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Should Little Boys Play With Kitchens?

Judi Ketteler — 2011-01-18T09:00:00 00:00

Filed under: Kitchen, Your Home, News & Trends, Furniture

Friends teased our writer when she said she was buying her toddler a toy kitchen for Christmas. Here's why she did anyway.

From the outside looking in, there's nothing extraordinary about my kitchen. In fact, I already wrote about its lackluster design sense. But the woefully outdated cabinets and ugly countertops are unimportant to my two-and-a-half year old, Max. The only thing he's interested in is that daddy is in the kitchen cooking, and anything daddy does, Max wants to do.

When my husband, Allen -- a stay at home dad who does 99 percent of the cooking at our house -- heads into the kitchen to start dinner, little feet are often close behind. "Need to cook, too!" Max will say, grabbing potholders, a wooden spoon and the old egg poacher he's appropriated as his pot. "I make gumbo!" he'll say, practicing his ever expanding food vocabulary, which now includes words like paprika, black beans and onions.

The writer's son Max at his new toy kitchen. Photo: Judi Ketteler

The boy loves everything about the kitchen: the clang of pots, the sound of food sizzling, the many buttons that need pressing and things that need measuring. So this Christmas, we decided it was time to get him his own kitchen. About a month ago, I started searching for play kitchens. What I discovered is that the majority of them were clearly geared toward little girls. If they weren't pink and purple, then they showed girls playing at them. Not only that, we've endured some teasing from people; it's more in-fun than mean-spirited, but still, it's enough to bring home the fact that we're traipsing on the hallowed ground of masculine identity in America. I'm sure the toy store is happy to take our money either way, but the overriding message in the world of toy marketing still seems to be that boys should get bats, bikes and big honkin' trucks -- better to leave the cooking and playhouses to the girls.

I came across a story in the UK's DailyMail about a survey from Red Tractor beef and lamb that found that a third of men won't do any cooking at all in the kitchen during the holiday season. According to the company's press release, about half of the women surveyed say they wish they had more help in the kitchen. I know that most of my memories of holiday meals involve the women cloistered in the kitchen cooking and then later cleaning up, while the men watched TV.

But are we seriously still here, clutching to this division of labor that's been with us for years? As my household illustrates, many of us have evolved beyond such traditional understandings. Still, our messages to boys haven't quite caught up.

Consider the fact that a little boy is interested in many things: The way a basketball bounces, cuddling with a baby doll, figuring out how things are put together, watching onions sauté, helping put away laundry, racing his toy car and getting messy decorating cupcakes. As he gets older, he's more encouraged to pursue the "boy" interests, and less encouraged to pursue interests related to domesticity. Parents of boys get the message too: After all, if the kitchens are pink and the doll clothes are frilly, parents will pass them over and opt instead for the stuff they can more easily imagine their boys playing with.

Max and his daddy practice cooking together. Photo: Judi Ketteler

There's a theory about boys: If, as they grow into men, nothing is expected of them around the house, they begin to lack confidence in spaces like the kitchen (about one-third of the men in the survey say they lack cooking confidence). I definitely see that. I've heard some of my girlfriends complaining about how their husbands struggle with basic things, like knowing what to feed their toddlers for lunch. But here's my question: Do you give them the chance to figure it out on their own or just fall back on the same old "husbands are just useless in the kitchen and with childcare" soundtrack?

And if it's just a matter of confidence, how do we account for the rise of the professional (and super masculine) male chef, as evidenced by the myriad of shows on TV? Does anyone doubt that Bobby Flay is confident in the kitchen? Does anyone doubt he is masculine?

How can we have testosterone-overdrive characters like Gordon Ramsay in the same world as gender stereotypical pink play kitchens? The same activities mean different things once gender gets factored in, says John Alberti, Ph.D., English professor at Northern Kentucky University, a former professor of mine who follows cultural trends and thinks about this complicated gender business a lot (and loves cooking shows). With the Food Network (and other) shows that revolve around macho competition, there's a great divide. "We have 'professional', out in the world cooking, which is much more culturally valued than 'just' cooking for the family," Alberti says. "Bottom line: Men cook for money; women cook for free (or, as it's sometimes called, 'love')."

So how do we send a different message to boys? Restructuring the roles, as my husband and I have done, is surely one way. I work and support the family, and my husband is the primary caregiver/cook/housekeeper. He knows more about how to calm a crying baby, season a casserole, get a stain out of piece of clothing and load the dishwasher for optimally clean dishes than most men in suburban America would ever dream. But he's also such a guy in so many ways. Domestic work doesn't take the guy out of the guy, or the boy out of the boy. It just opens up the possibilities for everyone. Our situation wouldn't be right for a lot of families, but it's made everything we think about gender roles in this culture way more transparent. It's also made me realize that our paranoia about emasculating boys is just, well, dumb. And it winds up short-changing them -- and short-changing women in the end.

So after the thrill of his Little Tikes Cookin' Creations Kitchen wears off, Max may decide he hates cooking. He may decide to be a bounty hunter, or a stockbroker, or an elementary school teacher. Maybe he'll be a stay-at-home dad just like his own dad. We want our girls to get the message that they can do anything. Let's send that message to our boys, too. And let's make sure to emphasize that "anything" starts at home.

Judi Ketteler is the author of "Sew Retro: A Stylish History of the Sewing Revolution + 25 Vintage-Inspired Projects for the Modern Girl."

Now, tell us: What do you think about play kitchens? Weigh in on our Facebook page!

For more great stories on ShelterPop, don't miss:
My Nook Will Never Replace My Bookshelf
Naked at Home For a Week
The Case Against Cleaning
Always the Writer, Never the Client

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Vintage in the Kitchen

Judi Ketteler — 2010-10-19T09:13:00 00:00

Filed under: Kitchen, Your Home, Furniture

Tips for buying vintage furniture for your kitchen.

When I wrote Always the Writer, Never the Client here on ShelterPop, I mentioned that I was dying for some sort of vintage farm table. I got a tremendous response from readers who confirmed that yes, I should indeed get rid of that uninspiring round table that took up too much space and find something that suited my vintage dreams.

So that's just what I did.

My sister and I headed to the amazing Springfield Antique Show and Flea Market, one of the best places for vintage finds in Ohio (and only an hour from where I live). After trekking through the rows and rows of charming tables (on swollen pregnant ankles, I might add), and weighing my options (Did I want wood? Metal? Distressed? Painted?), I settled on this adorable 1950s table. The red accents are perfect for my kitchen and the rectangular size (with leaves that pull out to seat up to 8) was just the right fit. With just a little bit of cleaning and re-painting (just the wooden white base part -- we left the enamel table top alone), it was ready to go! We found retro-inspired chairs at Target (browse the manufacturer who makes them Richardson Seating for inspiration!) to complete the look. Success!

My vintage dining table. Photo: Judi Ketteler

"Buying vintage is often cheaper than buying newly made," says appraiser and historian Elyse Luray, host of both PBS' "History Detectives" and HGTV's yearly special, "The Longest Yard Sale," which features the World's Longest Yard Sale (also called the 127 Sale).

My table was just $75. But that price looks even better when you compare the quality you can get for $75 of vintage (a table that has stood the test of time and is well made); these days $75 doesn't buy you much quality. Plus, you've got a little piece of history there in your kitchen, ready for your family to add its own stories.

Luray offers some tips for getting exactly the piece you want (for the price you want) in your kitchen.

Do your prep work.
First, make sure you have the right transportation. "You wouldn't believe how many people see something they love, and then have to make frantic calls trying to rent a truck after the fact," she says. Also, take measurements before you go. Aside from simply measuring your kitchen space (how much room do you really have in that corner?), don't forget to measure the width of your doorways.

Decide what you want: investment or utility?
A marked and signed designer piece from a company like Herman Miller is going to be pricey, of course. But if you just want the look, you don't need to go the designer route. "If you want to actually use the piece of furniture, don't buy for investment," Luray advises. Buy because it appeals to you and you have a way to use it.

Assess conditions.
"Condition is the most important thing," she says, especially because once you bring this table or butcher's block or set of chairs home, you need to live with them. For tables, make sure the leaves work. Make sure chairs are sturdy and legs are even. Replacing something can decrease the value, but again, only if you're buying for investment. Things like re-chroming the legs of a table (which I considered doing for my table, but then decided I liked the weathered look), painting, replacing hinges and draw pulls, and re-covering seat cushions are relatively easy and inexpensive fixes. If it's an older piece, part of its charm is that is has some wear and tear, but separate that from true functionality because bigger fixes, like replacing legs, are more expensive and may not be worth it.

See if it's comfortable.
It's a no-brainer, but don't forget! Sit at the chairs to see how they feel, or if you're buying a table, borrow a chair to sit in and sit at the table. Make sure the height is right. For something like a pantry or pie safe, make sure all of the drawers slide easily in and out, and that the construction of the piece feels solid.

Get comparables, and bargain.
Walk around and look at what other similar pieces are selling for. (This is obviously easier to do at a big flea market than at an antique store.) "Use your gut," Luray says. "Always bargain with the seller: they expect you to haggle with them." You can always ask what their bottom-line price is.

Buy because you love it.
"Buy the look and style you want, regardless of labels like antique or vintage," Luray says. If you love it, it doesn't matter if it's 20 years old or 100 years old. "Just have fun with it."

