Thinking Globally, Acting Locally

Our company which includes the Ben Franklin Craft stores, the Ace Hardware stores on the neighbor islands and some stores in the Seattle region and Las Vegas is celebrating it's 60th year as a locally owned and operated company. We are very thankful to all of our loyal customers for their continued support because we wouldn't be here today without you.

As a special Mahalo, we are inviting our customers to receive 20% off* their purchases on Saturday, April 9th during our Kokua Sale-abration event.

The earthquakes and tsunamis that have devasted Japan has touched the lives of people around the world and especially here in Hawaii. At Ben Franklin Crafts, we have the people of Japan in our hearts and want to send our Aloha. As members of the larger Global community we want to help and will be donating a portion of that day's sales to the Japanese Red Cross Society to aid them in their recovery efforts.

We will also have free demonstrations and some make'n takes in which the fees will also be donated.

So, please join us and Shop a little, Craft a little and

KOKUA PLENTY!

March's 2nd Joy of Crafting show

On the second Joy of Crafting show for March, we have a bunch of fun projects! We start the show with our favorite Paper Crafter, Cheryl Miyashiro.

Cheryl uses the Big Shot Pro machine and the Scallop Top Box. Many techniques are used to create a beautiful vintage-look gift box.

Then, Gloria Arias is back with another great lei design from our new Handcrafted Lei and Flowers book, Vol.9. Here she shows us how to make Flora's Haku Lei, perfect for Mother's Day and hula halaus as well as graduation.

Lastly, I'll show you how to make a huge bunny decoration using Floral Wrapper. It's a fun design to welcome Spring and Easter.

Hope you all have been enjoying National Craft Month! There's so much fun crafts and talented, creative people out there! Thanks for stopping by today and Happy Crafting!!!

February's 2nd Joy of Crafting show

February is going by sooo fast, plus it's a short month. But, it's not short on crafts!On the second show of the month we have...

The members of the 2010 Cherry Blossom Court show us how to make a simple embellished hair clip.

You can use your punches or die cuts of flowers to make these from washi paper and cardstock. Then just add a little bling!

Then, just in time for Girl's day, I'll show you how easy it is to make microwave mochi! It's especially easy using the Easy Out Ring container which our Ben Franklin stores now carry. It's fun to add different fillings like peanut butter or a chocolate Hershey kiss in the middle!

Lastly, Daven does a new version of his 3-straw flat lei. Perfect for any occasion and a really great lei for guys!

Hope you are able to catch this episode and have some fun crafting! Thanks for stopping by today!

February's first Joy of Crafting Show

On the first Joy of Crafting for February, we start getting ready for Spring celebrations! We begin the show with our favorite faux lei designer, Mellie Enos.

Mellie shows us how to make a beautiful "Petals" lei using sheer ribbon. This lei will also be featured in our new Lei making that will be in the stores soon.

Our next guest makes her debut on the JoC with a cute project, great for Girl's day and other occasions. Shari Hanai from our Mapunapuna store shows us how to make a Ribbon Angel Favor.

Next, I do a quick Hana Hou segment showing you how to take a dollar bill and fold it into an origami heart. Great for adding onto cards as well as tying them up into a lei.Here's some instructions.

We end the show with another lei making session. This time, Daven Yokota shows us the basic 1-straw lei made into a beautiful Ilima twisted lei.

Hope you're able to catch the show and learn something new!

Thanks for stopping by today and Happy Crafting!

January's Second Joy of Crafting

Love is in the Air on the Joy of Crafting's second show for January! We start of the show with Chris from Market City BFC...

Chris shows us how to make our own cute card embellishment from Londy Wire and cookie cutters!

It's a really sweet project!

Then, we have Gloria for Pearl City BFC back with another great project featuring the Cinch binding machine.

She'll give us an idea for storing all your clear and cling mount stamps.

 It's amazing that the Cinch can punch through the tin sheets, great for this magnet board project.

Then, Puna is back to save the day for our Sweethearts!

Have your Honey watch this segment so they can make this for you for Valentine's Day.

