Randam Art Random Blog

Buying Art and Craft Supplies

noreply@blogger.com (Miranda) — Tue, 22 Jan 2013 08:18:00 +0000

I don't know about you, but I get all giggly and excited at the thought of obtaining more art and craft supplies. I never fail to be delighted by the idea of acquiring new paints, brushes, papers, modeling clay, beads, oh the list just goes on and on. The problem is often where to get my hands on these goodies. Where I live we have a couple of, what I could call, 'hobby stores' or 'DIY hobby craft stores'. They sell the basics, but they are more focused on children's art projects or on people who want to make something that they will use for a seasonal decoration, not necessarily an enduring piece of quality art.

That is not to say that I do not shop at the local hobby craft stores, because I do. However, shopping to indulge ones creative side should be done without suffering bright, blinding fluorescent lights, without having to go down every aisles to find something to substitute for what you actually wanted (because the store does not carry what you actually need), and without being ignored when you walk in the door or without having to flag down help. Of course, asking for help around here is an effort in futility as there is nobody employed at these stores who have any idea what product knowledge is, or why it is important.
I grew up working in an art and craft supply store and there wasn't a product in the store I could not talk about with a customer, in depth. All a customer had to do was come in and tell me what they wanted to achieve and I could tell them the products they needed to achieve their vision. Product Knowledge! I knew the products we sold. I used them, I read about them, I understood them. I also knew where in the store they were located. This allowed me to actually assist customers. Nowadays, in the local big-box stores near where I live, they might offer classes on a limited number of projects, but they know very little about any of the products they sell beyond what is scripted, and finding anyone who can tell you anything about the new paint line they have on the shelf - is basically impossible. In fact, I have witnessed store assistants giving customers completely the wrong information about the properties of a product. I have on several occasions offered fellow customers information on products, before they purchased something that simply was not going to do what they wanted it to.

Like many artistically curious people, I am always interested when I see a new product line, especially paint, but as there is no information at the store, and no associate with any product knowledge, I have to come home and research the qualities of that product anyway. At that point, why would I want to go back to the store? There is simply nowhere here I can get all my art and craft supply needs met. It can be very frustrating not to have at my disposal a well stocked art and craft supply store that caters to a wider range of art and craft than the local hobby type stores.

So, what do I do? By the power of the Internet, I can get my hands on anything I need, without suffering the blinding lights, without dealing with the rude cashiers, without the frustration of being made to feel like you are interrupting something when you try to check out at the cashiers desk.

I shop online!

One place I particularly like is Amazon. I have had only one "less than stellar" experience shopping with Amazon and that was not Amazon's fault by any means. The item was shipped quickly, but the post office lost it. Amazon, however, resolved the issue quickly and replaced the lost order. "Ala peanut-butter sandwiches" - like magic. No harm, no foul and hardly any delay from the original ship date.

What I like about shopping for art and craft supplies on Amazon is the incredible variety that they have on offer. Add to that the fact that many items offer free shipping, an easy return system if you do happen to need to return something, great customer service and really good prices and it is a much more enjoyable experience than the local stores!

I also like the "Your Amazon" feature where they suggest items to you, as well as the "Customers Who Bought Items in Your Recent History Also Bought..." suggestion feature. I have discovered many interesting finds using both of these methods.

My 'wish lists' are always full of goodies and the best thing about that is, you can easily keep track of what you want, and also see if the price has gone up or down since you added it to your list. I have snagged a few great items on sale because they happen to be in my wish list and I noticed the sale price. Wish lists also help you easily find things you wish to order frequently and you can publish your wish list to your friends - no more guessing what to get you for your birthday!

Amazon's Arts, Crafts & Sewing Store showcases hundreds of craft supplies and essentials for jewelry-making, sewing, knitting and crochet, scrapbooking, and more. The Arts, Crafts & Sewing Store also features art supplies for drawing and painting, including boards and canvas, paper, cutting tools, pencils, pastels, inks, paint, brushes, and painting kits. In the beading and jewelry-making section you'll find beading kits, tools, wire, charms, and findings.

Then there are the reviews. Unlike in the local stores where you can't find anyone who possesses the least amount of product knowledge on the products in their store, at Amazon you can read the product reviews of other people who have used the same products. I love product reviews, they really help me make up my mind about an item if I am undecided about purchasing.

