Eco Bag

Rickshaw Zero Messnger Bag from Rickshaw Bagworks on Vimeo.

Not exactly crafting, but still it is interesting that in the manufacturing of this bag, there is zero waste created. Wonderful don't you think?

KBCC #13 – Needle Felting & Easter Swop

Helloooo fellow crafters! KBCC 25th April 2009 was such a happy event. But then again, KBCC events have always been happy events. I guess crafting does that to people.

We did Needle Felting. And these were the adorable creations of all participants on that day.

KBCC this time was double the fun when we had the Easter gift exchange. Look at these creative Easter-inspired gifts all handmade by the participants.

I’m so glad to have stumbled upon KBCC thru its founder, Betsy. Having only attended 4 KBCC workshops thus far, I’m fairly new. But I confess, I’m already addicted to crafting. At all the 4 workshops, I did things I never dream I’d be able to do, like sewing. Me, sewing? Yeah, right. But I did! Some of the crafts I never even heard of, like acrylic painting (what?), needle felting (huh?).

Now I find myself always looking forward to the next KBCC. To be amongst happy, creative people; picking up new hobbies; learning new skills and of course --- the food that comes after the crafting ! *BURP*

Knock Your Socks Off

Have old socks and don't know what to do with them? Eco-Practical Crafting has a list of ideas for you.

Spring Greeing

It's been a while since there is a post about eco-friendly craft. Here's a few from a Spring Greening Contest.

Good News & Bad News...

Good news: Response for KBCC #13 this month is OVERWHELMING!!!

Bad news: I have to close registration for this month's KBCC coz it's already FULL HOUSE!

For those who miss it, maybe next time :) But do remember to register early to avoid disappointment like this time.

Gentle reminder to ALL coming on 25th April, please remember to:

1) confirm with me if you are meeting Jullie @Sembawang MRT at 1.45pm;

2) bring your own sewing kit;

3) make your little Easter creations for the swop.

The "partner list" is as follows:

Rita --> Moses

Richard --> Siti

Kim --> Rita

Lyn --> Jullie

Yuliana --> Kelvin

Kelvin --> Richard

Jullie --> ShuaiXun

Siti --> Kim

Shireen --> Laura

ShuaiXun --> Shireen

Peiling --> Yuliana

Moses --> Betsy

Betsy --> Peiling

Laura --> Lyn

Jet & friend, Jace & daughter, Amy, Corine & Ayako, please make your little easter creations too & we'll draw lots on the spot :)

Wow! This looks really exciting already! I can hardly wait! Oh, & if this is still not exciting enough, I've already ordered Mee Siam from a Muslim friend for that day! (Edward's special request) Yummy! hehe... :P

KBCC #12 - Plushies Party

KBCC's 1st Anniversary last Sat was a hit! It was so crowded, Moses, Ed & I have to give up our seats & chance to make our own plushies! :P Moses, thank you so so much for helping in the teaching!

We started our session with some "flashback", going through past KBCC photos & activities... O boy, sure brought back lotsa fond memories. The funniest gotta be the time when we braved the rain & continue our crafting at Botanical Garden! Haha... must've created a scene!

Then the session at Hougang Central Mall in conjunction with the Singapore Arts Street was indeed colourful & fun.

One of the most therapeutic session gotta be our painting session! This was also the month when Jullie gave birth to Little Prince Joel :)

Then came KBCC #12 - Plushies Party when everyone successfully created the cutest monster we can imagine! A few KBCC crafters were even awed by the fact that they can actually sew! haha... Well done, KBCC!!!

I'm sure there'll be many more cheerful kodak moments to add on to our KBCC album...

