Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Crankin' Out Crafts Episode 107 - Dad's Handprint Frame


Here’s a gift that the entire family can create together.  It’s so easy and you can coordinate it to match your home décor.

Create this Handprint Frame just for Dad!

 
Supplies you will need:
One hand from each family member to trace (use the same side, right or left)
pencil
coordinating papers 
mat board
frame
pen (for writing sentiment or message)
scissors
double-sided tape 

 This frame would also make a great gift for Grandpa, too!

Tuesday, May 29, 2012

For your summer days of crocheting...

Ben Franklin is well known for having a large variety of specialty craft items and unique products to feed all kinds of creative urges here in Hawaii.  In addition, Ben Franklin employees have a broad range of product knowledge as well as specialized skills.



For example, being an expert crochet lei maker and delivering fantastic customer service at Market City are just two of Cheri’s talents – She suggests the Clover Soft Touch crochet hook with the finger grip for even stitches and to prevent fatigue from long hours of crocheting.



Several people have been to Market City searching out Cheri and this crochet hook for their lei making.  Come and see what it's all about at the Market City lei demos on Saturdays throughout June.  Happy summer crocheting!

-Market City BFC

Monday, May 28, 2012

Crankin' Out Crafts Episode 106 - Massage/Racetrack T-shirt for Dad

June is almost here and that means Father's Day is coming up! This week on Crankin' Out Crafts, we'll be showing you a few projects to make for Dad. Today, Lisa is here to show you how to make a Massage/Racetrack T-shirt. Make this easy gift for Fathers day that is a real treat for good old Dad.  

Make your own gifts for Father's Day!


You will need:
T-shirt
Black acrylic paint
White Acrylic paint
Textile medium
paint brush
toy car
*Recommended: Iron for heat-setting

Father's Day is on Sunday, June 17th! Stay tuned this week for more Dad's Day gift ideas.

*Don't forget to scroll down and check out today's earlier post by Puna from Enchanted Lake about the Dad's Pennant Project.

Dad's Pennant


It's almost June, everyone, and you know what that means? That's right, Father's Day is right around the corner. (It falls on June 17th, to be exact.) So to help everyone prepare, I wanted to share an easy Father's day project with you.


These Father's Day pennants are made using our pre-cut chipboard shapes and scrapbooking supplies like paper and embellishments. We simply taped our papers to the chipboard shapes and then used an Xacto knife to trim around the edges. We also added a few buttons toward the bottom of the pennant for an additional embellishment. A hot-glue gun and glue sticks make these pennants really quick to make.


The last bit of embellishment that we added was the word "Dad" placed on a dimensional, circular accent which we made out of paper. We simply took a 1.5" x 12" piece of paper and scored it every quarter inch and then accordion folded it. Tape this into a circle and hot glue to the pennant for a great dimensional touch. "Dad" was printed out on the computer using a word program and then punched out using a 2.5 inch circle punch.





These pennants are great for any occasion but we thought them especially good for a Dad who may have too many neckties. You can drop by our store to check out all of the great Father's Day ideas we're featuring.

Puna @ Enchanted Lake

Friday, May 25, 2012

Macrame Bracelet


Macrame! Knotting! Or just braiding! Easy & quick to make....braid & wear several....use plastic or glass beads for a fun look...crystals can be used to create a more dramatic look...or no beads at all! On Saturday, May 26th, our Keiki Crafters will be creating bracelets like the one in the picture from 11am-12pm! If there's a seat available - Mom, Dad, Auntie, Uncle or Friend, you can join us too! If you can't make it this Saturday, there will be more Macrame bracelet demonstrations & workshops in June.

gloria @ Pearl City

Crankin’ Out Crafts Episode 105 – Duct Tape Palm Treee


Need a favor for your next Luau Party?  We will show you how to make an easy favor using duct tape to create a palm tree. 






Supplies:
Light Green duct tape
Darker Green duct tape
brown duct tape
wire
wire cutters
scissors with precision tip
Clear tube (or whatever you will be using it with)

Create this for your next party! Mix it up with different duct tape designs and colors for a unique centerpiece.

Black & White Heightens Dramatic Effect

Aloha Crafters ~

Today's Idea & Inspiration is to use Black & White elements for dramatic effect. Whether it be decor, attire or art, black and white highlights shape and design.

