Crafter Cast Show #12
June 11, 2008
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This week starts a crafty business series. First up we have the basics - domain names, hosting, web design. Who do you work with? Are they easily accessible? Do you have a domain name or are you on a free space like blogspot.com? Listen in for our recommendations and tip for running a craft business. The series will continue throughout the summer.
I recommend 1and1.com for domains - they offer private domain registrations which means your personal information can be hidden from anyone searching. Remember your real information must be held with the company - making your domain name private just means someone has to go through the company to find it out.
Mom Webs Hosting is hands down the best web hosting out there. The support is amazing, the price is very reasonable and if you are techie enough, get the package that allows you to have behind the scenes access. With the Web Hosting Manager you can add your own domains to your package as well as control the allotted space and bandwidth. Of course the support people will also do this for you but the option is there. This is also known as a reseller package but I just use mine for my own personal use.
Free can be good - but if you want to look and be professional, having a dot com space is the way to go. We’ll talk more about web design and how to create your space online next time.
Top Referrers
Crafty Roundup
- Art Journal Fridays
- Studio Jewel - How to set up an Etsy shop
- Crafty Daisies - Embroidery Lesson One
Check out our the advertising options and we would love it if you grab a link or button and link to the Crafter Cast from your site or blog.
Please call the listener line at (214) 615-6505 ext 7194 if you have a comment, question or show suggestion.
Mod Podge For Paper Matte Finish
June 10, 2008
This is an all-in-one sealer and glue! Get a perfect finish with this acid free water based sealer glue and finish. It’s a great glue for paper, fabric and other porous materials that dries clear and holds tight. Mod Podge is non-toxic and cleans up with just soap and water, so it’s safe for kids! It protects acrylic paints, decoupage, fabric and more!
Mod Podge For Paper Matte Finish is one of my crafting favorites when I want to decoupage just about anything on to wood, glass, terra-cotta, metal, canvas, etc.
If you are new to decoupage it’s really simple with some Mod Podge. Just coat a surface with Mod Podge and then press down a pattern, making sure all the air bubbles are smoothed out. After sticking it to the surface, you can seal your pattern down with a protective top coat of Mod Podge. If you want a super smooth finish you can sand the product in between coats. It dries clear so you can never add too much as long as you make sure each layer is thoroughly dry before adding more. (If it’s not dry it can cloud up.) Your project dries with a new protective matte finish giving the item a more muted look. You’ll love it.
My favorite is using mod podge on tin products you can decorate - I saw it done on a video podcast once and loved it. So much easier then hoping tape would hold up!
Currently this is selling for $6.65 and is eligible for free shipping with other qualifying purchases. Why not give Mod Podge for Paper Matte Finish a try with your next scrapbook or decoupage project? I’m sure you’ll love it as much as I do.
Melissa & Doug - Butterfly & Flower Power Jewelry Set
June 9, 2008
This set has over 300 wooden beads and 10 laces to make a variety homemade bracelets and necklaces recommended for ages 4 and up. There’s a variety of shapes, colors and patterns to be created of which can be accented with beautiful flowers or butterflies.
The storage box for each kit keeps everything neatly together. This is fairly priced from $19.95 to $19.99 for this set with both kits. These jewelry kits would be a hit at any birthday party or summer get together. My kids love it when I make jewelry because it gives them the chance to play with my beads. We all have something our kids aren’t allowed to play with and some of my more expensive beads are one of my off limit things. By getting them their own beads to use they can create all they want! Get the Melissa and Doug Butterfly and Flower Power Jewelry Set today!
Cutter Bee 13×13 Glass Cutting Mat
June 9, 2008
This is a 13 by 13 Glass Cutting Mat with grid lines that I use as a smooth surface for the cutting blade to glide and float along without dragging or skipping. This long lasting mat features a large cutting area with polished edges, rounded corners, 1/4″ grid lines, photo grid lines and attached gripper feet. I usually craft on a table or at my kitchen table so I am always in need of something to protect that surface. The gripper feet are great, my mat never shifts from where I place it. I have a few mats and this glass one by EK Success is one of the best. I’ve used this for all of my crafting needs and highly recommend it. I recommend using it with the Cutter Bee retractable knife, but it also can be used with a Circle Scissor, Cutter Bee Bugs, or whatever you have on hand.
