Manual Magazine by Lilianne Khuong

OCTOBER 2014

JESSE FORTIER

WE MAKE STUFF

PLUS...

exploring creativity, DIY and the outdoors from the eyes of one man

how we cultivate a stronger relationship with the things we make ourselves

a conversation with Chris Gardner, staying classy with DIY, giving new life to your old books and more

“CREATIVITY IS NOT THE FINDING OF A THING, BUT THE MAKING SOMETHING OF IT AFTER IT IS FOUND” - JAMES RUSSELL LOWELL

CONTENTS COMMUNITY AND CULTURE

LIFESTYLE

16 12

GENTLEMINT

BLOGGING FOR GOLD

Pinterest for manly things

Where blogging meats DIY and the growth in the community

ARTIST PROFILE

SECOND HAND TREASURES

FIESTA NIGHT

Looking at the value in second hand shopping.

Throwing a patio party for friends in the summer is a must. Get inspired by this mexican themed night.

SIX MEN’S BLOGS These 6 bloggers will inspire different areas of your life, from fashion, music, books and more.

CHRIS GARDNER Chris Gardner shares his inspiration and experience behind creating the men’s creative craft blog, ManMade

STYLE

DATE NIGHT SHOEBOX

28 26

THE ESSENTIALS

RE-BELTED

THE ART OF BOWTIES

A quick, inexpensive alternative to your typical night out with the sweetheart

Ten essential tools for your leatherworking projects

Transforming your old belt into leather cuff bracelets.

Upcycling an old men’s tie into a new bowtie.

ARTIST PROFILE

TAYLORTAILOR A look at one man’s goal to set out and create his entire wardrobe from scratch.

MANCAVE

OUTDOOR

34 32

SCRAP THE JUNK DRAWER

CLEAN CAN BE CLASSY

RE-BELTED 2.0

NOT JUST FOR READING

SPRING CLEANING

Trade your junk drawer in for something a little more classy

FEATURES

38 38

EVERY MAN NEEDS ADVENTURE Whether you’re a recreational hiker or an avid outdoorsman, you need to have a little adventure in your life.

42 JESSE FORTIER

Upcycling an old liquor bottle can be an easy way to keep things looking timelessly classic

THE OUTDOORSMAN A look at the do-it-yourself lifestyle of Jesse Fortier: artist and outdoorsman.

Transforming your old belt into a classy photo frame.

WE MAKE THINGS

The potential in your old books.

‘Man’ up your spring cleaning.

5 PEOPLE, 5 OBJECTS An exploration of 5 people and the meaningful objects they’ve created with their hands.

EDITORS

LILIANNE KHUONG

NATASHA AGGARWAL

WRITER/EDITOR

ON THE COVER Our 2014 cover features a photograph from our feature article on Jesse Fortier: The Outdoorsman. See page 42 for the full article. Photography by Marta Tomasir.

ÂŠ2014 Natasha Aggarwal and Lilianne Khuong. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, storedin a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior permission. Design by Natasha Aggarwal and Lilianne Khuong Produced at the Alberta College of Art + Design Printed in Canada Fair Use Notice: The material presented in this book is provided for educational and informational purposes. It may contain copyrighted material the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. The material in this book is distributed without profit to those who have an interest in using the included information for research and educational purposes.

FROM THE EDITOR

Welcome to our inaugural issue of Manual, a magazine dedicated to promoting artistry, craftsmanship and do-it-yourself culture into the lives of creative men. In today’s digital world social media, websites and blogs have seamlessly integrated into our lifestyle and provided traditional hands-on projects with a unique platform to make a comeback. The internet’s ability to effortlessly connect anyone to anything has made do-it-yourself culture appealing to a vast market. Finding inspiration or tutorials for your next project has never been easier and thus the network of creativity has never been larger. And while the community does continue to grow, the market still remains heavily saturated with women and the male audience is often left behind. At Manual magazine, we believe that do-it-yourself projects aren’t just for women anymore and ‘craft’ doesn’t have to be a dirty word. Our first month feature articles focus on themes of DIY and the outdoorsman and the intimate relationships that we form with things we make. No matter your lifestyle, skill level, or overall craftiness, Manual is sure to have something for you. So whether you choose to do-it-a-little or do-it-a-lot, Manual magazine encourages you to tap into your manly creativity and just do-it-yourself. LILIANNE KHUONG

CONTRIBUTORS

MARTA TOMASIR

LIZ GATAPIA

RYAN PEARSE

PHOTOGRAPHER www.evolve4u.ca

PHOTOGRAPHER www.lizgatapia.com

ILLUSTRATOR www.ryanpearse.com

Marta is the owner of Evolve Photography & Design, a boutique studio nestled in the heart of the rockies in Calgary, AB. Evolve offers premier photography service for weddings, engagement sessions, families, fashion shoots, and anything else you can dream up.

Liz is is currently a fourth year advertising major at the Alberta College of Art and Design. While her major is advertising, this doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t stop her from being an exceptional designer, photographer and illustrator. She wears many hats and excels at all of them.

Ryan Pearse is a local illustrator based out of Calgary, AB. He is currently finishing his fourth year as an illustration major at the Alberta College of Art and Design.

Marta is a also a distinguished graphic designer and currently works for Critical Mass in Calgary, AB. She completed her four year degree from the Alberta College of Art and Design in 2013.

In his practice, Ryan is able to maintain a sense of personal style while still being versatile. He is comfortable in a variety of mediums including oil paints, watercolours, acrylic, graphite, digital and more.

CONTRIBUTORS

TIDBITS, TIPS AND TRICKS

SPARE PARTS LOCAL SPOTLIGHT

MUST HAVE MULTI-TOOL

FAIR GOODS An online store that celebrates how things are made and the people who make them Fairgoods launched in January, 2013 as an online retailer of well designed housewares, accessories, apparel and type. Almost a year later, the Calgary start-up is earning a reputation not only as a good place to shop, but as a creative hive where people who have product ideas can connect with people who have the resources to manufacture them.

LEATHERMAN OHT The Innovative Multi-tool The leatherman OHT’s unique design allows one-handed deployment of all 16 of its tools. The retractable pliers open with a quick flick of the wrist, are long and precise, and have a great spring-loaded release. There’s also a simple feature that’s genius: each of the tools is easily identifiable via visual imprints on the handle, removing guesswork from the equation. It even comes with a strap cutter and an oxygen bottle wrench

FEATURED PINNER ERIK KRAEMER The DIY and Craft Guy “I managed an Arts and Crafts store and scour the net for inspirational designs and ideas for myself, my customers and just maybe you too.” PINS 2,919 FOLLOWERS 306

FILM REEL

THE BOOKSHELF

CAMPING AND WOODCRAFT By: Horace Kephart Camping and Woodcraft ranks 6th among the 10 best-selling sporting books of all time. A standard manual for campers and a veritable outdoor enthusiast’s bible for over four decades, this book reflects the author’s practical knowledge and covers, in depth, any problem that campers might confront.

MOUNTAIN MAN

MANCRAFTS

By: David Montgomery

By: Popular Mechanics

This useful book is filled with ideas and projects that are fun to make! The author, a professional artist, has drawn the instructions for the items and skills he is demonstrating, making a book that can be easily utilized by people of many ages and ability levels.

From leather crafts and bookbinding to block printing and cartooning, there’s a hobby to be found in Mancrafts for anyone. More ambitious readers may consider learning coping saw techniques, or even axe crafts, which entail making rustic furniture and fixtures using a single hatchet.

PRODUCT OF THE MONTH MODGE PODGE Since 1967, crafters have entrusted their most treasured decoupage creations to Mod Podge®, the number one, all-in-one glue, sealer and finish!

HANDMADE NATION: THE RISE OF DIY, ART, CRAFT & DESIGN A documentary by Faythe Levine Handmade Nation documents a movement of artists, crafters and designers that recognize the marriage between historical techniques, punk and DIY ethos while being influenced by traditional handiwork, modern aesthetics, politics, feminism and art. Fueled by the common thread of creating, Handmade Nation explores a burgeoning art community that is based on creativity, determination and networking.

GENTLEMINT Pinterest not manly enough for you? Manliness, metaphorically embodied these days by facial hair, grilling meat and building domestic “man caves,” is now carving its own space online. Look around. Gentlemint is one such community that is building a manly presence online. BY NATASHA AGGARWAL

On your first visit to Gentlemint, users

there’s a distinct lack of pictures of

interesting to have a site that has

of Pinterest might find a few familiar

scantily-clad women, which you might

interesting content. We want to have

things. A tiled layout and shared

expect on a site geared for guys. That’s

a site where people can find an article

content based on pictures by users

deliberate – and something that the

that they can learn from. That’s the

are just a few similarities. But it’s

two founders were quick to emphasize.

draw of the site. And what’s great is

immediately clear that it’s catering to

“That’s not the direction we want

that 99% of people get that right out

a different crowd entirely. As I write

to go for our content,” Stansberry says.

of the gate. We rarely see anyone try

this, the site’s homepage features

“That industry is doing fine on its own.

to put that kind of stuff up. We’ve only

pictures and links to tattoo machines,

And it works out in our favor, too. It

had to remove a few things and let a

door handles modded to look like guns,

makes the site welcoming to women as

few users know where the lines are.