For more kitchen inspiration stories, check out:
- $500 Kitchen Makeover
- 5 Kitchen Trends You'll Want to Avoid

And we particularly love this story by our sister site Lemondrop about women who keep clothes in their fridge -- weird!

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Window Treatments for the Home

Judi Ketteler — 2010-10-07T15:07:00 00:00

Filed under: Your Home, Projects, Design, etc, Architecture

A primer on all of our favorite window treatment ideas and options -- from choosing fabrics and styles to customizing the ready-made.

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Windows That Wow

When deciding on living room window treatments, the first thing you need to ask yourself is what you want from the space around your window. Do you simply want a pretty frame (like stationary panels), or do you need serious light-filtering (as with a Roman shade)? Do you want layers of interest and textural contrast, or something modern and streamlined? Do you want lots of color to create a focal point, or a low-key blended-in look?

Windows That Wow

"Roman shades can work everywhere," says Mandy McClure, owner of Quality Custom Designs in South Georgia. McClure, who runs the business with her mother and aunt, sells her custom designs on Etsy. Roman shades are always among her most popular designs -- probably because they're so flexible. Dress them up with silk and beads, or choose a pretty cotton print. Roman shades raise and lower easily (McClure even makes kid-safe cordless ones), so they have full functionality. Backing them with blackout lining (an option McClure always recommends) really helps to filter the light and protect furniture from fading.

Windows That Wow

Relaxed Roman shades are different from regular Roman shades because they lay fixed in a slouchy, "relaxed" fold over the window. They aren't generally designed to be raised and lowered frequently, since it takes patience to continually adjust the gathers. "They're particularly good over wooden blinds," she says. Relaxed Romans are perfect for more casual living spaces.

Windows That Wow

"Of all the valances, I really love Kingstons, because they never look dated the way swags and balloon shades can," McClure says. Like Relaxed Romans, Kingstons (or other valances) look best when layered top of a functional treatment (like blinds or shutters). Kingstons can either be sophisticated, as in a longer treatment made from silk or decorator-weight fabric, or easy and casual, made from a regular-weight cotton. They're a little dressier than Relaxed Romans, though it all really hinges on fabric choices.

Windows That Wow

Panels have always been traditional favorites (though many panels are more for framing than for function.) When choosing fabric for your panels, remember to pay attention to the repeat: a print that's too large can feel overwhelming, but one that is too small won't pop. If you're going solid, an easy way to add visual interest is to add contrast stripes. You could even piece in some stripes to ready-made panels.

Windows That Wow

beautifully, and even the faux silk -- which is less expensive -- looks good," she says. Silk also looks great puddled on the floor. But with so many great quilting-weight fabrics out there now (from designers like Amy Butler, Michael Miller, and Joel Dewberry), it's hard to resist the pull of cottons. One thing to keep in mind: blackout lining helps any fabric (even a less-expensive cotton) hang much nicer.

Windows That Wow

Panels can frame a window (and be completely static), or be fully operational. Simple, streamlined panels with no frills hung flush with the window are ideal for a minimalist, modern space. Simple layers of sheer panels are another great way to get that more modern look.

Windows That Wow

There are no rules about how high to hang your window treatments, or how far away from the window to place them. In general, hang your panels higher if you want to add height to a window, and extend them further over on each side of the window if you want a space to look larger.

Windows That Wow

If you don't want to go the custom route, there are plenty of ready-made treatments available. Jennifer Neill, who runs the blog Hope Studios, will often start her search for the perfect drapery in the ready-made department. Panels not wide enough? No problem. "I often buy extra panels of something I like, cut them up the middle and sew them back together again," says Neill, who designs window treatments for her home and owns a framing shop in Pittsburgh. See her tutorial on how to customize here.

"Hot gluing trim to a ready-made is a great way to customize it," says Neill. It's also the perfect way to add length. You can layer trim, such as beaded trim over a wide ribbon, or a tassel trim on top of a textured coordinating trim. "If you put something like that on a ready-made, people will think that it's custom," she says.

Windows That Wow

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Is it Smart to Sleep With Your Pets?

Judi Ketteler — 2010-05-25T14:04:00 00:00

Filed under: Bedroom, Your Home, Experts

Megan Maloy, Getty Images

Many pet owners love a good cuddle, but is it unhealthy for you (or your pet) to spend the night together in the same bed? Our writer explores this (potentially furry) issue.

Like most relationships, there are usually two sides to every story. And the same goes for whether or not you should invite dogs or cats into your bed at night.

From the human perspective, experts have found that pets definitely disrupt their bed mate's sleep patterns. In a widely cited study in 2002, John Shepard, M.D. found that more than half of the 300 patients he surveyed at the Mayo Clinic Sleep Disorders Center reported that their sleep was disturbed by their cats or dogs. Not surprising when you consider that dogs hog the mattress, snore, wake you up at 3 a.m. to have their tummies scratched, attack your toes under the sheets, leave your bed full of hair or -- worse yet -- slobber. Cats, meanwhile, tend to be nocturnal and love nothing more than jumping on and off the bed all night and chasing shadows in the bedroom.

And then there's the issue of your relationship with other humans. Dog trainer Kellyann Payne, a past-president of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers, warns that some dogs who sleep next to their owners can start to be very possessive over beds, and may growl when someone other than their owner comes near them. Something to think about if there's a special someone you'd like to invite into bed with you too.

It might be hard to hear for dog owners who love nothing more than curling up with the pooch, but sleeping with Rufus isn't the greatest idea for him either. "We encourage people not to sleep with [their] dogs," says Scott McKay, D.V.M., staff vet at Doctors Forster and Smith. "It's really better for dogs to have a clean, comfortable space that's all their own. It makes them feel more content." Not only that, making that leap into bed, especially if your bed is high off the ground, gets harder and harder for dogs as they get older and contend with arthritis and hip issues.

It's tough breaking old habits, eh? Photo: Getty Images

So how do you break the news that it's over?

Generally, the transition from your bed to doggy bed is much harder on you than on your pooch (despite the puppy eyes and pathetic whimpers). "When you give a dog his own little bed, he's probably not lying there contemplating why you kicked him out," McKay says. It's not punishment even though some people find it hard not to see it that way. Instead, it's like their little special "den" where they feel safe.

If you want to make the transition to a dog-free-bed, McKay suggests you give it at least two weeks. Don't throw in the towel after the first night. A few of his tips:

1. Introduce your dog to where you want him to sleep and establish that as his special place. Spend time there with him and put his favorite toys there.

2. Reward your dog when he goes to his special place with praise and attention, or a treat.

3. In the morning, give him lots more praise and attention, so that he gets the idea, "Oh, when I sleep in my own space, in the morning, I get rewarded".

Finding the Right Bed

"It may take a few tries to figure out what your dog will like. Some dogs prefer an orthopedic bed. They can be especially good for older dogs. Other dogs love round donut-style beds while some might just like to nest in a pile of blankets," says Payne. "The best way to start is by looking where your dog is choosing to sleep right now. Dogs who choose the floor are likely to enjoy a nice thin or firm bed. Those who seek out the plush comforter or pillows on your bed are likely to enjoy a cushy donut. My dog Jasper, a PBGV (Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen) who I got from the local shelter, loved to dig through my laundry basket from day one. He is the one who loves a pile of old receiving blankets on top of his bed."

If you're going to invest in a dog bed, look for one that is stain-resistant, odor-resistant, machine washable, and well-made. Payne likes the William Wegman Pet Beds (below) available from from Crypton Super Fabrics. "They are more expensive, but they're worth it," she says.

William Wegman Pet Beds

Another tip for finding a truly durable bed is to look at the ones that are marketed as indoor/outdoor, like the Ultimate Deck/Patio Dog Bed from Drs. Fosters and Smith. For her own dogs, Jasper the PBGV, and Nemo, a basic brown dog who was found in a sewer, Payne prefers bolster beds like the orthopedic Luxury Bolster Dog Bed. "Having a backing or bolster provides them with a sense of security, much in the same way that many dogs will pick a corner of a couch, the corner of the room or even choose their crate. That is my theory anyway," she says.

A pooch-free night's sleep is a personal choice, of course, but if you're finding that you can't make it through your six to eight hours because of your pets, don't fret about moving them into their own beds. Instead, think of all the energetic hours of daytime play time you can have with them if you're well rested. Walkies, anyone?

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Always the Writer, Never the Client

Judi Ketteler — 2010-04-23T11:39:00 00:00

Filed under: Kitchen, Your Home, Projects

The writer, Judi Ketteler, has learned to love her kitchen as is.

Our writer finds herself caught between the beautiful kitchens she reports on and the practical one she lives in. Is it possible to separate the two and put her lust for amazing design aside?

It happened again the other day. A PDF full of gorgeous photos of a kitchen landed in my inbox -- another assignment to write about a high-end kitchen remodel for a glossy home and garden magazine. "Let's really focus on what makes this kitchen stand out," my editor said. Stand out? That's either an extremely tough task or a total no-brainer, depending on how you look at it. On one hand, it's tough because these high-end kitchens all start to look the same after a while: a sort of private-school uniform comprised of granite countertops, industrial-grade stainless steel appliances, impeccable custom cabinets and ginormous islands. On the other hand, anything stands out when compared to my own humble kitchen -- last updated circa 1983. If high-end kitchens are the prep school scholars, my kitchen is the scruffy kid from the wrong side of the tracks who is forced to wear stained hand-me-downs.

