Posted by beadangel on 2005-12-12 07:02:38
Post Subject: Made two beaded ball necklaces.
Hi all,
I made two beaded ball necklaces for a retro party few weeks ago, see the photos at: http://www.beadjewelrymaking.com/beaded_necklaces.html The bottom two photos - you can click to enlarge each photo.
Posted by LADYcake on 2008-08-25 00:36:27
Post Subject: AD: I need a lovely home for my items!!
I have created a few beautiful earrings, bracelets, and necklaces but am having trouble finding a nice home for all of them. Check out my etsy site if you like what you see! These items make great gifts too, so if you order any of them from my etsy site I can also wrap them for you!
Posted by buddhaful on 2005-08-10 11:38:34
Post Subject: Everything is copacetic!
Hey gals, I just was excited and had to share that some of my necklaces are now available online at Copacetique! Please check them out if you'd like. I love Copacetique and am grateful to have my goods up at such a wonderful shop! Wish me luck on sales =).
Also, just so you guys can check out more of my work since my own site isn't up yet, you can see another necklace design at pinkthread. They're right on the main page.
Well just wanted to share. I lurk much more than I post but I've learned a lot from all of you and hope to share my own website with you soon! Thanks for the support ladies!
Posted by Craftasaurus Rex on 2006-08-07 17:24:54
Post Subject: speaking of jewelry making:
I'm conflicted on something. Well, two things, actually:
1. When I was younger and starting to play with beads, I took the fishing line from my fishing rod which have never been used, and made jewelry with it. Now that I work in a bead store and I've read a ton of beading magazines / books, it says that monofilament always gets brittle and breaks and is generally a bad thing to put beads on.
I still have bracelets that I made with fishing line when I was 11 (I'm 23 now), and they're not brittle, they haven't broken, and I can wear them when I go swimming.
So I ask: why is everyone so anti-monofilament?
2. When I make necklaces that are mostly seed beads (size 11, size 8), and only a few larger glass / semi-precious stones, should I be feeling antsy that I put them on thread and not on beading wire? When I first started using beading wire, I put everything on it. But now I'm realizing that somethings are simply overkill to put on beading wire.
The thread I use C-lon, which is kind of like Nymo, but I find it doesn't fray as much as nymo. I double it, of course, and I use clamshells (knot cups) at the end of the necklace to attach my clasp. I have a necklace that I made 2 years ago that I put on thread, and it hasn't broken / stretched yet. and I sometimes forgot to take it off when I go swimming.
My question is: Can I sell these necklaces that I put on thread in good conscience? Even though I've never had any problems with the thread, I want to make sure that if someone buys a necklace from me that it won't break under normal wear. Maybe I should consider using Power-Pro, or Fireline, or some other kind of heavy-duty thread that's cheaper than beading wire, more expensive than normal beading thread, but seems to have a higher tensile strength?
Posted by dustandbones on 2008-09-28 22:09:31
Post Subject: asymetrical beads, two chains?
I have some necklaces for my bridesmaids that I am thinking about jazzing up a bit. I would like to place some pearls asymetrically, like in this photo,
onto a chain that is already existing...
I would also like to add a second chain.....
I have looked at photos and have tried
to figure it out, but I know absolutely nothing about working with jewelry.
Let me know what you think. Thanks!
Posted by BeadGal on 2005-04-09 16:05:51
Post Subject: Making Lampwork Beads-Is It Necessary To Use A Kiln?
Okay I'm A Newbie To This Site But I am Totally Addicted To Beads! I Have Been Looking Into Making My Own Lampwork Beads And My Mom & I Have Been Debating On Wether Or Not It Is Necessary To Kiln The Beads After They Are Made, She Thinks That You Can Remove The Beads From The Mandrel And Be Done With Them, I Beg To Differ! Can Someone Please Set Her Straight? LOL I Purchase Beads At My Local Walmart To Make Necklaces. Anklets And Bracelets When Iam Able To Get Pics Of My Projects Online I'll Post Them, I Would Like To Make My Own Beads For A Change Of Pace And To Add My Own Unique Touch To My Projects. If You Could Kindly Answer My Question It Would Be Greatly Appreciated :~)
Posted by Momto2boyz on 2007-11-28 11:01:03
Post Subject: "Vintage" Necklaces...
I wanted to do some "vintage" style necklaces...I should say vintage themed, as opposed to actually looking vintage. And I came up with these.
I used the easy cast resin, found some old photos from the 50's, and I think they turned out pretty cute. Granted, I am a total amateur with necklaces making, but I thought they turned out nice.
Posted by jrcproduct on 2006-02-09 02:14:44
Post Subject: Your introduction to the family
Hello my name is josh chernoff
I'm a wed site designer and flash developer. I've made a few sites, one I'm sure you all here could enjoy. It's a site I made for my wife who makes necklaces and starting soon bracelets. That site is http://mermadebaubles.com.
I'm in the works of making a new web site called Portland Craft Mafia, it will be a sister site to http://craftmafia.com . I'm hoping to have a few people as members of the site before it's launches this summer. The site will be made in to three parts, a main area made with flash, a blog and a forum with made with phpbb.
The main area made with flash:
This part of the site will show the members of the site, their store and or their websites plus lots more. There will be a form that people can use to sign up as a member, then that info will be listed in a data base where the other members will vote on if the user may become a member, though I'm sure that wont be much of a problem that many people become a member. I just want to let others voice their thoughts about a potential member.
The blog:
This will be used as the main syndication for the sites news and events. All members will be given access to post in the blog.
Posted by KnittyMomma on 2005-03-31 20:13:40
Post Subject:
have you thought of changing the color of something. Like for instance giving them the colored french fries as a snack or colored pasta for necklaces, etc... or maybe turn all the posters in the room upside down. Something fun like that.
I have a ton of ribbon and I would like to make them into necklaces for my pendants. Can anyone tell me what those little things connect to the lobster clasp are, and possibly where I can find them? FMG.com maybe??
Posted by alate on 2007-05-07 00:10:19
Post Subject:
Michaels, AC Moore, and Ragshop used to--and probably still do--sell kits for making earrings and necklaces that had everything you needed except the pliers and wire cutters. I bought two kits, because even though I don't like to feel restricted, I find that having a set of instructions to follow, in the very beginning, helps me get into a new craft.
Anyway, I haven't made that much, but what I think one needs to start is wire cutters, some type of pliers (you can get sets at craft stores of pliers, one of which will have a wire cutter part of it--hard to explain but it's a set of pliers and wire cutters in one), wire, pins (I forget what they're called, but they have a little thing at the end so you can put beads on them), and hooks or whatever you want to use as earring backs. To make necklaces, craft stores also sell the clasps you can use. Also useful, if you are going to make earrings, are little metal things (I have no idea what they're called) with holes at the bottom to attach your beaded pins or rings or something, to make chandelier earrings. Sorry this is vague and I didn't know the actual name of things. I tried to think of what I wanted to know when I was trying to make jewelry a few months ago. It seemed to me that there was no good set of basic directions, just pattern ideas that were more about some nice quality expensive beads being used than about any kind of skill.
Good luck! Hope this helped! I plan to re-start this hobby and get better at it this summer.
