A Rocky Start for Spring

A rocky start for us here at Enchanted Lake isn't a bad thing! Check out these awesome pebble mats that we just got in for spring.

They have a slightly tacky webbing on the back of them which makes them stick to surfaces like tables, tile, and even glass but keeps them repositionable so you can move them around if you want. All you have to do is peel off the paper and start sticking.



We even wrapped them around a vase. You can see the webbing in this close up here, but from farther away you only see the pebbles.



Lastly, we covered a table top with six pebble mats to make this beautiful display. You can even trim the mats to a specific size or shape (around the pebbles of course). Aren't they neat? Drop into any of our stores to check them out or for more great spring decor ideas.

Rock on crafters!

Puna @ Enchanted Lake

P.S. Don't forget to look at our previous blog entry for today, introducing a new week of Crankin' Out Crafts.

Crankin' Out Crafts Episode 55 - All About Glue

It's Information week here on Crankin' Out Crafts! Today we'll be informing you on one of the most basic and essential supplies for craft projects - GLUE! Learn about the many types of glue that Ben Franklin Crafts carry, including what's best for certain projects.

Brandon gives you the 411 on glue for lots of different materials.

Watch the episode on our Youtube channel: Crankin' Out Crafts: Episode 55 - All About Glue

See you Wednesday for another very helpful and informative episode!

Hilo Ben Franklin Paper Party Sneak Peek!

Hi Everyone!!

I'm here today to give you a taste of what's being planned for our next Paper Party at Ben Franklin Crafts in Hilo! I don't want to show you ALL the samples at one time, but I think by the time of the party you'll have a pretty good idea of most of the make N takes that we'll have available.

The first one is this adorable gift card...well, card.

The outside of the card. The closure can be done different ways. And just when you think the outside is the most awesome thing...

Ta-Da! You open it and see the card on a little stage! ^.^

Isn't it cute? I like both of the closures, but the ribbon and bow makes it look girlier, which I like. We had a make N take with this recently, but those who weren't able to make it to that will be able to make the card at the Paper Party!

The second project I wanted to show you (and this is a real sneak peek because I'm not showing you everything) is this pretty little card purse:

Yes, it does open. The little flap on the purse has a magnet behind it. And what does it look like inside? Well, you're just going to have to come by the Paper Party and find out for yourself! I'm not telling you everything!

Oh yeah! It would help if I told you when the Paper Party is, wouldn't it? Mark your calendars for Saturday, February 25, 2012 from 10a.m. to 3p.m. And also swing by here next week to see more project sneak peeks!

Have a great week!!

~Jen @ Hilo Ben Franklin

Hana Hou - Crankin' Out Crafts Episode 6: Butterfly Clothespin Favor & Framing Tip: Guest Signatures Mat

Happy Aloha Friday! Today we re-visit one of our earliest Crankin' Out Crafts Episodes, where Lisa shows us how to make a Butterfly Clothespin Favor. This would be a great favor for upcoming spring, Easter, or any party. Also, watch as B-Dizzle shows us how to make a Guest Signatures Mat - perfect for a wedding!

Happy Birthday to you! Lisa is back again for the last episode of our birthday themed Crankin’ Out Crafts. Get ready for the “Butterfly Clothespin Favor!”

Click here to watch Episode 6: Crankin' Out Crafts: Episode 6 - Butterfly Clothespin Favor

Lisa shows off these cute party favors, made with wooden clothespins and scrapbooking paper, which are perfect for a bug themed birthday party.

The supplies for these fluttery butterflies are:

Tacky glue

Double stick tape

Pretty scrapbooking paper

Square plastic bag (Heiko T9 bag used in video)

Wooden Clothespin

Pipe cleaner

Googley eyes

Candy (you can’t forget the candy)

Also, B-Dizzle is back again with a new Friday Framing tip. This time she shows us a “Guest’s Signatures Mat.”

We hope you enjoyed this week’s episodes of Crankin’ Out Crafts. Please join us next week Monday, Wednesday, and Friday for more crafting fun and a brand new theme.