When you flip through your favorite home and garden magazines, do you ever wonder who writes these pieces about dream kitchen remodels and what their kitchens look like? Why, it's me -- the girl with the killer database of design contacts and little financial resources to make much use of them. I'm probably pretty much like you: I drool over these pictures, study the captions to see what ideas I can glean and then commence dreaming. The only difference is that other people's design successes (and healthy-size budgets) are in front of my face, on my computer and in my head on a near-daily basis.

Don't get me wrong, as jobs go, this is pretty plum. I'm fairly well-paid to nose around people's homes. I constantly get the chance to interview incredibly creative people -- and in the process, get loads of great design tips to file away. But my idea file is getting pretty full, and aside from updating the light fixture, swapping out the cabinet hardware, painting the walls, and making some darn cute curtains, I've yet to implement any of those ideas into my own kitchen, seen here.

Photo: Judi Ketteler

My husband and I have lived in our modest 1949 Cape Cod for four years. It's our first house, and we really do love it -- its small size suits our lifestyle and parts of it are oozing with vintage charm (some is original, some we've re-created). But, not the kitchen. An eat-in kitchen (sans dining room) with a small footprint, the space is arranged all wrong. The appliances are run-of-the-mill boring, the countertops are unattractive laminate (now stained in places), the cabinets are cheap plywood and the storage solutions are so 1980's.

I've got big plans, of course. There are always plans. After all, says my contact at the Research Institute for Cooking & Kitchen Intelligence (RICKI) the kitchen and bath industry is estimated to be around a $70 billion business. When Remodeling magazine did a Cost vs. Value Report for 2009 - 2010, they found that the average cost for a major kitchen remodel was $57,215; the average cost for even a minor one was $21,411. Clearly, a whole lot of people are dropping chunks of change to make their kitchens better, but here's the thing: How many of those kitchens were actually lacking true functionality (as in the ability to cook food and then eat it) before a renovation? Probably very few.

The reality is that my kitchen may not be very pretty from a design point of view, but it works. My husband -- the cook in the family -- makes dinner in it every night. We feed our 20-month-old at our outdated Value City Furniture kitchen table every day. The refrigerator keeps our food cold, the cabinets store our dishes, the ugly wire baskets in the pantry provide a place to keep cereal and pasta, and the oven bakes our cupcakes, roasted vegetables, and pizzas just fine. There could be more function, a better use of space, and certainly more energy efficiency, but our basic needs are met. We're not missing meals. So how can I justify $20K to $50K, just to have a room that's . . . prettier?

Photo: Judi Ketteler

But then I think, how can I not? I love good design. A good-looking room with a smart sense of style makes me feel giddy and organized and inspired all at once. I feel scattered, old-fashioned and unstylish in my own hand-me-down kitchen. I feel -- dare I say? -- like a phony. I convince myself that I absolutely 100 percent need a retro-looking fridge and stove from Elmira Stove Works. The thoughts multiply from there and I start to think that I can't possibly live another day without a mod recycled glass backsplash, charming cabinets, and the deepest, most beautiful-looking farm sink out there. Added to that is a deep longing for a chic vintage farm table (plucked for almost nothing at some fabulous, out-of-the-way flea market), paired with amazingly modern chairs from Design Within Reach. I need sleek lines, retro charisma, and eye-catching finishes more than anything in the world. Right?

Wrong. The problem is that all this hobnobbing with good design and big budgets has caused me to level jump and I am now officially identifying with the wrong demographic. A recent RICKI study, Top of the Line: Insights into Upscale Consumers & Their Kitchens helped me figure this out. This study looks at groups of high-end versus moderate consumers, and their attitudes about their kitchens. People who make over $200K per year may buy the same bananas as those of us who make under $100K, but they approach their kitchens differently. "In addition to being more brand-aware, these consumers tend to associate their kitchens with their image of themselves and what they want to project to others," the report says. However, people with more moderate incomes (like me) are more driven by practicality, and less likely to agree with the statement: "I want my kitchen to say a lot about me." Are you joking? Of course I want a kitchen that says a lot about me. I want it to say that I'm hip and tuned into good design. I want a kitchen that makes me look effortlessly chic, as though I don't try too hard. I'm trying to cross over the tracks and hang with the prep-school kids -- hurling myself into a world of granite and stainless steel. The catch is that I'm on a particle-board budget.

My toddler likes to screech when he eyeballs something he desperately wants, (but most assuredly doesn't need): "Want! Want! Want!" To which I say, "Yes, sweetie, you want, want, want! But let's look at these fun toys you already have right here." He sighs, yes, but somehow finds a way to be content with his shape-sorter for another day.

And so this is me, looking at the kitchen I have right here -- where I just finished lunch and will later share a delicious dinner with my little family -- trying to file those wants away for another day.

Photo: Judi Ketteler

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Going Green: How to Up the Ante

Judi Ketteler — 2010-04-14T12:55:00 00:00

Filed under: Your Home, Projects, News & Trends

Ready to go a bit greener? Try these ideas for turning your green lifestyle up a notch.

You've got the basics down pat-- reduce, reuse, recycle - check. Lower the thermostat- check. Shut the faucet when brushing your teeth- check. Now what?

Are you ready to kick it up notch? Here, we break down the basics, and explain what you can do to take it step further. Think you're ready for the challenge? Game on.

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Going Green: How to Up the Ante

You already: Turn off the water while brushing your teeth and shaving
Next step: Install a low-flow shower head (2.5 gallons per minute or less). You'll save as much as 10 percent on water costs and reduce energy costs (from heating the water) as well, Helmer says. Low-flow showerheads are inexpensive and easy to install (just twist the old one off and screw in the new one). Helmer offers this test for your current shower flow: turn on the shower and see how long it takes to reach the one-gallon mark in a bucket. If it takes less than 20 seconds, it's not a low-flow.

Going Green: How to Up the Ante

You already: Turn down your thermostat (when you remember)
Next step: Install a programmable thermostat. It's one of the easiest ways to curb energy use, says Jodi Helmer, author of The Green Year: 365 Small Things You Can Do to Make a Big Difference. Look for a simple unit with a time so you can program your thermostat to lower the heat down at night and when you're not home during the day. (In the summer, lower the air conditioning during the day.) Set the heat or A/C to adjust back room temperature a half-hour or so before you come home so that the house is comfortable as soon as you come in the door.

Lux Products TX9000TS Touch Screen 7 Day Programmable Thermostat

Going Green: How to Up the Ante

You already: Turn off lights when you leave a room and unplug chargers and small appliances
Next step: Do an energy audit, say Stephen and Rebekah Hren, authors of The Carbon-Free Home: 36 Remodeling Projects to Help Kick the Fossil-Fuel Habit. For one week, keep track of how much energy you're using every day. The easiest way to do your audit is with a kilowatt reader (a $40 gadget) that you can plug into appliances and see how much energy each thing uses. It also tells you where your phantom loads are. Once you identify sources of wasted energy, you can usually reduce your use by 15 - 20 percent, the Hrens say.

Energy Meter w/ LCD Display - EM100

Going Green: How to Up the Ante

You already: Participate in your community's recycling program
Next step: Plastic bottles and aluminum cans aren't the only household things that can be recycled. Helmer says you can keep computers, VCRs, cell phones, and other electronics from going into landfills by recycling them too (more than 1.5 billion pounds of electronics equipment end up in landfills every year). Check out www.eiae.org to find recycling centers near you.

Going Green: How to Up the Ante

You already: Buy recycled paper
Next step: Start reducing the amount of paper you use by printing on both sides of the paper, and keep a pile of scrap paper near your printer. Also, make sure that you recycle your ink cartridges too, Helmer says, because around 240 million of them wind up in landfills each year. Extend the life of your cartridge by choosing "draft" mode on your printer for less important documents.

Going Green: How to Up the Ante

You already: Avoid planting invasive species in your garden
Next step: Investigate using native and drought-tolerate plants instead of high-maintenance, thirsty plantings that aren't generally native to your area, says Wes Duren, vice president, landscape and construction for
Marvin's Organic Gardens . Your local extension office is a great resource to learn about native, drought tolerant plants. Not only will you use less water, your plants will be happier because they're right where they belong.

Going Green: How to Up the Ante

You already: Use organic potting soil and fertilizer
Next step: Start a compost pile. Compost is like oil for the soil, Duren says. Not only does it keep your yard waste and kitchen scraps out of landfills, it also nourishes plants and soil life. Build your own compost bin, check out your local gardening or hardware center, or browse online retailers that specialize in organic gardening products, such as
Clean Air Gardening.

Going Green: How to Up the Ante

You already: Buy organic produce from farmer's markets
Next step: Join a community-supported agriculture (CSA) program. For a fee, you can buy shares in a local farm. In exchange, you'll receive a box of fresh produce (whatever they're growing at the time) each week. CSAs are great because they are locally-based-not only do you know exactly where your food is coming from (versus it being shipping thousands of miles), you're also supporting small farms, Helmer says. Find a CSA near you at localharvest.org.

