WOYWW #5

Welcome to my 5th What's On Your Work-desk Wednesday!!

Today I've been working on a lot of beaded jewelry and accessories and loving every minute of it!!  Beading was the first craft genre that I really got into after becoming disabled and it was wonderful therapy for well over a year, maybe two.  I eventually got a bored with beading and decided to venture into other genres and I'm glad I did.  However, it's always nice to go back to my first crafting love, beading!!

Here's what my desk looked like just a little while ago...

Because of my lack of work space, I sort my different beading projects into separate craft cups (not cupcake liners) so that I don't have to keep a bunch of supplies near by, plus it keeps the beads from getting mixed up.

I was able to finish the two projects in the lower right cups pretty quickly and thought I'd show them to you!!

These are earrings for someone I'm doing a craft swap with.  She asked for "dangly" earrings and these are 2 of the designs I came up with...

For more information about WOYWW, visit the blog that started it all, Stamping Ground.

A Quick Note...

I'm sure many of you have noticed that I haven't posted daily over the past week.  Between my mum visiting and a flare-up of my medical conditions, I haven't felt up to posting each day.  As you know I have a big surgery coming up on the 8th so I'm also working on the posts that need to be scheduled for during my recovery.  I really appreciate your patience and understanding!!  I guarantee I'll be back to the tutorial posting crazed blogger that you all know and love really soon!! hehehe

Thanks for reading!!  Until next time...

Guest Post: Polish the Stars

Today, Megan from Polish the Stars will be sharing her awesome Mini Polaroid Necklace tutorial with us!!  


Before I hand things over to her, I just want to say that I've loved Polish the Stars ever since I found it!!  It has so many great tutorials and there's even a weekly linky party on Mondays!!  You definitely need to check out Polish the Stars, especially if you've never visited before!!


I've always looked up to Megan and have gone to her many times with craft blogging questions.  She's always been willing to help!!  I'm so honored to have her guest posting on my blog!!  With that, I'll let her take over...



Hello there!  My name is Megan and I blog over at Polish The Stars.  My blog name comes from a Shel Silverstein poem about polishing the old, dull stars that you already have when you don't have enough money to buy shiny new ones.  My blog is all about our journey to make our home a fun and beautiful place by repurposing things that we already have on hand and spending as little money as possible.  You will find lots of crafts, recipes, home improvement, decor, cleaning, and organization projects - all with detailed tutorials so that you will know exactly how to do it yourself.  :)

Today I am sharing one of my favorite projects from my blog - a Mini Polaroid Necklace!

This is kind of my fun, retro version of the classic photo locket.  It is really easy to make and would be a great gift for a mom or grandma!   It doesn't just have to be for family photos though.  You can use your favorite photo of anything.  I made one using a picture of my friend's old yellow volkswagon that was pretty fun.  :)

Supplies:Mini Photo printed on CardstockSmall Glass TileNecklace BailMod  Podge or Diamond GlazeExacto KnifeCutting MatFoam Brush

Pick your photo and crop it to an 8x10 landscape.  I made this one using a pic of me and my guys.  :) You will want a tiny print for your necklace.  I just right-clicked and copied the photo from my computer and pasted it in to a Word document.  Then shrunk it to about 0.7" wide.  You could also crop your photo to a square but I thought that the polaroid look was more fun.  Just be sure to make it small enough to leave a white border on the sides or the rounded edges of the glass will distort the sides of the photo.

Place your glass tile (I found mine here) over your photo and center it how you would like it to appear when it is finished.  Hold it in place with one hand and with your other hand use the knife to cut just along the edge of the tile.  You can also trace around the tile with a pencil and cut it out with scissors but it is a lot more difficult to get close so you will have a more to trim away.

Trim the photo down until it fits perfectly.

Using the paint brush apply a later of Mod Podge on the photo and place the tile on top.  You will want hold the picture when you push the tile down or your photo will stick to the surface it is on.  Carefully push out as many bubbles as you can.  It is okay if it appears cloudy - it will dry clear.

