Uncategorized « workshop

Rad Shit: Space Shuttle House In The Richmond

I live in the Richmond and although it is pretty far out on the west end of the city, there is still some kooky shit out here. Laughing Squid tips us off to this house that takes pride in bringing the black holes home. I wish The Selby would get into their house — I’m sure the inside must be just as cool.

Rad Shit is exactly what it sounds like — rad shit. We’ll post inspirational tidbits, great designers and funny stuff that’s getting us through the day at Workshop. Have a suggestion? Email Monica at monica@workshopsf.org.

–Monica

Comments Off April 27th, 2010 11:21 AM

d.i.y. essentials: mason jars

Mason Jars have more street cred than most kitchen essentials. They can be used to store bobbins and buttons, can and ferment food, as a hooch jar and even for terrariums! At Workshop, we use Mason Jars for everything from decoration to demonstration. Two of our most creative classes — Pie In A Jar and Glass Jar Terrariums — use these jars for the most creative projects. Here is a little on the iconic container and exactly why you should keep some handy in your cabinets.

one of the best inventions ever! the mason jar.

The jar was invented by John L. Mason in 1858. The Mason Jar was originally called a wax sealer, since it was used to store sealing wax for writing letters around the turn of the 2oth Century. There were many jars that were invented around this time that had different types of sealing lids and jar shapes, but eventually a version of the metal jar and ring design that we know today won out. It is rumored that most of the jars that were invented back then are still usable today. And during the Vietnam War, a variant on the hand grenade was made to attack the enemy, since the glass could not only hold the grenade, but was also strong enough to fall from choppers and still retain its shape without detonating. Talk about durability and standing the test of time!

use them to organize place settings at your next party!

mmm, spiked summer tea perfection.

Watch out for sales at your local grocery store or online. Sometimes, cases of these can get expensive. But think about it — you’re pretty much buying them for life! Local thrft stores also have them if you’re really trying to cut down costs.

If you’re looking to give a gift, Mason Jars are perfect, since it can be reusable after the container is empty. Spreading the Mason Jar love is always a good thing!

Though the glass is extremely durable, the Ball company does NOT recommend using the Mason Jar to bake in. Since temperatures to bake breads and things can go up to 400 degrees, this is hot enough where the jar may burst. SO BE CAREFUL!

hanging mason jar lights.

How To Hack A Blender With A Mason Jar via Simply Recipes

How To Make Hanging Mason Jar Lights via Design Sponge

How To Make Your Own Soy Wax Candles via eHow

Mason Jar Cupcakes via Joy’s Hope

50 Ways To Use Mason Jars via Planet Green [This list is FANTASTIC!]

use it as a cookie/biscuit cutter in a pinch!

Mason Jar History

Mason Jar Listings on Amazon

The Seattle Times on Mason Jar versatility

Have any cool examples of awesome things you’ve done with a Mason Jar? If you’d like your tutorial or project featured on the Workshop blog, please email me at monica@workshopsf.org. We’d love to feature you!

Lets get our hands dirty,
Monica

Comments Off April 22nd, 2010 12:08 PM

Rad Shit: Star Wars Amigurumi

This rad shit post goes out to my super awesome boyfriend, who is OBSESSED with Star Wars. And, really, what boy isn’t? I may not know what amigurumi means, but I know these little figurines will keep the force strong. And the best part? You get to make them yourself! Buy the patterns here.

PS: Crocheting classes anyone? If you want to suggest a class, drop us an email at info@workshopsf.org. We’d love to hear from you!

–Monica

Comments Off April 21st, 2010 04:41 PM

some next level shit.

ok guys. so we are constantly trying to come up with new classes and ideas. we arent exactly the ymca, so we don’t yet have the resources, funding and space to offer complex classes that require fancy equipment. but you can bet we are always trying to re-invent simple and cheap ways to do things diy style..in your house, with simple equipment and low budget. our hamster wheel is a turning! this summer we are starting interior design classes on silk screening wallpaper, poster art, re-uping the bachelor pad (if you dont know the re-up, watch the wire people!). we are also adding dressmaking, new sewing classes, pattern & draping classes, diy park grill kit making, mac & cheese workshops, more pie in a jar, making headboards, i can go on and on….. expect 3-4 new classes a month in addition to all the regular classes that you’re asking for more of.