Hana Hou - Crankin' Out Crafts Episode 18: Photo Transfer Glass Block & Friday Framing Tip: Different Types of Glass

We're back today with another one of our favorite episodes featuring JFlo & B-Dizzle! The Photo Transfer Glass Block makes a great centerpiece or personalized gift.Then watch as B-Dizzle states clearly, the differences between types of glass.

Time for Friday’s edition of Crankin’ Out Crafts. BTW, please don’t use large blocks of ice for these projects, it won’t work at all, we’ve tried.

You REALLY want to click here: Crankin' Out Crafts: Episode 18 - Photo Transfer Block

  

JFlo shows off one of her best ideas ever, with this photo transfer method done on a glass block. 

Much like today’s project, we are completely transparent with our supply lists:

Glass block

Heavy gel medium (found in our art section)

Palette knife

Photo printed on printer paper (not photo paper)

Large container or bucket of water

We also have a special treat for you today; B-dizzle is back with another Friday framing tip. Today she talks about different types of glass.

Join us again Friday, for another one of our Crankin' Out Crafts favorites!

Brown-Bag is the New Green

Did you know that brown paper bag colored or "craft" colored paper is really trendy right now? It's great because a bunch of recycled, paper bag colored stationary just arrived at our stores. That means you can be green and trendy at the same time. They're also pretty easy to decorate because you don't even need to cover up all the "craft" colored parts, just add a little paper and a few stickers and you have a cute notebook or paper pad..

They're great for special occasions and holidays, like this super simple one I did for valentines day.

Use them as birthday favors or gifts. This notebook even comes with a pen that you can decorate too.

Have a party coming up? Decorate these notepads according to the theme and you've got great favors. They won't even bust your budget because the prices range from only $1 to $4.

All of our stores are carrying this great line of ready to decorate recycled stationary. I've got to warn you though, last year they sold pretty fast so you might want to check them out now. If you want to see these samples, please drop in and see us at Enchanted Lake.

Happy trendiness!
Puna @ Enchanted Lake

P.S. Don't forget to check out the previous post about a Crankin' Out Crafts hanahou.

Hana Hou - Crankin' Out Crafts Episode 4: Birthday Candy Stick Favor

This week we will be re-visiting some of our favorite Crankin' Out Crafts Episodes! Today we take a look back at Episode 4, where Brandon shows you how to create an easy Candy Stick Favor.

It’s a new week here on Crankin’ Out Crafts, the show for crafters on the go who want to be in the know. This week’s theme is an occasion both dreaded and anticipated by many; the birthday! We’ll share three more projects to help you lessen birthday distress and increase birthday success.

Today’s episode is presented by Brandon, who shows us how to make a cute and simple favor using a new item in our stores, the candy stick bag. The episode is titled (not surprisingly) “Candy Stick Favor.”

Click here to watch Episode 4: Crankin' Out Crafts: Episode 4 - Birthday Candy Stick Favor

Brandon uses punches, scrapbooking paper, and stamps to liven up a simple candy stick bag for this birthday party favor. 

For those of you who like to craft along with us, here are the supplies you’ll need:

2” Marvy Uchida circle punch (the blue one)

2.5”Marvy Uchida scalloped circle punch (the pink one)

Candy stick bag

A stamp of your choice

An ink pad

Double stick tape

Solid or patterned cardstock

Candy (M&Ms, Jelly Bellys, or candies of a similar size work well)

Colored pencils (optional)

Thanks for watching! Check back with us on Wednesday for another Hana Hou Episode.

Crankin' Out Crafts Episode 54 - Watercolor Effects

JFlo is finishing up Watercolor Week with some salt and alcohol...(No, she's not making margaritas!) Using these items you probably have at home, she'll show you what these items will do when you mix them with your watercolors. Watch and be amazed!

Learn some cool watercolor effects you can do with a few things you have at home!

