I began to do a lot of research, but I also decided to have fun with my alopecia and got the bald spots tattooed. One of the tattoos was inspired by The Omen. I’m a huge horror movie nerd, and since Damien had the 666-shaped mark of the beast birthmark on his head, I thought it would be a fun tribute.

Homemade Hair Oil Serum for Hair Growth

My research led me to a recipe for a homemade hair oil serum to help stimulate the hair follicles for regrowth. I mixed a bunch of plant oils—½ cup jojoba, ½ cup grapeseed, 20 drops rosemary, 30 drops lavender,16 drops thyme. and 30 drops cedarwood—and funneled the result into an old tincture bottle. Before I went to sleep, I’d put the oil on the bald spots, rub it in, put on a cap, and leave it on for eight hours. I also took a double dose of biotin daily. Biotin is a vitamin that helps your hair, skin, and nails grow healthy and strong. Doubling up on it boosted the thing my body wasn’t producing.

I learned that rosemary in particular helps stimulate the hair follicles, which in turn helps them to grow. And there’s science to back it up. According to Dr. Rae Lynne Kinler, a hair transplant surgeon in Greenwich, CT, rosemary essential oil extract works as a protectant against hair loss with pattern alopecia. “There is a study comparing it to Minoxidil for stimulating hair growth that has shown promising results,” she says. “Incorporating it topically is a good support player in this process.” So I started using a rosemary shampoo and conditioner and making my own hair spray with 80 drops of rosemary essential oil and 8 ounces of distilled water, which I still use daily. I spray it on my hair and gently rub it into my scalp; this way I can stimulate those follicles.

How to Reduce Your Stress Levels To Regrow Hair

But one of the most important things I had to do, and definitely the hardest, was to lower my stress levels. Dr. Kinler says that the elevated stressors to our cells, both from short-term hyper-stress spikes and long-term chronic stress, trigger increased cortisol secretion, which promotes hair loss. I know lowering stress sounds impossible, especially when you are stressed about the stress. I tried many different things: yoga, meditation, walks in the woods, but the thing that really worked for me was exercising every day. I started with 15-minute workouts every morning, and then I would make a healthy breakfast and jump into my studio and make art. I developed a routine of going to bed at a certain time and making sure I was out of bed at 9 a.m. I also turned off notifications on my phone during bedtime. Just being able to sleep through the night with no distractions was a big deal.

One of the most important things I had to do, and definitely the hardest, was to lower my stress levels.

After three years, my hair finally grew back completely, but with many more gray hairs. I’m assuming the stress turned my hair gray, but I don’t know that for sure. Whatever the reason is, I’m not mad about it.

Overall, I found that what really worked best for me was managing my stress. Working in my art studio, screen printing, and making jewelry for my company, Feral Hag—that was my zen. I also did everything in baby steps so I didn’t overwhelm myself. For instance, when I started working out, I started with very simple stretches. I’d also do something for myself once a day, whether it was looking for bones in the woods for my jewelry, taking a bath, or baking cookies. I made sure I always did something that made me happy.

MATERIALS

• Large-lidded glass jar
• Small saucepan
• Strainer
• Small bowl
• Small spray bottle
• Fresh petals from 3 to 4 organic roses
• 1.5 cups distilled water
• 2 tablespoons of vegetable glycerin
• A few drops of lavender oil or your favorite essential oil (optional)
• A few small raw rose quartz crystals (optional)

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Carefully peel the organic rose petals and place them inside the jar. (Any type of rose will work, but red roses produce the brightest color.)

2. Pour distilled water into the saucepan and heat until lightly boiling. Then add boiling water to the jar and close the lid.

3. Once the contents have fully cooled, gently shake the jar to mix the petals. Use a wooden stirring stick to further mix the contents, if needed.

4. Open the jar and pour the mixture into a strainer over a small bowl. Gently push down on the petals to squeeze out any remaining liquid into the bowl.

5. Add the vegetable glycerin to the bowl, gently mix, and then transfer the rosewater mixture from the bowl into a spray bottle. A funnel may make this step easier if your bowl doesn’t have a pouring spout.

6. You can add a few drops of your favorite essential oil (we suggest jojoba oil for extra nourishment or lavender oil for an added calming effect).

7. As an optional last step, drop a few small pieces of rose quartz crystals into the bottle for an extra dose of self-love magic.

IF YOU’VE GOT appliance questions, Renae DuHaime’s got answers. And the appliance repair tech–turned–social-media superstar will be your new best friend/home guru. DuHaime has been fixing washing machines, dryers, dishwashers, and other appliances in Southington, CT, where she lives, for the past six years. In 2020, she brought her wealth of wisdom—and hilarious delivery—to Tiktok (@renduh) where her response video explaining why another TikTok user’s freshly washed towels were still smelly (see “Use Less ‘Laundry Sauce,’” below) went viral. Since then, DuHaime has used her platform to dispel viral disinformation (do not wash potatoes in your dishwasher!), drop obscure appliance knowledge (did you know the Samsung washing machine song is actually a Franz Schubert composition?), and inspire women to pursue careers in repair (right now, they make up just 4.8 percent of the workforce).

Here are some of this sage’s top tips and tricks.

1. RTFM, or Read the Frickin’ Manual: When it comes to appliance repairs, the magic really is in the fine print. “Literally every single day, I have at least one person who
waited around for me to come out to their appointment, only for me to say, ‘Hey, you could’ve learned this from the manual,’’’ DuHaime says. If you don’t have a physical
manual handy, they’re almost always available online. Just make sure to specify the correct year and model in your search, as these factors can make a big difference.

2. Clean Your Dang Microwave: The plastic in microwaves is fire-resistant (thank goodness), but this also means it’s especially susceptible to wear and tear from oils and greasy foods. If you’re not treating your microwave to some regular TLC, you may have an imminent breakdown on your hands.

3. Use Less “Laundry Sauce”: Two tablespoons is DuHaime’s magic rule for detergent. “People are very, very used to how their parents taught them to do laundry grow-
ing up, and those were completely different machines,” DuHaime explains. Almost all washing machines made in the last 15 years are HE (high efficiency), and most detergents are now more concentrated to match. Using too much can
create problem-causing buildup.

@renduh #stitch with @kraftykayjaye I might be able to help with your towels! #Laundry #LaundryTok #clean #CleanTok #detergent #2tablespoons #2TbspDetergent ♬ original sound – Renae

4. Fabric Softener Is Not Your Friend: In fact, DuHaime says, fabric softener makes clothes a legit fire hazard. “It doesn’t actually make your clothes softer, it just coats
them,” DuHaime says. “It can also reduce the absorbency of a lot of different fabrics, and that buildup in your clothing can also irritate—or create—skin conditions.”

5. There Is, in Fact, a “Right” Way to Load Your Dish-washer: As DuHaime explains, almost every dishwasher has a motor at the bottom that pumps water up through spinning spray arms. For shiny, clean dishes, face your plates toward the center of the washer, make sure cups are face-down, and always remember to scrape large food pieces off your dishes before loading. – Holyn Thigpen

@renduh How to Load a Dishwasher 101, featuring my clear dishwasher service door! ? #LearnOnTikTok #dishwasher #HowStuffWorks #ApplianceRepair #WomenInTrades #Tradeswoman #CleanTok #cleaning #CleaningHack #CleaningHacks #machine #DishwasherHack #DishwasherPods #cleaning101 ♬ Vulf’s Back Pocket Regroove – Moods

Top photo by Renae DuHaime

This article originally appeared in BUST’s Winter 2023 Print Edition. Subscribe today!

The elder tree, Sambucus nigra, is associated with folklore, superstition, and medicinal powers. Thought of as a protective tree, the elder was believed to keep evil spirits from entering the house. The elder is also associated with fortitude and strength, yet under its protective canopy of light and airy flowers, one might find a sense of inner peace. Elderflower liqueur, an alcoholic infusion of the tree’s honey-scented blossoms, may possibly be one of the most delightful flavors that I’ve ever come across. It’s floral, of course, but also lightly citrusy and tart. This homemade version is satisfyingly delicious.

Ingredients

1½ cups vodka
10 cups of fresh elderflower blossoms

½ cup sugar
½ cup water
1-inch piece of lemon peel 

Instructions

Remove the elderflower blossoms from stems completely and allow them to wilt slightly. Add 4 cups of blossoms to the vodka, making sure that they’re fully submerged in the liquid. Cover and refrigerate overnight. 

Using a fine mesh strainer, strain the flowers from the vodka. Add 4 more cups of flowers to the vodka, and return to the fridge and allow to infuse again overnight. Pour the elderflower-infused vodka through a coffee filter to strain out any leftover debris. 

Over medium-low heat, cook the sugar, water, and remaining 2 cups of blossoms with the lemon peel until combined, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and cool. Once the syrup has cooled, strain the solids. Then combine the elderflower syrup and elderflower-infused vodka in a sealable glass bottle and shake. For best flavor, allow the liqueur to rest for a minimum of 12 hours. Store at room temperature or in the refrigerator for up to 6 months. 

Important note: Elderberries in their raw state, as well as the leaves, bark, and stems from the elder tree, are toxic and should never be eaten. 

Under My Umbrella 

makes 1 drink 

It’s said that one can get lost in their thoughts under the umbrella of the elderflower tree. One sip of Under My Umbrella and suddenly it’s spring, with all its charm and delight. 

2 oz. reposado tequila
½ oz. elderflower liqueur (recipe, above)
½ oz. elderflower simple syrup (recipe, below)

¾ oz. lime juice
2 cups of ice
Coarse sea salt
Lime wheel 

Prepare your glass by rubbing the rim with a lime and coating it with salt. Place in the freezer until ready to use. In a blender, combine tequila, elderflower liqueur, simple syrup, lime juice, and ice. Blend well. Pour into your prepared glass and garnish with a lime wheel. 

Elderflower Simple Syrup

Combine ½ cup sugar and ½ cup water in a small pot and bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat. Once the sugar has dissolved completely and the syrup has thickened, remove from the heat. Add 1 cup fresh elderflower blossoms and a 1-inch piece of  lemon peel, cover, and steep for 30 minutes. Strain, and cool completely before using. Store in the refrigerator and use within 1 week.   

Adapted and reprinted with permission from The Flower-Infused Cocktail: Flowers, with a Twist by Alyson Brown. Published by Globe Pequot.

Top image: Courtesy of Alyson Brown

Beelzebubs Bazaar is a new market for the witchy and macabre. The dark arts and crafts market is coming to TV Eye in Queens, NY on April 30 for an afternoon of oddities, curiosities and a little bit of trouble. The market features over 30 artists and vendors selling their eccentric wares including hand-made taxidermy, jewelry, apparel, home decor, apparel and more. 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by A Dark Arts and Crafts Market (@beelzebubsbazaar)

BUST Magazine is proud to sponsor this enchanting event, come early to score a free copy of the mag! Here are a few vendors we can’t wait to hit up:

Feral Hag

Feral Hag’s Heather Loop, who is producing the market, is a jewelry artist who crafts her creations from discarded animal bones that she harvests in the woods. Combined with different ores, leathers, metal chains, and jewelry fixtures, her creations come back to life in the form of earrings, necklaces and other forms of wearable art.

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Heather Loop – feral witch bone art (@feralhag)

The Beetle’s Dilemma 

The Beetle’s Dilemma “serves entomological realness” through tiny nature dioramas that include beetles or other insects in different scenarios including reading a Witchy Cookbook, sewing some buggy garments, reading tarot and other charming situations. The small dioramas are intricate and sometimes super tiny, even down to the size of a lighter. 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by ??? ??????’? ??????? (@the_beetles_dilemma)

The Ceramic Skull 

Angela, the owner of The Ceramic Skull, handcrafts gorgeous clay pieces for your home including plates, bowls, incense holders and candle holders with occult, tarot and astrology inspired carvings and images. The result is one-of-a-kind earthenware that will become an instant future family heirloom. 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Angela? (@theceramicskull)

Mixed Mamas Creations

Mixed Mamas Creations creates unique and ethically sourced taxidermy, wet specimens, bone jewelry and other art oddities. These animals (who were not killed for the artwork) are preserved in liquid and can be displayed on your shelves, desk, or witchy shrine. Stop by her booth for your next statement home decor peice. 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by The Tattooed Taxidermist (@mixed_mamas_creations)

Chaos and Hell

Chaos and Hell makes “handmade metal for maniacs” including lots of jewelry options, wall hangings and other creations. Many of these metal creations pay homage to some horror classics including Suspiria, Halloween and other cult faves. Others feature band logos, weapons, burning churches and other evocative imagery– all hand forged by ore and fire. 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Chaos and Hell (@chaosandhell)

Make sure to save the date, because Beelzebubs Bazaar is coming your way fast! 

• April 30
• Noon – 5pm
• Free Entry
• 21 +
• TV Eye (1647 Weirfield St, Ridgewood, Queens, NY)

Top photo: from @beelzebubsbazaar on Instagram

As an embroidery enthusiast and lifelong journaler, I’ve fallen hard for Sophie O’Neill, better known as The Stir-Crazy Crafter, and the stitched journal project she began in 2020. She uses colorful thread to stitch teensy designs that, together, create an intricate, artistic, documentation of her year. 

To make her stitched journal, O’Neill first divides her hooped fabric into 12 pie-piece-shaped sections (one for each month); then each night she stitches an icon representative of the day. The finished product is a spectacular visual memento of her year with 365 teeny, tiny, little designs that capture each day, good or bad. Even cooler, she offers all sorts of tools on her Etsy shop to help you do it yourself, including a thorough guide, a helpful day/icon tracker PDF, and a kit that also includes fabric, floss, a hoop, and more. 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Sophie | Embroidery Journals (@thestircrazycrafter)

O’Neill currently lives in Glasgow where she likes to spend time with her family, bake, and of course, embroider! She taught herself how to embroider in 2019 and she’s since amassed a following and built a community of other embroidery enthusiasts. She is active on social media, using her Instagram and TikTok to share current projects, tutorials, and a daily log of each little image she adds to her stitched journal. 

@thestircrazycrafter Feb 6th – Lookout for the launch of these pieces in the next week #embroidery #embroideryjournal2023 #embroideryjournal ♬ As It Was – PREP

Embroidery journaling is a fun way to put a spin on what some might consider a grandma hobby. The Stir-Crazy Crafter social media feeds are proof that, like with any art, it’s all about what the artist does with the materials. O’Neill uses her creativity to design things like a physical log of the number of books she’s read that, once completed, will double as an adorable bookmark. Embroidery also makes for some great custom wall art, or a medium to display your favorite subversive feminist quips (if you’re looking for inspiration, BUST compiled some awesome social justice-themed embroidery, including the one below.)  

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Ine (@broderine)

And there may be health benefits to making an embroidery journal, too! It’s been shown that making art stimulates the reward pathways in the brain, and can help relieve stress and anxiety. Journaling can have the same benefits, and taking some time each day to sort through your thoughts and emotions can be a helpful way to get in touch with yourself. So, creative activities like a daily embroidery journal can be a great way to incorporate art and self-reflection into your routine and reap all the mental health benefits! 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Sophie | Embroidery Journals (@thestircrazycrafter)

If you’re looking for a new creative project that can be good for you and results in an adorable, one-of-a-kind piece of artwork, an embroidery journal might be just the thing! Or, if you’re looking for a great gift for a friend or loved one, an embroidery journal kit makes for a thoughtful and unique present. You can find all the tools you need to get started on The Stir-Crazy Crafter Etsy store, and find inspiration and guidance on The Stir-Crazy Crafter’s Instagram and TikTok. 

Top photo is a screenshot from The Stir-Crazy Crafter Instagram 

If you’re anything like us, you tell yourself every year that you’re going to give more homemade holiday gifts. And then every year, time runs out.

Well we have good news. Here are 7 easy-to-make holiday gifts you still have time to make before the holidays. Almost all of them are not only customizable but also relatively inexpensive and quick. So hit up your local craft store, step away from your phone, and spend some quaity time with your own two hands! 

PHOTO: JULIA STOTZ, STYLING: JESSICA BOONE

Sugar Scrubs

Starting off with a gift perfect for those self-care lovers in your life. While the listed recipes are quite simple (nothing wrong with that) you can choose to add or subtract ingredients and scents such as lavender, citrus, or different oils depending on the preferences of the person you are making it for. Either way, these DIY sugar scrubs require only a few ingredients and make an amazing gift for anyone who deserves an at-home spa day this year. Find out how to make these gifts here!

PHOTO: PATRICIA LOPEZ RAMOS

Punch Needle Art

For those of you who are looking for a gift that’s just a little more customizable, these punch needle DIYs are just for you. Not only can you create whatever pattern or design you want on the cloth, but you can also turn it into put your punch needle art on pretty much anything from wall decor to a tote bag or even a cute rug. Read the article here to find out how to punch needle your own artwork. 

PHOTO: YUDI ELA

Potholder

If you like the idea of a customizable gift but aren’t quite so confident in your creative capabilities, these potholders are another great option. All you have to do is pick some cute colored fabric and then follow our loom pattern above or find one of your own to get started on these cute and beautiful handmade gifts that people will actually get use out of. Learn the ropes here.

PHOTO: KAREN PEARSON

Paper Vase

These paper vases are such a simple yet thoughtful gift. With the option of either decorating it yourself or just picking out some cute paper, you can construct a beautiful vase to gift alongside a fresh bouquet. Our step-by-step guide shows you exactly how to make them!

PHOTO: KAT BORCHART

Embroidered Photo

Perfect for grandmothers, moms, or best friends. If you’re looking for a more personal gift this holiday season, this embroidered photo DIY is for you! Choose a photo of that person, a special memory, or even the two of you together, and embroider some cool pattern or design onto it to instantly make a special gift homemade for any loved one in your life. It is so simple, check it out!

PHOTO: ERICA GÉNÉCÉ

Statement Barrettes

For the fashion lovers in your life, these customizable statement barrettes make the perfect gift. Choose any short word and turn it into a cute accessory for those in your life who are always rocking unique fashion looks. Read our article on these statement fashion accessories to find out how to make your own. 

PHOTO: KAELA SPEICHER

Candles

Lastly, the perfect gift for anyone on your list. These DIY candles are a great gift and the best part is you can double the batch as needed to make as many candles as you want at a time. With the option of playing around with personalized scents and colors, this recipe will create a universally appreciated gift perfect for a nice cozy holiday season. 

1. A Simple Sewing Machine

If you are just starting out and need to buy a machine, a basic sewing machine is all you need. I used a beginner Brother machine for the first 15 years I sewed, and it wasn’t until I had my business for a few years that I decided to upgrade. Most garments only require a couple of stitches—straight and zigzag. You can sew every type of fabric and nearly all patterns with those two stitches. When starting your machine search, I recommend looking into Brother, Janome, and Singer, all three of which put out great machines under $200.

2. Fabric for Beginners

While most patterns you will be sewing give you some guidance on recommended fabrics, there are a few general rules to follow when you are starting out. Focus on fabrics that aren’t stretchy such as cotton, linen, broadcloth, and cotton lycra. Try to avoid fabrics that shift and slide while sewing, like knits. You can work up to these fabrics, but for your first projects, aim for easy-to-work-with fabric. 

3. A Basic Pattern

With a machine and fabric in hand the real fun begins, but don’t let all the possibilities overwhelm you. A project like an elastic-waist skirt or pajama pants is a great way to get a feel for your machine and working with fabrics, and the more wins you have as you begin sewing, the more likely you are to keep going. But remember that your projects will never be perfect—I have been sewing for over 20 years and I still make mistakes on every garment! There are two types of patterns that you can buy. Paper patterns can be found at your local fabric store, whereas PDF patterns can be purchased online, printed at home, and taped together. The indie sewing community has many beginner-friendly companies that not only provide great basic (and free!) patterns but also resources for sewing them. Below is a list of pattern companies that do a fantastic job of providing patterns and resources for sewing. 

4. Your Measurements

The last—and what I consider to be the most—important part of sewing your own clothes is understanding your body measurements. Measuring your body before starting a project will give you the information you need to choose the right size. One of the benefits of indie pattern companies is that they do a fantastic job of explaining what measurements to take and how that corresponds to the size chart. Your finished garment is going to be much better if you sew the correct size based on the pattern. Even if you feel overwhelmed by the prospect of sewing your own clothes, I am confident that just by starting you will see that it isn’t nearly as complicated as you think. – Kimberly Payne

The author sporting one of her Straight Stitch Designs patterns

Indie Pattern Companies Great for Beginners

Sew DIY 
Beth creates patterns with simple lines and classic shapes and uses her YouTube channel to walk you through patterns, machines, and other sewing tips and tricks.

Hey June Handmade 
Adrianna provides simple, modern sewing patterns that are fun to sew and work for both beginner or experienced sewists.

Straight Stitch Designs 
I aim to provide patterns that offer style and comfort combined—the clothes you grab for in your closet on a regular day.

Cashmerette
Jenny focuses on patterns for curvy women and provides all the resources for fitting patterns to your body.

Helen’s Closet 
Helen creates modern designs for the home sewist and believes that fashion and style are for everyone regardless of their body shape and size. 

Photos courtesy Kimberly Payne

This article originally appeared in the Fall 2022 print edition of BUST Magazine. Subscribe today! 

For this project, we used a large, 10″ metal loom (Pro Size Potholder Loom from Friendly Loom by Harrisville Designs, $32.95, harrisville.com) to make 8″ x 8″ potholders, but you could also use the traditional 7″ size (which makes 6″ x 6″ potholders); these patterns will work fine on either one. You’ll also need one bag each of cotton loops in the right size for your loom in the colors powder blue and pewter ($8.95 – $16.95, also from Friendly Loom by Harrisville Designs).

Instructions for the Potholders

1) Start by placing loops on each peg vertically, attaching them at the top and bottom of the loom. This is called the warp.

For the plaid design (top photo, top), from left to right, place 6 powder blue loops followed by 6 pewter loops and repeat this. When you get to the end and have less than 6 pegs left, just put however many loops you can fit of the color you are up to. (A)

For the weave design (top photo, bottom), place loops as follows, from left to right: 1 powder blue, 1 pewter, 1 powder blue, 1 pewter, 1 powder blue. Repeat this series of 5 loops all the way across (you will have two powder blue loops right next to each other at the end and beginning of each repeat), stopping wherever in the pattern it is that you run out of pegs. (B)

2) The loops that will be woven across the warp horizontally are called the weft. Beginning from the bottom, the order of the colored loops here will exactly mirror the order of your warp loops reading them from right to left (the opposite of how you placed them, above). So, if you ended your loop placement for the plaid design with 3 powder blue loops, you will begin by weaving in 3 powder blue loops. If you ended with 6 powder blue loops, you will begin with 6 powder blue loops, etc.

Weaving is done exactly like you think it is: pulling your loop from left to right, go over both strands of the first loop, then under both strands of the second loop, then over the third loop, continuing until the end. Push your loop down to the bottom and place both ends on a peg. (C)  For the next loop, you’ll start by going under both strands of the first loop, then over both strands of the second loop, etc.

You can do this pretty easily with your fingers or with a hook, but when you get to the last few loops at the very top, things will be tight and you’ll have to use the long metal hook that came with your loom. Weave the hook over/under from right to left, grab a loop, then pull it carefully through all the way to the right. (see below).

3) To finish, starting in the upper right-hand corner, insert a crochet hook into the top loop and remove it from the peg. Insert the hook into the next loop, remove it from the peg, and pull the loop through the one on the hook.

Continue in this way to complete one entire side. When you are finished, pull one loop from that side back onto the loom just to keep the potholder stretched into shape while you continue. (F) Leave the last loop loose for hanging.

When you’re done, pull on the opposite corners of the potholder to pull it all back into shape.

Photos by Yudi Ela

This article originally appeared in the Fall 2022 print edition of BUST Magazine. Subscribe today! 

Are you gourd to death by regular ol’ jack-o’-lanterns? Get creative with fall décor that’s more sweet than spooky by turning this year’s pumpkin into a tiny home fit for fairies, gnomes, or wee woodland creatures. This project was inspired by the pumpkin house displays at the pick-your-own farms my son and I visit every year. We decorated ours with found natural elements, so start by taking a seasonal foraging stroll around your own neighborhood. –Ashley Koshimizu (@woodlark)

Materials

Pumpkin

Serrated knife

Metal spoon

Thin, straight sticks

Hot glue gun

Natural items such as bark, pinecones, moss, rocks, acorns, dried beans, leaves, feathers, seedpods, gumnuts, fresh greenery

Natural twine

Air-dry clay

Miniature animal figurines

Instructions

1) Use a serrated knife to carve openings into your pumpkin in the shape of a curved door with a square window on each side. (You can use a pencil or pen to mark the shapes first.) Make the door opening big enough so that you can then use a metal spoon to remove all of the seeds and flesh from inside the pumpkin. 

2) Add a frame to one window by breaking or cutting a twig into two pieces that are slightly longer than the height and width of the window. Secure the vertical stick in the window opening by inserting it into the flesh, then insert the horizontal stick using the same method. Repeat for the second window.

3) Create a bridge for the front door by gluing sticks of equal length together. If the sticks are fairly straight, you can hot glue them together directly side to side. If they’re too wonky for that, glue two additional sticks width-wise across each end for support. (This technique can alternatively be used to make a door for your pumpkin house.)

4) To make the ladder, start with two long thin sticks of equal length. Hot glue “rungs,” or short sticks, at equidistant intervals across the long sticks. Lean the ladder against the outside of your pumpkin house.

5) To make the swing, first fashion the stand out of two larger sticks, trimming to the right size; create a slightly obtuse angle and secure the ends by wrapping them together with twine. Make the perpendicular stick sturdy by wrapping the bottom end with a small piece of air-dry clay and pressing it onto a small wooden round. Hot glue the end of the top stick near the pumpkin’s stem. Choose a small, flat piece of bark for the swing’s seat. Decide how long you want your swing to be and cut two pieces of twine, each one twice as long as the desired length. Wrap the first piece of twine around the edge of one side of the bark and knot; hot glue to secure and repeat on the other side. Hang the swing by knotting each side of twine above the top stick; trim any excess.  

6) Add accents to your house using your natural materials. We glued moss and leaves to the roof as well as a small bird’s nest with eggs that my son made out of air-dry clay. We also glued a seedpod under one of the windows to make a window planter. For the “trees” I stuck sprigs of greenery into bases made out of air-dry clay. As a final touch, we added beans and lots of small pinecones. When you’re done, place your tiny animals and let them enjoy all the creature comforts you’ve created!

All photos photographed by Ashley Koshimizu

Was originally published on Woodlark Blog. 

Shitty Happens

I’ve watched comedian Sam Reece turn plastic cutlery into a crown, wear a bedazzled Tums bottle as a bag, and add tiny disco ball tiles to a tissue box (“I just made sobbing a lot more fun”)—her “low-stakes, high-impact” DIY antics (@shittycraftclub on TikTok and IG) are hilarious and heartwarming. Plus, New Yorkers can attend her IRL Shitty Crafting events! –Lisa Butterworth

@shittycraftclub A love letter to @ROMMYDEBOMMY ? #shittycrafts #crafttok #craftersoftiktok #diybag #diydesigner ♬ original sound – Shitty Craft Club

Doll Parts

Any doll could be made with brown yarn, but the beauty of Yolonda Jordan’s My Pretty Brown Doll: Crochet Patterns for a Doll That Looks Like You is that dolls—and creators—of color are at the center of the book, not a variation on a theme. The hands that demonstrate crocheting are brown hands, and the patterns reflect the wide variety of shades of brown skin and shapes of African-American hair—including Afro puffs. –Debbie Stoller

Cool Cat

Maybe it’s because my first high-school job was at the Sanrio store, but my love for Hello Kitty runs deep, so I want to pack all my beach beers and picnic essentials in Igloo’s new collection, which features the red-bowed icon and her friends on tumblers, lunch and tote bags, and their famous Playmate cooler. ($19.99-$44.99, igloocoolers.com.) –L.B.

Fruit Loot

I picked up a couple jars of Girl Meets Dirt preserves on my last trip to Cowgirl Creamery and the flavors—Shiro plum with mint, rhubarb lavender—have been knocking my cheese boards outta the park ever since. Founder Audra Lawlor also produces shrubs and bitters from her century-old orchards on Orcas Island off the coast of Washington, which are the real summer jams. ($12-$18, girlmeetsdirt.com.) –L.B. 

String Theory

Calling all shredders! Fender’s new electric guitar, Player Plus Meteora HH, and the Player Plus Active Meteora Bass (pictured above), not only come in cool colors, but we also have it on good authority (i.e., an endorsement from Michelle Zauner, aka Japanese Breakfast) that they are excellent for lady hands, which might make them worth the splurge. ($1,149.99-$1,199.99, fender.com.) –L.B. (Image courtesy of Fender) 

Photo of Sam Reece by Bridget Badore

This article originally appeared in BUST’s Summer 2022 print edition. Subscribe today!

Look, we love a fancy vase. But if you’re not actually living the cottagecore life, cut flowers cost enough without having to house them in something special, too (and don’t get us started on the storage ish). Paper sleeves solve these problems and more; slip one over any old vessel—from a mason jar to a cut-off plastic water bottle—to turn it into a stunning setting for your stems. Wallpaper samples or scraps are the main material in this DIY, making it nearly waterproof and especially budget-friendly. Some companies even give them away; we got ours from Spoonflower ($6 for a 1′ x 2′ piece of wallpaper, which makes one medium-size sleeve). If you don’t have a sewing machine to make your own, opt for one of our hand-picked buys. Either way, you’ll have a gorgeous fake on your hands that folds up flat when it’s not in use.  –Laurie Henzel and Lisa Butterworth

DIY Materials

Newspaper

Pencil

Ruler

Scissors

Wallpaper 

X-Acto knife

Cutting mat or cardboard

Painters’ tape

Sewing machine

Instructions

1. Use newspaper to make a template. Decide what shape you want your vase sleeve to be, then draw it onto a piece of newspaper using pencil and a ruler. Make sure the shape is tall enough to cover your vessel and wide enough to easily slip over its circumference. The width of your sleeve should be about twice the diameter of your vessel plus an inch. (Our smaller sleeve is about 7″ x 10″, and the bigger one is 12″ x 12″; both cover vessels with a 3″ diameter.) Cut out two identical versions of the shape. Tape or staple the left and right-side edges together (not the top or bottom), and slip it over your vessel to make sure it fits. 

2. Once you’re happy with the size and shape of your template, trace the shape onto the wrong side of your wallpaper sample. For a more exact design, measure the lines of your template, then draw them onto the back of your wallpaper. Cut out two identical pieces using an X-ACTO blade on a cutting mat or piece of cardboard. (Wallpaper with a busy pattern is much more forgiving than one that’s bold and graphic when it comes to placement of the design.)

3. Place the two pieces wrong-sides facing and use painters’ tape to hold the top and bottom edges together. Sew along the left and right sides of your sleeve, ¼” from the edge, using thread in a complementary color. Snip the thread, tie each end in a knot to secure, and trim tails or tuck them inside your sleeve.

4. Slip sleeve over your vessel. 

Vase Time 

Don’t feel like stitching? Just buy one of these paper sheaths and slide it over a regular water glass or bottle to elevate your flower-arrangement game.−Callie Watts

(From top:) Paper Vase in Toile de Jouy, $15.84, maisomparis.etsy.com;  Paper Vase Riviera Arch, €19.50, octaevo.com; Paper Vase Set, $29.99 for set of 3, eyetravellab.etsy.com; Paper Vase Cover of Johannes Vermeer’s “The Milkmaid” from the Rijks Museum, €19.95, boutiquesdemusees.fr; Coral Paper Vase from the Craftsman Collection, €19.50, octaevo.com.

Header photo by Karen Pearson (Flowers courtesy of Athabold  )

This article originally appeared in BUST’s Summer 2022 print edition. Subscribe today!

The Royal Treatment

Plant Kween Christopher Griffin shares their best tips for growth—Your Greenery’s, and Your Own 

No one exalts in the joys of plant parenthood like Christopher Griffin aka @plantkween. “When I water my green gurls, I make it a party! I blast music, I put on a fun outfit, I pour myself a lil’ cocktail,” they say. “It’s a whole entire mood.” And it’s infectious. They may have nearly 200 houseplants now, but a single Marble Queen Pothos, and the legacy of their garden-loving grandma, set this green thumb on their journey, one that’s as much about self-care as plant care. “Putting that love, care, and attention into my plants has enabled me to put that same amount of love, care, and attention into my own Black, queer, femme being,” Griffin writes in the intro of their first book,You Grow, Gurl! Plant Kween’s Lush Guide to Growing Your Garden (Harper Design), out now. Here, Griffin gives us their tips for nurturing your own indoor oasis, and nourishing yourself in the process. –Lisa Butterworth   

 1) Check the soil before watering, dahling. In the beginning of this journey, I sent a bunch of plants to that little botanical garden in the sky due to overwatering. So this kween learned to pay closer attention, allowing my green gurls to tell me what they need—and hunty they are a vocal bunch! Most houseplants only need water about every 7 to 10 days (in warmer months) or every 14 days (in colder months), but it can vary based on the type of green gurl she is, the kind of pot she’s in, the soil mixture—even the weather that week. Check the soil moisture of your green gurls every week by placing your finger two inches into the soil. If it’s damp, leave that kween be; she’s good. If it’s dry then she’s thirsty—give that kween a drink.

2) Wipe down those leaves, gurl. Plants are not furniture, so they should not be collecting dust, dahling! These leaves are a plant’s meal ticket, so removing any dust makes sure your green gurl catches as much sunlight as possible so she can do her thang—that good ol’ photosynthesis. A little damp cotton cloth with some cool water does the trick! 

3) Give your green gurls a spritz, hunty. Every morning, as I warm up my jasmine tea, I spritz some of my green gurls with a little misting bottle. It’s relaxing and my green gurls love it! The plants I spritz are epiphytes, which are plants that grow on top of other plants or trees, coexisting in the most harmonious, harmless way. Some examples include the staghorn fern, green gurls from the monstera family, mosses, orchids, and tillandsias. Spritzing the aerial roots of these kweens, and in the case of my staghorn fern, spritzing the shield frond and her leaves, mimics the rainfall they’re used to and keeps them looking lush. 

4) Check in with your green gurls. They’ll thank you. It’s a relaxing routine that I have come to love, especially when I’m feeling stressed. It gives me an opportunity to step away from technology, rest my voice, rest my mind, and really just get back to the basics—interacting with nature. This routine is also fabulous for your green gurls because it provides you with an opportunity to check and see if there is any new growth, any leaves that need pruning, any pests on their leaves that you need
to get rid of, if you need to rotate them to make sure they’re not leaning too far toward the sun, or perhaps it’s time for a little repotting because they need room to grow.

5) Water yourself and make this journey a fun one. I’ve learned so much about myself during this botanical adventure. I’ve learned how to better care for myself through caring for my plants. Am I drinking enough water? Is my body getting enough sunshine? Are my roots and foundation sturdy enough to support my new growth? I’ve realized that I am basically a houseplant with complex emotions.

