Craft Test Dummies

Last week I shared a video of the new Martha Stewart Jewelry line available exclusively at Michael’s Craft Stores- so much goodness! Beads, chain, tools, findings epoxy clay, rhinestones, jewelry glaze, jewelry enamel- even mold-making putty! Literally there was so much goodness I haven’t even had time to do all of the reviews. But I [...]

Ok- Time for a show of hands- who here is a paper hoarder?? Don’t worry- you are among friends. No judgment here. I find that not only that sometimes to I have a hard time cutting into my favorite sheets of paper, but sometimes when I do, I can’t even toss the little baby scraps. [...]

Sometimes glitter gets a bad reputation. Often referred to as “the herpes of the craft world,” once you let glitter into your life, it likes to stay forever. But who says that’s a bad thing? Glitter is bright, bold, funky, and easy to use, and Momtaz Begum-Hossain’s 101+ Things to do with Glitter offers a [...]

Earlier this week I shared my review of Artistic Wire Mesh and I got pretty excited making a Ruffle and Sparkles bracelt- so today I’m sharing the tutorial with you! You’ll need some basic supplies: Now for the How-To Video:   Which do you like better: the sweet red delicate version or the chunky/edgy black [...]

It’s that time of year again- when we all wear our hearts on our sleeve…or ears….or hands…. or lapel! Time to make and wear some really cut Valentine’s Day jewelry…this year, I’m integrating one of my favorite paper crafts: QUILLING! Never fear, friends! It’s easy and Mod Podge Dimensional Magic Silver Glitter Formula makes it [...]

This post originally appeared on CraftsUnleashed while I was a design team member there. But now it’s time for you to have the crafty goodness here! All supplies were from ConsumerCrafts.com. I just realized that I don’t have ANY napkin rings for my Thanksgiving Dinner table- so I got out some supplies that I had [...]

I kid about my children being my “junior assistants.” But lately, my 11-year-old son has taken on a crafting identity all his own. I really wanted to share his creations- and process- with you. “D” really enjoys playing a game called MineCraft and has been playing for the last 6 months or so. Minecraft is a [...]

I love a good craft challenge or blog hop- every now and then I need a creative kick in the pants, you know? So today I’m participating in the Industrial Chic Blog Hop and can’t wait to show you what I made! But first, here’s a bit about SLK Industrial Chic: Industrial Chic is a [...]

To my fellow Americans, Happy Independence Day! We’ve got three different holiday events planned, and every year I try to wear something homemeade. This year, I literally pulled together a “Patriotic Locket” from things I had in my studio. The only item you need to purchase- or find a similar item- is the locket. I [...]

I’ve been a jewelry maker for about 15 years. It’s funny, because almost everything that crosses my desk is fair game to become a piece of jewelry. Martha Stewart Crafts Crafter’s Clay is no exception. I molded some leaves, and they just spoke to me- so I turned them into earrings. They are pretty easy [...]

This prayer bracelet was one of the jewelry projects that were originally featured in a FREE  downloadable Jewelry eBook, available by clicking HERE. All of the supplies came from ConsumerCrafts.com- a great resource for online craft supplies. (Their shipping is stellar!) It’s perfect for a wedding, shower, first communion, baptism, or confirmation!   Supplies: 26 [...]

Happy Leap Day! What better way to celebrate then with some great froggy art? So many crafty froggies….. have fun with it!

Today I’ve got a show-stopper statement piece that I designed for ConsumerCrafts.com. It was originally featured in their downloadable Jewelry eBook, available by clicking HERE. Bold is IN- and you’ll make a statement with this stunning bib! I used black stones, but you could use any color that matches your outfit. You will need: (6) [...]

So, this is new to me: my kids celebrate the first 100 days of school. (We didn’t do this back in the day.) As a result, my first grader was required to bring in 100 items- anything, really- and display them for the class. The purpose is counting, I suppose. But I saw this as [...]

This as part of an e-book I co-authored for ConsumerCrafts.com, which you can download for free HERE. If you know me, then you know I love polymer clay and love to use it to jazz up jewelry. I found these lovely swirly pendants from the Jill McKay designer collection and thought it needed a pop [...]

