Craftside

Craftside "Hearts" Bead Bug Book Triple Giveaway .....with wings!

Yes you heard right! In honor of the day 'o love Craftside is giving away 2 copies of Bead Bugs! And if you're feeling extra lucky, pop on over to Goodreads.com. We're also giving away 1 copy of Bead Bugs over there :) Good luck!

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

 

Goodreads Book Giveaway

Bead Bugs

by Amy Kopperude

Giveaway ends February 06, 2013.

See the giveaway details at Goodreads.

Enter to win

 

 

   

I promised you a bit of an inside peek and here it is. Check out how to make the tiny bug wings out of a metal filigree bead cap.

Click on these pages from Bead Bugs to enlarge and read the easy way to make metal bug wings.

More about the CPi beading book:

Bead Bugs:

Cute, Creepy, and Quirky Projects to Make with Beads, Wire, and Fun Found Objects

by

Amy Kopperude

Create 23 cute and clever bugs and little crawly critters out of beads, wire, and other craft materials with Bead Bugs! Each project is shown in step-by-step photos with clear instructions that anyone can follow. Variations of each project encourage the crafter to imagine all kinds of ways to make the bugs unique. Bead bugs and critters can be used in various ways—as ornaments, put on display, made into jewelry, made into mobiles, displayed in a terrarium, or framed in shadow boxes.

In these pages, you’ll learn to create:

- Dragonflies

- Spiders

- Butterflies

- Hermit crabs

- Scorpions

- Sea horses

- And more

The possibilities are endless. Get your imagination crawling with this fun-filled book!

Amy Kopperude was born and raised in Minnesota and influenced by a painting grandma, a quilting mom and brother, a guitar-playing dad, and other talented people who supported her creative growth. She lives in Red Lion, PA where she works for an educational publishing house as an editor and book layout designer. She is an avid crafter, dabbling in all kinds of media, and she sells her creations on Etsy. Visit her blog athttp://www.atomicrose.blogspot.com where you can view her 365 beaded spiders.

By entering in this contest you will be added to our Craftside family list.

 

How to make patterns with letter stamps from the book Jewelry Lab

If you haven't noticed, I am all about letters lately, and today, I have a cool technique from the book Jewelry Lab: 52 Experiments, Investigations, and Explorations in Metal on how to make patterns with letter stamps.

Click on these pages from Jewelry Lab: 52 Experiments, Investigations, and Explorations in Metal to enlarge and read the full tutorials on how to make patterns in metal with letter stamps.

More about the Quarry book from the Lab series:

Jewelry Lab: 52 Experiments, Investigations, and Explorations in Metal

by

Melissa Manley

Jewelry Lab ignites a passion for working the metals processes and learning about all the ways metal can be used. In addition to the basic skills such as sawing, drilling, soldering, and finishing, the book covers texturing, etching, rolling, coloring, patinas, forming, connections, findings, solders, bezels, rivets, and other experimental techniques. This is not a project book; rather, it is an approachable workbook that breaks metals processes down into very specific experiments, such as texturing or plastic deformation of metal, with no goal in mind other than to experience how metal moves.

Melissa Manley lives and works in southeastern North Carolina a few miles from Wrightsville beach. She earned her MFA in Metal Design at East Carolina University in 2006. Melissa now teaches metals at Cape Fear Community College in Wilmington. She has also taught workshops around the country in collage, book altering, watercolor and jewelry making. Visit her online at http://melissamanleystudios.blogspot.com.

St. Patrick's Day necklace made with a technique from 101 Tips & Techniques for Making Wire Jewelry

The big green day is fast approaching so I thought it was time to whip up a piece of jewelry for St. Patrick's Day...like I need a reason to make jewelry but sometimes it's nice to have a specific theme to work from.

And I had this way-cool ribbon that had a cute little leprechaun skull on it with what looks to me to be crossed knitting needles with little clovers on the ends. I know that's probably not what they are but regardless I love the ribbon and I wanted to make a pendant with it.

 

I had this tile style place mat which when you cut it apart the pieces make great surfaces for decoupage. You could really use anything.

My Crafting TIP here is to spread the Mod Podge onto the back of the ribbon BEFORE you cut it so that when you do cut the ribbon it doesn't fray.

After this first coat was dry I then cut the ribbon down to size to fit on the tile and attached it with some more Mod Podge.

The other little fun spiral embellished flat bead you see in the necklace was one of the wire techniques from the book/kit:

Wire Jewelry Kit 101 Tips & Techniques
by Stefanie Girard

(Yup me!)

 

Click on the image to enlarge and read how to embellish a flat square bead with a wire coil that also is the head pin.

I also used a few other dangles and beads including these cool acrylic green oval links from Blue Moon Beads Enchanted Planet line.

Well, that my new green bling. Want 100 more cool tips and techniques? Grab yourself a copy of:

Wire Jewelry Kit 101 Tips & Techniques
by Stefanie Girard

Today’s hottest fashion accessory is beaded jewelry. And nothing could be better suited to your taste and personality than jewelry pieces you’ve personally created! The heart of this kit is a 48-page book that reveals 101 insightful tips and techniques—information that will help beginning and intermediate wire beading crafters take their skills to the next level.

You’ll also discover step-by-step instructions for a unique 3-piece jewelry set. And all the materials you need to practice the techniques, make the demonstrated jewelry set, or begin stringing your own original designs are included.

Hardcover 12.25" x 9.625" case includes 48-page paperback book, bead tray and bead organizer, more than 500 glass beads, resin focal beads, round-nose pliers with wire cutters, wire-working jig with pegs, mandrel, 3 gauges of beading wire, clasps, earwires, and other findings.

And want to see another inside peek into Wire Jewelry Kit 101 Tips & Techniques that shares a great way to make a ring? Pop on over to this post.

Turn those tomato cages upside down and recycle them into Christmas trees

Today's transformation uses tomato cages turned upside down to make Christmas trees.

 

When your tomatoes start looking like this:

You know it's time to decorate for Christmas.

Turning a tomato cage into a Christmas tree is so easy.

1. Turn it upside down.

2. Tape the ends together. I used clear packing tape.

3.Then head to the ornament stash and hook on your ornaments. I did mine in different colors.

If you want to get fancier, try this tomato cage tree made with lights and a recycled sweater.

And to not leave out Hanukkah, check out this Menorah made from repurposed plumbing pipe!

 

It was made by Josh Korwin and Alyssa Zukas of the website Notschlock and is just one of the cool projects in one of my all-time favorite books:

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 Johnsonis a studio artist, writer, and educator who lives in Eureka, California. In addition to maintaining the website "Extreme 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.

 Holiday Goodness Giveaway Time!

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 4 of 19!

Question:

How do you decorate outside? Is it the same every year or do you do something different each year?

My answer:

As you can see in the photo, I have my little forest of tomato cage trees and my candy cans (which I must point out I rescued/liberated from the recycling center).

I really want to cut out some deer from leftover wood I have around but as of yet each day gets away from me and I don't get to it.

If you want to see what I did last year (it was pretty cool!), pop over to this post.

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!

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.