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Welcome to Snazzys blog where we hope to offer you regular inspiration using all the latest products both in store and the new Snazzys Online version. Plus, previews of upcoming workshops, product previews and reviews, mini tutorials and so much more.

Saturday 28 December 2013

Snazzys Annual Winter Sale now on!

Hello there and thank you all for your beautiful Christmas (and New Year) cards and wishes, I hope you have all had a lovely Christmas and are not suffering the results of the awful weather.
 

At Snazzys we only have one sale each year and yesterday saw the start of this year's bargains. Our sale runs from 11am, Friday 27 December until 5pm on Saturday 4 January and we are even open 11am to 3pm on Sunday 29 December. We are closed on New Year's Day though.

We need to clear space for all the new 2014 stamps and other goodies on their way, so you will find reductions in store of between 25% and 50% on many pre 2014 lines from brands such as Hero Arts, Stampers Anonymous, Chocolate Baroque and many more. Some items have a massive 70% off with sale prices starting at just 75p. 




We have a huge range of Cosmic Shimmer Embossing Powders including all Aurora, Blaze, Lustre, Sparkle, Precious Metals and UTEEs, and all Shimmer Mists and Chalk Mists on offer at any 10 items for just £20! We also have all Creative Expressions stamps including Sam Poole and Linda Ravenscroft Designs on sale at 25% to 50% off the original selling price and all our Walnt Hollow lines have 25% off too.


All our Prima and Pronty stencils have 25% off and our A4 and A5 Dylusions stencils have at least 25% off with the Christmas ones reduced to half price.
 

Our remaining JOFY Christmas stamps have 25% off and all our 6x6 paper pads from MME, Teresa Collins, Carta Bella etc are reduced to £5.00 or less.

Every year we also have a Second Hand Stash sale in the Studio and we have dozens of (mostly) wood block stamps and other items on offer this year.
 

The end of sale raffle is back too, just collect your free raffle ticket and cross your fingers that you will be the lucky winner of two sets of Snazzy Workshop Vouchers worth £30 so you can treat yourself, and perhaps a friend, to a class and try something new in the New Year.

 
The sweeties are back too!

 
 
Hope to see you soon xx




Thursday 24 October 2013

A Simple Little Gift

Hello there,

just a very quick post today.

I recently came across a version one of these simple little boxes of cards from many moons ago when our children were small and I used to make them to sell at craft fairs. Each year I would include a set, with simple thank you cards inside, for each child in their Christmas stocking so the means were always to hand when the thank yous had to be written - each having a different design/colourway saved squabbles, and I think relatives enjoyed the variety of handmade happy mail.

 
The red version above, which was Wednesday's workshop 'for instance', is made with just the signature sheet from Carta Bella's Beautiful Moments collection,
 
 
and the blue version, which I made during the class, features Authentique's Loyal collection.
 
 
The stamps I used in both are by JOFY for PaperArtsy, part of the new seasonal release, not necessarily Christmas although the parcels certainly could be and all the cards were simply stamped and paper pieced.
 
There are always lots of fairs and other events in aid of various charities at this time of year and this is a simple little project that makes a great gift for a non card maker, (I sometimes just include the greetings already on foam tape so the recipient can make the cards suit the person/occasion they need), or donation to a local charity to help them raise funds.
 
I have been asked to run this one again and will try to find a slot very early in December, so look out for the December timetable published towards the end of next week.
 
back soon xx
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Monday 21 October 2013

In Snazzys Studio this week

Good morning from a very wet and windy Wiltshire, definitely a day for crafting in a cosy corner!

What are you making at the moment? I'm busy putting the finishing touches to a canvas project for next Saturday's workshop which I am really pleased with, and also have a neat project ready for this Wednesday's workshop too. It's a little gift box containing four coordinating greetings cards with envelopes using the new JOFY minis, ideal to give to non card making friends to use as post Christmas thank you cards or alternatively why not stamp a selection of greetings with foam pads ready on the back to be added when needed.

