Craftside

The Complete Book of Wedding Crafts- Beaded Flower

To round out Wedding Week Crafts here at Craftside I thought I'd share with you a beaded flower from:

The Complete Book of Wedding Crafts
from Quarry Books

Every bride-to-be wants her wedding to be unique and spectacular.

Savvy, stylish brides are looking for ways to add their own style and sophistication to their wedding without relying on tradition-heavy standards.

This idea-packed guide contains everything you need to personalize a wedding beautifully and elegantly, but also simply and inexpensively. There are dozens of fun-to-make projects including creative wedding invitations and seating cards to unique gifts for the wedding party, dramatic centerpieces, and customized glassware -- all of which lend a unique, handmade touch to your special occasion.

Well this little beaded set of jewelry is a wonderful idea for bridesmaids or gifts for guests. They whip up in no time!

(click on images to enlarge)

You can't go wrong with these wonderful directions they are so clear with the diagrams. I like working with really thin wire. I tried the beaded project and used 34 gauge wire. Worked like a charm!

I also want to share with you this little tip. When a bead pattern calls for specific size beads and you don't know the size you have (I don't keep the labels from my beads and often use beads from necklaces I have cut up) try this: grab your needle gauge!

As you can see I kept the proportions but kicked up the size and flipped the colors.

I am sure it would look great in any color combo you pick! After you have made a bunch of these, try making a Swirly Container from yesterday's post in a coordinating paper. Won't your friends be impressed when the gift you made them match the gift box?

Folded Swirly Container from Wedding Favors & Decorations

The Artful Bride: Wedding Favors and Decorations
A Stylish Bride's Guide to Simple, Handmade

By
April L. Paffrath, Livia McRee, and Paula Grasdal

Saavy, modern brides are seeking ways to personalize their wedding celebrations, and to make them unique, special, and unbelievably fun without relying on tradition-heavy standards. This beautiful guide contains everything a bride needs to put her own stamp on all of the special events surrounding her wedding, from pre-celebration parties to the rehearsal evening to the reception, with elegant -- but also simple and inexpensive touches.

Artful Bride: Wedding Favors & Decorations includes more than 20 fashionable and fun-to-make projects from handmade place cards to humorous party favors, dramatic centerpieces to customized glassware.

April L. Paffrath is a freelance editor and writer in Cambridge, Massachusetts. In addition to book and magazine editing, she has written architecture profiles, travel pieces, cooking articles, and craft how-to's, for magazines such as Scientific American Explorations and Martha Stewart Living. She is coauthor with Laura McFadden of The Artful Bride: Simple, Handmade Wedding Projects (Rockport, 2003).

Livia McRee is a craft writer and designer who is always looking for new twists on beautiful crafts. She lives in Wellesley, Massachusetts, is author of four craft books, and has contributed to several others.

Paula Grasdal is a printmaker and mixed-media artist living in Cambridge, Massachusetts. She has contributed to several Rockport publications and is coauthor, with Holly Harrison, of Collage for the Soul: Expressing Hopes and Dreams through Art.

This is such a cute container perfect for tucking all sorts of goodies in!

(click on image to enlarge)

Pattern:

Try this in the fall for Halloween treats! Or use it to give a small gift such as jewelry.

And speaking of jewelry that's what I have in store for you tomorrow. A delicate and easy project made with sparkly beads. You won't want to miss it!

Look for the upcoming:

One-of-a-Kind Weddings: Invitations and Paper Details

Laura Maffeo and Colleen Mullaney

Available January 2008!

This series is filled with ideas to inspire today’s bride-to-be. Each volume is filled with extra-special touches that will quickly and easily personalize any event—whether it’s held in a ballroom or at the beach.

A memory scrapbook, table lanterns, a fishbowl of wishes, and save-the-dates—these are just a few of the ways to work with paper to make a one-of-a-kind wedding. There are a wide range of projects and additional design ideas for the planning, ceremony, and celebration. Readers can choose from among the easy step-by-step projects—or look for inspiration in the photo gallery of design ideas to create their own signature style.

