Tag Archives: repurposed jewelry

Just a Pretty Necklace

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So here’s an item I just finished making. This is sample #1 of 2 that I have to make, for a workshop I’m teaching on April 17th, at the Brooklyn Bead Box.

I love the earthiness of the beads, in contrast with the pretty flower pendant. I made the pendant with a glass tile that I got on etsy, and used a bit of scrap scrapbook paper. Do you like it?

I’m teaching this as a workshop at the Brooklyn Bead Box, on April 17th.

Click here to RSVP and find out details.

That’s all for now. Oh, and I created a fan page for my art group. Click here to become a fan.

And that’s it. I am happy that the spring is finally arriving. The sun is out. Yippee.

 

The Craftaholic

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Day 273: Make Shrink Plastic Earrings & A Mock Frapuccino

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Quote:

“Since at the beginning and end of our lives we’re so dependent on others’ kindness, how can we neglect kindness toward others in the middle?” -The Dalai Lama

It’s because we get lazy. That’s what I think.

I live in New York City, and here, we just get tired and are scurrying around, doing our thing. We forget to stop and be nice to people at times. You know? It’s easy to forget, I guess.

Sometimes we have to take out time to just smile and be kind to others. Take out the time to go outside your comfort zone, and just be considerate of others. Don’t do it with expectation of someone responding nicely. I mean, don’t think that someone will just be nice back. That’s not why we choose to spread kindness. We spread kindness, because in spreading, we give it back to ourselves.

Today, I worked with shrink plastic. It’s so easy peasy!

You’ll need:

A rubber stamp

ink

color pencils

clear shrink plastic

sandpaper

scissors

heat gun

So, all you need to do, is sand the shrink plastic. The package of shrink plastic should tell you what specific grit of sandpaper to buy. Sand it down in a criss cross motion.

Then, you can stamp your image onto the plastic, and color it in.

When you cut it out, remember to punch a hole in the top, so you can easily attach it to an earring back. Then, cut it out.

Then, just heat it with your heat gun. It will curl up, then it’ll go flat. It’s helpful to do it on the floor, and have a hardcover book and spatula, to ensure that the charm will go perfectly flat.

After that, just attach the earring backs.

So what do you think? This pair is made with a leaf stamp from Judikins.

I made another pair, too.

This one is made with a cabychon from etsy, and a flower stamp from Stampin Up. This is from the “Fabulous Flowers” set that is now retired.

I stamped it with blue pigment ink, also from stampin up.

Easy peasy! I like this pair alot, actually. I should mention that if you make the latter pair, you should make four flowers, and punch TWO holes in two of them, and one hole in the other two.

Also, let the ink dry first, or else it will smudge when you cut it.

I want to make a bracelet to match this, what do you think?

Oh! and here’s my glorious window sill garden.

I love that you can see the other window in this picture. The one thing my daughter and I love do is plant little seeds. Here’s one we just planted a week or so ago. I got this as a kit in a swap.

I LOVE this.

So I recently got a blender. This past weekend, actually. So, I figured I’d post my recipe for Mock Frapuccinos. It’s easy!

All you do, is brew about half a cup of coffee or so, and let it get cold, cold, cold in the fridge.

Then, blend it together with about two scoops of vanilla ice cream, and a little bit of caramel flavored liquid creamer.

If you want it extra thick, just use more ice cream, or throw in some ice cubes. You don’t need any sugar, since the ice cream has sugar in it. Unless you have a major sweet tooth, then just go ahead. But I’m running low on sugar, so I didn’t add any extra.

That’s it, really! You can top it with whipped cream if you wish. You could even use half vanilla and half chocolate, for a iced mocha. YUM.

It’s so good on really hot days.

That’s all for now, I’m going to make one of these for me and booboos.

Day 233: A Calavera Charm Bracelet

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Quote:

“There is nothing more dreadful than the habit of doubt. Doubt separates people. It is a poison that disintegrates friendships and breaks up pleasant relations. It is a thorn that irritates and hurts; it is a sword that kills.” -The Buddha

Let me explain something that took me years to realize: doubt brings poverty. In every sense of the word, doubt is just evil. I don’t really even believe in “good and evil” so for me to say that, takes a lot. Doubt. For years I doubted my talent. As both a writer and an artist. As soon as I started to believe in myself and my talent, doors began to open for me. Things started happening. I may not be at my goal right now, but I’m on my way there. I don’t sit online and compare myself to artists younger than me, who perhaps went to college, or just started earlier than me. That’s for people who want to lose. I want to win. I want to “go for the gold” as corny as it sounds. I do. I want to succeed, in MY defenition of what success is. You know? And doing that, means believing in my talent, and believing in myself.

