Can't believe it's been so long since my last post already.
I've been so busy! I've been spending a lot of time working with my new favorite line of bead supplies - Natural Brass from Vintaj. I LOVE the jewelry I'm creating with these beads and accessories.
One of my designs is entered in the Vintaj Monthly Challenge for October. Check it out and vote for your favorite! I'm #13 - but you don't have to vote for me. Click here to see all of the jewelry designs.
Most of my new items are being made to be taken to Cete Boutique at Riverside Casino and Golf Resort in Riverside Iowa. I am the Artist of the Month there for November. I will be taking my jewelry down next week so they will have it by Nov. 1st.
I've also been trying to Market, Market, Market. I've been spending a lot of time on forums on Etsy and elsewhere, and I opened a twitter account. Let me know your twitter account and I'll follow you! Here's mine: http://twitter.com/cobwebcorner
Amazing how addicting this sort of thing is.
I've got a lot to do before the end of October. I'm going to be closed the last weekend for vacation and family events.
Hopefully I'll get another post in before then!
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Craft Tip: Thread Heaven
This tip has been contributed by my friend Pam Narveson. Pam is an avid craftswoman, who also happens to suffer from severe rheumatoid arthritis. Click here to read more about Pam.
Pam writes:
A craft supply I cannot do without is Thread Heaven thread conditioner and protectant. I love it because it actually does what it says it does - it protects your thread, keeping it from fraying and helps prevent those nasty tangles.
It doesn’t melt or stain and it is easy to use. I think it helps me pull the thread through the fabric more easily (much to the relief of my arthritic hands that keep asking why I persist in crafting with them).
Also, it is relatively inexpensive and lasts a long time (as long as you don’t mind scraping off a few cat hairs from time to time).
Here are my tips for using this product:
To keep Thread Heaven handy, I glue a small magnet to the bottom of the container. Then I can stick it to my metal pattern holder for easy access.
I use my 40% off JoAnn or Michaels coupons to purchase Thread Heaven so I feel like I’m getting a bargain. Look for it in the notions section of your favorite craft store.
Caution: Using Thread Heaven does not mean you can cut an extra, extra long piece of floss and still expect your stitches at the end of your thread to look as “fresh” and unworn as the stitches at the start of your thread.
It works great for sewing and beading threads (including Fireline) too. (for example when weaving beaded bracelets etc.)
Using it on those pesky, difficult-to-work-with blending filament and rayon threads helps reduce my cross stitch curse word count!
To learn more about Thread Heaven and how it works Click Here
Please comment on Pam's tips, and add your own Thread Heaven tip if you have one. Also read about Pam and feel free to forward questions to her via a comment or my profile.
Pam writes:
A craft supply I cannot do without is Thread Heaven thread conditioner and protectant. I love it because it actually does what it says it does - it protects your thread, keeping it from fraying and helps prevent those nasty tangles.
It doesn’t melt or stain and it is easy to use. I think it helps me pull the thread through the fabric more easily (much to the relief of my arthritic hands that keep asking why I persist in crafting with them).
Also, it is relatively inexpensive and lasts a long time (as long as you don’t mind scraping off a few cat hairs from time to time).
Here are my tips for using this product:
To keep Thread Heaven handy, I glue a small magnet to the bottom of the container. Then I can stick it to my metal pattern holder for easy access.
I use my 40% off JoAnn or Michaels coupons to purchase Thread Heaven so I feel like I’m getting a bargain. Look for it in the notions section of your favorite craft store.
Caution: Using Thread Heaven does not mean you can cut an extra, extra long piece of floss and still expect your stitches at the end of your thread to look as “fresh” and unworn as the stitches at the start of your thread.
It works great for sewing and beading threads (including Fireline) too. (for example when weaving beaded bracelets etc.)
Using it on those pesky, difficult-to-work-with blending filament and rayon threads helps reduce my cross stitch curse word count!
To learn more about Thread Heaven and how it works Click Here
Please comment on Pam's tips, and add your own Thread Heaven tip if you have one. Also read about Pam and feel free to forward questions to her via a comment or my profile.
Guest Contributor - My Friend Pam - Crafting Through Pain
I want to introduce my VERY BFF from college, Pam Narveson. Pam and I met at college a LONG time ago and have been best of friends ever since. Pam is one of those friends I don't see often, but rely on none-the-less. Thank goodness for cell phones as our calls can be QUITE lengthy!
Pam swears I was a bad influence on her 'way back when', but I'm not admitting to anything.
Anyway! Pam is a AVID artist/craftswoman. She has cross stitched since before I knew her, knits, and does stunning beadwork. She actually finishes many, many projects a year.
The catch is that Pam suffers from severe rheumatoid arthritis. During our college days she was able to handle her pain with various meds, but over the years certain treatments stopped working. The disease and pain have continued to worsen, causing her to have to change her lifestyle in many ways, and give up many of the things she loves. The damage is especially bad in her hands, and even more-so in her thumbs.
However, during it all she continues to work on her crafts almost daily, although there have been times when this has been difficult or impossible. Pam has been a true inspiration.
Pam has agreed to share some of the tips she has come across over her many years of crafting. Some will be tips you may already know, some may be new to you, and some will be specifically for those of you who may also suffer from arthritis, or otherwise have situations that make it difficult for you to work your favorite craft.
I hope you will enjoy the occasional posts from Pam, and will leave comments and questions for her here at my blog. She will be glad to answer and help if/when able.
If you would like to learn more about rheumatoid arthritis - Click here.
Pam swears I was a bad influence on her 'way back when', but I'm not admitting to anything.
Anyway! Pam is a AVID artist/craftswoman. She has cross stitched since before I knew her, knits, and does stunning beadwork. She actually finishes many, many projects a year.
The catch is that Pam suffers from severe rheumatoid arthritis. During our college days she was able to handle her pain with various meds, but over the years certain treatments stopped working. The disease and pain have continued to worsen, causing her to have to change her lifestyle in many ways, and give up many of the things she loves. The damage is especially bad in her hands, and even more-so in her thumbs.
However, during it all she continues to work on her crafts almost daily, although there have been times when this has been difficult or impossible. Pam has been a true inspiration.
Pam has agreed to share some of the tips she has come across over her many years of crafting. Some will be tips you may already know, some may be new to you, and some will be specifically for those of you who may also suffer from arthritis, or otherwise have situations that make it difficult for you to work your favorite craft.
I hope you will enjoy the occasional posts from Pam, and will leave comments and questions for her here at my blog. She will be glad to answer and help if/when able.
If you would like to learn more about rheumatoid arthritis - Click here.
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