March ...

When you read this, it will be March. Hard to believe that we have roared through 2 months already.
Okay ... let's see what's new & exciting !
BEADS :
Bead fever has hit here at Classic Hobbies ! The wrapped ring demo and You Tube videos have set off a storm of creativity. Every day you bring in or post pictures of your amazing creations ... I am in awe !!!
This week I have made an asymmetrical necklace ... I love this kind of necklace.


It has no pattern , just common colours and textures. Every section can be different ... makes the eye really explore !! I used antique brass chain and charms combined with jet and smoke crystals. I love this combination - it feels very vintage. I decided to make a pair of earrings to go with it but couldn't stop at one pair... so there are 4 possibilities !! Keep in mind that many of the metal beads used for the earrings come in other metals ( antique silver, gunmetal, antique copper) so there are limitless colour combinations that you could make !!
If you want to duplicate any of these, I will have supplies bagged up for the earrings as well as the necklace.
If you are interested in making the necklace, let me know. I can do up a bag of supplies and a sheet of pictures ... $30.
I have been ordering some new & very exciting products in 'beadworld' ... resin is one of those items. This is such a great product that can combine your love of paper with jewelry. Soon ....
PAPER :

The Teresa Collins paper was very popular last week and I have more this week. I also still have copies of the download instructions for the one page mini album. Buy a sheet of her paper, get the instructions, and whip one up !!

There are new stamps as well as new Sizzix dies and embossing folders... Tim Holtz and Easter bunnies !!
I have some beautiful new We R Memory Keepers leather 8 1/2 by 11 albums ... a nice size to scrap !
I am working on a Teresa Collins Birthday book - I hope to have it ready by mid month.

Guess what I just pre-ordered ?? Glitter Ritz !!! I have been trying to get it but have had trouble with suppliers. Now one of my regular companies is selling it so I will be stocking it. When it arrives, I will set up a make'n'take so you can try a few different techniques !!
KITS :
Paper kits will be on hold for a few weeks ... we have been renovating and making a new work room for me at home for the last few months and it has finally reached critical mass - I can no longer find anything !!! So bear with me - I'll be back on track (and hopefully in my new space) in a few weeks and back in the kit business !!

Earring kits ...

Materials + picture ... $2.00

Materials + picture ... $3.50

Materials + picture ... $2.50

Materials + picture ... $2.50

And, because the response to the in-store demos was so great, I am working on more. Embossing, metal stamping, and more ... coming soon !!

A Kit and A Project !

Hi everyone !

This whole damn post got lost and I am redoing it .... GRRRRRRR. Okay... outburst is over, sorry about that !!

A busy week of boxes of great stuff !! Lots of new product for everyone. And I have a project using new paper as well as a jewelery kit ... lots to do !!

Weekly Beading Kit ...

this week's kit is a pair of earrings using just chain. They will swing back & forth nicely and be quite light. I do think though that you could gussy them up by adding small crystals on the bottom of some or all of the chains with little headpins. Maybe next week !! Another idea would be to make them out of various chains ... more eclectic !!

Kit of the Week (paper)...

Actually more of a project this week than a kit. I have lots of wonderful new paper from Teresa Collins ' "Fabrications" line and she has a great little project on her blog. I'll give you a free copy of the download when you buy a sheet of her paper ... and you can make the featured mini album OUT OF ONE SHEET !!! If you prefer , you can get it at her blog
http://www.teresacollins.typepad.com/
BEADS : new this week ...
* more 22g wire for ring making in non tarnish silver as well as other fun colours !
* ring mandrels for $3.99 each
* lots of beds
* aqua opal beads like in this ring ... lots of requests for them !
* bent nose pliers
* nylon jaw pliers
* more threads in more colours for the wrap bracelets
* More RATTAIL for kumihimo !! This has gone CRAZY ! So I have more colours in the 1.5mm and I now have 1mm for smaller cords !! Buy it by the yard or by the spool.
* metal beads ... small 2mm and 2.4mm spacerbeads in various metals
* metal beads ... very interesting beads to add "a little somethin' somethin' " to your designs
PAPER :
* new stamps from Hero Arts, Stampendous, Unity Stamp Co, Inkadinkado

* Easter stamps from $1.49 and paper too !

* Snag 'em Stamps at $1.49
* Tombow marker sets
* Paper from My Mind's Eye "Miss Caroline" collection

* Embossing Enamel from Stampendous including the "Frantage" line ... aged & shabby chic
* "manly" paper

* curling and hockey paper as well as stickers !!

* Birthday Dazzlers from Hot Off the Press
* Martha Stewart pompom flowers ... soooo pretty !!
* paper from Teresa Collins new "Fabrications" lines ... this paper is beautiful !! It is also very heavy and nicely textured. It really works well in mini albums.

* "Shake Its" shaker cards
So lots of new products !! Stop int his week to see them ... and have a great one !!

P.S. Here's something I am working on right now ... this is my first attempt. now I want to try it on a larger scale ... love it so far !!

Cup of Tea ?