If you are just starting out on this journey of lush greenery, I hope you are ready for a wonderful, viridescent ride. Caring for plants can be tedious and can seem like a chore if you treat it that way! Build a plant family that vibes with you—there is no green thumb, you simply have to match the plants to the level of care you can provide. I encourage you to go into this journey with a curious mind, eager to learn about the plants you are bringing into your space. Understand that you will have some plant fails (all plant parents do), but you learn from those mistakes and do better next time. And make it fun! 

Header photo: PHOEBE CHEONG

This article originally appeared in BUST’s Summer 2022 print edition. Subscribe today!

Turn any old piece of furniture into a total tile icon

Whether you’ve got a boring table or an ugly nightstand, a little mosaic-style tile and grout is an easy way to give just about any piece of furniture a brand-new look. And it’s way easier than the dramatic finish would have you believe. Tiles are available at just about any home-improvement store, but it’s worth a visit to your local independent tile shop—they typically have more interesting options and will often have leftover tiles from custom jobs that you can get on the cheap. All you’ve got to do is line ’em up. 

Supplies

Cloth

2″ x 2″ square tiles (typically sold in 12″ x 12″ sheets) 

Adhesive spreader

Tile adhesive

Sanded grout

Plastic container (for mixing grout)

Colored pigment (optional; we used Tbrand iron oxide pigment in Blue, $17.99, amazon.com)

Plastic gloves (optional)

Grout float 

Cellulose sponge

Bucket 

Unless otherwise noted, all supplies are available at hardware supply or home-improvement stores.

INSTRUCTIONS

«1»
Wipe your piece of furniture down with a wet cloth to remove any dirt or stickiness. 

«2»
Lay out your tile sheets on each surface you want to cover to measure how many you’ll need. Depending on the size of your surface, you may be able to simply set your tiles as full sheets, trimming as necessary, if the edge of the tiles sets the way you want it to. But more likely than not, you’ll want to cut your tiles and place them individually so you can control the spacing.  

«3»
Use the adhesive spreader to smooth a thin layer of tile adhesive onto the area of the surface you’re going to tile first (start in one corner to make placement easier). You want enough adhesive for the tiles to stick, but not so much that it squishes up around the tiles. Line up your tiles with the surface’s edge and press them gently but firmly into the adhesive, eyeballing the space between tiles (A). (Placement doesn’t have to be perfect on the first try; you have some wiggle room as long as the adhesive is wet.) If the adhesive does come up through the spaces around the tiles, wipe it off with a wet cloth before it hardens. Once you have covered the entire surface, let it dry until fully set, or for 24 hours. 

A

«4»

Once the adhesive is dry, it’s time to prepare your grout in the container. If you’re using pigment to make a custom grout color like we did, you’ll want to add it to your grout powder now. (We used about 50 grams of pigment for 3 pounds of grout. Start with small increments of pigment as color is easy to add, but difficult to remove.) Stir it up, then mix the grout by carefully following the package instructions.

B

«5»

Using the adhesive spreader, scoop a decent amount of grout onto the tiled surface—you want enough to fill in the cracks between each tile, all the way to the original surface of your furniture piece. Spread the grout all over the tiles, using the spreader to push it into each crack. You can also use your fingers in places where you want to push it deeper, or if you need to fill a gap (B).

C

 «6»
Once you’ve filled each space with grout, use a tile float to go over the tiled surface; this will even out the grout between your tiles. Hold the tile float at about a 60-degree angle and move it across the surface at a diagonal (so as not to accidentally remove any grout from between the tiles) to swipe off excess grout (C). 

D

«7»
After you’ve used the tile float on the entire tiled surface, let the grout set for about 5 to 10 minutes. Then you’ll want to wipe off any excess grout that’s left. Fill your bucket with water, dip your sponge into it, and wring it out completely. Use the sponge to wipe off the face of the tiles, running it flat over the surface while being careful not to pull grout out from between the tiles (D). Repeat until you’ve rinsed nearly all of the excess grout off. For a final rinse, dip your sponge in a bucket of clean water, wring out entirely, and wipe off the surface one more time, holding the sponge at about a 60-degree angle and wiping diagonally in overlapping strokes. When one edge of the sponge gets dirty, flip it over to use a clean edge. Repeat, using only clean edges, until the surface is clean and the faces of the tiles are grout-free. Let the grout dry until it’s fully set, or for 24 hours, then your piece of furniture is ready to use! –Jessica Darakjian 

FLORAL DESIGN: BRANDON KHÔI NGUYEN

PHOTOGRAPHED BY MEG WACHTER

 This article originally appeared in BUST’s Spring 2022 print edition. Subscribe today!

Tired of the store-bought status quo? Unleash your inner artist this holiday season with these easy and affordable DIY gifts for everyone on your list.

 1. Feminist Power Necklace

Why say it when you can wear it? This statement chain necklace by Karen Kavett is the perfect present for any jewelry-loving nasty woman in your life. While Kavett uses “Feminist” as her example, feel free to use whatever phrase or word (preferably of the girlboss variety) that suits your fancy.

2. One-Braid Knot Necklace

Goddess of macrame, Windy Chien, designed this stunning adjustable necklace that’ll turn any old outfit into a work of art. Even better, there’s only one material required: a cotton braided rope. The rest is all in the knotting, baby!  Head here for Chien’s step-by-step guide  to necklace stardom, and make sure to check out her book, The Year of Knots, for more tutorials and knotty inspiration. 

 3. Abstract Color Pop Mugs 

Your loved ones can enjoy their morning coffee in style with these vibrant beauties. The secret to their design is actually quite simple: cover a bowl with plastic wrap, fill it with water, then pour out just a few drops of different colored nail polishes into the water. Next, use a toothpick to mix up the nail polish colors and create a pattern of your choice. Roll a plain, porcelain mug one time through the water, and boom: you’ve got yourself a masterpiece. 

 4. Paper-Mâché Fruit and Mushrooms 

Create some beautiful art and clear out your recycling bin with these cute paper-mâché hangers. With tape, glue, water, and some creative thinking, you’ll be well on your way to gifting friends and family with personalized fairy kingdoms. Not only do these bad boys make for eye-catching home decor, but with a little creativity, you can also turn them into Christmas tree ornaments! 

5. Hot Apple Cider Cinnamon Spice Mix 

Give a little sugar, spice, and everything nice with this homemade cider mix by Savory Nothings. This delicious blend easily mixes into hot cider to create the perfect festive treat for your loved ones. Nora of Savory Nothings suggests gifting the mix with a bottle of wine and storing it in a mason jar (tied with a festive ribbon, of course). The best part?  No more trips to the store! You probably already have all the ingredients (sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves) in your pantry. 

 6. Daisy Chain Bracelet 

Who said friendship bracelets were just for kids? These cute and classic bracelets are super easy (and surprisingly relaxing) to make. Gift one to your best friend and keep the other for yourself; even if you’re far apart, you’ll still be twinning! 

7. Raspberry Honey Jam

Jam: the slept-on hero of the holiday season. It’s quick and easy to make, the jars are fun to decorate, and it can pack a punch in any holiday bake. This recipe from V Smiley Preserves fills around six mason jars, meaning you can truly spread the holiday cheer far and wide – just don’t eat it all yourself! All you need are some raspberries, honey, and lime, and you’re set. Plus, Smiley has some funky bonus ingredient suggestions like habanero pepper in case you want to really pump up the jam this winter. 

 8. Marble Jewelry Dish 

Create this stunning faux-marble masterpiece by twisting together various shades of oven-bake clay. Then, simply press and roll your clay to create the marble pattern effect. There’s no right or wrong way to do this, so just have fun with it!  To customize for friends and family, creator Tina Le recommends carving out a message or picture into your dish while it’s still soft and then filling the space in with gold paint after baking. 

Image 1: Screenshot via YouTube, 2: Photographed by Vero Kheria, 3: Screenshot via YouTube, 4: Photographed by Meiko Takechi Arquillos, 5: Photo by //www.pexels.com/@roman-odintsov?utm_content=attributionCopyText&utm_medium=referral&;utm_source=pexels”>ROMAN ODINTSOV from Pexels, 6: Photographed by Kat Borchart, 7: Photographed by Jessie Yuchen, 8: Screenshot via YouTube 

In need of a last-minute Halloween costume? Don’t worry we’ve got your back. 

With Halloween coming up this weekend, check out our 10 easy D.I.Y costumes. 

1.Queen Bey

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A post shared by Beyoncé (@beyonce)

Who wouldn’t want to dress up as Beyonce? Just pick your fav look of hers and you’ll be good to go. You can don pregnant Bey by shoving a pillow under your dress and draping yourself with a beautiful bold colored cloth or be mama Bey by grabbing a giant purple floral comfortable and carrying around two baby dolls. Why not jump even further into the past and go all out as “Single Ladies” Bey with a high quiff, black bodysuit and a pair of killer heels. “If Were a Boy” Bey is pretty simple too; just straighten your hair, and slick it back, and wear a simple white vest tucked into high-waisted jeans.  

2. Elephant Mask Out of Masking Tape 

Fancy getting crafty? Then follow our super easy tutorial on how to make an elephant mask—made out of masking tape! Getting crafty is always fun and this mask is perfect for a last-minute getup. 

3. Morticia Addams 

Left your Halloween costume till the last minute again? Then we recommend you dress up as the Addams Family’s iconic housewife Morticia Addams.  Personifying the ideal homemaker with a macabre twist, Morticia Addams is a classic and easy idea for those looking for a last minute Halloween costume. All you need is blood-red nail varnish and lipstick, and a floor-length, black dress that is sexy enough to make Regina George proud. Morticia Addams first appeared in The New Yorker in the 1930s with the rest of her spooky family, making the Addams Family the focus of a 1964 TV series, a 1992 cartoon series, and several movies, both live action and animated.  

4. D.I.Y. Ghost and Coffin Nail Art  

Need some finishing touches for your costume? Or not into fancy dress but still love Halloween? Keep it simple and  follow our tutorial for ghost and coffin nail art, then you’ll definitely impress your buds with your impeccable artistic skills.  

5.The Ghost of Gwen Shamblin 

Oh, we know it’s not very nice to make fun of the dead, but on Halloween it IS actually a day to remember those who have passed, and in this case, Gwen Shamblin of HBO’s multi-part documentary series, The Way Down: God, Greed, and the Cult of Gwen Shamblin, offers a too-perfect last-minute Halloween costume opportunity. And, unlike her cult, this costume idea is open to revelers of all sizes. Just grab a sleeveless dress, nude stockings and any kind of high heels, magenta lipstick, and then a bunch of blonde wigs piled on top of each other—et voila!

6. Armond from The White Lotus

There were so many amazing characters in one of this year’s breakout TV hits, HBOMax’ The White Lotus, but Armond, played brilliantly by Murray Bartlett, might be the easiest to steal. Nab a tan or pastel-colored suit (or pants and jacket) from your local Goodwill, plus an entirely mismatched print shirt, then make a White Lotus style pin and golden name tag out of cardboard to stick on your lapel. Draw on a mustache, and try to stay away from anyone’s luggage!

7. Drew Barrymore in Poison Ivy  

There’s no denying that Drew Barrymore is the ultimate bad girl and that her being Poison Ivy is the baddest look she’s had. What’s more is recreating her Poison Ivy look is pretty simple too. As Ivy, Drew is a seductive Lolita-type who causes strife in the family of a classmate (Sara Gilbert), so keep up that mean girl at school attitude all night. She projects all things 90s, wearing oversized jackets, crop tops, and great big hair.   

8. Carmen Sandiego

 Got any red clothes? Then try out our easy D.I.Y Carmen Sandiego costume. Created in the mid-1980s, Carmen Sandiego from Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego? is the leader of the Villain’s International League of Evil (V.I.L.E.) Named after the Portuguese-Brazilian actress and singer Carmen Miranda, Sandiego dons an all-red ensemble, is hyper-intelligent and always several steps ahead of everyone. All you need for this look is an oversized, crimson trench coat and matching hat that she wears cocked to the side to reveal a single, arched eyebrow, and on your bottom; a pair of simple black leggings.  

9. Iris Apfel 

Transform into this fashion icon with a  pair of round glasses and your most vibrant colorful coat. Don’t forget to pile on all the jewellery you own to match Iris’ bohemian edge.  

10. The Witches from The Craft  

Calling all fans of The Craft, follow this detailed guide on how to dress like the witches from The Craft will leave you turning heads this Halloween. All you need is a pair of chunky boots, a spiked choker, and pleated skirt, and you’ll be the hottest witch at the party.  

Top photo courtesy of Kayla Maurais on Unsplash. 

Photo Credits: 

Beyonce: Beyonce’s Instagram

Elephant Mask: Sarah Anne Ward

Morticia Addams: Anjelica Huston in the 1991 film The Addams Family, available on Digital HD (courtesy of Paramount) 

Nail Art:  Mabelyn Martin 

Sabrina Spellman: 

Armond from The White Lotus: Courtesy  of HBO

Drew Barrymore: Flix 

Carmen Sandiego: Screenshot from 20th Century Fox Film Corp.

Iris: via Iris: A Film by Albert Maysles

The Craft:

One of the easiest ways to make some artful magic is by creating a talisman—an object we can enchant by calling upon natural energies, including our own, to charge it with our desired intention. Combined with the power of symbols that speak to the subconscious mind, this piece becomes a physical representation of the changes we wish to call into our lives. Creating a talisman through embroidery isn’t just about making something that looks nice—the act of making in itself can be calming and meditative. Follow the steps below to make this simple but powerful patch, or throw your favorite colors and personally meaningful symbolism into the cauldron, and cook up some magic of your own! –Christi Johnson 

PYRAMID PATCH

This small patch can hold big power, drawing on the symbolism of a triangle—the trinity of mind, body, and soul—represented through the pyramid, a shape which is thought to be an interpretation of the rays of the sun, with the apex being the highest attainable knowledge and possibility. 

MATERIALS

• 5″ x 5″ piece of brown fabric for patch (like muslin or broadcloth)

• A washable or air-erase marker or pattern transfer paper

• 3 skeins of embroidery floss in yellow, white, and dark orange (I used DMC 728, 712, and 301) • Embroidery needle

• 4″ embroidery hoop 

Instructions

1. Copy the pattern, then transfer the design to your fabric by taping the pattern to a window on a bright day, holding your fabric over it, and tracing the pattern onto your fabric with the marker. If your fabric is too dark to use this method, place your material on a hard, flat surface; place pattern transfer paper on top of it, and the pattern on top of that; then trace the pattern using a dull pencil so it transfers to your fabric.

2. Place your material in your embroidery hoop. Cut a piece of embroidery floss the length of your outstretched arm. Thread your needle and knot the end of your floss.

3. Following the pattern, create the bottom of your pyramid with chain stitches in dark orange. Outline the apex of your pyramid with yellow backstitches, then fill in the center with dark-orange backstitches. Place a French knot, in white, in the center of the apex. Create the rays surrounding the apex with ray stitches; shorter ones in yellow, then longer ones in white.

4. Once you’re finished, knot your loose threads at the back of the patch, trim any ends, and cut your patch to 3″ x 3″. Attach your patch to a shirt or jacket with running stitch. 

Learn the Stitches 

CHAIN STITCH

Bring the needle up through the fabric, and draw thread through. Then insert the needle back into the fabric at this same point, but don’t pull through yet! Position the tip of the needle to come out 1?4″ further along the stitch line from where it went in, and tuck the thread behind the needle. Pull the needle and thread through until the loop is gently secured against where the thread comes out, but not so tight that the loop pulls on the loose thread. Now insert the needle back inside this loop, right where it just came out, and repeat.

BACKSTITCH

Bring the needle up and insert it back into the fabric a little less than 1?4″ from where the thread came out. Bring the needle back out this same distance ahead, and pull the thread through until taut. Insert the needle back into the closest end of this first stitch, then bring it out one stitch length ahead, and repeat.

RAY STITCH

To create expanding rays, bring the needle to the surface at the top of the first ray then back into the fabric at the bottom of the ray. Running the needle under the fabric diagonally, bring it out again at the top of the second ray and then back at the bottom of that ray. Repeat.

FRENCH KNOT

Pull the thread up through fabric, then wrap the thread twice around the needle very close to the fabric while pulling the loose end of the thread securely. Insert the needle just a tiny bit from where the thread came out of the fabric, then pull through to the back. Gently pull the thread all the way through, holding the knot down with your fingertip to keep it from tangling.

RUNNING STITCH

Bring the thread to the surface. Insert the needle back into the fabric at the desired distance of the stitches on the surface. Bring the needle back out along the stitch line. Continue this in and out motion.

Adapted from Mystical Stitches: Embroidery for Personal Empowerment and Magical Embellishment (2021, Storey Publishing) by ChristiJohnson.

Illustrations by Nina Chakrabarti

This article originally appeared in the Fall 2021 print edition of BUST Magazine. Subscribe today!

Turn your kitchen into a living room by growing your own sprouts

What you need:

Seeds for sprouting (try sproutpeople.org, where a pound can run $6 to $30, depending on the type, or get smaller amounts at a natural foods store or co-op) 

Clean and sterilized wide-mouth mason jars
and lids or rubber bands

A shallow cake pan or Pyrex dish

Cheesecloth or dishcloth (cut to size)

For alfalfa and smaller sprouts:
Pour about a teaspoon of seeds into your mason jar. Fill the jar halfway with water and swirl to separate and coat every seed. Cover the jar with the cloth and secure with a rubber band or jar ring. Pour out excess water, tap to disperse seeds throughout the jar, then fill with more water to cover the seeds. Soak for a couple hours then drain. Rinse the seeds every day by adding water to the jar, swirling, then pouring out the excess and shaking the seeds into position. Place the jar somewhere it will get consistent indirect light, like near a kitchen window. After about a week, you can start to pull out sprouts. Store in the fridge if you don’t just eat them in one big mound like a brachiosaurus.

For mung beans and larger sprouts:
Put a teaspoon or so of seeds in a cake pan, or any shallow tray or dish, rinse thoroughly, and pick out any that are broken or floating. Soak for a couple hours then pour out excess water. Cover with something clear (cling wrap works great). Set near a window. Every day, rinse the seeds in this same way, making sure they don’t dry out between rinsings. After a few days, they’ll start to soften and open. In about a week, you’ll have bean sprouts for all your snacking needs.

Throw some sprouts on a salad or sandwich and it’s like a tasty bonus round of nutrients. Growing your own at home is so easy it kind of feels like magic. Plus, it’s a lot less expensive than buying them and offers more options, too. Not that into bean sprouts? Try peas or lentils. Sick of alfalfa? Go for broccoli or beets. Just be sure to get seeds specifically for sprouting; seeds for planting can have extra ingredients that aren’t safe to eat.

For both methods of sprouting, watch for signs of pathogens (fuzziness or discoloration) and discard anything older than 10 days before re-sterilizing your supplies and starting again. –jenny rose ryan

PHOTOS: shutterstock (sprouts)

This article originally appeared in the Fall 2021 print edition of BUST Magazine. Subscribe today!

If you swoon for the moon and can’t stop fanning over flora, then celebrate the spring equinox—the day honoring Ostara, the Germanic goddess of spring and the dawn—on March 20 with this DIY wreath. The moon symbolizes female energy, fertility, and change, while spring is a time of renewal, abundance, and flowers, flowers, flowers. And since these beauties are fake, this dope wreath springs eternal. 

What You’ll Need

• Floral wire
• A mix of faux flowers (of various sizes), vines, and leaves
• Hot glue gun
• Long nose pliers
• 14” grapevine wreath (wire wreath covered in dried grapevine stems, available at most craft stores)
• Gardening shears
• Strong wire cutters

Instructions

1. Cut the wreath in half, using gardening shears to cut the vines, and strong wire cutters to snip the small wires wrapped around the wreath and the very thick wire inside. Take one of the wreath halves and spread the ends apart from each other to make the shape more crescent-shaped. Trim the ends into points using the shears. (A) You may need to wrap floral wire around some areas to keep the grapevine secure.

A

2. Lay out your mix of flowers and greenery. We used two large flowers, a couple of stems of leaves, one stem of dripping vines, and a few bunches of various other flowers. Keep in mind that flowers with longer stems are easier to work with and that you want to have enough extra leaves for filler. Before securing anything, decide on your design by laying your materials on the grapevine. (Stems are bendable so shape them to follow the curve of the wreath if needed.) Start with your larger pieces (B), and work out from there. We created a focal point with our large flowers, but your wreath could have a uniform look, too. Test the placement of any hanging pieces (like our spray of yellow blooms), by holding the wreath up to see how they fall. Take a reference photo of your final design.

B

3. Start by securing the materials on the ends of the wreath. Hot glue the end of each stem and jam it into the tip of the wreath (C); let dry. Next, use floral wire and hot glue to secure any larger pieces, then continue securing your main layer of flowers around the crescent. For long-stemmed items, hold in place and wrap a piece of floral wire around the stem and the wreath; twist the ends of the wire together at the back of the wreath with long nose pliers and press flat to secure. (D) Do this in several places along the length of the stem. Or attach pieces with floral wire that you secure by wrapping around the wreath’s outer wire where possible. If a piece has no stem, wrapping it with wire would be too visible, or you want a flower to lie a specific way, hot glue it in place. As you work, hold the wreath up periodically to see how things are lying and lightly shake to make sure nothing falls off. Once your base layer is secure, fill it in with smaller flowers and leaves. Lastly, hot glue leaves to the wreath to fill in any gaps and cover any visible wire. 

C

D

4. Once your flowers and greenery are secure, flip the wreath over. To hang it, create a loop by cutting about four inches of the wire wrapped around the other wreath half. Bend it into a half circle and secure it to the top of the crescent by threading the ends under the wire wrapped around the wreath. Use pliers to twist the wires together on each side to secure. (E)

E

By Callie Watts

Top photo: Amy Elizabeth
Progress photos: Camilo Salas

This article originally appeared in the Spring 2021 print edition of BUST Magazine. Subscribe today!

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Winter weather and a lack of outdoor space don’t have to dash your gardening dreams. It turns out, you can harvest kale right in your living room, or carrots in your kitchen. Indoor gardening is a fun, cost-effective, and eco-friendly way to grow your own food. According to Jasmine Jefferson, the founder of Black Girls With Gardens (blackgirlswithgardens.com)—a collective that provides education, support, inspiration, and representation to Black women and women of color through gardening—there are other benefits, too. “It’s really nourishing physically, spiritually, and mentally,” she says. Here, Jefferson tells us how to get started.

Pick your plants.
“Herbs are some of the best plants to learn from because they’re very rewarding, and when something’s wrong, they’ll let you know,” she says. She recommends mint and thyme—both hardy, easy-to-grow perennials. When it comes to vegetables, Jefferson says, “grow what doesn’t work [outdoors] for that season indoors,” like peppers and eggplant in winter. Leafy greens, like spinach and kale, grow quickly from seeds and don’t require special tending. When populating your indoor garden, be realistic and do thorough research. “It can be overwhelming,” Jefferson says, “so master one thing first before learning how to grow more.” 

Prep your garden.
You’ll need the following basics. 1) Quality potting mix: Good airflow allows for better water drainage, which is important for healthy plant growth, and a good mix has plenty of air pockets. 2) Pots: Give each plant its own plastic or terracotta container for easier management, and make sure it has ample drainage holes. For shallow-rooted veggies like lettuce, use a container that’s about 4-inches deep. For vegetables with deeper root systems, like carrots, use a container that’s at least 8-inches deep. 3) Light: Most herbs and vegetables require at least six hours of direct sunlight per day. If there isn’t a place in your space where that’s possible, you can substitute with 12 to 16 hours from a grow light placed directly over your plants. Putting a bulb in a lamp you already own will run you less than $20, or you can get a more expensive fixture—grow lights specifically for gardening provide a fuller light spectrum and work for multiple plants. 4) Fertilizer: Use according to package instructions. 

Reap what you sow.
Sow the seeds in your potting mix and provide consistent moisture once or twice per week with room-temperature water. (If your potting mix is dry to the touch, you should probably water your plant.) Avoid placing your pots near heaters and drafty windows. Let your plants grow at least a few inches (about 3 to 6 weeks after seeding) before harvesting via the cut-and-come-again method: cut off the older outer leaves for one meal while allowing the center of the plant to continue growing. 

Document your journey.
Jefferson suggests photographing your herbs and veggies as they grow and journaling your plants’ progress, logging any new tips and findings. “Everybody has different experiences,” she says. “Even master gardeners are always learning something new.” 

By Safire R. Sostre

Illustrated by Melissa Mathieu 

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This super simple and very pretty DIY elevates any envelope, whether you’re sending holiday wishes, thank yous, or an extra-special love letter.

• Enclose your card in an envelope, and seal.
• Using a hot glue gun, squeeze a dime-sized blob of glue where you want the seal
  to be (the glue will expand, so less is usually more).
• Using tweezers, carefully pick up a tiny dried flower (like those used for nail art,
  available online, or dry them yourself using a flower press or heavy books and
  newspaper) and center it on the hot glue puddle.
• Gently place a blank brass wax seal (we used round and square) on top of the
  flower. No need to press; the seal will stand up straight in place. Let it sit for 20 to 30 seconds, or until it’s easy to remove.

Pro tip: Adding a wax seal means your letter needs extra postage, so check usps.com for current “nonmachinable mailpiece” rates. I just stick two postage stamps on the envelope to make sure it gets there. –Margaret Haas, @paperpastries

This article originally appeared in the Winter 2021 print edition of BUST Magazine. Subscribe today!

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You don’t need holiday magic to turn your paper recycling—cardboard, newspaper, and brown packing paper—into bright, happy ornaments. Just some paint and a few household supplies. These fruit and fungi are a feast for the eyes, but once you get the hang of papier-mâché (essentially using tape, glue, and water to create long-lasting paper sculptures), you can customize any ornament you want, taking “reduce and reuse” to a whole new level.

What You’ll Need

• Stiff cardboard
• Pen
• Scissors
• Newspaper
• Masking tape
• Lids or bowls for tracing circles: 3″ lid for citrus (parmesan or mayo lids work well) 5″ to 6″ bowl for watermelon (cereal bowls work well)
• Toilet paper roll and plastic egg (for mushrooms)
• Twine or string
• Brown packing paper or brown paper bag
• White school glue
• Bowl of water
• Acrylic paint
• Paintbrushes
• Acrylic matte medium (optional)

INSTRUCTIONS

Citrus and Watermelon Ornaments

1. Trace circle lid (for citrus) or bowl (for watermelon) onto stiff cardboard with a pen and cut out. Then sketch a line through the center of the circle and cut it in half with scissors.

2.Tape the pieces back together with masking tape so they are flexible and bend at the seam. To make the outer peel, cut a strip of cardboard about 5″ x 1″ for citrus ornaments or 9″ x 1½” for the watermelon, coming to a pointed tip at each end. Fold the cardboard circle so that it’s shaped like a taco and stuff the fruit with ½ sheet of newspaper for citrus or 1 full sheet for watermelon. [A]

[A]

With masking tape, secure the outer skin along the fruit’s opening so the edges are flush with the fruit. 

3.Using twine or string, make a 2½” loop with a knot, leaving 2″ tails at the end. [B]

[B]

Tape the tails to your fruit with masking tape so that your loop hangs over one end of the wedge. Make sure the loop is secure and will not pull out. [C]

[C]

4. Cut a handful of 1½” x 4″ strips of brown paper (4 to 5 for each citrus ornament, 8 to 9 for watermelon ornament) and soak in a bowl of hot water for 5 minutes. Squeeze out the water so the strips are moist and pliable. [D]

[D]

5. Thoroughly glue the back of a damp brown paper strip using a sponge brush, paint brush, or your fingers, and apply to your piece. Repeat this process until completely covered.  [E]

[E]

6. Let your piece air dry overnight or bake in the oven on foil at 350 degrees F for 10 minutes.

7. Coat with white acrylic paint and let dry for 30 minutes. Paint your piece with acrylic colors and details and let dry. [E]

8. (Optional) Paint a thin coat of acrylic matte medium onto your piece for added protection.

Banana Ornament

1. Crunch several sheets of newspaper, wadding it tightly with your hands to form a banana shape about 5″ long and 1½” wide and tape securely all over with masking tape. [F]

[F]

2. Repeat instructions from 3 through 8.

Mushroom Ornaments

Cut one side of a toilet paper roll lengthwise with scissors and then cut in half widthwise to make 2 pieces. [G]

[G]

Roll each piece to make a mushroom stem about ¾” in diameter and secure with masking tape. (For taller mushrooms, do not cut the roll in half). Stuff a bit of newspaper into the hollow stem and tape to close off the bottom.

2. Separate a plastic egg and place the toilet paper roll stem inside one of the pieces. Stuff newspaper around the stem inside of hollow egg and tape with masking tape to secure. [H]

[H]

Repeat instructions from 3 through 8. 

By Kim Baise 
Photographed by Meiko Takechi Arquillos

This article originally appeared in the Winter 2021 print edition of BUST Magazine.
Subscribe today!

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Want some ideas for inexpensive gifts you can make with love and easily send to all your friends? We’ve got you covered with a sassy tassel keychain, a big-ass scrunchie, and a daisy chain necklace—small, simple, lightweight DIYs that won’t cost you a mint to mail. You know what they say about good things and small packages. 

The No-Hassle Tassel 

Turn embroidery floss into a cute little trinket that will liven up any ol’ set of keys. Just add beads and a lobster claw clasp. 

MATERIALS

• Lobster claw keychain clasp with attached jump ring 
• Neutral-colored hemp cord 
• Embroidery floss in 3 colors
• Metallic embroidery thread 
• Decorative beads of your choice (with holes big enough to fit the hemp cord)
• Scissors 

INSTRUCTIONS 

1. Cut a 20″ length of hemp cord and fold in half. Place the looped part of the cord through the jump ring on your keychain clasp. Take the two ends of your hemp cord and pull them through the loop, tightening to form a lark’s head knot [A]. Add 4 beads by pulling the two hemp-cord ends through the beads in the order you want them to sit. 

A

2. Cut your embroidery floss into 10″ lengths, 15 to 20 pieces per color. Lay your embroidery floss over one end of the hemp cord so that the midpoint of the floss is centered on the cord. As you position the embroidery floss, think about how you want the colors to show—the color you lay at the top will be the most prominent; the ones at the bottom will peek out more from underneath your tassel. Double-knot the hemp cords to hold the embroidery floss in place [B]. Trim excess hemp. 
 B

3. Fold the embroidery floss down. Using a 9″ length of hemp cord, wrap around the floss at least five times, about 1″ from the fold, and double-knot it. Then wrap the ends of the hemp around again at least three times and double-knot the ends together. Trim any excess [C].

C

4. Cover the hemp you just tied with the metallic embroidery thread, wrapping and knotting it around the embroidery floss the same way you did the hemp in step 3 [D]. If you’d prefer to leave the hemp cord visible, skip this step. 

D

5. Comb through the tassel in a downward motion, trim it to your desired length, and voilà! Your tassel keychain is complete. 

Scrunchie Squad 

We’re fully hair for this oversized scrunchie. All you need is elastic, cute fabric, and some simple sewing skills. 

MATERIALS

• 21″ x 9″ piece of fabric (or 21″ x 4½” for a regular scrunchie)
• Iron 
• Sewing machine (with thread and needle ready)
• Straight pins
• Fabric scissors
• 7″ length of ?”-wide elastic 
• Safety pin 
• Ruler

INSTRUCTIONS 

1. Fold over the top ½” of one short side of your rectangular fabric so the wrong sides meet; iron flat [A]. Repeat on other short side. Fold fabric lengthwise, right sides facing, and pin [B]. Sew a ¼” hem along the length of the tube, leaving a 2″ gap in the center for turning the scrunchie right-side out later [C].
 A

B

C

2. Pull the fabric ends on one short side through the inside of the fabric tube until they meet the fabric ends on the other short side’s opening [D]. Pin the ends together on each side of the opening with the straight pins [E]. Then, sew around the opening, creating a cylinder, with a ¼” seam allowance. (Depending on the size of your sewing machine, it might be easier to hand-sew the openings together.)

D E

3. Find the 2″ gap that you left in the scrunchie during step 2. Pull the inside fabric through the gap so that the right side of the fabric is now on the outside.  

4. Pin a safety pin to one end of the elastic. Pin the other end of the elastic to the 2″ fabric opening. Using the safety pin as a guide, thread the elastic through the fabric tube so that both ends are poking out of the gap. Overlap the ends, pin them, and then sew them together with your machine [F]. 
 F

5. Push the elastic inside the scrunchie and hand-sew the 2″ gap closed. Now, your oversized scrunchie is complete!

Cover Me In Daisy Chains  

Spend some time stringing seed beads for a sweet chain
necklace or bracelet that’s fresh as a you-know-what. 

MATERIALS

• 8/0 seed beads in at least three colors (one to separate the daisies, one for the daisies’ centers, and at least one for the petals) 
• Silk thread with attached needle 
• Jewelry clasps
• Scissors

INSTRUCTIONS 

1. Measure and cut the silk thread to your desired length (note: the thread will shorten as you bead, so be generous). We cut 25″ for the necklace and 15″ for the bracelet. Triple-knot a jewelry clasp to one end to prevent the beads from falling off. Trim any excess thread near the clasp [A].  

A

2. Thread five seed beads in the color you’d like separating the daisies. Then, add four beads in the desired daisy petal color and one bead for the center of the daisy [B]. Using the needle end of your thread, pull the thread back through the first petal bead you strung in the opposite direction, toward the jewelry clasp. This will form the top half of the daisy [C]. Add three more petal-colored beads onto the thread. Then, pull the thread through the last petal-colored bead on the top of the daisy. This will form the bottom half of the daisy [D].

 B

C

D

3. Adjust the beads so they’re in the right spots and repeat step 2, switching out the petal beads if you’d like the daisy colors to alternate [E]. Continue this pattern until you’ve reached your desired bracelet or necklace length. Attach the other side of your jewelry clasp to the end and trim off any excess thread [F].

 E

F

4. Tuck the finished piece in a small box or pouch for gifting. 

By Anna Gragert
Photographed by Kat Borchart

This article originally appeared in the Winter 2021 print edition of BUST Magazine. Subscribe today!

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As we finally eat the last of those Thanksgiving leftovers, we can officially announce that it’s go-time for the Christmas season. Every year someone around the world is wondering what to get for the ones they love most. Maybe another bag, another sweater, or another perfume gift set, but what about for the feminist friend? You could purchase another mug that says “Feminist” or another photo of Beyoncé in her “Formation” outfit throwing the middle fingers, or you could be daring and try one of these easy, thoughtful, and creative ideas. Here are five DIY gifts for your feminist friend. 

 1. RBG’s Prestigious Collar

Got a political feminist friend? What better than to gift the collar of Former Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court, Ruth Badar Ginsburg. While this brilliant tutorial by Katrinaosity is intended for a Halloween costume, we think the collar looks good enough to wear as a bling-y accessory. And honoring RBG’s legacy, while empowering your feminist friend, is a powerful show of appreciation for both. 

2.  Dazzling Disk Curtain 

If your feminist friend is an ultimate music lover, recycle your unused or old discs and transform them into a curtain perfect for an entryway or decorated wall fixture. You can even thrift a CD of some feminist favorites such as Beyoncé, Halsey or Lizzo for this great craft idea by Sirena Rosa.

