Blog - Candie Cooper

Teen DIY Jewelry Making

January 5, 2016 By candiecooper Leave a Comment

Over winter break, I had an opportunity to work with kids and teach them jewelry making. It was a great experience. Fourteen girls, but I learned that boys wanted to make jewelry too so in the future we will maybe do a metalworking class. I love that.

We made necklaces, bracelets and earrings over two days. They learned all the basics. I’m so proud of the results–you can see them in the slideshow below. But real quick–I wanted to give you the link to a tutorial I did well over a year ago–

But real quick–I wanted to give you the link to a tutorial I did on the above necklace well over a year ago–you can see it here. All the components are from JesseJamesBeads.com and the findings are by Beadalon.

Filed Under: Bead Love, Beads, Tutorials

Happy New Year!

January 5, 2016 By candiecooper Leave a Comment

Is it really already January 5th?

Alas.

This year is already flying by!! I’d love to dig my heals into the ground, but I’m trying to just go with the flow this year and march to the beat.

Join me, won’t you?

I really just wanted to thank you for being here and checking in on my blog. Thank you for the comments and nice notes, for buying my books, taking my online class, and following me on social media.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Really.

Here’s to a great, creative year!

Cheers.

Filed Under: Uncategorized

DIY Leather Bracelet

December 18, 2015 By candiecooper Leave a Comment

Yesterday, I spent eight hours at the hospital waiting for a procedure to be done on one of my family members.Hospital waiting rooms. Quite possibly one of the most nerve-racking places for me on the planet. As a highly sensitive person, I try really hard not to soak up what’s going on around me (or else I might not get out of bed. Ever.). Yesterday’s group wasn’t too bad. But, my mom said, bring something for us to work on…so I did.

Leather cuffs from LeathercordUSA.com to doodle on. It was the perfect waiting room craft.We used Sakura markers–Pen-Touch in gold, black and white. We like the extra fine and fine tip ones.This is my moms that I doodled on top of with the black.

I made the black and gold one (took me about five minutes).

The end verdict was, we want to make more for ourselves and think this would be a great teen craft. I even whipped up a slide show while I was in that waiting room–let me know if you like it!

On an end note, the doc was really happy with the procedure so we are feeling blessed. I hope you like this tutorial!

Filed Under: Jewelry, Leather

Easy Chex Mix Recipe

December 16, 2015 By candiecooper 1 Comment

This is the view from my desk. It’s officially holiday crunch time. Literally and figuratively.

Every year (but, it’s become more of a year-round recipe), my gram or parents make a batch of this. We eat it for breakfast, for lunch, as a snack, for dinner… Chex Mix. It saves during the holiday hustle. I’m not saying it’s healthy. There’s a ton of butter in it. But, I love it because it’s filling plus I get fiber and protein. Be warned, this recipe is pretty simple on flavor too. That’s another reason I actually love it. I’ve tried the other recipes, but quickly I get tired of the ranch seasoning or whatever spices are in it.

This makes a ton–you could always half it. Enjoy!

1 box each of rice, corn and wheat cereals (the smaller boxes–not the huge ones)
1 stick + 1/4 stick of butter
1 1/4 C. Worsteshire
Large can of peanuts
Red hots (optional)

Preheat oven to 250 degrees

Pour all of the cereals and nuts into a big pan and toss.

Melt the butter, mix with the Worsteshire, then pour over the mix.

Stir.

Bake 15-20 mins stir, repeat 3 to 4 more times

Let cool and store in tins. You can also add in red hots.

Filed Under: Crafting

Make your own Boho Pottery Dishes

December 15, 2015 By candiecooper Leave a Comment

This post brought to you by ACTIVA Products–makers of the best air dry clays!In college, I took a few courses in ceramics. I had the best instructor–Dana. She got me hooked on “hand-building” which simply means using your hands to construct a piece from clay instead of the pottery wheel. This is a really easy project that you can do at home.
I’m using ACTIVA Plus clay in jet black. You can buy it at your local craft store or online and it comes in other colors; white and terra cotta.
This is my craft-only rolling pin. I roll the clay out to about 1/8-1/4″ thick. It may take a couple tries to get it just right.
For texture and design, you can stamp it with these wood block stamps. The black ones are the real deal from India. The white ones are from Plaid Enterprises–I saw them in Hobby Lobby or you can get them online. Stamp your piece so you get an all over pattern.
You can use an extra large circle cookie cutter to cut out a circle or use a knife with round template (like a plate).Stamp the edge a little more if you like…
then dip your finger in water and run it along the edge of the clay to smooth out.
Drop your piece into a plastic lined mini pie plate (or other bowl form) and set in the sun to dry.
Once the front is set up, you can pull them from the pie plate, flip over and leave to dry completely. You could also put them by a heater.
To finish, I sprayed them with clear Krylon gloss spray paint. Then, I dipped a paper towel in water and Apple Barrel white acrylic paint and rubbed over the surface of the bowl. Use a dry paper towel to wipe up excess paint. Optionally, you can seal them again with the Krylon gloss paint.

