Three for 30 March Giveaway Winner!

Congratulations to the winner of the 

March 2012 Giveaway!

~ ~ ~ ~ Jacquii ~ ~ ~ ~

Our winner is getting a $30 E-Gift Card exclusively  to Sewmantra.

Notice to Winner 

Please make sure to contact Martiel to claim your prize before

Saturday, April 7, 2012

REUSE | RENEW | REINVENT

Sewmantra

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Free Ad Space Winner for March 2012

Congratulations to the winner of the Free Ad Space

 Giveaway for March 2012!

~ ~ ~ ~ Crochet Addicts by Susan ~ ~ ~ ~

Our winner is getting one month of Free Ad Space Above the Fold on the Sewmantra Blog

Notice to Winner 

Please make sure to contact Martiel to claim your prize before

Monday, April 2, 2012 

REUSE | RENEW | REINVENT

Sewmantra

http://www.zibbet.com/sewmantra

Curious Confessions of A Capricious Crafter | Stu The Singer

Stuart the Singer Sewing Machine

I adore my sewing machine.

I do not know about you, but I sometimes forget about the cool things in my studio that help me complete a project. Of all of these, I rarely have this problem with my sewing machine. It is central to things that happen with my art - not to mention, I have a unique love affair this this darling, durable machine. Why else would I name my line Sewmantra?

First I would like to introduce you to my studio. It's a 300 square foot space on the second floor of my home. It come equipped with green walls (because I'm an eco-chic, but you wouldn't know it from these pictures since these were taken when I had a yellow phase), a shelf for storage, a walk-in closet (for...you guessed, more storage), portable photo studio walls, my media desk, computer, and other techy stuff. Last, but absolutely not least, by favorite, Stuart the Singer Sewing Machine.

Stu my Singer sewing machine is a unique little dude, "he" as I'll refer to him is a cast-iron 1949 sewing machine. I found Stu in  the back of a Habitat for Humanity ReStore and bought him for about twenty dollars. I only had to replace the belt and this little sewing machine (still in a table) worked perfectly. In fact, the first project I completed with Stu was a dress I made for a party  - made of satin and silk chiffon. It turned out beautifully!

Double bonus, Stu can sew through just about anything and he came with all his original 1949 parts: feet, instructions manual, etc. Furthermore, I am only the second person to own Stu. The first was a women who bought him new in 49'.

Now that Stu and I have been working together for about four years, we have made many things together. Maybe I'll have to do a timeline sometime documenting Stu and I's creations. In the meantime, enjoy the pictures of Stuart the sewing machine and another confession from this capricious crafter.


Ta Ta!

Sonic and Styrofoam, What the heck?

As an eco designer I use things from the recycle bin and other throw-away-ables to make much of what I sell. But, I have a beef to pick ...the use of polystyrenes. For purposes of this article, I will refer to them as Styrofoam. 


Many fast food chains like McDonalds use styrofoam for their coffee cups (yes, even today) and while I can reuse it once, after this, it loses it's ability to be reused and well...off to the landfill it goes...garb. Then...(sigh)...then there is Sonic. Have you been for Happy Hour lately? If so, shame on you. First and foremost, the cups they use may have excellent insulation characteristics, but what about after Joe and Shmoe are done slurping up there super huge cherry lemonade? Nevermind the health benefits associated with this - - I simply am addressing the use of Styrofoam cups. 


Secondly, why the heck styrofoam?! A company as large as Sonic Drive Ins, America's Drive In - why are you still using strofoam as your beverage container material? Do you not care or is it a greed thing? When every company under the sun is making an effort to use eco-friendly products Sonic seems to be blatantly ignoring this and still serving their beverages in this toxic material.


Since an answer does not seem impending, I have decided to put together a little bit of information for the masses - so the consumer can be a bit more educated on what they are ultimately contributing to.


