Craftside

Steampunk Christmas cam chain necklace in festive green, and some silly sly decorating

Only 2 days left before the big day. Are you ready?

Me, I keep trying to get more projects done. I had a huge list of things and ideas I wanted to make, and they are all not done.

I got sidetracked making this today:

It is made from 3 links of a motorcycle cam chain, some of the cool Blue Moon Beads Noir chain and a big green focal pendant. I really thought the 3 links made a cool connector all splayed out in different directions. The top two I held together with a link from the chain. I added the lengths of chain to balance out the weight of the pendant.

I just can't stop making jewelry, especially when there are great books filled with fabulous inspiration like:

Steampunk-Style Jewelry
Victorian, Fantasy, and Mechanical Necklaces, Bracelets, and Earrings
By
Jean Campbell

This how-to jewelry-making book features the work of an array of invited jewelry designers influenced by the growing Steampunk trend. In Steampunk circles, jewelry-makers are often master metalsmiths who combine found objects with fine metals to create elaborate pieces. In Steampunk-Style Jewelry, the projects focus on "no fire" techniques -- like simple stringing, wirework, hammering, stamping, gluing, stitching, and off-loom beadwork -- so that even a beginner can create pieces in the style.

Each project provides a complete materials and tools list, step-by-step instructions, and clear illustrations. Steampunk-Style Jewelry offers a broad overview of a growing design trend that is part of the literary, industrial design, fashion, and popular culture scene. You will learn about the art movement through the many photographic sidebars that explore the many aspects of the trend.

Jean Campbell is a freelance craft editor and author. She is the founding editor of Interweave’s Beadwork magazine and has written and edited more than 40 books, most recently including CPi’s Beadwork Inspired by Art: Impressionist Jewelry and Accessories and Beadwork Inspired by Art: Art Nouveau Jewelry and Accessories. Other recent books include The New Beader's Companion, Getting Started Stringing Beads, Beaded Weddings, The Art of Beaded Beads, Beadwork Creates Jewelry, and Beading with Crystals. Jean has a widely followed weekly blog on Interweave’s Beading Daily, and has appeared on the DIY Jewelry Making show, The Shay Pendray Show, and PBS' Beads, Baubles, and Jewels where she gives how-to instructions, provides inspiration, and offers crafting advice.

Holiday Goodness Giveaway!

Here's how it works:

• We ask a question each weekday.
• You leave your answer in the comments section each day to the question (and you can enter each day!).
• We will randomly pick a winner each day to send a free book to!

Today is DAY 18 of 19!

Question:

What is the craziest holiday decoration you have seen?

My answer:

I have 2 neighbors that keep sneaking a single decoration into each other's holiday display. Both yards are packed full of over-the-top decorations like big trains full of stuffed animals and all sorts of lighting and displays, so it is easy to miss it, but the wife of one of the men said they have been sneaking it back and forth 4 times already!

I personally felt the need to decorate my neighbor's boat that he parked in front of my house!

It was fun decorating on the sly!

Be sure to read the comments of others; maybe you can pick up a good idea, a new place to find your inspiration, or just a good giggle!

FREE MAKEREADY WRAPPING PAPER!

Want some cool, crafty, AND eco-friendly wrapping paper? Send your receipt showing you’ve bought today’s book to craftside@gmail.com, and we’ll send you a package of this brightly-colored up-cycled wrapping paper made from the “Makeready,” or printer’s scraps, from some of our newest books.  Don’t forget to include your shipping address too!

And a final tip of the day:

Looking for a fun gift?

Grab a book and the supplies that go along with it. Like today-know someone who makes jewelry, grab a book, some jewelry making tools or just cruise down the jewelry making supply isle and grab a bunch of fun findings. Even if they aren't the style you gift recipient is into, they can use them to make gifts for others. They are sure to appreciate the thought!