Why spray them with gloss first? Because this seals up the clay surface so the paint doesn’t get too settled into the porous surface.You know I love jewelry–and these bowls are just the thing to keep on my dresser to hold it all. Now I only need about seventy-five more.

**These are not food-safe. For pretties only.

Filed Under: Get Crafty, paint, Tutorials, Uncategorized

Bluebird of Happiness Necklace

December 14, 2015 By candiecooper 3 Comments

Have you ever started making something and you don’t know what you’re doing or where you’re going, but you just dig in? That’s how this necklace came to be. I made it on the show floor in Tucson two years ago (the first year I worked with JesseJamesBeads.com). I had just read the Happiness Project book by Gretchen Rubins.

Happiness.

I’m no stranger to soul searching, contemplating (ok, over-thinking sometimes) and trying to figure out what really makes me happy. As someone with a diagnosed mild to moderate anxiety disorder (aka worry wort), I think this comes with the territory.
Back to simply digging in on this necklace, I think it’s kind of a metaphor of my happiness: Stop talking and thinking about it and just dig in. Choose to do what makes me happy.

And that’s the cool thing about jewelry—it serves as a reminder. In Gretchen’s book, she talks about having a bluebird of happiness reminder (paper weight, I think). This is mine. I wear it because it makes me happy, as a shield (you will not steal my joy) and when it’s not being worn I hang it up where I can see it.

Tassels from Woman Shops World on Etsy

Large Beads from JesseJamesBeads.com

Filed Under: Bead Love, Beads, Jewelry

New Kids Jewelry Craft Videos Available Now!

December 9, 2015 By candiecooper Leave a Comment

You guys know I have a passion for teaching children how to make things–jewelry especially because I started making it in sixth grade! That was practically yesterday (cough-cough, eye roll).

I’m excited to announce one of my new videos with Interweave called Rainy Day Projects: Bead Crafts with Kids. These videos take you step by step how to make three projects as well as give you ideas for choosing materials and avoiding craft fails. Even though the projects are geared towards kids, I think you might want to make a couple of the projects yourself! Macrame bracelets with buttons, hammered pendants, and rubber band and bead bracelets.

We all know the pressures that kids are under these days and I always think it’s a good idea to encourage making things with their hands. Allowing children to be creative, make their own color choices in a positive environment also helps boost their self-esteem. It’s good for everyone. I could go on, but I’ll get off my soap box here.I hope you’ll check it out at the Interweave Store here. Thanks in advance 😉

Filed Under: Beads, Kids Arts and Crafts, Tutorials

DIY Bolo Cord Leather Jewelry Making

November 24, 2015 By candiecooper 4 Comments

This post brought to you by LeatherCordUSA.com.Golds and antique brass are in and I am embracing it!

I recently returned home from two different filming trips. One for Beads, Baubles and Jewels and another for ArtBeads.com with LeatherCordUSA.com. Both very good trips, but not much time for blogging with all the prep that is involved.

If you find yourself with not much time for making, you’ll like this necklace because it goes together fast. Really fast.Round Braided Bolo cord from LeatherCordUSA.com comes in all different colors and diameters. You know this if you’ve read any of my LeatherCord USA posts here. But I’m a good squeaky wheel and will keep reminding you.Here’s the secret for making this piece fast: wire wrapping. You can string all the beads and charms onto the bolo cord and then wrap it up. Literally.

I’m into over-the-head necklaces right now and so I cut the cord and the chain to the length I wanted, threaded the bolo cord through the ends of the chains and then folded the cord over. You could add a touch of adhesive or just wrap it with Beadalon 20g. wire.

Done.I do like to give it a little smoosh with chain nose pliers to crimp the wire a bit.Now let’s talk a minute about how to layer these bad boys.You could wear it alone. But why? Well with a t-shirt and boots, I think. That would be a good reason why. Maybe a jean jacket too.You could also add a knotted strand of crystals that’s a bit shorter to add another texture. This piece has brass chain so it works with the first leather bolo necklace.And then you could go big, adding a chunky flat brass chain. Go big or go home. I would probably wear this look with a t-shirt too. I like my accessories.