Here are some things you should know that Styrofoam (aks polystyrene) does to our environment after you are done using it and it goes to the trash:

• There are nearly 60 chemicals released into our atmosphere which we can later inhale when styrofoam is burned (which is what happens to most of the trash in the US)1.
• Food service polystyrene packaging cannot be recycled. Facilities do not see it as economically viable to store, transport, degrease and wash before recycling2.
• Polystyrene (aka Styrofoam) contains the toxic substances of Styrene and Benzene; both of which are carcinogens and neurotoxins. These are hazardous to humans2.
• Of the total 32.8 million pounds of styrene released to the environment in 1992, as reported to the Toxics Release Inventory by certain types of U.S. industries, 32.4 million pounds were released into the atmosphere, 83 thousand pounds into underground injection sites, 23 thousand pounds into surface waters, and 304 thousand pounds onto land (TRI92 1994)3.
• According to the EPA blogger, Michelle Gugger, in 1986, the EPA identified 57 chemical byproducts that were released into the air through its production and many of the pollutants are known to cause serious health effects such as the reduced functioning of the lungs and nervous systems4.

I cannot think of another way to say it, but our throw-away society sucks. But since most people do not think about these things, Sonic, please stop using polystyrene/Styrofoam cups! 


Business is not static, but a dynamic human endeavor - as all things on planet earth are. Join the club and maybe, why don't you set a standard instead of being a statistic. I would love it if I woke up tomorrow and had to figure out how to create a whole new line of products because all of the wasteful companies out there decided that they would put their customers and the environment before their bottom line.
Furthermore, I say to you my fellow crafters and artists: Be aware of what is happening around you. If you use styrofoam in your creations, I beg you to reconsider and use a different material - for the sake of yourself and our planet.


In closing, this article is not what is normally posted here on Sewmantra. It may come as a shock or a breath of fresh air, but either way, from this day forward, the authors at Sewmantra will be challenging the status quo and asking you to think about your habits, ideas, and what you might do to make our planet a little greener.


If you like what you read here, post a comment and tell us so. If you don't, I'd like to hear your argument as to why. If you just have nasty, crabby junk to share, I'll delete your comment because no one else really cares to read that anyway.


Thanks for reading, happy whatever you are doing wherever you are!


Sources:
1: Polystyrene Foam Report by the Earth Resource Foundation, retrieved March 18, 2012
2: Polystyrene Fact Sheet, retrieved March 17, 2012
3: US EPA, OPPT Chemical Fact Sheet: Styrene Fact Sheet, retrieved March 18, 2012
4: Greeversations: EPA Blog: "Climate for Action: Choosing an Alternative to Polystyrene", retrieved March 18, 2012

Crafty Stuff From A to Zyomasan 12.6 | Sewmantra Toolbar

I am an explorer at heart. I will try just about anything and go just about anywhere....seriously. Today, I'm in Boston, Massachusetts, and enjoying the sites. This city is an interesting combination of distant personalities, brilliant minds and schizophrenics - at least as far as my observations have offered me. It has made for a wild trip and anthropologically speaking, a wonderful place to observe the vast array of unique qualities found in the human condition.

With exploring in mind, I'd like to share with you something less risque as far as bodily harm is concerned - while perusing the internet at a coffee house in the historic North End of Boston today I found a fantastic site!

Alexa

This site is a wonderful site for tracking your website rankings, web analytics, and even market research...among other things. However, the discovery I found today, was far cooler than this, they have a free toolbar builder. Yes, you read that correctly, a free toolbar builder. Check out and download my toolbar  - I created it in about three minutes. 

Now you can keep up with everything that is going on around the web pages of Sewmantra. You can find our twitter feed, shop, contact us links, and much more!

"Which One Do You Like Most" Giveaway Winner!

Congratulations to the winner of our Giveaway!

 

~ ~ ~ ~ Kristina Young ~ ~ ~ ~

 

Our winner is getting a $20 E-Gift Card exclusively  to Sewmantra.

