Marzipan Buttons.

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Sara Varon’s new book, Bake Sale, has come out, and it has recipes and sweet conversations between two best friends: a cupcake named Cupcake who owns a bakery, and an eggplant named Eggplant who has an itch to travel.  If you think it all sounds too gentle for your irony-accustomed tastebuds, do think again. Varon’s

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Creative Paper Craft for the Timid.

If you’ve found your way here as a result of Martha Stewart Living, welcome and thanks for visiting. If you haven’t yet seen it, February’s issue features the Handmade Crafternoon event series that I co-host with Maura Madden, and includes templates for secret message hearts, little foxes, and pop-up hearts, each inspired by a vintage valentine

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Fruit and Nut Animals from a Century Ago.

The following pictures are so wonderful that I just have to hold the explanations for below. Without further ado, I bring you…

A cow made of almonds:

A bear made of raisins:

And my personal favorite, an elephant made of English walnuts:

These images come to us via the librarians

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Stunning Speakers.

Do you know how a gramophone acts? (Image from NYPL Digital Gallery)

Last Thursday, instead of making myself squirm through the vice-presidential debate as it unfolded live, I went to a concert. The musician Andrew Bird played the Tarrytown Music Hall, and his haunting, looping violin (combined with glockenspiel, guitar, voice, and whistling) filled the

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Welcome!

My name is Jessica Pigza, and I'm a diy enthusiast, a lover of vintage craft guides, & a rare book librarian. You can learn more about me, my library classes & events, and my press & appearances. Or drop me a line.

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