Works in Process

Hi to all,

Here's a glimpse at my most recent garage sale finds.  Great, right?  The earrings will be wonderfully in a black and gold bracelet I'm working on.  And I love those big black beads, haven't really decided what to do with them yet.

As promised last week. I was going to give you some of my steps in creating a new necklace from an old broken on.  Here's the old necklace:

Step 1: Disassemble the necklace.  Take apart the beads and carefully remove the metal charms.

Step 2:  Using head pins, string the beads along with seed beads creating "new" charms for your necklace.

Step 3: I used an old recycled chain as the base for my new necklace.  See below.

Step 4: Take the metal pieces and arrange them between the head pin charms, going for an effect of fullness. Attach the metal pieces with gold jump rings.

Step 5:  I wanted to make the necklace still fuller, so I decided to add some paper beads.  I am making them a variety of sizes.  Once they are done I will put them on head pins with other beads and attach them to the necklace also.  Beads are below, drying!

Stay tuned....Next week, hopefully, the necklace will be finished.

And please, check out my etsy shop

See you next week,

anne

Mother's Day and Spring

1916 Mother's Day post card

Hi to all,

Happy Spring and happy Mother's Day.  Mother's day is a celebration honoring mothers and motherhood that is held all over the world. In the US, the holiday is celebrated on the second Sunday of May. 

Mother's Day celebrations date back to the ancient Greeks and Romans who held festivals to honor the mother goddesses Rhea and Cybele.  The closest precedent to the modern Mother's Day is an early Christian celebration called "Mothering Sunday".  

The roots of the modern Mother's Day start with Ann Reeves Jarvis, who organized "Mother's Day Work Clubs" to teach women how to care for their children.   In 1868,  these clubs were called "Mothers' Friendship Day", women gathered with union and confederate soldiers to promote reconciliation.  

The official Mother's Day holiday started in the early 1900's as a result of the efforts of Ann Jarvis, daughter of Ann Reeve Jarvis.  She wanted to honor mothers and their sacrifices.    Ann lobbied hard for President Wilson to make Mother's Day a national holiday and her persistence paid off in 1914.

After Mother's Day became a national holiday, it was not long before florists, card companies and other merchants capitalized on their popularity.  Jarvis had  hoped the holiday would become a personal celebration of mothers, but by 1920, she was disgusted with how the holiday had become commercialized.  She  disowned the holiday, By the time of her death in 1948 . Now the holiday is one of the biggest holidays for consumer spending!

An Old Necklace

Finally, here's an old necklace I am going to use to create a beautiful new necklace.  Check this blog next week, I'll have pictures and hopefully a finished piece to show you!

Be sure to stop by my Etsy shop, have a wonderful week.

anne 

Here it is!

Hi to everyone,

Ozma of Oz Necklace

Well, here it is; my Ozma of Oz necklace.  You can see some of the steps in making in the necklace in my previous blog.  There is also a complete tutorial describing the process of  making these paper "beads" in my November 11, 2011 blog. I posted the necklace on Etsy a few days ago.  You can see it there by clicking on the picture caption above.

Now I am working on a Wizard of Oz project made from the pages of a copy of the original edition.

Spring is just around the corner, some of the crocus have poked their purple heads up through the ground.  The first day of spring will be March 20th and Easter is March 31st.  So the Spring Craft Fairs can not be far behind!  Here we go again, my second season of craft fairs.

First on the agenda is an Earth Day Fair at Pleasantville Middle School on April 11.  I love participating, it is really a workshop. I can teach kids all about paper beads and how to make them.  It teaches them that we can make beautiful things out of what we throw away.

Sunday Morning Paper Bead Bracelet

And here is a sample of bringing old designs back!  This bracelet is made from the pages of the Sunday magazine section of the newspaper.  Available by special order at annemadethis@gmail.com.

