by Sharon | Apr 6, 2016
I’ve learned quite a lot about paper crafting from various YouTube videos.
Several years ago I started seriously getting into paper crafts.
I wasn’t thinking in terms of scrapbooks, but in making boxes for hostess gifts and also making my own 3-D houses for centerpieces and a village for various holidays.
There are so many generous people showing how they make various items with die cutting machines, punches, stamps, designer papers and the list goes on and on.
Most paper crafters use various products from various sources. They buy their tools from local craft stores as well as from Amazon. But there is one company that requires their demonstrators to use their products exclusively.
Stampin’ Up Demonstrators have taken YouTube by storm.
For some time now, I’ve found the videos I’ve been turning to have been from Stampin’ Up Demonstrators.
My favorites have been from the UK. They seem to show me how to make different boxes for different holidays. Yes, they have some great punches and lovely papers and use the Sizzix Big Shot for embossing and die cuts. They have their own line of stamps that work right along with their punches.
From listening and later talking with various paper crafters, I’ve learned that you do need to have numerous finished products for your on-line store and you need a variety of tools, papers, punches, accessories, etc. in order to have the materials at hand for what you want to make.
Stampin’ Up seems to do that for their demonstrators . . . but at a price. There is value added in there. For example if you purchase $100. let’s say, you may receive $130. in product value. My numbers may be inaccurate, but you receive value for what you pay. You may be able to select a “free” item or two.
On the surface, this seems to be a good deal . . . and if people buy from you, that is less you’re obligated to buy.
But, if you want to buy products at a discount from Stampin’ Up and you don’t care about the business end of it, this is an excellent way of building an inventory of craft supplies and tools in a relatively short time.
Many Stampin’ Up demonstrators are busy making YouTube videos plus holding craft parties where they may have a make and take type of class . . . they may make sales . . . or not . . . they may get others to sign-up . . . or not . . .
I did some research in my local area.
I found that they’re basically into their own hobby.
They have no website, no videos . . . some will set up a live demonstration in my house if I could gather a number of people together . . .
Well, I have to agree with many of these ladies. My crafts are my crafts. It is a solitary thing. I wouldn’t mind doing how to videos, but being obligated to live demonstrations on even a monthly basis isn’t something I want to do.
I’ve been burned in the past . . . not by any company in particular, but in joining with others at a senior center . . . basically, they don’t spend money . . . they want what they can get for nothing . . . and leave you with a mess to clean up. Yes, that may be extreme, but that seems to have been my experience.
It may be my location . . . or I stink as a demonstrator . . . or so many other factors I haven’t even tried to figure out.
I’m just saying, it isn’t as easy as it seems . . . or as others would like you to believe.
So, nothing against Stampin’ Up, but I think I’ll continue on my own . . . doing my own thing . . . maybe make a video or two . . . build up my inventory of holiday products to sell . . . and have fun crafting . . .
Any hobby does cost money . . . and to get into it to make money isn’t the proper approach, in my humble opinion. It’s important for you to know what you want, how you want to spend your time . . . is your personality one in which you want to work alone or with others in a hands on teaching and learning situation.
Can you show others how to make a product? Do you want to supply the paper, tools, etc.?
I suppose you could set things up so that each person has to pay upfront . . . There have been some YouTube demonstrators who have close to 100 videos, receive little feedback and no contacts to buy their products . . . or people even interested in their challenges or giveaways.
This is truly sad . . . but I could see this happening . . . if you don’t have a lot of friends and people who love what you do.
I believe you need to be involved with those who share your “hobby” and spend time in those venues on-line. They may be curious enough to visit your website or watch your videos . . . it is a beginning. It does take time . . . goodness, I can’t tell you how many videos are uploaded to YouTube daily . . . but it is a large number . . . Then, in your area . . . there is a lot of competition. There are many who have been at it for years . . . they know their stuff and they are comfortable in their videos and with themselves.
As with anything, you need to do what you can . . . knowing it will take time . . . And your comfort in making videos will improve as will your videos. So, I’ve been told . . .
