Take a Beading Class in Philly!

August 15, 2014 By 2 Comments

Urban Cowgirl Necklace with Candie CooperIt’s been all hustle lately getting ready for the Bead Fest party in Philly next weekend!  Writing instructions, photographing, laundry, packing etc…  I’m ready to get this shindig started!  Ok, I still have some things to do (like a lot of things actually), but you know what I mean.  I can’t wait to hang with my fellow jewelry makers and JesseJamesBeads.com crew.

If you’re in the area, may I invite you to a class?  This one is $26 and includes EVERYTHING thanks to the sponsors above.

Now, I better get back to it y’all!

Filed Under: Classes

See you at Herb Fest This Saturday!

August 14, 2014 By 1 Comment

Herb Fest 2

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Beginner Jewelry Project

August 14, 2014 By 1 Comment

DIY Fringe Necklace from Candie Cooper

Chevron Fringe PendantMy husband got me an amazing new camera for my birthday.  He even called Amy at Mod Podge Rocks to see what to get.  How sweet is that?  My birthday is in May and I only recently picked it up (I think the owl button bracelet was my first post with it).  It’s big.  It’s powerful.  There are a lot of dials and buttons.  It’s a Nikon d5200.  I have NO idea how to use it.  So, bear with me as I fumble through getting to know this mega machine.Chevron Fringe Necklace IdeaSee this picture?  It looked great on the mini screen of the camera.   Then, I pull it up and……..Oh.  Hello, blurry pendant.  But!  I really loved the shot with the old brick and brick so I’m documenting it.  Someday when I’m taking fabulously focused pictures, I’ll look back at my humble beginnings and say: Candice, you’ve come a long way baby.

Ha.  My hubs just walked in and said, “that looks nice, honey.”  Love is blind.  I love that guy.

Fringe Necklace from Candie CooperBetter.

Much better (and a lucky shot).

Want to make this necklace?

You might think I strung all the seed beads onto head pins, but I didn’t.  This is actually a very cute pendant from Plaid’s Sea Sparkle line.

I connected each end of the pendant to a piece of chain with a jump ring and finished the end with a little lobster clasp (also connected with jump rings.  It took me about 5 minutes.  Maybe.

This is an especially great project for beginner jewelry makers such as tweens or your friend that wants to make a piece of jewelry with you.  All you need to know is how to open and close a jump ring and you can make the hole thing.  Jump rings are simply round rings with an opening so you can connect all the components together.  You can see opening a jump ring in this tutorial.

Keeping it simple today.  I hope you have a good one!

*Sources

Sea Sparkle components at JoAnn Fabrics and Crafts.

Filed Under: Beads, Jewelry

Words To Live By

August 13, 2014 By 2 Comments

Create Every Day Jewelry PendantHave you ever read something and it just resonates with you?  Right then.  Right now.  I found this pendant at just the right time because it’s exactly what I’ve been attempting to do.  Create.  Every.  Day.  Easier said than done even though I consider myself a full time self-employed artist.

I’m talking about making things purely because I want to make it.  Lately, I’ve been sewing, making a ton of jewelry, trying new techniques, teaching an art camp, even making food from scratch (I say that food from raw ingredients counts as being creative and it’s my blog so whatever I say is the truth–wink.).

And you know what?  I’ve felt myself to be happier than ever.  I’ve said no to a few projects (always scary) and decluttered, both to create room for new.  It’s working.

A couple days ago I read “you can’t expect new results if you don’t change what you’re doing.”  It’s now a mantra of sorts or simply more words to live by.

I loved reading about your favorite crafts in the giveaway post.  Thanks everyone for chiming in.

Now, I’d love to hear what words you live by.

*Sources:

Pendant and Charms from Hobby Lobby

Filed Under: Jewelry

DIY Bungee Cord Jewelry

August 12, 2014 By 2 Comments

DIY Bungee Cord Jewelry

Quick to make, I love these sparkly, playful statement bracelets.  Layer em’ up!  DIY Jewelry Making Bungee Cord Bracelets

How to Make a Bungee Cord BraceletHere’s how to make them:

String your beads on a 20 g. wire and get a measurement.  Add an approximate 3/4″ to this measurement to account for the wrapped loops on either end plus the loops hanging over on the end findings.

