Ready for the Beach?

I am!

I am so over the bitter icy cold, I'm ready to skip over the rest of winter and head straight to the beach or at least spring - LOL!!

Today I have a fun beach charm necklace to get you in the mood!

For full instructions on how it's made head on over to the Imagine blog -

See How to Create Beautiful Coral Themed Jewelry Charms

Do you see the slight shimmer?

I LOVE Shimmer irRESISTible Pico Embellisher.

You can add a bit of sparkle anywhere.

I made a few charms out of washers as well!

These charms are like potato chips...it's hard to stop at just one.

Kitty Antique Trial Lens Charm

I have one more cat project I'd like to share with you today...

and I thought it would be fun if it were something a bit different.

A vintage image of a kitty on an antique trial lens.
Makes the perfect charm for any cat lover.

I backed it with vintage sheet music for an added antique feel :)

It's so easy to make but is so striking.

Watercolor Me Fun!

Hello Friends! I hope you're having a wonderful week so far. Thank you for joining me for the Club Scrap Artist Team Challenge! If you're following along the hop you should have arrived here from Pam's spectacular blog...if you missed out you can head that way or go to the Artist Team Challenge post on the Club Scrap Blog for a complete list of participants.

This month's Artist Challenge is Watercolor ~ use any medium to create a watercolor effect.  Well of course you all know how much I love to play with watercolors so I jumped in and made several different projects with a variety of mediums.

All images - Orchard Kit 09/17

The first project I made was this bookmarker. I had a strip of leftover watercolor paper from a previous project and as it turns out it was the perfect size for this!  Initially I stamped the background with a text stamp from the Orchard kit in a brown ink. I then stamped the basket directly on the book marker, I stamped the fruit on another scrap of watercolor paper.  All of the elements were then watercolored using Prima Confections watercolor paints and a brush.  

A close up look at the basket of fruit.

My next card was made using a mask and Gelatos....

I colored the gelatos directly onto the mask, 

misted it with water and pressed onto the watercolor paper.

It was then removed and I let it dry naturally.  I added a bit of penwork and Bronze irRESISTible Pico Embellisher at the center of the sunflower.

All Stamps from the Lagoon Kit 08/17

My final watercolor technique is so much fun...Color Burst + Stencils.  I used the mermaid scale stencil from the Lagoon kit - placed it over a piece of watercolor paper then sprinkled on 3 different colors of Color Burst powder, leaving the stencil in place and I misted it with water.  

The first card was the piece of watercolor paper that I actually sprinkled the Color Burst and misted with the water.  Generation #1.  I LOVE how intense the colors are and how they pooled around the stencil. You can't see it in this photo but there is glitter on some of the scales.

This card was made with a piece of regular cardstock that I had pressed over the paper/stencil above after it had been misted.  Generation #2.

This final card is a piece of regular white cardstock that I pressed the still wet stencil onto. Generation #3.  I also added a mermaid charm I made a while back just for the heck of it.  It matched the sentiment perfectly don't you think?

Thanks again for joining me...hope you're inspired to pull out your supplies and play in the watercolor!

The next stop on the hop is...

Tina

Have a great day friends!!

National Martini Day!

And I made some charms to celebrate!!

Check out the directions for making these charms here -

Use StazOn to Create a Festive Martini Charm

Last Minute Gifts - Part 2

Seems like we all need some help with last minute gifts and it just so happens that was one of my challenges for the IMAGINE Crafts blog!

Today's last minute gift could actually turn into several minutes because you might just get carried away like I did with these - Dog Tag Charms!  StazOn inks - both regular and opaques make these charms quick and easy not to mention FUN!

All you need are the dog tag blanks, StazOn Inks, Glaze On (to seal the inks), a few stamps and bit's and bobs to add to the charms.  Originally I started out intending to make 3 tags but ended up with a dozen!!  I don't know how I did it but they just went so quickly and I had so many ideas, I couldn't help myself.

To find the complete directions for these fun charms please see:

Charming Dog Tags

Now I would like to share these tags with a few readers.  To enter to win one of these charms, post an answer to this question:   Have you ever made dog tag charms or any altered charms for that matter.

You have until 12-31-15 to enter to win.

Good Luck Everyone!!

Altered Charms Swap Inspiration!

Yesterday I shared the ATC's from the swap and today I wanted to share the charms!  Here you go ~ enjoy!

Mine - 

I also had some ICE resin charms that I forgot to photograph or even label - sorry!

Dixie (aka - Mom)

Judy

Donna Jean

Shirley

Robin - She made so many charms all different!  

For some reason these photos had so much glare they didn't turn out but I'm going to take a better photo of the one I got so you can see their beauty.

