December 12, 2008
by Tammy
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Craft Bloggers Unite 12/12/08

With the economy in a world of hurt right now, there is no better time to start crafting. Who needs to buy presents when you can make so many yourself? And here are some talented craft bloggers to help you craft the perfect hand-made holiday.

Stefanie Girard’s Sweater Surgery
See how easy it is to alter custom game pieces that will have players fighting over them.

Aileen’s Musings
Aileen goes green for Christmas, and shows you what you can do with all those extra Christmas cards and gift tags we all have hanging around!

Cross Stitch at About.com
Try your hand at a traditional embroidery style with this free Candlewicking ornament.

Alexa Westerfield a.k.a. Swelldesigner
Alexa shares how to create a custom mat frame from journal pages…a perfectly sentimental gift everyone will love!

Cathie Filian
Got wine lovers on your holiday gift list? Cathie Filian has some easy DIY ideas for quick gifts worthy of Napa Valley.

The Impatient Crafter™
Commemorate this historical election year with an easy to make festive Obamornament!

Craftside- A behind-the-scenes peek at a crafty world
The 15 days of Holiday Goodness Giveaways continues at Craftside. Just answer questions and you are entered to win free books! And while you’re there check out a lace trim Christmas tree and New Year’s Eve party hat, 4 of the cards from the new book-1000 Handmade Greetings, a holiday memory photo ring tutorial and a free crochet Santa pencil topper pattern.

Crafty Princess Diaries
Read the Fine Print When Crafting for Charity – Make what they want and give what they need.

Layers Upon Layers
It’s not too late to make pretty fabric hearts for your tree…or for everyon on your gift list!

About Family Crafts
With just a little bit of time and a few simple supplies, you can give everyone on your shopping list a home-made, personalized calendar.

December 11, 2008
by Tammy
4 Comments

Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Bead Ornaments

Finally, our once naked Christmas tree has at least most, though not all, of our ornaments on it. We managed to get a tree last weekend, even though the live Christmas tree pickings this year have been dismal, but then we had to let it rest so it would stretch its branches. Of course, that meant that decorating had to wait until after the weekend, and it was back to the grind for DH and moi. Last night, we popped a cork of beaujolais and got to decorating. I still have most of the house decor-stuff to put out, and just when I was ready to give up last night we found another box full of ornaments, so those will have to wait until this weekend, but the tree is now looking like a real Christmas tree finally!

One of the cool parts of putting up our tree is rediscovering all the cool ornaments we have, many of which have memories tied to them, like a funky one my niece made out of a juice bottle. Yes, she’s in college now, but I still hang it up. It was, at one time, her master piece, so why not? Along with the odd hand-crafted ornaments like this one, I have a lot I have also made over the years. One year I went really wild and made a lot of beaded ornament covers like the one pictured above. They still are one of my favorites because you have so many options with them by just changing out the beads and even the color of ornament underneath it. Plus, they only take about an hour to make, which considering this is done using bead weaving techniques, that’s a blink of an eye!

December 10, 2008
by Tammy
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Your Jewelry Making List for Santa?

A student of mine asked me the other day what I wanted for Christmas. You know that is something I honestly haven’t really given much thought, and I was stumped. I had no answer because I can’t think of anything tangible that I could add to my Santa “want list.” I would like to wake up Christmas morning 30 pounds lighter, or I wouldn’t mind it if Santa and his elves came in over night and finished up the remodeling project my husband and I just started, but of course, neither of those are going to happen!

This season, however, is also about giving, so that is mainly what I’ve been thinking about even though my list is a little shorter this year since my immediately family decided to draw names.

If you have a “give” list of your own, in particular if you are looking for ideas to help out the novice jewelry designer, then you may want to check out my Gifts for Jewelry Making Beginners. Or, you may find the list helpful if you have been thinking of trying out the hobby of jewelry making but weren’t sure what to ask Santa for.

