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Craft Test Dummies

The Crafting Blog for Crafters, By Crafters

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Cricut Maker Unboxing, Set Up & First Project Review

September 12, 2017

Cricut Maker set up and first project

Cricut Maker Unboxing, Set UP & First Project It doesn’t seem like it’s been that long since I reviewed the LAST “new” Cricut Machine- heck, the Explore Air 2 just came out last fall. But here we are, just under a year later with a NEW new machine, the Cricut Maker. This one has some striking changes, and I felt like it was worth my time and money to buy this machine and review it for you.   Note: this […]

Posted in Crafty Tools |

Tim Holtz/ Tonic Stamping Platform Review

September 5, 2017

Tim Holtz/ Tonic Stamping Platform

Tim Holtz/ Tonic Stamping Platform Review Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. That means at no extra cost to you, if you purchase something through one of those links, I will receive a small commission   Today I’m doing a video review of the Tim Holtz/ Tonic Stamping Platform! This is yet another version of a stamping positioner tool, adding to the ranks of the Misti, We R Memory Keepers, and Hero Arts tools. (Guess I should do a comparison […]

Posted in Crafty Tools |

Unboxing, Set-Up and First Projects with Cricut Explore Air 2!

December 13, 2016

Disclosure: I received the Cricut Explore Air 2 in exchange for my honest review. My opinion is based on my first-hand experience. Some links below may be affiliate links.   A long time ago in a galaxy far far away, I owned a Cricut Expression and LOVED it. I even demonstrated them for the company! They were cartridge-based and SO easy to use if you didn’t really want to use your computer. But as time evolved, the Cricut machines became […]

Posted in Crafty Tools |

Spellbinders Platinum Die Cutting Machine Review

March 3, 2016

Today I’m taking a look at the new Spellbinders “Platinum” die cutting machine. Unlike the Grand Calibur, it will actually take STEEL RULE DIES! (That was my big complaint with that machine.) Well now Spellbinders has opened up a new world of dies for us to use. Let’s take a look! Product provided for review purposes. Opinions are my own and based on my first-hand experience with the product. Links below may be affiliate shopping links for your convenience. Here’s how […]

Posted in Crafty Tools |

New from Silhouette at CHA 2016

January 21, 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: […]

Posted in CHA Coverage, Crafty Tools |

Epson EcoTank 4550 Printer Review

December 29, 2015

Like a lot of crafters, I use a printer fairly often- to print out pictures, make headlines, copy paper, print out instructions and sketches- well, I use it almost everyday! Epson offeren me an EcoTank to try out, and I had to say “yes”- this is a whole different animal than what I am used to!   Now, this model is classified for the “Workforce”- so it may be a bit much for your home. But I have 3 kids […]

Posted in Crafty Tools |

Ad Tech Precision Pro Glue Gun

November 9, 2015

This isn’t a review as much as it is a love-letter. Every crafter needs a reliable glue gun- but really, how are any of them REALLY different? They all make the glue sticks hot. They glue stuff together. They all give you glue gun burns! (I kid! But no, really, they all give you burns.)   So really, the difference is in the design. The reason I love it is because stands up on the table, ready and waiting. You can just […]

Posted in Crafty Tools |

New Redesigned Xyron Creative Station

October 1, 2015

Many of you know that I love to make cards, so a dry adhesive is a must. I’ve owned a Xyron-well, actually, MANY of them- for years. I still have a 5 inch model and the 9-inch Creative Station hanging out in the studio. Now the folks at Xyron have redesigned it, though, so it will accept both kinds of cartridges! Disclosure: Samples provided for review purposes; however my opinions are honest and my own and based on my first-hand […]

Posted in Crafty Tools |

Photo Sleeve Fuse by We Are Memory Keepers (Review)

June 30, 2015

The other day I shared with you an overview and demo of the Photo Sleeve Fuse from WRMK. Today, I’m giving it the full work out, including cutting other plastics with it! Disclosure: Samples provided for review purposes; however my opinions are honest and my own and based on my first-hand experience. I was not financially compensated for this review/video nor does the product company have any control over it’s content. Some links below may be affiliate links and I […]

Posted in Crafty Tools, Paper Crafts |

Fiskars Thick Materials Punch Review

May 29, 2015

I love a good punch! But I’ve ruined a few punching things like metal and shrink plastic. Fiskars must have been nanny-camming my studio, since now they have a thick materials punch that is tough with thick materials but pretty easy on the hands.  Disclosure: Samples provided for review purposes; however my opinions are honest and my own and based on my first-hand experience. I was not financially compensated for this review/video nor does the product company have any control […]

Posted in Craft Product Reviews, Crafty Tools, Paper Crafts |

New Products Announced from Silhouette- Mint and Curio!

