Pack Rat hurts less than getting kicked in the face with a golf shoe

I am a wuss when it comes to pain. Or, maybe, more accurately, I’m just very pragmatic. There’s no way that I would willingly subject myself to the feeling of a needle repeatedly being driven into my skin, no matter what the outcome. And while I love tattoos on other people, you’ll never see me sporting a butterfly or rose on my ankle. But no matter how practical I find them, tattoos are empirically pretty freaking cool. Well, co-wusses of the world rejoice along with me, because now there is a more stylish, more artistic, and less wiener-y option than sporting the temporary tattoo. Inkart 76 transfers the classic tattoo images from the Miami Ink studio on to a necklace you can take on and off at will–with no lifetime commitment. And they are super affordable, unlike the real thing. I get the sneaking suspicion that my personal favorite is apparently the designer’s top pick as well, because it is called “My Favorite Tattoo Necklace.” Just a guess, though. At $15, both your skin and your wallet will be pain free.

Pack Rat Magazine is the wind beneath your wings

Hi guys. Meghan here. Reporting for duty. Today I bring you Leviticus Jewelry. If the name sounds familiar, it’s probably because every so often I take the opportunity to gush about how much I like their jewels. Today I went through and pulled out a couple of my favorites for $30 and under. I guess the thing I like most is that while each piece remains sophisticated and minimalist, the bare-bones of a simple charm(s) and chain doesn’t preclude the personality of each piece. They are whimsical in the best sense of the word. Check it out, dudes. The Crocodile Wood Swirl Earrings and Sparrow Bracelet are both $30 and the Amelia Earhart Necklace is $25.

Pack Rat Magazine gets crunked up. We think. We’re not really sure what that means.

Hi girls and boys. I must apologize. I wrote out this whole blog entry yesterday, but apparently didn’t bother to save and post it. Which means that it wasn’t much good to anyone, including myself. But why dwell in the past. What I had meant to show you was these colorful, playful pendants from Victoria Usova’s shop, Chest of Fairytales. They are bright and light-hearted, like a children’s book crossed with a stained glass window. They are each $15 and I want to collect them all. Check out a smattering of examples below.

Pack Rat Magazine is going to set the world on fire (metaphorically speaking)

We’re going to be starting something new around here. From now on, every day you’ll find something we are adding to our wish list of handmade gimmies (as in, “Gimme that!”) that falls within our Pack Rat tightwad budget. For those of you new to the magazine, that means anything $30 or under. Today’s item is the Julia Dollie Brooch by Damned Dollies. On sale at goodEGG Industries for $25, I think this brooch is the bees knees. From the bleeding eyeliner, to the obscene shock-red hair, and down to the limp cigarette hanging from her lips, Julia is a white trash tableaux. Wonderfully tongue-and-cheek, I would love to wear her pinned to a cardigan or clipped to a shoulder bag.

Pack Rat Magazine walks without rhythm so that it won’t attract the worm

You may have begun to suspect this about me, but I love kitschy things. It’s true. In recent years I’ve tried to tone it down some, so my apartment looks less like a Vegas wedding chapel, but I can’t help be drawn to big, colorful plastic ephemera. Fortunately for me, Lala-a-go-go has the answer with her online shop, kitschy. Now I don’t have to clutter up my shelves with snow globes and hula girls, I can wear my love of everything cheesy right on my sleeve with her fun plastic gems. A few of my favorites are below, but to really get the full effect you should browse the store. Please note that all the prices are Pack Rat friendly

It’s Pack Rat Magazine, b*tches!

Okay, so I know I’ve been awol recently and I’m sure you’ve all be struggling to find the will to live without my sage words of advice (JK) but I’m back and the reason for my prolonged absence and subsequent return is that I’ve been working diligently on producing for you all (or y’all where appropriate) issue numero quatro of Pack Rat. This issue we help the Earth in the spirit of Earth Day by doing what we do best: recycled crafts and lots of them. We also talk with jewelry designer Becky Houle, a.k.a. The Vicious Kitty, look into what this whole letterbox craze is all about and, with the help of Cat Morley from Cut Out + Keep make our own letterbox stampers, hit the thrifts for some inexpensive crafting supplies, and just about a zillion things more. Head over to www.packratmag.com/zine to get in on the action. I missed you all and I’m glad to be back. Happy crafting!

Hi kids!  the Feb/March Issue is finally out and rarin’ to go.  Click on the pdf link below!  And remember, if you think you could do better, you’re welcome to show us what you’ve got. Submission deadlines for next issue will be March 20th.  Happy reading.

issue3.pdf

Pack Rat Magazine. We could beat Chuck Norris in a cage match…craft off.

Okay, so usually I try to find inexpensive crafts for you guys to do, since as you know we at Pack Rat would rather you empty your junk drawer for supplies, then empty your wallet. But, sometimes amazing crafts just can’t be made with recycled supplies. Like this D.I.Y. tutorial on how to make glass beads. Although I will probably never try my own hand at this, the process is captivating and if someone at random opened up their glass workshop for me to try, you bet your ass I’d be attempting to make beads before I did anything else. So I figured I’d pass this link along, in case some of you out there do have friends with open and available studios. If nothing else, it makes me a little nostolgic for the Mr. Roger’s episode where they go to the glass factory. That one and the crayon episode were always my favorites.

What the kids are talking about. Pack Rat Magazine.

Sorry this is so last minute, but I just remembered that I wanted to tell you guys that Leviticus Jewelry is having a sale until the end of the day today. Their jewelry is so unique and tongue-in-cheek that I can barely resist at their normal prices (which, to be perfectly honest, are a bit too rich for my blood), but now that they are on sale, watch out. Here are a few of my favorite necklaces below (p.s. they have more jewelry than just necklaces, but necklaces are my weakness).

Love DIY jewelry? You’ll love Pack Rat Magazine

Okay, admittedly, this post is not for the extremely tight budgeted. But, inspiration can come from anywhere and who knows, maybe someday you’ll buy that welding torch? In preparation for said day, check out Metal Chick, a video podcast devoted entirely to jewelry. I never wanted a workshop so badly. This episode is devoted to revamping old and somewhat tacky pieces into modern, sophisiticated bling.