Hi everyone !
I love tea ! Tea is a huge part of my day ... it relaxes me, rejuvenates me, makes me focus ... it is perfect. So a while ago, when I had the flu, I got turned off tea. Really ??! I was worried ... I couldn't imagine not drinking tea. It took me two weeks to be able to drink tea without feeling queasy but luckily I am once again a tea drinker !!! This week's kit is inspired by tea.

I found this box of tea bags at Home Sense and thought how cute they would be on the front of a card. ( I am also a big fan of the "Keep Calm and Carry On" posters so it seemed perfect !!) I bought several boxes ... opened them up ... DISAPPOINTMENT !!! I had assumed that the logo would be on each package ... nope. So I had boxes of nondescript tea bags ... hmmm ... time to come up with another idea ... So I decided that "tea bag cards" would be cute. Each one is like a little package and a card combined with a wee treat inside. Small enough to be mailed but big enough to be thoughtful ! So here is this week's kit !!
KIT OF THE WEEK

You get the pre-scored, pre-cut, pre-stamped supplies for 3 cards/holders ... a general one, a get well, and a birthday - all for $5 and that includes the tea bags !!! The paper is the beautiful Carolina Breeze line from Teresa Collins. Lovely paper !!
PAPER :
This is CHA time (Craft & Hobby Association) ... that means that the big trade show has happened and all the companies are previewing their new lines. There are some wonderful products out there this year ! I have been busily pre-ordering and planning what to get in. I think you'll like the new stuff !! Some of it even starts arriving in the next few weeks !! I will have updates here whenever new items arrive.
VALENTINE PAPER : 60 cents per sheet !
Packages of Valentine embellishments ... 40% off.
A few new stamps and some great paper !!



BEADS :
I have been unpacking a few bead orders this past week with another due in today. More cord & leather lace. More findings in various colours. Some beautiful new beads. New chain. More colours of threads. Fun tools. And on it's way .... more rattail & cord for the urban wrap bracelets & Kumihimo braiding. That has taken off and the cords & rattails have been flying out the door so watch for more colours & weights. I am also expecting more wire and mandrels for those beautiful rings you all made.


I am still working on the weekly jewelry kits ... next week it looks like !! I'm excited about that !
So ... drop in this week. Pick up some supplies & get crafting !!!

Post party ...

Well, it was a great time here last week !! Lots of you showed up, many of you made FAB rings, we all ate cake & popcorn, and sipped fluffy pink punch. Prizes were won, gifts were given, and laughter was constant. It was wonderful !! Thank you all !!!
Here are last week's winners :
Bead Organizer : Sara Bates
Paper Organizer : Shelley Kingston
Congratulations !!!
When I came in to work Saturday morning, it looked like poor Classic Hobbies had a hangover ... popcorn on the floor, pink goo on the counters, hanging-down helium balloons, cake crumbs, overflowing garbage can ... but boy did it look like it had been fun !! lol !!
So let's get on with the new week ...
Kit(s) of the Week :
There are actually 2 kits this week ...

Card kit ... Valentine's ... these cards are "non-mushy" for the most part and could be used for friends or co-workers, family or the milkman. (heehee) The owl card would be cute for kids. You get the supplies for all three cards for $5.

Ornament Kit ... this kit makes two cute little ornaments ... pop them in an envelope for a 3D valentine or hang them up at home. Fun & fast ! All the supplies for 2 for just $5.
Paper :
There is lots of new paper, some new stamps, lots of Valentine paper & embellishments, Valentine stamps, new trims from Maya Road, cute embellishments from Maya Road (i.e. the adorable owl in the card kit), new Sizzix dies and folders from Tim Holtz, I Rock Jewel Setter from Imaginisce and all the beautiful sparklies to go with the tool, Library drawers from 7 Gypsies, and more !!
BEADS :
Well the wire wrapped rings were a huge success ... and I am ordering more wire today !! So watch for more supplies in a week or two. Also the Kumihimo braiding was popular and I will have more of the square forms in stock with that wire. They make a flat braid. Watch for more cords in various sizes and colours. And I will soon have another fun new bead project ... it involves a hammer, an anvil, and eye protection ... oh, the big time !!
I am going to try to do the following ... ( I promise to do my best ) ... in the weeks to come
* Kit of the Week Card Kit ( I do that now so that's not too much of a stretch ...lol)
* Jewelry Kit of the Week ... most weeks will be earrings or a small project but I will try for one bigger piece each month.
* Mini Album of the month
Last week's event was such a success that I will also try to do something similar (maybe not quite as big... don't want to get you too excited ..lol ) once a month. Treats & a demo of some kind. It was great fun and it is wonderful to be able to try things ... so watch for updates !!

FRIDAY Feb 3 ...

Here are some of the specials today (Friday)!!
*20% off Nestabilities & Suzzix
*20% off stamps
*20% off bulk (500pc) packages of jewelry findings
(off regular prices, does not include lay aways & special orders)
*gift with purchase
*another gift with purchases over $25 before taxes
* buy a package of Tim Holtz product & get a free TH note card !!
(one per customer)
Hope to see you !!!!

