Pretty Palettes: Wabi-sabi

Hi all,
Today I'm playing along with the Pretty Palettes inspiration on the Halcraft blog.  Our inspiration this month is wabi-sabi.  Here's the explanation from the blog post:

“Pared down to its barest essence, wabi-sabi is the Japanese art of finding beauty in imperfection and profundity in nature, of accepting the natural cycle of growth, decay, and death. It’s simple, slow, and uncluttered – and it reveres authenticity above all.” NobleHabor.com


Here are the beads that Erin Prais-Hintz chose for this challenge this month:




I love the colors and the mix of shapes and textures.  I already had the agates and the mixed rings.  And, I had some gears in my collections.  I also had a large heart pendant that I made in a class I took recently from Jen Cushman at an Art is You retreat.

Here the heart pendant:

I thought it fit perfectly into the theme with both the colors and the gears.  I had a lot of fun creating it and getting to play with materials such as Ice Resin that I don't usually use in my jewelry.

Here's my mixed media wabi-sabi necklace:

Wabi-sabi Heart Necklace

I had so much fun playing with this combination of beads and gears.  I probably could have kept adding to it for hours!
Here are some of the extras:  I added some ceramic beads, made a copper hook clasp and cut strips of old denim jeans to add to the necklace.  I pulled the threads on the edges of the denim and stamped them a bit for a little color.  

I think I changed the order of the components five or six times, but it's easy to do when they're linked with jump rings.  Right above the heart, I stacked and glued gears and beads.  The resin on my heart was a little sticky on one side, so I sprinkled some embossing powder on it and melted it.  I wasn't sure it would work, but it did!  Now, I want to try embossing powder everywhere! 

So, this piece is very experimental and sure to have its imperfections!  I chose the denim from a pair of old jeans to represent the authenticity of old-fashioned hard work and the wear and tear of everyday life.

For more fascinating designs around this theme, head to the Halcraft Pretty Palettes Reveals - one and two!

Etched Fairy House Lamp

Hi Crafty Friends!

As a member of the design team for etchall, I get to try out some of their new products from time to time.  This month, as part of the etchall® design team, I received the new self-illuminating lampshade kit or "Lighten Up" Kit.  It's a battery-operated lampshade that will fit over a glass bottle or jar.  The white cap screws off and batteries go inside.  The plastic template makes it easy to cut paper or fabric to cover the shade.

"Lighten Up" Kit

I pondered for a couple of weeks on the direction that I wanted to go with this new lampshade.  Then, the light went on!!  I made a little gnome home once that was a lot of fun, so I thought I'd go in that direction with this piece and create a Fairy House Lamp.  I wanted to make the jar and shade look like a fairy house in a tree.

Here's the glass jar I used:

Glass Jar

I masked off the windows with some shelf liner I had.  I masked off more windows on the sides.

Masked Windows

Then, I applied etchall® etching creme.  Mine is getting a little old so it has turned brown, but it still works.  

etchall® etching creme applied

I let it etch for 15 minutes, then scraped most of it off and put it back in the jar because it's reusable.  Then, I rinsed off the remaining creme under cold water and etched the other sides in the same way.

Once it was etched, I applied a couple of colors of metal patinas from Ranger.  These are some of the best paints I've found for coloring etched glass.  Here's how it looked after painting.

Painted Jar

The "Lighten Up" lampshade comes with a template that I used to cut out green paper to cover the lampshade.

Cutting out the lampshade

This attached pattern made it so easy to fit the shade.  I attached the paper to the shade with spray adhesive, which worked very well.  Then, to make it look like a tree, I cut leaves with a die and die cutter and covered the shade.

I used several different colors and types of paper.  Because I'll want to take the cap off and change the batteries eventually, I worked up to the edge of the cap.  Then, I glued more leaves to the top and bent the leaves down over the side of the cap.

To finish the Fairy House Lamp, I glued pieces of sticks and tiles around the door and windows.  I added a piece of brown paper for the door and glued on a door knob.  Then, I took a brown pen and drew wood grain lines to the sides of the jar.

