I’ve been a jewelry maker for about 15 years. It’s funny, because almost everything that crosses my desk is fair game to become a piece of jewelry. Martha Stewart Crafts Crafter’s Clay is no exception. I molded some leaves, and they just spoke to me- so I turned them into earrings. They are pretty easy to make, but you do need a day in advance to mold the leaves and let them dry thoroughly. You’ll need the following products and […]
Archives for May 2012
Jewelry Book Review: Chains, Chains Chains by Joanna Gollberg and Nathalie Mornu
I have to admit that “Chains Chains Chains: 25 Necklaces, Bracelets and Earrings” by Joanna Gollberg and Nathalie Mornu sat on my TO BE REVIEWED shelf for a little while. Basically because I was afraid that the projects might be too hard. I mean, I’d never MADE my own chain before. Now I just feel silly. There are several projects in the book that are kind of over my head and I don’t have the equipment to make BUT there […]
Craft Product Review: Crafter’s Clay by Martha Stewart Crafts
Air-dry clays are all the rage right now- I seriously have seen 3 new brands pop up on my table in the last 3 months! But today, I’m going to share my experiences with Crafter’s Clay, the new offering from Martha Stewart Crafts (and produced by EK Success.) Specifically, I’m going to talk about the Nature Starter Set and the silicone molds I received. Here’s what’s in the Nature Kit: Here’s how it’s described on the website: Crafter’s Clay Nature […]
Craft Product Review: Candi by Craftwork Cards
Last month while I was taping a segment of Scrapbook Soup, I was introduced to a new crafting product by hostess Julie McGuffee. She showed me these cute little paper dots that looked a lot like thumbtacks or brads, but were made out of paper instead of metal. Cute and lightweight, these little “legless” brads struck me as being versatile and cost-effective. Yes, I had my first taste of Candi, the paper crafting embellishment dots from Craftwork Cards. Here’s how […]
Craft Product Review: DecoArts Crystal and 3D Gloss Enamels
Love home decor and personalizing gifts, especially glassware? Well, this year at Winter CHA, DecoArt aka Americana, one of the biggest and most recognized names in the crafty painting world, premiered a brand new line of gloss paints including Crystal and 3D gloss enamels. Their booth at CHA was absolutely stunning with tons of glassware in an array of colors all over their mini-duplicated kitchen booth. Both products can be used separately or together. The company website says this about their Crystal Gloss Enamels: “Brush-on transparent paint […]
Craft Tool Review: ImpressArt Metal Stamps
I’ve wanted to try out a set of metal stamps from the first moment I saw what they could do. Luckily, the fine folks at ImpressArt shared my enthusiasm, and when I ran into them at CHA, they generously provided a full set of letters and numbers for me to review. In case you’re not familiar with how they work, metal stamps are tools that are used to stamp letters or designs into metals, and they are most often used […]
Wrangling Cords with Washi Tape
I don’t know about you, but I have a lot of wayward, tangled cords plugged into my power strip on my craft table. My desk lamp, radio, heat gun, and mug warmer all have permanent places- but every now and then I need to unplug one to plug in something else- like my Dremel or Vagabond. But which cord is which? On more than one occasion, I chose the wrong cord and left myself in the dark. Grr. So I […]
Craft Product Review: Mylar-Backed Foils by Creative Imaginations
Let’s talk foil! I had a chance to review a mini foil kit from Creative Imaginations. The kit I reviewed is Ocean Sparkle. Retailing for $4.50, this kit is very inexpensive. The manufacturer’s website has the following description: Ocean Sparkle Foil Mini Kit Details: NEW value pack size! Rich, vibrant jewel-toned and metallic colored foil sheets. Tweleve 5×8 inch sheets of six colors. Includes a FREE 5x6inch Sticky2sheet with instructions how to create amazing foil effect easily! The kit includes […]
Craft Product Review: “Wet Wipe” Chalk Markers
Everywhere I look these days, I see chalkboard surfaces- on walls, on serving cards, on garden pots, on pantry jars, even on scrapbook pages. But what good is a chalkboard surface if the chalk you write with is messy and brushes off easily? Sometimes you want the LOOK of chalk, but with the versatility and opacity of a marker. Enter Wet Wipe Chalk Markers by Chalk Ink.com. These are “all purpose” markers- meaning you an use them on other surfaces […]
Book Review: Inspired Remnants, Curious Dreams by Kerin Gale
Inspired Remnants, Curious Dreams Mixed-Media Projects in Epoxy Clay by Kerin Gale is a book that features Epoxy Clay, as you may have guessed. I have to tell you, when I received the Apoxie Sculpt Epoxy Clay (read the full review of that product by clicking the link) from Jenny along with the book. I was a little intimidated so I put the book on my “To Review” shelf. Finally, I pulled it down this week and decided that I […]
Eco Gardening- Organic and Recycled!
