Holiday Hair Clips for any age

The time is here for the inevitable christmas parties. Where you dress up in that happy christmas sweater or those funky christmas socks and enjoy. Well Ladies, what about your hair? These are for women of any age that just want something fun for their hair. Easy and inexpensive to make for even the youngest brownie or girl scout troop too.

Total Cost: Approximately $1

Flat Hair Clip Comes in different sizes

Glitter Pom Poms assorted

Christmas ornament for the center. We used mini christmas tree decorations, but painted wood, plastic, resin or foamies work great too.

Hot Glue gun for instant hold or white craft glue if you have little ones around.

Below are some pictures. The glitter doesn't show up too well in the shots but trust me they look adorable. Come into the shop and take a look in person for the full effect.

Ceramic Tree Lights & Ornaments

I bet more than a few of you are digging out your christmas decorations and are missing some bulbs for your ceramic trees. Well, you're in luck. We stock 3 different sizes and 4 different designs. Bring one of your bulbs in so we can make sure they fit.

Veteran's Day

To All our Customers:

Cook's Arts & Crafts will be closed from 10am till around noon. We will be at The Memorial on Myrtle Avenue & Cooper Avenue. At 11 am the local American Legion members will have a short 11th hour Ceremony. Join us if you can, it is open to all.

Please remember the Veteran's today.

Lilac Lemon Baby Blanket

I love babies. My friend is having her second, which means I can't remake one shes already seen so I started searching. Leisure Arts has a beautiful book called Dynamic Designs, #3845. Its patterns for adult blankets but that didn't stop me. I wanted Lilac & Lemon so I took the Bernet Softee Baby and got started. I have about 3 months until she pops. :) What possessed me to pick a pattern with mostly single crochets is beyond me.

Disney Wood kids kits Now In Stock

I saw these at Toy Fair in March and so happy to finally have them in stock. These retail for only $3.99 and come with Markers, Glitter Glue and Rhinestones to make your princess or fairies perfect.

My new Project - Store Apron

I've been thinking about designing a Store T-Shirt and then decided to make an apron to wear in the shop. Loew-Cornell makes this affordable blank adult apron. But as you can see, it is blank, no pocket nothing. lol. So I've decided to CrossStitch "Cook's Crafts" along the top, maybe put some hand prints in paint on it, put some beads around the edge or collor and crochet a pocket. Well I had some scrap left of Potpourri Print Handicrafters Cotton yarn so I crocheted this little pocket. But thats as far as I've gotten so far. I'll update you all as I go along.

Happy Birthday Betty Boop Aug 9th 1930

Betty Boop turns 79 tomorrow. In here honor I thought I would share some Betty Boop inspired crafts from around the net.

Please, if you've made something for Betty Boop, please share a link to your post in the comments.

Clay Betty Boop Pendant Video Instructions

Betty Boop Beadie Keychain

Betty Boop Loomwork Pattern

Crochet Betty Boop Potholder Pattern

Celebrate National Golf Month

August is National Golf Month so I thought I would share some links to craft projects for the golfer in your life.

Knit Golf Club Cover by The Scottish Knitter

Crochet Starry Golf Club Mitts

Golf Scrapbook Patterns

Golf Cover Buddies

Golf Business Card Holder

New Crochet Books from "The Crochet Dude"

I just got my Leisure Arts delivery with brand new books from "The Crochet Dude" Drew Emborsky. They retail for only $3.95, but mention you saw this on the blog or twitter and save 10% on your whole order.

The patterns look easy but detailed. I can't wait to try one.

sweet pet Comforts: 7 crochet designs for the pet in your life. Don't have a pet...well why now make one of these projects and give it to your local animal shelter. They will love you for it.

in all Caps: as 7 great hat designs to crochet. Even though its hot out, fall and winter will come soon enough. What better gift to give for the holidays than a hand made hat? If you start now you'll have them ready by then.

must have Handbags: Do you have trouble finding just the right bag in just the right color? I know I do. This book has 6 different bags that I'm sure will make you the envy of your friends.

Friendship Bracelets & Lanyard Keychains

Every summer sales of lanyard and floss go up. Kids of all ages love to make bracelets and keychains. Since money is tight all around I'm having a few specials right now.

First up is lanyard spool. Mini spools are $.79 each but if you buy 5 you get one free.

And don't forget that I did a youtube video showing how to start the basic box.

Second is Friendship bracelets. Any thread or cord will work but the most popular is the embroidery floss because of the shine and resilience. If you make a lot of them consider buying the packs. For only $4.49 you get 36 skeins. If you bought them all separately you would spend over $20.

There are plenty of places to find instructions online. Here are just a few of my favorite links.

http://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Friendship-Bracelet

http://www.mahalo.com/how-to-make-a-friendship-bracelet

http://www.how-to-make-jewelry.com/friendship-bracelet-patterns.html

The most important thing is to have fun. Don't hesitate to email me or come into the shop if you have any questions or problems.

Ideas for Earthday Crafts

Happy Earth Day everyone. Turn off that light... I'm sure you don't need it. :)

OK OK sorry, couldn't help myself. 

First up my most popular Recycle Project:

Making a useful clock out of Garbage - You can take Anything, an old record, grandma's old hat, a wall hanging, it doesn't matter the size or shape. Then you pick up the Clock works, I suggest anything from Walnut Hallow (which I carry). Their 3 piece starter kit has everything for $7.29. You get stick on numbers, arms and the works. All the directions are in it. 

Second is Plarn: Which is Yarn made from plastic bags. Instructions for making Plarn are all over the net but here are a few links to help you get started. Once you have your plarn anything you can make with thick yarn you can make with plarn.

http://www.myrecycledbags.com/2007/02/17/instructions-for-cutting-plastic-bags-creating-recycled-plastic-yarn/

http://www.ehow.com/how_2382879_make-plarn.html

Well thats it for me today. If you find a green craft you'd like to share please add it to the comments. 

Current Sales & Promotions

Trying to clear some space so here are the current Sales - while supplies last. No coupons accepted for these purchases. 

• Forever Beautiful Silk Flowers reg. $2.99 now only $1.99 thats more that 30% off
  
• Lion Brand Fun Fur reg. $4.99 now 50% off
• Caron Cuddlesoft baby Yarn reg. $1.59 now $.99
• Christmas painted wood reg. $.99ea now 3 for $1.00
• All other Painted wood reg. $.49ea now 3 for $1.00

The Art of Can - creating art from Red Bull cans

OK all you crafters. Red Bull is having a creative contest. You can see past entries at www.redbullartofcan.com 

This looks like a neat way for them to promote arts and creativity. Anyone that wants to do this, just mention that when you come in my store and you'll get 10% off your purchases plus a free can of Red Bull (while supplies last). 

The only rule is the deadline for entries is May 15th 2009 so get busy!

So maybe this is how I should run my shoppe.....

I was reading the Daily News last week and there was a full page story about a Nasty Sock store owner that yells at his customers, eats his employee's lunches and doesn't care people think that way about him. Well, why would he care. The Daily News has given him thousands of dollars worth of FREE advertising for being an ass. Now I bet people are gonna go check this store out just to see what all the fuss is about.  Think back to the Soup Nazi from Seinfeld. That store also became famous and successful for being nasty, not just because he had good soup. Why does this world praise the negative? Maybe this is why my store sales are so low, not because of the economy, but because I'm so nice.