Bugs Bunny cartoons, and of course, a

well, and a lot of them enjoy the site and

Most of the time, users are responsive

bacon-topped donut.

comment that they like the content, too.”

and appreciative.”

One thing that’s probably a pleasant surprise about the site is that

COMMUNITY AND CULTURE // GENTLEMINT

“The guys appreciate it, too,” adds McKinney. “We think its more

BLOGGING FOR GOLD The rapid growth in the DIY community in the last 5 years can, in part, be attributed to the equally rapid growth in blogging. As blogging became more popular, it became a medium for people to express their interests and hobbies in a corner that was just their own in the vast expanse of the internet. Blogs became a way for people to share ideas, inspiration and tutorials for many different areas of interest.that is building a manly presence online. BY LILIANNE KHUONG

BEST BLOGGING PLATFORMS

01 BLOGGER www.blogger.com Blogger is a popular and free blogging service owned by Google. Blogger’s big draw is ease of use and nearly instant setup. You can go from blogless to publishing your first post in under 15 minutes thanks to its extremely easy setup process.

DIY and crafting blogs were initially a

now find welcoming communities of

huge hit among the female population.

fellow man-makers.

They instantly became a hub for moms,

The value of blogging to DIY

teens and students to come together

culture is that it has become a primary

and share ideas and inspiration. The

mode of information transportation.

idea that DIY and crafting blogs could

With the simplest google search, one

be catered to a more male audience

can now find a million (yes, really, a

is one that has been emerging slowly

million) tutorials on how to make/craft/

over the last 5 years. One of the first

repair any number of projects. The

ever DIY/craft blogs with a distinctly

opensource nature of the web, however,

male target demographic is ManMade

means that content isn’t always

(see feature interview on pg. #), a blog

filtered, and finding the appropriate

dedicated to creativity and handmade

information can be like searching for

life for the postmodern male. Since

a needle in a haystack. So while the

ManMade’s inception in 2010, the rise

growth of blogging and internet based

of male oriented DIY and craft blogs

communities has been a positive

has increased. One theory behind this

catalyst for DIY and crafting, it can also

increase is that the idea of the creative

be a downfall. Learning to navigate

male man is slowly making its way into

the waters of the web is a skill that is

society. Men looking to build things

constantly in flux, changing, developing

while excerising their creativity can

and improving with each search.

02 TUMBLR www.tumblr.com Tumblr is an interesting fusion between a full-fledged blog and a Twitter feed. It’s a style that appeals to a lot of people and the ease of setup coupled with the informality of Tumblr is a winning combination for people who aren’t looking to commit to a blog as an involved and timeconsuming project.

02 WORDPRESS www.wordpress.org WordPress is a popular open source blogging platform along the lines of the venerable Swiss Army knife. As a WordPress user, you have the option of setting up a WordPress blog on your own server (for free) or creating a WordPress-hosted blog at WordPress.com. Thanks to an absolutely enormous community of followers and developers, WordPress has themes, plug-ins, and gadgets of all stripes.

BLOGGING FOR GOLD // COMMUNITY AND CULTURE

FASHION, MUSIC, SPORTS AND MORE

6 MENS BLOGS YO Whether they’re waxing poetic on being a man, talking about life on the road, or doling out style advice, these male-oriented blogs offer plenty of entertainment and insight. Here are six of our top picks.

GETKEMPT.COM Stay up-to-date on men’s fashion trends and style news of the season with the dapper gents of Kempt, an offshoot of UrbanDaddy. Featuring a range of interesting topics on all things fashionable for guys, this blog offers a mix of sharp wit and worthwhile advice. With regular posts on fashion icons, news, sales tips and more, Kempt provides plenty of inspirational fodder for style lovers of both sexes.

WANDERINGEARL.COM What began as a three-month Southeast Asia trip in 1999 has now turned into more than a decade’s worth of adventures in 87 countries for Derek Earl Baron of Wandering Earl. A self-proclaimed “permanent nomad,” Baron cares less about showing off his passport stamps, and more about sharing inspirational stories and invaluable travel tips from the road, accompanied by impressive photography and videos.

OU SHOULD READ

02 05

LARGEHEARTEDBOY.COM Covering the latest in music, indie reads, pop culture and comic books, Largehearted Boy deftly proves that the romance between music and literature is still as lively as ever. David Gutowski, the bright voice behind the blog, marries the two mediums well— featuring interviews with musicians and authors, book reviews intertwined with mix tape playlists from writers and free daily music downloads.

DEADSPIN.COM Known for breaking some of the biggest sports news stories in recent years (think Manti Te’o), Deadpsin has become a one-stop site for all things athletic, and then some. A macho little brother to its sister website, Gawker, this blog offers a similar sarcastic and humorous tone in reporting major sports news, anecdotes, videos and gossip. For the Not-So-Sporty Spices out there, you’re sure to appreciate the daily lifestyle stories like “The Great American Food Menu infographic”.

03 06

JUSTCALLHER.COM Stay up-to-date on men’s fashion trends and style news of the season with the dapper gents of Kempt, an offshoot of UrbanDaddy. Featuring a range of interesting topics on all things fashionable for guys, this blog offers a mix of sharp wit and worthwhile advice. With regular posts on fashion icons, news, sales tips and more, Kempt provides plenty of inspirational fodder for style lovers of both sexes.

BROTIPS.COM This blog has an endless supply of pithy codes of conduct for becoming the ultimate bro. Since going live in 2011, Brotips has garnered a wide audience of both cool guys and gals with its snarky snippets of life advice. Providing a backlog of over 3,000 “tips,” this clever (and at times NSFW) blog is great for those who crave witty, wry humor and a quick distraction.

ARTIST SPOTLIGHT

CHRIS GARDNER Illustration by Ryan Pearse

COMMUNITY AND CULTURE // ARTIST SPOTLIGHT

“I THOUGHT, AT SOME POINT, SOMEONE IS GONNA DO THIS FOR MEN. AND NOBODY DID. SO I FIGURED IT MIGHT AS WELL BE ME”

materials, and not just think about ap-

practical projects that I could do to

audience than there probably really

are practical and that they can use all

spice up my very dark and depressing

is. For me, it was a no brainer to think

apartment. I’ve always been a creative

that there were a bunch of people like

person, always liked to make things,

me - young adults who grew up with

but I did more abstract stuff – song-

moms and dads where traditional gen-

writing and some visual arts - so I was

der roles didn’t apply - and were very

really interested to apply some of my

interested in getting our hands dirty.

creative skills to some really tangible

Around the same time, there was a big

What was the first project that you featured on manmade?

stuff such as home decor and everyday

shift in the creative scene (what they

I don’t know about the first, but one

items. I was, and still am, a contributor

are now calling the Maker Movement)

of the earlier projects was a video I

at curbly.com so I spent a lot of time in

that geared toward guys with left

created where I made a laptop stand

the “indie craft scene” and I realized I

brain creativity: engineering, hacking,

for an exercise bicycle. That one was a

felt a little bit separated from the target

computer work, physics, etc. That stuff

big hit. I also did a post on how to tailor

audience of that because I was a guy.

excites me, I like knowing those people,

a button-down to be a slimmer fit. We

I thought, at some point, someone is

but I’m not a nerd. I’m not an engineer

did something on 5 ways to open a beer

gonna do this for men. And nobody did.

or a problem solver so the goal for the

without a bottle opener, stuff like that.

So I figured it might as well be me.

website was to bridge the gap between

I didn’t know how to write a book but

those left lane creative things and the

This first question is one you’ve probably heard fifteen times, but what made you decide to start manmadediy.com? What inspired you to start the website? I got involved with the DIY and craft blogosphere in 2006, just as a user. I moved to a new apartment when I was in graduate school and it was horrible. It was really sad to be in and I was home a lot because I was a full time student and so I got online and started to do some research about simple, easy,

I did know how to start a website. In early 2010 I got the guts and the organization to start manmade. Eventually

traditional craft media of fabric, paper, paint, and bringing in some more masculine materials like wood, leather,

plying traditional craft projects to men but really embracing the things men use and men need everyday. What do you think men are inspired by? What makes them want to make something? I think men have always been creative. This is not a new thing. I think men really do like to solve problems and are interested in making things that the time, such as food, furniture, home improvement projects, etc. Men like to get their hands dirty. Manmade is reacting to not just fixing something, but making something.

I wanted to reference environmentalism. Is that something manmade emphasizes or is it more just about the creativity? Sustainability and the social impact

I was able to quit my full time job in

and metal.

the summer of 2010 and focus on both

I think I thought that as far as audience

curbly and manmade at the same time.

motivating factor for me. I like to call it

goes, I would be able to capture the

active consumerism. If you can make it,

design corner of the Maker Movement

make it. If you can improve it, improve

and the more traditional creatives.

it. If you have to buy something, try to

That’s fantastic!

of consumer goods is absolutely a

It really was born out of a sense of feeling just a couple steps removed from all the blog posts that were like “hey ladies, check out this thing” or the aesthetic of floral prints and purple and pink and all that.

That makes sense. When I found your website at first it was an inspiration because I see a lot of young men that are creative and just like to make stuff. It’s one of the few places you can see projects that are classically masculine.

buy things that are made with integrity. Especially with male oriented products, it’s important to buy things that last. Is there one, or a couple tools that are must haves when it comes to DIY?