Last Saturday KBCC turns ONE @Pauseability, time to say farewell to Pauseability... From April onwards, KBCC will shift to my home studio @Admiralty Drive. With the passion & enthusiasm of all KBCC Crafters, I'm sure KBCC will go a long long way... I always feel I'm very lucky to have all these wonderfully happy & generous crafters as part of KBCC, making KBCC such a vibrant & brilliant month "rendezvous" for all! ;)

Here's what 1 KBCC crafter wrote to me:

"Dear Betsy, I want to thank you for organizing KBCC... I enjoy the sessions & the people very much... ... I have been to a few such gathering before, but never find it comfortable with people there until I went to KBCC, I meet with friendly people... who want to share their knowledge, I feel so welcome... ... I like KBCC, it's family oriented :D... ..." - Yuliana Tjioe, 30th March 2009

As most of you know, KBCC is run based on the principle of "not-for-profit", & our goal is to make crafting a modern way of life for everyone. With each participants paying a mere $10/session, we provide all materials for the new craft we are learning, & we even try to throw in some delicacy for every session. (Tell u a little "secret", we are always strangely hungry after we complete our craft! haha...) So if you enjoy handicraft, have been unknowingly drawn to our blog, what are you waiting for?? Send an email to Betsy (bicsie@gmail.com) now & be part of the KBCC Family! Cya at our next session!

We Are ONE!!!

Time flies... it's been a year! This Saturday, 28th March, we celebrate KBCC 1st Anniversary!

Date: 28th March 2009, Saturday

Time: 2-5pm

Venue: Pauseability (Blk 125, Toa Payoh, Lor 1, #01-541)

Activity: Fun with Plush! Let's create our very own imaginary friends with felt & fabrics.

Things to bring: Basic felt & fibre fill will be provided. Please bring along your own sewing kit & scraps of fabrics.

Registration: $10.00/pax, pls RSVP by 25th March (Wed) to bicsie@gmail.com

Cya! :)

The Most Eco Friendly Knitter

(but pls ignore all the advertisements...)

KBCC #11 - Peranakan Peranakan!

KBCC in Feb was a special one because of 2 reasons:

1) In line with Richard's Peranakan Exhibition @Pauseability, we had a Peranakan inspired activity for our KBCC! Richard & Moses definitely brought us all back to our "good old days" of playing with paper dolls.

Check out our "Mini Project Runway"!

2) We had an especially sumptuous "refreshment" spread, all thanx to EeWei! Well, it was actually a farewell party for our crafty friend & she decided to give us all a treat. Thank you, EeWei! :)

Many of us prepared gifts for our Miss Sunshine: Richard made his signature miniature Peranakan beaded clogs, I knitted a lovely red beret for her, Moses & gang customized a sweet scarf for her from "you-know-who" :P

EeWei, all the best to you & your future endeavors with Darcy! Do keep in touch! Continue to post comments & even cool interesting crafty ideas here! We will all miss you so much! Don't cry at the airport tmr, ok?? :P Our lovely handmade gifts will definitely keep u VERY WARM in cold cold Canada... :)

Packaging

David Stark has created many wonderful pieces of art from very common packaging materials.


See more here.

Glass Jar Frames

Isn't this a good idea for recycling glass jars?

KBCC #9, #10 & #11!

I know, I know, It's been 2months & "knotty" Betsy has been pretty "tied up"!

(Hehe... actually it's just NAUGHTY Betsy being L**Y. Sorry! :P So here's to make up...)

KBCC #09 in December was great fun coz of X'mas! All of us made at least 1 ATC on X'mas theme & we exchange as X'mas cards to one another. 

Then we did our little toilet roll ornament inspired from artist, Yuken Teruya's beautiful work of Art. Not bad at all for 1st-timer, ya? Especially so, considering we were all using our not-so-sharp penknives & cutter :P

KBCC #10 in Jan was double the fun coz of our "Lo Hei" (& almost Lion Dance too!) on the 6th Day of the Lunar New Year!

We had our hands on acrylic painting on canvas. Painting is indeed extremely therapuetic...

For our next KBCC in February, in view of his Peranakan Exhibition held @Pauseability, Rihard is collaborating with Moses to conduct a very interesting Peranakan inspired activity for us! Details as follows:

KBCC #11 - Peranakan Style

Date: 28th Feb 2009 (Sat)

Time: 2-5pm

Venue: (Blk 125, Toa Payoh Lor 1, #01-541)

Activities: It's a surprise this time! Richard & Moses promise to be equally fun & exciting! :)

Things to bring: colouring materials (eg. colour pencils, crayons, markers, pens, coloured paper, etc...)