PARTY WEEK !!!

Hi everyone !!
Well the week has finally arrived !! This Friday is the party here at the store. I am busy busy busy getting things ready !
So let's see what's new, shall we ?

KIT OF THE WEEK :
Valentines !! And before I get the comment "I hate Valentine's Day" (I hear that a lot actually) .... Valentine's doesn't have to be all about big romantic love . I think it's a great time to tell family & friends that you care. Now, if you give a big frou frou valentine to the garbage man, he may get the wrong idea but neighbours , friends, and family would love a nice little card or a bag of fun candies !

So here is this week's kit ... it is made using Valentine paper from My Mind's Eye, Echo Park, and lily bee. You get all the supplies - precut, prescored & folded, ready to go - for all 3 cards for $5.

I also have some kits from last year that are for giving treats. They too are $5.

PAPER :
* Valentine paper : lily bee, Echo Park, and My Mind's Eye ... all $1 sheet (going fast !!) . There are also nice packages form My Mind's Eye as well as some cute index cards from lily bee.


* Carolina Breeze from Teresa Collins : very pretty grey, white, yellow, and charcoal. And if you know TC's paper, you know it is super heavy and great quality. Actually it is heavy enough to use as mini album pages on it's own.

* Maya Road kraft owls & calendars, sweet button pins, wonderful ecru vintage style crochet trims.
* lots of new embellishments - valentine's, winter, matching the paper lines that are in stock ... all fun !!
* stamps from Flourishes, Kaiser Craft, CC Designs, Art Impressions, Penny Black
** Just added : Basic Grey "Picadilly" and "Little Black Dress"
BEADS :
* lots & lots of new rattail ... gorgeous colours !! Colours like espresso, strawberry, ... You'll need it for the new ...

* KUMIHIMO braiding ! This is a Japanese braiding technique that is really really easy !! I am adding a link to a YouTube video - you'll be amazed at how easy it is. It works really well with rattail cord. The kits even come with some to use. I have kits for $3.99 and the tools themselves for $2.99. Inexpensive to start !! I hope to have a few samples on Friday and be able to show you how simple it is.


(Here's an update ... my very first Kumihimo braind ... took 10 to 15 minutes and was super easy. I love it !!)

* more semi precious beads ... 6mm round green breciated jasper, dragon's blood, and carnelian as well as larger pieces of other stones.
* LOTS of strands of 6mm fire polished for only $1.99 each. these are great for the "urban wrap" bracelets. I will add a link for that too !! You can also see how these are made on Friday.

* wire wrapped rings ... make one on Friday for just $2 !!! I'm hooked on these !!

And here they are on the wrinkly hand ...lol !!

* more feathers
* restocked on glues .. Goop and others !!
* some nice storage containers.

PARTY :
* all day Friday
* I will have someone (Crystal !) here to help from 11ish on , helping with the wire rings and demos.
* cake
* food
* fun
* laughter
* prizes
* sales
* gifts with purchase
It's going to be fun !!!! Please come !!!

Great Stuff !!

Hey there ! I have some great stuff for you this week ... and even more next week !!
Let's get started ...
All Christmas 12x12 patterned paper ... now ONLY 50 cents per sheet !!! All packaged Christmas embellishments, rub-ons, stickers ... now 50% off regular prices !!!! This week only .... next week it will be packed away !! Get it this week !!!
KIT of the WEEK : "Birthday Cards for Men & Boys"

... this week's kit is for the guys. The cards are made using the new paper form Echo park "Times & Seasons" and works really well for guys as well as for vintage projects. I kept the cards simple and "frou frou free" ... no big bows or flowers ! And they will also mail really well ... not thick or lumpy. You get all the precut prefolded prestamped supplies for all 3 cards for $5. That's not bad !! lol
PAPER :
* Echo Park "Times & Seasons" ...

that's the paper in the kit. I love it ! Some of it looks like beautiful vintage fabrics, some of it is funny ... like the moustache paper. It really is great for many projects and styles. $1 sheet.
* Valentine's Day ...

paper kits and 6x6 pads from My Mind's Eye "Love Me".... beautiful valentine themed papers. I also have individual sheets for $1 each. Watch for this paper next week in the Kit of the Week .... but if you want some, better get it this week. It won't last long !!
BEADS : I am still working on those "urban wrap bracelets" in the Chan Luu style. I love making them ... and so do many of you !! I am also trying a new earring and a ring ... hopefully there will be demos next week !! As well as some Japanese braiding and metal work ... exciting stuff !! Stop in this week for help starting a wrap bracelet !!

Kickin' the Blues Away !! ... Friday February 3 10 am to 5 pm ... here at the store. A chance for us all to get together, try new things, laugh, find our creativity, cheer up, eat a little cake, etc ... I will have prizes, sales, grab bags, demos, "try-it" projects, treats, even lunch !! If you are coming on your lunch hour, lunch is taken care of !! I will have a pot of chili on and will be serving it up. Please come ! Bring your friends !!!