Going Green: How to Up the Ante

You already: Turn down the temperature on your hot water heater
Next step: Consider an investment in a solar water heater, the Hrens say. On average, they cost around $7,000-not cheap. However, you'll get a fairly sizeable federal tax credit, plus any state/local credits. The savings increase over time, the Hrens say. Heating water accounts for as much as 30 percent of your electricity costs, and you can get up to 90 percent of your hot water from your solar water heater (you still need a traditional supplemental one)-which definitely adds up over time.

Going Green: How to Up the Ante

You already: Wash your laundry in cold water
Next step: Hang every other load on a clothesline (either outside or inside) to dry, and switch to a gas dryer (if you don't already have one) when your electric one conks out. Electric dryers draw a lot of energy, the Hrens say-around 6,000 watts (gas ones draw about 720). It's great if you can avoid a dryer altogether, but any little bit you can do helps.

Going Green: How to Up the Ante

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10 Ways to Green Your Holiday

Judi Ketteler — 2009-12-01T13:12:00 00:00

Filed under: Green Design, Fun Stuff, Crafts & Projects, Holidays

As much as we love the holidays, they can be a major drain on resources. Remake your been-there-done-that traditions into newer, leaner, greener traditions. "Being green doesn't need to feel like a sacrifice," says Anna Getty, author of I'm Dreaming of a Green Christmas: Gifts, Decorations, and Recipes That Use Less and Mean More (Chronicle, 2009). "You can create really special and magical new traditions."

Click through to find out our favorite green tweaks for the holidays.

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Green and Festive: Were Not Talking Holly

You used to: Stock up on 3-for-1 wrapping paper deals and wind up with garbage bags full of paper when all is said and done.
Green it: Wrapping presents and seeing pretty packages under the tree is far too lovely of a tradition to ditch altogether. Instead just make a few little changes. A few of Getty's favorites: use recycled paper or brown paper bags; enlist vintage scarves, handkerchiefs or linens as your wrapping medium; pack gifts in antique tins you find at garage sales or salvage shops; or use colorful pages from your favorite magazines. "If you get Sierra magazine, use my column for your wrapping!" offers Sierra's advice columnist Bob Schildgen, a.k.a. "Mr. Green".

Green and Festive: Were Not Talking Holly

You used to: Head to the craft store and load up your cart with lots of plastic pretties to make holiday decorations.
Green it: Approach your holiday crafting in a MacGyver-esque manner, almost like a scavenger hunt. What can you use from both inside your home and the surrounding nature to create festive displays? Since Getty made the conscious effort to live a green lifestyle a few years ago, collecting "craft" items from nature (such as pinecones, twigs, shells, beach glass, dried flowers and berries) and making them into something fun with her 5-year-old daughter, India, has become her favorite new holiday tradition. They're currently working on creating a pretty shoebox display. "The act of just doing it is the really special part," Getty says.

Green and Festive: Were Not Talking Holly

You used to: Leave your holidays lights on 24/7.
Green it: First, make the switch to LED lights. According to the Sierra Club, LED lights use 90 percent less energy than conventional holiday lights. LED lights are widely available at major retailers; some cities even offer drop off spots for recycling your old holiday lights. Sites like HolidayLEDs.com also offer mail-in recycling. "Even if you use LEDs, ask yourself if you really need an extravagant display," Mr. Green says. Instead of fighting with extension cords and thorny rosebushes, spend that afternoon going through your clothing and your kids' clothing and toys and fill up boxes to donate to charities that serve needy people in your community.

Green and Festive: Were Not Talking Holly

You used to: Hit the mall in search of a gifts for everyone you know, most of whom don't truly need or want anything.
Green it: Perhaps it's time for some alternate gift giving ideas. Donations to charities in someone's name never get old. The Sierra Club is offering
Sponsor a Wild Place this holiday season. For $20 (and up) you can sponsor a national park in someone's name (kids will appreciate the accompanying stuffed animal!). Of course, it's unrealistic for many of us to do away with all traditional gift giving. In that case, be smarter about how you shop. "The biggest single environmental impact of holiday presents might well be the energy wasted in obtaining them," Mr. Green says. Avoid things like overnight shipping, driving way out of your way just to buy one thing or single-trips. Carpool to the mall, or shop local so you can walk.

Green and Festive: Were Not Talking Holly

You used to: Pick the biggest, best, prettiest tree-no questions asked.
Green it: Pesticides used on trees are a major problem. But it's getting easier to find organically-grown trees. Green Promise currently offers a list (by state) of Christmas tree farms that don't use pesticides. And when you're finished with your tree, make sure you recycle it (compost it yourself if you have the means or check with your city to see if they have a recycling program).

Green and Festive: Were Not Talking Holly

You used to: Cook and bake your favorite holidays dishes.
Green it: You can still make all your favorite holiday yummies! However, try substituting some organic ingredients wherever possible (milk, eggs, flour, fruits and vegetables are easy to find) and using the "real" food, versus the processed version (a real pumpkin versus canned pumpkin, for example). If it's too overwhelming, start small: aim to just swap out just one ingredient for its organic counterpart per recipe.

Green and Festive: Were Not Talking Holly

You used to: Do most of your shopping at big box retailers.
Green it: Big box retailers aren't necessarily the enemy: each year, they increase their green efforts. However, try to mix it up by heading to vintage shops, antique malls or flea markets for holiday gifts, decorations and even serving pieces. Why not give an old item a new life? Plus, it's one of a kind, versus that $19.99 cake plate you're going to see everywhere.

Green and Festive: Were Not Talking Holly

You used to: Wait until the last minute to stock up for your holiday party.
Green it: Shop smarter and more local, when you're hosting a holiday gathering, Mr. Green says. Cut down on plastic as much as possible. And instead of using mostly paper goods, opt for cloth napkins and real plates, cups and utensils. Don't want to do all those dishes? Pay your kids (or your neighbor's kids) to do the cleanup! Can you serve beer from a local brewery? Wine from the local winery? If so, do it!

Green and Festive: Were Not Talking Holly

You used to: Have a holiday movie marathon.
Green it: You don't have to say goodbye to Rudolph and the Heat Miser! But in the weeks leading up to the holidays, make a conscious effort to have evenings where you turn off the TV and spend time together as a family, Getty says. Play board games, read together, write your own holidays stories as a family or do craft projects with your kids (her book is full of fun ideas).

Green and Festive: Were Not Talking Holly

You used to: Pack up decorations and fill several garbage bags with waste when the holiday was over.
Green it: There are so many things that can be recycled, Getty says. For example, St. Jude's Ranch for Children takes old holiday cards (kids create new cards out of them). Some packaging stores will take packing peanuts, Getty says. She advises calling the Plastic Council's Peanut Hotline: 800.828.2214. Never throw away old cell phones or computers; donate them or check out www.earth911.com or www.eiae.org to find recycling centers near you. Now is also the time to save old wrapping paper to reuse next year!

Green and Festive: Were Not Talking Holly

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When to Repair and When to Replace Home Appliances

Judi Ketteler — 2009-11-06T11:59:00 00:00

Filed under: Projects

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Repair or Replace?

Dishwasher

Broken and rusting dishwasher racks are a common issue, says Eric Kleinert, author of Troubleshooting and Repairing Major Appliances.

At about $100 apiece, they may not be worth replacing if your dishwasher is on its last leg already. Less expensive fixes are cleaning out the inlet screen (where debris can build up) or replacing some seals (broken seals can cause water to leak). More expensive would be a broken pump.

Repair or Replace?

Vacuum

Vacuums range wildly in price, but if you're even mildly handy, it's nearly always worth it to replace a broken belt ($5-$10), which just requires loosening a few screws, says John Sowden, vice president at RepairClinic.com and host of the radio show "The Appliance Repair Show" Sunday mornings on 760 WJR in Michigan (listen at WJR.net). Can't do it yourself? You're probably looking at a minimum of $30 to take it somewhere. On the other hand, if you're smelling a burning smell, it might be the motor-a major repair that likely isn't worth it for less expensive models.

Repair or Replace?

TV and/or DVD player

A general rule of thumb is that if the cost of the repair is more than 50 percent of the value of the appliance, consider replacing it, Kleinert says. That's almost always going to be case with today's televisions and DVD players. "Everything in a plasma TV is expensive to fix," he says. And DVD players are so inexpensive now that almost no one attempts to fix them. One important tip, Kleinert says, is to always use a surge protector to prevent voltage spikes--one of the number one things that ruin televisions.

Repair or Replace?

Lawnmower

If your lawnmower is running sluggish, it could be something very simple, like bad gas (gas left from the previous season), which should be drained. It's usually worth it to get a tune-up for your mower, and to replace the blades (about $20 and one bolt to loosen, Sowden says) or even to have them sharpened (also inexpensive). However, if your mower starts knocking or blowing smoke, that's a much bigger and costlier problem that might empty your wallet.

Repair or Replace?

Fridge

If your ice cream is soft and your milk is warm, don't panic yet. It may just be a dirty condenser coil--an easy fix. If you know your way around a fridge: unplug, take off the back, and use a vacuum to blow air onto the coil to clean. Otherwise, have a tech do it. It's also not too costly to replace fan motors, light switches, or water valves. If your compressor dies, however, that's a big-ticket repair, says Kleinert. Ditto for anything involving the electronics of your fridge.

Repair or Replace?

Oven & Range

If your oven isn't heating, it's likely the bake element coil (in electric ovens) or the igniter (in gas). At around $30-$50 for a coil and $50-$80 for an igniter (plus labor if you can't do it yourself, but they're quick jobs), it's usually worth fixing, Sowden says. For burners that aren't working, it's usually the electrical connection (especially if the burner is working intermittently)--usually worth having a tech look at.

