Craft Test Dummies » craft critique

Xyron Creatopia Craft Product Review

Jenny — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 02:01:13 +0000

…is up at CraftCritique.com! One of the reasons why you just HAVE to love CraftCritique is because sometimes they get multiple reviewers trying out the same product. It’s really a great service to hear from many different folks with different skill sets and perspectives trying out a crafty tool.

So I got to try out the Xyron Creatopia. Despite it’s winning points on having an uber-cool name, I was only impressed with 2 out of the three functions it has. (Please, read my full review HERE.) But also make sure you scroll up and down and read the other FIVE REVIEWS (yup) as well.

Leave me a little message and let me know what you thought of our reviews and how (or if) YOU would use the Xyron Creatopia and you just might win a cute little fabric postcard I made for the review. K? Good. I’ll draw a winner on Friday 6/25/10 at noon EST .

Disclosure

Mother’s Day Blog Carnival at CraftCritique.com!

Jenny — Mon, 10 May 2010 14:10:50 +0000

I love CraftCritique- I really do! I met Sarah Moore, the founder, about a year ago and I can’t tell you how much her support has helped me in my quest as a Craft Evangelist! I write for them about twice a month, and occasionally I submit a project for their “blog carnivals.”

This year, for the Mother’s Day Blog Carnival I submitted an old project- felt needle cases that any mom would love to tuck into her purse or desk drawer for such an occasion when you need a safety pin or supplies to take a quick stitch or two.

Sweet Felt Needle Cases

I also submitted our Mother’s Day projects from www.CraftsUnleashed.com (where I am the Editor) and lo-and-behold, that tasty link made the list, too. It just so happens that the “headliner” craft is the resin bangles that I designed for them and blogged about here, as well.

Stamped resin bangle on CraftsUnleashed.com

Anywhoo, I meant to get this post up on Friday, but then there was a wicked storm in NE Ohio and it knocked out my power and internet for most of the weekend. However, just because Mom’s Day is officially over, that doesn’t mean you can’t swipe these ideas for teacher’s gifts (the end of the school year is right around the corner), Grandparents’ Day, (Sept. 12 in 2010), or for little birthday gifts. Make sure you check out these great crafts on an aweseome site!

Article on Ice Resin for Craft Critique!

Jenny — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 21:53:34 +0000

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?

CHA updates on Craft Critique

Jenny — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 15:15:35 +0000

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!

Calling All Crafters- CHA SuperShow in Anaheim Wants YOU!

Jenny — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 20:35:23 +0000

My “Omnicrafter” pal Sarah Moore (who runs CraftCritique.com) contacted me today, and she has an fabulous opportunity for crafters/writers/makers. CraftCritique is hosting the Handmade Pavilion at CHA Winter (Anaheim) 2010…and amazingly THERE ARE STILL TABLES LEFT! Here’s the lowdown from Sarah:

Big Crafty News!
Craft Critique has been selected by the Craft and Hobby Association to sponsor a Handmade Pavilion for the Winter SuperShow on January 22nd and 23rd in Anaheim California. The Handmade Pavilion is a new addition to the consumer SuperShow. We are so excited to help bring this project to life!

What We Need:
The Handmade Pavilion is unique, and unlike any craft show you may have previously experienced. We are selecting only 25 crafters to participate in the Pavilion. We are looking for crafters who produce a unique product and who are not only interested in selling their products in the pavilion, but creating live as well!

We ask that sellers be willing to describe their creative process to visitors, show step by step instructions when possible, and even do demonstrations at their tables. We want visitors to experience crafting live and in person because we know this show will attract not only buyers, but makers as well!

What You Get:
Craft Critique has over 200,000 unique readers each month and the SuperShow itself is estimated to have over 12,000 attendees! In addition, the SuperShow is a hotspot for industry superstars, press and trade experts. The Handmade Pavilion will be featured as a focal point within the SuperShow itself. The tables and draping will be colored uniquely to denote this special zone. Participants in the Handmade Pavilion are sure to benefit from this unique opportunity!

All Handmade Pavilion participants will be featured on the SuperShow website before and during the show as well as on Craft Critique’s website during post show coverage. Participants may distribute promotional materials to table visitors; including information about sponsors, classes, websites, books and handmade crafts. Participants will be given a SuperShow discount code to provide to their crafty friends and customers.

What It Costs:
The cost to participate in the handmade pavilion is only $500 for an 8’ draped table (payable to the Craft and Hobby Association). Participants are responsible for their own travel costs and expenses.

Artisans may be sponsored by professionals in the industry such as product manufacturers, industry websites or other craft related businesses. Craft Critique is happy to assist with sponsor communication. Feel free to contact us for assistance.

If this sounds like it’s right up your alley, give Sarah a shout-out at: Sarah (at) CraftCritique (dot) com, and tell her Jenny sent ya!

Craft Test Dummy + Craft Critique = Next Craft Divas?

