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A Happy Christmas to one and all

Our offices will be closed for the festive season on 23rd December and will re-open on 4th January.

We’d like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a very crafty Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

 

Efco Christmas 2015

Efcolor Collage Blanks

The 80 x 80 mm aluminium collage blanks in the Efcolor range are proving very popular with crafters at the moment as they are the perfect size to create little post-it note books…

Post Box Post It Note Book Texture Mat Post It Block

Efcolor is Efco’s own cool enamelling system with allows crafters to combine other techniques and products such as decoupage, rub ons, alcohol pens, crystals and rubber stamping. With 4 blanks in each pack crafters are able to create 2 books from one pack!

Check out the full range of blanks for enamelling in the Efcolor catalogue.

Darwi Amerina Pens

Darwi Amerina Pens are designed for decorating ceramic and glass. They are an acrylic water-based paint which comes in 18 inter-mixable colours and 1 medium. Once dry they are glossy and very resistant to light. They quickly become touch dry but when left for 48 hours they are dishwasher resistant. As with all ceramic and glass paints are are for decorative purposes only and shouldn’t be used on surfaces that will come into contact with food. So, with Halloween just around the corner,a quick and easy idea is to decorate night light holders for a spooky themed party…

Witch Night Light 2

To find out more check out page 151.42 of the Efco Technical Hobbies Catalogue.

Efco Texture Mats for Colouring Therapy

Efco’s Texture Mats are not just for creating patterns in polymer clay, they also make great designs for the latest craze of adult colouring…

Efco Texture Mat Colour Therapy 

Once stamped onto card using a permanent ink pad such as Versafine or StazOn they can be coloured in with watercolour pencils, pens or paints. Perfect for rainy summer holidays!

Check out the latest News Catalogue for details of the twelve Texture Mats available and the range of colours in Versafine and StazOn Ink pads.

Mini Efcolor Stand

Efco’s mini Efcolor Stand is ideal for enamelling both sides of their mini bracelet charms. It allows crafters to enamel blanks ranging from 3 to 10 mm in size.

Efco 3-10mm mini enamelling stand

A top tip for anyone new to double-sided enamelling is to enamel the back first, making sure to make the enamel layer as thin as possible whilst still smooth and glossy. Then, when baking the front side, make sure to place the blank as level as possible on the stand, remembering to leave the blank to cool on the stand too, as the underside will be tacky whilst still hot.

For Efco’s entire range of enamelling stands check out the Efcolor, Blanks and Enamel Catalogue.

Spring Coloured Ribbons

Spring has sprung (even if the weather doesn’t seem to have realised it) and Efco have some beautiful ranges of spring coloured ribbons for all your crafting needs.

12 125 56 - Efco Deco Ribbon Frill, 91% Polyester 9% Elastane, 23 mm12 127 35 - Efco Deco Ribbon Cotton Optics - Bright Pink12 129 08 - Efco Deco Ribbon Fringe - Yellow, 100% Polyester, 18mm

12 715 35 - Efco Wired Ribbon Checked - Bright Pink, 93% Acetate, 6% Iron, 1% Polyester, 25mmEfco Deco Ribbon Fringe - Yellow Orange Light Green, 83% polyester 17% polyamide, 40mm12 726 35 - Efco Wired Ribbon Wave - Bright Pink, 69% Acetate, 16% Iron, 15% Polyester, 15mm

12 162 02 - Efco Ribbon Cotton Hole Pattern - Cream, 100% Cotton, 10mm12 155 41 - Efco Deco Ribbon Satin Checked - Lilac, 100% Polyester, 10mm12 163 32 - Efco Deco Ribbon Cotton Hole Pattern - Light Pink, 100% Cotton, 20mm

Check out the Spring 2015 News Catalogue to see the full range of colours and new ribbons available.

2mm Paracord from Efco

The Efco 2mm cords are not just for creating thin Paracord bands. You can use them in Paracord techniques for all sorts of projects. For instance, with Spring and Summer on the way they are ideal for jazzing up plain flip flops.

Efco Paracord Flip Flops 1

 

This would make a great workshop for retailers wanting to introduce their customers to the joys of Paracord braiding. It is simple and easy to do: You will need 2 x 4m packs of 2mm cord (and naturally a pair of flip flops too). A more interesting effect can easily be achieved if you use two contrasting colours or a plain and patterned cord. Stick the two cords together by heating the ends and joining them until cool. Then, using the straps of the flip flops as the central cords, follow the basic Paracord weave instuctions which can be found in every bag of Efco Paracord (also know as the Macramé square knot). When you get to the other end of the strap, cut the excess and carefully heat the ends to seal and secure (making sure not to burn the flip flops). Repeat for the second flip flop.

Efco Paracord Flip Flops 2

To see the complete range of Efco’s 2mm Paracords check out page 12.16 of the Basics Catalogue.

Cernit & Efco Texture Mat Demonstrations at Stitches 2015

Efco now stock Cernit Polymer Clay. This is a middle of the road clay which falls somewhere in between Fimo Soft and Classic in consistency. It is considered a very strong clay (possibly the strongest available on the market) with good adhesion and fine detailing qualities. It also works wonderfully with Efco’s new Texture Mats…

9500504_a_1 Efco Space Texture Mat Ring

(Space Texture Mat used to create the round ring pictured above.)

Click here to open PDF of the current designs (printed actual size)

Join us on Stand 25 at Stitches 2015 to see a demonstration of how easy it is to create stunning Cernit jewellery using Efco’s Texture Mats combined with their Jewellery Backings.

 

Metal Embossing with Efco Metall Art

With Efco’s new Metall Art Punches and Tools crafters can now create unique gold, copper and silver coloured metal jewellery.

1830025_a_1

Using one set of 3 punches and a utility hammer crafters can transform a plain brass donut like this…

9010203_a_1_2

 

…to this…

Efco Donut Metall Art Pendant

We will have a variety of examples on show at Stitches and Fiona Jones will be on hand to talk you through the process if needed.

Efco Paracord Braiding at Stitches 2015

We are looking forward to meeting everyone at Stitches this year. As usual you will find us on Stand G25 towards the back of the hall (not far from the coffee area).

Viper Efco Paracord Braid

One of the crafts we will have on display is Paracord braiding – a craft which appeals to a wide audience, boys and girls alike. Originally popular with climbers as a convenient way of carrying extra cord it has now crossed over into the craft world and is especially popular with boys. Macramé knots and Kumihimo weaves can be found amongst the Paracord braids and crafters will find countless free instructions available on the internet.

Retailers will find that they can cross merchandise with Efcolor Enamelling, Metall Art and Efco’s large holed beads as these can be combined within the braids or added as an embellishments on top.

Efcolor Paracord Band  Efcolor Paracord Band 2

Fiona Jones will be demonstrating how easy it is to create paracord braids with Efco cords and click buckles so we hope you can join us on Stand G25.