Craftside

Vintage looking rosary style necklace inspired by a piece in Rejuvenated Jewels

I was so excited to find this cool vintage looking rosary link by the Blue Moon Beads Royal Boheme line because I had been eying this project from Rejuvenated Jewels and didn't currently have a rosary that I was up for dismantling. Problem solved!

I gathered up a bunch of bits and pieces. I had these white floral filigree and I thought they kind of looked like snowflakes and I thought that might make a kind of cool winter necklace.

After playing around a bit and performing a bit of jewelry surgery I had a necklace I really liked. This might end up being a gift so I wanted a safe place to store it for the moment. I thought since it was a gift I could attach it to a card and what better place than in a Card Album to keep the card!

I cut a length of 24 gauge wire about 3 inches and formed a loop in the middle of it.

Then I punched two holes near the top of the card and one in the center toward the bottom. The placement was so that there was very little if any slack between the three points. The excess chain that would be around the back of the neck dangled freely.

 

There you have it: a new/old combo piece nicely stored and displayed. I was also thinking if I made pieces to sell at a craft fair this Card Album would be an easy way to transport and show off my jewelry.

There is still lots of time to make more pretty jewelry and I don't think there is a project in this book that I don't want to make:

Rejuvenated Jewels:
New Designs from Vintage Treasures
By
Amy Hanna

In Rejuvenated Jewels, you'll learn where to find fabulous vintage jewelry, beads, and artifacts, and how to create stunning one-of-a-kind jewelry pieces using these amazing finds. Rhinestone beads and clasps, mercury glass beads, oxidized metal chains, rosary beads, tiny book charms, and more are retooled into fabulous statement pieces that can be worn every day.

Amy Hanna (Laguna Niguel, CA) has been creating and selling jewelry for nearly a decade. A collector at heart, Amy began haunting flea markets and yard sales more than 20 years ago, and it was always the vintage jewelry, metals, and rosary beads that caught her eye. Her collections lay in drawers and vintage jewelry boxes for years until a friend encouraged her to create. Unable to find jewelry that represented her personal style, Amy began making one-of-a-kind pieces from her beloved collections.

Using research and inspiration photo ATCs as the elements on an altered book journal page

Today's post is inspired by a few books and authors.

The first one is:

The Creative Entrepreneur
A DIY Visual Guidebook for Making Business Ideas Real

By

Lisa Sonora Beam

She wrote a post here that you can read about how she makes a spread sheet on her birthday.

The next book that some of my inspiration comes from is:

1,000 Artist Trading Cards:
Innovative and Inspired Mixed Media ATCs

Specifically this page, I liked the idea of working on a group of ATCs that held a common theme.

 

Click on the image to enlarge and see closer this wonderful collection of ATCs by Kelli Perkins.

And the final book that helped form today's project was:

Green Guide for Artists
Nontoxic Recipes, Green Art Ideas, and Resources for the Eco-Conscious Artist
By
Karen Michel

Yup all that reading just percolates into these pages:

and

and

Click on the images to see the details of my 47 ATC canvases ready to be embellished and altered.

OK, now the story.

I have tons of research and inspiration pages that are just stacked in a pile and not used much because they are very inaccessible. That's where Lisa's spread sheet idea came into my mind, the grid, all on one page, organized that sort of thing.

Next came the size and shape - that's where the ATC working with a common theme came in. I had all these research pictures that were perfect to use to create art in and of themselves but also serve a purpose (my research).

And then the Green Guide for Artists comes into play in that I am recycling an old book as my large pallet to contain all my mini pallets (the magazine page ATC's) to make all my art.

Are you following my train of thought here? Or have I become completely derailed?

I cut out lots of my jewelry inspiration photos down to ATC size. Even at this point I got so inspired I almost dropped the project and went to make a piece of jewelry but I stuck it out.

