Unravelings

Kiva Walk

In a growing tradition of Kiva lenders doing some amazing things, this March, Jonathon Stalls and his dog, Kanoa, will embark on a coast-to-coast cross country trek covering an estimated 3,000 miles from Delaware to San Francisco, CA - and he’s taking Kiva with him.

 He will be walking through hundreds of towns, cities, and communities in Delaware, Maryland, West Virginia, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Colorado, Utah, Nevada, and California.

Why is Jonathon going on this cross country trek?

“Since living in Ireland (2005-2006), visiting Honduras in 2007, and swapping life stories with many ‘travelers,’ I have craved an adventure that would challenge my daily activities, expectations, and priorities. The speed and growth of our commodity driven and over-communicated culture feeds a personal call to engage in quieter, slower, and more intentional experiences with less. This walk will be a journey in listening, eating, sharing, and growing with: strangers, neighbors, officials, hikers, animals, wind, and dirt.”

Why is he supporting Kiva?

"I wanted and needed a larger purpose that would stretch far beyond my own personal attractions to such a trek. I came across Kiva in my social entrepreneurship class at Metropolitan State College of Denver in the fall of 2007. I craved to do more the minute I clicked on the link, browsed the website, and began lending. I am excited to spread Kiva’s mission and build lending communities across the country. I am more than enthusiastic to do my part in helping our nation’s leading incubators in the fight to alleviate extreme poverty across the world – GO KIVA!” 

If you wish to support Jonathon, learn more here about the various ways you can get involved, including, in his words:

Walk: "I strongly encourage everyone and anyone to take a day, a week, or more and find a way to meet me on the trail."

Host: "Connect with me at [email protected] if you or anyone you know can host Kanoa and me along the way."

Inspire: "Have me be the reason to host a party and let me speak about how I was inspired to help raise awareness about Kiva!"Connect: "Put me in touch with someone you know at a University along the trail. I'd love to present to students and/or teachers who are interested in learning more about how Kiva inspired me to walk across the country!"
Kiva Walk website: "Visit my site to learn more about more ways to get involved!"

Also, Jonathon has partnered with Sports Basement in San Francisco! They will be hosting a fundraising party for Jonathan’s Kiva Walk on Wednesday, February 10th! Click here if you would like more information or are interested in attending. Jonathon would like to thank Kiva staff, the Sports Basement and all friends and family who are supporting this adventure. Check out Jonathon's website to stay updated on his trip!**Disclaimer: Please note that the Kiva Walk website is operated and monitored by Jonathon Stalls, and is independent of, and not affiliated with, Kiva Microfunds (“Kiva”), including its website (Kiva.org). Kiva and “Kiva Walk” are two separate and non-affiliated entities, and any transactions an individual may decide to make through or for Kiva Walk, Sports Basement or otherwise for Jonathan’s trek—whether financial or non-financial—would be solely for the benefit of Kiva Walk and would not be for the benefit of the Kiva organization.

via www.kiva.org

Jewelry Artist Magazine: Wire Works

by Helen L. Driggs

Wire is a material I use as a diversionary tactic. When I’m facing a difficult fabrication issue at my bench, I procrastinate on solving it by picking up some wire to give my brain something else to play with. Often, the instant gratification I get with wire is just enough of a mental break to allow solutions for the problem to bubble up from my subconscious. I also reach for wire as a first choice, all because it is so versatile and easy to work with.

via www.jewelryartistmagazine.com

Meagan Chaney Studios: making fused glass cabochons

by Meagan Chaney

This was my very first kiln. It's an Evenheat Hot Box Mini Kiln, and is wonderful for small scale fused glass work. The shelf is only about 4" square, but you can see how many cabochons I am able to do at one time. The other great thing about this kiln is the section with the controller and heating elements can be lifted off so that the glass can be loaded easily.

via www.clayandglassblog.com

A Hat In Time: You can buy A Hat in Time now!!!

A Hat in Time is available for purchase as an e-book at £5 on Lulu, £4 of which will go directly to Save the Children's vital work on ending child poverty. You can also buy the ebook on Ravelry, for $10 with an even greater share going directly to Save the Children's work.The book is now also available for purchase on Lulu.If you wish to support a cheaper print run, please pre-order (button on your right) and pre-pay - these limited print run books are retailing at £7.50 per copy plus postage. They will be posted at the end of October. And as of 1st of November, they will be posted within 3 business day of purchase. It's up on Amazon too, but due to their share I had to make it a bit more pricey, feel free to purchase it through amazon.co.uk though.Can I also ask for your help to promote A Hat in Time wherever you can - feel free to grab image and text from this blog. Thank you! You can buy A Hat in Time now!!!

via ahatintime.blogspot.com

Swarovski inspiration

FTC: bamboo and rayon are not the same thing - The Consumerist

The FTC has sent warning letters to 78 companies about clothing and household products marketed as being made from bamboo. Many of the products were were allegedly made out of rayon that may or may not have originally been derived from bamboo. The offenders include huge names like Walmart, Land's End, Kohl's, The Gap, and Target.

via consumerist.com

I love making customers happy!

I just got this feedback from a most satisfied customer:

Wow! Instantaneous shipping from a most helpful seller! Many thanks!"

Comments like this just make my day.

If you want to check out my store, Purveyor of All Things Creative, just click!

Katie Hacker presents Y connectors

Send some fiber love for Valentine’s Day - Knitting Daily

Interweave Press has a special connection to Valentine's Day because our headquarters are located in Loveland, Colorado, which is also the home of a wonderful Valentine remailing program. Each year, thousands of people bundle up all of their Valentine cards and send them to the Loveland post office, where they're stamped with a special poem and cancellation mark (this year's stamp is at left).As I write this, volunteers are busily hand-stamping Valentine cards that are remailed to all 50 states and to more than 110 countries worldwide. This is the 64th year of the program! I've received a couple of Valentines from Loveland over the years, and they're extra special. If you want to get in on this neat event, send your bundle of cards and letters to Postmaster, Attention: Valentine's Postmark, 446 East 29th Street, Loveland, CO 80538-9998. For international destinations, your cards should be in Loveland by Feb. 4; for cards within U.S. and outside of Colorado, your cards should be in Loveland by Feb. 9; for within the state of Colorado, your cards should be in Loveland by Feb. 12.

via www.knittingdaily.com

Toothbrush bracelet...cool upcycling

How to make a toothbrush bracelet - More DIY How To Projects