Pictured:
  • 12x12 black picture frames with unmatted black & white photos
  • 11x14 black picture frame with white mat  for black & white illustration
  • Black & white fabric purse
  • Black sketch book
  • White frame highlighting "B" monogram
  • Black & white pillow
  • Various black & white bracelets
  • 12x12 black scrapbook frame converted to earring holder, with earrings
  • Black & white "retro record player" pinata
  • Zebra design paper products
  • Black scrapbook album

Happy Crafting!

Thursday, May 24, 2012

Lily Of The Valley Earrings


May's flower is Lily of the valley so if you have anyone that has a birthday this month, this might be a nice gift idea!  I took the flourish petal bead caps from Vintaj and brought out the gold highlight with their metal reliefing block.  Then I used the ball end head pins and thin chain from our Sweet Beads findings line.  I cut the chain into 3 different lengths and then wire wrapped  Swarovski 4mm crystal bicones and small resin flowers to one end of each length of chain.  I took 20 gauge wire and wrapped the other ends of the lengths of chain so that there was a cascade of flowers.  The wire then gets passed through the bead cap and wrap up the top with another bicone.  Attach to ear wires and repeat to complete the pair! 

If you have time, stop by our Mapunapuna BFC Bead shop on Sunday May 27 at 2 PM when I demo this project!

I'll see ya later!

Lynn H. @ Mapunapuna Ben Franklin Crafts Bead Shop

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Crankin’ Out Crafts Episode 104 - Duct Tape Plumeria (5-Petal Flower)


Welcome back to duct tape week on Crankin’ Out Crafts. This next project may look familiar to some of you who are regular followers of our show because today Puna is changing up our duct tape flower tutorial and making duct tape plumerias.

Create a flower with duct tape



Supplies:
Londy or thin floral wire
Duct tape in your color choice
A small cylinder like a paint bottle
All-purpose thread
Scissors
Wire cutters
Floral tape
*Optional* Stamens

These five-petal flowers are a local favorite and often used as an accessory. You could even add them to hair clips or pins.

Monday, May 21, 2012

Mr. Huey Cards

We've been having an awful lot of fun lately with one of our newest products called Mr. Huey. If you happened to catch the episodes from last weeks Crankin' Out Crafts you probably know why I've been so inspired by Mr. Huey and why I thought it was a good idea to feature Mr. Huey on the blog today by showing a couple of quick cards.


Our first card is really simple. First, I sprayed the red and sunshine Mr. Huey colors onto white cardstock. Just one little spray immediately added a lot of color and interest to my card. Then, I used clear stamps from Hero Arts stamped on white and coral paper for my sentiment and embellishments. Simple right?

The second card was just as easy to make as the first. To begin with, I took white cardstock again and made rainbow stripes by using Mr. Huey in red, sunshine, green, and powder blue. To make sure that I didn't spray Mr. Huey all over my white card, I used two other pieces of paper to mask my stripes. I really like how cheerful this card feels and how easy it was to put together.

I hope you enjoyed my quick look at the Mr. Huey products. Stay tuned, as always, for more ideas and inspiration because I'm sure we haven't seen the last of Mr. Huey.

Puna @ Enchanted Lake

P.S. Don't forget to check out our previous post for the day. It's another episode of Crankin' Out Crafts featuring me showing you how to make duct tape feather earrings.

Crankin' Out Crafts Episode 103 - Duct Tape Feather Earrings


Welcome to our newest Crankin’ Out Crafts episode. We’re sure the projects from this week will “stick” with you because our theme for the week is Duct Tape. In our first episode, Puna shows you how to make wearable duct tape feather earrings.

Make your own pair of earrings out of colored or printed duct tape!

Supplies:
Duct tape in your color choice
Fish hook earrings
Small pliers
Crimp end connectors
Scissors

These earrings are so easy and fun to make and because they’re made of duct tape you can affordably change out the colors to match any outfit.

Sunday, May 20, 2012

WIld Ideas!


Get in touch with your wild side and come check out some amazing design ideas using our new animal print ribbons. There are lots of awesome projects you can do by just adding a little bit of paint and ribbon! Even the apothecary jars, with just a little imagination and a cute little animal or two, make great decorations! 



