Posted on 2/13/2010 at 6:12:52 PM
Wow! Christina and Gay can sure pack ‘em in! We had 24 people at the Watercolour Journaling workshop on the 30th. I wish that I could have stayed and enjoyed the workshop, but alas, my duties as mother/driver were needed that day. However, just take a look at our talented group!
Since so many people loved this workshop, we’ve asked Christine and Gay back to do their Collage/Journal Workshop next. I guess what I like about the look of their work is that it seems more “artistic” somehow. It’s less like an “altered book” and more like a piece of art. I just love it! Here’s a sample of some of their pages using blender pen transfers, wax resist and spackle texturing. It even sounds artsy!
Customers have been asking for some quick crafts to do with their kids, so here’s one idea that’s beautiful and that you can do yourself. My daughter absolutely LOVES the barrettes at Anthropologie (see below), but you can save yourself $18 and make your own! Next time you’re at the flea market, look for an inexpensive piece of junk jewelry and simply glue it onto a plain barrette. Voila’! Hair extraordinaire!
It’s time for us to clean up our inventory and you know what that means…SALE! On March 6th, all craft supplies and fabric will be 30% off! We’ll open at 9:00 am and close at 5:00 pm that day.
I have to show off these adorable girls and the results of their screen printing workshop with Heidi. They were amazing!
Shout out to our own Amy Barragan for closing a deal with Pacific Trading Company right here in Santa Cruz! Amy makes designer handbags and you will soon see her pieces being sold at PTC. Whoo-hoo! If you missed Amy’s last Handbag Workshop, check out our website as the next one is in March. You have to get her before she’s too famous for us! Don’t forget the little people, Amy….
Finally, if you’re interested in a workshop that we don’t offer, let me know! Maybe we’ll do it if we have enough interest! Thanks to all of you for your support in the last two years. This has been so fun and I love what we’re building here together!
Rebecca
Posted on 1/5/2010 at 10:59:39 AM
I’m in the middle of re-decorating and I’ve decided to go a new direction with lamps. Unfortunately, this means all new lamp shades for my gazillions of lamps. Let me say first, that I know I have a problem in that I cannot seem to pass up a glass lamp at any garage sale, flea market or craigslist deal, but I’m trying. Anyway, I was at Anthropologie and fell in love with this charming floral drum shade, and another that was linen. Now, as sweet as they were, I knew that at over $100 a pop, I was seriously going to be cutting into my lamp-buying budget if I had to buy shades at that cost. And let’s face it, why have a great lamp unless you have a seriously fabulous shade to go on it? I shopped around, but there wasn’t anything that compared. Thus, the new ‘Lampshade’ workshop was born at the Studio. Look at my finished work!
Drum Shade
Interested in learning to make a shade? Register here by clicking the link!
Posted on 12/31/2009 at 1:34:32 AM
I took this amazing workshop with Christina Lopp and Gay Kraeger and now I’m an artist! Well, okay, I’m no Rembrandt but I can draw a bit now (more than stick figures) and my water colouring isn’t half bad. Judge for yourself! Here’s a little water color of my bocce ball court in our garden. The best part of this class is that there is absolutely no pressure, or expectations. Christina and Gay make it fun and are the most supportive girls you ever wanted to know. When I took the workshop, most of the participants didn’t have ANY experience (including me) and I was amazed at how everyone just GOT it and walked away with the ability to draw and paint. The instructors give you some crucial information about simple drawing that absolutely guarantees you can do it. For those people who have tried and failed at water colour, their methods are SO much easier and absolutely do-able.
If you want to try your hand at this workshop, click the link below!
Posted on 12/29/2009 at 12:20:25 AM
You’ve been asking and we’ve finally got another series lined up! This is our most popular workshop because it takes you from “I bought this machine but have no idea what to do with it!” to “I think I’ll whip out a skirt with an invisible zipper that is perfectly fitted to my exact measurements!”
It begins January 12th and will be on Tuesday evenings 6 – 10 pm. .
1/12/10 Pajama Pants
1/19/10 Zippers
1/26/10 Pencil Skirt Part 1
2/2/10 Pencil Skirt Part 2
2/9/10 Button down Shirt Part 1
2/16/10 Button down Shirt Part 2
We do have to limit it to six so that you all have lots of one on one time with the instructor!