I love it when someone turns on their camera, does their greeting and gets to work . . . they’re relaxed and have everything in place . . . they speak naturally about what they’re showing you . . . some give you some insight into who they are and what they’re doing. It’s fun to be able to blend the two . . . people want to know you are a real person and what you have to say or what you have to show is worthwhile.
I don’t follow a lot of people on YouTube, but I do follow a few . . .
I do look forward to their videos.
And, some for different reasons. Some for the chatter . . . some for what they can teach me. Some, because they seem like nice people.
I don’t know if I’ll ever feel comfortable when the camera is on . . . I’m in the privacy of my own home office . . . I know what I want to say and show . . . I don’t have to upload it . . . I’m not doing it live with millions of people watching . . . I find it strange . . . and then disappointing when no one can find my latest video . . .
Well, when I get into this crafting thing and have a video worth watching, I’ll let you know right here. I may be better with blogging . . . I’m comfortable, relaxed . . . I can stop and think . . . I can take a break . . .
I wonder if blogging was initially as frightening for me . . .
Enough of this . . . thank you for stopping by. I do hope this was informative for you. There are lots of crafts for Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, wedding favors . . . maybe even for the 4th of July . . . and, of course, for Halloween and Christmas . . . and Easter, if you want to get a jump on next year . . .
Until next time,
Sharon
by Sharon | Apr 5, 2016
With warmer weather, hot chocolate may not be on your agenda right now . . .
But . . . a cool spring or summer night . . . 
Or having friends over . . . this may just hit the spot!
French Hot Chocolate Recipe
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 cups whole milk
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 2 teaspoons powdered sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon espresso powder
- 8 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped — get the best quality Guittard, Ghirardelli, Godiva — Don’t use chocolate chips, they won’t melt as well.
- plenty of whipped cream for a generous serving on top
Directions:
- In a medium sauce pan, whisk together the whole milk, heavy cream, powdered sugar and espresso powder over medium heat.
- Heat until small bubbles appear around the edges. Don’t allow to boil.
- Remove the saucepan from the stove and stir in the chocolate you chopped up earlier, until melted. You may need to return the sauce pan to a low heat setting on your stove.
- You’re going to want to serve this warm, topped with a generous amount of whipped cream.
This is definitely a rich intense hot chocolate you’d find in a fine French establishment.
You may find your family enjoys it so much, you’ll be making this throughout the year.
Have fun!
Sharon
by Sharon | Apr 5, 2016
While writing a post on my website, ChristmasGoRound.com, I started thinking about things . . . things that mysteriously move around the house . . .
The website mentioned is my Christmas website, obviously. I was discussing how older children can get in on the fun of moving the Elf on the Shelf for younger siblings . . . but if you’re not aware others are moving the Elf around . . . it could be a bit freaky.
Of course, I got thinking about Chucky . . . that sweet scary doll . . . or a clown . . . many people get creeped out by them . . .
But, it could be anything out of place that may startle us.
I’ve heard people say they like to be scared . . . but deep down I don’t believe there are many who do . . . but, of course, I could be wrong . . .
Yes, I live in a haunted house . . . yes, I get creeped out from time to time . . . all right, I’ve been scared . . .
I’ve also gone “ghost hunting” and ran out of a place screaming . . . Laughing at myself later is the fun part.
We’ve all played pranks on others from time to time.
I remember cleaning up candle wax, rolling it into a ball . . . I don’t know what possessed me to do it, but I tossed it into the air so it would stick to the ceiling.
I left it there wondering how long it would take for someone to notice it.
I couldn’t stand it any longer, so I pointed it out.
“Hey look up there!” I began innocently. “I noticed just a small bit a few days ago . . . now look at it.”
This got the ball rolling. No one could take their eyes off of it.
So, little by little I added to it. Sometimes tossing another piece up and other times getting a ladder and molding another piece of wax to it.
It was fun to watch my friends walk in and immediately look up to the ceiling.
Eventually, that glob of wax fell down from the ceiling . . .
