What did colonist make or create during the shortages of 1777?

Any one colonist in mind? Or do you mean colonists (plural)?

http://www.google.com/search?q=colonies+shortages+of+1777&rls=com.microsoft:en-us:IE-SearchBox&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&sourceid=ie7&rlz=1I7SUNA
In these search results, check out several -- including the 1st, 3rd, and 4th, and others.