All in all, online shopping for your art and craft supplies is a really good alternative if you do not have a great supply store near you.

And don't forget the fun you have when that package arrives on your doorstep!

So go, get creative!

Until next time...

Below are some of the items I have either purchased myself, or are on a wish list! Check it out, even just 'window shopping' for art supplies is fun!!!

Amazon.com Widgets

Spotlight on Mixed Media Art by Chelle - Paintin’ Divas

noreply@blogger.com (Miranda) — Tue, 18 Sep 2012 07:55:00 +0000

If you were fortunate enough to attend the Mississippi Craft Show last month, you would have been treated to the visual delights of Mixed Media Art by Chelle - Paintin’ Divas. Mississippi Artist Michelle Ray Goolsby is originally from Jackson, Mississippi and now lives in Tupelo, Mississippi.

Michelle is a self taught Mixed Media Artist born into a creative and artistic family, she has been creating art in various forms for as long as she can remember. Michelle employs various mediums and techniques in her work and says that her favorite forms of expression are collage, paper paintings, and torn paper art.

Michelle has enjoyed painting on and off for many years, but after loosing her best friend to breast cancer, she re-dedicated herself to painting, and the sale of her art, in honor of the memory of her friend. Michelle often honors her friend in her work visually by the inclusion of wings, butterflies, birds, best friend sayings, and the like.
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More on Craft Show Etiquette

noreply@blogger.com (Miranda) — Tue, 21 Aug 2012 08:27:00 +0000

Many things go into a profitable craft show experience and not all of them are dependent on the show promoter or customers. The atmosphere created by establishing a friendly working relationship with your fellow exhibitors, and by maintaining a positive outlook, go a long way toward creating an inviting and happy booth where your customer enjoys staying long enough to buy! Here are some tips for proper etiquette at a craft show.

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Craft Show Planning and Packing Checklist!

noreply@blogger.com (Miranda) — Mon, 20 Aug 2012 05:49:00 +0000

So, you're getting ready to attend a craft show and you're thinking about what you have to pack. It can be a daunting task and the last thing you want to do is get to the show and remember some key element to your booth set up that you have forgotten. It might seem obvious, but a check list can really save you a lot of trouble and heartache.

This following list should not be considered exhaustive and many things are optional. It should, however, give you a good starting point to create a checklist of your own.
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Craft Show Do's and Don'ts

noreply@blogger.com (Miranda) — Mon, 13 Aug 2012 08:24:00 +0000

DO NOT - Crowd your customers. Be sure to allow customers to browse unencumbered, but make it known you are ready to answer any questions or assist them in any way. Be pleasant, not pushy.

DO - Take the time to see what else is at the show. That way when a customer asks you "do you know if anyone here is selling widgets" you will be able to tell them that you saw where someone in the next aisle over was selling widgets. Be helpful to your customers, even if that means you are sending them to another booth. You never know when a customer in the widget booth is looking for your wares - and someone just told them where to find you!
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Your First Craft Show? Don't Panic!

noreply@blogger.com (Miranda) — Sat, 04 Aug 2012 18:03:00 +0000

Sew Pink & Blue - by Emily Thomas. A great booth display!

There is a wealth of helpful information available to get you looking like a craft show pro in no time!

If you're about to attend your first craft show as an exhibitor, understandably you might be feeling excitement mixed with some nervousness. You will certainly enjoy your first craft show more if you are well prepared. Here is some valuable information that will help you have a great first show.

Tips and Hints

Creating a mock up of your booth at home is a great way to test your booth display and plan ahead. When attending your first show, it is VITAL that you do a test run before the show to be certain everything you envision will work as you intended. Be prepared for it not to work the way you planned it in your mind - it probably won't. That is why you should test it out! Even if it does fit the way you thought it would, you may figure out a better way to do things just by experiencing the set up. There is always room for improvement. You will also get an idea of how long it will take you to set up your booth, and it gives you the opportunity to resolve any issues or make changes. The first time you set up your display should NOT be at the show.
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Craft Show Etiquette

noreply@blogger.com (Keith) — Sat, 28 Jul 2012 04:35:00 +0000

Craft show Etiquette: The DOs and DON'Ts

My wife recently went to a show as a vendor, and one of the other vendors acted very unprofessionally. The other vendor did everything they could to make sure my wife didn’t make any sales. They jumped up and down on the floor to shake their booth and make their wares make noise. They stood in the entrance of my wife’s booth and forced customers to walk around and away from my wife’s booth. When customers did come in to shop, the other vendor actually tried to physically pull the customer to their booth. This was not that particular vendor’s first show, and the behavior was completely unacceptable (and this doesn’t cover half of what went on).
It was because of this experience, I thought I would share a few DOs and DON’Ts for what should be proper behavior at a craft show.

