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In This Newsletter
My friend Nancee and I share many common bonds. We love to craft. We love to craft together. And we love paper, which makes us paper junkies. As with all obsessions, there comes a time when trouble will probably find you! I knew I was in trouble when, while we were working on a project for our local senior center, Nancee reached for my mulberry paper. I'm not exactly sure how, because it all happened so fast, but my hand suddenly clamped down on hers. I'll never forget the look she gave me. I was definitely in trouble!
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I love all kinds of papers, but mulberry paper is so beautiful when it's ripped and layered. |
"Maria Isabella Nerius! Are you hoarding paper?" Nancee asked in a tone that sounded eerily like my mother's. Speechless, I could only nod my head then hang it in shame. "This is a project for seniors for goodness sakes! We can buy more paper!" Nancee said.
She was right. What I remember most about that little intervention is thinking that my friend Nancee is a very generous person. She doesn't just talk the talk. She lives it by giving 100 percent of herself and her talents. Whenever I get a little selfish, I remember my paper craziness incident and adopt a sharing attitude. With paper it is really easy to share even scraps. I keep all my leftover paper scraps because they are great for collage, altered art, gift tags, photo matting, paper punch, and all the smaller paper crafts I like to do. Here are a couple of my favorite scrap-paper ideas.
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Gift wrapping chocolate, even miniature chocolates, just makes eating the chocolate more fun. Scrap-paper is perfect for this little project. Simply measure around the bar and length of bar. Cut pieces of paper to this measurement. Wrap around bar and glue. Embellish! |
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Nancee and I are always taking notes wherever we go. Inspiration is everywhere. These little memo notebooks fit right into your purse. Cut a strip of card stock to 1 1/2 x 6 inches. Fold bottom up 1/2 inch and staple. Now fold top down to tuck into the bottom fold, just like a matchbook. Press fold and open. Insert several sheets from a small self-sticking memo pad inside. Embellish front. |
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Reader Feedback: Readers Share Tips
Here's just a little idea for softening your hands. I mix a little olive oil and salt together, and rub this mixture all over my hands. The salt is abrasive and removes the rough dry skin and the oil makes them soft. I rinse off under warm water and apply a hand lotion of my choice. My hands feel great!
Cathy
I look at the pattern and think: Gee, I could change this or make it this color using this stitch. (For example, if a knitting pattern calls for simple stocking stitch (which is boring), I think of the different stitches I could use instead. If I'm going to a family dinner I often bring my knitting along and work while visiting before dinner. I also bring my project to work for lunchtime/break.
Louise S.
I recycle glass mayo jars or food containers through the summer and spray-paint the lids in Christmas colors. I also will use Armour Etch to etch snowflakes on the glass jars. During the holiday season, I give these as gifts filled with homemade cocoa mix or homemade candies, and I tell the recipient they don't need to keep the container afterwards ... just put them into their recycle bins. Sometimes people see pretty containers and feel guilty if they don't keep them, but this way, they were already "trash."
Allison
Editor's Note: You can use this idea all year-round. For spring etch flowers, for a birthday etch candles or balloons, for a bridal shower favor etch bells, umbrellas or hearts! Great idea Allison.
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A Reader's Question
I've been a crafter for decades and have tried several times to make a career out of it, but lacked the knowledge of how to go about it -- i.e., marketing, promoting, finding customers or companies. If there is anything Maria could tell me to help me in my lifelong dream of becoming a professional crafter, I would be eternally grateful! I have been disabled from fibromyalgia, lupus and arthritis for the past 10 years, so I need something I can do where I set my own hours since I never know when I'll have a flare in the fibromyalgia or lupus. Can Maria help?
Martha
Find your passion and display it with style. When you sell your crafts you need to be prepared to sell in all kinds of locations, such as a professional crafter's display in a gift shop.
Martha and I both love crafting, have engineers for husbands, and cope with fibromyalgia. I was diagnosed with fibro about 15 years ago. I know life is not unproblematic when dealing with limitations. The good news is that it can be done! It's not always easy, but I think it is important to live your life in a way that lets you love your life.
Here's my quick advice to anyone who wants to make crafting an income earner -- write out a simple business plan with these points.
- What are you going to make?
- What will the expenses be to do this?
- Where will you sell your items?
- How much can you sell the items for?
Look at all the facts and figures on paper. Be realistic. Your hobby or passion will become a job as in WORK! Once you have a vision for yourself for the next 3 months, 6 months, and a year down the road, just do it!
If anyone has specific questions about selling crafts, please send the questions using our reader response feature at the end of this newsletter. I'll answer the questions in an upcoming newsletter.
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Free Project Just For You
Who doesn't like a sweet treat every once in a while? This delightful card is perfect for many occasions and quick to make.
Lollipop Day
Designs by Tami Mayberry
Materials
- Card stock: white, orange, blue, Metropolis Carter Drive double-sided printed
- White envelope to fit a 5 1/2 x 8 1/2-inch card
- Plastic wrap (optional)
- Lollipop
- Rubber stamps: Weave Backgrounder, Petite Pattern Backgrounder, Sweet Thang set
- Ink pads: blue chalk, orange chalk, black dye
- Green permanent marker
- Sheer orange ribbon: 20 inches 1/2-inch-wide printed, 10 inches 1/8-inch-wide
- Orange silk flower
- Blue brads: 2 mini, 1 large, 1 glitter
- Dies: pocket, large flower, small flower
- Die-cutting machine
- Decorative-edge square punches: small, medium
- 1/16-inch hole punch
- Tape (optional)
- Adhesive foam squares
- Paper adhesive
Form a 5 1/2 x 8 1/2-inch side-folded card from white card stock. With blue dots faceup, center and adhere a 5 x 8-inch piece of printed card stock to a 5 1/4 x 8 1/4-inch piece of orange card stock. Wrap 1/2-inch-wide ribbon around left side of rectangle; knot ends together. Trim ribbon ends.
Die-cut a pocket from blue card stock; use blue ink to stamp weave background on pocket. Use black ink to stamp "you're a treat" on pocket. Adhere pocket to rectangle, applying adhesive along side and bottom edges only. Punch a 1/16-inch hole through each upper corner of pocket; insert mini brads.
Die-cut one large and two small flowers from orange card stock. Color lollipop stick with green marker; tie 1/8-inch-wide ribbon around stick; trim ribbon ends. Adhere lollipop to center of large flower as shown. Note: If lollipop package is too large, rewrap with plastic wrap and secure with clear tape.
Attach large brad to center of one small flower; layer silk flower on top of remaining small flower and attach with glitter brad. Insert lollipop stick inside pocket and adhere large flower as shown; use foam squares to adhere small flowers along top of pocket as shown. Center and adhere assembled panel to card front.
Use stamps and card stock to decorate envelope as desired.
Sources: Printed card stock from Scenic Route Paper Co.; die-cutting machine and dies from Sizzix; rubber stamps from Cornish Heritage Farms; ink pads from Clearsnap Inc.; ribbon and brads from Creative Impressions.
Copyright © June 2008 CardMaker magazine. All rights reserved.
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