Craft Test Dummies

Or tote, or purse. Whatever. For my Mom’s birthday, she asked me to make her one of these “boutique bags.” I’d purchased instructions from an e-bay seller, and made up one for myself as a sample. Mom selected two coordinating prints from the collections I’d bought from Keepsake Quilting, and I made a bag up for her in an afternoon.

The bag has 3 pockets built in, and I use the really stiff Peltex 72 (fusible on both sides) for the interfacing. This bag stands up all by itself!

I have to admit, I think it turned out well… I added the 3 Swarovski buttons on the front for a little bling. Folks who know me know I LOVE Swarovskis….and a little sparkle never hurts!

Now I’ve got the hang of them, I think I’ll be making more….

I’ve been spending a lot of time lately with liquid polymer clay, this time playing with stained glass effects. In my previous tests of liquid clay, I checked to see which brand cured the clearest. Consequently I determined Kato Liquid Medium was really the best product for this set of samples.

I really lucked out two years ago, and ran across a sale on the suncatcher forms. They are glass, shaped like stars and circles, and already have a hole drilled in the top. They were on discount at Pat Catan’s, so I snapped them up. (My motto is buy now, figure out what to do with it later!)

I smeared a thin layer of liquid clay on the glass, and then used black Premo that I extruded for the “leading”. I baked this first step to make sure it would stay put without distorting. Then I mixed up my LQ and alcohol inks (I used Pinata, but you could use Ranger) and filled the areas using a toothpick. Remember, Kato liquid is runny- so you have to be careful. Really TLS would be easier to manage in this application, and I think I’ll use that in the future. So I filled up the little areas, and baked it again.

The treble-clef example I did on memory glass, and made a “frame” from another piece of extruded clay.

The “forever” hearts piece was done on white clay instead of glass, but constructed the same way. I added some micro beads for interest, and then framed out the piece with extruded clay. I added about 3 more layers of liquid clay to fill the entire frame, and made it look more like it was under glass. Fun!

(I’ll be teaching this technique at Stamplistic in May 2008. For more information, check out my “Craft Classes with Jenny” link.)

Ok, first the disclaimer: I am not from Mexico. I have limited understanding of the culture. But after a dozen visits to Mexico, I am smitten. I love the food, the music, and the bright festive colors. And any excuse to eat guacamole works for me! That being said, here are some ideas for festive Cinco De Mayo crafts.

Let’s start with the “Eyes of God” or Ojos de Dio…

• Basic instructions using yarn and popscicle sticks can be found at AllFreeCrafts.com. Nice, simple instructions, and of course you can gussy them up with feathers, yarn streamers or beads.
• For the “delux” version, try Jay’s Ojo instructions. These use a different weaving technique and really are a version of a mandala. And you know how much I like those! The pic at the left is one of Jays. Gorgeoso, no?

Next, let’s consider the Pinata!

• Family fun has nice step-by-step instructions with pictures. They do a “hot air balloon” version. Cute!
• I like the star shape for a more traditional Mexican look. And there’s NO WAY I’d be banging it up with a stick… but that’s just me. I’d keep it for other Mexican-themed parties. But that’s just me!

How about some festive shakers for the kids? Kaboose has a quick-and-dirty styrofoam cup version that will keep the kiddos entertained for a while….

I’m also a fan of tin ornaments… Enchanted learning has one for making moons and stars out of aluminum baking pans. For more on tin crafts, see my previous post here. PS…that Enchanted Learning link also has some coloring down loads, word-searches, etc. Lots of goodies there!

Lastly, I am a jewelry fanatic, so why not make up some kickin’ Our Lady of Guadalupe jewelry? I saw her everywhere the last time I visited Mexico. Download some images, punch them out into 1″ circles, and then use some Paper glaze to mount them inside of a bottle cap. When it’s dry, use a nail to make 2 holes at 9 o’clock and 3 o’clock, then use some jump rings to attach them together. Add a clasp, and you’ve got a cool bracelet!

I’d be remiss here if I didn’t mention the Crafty Chica, the diva of all things Latina. Check our her site, too, for many crafty ideas!

Lastly, Martha Stewart has a craft-of-the-day on Picado Papel, or paper cutting. This would also be a fun and simple craft for a kid’s room. Kind of like making tissue-paper snowflakes!

Viva la fiesta!

Ok, so I know this is my 3rd post today, but I was playing around with a picture that I took of Baby Girl… and I had to share it. Isn’t she gorgeous?

And isn’t Flock fun?

Well, I’m thrilled to say that we are going to be making these fab-oo bracelets at Grand River Beads in the merry merry month of May. The first class will be offered on May 1 (Thursday, 6 PM) and the on the last day, May 31 (Saturday, 1:00PM.)

