Moving On: New Adventures at BentTuba.com

If you're still reading — in which case, Hi! — you've probably noticed that Defabricate has gone off-line. (Not "offline,"in the modern sense of "happening in actual, not virtual, reality." In this case, it's more like what they meant in those suspenseful 1980s technology-centered movies when they talked about the computer mainframe going off-line. Picture a static screen, all snow and no action.)

But never fear, the Defabricate duo has something even better up our sleeves for you. May I present... Bent Tuba Studio! **  We're teaching art workshops in our dedicated art studio space in Greensboro. If you're an adult who has wistful memories of Being An Artist as a kid, come and play with us! Welcome to a different kind of art class.

** Click the link to read the tale of Tina the Tuba, our studio mascot.

Happiest of New Years and New Decades

May abundance, good health, and happiness find and grace you.

much love, wonder, and awe

.n & .t

Happy Holidays from Defabricate

May your holidays be filled with abundance & may that abundance follow you through the new year.

Best and Happiest of Holidays!
.n + .t

Last Minute Stocking Stuffer Ideas

I'm usually pretty awful about putting things off until the last minute, Christmas gifts are no exception.  This year I created a bunch of free printables that can easily fit into a stocking and take less than 20 minutes to print out, trim, and finish.

Last minute Christmas / Holiday cards: 

• Choose from four vintage-style cards (the first three have an accompanying envelope template): Boy with Wreath, Girl with presents, Santa in a Dirigible, or Snowman.

Make your own Holiday Music Mix:

• I've created several CD sleeve designs to house your music mixes in this year: vintage 45 record, Hipster mix with CD Label, B-sides Mix tape, Holiday mix with CD Label.

Something for the book lover:

Try these handy bookmark based on late 19th and early 20th century book plate designs. I've created a set for the nature lover, and another for the animal lover.  Add a paperback from the used bookstore to round out the gift.

Like to play cards?

Here's a set of six printable playing card rules (includes I Doubt It, Gin Rummy, Spite & Malice, Crazy 8's, Kings in the Corner, and Spoons). Add a deck of playing cards and you're set.

Family Dice Game:

Find three dice (die) and print out these rules to play BUNCO! - it's a great after Christmas game or perfect for those White Elephant gifts from Christmases past and it's fun for the whole family.

Share some family recipes:

I have several different recipe card designs that are great for giving. Print out several and give as a set; write your favorite cookie recipe and give with a dozen home made cookies in a tin; Write out your family recipes by hand for your favorite dishes and wrap with ribbon.




Gift Tags for everyone:

Bird Lover gift tags
Fruit Illustration gift tags

Gift Ideas from Defabricate

Looking for stocking stuffer ideas, or just simple presents that fit into this year's budget? We have some ideas:

FOR COFFEE LOVERS:

- 2oz. bag(s) of coffee [usually $1 each]

- a fabulous mug from the thrift store

- chocolate dipped spoons

- homemade flavored simple syrup

- a handmade/reusable coffee cup cozy

JULIA CHILD FANS:

- copy some of Julia's favorite recipes onto these free printable recipe cards.

- Not a Julia fan? Well, why not share your grandma's famous cookie recipe, with a sampling of cookies?

IDEAS FOR KIDS OF ALL AGES:

you can buy me on Etsy

1. Make Your Own Dolls / Sock Creatures

Have boys or girls on your list that appreciate odd little creatures?

Why not make your own dolls out of (old or new) socks, following these simple instructions. Instead of sock monkeys, make sock monsters, sock frogs, sock penguins, even sock Octopi, there are no rules.

Not crafty or just don't have the time? We have a few creatures wandering about our shop looking for a good home. They're ready to be packed up, just say the word.

2. Gift Cards

I was raised to believe that it was poor form to give money or gift cards as presents, but let's get real. There are just some people for whom it is impossible to find gifts... then there are those unexpected guests (or, horror of horrors, the forgotten ones). SO, if you're giving away gift cards this year, why not spice 'em up a bit and make your own gift card holders?  If you have old postcards (or other cool ephemera) in a drawer somewhere just taking up space, why not make these little wallets - perfect for gift cards, or a little cash.

Better, yet, hop over to our store and buy 'em for a buck(ish).

3. DIY Wallet
Speaking of wallets, why keep your teen or tween busy by crafting and recycling with these easy to make projects: tetra-pak wallet or juice pouch coin purse.

CAT LOVERS:
How about some nifty little felt mice. Hand sewn with absolutely NO catnip (none needed, the cats'll go nuts for 'em).

MUSIC LOVERS:
Make the music lovers in your life a good ol' fashioned mix tape or holiday mix and house it in one of our free printable CD sleeves.

WRAP IT UP:
And to top it all off, we even have vintage style wrapping paper and some swanky gift tags you can print out for free: Bird Lovers, Vintage Fruit Illustrations.

Happy Merry Days: Free Stuff

Like many people this season, we're finding creative ways to bring joy into the lives of those around us (without breaking the bank).

Nicki just designed a new CD sleeve (and CD labels) for our Holiday music mixes and we thought we'd share it with you all.

As you can see, she's still stuck on fully entrenched in the retro theme, but we like it, so no complaints.








And if you're wondering who is on our holiday mix this year:

You can download and print out the sleeve for free, here. Just cut out, fold and glue the flaps and you're ready to go (except for the music mix... I mean, we can't do EVERYTHING).

Thanks all! We hope you're holiday season is FULL of good music!.

A Toast to You GSO: Images from Indie Market

While it didn't reach the predicted 28º low, it was still plenty chilly with slight breezes Friday night. We prepared ourselves by bundling up in our hand knit scarves, caps, and wrist warmers. We further kept our hands warm by knitting. And when it got too cold to knit, we kept our hands warm around hot cups of coffee.

The overall feel of the Market was jolly with Santa and Mrs. Claus set up next door to our tent entertaining infatuated children and handing out candy canes.

And, of course, we were thrilled to see so many friends and familiar faces. We are very proud to be a part of the local, independent merchants and crafters in the Piedmont Triad.  Thanks to everyone who came out in support of local businesses.

We wanted to let you know that, while we may have sold out of a few things, we still have stock and are busy getting it all listed on Etsy for your perusal.