Sizzix eclips Certification Course at The Collins Group Show

Oh, the anticipation of the upcoming Collins Group Spring Education and Trade Show this weekend in Framingham, MA!  {To the trade, ONLY!}  Find my first post about this year's event HERE.

Of course, everyone wants to know, "What's NEW??"

Well, first up, is the Sizzix eclips certification course being held this Thursday evening, April 18th, 6 - 9pm.  The course is offered free to qualifying retailers and space is tightly limited to only 20 people.

Renowned for their steel-ruled dies for the consumer (you and me!), the eclips is Sizzix's introduction to the electronic die-cutting segment of the paper crafting industry.

April 2012 Sizzix Eclips Certification Class, Lake Forest, CA
L to R front row: Linda Howard, Julie Ebersole, Sue Ingram
Back: Stephanie Barnard, Jill Tarayao and Cheri Kimball

Robyn Gilman, Manager of The Collins Group, said, "We were fortunate to host the Sizzix eclips certification course for the first time last fall at our Southern Show.  We look forward to being able to host an event of this calibre, again, at our New England Show as well."

The Sizzix eclips Certification Class will be taught by Sizzix Spokesperson and eclips Product Developer, Stephanie Barnard.

Stephanie explains, "The eclips retailer and members of their teaching staff have the opportunity to explore the distinctive features of the eclips, including the novel controller and its keypad functions, scoring, laser cut preview, and the newest artistic feature: Tim Holtz Stamp2Cut.  They'll learn all of these features directly from the experts on the product."

Personally, I can't WAIT to try it with the Tim Holtz Stamp-2-Cut (video!) for myself.  Oh, the detail that the Sizzix eclips is able to cut!  Need some inspiration?  Tammy Tutterow has a number of a-MA-zing projects using Stamp2Cut with Tim Holtz's images - check 'em out on Sizzix's Stamp2Cut Board on Pinterest!

Be sure to check with your Local Scrapbook Store to see if they're Sizzix eclips certified. They'll be advertising their success mastering the features of the eclips with a blinkie on their website!

For more Sizzix eclips information, check out a few of my favorite resources here:

• Cartridges, 
• ecal software (which can cut all the SVG projects download from the internet (Mary at SVGcuts ROCKS!!) 
• Print-2-Cut feature (video!) to cut your own images you've scanned into your computer . . . and it cuts absolutely beautifully!

Stephanie said, "Customers will be amazed when the see the eclips in action for themselves.  Nothing else on the market can do what the Sizzix eclips can!"

 . . . and if you would like to meet the inspiring Stephanie Barnard, she'll be appearing at the Creating Keepsakes Convention in Manchester, NH next weekend, April 26th & 27!  She'll be featuring her The Stamps of Life and Sizzix, beginning with her "Flip Over Flip Its!" Card Class at 8:30am on Friday!

Be sure to stop back New England Paper Crafts for "the 411" on other new events coming to The Collins Group 2013 Spring Education and Trade Show!

Happy Day, Laurel

Laurel Lee Pollard, Online Publisher, Promoter
New England Paper Crafts
www.NewEnglandPaperCrafts.com

NewEnglandPaperCrafts@gmail.com

*To keep up with "the 411 on Paper Crafts in New England," follow the feed at:
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The Collins Group Spring Education and Trade Show is in Sight!!

The Collins Group Show is in sight - April 19 - 22nd, Framingham, Massachusetts!

The Collins Group is the largest paper crafting vendor representative company in the country.  The territory covered by their experienced personnel spreads from New England, through the South and well into the midwest. 

This event is to the trade.  That means "brick-and-mortar retailers" and their in-house designers, only.  YES!  Your local scrapbook store (LSS) will likely be there ~
*See my 2012 coverage of the event HERE.