Yeah, when manmade first started it

One thing people don’t always think

was like “let’s do knitting projects but

about is clamps. And also wood glue.

let’s do them for guys.” And then it sort

We think a lot about nails and screws

of evolved into “I don’t know how to

when it comes to woodworking, but

type of thing?

knit, so let’s do more stuff with wood.

wood glue is actually stronger than

I actually presumed there was a bigger

More stuff with leather and everyday

wood fiber itself. I also think a good

So when you decided to create it, did you worry if there was an actual audience or did you just know there were other people out there that needed this

ARTIST SPOTLIGHT // COMMUNITY AND CULTURE

“POSTMODERNISM IS ALL ABOUT TAKING SAMPLES FROM DIFFERENT STYLES AND BLENDING THEM INTO A NARRATIVE AND A LIFESTYLE CHOICE THAT MAKES SENSE FOR YOU” set of paper tools such as an exacto knife, cutting mat, a rotary cutter, etc is really useful. Every guy should own a cast iron skillet, an 8” chef knife, and a heavy duty cutting board. A good table saw is worth having, as well as spray paint. Spray paint is an awesome way to easily add color to anything. I asked you about the first projects on manmade, are there any projects that you would say are your favourites?

“FOR ME, THE DISTINCTION BETWEEN ART AND CRAFT IS THAT ART IS A THING THAT HAPPENS ONLY ONCE. CRAFT IS A PRACTICE”

modern Male in your website tagline? Contemporary might be a better way to describe it, but Postmodernism is all about taking samples from different styles and blending them into a narrative and a lifestyle choice that makes sense for you. Postmodern also just has a nice ring to it. I should add that the other component of my audience are creative women that have creative men in their lives that haven’t always found

I don’t know about favourites but I have a top 3 of projects that performed the

What do you mean by the term Post-

a practical place to live-out that they

best. The first was a typographic wrap-

Do you consider the word ‘craft’ to be a dirty word among men? There seems

ping paper project at Christmas. That

to be a stigma around it.

one took off super fast and every holi-

The way that I like to talk about the

day season it ends up being repurposed

word is to focus on the idea of a

Well, I know you’re busy so I don’t want to take up too much more of your time. Thank you so much, Chris. That was

again and again. Second, last summer,

craftsman. What a craftsman does is

really great.

I did a project where I used big mixing

they understand the process enough

You’re very welcome!

bowls and figured out a way to make

that they can do it repeatedly. The

a modern, contemporary, moveable

distinction for me between art and

concrete fire pit. Probably my favou-

craft is that art is a thing that happens

rite project was convincing my then

only once. Craft is a practice. It’s the

girlfriend, now wife, to let me take her

painter’s ability to draw or paint lines.

fingerprints and scan them at high res

Crafts can sometimes be a dirty word,

to make an original piece of artwork.

but the ability to understand the idea

That one was a cool mix of analog and

and the process of what you’re doing is

technology based creativity.

applicable to every human being.

COMMUNITY AND CULTURE // ARTIST PROFILE

also like to make stuff.

ARTIST PROFILE // COMMUNITY AND CULTURE

SECOND HAND TREASURES For a long time, thrift stores have had this stigma of being these dark and musty places that were merely a graveyard for all the bad polyester and moth-eaten garments of yesteryear. But today, legions of people are seeing them for their true potential. Not only are they great for finding hidden antiques and treasures, but they are also a fantastic means of material gathering for your next DIY project. BY LILIANNE KHUONG

A lot of the materials that are needed for projects can be found at your local thrift store, you might just need to do a little digging. If your project requires leather, why not pick up a cheap belt or bag at the thrift store instead of purchasing new sheets? Or if you need fabric, why not rummage through the racks of shirts and cut them to your desired size? Often the things we require to create DIY projects are simple ingredients that can be found in everyday objects around us. It can be an exercise of sharpening your eye to be able to see the potential in things around. This proves beneficial not only for ourselves and the wallet, but for the state of the environment as well. Looking through the racks thoroughly can also be a good catalyst for inspiration. You might end up seeing something that triggers a project idea or style salvage, something that you might not ordinarily consider. The variable nature of thrift store inventory gaurantees that each time you go, you’ll experience something different. You never know when you might find that one thing you didn’t know you’ve been looking for.

COMMUNITY AND CULTURE // SECOND-HAND TREASURES

THRIFTING 101: TIPS DESCRIPTION Simple tips to maximize your thrift shopping trip

KEEP YOURSELF SNACKING You get dehydrated and burn more calories when shopping than you might think, so to keep your energy up pack a snack like a protein bar, trailmix and a bottle of water. Remembering to eat small bits during your day out can help you avoid the exhausted, run down feeling the next day.

03 05

BRING YOUR OWN BAG Often thrift stores aren’t equipped with baskets or carts, so bringing your own bag can be very helpful. In addition, you can store your personal items that you want to bring along with you, in the bag aswell. Lastly, bringing your own bag from home can also act as a form of control if you only allow yourseslf to fill it up once.

BE A REGULAR If you don’t go thrifting on a regular basis, you’re just asking to miss all the good loot. Thrift stores get new stuff every day, so be vigilant. You can even inquire what days the “new” merchandise gets put out on the floor. Get there early and be met with a veritable treasure hunt.

DIFFICULTY

BRING SANITIZER

BRING CASH

Easy

Always bring wipes or hand sanitizer with you. Thrift stores can be dusty, dirty places and your hands will build up the dirt and grime faster than you would think. To avoid dirtying your clothes and other items, use sanitizers regularly between stores.

Sometimes you’ll find that thrift stores don’t have credit or debit card machines, so it would be in your best interest to take cash. Also, with our recovering economy, I’ve found that you may get a better deal if you offer to pay for your purchase in cash, and save the store from incurring that fee for paying with plastic.

LOOK INSIDE THE POCKETS I’m not kidding – I once found a crumpled (and obviously washed) $50 bill inside the pocket of a women’s blazer at a thrift shop. Not only can a find like this make your day, it can also alert you to how the item was handled pre-donation. A dry cleaning ticket in the pocket? Great! A condom wrapper? Not so much.

DEPARTMENT COMMUNITY & CULTURE

19 19

l a u an

M IN

STRUCTIO

SID

PR DIY

FIESTA NIGHT A summer party is one of lifeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s simple pleasures. In addition to showcasing fresh, seasonal food, it allows us to enjoy the great outdoors while mingling with our friends. What could be better? BY NATASHA AGGARWAL

Good food, good beer and friends. What else is summer about?

THE MENU Plan a menu that includes casual summertime favorites, namely the food you miss while surviving on winter root vegetables. The number of items you add to your menu should depend on the expected number of guests as well as the time you have for cooking for the party. Throwing together a good and delicious menu doesn’t have to be a complicated endeavour, when done right, the simplest choices can be the most succesful.

SETTING THE STAGE

THE MAIN EVENT

Since it’s summer, guests will expect you to keep things

A nacho plate, of course. You can either go big and make

casual. Let them know that t-shirts and shorts are the extent

enough nachos for everyone at the party, or make it a

of your dress requirements. Set your table outside with

little more interactive for your guests by providing a build-

placemats, coasters, and informal dinnerware. Plates should

your-own-nachos station. Don’t forget the salsa and fresh

be roomy enough to fit all the food you plan to serve.

guacamole (see Cosmic’ Guac recipe below)

If, by some chance, you have a plant garden, right before your party you can fill pitchers with your fresh-cut treasures.

BEVERAGES

If you don’t have a green thumb, you could use annuals

Coronas! The official beer of Mexico. Margaritas are another

purchased inexpensively from your garden center, or even

good option, which can easily be made non-alcoholic for

your supermarket. Transplant them into simple, terra cotta

guests who are not drinking.

pots, and set them down the center of your table. Your guests will be very impressed!

ACTIVITIES Sometimes the food is enough to keep your guests busy at a summer get together. But if you’re planning an extended party, there are so many fun outdoor activities that it would be a shame not to invite your guests to play along. You can provide equipment for any of these Mexican themed games, provided your yard is large enough to accommodate them: • • • • •

Limbo Piñata Pepper Eating Contest Photo Booth with Props Mexican Hot Chocolate stand

COSMIC GUAC’ WHAT YOU NEED • 1/2 red pepper • 1/2 green pepper • 2 avocadoes • 1 tomato • 2 tsp cumin • 1/2 tsp onion powder • 1 tsp seasoning salt • 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice • 2 tbsp sour cream

1. Dice the peppers and tomatoes into small pieces 2. Slice the avocado in half, scoop the insides onto a plate and mash with a fork until smooth. 3. Slice and squeeze the lemon and add the juice to themashed avocado. Add the sour cream, cumin, onion powder and seasoning salt and mix thoroughly. 4. Add the diced peppers and tomatoes and served chilled with nachoes and salsa.

FIESTA NIGHT // LIFESTYLE

HOSTING 101: THE BASICS DESCRIPTION Learn the essential skills to becoming a great host

KEEP THEM SNACKING No matter what event you’re planning, having an ample supply of snack foods is integral to keeping your guests happy. Serving snack foods while watching the game, playing cards or watching a movie can be a very simple and rewarding way to please your guests.

