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!
Posted on 3/7/2009 at 11:20:37 PM
We had our first ever Silkscreen workshop and confirmed what we already knew…..our customers are soooo CREATIVE! This workshop takes a little longer than our other workshops, but it’s worth the time. One of their awesome prints is on our website under the class description. Stop in the studio to see a few of them in person. Our next workshop is on Saturday, May 23 from 3 – 10 pm (don’t worry…you will get an hour break for dinner).
Check out our website to learn more about our Folk Art Quilt workshop. This is a great workshop for beginners or even experienced quilters that want to try something new. You’ll learn to hand quilt, as well as appliqué and embroider. Heidi, our sewing instructor extraordinaire, is finishing up her sample for our Folk Art Quilt workshop. Look for a photo of her finished sample on the front page of our website during March!
Here’s a shout out to Pacific Independent School! Great Job! The studio worked with their kids during a 5 week program including everything from making kites to birdhouses. What talented kids they have! If you are a part of a home schooling group, give us a call and we can work with you to create a special series tailored just to your group!
For those of you that participated in our Begining Sewing Series workshops, we’re adding new classes! The new series will include Making Pants, Working with Delicate Fabrics, and Making a Zipper Hoodie. This is an intermediate sewing workshop series and will meet once a week over five weeks. Best of all, you walk away with rockin’ new skills and three custom fit pieces! Keep an eye out for additional intermediate level sewing workshops, we will be adding a lined skirt and a couple of dress making workshops very soon!
Finally, if you’ve checked us out at the studio and still haven’t taken a workshop, here’s another chance to do it at a discount. Use discount code 010310409 when registering online and get$10 off your workshop in March! Really, if you’re feeling intimidated, or think you’re not creative enough, come in and let us change your mind. We work with ALL skill levels and you’ll not only find out that you CAN do it, you’ll have a great time doing it!
See you at the studio!
Posted on 1/29/2009 at 10:52:31 AM
We have a new CRICUT (come on, you’ve seen the infomercials!) and we can’t wait to share it with you! In our special Valentine’s card workshop, we’ll be using our awesome new toy, along with fabric, hand stitching, stamps, printed paper and more to make gorgeous Valentine’s Day cards as well as other cards for all occasions! If you don’t think you’re creative enough to do this, you’re WRONG! Amy, one of our FAVORITE instructors will inspire you (and even hold your hand if needed) to create one of a kind cards that you can’t believe you made yourself!
This special VALENTINE! workshop will be held from 3 – 6 pm, Saturday, January 31, 2009. For this special workshop we have posted it at $10 off our regular price for the card workshop…it is only $35/person. Space is limited so don’t wait to sign up!
We look forward to seeing you on the 31st!
Posted on 1/6/2009 at 11:25:07 PM
Happy New Year! January 2009, marks The Crafter’s Studio’s first year in business. From the depths of my soul (cause that’s how deep my feelings for the studio go) I want to say thank you, gracias, merci, danke, and would say it in every language possible but I’m better at crafts than languages. Anyway, I’m totally stoked to be starting our second year and look forward to seeing all of you as you make your plans for 2009!
Have you considered taking our new Screen Printing workshop? You learn it all, including how to make your own frame and design. The most awesome part? You get to print your design on a t-shirt to take home!
Posted on 11/29/2008 at 10:47:52 AM
This month’s newsletter is just in time to tell you about our Holiday Gift Making Extravaganza going on tomorrow, November 1st! From 9am to 5 pm, we’ll have hour-long crafts. There will be everything from Glass Etched Ornaments to Soy Candles (with Farmer’s Market favorite, Janet Bunney). Register online for all eight workshops at just $95, or pick and choose your favorites for $15 each! This is a great opportunity to make gorgeous holiday gifts!
Call us crazy, but we thought this might be a good weekend to also have the Grand Opening of our Craft Supply Store! For all of you that have taken our workshops and then wanted to find the supplies to make more at home, we have you covered! We have everything from Powdered Glass for Enamel, Glass for Soldered Pendants, and Glass Rods for Bead Making to awesome Scrapbooking Supplies! Check us out and let us inspire you to create for the holidays!
Finally, and I’ve saved the best for last, THANK YOU to all of you that came out to sew Grocery Totes for WomenCARE! These totes will be on sale for $10 each tomorrow during our Extravaganza and all proceeds will go directly to WomenCARE! Help us make a difference for this fabulous group supporting women with cancer.
