Jul 23rd 2010 08:00:32 am

Some more of the best of the crafty internet just for you…

• Diane Gilleland, of CraftyPod, has an informative article, Cheap and Simple Tools for Better Blog Photography, on Craftzine.com that can help improve your photography with just a few small tweaks to your process.
• This totally and completely grosses me out, but it is pretty ingenious: How to make spider silk thread – out of real spider webs!
• If you are thinking about selling your handmade wares online, but don’t know which digital marketplace to choose, check out this helpful comparison article on CraftCritique.com. (Also check out my recent review of crafting apps for the iPhone!)
• I have told you about Craft Hope before – a site dedicated to making a difference in the world through craft – and now there is a Craft Hope book. It contains 32 projects that can be created and donated to specific charities. Lovely!
• I love this recipe on Cooking with My Kid because I love Greek salads and anything miniature: Bite Sized Greek Salads. Yum!
• Upon a Fold – an online Australian stationery shop that I just discovered and fell in love with.
• On Dollar Store Crafts: make cupcake garden lights – cute!
• If you are interested in home decor, Be@Home is a great resource full of home and garden ideas.
• And, just for fun: CUPCAKE CAR!!

Happy weekend, everyone! xoxo

3 Comments » Categories: friday link love

Jul 22nd 2010 01:37:28 pm

My intention was to dedicate this week’s Etsy picks to my brother, DrSwap, who is going to be the camp doctor at Boyscout camp next month… But when I started looking at camping-themed items on Etsy, I got distracted by all of the cute S’more stuff… I love S’mores! They may be my favorite food. And so, this week’s handmade marketplace features all S’more picks. Yum!

Who knew that so many awesome crafters were inspired by graham crackers, chocolate, and marshmallows!!

2 Comments » Categories: Handmade Marketplace

Jul 21st 2010 06:53:33 am

The Despicable Me Minion Swap has concluded and many amazing Minion photos were submitted. The little Minions traveled all over the world! Everyone who submitted photos of their Minion was entered in a drawing for a big prize pack – a $50 Fandango gift certificate and fun movie merchandise – and a winner has finally been selected! In fact, Universal Pictures loved this swap so much that they decided to give away a second “runner up” prize of movie merchandise, as well!

The big winner is…

Tigerlilly327 – She took her “super” Minion to San Jose, California, where he saw the city hall and the cool convention center. Don’t you love his super costume?!

The runner up winner is…

SaintUrsula – She took her dreadlocked Minion to Yellowstone National Park where he saw Old Faithful. You can see more photos of her Minion’s adventures in her Flickr set.

Congrats to the winners and thank you to everyone who participated in this fun swap. I loved seeing all of the great photos!

5 Comments » Categories: Announcements, Swappy Goodness

Jul 15th 2010 05:24:45 pm

It has been so warm and summery here in New York. I have sunshine on my mind! Check out these pretty, yellow, sunshine picks from Etsy:

Let the sunshine in!!

No Comments » Categories: Handmade Marketplace

Jul 13th 2010 12:21:13 pm

Some of you may already know that I (racheljohnson, your loyal Swap-bot owner, admin, blogger, and all-around, behind-the-scenes gal) am training for the New York City Marathon with Team in Training. I trained for and ran a marathon with TNT exactly 10 years ago, so this is a special anniversary for me. I love TNT – it is such a supportive and fun organization – and and I am proud to be raising money for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. The goal of the LLS is to find a cure for all blood cancers and to support patients and their families while they are fighting the diseases.

While I was brainstorming ways I could fundraise, Swap-bot swag kept popping into my head. Many Swap-bot members have requested a way to buy Swap-bot postcards, stickers, and buttons in the past and the opportunity has not been available while we are still working to construct an official site store. BUT, now is your chance!!! You can “purchase” a special Swap-bot swag package by donating to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society via my TNT Fundraising page. Get cute Swap-bot stuff and support a good cause! Sweet!

I will mail the following pack of items to anyone who donates $5 or more via my TNT Fundraising page:

• 7 Ernie the Envie postcards
• 2 “Love Snail Mail” postcards
• 1 original Swap-bot postcard – these are in limited supply!
• 4 Swap-bot 1″ buttons – 2 of each style
• 3 two-inch square Swap-bot stickers

Donate Now!