3. A Necklace Fit For A Feminist

If your feminist friend is also a jewelry enthusiast, creative mastermind Karen Kavett demonstrates how to create the perfect necklace while engaging in a fun yet informational conversation about feminism. She also shares two more DIY ideas that are fun and so easy, you’ll probably end up making all three.

4. Light Up The Liberation

Is your feminist friend a regular at Bath & Body Works? Gift them this feminism-inspired candle they’ll definitely burn all year round. This tutorial by Rachel of DIY in PDX includes an easy-to-print label that will make any budget candle look like one of those high-priced ones.

5. Patch Out The Patriarchy

Let your inner Donatella fly by following Kozmic Blue’s clever instructions for how to create a patch for a one-of-a-kind piece you won’t see anywhere else on the market. 

6. Sharp as a Pin

These feminist pins by master crafter Madelynn De La Rosa, made with Shrinky Dinks and Sharpies, look so profesh your friends may not believe you made them with your own two hands!

In the Survival Skills for Badass Bitches series, writer Melanie LaForce walks you through everything you need to know to survive the outdoors, tough situations, and/or the forthcoming apocalypse. 

2020 has taught us that we can expect the unexpected. The universe has spoken, and plainly stated that “All bets are fucking off.” Amidst pandemic, violence, wildfires, hurricanes, and oh yeah, fucking cannibal hornets, you’ll need some strategies to take the chaos in stride with a fat smile. We’re here to give you some real-world bad ass witch skills, such as peeing on the side of the road, foraging for food, and today, making your own cannabis tincture.

A quick note before you proceed: take into account all local cannabis and alcohol laws, and use both at your own risk. Effects of cannabis tincture vary across users and use conditions. 

Weed is now mainstream, y’all. Your mom uses it, your boss uses it… hell, I’ve even seen it offered at business meetings. In 2020, access to cannabis has never been greater. As of the November election, 15 (totally rad) states will have recreationally legal marijuana, and 36 states will have medical marijuana programs.

Since many states have legalized recreational marijuana use, the cannabis industry has seen as much conflict as a CW teen drama. On one hand you’ve got posh, beautifully designed marijuana oils and edibles touting a range of benefits and ingredients. Our girl Martha Stewart has her own line of beautiful CBD edibles, and Goop loves to preach the gospel of boutique and luxury cannabis products.

On the other side, you have the purists. These are the Old Pals of the cannabis industry who believe in a return to sane, basic cannabis for cannabis’ sake. Several grow farms and distributors now produce and aggressively market cheap, “everywoman” weed, with zero frills or pretention. 

While I’d love to embrace the street cred of the old school view, I can’t help but fucking swoon over the opulent, artisanal shit. However, I can’t afford it. So instead, I fall somewhere in between, with my own DIY cannabis tincture in pretty cobalt blue apothecary bottles. 

Making your own cannabis tincture (aka “giggle water”) is a great skill during the apocalypse for a range of reasons. First, and perhaps most obviously: everything is terrible and we desperately need to be high as much as possible. Many of us (cough, Seth Rogen) admit to leaning harder into the cannabis lifestyle to cope with our never ending shitstorm of a world. Cannabis tincture will have you drifting on a metaphorical pink cloud, easing you away from it all. Tincture is compact, light, and you don’t need big glass dabbing rigs or pipes to go with it. Because you consume cannabis tincture orally or sublingually, there’s significantly less odor in using and storing it. And since you aren’t burning and inhaling the cannabis, you’re less likely to get nasty carcinogens with your buzz. 

Cannabis tincture is the most affordable way I’ve found to consume cannabis. Tincture helps a small amount of weed go a long way in case, god forbid, cannabis is scarce. It’s also highly shelf stable, as long as you keep it out of extreme light and temperatures. Finally, cannabis tincture is incredibly easy to make; it only takes about 30 minutes. (Online recipes for cannabis tinctures reference a range of cook times. Feel free to adapt, but I learned my technique from a University of Chicago biologist, so…YEAH.)

The first ingredient you’ll need is cannabis flower. You can use anything from lush sun-grown buds the size of baseballs to the shitty dry weed that you bought in high school and found yesterday wedged behind your sock drawer. Cannabis tincture is a great way to use shake and less desirable cuts of flower. 

The other ingredient is very high proof alcohol, such as Everclear. Everclear is grain alcohol, and it’s unlikely you’ve tried it unless it was mixed with red punch and ladled out of the bathtub at a college fraternity party. Everclear is 190 proof (95% alcohol!), twice as strong as most hard liquor. (I also use Everclear to clean my pipes. Everclear and other high proof liquors are no joke, and I would strongly advise against drinking them the way you would drink other hard liquors.)

Grain alcohol is heavily regulated and may be hard to acquire in some states and regions. I have tried this recipe with lower-strength alcohol and other high proof liquors, however, Everclear works the best and most consistently for me. Alcohol binds to cannabinoids, so this recipe can also work with non-psychoactive CBD-dominant flower. 

Ready to go? Here are the detailed instructions.  

DIY Cannabis Tincture

Ingredients:

• ⅛ ounce (about 3.5 grams) cannabis flower. 
• ½ cup of 190 proof/95% alcohol, or as strong as you can find

Supplies: Oven, fine-mesh strainer (or coffee filter), grinder/mortar and pestle, sheet pan, clean jar with lid, 4 2-ounce eye-dropper or other bottles. 

• Preheat the oven to 320 degrees Fahrenheit. 

• Grind cannabis flower. (If you don’t have a good grinder, use a mortar and pestle. Or put on some Schitt’s Creek reruns and slowly tear the flower to tiny pieces.) 

• Spread ground flower across a sheet pan in a very thin layer (i.e. most of the flower should be directly touching the pan). Bake for 18-20 minutes. While the weed bakes, pour the alcohol into a jar. Take a moment to breathe deeply and enjoy the marvelous scent of cannabis decarboxylating in your very own home. 

• When the cannabis starts to brown, remove from the oven and immediately transfer it to the alcohol. Use a spatula to gently scrape the flower into your jar of Everclear. Put on the lid, making the jar as airtight as possible, and cover the entire jar with a towel to keep out light. 

• Now, we come to a point of great controversy. According to my scientist friend, the extraction of THC (the cannabinoid that makes you feel high) likely takes place almost immediately. She typically strains out the cannabis flower after only 20 minutes. I keep mine mixed overnight, and others may let the tincture sit for a week or more. The longer you let the decarboxylated cannabis and alcohol hang out, the more “weed-y” your tincture will taste. If you want to let it sit for a while, keeping it in the freezer may help mitigate this effect. 

• Whenever you with all your witchy intuition deem your tincture “done,” strain through a mesh strainer, coffee filter, or cheesecloth. (The latter two soak up some of your precious tincture, but work in a pinch.) Finally, use a small funnel or carefully pour the strained liquid into small bottles. Eyedropper bottles work well and make the tincture easy to administer. 

• Put cute DIY labels on your bottles, if you wanna be extra bougie. You now have 4 whimsical little bottles of potent magic. 

Some folks take this tincture sublingually (under the tongue), which can speed activation time. However, I find this approach dangerous or at least uncomfortable given the strength of the alcohol. (Read: That shit burns.) I love mixing it in cocktails, or more typically, fizzy water with a squeeze of lemon. 

How about dosing? Well, like most unregulated cannabis recipes, it really depends. Start with just a couple of drops and see how you feel after an hour. If you don’t feel it, take a few more drops and increase every hour. As with many edibles, it can take trial and error to find your preferred dose. Seasoned cannabis users may use as much as a millimeter or more for intense highs. 

How long does it take to activate and how long will it last? Again, it varies by user and conditions. When I haven’t a meal recently, the cannabis tincture seems to act more quickly than when I’ve had a lot of food. Sometimes it’s as quick as a half hour for me, while others using this recipe have reported a 90-minute lag time. In my experience, the quicker the high comes on, the shorter it lasts, but you’ll still be good for a couple hours minimum. 

Hooray! Congrats on your four bottles of THC-filled wonder. Cannabis tincture goes delightfully with herby beverages, fuzzy blankets, and Looney Tunes. The apocalypse never seemed so chill. 

Art by Gabriella Shery

Gabriella Shery is an illustrator, graphic designer, and comic artist from Brooklyn, New York. You can find her work on Instagram at @gabshery, or on her website at http://gabriellashery.com.

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Add some magic to your favorite photos by getting a little knotty.

The often feared but oh-so-fabulous French knot is easier to ace than you might imagine. It’s also the perfect embroidery stitch to transform your fabric-printed photos into wall-ready works of art. Have a yearbook photo that needs a makeover? A group portrait you want to add some extra joy to? Thoughtful placement of a few French knots can highlight trim on an outfit, punctuate the center of a flower, or fill the air with confetti. En masse, they can create new hairdos, fill borders and backgrounds, or even reimagine the family photo album with a little magical realism.

Materials

Photo image on fabric
Embroidery hoop
6-strand embroidery floss in your chosen colors
Embroidery needle
Scissors

Instructions

1. Select a favorite personal photograph or public domain image that can be used without permissions or restrictions, like from The New York Public Library (digitalcollections.nypl.org, check the “public domain materials” box) or the British Library (flickr.com/photos/britishlibrary). Crisp, clear, black-and-white photographs work best, and will provide an eye-popping contrast with colorful embroidery floss.

2. There are two ways to transfer an image to fabric. Using an inkjet printer, you can print your image yourself onto paper-backed cotton fabric sheets (Jacquard Cotton Inkjet Fabric Sheets, $18.99 for a pack of 10, joann.com)

For a higher-quality result, upload your image to a fabric print-on-demand service, like spoonflower.com (I recommend choosing “linen cotton canvas”), and wait for your fabric-printed photo to arrive. It’s best to scale your imagery to no smaller than 4″ x 6″.

3. Before you begin, consider your overall composition by printing a practice photo on paper and sketching the general placement of your stitches.

If you’re concerned about “ruining” your image, know this: you can practice on scrap fabric until you feel more confident and any rogue knots can be pulled out, allowing you to start again!

4. Load your fabric into your embroidery hoop so the surface is smooth and taut. Cut a 12″ to 16″ length of embroidery floss, and split off three strands. Knot one end and thread the other through your embroidery needle leaving a 2″ tail. Determine the location of your first French knot and push your threaded needle through the fabric, entering from the underside and pulling the floss through until the knot catches on the back.

5. Set your hooped fabric down on your work surface. Hold your needle in your dominant hand and then take the 2″ to 3″ of the floss closest to your knot, hold it taut with your non-dominant hand, and don’t let go. There’s no need to pull hard, you just want to create a straight line of the floss with gentle tension.

6. Bring the needle towards your body and hold it parallel to the fabric; wrap the taut part of the floss around the needle three times.

Position the tip of the needle right next to where the floss initially came up through the surface and then pierce the fabric again—but don’t push the needle all of the way through.

Now gently pull the floss with your non-dominant hand and watch the wrapped knot slide down the needle to the surface of the fabric.

7. Next, slowly push the needle through the fabric, releasing the floss and lifting the hoop up off your work surface, allowing you to pull the floss all the way through.

The end result is a neat, three-dimensional knot that sits on the surface of your fabric.

8. Create as many French knots as you’d like with your length of floss, but leave yourself at least 3″ at the end. After completing your final French knot, separate the strands on the underside of the fabric, knot together, and trim.

By Robert Mahar
Visit robert-mahar.com for more embroidery and diy tutorials.

Top photo by Kat Borchart
Crafting photos by Robert Mahar

This article originally appeared in the Fall 2020 print edition of BUST Magazine. Subscribe today!

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Lots of people talk about making podcasts, but don’t follow through. Maybe time, funding, and patience – or confidence – are in short supply. None of this should stop you. Unique, personal experience is what makes a podcast work, along with good sound quality and some careful planning. With all the big changes happening in society right now, your podcast can serve as a message in a bottle to those at a distance or for future generations. It can help you build community and make change. It can even be (dare I say it?) fun. If you’re thinking about it but still on the fence about committing, I am here to tell you to go for it. With a few tools and some planning, now is a great time to make a podcast. 

Professional studio access can be expensive. However, it’s not difficult to make a recording setup in your home. If you’re reading this, you probably already have the most important tool you need: a smartphone, tablet, or computer. There are apps that you can use to record your podcast on iOS or Android. Some apps, such as Hokusai, will even let you edit your podcast on the recording app. Audacity is a free software for Windows that many people use with good results. GarageBand comes with most Macs. You can even get good mics which work with your smartphone. 

Whether you live in a small apartment in a city or a house with other folks, making quiet recording space is possible. Ira Glass recently tweeted that he recorded some of This American Life from his closet; Ella Watts of BBC Studios has tweeted photos of her delightful blanket fort recording setup. The goal is to make sure that your voice has as little echo, or reverb, as possible. Unless you want to sound like you’re in a cathedral, hardwood floors and drywall cause enough of an echo that even if you can’t hear it, your microphone will pick it up on the recording. For smoother, more inviting sound, you can pile pillows around your microphone, tent a blanket over a couple of chairs, and make a safe space for your voice. 

You don’t even have to stay indoors. If there are unique environments you want to explore, do it. Field recording enriches your listener’s experience. 

Don’t ever forget about libraries. Most libraries are hubs of digital information. Some have classes on how to make a podcast. In any case, they can provide computer access and a quiet space. 

Before you start piling pillows and getting ready to record, though, you need a plan. Grab a notebook and a pen, and scribble down your thoughts. Ask yourself:

• What’s this podcast about? It should be something you love, and that other people care about, too. 
• Fact or fiction? Do you want your podcast to be more journalistic or instructive, or do you want to create a radio drama, or tell stories? 
• What format do you want to use? For example, do you want to chat with a friend or two about it, interview experts, or explain it solo? All have their benefits. Be flexible enough that you could change your format once in awhile to keep things interesting. 
• How long do you want each episode to be? Many podcasts are about 20 minutes long. However, some are an hour or more, and some are only a few minutes. Give yourself a time framework. 
• How much time can you devote to this, and how frequently do you want to release episodes? If you’re working full-time and have family members to care for, making an hour-long podcast every week is probably unrealistic. On the other hand, if you have six hours a week of free time, making a 20-minute podcast every week can be reasonable. 
• What do you want your podcast to sound like? Do you want music, sound effects, live environments, the great outdoors, or just your voice and nothing else? This is the time for blue sky thinking. 
• What would you really like to get out of this? Do you want people on the other side of the world to know what your life is like, have you got notebooks full of your great-grandmother’s poetry, do you want to interview the top ten fly fishing champions in Minnesota? Again, dream big. 

Once you know what you want to record, when you’ll record and edit it, and how you want it to sound, plan this in detail for three to five episodes. Three to five is a pretty arbitrary number, but it’ll let you know if your podcast is an idea that you can sustain, or not. 

To make things even easier, you can use an inexpensive tool like Alitu. The interface is almost completely drag and drop. It lets you add music, it makes your voice sound better, and it’ll even help you publish your episodes. 

Media hosting is one of the inalienable price tags in podcasting. However, it doesn’t have to cost a lot. You might ask, “what if I just upload it to Soundcloud or YouTube?” You certainly can, but that won’t give you an RSS feed. A media host is where your sound files live, and the RSS feed is the bus that drives them to work every day, in your listeners’ ears. The good news is that once you set up that RSS feed, you can submit your podcast to Apple, Spotify, Google, and many other directories. This makes it easier for people to find your podcast. Hosting can cost as little as around $12 a month, and some are less. Many offer assistance with publishing, marketing, and transcripts. 

No podcast is an overnight success, unless you’re already a celebrity. Even in that case, not everyone will listen to your podcast. However, I can tell you that the people who do listen will care. Because the experience of listening to a podcast is so intimate, it motivates people and reaches them on a visceral, emotional level. A good podcast is like a dream. It uses sound to conjure vivid experience and stimulate brain activity. Try out some tools and techniques, and give podcasting a try. 

Top photo via Pexels

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We all have that favorite pair of perfectly broken-in jeans we couldn’t imagine living without. And we have all probably experienced the heartbreak when a hole appears in the worst of all places—the crotch! Thankfully, with a patch and a sewing machine, the dreaded crotch blowout is a pretty easy fix (especially if you catch the hole in the early stage). And since the jeans aren’t really wearable without a mend, it makes a perfect project for practicing your sewing skills! 

Materials 

Jeans to be repaired, scrap denim (or as similar a material as you can find), sewing machine, pins, thread (in a color as close to the shade of the area needing repair as possible), and scissors.

Before

Instructions

1) Turn your jeans inside out and, using the scrap denim, cut a fabric patch that’s at least an inch larger on every side than the actual hole. Secure the patch by pinning the edges in place on the inside of the jeans, centered on the hole. Once secured, turn the jeans right side out again.

2) Thread the needle and bobbin of your machine with thread closely matching the area being repaired (since the denim in the area has been broken down, it’s likely a different shade than other parts of the jeans).

3) Feed the jeans into the machine. Begin at one side of the hole and use a straight-stitch to stitch a line the length of the hole along the grain of the denim. Once you’ve reached the other side, put your machine in reverse and sew a line alongside the first, ending next to the point where you started. Continue zig-zagging straight lines back and forth, making your lines longer where the blowout area widens. If the opening of your blowout hole is larger than an inch in diameter, stitch your lines around the perimeter of the hole where the fabrics overlap (no need to sew in the middle of the patch). Be careful not to sew over any of the pins—your machine’s needle can break and send sharp pieces flying! 

4) Once you’ve sewn lines back and forth across the entire blowout area, lock the final stitch by running a few stitches back and forth. Remove the jeans, and trim any loose threads where they meet the fabric. Turn the jeans inside out again to trim off excess patch fabric around the hole and voila! Your favorite jeans are back and ready for action.

After

By Kristina Angelozzi
Photographed by Samuel Dixon
This article originally appeared in the Spring 2020 edition of BUST’s print magazine. Subscribe today!

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None of us could have predicted we’d be here, in our homes, quarantining from a global pandemic the first third of the new decade. But here we are. Dow is down, kids aren’t in school, Trump is being Trump, there are no gloves, thermometers, hand sanitizer, or even mouth masks on the shelves. But of all the shortages, there is no damn toilet tissue. When the shortage hit and viral videos of shoppers fighting over packs appeared online, BUST’s own Debbie Stoller asked “Am I missing something? Is diarrhea a symptom of COVID-19?” It’s not.

Fortunately, our Zero Waste friends have a resourceful tip for people with vaginas. Pee Rags. From the desks of Corinne Loperfido and Simcha Zipporah, here’s the #CoronaCraft alternative to hold you over until we can all get some actual toilet tissue. But also, maybe it’s worth using pee rags once the quaratine is over to continue to reduce waste. This is smart and EASY! Even if you dont have a washer dryer in your home, you can wash them in the sink with hot soapy water and hang in your bathroom to dry, I mean who’s coming over anyway?

 

 

 

 

 

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Thank you to @dame.la.pamela for this post. ACTION IS THE ANTIDOTE TO DESPAIR! Don’t be “bored” during confinement – use this time of being home to clean your house, purge your unneeded possessions, do your taxes, mend your clothes, read books, preserve food, start a garden, get into cooking new things, work on the art project you’ve been putting off… How often do we get time to ourselves in this modern fast paced world? Use this time for self reflection and catching up on things you haven’t had time for, not binge watching Netflix all week long…

A post shared by Corinne Loperfido (@corinneloperfido) on Mar 16, 2020 at 10:07am PDT

 For more helpful tips on living a Zero Waste lifestyle, check out Corinne’s Patreon, she is an inspiring teacher and is offering discount classes! https://www.patreon.com/corinneloperfido

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Everyone knows spring cleaning is a thing, but for witches, it’s a whole-ass ritual. Typically it’s done on Ostara, the celebration of the spring equinox, which generally falls between March 19th and 21st. But you can adopt some of these pagan-inspired procedures any time you feel like transforming your cleaning routine into a more meditative self-care practice.

The key to cleaning like a witch is intent. Not only will you be getting rid of grime while you work, but you’ll also be focusing on attracting prosperity, protection, and health to your home, while clearing your space of any bad vibes that may be lingering in the dusty corners. These objectives will be enhanced by the specific herbs and essential oils that you’ll use in your homemade cleaning supplies. The non-toxic recipes that follow cover all the bases—financial well-being, healing, and safety, with a special emphasis on purification, but feel free to alter any of these spells to suit your needs. Refer to the “Herbs and Their Magical Properties” at the bottom of this post to create your own mixtures by choosing herbs and oils that correspond to your intent and to aromas you feel drawn to. You can also add more of a certain ingredient to boost a specific power or scent. 

As you go from room to room, be sure to wipe down the doorframes and windowsills. These are great places for old energy to hang out, so wipe it away to block negative energy from getting in. Be sure to wash the outside of your front and back doors, too. When they are dry, sprinkle a line of salt along the sills and right inside the entrance of your front and back doors for protection. 

1. Before Getting Started, Look To The Skies

The kinds of spells witches cast depend on whatever the moon is doing at the time. Generally, when the moon is getting bigger (waxing) you want to concentrate on attracting good things to your life. When the moon is getting smaller (waning) it’s better to concentrate on casting out things you no longer want in your life. For example, you may have financial concerns. If the moon is waxing, you should focus on drawing money towards you. But if it happens to be a waning moon, set your intent instead on getting rid of debt or removing financial stress.

The moon phase also determines the motions you’ll be making while cleaning. If the moon is waxing and you want to bring something good into your life, sweep, mop, or wipe clockwise. But if the moon is waning and you want to get something negative out of your life, make those movements counterclockwise. Be sure to focus on what you are doing, stay clear on what the herbs and motions you are using represent, and visualize what you want to manifest or get rid of. 

Another fun, moon-related task you may want to undertake is making a batch of moon water to use in your mop bucket. To make moon water, put water in a lidded jar and place it outside under the new or full moon and let it sit overnight, absorbing the moon’s vibes. New moon water is ideal for cleaning since it represents new beginnings, but full moon water works for everything.

2. Setting The Scene

Once you’re ready to begin, keep in mind that when it comes to magical house cleaning, you should start at the furthest place in your house from your front door, and work your way around to it (if you have multiple floors, work top down toward the door). This is because you want to get all the negative energy to leave by moving it outside of your home. 

De-clutter and reorganize ahead of time so you can really focus your spells on deep cleaning. Go through all of your closets, drawers, cabinets, shelves, and other hidey-holes, and be sure to give those surfaces a good wipe down. Dust everything before you reorganize and put it back. This is the time to get rid of the old to make room for the new; not just physical things, but energy, too. 

Next, take some time to relax and focus on your intentions. It also helps to invite the elements of earth, wind, fire, and water into the space to help boost your spell work. For example, you can open all the windows and let the element of wind blow through your home. Light a couple of candles to represent fire. Earth is represented in the herbs you will be working with in the spells below. And water is the medium you are using to clean. 

Now make a simmer. This will get your air smelling fresh while you work, and you want to purify the air to help rid your surfaces of old, stale energy. I have a cauldron I use for this, but you can just use a regular shmegular pan. Get two cups of water simmering. While it is heating up, mix the simmer ingredients in a bowl using your hands. Focus on what each item represents as you add it, and what your intent is. Pour the herbs into the water and let it simmer on a low heat. Stir occasionally and focus on the motion: clockwise to bring things and counterclockwise to get rid of things.

When you are done cleaning, you need to dispose of the simmer off of your property. You can put it in compost or strain the solids and put them in the trash, then take that out immediately and dump the water off the curb. 

“Focus on what each item represents as you add it, and what your intent is.”

Cleansing/Purification Simmer: 

• ½ cup salt (money, protection, purification)
• 1 teaspoon whole cloves (money, protection, purification, healing)
• ½ cup dried chamomile (money, purification)
• 2-3 drops peppermint oil (money, protection, purification, healing)
• The peel and juice of two lemons (protection, purification)
• 5 cinnamon sticks (money, protection, purification, healing)

3. Windows Are The Eyes Of Your Home

It’s great to kick off your serious scrubbing with windows, because once your windows are sparkling, positive energy can shine in. Work from the top down using the super-simple homemade window wash recipe here. It is equal parts white vinegar and water, plus some essential oils that cover all the bases of abundance and purification of bad vibes. Spray this mixture on your windows, and use a paper towel or microfiber cloth to shine ‘em up. Make sure you focus on intent, and pay attention to the direction you are wiping. 

In a spray bottle mix:

• 1 cup white vinegar 
• 1 cup water
• 20 drops lemon oil (protection, purification)
• 20 drops lavender oil (protection, purification, healing)
• 10 drops peppermint oil (money, protection, purification, healing)

Shake well. Feel free to add more oil if you want to boost the smell.

4. Surfaces Are The Skin Of Your Home

For all your surfaces, you can make an all-purpose cleaner from one part baking soda, two parts white vinegar, and oils of your choosing (based on your intent), topped off with water, in a spray bottle. Mix the vinegar and the oils in the bottle first, shaking the bottle to combine them. Then use a funnel to add the baking soda a little bit at a time. Let the fizz settle down, then fill the bottle to the top with water. Put the cap on and shake again vigorously. This can be used on all surfaces, from counters to fridge to doorways. If the baking soda starts to settle on the bottom, just give the mixture another good shake.

Cleansing and Protecting Surface Cleaner:

• 1 cup white vinegar
• 10 drops lemon oil (protection, purification)
• 10 drops lavender oil (protection, purification, healing)
• 2 drops peppermint oil (money, protection, purification, healing)
• ½ cup baking soda 
• water

5. Floors Are The Feet Of Your Home

Now it’s time to get out your witch’s broom. (This is just your standard broom, but you’ll be using a magical herbal sweep mixture.) For this spell, you want to mix equal parts herbs and base. Cornmeal is used for prosperity, and baking soda for cleansing. 

Mix the herbs in a bowl. Add baking soda and mix with your hands. (Remember to focus on intent and the motion in which you stir.) Sprinkle this mixture lightly around your floors starting at the furthest corner from the door, and be sure to get the corners and under and behind all the furniture. This mix can be sprinkled on hard floors, carpets, and furniture, and then swept or vacuumed back up along with dust and dirt. When you sweep, focus on your intent and the directoin you are sweeping, and sweep towards the door, starting at the furthest corner. Throw the sweep mixture and dirt and dust out in a trashcan off of your property. If you are vacuuming floors and furniture, be sure to empty out the vacuum bag right after and dispose of the dirt off of your property. 

Another  vacuum boost is to add a drop of  essential oil that coordinates with your intent  onto the filter of the vacuum. The heat and air from the vacuum will get the aroma drifting all over the room. 

After you’ve swept, get the floors to shine with an infused floor wash. Start by boiling two cups of water. Combine the dry ingredients below in a bowl;  mix with your hands while focusing on your intent. Add the dry ingredients to the water and let simmer for 15 minutes. Then turn off the heat and let the mix steep for at least an hour. Strain out the solids and dispose of them off of your property. Stir 1 cup of white vinegar and the juice and rinds of two lemons into the liquid. Fill a mop bucket with warm water (including your moon water if you made some) and add the mix. You can also add your favorite natural cleaner here, like castile soap (use about ¼ cup soap per every 3 – 4 cups water). Remember your intent and your motions as you clean. When you are done mopping, either flush the mop water down the toilet and watch it disappear down the drain, or dump it off your property. 

You can also add a little magic to any of the natural cleaning products you normally use (like castile soap) by dropping in a couple drops of your favorite oil that coincides with the intent you want.

Purification Sweep (Makes 1/2 cup, enough to sweep one room):

• 1 Tbsp dried rosemary (protection, purification, health)
• 1 Tbsp dried lavender (protection, purification, healing)
• 1 Tbsp dried thyme (purification, healing)
• 3 medium bay leaves (money, protection, purification, healing)
• ¼ cup baking soda

Cleansing/Purification Floor Wash: 

• 2 cups water
• 1 cup white vinegar
• Rind and juice of 2 lemons (protection, purification)
• 12 cinnamon sticks (money, protection, purification, healing)
• ½ tablespoon black pepper (protection, purification)
• ½ cup dried chamomile (money, purification)
• 12 bay leaves (money, protection, purification, healing)
• ½ cup whole cloves (money, protection, purification, healing) 
• 1 cup dried rosemary (protection, purification, health)
• 1 cup pine needles (money, protection, purification, healing)
• 1 cup dried sage (money, protection, purification, healing)

6. Wrap It Up Buttercup

End your cleansing ritual by lighting a sage bundle and, starting from the furthest corner of your home, go from room to room thinking about the magic you just created and the changes you hope to see in your life. Be sure to really focus on corners and entranceways. Finally, blow out all your candles, thank the elements, and make sure you’ve disposed of your wishful waste off of your property.  

Herbs and their magical properties

Prosperity/Money:
Allspice, Basil, Bay Leaf, Bergamot, Chamomile, Cedarwood, Cinnamon, Clove, Fennel Seed, Ginger, Hyssop, Nutmeg, Orange, Oregano, Patchouli, Peanut, Peppermint, Pine, Sage, Salt, Sesame Seed

Protection:
Anise, Basil, Bay Leaf, Bergamot, Black Pepper, Cayenne, Cedarwood, Cinnamon, Clove, Cumin, Cypress, Fennel Seed, Frankincense, Garlic, Hyssop, Lavender, Lemon, Lilac, Marjoram, Mugwort, Mustard Seed, Myrrh, Onion, Parsley, Patchouli, Peppermint, Pine, Rose, Rosemary, Sage, Salt, Sandalwood, Violet

Purification/Cleansing: 

Anise, Bay Leaf, Black Pepper, Cedarwood, Chamomile, Cinnamon, Clove, Eucalyptus, Fennel, Frankincense, Garlic, Hyssop, Lavender, Lemon, Lime, Marjoram, Myrrh, Onion, Parsely, Peppermint, Pine, Rosemary, Sage, Salt, Sandalwood, Star Anise, Thyme, Vervain

Health/Healing: 

Allspice, Bay Leaf, Cedarwood, Cinnamon, Clove, Eucalyptus, Fennel Seed, Garlic, Ginger, Honey, Lavender, Mugwort, Myrrh, Nutmeg, Orange, Oregano, Peppermint, Pine, Rose, Rosemary, Sage, Sandalwood, Spearmint, Thyme, Violet, Willow   

By Callie Watts
Illustrated by Ale de la Torre
This article originally appeared in the Spring 2020 print edition of BUST Magazine. Subscribe today!

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There is a natural tendency of the mind to focus on the negative. Every day, we receive hundreds of positive reinforcements that suggest the universe will continue to support us. But we also receive negative information when we read inflammatory news about the election or the coronavirus. On my frequent subway rides in Manhattan these days, I am aware when my mind vacillates between panic and rational thinking. Making my own hand sanitizer calmed my fears of catastrophe and disease for several hours. It’s hygienic and therapeutic! Makes a great gift! 

Purell is sold out everywhere, anyway, and this homemade version is better not only because it kills germs, but because it’s customizable with essential oils.  

Recipe:

• 1/3 Aloe Vera Gel (real stuff from health food store) or fake stuff from CVS “after sun gel” will work in a pinch.
• 2/3 Isopropyl Alcohol 70% will kill the germs. (I’ve heard some people have used Vodka, but it is only 40% alcohol.)
• Add 10 drops essential oil, lavender, lemon, thyme, rosemary or other favorite scent.

Just mix or shake in small containers for traveling.*

*Does not replace soap and water, but useful for dirty subway rides and peace of mind.

By Christine Martin 

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IT’S NO SECRET that the fashion industry is rough on the planet—it’s responsible for more than 1 billion metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions a year, according to a report from the Ellen MacArthur Foundation. And the United Nations Environment Assembly says that, next to agriculture, toxic waste from textile dyeing is the world’s biggest water polluter. On top of that, we throw most of our outfits out anyway—almost three-fifths of clothes get dumped within a year of production, according to a report by McKinsey & Company. (Don’t even get us started on the way the industry treats its workers, most of whom are women.) A lot of brands are starting to address this, but not every one that claims to be “green” is worth buying from—and even the sustainable stuff doesn’t give you a license to consume recklessly. Here’s how to curate a closet you love that you can feel good about, too.

DO YOUR RESEARCH

It’s not that difficult. Generally, the companies taking action are pretty vocal about it. But sustainability is a spectrum. No brand is making the ultimate no-damage, zero-waste product—and they likely never will. Instead, look for companies that are making conscious decisions and educating their customers about them. “They’re not always going to please everyone, ” says Melanie DiSalvo, an activist who works with brands like Eileen Fisher on supply chain sustainability, but companies “have to take a stand.” That stand can be taken in a number of ways, whether it’s eschewing chemical-laden dyes for natural ones, easing their water pollution, or focusing on sustainable fabrics like organic hemp, organic linen, or recycled cotton. In general, 10 to 30 percent of fabric is discarded during the cutting process, but some brands are finding inventive ways to get that waste as close to zero as possible. Look for brands that are totally transparent about their supply and production chain, especially if you want to ensure that the person who made the piece you’re wearing was paid fairly for doing so.

CHANGE YOUR BUYING HABITS

Rather than being consumed by which brands you should buy from, refine the way you shop overall, suggests Elizabeth Cline, a New York-based writer and expert on fashion, sustainability, and workers’ rights. If you’re avoiding trends you know won’t last and buying only what you truly love, when you need it, that sustainable approach to shopping outweighs which brands you buy from. Thrifting, vintage shopping, and hitting up resale stores is even better.

CANCEL SHOPPING

When it really comes down to it, we can’t put sustainability in a shopping cart. “If you view being sustainable as a product that you buy, that is a privileged point of view, because sustainable products come with a premium,” Cline says. “We live in a consumer culture and our consumerism drives a lot of climate change. So where is the conversation about combatting that aspect of our culture happening?” Feminists, she says, are leading the way. “We are fearless at envisioning a new world that works better for us.”

By Robyn Smith
Illustrated by Mai Ly Degnan

This article originally appeared in the Winter 2020 print edition of BUST Magazine. Subscribe today!

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AS A FLORAL designer, I’ve long used citrus in my holiday arrangements as a nod to Victorian Christmas celebrations, which included fresh and dried fruit decorations. I also do this because winter is when most citrus is in season—I live in L.A. where farmers markets begin to overflow with all kinds of oranges in December. A few years ago, I turned dehydrated citrus slices into a garland, and have been stringing them together for customers ever since. With just a handful of materials, and a good dose of patience, it’s something you can do right at home. Having a dehydrator makes this project a cinch, but you can dry citrus slices in the oven as well—it takes five to six hours so plan to make a day of it; you cannot leave your house while your oven is on. Just throw some mulling spices in a pot of cider to add to the delicious smell, and cozy up with a book, or your favorite indoor winter activity, till your slices are ready to be strung.

MATERIALS

• 7 – 10 pieces of citrus fruit (lemons, limes, and oranges work best; opt for the least juicy looking ones you can find)
• Serrated knife
• Toothpick
• Baking sheet
• Parchment paper
• Tongs

INSTRUCTIONS

1. If not using a dehydrator, heat your oven to 170 to 180 degrees.

2. Use a serrated knife to slice your citrus into rounds, cutting them as thin as possible. Watch your fingers, especially when you get to the end of the fruit; a serrated knife sticks to the citrus skin better for less chance of slippage. (If using a dehydrator, dehydrate your slices and skip to step 4.)

