Crafters Co-op is OPEN!

Washington's only craft/fiber arts store focusing on eco-friendly supplies (>50% recycled,vintage, reclaimed) and practices is now open!

910 Pioneer Way, Oak Harbor, WA 98277 (3 blocks past the mermaid)
(360) 632 4200

M-F 11-8
Sat. 10-8

We offer supplies, classes, a boutique of handcrafted items, and an open studio. Studio fee ($3 for elementary age students and $5 for middle school-adult) includes the use of ALL of our studio tools, space and our 150+ craft book/pattern library!

Some of our tools include:

Two sewing machine stations
Rotary cutters/mats
Rigby Wool/Fabric Cutter
Fricke Finest Drum Carder
Drop Spindles, Spool Knitters, Lap Looms
Niddy Noddys, Ball Winder, Swift and More
Art Supplies of all kinds
Huge Stamp Collection for Scrapbooking/Paper Crafts

We also sell by the item or by the ounce and minimize plastic packaging! We have the largest collection of fibers/dyed and natural on Whidbey Island and have supplies for the following fiber arts:
Spinning
Weaving
Knitting
Crochet
Embroidery/Cross Stitch/Tapestry
Kumihimo (Japanese Braiding)
Fiber and Silk Dyes (including many silk scarves for your projects)
Nuno/Cobweb Felting
Needle Felting
Rug Making (Locker hooking, Primitive, Latch hooking, Braided, Toothbrush)

Come check out our huge $3/yd fabric section and our vintage/antique fabrics and notions! We also have the largest collection of vintage sewing baskets in the Northwest...pick out one for your crafting needs/joys!

Many scrapbook papers available by the sheet too. Die Cutter coming later this spring for the studio.

We have nine talented craft artisans to teach classes and assist you in the studio:
Jessica and Kymy: Basic and Advanced Sewing
Agatha and Kathy: Crochet and Kids Crafts
Dena and Glennda: Rugmaking and Recycled Fiber Arts
Dena: Fiber Arts of all Kinds
Ruth: Primitive Rug Hooking
Amy: Jewelry and Beading
Cheryl: Scrapbooking and Paper Crafts

Hope to see you soon!

Crafters Co-op: An Upcycle Craft Store/Shop Opening!

PLEASE HELP FUND THE DREAM! Crafters Co-op is going to be an awesome, innovative craft store, combining classes, a craft library, studio space, supplies, and OOAK completed projects. It will uniquely FOCUS on reclaimed and vintage supplies of high quality at a reasonable price. (Cotton fabrics for $3/yd, NOT $10/yd and up.) Just need a needle, or a thimble, or a classy vintage button? Come in and just buy ONE.

The shop will be located in Oak Harbor (Whidbey Island, WA) at 910 Pioneer Way, with an unobstructed water view, 1100 sq. feet of studio, boutique and library space...and the tea kettle will always be on!

However, I need YOUR help. I'll be honest. I have planned this for two years, have spent 1000s of my own money and 1000s of hours of time in getting ready. Yet, I don't have a rich uncle (lol). We're going to go for "crowd funding" via PayPal. A secure, safe way to help Crafters Co-op get ready for it's April 1st opening! You will receive a gift certificate (available at the store as of April 1st) for 100% of your donation amount. So, you will be prepaying for wonderful classes, supplies, and service ALWAYS with a smile in a GREEN business on Whidbey Island. Not in the immediate area? We would still love your help in creating this upcycle store and will list your name in the store as one of the founders! Please be a part of "Outta the landfill, into your heart."

Donations accepted at Paypal, payable to: royalalpacas@aol.com (Dena Royal.) Have questions? Email me at that same address or message me on my personal FB page.

Make It Mondays! Tutorial: Five Minute Project--Wrist Warmers

We had snow this weekend. Lots of snow. Here at the beach, we had four inches and "in town" they had six inches. We're expecting up to ten additional inches early this week. For those of you in the Midwest and East Coast, that's not much. But for us wimpy Pacific Northwest islanders, it's a major event. :)

Our housing isn't built for severe winter weather either. So, I've been chilly in my rustic beach cabin and made these 5 minute project cashmere (okay, I'm spoiled) wrist warmers to help keep me warm. What I like about them is that when I HAVE to take a craft creation break and wash dishes, I can easily push them up my sleeves.

Because these are made with recycled fibers (wool, cashmere, angora.....), the ends will not unravel, so they are not sewn. However, they can be blanket stitched, embroidered, or further embellished at a later date.

SUPPLIES:
The upper sleeve pieces of any recycled/felted sweater
scissors
(Yep, that's it!)

Sleeves are one of my treasured parts of any recycled sweater. The lower sleeve section (with the cuff) works for fingerless gloves, coffee cup sleeves and many more projects. However, when I use this lower sleeve section, I always have the section from half way between the wrist up to the elbow. This piece works PERFECTLY for this project. It's already in a tube, so no sewing is required. It's loose enough to fit on your lower arm over any long sleeve clothing you are wearing, yet snug enough to keep your wrists warm.

Simply cut two arm "tube sections" 5" to 6" long (based on your preferences) straight across, and voila! You are now the proud owner of a pair of comfy wrist warmers. (They would also work as ankle warmers too. :)

EnJOY!

Make It Mondays! Cashmere HandWarmer Tutorial

Everything But The Oink means we use everything.....I mean everything of our recycled sweaters and other natural fiber items. It's eco friendly, frugal, responsible and fun to find ways to use every last piece. We even cut up the teensy scraps and use them to "stuff" our Mini Mice, Alien and Monster Buddies and our Bird Ornaments.

When we have a precious cashmere sweater find, we don't want to waste any teensy weensy piece of this luxurious upcycled fabric. So, we created Cashmere HandWarmers, filled with organic lavender and (uncooked) rice for a special treat to keep your hands warm during these cold winter months.

Here's all you need for this simple, easy-peasy project:
A small rectangle of cashmere felted "fabric"
Coordinating length of natural fiber yarn, threaded onto a large eye needle (chenille works well)
uncooked rice and organic lavender buds (optional)

STEPS:
1. Fold your rectangle of cashmere in half so that is square shaped.
2. Sew up all but one side of the square with a whip stitch.
3. Fill the cashmere "pocket" with uncooked rice and lavender buds.
4. Finish sewing up the last side of the square.
5. Heat in microwave for 30 to 60 seconds and then put it in your glove, your coat or pant pocket to keep your fingers warm and your body relaxed from the yummy lavender. :)

This can be reheated and re-used, over and over, and over again...for many years. These would make wonderful Valentine's Day gifts and your children can even sew these up for their teachers and favorite aunts.

Of course, you can make these out of other natural fiber scraps, but the cashmere handwarmer is...well.....just extra special.

EnJOY!