I had this large format picture book that I had already started to alter with memorabilia and photos. I used removable glue dots to adhere the ATCs into the book so they could in fact at some point be swapped.

Here is one of the pages before I attached the ATCs.

I am really excited to have my jewelry inspiration and my ATC "canvases" so accessible now. I should point out my ATC canvases with other fun topics and backgrounds that I have cut out are currently just in a stack as well but I am thinking about adding them to this book as well.

How do you organize your inspiration for your art and creativity?

If there were 6 more "graces" what would they be?

 

That is the question of the week, leave your answer by Sunday midnight November 1st, 2009, it can be just what 1 additional grace would be or if you can come up with 6 more-great!

As a thanks for sharing your brain cells you will be entered to win a free craft book!  

Why you ask am I asking this question? I'll tell you. I collect 3 graces cameos and my Mom scored this pin/necklace that had 3 attached together. It just got me thinking so I thought I would see what you all thought?

How to turn an old metal link belt into a new beaded cuff bracelet from Bead Jewelry 101

I'm in a mood, a jewelry making mood that is, watch out!

I love the scale and combination of these elements. Can you guess what is recycled to make this piece? Yes, it is an old metal belt.

Click on the images to enlarge and read how to convert a old metal belt into a new cuff bracelet.

This cool project is from the book:

Bead Jewelry 101
A Beginner's Guide to Jewelry Making

by
Karen Mitchell and Ann Mitchell

In the style of Sewing 101, Quilting 101, and Home Décor Sewing 101, this book teaches all the popular craft techniques used to make jewelry. Techniques are learned by doing projects, and the projects are organized beginning with the easier techniques and progressing to more difficult. organized workshop-style, to build skills cumulatively.

Karen and Ann Mitchell (Altadena, CA) are a dynamic sister team with a costume jewelry company called AnKara Designs. They make and sell jewelry, teach classes nationwide, and have appeared regularly on the Carol Duvall Show. They publish articles in Jewelry Crafts and other magazines and participate in 18 large arts and crafts shows annually.

I loved the scale of the bracelet and I happen to have some of those big metal belts.

Here is the one I made:

 

 

The one little thing I did differently is I used two clasps instead of one. I love how BIG it is.

And if you liked this project and want to see more pop back to this post for another great how to! Still want more than grab yourself a copy and you'll be all set from some great jewelry making.

Today's Q & A

It's a short one but it is a good on:

What is your crafting motivation?

Posted by: Melissa

My Answer:

Need or Want

Short answer for a short question, but it's true. I started making things either because I needed them or wanted them and quickly learned that I loved doing it myself because it came out just the way I wanted it, so empowering.

Leave questions here by midnight Sunday Aug 30th California time and you will be entered to win a free craft book and SideWinder bobbin winder! Have a great weekend.

How to use vintage jewelry designs to inspire pieces made with a new element

Another asymmetrical necklace!

This is is a necklace I made inspired by a piece from the book:

Rejuvenated Jewels:
New Designs for Vintage Looks

The specific piece I took my inspiration from I posted here using another aspect of it as the inspiration for the piece I designed in that day's post(very different than today's design).

 

Here is a close up of just the part that I used as my inspiration. It uses a cast or stamped metal horizontal piece that has enough open spaces in it to link chain on the sides and dangle all sorts of fun things off of.

I love how one piece of jewelry can lead you in so many new ways that all look really different.

The stork scissor charm is new from Blue Moon Beads and the charms are salvaged from other pieces of jewelry like single earrings and broken necklaces.

If you liked this and want more you will not be disappointed with all the eye candy in:

Rejuvenated Jewels:
New Designs for Vintage Looks
By
Amy Hanna

In Rejuvenated Jewels, you'll learn where to find fabulous vintage jewelry, beads, and artifacts, and how to create stunning one-of-a-kind jewelry pieces using these amazing finds. Rhinestone beads and clasps, mercury glass beads, oxidized metal chains, rosary beads, tiny book charms, and more are retooled into fabulous statement pieces that can be worn every day.

