Come see Jonathan Fong and myself January 12-15th in the Craft Attitude booth at the Craft and Hobby show to see how you can add images easily and fast to a ton of different craft projects. There will also be a giant elephant in the booth that you can have your picture taken with! Curious? It's going to be so fun! See you there!
| |
|
Last month I worked at the Texas Art Education Show with ACTIVA. I designed the Talavera bird lesson plan below using CelluClay and then taught workshops to teachers and demonstrated in the booth. WE HAD FUN! If you haven't tried it, CelluClay is an instant paper mache material that is super light weight and sturdy.
Talavera Bird with ACTÍVA CelluClay
Talavera is a special style of pottery created in Mexico. Specifically, it is a type of majolica earthenware that was introduced to the people living in what is now Mexico by the Spaniards. The style was used in functional and decorative ceramic pieces. This bird is created with ACTÍVA CELLUCLAY and decorated in the Talavera style--bright colors, nature designs, and patterns.
Materials:
ACTÍVA CelluClay (white or gray formula)
Newspaper
Masking tape
Tan colored acrylic paint (Plaid's Folk Art brand)
Chalk
Permanent markers (Sakura Permopaques)
Spray varnish
ARMATURE: Crumple newspaper and secure with masking tape to create the body of the bird. Repeat with a smaller ball of newspaper to make the head. Tape the two pieces together.
MIX: Mix ACTÍVA CelluClay pulp according to instructions. Optionally, you can tint the white ACTÍVA CelluClay with tan acrylic paint while mixing to give it the look of natural clay.
PAT: Take a handful of clay and pat onto the bird armature. Continue to cover the bird form. Dip your fingers in water to smooth out certain areas of the bird.
FORM: Add small amounts of ACTÍVA CelluClay to build up the wings and tail areas. It's worth mentioning taking care not to build up the walls too thick--no more than 1/4 of an inch.
DRY: Leave the bird to dry so there is maximum air exposure.
PAINT: Paint the bird with tan colored acrylic paint if you didn't pre-tint the ACTÍVA CelluClay. Use chalk to draw your design--flowers, leaves, feathers are some ideas. Color in the design with permanent markers or paint. Outline the design with a permanent marker. Seal with acrylic spray varnish.
| |
|
I was cleaning up my studio and came across some odds and ends. A red clip, a purple acrylic flower and a sparkle stone. Put it all together with some Quick Grip glue and this is what you get. It was instant-craftification in all it's glory.
*The acryclic flowers can be found at JoAnn Fabrics (Laliberi line), Plaid made the sparkle stone and Quick Grip is by Beacon Adhesives.
| |
|
It's prom time! I secretly wish I could wear this little number. Anyone else? My studio is a few doors down from Ellen's dress shop. I've been enjoying their ever changing windows with all the different prom dresses, picking my favorite. Naturally I start thinking about accessories for these dresses (and my prom days, waiting for Seventeen magazine's special issue on the subject). My gram always made my flowers. My inner 17 year old self would have to have a foo foo hair fascinator this year. They are easy to make with a few supplies. Keep it simple or funky, embracing indivdual style.
You need: a cloth headband, big flower, feathers, a stem of sparkle stones, wire cutters, scissors, hot glue, basically. Just walk around the craft store, you'll find some fun stuff!
Arrange your pieces on the head band and hot glue as you go. It helps to work in front of a mirror so you can get an idea of where the pieces will actually be.
The sparkle stem is from Hobby Lobby by Prima and the silk flower is from JoAnn's by Plaid Enterprises. (Cue Footloose soundtrack)
| |
|
| |
|
There's a lotta love in the air around here. I hope you're feeling it wherever you are. If you're local, come play with me at the annual Women's Lunch sponsored by the Wabash County Hospital. It's an honor to be the featured lecturer. Thank you, WCH!
Also, I was just chatting with my gram about baking. We really want this book. Gram's theory is that if you make 2 recipes out of it---it's worth it. Not sure where she gets her numbers, but I like the philosophy. Until it comes, here's a link to gram's sugar cookie recipe-just in time for weekend baking. And hey, if you want to get really crazy, how about letting the kids paint a plate for the cookies--check out my easy painted plate tutorial here!
XOXO,
Candie
| |
|
(Picture me with a flash light under my chin in the dark) Oooooooooooo, there are tons and tons of inexpensive Halloween wood surfaces at the craft stores right now!
Grab some creepy green paint and glow in the dark Mod Podge or Glow Away and let the kids go to town!
Happy Weekend Crafting!
| |
|
Hello there! We're Ginger and Bobby, friends of Candie's. She asked us to pop by and tell you she's still writing her new jewelry making book for Lark Books. We've seen the projects for it. We're a little biased, but they are pretty great!
Let us entertain you with our moves from Acorn du Cirque until she comes back.
