Vases for Wildflowers

May 14, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Vase 1
This is what we made in Crafty Book Club last Thursday night.  Wildflower vases.  It's your turn! 

Vase 2
You can pick up vases for $1 at the dollar store or maybe less at a thrift store.  The fabric is from my favorite Liberty of London scarf that I stopped wearing.  I'm a scarf addict and recently cleaned out my collection.  This one got a second chance as a vase scarf.  You can use any kind of fabric you like.  Tear it into 1" strips about 2' long.  Hot glue one end of the strip to the top of the vase, wind and twist it around as far as you like.  Hot glue the end down.  String some beads onto 20g. wire.  Wrap over top the fabric and secure like a twist tie.  Make a faux-tie with a scrap of fabric and glue on top.  Here's an aqua version—

Vase 3
Use up your odds and ends and make one for all your friends!

(I really didn't mean for that to rhyme)

Filed Under: Beads

Beaded Beads

May 8, 2012 By 1 Comment

Beaded beads
I just got a comment from a lady in India who loves the beaded bead tutorial.  It always amazes me who comes across this blog.  Thanks to everyone for reading.  You can see how to make your own beaded beads here.  I've re-posted this a thousand times because they are so fun to make.  These are some earrings I have at Dorothy Ilene's just in case you don't want to make your own (wink).

I'm off to watch a scary movie with my boyfriend.  I hope your week is off to a good start!

Filed Under: Beads

Mod Podged Necklace

September 26, 2011 By 2 Comments

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I heart Mod Podge.  This is a necklace I made with decoupaged fabric this past summer.  Hello, Hot Pink!  But you can tone it down with cooler colored fabric, right?  Here's a detailed tutorial for how to make this little gem.  XOXO.

Filed Under: Beads, Jewelry

Prom Jewelry…

May 23, 2011 By 1 Comment

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Prom jewelry—it's all about sparkle and glam!  This is a piece I made for my pal, Bonnie's beautiful royal purple dress.  It had a waste-band of tiny crystals and sequins.  Very pretty!  I was happy she was all for the gunmetal chain because I love the vintage look.

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Disco ball earrings with gunmetal bead caps.  I used leverback earring findings just in case things got crazy on the dance floor.  I didn't want those things to fall out.  I lose earrings with French hook wires all the time just working around the house.  Isn't it such a downer when you lose a fav?  Now I pretty much wear the little plastic backs so they CAN'T fall out. 

I'm off to do some writing and work on some new book projects.  It's Monday, let's start ticking things off that list!

Filed Under: Beads, Jewelry

Vintage button necklace…

May 2, 2011 By 3 Comments

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This is what you get after watching a night of royal wedding coverage.  I'm serious!  It all happened so subconsciously.  A pretty vintage button, a few crystals, some nostalgia and blingo!  And besides, anything to use a vintage button for jewelry, right?  To make this I used a large Katiedid component, Beadalon gunmetal chain, button with round shank on back, Swarovski crystals, 3mm coral beads, and a Vintaj Arte metal leaf charm. Also, I sanded the Katiedid and put a coat of liver of sulphur on it….to antique it a bit, you know?

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The button with a round shank on the back made it so I could string it just like a bead with the same head pin it's hanging from.  Use a touch of tubing on both sides of the shank to center it—no adhesive required (jic you want to use your button for something else later on).  Ok?

I've always loved vintage.  If I was going to prom, I would wear this little gem.  Or the Royal Wedding for that matter.  Hey, a girl can dream!

Filed Under: Beads, fabulous, Friends, Jewelry

Beadalon & Katydids Beading Contest

April 19, 2011 By Leave a Comment

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Hello there!  Ok, so ever since I had to get my driver's license last week, I've been thinking about how to smile without showing your teeth.  That's the rule now—can't show your teeth in your driver's license picture because of photo recognition.  How messed up is that?  Whatever.  Actually teeth has been the theme around here it seems.  Strange.  Over the weekend I bought a shoebox full of junk jewelry for $1, but in the mix of gems was also Grandma's bridgework.  Yowza.  I cringed when I saw the teeth and metal…………tangled in chains.  These are the days of a jewelry maker's life.  Crazy.  Also, I've had Gaga's Teeth song blaring down in my studio.   It's catchy.  Believe it or not my aunt introduced me to it. Play with smiles and pictures over on PhotoFunia!  Show your teeth…or don't–it's fun either way.

ClocksIn other news, my girl Katie Hacker is having a beading contest.  See those sweet little rings in the drawer?  Those are Katydids!  This is a fun, easy challenge to see what you can fill your Katydid's components with.  Resin, clay, beads, paper, Mod Podge, you name it!  Make it super simple or extra complicated.  The winning loot Beadalon and Katie are giving away is worth a try, people!   I know it's scary to put your work out there sometimes, but this is a chance to be brave.  What do you have to lose? I started fiddling with some pieces this morning.  Now I just need a little bit more time to finish up. šŸ˜‰

*P.S. I've seen Katydids at Michael's Craft store and they come in different shapes.

Filed Under: Beads, Crafting

30 Minutes: Necklace Idea and an Earring Book

March 29, 2011 By 2 Comments

DSCF7769Not really sure where to start!  My little cabin is hopping with projects!  In between gigs I've been trying to refresh some areas of my living quarters.  A new picture here, a vase full of twigs there, a can of paint waiting for it's debut on a chest of drawers.  It's time.  This morning I hung my winter coat in the "way-back" of the closet and said, see ya in December!  My favorite jean jackets and spring scarves are holding up the coat rack just fine!  Do you feel the same?

I wanted to share with you a couple things.  First up, another version of the Crafty Book Club necklace idea from the last post.  I couldn't resist the brightly colored ring with dangles at Hobby Lobby!  I added beads and  framed a piece of lace in the charm topped off with a Vintaj flower.  I have been really inspired by Lark Book's 30 Minute Earrings.

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It's a nice little challenge to see if you can whip something up in a short amount of time——–the key is:

STOP OVER THINKING and GO WITH THE FLOW!!!

The 30 Minute Earring book has beautiful, chic ideas that are instantly classy.  Simple techniques lead you to awesome designs.  The other thing I love is that you don't need a ton of raw material to make the earrings—might even be able to use up some of your scrap metal.  That's also nice because if you mess up–you aren't out a lot of $$.

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Why not get the girls together and make some 30 minute jewelry?  The third thing is I made a soup last night that will knock your socks off!  Sweet Potato Lovers click HERE.  I loved it with the yogurt garnish and naan! 

Well, I'm off…I have projects to finish for my friend's up and coming book, class proposals to write, materials to ship, and teaching my metalsmithing class to rivet tonight.  Here's to robins chirpin' and daffodils bloomin'!  Happy Spring!

Filed Under: Beads, Food and Drink, Get Crafty, Jewelry
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