Johnny Battles of Sweeteeth Chocolate – Charleston, SC from Jonathon Stout (aka BadJon Photo on Vimeo.

http://vimeo.com/17738553

Make your own custom glassware for the special drinker in your life
That’s Etchy
by Erica Jackson Curran

We could all stand to save some dough over the holidays, and the logical solution for economical gift-giving is to go handmade. Whether you’re a craft queen or an uninspired klutz, skip the toothpick ornaments and try your hand at something your giftee will actually use. Over the next few weeks, local crafters will lead you through DIY projects that are sure to impress your friends and family — and they’ll never know what a cheapskate you are.

To start things off, Allison Nadeau of the Charleston Craft Bee (charlestoncraftbee.com) teaches us how to make custom drinking glasses. Nadeau works full-time as a copy editor and she also owns Ink Meets Paper Press (inkmeetspaperpress.com) with her husband, Daniel.

“This set of custom etched glasses is perfect for newlyweds or the host/hostess,” Nadeau says. “For this tutorial, we chose to put a number on each of the glasses — now no one can mix up their glasses! However, monogram initials also work well.”
Materials Needed

• Glasses
• Print-out of your design. You can download a template here.
• Pencil
• Clear contact paper
• Craft (X-ACTO) knife
• Self-healing mat (or cardboard) cutting surface
• Etching cream (available at most craft stores; Armor Etch is a popular brand)
• Vinyl or latex gloves
• Small paintbrush
• Newspaper (or other material to cover your workspace when you apply the etching cream)
• Running water

NOTE: Etching cream is a harsh chemical. It’s serious stuff. Read the label before beginning this project and keep the etching cream away from kids. Wear gloves and keep your work surface covered.

Instructions

1. Place your design print-out on the underside of the contact paper. Trace the outline of your printed design onto the front side of the contact paper. Trace one design for each glass and ensure you leave enough space (about 1 inch) around each design.

2. Carefully cut out each design with your craft knife, which will leave you with your custom stencil.

3. Trim the contact paper stencil to fit the glass. Leave at least a 1-inch border around the cutout area.

4. Peel the backing away from the contact paper stencil and apply the sticky side of the contact paper to the glass. You may need to reposition the stencil several times to ensure the design is straight.

5. Press out all bubbles in the contact paper, especially those close to the stencil cutout. Ensure the contact paper is firmly applied to the glass. You don’t want any etching cream to get under the stencil.

6. Wearing gloves and working on a covered surface, apply a thick layer of etching cream to the stencil cutout. Avoid brush strokes. The application should look gloppy but shouldn’t be so thick that it drips down the side.

7. Check the manufacturer’s recommendation for the time to leave the cream on (it’s usually 5 to 10 minutes). For this project, we let the glasses sit for 10 minutes on the covered surface.

8. Ding! Time’s up. Still wearing gloves, thoroughly rinse and rub off etching cream under running water. Don’t leave any trace of etching cream.

9. Peel off the stencil and thoroughly dry each glass. Once the glass is dry, your design will appear.

Super cute neighborhood couple, Christina and Paul Quigley, snapped this photo recently at our gorgeous riverfront park.

August 25, 2010 Arts+Movies » Fall Arts Preview

Park Circle Power Couple
by Erica Jackson

Allison and Daniel Nadeau are one of those couples you can’t help but be a little jealous of. They both ooze intelligence and creativity, and when they collaborate, you get a double-shot of talent. Daniel is a freelance interaction designer, while Allison is the crafty one — she co-hosted the Charleston Craft Bee back in June. Together, they’re in the process of launching their own letterpress company, Ink Meets Paper Press.

The pair met in high school in Nashville and married soon after graduation. A few months later, they moved to Savannah for Daniel to attend the Savannah College of Art and Design. There he discovered the field of interaction design, which fuses artistic and technical knowledge to create a dialogue between a person and a product, service, or system.

“I’ve always had an arts background, but something that’s been very strong for me is technology,” he says. “When I got to SCAD, it was the first time I had heard about this field of design. It seems like such a beautiful marriage of the technological need with the very grounded understanding of traditional arts and layout techniques, how people visualize the world and see it.”

After working a corporate job for a few years, Daniel started his own company, Modus.

“A lot of what I try to do is educate my clients on design methodology and how design can help them solve complex problems,” he says.

While he was honing his skills at SCAD, Allison, then a high school English teacher, was by his side soaking it all in.

“I always tell people Allison went to SCAD with me,” he laughs. “She’s always had this interest in type, and that was really brought forth when I was taking classes at SCAD and she was looking at that.”