Reuse that empty milk jug after all your baking to die cut some weather-proof snowflakes

 Using some recycled materials for your holiday crafting means more money to spend on books and gifts!

I can't tell you how many times I go into my recycle bin for supplies. I flip though a book like

1000 Ideas for Creative Reuse
Remake, Restyle, Recycle, Renew
By
Garth Johnson

and I am inspired!

I dug out the milk jug I finished this morning and cut it into a couple of flat pieces.



I went to the Sizzix die cut stashand perfect - a snowflake! I make these in honor of all who actually got a bunch of the real stuff (I went rollerblading this past weekend).



Looking for another good Green Craft book to give to your favorite artist/crafter in your life?

Check out this post over at Re-nest:
10 Green Gifts for the Artist, Crafter, or DIY'er
Best Green Gifts 2009

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

was picked as a top 10 Green Gift idea.

Holiday Goodness Giveaway!

Here's how it works:

• We ask a question each weekday.
• You leave your answer in the comments section each day to the question (and you can enter each day!).
• We will randomly pick a winner each day to send a free book to!

Today is DAY 17 of 19!

Question:

What is your Crafting New Year's Resolution?

My answer:

Mine is to try to be better about cleaning up after I have finished a project. Even if it is only half way, that's better than none. Also, to try to go through my supplies and organize them a bit better by labeling the outside of the boxes even just a little. I spend quite a bit of time looking for my supplies (one of my tools is still M.I.A. and it is really bugging me!

Be sure to read the comments of others; maybe you can pick up a good idea, a new place to find your inspiration, or just a good giggle!

FREE MAKEREADY WRAPPING PAPER!

Want some cool, crafty, AND eco-friendly wrapping paper? Send your receipt showing you’ve bought today’s book to craftside@gmail.com, and we’ll send you a package of this brightly-colored up-cycled wrapping paper made from the “Makeready,” or printer’s scraps, from some of our newest books.  Don’t forget to include your shipping address too!

How to make a cupcake with paper and a recycled cup from the book The Complete Photo Guide to Paper Crafts

These paper cupcakes are so cute!

Click on the images to enlarge and read how to make a paper cupcake from paper and a recycled paper cup.

This cute paper cupcake project is from the great book:

The Complete Photo Guide to Paper Crafts
Over 700 Photos - Cutting - Folding - Weaving - Quilling - Punching - Collage - Casting - Journals - More

By

Trice Boerens

This book provides a reference for all kinds of crafts that involve decorative papers. It includes step-by-step photographed instructions for a wide range of techniques as well as projects to accompany each area of paper crafting. This is a comprehensive guide.

Most books on paper crafting are specific by technique or end result (card making, stamping, paper embellishments, collage). This book explores a wide range of techniques and end products, making it a valuable reference for any crafter.

Trice Boerens is an author of paper crafting, quilting, jewelry making and stitching books. She has also worked as an art director, a magazine editor, and a product packager. Living and working in the foothills of the Wasatch Mountains in Ogden, Utah, she is always on the look out for new techniques and unexpected inspiration.

Enter to win a Free Mixed-Media Doll handmade by Linda O'Brien, co-author of Who's Your Dada?

Do you love this original handmade dada doll by Linda O'Brien?

You can enter to win it!

All you need to do is leave your answer to one of these two questions in the comments section of this post by midnight ET on November 24th.

Linda and Opie will choose a winner at random on November 25th. On Thanksgiving Day, November 26th, we will announce the winner on this blog.

Question 1:

What was your favorite doll as a child and why? (Do you still have it?)

Question 2:

What was the last thing you made that simply put a smile on your face every time you looked at it and why?

Just to inspire you, here's my answer to the first question.

My favorite doll as a little kid was my stuffed bunny that I would dress in the pretty clothes my mom sewed for my fancy baby doll. Even then I was mixing things up and doing it my own way! And yes I still have it, the fur is pretty much gone and it has lost its original eyes and nose that have been replaced with buttons, but I still love it!

