March's Second Joy of Crafting Show

National Craft Month has been a fun creative mix of ideas and inspiration. On this second show, we have more fun ideas to share!

Joscie is back with another cool card design. It's really amazing to see her put everything together!

Then, we have Cheryl using the Sizzix eclips to cut out a box. But, the fun part is when she shares how to use the Sizzix stamp and die sets. Those dies really make it easy to cut those images out!

 

I cap off the show with one of my favorite new items...FANS! They are ready to decorate and the possibilities are limitless! You can use them for Grads, 1st birthdays, baby showers, wedding invites, just so many occasions. And don't forget about sports! We even have a die so that you can cut out printed papers or computer generated designs, perfectly centered!

 

Thanks for stopping by today...hope you get a chance to watch the show! Happy Spring Crafting!

What are those things for?

Have you seen those clear shelving units, divided up into 8 individual cube spaces in the Ben Franklin Craft Stores? Are you wondering if we're going to start carrying pets for sale?

Well, no, their not for pets. These are our new, fun way for crafters to sell their handmade treasures. It's called "My Locker" and there are 8 spaces available per unit with the monthly rental fee ranging from $30 - $50, depending on the locker level.

You rent the locker, fill it up with your crafts (all price tagged) and we'll collect the sales for you. You get 100% of your sales. You can add more things as you sell down, change them out , rearrange your display,etc. This little locker is your little store. I think of it as Etsy in person, which is great for the customers who like to see the actual thing they are buying.

This particular locker is at the front of the Bead Shoppe in the Mapunapuna store. The owner of TheForbeadin  Collection was just setting up her display. Really cute nice stuff and a variety of jewelry styles.

So, for the people who like to make and sell, come and check it out this new program. It's a great way to sell between craft fairs. And for those who'd rather shop and buy, come and check out what these crafters are offering. Gorgeous stuff!

Thanks for stopping by today and hope you're having a fun weekend!

Crafters are so Sweet!

I just gotta share how sweet Jayne from Handmade Cuties is! She was one of the recent winners for the Valentine's Day contest and look what she sent me along with her Thank You card...

Jayne used this blank card she got from Shirl of Creations by Shirl for her Thank You card

She sent these 5 charms so I could share them with my lunch bunch. She remembered that my lunch bunch helped me pick the random winners.

If you don't know about Handmade Cuties, then you are definitely missing out! Jayne designs and beads the most cutest beaded charms and jewelry you can imagine!

The two girls from my lunch bunch adopted the bunnies.

 

Two of the IT guys took the bookworms!Let's just say that my IT guys are really, REALLY impressed. At first, they just couldn't fathom the idea that these are beaded by hand with such tiny, tiny beads!

 

My other IT guy said it was too tiny for him, he might lose it so I kept the music notes. And I'm going to attach it to my iPod.

 

So, I just wanted to THANK YOU, Jayne! It was a really nice surprise, talk about Happy Mail!

Thanks for stopping by today and I hope you all are having as wonderful a day as me and my lunch bunch is!

March's First Joy of Crafting Show

March is National Craft Month and we are celebrating on the show with some special crafters! We start the show off with one of our favorite craft toys...Sizzix!

 

Cheryl shows us how to use the Pop'n Cuts line of dies. They are so cool! And, because they are interchangeable, the ideas are limitless!

 

This frame die is so much fun! Plus, the Sizzix dies are on sale at our Ben Franklin Crafts stores until Friday, March 8th!

Our next special guest is a national celebrity! Joscelyne Cutchens is the 2012 Paper Crafts magazine  Gallery Idol! After weeks of online voting, she came out on top! So, honored to have Joscie on our show!

Here, she shows us her creative style of cardmaking and gives us lots of tips, too! You should check out her blog, OHScrap!, so many creative ideas and really great photos!

And lastly, I show you how you can express yourself by making your own iron-ons with Ink Effects!I think I'm addicted to this stuff! It's so easy to use and perfect for the keiki, too!