03 05 22

DEPARTMENT

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CONNECT TO YOUR SOCIAL NETWORK In today’s digital age, connecting digitally through social networks has become an integral part of socialization. If you are planning on hosting a party, be sure to create an event through Facebook and invite your guests digitally, in addition to your usual phonecall or invite.

DIFFICULTY

Easy

BE ENTERTAINING

GRAB THEM A DRINK

One of the worst things that can happen when you host a party is that your guests feel awkward or bored. To avoid this, make sure and prepare exciting activities to keep the party alive.

Shortly after your guests arrive you should offer them a beverage. There is a good chance that they will have travelled and gotten thirsty or they’ll simply want a cocktail to tide them over.

DON’T SERVE FROZEN MEALS When guests arrive to a party, the last thing they expect is to be served something they could have made from a box. If you’re going the lengths to host a party or event, be sure to put a little time into preparing your own meals. It doesn’t have to be anything complicated, a simple plate of nachoes works well in a pinch.

DATE NIGHT SHOEBOX Date nights don’t have to mean going out and spending money. Here is some inspiration for a unique date night with a lot of love, little cost and a little DIY BY NATASHA AGGARWAL

GAME NIGHT WHAT YOU NEED • Old shoebox • 2 beers • Playing cards • Twister (or your favourite game) • Your favourite potato chips

Some nights, you just can’t be bothered to leave the house – even for a date. So, in honor of lazy days and cozy nights, here is a creative stay-home date idea for you. Whether you’re pursuing someone new or just looking to spend some quality time

AFTERNOON PICNIC WHAT YOU NEED • Old shoebox • Blanket • Crackers • Cheese • Wine glasses • Wine

with your current girlfriend, both you and her will appreciate this “date night in a box” that requires little investment (box items can easily be found in a grocery store or dollar store) but reaps high rewards. Stay-home dates are a wonderful, comfortable way to spend time together and get to know each other or get reacquainted. Plus, there is nothing like putting something together yourself.

MOVIE NIGHT If there is no way you can make that late night flick on date night, how about bringTIP: If you’re hosting a stay-home date

ing the movie to you? Grab a classic (it could be funny, romantic, or action-packed),

make sure to take care of the essen-

open up this box, dim the lights and pick a seat!

tials: roommates out, tidy up, and

WHAT YOU NEED

phone off. Then, settle in and enjoy each others’ company. You may never want to set foot outside again.

• Old shoebox • 1 bag of microwave popcorn • Movie of your choice • Your favourite candy or chocolate • 2 sodas of your choice

DATE NIGHT SHOEBOX // LIFESTYLE

THEME: LEATHERWORKING

10 ESSENTIALS The top 10 essential tools, products and gear that you should invest in for all your leatherworking DIY projects.

EDGE BEVELER

AWL

HOLE PUNCH

KNIFE

LINEN THREAD

LEATHER STAMPS

MALLET

RIVETS

RIVET SETTER

LEATHER NEEDLES

RE-BELTED 1.0 Got any old belts just lying around, serving no purpose? Why not give that shabby or frayed accessory a new life? We have a couple ideas for repurposing them into useful, even stylish, handmade goods. We always try to limit our pages to stylish projects with great tutorials. Use them as written, or even better, as inspiration for your own leathercraft ideas. Then you can share the process with us! Enjoy, and as always, if you have a cool project you think we missed, send us the link so we can spread the word about your genius upcycle. BY LILIANNE KHUONG

LEATHER BRACELETS ARE TRENDY Men are already accustomed to wearing leather on their wrists in the form of

slightly more appealing, especially for

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perhaps not such a big leap and may be

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watch straps, so a leather bracelet is

DIY

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those taking their first tentative steps into the world of jewelry. One of the positive elements of a leather bracelet is that it retains a sense of masculinity. Leather, as a material, is refined yet versatile. Depending on the style and size of the bracelet, it can retain a sense of formality whilst at the same time appearing rebellious. For example, a black or dark brown leather bracelet can be integrated into a smart, tailored look without jarring and, similarly, a wide leather cuff could be worn with a t-shirt and slim-fit jeans for a more edgy, rock â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;nâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; roll aesthetic.

RE-BELTED 1.0 // STYLE

THE ART OF BOWTIES In the last couple of years there has been a real resurgence of bow ties as a legitimate part of a man’s wardrobe attire. It had spent a long time in the fashion wilderness waiting in exile for its chance to return, but thanks to numerous designers and the actor Matt Smith (Doctor Who), it seems that the bow tie may be back and hopefully here to stay. BY LILIANNE KHUONG

DIY

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We think the reason that we are

are being taken from our past are being

one off? Well, first of all we would

seeing a comeback is down to two

updated and modernised for the 20th

recommend you learn to tie one! Every

simple reasons. Firstly, men’s fashion

century. For those of you with fears of

self-respecting man should be able

is currently looking back to the older

huge widespread bow ties in garish

to do this, think of it as your right of

decades for inspiration. This can be

colours; don’t panic! Nearly every

passage. However, if you’re lazy, and

seen in the rise in tie bars, pocket

designer has slimmed the ties down to

let’s face we have our days, there are a

squares and trilby’s just to name a

remain on trend and have branched out

range of pre-tied and clip on versions

few. The bow tie is simply another

in various materials that mean your

out there.

weapon in the arsenal of the forgotten

worries are truly a thing of the past.

gentleman. Secondly, the pieces that

STYLE // THE ART OF BOWTIES

But what are rules for pulling

HOW TO TIE A SINGLE-END BOWTIE STEP ONE Place the bow around your neck with the bow end hanging on your right and the ends at even level

STEP TWO Tie a single knot tightly into the adams apple, leaving the bow underneath and the two ends almost level

STEP THREE Make a loop with the bow end, so that the bow is held in the neck as it would be in the finished position.

STEP FOUR Pull the single end over the centre and underneath, pushing the end through the loop that was previously formed.

STEP FIVE The single end will protrude and should be tucked into the loop of the bow or down the neck between the collar and the neckband of the shirt.

ARTIST SPOTLIGHT

TAYLORTAILOR Illustration by Ryan Pearse

STYLE // ARTIST SPOTLIGHT

What motivated you to set out and create your own wardrobe?

you are lucky and fit into one of the predetermined sizes (sm., md., lg., etc.)

When I started about four and a half years ago, I wanted to learn something new. My wife always had a sewing machine laying around, and I was starting to become more interested in menswear. Part of the appeal was that I knew nothing about sewing or pattern drafting. I wanted to learn a new skill and start completely from scratch. My interest in clothing and desire to do something with a DIY element to it were a perfect combination and motivation.

How would you define DIY? How does TailorTaylor fit into the culture of DIY? To me, DIY is about creating. This might

“THERE IS SOMETHING VERY SATISFYING ABOUT WORKING FOR WEEKS OR MONTHS ON A PROJECT AND THEN BEING ABLE TO WEAR THE GARMENT FOR YEARS”

Did you have an interest in sewing/ tailoring when you were young?

One of the issues with mass produced

I didn’t have any interest in sewing/

clothing is that many companies rely

tailoring when I was young. I do

on underpaid workers who have to

remember looking up the origins of the

work in awful conditions. Massed

name “Taylor” one time and learning

produced clothing focuses on selling

about the connection to “tailoring,”

lots of cheap goods each season, to

but I didn’t start sewing until 2009,

keep up with fast fashion cycles, which

and prior to then, I never even thought

means the clothes aren’t meant to last.

about it.

Clothing that frequently needs replacing

be taking raw materials and making something completely new from scratch, or simply embellishing or modifying an existing item. I also think there is an “amateur” element to DIY culture. That is, learning how to do something on your own when you don’t necessarily have the expertise or experience for a given project. With TaylorTailor, I had (and still have) to learn a lot about what I’m doing to create new patterns and garments. I try to create from scratch as much as possible. Obviously I’m not weaving my own fabric, so there is a limit to what can be done completely from “scratch.” If I had land to grow cotton and space to put a loom, I might try fabric weaving. I did grow some cotton plants a couple summers ago just to see what they look like, and to understand the origins of cotton fabric a little better.

level though, there is something very

Is there any relationship between your desire to create your own clothing and environmentalism?

satisfying about working for weeks or

There is an element of environmentalism

Well, if you spend enough time

months on a project and then being able

to my project to some degree. I truly

perfecting your patterns, you can

to wear the garment for years. Plus, you

wish there was a way to know whether

achieve a nearly perfect fit by making

have a lot of freedom in choosing the

or not a particular product was created

your own clothing. Mass produced

style and fabric, and there is a creative

in an environmentally friendly and

clothes rarely fit perfectly unless

element that adds value to the process.

socially responsible way. But this doesn’t

What do you feel is the value in making your own clothing versus buying mass produced clothes?

encourages consumption. On a personal

ARTIST SPOTLIGHT // STYLE

STYLE // ARTIST SPOTLIGHT

exist for the majority of fabric on the

no way of knowing whether or not

new techniques to learn, and our bodies

market. Sourcing quality fabrics and

the materials I am buying are made

change over time. Assuming that I’m still

notions on a home sewing level is one

in an environmentally friendly and

making clothes 20 years from now, I will

of my biggest particular product was

responsible way.

need to update the fit of all my patterns.

created in an environmentally friendly

If I could make my project even

and socially responsible way. But this doesn’t exist for the majority of fabric on the market. Sourcing quality fabrics and notions on a home sewing level is one of my biggest challenges. Trying to source quality materials that are made in a sustainable way, and made

more environmentally friendly I would. Hopefully there will be more companies producing fabric and notions in the future that take environmental and social/economic issues into account.