December 8, 2008
by Tammy
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Paint Your Portrait by Mixing Media

I was going to hold off mentioning this new book I received for review until I got through all of it, but it is so amazing, I wanted to go ahead a spill some of the beans early: Mixed-Media Self-Portraits: Inspiration & Techniques by Cate Coulacos Prato is not your ordinary craft book or even mixed-media craft book. When I first started flipping through the pages, my immediate reaction was “What is this?”

As I made my way page after page through the rest of the book taking in all the artwork pictured and doing a skim read (which is how I normally approach a craft book for the first time before I read it more closely), I got it: Prato is talking about using mixed-media techniques to not just create self-portraits but to also provide a way for artists to have a reflective experience. So, then my reaction was “Wow! And Wow! And, gutsy!”

On my second cruise through her book when I stopped to read a little more, I couldn’t help but start thinking about how I could approach this for my own use, and I think that is what the idea behind this book is mainly about, offering the reader/artist a guide for pulling out very personal artwork as you go on a journey of self-discovery.

I’m still making my way through this. It’s not like this book is super long (120+ pages). It’s just that it is not a quick read because it gives you a lot to think about, so I would not recommend this for the casual crafter. But, if you want to dig into your creative soul, now we are talking!

Don’t be surprised if I mention this book again at some point in the future. There is a lot going on here, and I’m very intrigued.

December 7, 2008
by Tammy
0 comments

The End of a Very Crafty Weekend!

Back to the grind tomorrow, but I’m happy to say that along with grading papers, writing up a final exam, and doing work on my About.com Jewelry Making site, I managed to get a lot of crafting done this weekend, which is amazing because I have had an icky throat since Saturday morning so I’m probably fighting off a cold.

I have some pieces in the “waiting to dry” stages, and then I just have to add some ear hooks, so look for those soon. They include a snowman pin, snowman earrings, and Christmas tree earrings.

The finished pieces, which I manged to make and write up this weekend, include some Santa Earrings and a Reindeer Necklace. All but the Santa earrings are made using little painted wood pieces I purchased at Michael’s for 25 cents each – talk about easy!

To top it off, I managed to finally finish my never ending afghan, including weaving in all the zillion and one yarn tails. I’m so glad to finally have it finished. I hate having unfinished projects hanging over me. I’m a little OCD that way.

Ah, crafting rocks!

December 6, 2008
by Tammy
4 Comments

Holiday Guerrilla Marketing Tip for Crafty Princesses

Have you started at least thinking about sending out your Christmas cards yet? It is still early enough, so I’m guessing most people are like me and haven’t sent them out yet. If that’s the case, great because you have a chance to get a little extra marketing mileage out of your yearly batch Christmas cards, and it so simple! Enter the ever so handy business card.

Crafty Princess Business Card

Before closing up those envelopes, pop in one or two of your business cards. Family and friends can be your best marketing allies, but they may not always know your URL or that you even have an Etsy shop. Consider sending them a couple, one to keep and one to give to someone else.

And while you are sending off those cards, don’t forget important business partners you’ve worked with over the years such as magazine editors, book editors, fellow artisans, anyone you’ve collaborated with this year or in previous years. Sending out a Christmas card is a good way to keep in touch as the months slide by and are gentle reminders that you are still out there and available for future opportunities.

December 5, 2008
by Tammy
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Craft Bloggers Unite 12/05/08

Are you in a major holiday mood yet? Are you crafting up a storm? I can’t say that I have a craft storm going on exactly, but like many of my crafting blog buddies, I have multiple projects in the works. It’s that time of year!

Stefanie Girard’s Sweater Surgery
The Sweater Surgeon is in a video (1:44 min in) from Threadbanger shot at Felt Club and a Handmade Holiday How-to for cutting a sweater into a Christmas tree skirt.

The Impatient Crafter™
Madge shows you how to turn a tiny tin into a clever little diorama ornament! Another The Impatient Crafter™ Free Holiday Craft Project that’s Kid Friendly and Mom Approved.

