A Pickle Pucker Jar

A lady called Betsy Hatfield submitted this idea to The Romantic website :

Last year at Valentine’s, I got a big glass pickle jar from a restaurant, scrubbed it clean, and painted the jar with flowers, hearts, sunshine, clouds, etc.

Then I got a bunch of “fancy” doodle pads and began writing reasons & reminders of how & why I love my husband. It didn’t stop there — I began collecting little poems, quotes, and song lyrics to add to the pot.

When my husband is having a rough day he can open the lid and reach in for a “boost”. This jar was easy to make and VERY personal, and he enjoys it year around. I love to collect stuff for the jar as well!

We’ll be looking around for more unusual craft ideas for February 14 in the next two weeks.

In the age of blogging, publishing at home is relatively easy — at least if you don’t mind putting your work online for everyone to see free, and freely copy at their leisure.

Yes, there are problems with online publishing, despite its popularity. But what if you want to publish serious work the old-fashioned way, in books or booklets?

You’ll have to look at some old material to find information on the craft of printing and publishing at home. One of the best books on the subject was published in 1984 in the UK by two professional people who happened to run publishing businesses from home.

The book is: Publishing & Printing at Home by Roy Lewis and John B. Easson. It’s published by David & Charles and can be bought second-hand online.

Here are the opening lines of the book:

The spare-time publisher. This book is about the craft of publishing books, booklets and periodicals in small editions from one’s own backroom or backyard. It is a leisure pursuit or an occupation for retirement that is as suited to home operations as weaving, pottery, cabinet-making, metalwork, or photography and comparable creative pastimes.

Although outdated in its technology, the book teaches invaluable skills in producing and putting together one’s own books.

Much recommended.

Crafters everywhere love a good craft fair. One of the best is Origin - the London Craft Fair, which is based in one of the UK capital’s finest old buildings, Somerset House.

Origin replaces The Chelsea Crafts Fair, which the Crafts Council ran for 26 years as Europe’s leading craft event. Here’s how the organizers describe it :

“The Crafts Council launched Origin: The London Craft Fair in October 2006. The event brings together over 300 of the most innovative and influential international designer-makers and is a rare opportunity to meet these makers and buy their work. Objects on show range from fashion accessories to functional and decorative objects, with the opportunity to commission one-off works of contemporary craft. Glass, ceramics, jewellery, metal, furniture, paper, basketry, wood and textiles are all represented, making the fair a true celebration of the unique and the hand-made. Origin takes place annually in Ben Kelly’s specially designed pavilion in the Somerset House courtyard.”

Exhibition Information
Week One: Tues 2 October - Sun 7 October 2007, Week Two: Tues 9 October - Sun 14 October 2007

If you missed Origin 2006 you can still view the list of Exhibitors 2006 or contact us to purchase the catalogue for £6 plus P&P.

Exhibitor application packs for this year’s Origin can be downloaded from Apply for Origin 2007.

Origin enquiries - Email: origin@craftscouncil.org.uk, Tel: +44 (0) 20 7806 2512
Press enquiries - Email: media@craftscouncil.org.uk, Tel: +44 (0) 20 7806 2580

There’s a special offer on that interesting paper magazine for crafts: Crafts — The Magazine for Contemporary Crafts.

For a limited time only new subscribers receive an extra issue free.

Here’s how the magazine describes itself: “Crafts is the only British magazine to cover all craft forms, from studio work to public commissions, from modern experimental work to traditional and historic designs. It is committed to excellent quality in both the work it covers and the coverage itself. Published on alternate months, Crafts is lavishly illustrated to a high standard.”

Take a look at the current issue.