Flip it over and apply another layer of Mod Podge to the back of the photo to seal it.  Glue the bail in place (also purchased here).  Allow everything to dry then add your pendant to a chain.

If you don't have the time to make your own, I also sell these personalized pendants over in my Shop!
Some of my other projects that you might enjoy: Techniques For Printing On FabricIncludes a few different methods for printing on fabric as well as the best ways to care for your printed fabric to keep it from fading.
Slow-Cooker Chicken and DumplingsPerfect comfort food for those cold winter nights.
Comic Book Pop ArtEasy and cheap art that doesn't require any drawing skills and can be used with any kind of picture!
Thank you so much for having me over, Lisa!  I have really enjoyed getting to know you the last few months and I am honored to guest post on your blog.  :)

Tutorial: Wire-Wrapped Bird's Nest Necklace

This tutorial will not only show you how to make the ever-popular Wire-Wrapped Bird's Nest Necklace, but will also show how to add other components for the different looks shown below!!

Supplies

3 Yards of 24g wire

3-4 Pearls or beads

Jewelry pliers

Jump-ring(s)

Step 1: FORM NEST BASE

Thread your pearls or beads onto your wire. 

Slide them about 8 inches down the wire.

Form a circle so the wire crosses as shown above.

Using the 8 inches of wire on the end, form the base of the nest by wrapping the wire up the edge of one pearl/bead and under the next, up the edge, and under, up, under, etc. until you've used the entire 8 inches of wire.

Step 2: WRAP NEST

Wrap the longer length of wire around the nest repeatedly until you have about 1 yard of wire remaining.

Notes: 

I actually prefer to not look at the nest when doing this step because it's easier and the nest turns out more random and natural looking.

Don't wrap your wire tightly around the beads because you'll want the extra "slack" to add kinks later.  Plus it makes for a fuller looking nest.

Add a few coils under the nest and then go back to wrapping the outside.

Continue wrapping the outside of the pearls/beads until you have about 2 feet of wire left.

Step 3: SECURE WIRES

Thread the wire between two pearls/beads going from the inside toward the outside of the nest. 

Wrap the wire around this part of the nest 3-5 times to hold the wires in place.

If you prefer to only have one "loop section" you can skip to Step 4.

Go between the next two pearls/beads and make another "loop section".

Make "loop sections" for the remaining spaces between the pearls/beads.

Step 4: BURY WIRE ENDS

Thread the remaining wire around the nest, making sure to go through the wire "loop sections" and not around them.

Tuck the end deep inside the nest so they won't poke anyone.

 Step 5: ADD TEXTURE TO NEST

 Using round-nose pliers, grip individual wires and add kinks in random directions.

This will give the nest a more natural look.

Note: If you're having a hard time getting a grip on particular wires, use a pair of tweezers to wedge it so you can grip it with your pliers.

Continue adding kinks around the entire necklace until you're satisfied with it's appearance.

 Step 6: ADD JUMP RING & RIBBON

Add a jump-ring around one of your "looped sections".

Note: I added a second jump-ring so the necklace wouldn't twist.

Thread a 30 inch length of organza ribbon through the jump-ring and you're...

FINISHED!!

Version 1: BIRD CHARM

Just add a bird charm to your necklace ribbon so it dangles near the nest.

Version 2: CHAIN & CHARMS

Put the nest on the end of a 1-2 inch chain.

Add a bird charm and bead charms to chain and necklace ribbon.

Version 3: CONNECTORS & CHARM

Using beads on eye pins and decorative connectors, allow your nest to hang about 2 inches below your necklace ribbon where you can add a bird charm.

Version 4: CONNECTORS, CHAIN, & RIBBON

Add jump-rings to 2 "loop sections".

One one side add a bird connector and on the other add 2 smaller connectors.

Add equal lengths of chain to both sides.

If your chain is shorter than you want the necklace to be, add ribbon to each end for added length.