The self-illuminating shade has a switch on the underside and a pressure plate in the center.  To keep the light on, you must keep pressure on the plate with a bottle or some other way.  For my lamp, I turned the lid upside down on the top of the jar and added a wine bottle cork to the center.  It's not seen when you put the shade on the jar.  

Here's the final Fairy House Lamp.  Now, I just have to wait for the fairy!

Etched Fairy House Lamp

Fairy House Lamp

You could use the lamp inside or out on the patio.  I think I'll put it outside on my table with some potted plants.  When the light is on, it illuminates the interior of the house.

Word got out about the new house in the neighborhood and a gnome stopped by!  Unfortunately, he decided that it was too small!

It was so much fun creating this little lamp!  I hope you'll try it, too!  

Happy creating!

Terry

 

 
 

Spring Craft Ideas

Hi crafty people!

Spring brings a lot of fun occasions for decorating and family get-togethers.  Here's a few ideas that you can adapt to fit any festivity!

First of all is a little Bitty Bunny that I created for Smoothfoam.  Although I created it as an Easter craft, it would  make a fun kid's craft anytime.  You could also use it as a decoration in a flower pot or a child's room. 

Bitty Bunny for Smoothfoam

Here's another spring-y idea for you.  It uses JOY Iron-on letters to create an easy Spring Banner.  I tied it to the Welcome sign that's in my entry.  I like this idea so much that I want to create one for each season!  It's so easy with these letters.  Another possibility is to create them for a special occasion like a baby shower and welcome the new mom or baby.

Spring Banner for JOY letters

You can find Smoothfoam and JOY Iron-on letters at many of the larger craft stores now or you can order through their websites.  (I am happy to promote these fine companies as I am on their design teams.  As a member of the design teams, I occasionally receive free product with which to create.)

One of my favorite things about spring is buying flowers and starting new plants for the garden.  JOY letters are perfect for labeling your pots and tags when you start your seeds.  Or, use them as a gift tag when you give a gift from your garden.  Follow this link for instructions for these gardening labels.

Herb Garden Labels for JOY Letters

There are lots of great projects on these two blogs.  Stop by and see for yourself at the Smoothfoam blog and on the Creating With Joy blog.

Happy Creating!
Terry

Pretty Palettes Reveal for March

Hi Friends,

The inspiration for the Pretty Palettes challenge this month are some amazing photos of dresses for which we are to design red carpet-ready jewelry.  

Always up for a challenge, I headed to my local Michaels in search of stunning sliders and crystals to create some jewelry fit for the Oscars.  But...I got there at the end of a sale, and it was pretty bare.  There just weren't enough strands to create in the lovely jewel tones of emerald, ruby and sapphire that Erin picked for this theme.  So, I found another color - amethyst - and went with that.  

The result is a more vintage style, possibly more Downton Abbey than Hollywood. 

Here's the necklace:

Amethyst Necklace

The central sliders and silver spacers are Bead Gallery from Halcraft.  The chain and amethyst drops and rounds are from my stash.  

I really liked these amethyst sliders, so I made three pieces, including one that is super easy.  It's a ring.  All I did for this is glue a filigree ring band to the back of a slider.  

Amethyst Ring

And, here is the bracelet.  It is on memory wire with purple AB rounds and tiny faceted crystals, which are Halcraft's.  The small silver sliders were in my stash.

Amethyst Bracelet

Perhaps this set is not flashy enough for the red carpet, but I think they have a regal look to them.  I can't decide if the large sliders remind me of Victorian design or a Celtic shield, but this vintage style is one to which I keep returning.

Happy Creating!  Take a look at the reveal and see all the fabulous jewelry creations!
  

We're All Ears - Arabesque Earrings

Hello!
Today I'm inspired by photos on the Earrings Everyday blog that Erin Prais-Hintz presented for the We're All Ears post.  She showcased arabesque art from the mosques of Iran as an inspiration for our earrings.  These stunningly beautiful sights are a wonder to behold.  Here is one photo she used, but be sure to take a look on the We're All Ears post for more amazing structures.

Celling of Hazrate-Masomeh’s mosque in Qom, Iran

As I contemplated these photos, I was struck by the similarities to other intricate, geometric designs.  Rose windows came to mind as I am teaching an art lesson on that now.  But, it is a very ancient and deeply embedded type of design in the human psyche.  Buddhist mandalas, Celtic crosses and Navajo sand paintings all share the same beginning in the circle, which represents the wholeness and unity of the cosmos. For those who want to see how these geometric designs are derived from the circle, see this: The Art of Islamic Pattern.

