Graduation Favor or Centerpiece ~ Personalized Fan

Aloha Crafters ~

Today's Idea & Inspiration is a Personalized Fan that can be used as a Graduation Favor or Centerpiece.

Our local Baldwin High School Yearbook Teacher Taryn Apo, was kind enough to email me some candid shots from their 2013 yearbook.

Supplies:
Paper Fan (30139465)
Mini Bowdabra (30075357)
Eclips Machine (30120535)
Eclips Baby Shower Cartridge (30120558)
3/8" Organza Ribbon with Satin Edge (school colors of choice)
Black Cardstock
Adhesive of choice
Scissors

Instructions:
Chose desired photos
Die-cut Paper Fan from Black Cardstock (We have a free use fan die-cut in the store that can be used when you purchase your paper here.)
Die-cut High School initials & Graduation Year (I used the Eclips Machine for the numbers)
Build & adhere Collage on paper die-cut fan using chosen photos
Adhere Collage to Fan
Adhere High School Initials to Collage
Make Bow from Ribbon using Mini Bowdabra
Adhere Bow to Fan
Adhere Graduation Year Numbers to Ribbon

Happy Crafting!
Robin @ Kahului

We're Fans of Fans!

Summer is coming and so is the warm weather that we're all so fond of. (Well, most of us anyway. I know some guys who would rather have it cold winter weather year round.) Beat the heat by stopping by Ben Franklin and picking up a fan or two. You can decorate these for parties, team spirit, graduation, or just for fun! We have lots of samples of different fan decorating ideas with more to come and we'd love to see what you come up with!

So stop by soon to check out our fan display and pick up some crafty items to decorate your own paper fan!

Happy Easter and Don't forget the 20% off Bring Your Own Bag Sale tomorrow (Sunday, March 31)! See you soon!

~Jen at Hilo Ben Franklin

Crankin' Out Crafts Episode 232 - Wild Sheer Ribbon Lei

Have a graduate that likes to walk on the wild side? Today, Puna has a new twist on a favorite twisty sheer lei of ours.

Create a twisty lei with different ribbons!

View our latest video on our YouTube channel: Crankin' Out Crafts: Episode 232 - Wild Sheer Ribbon Lei

Supplies:

1.5” animal print ribbon

7/8” satin ribbon

3/8” picot edge satin ribbon

Upholstery thread

Doll needle

Scissors

Ribbon for bow

Don’t forget to add a bow on to your lei before giving it away. Bows make lei look finished and can always add another nice touch to the look of your lei.

Crankin' Out Crafts Episode 231 - Braided Ribbon Lei

This lei is an oldie but goodie. Puna shows you to simple steps for quick lei making.

Here's an easy lei to make with ribbon!

Catch our segment here: Crankin' Out Crafts: Episode 231 - Braided Ribbon Lei

Supplies:

1/4” satin, picot edge ribbon in two coordinating colors

Scissors

*Optional – 1/8” ribbon, money, and double stick tape*

Varying the width of the ribbon used in this lei will also vary the width of your finished lei. If you’re taking the option of adding money onto your lei, don’t forget to tie it on tight! We don’t want the graduate losing the money before they get a chance to use it.

*Scroll down to read yesterday's post by Katie from Market City! She shares some pictures from MC's "Let's Celebrate" Event held this past Saturday and tells you about our National Craft Month Finale coming up this weekend! Join us at our "Hoppy Spring Crafts" Event on Saturday, March 30th from 10am-2pm at all stores for demos and make 'n takes. 

*Also, on Easter Sunday, March 31st we are having our "BYO-Bag" Sale at all Hawaii BFC stores! Save 20% off your total craft purchase when you use your reusable bag (restrictions apply). BFC Reusable Bags are also available for purchase for $1.99. Check out our new bag color - Brown! More details in-store and on our website here. Stores are open on Easter Sunday from 9am to 5pm.

Hoppy Spring Crafts event this Saturday!!!!

Craftastic!!!

Joy and friends enjoying the crafternoon!

Making cherry blossom fans!

As you can see by the photos we had so much fun at our "Let's Celebrate" event last Saturday!  For those of you missed who missed out ...don't fret... the fun has just begun!  Make sure to visit one of our Ben Franklin stores this Saturday for our Hoppy Spring Crafts event.  Make 'n takes and demos galore!!   It's National Craft Month...so come get yo' craft on!