Loretta - Mini Fishing Float

Sara

Theresa P

Sandie B

Olga

Sadly about 1/3rd of the charm swappers dropped out for one reason or another at the last minute but it was still an amazing swap!  I hope everyone who played enjoys the results and wears their charms with pride :)  I know I will!!  Thanks to all those who participated!  I had lots of fun and love all of the wonderful charms I was lucky enough to keep!

Inspired by....Sand!?!?!

Do you ever get inspired by unusual things?  Well I do!  Earlier this summer a "Main" country road which connects two of our State Roads had a road long garage sale so my son, his fiance and I decided to hit the road and see what we could find we couldn't live without.  We stopped at one house that we've driven by for years and years and the same old lady still lives there.  She must be 90 or so but she was out there with an assortment of stuff she had decided it was time to part with.

On one of the tables was this jar...

I was initially intrigued by the label - Black Sand Beach - Hawaii - 1964.  I asked her about it and she told me that when she was a young dental assistant there was a convention in Hawaii and the entire office got to go.  It was the first time she had ever been out of the state of Indiana and had never seen a black beach before so she collected this jar full of sand as a keepsake.

While I have been out of the state of Indiana before I've never been to Hawaii and doubt I ever will but I was and still am fascinated by the sand!  It has a much larger particle size than the sand we have here in Indiana.  I don't know all the technical why's and where's but it's beautiful so I bought the container and knew I'd do something with it.

Not too long ago Altered Pages got these nifty little glass bottles in stock.  They have a handy rubber stopper that has a built in hanger which is great for altered charms and I knew they would be perfect vessels for my sand!  I bought several packages of them and went to work!

And here's what I created...a charm which pays homage to Hawaii!  I have of course poured some of the sand inside the vial and added a strip of paper with the word Hawaii on it so folks would know where the sand came from.  I added some wood & bamboo beads which looked "tropical" to me. I hung a small shell off a short piece of chain which has a little surprise inside ~ a fresh water pearl!  Now I know these types of shells don't produce pearls but I thought it was a fun addition to the charm.    Oh and I tied the stopper to the vial with a piece of faux reed.  

I'm happy with how it turned out and I hope the folks who get one in the charm swap enjoy it as well.  I hope you all have a wonderful weekend...

Ink Stains Summer/Fall ATC & Charm Swap! Due 8-29-14

Ink Stains

Summer/Fall

Altered Charm Swap

&

ATC Swap

Due Date: 8-29-14

O.k....I've had a couple e-mails asking when the next charm swap is going to be AND Mom has been bugging me (nicely of course) about having another ATC swap so we're going to combine the two - roll it all up with Summer and Fall.

Charm Swap Details:

The charms can be created from anything you can dream up... there are tons of ideas on the web (search images under things like altered charms, altered charm bracelets, altered charm necklaces, Tim Holtz style necklace, charm swap; etc.) There are also lots of ideas here on the blog under: Charms & Jewelry. If you have a copy of my book ~ Teach Yourself Visually Collage & Altered Arts there is an entire chapter dedicated to creating your own charms.

*You could create your charm from acrylic pieces, glass, metal, clay, found objects, etc. You could embellish bought metal charms (please don't send a plain metal charm) with beads, chain, or other items. There are many pendant blanks, bezels, etc. that can be altered (insert photo/words, etc & fill with Glossy Accents or the like); you could fill little bottles with sand/beads and other goodies ~ sealed & findings added. And so much more...let your imagination run wild!

*Each charm should have a jump ring or lobster clasp.

*PLEASE DO NOT make more than 8 of the same style charm. (Changing colors or images doesn't make it a different style)  It makes it too difficult to swap out when there are so many of one style.  Excess charms of the same style will be returned.

PACKING:

*I would like it if each person would identify their charms either by placing it in a baggie with their name and e-mail addy or mounting it on a small card or tag with the same info. It's always nice to be able to thank people personally when you receive a piece of their art work.

MAILING:

NOTE: I am in the United States but I welcome anyone who would like to play along. In the past we've had players from North America, Europe, Asia, Australia, and New Zealand. I'd love to have artist from these and other areas join in the fun as well. You're all welcome :)

*Please package your charms securely so they arrive in good condition. 

*Include a self addressed envelope for the return trip or if you want your charms returned priority mail please include a card with your full mailing address.

*Postage - US - You can send or PayPal me 5.00 First Class or 6.00 Priority Mail (excess will be returned) PLEASE do NOT include pre-metered postage. My local post office will not accept these. They will refuse them! 

International - I prefer PayPal and will e-mail you after the swap with the actual cost of postage...it's just easier that way.

Due Date:

Your charms are due in my hands 8-29-13. You are more than welcome to send your charms and ATC's together to save money!

Charm Swap Sign Ups: 

Please include your e-mail addy (spaces added) so I can send you my mailing address.