Repair or Replace?

Microwave

While there are a few minor and inexpensive fixes for microwaves, like door switches and light bulbs, it's often not worth it, says Sowden. First, working with microwaves is generally not for do-it-yourselfers (unless you are well-versed in electricity), so service can be costly. Second, the price has come down so much that it's cheaper to replace your $100 microwave than to pay $150 or more for a major repair, such as a circuit board.

Repair or Replace?

Sewing machine

One of the most common issues with sewing machines is stitches getting gummed up. It's usually an easy fix though: check your manual to see how to clean under the needle plate--where lint and dust builds up. The toolkit that came with your machine will include the basic tools for removing the needle plate and cleaning the space below. Sewing machines are all about having the right thread tension--something you can usually troubleshoot yourself. If it's failing to work at all, that's a case for a repair shop--which should at least be able to give you an idea if the problem is worth fixing (and it may be for a very high-end machine) or if it's smarter to just replace.

Repair or Replace?

Room air conditioner

If your room air conditioner isn't cooling anymore, it could be a quick fix or it could mean it's time to throw in the towel. Cleaning the back of the coil is the first step--a job for a DIY-inclined person (or a service person can do it relatively inexpensively). However, if it's an issue with the refrigerant, that's a pretty expensive repair, Sowden says. It may be worth it if you have a larger wall unit. But for smaller window units, it makes more sense to replace.

Repair or Replace?

Water heater

It's pretty simple with water heaters, Kleinert says. "If you have a leak, don't repair: replace." In terms of maintenance and getting the most out of your water heater, once a year, it's a good idea to pull the plug, drain the tank and wash it out so that sediment doesn't get stuck in the tank (which can lead to brownish-looking water).

Repair or Replace?

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Countdown to Thanksgiving

Judi Ketteler — 2009-11-05T14:48:00 00:00

Filed under: Solutions, Party Ideas & Table Settings, Fun Stuff, Parties & Entertaining, Holidays

The countdown to Thanksgiving is on! Photo: jupiterimages

Do you wake with a start in the middle of the night, swearing that you hear gobbling turkeys outside your window? Are thoughts of pumpkin pie invading your dreams? Do you find yourself working the phrases "harvest wreath" and "Pilgrim napkin rings" into as many sentences as possible?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, it's likely that you're suffering from a very serious condition known as Thanksgiving Madness. But fret not, there is help! Follow our countdown to Turkey Day, and put a lid on your Thanksgiving panic this year.

Three weeks before
If you haven't yet done any planning for Thanksgiving (or the holiday season in general), don't worry. But do take this time to consider what kind of Thanksgiving experience you want to have and make peace with it, says designer Susie Coelho, who has designed a holiday décor collection for Grandin Road. "Decide if you want something simple or extravagant, or if you want to travel or stay at home, so that you're not caught at the last moment feeling depressed and anxious," she says. "From harvest to holiday-think the whole season through."

Your three-week checklist:
o. Set a rough budget for everything: food, drinks, and decorations.
o. Invite your guests, if you haven't already.
o. Plan your menu, including snacks, the main meal, dessert, and drinks. Be aware of various dietary restrictions your guests may have, and try to be accommodating (but also realize that people are grownups and don't have to eat everything in front of them).
o. Decide how you will be cooking your turkey, and what kind of turkey you'll buy (fresh, frozen, organic, etc.). Thinking of ordering a fresh turkey? Check out organizations like Local Harvest to find a turkey farm near you.
o. Assess the decorations you have and decide if you're going to buy more, or go DIY (all part of your budget breakdown).
o. Begin putting up outdoor décor; if you did a Halloween display, repurpose as much as possible (such as pumpkins).

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Countdown to Thanksgiving

If you haven't yet done any planning for Thanksgiving, don't worry. Follow these guidelines and you'll be just fine. First up, decide what kind of turkey you'll buy (fresh, frozen, organic, etc.). Thinking of ordering a fresh turkey? Check out organizations like Local Harvest to find a turkey farm near you.

Countdown to Thanksgiving

Assess the decorations you have and decide if you're going to buy more, or go DIY (all part of your budget breakdown). Begin putting up outdoor décor; if you did a Halloween display, repurpose as much as possible (such as pumpkins).

Countdown to Thanksgiving

Set a rough budget for everything: food, drinks, and decorations. Invite your guests, if you haven't already. Plan your menu, including snacks, the main meal, dessert, and drinks. Be aware of various dietary restrictions your guests may have, and try to be accommodating (but also realize that people are grownups and don't have to eat everything in front of them).

Countdown to Thanksgiving

Get a firm commitment from guests if they're coming or not. If children are coming, think about what kinds of simple kids' activities you could offer (go old school: a table with crayons and coloring books/other crafts, or board games).

Countdown to Thanksgiving

Plan your table settings and centerpiece. Pull out linens and make sure they're clean. Polish your silverware.

Countdown to Thanksgiving

Begin to buy drinks (and if you're serving wine, make sure you've got enough wine glasses). Also make a point of assessing your coffee situation. Will your coffeepot suffice, or do you need a larger one (which hopefully you can borrow)?

Countdown to Thanksgiving

Before you shop, take the opportunity to clean out your fridge and freezer so that you have space for groceries. Make your shopping list, and buy as many non-perishable items as you can.

Countdown to Thanksgiving

Do a thorough cleaning of all the places you don't hit up regularly (behind the couch, your crown molding, and that forgotten, filthy space between the dishwasher and the wall).

Countdown to Thanksgiving

Make your pies: pumpkin pie will easily keep (and maybe even taste better).

Countdown to Thanksgiving

Depending on its size, you may need to start defrosting a frozen turkey.

Countdown to Thanksgiving

Two weeks before
"This is when you can start implementing your plan," Coelho says. "This is the creative process at work-you're not under stress yet and you have the time to play around with ideas." This is when Coelho really focuses on her indoor décor, including what her table setting will look like. "Invite a friend over to help-she'll probably see your stuff differently and give you great ideas you hadn't thought of."

Your two-week checklist:
o. Get a firm commitment from guests if they're coming or not.
o. If children are coming, think about what kinds of simple kids' activities you could offer (go old school: a table with crayons and coloring books/other crafts, or board games)
o. Plan your table settings and centerpiece. Pull out linens and make sure they're clean.
o. Polish your silverware.
o. Assess your serving pieces: do you have enough plates, cups, bowls, and platters? What can you borrow from friends?
o. If you're buying a frozen turkey, you can buy it now (if you haven't already). Not sure how big your turkey needs to be? The USDA offers this guide for buying and preparing turkey.
o. Begin to buy drinks (and if you're serving wine, make sure you've got enough wine glasses)
o. Assess your coffee situation. Will your coffeepot suffice, or do you need a larger one (which hopefully you can borrow)?

One week before:
Now, your attention really turns to the food. "You're going to need to go to the grocery at least twice," Coelho says-once for dry ingredients/non-perishables and again a day or so before for your fresh things. Plan your time. If you need help nailing down the dishes, turn to AOL Food for Thanksgiving recipes.

Weekend before Thanksgiving:
o. Before you shop, take the opportunity to clean out your fridge and freezer so that you have space for groceries.
o. Make your shopping list, and buy as many non-perishable items as you can.
o. Begin making what you can ahead of time (relishes, for example).
o. Do a thorough cleaning-all the places you don't hit up regularly (behind the couch, your crown molding, and that forgotten, filthy space between the dishwasher and the wall).

Monday
o. Make your pies: pumpkin pie will easily keep (and maybe even taste better).
o. Depending on its size, you may need to start defrosting a frozen turkey. Refer to the USDA guidelines again.
o. Make a list of each dish, how far ahead it can be prepared, and set a schedule for the week. Remember that things like broth for stuffing and gravy can be made ahead (even frozen if necessary).

Tuesday
o. Buy your perishables, like fresh fruits and fresh veggies, and lettuce for salad, at the market.
o. Now is a great time to buy any fresh flowers, or create fresh flower arrangements, or arrangements with pinecones from your yard.
o. Finish up any last minute décor projects (such as writing names on place cards).

Wednesday
o. Time for spot cleaning: tidy up things like books/magazines, kids' rooms (get them involved in as much as possible), dusting, vacuuming, and cleaning the toilets and sinks.
o. Put clean guest towels in the bathroom.
o. Chill beverages.
o. Give your table linens a good pressing.
o. Set the table (so that you can focus on cooking tomorrow).
o. Set a cooking schedule for Thanksgiving day: know the timing of when everything is going in and out of the oven.

Morning of Thanksgiving
o. Follow the cooking schedule you've laid out for yourself.
o. Don't forget to pour yourself a glass of wine, and enjoy your guests and the delicious meal!

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A Sewing Renaissance

Judi Ketteler — 2009-10-29T11:54:00 00:00

Filed under: Projects, Crafts & Projects, Design, etc, News & Trends

In the early 1940s, the saying "Sew for Victory" helped resurrect the waning art of sewing in the United States. Sales of patterns and fabric skyrocketed as women -- both young and old -- used their sewing skills to turn out clothing, blankets, and other goods for European war refugees; they also learned to repurpose old clothing into new clothing to help save fabric for the Allied war effort. Women took classes on remaking and mending clothing at sewing centers, and met in church basements and living rooms all over the country to put their sewing skills to use.