Get creative in your garden by upcycling old pots to create an organic garden!
Craft Product Review: Scissor Mouse by Westcott
When I first saw the Scissor Mouse by Westcott, my first thought was “genius!” – and as someone with disabilities who often has difficulty manipulating regular scissors, I was especially excited about the possibilities this new product presented. According to the website description, the Scissor Mouse: Cuts paper fast, easily & safely Cuts straight lines or long waves Blade is not exposed safe for adults and kids to use on any surface Won’t harm surfaces Great for cutting paper, coupons […]
Happy Mother’s Day from CraftTestDummies!
Happy Mother’s Day! That is all.
CraftTestDummies Week In Review Ending 5/12/12
I’m always surprised at how quickly the week flies by and it’s time to look over the week again. This week, many of us were crafting for Mother’s Day- and in fact, here are 3 projects you can make in 2 hours or less, so you still have time to craft today and give tomorrow! InLinkz.com From Vicki O’Dell the Creative Goddess, Martha Stewart, yours truly, and The Zen of Making. OK…now onto the week that was! #TeamCTD member Angie […]
Craft Product Review: Quilling Dies by Quilled Creations
Last year I reviewed some pre-cut shapes from Quilled Creations to make flowers (Spiral Roses.) When I circled back around to their booth this year at CHA, I was super-excited to see that this year, they have quilling dies! Now you can use your favorite papers to make your lovely quilled paper flowers. There are four different sets available, all shown above. Blooming Roses Dies: includes three square dies to make small, medium and large roses. Will also make two […]
Craft Product Review: Spectrum Noir Markers from Crafter’s Companion
I need to admit up front that I am an alcohol marker virgin. Yes, that’s right.While everyone else has been playing with those *other* brands – you know what they are – I’ve been sitting here happily coloring with my watercolor crayons and pencils. But I’ve still been wanting to know what the buzz was about, wanting to try these fascinating markers that everyone seems to love so much…and I do love to color! So I was pretty excited when […]
Craft Tool Review: “Crafts On Wheels” Luggage by Tutto
So, this is how my life works. I was wandering around CHA Winter with my wobbly travel suitcase, using it to stow materials and hold my notes as I was making my way around the show floor. I have back issues, so a messenger bag/backpack just doesn’t work for me. As I paused in an aisle to get something out- and as I unzipped it, the contents tumbled onto the show floor! A lovely woman called to me from her […]
Craft Product Review- Silks Acrylic Glazes by Luminarte
I’m on a bit of a Luminart products kick here at CTD WHQ- and today I want to share with you my impressions of the Silks Acrylic Glazes. Silks acrylic glazes are translucent shimmering acrylic-based paints, but lack the opacity of your “normal” paints. Here’s the description I found on a vendor’s website: What makes Silks so special? It’s the secret mix of mica and other proprietary mineral particles that refract light, like a crystal. Silks are easy to use […]
Craft Product Review: Sizzix and Hero Arts Stamp & Die Cut
What happens when two amazing companies join forces and resources? You get an awesome product, of course! Enter in Hero Arts and Sizzix Stamp and Die Cuts! Hero Arts is one of the leading manufacturers of quality and trend-setting stamps while Sizzix is one of the most well-known names in the crafting industry and leader of die-cutting machines and dies. According to the website: “Create the most exact cuts around your cling stamp images. Introducing wafer-thin and chemically etched Framelits […]
Craft Tool Review: Simply Scored Board from Stampin’ Up
I had the chance to review the Stampin Up Simply Scored Board and the Stampin Up Simply Scored Diagonal Plate. I have actually never used a scoring board before but paper is my favorite crafting medium. The Simply Scored Board includes three markers, a stylus, and the board itself. The Simply Score Diagonal Plate includes the plate and instructions for making a variety of envelope sizes. The manufacturer’s website states the following for the board: Take the chore out of […]