“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
22
16 12
GENTLEMINT
13
BLOGGING FOR GOLD
14
Pinterest for manly things
Where blogging meats DIY and the growth in the community
ARTIST PROFILE
16
20
SECOND HAND TREASURES
22
FIESTA NIGHT
Upcycling an old men’s tie into a new bowtie.
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
24
DATE NIGHT SHOEBOX
28 26
THE ESSENTIALS
27
RE-BELTED
28
THE ART OF BOWTIES
A quick, inexpensive alternative to your typical night out with the sweetheart
Ten essential tools for your leatherworking projects
Upcycling an old men’s tie into a new bowtie.
Upcycling an old men’s tie into a new bowtie.
ARTIST PROFILE
30
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
34
CLEAN CAN BE CLASSY
34
RE-BELTED 2.0
35
NOT JUST FOR READING
36
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
42
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.
56
Simple things you can do to ‘man’ up your spring cleaning.
WE MAKE THINGS
The potential in your old books.
‘Man’ up your spring cleaning.
56
5 PEOPLE, 5 OBJECTS Chris Gardner shares his inspiration and experience behind creating the men’s creative craft blog, ManMade
EDITORS
LILIANNE KHUONG
NATASHA AGGARWAL
WRITER/EDITOR
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.
Š2014 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 doesn’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
7
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
10
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
11
ARTIST SPOTLIGHT
6 MENS BLOGS YOU 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.
01
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.
04
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.
YOU 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
14
COMMUNITY AND CULTURE // ARTIST SPOTLIGHT
R
“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
15
“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.
16
COMMUNITY AND CULTURE // ARTIST PROFILE
also like to make stuff.
ARTIST PROFILE // COMMUNITY AND CULTURE
17
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.
18
COMMUNITY AND CULTURE // SECOND-HAND TREASURES
THRIFTING 101: TIPS DESCRIPTION Simple tips to maximize your thrift shopping trip
01
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
02
BRING SANITIZER
04
BRING CASH
06
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
EC
a u n a
M IN
l
T
STRUCTIO
E
OJ
SID
PR
IN
DIY
N
S
FIESTA NIGHT A summer party is one of life’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
21
HOSTING 101: THE BASICS DESCRIPTION Learn the essential skills to becoming a great host
01
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
MAKE GOOD CONVERSATION Num ut expel inciass umquam aut quis nim dolorpor aut quiam as simoluptios ate eicta endicta turitam nihit omnimperum landignatus aut repre que volendae. Labo. Itatium recto volupie nducim et eosaepu daessit quiatur? Accatia erchici vellorro tet prorest, et laut etur sanis verciduci verum abor
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
02
BE ENTERTAINING
04
GRAB THEM A DRINK
06
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
23
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
U
R
slightly more appealing, especially for
JEC
Man ST
perhaps not such a big leap and may be
PRO
CT
T
ual
IN
watch straps, so a leather bracelet is
DIY
IO N S INSID
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 ‘n’ roll aesthetic.
RE-BELTED 1.0 // STYLE
25
E
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
PR DIY
OJ
l a u an
EC
T
IN
IN
SID
E
M
STRUCTIO
N
S
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
26
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
28
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
29
30
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
31
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
M IN
T
E
EC
SID
OJ
IN
R YP
N
S
DI
STRUCTIO
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?
32
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
JEC
Man ST
U
R
look of a classic bottle of vodka or gin.
PRO
CT
T
ual
IN
you’re anything like me, you love the
DIY
IO N S INSID
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
33
E
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
IN
SID
Ma
thrift stores. So, what to do with this surplus if you’re not ready to reenact the look of Urban Cowboy? Why not
E
l a u n IN
R YP
CT
N
S
DI
E OJ
STRUCTIO
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.
34
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.
JEC
Man ST
U
R
ago the thought would never have entered my mind because
PRO
CT
IO N S INSID
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
T
ual
IN
But what about altering and repurposing books? Years
DIY
35
E
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-to’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
37
EVERY MAN NEEDS ADVENTURE A summer party is one of life’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
39
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
01
02
03
04
DON’T OVERPACK
05
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
06
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
41
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
42
DEPARTMENT
DEPARTMENT
43
S
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
45
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.
50
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
57
58
DEPARTMENT
ADRIAN TAYLOR OBJECT: POPLAR HIKING STICK
I
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
I
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
61
TOM KUCY
OBJECT: PERSONAL PENDANT
L
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
C
reating this quilt quickly became an emotional journey for me because it’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 family’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
65
66
DEPARTMENT
RYAN PEARSE OBJECT: LEATHER SKETCHBOOK
P
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 CONFEREN 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.
01
HAVEN In the world of DIY’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!
RENCES
02
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.
03
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 MONTH’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.