The answer to the second question I promise to post about soon. I swear it is cracking me up, but it is not quite finished. It will be soon, I promise!

If you like this mixed-media dada doll then you will want to grab a copy of the immensely creative and inspiring:

Who's Your DADA?
Redefining the Doll through Mixed Media
By
Linda O'Brien and Opie O'Brien

Inspired by the "dada" notion of making art from materials that would not typically be combined or expected to go together, and driven by a similar sense of irony and humor, this exciting book by Linda and Opie O'Brien shares their unique approach to making mixed-media dolls. It is not only a "must have" volume for anyone interested in found object art and the human form, it is a thoughtful and provocative exploration of the power, symbolism, and cultural significance of dolls and representational figures.

The authors share detailed techniques for using surface embellishments, creating faces, heads, and limbs, using molds and molding products, and building and transforming disparate objects into whimsical, inspiring dolls. Starting with a variety of substrates--a wood block, a canvas, a tin can, a book, and a box construction--readers are guided step by step through five types of doll constructions.

Included:

-Complete instructions for making a box construction doll, a wood block substrate doll, a two-sided canvas frame doll, a tin can doll, and a book doll

-Numerous variations on each of the core projects for further experimentation

-An inspiring gallery of mixed-media dolls from leading artists who discuss their methods and share their very personal answers to the question: "What is a doll?"

Originally from New York City,Linda and Opie O'Brien are full-time artists living on Lake Erie in Ohio with their cat Angelus and his cat Angel. They teach workshops nationally and internationally. Their work includes jewelry, dada dolls, artist books, assemblage, collage, masks, music, and more, and has been featured in numerous books, magazines, galleries, exhibitions, solo shows, museum gift shops, and private collections.

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.

Wool Felted Sweaters get Re-Bound into a cute little Christmas needle book

Yup, Halloween is not even a week in the past and I am makin' stuff for Christmas!

I whipped up this little needle book out of scraps from recycled wool felted sweaters, a bit of embroidery floss and 2 pom poms.

Safe and cute storage for those little sharp objects.

Here is how to make a needle book:

Rough cut 3 rectangles of felted wool sweaters.

Then stitch the three layers together. I left the ends of the floss a bit long so I could glue a pom pom on each end. Then I trimmed up the book. Why, you ask, would you not cut all the rectangles nice and neat to begin with? I'll tell you: in the stitching process things can get a bit off, and also the thickness of the sweaters really affect where the ends line up when the book is closed.

To embellish the cover I ironed on a bit of Heat and Bond to the back of a scrap of wool felted sweater. Then I ran it through the Sizzix Hello Kitty Die cutter with the "B" die.

Then I just peeled off the paper backing and pressed the "B" onto the front cover of my little needle and pin book.

What made me think of making this today? Well, I was flipping though Re-Bound and this cool project jumped out at me:

Now this little journal has paper pages but I thought I would make a needle book because I needed something to hold my needles and pins for my cross stitch on the go bag.

Do you like making books out of interesting things? Check out more from:

Re-Bound
Creating Handmade Books from Recycled and Repurposed Materials
By
Jeannine Stein

Re-Bound shows readers how to take every day materials
from around the house, flea markets and thrift stores, and
hardware and office supply stores, and turn them into
fabulous books. Instead of saying, What can I make a book
out of, readers will be thinking, What can't I make a book
out of? In Re-Bound, a vintage souvenir wallet becomes
a photo album. Last year's trendy sweater becomes a takealong
journal. Even potato chip bags get a second life as a
handy pocket notebook. This fun pursuit is economical as
well as ecological. A variety of attractive, uncomplicated
bindings, how-to instructions, and step-outs bring each
project to life.