i think what i am most excited for is summer events and bringing our style of diy to more peeps. we will be setting up big booths at the indie marts (we’re the indie mart too..incase you didn’t know) all summer offering everything from live art, screen-printing, all day demos, heavy metal aerobics (yes you can get you metal fitness on at the indie mart) and build your own terrarium booths. our events aside…one of my favorite parts of getting ready for all these summer festivals, shows and events is the posters & fliers. whether it’s creating ours or looking at everyone else’s. i am a graphics whoremonger. if your poster is awesome, i will come to your event, show, party, bar mitzvah or jail release party. in a world of photoshop and new technology…i am still an appreciator of printing things old school via printmaking. though i am still only a few years in with my printing experience, i have spent a lifetime collecting posters and gawking at the newest posters. the resurgence of poster art for rock shows has been on fire the last few years with printmaking. as dig around for inspiration, see what’s new and hunt for ideas for future classes. printmaking is the next frontier for us. it may take us a few more months, but check out some of our favorites…..and expect some next level shit in the summer! classes, workshop poster and rad artist collabs.

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keep on making stuff

-kelly.

Comments Off April 19th, 2010 01:48 AM

Rad Shit: Wordboner T-Shirts

If you don’t love this shirt, there is something seriously wrong with you. Wordboner has more typography genius by the bucket load here.

–Monica

Comments Off April 15th, 2010 09:46 AM

test class

Max People Allowed:
Price: Click here
Description: test
Start Time: 23:59
Date: 2010-03-25
Date1: 0000-00-00
Date2: 0000-00-00
Date3: 0000-00-00
Date4: 0000-00-00

Comments Off March 26th, 2010 12:37 AM

DIY Essentials: X-ACTO Knife

It always helps to have a tool that can slice through anything — paper, plastic, cardboard or transparancy. The X-ACTO knife has been a long time friend of the artist, and a functional tool of many designers, stencilers and crafters around the world.

ain’t she a beaut? the #1.

Invented around WWI by Sundel Doniger, it was originally engineered as a scalpel for medical practices. After being rejected because of its inability to remain sterile or be clean, Doniger began distributing it as a craft tool after an advertising artist used it as a retouching knife for one of his projects. Its sturdy handle and ability to place in different types of blades made it extremely versatile, and thus the X-ACTO knife we know today was born.

With its pencil-like precision, we use X-ACTO knives at Workshop for stenciling and cutting out graphics for various projects, some that even include our handy friend, Mod Podge. The #1 is our classic go-to, while the Gripster puts our crafty hands at ease with its great rubber handle.

the gripster being put to great use.

Though we are always advocates of crafting with a beer close by, do be careful when cutting anything while drinking. We don’t want you to get hurt!

Investing in a knife sharpener will not only make your blades last longer, but will avoid that annoying trip to the store when you’re neck deep in your next project.

When carving or cutting your next project, be sure to do it on top of a surface that you don’t mind screwing up. Whether its an old table or a piece of foam, the cuts you make are sure to go through your material so be prepared!

leather chain necklace

How To Make a Perpetual Desk Calendar via Apartment Therapy

How To Make A Homemade X-ACTO Knife via Rotten Eggs

Snow Globe Postcards via Giddy Giddy Blog

Leather Chain Necklace via Cucumbersome

X-ACTO Official Website

X-ACTO Knife History

X-ACTO Listings On Blick Art Materials

How To Use an X-ACTO KNIFE via Do It Yourself

Have any cool examples of great X-ACTO projects that you’ve put together at home? If you’d like your tutorial or project featured on the Workshop blog, please email me at monica@workshopsf.org. We’d love to feature you!

Lets get our hands dirty,
Monica

Comments Off March 23rd, 2010 11:48 AM

DIY ESSENTIALS: MOD PODGE

In the craft world, there is a glue that is known to have magical powers of epic proportions. It holds almost anything together, adheres any paper or photo to any surface and manages to do it flawlessly. This fabulous fix-all is otherwise known as Mod Podge.

