Today I go to my first ‘free form crochet’ class. Am I a crocheter? No, not really, but there was something about the idea of ‘freeform’ that got to my creative spirit. The picture below, seduced me as well. I love knitting and crocheting, but I’m not interested in making any more scarves or sweaters. The idea of something organic that developed as I went along was very appealing. I am going to use this class as a way to experiment with color and texture, to creatively spark my other work. It’s also fun to join a new group of like minded creative souls and take a journey.
I’ll let you know where it leads.

above: free form fiber purse made by the magnificent Beryl Maddalena

SHOP my new STORE!

Listen to CRAFTCAST™ for details about the
FREE BOOK give-away.

Call the CRAFTCAST™ “zing” line and listen to this weeks message
866.493.ZING (866.493.9464)

Subscribe to CRAFTCAST’s weekly crafting podcast
free through iTUNES
CRAFTCAST ,the craft podcast!

Get your butt in the chair and keep crafting!

Ok, a little time out for some R and R!

My gym has this little sauna, which has become my new sanctuary. There is something to be said about the result of warming up your entire body with dry heat. I go in like a frozen Lean Cuisine, and come out relaxed and re-connected, and like in a microwave, it takes only minutes!(I leave out plunging into an icy lake as part of the authentic experience.) My creative juices defrost as well, and once again, all is good with the world.

above: my sauna escape

SHOP my new STORE!

Listen to CRAFTCAST™ for details about the
FREE BOOK give-away.

Call the CRAFTCAST™ “zing” line and listen to this weeks message
866.493.ZING (866.493.9464)

Subscribe to CRAFTCAST’s weekly crafting podcast
free through iTUNES
CRAFTCAST ,the craft podcast!

Get your butt in the chair and keep crafting!

The other day I did a quick pick me up field trip to Costco with a
dear friend and fellow obsessed artist. We were both momentarily speechless (not easy to do) when we saw the enormous display of ribbon. After coming out of a ‘oh my’ stupor we both
started to pick our favorites! These are thick, quality, wired ribbons, in juicy color combinations with 50 yards on each spool, all for under $9.00 a roll. What is it about ribbon that can make me so happy!

above: 3 spools of ribbon from Costco in some of my favorite color palettes

SHOP my new STORE!

Listen to CRAFTCAST™ for details about the
FREE BOOK give-away.

Call the CRAFTCAST™ “zing” line and listen to this weeks message
866.493.ZING (866.493.9464)

Subscribe to CRAFTCAST’s weekly crafting podcast
free through iTUNES
CRAFTCAST ,the craft podcast!

Get your butt in the chair and keep crafting!

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN

Today I talk with Shelli Gardner, CEO and cofounder of Stampin’ Up! Shelli started a craft business stampining at her kitchen table and now oversees more than 500 employees and over 50,000 Stampin’ Up! independent demonstrators in all 50 US states, plus Australia, New Zealand, Canada, the United Kingdom, France, and Germany. Listen to Shelli as she shares her winning spirit that made it all happen.

above: Shelli Gardner, CEO and cofounder, Stampin’ Up!

above:Combinations of stamps and accessories from Stampin’ Up!

above:‘Definitely Decorative’ stamping products

You can find today’s music selection, ‘A Song for You’, in the CRAFTCAST™ store.

Shop at my new STORE!

Listen to CRAFTCAST™ for details about the
FREE BOOK give-away.

Call the “zing” line and check out this week’s message on “rocket fuel”. You can also leave a message at the beep.
866.493.ZING (866.493.9464)

Subscribe to CRAFTCAST’s weekly crafting podcast
free through iTUNES
CRAFTCAST ,the craft podcast!

Get your butt in the chair and keep crafting!

I saw this nut bowl in the window of one of my favorite thrift store haunts and literally gasped. I ducked right into the window display and swooped it up and headed straight for the cash register. It’s made of very heavy plastic, and whimsically painted. The little squirrels just crack me up. It’s price? Even the women at the cash register couldn’t believe it! Total $4.00, and that included a nutcracker!

above: novelty nut bowl

above: ready for “my close-up”

Shop at my new STORE!

Listen to CRAFTCAST™ for details about the
FREE BOOK give-away.

Call the “zing” line and check out this week’s message on “rocket fuel”. You can also leave a message at the beep.
866.493.ZING (866.493.9464)
Subscribe to CRAFTCAST’s weekly crafting podcast
free through iTUNES
CRAFTCAST ,the craft podcast!

Get your butt in the chair and keep crafting!

