This is really neat ... both the watch and the process. It never ceases to amaze me how some people get these great ideas and bring them to a reality even when it requires skills and knowledge outside of their normal realm.  This guy, Harvard computer science grad Harnek Gulati, taught himself woodworking, materials characteristics and more. AND he did not let small issues, failures of sorts, keep him from iterating his design and improving his skills until he got it right. I often have said that the process ... the learning and skills development ... are every bit as important as the end product. This was true in the semiconductor world I lived and worked in for 34 years, and is equally true when it comes to crafts and home projects. I do lots of family history research and find the research more interesting than what the final story might be. Anyway, check out this project ... and the watch. The Make: article points out : Sometimes we tend to think in...

One excellent workshop we participated in was "Dare to Create", a mixed media workshop led by Andy Skinner and Tracy Weinzappel. The objective was ostensibly to create a mixed media heart painting ... but in reality it was an exercise in using a number of mixed media art techniques, media and textures. We liked it because it gave us the freedom to choose our palette and design, while still following a process to expose us to several techniques. The brands of the media were different than what we carry, but that's OK, since these are pretty much all the same. Paints, gel, texture, stencils, various brushes --- dry, wet, stipple, stencil --- and palette tools. We have just about everything on that list in the shop at Vintages. The prototype heart design was a nice, decorative, highly textured painting. Susan and I each took our own route to success ... hers more floral, mine more geometric. Here are some photos of our project being "created." ...

We just got back from the 2017 CHA Show in Phoenix. New venue ... new name ... not much else new. That's our take. The show appeared to be smaller both in size and number of attendees and exhibitors. There was a general lack of the usual excitement of past shows. But we always can find some nuggets, some inspiration to bring back with us. The classes available were pretty good. Susan and both attended a couple of workshops and enjoyed them. (More on a couple of them in later posts.) Trends were a bit interesting. There were a lot less scrapbooking and journaling exhibits. Same with jewelry suppliers. Quite a few new die-cut and embossing stencils, but not as many machines. Several of our favorite vendors were not represented this year and most of the larger distributors had cut back their exhibits. Many new media options in paints, gels, pastes, etc. Here is a gallery of some of what we saw and liked at the show. Tinted pickling liquids An interesting new p...

Over the years we have always walked beaches looking for interesting shells, sea glass and rocks. Shells are very location dependent ... need to have the right sea bottom to get these treasures washed up on the beach. Sea glass has almost disappeared from most beaches ... except for a few protected places. But interesting rocks are always cast about. Love to find them in varied colors or textures or shapes. Our personal favorite are heart-shaped rocks. Here's one we found out on Moonstone Beach in Cambria. Last Valentine's Day I created this little Coral Heart Sculpture for Susan. Just one of many ideas for using these precious stones creatively ... or just place them in a rock garden. Enjoy.

These one-of-a-kind handmade ornaments are pretty great. Each steampunk ornament is painted and embellished with watch gears, parts and lenses. These are now in our Los Gatos shop and on Lopaka ... check them out. I also made one cute little retro tree ... complete with pearls and fish that bubble up blue rhinestones! These are priced at $19.95 each and come in a gift box. There are also some other trees decorated with crystals, jewelry parts and findings and lots of glitter. Get these at the same places. These are priced at $9.95 each. Happy Holidays ... Bob and Susan

It's never too early to shop for stocking stuffers and hostess gifts for the Holidays. We have a lot of craft and mixed-media art supplies perfect to help you make your own little gifts, or to package as hostess gifts for that DIY friend of yours, or set aside to help fill the stocking of a crafter. Calligraphy Pens, Inks and Kits - Plus Mini-Notebooks Paints and Markers for Fabric Projects Ribbon by the Yard and Bundle Art Foam ies Stamps Wax Seals PEGZ Rubber Stamps ... perfect for words and titles Roller Stamps ... great for cards and borders And there is a lot more in our Los Gatos shop.

Card Holders (starting at $10.95) We have always carried various containers and storage items, both new and vintage, for you to organize your craft or workbench, kitchen or desk. Getting organized clears your mind for more creativity and efficiency. We have added some very cool tin and wire items to our shop ... bins, hooks, bottles, bookends and more. Here is a gallery of what we recently added along with a few customer favorites. Four Bin Organizer w/Handles ($39.95) Small Hardware & Craft Bin ($19.95) Tin Wall Hanging Bin (ONE left at $129.95) Three Hook Metal Coat Rack ($36.95) Five Hook Wood Entryway Coat Rack ($36.95) Bicycle Bookends ($54.95) Owl Bookends ($29.95) Ceramic Antique White Pitchers ($25.95 & $39.95) Metal Wall Rack with Bins (ONE left at $259.00) Songbird Lantern ($59.95) Mercury Glass Containers ($29.95 & $35.95) Wire Baskets (starting at $20 each)

This is a new line of French water-based fabric paints that are absolutely the only one you will want to use! Perfect for decorating tote bags, clothing, tablecloths, aprons, pillows, drapes, book covers, as well as mixed-media art, scrapbooking, and more. These paints and markers can be used on all pre-washed fabrics: cotton, wool, mesh, jersey, velvet, jacquard knit, polyester, mixed fibers and even leather. They can be used on solid surfaces as well, but do require a heat set for permanency. Ready to use, sparkling and intense, they can be used pure or diluted with water to obtain watercolor effects. Their rich texture is suitable for various decorating techniques and can be applied with a brush, dropper, stamp, silkscreen or stencils. You can also do hand painting and sun painting as well. The paints work great with our Art Foamies stamps . Setacolor paints and markers have a range of concentrated heat-fixed colors for decorating fabrics. Th...