Laura Maffeo has worked as a stylist with Martha Stewart Weddings, Home, Seventeen, Family Circle Home Crafts, and Everyday with Rachael Ray. She is the author of Girls’ Night In: Fabulous Ideas for Evenings with Friends.

Colleen Mullaney was formerly editor-in-chief of Jo-Ann magazine, Family Circle Home Crafts, and FTD in Bloom. She is the author of Faux Fabulous Florals and Punch: Celebrations in a Bowl.

Veiled in Beauty with a Shell Smocking Ribbon Trim

As wedding week here at Craftside continues, I thought I share with you a bit from:

Veiled in Beauty
By
The Lifestyle Editors of Creative Publishing international

Accessorizing the bride can take a major chunk out of any wedding budget. Now, you have a way to reduce that cost. Veiled in Beauty will give you the know-how to make a headpiece and veil, saving as much as 90%.

With beautiful photography and clear, detailed information, the bride will discover all of her options in selecting and creating the perfect headpiece and veil to complement her dress. Whether her personal style leads her toward a simple ribbon-embroidered headband or an elaborately decorated crown with a triple-tiered cascading veil, Veiled in Beauty provides the step-by-step instructions to design and create it.

The projects are suited to the beginner/average skill level, so any crafter can accomplish tremendous results. You'll find over 25 styles to complement any gown. All items are shown in full-color photography, providing a clear visual of the finished product.

There are great details in this book like this amazing How To Make Shell Smocking Ribbon Trim that can be used on just about anything from a fun party dress to home decor like a pillow or edge of a curtain:

(Click on image to enlarge)

And a wonderful overview of wedding veil lengths:

What a great way to add just a bit of a handmade touch without taking on too much at this special time.

Another great way to put your own handmade touch is with faux florals and candles. Look for this new title available January:

One-of-a-Kind Weddings: Faux Florals and Candles

By
Laura Maffeo and Colleen Mullaney

The ONE-OF-A-KIND WEDDINGS SERIES is filled with ideas to inspire today’s bride-to-be. Each volume is filled with extra-special touches that will quickly and easily personalize any event—whether it’s held in a ballroom or at the beach.

Centerpieces in bloom, candlelit walkways, perfect accessories for flower girls and groom—these are just a few of the many decorative details in Faux Florals and Candles. There are a wide range of projects and additional design ideas for the planning, ceremony, and celebration. Readers can choose from among the easy step-by-step projects or look for inspiration in the photo gallery of design ideas to create their own signature style.

Laura Maffeo has worked as a stylist with Martha Stewart Weddings, Home, Seventeen, Family Circle Home Crafts, and Everyday with Rachael Ray. She is the author of Girls’ Night In: Fabulous Ideas for Evenings with Friends.

Colleen Mullaney was formerly editor-in-chief of Jo-Ann magazine, Family Circle Home Crafts, and FTD in Bloom. She is the author of Faux Fabulous Florals and Punch: Celebrations in a Bowl.

Favors With Flair- Heart Magnet Tin

So you're an assemblage artist and you want to make favors for a wedding (or any party for that matter). Well here is a project from:

Favors with Flair: 75 Easy Designs for Weddings, Parties, and Events
By
Mary Lynn Maloney

that totally fits the bill!

Favors have become an essential element of weddings, parties, and celebrations. Many people choose to make their favors even if they do not usually craft, since these little thank-you gifts are the perfect place to add a personal, creative touch to an event. Favors with Flair offers 75 favor designs as original as they are stylish.

The projects use a variety of papers, embellishments, and other craft and party supplies. With 75 choices, there is something for everyone: romantic favors for weddings and anniversaries, imaginative designs for milestone events like baby showers and graduations, fun designs for theme parties, and joyful favors for holiday gatherings. Whimsical or elegant, thoughtful or playful, these are special favors for the special occasions of life.

