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Craft Test Dummies

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Crafty Field Trip: Hawaii (Part 1 of 3)

November 24, 2014

Crafty Field Trip: Hawaii (Part 1 of 3)

As some of you know, I LOVE to travel. Seriously love it. And I often am not picky at all about where I go, as long as I get to see the sights and eat the food….and visit a few craft stores or handmade markets along the way! This month our whole family took a trip to Hawaii’s Big Island (also called Hawaii) and we spent 5 days taking it all in. And one of the sights (for me at […]

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Posted in Crafty Field Trips | 7 Comments

Jacquard Pearl Ex – New Colors

March 24, 2014

Jacquard Pearl Ex – New Colors

Jacquard Pearl Ex pigment powders are extremely versatile supplies for any artist or crafter. They now come in over 30 colors. I’ll be testing some of the brand new Chromatic Colors: Citrine, Emerald, Magenta, Sapphire Blue, Scarlet and Dark Brown. This collection is a really gorgeous intense set of jewel tones with a deep lovely brown. Here’s a description from Jacquard’s website: “Pearl Ex Powdered Pigments are our most versatile product! Jacquard Pearl Ex is a safe, pearlescent, non-toxic, inert […]

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Posted in Beads/Jewelry Products, Beads/Jewelry Projects, Craft Product Reviews, Craft Projects, Jenny Sez, Paints, Inks & Dyes, Polymer & Air-Dry Clays, Polymer Clay & Tools | 12 Comments

Cool2Cast Product Review

November 11, 2013

Cool2Cast Product Review

When Jenny asked me if I was up for trying out Cool 2 Cast, I thought it sounded like fun. I’m always up for trying new things. Cool2Cast has been on the market for a couple years, but it is new to me. Although I’m a big fan of fabric, my hot glue gun is never put away for too long, and I like trying new media all the time. Cool2Cast sounded like a great way for me to try […]

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Posted in Craft Product Reviews | 9 Comments

Clover Create-a-Strap Review

October 24, 2013

Clover Create-a-Strap Review

When I reviewed Nancy Zieman’s Trace N Create Tablet Keeper pattern, I had no idea I was about to fall in love. This wasn’t the gentle, slip into love… this was heart-stopping love. I completely fell for the Clover Create a Strap. I have no idea where this product has been all my life. I’ve been making straps the hard way for a long, long time. The Create a Strap is a system that makes creating perfect straps effortless. Here […]

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Posted in Craft Product Reviews, Crafty Tools, Fabric, Needle, & Quilting Arts | 4 Comments

Mod Podge Mod Melts Review

September 5, 2013

Mod Podge Mod Melts Review

Cathie and Steve, designers over at Plaid (the makers of Mod Podge), have come up with a new product called Mod Melts. Here is what Cathie has to say about the new product: With our new sea glass and milk glass Mod Melt Sticks and Molds you can now make your own scrapbooking, mixed media and jewelry making embellishments. You can customize Mod Melts with a variety of finishes!  You can use FolkArt acrylic paints, shimmer mists, alcohol inks, glitter, […]

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Posted in Crafty Tools, Paints, Inks & Dyes, Paper Crafts | 4 Comments

Craft Countdown with Becky Striepe

April 18, 2013

Craft Countdown with Becky Striepe

    My name is Becky Striepe (pronounced “stree-pee,” like “sleepy”), and I am a freelance writer and vegan crafter living in Atlanta, Georgia. My life’s mission is to make green crafting and vegan food accessible to everyone!     5 tools or supplies you can’t be without 1. Vintage buttons 2. Ric Rac 3. Fabric scissors 4. Burlap 5. A rainbow of thread colors   4 favorite sources of creative inspiration 1. Food and cooking – I love making […]

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Posted in Crafty People & Places | Leave a Comment

Craft Countdown with Vicki O’Dell, The Creative Goddess

April 9, 2013

Craft Countdown with Vicki O’Dell, The Creative Goddess

 5 – 4 – 3 – 2 – 1   I’ve been writing here on Craft Test Dummies for a while now (2 years this coming July). While at CHA in January Jenny and I started talking (Well, ok. The truth is that we NEVER STOP talking but that’s a story for another day) and two things came about. The first thing is that I promoted myself to Managing Editor here at Craft Test Dummies. With Jenny taking on more […]

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Posted in Crafty People & Places | 4 Comments

Book Review: 101+ Things to do with Glitter by Momtaz Begum-Hossain

March 13, 2013

Book Review: 101+ Things to do with Glitter by Momtaz Begum-Hossain

Sometimes glitter gets a bad reputation. Often referred to as “the herpes of the craft world,” once you let glitter into your life, it likes to stay forever. But who says that’s a bad thing? Glitter is bright, bold, funky, and easy to use, and Momtaz Begum-Hossain’s 101+ Things to do with Glitter offers a melange of projects, ideas, and tips that will make any reader a glitter expert by the last page.  I bet there’s even a project in […]

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Posted in Beads/Jewelry Projects, Books, Magazines, Events | 2 Comments

How-To: Recycled Mint Tins with Washi Tape and Mod Podge

August 17, 2012

How-To: Recycled Mint Tins with Washi Tape and Mod Podge

    I love a good upcycling craft, I love little storage containers, and I also love Washi Tape. This, my friends, is therefore my “Trifecta” of crafting- a project that recycles mint tins- like the ones for Altoids- into happy little storage tins- great for earbud storage! Disclosure: links below are affiliate links and I’ll receive a small commission if you make a purchase. Thank you for supporting CTD. To make them, you’ll need: Recycled mint tin (I used […]

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Posted in Craft Projects, Recycled & Green | 20 Comments

