The Urban Craft Center

I first read about the Urban Craft Center on Craft Critique's blog.  I was a bit intrigued by the description of this possible crafter's paradise but the pictures made me say,  "I want to go to there."  

I visited their very cute website and found out they host a Stitch and Bitch group the first Wednesday of every month that is open to anyone who knits or crochets.  Usually I work on Wednesdays and it would be impossible to make it from Fullerton to Santa Monica in thirty minutes during rush hour; however, I had a special day off yesterday so I decided to take the opportunity to check this place out.   My friend Susanne, a very skilled crocheter, joined me on this delightful romp into happy craft land.

I will admit I was a little nervous that this place would be too trendy or uppity for my taste but I was pleasantly surprised at how cozy it was once we got there.  Thanks to forgiving traffic, we arrived about thirty minutes earlier than planned and spent the extra time just browsing and drooling over all the super fabulous fabric, yarn, and fun crafting tools they sell in the store.  When 6:00 rolled around, we asked the nice girl behind the counter about the Stitch and Bitch group and where it usually meets and how it works etc.  When she found out we had never been there before she was more than happy to show us around and make us feel welcome.

Normally the knitters and crocheters who show up for the group sit on the comfy orange couches (see picture above) and just hang out and do their thing.  Last night though there was an intro to knitting class using that space so we ended up hanging out in a back room that is filled with an impressive library of craft books.  Two other knitters showed up and we all spent the next two hours working on the various projects we brought and talking about this and that.  I loved that our conversations weren't just about yarn and what we do with it, they were about life in general.  We were all given little windows into each other's daily existence.  Yarn was what brought us together but it wasn't all we had to talk about.

When it was time to go we all parted ways and said we hoped to see each other again sometime.  Susanne and I left feeling good about having accomplished something in the company of interesting people.  I loved that I was there just to knit.  I don't usually have trouble knitting at home these days but there is always that nagging feeling that I could be doing something "important" like washing dishes or vacuuming or folding laundry (or blogging- hehe).  Home is a distracting place sometimes so actually planning to go somewhere else and spend two whole hours just working on a sock was lovely.

Overall, I found my visit to The Urban Craft Center to be an enjoyable experience.  If it wasn't all the way out in Santa Monica I would probably be tempted to spend lots of money there.  You can purchase various memberships for various levels of access to all of their tools and work space.  The most expensive membership even includes a locker for storing projects and supplies.  They also offer some very fun sounding classes but most of them are a little pricey for me.  I don't necessarily think they are charging too much for the instruction they are giving (and the materials are usually included), I just don't have the means to spend $40 - $100 learning how to make something I could probably figure out on my own with the help of the internet.  If you are a crafter looking for a great crafting atmosphere, I recommend stopping by and hanging out for a while- it really was a fun place.

310.392.0139
hello@theurbancraftcenter.com
2433 Main Street,
Santa Monica, CA 90405
Daily 11am-7pm

Crafting Tools: Year In Review (part 6 of 6)

Here are the crafting tools that I've tried for the first time this year in no particular order.

Sharpie Liquid Pencil


I was a little more excited about this than a "normal" person should be. A pencil that writes like a ball point pen and you can erase it until it becomes permanent after 24 hours? Wowie zowie that's for me! It's not quite as amazing as I had hoped but it is still pretty cool. It erases cleanly but doesn't write quite as smooth as my favorite ball point pens. It also has a tendency to rub off a little too easily before it has become permanent.

Martha Stewart Punches








I bought these with coupons (big surprise, right?) because I wanted to use them on Contact Paper in order to make stencils for my new-found glass etching mania. It took a little practice and finagling to get them to do what I wanted them to but on paper, they punch beautifully. I do plan on collecting more of these but there are so many great designs to choose from it's difficult to be rational. Oh Martha, our love/hate relationship continues.

Fiskars Paper Punches


I bought a couple of these punches around the same time I picked up the Martha Stewart ones and was pleasantly surprised to find that these are comparable in quality. These are nice and small and come in lots of simple shapes that are great for my stencil-making purposes.


Takumi Bamboo Knitting Needles Double Pointed by Clover


A few years ago I had a bad, frustrating experience with a set of circular bamboo needles and assumed that every subsequent attempt to use them would yield similar results so I ditched the bamboo and went back to my trusty plastic Lion Brand needles. I honestly can't remember why, but I decided to give bamboo another chance, this time in the form of double pointed needles (DPNs) instead of circulars. I ended up loving these and buying a couple other sets in different sizes. I still knit a little faster on metal DPNs but there is something very appealing about the natural feel of bamboo. They are lighter and they make a nicer sound when they click together. If you do ever purchase a set of these, I recommend examining them closely for jagged tips. I had to exchange one of the sets I bought because it kept snagging my yarn. The new set is perfect though.


Needle Punch Stuff




I have enjoyed the few moments I've spent with these tools. I hope to do a little more with them in the future. I want to try and come up with some of my own designs because the kits cost a little more than I want to spend every time I do a punch needle project. We'll see how that goes.


