I'm glad that today is my last outdoor show of the year. As I look back on the season, here are some Challenges crafters deal with when exhibiting outdoors:
weather: from 90 degree heat to 40 degree chilly mornings. Three days of rain creating huge ruts big enough to devour a small child in the craft area from vans, trucks, and trailers as they haul our goods to our set-up spot. High winds. Cement blocks can only do so much against 45 MPH wind gusts. Unreliable forecasts prevent crafters from setting up when wind gusts and thunderstorms are predicted.
In my opinion, a greater percentage of attendees of indoor shows are serious buyers. They come to shop. Fall shows run late in the season and closer to the gift giving season. It gives me great joy when I hear stories of how this scarf or that hat will go to a friend or family member for Christmas. Making items in the $8.00 to $15.00 range makes my items for sale an affordable gift.
My first indoor show this year is the Noon Optimist show on October 19th in Wapakoneta. I have never exhibited at this show but have heard many good things. I hope to see you there. It is the closest show to the Lima area that I will be exhibiting. My other shows this year take me to Mansfield, Bucyrus, and Hilliard.
For those who have picked up my card at the various shows, don't hesitate to call or write me with your order. I keep lots of stock on hand and should have most anything you need that I can mail to you.
From fashion-forward hats and scarves to the cutest accessories and knick-knacks, Trimmings & Treasures features hand-made items for all ages and styles!
Sunday, October 6, 2013
Tuesday, July 16, 2013
And we're live on Etsy!
Hello readers! Almost all of my current products are now listed on our Etsy Shop (so head on over there and check out the goods). Some of our items have so many variations and choices (like the Scarves by Kathy line) that I had to list all the options on Etsy, but provide you a page with images of all the colors and patterns. Same story for our various buttons and bling. I will announce new patterns available or new embellishments here on the blog and update those pages so that my customers always have a complete catalog of what is available to them when they place custom orders.
Keep reading and be sure to check out our Facebook and Twitter feed later this month for an amazing offer for our official "Grand Opening!"
Keep reading and be sure to check out our Facebook and Twitter feed later this month for an amazing offer for our official "Grand Opening!"
Pictured below are some scarves I recently made.
Sunday, July 14, 2013
Tutorial on sun painting fabric
Sun painting is a technique using semi- transparent paint on cloth. What this specialized paint will do is dry on the top of your fabric into vibrant colors where the sun hits, and white or much lighter images where you place items that make shadows on the fabric using leaves, jewelry or whatever you like. I will give you tips along the way that allowed my project to excel. This project takes about 40 minutes for your first try and 20-25 minutes for future ones.
1. Use Setacolor Semi-transparent Paints for the best results. You will also need foam paint brushes or a larger one cut into 1x1/2" pieces. Have a pair of rubber gloves handy.
2. Plan to work inside with your paints, but on a sunny warm day.
3. Prepare a board covered in plastic to paint the fabric. This piece needs to be big enough so the entire cloth can lay flat. It also needs to be stiff so you can carry your prepared piece outside, undisturbed. I have a piece of Styrofoam I bought that has the plastic cover on it from when I purchased it. It works great because it has a non-absorbent cover and I can use straight pins to keep my fabric in place. This will be helpful because when the project is working outside, the fabric tends to lift as it dries and becomes lighter.
4. Have ready items to place on your cloth where you want the image to appear. I found it best to use solid items what have weight to them and with definite outside lines. What happens if you don't is the image will roll around and not stay put long enough to work, Choose two or three colors to work with. Mix paints in little bowls, 50% paint and 50% water. Stir well. It will look like you have very little paint to work with but it goes far.
6. Wet your fabric and squeeze out the excess till it is damp. Too much water will make colors lighten and may not have enough pigment for the process to work. If you wish to make lighter colors, there is a product to use specifically for that. Pin the piece to your board or tape the sides.
