Well, it’s that time of year when those of us who like to sell our crafty goods have everything going in overdrive – the sewing machines are fired up, the screen printing ink is flying, beads are being strung, polymer clay is baking…in other words, we are getting busy!

For most of us, our crafting is a side business or a hobby, so we fit it in around our day jobs and other obligations. And as we get ready for the holiday season, making enough product to take to a craft show can be a challenge. We just try to fit it in wherever we can – on our lunch break, after the homework is done, or while we’re supposed to be spending “quality time” with the husband. I often knit while watching movies – so I probably haven’t seen a whole movie through from start to finish at home in quite a while.

In a few weeks we have our first big show of the season – Indie Emporium! I attended last year for the first time, and it was so much fun! We’ll all be there, and we hope you and yours will stop by to see all the great vendors that will be there. This is a great event to have here in Tulsa – to have a place to support local artists, and offer people a chance to buy local – and to also stock up on some holiday gifts that were made by hand!

So as you are walking through all the booths at Indie Emporium on October 9 and 10, remember all the hours we’ve spent – on the couch, in our studios, at the day job – putting into all the wonderful things you see!

See you soon!

You didn’t? Well now you do!

You actually need one of these stylish hand-knit cufflets from Paper Lotus Design Group. Be sure to pick one out that’s just right for your individual style… And now until June 15th, mention the Tulsa Craft Mafia in the Buyer’s Comments section at checkout and receive a free gift!

Visit our shop for more styles!

Your shrink plastic Valentine can take many forms – you can turn it into a pin or pendant for her to wear, or a keychain for him to keep with his keys, or just a little charm for your sweetie to keep with them everywhere they go, to remind them of you!

Materials

Shrink plastic – ink-jet compatible or regular, depending on how you want to transfer your image. Found at Hobby Lobby.

Colored pencils or ink jet printer

Scissors

Toaster oven / conventional oven

Mod Podge or other clear finish

Optional – pin back, large jump ring, key chain, magnet disc or ribbon / necklace chain. Found at Hobby Lobby.

1. Design your charm -

Option 1 – draw your very own original artwork to use for your Charm. It doesn’t have to be gallery-perfect, your Valentine will appreciate that you drew it! You can be funny, cute, serious, irreverent – you choose! Sketch your design on paper until you are satisfied with it and ready to transfer it to the shrink plastic.

Option 2 – The Internet is a great way to browse for design ideas. And if you don’t feel like being brave and designing the charm yourself, there are plenty of free “clip art” designs you can find out there. However if you are going to download a graphic to use, be sure that it is free and clear of copyrights – don’t steal!

2. Transfer the design to the shrink plastic

Trace or re-sketch or print your design onto the blank plastic, following the directions that come with the type of shrink plastic that you bought. Remember you’ll need to draw or print it much bigger than you want the finished product to be – it will shrink to approximately 25% of the original size. YOU WILL WANT TO MAKE AT LEAST ONE TEST ITEM BEFORE SHRINKING THE REAL THING so print more than one, or scribble something on a separate piece of plastic using similar colors to use as your test item. Cut the item out and punch a hole with a single hole punch if you are making a key chain or necklace, etc.

3. Shrink your charm

Carefully follow the instructions provided with the shrink plastic to shrink your charm. TEST OUT THE PROCESS FIRST before putting your one-of-a-kind charm in the oven, particularly if you’ve never used shrink plastic before. Watching your item curl in on itself while shrinking can be pretty scary if you’re not prepared for it!

4. Finish your charm

Take a small paint brush and put 2 coats of clear finish on the charm. At this point, you can give as-is a little keepsake your Valentine can carry around!) or add any of the following:

• Add a magnet on the back and you’ve got a refrigerator magnet
• If you punched a hole in it, add a jump ring and a short piece of ball chain and you’ve got a key chain charm – use a longer piece of chain or ribbon and you’ve got a necklace
• Put a pin back on the reverse side and your Valentine can wear it as a brooch
• The possibilities are endless!

5. Give your Valentine their hand-made charm and they now have something unique, personal, and made with love, just for them. Happy Valentine’s Day!