(Click on image to enlarge)

And just because I thought this was fun, here is the word "Magnetize" in other languages:

Arabic:    يُمَغْنِط
Chinese (Simplified):    磁化
Chinese (Traditional):    磁化
Czech:    (z)magnetizovat
Danish:    magnetisere; gøre magnetisk
Dutch:    magnetiseren
Estonian:    magnetiseerima
Finnish:    magnetoida
French:    magnétiser
German:    magnetisieren
Greek:    μαγνητίζω
Hungarian:    mágnesez
Icelandic:    segulmagna
Indonesian:    menjadikan magnet
Italian:    magnetizzare
Japanese:    磁気を与える
Korean:    자기를 띠게 하다, 자화하다
Latvian:    magnetizēt
Lithuanian:    įmagnetinti
Norwegian:    magnetisere
Polish:    (za)hipnotyzować, (na)magnesować
Portuguese (Brazil):    magnetizar
Portuguese (Portugal):    tornar magnético
Romanian:    a magnetiza
Russian:    намагничивать
Slovak:    (z)magnetizovať
Slovenian:    namagnetiti
Spanish:    magnetizar
Swedish:    magnetisera
Turkish:    mıknatıslamak

If you're not too handy with a computer just download this image for the insert:

I can't help you with the names for the outside of the tin, you'll have to get your favorite 10 year old for that-they are so tech savvy these days!

And if your special event isn't until next year there are a whole bunch of new books that the Quayside Publishing Group will be releasing on this wonderful subject. This one will be out in October:

Wedding Journals & Keepsake Gifts:

Creative Projects to Make and Share

By
Tammy Kushnir

Weddings are one of the most popularly documented events and today’s brides are seeking fresh and unique ideas for personalizing every aspect of their wedding. This book offers ideas for beautiful journals, albums, planners, and party books, as well as gift boxes, jewelry, photo frames, and small favors, all styled for the contemporary bride.

Projects range from making books using simple binding techniques to gorgeous but simple “alteration” ideas for purchased books and journals. Wedding Journals & Keepsake Gifts will teach even brides with minimum craft experience how to personalize their wedding memories in a beautiful way. Couples will find fresh and clever ideas and inspirations for journaling about their past, present, and dreams for the future.

Tammy Kushnir is a mixed-media artist who enjoys dabbling in various types of art forms. She is a frequent contributor to Somerset Memories (formerly Legacy) and their special publications. 

Heart Thumbprint Card from the Book Wedding Invitations

It's Wedding Week here at Craftside!

Now don't be dissuaded if your not getting married or crafting for a wedding of someone you know. The crafts that I will be sharing with you this week can be used for a multitude of holidays, events, celebrations or just for the fun of it anytime! We just decide to feature a whole bunch of projects from the wonderful books that the Quayside Publishing Group puts out there for that very special of days!

The Artful Bride: Wedding Invitations
A Stylish Bride's Guide to Simple, Handmade Wedding Correspondence

By

April L. Paffrath and Laura McFadden

Every couple wants to announce their wedding with style and aplomb. Savvy, stylish brides are looking for ways to add their own style and sophistication to their wedding without relying on tradition-heavy standards.

This beautiful guide contains everything a bride needs to personalize her wedding correspondence elegantly-but also simply and inexpensively. It includes more than 20 fashionable and fun-to-make invitation and correspondence ideas.

April L. Paffrath is a freelance editor and writer in Cambridge, Massachusetts. In addition to book and magazine editing, she has written architecture profiles, travel pieces, cooking articles, and craft how-to's, for magazines such as Scientific American Explorations and Martha Stewart Living. She is coauthor with Laura McFadden of The Artful Bride: Simple, Handmade Wedding Projects (Rockport, 2003).