Registration: S$10.00/participant, light refreshments provided

Pls RSVP to bicsie@gmail.com by 23rd Feb 2009 (Mon).

Animal Animation

Well, this isn't exactly about crafting but all about putting across the eco message with the greatest of craftsmanship and humour.

Enjoy these wonderful animations in Animal Saves the Planet.

Pet Project

Guess what this is made from?

Your humble plastic or PET bottles. And the holes were pierced one by one.

gulnur ozdaglar has made amazing and very beautiful things out of plastic bottles and you can see it on this blog of hers.

Draw a Straw

Strictly speaking, this isn't exactly about crafting but it is such an interesting eco idea. Drinking straws made from wheat straws. Cool yes?

Good to Be Square

As we excitedly look forward to crafting with toilet paper core at this Saturday's KBCC session, here is an interesting eco idea.

When Shigeru Ban came up with this design, it makes it just a little harder to be wasteful with toilet paper because a tug is met with resistance. This is one part of the eco 3R strategies - reduce.

For this Saturday's KBCC, the regular round ones will do.

KBCC #09 - Rolling X'mas Party!
Date: 27th Dec 2008, Saturday
Time: 2-5pm
Venue: Pauseability (Blk 125, Toa Payoh Lor 1, #01-541)
Synopsis:
Teacher EeWei will be showing us how to recycle plain rolls into beautiful work of art. Inspired by Yuken Teruya. Of course, not to forget our X'mas Cards Exchange! We've all decided to each make at least 1 ATC (Artist Trading Cards of size 2.5x3.5inches) on X'mas theme, which we will then trade among ourselves @KBCC.
So pls remember to bring rolls, scissors & cutters, completed X'mas ATC(s).
Registration: S$10.00/participant

Meanwhile, do have a wonderful Christmas today!

My X'mas Present to YOU!

A friend sent me this amazing video. I think this is the most environmentally friendly & best X'mas present I can think for anyone! So let's all start validating & smiling today!

Ho! Ho! Ho! Merry Merry Christmas!

Spoonful of Ideas

This installation by Visual Artist Lea Turto is made from plastic spoons.

KBCC #08: Drink Can Fun!

It was a cosy & relaxed afternoon @Pauseability last Saturday. Michelle & Isabelle came in  a little late, but just in time before we made too much progress in our drink can weaving project. 

After some squeaking, twisting, twitching, coiling... Wala! Check out our drink-can-bloom!

Then we decided to arrange them into a sculpture... Then came the idea of using them as our X'mas decoration for December's KBCC! Details as follows:

KBCC #09 - Rolling X'mas Party!

Date: 27th Dec 2008, Satyrday

Time: 2-5pm

Venue: Pauseability (Blk 125, Toa Payoh Lor 1, #01-541)

Synopsis: 

Teacher EeWei will be showing us how to recycle plain rolls into beautiful work of art. Inspired by Yuken Teruya. Of course, not to forget our X'mas Cards Exchange! We've all decided to each make at least 1 ATC (Artist Trading Cards of size 2.5x3.5inches) on X'mas theme, which we will then  trade among ourselves @KBCC.

So pls remember to bring rolls, scissors & cutters, completed X'mas ATC(s).

Registration: S$10.00/participant

RSVP: Pls RSVP by 22nd Dec 2008 (Monday)

BOOMARANG

Last Saturday had a late lunch with a couple of friends and acquaintances at a bistro called Boomarang. Yes, boomarang... not boomerang but boomArang. Located at Robertson Quay, the first thing i noticed about the place was the decor hanging above us.



Apparantly, these are rolls and twigs that have been recycled and incorporated into the venue's layout and decor. I just thought it was a neat idea to recycle what you have and use it as decor... neat! :)

Oh, their all day breakfast was yummilicious!


Boomarang Bistro & Bar
60 Robertson Quay #01-15
The Quayside
Singapore 238252

Tel: +65 6738 1077
Fax: +65 6738 7325