By the way, Candie and her Mom, Jean, made us for the Plaid Kids Blog. If you want to make some friends of your own, check out the Acorn Fairies tutorial there.
| |
|
This is a little project my mom and I whipped up for the Plaid Kids Blog. I love them. Check out the tutorial here. I'm still writing, writing, writing for my book with Lark Books. My classes at Manchester College started too. Lots of neat projects in the works and I'm so happy to be busy with my art and work. Am I rich monetarily? No. But, I have a pedal to the metal on life, and stopping to smell the roses with friends and family. How awesome is that?
| |
|
I started felting back in 2004 focusing mainly on jewelry. However, the past two Monday nights I've been teaching how to make a flat fiber collage using wool, water, soap and some found materials. The workshops were at the Honeywell Center. It's been a blast and the class participants have been awesome! I heard so many of them say, "this is fun!" It is fun to make sudsy messes and end up with art. More playing equals less stress---all you have to do is find the time, right?
I brought in a bag of wool in all different colors. I loved watching people hunt and peck through it.
The next step is to lay out your wool design. It's really an easy project. Last year I taught around 700 kids, ages 3rd grade through high school, how to felt through my artist in residency programs at the Honeywell Center. We talked about what an ancient process it is and how they found felt on mummies and such. Kids love it.
I added a little warm water and soap and away they went agitating...
RINSE. EMBELLISH. STITCH. SMILE.
LAUGH with your friends, new and old, while you create....and then go home. It makes me happy to see them happy!
| |
|
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.
In 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. ;)
*P.S. I've seen Katydids at Michael's Craft store and they come in different shapes.
| |
|
This week at Crafty Book Club we decorated paper mache' eggs and we had FUN!!!
(like we always do)
Inspiring craft books centered around Spring, eggs and flowers! I love our library for letting us have this crafty club.
Gather up your Folk Art paints, Extreme Glitter, flowers and leaves, scraps of ribbon and chenille chickadees. This is a great craft to use up odds and ends in your stash. Old clip-on earrings, felt scraps cut into leaves, birds and buttons are all great embellishments! If you got it, use it!
I also put out a display of retro eggs that my mom made years ago. The pink bunnies are so sweet. And who doesn't love vintage images Mod Podged on simply colored eggs. All through the night we shared easter egg stories. Tales of "Leg" hosiery eggs filled with money and broken eggs emerged...
Two of my favorite teen crafters tried out the Hot Glue Gun Helper mat and tools. They loved it! Have you seen this tool? It's awesome! Compatible with so many types of glues and crafting. Check out the video about it here!
So many button choices....so little egg surface. Stencil spouncers are great for making polka dots on the eggs.
So pretty! The one on the right has metallic Folk Art paint with blue and purple Extreme Glitter brushed over it. Now that's an egg that knows how to party!
Blue chick and felt flowers are from Hobby Lobby in the Easter crafting aisle.
Complimentary colors of lavender and yellow--works every time!
Decisions, decisions.
The row of crystals on the butterfly was brilliant!
My Mom taking the Hot Glue Gun Helper on a test drive while working on her egg. She loved it!
She painted the polka dots on her egg to match the ribbon! So cute!
Aqua and brown are never wrong!
It took approximately an hour and a half to make this project. There were lots of hair dryers and hot glue guns plugged in around the room and that helps to speed things up.
My Mom's egg with a pair of sweet pink chicks.
Blush pink egg with rose colored Extreme Glitter for a romantic egg.
This one matched her pastel yellow purse perfectly. So cheerful and happy!
| |
|
I love cooking for my friends. The weekend went so fast, but I couldn't have ended it better. Eating and crafting with my best pal. Last night I tried a new recipe which was risky, but I took a chance. Tortilla Soup. AMAZING!
Can I just say fried tortilla strips are my new favorite thing? They are the perfect crispiness! The only thing I added to the soup was a can of corn. It went together really easy and I liked that it was a hearty, but somewhat "light" soup. Good for Spring.
I got the "Survivor" place-mats at Meijer. You love the way they set the avocado off, don't you?
Within seconds of finishing eating, the table looked like this. Kaboom. Craft explosion. I was so inspired by my trip to the Pilsen district in Chicago last Sunday. I have been on a mission to make some Day of the Dead art. By the way, the link above is the guide I used when visiting West Pilsen and it was really, really helpful. The area is full of interesting things and so fun! I went to bakeries, botanical shops, cathedrals, taquerias, a pinata store and the National Museum of Mexican Art (which was really incredible). They also have great vintage clothing stores!
We ended up making bright crosses embellished with flat back crystals, old jewelry torn apart with my trusty Beadalon ergo pliers.
And sequins. Gotta have sequins. The crosses are from Hobby Lobby. We also used Folk Art paints and Extreme Glitter along with Mod Podge to adhere the flat-back crystals and paper embellishments. Mmmmmmm.
A little nod to Rocker....love of my life. Thank you Crafty Chica for the chihuahua card!
My friend loves baseball. After she glued it down she said, "watch this thing be worth hundreds in a few years if only left untouched." We giggled. "Cest la vie," I say!
She went home and back to reality I went working away on some upcoming projects. I'm so thankful for my friends.