3. Lay slices flat on parchment-covered baking sheets and place in oven. After three hours, use tongs to flip the slices and check their dryness. It’s almost impossible to get consistently thin slices, so some might dry more quickly than others. If slices look done, test their dehydration by touching the center; if you see any moisture, they need more time. Continue to check every hour, removing the slices that are completely dehydrated. They should all be dried by the end of hour six.

4. When all your dried slices have cooled, it’s time to string them. (Don’t string the citrus ends, but save them for use in a cocktail or add them to a cup of tea.) If you want your garland to have a color gradient or pattern, lay out your slices in your preferred order. Otherwise simply begin stringing by poking one side of a slice with a toothpick, close to the rind. Poke a second hole on the other side of the round, opposite the first hole, close to the rind. Poke the end of the twine through one hole and pull it out of the other. 

5. Repeat step 4, sliding your slices down the twine as you go. As long as the holes you make with your toothpick are small, the slices should stay in place where you want them to—even though they’re dehydrated, they’ll still have a bit of tackiness to them. Feel free to vary the hole placement for the twine’s point of entry (from closer to the top down to the middle of the round) and slightly overlap your slices to achieve a look similar to mine. Continue sliding slices onto your twine until you’re happy with the look and length.

6. Cut your twine, tie off each end of your garland, and hang inside, from a mantle, or around a Christmas tree. When done displaying it, wrap it in paper, fold it on top of itself, and keep it in a dry place. Your garland will keep for years if properly stored.

By Yasmine Khatib
Photographed by Julia Stotz

This article originally appeared in the Winter 2020 print edition of BUST Magazine. Subscribe today! 

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Generally, a Ouija board comes with a pretty blah planchette (the plastic thing with the hole in it that you place your fingers on to receive messages from the dead as it slides to letters across the board). Well, there’s a craft for that. Whether your vintage board came sans planchette, or you just want something a bit more pleasing to look at, download our template and you can make a new one on the cheap. 

Instructions

1. Print out our planchette design. Lay tracing paper on top of template and draw over the reversed design with pencil. 

2. Cut out the template with scissors. Secure it to 3/16“-thick black foam board with fabric pins and trace. Use a very sharp X-Acto knife to cut out the shape, including center hole. Push all the way through the board as you go and try to make clean lines. 

3. Flip tracing paper over with pencil markings down, and center design on foam planchette, pencil lines down. Draw over the lines with pencil again to transfer the lead to the foam. 

4. Cover the pencil lines on the planchette with silver and gold paint markers, and color in details. 

5. To create a nice edge and smooth surface along the inside of the planchette hole, cut about 17 1/2″-long strips of 1/4“-wide black matte gaffer’s tape. Place your first strip of tape starting on the top side of the planchette from inside the hole and wrapping to the backside, so that the short edge of the tape strip hangs over the top edge of the planchette hole about 1/16″. Continue wrapping strips of tape like this, slightly overlapping, so that the top side edges are all even, until you’ve created a smooth edging around the entire hole. 

6. Cut a 2″x 2″ square of clear PVC (available at dickblick.com) and tape it to the back of the planchette over the hole. 

7. Trace the paper planchette template onto black felt and cut out. Hot glue felt to the back of the planchette. Cut six 1/2″-felt circles and hot glue them together in stacks of two (these will help your planchette glide). Glue one stack near the pointed tip, and one near each of the curves on the back of the planchette. 

8. Cut 14″ of 3/16“–wide black ribbon at a slight angle and hot glue it around the outside edge of the planchette to cover the foam board.

By Callie Watts
Photographed by Amy Elizabeth
This article originally appeared in the September/October 2019 print edition of BUST Magazine. Subscribe today!

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Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic

A COUPLE OF years ago, Leah Guerrero was in a Mexico City mercado when a vendor asked why she was buying so many clays and powders. When she told him it was for her skincare concoctions he said, “Eres una brujita” (“You’re a witch”), and something clicked. “A whole self-empowerment thing happened,” Guerrero says. “I was like, Yeah, I am. This is me now.” Guerrero had been an esthetician since she was 18, immersing herself in holistic skincare traditions after realizing how many harmful ingredients are in commercial beauty products. She was in Mexico soaking up the market culture while dealing with her Saturn return and she went home to L.A. with a purpose, where she met her now-girlfriend and business partner Yomahra Aquino, and launched Brujita Skincare.

Guerrero, who personally answers all of Brujita’s DMs and comments, signs off her messages with “much light,” but she embraces the dark, too. Brujita’s branding (Aquino does all the design) was inspired by Twin Peaks’ title sequence, a photo of Marilyn Manson sits on the altar in the downtown L.A. space where Guerrero makes her small-batch products, and the special beet-heavy Halloween collection dropping October 1 is called Redrum, an homage to The Shining. The scent of jasmine, rose, or palo santo might hang in the air, depending on what item she’s brewing up; her Crema, a super hydrating moisturizer made with beeswax, cocoa butter, and coconut oil is a best seller. Big jars of powders fill the shelves, including cacao, black volcanic clay, and tepezcohuite (a South Mexican botanical), which make up her Conviction Facial Mask, good for treating breakouts and acne scars. She talks about the science behind her powdered ingredients (their pH levels are much closer to our skin’s natural pH than European clays, which can be drying af) as much as she talks about their energy. It’s all part of what makes her collections (available at brujitaskincare.com) sell out almost as soon as they drop. “I’m not looking to be in Target or anything like that. I feel like the magic of Brujita would be lost, it would just become a machine,” Guererro says. “I want to be the community bruja.”

Brujita Skincare Super Food DIY Facial Mask
Brujita’s ingredients are mainly sourced from mercados in Mexico, but you probably have some of Guerrero’s favorites in your kitchen right now. “Honey is packed with mineral content and rich in glycolic acids, which have exfoliating properties,” she says. “Cacao powder and maca root powders are a super team of antioxidants and vitamin C, revealing a bright, supple complexion.” This simple mask is the perfect way to soak up some self-care, which Guerrero says is where the real healing of her skincare products begins.

1 Tbsp. cacao powder
1/2 Tbsp. maca root powder
2 Tbsp. raw honey (soft)

Mix powders and honey until you have a smooth paste. Rub Super Food Mask onto face and neck area. Wear for 15-20 minutes then wash thoroughly. Follow with your favorite moisturizer.

By Lisa Butterworth
Photographed by Shanna Fisher

header: Yomahra (left) and Leah (right) of Brujita Skincare

This article originally appeared in the September/October 2019 print edition of BUST Magazine. Subscribe today!

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Victor, Victorian

VINTAGE BEADED LAMPSHADES have been popping up on the sets of some of our favorite shows, like Chilling Adventures of Sabrina and What We Do in the Shadows, and they’ve left us thirsting for that same shady glamour. There is no need to throw down stacks of cash for the real old deal when you can give a basic lampshade a glow-up with this simple DIY.

Materials

• Measuring tape
• Vintage-looking lamp base
• Non-pleated lampshade (at least twice as wide as the lamp base and a third of the height)
• Fabric (we used brocade)
• Beaded tassel trim
• Edging trim
• Craft or wrapping paper
• Pencil
• Ruler
• Scissors
• Pins
• Pinking shears
• Spray adhesive or fabric glue
• Binder clips
• Cardboard

Instructions

1. Make a pattern by laying a large piece of craft or wrapping paper on a table. Place the shade near one edge of the paper, with its seam facedown. Use a pencil to trace the bottom edge of the shade by slowly rolling the lampshade, as you trace, until you get back to the seam. Repeat for the top of the shade so you have two curved parallel lines (A). Use a ruler to draw a straight line connecting the top and bottom lines at both ends (B). Add 1″ above and below the top and bottom lines, and add ½” to each of the straight sides, extending the top and bottom lines to meet them, then cut out the pattern.

2. Use this pattern to determine how much fabric you will need for your lampshade cover. Pin the pattern to your fabric and cut with pinking shears. To prevent the edges from fraying, coat with spray adhesive. On one of the straight edges, fold in a ½” hem, secure with spray adhesive, and let dry.

3. Lightly spray the back of your fabric with adhesive, then line up the un-hemmed edge with the lampshade’s seam, making sure that your fabric is centered on the shade, with 1″ of fabric extending above the top rim, and 1″ below the bottom (C). Slowly press the fabric onto the shade, smoothing out any wrinkles as you go, and keeping the fabric centered on the shade. Spray on more adhesive as needed. The hemmed edge should overlap the un-hemmed edge by ½” (D).

4. Once secure, spray adhesive on the back of the of excess fabric at the top of the shade and fold it over the edge, securing to the shade’s interior. Repeat for the bottom. Place a binder clip at the top and bottom of the hemmed seam, and let dry completely for about an hour.

5. For the beading, you’ll need a piece of beaded tassel trim that is as long as the circumference of the bottom of your shade. For the edging trim, you’ll need a piece that is as long as the circumference of the bottom of the shade plus the circumference of the top of the shade. Make sure the edging trim you choose is wide enough to cover the ribbon of your beaded trim. 

To prevent fraying, spray the cut edges of the beaded and decorative trims with adhesive and let dry. Attach the beaded trim first by laying it facedown on the table and covering the beads with a piece of cardboard so they won’t get stuck together (E). Spray the first few inches of the trim with adhesive, then set the bottom edge of the shade on the trim so that the hemmed seam lines up with the sprayed edge of the trim (and the beads will hang down when the shade is upright). Press to adhere. Spray a few more inches of trim with adhesive and repeat (keeping the beads covered) until you are back at the hem. Place a binder clip on the hemmed seam where the fringe trim ends meet.

6. Next, attach the edging trim to the top of your shade. Cut a piece that is the length of the circumference of the top of the shade. Spray the back of this piece and, beginning at the seam, wrap the trim around the outside of the shade’s top edge. Secure at the hem with a binder clip.

7. Cut a piece of trim that is the same length as the circumference of the bottom of the shade. Rest the shade upside down and flip the beaded fringe inside the shade. Spray the back of this trim and affix it to the edge, beginning at the seam (F). Secure the trim with a binder clip at the hem. Let dry for about an hour. Place your new fancy schmancy shade onto your lamp and bask in the glow of decadence.

By Callie Watts
Photographed by Kristen Blush

This article originally appeared in the September/October 2019 print edition of BUST Magazine. Subscribe today! 

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Stitch Up A Funky Sunglasses Case With This Vintage Needlework Technique Stitch Up A Funky Sunglasses Case With This Vintage Needlework Technique 

Windy Chien was sweeping up sawdust in her backyard woodworking shed when she had a “lightbulb moment.” The former record-store owner (she ran San Francisco’s famous indie shop Aquarius Records) turned Apple employee had quit her corporate job to focus on her own creativity, but wasn’t exactly sure what that meant. Having dabbled in macramé, this idea struck her: a year of knots. She decided to learn a new knot every day for a year, documenting it all on Instagram and now in her new book, which features all kinds of cool DIY projects, including this sweet adjustable semicircle necklace. All you need is rope! And patience.

Materials

15′ of 1/4″ (6-mm) cotton braid 

Instructions

1. On a tabletop, measure out 4’ of the cord, and fold from this point back about 1’, forming a skinny horizontal loop. Begin knotting here. With the longer part of the cord, wrap one tight turn around the upper strand of the loop, then pulling the cord back to front through the loop. The shorter part of the cord is called the “standing” cord, because it isn’t actively doing anything—it’s just standing there. The longer end of the cord, the one that will be winding around and making the knots, is called the “working” cord, as it will be doing most of the work. 

2. Hold the turn tight against the tabletop with your left fingers, then wrap two turns around the lower strand of the loop using the working cord, again ending by drawing it back to front through the loop. 

3. Continue these same three turns working toward the right, alternating between one turn on the upper strand, then two turns on the lower strand. Make tight turns; use your fingers to hold them down. 

4. You want about 12 turns on the upper strand. Make sure the last two turns are on the lower strand.

5. Pull the lower strand of the loop to the right, compacting the double turns tightly. 

6. Now pull the standing part, or upper strand, to the left, compacting the single turns and causing the knot to curve. Pull until the end of the loop disappears to create a semicircle. Secure the ends of the necklace with a Triple English Knot using the next set of instructions. 

The Triple English Knot 

1. Decide how long you want the necklace to be. I do this by putting it “on” and holding the long cords together at the back of the neck. This overlap point is where you make the Triple English Knot. Lay the necklace ends horizontally parallel, their ends pointing in opposite directions. The working cord will be the one on the left, and it will be below the cord coming from the right, the standing cord. Using the working (lower) cord, wrap a slightly loose turn over the upper cord from front to back, emerging from behind both legs and a bit to the left of the turn.

2. With this same working cord, wrap two more turns around both cords, to the left of the first turn you made, ending with the working cord hanging down behind both strands. Hold the turns in place with your fingers. They should be slightly loose. 

3. This is the tricky part. Feed the working cord from the left to the right through the inside of all three turns. In doing so, the working cord will run parallel to the standing cord inside the coils, and will emerge above the standing cord. Using your fingers, work the slack out of the turns so they are tight, then tug on the two parts of the working cord, pulling them apart as tightly as you can. There’s no need to tug on the standing cord. 

4. Flip the entire necklace over horizontally, so that the knot you just made is on the left. What was the standing cord now becomes the new working cord, and it will be below the standing part. Make the Triple English Knot again, this time using the new working cord to make turns around the standing cord. The instructions are identical: Start with the working cord below and parallel to the standing part, then coil it over and around the standing part three times, emerging from behind both cords. 

5. When both halves of the Triple English Knot are made correctly, they’ll nest together neatly. The two halves of the knot can be slid apart to shorten the necklace. 

Excerpted from The Year of Knots by Windy Chien
Published by Abrams
Intoduction by Lisa Butterworth
Photographed by Vero Kheria
This article originally appeared in the September/October 2019 print edition of BUST Magazine. Subscribe today!

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Rhinestone-word barrettes are the season’s smartest accessory. But why let someone else put words in your hair? For the gal who wants to customize her drippin’ ’do, this super simple DIY will have you looking fly. 

What You’ll Need:

• E6000 glue
• 3″-long black bobby pins 
• 23mm flatback rhinestone letters (we got ours from Etsy, 4 for $4.25) 

Instructions:

Choose a word that is four or fewer letters and purchase the flatback rhinestone letters you need (they should be at least 23mm tall) to spell it out. 

1. Lay the first letter of the word rhinestone-side down and backward on a flat surface. Lay the second letter of the word to its left, rhinestone-side down and backward, flush and even with the first letter. Apply a small amount of E6000 glue to the center backside of each letter and let it dry for a couple of seconds so the glue sets a little.

2. Place a bobby pin flat-side down across the glue in the center of the letters so the closed edge lines up with the right-side edge of the letter on the right. Press down firmly; let dry for 30 minutes.

3. Then flip your bobby pin over so the letters are rhinestone-side up. Lay your remaining letters rhinestone-side down, put a small amount of glue on the center backside of each, and let dry for a couple of seconds. Press the third letter of the word, rhinestone-side up, onto the bobby pin to the right of the second letter, flush and even with the glued letters; repeat with your remaining letters. 

4. Let dry for 72 hours. 

By Callie Watts
Photographed by Erica Génécé
This article originally appeared in the July/August 2019 print edition of BUST Magazine. Subscribe today!

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Cyanotype is an old photographic printing process, also known as “sun printing.” The chemicals ferric ammonium citrate and potassium ferricyanide are combined—this is where the magic happens—which makes them sensitive to UV-light, turning dark blue when exposed. Cyanotype was often used to make copies (hence the term “blueprint”) but English botanist Anna Atkins was the first to use it to make scientific recordings of plants in her 1843 book Photographs of British Algae: Cyanotype Impressions. By treating paper or fabric (like we do here), you can make prints with essentially any found object; the negative space will turn a beautiful, deep cyan blue when exposed to sunlight. There’s an element of surprise with cyanotypes—you never know exactly how they’ll turn out—and that’s what makes them special.

Materials

• Cyanotype kit (consists of solutions A and B, premixed potassium ferricyanide and ferric ammonium citrate)
• Plastic bowl or bucket
• Glass jar
• Sponge brush
• Rubber gloves
• Natural fiber fabric like cotton or linen (I use washed second-hand sheets and tea towels)
• Leaves, ferns, branches, or other found objects
• Cardboard
• Glass or plexiglass
• Fabric pins

Instructions

1. Prepare a dark space where you can hang textiles to dry and easily clean up—cyanotype liquid can go all over the place if you’re not careful, and will leave blue streaks. I use my bathroom, blacking out the window with dark fabric and placing a dowel in the bathtub for hanging. A basement is also good.

2. Measure and cut fabric to desired size.

3. Put on your gloves and mix your chemicals in a semi-dark space. Your cyanotype kit will come with prepared solutions A and B. In a glass jar, mix together equal parts solutions A and B. How much solution you need will depend on how much fabric you are using. In Ruth Brown’s book Cyanotypes on Fabric, she suggests about 140 ml/5 fl oz. per yard of medium-weight cotton. Start by mixing a small amount, then mix more as you need it. 

4. Lay fabric on a piece of cardboard, or stretch it over a frame, and use the sponge brush to apply the solution. The treated fabric will turn a bright green/yellow color. For larger pieces of fabric, use the immersion method by placing the fabric in a plastic bowl or bucket and pouring the mixed solution over it. Use your hands (still in your rubber gloves!) to agitate the fabric and ensure that the solution covers all of it. Wring out any excess solution. Once treated, hang your fabric to dry in a dark place.

5. Once the fabric is completely dry, it’s ready to use. Collect your objects and figure out how you want to lay them out. 

6. When you are ready to print, place the fabric on the piece of cardboard to stabilize it. You can pin the fabric to the cardboard to keep it from bunching up or blowing. Lay your objects on top. You can pin the objects in place, or put a piece of glass on top of them, which will create a crisper line. 

7. Let the fabric expose for about 15 minutes (in bright, direct sun) to an hour (on a cloudy day). When the fabric is exposed, it turns a dark slate gray. The fabric underneath your objects will still be yellow/green, where the chemicals have not exposed. 

8. Once the fabric has finished exposing, remove the objects, put your rubber gloves back on and rinse the fabric until the water runs clear. The water stops the exposure, and rinses out chemicals that haven’t been exposed, resulting in the white space. For larger pieces, I rinse the fabric in my bathtub. Just be sure to wash the bathtub clean afterward. After you have finished rinsing, hang the fabric to air dry, keeping it out of direct sunlight. The blue will continue to darken as it oxidizes. Sew your fabric into tablecloths, a wall hanging, or use as patches. The options are endless! 

By Anna Brones
Photographed by Lauren Segal

This article originally appeared in the July/August 2019 print edition of BUST Magazine. Subscribe today!

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With summer days in full force, your houseplants are living their best lives, which means it’s time to get propagating (i.e. growing a new plant from part of a “parent” plant). There are many ways to do this—as the owner of Folia Collective, an indoor-plant shop in Los Angeles, I’ve tried them all! But water propagation is easiest. It works for a variety of plants and allows you to see new roots as they develop.

You’ll need: plants (some of the easiest to propagate in water are Epipremnum aka pothos, Philodendron, Tradescantia aka Wandering Jew, and Scindapsus); sharp, clean pruning shears or a knife; glass vessels (amber or other opaque glass will block light and prevent algae from forming); fresh water.  

1. Find a portion of your plant that is flexible enough to bend without snapping. Now find the nodes—little bumps that stick out along the vine or stem, or the area where new stems branch off from the main one. Using your shears or knife, cleanly cut off a portion of the plant that has at least two sets of nodes, just below one set—this is where new roots will form. If one set of nodes fails, you can cut just under the second set and try once more.  

2. Fill your vessel with enough clean water to reach the first nodes; remove any leaves that will lie below the waterline. 

3. Place vessel in an area that gets indirect light, but no direct sun. Monitor the water level to make sure the nodes are submerged. Change water once a week or so to keep bacteria at bay and ensure healthy roots. 

4. Roots should form anywhere from two weeks to a few months. Check occasionally to ensure the stem doesn’t look brown or black or feel mushy—these are signs of rot. If it does rot, trim that portion, change the water, and try again. Once roots form, wait until they’re about an inch long, then move to a small pot of lightly moist soil. You can also keep your cutting in water long-term, known as “hydro culture,” letting the roots grow as long as the vessel can contain them. Just add liquid plant food occasionally to replace nutrients that would normally come from soil.

Written and photographed by Danae Horst

This article originally appeared in the July/August 2019 print edition of BUST Magazine. Subscribe today!

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Post BUST Zero Waste event, I found myself yearning for a new DIY project that would pair well with my skincare addiction.

I found a magical little shop tucked away in Brooklyn Heights called Earth Speaks, which is a space covered wall to wall with tiny tinctures, an abundance of crystals, and housemade beauty products as far as the eye can see. Not to mention the best part: they’re female owned and operated! Earth Speaks hosts monthly workshops on DIY skincare and beauty products. I was lucky enough to join them July 19 for a facial toner workshop where we learned how to make our own toners out of natural ingredients.

What I learned in Earth Speaks’ cozy nook in the back of their store was surprising. I expected the ingredients to be obscure and hard to find but most of the ingredients could be found in your kitchen; apple cider vinegar, green tea, and witch hazel. Most of the skincare products I’ve purchased has been packaged, ready-made, and approved by my esthetician. Of course, I knew I had to keep her in the loop with my new natural toner, which is composed of 25% witch hazel and 25% rose water, distilled water, and essential oils, lavender, geranium, chamomile, and sandalwood.

My fabulous facialist Cheyenne Flores, the esthetician for the L’Occitane Beauty Lounge here in New York, has been keeping my skin vibrant and healthy monthly for about 9 months. When I first started seeing Cheyenne, I was in a place where I was wanting to step up my skincare game. I’ve never had acne prone skin – much like my personality, my skin has always been dry and irritable. I’ve only ever been to the dermatologist for rashes or skin irritations, as they are qualified to diagnose and treat your skin. So I decided to see an esthetician for a different kind of treatment.

My esthetician only uses non-invasive techniques. That means no chemical peels, no lasers. Cheyenne uses a technique called lymphatic drainage, which according to Healthline: “create[s] a vacuum with gentle pressure so that the area is prepared to bring in more fluid, creating a flushing effect.” This massage helps detoxify my skin and decrease puffiness. I’m sure you can imagine that having someone massage your face for 30 minutes is relaxing. However, I find the experience meditative. It’s 30 minutes that I’m being taken care of by someone else, and I feel the pressure of my responsibilities melt away when I’m laying down on the facial table. It’s a very cute ritual actually; it kind of reminds me of a luxurious night time routine. I like to arrive early so that I can use their shower and use all of the L’Occitane products. Afterwards, I dry off, get dressed, and climb into the covers on the facial table. Feeling warm and cozy, Cheyenne assesses my skin and takes matters into her own hands, preparing both of my face masks, and exfoliants alike. The best part is that I have to do nothing. Once a month, I don’t have to do a damn thing. I’m looking forward to my next facial already…

I remember being squeamish when I first decided to purchase my first facial. The price intimidated me, although the price is actually close to that of a new pair of Vans. At L’Occitane Beauty Lounge, the 30 minute facials run around $59 for a first timer and actually become cheaper with a 10 percent loyalty discounts for regular customers. So, I invest $55.49 on a monthly basis in self care. Just think about how much we spend on coffee… Let’s be demure and say we’re only spending $3 on coffee per day (you totally got a black coffee instead of your white chocolate mocha), that’s about $91 per month. Your coffee budget is still $35 more than what I spend on getting a facial every month. My monthly facial is a decadent ritual I’ve grown accustomed to and a luxury that I factor into my monthly budget because I’ve learned that it’s worth it to invest in yourself and your self esteem.

Cheyenne is my go-to for all things skincare, and I wanted to see what her take was on my new natural facial toner. According to Cheyenne: “Toners are the most underrated skincare item.” For a long time I have neglected toners because of my dry skin. Many drugstore toners contain alcohol and seem marketed towards oily skin. The intention of toners is not necessarily to matte the skin but rather to balance the ph levels of the skin. Cheyenne explains, “What toners are meant to do is cleanse the skin, prep the skin, pull your skin to a balanced pH level- which if you have dryness, combo skin, oily skin, acne prone skin, dull skin- chances are your pH is out of whack!” My skincare routine is very basic. I use an oil cleanser at night and rinse with water in the morning, I switch out serums pretty frequently and am currently using Kiehl’s cannabis sativa seed oil. I always use a moisturizer for dry skin. Right now it’s Clinique’s moisturizing lotion and of course, sunscreen. I’m excited to add in a natural toner, I’ve used witch hazel in the past and it helped with improving the texture of my skin.

My toner was personalized by the workshop leaders at Earth Speaks who suggested that I use a combination of rose water and witch hazel to address my dry skin type that is prone to clogged pores. My facialist Cheyenne actually praises witch hazel saying “witch hazel is amazing especially I feel for oily skin types.” She also notes that witch hazel,“acts almost as an astringent leaving the skin super clean, helps to reduce inflammation breakouts and congestion.” My pH causes my skin to be on the drier side which is why I was recommended to use rose water. Cheyenne agreed adding,“Rose water is incredible when it comes to hydration levels in the skin it’s also extremely good to do when you have sensitive skin.”

The Calm

It’s laughable to think that I’ve had a huge bottle of witch hazel that’s been sitting so long in my cabinet that I might consider charging it for rent. Instead I’ve been bouncing around trying expensive products that are packaged beautiful but, contain a laundry list of ingredients. I appreciate the accessibility of DIY skincare and it’s comforting to know that skincare doesn’t have to be expensive to be effective.

Photos courtesy of Earth Speaks

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Veggie Tales

BE A PRODUCE-STORING PRO WITH THESE TIPS FOR MAKING YOUR MARKET HAUL LAST

IF YOU’VE SEEN the stacks of leafy greens and piles of bright berries at the farmers’ market lately, you know we’ve entered the year’s most bountiful produce season. But how annoying is it to buy all those beautiful fruits and veggies, only for them to wither away a day or two later? Learning how to properly store produce is a game-changer: your buys will last longer, and you’ll save money. Follow these guidelines and you’ll never toss a whole basket of fuzzy strawberries or a sad, smushy squash again. 

SLIGHTLY DAMP: Delicate leafy herbs and greens such as cilantro, parsley, spinach, and salad mix are best stored with a slightly damp towel. You can wrap them in a very lightly dampened tea towel or in a sealed container with a damp towel. Putting them with a damp towel in a thick cloth bag made for storing vegetables, like the ones from Vejibag (vejibag.com, $19 to $24) and The Swag (theswagusa.com, $18.95 to $21.95), can extend their life, too.

IN WATER: Carrots, beets, and celery will stay crisp for weeks stored in water. You can store them upright in a jar like a bouquet of flowers, or keep them submerged in a sealed glass container. If there are greens attached, cut them off and store them separately.

 LOOSE: Bell peppers, zucchini, and hardy vegetables like kale and broccoli are best stored loose in a crisper drawer in your fridge. If you notice them getting limp or wrinkly, cover the drawer with a slightly damp tea towel. I like to corral smaller items like mushrooms and green beans in muslin bags.

 
DRY: Fruits like grapes, strawberries, and cherries keep best completely dry. Don’t wash them until right before eating. Store them in a bowl on a fridge shelf and keep your eye out for any moisture.

 
COUNTERTOP: Fruits like avocados, tomatoes, apples, oranges, and melons do best at room temperature. Once ripened, transfer them loose to the crisper drawer in your fridge.

COOL AND DARK: Potatoes, sweet potatoes, garlic, onions, and winter squash keep best in a cool, dark space with ventilation. A breathable container like a wicker basket stores them well.

 CUT PRODUCE: Seal off the open side to protect it from exposure to air. For instance, if you have half an avocado, onion, or lemon, cover the cut side with a beeswax wrap (abeego.com, $18 for a set) or store it in a silicone storage bag (stasherbag.com, $9.99 to $19.99).

By Sara Tso, matchboxkitchen.com

Illustrated by Elenia Beretta

This article originally appeared in the May/June 2019 print edition of BUST Magazine.Subscribe today!

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Case In Point

Keep your sunglasses safe from scratches with a DIY case loaded with throwback flair. Stitched in bargello, a style of needlepoint popularized in the ’70s, this method is super easy to learn, fast to do, and it looks aah-mazing. This trippy technique might just be your new crafting obsession, so grab a needle and let’s bargello!

MATERIALS
-DMC Tapestry Wool, 1 skein each in the following colors: 7600, 7606, 7106, 7851, 7852, 7604, 7912, 7596*
-1 sheet 10-count plastic canvas*
-Size 18 tapestry needles*
-Scissors
*Available at hellobargello.com

INSTRUCTIONS

a1. Cut two pieces of plastic canvas measuring 38 squares wide by 77 squares long. Thread your tapestry needle with a 24″ length of tapestry wool in color A (see color key in chart). We’ll begin by stitching the color A stitches at the center top of the chart; locate the corresponding center top squares of one piece of canvas to start.

b

2. Each bargello stitch is a simple vertical line: pull the needle up from the back of the canvas until there’s a 2″ yarn tail on the back, and insert the needle again from the front, 4 squares down, staying in the same column of the canvas. All stitches are 5 squares tall, with 3 empty squares between where the needle comes up, and then goes back down. (a) (The exception is along the top and bottom edges, where some stitches are only three squares, as shown on the chart.)

c

3. Follow the chart to work all the color A stitches (stitching over the 2″ yarn tail until it’s covered to secure it) in any sequence you like, such as working down the right side of the design and back up the left side (b).

d

4. When you start to run out of yarn, fasten off by drawing the needle under your previously worked stitches for about 2″ on the wrong side of the canvas (c), then trim the excess yarn. Thread the needle with a new piece of yarn, and begin working again by drawing the needle under your previously worked stitches for about 2″, emerging where you want to begin stitching. Expect to use about 5–6 24″ lengths of yarn to complete the color A stitches, which act as the framework of the design; all the remaining colors will be oriented around this outline (d).

e

5. Next, thread the needle with color B. For each color B section, stitch from left to right (e), working the color B sections in any order until you’ve finished all the color B stitches, beginning a new strand of yarn when necessary.

 f

6. As you add this and all subsequent colors, note that newly worked stitches will always share a square with their neighbors above and below (f). (In other words, two stitches will be worked into the same square when they meet vertically.)

g

7. Continue following the chart to fill in all the squares of your plastic canvas panel. Repeat with the second plastic canvas rectangle to make two panels for the front and back of the sunglasses case.

h

8. To finish, use color D to whipstitch along the top edge of each panel (g), placing one stitch in each square and stitching over the edge of the plastic canvas (this will be the opening of your case). Next, place the panels together, back sides facing, and sew them to each other along the sides and bottom edges, working a whipstitch through both layers of plastic canvas (h). Make 3 stitches in each corner square to fully fill out the corners and prevent the plastic canvas from showing through.

For more in-depth bargello instructions, videos, and kits, visit hellobargello.com.

By Brett Bara, hellobargello.com
Photographed by Amy Elizabeth

This article originally appeared in the May/June 2019 print edition of BUST Magazine. Subscribe today! 

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Vietnamese coffee—with its dark, espresso-like brew tempered by sweetened condensed milk—is probably not something you ever thought you could easily make at home, let alone at your office, in a hotel, or while camping. But now, thanks to the woman-owned Copper Cow Coffee, you can. This ain’t your bà n?i’s instant-coffee; each five-serving set includes ingenious single-serve pour-over filters filled with sustainably sourced organic coffee, plus packets of sweetened condensed milk. All you need is hot water, a mug, and a spoon to mix it up. Our favorite is the Lavender Latte, which has lavender flowers mixed in with the coffee grounds. N?c c?n ly [drink up]! $15 for a pack of 5, coppercowcoffee.com.

By Debbie Stoller

This article originally appeared in the March/April 2019 print edition of BUST Magazine. Subscribe today!

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Spring is here, which means it’s time to flaunt florals. This detailed, easier-than-it-looks design by nail artist extraordinaire Miss Pop is made using real (!) dried flowers, perfect for sprucing up your hand sitch while keeping a little plant magic at your fingertips. You’ll need a few specialized items, including a bonding top coat, a wax pencil for petal placement, and, of course, teeny-tiny dried flowers specifically purposed for nail art, which can be found on Amazon (just search “nail art dried flowers”) or at any beauty supply store. Read on for the how-to! 

1. Gently file your nails into a tapered oval.

2. Use an exfoliating cuticle treatment (such as Deborah Lippmann Cuticle Remover, $20, sephora.com) to remove dry, dead skin. Use a cuticle pusher to remove the loosened cuticle. 

3. Apply cuticle oil (such as CND Solar Oil Nail & Cuticle Conditioner, $12.59, target.com) and paint a base coat of your preferred color. We used Zoya Naked Manicure Pink Perfector ($10, zoya.com) because it picks up natural nail bed tones and gives a nice pink glow. For more control and less fuzz, use a small flat brush (instead of a cotton ball) dipped in nail polish remover to fix mistakes and remove rogue polish.

4. After the base coat dries, it’s time to prep your flowers. Hold the pressed flowers in one hand and use needle-nose tweezers to pluck the buds from the stems. Collect your buds on a surface that is not paper, so they’re easier to pick up later. It is crucial to pluck the buds completely off of the stems—the fewer brittle, pokey stem pieces you have, the easier the application process will be and the better the final result.

5. Daub a rhinestone ?top coat (like Cina Top Coat & Bonder, $4.99, ?sallybeauty.com) any place you want to add flowers. This type of top coat is a very thin adhesive that takes a long time to dry, which makes it easier to move the flowers around once you’ve placed them on your nail.

6. With a wax pencil, pick up and press the flower buds onto your nails in a design and color scheme that speaks to you. We created a cascading French tip design with pastel pink, yellow, and purple flowers. 

7. Seal your design with a coat of thick, fast-drying Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Coat ($9.95, ulta.com).

By Allie Lawrence
Photographed by Jessica Bloom
Nail Artist Miss Pop
Model Idriss Tirado
This article originally appeared in the March/April 2019 print edition of BUST Magazine. Subscribe today! 

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Punch needling is a textile technique similar to rug hooking, but easier. A special punch needle creates loops of yarn in cloth, which are held in place by the tension of being so densely packed. Make up an abstract design as you go, and display the end result in an embroidery hoop, or sew into a cushion cover, tote bag, an oven mitt, or, on a larger scale, even a rug. The technique takes a little practice, but once you’ve got it down, you’ll be obsessed.

What You’ll Need

Plastic snap frame (8″ x 8″ or larger)*
6″ wood or plastic embroidery hoop (for display)*
Oxford punch needle #10**
Monk’s cloth (at least 10″ x 10″)**
Yarn (in your chosen colors)
Black pen 
Scissors
Optional: Paper for transferring a pre-planned design

* Available at major crafting supplies stores

** Available on etsy.com

Instructions

1. Assemble plastic frame. Center monk’s cloth (making sure the weave is straight) on top. Secure with clamps, one on each side. Tighten cloth by twisting clamps away from each other, two at a time. A taut surface is crucial! If the cloth goes slack while punching, twist clamps to retighten (A).

