CHALK IT UP CARDSTOCK

SOooooo are your ready for this???!!!!  One of the most amazing hybrids in the world of paper has come to life...CHALKBOARD CARDSTOCK!!!!!  Yes..it's true..it behaves just like a chalkboard, but it's in the form of  paper!  There are so many clever ideas out there for this product...and the beauty is..you can use it over and over again!

First I made a banner for mother's day.  I used the Bistro Chalk Markers we have at the store for a less temporary design on my pendants.  Check out the colors of  this paper...so pretty!!!

You can use this paper to make menu cards for a buffet or table numbers at an event.  They add a cool  look to gift tags too!!!



Move over sidewalk chalk...hand this Chalk It Up pad over to the kids as a fun indoor or outdoor project.

Crankin' Out Crafts Episode 244 - Mom's T-Shirt

Mother's Day is coming up on Sunday, May 12th! Where would we be without our Mothers? Crankin' Out Crafts has another week of great Mother's Day gifts for you starting today with Mom's T-Shirt.

Create a beautiful & one-of-a-kind shirt for Mom!

Watch how to make this project here: Crankin' Out Crafts: Episode 244 - Mom's T-Shirt

Supplies:

White T-Shirt

Tulip fabric spray paints and glitter

Stencil

Tulip's fabric spray paint is permanent on fabrics once dried but you can heat set your design for longer lasting color. 

We Pinned It AND Made It!

Thank you to everyone who joined us for some Pinterest crafting fun this past Saturday at our Enchanted Lake store. Here are some candid shots from our party and a quick look back at some of the fun.

Lisa and a few of our customers making a favor at Joy's favor station

We were even lucky enough to have a few crafting celebrities show up for our event. Joy from the Joy of crafting was there and so were our favorite set of Sizzix reps, Cheryl and Cherie.

Cheryl and Cherie making Sizzix favors

Jelly Jar Cupcake makers

 I also have to mention that we had two pairs of incredibly cute crafters too...

The straw Lei-Ds

Crazy crafters at the Faux Sea Glass and Cupcake table

Not to mention the faux sea glass creaters and fimo flower formers.

Luana's lovely flower makers

Grand Prize winner Benita!

And last but not least, our grand prize winner, Benita from right here in Kailua. It just looks like I'm talking on the phone here, by the way. I'm actually announcing her big win to the entire store. Benita won an awesome stash including some stamps, stickers, and a $75 gift card for HouseMart Ben Franklin Crafts to use on her next Pinterest inspired project.

I hope you all got some inspiration from the projects and the posts for our Pinterest party. Don't forget to stop by the store to see more samples from our wonderful event.

Thanks for dropping in!

Puna @ Enchanted Lake

Graduation Time is Coming!

WOW! The school year is coming to an end fairly quickly, isn't it? It's already the end of April. We're getting ready for graduation at Hilo Ben Franklin! We have lots of lei supplies and samples and keep checking back because much more graduation excitement is being planned.
You can also come in to order banners for graduation or to get more info. We have samples of the signs and banners in the front of the store. Just walk through the front door!

Here's more of a look-see at our still-growing graduation section. Come visit us soon! (And if you know someone's graduating but you don't know when or what his or her school colors are, we have that info in the store too! Just ask a cashier or sales associate!)

See you soon and Happy Graduation Season! :D

~Jen at Hilo Ben Franklin

Ben Franklin's SPRING CRAFT FAIR on Maui

Aloha Crafters ~

Please come join us at our Spring Craft Fair ~ We would LOVE to see you!!

Crankin' Out Crafts Episode 243 - Beaded Bookmark

Know a Mom who loves to get immersed in a good book? Puna will show you a super fast gift perfect for an avid reader.

Does your mom love to read? Make an elegant bookmark for Mother's Day!

View our latest episode here: Crankin' Out Crafts: Episode 243 - Beaded Bookmark

Supplies:

Organza ribbon

Beads

Scissors

Darning needle

This simple craft is something that even young children can help to make and Mom is sure to love.