Be Friendly, Courteous, and Polite - You are a professional and you should act as such..
Be Helpful - Help your fellow vendor if they need you to watch their booth for a bathroom or food break. You should cheerfully try and help keep customers in your neighbor’s booth until they return.
Dress Appropriately - Dress casual but neat. If you don't make the effort to dress appropriately, your customers will think you craft is just thrown together as well.
Setup On Time - Make sure to have your booth completely setup before the opening of the show. It is unprofessional to still be unpacking and setting up after the doors have been opened to the public.
Be clear about your boundaries - Only use the space you have paid for. Make sure your display and products don't overflow into your neighbors space.
Stay until the end - Packing up early sends a negative message that customers should stop shopping and leave.
Use free time wisely - Get to know your fellow vendors, but be respectful of their time. If a customer stops in, excuse yourself immediately.
Promote - Advertise and let everyone know about the show. The more customers that know about the show and come by, the more successful that show is for everyone.
Don’t bring a product that was not approved for the show. Bringing an unapproved product to a juried show is a good way to be asked to leave.
Don't phone the organizers repeatedly with questions. Save them all up and make one call or email. Better yet - read your show material - chances are the answers are there! The organizers are dealing with a lot of other vendors and if they all called three or four times, it amounts to a lot of time on the phone! Wouldn't you rather have your show organizer spending their time promoting the show to improve your sales? This doesn’t mean don’t ask questions. By all means, if you don’t understand something, or you need help, ask for assistance. Just try to ask as many of your questions as you can at one time. Remember to look for FAQ's and other provided information first, to see if your questions have already been answered.
Don’t complain to/about other vendors - Customers overhear these complaints and get a negative image of the show. If they share that negative image with others, fewer customers come through the door, and you could potentially miss out on sales.
Don’t steal customers - Always act professionally. It is okay to try and attract customers, but not at the expense of keeping them from your fellow vendors.

Most importantly, Have Fun! Craft shows are an opportunity to find out what people like about your products. It also gives you a chance to see what other crafters are doing. Who knows, you might even be inspired for your next great project.

Gobza - Gobs of potential opportunity?

noreply@blogger.com (Miranda) — Fri, 06 Jul 2012 15:27:00 +0000

It's new and by invitation only. Looks promising! Check it out.

So, there's this new website, called Gobza and according to the company This site "allows businesses large and small to post GobzaOffers 24/7/365. You control the deal. It’s free advertising! There are no limitations, no minimum requirements... You create as many deals as you want, when you want, as many times as you want."

They go on to explain how this benefits shoppers, too. Shoppers can search through offers for whatever they want - globally.

It costs nothing to join, but it is by invitation only. What sounds great about it to me is the opportunity for any business to post offers. This would be a very valuable tool for small business, especially handmade businesses trying to make it online. Even more exciting is the fact that nonprofit organizations and charities can benefit by effortless fundraising.
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Happy Valentine's Day

noreply@blogger.com (Miranda) — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 08:11:00 +0000

Just for fun, on Valentine's day, I decided to post some funky and rather different Valentine related handcrafted items.

Infinite Mystery

Infinite Mystery. Heart Silver Pendant Silver Spider in a Web Encased in Resin

Five Glass Sculptures

noreply@blogger.com (Keith) — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 07:35:00 +0000

Glass has been used as an art medium for over 3500 years. Glass beads and amulets have been found that were made as far back as 2500 BCE. It is very amazing that just a few basic ingredients, such as sand, ashes, and lime, can be used to make this wonderfully beautiful and versatile material. Here are five pieces of glass art to celebrate the art of glass.

