A behind the scene look, how to set up your booth for a craft show.

You’ll start off with a blank space.
Unless you order booth extras such as carpet, tables, table skirts, chairs etc.

Best to start off with hanging your samples/fliers on the walls of your booth.

Have gorgeous quilts? Use them as table covers.

Try out a few layouts as you’re spreading things out.

Use stands to maximize the table’s space.

Take boxes, flip them, cover with a pretty quilt and you’re got a one of a kind stand.

Play with placing your samples and wares.

Carousel stands are a great way to save on space.

Bring or rent a dolly, it will save you valuable time on trips into your booth.

Have a machine you want to demo?

Have everything set up in advance so folks can easily get a feel for the machines.

Bring your tools for any last minute adjustments.

Hang fliers so folks know what they are looking at and can refer to it.

Think about having enough clearance to walk around and several ways in and out of your booth.

Front of your tables is prime real-estate, use it!

A big thank you to ‘Always Quilting’ for letting me tag along!

Check out Always Quilting web site:
www.alwaysquiltingonline.com
To visit the store:
4230 Olympic Avenue
San Mateo, CA 94403
Phone: 650-458-8580

Bring fabrics to cover your booth at the end of the day.

The San Mateo Sewing and Quilt Show is FREE to attend!
You can find more information about the Quilt, Craft & Sewing Festival

Enjoy!

Valentine’s day fast approaching…
Want to create something special for your loved one?
Want it to last and not be tacked away somewhere?

Use a shadow box.
This way you are not limited to something flat and you can create something that has dimension.

Remove the back of the shadow box.
Most of the time you can just twist it to the side and it opens.
On occasion the screws are over tightened, you may need to use a screw driver.

The glass and backing are separated.
Notice the Black border around the glass, it will partially block the view of the design.
You can use part or all of the backing area for different style results.

Take a patterned paper and cut to the size of backing.
Paper can be as busy or solid color depends on results you want achieved.
In this case 7 * 9.5 inches.

Make sure it fits the backing of shadow box.
Attach to backing at this point.
Use double sided tap, Adhesive Transfer Tape or glue.

Pull out your Cricut machine.

All the designs are from Happily Ever After cartridge.

Put your paper on the cutting mat.
Silver color was selected as background color in this case.

Use the Cricut spatula to gently remove paper from cutting mat.

The Cricut spatula and Cricut Tool Kit will help prevent the paper from bending as you try to remove it from the cutting mat.

Play around with how you want to place everything on your backing.
Once you get an idea of where things will go start gluing the pieces together.
Use a Glue pen or use Create-a-Sticker Machine.

This is how it should look.
Now you have less pieces that you need to move around.

Take a Red piece of paper and cut it to a note card size.

Use Clear Choice stamp ‘I love you’ or any other stamps you would like.

Place it on a clear Acrylic stamping block.
Clear your stamp after each use.

Use different ink colors with the same stamp to create a 3D effect.
Use additional stamps, in this case the heart to create a pattern.
Add a White paper underneath it, to make it stand out more.

Add ribbons in Valentine’s theme.

Use flowers in different sizes and create a layers with different colors.

Use chipboard circles with a message as the focal point of the flower.

Use Valentine theme buttons as accent in your flowers.

Arrange all components in shadow box.
Don’t glue everything all around, this will add to 3D effect.
Hang or place shadow box with love.

Your Valentine shadow box is now complete.

Happy Valentine!
Let’s create something!

Buttons can be used for so many things.
To advertise something, as a focal piece of a broach, the possibilities are limitless.

As you open this Button Maker box you will find:
Instructions page

Various supplies that are needed to make your button.
This will enable you to create 72 buttons.

Button maker machine.

Two trays marked 1 and 2.

Nine pages filled with round circle shapes printed graphics.

I choose to use a Washi Japanese paper to create my button.

You can audition on the paper what part you would like to use.
As well as how many buttons you can get out of it.

The box comes with a circle template but that was no where to be found at this point so I made my own template.
I cut out one of the graphics circles.

Center the template.
Make sure your design is slightly smaller.
The edges of your artwork will form around the button.