Chalkboard Frame Teacher Gift

The school year is almost over, and it is time to show your appreciation to that wonderful teacher of yours.  This idea was super easy and fun to make.  We took a foam brush and painted some chalkboard paint...yes that is right....chalk board paint onto the platform of this RTD wooden frame. We wrote on it with regular ol' chalk.   We used Tim Holtz easy to apply mustard seed Distress Stain...spritz it with water and rub with finger to obtain a more distressed look.  We painted a red star cut out with apple red Soy Paint with a foam brush and then dry brushed over the yellow boarder.  Glue that star on with a hot glue gun.  Paint on green Crafter's Acrylic paint around the picture frame.  Next, we used the words from the Vinyl Words teacher collection to embellish.

Visit our stores and check out our demos for more teacher gift ideas and favors for the whole class.

****BE SURE TO SCROLL DOWN AND CHECK OUT MORE BLOGS***

Crankin' Out Crafts Episode 242 - Mom Charm

Moms have a soft spot for handmade items. Show your love by making a cute clay charm.

Make a personalized pendant for Mom!

Watch our episode here: Crankin' Out Crafts Episode 242 - Mom Charm

Supplies:

Sculpey clay

Clay roller

Clay stylus or knife

Oven

Hemp cord

This charm can be made into a pendant, bracelet, or even a pretty purse charm.

Ready to Pinterest Party?

So I'm really, really excited about our upcoming Pinspiration Pinterest Party happening this Saturday, April 27th from 10am-2pm! We're going to have so many great make 'n takes and demos going on, prize giveaways, and fun, fun, fun! We really hope that you'll be able to take a break from your hectic schedule and join us for Pinterest crafting fun.

Anyway, here are three more projects that we'll be featuring that day.

 

This awesomely shiny cake stand was made by melting pony beads in a cake pan until they fuse into this wonderfully colorful plastic disc. We'll have a FREE demonstration from 1-1:30pm showing how to make mini discs like this for cupcake holders and sun-catchers.

Want to learn how to make a beautiful lei in 30 minutes or less? Join us from 11-1pm on Saturday to make your own lei for just a $1 with a purchase of yarn. Your lei is guaranteed to turn out amazing.

What can't we washi? We're making a simple and speedy washi pencil set on April 27th from 1:30-2pm. A $2 fee includes the pencils, washi tape, and smiles while making this cute favor or teacher gift.

Here's the complete party schedule if you want all the details.

 See you there!

Puna @ Enchanted Lake

Rainbow Straw Lei

Aloha Crafters ~

Today's Idea & Inspiration is a Rainbow Straw Lei. This Rainbow Lei was made using 6 straws and our Hoku yarn. I just doubled the straws according to the directions for the 3 straw lei in our new Handcrafted Lei & Flowers Vol. XI book.

What's fun about the lei besides the color is that it can be used as a wreath:

or even as a garland:

Supplies:

• Handcrafted Lei & Flowers Vol XI: (30139463)
• Red Hoku Sparkle Yarn: (30079573)
• Orange Hoku Sparkle Yarn: (30079584)
• Yellow Hoku Sparkle Yarn: (30079576)
• Grass Green Hoku Sparkle Yarn: (30079586)
• Royal Blue Hoku Sparkle Yarn: (30079574)
• Purple Hoku Sparkle Yarn: (30079575)
• 3/8" Royal Blue Grosgrain: (30090289)
• 6 ~ 9" Lei Straws: (30105403)

Happy Crafting!

Robin @ Kahului

Money Roses at Pearl City

It's Graduation season! And, what is graduation without Leis & Flowers!?  You will present your graduate with that beautiful yarn, ribbon or floral lei you created....make another special lei she would love to wear by adding $$$$!   We have workshops scheduled....just bring in crisp $$ bills and, with a small workshop fee, you can create money fans, frogs or a bouquet of money roses & butterflies! Demonstrations for straw leis, crochet leis, finger leis and ribbon leis are scheduled through the season too!  There's even a demonstration on creating a gift card  holder! There's always something creative going on at Pearl City!
   gloria @ Pearl City

Crankin' Out Crafts Episode 241 - 3-Straw Lei - Round

For the last episode this week, Puna is back yet again to show you how to make your 3 straw lei a little more rounded.

