Category Archive
The following is a list of all entries from the How to category.
Die Cut Fabric easy
Are you a scrapbooker that has invested in one of the die cutting systems like Sizzix or one of the others? Are you looking to stretch how you use this equipment? Wow, I am starting to sound like a company rep!
Ok, I have a couple of these die cut pieces of equipment and I love them. I found out recently that the quilting world has one as well for cutting fabric. This made me wonder if the one I have for paper would cut fabric. It does. It opened a whole new world for me, it made me think about how I could use fabric instead of paper for projects.
Now here is the disclaimer, that I do this at my own risk to damage to my dies. If you choose to do this and it results in damage to your dies etc, I am not liable. It is your choice to do so.
First iron a sewable fusible on the back of your fabric. Cut the fabric into pieces the size of your die. Run it through your machine. VIOLA! you now have a pre-cut fusible that you can iron onto any other fabric.
I used sewable fusible because I wanted to be able to sew through the applique after it was applied, without gumming up my machine needle.
With some of the letter embroidery sewing machines out there, you could embroider the fabric, apply the fusible, then die cut out any shape you have on hand.
Too much fun!!!
Easy Charm Bracelet for the holidays
Easy charm bracelet that you can make as a gift or bedazzle it for your own holiday attire. All you need is a chain that you like with links big enough for fit a lobster clasp in the links. Here are some sources for the supplies (its also a good way to see what each item is):
Lobster Clasps – These Open and close and you will attach to your chain
Hanging charms – 5-12 charms that you will attached a split ring to.
Chain – This is the base of your bracelet to which you will attach the open part of the lobster clasps.
How to:
Now that you have all of your supplies.
Put one charm on each Split ring.
Attach the split ring to the round portion of the lobster clasp.
Attach the open portion of the lobster clasp to a link on the bracelet chain.
(if your bracelet chain is not already equipped with a closure to hold it on your wrist. You can attach a split ring to one end of the bracelet and then attach that split ring to a lobster clasp. )
The open end of that lobster clasp can then be opened and attached to the other end of the chain when you wear the bracelet.
The great thing about this type of bracelet is that you can switch out the charms as easily as you can undo a clasp.
Give it a try!!
Happy Holidays!!
Sharon
http://www.etsy.com/shop/SharonOrella
If you would rather have someone make it for you, then send me a convo on Etsy with 2 week lead time and I can make you a custom bracelet or a bracelet kit. I will just need to know what theme you want and the size of your wrist.
Easy wrap bracelet for the holidays.
A wrapped or memory wire bracelet is one of the easiest pieces of jewelry to make for a beginner. You will need one package of memory wire sized for bracelets. You will also need beads of your choice with holes sized large enough to fit the diameter of the memory wire. Many seed beads will not work for this unless they are the larger ones. You will also need a pair of Chain nose pliers. (Click for memory wire source) (Click for source of Pliers)
To start locate one end of your memory wire, then using your pliers bend the end back onto itself. (you can also purchase memory wire bead caps. Click here for a source) It will form a bit of a loop. This will stop your beads from coming off the end.
Your typical package of memory wire will allow it to go around your wrist several times. Take a look and decide how many time you want your to wrap around. Once you know, cut the memory wire at that point (please don’t use your flush cutter for this, the memory wire will damage them) I use a pair of cutters meant for memory wire. (Link to Memory wire cutters)
Now that you have your length of wire, start stringing beads onto it, use your imagination, if you don’t like a combination then slide them off and re do. You can make this total random or in a pattern with the same size and type of bead. (click for bead source)(Source for lovely Crystals) It is all about what appeals to you.
Once you have them all strung, use your pliers and bend a loop into the end where you were stringing. This will hold all the beads onto the wire.
Presto a bracelet!!!
What a great gift! Or if you used those lovely crystals you have a lovely holiday sparkle bracelet….
Happy Holidays!
Sharon
http://www.etsy.com/shop/SharonOrella
P.S. If you just would like to have a lovely Memory Wire Bracelet made for you, I know just the person. Give her a call or visit her shop on Etsy. Click here to visit her shop and contact her via convo Jewelyett
Creating, Creating, Creating…. with Paper
I have always loved paper, I love the feel of paper, I love the smell of paper and I truly love the versatility of paper. Paper can become so many things and mean so much. I always wonder who and how the first bits of paper were made. I know that as far back as Egyptian times they were we writing on fibers and making papers. I have dabbled in making paper several times and enjoyed doing it. My favorite was when I decided that I was going to make use of all of the junk mail I kept getting. I began shredding all of my junk mail, envelope and credit card applications and sales flyers etc. It was not long before I had bags and bags of shredded paper. I than began throwing it in a blender with some water and unflavored Gelatin. I had read that the gelatin would hold everything together along with the fibers all interweaving together. I wound up with some pretty amazing paper pulp (after a LOT of blending). I made several batches of paper but my fave was the one I added a tiny bit of green food coloring to. In that batch I threw in some dried flowers, some green food color, and some other twiggy like fibers I had lying around. All of my 8 x 11 sheets came out a pale green with lots of texture. I thought they were fabulous! I little hard to write on, but they went through my inkjet printer rather nicely. I will have to do that again, perhaps next summer would be good. I found it best to do this outside, that way I did not worry about spillage or mess. Memories of my handmade paper are good ones and fit right in with my latest endeavor of paper creations. I discovered (drum roll puleeze) embossing! I have gone a bit overboard in collecting little embossing folders that I put paper in then crank through my little roller machine. I never get tired of seeing the end product! I have made tags, lots of tags, many experimental and some that have made it to my Etsy site. Did I tell you I also love to package these up, and make then pretty so that when people get them I hope they will like them as much as I do. I only wish I could give as many gifts as I make tags for because then I could gift wrap with paper too. Ahhh…. so much paper and so little time!