  If you’ve got more love then cash, then you need to make this sweet little DIY engagement ring for your sweetie. Perfect for geeks, crafters, nerds, and conversation-heart-candy aficionados, especially! It’s pretty simple. Just buy some boxes on Candy Conversation Hearts at the Dollar Store, and find the one that says “Marry Me.” You’ll [...]

    So, this story is cute or creepy, depending on your perspective. Last week, my little girl lost her front tooth. This is a picture I snapped right after it came out: {Photo altered with the Lo-Mob app for iPhone} She was, as you can imagine, super-excited for the tooth fairy to come. So [...]

Here’s another tutorial I did for CraftsUnleashed- it’s so fun and easy for the kids to do! Would be fun for their rooms, as well. I got the idea for decorating a mirror from this post I wrote about Pattie Wilkinson’s washer necklaces! Remember getting your first locker? How cool it felt- and SO grown-up- [...]

  Start Ups from Buttons Galore and More might just be my favorite product from the site! I love their smooth, white surface… like a canvas just begging to be painted upon.  I rifled through my sticker stash in order to come up with this easy-peasy faux cloisonne technique.   You’ll need: Start Ups- I [...]

This post originally was published on CraftsUnleashed.com and they supplied the materials to create it. Visit their sponsor, ConsumerCrafts.com for craft supplies at great prices! Here’s another lovely craft for October and Breast Cancer Awareness Month- a sparkly Pink Ribbon bookmark! What a lovely gift to give to a survivor. You’ll need: Shepherd’s Hook Bookmark [...]

Like many of you, I have been touched by breast cancer. I know both victims and survivors. In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month (celebrated here in the USA in October) . I designed these earrings for ConsumerCrafts.com for the CraftsUnleashed blog last year-but never posted them here. Get out your supplies, you’ll be able [...]

As you saw in my CHA post, I swung by the I Love To Create booth a few times during the show. The lovely PattieWack- aka Pattie Wilkinson- was manning a make-and-take, creating stunning mixed-media necklaces. I sat down to make one myself, and she graciously said I could share the step-by-step with YOU, crafty [...]

It’s amazing to me what the right tool can do for you- and in this case, the tool is the Cuttlebug  This little hand-cranked gem can help you transform old aluminum soda cans into cool, kitchy blooms that you can wear as pins! For this craft, you will need: Aluminum can, rinsed well Craft Blade [...]

Need some last-minute bling for Valentine’ Day? These earrings are quick and simple, but super-sparkly! I designed this as a member of the CraftsUnleashed Design Team, so I’ve included the links to ConsumerCrafts.com, where you can get all of your crafting supplies for less. Supplies: 2- 6 MM Siam Red Round Swarovski Crystal Beads 2 [...]

Here’s another article I wrote for CraftsUnleashed.com about the summer CHA tradeshow. Enjoy! Granted, the summer show of the Craft and Hobby Association (CHA) is mostly geared toward paper crafting, but I DID see some jewelry. Again, the trend that first prevailed at the winter show is still going strong- mixed media is still all [...]

Need some fun, quick earrings to wear on Independence Day? I designed these for CraftsUnleashed as member of their design team, and I wanted to share them with you as well. Memorial Day feels like it was just yesterday, and Independence Day is right around the corner. What could be better to wear on the [...]

OR, “Behind the scenes at CraftTestDummies: How I stage a photo for under $10.00.” So, it’s week two of “Wedding Week” crafts on CraftsUnleashed.com, and I’ve got another post up there today. Y’all know that I’ve taken a page from my buddy Stacy’s book, and decided that almost anything can be gussied up with a [...]

So, my “Stamped Resin Bangles” went up on CraftsUnleashed.com yesterday, and I was pretty pleased with the results. It’s a stamped-and-painted paper strip that’s then decoupaged into the resin form that comes from ConsumerCrafts.com.  (See the full tutorial HERE.) Of course, when you are designing crafts for an international craft-supply company, you use only what [...]

Ali Edwards came up with the “One Little Word” concept- picking one word to guide your intentions, resolutions, actions. As an artist/crafter/maker, sometimes one little word is all you need as a springboard to inspire you. I decided start the year off  with a project featuring one of my favorite mediums, polymer clay. For this [...]

In the past few days I’ve had fun working on some “altered art” items, and I realized that I’ve never done a post on altering! I know there are a few of you out there who may not be very familiar with altered crafting, so I thought I’d do a little primer for you. In [...]