If you’ve been wanting a better cutting surface for your scrapbooking and/or crafts, then go over to Amazon today and get the EK Success Cutter Bee -13 by 13 Glass Cutting Mat.
Cutter Bee Honey Bee Scissor
June 7, 2008
When precision is critical for the smaller task, you can rely on these scissors to make an accurate cut because these are the best detail cutting scissors on the market today!
Don’t you hate it when the stickers stick to your scissors and you can’t peel them back off without tearing it?! I don’t have that problem anymore now that I have the Cutter Bee Titanium Scissors. You’ll see that while making those nice, clean cuts the Cutter Bee Scissors has a non-stick coating that aides while cutting the stickers or tape needed for my project.
My pair also came with a nice snap-on safety cover for when I’m not using them - always use the cover because these scissors are very sharp. I absolutely love these and encourage you to get some for your family and friends. Get your Cutter Bee Honey Bee Scissors today for about $15. You’re going to love ‘em! 
I actually have three pair of Cutter Bee scissors - this one, a pink one and another yellow just for ribbon. My kids love crafting with me and I’ve let them use these scissors if I am sitting next to them and they love the reach the scissors have. Since the tips are so sharp you can get into the smallest of spaces.
How To Make A Chocolate Box
June 4, 2008
Here is the latest video published by Holly Endress, my guest on Crafter Cast Show #11. This one is how to make a chocolate box which will hold three pieces of chocolate. Her blog is Inka Dinka Doodle and shows various stamped cards as well as video tutorials.
Flip Video Camera Review
June 4, 2008
I recently purchased the Flip Video Ultra Series Camcorder after seeing how easy my friend Holly was able to create video tutorials. The camera has built in software, runs on batteries and has a flip out usb connection so you are easily able to get the video onto your computer. I highly recommend this camera for creating crafty video tutorials.
Flip Video Ultra Series
If you are looking for something to use in a casual setting, this portable video recorder is a great option. One of the highlights of this little camera seems to be how easily you can get the videos off of it. All it requires is that you plug the USB (which flips up from the camera) into your computer USB port. Once you’ve got it plugged into your computer if you look under my computer you’ll see a blue icon (if you are on a PC, not sure about a Mac) and it installs the program (a one time installation).
After the installation is completed it’s very simple to get the videos to your computer. You’ll open the program, find your videos and click save video. One negative thing about the USB stick that you plug into your computer, if you aren’t using a laptop the camera might weigh down the USB port. There is also a cord available if you would like to go that route. Again, if you are looking for something to use for casual use, this is it.
If you find yourself technology challenged, this flip video camera is perfect for you. It’s pretty much idiot-proof and self explanatory. You can get much easier than one-touch recording. It’s also extremely affordable.
There are optional accessories for the Flip Video Ultra Series that you can add such as a tripod, carrying case, cables to go, etc but you do not need them in order to use your camera. It’s literally ready to go when you receive it. It comes with batteries and once you install them, you are ready to shoot your first video.
This is a great camera to use for creating craft video tutorials - you can prop it up either yourself or with a tripod and record. Once you get the video to your computer you can edit to include on screen instructions or music.
Crafter Cast Show #11
June 4, 2008
Creating video tutorials is a quick and easy way to share a technique with your audience - be it other crafty friends or customers. This week I am talking with Holly Endress, a Stampin Up demo for the past seven years. Holly has been making video tutorials showcasing various techniques which she then posts on her blog, InkaDinkaDoodle. Holly’s stamping blog has her videos posted as well as several cards she has made. I’ve been a customer of Holly’s for the past few years as we met in Washington State when our husbands were both stationed in the area and I am so glad she started making videos. It is often hard to create in a new community when your old community was full of get togethers and it was easy to throw ideas off of one another.
Holly Endress - Stampin Up site and Stamping Blog
Here is her latest video - how to create a Chocolate Box.
Top Referrers
Crafty Roundup
- Bella Dia - How to Write A Tutorial
- I Heart Linen - Button Calendar Tutorial
- Crafty Daisies - Polymer Clay Button Tutorial
- Naughty Secretary Club - Secretary Resin Delight Bracelet Tutorial
- A Storybook Life - How to Make Paper Beads
Check out our the advertising options and we would love it if you grab a link or button and link to the Crafter Cast from your site or blog.
Please call the listener line at (214) 615-6505 ext 7194 if you have a comment, question or show suggestion.
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