Let’s make a promise to each other. Repeat after me:

“I promise never to doubt myself as an artist, mother, wife, spouse, and friend”. Say it! Mean it! Believe in yourself, and your talent! Don’t doubt. Life gets you no where with doubt and worry. Those are things that will only bring you more things to doubt and worry about. So feel what you want more of. Be what you want more of.

Today, I made a charm bracelet. I am hosting a charm bracelet swap on Swap-Bot, and much to my chagrin, my partner likes gothic things. I sent her a friendly message letting her know that in fact, I have nothing gothic! It’s not really my thing, you know? But, yippee for me, she does like calaveras, and that I have plenty of! So, here’s what I made her:

These cute calaveras are stone, I think. I got them at the Whole Bead Show here in New York. Here’s another glance:

What do you think? You think she’ll like it?

On another note, I started a new project. An embroidered fabric book. I have wanted to make a fabric “art” collage book in a long time. I finally decided I’m going to do it with embroidery.

Here’s a preview:

That’s the front. There are about 5 pages. This is just unstretched canvas fabric, from Dick Blick, which I cut and sewed down the side. Then the back ground is painted with fabric paint sticks, and then sprayed with acrylic.

That’s all for now. Beans and rice for dinner today, but I really am craving a good pizza from Sunset Park. Yum.

The Craftaholic

Day 181: A Needle Felted Rose Corsage

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Quote:

“When you encounter problems, if you point your finger at yourself and not at others, this gives you control over yourself and calmness.”

You know what? I’m not trying to be lazy, but the truth is, The Dalai Lama says it all here. He really does. We are too quick to put the blame on others. This is so easy for us, isn’t it? It’s hard sometimes to accept that perhaps we are to blame for the problems in our life.

Other people are not to blame for the negative things in your life. It’s your life. You make the choices. Not someone else. It’s better to realize what we are doing wrong, then to push the blame on someone else, and attract more misery to your life.

Today’s crafty endeavor involves needle felting. Cool, right? I LOVE needlefelting. But every time I try it something goes wrong! Last time my pad wore down, so I need a new one. Then I got the idea today of using a folded up towel. So that worked great. But then what happened? My stupid needles broke! Can you believe it? So of course, I must venture out this weekend, and purchase new needles, so I can continue my needle felting frenzy.

Anyhow, I made a needle felted rose corsage.

You like it? I made it into a little pin for myself, to put on my jacket or purse. But I had so much fun making it, I am quite upset that my needles broke! I wanted to continue my frenzy! But now I have to wait until tomorrow.

Anyhow, I hope you all have a nice weekend.

The Craftaholic

Day 170: Make an Owl Wish Jar

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Quote:

“Compassion is not religious business, it is human business, it is not luxury, it is essential for our own peace and mental stability, it is essential for human survival.”

I think I’m at the point in my one year challenge where recycling is in order. I love this quote because it really commands. Here, the Dalai Lama tells you that it is your responsibility to practice compassion. It’s not something you should “think about” doing. If you want peace of mind, you must practice compassion.

In case you forgot what compassion is, here’s the dictionary.com definition:

a feeling of deep sympathy and sorrow for another who is stricken by misfortune, accompanied by a strong desire to alleviatethe suffering.

But let’s make this a VERB instead of a noun. Alright?

Today, I made a wish jar. This jar is easy to make.

All you need is:

an old jar (I used a watkins co. jar)

glitter (i used martha stewart)

Aleen’s Tacky Glue

beads

28 gague beading wire

oversized owl pendant, or any other sort of pendant that calls to you.

All you do, is cover the jar with glitter. For this of course, you should use glue (unless you have superpowers, which in case, please share with the group). Let it dry.

While that’s drying, string up the owl on to the wire, and pull enough wire to wrap it around the jar. I would say at least 12 inches on each side of the pendant.

To apply, just center the pendant on the jar, and carefully wrap the beads around the spout of the jar.

You can finish here, or add a couple of finishing touches. I added a little pink cabychon rose on the jar.

Also, on the inside, I made a little book that goes inside the jar. I bound the book with the same beading wire, and attached it to a foil flower that I made a while back.

You like it? The booklet inside is a poem that tells what I want in my life.

Day 158: A Valentine Portfolio

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Quote:

““Human potential is the same for all. Your feeling, “I am of no value”, is wrong. Absolutely wrong. You are deceiving yourself. We all have the power of thought – so what are you lacking? If you have willpower, then you can change anything. It is usually said that you are your own master.”

What does this mean to YOU? What part sticks out to you? To me, it’s the notion that I have the power, the willpower to change things. I can literally change anything.

What do you want to change in your life? What do you want to make happen? You can do it. Not just by having faith that some invisible force will come and make your dreams come true for you, but by getting off your ass, and actually changing things. Do it. Be the change in your life. Don’t just wish for it, hope for it, write about it. Be the change.