Thank You for stopping by today and I hope you get a chance to watch the show! Happy Crafting!

3 Words - 3 Winners!

I LOVE Crafts!

Thank You to everyone who played along with the 14 Days of Valentine's contest. Loved reading all of your answers.

You all like a lot of different crafts but I think cardmaking was the most popular.

It seems that a lot of you are able to craft at least a couple times a week, that's super great!

And a lot of you really liked the origami dollar heart and the message in the bottle. Me, too. I like simpler crafts, especially after the holidays.

Members from my lunch bunch helped pick the winning folded pieces of papers. As, you can see from the photo, the winners are:

Gretel Among

Marilyn Y.

Jayne (Handmade Cuties)

Okay, you lucky three, please email your address to joyofcrafting@gmail.com so I can send you your $25 gift cards and you can get Crafty!

Congratulations and Thank You again for everyone's participation.

Hope you're having a great week!

February's Second Joy of Crafting Show

February is a short month, but our second show isn't short on crafts! We start the show with what I like best, introducing you all to a new friend!

 Our first guest is Devin Nakasone, one of the founders of Prayers on Wings. Prayers On Wings is a non-profit organization that reaches out to children with serious medical situations. Devin himself is a survivor of childhood leukemia and that is why he wanted to give back. I'm also proud to announce that just last week, Devin was chosen as one of the Hawaii Jaycees Three Outstanding Young Persons (TYOP) of the year award for his work with Prayers on Wings. Crafting is a great way to reach and help people get through difficult times. Watch the show and learn more about Prayers on Wings.

Our next guest is one of or favorite beaders, Gloria from Pearl City BFC. This time, she shows us how to use a simple braiding technique to make a stunning bracelet!

Then, we have Ruth from Kitty Bee Designs back with another fun project using her cute stamp designs.

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

It's HERE!

Just had to share! Ben Franklin Crafts newest lei Book, Handcrafted Lei and Flowers volume 11 is hitting our stores as you read! Got my copy from the Mapunapuna store!

Lots of really beautiful new lei designs! Go and check it out!

Thanks for stopping by today and  I hope you're enjoying your weekend! Happy Crafting!

14 Days of Valentines - I Love You!

Been cold these past few nights, mmm this would be so good!

Thanks for following along with the 14 Days of Valentines! I really appreciate your patience as I was having problems with my post scheduling. And because of your kindness, I LOVE YOU, even more!

So, for those three little words, I am going to give away three Ben Franklin Crafts gift cards. All you have to do is leave a comment and tell me three things:

1) Of the 13 projects I posted, which was your favorite.

2) What is your favorite type of craft to make

3) How often do you craft?

So, since I know a lot of you have special plans for tonight (maybe the whole weekend?!), everyone has until Tuesday, February 19, 12 noon Hawaii Time to leave their comment. We will randomly pick three winners from all the comments and we'll announce the winners on Tuesday at 5pm.

Thanks for stopping by today and hope you all have a really special weekend!

14 Days of Valentines - Day 13 Confetti Heart

I guess you gotta have some chocolate for Valentine's Day, right? Here's a simple candy you can make yourself in just a few minutes!

You'll need some Melt 'n Mold chocolate, a heart cookie cutter, some confetti sprinkles, wax paper, a flat plate or tray and something to melt the chocolate in. I use the Wilton disposable clear decorating bags and a glass bowl or jar. You'll also need a refrigerator.

Take one bag and put some chocolate in. Place the bag in a bowl or jar as I did and melt in the microwave. I start with just 20 seconds to see if it is melted. The time depends on how much chocolate you are melting at a time and your microwave. It is better to microwave in short intervals than to overmelt your chocolate.

Place some wax paper onto a clean flat plate or tray. Place your cookie cutter onto the wax paper.Cut the tip of the bag and squeeze the chocolate into the cookie cutter without moving the cutter.