Allison’s fascination with typography encouraged them to start looking for a letterpress to buy, which turned out to be more difficult than they expected. Letterpresses are considered outdated by many modern companies — some are even throwing them away. They eventually found a 1920s Chandler & Price press in Jacksonville, Fla., and taught themselves how to use it. When they moved to Charleston in 2007, the press was housed in a neighbor’s garage for a while until the Nadeaus built an addition onto their home for it. Allison took classes at Redux to further her knowledge. Now they’re working on launching Ink Meets Paper Press together, though they have a few things left to figure out.

“We’re still wrestling with these ideas of where we want to go,” Daniel says. “Some artists get a computer, and they’re really excited about it, the potential that it gives them. We have this press, and it’s very inspirational to us. Allison has really gotten a fantastic understanding of printing with it.”

At this point, they mainly design stationery, invitations for friends, and the occasional art print. They both have contemporary design aesthetics — Allison describes hers as eclectic, while Daniel is more mid-century and timeless modern.

Allison works full-time as an editor at Force Protection, and she loves how the letterpress combines her love of typography and art.

“Growing up, I would make everything. I would have scotch tape all over these craft projects and whatnot, but I loved to read,” she says. “It always seemed like letterpress and stationery has been such a nice blend of a love of words and typography and also the handmade.”

In addition to the letterpress, Allison still loves making crafts. At the inaugural Charleston Craft Bee, she taught attendees to make stencils, an origami mobile, and felt koozies from repurposed sweaters.

“I read a lot of blogs,” she says of finding inspiration. “It’s inspiring to see when other people are so creative and you can see such passion in them. Also I’ve just tried to slow down and take a look at the small things … So often I feel like all I seem to do is stare at a piece of paper to edit or stare at a computer screen, and there’s so much going on around us.”

The Nadeaus are members of the newly formed North Charleston Arts Guild and a great example of the artistic community in Park Circle.

“We’re really passionate about the Park Circle neighborhood and have found a really amazing burgeoning art community here,” Daniel says. “We’re really excited about the possibilities that are happening here in North Charleston.”

Selling Antique Hydrangeas for $5 at the Park Circle Farmer’s Market! Every Thursday 1-7pm in the center of Park Circle. See you there!

“We love living in a community of progressive people, where we can bike to visit neighbors and the Riverfront Park, we would definitely recommend Park Circle, and we look forward to Mixon taking off because we would love a new grocery store”
Chuck and Emily moved to Park Circle in March of 2006.
Emily is a graphic designer and creative director of “Charleston’s Most Unique” Magazine, and has a new blog MillyHart.com
See examples of her design work Here
Chuck has his own company, Heilig Multimedia Design, he has captured local events like Kulture klash and the Metamorphosis Art Walk! See examples of Chucks work at HeiligMultiMedia.com

Parker Meyer is a Garden Designer who has recently returned to the area and has opened a studio on Chateau Avenue. Check out her work at ParkerMeyer.com . Her family has been in the Charleston area since 1799! She is currently working on a garden design for her Grandmother (92) who still lives in Park Circle. Parker is most excited about the developing artist community and checking out the North Charleston Arts Festival May 3-10th, 2008. Hopes for the neighborhood? “Park Circle NEEDS a Farmers Market!”

“Sushi at The Chart on Thursday Nights, friendly neighbors & the free recreational facilities like the Disc Golf Course!” are just a few of Bethany & Simon’s favorite features here in Park Circle. This charming couple have lived in the neighborhood since September of 2007. Bethany works for the The Sustainability Institute , while Simon works for Environmental Resource Management. Both are committed to protecting the environment and look forward to the 2nd Annual Green Village Tour set for May 3rd, 2008. When asked what Park Circle needs to continue to be “The Neatest Neighborhood in North Charleston” both replied – more bike able roads!

When asked about their favorite things to do in Park Circle, Helen replied, “Running around the circle and watching the kids play in the park” while Josh chimed in with “the 7th hole of the frisbee golf course!”.
Josh & Helen have lived in the neighborhood since February of 2006. They enjoy their time here for work and play! Of the upcoming events in the area, these two are most excited about Kulture Klash 2, set for April 19th, 2008. Their Creative Studio is based out of 10 Storehouse Row. Check them out at Fuzzco.com

“I feel like I don’t have to go far from home to have all my needs met!” this ‘Ecstatic Living Activist’ gushes about Park Circle.
Ken has lived in the neighborhood since October of 2006, recently becoming a homeowner in November of 2007! When asked about the new developments in the area, Ken is most excited about The Noisette Project and the potential for a Healthy Supermarket joining the already growing commercial community. Ken is a fantastic neighbor, Holistic Chef, Yoga Instructor and runs his own business Om Cooking. Check out his menu and order your gRAWnola today!