Creative thoughts... thinking of others...

July 1, 2009
A Call To Serve: The Butterfly Project
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We are on vacation here at Craft Critique, celebrating our American Independence. Rather than being stagnant this week, we thought we'd give something back, and reach out to our readers, asking you to take time over this summer to do something special for someone else.

There are so many deserving causes out there... it was difficult for us to select one. Then on June 10th, our cause came to light, when a gunman walked into the crowded U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington , D.C. and opened fire.

Crimes of hate are devastating. I believe that the Holocaust Memorials around the globe serve as sacred places where we are reminded of humanity's darkest times so we can be sure actions of hate, ignorance and apathy are never again perpetrated against a group of people.

More than 1,500,000 innocent children were murdered during the Holocaust. In an effort to remember them, the Holocaust Museum of Houston is collecting 1.5 million handmade butterflies. The butterflies will eventually comprise a breath-taking exhibition, currently scheduled for Spring 2012, for all to remember.

Craft Critique would like to send a box of butterflies as one large gift to the museum. We encourage you to share this project with your friends, families, students and children... and to take some time out of your busy summer to make one or more butterflies for the museum.

Please Note:

* Butterflies should be no larger than 8 inches by 10 inches.
* Butterflies may be of any medium the artist chooses, but two-dimensional submissions are preferred.
* Glitter should not be used.
* Food products (cereal, macaroni, candy, marshmallows or other perishables) also should not be used..
* Place your butterfly in a Ziplock Bag with your name and address.

Mail your Butterflies no later than September 15th, 2009 to:

Craft Critique
Attn: Butterfly Project
649 N. Spring Street
Elgin, IL 60120

You can read more about the Butterfly Project and access teaching tools HERE.

And this week we will be bringing some simple and beautiful butterfly crafts to help inspire you.

Thank you for participating and have a wonderful Independence day!


The Butterfly

The last, the very last,
So richly, brightly, dazzlingly yellow.
Perhaps if the sun’s tears would sing against a white stone....
Such, such a yellow Is carried lightly ’way up high.

It went away I’m sure because it wished to kiss the world good-bye.
For seven weeks I’ve lived in here,
Penned up inside this ghetto.
But I have found what I love here.

The dandelions call to me
And the white chestnut branches in the court.
Only I never saw another butterfly.
That butterfly was the last one.
Butterflies don’t live in here, in the ghetto.

Pavel Friedman, June 4, 1942
Born in Prague on January 7, 1921.
Deported to the Terezin Concentration Camp on April 26, 1942.
Died in Aushchwitz on September 29, 1944.
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Excerpts from Maker Fairre

While I am happy to be Volunteering with to help set up Maker Fairre on Thursday and Friday - I am Looking forward to attending the Fairre on the weekend with my three sweeties.

Its a bit unusual that I am looking for stuff to TAKE WITH us though lol... I think that bag of barbies may have a new home !

Maker Faire Bay Area 2009
Accessorize with Toys!

Ever wonder what to do with those random small toy parts too dear to toss but no longer any fun? Learn how to revitalize old toys into bangles, earrings and brooches by utilizing basic jewelry techniques. San Francisco designers, emiko oye and Shana Astrachan (members of the Metal Arts Critique Collective) will show you how to approach jewelry making with alternative materials and simple craft tools. Participants are encouraged to bring small plastic and rubber toy parts to work with or contribute. All ages welcome; especially great for families.

Web site: http://www.rewarestyle.com/custom/index.html

Diet Coke and Mentos Fountains

See the original Internet sensation LIVE! Geysers of soda shoot over twenty feet into the air in this spectacular mint-powered version of the Bellagio Fountains, brought to you by the mad scientists of EepyBird. EepyBird has been featured on Late Night with David Letterman, Ellen, the Today Show, and Mythbusters, and they were named "Best of 2006" by People Magazine. Their online videos have won two Webby Awards and received two Emmy nominations.

Web site: http://www.EepyBird.com

Projects with MAKE editor Mark Frauenfelder

MAKE Demos , Saturday 3:00 PM - 3:30 PM MAKE editor-in-chief Mark Frauenfelder recently showed how to make Vibrobots on the Martha Stewart show! Learn how to make these little bots and more favorite projects, like homemade guitars.
MAKE Demos , Sunday 2:30 PM - 3:00 PM MAKE editor Mark Frauenfelder and Make: TV host John Park show off their favorite coffee hacks, including the Florence Siphon, the Precision Espresso Tamper, and more cool coffee projects from MAKE magazine.

Join MAKE editor-in-chief Mark Frauenfelder to see how to make simple Vibrobot toys, homemade guitars, and more. Plus: Mark's joined by Make: television host John Park to demonstrate their favorite coffee hacks, including the Florence Siphon, the Precision Espresso Tamper, and more cool coffee projects from MAKE magazine.

Web site: http://www.makershed.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=0596514395

Maker Faire Bay Area 2009
Hacking Toys and Clothes

MAKE Demos , Saturday 5:00 PM - 5:45 PM MAKE and CRAFT online editor Becky Stern will share her tips and tricks for hacking toys and clothes to make art, new toys, musical instruments, and wearable electronics. She'll show how she made her TV-B-Gone Hoodie, the sweatshirt that turns off TVs, and how to hack the circuit board of an electronic toy to change its sound. Don't miss special appearances by Becky's Twitchie Scorpion toy and Human Hair Blythe doll.

MAKE and CRAFT online editor Becky Stern hacks toys and clothes to make art, new toys, musical instruments, and wearable electronics. She'll show how she made her TV-B-Gone Hoodie, the sweatshirt that turns off TVs, and how to hack the circuit board of an electronic toy to change its sound. Don't miss Becky's Twitchie Scorpion toy and Human Hair Blythe doll.

Web site: none available