Savannah from Celebrations dazzled a crowd with her paper skills

Our very happy grand prize winner!!!!!

Glass etching with Deb from The Rubber Stamp Plantation

for more info go to about this Saturdays event go to...                                                                                                                                                                   http://www.benfranklinhawaii.com/promotions

!  

Never Forget the Finger Lei

My blog today is brought to you on behalf of that almost forgotten lei making technique, the finger crochet. Our finger lei don't want to be forgotten, they want me to remind you that they're not just for grade school graduations (although they are great for those too) but they can be classy and beautiful lei. We submit two examples as proof of their fantastic-ness.

This first exhibit I'd like to call the Fizzy Grape Soda or the Iced Orchid lei. I haven't quite decided on the name yet. This lei is made using a 3/8" purple satin and silver edged organza ribbon along with a 3/16" white double-faced satin picot ribbon. It gave me some warm fizzy feelings just making it.

This second exhibit is the Castle High School version the previous lei. I think I'll call it Fizzy Knights. I made this lei using a 3/8" wine satin-edged organza ribbon and a 1/8" white and gold satin ribbon. One of the best things about this lei is that it only took about 30 minutes for me to make from start to finish. Pretty uplifting huh?

I have to admit, I was also taking finger lei for granted until this weekend when I was asked to take part in the Market City store's "Let Celebrate" party. Thanks to Katie, Holly, Matz, and the whole Market City crew, I was reminded how much fun finger lei making can be. So it's because of  them and all those people who stopped by to have some fun with me that these wonderful lei will not be forgotten.

What do you think my first lei should be named, Fizzy Grape Soda, or Iced Orchid? Give me your take.

Puna @ Enchanted Lake

P.S. We blogged another fast lei making idea earlier today. Scroll down to see it.

Crankin' Out Crafts Episode 230 - Gumball Lei

It’s getting close to graduation season again so we’re starting all of our lei making episodes today. Tune in to see Brandon make a cute gumball lei, good for preschoolers and older.

Fill polytubing with candy or small gifts to make a fun lei!

Watch the segment here: Crankin' Out Crafts: Episode 230 - Gumball Lei

Supplies:

Clear, 2” lei tubing

Gumballs

Ribbon

Scissors

We carry gumballs in an assortment of colors now so with ribbon, you can always make this lei to suit any school colors you need.

Personalized Wood-grained Planter

Aloha Crafters ~

Today's Idea & Inspiration is a Personalized Wood-Grained Planter. This is yet another quick & easy idea for a wedding shower or reception center piece. What's really fun about this project is the ability to personalize it. Pictured is a heart with initials, but names, dates, phrases are just a few other ideas.

Supplies:

• Qt Paint Can (16067)
• Sizzix BIG SHOT (30083658)
• Tim Holtz WOOD GRAIN / BRICK Embossing Folder (30103725)
• Encore SILVER INK Pad (77890590)
• CREATIVE VERSA-TOOL (30012657)
• 13 ¼ x 4 ¾ White Cardstock
• Double Stick Tape

Instructions:

1. Using the Sizzix BIG SHOT,emboss White Cardstock with the WOOD GRAIN Embossing Folder
2. Pat embossed cardstock with SILVER INK Pad
3. Using the wood burning tip on the CREATIVE VERSA-TOOL, personalize Cardstock
4. Adhere Cardstock using Double Stick Tape to Paint Can

Happy Crafting!
Robin @ Kahului

It's Almost That Time Of Year!

Hi Everyone! It's almost that time of year again!!

No, not tax time. Although that's coming up too...(and feel free to spend that tax return on lots of pretty craft stuff at Ben Franklin ;)) It's almost Merrie Monarch time! Yay!!! And soon after that is graduation! Wow! The year's just moving right along, isn't it?

If you haven't been in the Hilo Ben Franklin store recently, we've moved some things around, made it look all pretty and festive for everything that's coming up!

Need a lei? Or some cute little local looking gifts? You don't have to look far. We got lots of stuff!

Or want to make your own lei? Once again, our eyelash yarn section has expanded towards the front of the store with all the colors you could need! We even have a wide selection of lei books just in case you need a little help.

We're also going to be having lots of lei samples and demos coming up so check in with us for that. So come see us soon, okay?

~Jen at Hilo Ben Franklin

Crankin' Out Crafts Episode 229 - Paper Maché Letter Autograph Graduation Sign

Jflo will show you how to create a sign board with an initial & your friends and family can write memories on it. 

