April 8, 2009
Craft Professionals, Crafts
2 Comments
Thinking about Mary Englebreit got me thinking about other creativity heroes I have. I’d like to introduce you to some of my heroes. These are people who inspire me and also people who have helped me in many ways over the years to become a better crafter and writer.
My friend Vicki with Debra Norville
My friend Vicki can knit and crochet anything! She’s just a genius. I first met Vicki when she was an editor with several wonderful magazines. She got me hooked on beads, beading, and jewelry making! She now works for Premier Yarns. Debra Norville has a line of yarns with Premier Yarns and also a book on knitting, Knit with Debra Norville published by Leisure Arts.
Julie taught me how to write instructions and many more important lessons!
I met Julie Stephani when I attended my first Society of Craft Designers Seminar (SCD no longer exists, membership went to the Craft and Hobby Association). I took her class on writing instructions! She used the example of writing instructions for making a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Not as easy as you might think. I’ve gone on to publish more than 1,000 craft projects so I think Julie did a great job! Julie is now the editor of Home Arts Magazine!
Two heroes, Bill and Tim!
And last, but not least! Bill (left) has been my editor for trade and consumer writing for over 15 years! He’s the best. We wrote a book together, Creating Your Family Heritage Scrapbook. The funny part of this story is that after the book was published, Bill and I found out we were cousins! We had no idea! And the gentleman to the right is Tim Holtz who is a true leader in the arts. His work and product lines are brilliant!
Do you have a creative hero? Tell us about who you admire and why!
March 31, 2009
Crafts, Paper Crafts, Projects
No Comments
K&Company is our Kit Club feature.
As National Craft Month ends, I thought I’d surprise everyone with a cool Kit Club review. This is a journal kit from K&Company. It’s subtle blue tones remind me of old blue jeans and restful moments of daydreaming. The kit comes with a journal, extra decorative papers, transparancies, and dimensional stickers.
It would make a great What I Did This Summer or Grandma’s Babies journal. Or you could create a travel or gardening journal with all the stuff in the kit. I think K&Company does a fabulous job with all their products lines and you can find all your K&Company products on CreateForLess.com. You can find this kit to purchase on CreateForLess.com too.
WIN THIS KIT!
I’m giving this kit away to the 31st person who sends me an e-mail at: maria@thinkcrafts.com, please put March Kit Club Contest in the subject line of your e-mail and feel free to send as many e-mails as you like, I’ll let you know when the contest is closed.
January 10, 2009
Crafts, Needlearts, Projects, Sewing
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Pretty Little Potholders by Lark Books
Potholders are just fun and make a great gift for any occasion. This book has over 30 projects that range from quick and easy to a little more detailed. The book includes great instructions for all the sewing techniques used including embroidery, yo-yos, quilting, and beading. Most projects have a retro look and feel, but with different fabric selection can be changed to meet your personal taste and style. I enjoyed the pot handle cozy and the yo-yo potholder. This is a fun book with great illustrations, photographs, and step-by-step instructions.
I enjoyed combining yo-yos with quilting for this set of potholders.
Would you like to win this book? Be the first person to e-mail me at Maria@thinkcrafts.com and this book will be yours. Make sure you put the name of the book you want to win in the subject line of your e-mail to me. I will reply back to the first e-mailer requesting a mailing address. Please don’t post any personal information on Think Crafts!
This contest is closed.
December 18, 2008
Crafts, Quilting, Sewing
2 Comments
This kit is just too too cute! You can’t help but smile when you open the box up and find all the precious surprises inside! The projects are on beautifully done cards with a photo on front, open to the instructions, and some project’s instructions conclude on the back of the card. You are given most of the supplies needed to create each of the 15 little projects! You will need to gather some basic crafting tools from your own stash: embroidery needle, hand sewing needle, fabric scissors, fabric marking pen, tape measure, ruler, pencil, straight pins, and fiberfill. Patterns are included full size. Once the kit’s supplies are done, you can just add your own scraps of fabric and felt and continue to make the cool projects!
Small plush creatures and minatures are so hot right now in all crafting categories! And who doesn’t fall in love with tiny little treasures? This kit is just plain fun! It can also travel well and makes a great gift. My favorite project was the Party Cake. I made several to give to my sewing friends as a pin cushion!
The Party Cake front card cover is inspiring.
I give The Softies Kit the CreateForLess 5 Star Glue Gun Award!
Would you like to win this kit?
Be the first person to e-mail me at Maria@thinkcrafts.com and this kit will be yours. Please put the name of the kit you want to win in the subject line of your e-mail to me. I will reply back to the first e-mailer requesting a mailing address. Please don’t post any personal information on Think Crafts!
This contest is closed, a winner has been shipped the kit.
October 14, 2008
Craft Professionals, Jewelry Making
1 Comment
I’ve been very lucky in my career in crafts to have opportunities I never even dreamed possible. I’ve sold my original crafts to the public, sold designs for publication in magazines, written books, and even developed a few product lines! One of the most rewarding jobs is when I’m asked to be an editor. I was the original editor of Stamp It!, a magazine for rubberstampers and card makers. And recently I was asked to be the Editor of Jewelry Creations, a magazine filled with wonderful jewelry projects.