Smooth out the surface.

Add your confetti sprinkles.

Place the chocolate filled heart into the refrigerator or freezer for a few minutes to harden the chocolate. Pop the chocolate out of the cookie cutter. Place in a small bag or a box to give as a gift.

14 Days of valentines - Day 12 Message in the Bottle

Sometimes, you just want a little something to remind people how much you love them. A message in the bottle is perfect for that. They can keep it on their desk at work, in their car or carry it around in their purse.

Start with a tiny glass bottle with a cork stopper.

Need some cording and a little charm is a nice touch.

 

I tied the cording around the top of the bottle and added the charm.

 

Cut a strip of paper about 1/4" x 11". Write your message on it.

Roll the paper up and place it in the bottle. DONE!

 

You can make a bunch and it doesn't cost you a lot to do! Go on, spread the Love!

Thanks for stopping by today and hope you're having a great week!

14 Days of Valentines - Day 11 LOVE Note book

Besides the people in your life, I'm pretty sure I know what else you love! You love to craft! That's why you're here, right? Well, like me you probably have a million ideas running through your head. So, I decided I needed a place to write it all down, especially when I'm on the go.

So, here's a fast and easy, but personal notebook.

I took one of the RTD blank notebooks, very inexpensive at only a  $1.00! Took some of my leftover paper from cardmaking.

First, I measured the height of the book, which came to 5 5/8". Cut my paper 5 5/8" x 12" to make it easy. Wrapped the paper around the outside of the book and into the front inside cover. Creased the edges.

I covered the blank book with strips of double-sided tape. Notice the extra tape where the book will fold over? This is so that the cover paper doesn't shift. I expect to open this book and fold over pages a LOT! Placed the paper on and taped it down to the book.

The reason I wrapped the paper into the front inside cover was so that I could make a pocket. Folded the paper at an angle and trimmed some off.

Folded the edge over for contrast and taped it down. Then I taped the inside cover along the sides and bottom to create a pocket.

I saved the triangle piece I cut off and folded it into a corner bookmark!

 

Now, I can mark my last page!

Next, I decorated the front cover with more scraps, stickers and a rub-on. Easy peasy!

All set to write and sketch ideas! Thanks for stopping by today and I hope you have a wonderful week!

14 Days of Valentines - Day 10 Color of Love?

When I think of Love, I don't only think about red or pink. Love is Happy and to me that's bright yellow! So, today's project is something that can be given anytime of the year, it's a "just because" project.

Start with a clay pot, Styrofoam ball, small flower bush and a photo/card holder found in the wedding department. Or, you can take wire and make your own.

Place the Styrofoam ball in the pot.

 

Break or cut off bunches of flowers leaving a little stem at the bottom.

 

Take the flowers and stick them into the Styrofoam ball, covering it all over.

Stick the silver wire photo holder somewhere amongst the flowers. Add a photo, note or a pre-printed message like I did. DONE!

You can always add more embellishments like tie a ribbon around the pot, paint the pot, add butterflies or lady bugs. And you can use this for birthdays, Professional Admin Day, Mother's day, whatever you can think of. Go Spread the Love!

Thanks for stopping by today and Happy Crafting!

14 Days of Valentines - Day 9 - On the Wall

Time to declare your love and display it for all to see!

This is a super fast project that you can use your scraps with.

I used some everyday paper so it doesn't look too Valentine-sy for the rest of the year. Got some ink for distressing the edges.

I was going for a simple look, so I used these unfinished wood pieces.

I started with an unfinished wood plaque that already had some holes drilled through for the hanger.

Cut the paper to fit the top of the plaque, distressed it with ink and taped it down. Cut out a "bingo" card from the Sn@p collection and did the same.

Added my man, heart and woman wood pieces.

Then, for a more earthy look, used the hemp cord for the hanger. DONE! As I said, I was going for simple.

Thanks for stopping by today and have a great weekend!