Since the time Samuel Locke Ward grew up in relative isolation on a family farm in Iowa, he has taken the road less traveled at every turn. With a preternatural […]
DIY
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Digging up the ‘underground,’ DIY music scene in Iowa City and Cedar Rapids
From singer-songwriters to heavy metal bands, Iowa City and Cedar Rapids breed a wide variety of musical acts. Dozens of artists make up the local music scene, but not many receive the recognition of concert-goers in the area. Naturally, the local DIY scene — united by the “do it yourself” idea that art shouldn’t have barriers to entry, and that anyone, regardless of skill or status, should be free to make art and share it as they please — tends to operate underground while the artists are often shrouded from curious music fans. Some local venue owners are working to change that
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Macrame: That ’70s home decor trend is groovy again
Disco may have died, but another quintessential part of the ’70s is making a comeback in today’s homes: the art of macrame. Macrame is a type of textile using decorative […]
Posted inArts & Entertainment
This weekend: Iowa City hosts more craft fairs and holiday markets than you can shake a (beautifully decorated) stick at
Each year, the season of conspicuous consumption reaches its inevitable anticlimax when we gather around and, regardless of our individual traditions, realize in unison that all our gifts look the […]
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Crafty: Step up your table presentation during cocktail hour with this easy cutting board project
This project requires untreated hardwood. Maple, walnut, cherry and hickory are nice tight-grained woods that work well for this project. They are high-density varieties that are not scored easily when cut upon. This keeps bacteria and moisture out for a cleaner, longer-lasting board. Hardwood can be sourced from local lumber suppliers as well as big box hardware stores. Look for a piece that is at minimum 6 inches wide. Adjust your width and eventual length according to intended use and personal preference.
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Block It Out: DIY Fabric Printing
Supplies Brayer (ink roller) Printmaking/linoleum block (found at art supply stores) Carving tools (found at art supply stores) Fabric printing ink Rolling pin Cardboard Paper Fabric Step One: Sketch out […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Black Magic: DIY walnut bitters for an adventurous cocktail
I was on a run in Northside when I tripped on what looked like a green golf ball on the sidewalk. It wasn’t a golf ball; it was an unhulled […]
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Crafty: Plein-air picnic prep
Summer was made for outdoor picnics and barbecues. Sometimes an invitation arrives for an outdoor feast, other times the Iowa sky opens up and offers the perfect weather for eating under the stars. If you are like me, I like to stock…
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Photos: DIY music and IC underground house shows
A few years back, I visited Iowa City for the first time and went to an electronic show at a house that’s nicknamed the “Breast Imagining Center.” A small group […]
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Crafty: Put a garden in your kitchen so you can dig in while you dig in
Just because you’re in a rental house or apartment with no lawn doesn’t mean you have to give up on gardening. With this planter box you can keep your…
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Crafty: Knot your average plant holder
Macramé is a knotting art that dates to the 13th century, and while it has been popular for a while, it is definitely having a moment. Hanging planters made from knotted rope can be found in the home decor departments of big box stores and hipster retailers alike. But macramé hanging planters are cheap and easy to make on your own; they’re also a great way step up your balcony, patio garden or living room.
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Crafty: Decorate your patio with simple concrete projects
To make a planter, you’ll use dowels to create a negative space for your tiny plant and drainage holes. To make candleholders, you’ll use the aluminum holders from tealights. If you’re making planters, cut your dowels…