These ideas would be great to decorate for a party or even better, to decorate a room. They'd make amazing gifts. Graduation gifts anyone? ^.^

Oh! One more thing! Many of the Ben Franklin stores are looking for new teachers and classes and the Hilo store is no exception. Do you want to make some extra money and have a talent that you wouldn't mind sharing with others? We're looking for teachers to teach some classes in all craft areas, fine arts, fiber arts, paper arts, and more! There's always a demand for classes like cake decorating and beading. You decide what you want to teach, when, and how much your class would be. We provide the space! If you're interested, please give us a call at the store and ask for me. I'll be glad to give you more information.

Hope you're all having a wonderful summer and graduation season! Congratulations to all of the 2012 graduates!

See you soon!

~Jen at Hilo Ben Franklin

Discovering Your Sense of Smell - May 26th

On Saturday, May 26th from 11:30 to 1:00, Market City Ben Franklin invites you to come and "sniff" out some great activities and discover your nose for crafting!  In the first of a series of discovery workshops, you can participate in any or all of the following projects:



  • Decorate a scented candle holder
  • Design your own scratch 'n sniff card
  • Create a new snout "mask"
  • Test your smelling accuracy with a mystery smell game
Attendance is by registration only.  Advanced $10 fee payment will secure your spot. 

We hope to be smelling with you on Saturday!

*Any age crafter is welcome to participate, however, if you are under the age of 8 you'll need to have a parent or guardian accompany you.

Friday, May 18, 2012

Crankin' Out Crafts Episode 102 - How Wood You Do Mister Huey? & CONTEST Announcement!


Puna joins us again today for a quick glimpse into using Mister Huey sprays on
unfinished wooden pieces.

Create your own unique craft projects with Mister Huey sprays!


Supplies:
Mister Huey sprays
Paper Towels
Unfinished wood pieces
Masking tape
Paint

The staining effect made by Mister Huey on wood is perfect to create shabby-chic house décor or just to add a spritz of color to already painted pieces.

And now, we have an exciting announcement! We are having our first Crankin' Out Crafts Contest! Contest info can be found below and on the video description to this episode on youtube.

CRANKIN' OUT CRAFTS CONTEST INFO:

-CONTEST RUNS FROM FRIDAY, MAY 18TH TO FRIDAY, JUNE 8TH, 2012. One Winner will be picked by a random drawing and announced on the Ben Franklin Hawaii Facebook page on June 11th.

CONTEST RULES:

 
- Contestant must MAKE a craft of their choice, which we have featured on Crankin' Out Crafts.

- The picture should be CLEARLY LABELED (or captioned) with the name of the CoC episode that inspired your craft project.

- Contestant posts a picture of their finished craft on the Ben Franklin Hawaii Facebook Page NO LATER THAN 12:00AM ON JUNE 9TH.

- All picture entries meeting these requirements will be ENTERED to win the prize package.

- People may submit more than one picture (they have to be different crafts though) for additional entries.

- BFC Hawaii Employees are not eligible to enter the contest.

If selected, you will win a Mister Huey Prize Package consisting of 12 different colors of spray mists! (Valued over $80)

You could win this Mister Huey Prize Pack!
Good luck and join us next week for more quick crafting on Crankin' Out Crafts!

ZEBRA STRIPE JEWELRY KEEPER


Aloha Crafters ~

Today's Idea & Inspiration is a ZEBRA STRIPE JEWELRY KEEPER.

Supplies:
  • Zig-Zag Zebra Ducktape Brand Duct Tape (30108464)
  • Krylon Looking Glass Paint 6oz (30114596)
  • 12X12 Black Scrapbook Frame (30113362)
  • WireForm Studio Mesh (77570457)
  • X-Acto Knife (23975)
  • Hot Glue Gun (77548404)

Instructions:
  • Remove back, spacer & glass from Scrapbook Frame. Paint glass with Krylon Looking Glass Paint (be sure you read & follow instructions for use on spray paint can).
  • Cover frame with Zig-Zag Zebra Ducktape. Miter corners of tape with X-Acto knife.
  • Cut WireForm Studio Mesh to fit frame. Glue Mesh into front of frame. After it dries, replace spacer.
  • Fit mirrored glass into back. Replace back of frame.
  • Add jewelry.