I threw it out . . . the prank was over . . . or was it?
The absence of that glob brought on quite a stir among my friends. They knew it was somewhere in the house. Not seeing it was creepier than seeing it.
Thinking about it . . . it is so true . . . in movies the music in the background is heightening your anticipation of seeing something . . . or having something jump out . . . hearing footsteps . . . the rattling of doors . . . that cold draft . . . all those things are much scarier . . . ah, maybe not . . . ghosts can be scary . . .
It’s that anticipation . . .
I remember my friends moving the furniture. Looking under the coffee table . . . they even walked around carefully . . . they didn’t want to step on that glob or even bits of the glob . . .
I never told anyone, until now about my prank . . . it eventually died out . . . but brought up from time to time . . . I do wonder if they think about it . . .
Thanks for stopping by.
What is it that you could do that would bring on that creepy feeling . . . I had thought about adding these ghouls to flat surfaces . . . first one over here . . . then one over there . . . just in odd areas around the house . . . then having another join one of the others . . .
I wasn’t thinking of doing anything uniform or predictable . . . maybe have a group together . . . It would be great to have one and make it in different poses . . . that would be creepy . . .
You could do that with plastic skeletons . . . that would be fun . . .
Or add a hat . . . a jacket or scarf . . . give him something to hold, perhaps an acorn or a button . . . even a paper clip . . .
This is just a way of adding something fun to your living space . . . maybe, if your house is haunted . . . you’ll find the ghosts want to get in on the fun, too. Or other family members . . . you never know . . .
I like keeping the Halloween spirit alive throughout the year . . . That’s the season when most people think about ghosts, ghouls, goblins . . . but throughout the year we do tell ghost stories . . . maybe these guys from Ravensblight.com could be added to your spring and summer decor.
Ray O’Bannon has a large display of these . . . creepy . . . monsters
I like to add them to his various haunted houses.
These guys could be added to cupcakes . . . cards . . . inside the coffins . . . you could even use them as bookmarks. They would be fun in mini-albums and scrapbook pages . . . You could even add them to your hostess gifts . . . you always want to share with your friends and family . . .
Let me leave you with another image . . . This one is fun . . .
It does bring some character to the old homestead doesn’t it? They’re all gathered to greet you. How lovely.
Now, wouldn’t it be nice to have them peeking out the windows . . . you’ll have to decide this as you’re constructing this old house . . .
Just click the image if you’d like the make this ‘ghost house.” I’m especially fond of it because of the hidden secret chamber . . .
This is a great house to begin your paper craft collection of haunted places . . . It is absolutely perfect as a centerpiece for your next ghost story telling gathering . . .
Maybe you and your friends could make these one evening while telling stories . . . you could combine a craft and ghost telling night . . . Someone may prefer to build a ghost ship . . . that would be fun, too. A lot of people are into the pirate theme . . .
I think you have some things to do . . . Thank you for stopping by . . .
Sharon
by Sharon | Apr 4, 2016
This is a delightful image for a card or to make a 3-D house.
It all begins with the concept.
Then you can use clip art or stamps you colored or make 3-D flowers . . .
You can find plenty of templates and free printables for whatever project you decide to create. YouTube is also very helpful.
I find I enjoy learning from the free paper crafts available on-line. But the idea of creating something of my own is what I truly want to do. I found the image on the right to be quite inspiring. I wanted to make this concept my own.
I’ve watched a lot of how to videos and have been amazed by the confidence people have when building their own templates. Then continuing on to make it original and exciting.
I’m sure these people have gone through a lot of trial and error before they got the concept down. Some use die cuts or punches to give them some help . . . while others don’t care how long it takes, they want to master the concept.
But you can do it yourself. You may need to fold a paper in half to get the angles right on the cottage and for the roof, then you decide whether you want to use the image for a card or a 3-D free standing model.
Once you get started there is no telling how far you’ll go with your project.
This works well with scrapbooks. Building up a scene to go along with the pictures of your family and friends . . . on vacation.
You can also write about it and include that in your card, mini-album or scrapbook page. There is always a story to tell.