It's been a fulllll day today. Before I close, thank you Lark Books for a neat little interview and thank you everyone who has a copy of Metalworking 101 for Beaders. I'm off to help some students with metalworking tonight as a matter of fact. It's pouring rain. I think I'll sneak a bowl of leftover soup before I head out. Viva la Vida!
| |
|
I awoke to the prettiest snow coming down around the cabin and pumped to do some chores around here. Laundry especially. I was heading down the stairs (outside) with an arm-load full and WHAM! Next thing I know I am on my back! Ugh. It scared the silly outta me! Then I laid there in shock assessing the situation, and here comes the throbbing on my lower back and arm. So I roll over, LOL, leave all laundry behind and crawl up the stairs into the warmth. I remember thanking the sweet Lord I wasn't hurt over and over...feeling dizzy...and the sting of cold...and promising I would be more cautious, salting the stairs and then...more dizziness and heat and then...I fainted. It was crazy! Why did I faint? I have no idea. But, I'm here and awake now, blogging with Sleepless in Seattle playing in the background and it's Saturday, so life is good! Stiff, but good. It is in these moments that a LOUD AND CLEAR familiar voice inside my head says, "you better take a couple aspirin." My mother's and so I did. Moving on.
Do you ever go to the thrift store or flea market? It's one of my favorite places to buy stuff to paint on. This is a little heart mirror I got for a quarter. Actually, once upon a time there were three and they spelled Peace, Love and Joy with Scrabble letters. They were cute. The other two found good homes. When you are on the prowl for pieces to transform, go for the non-varnished/shiny ones. You don't have to sand them first that way and can jump straight into painting. This one was base coated green and then topped off with two coats of Extreme Glitter. The letters were glued on with Dazzle Tac. Mod Podge Rocks has all kinds of ideas for revamping thrifted finds. I think you'll love it.
Ok. Sigh. Momma's off to shower and find a stiff drink to loosen up this stiff back. LOL. Kidding, but maybe later... it is Saturday and all.
| |
|
The Craft and Hobby Association's trade show is fast approaching and I'll be there with Plaid showing off their fantastic Dazzling Geodes line. If you are coming to the show, stop by and make a necklace using these awesome components!
The geodes come in all different pretty, earthy colors. You can put a jump ring on it and string it on a piece of leather or layer it with some of the other pieces like this:
There are also little glass ovals that are really cool. I glued them on ring blanks with flat back crystals---it took all of five minutes and they looked jazzy. Check out the project book that is with the line. It features ideas that the folks at Plaid and I collaborated on. Like this!
And this!
There are pinch bails, prong settings, links, chain, charms, pendants, and tons more that make assembly really easy. You could also use the flat geodes for decoupaging to. Joann Fabrics has the Dazzling Geodes line in case you're hot to get some!
| |
|
If you would have told me ten years ago that I'd live in a cabin complete with a rock fire place and hefty wood pile outside (in which you helped stack and have to worry about covering with a tarp...as well as your dog whizzing on said pile)... Well, I would have said, "dude, you are like.... crazy!" Because it was ten years ago and we did insert the word "like" any chance we could. I might still do it from time to time. Totally. But, tonight finds me curled up next to a fire that I started (I had to read how to in a magazine) studying and reading about art history. With a pile of wood I carried up the stairs, is also a bit of newspaper aka...kindling. This gets me to the point of this post. My friend surprised me with a truckload of wood for Christmas. Best gift ever! Second best gift from my aunt and uncle is this...
A wheel barrow full of kindling bundles. Not just any kindling though! These bundles are hand picked grasses, pinecones, bark pieces, sticks, evergreens, dried leaves bound with a pretty red string. Not to mention they burn like the wind! So I was thinking girls, if you are looking for a sweet valentine for your man-friend this year, kindling bundles may make their heart flutter (or they might look at it like ...?..). But, let's say they go with the flutter---You could even tie some little paper hearts to the bundles. And why stop there? When writing your valentine, you can play with the word burn or fire... My heart burns for you... or....you fill all my burning desires....or.....Fire me up, Valentine! I'll stop there. (giggling...and red faced) You get the idea. I do love me some cheesy Valentines though. "Melts" just came to mind also. Wahhh! Stopping. So, with fire crackling, I should get back to my studies. Warm wishes and smiles from me.
| |
|
Hello Crescendoh.com readers! Thanks for clicking over... It's an honor to be featured on Crescendoh-thank you, Jenny. Dear readers, I do hope you find some fun ideas over here from food to crafts, I love living a creative life.
These photo blocks seem really timely since I have a few friends with babies on the way. I can see them tucked in a nursery with pictures of grandma and grandpa or siblings. Although, I think they are fun for big kids (like me) too. You can find sweet little blocks in antique stores and ebay for around $1 each.
I pulled the twirly wire photo holders from a pre-made photo holder. Michael's has some unfinished wood blocks with the coils right now for 99cents that you could use (they were tucked in a dollar rack at our store). Drill a hole in the center of the block, string some beads and even a thimble on the wire and glue them in the hole. Done!
A moment of silence now as this week I have managed to lose my SD camera card that had 1090 pictures on it. Shame on me for not downloading them sooner. Argh. Lesson learned. Although, maybe now that I have admitted to losing it to the world, it will turn up! Fingers crossed.
| |
|
or bust! That's my motto! I'm in Anaheim this week with Plaid Enterprises for the big Craft and Hobby Super Show and Trade show. You could call it the big dance for crafters. ;-)
I'm excited to be demonstrating one of the "Make and Take" crafts in Plaid's booth! We will be using Simply Screen, an awesome and easy way to make your own custom screen printed t-shirts.
