For The Makers

Wanna hang out? We’re getting together with our friends...

Fri, 17 May 2013 10:06:38 -0400

Wanna hang out? We’re getting together with our friends from Knot & Bow to celebrate their new studio.

We’ll show you how to make three of our favorite projects that celebrate the color of the year: emerald. You’ll walk out with three finished projects (including a killer malachite statement necklace) and a goodie bag filled with crafting kits and supplies valued at more than $50. We’ll be on hand to answer all of your crafting questions so even a total jewelry novice will create something gorgeous!

There will be music, drinks, and snacks for all. This is a going to be a serious party - but space is very limited. Get your tickets here - we can’t wait to meet you!

Join the party!

Indigo-dyed pieces are back in a big way. They looked easy...

Thu, 16 May 2013 16:03:00 -0400

Indigo-dyed pieces are back in a big way. They looked easy breezy on the runway at both Boy by Band of Outsiders and Tory Burch this season. Paired with a low sandal and a messy braid they seem more summer in New York than summer at camp.

From dip-dyed to folding and binding techniques, this isn’t the tie-dyeing you did in Girl Scouts. The options are endless. While you’re dyeing the Rye Tote use the extra dye to update things you have around the house. Throw in an old cotton dress or some pillow cases that have seen better days.

TIP: To create a lighter dye use more water and to create a darker dye use less water.

From left to right:

1. Dip-dyed 2. Rolled and bound with rubber bands 3. Folded into triangles with a very dark dye 4. Folded into triangles with a very light dye 5. Rolled and bound with rubber bands using a very light dye

The Hudson Collection is inspired by long...

Fri, 10 May 2013 13:50:10 -0400

The Hudson Collection is inspired by long weekends upstate exploring the Hudson Valley. It’s officially spring and we’re all about relaxed, easy to wear styles. Linen and cotton in indigo and metallics are taking up serious shelf space at our favorite home boutiques. We’re using a trio of luxe natural fabrics for a market tote, lovely lavender sachets and a silk thread bracelet. To keep it earthy we paired the natural fabrics with faceted hematite and quartz crystals.

We’ve seen dip-dye techniques on the runway at Band of Outsiders and Jonathan Saunders (and every cool chick on the lower east side) and we can’t get enough of it. With this collection you’ll learn a modern take on traditional indigo dyeing that will have you dyeing everything in your house.

Enjoy!

Evie outdid herself, as usual, with the delicate illustrations...

Fri, 10 May 2013 13:49:47 -0400

Evie outdid herself, as usual, with the delicate illustrations for the Hudson Collection. With a wash of watercolor the sublte neutrals in this collection come to life. We heard you when you asked for more silver projects! The collection includes a gorgeous quartz crystal necklace with silver chain and delicate silver bracelets. Both are perfect for layering or making your own by mixing and matching the beads.

With a nod to everyday glamour this collection is all about natural fabrics that feel great like linen, silk and cotton. The metallic linen is our newest obsession and the silk and cotton get an easy upgrade with indigo dye.

Enjoy!

We took a trip to Madison Square Park this weekend to see Orly...

Wed, 08 May 2013 12:24:00 -0400

We took a trip to Madison Square Park this weekend to see Orly Genger’s public art instalation Red, Yellow and Blue and were blown away by the scale of the work. Orly uses lobster-fishing rope that she crochets and weilds into massive layered sculptures. She and her team hand crochet the rope in her Greenpoint, Brooklyn studio and the evidence of hand is eveident even at such an impressive scale.

While Orly has been creating installation and gallery work for years she’s also been using similar materials, including rope and paracord, to create jewelry. Her current jewelry collection with Jacyln Mayer take cues from the primary colors in her Madison Square Park installation. Seeing her work at both a very intimate personal scale like jewelry and at such an overwhelmingly scale makes us rethink the possibility of even the most overlooked materials to create something powerful.

To read more about Orly’s work don’t miss the piece in the New York Times this weekend. She’s no stranger to the fashion world either- check out her collaboration with VPL where Orly enveloped the models in climbing rope.

The For the Makers app is now available to download! You can now...

Tue, 07 May 2013 12:21:00 -0400

The For the Makers app is now available to download! You can now easily view step-by-step tutorials on your iPhone and iPad. We know you want to be be making without being tied to your computer so we’re excited that now it’s super easy to craft from anywhere. Ah-mazing.