Posted by Myrrh on 2007-10-11 11:18:28
Post Subject: AD: The 4th Annual Indie Collective Holiday Gift Guide
Crafters! Fill those bobbins! Cast on those stitches! Get your punches and papers primed – the 2007 Indie Collective Holiday Gift Guide is open for advertisers!
In this, our 4th year of providing a holiday shopping guide, the Indie Collective continues to support smaller independent designers, while at the same time providing the very best the indie design world has to offer.
We have more than doubled our directory size over the past year, which means there are even more wonderful gift ideas for savvy indie shoppers, and we want to help you show off your wares.
AVAILABLE AD SPOTS
Ads are available in the following categories:
Advertising spots are filled on a first-come, first served basis according to spot availability.
Each category will feature 4 (four) Platinum Placement Ad spaces, 8 (eight) Gold Placement Ad spaces, and 16 (sixteen) Silver Placement Ad spaces.
All advertisers will also receive a FREE placement in our Seasonal Savings section, where you can offer a discount to shoppers.
The Gift Guide will run from October 29, 2007 to January 1, 2008. We will also be showcasing each advertiser in our blog, IC Style, and those posts will remain on our website indefinitely.
For more information about ads and to secure your space, please visit http://www.indiecollective.net/giftguide/
Posted by 4square on 2005-01-08 11:57:46
Post Subject: Over 15 new products at 4square! A new layout too!!
I've been crafting like crazy to get my new 2005 website up and running and it has over 15 new and original products!
Be sure to check out my new sewing button line, the new necklaces, the original illustrated stationery and my new sampler contributions that I am working on for February!
Since I've made the new layout and products, any feedback can be posted below as well! Feedback=good!
Posted by snowpixie on 2005-01-04 16:06:57
Post Subject: Material help
I want to make necklaces with a little faerie dangling on it but what material should I make the faerie out of? I need something simple and cheap but durable. Any suggestions?
Posted by Mimii on 2007-02-08 09:08:07
Post Subject: Question: How do you add hooks and rings to pendants??
So I did a little search though the getcrafty forums, but couldnt figure out how to attatch pendants to necklaces.
I am making a resin pendant and I have no clue as to getting this thing on a chain or cord when it dries. I know that some people drill holes, but I do not have a drill, nor do I have any wire to just wrap around it.
So basically I would like to find out several other ways to connect a pendant or charm to a chain...
is there a way to poke a hole through resin as its drying or something?
Posted by pink_moustache on 2005-03-01 11:02:45
Post Subject:
I'm no accessory designer, but...my inspiration mainly comes from observing people (how they wear stuff, what stuff they wear...and elaborating on the elements that i find the most attractive) I also find it very helpful to single out a particular piece of clothing for example, and building off of that. like...different styles of detachable shirt collars that can be worn as necklaces... or a shirt collar can be replicated in silver, giving it a different look and different experience.
looking at old jewelry ( not vintage...OLD...ancient) also helps, because people used to adorn different body parts than now in different ways. Putting things that aren't normally combined ( materials, styles)( right now i'm working on a silver band ring with x-stitch detailing)
imo, trendy is borrrrring, I just follow my gut...do you say that in this language? gut...guts? whatever.
This is pretty much my thought process when I'm trying to come up with something Taking a piece that I like and blowing it out of the proportion....adding on elements borrowed from other inspirational sources.
Posted by Craftasaurus Rex on 2006-08-05 20:17:37
Post Subject: hooray for selling my first piece(s) of jewelry!
I went to a flea market today in south Philly to sell junk from my basement and make my jewelry debut. It was really slow because the park that it was in never advertised for the market, and then a couple comes to my table and they really like my stuff. Then the husband? / boyfriend? says "ok honey, I'll buy you a set", and they pick and choose through the necklaces and earrings I have, and finally decide on the set they want and buy it. I waited until after they bought it to tell them that it was my first one ever sold (I didn't want to put any pressure on them).
Making that first sale is so exciting, and knowing that she's going to put on something that I created and wear it with pride... it's such a rush.
I feel like a little kid who finally got that pony they'd always asked for. I figured I'd come home and post on here, because if anyone would understand how amazing this feels, it would be the people on this site.
Does anyone else remember their first sale? I hope all of my sales feel this good.
Posted by heysunshine on 2005-08-09 15:02:54
Post Subject: Help! Shell Jewelry!
Hi, I've been a member here for a year or so, but I've never posted before (mostly because I never have the free time to do crafts, sadly!).
I went to Bolinas beach a few days ago and picked up a lot of really awesome shells and pieces of sea glass. I want to make necklaces of earrings out of them, but I have no clue how to get holes through the shells! Every method I try ends up cracking the shell.
Does anyone have any tricks or tips on how to make shell jewelry? I'd appreciate any help at all!
Posted by ti on 2005-06-07 09:03:34
Post Subject: Got beads??
Even though I am slammed with stuff to do, I recently decided to break out my beading supplies to make some simple necklaces, bracelets and earrings.
However, unlike riding a bike ... I FORGOT EVERYTHING ... can you help me? I only have one pair of pliers; they look like two round tubes that come together (sorry I wish I knew what they were called!!) and some beads. What do you think about crimping pliers, and crimping tubes?
I have some vintage faceted garnets that I want to make into a graduated, three string-type knotted necklace. It seems so hard and the beading store near me is a bit pricey and uppity. I also have a variety of other beads – small tiger’s eye, chunky turq. and a bit more …
Any suggestions online for tutes, supplies or general info?? Or magazines?? Or books???
Posted by koria on 2005-12-04 03:21:33
Post Subject:
Thank you ladies, now I've got some directions... I was thinking of making my own beads (from that dough you can buy from the craft shops in all colors and that goes hard when it's kept in low warmed oven for like an hour or so). An then just using them, sturdy string and some thrift store findings (horsey beads, glow in the dark -beads, maybe some barbie shoes! etc)... So it would be simple, not adjustable. Oh well, I can always do long necklaces it this is a problem... I thought bracelets would fit the tiny pinatas bettet. BUT the necklaces might be even better. Hmm. I have to ponder on this ^-^
I'm thinking of making cool crafty (small cheap-o) gifts for kids. I have always been making "kids' gift" when I could introduce them to something really cool if I wasn't thinking like a regular adult "the kids won't understand". Stu-pid.
Posted by PamTheQueen on 2004-11-28 20:02:10
Post Subject:
Prince thought the two went together enough to title an album and a song "Diamond and Pearls".
IMHO, you're fine wearing both pieces! Go to the jewelry store and notice that there are earings, necklaces and bracelets made with both pearls and diamonds (together in one piece). Those look nice, so I don't know why your plan is wrong. :)
Posted by acebeader on 2005-08-11 12:35:30
Post Subject:
A great site to buy from, and learn from is www.firemountaingems.com, they have a great instructional section. I would also recommend picking up a copy of Bead Style magazine. They have a great "glossary" of sorts that shows basic techniques, and shows clasps, pliers. etc.
Beading, especially single stranded bracelets, necklaces and some earrings, is pretty easy to pick up for the most part. Feel free to ask any questions :)
Posted by jennjitsu on 2008-12-08 18:00:42
Post Subject:
I'm making most of them or buying handmade. The only people I'm not doing that for are my niece and nephew ages 13 and 15. I just don't think they'd appreciate it so they are getting gift cards.