It’s amazing to start with an idea, gather projects, edit the project instructions, be a part of the photography shoot, and do some final edits before the magazine is sent off to the printer for publication. When I was asked to be a part of this great jewelry magazine issue, I turned to my friends at CreateForLess.com for some jewelry submissions and got some fabulous ones! Jewelry Creations is now available where you buy your favorite craft magazines.
I’m doing a little bragging because I wanted to share my joy and I also wanted other creative people to know that if you want a career or a part time income from your art and crafts- anything really is possible. I have no formal training in putting together a magazine. I just took every opportunity to learn new aspects of my love of crafting and worked hard to earn a reputation of being reliable. I learned (and continue to learn) all I can about the craft industry. When I first started the reference librarian at my local library was my best friend helping me find trade organizations, today much of that same information is now available online! I believe it is possible to have a job you love and earn a good living from your creativity.
Here’s a peek at the cover!
August 29, 2008
Scrapbooking
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I just found this list I made of ideas I had for scrapbook pages! Although it is over a year old, the ideas are still fun ones. Did I forget anything? Can you add to my list?
Your Home
Your Garden
Your Car
A Writing Pen
Your Favorite Song
Your Favorite Book
Your Favorite Movie
That Special Look
Your Favorite TV Show
Your Last Vacation
Your Best Vacation
Joy & Jubilation
Your Beloved Pet
Your Child
Your House Plants
Your Favorite Color
A Big Brother
Your Biggest Dream
Your Faith
Your Best Friend
Kicking A Bad Habit
A Catcher’s Mitt
Your Exercise Routine
Your Favorite Food
Flavor of Ice Cream
A Daydream
Your Hobbies
The Neighborhood
Your Grandmother
Your Grandfather
Your Aunt
Your Uncle
Crying Uncle
Being First Born
Being An Only Child
The Baby of the Family
A Hissy Fit
First Home
Your Summer Home
Your Home Town
Most Prized Heirloom
Your Favorite Tree
Your First Crush
Your Last Crush
Getting Lost
Being Found
Finding Your Keys
Hitting The Piano Keys
The Florida Keys
A Summer Breeze
Your Hero
A Favorite Poem
A Poem By You
Your Office
Your Occupation
Your Career
Your Boss
Who’s The Boss
A Cow Paddy Toss
A Road Trip
Getting A Grip
Letting It Rip
A Sailing Ship
Your Niece
Your Nephew
Your Son
Your Daughter
What Makes You Smile
What Makes You Cry
What Makes You Proud
What Makes You Sigh
Words of Wisdom
Favorite Holiday
Best Thing About Spring
Best Thing About Summer
Best Thing About Fall
Your Favorite Plumber
Best Thing About Winter
Dancing The Night Away
Singing in the Shower
A Bubble Bath
Backyard Bird Bath
Bathing Your Dog
Bathing The Baby
Yes, No, or Maybe?
Catching A Frog
Getting Lost in the Fog
Drinking Eggnog
A Big Hug
Enjoying Company
Enjoying The Quiet
Playing a Game
Starting A Riot
Girl’s Night Out
Your Man And His Truck
Riding A Horse
The Truck Getting Stuck
Day at the Beach
Day at the Lake
Day at the Park
A Casual Clam Bake
Mowing the Lawn
Weeding A Bed
A Nap In A Hammock
Making The Bed
Before School
After School
Riding the Bus
Diving into a Pool
Roasting a Hot Dog
Marshmallow Roast
Grilling a Burger
Wearing Something Yellow
Feeling Kind of Mellow
Watching a Parade
Marching in a Parade
Catching a Wave
Making Lemonade
Caught in the Rain
Jumping in a Puddle
Umbrellas Open and Shut
Football Huddle
Boys Will Be Boys
Sugar & Spice
Girls Having Fun
Everything Nice
Christmas Stockings
Easter Hunts
Thanksgiving Turkeys
Boos, Screams & Grunts
A Wedding
An Anniversary
A Birthday
Money Tree
Bank Of Dad
May Day
School Day
Make Hay
Let’s Play
Sunshine
Clouds
Who’s On First?
Peanuts & Popcorn
Mother Earth
In The Jungle
At The Zoo
Finding Love
Giving Love
Treasuring Love
Lost Loves
Mittens & Gloves
Paper, Scissors, Rock
High School Jock
Knitting A Mitten
Got A New Kitten
Walking The Dog
Did You See A Hog?
Wine Fest
Cheese Fest
You’re the Best
Leaving the Nest
Water Balloon Fight
Starry Night
All Night Crop
Hugging Pop
Watering The Lawn
Stepping Stones
Kidney Stones
Nibbling On Scones
High Tea
High Noon
Watching A Favorite Cartoon
First Date
Learning to Skate
Popcorn and a Movie
Hair In Curlers
Run In Your Hose
Tripping High Heels
Potatoes to Peel