Upload images of your finished projects by clicking on I Made This. They will be featured here, on twitter, and our facebook page so keep ‘em coming! We are still testing the app and making improvements, please email any feedback you have.

We love how these necklaces combine hard and soft textures....

Mon, 06 May 2013 12:06:12 -0400

We love how these necklaces combine hard and soft textures. They’re perfect over just a simple spring t-shirt and jeans. How do you make a statement?

1. Ceramic and twill ribbon Marion Vidal necklace 2. Raffia and pearls Vanities necklace

Don’t miss the Hudson Collection that ships next week....

Sat, 04 May 2013 12:54:10 -0400

Don’t miss the Hudson Collection that ships next week. After a relaxing trip upstate this winter we created a collection that is all about quiet moments, lovely natural materials and subtle sparkle. Today is the last day to reserve yours. We can’t wait to reveal the collection on Friday.

Don’t miss the Hudson Collection that ships next week....

Sat, 04 May 2013 12:54:00 -0400

Don’t miss the Hudson Collection that ships next week. After a relaxing trip upstate this winter we created a collection that is all about quiet moments, lovely natural materials, and subtle sparkle. We can’t wait to reveal the collection on Friday. Today is the last day to reserve yours!

Sunny days are made for playing hookie #picnicstyle

Fri, 03 May 2013 12:44:17 -0400

Sunny days are made for playing hookie #picnicstyle

It’s absolutely gorgeous in New York today an we’re...

Fri, 03 May 2013 11:08:57 -0400

It’s absolutely gorgeous in New York today an we’re crushing on these pretty pastel ceramic pieces from Leif. This time of year always reminds us how happy a little cherry blossom makes us.

Make your own ceramic inspired pieces. With polymer clay even the kiddos can help make the moms in your life a beaded necklace or a set of pretty garden stakes.

Find our clay bead tutorials here and here and our garden stake tutorial here.

lovley Leif finds: 1. Peach Polka Necklace 2. Dotted Garden Stake Set 3. Pastel Sorbet Cup Set

Ah those perfect spring days in New York. A peek into our shoot...

Thu, 02 May 2013 10:13:28 -0400

Ah those perfect spring days in New York. A peek into our shoot last weekend. New collection coming next week! #weekendgram

It’s the first of May and that means Mother’s Day is...

Wed, 01 May 2013 15:22:00 -0400

It’s the first of May and that means Mother’s Day is just around the corner. We’d love to know what you learned from your mom. We learned all about making messes in the kitchen, sharing a cocktail outside before dinner, and taking the time to get to know your siblings as adults. Also Janet’s mom makes the best whoopie pies and Katie’s mom makes a killer grilled cheese.

Celebrate your mom by telling us what she taught you to make. We’re giving away a two month subscription for both you and your mom. You can enter two ways:

1. Head to our Facebook page, like us, and share this picture along with what your mom makes that you love.

2. Head to Instagram, regram this picture, hashtag it with #forthemakers so we can see it, and let us know what your mom makes that you love.

We can’t wait to hear about your cutie moms! You can enter as many times as you’d like.

Open to anyone in the United States. The contest starts now and lasts until May 12th at 5pm EST. We’ll contact the winner that evening.

Just in time for Mother’s Day we’ve rounded up a...

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 13:00:04 -0400

Just in time for Mother’s Day we’ve rounded up a few inspiring ways to use polymer clay. First up: three bright white projects that add a quick handmade touch to your gift. What are you making your mom? What does you mother* make better than anyone else?

1. DIY gems from Creature Comforts 2. DIY clay pots from Say Yes to Hoboken 3. DIY clay feathers from A Gilded Hare

K: It’s not grilled cheese because that’s my mom.

J: Mine has the lockdown on anything chocolate. Anything.

Keep the weekend going a little longer with some deskside...

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 10:26:36 -0400

Keep the weekend going a little longer with some deskside sunglass shopping. From cateyes to chunky lucite styles, we rounded up a few of our favorites this season. Including a few under $50 for those of us that tend to lose a few sunglasses each summer. What are you wearing with the Half Moon Sunglass Strap?