Use your Graduate's initial to create this board!

See how to create this sign on our YouTube channel: Crankin' Out Crafts: Episode 229 - Paper Maché Letter Autograph Graduation Sign

Supplies:

large paper maché letter

paint or spray paint

foam core board

e6000 glue

galaxy marker, opaque stick, or paint pen

This would also make a great activity to a Graduation Party! It can be used to decorate a room after the party is over.

Let's Celebrate..this Saturday at Market City Ben Franklin!!!

We are so excited about our "Let's Celebrate" event this Saturday from 10-2....we will have so many fun demos, make n' take projects for the keiki and adults, and exciting ideas for all your celebrations...plus give-aways, popcorn, a photo booth and more!!  Come craft with Joy from Joy of Crafting and enjoy all the fun things we have planned...don't miss out on the fun, see you Saturday!!!!

Crankin' Out Crafts Episode 228 - Lighted Portrait Graduation Sign

Create your own sign board for that special graduate in your life! Watch how Puna incorporates battery operated lights.

Add battery-operated lights to your sign!

Watch our episode here: Crankin' Out Crafts: Episode 228 - Lighted Portrait Graduation Sign

Supplies:

Foam Core Board

White Felt with sticky-back

double-stick tape

Battery-operated rice lights with 3AA batteries

Duct Tape or Packing Tape

Photo Mat or design

AccuCut machine to cut out letters (use for free at Hawaii BFC stores with purchase of paper or materials)

awl

Stop by Ben Franklin Crafts today for all your graduation needs! Stay tuned this week for more projects on Sign-board making.

Floral Paper Lantern or Kissing Ball

Aloha Crafters ~

Today's Idea & Inspiration is a Floral Paper Lantern. Using a 8" white paper lantern as a base, I hot glued blossoms all over the surface. This can be lit with a electric bulb or used as a Kissing Ball. Perfect for those Spring Occassions from Girl's Day to Wedding Day.

Supplies:

• 8" Paper Lantern (30125281)
• Adhesive of choice

Happy Crafting!
Robin @ Kahului

Designer Fans

                   Bud & June Nakama                                                              

                                                    Joelle & Kiana Kawahara

 

There was a lot of creativity going on at our make-n-take Crafting Corner last Saturday!
June had to convince Bud to make one; Bud resisted & said he wasn't an artist but, once he started, his creative side came out!  Joelle & Kiana didn't go for the pink colors & used their favorite colors instead!  If you want to make one of your own, join us this Saturday from 11am-2pm to create your own fan! Alcohol inks & a stamping technique makes it easy to create this floral design. I've added butterflies along with the flowers for you to try this week!  And, we just received die which you can use on our Accucut machine with pictures, designer papers,etc. for your special ocassion (just ask one of associates for help & information)!
There's always something crafty going on at Pearl City!
gloria @ Pearl City

Crankin' Out Crafts Episode 227 - Bunny Treat

Have some special little some-bunnies hopping around this Easter season? Give them an especially cute treat today.

Fill this cute bunny with candy & gifts for Easter!

Watch the segment here: Crankin' Out Crafts: Episode 227 - Bunny Treat

Supplies:

White felt

Fabri-tac glue

Scribbles in pink and black

Scissors

Felt tip pen

Ribbon

Puna managed to fit 3 fun size pieces of candy inside this sleepy bunny pouch, but the size of this treat bag is great for small toys and stickers too.

Crankin' Out Crafts Episode 226 - Happy Easter Card

Start Easter hopping with this funny Easter card. Puna talks you through the easy steps.

A little craft pom-pom adds the perfect finishing touch to this Easter card!

Catch our latest episode here: Crankin' Out Crafts: Episode 226 - Happy Easter Card

Supplies:

Blank card

Ribbon

Pompom

Whte cardstock

Easter stamps

Stamp ink

Double-stick tape

*Optional - Pencils or pens for coloring in your image

Great for a classroom or to give out to friends, this Easter card is so fast, you can really get a jump on your festivities.

Vintage Washi Paper Eggs

 These eggs turned our so pretty and vintage looking!!  They were so fun and easy to make too!