Fee: $260.00
Posted on 12/19/2009 at 9:53:15 AM
Did you know that The Crafter’s Studio now sells craft supplies? In addition to selling a small selection of the awesome Echino, Amy Butler and Moda fabrics we use in our workshops, we also have enameling kits, soldering kits, body product ingredients, scrapbooking supplies and jewelry fabrication supplies! Our new on-line store is coming soon! Watch this space for the announcement and special coupon!
Posted on 11/24/2009 at 2:53:51 PM
Okay, even though it’s not even Thanksgiving yet, I’m going to annoy you all by mentioning the winter holidays again. I just can’t say it enough; if you’re thinking about making your holiday gifts, NOW is the time to start! We’ve come up with an awesome, economical way to make holiday gifts for everyone! For example, in our Apron Workshop, your first apron is covered in the cost of the workshop. Then, assembly line style (cutting them out all at the same time, etc.) you can pay for just the supplies for each additional apron made in the workshop. Just fold up a cute apron (sewn by YOU), put it in a pretty mixing bowl with your favorite holiday recipe and you’ve got a creative (and thoughtful) gift! What about beautiful hand made soaps (again, by you), beautifully wrapped and given with a couple of pretty, white hand towels for guests? Check out all our “assembly line” ideas and workshops including, hand painted bowls, wrist warmers, imprinted initial necklaces, grocery totes, block-printed linens and more! You’ll get the workshop AND you’ll be able to turn out a lot of gifts at the same time! Come check out our window highlighting some of the crafts in these workshops!
Okay, I just have to show you this awesome embroidered, appliquéd tote made by Rachel H. in our Doodle Embroidery Workshop. It was so fun talking with Rachel and her friend and watching their doodle sketches come to life! This tote is perfect for books, knitting, and anything else you can fit into it. Well done Rachel!
For all those asking when the next Screen Printing workshop is available, don’t miss out! November 28th is the day! There’s still a little room in the class and it’s just in time for holiday gifts and cards. The thing I like about making the screens myself is that I can make several different small images on one screen, then “block” the others when printing. That way, I have a variety of images to choose from when printing! Don’t know what I’m talking about? Try out this awesome workshop and learn how make your own screen, get your images onto it and then print away on t-shirts, totes, fabric and anything else in serious need of a printed update!
Hope your holidays are full of surprises, festive parties and lots and lots of yummy carbs.
Rebecca
P.S. For reading all the way to the end…if you register for a workshop before the end of November we will give you $10 off. Enter this code (010311109) and hit the recalculate button before going to check out when you register online.
Posted on 10/27/2009 at 9:44:40 AM
How much fun did we have Re-Fashioning our old knit shirts? Imagine taking one of your t-shirts OUT of the Goodwill box and making a fabulous new, recycled shirt that you’ll want to wear! If you missed out on the first one, don’t worry, we loved it so much we’re going to do it again on 12/3!
Another new workshop I can’t wait for is Tailoring for Tots! Get out your measuring tapes and get ready to design. This is a two-part workshop where you’ll first create a pattern, specific to your child’s measurements, adjust it to create your own design and then sew it in the second workshop! Kind of like Project Runway except for children, oh and no competition….and no cat fights (although that could be exciting.)
Where are all those people that were asking me about Needle Felting? We’ll try one last time to put it on the calendar and see if we get any takers. Take a look at this picture and tell me that you don’t think it would be adorable to make little reindeer or Santa for Christmas ornaments or to tie onto packages. They’re SO fun to make and I guarantee you’ll love it!
- Needle Felted Raindeer
As always, our Sewing Series and Jewelry Series are the most popular workshops we do. I think it must be because it’s more economical to take the series if you’re thinking that you might like to do more than two of the workshops in either group. It’s so incredible to see our customers come in with absolutely NO experience, some having never even TOUCHED a sewing machine before, and have them leave with the ability to sew from a pattern, insert invisible zippers, and use the serger. Besides leaving with all sorts of clothing they’ve made themselves, they have a new found confidence that they’ve conquered sewing and skills they’ll have for a lifetime. Yay!!!
