Project: Mason Jar Straw Cups

Here's another eco-friendly project that I love! I recently came across this tutorial for mason jar cups that hold straws, and knew I had to make one for myself. It turned out wonderfully, and I thought I'd share mine here.

What you need: A mason jar (mine is a regular-mouth 16-oz jar), a rubber grommet (9/32"), and a drill with a bit slightly larger than the hole in your rubber grommet.

(a grommet like this) I found mine at Home Depot for 97 cents or something.

Drill a hole in the lid. I found that it works well to keep the lid on the jar, and hold the jar between my feet so I could use my hands to stabilize and put force behind the drill.

The hole will look like this. If it's too jagged, you can trim off the shavings with metal cutters. Work the rubber grommet into the hole (takes some smooshing).

Now just wash it well to get rid of all the little metal shavings, add a straw, and you're done!

Springtime Sale!

Use the coupon code SPRINGPDX at checkout in the shop to get 10% off your order – anything in the shop! – for the entire month of May!

New sign for shows!

Over the last couple of months, I've been working on my branding for House of Moss. I bought a custom stamp, refined my packaging routine, and changed up my show display. The custom stamp was key, because it ended up informing the design of the other two! I made a new sign for shows last week from it.

First I made a cloth background using the exact same technique as in my reusable cloth napkin tutorial. I wanted it to be versatile enough to be hung on the front of my table or above like a banner, so I used an upcycled natural linen for the front and a beautiful white-on-white floral cotton piece for the back. Then I drew the design freehand, looking at my custom stamp for reference, onto the sign I'd sewn. I installed metal grommets at the top corners, and added strings for hanging.

You can see the new one in action HERE in this post about my experience at the Lewis Elementary Garden Fair, and a picture of the old one HERE. What do you think of this new sign?

Lewis Elementary Garden Fair in Review

 

This past Saturday was the first show of the year, Lewis Elementary's Garden Fair. It was a fun combination of a plant sale, a cookout, live music, and a handmade fair.

The weather was spring-perfect, warm and sunny. Unfortunately, this meant that lots of attendees stayed outside with the other attractions enjoying the outdoors, while us vendors waited inside. Not resoundingly successful as far as sales go, but not a total loss: I found a mint plant and two strawberry starts for the garden at a plant booth, and we had great neighbors! They included Jackie of Scrumptious Suds, Molly of Elizabeth Jewelry, Ale of Muluk, and Jennifer of JBoldGlassArt. Meeting new friends and catching up with old favorites. I don't get to see these wonderful people during the off-season, so it was good to hang out with them. 

Plus it was a strategic opportunity to run through my new display (and debut some new items! see the acorn garlands above us in the photo?) before the first big show of the year, Crafty Wonderland's Spring Sale, which happens in two weeks.

We make Portland awesome: ACBC Design

"We make Portland awesome" is a bi-weekly series. I’m interested building our community of artists by helping us all find out more about each other.

This week: Ann of ACBC Design

Who are you?

Ann Cosgrove, I’m a freelance graphic designer. I live and work in a beautiful 1920’s era home in NE Portland with my fellow designer husband and 2 rambunctious kitties.

What do you make?
I design and print a line of graphic and whimsical cards for birthdays, new baby, weddings and more! I also create custom wedding invitations and birth announcements.

Besides making things, what do you do?
I also really love knitting and try to fit it in to my day as much as possible. Food is another great passion of mine. I love experimenting with new recipes, along with trying all the unique restaurants around Portland. I’ve also been known to spend a few hours playing games on our PS3 and watching B movies.

What inspires you?
I’m inspired a lot by nature. The color and textures of plants, flowers, animals are all so beautiful. Fashion is another big influence - I love seeing bold prints, accessories and different fibers. It all can swirl around in my head and inspire a new card design.

 

 

Where can your work be found?
Currently all my work is found in my shop on Etsy.

What do you love about Portland?
I love so much about Portland - how it’s full of really creative, unique and supportive people. My husband and I are big fans of urban hiking - just walking around the different neighborhoods and taking in the unique sights each has to offer. Also the great green spaces and parks - great places for inspiration. Let’s not forget, since I’m a huge foodie, all the fantastic restaurants!

Upcoming Event: Lewis Elementary Garden Fair, Happening This Saturday!

My first show of 2013 is this Saturday, April 27th, from 10am-3pm. Lewis Elementary's holiday show was a good one, so I'm very much looking forward to this springtime version. They hold a plant sale outside (so stop by and stock up on starts for your garden!) as well as an artisan/handmade sale inside the gym. Several of my favorite makers will be selling there, including the wonderful Pepe and Ale of Muluk, Andrea of Travelust (who also runs the dear shop Little Things), and Jennifer of JBoldGlassArt.

House of Moss will be there, too, with plenty of felted seedlings, mushroom gardens, and felted terrariums, for all of you us out there who can't seem to keep real plants alive. :)

I'm also debuting a new House of Moss sign, as well as some brand-new acorn garlands– not even listed in the shop yet, as of this writing! So stop by and be the first to pick one up.

Home Project: Reusable Cloth Napkins

In honor of Earth Day, I have a project for you that's just about the Earth-friendliest I could think of. Reusable cloth napkins!

I made a set of 30 this weekend, and over their lifetime they should save hundreds thousands of paper napkins around here! They shouldn't cause any extra laundry, either, because I'll just toss them in with the other loads I'm washing.

Here's how I made mine:

 1. Find an old bedsheet. I had some around the house already, but you can find them easily at thrift shops. Wash it, iron it, and fold it in quarters.

2. Make a "pattern" for the shape and size you would like your napkins to be. I chose a regular 8.5x11" sheet of paper for mine, but squares are also common. Cut around your "pattern," leaving at least a half-inch around to leave space for the seams. I made mine larger to make just a slightly bigger napkin than my handy sheet of paper. :)

3. Pin two together. Make sure the right sides (prettier sides) are facing inward if your fabric has a pattern on it.

4. Sew around the edges, leaving about 1/4" for your seam allowance.

5. Sew almost all the way around, leaving a 4-or-so-inch gap before you meet up with where you started.

(a gap like this)

6. Turn the piece right-side-out again, and iron it so the edges are sharp. The 4-inch gap will stick out funny, so just fold it in as if it had been sewn with the rest. You'll secure it in the next step.

7. Top-stitch, about 1/8" from the edge, all the way around. Done!