3-Straw Lei - Round

Learn how to make this beautiful lei on our YouTube channel: Crankin' Out Crafts: Episode 241 - 3-Straw Lei - Round

Supplies:

1 skein Nani eyelash yarn in dark gold

1 skein Nohea eyelash yarn in maroon

1 skein Nohea eyelash yarn in white

3 jumbo straws

Coordinating grosgrain ribbon

Scotch tape

Scissors

This lei is great for showing off your school colors, especially if your school has 3 colors like Castle High School. Give the lei a little twist before tying off to make the colors spiral nicely.

Bo Bunny and Echo Park visit Market City

We had such a blast las weekend at House Mart Ben Franklin Market City, when our friends from Bo Bunny and Echo Park paper came all the way from Utah to craft with us.  We have some awesome new products and great ideas from both companies that we are excited to share with you....come on by and check it out!

***Don't forget to scroll down and check out more of fantastic House Mart Ben Franklin blog action!!

Crankin' Out Crafts Episode 240 - 3-Straw Lei - Flat

Ready to step up your straw lei making to 3 straws? Puna will show you how a flat, 3 straw lei is made in this episode of Crankin’ Out Crafts.

3-Straw Lei - Flat

Watch the episode here: Crankin' Out Crafts: Episode 240 - 3-Straw Lei - Flat

Supplies:

1 skein Nani eyelash yarn in orange

1 skein Nohea eyelah yarn in blue

3 jumbo straws

Coordinating grosgrain ribbon

Scotch tape

Scissors

This lei lies flat on the chest and has the added potential of showing two very distinct colors, one on each side. The blue and orange in today’s episode are Kalaheo High School’s colors.

More Pinspiration Pinterest Projects

I'm back again today with more Pinterest inspired projects that will be featured in our upcoming store party on April 27th from 10am-2pm. You're all invited to come and have fun with us, by the way!

One of the things that we see a lot on Pinterest are different ways to organize jewelry. We created our own earring and necklace holder out of a frame and some dowel rods. You can make one with us for just $15 (that includes supplies for the frame and one pair of earrings) if you stop by our party between 12pm and 1pm.

Have you seen all those subway sign inspired art pins? We've made a couple ourselves using our blank canvas and acrylic paints. You can get some great tips and tricks on how to make this wonderful wall art during our free Subway Art demonstration.

 

Last but not the least for today are these great paper fans. You might be seeing more fans popping up on Pinterest as party favors and now Ben Franklin Crafts has got blank paper fans in for just that purpose! Aren't they beautiful? You can make one of these great alcohol inked fans for just $3 on the 27th of April from 10am-12pm.

We hope you can join us for our party. We'll be having a bunch of fun and giving away some prizes too! Check with the store for more prices, times, or if you have any questions about our Pinspiration Party.

Puna @ Enchanted Lake

PS Don't forget to scroll down to see me making a two straw lei on our newest Crankin' Out Crafts episode

Crankin' Out Crafts Episode 239 - Two-Straw Lei

Who’s ready for more Cranked out Lei? Today, Puna will teach you another super-fast straw lei.

Mastered the One-Straw Lei? Try the Two-Straw Lei!

Watch the How-To video on our YouTube Channel: Crankin' Out Crafts - Episode 239 - Two-Straw Lei

Supplies:

1 skein Nani eyelash yarn in white

1 skein Nohea eyelash yarn in blue

2 jumbo straws

Coordinating grosgrain ribbon

Scotch tape

Two kukui nuts

Scissors

EZ beader

Did you know that the difference between the Nani and Nohea yarns is that the Nani eyelash has a nice little sparkle to it for additional lei shimmer.

Lei making supplies available at our Hawaii BFC stores and also online on www.craftingisfun.com

Life's A Beach...

Ahoy Crafters! :)
I just wanted to share with you the sea-worthy beach display at the Hilo Ben Franklin store.

