button rings...

A friend gave me some ring blanks she didn't want, so I put them to good use and made some quick and easy button rings.

Here's all you need to make your own:

a fancy button

ring blank

E-6000 glue

shank cutter (or pliers)

styrofoam

Start by using your shank cutter to cut off the loop on the back of your button (that's the shank).  I got my shank cutter for a couple of bucks at Joann and I use it all the time...but you could just try breaking it off with pliers, too.

Once your button is ready to go, use the styrofoam to hold your ring in place.  I used the bottom of a Sonic cup.  (Happy Hour Cranberry Limeade...yes, please!)

Now squeeze a little dab of E-6000 onto your ring blank and position your button of choice.  (If your button slides around, you can kind of "shim" it up underneath with a little folded piece of paper to keep it level and in the right place.)

Let that bad boy dry overnight...

Then enjoy a funky statement ring for a fraction of the cost.

These would be a great party favor or little gift.  

You can make a whole bunch for not a whole lot of dough.  

That's my kind of project!

vintage floral statement necklace...

I made it through Round 1 of One Month to Win It...phew! :)
Thanks to all those who voted.  Stay tuned for Round 2 next week.


In the meantime, here's the tutorial for my vintage floral statement necklace...

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Week 1 Challenge - use vintage graphics from The Graphics Fairy

When I checked out all of the gorgeous vintage graphics The Graphics Fairy has to offer, I knew I had to create a piece of jewelry.  (The images are so beautiful I wanted to wear them!)  I remembered those Shrinky Dink charm bracelets people used to make and was thrilled to discover that there is now printable Shrinky Dink.  I had to try it.  However, I hate wearing bracelets... so I made a bold statement necklace instead.  I love how it turned out!

First, I chose the images I wanted to use--Stunning French Fan & Postcard with Floral Spray.  I cropped/resized the images on my computer, then printed them on a sheet of Shrinky Dink according to package directions.   Then, I cut my floral shapes out and punched holes so I could add jump rings later. 

Next, I baked my pieces (once again, following package directions).  I put them in the oven one at a time, so I could monitor their progress individually.  Once they were done shrinking, I pulled them out, covered them with a sheet of parchment, and placed a heavy book on top for a few seconds so they would be nice and flat.  Finally, I added my findings, a chain, and a satin bow just for an extra dose of femininity... as if a necklace of roses isn't girly enough. :)

Now I get to wear these beautiful blooms around my neck.  This lovely necklace turned out so well, I can't wait to make a few more!

stretchy stackable seed bead rings...

I made myself a cute little trio of rings...

And they were SO cheap and SO simple.  

You're going to want to make a million!

Here's all you need:

.5 mm stretchy bead cord

scissors

seed beads

t-shirt (optional)

clear nail polish (optional)

Easy enough, right?

Start by laying out your t-shirt on the table.  You're just going to use this as your work surface...it will keep beads from rolling everywhere.  Now, cut a 5-6 inch piece of cord and start stringing your beads.

Once it looks like you're getting enough beads for a ring, hold it in a loop and try it on your finger.  Then add or remove beads as necessary.

When finished, tie your ring closed.  (You can paint the little knot with clear nail polish to keep it from sliding apart...but you don't have to.)  Then trim off the excess cording.

Repeat as many times as you want... in as many colors as you want... whatever size you want!

You can wear them together in a stack.

Or with another ring.

Or you can use the same method to make a "statement" ring.  

Just use a large bead as a centerpiece, then add findings and small beads.

We made some with the girls at camp (age 12-18) and they loved it.  Making these little rings would be a great party activity or favor, as well.  The supplies are so inexpensive, you could make a slew for only a few dollars.

(I think I need some more beads!)

ModCloth-inspired color wheel pendant...

Yes, I have been making a lot of pendants lately.

Dimensional Magic is just too much fun.  I can't help myself.

And this one makes me feel like a huge art nerd...I love it!

Remember this ModCloth colorwheel necklace I have posted about before?

I used that as my inspiration.  But I actually put the colors in the correct order.  What kind of art teacher could bear to wear an inaccurate color wheel necklace?!

(Although I'm thinking about trying another version using a washer shape like the inspiration piece.  I used a solid disc because that's what I had on hand.)

Anyway, you want to make one?

You'll need...

wooden disc - mine's 1"

drill & 1/16 drill bit

craft paint - at least white, red, yellow, & blue

tiny paint brush

dot sticker

masking tape

dimensional magic

jump ring

chain or ribbon

Drill a hole at the top of your disc, then paint it white and let it dry.