You can find the Simply Screen line in major craft stores around the t-shirts, aprons, canvas tote bag section....you know the aisle!! Tons of very cool designs and paint colors. This is a great indoor winter activity to scare off the winter blahs. Nothing says hope, like making a new t-shirt for summer...I always say. ;-) Or wear a long sleeve t under your short sleeve so you can wear it right now (this is what I'm doing for one of the show days).
For those of you in the neighborhood, I'll be watching for you!
XO, Candie
| |
|
Sweet Perfume, Simply Beads-Feb, 06 copyright DRG
It's Earth Day! And you know how I (and a ton of other people) love to repurpose and recycle old junk things into new stuff! I wanted to share one of my projects that does just that! This is an old perfume bottle transformed into a hanging bud vase with beads, buttons and wire----Perfect for dangling violets, dandelions, and daisies on your kitchen window. Back in the day, I sold these at the farmer's market. Which reminds me of the lady next to me who sold wonderful homemade scones and coffee. I could go for one of those right now!
I would search flea markets high and low for any sort of tiny bottle---and if you're really lucky, they still have the label on them. Those were always my favorites. Now that I think about it, I just saw some vintage label clip art on Dover's free sampler. Hmmm, I bet you could decoupage with Mod Podge a faux label onto the bottle. Thinking out loud here.
There are TONS of fun recycled craft ideas out there for you and for kids. Craft Gossip's Recycled Crafts Blog had some good stuff (be sure to check out older posts) and book reviews on the topic. Make-Stuff had some clever ideas. If you liked yesterday's post about recycling clip-on earrings, check out my project in the Spring issue of Make It Mine, for tips on transforming vintage jewels into wine charms.
Have a Happy Earth Day! Go Green everyone!
| |
|
Oh the rains, they have been a' pourin' the past couple of mornings---my favorite kind of start to the day. It washes away all the dust and goo on the plants and sidewalks here, clears the air for a couple of hours. The smell of coffee and the tap, tap, splat sounds on my studio windows...mmmm I am lost.
And with all the rain, brings blooms, thus this month's Ornament Thursday theme-Sprout! Ok, I added the exclamation point. Growing up in Indiana, most of us are ready for Spring about this time of year wondering if we will ever see daffodils or sprouts again. In fact, Grandpa called Easter Sunday morning and told me it had snowed back home. Try hiding brightly colored eggs on a blanket of white for the big egg hunt. Two times, we have been in Germany at the beginning of Spring. I remember the corner flower markets had beautiful pansies and tulips out front. The shops were full of wonderful decorations like paper mache eggs, grassy straw wreaths, pipe cleaner chics, and felty flowers. I can't help but think about those trips when spring rolls around. One of which was my first time traveling abroad-quite magical.
Here's a felty flower brooch that I whipped up to sprout out of this loud green jacket. I'm sorry to say the flower does not squirt water even though it looks playful enough. I used orange silk spread across the top of my red felt before I wet felted it to give it a swirly smooth texture (see the end of this post for a materials list). The jacket I've had for years, and I can't give it up---it's my favorite color. However, I gave it a face lift by shredding along some of the seams with a seam ripper. You can use a razor blade to kind of fray the areas a bit too. If you're looking to explore felted jewelry making, check out my book, Felted Jewelry. Let me know if you have questions about where to by wool and such also. I'm happy to help.
For this project you need:
Happy Spring! Happy Sprouting! And here are the rest of the Ornament Thursday Club Members!