Of course I must share some pictures of my paper creations!
Finding the Light and How DO you hang art on the wall?
To send light into the darkness of mens hearts – such is the duty of artists: Robert A Schumann
As an artist I am always challenged with finding the light, I want to get the reflection, the shine, the warmth and the heart into each of my artworks. When I have worked on a sheet of copper for some time and I finally get to the point where I want it, it is truly my happy place. It gives me great joy, to lay it down gently, and spray it with sealer to try to hold onto some of the light and warmth the flame has imparted to the carved and hammered work, that has been transformed from a blank sheet of copper.
The next challenge is to make sure it gets mounted in the best way to make it shine. Lately, I have let my copper wrap around a base to give the spotlight to only the copper and to show how well it warms against any surface. I have also mounted copper onto a black background, which makes the color pop!
I have yet to figure out how I want to mix my copper with Glass but I am sure that reality will present itself when it is ready. Then I will move forward on another adventure in trying to capture light, feeling and warmth… You can view my artworks on Etsy and see them in person at the Odgepodge Art Gallery, in Sherwood Oregon.
Do you have art you want to hang but are not sure how to hang it? Here is a video that gives you instructions on how to hang on different types of walls and using different types of hangers. Enjoy!
A little bit of everything for your summer vacay or staycation. . .
As we head into the weekend, I realize that it is the middle of July. We are past celebrations for the 4th, and there are no major holidays until Labor day. Many are almost ready to go on their annual vacation, whether that be a staycation or a trip to the coast or to visit family, we all want to have some fun. I was thinking about our annual trip to the Oregon Coast where we relax and just enjoy our selves for a couple of weeks. I always take lots of different things to play with while we are there, and for me that means being crafty, or arty in some way. This made me think about what types of supplies I might want to take with me and of course I went on a search of Etsy. Here are a few of the items I found that would be good to take along…
For the sewer/quilter:
Nature Inspired Collection by Windham.
For the jewelry maker:
Lucite Pansy Flower Beads – Mixed Color
AAA – Mixed Precious Rondelles – Ruby, Emerald and Sapphires – 1/2 Strand
For the cook:
Vintage Better Homes and Gardens New Cook Book circa 1953
For the knitter/Crocheter:
Hand Dyed Worsted Weight Yarn – Mission Fig
Oregon Timber Brown DK Alpaca Yarn (50 g)
And finally for the scrap booker:
Freshmemoriesstudio If you need a project check out Red heart for free crochet and knitting patterns! Here is a 3 part tutorial on making resin jewelry: Part 1: Part 2 Part 3:Popular Briolette Cut jewel – is everywhere!
I am seeing more and more wire wrapped Briolette pendants in jewelry design these days. It is a really pretty look, and can be rustic and organic when using a briolette cut stone. A Briolette cut stone looks like a teardrop and the hole is drilled side to side through the top of the teardrop shape. They come in all kinds of cuts, faceted to flat, to more cylindrical. A Crystal briolette with the facets adds that sparkle that brings this cut into the arena of elegance. These are popping up all over the place, in fashion mags, on the street and in the workplace. The wire wrapped presentation of a crystal briolette, works really well with the casual outfit, yet the simplicity works with more formal attire as well. During my daily cruise of Etsy I have found some really beautiful wire wrapped briolette jewelry creations. Check it out! Very Pretty!
Cloudy Blue Quartz Briolette Earrings on Sterling Silver
Citrine, pink tourmaline and Sapphires Wires Earrings
Single Burnt Orange Chalcedony Drop Necklace
Seraphina Necklace – Carnelian, Madeira Citrine, Citrine, 14 Karat Gold
Little Aqua Chalcedony Earrings
This photo of this Amethst Briolette, courtesy of gemselect.com
Here is a how to on wrapping a briolette:
Such Opportunity and Crafty Corner!
It is truly remarkable how much is available to us in this day and age to be creative and market our wares. This is powered by the Internet access, that allows anyone to find components, to be inspired, and fuel the creative individual. A search of the internet with a simple word can net you a barrage of information about what you are looking for. Some relevant and some maybe not so much. The same search of the internet on a site such as Etsy can net you a list of choices that can be more easily digested and perused and sometimes more applicable to your creative spirit. I have found it to be both informational and inspirational.
For example the other day I was searching for supplies of roses, the internet search engine told me about every flower type, several business that would sell me flowers and a list too long to reveal here of items I was not interested in. The search in supplies on Etsy, lead me directly to a rose lampwork bead, rose-colored yarn, a digital collage sheet etc… Much more in tune with my creative side. It provided me with both a physical source and inspiration that could carry me forward work with my creativity. I bet this happens more times than we could count, and what a gift it is. It always makes me think that the possibilities are endless (which they are) when you open your mind and use past experiences to bring together a creation you can be proud of.
I thought I would share some of the shops that provide supplies that also inspire me…. and how to make a flirty ric rac flower in the crafty corner.
Mermaids Dowry (this shop has wonderful components, I did not get away without buying from this shop)
Beautiful Additions Source for Ric-Rac
Crafty Corner!!
Here is a link to a video on how to make Ric-Rac Flowers
