The Crafter's Box Podcast

Using handmade objects in the home can bring joy to mundane activities and a handcrafted broom is no exception. Sweeping suddenly becomes enjoyable and lifts the spirit. In her workshop, Alyssa guides us through the art of broom making to craft a Naked Turkey Wing Hand Whisk. Despite it's quirky name, this broom is an elegant addition to the home that's beautiful enough to put on display and practical for everyday use. 

The workshop begins by exploring the materials for this craft including broomcorn and cording, a dowel to use as a foot brake, and a few household tools you'll want to gather ahead of time to set up your workspace. Alyssa guides us through a few preliminary design decisions that affect the style and shape of our brooms and how they'll look once they're hanging on the wall. 

Working with natural shapes, textures, and colors is a soothing and restorative process. Join us as we learn to embrace this century's old art form while adding our own modern twist to the design.

Learn more: https://thecraftersbox.com/2021-09-w-featured-maker

Fabric weaving is a textile technique using strips of fabric to create unique woven patterns. In this workshop, under Mister Domestic's expert guidance, we're exploring three different custom fabric weaving patterns to build a beautiful raw linen lumbar pillow for the home.

In this workshop, Mathew shares an overview of building a raw edge linen two-axis weave. Once your skills are mastered, explore two additional intermediate weaving patterns for wall hangings, placemats, table runners, quilts and pillows. You can use different axes to create interest and dimension in every unique textile piece and explore your very own patterns as you get the hang of weaving with pins on a table top. We invite you to add additional fabric bundles for more making, each bundle includes enough fabric for multiple pillows or even a lap quilt.

This workshop presents a totally unique take on weaving as we're working 'off the loom' and embracing textiles over fiber. Join us for an immersive workshop in a brand new offering that will inspire continue making all season long

Learn more: https://thecraftersbox.com/2021-08-w-featured-maker/

In this workshop, we tap into the most creative and colorful versions of ourselves as we explore how to paint the sky in Stefanie Bales' signature style. We've thoughtfully collaborated with Stefanie of Stefanie Bales Fine Art to bring you expert-led instruction paired with inspiring and empowering creative freedom so you can uncover what's in your own sky.

Stefanie walks us through all the steps to create a light-filled acrylic seascape and sky painting. You'll be introduced to Stefanie's favorite tools and materials for making, and you'll explore all of the artistic benefits of working with her curated color palette. Stefanie also allows us to discuss and dive into various brush techniques and tips for organic mark making, as well as thoughtful instruction on working through the process of building out color layers. In the end, you'll have a rich understanding of new painting techniques and a stunning canvas featuring a one-of-kind rendition of a light and cloud filled sky in beautiful pastels.

Learn more: https://thecraftersbox.com/2021-07-featured-maker/

In this workshop, we explore the art of painting with style and vibrancy on a custom leather clutch. We've collaborated with artist Kel Cadet-Lyons of R-KI-TEKT in a craft honoring culture, art and design. Together, we've hand-selected a variety of paint brushes and bright, playful hues to create a harmonious dance of colors and patterns. Kel walks you through her step-by-step tutorial while sharing her personal color theory, simultaneously exploring surface treatments and patterns in using an oil-based marker to add contrast and details.

Kel encourages you to unearth your power in creativity, drawing inspiration from things in your life that bring you happiness as you test and hone skills using your new collection of tools and materials. Continue your exploration by utilizing found objects in your home as your next painting tool, or by using leftover paints to breathe new life into a favorite leather piece. Ultimately, Kel hopes to help you release any intimidation surrounding customization of this style and walk away with a beautiful leather clutch you'll be proud to carry.

Learn more: https://thecraftersbox.com/2021-06-featured-maker/

In her Leather Sandal Making workshop, Rachel Corry of Rachel Sees Snail Shoes will teach us every aspect of the sandal making process. Though the thought of handcrafting your own sandals may feel a bit intimidating at first, Rachel breaks the process into clear, simple and straightforward steps, empowering us to create footwear worth flaunting. In your workshop, Rachel teaches a simple slide style of sandal with an optional slingback.  It's simple to make any other style of sandal, even one of your own invention, with Rachel's guidance. 

We'll first go over tools and materials and then get right into checking patterns against our own feet. No matter the sandal design, the making process is the same: patterns, cutting, draping, slots, taping, scratching, gluing, and sanding. Your hard work will pay off, and you will be ecstatic to go out and share your new shoes with the world.

Learn more: https://thecraftersbox.com/2021-q2-premium-featured-maker-sandals/

Welcome to our Cross Stitch Workshop with Zoe Frost of Junebug & Darlin. This Cross Stitch Workshop is an excellent creative practice for novice and expert makers alike. Cross-stitching is achieved through using a grid. By working in a pre-gridded fabric, there's no guessing as to where to put your stitches or what type of stitch will work best. Cross-stitching is a great methodical craft.

Zoe Frost of Junebug & Darlin will walk you through each of the curated supplies in your kit. You'll learn how to read a counted cross stitch pattern, and from there, stitch your way through her speciality design, created just for our community of makers. You'll also explore technique and skills in how to back your embroidery hoop for a professional finish. 

In this Premium Workshop led by Natalie Gill of Native Poppy, we explore the elegant + wild art of floral design, assembly and styling.

This workshop uses seasonally available dried botanicals to create a wreath that won't wilt, but will stand the test of time and can be enjoyed for many months (if not years, with proper storage) to come.

This workshop will continue throughout 2021 with new materials releases each season so you can continue creating beautiful wreaths all year long. In our podcast episode with Natalie, she shares about her journey to becoming a professional maker and floral artisan, as well as tips to styling florals and a preview of what you'll learn when you join our workshop experience.

Learn more at https://thecraftersbox.com/2021-q1-premium-featured-maker/

If you've ever been curious about how to spin your own yarn for all of your favorite fiber arts, this workshop is what you've been waiting for. We are learning how to spin custom yarn from fiber on a drop spindle with incredible fiber artist and pattern designer Lauren McElroy In her own practice, Lauren sources and curates her yarn from fleece to wearable art. In this workshop, Lauren teaches us how to start with top wool and spin it into a beautiful skein of hand-spun yarn.

This workshop comes with everything you need; including two wooden drop spindles, combed top wool, cotton leader yarn, spools and wooden dowels. We've also lined up the perfect set of add-ons to really take your spinning skills to the next level — like a blending board and niddy noddy (don't worry, Lauren covers all of these in her digital tutorial).

We begin by learning the fundamentals of drop spinning: how to split wool in preparation for spinning, how to draft and park to spin singles, and how to ply and finish the yarn. Combed top wool is the perfect fiber for beginners to learn how to spin on a drop spindle. It's incredibly accessible and all of the fine fibers are aligned making it much easier to work with and more predictable. By the end, you'll have a completely custom skein of yarn with the satisfaction of turning raw fiber into a workable thread.

Learn More: https://thecraftersbox.com/2021-03-featured-maker/

Welcome to our workshop exploring Eastern Geometric Drawing & Painting. Fine artist and friend of The Crafter's Box Zahra Ammar leads the way on how to construct two ancient patterns step-by-step: The Breath of the Compassionate and The Geometric Rosette. Once constructed, Zahra then shows how to tesselate, transfer and watercolor these intricate pieces. The result? A beautiful, vibrant and shimmering piece of fine art for the home.

In our conversation today, Zahra discusses her love for geometry, the rich cultural history surrounding this art, the significance of the two motifs she chose for this workshop, and much more.

Learn More about this workshop: Eastern Geometric Drawing & Painting