Finally, I know I sound like a pest, but if you’re thinking about making Holiday Gifts, the time to start is NOW! One of my favorite gifts to give are body products. On 11/5/09, we’ll be making Lotions, Scrubs and Balms! Join us and create your own for yourself or for gifts. It’s so fabulous to select the ingredients that best suit your body as well as the scents that make you swoon! My favorite is Brown Sugar and Fig. In fact, if I had a body product company, that’s what I’d call it. Anyway, they make luscious, inexpensive gifts and it’s FUN!
That’s what’s going on at the studio! I’d love to hear from you if you have ideas for workshops for the holidays!
Rebecca
Posted on 9/24/2009 at 11:00:47 PM
What a great turnout we had for the Heather Ross Mendocino Sundress Workshop! Look at these gorgeous girls finishing their new dresses! Thanks, Heather, for being our special guest instructor!
What’s new in sewing at the studio? Welcome Alexis Albright Meschi! Alexis will instruct several new sewing workshops, including the fantastic Art of Refashioning – Knit Shirt. With vision and an artistic eye we can turn an existing item into something new. We can combine elements of the practical with the imaginative. We can dare to expose the overlooked beauty of something we already possess. Refashioning was born out of necessity and evolved into art. Our heightened environmental awareness pushes us to conserve. We shouldn’t have to sacrifice style. There is no reason why being green has to be boring. Alexis is all about recycling and re-use in clothing. Take a look at her blog, mymamamadeit.blogspot.com, and check out the refashioned knit shirts we’ll be creating in this workshop. This workshop is open to all skill levels (even NO skills!) and is limited to six people. Bring along old and new knit shirts (2 that fit) to the workshop. Use scraps of these, along with our studio knit scraps, to finish two re-fashioned shirts!
Due to the popularity of our Sewing Series and Jewelry Series, we’ve added a few more multiple workshops to our calendar. Check out the new Needle Felting Series, Doodle Embroidery and AppliquéSeries, as well as the Body Products and Packaging series!
It’s coming up on perhaps the best holiday of all for those of us that like to sew! Whether you need help creating that awesome Halloween costume for your little pumpkin, or you’re designing your own costume,bring your fabric, pattern or ideas to the studio for our Costume Making Workshop on Saturday, October 17th, from 2pm – 6pm. Register online or call us as space is limited for this one-off workshop!
Of course, September wouldn’t be complete if I didn’t mention that it’s never too early to start making your Holiday Gifts!Keep an eye on our site as the holidays draw closer. This year, we’ll be offering full workshops for the holidays including Wreath Making, Glass Fusion Gifts, Silk Screened Napkins and more! In this economy, and with a new spirit of handcrafted, rather than commercial gifts, why not challenge yourself and others to make your gifts this year!
It has been a while since we offered a discount coupon good for $10 off the workshop of your choice…so here you go! It is sort of a reward for reaching the end of the newsletter. Use discount code 010311109 when registering for a workshop now through the end of October.
And now, a shameless plug….If you’re looking for awesome fabric, one of our favorite instructors, Amy, will be selling offloads of fabric she’s collected over the years. Amy has a habit, and has acquired more fabric than she can sew in a lifetime. You can buy her fabric at my Antique and Garage Sale this weekend, 9/19/09, from 9am at 4585 Cherryvale Ave., Soquel.
Hello Fall!
Posted on 8/24/2009 at 11:08:23 PM
What an awesome summer we had here at the studio!
We have been getting lots of calls and emails about the “For Lease” sign in our front window. We are still here and we are making some great changes to better fit your crafting needs!
Our studio hours have changed, we are now open on Saturday from 10 to 6 and Sunday from 12 to 5. The studio will only be available for open studio time and retail purchases on these days. Workshops are continuing to take place throughout the week.
With this change in hours we will be introducing special studio nights. Many of you have asked about studio availability at night. Starting in September, two nights per month will be dedicated to studio time with a monitor available to assist with specific equipment and answer questions. Space will be limited so we recommend you register in advance. The first studio night will focus on Jewelry – held on Wednesday 9/16, and the second will focus on Sewing – held on Wednesday 9/23.
Special Guest, Heather Ross will be coming to The Crafter’s Studio to introduce her new book, Weekend Sewing, and to instruct a special sewing workshop featuring her pattern for the Mendocino Sundress.