The Collins Group Spring Education and Trade Show offers your retailer:

New Product Introductions

Jack Behlmer, Splash of Color

Classes and Workshops

Nancy Hawes, the Crop Shop, Pop-N-Cutting
with Karen Burniston, Sizzix

Trade Show and Industry Roundtable

 

There is remarkable representation by prominent industry leaders.  They personally work hand-in-hand with The Collins Group to introduce new products and, more importantly, hear feedback directly from their retailers.  While the list of companies The Collins Group represents varies by region, here are just a few of the vendors that will be highlighted at the event:

Bazzill Basic Papers

BoBunny Press

Canvas Corp./7 Gypsies/Tattered Angels

The Crafters Workshop

Doodlebug Design Inc.

Elizabeth Craft Designs

Graphic 45

Hampton Art/Jilibean/KI Memories

Hero Arts

Lawn Fawn

Little Yellow Bicycle

My Favorite Things

Paper Smooches

Ranger Industries

SEI, Inc.

Sizzix

Splash of Color (formerly Creative Imaginations)

The Cat's Pajamas

Viva Decor USA

We R Memory Keepers

The quality of classes and workshops available to your LSSes, from leading design notables, is unparalleled.  Numerous retailers will be flying in "from away" to take advantage of the opportunity to learn from the best the paper crafting industry has to offer, such as:

Stephanie Barnard

Els van de Burgt (designer spotlight HERE)

Cheryl Mezzetti

Shari Carroll

Karen Burniston

Jen Starr

Sharon Kropp

Jamie Echt

Tim Holtz

Dyan Reaveley

If YOU'RE looking for the latest and greatest products on the market, be sure to mention the item you're craving to YOUR local scrapbook store.  They are expertly equipped to take, and respond to, customer demands.  They would love to hear what you're excited about - and we would, too!  ** Leave a comment and tell us what paper crafting product you're looking for!

Happy Day, Laurel

Laurel Lee Pollard, Online Publisher, Promoter
New England Paper Crafts
www.NewEnglandPaperCrafts.com

NewEnglandPaperCrafts@gmail.com

*To keep up with "the 411 on Paper Crafts in New England," follow the feed at:
Facebook / Twitter / Pinterest

March is National Craft Month!

Woo Hoo!  National Craft Month has begun!

I'm celebrating with the Craft and Hobby Association as they continue to promote a {NEW} initiative:

In all of the things you do in your day, have you ensured you prioritize a little creative time?  Think about it - 8 minutes a day.  A few minutes after dinner, or maybe a little time on Saturday morning.  

Put the concept in your head.  Let it bounce around up there this afternoon.  "After dinner, I'm going to spend time at my {craft/sewing/tool} table."  Write it on a piece of paper.  Make it real and commit to it!

Don't you feel better already?

For the past three days, I have been planning cre8time for today.  Just the thought of it gave me the energy to power through sluggish meetings, kids home sick, trucking all the garbage and recycle out to the curb . . . you know what I'm talkin' about ~

My positive attitude has not faltered, because I had carved out time for my favorite hobby for TODAY.  Heck, my whole family knew! Why?  Because I wrote it down on our calendar, just like all the other important "not to be missed" details of the week.

Try it!  Trust me, your work day will go so much faster.  You'll be smiling more, just planning your project throughout the day ahead!

To join the cre8time movement, check out all the details at: www.cre8time.org.  AND don't forget to enter their Cre8time National Craft Month Photo Contest running on their facebook page that starts TODAY!! I am! 

*Today, I enjoyed Cre8ting with:

Sizzix Big Shot Pro with Bigz Pro Cone Die

Sizzix BigKick and Framelits 

The Stamps of Life by Stephanie Barnard Crayons2Stamp

Ranger Ink Inkssentials Glossy Accents and Stickles Glitter Glue

Tim Holtz Ide-ology Tiny Attacher

Beacon Zip Dry Glue

Viva Decor Pens

Memento Ink

Offray Ribbon

We R Memory Keepers Crop-a-Dile Big Bite

Recollections Glitter

Happy Day, Laurel Lee Pollard

Facebook / Twitter / Pinterest

www.NewEnglandPaperCrafts.com

NewEnglandPaperCrafts@gmail.com

Local Scrapbook Stores can "Shop Local," Too! (part 3)

Hello, Gorgeouses!  It's the final day of CHA Winter 2013. {SAD}  On the flip side, all those sales representatives and paper crafting industry leaders will be going back to their respective offices and ensuring all their orders go out efficiently to OUR local scrapbook stores! {HAPPY!}

Our final stop on our tour meeting up with New England paper crafting wholesalers is . . .