See you soon!
Rebecca
Posted on 10/1/2008 at 10:46:24 AM
The holidays are just around the corner and we have a LOT going on at the studio in the next few months! The holidays are for celebrating and for giving. This year, why not commit to making some of your holiday gifts? You may also consider attending our charitable event and make something green to raise some green!
We’re having our first fundraiser to give back to our community. On October 18th, from 1-3 pm, The Crafter’s Studio is offering a Grocery Tote Workshop to raise funds to support WomenCARE of Santa Cruz. Participants will sew two chic fabric grocery totes – one to take home and one that will be sold at the Crafter’s Studio Holiday Gift Making Extravaganza on November 1st; all tote proceeds will be donated to WomenCare. No sewing experience necessary. $20 fee includes all materials. Register at www.thecraftersstudio.com or call 831-421-9605.
November 1st will be the Grand Opening of our new Craft Store. We’ll have all the materials used in our workshops and much more, including an a large array of scrapbooking supplies. This is also the first day of our two day Holiday Gift Making Extravaganza! From 9:00 am – 5:00 pm, there will be eight different holiday gift mini-workshops, including Scarf making, Body Products, Resin Jewelry, Metal Embossed Ornaments, Soldered Frames, and Block Printing on gift wrap, t-shirts, wrapping paper, ribbon and fabric, and Card Making! Each workshop will be $15 individually or $95 for ALL eight workshops with an hour break for lunch. A $25 savings!
Be sure to check out our events page for details on our special 2 day Folk Art Quilt for the Imperfect Quilter workshop coming up on October 25 & 26th.
Also happening on the 18th, our neighbors, FreshPrep will be having their Open House. After making your grocery tote for WomenCARE, pop over and try samples from their October menu and learn more about their services. They now have “Fresh n’ Ready” Dinners to Go!
Here’s to a busy three months! See you at the Studio!
Rebecca
Posted on 9/20/2008 at 3:26:23 PM
In the next month and a half, we’re going to be making lots of changes at the studio. Lots of you have been asking for us to start selling craft supplies, and we listened! We’re now working on getting our craft store up and running in the studio AND on-line.
We’re also thinking of doing an on-going women’s group craft that meets once a month and either focuses on learning one craft, or maybe a new craft each month. We’d love to hear any ideas you might have! The first one I’m leaning towards will be instructed by a woman named Andrea Zuill. You can see what she does at www.Badbird.etsy.com or on her website at www.andreazuill.com. I love these “alternative” quilts. She sells them for thousands of dollars, but we’ll have a chance to make our own for a fraction of the price!
Coming up on the holidays, my goal is to hand make my gifts. It just seems like anyone can buy, buy, buy, but to get something so personal, and made by hand is something extra special. Hey, it’s just like my mom told me when I was little and made her a ceramic ashtray (even though she didn’t smoke), “I love it because you took the time to make it.”
Posted on 7/29/2008 at 10:50:54 AM
Finally! After an overwhelming number of requests, The Crafter’s Studio will offer workshops and parties just for kids!
Our first workshop will be:
Batik Printing for T-Shirts
When: July 31, 2008
Time: 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Age: 14 years and younger
Fee: $40
We’ll offer one workshop a month for kids 14 years and younger as well as party packages for kid’s birthdays! We’re rising above the glitter and glue and will provide more challenging, creative workshops that promise not only to be fun, but will teach your child a new craft! Don’t worry if you’re an adult crafter, though, workshops for kids and adults will be held on separate days!
I’m so excited about some of the workshops we’ve been dreaming up including Kite Making, Batik Printing, Jewelry/Bead Making from Recycled Material and a sewing your own Book Bag just to name a few! Watch our website for details. We’ll have the new Kids Program up and running by the end of July!
Have you taken our Enamel Workshop yet? Are you already an enamel artist? Consider joining our Enameling Guild! We meet once a month to talk about our work, learn new techniques and discuss ways to show and sell enamel art and jewelry. We’ll be having our first Enamel and Metal show at the studio. Currently, artists (guild members and non members) are invited to apply to be a part of this show running the entire month of December. Applications are available in our studio! The best part is that a part of the application fee will go to The Young Artists Studio!
Register for a workshop by telephone (831) 421-9605 by the end of July and receive $10 off the registration fee!
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