Laura McFadden is a freelance art director living in Somerville, Massachusetts. She is a former design director for Inc. magazine. She currently runs her own graphic design studio, called Laura McFadden Design, Inc., and has contributed to various craft books and magazines for publishers such as Rockport Publishers, Martingale & Company, and Handcraft Illustrated. She is coauthor with April Paffrath of The Artful Bride: Simple, Handmade Wedding Projects (Rockport, 2003).

(Click on images to enlarge)

This is such a cute idea. It is so personal and "touching"! (I crack myself up sometimes.)

I could see using this for an anniversary card or let a child do it for a Mother's Day or Father's Day card.

It would also make a cute sticker to seal "thank you" notes.

Not only are we kicking wedding week off with a "handmade" (pun intended yet again!) invitation. I have a whole bunch of fabulous crafty links posted here to invite you over to blogs of my fellow crafters that are packed full of more crafty goodness:

About.com Cross Stitch
Don't toss old or unwanted CDs! Transform them with Cross Stitch instead.

Aileen's Musings
Aileen's listed a few of her favorite products and why she loves them.

Crafty Princess Diaries
Get a crafting blast from the past and flip through the pages with the Crafty Princess and this 1974 Women's Circle magazine.

Diary of a Crafty Chica
Find out why you need to make a bliss book!

Stefanie Girard's Sweater Surgery
Over at Sweater Surgery there are some wild photos of Fire Hula Hooping, an Alice In Wonderland cake, picts and crafts from CRAFT Magazine's 07 Release Party at Reform School and crafting/recycling depression era style from my Grandfather in honor of Father's Day.

Polymer Clay @ CraftGossip
Polymer clay hits the beach with a fun shell inspired tutorial.

The Impatient Blogger
Madge shares a new painting by her mother, the coveted Frankfurter Loaf Recipe and details on her Kewpie Doll Challenge!

Come on back all week for more fun crafty containers, beading and stitching projects!

Crafty Bloggers Unite to give you a long weekend of Crafty Inspiration!

Craftside has joined together with other super crafters from across the Internet to bring you latest and greatest, the headlines as it were.

Aileen's Musings
Aileen offers a groovy tutorial on altering a cabinet card using gauche paints. You can check out her example at the link below:

Crafty Princess Diaries
What does Jane Austen have to do with craft trends? Tammy tells you what we can learn about crafting and following trends from Dear Jane.

Diary of a Crafty Chica - CONTEST!
Tell Kathy why you are a crafty chica too, and you may win a hecka of a lot of prizes!

Layers Upon Layers
Cyndi has compiled a list of her tutorials on mixing digital work into your mixed media!

Sweater Surgery
Stefanie updates an old pin cushion project and makes an eyeglass case out of old felted wool sweaters, paints a rock and gives you an inside peek at her creative space.

The Impatient Blogger
Madge shares some photos and impressions from her recent trip to Tokyo for CHA to HAJ.

Polymer Clay @ Craft Gossip
Need the low down on making dozens of different polymer clay beads? Heather reviews a handy book that might just be your recipe to beadmaking success.

And today here at Craftside we bring you a preview project from the upcoming

"Wedding Week of Crafts" A whole week of crafts from books all about weddings. Even if you aren't preparing or crafting for a wedding you will still love them, they are completely adaptable to virtually any theme or season!

Click on image to enlarge.

These are wedding favors from an artist's wedding! How clever is that! So not run of the mill.

This project is from the book:

Wedding Invitations, Announcements, Place Cards, and More

by Bette Matthews

And if you're into hand lettering there is a spankin' new book coming out in July:

Modern Mark Making
From Classical Calligraphy to Hip Hand-Lettering
By
Lisa Engelbrecht

Pop on over to her website and see more beautiful stuff like this:

I've seen a sneak peek of Modern Mark Making and oooooh is it fabulous. Click here to see Lisa working her magic at CHA 2008.

Well that's all the news that's fit to print!

Stay cool and crafty.