A Gnome for the Home

Hi Everyone!

I love what you can create with Smoothfoam.  It's so versatile!  One of my favorite creations is this Home for a Gnome:

Home for a Gnome

It's so easy to create using one of the Smoothfoam half balls.  And, you can personalize it in so many ways.  But, it's just not complete without an occupant.  So, I created a little Gnome to live in the home!

Here he is looking over his new home!

And, here he is without his hat!

He actually has a twin brother!  They go everywhere together!  And, in the Christmas season, they work at the mall as Santa Claus!

So much fun!  Want to make your own Gnome?  Look for the instructions on the Smoothfoam blog.

Happy Crafting!

Terry

Bella Crafts Quarterly: Shell Necklace and Earrings

Hi Everyone!

Have you seen this new magazine?  


It's Bella Crafts Quarterly and it's free!  Yes, the digital version is totally free!  You can view it online or download it.  And, it's full of great projects, tips and craft techniques as well as interviews with artists and bloggers.

Their summer issue is out now, and among other great projects, they published one of mine!

Shell Necklace and Earrings

 I love the colors in these shells - iridescent greens with blues with hints of pink and fuchsia.  They remind me of one of my favorite summer places - the beach!  I combined them with some teal green stones and fuchsia crystals to pick up the colors in the shells.  It's perfect for summertime wear!

Take a look at the new Summer issue of Bella Crafts Quarterly!  Did I mention it's free?

Happy Summer Crafting!

Terry

Designer Crafts Connection: Handmade Gifts

Hi Everyone!

This month on the Designer Crafts Connection tour we're creating handmade gifts.  Nothing says you care like a handmade gift, but sometimes it's the last minute and you need one right now!  My "go-to" gift solution is usually a pair of earrings.  One size fits most and most of my girlfriends and family have pierced ears, so it's a gift that everyone likes. 

These earrings are a fun pair for summer wear - neon bright and swing-y!  And, they are so easy to make that you can make one pair for a gift and a pair for yourself!

Neon Swing Earrings

To make these earrings, you'll need:

Flexible bead stringing wire:  16"
Black glass beads:  4mm, 10; 6mm, 4
Swarovski Round Pearls:  Neon Yellow, 8mm, 2; Neon Orange, 5mm, 8; Neon Pink, 3mm, 12
Gunmetal crimp beads:  4
Gunmetal ear wires:  2
Wire cutters, crimping pliers, chain-nose pliers

1.  Cut the wire in half.  
2.  Center beads on wire.  See photo for arrangement.
3. Slide a crimp bead over both ends of wire leaving a two-inch long loop.  Crimp the crimp bead and trim one wire.
4.  Slide on a small black bead and another crimp bead.  Bring wire back through crimp bead leaving a small loop.  Crimp and trim.
5.  Open ear wire loop and attach to earring loop.  Close loop.  Repeat for the second earring.

There you go!  One quick gift!  

Happy crafting!

Terry 

PS  Check out what the other designers have created for gift giving!  Just click on the big blue DCC button!