Notice to Winner 

Please make sure to contact Martiel to claim your prize before

Wednesday, March 14th, 2012 

REUSE | RENEW | REINVENT

Sewmantra

http://www.zibbet.com/sewmantra

Giveaway Rules | Privacy Policy

Tell Us Which One You Like Most for a $20 E-Gift Card Giveaway

Howdy from the Land of Crafty!

We are having a whirlwind giveaway, read on to get all the details!

To enter this giveaway, you will need to follow the instructions below. For anyone who submits, you will have a chance to win a $20 E-Gift Card to yours truly, Sewmantra!

Giveaway Ends  March 10, 2012 at 11:59pm EST

How To Play:

1. Read these questions:

• In your opinion, which photo array is better, Black Background Or White Background?
• Which photo do you think has the strongest appeal of those with the white background? (Pick a #)
• Which photo do you think has the strongest appeal of those with the black background? (Pick a #)
• Do you have any additional feedback about these photos you'd like to share?

2. Here are the images you need to review...


White Background Array

Black Background Array

3. CLICK HERE TO GO TO THE SURVEY and submit your answers to the questions listed above. OR Post a comment below with the question numbers and your corresponding answers.

Please be honest about what you are seeing, we like candid feedback. Don't feel timid about telling us your honest opinion - but please keep things polite.

Comments that are rude or could be deemed unsuitable for a G-Rated audience will be deleted. Furthermore, these individuals/parties who post such comments may be banned from the site.

The winner will be drawn on Sunday, March 11, 2012 on or before 12-Noon EST

FOR THIS GIVEAWAY ONLY

ANYONE CAN PLAY, REGARDLESS IF YOU HAVE WON IN THE LAST 60 DAYS. 

Priv-Policy | Giveaway Rules

Crafty Stuff from A to Z

I have some exciting news to share with you. 

First, Sewmantra just experienced another mile stone; we have officially been in business for six months! In celebration I will be having a 20% off sale from today, March 9 thru Sunday, March 11th - so stop in at the shop and check things out.

Second, I have accepted an opportunity as a designer for this fantastic new site www.thingscrafty.com. 

Check the site out for tutorials, videos, demos, DIY projects, crafty discussions and more! I will be a regular contributor to their TV shows, forums and as a guest blogger.  

Check out my feature on Things Crafty.

Lastly, when you go to the shop, you may find a big surprise, we are no longer on etsy. We have changed our online venue to the up and coming (and also very cool) site, www.zibbet.com - we are excited about this new venue. You will still be able to find all your favorites, deals, and coupons. Furthermore, you will not longer have to copy/paste links to visit our other sites - all link-outs are clickable . The last BONUS - we will now be offering gift certificates!

Sewmantra has a lot of new things up on the shop, so stop in, check things out and enjoy!

Three for 30 March Giveaway

During this month of luck, use your chances to win a $30 Gift Certificate!

Sample E-Gift Card

This Giveaway Ends March 30, 2012

How to Enter:

(A) Join the blog and then post a comment to let us know you do!

(B) Make a comment about what item you like most that is made by Sewmantra...or

(C) "Follow" me on Twitter - then come back here and post a comment that you have done this...or

(D) "Friend" the Sewmantra Facebook Page - then come back here and post a comment that you have done this.

This gives you up to 4 chances to enter!!!!!

Important Entry Info:

This giveaway is open to individuals over the age of 16 worldwide.

For a full list of rules regarding my giveaways, see the Giveaway Rules Tab.

If you have questions about my privacy policy, you can read about it under the Priv-Policy Tab

Please keep comments polite, thanks!

Free Ad Space Giveaway:

For a link to the FREE Ad Space Giveaway, (Click Here)



**As long as you have not won a giveaway in the last 60 days, you are eligible to enter any and all giveaways I am offering and/or that you qualify for.**

Curious Confessions of A Capricious Crafter | Learning to Crochet

I lead a  somewhat enigmatic life - in effort to unravel this rat-nest of confusion that I intentionally weave, I am going to use this space to share with you some interesting and unusual things about my art and how things work in this area. My hope is that you will get some entertainment out of this, a few bits or tips to take with you, and several moments of outright laughter at my expense.