Subtract the above measurement from the desired bracelet size (i.e. 7.5″) and cut the bungee cord.  I use a lighter to burn the ends to get rid of frays (do this outside so you don’t choke yourself out).

Attach the fold over end findings to the end of the cord (see the photo above) using chain nose pliers.

Connect the two ends with the wrapped bead link.  Use this tutorial for making a wrapped bead link EXCEPT before wrapping up the loop connect it to the loop on the fold over end finding/cord.

Sparkly Bungee Cord BraceletsDone and done!

*Sources:

Pepperell Braiding Co. for bungee cord

Beadalon 20g. Artistic Wire

Beads from JesseJamesBeads.com

Filed Under: Beads, Jewelry, Tutorials

My Craftsy Class is On Sale!

August 11, 2014 By Leave a Comment

Craftsy Jewelry Classes SaleAll the jewelry making classes are on sale at Craftsy including mine, Beading with Wire, Chain, and Leather!

Check out the classes HERE!

Filed Under: Classes

Bead Fest Classes

August 11, 2014 By 2 Comments

bead fest classes with Candie Cooper and Jesse James BeadsI am in high gear getting ready to teach a ton of classes at Bead Fest next weekend with Jesse James Beads and Beadalon.  So much to pack, organize and prepare for.  My head spins!  Thank God for chocolate.Purple Boho Beader suppliesOne of the classes I’m most excited about is the Boho Beader!  Each student will get a goodie bag like this in your fave color (YES, you get to pick what colors you want to work with!) and then we will set to designing a unique statement piece of jewelry like this:Purple Boho BeaderOR THIS:Orange Spice Boho BeaderThe ribbon was the inspiration for this design mixed in with Jesse James Beads Elite Strands and Chain Reaction.  Remember that Calgon commercial?  “Calgon, take me away!”  That’s what happens to me when I design with ribbon and trim from India and beautiful beads like these.  I magically teleport myself to another place, thinking about all the sights, sounds and energy (and no dishes to do or laundry to fold).

For more pictures and versions, check out the class link page and look for BOHO BEADER!

Bead Fest is August 22-24th!

I hope I get to meet you in person at Bead Fest, but if you can’t make it, you can at least find these Elite JJB beads at JoAnn Fabrics and Crafts stores.

Filed Under: Classes, Jewelry, Uncategorized

The Crafter’s Book of Clever Ideas Review and Giveaway!

August 8, 2014 By 51 Comments

The Crafter's Book of Clever Ideas by Andrea and Cliff CurrieAs we head into fall, back to school etc… I wanted to share with you a sweet book that I think is super great for tween crafters.  It’s called the Crafter’s Book of Clever Ideas by Andrea and Cliff Currie.  I know the Currie’s and they are genuinely fun folks!  Their personality and wit really comes through in their projects and book.
The Crafter's Book of Clever IdeasOne of my favorite things about this book is the layout and feel of the pages.  It’s trendy and colorful.  Look at the doodles around the project previews!
Bulletin Board Idea from The Crafter's Book of Clever IdeasProjects rotate between his and hers.  I really like this mini taxidermy project by Cliff Currie, especially for young guy makers.  I’m in Indiana and I know a lot of boys that would think it’s cool to make miniature taxidermy heads (including my husband, the hunter).
Mosaic Idea from The Crafter's Book of Clever IdeasThere are tried and true techniques with new and funky spins.  I appreciate this too for young crafters.   You’ll find some projects you want to make alongside your teen.  Make it together!  Hip hip hooray!

Two thumbs up for the Currie’s!  It’s a really fun book!!
The Crafter's Book of Clever Ideas GiveawayTo celebrate craftiness, I’m giving away a bunch of good stuff THANKS to Plaid Crafts, Dress It Up Buttons and the Currie’s.

The mother-load of crafty goodies includes:

Mod Podge Starter Pack—Hot Glue Gun Helper Set—3 Dress It Up Embellishment Packs—Button bracelet form—Jesse James Beads Inspiration pack—AND the Currie’s new Crafter’s Book of Clever Ideas!

I’m excited!  You can use the bracelet and buttons to make a button bracelet like THIS!