Next, place your dot sticker (you can get them in the office supplies section) in the center of your disc. Then cut VERY thin strips of masking tape.  Use the strips to divide your disc into 12 sections.  

(The tape is mostly covering my dot, so it's hard to see in the pic.)

Paint each section according to the color wheel below. (Source)

Here's some color mixing tips in case your art education growing up wasn't up to par... (which is the case for far too many people.  Sigh.)

If you have the primary colors (red, yellow, blue) you can mix all the secondary colors.

Red + Yellow = Orange

Yellow + Blue = Green

Blue + Red = Violet

Then mix a primary and a secondary to get all of the tertiary colors.

Red + Orange = Red-Orange

Yellow + Orange = Yellow-Orange

Etc. (just follow the color wheel)

Once all sections are filled with color, carefully remove your tape & sticker.

And touch up any areas that my have bled.

When it's dry, top that bad boy with some dimensional magic and let it dry overnight.

Tada!  

Add a jump ring and a chain and you've got yourself a mini color wheel you can wear around town.

lace overlay pendant tutorial...

Made myself a new necklace...

...and you can make one, too!

To create your own lace overlay pendant you will need:

wood oval (mine's 1.5")

1/16 drill bit & drill

craft paint & paint brushes

scissors

lace (or paper doily would work, too)

mod podge

mod podge dimensional magic

jump ring (mine's 9mm)

ribbon

chain or ribbon for stringing

Start by drilling a hole in the top of your wooden oval with your 1/16 drill bit.  Then paint your oval the color of your choice...or leave it natural like I did.

Also cut a piece of lace that will cover the surface of your oval.  I wanted my white lace to be brighter, so I dry-brushed it with some white craft paint.  (You could also make your lace a different color with this technique.)  Here's the comparison...

Now spread some mod podge or other decoupage glue on the top surface of your oval, place your lace over it (allowing the excess to just hang over the edges), and spread a bit more podge on top.

Once it's dry, trim the excess lace.  If necessary, podge any loose edges and allow to dry.

Next, I painted a tiny floral motif and added a seed pearl for embellishment.  You could also use small buttons little acrylic gems, teensy paper cutouts--whatever you like.

Once the paint/glue is dry, coat the top with dimensional magic and allow it to dry overnight.  (See the decoupage sparrow pendant tutorial some dimensional magic tips!)

The next day, add a jump ring, tie on a bit of ribbon, and string your cute new lace overlay pendant!

They are so easy, inexpensive, and pretty...

you could even make a whole bunch to give as gifts.

Enjoy!!

DIY decoupage pendant...

With some basic supplies and a little mod podge dimensional magic, it's so easy to make your own jewelry!

To make your own decoupage pendant, you will need:

a 1.5 inch wood oval

drill with 1/16 bit

craft paint & paintbrush

a couple of toothpicks

small paper shape

mod podge

mod podge dimensional magic

jump ring 9mm or larger

ribbon for bow

chain or ribbon for stringing

Start by drilling a hole with your 1/16 bit towards the top of your wood oval.  Take care to make sure your drill is level so the hole will be straight.

Next, paint your pendant the color of your choice.  Since my paper shape is a sparrow, I went with a nice sky blue/aqua hue with some pearlizing medium mixed in.  Make sure the hole you drilled doesn't get clogged with paint.  (I stuck a toothpick in there to remove any excess.)

Once your paint is dry, you can attach your little paper shape.  I cut my little sparrow with my cricut (heritage cartridge - 1/2"), but you could certainly use any shape or letter, cut by hand or machine.  Apply a coat of mod podge to the surface of your pendant and the back of your paper shape, then place where desired.  Then coat entire pendant with mod podge and allow to dry.

Tip: I stuck a toothpick in the hole to help hold the pendant still as I brushed on my podge.

Once it's completely dry, it's time for some dimensional magic.  I apply it more towards the middle, then use a toothpick to scoot it to the edges and around the hole in the top.  Once again, be careful not to clog your little hole!

After allowing 24 hours drying time, put your pendant on a jump ring, tie on a little sunshine-y bow, and string it on a chain or ribbon.

 

This one turned out so perfectly springy, but the possibilities really are endless.  You could make any kind of design to go with any outfit!

P.S. Make sure you are following via RSS or Google Friend Connect, so you don't miss out on any great projects...or the follower giveaway coming VERY soon!