Pretty Palettes :: Ocean Inspired

Hi all,

This month the Pretty Palettes jewelry challenge has a wonderful ocean palette - perfect for summer. 
I'm a summer child and the ocean has always been my happy place.  I head to the ocean any chance I get.  I'm very lucky this year; I've been to the ocean at least three times and have camping trips set for two more!

Here is one of the photos chosen by Erin Prais-Hintz from a site for free use photos called Unsplash.

[Photo credit :: Aleksandra Boguslawska :: Unsplash]

Here are the beads that Erin chose for the challenge from Bead Gallery line from Halcraft:

Here are the beads that I chose:

They are also from Halcraft, but these are the Bliss Beads line, which is available at JoAnn's. 

I threw some Bead Gallery beads into the mix also.  I had some of the gold bicones and some brown shell beads from past designs. Then, I found some at Michaels that I thought were perfect for this theme.  They remind me of driftwood on the beach.  I played with these for hours!

Here is one pair of earrings:

Here are some other earrings with waxed linen, shell beads and howlite discs.

Here's the necklace:

Beachcomber Necklace

I made the necklace with wood chips, starfish, fish, gold bicones, shell beads, and turquoise dyed howlite pieces.  I used a mix of metals and added a little patina to color the metals. 

Here's a closer view:

Beachcomber Necklace

I picture myself in my favorite summer activity - searching tidepools for bright anemones and starfish or strolling the beaches poking among the seaweed for shells and driftwood. 

Head back to the Pretty Palettes : June Reveal for all the other beautiful ocean-inspired designs.  Thanks for the inspiration, Erin!

Frosty, the Etched Snowman

Hi all,

I know summer just started here, but I've had this idea for an etched snowman for awhile and it was nagging at me to be created!  Do you have craft ideas that do that to you?  Anyway, a little cool snowman in the midst of the heat wave seemed like a good idea!  After all, half the world is starting winter!

Frosty, the Etched Snowman

Here's how I made my snowman:

I found this glass bowl at my local craft store (JoAnn's). 
 

And, I found this smaller one at a thrift store.

 
Follow the instructions on the etchall® dip 'n etch to etch the bowls.   Here,  I weighted the bowl with water, but you can use other weights to hold it down in the etchall® dip 'n etch.

I etched the larger globe in the same way.  Then, I poured the etchall® dip 'n etch back in the bottle to use next time! 

Here's how the two bowls look placed together before I painted the face.  (No, they're not really blue.)  The smaller one is inverted in the mouth of the larger.  They simply sit together, so that they can be taken apart but you could glue them if you like.

I painted a simple face and coal buttons with acrylic paints using brushes for the eyes, mouth and buttons.  I used a cotton swab for the cheeks. Then, I added some fleece accessories.  The scarf is just a strip of fleece with fringed ends.  The hat is a rectangle rolled into a tube.  I used a rubber band to gather it at the top and fringed it.

Here's the snowman without his hat:

There are so many other ways to decorate this snowman.  Here are just a few ideas - make a clay nose, add arms from chenille stems, use a sock for a hat or paint on a vest.  And, you can use this snowman in a variety of ways - fill it with goodies or add a battery-operated candle. 

I'm going to be on the lookout for more globes and bowls like this and make a whole group of snowmen in different sizes and shapes.  Maybe I'll even knit hats for them!

If this project has peaked your interest and you want to use etchall® dip 'n etch, head to the etchall® website and place your order.  Don't forget to use my code TERRYR for a 10% discount!

Happy etching!

Terry

New Plastic Canvas Designs

Hi all,

Wow, June is skipping by at a fast pace and I haven't posted in a while!

For those of you that like plastic canvas, here are some new designs on the Herrschner's website.  Here are some flower coasters that I designed:

Poppy Coasters with Holder

Daffodil Coasters with Holder

You can see more of my plastic canvas designs on my Pinterest board.

Thanks for stopping by!