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Summer’s here and school is out! I hope you’re finding time to get out and enjoy the sunshine and fresh air with friends and family.

My DH and I are heading off to visit family in Ohio and spend the 4th of July with his mom, sister and her family. It has been 12 years since we’ve been together for any holiday. Living 1700 miles away and having family members spread out elsewhere presents some challenges!

So we’re excited. My hubby has requested genuine kielbasa and pierogis. We will picnic – weather permitting – and of course go see some fireworks. I plan to take lots of photos and then scrap them. “Memories are made of this.”

As I look over the list of new articles put up on The Artful Crafter last month, it would appear as if I did little else (craftwise) besides polymer clay projects.

As I look back, I did have a lot of fun with Sculpey, but I also took a PMC Class and created my first silver pendant, took an OOB Class at Scrap Girls and added some cool widgets to The Artful Crafter blog.

That widgets were quite an accomplishment for me because I’m somewhat technically-challenged! Please take a look and let me know what you think of the slideshow and rolling headlines.

So I’m ready for a vacation and some time off. How about you?

Wishing you a happy and safe Fourth of July!

Eileen

What’s New on The Artful Crafter this Month

Clay and Ceramics

Tribal Polymer Necklace - If you’re a polymer clay beginner or just want a quick professional looking project, use molds!

Polymer Designer Pendant - Combine digital designs with polymer clay for gorgeous faux effects.

Decal Footprint Pendant - Make a unique and memorable gift for the new mom with polymer clay and Lazertran Decals. What new mom would not be delighted with this precious keepsake pendant?

Ceramic Baby Handprint Pendants - How ceramic baby hand- or foot print pendants are made.

Why Do My Polymer Clay Pieces Crack So Easily? - There are several reasons that cured polymer clay could crack. Here are some tips that should help.

Fiber and Fabric Art

How to Make a Multi-Strand Fiber Bracelet - Stunning fiber bracelets are super easy to make.

Easy Quilted Coasters - These fabric coasters cushion your drinks, protect your furniture, absorb moisture and can be made to match your décor. Finally they’re washable.

Craft Inspiration

My Craft Passion - How can you know what your craft passions is? You know you’re passionate about a pursuit if time seems to disappear when you engage in it.

The Ties That Bind Doll Raffle: Artists Raising $ to Fight Cancer

Project Ties That Bind has asked us to spread the word about this year’s raffle. One-hundred per cent of the proceeds go towards the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund.

The raffle is open until September 30th, 2009 when one lucky winner will be drawn to win the group’s amazing collaborative art piece, a one-of-a-kind doll. The doll is almost life size. Her dress is covered with pieces of men’s silk Ties (That Bind) and embellished with meaningful charms and doodads – all handcrafted.

You’ll find all the details about the project and raffles at the Ties That Bind blog.

P.S. Your donations are greatly appreciated and tax deductible!

Reader Letters of the Month

Painting on Wire Screens

Recently I have seen a finished decoration for a door that is made out of wire screen. It has been painted and the paint has covered the wire completely, and is not brittle.

Do you have any ideas what I can put on here so I can paint designs, but I want a solid surface (the holes filled in)?

Diane

Without seeing and touching it, it is hard to tell what might have been used.

I consulted with my friend, Mixed Media Artist, Cyndi Lavin. I thought perhaps a very thick gesso or a heavy gel medium like Liquitex. You need something that retains flex after curing.

Cyndi thought gesso would just flake off and suggested trying resin or varnish. She added, “BTW, people in the Baltimore area paint their screens all the time, and they don't fill in the holes first.”

Anyway, we agree you will need to experiment or ask someone who has done this successfully.

Liquitex Super Heavy Gel medium would be my best guess. It is thick enough to fill in the holes and forms a durable film when dry. It is resistant to chemicals, water, abrasion and ultraviolet radiation and remains flexible after curing.

If I can find some time, I’ll give it a try and let you know ;-)

In the meantime, can anyone else help us out?

Every once in a while, I get a reader question, write a response and attempt to send it. However it turns out the e-mail address is not valid. I don’t understand how that can happen since I’m simply responding to an email sent to me from an obviously legitimate e-mail account.

The one below was an easy answer so I tried to send it the very day I got it. No go.

“This is an automatically generated Delivery Status Notification. Delivery to the following recipient failed permanently: ____________. Google tried to deliver your message, but it was rejected by the recipient domain.”

In any event, I’m posting my answer for Viviane here in the hope that others can benefit from the same information.

I would like suggestions on selling my crafts in my area. I'm also looking for craft or art fairs in North Carolina.

Vivian

Here is the index for the Craft Business section of The Artful Crafter. It includes the basics on starting your own work-from-home business: from analyzing your market, to developing and presenting products, to minimizing costs and maximizing price; to selling locally … and beyond.

I think you’ll find this article on Traditional Craft Retailing particularly helpful, as well as this one on Locating Local Craft Fairs and other selling venues.

If you still don’t find what you are looking for, please write again with specific questions.