The Craft Gods keep sending me button goodness to share….must be some kinds of harmonic convergence in the crafty universe! I got online today and found this FAB-U-LOUS button coaster craft at CraftStylish for a button coaster. Wow! I LOVE the way it looks, and you could create all kinds of designs if you used different colors of embroidery threads and/or different colors of buttons. Just make sure they are of a uniforms size and you can get really creative […]
Button Crafts
I love buttons- both the functional, keep-your-sweater-closed variety, as well as purely decorative/design elements. Yup. Love buttons! So, since it’s National Craft Month in March I thought I’d share a few resources with you! Make a cute button-covered tote…I reposted it from Martha Stewart a while back. Great way to use up those funky buttons in the button jar and spruce up that boring market tote! CraftStylish offers step-by-step instructions on making a button bracelet– you need shank buttons for […]
Craft Ideas Using Recycled Cards
So I wasn’t sure if I should share this now, or wait until after the holidays. I figured that if you’re like me, you still have last year’s holiday cards, or if not, make sure you don’t toss them on December 31st! Here’s the deal: Aileen from Aileen’s Musings came up with the idea of recycling your old Christmas/ Holiday cards into gift tags. She has a little tutorial there, but you can probably take the idea and run with […]
Recycled Necktie Scarf from CraftStylish
Ok, I love me some recycled neckties! So I’ve taken a moment from sewing up little necktie purses to share this nifty scarf from CraftStylish. I won’t give it all away here, but the gist is that you’ll need 8 gutted neckties. (Gutting them is when you slice open the back seam with a seam ripper and remove the stiff stuff that give the tie it’s body.)Â You cut them into odd rectangles, piece them together, and then cut out […]
Polymer Clay + Bottle Caps = Cool!
I was making my blog rounds this morning, and ran across this idea from Crafty Goat. And since I love polymer clay AND bottle cap art, this worked for me! (Alternatively, I could use my polyclay and then have a brew. That also works for me!) Anyhoo, she suggests making your own molds from cool buttons with Amazing Molding Putty. All well and good, but I often just use scrap clay for making molds. (Just be double-sure to use a […]
Crafting Classes with Kids!
So, I’ve been really busy this last week with kid’s classes, too, and I’ve got a few more classes lined up to share with you…. or inspire you to do yourself with your own (grand)kids! First of all, I have one more class at Grand River Beads on July 2nd. We’ll be doing washi-paper beads, and making earrings or bracelets. Then, the last week of July I’ll be reprising my kid’s classes at Stamplistic, offering Polymer Pendants and Shrinky Charms […]
Recycling Sweaters into Cardigans
Ahh, spring is here and it’s time to put those sweaters away. Or is it? Maybe it’s seen it’s better days. Or your weight has changed, and it doesn’t fit like it used to. Or you’re just itching to go thrifting and engage in some Earth Day craftiness. Well, I’ve found an idea for you! Over at Erica Makes Stuff, she’s posted a step-by-step tutorial on refashioning your old sweater into a spiffy new cardigan. According to her, you only […]
Gorgeous Paper Bead Necklace
I was doing my regular surfing, and ran across this GORGEOUS paper bead necklace from Mazel Tov Jewelry. Really transcends paper beads into high art. Tell me it’s not fabulous and I’ll call you a liar!
Polymer Clay Covered Tins
Well, I’ve been working on a new set of classes, this time covering old Altoid-style tins with polymer clay. I also was playing with a new cane, and came up with these. I think they look like orange poppies!   Â
More Recycled Necktie Crafts – Necktie Daisies!
Well, I sent off my Necktie Bags today to my CPS Group swap hostess today, and wouldn’t cha know, I ran across another necktie craft!! These are super cute, and kind of fall in with my yo-yo obsession, too. The tutorial was found on Craftster, and the idea is simple: take the small points from the small end of the tie, snip ’em to about 2 inches, gather the cut ends together by stitching them by hand, and then making […]
Button Tote From Martha Stewart
Not that I’m on a kick or anything, but I ran across this cute button tote today at Martha Stewart Crafts. She give the directions for making the tote and then covering it with buttons, either by gluing or stitching. I had another idea. (Don’t I always?) Why not cover up a give-away tote – like from a convention or trade show – and really give it a new life? My hubby goes to conferences at least 2-3 times per […]
Recycled Shirt Backpacks
So I’ve been visiting Martha Stewart’s Craft of the Day site, and today’s “Shirt Sack” I thought was worth sharing! Basically you take a man’s shirt and stitch in into a little backpack. True, it’s not a heavy-duty rucksack, but it would be a cute little tote. Here are my ideas for them: Add an iron-on applique or an initial to dress it up. Make it more “boy” appropriate by using a flannel shirt. Whip up a bunch of these, […]
Polymer Clay Covered Altoid Tins
Thinking on my next set of classes for Stamplistic. I whipped up these two tins using the Studio By Sculpey texture sheets as prep for writing my review on them. Anyhoo, I use them for holding my UTEE, so took them to the Art Doll class. They got lots of oohs and aaaahs. Makes me think I need to make some more, trying a few new techniques. There’s always something new to explore! The one on the top, here, was […]
Recycled Tie Bags- Purses for Swap!
A while ago I posted about the Tie Bag purse that uses recycled ties. Well, I got a-stitchin’ (and a-gluin’, and a-beadin’) and I’ve got 2 worked up for the swap. I’ve got another in progress, too…. so here’s what I’ve got so far:
More Paper Bead Craftiness
I’m teaching the paper-bead making class at both Grand River Beads and Stamplistic, so I thought I should work up some more paper bead jewelry ideas. Got simmering in my Somerset juices, and came up with this: Paper Bead Angel Pin I wired up some sheet music beads (you can even see lyrics on some of them) and pulled out the poetry tile I had in my stash. I used some Pinata alcohol inks on it to made it […]