Craft Product Review: Clover Kanzashi Flower Makers: Pointed Petal

September 8, 2011

Craft Product Review: Clover Kanzashi Flower Makers: Pointed Petal

When Jenny handed me these Clover Kanzashi Flower Makers at CHA, I knew that I’d be reviewing them during National Sewing Month, but I had no idea how great the timing would be! As it turns out, a few weeks later, my husband was nominated for an Emmy, and I suddenly found myself making my own evening gown. So, the kanzashi flowers I made during this review are actually the finishing decorative details for my dress and shoes, and I’ll […]

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Posted in Craft Product Reviews, Fabric, Needle, & Quilting Arts | 4 Comments

CHA Pick of the Day: May Arts Satin Cutout Ribbon

July 21, 2011

CHA Pick of the Day: May Arts Satin Cutout Ribbon

This CHA coverage brought to you by: You know how crafters can speed walk through a notions store, only to be pulled in like a tractor beam to one tiny, amazing thing? That definitely happened to me today when I saw the satin cutout ribbon in the May Arts booth at CHA Summer 2011. I mean, just think of all of the amazing things that you could do with button ribbon! (And leaves, and hearts, and snowflakes…)

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Posted in CHA Coverage | Leave a Comment

UK WEEK, part 1: Photo Journal {Craft and Inspiration}

June 27, 2011

UK WEEK, part 1: Photo Journal {Craft and Inspiration}

A few weeks ago I had the good fortune to travel with my family to London for 10 days worth of walking, sight-seeing, and of course, searching for art and craft! Just walking around the city you can’t help but be inspired by the architecture. And in our travels, I found some amazing works of art/craft that couldn’t help but take photos of so I could share with you: This was the alter cloth at All Hallow’s Church– reportely the […]

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Posted in Crafty Field Trips | 3 Comments

Epiphany Crafts Button Studio Review

August 12, 2010

Epiphany Crafts Button Studio Review

While I was at CHA I had the pleasure of meeting with Tricia from Epiphany Crafts. She was so gracious to share their latest tools with me which includes several sizes and shapes of the Button Studio as well as the Shape Studio. These are cool tools that let you cut a shape and apply an epoxy sticker, aligning them perfectly! I told her they were so cool that I wanted to share a sample with the readers of Craft […]

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Posted in Craft Product Reviews, Paper Crafts | 2 Comments

Crafting New Year’s Resolutions, Part Two: Branch Out

December 30, 2009

This resolution is a promise to myself and a challenge to you, dear crafty friends! BRANCH OUT. CROSS POLLINATE. COLLABORATE. I know that I blog in the virtual world, but dearies, I LIVE in the real one. What I hope to do in 2010 is to take my crafty love OUT of my third floor loft, OFF of the interwebs,  and BRING IT.  In other words, to find crafty love in different places, and connect with new folks in new […]

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Posted in Jenny Sez | 3 Comments

Crafting New Year’s Resolutions- Charitable Intentions

December 27, 2009

Crafting New Year’s Resolutions- Charitable Intentions

With Christmas safely behind us, New Years’ approaches with that eternal question: “What can I change for next year?” Crafters inevitably have a long laundry list, but the one I’m tackling today is “charity.” There area a couple of ways to craft for charity. One of the easiest ways is to CLEAN UP, CLEAN OUT. For some, this IS the goal- just to purge your craft closet/room/studio of unused craft supplies. It feels even better to get organized when you […]

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Posted in Jenny Sez | 4 Comments

Crafting the Time to Make Your Own Art

October 30, 2009

Crafting the Time to Make Your Own Art

I LOVE crafting for the holiday seasons. I gladly put my hand up for school parties, fundraisers, and occasionally wake myself up in the wee hours thinking about what I need to make next. Most, if not all of the above examples include deadlines. I also teach at local bead shop, and so I have deadlines there, too: get this sample done, get my next project in, etc. Then there is my free-lance craft product review blogging. Write an article […]

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Posted in Jenny Sez | Leave a Comment

Glow in the Dark Crafting -Volume 2

August 25, 2009

Glow in the Dark Crafting -Volume 2

There were so many cool GITD items to talk about in yesterday’s post, I just couldn’t get to them all.  So here’s another batch of glow-in-the-dark goodness for you! Thread, Floss, and Yarns I LOVE glow in the dard threads…all of my Halloween wall-hangings have quilted spiderwebs for quilting. You can also do rockin’ machine embroidery or monogramming with this cool thread, too. And it’s not just for Halloween anymore- with these sweet pastel colors, you can use it for […]

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Posted in Craft News, Craft Product Reviews, Halloween Crafts, Holidays/Themes | 3 Comments

Glow in the Dark Crafts – Volume One

August 24, 2009

Glow in the Dark Crafts – Volume One

Halloween is just around the corner, and what better way to spice up your crafting than to add a bit of “glow-in-the-dark” goodness to it? In regular light, these photo-reactive products have a white or pastel hue…but then turn off the light, PRESTO! You’ve got some glowing, spooky fun! Here’s a round-up of some fun GITD products/crafts you can try out for yourself! Polymer Clay   Both Fimo and Sculpey offer GITD clays that can be used alone or (in […]

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Posted in Craft News, Craft Product Reviews, Halloween Crafts, Holidays/Themes, Kids Stuff | 2 Comments

Craft Test Dummies now on Facebook!

August 3, 2009

Craft Test Dummies now on Facebook!

CraftTestDummies now has a fan page on Facebook.

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Posted in Craft News | 1 Comment

Suze Weinberg + CraftTestDummies=Fun at CHA Summer!

August 2, 2009

Suze Weinberg + CraftTestDummies=Fun at CHA Summer!

Jenny meets crafting legend Suze Weinberg for a craft lesson with the hot wax stylus tool.

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Posted in Books, Magazines, Events, CHA Coverage, Craft News, Crafty People & Places | Leave a Comment

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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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