Dear Attack of the Craft

Dear Attack of the Craft,
Thank you for being an amazing group of crafting misfits that make my days better. Your breadth of knowledge, friendship and support is boundless and has helped me become a better crafter, designer, business owner and person. It's strange that a forum could add so much depth to someone's life, but I know you have done it for many. Keep on being awesome.

Sincerely,
Faboo

Seriously folks, GO CHECK OUT ATTACK OF THE CRAFT!!! If you're a crafter, or handmade enthusiast, this place is for you. With business advice, tutorials, funny discussions and much much more, there is always something for everyone. This forum is frequented by so many talented men and women, I am constantly amazed by the pure kickassery that comes out of it's members.

If you've ever felt out of place or ignored in other forums, then come to Attack of the Craft...it feels like home :)

Check out some of the member's items HERE and search the tag "attackofthecraft" on Etsy!

Handmade Picks of the Week 3/9

I've been longing for summer for a few weeks now, so this week's picks all remind me of the sun!

First is this fun and flirty Beach Bunny Dress from SmarmyClothes. I can almost smell the ocean just looking at it!



Next are these super pretty Steampunk Hardware Earrings with yellow Swarovski Crystals by HardwareHoney Jewelry



And last is this gorgeous beaded necklace from blueberryblonde




Don't forget, for more awesome handmade items, be sure to search the tag "attackofthecraft" on Etsy!

Handmade Picks of the Week 2/28

Another week has gone by and it's time again for some awesome handmade picks from the members of Attack of the Craft!

First is this gorgeous messanger bag by Warning Label, perfect for work or school!


Next is a super clever Bloody Vampire Fangs Necklace for all you vampire fans out there by CDChyld!


And last is this super cute crochet Red Velvet Cupcake from Concertina3 - ZERO calories :)


For more awesome handmade goodness, search the tag "attackofthecraft" on Etsy!

Handmade Picks of the Week 2/23

This week's picks are from two talented ladies from the Attack of the Craft forum.

First up is The Clay Pony...this shop features some amazing clay work in jewelry and figurine form. Her cameo pendants are amazing and this little fox is my favorite!



Next is Kiss Me Designs, a shop featuring handmade aprons and hair accessories. I love this Asian inspired apron.



For more great items from Attack of the Craft members, search the tag "attackofthecraft" on Etsy!

9/1 Handmade Picks of the Week

I'm a total bonehead and completely forgot to post my superfly handmade picks last week! So I'll be doubling up this week which means you get to see even more awesome choices all in one little bloggy blog. I'm also including links to these shop's Facebook Fan Pages as well so you can keep up to date with all of their DIY goodness.

First up, for all you book fiends out there, is this super cool and totally convenient book pillow from Inverness Studios! Rest it on your lap while you read away and it will even keep your place should you nod off! Check out her FAN PAGE too!



Once again I need to sing the praises of these amazing hand carved stamps from SkullandCrossbuns. My newest favorite is this bad ass Devil Horns stamp. ROCK ON, my friend, rock on! FAN PAGE <-- like it!



Another one of my all time favorite designers is aNGrYGiRL Gear. This ooak purple tartan corset is to DIE for! So tough yet with a touch of femininity....LOVE it! Check out her FAN PAGE too!



This adorable upcycled plaid lace flutter sleeve top from Smarmy Clothes is definitely going on my birthday wish list. It's so cute and I love the lace accents *makes grabby hands* "Like" her FAN PAGE to see her latest and greatest creations!



Platipuses makes some amazing clothing for girls with curves. This sweet little paisley dress is just one of the many wonderful things Plats offers in her shop. Check out her FAN PAGE as well!



Last up is for all you Harry Potter fans: Snape Memory Bottle Necklace from The Clay Pony. You know you can't resist it!! Go "like" her FAN PAGE for more of her awesome accessories.



And remember: to find more super funkilicious handmade items just search the tag "craftanon team" on Etsy!

8/10 Handmade Picks of the Week

I've got two super cute handmade picks for you this week.

The first is this adorable newsprint bag from Warning Label Creations.



And the second is this ruffle top by Poppys Wicked Garden, perfect for those upcoming fall evenings!



Want to see more awesome handmade items from the talented Craftanon Team? Just search the tag "craftanon team" on Etsy!

7/6 Handmade Picks of the Week

Ahoy matey! If you love the sea then these nautical inspired necklaces will surely keep your inspiration afloat!

The first necklace is by TheClayPony and features a beautiful star compass.



Next up is this beautiful necklace by CandiedStrands. The wire pendant reminds me of a ship's wheel!



Last, but not least is this fun little necklace featuring and anchor and ship wheel by kisszombies.



All items are by CraftAnon Team members. More member's awesome handmade items can be found by searching the tag "craftanon team" on Etsy!

6/28 Handmade Picks of the Week

Another week, another awesome mini collection of handmade goodness.

I have been eyeing this Dark Rhapsody - Gunmetal Charm Necklace from NightsRequiem ever since she listed it. I love the layered chain style and that big gorgeous turquoise gem!