Needle Felting Stuff


If this fun little pile doesn't make you a little curious, I'm not sure what will. Needle felting is another fun craft that I just wish I had more time for. I have also been a little turned off by the price of roving wool- a key ingredient (maybe I'm just not looking hard enough for good deals). Anyway, practicing this craft is on my list of things to do this coming year.


Armour Etch Glass Etching Cream


This stuff was recommended to me by a friend who has done lots of glass etching so I was pretty sure it was going to work but I was a little nervous about a possible learning curve. Turns out this stuff is a cinch to use! I love it, a lot. The first small bottle I bought (with a coupon) has lasted through over twenty baby food jar candle holders. Yay for value!


Thermoweb Heat’n Bond Iron-On Vinyl


This stuff is way cool. It is easy to use and adds that, "How did you do that?" element to even the simplest sewing project. Unfortunately, it's not machine washable (I guess that would be too good to be true). Also, since it's vinyl, it's basically like coating your projects in poison (according to some). I'm still wrestling with the idea of whether it's safe or not but for now, I've decided to not use it on anything that will come in contact with food or the mouths of small children- I figure that's a decent compromise. I am currently searching for an eco-friendly alternative so if anyone out there has any ideas, let me know.


Dritz Quilting Chalk Cartridge Set


I have never been quite satisfied with fabric marking tools in the past but decided to give this one a try because, guess what, I had a coupon. I was immediately hooked the first time I used it. The chalk holder is easy to use and works great. The chalk itself marks fabric smoothly and precisely. I also love that it comes with several different chalk colors to choose from. If you've been searching for an efficient, non-permanent way to mark your fabric pick up one of these. I'm pretty sure you'll love it as much as I have.

Let me know if you want more info about any of the above items or if you have questions about a tool or product I have mentioned in the past. Obviously, I love discussing this stuff.

Craft Books: Year In Review (part 5 of 6)

This year I used lots of half-off coupons to purchase craft-related books I thought I needed. Some of them have been more useful than others but I've been happy to have them as references for a variety of projects.

Donna Kooler's Encyclopedia of Knitting


This book has an extensive stitch reference section, as well as some interesting information on the history of knitting. It does cover some of the basics of knitting but I don't know how helpful it would have been to me if I didn't already know how to knit.


The New Handmade: Simple Sewing for Contemporary Style (That Patchwork Place) by Cassie Barden


This book changed my life as far as sewing is concerned. I know I've mentioned it here on the blog before but I just cannot say enough about how great this book is. I would say anyone who wants to learn how to make some very simple but useful projects would benefit from this book. It would help if you already knew how to use your sewing machine but other than that, this book explains everything you need to know in perfect detail with very clear illustrations and step-by-step instructions. This book has helped me conquer my zipper phobias and demystified some of the trickier elements of sewing for me. I highly recommend this book!


Simply Sublime Bags: 30 No-Sew, Low-Sew Projects by Jodi Kahn


This is such a fun book because it outlines some great sewing alternatives like staples and duct tape- how cool is that?! If you're looking for some funky ideas for quirky bags and stylish purses, this book is for you.


Sew What! Bags: 18 Pattern-Free Projects You Can Customize to Fit Your Needs by Lexie Barnes



I like that this book explains how to make your own bag patterns but also includes some basic versions of all the bags in the book. There are some hip and funky projects in this book that have been very inspiring.


Sew What! Skirts: 16 Simple Styles You Can Make with Fabulous Fabrics by Francesca DenHartog


This book has very detailed instructions for making your own skirt patterns and also explains how to make some really cute projects. I benefited from the basic skirt instructions when I made my wrap skirts.

Martha Stewart's Encyclopedia of Sewing and Fabric Crafts: Basic Techniques for Sewing, Applique, Embroidery, Quilting, Dyeing, and Printing, plus 150 Inspired Projects from A to Z by Martha Stewart Living Magazine


I am not a huge fan of Martha Stewart but she and her people know what they are talking about. This book came out right after my sewing obsession went into full swing so it only seemed natural that I should own a copy of this very extensive reference book. This book will also just look cool sitting on the shelf in the sewing room I hope to have some day.


2-at-a-Time Socks: Revealed Inside. . . The Secret of Knitting Two at Once on One Circular Needle Works for any Sock Pattern! by Melissa Morgan-Oakes


While I have yet to successfully knit two socks at a time, I appreciate that I understand the concept of how to do it because of this book. This book has also been nice to have for the wonderful variety of sock patterns.


Socks A La Carte by F&W Publications



I have enjoyed the mix-and-match pattern style of this book. It's full of instructions for so many fun socks, I've barely scratched the surface of possibilities. It is nice to have several different styles of heels and toes laid out in one book.


Pints & Purls by F&W Publications



Okay, I'll admit that I mostly wanted this book because I loved the title. It just seemed like something I should have. There are some super fun things in it but I have yet to actually knit any of them. The authors of the book claim that the projects are designed to be easily knit in public places- like in a bar, for example. What a fun idea.


