Happy New Year

When we launched The Artful Crafter three and a half years ago, we came up with the motto, “The Artful Crafter – Helping Crafters to Be”. It’s very gratifying to see the fruits of our labor reflected in the success stories we receive from readers who followed our advice or used our patterns or how-to articles with good result.

Last month I told you about Tanya and her website. Tanya wrote asking for some advice on her online craft supply store, SofThreads.com.

I offered a few suggestions and asked if she would like to write an article for The Artful Crafter describing her unique services. Tanya’s thank-you note is worth framing. I hope she wouldn’t mind if I share part of it with you in the “Reader Letter of the Month” column below.

We at The Artful Crafter wish you all the best for the New Year. Keep on crafting. It’s good for the heart and soul!

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.

Paying the Bills

In order to allow us to bring you The Artful Crafter website, blog and newsletter without charge, we have always carried advertising and our advertisers thank you for your patronage.

Over the next few months you will notice new and different kinds of ads on the site and in the blog. If you have any comments, positive or negative, about these ads, please send us your opinions.

We would also appreciate it if you would take this brief demographic survey to help us serve you better in the future.

Thanks.

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

Gourd Art

We’ve had so many requests for more info on gourd crafting, that we now have an entire “chapter” on the subject.

Starting with the Basics of Curing Gourds and Details for Curing Gourds in Cold Climates, we’ve added an article on the technique of Scratch-Engraving.

Once your gourds have cured, you will (usually) want to remove the exterior mold that formed during curing; cut the gourd with your final design in mind; and clean the gourd’s interior. Learn how to Prepare Cured Hardshell Gourds for Crafting.

Finally, the crafting fun can begin! Here are some of the options for Decorating and Finishing your gourd crafts.

Craft Cuts: the “Burger King of Craft Letters”

We’ve had several questions about wall word art lately. To me, wall word art is sort of like scrapbooking on a grand scale – and you know how much I love scrapbooking. Whether hung directly on the wall, in little frames, on ribbons, on boards, on decorative coat racks or bulletin boards, letter or word art can add a unique and special touch to your décor.

It occurred to me that I should tell you more about Craft Cuts, one of our original advertisers, which I mentioned in one of my word wall art answers. Craft Cuts makes letters and word art from scrapbook size to store signage size. They welcome custom work and their customer service goes above and beyond.

I always think of them when I think of wall word art. Their website has several Idea Galleries. Click on the Craft Cuts icon at the bottom of this article to browse any of the Galleries. Be sure to check out the Quote Gallery as well. I’m sure you’ll be inspired.

In their own words, Craft Cuts supplies “Creative Products for Creative People”. They offer wood letters, self-adhesive vinyl letters, mirror letters and stencils. Craft Cuts is like the Burger King of craft letters. It doesn’t matter what you want; you can “have it your way”.

What Else is New on The Artful Crafter This Month?

One reader asked for specific product recommendations for Decoupaging over Oil-Stained Wood.

Another was having difficulty following my instructions for sewing Wine Gift Bags, so I wrote Simplified Instructions for Beginners.

Loan requested ideas for Making 3D Letters and How to Hang Word Wall Art.

Lenny is looking for Animated Greeting Card Software.

Following up on two reader requests, I designed a Quilted Trivet.

One reader asked for more things to do with upholstery sample book pages and the other wanted patterns to coordinate with my Fabric Bread Basket Pattern.

The Artful Crafter has gotten quite big. The Craft Ideas page is a good place to start since it lists most of our craft articles broken down by subject matter. If you still can't find something, try the search box found on that page.

If you still can't find what you're looking for, send a message and we'll try to help.

Reader Letter of the Month from Tanya at SofThreads

Eileen,

I wish I could express my full gratitude for your response! …

Thank you so much for your help, your kindness and the work you do. You certainly merit your reputation on The Artful Crafter.

Thank you again Eileen, for your expert advice and your help!

Tanya

So glad to be of help Tanya!

Crafty Talk

Here's another craft site worth a visit: Crafty Talk Magazine

Subscribe to this free online craft journal and you'll receive free craft ideas, crafty topics, craft deals, art contest updates and much more twice a month.