All posts by chasenfratz

I am having a moving sale – entire inventory marked down 50%!

Events, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Moving sale: 50% off my entire inventory of handmade gifts and craft supplies!

Studio:art is closing and the more I sell the less I have to move!
Come to Studio:art at 7403 Manchester Road, Maplewood, MO before August 25 (the date I have to be out) and enjoy huge 50% off savings! You can pick out something for yourself or get an early start on your holiday shopping if you know someone who likes handmade things or makes art and crafts! Here is a sample of what I have on sale.

Moving sale at Studio:art
Jewelry findings, scrapbooking supplies, rubber stamping supplies and tools, paper crafting supplies!

Moving sale at Studio:art
Items handmade by Carolyn on sale: Bracelets from $5-8. Artwork from $4.50-32. Necklaces from $6-27. Earrings from $4-5.50. Ankle bracelets $4.25-7.50. Decorated wood boxes – $4.50-22. Ceramics – $6.50-27. Wood garden signs – $32. Greeting cards – $2-5. Decorated fabric bags – $3-32. Ornaments – $6-12.50. Matted 8 x 10 photos – $9.
Jewelry tools, stencils, brayers, more!

I’ll be adding more photos of sale items to my Instagram as I get them priced, but all my items are 50% off even if they aren’t marked yet – the studio manager knows to charge 1/2 price. I hope you can come and get some great deals!

Introduction to Letterboxing

Events, Outdoor Fun, Paper Crafts, Rubber Stamping, , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Letterboxing logbook and stamp
Letterboxing logbook and stamp

What is Letterboxing? It’s a fun outdoor hobby that is kind of like a lower-tech version of Geocaching. Letterboxers hide small, weatherproof boxes in publicly accessible places (like parks) and distribute clues to finding the box in printed catalogs, on one of several web sites, or by word of mouth. Individual letterboxes contain a notebook and a rubber stamp, preferably hand carved or custom made. Finders make an imprint of the letterbox’s stamp in their personal notebook, and leave an impression of their personal signature stamp on the letterbox’s “visitors’ book” or “logbook” — as proof of having found the box and letting other letterboxers know who has visited. Many letterboxers keep careful track of their “find count”. Letterboxing is a creative way to enjoy the outdoors!

In this class you’ll get introduced to the basics of the hobby and learn to make two of the items that participants use – a hand-carved rubber stamp and a handmade log book. The skills you will learn while making these items can be used in a lot of other craft pursuits, such as art journaling, card making, scrapbooking, printmaking and much more.

Each class attendee will receive a printout with a written tutorial for that class so if you forget anything we learned you can refer back to it later. All materials are included in the class price.

You will have time for lunch and there are lots of good places to eat or pick up food in downtown Maplewood.

NEW! At each class, there will be at least one door prize randomly awarded to an attendee – probably a craft supply item of some type that relates to the theme of the class. Past prizes have included a necklace kit, a polymer clay frame kit and a craft stencil. That’s my way of saying thank you for coming!

What to bring
It’s not necessary to bring anything but it’s a good idea to wear old clothes in case you get any ink on you. You can bring or buy snacks or lunch. We have a refrigerator for storing food.

What will be provided
I will provide rubber carving material, carving tools to borrow, rubber stamping ink pads to borrow, paper and cardstock to make your logbook and all other materials needed to complete the project during class. Extra supplies will be available to purchase if you want to do more work on your own.

Introduction to Letterboxing
Date: July 16, 2016
Time: 9:00 am – 3:00 pm
Location: Studio:art, 7403 Manchester Road, Maplewood, MO
More information and registration: Class Signup

Image Transfers on Wood Jewelry

Beads and Jewelry, Events, Mixed Media, Paper Crafts, Upcycling, , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Image Transfers on Wood Jewelry
Image Transfers on Wood Jewelry

Class Info
Make amazing lightweight pendants by transferring found images onto wood. You will be supplied with the materials to make four pendants and two necklaces (one chain and one cord) for wearing your interchangeable pendants. You will learn the basics of transferring images with gel medium and attaching a clasp to a cord necklace.

Each class attendee will receive a printout with a written tutorial for that class so if you forget anything we learned you can refer back to it later. Jewelry tools will be available to borrow during the class and some tools and supplies will be available to purchase if you want to continue working on your own.