Check out the details below to win!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

crafty giveaway winner.09.18 AMWE HAVE A WINNER!  Thanks again everyone for the awesome comments!!!

Filed Under: Books, Giveaways, Uncategorized

Old Fashioned Blueberry Muffin Recipe

August 7, 2014 By 3 Comments

Old fashioned Blueberry Muffin RecipeThis is a summertime favorite around our house.  It’s my grandma’s blueberry muffin recipe.  I call it old fashion because it’s made from scratch and uses shortening.  Does that qualify it as old fashion?  I don’t know, but I love the ring of it.  The fresh veggies and fruits are flowing here in Indiana.  A dinner of corn on the cob and these muffins is a perfectly acceptable dinner in the summer.

I’ll post a few pictures and the full recipe at the end if you want to try it.  A fair warning though–these muffins are not super sweet.  If you love super sweet, turn and go the other way.  These remind me of more of a muffin scone hybrid if that makes sense.Blueberry Muffin RecipeThis is the recipe that I copied on gram’s note paper that I can’t get rid of.  I break it out every summer.  Just love it.Blueberry Muffin Recipe Mixing up the Flour SugarYes, I measured all the flour out with 1/3 measuring cup because I was too lazy to wash my 1 cup.Blueberry Muffin Recipe adding the liquidsAfter making many box muffin mixes, it’s strange to use Crisco in as-is form.  I always think, shouldn’t I melt it?  This is the only recipe I have that uses shortening.  Oh wait.  Grandma’s sugar cookie recipe uses it too.  Now’s about the time to find some muscle to stir up the batter.Mixing Up Blueberry Muffin recipeLike this.Mixing up blueberry muffins recipeAnd this.Mixing up blueberry muffins recipe with hubsHe did ask a couple times why we weren’t using the Kitchenaid mixer and to tell you the truth, I don’t know either.  I didn’t tell him that though.  I simply replied, “because it’s more fun to watch you stir.”Adding blueberries to mixMy hubs is a bowl in a china shop so I sent him on his way, thanking him over and over and proceeded with gently folding in the berries.Filling blueberry muffin cupsUse an ice cream scoop to drop the dough in the cups.  I fill my 3/4 full except I missed one at the top.  Also, sprinkle the tops with sugar if you like.Muffin cup fillingNough’ said.  Lesson learned (again).  The bonus here is that if you’re making these for a party, you have to eat this one.  Right now.  It’s simply not fit to be out on the table. (wink)Blueberry Muffins RecipeThat’s all there is too it.Land o lakes butter on blueberry muffinWhile they are still piping hot, drop a pat of Land O’ Lakes butter on top.  Oh. Heaven.  Now stand around the counter with your hubs and eat three each.  Ok, it might’ve been four.

Here’s that recipe!

Old Fashioned Blueberry Muffin Recipe:

Makes 24

Preheat oven to 400 degrees

Sift together:

3 C. flour

1 C. sugar

4 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. salt

Add:

1/2 C. shortening

2 eggs

1 C. milk

Note: this batter is thick!  I sometimes add a splash of milk to it to thin it out just a tiny bit.

Blend in:

2 C. blueberries

Fill the muffin cups 3/4 full and sprinkle the tops with sugar.

BAKE: 20 to 25 minutes

Filed Under: BAKING

Make Easy Earrings!

August 5, 2014 By Leave a Comment

DIY Jewelry Making- Red boho earringsThe Blue Plate Special radio show is streaming from my phone and I’m enjoying the dog days of summer.  Ok, I don’t love the heat, but I do love the farmer’s market, weekend breakfasts at lakeside cafes, and thinking about heading south at the end of the month to my husband’s family reunion.  It’s in Kentucky near the birthplace of sassy singer, Loretta Lynn.  My embroidery project is being plotted and my magazine stack is ready.  I love a good road trip.

I’ve moved my studio to the back porch of the house temporarily because it’s cooler.  The view is peaceful and I’m embracing it. This is a quick pair of earrings I made for the Jesse James Beads Facebook page that uses the same technique found in this tutorial.  I thought they were too darn sweet not to share with you.  Like a slice of cherry pie!

Great.  Now, I’ve got cherry pie on the brain.

Filed Under: Beads, Tutorials
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