I lost my glue gun.  Don’t ask me how; I don’t know how anyone could lose a glue gun.  But I did.  I am suspicious my son may have disposed of it for me - being afflicted with rather severe autism he is prone to rearranging my things, and sometimes throwing things out he does not feel are necessary.  At any rate, I am in the market for a new one.  I happened to see an ad on this blog about a glue gun and I decided to go take a look at it.  I am impressed and am considering purchasing this one.  When I tell you about it, you might want to take a look for yourself.  A good glue gun can make all the difference in crafts, and certainly in home maintenance as well.

What attracted me to this glue gun was the portability factor.  I have had “cordless” glue guns in the past - they have stayed warm for all of a minute, if that.  And if I have a cord, it seems it knocks everything off the table with the efficiency of a Labrador’s wagging tail.  I find that frustrating when I am working with small and intricate craft parts.  I also get really annoyed when the cord pulls the glue gun to the floor and I wish I had never started the entire project.  A truly cordless glue gun could reduce my irritability factor about 10 points.

It is advertised as ergonomic, having soft grips, and an anti-drip feature.  But what I think is really neat is that this glue gun has a blog!  There are many more things we can do with glue guns than we use them for typically.  This blog provided some inspiration and ideas to use this tool to its fullest extent.  And being a blog, we can be sure more ideas will be forthcoming.

Take a look.  I think you will like it.  Maybe the “loss” of my glue gun isn’t so bad.  This one is reasonably priced and it appears to be a lot more useful.

Click on the link at the top or here

Cold Heat Freestyle Glue Gun

Cold Heat Glue Gun Blog

One person’s junk is another person’s treasure.  At least, that is what the old saying is.  Considering the success of garage sales, I would have to agree.  What I really like though is when discarded items from one person become crafts and works of arts of another.  I particularly liked, being on the computer as much as I am, the idea of jewelry being made out of computer parts.  We all end up with bits and pieces of hardware that we can’t use; something fails and is replaced, so do you just throw that piece of “useless” equipment away?  Maybe you should reconsider what you could do with it.

Bonnie Meltzer is an artist that has taken discarded computer hardware and turned it into some of the most intriguing jewelry you will find.  She creates pins by using the bits and pieces of computers and then embellishes them.  Each piece is one-of-a-kind.  The faces are incredible.  I would not have thought such expression could be achieved using this technique but she has done it and she has done it well.  I debated for awhile before I decided on which photo to post because I like them all, but this particular one had a look of surprise (dare I say “shock” when it has to do with computer parts?) on its face, and that appealed to me.  I see these pieces as a great way to show your emotions of the day to the outside world.  I can guarantee you that while you are wearing one, you are going to have people asking about it - these are completely unique and just a lot of fun.

Meltzer also makes necklaces and wall art.  The photo at the top is one of her pieces of art.  It measures 24″ X 64″ X 7″.  Wouldn’t that just be perfect in a contemporary office setting?  I believe her style adapts well to a contemporary, yet softened feminine look, for the office and career woman.  I know I would love to have that piece hanging near my desk.  I decorate in contemporary lines and styles and I am totally smitten with Meltzer’s style.

Take a look at her Web site.  I know you will enjoy the photographs.  Exhibition information is also available.  And whatever you do, don’t miss her Portrait Series.  I have the link provided below.  It is very unique - I couldn’t leave you without being sure you took at look at it.  I know that once you spend a few minutes at this site, Bonnie Meltzer will have a new fan; it is impossible to see her work and not become an admirer.

Bonnie Meltzer- Very Mixed Media Constructions

Bonnie Meltzer - Pins

Bonnie Meltzer’s Portrait Series 

Do you have a group of little faces looking up at you waiting for you to come up with something to do?  Or maybe, it is a group of little faces that you need to be just a bit quieter on a hot summer afternoon.  How about a Vacation Bible School class?  Whatever the reason, most parents have a need for crafts that are good for kids to do in the summer.  A selection of kid’s crafts to choose from that is inexpensive, safe, and easy is what you need.

Nicole Crafts is not just another craft site. It is personalized to you.  It takes about three minutes to sign up and the membership is free.  The information they collect is minimal and confidential.  Once you sign up, you have access to areas such as “My Projects,” “My Craft Box, and other useful information to increase your productivity within the site.  You may be entertaining or teaching children, but you still have a busy life; these features they provide to members are most helpful.

You start by doing searches on the projects you would be interested in - “My Projects,” is an area that presents potential crafts you may be interested in.  You can search seasonally, by a particular material, or any keyword.  I did a search on wood and found a really cute coat hanger on a plaid airplane.  I also found a windchime in another search and an easy God’s Eye easy enough for a kid.  I then marked to add them to “My Craft Box.” 

Clicking on the “My Craft Box,” now has the three crafts I have selected.  It shows the date I added the craft to my list, the difficulty level (these are all beginner ones so they would be great for Vacation Bible School) and about how long each project will take to complete.  By clicking on the photo, I then get full detailed instructions, a list of necessary materials (including a photo so I am sure to buy the right thing) and a list of supplies I will need.

Each project has a printer friendly page, an email link if I wished to send a copy to each parent (perfect for a classroom situation), and a store locator so I can find all the goodies I need for this craft.  There is also a forum to talk about crafts with others and a contact page so you can email for further information from Nicole Crafts.

This is a great site.  Were I grading it, they would definitely get an A+.  I think of all the times I have attempted to put together crafts for kids (pre-Internet) and what a fiasco it always was - this is a answer for busy parents and the kids are going to love the projects you come up with!

Nicolecrafts - Crafts For Kids

Crocheters know her as The Sweater Babe.  Her real name is Katherine Lee and she has a book out that is a must-own for every crocheter.  Why is this book different than so many?  It’s modern, and stylish and it isn’t the heavy clunky crochet apparel that has been so common over the years.  Fabulous and Flirty Crochet is hip and young and shows just what you can do with crochet.  Crochet isn’t just for doilies any more!

The common complaint of crocheters, and rightfully so in the past, is that crocheted garments were matronly and very bulky.  They looked homemade instead of handmade, which is the curse of death on a garment.  Perhaps crochet had a natural evolution it had to progress through; all I know is that it is a craft that is finally coming into its own, and it is because of books like this, and designers like Katherine Lee, that crochet is gaining a new respect.

The book contains 20 projects.  The first section of the book presents the finished garments in a fashion magazine layout that clearly shows the piece without hidden areas that make the crocheter wonder what the designer is trying to hide.  These photographs will show you exactly what the design lines of your pattern are - no surprises as you are crocheting, which every hand stitcher will appreciate.  The second section of the book has the detailed instructions that you should have no trouble following. 

There is a section in the book that explains the yarn weights that are used.  As yarn weights are now standardized within the industry, it will be easy to substitute yarns if you choose to use a different one or can’t locate the one used in the photograph.  It is nice to also have some space dedicated in this book to crocheting and gauge; gauge instructions are almost always written for the knitter.  This explains how to use gauge in crochet.

There is a table of abbreviations and symbols which is most helpful if you don’t have them all memorized.  The book is spiral bound but the cover lays over the spiral so it won’t tangle in your yarn.  It is large enough to be able to read comfortably but should still fit inside most yarn totes.

The patterns are all wonderful.  I really didn’t find any I didn’t like.  For the plus-size lady, it will be easy to increase the size if necessary, which makes it the only downside of this book.  The price is reasonable and it is a book you will use time and time again.  I know Fabulous and Flirty Crochet is a definite keeper for any crocheter who would like to ramp their crocheting up a notch.

Buy Fabulous and Flirty Crochet Here

Sweater Babe Online