The class time is kind of long but the pace won’t be hectic – there will be breaks while we wait for things to dry. You will have time for lunch and there are lots of good places to eat or pick up food in downtown Maplewood.

NEW! At each class, there will be at least one door prize randomly awarded to an attendee – probably a craft supply item of some type that relates to the theme of the class. Past prizes have included a necklace kit, a polymer clay frame kit and a craft stencil. That’s my way of saying thank you for coming!

What to bring
It’s not necessary to bring anything but it’s a good idea to wear old clothes in case there is a paint mishap. You can bring or buy snacks or lunch. We have a refrigerator for storing food.

What will be provided
I will provide wood pendant blanks, paint, gel medium, images, findings and parts for four pendants and two necklaces, tools to borrow during class.

Image Transfers on Wood Jewelry
Date: July 2, 2016
Time: 9:00 am – 3:00 pm
Location: Studio:art, 7403 Manchester Road, Maplewood, MO
More information and registration: Class Signup

Upcoming class: Mosaic Plant Stand

Events, Gardening, Home Decor, , , , , , , , , , , ,

Mosaic Plant StandI hope you can join me on June 18, 2016 as we make a mosaic plant stand! Build an attractive and sturdy stand for plant pots or other decorative objects while learning the basics of building a wood frame to contain mosaic tiles. You’ll learn how to set, grout and seal the tiles so your stand will hold up to outdoor use. You will also learn how to attach wooden feet to your stand. This project is a good introduction for those who would later like to make larger projects such as tables and shelves.

Mosaic Plant Stand
Date: June 18, 2016
Time: 9:00 am – 3:00 pm
Location: Studio:art, 7403 Manchester Road, Maplewood, MO
More information and registration: Class Signup

Classes are designed so that each participant will complete one project during the class. Each class attendee will recieve a printout with a written tutorial for that class so if you forget anything we learned you can refer back to it later. For details about what is included in each class and what if anything to bring, click the links below.

NEW! At each class, there will be at least one door prize randomly awarded to an attendee – probably a craft supply item of some type that relates to the theme of the class. Past prizes have included a necklace kit, a polymer clay frame kit and a craft stencil. That’s my way of saying thank you for coming!

Upcoming Class: Build a Pollinator House

Conservation, Events, Gardening, Home Decor, Mixed Media, , , , , , , , , ,
Upcoming Class: Build a Pollinator House
Upcoming Class: Build a Pollinator House

Build an attractive garden home out of wood for native bees and other valuable pollinating insects. We will paint our homes to make them pretty and decorate some of the surfaces with stencils. All materials except the bamboo segments shown in the picture will be included. The wood will be cut ahead of time. The skills you will use in the class are: sanding, nailing, painting and stenciling. You will be instructed on what kinds of materials to fill the house with. The bamboo shown in the picture is one option you can use but there are others.

Class Title: Build a Pollinator House
When: June 04, 2016 from 1:00pm to 4:00pm
Where: Studio:art 7403 Manchester Rd., Maplewood, MO 63143 Map & Directions
Price: $40.00.

REGISTER NOW

Some of the stencil detail on the side of the pollinator house
Some of the stencil detail on the side of the pollinator house

Decorate a Terra Cotta Plant Pot with Acrylic Paint and Stencils

Gardening, Home Decor, Mixed Media, Tutorials, Upcycling, , , , , , , ,

Terra cotta pots decorated with paint and stencils

Painting and stenciling terra-cotta pots is a fun and inexpensive way to enhance your patio or garden decor. Younger and older crafters alike can join in. Small decorated pots can be used as party favors. Medium-sized pots might provide the base for a table centerpiece. A large pot could function as a gift basket that you can fill with items for a loved one who likes gardening. Gardeners can always use extra small items such as gloves* (they tend to wear out with regularity), seeds*, bulbs*, bug repellent*, gardener’s soap, hand lotion*, sunscreen*, lip balm* and plant tags*. You can also throw in a gift card* so they can get exactly what they want!

