Another fabulous show!

Hi Everyone

And hello to all the lovely people I met at the NEC the last few days - what a great show this year's Hobbycraft Show turned out to be!

Just like last year we were booked out each day almost before we started the first workshop. If only there were more hours in the day... either that or I need to find a way to clone myself so that I can teach two workshops at the same time! Needless to say after 4 days of raising my voice to be heard above the hubbub of the NEC I've lost it! Still, at least I don't need it to continue crafting and working on the website.

I will be uploading some of the photos I took at the show for everyone to see just as soon as I've figured out how to get them off the new camera. And as soon as my voice returns I'll be setting to work on some craft videos for those of you who would like to see techniques in action!

If you are in Christmas mode already then check out November's Product of the Month. Sorry it's a couple of days late but the internet connect at the hotel was so poor I wasn't able to access the website. I think the beaded wire stars make great decorations for your tree or as festive window dressing. They also make excellent little pressies for friends as they are something that will be used year after year and, being handmade, each time they get them out it will remind them of your friendship.

Don't forget the Anniversary Competition - there's still plenty of time to get your Carol themed card done and sent in - there's a bumper prize for the best card so it's well worth a try! I look forward to seeing your entries!

Till the next time... Happy Crafting!

Fee x

Anniversary Competition & Congrats to Paula!

Hi Everyone

Congratulations to Paula, our October winner - your Crafty Prize will be winging its way to you very soon!

Don't forget about the Anniversary Competition - see the home page for details if you haven't already spotted it! The prize fund is increasing each week so it's well worth having a go and it's so easy to make an extra card when you're busy making your Christmas cards anyway. I'm really looking forward to seeing everyone's wonderful entries!

Hope you all find an inspirational carol!

Happy Crafting!

Fee x

Hobbycraft Show 2011

Hi Everyone

Just wanted to let you all know that the Efcolor Enamelling Workshops at this year's Hobbycraft Show have been confirmed. Sue from Sinotex UK Ltd and I will be running six fun workshops every day 3-6 November at the NEC, Birmingham.

I would advise anyone interested in attending them to come to our stand J03 as soon as they arrive at the show. They were so popular last year that we were booked up each day almost before we started our first workshop. So book early to avoid disappointment!

Time to Sow on stand C21 will have a special show offer on the Efcolor Oven and Starter sets - perfect for Christmas presents, whether for yourself or someone else!

Hope to see you there!

Fee x

Chaos reigns!

Hi Everyone!

What a hectic couple of weeks! I've been so busy upgrading the studio computer and internet connection that I'm suffering creative withdrawal symptoms. However, it's all over now and hopefully the new system will make it easier and quicker to upload some inspirational projects for you all.

I hope you like August's Product of the Month project sheets - FIMO Soft really is a fabulous product which can be incorporated into so many crafting activities. The Fan Cane Buttons are quick and easy to make whilst The Sumptuous Casket, although relatively easy, is more time consuming.

I used a lovely wooden chest from Efco as a base for the Casket but there's nothing to stop you using an old tin like the one above.

Hope you are enjoying the summer hols although if you're stopping at home in the UK it must be said that the weather could be a little more consistent with the sunshine - I don't know if the hailstorm last Friday was countrywide but... wow... who'd have though it, especially on the 5th August! At least as crafters we can always find something creative to do whilst waiting for the sun to show it's face.

Congratulations to Lauren for being August's Prize draw winner! Your parcel of crafty goodies will be winging its way to you shortly.

Happy Crafting to one and all!

Fee x

Congratulations to Trish!

Hi Everyone

 

Just a quick note to say that Trish is our lucky winner from the Kent County Prize Draw! I hope you enjoy creating some fabulous enamelled pieces with your parcel of Efco Efcolor crafting goodies!

Happy Enamelling!

Fee x

Wow, What a Show & Efcolor Experimentations

Hi Everyone

I just got back from the Kent County Show and what a great show it was - despite the horrendous weather! I met lots of lovely people and introduced many to the wonders of enamelling with Efco's Efcolor powders. Check ou the Crafter's Gallery to see some of the creations of the visitors who made it to the Kent Pavilion. I think it's safe to say that fun was had by all inspite of the thunderstorms and downpours.

And for those of you who are based in the Rochester area, Francis Iles have asked me to teach an Efcolor Enamelling workshop later this year - I will let you know the date as soon as one has been arranged.

One very interesting development that came out of the show was when a lovely lady asked if you could combine mica powders with the Efcolor powders. It's something I'd not tried myself but didn't see why they shouldn't work - so, in between trying to catch up on emals etc. I just had to give it a go. And here are the results.

The octagonal pendant was coated with black Efcolor powder and baked. Then mica powders were dropped on. A cocktail stick was used to create a spirograph-like pattern before it was covered with a layer of clear transparent Efcolor powder and rebaked. Where there were small mounds of mica powder the clear transparent Efcolor seemed to have 'rolled' back and off the powder, leaving it exposed. Applying more transparent Efcolor powder didn't make much difference until the mica powder was spread around a little with a cocktail stick.

The butterfly pendant was coated with black Efcolor powder and baked. Then mica powders were brushed on making sure there were no lumps. A cocktail stick was used to create a pattern in the powder before a thin layer of clear transparent Efcolor powder was applied and it was rebaked.

The dragonfly pendant was coated with black Efcolor powder and baked. Mica powders were mixed with clear transparent Efcolor powder and then a spatula was used to pick up the mixes and drop them on the blank, covering the black layer. It was then rebaked.

As you can see you can create some spectacular results - so thank you lovely lady for your suggestion!

Having tried the mica powders I thought it would be worth just checking whether the Jo Sonja Iridescent Colours would work with the Efcolor powders as well as they do with polymer clay, and guess what....

Like the other samples this one was enamelled with black Efcolor powder. Then a thin coat of Jo Sonja Iridescent acrylics was applied to the surface and allowed to dry. It was covered with a thin layer of clear transparent Efcolor powder and rebaked.

The photos don't really do all the samples justice so if you have the JS Iridescents or mica powders then have a go at combining them with the Efcolor powders yourselves. If you send in photos of your creations I'll add them to the Crafter's Gallery.

Till the next time, Happy Crafting....

Fee x

July's Product of the Month

Hi Everyone

If you've never tried Pébéo's Vitrea 160 Glass Paints then it's worth checking them out. They are great for decorating a variety of surfaces including cards, ceramics and, of course, glass. You can use them in conjunction with the outliners to keep the colours separate and give a traditional stained glass effect or mix it up a little as in the Vitrea Fusion Card. If painting a heat-resistant surface you can bake the decorated item, once dry, to make it dishwasher proof.

Don't forget, if you've got photos of any glass painted project, do send them in to our Crafter's Gallery (gallery@projects4crafters.com) as I'm sure everyone would like to see them!

Happy Crafting

Fee x