The Why and How-To for Handmade Gifts

The milestones and celebrations of life ask for gifts that signify or lend equal importance. Birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, graduations, reunions all spring to mind as occasions for gifts that will inspire and leave memories worth remembering in their wake. Store-bought arts and crafts tend to evoke less meaningful reactions from friends and loved ones; hence their tendency to wind up in a landfill. For those up to the task, the handmade gifts remains a creative alternative sure to make the best impression: a heartfelt one.

Here are a few reasons why handmade gifts, be they hand-woven baskets or personally sculpted rings and bracelets, make the best gifts:

1. It’s personal


Hearkening back to those famous lines from The Godfather, there’s a difference between what business is and what’s personal. Following that logic, a store-bought gift feels artificial and business-like; a handmade gift lends personality to the occasion. A personalized gift says it all to your friend or loved one: “you matter, because I spent time and effort on a gift for you.” It’s something from the heart, and unlike a trinket made in China, it’s memorable (and, maybe as or importantly, it doesn’t contribute to the U.S. trade deficit with certain countries in the Far East).

2. It’s probably cheaper


Probably. Unless you’re recreating the Mona Lisa or Michelangelo’s David, paper mache, paper, thread, even the constituent parts required of metalwork and art collectively cost less in small portions. Then again, why go cheap if the intention is to inspire genuine smiles and warmth? Other than engagement rings and graduation gifts, handmade gifts present the gift-giver with a great excuse to go big or go home.

3. It’s probably green


Particularly if the intended recipient is a Gen-Y’er, environmentally conscious, vegetarian, or vegan, a handmade gift is the right choice for the right reasons: it will inspire the recipient’s inner hippie and leave our world a bit less polluted. An important caveat to remember: if a green philosophy is the centerpiece of your masterpiece, just make sure its overall impact on energy consumption and the environment really is zero, or as close to it as possible. Nothing is as cringe-worthy as a widely panned gift with honorable intentions.

4. It may support a starving artist


You don’t have to go far in your community to meet the artist whose passion is art. Even if you don’t make a handmade gift, buying one at a local store will contribute back to your community by encouraging the production and sale of local art. With the economy lingering on in recovery mode, many artists and artisans, devoid of wealthy benefactors or corporate sponsors, find themselves with empty wallets and in desperate straits. All the more reason to avoid the big business of mass-produced effects and steal the show with a humble token straight from the heart of Americana.

5. Making it will probably relieve stress


The process of creation is known to relieve stress and promote positive energy. If you, in your role as gift-giver, make the threaded bracelet, portrait, or basket, you’ll in all likelihood save yourself a future trip to the doctor or gym. Who says gift-giving can’t be a two-way street?

So you’re convinced that you’d like to give that special someone, friend, or family member a handmade jewelry gift. Where to start? There’s no guide that contains all the ideas on earth for a great handmade gift, so the best place to start is with what the intended gift recipient likes or would like. What’s their passion? Likes? Just as importantly, what are their dislikes? A heartfelt gift is one that begins, after all, with the heart.

Too lazy to dress properly? Let your T-shirt say so

It's no big secret that a lot of people are lazy. There's nothing really wrong with that as long as you're not sponging off of everyone else. If you're doing what society requires of you, but little else, you probably want to make sure that the rest of the world gets that. Wearing your message on your clothes can help you get that across faster, and you won't have to waste the energy to explain it to other people. Just saying you want to boycott Mondays or that you're an unemployed English major doesn't really hold as much interest for others as proudly displaying it across your chest. Advertise, and fellow lazy people will find you…assuming they have the energy.

Lazy shirt at SnorgTees

Silver Art Rounds

Are you looking for a good and effective method of investment? Then you can do so by purchasing silver art rounds. Unlike other silver pieces, art rounds have a rather special value not only because of their material makeup, but also due to their design and structure.

Silver rounds have been used for centuries as a form of currency. Past civilizations have used rounds embossed with faces of people and sketches of animals to represent their existing trade and economy, and over the years they transformed into highly valuable pieces due to their historical background. In addition, their sketches and embellishments highlight the forms of art during their time, thus placing more monetary value on each piece.

In more present times, silver art rounds are not only used as collectibles; they are also used as jewelry pieces. You can then find such rounds equipped with precious stones and are part of necklaces and bracelets for both men and women. Thus, you can use silver rounds not only as a means of investment, but also to flaunt your sense of style.

If you are planning to purchase silver art rounds, there are three places you can go to. First is that of silver bullion sellers, who have their own collection of art rounds under their care. Another place to go to is that of silver art collectors, who have their own share of antique silver rounds. Finally, if you mean to use silver rounds as jewelry stores, you can acquire them at auctions or jewelry stores.

