Crafting in the Dark

So I absolutely love to craft! I am officially a stumbleupon.com addict! There are so many cute things you can make with things you already have at home like per say toilet paper rolls. I know, sounds strange, but hoarding can come in useful sometimes.

(I absolutely love this anthropology inspired mirror and will make it someday)


I recently led a seminar for an older blind conference put on by the Nebraska Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired. I taught people how to craft non-visually. Many people constantly ask me: how do you know where you are, how do you eat, how do you dance, how do you live a normal life being blind? Mostly I try to give an educated matter of factly response unless they are being totally rude, and then I just leave. One thing people are curious about is crafting. Sighted people just assume a blind person does not craft. So here are some of my suggestions to make crafting easier and to give blind people ideas on craftig who may never have tried if ...


1. Label everything! If you are a braille user (hopefully) braille works wonders. You can use dymo tape to label your different craft paper. You can buy dymo tape at any target or craft store. You get get a paint set and label the lids in braille with the colors. If you use large print, you can use it in the same way.


2. Use manila folders to store and label your paper including scrapbook and for other uses. You can label the folders in braille, high contrast or raised letters. Whatever works for you.

(the above picture is an example of braille on a bottle)


3. For those people interested in paining, there is an awesome product out there called the blackboard. You can place any sheet of paper on top of it and it makes a tactile line on the paper. It does not need to be backwards or anything like that. It can be purchased at sensationalblackboard.com

4. When cutting a very straight line, fold the paper in the sesired shape. In that way you will be able to  cut straighter.


5. My favorite product of all time Mod Podge! This works like regular glue but better. You can use it on basically any craft surface including paper, wood and cloth. It also serves a double purpose as a sealant over images. It also dries faster, and stronger which helps me as a clutz make way better looking projects.

6. Find great websites that are accesible to you. For people who use large print pintrest can be great, but not for JAWS users. Screen users can use...


Stubleupon.com: This web site is fully accessible with Jaws. You need to register. You can choose from a variety of topics including crafts. It will take you to web sites that have crafts with images and step by step instructions.


instructables.com: This web site is fully accessible with JAWS and enlargement software. This web site provides instruction on many different and varied types of crafts. They include, wood crafts, paper crafts, food and more. This is a great web site for beginners looking for detailed directions.


7. The National Federation of the Blind has a group called Krafters division. They have a webpage WWW.krafterskorner.org They have all sorts of ideas for crafters and will be having a meeting in Dallas at the NFB Natioan Convention.


I will be showing people how to make vintage gift bags at their session, so you should come by!


Here are some of the projects I have actually make to give you an idea....


This is an iPhone Charging case. I will never have to leave my phone on the floor as it charges again. All it took was Mod Podge, decorative paper (it called for fabric, but oh well), and a bottle or cardboard box, I used a cardboard small perfume box.

I like to think it turned out quite well! The case sits on the charging square plugged into the wall.


This next one is one of my favorites. It is a snowflake made out of paper. It seems really complex but is actully quite easy. And if you are not a straight cutter, I am one of those, this project will still turn out beautifully!

This next project was pretty awewome. Its a lamp shade made out of plastic cups. I actually made this with my friend Liz Graves.


 

We found it on stumbleupon which I am addicted to and all it took was plastic cups, staples and a bit of patience.


So get crafting, there are so many great ideas out there I can't wait to try!

Traveling Nightmares! They just don't have to be!

So next week I will be traveling to Dallas to the NFB National Convention. I will be there for a week and I am so excited!!

For many people however, packing and getting ready for a trip can be frustrating; from deciding on what to wear, to forgetting an outfit or vital product at home. Trips should be a fun time to relax or when traveling for work, to learn something new.

Over the years I have become a sort of packing expert. I feel like Mary Poppins. I can carry clothes, shoes, accesories, hair supplies and other items, and pack them all in one small suitcase. Don't get me wrong, it is heavy as heck, but with having to pay to check in a bag, I would much rathr not pay a dime! (yes I am frugal). But I have a rolley bag, so most of the time, it is a breeze!

So here are some tips to make traveling more of a breeze.
1. Make a list of everything you think you may need. I divide my list into catogories such as outfits, makeup, toiletreses etc. Start this list days ahead of the time you are going to start your flight or road trip. As the days go by, you will think of new things to add to your list (this always tends to happen to me while I sleep).
2. I normally pack the day before, because I want to make sure I don't leave anything behind.
3. Now I take my list and put my things in piles, putting all of the things from a category together. I make sure everything from my list is available, and if so, I may do a load of laundry to get everything I need.
4. Now comes the fun part: Packing! I start off by taking the larger items of clothing. I fold them and then Roll them up like a burrito. The tighter you fold the clothes, the better. And don't worry about wrinkles, the better you fold, the less wrinkles you will get. Rolling them is the key to the whole proccess!

(this is the basic idea)

5. As I put an item into my luggage, I mark it off my list.
6. I start making a base with clothes at the bottom of my suitcase. I make sure there is no space, and if there is, I fill it with a smaller piece of clothing.
7. I do this to all of my clothing. Except maybe really nice dress pants, or a suit top. I wait till most of the clothes is rolled up and place them on top of the other layers. They will keep them in place.
8. You want to place your shoes like a puzzle throughout your suitcase. You may even want to place small items in your shoes for better packing.
9. If you have a suitcase with zippers that is cloth. Wait till you think it is full, close the zippers and tilt the whole thing to one side. open the zipper on the side, and you will still be able to fit in more clothes. Do this to both sides of the luggage and You will get more things in.
Thats it!

Soem helpful hints to remember:
*Try to pack outfits that you can reuse, such as a pair of jeans that you can use more than once, or a tank shirt that you can use as a going out shirt.

(This shirt can be used with shorts, or dressed up)

*I just bought a travel steamer and I am in love! I will be able to fold all of my clothes into my suitcase and steam it when I get to my destination as if I had taken my clothes to the dry cleaner. You can buy them for $20-$70 at Target.
*Try your outfits on before you pack them, then you will really know if you love them or not.
*Go through every single day that you are going to be on your trip and lay your oufits out by day, that way you won't have to worry later about what outfits to wear on what day.
*Try to decide how you will be doing your hair and what accessories you will be using so you can pack accordingly!
*When flying and checking in a bag, mark your suitccase with something that is distinguishable for you> It will bbe easy to spot and get you out of there faster!

Best of luck, safe travels, and see some of you in Dallas!