“You’ll find goods from over 100 artisans, crafters, candy-makers, and people with a sharper sense of humor than you might expect from an L.A.-based shop. Pick up a pack of How About a Nice Big Pack of Shut the Hell Up gum. Or…”

Read the rest of this tremendous review here.

Our Call Out on Wish You Were Here is a post from: HandMadeGalleriesLABlog.com

With glue guns, glitter, twigs, or yarn, the ordinary can become extraordinary… especially at La Pachanga. Owned by Estrella “Star” Esteban’s family, the restaurant has a rep for two things: good food and great art. La Pachanga brings people together-even when it looks like they couldn’t be further apart.

“Every word in this hilarious, fun read sparkles. Kathy Cano-Murillo is certainly an author to watch. I woke up in the land of happy reading!”, Debbie Macomber, #1 New York Times bestselling author.

Order the book HERE or join her at one of her upcoming book signings:

• Tuesday, March 2nd : Good Morning Arizona, 9:15 a.m.
• Tuesday, March 2nd: Changing Hands Bookstore, 7 p.m. 6428 S McClintock Dr, Tempe, AZ 85283
• Wednesday, March 3rd: Borders Books and Music, 7 p.m. 2402 E. Camelback Road, Phoenix, AZ 85016
• Friday, March 5th: ALAC Arts Center, 147 E. Adams, Phoenix, 7 p.m.
• Saturday, March 6th: M7 Street Fair, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. 7th Avenue between Indian School and Campbell, Phoenix, http://m7streetfair.wordpress.com/
• March 13 & 14: Tucson Book Festival, Nuestras Raices Tent:
  - Saturday, March 13, 2010,Performance Stage 11:30AM-12:30PM reading from GLITTER and a short Q&A.  Craft Area 12:30-1:30 or 2PM Crafty Chica Workshop
  - Sunday, March 14, 2010, Craft Area 11-1:30PM workshop (different from workshop given on Saturday)
• Saturday, March 20: Barnes and Noble, 2 p.m. 21001 N. Tatum Blvd, Phoenix, AZ (Desert Ridge Marketplace)

The Crafty Chica’s New Book is Here! is a post from: HandMadeGalleriesLABlog.com

First, begin by tearing out the pages of your catalogs and then folding each torn page, long ways, by creasing the paper approximately ¼” from the edge and then folding it over. Continue by making another crease ¼” from the new edge and then folding it over. Proceed until you have folded your paper over enough times so that it measures ¼” in width. Its length, however, should still be the height of the original catalog.
	Once you have a number of folded strips, you can begin to create the base for your tray. To start, take one folded strip and start to roll it as you would tape measure. Once it is completed rolled into a circle (see photo), use a piece of tape to secure it into place.
I used clear packing tape (I just cut small strips ¼” in size before I started this part of the craft). To follow, take another folded strip and tape it to your rolled circle, then coil it completely around the circle and secure it into place with another piece of tape. Continue until you are happy with the size of your base of your tray. My tray base measures just under 14” in diameter (see photo).
To follow, you will want to brush a coat of tacky glue across the top and bottom of the base. This will ensure that the base remains intact. Let the base dry for at least twelve hours before adding the lip.
While the base dries, you can begin making the lip of your tray. With your remaining folded catalog pages, you will use the same technique you used to create your base to create the lip. The only difference is that you will create several small circles with your folded catalog pages rather than one large one. I used three pages for each of my circles, of which I made 27 in all.
After all your circles are completed, you will then want to brush them each with tacky glue and allow them to dry as you did the base.
	Once all your circles are dry, you can then begin to glue them to the rim of your base to form a lip. To start, coat the bottom third of one side of each circle so to adhere each circle to the rim of the base.
You will also want to place a dab of glue to the edges of each circle so that they will stick to each other and remain in alignment. In addition to using tacky glue, you will want to go over your finished project with super glue to ensure its overall durability.
After you have glued all your circles completely around the base’s rim and finished up with super glue, let your project dry overnight and then coat it with polyurethane, as many times as desired, depending on the level of shine you desire. Let dry and enjoy!

