Transform your craft projects with Terrific Techniques

Transform your home decor projects into works of art using texture paste and Tiffany Windsor's favorite techniques!

Now you can add dimension to all your crafting projects! In this basics of texture class, you will learn the techniques of how to use texture paste to accent home decor and mixed media.

Learn Tiffany's secret tips for working with texture paste including spreading, stenciling, painting, stamping, sanding, combing and embedding

$30 - limited seating

Click here to sign up  for Terrific Textures

Craft away the winter gloomies - Featured Classes at CrafTECH University

Take advantage of those cold winter days, put on your comfy clothes, grab your favorite drink, your favorite craft supplies and just create! 

Our featured class of the week is by Samantha Star - our papercrafter extraordinaire!!!  She's returning to show us basic techiques on book binding.  Upcycle an old book and turn it into an inspiring art journal.  This size is perfect for those creative moments...

Advance your skills learning coptic bookbinding techniques with Steampunk Couture.

Book binding classes are held February 20th starting at 1pm central time

Click here to register for this and all other CrafTECH classes

New Classes At CrafTECH University

So excited and pleased to share with you a few of the most recent class additions to CrafTECH University.




We would love for you to share this link with anyone you feel would be interested and of course we would LOVE to have you in an upcoming class at CrafTECH University!

CraftJAM Success!!! CrafTECH University Craft Classes

A huge thank you to everyone who participated in CrafTECH University's 1st Annual CRAFT JAM!!  What a great way to start the new year on a creative note.  Our teacher put in lots of time to teach really great classes and our students were right there, ready to learn!!!  We couldn't ask for more.

The class begun withmy Hardware Chic class.  This class featured some wirewrapping in combination with materials you'd commonly find at a hardware store.  At the beginning of class several students commented that they were pretty confident that they wouldn't be able to do this....and the big suprize at the end of the class was that they really did!! But then again,I had confidence in them the entire time!!!

Kelly G from California was one of those who was pretty confident that she wouldn't be able to pull off the design, but at the end she said "She was totally amazed that she could do it!". I shared ideas and techniques on how to create your own findings, toggles and more.  In case you missed it, I will repeat the live class in February - just stay tuned for details. 

Tiffany Windsor, host of Cool2Craft and her new online show - Inspired at Home with Tiffany Windsor held a class devoted to her product Cool2Cast.  I had never personally used the product, but CRAFJAM was a perfect time to learn!  Tiffany share amazing techniques on how to pour - yes there is an art to it, how to finish, color, stamp and all sorts of things to make beautiful embellishments for multimedia projects or to wear as jewelry.  Personally I focused on the pouring and  - Thanks to Tiffany, I dug out every kind of mold I had and every thing else that might make a cool cast!.  If you took the class, please email me pictures so that I can post for all to see.  Tiffany will be holding Cool2Cast classes on a regular basis and Im sure she'll be repeating this basics class in the near future.  Thanks Tiffany for a great 2 hours of creative play!

Samantha Star a regular featured guest on Cool2Craft rounded out the day with terrific papercrafting techniques.  Her class was originally called 10 Terrific Techniques and featured cardmaking, however, we lost count at 10 techniques because we learned so much!  My favorite happened to be the mosaic technique, which other's commented that it was there favorite too!

Amanda M.  finished all three of her cards shared this one featuring my favorite mosaic tile technique.

Samantha wants to hold monthly classes at CrafTECH University, so please check back for her scheduled classes.

With all the positive feedback from the class, Im sure that this will become a feature of CrafTECH University.

We'd love to hear from you - so give us your feedback!

See you soon at a CTU class!

And the Winners of CrafTECH University CRAFT JAM are.....(drum roll please)

So excited to announce the winners of the CrafTJAM prizes from CrafTECH University.

REBECCA PARSONS!!!  Come on down and give us your email and snail mail addy! You're the winner of the FULL DAY JAM PASS!!! WOOT WOOT!!!!  All three classes!!!

We also gave a way a class each, compliments of our instructors, Samantha Star, Tiffany Windsor and Linda Peterson. 

Individual class winners are:

Cynthia Gagen ( courtesy of her friend Robi Cohen who gave her's to her friend...)
Amanda Marks
Tanya Ruffin

Thank you everyone who entered the contest and watched Cool2Craft yesterday!! 