Please make sure to donate via my personal TNT Fundraising page. I am alerted each time a donation is made, and I will quickly assemble a Swap-bot Swag Pack just for you! (A few wonderful Swap-bot friends have already donated, and of course, they will also be receiving a pack.)

Let me know if you have any questions. Thanks for your support!!

29 Comments » Categories: Announcements

Jul 13th 2010 07:22:06 am

I just love party decorations, especially garland (or bunting). It can make any space more festive!

So, this week I am featuring the Mini Garland Swap hosted by Wanda. The international swap is so cute and clever. Each participant creates a mini, two-foot long garland for their one partner. The garland can be of any theme or style – sender’s choice. It can have a message, like Wanda’s seen above, or it can be plain. Each garland must contain at least twelve pennants and they must be made of something sturdier than text weight paper.

The Mini Garland Swap is only open for sign up through the 19th, so head over and read the full description if you are interested! The swap is open to international swappers with over a 4.5 rating and you’ll have until August 2nd to send your garland.

If you need some more inspiration, check out the Etsy Bunting Picks that were featured on the blog last month.

3 Comments » Categories: Weekly Featured Swap

Jul 9th 2010 09:43:05 am

Just a handful of links for you this week…

• Adorableness alert! Mochimochi Land has a free pattern for knitting those super-cute baby gators seen above.
• For those interested in graphic design, I just discovered the Good Look Cookbook, a blog that gives tips on how to create better designs. (via ISLY)
• There was recently a wacky Jello mold competition here in Brooklyn. Check out photos from the event on the Martha Stewart Crafts Dept. blog.
• Like many people, I am an avid user of Facebook… and I used the virtual “like” button to show my approval for these real life “like” and “dislike” rubber stamps.
• Planning any parties this summer? You’ll find tons of inspiration on these two party blogs: Hip Hip Hooray! and Oh Happy Day!
• Ok, I know I’ve told you about the awesome helpfulness that is Unanimous Craft – it is a directory of crafty resources – but have I begged you to write a review of Swap-bot on UC? Let’s make Swap-bot the most viewed resource of all time!
• I am planning to attend Monday’s Etsy Craft Night in Brooklyn – the craft is felt food! Anyone else planning to be there?

Have a really fabulous weekend!!

2 Comments » Categories: friday link love

Jul 8th 2010 10:41:59 am

Check out this cute crafting Minion submitted by user, ivytoad, for the Despicable Me Minion Swap. I just had to share it since Ernie the Envie makes a guest appearance and the Minion has its very own Swap-bot button! Love it!

No Comments » Categories: Swappy Goodness

Jul 7th 2010 11:03:10 am

Despicable Me will be in theaters in just two days, on the 9th, and the Minion swappers on Swap-bot have been gearing up for the movie by taking photos of their Minions all around the world! Check out some of the awesome photos that have been submitted for the swap:

Swap-bot user, mouseybrat, took her Minion to America’s hometown, Plymouth, Massachusetts.

Artistic took her Minion to Huntington Beach in Virgina to soak up some rays.

Sunnyblueskies took her Minion to the Surf ‘n Slide water park in Moses Lake, Washington USA. Thank goodness her son is a lifeguard there – I don’t know if Minions can swim!! You can see many more of her very cute photos on her Minion blog.

The Minions love NYC! Luluvision took her Minion for a Nathan’s hot dog at Coney Island, and…

my Minion spent the 4th of July relaxing on Governor’s Island, just off the southern end of Manhattan in New York.

You can view more fun photos of the Despicable Me Minions all over the world on their Facebook page and on GRUGLE Earth.

If you participated in the Minion swap and have posted your photos somewhere on the web (like Flickr or a blog), please share the link to them in the comments section.

11 Comments » Categories: Swappy Goodness

Jul 2nd 2010 12:31:23 pm

For those of us who live in the USA, this is one of the biggest holiday weekends of the year. I am excited to take some time off and enjoy the summer weather here in NYC. What will you be doing this weekend?

Here are a few links in honor of the Independence Day holiday in the US:

• Make the adorable Liberty Pinwheel brooch seen above using .
• Very sweet red, white, and blue free to download from Creature Comforts.
• from Twig & Thistle.
• There are tons of over on FaveCrafts.com.
• Vintage USA: Check out these cool .
• And just because I love them, I think I may try to make some of these this weekend!