A picture or sculpture would remind my father of a place he visited when he was a boy . . . he knew the details of the place and the people . . . even a song someone made up when his brother was stung by a bee.
Pictures are magical . . . you never know what creative things you can make . . .
Here are some helpful links:
I always get a bit carried away. This will get you started creating some great cards and paper craft projects.
Thanks for stopping by.
Sharon
by Sharon | Apr 2, 2016
These Free Printables are easy to make, fill with goodies and give away.
What I really like about these, besides being free, is they come occupied with a great skeleton.
Fun, right?
You can decorate them however you wish . . . adding embellishments of various textures and perhaps make them into cards or invitations. Allow your imagination to soar and you’ll come up with hundreds, if not thousands of uses for these classy paper craft coffins.
Yes, it may be a bit morbid, but you’ll be delighted you started making these now . . . the kids will want to give them to their friends . . . you’ll want to give them to your friends and neighbors . . . you may need to kick the skeleton out . . . or leave him in to frighten the recipients of your treat filled coffins.
It’s always fun to give them a little extra . . . even if it is a fright . . .
Here are some helpful links courtesy of Ray O’Bannon of Ravensblight. There are six different coffin designs in this Peculiar Coffin Boxes set:
Peculiar Coffin Boxes Assembly Instructions
Black and Gold Coffin
Black and Silver Coffin
Gold Filigree Coffin
Silver Filigree Coffin
Rusty Coffin
Chained Coffin
Wasn’t that delightful!!! Mr. O’Bannon has more . . .
Oh yes, indeed he does. May I interest you in his Deluxe Coffin Boxes set?
There are five of these to print out and assemble . . . yes, they have a skeleton occupant, too.
If you print out the Peculiar Coffin Boxes and these Deluxe Coffin Boxes, you’ll have eleven different coffins to give to your family and friends . . . or your kids to give to their friends . . . Eleven different coffin boxes . . . imagine the possibilities . . .
Goodness, I almost forgot the links . . .
Deluxe Coffin Boxes Assembly Instructions
Modern Mahogany Casket
Oak Toe Pincher Coffin
Mahogany Toe Pincher Coffin
Walnut Toe Pincher Coffin
Weathered Crate
Now, would Mr. O’Bannon leave you with just eleven coffins?
Of course not. He’s a gentleman and a master craftsman.
He has a special treat in store for you. Three 4″ Coffin Gift Boxes plus a Stone Tomb that will accommodate one of these 4″ coffins . . .
And, as a special surprise . . . he has four unique occupants you can put inside to delight or frighten your family and friends.
Coffin Gift Boxes Assembly Instructions
Pine Coffin Gift Box
Cherrywood Coffin Gift Box
Mahogany Casket Gift Box
Tomb Gift Box
Coffin Occupants
Oh, I neglected to mention that the Deluxe and Peculiar Coffin Boxes are 6″ long . . . but these would still go along nicely with this additional smaller set . . .
Oh yes, there is more from the creative master Ray O’Bannon . . .
I know it’s completely unexpected and totally unbelievable . . .
A Horse Drawn Hearse Carriage complete with a driver and a passenger . . . a coffin with either a vampire or skeleton . . .
This is truly an impressive carriage . . . It will definitely delight your family and friends . . . I am completely speechless . . .
Hearse Carriage Assembly Instructions
Hearse Carriage
Oh dear . . . the children will want several of these for their absolute best friends . . .
It seems you are going to be quite busy . . . adults will go completely crazy over this . . . yes, you’ll catch them opening the back door and pulling out the coffin . . . and taking a peek inside . . .
I may decorate it for Christmas and put it in my Christmas Village . . . wouldn’t this be festive!!!
I’m completely exhausted presenting all of this to you . . . I do have a bit of tidying up to do . . . so, I’ll leave you this treasure trove of delightful coffins and this magnificent hearse carriage . . .
Just follow the directions and you’ll be putting these coffins and the carriage together in no time at all.
Until next time,
Sharon
