Every now and then you need to stop and smell the roses- or pause and contemplate art. I did just that over TWO days at The Met in NYC. As a new New Yorker, I get free admission for a year with my New York ID and I plan to take full advantage! So for my first trips, I bee-lined to the Manus X Machina exhibit which closed Labor Day weekend 2016. From the press release: “Fashion and technology are […]
New New Yorker, New Craft Studio (Part One)!
Wow! It feels like forever since I’ve posted- and truly, it’s been over 2 weeks and that’s the longest I’ve ever gone without posting since I started CraftTestDummies in 2008. But in those 2 weeks, we have packed up our home in Ohio, loaded a huge truck and schlepped it all to Manhattan. So I’m going to share with you my journey in becoming a New Yorker…but maybe even more importantly, I’m going to share with you my journey in […]
July 2016 Update- I’m MOVING!
Hey crafty friends! I know it’s been unusually quiet here at CraftTestDummies….and on my YouTube channel, too. I have some good reasons for being preoccupied. So just when I think I’ve got my life kinda under control, I get a curveball and POOF- my life goes all “PLOT TWIST” on me. About three weeks ago, my husband (who has been working in NYC for the past year and commuting weekly) and I had a text convo that went something like […]
Craft Stores and Handmade Goodness in Europe!
In June I spent just over a week going on tour with the Cleveland Youth Wind Symphony. My son plays the baritone sax and was slated to play 5 concerts throughout Germany, The Netherlands (Holland) and Austria. Like any good parent, I decided to tag along. We had a lovely time bonding, and I got to see countries I’ve never been to before. And being me (because of course, I am) I had to seek out some crafty places- both […]
Craft Haul-in’ at my Local Stamp Store
Sometimes you just feel like you need some new supplies to kick your creativity into gear- and last month I recharged my creative juices by doing some Craft Haul’in at my local stamp store, STAMPLISTIC. I did a Periscope sharing my hauls, which I’ve now edited a bit and put on YouTube for everyone. The first my “new” purchases– And this next one are my “used” goodies! I kind of overspent, but I’m happy with the things I […]
Handmade Arts and Crafts at Hessler Street Fair
It’s Street Fair season in NE Ohio- that means fun food, music, and HANDMADE arts and crafts! I took a trip to the Hessler Street Fair in University Circle, Ohio, and got a henna tattoo as well as buying some handmade art.Take a look! Do you like street festivals? Did you ever participate in them as a seller? I’d love to hear your stories!!!
Envelope Accordion Books
This is another project I designed for Hands On Craft for Kids and I’m thrilled to share it with you here too! Today we are making little accordion-style “pocket” books from envelopes and recycled materials. . Great for little photo books, travel journals, or even coupon keepers. Materials needed: Glue Stick Cereal box cardboard Gift wrap Scraps of ribbon Envelopes (6 or another even number) Ruler Scissors Pencil Markers or stickers to decorate as desired I have a video to […]
Duck Tape Transparent Tints
Last year I visited the Duck Tape World Headquarters in Avon, Ohio (only 20 minutes or so from my home) since then I’ve been lucky enough to get some of their new products to try. Today I take a look at the new Transparent Tints and see just how transparent it is! I made a video for Periscope, but edited it down here for you! Disclosure: samples provided for review purposes only. My opinions are honest and my own, and […]
One Little Tag Update Weeks 7 & 8
Time for another weekly update with my One Little Tag Challenge! I don’t know how the time has been flying by so fast!! I did Periscopes the past 2 Mondays to keep our themes on track, but I’ve been SLOOOOOW to edit them and get them posted on YouTube. I’ve just started learning Final Cut Pro X and what used to take me 45 minutes is now taking 1.5 hours! EEEK. This is putting me waaaay behind but my […]
One Little Tag Week 6 Update & Challenge
I’m definately getting into the groove of my #OneLittleTag challenge. I’m working in clusters and getting more crafty time in than ever! I made this video for you to give you a progress report & this week’s prompt: And if you want to see about the gesso video, I have that for you here too! And our prompt this week is NEGATIVE SPACE…. and Jennifer McGuire has a cool video featuring that!
Chibitronics at CHA 2016!
