Crafts by Chris

Musing on polymer clay, beads, jewelry and other stuff.

eventful weekend

Posted on | July 26, 2010 | No Comments

Our weekend started off with a bang. Friday evening we were watching a movie when the tornado sirens started going off. My hubby got the kids and dog to the basement, while I’m switching back to regular tv to see what’s going on. I don’t see anything about a tornado warning or even any storm warnings. The tornado warning finally pops up on tv and shortly after that the weather guy comes on and you can see the tornado on the local webcam. The webcam is on a building about one block north of our house. At this time, the tornado was still west of town so I keep watching. It hit the west side of town and you could see the debris being spun up in the tornado.

The tornado took the roof off of some homes, snapped off trees, and destroyed fences, garages and sheds. Thankfully no one was hurt. Our house is 1.5 miles from where the tornado hit. We also had torrential rains that caused some major street flooding. There was other wind damage around also. My parents live a couple miles east of town and they lost a bunch of shingles off their garage, had some big branches down, and part of the fence around their pool is bent in.


On a happier note, I was able to get some clay on sale at Michaels yesterday. :)

Category: Polymer Clay, family/pets
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I traded my pasta machine and polymer clay for…..

Posted on | July 23, 2010 | No Comments

It’s true…..I traded my pasta machine and polymer clay for a sewing machine and yards and yards and yards of fabric.


Don’t worry, it’s a temporary thing. :) I’m in the process of making my daughter’s wedding dress. Seems like it was just yesterday that she was the cute little miniature bride in the photo below.


Anyone know of a good cry-proof mascara? I’m feeling weepy already.

Category: family/pets
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let’s see a show of hands

Posted on | July 14, 2010 | No Comments

Two posts in one day. Wonders never cease. :)

I’ve had someone ask me about doing color recipe ebooks for FIMO (they are currently done for Premo!). So, let’s see a show of hands for those of you who would like to see color recipe ebooks done using FIMO. Just leave me a comment if you are interested.


Category: Polymer Clay, color
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heatwave

Posted on | July 14, 2010 | No Comments

Well, it’s hotter than Hades here today. Walked my youngest two blocks to school this morning on his first day back and needed another shower by the time I walked the two blocks back home. YUCK! Yes, it’s early to start back to school, but he is on a year round schedule.

What’s up besides the heat? My pottery beads tutorial is listed my Etsy shop and ArtFire shop.

      

I’m also working on an inspiration/color ebook, which I’ll talk about more later. Just getting started, so we’ll see how it shapes up. I had another idea to challenge myself to make a focal bead a day. However, after thinking about our crazy summer schedule and the fact that my daughter is getting married next month, I decided that would have to wait until this Fall….I suppose I could shoot for a focal bead a week. Hmmmm….

I think I will work with some cool colors today while I stay inside and enjoy the air conditioning. Sounds like a good plan to me.

Category: Art Fire, Polymer Clay, beads, color, etsy, inspiration, tutorials
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today I’m working on…

Posted on | July 6, 2010 | 2 Comments

I hope everyone had a safe and enjoyable 4th of July!

I enjoyed some much needed down time, but now it’s back to work. Today I’m working on editing some photo retakes for my pottery beads tutorial. The tutorial should be finished in the next day or two. Still need to complete the written instructions and get it all put together. I need to rethink my work space as it is not ideal for taking photos, which means I go back and forth between my work space and photo set-up…..

sneak peak at upcoming tutorial


Tutorials take quite a bit of time and effort. You need to plan out the steps that need to be photographed, take the step by step photos, edit the photos, possibly retake photos that aren’t clear or perhaps a different angle would be better, more editing, format the tutorial, write out a materials and tools list, and write step by step instructions that go with the photos. Then there’s proofreading for typos and to make sure that the instructions are absolutely clear.

Time to get back to work. :)

Category: Polymer Clay, beads, photography, studio, tutorials
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free or cheap photo editing software

Posted on | July 1, 2010 | 2 Comments

Do any of you know of a decent free or cheap photo editing software?


Summer is in full swing here, which means that we spend quite a bit of time at my parents pool. I usually swim a while and then sit and visit with whatever family members happen to be there at the time. While this is a great way to spend a summer afternoon, it’s not so great for my productivity. I have photoshop on my desktop, but am looking for a free or at least cheap photo editing software for my laptop so that I can get some work done while on the go.

If you know of any or have any experience with any free or relatively decent priced photo editing software, please leave me a comment…..as I will be at the pool. :)

Category: computers, family/pets, photography
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plugging away

Posted on | June 30, 2010 | No Comments

While I’m plugging away at my to do list, you can enjoy this stunning Etsy treasury that includes my new black and white flowers. A big thanks to Jen (Etsy id zwzzy) for including me in her fabulous treasury.

Category: Polymer Clay, beads, color, etsy
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