Amber Bouman - Crafty & Cashless

DIY: 5 No-Sew Tshirt Alterations
When I first started writing this column – two years ago! – I promised myself that I would only do it as long as it stayed fun. I figured at some point, I would run out of awesome DIY projects and ideas, but I’ve written almost 100 posts now on

DIY: Fix Up a Faux Fireplace
There’s a lot of stuff that gets me riled up – I am perhaps a bit of a hot head – however, on that long list are two words that when combined both infuriate and flabbergast me and those words are: decorative fireplace. Yes, seriously. Is there anything more useless?!

The 2023 SF Wine Passport is Here!
Step into a world of adventure with the 2023 SF Wine Passport! There’s no better way to explore San Francisco than to literally drink it in. You get 2-for-1 glasses of wine at 23 of SF’s finest locally owned bars and restaurants for only $39.95! It honestly doesn’t get much better than that. And after the

DIY: Recipe Boxes
I’m fairly certain I’ve mentioned this before but, I can’t cook. I’m crafty and resourceful and a damn good baker and all, but I am basically useless when it comes to preparing actual meals. Were it not for a string of roommates who were both generous and more culinarily-minded than

DIY: Solo Cup Crafts
Every broke-ass worth his or her salt has thrown at least a few parties assisted by the ubiquitous beverage holder of choice: the Solo cup. Found at bashes, crashes, shindigs, festivals, hoedowns, beach bonfires, college parties, picnics, Dolores Park… those little red and white buggers get around. After all what

DIY: Paint Chip Crafts
Despite being born into a family of artists, I have… let’s call it limited artistic talent. However, that doesn’t mean I don’t have any artistic ability, it just means I’m more crafty than classically trained. Case in point: there are plenty of art-inspired DIY projects that don’t require an understanding

DIY: Repurposed Suitcases
One of my favorite things to do is find crafts for the items I see left on the curbs regularly – like any metropolis, San Francisco has got a great street corner economy going: everything from clothing to furniture can get set at the end of the street (or near

DIY: Lunch Bags
Buying lunch every day is about as expensive as saying “Drinks are one me!” The reality is that brown-bagging your lunch is a broke-ass basic – it’s pretty much lesson numero uno in saving major dinero – but carrying yesterday’s leftovers in a plastic bag is about as unexciting as

DIY: Office Supply Crafts
Many a broke-ass has headed the call of the fluorescent-light liftstyle by working in an office. Whether part-time, or life-time, there’s a good chance you’ve muttered something about “effing TPS reports” under your breath or that you’ve made Jim Halpert’s signature expression at a coworker. However, there are ways to