Talk to you soon,

anne

"Literary" Paper Pendant Tutorial

Jane Eyre Necklace

Alice in Wonderland Bracelet

Alice in Wonderland Pendant

Hi to all,

If you have been keeping up with my blog, I know you have seen my "literary" jewelry pieces.  The were made from the pages of old or reproductions "classics".  Below is a basic tutorial to make one of these pieces for yourself from your favorite novels!

MATERIALS:

small piece of corrugated cardboard 

eye pins not more than 1" (I prefer to use silver plated findings, they 

always look nice and shiny)*

1.5-2" head pins*

5mm-6mm & 8mm jump rings*

1-bail*

a few small/medium beads to add to your necklace orbracelet (optional)

old style classic book, one with illustrations or decorated text

Tacky glue

Triple thick(R) gloss glaze

toothpicks

styrofoam egg carton

paper plate
Black paint
Black magic marker
silver chain, suede cord or rubber cord

TOOLS: scissors, jewelry pliers and wire cutters, 1/4" soft and 1/4" stiff brush, hot glue gun skewer and awl

STEPS:

1. Take corrugated cardboard and cut into two ovals or circles about the size of a quarter or a little larger.  This will be the "focal bead" of your necklace.  I used ovals and circles in my pieces, but really any shape is fine.  You may want to add smaller "beads" to your necklace, cut those out now too.  The smaller beads on the Alice in Wonderland bracelet and the Jane Eyre necklace were crafted from one disk of corrugated cardboard.  This will probably work with your design also.  I used quarters for the larger beads and nickels as templates for my smaller beads.

2. For the focal bead, or the largest bead; line up the 2 eye pins in the center of the piece.  Now using a hot glue gun, set the two pins in position.

3. Using the hot glue gun again, glue the two pieces together (like a sandwich), with the eye pins on the inside.  Make sure both eye pins stick out and the pieces are lined up evenly. 

4. Paint using thick black paint all around the edges of the piece.  This gives a more finished look to your focal bead.  You can also paint around the smaller pieces or even use a black magic marker to finish off those edges.  

    

5. Set the smaller "beads" aside.  Now you can decorate your "focal bead" with pieces of the text or  illustrations from your "classical" text.  Cut out words, illustrations or designs, really anything you want.    Glue to focal bead with tacky glue using the soft brush.  Remember to decorate both sides.  Try to use words and images representative of the book.  Let glue dry.

                                                                                     

6.  Using the same basic techniques, decorate the smaller disks or beads.  Before gluing words or images, poke a small hole about 1/8" from the circumference of the disk.  We will use this hole later for attaching a jump ring.  Now decorate your disks as you did your "focal bead".  Once glue is dry, re-poke hole with awl, then pierce again with a toothpick.  This should enlarge hole.

7. The next step is glazing all of the beads.  Squeeze out a little Ultra-thick (R) on a paper plate . Hold the pendant by the eye pin or with a toothpick, use the stiff 1/4" brush to cover the pendant with the Ultra-Thick(R) glaze.   Cover completely and let it dry at least 30 minutes.  If the weather is very humid, the pendant may need to dry overnight.  Use toothpick and the egg carton to hold the pendant while it is drying.  You need to put at least two coats of the Ultra-Thick (R) glaze on the pendant.

8.  While pendant is drying, we can assemble the beads which hang below the "focal bead" (from the eye pin).  String beads on the head pin.  Use the remainder of the headpin to form a loop.  For more detailed instructions on how to make headpin loop, go to this link.  Then using a jump ring attach the headpin to the eye pin on the bottom of the pendant.  If you are not sure about these last directions, go to the links, that will help. 

9.  Last step is to put on bail or a jump ring.  If you plan to wear your pendant bead alone on a rubber or leather cord, attach bail to the top eye pin.  Then slide it on the cord.  If you are wearing pendant bead as a necklace or bracelet with the other disks on a chain, attach a jump ring to the disks and they will easily attach to a chain. Have fun with it and enjoy!!  I'd love to see your creations.