We're excited to have you in class.

UPDATE on CRAFT JAM:  We only have TWO spaces that are in need of a warm, loving, caring, devoted craftsperson to occupy them...If you would like to be one of those...Click here to register for the Jam Pass

Contact us

ENTER TO WIN A CRAFT JAM PASS -

We have FOUR prizes to give away....that's right F-O-U-R..!!!!

Each of our instructors is giving away an individual class!  You could win a seat at the Hardware Chic class, Tiffany's Cool2Cast class or Samantha's Terrific 10 Techniques class!...

and one winner will receive the GRAND prize - a JAM PASS to all THREE classes!!!

Here's what you need to do....:

• Grab the "I love CrafTECH U" blinkie over on the sidebar  (right click - select "copy shortcut" and paste into your blog or website")
• Then leave a comment on this post - and this post only giving your name, email addy and website add or email lindapetersondesigns@yahoo.com with the same information

Tune into Cool2Craft Monday December 20 at noon to find out who won...pretty simple!!!

You must leave your comment no later than midnight Friday Central time (so thats 11pm east coast
 (GMT-6:00)) to be eligible...

We're so excited about this CrafJAM day!!!  We still have 3 JAM PASS seats open  - so register today before they are gone!

JOIN US FOR CRAFT JAM!!! - A FULL DAY OF CRAFTING ON NEW YEARS DAY WITH LINDA PETERSON * TIFFANY WINDSOR AND SAMANTHA STAR

So you don't want to sit and watch football all day?? Leave the games with the boys and

Join your favorite instructors for  6 hours of CRAFT MANIA!! 

LIVE * INTERACTIVE * ONLINE
NEW YEARS DAY - JANUARY 1st
Beginning at 11am

 HARDWARE CHIC!!  with Linda Peterson

11am to 1pm central

Create the latest trend in jewelry

Learn wire wrapping, create your own found object elements and more as you design a necklace that will be the envy of your friends - Class kit included ** Please note: Additional supplies and tools will be needed **

Cool2Cast TECHniques with Tiffany Windsor
1:30pm to 3:30pm central

Learn the basics of Cool2Cast fibre plaster - Color, Stamp, Embed and MORE

Elements can be used in jewelry making, papercrafting, home decor projects

Kit available at an additional $14.99 - click here to order kit

2 hours
** Please note: Additional supplies and tools will be needed **

TERRIFIC TECHniques Cardmaking with Samantha Star
4pm to 6pm

Join Samantha as you create 4 gorgeous cards! She will be covering a variety of different stamping, embossing, faux-finish and distressing techniques. Use inks to create a faux-velvet finish, learn how to emboss and de-boss, as well a fun twist on a resist technique.

Kit included - 2 hours
** Please note: Additional supplies and tools will be needed **

This CRAFT JAM Day is PACKED with loads and loads of TECHNIQUES!

Thank Goodness it's recorded so you don't have to remember - or take super fast notes.

Work right along with our instructors  - review the class at your leisure.

This class is limited!

Participants will be sent a complimentary link to the class - however you must sign up before

the class to receive the link.  It will not be available as an on-demand purchase.

Purchase the classes individually $35 each

or SAVE $15 with an all day JAM PASS! - Only $90

Register NOW! - ALL DAY JAM PASS - click here

Register now for Hardware Chic - Linda Peterson - Click here
Register for Cool2Cast Class with Tiffany Winsdor - Click here
Register for TEN Techniques with Samantha Star - Click here

Feature Class of the week - Steampunk Style Grunge Bracelet

Still a little bit of time to get in on the class tonight which begins at 7pm central time.  You'll learn how to use scrapbook supplies to create a very fun, upscale and totally steampunk bracelet.

Register NOW!

Class will be available as on demand.  A free link for review will be given to all the students.

Craftech U makes ONLINE HISTORY with 6 hour metalwork jewelry MEGA CLASS!

Saturday November 6, I believe we made online history with a 6-hour - totally interactive - totally live mega metal working workshop at CrafTECH University.  Not only was this a mega workshop - it was an international workshop as well with students representing Canada, Australia and the United States.


I wanted to keep this class small and personal, because the subject matter - metalworking - would be a little intense.  I had 5 very eager students....and one teacher (ME) who was praying that everything I had prepared dilligently for would go smoothly....and IT DID.  We had absolutely no streaming problems, no internet problems and just a TON OF FUN!!