May 13, 2015

Yesterday I got an intriguing email from Silhouette America announcing new products! (Remember the good old days when companies used the CHA summer show for their big releases? Sigh.) Anyway, we haven’t seen a new machine from Silhouette in quite a while, so this REALLY caught my attention- and now TWO? Introducing the Silhouette Mint ( a stamping machine) and the Curio (a new mixed-media diecutter.) Note: all of this information is taken from the websites- there are no machines […]

Posted in Craft News, Crafty Tools |

New CHA Product- Stick With It Palette

March 19, 2015

One of the things that I love about going to the CHA show is walking down the new vendor aisle. New products from new companies, all hoping to make a difference in the crafting industry- well, that’s pretty cool. And one of the products that caught my eye was the Stick With It Palette. Here’s how it’s described on the website: The Stick With It®  cosmetic palette is the ONLY magnet-free palette on the market and quickly becoming the premier tool […]

Posted in Craft Product Reviews, Crafty Tools |

Fiskars Tag Maker and Eyelet Setter

December 16, 2014

I am the undisputed queen of punches. (Paper punches, darlings. I’m a lover not a fighter.) And punches that make tags or labels hold a special place in my heart- so I was happy to try out the Fiskars Tag Maker and Eyelet Setter when Fiskars offered it to me to review.   This unique tool features an innovative design that makes it easy to create tags in three quick, easy steps. Simply insert your paper into the large slot […]

Posted in Craft Product Reviews, Crafty Tools, Paper Crafts |

Review: Bead Buddy One-Step Crimper Tool

December 3, 2014

Jewelry-making can go one of two ways- sublime or sophomoric. And the difference between the two is often craftsmanship: the design aside, either it’s well-make or it…well, isn’t. Crimp beads are one of those ways you can tell the difference- a well-made crimp looks professional, and a poorly-make one looks like it’s been chewed by a metal-toothed hamster. But if you use the One-Step Crimper, you’ll get… perfection. I found the Bead Buddy One Step Crimper Tool at a local […]

Posted in Beads/Jewelry Products, Craft Product Reviews, Crafty Tools |

Epson LabelWorks Printable Ribbon Kit

November 17, 2014

Disclosure: I received this product for review purposes. My opinions are honest and my own and based on my first-hand experience with it. I was not compensated for writing about it, but if you click an affiliate link and purchase one of your own, I will receive a small percentage of the purchase price. Thank you for supporting CTD and free, unbiased reviews!  The holiday crafting season is upon us! I know a lot of folks are anxiously counting down […]

Posted in Craft Product Reviews, Crafty Tools |

Martha Stewart Crafts Deluxe Scoring Board and Paper Trimmer

October 21, 2014

A while back I got a request from a YouTube fan asking me to compare the Martha Stewart Crafts Deluxe Scoring Board and Paper Trimmer to another scoring/trimming tool. So of course I thought I should give this combo tool a once-over to see how it works. Let’s take a look. At first blush, it’s pretty impressive- it has a movable cutting arm, on-board tools, and envelope tool AND a bunch of easy-to-follow project templates . Here’s how it’s described […]

Posted in Craft Product Reviews, Crafty Tools, Paper Crafts |

Review of the Epson XP 820 Small in One Printer

October 15, 2014

Photos. Journaling. Custom labels. Printables. These are all things for which a crafter might need a printer. And I don’t really give much time to my printer, unless it’s out of ink or starts to malfunction. (Which mine just did!) So the Epson XP 820 Small in One Printer was right on time! I made a video for you, but first I want to you know a bit about it: The Expression Premium XP-820 Small-in-One delivers unbeatable photo quality2 for […]

Posted in Crafty Tools |

Overview of the Durathon Iron

October 13, 2014

It seems like I’ve missed National Sewing Month by a few days, but it’s always a good time for a sewing-themed review. Even if you are not a sewist, you probably use an iron for clothes or crafts- so you’d better have a good iron on hand.  I have a tendency to be hard on my irons- I iron all kinds of un-ironable things… and drop them frequently. So I was in the market for a new one. Thanks, Hamilton Beach, for sending me […]

Posted in Craft Product Reviews, Crafty Tools, Fabric, Needle, & Quilting Arts |

Gamsol Overview and Demonstration

September 10, 2014

I recently bought some new rubber stamps and they are perfect for coloring. However, using markers can be a bit challenging and I was ready to pull out my colored pencils again. Recently Jennifer McGuire mentioned Gamsol- a colorless, odorless mineral spirit used for blending pencils and I thought it would be fun to try out! I made this video, and there are some still photos too.     And here’s a few pics of my finished card: Here are […]

Posted in Crafty Tools, Paints, Inks & Dyes |

Iron Cover Comparison

September 9, 2014

compare holes on bottom

If you do a lot of ironing – like most quilters and seamstresses, you might own an iron cover, or be in the market for one. Recently, I reviewed the Clover Press Perfect Iron Safe Iron Cover here on Craft Test Dummies. You can check out my full review – but the end result was that as an experienced quilter, I decided it wasn’t a product I need in my sewing studio. I decided to test a second iron cover […]

Posted in Comparisons, Crafty Tools, Fabric, Needle, & Quilting Arts |

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Hi! I’m Jenny, the co-host of Hands On Crafts for Kids on PBS and the Head Dummy behind CraftTestDummies.com where you’ll find craft product reviews, tutorials, and craft industry news.

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CraftTestDummies is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

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Jenny Barnett Rohrs is Head Dummy and Pied Piper behind CTD, which focuses on reviews, tutorials, and craft industry news. Jenny has appeared on HSN, Scrapbook Soup PBS series, and is currently the co-host of Hands On Crafts for Kids on PBS.

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Copyrighted Content Permission All images and tutorials on this blog are copyrighted material. Please contact me if you would like to borrow any media (photos, video or audio files), tutorials, or ideas from this blog. 99% of the time I would be happy to allow you to use one photo with appropriate credit and link back to CraftTestDummies.com (preferably to the same post it was borrowed from.)
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