As I started this newsletter by updating the month and issue number, I realized our 40th issue coincides with our 40th wedding anniversary! I love coincidences and like to think of them as little miracles. I take this as a sign that The Artful Crafter will endure as our marriage of forty years has.

It will be a big month for me in a couple of ways. I turn 65 on Christmas Eve and can start to draw Social Security benefits! What do I plan to do with my “new-found wealth”? Probably buy more craft supplies.

I’ve been wanting to upgrade to Photoshop CS3. I would also like to get one of those pretty little stacks of plastic drawers on wheels to organize my beading and wire sculpting supplies.

Being born on Christmas Eve is one of my favorite little miracles. In Mexico, they call Christmas Eve “La Noche Buena” – The Good Night. Isn’t that beautiful?

Wishing you and yours a magical Holiday Season. Whatever your particular special holiday is, may it bring you joy and blessings.

If you would like to see what’s going on at The Artful Crafter more frequently than this monthly newsletter allows, please visit The Artful Crafter blog and mark it as one of your favorites.

Thank you for subscribing to “The Artful Crafter Digest”. As always, your comments, suggestions and questions are welcome.

For Ease of Reading

If your copy of this newsletter is difficult to read, please go to the the archived version to see it in its original (intended) format.

Eileen

Get a free Beautiful Flower Christmas Ornament pattern from Artbeads. Free shipping on all orders with no minimums.

I Hope You Had a Wonderful Thanksgiving

With Thanksgiving just past, I want to extend thanks to all my readers. I’ve frequently said that it’s my readers who give direction to The Artful Crafter. It really is thanks to you that we have succeeded and grown.

After answering a reader question or putting up a new project in response to a reader suggestion, I frequently get a nice note of thanks. Now it’s my turn.

Thank you for visiting The Artful Crafter and our blog. Thank you for your ideas and comments. Thank you for asking for help with your crafting problems. You are the lifeblood of this enterprise and the reason we continue to exist.

Yes, my DH and I work very hard on The Artful Crafter, but it is a labor of love. How fortunate I feel, at this stage of my life, to be able to return to my artistic roots and make a living doing something that I so dearly love.

New Holiday Craft Projects

Those little elves were very busy at The Artful Crafter during November. You’ll find more directions for Decorating Christmas Tree Ornaments, directions for making Glittered Pinecone Ornaments and for Making Wreaths.

If you craft for profit, here’s a new article on How to Price Your Ornaments for Sale.

What Else is New on The Artful Crafter This Month?

Have you ever ended up with unsightly bumps on your decoupage projects? Here’s how to assure a Smooth Decoupage Surface.

Here’s something you need to know to Get Your Shoe Designs to Market. You need to learn CAD or find someone to make the 3D computer models for you in order to submit your designs to shoe manufacturers. The Artful Crafter tells you where to go. LOL

Read some advanced tips on pouring Kleer Kote Epoxy. [Find the basics here.]

Here’s more on Curing Birdhouse Gourds. [Find my first article here.]

After finishing a Makit & Bakit kit project, you usually have some of those plastic crystals left over. Here are some New Uses for Makit & Bakit Crystals.

Finally, here are a couple of ideas for creating Wall Word Art.

Fun in Nana’s Attic

We’re planning a party for my BIG birthday. I wanted an invitation design that conveys a festive occasion without saying I’m giving a party for myself. ‘Cause you know what people do then – they feel they must bring gifts.

I didn’t want a holiday theme either. Been there; done that. All I could think of was garlands and party hats. Then I remembered this really festive kit I had downloaded from Nana’s Attic.

My card uses papers and embellishments from (Nana) Anita’s ALP Foofaraw2 kit. The decorative ribbon flower was a lovely light red but didn’t go well with the rest of my layout.

I had fun re-coloring it in Photoshop. Read how and see a picture of the end result here.

Reader Letter of the Month

Hi, my name is Tanya and I first want to say how much I enjoy your site. I have found it very informational, motivating and helpful in my crafting business ventures.

I am writing because I have endeavored to start an online store primarily for knit and crochet supplies but hoping to branch out to other crafts soon. I devised a wholesale membership for small business crafters like those you help.

I basically charge monthly membership for access to my wholesale accounts. I do not mark up the wholesale cost, and do not require minimum orders. I just charge the fee every month. You have done so much research on wholesaling; I just wanted your opinion and advice on this business model and whether for-profit crafters may actually find this wholesale resource helpful.

Thank you for your time and advice!

Tanya

In part I said, “We had a letter from a reader just a month ago requesting more articles on “thread” crafts. Isn’t it interesting how things happen sometimes? Some people call them coincidences. [As I said at the start,] I call them little miracles.”

You’ll find the rest of my response here.

Please visit Tanya at SofThreads.com and let her know what you think.

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