Be sure to check my Etsy shop for new glitzy holiday pieces!

Talk to you soon.

anne

Workshop-Making Cards from Recycled Materials

The table full of supplies

    

Tags

Workshop participants

Yesterday, a wonderful supportive daughter and friend participated in my "practice workshop".  It looks like they were having fun.  During this workshop, crafters learned to make cards from recycled materials using a variety of techniques including rolled paper beads, woven paper strips, collage and origami.  We used recycled magazines,  book pages,  newspapers and blank cards.  We also used paper punches and magic markers.  Above are some of the tags we made.  Below are some more cards:

Collage card

Tube bead & paper punch card

Going through this practice workshop helped me time the activities and make a thorough list of supplies.  I am sure this "practice" will be invaluable in making the workshop in November a total success.  Besides the types of cards pictured above, we made a lattice card.  This card is made from strips of recycled paper, the more varieties the better!  To make a lattice card,  just follow the directions below.  You will be using a frame card, made to display photos

 1.  Put two pieces of ½” double faced tape on each end of a blank card that can be inserted in the frame.   Lay ½” strips across the insert card spanning the two pieces of tape.   Position the first strip in the center of the card.  Then put 3 strips on each side leaving almost 1/4” on each edge.  Butt strips next to each other.  You will use about 7 strips.  This forms the framework for weaving.  Trim when done.

2. Now weave the other strips through the framework, going over/under every other frame work strip.  Space strips evenly across the card. You will use about 9 strips.  I used white strips here, so you could see the process.

3. When you get the strips placed the way you like them use a dab of glue to hold each end in place.  Trim ends.

4. Once it is dry, slide insert card with paper weaving in the pocket, so it shows in the frame.  Now decorate front of card as desired or write a greeting.

Try making a few of these cards, every card comes out differently!  

Be sure to check my Etsy site this week.  

Talk to you all soon,

anne

Tube Bead Bracelet Tutorial

"Color is my daylong obsession, joy and torment."

                                                                   -Claude Monet

San Giorgio Maggiore Venice at Twilight




Memory Wire Bracelet-Spring Green

Memory Wire Bracelet-Yellow Cereal Box 2

Wine Glass Charms made with Paper Beads

These are some things that I worked on this week, of course more memory wire bracelets!  But I will stop those soon.  They just look so dramatic on your wrist.  The newest item is a set of wine glass charms.  They are fun at parties, help guests keep track of their drinks and make great hostess & holiday gifts.  Check my Etsy site for postings.

TUBE BEAD BRACELET TUTORIAL



 

Above are examples of the Elastic Tube Bead Bracelet.  Each bracelet looks very different, depending on the paper used to form the bead.  To start, you will need about 32  3/4" long beads to make the bracelet. (Directions for making beads are on my July 16, 2012 post. ) You will also need about 55" of 1mm. clear elastic to make the bracelet.

1. Take the first bead and center it on the elastic, keeping both ends even.

2. Take one end of the elastic and thread it through the second bead, take the other end of the elastic and thread it through second bead from the other end.  Pull both ends of the elastic tight.  Make sure both hanging ends of elastic are even and the two beads are laying flat.

3. Continue in this manner, threading the beads from each end of the elastic.  Be sure to keep bracelet and tighten after each bead until bracelet measures about 7 1/2"-8" (will stretch to fit almost any size wrist).

4. Hold both ends of elastic and pull each bead, starting with the second bead, to tighten the preceding bead.  This will remove all of the slack from the elastic thread.

5. Take each end of the elastic and string through opposite ends of the first bead.  This will make your flat bracelet into a loop.  Pull tight.

6. Take one end of the elastic thread and thread it through the bead adjacent to the first bead.  Both ends of the elastic will be on the same side.  

7. Make sure all is tight and then knot elastic several times.  Put a dot of cement, GS-Hypo cement or E6000 and the knot will be secure forever.  Let dry and cut off remaining elastic.

