Craft Test Dummies

Craft Nerds Rule- and WIN!

Posted on 05. Feb, 2010 by Jenny.

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Thank you to the 26 or so of you who ‘fessed up to being craft nerds! I entered in your comment numbers to Random.org, and our winning number was:

22: Karla! She said:

You know you’re a craft nerd when you plan your vacation around all of the craft/quilt stores you can hit on the way to the final destination…..A weekend retreat for crafters. The divorce should be final in about a month….

Congrats, Karla! Let me know if you’d rather have the Blogging for Bliss book or a selection of polymer clay…and good luck with that divorce….

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Crafting a Healthier World with EcoGreen Crafts

Posted on 03. Feb, 2010 by Jenny.

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Being “green” is all the rage- we see a LOT of crafting with recycled elements, using less-toxic materials, and “using up” to decrease waste. How wonderful is it, then, to find a craft product company who is striving to do the same?

Enter EcoGreen Crafts. It’s a brand-spankin’ new comany founded by Julia Andrus and Susan Sepaniak, born after Julia was treated for a rare and “particularly mean” form of cancer. In Julia’s own words:

“One of the things I learned during my own experience with cancer is that there are three basic factors that contribute to serious health issues, these are genetics, lifestyle and environment. While there is nothing we can do about our genetic make-up, there is plenty we can do to improve our personal environments and lifestyles. Using leisure time for creative activities has been proven to reduce stress. Using safe, eco-friendly products for creative projects is a tremendous contribution that can make a healthy difference, especially for children and active crafters.”

They have taken care to create paints with low or no VOC’s (Volatile Organic Compounds), glue that is derived from a plant and preservative-free (patent pending), and cling- mount stamps that are made of recycled rubber. They print their labels on recycled paper and have made every effort to reduce their carbon footprint.

As a mom and an avid crafter, I love their passion, message, and mission to bring healthy crafting to all and leave the world a better place. I think you will, too! Take a look at this video I shot of Julia at CHA Winter 2010, and I’m sure she will convince you as well!

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You Know You’re a Craft Nerd When…

Posted on 01. Feb, 2010 by Jenny.

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Ok, this started out as a little Twitter thingy…. I started the phrase, “You know your’e a craft nerd WHEN:” and folks started filling in the phrase.

First of all I KNOW I’m a craft nerd and embrace it. I just didn’t know there were so many of you out there, too!

So here’s the deal: here are some of my Twitter responses… and leave your comment, too. I’ll read ‘em all and do a little giveaway on Friday, February 12 at 4:00PM EST.

You can win either a copy of the book “Blogging For Bliss” by Tara Frey OR some Pardo polymer clay … you choose!

SO… You know you’re a #CraftNerd when:

When you save caps and lids to everything because it might be a useful tool, for what is unknown lol
when you can’t throw out cans and jars without finding another artful purpose for them!
when you must cut up every ounce of left over paper: shaped punches, squares, and triangles.
Your husband asks if you have any glue & you offer him 14 different types.
you are a craft nerd when you would rather have a set of stamps instead of chocolate and flowers for Valentines!

Add your answer and enter to win!

Hey, Y’all…contest is over, but you can still feel free to leave a comment- the more, the merrier!

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Cricut Cake Debuts at CHA Winter 2010

Posted on 29. Jan, 2010 by Jenny.

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If you are a die-hard Cricut fan, (or a cake decorator), buckle your seat belt- the Cricut Cake is here! (Well, almost- it’ll drop in late April.) But the excitement at CHA was palpable and the screaming non-stop from the ProvoCraft booth.

The Cricut Cake will cut fondant, gum paste, sheet icing, even fruit leathers. But instead of me explaining it, watch this video from John Lee of ProvoCraft:

I’ll be receiving one of these wonders sometime in late May, but in the meanwhile, make sure you watch the season finale of Cake Boss to see it in action on TV!

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Article on Ice Resin for Craft Critique!

Posted on 28. Jan, 2010 by Jenny.

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Ice Resin- a 2-part non-toxic resin

As some of you know, I write for Craft Critique, and have been doing some CHA coverage for them. I got a chance to write a post about Ice Resin, a product I’m really excited to try out. It’s a non-toxic 2-part resin (most 2-part epoxy resins are HIGHLY toxic) and is touted as being non-yellowing.

Fabulous artist and fellow Ohioan Susan Lenart Kazmer uses this resin in her work, and frankly, she knows her stuff! I have a sample to try out, but in the meantime, read the full preview article over at CraftCritique.

