diy by Grace Bonney 61

moomah: creative arts cafe + diy mouse toy project

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i get a real kick out of seeing creative people combine forces to bring something good into the world. so i was thrilled to hear from jacqueline schmidt of screech owl design (click here and here to see her beautiful homes) about a new project called “moomah” she’s working on with tracey stewart.

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moomah is a creative arts cafe in the tribeca neighborhood of manhattan that focuses on providing classes, nutritious food (served in fun ways), and art exhibitions, among many other resources. i was blown away by not only the gorgeous interiors (i’d like to move in, pronto), but the idea of providing such a safe, positive environment for people of all ages to come and learn, make and create. and then you throw in jacqueline from screech owl? i’m sold.

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so many aspects of moomah‘s classes and interiors involve diy projects (like the gorgeous epoxy tables) that i thought it would be fun to not only introduce moomah to the creative community, but share a fun project that’s perfect for little or big hands- provided you have a cat (or dog) at home that would like to play. even if you don’t have a pet, this project makes for a fun hand-made toy that can be used as decoration, or a gift for the pet-lover in your life.

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i’m going to see if i can wrangle the moomah crowd into shooting a diy video with me for d*s so stay tuned for much more on moomah in the coming weeks. congrats to jacqueline, tracey and everyone at moomah on their new venture! [interior shots of moomah by kim cornelison]

CLICK HERE for the full project instructions (and more images from moomah) after the jump!

DIY Cat Toy from Moomah

*Click here to download the instructions with images instead*

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Step One: Flatten your flag shaped peice of wool on a hard surface. Grab the long narrow tail, as above.

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Step Two: Starting with the tail, roll tightly and evenly to the opposite end.

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Step Three: When the wool is rolled , hold it tightly while you pick up the separate woolen tie.

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Step Four: Wrap the woolen tie around the top of the mouse’s body. (opposite the tail.)

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Step Five: Pull the woolen tie tightly and make a knot to form the mouse’s ears.

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Step Six: Congratulations, you are done! To celebrate, find a pet that you would like to share your recycled do-it-yourself toy with, and the two of you can play!

[more interior shots of moomah- below- by kim cornelison]

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[image above: shadow boxes at moomah]

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61 Comments

Vivi

What a lovely home! It’s such a great example of organized quirkiness.

sloeginfizz

This place makes me miss NYC. Wish I could stop by — no, make that move in!! I am also wondering who’s art is featured in the second photo… ? wow.

Kate

What an amazingly brilliant idea. I love the idea of getting creative people together to learn from one another. Brilliant.

Also, like a lot of the other commenters have pointed out, the decor is really adorable. I would give anything to work out of a space like that!

vanessa

i’m in love with this place! is there a way of finding out the source of the concrete top table on casters?

jenipher

Omgosh! THIS place is AMAZING!!

I wish it were closer. Anyone want to open one in Florida?? :)

Thanks so much for posting about it.

Sarah

I work on the same street as this place. I’m definitely stopping in on my lunch break soon!

Katie

The fabric on the curtains and sofa is AMAZING! Anybody know where it’s from?

Samae

Love the curtains and matching sofa. Where is that fabulous fabric from?

Gillian

Do leather chairs, like the one in the second photo, come with that distressedlook?

I would love to find a treatment/process to give my beloved leather chair (destroyed by my cat) an aged look…

Jacqui

What a truly great idea! We need to teach children to hold onto and foster more creativity. And the space is absolutely beautiful, I think I could live there!

Patricia - ILevel

This looks amazing! ILevel hung the artwork in this space and it’s nice for me to see the final product. The staff at Moomah is always so wonderful to work with. We are glad to know they are doing so well in their venture!

colleen

how i love those shadow boxes. the little clothes on the line, the moon and starts in the sky. so very lovely.

nina

Wow- my two worlds collide: education and design. Looking for a career section..

Breana

A-dor-a-ble. Wish I lived there! Reminds me of old-fashioned ice cream parlors. Anyone know where to get the wire cage baskets?

yani

I wish we have a place like that in our country. I love it!

Lisa

ahh it’s about the amazing fabric on the drapes and couch …please do tell…

Bess

Moomah looks great!
I love all the decorating choices they made, especially the counter/bar. I’m sure it’s going to be a wonderful place to come together… I’m jealous of you NYC folk!!

danielle

wow, love the space!
can you share where the 9 prints above the sofa is from???
really great!

Sharon

So inspiring, I’ve always wanted to open an art studio where I can teach various projects. Thanks for posting :)

The Deco Detective

This is the best café I’ve seen in a long time – not only the interior, which is absolutely lovely, but also the thought behind. I hope this will be a huge success.

Annemarie

Does anyone know where to find those schoolhouse style chairs? I have a few authentic from a Craigslist score a few years back but oh my goodness how I would love a set. :)

Kate Schweitzer

Does anyone know the designer of the metal stools in the photo? They have them at Gorilla coffee in Park Slope too and I have been dying to get a couple of them. Thanks!

Paulette

Can’t really add anything to what everyone’s already said except gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous!

Missy K

I love the school chairs, too! I would love a set for my craft room or kitchen. Those are so adorable.

Jennifer

I’m lucky enough to live near Moomah and so I do live at Moomah. It’s even more special than it looks. I’ve asked some of the above questions and gotten the answers. The prints are on sale there. The fabric is there own creation and it also comes in a wrapping paper and a tissue. The stools are from the sundance catalog. Didn’t ask about the concrete tables, wire baskets, or school chairs but I’ll get on it.

Beth

The concept of this store is sooo cool. If I had even an ounce of entrepreneurial blood in me I’d want to do something similar. Ever think of setting up franchises?

Margot

I’m intrigued by this idea and the response it has generated here. I find my craft projects to be very personal outlets for my need to create and indulge in the creative process. I wouldn’t know what to do with so many onlookers and well wishers.

Jade

Ooooh…I love the little black & white piggies grazing beneath the one shadow box house!
:) Jade

Andie

The PDF is no longer an active link, is this still available?

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