Julie Fei-Fan Balzer: Mixed media artists, blogger, TV host and author

Paint, brushes, stencils, stamps, and creativity can come together into one amazing project. I recently became interested in mixed media projects and started doing research on different methods to use.

As I looked all over the internet, one mixed media artist would lead me to the next one. I hope in the following weeks to continue highlighting some of the best mixed media artists and their blogs and videos.


Julie Fei-Fan Balzer of New York City

Julie Fei-Fan Balzer is a mixed-media artist in New York City. She's also a TV host, blogger, author and teacher. Balzer has videos on YouTube and a blog where she shares everything from her favorite products to tutorials on how to do art work like hers.





I love her blog, Balzer Designs because she has daily tips on tools and products she uses on her projects. She has her favorite tutorials that feature everything from painting techniques to doodling ideas.

If that isn't enough, Balzer also hosts Scrapbook Soup on PBS which also has a number of videos.



Balzer has fun doing her art and it shows in her videos. Her blog tutorials are also simple to follow. Bookmark her website, blog and YouTube channel. Balzer is an inspiration.

Happy Crafting!

Rebecca

Do-It-Yourself magnets galore

I've said it before. I don't toss anything away, especially when I'm making greeting cards. Ingenious Inkling has found a way to use those scraps and make these very cool magnets.

I can see them on a craft board, and I'm sure any kids would love them on their walls. Check out the instructions on the Ingenious Inklings blog:  Magnet Mania tutorial.

If you make one let me know in comments below. I would love to post a photo of your project on my Best Crafters Facebook page. 

Happy Crafting!
Rebecca

Greeting Card Design #3: A Simple Thank You

You can never have enough thank you cards. Like I said in previous blogs, I like to keep things simple. 

I made several of these "thank you" cards in 30 minutes.  

Here's what you need for this card:

• Blank card
• Foam flower stickers
• "Thank you" rubber stamp
• Black ink (for stamp)
• Black sharpie marker to draw flower stem. 

Just looking at the card you can figure out how easy it is to design and put together.  Have fun being creative. 

Other Card Ideas

Greeting Card #1: Just Dots!

Greeting Card #2: Scraps please

Rebecca

Greeting Card Design #2: Scraps Please

I don't throw anything away, especially pieces of scrapbook paper. If I can cut a sliver of paper from scraps or punch out a circle, I'm keeping any left over scrapbook paper.

It's amazing how you can create a beautiful background for a nice card by putting together a bunch of pieces of scrap paper. Here's a background I made for a Halloween card. All I did was glue together pieces that went together by color, pattern, and theme.

I'll post the finished product later. Get creative with your scraps!

Join us on our Facebook page: The Best Crafters

Rebecca 

Greeting Card Design #1: Just Dots

I love making greeting cards and giving them away as gifts in packs of 5 to my friends and family.  In 2014, I will share many of my ideas so you can get started.


I keep my ideas simple. I like to make about 10 cards at the same time. I actually set up like an assembly line on my kitchen table.

I came up with "Just Dots" when I had some left over scrapbook paper (bottom). The top was rubber stamped on the blue card with brown ink.  I added the dots in the center of the circles. 

I also added:

Brown ribbon

Tag was created with puncher

Flower is sticky foam one from package of several.

Rhinestone in center, I put it there. 

Rub on words--Laugh Often

Have fun creating your own version! And don't forget, join us on our Facebook page: The Best Crafters

Rebecca

Other Card Projects

Greeting Card Design #2: Scraps please

Christmas Card Ideas: Quick, Easy and Beautiful

Right now I have set up an assembly line on my kitchen counters. That's where I do a lot of my crafting.  This time I am creating my Christmas cards.  There is still time.  In a few hours, I can whip up at least 20.

I've got the blank cards, a few punchers, some glittery paper, scissors, double sided tape and most of all--my creative mind.

So if you are in panic mode and think you don't have time to make a special, handmade card for the family: Yes! there is still time.  Make them today and send them out tomorrow.

Even if you just make a couple of them, that's fine. There is something so rewarding about making your own Christmas cards.

Mass Producing Christmas Cards: YouTube Series

Catherine Pooler is brilliant card maker.  Check out her YouTube series on mass producing Christmas cards. She likes to cut out her own cards.  I'd rather just buy a pack of blank ones.  Whatever works for you.





Have fun making your handmade Christmas cards!

Make a Halloween Card: Easy, Colorful, Spooky

Boo to You

This was a very easy Halloween card to make.  It actually took me an hour to make several, because I like to make duplicates at one time.
I set up my kitchen (where I craft) with everything listed below, and got busy.

 Here's what you'll need:

• Blank card
• Scrapbook paper: orange textured
• Scrapbook paper with pattern that has some orange
• Scrapbook paper: black
• Stamp: Halloween theme (I used "Boo to You)
• Black Sharpie marker
• Punch: Small Spider
• Rubber stamp:  Spider (Large would be best)
• Rubber stamp: Spider web (can also be hand drawn)
• Glue 
• Scissors

You can probably look at my card and figure out how to make it, because it's that easy. 