Do you work with resins? Anything I should try out for you?

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More Pics from CHA Winter 2010

Posted on 27. Jan, 2010 by Jenny.

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The show is starting to draw to a close, and even though I’ve grown a blister on my toe the size of a cherry, I’m still having a great time. Here are a few pics from today’s adventures:

New corner punches from Fiskars

Purple Cow & the Freestyle Mouse system- cool!

Playing with an embossing technique from Stampendous!

Yummy fabric beads from JHB.

Incredible mixed-media necklace featuring Aleene's glue...

Art Institute Glitter booth- kind of Steampunk-y!

Slice's Giveaway Vespa- made for ME!

This last one pretty much sums up how much fun I’m having!!!

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CHA updates on Craft Critique

Posted on 26. Jan, 2010 by Jenny.

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Photo by Amy of ModPodgeRocks- thanks!

I LOVE CraftCritique.com- it’s such great site for news and reviews on all things crafty. (Ok, and I write for them, too, but really I’m not biased.)

If you are at ALL interested, you should click on over and read all the updates. Since I’ve been here, I specifically have written articles on Ice Resin (non-toxic 2 part epoxy), Viva-Decor’s Precious Metal Paints, and Carol Duvall.

Go check out their coverage- you’ll be glad you did!

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Craft Celebrities at CHA Winter Show

Posted on 25. Jan, 2010 by Jenny.

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What I love, love, LOVE about the CHA tradeshows is that you get to meet and interact with the most amazing artists and designers. Folks that you usually see on television or on the craft product boxes and are there, in person, to answer questions and show off their stuff.

Overwhelmingly, these demi-celebrities are….wait for it……nice. Really nice. Like real people. Who knew? I’ve been able to chat up some of my favorite designers and even get a few pics. Take a look:

Me and Donna Kato, polymer clay legend!

The Darling Cathie Fillian and Impatient Crafter Margot Potter

Jewelry artists Sherri Haab and Susan Lenart Kazmer

Donna Dewberry of 1-stroke painting- so nice!

The Multi-Talented Donna Dewberry

"The Big-A$$ Book of Crafts" author Mark Montano

The glittery and fabulous "Crafty Chica," Kathy Cano-Murillo!

Well, peeps- that’s all for today! More manana!

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Fun at CHA with Viva Decor!

Posted on 24. Jan, 2010 by Jenny.

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Here on the floor on day ONE of the trade show. I’m loving the Precoius Metal Color paints- so creamy and rich! Look at the cool sample bangles, too.

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CHA Supershow, Winter 2010!

Posted on 24. Jan, 2010 by Jenny.

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It’s been a wild and wonderful past 2 days here at the Craft and Hobby Association Supershow, and crafter’s (and spender’s) bonanza of crafty goodness. New products have been rolled out, crafting celebrities have been sighted, and there has been spending galore!

Cricut Cake- retails for $399

The biggest news of the weekend was the new product rolled out by Provocraft: the Cricut Cake. (Yup, you read it right. Cake.) This new shiny red gizmo is mean specifically to be used for cuting fondant, gum paste, and sheets of icing. It’s like your Cricut Expression, but with special modifications just for food use. I’ll have a video demo posted for you soon!

I got a chance to see some of my favorite craft celebs, too:

Kathy Cano-Murillo was working the iLovetoCreate booth, drawing out cool caps for folks to decorate. (Did you know she’s authored a novel?? More on that soon.)
Cathie Fillian and Steve Piacenza doing a make-and-take at the Plaid booth, Mod-Podging up some cool peace signs. Cathie was sooo sweet and even snuck some kit bags to a pair of tweens who were awestruck! (PS- there’s a new tool line coming out, too!)
Amy Anderson from ModPodgeRocks (speaking of) was filming a little and helping out at the Plaid booth. Not to say too much here, but keep your eyes peeled for a potential guest blogger!
Lisa Pavelka doing demos and signing books and spreading the love of clay. She is SO helpful, she really gives out her card with her contact info on it so you can ask questions!
Vicki Howell, promoting Craft Corps & chatting up the gals from CraftyCon…
The totally COOLEST crafters evah, the gals from Craftster.org…
Debra Norville debuting her new yarn….and….
Queen Mother of Crafting….Carol Duvall! She gave a lovely talk about her career in broadcast TV..but more on that later, too. For now, enjoy some of my pictures…