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instant party paper lanterns
Posted on: Wed, 1 Oct 2008 08:00:08 PDT

here is how to make your own origami paper lanterns!
easy, fun, inexpensive...a great way to brighten your room--and party!
materials : origami paper, christmas lights
time it takes: depends on your folding skills, approximately 30 minutes per light chain.
this was my first project for futurecraft, a class I am taking at the MIT Media Lab. interesting to see where this will lead me as the semester progresses. the project was simple: take something you do well, post it online, and experience the open-sourceness of the web.
please check out our class blog at
http://www.futurecraft.org/ for links to mine and my classmates' blogs and projects (which currently include various product autopsies, and our surprising findings). All comments are appreciated!
cheers and enjoy :)
vasilena
By:
vasilena
Flip A Knotty Pine Dungeon
Posted on: Tue, 23 Sep 2008 05:31:20 PDT

My basement studio was covered with yellow-y brown knotty pine paneling. I finally gave in, bought a paint sprayer and these are the steps I followed to flip it into a bright, cheery sewing/crafting studio. I couldn't photograph it while I sprayed for obvious reasons--would ruin brand new camera!
By:
modhomeecteacher
How to make a juice carton coin purse
Posted on: Sat, 20 Sep 2008 10:02:07 PDT

In this instructable, I will, to the best of my ability instruct you as to how to make a purse out of a juice carton, yay!
By:
themysticmuffin
Multi Strand Finger Loop Braiding
Posted on: Fri, 19 Sep 2008 22:10:18 PDT

In this Instructable, I'm going to teach you how to make Finger Loop Braids. With this technique you can make braids with just your hands that have 10 or more strands each. They can be used for anything. Bracelets, chokers, belts, hat bands, as trim on clothing, or furniture... If you need a strong lacing, a finger loop braid will multiply the strength of your string/rope by 10. To make the videos easy to follow, I made the braids out of rope.
Finger Loop Braids were popular from the 11th to the 15th Century in Europe There are still some forms of similar braids made in isolated areas of South America, Asia and the Middle East. In Europe they seem to have been forgotten after the 1600's. Fabric and fiber art does not survive centruries. So examples of the original braids are very rare. You can sometimes spot them in old master paintings. They look like they take days to make but I'll show you some complex braids that can be completed in 5 minutes.
This is the style of braiding that was done in Medieval Europe and all the patterns are translated from Medieval manuscripts by the great folks at
Fingerloop.org. I want to thank the producers of that website for showing me this ancient and almost forgotten art.
Supplies: some kind of rope, string, yarn,...
Tools: Hands
Time: Depends on the length and pattern of the braid but the ones I'm making only take a few minutes to complete an entire braid.
It is difficult to describe and annotate the patterns. The folks at
Fingerloop.org have done a good job of documenting the patterns. I'm going to try to write up some instructions for the braids I'm showing you, but the best way to learn the braids is to just watch the videos. Each video has a photo of the completed braid.
I'm going to publish this with 5 or 6 different braids and will add more as I create the videos. They start very easy, and I'll introduce new techniques as we add new braids. The braids I'm going to show you are made by one person. There are also patterns for braids that are made by two or three people working simultaneously on one braid.
Lets go. Have fun.
This is the introductory video for Finger Loop Braiding. I'll tell you how it is done and show you some examples of Finger Loop Braids that I'm going to teach you how to create.
New: I made close up videos of my hands are up for all braids. They are very easy to follow.
By:
SFHandyman
Secure Any Padlock - TetraProof!!
Posted on: Tue, 30 Sep 2008 06:56:43 PDT

The basic idea is to craft a
simple insert to apply to the locks mechanism, which occupies the
space exploited by the "shim" technique.
This I'ble will show you how to
prevent a shim ala Open Any Padlock Tetranitrate style being used to open your padlocks.
With all those shims out there spawned by that I'ble, we need some means of preventing people from using them to gain access to our valuables.
These only take a second or two each to make and won't cost you anything...
Just like the shims...
You better be quick those shims are easy to make and the criminals are coming to violate your padlocks..
What are you waiting for??
Lets begin...
By:
Lftndbt
How to sew an adjustable chef's apron
Posted on: Mon, 15 Sep 2008 13:35:58 PDT

This tutorial teaches you how to sew a chef's apron. As far as aprons go, it's pretty basic. What is different about it is the way the neck adjusts. Instead of strings that tie behind the neck or a neck that adjusts with a D-ring buckle, this one uses a single long tie that slides through casings at the armholes. You pull on the ends of the ties to slide the apron up or down as needed for each wearer.
Why this style? Because it's the style I like and it's easy for kids to adjust on their own. D-ring buckles have a way of coming undone when you least want them to. It's hard for a little kid to re-thread the end of the tie through them and a pain for their parents to do it for them. It's also easy to tie your hair inside the bow of tie-behind-the-neck aprons. If you're bald, this isn't really a problem but if you're not it hurts just as bad as back in second grade when that jerk Craig McKenna grabbed your braid as you were rounding first base during kickball.
"But a casing is hard!"
No, it isn't. Don't be a nancy. This pattern has only four pieces, three if you cheat and buy bias tape for the tie. Really, it is crazy-easy to make. You can use cute fabric to make a hostess apron or use matching fabric to make a parent-child pair of aprons. Use denim or a masculine print and you've got a great Father's Day present for the dad in your life. Add a pocket if you want, add rick-rack or trim or a heart-shaped lace pocket. The look of the finished apron is up to you. Be creative!
By:
compwalla
DIY: Mock Tufting
Posted on: Thu, 11 Sep 2008 07:35:28 PDT

This is an easy answer to an annoying problem: back cushions that get all slouchy and are scrunched down after someone gets up. It also gives plain cushions an updated, restyled look
By:
modhomeecteacher
Jewelry/nic nac Holder for Home or Craft Fair
Posted on: Sun, 7 Sep 2008 09:24:28 PDT

I made this holder for jewelry and cards to display at my table at a craft show coming up in two weeks. It would work as a display for just about anything you could think of. The great thing is when its not in use you can just fold it flat.
By:
joonatan15
LED tilt light box
Posted on: Wed, 3 Sep 2008 16:06:57 PDT

This instructable will show you how to make a simple circuit board with a mercury switch (tilt switch) and LEDs, and then a little wooden box with a window to put it in.
P.S. THIS INSTRUCTABLE HAS BEEN ADDED TO THE
CRAFT SKILLS CONTEST , IF YOU LIKE THIS PLEASE VOTE FOR THIS INSTRUCTABLE!! THANK YOU
By:
seligtobiason
LeD SPIDIES - Halloween CRAFT for KIDS
Posted on: Mon, 25 Aug 2008 08:13:06 PDT

This Instructable will show you how to put together some LeD Spidies for Halloween.
They are simple to make and fun to hide in dark corners for guests to find.
I have tried to keep this simple and to the point for the younger viewers. If you are after something a little more challenging, perhaps incorporate a vibe motor and some moving limbs to the equation.
Widow Maker
By:
Lftndbt