1. Use Setacolor Semi-transparent Paints for the best results. You will also need foam paint brushes or a larger one cut into 1x1/2" pieces. Have a pair of rubber gloves handy.
2. Plan to work inside with your paints, but on a sunny warm day.
3. Prepare a board covered in plastic to paint the fabric. This piece needs to be big enough so the entire cloth can lay flat. It also needs to be stiff so you can carry your prepared piece outside, undisturbed. I have a piece of Styrofoam I bought that has the plastic cover on it from when I purchased it. It works great because it has a non-absorbent cover and I can use straight pins to keep my fabric in place. This will be helpful because when the project is working outside, the fabric tends to lift as it dries and becomes lighter.
4. Have ready items to place on your cloth where you want the image to appear. I found it best to use solid items what have weight to them and with definite outside lines. What happens if you don't is the image will roll around and not stay put long enough to work, Choose two or three colors to work with. Mix paints in little bowls, 50% paint and 50% water. Stir well. It will look like you have very little paint to work with but it goes far.
5. Wet your fabric and squeeze out the excess till it is damp. Too much water will make colors lighten and may not have enough pigment for the process to work. If you wish to make lighter colors, there is a product to use specifically for that. Pin the piece to your board or tape the sides.
6. Wet your fabric and squeeze out the excess till it is damp. Too much water will make colors lighten and may not have enough pigment for the process to work. If you wish to make lighter colors, there is a product to use specifically for that. Pin the piece to your board or tape the sides.
7. Arrange your items on the cloth and take outside for the process to work. Project is set when the fabric is completely dry. Set colors with a dry iron using correct fabric setting.
Way to use these fabric pieces:
- Use a plain silk scarf as your fabric. Paint will transfer to the back side of fabric too.
- Cut fabric imto quilt squares or strips for wall hangings, pillows, or other quilt projects.
- Use rough torn strips of fabric as a base for making jewelry cuffs, or consider purchasing the cuffs already created from our Etsy shop.
Saturday, July 6, 2013
Hello and Welcome to my Creative World!
Hi, I'm Kathy Stemen and welcome to my creative world. I am a former craft store owner who has taught various craft techniques in what seems like another life ago. I did so many shows a year, that when I decided to close up business to explore other ventures, I was sick of looking at paints and reeds. Has that happened to you? It has been over 20 years since I have made any type of craft or create a garment, but now I am ready and eager to do so.
A year ago, I started creating ruffled scarves and a few hat designs that really complimented the scarf. They finish off an outfit ranging from denim wear, office wear, school spirit, or fall and winter outerwear. In my design, the button is probably the most important detail. In addition to my buttons that appear in most of my photos, I have scoured shops, second hand stores, and garage sales for vintage buttons to accessorize some of my product.
This time, my ideas are coming faster than I can make them. I have my own building and three sewing machines.
The reason I wanted to start a blog is to keep you up to date in what all I will have to offer, but to share with you the trials and tribulations on dealing with new techniques.
Look for my first tutorial on sun painting. It's that time of year, and now that I use the best product available, and the best season for it, I will take you step-by-step and show you ideas on how to use this colorful fabric.
So until later,
Ciao
A year ago, I started creating ruffled scarves and a few hat designs that really complimented the scarf. They finish off an outfit ranging from denim wear, office wear, school spirit, or fall and winter outerwear. In my design, the button is probably the most important detail. In addition to my buttons that appear in most of my photos, I have scoured shops, second hand stores, and garage sales for vintage buttons to accessorize some of my product.
This time, my ideas are coming faster than I can make them. I have my own building and three sewing machines.
The reason I wanted to start a blog is to keep you up to date in what all I will have to offer, but to share with you the trials and tribulations on dealing with new techniques.
Look for my first tutorial on sun painting. It's that time of year, and now that I use the best product available, and the best season for it, I will take you step-by-step and show you ideas on how to use this colorful fabric.
So until later,
Ciao
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