Chewing Paper - Confessions of a Paper Addict

Wooden Alphabet Fun

Hi guys,

This is my third attempt writing this post today - Typepad does not make things easy sometimes!!  I just had to tell you though - we got our own stash of fantastic Wooden Alphabets in - just perfect for you to alter!!  They're perfect for decorating a child's room, your craft room - anything at all.  Each one is 17.5cm high and made from MDF and great value too.  I've already done my first project!!  See above.  My lovely friend in the USA just had a new baby - a little girl called Rory (the name is used that way over there :).  I kept them simple as I was a little short for time, but I'm really happy with how they turned out. Here's how they look before altering:

Altering them couldn't be easier.  Here's what the manufacturer's recommend, and also check out my earlier blog post all about it.  With these ones, it's even easier than that though. Simple paint the front with PVA or another craft glue (don't use too much or the papers will bubble).  Then press down any patterned papers you fancy, and leave to dry.  When dry, cut around the outline using a cutting mat and paper knife or blade.  Voila!

Next comes the really fun bit.  Raid your craft bag and find whatever blossoms, brads, buckles, buttons, gems or ribbons you can find and get decorating!!

I did mine in just over 2 hours, but I kept them simple - how long it takes is entirely up to you.  If you make some, please do send us in a photo - and we'll post it up here!!

They're great as a gift for a baby or child, in a craft room, in your child's room, anything at all.  We also got in some great wooden tag books for altering and a super ribbon holder and organiser.  Put your stamp on them all and have great fun doing it!

Project for a child's room

While in the States recently, I mentioned I paid a visit to my favourite paper shop over there - Paper Source.  While there, I picked up some blank paper letters about 10" high for my little boy's room.  You can see them on their website here (and yes they do ship outside the USA), and here's what they look like blank:

They were fantastic value at just $3.00 each and I bought some scrapbook papers that weren't too thick at the time to cover them with.  Well, I got papering tonight, and here's the result (sorry for a not-great-quality image).  Lots of PVA and sticky hands and cutting later, and VOILA!!

My little boy picked out the papers, and they were fairly easy to do.  I figure I can re-paper them again in a few years when they'll need to be blue/red/white to support whichever football team will be the favourite :)  A great project and I can't wait to hang them on the wall of his bedroom.  What do you think?  Do you like them?  There's a great video on the Paper-source site too which shows how to paper them with handmade papers, or paint them and add embellishments like flowers, blossoms or gems.

Stateside Shopping

Well, I'm just back from a short trip to the US of A - to visit old friends, have fun with other friends, and of course, get in a little shopping at our favourite craft stores.  I stopped by Michael's - the crafter's superstore of superstores, and I have to say, this time round I was very much uninspired.  Although I could NOT resist the amazing rolls of 6m of edged satin ribbon for 25c each!!!  Maybe it's that our craft store has expanded to include nearly all product groups now, but the style of the products in the store was all very middle of the road.  Nothing as bold or striking as KI Memories, Autumn Leaves or the new Cherry Arte we have coming in soon.  Hardly any clear stamps (I've a yen for these lately), and the wooden ones left a lot to be desired.  Tons of stickers and LOADS of K&Company.  Having been there I'm going to look into more Scrapbooking Kits and Paper Stacks and pads - what do you think?  Something you'd like to see in our crafts store??

I also paid a visit to Paper Source - and had a similar experience, though I can't say they don't stock bold ranges - they do.  I think our shop has just matured to the point where I rarely see anything new.  Maybe at the Craft, Hobby and Stitch wholesale show this month in Birmingham (I believe they have a non-trade version of the show?)!

Comprehensive List of Irish Craft Fairs and Markets

If you're interested in selling your Christmas Crafts or Cards this year the IrishBusinessWomen.com Forum has a fantastic extremely comprehensive thread on all the craft fairs, farmer's markets and other markets all around the country.  You can see it here.  It's the first time I've ever seen them all in one place.

While we're here, some tips on running your own stand at a Craft Fair or Farmer's Market:

• The average stand costs 30-40 Euros to hold for a day, though that may increase coming up to Christmas
• In theory public liability insurance is required in case something should happen to someone in the vicinity of your, but many don't take it out.
• In order to have a stand at a market during the busy Christmas season, some market managers will require you to have a stand for several weeks beforehand too - to avoid annoying other stall holders who are there year around, and also to ensure they have lots of stands at their market every week
• Most people spend an average of 25c on a Christmas Card, and are willing to spend more on those cards they send to their nearest and dearest only - so consider offering a range of cards "to My Husband/Wife/Mother" etc.
• If making Christmas Cards, ensure you include some with a religious slant (some people will only buy these), and ones with Irish writing are never a bad idea.
• Try and vary the kind of products on offer at your stand - for example - if selling Christmas Cards, have a range of Christmas Cards, and also some gift tags in packs of 10, notelets in packs of 5 to be given as gifts or frame some pretty cards into pictures.
• Try to have a clear special offer on your stand with a BIG sign advertising it.  E.g. Handmade Christmas Cards EUR 4.00 or 3 for EUR 10.00.  People love special offers and it immediately frames their way of thinking in terms of what they'll buy. 
• One of our forum members took a stand and offered a service to personalise cards - she took orders and posted the cards out later.

Things you'll need for your stand:  Check out the post on our forum about this too

• Table and chairs if not provided - some people have brought trellis' along in the past to display cards behind them too.
• Table Covering - sheet, table cloth, piece of material
• Display materials - something to display items at different heights is a good idea (a box under a table cloth or sheet will do just fine).  You could also try one of our great Card Stands - a steal at under 20 Euros!
• Packaging to protect your products - polybags for cards etc.
• A Cash Box or Bum Bag for change
• Paper or plastic bags - you can get these from www.vikingdirect.ie or local cash and carrys.
• A pen and paper
• Business Cards/Flyers/Posters - anything to let people know who you are.  Don't have any?  Try www.vistaprint.ie for business cards or www.print24.ie or www.flyer24.ie for flyers.  If you have a website, make sure to put it on there.
• If outdoors - two or three pairs of socks and double or triple layer everything else.  It gets colder than you can imagine.

How our crafters did at fairs!!  Here's another post on our forum on the topic for further reading and a field report from Kiki on her first market experience and some great ideas for additional products for your stand, or another great report from Patricia Mc :)  We started our life in the business at markets - and they're great for quick cash (at the right times) and getting great feedback on your card.  Dress warm though!!

If you've any tips to add - please add a comment!! We'd love to hear from you.

The Yellow One

Just a bit of fun, but one of those widgets that you just can't not play with!!  Try making your own Simpsons Character - just like me (I've got even bigger hair in real life - swear :)).  Just go to the Simpsons Movie Website and click on "Create Your Own Simpsons Avatar" and choose from a great variety of hair colours, types, and everything else!  If you're a fan of the oh-so-addictive Facebook, they're getting tres popular over there too. 

Don't forget to add your comments to the post below to be in with a really good chance of having a card making magazine come through your letterbox next week!

Handblogs at Dawn

If you're at all crafty with your hands, and can sew a little, AND you love handbags, you have to check out Lisa Lam's U-Handblog and her brilliant Handbag craft supplies site - U-Handbag. The bags are to die for - and the best part of it all?  You can tell someone when they ask (try not to be TOO smug) that you made it yourself. Our favourite one is the one to the left.  You can learn how to make it step by step on Lisa's site - it's one of her many projects she has for people to follow.

Most of the bags have a really retro feel which we love.  Right now I'm making a quilt but when I'm finished putting together the 182 nine-patch blocks I have to make, I'll be looking to start on handbags :)