A

2. Using the pen, lightly outline the inner circle of your embroidery hoop on the front of the cloth (B). (To plan a design, do this step on paper. Draw a simple design inside the circle. Cut the paper so it fits underneath the cloth. Hold the frame up to light and use black pen to lightly trace the design, circle included, on the front of the cloth.)

B

3. The hollow punch needle has one hole at the base of the slotted handle and another hole at the tip of the notched needle; the yarn flows through the handle to the end of the needle. To thread the punch needle, poke the tail of your yarn down into the needle’s hole, pulling a few inches of yarn through. Hold onto the tail with your non-dominant hand, and use your dominant hand to draw the strand of yarn down to the end of the handle along the slot. Pull on the tail until the yarn strand is forced down into the slotted handle (C), then pull on the yarn at the rear end of the handle until there’s just a short tail poking through the needle. 

C

4. Rules for punching: the slotted side of the handle should always be facing up, the needle should move forward in the direction you’re punching, and the yarn must be able to flow freely through the handle slot and out the end.

5. Punch your design by section/color. Starting along the edge of the circle, push the needle down into the cloth all the way to the base of the handle. Always punch all the way down. Gently pull the needle back up until the tip is barely grazing the top of the cloth. (Lift too high, you’ll pull the stitch out.) Drag the tip of the needle across the cloth about 1/8″ and punch your next stitch. Aim to punch 6 to 8 stitches per inch, but don’t worry about only punching the natural holes in the weave—just punch (D). 

D

6. Outline the section/color first, working toward the center. If your design has any hard angles, turn your needle while it’s punched down, so when you pull it up, it’s facing in the right direction.

7. On the last stitch of your first section/color, leave the needle punched down then flip over the frame so you can see the needle tip poking through on the looped side. Cut the yarn on the underside of the hole to free the punch needle (E).

E

8. Repeat steps 3 through 7 to punch the rest of your design. After your entire design has been punched, use the tip of your needle to poke any loose yarn ends to the underside of the cloth (F). Flip the frame over and trim the yarn ends and any uneven or messy loops to the same height as the rest of the design (G).

F

G

9. Remove your punch needle piece from the frame, position it inside the embroidery hoop with the looped side facing front, and tighten into place (H). Cut the excess cloth and tuck or tape toward the back of the frame. Hang! 

H

By Amelia McDonell-Parry
Photographed by Patricia Lopez Ramos
This article originally appeared in the January/February 2019 print edition of BUST Magazine. Subscribe today!

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This weekend, artists, healers, and teachers will be heading to the BUST School for Creative Living at the BUST Holiday Craftacular in Greenpoint, Brooklyn to lead workshops and lectures and teach you the basics of everything from reiki to rolling joints. One of these experts will be Shauna Cummins, a hypnotherapist who can help you learn how to manifest your own dreams through hypnosis, and through music. We chatted with Shauna about her inspirations, her goals, and—of course—what she’ll be doing December 8 and 9 at the Brooklyn Expo Center. Check it out!

Tell us a bit about what you do.

I’m a Hypnosis Artist, and have held a private hypnotherapy practice in New York City since 2012. I specialize in teaching people how to use self-hypnosis to increase confidence, creativity, and courage. I like to call hypnosis “the medicine of the imagination” and although it’s not at all like it’s portrayed in the movies, it still is pretty magical, and the best part of it is it’s a natural ability and a practice that is available to everyone. As an artist, I’ve been fortunate to travel internationally, creating immersive hypnosis inspired sound experiences and performances. In January, I’ll be performing with Danish artist Joachim Koester at The National Gallery of Denmark, interpreting altered states and ritual experiences through the performance of a hypnotic trance.   

What inspired you to start a career in hypnosis? 

I was feeling very burnt out by my life in the city and was in a process of transformation and healing. Hypnosis helped me almost immediately, and it became one of those before and after moments: my life before hypnosis and my life after. It resonated and helped me turn the voice in my head into a collaborator as opposed to a nemesis (for the most part) and that changed everything for me. At that point I dedicated myself to learning as much as I could about it, and became a hypnotist in the process.

What inspires your creative process?

My clients are the biggest inspiration to me – witnessing how much they grow and change and dedicate themselves inspires me to push my creative boundaries and potential.  

What advice do you have for people who are pursuing a career in your field?

Look for a good mentor and follow your heart.

Tell us about what you’ll be doing at Craftacular.

On both Saturday and Sunday, I’ll be leading a Hypnosis Sound Journey with the very talented musician and reiki practitioner Erika Spring. I’ll also be teaching a lecture and workshop on The Divine Feminine School of Hypnosis and a Wishcraft workshop, teaching self-hypnosis for manifestation. 

What else should our readers know about you and your business? 

I just opened the Divine Feminine School of Hypnosis, which offers a comprehensive certification course in Hypnosis, education on the art and science of Hypnosis from its origins as an ancient matriarchal healing art, and the intersection of Hypnosis with modern neuroscience. The next course will begin in the Spring – if you’re interested in learning more about hypnosis, reach out!

Learn more about Shauna’s work at shaunacummins.com.

Join us at the BUST Craftacular and the School For Creative Living 11 a.m.- 7 p.m. on Saturday, December 8 and Sunday, December 9 at Brooklyn Expo center. Admission is free; learn more and purchase class tickets here. 

Top photo via Shauna’s website 

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The BUST School for Creative Living  is back Dec. 8th and 9th with a roster of mystical, meditative, sex-positive classes. The school will be hosted in tandem with the 12thth annual BUST Holiday Craftacular at the Brooklyn Expo Center in the heart of Greenpoint, featuring over 200 of the best purveyors of handmade goods.

There’s a class for everyone: Guests can try their hands at classic crafting skills such as macramé and cross-stitch, dive deep into herbalism, and participate in a variety of exciting educational workshops. We’re proud to spotlight here one of our fabulous teachers: hedge witch, photographer, and sculptor Maheen Lemon. She runs Bewitched Boneyard – make sure to check out their line of talismans and aids for modern witches. At the BUST School for Creative Lemon, she will be teaching two classes: “Intro to Copper Wiring Jewelry” and “Intro to Incense Making”.

Tell our readers about your work.

Bewitched Boneyard encompasses magic, femininity and pure art. I created this brand for practical modern-day witches to provide them with ritual aids and tools that will magnify their manifestations and desires. It started out with crystal and hand-sculpted talismans all designed by me and bloomed into natural apothecary, crystals and even a tote bag! There will be many more ritual tools added to the shop in the coming weeks that I am very excited to share with everyone.

What inspired you to start your business?

Growing up, I always looked up to my mother. She started her own business in our very own kitchen and within a few years her business grew tremendously and she expanded to other regions. Currently, her business is worth millions and she is close to retirement with a self-sustaining income and is very prosperous. Learning from my mother in combination with my passion for magic, the occult and witchcraft, I embarked on this entrepreneurial journey and established Bewitched Boneyard in the Spring of 2016.

What is your creative process like?

It often varies depending on what I am working on but the usual routine involves some inspirational music and brief sketching. I usually have an idea or thought for a collection or just an individual piece and I let my hands start crafting. I never name a piece right away. I sometimes take days to name a certain item or a whole series. Most of my talismans are created with crystals and copper through an arduous alchemy process and then sanded and polished then sealed. Afterwards, each piece is blessed with a protection chant and burnt blue sage or cedar so that the person that owns that piece will be protected and guided throughout their magical journey.

What advice do you have for people who are pursuing a career in your field?

My advice to those wanting to pursue a career in this field or to be their own boss in general is to do lots of research before investing in the materials you need. Many people make the mistake of just going all in head first and that is a sure-fire way to tank your business quickly. Take things slow. Do not make so many products or items right away. Gradually build your brand and when the demand is there, that is when you can incorporate more and offer customers new products.

Tell us about what you’ll be doing at Craftacular.

I am thrilled to be teaching two different beginners classes. One is Intro to Copper Wiring Jewelry and the other is Intro to Incense Making. For the copper wiring class, you will be supplied with simple tools and objects such as beads and will learn how to tightly wrap the object with copper wire to create your very own pendant. For the incense making class, you will be provided with the needed supplies to learn a simple and basic way of creating your own home incense sticks. A perfect way to “make” Christmas gifts rather than buying meaningless items from stores. When you make something for someone you love, it is so much more special.

What else should our readers know about you? 

My name is Maheen Lemon, I am a hedge witch, a hoodoo root worker, a Hindu pagan, a lover, a feminist, a conceptual photographer and a creator. You can find me on Instagram at @maheenlemon and @bewitchedboneyard to stay up to date with my solo projects as well as what is happening in the Bewitched Boneyard realm.

Join us at the BUST Craftacular and the School For Creative Living 11a.m.-7p.m. on Saturday, December 8 and Sunday, December 9 at Brooklyn Expo center in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. Admission is free; learn more and purchase class tickets here. 

Top photo from Maheen Lemon

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7 Reasons To Head To BUST’s Craftacular This Weekend

Among the lovely artists and teachers that will be joining us at this year’s BUST Craftacular Holiday and the BUST School for Creative Living (Dec. 8-9 at Brooklyn Expo Center in Greenpoint, Brooklyn) are needlepoint experts Hello Bargello. Hello Bargello is a stitch and craft company with a special focus on the vintage craft of bargello, a type of needlepoint embroidery. Hello Bargello will be selling their signature craft kits, and founder Brett Bara will be teaching bargello workshops.

In this spotlight, we asked Bara a few questions about her history as a crafter and what we can expect to see at the BUST School for Creative Living.

Hi Brett, can you tell our readers a little bit about what you do?

Bargello is a forgotten vintage needlecraft from the ’70s—and Hello Bargello is bringing it back! We carry complete kits to make amazing bargello projects, plus all the resources you need to learn bargello and keep stitchin’. Bargello is super fun to do, easy, relaxing—and it looks amazing!

What inspired you to start Hello Bargello?

I became obsessed with bargello a few years back when I discovered some vintage bargello pattern books. I decided to give it a try and I loved it. Then, I began teaching bargello workshops and sharing bargello on my social media—people loved it and kept asking where they could find bargello patterns and supplies so they could start their own projects. But believe it or not, there are NO modern resources for bargello patterns—only those vintage pattern books. I decided that someone needed to create some modern bargello patterns and projects, so that everybody could see what a fantastic craft this is—and also to save it from being completely forgotten in the past!

What is your creative process like?

I browse vintage pattern books for inspiration and I also look to current trends for inspiration, always looking for cool graphic patterns that could be translated into bargello. Then, I select colors of the wool tapestry yarn that I stitch with and start stitching swatches. Often I have to try out tons of color combinations and design tweaks before I hit on just the right thing. I throw out lots of ideas/swatches before I hit on one that feels just right. Once the pattern design is set, I stitch up the final project whether it is a wall hanging, earrings, or a pillow (just to name a few).

What advice do you have for people who are pursuing a career in your field?

Start small, and just start! If you have an idea, start putting it out there in whatever manageable way you can. Make online friends within your community and start establishing yourself as part of the landscape. Build slowly from there.

Tell us about what you’ll be doing at Craftacular.

I’ll be teaching bargello workshops on Saturday and Sunday, and Hello Bargello will be selling its kits at the Craftacular, along with our sister company, Brooklyn Craft Company.

What else should our readers know about you and your business? 

I am also the co-owner of Brooklyn Craft Company, a modern craft store and workshop space located in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. We’ve been in business for six years, and before that I was a craft author, editor, blogger and designer. And, fun fact, I used to be the host of a PBS television show about knitting.

Rhiannon Earrings Kit (courtesy of Hello Bargello)

For more information about Hello Bargello, you can visit the company website at hellobargello.com.

Join us at the BUST Craftacular and the School For Creative Living 11a.m.-7p.m. on Saturday, December 8 and Sunday, December 9 at Brooklyn Expo center. Admission is free; learn more and purchase class tickets her.

Top photo: Courtesy of Hello Bargello (Dreams Wall Hanging Kit)

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If you’ve stopped collecting plastic forks and disposable chopsticks, you’re one step closer to greening your kitchen. Some items, however, are harder to let go—like cling wrap. It’s just so easy and convenient! But infusing fabric with beeswax does a similar trick, creating malleable wraps that can cover cut fruit and veggies, hold a snack, or pack your favorite sammie. And the result is way cuter. Beeswax is naturally antibacterial (for a vegan version, you can sub candelilla wax, though the end result is less pliable), and when your wraps start to wear out, you can just re-wax them for longevity. Wax on!

Materials
Cotton, linen, or hemp fabric (we used Erin Dollar’s Balboa collection for Robert Kaufman Fabrics)
Ruler
Pinking shears
Beeswax block or pastilles (or candelilla wax)
Cheese grater
Parchment paper
Baking sheet
Paintbrush
Tongs

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 200 degrees and cover a baking sheet with parchment paper.

2. Cut your fabric to your preferred size, using pinking shears so the edges won’t unravel. We cut pieces in a variety of sizes, including 8″x8″ and 10″x10″ (below).

3. If you’re using a block of beeswax, grate a couple of handfuls using a cheese grater. Place a fabric swatch on the baking sheet and sprinkle the wax shavings or pastilles in a thin layer evenly over the fabric, making sure to cover the edges as well. (A 10″x10″ piece will need about two tablespoons of shavings.) (Below)

4. Pop the baking sheet into the oven for 3 to 5 minutes to melt the wax, then pull the baking sheet out and use a paintbrush to even out the wax on the fabric. If there are spots that have not been infused with wax (they’ll still look dry), add some more wax and pop the fabric back in the oven for a couple more minutes. (Below)

5. Once your fabric swatch is infused, lift it with tongs (or your fingers, it’s not that hot) and drape it somewhere to dry (I used the back of a chair). Refrain from storing meat in your new wraps, and wash them gently with lukewarm water and soap when necessary. 

By Lisa Butterworth
Photographed by Julia Stotz
This article originally appeared in the October/November 2018  print edition of BUST Magazine. Subscribe today!

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You can read what the New York Times said about us last hear here.

Stay tuned for updates and ticket sales, and check bust.com/craftacular for more about this super fun weekend!

Julia Cumming interviewing Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez at The School for Creative Living last year.

SATURDAY, DEC 8TH AND SUNDAY, DEC 9TH 11AM – 7PM
BROOKLYN EXPO CENTER, 72 NOBLE STREET, BROOKLYN, NY 11222

Every Halloween fanatic dreams of creating their own haunted house, but the concept can seem a little overwhelming. Don’t stress yourself to death—we have some simple tricks that will have you murdering the fright game.

Getting Started

1. Let everyone know when your haunted house will be open. You may want to put a sign out or set up a Facebook event listing the dates and times, so that ghouls and goblins know when to come by.

2. Decide if you want to charge for entry. This is a great opportunity to raise some money for your favorite charity, so you can stop something really scary from happening—like losing access to abortion.

3. Decide if you want a house theme like creepy clowns or zombies, or if you’d prefer to set up separate, spooky “rooms.”

4. Create a budget. Most of the items here can be made for cheap, but if you want to get props or animatronics from a Halloween store, that can add up fast.

5. Keep your visitors safe. Warn visitors with a sign at the entrance if you plan to have actors touch them, or if you’re using strobes or flashing lights that could put those susceptible to seizures at risk.

6. Recruit a few (or more) friends to help out as actors—they’ll be wearing costumes and acting out scares. We dressed up our actors as a butcher, the butcher’s victim, and a vampire inspired by Queen of the Damned.

Setting Up Your Haunted House

In a large, open area like a basement, garage, yard, or warehouse, lay out a route by hanging black fabric from the ceiling to create a walkway (you can use objects like crates if you set up in an outdoor area). Decide whether you want your visitors to walk through in groups, pairs, or alone—if you’re doing groups, you will need to make the walkway wider. Start with a wide entrance space and create a narrow “hall,” because moving from a larger space to a smaller one instantly makes people feel uncomfortable.

Set up the route to go through two or three “rooms,” which, like your “hallway,” you can create by using curtains, crates, or any other vision-obscuring objects to block off a space. Connect your “rooms” with additional “hallways,” creating twists and turns and incorporating creepy decor like chains or netting. Play off the existing features in the area you are decorating: if you have dingy creepy, corners, make them even creepier. If you have super high ceilings, use a pulley to surprise visitors with a sudden object dropped down from above. Hide household objects that aren’t haunted-house-worthy, as they will take the participant out of the moment and break the scare—if you can’t move them, cover them up with black fabric, or incorporate them, like having a bloody hand dropping out of your freezer. If you’d like, add fog machines, strobes, or flickering lights to up the fright in any section of the space. (You can get simple fog machines for as low as $40 online at places like spirithalloween.com.) These will set the perfect atmosphere for a monster that wasn’t there before to pop up in the room.

Planning Scares

You’re going to want to plan plenty of jump scares (when something happens seemingly out of nowhere and shocks you) along the route. Ideally, people will literally jump back, so plan extra space when decorating—you don’t want them to knock over a wall of decapitated heads in jars! Have at least one strong jump scare, where a character jumps out from behind a curtain or a dark corner. You can also plan a camouflage scare, which is when an actor blends in with the scenery so people don’t notice them at first—and then the actor slowly reveals themself. You want to throw people off, so plan your scares so visitors get a couple in a row and think they are done—and then, BAM!, another sneak attack.

If you’d like, you can have your characters talk to the audience, or you can have the actors remain silent—or just scream, moan, and make other creepy noises. You can choose to have the guests escorted through, or walk at their own pace. Whichever method you go with, be sure to do practice walkthroughs so all your actors can get their timing right. Depending on your plan, you may want to set up signals to warn the next actor to get ready. Have someone flash a light when a visitor is turning a corner or heading to a new room, or have an actor scream to alert the next actor that it’s showtime.

Models: Zoë Naseef (butcher); Courtney Bissonette (victim)

Fake Wound
by Audrey Mabry

Start with clean, bare skin. Tear up tissues into small shreds and tint liquid latex with foundation until it matches your “victim’s” skin color, then pour the latex into a plastic cup. Using a makeup sponge, apply the liquid latex to the skin; keep in mind how large you want the wound to be, and add an extra half inch of liquid latex on both sides. While the liquid latex is still wet, lay down some of the shredded tissues in no particular pattern. Use a makeup sponge and liquid latex to flatten the tissues. Repeat this process 3-4 times. Let dry completely.

Next, use tweezers to pick up a small part of the latex and tissue, being very careful to not prick the skin. Using small nail scissors, carefully cut a jagged line down the middle of the liquid latex and tissue. Make sure to leave the edges intact. Your wound is almost complete! Using cream makeup, apply the red inside of the open wound. Then, use black inside the wound near the edges to create depth. Once you’re happy with how your wound looks, add some fake blood inside and outside. You now have a wound!

No-Stick, No-Stain Fake Blood

To make one gallon of fake blood, take 16 cups of Johnson’s Baby Shampoo (the orange color) and add 2 ½ Tbs. of red food coloring, mixing thoroughly. Slowly add drops of blue food coloring, mixing thoroughly after each drop until you get the desired hue—if you get too blue, add more red. Do a test drop on your hand; it should wash off completely, leaving no stick or stain. If the drop leaves a red spot, add more baby shampoo to dilute the mixture.

Intestines

We made both versions of intestines and combined them, but you can stick to one version if you want.

Simple and Cheap Intestines: Use scissors to cut the legs off of two pairs of nude stockings. Crumble up red tissue paper and lightly stuff the stockings; they should still be loose. Tie the ends off and trim off the hose after the knot. About an hour before showtime, soak the “intestines” in a bucket of fake blood.

Realistic Intestines: Peel a banana and roll a clear condom over it like in sex ed. Add a few drops of red food coloring and a drop of blue food coloring, and mash up the mixture with your hands over the condom. Add additional drops of red or blue until you like the color. Once the banana is mashed, you can add a second banana and additional food coloring to the same condom. You can either mash the mixture to a pulp, or leave your guts a little chunky.

To lay the intestines down, snake the pantyhose guts in a shape you like, and/or lay the condom guts next to each other in a pile so that the tips do not show. Whichever version you use, pour a liberal amount of fake blood over them.

Model: Janeth Gonda wearing KT Ferris Creations
Coffin

Use a utility knife to cut out eight pieces of cardboard as follows:

• For the lid and the base of the coffin, cut out two pieces that are 75″ long (you may need to tape some pieces of cardboard together to get this length; reinforce any gaps with black Gorilla Tape), 12″ wide at the top, 30″ at the widest part (17″ down from the top), and 17″ wide at the bottom.

• For the lower sides of the coffin, cut two 58 1/3″ wide x 18″ tall pieces.

• For the upper sides of the coffin, cut two 19 ¼” wide x 18″ tall pieces.

• For the bottom, cut one 17″ wide x 18″ tall piece.

• For the top, cut one 12″ wide x 18″ tall piece.

1. To assemble the coffin, have a friend help you hold each piece flush against the corresponding edge of the coffin base, and tape the pieces together using Gorilla Tape. After the top, bottom, and all four edge pieces are attached, connect them to each other at the corners with more Gorilla Tape. Reinforce any bends in the cardboard by taping a smaller piece of cardboard over the bend on the “inside” of the coffin.

2. Cover the lid of the coffin in craft paper to hide any seams, making the outside-facing edge as smooth as possible. Lay craft paper over the lid and cut out a second coffin-shaped paper, ¼” smaller than your lid on all sides, to fit inside. Turn your coffin base on its side and lay the coffin lid next to it so the smoothly-wrapped side is facing down. Attach the lid by using Gorilla Tape strips to make “hinges” going all the way down the lower side of the coffin.

3. Affix the craft paper template to the inside of the coffin, then spray the entire coffin with black spray paint and use gold spray paint to paint a cross on the lid. Stand the coffin up and reinforce with tape in any places needed.

4. When complete, lay the coffin on the ground and fill it with crates, boxes, or any other large, light materials to keep the lid from folding in until you are ready to use.

Giant Spider

For the body, turn a large black trash bag inside-out, tape the bottom corners in to make it more rounded, and flip it back right-side out. Stuff the bag with whatever you have on hand (like old newspapers), and tie it closed. For the head, do the same with a black deli bag (or smaller trash bag). For the legs, get two 4-packs of ¾” x 3′ tubular pipe insulation from a home improvement supply store like Home Depot. Use a utility knife to cut each tube in half, and use black Gorilla Tape to secure the halves together at a 90-degree angle. Flip the trash bag with the least rounded side up and tape the bended tubes to the bag so the bends face up and you have two rows with four tubes on each side. For the eyes, cut a 2.5″ Styrofoam ball in half with a utility knife and hot glue ½” googly eyes onto each curved side. Flip the trash bag over and position the legs as you want them. Tape the head to the spider body near the front and towards the bottom. Tape the eyes to the front of the head using folded-over pieces of tape. Cut two slightly curved fangs out of white poster board; make sure they curve in opposite directions so that they curve towards each other on the spider. Fold the straight edge of the fang down about a ¼”, creating tabs, and use small pieces of tape to attach them to the head.

Spiderweb Hallway

Cover a small hallway in “spiderwebs” using a white mosquito-net bed canopy (you can get these at a home decor store like IKEA) hung from the ceiling. Spread several bags of fake cobwebs (from Amazon or a party supply store) across the walls/ceiling and the netting; it took us about three bags to fill this space. Place the large spider in the back corner and attach small plastic black spiders to the webs (they should stick to them easily), scattering a few on the ground near the large spider.

Decapitated Heads In Jars

For each head, you’ll need a one-gallon glass jar with a lid. Find a clear, forward-facing image of a person’s head. In an image-editing program, resize the head to be 7″ tall without the neck. Stretch the image by 20%. Print out a color image of the head, cut the neck off, and trim around the head. Place the head in the jar to see if it fits; you may need to trim off part of the top of the head to get the lid to fit. Laminate the head (you can get this done cheap at an office supply store like Staples) and trim extra lamination. Place the head in the jar, pressing it up to the glass, and fill the jar with water. Add green and/or yellow food coloring until you get the shade you want. Feel free to add some dirt, wig hair, or other items to make it seem creepier—we added some pearls to our Sarah Huckabee Sanders jar. Put the lid on and sit the jar on a shelf at eye level.

By Callie Watts
Photographed by Kristen Blush // Makeup by Audrey Mabry
This article originally appeared in the October/November 2018  print edition of BUST Magazine. Subscribe today!

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While ikebana highlights minimalism and balance, freakebana’s primary focus is doing whatever the hell you want. Think weeds from your garden poking out of a sprouted sweet potato or several day-old grapefruits with a thorny rose emerging from the center of each. Freakebana is less about harmonizing beauty and more about being wildly expressive. The end result can look like a sculptural art piece rather than a floral arrangement—sensual, surreal, and even vulgar, helping us redefine our notions of contemporary beauty. Staying open and honoring our innate weirdness is so crucial in these trying times, it’s no wonder this new-wave floral movement is resonating. Here’s what you’ll need to make freakebana at home.

Materials

Flowers: Handpicked or market-bought. Definitely think about stem strength when selecting blooms—the stronger the stem, the easier it will be to stick the flower in a weird place. Anthuriums have a bold look and strong stems. Thistles, roses, dahlias, chrysanthemums, and baby’s breath have firm stems as well.

Fruits and/or vegetables: These will be the bases that hold your flowers. Buy at the grocery store or use what’s lying around your kitchen. Ripe fruits have super soft skin, which makes it easy to insert the flowers directly; I love grapefruits, lemons, and pears. Sweet potatoes and acorn squash are great as quirky, sculptural bases.

Tools: If you’re working with root veggies or something that has a tough rind, you’ll need a tool like a sharpened pencil, candy apple wooden stick, wooden skewer, or drill to create a hole in your base for the flower stem.  

Instructions

After you’ve sourced your supplies, think about where you want your flowers placed on your base. Keep it minimal with one stem or go wild with many blooms sticking out. Next, if your base is soft, stab the flower directly into it, or use a tool to create a passageway in the fruit or vegetable where the flower can be inserted. Make a single arrangement or cluster two together. Mostly, enjoy yourself and be expressive! It’s about creating unusual beauty with whatever is around you.

By Samantha Margherita
Stylist: Samantha Margherita
Photographed by Julia Stotz
This article originally appeared in the August/September 2018  print edition of BUST Magazine. Subscribe today!

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The ancient Japanese art of sashiko—using a running stitch to mend and embellish fabric—is the perfect way to fix worn clothes, breathe new life into old favorites, and give all manner of projects a super cool aesthetic, as this new book, Make + Mend (out August 21) proves. With easy to follow, step-by-step instructions, author Jessica Marquez offers up sashiko-inspired items for making (a quilted clutch; patchwork table linens; a shibori bandana, pictured), as well as ways to mend (pattern darning, patching jeans, altering hems). Learning sashiko will benefit you well beyond the book’s 15 projects—it’s one small stitch for woman, one giant leap for design.

By Lisa Butterworth
Photograph copyright © 2018 by Erin Scott; Make + Mend, by Jessica Marquez (Watson-Guptill Publications, 2018)
This article originally appeared in the August/September 2018  print edition of BUST Magazine. Subscribe today!

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Jewelry that features real, live plants is definitely a cool look for nature lovers. Whether you want to add a specific succulent to your style, or just want to feel like a frondescent goddess overflowing with the bounty of summer, the following simple steps will help you whip up your own horticultural cuff. Or buy premade pieces—shown on the next page—from someone whose green thumb may outshine your own.

Materials
Scissors
E6000 waterproof glue (the precision-nozzled tube, labeled “for beads and jewelry,” is extra helpful)
1″ blank bracelet cuff (available at craft or jewelry-making supplies stores, or at jansjewels.com; avoid copper, which can kill your plants)
Air plants (available at airplantsupplyco.com)
Small gemstones, crystals, or rocks

Instructions

1. Use scissors to trim any stray roots and dead leaves from your air plant(s).

2. Arrange your plant(s) and gems on the bracelet, testing out different placements until you find one you like.

3. Once you’ve decided on your design, it’s time to secure it. Put a dab of glue on the back of the plant or gem that will cover the largest amount of the bracelet’s surface area. Place it on the cuff and hold for about a minute. Repeat with the next biggest piece (whether you’re gluing it to the cuff, or directly on the piece you just secured). Continue this way until you’ve completed your design. (If you’re layering your design, you can also glue the smaller pieces to the biggest piece first, and then secure the whole shebang to the cuff.) Let dry for 24 hours.

4. To keep your air plants healthy, store your bracelet in a humid area with bright, indirect light. Mist them with a spray bottle in the morning at least twice a week, and up to once daily.

Nab these sustainable styles from indie designers

1. Keep it minimal with this chic, air-plant planter necklace.  Live Succulent Plant Necklace, $38, uncommongoods.com

2. This indoor/outdoor statement necklace is bloomin’ perfection. Succulent City Necklace, $75, fizzandfleurs.etsy.com

3. Stay seasonal with fresh and flirty flower earrings. Fresh Flower Earrings, Sedum and Feather, $25, vaseswild.etsy.com

4. Look alive and keep your tresses in check with this succulent hair comb.  Succulent Hair Comb (Green and Orange), $48, eucca.etsy.com

By Sarah C. Epstein
Photographed by Vanessa Rees
Model: Natasha Hester
This article originally appeared in the August/September 2018  print edition of BUST Magazine. Subscribe today!

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Espadrilles—the classic footwear for hot sand beaches, breezy summer strolls, cold drinks on sunny patios, and lazy days in a hammock—have been keeping a big secret: They’re surprisingly easy to make yourself! Say what?! Yep, this casually stylish shoe, originally conceived by the Catalan peasants of Spain as far back as the 1300s, is easy to pull together in a crafternoon. So grab your sewing machine and materials and put your best foot forward.

Materials
One pair of espadrille shoe soles in your preferred size*
¼-yard cotton-linen or canvas fabric (for outside of shoe)
¼-yard cotton fabric (for inside of shoe)
4 pieces of cotton fabric cut into 2″ by 17″ rectangles (for straps)
One package of espadrille yarn or cotton baker’s twine*
Espadrille hand-sewing needle—curved or straight*
1 yard fusible lightweight interfacing
Espadrille wax* or beeswax candle
Chopstick
Pins
Iron and ironing board
Sewing machine and standard sewing supplies
*=Available from Amazon, or as part of a complete kit from ahappystitch.etsy.com

Preparation

1. Print out the pattern at bust.com/ downloads and cut out in your size. 

2. Use pattern to cut fabric for the toe: 2 pieces of the outside fabric, 2 pieces of the inside fabric, and 4 pieces of interfacing. Repeat for the heel. 

3. Using package directions, fuse interfacing to wrong side of each fabric piece. 

4. Use a marking tool (or pencil) on the wrong side of the interfaced heel to mark the lines noted on the pattern.

Sewing

Make the Toe:

Pin the inside fabric to the outside fabric, right sides together, and sew edge with a 3/8″ seam allowance, leaving a 3″–4″ opening along one side. Clip the seam allowances at the corners (A). Turn the toe right-side out, use a chopstick to push out corners, and press flat with iron. Sew opening shut. Repeat for second toe piece.

Image A

Create Straps:

Fold strip of fabric in half lengthwise. Sew a ¼” seam allowance along the long side and one short side. Turn the strap right-side out by nestling the chopstick into the sewn short end of the strap and push until the sewn end travels all the way through the open short end (B). Repeat for the three remaining straps and press all four nice and flat.

Image B
Make the Heel:

Pin two straps with the open ends aligned with the sides of the heel, in between marks on fabric (C).

Image C
Sew with a ¼” seam allowance to hold in place. Place the inside and outside fabric right sides together (leave the straps sandwiched inside) and sew at a 3/8″ seam allowance, leaving an opening of 3″–4″ along the bottom edge (be sure the straps are placed through the opening and watch that you don’t sew over them) (D). Clip the corners and turn right sides out, pushing out the corners with your chopstick. Press flat with an iron, then stitch the opening closed. Repeat for second heel.

Image D

Attach Fabric to Sole: 

Pin the center back of the heel to the sole, in the middle of the heel area. Place pins, grabbing ¼” of fabric and pushing into the jute of the sole, every 3/8″ (E).

Image E

Do the same with the toe, beginning by pinning the center front of the toe to the front of the shoe sole; place a pin every 3/8″.Cut 90″ of espadrille yarn and knot one end. Run yarn along the wax and rub with your fingers (to keep it from getting tangled). Thread the needle. You’ll use a blanket stitch to attach the fabric to the sole. Beginning at one edge of the toe, put the needle about halfway into the jute of the sole, then ¼” up into the fabric (F).

Image F

Pull thread through tightly so the knot nestles into the sole. Take one additional looping stitch (put the needle into the jute first and back up where you came out with the original stitch) to really secure. For your next stitch, place the yarn to the right of the stitch you just made, then run the needle up through the sole, into the fabric about ¼” up, and make sure the needle is in front of the thread (G).

Image G

Pull the thread snugly. This is the blanket stitch. Repeat step 4 until you get to the end of the toe. At this point, you will want to add a securing stitch, as follows: set the needle into the fabric and down into the jute (H), then pull the thread taut.

Image H

Place another stitch in the same location with the needle pushed into the jute and up into the fabric. Continue on with the standard blanket stitch across the sole (stitches will go into the jute only) until you reach the heel (I).

Image I

Create a securing stitch at the beginning of the heel as in step 2, work blanket stitch across, and add another securing stitch at the end of the heel, as in step 5, then continue blanket stitch along the sole. ? Once you return to the starting point, stitch 2 stitches in place, push the needle into the fabric and down through the jute, pull snug and tie a knot. ? Repeat blanket stitch for second shoe. Voila! Shoes!

By Melissa Quaal
Photographed by Seher Sikandar
Model: Janeth Gonda

This article originally appeared in the August/September 2018  print edition of BUST Magazine. Subscribe today!

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Join the BUST Craftacular at World Maker Faire
When: September 22nd and 23rd, 2018
Where: New York Hall of Science 111th street, Corona, NY 11368

The BUST Craftacular returns to the World Maker Faire this September for the 9th consecutive year. Featuring 75+ local artists and businesses selling homemade wares, our vendors will be featured next to 800 exhibits and multiple stages of art, spectacles, science projects, cosplay, electronics, tool demos and much more. Vendors will have the opportunity to target a new market of people eager to learn, shop and partake in all things DIY!

Known as the “greatest show-and-tell on Earth,” Maker Faire is a two-day, family-friendly event attracting over 95,000 visitors. Set in the New York Hall of Science, patrons will be able to check out interactive installations, tech enthusiasts, educators, hobbyists, engineers, crafters, and artists, all between shopping for unique, homemade goods at the BUST Craftacular! So get your tickets and join us on September 22nd and 23rd!

Apply now to be a vendor with BUST at the World Maker Faire New York!

Buy your tickets here! 

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Macramé is having a moment, and it’s no wonder. Using an age-old technique that is almost as easy as tying your shoes, today’s macramé artists are creating marvelous, modern items that can fit into any decor. This wall hanging is adapted from a larger project in Emily Katz’s new book, Modern Macramé: 33 Stylish Projects for Your Handmade Home (Ten Speed Press), and is a great introduction to the craft. 