Watch the episode here: Crankin' Out Crafts: Episode 54 - Watercolor Effects

Supplies:

Watercolor Paints / Pencils

Micron Pen

Aqua Brush

Salt or Rubbing Alcohol

Thanks for joining us this week! We also have some exciting news- Award Winning Artist & Instructor Linda Aman will be visiting our Kahului, Maui store. She will be holding a "Pen & Ink with Watercolor" Workshop on Saturday, March 3rd from 9am-12pm. Cost for the workshop is $25, see Kahului BFC to sign-up and for more info. Have a good weekend everyone!

Crankin' Out Crafts Episode 53 - Watercolor Tips

Ever wondered what the difference between using watercolor pencils and watercolor paints is? Well, you're in luck, because JFlo is back to answer your questions. Check out the video and become a watercolor expert!

Our Watercolor Expert JFlo is back to give you some helpful tips about Watercolors.

Watch the video here: Crankin' Out Crafts: Episode 53 - Watercolor Tips

Join us again Friday for another Watercolor segment!

Wonderful Wood

Hello everyone! For today's blog, I wanted to share with you our great selection of ready to decorate wood which is on sale right now! Theses wood pieces are so easy to decorate that you won't want to stop.

You can decoupage scrapbooking paper on them to make interesting designs. For this frame I just used a circle punch and scissors to cut shapes out of pretty paper.

Look around your home for more inspo. Do you have a lot of buttons? Try hot-gluing them to a wood piece to make a colorful and cheery frame.

You could also use some acrylic paint and shells to make a seashore themed piece.

I hope you got some good ideas from these wonderful wood pieces. Drop in to Enchanted Lake Ben Franklin to get a closer look at these and other fun pieces.

Thanks for reading!

Puna @ Enchanted Lake

Crankin' Out Crafts Episode 52 - Watercolor Postcards

Today JFlo shows you a Vacation Creation - crank out crafts on your vacation while on location! JFlo has a great idea for creating your very own (personalized) souvenir when you travel the world or around the corner! Using just a few supplies that are easy enough to take along in a backpack, you can let your creativity flow while painting your postcards.

JFlo shows you how to create a great souvenir from your vacations!

Check out the video for this awesome idea! Crankin' Out Crafts: Episode 52 - Watercolor Postcards

Supplies:

Micron Pen(s)

Watercolor Pencils/Paints

Watercolor Postcards

Aqua Brushes

These postcards are a great way to remember your trips and to share with everyone. Stay tuned for another episode on Watercolors coming up on Wednesday!

*Also, don't forget about the Exclusive Sale for Craft Club Members today only at our stores - Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Monday, January 16th. Shop, redeem your January Invitation Postcard at the register to receive 20% Off your total craft purchase. Stock up on crafting essentials you use all year round or for upcoming holidays and special occasions. If you are not a CC Member yet, you can join today at any of our stores and be a part of this exclusive sale!

Crankin' Out Crafts Episode 51 - Beaded Earrings

We're finishing up our Jewelry Week episodes today. In this episode, Brandon teaches you how to make easy Beaded Earrings. Make a pair to match your favorite outfit or to give as cute favors/gifts to family and friends!

Watch as Brandon creates easy earrings with just a few supplies!

View the episode here: Crankin' Out Crafts: Episode 51 - Beaded Earrings

Supplies:

Headpins

Jesse James Beads (make sure the hole in at least 2 beads are small enough for the bead to sit on the head of the headpin)

Needle-Nose Pliers

Round Nose Pliers

Cutting Pliers

Fish hook earrings

 

Thank you so much for watching our Crankin' Out Crafts Episodes and we appreciate your continued support! We enjoy thinking of new craft products and love sharing them with all of you. Have a great weekend and have fun crafting! See you again next week for our next set of episodes.

Crankin' Out Crafts Episode 50 - Quick Link Linking

Ever wonder how those Quick Link bracelets are made? There are no splits or openings in the links! Puna shows an easy way to connect all these quick link shapes to create a bracelet.

See how easy it is to create your own Quick Links Bracelet!

Here's the link to the Episode: Crankin' Out Crafts: Episode 50 - Quick Link Linking

Supplies:
Quick Links (whatever shapes/sizes you want)
Connector Clamps
Flat Pliers
Beads
Magnetic Clasps

We'll be back Friday for our last Crankin' Out Crafts Jewelry creation!