I am doing mostly things like handbags, necklaces and placemats. My favorite gift that I can't wait to give is a purse for my MIL made out of vintage fabric she gave me from when they were stationed in Liberia in the 70's. She had about 5 yards of it and was pretty sure it was hand dyed/batiked. I lined it with the remnants of a skirt she gave me from the same era that I had to shorten because it was much too long. She's the emotional type so I'm expecting waterworks. Maybe I should make a handkerchief to put in there...
For my daughter we bought a lot of stuff, though they are the really good educational wood toys that hold up to several years of playing. I'm making some doll clothes for her Pansy doll...though I'm going to have to wing it because I don't think Daisy Kingdom still makes patterns for her anymore.
Sister is getting a tie skirt for christmas. I made one way back in highschool before the tie craze and she took it out of my closet and wore it more than I did! This one is well made whereas the other one disintigrated sometime last year. For her birthday (two days after christmas) I think I'll cheat and give her a WholeFoods giftcard, since she did ask for those anyway. I'll probably put it in a handmade purse.
Sister in law is getting either a purse or a scrub top, depending on where time goes and if I can get my tail off the computer!
DH is taken care of. We decided not to trade gifts this year since we purchased some bigger items over the course of the year. He bought a new camera (even though it was to replace one that was stolen from us shortly after we moved here) and I bought a totally materialistic and unwarranted but very nice handbag. It was a rough year and it was totally retail therapy but I don't have buyers remorse! We also just got a TV since our 15 year old dinosaur died. If we didn't, that netflix subscription would be wasted! So yeah, no gift swapping this year, but we won't notice because BOTH sets of parents/family are coming for the holidays. We are bonafide insane.
Posted by lalamark on 2005-07-27 04:27:17
Post Subject:
I like the British Vogue site (vogue.co.uk) They only give previews of their issues, but if you look under "Trends" and then "Street Chic," they go to a different street in London every month and take pictures of the cool girls. I've never found an outfit that I wanted to duplicate, but it's good for inspiration.
Every girl says she wears a mix of high street and vintage/designer/original pieces. Lots of the coolest stuff comes from thrift shops or are hand-me-downs, which I like. I sometimes compose little blurbs about my own outfits: "This skirt is from Target, my shoes were $2.99 at a thrift store in America, I made these necklaces, my grandmother made my bag from fabric a friend brought me from Bulgaria." You know, just in case a Vogue photographer stops me in the street. It could happen.
Posted by freelancemama on 2004-07-23 03:20:53
Post Subject: Making necklaces with nylon thread
I've been beading for a while, but I've always used wire or stretch cord. I recently discovered the cool possibilities of nylon thread, with all the different colors available. I got the little cards of it that have a beading needle already attached. After making one necklace, I ran into a few problems. First, I obviously had to cut off the needle. If I want to use the rest of the cord, do I just thread it on a regular sewing needle? It seems like it would be really hard to thread it b/c it unravels so much. Any tips? (Can you tell I'm not a seamstress??) Also, I need to learn different ways of making closures on these necklaces. How can I affix findings? For the one I made, I did an adjustable knotted-thing that the lady at the bead store showed me. However, after I put my necklace on, the ends of the cord hung down in the front in a weird way. (I hope this makes sense!) Any ideas? Any links to a site with good pics and step-by-step instructions?
Posted by City Girl on 2004-07-22 19:39:06
Post Subject: City Girl Designs
City Girl Designs is up and running. All of this has been a dream of mine and i'm sooo happy to finally be in business. I'm sure all of you know how much work it is to get the ball rolling.
I make handmade leather jewelry and accessories ranging from simple leather cuffs to hand cut wooden necklaces. All jewelry is designed by me and guaranteed to be unique.
Posted by benhadtue on 2008-03-20 11:00:13
Post Subject: macrame cord
hello!
i am new to the forum and am glad i found it. i am looking for other folks that get crafty with macrame. i started my macrame craft about seven years ago making necklaces and stuff to pass the time.
i stopped it altogether until i came across a book and thought i should pick it back up and then, a couple of months ago we moved and needed to hang a bunch of house plants...and i started making plant hangers like crazy!
i am having trouble finding places to buy bulk amounts of 3 and 4 ply cord though. i was wondering if anyone on this board has suggestions for websites that I can visit to look at their cord options. specifically I am looking for colored cord.
i am also looking to trade ideas with folks about patterns and new avenues for macrame. i have a number of pattern books and will start branching out once our plant hanger needs are fulfilled.
Posted by lizzymahoney on 2004-11-19 12:19:52
Post Subject:
EBay and the like will not pull in bucks, but it may increase traffic to your site. Wait, isn't your site an eBay store? Anyhow, people shop there for cheap and for ideas.
One of my efriends is doing the full time jewelry making bit, just started a couple of months ago. She's still not making a profit, but is making more sales and repeat sales. She says most of her sales have come from a non-crafty chat forum we're on, and then from her church, which has social hours.
She is branching out to local boutiques, but I have recommended visiting online boutiques and seeing if any of them have a place for her stuff. Also, her area has a lot of private schools. She can make her pieces in 'school colors' which is a small niche market. She also works in semi-precious with mostly silver findings.
My sister has two friends who market their jewelry to private school connections, and to bridal consultants who come through with orders for six bracelets or four necklaces or whatever.
Posted by craftyfingers on 2004-06-02 11:16:03
Post Subject:
When I started beading projects, all my friends and my mom's friends gave me their old necklaces to take apart. Before I knew it I had quite a collection. I also search flea markets & thrift stores for old necklaces to take apart. You might find a friend who will invest with you on spools of wire, etc. I find that one spool goes a long way. Please post your finished pieces for all to see.
Posted by kellytra on 2005-05-24 10:49:08
Post Subject: one thing to add
Only thing I would say is ... put your products on the FRONT page. I had to click three times to see your earings... people would give up before then. You might also want to give your products names instead of numbers... numbers are a little too industrial (not homemade) to me.
Posted by moonwaterdesigns on 2005-03-10 20:43:22
Post Subject:
I've been doing stained glass since 2001. I enjoy making small-scale things like necklaces or sun catchers or little boxes. I rarely use a pattern, and enjoy piecing together scraps in different ways. My dad's co-worker had a stained glass studio in his home, so I was intrigued at the time and he invited me to visit and gave me a big bucket of all his scraps, as he worked on lampshades and bigger things-- so his trash was treasure to me!
I highly recommend getting a modern beginner's stained glass book at the library. I guess by modern, I mean something that has been printed within the last 10 years. Most of these types of books have color photos- including pictures of the kind of tools needed. There are lots of old stained glass books out there that are older, not printed in color, and just aren't helpful to someone looking to learn on their own.
My dad's boss showed me about 10 minutes worth of the basics, and that was it- so I think a class is helpful but not necessary. It just takes a bit of practice, so if you're learning on your own don't be frustrated if things don't turn out the way you want at first.
Posted by Armande on 2004-04-24 18:35:10
Post Subject:
I got great stuff from my granny too, I use it here and there. Last week I found 2 necklaces in a second hand store, one with pumice beads I think, and one with carnelian cut in a very funny shape. Only $ 2 each. :)
Posted by bilblio on 2005-08-22 15:21:22
Post Subject:
Charity shops are your friend.
