Summer and I are back from the Craft and Hobby trade show with the WOW factor on board.

First a word to the wise on anyone who takes classes anywhere. Please do not wear perfume. I have allergies and the lady who sat next to me (a very nice lady) was doused in perfume which I was allergic to. I almost ended stopping the class by coughing, my eyes running, and a near anaphylactic reaction. I didn’t want to make the lady feel bad, but I ended up not enjoying the class and had to leave early. So please don’t wear perfume no matter how nice.

We took many fun and mind expanding classes. Summer’s favorite class was the mica polymer clay jewelry class. Summer said, “I learned new techniques and was able to make beads and pendants that looked like stone not clay. In the past I felt like clay beads looked more like things I made in Grade School than the elegant, classy beads I now can make. I’ve changed my mind on the entire idea of making beads. Some of the other great classes I took were the Viva Decor Bangle Class (New products that really gave the novice crafter the ability to turn out wood based bangles to a beautiful art piece), Beadalon’s Five minute earring class (6+ pairs of earrings in rapid succession taught by Katie Hacker– she developed her own pendent forms that are incredible and coming soon), Hero arts – what can I say but I love Hero Arts. (Their class was fun, fast paced and exciting. We made 5 cards using the new clings and clear stamps. I found I liked the clings because they are heavy duty and you can turn them stamp side up on the table and apply the paper to the stamp to get different effects).”
Summer and I both took the Simply Swank Soldering class and realized we can do this. Not as hard as it looked, we were able to create great collage under glass with a silver solder border. What was the most important thing we learned in class? Flux is our friend, and when in doubt you just need to add more.
We also took the EK success Jolee’s Jewel class. It was fun to play with their new iron on crystals, and sew on crystals.
I enjoyed the glimmer mist class by tattered Angels. I learned new techniques, and perfected some of the basics. I now know how to splatter or not splatter.

What is new and coming soon?
GCD has a set of embossing tools that are made for chipboard (fun easy and creative). This product will have a small learning curve to know just how much pressure to hit the tools with. Summer and I learned we were stronger than we thought.

Just for Fun each night we would make a non-scientific poll about what we saw and learned. We had a hard time choosing from so many great product but these were our favorites.

Cutest kids paper by a new company:
Eye m2cute with kids drills and cartoon tools for both girls and boys. Bright colorful and full of fun we can’t wait to make a page of them. The Embellishments are adorable.
Favorite Boys line
Karen Fosters 4x4 papers rough and tumble - the embellishments will make cards and pages wonderful.
Best Wedding Paper
Best creations
Best Vibrant Paper color
Bo Bunny
Best new Binder Punch
Cinch by We-R-Memory Makers
Best new jewelry tool
New flush cutting tool by bead
Best new craft material
Wood from Creative Imaginations
Best new paint product
New texture paints from Viva Décor
Best unique embellishments
Prima flower centers
Most used product by all booths and classes
DIY wood bangles. – We loved these and can’t wait to make more when they arrive
Our favorite wood stamps at show
Penny Black
Our Favorite Cling
Hero Arts
Our favorite Clear Stamps
So many from so many sources we couldn’t choose
New stamp pad
Stays-on Metallic

Stay tuned for new projects and ideas when all these things arrive.
Happy Valentine’s Day
De

Happy New Year 2010. For most of us in retail we are thankful we made it through last year and are looking forward to this new year.

We start this year by increasing our fine art department and our jewelry departments. We are excited about these changes. There are so many fine art supplies being used for more than just traditional art, and many of our Scrappers and Card makers are loving the extra watercolor capabilities. And of course our Artists are excited about the new colors and products.

Summer and I are heading to CHA (Craft and Hobby Association market place for all art lovers) at the end of this month and will have much more to share.
We are looking forward to all the new things.

Now for Fun Stuff
The new Smooch Spritz is a blast to use and the color fabulous (they are still limited on colors). We still love our other sprays but the Smooch Spritz is in a size and price that you can get several colors to give fantastic blends and depth . They seem to be a little more opaque with a real glitter sheen. When it comes to stamping we still like our Tattered Angles for the variety of colors and beautiful sheen.

On the tool specials. We all have tried more paper cutters and trimers than we would like to admit to. Some times you need a rotary cutter and sometimes you want a blade cut. I found a new love Fiskars cutter has a line that shows you exactly where you are cutting. That way you are not off just a tiny bit because you see exactly where you are cutting. (no more white edge on the paper from the label)

Have you tried the cling stamps. Great new stamps. You get the rubber stamp appeal with the clear block ease. I like them because I can still postion the stamp on the page easier, but get more of the feel of the old wood stamps. Storage is also a plus. Wood stamps take up so much room, clear stamps take a lot less room, Now clings are like clear stamps for storage.
Hero Arts has done a great job with their clings.

What are you looking for??? let us know
De

Norms Corner

Well here it goes, our first blog.

We have been very busy at the store.

Our classroom has been busy with watercolor classes by Norm Rossignol, with both beginners and intemediate watercolor students. We are happy that Norm has added a drawing, and pastel class to his line up.

Summer, as always, has been comming up with some beautiful jewelry ideas for the jewelry class. be sure to check the blog soon for pictures of her creations.

We are so excited the Corinne Stubson is comming back for a bees wax collage class. These fill up fast, and are so much fun and educational.

We have some holiday card classes, check the dates on our web page. The new holiday papers are in and are gorgeous.

My favorite paper is "Delilah" by BoBunny. Maybe it is the name? Or maybe it is because they are beautiful.

We also have all the new Tim Holtz distress Stickels and crackle paints in. FUN FUN FUN.

Karen Foster came up with "a dozen delights holiday gift set," designed for personalized gift giving such as the 12 days of chrismas, Christmas star, hanukkah star of david, or your own creation. the triangle boxes arrived just in time to decorate for the holidays. We are having a class and will be showing all the ideas soon.

Flower-Soft is taking over. We have had so many people tell us this is one of the best new products. Great for card making, page creations, and holiday wonders.

Keep watching.

If you find something fabulous, share it with us. If you have ideas bring them on. The more the better.