What You’ll Need

Main Color Rope (MC): 100′ navy cotton rope (5mm diameter), cut into ten 10′ lengths

Contrast Color Rope (CC): 20′ salmon cotton rope (5mm diameter), cut into two 10′ lengths

13″ – 16″ Wooden Dowel

We purchased all of our materials from modernmacrame.com.

Knots

This project uses two basic knots: the right-facing square knot, and the left-facing square knot. You’ll also need to know how to do a reverse lark’s head knot to get the ropes onto your dowel.

Reverse Lark’s Head Knot (RLHK)

Make a loop at the center of the rope, and bring it up behind the dowel. [A] 

Fold the loop forward over the dowel and pull the ends of the rope forward through the loop. [B] 

Make sure the rope is divided precisely in half and then tighten the knot. 

Half Square Knot (HSK)

This knot and its mirror image, the Right Half Square Knot, are made by knotting two outer cords, called working cords, around two inner cords, called filler cords. 

Bring the left working cord (gray) over both filler cords and under the right working cord (white). [A] 

Bring the right working cord (white) under the filler cords and over the left working cord (gray). [B] 

Tighten the knot. [C]

Right Half Square Knot (RHSK)

Bring the right working cord (white) over both filler cords and under the left working cord (gray). [A] 

Bring the left working cord (gray) under the filler cords and over the right working cord (white). [B] 

Tighten the knot. [C] 

Square Knot (SK)

Work one HSK followed by one RHSK, and tighten the knot.

Right-facing square knot (RSK)

Work one RHSK followed by one HSK, and tighten the knot.

Sinnet of Square Knots

Two or more square knots worked one right after the other is known as a sinnet.

Directions

Using RLHKs, mount 10′ ropes onto the dowel in the following order, from left to right:
5 in MC, 2 in CC, 5 in MC. Space them evenly across the dowel.

Work the following rows 1″ apart:

Row 1: Skip 2 cords, work 5 SKs, then skip 2 cords.

Row 2: Work 2 SKs, 1 RSK, then 3 SKs.

Row 3: Repeat Row 1. 

Row 4: Repeat Row 2. 

Row 5: Skip 2 cords, work 5 sinnets of 2 SKs, then skip 2 cords.

Row 6: Skip 4 cords, work 1 SK, 1 RSK, 2 SKs, then skip 4 cords.

Row 7: Skip 6 cords, work 3 SKs, then skip 6 cords.

Row 8: Skip 8 cords, work 1 RSK, 1 SK, then skip 8 cords.

Row 9: Use the CC cords to work a sinnet of 3 SKs. 

Trim all cords about 10″ below their last respective knot, and unravel them. 

This wall hanging is a portion of Katz’s “Celebration Garland” project (above).

Styled by Martha Bernabe, Prop House NYC.

Photographed by Kristyna Archer.

Knot instruction and garland photographs by Nicole Franzen from Modern Macramé: 33 Stylish Projects for Your Handmade Home by Emily Katz, © 2018. Published by Ten Speed Press.

This article originally appeared in the June/July 2018 print edition of BUST Magazine. Subscribe today!

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 Thank you to everyone who came out to Industry City for the BUST Craftacular featuring the BUST School for Creative Living. With over 100 vendors, and 50 DIY classes and demos, the day was full of creativity, learning, and shopping.

November Sage

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The event featured the second-ever edition of the BUST School for Creative Living. We partnered up with dozens of professional teachers who taught an electric variety of introductory workshops such as herbalism, yoga and macrame. Students received hands-on personal attention from skilled professionals at a heavily discounted price. Attendees also had a chance to explore the campus of Industry City participating in workshops such as Knife Skills in Brooklyn Kitchen, and chocolate making at Li-Lac Chocolates.

Reiki & Meditation with Corinne Kai

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And of course, our carefully curated vendors made the venue come alive with their colorful designs and wares. We strongly believe that is important to stop shopping at large corporations and remember to support the individual business owner who puts love and integrity into everything they create. If you missed the event, take a look at all of the amazing vendors here.

House of Correia

AMiRA Jewelry

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 Special thanks to our sponsors Green Mountain Energy, Knock Knock, Artist and Craftsman Supply, Mionetto, Shrub District, and Band of Weirdos who helped make this event a success by providing tons of crafting supplies, boozy bubbly, and other goodies.

All photos by Amanda Kaye Photography

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Turn food scraps, flowers, and plants into wearable art with bundle dyeing, an easy, non-toxic, and sustainable technique that extracts beautiful colors from everyday natural materials. The process, good for any natural fabric (silk, wool, cotton, or linen), uses dyestuffs (whole dye plants and extracts) that are playfully spread onto fabric, bound into a bundle, and steamed to release organic color. Upcycle an old garment or bundle dye a piece of silk to make this go-to spring accessory.

What You’ll Need
35″ x 35″ light-colored silk fabric square
Mild detergent
Spoon
Cotton string
Vegetable steamer
Stainless steel pot with lid
Tongs
Alum mordant (available on Amazon or at any art supply store)
Dye materials (details below)

Dye Materials
Yellow onion skin (yellow)
Red onion skin (green)
Red rose petals (purple)
Black tea (tan)
Turmeric powder (bright yellow)
Dried marigolds (light orange)
Madder root extract (red; available at botanicalcolors.com)
Cochineal extract (pink; available at botanicalcolors.com)

Instructions

Wash Fabric: Add fabric, warm water, and a bit of mild detergent to a pot (A). Bring water to a simmer and keep simmering for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Let fabric sit overnight in the soapy water for best results.

Mordant Fabric: Rinse washed fabric in cool water. Refill pot with warm water and dissolve ¼ cup of alum mordant for every quart of water (B). Bring to a simmer and let fabric soak for minimum of 2 hours. Let cool. For best results, let fabric sit overnight in alum mordant water. This will ensure the colors won’t wash out after it’s dyed. Rinse fabric and let dry.

Create Bundle: Spread fabric out and sprinkle dye materials evenly onto the fabric (C). Less is more when using natural dyes. Feel free to mix materials. Fold the four corners of the fabric into the center, add a sprinkle more of dyestuff, and fold in the corners again (D). Repeat this folding in process two more times (E). Finally, bind fabric tightly with string (F). You should have a small bundle that fits in the palm of your hand.

Steam: Place vegetable steamer in a pot with about two inches of water (G); place the bundle on the steamer and secure the lid. Steam the fabric bundle for 45 minutes on low to medium heat. Remove pot from heat and allow to cool. Remove bundle with tongs.

Reveal: With scissors, carefully cut string to release bundle. Shake off steamed dyestuffs, and view your beautiful dyed silk scarf (H)!

By Molly George
Photographed by Ashley Batz
Hair and makeup: Karla Hirkaler, using Glossier and Amika
Model: Chloe Mills at Red

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As a lifelong tree hugger, deciding to go zero waste (i.e. creating as little trash as possible) was a no-brainer for me. So many resources are put into the products we consume, only to be destined to live forever in a landfill. When I embarked on my zero-waste journey (#trashfreeinla), I realized most of my trash came from eating out and single-use disposables like coffee cups, straws, utensils, and napkins. Not only are these items used for mere minutes, but also an alarming amount end up polluting our oceans. According to a recent World Economic Forum report, scientists predict that by 2050 there will be more plastic in the ocean than fish(!!). But with a little foresight and the right reusable staples (I take mine with me everywhere), it’s easy to eliminate lots of trash. Here’s all you need to make a zero-waste kit of your own, and though I’ve included purchase suggestions, you could probably put one together from stuff you already have at home. 

Bag
I always have at least one Baggu bag on me. The Baby Baggu ($8, baggu.com) is perfect for picking up a loaf of bread or carrying fruit from the market. They come in lots of fun colors, and they’re a breeze to wash and dry.

Cup and metal straw
My favorite cup is a 24-ounce mason jar ($8.65, amazon.com) with a Cuppow lid ($8.99, cuppow.com) that fits my metal straw ($3.00, lifewithoutplastic.com). The clear glass and measurement lines are helpful when using it to get your favorite green smoothie or matcha latte.

Cloth Napkin
Cloth napkins are multipurpose. Use them to dry your hands (no more paper towels!), for any wipes or spills, or for grabbing a cookie from the local bakery. Splurging on a cute one ($28 for set of 2, cottonandflax.com) will ensure its place in your kit.

Utensils
Always carry a fork and spoon—I keep mine in an Ambatalia utensil roll ($30, ambatalia.com)—because you never know when hunger will strike.

Jar
Lastly, if you know you’re going out to eat, bring a Weck jar ($4.25, lifewithoutplastic.com) for taking any leftovers home.

By Sara Tso, @matchboxkitchen

Photographed by Julia Stotz 

This article originally appeared in the April/May 2018 print edition of BUST Magazine. Subscribe today!

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Neon signs can be really expensive, especially a custom one. But with this simple faux neon craft, you can put your name—or any word you want—in lights, for about $20. Go get lit! 

Materials 

• Marker
• Poster board
• String
• 18-gauge wire
• Wire cutters
• Scotch tape
• Hot glue gun
• EL wire with battery pack (a fancy name for light-up cord, available on Amazon)
• White or black electrical tape
• Tacks or nails

Instructions

Using a marker, write the word you want to light in cursive on a piece of poster board. The battery pack will be attached to the end of the EL wire, so choosing a word with a last letter that drops down can make the battery pack easier to hide (behind a piece of furniture, for example).

To find out how much wire and light cord you’ll need, use string to trace the word, adding a small tail to the last letter, and cut. (For a short word like Sup, we got 9 feet of EL wire; our sign is about 24″ tall by 16″ wide.)

Use wire cutters to snip the 18-gauge wire to the length of the string.

Bend the wire into the shape of your word. Use tape to keep the wire in place as you work. Place something heavy on the wire until it’s flattened into shape.

Adhere the EL wire to the 18-gauge wire using the hot glue gun, removing the tape as you go. Glue a couple of inches at a time, letting the glue dry completely before continuing. Once finished, clean up any stray glue. 

Wrap any remaining EL wire that you want hidden with electrical tape. 

Hang your faux neon piece using tacks or small nails under the loops of the letters.

By Callie Watts

Photographed by Hannah Whitaker

This article originally appeared in the February/March 2018 print edition of BUST Magazine. Subscribe today!

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Hand Lettering, Chocolate Workshop, Mindfulness, And Many More Classes At BUST’s School For Creative Living On May 12!

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BUST’s School for Creative Living is returning to Brooklyn, NY—this time at the Factory Floor in Industry City—on Saturday, May 12, from 11 a.m. – 7 p.m., alongside over 75 of our personally selected vendors! The event will feature over 50 DIY classes and workshops where students will recieve personalized attention from some of the best teachers around.

 Dance to Flow Yoga with YES Studio

CBD for Pain Management and Inflammation with the Alchemist Kitchen

Introduction to Digital Photography with Jeana Lindo

Introduction to DJing with Alice.KM

Intro to Marble Painting with Bread X Butta

UnHumble: How to Stop Playing Small and Be a Badass with the Engaging Educator

Chocolate Factory Workshop with Li-Lac Chocolates

How To Negotiate Like a Badass Babe: Make More $$$ in Your Next Job with Alison Taffel Rabinowitz

Kaleidoscope Dyeing with WE GATHER

Palm Reading and Hand Embroidery 101 With L’enchanteur

Intro to Macrame with Marine Park Craft Salon

Watercolor Exploration with Private Picassos

And MANY MANY MORE!

Register Now

If your hair needs a little extra love, look no further than your own kitchen. With a few basic ingredients, whipping up a rejuvenating hair mask is a breeze. These two super-simple recipes start with a base of coconut oil and honey. Coconut oil is great for your skin, and when used on your hair, it not only adds moisture but also prevents breakage and restores luster. Honey helps seal that moisture in. Plus, it smoothes, softens, and shines. You can add different ingredients to this base depending on your hair type. The strawberry version below helps eliminate oil and bumps up shine, while the avocado mask adds some much-needed moisture to a dry scalp.

Simply mash all the ingredients together and apply to damp hair from roots to tips. Then, cover your tresses with a plastic bag or shower cap, relax for about 20 to 30 minutes, and rinse.

Strawberry Feels Forever

8 fresh strawberries

1 tablespoon coconut oil

1 tablespoon honey

Going Green

1 avocado

1 tablespoon honey

1 tablespoon coconut oil

Photo: Julia Stotz; Food Stylist: Caroline Hwang

By Callie Watts

This article originally appeared in the February/March 2018 print edition of BUST Magazine. Subscribe today!

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Start Your Spring Garden Early By Planting Seeds Indoors

Making Your Own Resin Jewelry Is Easier Than You Think

Each year, I grow hundreds of plants from seeds started indoors—flowering annuals and perennials, heirloom and hybrid vegetables, and a wide variety of tomatoes. I’ve gathered my best tips and tricks here to give you everything you need to know to start your own garden. 

Materials
Seeds (organic seeds suitable for your growing zone)
36 3″ plastic pots or small, plastic drinking cups with a drain hole punched in the bottom or seedling starter trays
Organic potting mix
48″ fluorescent shop light with T8 or T5 bulbs (one “warm” and one “cold” is preferable)Plant tags or marker and tape
Automatic timer for shop light
Blocks of wood or other materials to adjust the height of seedling pots
Waterproof tarp
Watering can
Fan (optional)

Instructions

1. Gather your materials.

2. Read your seed packets for specific sowing instructions. Some seeds require pre-soaking, pre-chilling, or scraping of the seed coat first. In general, start your seeds 2 – 3 months before your last frost date. (Find yours at almanac.com/gardening/frostdates.)

3. Prepare plant tags or write seed names on tape and stick to the sides of your pots.

4. Fill pots with potting mix, gently press it down, and dampen with water. Sow 2 – 3 seeds per container.

5. Position your grow lights 1″ above the top of the pots. Use a timer to keep your grow lights on for 12 hours per day. As the seedlings grow, adjust the pots so the seedling tops remain an inch (not more) below the lights.

6. Water the potting soil just enough to maintain an even moisture level, not too wet or too dry. Allow air circulation in the room; if it’s muggy, use a fan. Check your seeds daily. You’ll be amazed how fast some of them will pop up—it can be as quick as a day or as long as a few weeks, depending on the type of seed.

7. If every seed in a pot germinates, remove the weaker ones. If you’ve planted seedling trays, transfer to 3″ pots after first true leaves form.

8. “Hardening off”—preparing your seedlings for life outdoors—should begin 2 – 3 weeks before your last frost date. When daytime temperatures are above freezing, place your pots in deep plastic tubs and set them outdoors for 6 – 8 hours a day. Bring them in overnight. As the weather warms, gradually leave them out longer until they’re outdoors 24/7.

9. After the last frost, plant everything outdoors in garden beds or containers.

By Melissa J. Will

A version of this article originally appeared on EmpressOfDirt.net.

This article originally appeared in the February/March 2018 print edition of BUST Magazine. Subscribe today!

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If you’re an early riser and live in the United States, you might see something pretty cool tomorrow morning: a rare lunar eclipse known as the “Super Blood Blue Moon.” At around 5:51 A.M. Eastern Standard Time, the Earth will move in between the sun and the moon, creating a fiery, copper color in the sky —this is what we know as a blood moon. Because the moon will be closer to Earth than usual, it’ll be a supermoon, and because this is the second full moon in one month, it will be a blue moon. This trifecta hasn’t happened since 1866, according to Space.com.

For those into astrology, magic, and all kinds of witchery, the Super Blood Blue Moon will be a prime time for self-reflection and meditation. There are a series of healing and wish-granting spells you can check out during this time of intense spiritual energy. You can also take advantage of the moon to create moon water if you have a glass jar and some salt.

With some slight variations, witches everywhere will prepare for the moon the night before by placing jars of water outside or on a windowsill near direct moonlight. They will light candles or incense, and maybe leave some crystals or sage near the jar to bless the water. There are different simple spells that can then be used, including, “I bless this water with sage / so mote it be” or “queen of moon, goddess of stars / bless the water within this jar.” Before performing the spell, it’s considered commonplace for a witch to create a protective ring of salt around herself.

The moon water can then be used for many purposes, including cleaning, cooking, and bathing.

Photo via Columbia Pictures / The Craft (1996)

Happy supermoon!

Top photo via Wikimedia Commons / Abhranil Kundu

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Working with resin seems intimidating at first, but once you try it, you’ll want to dry every flower you see and turn it into jewelry. If you aren’t up for the challenge and still want the look, there are tons of gorgeous pre-made pieces straight out of someone else’s garden that are ready to rock.

Materials:
Silicone mold (look for candy molds in the baking section of a housewares store or at Michael’s)
Resin mold release spray
Clear resin kit (this will come with 2 bottles of solution)
Clear coat spray paint
1 or 2 plastic spoons (depending on the type of resin kit)
1 to 2 mixing bowls (depending on the type of resin kit)
Small measuring cup
Straw
Dried flowers (depending on the depth of your molds, you may need to use pressed flowers)
Scissors
Gloves
A cardboard box (large enough to cover the molds as they dry)
Metal jewelry parts (depending on the shape of your mold and what kind of piece you are making, this can include tiny earring posts, square or round metal settings, or bracelets with flat metal for a stone setting. You may also need jump rings, chain, and needle-nose pliers if you are making a necklace.)
Toothpick
E6000 glue

Directions:

Before starting, read the instructions on the resin kit you are using. Be sure to work in a well-ventilated area and wear a mask when mixing. 

Decide how you want to lay your flowers in the molds. Using the scissors, trim the stems and leaves so they fit inside. 

Wearing gloves, remove the flowers from the molds and spray them with clear coat spray paint (A). While they dry, spray the silicone mold with resin mold release; rub the spray around to coat the entire inside. Let flowers and molds dry for at least 30 minutes. 

Lay the dried flowers in the molds in the positions you want, face-down (the bottom of the mold will be the front of the jewelry piece).

Mix your resin according to the instructions on your kit. Stir slowly and be sure to scrape the bottom and sides of the container; do not whisk. 

Pour your resin very slowly into the molds, stopping before the top edge (B). If the mold is deep, pour halfway up, let dry overnight, then mix more resin and fill to the top (C).

Using a straw, gently blow any bubbles you see until they disappear. If flowers start floating up, use the stirring spoon to push them back down gently. Place the cardboard box over the molds and let dry for at least 24 hours.

Once the resin is completely dry (D), flip the mold over and tap the pieces out.

Mount your resin piece; this will vary depending on the shape of the mold and the type of jewelry. For the necklace: glue a circle casting into a round metal setting (with an attached hoop for hanging). Put a small amount of E6000 around the inside of the metal setting, using a toothpick (E). Insert the casting, making sure the front of the setting and the front of the casting match up (F), and let dry for 24 hours. Using needle-nose pliers, attach a jump ring to the hoop and string on a chain.

OR BUY 

Grass Green Real Flower Earrings, $17.90, VillaSorgenfrei.etsy.com

Woodland Resin Bangle, $45, SmileWithFlower.etsy.com

Resin Glass Diamond Pendant, $48, withroots.com

Real Yellow Rosebud Resin Sphere Pendant, $49, Resity.etsy.com

By Callie Watts

Photographed by Lauren Perlstein

This article originally appeared in the December/January 2017 print edition of BUST Magazine. Subscribe today!

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10 DIY Kits That Make The Perfect Holiday Gift

DIY This Minimalist Wreath In 4  Steps

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Whether you’re looking to whip up some handmade gifts, or to teach yourself a new skill, these all-in-one sets will help you get your craft on. We’ve tried all the kits here, and provide estimates of how long they’ll take, so you won’t end up giving Aunt Erma a half-finished wall hanging.

?I LOVE PARIS PRINTED FABRIC DOLL KIT, $21.90, ETSY.COM/SHOP/MIKODESIGN — 3-5 hours

HANDMADE OATMEAL CINNAMON SOAP KIT, ?MAKES 8 BARS, $29.99, CULTURESFORHEALTH.COM — 1-2 hours

EVERYTHING BAGEL & CREAM CHEESE MAKING KIT, ?$25, UNCOMMONGOODS.COM — 3-5 hours

KELLY CUTS PAPER BEGINNERS PAPERCUTTING KIT WITH TEMPLATES, $38.26, ETSY.COM/SHOP/KELLYCUTSPAPER — Lots of hours!

MODERN MACRAMÉ KIT FOR A PLANT HANGER ?AND WALL HANGING, BY JUSTINE VASQEZ, ?$24.99, QUARTOKNOWS.COM — 3-5 hours

?EASY INDIGO TEXTILE KIT, ?$30, YELLOWOWLWORKSHOP.COM — 3-5 hours

DREAMING FOXES EMBROIDERY KIT FOR BEGINNERS, ?$30, STUDIOMME.COM — 3-5 hours

?GARDEN BLOOMS PAPER WREATH KIT, ?$24.95, PAPERSOURCE.COM — Lots of hours!

BLOCK PRINTING DISH TOWEL KIT, ?$24, ETSY.COM/SHOP/MONARCHHOME — 1-2 hours

RACCOON EMBROIDERY KIT, ?$18, KIRIKIPRESS.COM — Lots of hours!

By Debbie Stoller

This article originally appeared in the December/January 2017 print edition of BUST Magazine. Subscribe today!

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Deconstructed wreaths bring holiday cheer with a modern twist

This minimalist approach to the classic winter decoration is super easy to make and can be done in the time it takes to say, “Happy HolidaChrismaKwanzUkkah!”

Materials:
Plant clippings (We used evergreens and boxwood)
22-gauge floral wire
Embroidery hoop
Needle-nose pliers (you will need wire snippers if they aren’t built in)
Scissors
Twine

Instructions:

1. Lay the embroidery hoop on a flat surface with the screw at the top. Trim your plants down to a size you like and play around with their placement on the hoop.

2. Once you have a design you like, attach the plants to the hoop using floral wire. Snip about 3″ to 4″ of floral wire and wrap it tightly around the hoop and plants in the middle of the arrangement. Using the pliers, twist the wire together tightly, snip excess wire off, and press the ends down flat against the hoop so the wire doesn’t poke out.

3. Do this again at the bottom of the plant and about every 1½” going up the foliage, as well as in any places where you need to manipulate the clippings so they lie a certain way.

4. Once you have the plants secured in a position you like, cut about 10″ of twine (you can alter this measurement depending on where you want it to hang on your wall or door), knot one end of the twine around the screw, and hang your wreath from a nail or tack.

by Callie Watts
Photographed by Kristen Blush

This article originally appeared in the December/January 2017 print edition of BUST Magazine. Subscribe today!

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 In the #MeToo era, BUST is teaming up with a number of bad-ass feminists in order to help foster change.  BUST will be offering a number of free workshops at the annual Holiday BUST Craftacular which will be held on December 9th and 10th at the Brooklyn Expo Center, 72 Noble St., Brooklyn, NY. Along with things to buy, eat, and drink, BUST is also offering over 100+ workshops, lectures, and a killer band lineup. On Sunday afternoon BUST is offering three (super important!)  FREE talks led by four wonderful women: 

1. Anger Can Be Power led by Julia Cumming

“It seems like every day brings a new disaster that fills us with hopelessness and rage, leaving us to shake our fists at the sky. We can vote, call our representatives and protest, but is that the full extent of what we can do?” 

This is the question posed by Julia Cumming, badass founder/singer/bassist of the band Sunflower Bean. Like many of us in the post-election days, Julia was confused as to how to productively channel her anger, and she may have just found a way. In a year that seems to be filled with one terrible thing after another, Julia is here to teach us how to turn our collective rage into collective change. As a publication that highlights powerful, creative women, and seeks to dismantle oppression, BUST is super stoked to welcome Julia to the Craftacular stage.

2. How to Feel Pleasure After Sexual Trauma led by Corinne Kai

Corinne Kai via Corinnekai.com by YuniqueYunique

We can’t say enough about Corinne Kai. A kickass columnist for GO magazine, a RAINN Speakers Bureau volunteer, and ER rape crisis advocate at Bellevue Hospital, Corinne wears many hats and she’s about to teach us her skills. Focusing on how to unblock your mind, body, and spirit post-trauma, this talk is a self-care workshop worth every minute of your time. Focusing on building tangible skills, this workshop will help survivors (and their partners) walk away with tools to feel embodied and reawaken their sensuality.

This workshop is what BUST is all about, helping women reclaim their power no matter what life throws in their way.

3. Consent Workshop: Find Your Voice led by Woman Within and Man Kind Project

Photo via Womanwithin.org

BUST believes consent is not only sexy, it’s MANDATORY. In light of that fact, we are welcoming two fantastic women, Staci Ivori and Erika Anderson to teach us about the nitty-gritty of consent: how to give it, how to get it, and when to use it (hint: always!). In the wake of the #metoo movement, we need now, more than ever, to learn how to advocate for ourselves and perfect our communication skills.

As an organization, BUST is dedicated to amplifying women’s voices. We are super excited to have Staci and Erika facilitate a space where you can reclaim your voice, finding healing and empowerment along the way.

first photo brought by Believe Me

Top Photo: by BUST

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Winter has always been a rad time for making stuff. Whether you’re crafting handmade gifts, relaxing in front of a cozy fire with a personal project, or spending time indoors learning a new skill, ‘tis the season for DIY. Here at BUST, we know learning is just as much fun as shopping, so at this year’s BUST Holiday Craftacular—Dec. 9 & 10, Brooklyn Expo Center, 72 Noble St.—we’re also offering over 100 interactive DIY workshops, demos, and classes, including many that will appeal to makers of all stripes and skill levels, as part of a new event: The BUST School for Creative Living

For the artistically inclined, we’ll have professional makers teaching fantastic make-and-take workshops in Numerology Jewelry Making, Marble Painting, Clay Sculpting, Printmaking, Embroidery, Watercolor, Macrame, Origami, Coiled Wire Beading, Patch Making, Bundle Dyeing, Chalk Painting, Pom-Pom Making, Wooden Holiday Ornament Making, Block Printing, Hand Lettering, and Silkscreening.

And for glamorous DIY divas looking for fun new health and beauty projects, you won’t want to miss classes in making your own Face Scrubs, Braiding 101, DIY Skin Care, and DIY Bath Salts & Essential Oils.

Are you more of a skill-share chick looking for expert guidance in subjects like music, dance, or gardening? Then you’re in luck, because we’ve also got killer demos on Plant Cloning, Guitar Picking, Belly Dancing, Intro to Sign Language, DIY Zine Making, BDSM for Beginners, Pinhole Camera Photography, iPhone Photography, Music Production, and Shop Talk With Female Musicians. 

You’d be hard pressed to find such a diverse and expansive lineup of interactive programming anywhere else, especially at this price. Tickets for individual workshops are only $15. But if you want to workshop-hop all day long, a day pass is $40 and a weekend-long pass is $75. These passes also get you into all music performances and lectures from feminist luminaries including Lindy West, Amber Tamblyn, and Liz Winstead! So gather up your posse and prepare for a fantastic feminist weekend of good vibes and skill sharing at the BUST Craftacular!

Special thanks to our art supply vendor Artists and Craftsman Supply.

Ever scroll through your Instragram recommended videos and find yourself fully entranced by slime videos? If so, you’re not alone, slime videos have engulfed Instagram and YouTube — the preferred platforms of today’s youth. Seriously, slime has become such a DIY mainstay, there have even been glue shortages.

One elementary school girl is making a business out of slime. Zavia, a ten-year-old from Virginia, is using the popularity of slime to build herself an empire.

It started with selling just slime out on the playground last year solo, but Zavia’s Workshop expanding into arts and crafts and slime supplies – she has two employees this year. The slime starts at 3 bucks a pop and tops out at $5. Zavia’s Workshop even sells fidget spinners, also $3, which Zavia’s friend crafts herself. 

So how does she go about making the slime? By combining glue, borax, hot water she can make the base slime. Zavia also makes interesting textures and colors by adding shaving cream, food color, and/or corn starch.

Once you’ve got your slime, what do you do with it? Simple: play with it. Or use it to make fart sounds. If you’re interested in your own slime from Zavia’s workshop, email Zavia’s proud aunt/BUST editor/witch/total babe Callie Watts at calliew@bust.com.

Top photo via Youtube/ASMR Darling, bottom photo provided by Callie Watts.

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 Set a colorful table with this simple napkin DIY

Whether you have a full set of matching place settings or a hodgepodge of thrift store dishware, reusable napkins are an easy way to tie your table together and give your dinner party all kinds of personality. (Plus, they spare the planet a bunch of paper waste.) This basic DIY bucks the season’s expected hues with bright colors and bold patterns using little more than some fabric paint. So jazz up your next brunch, or make a solo meal special (and highly ’grammable) with this deliciously simple project.

Materials

4 white cotton napkins (we hemmed our own napkins with LENDA fabric from IKEA)
Fabric/acrylic paints in black and the colors of your choice (we used white, violet, crimson, yellow, and orange)
Ruler
Masking tape
Foam brush
Small paintbrush
Iron

Instructions
1. Mix your paint colors using a paint palette or small containers. We mixed 1 part white with 1 part color to create these vibrant pastels.

2. Open your napkins so the right sides face up, landscape style, on a drop cloth or large piece of cardboard (something you won’t mind getting paint on). Use a ruler to determine the midpoint of the top and bottom of each napkin. Carefully apply a strip of masking tape, so that the left side of the strip goes right down the napkin’s middle, lining up at the top and bottom edges.

3. Use a foam brush to paint the left side of each napkin with a different color, being careful not to get paint on the right side of the masking tape. Let the first coat of color dry then apply a second coat, making sure the color is even.

4. After the second coat has dried, remove the masking tape. Use the paintbrush and the black paint to freehand different patterns on the right side of each napkin. We painted circles, stripes, half moons, and splatters (if you’re going to splatter paint, make sure to cover the left side of the napkin so you don’t smudge the color with black paint).

5. Let the napkins dry for 24 hours, then heat set your designs with an iron. Flip each napkin over and iron on the wrong side, being sure to turn off your iron’s steam setting. (Do not set your iron directly on the painted surface!) Wait for three days after heat setting before you wash your napkins, or follow the instructions for heat setting and care on your paint packaging.

The finished result:

By Marwa Hayat, enthrallinggumption.com. Photos courtesy of Marwa Hayat. 

This article originally appeared in the October/November 2017 print edition of BUST Magazine. Subscribe today!

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Deck out your ’do with this simple sewing DIY

I’m the first to agree with Joan Crawford (played by Faye Dunaway) when she growls, “No…wire…hangers!” in the now infamous Mommie Dearest. But let’s be real: wire really does the trick when it comes to making this malleable headband. Be prepared to wear it everywhere—it’s easy to craft (under an hour!), it works with every style, and it’ll keep your hair out of the way if you decide to douse your face in ice water, unhinged-Hollywood-icon style. Utilitarian and stylish—the perfect DIY.

Materials

1 Piece of 41/2″ x 34″ fabric 

Iron (optional)

Sewing machine

Scissors 

Thread that matches your fabric 

Piece of 20-gauge wire, 40″ long

Small needle for hand sewing

Instructions

1. Fold fabric in half, lengthwise, with right sides together.

2. Use an iron to press. This is optional, but it’ll make it easier to sew.

3. Starting 2″ from the middle of your fabric length, hem the open side leaving a 1/4″ seam allowance. About 4″ from the end of the fabric length, start to sew on a curve toward the folded edge, till the edge and your seam create a point. Repeat for the opposite side. Turn right-side out by pulling the fabric’s ends through the seam opening. 

4. Create a loop on both ends of the wire by folding the wire over 21/2″ inches from each end, twisting the tail around the wire to secure. Size the loops so that once they’re created, the entire length of the wire is the same length as the fabric tube. 

5. Insert the wire into the tube, so that the loops gently fit into the pointed ends of the fabric.

6. Using the needle and thread, sew the wire loops into place with a couple of stitches. This will keep the wire from moving around, and will ensure effective knot tying. 

7. Hand stitch (if you prefer a more invisible look), or use your machine to straight stitch the opening in the middle of the headband closed.

8. To wear, bend the headband around your head and twist the ends together to form a “bow.”

By Aurora Lady 
Photographed by Lauren Perlsetein
Model: Briana Smith @ Red Model Managemen; Makeup: T. Cooper for Exlusive Artists using Ecru New York; Hair: Naivasha Johnson for Exclusive Artists Using Kerastase Aura Botnica and Hot Tools

This article originally appeared in the October/November 2017 print edition of BUST Magazine. Subscribe today!

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Make your mark on Halloween with these super simple DIY fangs

Whether you want to run with The Lost Boys, get a taste of True Blood, be Queen of the Damned, or simply Let the Right One In, a little fang can go a long way this Halloween season. (Or all-year-round if you ask us.) Forget about complicated tooth molds and sculpting clay. All you really need for these sharp-looking teeth are fake nails and denture adhesive. Then follow these four steps to join the undead.

Materials
Press-on nails
Nail file
Scissors
Fixodent (available at drug stores)

Instructions

1. Choose a press-on nail that will snugly cover your canine tooth (or whichever tooth you want to wear your fang on). Start with the smallest size in the package and work up until you find the nail with the best fit. Use scissors to cut the corners off one end of the nail, making a point.

2. Use the nail file to file down the edges of the point into a semi-sharp fang. Repeat with the other same-size nail for your second tooth.

3. To apply your fang, dry the tooth you want to wear it on. Squeeze a small amount of Fixodent directly on the concave back of the fang’s non-pointy end.

4. Hold the Fixodent-side of the fang against your tooth for 10 to 15 seconds, or until you can easily remove your hand without losing the fang. Repeat with your second fang. Your fangs should stay put all night; simply tug them off with a little bit of force when you’re ready to come back to the land of the living. Wash off any remaining glue on your teeth with a toothbrush and warm water. Don’t eat with your fangs in; just tug them off, eat, and then reapply with another dab of Fixodent.

By Audrey Mabry
Photographed by Samantha Wolov
Model: So A Ryu; Hair an dmakeup: T. Cooper for Exclusive Artists using Ecru New York

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Suffragette City is a collective made up of artists, writers, and musicians aiming to break up the cis male-dominated creative scene. Their DIY zine elevates work made by women and genderqueer artists. Suffragette relies heavily on its punk rock ethos, providing a zine that is independently produced by a small team of local artists. But don’t let the word “DIY” fool you into thinking that this is some amateurish endeavor! Gwynn Galitzer, founder of Suffragette City, is a self-proclaimed “graphic design nerd” and no newcomer to the world of printmaking. Galitzer has been making zines since high school and studied printmaking at SVA.

Suffragette City Issue #1 (photo: Alannah Farrell)

As a native New Yorker, Galitzer works with long-term friends, members of her tight-knit artist community, and even top industry professionals to print a high caliber magazine that is as aesthetically compelling as it looks. The zines, which are produced out of Galitzer’s living room, are all handmade and created with tremendous love and care. To pay for production costs, fundraising parties featuring local bands and artists are thrown regularly. 