Jeannine Stein (Los Angeles, CA) has been making
books for more than 15 years, exploring bindings,
mediums, and techniques. She has studied with
notable book artists Daniel Essig, Keith Smith, Kitty
Maryatt, and Charlene Matthews. Her work has been
featured in such Quarry titles as Pockets, Pullouts,
and Hiding Places, Beyond Scrapbooks, and 100 Ideas
for Stationery, Cards, and Invitations. Her projects
have also been appeared in magazines, including
Home Companion, Romantic Country, and Stamper's
Sampler.

How to sew gathers in fabric from the book Singer Simple Sewing and how to recycle 2 Boy Scout shirts into a fun little dress with ruffles

Ruffles and gathers are really hot in fashion right now, not to mention very useful to know how to do for lots of Halloween costumes. Click on the image to enlarge and read these really great instructions on how to sew gathers.

This page is from the book:

Singer Simple Sewing
The Complete Illustrated Machine-side Reference of Tips and Techniques

By

Beth Baumgartel

This comprehensive “at your fingertips” reference is an essential for any sewer's library. With more than 1,000 detailed illustrations and an instructional DVD from SINGER®, this book covers all the basic sewing techniques for garment construction and home décor. An entire section on mending and repair helps sewers recycle and reuse their favorite items with quick and reliable fixes. This useful volume will help sewers of all levels find reliable shortcuts and better solutions to ensure success with all their sewing projects.

Beth Baumgartel (Madison, CT) has written for Vogue, Butterick, the Home Sewing Association, Family Craft Circle, and others. She is also the author of SINGER® Simple Decorative Machine Stitching.

I LOVE ruffles and I gather fabric a bunch (yup that was a pun!), so I use this technique all the time. Here is my latest recycled/upcycled little dress made from 2 Boy Scout shirts:

I used wider bias strips along the bottom and trimmed the front top edge with a tiny ruffle.

Here is how to sew a little dress from 2 men's shirts; in this case I used 2 Boy Scout shirts.

 

I cut one shirt into the dress shape and sewed two ties. They get placed into the dress when the side seams are stitched.

The final step after the dress is all sewn together is to stitch a bit of elastic along the back top edge.

The other shirt gets cut open so that the bias strips can be cut as long as possible -- as you can see I had to use 2 grid rulers for the first cut.

 

Then I could fold the shirt in half along the true bias and cut the bias strips out with one long grid ruler for the ruffles. I should point out that you really do need to cut the ruffles on the bias because they will shred apart if you are using a woven shirt.

I followed the directions for sewing a gather in Singer Simple Sewing. The only thing that I did differently was I sewed a single row of stitching down the center of each strip.

Then I top stitched 2 rows of ruffles along the bottom edge of the dress and one tiny one along the top front edge.

I removed the patches from the shirt and restitched them on in new places.

 

Here is the dress from the back. My dress form is a bit wider than me so when I wear the dress the elastic on the top back edge looks cute gathered not all stretched out like it is here on the dress form.

If you aren't up for making a whole dress, why not jazz up one you already have with some ruffles or lengthen one with a gathered section?

A couple of dramatic examples of Recycling brought to you by 1000 Ideas for Creative Reuse and Barbecue

I love the huge chasms between what something was and used for and what it can turn into. Today we're talking grand canyon!

Click on the page to enlarge and see the details in all these great recycle projects including the inspiration one of computer mother boards into a vest. It is by Christine Dhein.

This page is from:

1000 Ideas for Creative Reuse
Remake, Restyle, Recycle, Renew
By
Garth Johnson

Now onto the barbecue part of the post:

 

Yup my friends those are some fine rib bones I politely requested from my friends at a barbecue I attended. Let's face it, if you are friends with me you are probably used to me saying, "Can I have that when your done?" or "Are you going to throw that out?"

I either get, "Really?" or just a roll of the eyes and it's handed over. A few of my wackier friends ask right away, "what are you going to make with that?"

And sometimes I can say, "oh wait and see!"

or "I don't know but it's too cool to throw away."