MATERIALS:
Wooden eggs, sku: 77615740
Two prints of washi paper (one sheet each is plenty for 6 or more eggs), sku: 300081129 and 300886697
Mod Podge glossy, sku: 77501684
Poly foam brush
Fabri-Tac glue, sku: 1369347
American Crafts Ribbon, sku:

HOW TO:
Tear the washi paper into very small pieces (I made two piles of the different prints) Smaller pieces adds a cool look and makes it easier to smooth down on the round surface of the egg.
Glue washi paper onto egg using Mod Podge.  Glue on in layers using both prints.
When the Mod Podge is dry, glue on the ribbon with Fabri-Tac.  I glued on around the egg vertically, and one horizontally.
Now you have a beautiful egg to add to your spring and Easter decor.

Crochet Bow

 

Who doesn't like a cute bow? I recently found a website where someone explained how to make these amazingly darling crochet bows. I made a couple of changes to the pattern, but I'm going to explain everything to you right here. By the way, these bows were made using our 100% cotton Sugar N' Cream yarn.

 

Now the first step is, using a J sized crochet hook, chain 30. Then, starting with the 3rd chain from the hook, half-double crochet in each chain until the end. Don't know how to do a half-double crochet? Read on...

The first step to a half-double crochet is to yarn over. That's shown in the really boring looking picture above.

Next, insert the hook in the next chain and yarn over and pull through. You should now have three loops on your hook, just like the picture above.Then, you yarn over again, and pull through all three loops on the hook. A half-double crochet looks like the last stitch in this picture:

Now the remainder of this bow is made of four rows of half-double crochet. Each time you get to the end of one row, you turn your work and chain two, then start making your half-double crochets all over again.

When you're done with your four rows, tie-off your end, and then weave the ends into your piece. Now, just like it shows in this picture, bring both of the short ends to meet together in the middle.

Scrunch this at the center and hot-glue in place. To make the bow look more finished, you need to crochet one more little piece to go over the center of your scrunched area. To do this, chain 10 and half-double crochet in the 3rd chain from your hook and in every chain across. Tie-off and weave in your ends then hot-glue this piece around the center of your bow.

I made one for St. Patrick's Day too! You can glue these to barrettes to make hair-bows or even to a piece of elastic as a bow tie. My green one here is definitely going to be a bow-tie.

I'm writing up an actual pattern for these and they'll be out in the store pretty soon. Make sure you stop by to check them out. How many of you out there like to crochet? Personally, it's one of my favorite things to do.

Don't get up to too many shenanigans this weekend, and see you next week!
Puna @ Enchanted Lake

Crankin' Out Crafts Episode 225 - Easter Carrot Treat

Easter is coming up on Sunday, March 31st! This week on Crankin' Out Crafts, we'll show you a few projects to help you get ready for the Easter holiday. Today, Puna shares a carrot treat made using cone bags, curling ribbon, and orange-colored snacks.

Create your own carrots by filling cone-shaped bags
with orange-colored treats!

Watch our segment here: Crankin' Out Crafts: Episode 225 - Easter Carrot Treat

Supplies:

Scissors

Green curling ribbon (we used two colors)

Cone-shaped treat bags

Orange-colored snacks or candy (we used orange sixlets chocolate candy)

This project is so easy to make and would make a great favor for a party, added to an Easter basket, or to give out to classmates. Thanks for joining us today and stay tuned for more Easter crafts!

Quick & Easy Rainbow Glitter Luminaries

Aloha Crafters ~


Today's Idea & Inspiration is a variety of Rainbow Luminaries. These were relatively quick & easy using different widths of doublesided tape & glitter. I made this with St. Patrick's Day in mind, but design ideas are unlimited.


Initials in wedding colors, neutrals or metallics would be unique centerpieces for reception tables. Graduate initials in school colors is another centerpiece idea.


These glass canisters are perfect for tea lights or you can pour your own candle mixture into them for a longer burn.

Supplies:

• Clear Glass Canister with Lid (30134021)
• 3/16" Double Stick Tape (30013283)
• 1/4" Double Stick Tape (30013284)
• 7/16" Double Stick Tape (30013285)
• 3/4" Double Stick Tape (30080290)
• Ultrafine Pumpkin Glitter(77322016)
• Ultrafine Banana Glitter (77322289)
• Extra fine Rouge Glitter (30128154)
• Extra fine Eggplant Glitter (30128162)
• Extra fine Sapphire Glitter (30128156)
• Extra fine Evergreen Glitter (30128160)

Instructions:

1. Using Double Stick Tape of choice, design pattern on Canister.
2. Peel off protective covering of tape, apply Glitter.

