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/

Cyber-robbery....

Well, I missed out. Another Cook owned Cookscrafts.com. They were a woodworking place in PA and that was fine. I know Cook is a popular name, so I got cookscrafts.info for Grandma's store. Then yesterday I got an email from a company that bought the .com when the original owner didn't renew it. They want $557 to transfer it to me. WTF!! Thats crazy. So I emailed them and they asked.."What are you willing to pay and I'll bring it to my manager".. Yea, OK ya know what keep it! I went ahead and got the .biz and I'll just stick with what I have. I'll watch and maybe next year the company will let it expire and I can add it to my account. What I need is some low cost local advertising. And when I say low cost, I mean shoestring.

Show notes updated

I updated show notes for Ep. 35 & 36. Included are pictures for all the projects I talked about and pictures of the new products coming out. There are tons more shows I need to update, but I'm getting to it. :)
www.cookscrafts.info and click on shownotes.

Todays Show is Postponed

I'm sorry but today's live show will be postponed to next week. I'm just not feeling well and don't feel I could give the show my all tonight.

I am always available if you have any craft questions or problems so please don't hesitate to contact me.

Episode 34 - Craft Helpers

Today I'd like to talk about craft helpers. Things that help us either see our crafts better or craft more comfortably.

So lets talk about the right lighting. Its very important that the area you craft in is well lit. The type of light you use will determine if your colors are true and your eyes don't get strained. Especially if your doing needlework or painting. OttLight makes a wide range of True Color lights from floor lamps with adjustable arms to clip on lights ranging in price from 49.99 to over 200.00

Now that you have the right lights, let make sure you can see well. Some of these lights come with magnifiers attached, which is really great for fine needlework and embroidery. You can also get clip on magnifiers and sheet magnifiers that help with reading patterns. Just remember that the higher the magnification the smaller the magnifier will become. The Ultimate Armchair magnifying Lamp has light, a magnifier and a clip to hold your pattern for $259.99, a bit pricy but if you craft for profit you can make this back quickly by being able to craft longer more comfortably. Another magnifier option is the MagEyes. this fits on your head like a head band and you can adjust it to see your work. This is what my grandma has been using for years to be able to see her craft work. They are relatively inexpensive at 34.99. But if you really need to see fine detail work you might want to consider OptiVisor Optical Glass Binoculars. These start around $40 and are more powerful for the really fine detail work you might do with jewlery.

Your hands are a very important thing to a crafter so you need to make sure to take good care of them. But when your crafting you don't want to use a greasy hand cream that will dirty your work. Well there are a few places that make cream just for us. Thimbleberries inc has a Hand Care Lotion thats non-greasy which moisturizes your hands, not your projects. for about $18 for a large pump. Sew help me is another brand that come in smaller travel tubes.

But sometimes your hands get tired crocheting those 20 doilies you promised and you need a little support. HandEze are fingerless gloves that support your hand and wrist while you work and are very comfortable. I don't craft with out them. From their sale sheet. “HandEze therapeutic craft gloves provide non-restrictive support for both hands and wrists. HandEze retains body heat which will help improve circulation, massages hands with four way stretch lycra and is proven to produce relief from arthritis, tendonitis, carpal tunnel syndrome and continuous motion syndrome.”

From the same company that brings us magEyes they have The Body Rite Posture Pleaser It's an ergonomic posture aid that reduces neck and upper back pain. At around $40 its a steal to help us with our postures.

Remember when you're crafting, get up, stretch. Make sure you have a comfortable chair in a well lit area. You will be crafting for a long time as long as you take care of your body.

Craft Recall alert!

Safety Recall
Quincraft's Inc.
Makit & Bakit 5 piece Jewelery Set

Each of these kits contains a metal bracelet with a clasp closure. The clasp tested positive for excessive lead content and effects all product purchased between July 1, 2007 to April 1, 2008.

Consumers should stop using these products immediately. For detailed instructions on how to receive free replacement product please call the Quincraft's Recall Hotline at 800-366-4660 8am-5pm ET Mon-Fri