I’m stoked to do this one because A) I love to make beads to match my outfits, and B) this is a simple way to learn how to use Artistic Wire. It come in a rainbow of colors, and it very high quality. Eva is going to teach the part using the coiling gizmo while our beads bake. I think folks will be amazed at how quickly this bracelet comes together. Fun, fun, fun!

If you are interested, just check out the GRB site… they now have it set up that you can register and pay online. How easy is that?

So I’ve mentally committed to doing RAKs…Random Acts of Kindness for my CPS Yahoo group sisters. So far I’ve made bookmarks, altered bobbins, felt needle cases, and now I’m on to charm-y thingies. I just mailed out my April goodies, which consist of a hand-made paper bead w/ Chinese characters on them, Chinese coins, and red beads for good luck. I’m not sure what the recipients might do with them, but I figure they would be fun on an art quilt, shrine or assemblage. I was in my paper-bead making frenzy, and I thought they would be fun.

I’ve also started my May ones, and now I’m on to bottle caps! (Of course, I’m testing some ideas out for a new class, and I needed to play a little.) Here’s what I got so far, but I intend to poke some holes and hang some danglies. Ohhh, they are so fun!

I’m really loving these, and for this batch I just used Paper Glaze…. but I’m beta-testing liquid polymer clay for a jewelry application.

But back to the RAKs…. maybe I should mount these onto tags, or 3X3’s, or maybe make them into little dolly people. Anyone have an idea? I’m up for comments!

OK, so we didn’t really swap fabrege eggs… we made Artist Trading Cards inspired by them. I got these last week on Wednesday, right before we headed out of town for a funeral. I apologize for being late to my wonderful swap-ees, Trish, Katherine, and Agnieska (from Poland!) These are gorgeous, and now I have to find a clever way to display them next Easter.

I only hope that my swap partners were as pleased with my polymer clay ATC’s. Usually my CPS yahoo group sticks to cloth and paper… not too much clayin’ going on there. Maybe I’ll start a trend!

…by my art-full blogging buddy, Val.

Here are the rules:
1. Link to the person that tagged you. (Done.)

2. Post the rules on your blog. (Yup.)

3. Share six non-important things/habits/quirks about yourself.

• I like to eat certain candy stale, specifically Peeps and Twizzlers. Sour Cream doughnuts are also better on the 2nd day.
• I have recently lost 20 pounds and am almost cute in clothes again. (So I’m not eating candy OR doughnuts in volume anymore!)
• I collect more fabric and scrapbook paper than I use.
• I love my Sirius satellite radio because it has 3 channels of NPR alone.
• I think you can never own too many shades of lipgloss or lipstick, and I wear that if no other makeup.
• I am adamant about having breakfast at the table with my kids every day. I love starting the day off together.

4. Tag six random people at the end of your post by linking to their blogs.

This one is a challenge, because I’m not sure who would enjoy this kind of thing. But here goes:

• Barb at WoofNanny is a pet-sitter and talented artist/crafter
• Cleveland Girlie is a hometown girl living down south and also a great artist/crafter
• Daune’s Place is also known as the Artist Balcony, one of my CPS sisters….
• Katherine is another CPS sister who teaches art in Ann Arbor
• Kristen of Stillheart Studio has some great art and musings…
• Rachel at Art Spirals has sketching, beading, and other goodies!

5. Let each random person know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their website.

Enjoy!!!

Ok, here’s a great way to both recycled chipped or orphaned teacups and old candles: recycled teacup candles.  Just in time for Mothers’ Day, the idea is simple and elegant.

To recap, you’ll gather some wonky candles from around your home. You know you have them- ones that got dinged up, ones that are burned 1/2 way down and look goofy, ones that have faded from the sun. Gather them up and pull out the wicks, and then melt them in a double boiler. (Jenny’s bootleg double boiler is a coffee can in a pan of water!) Melt the wax, and then add a few drops of oil fragrance or coloring made for candles. (Easy to find at your local craft store.)

Dip your new wick (also at the craft store) in the wax to make it stiff. Then cut lengths for your teacup, allowing for enough to wrap around a skewer or pencil. Pour in your wax, and let it set up. (See all of the details on Martha’s site.)

What a great gift for a mom, aunt, grandma, or teacher! I also love the idea of taking those “orphaned” teacups - ones that come from somewhere, but are too pretty to throw away, but maybe are stained inside or have a little chip. (Or go nuts at the thrift store!) Sweet, pretty and recycling. Love it!

Once again, TipNut rocks! They’ve compiled a gi-normous list of baby crafts, including diaper covers, wipe cases, diaper stackers, burpclothes and bibs, blankies and booties too! If you’ve got a new baby or are getting ready for baby showers, this post will point you in the right direction. I especially liked the burp cloth ideas…they make great gifts. Anyway, just wanted to share the love!