Craft packs are now available as part of the studio clearance!

Studio clearance going on.  Really!


 It's been fun coordinating all these things and making extra die cuts to supplement, as well as cutting out pop-up bases for step cards or whatever anyone would care to use them for.  However, the biggest problem I can see (these are heavy-duty boxes, about 9x12x2) is the shipping cost.  eBay really encourages free shipping but I don't quite know how to price them reasonably and offer shipping too.  I'll figure it out.

The browns and all their accompaniments are my favorites.

Because I have the parchment craft supplies site, and now the studio clearance, I have been trying to tie it all together so that once I have all this put up, I'll have time to PLAY!  I want to get back to painting, and collaging, and have some female heads in foam that I found at JoAnn's that I am anxious to play with.

I also have created some 5x7 bullet journals to include with the craft packs, just for the last six months of the year to introduce people to the idea of bullet journals.  I love using mine, and I really do need a way to look at the month as a whole when remembering all the commitments I have -- including what day my mini-Aussie gets her heartworm meds.  Anyway, I am taking more photos of the craft packs later today.  That is, after I finish hassling with the eBay store inputs.

Do you also set up self-imposed deadlines?  I'm really bad about that!  Balance -- time to play -- is essential.

Four Free Parchment Craft Patterns for Beginners

At ParchmentCraftUSA.com I have uploaded a pdf of a few simple designs for beginners (like me.)

Since I discovered this craft last spring, I started the web store with minimal inventory, and I think the beginner kits are the very best thing going.  I've just ordered more, because I really would like to see more US parchers (which is what we are called in the UK.)  Most of the templates are sized a bit differently than we American cardmakers use, but you can easily make your own envelopes to fit.
Or, as I have done, adapt the size to A2.

I carry only PCA materials, and can order anything to add to someone's order or to my inventory if it becomes a popular item.  I'm not looking to stock a warehouse, just enough to get us all supplied with the necessities.

This beginner kit teaches you how to use templates, as well as parchment

 and the basic small embossing tool.  

Like other mixed media enthusiasts, I already had a few embossing tools for metal or clay, and I find those work too.  (You have to start with something!)  But as I follow the parchment artists from around the world, I am amazed at what they can do with the proper tools.  So, I do have a few shaped perforating tools and different sizes of the embossing tools as well.

Please tell all the papercrafters and cardmakers you know in the US to join me in learning this new craft.  It is really gorgeous.  Visit what I have at ParchmentCraftUSA.com and let me know what you think.

How to keep your pens from drying out

You know how those white gel pens dry out so fast, right?  And how when you have a favorite ballpoint pen and the cap gets lost, the pen dries out sooner than you'd like?

Well!  I just found a second use for the great tool caps I sell on ParchmentCraftUSA.com!  Last night I was working with a white pen, tracing a design, and misplaced the cap.  I realized then and there, that my extra tool caps could serve more than one purpose. 

Just thought I'd pass that along!

Parchment Craft USA

Two simple parchment designs for a beginner

 This card is from Linda Williams book on beginning parchment craft.  I mounted it on a light blue cardstock after coloring the back with Prismacolor pencils.

This card is from a PCA Christmas template and I painted the back with red Pan Pastel.  Pan Pastels blend nicely on parchment, but this time I used only the one color.  Then I decorated my tree with gemstones.  I plan to do future trees with additional colors, and some rhinestones.  You could certainly use pearls too.  Also, in parchment craft, you can get really creative with additional background patterns, cutouts etc.  I didn't want to detract from the tree itself on this one, since I tend to be rather simple!

I'm making many others this week, which I will post as they are complete.  One thing to remember when learning this craft is not to hesitate to throw away your mistakes!  It's why you need to have plenty of parchment on hand.  Get it here in the US from me -- it's why I carry it.

It's October -- and we're shipping!

My recent networking since the birth of Parchment Craft USA has connected me with some tutors (unfortunately not near by) so I'm basically still on my own, learning this craft!  But at least now I have the inventory for other beginners.  So come by the site and see what you need to get going on this addictive zen-type craft!

My own creations are definitely those of a newbie.  Don't be critical.  I'm getting there!

I much prefer white work.  Adding backgrounds is next.

Yes, it's time for Christmas art.  These two were framed with die-cut pieces left over from scrapbooking.

This one is my favorite.  The paper is actually kraft color with gold spots... but here the scanner shows you only one.

This one was colored with oil pastels.  Not sure I like it.  I prefer Prismacolor pencils.