Creativation Inspiration!

Hi everyone!

I got back from the Creativation trade show last Tuesday, and I finally have a chance to unpack and sort through my experiences and new goodies.  As usual, the show always brings about some unexpected connections and opportunities.

I did not take very many photos, unfortunately.  So, if you are looking for an overview of the show, I highly recommend Julie McGuffee's posts.  They are on her website but are also posted on the Designer Crafts Connection site, where you can see posts of the show by other designers.

Some of the highlights of my show experience were:

I helped out in the etchall class taught by Joe Rotella and Barbee Bosler.  Joe has been on Make It Artsy demonstrating etchall®.  It was fun to see a whole class learning about etching.

I connected with a company new to me - Spellbinders - and got to see all their amazing new products up close at their Media and Blogger breakfast.  If you like scrapbooking and card making, stay tuned in the next few months for some new dies and new ways to use them.
Here's some of the new products I received:

Spellbinders

I worked for a new vendor in the craft industry:  Kit xChange.  I got to show the amazing new organizational pocketbooks and binders developed by Alicia Klein.  Everyone loved them at the show and they were easy to promote because they work so well for organizing on the go.  Try them for scrapbooking, beads, embroidery floss, or any small craft supplies.  Alicia is now off to Tuscon to show beaders and jewelry makers her wares.

Here is one of the travel organizer folders from kit xchange:

And, here it is open:

Now, I can fill baggies with my beads, attach them to the hook-and-loop surface, stick my tools in the bottom pouch, and I'm ready to go!

One of my new connections was an artist that I am sure will be a friend for many years:  Carol Foldvary-Anderson.  She was a contestant in the "Shark Tank"-style competition sponsored by Michaels.  She made it into the top ten!

I also had the chance to take another class from Seth Apter.  This one was "Radiant Rust" and we got to play with a lot of his new materials.  See his post on The Altered Page about his show experience and new products.  Here's what I produced in his class.  I had a lot of fun playing with new paint colors, stamps, sprays and ink.

In a quick tour of the show floor, I happened upon a new section by Tim Holtz.  He's got a new line of jewelry components that I love already.  They're in that vintage style that I love to add to my designs.  Here's a board with some of his new items:

Tim Holtz's new line of jewelry components

And, of course, I got to connect with all the designers from our section in AFCI (formerly CHA).  What a warm, sharing and talented group!  I am so blessed to be a part of them!

So there's a bit of what I saw at the show.  Come back for more inspiration!

Etched Tile Coasters

Hi everyone!

Today I am working on some etched tile coasters.  I haven't etched on tile before, so I am looking forward to trying it.  I found these hexagonal tiles at my local hardware store.

To start, I cut out a stencil from etchmask stencil vinyl.  I used a Big Kick from Sizzix and a flower die from Tim Holtz.  The stencil cut perfectly and the etchmask vinyl adhered very well.  I used the squeegee to smooth down the stencil so that no etching crème gets under the stencil.

Etchmask Stencil Vinyl, Coaster, Die and 

Since I used a die with multiple flowers, I didn't have much edge around the flower.  I covered up the edges with some painter's tape.

Now, I can spread etchall® etching crème on the uncovered area of the tile.

The etchall® etching crème starts out as a white crème, but turns brown as it ages.  It still works fine, and when you are done etching (after 15 minutes), scrape the excess back into the jar.  It's re-usable!

Here's the coaster after etching.

Etched Coaster

You can't see the etched surface very distinctly, but with a little color, you'll be able to see the design.  For this design, I am using colored pencils.  The etched area will pick up the pencil easily while the background that is un-etched won't pick it up.  I haven't tried pencils on an etched surface before, so I am excited to see how it works.

Here's the finished coaster. I added washi tape to cover the edges and some felt to protect the tabletop.  And, a spritz of spray fixative will protect your design.

Etched Coaster

I can't wait for spring and a sunny day when I can get out on the patio to use this.

Now, I want to try some more complex stencil designs like tropical fish or paisley patterns.  The sky's the limit!  If you like coloring, you are really going to like this new surface.  And, it's inexpensive, too - great for a group project.  You can often find leftover tiles at a re-use store.   And, it's even easy enough for kids to do the coloring part.

Don't forget your etchall!

Pretty Palettes December 2017

Hi all!

I'm sure I should be doing end-of-the-year bookkeeping, but I'm choosing to steal a few minutes to bead instead!  I just love the color palettes on this month's  December's Pretty Palettes Challenge.



And, now, I've put the Biltmore Estate on my wish list of places to visit.

You can see why!  Here's another photo that Molly took of the beautiful decorations for the Christmas season.

Just gorgeous!

In this season, it's hard to find time to shop for beads, so I took advantage of the new online store from Halcraft!  And, Molly set up this challenge with a couple of extra weeks - yay!  Otherwise, it just wouldn't be possible for me to participate.

I got my order yesterday (1/2/17).  Here's how it looked with packaging to show how nicely it arrived.  I also got one strand free (thanks!).

And, here they are out of the packaging, except for the brass beads.

Halcraft Collection Order

From left to right, I have Red Coral Faceted Round Beads (6mm), Dk. Red Faceted Rondelles (3x4mm), Oval Hollow River Shells (18x30mm), Glass Faceted Teardrop Green Iris (8x12mm), Ocean Green Luster Faceted Bicones (3mm), Aqua Dyed Crackle Agate Faceted Oval Pendant (40x58mm), Antique Brass Plated Round Beads (3mm), Malachite Chips and my free Green Glass Faceted Rondels (4x6mm).

When I ordered, I had an idea of what I wanted to create.  So, I'm saving the pendant, malachite chips and the oval shells for another project.  Besides the green glass drops, red glass rondelles, green bicones, brass rounds and red coral beads, I added some brass filigree beads and brass chain.

I wanted to create something in keeping with the time and season of the Biltmore, so this necklace and earrings represent something that might have been worn when the Biltmore was first built.

Christmas at the Biltmore

Here's another photo on a stand:

See the rest of the designs inspired by December's Pretty Pallettes on the Halcraft blog.  And, see January's elegant Pretty Pallettes challenge there, too.

Happy Beading!