The Adventure Continues

You wouldn't know it by the pace of the blog posts here, but the Castle in the Air gnomes have been quite busy, especially online. In fact, today I'm ecstatic to reveal one of our grandest projects ever—a completely new and integrated web experience for you.

Beginning this week, the Castle in the Air website has been reimagined to better reflect our many projects. Here are some of the highlights: 

Our class listings have been given a fresh update, and our new zoom option helps you take a closer look at the craft samples our teachers have prepared. Tutorials for some of our most popular projects can be found through the YouTube link on the website.

We’ve taken new photos of our most popular products and posted them to the Online Shoppe, which has been integrated into the website. We want to make it easy for you to connect with the best crafting supplies on earth, so the Online Shoppe is now mobile-friendly—try it out!

All of the award-winning books we publish through Dromedary Press are available through the new site, too, along with associated videos and greeting cards based on the illustrations.

Social media has been a vital way for us to communicate with our friends and fans around the world. You can find links to our various social media pages including Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest.

My favorite new aspect of Castle in the Air’s site is the array of pictures we’ve included showing people using our products to bring their creative dreams into waking life. “Believe in the fantasy” isn’t just a saying—it’s what we strive to do every day.

Additionally, we’ve started a new blog on the website. You’ll be able to browse past articles here, and when you visit the new site you can read about current projects, including community events like the Blue Castle Badge and Ironcraft.

Castle in the Air is many things, including a shop, a classroom, and a collection of online resources. But all of it is in service to a community of artists, writers, and dreamers—you. This was our mission when we opened our doors fifteen years ago, and it still is today.

Even though things change, in our hearts we’re still the same. Thank you for your continued kindness and generosity, and welcome to the next chapter in our ongoing adventure.

Best wishes,

Karima Cammell

Founder and owner, Castle in the Air

Ironcraft Returns to Castle in the Air

Ironcraft is back! Our first Ironcraft creative challenge was so much fun that we’ve decided to repeat it as part of Castle in the Air’s 15-year anniversary celebration.

In case you’re new to this game: Ironcraft takes inspiration from the Iron Chef television show where cooks create unique dishes incorporating a common mystery ingredient. For our challenge, Castle in the Air has selected an item from our huge stock of special crafting materials. The mystery item is the same for every entrant, but of course every result will be one-of-a-kind!

To participate, stop by Castle in the Air between now and the end of June (or until supplies run out) and ask for your Ironcraft Kit. If you can’t visit us in person, you can order the kit from our Online Shoppe. The kit is free but if we send it to you a small charge will apply to cover shipping. Take the item to your studio and work your magic on it to create something wonderful.

When you’re done, show us your creation! Drop off your Ironcraft entry at the shop, or email a photo showing it against a white background to ironcraft@castleintheair.biz. To be eligible, all Ironcraft entries must be received back by noon on Friday, July 1. While we love all forms of creativity, we ask that you please keep your Ironcraft entry appropriate for an all-ages audience.

What to Include

Whether you submit in-person or online, include your name, postal address, email address, and telephone number with your submission, so we’ll know whom to credit and where to send your prize. Your contact information will only be used to send you your prize. Also give us a written description of what inspired your creation and a few sentences about your artistic process: What materials did you use? Is this the first time you’ve worked in this medium? You may also include a website or social media address. This time we have a plan to display all in-store entries in our front window for the month of July. We will also create an Ironcraft gallery on our website, Facebook page, and Instagram. Stay connected with updates from us and share your progress by using the hashtag #ironcraft. We will publish entrants’ names and (if you wish) your web address so people can see more of your artwork.

After the competition, your Ironcraft entry will be available for pickup or can be shipped back to you at your expense. We will be in touch to arrange for reuniting you with your art.

Ironcraft isn’t a competition but a celebration of ingenuity and the creative spirit. Stop by Castle in the Air to get started!

Krampus Invades Fourth Street