Now, how would I capture such intricate geometry in an earring?  Of course, I can only capture a small bit of it, an impression of it  I happened to have a couple of metal filigrees that would make a good start for the a patterned and divided center.  I layered on another filigree piece and filled the center with a turquoise rondelle and fluted bead cap.  But, it needed more, so I added dots of patina around the large filigree.  As is always the case, I debate with myself whether to add more or leave it alone.  What do you think?

Here they are:

Arabesque Earrings

And, another photo against the fence so you can see the effect of the patina and filigree layers better (but a little blurry!).

Arabesque Earrings

I would love to play with this idea more.  Thanks, Erin, for the inspiration.  I always enjoy your informative posts!

Happy Creating!
Terry

National Craft Month

Hi Friends,
It's National Craft Month and I'm celebrating all things crafty!  What do you like to do?

Here's a few of the things that I like to play with:

First on my list is beads.  Here's a set that I did for Craft Ideas.  It's perfect for weddings or other spring and summer occasions.  You can find the instructions on the Craft Ideas website under jewelry or in the spring issue of Craft Ideas.

Lavender Butterflies Set

Another craft that I love is needlepoint on plastic canvas.  Here's one of my latest designs at Herrschners.  Irises are one of my favorite flowers and I created iris coasters in three different colors.  Here they are:




And, of course, I create with Smoothfoam™.  Here's my latest creation for them - a Gazebo Centerpiece.  You can find the instructions on the Smoothfoam™ blog.  Decorate for a spring dinner or special occasion such as a bridal shower!

Gazebo Centerpiece

 If you need more crafty ideas, this month on the Designer Crafts Connection blog, we have a collection of our favorite craft ideas.  There are thirty ideas right now to get your craftiness started!

Happy Crafting this month and always!

Terry

Etched Garden Art

Hi All,

Have you seen those fun garden designs with stacked dishes and teacups?  I've always wanted to make some decorations like that for my garden.   So, I've combined some inexpensive glass dishes and etchall® dip 'n etch to create some garden art. 

Here's the result:

Etched Garden Art

First, I went shopping in my local thrift shops and found inexpensive glass pieces like punch cups, saucers, small vases, sundae cups and other assorted pieces.  Here's some of what I found (for 50 cents apiece!).  Look for pieces that you can stack together.

Thrift Store Glass

Next, find a plastic container that will fit your glass.  I used a milk jug cut in half for some and a large salad container for others.

Put the glass in the container and cover with etchall® dip 'n etch.

You may notice that this dish isn't completely covered.  I turned this dish in the liquid to get the full etching, but it's much easier if you can cover the whole dish.  If you do rotate the dish, wear gloves.

Wait about 15 minutes.  It may take less than that depending on the piece.  Check it at 10 minutes.  Then, remove the glass from the etching liquid and rinse well.  I wash them in soap and water to remove all the residue.

Then, I tried to color the glass with some of the paints and inks I had.  I wanted a soft, romantic tint.  I tried a wash of acrylic paint and water, but this just washed right off.  Then, I tried some patina ink full strength.  That was too much color for me.  A little dilution with water created just the right tint for my dishes to give a soft color.  I used a sponge brush to paint the dishes also, as I found a regular paint brush left too many streaks.

Then, I glued my dishes together with an epoxy.  Follow the instructions and allow for good ventilation.  I glued the punch cup on top of the inverted bowl, then glued the vase in the bowl.

Side View

I painted a dowel and slid the vase over it.  You could use plastic or copper pipe for the stand also.  Or, try hanging a teacup and saucer in a macrame sling.  

Here's another view:

Etched Garden Art

You can add a tealight like I did here or fill it with a small plant or even birdseed.

There are so many fun combinations to try; I can't wait to make more!  They will make great gifts, too.  Or, decorations for a wedding - lots of possibilities!

Have fun etching! It's so easy with etchall® dip 'n etch! Use my code TERRYR for a 10% discount!

Terry