P.S. This is my vintage Dianne VonFurstenburg shirt I found thrifting for $3.50 a few years back. If there were other shoppers there, I probably would’ve held my hand up and started giving high fives. That was a good day.Is anyone else hungry? Three more days until Thanksgiving.

Wishing you a happy one!

Filed Under: Uncategorized

DIY Bolo Leather Layering Necklace

November 4, 2015 By candiecooper Leave a Comment

This post brought to you by LEATHERCORDUSA.com.The leaves are turning fast around here. We’ve had some amazing weather too. 70s and sunny?!

Be jealous, California.

The weather guy said there was 8″ of snow on the ground back in 64′!

I’ve been painting our floors with oil based paint and it’s been a blessing to be able to work outside at our picnic table. Not to mention inspiring! Fresh air is good on so many levels. Why do I forget that so easily? Oh I know, because there are piles of things to do inside. LOLThis is a necklace I’ve had on my mind for a long time. It uses beautiful bolo braided cord from LeatherCordUSA.com. The cord comes in all different finishes from metallic to matte and natural. Another bonus is that you’ll find it in many diameters–from 3.0 to 13.0mm!You know I love layering bits and pieces together and the leather is no different. Bolo cord bundles with two strands of metallic kansa 1.0mm round leather does my heart good.

Looking at this photo, I think the next paint job needs to be on our cellar doors!My dog, Rock likes the round kansa leather cord too! I was working it through the beads and wondered why it wasn’t moving. It was caught up on Rocky’s paw. The funny thing is that he didn’t move. I pulled his paw went up and then down, up and down. This is just another day in Rocker’s world. He does what he can around here. Thanks, good dog.The large holed silver beads are from Tierra Cast. I got the baby tassels in Tucson–I think they are made in Taiwan. They are so sweet on anything! The crystals have been a bit of an obsession the past year or so. I have a little stash of them. Needless to say, mixing and matching all these surfaces makes me happy. I think I’ll wear this necklace today.
I finished the ends with these stunning Glue and Go findings also from LeatherCordUSA.com. They matched the beads perfectly, so it was a no-brainer. These findings were actually a touch too big for the bolo cord so it worked out well to add the extra kansa green cords to fill up the space.

Use this glue to adhere leather and metal together.Follow me on Instagram @candiecooper to see behind the scenes action when making pieces like this!

Happy day!

Filed Under: Jewelry, Leather, Tutorials

The Leather Scout Bracelet

October 15, 2015 By candiecooper 2 Comments

This post brought to you by LeatherCordUSA.com.
Good morning, campers! Autumn is here and the mornings are brisk, making that hot coffee taste extra amazing. I call this the scout bracelet because of the colors, textures and the fact that it seems kind of multi-purpose: you can wear it as a bracelet, a necklace, or tie the tent pulls together (you know, if you need too).
Where do you find inspiration? For me, it’s often in the materials. I was collecting and gathering things around my studio to use with the LeatherCord USA suede and 10mm wide deertan lace. It comes in a ton of colors, but this green and brown combo was perfect for a fall statement bracelet.
I really didn’t want to cut this nice long piece of lace so the first thing I did was experiment with stitching the two leather types together. The pair has a nice contrast with the matte suede and smooth deertan lace surfaces.
Not going to lie—it was tricky keeping the leather and stitches in the center. I slowed the machine to “as slow as it would go” speed. This is an all purpose needle, but I plan to put a new one in before I start piecing fabric together again. After a yard of sewing leather, it’s sure to be dull.
Not in the photo is this buckle clasp and rivet from Tierra Cast.
You’ll need to hole punch the leather so it fits perfectly with the rivet diameter. Put the skinny part in through the layers back to front and top with the mushroom piece.
I changed the buckle piece up a bit by adding the wood ring to make the bracelet a little more chunky. Place the rivet section on top of a steel block and tap the top of the rivet with an eyelet setter or simply a plastic mallet.

Tip-seal the back side of the leather at the end with Fieblings Leather glue to keep the stitches from unraveling.
Wrap and roll. I love lots of wraps, but you could do a couple and trim the leather exactly how you want.
Did I mention I love lots of wraps?
Here’s another experiment with zig zag stitching and colorful leather. Only a couple wraps here…and you don’t have to “walk the line” while sewing! For the free spirits in my life.
This would make a great steampunk jewelry accessory piece too.