Happy Labor Day! I’m celebrating this day by making a bask..
Happy Labor Day!
I’m celebrating this day by making a basket to hold some flowers 💐
craftingwithcoco posts
Weaving rocks by the sea today :-) I love this process and ..
Weaving rocks by the sea today :-)
I love this process and making rocks feel so much more special by doing so. It’s my new favorite hobby 🤍
Working on a new kite design today! So fun to just let my mi..
Working on a new kite design today! So fun to just let my mind wander around and to dream of new possibilities. Will share soon when I’m ready! I wanna make one more kite before summer is over🪁💕
2024-08-28 06:32:11 +0000 UTC View PostI had more fresh mint than I was able to use and I didn’t wa..
I had more fresh mint than I was able to use and I didn’t want it to go to waste!
Since I wouldn’t be able to use all the fresh mint in time, I decided to dry it for future use. 💚 I don’t like being wasteful 😊 and I love mint tea, so it’s a win win.
If some of your herbs are on their way out but they’re not quite ready to throw away yet, you can always dry them. Just give them a wash, pat them dry, and let them dry in a well ventilated area or even in your oven. This will provide prevent mold from forming! Try to dry them in a spot without a lot of sun, so it doesn’t get too brown. I knew my mint was fully dry when it was crumbly to the touch :-)
Now I have mint tea for later 🍵 I love how crafting also has taught me how to be resourceful with my materials and the earth 🥹🌿
Finished my little net experiment 😊 Haha, I wanted to keep i..
Finished my little net experiment 😊
Haha, I wanted to keep it small! Perfect size for one hass avocado. 😝🥑 I like the idea of it only holding one fruit. Just one!
I want to make something really big next 🤔
I can’t stop netting…. Making more nets 🥅 I’m using a waxed..
I can’t stop netting….
Making more nets 🥅
I’m using a waxed linen thread which has been so fun to work with. It feels good on my hands and it holds structure very well! I’m interested in exploring different forms and shapes right now. I am using a square jar that I found to make a square net 💛
Today was one of those days where I just wanted to be in my ..
Today was one of those days where I just wanted to be in my garden. The work/life balance …
Aaaaandddddd I’m so glad I spent time in there today because WOW! Look at this insanely gorgeous flower my cactus left for me. I had no idea it would create these flowers! What an amazing surprise!!!! It’s called a Stapelia. I screamed when I saw it lol. I was wondering where the strange odor was coming from. It’s very hairy, stinky, and sticky to attract flies to help it pollinate. It’s sooooo beautiful!!! 😭😭😭 Nature is the best.
One of my favorite ways to relax is sitting at home and tyin..
One of my favorite ways to relax is sitting at home and tying knots lol. It feels so meditative! This net is turning out to be very long and narrow. What should I put inside? Fruit? 🍒🍓🍇🍎🍉🍑🍊🍋🍍🍌🥑🍏🍈🍐🥝🥭🥥🍅🫐
2024-08-16 01:11:57 +0000 UTC View PostI’m working on making a net right now! I’ve always been ver..
I’m working on making a net right now!
I’ve always been very fascinated by nets as tools used to hold, trap, and collect things in them.
I’ve been so addicted to making nets. I love that it only requires one thing: string.
I’m using a yogurt container to create the shape of the net. Stay tuned to see how it comes out 😊
Went into nature today to get recharged and inspired. After ..
Went into nature today to get recharged and inspired. After doing so many projects it’s so nice to reconnect with my favorite thing: nature and the outdoors! I love redwood trees so much.
2024-08-10 23:28:15 +0000 UTC View PostOk so I ended up weaving it into a lighter holder!!! Honestl..
Ok so I ended up weaving it into a lighter holder!!! Honestly I’m so happy with the outcome. It’s so cute! And the waxed linen feels really good to hold.
First as I was weaving it I didn’t have a specific project in mind, but the size started to remind me of a lighter. Then lo and behold…. It actually fit!!! 🤯🤯🤯
I love little surprises like that. 🥹
I’m starting a new little weaving project today. I wonder wh..