One important thing to consider when purchasing silver art rounds is that you know your purpose of purchase. Some buyers do not the difference between buying for numismatics and buying per weight. The two options have different measurements of valuing silver, and you may be shortchanged in case you haven’t exactly stated your purpose of purchase.

If you buy silver bullion by their weight, it is also a good investment as buying jewelry and collector’s items, as their monetary value follows that of the price of gold per pound. Thus, in times of recession, you don’t have to worry too much since you still have your money safe and intact, in the form of silver.

Threadless Sale!

Threadless is having "2 cool 4 school sale". All tees are just $9 and $12. They've got everything. The best of the best. T-shirts that are just so beautifully ironic it makes you think and laugh. Check it out.

Series 7

These really awesome tees have been restocked at FullBleed. Be sure to stock up while they are still available.

Make Your Own T-Shirt: Design Tips

There are many reasons to design your own t-shirt. From bragging rights to business. Whether you own your own t-shirt company, or are making your first shirt, here are some important things to remember:

Keep It Simple

A simple design will translate to the shirt with more grace than a more intricate one. Keep your ideas simple but effective.

Color Is More Expensive

Nothing beats a cool white on black tshirt (in my opinion.) However some of you less monotone designers may require a little color. Be careful, color can triple your printing costs. By keeping your designs one color you'll save time and money.

The Bigger The Better

Keep your design file large. It's easier for the printer to make a large graphic smaller than the other way around.

However a better idea is:

Download Printer Templates

Most printers provide templates your t-shirt design should be placed on. This template can provide you some easy sizing guidelines.

Making your own custom tshirts can be fun and profitable. Design smart to save yourself trouble later.

Cool Shirt from Jp33 "A Windy Day"

Are you looking for the perfect for your next park day or political protest?

Here's a cool new design from Jp33. A very hip Dallas, TX design studio, that has a knack for good tee shirts. The shirt comes in a old school off-white color and features a slightly worn distressed vibe. The print itself rocks the subtle earthy tones that will bring out the environmentalist in anyone.

Jp33 uses a water based, ecologically friendly ink with a relaxed texture. So you can rest easy. You won't be a carbon bigfoot.

Show the world how green you can be and look good doing it.

Polar Gardening T Shirt

Polar Gardening by Jean-sébastien Deheeger $15 at Threadless

Harley Davidson Shirts

Image Credit: Kim1219

Aside from being the top vendor of heavyweight motorcycles in the United States, Harley Davidson also has a clothing line. The Harley Davidson clothing line sells a variety of items, including t-shirts, jackets, pants, boots and other accessories with the Harley Davidson logo.

These items were originally made for Harley Davidson bikers, to complement the company’s motorcycle. Nowadays, you don’t have to be a biker to be able to wear their clothing, most especially their t-shirts.

There are a number of Harley Davidson t-shirts sold in the market. These t-shirts are available in different prints and designs, such as the popular “Put your ass on some class” design. Every Harley Davidson dealership has a logo of its own. You can usually find the name of the Harley Davidson dealership on top of the Harley Davidson logo.

In the past, Harley Davidson t-shirts were targeted for the male population. However, in recent years, there has been a gradual increase in the number of females buying Harley Davidson motorcycles. This has led to the emergence of a clothing line for female Harley Davidson enthusiasts. Harley Davidson t-shirts are not limited to the color black anymore. The company’s skull logo has also become more female-friendly, with additional designs such as flowers or wings in some t-shirts. Another recent addition to Harley Davidson’s apparel is their clothing line for children.

These days, shopping for a Harley Davidson t-shirt is a breeze! Now, you can shop online using the company’s website. Online shopping allows you to buy the specific shirt you want from a number of dealers participating in Harley Davidson’s online shopping program.

The Harley Davidson t-shirt is quite popular among both riders and non-riders for good reason – their t-shirts are comfortable and durable, and the Harley Davidson brand gives it an additional edge. Check these shirts out!

Treasured T-Shirt

Treasured by Chow Hon Lam only $15 at Threadless.

Retro T Shirts

Image Credit: Gemma Jones

Can’t think of anything to give to a friend who’s stuck in the 70’s? Want to give your parents something they will surely enjoy and that will make them reminisce? Give them a retro t-shirt!

Retro t-shirts, sometimes used interchangeably with the term vintage t-shirts, are t-shirts that were popular in the past decades. Designs of retro t-shirts typically include a famous slogan popularized during that decade. Examples of slogans are “It’s OK, I’m with the Band”, “Make Love, Not War”, “Groovy!” and “Do Your Own Thing”, to name a few. Retro t-shirt may also be designed with logos of famous 60’s, 70’s or 80’s bands.