Amy Hanna (Laguna Niguel, CA) has been creating and selling jewelry for nearly a decade. A collector at heart, Amy began haunting flea markets and yard sales more than 20 years ago, and it was always the vintage jewelry, metals, and rosary beads that caught her eye. Her collections lay in drawers and vintage jewelry boxes for years until a friend encouraged her to create. Unable to find jewelry that represented her personal style, Amy began making one-of-a-kind pieces from her beloved collections.

Today's Q & A

Suella Asked:

My question is to do with money and budgeting for a potentially expensive hobby. Other than the basics:
thrifting for supplies, recycling/reuse, and buying and perhaps sharing larger containers of glue, dyes etc, do you have any good tips for saving money when you craft?

Answer:

Well all the things you listed are great!

A few other thing I can think of

1.Is to try a new craft in a class that the materials are supplied. That way the teacher probably bought the stuff in bulk and you will be getting a good deal along with their expertise thus saving potentially expensive supply consuming mistakes.(Been there, got that t-shirt!)

2. Substitute materials that you already have when "test driving a craft"

3. Start small, I know buying in bulk is tempting but let me just say when starting out on something you may or may not be continuing with, just hook yourself up with just enough so that you can play around and not feel like if you mess up you need to get more.

4. Shop around, I generally hit several websites or stores looking to see what the going rate is for stuff.

5. Coupons! I try to balance out my craft supply dollars with buying the stuff that is only available from local independents with the generally available at the biggies using my coupons. It kind of evens out.

6. OK this one might be just me, but I will share it anyway. I like to space out my "indulgent purchases" We all love getting new tools, supplies, books, shoes, (oops that's off topic) etc. So if I let myself just get one or two new things each week instead of doing it in bulk, I am more likely to use that new thing rather than it getting stuck in a pile to be lost or forgotten. Also this keeps it so that I allow myself to hit the stores regularly and see new things that keep my creativity flowing!

I hope you liked my tips and if any of you have more to add, please do!

This is the last week to leave questions that will qualify you to win not only a free craft book but also a Sidewinder Bobbin winder!

ANOTHER FUN PEEK INTO THE CRAFTER'S DEVOTIONAL BY BARBARA CALL

The Crafter's Devotional
365 Days of Tips, Tricks, and Techniques for Unlocking Your Creative Spirit
By
Barbara Call

There is something elemental shared among artists and crafters, regardless of chosen medium: creative energy. Crafters dabble, collaborate, muse, and make, all in their own way and on their own timeline. For all crafts, there are established techniques to follow but wild, innumerable ways to experiment, using the basics to launch crafters to new heights. The Crafter's Devotional can aid that launch.

Each week day is allocated its own entry, on which the reader will find a daily dose of craft content that inspires, instructs, and illuminates. Weekend entries explore topics and techniques in greater depth--perfect for enjoying on a more leisurely pace.

Barbara (Bourassa) Call (North Andover, MA) is a professional writer and editor specializing in crafts, food, and health & wellness. She is the author of five books, including Beyond Scrapbooks: Using Your Scrapbook Supplies to Make Beautiful Cards, Gifts, Books, Journals, Home Decorations and More and a 4-book children's book series called Get Active!

and the next page:

Click on the images to enlarge and read all about how to make a leather journal cover and crafting from trash.

So I not only took my inspiration from one page of The Crafter's Devotional I combined two facing pages, they just kind of blended in my imagination like when you squint.

 

I call them: Our first and last flag Book Cover Cuffs.

I found these books in the trash and they were filled with good pictures for using in assemblage art and ATC's. But as my brain was on crafting for the 4th of July the covers called to me. I happen to have a cover that had out first flag with 13 stars and stripes and our latest flag with 50.

 

Here is how to make book cover cuffs.