I’m starting a new little weaving project today. I wonder what this will be 🤔 I have to put tape on my fingers because all the friction from weaving starts to hurt after a while! Safety first 🤗
2024-08-07 20:33:31 +0000 UTC View PostLearned a new way to make a handle for my baskets! This is..
Learned a new way to make a handle for my baskets!
This is a 7 braided chain and was super easy to do. I made an octagon out of cardboard and cut slits in it. All I had to do was to jump over 2 strands and bring it into the empty slit. It was really fun to make and actually quite quick to do! Check out the end result :-) ⛓️
I’ve been working on some tedious projects lately, which I c..
I’ve been working on some tedious projects lately, which I can’t wait to share, but I’m going to share this one first. I needed a break from doing such detailed work, so I needed to do something mindless. Here is a type of weaving called “Random Weaving” and it’s exactly what it sounds like- random!
I built an armature with some round reed then randomly stuck a bunch of reeds wherever they fit. I then decided to keep it open on one side so that I could potentially use it as a lamp shade. I don’t hate it :-) it came out pretty cool in the end!
I started my basketry lessons today and I’m learning a new t..
I started my basketry lessons today and I’m learning a new type of basket form! I’m so excited and humbled. I always enjoy learning something new and having a beginner’s mindset because it gives me a lot of freedom to play, make mistakes, and learn A LOT 😊
This process is called ‘twining’ and it involves using waxed linen twine to create organic yet rigid forms. The waxed linen feels really nice and sticky and holds the shape well.
I’m being pretty organic with this basket and it will probably be less functional and more sculptural. I’m learning how to split it in half. Stay tuned for how it turns out! 🧺
In a similar vein to basketmaking, making this purse shared ..
In a similar vein to basketmaking, making this purse shared a likeness to the process of making baskets. I made this bag from scratch using different types of grasses such as Cattail and reeds, but also incorporated some rubber cord for the straps.
First, I had to make the rope by twisting different grasses together. When I twisted enough rope, I was finally able to weave the rubber cord in and out of the rope to hold the pieces together. And viola! A little natural purse big enough to hold my belongings was born :-)
Whenever you look at the base of a basket, you can start to ..
Whenever you look at the base of a basket, you can start to imagine the starting point. The cross is where I began the base and then started working my way up :-)
2024-07-25 21:53:08 +0000 UTC View PostAhhhhhhh it’s been crazy hot in LA! Finding time to cool d..
Ahhhhhhh it’s been crazy hot in LA!
Finding time to cool down with basket weaving 😝 I’m so happy I’m starting basketmaking classes this week. I want my baskets to start looking more wacky! I think that’s cool.
Here is a very basic basket called an onion basket. (For holding onions)! 🧅 I like how organic this shape is! I’m gonna start sharing more of my baskets :-) 🧺
GASSSSPPPPPP! This is the final product :’) I was able to m..
GASSSSPPPPPP!
This is the final product :’) I was able to make two because I sewed them at the sane time. One is cotton and one is on linen. The one on the left will be a curtain!!! I’m so freaking happy. Taking out the threads takes soooo long and makes me so anxious and excited…
What do you think? ☺️🩵 it feels so rewarding to complete a project and see it through. I’m really inspired by making new things for my new little space. 🥲
How is everyone’s summer going? I’ve been a little busy ove..
How is everyone’s summer going?
I’ve been a little busy over here (moving studios takes a lot of energy out of me 😅) but managing to still do some art and crafts when I can. I’m working on this piece right now. It’s a stitched shibori piece. I hand sewed all of this! So many hours went into this. It’s going to get dyed in indigo, and once it’s dyed, I will remove the stitching so that the design remains. You’ll see what I mean when I show you. 😊
Did you know purple cabbage contains anthocyanins? Anthocyan..
Did you know purple cabbage contains anthocyanins? Anthocyanins are natural pigments found in plants that give then their color, and are a group of antioxidants found in red, blue, and purple fruits and veggies. A diet rich in anthocyanins can help prevent inflammation and protect against cancer and diabetes 🥬✨
Anthocyanins can also be used as a natural dye as well! I’ve dyed some cotton with purple cabbage before, although the color doesn’t last too long because it is UV sensitive and is prone to fading.