Such was the case with these rib bones, I didn't know at the time they were going to turn into an all natural Halloween decoration but when the idea sprang forth, I had them ready to go.

 

All you need is a bit of fishing line and hot glue.

I laid out the rib bones in a pleasing manner roughly looking like a rib cage.

Then tied the fishing line to a top bone and then out to the two rows securing the location and knot with a dab of hot glue.

I have a feeling the birds and squirrels are going to be nibbling on these like they do my antlers, but hey that gives new meaning to "green crafting" dontcha think?

Everyone feeds the birds and squirrels, I am just looking out for their oral hygiene while decorating for Halloween.

And now you know the bad pun coming, I am killing two birds with one stone (or bone)....uuugggg.

Want to know how I made the skull hanging above the rib cage pop on over to this post. There is also some cool photo altering techniques there too!

A bit more about

1000 Ideas for Creative Reuse
Remake, Restyle, Recycle, Renew
By
Garth Johnson

Artists and crafters have always been recyclers, but for many, it has not only become a thrifty choice, it has become a moral imperative. 1000 Ideas for Creative Reuse contains a cutting edge collection of the most inventive work being made with re-used, upcycled, and already existing materials. The work in this book ranges from clever and humble personal accessories to unique and important large-scale works of art, including paper art, fashion, jewelry, housewares, interiors, and installations.

Garth Johnson is a studio artist, writer and educator who lives in Eureka, California. In addition to maintaining the website "Exteme Craft" (www.extremecraft.com) Garth writes about a variety of topics, including art, craft and creative reuse.  He and his wife Claire are currently writing a blog for Readymade Magazine called "Keeping Up With the Johnsons (http://readymadeblogs.mydevstaging.com/blogs/johnsons/). His DVD, ReVision: Recycled Crafts for Earth-Friendly Living was released by Eyekiss Films earlier this year (www.reconstructdvd.com). His artwork was recently featured in solo shows at Gallerie Maxim in Cologne, Germany and the Clay Studio in Philadelphia. Garth received a BFA from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and an MFA from Alfred University. He has taught at Georgia State University, Columbus State University and is currently an assistant professor at College of the Redwoods in Eureka, CA. In addition to teaching, he is a sought-after lecturer and visiting artist, with recent lectures at Ohio State University, Louisiana State University and the Pottery Workshop in Jingdezhen, China.

How to draw a pattern for a witch hat and how to make a tiny witch hat head band

Do you like your witch hat BIG or small?
Either way today's post will hook you up.

Here is the tiny witch hat, it is on a headband base.

What you need to make a tiny witch hat:

Recycled black wool felted sweater

purple and green tulle (or whatever color you like)

Headband

decorative pin

small scrap of pretty yarn or ribbon

scissors, needle and thread, hot glue, dressmakers chalk

About a 3 1/4 inch round object, like a mug

paper and pencil

Pattern:

How to make a tiny witch hat:

Cut out the top cone shape, the round flat part of the witch hat and another circle about 2 inches in diameter, this last one won't show so it can be not perfect, all from the recycled wool sweater.

Form the cone and hot glue it in place.

Then glue the cone to the flat big circle.

Glue the bottom small circle to the top big circle sandwiching the head band in between.

Wrap the decorative yarn around the base of the cone.

Cut a few strips of tulle and gather them using a large running stitch.

Attach them to the witch hat with a fun pin.

OK so you want a BIG witch hat:

Click on the image to enlarge and read how to draw a pattern for a full size witch hat.

These great directions are from the book:

Creative Costumes & Halloween Décor:
50 Projects to Craft & Sew

The Lifestyle Editors of Creative Publishing international

The all-in-one Halloween book!

Creative Costumes & Halloween Décor combines costume and decorating projects into one convenient book. The costumes are designed around three basic styles: tabards, gowns, and full suits (made from pajama patterns). Accessories like wings, capes, skirts and lots of headwear are also included. Details like collars, gloves, spats, and face painting instructions offer lots of ideas for personalizing costumes.