| Alexa Westerfield - a.k.a. Swelldesigner Now that's it's time for spring, ideas are "sprouting" all over the place. Alexa creates this eye-catching notebook to keep them in order. |
||
| Art Bead Scene Some good karma is sprouting up at the Art Bead Scene with Heather's Lotus Flower Bracelet |
||
| Cindy Gimbrone aka The Lampwork Diva The Brooklyn National Anthem sprouts every year when Cindy's in Spring mode. See what it inspired this year! |
||
| Earthenwood Studio Chronicles Melanie giggles and remembers a furry friend, brings back an old mold, and sprouts up a beaded LOLhammy ceramic ornament |
|
|
| Helen Bradley and Michelle Zimmerman at http design It's spring and we're sprouting all sorts of wonderful art at http design. Michelle is toting her art to the market and Helen revisits a fun art school assignment for her inspiration. |
|
|
| Humblebeads Humblebeads celebrates spring with a Berry Good bracelet inspired by some juicy disk beads. |
||
| Jennifer Heynen of Jangles Jennifer has come up with a cute little necklace to remind you of spring. |
||
| Katie's Beading Blog Create some spring flair of your own with this easy bead embroidery idea from Katie's book, Hip to Bead. |
||
| Kriss Cramer - Spring Is In The Air Not much of a horticulturist? Me neither! But I love flowers and I enjoy growing these ones with some paper, paint, and rhinestones. |
||
| Linda and Tea at Make It Mine magazine Tea decided to join the fun this month. Check out her quilt blocks and Linda's purse. |
|
|
| Melissa J. Lee - Strands of Beads What do Korean playing cards have to do with a sprouting spring? Check out Melissa's blog to find out. |
|
|
| Michelle McGee - S-P-R-O-U-T Michelle just can't stop creating in green! A little wooden birdhouse becomes a beautiful palace! |
|
|
| Savvy Crafter Candie shares some happy spring memories with a cheerful felty flower idea! |
||
| Snap out of it, Jean! There's beading to be done! Jean tells a touching, poignant tale of some beads who help one another, and after a small amount of sturm and drang they get it together and help each other! In fact, they prettify whatever YOU choose! Go see! It's fun! |
|
|
| Spring is Sprouting for Joolz by Lisa Even without a green thumb, Lisa managed to "grow" a garden of sorts this month. |
|
|
| Sprouting Up with Beading Help Web Lynn Kvigne's used wire and a lentil bead to create a "sprouting" pendant for wire workers who want a bit of a challenge! http://beading.consumerhelpweb.com/blog/2008/03/ornament-thursday-sprout.html |
||
| The Goddess ROCKS! Inspired by a river rock shaped like an ancient goddess statue, Hali paints, melts crayons and adds glitter to create a sparkley celebration of Spring. |
||
| The Impatient Blogger How does your garden grow? With metal mesh, Czech glass beads and vintage French images all in a row! Margot just returned from Paris where she discovered a treasure trove of vintage paper. This scanned and sized postcard image fit the theme of sprout perfectly and the necklace was in search of a new home...add some teal metal mesh bows and accents and voila...a design sprouts forth! |
||
| Vintage Girl Teams Up With Her Vintage Momma! What does a gal do when she finds herself far from her crafting supplies? Why, she raids her mom's basement and then puts dear old mama to work! Stop by and you'll see why mom's basement is fertile ground for things that sprout! |
| |
|
Ornament Thursday is back every third Thursday of the month! Yay! And this month's theme is Love Story.
Love Story. This March, Butch and I will have been together for 10 years. What can I say except for the time has flown. Finishing college, buying a house, selling a house, adopting a dog, changing jobs, moving towns, moving to the opposite side of the world, all the while still decorating the Christmas tree, holding hands on walks, paying the bills, and fixing dinners...together for 10 years. Making that little list makes me think about all the changes in my life except for one thing. Butch. We've been side by side climbing the mountain of Life for the last decade. I think it was my Grandpa (who's been married since 55' (i think)) how much he has enjoyed sharing his life with someone all these years. I've kept that little thought in my back pocket and refer to it when I'm feeling that sharing isn't always easy, but it is rewarding. It's true and it's what makes the love story all the richer.
This project sort of fell together the past couple of weeks. It all started when I bought some ring forms. I wanted to collage them with paper and charms and then pour resin in. But then, I thought about setting them with a clear cabochon. So yesterday when I was in the craft supply head-quarters of the world/Hong Kong, I found some clear cabs...faceted too! And they sat a wee bit raised from the base. Hmm, I thought, seems kind of kaleidescope-y-y. Luckily, when inspiration strikes, you have a resource. I ran to the sequin shop and started filling my bags with small shapes. I couldn't help myself, so on the ferry ride home, I started assembling and I know the man sitting across the way secretly wished he could make one too. Paper+sequins+cabochon=Super Easy and Fabulous Ring! I moved my finger every which way, watching the sequins slide and rearrange themselves all the way home.
This is not the one I made on the boat. This idea didn't come to me until this morning when I was laying in bed looking at our black and white wedding photo. The only picture I have here. I scanned it in, reduced the size, printed and cut the oval shape. Sprinkle with red hearts and pearls and set the cabochon. Rocker watched me from the couch zipping around like a mad scientist. Eureka! Love Story for your finger! The downside is these look so much cooler in person. I'm not so savvy with a camera and I feel sorry for anyone who has to photograph shiny or faceted objects now. What a challenge! But, I made another version with just pink paper, hearts and pink cabochon. It really glows in person.
I want to continue experimenting with these. I have so many ideas! Also, I will give away one Ring Kit--including ring form, clear cabochon and sequins---you provide the photo or paper. Leave a comment on this post by midnight EST on Sunday the 3rd and I will do a drawing on Monday. Watch this space for the winner because I'll need your address! Okie Dokie?
More Love Stories....
Art Bead Scene
The designers at Art Bead Scene have two jewelry love stories for you! Elaine Ray links together a little love with her ceramic heart components while Melanie Brooks Lukacs tells a little tale of romance in a Gothic Garden
http://artbeadscene.blogspot.com/2008/01/ornament-thursday-two-love-stories.html
Cindy Gimbrone Beads
Cindy's Love Story is about a hook and beads
http://lampworkdiva.blogspot.com/2008/01/my-love-story-spirals-n-shay.html
Earthenwood Studio Bead Blog
What is sweeter than a mix CD for your Valentine? A yummy gift box in which to present it, filled with candy themed decorations, including a cute bracelet and cell phone charm!
