Hometown Tags with Color Burst Backgrounds...I'll be Crafting with Deanna Allbrittin on the 6 O'Clock News Tonight!

I'm just back from the National Craft and Hobby Association Show, also known as CHA and I've just had my first TV interview with the local news...CHA was really a big deal for me this year as I launched about 60 new items as a new product line called Ken Oliver Crafts. One of the product lines is called Hometown and is inspired by Newburgh, Indiana, the town where I live.  The collection includes 12x12 craft papers, 2 sets of clear stamps, 6x6 craft papers and an ephemera, or collage sheet.  A reporter from town heard what I'd been up to and she paid me a visit today...we sat down and made some crafts together...and talked about Hometown.  We made a simple tag project using some of the new products I launched at CHA. 

 

 We started with a quick demonstration of a new watercolor product I brought to market, it's called Color Burst.  It's REALLY fun to use, you can create beautiful watercolor backgrounds in 2 easy steps.  There are lots of techniques you can use too like wax resist, stenciling and masking...for this project we did a simple "spritz and sprinkle" technique.  The results are stunning.  Here's a video from Craft Test Dummies if you'd like to see how much fun Color Burst is to use.
  

So we created a simple watercolor background with Color Burst.

Then we assembled our supplies, Hometown Stamps, a couple tags dipped in Color Burst, our water color wash, and some card stock. 

Here's a cool little tip, when you use Color Burst, you can dip tags, scrap paper, even white paper flowers in the wet pigment on your water color paper to transfer some of the pigment to other things.  

I've even used the residual water on my work surface to create some stunning backgrounds.  These tags turned out really cool. 

Here are a couple flowers I tinted with Color Burst, right off my water color paper.  

They look great.  

 We stamped Hometown images on the water color paper...

Then assembled our tags with tape roller adhesive.  I really like how the stamped Hometown images look a little grainy on the pebbled surface of the water color paper.

The tags turned out great, really kind of artsy, they'd make great artist trading cards too.  I had a blast...it's not every day you make it to the 6 o'clock news with a craft project. 

You can bet, I'll be setting the DVR today...It's going to be really fun to share the Hometown collection with the local folks in the Tri-State area!  

For my local friends, I'll be on Channel 14 tonight at 6:00 pm with Deanna Allbrittin...she said there will be a link on the 14 News website too...I'll make sure to share that on Facebook.  

Thanks for stopping by today...Ken Oliver Crafts products are distributed worldwide by Product Performers and can be purchased at local retailers around the world...if your shop doesn't carry them yet...ask, they can order for you.

Hometown Paper Collection Pre-CHA Release

Last weekend, while we were at Art at the Edge, I had a little special gift for everyone who attended...everybody at the event received some samples of a brand new product line I've been working on for the past few months...

And, somehow, a few pics got posted and before we knew it, we had people from all over the country, and all over the world, asking where they could get this new product. 

It's called "Hometown." It's a collection of craft papers, designed using images from the small river-town where I live, Newburgh, Indiana.  The collection is reminiscent of life in a simpler time, with images of historic homes, vintage patterns, and local landmarks and is rooted in home, history and family. It's a beautiful collection of craft papers that will be perfect for home decor projects, mixed media projects, heritage scrapbook layouts, handmade cards, and especially masculine cards.

 

We hadn't planned to release the collection until January 2015 at the Craft and Hobby Association Show in Anaheim California, but because we've had so many folks asking, we decided to do a limited, Pre-CHA release.  A limited number of sets will be available in late November. I can't give out all the details yet, but I wanted to give you a little peek and a little heads up that the Hometown Collection will be available in late November. Keep an eye out at your local scrapbook stores and art supply stores...I think you're going to love the nostalgic feel of this collection. 

I can't wait for you to see it!  

Art at the Edge and The Heart of Newburgh

As you might know...I decided to have a little art event right here in my hometown, Newburgh Indiana...the place is vibrant, lively and a little beautiful little artsy mecca in Southern Indiana on the banks of the Ohio River.  Now, since I've invited you to Art at the Edge...I want to make sure we have fun things to do while you are in Newburgh...so, I'd like to introduce you to one of our merchant partners, The Heart of Newburgh.



The Heart of Newburgh has been in town since 1982, and it was first opened as a decorative paint studio where the owner Becky Geis, offered decorative painting and tole painting classes.  The place is extra special to me since it started as an art studio.  Over time, the retail part of Becky's business grew and evolved.  Now she offers jewelry, amazing primatives, she's a destination Vera Bradley store in the Midwest...and she's also know for her incredible antique finds...it's not just one building...it's two houses and an old garage turned junk pickers heaven!  Becky's eye for the simple, the elegant, and the eclectic will thrill you!  She is an amazing designer and an incredible retailer.   

 

 The Heart of Newburgh is a feast for the eyes!

There's something new and enticing at every turn!

 

 

And there's no question that Becky is an artist...do you see the pad of Strathmore water color paper tucked into the vignette below?  

 Her designing skills aren't limited to interior spaces...Her work in the garden is incredible. She has a knack for turning the ordinary into the extraordinary.  You'll find washtubs, chicken feeders, toolboxes, old teacups, wagons, pots, pans, colanders, all transformed into wonderfully whimsical planters filled with hen and chicks, black eyed susans, annuals, succulents and moss...her garden creations are inspiring!
 



 

And, The Heart of Newburgh is a picker's paradise. You're likely to find old typewriters, antique sleds, antique dishes, picture frames, vintage window frames, mason jars, antique pans, Antique pie safes, Antique Hoosiers, screen doors, there's just more than I could ever list out in this blog post.

 

So I should just let the pictures tell the story...

Believe me...I am taking some of these sleds home for my Christmas décor!

 

There are as many fun treats outside as inside!

 

If you like Vera Bradley, The Heart of Newburgh is the Vera Bradley destination in our area...

 

Becky stocks every color and style...again, this place is a feast for the eyes!

I am really pleased to let you know that The Heart of Newburgh is one of the Merchant Partners for Art at the Edge.  Throughout the weekend of October 24-26, 2014, Becky will offer special discounts and sales especially Art at the Edge attendees.  And, we're building in a little free time during Art at the Edge to let you explore Newburgh and shop a bit...

 

 

I believe that you are going the love The Heart of Newburgh...it's become my favorite hang out since I've moved back to town...

 

I hope you are thinking about coming to Newburgh to join us for a day of art at Art at the Edge...if you'd like a little more information, click on the Art at the Edge banner at the side of the page.  I hope to see you there!

Ken