This week's Stop By & Stamp on Tuesday morning is faux reflections using Ranger's Perfect Pearls....



...and Thursdays Technique Tutorial is on Triple Layer Embossing.



Both feature one of my all time favourite stamps from Inkadinkado which I have had for at least ten years and which is still in their current catalogue.

Before I go just a reminder that we currently have a 2013 Snazzys DT call over on the DT blog, closing date if you are interested is 27 October.

There is a lot going on in the background at Snazzys at the moment and I will be back later in the week to share some more news both here and on the DT blog

Take care and stay dry & cosy

Val xx












Monday 7 October 2013

Workshop News

Hello everyone, just a quick post to let you know what is happening in the workshop.
 
 Last week all the sessions involved Pan Pastels, with lots of layers and a bit of shimmer from the new Metallic shades. These were Wednesday morning's samples.
 
 
This week it's the other PPs - Ranger's Perfect Pearls.......
 
 
....they were the first, I still think the best, and certainly the most versatile, mica powders on the market.
 
In Tuesday's Stop By & Stamp session we will be creating faux reflections with them, Wednesday's workshop covers four different ideas (samples above) from watercolouring to layering, and in Thursday's Technique Tutorial we will be creating both positive and negative images on the same project.
 
Lots of fun with hints and tips for getting the best from your Perfect Pearls along the way, and I will be back later in the week with details of Saturday's Envelope Pocket Book workshop and the Garden Hanging for this weekend's Sampling Sunday.
 
Hope you can join me in Snazzys Studio soon xx 
 
ps lot's more information on our workshops can be found over at http://snazzystampingandscrapbooking.co.uk/page47aa.html
 

Monday 9 September 2013

In Snazzys Studio this week.......

Hello, just a quick update on what's on in the Studio this week.

Tuesday's Stop By & Stamp session is all about slider cards.....

 
...I have used Kaisercraft's new Subway Art stamps for this sample and kept it very crisp in black and white. Of course you might choose to use completely different stamps and colour combinations in yours but we have lots to choose from in the workshop. So, if you fancy a go at making slider cards then drop in (no need to book) between 10am and 1pm on Tuesday, kettle and coffee pot will be on - that's included in the £5 session price too!
 
Wednesday morning's workshop is fully booked and will be full of sparkle with the first of the new season Christmas cards to be made. If you missed out on this one there will be another with more new projects and ideas later in the month, and also on the October workshop timetable which will be out later this week. 
 
Thursday's Technique Tutorial is designed to help you perfect your embossing technique.
 
 
This sample is made with the fab WOW embossing powders and stamps from Hero Arts. Again this is just the 'for instance' and as this is a drop in session there is no need to book, just pop along between 10am and 1pm and join in, Again the session price is all inclusive at £5.
 
Hope to see you in the studio soon xx
 
 
 

Thursday 4 July 2013

Thursday Already

This week has fairly whizzed by and after a busy week, we are off to Newbury tomorrow to set up for Artstamps England this weekend.

On Tuesday we ran the first of our new weekly Stop By & Stamp sessions. A gentle start with a very simple no measure pop up card using JOFY 15 stamps by Jo Firth-Young for PaperArtsy.

Here is 'the bones'...

 
and here are the samples you could follow if you wished....
 
 
and here are the results.
 
 
Not a bad morning's play ahem work.
 
See you same time, same place next Tuesday with a different demo and samples for you to try your hand at. If you fancy joining us then you will find all the details on the main Snazzy's website
 
Before I go we are starting a new monthly challenge at Snazzys Studio.
 
Most months at Snazzys we offer around ten new workshops with original projects, the Design Team share new projects every week on Snazzys DT blog and we have even been known to remember to blog a project or two either on my own blog or here on the store blog too. Add to that all the new products that arrive in store each month, the store display boards, the in store and event demos we do plus Art Journal Sunday, Stop by & Stamp and Sampling Sunday we are hoping you will find something to inspire you.
 
