Castle in the Air: A Creative Slice of Heaven

Sunday, February 24, 2013

I am currently serving on a jury in the US District Court in San Francisco. Court was in session last week and looks like it may be another week or so until this case is over. So far, it’s been a very interesting experience and I’m quite glad to be there. But needless to say, I’m not getting much crafting time in as I’d like. I’m up and out the door at 5:15 am each morning for the commute into the city, but luckily we are dismissed daily around 1:00pm. So instead of driving straight home some days, I’m taking advantage of being in the Bay Area and hitting a few creative shops in the afternoons. The other day I drove over to Berkeley to one of my favorite little ones- Castle in the Air. I was shopping for a few craft workshop supplies, specifically Dresden trim. So while there with my iPhone in hand, I took lots of photos to share with you just how incredible this dreamy wonderland is. If you see some supplies you like in the photos, there’s a very good chance you can find them in the Castle in the Air Online Shoppe.If you live in the Bay Area or plan to visit, be sure to check out their exciting line-up of classes. You can keep up with Castle in the Air by subscribing to their newsletter, liking them on Facebook and visiting their blog. Now, sit back and enjoy the show: Aimée Baldwin’s Vegan Taxidermy- Antique reprint paper models you can construct yourself. Paper, paper, paper.And more paper!Sweet little supplies. Curiosities.The book nook. I spy lots of Chronicle Books titles. My fingers are crossed I’ll find my book in there one day!Breathtaking assortment of fine pens.Beautiful tools. Dresden trims. German glass glitter.Crepe paper galore.Antique handcrafts on display.Stationery.Ribbons, trims, & trinkets.Fresh twine just arriving.Handmade leather goods.Here’s my little bit of loot from the day.I hope you enjoyed the tour. There are so many more things to see at Castle in the Air than I can share in one blog post. Please visit their store in Berkeley California or their website to see just what I mean.

15 Comments | Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Castle in the Air, craft supplies, Dresden foil trim

Crafting With Decorative File Folders

Saturday, February 23, 2013

If you hit those office supply sales over the next month or so in stores, you’re likely to snag up some good paper crafting supplies at a nice low price. Read my latest blog post over at SC Johnson Family Economics for projects utilizing decorative file folders in cardstock crafts. Leave a comment over there to share your ideas!

Disclosure: I am a paid blogger for SC Johnson

2 Comments | Posted in Family Economics, Paper Crafts, SC Johnson | Tagged Paper Crafts

Dremel Tools Giveaway

Thursday, February 14, 2013

If you’ve been following my blog for any time now, you know I love a good giveaway. Not only do I enjoy hosting exciting giveaways here on JSIM, I actually enter them from time to time. Recently, I entered one of my projects in the DremelWeekends sweepstakes. A technique I show using my little Dremel Stylus to craft a tool to create postage stamp perforations. And, to my delight, my entry won a Dremel Ultimate Tool Prize Pack! How awesome is that?!!

The prize included:

Dremel Rotary Tool Kit Dremel Multi-Max Oscillating Tool Kit

Dremel Saw-Max Tool Kit

Dremel Trio Tool Kit

The day I opened my prize package I had a project ready to go. It’s so great to be able to do small projects myself rather than add to Mr. Wonderful’s already-full honey-do list, so I tackled this one myself with one of my new tools, the Dremel Saw-Max. The problem I had was that there was a big, ugly circuit breaker box framed on the wall of my freshly painted barn and it was protruding out the wall that I’d planned to put my bookcase against.

I placed the bookcase in position up against the circuit box and reached back with a pencil and marked around it. (I’m not sure what the wording WEB PAGE D on the back of the bookshelf is all about, it came that way from the cabinetmaker.)

I used the Saw-Max to cut along the lines. This is one powerful tool. I learned later from Jake, our barn studio carpenter, that the Multi-Max Oscillating Tool would have been a bit better for this particular project. I’ve got some learnin’ to do with all these new tools! But the section was cut, and the bookcase fit perfectly in place.

I covered the box with a stack of books and my husband was super proud of my accomplishment. And this, my friends, is only the beginning of the fun stuff to come using my winnings to craft and make and fix!

The Dremel Giveaway

Part of my exciting winnings is the opportunity to share the fun. Dremel is giving these two kits to one lucky JSIM reader! Click on links to learn more about each.

Dremel Rotary Tool Kit

Dremel Multi-Max Oscillating Tool Kit

Just imagine all the crafty and DIY projects you could do with these!

TO ENTER: Leave a nice, relevant comment below. Entry open to US residents only. ENTRY DEADLINE is Saturday, February 23, 2013 at noon, Pacific Time.The winner will be randomly chosen, notified and announced here shortly thereafter.

I’d love to know what you’d make, fix or craft with Dremel tools!