A Bookworm Creates

Admittedly there is a small sense of panic when I'm prepping for a arts and crafts show. (And I have 2 this month!) Do I have enough inventory? Too much? Is my layout ready? Do I need to do yet another practice layout? Displays. Book page roses. Tote bags. It all rolls around and around in my brain. All I really want to do is take a nap. Instead I'm checking the weather and designing polymer clay sculptures. And writing projects are knocking.  Can I really add one more story to my work in progress/idea list? Not really.  But I can check that I have enough dewey decimal necklaces.

If you've been following my instagram and FB pages (ABookwormCreates for both - links on main page) you'll notice I'm going book page craft crazy. I mean besides the book page pendants that are a staple in the ABookwormCreates etsy shop. Currently punching out confetti (perfect for the remains of the pages punched out for pendants) (found in BookwormQuotes etsy shop) and creating paper roses (not yet listed anywhere) are my current addictions. See.  Aren't they pretty.  The colored ones are printer paper sprayed with Tim Holtz Distress Spray Stain. I'd rather not continue practicing with book pages.  I lucked out with the Anne of Green Gables book page rose. So what do you need to make your own? A tutorial for starters.  There are so many on Pinterest for more than just roses.  You might want to look for one that has more than 4 roses behind her belt and I won't be insulted if you searching for one, but if you stick around I can add my b

In your head you have this amazing shirt design idea.  Or you keep looking for a shirt you love, but either can't find what you are looking for or it isn't exactly what you want.  Maybe the font is wrong or something.    And you can't help but thinking... I want to try to design and make my own shirt.  If anybody is considering making their own shirts and not using drop shippers, this post might be for you. First off you'll need the Supplies : - Shirts. Obviously.  Some places you can find blank shirts for as little as $2 (closer to $3-5 in most places, or you can get them on sale.  Joann's seems to have periods of time where you can get 3 for $9, 4 for $10, or even 5 for $10!  Hobby Lobby sells for around $4 each.  I've even seen them at Walmart for $2 (sizes and colors are extremely limited)! I can't tell you Michael's prices - the nearest store is over an hour away.   - Your preferred method of designing the shirts. Do you want to scre

As previously posted, I started making some decisions. I'm nearing my four year Etsy anniversary mark (3 year for first order) and for the past year I've been playing around with coffee mugs, tote bags, and shirts, but getting discouraged when they get lost among the jewelry that is so prevalent in the A Bookworm Creates shop. I'm proud to announce the opening of Bookworm Quotes (see the pages bar for the link to the Etsy shop.) At some point I'll also be offering them on Ebay and possibly a blog shop. Later I might expand more, but the bulk of Bookworm Quotes will shirts, tote bags, coffee mugs, and pillow cases - anything that I can think to put a book quote on! There might even be some book page flowers and book marks popping up. Among these changes, you might have noticed that my links have changed. Most of the social media accounts (mainly Twitter and Instagram) profile links refer back to here. Why? Better access to all shops - both Etsy, Ebay, a

I'm sitting here watching a forum post count down how many Etsy shops are leaving due to not accepting Etsy Payments.  (Note* PayPal only shops, not mind) It has me thinking.  I'm bound to be thinking.  For months I've been playing with the idea of t-shirts.  It's an idea that several people have approved of over social media or just outright telling me.  I have my Cricut.  I have my screen printing gear.  I have shirts, a pillow case cover, and bags.  And coffee mugs.  Watch out for some big changes.  My four year Etsy shop anniversary is coming up along with the 3 year anniversary of my first online order.  Might be time to add something else.  Alicia

Book page pendants aren't easy to make.   They seem simple, but trial-and-error has taught me a few things. First you need your supplies: Bezels Resin Mixing measuring cups and stirrers What you are putting in the bezels Scissors or punch cutters I tend to get the pre-measured resin even though I get less resin for more price.  I won't have to measure it out - just make certain I use even pressure when injecting the resin into the mixing cup. Even pre-measured things can affect how the resin hardens, or doesn't harden.  Too much of the yellow side (I'm blanking on what it's called) and the resin will not harden.  Too high humidity will impact how long it takes to set.  You also need to be in a well-ventilated room. Or outside. Step one - Prep your bezels and book pages.  This means a glue or paper sealer.  Apply the sealer to the bezel.  Position your book page in the bezel - do this now before the based se

Step 1 - Put resin in heat resistant bowl.  On occasion I have to "destroy" my resin pendants.  It could be for any reason. A book has had its copyright renewed. A pendant doesn't get enough views/sells.  It's an "oops" pendant that didn't turn out perfect or close to perfect.  Anything can happen. On this instance it's all three. But I don't have to let them sit around collecting dust, wasting renewal fees, or even - shudders - get thrown in the trash. Step Two - Pour hot water over the bezels Resin has one downside and anybody who has looked at most of my book page pendant listings on Etsy can figure it out. Hot Water. Wait? What?   Step Four - Use tweezers to remove bezel from water Step Three - Cover the Bowl (This traps in the heat) Step Five- Insert sharp object between bezel and resin Hot water can soften up the resin.  It can indent the resin.  It can even soften it up enough where I c

Practice Part One Here - > Part One - Getting Started You've been practicing your letters. You've been practicing joining those letters together. You been writing words.  But things aren't always going to go smoothly. Some tips. When you first buy your pen it might not work at first.  Especially if you are using a fountain pen. Practice Make certain the ink cartridge has been pierced.  It has? Run the nib under a slight stream of water until the water turns inky.  Start writing without drying off the tip.  You might have to repeat this process a few times. Regular Lined Paper Practice Paper  You can raise your pen to the light to see if there is ink between the tines of the nib.  If you see light, either do the water trick (if new) or just scratch away on your paper until the ink starts to flow again. It will.  I have this issue on the days I missed a practice session. Or left the pen on its side too long.

A little intimidating... I'm not going to pretend to know what I'm doing.  The last time I picked up my mother's fountain pen was in the 6th grade and I'd signed up for Calligraphy Club. They didn't have a book club at that point. Photography didn't inspire me. But being able to shape letters and words into something pretty... that interested me. I was the only leftie in a group of six.  The teacher had no clue how to help me. And, admittedly, my middle school scrawl wasn't the best.  It was painstakingly correct and clear, but when I was allowed to form my own style things improved. ...Back to the present day... Pigma Brush Pen Set We've all seen the fancy lettering on Facebook, Instagram, and other places.  That just fascinates me. So much like other endeavers - the Morse Code bracelets for example - I've spent my time (and some limited resources) in an attempt to try my hand at lettering. My first set of brus