http://earthenwood-beads.blogspot.com/2008/01/ornament-thursday-sweet-sounds.html
Hali's Blog
Hali's flowers of love in Ancient Bulgarian. Two paintings in stylized Cyrillic spell out L-U-V.
http://labyrinthgal.blogspot.com/2008/01/ornament-thursday-is-back.html
Heart mobile
painted paper pulp hearts
http://pomly.livejournal.com/43236.html
Humblebeads
Heather shares her favorite bracelet design in a Valentine inspired color scheme.
http://humblebeads.blogspot.com/2008/01/ornament-thursday-love-story.html
Jennifer Heynen of Jangles
Jennifer has made a fun "Ornament" for her neck that looks good enought to eat.
http://jenniferjangles.blogspot.com/2008/01/ornament-thursday.html
Joolz by Lisa
This "Love Story" will last all year long! Lisa shares how beads and books work together.
http://lisaliddy.wordpress.com/2008/01/30/ornament-thursday-love-story/
Katie's Beading Blog
Here's a happy little heart project for you - use it to embellish a bag or your jeans, or as inspiration for a necklace or bracelet.
http://katiehacker.blogspot.com/2008/01/happy-hearts.html
Kriss Cramer - Art Interrupted
Grow Love! Nuture and care for your loved ones every day. Use this heartfelt book, you can make yourself, to remind you of all the love you have to give.
http://art-interrupted.blogspot.com/
Linda Augsburg at Make It Mine magazine
Linda's love story project is a dress she embellished by stenciling dancers and a big band along the hem. Read why and learn how to do it yourself on the Make It Mine blog.
http://cs.makeitminemag.com/mimcs/blogs/makeitmine/archive/2008/01/31/ornament-thursday-january-love-story.aspx
Michelle's Love Story...
The band is getting back together again! Ornament Thursday celebrates the story of love...
http://fromichelle.blogspot.com/2008/01/love-story-by-ornament-thursday.html
Ornament Thursday Blog
January is coming to an end and Valentine's Day is looming on the horizon. Whether you wish to shower the people you love with love or show yourself a little well deserved affection, the Ornament Thursday Gang has a bevy of beautiful ideas to inspire you!
http://ornamentthursday.blogspot.com/2008/01/love-story-ornament-thursdays-most.html
Savvy Crafter
Candie's love affair with big rings continue...she's making her own now! Love Stories and more over at the Savvy Crafter! XOXO!
http://candiecooper.typepad.com/savvycrafter/2008/01/heartsy-artsy-i.html
Snap out of it, Jean! There's beading to be done!
Ah, Love ! This satirical creation of Jean's immortalizes certain women's profound affecton for their ... handbags!!!
http://prettykittydogmoonjewelry.blogspot.com/2008/01/love-story.html
Strands of Beads
Love speaks many languages. Learn how to say "I Love You" in an untraditional way with Melissa Lee's whimsical jewelry project.
http://strandsofbeads.blogspot.com/2008/01/ornament-thursday-language-of-love.html
SwellDesigner
Alexa shares with you her truly swell and punny Valentines!
http://www.swelldesigner.blogspot.com
The Impatient Blogger
Love is in the air at The Impatient Blogger! Margot shares two vintage inspired jewelry designs that are oozing with romance...in a good way!
http://margotpotter.blogspot.com/2008/01/most-auspicious-return-of-ornament.html
| |
|
Today is our final installment of Ornament Thursday....It's been such a fun thing these past few weeks. I've done a fair amount of thinking about ornaments over this time too. I think I've made more this year than ever before! Each Christmas, I add a few more to the tree and pack a few more into the box after the holiday is long gone. The next year I carefully unwrap them, surprised at how many I forgot about. That's the best part, isn't it? The forgetting and remembering. Our tree is filled with ornaments from our trips, from my grandma's store, things I've made, ornaments from swaps and gifts. Some evoke a certain period in our lives like a song can---good times and bad. Over the years, I've hung them on supermarket tree lot trees, fresh cut from the farm trees, vintage silver tinsel trees, tall trees, trees in a pot, one year we got the tree, but never had time to trim it (that was sad), bamboo stalks tree, and this year a $10 fake---which compared to previous years here feels like a million bucks! Oh, I do a lot of reminiscing and reflecting when I put up the ol' family tree. You probably do too. My sister just sent me a cute email about growing up in the 70's. I was looking at our tree and this Polaroid picture ornament caught my eye. I'm pretty sure my mom made it and I had to share. I just got up to check the date on the back and it says, "Christmas 1993," in mom's fancy writing. I laughed out loud. Sorry mom. This must have been from 83,' because in 93' I was a freshmen in high school and if that isn't enough proof for you, look at my older sis's outfit. Nothing screams 80's like a pink and white checked bandanna around your neck! That was also during my Little Orphan Annie wannabe days-note saddle shoes and red sweater.
Ah, see the memories! That's what Christmas ornaments are. There are some I look at and think, Lord, I'm glad those days are over! Others, I laugh about or I wonder how that person is doing. A Christmas tree no matter how scrawny or brawny celebrates Your life and memories. Thank you to everyone who has jumped in and shared their ornaments at our virtual craft night. Seeing what you're making definitely made me not feel so far away from home. Have a very merry Christmas and we'll see you next year! Or hopefully sooner!
