Creativation by NAMTA 2023 - New Product Showcase

         The second NAMTA Creativation arts & crafts show took place in Columbus, OH at the beginning of April. I'm late posting photos this year, but this happened the day after I got home - right before Easter weekend...!!!  Meet Ladybug, my 11 week old Cockapoo. I'll be sharing more about her later, but now let's talk about the show!

        Set up day was exciting to say the least. This year it actually looked like the type of show we were used to seeing. More vendors and definitely more excitement. 

 

        Unless you've actually attended a trade show, it's hard to truly comprehend the amount of work it takes to put it all together. Not just the vendors assembling and organizing their booth, but the countless hours needed for behind the scenes planning to ensure success. 

        The show floor opened promptly at 10 a.m. and the crowds streamed in... First stop was the New Product Showcase! 

 

                                 Books at AirbrushInstitute.com        Guerrilla Painter Pocket Box           

 

Fabriano Mixed Media Pads               Paint on Wood  Abroli LLC

 

Gemini II - Crafters Companion            Holbein Water Color Palette

Unicorn Spit Metallic

Yasutomo Fusion Brushes               AdTech Pro-Strength Glue Sticks

                                Spellbinders Better Press                   Katy Sue Designs Mold & Veiners

                                       u.go Wet Panel Carriers                    Salmagundi Artist Palette

                                                                           New Wave Art

                                    Dotzies® by Diamond Dots                IWATA Media NuWorlds

                              Grafix Dura-Bright & Craft Plastic          Yasutomo Silverpoint Tools

                                 Katy Sue Designs 3D Die Cuts         Royal Talent Pantone Collection

                                        Paint Puck CollapsiBowl                 Royal Talens Paper Pads

                                   Jacquard Products Acid Dyes                  Picket Fence Studios

                                   Guerilla (Painter) Sketcher®                Pebeo Setacolor Leather

                              New da Vinci Synthetic Kolinsky                    P13 Paper Products

                                         Bob Ross Grab & Go                        Awagami Postcard Sets

                                                   Maker Pro Paints - Smooth On, Inc. Chavant, Inc

 

                                  Crafter's Companion Colorista.           Resin Rockers LED Lamp

 

                                 Arteza Skateboard Wall Art Set             Etchcom, Inc Sandcarving

                                        Pebeo Colorex Markers                        Kolinsky Synthetic

                                  Aitoh Narushima Washi Papers           IWATA Boya Unicorn Set

                                       Unicorn Spit Metallic                                   Arteza Kit

                                         Artoya Platonic solids                      IWATA HiLine TH2

                               Sizzix Scoring Board & Trimmer.          OOH Deer - Artful : Ink

 

                                Katy Sue Designs Paper Quilling            Ampersand Duo Frames

                    Alien Clay • Smooth On, Inc Chavant, Inc.         LePen Pigment  Uchida

                                          Baby Shark Dotzies                          Nicker Poster Color

                                      Karin Marker Deco Gels            AdTech Cordless Mini Glue Gun

                                      Manuscript Pen Company                Silver Brush Brush Sets

                                  Vullow by Autograph - Easel              Jacquard products Lumber

        Those are all the new products being offered this year....  

Tomorrow we'll start our walk up and down the aisles..so y'all come back.... 

For the Love of Beads!

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,

but they're now packed away and my mantel was bare...

       By the 12th day of Christmas, all decorations were boxed up and stored away leaving the house looking pretty bleak. Definitely needed to jazz it up a bit......  I love bead garlands and Valentine's Day is coming up so adding some simple "no hassle" tassels to a plain, red string of beads seemed like a good place to start... and this was quick'n EZ to do.

To make the ribbon tassels you'll need:

• Assortment of 1/4" ribbons (about 10" long)
• Red foam heart
• 2 White 3/8" beads for each tassel
• Red chenille stems
• Thin string
• Scissors
• Stylus, small knitting needle, or toothpick 

        I used about 10" of 5 different ribbons for each tassel. Gather the ribbon lengths together then fold in half. Use thin string to tie them together at the fold. Pull together as tightly as possible then knot to secure.  Push about 1/2" of one end of 1 1/2" of chenille stem under the knotted string at the top of the fold.

        Use the stylus, to poke a small in the bottom point of the heart. Thread one bead onto the chenille stem then push the stem into the bottom of the heart until the bead is firmly against it.  Make a hole in the top of the heart then insert the end of another piece of chenille stem. Thread the second bead onto the stem the bend the top of the stem into a 'U' shape. This will be the hook to hang the tassel onto the string of beads. That's it! 

        I already had some red yarn tassels, so using pieces of chenille, I added a white bead at the top of each one  to hook them onto the garland. 

        This "no hassle tassel" is really easy to make and with so many ribbons to choose from, it's the perfect decorative accent for all kinds of celebrations! Hope you enjoy them too.

Yours truly,

Julie 💝

KEEP CALM AND CARRY ON CRAFTING!

Ribbons used to make the tassels were provided by Gwen Studios and are available online at Michaels, JoAnn's and Walmart.

Look for more ribbon project inspiration on the DCC blog!