Guess what I have been doing??

After browsing the links you guys sent to me (Thanks again!) I decided to give these Cabochons a go. At first, I decided to try the acrylic to color them. I tried several colors and here is how they basically all turned out.

Speckled, the color didn't mix in. Not to mention it caused a lot of air bubbles on the back. They weren't smooth. So...I ran to Hobby lobby and bought a few pigments to try. Using the exact same method, here is the difference. (back view)

Notice using the pigment made it completely smooth and the color is so creamy as well. I did lots of color shades/combos. Only bad thing was they didn't have black pigment so I am going to make more once that comes in for some darker neutral shades.

Overall, this was actually pretty easy. A little expensive since I had to buy the pigments...but since I was going to be buying these for myself and to make as gifts the cost will balance out. Plus, it was kind of fun to conquer the challenge. I had read horror stories about how difficult resin is, maybe certain types and techniques are. This was very simple. I might put together a detailed tutorial on these with the products I used and costs since there are so few, but for now I will just share the sites I used. Now I can't wait to assemble them into jewelry pieces and use them for some other projects as well! Thanks again for the comments/emails with website suggestions. You guys rock!
For info on making Resin Cabochons go here:

http://go.tipjunkie.com/hm/897/greylustergirl.blogspot.com/2011/04/resin-tips-from-novice.html

http://skinnerstudio.blogspot.com/p/resin-tutorials.html

Halloween'y Bracelet

A few weeks ago I guest posted on Blissful & Domestic. It was my first guest post ever...thanks Danielle! Anyways, I made a festive bracelet and in case you missed it I'll show you how.

I started with a wood bead necklace I found at the thrift store for less than a dollar.

I cut the elastic cording to release the beads. I loved how there were many sizes to choose from!

I spray painted some of them black. My son thought they were olives...:)

I took some white paint and a little brush and just did dabbed little bits of paint to make polka dots. I let it dry and then sprayed it with poly.

After the painted wood beads were dry, I went to my ribbon stash and picked a nice black grosgrain ribbon. I threaded the beads on alternating different kinds. Some plain, some painted.

After I got it to my desired length leaving enough tie it off, I cut the ribbon and added some fray check. I also gathered up some accent colors to tie onto the bracelet to make it "halloweeny".

Here is my finished product. I think it turned out so cute, festive yet not overboard! The best thing is that you can switch out the accent ribbons (see sample pic below) and make it more versatile for year round accessorizing.

Here it is with pink accents.

Ribbon Pearl Necklace

Today I'm sharing a tutorial on this fun and super easy Ribbon Pearl Necklace.

I am not a jewelry maker. Never have really made anything jewelry related before. However, I saw a necklace at the store like this and I loved it. I kind of thought, heck I can make that, and so thats what I did!

I went to Hobby Lobby and bought ribbon, pearl beads, and cord. I first measured the ribbon around myself to determine the length of where I wanted it to hang. Then I doubled that so I would have plenty of room to make the ruffles in between the beads. I also cut a length of cord, probably like 15 inches which was more than plenty for me.

At one end of the ribbon, I roughly went in about 6 -7 inches, put the cord by it and tied them both in a knot together to start my beading. After the know, I added a pearl on the cord only.

While keeping the cord and pearl tightly in place, I wrapped around the ribbon with my other hand and folded it over and back 3 times to make sure the ribbon would be in the same direction of the beads. At this point, I used my craft punch to make a hole using my 1/16" hole punch, in all layers of the folded ribbon keeping the folds tightly in my hand.

(You could probably use a needle of some sort to thread the cord through the ribbon and pearls, but the center of my beads were a little narrow so I did it without a needle)

Then I continued the cord by threaded it through the ribbon and drawing it tightly around the bead. I then added another bead, and followed it with the ribbon ruffle again. Occasionally I would tie a know in the cording by the bead (where it would be hidden) to help keep things in place (hot glue would probably work too).

After I added the desired number of beads, I pulled it all tight and wrapped the ribbon around the final bead threaded through the cord (so it matches the other end) and I tied a knot in both. I may go back and add a small amount of hot glue under the knot to try secure the cord further, but it feels pretty secure. Then I tied the ribbon together in a cute bow at the beginning of the beading to finish off my necklace. I love how it turned out.

So feminine, and easy especially for us non-jewelry making folks! I plan to make a little fabric flower to add to it. I also made a bracelet to match!