I had some leftover purple cabbage and decided to make some sauerkraut with it because I love fermented foods and it’s so good for you! Plus, it’s so simple to make, all you need are 2 ingredients: salt and cabbage! All the brine comes from kneading the salt and cabbage together. I’m going to let this ferment for a week and then it’s good for 6 months :-)
Hope everyone is having a beautiful weekend 💜
Summer is going by soooo fast, no? Sometimes I don’t get as ..
Summer is going by soooo fast, no?
Sometimes I don’t get as much time to cook, and that means some of my ingredients start to change! When potatoes start sprouting, instead of throwing them away you can replant them to grow more. I’m gonna get more sweet potatoes from this 💜 the leaves are so yummy too! Nature always provides 🌱 I’ve been trying to spend more time growing more of my own produce as well as dye plants 😊
Did a mini indigo harvest this morning 💙 Trying to collect a..
Did a mini indigo harvest this morning 💙
Trying to collect as many leaves as I can. The plants were not doing so great in this 90 degree heat so I decided to give them a little trim!
Now I am going to strip the leaves off of the stems to add to my collection. My goal is to have at least 10 pounds of dried leaves this summer!
FINISHED MY WILLOW BASKET !!! 🧺 Makes me so happy to comple..
FINISHED MY WILLOW BASKET !!! 🧺
Makes me so happy to complete a project. I learned this version from a friend and it’s called a “Donkey Window” basket. I’m not sure where the name came from. It’s one of my favorite baskets I’ve ever made because it is so open and usually baskets have really tight weaves. I find this one to be very unique looking. So far I’ve used it to collect fruit 😊 Baskets are extremely versatile, which is why I love to create them and have them around! Plus, they are made out of natural materials, and I like to keep reminders of nature around me. 🌱
I want to advance my learning in basketweaving this summer, so I signed up for a couple of basketmaking classes. If you are feeling generous, please drop a tip to contribute to my crafting toolbox 🥰🥰🥰
Now I’m doing a “pairing weave” on the base to hold the will..
Now I’m doing a “pairing weave” on the base to hold the willow together. I move clockwise a couple of rounds, then I go over and under each spoke individually. After I have a good circumference, I start to add longer spokes inside of the weave to start building the basket up! It requires some bending of the willow to 90 degrees. The structure is coming along… 🤎
2024-06-25 16:29:12 +0000 UTC View PostBeginning of a basket… 🧺 The fibers must be soaked overnigh..
Beginning of a basket… 🧺
The fibers must be soaked overnight to make them more pliable. Hence the joke “underwater basket weaving”! It makes it so much easier to weave when the fibers are wet (I use a spray bottle during the weaving to maintain the moisture).
I’m using some willow here to weave a basket. I love willow! And it naturally comes in different colors like red, greenish brown, khaki.
To begin the base of the basket, I stabbed the willow in the center to create a hole to stick more willow inside. Then, I can start weaving all around.
Basketweaving is one of my favorite types of crafts to make!..
Basketweaving is one of my favorite types of crafts to make! I really love making things that involve natural fibers or objects made using natural materials. I just got this basketmaking kit and I’m excited to make this, it’s going to be great for harvesting. 🥰🧺
2024-06-19 23:47:47 +0000 UTC View PostI’ve been spending so much time gardening ❤️ look at how gor..
I’ve been spending so much time gardening ❤️ look at how gorgeous these tomatoes are! I’m so grateful for the bounty. I think I will craft a tomato jam from this 😋 I love the smell of tomatoes, it’s soooo good.
2024-06-18 21:45:05 +0000 UTC View PostOne of my absolute favorite parts of the kite making process..
One of my absolute favorite parts of the kite making process making the kite curve. It's important to add a bow in the kite to make it more aerodynamic, especially if it doesn't have a tail. I'm going to think about the next kite design and structure I wanna make -- there's so much in kite making to explore! So many different types of structures and designs. 🪁🪁🪁
2024-06-16 14:02:05 +0000 UTC View PostI really want to make more kites this summer. This is the ba..
I really want to make more kites this summer. This is the back of a kite I made last summer :) The style of this kite is called an "Edo Kite". It had 14 strings! I used some plants to make the imagery and then I got bamboo to make the frame. 💙
2024-06-16 06:48:48 +0000 UTC View Post