Happy Crafting!

-Kahului BFC


Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Crankin' Out Crafts Episode 101 - Mister Huey Page


JFlo, our master of Mister Huey misting, is here to show you how to make an
eye-catching scrapbooking page with the Mister Huey spray.

Add a unique decorative accent to a page with Mister Huey Spray Mists!

 Watch the episode on our YouTube Channel: Crankin' Out Crafts: Episode 101- Mister Huey Page

Supplies:
Mister Huey spray
Scrapbooking paper in two coordinating colors
Flower punch
Photograph
Letter cut-out
Double-stick tape
Pop-dots
Optional: Tweezers

Use flower punches and letters the way that JFlo did to create images out of
the negative space made with Mister Huey sprays and add interest to your
scrapbook pages.

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

85th Lei Day Celebration - Kapiolani Park


It was a lovely day to celebrate the 85th Lei Day Celebration at Kapioliani Park with Puna from Enchanted Lake and Holly from Market City Ben Franklin stores! 


Other Ben Franklin staff members included Gloria from Pearl City, Cheri from Market City and Joy from the Joy of Crafting. 

They demonstrated various origami folding methods and a modern duct tape flower in addition to the various beautiful leis.



Mahalo for sharing your talents and aloha on May 1st!

Monday, May 14, 2012

Crankin' Out Crafts Episode 100 - Happy 100th Episode!

Wow! Our little video blog has grown so much; we can't believe we're already
on our 100th episode! Join JFlo, Brandon, Lisa, and Puna today as they make
a new sign for Crankin' Out Crafts.

The Crankin' Out Crafts Crew celebrates their 100th episode!


Supplies:
Foam core
Brandon, expert sign painter
Paint brush
Black paint
JFlo, the Huey master
Mr. Huey spray in red and black
Lisa, glitter girl
Tons of glitter
Puna, in-duct-er of tape
Animal print duct tape
A healthy dose of funny

Thanks again from the whole crew for making these past hundred episodes so
much fun. Please stick around for our next hundred!

*Don't forget to scroll down to today's earlier post about some awesome Duct Tape Feather Earrings by Puna!

Duct Tape Feather Earrings



Last week's post about duct tape flowers reminded me about another duct tape project that I've been meaning to try. I found the instructions for these duct tape feather earrings on a blog and thought that it was such a cute and fun idea. I decided to recreate the earrings, but with a couple of differences in hardware. For the project, you need duct tape, two fish-hook earrings, two crimp end connectors, scissors, and a pair of pliers, preferably one with a small nose.




First, you take a piece of duct tape and fold it over on itself so that the sticky sides are together. My pieces are usually only about 6 inches long but you can always make it longer depending on the size of the earring you want to make. Now, you cut a feather shape out of your duct tape. You can either just freehand it or you can trace a feather shape on the duct tape with a pencil. Make sure that your feather has a small stem or tail at the end of it to attach the crimp end connector to later.




Next, pick up your scissors again and make a bunch of small cuts around the edge of the feather. Make sure these are angled upward and that you cut the bottom of the feather also. Now you're also going to cut out some of those strips and leave large openings to make the feather look more like a real feather. When you're done cutting, give your feather a little twist to open up those slits a little more.




Now the piece of stem that you left on your feather gets put in the middle of the crimp end connector. The connectors that I used have two flaps that fold into the center to crimp the connector to whatever you put in it. Using the pliers, fold these two pieces in to cover and overlap the piece of feather.




Now you can open the loop at the bottom of the fish-hook earring with the pliers and simply slip the connector on to it and close it back up again. All done!


 
These earrings are great for a trendy pop of color that's really affordable. Make them with just one feather or add another, smaller feather in a different color. Pretty neat, huh? It's amazing how versatile duct tape is becoming with all the great colors and patterns that they've brought out. I hope you like it!

We'll be doing demonstrations for these earrings at our Enchanted Lake store for the remainder of the month, and remember, you can always drop by the store to see the samples of our projects for great ideas and inspiration.

Puna @ Enchanted Lake