Getting to know Blue - Symbolism and Personality of Color

noreply@blogger.com (Miranda) — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 17:25:00 +0000

Blue on Blue by Randam Art.

There have been many studies focused on color and its impact on our daily lives. There is no argument that color can influence our emotions, but our reaction to color is not always conscious. Color can not only affect how we feel, but when used in art it can also portray an expression of feelings and emotions within our work.

I would like to introduce you to my own favorite color, based on research, historical significance, and word association studies, this information should give you some insight into the generally accepted color associations and how we typically react to the color blue.

How To Make Christmas Crackers (BonBons)

noreply@blogger.com (Miranda) — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 21:22:00 +0000

Christmas crackers, or bon-bons, as they are also known, have long been a part of Christmas tradition in the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth countries. Growing up in Australia Christmas Crackers have always been a part of Christmas. Of course, like many things, the commercially produced crackers became more expensive over the years while the contents seemed to decrease each year.

I started to make my own crackers when I was about 12 and it became a bit of a tradition with my own family and friends for me to do so. People preferred my hand made crackers to the commercially available variety. The demand was such that for several years I used to make and sell them.

They are easy to make, and can be as fancy or as simple as you wish. The only limit is your own imagination. Use them just for fun or to wrap up small gifts. Or use them as a place card for a dinner party by adding individual names to each cracker.

Let me show you the basic quick and easy way to make them. Once you have the basics, you can modify your crackers any way you like!
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Christmas: A time for carols, presents, good food… and high symbolism!

noreply@blogger.com (Miranda) — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 16:48:00 +0000

Christmas Crackers (see below post for more info)

The very word Christmas is rife with symbolic depth. ‘Christ’ itself is not, as many perhaps believe, part of Jesus’s name, but is rather a title given to him. It derives from the Greek ‘khristos’, meaning ‘anointed one’, and this word was used to translate the Hebrew word for messiah into the Greek language version of the Bible. The ‘mas’ is more obvious and simply means ‘mass’ – when we celebrate Christmas then, we are celebrating the mass of the messiah!

Not many of us really think of Christmas in these terms any more; the traditional, Christian meanings and symbols often make way for an international holiday where we exchange gifts, eat food and drink well.
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Leather as a canvas - Five carved/burned leather art

noreply@blogger.com (Keith) — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 06:30:00 +0000

It is absolutely amazing to me the art that can be created on a leather canvas, be it carving, embossing or burning. Each of these techniques can be used to create some wonderfully stunning artwork. Here are five pieces of leather art that I find to be very impressive for this week's Five on Friday!

Art Up-cycled. Sculptures made from recycled materials

noreply@blogger.com (Miranda) — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 16:59:00 +0000

Recycling is a very creative art requiring imagination and skill. Today's Five on Friday looks at up-cycled art sculpture. In honor of one of our beloved furry friends we had to say goodbye to this week, are all the sculptures I have selected today are animals. Take a look at these amazing art sculptures all made with recycled materials.

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Five Spooktacular Halloween Crafts - Five on Friday

noreply@blogger.com (Miranda) — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 07:50:00 +0000

Halloween (or Hallowe'en) is observed on October 31. Activities such as trick-or-treating, attending costume parties, carving jack-o'-lanterns, bonfires, watching horror movies, and telling scary stories are commonly associated with Halloween.

Historically Halloween is linked to the Celtic festival of Samhain, whose original spelling was Samuin (pronounced sow-an or sow-in). The name of the festival historically by the Celts in the British Isles is derived from Old Irish and means "summer's end".

The word Halloween was first used in the 16th century and represents a Scottish variant of All-Hallows-Eve ("evening"), that is, the night before All Hallows Day.

Here are 5 Halloween crafts for this week's five on Friday!
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The Sound of White - Meaning and Symbolism of the Color White

noreply@blogger.com (Miranda) — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 05:20:00 +0000

First of all, is white considered a color?

Well, that will depend on whom you ask. If you ask a scientist, you will likely be told that while black is the absence of light or color, white is considered to be the presence of all colors. However, if you were to ask an artist, you may be told the reverse: white is the absence of color, black is all colors.