Your challenge each month will be to share a little something you have made, inspired by something you have seen in store, on our blogs, in our workshop or you have bought at Snazzys in store or at an event. Tell us what inspired you in the comments area of this post and link to where you are showing your project. On the last day of the month we will ask Mr Random to select a project and send a little prize to the winner.
 
That's all for now as I need to get packing ready for loading - if you are going to Artstamps this weekend do drop by stand 6 and say hello - Mike has ordered good weather so a picnic might be in order.
 
Back soon xx
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Monday 1 July 2013

Good Morning Monday....

... and a beautiful morning it is!

 
As we don't open until 11am on a Monday I had a quiet moment with my coffee in the garden area outside the store this morning - everyone else was already hard at work so really peaceful.
 
Not for long though as we have a very busy week ahead.
 
Tomorrow sees the launch of our new drop in session, Stop By & Stamp. It will initally run from 10am to 1pm every Tuesday morning right through Summer and into September - lots of people have told us how much they miss the old Thursday Tabletime sessions and, as we only stopped them because we felt that after nine years the format was becoming a little tired and unfocused, the new sessions will focus on a different product, technique or stamps each week with samples for you to follow if you wish. Full details can be found over at http://www.snazzystampingandscrapbooking.co.uk/page49.html so we hope you find time to join us.
 
We only have one workshop this week, Wednesday morning 10am to 1pm, a cardmaking one using the new JOFY Summer collection stamps which Snazzys DT are also using this month, I will try to blog the samples later. There is no Saturday workshop this week as it's Artstamp England at Newbury!
 
 
As we do each year, each day (Monday to Thursday) this week we will give away a ticket to this event, which can be used on either the Saturday or Sunday, keep an eye on our Twitter & Facebook each day for details.
 
The store will be closed this Friday & Saturday 5 & 6 July whilst we are at the show, if you are going to the show do drop by Stand 6 on the ground floor and say hello. It's a lovely little show with loads of free parking and areas to picnic in whether you enjoy sunshine or shade so well worth a visit - full details at www.artstampsexhibitions.org.uk
 
That's all for today. Thanks for visiting.
Back soon xx
 
 
 
 

Sunday 30 June 2013

Hello Sunday

I don't know where this week went but suddenly it's Sunday again. Not just any Sunday, it's the last Sunday of the month so Art Journal Sunday in Snazzys Studio.

 
I didn't read the newspaper, didn't chat all day and I did finish a journal page. If you want the lowdown on how this page came together pop over to my own blog tomorrow for the details.
 
Thank you ladies for your company and apologies all round for the lack of photos, must try harder next time which for anyone who'd like to join us is Sunday 28 July. No need to book just grab your journal and come along and join in. Don't have a journal? never done a page? no idea what it's all about? Pop along between 11am & 3pm on Sunday 28 July and have a go!
 
Now the other reason this Sunday is important is I can share what Snazzys DT will be wowing us with over the next five weeks over on the DT blog starting with Gillian tomoprrow. Ready.....
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Summer has landed at Snazzys - courtesy of JOFY for Paperartsy lol!
 
If you fancy trying out these stamps for yourself they are also featured in this Wednesday's workshop, details here and are available in store and in Snazzys online store.
 
Thanks for looking.
Back soon xx
 
 
 
 
 
 

Thursday 13 June 2013

Moving on.....


Retirement comes along at some point for everyone and products are no different really.

We continually review all the products we have in store, and with the latest exciting releases always just on the horizon, we often have to make some tough decisions about which product lines need to move on over to make way for all the newest ranges.

We currently have 25% off all our Darkroom Door stamps as sadly we will no longer be stocking this brand. This was a real toughie as I love all the beautiful detail in these stamps but it is time for something new. We do still have one or two designs in the iconic tins which are no longer available, online over at http://snazzysstore.com/.

Replacing Darkroom Door on our walls (and in our online store) we are proud to hang stamps from a home grown UK designer and manufacturer, the wonderful Chocolate Baroque which we will be adding to our stand at all Artstamps shows in future too. Thank you Glenda and Adrian.

