Thrift Shop Thursday Haul 4/25/13
// April 25th, 2013 // No Comments » // Art Groups, Art Jewelry, Beads, & Glass, Blog, Kids Crafts, Mixed Media, Journals & Papercraft
Wanna know what I got at the thrift store this week???? Watch and seeeeee 
Archive for Art Jewelry, Beads, & Glass
Steampunk Mask Part 2
// April 21st, 2013 // No Comments » // art dolls, Art Jewelry, Beads, & Glass, Mixed Media, Journals & Papercraft, polymer clay
After two weeks of being sick and 11 straight days of laryngitis, I am finally feeling more like my self and I have be back in my studio creating and finishing several projects.
One of the projects I was able to complete is the Steampunk Mask that I started a couple of weeks ago. I found this mask at the thrift store and I *immediately* knew what I was going to do to it! You can follow the full journey of the mask by watching the Thrift Shop Thursday video and then the Steampunk Mask Part 1 video.
Just to reacap, I sanded the entire mask and gave it a coat of black craft paint. I molded a TON of gears with resin and painted all of them black as well. This weeks video shows you everything I did after that 
I painted the mask with gold paint and painted all of the gears with various metallic paints. I embossed a piece of metal tape with an embossing folder and then painted it with a few washed of black paint and water. I tore the metal tape into random pieces and stuck them to the mask.
Finally, I added a couple of layers of gears, a spring and a miniature lightbulb with E-6000.
The mask already has a small gold hook on the top, so this is perfect for hanging. I totally LOVE this project, so I haven’t decided if I want to offer it for sale or keep it for myself!
If you like this project, how about sharing it with your friends 
You can also subscribe to this blog and my YouTube channel, that way you won’t miss any of the absolutely FABULOUS projects I share in the future *wink, wink*
Mixed MEdieology Monday 4/4/13 – Steampunk Mask PART 1
// April 8th, 2013 // Comments Off // Art Jewelry, Beads, & Glass, Blog, madeitmonday, Mixed Media, Journals & Papercraft, Uncategorized
Hey Everybody, It’s Edie!
I am soooooo excited about this weeks project!!!! I am altering the mask I found at the thrift store last week and it is looking SO friggin’ cool!
I found this mask on last week’s Thrift Shop Thursday and I knew immediately that it was going to have a steampunk theme. I haven’t done a steampunk project in several months, so I am more than ready to get my gears a movin’.
This is going to be a long, multi-step project, and therefor it is taking more than just a couple of days to complete. I have already spent over four hours working on it and all I have to show for my time is a coat of black paint!
I sanded the mask to rough it up and get rid of the shine, then I applied a coat of gesso to the entire thing.Once it was dry, I gave the entire mask a coat of black craft paint.
Next, I went though my box of ephemera and pulled out everything that called to me. I knew I didn’t own near enough gears and accessories to create the look I envisioned, and I wouldn’t want to use all of my ephemera on one project even if I did!
I used Amazing Mold Putty to mold everything I wanted to make duplicates of and then cast all of my items using Amazing Casting Resin. Once I was happy with my pile of bits and bobs, I gave everything a coat of black craft paint.
That is as far as I have gotten so far! I will continue to work on the mask throughout the week and I will upload the video once it is finished.
I hope you are enjoying this process as much as I am. If you like what you see here, please share it and subscribe
I would love for you to like, share and subscribe to my YouTube channel as well.
I will be back on Thursday with this week’s Thrift Shop Thursday finds, so don’t forget to check that out.
Until then,
Big Hugs!!!!!
Magazine Review & raising money for Breast Cancer Research
// December 23rd, 2012 // Comments Off // Art Jewelry, Beads, & Glass, Book Reviews, Helping Others
By Tracy Shave
When we were asked to review some magazines this month I opted for the Bead and Button copy. I’ve made jewelry in the past but never actually done any bead work but I was intrigued and thought at I might also be able to use the button contribution to the magazine.
The title on the cover of this magazine paints a picture of the content ratio of beads to buttons. One article that included buttons through the whole magazine… so bit disappointed.
This magazine is certainly not what I would recommend to a beginner just starting out in the world of beading BUT if you are already beading then it has good content, book reviews, patterns for bracelets, necklaces and other makes, colorful, interesting images and plenty of inspiration. It actually made me think of all the beads I bought years ago when I started making jewelry! Where did they go?
I was particularly touched by a reader challenge calling for people to send in bead-quilt squares. This year they collected 950 squares of beadwork from all around the world and made quilts and gifts which were auctioned off at the Bead and Button show raising $19,500 for Breast Cancer research.
They want to do it all again for 2013! This year the theme is “Flowers- Stitching to find a bloomin’ cure”. If you would like to take part you will need to start with a 2x2in (5 x 5cm) square of beading foundation.
The rest you can find out if you follow the link below!