The décor section includes 30 unique projects for decorating your house inside and out, along with special projects for throwing a Halloween party. The projects use common household products plus lots of craft-store items like wood pieces, paints, paper mâché, felt, craft foam, floral materials, and polymer clay. Elaborately propped beauty photos and step-by-step instructions with photos of every step make the projects--both costume and décor--easy to understand.

If you need the full scoop on how to sew the witch hat grab yourself a copy of Creative Costumes & Halloween Décor and you are good to go (on your broom????)

And to get the how to and pattern for another cute head band project- devil horns made from a recycled wool sweater pop on over to this post.

And I haven't asked a question in a while, but I have one for you today:

What costume are you making this year for yourself or for someone else?

Leave your answer in the comments and you are entered to win a free book!

You already know what I'm wearing, actually I have been wearing it since I made it, I will probably make more things and change my mind between now and Halloween!

Silverware Spiders Attack or just smile and look cute

This is such a cool spider

It is by Keith Lo Bue and titled "Spoonfed"

Click on the image of the Dada Spider to see the details closer and read the great quote.

I love the idea of using silverware as limbs of a spider so I thought I'd give it a shot.

This is my spider, very different.

I used knives instead of forks.

How I made my lawn spider:

Gather:

1 large Styrofoam ball

1 medium Styrofoam ball

2 small Styrofoam balls

8 knives

ribbon for a bow

silver rick rack for smile

black cardstock for eyelashes

green and black paper for eyes

toothpicks

straight pins

purple and black paint

Make:

Start by sticking the knives into the large Styrofoam ball.

Then attach the medium Styrofoam ball with 2 toothpicks this keeps it from spinning)

Paint the two balls first with black paint and then when dry with purple. I did it kind of splotchy.

Attach the two small Styrofoam balls with toothpicks.

Attach the length of rickrack with straight pins to make the smile.

Cut circles out of the black and green paper and attach onto the eyeballs with straight pins.

Cut two rectangles of black cardstock and then "fringe" by cutting tiny strips almost all the way through but still leaving attached about a 1/4 inch. Then curve them by wrapping a round a fat marker. Attach to the eyeballs with straight pins.

Tie a bow with ribbon and pin it onto the top of the head.

Need more ideas on how to make cool creations grab yourself a copy of the fabulous book:

Who's Your DADA?
Redefining the Doll through Mixed Media
By
Linda O'Brien and Opie O'Brien

Inspired by the "Dada" notion of making art from materials that would not typically be combined or expected to go together, and driven by a similar sense of irony and humor, this exciting book by Linda and Opie O'Brien shares their unique approach to making mixed-media dolls. It is not only a "must have" volume for anyone interested in found object art and the human form, it is a thoughtful and provocative exploration of the power, symbolism, and cultural significance of dolls and representational figures.

The authors share detailed techniques for using surface embellishments, creating faces, heads, and limbs, using molds and molding products, and building and transforming disparate objects into whimsical, inspiring dolls. Starting with a variety of substrates--a wood block, a canvas, a tin can, a book, and a box construction--readers are guided step by step through five types of doll constructions.

Included:

-Complete instructions for making a box construction doll, a wood block substrate doll, a two-sided canvas frame doll, a tin can doll, and a book doll

-Numerous variations on each of the core projects for further experimentation

-An inspiring gallery of mixed-media dolls from leading artists who discuss their methods and share their very personal answers to the question: "What is a doll?"

Originally from New York City, Linda and Opie O'Brien are full time artists living on Lake Erie in Ohio with their cat Angelus and his cat Angel. They teach workshops nationally and internationally. Their work includes jewelry, Dada dolls, artist books, assemblage, collage, masks, music, and more, and has been featured in numerous books, magazines, galleries, exhibitions, solo shows, museum gift shops, and private collections.