Join DIY Steel on December 13, 2021, starting at 6:00 pm to paint a pet dish and stamp a pet tag to take home. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Oregon Humane Society.
As one of our favorite holidays gets ever closer, we’re thinking about ways to make it even more fun. Of course, costumes and candy are a given, but what about throwing a party?! Whether it’s just for a few people or the neighborhood, you can keep it Covid-safe, yet still create a good-time atmosphere.
Kids and adults alike will love a party that includes games, food and Halloween decor. If the weather cooperates (or you’ve got a covered deck/patio) you can invite the gang for outdoor festivities. Or, you might open the garage door and set up your own “Halloween cave” where the fresh air can circulate while you and your friends celebrate. Holding the party inside your home is also an option too. If you want to make sure everyone who wants to can mask up, buy some inexpensive medical masks and have the kids help you decorate them.
Using our holiday decor that we shared in last month’s blog, here are some more ideas for throwing an unforgettable party.
Make Your Own Eye-Catching Invitations
You can find lots of invitation ideas online, such as these. Here are three of our favorites:
Black bats with gold lettering. Using sturdy black construction paper or card stock, use an online template to trace and cut out a bat shape. Pick up a gold metallic pen to write your invitation on the bat.
Think “ransom note,” when you use old magazines or newspapers to cut out letters of varying sizes and fonts to create your invite message and then glue them to tattered paper.
At your nearest craft store (or online) purchase a couple of packages of different sizes of “googly eyes” and some black construction paper or card stock. Fold the paper into invitations and affix the googly eyes on the front.
A seasonal front door wreath is always fun. Use our “Happy Halloween” sign as the foundation for a wreath you make. It can be used on its own to welcome guests or decorate it with faux spiders, cobwebs, black and orange ribbon, or whatever you can imagine.
We’ve got a number of pieces in our shop that could easily serve as a backdrop or holder for a candle. Candles (flameless are best for safety) can create an extra spooky atmosphere and when grouped together will make your home look and smell “boo-tiful.”
Similarly, you could use our scary black cat or one of our 3D spiders as the base for a table or mantle centerpiece. Add small pumpkins and gourds, skeletons, gravestones, candles, ravens, skulls; there’s no limit to what you can create.
Dish Up a Fabulous Feast
No party is complete without food and drink and Halloween offers an opportunity to scare up some delicious goodies. Whether your party is family-friendly or adults-only, you’ll find some great food ideas here. Think about not only what you’ll serve, but how you’ll display it. Check out these ideas:
If you’ve got a bar cart, kitchen island or coffee table, go crazy decorating it in a Halloween theme as a backdrop to display your snacks.
Charcuterie is “on-trend” these days. But, who says it has to be meat and cheese? How about making an array of candies and sweet treats to tempt your guests.
Get as ghoulish as you like with the food. Think spaghetti “brains,” carrot “fingers,” and “severed toe” hot dog wraps. Add a little red food coloring for extra fright.
Score Big with Game Time
With some pop music playing in the background, invite your guests — kids and adults alike — to take part in a few party games. Search online for games like these:
That ‘90s favorite movie “Hocus Pocus” is making a comeback with a sequel in production. So, it’s only natural that you’d want to bring out the Hocus Pocus board game. Available online for an affordable price, it’s great for everyone ages eight and up.
But, you don’t have to spend much money at all to offer entertaining games. Find some witch hats (or make your own with construction paper and black paper plates) and some inexpensive toss rings and then set up a game of ring toss on the witch hats.
A game of “eyeball pong” will surely bring lots of laughter. Find plastic eyeballs like these online or decorate ping pong balls. Set up a bunch of disposable party cups (or use your own cups and mugs) and give everyone a chance to bounce the eyeballs into the cups.
While trick or treating and costumes may be the main Halloween draw, use these ideas along with your own creativity to make this year’s holiday one your family and friends will talk about for years to come!
Created by nerds for nerds. That’s how the GeekCraft Expo describes itself — and we couldn’t be more excited to participate!
Late last week, we learned we’ve been selected as one of the curated exhibitors to take part in the 2021 GeekCraft Expo scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 25 and 26 at the Oregon Convention Center in Portland.
It’s Like a Mall for Geeks
Founded in 2016 by the husband and wife team of comic book writer Daniel Way (Deadpool, Wolverine, The Incredible Hulk, etc.) and former Ubisoft (high quality gaming developer) community manager Kimberly Matsuzaki, GeekCraft Expo is a collection of curated, geek-themed handmade markets held throughout the year in multiple cities across the U.S. GeekCraft Expo is a showcase for “nerds who make things.” And, according to the GeekCraft founders, “Nerds, it must be said, make the best things.”
Whether you identify as a nerd or geek or not, this Expo is a truly unique experience and one you don’t want to miss. If you’re looking for “that” special thing — or things — to complement your geeky lifestyle, there is simply no better place to shop; everything for sale at GeekCraft Expo is incredibly unique and typically, made-by-hand.