However, in recent years, there has been a surge in the number of vendors selling reproductions of retro t-shirts. If you want to buy a real, honest-to-goodness retro t-shirt that fits, here are some tips you should consider:

• Check if there is a photograph of the item. Search for close-ups, and inspect it carefully, taking into account pixels, colors and sizing. Also, compare the pictures with pictures of the authentic retro t-shirt.
• Consider the t-shirt material. Retro t-shirts were typically made of a blend of polyester and cotton.
• Real retro t-shirts may have been worn and washed to various degrees. When checking the size, don’t forget to factor in some shrinkage or stretching of the fabric.
• If possible, ask for the size and measurements of the t-shirt, specifically the length and the chest measurements, to make sure that it fits.
• Look for the tag or ask for the brand. Popular t-shirt brands of the past include Sportswear, Screen Stars, Ched and Touch of Gold, to name a few.
• Make sure that the vendor has a reasonable return policy.

If you follow these tips, you’ll surely find an authentic retro t-shirt in no time!

Gothic Clothing

Image Credit: gothic

Gothic fashion represents an alternative, occasionally eccentric, fashion style. Gothic clothing is characterized by dark pieces worn from head to toe. Some consider the style to be morbid or vampire-like. Some pieces are inspired by designs in the Victorian and Elizabethan era.

Gothic clothing is typically composed of black clothes, usually combined with bold accents in red, deep purple or silver. Designs of gothic clothing include crosses, Wiccan symbols and Egyptian ankhs, to name a few. On certain occasions, instead of the typical all-black ensemble, Goths also tend to wear all-white clothing.

Typical clothing for female Goths includes elaborate dark-colored corsets and detailed gowns. Fitted jeans and boots are also favorite pieces worn by female Goths. To add more drama to the outfit, girls also wear fishnet stockings, veils and black boots.

On the other hand, typical clothing for male Goths includes rugged or tight pants combined with a dark suit. They also tend to wear black trenchcoats. Occasionally, male Goths also wear female clothing, such as skirts, corsets and even dresses.

Goths typically wear black make-up to further enhance the dark look. Both males and females wear dark make-up. Black eyeliner, black lipstick and black nail polish are usually worn. Goths also usually wear white powders on the face to appear pale, a stark contrast to the dark make-up. The hair of Goths are also usually dyed black, although some Goths choose brighter colors, such as deep shades of red or violet. Tattoos and body piercings are also common in the Goth subculture.

There has been a gradual but steady increase in the number of clothing stores selling gothic apparel. This continuing growth has led to the development of various gothic fashion shows, where gothic clothing is showcased. Examples of these include Seattle’s Gothique Fashion and Melbourne’s Nocturnal Instincts.

T-Shirt Screen Printing

Screen printing is a popular method for transferring customized designs on fabric. Here are the basic steps involved in the t-shirt screen printing process.

STEP 1: CHOOSING THE SCREEN

There are several kinds of screens available for screen printing. Screens with an aluminum frame are more expensive than those with wooden frames, but typically last longer. Screens also differ on their mesh count. Screens with higher mesh counts allow for finer printing, and are typically used when printing on paper. When printing on fabric, a mesh count of about 110 or 160 is generally used.

STEP 2: BURNING THE DESIGN ONTO THE SCREEN

Next, you have to burn your design onto the screen. This is called a stencil. Every color used in the design requires a different stencil. Once you have the design you want, separate the image based on the different colors used. You can use a number of computer software programs to do this task for you. Next, change the images into black-and-white and print it onto a transparent film.

Once you have the black-and-white image, coat the screen evenly in emulsion and allow the emulsion to dry. Then, place the transparency on top of the emulsion-coated screen. Next, go to a darkroom and expose the screen to light for several minutes. This will allow the emulsion to on the white areas, making sure that no ink passes through. Once the emulsion has hardened, spray the screen with water to remove the soft areas.

STEP 3: TRANSFERRING THE DESIGN ONTO THE SHIRT

Finally, pour ink onto the screen, making sure you are applying even pressure all throughout. Let the ink dry first before printing the next layer, to make sure that the colors do not bleed. Once you’ve printed all the layers, let the ink dry. Now, you’re done!

T-Shirt Bags

Image Credit: fujiwara works

Is there a t-shirt in your closet that you’ve outgrown but still want to use? Do you have a t-shirt that you never wear but can’t seem to throw away? Try making it into a t-shirt bag!

A t-shirt bag is a reusable, fashionable craft that you can easily create at home. Since it is made out of fabric, it can be easily folded to fit snugly in your closet. Here are the basic steps in making your t-shirts into functional bags:

First, flip the t-shirt inside out, making sure that the seams are aligned. Cut the sleeves at the point where they meet the rest of the t-shirt. Then, sew the bottom of the t-shirt in order to close it.

