I'm as surprised as anyone that I even went! It was a slow year in the shop and I'm grossly overstocked on almost everything I would buy at the show. None of my close friends (i.e. Becky) were going to be around to walk the show with me and I had honestly decided to stay home.
About a week before the show, I was asked to help out a friend and that will have to be a whole other post so, I'll skip over why I was there for now and make this about the products.
After a few lackluster product years (boy, I'm a jaded craft show producer!), this year was exceptional! I must've had my head in some strange place for a few year because I've finally heard about the Crop-o-dile. This baby punches 1/8th and 3/16th holes in just about anything and sets eyelets.
I had the great pleasure to meet Sandy Sandler and see her fabulous invention, the Bowdabra. My sister, who turns into the "Bow Queen" every holiday season would love this. It is the perfect tool for making a bow - better than the wooden dowels that I learned on by a mile! You can even make great bows from scraps of ribbon and the tool comes in two sizes.
A new glue made its debut at the show and was getting quite a bit of attention at the show but I wonder if it was only because it had a rather interesting name: Sticky Ass Glue.
One of the new product lines I fell madly in love with is the Creative Options series of crafter's luggage made by the wonderful folks at Plano Molding. The Plano folks are already experts in organization and each piece is well thought out and designed for ease of use and versatility. I'm gaga about the bead bag, the shoulder bag, and the small rolling bag (which has become my "teacher catchall" for my classes!).
And my favorite new thing ever: would you believe a kiln that works in the microwave!!????!!???! And that you can actually heat glass to fusing temperature (1500 degrees) in just three minutes!!!??? Obviously, it takes quite a while to cool off and has no real temperature control but the possibilities make my head spin!
Now, as a long time fusing instructor, I do have issues with the fact that this kiln - really just a ceramic box with a special paint inside that reacts to microwaves - doesn't really have a way to ramp down and hold the glass at the proper annealing stages. But it's not for fusing plates or large items. It will only make one large pendant or a smaller pendant with earrings in one firing. While I would never encourage anyone to sell their wares made in this kiln but for someone dabbling in fusing and just wanting to make gifts for friends, the 100 dollar price tag sure beats the cost of a small kiln!
I will be carrying these in the shop as soon as the manufacturer ships.
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5 comments:
It doesn't say how much that Crop-a-Dile is, do you know?
Janet, I think it's around 35 -40 and worth every penny! It's super strong! I actually clipped a Michael's coupon with the intention of buy one this week! That's how much I like it!
Holy Moley, Holly, this post almost makes up for the fact that I have never been to one of these shows. Thanks for all the information.
Holly: I'm so jealous. I don't think you'll be able to keep me away next year. Let's talk about some serious eating!!!!
Annie, It really can be overwhelming and it helps to have a plan!
Becky, Bring it on sister! I miss you so much!
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