I never have much money to spare, and have a crafting obsession, so I regularly raid charity shops.
Okay you might not get the posh yarn that everyone talks about on the forums, but you can get some great bargains. I've bought several bags of yarn, each with enough in for a cardy for about £3. Carrier bags full of different yarns usually go for cheaper, about £2, I make toys and bags from the bits, there's usually enough to make something.
I've had some great bargains. I picked up some about half a ball of sirdar Yo-Yo. A full ball costs about £16 and is enough to make a jumper. It's a lovely fuzzy multi coloured yarn, I made a great bag out of it, and it cost me 20p!
If you've really got time to spare you can pull apart old jumpers too.
As for the branded stuff, pass... I think you have to pay full price unfortunately :(
I see you do jewellery as well, I buy old necklaces from charity shops, pull them apart and combine them with other beads. Hey presto, new things made from vintage jewellery, and people like the fact it's vintage.
Posted by copacetic on 2004-11-06 12:56:20
Post Subject:
I like to go window shopping to my favorite retail stores (like Anthropologie) that I love but can't afford and finding adorable little skirts and necklaces and thinking, "Gee, I can't afford a $80 sweater, but hey, I can make one at home!" and then going back home and coming up with my own take on the design! :)
Posted by honeybee on 2004-06-01 09:02:07
Post Subject:
i cranked out lots of necklaces with the new beads i just splurged on. i love bead shopping, because i sell what i make and can say, "but i'm shopping for the business!"
i got a perfect pair of pants and a soft green t-shirt from the goodwill. how can anyone get rid of a t-shirt at it's softest, most ideally comfy stage?!?
Posted by Chelsea on 2005-06-22 15:16:41
Post Subject:
I've only bought handmade beaded jewelry once, for my wedding. I got two necklaces and a pair of earrings. They were about $10 for the earrings, and $15-25 for the necklaces. And those weren't the listed prices she had for the rest of her jewelry (they were all around $15 for necklaces) because mine were custom made and were a little more expensive for the kinds and amounts of beads. I don't think she used silver but I do know she used Swarovski crystal....so I'm sure that makes it more expensive than others.
Your jewelry is beautiful though, I love the bracelets and the necklace.
Posted by Mimii on 2007-03-13 21:49:44
Post Subject:
You could wrap wire around the scrabble pieces to make charms or pendants for earrings, bracelets or necklaces. Itd be even better if you know how to solder
Posted by kaytea81 on 2008-10-07 10:35:23
Post Subject: maker of things you could sell
I just started an etsy shop and blog (http://blueeyedfreckle.blogspot.com)
with all sorts of things I make! You could check it out and let me know which kinds of things you like most, and I could come up with even more variations! I am mostly into the leatherette collar/necklaces, the leatherette/felt hairclips, and headbands I am currently making..
check it out!:
http://blueeyedfreckle.etsy.com
http://blueeyedfreckle.blogspot.com (I currently have a freebie giveaway going on!)
Posted by CraftinFool on 2004-04-30 08:10:04
Post Subject:
Rachel - your site is beautiful. I think I may have to order a ring.
FYI, I was in the flash/high speed version of the site, and at first I thought the links weren't working. But then I realized that the links to "rings", "necklaces" etc. pages were popups, and my Google popup blocker was blocking them and once I turned the blocker off I got to them fine.
You may want to either think about not doing them as popups, or having a note saying that popup blockers need to be turned off in order to view the linked pages or something. More & more folks are using popup blockers from what I hear.
The other thing was, you may want to add a vertical scroll bar to the "About Rachel box, b/c it cut off around the sentence "She is on a never-ending quest for a warm but culturally..." and there was no scroll bar to see the rest of the text.
Posted by t8designs on 2006-03-23 17:42:18
Post Subject: my newbie etsy shop
I'm really enjoying the etsy experience and am LOVING the imagination of my fellow etsy crafters.
I'm selling a mix of handsewn cards and tags, ipod cozies, and charm necklaces right now. I'm going to be expanding into some baby items as I'm waiting for my second niece or nephew this summer and can't seem to get out of baby mode.
Posted by tootsiecat on 2006-01-18 17:33:28
Post Subject:
so far i'm in love with fusion beads.
i'm particularly interested in glass beads too. but so much fun looking. i can't wait to make some earrings, necklaces and bracelets!!
i see charms in there for about $1.50 that the store i work at part time sells for $10!!!
another question:
is wire like this
http://www.fusionbeads.com/shop/product/1673/
good to make a peyote (?) pattern bracelet with sm glass beads?
Posted by acebeader on 2004-06-01 12:52:24
Post Subject:
This is not a stupid question at all! I am helping some friends get into beading right now. There are many ways to save money too!
You can use clear stretchy elastic, that is only $2 a spool. You can also use the clear fish line, or nylon coated steel. I use the stetchy for bracelets and necklaces, especially ones with lighter weight beads. I love the nylon coated steel, it is very strong (and I am a klutz), and about $6.99/spool. When using the nylon coated steel, I use the .014 or .019 diameter, and crimp beads. For a little while, I put off buying a cimping pliers ($13 or so), and just used a flat pliers ($1 at harware store) and that worked pretty good.
There are so many colors of seed beads, in round, triangle and cube shapes, and they will lend themselves to many projects. They also work very well if you add just a few funky glass beads.
Michael's has an ok bead selection, and they are usually on sale. Hobby Lobby has a better selection, and every month or two they are 1/2 price. I really enjoy bead stores, and the staff is usually very helpful in finding what you might need.
Posted by pinkbouncyball on 2005-10-20 17:51:49
Post Subject:
you could make lace tablerunners, if you wanted to depart from knitting you could make chunky beaded necklaces and bracelets, or some homemade jams and relishes.
Posted by pastel on 2005-10-21 03:37:41
Post Subject:
you could make lace tablerunners, if you wanted to depart from knitting you could make chunky beaded necklaces and bracelets, or some homemade jams and relishes.
oh, thank you! making jams was a good idea, that's great!
Posted by boheme-anne on 2006-01-03 17:34:44
Post Subject:
I'm acutally making some jewelery with it. I wanted to put my artwork in charms for necklaces to start. Another thing is that a long time friend now said he had a dream that I was making faires, which I thought was ironic since I used to but then stopped. I'll be starting that up again, and got this really awesome 400 polymer clay design book that shows all these different techniques with the clay, LS, and the sculpty glaze. Problem is, the book shows the artwork but doesn't really explain how to do it. Some of the pages have quotes from the aritists telling, very vaguely, how they did it. It is going to be an experimental process until I get what I want!
Posted by soapandwater on 2005-10-06 21:46:32
Post Subject:
(what is it with the bone necklaces, soapandwater?! full disclosure: it was a gift from my brother, but I wear it).
As a writer, my excuse can be very whimsical and falsely poetic, and believe me, I can concoct a really good reason for buying a bone necklace (two dollars, and it's for a nonprofit org), poetics aside. Mostly? IT IS JUST FREAKING COOL. There's a part of me that finds bones fascinating and creepy and wonderful.
Posted by deborahthecraft on 2005-01-17 18:35:41
Post Subject:
necklaces and bracelets as well as earrings(readymade had a tutorial last summer) but also broches would be lovely.Coasters,glued on candles or votive holders,around mirrors or picture frames(especially lovely with a combo of marbles and shells)...