Cut off the thick cover by cutting only through the top thick layer and peel it off from the cardboard padding.

Then cut a strip that will give you enough on each side of your image to fold under.

Fold under the outside edges with one end slightly wider than the other. This will allow the thin end to slip inside the wider end. Glue only the thin end's folds together. If you glue the wide end's folds you won't be able to slide in the thin end!

Slide the thin end in the thick end and punch holes big enough to fit cuff link posts through. Yes I am using cuff links as my cuff closure! Fun hu?

As a variation you could make these big enough to be a bangle and just slide over your hand.

If you are looking for a fun pair of star earrings for your holiday outfit pop on over here to see how to melt plastic beads into star shapes.

Are you making any special patriotic crafts? If so, what?

As a thanks for sharing you will be entered to win a free book.

Happy 4th of July!

Jewelry Arts Workshop: Pure Silver Metal Clay Beads by Linda Kaye-Moses

Jewelry Arts Workshop: Pure Silver Metal Clay Beads
Linda Kaye-Moses

Metal clay is an innovative material that combines the workability of clay with the beautiful finish and durability of precious metals. The material is easy to manipulate and shape by hand to make beads for bracelets, necklaces, and other jewelry.

Jewelry Arts Workshop: Pure Silver Metal Clay Beads contains 15 projects for creating fine silver beads and a design gallery of 25 additional jewelry pieces. Intro chapters include information about tools and techniques. Projects are organized workshop-style, to build skills cumulatively.

Linda Kaye-Moses’s (Dalton, MA) work and articles have appeared in Lapidary Journal, Step-by-Step Jewelry, The Crafts Report, Metalsmith, Ornament, Art Jewelry, American Craft, American Style, the New York Times, and Craft Art International, among others. Her work has received several awards. She has also participated in numerous juried and invitational shows and is a member of several professional organizations, including the American Craft Council and the Society of North American Goldsmiths.

 

So the fabulously talented Cathi Milligan of Beadbrains Glass beads allowed me to crash her studio and play with some silver clay and try out some of the techniques featured in Jewelry Arts Workshop: Pure Silver Metal Clay Beads.

 

I cut a heart out of the PMC using a cookie cutter and then stamped the words "actual size" using a vintage Michael Strong rubber stamp.

 

The pieces were dried and then popped in the kiln for firing. Here they are on fire (the bonding agent is burning out)

 

And here it is all fired and polished up. I drilled a hole in the silver heart and linked it to ball chain with a jump ring. It just makes me giggle. If you are wondering why, I'll tell you. I joke that I am the Grinch and my heart is two sizes two small, so now I have an "actual size heart".

I made a bunch of other pieces and will share them with you as soon as they are incorporated into jewelry.

If you need to see more crafty goodness brought to you by Cathi, pop on over here to see a piece I designed using her book as inspiration or over to her website- Beadbrains for some cute and cool glass beads.

Today's question:

Are you snarky in your crafting? If so how?

Leave your answer and you'll be entered to win a free book!

And speaking of winners, congrats to our latest 4:

Eileen

Ellen, aka Singtatter

Janice

Cindy L.

How to make beaded filigree jewelry from The New Book-Bead Jewelry 101 by Karen and Ann Mitchell

This book has projects in it that get better and better with each turn of the page! I started at the beginning, as we generally do, and with each turn of the page I got more and more excited and inspired to go make some jewelry!

Bead Jewelry 101
A Beginner's Guide to Jewelry Making

by
Karen Mitchell and Ann Mitchell

In the style of Sewing 101, Quilting 101, and Home Décor Sewing 101, this book teaches all the popular craft techniques used to make jewelry. Techniques are learned by doing projects, and the projects are organized beginning with the easier techniques and progressing to more difficult. organized workshop-style, to build skills cumulatively.