Here's a write up from Robi, my Canadian student and what she thought of the class.  Robi is a watercolor and mixed media artist.  I'd invite you to visit her blog at http://www.decorablesart.blogspot.com/   And a big thanks to Robi's husband for graciously letting her borrow his tools!!!!  Nothing like the feeling of some power tools in your hands - right ladies?


She writes:

I graduated!  On Saturday I participated in a 6 hour, online metal-working class at CrafTechU!  I had so much fun - more than I thought I would have.  I have never worked with metals before, or a wood block to hammer on, or stinky chemicals that would burn the hair off of a gorilla. (it wasn't really that bad).  Linda Peterson taught the class herself and she is an excellent online teacher.

I am sure that most of you don't really give it much thought, but teaching online is VERY different from teaching in person, and not everyone can do it successfully. I have been taking classes online for 3 years and Linda has been the best. The feed was clear and when extreme close-ups were necessary, Linda obliged and I could see the most minute detail.

Linda has obviously had much experience teaching and is a published author. Her artistic talents are vast and she clearly conveys all concepts. I was completely out of my element yet she made me feel confident, competent and excited about creating my own piece of jewellery.

I took several pictures of the experience because I wanted to share it with anyone curious or sceptical about the online learning process, and specifically with CrafTechU.

Laying out the items in the class kit (provided in the cost of the class) and getting ready

WARNING!!! Girl with hammer! Girl with hammer!

Giving my brass plate a bath in liver of sulphur -- YUMMMEEE. (not).  It wasn't stinky like the ammonia solution we also had to use.

Remember to wear your gloves!

The view from the seat at my worktable.  I had all my materials and hardware around me. The screen  has a whiteboard area where all pictures can be displayed, a chat box, a video screen, and also the capability to see everyone else who is on a web cam.

There is always the capability of going full-screen where the detail is excellent.

 One of the items provided in the class kit was a smaller piece of copper  (it's under and jutting out from the button and bead). Students who have a set of metal stamps, like alphabet stamps, were able to stamp a word into the metal.  Since I do not own metal stamps, I chose a few personal items to attach with copper wire.  I chose a vintage brass button and rose bead.  I threaded them and then wrapped them to the metal.

  Starting to assemble the necklace.

 One of my favourite pieces.  This is a broken drill bit (both pieces) wrapped in copper wire.  My darling husband was helping me drill and one piece of metal was thicker and won the battle with the drill bit.:(

    Right: my drill bits;Centre: a 'link of beads' that I chose to use as an attachment as opposed to a decorative link in the necklace chain; Left: button and bead charm. I used alcohol inks to enhance colours.

 This is the thick copper disk we couldn't make a hole in.  Our attempt left a divot on the lower left side so I glued a rose-coloured gem neatly inside. Without a hole to attach the wire I wrapped the wire around the top and through the hole -- still very pretty.  There was a pretty, straight copper bar that we didn't use in class so I chose to anneal, hammer, shape and wrap it.  

 Lots of wrapping.  I think I am now addicted to wrapping wire:) This is another situation where I had to adapt the necklace.  We ( and I say 'we' even though HE (my hubby) made one hole at the top of the plate (instead of at the bottom). I just had to wrap it a little differently. 

The 6 hours flew by. We had several breaks so the afternoon was most pleasurable.  I loved learning a new process and thank Linda Peterson very much for this wonderful opportunity. Thanks Linda!

Final tally:  

Times I had to alter the project:5

Times this posed a problem:0

Number of times I got my skin caught in the pliers: 4

Times I drew blood:1

Number of fingernails still black:2

Next class I'm taking at CrafTechU: 16 days:)

Foundations Metal jewelry class is just around the corner

I read Tiffany Winsdor's facebook post that said "who turned my calendar to November?"....yeah...that's what I want to know. Where did October go?...where has the year gone?

Hard to believe I posted this class nearly two months ago and it's time for it to be here!

I'm so excited and I can NOT wait to show my students what I have in store for them. 

I still have a couple of spots left if you want to join in the fun!  Remember our classes are LIVE and ONLINE...join us anywhere in the world!

Click here for more information and to register.

A class kit is included in the fee.  It will be mailed, but receiving in time for the class can not be guaranteed.