Posted by revafisheye on 2005-10-02 11:32:58
Post Subject:
Kudos on your progress!
I became a vegetarian over the course of a semester and a summer in college, first eliminating red meat, then poultry, then seafood. It worked for me, because as I gave up each group, I learned what options remained. My reasoning was initially the health angle, but the following semester, I took an ethics class that discussed vegetarianism/veganism that moved me firmly into the "moral" vegetarian camp, and I stopped wearing leather, etc. 14 years later, I live a pretty vegetarian lifestyle, with the occasional slip (what is it with the bone necklaces, soapandwater?! full disclosure: it was a gift from my brother, but I wear it).
There are so many internet resources and cookbooks available now, a quick
Google search is all you need, but this has been one of my favorite sites: http://www.vrg.org/. My favorite cookbooks are from Vegetarian Times, and I heartily second Moosewood (although they do have some meat recipes).
Posted by Katrin on 2005-03-08 04:07:01
Post Subject:
Can you tell me what I do with the ends if I want to make say, a bracelet or necklace? I don't know how to make a clasp for it.
You can weave the ends back through your beads (similar to weaving loose ends through in knitting). If you put a fabric backing on your beadwork (like I did with that purse), you can pull the ends through the fabric, tie them off on the back, and use some of them to sew it securely to the fabric.
I'm not sure about bracelets and necklaces; I haven't made any of those on a loom (except for that elastic one in 5th grade). I'm sure craft stores have a variety of sizes of clasps - I'm picturing a metal end in the width of your piece, with several holes to thread the loose warp threads through before weaving them back in through the beads. Bead shops, both online and in the real world, should have a selection of that kind of thing.
Thanks everyone for the compliments on my beadwork - I really needed to hear something nice today!
Posted by lagata77 on 2004-08-12 16:13:57
Post Subject:
Hello Coleena,
I have nice things to say but I also have some critiques for your site. And to break that old rule about not saying anything if it's not nice...here you go!
First about the functionality: I like the bright flower on the left, and I'm glad it stays in place while I scroll down your pages. It's very appropriate for the girly stuff you sell. One of the benefits of using frames is that you can make your navigation static on the page. On your site, however, only the flower stays put, and the navigation scrolls up with your content. I'd change this so that only the content scrolls, and the flower and navigation stay in place. This way the user doesn't have to scroll up everytime they want to choose a new section. Same goes with the What's New link, it disappears as you scroll down. Keep it visible.
I like how the top navigation is broken down into main sections (earlobe gems, necklaces, wrist wares etc), but I don't like how the home page breaks down those sections even more. Keep the home page as clean as possible, giving the user just a few options to begin with. Then expand the categories once within a section (as you're already doing).
As for the design: I like the look of the "NEW" image you use. It's sorta classic and 20's feeling. I think that idea (flapper girlesque) could be perfect on your website, since it seems your product is slightly nostaligic of that era. You could make a great vintage home page to entice your visitors to come in and look around. Add some color and pizazz. As it is, it's a little no-nonsense with the homepage on a plain white background and perfectly lined up rows and columns. Fluff it up a bit!
I also think you could forgoe the center-aligned text. Centered text is difficult to read in multiple lines because the start of each line is in a different position that the line above it. It doesn't flow as well as left or full justified.
Another thing I noticed is that there isn't one main focus on the subpages. It's good to use a small, medium, and large element on your page so that the viewer knows where to look first, second, and finally. For example, on the Cluster Earrings page, there is a page title at top beneath your site title in all caps and black font and there is another title below the navigation that is larger than the page title, lowercase letters, and blue font. It's difficult to tell what is most important about the page. And going back to that vintage point I was making, use some pretty font and if you must, use images as page titles.
And...I think you could do something really creative with the quotes you pepper throughout your site. Rather than little pink text beneath the nav, make some decorative boxes and splash them around your page.
In the end, I think you could really do something great. I can tell that simplicity is your style and you could go a long way with this idea. Keep tweaking! Make a couple comps and browse other jewelry sites to get your juices flowing. Good luck! And I love your jewels! By the way, I was only inspired with the idea of a vintage look and feel. If this isn't your style, choose a theme and take it all the way. Or you can just tell me to shove it! But I only want to help! :)
Posted by goddesshanna on 2005-11-03 22:12:54
Post Subject:
My dad recently came back from egypt and he brought us all cartouche necklaces. You could use an 'egyptian' alphabet like this: http://www.geocities.com/trpjwig/hieroglyph/hieroglyph.html in a simpler style to make placeholders, invitations, banners, whatever, or it could be an activity where everyone makes their own cartouche (they are written vertically).
thats the only neat idea i have so far.
Posted by anthrogirl on 2006-01-22 12:50:33
Post Subject:
After seeing that book on Victorian crafts (see my review over in the BookWorm section) I can understand why crafting has such a bad name.
Up until recently I thought of most arts and crafts as being equivalent to macaroni necklaces and holiday wreaths made from paper plates on one end, and ugly crocheted dolls on the other, even though I've been 'making things' by hand for most of my life. Half the crap in Martha Stewart qualifies, even though it's well-executed, because it's useless over-produced makework that's usually intended to entertain empty-headed women with disposable time and incomes and small children whose minders and nannies were looking for a way to keep them from destroying the house. That image is reinforced by the blandness of most of the craftwork- it has no 'flava' and reflects very little connection to the real-world needs or desires of people, except to reinforce their sense of 'good taste' and ability to spend money.
I don't think that's what crafting has to be. I also don't think anything is bad in being a woman and a crafter. I guess what bothers me is that at least in North America, crafting for women is usually put in magazines that ignore the concerns of the larger world, actual fashion trends, and the fantasies of women outside of sex, childrearing and obsessions over food (making it or keeping off its effects). My ideal craft magazine would have crafts from a variety of cultures, would show both older and younger people who love crafting, address social concerns and interests (where does all that wool we use come from, anyway? Is yarn made in sweatshops or family-run businesses? Are there people knitting caps for people who've lost their hair to chemotherapy?) and show crafts being used in urban as well as suburban settings. An ideal issue might have goth crafters decorating an Edwardian house from top to bottom, hiphop crafters creating runway-style pieces, and an article about older crafters teaching kids and younger people. Right now I see a disconnect beween the 'Better Homes and Gardens' crowd and the twenty-somethings who read 'Readymade' and 'Bust', and I think it's a false dichotomy. Crafting doesn't have to be kitschy or tacky; it doesn't have to be useless and only decorative to be beautiful, or quick and dirty in order to be practical. I wouldn't put most of the items in 'Readymade' anywhere in my home, and I feel the same about the items in 'Better Homes and Gardens'. I prefer sites like this one, 'Gothic Martha Stewart' and a few others because they fit my sensibility a lot better.
Posted by faith on 2007-05-03 22:03:49
Post Subject:
The marbles might be good for making wire wrapped marble necklaces. Or you could even get some tile grout and use them to make mosaic projects such as planters.
Old clothes can be reconstructed into new garments, toys, stuffed animals, etc.
Beer bottle caps are great for making into resin pendants and you can also incorporate the glitter. The caps can also be used for making funky sculptures and art, adorning mirrors or picture frames or attaching to belts.