Sometimes when you are walking around the show floor of the CHA Megashow (this one was held in January of 2016), you find booths that really catch your eye and get you exciting about crafting at a whole ‘nother level. Such was the case at the Chibitronics booth. Their idea is to integrate STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and math) WITH crafting. I love this concept- getting kids experimenting with making creative things AND feeding their brains with science! Take a look […]
Pat Catan’s Craft Stores Acquired by Michael’s
It was announced today that Michael’s, headquartered in Irving, Texas has purchased all 34 of the Pat Catan’s art and craft stores in Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia. Pat Catan’s is the retail division of Darice (aka Lamrite West) which is located in Strongsville, Ohio. Michaels said Tuesday it paid $150 million in cash for Ohio-based Lamrite West Inc., which in addition to its Pat Catan’s craft stores has a wholesale supply business. That operation can help Michaels develop […]
Dina Wakely of Ranger Wows at CHA 2016
I’m not gonna lie- seeing all of the cool craft demos at CHA 2016 is as much fun as seeing the new products. And when you can stand just a foot away from an artist like Dina Wakely and watch her demonstrate, it’s a little breath-taking. Lucky us, Sara got some EXCELLENT videos at the Ranger booth- and now you get to check them all out! In Part One, we see Dina talking about her new stamps and stencils… …And […]
#OneLittleTag January Recap & Week 5 Challenge!
Well, friends- I’ve made it through one whole month of my #OneLittleTag craft challenge! I have 31 tags for January all done. (You might know this already if you follow along on Periscope.) Take a look at my photos below to see the tags I did for this January! Now, if you are inspired and want to play along, you can do so a few ways: Post your tags on Instagram with the #OneLittleTag hashtag so we can find them […]
28 Lilac Lane Buttons by May Flaum for Buttons Galore
This post and video are part of our coverage of the Craft and Hobby Mega Show (industry trade show) also known as the CHA Show 2016. It was January 7-12 in Anaheim California and we were there to get all of the new product information and demos for YOU! Please check the CHA 2016 tab for more coverage and all of the videos are on the CHA 2016 playlist on YouTube. Enjoy! While trotting around the show floor, I ran across […]
Plaid Booth Tour & Demos at CHA 2016
One of my favorite booths at CHA show is Plaid. You might not think “Plaid” when you think of super-brands like Mod Podge, Martha Stewart Crafts, Bucilla Needlearts, or Handmade Charlotte, but Plaid Crafts is behind them all! Let me show you some of the highlights from the booth! First, I say Cathie Filian and Steve Piacenza giving a demo on the Photo Transfer Medium: Get yours here! (affiliate link) We also had a quick photo op with Vicki O’Dell! […]
New from Silhouette at CHA 2016
Silhouette America is a trusted (and familiar) name in digital die cutting- but they are still innovating with two new products this year. We had a chance to catch up at the show and film TWO demos-one of the Mint (a stamp-making machine) and the Curio (an embossing/etching/diecutting tool.) First, take a peek at the MINT: Next up we have a demo of the CURIO- it’s a nifty machine that etches and embosses as well as cuts. Take a look: […]
Vicki’s CHA Trend Sightings
If you ask three different people who went to the Craft and Hobby Association Trade show what trends they saw forming you would likely get three different answers. Partly because different people are drawn to different craft forms and partly because the show floor is HUGE and there is no possible way to remember every thing you saw. Having said all of that, here are some trends I saw. Fiber arts are BIG! Think embroidery, felting, “painting” with […]
Tim Holtz and Sizzix at CHA 2016
One of the things we LOVE about CHA is the ability to see our favorite designers and all of their new products. For today’s installment of CHA show 2016 coverage, we are hanging out at the Sizzix Booth with Tim Holtz. Over these FIVE videos, you will see the booth tour, steel rule dies, and framelits. Grab a cuppa, kick back and enjoy! Sizzix Booth Tour: New Framelits Shapes: New Steel Rule Dies: And the new Vagabond TWO!! And the […]
CHA 2016 – Ranger Ink Designer Challenge –
Greetings, my crafty friends! It is the end of day two here at CHA and let me tell you, we have been a busy bunch! Being a Ranger gal, every year I always enjoy going to see the Ranger Ink designer challenge. This year was no exception! The designers were challenged to use Tim Holtz’ new Distress Crayons in creative ways in conjunction with Dina Wakley’s new Media Board. Not familiar with these new products? I would highly suggest you […]
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