1. Illeteva / 2. Asos / 3. Warby Parker / 4. House of Harlow / 5. Asos / 6. Nasty Gal 7. Nasty Gal / 8. Warby Parker / 9. Thierry Lasry

Necessities! On location shooting the next look book today

Sat, 27 Apr 2013 13:07:28 -0400

Necessities! On location shooting the next look book today

Can’t get enough of the bright cotton candy colored cord...

Fri, 26 Apr 2013 16:18:00 -0400

Can’t get enough of the bright cotton candy colored cord from the All-Inclusive Collection? Can’t quite commit to a sunglass strap? We reworked this pink and blue beauty into three statement-making necklaces perfect for adding a touch of neon. Get inspired by what’s hanging around in your materials stash to make your own version.

PARACORD THREE WAYS

1: Use an old brooch as a pendant to create a long layering necklace. Simply clasp the brooch around the cord and tie in the back.

2: Have an old vintage necklace that feels way too short? Use it to create a serious statement necklace with a mix of materials you have around the house. This is a smash up of thick curb chain, ribbon, an old vintage necklace, and a lobster clasp.

3: Paired with a (chopped) vintage necklace, waxed cotton cord, and the thin orange cord from the All-Inclusive Collection the pink paracord is unexpected pop of color.

See more photos- including a bracelet- on Facebook and like your favorite, and while you’re at it LIKE us too!

While we love a good silk summer dress these wearable...

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 13:01:30 -0400

While we love a good silk summer dress these wearable seperates in a mix of neutrals and brights are on our list for spring. Pair them with sculptural accessories like the Surfside Necklace or a stack of wood bangles.

runway images: Philip Lim, Cacharel, Akris, Elizabeth & James

If you haven’t worked with polymer clay since Girl...

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 10:13:00 -0400

If you haven’t worked with polymer clay since Girl Scouts we have news: it’s kinda cool. To take it to the next level you can easily change the color or texture of the clay. It’s great for oversize beads, pendants or post earrings. A few of our favorite tricks:

1. Clear nail polish creates a finish that looks like ceramic

2. Spray paint makes a bright, matte finish

3. Create texture with a chopstick or a knife and coat with polish for spots and stripes

4. Press lace or patterned metal into the clay for a lush texture

5. Add a touch of gold leaf

6. Add some vintage glass stones by pressing them into the clay (use some from your First Bloom Collection!)

Make sure to share what you’re making. We can’t wait to see!

Meet Julie from jujumade. We’re obsessed with her new...

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 09:18:00 -0400

Meet Julie from jujumade. We’re obsessed with her new line of handmade bags and jewelry. With her earthy west coast take on ceramic and leather you can see the evidence of handwork in each piece, even though they still feel incredibly minimalist. That bucket bag? You’d almost want to hang it on the wall if you didn’t have it with you at all time. Julie was lovely enough to share a bit of her process with us, including a peek into her studio. After learning what she listens to while she works we’re even more obsessed. Follow Julie on instagram and check out her online shop for more.

If you’re in LA make sure to check out jujumade + Brook and Lyn hair accessories collaboration May 12-13 at the Echo Park Craft Fair.

I Make… Wearable accessories ranging from bags to jewelry. Each pieces is hand crafted with ceramic, leather, or both!

First maker memory… I tore apart my mom’s necklace to make myself some earrings!

Makers that inspire you… Mast brothers chocolate!

If you weren’t making _jujumade products__ , you’d be _working at a design firm doing industrial design ___.

Favorite drink to make after a long day… I pour myself a glass of white wine, either Sancerre or Sauvignon Blanc!

Favorite tool of the trade… Ceramic throwing wheel - you know its good when you’ve made a complete mess and you’ve filled up every possible space to hold your pieces. I also love my Industrial sewing machine, it is invincible and can sew through anything!

Material(s) you love to work with or want to work with… I work mainly with ceramic and leather right now, but have plans to work more with wood and metal as well…

Top Places to Source… Downtown LA… hidden treasures everywhere!

Something you wish you could make… I would love to handcraft furniture.

What are you listening to when working in the studio? I have so many playlists, I switch it up depending on my mood! Right now I’m really into Boys2Men and Sade!

Favorite snack that keeps you making… chocolate, with hazelnut or toffee…

Thanks Julie!