the ReFab Diaries

Fab: Solstice Moon

in , by Candice


The seasons are turning and I'm about to spend 24 hours traveling. This will be my last post for the year and I wanted to share Molly Costello's beautiful Solstice Moon and her thoughts on connectedness. Molly lives on the north side of Chicago and spends a lot of her creative time working alongside neighborhood youth to develop green initiatives that encompass social justice, prosperity, sustainability and community.
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Upcycled books make lovely gifts

in , , by Candice


If you're trying give a little differently this holiday season, these ideas might work for you! They're easy DIYs, don't cost that much (time or money) and make meaningful, unique gifts for book lovers. Or friends who know that you're a book lover!

Sidenote: if you're worried about upcycling books, please read this.

1. A book planter. It can also be used as a vase and is much easier to make than you'd think. This is a great way to repurpose an outdated reference book.

2. A book clock. This is an elegant way to re-use a book with a beautiful hardback cover (and junky content). I'm always drawn to unusual colors and quirky titles.

3. Dress up gifts with bows made from book or magazine pages.

4. Or use book pages to roll your own beads and make simple bookmarks.

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Fab: No-Tree Festivity!

in , , by Candice

I'll be a the warmer hemisphere for the holidays this year, so my Chicago decorating is minimal. And I don't have a real tree. Not sure I ever will because. Well. Bit wasteful I think? 

But I kinda do have a tree. At the very least, a way to display ornaments and lights. Because most of my ornaments are meaningful and unpacking them every year is a sentimental journey I look forward to. Many are souvenirs. Some gifts from people I love. And/or, in the case of the intricately beaded South African angel, made by someone I love (my mom). 

I also have a few ornaments I made myself (see below for the how to). So, yes, some decorating has happened! 
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Fab: Upcycled glass at the One of Kind

in , by Candice


Chicago's One of Kind show is an enormous, overwhelming thing. Etsy grounds a small portion of the section dedicated to fashion, jewelry and craft. Then there's a huge section of fine art, photography, furniture and other things.  
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Refashion: Too-short T-shirts into Tunics

in , , by Candice

I share my world with a 5 and half year old who is on her way up. Like a weed, as they say. Which means we're drowning in perfectly good long-sleeved t-shirts that are way too short for her. Way. And then we got a big bag of hand-me-downs from her cousin and suddenly had even more of them. All. too. short.
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Architectural Artifacts and a Show of Hands

in , by Candice

Yesterday I happily wandered a new a favorite Chicago craft show (Show of Hands) and supported two of my favorite jewelers and friends: Tania Rodamilans and Betsy Siber. I also experienced the amazing thing that is Architectural Artifacts. It's described as an antique store and architectural museum. I'd describe it as a three-ring-circus for junk jivers. Or perhaps as The Night Circus meets Mr Magorium's Wonder Emporium meets American Horror Story? I'll stop writing now and just show you lots of pictures. 


From a time when you could "know" your future for two quarters.
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Refashion: Liberating growing arms

in , , by Candice

Hi rebfabbers ... it's been a while since I posted! I have a few things to share in the next couple of weeks, but first a quick, practical fix. I've been playing with ways to make kid's clothes last longer and work harder since Ms R arrived in 2010. I've turned long-sleeve onesies into short sleeve swing tops (tutorial), used the legs of too-short pants to add sleeves to old t-shirts (tutorial) and combined a shirt of mine with a onesie of hers to make a dress (tutorial). 
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Upcycle: T-shirt keepsakes

in , by Candice

A couple of days ago, a friend sent me a message: "I have a ton of old tshirts that I don't want to throw out. Any upcycle ideas for me?" I was about to fire back links to lots of great ideas when I realized:

 a. Most ideas for upcycling t-shirts involve seriously repurposing the shirts. In other words, some serious destruction followed by reconstruction.
b. Most ideas for upcycling t-shirts result in things women will like, use or wear. This friend is a man.
c. Most of the ideas are DIYs. My friend Jason is not about to sew himself... well... anything really.

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Repurpose: wicker plate holders

in , by Candice

What do I even call these things? Paper-plate holders? Plate chargers? Wicker plates? Support for floppy paper discs we probably shouldn't be eating off of? Whatever they're called, they were a big part of my life growing up. Why? Because South Africans like to braai (grill out, barbeque). It's a warm place. We wear shorts on Christmas day and eat outdoors a lot. So, I have strong memories of these plate-holder things scratching my bare legs.
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Fab: Fabrice Monteiro's garbage garments

in , by Candice


Informed by the critical environmental problems that plague so much of the African continent, photographer Fabrice Monteiro, costume designer Doulsy (Jah Gal) and Ecofund collaborated on a harrowing series of photographs to visually represent the rampant ecological issues.

"The Prophecy", shot at ten locations in Senegal, features intricately costumed figures interacting with the surrounding pollution. Their meticulously built costumes are partially made from garbage and debris found at each the site.

Read this great interview with Monteiro.


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