Confession No. 1
Learning to Crochet

I'm an anthropologist by training and because of my love for life histories and stories, I have a passion for not only seeking others' stories, but sharing my own. This is the story about how and specifically where I learned to crochet. In my opinion, how I learned is not nearly as interesting as where I learned this fiber craft that has turned into a minor obsession.

Before I get started with this tale, let me set the stage: the area of the world is Western Colorado, the place is a warehouse in the industrial district of a city and what I was doing there was working as a call center representative - I was 19.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

A little over 10 years ago I was living in Western Colorado. I had graduated from high school and wanted to take some time to explore things before I delved into college. I got a job at a call center for a wireless company and decided that I was going to enjoy the experience of being an adult.

The first day of training I met the gal who is now a near and dear friend - Cee. She was the most eccentric person I had ever encountered. To this day, I still can say, her eccentricity rivals most of the social outliers I've meet.

Cee is one of these gals with an uncanny talent for attracting attention and managing to wander through life like drift wood on the river - all while being super successful. To be quite honest, she completely intrigued me! Regardless of my efforts to remain neutral and in my shy state at that age, Cee sat next me the first day of training. We immediately hit it off.

As training progressed for the next 7 days, Cee and I became good friends. It isn't often that I encounter people I feel I have always known, but this was the exception - and over the next months we would become the closest of friends. I'll leave this aspect of my tale for another day, but here is where things get really interesting.

On the last day of training we were taking calls in pairs. Of course Cee and I were together - I suspect that the trainer thought it was a good idea since we seemed to work well with each other. As we took turns taking calls and getting a handle on managing the computer system while speaking with inbound callers Cee broke out a giant canvas bag brimming over with yarn and a stitched together something.

The calls slowed and as they did she brought out one thing at a time. First the blanket (the stitched something), a crochet hook and then the yarn which was doing its best to remain firmly in the bottom of the canvas bag. Another call came in and Cee took it. When her call ended she returned to her canvas bag to dig out the elusive ball of yarn. Skeins of yarn sloughed out of the bag as she dug toward the bottom  - I think she had close to a dozen skeins in there for her project (the canvas bag was really big!)

As soon as she located the ball, she took it out, placed all her fallen skeins back in the bag and on top, the ball of yarn currently in use resting safely. She inserted her hook into the latest loop and then began crocheting at what seemed like the speed of light. She was so fast! I watched with intrigue as she went row by row. Each time it was her turn to take a call she would set down the project, slide right up to the computer and complete what she needed to. Once the call ended, she would swivel back and immediately pick up where she left off.

After watching Cee for about 15 minutes, I ignorantly inquired about what she was knitting. She stopped, looked at me and quickly corrected my ignorance by telling me that it was not knitting, but crochet. We talked about her project and how she learned to crochet when she was a kid - which meant that Cee had been partaking in this crafty activity for close to 40 years!

The next day we began our official assignments in our pods, and oddly enough, Cee and I were in the same pod. During our lunch break Cee sat down, canvas bag in tow, and frankly asked me if I wanted to learn to crochet. Of course I did! Then she pulled out a small plastic bag which contained a size 6 crochet hook and a ball of yarn. As she gave it to me and told me that she would show me how to start a project and some basic stitches.

That day I learned how to crochet - sitting at my desk in a warehouse while taking inbound customer calls. Between the calls, I would reposition my hands, and practice different stitches. I was determined to get it right even though my hands would cramp if I did it for more than 10 minutes.

It took me a week to get a handle on it and another couple of months to get my tension right - but in no time, I learned.

In essence, my work and my shop, Sewmantra all have come to fruition and were made possible by this one road I randomly took a decade ago. Today, I still use the hook I was given so many years ago - in fact, it is one of my favorites and will always remind me of those days in the warehouse with Cee.

Thanks for getting me hooked!