To learn how, read my article on the Schnarr’s blog: Decorate a Terra Cotta Plant Pot with Acrylic Paint and Stencils

Make a Seed Packet Bouquet

Paper Crafts, Rubber Stamping, Tutorials, , , , , , , , , ,

A bouquet of seed packets

Here is a way to give a bouquet of flowers that is a little different from the usual! Mount seed packets on skewers in a vase for a festive gift. Such arrangements can also be used for table centerpieces or party favors.

Tools and Materials

Packets of seeds, either purchased or handmade

Seed packet holder templates
Laminating sheets (optional)
Scissors
Cardstock
Cutting mat
X-acto or craft knife
Metal ruler
Pencil
Double-sided tape
Small hole punch
Wood skewers (available in grocery stores)
Decorative paper flowers
Needle tool or awl
Decorative flower-shaped brads

1. Download the template Seed Packet Holders. It includes two holder templates. Cut out and if you like, laminate for durability.

2. Use the template that is the correct size for your seed packet and cut out a piece of card stock of a color that is harmonious with your seed packet. Fold it in half.

3. Lay the holder piece flat on your cutting mat and place the template over it. Cut four diagonal slits through both your template and the front of the seed packet holder. When you use the template again, if you like you can draw lines through it with a pencil to indicate where to cut on the front of the holder.

4. Push a wooden skewer through the back of the holder so that the blunt end of the skewer ends up inside the holder butted up against the fold. Tape in place.

5. Slip your seed packet into the front of the holder and poke a hole with a needle tool or awl in the holder piece at each corner of the seed packet.

6. Take four small paper flowers in colors that go well with your seed packet and position them inside four larger paper flowers. Poke a decorative brad through each flower to make a flower center. Push the brads through the holes in each corner and fold brads over on the back. If you can use the brad tines to help hold the seed packet in place as you spread them that is a bonus.

7. Put double sided tape along the sides and bottom inside your holder. Fold the front down and press halves together.

8. Arrange your packets in a vase. You’re done!

Spring Faux Postage #2

Paper Crafts, Rubber Stamping, Tutorials, , , , , , , , , , , ,

Card and envelope decorated with spring faux postage

Fake “postage stamps” are a lot of fun to make and are good decorations for greeting cards or mail art!

Make the Template

Tools and Materials
Square Faux Postage Template PDF or Rectangular Faux Postage PDF
Acetate
Tape
X-acto knife or Mat knife
Self-healing cutting mat
Metal Ruler

1. Download and print out one of the faux postage templates.

2. Tape a piece of acetate over the printed template.

3. Using a metal ruler as a guide and with the self-healing cutting mat underneath, use your mat knife or X-acto knife to cut out the squares on the template. You will cut through both the acetate and paper layers as you do so.

4. Remove the paper from the acetate. Now your template is ready to use.

Make the stamps

Tools and materials
Dye-based rubber stamping ink
Light colored cardstock
Colored pencils
Faux postage stencils
Sponges
Water container
Palette
Rubber stamps in a spring theme such as flowers and butterflies
Word rubber stamps for backgrounds
Tiny faux postage rubber stamps or other tiny word and number stamps
Decorative edging scissors
Heat tool

1. Tape a piece of light colored cardstock down on your work surface. Tape your acetate faux postage stencil in place over it, hinging it at the top with tape so you can lift the acetate between steps.

2. Squirt a few light analagous colors of rubber stamping ink on a palette. For example, light yellow, ochre yellow and light orange, or light pink and light peach. Sponge these colors inside the openings in the stencil while blending. Try to get the colors lighter toward the middle and darker toward the edge.

3. Lift the acetate (this is so that you don’t melt the stencil) and dry well with a heat tool. Stamp a word stamp as a background in a light taupe or light tan color. Dry the ink again.

4. Outline the inside edges of each opening with an analgous color of colored pencil – for example orange with the yellow inks, magenta with the pink inks.