1. Roni
2. Mom
3. Donna Jean E
4. Mary Jo
5. Brenda
6. Theresa P
7. Sandie B.
8. Loretta
9. Sara
10. Judy R.
11. Shirley H.
12. Robin
13. Alyssa
14. Bobbie
15. Mary Jo
16. Olga

 ATC Swap Details

*Create up to 20* ATC's using any technique you would like (no more than 5 of the same design). 

*NOTE: You don't have to make 20, you can make 1, 3, 10, or any number that inspires you. I do ask that you make no more than 5 of a single design. It makes it very difficult to swap out if I have too many of one design to swap. 

*Send them to me by the due date and I'll swap them out and you'll get back 20 different ATC's. NOTE: Be sure and make/keep an extra of your ATC's for yourself if you want one...you won't be getting your own back.

Mailing - (Same as above)

ATC SWAP Sign Ups

Please include your e-mail addy so I can send you my address.

1. Roni
2. Mom
3. Donna Jean E.
4. Donna N
5. Theresa P
6. Sandie B.
7. Loretta
8. Sara
9. Judy R.
10. Terry D
11. Robin
12. Bobbie
13. Olga

ICE Resin - Yellow Hardener Test Charms

Well, you know from my last few posts that I've been playing with ICE Resin.  It was actually an experiment because I had bought a couple 8oz. ICE Resin kits and when I went to open up one of the packages I noticed the hardener (Part B) had turned yellow!  I bought it though Blitzy ...  I'm not sure they would do anything about it since they are one of those short term deal places so I figured if it didn't work I was out 60.00!!!  I don't know about you but that's not a good feeling.

NOTE: It was stored in a drawer away from sunlight so I don't think that was the issue...not sure what caused it.

I set about my test ~ measuring, then mixing and once mixed with part A it didn't look nearly as yellow as it did in the bottle.  As you know I used it to make Resin Paper....  The layer of resin on the paper was so thin that there is no yellowing what so ever.

I also made Cast Resin Pieces...  The cast pieces did have a yellow coloration to them.  I'm assuming this is because it was such a thick layer of resin.  I don't mind it so much with these pieces because I knew I was going to color them up a bit with inks.  I think if you were going to mix in a colorant you might have a bit of trouble with it because the yellow tint would change the colors added.  You'd have to compensate for the yellow when mixing.

and I also made Resin Filled Charms....

and I'm happy to report that all of the charms turned out perfectly!  They don't look yellow and it set up just fine.  I know some people report to have trouble with it getting gooey or not setting up properly but I have found that accurate measuring and mixing is the key.  If you get those two things right it works every time.

And here's what they look like...no yellow at all!  I used images with pale pastels for most of the charms because I figured if the yellow was going to be an issue it would really show up on these images.  Luckily they all turned out great :)

So, if you've got some ICE Resin (or any resin for that matter) and the hardener has turned yellow...no worries, it should work just fine!   I'm thinkin' I am going to keep these for an upcoming charm swap....(hint hint hint!).

Steamy Thoughts Mixed Media Pendant

If you remember I had made several sheets of the ICE Resin paper...I wanted it to make a mini journal pendant that you could wear around your neck.  No, I didn't have to cover the paper with resin but it makes the paper so durable and tough enough to withstand handling.  I need that durability to incorporate into my pendant because all of the papers are vintage ephemera and some much thinner than others ~ the onion paper in the upper right hand corner and the vintage map pieces in both the upper and lower left hand corners were all more delicate than the others included here. 

Vintage Papers Used:  Blue, White & Red Map, Bingo Card, Onion Paper, ICE Resin Sheet Music, Mica, Cook Book pages, Nat Geo Map, Book Pages, Ledger Pages.

For the covers I covered a couple pieces of chipboard with Copper metal foil on one side and inked then stamped the other side.  

To help tone down the bright copper I rubbed Spiced Chai StazOn Midi ink over both pieces to warm it up a bit.  It really made quite the difference.

I then added eyelets and decorated the front cover with an assortment of real watch and clock gears, a filigree piece and a faux gemstone brad.

Next I layered my papers, poked holes using the front cover as a guide, threaded the covers and inside pages onto a couple pieces of rusty wire and set about making the upper component of the pendant.

I used a Pearl Pen as my guide for the first part of the pendant.  This is what the papers reside on and enables the wearer to flip through the pages.  I also incorporated a mini glass watchmakers parts vial which will be left in the pendant to store important little bits found along the way.

Here's a closer view of the knots...

To finish it off I wrapped a bit of extra wire around the joint knots for an extra little something.  I then used a copper bead between the vial and my hang loop.   I am thinking about trying to solder a cap/loop to a small pencil to hang by a chain but I am really tickled with how it came out.

Some of the inside pages...the ICE Resin sheet music...

mica and bingo pages...

lots of other fun pages...

and the top portion with the vial & copper bead...

I hung it off a very long chain...

I so love creating funky, unique pendants from vintage goodies!

So, what do you think?