Karen and Ann Mitchell (Altadena, CA) are a dynamic sister team with a costume jewelry company called AnKara Designs. They make and sell jewelry, teach classes nationwide, and have appeared regularly on the Carol Duvall Show. They publish articles in Jewelry Crafts and other magazines and participate in 18 large arts and crafts shows annually.

Filigree pieces are really hot right no. So when I turned to the page and saw this beautiful beaded filigree design I knew this was going to be my inspiration.

Click on the images to read how to bead and embellish filigree pieces.

  

I am on a asymmetrical kick right now and so I went off to the stash to see what elements I had to work with and I found a bunch of cool black beads in different shapes, a piece of filigree I could recycle and some different bits of chain.

 

I beaded the filigree following the great directions in Bead Jewelry 101. Then I simply linked up my elements and here you have it: my new favorite upcycled beaded filigree necklace.

Today's question:

Have you worked with filigree? If so, what have you done with it?

I am quite sure we all want to know!

As a thanks for sharing, you will be entered to win a free book!

And speaking of winners, congrats to our 4 latest winners:

Suella

Jenny J.

Francie

Rush

Have an absolutely fabulous weekend. See ya back here Monday with tons more crafty goodness! Peace out ya'll.

Amy Hanna's episode of Look, Learn & Create

Check out this week's episode of Look, Learn & Create to see how to make a wire wrapped pair of earrings.

It features
Amy Hanna
author of

Rejuvenated Jewels:
New Designs for Vintage Looks

In Rejuvenated Jewels, you'll learn where to find fabulous vintage jewelry, beads, and artifacts, and how to create stunning one-of-a-kind jewelry pieces using these amazing finds. Rhinestone beads and clasps, mercury glass beads, oxidized metal chains, rosary beads, tiny book charms, and more are retooled into fabulous statement pieces that can be worn every day.

Amy Hanna (Laguna Niguel, CA) has been creating and selling jewelry for nearly a decade. A collector at heart, Amy began haunting flea markets and yard sales more than 20 years ago, and it was always the vintage jewelry, metals, and rosary beads that caught her eye. Her collections lay in drawers and vintage jewelry boxes for years until a friend encouraged her to create. Unable to find jewelry that represented her personal style, Amy began making one-of-a-kind pieces from her beloved collections.

Be sure to pop on over to Amy's blog for some more beautiful photography and inspiration!

Today's question?

Which I bet you can all answer!

What is your favorite piece of jewelry?
And why?

Leave your answer and you're entered to win a free book.

My current favorite changes with my mood or what I have just made but I always go back to my pearls. I have both a strand of all one size and a descending size one, I alternate between the two.

The first how to video in Craftside's Look, Learn & Create series with Author Christi Friesen

Drum roll please!

I am tickled to announce the first in our spankin' new video series:

My, yes I am the hostess, first guest is the wonderful and talented

Christi Friesen

author of:

Polymer Clay and Mixed Media—Together at Last

Polymer Clay and Mixed Media—Together at Last is about making polymer clay figures—jewelry pieces, focal beads, décor items, knick-knacks—and incorporating beads, fibers, fabrics, glass, stones, etc. to create special effects. Embellishing polymer clay with mixed media adds a sophistication and richness without making the projects complicated or inaccessible to the average crafter.

Christi Friesen works in mixed media and combines polymer clay, glass, acrylic, found objects, gems, and semi-precious stones, glass beads, pearls, precious metals, and pigments to make her sculptural pieces and art jewelry. She is an award-winning artist and her work has been featured in magazine articles, books, galleries, exhibits, and juried shows as well as on her Web sites: www.CFOriginals.com and www.CFJewelryArt.com.

Do you want to see how to make this super cute mixed media and polymer clay "All Screwed Up" heart pendant? Watch on!

Share this video!

Click here to e-mail this video from YouTube!

Today's question:
Did you just love Christi Friesen and her polymer clay project? Or what?

And as our thanks for answering you'll be entered to win a free book!

Click on the Polymer clay link below to see more!