new stuff

We got in 3 orders yesterday. Got new spellbinders and cuttlebug stuff. Also some new colors of ciao copics. And a bunch new stamps from outlines....Come and play.

Oh My Goodness

I'm sure that I have lost anyone who was following me here. I am so sorry. I lost this blog and couldn't get back to it. I tried several times. But then life and work got in the way. I stumbled back across this blog when I was trying to access the blog that I started about my MS. I was diagnosed with Multiple Scerlosis this past March. I will continue to look for that blog.

The shop is celebrating it 6th anniversary with a 25 % discount on total purchase. All magazines are 50% off and some are 75%. The September newsletter is up on the web site www.theartfullhand.com.
The Artfullhand will be in a craft show this October At St. Francis Borgia Elementary. More on that later. The Fall Used Stamp Sale will be October 22.

Copic class

I wanted to report on the copic class that I had last Saturday. The three ladies that took it had some "issues" with the markers. Once we identified them we were off and coloring and blending. I was very proud of the progress all three ladies made in class. We also address "shading" as in How To. The key here is to decide where is the source of light coming from! When I started in school I would draw a small sun in the corner of my paper to indicate the source of light. After a while it shrunk to a small directional arrow. I don't need this aid any longer. But if it is helpful to you - use it.
Here is another Well Done! to my three students; maybe they had a good teacher?

Plastic Boxes

Well I finally got back in the large plastic boxes we like to use for storage. It was somewhat of an ordeal. The manufacturer of the boxes decided to go through a distributor instead of selling directly. So once I figure that out I was able to place the order. Unfortunately there has been a price increase. And when the boxes arrived there was damage to the shipping container and then we found that there were
several of the boxes inside damage. So that meant another phone call. Then they didn't include an invoice just a packing slip. So I really don't have a final price on the boxes and shipping. I was waiting on another phone as they were suppose to e-mail me the invoice. When I had left the shop I still hadn't received it.
But I'll figure it out and they soon will be out on the floor for sale. Yippee!

Oh my

Well it certainly has been a long time since I have posted.
I am so very sorry for that. Life has gotten in the way. I won't go into details here.
If you want the the gritty details you will have to come and visit me at the shop on Fridays.
The latest thing going on there is we have gotten in Art Lenz products. They are really cool plastic lenses that you can use with your regular rubberstamps to make the images appear to move. I have another class coming up next week.
I'll certainly try to do a better job in posting.

Rubber Stamp Convention

This past week-end was the rubber stamp convention in Collinsville, IL. Almost everybody who frequents the Artfull Hand in some capacity was committed to some other activity on Saturday. So few of us got there on Saturday.
But Barb and I were able to go on Sunday. Since I wasn't there on Saturday I can't described how many people were there. On Sunday the rubberstampers attending were far and few - it seemed to me. I am sure the vendors felt the same way.
There were fewer vendors then last year as well. And several who had big double booths last year, downsized to single regular sized booths. Is rubberstamping dying? Or is it the economy?
I had wanted to make contact with one particular company who was in attendance to set up an wholesale account. I did make contact but walked away shaking my head. This particular company told me in so many words that I was going to have to sell my first born in order to have the privilege to sell their stamps....!!!!!! Geeeezzzzz!!!!! In this economy????? you treat a prospective client like this???? There is plenty of other rubber in the world and several companies were showing at this convention. So I made contact with albeit smaller and less known rubber manufacturers who were very happy to take my money on the spot!
I came home with stamps from Heartfelt Creations. Besides having a line of really nice mounted images they have precut images that match up to several of the Nestabilities die sets. So all you have to do is stamp and use the matching die and cut out your image by rolling it through one of the machines....... I am really anxious to give it a try. Maybe at stamp club.....
I also bought a book on using punches to make 3 dimensional flowers. The book had flowers from Anemones to Zinnias. Barb and I oooohhed and aaaawed over several in the book...
So come by for a visit and check out the new stuff. Besides the flowers stamps,, I did get more guy stuff and added to the Christmas line....Remember it is going to be Christmas in July soon.....

Fun with the hobbit

My daugher in law has a really good time poking fun at me. We recently spent a few days with them. In the following picture she used her child's playschool drawing toy to capture a likeness. I think she did a very good job of it. Oh.... The glass that I am holding is called 'grandma juice'....aka gin and tonic! They call me grandma hobbit.

June Newsletter

~The Artfull Hand~

June 2010 Newsletter



First I want to tell you all that we have two new stamp companies in the store. Craft Lounge-they have clear and un-mounted rubber. And Layers of Color Art Stamps-their stamps are clear acrylic. We also have new stamps in from Penny Black.

June 4 - Dorothy $1.00 Make ‘n Take Father’s Day Aloha Shirt 11:30 - 3pm
June 5 - ATC Swap 12:30
Aloha Shirt make ‘n take 1:00 - 4 pm
June 8 - Barbs Rubberstamp Tapestry Card & Book Mark $8:00 11:30m & 2
June 12 - Vicky(New Instructor!) Black & White “Sweet” 2 page scrapbook
Layout Class $10 10:30 Only. Sign up 24 hours in advance.
June 12 & 13 Collinsville Rubberstamp Convention. Tickets on Sale now.
June 14 - Night Stamp Club. Bring your favorite stamp, product or idea
From the convention to share with us.
June 15 - Donna’s 3 for $6 11:30 & 2 pm
June 18 - Dorothy’s 3 for $6 11:30 & 2Pm
June 22 - Linda’s 2 or $6 11:30 & 2 pm These are oversized cards
June 24 - Donna’s Fan Card Class $6 11:30 & 2pm
June 30 - Day Stamp Club 11:30 & 2 pm $1. Fourth of July Card.
　
COMING IN JULY


Christmas in July returns - Everything we will be doing will be Christmas related. And…………………….ACES will be here. Aces? What are Aces?
Artfull Hand Card Exchange Society!

It will be a new group that meets monthly. We will make cards to exchange with members of the group. At each monthly meeting we will make a group card or do a specific technique. We also will socialize, eat, drink and be merry! Joining fee will be $10. For that you will get a storage box for your cards, a stamp and a special welcome gift. The monthly meetings will have a nominal fee to cover costs.

May Newsletter

Hasn't May been wonderful so far???? At least the weather has been great. This is what we are doing at the shop this month.

May 1 - ATC swap - 12:30
May 8 - Bloom on Class - $10.00 10:30 Only
May 9 - Mother's Day
May 10 - Evening Stamp Club 7 pm $1 We're working on Dominoes
May 12-Blooming Medallion Class $5 11:30 & 2 PM
May 13 - Donna's 3 for $6 11:30 & 2 pm
May 18 - Rubberstamp Tapestry Card & Book Mark 7PM , $8 RSVP Please
May 19 - Linda's 3 for $6 11:30 & 2 pm
May 21- Dorothy's 3 for $6 - 2 Pm ONLY
May 22-Barb's 3 for $6 10 :30 am Only
Dorothy's 3 for $6 - 2 PM only
May 26 - Day Stamp Club $1 11:30 & 2 PM Dominoes!
May 29- Blooming Medallion Class $5 10:30