern classic using 2788 hand cut, sanded, and painted dowels mounted on a wall, forming a 3 x 7 foot work of art.
posted by mathowie
on May 29, 2007 -
38 comments
FabIndia becomes a Harvard Business Case study It's a
brand that does not advertise. It, in fact, celebrates the
success of its copycats. And now
Fabindia,
the craft-conscious enterprise, is a Harvard Business School (HBS) case study.
"Founded in 1960, Fabindia
makes the cut for being an
example of a corporation that does not just aim to do well, but does good too. "A strong mission can be both an opportunity and a constraint on the growth of a firm,"
points out Dr Khaire. However, the private retailer's
unique value proposition has not come in the way of it being
recognised as big brand today. And this in spite of the fact that Fabindia
has never advertised, points out Dr Khaire."
posted by infini
on Apr 15, 2007 -
8 comments