Would you consider/describe yourself a creative person? At times I consider myself a creative person. I draft all of my own patterns, choose the fabrics, and make decisions about fit and style. But, I’m not necessarily creating something brand new. My focus is on menswear basics,

in a safe working environment is even

Is there a point where you would consider your project finished?

harder. The biggest problem is that as

I don’t think it will ever be completely

style. So I’m not doing anything that

a consumer, I am far removed from the

finished. Even if I’ve covered all of the

hasn’t been done before in terms of

actual production of fabric and have

basics of my wardrobe, there are always

clothing design.

in a way that pays workers a fair wage

and I am drawn to more classical men’s

ARTIST SPOTLIGHT // STYLE

SCRAP THE JUNK DRAWER Trade in the age old ‘junk drawer’ for something a little more stylish and little more manly. There are tons of alternatives for storage that can make even your most random junk classy. BY LILIANNE KHUONG

l a u an

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Adding a little style and personality to

likely you won’t be able to find the

With these baskets, you can create

your space can be a simple matter of

specific thing you need. Finding an

as many as you need and thus begin

finding unique and creative ways to

alternative to this dreaded drawer can

sorting out your junk into more

organize your things. We all have that

be a good way to clean up and simplify

managable pieces. If you favour a more

dreaded ‘junk drawer,’ the place where

your space, not to mention choosing a

clean, minimalistic space, you can

we shove anything and everything

more stylish alternative can make your

simply use these are organizers inside

that doesn’t have a set place to belong.

space more personal. The simple leather

of your dreaded drawer. The ease and

And if you’re like me, opening up that

bins pictured above are a creative way to

simplicity of this project will get you

drawer and trying to find something

sort all your miscellaneous junk, all the

craving more and more baskets to

is the last thing you want to do. It’s

while looking manly too. Who doesn’t

organize your things.

daunting and let’s face it, it’s pretty

love a good piece of leather?

MANCAVE // SCRAP THE JUNK DRAWER

CLEAN CAN BE CLASSY Liquor bottles have a timeless, classic look that never gets old. Learn how you can turn the sexy empty bottles into functional aesthetic pieces in your mancave. BY NATASHA AGGARWAL

ROYAL RESERVE There’s a good chance that if you checked your recycling bin, you would have a few old liquor bottles piling up, waiting to be taken to the depot. If

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look of a classic bottle of vodka or gin.

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ual

you’re anything like me, you love the

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The glass bottles with their branded labels have a timelessness to them that speaks to the era of the classic gentleman. If you don’t believe me, just take a look at the a bottle of Jack Daniel’s and try not to feel manly. Upscaling your old liquor bottles into other objects can be a simple way to bring class and manliness to your living space without having to invest extra money. Most of the products that use your old liquor bottles are simple to assemble and don’t require a lot of extra materials. For example, the simple liquor soap dispenser pictured on the right is a quick two step project that you can make when you don’t have a lot of time but you still need a project to satisfy your creative urges.

CLEAN CAN BE CLASSY // MANCAVE

RE-BELTED 2.0 Got any old belts just lying around, serving no purpose? Why not give that shabby or frayed accessory a new life? We have a couple ideas for repurposing them into useful, even stylish, handmade goods. We always try to limit our pages to stylish projects with great tutorials. Use them as written, or even better, as inspiration for your own leathercraft ideas. Then you can share the process with us! Enjoy, and as always, if you have a cool project you think we missed, send us the link so we can spread the word about your genius upcycle. BY LILIANNE KHUONG

LEATHER FRAME I’m sure you’ve seen plenty of discarded belts at vintage shops and

SID

thrift stores. So, what to do with this surplus if you’re not ready to reenact the look of Urban Cowboy? Why not

l nua

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find one to repurpose into a vintage styled picture frame? I know you’ve got an old pic that would work perfectly inside. It’s pretty simple, actually. More or less just cutting mitered edges in the belt material to fit your frame size, and you can even just glue the pieces to the outside of an existing frame. I like the idea of how so many vintage frames were hand-built, so I’ll show you how to make one from scratch.

MANCAVE // RE-BELTED 2.0

NOT JUST FOR READING In the last couple of years there has been a real resurgence of bow ties as a legitimate part of a man’s wardrobe attire. It had spent a long time in the fashion wilderness waiting in exile for its chance to return, but thanks to numerous designers and the actor Matt Smith (Doctor Who), it seems that the bow tie may be back and hopefully here to stay. BY LILIANNE KHUONG

I have always loved books. I don’t just love to reading books though – I love the feel of a book in my hands. It’s heft, the texture of it’s pages, the gilt of the artwork and lettering on an antique pressed cover, and of course, the thought of what wonderful secrets could be hidden inside. I love books.

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ago the thought would never have entered my mind because

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my books were sacred to me. But after years of going to used book sales and increasing my collection to the point of excess, I realized that my appreciation of books is not dependant on its function, but rather the art of itself. I always had a sentimental attachment to the book covers, the typography, the illustrations, everything. And it isn’t just collectable or expensive books, I appreciate all books, even the one dollar bargains at the flee market. As my perspective shifted, as did my ability to see books for what they could be beyond reading material. This upcycled book lamp is just one example of an exceptionally beautiful way to celebrate your old books in an unexpected way. The best part about this project is that it is completely personal, you can choose custom book titles to represent your personality and a custom lamp shade to make it your own aesthetic style.

MY MAG STOOL Design Quarters has created an ingenious method for storing your coveted mags. The innovative My Mag Stool comes complete with a low wooden base that is attached with leather adjustable straps to keep the mags in place. An interchangeable rectangular linen cushion rests above the stack, making this a comfy and practical seating spot. The stool’s height obviously adjusts according to the number of magazines you stack up, so keep on reading and create a piece that will most certainly provide interesting conversation around your favourite magazines and give insights into your personal tastes. There are also endless possibilities on how you can individualise or brighten up your stool with a different colour cushion or different types of magazines.

NOT JUST FOR READING // MANCAVE

ual

But what about altering and repurposing books? Years

DIY

SPRING CLEANING WITH A SIDE OF MANLINESS Redefine what it means to be manly by embracing a clean and tidy living space through simple organization tips and homemade product how-toâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s. BY LILIANNE KHUONG

Cleaning isn’t as hard as you might think, or as girly.

in the stores are marked up way beyond their value, and you can achieve the same level of quality by simply mixing ingredients from the grocery store.

BAKING SODA IS YOUR BEST FRIEND There are many non-poisonous products that can be used for basic household cleaning. Next to vinegar, the most useful of these is baking soda. Like vinegar, baking soda has three

DON’T BE A STEREOTYPE

major things going for it as a cleanser:

Having a clean and tidy living space doesn’t have to be something just for girls. While there are still men who bring truth to the stereotype that men are dirty, you don’t have to be one of them. Keeping your living area clean can be therapeutic.

•

It’s non-toxic. Sure, eaten in large amounts it might make you feel unpleasant, but it’s not poisonous.

•

It’s multi-purpose. The suggestions in this article are only a few of the many ways that baking soda can be used as a household cleanser.

•

Best of all, it’s CHEAP! The cost of baking soda (especially when purchased in several pound large boxes) is far less than that of any other, specialized cleaning agent.

Having tidy workspaces can not only be more healthy, but can increase your productivity too. Furthermore, cleaning doesn’t have to be as hard as you think. There are a whole host of DIY tutorials and tricks that can help you maximize your cleaning routine while minimizing your time investment.

Another reason to embrace DIY in your cleaning routine is

Baking soda (or bicarbonate of soda, as it is also known) is a naturally occurring material, present in most organic life forms. It can be “made” from sodium carbonate, or soda ash. The soda ash is dissolved in a carbon dioxide rich solution,

that it can be very beneficial to the environment. Most of the

and sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) precipitates out.

IT’S EASY BEING GREEN

cleaning products available in store today are riddled with harsh, toxic chemicals. The idea that these products need to

RUSTIC CRATES MAKE IT MANLY

be toxic to remove stubborn dirt and grime is simply a myth.

If you’re ever in doubt that your cleaning routine is starting

There are a number of tried and true recipes for DIY house-

to lose it’s ‘manliness,’ just remember that a simple wooden

hold cleaners that hold to the test of stubborn dirt. By choos-

crate or box can be a quick fix. For storage solutions, turn

ing to make your own cleaning products you can ensure that

to old milk crates instead of your typical rubbermaid bins.

you know exactly what is going into the environment and the

Adding a rough chalk or sharpie label can also enhance the

air around you.

grunge effect while still acting as a labeling device. For added charm and personalization, you can use paint, wood burn-

BE PENNYWISE

ing, etching and several other techniques to apply your own

If you need more convincing, another reason you should

surface decoration.

embrace do-it-yourself cleaning is to help loosen the purse strings. Choosing to make your own household cleaners and detergents can be very economical. Often cleaning products

HOMEMADE LAUNDRY SOAP WHAT YOU NEED • Washing soda • Borax • Bar Soap • Glass Jar

1. Grate the bar soap. Use the soap of your choice. Dr. Bronner’s Pure Castille Bar Soap is a good choice because of its exceptional quality and variety of natural scents like lavender, tea tree, peppermint and almond. 2. In a large bowl, mix 2 parts washing soda, 2 parts Borax and 1 part grated soap. (Add a few teaspoons of baking soda if desired). 3. Store in a closed container. Shake well. 4. Use 1/8 to 1/4 cup per load of laundry.