My husband is a classically trained artist. He paints. He makes the most amazing artwork. Well, amazing to me, anyway. Recently, I was looking at an old photo of his, back from his high school days. I saw this cool shot of a girl and her artwork, and immediately I felt so intimidated. I love art. I love that there are people who can look at the world around them and draw it from their perception. It’s amazing to me. Automatically I thought, well I wish I could do that.

But the thing is, it’s all about your mind. Right? You can make things happen with the power of your mind and your will. If I doubt my artistic talent, I am of course, not going to produce anything worthwhile. Right?

But then, if I choose to believe in myself and my talent, that alone will get me to create more beauty with paper and paint.

Today’s crafty endeavor is a Valentine Portfolio. I made this for my husband, to commemerate the (almost) 12 years that we have together. Sometimes I still can’t believe I’ve been with him that long.

The black and white picture here, is a picture print out that was taken a LONG time ago. We were still dating here. It was after my husband had finished playing a show on the Lower East Side.

The little spats of green are drawings that he made, which I cut out and pasted.

The above picture, is from when we were dating also. We had gone away to upstate New York in this shot. The picture below it, is of us, when we were engaged. We had gotten so frustrated with wedding plans, that we just spontaneously went to Boston on a greyhound bus.

The envelope contains love letters and ticket stubs that I collected when we were dating. On the envelope, I included one of our wedding invitations.

You like it?  These things are never really finished. There are always more memories, more letters, more stubs to add to it. That’s what’s so fun about this.

Here’s what it looks like closed:

Pretty paper, right? I know. It’s nice. Can’t get to my desk though, to tell you who makes it. Sorry.

I think it’s by a company called “Fancy Pants Designs”. I think.

I’m off to a doctor’s appointment. I’m ashamed to say that I detest going to the doctor. I really do. But it should be nice to see Manhattan all covered with snow and slush.

Also, I wanted to say that my journals are starting to pile up. So the time has come for a giveaway.

If you indeed enjoy reading my blog, and would like this owlishly cute hand bound journal, here’s what you have to do:

Heart my shop

Leave a comment with your email addy!

And that’s all.

The Craftaholic

Day 157: Make A Talisman Bracelet

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Quote:

“If one’s life is simple, contentment has to come. Simplicity is extremely important for happiness. Having few desires, feeling satisfied with what you have, is very vital: satisfaction with just enough food, clothing, and shelter to protect yourself from the elements. And finally, there is an intense delight in abandoning faulty states of mind and in cultivating helpful ones in meditation.”

Simplicity. Right?

What does this mean, really? It means, let’s put things into perspective. Let’s look at it for a minute. Look at your life with an attitude of gratitude. Notice the good things in your life. Think twice before you buy name brands. Be simple. Remember, you can’t take it with you when you die. It’s a morbid thing to think about, but it’s true.

Today, I have TWO crafty endeavors for today. One is a quick valentine thingamajig that you can easily make. It’s cheap and quick.

It’s a lovely set of altered candles! It’s easy. Just wrap the tissue around a plain white candle, and then whip out your heat gun, and apply heat to the candle. The heat will melt the tissue into the candle. Cool, right?

It’s easy. And the candles look so “designer”! Right?

Another thing I made is a very cool talisman bracelet. I love talismans. I’m quite the superstitious person, actually.

It’s a charm bracelet. I bought the bracelet at the dollar spot in target. I actually had to make it longer, with another one I had. I then weaved in some silk sari yarn that I had in my yarn stash. I weaved it in three times, back and forth.

Then, I just added the charms. These are from Blue Moon’s “Token” line. This is cool talisman bracelet. The colors intertwined of red and purple and orange, strengthen the meaning of the bracelet.

Red, for strength and health

Purple for power, wisdom, healing and protection

Orange for encouragement, adaptability, stimulation, attraction, kindness, plenty

Then the symbols are cool too. The Ankh represents eternal life.

The Buddha represents enlightenment and good luck.

The tree, for stability and growth.

Then, the other symbol for the life of me, I cannot remember the name of it. Anyone know what it is?

Anyhow, it’s easy to make talisman jewelry. A talisman, is just sort of a lucky charm. Anything can be a good luck charm, so long as you empower it.

Like it?

It’s snowing here in Brooklyn, NY. Want to see what it looks like at 7:30 in the morning?

Pretty, huh? I’m just glad that I’m not going anywhere today. Lentil Soup and Linzer cookies will be made today, I think.

The Craftaholic

Day 128: A Beaded Bookmark

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Quote:

“When a problem first arises, try to remain humble, maintain a sincere attitude, and be concerned that the outcome is fair.”