About Family Crafts
Sherri helps you find a reason to celebrate every day during the month of December!

Aileen’s Musings
Aileen shows you how to create an adorable wee cupcake fairy. It’s another Christmas gift idea that’s EZ and fun to create!

Craftside- A behind-the-scenes peek at a crafty world
The 15 days of Holiday Goodness Giveaways has just begun at Craftside. Just answer questions and you are entered to win free books. We also have a great turkey leftover recipe from Cooking with Beer, some great reviews in Altered Couture Magazine, a quick and easy Christmas Tree shaped ornament gift box pattern, a beaded star tutorial from Patti Medaris Culia soon to be released book and a machine gun needle felted scarf from a wool felted sweater.

Crafty Princess Diaries
A typical country mouse, aka the Crafty Princess, is in love as she views some of the pictures from the grand opening of a yarn studio in New York.

Cross Stitch at About.com
Hot off the virtual presses – Get your copy of Connie’s free 2009 Cross Stitch Calendar.

Layers Upon Layers
Profiled artist David Smith shows off his amazing mixed media creations.

Swelldesigner a.k.a. Alexa Westerfield
Alexa helps you get inspired this season with a compilation of crafty Christmas ornament designs!

December 4, 2008
by Tammy
0 comments

Stitch Tricks for Crochet

Seriously, I have, like, one or two more rows and I’m done with the never ending afghan. Thus, my mind is now plotting my next crochet adventure. Because I want to expand my repertoire, I have decided to pick a new stitch I’ve never attempted before, or at the very least one I haven’t done in a zillion years, which will feel like I haven’t done it before. As I’ve mentioned, I plan for my next project to be a baby blanket. Rather than try anything too fancy as far as patterns, I’m just going to pick a stitch, grab a hook, and make a large square using the same stitch. I often crochet late in the evening, so I need something that isn’t going to be too taxing on the old brain, ya know!

I have not settled on the stitch as yet, but I have found a goldmine of possibilities at the Lion Brand Yarn site which has an awesome stitch finder, both for crochet and knitting. Just select a link, and voila, you have a sample shown (like the solid scallop pictured above) as well as instructions.

Now, to make a decision!

December 3, 2008
by Tammy
2 Comments

Andrew Thorton Beads and Craft Goodies Yard Sale of Sorts

I heard through the blogosphere grapevine that Andrew Thornton is have a beady-type, crafty-type, etc-type yard sale via his shop on Ebay. Along with beads like the strand pictured above, he has mish mash of other crafting materials such as vintage photographs, charms, and tools. None crafting items includes some interesting looking used books and music CDs. For ATC lovers (altered trading cards), he’s offering to toss in one of his own for anyone who wins and auction and request an ATC.

December 1, 2008
by Tammy
0 comments

Latest Crafted Publication from the Princess

Because I’m also a teacher, I sometimes have to write on non-crafty type topics. I enjoy writing, so I’m okay with that, though I have to admit writing about how to make a pair of earrings is much more fun, easier, and profitable too. The academic type writing is not the way to get rich or even make enough to run through the Taco Bell drive-thru, but for whatever reason, it’s considered more appropriate for a teacher to publish.

My latest non-craft related publication is a chapter in Florida and the Popular Imagination. My chapter’s title is “Florida’s Space Coast: Where Captain Kirk Meets John Glenn and Dreams Meet Possibilities,” and as you can probably tell by the super long title, it’s about the area around Cocoa Beach and the space industry located there. My first “real” job out of college was working as a technical writer for Lockheed, my father is a retired NASA Aerospace Engineer, and I grew up on what is called the Space Coast. As a native “rocket chick” this topic was a pretty good fit for me. The book deals with popular culture as it relates to the state of Florida, so it should have a fairly wide range of appeal.

The Crafty Princess Diaries

Tammy Powley’s Crafty Weblog