SRPING CLEANING // MANCAVE

EVERY MAN NEEDS ADVENTURE A summer party is one of lifeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s simple pleasures. In addition to showcasing fresh, seasonal food, it allows us to enjoy the great outdoors while mingling with our friends. What could be better? BY LILIANNE KHUONG

Wake up. Go to work. Work. Go Home. Eat dinner. Sleep. Repeat. Does this sound familiar? What happened to living life to the fullest? Where is the daring adventure that you dreamed about as a kid? Many have lost the passion for adventure that filled their childhood, and as a grown man you struggle to regain it. Adventure is the element of a full

your boots and backpack and driving to

below. It’s unique look is visually

life that is perhaps most neglected in

the nearest city park to walk the trails.

beautiful and is sure to impress.

today’s technology driven society, and

If the weekend rolls around and you

it is one of the most crucial. To have

are looking for something a little more

THE CHECKLIST

grand adventures and be able to tell

challenging, plan a Saturday hiking trip

A tried and true list of the essential

tales of them is central to manliness.

to the mountains. Make sure and pack

things you should take with you if you

You don’t have to be the stereotypical

your essentials and research a good

are going on any hike outside the city.

‘manly’ type to be able to get out in the

trail that matches your skill level.

great outdoors and enjoy nature. Thinking about heading outdoors

Lastly, if you’re in the mood to stay home but want a taste of the outdoors,

for the day or the weekend can seem

why not head to the backyard with a

daunting, but taking the steps to

pack of hotdogs, some marshmallows

getting outdoors really doesn’t have to

and a campfire. If you want to try

be that difficult. If you’re stuck in the

something a little different, light up the

city, it could be as simple as grabbing

Swedish flame style campfire pictured

Map of the area Compass Sunglasses and sunscreen Flashlight Basic first-aid kit Firestarter Matches Knife Food/Water

SWEDISH FLAME What’s a Swedish Flame? It’s the best invention ever since you don’t need a stack of wood to build a fire. It’s also a perfect excuse to get out and make a bonfire with your friends. Who’s gonna bring the marshmallows?

WHAT YOU NEED • Wooden log • Chainsaw • Fuel • Safe, open space • Match or lighter

1. Make your cuts into the wooden log like you’re cutting cake. Leave about 6 inches at the base. 2. Throw some fuel oil in the center (about a cap full) 3. Ignite with a match and voila! It will burn up to three hours.

EVERY MAN NEEDS ADVENTURE // OUTDOOR

THEME: HIKING BOOTS

10 STYLES A curated collection of high quality hiking boots that are strong, versatile and stylish.

HERMES $115.00

CHACO LIAM BOOT $140.00

ECCO BENDIX BOOT $169.00

MERREL WILDERNESS $345.00

TIMBERLAND EARTHKEEPER BOOT $845.0 0

THE NORTH FACE BALLARD BOOT $170.00

BALLY VILLER BOOT $825.00

411 RED WING BOOT $250.00

D SQUARED HIKING BOOT

FRYE JAMES LACE-UP

$372.00

$338.00

HIKING 101: ESSENTIALS DESCRIPTION Suggestions and advice for beginner hikers

DIFFICULTY Medium

DON’T OVERPACK

One of the worst things you can do to yourself in preparation for a hiking trip is pack too much. It can be easy to think that you might need everything but the kitchen sink, but when reality sets in after the first hour of hiking, you are going to be really thankful that you packed only the bare minimum. The load on your back gets heavy fast and any weight that isn’t essential quickly becomes your enemy. Prepare in advance and be sure to limit what things you decide to bring.

THE SHOE REALLY NEEDS TO FIT It can be really easy to underestimate the importance of a good hiking shoe. Having a boot that properly fits and is made with some extra support for walking makes all the difference for a good hike in the woods. If there is any one thing that you decide to invest in for the outdoors, it should be a good quality pair of boots. If you can find a pair that is waterproof, you will find it very worth your investment, as with any hike, you are very likely to come across some form of water.

START EASY It’s really important that when you are first starting to hike, you choose trails and paths that suit your skill level. Don’t try and be a hero and hike up Mnt. Everest on the first day. Be smart about your choices and you’re sure to have a good time.

DON’T DRESS TO IMPRESS

When you’re out in the boonies, hiking in the forest or the mountains, the last thing you want to do is dress to impress. Making smart choices with you’re wardrobe is integral to a good hike. There is no need to overdue it with aesthetics and stylish accessories, when in doubt, simple cargo pants and a cotton shirt are a good way to go. Just remember to bring some sort of sweater or layering article, to account for changes in temperature.

BRING FRIENDS Hiking is one of those things that still needs to be done in groups. For safety alone, you shouldn’t ever go out into the woods without a partner. It is important to have someone there in the event that something happens to yourself and also so that someone is aware of where you went and how long you were there, in the event that you get lost.

CARRY OUT WHAT YOU CARRIED IN It’s the great outdoors, respect it. Nature is not ours to abuse. A good rule of thumb is that you don’t leave anything behind. Whatever you bring through the woods on your hike should return home with you. Nature has a beauty unparalleled to anything manmade and we need to work together to preserve it.

DEPARTMENT

JESSE FORTIER THE CREATIVE OUTDOORSMAN

One man’s take on DIY, the outdoors and what creating means to him

WORDS BY LILIANNE KHUONG Photography by Marta Tomasir

DEPARTMENT

itting on a rough chair, talking among sawdust, nails and other various tools, I

listened closely while he attempted to describe what comes naturally to him. The sound of the saw would frequently interrupt us and drown out the conversation, seeming only to authenticate the experience. I was in his element, among his creativity. He continued to work while he talked with me, his hands moved around quickly. I found myself watching him so intently that I forgot about the pen in my hand and the expectation that I would take notes. He was in the middle of building a wood box from old wooden palettes. It was a marvel to watch the scraps of wood come to life through his manipulation of the materials. It was a skill and an artform that I looked at with great admiration. As I sat and picked his brain, I smiled to myself as I realized how perfect the environment and atmosphere were.

DEPARTMENT

I began by asking him to describe what DIY was to him, to which he simply said, “DIY is a lifestyle.” Beyond materials and projects, he described it as an attitude, an outlook on life that can be adopted. In his attempt to further define DIY culture, he related the desire to create things directly to people’s relationship with stuff. “We don’t have a good relationship with stuff. It consists of wants,” he says. In his assessment of modern society, he believes that people have become too dependant on the materiality of things, which has transformed into a world of wants, not needs.

“I look at things for what they could be, versus what they are” His face saddened as he expressed his disappointment in humanity’s apathy towards waste and consumption. He believes that emphasis and growth towards DIY culture could be part of the solution towards a more conscious society.He harkened back to the days before the industrial revolution, a time where quality and craftsmanship were valued. He discussed how the perceived value of goods has shifted and subsequently caused a shift in the quality of the things we consume. This brought up the notion of planned obsolescence and the idea that in modern society, we’ve adopted a ‘disposable’ attitude wherein goods exist in a transitory stage that is constantly changing.

DEPARTMENT

In his own lifestyle, he explains how he doesn’t want to perpetuate the

gathering is to go dumpster diving. He told me a story about a project

cycle of disposable goods and wants

of his that required a special kind

to eliminate his contribution to waste

of upholstery foam that could only

as much as he can. This is where his

be bought from a specialty store. He

do-it-yourself attitude comes into play.

described going into the store and

“I look at things for what they could be,

asking the price point of the material

versus what they are,” he explains. He

he wanted, only to be snubbed out the

also referenced the age old adage: “one

door at the expense. The story ended

man’s trash is another man’s treasure,’

successfully with him wandering into

and that he still believes this statement

the back alley and finding pieces of

to ring true, especially in regards to

the foam material he was looking for

materials and supplies. “My respect for

in the dumpster behind the store.

nature and the land means I choose to

When I asked him to elaborate on

create things instead of buy them” he

dumpster diving, he began by telling

explains. When asked how he decides

me about the frequency with which

what things to make, he replied simply

he is able to find the material he is

“I could make anything, it’s just a

looking for, simply by scavenging the

matter of ingredients.”

city dumpsters every once in a while. He takes a certain amount of pride

Dumpster Diving

in his ability to be resourceful and

The vast majority of Jesse’s DIY projects

find materials that he can reuse or

are created from repurposed materials,

repurpose and emphasizes this process

thus reinforcing his commitment to

as an integral part of his DIY lifestyle

reducing waste and respecting nature.

and commitment to preserving the

One of his most useful forms of material

land. While making his own things

“My respect for nature and the land means I choose to create things instead of buy them”

might seem tiring and labour intensive,

items in a small tin and a few other

size that they are now. It was clearly

his experiences in the outdoors always

miscellaneous items. For him, walking

evident that exposure to punk culture

serve to reinforce why he chooses to

into nature with only a few essentials

had an immense impact on Jesse

live the way he does.

enables him to feel a more intimate

lifestyle. It exposed him to new ideas

connection with the outdoors.

