What can you do with an empty PBR can?

Who among us hasn't seen some dude wearing a crocheted hat of some sort that incorporates his favorite beer can? (Okay, so don't admit to such atrocities -but we know you have !)

Missed this unique craft show last Saturday. Gotta mark the calendar for next year. Maybe I'll even think about participating. I kind of like the creativity challenge.


The 3rd Annual PBR (Pabst Blue Ribbon) Crafting Challenge was held in Philadelphia on Saturday featuring 20 tables of vintage PBR items and crafts made from or depicting PBR in some way, shape or form. Oh yeah, PBR also sponsored some great refreshments. I've heard tell beer flowed freely (and yes, "free" was a price quote.) They did ask for an $8 donation at the door. Admission included free refreshments, games with prizes, and live entertainment by five bands throughout the day.

I came across the listing late on Friday night and couldn't convince The Big Guy we should check it out on Saturday. Not even free PBR could draw him in. (He's become a craft brew man in his old age.)

I can only imagine what a world of wonders were presented at this event held by the Philadelphia Independent Craft Market. I'm sure there were the usual pinwheels, airplanes and trucks made from empty cans. Perhaps there was some interesting jewelry, too. Lightbulbs are starting to flash in my brain.

With this in mind, I went online to see what unique creations might have been there. I was impressed. Bear in mind these pics are not necessarily using PBR cans, but you can use your imagination. (I just googled "beer can art - images.")



Yep, that's a car made from Bud cans. I'm not sure it is actually road legal but it is an eye-catcher, even if it must be a trailer queen.




For those with a smaller project in mind, I thought this peacock was quite creative, don't you?

Or, you might like to start small and work on a babe like this one.




Carrying the concept a bit further, I couldn't help but be amazed by this chandelier using booze bottles. Now, who wouldn't want one of these in their clubroom? Okay, I'm off to try to locate something as interesting to do this weekend. I'll keep you posted. Have a good one, y'all.

Keeping up with my reputation (for unique gifts!)

So, we spent Saturday at a Birthday Bash for a pair of adorable one-year-old twins that are very important people in our lives. Thirty years ago, I set a precedent of giving really unique, handmade and personal gifts to their dad and he expects nothing less for his little ones. That "unique factor" has been a tough reputation to maintain over the years!!!!



After a lot of brainstorming, I finally came up with these personalized stools. The twins are both beginning walkers and climbers so it was important to have the stability factor these stools seem to offer. They're also low to the floor so there's less distance to fall! (They measure 11 3/4" x 11 3/4" and sit 8" high. A the base, the depth is 14" so they do sit solid.)

I haven't decided whether I'll list these in my Etsy shop yet. They are a lot more time consuming to produce than painting clothing, due to the great amount of prep work required on the wood base and the drying time involved for each coating of paint. Ultimately, it makes them a much pricier item and then shipping is considerably higher due to their bulk and weight. I'm still mulling all this over in my mind. What do you think?

In the meantime, I'm working on some new Spring outfits for the shop which I hope to get listed by the end of the week. So, stay tuned for a sneak preview. (They're too hard to photograph with wet paint, so I need to give them a little time today!)

In other business, everybody has been after me to "join Facebook" for quite a while. I took the plunge yesterday and signed up. Now, I'm totally confused!!!

I really don't get it but I had some folks sign up to be my friends! Yeah, I have friends!

I still haven't quite gotten the feel for it and I'm not sure how to post pictures and such on it. If anybody wants to give me advice, I'm open to suggestions.

My name on Facebook is "Splashin Crafts." I think I have a profile page and a business page set up, but I can't be entirely sure. It definitely isn't the easiest site to maneuver. I'm determined to conquer it but it might take me some time. I'll keep you posted.

Go out there and be creative today!!