In our new entryway photo above you may also catch a glimpse of the amazing JOFY stamps both the 2013 Spring Collection and the new Summer release designed by Jo Firth Young for Paperartsy, again in the UK, and now gracing our walls and online store. Much more to come from them as we gradually introduce the PaperArtsy range of products!

You may remember earlier this year we introduced the new Ranger Distress Paints, which I didn't want to like but.....
Focus on Distress Paints Workshop Sample Wednesday 24 July

...with my addiction to backgrounds they are absolutely here to stay and we will be adding the remaining colours just as soon as Ranger release them.
 
The downside is that the Headmaster said to make room for them I had to agree to let another paint range go so... 
 
.....bargain!
 
The other lines of product which we will be retiring are from Cosmic Shimmer.
 
We have stocked the full range of Cosmic Shimmer Embossing Powders - Aurora, Blaze, Lustre, Precious Metal, Ultra Thick Embossing Crystals, Sparkles etc - since we first opened, adding new colours and finishes as they were released. Similarly the Cosmic Shimmer Misters have been a fixture on our shelves for more years than I want to think about and we simply feel it is time for something new. So, stock up on these now.....
 
...... they won't last long at these prices and when they are gone, they are gone!
 
We have all the new Dylusions Ink Spray colours in stock so that makes 18 amazing colours all together.
 
We have held the price of these at £4.35 since they were first released by Ranger but with the current exchange rate and increased shipping costs we have had to increase the price to £4.75. We are holding the price of the stamps at £19.95 however and have the new ones in stock.
 
Monster Mash is my favourite...
 
..and I couldn't resist a little play with them - more details of this project coming over on my blog (http://inkyexploits.blogspot.com/) at the weekend so do stop by there too! 
 
I think that covers things for today, more news on new lines in store, the launch of our Monthly Challenge and some other interesting developments in Snazzys Studio early next week so do stop by then and catch up with all the gossip.
 
Thanks for stopping by xx
 
 
 
 
 
 



Tuesday 4 June 2013

Long time no blog....

Hello, just a quick catch up which I know is a bit of a cheek given how long we have been MIA lol!

Firstly, and most importantly, an enormous and heartfelt thank you for all your messages, prayers, cards, flowers and thoughtful condolances over the past few weeks. We have been very touched by how many of you have taken the time from your busy lives just to drop by with kind words - and even kinder offers of help. We are blessed with the very best of friends, you know who you are xx

Secondly, a little request. When we exhibit at events we get lots of lovely customers telling us how much they enjoy looking at our blogs and especially the fantastic inspiration they get from our wonderful DT blog. We always appreciate this, as we know just how much time and effort the DT put into creating amazing artwork for everyone to enjoy.

Sooo, as you browse the blogs it would be great if you could take a moment to leave a comment for our teamies to let them know you have been by and to show your appreciation of their work directly, you can even win a little something if your comment is picked by Mr Random - and it would save us feeling like old frauds as we gather the plaudits and have done none of the work lol!

Now, along with a taste of Summer weather, the new JOFY Summer release stamps from PaperArtsy arrived this morning....

 
there are three A5 plates
 
 
 
 
and six Minis.
 
 
 
 
Great fun and they are already in Snazzy's Online Store too over at http://www.snazzysstore.com/

And on the JOFY theme, the Spring release is the focus of tomorrow (Wednesday) morning's workshop
Wednesday 5 June 10am to1pm
 
with Clean & Simple cards (above) as well as techniques with Dylusions Inks and Distress Paints.
 
Saturday 8 June 10am to 1pm
 
 
Distress Paints also feature in Saturday's workshop along with Prima masks & stencils, texture pastes from Maimeri, Treasure Gold from PaperArtsy and lots of new Kaisercraft background stamps.
 
We have some space on each, just give us a ring at the store on 01793 602470 - if it's out of hours just leave a message and we will book you in.
 
We will be back later this week with more news on both more new products in store, and ranges we are retiring, plus more sneak peeks of the rest of this month's workshops.
.
So, watch this space xx