Did you know  Eyelet Outlet is based right here in the Seacoast of New Hampshire?  They have a H.U.G.E. supply of custom brads and eyelets - it really is amazing!

I totally scraplifted this piccie of Eyelet Outlet at CHA2013 from their Facebook page:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Eyelet-Outlet/196949523658991?ref=ts&fref=ts

and YES!  They offer coordinating ribbons to match!!  OMGoodness, scrappy happiness :)

Here are a couple of piccies of their new 2013 release:

Bunnies for Easter ~

and because I can hardly have a scrapbooking post without mentioning The ONE, don't you think you need these beauties to embellish your Tim Holtz-inspired work??  I know I do!

New Englanders have plenty of ways to catch up with Suzanne Marchesano, the woman behind the plethora of possibilities at The Eyelet Outlet.  She sells wholesale (of course!), retail from the Eyelet Outlet website, and you can meet the woman behind the story, in person, at CKC-Manchester, NH, April 26 & 27, 2013!  Do NOT forget to check out the Eyelet Outlet's Idea Page as well as their Eyelet Outlet Blog - the ideas are really fasten-ating (get it?) over there!

Make sure to ask your LSS about which items they'll be bringing in from The Eyelet Outlet this spring!

Eyelet Outlet
Post Office Box 727
Greenland, NH 03840
(603) 319-8392
info@eyeletoutlet.com
http://www.eyeletoutlet.com
http://eyeletoutlet.blogspot.com
Facebook and Twitter

Happy Day, Laurel Lee Pollard
New England Paper Crafts

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Local Scrapbook Stores Can "Shop Local," Too! (part 2)

We are continuing our lead into CHA Winter 2013 (THE big, holy-moly craft and hobby show in the world!) by highlighting New England's paper crafting wholesalers.  (See our first post HERE)  

Some New England wholesalers you may have heard of, some will be new leads for you to follow.

Today, it's . . . .

Momenta is a huge name in the paper crafting industry.  We're talking Michael's, A.C. Moore and Hobby Lobby huge.  Featured on the CHA blog huge.

Momenta's "Sassy Sayings" featured in Bangor, Maine's A.C. Moore in 2012

and we love 'em!  Why?  Because they're a fabulous family company!  Starting as American Traditional Stencils in Northwood, NH, Michael Barker transitioned the company he inherited into Momenta - a go-to paper crafting supplier that quickly responds to market trends.

Based in an old brewery in the hip city of Portsmouth, NH, my friends at Momenta are putting together their latest offering for the CHA show in Anaheim, California.  Here are a couple of sneak peaks, behind the scenes, at Momenta's 2013 newest introductions:

Michael and his crew sell retail direct-to-consumer, as well a wholesale to big boxes, and certainly our very dear Local Scrapbook Stores. Check them out online at www.Momenta.com or, as I do, follow them on facebook at facebook.com/mymomenta.  They'd love to hear from you!

Happy Day, Laurel Lee Pollard

New England Paper Crafts

www.NewEnglandPaperCrafts.com
NewEnglandPaperCrafts@gmail.com

www.facebook.com/NEPaperCrafts
www.twitter.com/NEPaperCrafts
www.pinterest.com/NEPaperCrafts

Local Scrapbook Stores can "Shop Local," Too! (part 1)

Helloooo Gorgeouses!!

The Craft and Hobby Association's annual trade show, CHA 2013 Winter Conference and Trade Show, is approaching FAST: January 11 - 15th!  It is the cornerstone wholesale event in the crafting industry, representing companies from around the world.  Many of our Local Scrapbook Stores (LSSes) will be traveling to Anaheim, CA, to meet directly with industry leaders, take classes and seminars, and witness firsthand the latest introductions to the craft market.

While our LSSes shop this world-wide market, a number of wholesale opportunities are available to them right here in New England!  Over the next few weeks, New England Paper Crafts will be highlighting these remarkable local companies as we lead up to CHA.

