Shabby Chic Cuff - video tutorial

I created this Shabby Chic Cuff using ICE Resin, fabric and very thin copper sheet cut from a Spellbinder's die.

My video tutorial will give you step-by-step instructions for the creative process. You can also get the written instructions and supply list here on my tutorial page.

I hope you enjoy the video!

 

Thanks for stopping by!

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Rule Breaking Thrift Store Finds

I have this thrift store shopping rule: Don't buy anything unless it is on the 1/2 off sticker price for the day. I stick to it most of the time but occasionally RULES are made to be BROKEN and today I did just that! These finds were just too juicy to wait for their 1/2 off day.

I thought these old binoculars were pretty cool but I wasn't sure I really needed them...what would I do with them?

Then I discovered the lenses came off...aha!

I could use the lenses in jewelry projects so I paid the $2.99

and assured myself it was a good purchase!

The smaller lenses have writing on them.

 One says SMOKE TANSILL'S PUNCH - 5 CENT CIGAR

and the other one says R.W. TANSILL & CO. - CHICAGO

Here is another item I don't really need and can't use for jewelry projects but it could make a very cool mixed media assemblage/collage piece and it was only $1.99.

It was the carved detail at the top that suckered me in!

I didn't even blink an eye to think as to whether I should pay the full price of $1.99 for this gorgeous brass case. This will definitely show up in one of my jewelry designs!

Love, love, love the curved oval shape and the little mirrored door!

Breaking the Rules Can Be Fun!!

Thanks for stopping by!

 

Going Green!

One of my designs is going green with Green Craft magazine!

Dressed Up Pearls from my "A Girl and Her Shoes Series"

is featured in the Autumn 2012 issue of Green Craft Magazine.

This necklace is so easy to make. I just cut the leather flowers from a pair of sandals, embellished them and then wired them onto vintage pearl strands. You can find out more about this necklace here.

Thanks for stopping by!

Key To The Past

I had never used a die cutting machine until just recently when ICE Resin and Spellbinders partnered up and I was asked to create a few projects using the Grand Calibur machine and some of their dies. It was fun to be given a chance to experiment with it. One of the projects that I've created was featured on the ICE Resin blog yesterday.

Key To The Past

My inspiration for this piece came from the smallest die in the
Labels Fourteen series. It reminded me of a keyhole.

I first used the 2nd largest die in the set to cut the shape out of thin copper sheet  and then added a keyhole with the smallest die in the lower portion. I then folded the piece into half and added a patina to enrich the color of the copper and to give it some age. I placed an image of a Victorian era woman that I cut from the Belles Dames Francais image book and covered it with ICE Resin. 

 

I embellished the piece with some chain and vintage jewels

and wire wrapped a skeleton key to it.

I used two styles of vintage chain to add some interest to the piece.

I made a hook clasp from copper wire. The keyhole piece that I cut out at the beginning of the project became the perfect closure once I punched a hole in it.

It was fun creating with the Spellbinders products. I've created a few more projects but I will have to wait awhile longer to share them.

Thanks for stopping by!

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Golden Dreams - step 7 - JA project for July

This summer is going by so fast...July has just about passed me up but I was determined not to let it go by without completing step 7 of my jewel-aholic anonymous challenge. If you missed my original JA 12-step program post with a challenge to myself, you can find it here.

When I think of July I can't help but be reminded of American patriotism. Independence day celebrations have past but we still have some pride as a country to celebrate with the Olympics going on.

So in honor of America and the Olympics

I chose to make this piece for my July JA project.

I sorted through my stash of jewels for quite awhile not sure of

what I wanted to make until I found this medallion and pin.

I used a fine tip marker to outline where the pin would be on the medallion and then quickly placed my lettering. I wasn't worried about making the lettering perfect since it was just a reference point.

 I used metal stamps to emboss the words "GOLDEN DREAMS" and added five dots at the top to tie in with the five Olympic rings.

I filled in the lettering with black pen. Some of the gold finish flaked off the medallion when I stamped the letters so I applied a little gold paint - not to completely cover - I wanted to keep an aged look. The gold also aged the black on the lettering which I liked. I let it dry and then applied Renaissance wax to protect the finish. I also drilled a hole so the pin would fit flush against the medallion.

Finally, I cut the back off the pin and glued it into place.

Now I have my own personal gold metal! Not to award myself for anything but to remind myself that my dreams can turn

into golden opportunities if I just follow them!

Below is where you can check out my previous

JA (Jewel-aholics Anonymous) projects.

January - "Snowflake"

February - "Tin Heart"

March - "Good Luck Wishes"
June - "It's Heating Up!"
Bonus Project - "Masquerade Mask"

Thanks for stopping by!

 

An Experiment in Rust

It's no secret I love old, imperfect rusty treasures.
Of course, most people would refer to my treasures as junk!

There are many tutorials on how to speed up the rusting process on metals containing iron and they definitely work great.

But what about plastic, wood, paper and,
well, basically any surface? Can they be rusted?

Believe it or not, they can!
Not faux rust. Actual rust!

These pieces are made of plastic.

 

Modern Masters Iron Paint actually contains iron and once you paint it on your piece it can rust naturally over time or you can instantly create rust with the Modern Masters Rust Activator.

I decided to experiment with several

different types of materials and objects.

canvas and paper

(I embellished the canvas with fiber ribbon and the paper with lace.)

fabrics and lace

plastics

metals

and a few other assorted materials

(cork, wood, shell & a blob of cured resin)

I painted each object with the iron paint and let them dry completely.

(I covered some pieces completely and spot painted a few.)

Then I brushed the activator over each piece. After five minutes I applied another coat of the activator. Within a few minutes the rust began appearing and after awhile this is what I had.

The aqua fabric that I spot painted turned out kinda cool.

I loved the effect on the canvas and paper.

And the resin blob is pretty interesting. A larger blob might look cool with a vintage photo showing through the back...hmmm....must remember that idea!

Since I will most likely be incorporating these objects into jewelry I thought it would be best to seal the finish with Renaissance wax.

And since I was just experimenting anyway, I decided to

rub a few of the rusty objects with some Gilders Paste

to add even more interest to the patina.

I definitely had fun with this experiment and will be doing more.

I also purchased the Modern Masters Bronze Paint Effect but didn't realize that it takes a different activator so I will need to get some of the correct activator before I can experiment with it.

I'll be sure to share my results...good, bad or ugly!

Thanks for stopping by!

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Butterfly Specimen

This necklace is one of my latest creations as an ICE Resin® Creative Team designer. When I showed it to my Hubby he asked if it

was a real butterfly so I guess my design was successful!

It's very easy to make.

I first cut a butterfly image from the Belles Dames Francaise flip book and used Modge Podge to adhere it to a plexi-glass circle.

Then I stamped a swirling dot design onto

a second plexi-glass circle using black Staz-On ink.

I placed the plexi-glass pieces into a round staple bezel with

the butterfly and stamping on the inside and used

pliers to crimp the staples holding everything into place.

I then showcased the butterfly pendant

between a couple of decorative corset clasp connectors.

For the neck cord, I added some pretty blue and pink organza ribbons and wrapped them with copper wire in a couple of places.

To finish it off I added one of my

handcrafted copper hook and eye clasps.

Every now and then I create with a little

bit of fluff and femininity...I am a girl after all!

Thanks for stopping by!

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