Holiday Memory Photo Ring from Jenn Mason's book Altered Paper Jewelry

As I was writing about Jenn Mason yesterday I was flipping through her savory book:

Altered Paper Jewelry
Artful Adornments from Beautiful Papers
By
Jenn Mason

Paper is a wonderful medium for creating jewelry: It’s lightweight, easy to work with, and comes in a dazzling array of styles, patterns, weights, and designs. By mixing relatively simple jewelry-making methods with standard paper arts techniques, Altered Paper Jewelry offers paper crafters, altered art aficionados, and jewelry makers creative new ideas for creating stylish and contemporary jewelry from gorgeous paper.

In this book, bracelets, necklaces, earrings and other jewelry will be decorated and constructed with found paper, photos and beautiful scrapbook papers. Beads will be fashioned from rolled paper, covered with decoupage, and molded with paper craft accessories. Paper-like materials such as vellum, transparencies, shrink plastic, and printable fabric paper will be punched, cut, shrunk, and rolled into mini wearable masterpieces. Paper will be folded into lockets, embedded into belt buckles, and glued into unique shapes, all in the pursuit of personal adornment. Illustrated step-by-step instructions and templates are included.

Jenn Mason is a fine artist, writer, teacher, product designer, and industry consultant. She is author of Pockets, Pullouts, and Hiding Places, The Art of the Family Tree and co-author of two books, with co-authors Jennifer Francis Bitto and Linda Blinn: Paper Art Workshop: Handmade Gifts and Paper Art Workshop: Celebrating Baby.

It got my creative jewelry juices flowing and I just had to make some jewelry, pronto!
This was my inspiration:

(Click on image to enlarge)

So off to the stash of old jewelry and Hark! I came across one of those little photo bracelets that the elastic had broken on. Perfect!
Then I went to the family photos for a walk down memory lane. With all the question asking going on around here, the memories are coming back in such a fun way!

I measured my little rectangle link and then printed my photo out that size.
TIP: Increase the DPI of the photo, in this case it was 72 and I kicked it up to 300.

I then covered the photo with, now I'm sure this isn't the best choice but I wanted to give it a bit of protection and it just popped into my head and was handy, clear packing tape.

I then followed the directions in Altered Paper Jewelry
Artful Adornments from Beautiful Papers and beaded up the ring part. One little change I did make was I used wire instead. Just a personal preference.

I then stuck the photo (of my grandfather hanging Christmas lights) into the frame link with some dry adhesive and ta-da!

Now on to day 5 of our:

15 days of Holiday Goodness Giveaways!

Simply leave your answer to each day's question in each day's comment section and we will randomly pick a winner of a book from each day's commenter. You can enter every day but you are only eligible to win 2 times! (You can go back and answer previous day's questions. We will be drawing the winners after the first of the year.)

Today's question:

5.  Do you find it hard to part with your handmade goodies?

My Answer: I would be hard pressed to give this little ring away. I think I would have to make another one if one of my family wanted one. Although I was wearing it while writing this post and a friend stopped by and loved it so I think I'll make her one and I have just the photo to use!

Gift giving problem.... solved!

I think that truly the best part of making things is the ability to make more!

Be sure to read the comments of others, maybe you can pick one up a good idea that will add a new spin on your holiday gift giving!

Comments

[Marjorie]

I don't have trouble giving away something projects I've made because I know that if I want to, I can make another one for myself. In fact, if I like a project, I generally make several, for several people, including one for myself.

[Josie]

Some yes, some no. I started quilting a year ago and gave one to my sister. It was hard to part with but seeing her cry when she opened it was a truely pleasurable experience. If I make something specifically to give away it is easier than the items I'm making for creativity.

[Doreen aka LuniLadi]

Sometimes yes...if it's something I've made for a swap and I don't really know the person getting it...and it's turned out gorgeous...then yes, I feel a tug to keep it, but the committment to send is already there so off it goes. If I've made it for a friend, online or otherwise, or as a DAK/RAK then, no..the joy was in the making and, when they recieve it and it makes them happy, then I get another measure of joy!
Doreen aka LuniLadi

[Nicki]

I generally, even when I make something with the intent in mind to give it away, have problems doing so. It is not because I need it in my home. It is because I am not sure of its value.

[Gayle Richmond]

Yes, I put so much into the things I create and have a very hard time giving them away gnless it is to a loved one - and sometimes even then.

[Tamara]

I don't have any problem giving away the things I make. I love the spark that people get when I give them something created with them in mind. The best, though, is when I see the piece a few months later and don't initially recognize it as mine -- I know I've been successful when I see something I really admire and have a sudden realization that I did it!

[Julia S.]

It depends. It is mostly easy for me when I know that the person who will get my gift will be excited about it. When I'm not sure if someone can at least appreciate my time and effort I put into a project it is much harder for me to give it away.

[Julia S.]

It depends. It is mostly easy for me when I know that the person who will get my gift will be excited about it. When I'm not sure if someone can at least appreciate my time and effort I put into a project it is much harder for me to give it away.

[Denise Mennella]

I really enjoy making things and giving them away, but, I have to admit, that some times I'm tempted to keep something intended for someone else. In that case, I usually take the opportunity to have fun twice and just make another one!

And I do sometimes make things just for me. For example, I knitted a shrug with an intricate lace pattern on the back. I knew tht no one would be able to appreciate all the work I put into it, so I made it for me!

[Sherry Grove]

I generally make things just for myself. After 5 years, I just have too much! I have no problem selling them - I know I can make more! But I shop as I travel, so if there is a one-of-a-kind bead on it, I'm less likely to let it go! These are my "souveniers!"