Happy Crafting!
Robin @ Kahului

Crankin' Out Crafts -ep224 Famous Character Fan

JFlo wants you to be a fan of our famous character fans. See how to make your own today.

A cute fan to make at a party or event!

View our segment on our YouTube Channel: Crankin' Out Crafts: Episode 224 - Famous Character Fan

Supplies:

White paper fan

Marvy Uchida punches - orange oval, blue circle, purple heart

Cardstock in white, pink, yellow, and black

Double-stick tape

Everyone loves to see famous characters at a party so these fans make fun and popular favors, especially for  hot summer days.

Crankin' Out Crafts -ep223 Sports Fan

Show support for your favorite team and stay cool while watching the games, all at the same time.

Show how big of a sports fan you are, by making one!

See how to make this project here: Crankin' Out Crafts: Episode 223 - Sports Fan

Supplies:

White or black paper fan

Acrylic paints in your color choices

Black sharpie marker

Pencil

Ribbons

Don't let your team play without their biggest fan!

It's March..Spring is officially in the air!

It's March..Spring is officially in the air!  It is also National Craft Month!!!!  We have some beautiful spring decor and decorating ideas...come by and load up on your spring crafts and get inspired. Don't forget to check our March Calendar for a month of fun...and our fabulous "Let's Celebrate" Market City store wide party!!!  We'll have tons of  demonstrations, make n'takes, an awesome photo booth, give aways and more  ..it's gonna be Craftastic and fun for the whole family!

Pony Up the Goods

Believe it or not, pony beads can be used for more than just bracelets or hair braids. Melt them down, and you can make some pretty cool, stained-glass-looking things. I decided to give it a try with a display stand for our store. Here's what I ended up with:

It's a lot easier to make then you think. All I did was pour about half of our one pound bag of pony beads into a 10" cake pan and melt them in the oven at 425 degrees for 30 minutes. It smelled a bit like melting plastic in the house while I was doing this experiment, but that was pretty much what I expected to happen.

When they were cool, I just popped the piece out of the pan and sanded down the edge to take off some sharper pieces. Truthfully, there was a very small line of plastic left in the pan which was easily washed away. The amazing thing to me was that the entire piece pictured below came out whole without any more encouragement than just turning the pan over.

 

To make my stand look nice and shiny, I finished it up with a coat of Design Master's Master Shine. It also filled in some of the small holes left from air bubbles. When everything was dry, I used E6000 to attach a glass candle holder to the bottom. Instant decorative stand.

Hope you liked the idea, I had so much fun that I'm trying to think of other melted pony bead projects. Let me know if you can think of any!

Puna @ Enchanted Lake

There's a post from earlier today too, it links to our first Crankin' Out Crafts episode about fans. You should check it out!

Crankin' Out Crafts -ep222 Cherry Blossom Fan

Learn how to decorate fans with cherry blossoms using Alcohol inks with JFlo.

Check out our new fans! Ready-to-decorate with a variety of materials.

Watch our Fan-tastic episode here: Crankin' Out Crafts: Episode 222 Cherry Blossom Fan

Supplies:

White or black paper fan

alcohol inks: cranberry, shell pink (or any two pinkish colors), copper, pearl

alcohol blending solution

Tim Holtz alcohol ink applicator

five petal flower cut out of felt

Ribbon

Stickles (glitter glue)

fine-point paintbrush

Pearl City BFC also holds Fan Make 'n Takes every Saturday from 11am to 2pm (Fee $5 each). You can create your own designer fan for a special occasion! See store and this blog post here for more. 

Girl's Day Paper Confection

Aloha Crafters ~

Today's Idea & Inspiration is a Paper Confection in celebration of Girl's Day. This would be a fun social activity to do with your favorite little girl. The paper diarama is made on a dessert tier that was repurposed as a doll house. The Cherry Delight Collection from My Little Shoe Box makes this craft a breeze with cardboard stickers, cutouts, trims and mix & match alternative papers.

Supplies:

• Tier Dessert Tower (30097956)
• Sterling Silver Spray Paint (77527846)
• Eclips Machine (30120535)
• Eclips Holiday Cartridge (30120554)
• Cherry Delight Collection (30132986)
• Matching Card Stock
• Adhesive of choice
• Scissors

Happy Crafting!