Next, decide on whether you want the opening of the bag to be round or square. For round openings, get a bowl and trace a half-circle around the neck of the t-shirt; for square openings, use a ruler. Using your tracing as a guide, cut through both the front and the back of the t-shirt. You now have the basic outline of your t-shirt bag.

Fold approximately 1 cm along the areas where the t-shirt was cut and pin it. Sew the hems, making sure that no loose edges are showing.

Finally, flip the t-shirt right side out and accessorize it! Add designs using fabric paint or sew in ribbons or beads. Also try adding buttons or zippers. You can also make a pocket using fabric from the sleeves that were cut off earlier.

When using the t-shirt bag, remember that the bag is made from fabric; thus, it is best not to place heavy and bulky contents in it so that it doesn’t loose its shape or get torn.

You now have your own functional t-shirt bag! Flaunt it!

A Threadless Carol!

Ho Ho Holy crap! It's that time of the year again! Time for the yearly Threadless Holiday Sale with tees starting at $10! This year, Threadless is planning on impressing the dickens out of you with A Threadless Carol featuring designs from their past (resurrected classic designs from the days of old), their present (reprinted favorites), and the future (the brand spanking new soon-to-be classics of tomorrow)! Expect a new batch each of the following three Mondays!

Ive just recently bought these t-shirts and almost every person in the office notices it everytime I wear these super cool t shirts.

Cowboys and Indians by Glenn Jones

Tragedy Struck by Jack Moore

Three Plus...One by Giulia Cucija

The Ravens Cryby Andrew John Mohacsy

You Gotta Believe... In this Awesome Tee!

Runnin' Rhino by Allan Faustino

Simon Game

from [Myspace Games]

"Simon's a computer, Simon has a brain, you either do what Simon says or else go down the drain."

The Simon Says slogan from the mid '80s which had kids all around the world playing Simon Says. To play the Simon Game, you must follow the pattern of lights and sounds and press the buttons in the same sequence. The game gives you a sequence of colors to repeat and each time you successfully complete the sequence, it adds another randomly chosen button to the end. Simon Game is fun, free, and really addicting. Beat your own high score.

Hotel Chevalier

Wes Anderson’s latest film The Darjeeling Limited would be accompanied by a 12-minute short film called Hotel Chevalier which stars Natalie Portman and Jason Schwartzman. The story took place in one room of a French hotel - The Hotel Chevalier and is “a short epilogue of one heartbreaking history of love and the prologue of the travel told in The Darjeeling Limited."

Fox Searchlight has announced that it would not be screening Wes Anderson's Hotel Chevalier in front of The Darjeeling Limited but Anderson had promised that he would somehow find a way to get the Hotel Chevalier available for the public and as promised, it will be available for free on Itunes today.

[IMG FROM Natalieportman.com]

Soulja Boy Superman Dance

Crank the Soulja Boy Superman Dance Video

"The song is great, and with the dance it's perfect, but I don't want to be labeled as 'the dancing dude,". My song is part of what's going on right now. It's just for teens and kids because we want to have fun." - Soulja Boy

Soulja Boy, real name DeAndre Way is the 16 year old southern rapper who brought you that dang Superman Dance! Its his signature move called the soulja boy superman dance first seen from his music video called Crank Dat which already have 10mil views on youtube. For sure after listening to the song, you'll be up and trying to learn the dance yourself. It's infectious, and there are all these people on Youtube doing their own versions of the superman dance.

How to Crank That Instructional Video

Eddie Vedder Into The Wild Soundtrack

Eddie Vedder from Pearl Jam has composed an original soundtrack for the movie "Into the Wild." One of the songs, Hard Sun is a true feel good song. Eddie Vetter's voice is so relaxing.

Eddie Vedder - Hard Sun Video

Track listing from the Original Soundtrack of Into the Wild:

1. "Setting Forth" – 1:37
2. "No Ceiling" – 1:34
3. "Far Behind" – 2:15
4. "Rise" – 2:36
5. "Long Nights" – 2:31
6. "Tuolumne" – 1:00
7. "Hard Sun" (Indio) – 5:22
8. "Society" (Jerry Hannan) – 3:56
9. "The Wolf" – 1:32
10. "End of the Road" – 3:19
11. "Guaranteed" – 7:22

"Into the Wild," is based on the bestselling book by Jon Krakauer's of the same title. It chronicles the travails of Thomas Young. Stars include Emile Hirsch, Vince Vaughn, Catherine Keener and William Hurt.

This movie is a must see.