Craft Chi

June 20th, 2011

Chevron Bracelet and Geo Necklace

I made this duct tape bracelet as a sample for the craft party and didn’t  get a chance to demo how to make the chevrons. Here are full instructions on how to make the bracelet.  Making the necklace is similar just fold several triangles and attach with jump rings using the instructions below.

Materials for duct tape jewelry

Materials:
Duct Tape
Cutting Mat
Xacto Knife
Jump Rings
Leather punch
Jewelry pliers
Measuring Tape

Stretch several inches of tape facedown on a cutting mat

Stretch tape face down

Cut the width of the tape slightly less than 2 in. so that you have a square.

Cut ~2inches

Use knife to carefully lift square

Use knife to lift

Stack first square onto stretched tape to double up tape (this adds strength and weight) to the chevron

Double up tape

Press down and smooth tape and then cut second second layer of tape

Cut 2nd layer of tape

Carefully lift doubled tape square and place it face up

Place square sticky side up

Fold top two corners of square in like you are making a paper airplane

(this might take a few tries)

Fold top two corners in

Cut the sticky part of the tape from the center where tape meets to the bottom

Cut sticky part in center

Fold the cut pieces from the center bottom to the top left

Fold split piecesFold center split upwards

Then fold the right side and you will have a chevron

Chevron

Trim any overlap from the fold

Trim fold if it overlaps

Repeat to make 3 chevrons

Repeat to make 3 chevrons

Use a leather punch, set to the smallest hole size, to make 6 holes in each chevron

Use a leather punch to make holes

You may have to twist the hole punch (while holding the duct tape still) to make a good punch

Make 6 holes in each chevron

Make 6 holes in each chevron at the tops, bottoms and centers

Attach chevrons together using jump rings.

Open jump ring with jewelry pliers

Spread jump rings open with jewelry pliers pulling one end toward you and the other away, rather than opening apart which will ruin the ring

Loop in duct tape and close jump ring by pushing open ends back together

Close jump ring

Here’s a photo of the chevrons after they have been attached, leave the ends to attach bands

Attached Chevrons

To make the bands for bracelet.  Stretch and cut duct tape to 5 in.

Stretch and cut duct tape to make bands

Cut duct tape in half lengthwise (appx. 7/8 of an inch)

Cut duct tape in center lengthwise

Then stretch and cut another piece to 6 inches and cut in half length wise.

You will need 2 six-inch pieces and  1 five-inch piece

Cut 2 six inch pieces and 1 five inch pieice

Carefully lift one piece and place face up, then fold in appx. 1/3 of the width

Fold tape in 1/3 of the width

Then fold once more, turning sticky portion down

Do this for all 3 straps

Fold sticky part down to make band

Punch holes in both ends of all 3 strap pieces

Punch holes in both ends of each strap piece

Attach strap pieces to end of chevron chain using jump rings

Attach straps to chevron chain with jump rings

Make sure to put short strap in the middle

Attach center strap to center piece of chevron on the other end of chevron chain.

Then cross two outer pieces attach to the other end of chevron chain with jump rings.

Cross outer straps but not center strap

To get the bracelet on, work it on carefully. It will still be pretty loose. I tried different ways of making a clasp but I didn’t like the look. So, I decided it was better to have it be a little loose.

Bracelet frontBracelet back

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June 7th, 2011

Last year Etsy Austin (now Austin Craft Riot) threw a fun craft party as apart of Etsy HQ’s global craft party efforts. This year we will have even more fun. Here’s some fun you can expect:

~ Food and beverages
~ Make and Take Crafts to include screenprinting, duct tape jewelry, button-making and reusable produce bags from upcycled tees!
~ Crafty Photobooth
~ Hobnobbing with some of the most talented crafters Austin has to offer

This year’s party will be hosted at Starving Art Studios, 2324 E Cesar Chavez St, Austin, TX 78702
RSVP via the meetup page here

Katie, from Sophie and The Cat will demo these amazing produce bags made from recycled tees:

Katie's Produce bags

I will demo freeform duct tape jewelry like these sample pieces, I had so much fun making:

Freeform Duct Tape Jewelry

And like last year we will have screenprinting available, so bring your printables (tees, canvas bags etc).

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March 3rd, 2011

Excited to announce that Etsy will be hosting an event in Austin during SXSW and the Austin Street team has been asked to participate.  The event, which takes place at Venue 222 on East 6th Street (previously Aces Lounge) from Saturday, March 12 through Sunday, March 13 will include panel discussions with a variety Etsy HQ directors, designers and VP’s.  For more info on times and discussion topics check out Etsy’s Facebook Event page.  Etsy Austin team members will also be on hand for questions or if you’d like to join our street team.  We will also have a wonderful display showcasing some of the finest handmade items from our teammembers.

Visitors be sure to check out the EtsyAustin blog, several members have been busy writing up an incredible Austin City Guide with lots of must-sees, great shopping, good food and cool places to check out for crafters or anyone who may be visiting Austin during SXSW.  City Guides so far include:

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February 13th, 2011

SXSW event at Guero’s – Austin, TX , Saturday March 19th

South Congress

Zilker Garden Festival – Austin, TX, March 26 & 27th.

Zilker Botanical Garden

Handmade Bash – Dallas, TX April 30th

South Side on Lamar

Renegade Craft Fair – Austin, TX May 21-22

Palmer Events Center

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