If I could follow the instructions I’d have had a go – that and the fact that it’s Christmas in a few days… still got presents to make.. so I might well have a go in the new year.
Deadline is the 1st of March 2013.
Why not have a go and then add photographs to our gallery of what you do?
Wishing you all a fantastic holiday!! See you next year!
Super Fast (STRESS FREE) Ornaments
// December 3rd, 2012 // Comments Off // Art Jewelry, Beads, & Glass, Blog, Kids Crafts, madeitmonday, Mixed Media, Journals & Papercraft, Things Crafty Classes
Hey Everybody, it’s Edie,
I can not believe it is already December!!!! This year has flown by and the Holiday Season is now upon us.
With the holiday season comes gift giving, decorating, crafting and blog hops!
With that in mind I have created a BRAND NEW CLASS “Mixed Media For The Holidays” and it is now available!
In the class, I teach you how to make three holiday projects that will help you in all of your decorating, crafting and gift giving endeavors. There is even a bonus lesson for an extra embellishment
All of the projects are made using simple, common household items and inexpensive crafty supplies!
After finishing the projects for my class, I was on a Holiday crafting roll! I was able to create the base for these TEN ornaments in less than 10 minutes using the technique I am sharing with you today. These ornaments are so simple, fast and stress free, you will be able to produce a handful of them before the holiday cookies finish baking in the oven!
These ornaments are perfect for teacher’s gifts, class projects, family crafting, art swaps, unexpected visitors, all of those people you would like to get something for but just don’t have the money, your mail carrier, vet, favorite coffee barista and the list goes on and on!!!!
Simply roll out some Delight, Paperclay or polymer clay of your choice. Brush a stamp with water and tap off the excess. Press the stamp into the clay and cut into desired shapes! Simple, simple, simple You could even use cookie cutters instead of a straight blade to give your ornaments even more personality.
Paint, embellish and glitterfy to your hearts content and then share them with everyone you know.
A great idea would be to have these hanging on a wreath designated for visitors. As they leave, they can choose an ornament to take home and display.
I hope you enjoy this project and I hope it helps to make your holiday season just a little less stressful.
BIG, BIG Hugs!!!!!!
Book Review – ‘How to Make Books’ by Esther K Smith
// November 26th, 2012 // Comments Off // Art Jewelry, Beads, & Glass, Blog, Book Reviews, Mixed Media, Journals & Papercraft
For anyone wanting to give making handmade books a go, I really recommend ‘How to Make Books’ by Esther K. Smith.
For someone like me who loves paper crafts, handmade books can be a great way to show off your skills, or keep all your paper treasures in one place. They also make lovely gifts and keepsakes.
I discovered ‘How to Make Books’ whilst at university and have used many of the projects inside. I now regularly revisit this book when looking for inspiration for gifts for family and friends, or on a rainy day.
This book guides you from the very basic instant book for a beginner, up to much more complex projects making some rather exquisite handmade books. It teaches various binding and folding techniques, along with inspiration for how each book may be decorated or used. The instructions are extremely easy to follow, with step by step illustrations and lovely images of the author’s own examples.
Here’s my own example of the Accordion Postcard Album (found on page 42) that I created as a final outcome for my final major project, whilst studying BA Graphic Design. I made these three books as a series to store and record postcard size images of altered books I had made as part of the same project, (my tutors loved them!)
Personally, I think this book is a brilliant investment for anyone wanting to try their hand at making books. Find it online, along with some other fun and inspiring books by the same author. (I also follow Esther K Smith on her Facebook page, she posts some really lovely, crafty things!)
Friday Crafty Recap | Year 2012 Issue 4
// November 16th, 2012 // Comments Off // Art Jewelry, Beads, & Glass, Blog, Book Reviews, charity, donate, Helping Others, hurricane Sandy, Kids Crafts, Mixed Media, Journals & Papercraft, Opportunities, Tuesday Shmoozeday
Click here to become a member of our community today!
IT’S FREE
and you’ll get access to all the great information, discussions, live demos and more!
This Week On Things Crafty
- It was another awesome week during Tuesday Schmoozeday! Here is what you missed!
- Interview: 12 Questions with Martiel; An Interview with Author Lisa Solomon hosted by Martiel B. (Orig. Aired on Nov. 13, 2012)
- Demo: Playing with Texture by Kira S. (Orig. Aired on Nov. 13, 2012)
- Demo: Going Jar Crazy – Making Greeting Jars by Tracy S. (Orig. Aired on Nov. 13, 2012)
- Demo: Mediums Demystified, Part I by Edie C. (Orig. Aired on Nov. 13, 2012)
- Demo: Magic Transfer Paper by Kelly D. (Orig. Aired on Nov. 13, 2012)
- Help us to continue to give back as we raise funds to donate to American Red Cross. We are selling a PDF image for $6 and 100% goes directly to families who need the assistance. GET IT HERE!