While needlecrafts have never been off the radar, the 1940s were probably the last big sewing renaissance. It was the last time young women had a strong purpose to pick up the needle and thread -- until today.

As today's young women grab their dressmaking shears, tape measures, and skeins of embroidery floss, they're sewing for victory too: a victory against ready-made, throw-away culture. Many are deeply influenced by their mother or grandmother's generation -- but they're taking sewing and making it their own.

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A Sewing Renaissance

Jennifer Ackerman-Haywood
Jennifer Ackerman-Haywood was always curious about those tech podcasts her husband was listening to. One day, he suggested that she make a podcast about crafting. So Ackerman-Haywood, a Michigan journalist who writes frequently about art and craft topics, started CraftSanity in 2005. Her podcasts feature discussions with crafters all over the world. "Everyone has a great story," she says. "It's a great way to talk to the movers and shakers in the craft world, plus, it has really inspired me to stay focused on my own projects." Her podcasts have an enormous following: At first, she was thrilled to reach 100 downloads; now, she gets in the thousands.

A Sewing Renaissance

Ackerman-Haywood is a self-described crafting junkie, but she especially enjoys sewing and crocheting (she set herself a goal of making a new apron every week for a local TV segment she tapes-so far, so good, even if it means a few late nights before the taping). She's also a mother of two daughters, and is thrilled when her daughters show interest in crafting.

A Sewing Renaissance

Jenna Lou Dauer
Sometimes her friends call her "the world's youngest grandmother" because she takes such pleasure in the domestic arts like sewing, baking, and gardening, but that doesn't bother 21-year-old Jenna Lou Dauer, who started Jenna Lou Designs in 2006.

A Sewing Renaissance

Dauer, who lives in southern Minnesota, is having the time of her life selling her striking hand-made bags, sewing patterns, and other items on Etsy.

A Sewing Renaissance

Dauer may be young, but she's full of creative energy and business savvy-and although she's part of the generation that came of age on the Web, she's astute enough to see that while technology is moving us forward, it's also making it possible to take a step back make more mindful choices. "People are sick of cheap items made and imported for pennies, and they're getting smarter about where their money goes," she says.

A Sewing Renaissance

"I feel very lucky to have become part of the indie craft movement. It's an indescribable feeling to get feedback directly from the consumer and the acceptance for careers like mine has never been broader."

A Sewing Renaissance

Kymy Johnson
Kymy Johnson, who runs the blog Everything Your Mama Made, fondly remembers tagging along with mother and grandmother to craft bazaars, and hearing the familiar refrain, "we could make that."

A Sewing Renaissance

Now, Johnson, a mother of three (2-year-old twin girls and 4-year-old boy), in Whidbey Island, Washington hears herself saying it too whenever she sees something interesting made from fabric. She grew up being crafty, but turned to sewing again as an adult to soothe her soul. "When I got a divorce and was a single mom, I used it as a way to deal with my kids going to visit their dad," she says. Now, the soon-to-be-remarried mom squeezes sewing projects into naptime and works on her wares late at night.

A Sewing Renaissance

Her newest interest is repurposing old clothing, what she calls "upcyling." T-shirts, thrift store finds, clothing from yard sales-it's all fair game, and provides fun (and inexpensive) fabric for recreating something new. Johnson, who is just 25, dreams of starting a sewing-related business eventually. "It seems like a whole new generation wants to learn it, which excites me," she says. "I just hope that I can teach and inspire others like my grandmother did for me."

A Sewing Renaissance

Amy Karol
Amy Karol comes from a long line of crafty and talented women, and has been sewing as long as she can remember. Fabrics were a playground growing up, and she continues to make things for one simple reason: "Because I can," she says.

A Sewing Renaissance

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How To Start a Crafts Business

Judi Ketteler — 2009-10-12T13:44:00 00:00

Filed under: Solutions, Fun Stuff, Crafts & Projects

Most crafters are familiar with the moment: you're feeding fabric through the sewing machine, stringing beads at the kitchen table or embossing a birthday card, so in love with the work at hand that a thought pops into your head: "Could I do this for a living?"

The growing number of Etsy shops and retail stores committed to carrying handmade items (and consumers committed to buying them) suggests that now is an ideal time to launch a crafts-based business. Wondering what it takes to get your creative endeavor off the ground? Here are ten tips from business owners who know.

1. Treat it like a business.
Crafting as a hobby and crafting as a business may be equally enjoyable, but they aren't the same. If you're going to start a crafting business, you need to treat it like a business, which means giving it the attention it deserves. Colette J. Aizen originally started her business, Bags by Colette, on eBay in May of 2008, but switched to Etsy a few months later. "The more I pushed the business, the better it did. I realized I needed to focus on either my business or my day job," Aizen says. She ran the numbers, discussed it with her husband, and took the risk, quitting her job in June of this year to concentrate on her Etsy-based business. Aizen keeps regular hours (8 a.m. to 4 p.m.) every day, just as she did at the office, and so far, business is good. This doesn't mean you should quit your day job tomorrow, of course! But make sure you do some serious thinking about the time commitment involved, and how much energy you're willing to put in, especially if you need to keep your day job and make your business a side project for now.

This "Fine Lines" wristlet, made with Amy Butler fabric, is $20 in Colette's Etsy store. Photo: Bags by Colette/Etsy

2. Make a plan.
Creative people are often turned off by the idea of making a traditional, formal business plan, and unless you're applying for a loan, it's probably not necessary, says Meg Mateo Ilasco, author of Craft Inc.: The Ultimate Organizer for Turning Your Crafts into Cash.

The Craft Inc. Business Planner walks you through starting your own handmade company. Photo: Chronicle Books

"Put together the plan on your own terms. It doesn't need to be spiral-bound like an assignment you turn in. Just try to do a plan for the next 12 months," she says. Include things like short-term and long-term goals, what your market is (as in, who are your customers) and how you will market your business.

3. Establish your own style.
"Don't be too quick to imitate," Ilasco advises. "You make a name for yourself with originality." If you copy the same style of earrings as all of the other earrings you see, how will yours stand out? Keep in mind that your style won't appeal to everyone--you don't need it to. It just needs to appeal to the market you've identified in your business plan. For example, Aizen saw a popular bag style that was selling at a local craft fair and that was the impetus for starting her business. But instead of copying it, she used the bag as inspiration and designed her own product with her own unique touches.

4. Do research.
Assume the role of student and do your homework up front. If you're opening a brick-and-mortar retail shop, you'll need to research locations very carefully and look at what has traditionally done well in any particular neighborhood. If you want to try to get your goods on the shelves in boutiques, investigate the wholesale market and figure out who is buying what. Online-only businesses require leg work too, and places like Etsy have forums where you can learn the tricks of the trade. Also, don't keep your idea a secret for fear it will get stolen, Ilasco says. Part of your research should be talking to people about your business to get feedback. "Ask questions of industry colleagues, potential competitors, new customers, friends, and family," says Jennifer Pirtle, who started The Make Lounge, a London-based venue offering contemporary craft workshops, in 2007. "You'll find that people are gracious and generous and often willing to give you time and help if you ask."

Happy customers at The Make Lounge, which offers craft workshops. Photo: The Make Lounge

5. Brand yourself.
"Branding is how you package yourself and your business and how you want the world to perceive you," Ilasco says. Your brand is both visual and verbal; from your Web site to your logo to how you answer the phone, everything about your brand should feel consistent. It's your business' personality, and while it may be inspired by many things, it should be unique. Get a handle on your brand with this easy exercise: write down five words or phrases that either describe your product or describe how you want people to perceive your product--words like whimsical, clean lines, luxury, quiet, bargain, shabby chic, modern, nostalgic, etc. Those words and phrases should resonate in everything you do, whether it's your packaging or your email signature.

6. Test the market.
Big companies don't put out products without testing the market, and neither should you. Pirtle didn't immediately take on a real estate lease after coming up with the idea for The Make Lounge. She first ran her workshops in a shared space that she had access to through her full-time job. To try to get a sense of what customers would pay, Aizen listed her first bag on eBay for just $.99 cents--it sold for $42 (a price point she still uses). Other ways to test: do a test retail site (before you pour a lot of money into an expensive web design) or take your goods to a craft fair and pay attention to the feedback you're getting.

7. Foster connections online.
"I cannot recommend blogging enough," says Erin Linneman, owner of Lucky Designs, which specializes in monograms and custom invitations for weddings and other special events. Linneman runs Lucky Designs as a side business (she works full-time), and spends about 10 hours a week on it--much of that time is directed toward her blog, Lucky Me! "It's not just writing my actual posts, but also communicating with other wedding bloggers and professionals, looking for real weddings, DIY projects and ideas to share. Blogging to me not only means posting each day, but also participating in a community," she says. The handmade community is a tightly knit one, and it only helps you to befriend other craftspeople, even if they're doing the same thing you are. "You promote other sellers, and they promote you," Aizen says.