Crankin' Out Crafts Episode 49 - Easy Quick Link Earrings

Our theme this week is all about Jewelry! You can make your own jewelry to wear yourself or to give as gifts. Today, Brandon demonstrates how to make Easy Quick Link Earrings.

Brandon shows you how to create the quickest set of earrings with Quick Links!

View the video on our youtube channel: Crankin' Out Crafts: Episode 49 - Easy Quick Link Earrings

Supplies for this project:

Quick Links (2 circle & 2 smaller oval links to hang in each circle)

Fish Hook Earrings

Nose Pliers

All supplies available at our BFC stores. Check back Wednesday, for another jewelry project!

January Excitement!

Happy New Year!

Hope your holiday season was fun and (relatively) stress-free! It's a new year and at Hilo Ben Franklin we have a lot of exciting stuff coming up!

One thing that we've been working on is more demos and Make N Takes! This week we had some awesome ones, including this coupon book:

You can check the calendar in-store or on the Joy of Crafting website to see what's coming up each week! And if you can't make it to the demo, stop by anyway and all of our friendly associates will help you figure out the project you're working on. Project sheets are available for many of our demos so just ask!

Another fun thing that's going on weekly is our Keiki Crafts! From 10a.m. - 12 noon on Saturdays, kids can join Linda in the classroom and work on a fun project. There is a small fee for supplies per child, and especially young children may need an adult to stay with them to help them out a little, but all the kiddies that attend have a great time and get to go home with a craft project they worked on!
This is an upcoming project for this next weekend. It's a Foamie Sign. I'm sorry it's not a color picture. Apparently the sample hasn't made it to the store yet, but I assure you it's awesome. It'll be a fun project for the kids!

So please make sure you check the calendar online or come by the store to pick one up. We have some amazing demos and every Saturday there are Make N Takes for both the kids and the adults, so don't miss out! (We're even bringing out the new Eclips machine soon!)

But before I go, I wanted to give you a heads up on something exciting coming up next month. We're bringing back our popular Paper Parties! Yay!! Keep checking back for more details on that. But February is the month.

Have a great week!!

~Jen at Hilo Ben Franklin ^.^

Crankin' Out Crafts Episode 48 - Large Fancy Rings

For our last Rings segment, Puna demonstrates how to make Large Fancy Rings with a variety of supplies.

You can make your own large fancy rings with wooden shapes, glitter & more!

Watch the episode here: Crankin' Out Crafts: Episode 48 - Large Fancy Rings

Supplies:

Ring Base

Hot Glue Gun & glue sticks

Wood Knobs (or other wooden shapes)

Tacky Glue

Ultra Fine Glitter

Large Silk Flower Heads

Large Rhinestones

Thanks for joining us this week and we hope we have inspired you to create your own rings and accessories. Come back again next week for more projects from Crankin' Out Crafts and have a great weekend!

Crankin' Out Crafts Episode 47 - Marble Ring

It's Rings Week here on Crankin' Out Crafts and Brandon is back to show us how to make an easy ring with a marble and glittered paper. 

Choose fun glittered paper to match an outfit and accessorize with your new ring!

View the episode here: Crankin' Out Crafts: Episode 47 - Marble Ring

Supplies: 

Marble

Paper (design of your choice)

Glossy Accents

Scissors

Ring Base

E6000 or glue gun & gluesticks

Change up the paper you use to change the design! You can also use a photo to make it extra special. See you Friday for more ring ideas!

Crankin' Out Crafts Episode 46 - Button Ring

We're ringing in the New Year with RINGS! This week we'll show you how to make simple, trendy rings. These can be used for favors, gifts, or as a fun accessory to your wardrobe. Today, Brandon creates a ring using colorful buttons.

Brandon shows you how to make a cool button ring.

You can watch the episode on our youtube channel here: Crankin' Out Crafts: Episode 46 - Button Ring

Supplies:
Ring Base
Buttons (assorted sizes)
E6000 or glue gun & glue sticks

Check back Wednesday for our next ring project!