on consumerism and independance

The Great Outdoors

and taught him a host of valuable

As he further attempted to describe

Punk Culture

skills. For example, it was during this

himself, he searched for words

One thing that you’ll notice if you look

time that he learned how to create and

like ‘survivalist’ and ‘primitive’ to

at Jesse for any length of time, is that

sew his own patches for his clothing,

help describe his relationship with

he has a very enigmatic appearance.

something that he has carried through

nature and how his connection with

It isn’t any one thing that makes his

to his life today.

the outdoors greatly influences his

appearance unusual, but rather a

lifestyle. Sitting on his couch one

combination of various elements that

What now?

day, I recall him telling me that he

come together to create a very unique

While Jesse is never one to truly plan

felt most comfortable and at home

look. When asked about his style

out his life, when I asked him what

among nature. As an avid hiker and

and what he thinks of it, his face fell

was in store for him next, he had an

outdoorsman, Jesse frequently journeys

confused. He explained that he doesn’t

answer for me. Within the next five

to remote areas in the mountains for

strive to have any distinct look, but that

years, he hopes to be able to acquire

hours or days at a time. He describes

his appearance is simply a culmination

enough funds to be able to build his

these trips as an escape, a place for his

of his past and present. I ask him about

own sustainable cabin in a forest up

mind to find a sense of peace in this

his tattoos and ear gauges, leading us

north. It is his hope that he will be able

busy world. Often with just a backpack

into a conversation on the relationship

to create a self sustaining living space

and the clothes on his back, he sets off

between punk ideology and DIY. He

that is enhanced through his living on

into the woods to experience the raw

gives me a quick explanation of how

the land.

beauty of nature.

DIY influences punk culture, a topic

Looking at my watch, I noticed a

which I knew little about. He explains

few hours had already went by and the

that punk culture revolves around

woodbox he was crafting had already

the idea that artists can represent

taken a physical form. He pulled up

themselves independantly through

a chair and took a quick break from

their own craft instead of relying on

working. Still captured among his

the established industry. Emerging

thoughts, he continued to talk about

punk bands of the 1970’s exercised

the outdoors while sitting and drinking

this by recording their own music,

tea from his tin mug. I asked him

producing their own albums, creating

to describe what exactly happens

their own merchandise and promoting

when he decides to wander into the

themselves. He recalls in his younger,

forest. As an admitted control freak,

rebellious days when he was heavily

I was desperate to understand how

immersed in punk culture and played

he willingly walks into the untamed

in a punk band, an experience that

outdoors without any plans or

greatly influneced his desire to

preparations. He started to explain his

create and be independant from the

process, which began by examining his

consumer industry. During this phase

backpack and the things he considers

of his life he decided to learn the

essential enough to bring with him.

art of tattooing and often practiced

There wasn’t much. He had a small

designs on himself. It was also at this

tent rolled up, a sleeping bag, a single

time that he worked on gauging his

pot, some matches, a few first aid

ears, slowly stretching them to the

PATCHES MATERIALS denim jacket, patches, needle, thread

SPACERS MATERIALS [top] wood (form old palettes) [bottom] fimo or sculpy

ARROW QUIVER MATERIALS old denim, thread, patch, strap pieces, hard plastic or wood cylinder, metal hook, needle

SLINGSHOT MATERIALS denim jacket, patches, needle, thread

SUSPENDERS MATERIALS thread, needle, strap pieces

ARROWS MATERIALS wooden dowels, wood stain,

PATCHES MATERIALS shirt, patch, needle, thread

WE MAKE THINGS FIVE ARTISTS, FIVE OBJECTS A look at how five people embrace handmade projects as a way to craft meaning and memories into everyday objects.

EDITED BY NATASHA AGGARWAL Photography by Liz Gatapia

DEPARTMENT

ADRIAN TAYLOR OBJECT: POPLAR HIKING STICK

guess one would call me an outdoorsman. Being one with nature is very important to me. When I’m hiking, or

just out walking in the woods, I feel a sense of peace I can’t achieve any other way. I can’t really describe the feeling but I feel at home when I’m outside. Being surrounded by the natural world makes me happy, simple as that. By making my own hiking stick, I was able to infuse the essence of nature into an object that has now become part of my weekly treks into the forest. I made an object that not only encapsulates my connection with nature, but one that grows with me through the journeys we take. I’m fortunate to be able to live in such a suitable area for hiking. Most of my walks happen on the outskirts of the Rocky Mountains, near Canmore; although, aside from my weekly forest treks, my walking stick has traveled with me to more exotic places including Sedona, a beautiful mountainous region in Arizona, and even as far as Tuscany in Italy. My favorite thing about the walking stick is the memories that are now attached to it, and will be forever. No one else can have the same relationship with the stick because they don’t know the places its been.

“ I CREATED AN OBJECT THAT NOT ONLY ENCAPSULATES MY CONNECTION WITH NATURE, BUT ONE THAT GROWS WITH ME ON THE JOURNEYS WE TAKE ”

DANICA JANE OBJECT: KNIT SCARF

started knitting when I was just a little kid. My older sister liked to knit and that’s how I got involved. I remember not

being able to understand why she was so into it, why she would spend so much time on something that took so long, so she told me she’d teach me and I would see for myself. She was right. Ever since then I’ve been hooked. We didn’t have a lot to do while growing up. We lived in a small house, in a small town, and didn’t have many toys to play with. My mother was a single mom and did the best she could for us, but it was always up to us to find entertainment. Knitting helped kill time and it also helped me forget about my problems. It was an escape, I guess you could say. Then as I grew older, knitting turned into a sense of achievement for me. I just love the feeling I get when I finish a project I’ve works so hard on and put so much time into. I feel like I have a special bond with the object that no one else will ever feel.

“ I FEEL LIKE I HAVE A SPECIAL BOND WITH THE OBJECT THAT NO ONE ELSE WILL EVER FEEL.” Knitting also enables me to give gifts that are unique and are not just some random item bought from a store. I think recipients can feel the love that comes attached to a gift that has been knit by hand. I even knit for my boyfriend sometimes! I’ve made him a hat and a pair of gloves that he wears all the time. He is picky but the nice thing about knitting is that you can customize every last detail.

DEPARTMENT

TOM KUCY

OBJECT: PERSONAL PENDANT

ast year for Christmas my girlfriend and I agreed on not only buying each other a gift, but making each other

one as well. We liked the idea of hand making something because it would add that extra layer of authenticity and would be something no one else had. I already bought the gift and I just needed to think of something to make for her. After contemplating long and hard about it, I decided a personalized necklace would be a nice handmade gift, but I wasn’t sure what to make it from or how to go about crafting it. All I knew is I wanted it to be something that had meaning to her, exclusively. Taking the time to personalize a present turns an everyday item into a unique and heartfelt gift.

“ WE LIKED THE IDEA OF MAKING SOMETHING BECAUSE IT WOULD ADD THAT EXTRA LAYER OF AUTHENTICITY AND WOULD BE SOMETHING NO ONE ELSE HAD.” I eventually chose to make a leather pendant because I’ve worked with leather before. Leather is durable, and when you make your own gift you get to determine the quality by choosing the best supplies, etc. It also fit for my girlfriend because it’s classy without being too feminine, she isn’t a fan of overly flashy jewelry. She can sometimes be hard to shop for. When I was finished making the necklace, I was more excited to give it to her than I was the store bought gift because I knew she’d value it for a long time.

MARIE MASSOLIN OBJECT: PATCHWORK QUILT

reating this quilt quickly became an emotional journey for me because itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s essentially a scrapbook of family

memories. While rummaging through old boxes in the attic one day, I found a bunch of old shirts, pants, dish towels, and linens that had been stashed away and forgotten. I decided to gather them all into a big pile in the center of my room and then I found the rest of the materials needed to make a quilt. A quilt that became a visual depiction of my familyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s past. I decided to make a quilt from the scraps because I thought of it as giving the cloth items a second life. Instead of being eventually thrown away, they now live together as part of a whole. Something that has meaning to me. A physical thing that looks, feels, and even smells like my family. I have a deep connection to the quilt, not only because it reminds of me of family, but because I sewed it by hand. I plan to pass it down to my children and I hope that one day, they too will pass it on and that with each passing of hands, the memories are strengthened. They may even add onto it by using items of cloth that mean something to them in the future. The quilt is unique in that it will not only serve as a scrapbook of old memories, but will create new ones for many years to come.

DEPARTMENT

RYAN PEARSE OBJECT: LEATHER SKETCHBOOK

eople always ask me why I draw. For me, drawing is a form of thinking. It allows me to rationalize what’s in my head

and put in onto paper rather than into words. I communicate the best through my drawings. I believe that anything created using one’s own hands has a distinct sense of honesty about it. As an artist, the process of using my hands to create something is integral to my practice and to my creativity. While drawing in my usual moleskine sketchbook, I realized that by using the exact same sketchbook that most artists use, I was not utilizing my true creative potential. Sure it’s a great sketchbook, it has quality paper and a good binding, but I couldn’t help but think that the authenticity of my sketches would be taken to another level if the were housed by something I could also make by hand. This it what led me to make my own sketchbook. It might not be anything fancy, but I was able to customize it specifically for me. I choose a nice piece of leather for the cover and some good quality paper for the inside. Now when I draw in my sketchbook, the experience is enhanced and I feel inspired by using something that I handcrafted with the same hands that I draw with.