First, I took a blank card, outlined enough orange textured paper and glued it on top of the blank card. 

I stamped "boo to you" with black ink on a creme colored piece of scrap paper.  Yes, keep those scraps.

I cut it in a rectangle shape, and then glued it to another piece of leftover scrapbook paper with a pattern.  As you can see mine is black with some orange dots. I cut around the "boo to you" shape, eye balling it to leave a little border.  Done.

Next, I glued the "boo to you" rectangle on the card.  Anywhere is fine.  

I took my big "spider" rubber stamp, use black ink and  randomly stamped on the card. Only two times, because you don't want the card to look cluttered.  One was stamped partially on the "boo to you."  

More card ideas!

With sharpie marker in hand, I added some dashes to make it look like the spider's traveled route.  I then took my small "spider" punch  and punched out a few small spiders from a piece of leftover black scrapbook paper.  I punched out several for future projects. 

The "spider web" in the corner is actually party glitter, the kind you throw on a table to decorate.  If I had to do it again I would use a rubber stamp and stamp a spider web or draw my own.

There you have it.  A Halloween card worth giving away in a package of cards or one to send out to a friend or family member just in time for Halloween. 

Until next time! 

Craft Masters: Reality Show Competition for Crafters!

Move out of the way "Real Housewives of Orange County."  Step aside Donald Trump and "The Apprentice."  The crafters are taking over the competition thanks to "Craft Masters."

I recently got to be one of the competitors on this production by Michael's  craft store.  I wondered when a show like this would finally allow us crafters to show that we can compete and create some awesome crafts.

As I told the shows producers, I'm a reporter by day and a "Martha Stewart" by night.  Lights, cameras, action!  It was so much fun to create under pressure.  But if you're like me--you're most creative when you have limited time.  Did I win?  You'll have to watch...

Congrats to Darlene who won. Though I made her a bit nervous, she did give me kudos for giving her the glue tip for her eggs.  Darlene and Cathy were so much fun to get to know, and I love what they created.

Watch all the episodes and leave comments.  I'm hoping Michaels can sell this web series to HGTV or DIY channels.

Crafting is a great way to save money and make one of a kind gifts, and it lets you use your hands on something other than the computer.

Happy Crafting!
Rebecca Aguilar

Greeting Card Tip: Inspiration in the aisles

I enjoy making greeting cards, but I have to admit sometimes I need a good boost of inspiration.  Where do I get my quick fix?  I go to any store that sells greeting cards.

Grocery stores, drug stores, Hallmark stores and the list goes on.  I walk up and down the aisles. I will spend hours--reading and looking over cards. 

What’s great is that most stores have the cards categorized: Birthday, anniversary, sympathy, baby showers, congrats and wedding.

I also like to pick them up and turn them around.  Ouch! A good reminder why I like making my own greeting cards. The price for a card these days can be up to $6.00. 

Now just think how many cards you can make with six bucks? 

Go get inspired!

The Queen of Rubber Stamping ideas on Youtube

Sometimes I look at all my rubber stamps and inks and wonder what can I create next? What can “wow” me? I often go through books and blogs looking for inspiration.

Let me tell you, on Youtube you’re bound to find that one person who jumps out with ideas and inspiration. One of my favorites is Stephanie Barnard. She’s informative, to the point, not flashy, full of ideas and is fun to watch. On her YouTube channel she describes herself:

“Stephanie Barnard began scrapbooking in 1997 and became a professional designer two years later. Since then, her work has been published more than 400 times in magazines, books and websites.”

I like her simple ideas on her videos. She has dozens posted on YouTube. I’m thinking I can watch at least two a week.

She’s a natural on video and definitely knows her stuff when it comes to rubber stamping. She actually designs many of them. As she puts it “I’m a stamper and I don’t mess around.”

Though, I’m still trying to figure out who is Ken and Cookie.

The Best Crafters: One Stop Shopping for Inspiration

Be creative!

I have a passion for writing.  I guess that's why I am a journalist by profession.

I like surfing the web and discovering the best crafters.  I actually think that every crafter out there is an artist.  Whether you knit, crochet, sew, paint, scrapbook, rubber stamp; it's creative art.

To me the best crafters have a story behind their art.  I was inspired by my mother, Rebecca.   She could look at a dress int the store and then go home and just whip it together in hours.  It would usually come out looking better than the one at the store.

Mom in her cool shades

We didn't have much money when I was growing up; so my mother put her creativity to work.  Every two years she'd reupholster our furniture.  Every year we had new curtains.  Each of the five kids always had a new knitted scarf.

My mother made my dresses and jackets for school.  I guess I should have appreciated that they were all originals.  She would make clip on earrings from buttons, and string together her own flashy bracelets out of beads.

What my mother taught me is that being creative and taking chances is inspiring.  It's also just fun makings something that either you or someone else can enjoy.

Me--the reporter

The Best Crafters blog is the place where you can come and just enjoy.  I'll be sharing stories, blogs, websites of the best crafters and artists from around the world.

I'll also be sharing some how-to project ideas, and maybe some of my own crafts.

Let's have fun!
Rebecca Aguilar