Kezbirdie makes all kind of wonderful things: hand painted shoes, clothing and bags but I am in love with this finger knitted scarf!



Who doesn't love a serial killer with a heart? Show your adoration with this lovely Dexter Pendant from KalliopeKreations.

Fierce Decorating Lesson #2: Don't Be Afraid of Color

Color is your friend, it's not something to be feared when it comes to decorating. I've been in quite a few homes where the walls are stark white, the carpet is tan and all the furniture is in neutral colors. If this is your style and what you enjoy that is completely fine, but a lot of times people are "scared" of bringing color into their homes. Not in the om-my-god-I-think-the-red-walls-are-gonna-come-to-life-and-eat-me kind of way, but more in the not knowing how much color to add and not wanting to go overboard (which believe me, I have done before - just ask my husband about the Barney-purple wall in our first apartment) kind of way. It's understandable, but color doesn't have to be scary. I happen to like a lot of color, but it isn't for everyone. Start off small and see how a little bit of color suits you and grow from there. One of my favorite design concepts is the accent wall. Instead of painting an entire room brandywine red, pick one wall and paint that. It sounds odd, but that one wall adds so much warmth to the room and gives it an eclectic feel. You also don't need to get all new furniture - another one of my favorite decorating tricks are slip covers. There are so many options for slip covers nowadays that you can get them to match any decor, and the best part is when you're sick of them, pull them off and grab a different one! If you're really crafty you can make your own slip covers, but if not www.SureFit.net is a great source! You can also dress up a boring couch or chair with throw blankets and pillows, another easy way to add splashes of color without having to fully commit. There are so many little ways to warm up your decor and keep the nightmares away ;)

In honor of this lesson I want to feature an awesome friend of mine who is definitely NOT afraid of color - Destry, the beauty and brains behind PZCreations. Her and her husband recently bought a new home and the transformation they have done on it is AMAZING! Their bold choices have breathed new life into the home and it is definitely a design inspiration! Destry explains the transformation process below:


I have always loved bright bold colors. I knew when I was a little kid that when I bought a house it would be my techno colored crayon box. Well my husband and I were lucky enough to buy our first home in February of this year. We have been working non-stop since.
Here is our before and after living room/kitchen. Our kitchen and living room are one long room so I knew the colors would have to flow together.


We started out by painting the walls above the wainscoting a flat turquoise. We really have no idea why we chose turquoise. We kept it this way for awhile with just the top parts of the walls painted. As time went by we started hating the off white color that was left on the cabinets and wainscoting...so we decided to paint it black!!! The bottom of the walls became a glossy black which took forever to paint. I painted it all by hand with a brush...no roller. It has fine lines in it and the roller just wasn't cutting it. I painted the base of the kitchen cabinets the same turquoise but instead of flat I used semi-gloss. This is because glossy paints are more durable and stand up to water and grease which is a must in a kitchen. The cabinet doors became the same glossy black as the wainscoting.
I spray painted the ugly rust colored cabinet hardware silver and we put up a new art deco silver light fixture.



This is my before and after bathroom. I call it my Art Deco Dollhouse bathroom.
As you can see, we had salmon colored tiles and tub to work with. YUCK!

We started by using a hammer, chisel and crowbar to remove the tile from the tub surround and vanity counter. Great way to relieve stress plus it's just fun. Make sure you wear protective eye wear and gloves. Bits of tile go everywhere! The only thing we didn't do ourselves was replace the tub. We had that done professionally and once I saw all the work the plumbers had to do there is no way we could have done it ourselves. Once the tub was in I tiled the tub surround. I chose the black and white contrasting tile because contrasting colors are an ongoing theme in art deco design. My husband and I had never tiled before so as I say we just kind of winged it. We had tile, tile adhesive, grout, trowel, grout float, tile cutter and chipper. Yep, you need a lot of stuff to do this job. I found this website helpful : http://www.floorfacts.com/installing-ceramic-wall-tile.asp
I trimmed the tub surround in decorative glossy black wood to finish it off.
We tiled the vanity the same way as the tub surround. My husband replaced the sink for me. The sink was only $40 at Lowe's it was an awesome deal! My awesome decorative mirror I bought at a flea market for $18. It was an ugly rusty gold color, I used metallic silver paint to bring it back to life. I love finding good deals that can be fixed up for almost nothing. After all the plumbing and tiling I got to the fun part which for me is painting. The cabinets became a dollhouse inspired light pink. I then glazed them to give them a soft finish. The walls are a dark, glossy gray. Always use a durable, glossy paint when painting a bathroom. The last few steps were easy. Making curtains and hanging artwork. I never thought I could be so in love with a bathroom but I am!!!




Thank you so much Destry for sharing your gorgeous new home with us! I hope you have inspired people to bust out the paint cans and have some fun :)
Be sure to check out Destry's Etsy store for amazing accessories http://pzcreations22.etsy.com

Welcome to 2009 SALE!!

I've just marked down a bunch of items in my shop - time to clear out and then fill the shop with new and exciting inventory.

Check it out in my Etsy shop!

Etsy: Your place to buy & sell all things handmade FabulouslyFierce.etsy.com