Interesting Resource & Product Source

Today I am sharing an interesting product source for crafters. 

There are many unusual sources for materials and ideas.  I have a friend that can find an item on the ground in a parking lot and make something beautiful and unique. (I can't but that is not the subject of this post). 


Dover Publications. 
 
What you ask?  The company that publishes Thrift Editions of older or out of copyright books? Yes.
 
I stumbled upon Dover years ago - the book lover in me that reads and reviews found book gems on unusual topics. 
 
The Crafter found a marvelous resource and source. 
 

Dover has craft and hobby books not found in stores.

• Basketry
• Glass Crafts
• Pottery and Ceramics
• Dyeing and Weaving
• Jewelry Quilting
• Fabric and Soft Crafts
• Needlework
• Surface Design
• General Crafts
• Origami
• Papercrafts
• Woodworking
• How To Draw
• Iron On Transfers 

TV sales intro coming - But Wait, There is More!  If you use graphics and clip art in your arts and crafts, you must check out Dover that has thousands of royalty free on every subject imaginable. You can order the book or they have a download service like Istockphoto.

My Post on coupons and Halloween projects shared a royalty free vintage picture project. Art work from Dover.

Parents of young ones, not only can you find reading and learning material here but coloring books, puzzles, games and paper dolls.  Do you remember paper dolls - inexpensive childhood fun and crafts.

Crafters - coloring books! Think of the things you can do with beautiful, wonderful coloring books, aside from the therapy of coloring. You can get Dover products from Amazon & BN as well.

   

 

Friday 13th Savings: Coupons and seasonal earrings

Craft Supply Deals 9 13 13

Goodybeads Use promo code HWLAMP and get 8 free hand painted Halloween beads with a purchase of $10 or more. If your order is $35 or more shipping is free. Offer valid through 9/16/13.

 

 

 

  

 

Joann.com Friday the 13^th only $0.13 sent shipping with code  KWQQ256

 

Rings N Things sale of 15% off Seasonal Lamp work Beads 9/12-18/13.  They do not have the best prices but they do have some unique and marvelous lamp work beads.

 

I have made several pairs of earring with the Calavera beads.  I just love them.

I was however disappointed in the Christmas stocking beads.   To heavy, clunky and not for me.

Fun and easy idea.  Add some dangles by threading E Beads or Seed Beads on a jump ring.  Attach jump ring(s) to necklace or bracelet chains or eye pins on earrings. This small little extra can pack a punch. 

Find royalty free vintage card clip art you like. Size and crop to fit in a bezel and cover with ice resin.  Easy peasy necklace!

 

You don't need to spend a great deal of money on lamp worked either.  Plastic Glow In The Dark Beads can be fun!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Easy Christmas Wreath

Easy Peasy!

  Easy Peasy Christmas Wreath.

I use on my front door. These also make great and inexpensive gifts.


Supplies:


A Wreath Form.
Styrofoam
Grapevine ** My preference.
Straw
Metal
Garland - metallic and sparkly  minimum approximately 9 feet
A Glue Gun
A Wreath Hanger
Optional: Premade Bow or Ribbon

 

Take your wreath form. I prefer grapevine because the wrapped vine allows the me to catch the garland and I do not need to use a glue gun.

Wrap the garland around the wreath. I used 2 different types of garland (see sample below).Spot glue on back as needed to hold.

Glue or tie a Bow at top if desired.

 

 

Craft Coupons and Halloween Ideas

Coupons. Halloween Ideas. And a little bit more.

We all need more money. Yes of course to pay our bills but also to buy more crafting supplies. Or it just me?

Here are some coupons and Halloween crafting ideas.


DRILL15  15% of drills, drill bits - you get the idea.
Jewelry Tools
 This company offers a very complete line of high quality tools for the jewelry making. Everything from metal working, polishing, hand tools - the list goes on. Sign up for the newsletter.  It isn't too frequent and always offers a sale on a product category to subscribers.


HALWN5 $5off any order
GoodyBeads


WCE4110 Free shipping on orders $49.00 or more
Oriental Trading Company

Yes this business started out with party supplies but they have grown and offer some pretty good craft, hobby and jewelry making supplies.  I have bought lamp worked beads from them and have only once been disappointed. And they refunded my disappointment.

Basic supplies, crafts for kids, scrapbooking. Certainly worth a look.
They also have beading kits. You can put your toe into the jewelry making water with minimal investment.

Start Christmas Crafting Now

I admit it - I craft and read more than I blog. But I have been taking pictures of my work and will post with some instructions soon.

Today I want to talk abut Christmas Crafting.  It is time to get started.
I like to make gifts for my friends and family. A handmade gift shows love and thought.

 A handmade gift shows love and thought.

I now make origami gift bags, mainly for jewelry but this makes things extra special. (instructions in upcoming blog.

  

I often have trouble making gifts for the men in my life.  This year I am making my nephews braided bracelets with Kumihimo in school colors.

   

I also crochet afghans, who doesn't want a 'cozy' blanket for snuggling up?

   

 

And I make for colleagues Christmas themed projects. Christmas themed gifts I have made in the past, polymer clay sculptured angels & fabric Santa wall hangings & cross stitched cards & Soap.

One year I made some Halloween soap.  I wish I still had one to showcase in a photo.
Using clear MP glycerin soap base I put a rubber super ball with an eye on it (an eyeball). This was before I knew about embeddable paper for soap so I shrink wrapped the soap and printed a label on transparencies.  What made the soap even more fun was what the label said: "I saw what you did in the shower".

Don't forget that baking is a handmade and crafted gift.

In the upcoming weeks I will post a photo and instructions for the project. Please check back.

Right now there are a lot of Christmas Crafting Sales online to consider. Here are a few:
Herrschners Christmas Stitchery Sale
Christmas Earring Designs
Factory Direct Craft Sale
Halloween and Christmas Craft Supply Sale
11 Christmas Gift Ideas, Free Book 
Holiday Fabric Sale

Easy Peasy Idea!

Make A Jingle Bell Bracelet with Memory Wire.

       

 

Join Amazon Prime - Watch Over 40,000 Movies