I chose this quote because I’ m thinking that what we normally do, is ask why. We ask, why is this happening to us, or how could this be. We act as if we are the only one in the world that matters, or that something tragic could happen to. But the fact is this that my husband reminds me of: I am not the only person who suffers in NYC. There are plenty of other people in perhaps worse situations then that which you are in now.

The thing is, we all have suffering in our lives. We do. Shit happens. Life happens. The thing to remember, is that we must remain calm and dispell the anger from ourselves. It’s just a situation like any other.

Today’s creative endeavor comes from a very old swap. I used to do a lot of swaps on swap bot, and one of the first that I received was a beautiful beaded bookmark. I keep it near my altar, because it has a buddha on it. It’s adorned with seed beads. It’s so pretty. I love it.

Anyway, I made a cute little bookmark today. It’s a beaded bookmark, which I made with canvas paper, seed beads, copic markers, and a set of owl stamps. I can’t remember who makes them.

But I took a picture of it, so you can see the set. Maybe someone out there knows who made it. I bought too long ago to remember. I do wish that companies would do what stampin up does, and put their names on the stamp package, so that when I see the clear stamp set, I know who made it.

Okay. So it’s easy. Just cut out the tag from your cricuit or big shot. I used my big shot, because I’ve got a kid and not much space. Plus the big shot is quiet.

Then, layer on a nice amount of Scotch quick dry glue, add your beads and add your colored in stamped image (cut out of course).

I cut out the little arrow there that says “truth” from a spare piece of K & Co. (The Urban stack, or something).

Then I sprayed it with some brownish spray shimmer mist that I made myself.

Easy peasy. Then spray some varnish over it, so nothing falls apart.


The Craftaholic

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Day 121: Make Upcycled Puzzle Piece Jewelry

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Quote:

“We must all live harmoniously with our neighbors.” Why must we insist on picking on each other? Seriously, we humans are great at excluding others. Why, though? Living in harmony means we don’t have to separate ourselves with labels and classes. It means we can look beyond the external, and look within the person. Don’t judge a person by the clothing she wears, or the fact that she’s a scrap booker and you’re a painter. Who cares, really? I mean…creativity has no labels, or limits.

Today’s creative endeavor, comes from my daughter’s toy dump. Being a mom, I have many little lost puzzle pieces lying around. So I decided that I wanted to do something really cool with it. I made a set of altered art puzzle piece pins. You’ll notice I make pins quite a bit. This is because I don’t really wear many necklaces. I love necklaces, but I choose to wear very few of the ones I have. I more collect jewelry than anything else. But I love to make pins. They are fun. This is an easy project. I say that about all the things I post. But it’s true.
Get yourself some oversized puzzle pieces. It would be nice if they all fit in together, but if you kid is anything like mine, you’ll salvage one piece under the bed, the other in her toy chest, the other in your sock drawer…. I made a set of four.
The first step is to glue and apply some pretty paper to the picture side of the puzzle piece. I chose various scraps that I had. That’s a good idea for this project, use your scraps.
The next thing is to cut it. Don’t be too cautious with it, because the edges are going to be glittered. I mean, don’t rip it savagely, but still. No need to seek perfection here.
Stamp it with any stamp that has typewriter font. I used a set by Stampin up (a retired set).
Then, you’ll add some spray glimmer mist. I made my own, of course.
After that, you’ll just add whatever words or pictures you fancy. I clipped some from an old vogue magazine. I highly recommend high fashion magazines for altered art.
Glue your little finishing touches, then go over it with Mod Podge Dimensional Glaze.
Wait for it to dry, and then add the pin back. You’re done! Now, your shopping list for tomorrow, is to buy some epoxy, and a snapple bottle cap. That’s all kids.
The Craftaholic


Day 106: Make Your Own Upcycled/Repurposed Necklace

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Quote:


“The right attitude toward others can be developed on the clear realization of the oneness of all human beings.”

The right attitude, the Dalai Lama says. We can develop the a positive attitude, if we don’t have one. Have the RIGHT attitude towards a person, or towards mankind.
I think a lot of the times our expectations get in the way of how we deal with a person.
We can choose to exclude others from our ideals, or we can choose to accept that everyone has a different way of approaching life.

So today’s creative endeavor is a necklace from a necklace! Yes.
It’s so easy.
All you need is a necklace that you normally do not wear, some extra beads and a nice pendant. I chose a pendant by Blue Moon beads, who’s beadwork I happen to love.
I happened to have these pretty leaf beads, so I used those, instead of the silver beads, as they were a little to “Santa Fe” looking for me.
So just string them along! That’s all.
Find a nice pattern for the beads. It’s easy, because since you are upcycling, you can use the original bead pattern, and just alternate with other beads from home. It’s easy and fun.
And it’s a quick and cheap way to make a beautiful gift for someone for Christmas, or Kwanzaa.
Here’s the finished work.
Like it? I do.
The Craftaholic
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