We’ll be bringing some kits that are favorites of our DIY Steel customers, and we think you will also love them. These “assemble yourself” kits include our beautiful butterfly and whimsical dragonfly, plus kits especially for kids, one to make a desktop pencil and paperclip holder, another to make a very unique six-sided lamp and a few more surprises as well. Be sure to come find us!
Affordable and Family Friendly — And, Covid-Safe
With an affordable admission price of $5 at the door (even less in advance online) and kids 12 and under free, this is truly a family friendly event. For kids (and adults) who are into superheroes, gaming and/or geeky things in general, GeekCraft Expo is the perfect day out, because the event is wall-to-wall with all that for sale from local makers. Plus, Cosplay is highly encouraged.
GeekCraft Expo places a high priority on the health and safety of everyone who attends or participates in its events. Because of this, and in accordance with the restrictions and guidelines mandated by the state and local governments of the cities and states in which it holds its events, as well as the individual venues in which their shows are held, GeekCraft Expo insists that ALL attendees, exhibitors and staff comply with the mandatory safety protocols as posted. You can learn about the requirements for the Portland event on the Expo’s Facebook page, here.
So, let’s fly our nerd flags with pride. We hope to see you at Portland’s GeekCraft Expo!
We can barely contain our excitement: we’re going to participate in one of Portland’s premier events, Rose City Comic Con 2021. Set for Friday through Sunday, Sept. 10 – 12, at the Oregon Convention Center, Rose City Comic Con provides attendees with access to gaming, sci-fi, cosplay, anime, fantasy and everything in between.
In addition to vendors like us, the line-up of activities at Comic Con is outstanding. The event will highlight popular culture celebrities from film, TV, cosplay and comics, with opportunities for photos and autographs. Headliners include: Actor Carl Weathers from Happy Gilmore; Amy Chu, writer of the Wonder Woman comics; award winning cosplayer Brittani Ginoza; and more.
The event schedule is jam-packed with hourly programs, including: seminars on topics such as pairing food with gaming, the art of wigs and makeup, the magic of molding and casting, and more. Special workshops for kids, plus cosplay meet-ups and demos will also occur.
Exclusive Items from DIY Steel Available at Comic Con
Right in step with the Comic Con theme, DIY Steel will showcase the very popular Metal EarthⓇ kits and Project Genius puzzles. These are items we’ve brought in exclusively for the event, with products you can purchase on-the-spot. If you haven’t gotten your hands on these yet, this is going to be your chance to grab some. But, you’ll have to be quick, before they sell out.
Metal Earth Kits Showcased at Comic Con
Made from high quality steel sheets, Metal Earth kits offer DIYers the opportunity to create their own three-dimensional models with stunning detail. Easy to follow instructions that do not require extra materials enable creative types to assemble the models by bending the tabs through corresponding connection points. Whether you are purchasing for yourself or as a holiday gift, we will feature the Star Wars, Harry Potter, Guardians of the Galaxy, Dr. Who, Transformers and Batman kits at Comic Con. See a few examples in the photos: C3PO from Star Wars, Captain America’s Shield, Marvel’s Deadpool, and a selection of Harry Potter kits that will be available.
Project Genius Puzzles Showcased at Comic ConThen, for something different, we’re bringing you a selection of our Project GeniusⓇbrainteaser puzzles. These are not your ordinary puzzles. Project Genius prides itself on curating puzzles that inspire the senses and stimulate curiosity. Its Constantin puzzles feature beautiful designs as well as challenging solutions. And, its True Genius puzzle collection is low-difficulty, but just as fun as the harder puzzles. Both brands include metal puzzles for you to solve. Check out the image of the Double Trouble puzzle that is just one example of what we’ll have for you.
Don’t Miss Out!
The buzz is already strong with anticipation for Rose City Comic Con and we can’t wait to see you there! Keep in mind that event organizers are following all Coronavirus guidelines and will be requiring face coverings for all attendees, exhibitors, guests, and all other patrons. You can read more about the safety precautions that will be in place at rosecitycomiccon.com/covid-19/.
So, save the dates — Sept. 10-12 — and come find us at the Oregon Convention Center! Don’t forget, you can come in costume, and what’s more fun than that?
This Mother’s Day, treat your mom (or mother figure) to a creative project in celebration of spring. During our virtual Mother’s Day class, we’ll walk you through how to create yard art that will take the shape of either a dragonfly or butterfly. All you have to do is sign up for the class and come in to pick up your yard art kit. Then you can complete the project — either with your mom in tow or from separate locations anywhere in the world — while signing in to watch the demonstration any time between May 8th, starting at 12:30 p.m., and Mother’s Day, May 10th, ending at 12:30 a.m.
Project:
Choose between a Dragonfly or Butterfly to design
Decorate and put your design on a stake for your yard
When:
Only available the weekend of Mother’s Day
Video available May 8th @ 12:30 p.m. – May 10th @ 12:30 a.m.