Thanks for reading!! Until next time...

I've submitted this tutorial to the...

Crafty Day with Jess and Upcoming Bloggy Events

Crafty Day with Jess

A good friend of mine, Jess, is expecting her first child this spring and I'm so happy for her and her hubby!!  Jess happens to love crafts too so we've decided to get together one day each week to work on projects for her nursery and other fun crafts!!

Today we got together for our first day of crafting and I thought I'd share photos of our handmade goodies with you!!

Our main project of the day were these closet dividers for Jess' nursery...

On New Year's Eve we cut out the chipboard dividers from a homemade template and covered them in "Linen & Lace" scrapbook paper.  She decorated them with bird and butterfly die-cuts, stickers, and pieces of real lace from my stash.  Jess also stamped them with acrylic stamps and added plastic gems too!!  Today we worked on adding the sizes to the dividers.

Of course Jess has a big baby shower planned this month and since I make jewelry, I offered to make her a bird's nest necklace to go with the bird theme of the nursery and baby shower.  Here's how it turned out...

I had never made a wire-wrapped bird's nest necklace before so I was really pleased with how well it turned out!!  Here's a close up of the nest... 

You all should know me well enough by now to know that you can expect tutorials for both of these projects in the near future!!  I just thought you'd enjoy this little sneak peek!! hehehe

Upcoming Bloggy Events

Friday - Feature Friday #1  I'll feature some of my recent crafty finds from around the blog-o-sphere!!

Saturday/Sunday - Tutorial: ????  This is a secret, but I know you'll enjoy it!!  Who knows, maybe I'll even write a couple tutorials for you!!

Monday - Lisa's Linky List #2 & Features  First I'll showcase my favorite 3 linkies and the top viewed linky from last week's party.  Then we'll start a brand new linky party for the week!!

Tuesday - Version: Recipe Box Renovation  I'll be sharing my version of the Recipe Box Renovation project originally shared by While He Was Napping.

Wednesday - WOYWW #2  Another glimpse into my crazy, crafty world and a chance to see my work area(s)!!

Thursday - Guest Post: Polish the Stars  Megan from Polish the Stars shares her super popular Mini Polaroid Necklace with us!!

Thanks for reading!!  Until next time...

Tutorial: Framed Lace Pendant

I think you're going to love this super easy Framed Lace Pendant tutorial!!  This necklace is so elegant and has such a great vintage look to it, plus it's just so simple to make!!  

INSPIRATION

This project was inspired by this pin on Pinterest...

SUPPLIES

Small frame pendant

Paper for background

Lace

Step 1: CUT BACKGROUND

Take apart the pieces of the frame

Trace the small cardboard backing onto your background paper.

Cut out the small piece of paper and make sure it fits in your frame.

Step 2: CUT LACE

Cut a small piece of lace to go on top of the background paper.

Step 3: PLACE IN FRAME

Stack the clear plastic on top of the lace, paper, and cardboard backing.

Put everything back inside the metal frame.

Optional: String onto a long piece of ribbon.

FINISHED!!

Thanks for reading!!  Until next time...

Tutorial: Beaded Ornament Hooks

I'm super excited about this Beaded Ornament Hook tutorial!!  They're functional and gorgeous too, not to mention super quick and easy to make!!

Step 1: GATHER SUPPLIES

8"+ length of 20g wire

Round & needle nose pliers

Assorted beads

Bic or Sharpie marker

Step 2: FORM HOOK

At one end of your wire make a loop with your round nose pliers.

Wrap the wire around the marker's cap once.

Bend the wire downward as shown above.

Step 3: ADD BEADS

Add approximately 1" of beads.

Step 4: FORM BOTTOM SPIRAL

 Bend the wire at a 90-degree angle.

 Wrap the wire around the marker cap 2 or more times.

Using your round nose pliers form into a spiral.

Trim off any excess wire.

FINISHED!!

Thanks for reading!! Until next time...