Linneman's business creates custom monograms for wedding invitations. Photo: Lucky Designs

8. Be wary of too much inventory.
"Be careful of investing too much money upfront in inventory," Ilasco says. Making everything to order is one solution. Aizen keeps no inventory; she takes pictures of every bag she makes and can recreate any of them in various fabrics; orders take from one to two weeks. Linneman works with brides to create custom invitations, and is working on re-launching her Etsy shop where brides will be able choose from a standard set of invitations. For brick and mortar retail locations, you need inventory, obviously. This month, Pirtle is opening a retail shop for The Make Lounge, where she'll sell fabric and craft supplies. She always wanted to open the shop, but waited until the business was off the ground before she invested too much money into the retail side.

9. Create a personal experience.
Once you've established your brand, you can use it create a personal experience for each customer. The small details (colorful packaging, pretty tissue paper or handwritten thank-you notes) really matter, especially if you're selling online. When that package arrives on a customer's doorstep, it's their first real sense of who you are, according to Aizen. "I want the customer to feel like they're opening a present," she says. The sale isn't over once you collect the money: if you want repeat customers (and referrals), you have to work as hard at the endgame as you did to make the actual product.

10. Be ready for your big break.
Know what your best case scenario is and be ready for it! A mention in a magazine, on a TV show, or on a blog can shoot sales way up. When you're seeking PR, be ready to meet the demand, Ilasco says. Take advantage of those great jumpstarts you get, and then work to grow your business steadily, at a pace you can manage.

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A Modern Take on Old-Fashioned Skills

Judi Ketteler — 2009-09-26T12:00:00 00:00

Filed under: Projects, Crafts & Projects

These days, when saving money is like the new black, we're realizing that the generations that came of age in the 1930s, 40s, and 50s may have been on to something with their penny pinching and creative thrift. Today, we'd be foolish to assume that a weak economy is solely responsible for the resurgence of such creativity among so many women.

Click through below to meet women whose creative thrift was triggered by far more than a dwindling economy. Draw inspiration from their ideas and learn how you can cultivate your own.

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Old Fashioned Skills Making a Comeback

For Becca Ribbing, who started the blog The New Old-Fashioned Gal, it was an exercise in self-discovery. "I wanted to learn to be more self-reliant. I realized that I didn't know how to make some of the most basic things that we use throughout the day," she says. "I needed to find out whether doing them was indeed as boring as everyone around me seemed to think that they were." As it turns out, Ribbing found immense enjoyment in a lot of "old-fashioned" activities, like making rag rugs, knitting socks, and making homemade vegetable stock.

Old Fashioned Skills Making a Comeback

Mending a pair of pants instead of buying new, or creating a piece of art instead of buying something at a big box retailer makes good economic sense. But the conscious decision to make-do isn't just about saving money: it's also about momentarily opting out of our pre-packaged, high tech, made in China culture, and instead tapping into a kind of crafty self-reliance. "I think we're all spiritually craving some simplicity," says Amanda Blake Soule who writes about weaving creativity into family life at her blog Soulemama. Her adventures in sewing, gardening, and family crafting have helped her find that place. "Creating together-as a family-is a great way to connect with each other," she says.

Old Fashioned Skills Making a Comeback

Start Stitching

Fifteen years ago, fabric stores were struggling because women just weren't sewing much anymore. Who had time to try to make clothing or quilts when you could buy ready made so much more cheaply? But like knitting, sewing has made a grand comeback. It helps that shows like Project Runway feature hip designers at their sewing machines, making fabulous things. Also, with so many new retro patterns, mod prints, and funky florals available at places like Purl Soho or online retailer ReproDepot fabric has finally lost its frump.

Old Fashioned Skills Making a Comeback

Mend Your Clothes

As Ribbing's experiment demonstrates, the burning desire to learn to sew on a button, hem a pair of pants, or fix a ripped seam isn't just about thrift (though taking 10 minutes to fix a few buttons on a shirt versus buying a new one certainly is easier on your wallet). We want to be better, more responsible consumers-which means taking care of our things and making our clothing stretch a bit longer. Handy how-to tutorials are all over the Web. For example, here's a refresher course on how to sew a button from Purl Soho.

Old Fashioned Skills Making a Comeback

Repurpose With a Purpose

Most of our great-grandmothers rarely threw out a good piece of cloth-old workshirts could be made into quilts, sweaters into hats, and pants into baby clothes. Repurposing things like clothing and linens is a creative way to fight our throw-away culture, says Soule, whose second book Handmade Home: Simple Ways to Repurpose Old Materials into New Family Treasures, is due out in August 2009. "Look for clothing and pieces of fabric that have more life left in them," she says, and make something new.

Old Fashioned Skills Making a Comeback

Handwrite a Letter (without the LOL)

With texts, emails, and voice mails, there are much more efficient ways to communicate than pen and paper. "Our modern day mantra is that faster is better, and that's not necessarily the case," says professional letter writer Samara O'Shea. "When you choose to put your thoughts on paper, you're saying to the recipient, 'To me, you are worth the inconvenience of writing this letter,'" says O'Shea, who is also author of For the Love of Letters: A 21st-Century Guide to the Art of Letter Writing. Grab a pretty piece of paper or a handmade note card, and drop your loved one a line, old-school.

Old Fashioned Skills Making a Comeback

Air Your Clean Laundry

There was a time when clotheslines hung from practically every driveway or balcony in America. These days, driers are considered a necessity, but there is growing movement to return to our laundry-hanging roots. Groups like Project Laundry List tout the many benefits of hang-drying laundry: clothes smell better and last longer, and you save money and electricity (and get a little exercise).

Old Fashioned Skills Making a Comeback

Start a Family Drawing Night

Before television, families entertained themselves by doing things like reading, playing games, singing, and drawing. Soule, a mother of four kids, whose ages range from 8 years to 6 months, decided to start family drawing time as a way to spend quality time together as a family, while nudging her kids' inner artists. One way she approaches it is to take a walk together as a family, and find an object to bring home. She sits it in the middle of the table, and everyone draws it-and then they talk about how everyone sees the object differently. Or, they take turns picking a "theme" and everyone draws something related to that theme.

Old Fashioned Skills Making a Comeback

Try a Recession-Proof Craft

Let's face it, by the time you buy the fancy hole punch, the glitter, and the special decorative scissors, crafting can be expensive. Yet women in the 1930s and 40s managed to do incredibly creative things without spending money, like sewing dresses from flour sacks. Free craft materials are all around-especially in your own backyard, says Jennifer Worick, author of Backcountry Betty Crafting With Style: 50 Nature-Inspired Projects. If you need inspiration, just go for a walk. "That's a gift unto itself in an era where we are glued to our computers and our desks," she says. "When out hunting and gathering, just be aware of your surroundings and look at things with a fresh eye. A downed branch can become a lovely jewelry display. Maple pods, pinecones, birds' nest, and bark can all be used to create something new and artful."

Old Fashioned Skills Making a Comeback

Bake From Scratch

The grocery aisles are full of convenience. While pre-made cookie dough, boxed brownies, and icing in a can will always have a place for those last-minute baking emergencies, getting cozy with the baking powder and real vanilla beans is a wonderful throwback. "There is nothing quite like eating homemade bread while it is still warm," says Ribbing. "It tastes infinitely better, but more than that, you know you made it yourself."

Old Fashioned Skills Making a Comeback

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Quiz: What Type of Organizer Are You?

Judi Ketteler — 2009-09-02T15:14:00 00:00

Filed under: Cleaning & Storage, Storage & Cleaning, Fun Stuff, Quizzes, Storage & Organization

How we organize our space has a huge impact on our quality of life, says organizational expert Peter Walsh, author of It's All Too Much: An Easy Plan for Living a Richer Life with Less Stuff. We teamed up with Walsh to come up with four different organizational styles. Take our quiz and find out yours--then check out Walsh's tips for working within your style to create the home you want.

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Get Ready-for-Fall Checklist

Judi Ketteler — 2009-08-26T13:17:00 00:00

Filed under: Your Home, Storage & Cleaning, Storage & Organization, Cleaning

There's no reason to get overwhelmed: Some of these tasks -- like checking the smoke detector -- take just two seconds!

Fall is the perfect time to get your space (and your life) organized, weatherized and maybe even a little energized! The more you can do before the cold temperatures hit, the better! Late summer is a great time to start.

Click through to find out what made the list on our countdown to fall.

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Countdown to Fall!

Prepare your garden: "Hands down, fall is the best time to plant trees, shrubs, bulbs, and even perennials," says organic gardening guru Joe Lamp'l, host of Fresh From the Garden on the DIY network. The soil is still warm, but the air is cooling off, so the roots can really take hold, Lamp'l says. It's also a good time to prune your perennials, or even to divide them and replant or give away. Bring your tropical plants inside, empty out your containers, pull out your annuals, get rid of any garden debris, and add compost to your soil if you haven't already. If you've never had a soil test, now is the perfect time: contact your county extension office for information (it's usually under $10).

Countdown to Fall!

Winterize your outdoor space: Clean your gutters and do a quick roof check to make sure you don't have any loose shingles. Cover or bring in patio furniture, of course, but Lamp'l also says to make sure you drain your garden hoses and bring them inside (the contraction and expansion from freezing and thawing can damage them). Drain irrigation lines as well. If you have a rain barrel, drain it, disconnect it from your downspout (freezing/thawing can crack it otherwise), and turn it over.

Countdown to Fall!