Try these directions out. If they seem complicated, let me know where and I will try to clarify them.  Have fun!

Be sure to check out my Etsy shop and like me on Facebook.

Talk to you soon,

anne



New Ideas and Things

Vintage pins made from very old buttons, Havre de Grace, MD

Hi to everyone,

Last weekend I traveled to Maryland.  One of the stops I made was Havre de Grace where I visited an amazing button shop.  The proprietor was 77 years old and had been collecting buttons since she was a child.  I wish I had taken more pictures, the shop was stuffed with all kinds and colors of vintage and antique buttons.  She made these  pins about 35 years ago.  I thought they were unusual, interesting.

Paper bead memory wire bracelets by annemade.  this

Above are some memory wire bracelets I made last week, incorporating my paper beads.  They are posted on  my online Etsy site annemadethis.  These wire bracelets wrap around your wrist 5-6 times, they form a 2" cuff.  Very luxurious!  The colors are spectacular!  Check them out.

I have developed another way to make the Collage Art bead.  Originally I had posted a short tutorial on this in on February 2, 2012.  Well here is another way to get some of the same effects.  Below is a sample of some Collage art beads I made today.

Collage art beads

 1.  Start with a panel from a cereal box or any other light cardboard carton.  The more white and pale areas there are on the box, the more pronounced the color effects will be.  Using a medium size paint brush, cover the entire carton front with white glue in an even layer.

2. Take colored tissue paper (the colors you want your beads to be) and rip it in sections.  Glue it all over the cereal carton front in a haphazard manner.  See picture.

3. Make sure the tissue and glue dries thoroughly and that all pieces of tissue are firmly adhered to the carton.  Sometimes a little glue brushed on top of the tissue helps this.

4. After it is dry, turn carton over and trim excess.  Draw triangles the size you want.  Cut and roll triangles as shown in the tutorial of January 9, 2012.

5. You may add other embellishments, such as string, ribbon, glitter or more tissue at this point.  Then coat the bead with two coats of ultra-thick gloss.  Let dry thoroughly.

If there are any questions, please contact me.  Happy crafting!  Would love to see some examples of what you do.

Stop by my Etsy site and like me on facebook!

Talk to you soon,

anne

More Vintage Buttons and Jewelry

Hi to all,

I just know there will be tons of creations inspired by all of the buttons and jewelry pieces in the jar I started a few weeks ago. And my collection grows steadily as others clean out their jewelry boxes. This week my mother-in-law added some very unusual vintage jewelry to my collection. I can not believe the earrings we wore in the 80's; really, what were we thinking? Do any of you remember?  Above are just a few examples of what we found in her jewelry box.

Teal Blue Vintage Button Bracelet

Here are a few pieces I created this week from the contents of the "jar".   First, the bracelet above was inspired by sorting the buttons for the button jar.  After we sorted all of the buttons by color group, these beautiful colors cried out to be made into a really full, jingling "charm bracelet".  One unusual large flower button anchors the bracelet slightly off center. It feels great; it looks great and it even sounds great with its gently clicking sound when it moves.  I just listed the bracelet on my Etsy site tonight.  You can see more photos of it there.



Chunky Paper Bead Necklace with Vintage Earrings

And this piece was crafted from my sister-in-law's earrings.  Wow! Right, those acylic yellow wedges were really earrings.  I think they look great strung with chunky paper beads, acrylic beads and wooden beads on a rubber cord.  And the earrings add a little unusual character that makes this a real statement piece.  The necklace will be listed on Etsy next week, please check for it.

And last, I will be at the Peekskill Jazz & Blues Festival on Saturday, July 21st. The crafts and food start about noon and the music is later.  It looks like the festival will take up several blocks of downtown Peekskill and parking is free.  And it will be the debut of my craft fair tent!

Thanks, I'll talk to you soon,

anne