5. Select a stamp for the main part of your image and stamp it toward the middle of each opening in burgundy ink.

6. Select some tiny faux postage stamps and stamp them in black around the edges.

7. Cut stamps apart with a decorative paper-edging scissors.

Following are the stamps I used in each sample.

faux postage with butterflies

The background stamp is by Stampington. Butterfly stamps are from 7gypsies then in black I stamped the following stamps from Carolyn’s Stamp Store:

faux postage with flowers
The background stamp and flower are both by 7gypsies. In black I stamped the following stamps from Carolyn’s Stamp Store:

faux postage with flowers
The background stamp and flower are both by 7gypsies. In black I stamped the following stamps from Carolyn’s Stamp Store:

faux postage with bee
The background stamp, bee and Fig. 13 are by 7gypsies. In black I stamped the following stamp from Carolyn’s Stamp Store:

If you would like to read my first spring postage tutorial, here is a link:
Spring Faux Postage

Free seeds at Studio:art in Maplewood

Gardening, , , , , , ,
Free seeds at Studio:art in Maplewood, MO
Free seeds at Studio:art in Maplewood, MO

You are invited to stop by Studio:art in Maplewood and pick up some free seeds. The address is 7403 Manchester Rd, Maplewood, MO 63143. Pictured with the seeds are some handmade decorative seed packets I’ve made that are available for purchase. Seeds make a great gift for someone who likes gardening! You can give seeds on their own or incorporate them into a garden themed gift basket.

Here is a list of the seeds available at Studio:art:

Bird house gourd
Pumpkin
Milkweed
Sunflower
Cucumber
Oregano
Watermelon
Four O’Clock
Amsonia
Corn
Mustard Greens
Melon
Cleome
Squash
Chives
Turnip
Radish
Okra
Viola
Collards
Smoky Fennel
Celosia		 Cantaloupe
Marigold
Zinnia
Chili pepper
Hollyhock
Moonflower
Dill
Peas
Purple Hyacinth Bean
Columbine
Cardinal Vine
Cress
Papaver Somniferum
Carrot
Hibiscus
Tomato
Beets
Purple Coneflower
Bush Bean
Yucca Filamentosa

Come and get them while supplies last!

Displays That Pay Announce SHOWCloud for the Office

Events, Marketing, , , , , , , , , , ,

SHOWCloud platform instantly transforms flat TVs into interactive marketing communication walls

ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI (PRWEB) APRIL 21, 2016

Displays That Pay® today announced the release of their latest display solutions suite, SHOWCloud™ for the Office, at the Midwest Digital Marketing Conference being held at the historic Union Station in St. Louis, Mo. SHOWCloud is a display service cloud solution that allows businesses of any size to manage and display a mix of different content (social media, web, video, images and mobile capture) on large flat panel displays. With SHOWCloud users can dynamically update images and web content, display videos and invite others to collaborate in real-time.

win_a_chromebit

Now customers who have enjoyed the dynamic and interactive display experience of SHOWCloud for Trade Shows can also use the solution in their office and at customer events. SHOWCloud for the Office is great digital display solution for retail stores, business lobby’s, cafeteria’s or any location where employees, customers and partners will see the displays. Content marketers, sales organizations and office managers are key target users of SHOWCloud for the Office.

Integrates to Dropbox
SHOWCloud for the Office integrates to Dropbox to provide easy management and display of user content. Venture Café St. Louis, located at the @4240 building within the Cortex Innovation Community, uses the SHOWCloud Dropbox integration to update the SHOWCloud display at their weekly Gathering events to help connect and inform the community.

“We found the SHOWCloud display helps increase the level of awareness of our various activities and deepens social media engagement,” said Travis Sheridan, Executive Director, Venture Café St. Louis.

“We are excited to offer the ASUS Google Chromebit as a simple solution for managing and displaying SHOWCloud content on any display with an HDMI connection”, says Mark Rice, CEO and Founder of Displays That Pay. “With our Startup SHOWCloud for the Office package, anyone can use the Chromebit and their SHOWCloud software to quickly create and display content”.

SHOWCloud for the Office customers can:

  • Display and rotate mobile, social, video and web content
  • Embed YouTube, Vimeo and Brainshark video content without any coding
  • Collaborate with team members using a shared SHOWCloud Dropbox folder and instantly update the user’s display
  • Add new content from anywhere using the SHOWCloud controller on laptops, tablets and smartphones or just add a file to Dropbox
  • Get remote support services to help users connect, display, captivate and share message with viewers.

SHOWCloud for the Office is available immediately. Start a 14-day free trial at http://myshowcloud.com/startmeup

Mark and i showing off our new shirts!
Mark and I showing off our new shirts!