Well, I’m up and at it! I’m getting ready to attend and speak at today’s Synergy Conference. I’m rooming with Susan Lomuto, from Polymer Clay Notes, so of course we have been talking wildly about everything arty, crafty, techie, to the point of hoarseness. So, until tomorrow I thought I would share a piece of my work, similar to what I am wearing today.
The necklace is a combination of fused glass with a little dichro set in a fine silver bezel, and strung on a mixture of turquoise beads with some silver spacers. The photo was actually set up inside on a piece of moss and other dried up bits and pieces. I enjoy setting up the photographs as much as making the jewelry. Oh it’s all so much fun!
ps. I can’t take credit for the perfectly placed air bubble in the middle, but I was quite pleased!

above: necklace of fused glass and turquoise

Shop at my new STORE!

Listen to CRAFTCAST™ for details about the
FREE BOOK give-away.

Call the “zing” line and check out this week’s message on “rocket fuel”. You can also leave a message at the beep.
866.493.ZING (866.493.9464)
Subscribe to CRAFTCAST’s weekly crafting podcast
free through iTUNES
CRAFTCAST ,the craft podcast!

Get your butt in the chair and keep crafting!

I’ve been obsessed with paper cut-outs lately. Go figure. I slipped into this amazing Japanese bookstore with 5 minutes to spare before the movies the other night. (saw Juno, great fun) There, on the craft book shelf, was this great paper cut-out book. No, I don’t read Japanese, but the how-to pictures and beautiful photos are easy to interpret. I took a picture of the cover for you since there is no way I can type out the title or give you a link. I see more Japanese craft books in my near future.

above: Paper Cut-Outs book cover

above: 3 paper cut-outs I did from the book

SHOP my new STORE!

Listen to CRAFTCAST™ for details about the
FREE BOOK give-away.

Call the CRAFTCAST™ “zing” line and listen to this weeks message
866.493.ZING (866.493.9464)
You can also leave a message for me!

Subscribe to CRAFTCAST’s weekly crafting podcast
free through iTUNES
CRAFTCAST ,the craft podcast!

Get your butt in the chair and keep crafting!

Thanks for all the emails! It’s great to hear from everyone and get your feedback.

I have been getting email questions regarding listening to past shows. Yes, you can, and there are lots of ways to do that. You can go into the categories or monthly archive section on the left, or type into the search box on the right, a particular name. If you use iTunes, the CRAFTCAST page will show you all the past shows you can download.

There are more than 60 shows to choose from. Here are an assortment of past shows to get that marathon started:
SARK, Donna Kato, Carol Duvall, Tim McCreight, Robert Dancik

SHOP my new STORE!

Listen to CRAFTCAST™ for details about the
FREE BOOK give-away.

Call me and let me know whom
you would like to hear on the show.
866.493.ZING (866.493.9464)
Subscribe to CRAFTCAST’s weekly crafting podcast
free through iTUNES
CRAFTCAST ,the craft podcast!

Get your butt in the chair and keep crafting!

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN

Today I talk with the legendary polymer clay artist, Victoria Hughes. Yes, we do talk some clay talk, but more importantly is Victoria’s point of view about the creative process, and how that defines us as artists and people. Oh some wonderful inspiration!

“There is huge creative power in every one of us. I am devoted to exploring our enormous potential, and communicating what I find, through my art, my teaching, and my consulting.”
~Victoria Hughes

Also, today’s music is by singer/songwriter, Adrian Thorpe, singing “Did You Think.”

above: Imitative hinged Turquoise, Jade and Onyx Pendants
app. 3” x .5”

above: Pietra Dura technique set in silver

above: Victoria’s imitative turquoise,coral,jade,carved nephrite,amber,copal,carved and inlaid amber and copal, strung with some silver an glass beads.

SHOP my new STORE!

Listen to CRAFTCAST™ for details about the
FREE BOOK give-away.

Call me and let me know whom
you would like to hear on the show.
866.493.ZING (866.493.9464)
Subscribe to CRAFTCAST’s weekly crafting podcast
free through iTUNES
CRAFTCAST ,the craft podcast!

Get your butt in the chair and keep crafting!

Ok, copper is catching my eye these days! I love the color, and the way it tarnishes and oxidizes. This little gem was sitting front and center just waiting for a copper hound to pick it up! It is hand crafted, and the shape inspired me to start sketching some similar shapes for my own designs. Oh yes, and the price, $2.50.
( I payed all with quarters from the change in my gym bag.)

above: a copper candlestick holder… love it!

Listen to CRAFTCAST™ for details about the
FREE BOOK give-away.

SHOP my new STORE!

Call me and let me know whom
you would like to hear on the show.
866.493.ZING (866.493.9464)
Subscribe to CRAFTCAST’s weekly crafting podcast
free through iTUNES
CRAFTCAST ,the craft podcast!

Get your butt in the chair and keep crafting!