Trace and cut your paper, your artwork.

To start creating the button, we will use tray 1.

In tray 1, put metal button cover with rounded sides facing up.

On top of that, put your artwork.

On top of that, put plastic cover.

Insert tray 1 into the button machine when the bar with handle on top is raised.

Slide tray 1 in.

Twist handle clockwise.
Stop when you hear a pop sound.

Twist handle counter-clockwise.
This will cause the bar to raise up.
Button parts stay inside the Button Maker machine.
Take out tray 1.

Take tray 2.

Take metal button backing with hole in center and place inside tray 2 with edges facing up.

Insert tray 2 into the Button Machine when the bar with handle on top is raised.

Slide tray 2 in.

Twist handle clockwise.
Stop when you hear a pop sound.

Twist handle counter-clockwise.
This will cause the bar to raise up.
Button is now in tray 2.
Take out tray 2.

Front of button is now finished.

Turn your button to the back side.

Snap plastic backing, pin into hole in button.

Snap pin into plastic backing.

Make sure you insert the part that doesn’t open!

Your button is now complete.
You can use fabric, magazine clipping or draw your own artwork.

Happy New Year!

To view another technique of how to create your own button: How To: Make a Button Using Your Fabric
To view another technique of how to create your own button: How To: Make a Button Using Your Fabric, Self Cover Buttons

Let’s create something!

Celebration of Craftswomen took place in November 11-13, 2011, San Francisco.
Bask in the view of San Francisco when you come to this festival.

It began in 1976 as a small crafts show.
For the past three decades, The Women’s Building Celebration of Craftswomen has allowed Bay Area residents, along with visitors of San Francisco from throughout the world, to discover the work of the nation’s best female artisans and fine artists.
Celebration of Craftswomen is the largest event celebrating the craft of women in the nation.
www.celebrationofcraftswomen.org

To follow on Facebook:
www.facebook.com/celebration.craftswomen
Among the contemporary and traditional handcrafted items you can fine:
Functional and decorative ceramic and glass vessels.
Sculpted wood and works of metal.
Polymer  clay, beaded, stone and precious metal jewelry.
Women, painted silk, leather clothing and wearable.
Home Furniture and accessories.
Fine art sculpture.
Photography.
Watercolor and oil paintings.

Don’t miss the hidden treasures as you walk by them, such as, Greens Restaurant, Fort Mason in San Francisco for some beautiful bayside vegetarian dining.
www.greensrestaurant.com
The Oatmeal raisin cookie was to die for!

THE WOMENS BUILDING (TWB) is a multi-service community center whose mission is to provide women and girls with the tools and resources they need to achieve full and participation is society.
The Women’s Building is located at 3543 18th Street in San Francisco.
For information call 415-431-1180 or visit www.womensbuilding.org

Always ask the artist permission to take a picture of their booth and/or individual item.

A recap of select booths:

Rene Almon Woodworks, her inspiration comes from organic shapes and the wood itself. Building long lasting quality furniture, pleasing to the eye and inviting to touch.
www.renealmonwoodworks.com

Alexandra Von Burg, creating Fairy Tale imagery with soft sculptured dolls and fiber paintings
Look for her workshops to hone the art-making skills that enhance anyone’s natural talent.
www.alexandravonburg.com

Anne Klocko, produces different types of artwork, Vinyl Clay Artwork, Figurative Sculpture and Ceramic Sculpture are whimsy original works of art.
www.anneklocko.com

Margaret Grisz-Dow, passionate about art, her ceramic work & drawing she is integrating these by making incised drawings on the surface of her clay pieces.
Teaching  in a relaxed aesthetic environment, which is often in her own beautiful home studio.
Contact: mgriszdow@yahoo.com

Tess McGuire, hats are knitted on a knitting loom out of wool yarn and then felted using hot water, soap and friction to turn a loosely knitted fabric into a warm, solid, and virtually waterproof garment.
www.tessmcguire.com

Mountain Exotics, taking the beauty, texture of wood to form our unique products.
We create heirlooms from ‘Tree to Street.
www.mountainexotics.com