Jan Wetstone, inventor of Mod Podge, was frustrated with the lack of efficiency that came with decoupaging. Originally, decoupage involved lots of planning, coats of varnish and sanding in between each coat in order to make sure that another coat could be placed on top. Though decoupage was popular in the 50′s and 60′s, the cumbersome process made it difficult to really have fun with the project. Enter Whetstone, who, like a true D.I.Y. queen, started experimenting in her garage during the 60′s to create the perfect concoction that would allow for quick drying, easy finishing and flawless composition. Mod Podge, whose name is derived from “modern decoupage”, was the resulting mixture, and its original recipe remains unchanged.

sweet ride: jan wetstone’s mod podge’d 60′s VW beetle!

Our favorite here at Workshop is the usual matte finish, but there are other amazing varieties like glitter and glossy types. And really, when can you get enough of either of those?
We have also heard rumors that there is an existing “vintage” finish that makes everything look old-timey and awesome, but after some research we’ve discovered that it may just be a myth. If you have any info on if this exists or not, we’d love to know!

It is recommended that you either use a foam hand brush or a paintbrush to apply. Personally, I feel paintbrushes are the best as far as control and layering is concerned, but foam hand brushes work well on giant projects. Just be sure to wash your tools when finished in hot water so you can use them again!
If there are bubbles on the surface of your application, you’ve probably used to much. A little bit of this stuff does a long way, so don’t over-do it!
When applying to furniture, glass or any other non-paper surface, sanding before always helps. Though it may seem bothersome and not required, it will help the surface absorb the Mod Podge better.

rad phone book pen organizer.

Vintage Decoupaged Dress Form

Decoupaged Eggs

Phone Book Pen Organizer

Roundup of How-To’s With Mod Podge via Apartment Therapy

MOD PODGE Official Plaid Website

History of Mod Podge

Guide To Mod Podge via Scribd

Have any cool examples of great MOD PODGE projects that you’ve put together at home? If you’d like your tutorial or project featured on the Workshop blog, <a href=”mailto:monica@workshopsf.org”>please email us!</a> We’d love to feature you!

Lets get our hands dirty,
Monica

Comments Off March 18th, 2010 10:20 AM

Class of The Week: Sewing 101

Sewing machines are monsters. There are bobbins, needles, threads, buttons, knobs and holes everywhere. You probably got it as a hand-me-down from Grandma or a friend, are without an instruction manual and have no idea where to get started. Are we right?

With a little help from Kelly, Sewing 101 can dust off your old machine and bring it back to life!

We take you step by step all the way through the processes of the sewing machine in an easy-to-understand dialogue without weighing you down with useless terms and jargon. The goal is for all of our students to walk out confident in being able to thread and fix their machines if something goes wrong in the stitching process.

After a brief lecture and run-through of how to sew basic stitches, Kelly shows you how to do two great projects: our trademark beer koozie and a stuffed sock monster! You leave with the patterns in tow so you can either work on your projects at home or have classes of your own with friends!

The beer koozie is super easy and fun — you can use a variety of fabrics and stitches to create your own, one of a kind can hugger. The best part about these is that they take no time at all and are a great project to do for parties.

The sock monster is one of our favorites at Workshop — you’ll find them crawling all over our space and library. One of our students made the most adorable sock monster from a red tube sock. We were totally in love!

Comments Off March 12th, 2010 09:05 AM

Class Standouts: DIY Valentine’s For Your Boo

Valentine’s Day is evil. It’s an excuse to slap a cheap heart on anything from nylon underwear to a box of chocolates, and to overcharge you for it. We constantly feel pressure to show our beau’s just exactly how much they mean to us by buying overpriced gifts and sweets.

At Workshop, we choose to get our hands dirty to show our love for our S.O.’s. These lovely ladies came in last Sunday and left with some great gifts for their special someone. The t-shirt looks like a little love factory and the fantastic koozies are going to be a hit with his pals for sure.

We hope all of you have a wonderful holiday! If you’re taken, stay in and cook a romantic dinner and avoid the ridiculous crowds outside. Home cooked meals are always a winner!

If you’re single, go and play feisty with pillow fighters in Justin Herman Plaza during the annual Pillow Fight. Who knows — you may end up being wounded in battle by cupid’s arrow. ;]

xoxo — Monica

Comments Off February 13th, 2010 12:16 PM