Craft Classes at Craft Happy (...say that three times fast!)

Hello fellow crafters!

Wow, December already! I'm still trying to adjust my stomach from Thanksgiving-gorging, and here it is, counting down to Christmas. If December has caught you by surprise as well, you may be close to melt-down status when thinking about gifts and shopping. Never fear, Craft Happy is here!

Our mantra is, 'Why Buy it when you can Make it?' Yes, You! Handmade gifts mean so much more to the person receiving them, and I bet they'll use it year after year, rather than dump it into a donation pile once the newness-novelty has worn off.

With that in mind, I wanted to highlight just a few of our craft classes we are offering for December. The great thing about all the craft classes we offer at Craft Happy is, class size is limited, from 5-8 people, so you never have to worry about falling behind or not understanding- we're here for you, every step of the way! And you leave with a finished product, I promise- Ready to give as a gift (we even have gift wrap!), or to keep for yourself (shh, don't tell anyone!).

* Knitting Class- Have you ever thought about making a scarf? It seems intimidating, what with those needles and all, I know, but don't worry, we've got you covered! Our knitting classes are limited to only 5 people, and we supply you with the yarn and the needles, all you need to bring is yourself and a sense of adventure! Knitting as a handcraft has been around for centuries, join the elite among us who include knitting in our almost-daily habit! Craft Happy has knitting classes weekly. Check out our calendar!

* Sewing Class- Ok, 'Project Runway' watchers. It's time to put down that remote and get to work. You (yes, You) can learn the basics of sewing in our Craft Happy sewing class! Walk away with a finished purse or wine bag. We supply all the materials and one-on-one instruction in our cozy sewing lounge. You'll be amazed at what you can make! And Craft Happy has sewing classes weekly (how convenient!). Check out the calendar, ok?

* Jewelry Making Class- This is the ultimate don't-Buy-it-Make-it class! You design and create unique necklaces and earrings in this class. Your only limit is your imagination! This handcraft is totally fun (and addictive). We supply the materials and instruction, you walk away with the finished goods. Sound good? Check out the calendar, already!

We have lots of other craft classes this month, including Soap Making, Tea Parties, and Family Craft Time, just to name a few (ooh, and don't forget to check out our weekly Craft Happy Hour- unwind and make a craft at the same time!). With our discounts through the end of the year (bring a friend, and you both receive 15% off; come solo, get 10% off), you have no reason to stress this holiday season, I promise!

Brave the weather and the crazy shoppers and get Craft Happy this holiday season!

Skinny Scarves for Fall!

Hi all!

It's almost threatening to cool down here in South Carolina (it IS November, you know). With the (hopefully) oncoming cold weather, I like to have something to keep the chill off my neck, but most scarves are just too bulky to wear all the time. Scarves are not really known as a fashion accessory. At least not before TODAY.

I have found the solution to my want-to-be-fashionable-but-also-stay-warm needs! The Skinny Scarf! Anyone who knows how to do a knit stitch can make their own Skinny Scarf. All you need is some non-itchy yarn (it does have to go around your neck, don't forget), and a set of double-pointed needles (scary):
Not really. Double-pointed needles are a great way to make knitted cords (called eye cords). I've made short eye cords for purse handles and things like that. To create the Skinny Scarf, just cast on four stitches. After you knit the first row, DON'T turn you needles around! Just slide you stitches to the other end of the needle and begin knitting again (crazy, I know). This creates a narrow knitted tube, or eye cord.

To make your own skinny scarf, cast on four stitches and don't stop knitting till you have the length you want (check often, or you'll end up with a scarf too long!). With only four stitches, it's very easy to finish a skinny scarf in about an hour and a half to two hours. And your finished result?
A scarf you can wear inside AND out! If you have multiple (like me), layering them is fun as well. It's a great and practical accessory now that a chilly breeze may be blowing our way.

Ghost Coasters, or, as I call 'em, GHOSTERS

Although the weather may say otherwise, it's definitely almost Halloween. My intake of candy says so and my neighborhood supply of pumpkins says so, so it must be almost that time of year.

In order to celebrate Halloween this year, I made many, many things, but the one I want to share with you is spooky coasters. Nothing's scarier than condensation dripping onto your unprotected table, am I right?

Even if your love of tabletops is less than adamant, I think you'll still want to make these coasters. The beautiful thing about them is, anyone can do this!

Taking old wool sweaters and felting them into fabric has become quite a thing in the crafting community. I've done it on accident many times- sorry cool wool skirt. Who knew I was such a trend-setter? Anyway, if you are unsure about how to felt, here are some quick rules to follow:

1) Select a sweater made from at least 80% wool. Combing the Goodwill is a great place to find old sweaters people have given away, and they are usually less than $2!

2) Let the felting begin! Wash those wool sweaters in hot water, add a little bit of detergent (just a little) along with a pair of jeans (to agitate the sweaters and get them all riled up!)

3) Check your felting. Some sweaters felt faster than others. If you pull a sweater out of the washer and it looks like the fibers have felted together into a wool-like fabric, then it's done!

4) Rinse in cold water. Shocking the fibers helps them bind tighter, and we need to get the detergent washed out as well.

5) Lay out to dry. This can take a day or two, but it's well worth the wait!

Now that you've got some cool patterned felt to work with, you can make a limitless amount of crafty stuff out of it! Go ahead, cut right into that sweater! It won't unravel now that it's felted.

I planned to make coasters, but in the 'spirit' of Halloween, I got a little creative. I designed a ghost template out of paper and used it to cut a set of Ghosters from my felted sweater!

Be sure your template has a place that's round and large enough to accommodate holding a glass or cup.

So your Ghoster doesn't end up looking like a melting snowman (which mine did at first), add some details! I took a different colored felted sweater to cut out the eyes and spooky mouth. I then needlefelted the details onto the Ghoster. Needlefelting is a super-fun craft that takes wool and uses a sharp needle to bind the fibers together (do not do this while watching TV! Ouch!).

Now you have beautiful Ghosters to help celebrate the season and keep your drinks cozy. Happy Halloween everyone!

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