Pretty Palettes Challenge for March

Hi Crafty Friends,
This month I decided to participate in the Pretty Pallettes challenge on the Halcraft blog. Each month, they use a photo to inspire a selection of beads to use in a jewelry design. Here's the post for the March Inspiration.

I used three of the bead selection that is shown - the turquoise ceramic beads, the green AB rondelles and the copper-plated ovals and created a necklace and earrings.  I couldn't have asked for better colors and I love how the iridescent finish of the green beads matches the turquoise.  And, antique copper is one of my favorite metals to use in my designs.  I was very happy with this combination.

Spring Necklace and Earrings

I can't wait to see what the other designers have created when the designs are revealed!  

Happy creating!

Update:  Here's the link to see the March Reveal!  Check out the beautiful creations!

Connie Crystal Challenge: Rhinestone Cuff and Earrings

Hi Crafty Friends!

This month, some of us in the Designer Crafts Connection web ring are creating designs with Connie Crystal products.  It's one of our manufacturer's challenges where a company sends us product and we create a design.  The company involved benefits from the exposure and we get to try some wonderful new products.  To see what we all have created hop around the Designer Crafts Connection ring by clicking forward or backward on the big, blue button to the left of this post.

Here's what I received from Connie Crystal.  They carry a variety of beads, crystals and crystal sheets.  For this project, I'm working with their crystal sheets, which come in black and white.  They are a lightweight, flexible sheet of rhinestones set in plastic cups and held together with a lattice of thread. You can cut them apart with scissors and glue or adhere them to any surface.

Of the many ideas that I brainstormed, I decided on a Rhinestone Cuff and Earrings.  I love how they came out.  They were very quick and easy to make and are perfect for an evening out!

Rhinestone Cuff and Earrings

For the cuff, I used an aluminum cuff blank.  I used Aleene's Peel and Stick Sheets to adhere the crystal sheet to the aluminum cuff.  The only tool you need is a pair of scissors.  Such an easy project!

The earrings are a little more complicated, but not much!  You'll need some jewelry tools:  a wire cutter and two pairs of chain-nose pliers.  Cut chain for the fringe in the lengths you like and cut two more for the chain connection at the top.  Cut two pieces of crystal sheet in the size you like.  Connect them to the piece of crystal sheet with jump rings, add an earring hook, and you're done!  Instant glamour!

I can't wait to try more projects with these Crystal Sheets because they add glamour and sparkle to any project!

Happy Crafting!

Terry

Crafty Ideas for St. Patrick's Day

Hi Crafty Friends!

Hope you are enjoying National Craft Month, and taking time to create!  Nothing relieves stress and boredom like being absorbed in making something!

Here's a craft I made for the Smoothfoam™ blog.  Smoothfoam™ is great for all kinds of decorations, and is easy to hang on the wall because it is so lightweight.  It comes in lots of different shapes that make it easy to decorate for any holiday, and it's easy to paint because of its smooth surface.

Sweet Smoothfoam Shamrock

And, here's a few more crafts for more St. Patrick's Day fun! We've got you covered for St. Patrick's Day decorating!

Golden Irish Greeting Signs for your table!

Irish Greeting Signs

 A Lucky Leprechaun Hat!

Lucky Leprechaun Hat

And, a glittery Shamrock Topiary!

Shamrock Topiary

Designer Crafts Connection: Inspired by Pinterest

Hi Crafty Friends!

Here it is another first Monday of the month and time for a round on the Designer Crafts Connection blog hop!  To see what everyone is up to this month, click on the links on the big blue DCC button to the left of this post.  This month we're creating crafts that are inspired by Pinterest.  As there are so many craft ideas on Pinterest, there will be a wide range of crafty ideas.  I'm sure you'll be inspired by the DCC crafts!

I love to create angels.  So, I took a look at the angel crafts category on Pinterest.  There are so many ideas that it can be overwhelming, but I decided to work with materials I have on hand and that I am comfortable with to create this Rustic Angel.  I used a blend of recycled materials and natural materials.

Rustic Angel by Terry Ricioli

Here are some of the materials that I collected:
A cardboard cone, cardboard coffee sleeves, burlap ribbon from Offray®, twine, a foam ball

Then, I added rusty wire and a paper lunch bag to the mix.  I was going to create wings from the cardboard sleeves, but I changed my mind!  You'll also need decoupage medium, tacky glue and scissors. 

Here's the basics if you want to create your own angel like this one:

1.  Add glue to the cone and wrap the cone with the burlap ribbon.  

2.  Cut a circle from the paper bag and decoupage it to the foam ball.  Glue the foam ball to the cone.

3.  Cut a strip the length of the paper bag about two inches wide.  Scrunch it up into a ball and unfold.  Tie a knot in the center and glue the ends at the back under the head.

4.  Glue and wrap twine around the head for hair.

5.  Cut a length of burlap ribbon and make a bow.  Glue it to the back over the arms.

6.  Make a halo with rusty wire and glue to the back of the hair.

I hope you'll try your version of this angel.  Use materials that you have around the house or you can gather outside.  Next, I want to create some angels for my garden.  I'm going to start collecting old rusty metal and furniture parts.

We on the Designer Crafts Connection circuit hope you will return later in the month when we create projects using Connie Crystal.  And, since this is National Craft Month, they'll be lot of ideas, so remember to #cre8time for extra crafting!