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craft books
Showing posts with label craft books. Show all posts
Showing posts with label craft books. Show all posts

Craft Super Show Re-visited.

I never had a chance to post the pics from the last "Craft Super Show" that I attended.  It was a fun day filled with crafting celebrities, like "Carol Duvall" (below), demonstrations, crafting supplies, kids craft ideas, scrapbooking supplies, and so much more.


The producer from the television show "The Carol Duvall Show" on HGTV and the DIY network,  Ms. Kelly Chafee Ehrlich.

The fun part of the show was that there were plenty of retailers present who were selling many fun and exciting supplies, that one normally can not find in local craft stores.  Barnes and Noble set up a store
with over 100 crafting titles.  Those of you who are familiar with this store, know they never have that many books on display at their retail locations.


The "Crafty Chica" was on hand to demonstrate her new product line for the public.  She has many fun paints, glitters, markers, and other craft supplies and project ideas.  Below is a very cool part of her booth, that offered a photo opportunity to the various guests.  I uploaded this in a slightly larger file so you could enjoy some of the fun and eclectic items she put around the frame of this cut-out.


Needless to say, celebrities and guests took time to get photographed in this iconic piece.  Including Carol Duvall, who has a fabulous sense of humor and truly enjoyed the spirit of the event.
The "Craft Chica" was also signing copies of her new fictional novel "Waking Up in the Land of Glitter" which is a crafting related romance novel.


The "Crafty Chica" has some great re purposing projects on her u-tube, blog, and website, using her product line and tools.

  
Crafty Chica and her mini bobble head doll.

Below is a picture we took of "The Crafty Chica" and her new crafty chica art supply line at Michaels where she was doing a book signing.  As you can tell, they have a hard time keeping those shelves stocked with her product line.  Especially her fabulous glitters which are so fun to work with.

There were also jewelry making craft supply manufacturers on hand to demonstrate their product lines. They also gave out some jewelry making patterns and design tips.  This is a great idea, since it creates a demand for the items from the consumer to the retailer.


Plaid was on hand and featured their "Modge Podge" product line, along with some great crafting tips and designs.

Cathie Fillian was on hand doing demo's of cool projects.  I loved her show "Creative Juice" because it had some really useful project ideas of things to do with recycled stuff.  They were very well made shows and I truly miss them.





She was also signing her book "Bow Wow Wow" which is loaded with darling costume and outfit ideas for your favorite pup.


As you walked down the isles, there were an abundance of product demonstrations and such.  Below is a great picture of one of the plaster artist who took paper mache and plaster to a whole new level of fun and creativity.

The "Craft Super Show"really offered something to interest a variety of crafters.  You could literally learn new crafting skills just be watching all the demonstrations going on in this show.  I sincerely hope they bring back this fun show with all the cool learning opportunities that this last one provided.


The "Felt Club" experience!

Black Friday has been advertised as the official start to the "Christmas Shopping" frenzy. Personally, it is the one day of the year that I try to avoid the local mall. I have found great treasures in the "Indy Craft" shows. Handmade items are always fun and finding unusual items is an adventure. One of the best places in Los Angeles to find "Indy" gifts is the annual "Felt Club" show. Everything is colorful and made of interesting (if not unusual) materials. Here are some pictures from the last one I attended at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, California.  They do hold one each year at a variety of locations.



Visitors to the show started lining up at 6:00 a.m. to get the fabulous "Goody Bag" which included a book from the "Craftside Publishing Group", felt, beads, and an interesting assortment of really fun craft supplies. I got a plastic gun and a plastic bow and arrow which eventually were turned into earrings (yes these were small).

If you have never attended a "Felt Club" event, you are truly missing out on a wonderful opportunity to see a tremendous range of "Indy" designs and crafters.  



The "Sweater Surgery" recycled sweater tree.      The purse above is a project from the book (Sweater Surgery by Stefanie Girard), this purse is completely made of recycled and felted sweaters.  It is stunning in person.  I just loved the color pallet.





The ever wonderful "Angela Cartwright" well known  for her acting career in shows like "Make Room for Daddy", "Lost in Space"  and other fabulous films and shows. Her  IMBD page has a great listing of her extensive career.  For our purposes, I am focusing on her writing and design talent.  I have all of her books and they are fabulous.  The "In This House" book is "a collection of Altered Art Imagery and Collage Techniques" featuring the work of some very talented designers.  It also has some really instructions on how to make your own book with some great artwork you can use.  Her instructions are limited on purpose to allow for the reader to really make the project "their own".   My favorite book  is "Mixed Emulsions" because the material in that book is applicable to so many different projects.  She is talented and generous with her knowledge.  As well as a lovely person to meet in person.   I can not wait for her next book to be published so I can add it to my library.



Below is Lisa Sonora Beam, the author of  "The Creative Entrepreneur" (Quarry Books).   She was at the show giving mini demonstration of her projects and doing book signings for fans.  She also held a "Make-it & Take-It" that was quite popular.  Her book is geared towards the creative individuals and empowering them to take charge of their business in a way that makes sense.



Lisa Sonora Beam book signing






The "Threadbanger DIY" group came by to film interviews with the various authors and crafters.























Annual Clothing Swap took place on the second floor of the Shrine. This is an opportunity to refurbish your old wardrobe with some new (well....new to you...) clothing.  The idea of swapping clothing is getting more and more popular.  It is a fun way to add to your wardrobe and to delete somethings as well.

Below is a view from the second floor looking down and the very crowded room full of happy crafters and shoppers.  There really was something for everyone at this show.  Be it shopping, workshops, food, and/or the clothing swap.



Upstairs, they held  clothing swap and any left over clothing was donated to a local charity.  They also had a bunch of work stations where visitors could deconstruct and re-make their new clothing finds. They had a row of sewing machines and all types of lace, ribbons, patches, button, etc. to accent an article of clothing.  As well as some great coaches on hand to lend an opinion or two.

Back to shopping:
There was a booth that had adorable skirts, purses, etc. made from vintage fabrics combined with newer materials.

Craftside Publishing had several "Make-it and Take-its" throughout the event.  The "Sweater Surgery" felt flower class was a hit with the crowd.




 Present at the show were several of the designer jewelry contributors
  to the "1,000 Pieces of Jewelry"    book (Quarry Books) 


To the right,  is Shari Bonnin whom you may have seen on several episodes of "DIY Jewelry Making" on the DIY Cable Channel.  Shari is well known for beadwork. Shari has an Etsy store.  She can be found either selling or attending jewelry shows in Los Angeles and Orange County.






Adjowah Brody of the "Weekend Store" jewelry designs (#0737 p.227) also had a booth at the show.  Her jewelry ranges from typewriter buttons to art pieces that are stunning.  She also has an Etsy store, but I have to say that seeing her work in person is so much more fun.