Jenny — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 14:34:06 +0000

OK, well, maybe not. But while I was at CHA Summer 09, Sarah Moore (my editor-in-chief over at CraftCritique) and I shot this little video audition. We found out about the “audtions”, begged a little, and got on camera all within the span of about 30 minutes. (This is remarkable because most folks signed up in advance, planned a project to share, etc.)

So here’s what we came up with off-the-cuff. Feel free to mock us…we do! Sorry I can’t imbed it, but here’s the link to Scrappy TV!

Here are some other CHA highlights:

Enjoy, and leave a comment!

Suze Weinberg + CraftTestDummies=Fun at CHA Summer!

Jenny — Sun, 02 Aug 2009 15:20:42 +0000

OK, so NOW I’m just bragging! No, not really…but I did get to meet Suze Weinberg at CHA Summer in Orlando, Florida, and she was SUCH a sport! First, she gave us a demo of her new Hot Wax Stylus Tool (check it out my CraftCritique post HERE) and then she even used her hot-fix crystal tool to “bling” up my tee-shirt! (See those orange crystals in the crown? Suze did those herself for me!)

It’s hard not to be a little star-struck when you meet your crafting idols in person. But I tell you, everyone has been so accessible and nice- no diva attitudes at all!

If you want to read my other posts about meeting Lisa Pavelka at CHA Summer 09, just click the links- or search “CHA” in the search bar above to see ALL of my CHA adventures!

Last Day at CHA Summer 09

Jenny — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 03:50:41 +0000

Well, my friends, by the third day of the Craft and Hobby Association Trade Show, I’m just about pooped. That isn’t to say that I had a great time scouting more fun and goodies. Here, in a nutshell, was the day:

Visited Judikins and drooled over Tranz it. Hope I get to review that!
Re-visited the Viva Decor booth and Lisa Pavelka, and tried out some of the fabric paints. (Read my post on CraftCritique.com– it’s up now!) Drooled over paint. Hope I get to review that!
Swung b Nunn Designs to check out the new Patera metal tag jewelry findings. Drooled over flat discs and plates that you can rubber AND metal stamp on. REALLY hope I get to review that!
Trotted over to the Clover booth, and checked out the new Hana-Ami flower loom. It’s so cool and retro. Drooling. Hoping to try it. (Sensing a trend?)
Stopped by Beadalon to check out this really cool Chandelier-style ring, and got the scoop on the new stainless steel wrapping wire, the Spiral Maker, and the (older, but new-to-me) Spin-N-Bead Bead Loader. (Watch for upcoming CraftCritique.com posts and even VIDEO that I shot myself.) Drooling, hoping….

So much more to discuss in length, but I’m going to leave you with this great pic of the CraftCritique team covering the event, with our Craft Legend, Carol Duvall. Are we thrilled, or what?

(pictured, from left: Me, Amanda Moody Talber, Carol Duvall, Sarah Moore, and Dana Vitek.)

Viva Decor, Lisa Pavelka and me…at CHA Summer 2009

Jenny — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 03:58:41 +0000

What a great day today! Busy, busy, busy, but I had to let you know that I met Lisa Pavelka in person today at CHA Summer 09, (and yes, that IS Suze Weinberg with us, too) and I’ve been officially inducted into the Tabernacle of Clay! I learned the secret handshake, took the Tenet of Faith. In other words, I was MADE to promise to give FREELY a minimum of 10% of my creative effort to help others on their creative journey. (Does blogging for free count, Lisa?) I LOVE this idea, and Lisa was very..um…shall we say “entertaining” in person. I could have stood there for hours, and laughed til my cheeks ached. (But that’s a post for another day….)
Anyway, you may be asking- what does Lisa Pavelka have to do with Viva Decor?( Hint: It’s crafty goodness.) Go find out at CraftCritique.com, where I’ve got some scoop and pics!

Free Gypsy & Awesome Day at CHA Summer 2009

Jenny — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 03:58:59 +0000

So, I know that it’s my FIRST Craft and Hobby Association trade show, but I’m tittering inside. I met Kathy Cano-Murillo (the Crafty Chica), the founder of SoftFlex Wire, the President of Sakura, Heidi Grace, Claudine Hellmuth, Traci Bautista, Tim Holtz, and ummmmm, yea- the president of ProvoCraft. AND snagged a ticket to the gala tonight!

While I’ve been told that this is a “small” show, by regular scrap/craft shows it’s still huge. Over 600 vendors, scads of make-and-takes, and goodies galore. There aren’t TONS of new products being rolled out this time of year, but there are some fantastic new craft products to be had. My finds of the day: a NEW 2-part UV curing resin that mimics faux-dichro glass from Sakura, and the new Gypsy from Provocraft, which is a new digital design tool that links up with a Cricut Machine.

And, oh yeah….got one of the Gypysies FREE in my goodie bag at the ProvoCraft Gala tonight. (Can you tell I’m secretly jumping inside???)

Anywhoo, I’ve got some posts over at CraftCritique with pictures about my day here, and details and pictures, too- check out my chat with the gracious folks at SoftFlex, a make and take with Sakura, and a little one-on-one with Heidi Grace, who is now designing for ColorBok. More fun tomorrow!