Monterey Fiber and Design by Margaret Thompson

Naoko, Creating botanically themed felt and glass Jewelry.
10% of sales are donated to humanitarian non profit organizations.
www.naokonojiri.com

Alchemy, Fine chocolate, pastry, & baked delicacies, Savory catering, Classes.
www.facebook.com/pages/Alchemy/130946720282942

Ruxton Designs, mixed media art, vintage buttons, metal hardware, felt all combined in a unique way by Nicky Ruxton.
www.ruxtondesigns.com
Sharing a booth with Laube photography, a joyful rendition of California by Nancy Laube.
www.nancylaube.com

Large Leather is a beautiful store in Sonoma, California.
Choose from in house designs to custom orders, by Paul Terwilliger and Jessica Zoutendijk.
www.largeleather.biz

JYC Arts, Fine Arts painter, Illustrator, Fiber artist as well as Jeweler and quilter.
Working with non traditional fabrics in traditional ways.
www.janecorich.com

Janice Cormier, functional and non functional ceramic art, sculptural vessels, figurative sculpture, small series of functional pottery, and Jewelry.
www.janicecormier.ca
Sharing a booth with Judy Beebe Designs, Merino wool scarves and gloves.
Creating elegant, comfortable, neck pieces with rich texture & color.
www.etsy.com/shop/judybeebedesigns

Theresa Honeywell, provocative imagery and macho icons are rendered into delicate and beautiful pieces of art.
Her inspiration comes in the contrast between art and craft, macho and feminine.
www.theresahoneywell.com

Booths 421-422 is a collaborative mixture of a group of women, a web site is in the pipe line.

To contact the artists directly:
Wanda Fudge, wfudge@peoplepc.com
Colleen Ehle Patell, mixed media figurative art, www.wildwackywomendesigns.com
Suzanne Duran, artist, miblu3@yahoo.com
Mary Porter Vaughan, fine art dolls, www.mpvdolls.com
Donna Perry, art dolls, mixed media artist, dreamandplay.blogspot.com
Zanaib Nia, artist, zniagreen@yahoo.com
Stephanie Smith, doll maker, smitharts@yahoo.com
Bonnie Hoover, Whimsical cloth doll creations, bondonhoov@sbcglobal.net

Tree Stump, Master wood artisans Christine and Ron Sisco prove Fine Art can be functional.
In addition to custom furniture, their most popular pieces are spoons and bread boards.
www.treestump.biz

Santa Barbara Felted Fibers, wearables fiber Art, soft and billowy, exciting and sometimes just wild and crazy.
www.sbfeltedfibers.com

Enchanted Burl, Burls form as an outgrowth on the trunk of a tree and/or within the root system transformed to tables, chairs, lamps, clocks, vessels and serving platters.
www.enchantedburl.com

A close up look on this gorgeous crafted chair.
The vessels have been used as food servers, three-dimensional wall art, center conversational pieces, and even spiritual baptismal vessels.

Browse the list of the entertainment schedule that was offered at the rear stage
www.womensbuilding.org/craftsfair/Womens_Building_Craft_Fair/ENTERTAINMENT.html

Zola De Firmian, Fine Art Ceramics and tile design, one-of-a-kind porcelain and stoneware pieces are hand-built, or cast, then carved, using simple molds of own design.
Project Greenheart, First, 10% of sales go to support programs that connect youth with art and nature.
www.zinfusionz.com

Dawn Mountain LeatherArt, creating and designing original Leatherart pieces.
Decorative techniques such as trapunto, pleating, weaving, and beading are frequently used on one-of-a-kind pieces
www.dawnmountainleatherart.com

FOR INFORMATION ABOUT THE SHOW CONTACT:
TEEVAN PRODUCTIONS
1557- 15TH AVE.
SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94122
PHONE: (650) 615-6838
FAX: (415) 731-6794
EMAIL: CRAFTSWOMEN@GMAIL.COM

Hope you enjoyed Celebration of Craftswomen!
Didn’t make it this year? Try and make it to next year.