Shaving cream & chipboard ornament - Michelle McGee http://fromichelle.blogspot.com/
Easy needle-felted orb - Katie Hacker http://www.katiehacker.com/index.htm
| |
|
Do you know about Dover publications? They produce all sorts of great books. Paper dolls, kids activity, and my favorite---clip-art. Every week or so they send out an email with free samples from their books. This image is one of them. You never know what you're going to get and that's what makes it fun! Kind of like Trick or Treating!!
| |
|
I'm sitting here listening to the "Retro 80s & 90s" internet radio station. It occurred to me that I always thought of "retro" describing funky silver Christmas trees and swanky lounge music. Crap. In other news, I seemed to have turned into the casserole queen over night. When we lost our cook, I started "cooking." (well, I can see this is going to be a quote-y posty, sorry) Anyhow, I did what any Midwestern girl would do, go to the Campbell's soup website for recipes. So far it's been successful. I was telling some friends about the fabulous enchilada recipe they have. Did you know not everyone in America "cooks" with Campbell's soup. In fact this is the third or fourth time I've met someone who has never heard of this. Gasp! I always respond with "you don't know what you're missing." "Really?" "Yeah." Maybe my pallet is little to be desired, but...I can sure put a meal on the table fast.
Peace of Toast, Candie Cooper 2007
Get it? "Peace" of toast. The piece of felt ended up looking like a piece of bread. I stitched it to some blue felt, added some buttons and a dove. It was a happy accident. Or cheesy? I don't really use chopsticks to eat toast, but they matched the wool and plate. Here's one for you. We own four pairs of chopsticks, one normal spoon, and three forks. Something happens when you move to this culture. I think it's that the "little" things aren't so important anymore. I watched Imagine, the movie about John Lennon, the other day. Interesting and inspiring. Speaking of bread or Peace bread for that matter, I love the part where he talks to the random stranger that had been living in their garden. He asks the man if he's hungry and then invites him in. They all sit around the table and break bread together. Incredible. We need more peace.
I'm working on the next class for Second Saturday, the crafty class for kids. I'm thinking about felted ornaments. This was supposed to be a star or a heart, but once I finished it, I couldn't cut into it. Sometimes you just have to follow the process instead of wrestling it into place.
And with that I shall close to go make a cup of tea. I can't shake this nasty, yucky cough. As it turns out, my friend, knitting teacher, and nurse in her "past" life told me Friday she thinks I had pneumonia. "Huh," I said, "that makes a little more sense now doesn't it." Oh, thank goodness for friends that can help shed some light through all the polluti()n over here.
| |
|
Make that Crafty DIY shuffle.
Yesterday a friend and I hopped the 8:30 ferry to Hong Kong for a day of crafty shopping. Mission accomplished. We checked out the new Spotlight store, which reminds me of a JoAnn Fabrics Bed, Bath and Beyond fusion. It was a solid hour of pouring over all things lovely and crafty. Then we had lunch at the California Pizza Kitchen. 3 words. Crunchy Thai Salad. Awesome.
After lunch we road the MTR over to the DIY market in the Sham Shui Po district; several rows and blocks of craft supplies.....in bulk. Yes, it makes your eyes bulge.
Do you know the scene in Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory where Willy Wonka shows them the candy room? Yeah, it's like that. The sun always shines on this place.
Bags, buckets, baskets, drawers, and more are loaded with beads and charms. Reel after reel of ribbon and trim. Countless bead woven creatures made with Swarovski crystals. It is insane.
Here's a few of my favorite finds from there. If you are crafty and heading to Hong Kong, you don't want to leave this off the travel itinerary. Give yourself at least two hours to take it all in....if not a day!
| |
|
This may just be one of the most helpful sites for creative people. Here's a blurb from their welcome letter....
We all know that art is good for the artist. So let's take advantage of that. Use your art to know yourself better, to express your dreams and improve your life. Grab a subscription to Astarte's Mega-Zine and "Make Your SELF a Masterpiece".
I downloaded the Astarte's Mega-Zine Issue #1 to check it out. From the blank canvas to goal setting, thoughts on inspiration, trying new techniques, reflecting exercises, and the life of an artist in general---this is a zine made by creative people for creative people. So far there are three issues of Astarte's and the content described within looks as if they've shed light on many issues that we artists confront from day to day. Needless to say, I'll be subscribing here shortly.
A friend gave me a hat that said something like, "go to your studio and make something." It's famous, I'm sure you've seen it. Anyway, it's true. Dig in. Just dig in and move. Sometimes when I'm beginning a piece or experimenting with an idea, there is a bit of anxiety like, where is this going? or what if it doesn't work?-even if I had a sketch or a plan. And it usually doesn't work out. Then I have to remind myself that it is these bits that I've collected (or endured) that give me the most growth. At the time it stinks, but the next day (after some good sleep) I can see new solutions or potential from the experiment. The bottom line is that I always feel better when I've been creating with my two hands. Period. If you feel the same, then check out go-make-art.com .
| |
|
but, my sewing machine broke (well, burned up more like it) a week and a half ago. One minute my office looked like this:
and the next like this:
It was terrible to say the least. It happened because I bought a new converter, or what I thought was a converter. I plugged it in, hit the pedal, and poof! there goes my sewing machine. What a beast! It was really ironic that this pack of ArtGirlz charms was laying next to my machine when it happened.