- NEW!Join the Mixed Media Kit Club for FREE and get access to kits for
- Art journalling, papercrafting & scrapbooking
- Magic Transfer Paper transfers on polymer clay
- printable fabric Art quilting
- printable canvas, transparencies, and anything else you can print on!
Thanks for stopping in and checking things out. We are always adding new things, so I’ll be back next week with another recap. If you enjoy this post, share it. If you think something is interesting say so, and if you want more, come back and visit. We’ll be here and as our motto says, helping you with you creative journey.
See you next week!
Martiel~
Photo Tutorial: Crimping and Crimp Pliers
// November 3rd, 2012 // Comments Off // Art Jewelry, Beads, & Glass, Blog
First, gather your supplies:
- Wire (I use Accuflex or Softflex 49-strand .019, this is a medium weight wire good for most beading jobs)
- Clasp (only one side of my toggle is shown in this photo)
- Beads that will go between clasp and crimp (make sure the bead hole is wide enough to accommodate two thicknesses of your thread/wire)
- Crimp beads (I avoid plated crimps and thin metal crimps, opting for thick-walled gold-fill or sterling silver; I use 2x2mm crimps with 3mm crimp covers)
- Crimp covers (not shown in this photo)
- Crimp pliers (make sure you’re using the right size crimp pliers; “micro” crimp pliers are for 1x1mm crimp beads and will not work on 2x2mm crimp beads)
Step 2: String one crimp, then a spacer bead, then one end of the clasp onto wire/thread.
Step 3: Loop the wire/thread back through the spacer bead, then the crimp bead.
I do all that about an inch or so from the clasp.
Step 4: Slide the short half of the thread/wire along with the two beads up toward the clasp.
Step 5: Use the wonderfully dexterous fingers of one hand to pull the two lines of wire/thread in separate directions. At this point, don’t wig out if your beads slide down the wire a bit (aren’t tight up against the clasp)… try not to let them slip TOO far, but a little space isn’t gonna kill ya… you’ll see why in a second.
Step 6: Place the crimping pliers in a position so that your crimp bead is GENTLY resting in the SECOND set of indents on the pliers.
Now that it’s in position, you use that very talented hand again to pull the wire/thread strands to the sides, and slide your two beads back up toward the clasp if you need to… don’t press the pliers down yet… only enough pressure to slide the beads up.
Step 7: Gently smoosh the crimp pliers down, thus fulfilling the first portion of your crimping process.
If you did it correctly, you should see a “u” shaped crimp bead with one strand of wire/thread on each side of it (more or less). 
Step 8: Now you’re going to do the second part of the crimping process. You’re going to be smooshing that U shape closed. Place the crimp SIDEWAYS into the FIRST set of indents on the crimp pliers.
This is a step for which you must take extreme care. Go slowly… screwing up may wreck your entire piece of jewelry (unless you LIKE starting over from the beginning).
When you smoosh the crimp bead in these first indents, make sure your bead doesn’t slip (angle) and end up at a diagonal (or worse!). It must remain upright while you smoosh! You must fold the U perfectly in half.
Step 9: Success should look somewhat like this.
Step 10: Put whatever beads on that go on next, making sure their holes are wide enough to go over two strands of thread/wire.
Step 11: Cut the wire so that the end would end up in the middle of the length of the next bead to be strung on. The only problem you will ever have with this is if you string very loosely; then you run the risk of having your “tail” bit of thread/wire poke out and not be nicely tucked into a bead. If you know you’re going to string loosely, cut flush with a bead (see instructions for crimping the other end … coming up).
Step 12: Put your next bead on, making sure the tail of the thread/wire is tucked into it. All the rest of the beads (until the OTHER end of the piece of jewelry) will merely be strung onto this one thread/wire.
Step 13: Okay, now we’re at the other end of the piece. You put on all the beads you were going to put on and you finish (most likely) the way you started (bead pattern wise). So… the last two things on are a crimp and (in this case) a 5mm Swarovski.
Step 14: Loop that end of the thread/wire through the toggle end of your clasp (or whatever is the OTHER end of your clasp), and then come back around and go through the 5mm Swarovski (your spacer bead) and through the crimp.
… and through two (or however many you decide) regular beads (see note at end of article)… You’ve got room to move around up there, y’know… ’cause that loop around the clasp is plenty slack. Slide the beads however you need to in order to do what you gotta do. We’ll cinch it all up in a second…
Step 15: After you go through two or so beads past the crimp with the tail of the thread/wire, pull down on the tail while holding the last single-threaded bead. This keeps the beads on the necklace/bracelet in place, tight, and merely moves the thread/wire into its cinched up position.
… it is now cinched up…
Step 16: Crimp this bead as you did the other one.
This is what you should end up with.