All pictures were taken after approval by the artist.

Let’s create something!

 

Came across this blog post at http://www.manycreativegifts.blogspot.com, enjoy!
It’s a great blog with lots of ideas and information.
With the holiday season coming, you are sure to want to create something for your family and friends.

Free Craft and Crochet eBooks

I’m so glad to be able to pass along two new and free ebooks from the FaveCrafts folks!
The first one has 17 popular crochet items that are easy enough for a beginner to make, like a fun little caplet, a bottoms up hat, and a really neat 8-point ripple afghan.
You can find the free and instant download at:
http://www.allfreecrochet.com/Miscellaneous-Crochet/17-Popular-Free-Crochet-Patterns-eBook

The second book will start to get you in the mood for the holidays.

This ebook has 7 fun craft projects for Christmas time.
I think I’m going to give the Christmas Card Saver a try!
Also included are the Felt and Wire Angel (pg. 5), the Christmas Candy Jar Labels (pg. 11), and a Wine Cork Wreath (pg. 19).
You can get this eBook free at:

http://www.allfreechristmascrafts.com/Christmas-Ornament-Crafts/7-Thrifty-Christmas-Craft-Ideas-eBook

Happy Crafting!!

You love to Embroider as well as making your own Greeting cards? Why not combine your passions?

Start by hooping tear away or cut away stabilizer.

Using spray adhesive, such as, Sulky KK 2000.

Put a piece of colored felt on top of the stabilizer.

Take a piece of Solvy.

Using spray adhesive to put the Solvy on top of the felt.

This step is not a must but it will help achieve a better embroidery.
Add a border with wide stitches, bigger than the design you are about to stitch.
It will help prevent bunching up as well as shifting.
It is best is you use a similar color to your background.

You now have your creative license to change the colors that you are using from the suggested colors.

As it keeps embroidering it starts looking like a picture.

We changes many of the colors suggested, the cat as well as the Yellow for the light effect in the pumpkin.

Now that you are done with your embroidery design. Take it out of the embroidery machine.
For this project we used Brother PE-780 model.

We recommend using this type of scissors to cut your jump stitches.
Because they have a curve you will be better able to cut close to the design without cutting the stitches.

Take your design out of the Embroidery hoop.

We will start working on the back side of our Embroidery.
Take a seam ripper and remove the bobbin thread of the border.

Continue taking out all the stitches around.
This will give you better result then trying to take the stitches out on the front of your embroidery.

Once you have removed all the bobbin thread, the front thread will just come off as a long piece of thread.

Now that we have just our embroidery, it’s time to remove the Solvy from the top.

Tear it off as best you can, most of it should come off easily.

Since it’s water soluble, should you have any pieces left behind, a little water will take care of it.

We recommend using Pacesetter Embroidery thread.
You get great quality thread for a reasonable price.

We bought greeting cards that have a photo frame cutout pre-made.
Feel free to make your own. When you select what Embroidery you want to use, make sure it will fit the frame size.
Some machines will let you resize your designs, take advantage of that.

We start with a blank card and decorate it with several stamps.

The Words “Happy Halloween” with a stamp on top.

We chose to use Uniball silver metallic pens.

We fill the empty spaces in the letters with our Orange color pen.
You will end up with a blend of Orange and sparkling Silver.

We love to sparkle so we’re going to putt some Bo-Nash sparkles on our card.

Great shiny colors they offer.

For a more precise result we will use the Bo-Nash glue pen.

Once we have our stamps in place, we will trace a few lines with the glue Pen.

When you use the glue pen, the glue will come in Blue color.
You know it’s ready to use once it dries Clear.

Put a finger into the sparkles, they will attach to your finger because of the oils you naturally have on it.
Then just go over the glue a few times. You are done once you see all the glue has been covered.
A quick no mess easy way to add some sparkle.

Add as many stamps and decorations as you like.
Now it’s time to put your embroidery into the picture frame.
Cut your Embroidery to size and gently tuck it in.

Make sure your embroidery is straight. Secure with a few dabs of glue if needed.

Your project is now complete! enjoy.