Suffragette City Issue #1 (painting: Katelan Foisey)

Having a professional looking magazine produced at a DIY level provides local underground artists the unique opportunity of getting their work out into the world and being taken seriously. Suffragette aims to bring marginalized voices into the light; bridging the gap between female creators around the world. Galitzer hopes the work will reach young girls who may not have immediate access to this kind of community and inspire them to keep creating. 

Suffragette City table at 2016 Pioneer Works Zine Exchange

First photo by (Suffragette City Issue #1 (photo: Alannah Farrell, illustration: Harley Kinberg)

 You can catch Suffragette City at this year’s BUST Holiday Craftacular. Attendees will have the opportunity to make their own zine out of a single piece of paper and learn basic zine folding techniques. You can even leave behind your zine at the workshop and Suffragette City will print and distribute it for you!

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You are a green goddess, as everyone knows, and you want to avoid makeup that is tested on bunnies or filled with chemicals that belong in a landfill. Making your own shampoo/conditioner can be intimidating (what’s even in shampoo?), but it is so much easier than you thought. BUST has scoured the interwebz on your behalf to find all the easiest, fastest and cleanest DIY recipes for all the products you already have on your sink counter:

1) Lavender & Rosemary Shampoo 

This buddy from Premeditated Leftovers might have a different texture than you’re used to, but it smells so great you won’t even care. Find it here!

2) Rosemary Mint Hair Conditioner

Premeditated Leftovers does it again with this conditioner. Not only is this conditioner super easy to make, but the website shows you exactly why you want to use all the ingredients listed — dandruff can GTFO! You know you can’t wait to make it.

3) Orange Honey Body Wash

Fitnessista has such an easy recipe for this body wash — shake and shower! Full recipe here.

4) Eucalyptus Shaving Cream

The Garlic Diaries has a great shaving cream that involves no garlic, just everything else you love. This product might not have the texture you’re used to but it makes your skin dolphin smooth to a whole new level! Find it here.

5) Antiperspirant

This awesome deodorant, by Pronounce Skin Care, is a little more complicated to make and looks weird as all get out, but it works wonders on your smelly pits. Hurry up and get the recipe.

6) Dry Shampoo 

Dry shampoo powder? Wellness Mama shows us the only important thing about dry shampoo: as long as I don’t have to wash my hair, I don’t care! Full recipe here.

7) Toothpaste

Finding the perfect amount of peppermint oil is key — somewhere between “ohh minty fresh” and “OMG I think my gums are on minty-smelling fire!” but luckily Weed ‘Em & Reap helps find that perfect peppermint ratio with this super easy recipe. How to is too easy!

 8) Pumpkin-Gingerbread Face Mask

Not only does this smell good enough to eat, but it is so freakin’ healthy for you it’s not even funny. Although this BUST recipe does call for whipping molasses, it’s very easy to make and sustainable. Hurry up and get to masking! 

9) Morning Buzz Sugar Scrub

Coffee is an absolute requirement for early mornings, and any vehicle for the caffeine is acceptable: espresso, cold brew…sugar scrub? Yep. BUST shares this easy to make sugar scrub that will wake you right up and takes no time at all to make — enjoy your morning caffeine high. Get to scrubbing and buzzing! 

A lot of these recipes involve the same ingredients, and most can be found on Amazon or Target or even Whole Foods — so make a list and shop till you drop. Good luck not coming back with 100 more ideas while shopping for supplies.

Photos via: Premeditatedleftovers.com, fitnessista.com, thegarlicdiaries.com, pronounceskincare.com, wellnessmama.com, weedemandreap.com, bust.com

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Longing to bring summery, breezy, boho vibes into fall? Keep the spirit of summer alive by adorning your body with beautiful pressed flower temporary tattoos. Follow the instructions from K.L Cao’s DIY Temporary Tattoo Art: Easy Step-by-Step Instructions for Watercolor, Henna, Flash Tattoos, and More! to add some floral art to yourself!

Pressed Flower Temporary Tattoo 

Have you ever pressed flowers? Or maybe you forgot to add water to an arrangement? Either way, this Pressed Flowers tattoo gives these dried-out blooms a second chance and turns them into a beautiful wearable garden. If you want to enjoy that loving bouquet that was sent to you for a just a bit longer—and be a little bohemian chic at the same time—this temporary tattoo is just perfect. 

What you need:

Assorted flowers (I used 1 carnation, 1 hydrangea, and 1 sweet William)

2 (4″ × 5″ × 1⁄4″) wooden blocks (Note: The size of the blocks is optional, as long as both are the same size.)

2 (12″ × 7″) paper towels

3 rubber bands

Tweezers (not pictured)

1 (0.18-ounce) tube brush-on eyelash glue

6 pressed, dried mini baby’s breath (Note: They come in different colors; and I used 2 purple, 2 white, 1 pink, and 1 blue for this look.)

1 (1⁄4″) angled brush

Silver cream eye shadow glitter

What you do: 

1. Carefully remove the petals and leaves from the flowers. Select 5–10 petals from each flower that are large and can lay flat on their own. Then select 8–10 leaves from each flower that can lay flat.

2. Place a wooden block on a work surface and lay a paper towel on top of it.

3. Place the petals and leaves on the paper towel without overlapping. Then carefully cover the petals with the remaining paper towel and place the second wooden block on top.

4. Bind the blocks together tightly by placing a rubber band around each end of the short sides of the blocks and another around the long side of the blocks.

5. Place the blocks in the microwave and heat for 30 seconds. It’s best to check halfway through to make sure you are not burning the petals. 

6. Let the block cool for about 10 minutes, and then carefully remove the rubber bands from the blocks. Remove the top block and paper towel to reveal the petals. Use tweezers to carefully remove the petals and leaves from the paper towels and set aside for 5–10 minutes to cool to room temperature. (You can also make extra and store them in an airtight container for other craft projects or tattoos.)

7. To apply the flowers, pick an area that is pretty flat such as the shoulder blade. Use the eyelash glue brush to add a dot of glue to the skin.

8. Place the petals and leaves on the glue, starting with the larger petals. The best way to geta dynamic look is to overlap the flowers. Try placing some hydrangeas on top of the carnation petals or leaves slightly on top of the sweet William. Add a few of the colored, pressed baby’s breath around the edges of the tattoo to make the look more dynamic. As you arrange the leaves and petals be sure to use a mix of different types of flowers and sizes to create an elaborate design. After you have arranged all the flowers and leaves, allow the glue to dry for about 10 minutes.

9. Use the angled brush to add cream glitter around the flowers. Allow the cream glitter to set about 5 minutes. Now you’re ready to show off this new tattoo!

Tattoo Tips

Feel free to use any flowers that are light and bright in color for this project. Flowers with contrasting colors such as carnations look more dynamic when dried. Also, to press a whole flower, try selecting smaller blooms of baby’s breath, dianthus, or hydrangeas. In addition, when you’re heating the flowers in the microwave, be sure to increase the heating time for petals that are thicker, such as those of roses or tulips, and lower the heating time if the petals are thin, such as hydrangea petals.

Excerpted with permission from DIY Temporary Tattoo Art: Easy Step-by-Step Instructions for Watercolor, Henna, Flash Tattoos, and More! by K.L. Cao.

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Join us Saturday, September 23rd & Sunday, September 24th, 2017
10:00 a.m. – 6 p.m.

New York Hall of Science @ Old World’s Fair Grounds
47-01 111th Street, Corona, NY 11368

The 8th annual BUST Craftacular @ World Maker Faire is this weekend, and we couldn’t be more excited. Known as the “greatest show-and-tell on Earth,” World Maker Faire is a two-day, family-friendly event that attracts over 95,000 visitors annually, bringing together educators, hobbyists, engineers, tech enthusiasts, crafters, artists, students, and more for a wild weekend of demos, exhibits, and fun. BUST Magazine will be running our own pavilion within the fairgrounds ,featuring over 70 of the best makers and shakers from across the country. Shop a selection of unique, handcrafted wares, including jewelry, clothing, home goods, tech toys, food, and more. Attendees will also have the opportunity to learn cross-stitching, hand-lettering, and more at our craft tables.

Enjoy free workshops all day long brought to you by our sponsors:

LEARN TO CROSS-STITCH

All materials will be provided for this fun crafting activity. Learn to cross-stitch with a selected pattern from the new book, Feminist Icon Cross-Stitch. Classes will be available all day both Saturday and Sunday from 12 p.m. – 6 p.m. and will be run by BUST on Saturday and CraftJam craft school Sunday. All ages are welcome, and no experience is necessary.  Sponsored by Running Press.

LEARN HAND LETTERING

Learn hand-lettering with Marissa Giambrone, the author of Draw Color Sticker Creative Lettering Sketchbook, and Abbey Sy, the author of Hand Lettering A to Z. All Materials will be provided for this event running both Saturday and  Sunday from 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. All are invited and encouraged to try their hand at something new. Sponsored by Quarto Publishing.

MAKE JEWELRY

Make your own jewelry from a selection of fun and colorful charms and acrylic beads. Attendees will also have the opportunity to try out the 3Doodlee 3D Pen, a gizmo that helps crafters bring 3D creatures to life. Try your skills Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. This workshop is made possible with the generous support of Beadkraft, and if you like what you see, shop their whole selection of goodies at the fair!

MAKE YOUR OWN FLOWER CROWN

Make your own flower crown with the BUST Mag crew! Saturday and Sunday 2 p.m. – 6 p.m. And when you’re done crafting, you can browse over 70 amazing vendors throughout the two-day weekend:

OVER 70 AMAZING VENDORS

Take a bite of the sweet keyboard waffles brought to you by Messy Desk.

Wear nature baubles by the incredible With Roots.

Find the perfect holiday card for your crazy uncle with Unusual Cards.

Or cuddle up on these fun designs brought to you by Raisha.

There is sure to be something for everyone!

 Buy your tickets here!

HOW TO GET THERE:

Come by subway, train or bus. The BUST Craftacular is just past the main entrance on the right-hand side!

Take the #7 train to 111th St Station. Walk four blocks to NYSCI. The #7 train runs directly to World Maker Faire from Hudson Yards, Times Square, and Grand Central Terminal. You can also transfer to the 7 train from all other lines throughout the subway system. Use Google Maps to help navigate via mass transit. Enter “New York Hall of Science” as your destination. Visit mta.info for latest subway service information and advisories.

This event is proudly brought to you by:

Sharpen Your DIY Skills With This Inspiring Paper Project

Papercutting is an art form with a long history, dating back thousands of years to China. Final pieces can be intricate and detailed or simple and graphic, perfect for art with a message. Making a papercut is a meditative process, one that’s easy to work on for a few minutes and come back to later, or sit down and lose yourself in. Create your own, or use our template to make this one (inspired by the famous T-shirt by Otherwild), perfect to hang on your wall as a heartening reminder.

MATERIALS
– One sheet of black 8 1/2” x 11” paper
– Pencil
– Template (print from BUST.com/downloads)
– Tracing paper
– Masking tape
– Hobby knife (like X-ACTO or Excel)
– Sharp blades

Instructions
1. If you’ve never done a papercut before, do a few practice cuts on a scrap piece of paper. Make sure your blade is nice and sharp.

Step 1

2. Choose how large you want your papercut to be. First-timers may want to use the entire 8 1/2” x 11” piece of paper; for a smaller one, you can cut it in half.

Step 2

3. Download and print out our template. Then, using a pencil and tracing paper, trace over the template, creating bold thick lines.

Step 3

4. Place your tracing paper pencil-side down on the back of your cutting paper (the design will be reversed). Secure with a couple of pieces of masking tape. Transfer the design to your cutting paper by scribbling over the back of the design’s lines.

Step 4

5. Remove the tracing paper and touch up any lines that need it, or go over them with white pencil for better visibility. When you complete your papercut, you’ll flip over the paper leaving a clean design with no pencil marks.

(Note: If you want to use your own design, you’ll have to draw it in reverse on the back of your paper. This can get complicated if you’re using words, since you’ll have to write them backwards. If it’s easier for you, lightly sketch the words on the front of the paper first and cut them out, being sure to cut outside the pencil lines. Then flip paper over and draw the rest of the design around them. Just remember that all the lines and boxes must connect; if anything is hanging in space, it will end up being cut away.)

Step 5

6. Start cutting! With the template design, you’ll be cutting out the shapes you’ve drawn with your pencil, leaving black geometric lines behind. For the word boxes, cut out the letters; the negative space will stay. Take your time and go slowly until you get the hang of it. Don’t worry about perfection. You’re a human being with a knife in hand, not a laser cutter!

When you have finished cutting, flip your papercut over and admire your work, then frame and hang however you want.

Step 6

BY ANNA BRONES

PHOTOGRAPHED BY JOHN LAWTON
PROP STYLIST: MAYA ROSSI

This article originally appeared in the August/September 2017 print edition of BUST Magazine. Subscribe today!

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Adulting can be damn hard. In addition to dealing with political stress, financial struggles, and general life hurdles, our bodies come in contact with environmental toxins on the daily. One way to detoxify and de-stress is with a steamy, pore-opening shower. Add an exfoliating sugar scrub and you also get the benefits of aromatherapy and self -massage, which can have lasting effects on your mood and general health, not to mention it’ll give you the smoothest skin around. Customize your scrub for morning, midday (no judgment), or night — with ingredients you’ve got in the kitchen — and take your shower experience to the next level. Store your finished scrub in a clean jar, plastic bag, or other re-sealable container.

Morning Buzz

YIELDS ½ CUP

Fun fact: your skin can absorb caffeine! For extra pep in your step, combine ¼ cup fine-ground dry coffee (used wet grounds can lead to bacteria growth), ½ cup sugar (white works great, but you can use whatever you have), and 2 Tbsp. avocado oil. Optional: add a few drops of vanilla extract or essential oil. (The jury is out on whether coffee grounds clog pipes so spring for a drain protector just to be safe.)

Citrus-y Stimulant

YIELDS ABOUT A CUP

After going hard at the gym, at the bar the night before, or literally any time you need an afternoon pick-me-up, this is a must. Grapefruit essential oil acts as an antiseptic, stimulant, and anti-depressant, and can help with stiff muscles and cramps, too. Plus, it smells amazing. For a truly uplifting shower experience, combine 1 cup sugar, ½ cup avocado oil, and 25 drops grapefruit oil (I used NOW brand, $7.51, amazon.com).

Sleepy Time Scrub

YIELDS ABOUT A CUP

Hey fellow insomniacs: middle-of-the-night research shows that a steamy shower an hour and a half before bedtime can increase sleep efficiency in women by 10 percent. Add a lavender sugar scrub to the equation, and you are bound to have a more restful night. Try it yourself, by mixing 1 cup sugar, ½ cup avocado oil, and 20 drops lavender oil. Optional: Add 1 Tbsp. dried lavender.

BY MEGAN O. ANDERSEN

PHOTOGRAPHED BY JULIA STOTZ

STYLIST: JESSICA BOONE

This article originally appeared in the June/July 2017 print edition of BUST Magazine. Subscribe today!

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At BUST, we love resisting the sun’s harsh rays as much as we love resisting gnarly regimes. This sunhat DIY encourages both! Wear it while planning for your next march, telling your representatives what you really think, or chilling near a body of water for some activist self-care. This project takes about one hour and not much skill, so let’s get crafting!

Materials

All found at your local craft store
– Wide-brim straw hat (we got ours at Target for $5!)
– Embroidery needle (it has a wide eye and a blunt tip)
– Fabric pen or pencil
– 2 to 3 yards of ribbon (ours was about ¼”-wide)
– Scissors

Instructions

1. Lay your hat on a flat surface, right-side up. Write out Resist on the brim with your fabric marker or pencil as large as you like. Don’t second-guess your handwriting; just try to create even spacing between the letters.

2. Thread your needle with a yard of ribbon and tie a knot at the end, then use a stem stitch to create the letters. Pull your needle through the brim, back to front, at the top of the R, then move half an inch along the line and pull through from front to back. Next, move your needle a bit behind the stitch you just made, and repeat the steps. You’ll see how quickly this creates a beautiful line! Try to make your stitches uniform in size. If you need more ribbon, thread your needle with another yard and start where you left off, pulling through from back to front.

3. Continue stitching until you’ve completed the entire word. Tie off the ribbon on the inside of the hat, and trim.

BY: AURORA LADY

MODEL: MIRANDA LERAE

MAKEUP: ASHLEY DONOVAN

HAIR: HAILEY ADICKES

STYLIST: JENNI LEE

NECKLACE: CAM JEWELRY “MONO CHAIN WRAP”

SWIMSUIT: LEAH SHLAER “THE CLASSIC COLETTE BODYSUIT”

PHOTOGRAPHED BY SHANNA FISHER

This article originally appeared in the June/July 2017 print edition of BUST Magazine. Subscribe today!

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You can’t scan social media right now without seeing headlines about women running for office, a phenomenon known as the “Trump bump.” And it couldn’t happen a minute too soon. Women remain dramatically underrepresented in elected offices across every level of government. According to Pew Research Center data, women comprise just 19.4 percent of the U.S. Congress. A corresponding report from Pew notes, “While this share is nearly nine times higher than it was in 1965, it remains well below the 51.4 percent of women in the overall U.S. adult population.” Plus, with Trump in the White House, not only is getting involved more important than ever, but it also goes to show that apparently political office—even the highest in the land — requires very few qualifications.

Thankfully, the election lit a fire under our collective ass. Less than 24 hours after the January 21 Women’s March on Washington, 500 women gathered at a D.C. hotel and participated in a “Getting Ready to Run” training program. Andrea Dew Steele, the president and founder of Emerge America, an organization that offers running-for-office training courses for Democratic women, says applications for their sessions increased 87 percent after Election Day. And according to The Washington Post, more than 11,000 women have reached out to women’s candidate training program Emily’s List this year saying they are interested in running for office.

The general understanding among organizations striving to get more women in office, is that men wake up and say, “Hmm, I think I’ll run for office today,” while women say, “I’m not experienced enough, I don’t have the right education, I can’t raise the money,” and a bunch of other excuses. But chances are, like many women, you’ve already been advocating successfully for yourself, for issues, and probably for others without ever realizing that those proclivities and that experience make you a viable candidate to run for office.

As a 46-year-old, freelance-writing mother of three school-aged kids involved in a variety of causes and my kids’ schools, I didn’t see it either. Then I realized my city, an east side suburb of Cleveland, OH, had an unconstitutional ordinance about political yard signs. I got them to repeal it, and a local weekly paper named me “the most influential person in town.” “Ha!” I replied, but my husband urged me to stop emailing the mayor about what I thought he should be doing, and instead, run for office so I could do it myself. Although I didn’t go for the mayor’s job, nine months later, I won a seat on the City Council. Since then, I’ve run against an incumbent in a primary for the Ohio statehouse, and then ran the state senate general election campaign for a first-timer, a full-time working mother of two young kids. In other words, you can run for office, too. And you should. What better way to have your voice heard by our government, than by being in government yourself? Plus, for many offices, besides citizenship, voter registration, and residency requirements, the main qualification is passion. So once you’re adequately encouraged, how do you begin? Here are answers to give you a good start. Because when women run, women win.

Office Space: What Kinds of Positions Are Out There?

Once you’ve made the decision to survey election opportunities, you need to ask yourself how much time you want to spend in the job once you win, and how much time you’re willing to carve out in order to do so. Whether you’re running for a school board or Congress, the only difference is a matter of scale: How much money can you raise, and how many volunteers can you attract? Additionally, are you ready to give up your day job, or are you planning on keeping a hand in your career outside of elected office? You’ll want to settle these questions at the start, so voters can tell whether as a candidate, you have a fire in your belly. If you truly don’t, and aren’t willing to make some sacrifices, don’t run yet.

According to U.S. Census data from 2012, there are around 90,000 state and local governments, with more than 511,000 elected offices. Barely two percent of Americans ever run for these seats, and those aren’t bad odds, if you think about it. The options range from the local level (school board, city council, and county commissioner), to the state (treasurer, auditor, attorney general, and governor), and federal (senator, representative, and, of course, president). The “everything in between” can also vary by location, with advisory neighborhood commission seats in Washington, D.C., township supervisors in Pennsylvania, and even dogcatcher positions in Vermont.

Start your research at runforoffice.org: type in your address and up pops a full list of elected seats in your area. Each one is hyperlinked to a description, complete with information about the seat’s next election, the dates for filing your declaration of candidacy, “application guidelines” or rules for eligibility, and more. It’s critical to spend time reviewing these rules and deadlines. Challenging a candidate’s filings or eligibility is one of the first ways opponents will try to knock you off before the game has even begun. Do you live in the right location for the office you’ve selected? Have you lived there long enough? Are you running with your legal name or have you changed it to maximize recognition, a move that might draw attempts to disqualify you? People get thrown off ballots for these and other reasons. Make sure you’re not one of them.

You should also gather info about whether a position has a salary or stipend, how much it might be, how many hours it takes to do the job, whether the time commitment is defined by a city ordinance or simply past practice, how many committees you’ll have to be on (and their time commitments), and so on. Often, thanks to a lot of open data on public sector salaries and positions, an internet search will turn up this information. But two other quick ways to get answers are to attend meetings of the political body you hope to join and ask current officeholders questions, and to check the entity’s charter or ordinances, especially the sections that describe the responsibilities. My city’s finance director jokingly told people that I spent 100 hours per week working for the city council in my first year. While that’s not entirely true, I did often wake up in the middle of the night and write emails to him with all sorts of questions and ideas because the first year is the toughest, thanks to the learning curve. In reality, very few local elected jobs are full-time, unless the relevant law says so. The National Conference of State Legislatures (ncsl.org) has a great map that highlights how dramatically different states are when it comes to their legislature’s work hours. California, New York, and Pennsylvania are among the few states that employ full-time, well-paid staffs. However, statewide offices like treasurer, attorney general, and auditor are usually full-time.

Matters of pay vary just as widely. In New Hampshire, state legislators make $200 (!) per two-year term. Meanwhile, in Ohio, state legislators’ base salaries are around $60,000, while the city of Cleveland’s council members earn $74,000. My experience in a small suburb? From 2010 through 2013, my annual council salary was $8,200. So it really can range from pennies on the hour to having five-figure expense accounts.

You should verify any info you find with a visit to your county board of elections and your state’s secretary of state websites. Other options include contacting your local or state political party. They usually maintain lists of elected individuals, though they’re not always posted on their websites, many of which are outdated and challenging to scour for information. In many cases, you’ll need to go retro and pick up the phone—much of running for office still relies on people and paper.

As you browse the titles and timeframes, remember that there is never a perfect time or perfect seat. Winning elected office is about making your own luck and remembering that people who want to see you in office also want to see you do the things you need to do in order to get into office: maybe you want to start with an appointment to a nonpaying local, county, regional, or state board or commission. These positions won’t require the time or money needed to run for larger office and are usually posted on your local government’s website either through open calls for applicants or in a listing of open spots. Often times there are forms online that you can submit to show your interest once something comes up. If you don’t hear back, call. This advice is going to apply to every step along the way to becoming president: you will have to be the aggressor. You cannot wait for people to call you back because you’re worried about pestering or nudging someone.

Real Advice From Real Candidates

NICKIE J. ANTONIO – MINORITY WHIP, ?OHIO STATE REPRESENTATIVE

“Make peace with fundraising. You are not asking for a handout. You are asking for a partnership because you’re asking someone to help you help the community. You’re asking someone to participate in their democracy through their sharing of resources and that includes financial resources.”

JANINE BOYD – OHIO STATE REPRESENTATIVE

“No matter what, take care of yourself. Yoga, running, walking, cooking, spending time with loved ones or girlfriends or guyfriends, writing, reading, joining a choir—whatever it is that helps you stay innovative. Focus, refocus, stay on course, think outside the box, and remain diligent, while also keeping healthy and sane.”

ALEJANDRA CAMPOVERDI? – FORMER CONGRESSIONAL CANDIDATE AND WOMEN’S HEALTH ADVOCATE

“Make sure that you do the introspective work on the front end. Why are you running? What’s important to you? Where does [your desire to run] come from? Getting crystal clear on your motivations is going to make your campaign visceral and authentic at a time when that’s what people are looking for.”

SARA SPOCK CARLSON – CANDIDATE FOR FERGUSON TOWNSHIP SUPERVISOR, ?WARD 3, PENNSLYVANIA

“If you’re feeling tentative, start small. Meet your neighbors, find out about the issues on their minds. Attend council and township meetings to learn more about your community and the inner-workings of local government. Know your strengths and passions, and get involved in local chapters of organizations supporting those causes.”

STEPHANIE HOWSE – OHIO STATE REPRESENTATIVE

“Stop waiting to be invited to the table because if you’re waiting for an invitation, you are never going to get it. Show up, pay attention, do your homework. Have a full understanding of what’s going on so that when you do show up, people will know you have a valuable voice.”

EMILIA STRONG SYKES – ASSISTANT MINORITY WHIP, ?OHIO STATE REPRESENTATIVE

“As a woman of color, people do not expect me to be the legislator when I walk into the room and that often leads to some very uncomfortable conversations for the person who assumed I was an intern, page, staff person, wanderer, or vagabond. But it’s not my duty to make them realize that there are women of color in positions of power.”

FAITH WINTER – COLORADO STATE REPRESENTATIVE

“I hate when people say you need thick skin to be in politics. I don’t have thick skin. In fact, I want people to run who feel the hurts, pains, joys, celebrations, and struggles of their community. I tell women, ‘You don’t need thick skin. You can be like me and have resilient skin.’”

Prep Talk: What to Do Before Throwing Your Hat in the Ring

As you become familiar with the options, there are a number of questions to keep in mind. What do you like to do, and what’s required of the role? What area would you have to represent and who lives in those communities? Is an incumbent going to be running or will it be an open seat (which can be easier to win)? Who might your opponents be? How do you feel about asking people for money to help you win? What does your schedule look like and are you willing to be realistic about planning your time around a campaign? How will entering the campaign affect a significant other, your children if you have them, or other people you might take care of?

You can answer some of these questions on your own, but for many of them, you are going to want to speak to people with experience—either in elected office, helping people run for office, or both. Talk with these folks early on, but don’t let them scare you. You want them to tell it like it is and help you put together the best plan possible.

Another preparation basic includes assessing your networks. You are going to need lists of people who you will ask for money (most of which will go toward voter outreach, like mailers and ads), who you will ask to volunteer, and who will walk across fire for you. Do you have contact information collected already, or do you need to do a lot of information gathering? Be prepared to make these lists as complete as possible as early as possible, because you will find yourself going back to them repeatedly throughout your run. This advice was given to me about three months before I announced my run for city council, and the time put in then literally helped me raise tens of thousands of dollars, and earn tens of thousands of votes.

This litany of considerations may seem overwhelming, but no single response to any of these questions should make you consider yourself disqualified. Instead, they are factors to be taken into account from the outset. Whatever aspects might cause you anxiety, anticipating and planning ahead for them is the key to making it all work and leading you to a win.

Trail Blazing: Launching a Political Campaign

The most important step to complete before you launch your campaign will be developing your campaign plan. The elements of that plan should be, at a minimum: a budget, a fundraising plan, a messaging plan, a campaign team, research on yourself and your opponent, and a voter contact plan. A running-for-office training program (see our resource sidebar for options) will inevitably cover each of these elements and I highly recommend finding one suited to your needs, whether it’s just to get an idea of this life, or for hands-on skill training.

I attended three different programs before I won my city council seat, and completed two others while I ran for the Ohio statehouse. The costs will vary from free (for some webinars) to a few hundred dollars. But scholarships do exist and many programs are aggressively seeking women, people of color, and millennials. State and local political parties, women’s caucuses, and higher education institutions are increasing their offerings as well.

Books and online resources, like downloadable handbooks and manuals, are helpful, too. One paperback I keep by my bedside (really) is How to Win a Local Election by former Ohio judge (an elected position), Lawrence Grey. His style is informal yet complete and the book’s full of examples and samples of communications to constituents, calculations for determining the viability of a candidacy, and checklists to make sure you stay on track.

One adage you will often hear throughout your research is that if you don’t write down your campaign plan, you don’t have one. In my experience, that is true. And the reason is that your opponent is going to do everything she can to keep you from sticking to your plan. If you don’t have it written down, it is far easier to get thrown.
As you pull together your strategy and effort, keep in mind that running for office involves making hundreds of decisions, often one right after the other. It’s not for the faint of heart. But what will keep you going is one simple question that is especially important now: If you don’t run, are you ready to accept the alternative?

Get Your Learn On

Bold Progressives
boldprogressives.org
Who: All genders, Progressives
What: Support and training programs

Rutgers University’s Center for ?American Women in Politics
cawp.rutgers.edu
Who: Women, Nonpartisan
What: Voluminous information on women and politics, training programs

EMILY’s List
emilyslist.org
Who: Women, Democrats, Pro-Choice
What: Support, training, and funding for candidates nationally and locally

Higher Heights
higherheightsforamerica.org
Higher Heights Leadership Fund
higherheightsleadershipfund.org
Who: Black women, Progressive
What: Support and networking opportunities

Ignite National
ignitenational.org
Who: High school and college women, Nonpartisan
What: Training and support to increase civic engagement and service in public office

Latino Victory Project
latinovictory.us
Who: Latino men and women, Nonpartisan
What: Supports and trains candidates

New American Leaders Project
newamericanleaders.org
Who: All genders, Nonpartisan, Focus on first- and second-generation Americans
What: Training program (“Ready to Lead”)

Run for Something
runforsomething.net
Who: Under-35-year-olds, Progressives
What: Will direct people to trainings by other organizations; some campaign contributions forthcoming; networking, advice, support

She Should Run
sheshouldrun.org
Who: Women, Nonpartisan
What: Portal to nominate women to run for office; support and training; new online program “She Should Run Incubator” targets girls, their parents, and women at the “thinking about it” stage

Victory Institute
victoryinstitute.org
Who: Openly LGBTQ, Nonpartisan
What: Support and training

Vote Run Lead
voterunlead.org
Who: Women, Nonpartisan
What: Support and training; free webinars

Wellstone Camp
wellstone.org
Who: All genders, Nonpartisan (leans progressive)
What: Widely considered one of the best training programs and support organizations

By Jill Miller Zimon

Illustration by Camila Rosa

This article originally appeared in the June/July 2017 print edition of BUST Magazine. Subscribe today!

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This Sunday, head to York Hall in Bethnal Green for the London edition of the BUST Summer Craftacular. When we open the doors at 11am, the first 100 shoppers will get goodie bags filled with swag from Look Lane, Awesome Merchandise, Mollie Makes, English Handmade Soap– and more! Remember, the early bird gets the goodies! 

We are thrilled to have teamed up with all-handmade online marketplace Look Lane for this giveaway. The site is well worth a browse; we spy a couple of briliant BUST Craftacular stallholder’s in the mix – from Nikki Strange‘s colourfully patterned stationery to Aesthetic Laundry‘s edgy, rainbow-tinged clothing. 

We all could use more art in our IG feeds, so get your “Follow” finger ready. Each of these ladies is making truly incredible creations with a needle, floss, and some basic embroidery moves. Whether you’re looking for project motivation or just general inspiration, these artists deliver, one stitch at a time.

Britt Hutchinson @tinycup_

This Chicago needleworker’s chill skeletons are made all the more endearing (and impressive!) by their diminutive size.

Teresa Lim @teeteeheehee

Travel landscapes and simple outlines of her signature girls against colorful backgrounds are this Singapore stitcher’s speciality.

Sarah K. Benning @sarahkbenning

Green up your feed with the flowers, succulents, and vibrant plant stylings of this Baltimore native living in Menorca, Spain.

Alaina Varrone @alainavarrone

This New Haven-based artist makes detailed portraits of everyday ladies and fictional feminist icons like Nancy Drew and Denver from Beloved.

Emillie Ferris @emillieferris

Lifelike pet portraits make this Suffolk, England-based artist’s feed perfect for a regular dose of awww. 

By Lisa Butterworth

This article originally appeared in the April/May 2017 print edition of BUST Magazine. Subscribe today!

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As well as selling her super-cute faux taxidermy knitting kits, she’ll also be running a workshop, teaching you how to knit a phone cosy critter or fox headband. The workshop is just £3 and you get to keep the needles!

We asked uber-crafty lady Louise a few questions…

What will you be bringing to the Craftacular?
We’ll have some of our favourite faux taxidermy head kits, like our unicorn and fox, along side our new Desk Loch Ness Monster kits. We’ll also have our mer-cat and pur-maid kits – they’re half cat, half mermaid!

What’s your favourite Sincerely Louise design?
It has to be the unicorn. I have three unicorns tattooed on me, so when designing the knitting kit I spent so much time making sure she was perfect.

What has been a career highlight for you so far?
I think writing my book was an amazing achievement; seeing so many people making my designs after it was released was incredible.

What are you looking forward to seeing at the BUST Summer Craftacular?
I can’t wait to see my friend Ruth from the Make Arcade. I love all her kits! I’ve never visited before so I’m super excited about meeting lots of other makers and treating myself to a few things too!

Meet the women behind the decks who will be bringing the feel-good hits of the summer to BUST Craftacular on June 4. 

Delia Sparrow & Piney Gir

Dream team Delia Sparrow and Piney Gir will welcome you to the party like old friends with their girl group greats. Mega musos might recognize both names in their own right, with Delia being a stalwart on the indie scene (The Actionettes, Mambo Taxi, The Nuns) and Piney for her charming Fisher Price pop majesty. Indeed, they’re no stranger to whipping up their own crafty creations and Delia put needle to thread to create personalised totes for Richard Russell and Lee Perry in a serious swap shop. Expect everything from Beggars Banquet rarities to Boney M.

Get the party started with Delia Sparrow and Piney Gir’s sunshine ska sounds from 11am.

TOTALLY

What’s the old saying, three’s a crowd, five’s practically a fete? Tender troupe TOTALLY are promising just that with their set of fun party vibes. For an indie outfit that would pluck Mariah Carey’s Fantasy from the vinyl vaults, it’s not surprising that this girl gang know a thing or two about smooth pop hooks themselves, with their debut, Falling Apart, released on Art is Hard at the end of last year. When they’re not crafting new releases, you can find drummer Susan finger-smithing feather earrings and bassist Fran patching together a quick quilt. All that deserves a crafty brew…!

Totally tune into the band’s pop chart choices from 12.30pm.

Flowers

You know what makes a party? No, not that punch bowl that’s been sat in your Gran’s cocktail cabinet for the past 10 years; it’s jangly guitar pop. Serve this fizzy fretwork alongside a sensitive soprano and you’ve plucked for the right sort of sound to intro our next deck maestros: Fortuna Pop’s Flowers. Channeling the same sort of precocious noise pop as fellow label mates Joanna Gruesome, Flowers will bring a bouquet of blissful beats to accompany your afternoon Earl Grey.

Sip along to the ethereal excellence of Flowers’ favourite records from 2pm.

Mammory Tapes

There are only three rules at a Mammory Tapes party: everyone is welcome, they won’t play the same song twice and the final hour is Power Hour – 60 minutes of pure, fist-clenched, pop-belter perfection to stop you holding out for a hero, because it was YOU all along. The DJ pairing took to the decks for the Christmas Craftacular (to prove that the festive season is more than just that snowy Pretenders track…) and will be dusting off some of their best vinyls again – from NYC’s Bush Tetras to Swiss proto punks Kleenex via some local DIY faves, fresh from Cheri’s slot as part of The Other Woman on London’s leading arts station Resonance FM. What’s more, each of their club nights support a worthy women’s led cause; that’s social action at its loudest.