Clean and organize your garage: "Fall is the perfect time to clean your garage, because it's not too cold and not too hot, and you can leave the door open," says organizing expert Maria Gracia author of Finally Organized, Finally Free (2007). Take everything off your shelves and sort into "donate" and "trash" boxes; clean everything else and put it back in an organized fashion. Use pegboard to hang tools, trashcans for sporting equipment like hockey sticks and bats, and large plastic bins and storage boxes (clearly labeled) for everything else. "When you're done, have a big party!" Gracia says.

Countdown to Fall!

Organize your home office: "Use the back to school time as inspiration for yourself," Gracia says. Pair down those paper files-and computer files. Take the opportunity to update your database or address book to make sure you have everyone's current contact info so you're not scrambling when it's time to send holiday cards. It's also good to re-evaluate your magazine subscriptions (are you really reading 8 magazines a month?) and dump everything you can into a recycling bin.

Countdown to Fall!

Get your car ready: Depending on where you live, this could be a quick process, or a lengthier affair. If you've been putting off getting new tires, it's best to do it before winter hits. Now might also be the time to have your car serviced. If you took a long road trip this summer, and there's still sand in the trunk, chips on the floor, and a lingering smell of mildew from too many wet towels, consider getting your car detailed.

Countdown to Fall!

Do a safety check: Check your smoke detectors-it just takes two seconds and could absolutely save your life! Also, evaluate your fire plan, and make sure all family members know what they should do in the event of a fire (or any other natural disaster that could strike where you live). Check your carbon monoxide detectors (consider buying one if you don't have one) and the pressure in your fire extinguishers (just look at the gauge on the front). Also, if you've never done it, think about getting a radon test for your home.

Countdown to Fall!

Clean your fridge and pantry: The best way to clean your fridge is to take everything out (so that you can clean your shelves and drawers), and then only put back in what's edible. Ditto for the freezer. As for your pantry: remember that many non-perishables do eventually perish! Check to see if your spices are still good, if you've got rice growing legs, or free cereal samples from five years ago, it's safe to assume it's no good anymore. Use what you can, and throw away the rest

Countdown to Fall!

Get your house ready for winter: Those of us with newer windows don't have to install special storm windows anymore, but you might still have some drafts you need to tend to. Also, it's a good idea to actually turn on your heat before you need to, simply to make sure it works (better to have it serviced now than when it's 20 degrees and you're waiting two days for a tech!). Go ahead and change your furnace filter now. And if you have a fireplace, have it cleaned/serviced now (again, better to do it now than to wait until you need it).

Countdown to Fall!

Pair down kids' toys by donating: Do it now-before the holidays bring an onslaught of new toys from the in-laws! There are two strategies here: one is to not even mention it to your kids and just do it, because they won't miss what they haven't played with in a year. Another way to approach it is to use it as a consciousness-raising activity for your child, so that he/she understands that there are many children in your community who are less fortunate. Find a charity that accepts toys, and get your kid involved in choosing which toys to donate, and dropping them off.

Countdown to Fall!

Put your tools to bed: Take the opportunity to drain the gas from your lawnmower and to sharpen the blade (a dull blade can tear your grass, Lamp'l says). Clean your gardening tools too. Lamp'l uses this easy trick: fill a 5-gallon bucket with all-purpose sand and a quart of motor oil. Drive any tools with heavy debris (spades, shovels, hoes, etc.) into the bucket. The combination of oil and sand cleans off the grime-plus the oil coats the blade. Disposing of it is tricky, but Lamp'l has an easy solution: just keep re-using it year after year!

Countdown to Fall!

Another great way to gear up for fall -- repaint! Enter our contest to win a gallon of paint (and a personalized color consultation with Martha Stewart's protege Kevin Sharkey!)

And check out some of our favorite fall stories from our friends...
Sneak Peek! Pottery Barn Fall 2010 Collection
The Right Way to Stack Firewood
Pretty Fall Photography from CafeMoms

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Be Back-to-School Ready at Home

Judi Ketteler — 2009-08-06T14:27:00 00:00

Filed under: Celebs, Solutions, Cleaning & Storage, Your Home, Projects, Storage & Cleaning, Storage & Organization

For millions of moms, back to school conjures up images of neatly sharpened pencils, color-coordinated backpacks hanging in a row and the promise of some precious quiet time around the house. But saying so long to summer and hello to endless permission forms, earlier bedtimes and pants that don't fit anymore is a stressful transition.

Even celebrity moms are prone to the highs and lows of this crazy time of year. Actress Denise Richards, mom of Sami (5) and Lola (4), tells ShelterPop that she is trying to get a jumpstart on the school year. "This year is bittersweet for me with Sami starting kindergarten. My daughter is no longer a toddler!" says Richards, who stars in the reality show Denise Richards: It's Complicated on E!. Full-day kindergarten for Sami means that Richards will have time with Lola when she gets home from half-day preschool. But it also means more preparation. "I just ordered Sami's [private school] uniform. I'm trying to slowly get everything ready so that I don't have to do it last minute," she says.

Advanced preparation can mean the difference between calm and chaos, come mid-August. "I learned from my parents that it's best to get everything ready the night before," Richards say. "This year school will be early for us, and mornings are usually hectic. If we can prepare lunches and backpacks, and set out what they're going to wear the night before, it will make mornings much easier!"

Click through below to get more tips, tricks, and solutions for getting your school year off on the right foot-and keeping your sanity once it starts.

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Be Back to School Ready at Home

Have a meeting: A few weeks before school starts, have a family meeting to discuss the transitions and expectations -- things like new bedtimes and curfews. "Especially with younger kids, it's important to make this gradual," says Kathy Peel, author of The Busy Mom's Guide to a Happy, Organized Home (2008). Also, go over the new guidelines for things like television, cell phones, and Internet. "Talk about these parameters before school starts," she advises. And don't forget to keep it all in a positive tone: these guidelines will help them reach their academic goals.

Be Back to School Ready at Home

Grab a shopping cart: Your kids aren't the only ones who need a little kick in the rear to get going! "September always makes me feel as though I've been shot out of a cannon and can't see where I'm going to land," says Jen Singer, author of the Stop Second Guessing Yourself guides to parenting and creator of MommaSaid.net. Singer, mother of Nicholas (going into sixth grade) and Christopher (going into fifth grade) starts assessing what supplies and clothes they have and what they need at least three weeks before school starts. "That way, we're not stuck with the last pair of (pink) soccer cleats for my son, or nothing but a 'I Do All My Own Stunts' T-shirt for picture day," she says.

Be Back to School Ready at Home

Set up command central and create an SOP (standing operating procedure): Pick a central location where all school paper work can be kept. Singer uses a desk in the family room. She keeps pick-up slips, flyers, lunch menus, permission slips and other paperwork on the desk. "Also set up a standard operating procedure for you and for the kids," Peel says. For example, have the kids unpack their backpacks first thing every day after coming home and put any important papers in an inbox. Then it's your responsibility to go through it after dinner, so they can load it back in their packs.

Be Back to School Ready at Home

Keep a family calendar: "Every family needs a central calendar to keep track of schedules," Peel says. A large wall calendar works fine, or if your family is tech-savvy, a calendar on the computer. She also recommends either a small bulletin board or a three-ring binder for each kid where you can keep information about extracurricular activities, sports team rosters and other things. Singer always makes sure she knows which kids are in her kids' after-school activities and she gathers their parents email addresses and phone numbers to facilitate carpooling.

Be Back to School Ready at Home

Get kids oriented to new schools and new experiences: Definitely take advantage of any school open houses before school starts. If you can, do your own orientation, Peel says. Show them the motions of walking to the bus stop (or walking to school) and also show them the front doors, where their classrooms are, where the bathrooms are, where the cafeteria is and where they'll catch the bus (or wait in line for pick-up) after school. Also, if this will be your child's first experience with a cafeteria, practice walking at home with a tray filled with food. "They've probably never done that before" Peel says.

Be Back to School Ready at Home

Get the closets ready: Not all attire is appropriate for school, so once you know the dress code, get the closets in order to make dressing less stressful. "It's a good idea to put clothes that are not viable choices away-out of sight on a higher shelf, for example. That will help to prevent fights once it's time to get dressed," Peel says. Your hall and coat closets can benefit from some organizing too. "I clean out the shelves in the closet near the door and place my son's clarinet, shin guards, hats, etc., where they can easily find them as the school bus approaches," Singer says

Be Back to School Ready at Home

Start morning the night before: Once school is in full swing, stay ahead of morning madness and frantic grasping for lunch boxes and backpacks by doing advance prep work the night before. "Remember, kids are heading into a stress-filled world. Send them out the door on a positive note," Peel says.

Be Back to School Ready at Home

Treat school like an important career: "One thing I always did was to make sure my kids knew that school was their career and just as important as mom or dad's career," Peel says. Be sensitive to the fact that things like homework are as important as your own deadlines and projects. Decide with your kids where homework will be done, and give them all the "office" supplies they need to do their jobs effectively, whether it be a good desk lamp or a good printer that doesn't crap out every other day.

Be Back to School Ready at Home

Don't forget to involve your kids: "My boys love summer, so going back to school is hard on them. We live in a lake community where we all hang out on the beach with neighbors and barbecue," Singer says. "It's a tough to sell the idea of homework and jazz band carpools after a summer in the sun with friends." One way she tries to get them excited is to make sure they are part of the process, through tasks like picking out clothes, clearing out a nice study spot or writing their names on their backpacks.

Be Back to School Ready at Home

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