Regardless of the debate between science and art, white is often thought to symbolize purity, cleanliness, neutrality and innocence. Culturally, in most Western countries, white is the color commonly chosen for bridal gowns. In the East, it's the color for mourning and funerals. White is often associated with hospitals, doctors, nurses, and dentists. Angels are typically depicted as wearing white. In many cultures white represents openness and truth. White has an inherent cold quality.
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Five Beautiful Carved Burl Wood

noreply@blogger.com (Keith) — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 05:30:00 +0000

Five on Friday today is...Burl wood!

Burl wood is a type of fast growing, abnormal growth found on some trees. Burl wood grows because the tree has experienced some sort of environmental stress or damage. This is often caused by either a fungal attack or an attack by insects. In order to celebrate this wonderfully beautiful and unique wood here are 5 things made from burl wood for Five on Friday.

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Five of the Biggest and Best Craft Fairs in the World

noreply@blogger.com (Miranda) — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 19:01:00 +0000

It's Five on Friday .. this week, let's look at some of the biggest and best craft fairs in the world.
Have you been to any of these? Plan to attend? Leave us comments and let us know!!

If you don't see the links, look for the 'Read More' link....

See You Tomorrow - at the Canton Market!

noreply@blogger.com (Miranda) — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 17:55:00 +0000

"With a lilt of Irish laughter." OOAK Pendant.

We've been so busy this week making final preparations for the Canton Market that there simply has been no time for writing a blog post. (Well, at least not one that would have been worth reading. I'd probably have started adding to my list of things to do in the middle of it!). So, this message, while technically it is a blog post, it's not really our usual type of blog entry - as you would have realized.

If you're in the Jackson, MS area we hope you will come and see us at the Canton Market tomorrow (Thursday, Oct 13, 2011) in Canton, MS. Our booth is #26 located at the Old Jail Museum grounds on East Fulton Street. We are on the East side, facing the cemetery.
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Five Interesting and Unusual Hand Crafted Leather Items - it's Five on Friday!

noreply@blogger.com (Miranda) — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 05:02:00 +0000

Leather has been used by man for centuries. Pieces of leather dating from 1300 B.C. have been found in Egypt. Primitive societies in Europe, Asia and North America all developed methods and use of leather goods independently of one another. The Greeks were using leather garments as far back as about 1200 B.C., and the use of leather later spread throughout the Roman Empire. In Middle Ages, the Chinese also were using leather. The Indians of North America had developed skills in working with leather before the coming of the white man. I'm sure you are used to seeing many items created with leather. Quite common are clothes, shoes, bags, belts and the like. Today's Five on Friday shows you five interesting and unusual hand crafted leather items.

If you don't see the information below, look for the "Read More" link!

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Methods for Polishing Jewelry

noreply@blogger.com (Keith) — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 04:50:00 +0000

If you have worked with, or own, metal jewelry for any length of time, you will eventually need to restore the shine it had when it was new. I will be providing just a few methods for helping to restore that wonderful shine.

Five on Friday - Interesting Facts about 5 Famous Artists

noreply@blogger.com (Miranda) — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 18:13:00 +0000

Today's Five on Friday offers some interesting facts about five famous artists, which include a few of my favorites. Leonardo da Vinci, Michaelangelo and Vincent van Gogh. There's also a little (easy) quiz at the end, just for fun!

If you don't see the information below, look for the "Read More link!

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Green, With Envy! Exploring the Meaning & Symbolism of the Color Green.

noreply@blogger.com (Miranda) — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 06:54:00 +0000

Green, as I am sure you already know, is a color. It lies between 520 - 565 nanometers (nm) on the The Visible Light Spectrum. Our eyes are sensitive to light which lies in a relatively small region of the visible light spectrum. This visible light corresponds to a wavelength range between 400 - 700 nm, this is a color range of violet through red.

Have you met my friend, Roy G Biv?
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It's Five on Friday - Five Crafty Coupons!

noreply@blogger.com (Miranda) — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 16:48:00 +0000

It's crafty coupon time. For this weeks Five on Friday we're offering you the following discount coupons for five etsy stores. Here's your chance to aquire some Jewelry, Wine Charms, Fabric bags, Reed diffusers, or other great hand made items. It's Friday, so why not go shopping? Remember to share the love - get some for yourself, get some for a friend.

If you don't see the links and the coupon codes, look for the "read more" link below.

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