Lots of new stuff in my shop!!

Magnet Sets:: Necklaces::Rings::Cards::Memo Holders

Last day to order is December 18th, then the shop will be closed for the holidays!

I’ve been wanting to make necklaces like these for ages. I finally decided to make them for an upcoming craft fair* at my hospital on Friday.

I had so much fun  making these and going through all my art, choosing little bits that would work.  I really hope they sell so that I can make more! I’m also making little rings and magnets. Any leftovers will be in my shop after the fair.

*If you are local, email me for more info ~ I’d love to see you there!

I’m not a huge fan of making my own jewelry, but I do it because I love beads and because I can, if needed.  I have found that I am easily frustrated with small objects and using my fine motor skills.  Plus, my eyes just aren’t the same as they used to be. *Sigh*. So, once or twice every other month, I pull out my bead collection and try to make something, usually a gift. I have beads from 4 years ago that still are waiting to be used.

I do like to make simple beaded earrings for friends and myself to wear at work. Often I am told, “You should sell these”. I think to myself, “Man, if I had a dollar for every time I was told that, I’d be a millionaire already!”  But, it doesn’t really work like that does it?  All you crafty/artsy folk know about that, don’t you?

Yesterday started the birthday season for my friends and family. At least 9 birthday in the next 30 days that I can think of. That means gift making and quickly getting behind on Halloween crafts/costumes and Holiday gift lists.  Well, I shall do the best I can and thank goodness for Etsy and other awesome jewelry shops, because I’ll be visiting often for gifts.

I was inspired by Robayre‘s and Matirose‘s collection and wanted to share my collection (and quickly growing obsession) with rings.  None of these are really fancy or expensive, they are just from my fun and fabulous collection.

Most of them I have made with old buttons (clay and wood too) and some are vintage costume jewelry given to me by my grandfather (he liked to pick up sparkly things at yard sales, for his granddaughters).

I use E-6000 adhesive to glue buttons on to ring blanks.  It works pretty well. I usually take off my rings if I’m going to have my hands in water for an extended period.

A bit of quiet and meditative beading today with a nice cup of iced chai tea (103 degrees today).  I made 2 wrap bracelets and might have to make a few more. I am loving the stacked gypsy bracelet look like in this and this pic. I really want to try to make this bracelet too.  Might have to go bead shopping soon.

*  I used this video to learn how to make wrapped bracelets.  There are other videos on YouTube too.

24 bracelets went in the mail on Saturday for Craft Hope’s Project 12: Orphan Outreach in Russia. I thought this would be fun for the kids to help me with, but they did about 10 beads and jumped ship.  My mom and sis helped make some of them when I was visiting them last weekend and then I finished some while watching movies. I had hoped to make 50 but time just ran out.

Lots of simple beads on elastic  cord with a few paper bead, that I made ages ago, thrown in for fun.

I love projects like these. They make for an important conversion starter for your kids. Even though they didn’t participate much in the making of these bracelets, my kids were excited to think that another child would be able to get a small, bright and cheerful little gift.

I made this tutorial before going to artfest, but never had time to post it.  These were one of my artfest trades and they disappeared very quickly. I had several people asking how I made them, and with what, so I thought I’d share.

First, since we rarely drink soda or beer, it took me a really LONG time to collect the bottle caps that I had. We did just recently discover Virgil’s root beer and cream soda, so I may get more bottle caps over the summer. The stuff is really good. You can’t have an outdoor picnic without a little cream soda or root beer, right?

spray painted bottle caps

You’ll need:

bottle caps, spray paint (optional), mod podge or matte medium, small circle cutter (3/4″), pretty paper, printed words, white glue, glitter, sticker gems, glass glaze, artificial flowers, brooch pin backs, hot glue gun.

*

Using mod podge or matte medium, glue paper circles into center. Allow to dry.

*

Print and cut out words of choice. Glue into place. Allow to dry.

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Outline circle edge with white glue and sprinkle on your favorite glitter (mine is the Martha Stewart kind).

Add a sparkly gem if desired. Allow glitter/glue/gem to dry completely. Brush off excess glitter if needed.

Fill in with diamond glaze or glass glaze from Sun & Moon craft kits (which I like a lot better). I put just enough to cover glitter. Allow to dry overnight (or at least 4 hours).

When completely dry, glue on flower and brooch pin back with a hot glue gun.

Now shake off any negative vibes, put your sparkly flower brooch on and don’t forget to shine brightly!

They are multiplying over here!! (bunny #1 is in the previous post)

I have been very inspired by bunnies lately, not just because it is almost Easter, but because when we went hiking last Saturday, we saw a jack rabbit and a cottontail. Of course, the one time I forget my camera too.They are so beautiful and SO fast!!  The jack rabbit did sit still for us for quite a while.  He was quite big.

Mr. Bunny

I made Mr. Bunny out of paper clay. I love that stuff. I have to work fast thought. The dryness and warmth of Az make for dry clay very quickly.  I only had to set my pieces in my outdoor oven (aka, the Arizona sun) for about 30-60 minutes.  I shaped Mr. Bunny around a wood peggy.

Then I made some brooches.  They will be in my shop very soon.  The paper clay bunny brooch will go as is (it now has a brooch pin on the back) and it will be $15.   The other two are teeny hand painted bunnies with crackle finish and glaze. They are in the process of getting felt and beads, like the ones I made for the brooch exchange. They will be $18.

Paper clay bunny brooch, $15 sold, thank you

Pink Bunny Brooch, $18 (see with felt and beads HERE)

Cottontail Bunny Brooch, $18 (see with felt and beads HERE), Sold

If you are interested in buying one, let me know in the comments or email (left sidebar), and I will give you a ‘I don’t have to post on Etsy‘ discount of $3 off (plus free shipping!).  They will be listed in my shop on Thursday.

Here are my clay pieces drying before paint. I also made some gals & an owl. Can’t wait to get them all painted up!

Well, that’s all, folks!

It just so happens that if you are supper pressed for time, have the kids at school, and have the computer off, you can get quite a bit accomplished.  These all were done on Monday.  See, I probably could make loads of stuff for a craft fair.

more word magnets made with pretty papers and glass glaze

large flower word brooches

sparkly bottle cap brooches

smaller one word bottle cap brooches

Phew! With all my other word magnets, I made 120 trades!! I just got into production line mode and still made it to bed by 10! Now I have to organize all my supplies and pack my clothes. Ugh!

Before you go, check out my latest sponsor, Blarter. The idea is brilliant. It’s a uber cool place to barter craft supplies, fabric, yarn, craft books and other good craft supplies. Go take a look. There may be something you need.

Yay for today!  It’s the big brooch giveaway that I have been planning for weeks.  I am so excited to share with you so many different lovely brooches that are being given away today.

My brooches aren’t completely done. I still have to add the pin on the back, but I’ll be finishing them up today. I’m giving away 3 little brooches. I haven’t decided which ones yet, but you can tell me your favorite in the comments and I’ll pick 3 winners on Thursday.

Now go check out all these other brooches and leave comments galore! (if you don’t see a brooch post up yet, check back later).

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