Under my thumb is the continuation of the necklace.
Step 17: Clip the short tail of the wire/thread as close to flush with that bead as you can, WITHOUT CUTTING THE LONG WIRE OR YOU WILL BE REDOING YOUR ENTIRE PIECE.
After you clip the tail, your piece should look like this.
Step 18: As a nice touch, we’re going to finish the crimp with a crimp cover.
Step 19: Place the crimp cover around the crimp (will not work with 2x3mm crimps or with crimps improperly crimped). I use my forefinger to hold the back of it up against the crimp while I do this.
Use needle nose pliers (or whatever works for you) to gently start smashing the crimp bead halves until they begin to meet (in a sphere covering your crimp). Now… I say “gently” here because these buggers seem to fall to the ground at least 10 times before I can complete my project. If it starts to slip and you smash too quickly, you will end up with a very crooked affair.
I stop before the crimp cover is all the way closed… See why? It’s slightly off center. But I don’t wig out. All I was trying to do at first was close it enough so that it won’t fall off as I’m trying to work with it.
Step 20: Use needle nose pliers to get a better “fit” on the straightening out and closing of the crimp covers (one on each crimp).
A couple of notes/tips:
- Don’t do the crimps until you’re piece is complete and checked for accuracy and correct length.
- I prefer to err on the side of having WAY too much thread/wire as opposed to the alternate which includes not having enough length to finish your project or having only just enough to fight and struggle with it during the crimping process.
- Practice and time will eventually teach you how tight or how loose to make your pieces. Crimping is the final step that determines the tightness of a piece. And sometimes a piece may SEEM loose enough until you bend it into the shape it will be. The only remedy for too tight is to TRY to find a fragile bead (glass bead beads are the best) and break it with some needle nose pliers. This isn’t a recommended thing to do and should only be used as a last resort. If your piece accidentally ends up too lose, the only solution I can think of is to take a crimp cover and add it to the space (without a crimp).
Happy Beading!
Laura
Weekly Wednesday Linky Party 3
// October 10th, 2012 // Comments Off // Art Jewelry, Beads, & Glass, Bath & Body, Crochet, Kids Crafts, Knitting, Mixed Media, Journals & Papercraft, Needlearts, Stich, Felt, Sewing, Wednesday Crafty Links
It’s Wednesday again so time for our Weekly Wednesday Linky Party #3.
We want to see all of your recent projects in any medium but this week we especially can’t wait to see your spooky and creepy Halloween projects. Upload your Halloween wreath, polymer clay bat necklace or mixed media haunted house project. We want to see it all.
How to be a great party guest:
1. Be sure you are uploading ONLY items HANDMade by YOU. That means no Etsy shops (specific items you are selling in an ETSY shop are fine), giveaways, contests, sponsored posts, or even recipes- although this a Halloween party so a really cool party project would be terrific.
2. You must upload a specific project rather than your entire blog or FLickr set.
3. Please be sure to mingle with the other party guests by click on a few Links that catch your eye. Leaving a comment on those blogs is always nice.
4. Link back to our party in your post so your readers can find us. We can never have too many party guests.
5. Grab our button and place it somewhere on your blog.
6. The party will run until Monday at 8 pm. Leave a comment here anytime this week and tell us what projects YOU enjoy the most then stop by on Tuesday to see what projects WE thought deserved special recognition.
Weekly Wednesday Linky Party #2
// October 3rd, 2012 // Comments Off // Art Jewelry, Beads, & Glass, Bath & Body, Blog, Crochet, Kids Crafts, Knitting, Mixed Media, Journals & Papercraft, Needlearts, Stich, Felt, Sewing, Wednesday Crafty Links
It is Wednesday and time for Weekly Wednesday Linky Party #2. Last week was full of growing pains and beginners bad luck. We had trouble that I believe came from the provider so this weeks brings a new provider.
We want to see all of your recent projects in any medium but this week we especially can’t wait to see your spooky and creepy Halloween projects. Upload your Halloween wreath, polymer clay bat necklace or mixed media haunted house project. We want to see it all.
How to be a great party guest:
1. Be sure you are uploading ONLY items HANDMade by YOU. That means no Etsy shops (specific items you are selling in an ETSY shop are fine), giveaways, contests, sponsored posts, or even recipes- although this a Halloween party so a really cool party project would be terrific.
2. You must upload a specific project rather than your entire blog or FLickr set.
3. Please be sure to mingle with the other party guests by click on a few Links that catch your eye. Leaving a comment on those blogs is always nice.
4. Link back to our party in your post so your readers can find us. We can never have too many party guests.
5. Grab our button and place it somewhere on your blog.
6. The party will run until Monday at 8 pm. Leave a comment here anytime this week and tell us what projects YOU enjoy the most then stop by on Tuesday to see what projects WE thought deserved special recognition.