Altoids tins have loads of purposes, too. Mini shrines, dwarf pocketbooks (hey cover them with glitter!), holders for small office supplies, Ipod covers, sewing kits, etc.
Posted by sallysunshine on 2005-02-27 15:06:57
Post Subject:
I've seen megaphone cookie cutters. You could frost those in team colors, wrap them in celophane, and give one to each girl. Or that could go in the gift bag.
If you're technically adept, what about a "greatest hits" mix CD with songs to which they've done routines? You could use Photoshop to make a cover with a collage of pictures of the team.
I like the idea of matching bracelets or necklaces.
Posted by bessiemae on 2005-02-27 15:00:03
Post Subject:
idea is to go to a bead or arts and craft store. Go to the bead section and pick up beads in your team colors, or charms that go with your theme. You can either make the necklaces youself, or get the girls involved and provide the beads and fishing wire and have them make there own.
Joann's is having a big sale w/coupons on all their big bags of beads and findings for earrings/bracelets.
Posted by BumbleB on 2005-02-28 19:19:48
Post Subject: Thank you!
Thanks, this sounds great to me! I won't mind supervising while they make them.
idea is to go to a bead or arts and craft store. Go to the bead section and pick up beads in your team colors, or charms that go with your theme. You can either make the necklaces youself, or get the girls involved and provide the beads and fishing wire and have them make there own.
Joann's is having a big sale w/coupons on all their big bags of beads and findings for earrings/bracelets.
Posted by BumbleB on 2005-02-28 19:15:50
Post Subject: Great idea!
This is a great idea (MIX CD), I wouldn't have thought of something like this in a million years. Thank you very much.
I've seen megaphone cookie cutters. You could frost those in team colors, wrap them in celophane, and give one to each girl. Or that could go in the gift bag.
If you're technically adept, what about a "greatest hits" mix CD with songs to which they've done routines? You could use Photoshop to make a cover with a collage of pictures of the team.
I like the idea of matching bracelets or necklaces.
Posted by Nancy Flynn on 2005-03-04 13:01:00
Post Subject: crocheted beads?
I've seen a few necklaces in magazines (most recently Elle) for absurd amounts of $$ that seem to be made of crocheted beads-- anyone know how to make these? I'm assuming it would require fine crochet cotton and a tiny steel hook, but I'm up for the challenge...
Posted by art_skoolgirl on 2005-02-27 13:18:16
Post Subject:
a few other ideas
one thing I'm probably going to use for my wedding is that I'm a huge M&M lover. go to their website and you can make the M&M's the colors your want. Wedding colors, Team colors, etc. you can get them with names on them and a little cute bunch for 16 tables, at 60 bucks.
another idea is to go to a bead or arts and craft store. Go to the bead section and pick up beads in your team colors, or charms that go with your theme. You can either make the necklaces youself, or get the girls involved and provide the beads and fishing wire and have them make there own.
Posted by sarabell on 2005-03-16 22:12:00
Post Subject:
finally saw an example of this in jane. neat idea that will be so very out when i'm finally able to wear necklaces without little hands trying to choke me.
BUT
DAAAANG! $380 for crocheted beads? insane!
i mean, i'm all for paying for time and effort (and wish i could get what my stuff is worth since i feel like i'm usually giving stuff away, getting paid a third world wage) but that is just ludicrous.
Posted by Armande on 2004-05-21 10:51:33
Post Subject:
I never see any diet-related shows or anything. O Magazine is outrageously expensive here (imported) so I don't buy it.
I love her "favorite things" shows and gift suggestions, but they are always pricey. I make quite a decent income and still I would never spend that kind of money on for example: having special pastry delivered somewhere in the country as a gift for like 50 dollars. Heck, I'll buy jeans for that kind of money.
But I always love her "surprise"-shows and giving stuff away. Of course any company is happy to give free stuff away on the Oprah show, it can't be beat as advertisement.
Now if only I could get Oprah to wear one of my necklaces. haha
Posted by ada on 2004-10-10 03:10:22
Post Subject:
oooh, jewellery...
I have a whole load of links of crafty jewellery designers on my work computer - I was a bit obsessed with this a while ago - I'll post them on Monday.
Also, I buy vintage necklaces, brooches etc. on Ebay - some beautiful things, and usually not expensive.
*eta*
Huh. I was just wondering if I had spelt 'jewellery' wrong, so I looked it up. Apparently there are two acceptable versions, the one I used and the one in this thread title. This explains why I always have had such problems remembering how to spell this - two spellings - no fair!
Posted by hodge on 2004-10-11 15:02:48
Post Subject:
wow,
some hott stuff, ladies! thanks so much for all of the links - i'm sure i can find something doable in there.
i am really in love with the lisa levine stuff - so simple and sexy - but can't afford it for a few paycheques. some of those pashputina necklaces are really fantastic, and reasonable for all of the work and materials, holee! again, after i get paid, i might be able to do some damage (as i would love to with rachel's stuff (pio playground), which i have always andmired).
any tips on ebay hunting? i just don't have the patience with my rudimentary search skills...
these are a few that i consider not-so-cheap - but then mostly these are chunky silver items:
http://www.mypreciousstudio.com/homepage.html
http://www.lushmetals.com/
http://www.chocosho.com/
and also this one that looks like perhaps it isn't selling on-line anymore?
http://www.lisalevinejewelry.com/
and http://www.ibuydiy.com./ is always good for looking at a range of designers.
Posted by Craftasaurus Rex on 2006-08-09 19:51:15
Post Subject:
You can also make some really interesting scarves (by making a bunch of strips and sewing them together / braiding them together) and jewelry (put beads on the yarn, and go to town on the spool, pulling a bead into the stitch every once in a while) with those knitting spools.
Also, if the spool that you have has metal prongs, you can do some really interesting knitted wire necklaces. Use 28g wire, and load up the spool as if you were using normal yarn.
Posted by smudgy_cat on 2005-03-15 12:14:14
Post Subject:
Peeps and bunnies are standbys. Sometimes cadbury eggs, though I like the idea of them more than the taste. I miss the bunny commercials.
We also put in some hardboiled eggs, and some plastic eggs filled with whatever candy is around. For the little kids in the family, I've done easter baskets made of sand pails, a sand shovel, some confetti eggs, sidewalk chalk, crayons, gold fish crackers in eggs, and some cheerios in eggs.
How about making an easter necklace/hat kit for the easter basket? You can dye noodles with rubbing alcohol and food coloring and the kids can string them into special necklaces. They can also glue tissue paper to some paper plates to make a 'flower' hat (tie a string to each side to hold it on the head).
Or homemade play doh! You could make it in easter colors and give them a bunny cookie cutter!
Posted by lizzymahoney on 2004-11-06 08:33:43
Post Subject:
Baking pinecones and acorns on very low heat for wreath making. Keeps the bugs and worms away. And if they are white pine cones, it melts the sticky sap to a hard clear finish. The smell is heaven to me. Mom would do it for her Camp Fire Girls that I was too little to join.
Embroidering a puppy picture from a transfer. Probably at 4, maybe younger. I don't remember what happened to it.
Plaster casts of shells. Earliest use of that, we'd coat them with vaseline and press into wet plaster, just like the handprints kids do. Later on, I'd fill a shoe box with damp beach sand, impress the shells, remove, then fill slowly with plaster of paris.