You guessed it, it's a Valentine's Day Survival Kit!

Thank You for stopping by today and I hope you get a chance to watch this episode. We had a lot of fun with these projects and I hope you do, too!

Happy Crafting!



First 2011 Joy of Crafting Show

Happy New Year Everybody!It's the Year of the Rabbit, which means we are all in for a very Creative year! To get you started on your new craft adventures, our first show starts off with Gloria from our Pearl City BFC.

Gloria shares with us the ins and outs of using The Cinch binding machine. We love this new tool because it can cut through chipboard, acrylic sheets and more! The best part is that you can adjust to just as many holes as you need for your project.

With the new year brings new products and we have Chris from our Market City BFC introducing us to one of the hottest new trends around...washi tape!

Learn how versatile this decorating medium from Japan is. It's great for all types of projects, not just card making!

Next, we have Puna from our Enchanted Lake BFC showing us a clever centerpiece/favor idea using the tin pails and our recycle pens.

The pens are easy to decorate with and they have a mini magnet on so they can stick to the can for the party centerpiece and then guests can attach them to the fridge when they take them home as a favor.

Thank you for stopping by today and I hope that you are able to join us throughout the year as the Joy of Crafting show brings you new products, new crafts and new crafty friends!

Happy New Year and Happy Crafting all year long!

Happy New Year!!!

This is a special New Year's Card I received from one of my new friends from Japan who recently visited Hawaii. Having Kathy bunny on it is so fitting since 2011 is the Year of the Rabbit!!!

I just want to Thank You All for making this past year such a creative one. I can't wait to see what you all come up with next year, I know it'll be great!

Wishing you and your families a very safe and Happy Happy New Year!

Got me some Bargains! Left some for you!

I was happily checking out the new Hero Arts stamps that just came in to Ben Franklin, great new designs! Couldn't resist, so I got a few. But then, I saw all the great designs that were ON SALE at 50% off! So, GOT ME LOTS OF THOSE!

Can't believe I missed so many good stamps, but I guess sometimes good things (bargains) do come to those who wait! They even had some of the Asian designs on sale, too. I guess we needed to make room for all the new stuff.

Anyway,  I thought I'd share this find with you. But I think you if you want some, better hurry in before the pickin's are all gone!

Thanks for stopping by today!See ya in the stamp aisles ! Happy Stamping!

December's Second Joy of Crafting show

Our last Joy of Crafting show for 2010 premiered Sunday night with some fun craft ideas to get you ready for 2011!

Our first guest is Angela Della Sala from Mapunapuna BFC.Angela shares a great way to get ready for New Year's Eve with some cute headbands adorned with Prima Flowers!

Next, we have Cheryl Miyashiro back with a fun candy holder project.

She explains that it originally is supposed to hold tea bags, but I like her choice of candy! The fun part is it's also a shaker card, so you get to learn a new technique!

Then, Deb from Rubber Stamp Plantation shares a cute favor project, stencilled paper mache boxes. She uses her company's beautiful stencil designs and teaches us a fast and unique way to add some glitter!

Then, she fills the boxes with handmade gourmet treats!

Fun ideas and lots of treats, what a great way to end the year! Hope you get a chance to watch this episode during this busy Holiday season.

Thank You All for making this a wonderful 2010 and I hope you all have a safe and very Happy Holidays!

Maui's Sweet Holiday Hale

If you're Lucky enough to live on Maui or at least visit during the Holidays, you just gotta go visit the Ace Hardware in Lahaina! This is what the Magic of Christmas is all about...

Store Supervisor Korleen Puou and her team of Ace Hardware elves, created this yummy 7 foot Gingerbread House. With its gingerbread walls and standing 4 feet square, it's big enough for kids of all ages to peek out from.

The Amazing roof was made with 40 dozen cookies!

