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.

Memories from Grandma

Anyone who has been in the store knows that my Grandma has been here a long time. Since 1971 to be exact. Over these years some unforgettable things have happened so I thought I would blog about one that was just reminded to us.

Over this past weekend we cleaned the windows out and installed lights. Well, we were here pretty late and this women came in who was so happy to see we were still here. She asked how Grandma was, as of this entry she is 89, (born in 1919) and doing well. She then told us how she first met Grandma. Many years ago she was in with her Mom on their way back from a jewelery store and mistakenly left their jewelry behind. My Dad found it and gave it to Grandma who called the jeweler and told him if someone called that they lost jewelery to call her, but she refused to say what it was that she found. Well luckily the women called and was so happy to have her jewelry back she gave grandma a gift. Today, Grandma was so happy to hear that the women remembered her and her kind deed. She would love if the women would come back to the store when she's here.

"Knock wood" Grandma has a great memory and as she recalls funny things I will continue to blog them. If you are ever in town come by the shop, she would love a fresh pair of ears to talk to.

Website is Down

If you've been trying to get to the Cook's Crafts site its been down for the last couple of days. Please email me if you need anything. I'm being told it should be fixed soon.

My own damn fault

I have this bad habit of when someone comes in and buys something I hand them their change and say thank you. But after today I'm going to count every bill into their hand. Today this 6 foot tall man with a tattoo on his neck claimed I didn't give him the right change when I know what was in my drawer and what I gave him. It's my own fault for not counting the change into his hand as I gave it to him. Live and learn but karma will come back to him. Its just another reason to get my video camera's set up.

Where's the podcast?....

Well, sorry listeners. I haven't recorded a podcast in over a week but I do have a good excuse. My friend is pregnant with her second child. Well I was working when she had her first child so I never made her anything. Soooo, I've been feverishly making the toddler a poncho, matching hat and a blanket, plus I'm making a baby blanket for her her new addition.

I haven't forgot all of you and plan to be recording again this week. If you're on twitter you can always follow along with my day or you can see pictures of projects I've done or doing on either ravelry or flickr. User name is cookscrafts on all of them.

Thanks for all your supportive and concerned emails. Your feed back is what keeps the podcast going. If you have an idea or request for me to cover on the show email me.

Christmas in July...

Well, Christmas in July is coming to an end. Remember that now is the time to start your Christmas projects so they are done in time. Because of my ordering schedule with my distributors I am able to extend our sale to the first week of August.

Show notes updated:
I just updated show notes for Ep 43 and 44 so if you were looking for a link or picture of what I was talking about you can check it out at www.cookscrafts.com

I know I've been bad about updates here, but I've been trying to update stuff on Ravelry. If your a member please take a look at what we have made for the shoppe. Pictures of the items are also on our flicker site. http://www.flickr.com/photos/cookscrafts/

Glow in the Dark Yarn

I usually wouldn't blog about this type of yarn this early in the season but Bernet is taking pre-orders now from distributors. So if anyone wants this yarn you need to call your craft/yarn store right away and tell them you are interested in it!

Episode Postponed

Today episode will be postponed till later in the week. I have a very bad ear infection. I went to the doctor today and hope to be feeling better tomorrow.

Thank you all for understanding.

Episode 40 - Fathers Day Crafts

The show this week is short and sweet on some places to go and things to make for dear ol' Dad. Show note and links are on our site. www.cookscrafts.info.

Here is a free pattern I made last year and completely forgot about when I did the show.

Graduates & Veterans...

Show notes have been updated for Episodes 38 & 39. Videos mentioned in the show are still being worked on. iMovie 08 is different than 07 and I'm having more trouble with it than I thought I would.

http://www.cookscrafts.info/