Lots of fishes and ocean-related decor. (Of course, when a friend of mine saw this picture, she just HAD to ask if those were monster fish or if the sailboat was just small. But aren't the fish cute?)

We even have life preservers. (But just a note:  don't try to wear them. They're for decoration purposes only. And not for accessorizing your outfit with. Trust us. They're not too comfortable. This was learned the hard way.)

So come check out our beach/ocean section. There's lots of things to look at. Glass bottles, shells, clocks that look like fish, and much much more! 

"Sea" you soon! (Haha! Okay, I'm done now. XD)

~Jen at Hilo Ben Franklin

Silver Lace Wedding Headpiece

Aloha Crafter ~

Today's Idea & Inspiration is a Silver Lace Wedding Head Piece. We have a plethora of components to chose from here at Ben Franklin. From rhinestone ribbons to adhesive pearl designs, making a unique headpiece for a special occasion couldn't be easier.

Supplies:

• Silver Sparkle Lace (30132554)
• 7/8" White Satin Ribbon (30116684)
• 1.5" Rhinestone Ribbon (30137942)
• Adhesive of choice
• Sewing thread to match
• Needle
• Scissors

Maui Wedding Make-up Model courtesy of  Sara Maselli Makeup Artist

Instructions:

1. Measure Silver Sparkle Lace to fit head and add 6 inches, cut
2. Cut around lace design on one side, fold over straight side to desired width
3. Make Ribbon Roses using Silver Sparkle Lace
4. Adhere Rhinestone Ribbon to Silver Sparkle Lace (double stick tape was used for this)
5. Adhere Ribbon Roses to Silver Sparkle Lace (hot glue was used for this)
6. Sew Satin Ribbon to ends of Silver Sparkle Lace
7. Trim Silver Sparkle Lace ends

Happy Crafting!

by Robin @ Kahului

Crankin' Out Crafts Episode 238 - Graduation Cap Box 3 - Hat

Create your own graduation cap card box for your graduate's party.

Today we show you part 3 - the Graduation Cap Box!

Watch the how-to video here: Crankin' Out Crafts: Episode 238 - Graduation Cap Card Box 3 - Hat

Supplies:

20x30 foam core board

ruler / straightedge

xacto knife

pencil

hot glue gun & gluesticks

Thanks for watching this week! Stop by our stores for all your graduation projects!

Crankin' Out Crafts Episode 237 - Graduation Cap Box 2 - Tassel

Learn how to make a tassel for your graduation cap box or any occasion.

Part 2 of our Graduation Cap Box - the tassel

Catch part 2 here: Crankin' Out Crafts: Episode 237 - Graduation Cap Box 2 - Tassel

Supplies:

yarn 

scissors

cardboard piece

Come back on Friday to see part 3 of the box! Thanks for watching and subscribing to our YouTube Channel!

*Don't forget to scroll down to read today's earlier post by Market City BFC featuring new paperarts items. 

New Pebbles Card Pad and Mermaid Paper!!!

Life is the bubbles!

 Hurray for the new scrap booking and card making paper goods in our stores!!!!  We couldn't wait to get crafting with the really cool patterns in the new Pebbles card pad..yes that's right a pad of cards...organized and ready to be made...what more could you ask for?  How about some awesome mermaid paper (all of these cards were made from one 12X12 sheet of designs) paper flowers, and pendant stickers.  Just add a paper trimmer (or scissors) and double stick tape and you have some great easy-made cards.

Crankin' Out Crafts Episode 236 - Graduation Cap Box 1 - Pom Pom

Watch how to make a yarn Pom Pom from scratch with a few simple tools.

Create a pom pom out of yarn to decorate your Grad Cap Box!

Watch part 1 of our Graduation Cap Box video here: Crankin' Out Crafts: Episode 236 - Grad Cap Box 1 - Pom Pom

Supplies: 

yarn 

scissors

cardboard piece

Tune in Wednesday for Part 2 of our Graduation Cap Box project.

*Don't forget to scroll down and read today's earlier post on Enchanted Lake's upcoming Pinspiration Pinterest Party on Saturday, April 27th!