For more information about Anise Stevens and her work, please visit http://www.anisemouette.com.

Reuse Your Magazines & Catalogs to Create a Circular Tray is a post from: HandMadeGalleriesLABlog.com

Materials needed: Two colors felt (single sheets run for about 25 cents at your local craft store); one safety pin, and a needle and thread (if you don’t sew, you can simply use some super glue to assemble your flower).

First, cut out your petals and center circle (as shown in Figure 1).
	Second, stack the circular cutout atop the two petal cutouts (as shown in Figure 2) and adjust the cutouts to your liking.
Third, sew the three pieces together, using the blanket stitch around the edge of the center circle (see Figure 3). Fourth, use a safety pin to attach your finished flower to your chosen piece of clothing and enjoy your new look.
Fourth, use a safety pin to attach your finished flower to your chosen piece of clothing and enjoy your new look.

For more information about Anise Stevens and her work, please visit http://www.anisemouette.com.

Creating Fun Felt Flowers with Anise Stevens is a post from: HandMadeGalleriesLABlog.com

Where: Handmade Galleries
When: March 14, 2010
Time: 1-6pm
Cost: $65 teacher fee (includes some supplies)
Expertise Level: Beginning

Class Description:

A swath of fabric from a treasured garment, a petal from your wedding bouquet, a marble from your grandfather… these are treasures that are unique to you and will become forever preserved in this special class.

We will explore various techniques to encapsulate and preserve your precious treasures by learning to cut glass and solder it into charms and explore uncommon objects like miniature viles, dice, dominos, small china or bisque items (old doll arms etc), small pieces of a plate you couldn’t throw out… you get the picture.  This is a process-based class, great for beginners or those who want to hone their soldering skills. Bring in a box of your favorite treasures and we’ll see if we can make them into charms to begin your very own treasure necklace!

Robin will supply:
Glass, flat back marbles, extra copper tape, glass grinder, images, flux remover, sal amoniac., pliers, jump rings, wire, clothes pins, and other expendables.

Materials List:
Basic soldering kits can be purchased through http://volcanoarts.biz.   Local stained glass stores usually have most, if not all, supplies listed.  If not, they can usually order.

• Hakko 455 soldering iron  with stand (my personal favorite) OR a Weller soldering iron with stand.  Ask for a self-regulating iron, otherwise you will need to buy a rheostat to regulate the heat.
• Sponge
• Lead free solder
• Gel flux
• Pistol grip glass cutter with oil, (oil is purchased separately)
• 1/4 inch copper tape
• Flux brush
• Rubber tipped running pliers (glass breaking pliers)
• Flux remover (optional)
• Bone folder
• Metal cork backed ruler
• Black sharpie marker, thin
• Xeroxed or copyright free images to use for your charms, no bigger than a microscope slide or 2 x 2.  Do not bring real photos, only copies.  Real photos would be ruined. Pressed flowers are okay too.
• Small cutting mat
• Scissors and xacto knife
• Safety glasses
• Tweezers
• Jewelry pliers

Other Items to bring for your treasure necklace:

A chain for your charms, a small box of your own treasures (dice, wood game pieces, small pieces of fabric, velvet trim or lace bits, small glass vile and 2 or 3 tiny things to put into it, dominos, etc.) Photographs should be xeroxed (do not use real photos) and reduced to no larger than 2in. x 2in. to  fit into a small charm.  For reasons of space, please limit your supplies to only what you need and LOVE!   See the example above for ideas or visit Robin’s blog at robindudleyhowes.blogspot.com.  You may also email Robin at robin@powerline6.com.

Create a Treasure Necklace and Soldered Glass Charms is a post from: HandMadeGalleriesLABlog.com