Bracelets and Journals

Paper Bead Bracelets Made at the Pleasantville Middle School Earth Day Fair

Paper Bead Bracelet

Paper Bead Bracelet

Paper bead Bracelet

Paper Bead Bracelet

Paper Bead Bracelet                                                                

I had a great time with the students at Pleasantville Middle School showing them how to make paper beads.  They made a couple of beads then strung them with a few other beads on hemp to make a very special bracelet..

Paper Bead Bracelet

Below are a few more new journals, all made from snippets of magazines, books and maps.  The journals make great gifts for recording thoughts, recipes and trip sights and special memories.  And what a great way to recycle old magazines! What do you think?

Journal Covers

I have several other styles on my Etsy site.  Please check them out.   They are all bound books, various sizes all made with archival paper.

Journal Backs

Be sure to check my Etsy site, annemadethis.

I will see you all soon,

anne

Pretty Things to Make

Tori wearing my new scarf

Here's a picture of my new scarf.  I knitted it on #50 needles, it took about two hours and one skein of Mo'Puffs yarn by U. Knitted Nation.  Great yarn and great scarf right! Locally the yarn is sold at Flying Fingers Yarn Shop in Tarrytown, NY.  So... this morning I wore my new scarf to the Farmer's Market.  The first comment I got was from a guy who really thought the scarf was an homage to the brussel sprout!  His family loved brussel sprouts, that is what he was buying at the Farmer's Market.  The scarf reminded him of his little cabbages of goodness.  And even though I love brussel sprouts too, really?

Next a woman came up to me and asked if she could take a picture of the scarf for her blog.  Ellen Margulies is a knitter and writes a fiberarts blog.  She will have a picture of me wearing the scarf at the Farmer's Market on her blog.  Hope I look good.

Memory Wire Bracelet

I have a few jewelry workshops planned locally during the school winter vacations.  This project is a memory wire bracelet especially designed for middle school children.  They will make a few paper beads crafted from recycled cereal  boxes.   They will roll, glue and glaze the beads, just like I do.  While the glazed beads are drying, they can choose from various sizes and colors of seed beads to complement their paper beads and design a unique one of a kind piece.  I will help attach charms and other adornments or if the student is familiar with using jump rings and head pins they can complete their own.  You can contact me directly for more information.

I got my first international sale last week!  Yahoo!  Hope to see you soon on my Etsy site.  New Valentine's Day gifts for your sweetheart!! 

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

Flowers, Mother's Day and New Ideas

There is always flowers for those who want to see them.

                                                                                                    Matisse

Mother's Day Flower from Max & Tori

Hi to all,

I have only attended three craft fair/workshops so far, but I feel like I have some handy advice to pass on to anyone who is just starting out.  I have gotten into the habit of writing notes about the events as soon as I get home.  Yes, I know you are exhausted, so am I, but I may forget by the next day.  I record all sorts of information about the event including vendor table costs, sales, expenses (including those free giveaways); and any customer comments or suggestions.  I like to write down what went well, customers loved the Square; and what didn't go so well.  And last, what do I have to replenish before my next fair and what can I change to make it better. Recording this information makes the next event easy to prepare for and it will be a reminder to me next year when deciding which events to sign up for.

Teapot Wind Chime by Amelia Ariella 

Well...what about this teapot pouring a stream of sparkling beads.  The beads glisten in the sunshine and they jingle like bells as the breeze ruffles through them.  They are fabulous hanging on the porch in the summer or in an open window. The pot was designed by my sister Amelia Ariella Levine, she also has a shop on Etsy.  The wind chime pots are made to order only. You can reach Amelia by convo at her Sunfire Gallery on Etsy, just follow the link.  Sorry the photo doesn't do it justice!

Here are a couple of new ideas I have been working on this week.  I am getting ready for summer and these are my beach series art beads.  These beads are crafted with many layers of cardboard, glue, tissue, various papers, fibers, glitter and gloss.  I have designed them in two colorways to reflect the colors of beach sand and the foamy waves as they come to shore.  I have shown them with some beads I will string them with. What do you think?  This week they will be made into bracelets and posted on my Etsy site annemadethis, so please take a look.   Also I opened my Etsy site for international orders and credit card payments.  Hope to see you this week at my Etsy shop!

Thanks,

anne

Paper Bead Workshop

An eighth grade assistant at the Middle School Earth Day Fair

Hi everyone,
The local Middle School Earth Day Fair was held last week.  What fun!  There were many exhibits and displays and I am sure all of us learned a lot about recycling and reusing.

I set part of my table up with paper bead bracelets, earrings and book marks for sale.  The other part was set up for the paper bead workshop.  I also prepared some posters about the history of paper beads and some different ways of making them. As before. I offered a raffle for a Vintage Atlas Bracelet Kit.

The objective was not only to teach the middle schoolers how to make the beads, but also to see that something beautiful out of trash.  The school assigned me three eighth grade assistants to help me teach the other students how to make the beads.  They were fabulous.

  I had pre-cut cardboard and paper triangles for making the beads.  I brought lots of glue, tooth picks, brushes and other supplies for the kids.  Each one made about two beads, then let the glue dry for about ten minutes.  We used styrofoam egg cartons as drying racks.  We skipped the glazing step, their simply wasn't enough drying time.  The next step was to string the beads on a 12" piece of hemp.  We added a couple of large seed beads and then tied it on their wrists.  A very chic bracelet they were all proud of.

So what did I take away from all of this.  You really have to be super prepared for a workshop, especially with children.  Think about everything that can go wrong, it will.  Be sure to bring paper towels and baby wipes.  I would also recommend an adult helper. 



My sisters, niece and I  at Shipley's Choice 5K Walk/Run

So on to a totally different subject.  Here I am with my sisters and my niece getting ready to run or in my case walk my first 5K.  When you are running or even walking; 5k seems like a pretty long way!  I came in third....from the last!  We all had tons of fun, kudos for all of us for trying.  After the run, my mom had a beautiful brunch all ready for us.  A great Sunday!

Please check my etsy site; I am always adding new things.

Until next time,

anne