Don’t stay in, come out and catch Mammory Tapes live on stage from 3.30pm.

The BUST Summer Craftacular takes place on Sunday 4 June 2017, 11am – 5pm at York Hall, Bethnal Green. Entrance is £3 on the door.
Cheri Amour

A few weekends ago BUST Magazine put on our annual Spring Craftacular event and needless to say it was a hit! The craft fair was held in the Greenpoint Terminal Warehouse and was packed with badass lady artists, vendors, skaters, bakers, and more. Happy shoppers lined up early to receive our legendary swag bags full of goodies courtesy of Tish and Snooky’s Manic Panic, Wonderful Pistachios, The Amplifier Foundation, Smart Women, and Hardly Art.

Inside the warehouse, customers of all ages explored the goods which ranged from quirky vintage pieces to handmade jewelry to sassy feminist apparel, and oh so much more. We would like to thank all our amazing vendors for their efforts, creativity, and quality work. Visitors also had to the chance to take part in a DIY Nail Bar courtesy of Floss Gloss, a Tarot Reading session with Maria Soledad, Portrait Painting with Akane Ogura, and Screen-Printing tutorials with Pamela Bell from Prinkshop.

 Pamela Bell of Prinkshop by Kristen Blush                                                    

The back of the warehouse held an awesome skating area where skaters of all levels could learn from the best (Girls Ride Stronger, Gnarmads, and SHUTNYC). We are so grateful for their support and eagerness to spread their love for all things skating. Finally, the NYC based graffiti legend Claw Money and her crew stopped by to review portfolios and dazzle fairgoers with rad nail art.

The success of this event would not have been possible without the support of our sponsor Green Mountain Energy. Special thanks to Urbanstems for the beautiful flowers. We feel great about working with such socially conscious companies and are grateful for their sponsorship. Also, a huge shoutout to Jules Abraham, our fearless leader. She rocks and we wish her the best of luck in her next endeavors. The BUST team could not be happier with how smoothly the fair went and how many people understand the importance of supporting feminist media. Here’s to the next Craftacular. We’ll see you there!

Polaroids by Nick McManus 

Akane Ogura by Kristen Blush

Photos by Kristen Blush

Put pen to paper and learn the art of modern – and on trend – brush lettering with super stationery creator Betty Etiquette. 12-1pm: £5 book online HERE, and 1-2pm: £5 book HERE.

Learn to knit with Sincerely Louise, a maker of fabulous woolly faux taxidermy and knitting kits. Even complete beginners can make a phone cosy critter or fox headband – plus you get to keep the needles. All for £3! 12-2pm; DROP-IN. 

What could say summer party lounder than a mini watermelon pinata! Make one with added glitter and pom poms with The Make Arcade! 2-4PM, £5 DROP-IN. 

Concoct a deliciously scented and shine-inducing hair spritz with handmade haircare creator Hairy Jayne – who isn’t actually hairy at all! 2-3pm, £8 DROP-IN. 

Join clothing recycling charity TRAID to make a herb- and spice-filled tea bag to repel pesky clothes-munching moths. Add a personal embroidered message, too. ALL DAY, DONATIONS WELCOME. (Image from Thoughts blog, which published a DIY tutorial for this project here.) 

Get knotty and knitty with Riannon of I Make Knots and make yourself not one but TWO statement i-cord necklaces in a tempting range of fabric yarns.
ALL DAY, £10 DROP-IN. 

At this intensive all-day workshop by Bobbin & Bow you’ll make a beautiful, traditional Polish Pajaki chandelier using rye straw and tissue paper.
£75; Book online HERE. 

Over the Moon

Show your lunar love with this astronomically easy wall hanging
 

Whether you’re a moon phase enthusiast or just like the celestial body’s graphic appeal, this super simple wall hanging will spruce up any space. And you don’t need to be a rocket scientist (or a heavy-duty DIY-er) to make it—just grab some clay and a cookie cutter and you’ll be moon walking through this project in no time.

Materials
– 1 package air-dry clay ?(available at art supply stores)
– Rolling pin
– Round cookie cutter ?(ours had a 2½” diameter)
– Skewer
– Gold metallic paint
– Small paintbrush
– Brass tube (cut to 3”, available ?at most hardware stores)
– Twine

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Roll out clay till it’s about 1/8” thick. Cut 5 circles with your cookie cutter. Leave one shape as is (for your full moon). For the shape nearest the full moon, use your cookie cutter to cut into the circle about 1/3 of the way. Lay this new shape on top of another full circle, and use the cookie cutter to cut the circle below it, so the pieces are identical. Repeat for the two crescent moon shapes, but use your cookie cutter to cut into a full circle ¾ of the way. Use the cookie cutter and a scrap piece of clay to make a small bowed triangle to hang at the bottom.

2. Use your skewer to gently poke a hole through the center of the top and bottom of each moon shape, a few millimeters from the edge. Poke each hole from the front to the back, to keep your surface as smooth as possible. Poke only one hole in the top of the triangle shape. Lay your shapes flat and let dry according to the clay package instructions (typically overnight).

Steps 1 & 2

3. Once hardened, paint the backs and sides of each piece using your paintbrush and paint. Let dry.

4. Cut a length of twine 2½ to 3’ long. Thread one end through the brass tube and knot the end to the tail. Slip the top crescent moon shape (points up) onto the twine, threading it through the top front. If your twine is thick enough to hold the shape in place, continue to the next step. If not, adjust it to your desired place (we put ours about 5” from the brass tube) and secure by tying a knot.

Steps 3 & 4

5. Thread the twine through the bottom back of the crescent moon and repeat with each shape in order, making sure the length of twine between them is even before you tie the knot. (If the end of your twine begins to fray, wrap a tiny piece of Scotch tape around it for easier threading.)

Step 5

6. Thread the final triangle-shaped piece onto your hanging front to back, knot the twine if necessary, and trim. –Lisa Butterworth

Photographed by Julia Stotz

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It’s February, which means — at least for BUST HQ in Brooklyn — that both the weather and the world can seem dreary and grey. And having some brightness and fun around you can help you feel a little bit brighter. These cute cushion covers definitely fit the bill.

We’re bringing you an excerpt from Tie & Dye: Colorful Clothing, Gifts, And Accessories by Lizzie King; it’s already out in the UK and will be released in the US on March 7th (in the meantime, it’s available for preorder here). 

Sunset Cushion Cover

This is one of the easiest projects in the book. I love how this cushion looks like a color gradient from a tropical sunset. It’s perfect for transforming your sofa into somewhere to lay back and dream of summer fun. Of course you don’t have to use sunset colors, but pink and yellow is my all-time favorite color combination.

You will need (to dye one cushion cover)

• 100% white cotton cushion cover (mine is 45 x 45 cm/ 17 3/4 x 17 3/4 in.)
• Elastic bands dye
• Salt
• Spoon
• Jug
• Rubber gloves
• 2 squeezy bottles
• Bucket
• Plastic bag scissors
• Cushion pad dyes (I used 1 Dylon Sunflower Yellow and 1 Dylon Flamingo Pink)

Directions

1. Lay your cushion cover flat on a clean surface. Start to fold it as if you are making a paper fan, flipping the cushion over after each fold. This is an accordion fold. My folds are about 4cm (1 1/2 inch) wide.

2. When the cushion cover is completely folded, find the center of the cushion cover by folding it in half, and put an elastic band tightly around the middle. Now, add two more evenly spaced elastic bands on either side of the central elastic band. If you want more stripes, add more bands.

3. Soak your cushion cover in water, then squeeze out excess water so that it is damp but not dripping wet.

4. Put on your rubber gloves and mix up the dye. 

5. Hold the cushion cover over a bucket. Pour the first color dye over one-half of the cushion cover, overlapping the middle elastic band slightly.

6. Now repeat with the second color on the other half, overlapping the middle again to create a third color. In this case, pink + yellow = orange.

7. Lightly squeeze the cushion cover and put it into a plastic bag. Leave in the bag for about 12 hours, then rinse under cold water, snip off the elastic bands, rinse again, and hang up to dry. Wash the cover in the washing machine at 30 degrees Celsius (86 degrees Fahrenheit), then insert a cushion pad once it’s dry. The dye may run a little the first time you wash your cushion cover, so don’t wash it with anything white. After that, the colors will be fixed.

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The holidays are almost here, and if you’ve left your present-buying expedition to the last minute, don’t panic! Luckily, BUST has got some awesome DIY gifts ideas you can make in the nick of time and that will be so much more meaningful than anything you could buy in a store!

1. DIY Wall Hanging

Photo by Megan Senior

2. Holiday Cookies

Photographed by Julia Stotz

3. DIY Book Purse

Photographed by Megan Senior

4. Feminist Em-Broadry Hoop Art

Excerpted from Crafting with Feminism: 25 Girl-Powered Projects to Smash the Patriarchy by Bonnie Burton. Reprinted with permission from Quirk Books.

5. Pumpkin Spice Face Mask

Photographer: Lauren Perlstein Hair & Makeup: Candice Forness Model: Izabella Z @ Q Models

6. No-Knit Scarf

Photo: Megan Senior; Model: Naimah Terry; Hair/Makeup: Mary Guthrie; Nails: Miss Pop; Dress: Modcloth; Location: The Landing at Industry City

7. Delicious-Smelling Candles

Photographed by Kaela Speicher

8. Edgy Leather Harness

9. Cute Block-Printed Tea Towel

Photographed by Julia Stotz

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This DIY book puts the fun—and funny—back in feminism!

Whenever I craft, I inherently do it with feminism (as with basically everything I do). But BUST contributor Bonnie Burton’s new DIY book brings the ideology front and center. Crafting with Feminism: 25 Girl-Powered Projects to Smash the Patriarchy (out October 18 from Quirk Books) is full of simple tutorials ranging from utilitarian (a slice-shaped “Pizza Not Patriarchy” lunchbag, a découpaged “Drinking Dames” flask) to cheeky (“Feminist Badges of Honor”) interspersed with inspiring quotes from badass ladies and feminist lists including songs, movies, reads, and even holidays. What I like most about this book is its throwback feel. Eff the too-perfect Pinterest aesthetic; this tome reminds me of the pre-Etsy era, when ’zines were the norm and crafts were kind of crude (with an endearing, knowing touch of Regretsy as well—ahem, vagina tree ornaments). Viva la DIY revolución!

BY LISA BUTTERWORTH

This article originally appeared in the October/November 2016 print edition of BUST Magazine. Subscribe today!

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We’re excited to bring you this excerpt from Crafting With Feminism: 25 Girl-Powered Products To Smash The Patriarchy by Bonnie Burton.

Needlework has long been considered a dainty art for well-behaved women, but we think it could use a 21st-century update. Bring some fresh ’tude to homespun wisdom with these fun and fierce wall hangings.

Supplies

Colorful patterned fabric (1/2 yard per 8-inch hoop)
Self-adhesive felt letters
Ruler and fabric chalk (optional)
8-inch embroidery hoop
Scissors
Embroidery floss and needle

Instructions

1. Attach self-adhesive letters to fabric to spell out the saying of your choice. (For maximum precision, use a ruler and fabric chalk to draw straight lines, attach letters on the lines, and then gently brush away the chalk.)

2. Place fabric in the embroidery hoop, positioning the slogan in the center. Pull fabric taut and firmly secure hoop.

3. Separate 3 strands of embroidery floss. Use them to thread the embroidery needle, then knot one end. Starting from the underside of the fabric, poke the needle through so that it comes up on the side of the first letter in your saying. Take a big stitch over the letter and bring the needle down on the other side of the letter, so that the thread wraps over the letter’s surface. Bring the needle up again just underneath your first stitch, and repeat this stitch process to cover the whole surface of the letter in long stitches (A).

4. When you’ve finished with one color of floss, secure the thread on the back of the fabric: bring the needle to the back of the hoop (B), then slide the needle through previous stitches and pull thread so it is caught underneath your stitchwork. Trim excess thread, then rethread needle with a different color and repeat steps 3 and 4 to cover remaining letters.

5. Trim excess fabric around the hoop. Display proudly.

Fierce Hoop Art Slogans:

Females Are Strong as Hell
Bitches Get Things Done
Watevz
Go Away
Women Belong in the House…and the Senate

Excerpted from Crafting with Feminism: 25 Girl-Powered Projects to Smash the Patriarchy by Bonnie Burton. Reprinted with permission from Quirk Books.

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Miranda Hobbes from Sex and the City may have said it best with, “The only two choices for women: witch or sexy kitten.” As Halloween queens, we are so much more than those two options. While I appreciate a rockin’ rack and a bangin’ booty as much as the next girl, and by no means think you should shelf the multi-functioning black bodysuit or pleather dominatrix boots (because, you just never know), I have also grown tired of these store-bought costumes. You know, the costumes that are just a noun with the word “sexy” thrown in front of it. Sexy job title, Sexy type of animal, Sexy inanimate object that has no business being sexy. I want to see real sexy! Powerful sexy. Creative sexy. Sexy because of their brains and their confidence. So, if this year you don’t want to invest in the $75 corset or spend hours gluing seashells to a bra, here are some quick, cheap, and fem-tastic options to impress your friends. Bonus — most of these looks can be created with items you may already have in your closet.

1. Iris Apfel.

via Iris: A Film by Albert Maysles
A pair of round glasses and your most fabulous colorful coat is all you need to portray this fashion icon. Stack brackets and pom necklaces, or just go ahead and put on every piece of jewelry you own. Your neck can handle it, your friends “can’t. even.”

2. Cheryl Strayed

via Wild

Going the opposite direction, if you want a no-jewelry, no-frills or even a no-makeup costume, grab a notebook, backpack, and your most worn down boots and go as Cheryl Strayed. Girl, you don’t even have to shower. You’re WILD!

3. Leslie Knope

via Parks & Rec

Everyone’s dream woman, Leslie Knope comes in so many forms — she’s basically Barbie. Recreate her classic Pawnee Goddess vest with your own patches or dig up some newspaper and glue it to an old skirt to create her wedding look (tutorial here). I prefer Councilwoman Leslie Knope, with her suit, “Vote Knope” button, and waffle accessories.

4. Eleven

via Stranger Things

Who would have thought there would be two characters on this list that come with waffle accessories? I predict Eleven from Stranger Things will be the “it” ladies costume of 2016 (men’s will be Ken Bone, I’m calling it now). A simple A-line dress, knee high athletic socks and bloody nose will have everyone asking you to The Snow Ball. Well, not everyone. There will always be a few losers out there who haven’t seen the show and will likely mistake you for a school girl on cocaine (or “that girl from E.T.” or “every character from The Goonies mixed together,” which is still pretty cool. ) Or, be Barb. Because Barb is the shit.

5. Olivia Pope

via Scandal

Put on the classiest dress or the most striking suit you own and pour yourself a glass (okay, bottle) of red wine. Call everyone you meet a gladiator. When you win “best costume” just pick up your cellphone, say “It’s handled!” and ghost out of the party.

6. Judge

Ruth Bader Ginsburg, via Wikimedia Commons

Take grandma’s doily off the sofa and throw on your graduation gown. Declare yourself the judge of the night and be prepared to settle any arguments or shut down any shenanigans. Show no mercy. Let no man man-splain.

7. Suffragettes

The original Spice Girls: Determined Spice. Angry Spice. Justice Spice. Inspirational Spice. Courage Spice. The best choice for a group costume, clearly. Make some “votes for women” sashes together and go out. Have a drink for me and for Hillary.

8. Princess

Kate Middleton and Prince William, via Wikimedia Commons

Most princess costumes have been so played out that they are now overrated. I don’t mean to be so Elsa about it, but its time to Let It Go. You don’t need a crown or a ballgown to be a princess. Freshen it up! If you’re going to be a Disney princess, why not be kickass solider Mulan? It’s all in the layering, belts and robes. And a big stick, if you can find one. I know, finding a big stick can be rather challenging. But I believe in you. Another princess option that is graceful and chic is Kate Middleton. I know you always wanted an excuse to get that hair fascinator! Match it to your dress to get the look. Tutorials for these hats are also found online if you like to DIY. How very Cinderella of you, princess.

9. Stevie Nicks

Stevie Nicks, via Wikimedia Commons

Chances are that you may already have some bohemian pieces in your wardrobe. Why not break the chain of boring costumes? Mix them together and do not forget the top hat. Emphasis on the top hat! Prepare yourself for a landslide of high fives. Stevie Nicks forever.

10. Walking Dead Women

via The Walking Dead

#squadgoals. I know most people don’t have a katana in their sock drawer, so a full blown Michonne costume might be harder to pull together. But the best part about these powerful female characters is that they don’t need capes to be heroes, just jeans and neutral colored tops. Adding vaseline to mascara makes a good fake dirt to cover your body with and red lipstick works well as fake blood. Anyone who doesn’t get it can just go look at the flowers, okay? You don’t need that negativity in your life.

11. The B in Apartment 23

via Don’t Trust the B in Apartment 23

Obscure as the reference may be since Don’t Trust the B in Apartment 23 only aired for a few seasons, those who know the show would be dazzled to see a “Chloe” at their party, stealing their alcohol. You can recycle last year’s Holly Golightly costume, or reach for any classic LBD, add some red lips, your shades for throwing shade, and some animal print. However, you must make sure you have the signature straight across bangs. Otherwise, you may be mistaken as just any bitch and not this specific bitch. And I say bitch in the best way, because although a little immoral in the early episodes, Chloe was always confident, smart, funny, ambitious and she always stayed true to herself. No shame in being a bitch sometimes!

12. Baseball player

A League of Their Own

If you have any athletic uniform, you can go as one of our many talented female powerhouse athletes that are killing it right now in volleyball, gymnastics, soccer, tennis, golf, track and field, softball…I could go on and on…archery…swimming….okay, you get it. Baseball, however, is not only America’s pastime, but has almost always been a “man’s sport.” Almost. The All-American Girls Professional Baseball League existed from 1943-1954. You’ve seen A League of Their Own, right? If you haven’t, go ahead and skip Halloween and watch that. Don’t buy the Legs Avenue sexy baseball girl uniform with matching thigh-highs. That’s ridiculous. Those would be so hard to slide in. Instead, BE a baseball player who is sexy because of how groundbreaking and badass she is. 

I could go all day naming more, which genuinely makes my heart soar. Some, with their bandanas and wrenches, are easier to create than some, with their pill box hats and Chanel suits. I absolutely acknowledge there are many strong iconic women and characters I have left off of this list. Some did not have a uniform or signature look that could be converted into a obvious “I know who you are” costume, like a swan dress or beehive hairstyle. But I see you ladies, I see you. Keep being the sexy, strong and iconic women you are.

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Spruce up your skin with this soothing DIY!

Pumpkins aren’t only good for Halloween carving and T-Day treats. Turns out, they’re also rich in vitamin C, which makes them good for your skin, helping to fight free radicals and promote collagen production. This beauty DIY blends creamy pumpkin puree with mineral-rich, hydrating molasses and inexpensive, pore-cleansing white kaolin clay to create a rich face mask loaded with vitamins and minerals. Optional pumpkin pie spice adds a bit of exfoliation and a circulation boost.

Pumpkin Gingerbread Face Mask
INGREDIENTS
– ½ tsp. molasses (blackstrap or fancy)
– ½ tsp. just-boiled water
– 1 tsp. pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)
– Tiny sprinkle of pumpkin pie spice (optional; the spices are quite warming and can irritate sensitive skin; use a very tiny amount or leave them out)
– 2 to 4 tsp. white kaolin clay (available on Amazon or at your local health food or soap supply store)

DIRECTIONS
Whisk molasses, water, pumpkin, and pie spice together in a small bowl. The mixture should be soft, like applesauce. If it’s too thick, whisk in a few more drops of water. Slowly add the clay, one teaspoon at a time, whisking between additions until the mixture is smooth, thick, and creamy. Depending on how watery your pumpkin puree is, you might need more or less clay than the recipe calls for, so work slowly and stop when you’ve achieved a spreadable consistency. (Don’t add all the clay at once or the mixture will seize!) This mask is for immediate use as it has a very short shelf life.
To use, spread the mask all over your face, avoiding your eyes, mouth, and nostrils. Let dry for 10 to 15 minutes, or until it feels a bit tight. Hold a warm, wet washcloth to your face for about 30 seconds, then wipe off. Follow up with your favorite moisturizer and enjoy your refreshed, brightened, fall-ready complexion!

Written by Marie Rayma
Photographer: Lauren Perlstein
Hair & Makeup: Candice Forness
Model: Izabella Z @ Q Models

This article originally appeared in the October/November 2016 print edition of BUST Magazine. Subscribe today!

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Halloween may have a reputation for being a children’s holiday, but don’t let all of the candy and pumpkin juice fool you—there are plenty of grown-up witches out in the world looking to have some adult fun on the night of fright.

Now you’ve probably already seen every brewery and cider brand bring out their fall flavors for the season but what about those who would rather get a little stone-y on All Hallows Eve? Well if you’re a witch that enjoys an herbal potion, you may already have the tools that you need to get baked on Halloween—hint it’s orange, round, and waiting to be carved into a spooky cat or menacing mug. That’s right my cannabis-consuming cuties, you can make a bong or rig out of a pumpkin.

The technique for“organic” smoking devices has been common for years now, I mean can you really consider yourself a true pothead if you haven’t tried smoking out of an apple? There are many different ways to create your own pumpkin bong, but if you want to learn from a real pro, check out Coral Reefer’s in depth tutorial.

Coral Reefer is an online blogger and YouTube creator who has gained over 175,000 followers on Instagram as a world class stoner. For the last six years, she’s instructed her viewers on how they can make their own pumpkin bong and you won’t believe how easy it is to get lit using a Jack-O-Lantern.

1. Start off by picking out your pumpkin. The size that you use really depends on how experienced of a smoker you are (in general, the bigger the pumpkin, the bigger the hit you are able to take.)

2. Then you should begin to carve out the two holes on either side of the pumpkin, one for the downstem and one for the bowl. Coral recommends that you take your time carving out the hole for your downstem and to use a small tool like a dabber (a pen will also do just fine) because you want the glass to fit very snugly within the pumpkin and a knife will not be as precise. If you make the hole too large and the downstem is not wrapped tightly enough inside the flesh of the pumpkin, some of the smoke may try to escape outside of the glass (and you definitely don’t want that to happen.)

3. Once you have created a hole that you can fit your downstem into, make another hole that will act as your mouthpiece. This hole can vary depending on your preference but it doesn’t logistically need to be any bigger than the first hole that you carved.

4. After this hole is carved and before putting in your downstem, fill you uncarved pumpkin with some water. This step is somewhat optional, many agree that you don’t need water to smoke out of a pumpkin I think, however, that the water makes the smoke a lot milkier and way easier to take bigger hits with. You only need a small amount of water, depending on your pumpkin, but if you think that you added too much you can always pour some out.

Now that your pumpkin is filled with water, insert the downstem and get to grinding your favorite grass. Depending on the state you live in and what laws surrounding marijuana usage are currently in place, there are a few different strains that will compliment a pumpkin bong. If you’re really looking to be thematic, I would recommend searching out for Pumpkin Pie OG, which is an Indica blend that is known for having dark orange strands and a body heavy high. If you aren’t able to locate this strain, I recommend any Indica hybrid, OG Kush, Miami White OG, and Mega Hash for example, if you plan to stay in and watch scary movies. If you’re looking to be social, however, I would stick with Sativas, Strawberry Lemonade, Harlequin, and Cat Piss are great for going out.

If you’re dying to carve out the inside of your pumpkin, there’s another method that you can use to make a killer pumpkin bong. Begin by cutting off the top of your pumpkin and then go ahead and scoop out the guts. We recommend that you use apple cider vinegar to clean out the inside of your pumpkin once it’s carved so that you can keep it super fresh.

Then you follow steps 1 and 2 in the first tutorial—you want to create a hole on the side of the pumpkin and insert your downstem. Afterward, put the top back on your pumpkin, light up your grass, and let the smoke fill the inside of your pumpkin. When you are ready to inhale, stick your face inside your pumpkin and inhale the smoke.

If you continue watching in to see how Coral makes the pumpkin rig, it follows the same steps as the pumpkin bong. You will create a hole for your downstem and once your downstem is snug in place, attach your dabbing nail to the downstem and “get toking.”

If you don’t enjoy the act of smoking and prefer edibles instead, there are plenty of pot-friendly recipes that call for pumpkin. Pumpkin pie  (we recommend this recipe from Herb.co) is a classic treat that you can easily add cannabis to and if you like what you’ve made, you can always bake another pie in time for Thanksgiving (although we don’t recommend serving Grandma a slice).

If you plan to use your pumpkin for smoking first and then baking later, make sure that you use a sugar pumpkin (it’s a variety of pumpkin) instead of your classic Halloween pumpkin. The big ones don’t have as much sugar and they won’t taste as good in your treats!

Now the question you’re probably dying to ask is if your hit will taste like pumpkin if you use a pumpkin bong. Well, I am not going to spoil the answer for you, that’s definitely something you have to try out for yourself.

Published October 24, 2016

Photos Courtesy of Coral Reefer 

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You don’t need knitting needles to whip up this quick chunky scarf! Whether you’re a knitter or a quitter, you can make this easy scarf using a technique called “arm knitting,” in which your limbs are used as giant knitting needles to create super-chunky knit fabric. It’s easy to learn, and best of all, it’s fast—you can complete a scarf in far less time than it takes to listen to Disc One of the Hamilton soundtrack. So arm yourself with some awesome yarn, and get ready to knit the night away.

MATERIALS:
– At least 46 yards of jumbo or super-chunky yarn, such as Red Heart Grande
– Scissors

DIRECTIONS:

Casting on: Pull out 4′ of yarn from the ball, and make a slip knot as follows: drape the yarn over your left hand, palm facing you, with the 4′ “tail” end hanging in front. Wrap the “ball” end around your hand once, so that it crosses over the tail end (A), then use the thumb and forefinger of your other hand to pull a loop of that ball end through (B).

Place this loop on your right wrist, and pull on both strands to make the loop taut (not tight!) around your wrist (C).

Hold your right arm up so that both ends of the yarn are hanging down, with the tail to the left, and the ball end on the right. Grab the tail end with your left hand turned upside down, so that your thumb is pointing downwards (D).

Flip your left hand right side up to create a loop (E).

Continuing to hold on to that loop in your left hand, put your right hand through the loop (F) and grab the ball end of yarn. Pull this yarn back through the loop towards you (G), and place the resulting loop on your right wrist.

Drop the loop of yarn in your left hand, and snug up the new loop on your right wrist by pulling on the ends of your yarn (H).

Repeat from (C) 8 more times until you have 10 loops on your right wrist. Keep the loops neatly in order on your wrist as you create each new loop.

Knitting: Grab the ball strand with your right hand (I), overhand, like the way you would hold a bike handlebar.

Continue to hold this yarn. With your left hand, lift the last loop you cast on up, over, and off your right hand (J). This will create a “new” loop in your right hand (K).

Let go of the “old” loop you are holding with your left hand, and place the new loop onto your left arm (L).

Repeat from (I), making sure each time that you place the new loop onto your left arm so that the ball end hangs to the front, closer to your body, like you were putting on a pair of evening gloves (M).

Continue until all loops are on the left arm, and no loops remain on the right arm. Repeat the process in reverse: grab the ball strand with the left hand (like you’re holding a bike handlebar), and lift the loop on your left arm up, over, and off with your right hand. TIP: Grabbing the yarn as close to your work as possible, and pulling it to tighten the last loop on your arm before creating the next loop, will keep your work looking neater.

Binding Off: Continue knitting back and forth in this manner. Check how much yarn you have left at the end of each row (when all the loops are on one arm and the other arm is free), and when you have only a yard or a bit more than that, it’s time to stop knitting and get this thing off your arm. Here’s how: Make two new loops in the usual way (it doesn’t matter if you are making your loops onto your left or your right arm at this point). Then grab the first of these two loops with your other hand (N).

Carry that loop all the way over the second loop and hand and then let go (O).

You will have one loop left on your arm. Create another new loop in the usual way so that you have two new loops on your arm again then take the first one up and over the second one so you are back to one loop. Carry on this way until you are left with just one loop on your arm. Pull the end of yarn through this loop, and tighten (P).

Finishing: To stitch the scarf together, shape it into a circle in front of you, with the finished ends of the scarf facing each other at the bottom of the circle. Then, using one of the tails, begin weaving the two ends together (we used pink yarn so you could see it better). Bring the yarn under the two legs of the stitch (each stitch looks like a V) on the left-hand side then bring your yarn under the two legs of the first stitch on the right-hand side. Then bring the yarn under the two legs of the next stitch on the left-hand side, then under the two legs of the next stitch on the right-hand side. Continue in this way until both sides are sewn together (Q).

Take the remaining end of yarn and weave it into the fabric of the scarf until you’ve woven in about 6″ of yarn. Then cut the yarn. Do the same with the other tail (R). DONE!

WRITTEN BY DEBBIE STOLLER
PHOTOS BY MEGAN SENIOR

This article originally appeared in the October/November 2016 print edition of BUST Magazine. Subscribe today!

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Light up your life with delicious-smelling DIY candles!

Now that the days are short and the nights are long, a little candlelight makes everything cozier. I jokingly tell people that I started making candles when I realized it would be cheaper than continuing to buy them at the rate I was going — but I’m only half-kidding. Whether you’re a wick-burning addict like myself, or just want to kindle your own flame, here’s a great starter tutorial (that I adapted from CandleScience.com, a great place to get real nerdy about the process) that’ll leave you with two 8-oz. soy wax candles, perfect for warming up the coming winter months. 

What you’ll need:

• 1 lb. of Golden Brands 464 soy wax* 
• 1 oz. fragrance oil* of your choosing (I used Cedarwood Vanilla; you can also blend fragrances to make one you love!) 
• 2 ECO-14 candle wicks* 
• 2 10-oz. glass tumblers**
• Hot glue gun
• Metal pouring pitcher
• Large saucepan (to create a double boiler)
• Kitchen scale
• Meat or candy thermometer (you won’t want to use this with food again, as it will be dipped in your wax)
• Disposable wooden chopsticks or skewers

*Available at CandleScience.com
**You can use different containers, as long as they’re around the same diameter, otherwise you’ll need a different wick to make sure the wax burns consistently.

Instructions

1. Measure out your wax and fragrance oil(s) on a kitchen scale in containers you’re not going to use again, like plastic cups. Pour your wax into your pouring pitcher.

2. Fill a saucepan with an inch or two of water and place over medium-low heat. Once simmering, place your pitcher in the saucepan to create your double boiler (A). (You should never place candle wax directly on the heat source, it can burst into flame if it gets too hot!)

3. While the wax is melting, affix a wick inside each tumbler by putting a generous dab of hot glue on the metal wick tab, then sticking it to the center of the tumbler’s floor. Wrap the top of the wick around a chopstick or clothespin, which you can set atop the tumbler, to keep it straight. Let them set for a few minutes.

4. Stir your wax with a chopstick or skewer every minute or so as it melts (you don’t want any sticking to the bottom and burning). Check the temperature with your thermometer as you go. When your wax reaches 185 degrees (about 10 or so minutes), remove your pitcher from the saucepan and add your fragrance oil. Stir the wax for about 2 minutes to blend.

5. When your wax cools to 130 degrees (about 15 to 20 minutes), pour it into your tumblers (B) leaving an inch of space at the top (you want to make sure your lit wick will be below the tumbler’s edge for safety reasons).

6. Let your candles sit for about two hours to let the wax harden. Then trim each wick to about ¼-inch for optimal burning.

7. Here’s the hardest part: you have to let your wax cure. I’ve found that a week or two gives you the best end result. It will feel like forever, but it will be worth it! 

Written by Katie Oldaker, ohcandles.etsy.com
Photographed by Kaela Speicher

This article originally appeared in the October/November 2016 print edition of BUST Magazine. Subscribe today!

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I actively avoided embroidery for almost two decades. In my mind, it was linked to patriarchy, ideals I could never meet, and other old-timey hobbies I saw as a waste of time. My grandmother taught me how to embroider when I was little and I adorned every pillowcase and zip-up sweater I owned. I thought I was the coolest kid on the block, but my fellow middle-school students didn’t agree. I stopped sewing after I got picked on for having embroidered cats on my sweatshirt.

In high school, I read books on feminism and realized I didn’t want to be associated with things girls were “supposed” to do. I suddenly didn’t like flowers, I didn’t want to cook dinner for my family, and I certainly didn’t want to sew.

I firmly held onto these false beliefs of what a modern woman could and couldn’t enjoy until three years ago, when I got terribly bored. I mean really bored. So bored that I drove to a craft store because I wanted to embroider. All I found were the same patterns I had sewn with my grandmother. Yes, even those cats that started it all. There was no way I was sewing those things again. So I bought some thread and fabric and loudly proclaimed, “I’ll make my own design!”

Being an artist by trade, I turned one of my illustrations into a pattern. I stitched it up and shared it on Facebook, thinking it would make a few people smile. Instead, I was flooded with requests to make the pattern available.

That’s when I started my embroidery kit business, Studio MME. Now, three years later, it’s my full-time job. It’s allowed me to embrace the fact that it’s okay to like flowers, adore cooking, and sew cats while still being a feminist. I don’t lose any strength by spending a night stitching or drawing floral patterns. I even got married this year and carried a bouquet of tulips with a giant smile on my face, something I never imagined I would enjoy just a few years ago.

I’m so thankful that I got bored that day because it has allowed me to embrace a much richer identity as a woman. It has also shaped my professional life and allowed me to bring smiles to many others who also didn’t want to sew the same cats they stitched as children.

Megan Eckman designs approachable embroidery for modern stitchers as the head designer and owner of Studio MME (http://www.studiomme.com). Graduating with degrees in art and English, she turned her talents to helping others embrace their inner creativity through kits. Her whimsical embroidery kits are sold all over the country and in 2016 she partnered with DMC to create a custom line of embroidery kits for their Commonthread collection. She currently lives just outside Portland with her husband, Studio MME’s art director, and their cat, the CFO: Chief Feline Officer. And no, she can’t sew a French knot to save her life.

Photos courtesy Megan Eckman

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First order of business, Make’n’take crafts!

 

Stop by the BUST Make’n’take craft tables to get festive for the fair by adorning yourself with one of these jams:

DIY Flower Crowns – With BUST Magazine.

Friendship Bracelet Bar – with Sublime Stitching
 

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We’ve got all of our foodies covered!

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Don’t forget to meet the GLOBs & support Feminist Media!

 

 

The Gorgeous Ladies of BUST (GLOBs) will be there to meet’n’greet fans. Stop by to see Editor’n’Chief Debbie Stoller (Stitch’n’Bitch), Creative Director Laurie Henzel, Senior Editor Emily Rems and Crafty Lady Callie Watts.

Want to see more events like this? BUST is an independent media organization working hard to bring visibility to people and subjects important to feminist movement and positive self identity which are often misrepresented by other mass media alternatives.

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