Stringing shells on fishing line to make necklaces and bracelets.
Although this is much older, when I was fifteen, I embroidered an old denim work hat of my Dad's with freehand wild flowers and insects. I wore it everywhere. I lost it in a windy rainstorm before I considered it completed.
Posted by rebekah on 2005-06-14 17:53:48
Post Subject:
help for my dad? my dad is 50, but nothingl ike any 50 year old man!! he NEVER puts down the guitar *aucustic* , he's a carpenter but loves photography, guitar, painting, and anything crafty really... infact i just got done making sead bead necklaces with him!! he's a great guy, with an AWESOME since of humor ! (thats where i get it of course!! ) ... he is real cool , if you want a picture or something email me rebekahm@gmail.com i gotta help out my pops because he needs a GREAT girl!!!
Posted by Samst132 on 2005-04-11 20:03:13
Post Subject:
LilCat:
First off, CONGRATS! I got married just 6 months ago, and I know how you feel about this. I beaded my bridesmaids their own necklaces, and had someone bead mine to add a vintage look to my dress. I also had a friend who just ordered a plain white satin gown from J.Crew as her wedding dress...I'm not that into J. Crew, but the dress was very pretty and SOOO affordable (compared to the crazy prices of some)...just some ideas I thought I'd throw out there! Good luck and most of all: HAVE FUN! :o)
Posted by DevilDoll on 2005-06-15 02:42:56
Post Subject:
rebekah - that is so cute that you posted that. Your dad sounds so cool - and kinda like my dad! Well, the photography & guitar anyway - he might draw the line at making necklaces :-)
I'm actually the child of 2 artists (no wonder I'm nutty, huh?) They met at an art school. Dad is in advertising. Through him and at various places I have worked I have to say that some of the coolest most creative heterosexual men I have met have been in advertising. That profession just seems to draw folks who have a fun sense of play. I still doubt you will find a lot of guys who specifically call themselves "crafty", but give 'm a glue gun and a little encouragement and most of them will get right in there with you and have just as much fun!
Posted by CraftyChicaAZ on 2004-11-06 00:43:14
Post Subject: What are your early/favorite crafty memories?
I have a feeling this is going to be a fun post.
- Being in third grade and watching my mom cry over the sewing machine while making a very complicated Simplicity angel costume for me thenight before Halloween. Everytime I got up and peeked at her during the middle of the night, she was aggresively using the seam ripper and giving herself a lecture out loud. But somehow, someway, she got in done in time for school the next morning.
- My Nana Cano who was always sewing or embroidering. When I was little she made me all kinds of handmade things and I stuffed them in my closet or dresser drawers never to be seen again. Now that she has passed away, I'm so mad at myself everytime I think about how I should have taken better care of them. I do still have other things she made me when I was older and had already entered the crafty biosphere.
- Taking a crafts class freshman year for an easy credit and being surprised at how much I loved the projects. Resin, clay, latch hook...who knew I'd be revisiting them years later?
- Hearing my little sister's sob story about how she saved her Home Ec final (making a skirt) until the last minute (night before - it runs in our family), the machine broke and she stayed up all night sewing it together by hand.
- Making baked bread dough necklaces, painting them, and thinking I was on acid when I saw people poking their fingers in them because they looked like rubber. I didn't bake them long enough and the paint softened them up. And yes, this was at a very busy craft fair and I really wanted to crawl under the table!
Posted by cherriesontop on 2004-11-07 07:37:49
Post Subject:
i have many childhood memories and im alot younger then many of you so i guess the memories havent ended yet. but anyways here are jiust some i can rememeber:
my mom has her BA and was a graphic designer. she even designed a shirt for Levi's(it has a tiger on it, which she drew, my dad STILL has that shirt) now she is a kindergarten teacher and she is so crafty with her students! my mom being her crafty self, got us (my little brother and me) involved in crafts at a very young age.
*fingerpainting, drawing rainbows flowers and people, cutting and pasting, from age 2.
* making collages and paper dolls. i even rememeber having an infactuation with a certain baby from a certain cartoon ( not telling which cartoon!) and my mom drawing the cartoon- baby on 2 separate pieces of paper and stapling them together after stuffing them with cotton. so it was kinda like a doll for me.
* i also loved making jewerly out of random beads and sequins. my mom still has braclets, necklaces, etc that i made her.
* learing to sew at age 7. i sewed alot of mini-pillows and then later barbie clothes. i rememeber my mom helping me with a floor length dress and triangle-bandeau top.
* around age 11 i started sewing purses out of old jeans and then writing random words to describe myself on them. i love those purses and i think i will have to go make one after this post.
* around when i was just about to turn 12 i learned how to crochet. i crocheted book marks alot and crocheted a belt. just recentley i crocheted myself a beautiful black-with-bright-pink-edging scarf out of chennille and i wear it very often:)
* ever since i was little i'd always help my family when they'd cook. i loved helping make homemade pizza with my dad or mom. i got more interested in cooking when i was 9 and i absoloutley LOVE to cook!
* i drew alot too. i have countless pictures that i drew.
some might say my childhood is not over since i am not yet an adult. i am fine with that because i do not have any desire to grow up. any ways, looking back, i feel lucky to have a crafty mother to guide me along the way during each and every one of those crafts. i cant wait to show my future kids how to craft!
Posted by caeebe on 2005-10-24 16:26:26
Post Subject: sparkly artwork
My grandma has a huge stash of sparkly costume jewelry. She made this beautiful organic plant like art piece. She hot glued the jewerly (usually with pins and such removed) to a velvet backing and then framed the piece with a nice vintage frame. Her jewelry flower plant was about 2' x 1.5'. I kept admiring it so much that finally we made a similar piece for me. Mine is Xmas themed so it is a Xmas tree with the branches delineated by the white rhinestone necklaces that are so ubiquitus. different earrings and such are the ornaments. A good rectangular brooch made the trunk. This was also hot glued onto a velvet backing. It is by far my favorite Xmas decoration. And a wonderful keepsake of my grandmother's. I would love to have a big stash of old sparkly jewelry of my own.
Posted by for_esme on 2006-01-17 21:27:37
Post Subject:
That's awful. I've shopped at UO myself from time to time, but not anymore.
I noticed last season they manufactured necklaces that looked a whole lot like some made by roxy marj, which made me mad, but it didn't seem like they were ripping her off explicitly.
Has anyone ever heard of cases like this happening with UO's sister companies, Free People and Anthropologie? Anthropologie is my favorite chain retail store, and this upsets me enough that I might even stop shopping there.
Posted by art_skoolgirl on 2005-12-05 21:14:34
Post Subject:
okay I'm sure I'll repeat some but here it goes. This is different things I have given for all genders and ages. just for anyone looking for ideas
1. nail polish nail files, little bottles of lotion
2. hair accessories
3. little bottles of liquer or liquer candy
4. disposable cameras
5. chocolates and candies
6. chapstick
7. keychains
8. pens or markers
9. bookmarks
10. hello kitty accessories
11. notepads/pencil cases
12. novelty jewelry
13. little prank gifts
14. deck of cards / or a card type game, i.e. uno
15. socks
16. body jewelry
17. gum / mints
18. stickers
19. incensce
20. candle votives
21. cute small artsy crafy stuff, i.e. glue, paint brushes, new pair of sissors, etc
22. necklaces and bracelettes I've made myself
23. origami animals
24. makeup
Posted by susan*s on 2004-12-11 00:56:10
Post Subject:
I've been working on stuff for craft sales (I'm doing one both days this weekend) and so I'm pretty behind on present-making! eek!
