Many of my friends will not even know about this thing.

So, let's say that there exists a device that can make even the least inspired yet most eager crafter a screen printing artist. If you can put together some clever clip art and fancy fonts you can make really cool cards, art prints, and other ephemeral goods.

Think about it--your kid can take a black pen, draw something, and it can be immortalized forever in color, sent to family members to hang on refrigerators across our nation.

You have a great idea for a Christmas card. You can design it on your computer in Paint, print it off, and then send it to all of your loved ones. They will, inevitably, comment on how clever you are.

Yeah, well, it exists, and it's the Print Gocco. It comes from Japan and for the last few years the machines and accoutrements have been available at a premium price from importers as the machines haven't been sold in the US for years. But not anymore!

I heard the news of the demise from Samantha. I used to keep up with the Print Gocco mailing lists but they got unwieldy and annoying (honestly, half the emails asked where one could be bought when a simple google search would answer that!). So the news that Riso is no longer even making the accoutrements is very sad.

I made my annual Denny calendar (although it's only been two years so far, and I didn't do one for 2008 due to time constraints) and the joy returns. I have designed a print commemmorating Obama's election but I'm going to hold off. I have a ton of ideas but I have to budget them. Not only do I just have enough screens and bulbs for four more projects but I've had experiences with bad bulbs and bad screens.

I kind of want to stock up on bulbs and screens but my budget is very tight this month thanks to a sudden tax bill I didn't expect. One set of bulbs/screens would cost $35. I'm tempted to put it on the credit card, but that's not where I'm at these days.

I mean, really. The price is a little hight but imagine the fun you'd have!

Samantha, if your next fark trip involves an overnight stay in Nashville I'm totally bringing the Gocco over to your hotel. TOTALLY.

Labels: crafts, gocco, printing