Fabricate:
Fabricate holds a special place in my heart.  They are a local scrapbook store in Bar Harbor on Mount Desert Island, Maine - home of Acadia National Park.  As a renowned tourist destination, Fabricate wanted to fill the demands of their customers by providing papers that would reflect the memories they had experienced on their trip.

Finding a distinct lack of Maine themed papers in the marketplace, Erin Early Ward and Nessa Burns Reifsnyder took the bull by the horns and created Vacationland Papers in 2012.  Classic crafters: "If you can't find it, MAKE it!"

Nessa designed these double-sided, heavyweight papers from her own photos and they are printed in the United States.  They are available through their store in Bar Harbor (I bought one of each) and they are also available to qualified customers, including your LSS, WHOLESALE!

Fabricate has the whole introduction in a Vacationland Photo Album on their  Fabricate facebook page.  I encourage you to click through to see more details!

For more information on how to get YOUR hands on Fabricate's exciting papers, contact Erin and Nessa for more information - they gladly handle both retail and wholesale inquiries!

Fabricate
64 Mount Desert Street
Bar Harbor, Maine  04609
(207) 288-5113
Nessa@MDIFabricate.com
www.MDIFabricate.com

Let us know what you think!  Leave a comment and let us know if you YOU would like to see Maine themed paper in your Local Scrapbook Store!

Happy Day, Laurel Lee Pollard

P.S. - Be sure to contact me with your favorite New England paper crafting wholesaler.  We'd love to hear about them!

New England Paper Crafts
NewEnglandPaperCrafts@gmail.com

www.NewEnglandPaperCrafts.com

Facebook.com/NEPaperCrafts
Twitter.com/NEPaperCrafts
Pinterest.com/NEPaperCrafts

. . . and THIS is why we {LOVE} our LSS!

I have known for MONTHS what I wanted to do for my niece's 15th birthday.  I had the opportunity to meet Dyan Reavely at Ink About It in Westford, MA, last spring and I immediately knew her bright colors and irreverent style would be PERFECT for the creative teenager. (Check my blog post about it HERE!)

We packed the van with my niece, sister, son and daughter for a Dyan Reavely sourcing trip to my local scrapbook store (LSS), Absolutely Everything - 45 minutes from my house in Topsfield, MA.  Editor's note: YES! they really do stock everything ~

We had a hearty greeting from Dallas when we arrived and we headed STRAIGHT to the back for AE's huge selection of Dyan Reavely products - "Dylusions."  I was instantly struck by the impression that the packaging for Dyan's line didn't do her work justice.  Since my niece didn't have experience with Dyan's fun, colorful (and dare I say, "impulsive?") style, I approached Dallas about the possibility of getting a quick Dylusions demo.  Even though the store was B.U.S.Y. that Sunday afternoon, she headed out back to check ~

She came right back and said, "Yes, as soon as she's out from her meeting, the owner will be happy to do it for you!"  Cool!  Kate Farricker's in the house!

After a bit, Kate came out and offered a warm welcome to us.  She invited us back to the store's studio space, where she had pulled together a great selection of Dyan's product from Ranger, Stamper's Anonymous, The Crafter's Workshop and, of course, paper towels - Oh! we were going to get inky!

Kate was wonderful, explaining about the different types of Ranger Archival Ink, Adirondack Acrylic Daubers and Dylusions Ink Sprays.  She shared a multiple of engaging techniques using Dylusions Stencils, stamps and one of Ranger's signature products: Tim Holtz Water Brush.

Needless to say, Kate's demonstration had us ALL inspired - my niece loaded up with everything (sprays, ink pad, stencil and stamps).  My little angel couldn't resist the sprays and, what can I say, my little guy could not leave without Ranger Inkssentials Pipette!

Don't forget - if Absolutely Everything isn't your local scrapbook store, they have their extensive offerings available for purchase online, too!  Your support will help my LSS stay STOCKED!!

Thanks so much to Kate Farricker, and her whole staff at Absolutely Everything, for taking the time, to drop everything, and inspiring a new generation of artists!  THIS is why we love our LSSes!

Happy Day, Laurel Lee