Don't panic! ok. Help me! I immediately ran to the internet to search for possible solutions. Fuse, yes, I must have blown a fuse. After removing a kagillion screws, I found the fuse and it looked perfect. *%#!*! This is where Rocker learned several new words. I was so discouraged as it's a pretty nice machine and there is absolutely no where here to have it repaired. For someone who uses tools like this in their work, this was not good at all and thus the straw that broke the camel's back as they say. After I fuss with the machine and eat a whole bowl of grapes while doing it, Mr. S rolls in from work around 8pm and tells me that he got hit by a car earlier that day. He's fine, but it's every wife's dream to hear that from her husband's mouth, isn't it?!? Especially living in a second wor1d c()untry. I worry about him every time he has to get into a car to go to a fact()ry here. Rules of the road....what rules? Somewhere in the middle I went out shopping in my neighborhood for a machine, but all I could find was an industrial machine. Surprised? I didn't think so. I know it all could have been worse, but I was pretty discouraged as I had come home from the States with my creative batteries re-charged and some new ideas that required my sewing machine. And I was pretty tired after the move and re-adjusting to being back in Ch!na. Even though I've been here nearly two years, there's always a bit of culture sh()ck when I come back. Hard to explain. I spent the next day with friends, had a good cry and left it. On a happy note, one of them knew of a store where they had seen some domestic sewing machines. Thank God for friends here---we tell each other that often.
And that brings me to today.... My friend called yesterday to tell me she was leaving for 5 weeks tomorrow. She followed up with, "so we should go to Carefour tomorrow to see if they have a sewing machine for you." What a pal. And we found one!
I took it for a test drive and it works. It's a bit rickety, but for $100 (the most expensive one they had), it will work just fine. Knock on wood. lol. I'm not going to sew a quilt or anything, I just need to make small bits and stitch on paper.
So, that's that. I don't normally like to talk about the down side of things, but that was a pretty crummy day and I'm glad it's long gone. I've learned a lot living here; you have to push on, keep your chin-up (even though it's hard), keep making your stuff and in the end, it usually all ends up working out. That quite possibly goes for anywhere you live.
Well, a typhoon is coming on fast and furious. I've already heard two loud crashes of glass hitting the pavement with big bolts of lighting in between. Not good, so I shall close for now and unplug my computer before something else happens!
| |
|
Yesterday I went to tackle the rat's nest in my bird cage studio. I have a case of the I can't put it back where it goes after I use its. Lord help me. Believe it or not, it didn't take too long once I got moving to put it all away. However, I also have an equally bad case of I'd rather be making somethings. Do you know what I mean?
So as I was cleaning my work table I kept finding little parts and pieces, scraps, and experiments of sorts that were begging to be used. Here's assemblage number one:
Six of One, made Aug. 16-2007
And then I thought, hey, how about a quick nest bead tutorial? I made two different versions of nests. The one above was made with approximately 18 in. of 26g. wire. I first made the bowl shape coil and then back tracked looping the wire in and out of the coil. Nest #2, that I'm about to show you, was made with 10 in. of 18 g. wire to make the bowl shaped coil base. Then 26g. wire was worked in and out of the base coil to give it a more nesty feel. It's easy! Just cut the wire, and make a small loop at one end with round nose pliers. Continue coiling the wire tightly around the loop and use your thumb and fingers to form it into a bowl shape as you go. See here:
You could leave it this way....
for a very stylized look. For the modern bird, perhaps. Or you can make it messy and more nesty by weaving thinner, 26g. wire in and out like this:
Weave a lot of wire or a little in an organized or messy fashion.
And there you have it. It's your nest, make it however you like.
Now you may be wondering...Where'd ya get that?
Hey, it's Friday everybody! Have a happy and relaxing weekend.
| |
|
if there were any roses to paint. It's been soooooo muggy, rainy and gloomy this week (which sans muggy, I secretly love, but this is not really a secret if you've been here before). But, with all this sporadic typhoon rain, something happened that I can't believe I'm admitting to: I wore my galosheRs with yoga pants to the studio on Tuesday. That's gotta quite possibly be a first or second degree fashion crime. I'm not going to lie to you, it wasn't pretty especially while sporting a ratty paint shirt and Swarovski earrings. Oh, hell nightmare. Whatta train wreck! I blame it all on the earrings. Once you put on sparkly earrings, nothing else matters. True?
I really wanted to show you these paints from Ranger Ink They're called Paint Dabbers and they sort of resemble a BINGO dabber or is it dobber? Maybe that's how they say it where I'm from. Anywho, let me tell ya, a little dab won't do ya here, get one in every color! I used them with rubber stamps--just dab the stamp with the foam tip, no brush needed. You can also remove the lid to access the paint. Very multi-functional and the colors are outta-sight super!
Today's note to self: Check fashion laws on wearing galosheRs with denim skirt.
| |
|