BOOK SIGNING: Heather Ross, Weekend Sewing
9/9/09 4:30 pm – 6:30 pm, Free
Be sure to stop by to meet Heather and pick up you very own signed copy of Weekend Sewing. Get 10% off the price of her new book when you mention this newsletter when you make your purchase and 20% off if you also register for her special sewing workshop.
SPECIAL WORKSHOP: Heather Ross Mendocino Sundress
9/9/09 6:30 pm – 9:30 pm, $60
The Mendocino Sundress is Guest Instructor Heather Ross’ most favorite summer dress because it is simple, chic, comfy, and lovely. No matter your shape or size you can make this dress and it truly works on everybody. Be sure to stop by the studio to get a sneak peek of this awesome sundress…and remember that we have some of our best summer weather in September and October! Limited space is available for this workshop, so be sure to register early. BYO fabric or get 20% off if you buy it from us.
We also have two new exciting series in the works and more on the way – check them out under the events/parties tab at the top of our website. In addition to great workshops at a discounted price you will also receive a 10% discount on any items purchased from our retail store while you are in a series.
3 Week Glasswork Series
begins September 14th – Monday evenings from 6:30 – 9:30 pm
Ever had the urge work with glass, but didn’t know where to start or what to do with it? Learn the art of Glass Fusion, Lampworked Glass beads and the Wire Wrapping techniques you’ll need to turn works of glass into finished jewelry. You get a chance to experiment with different glass working processes and walk away with several finished pieces for you to keep or give as gifts.
4 Week Sewing Series – Working with Knit Fabric
begins September 29th and will run on Wednesday Evenings from 6 – 10 pm
Take the next step in your sewing instruction! This series tackles some of the trickier sewing projects we offer. Over the course of four weeks you will get a chance to work with knit fabric and bump up your skills working on the serger. Different types of seams and edging techniques specific to knit fabric will be introduced, we will discuss the importance of stretch and how it relates to your project, as well as installing a separating zipper into knit fabric and more! Check out the website for information on specific projects in this series.
Check out all our new workshops online, or give us a call (831.421.9605). See you at the Studio!
Posted on 4/28/2009 at 11:18:52 PM
What an awesome April we had here at the studio! We had a full workshop for our Folk Art Quilting. I am reminded again and again what creative customers we have here in the studio. The unique designs created for the quilt motifs were stunning and the group couldn’t have been more enthusiastic! Remember, if you are in this workshop, we want photos to display of your finished quilts. As this was such a popular workshop, we’ve decided to put it on the schedule again. So, if you missed out the first time, you’ll have another chance in July!
By popular demand, we have an Amy Butler brand workshop! If you’ve always loved her fabrics, here’s your chance to use her Barcelona Skirt pattern and make a gorgeous skirt, fitted to your own measurements, in time for summer! This is the perfect workshop for a beginner, as you’ll learn to read a commercial pattern, make a lining and place an invisible zipper. This workshop will be in three parts (unusual for us!) and, as always, everything from your Amy Butler fabric, pattern and instruction is included! This workshop is limited to six participants and begins May 26th. You’ll love it!
Mother’s Day is coming!!!! What are you doing for your mother? Why not spend a few hours with her making luscious body and bath products? Create your own whipped hand cream, lip balm and bath fizzies in this workshop for two. You’ll never want store-bought body products again. Once you learn a bit of the alchemy behind using base elements like waxes, emulsifiers and butters that make your favorite store bought products so deliciously wonderful, you’ll be amazed! What a fun way to spend some time with mom AND learn a new craft! Even better, our Mother’s Day Special workshop takes place on Saturday, 5/16, so you can still do the family thing with mom on Sunday! See our home page to register on our website,www.thecraftersstudio.com.
Screen Printing (or silk screening, whatever you prefer!) is proving to be one of our most popular workshops! Our May workshop is already full, but there’s another in June that still has room, so don’t miss out on this uber-fun workshop! This versatile printing process lets you apply an image to all sorts of things – clothes, other textiles, paper, your wall, or basically any flat surface! After learning the basics you can make T-shirts for all of your friends, design your own greeting cards… the list goes on!
Check out all our new workshops online, or give us a call (831.421.9605). See you at the Studio!
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