And the sweetness doesn't stop there! The store is sponsoring a Gingerbread House decorating contest. You'll need to use the decorating kits sold at their Ace Hardware store. They will be taking up to 20 entries, which they will display in the store. The 20 entries will all have 12-inch by 12-inch bases. There will be a children’s category for kids age ten and under, as well as an adult division. Entry deadline is Dec. 18, and judging will take place on Dec. 20, with the winners notified the following day. Prizes will be awarded in each category for first, second and third place winners. (If you have any questions, call them at 808.661.0814)

Lahaina Ace Hardware is just one of the neighbor island Ace stores that are a part of our Ben Franklin Crafts Ohana. I just had to share some of their fun ideas, thought it was sooo cool!I guess in our company, Creativity runs deep!

Thanks for stopping by today and I hope you can go and visit Korleen, Manager Timmy and the rest of the creative team at Lahaina Ace. I'm sure it'll make for a Happy Holiday!
 
 

Joy of Crafting December show

Tonight, the first December Joy of Crafting show will premiere with some fun and easy Holiday projects that you still have time to make!

Our first guest is, Cheryl Miyashiro and she has the perfect answer for many of us...a gift card holder!

Cheryl uses the Sizzix gift card holder die that actually pops up! It's really cool and a lot easier than you think.

Next, we have Angela Della Sala from our Mapunapuna BFC store. She shares with us a Flower Fairy made from those gorgeous Prima Flowers!

These fairies are perfect as an ornament or to tie onto a gift.

Then, we have Deb from Rubber Stamp Plantation with some new Holiday glass etching stencils.

Glass etching makes a great personal gift and using these stencils makes it super easy to do!

Hope you can get a chance to watch the show and I hope it gives you some ideas for your last minute Holiday crafting!

Thanks for stopping by today and hope you all have a great week!

I've got a secret to share...

NO! I'm not pregnant! Ok, the last few times our blogging sisters (Kris, K-lusive Kreations and 1LuvnMama) wrote that they had a secret to share on their blogs, they were pregnant. And now, I can happily say that they both have beautiful new babies in their families! Love and Hugs to them both!

Well, back to my secret. Like I said, I'm not pregnant. But, there is a new addition to my family. My blogging craft family that is. We got our 6 Ben Franklin Crafts stores to come together to share their crafty talents!So, without further adieu...

Blogland, say Hello to Ideas and Inspirations (from Ben Franklin Crafts Hawaii)!

This blog is definetely going to be mixed plate of inspiring projects, news about fun classes, exciting store events, and so much more. Just a little bit of everything, just like when you come to Ben Franklin Crafts.

Well, the secret's out, it was just too good to keep to ourseleves! Thanks for stopping by today and I really appreciate all your visits! (now, go check them out!)

Have a Great Week!

P.S. - This is my second post for today...scroll down to learn about what I did this past Sunday...

Butterfly Wishes

Yesterday, I got to experience a very touching and beautiful ceremony with the Queen Lili'uokalani Children's Center.Queen Lili'uokalani set up a trust to help and nurture orphaned or less fortunate children in Hawaii and the Children's Center is the result. The families we met yesterday had all gone through 8 weeks of grief counseling and yesterday was their Butterfly ceremony which symbolizes their transformation and entering of their new life journey ahead.

Keeping with the theme, we helped them decorate the wooden frames we sell that have three butterflies linked together.I took pictures of the keiki and their families to insert into the frames. A couple of the keiki are now being raised by their grandparents and I witnessed a lot of love.

Then, the highlight of the day was the releasing of the Monarch Butterflies. These butterflies rely on the crown flower plant to breed and with less plants around, their population is dwindling. So, Springs Romano and her many volunteers grow the plants and help breed the butterflies.

We were each given a special envelope with a touching poem, that contained a sleeping butterfly. Everyone was encouraged to whisper a wish to the butterfly. One by one, everyone released their butterfly.Some of the butterflies fluttered around and landed on people and just stayed there.Here's Daven, our Pearl City Store Manager,  releasing his butterfly.

 My butterfly fluttered around then went for this penta flower plant to eat.

Yesterday, I think I learned a lot more from the keiki than they did from me and the whole experience is something that I will remember for a lifetime.Again, I am thankful for the happiness crafting brings to people's lives.

Thank You for stopping by today and I hope you have a wonderful week!