I'm making some of my sparkle necklaces for my mom (pink) & my boyfriend's mom (blue & brown), and assorted jewelry for friends. I'm also hoping to get some knitting done on my flights back to the east coast for holidays, maybe for my brother? I'm ashamed to say I can't find the scarf I started knitting him this summer, it's been so long :/
Other than that, I have traded or bought handmade for nearly every present I'm giving! I'm also giving very cool things I've had for awhile away, since we're moving in February, and it will be nice to pass some stuff on to friends in town.
The one person I haven't figured out exactly what to give (& I do want to make this one) is my boyfriend--but we're going on a trip to Vancouver together, which is the main present we're giving each other. Presents for boys are so much more difficult, I feel like he has pretty much everything I ever have made already!
Posted by CraftyChicaAZ on 2004-08-03 21:44:46
Post Subject:
today i made name plate necklaces by printing out the names with fun fonts on my computer. BUT instead of popping them in the oven i heat set the ink AND shrank them at the same time by using an embossing heat gun. they came out really cool!
Posted by delqc on 2004-12-01 10:27:30
Post Subject:
Last year my BF and I made a set of wine charms for everyone in his and my family - and we didn't get much recognition. I definitely felt that people felt we had cheaped out. Little did they know that the cost of the beads (we bought NICE beads) was pretty much the same as we would have spent on other gifts, and we spent hours putting them together. It was the first crafty thing my BF had ever made, and he's not too keen to make other things considering that response.
People who don't make things themselves don't get the value in it, and have no idea about the time that is spent. Also, people who make a billion dollars a year don't get the value of a $20 gift from a university student. They just think you're cheap. But, man, whenever I spend $20 on a gift it's a sacrifice to do it, and that should count for something.
This year I am having a member of our crafty club make necklaces for my two sisters and my mom, and i am paying her. I get to feel better about supporting women, and my family can understand the monetary value behind something "made by an artisan" as opposed to "home-made by me" (sad that there's a difference, right?)
Next year I am going to give money to charity. I am going to pick a charity that I think each family member would support, like a women's shelter for one sister, the SPCA for my other, A homeless shelter for my mom, a literacy organization for my dad, etcetera. I will hand-wrap each of them a homemade box (maybe the walnut idea, or a paper-mache egg or something) that contains in it a note about the donation (but not the $ value) and about the chosen charity. But I want to warn them like 6 months in advance so that, hopefully, they will do the same for me, and there won't be any hard feelings. It's too late for this year. There's no way they can criticize that gift - and they have so much material possessions already. Time to bring Christmas back to where it belongs - charity and hope.
Posted by Ratti Pillo on 2006-04-05 22:26:26
Post Subject:
my mom was always crafty and i guess i caught her crafting bug. I remember when I was in third grade there was this really cool crafting kit- pom poms, glitter, all that fun stuff, and my mom bought it for me. I had so much fun with that thing. I also made tissue paper dresses for all my barbies and have them do runway shows. My first craft sale was indian beaded necklaces that i sold to my friends for a quarter- they were quite a hit. I abandoned crafting after a while- through middle school and high school, but i took sewing classes bc i wanted to go into fashion design. That idea busted though, but started doing crafts again my frosh. year of college- beading and handsewing stuff,decoupaging old cigar boxes with my friends and redesigning thrift store tees.
I started working in a cafe and we had to wear all black- boring. So i bought a couple of headbands- fabric ones, but then i figured out how to make them and began to sell them. I missed how much sewing was so relaxing, and i picked it up again. i'm so happy i rediscovered crafting, and since it's becoming so mainstream there are so many more resources- and also the fact that it's become modern and hip, feminist, etc doesn't hurt as well.
Posted by cosmosgrrl on 2005-02-17 10:36:18
Post Subject:
I love stuff like this....and I've so enjoyed reading about all of you!
Name: Patty
Location: Rochester, NY
Age: 42 in years, about 18 in spirit
Married to Cosmo, 2 kids - Scott, 12, and Lizzie, 9
Pets: Beagle named Copper, Goldfish named Sammiel
I don't officially collect any one thing, although I have a really cool collection of buttons, pins and badges that I acquired as a punky wannabe back in the late 70's and early 80's. I seem to acquire a lot of things like books, glassware (I love, love, love depression glass), small appliances (thanks to my hubby, who thinks if it's on sale I'll like it no matter what -- witness my cupboards full of toasters, juicers, various types of hand blenders, bread machines, crockpots, etc.), and craft supplies (I especially love paper and have been known to spend a ridiculous amount on a sheet of hand made paper just because it was so gorgeous; I also really, really like markers!).
Right now, I'm totally immersed in beading. I do mostly seed bead off-loom weaving and make things like necklaces and bracelets. I'm hoping to find the time this year to learn how to make my own glass beads. I also knit, and have been making lots of bead-knitted projects lately. I've tried tons of diffeent crafts in the past, and have been having a grand time trying to incorporate some of those crafts into my beading. For instance, I recently made a funky pair of earrings using miniature pieces of kirigami. I've also lately been playing around with encaustic painting.
Lots of readers here, and you can count me as one of 'em. I read to unwind, and tend to favor light mysteries and fantasy.
My family and I spend a lot of time in Northern New York, and my dream is to live there year-round some day. The whole pace of life is different there.
Posted by bloomeenee on 2004-06-05 13:21:25
Post Subject: finally...
...I got round to making some. They're decoupaged rather than stamped and I used nail polish as 'paint' and as varnish.
Hope this pic works...
http://img23.photobucket.com/albums/v69/bloomeenee/Craft/necklaces.jpg
Posted by CraftyChicaAZ on 2004-06-07 00:47:09
Post Subject:
Ok, i think i have to go buy more dominos and make more necklaces! I thought it would be cool to decorate two of them and then attach them with a hinge and make it a standing thingy for your desk...
Posted by Nutmeg on 2005-03-01 12:07:53
Post Subject:
Hi, I'm new here but wanted to jump in. I've been making domino necklaces for a couple years. I use the rub-ons you can find in any craft store. You get such a variety and seasonal ones too. I also color the edges with Krylon Gold Leaf pens and then seal it with any type of scrylic sealer. And they're very easy to drill holes in. I use a drill press but have never done it thru the long way, just a hole in the top to put a satin cord thru.
I think the trick with the stamping ink is, if you use a pigment ink, it takes a long time to dry, or you can help it along with a heat gun or using and embossing powder and then heating it. I've seen the instructions for them somewhere but can't remember exactly where right now.
Looking forward to all the ideas and crafts shared here. :o)
Posted by City Girl on 2004-07-04 21:38:54
Post Subject: City Girl Designs
I just got my site up, and I just found this great site. I wanted to introduce myself and my site to you. I make handmade leather jewelry ranging from simple leather cuffs to hand cut wooden necklaces. Hope you enjoy. Thanks!