“ I BELIEVE THAT ANYTHING CREATED USING ONE’S OWN HANDS HAS A DISTINCT SENSE OF HONESTY ABOUT IT.”

IN THE COMMUNITY

TOP DIY CONFERE DIY conferences are not only a place to seek ideas and inspiration, but also a way to connect with others in the community. Attending one of these conferences ensures that you will expand your creativity and build relationships. Here is a look at 3 top DIY conferences.

HAVEN In the world of DIYâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ers, gone are the days that we budget and wait for someone else to do what we can do ourselves. We are daydreamers. We are visionaries. We are frugal. We see something done, and we ponder how we can do it for less. We want something done, and we ponder the tools we need to do it. What does this mean for you? Haven Conference is the place to celebrate that DIY spirit. It is where DIY lovers from all over will gather together to encourage and learn from one another. You will find hands-on sessions led by some of the top DIY bloggers who will share their knowledge on subjects such as painting furniture and using power tools. For those of you desiring to learn more about blogging, there will be sessions on topics that include social media and how to monetize your blog. Haven Conference will be a place for encouragement. The DIY/Home blogging community is special, and we encourage you to form connections with those in it!

ENCES

SNAP! There is something a bit different about being a creative blogger… Instead of dissecting life and examining the pieces like many online writers, we’re busy dreaming, sharing and building things up. We inspire one another and when we connect in ways that comfort and sustain, it is something truly extraordinary. That is why we launched SNAP – a community where imaginative bloggers can come together; learn from one another and walk away invigorated. The hallmark of this community? A three-day conference April 24-26, 2014 in Salt Lake City, Utah,targeting the best bloggers representing modern handmade, contemporary craft, mindblowing events and DIY. Take a step away from your busy life and join us for lots of laughter, hugging and replenishment. You’ll walk away with a stronger sense of community, enhanced skills and an even greater sense of self.

CRAFTCATION Craftcation is a four-day conference featuring industry professionals leading attendees in lectures, panels & q + a sessions on creative small business as well as teaching hands-on craft and food workshops. The conference takes place in the beach town of Ventura, California. Craftcation utilizes Ventura’s historic downtown buildings and businesses as well as the beach for special events like networking meet & greets, cocktail socials, a pop-up shop, opening celebration, yoga and food and art tours. Craftcation ignites the entrepreneurial spirit, strengthens skills of people with new creative businesses as well as seasoned professionals and builds relationships in the handmade community.

#MANUALDIY NEXT MONTHâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S THEME: THE DIY ARTIST

One of the best parts of creating something is sharing it with the world. Whether it be an Instagram post or a Tweet, you probably love to brag about experiences with your friends and networks. DIY projects lend themselves well to these share-worthy experiences. Each month we will feature a theme for submissions, and you the audience, can submit your projects to #manualdiy. For each monthly theme, we will chose a submission to feature in our upcoming issue. In addition, you are also encouraged to share ideas for projects you think we should feature in future issues.

the

Manual STEP-BY-STEP PROJECT INSTRUCTIONS INSIDE

TABLE OF CONTENTS

08 16

10 18

BRAIDED LEATHER CUFF

STRIPED BOW TIE

BELTED PICTURE FRAME

LIQUOR SOAP DISPENSER

FROSTED GLASSES

SCRABBLE TILE COASTERS

LEATHER BASKETS

STACKED BOOK LAMPS

Braided leather bracelets made from old belts

Upcycling an old menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s tie into a new bowtie

A classic photo frame made from an old belt and wood

Manliness in a bottle with this soap dispenser made from an old liquor bottle

Easy custom designed glasses with a frosted finish

Custom coffee table coasters using old scrabble tiles

Simple leather baskets to organize your various junk

A custom lamp made from your literary favourites

3 YARN 1 MEASURING TAPE

2 OLD BELT

4 UTILITY KNIFE

BRAIDED LEATHER CUFF STEP 1 Measure your wrist with string or a measuring tape and cut the belt into the length of your desired bracelet.

4 2

2 STEP 2 Cut 3 slits into the strips, about 1 cm from the edge on either side.

STEP 3 Slip the bottom of the piece through the right slit, and pull it through.

STEP 4 Braid the left piece through the center

STEP 8 Continue to braid right over center, then left, then right again. Slip the bottom through the right gap and pull through again. Repeat again, starting with left over center.

STEP 6 Braid left piece through center again

STEP 7 Slip the bottom through the left gap, and pull through.

STEP 5 Braid the right piece through the center

STEP 9 Pierce holes into the ends of the bracelet and thread yarn or twine through to create the closure.

2 THREAD 4 VELCRO STRIPS

3 NEEDLE 1 OLD TIE

6 ELASTIC 5 SCISSORS

STRIPED BOW TIE STEP 1 Cut the tie into two sections, one 12â&#x20AC;? strip at the bottom and a 4.5â&#x20AC;? strip near the top.

STEP 2 With the longer strip, fold the left side in, towards the middle.

STEP 3 Fold the right side in, over top the left side.

STEP 4 Pinch the layers together from top to bottom to form the bow shape with your fingers.

1 STEP 5 Stitch through all the layers to create the gather in the middle of the bow. Make sure to pull tightly.

STEP 6 Take the second strip of material and place it over the center of the bowtie.

STEP 7 Fold the fabric strip around the bow tie, bringing the ends to overlap around the back of the main piece.

1 2

STEP 8 Stitch together the seam with small, tight stitches. Make sure to pull tightly.

STEP 9 Thread the desired length of elastic through and under the stitched strip in the middle.

STEP 10 Turn the bowtie over and adjust the sides to create the perfect bow tie shape.

3 2

2 1

6 1

1 SCRAP WOOD 3 UTILITY KNIFE

2 5 MEASURING TAPE

6 OLD BELT

GLUE

4 PENCIL

BELTED PICTURE FRAME STEP 1 Cut belt into 4 pieces, 2 that match the lenght of your frame and 2 that match the width.

STEP 2 Cut the ends of the pieces at a 45ยบ angle so they fit together to make corners.

STEP 3 Cut a wood panel the same dimensions as your desired frame, as well as 3 side pieces that are slightly narrower than the width of the belt.

1 1

6 1

STEP 4 Glue the side pieces to the frame back and the leather strips to the sides.

STEP 5 Slide your fave photo in the top then hang it up and brag to your friends.

1 TWINE

SOAP PUMP

EMPTY LIQUOR BOTTLE

LIQUOR SOAP DISPENSER 2 2

3 STEP 1 Thoroughly clean out the empty liquor bottle and remove the cap. Fill with your favourite soap.

3 STEP 1 Insert the soap pump directly into the empty bottle and secure tightly.

3 STEP 1 Test to make sure the soap pump is long enough to reach near the end of the bottle.

3 STEP 1 Tightly wrap the twine around the neck of the bottle to create a more natural look.

2 1

TAPE

UTILITY KNIFE

GLASSES

FROSTED FINISH

5 RUBBER GLOVES

6 LABELS OR ADHESIVE TAPE

FROSTED GLASSES STEP 1 Trace and cut your desired design out of the label/tape adhesive

STEP 2 Peel the sticky backing off of your design elements

STEP 3 Make sure the glass is clean, then adhere your design elements to the glass

STEP 4 Once the designs are firmly adhered to the glass, spray the frosted finish evenly on the sides of the glass, rotating to achieve an even coat. If you have a brush on frost finish, apply it evenly over the surface with a foam brush. Apply 2-3 coats for the best finish.

STEP 1 Once the frosted finish has thoroughly dried, slowly peel the sticky labels/tape off, being careful around corners and edges.

1 CORK

2 GLUE GUN

SCRABBLE TILES

UTILITY KNIFE

SCRABBLE TILE COASTERS STEP 1 Roll out and measure out squares from the corkboard.

STEP 1 Layout your desired scrabble tiles to create interesting words and securely glue them down.

1 RIVET SETTER

2 RIVETS

4 3 LEATHER SCRAPS

PUNCH

5 MALLET

LEATHER BASKETS STEP 1 Cut the leather into a 12â&#x20AC;? square. Make cuts in all four corners, 6â&#x20AC;? in towards the center

STEP 2 Punch 4 holes into the leather as shown below

STEP 3 Align the two holes on one side together, so that they overlap

3 4

2 3

STEP 3 Place the base of the rivet through the two pieces of leather. Place the rivet cap on top. Place the rivet setter on the top of the rivet and hammer down with the mallet until secured. Repeat on both sides.

STEP 3 Tuck the remaining leather triangle ends up and under the rivets and shape it with your hands to create the form.

5 LAMP KIT

BOOKS

LAMP SHADE

UTILITY KNIFE

GLUE

STACKED BOOKS LAMP 5 5

STEP 1 Individually drill through the center of the books to create the shaft.

STEP 2 Cut out a section from the last book to allow the cord to run smoothly on the table.

STEP 1 Place the lamp base onto the copper rod and screw in the bulb.

STEP 3 Slide the copper rod with the lamp wire through the hole in the books.

STEP 1 Screw the lamp shade to the base and watch it illuminate.

MANUAL MAGAZINE 2014

GERBER CAMP AXE II $52.00