Craft Test Dummies

Last week I shared a video of the new Martha Stewart Jewelry line available exclusively at Michael’s Craft Stores- so much goodness! Beads, chain, tools, findings epoxy clay, rhinestones, jewelry glaze, jewelry enamel- even mold-making putty! Literally there was so much goodness I haven’t even had time to do all of the reviews. But I [...]

I don’t usually share recipes and the like unless there is a crafty element. But today I’m making an exception! Celebrating Cinco De Mayo this year? Making tacos? Got leftovers? We always seem to get tired of eating tacos before we run out of fixin’s. So I came up with a clever way to freeze [...]

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of iBulb for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine. It's been a tough week. I returned from vacation all set to get busy on some fun Earth Day crafts …. and then ended up getting rather sick. But what can make you feel as good [...]

This is a question I was asking myself when representatives at TopHatter.com approached me and asked me to take a look at their auction website. Unlike other auction sites, this one is LIVE- that means, you must be present and online to bid and win. It’s a fast-paced, fun way to bid on handmade items, [...]

We love Valentine’s Day here at Craft Test Dummies World Headquarters. We make our own Valentine’s Day Cards, jewelry, and of course we have a special yumm-o dessert complete with Valentine’s Rosette decorations! I have to say that what makes this mini strawberry shortcade extra good is the whip cream on top- but it’s not [...]

Today I get to share some REALLY big news. Well,  it’s kind of a big deal to me. (Remember I alluded to that yesterday, when I wrote my post about my One Little Word for 2013.) But now I can share it with you too! I’m going to be the new on-air guest presenter for [...]

Well, folks- today’s the day! CraftTestDummies.com’s official 5th annivesary- or my “blogaversary” as I like to call it! I recorded a message for you all tonight! I get a lot of feedback from you via comments, tweets, and wall posts about what a cool job I have. I really, really, really do. But it’s not [...]

I’ve got my word for the year. What word? My One Little Word. **Right now I can hear some of  you asking, what the heck is that???** One Little Word, or OLW, was started by professional scrapbook designer Ali Edwards in 2006. From her website: I began a tradition of choosing one word for myself [...]

I just want to take a moment in the rush to wish you all a happy holiday season and THANK YOU  for being a part of the CraftTestDummies family. Whether you  like our YouTube videos, get your inspiration by following our boards on Pinterest, join in the conversation on Facebook, or hit me up for [...]

This year as I was unpacking my Christmas decorations, I ran across some Makit & Bakit “Stained Glass” suncatchers I’d made when I was in elementary or middle school. I was a child of the 80′s, my friends. And I was lucky to have a grandmother and mom who indulged my crafty inclinations with Makit [...]

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Dollar General for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine. Christmas is a big family affair here at my household. My son’s birthday is Christmas Eve, so usually we have my parents sleeping over so that on Christmas morning, we all have breakfast together. This [...]

From all of us here at CraftTestDummies, we wish you a happy and blessed Thanksgiving! We’re going to take a few days off to enjoy our families, some good food, and maybe even a Black Friday sale or two. Cheers!

  Today on Twitter a self-proclaimed “Newbie Crafter” CraftyKritter asked if I had any tips for newbie crafters. Without getting into specific KINDS of crafting- knitting, paper crafting, etc- there are some bits of advice I’d give to anyone. So I’ll share them with you! Invest in good-quality tools. If you are serious about crafting, [...]

I have a lot of candles around my home; in the kitchen, living room, bedroom- even the hallway! Sometimes I try to buy new candles for the seasons, but often they just sit there looking tired. So I decided to “dress” my candles for the seasons by making re-usable wraps featuring May Arts Ribbon. Now [...]

Kits seem to be really hot these days. (Or have I just been living under a rock?) Scrapbook Update did a series on Kits, PaperCrafters Corner just did a WEEK on kits…and well, I’m obviously kit-deficient. So Nicole from Home and Garden Welcome offered to send me a kit  and despite being a little nervous [...]

Yesterday I shared my review and video overview of Scrapbooking Attitude by Avatrex- that whole “printable film” thing is wicked cool! And if you remember, what I was most excited about was not its uses for paper, but for cool substrates like leather, wood, and craft foam.  As I was doing my swatch tests, I kind [...]

Today is the eleventh anniversary of the terrorist attacks on the US by al-Qaeda. In some respects, it seems like a million years ago… after all, my son wasn’t even a year old when they occurred and he’s a middle-schooler now. But in other ways it feels like it was just yesterday: the looks and [...]

  Book Review: 30 Minute Rings 60 Quick and Creative Projects for Jewelers by Marthe Le Van From the back of the book: “60 Ring Projects by 40 top jewelers in 30 minutes flat!” “Are you smitten with silver? Gaga over gold? Wild about wire? Then don’t waste another second because you can make totally [...]

  Darice Hole Reamer   I have quite a few of these little metal awls (hole reamers, piercing tools) in my studio. I use them for lots of different purposes. This one can be found at Consumer Crafts and is only $1.47. It’s perfect for paper and lighter force applications as I have been known [...]

This post brought to you by Tom’s of Maine. All opinions are 100% mine. If you've been around CraftTestDummies even a little, you'll know that I take "doing good" seriously. I love making cards for charities as well as incorporating recycled elements into my crafting. The folks at Tom's of Maine feel the same way [...]

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Astrobrights Papers by Neenah Paper for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine. For a few years now, I’ve been adament that my kids make summer scrapbooks. Not only will it help them remember our warm-weather adventures, but it also keeps their minds sharp with [...]

Yesterday I showed you how I altered fabric with Gelatos™ Colors from Design Memory Craft and made a sassy sunglasses case. Today I’m gong to continue the fiber arts theme, but focus on a different product from Faber-Castell: Stamper’s Big Brush Pens. Just to refresh you memory, here is some information on Stamper’s Big Brush Pens: [...]

Have you ever looked at a craft product and wondered “How else could I use it?” I asked myself that very question last week while I was playing around with some Gelatos™ Colors in the Design Memory Craft Collection from Faber-Castell. Now, just as a refresher here’s a bit of info on Gelatos™ Colors from Design [...]

Whenever I get together with crafty friends, they always ask me “What’s NEW?” (And they don’t mean in my life, they mean in the craft world!) So I’m starting a new column just for new release information. It will give me the space to share with you new lines from favorite companies! Today I’ve got [...]

It’s Memorial Day, and I’m always conflicted. Yes, it’s a day for picnics and BBQ, but saying “Happy Memorial Day” seems the wrong message….but how to you express such a complex set of emotions? It’s a day to honor our service men and women, thank our veterans, and remember our fallen soldiers. My grandfathers both [...]

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 [...]

Get creative in your garden by upcycling old pots to create an organic garden!

Happy Mother’s Day! That is all.

You remember two years ago, when I reviewed ICE Resin? I was such resin newbie back then! And then in January I reviewed Jen Cushman’s book Explore,Create, Resinate. These products have helped me grow in my artistry so much! Ever want to try these great products yourself? Well, crafty friends, today is your lucky day! [...]

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 [...]