The Feisty Stitcher: Sewing Projects with Attitude by Susan Wasinger



Even though I have yet to make any of the projects from this book, the unique materials the instructions suggest have inspired me and helped open my eyes to some exciting possibilities in sewing. Anyone for a wallet made from a bike tire inner tube?


How to Sew a Button: And Other Nifty Things Your Grandmother Knew by Erin Bried


I like the idea of this book; unfortunately, it reads more like a novelty gift than a how-to manual. There are some good, useful instructions though and I love the life stories of the older women the author interviewed for the book. If you're looking for a go-to reference book, don't bother with this one. If you want some general instructions or just a list of things you should go out and learn, you'll probably be satisfied with this book.

I think 2010 should go down as "The Year of Crafting." Somehow I managed to make lots of things this year thanks, in part, to all of the wonderful crafting resources I've had at my fingertips. Let's hope the new year brings more inspiration and more half-off coupons!

Blog Carnival

Check it out! My reusable food bags are featured on today's Craft Critique Blog Carnival! There are also some way fun ideas for recycling, reducing, and reusing through crafting. I'm looking forward to trying a few of them myself. I knew there was a reason I was saving every cereal box and plastic container that comes through our front door!

Crafter's Delight

Last weekend I attended the CHA Supershow in Anaheim and had a super good time. My friends Susanne and Megan also came and geeked out with me over things like book binding machines, cutting machines, resin molds and endless amounts of fun ideas. We got to do lots of “make and takes” and even walked away with some free goodies. Here is what I came home with…

I silk screened a T-shirt using Plaid’s Simply Screen system. The print quality is decent but I don’t absolutely love any of the designs they have available. Supposedly they are working on a way to make blank screens to be used with original designs. I’ll be keeping my eye on this because it could be a cheaper alternative to the Yudu screen printing machine, which so far, looks like the most slick silk screen at home system I have seen (wow, say that ten times fast).

I made an attempt at creating something with the Waxmelter Batik Pen. Way fun. Basically you can melt wax of any kind and use it to draw designs on fabric (they were using broken up candles and crayons at the booth) . When you paint over your design with water based paint, the wax repels the paint and creates a neat batik texture. I almost bought one of the pens but decided I should probably use up some of my yarn before I get wrapped up in another realm of crafting.


I colored a pillow case with soy based fabric crayons. It came with a pre-printed design (I chose Lightning McQueen because Sofie is currently a little obsessed with Pixar’s Cars). Supposedly, if I heat set the back of the design with a hot iron, the colors won’t wash out. I haven’t tried that part yet but I’m hoping it works.


The next one was kind of just a silly little craft but I was excited to do something with yarn (my favorite). I was also excited to try out Clover’s Wonder Knitter spool knitting tool and their Pom Pom Maker, both of which I have been curious about for some time now. Pretty fun.


Another kind of silly craft but we had fun making them and we scored some free ModPodge, tacky glue, and paper! I decided to make mine a statement about society- I dare you to interpret it.


The next craft is from the rock star portion of the day. I have been curious about duct tape wallets since I heard about them but have never just taken the time to make one. I have to say this was fun and easy to do. I plan on doing more of this in the future- I have a whole roll of red “Duck” Tape just waiting to be made into something fabulous.




I had my first ever experience with needle felting and I think I’m totally addicted to it. After walking past the tools for this craft at various craft stores on various occasions, I was happy to finally get the chance to test it out before I spent any money on it. I have since spent money (I had coupons so it was reasonable) on my own tools and am having a blast playing with my new toys. I think it will be a good way to use up some of my excessive amounts of yarn. The first pic is the front and the one below it is what the back ends up looking like.



The next craft literally took five minutes to make. We ran into a few “crafting under pressure” situations but this one took the prize. There were a lot of people gathered around this crafting table so they were trying to cycle people through as quickly as possible. I don’t think I even ever sat down in front of my project, I simply unwrapped the bag the woman threw at me, tossed a few doilies down on it, and sprayed it with the fabric dye. I ended up with blue fingers and a tie dyed bag- not really my style but I was still pretty happy with how it came out. I think I might try staining the whole thing in some tea just for fun.


Next is the first of our sewing projects. We had a good time making them and then wearing them the rest of the day. Very stylish- in a crafty kind of way.


Even though we all agreed that the color choices for the next sewing adventure (made for us by the people assembling the kits) were hideous, this project gave us the chance to try out some fun decorative stitches and we learned how to use a satin stitch to do edging. I will definitely use these skills again. Since this is intended to be a postcard, we all threatened to send them to each other when we least expect it.


The gift card holder was the third of our sewing projects. It came out pretty cute. The button on mine is a little off center but I plan on fixing that. This was a great opportunity to get some practice with a small project. All of this sewing really made me want to try some new things with my own machine. We’ll see how that goes.




It was a busy day and when I thought about everything we had made I really felt like we had accomplished good things. I feel inspired, encouraged, and empowered to make more stuff and things and stuff, etc.!