My mom is the primary inspiration for my
love of all things creative and crafty! As long as I can remember, she was
always working on some sort of creative and unique project.
But the most inspiring thing about her art is her unique
point of view. She never looks at something just as it is; she sees it for what
it has the potential to be. She’ll incorporate some of the oddest objects into her
projects, but somehow they always turn out beautiful. She has made jewelry
boxes out of eggshells, doll heads out of dried apple cores, earrings out of
old jean rivets, a wedding dress from sheets and curtains, and wall art from
bits of wood and rusty pieces of metal.
My mom and I frequently walk together. On most
occasions, by the time we get home her pockets are full or random rocks, pop
can tabs, sticks, a few nuts and bolts, rusty scrap metal, a smashed bottle lid
or two along with a variety of other random items she’s picked up off the
ground. To most people, her findings would be nothing more than a pile of
trash. But to her, they are unique treasures, each having the potential to be
transformed into a beautiful work of art. And she’s always right…
So this week’s project is a bit of a tribute to my
Mom, the person who taught me to see the potential for beauty in ordinary
objects.
The “ordinary” objects we’ll be incorporating into
this week’s beautiful Jewelry Pieces are:
Spare Change, A Softball, Salt, Flour, An old belt, A page
from a book, A small lid & a button.
Sounds exciting huh?! Well after looking at the
pictures below you’ll start to see the benefits of having my mom’s unique point
of view. An ordinary object is only ordinary because the viewer has chosen only
to see the object only for what it is, not for what it can become….
Glass Pendant
Below was my first attempt at a glass pendant...turned out okay!
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| I made this using a left over piece for scrap book paper, a broken leave charm, glass and clear puff paint. |
Leather Cuffs
These are all manly cuffs that I have made as gifts for different fellows over the last year!
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| I made this cuff for my husband as a gift. I used a scrap piece of leather, hemp (left over from the friendship bracelet days in Junior High), dominoes (without dots), and a metal coin. |
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| This is a cuff I made for my brother. Same technique as above, but I glued a feather charm to one of the dominoes and used a button from some old jeans to secure the bracelet on (see pic below) |
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| Snaps are another great way to secure the cuff on! |
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| I added a small picture to one of the dominoes using mod podge to secure it on and mod podge dimensional magic to add a gloss coating to it. Here are examples of more feminine style leather cuffs that I've also made as gifts for my lovely friends over the year. These were made with scrap leather and embellishments like buttons, feathers, & lace. |
Softball Skin Cuffs
I made these both using the skin from a Softball and lined them with beaded trim. The black one was painted with acrylic paint and both were embellished with a flower.
I made these both using the skin from a Softball and lined them with beaded trim. The black one was painted with acrylic paint and both were embellished with a flower.
Salt Dough Charms
These are made from salt, all purpose flour and water! I did not make the below charms, but they are super cute examples so I wanted to share them with you! For recipe and Instructions click here: http://www.homeheartcraft.com/blog/salt-dough-recipe-create-jewelry-more
These are made from salt, all purpose flour and water! I did not make the below charms, but they are super cute examples so I wanted to share them with you! For recipe and Instructions click here: http://www.homeheartcraft.com/blog/salt-dough-recipe-create-jewelry-more
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| This one is another Salt Dough charm that has a finger print from each family member embedded and stamped with the date. It's painted with Silver Leafing (found in the paint section of most craft stores) to give it a metallic look. |
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| This one is another Salt Dough charm that has a finger print of a husband and wife. It's painted with Silver Leafing (found in the paint section of most craft stores) to give it a metallic look. |
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| This one is another Salt Dough charm stamped and painted with Silver Leafing ! |
Resin Coin Charms
I didn't make these either, and truth be told these are not all done using a coin, BUT they are examples of charms you can make USING a coin, and image, and Mod Podge Dimensional Magic to give it that clear dome look!
I didn't make these either, and truth be told these are not all done using a coin, BUT they are examples of charms you can make USING a coin, and image, and Mod Podge Dimensional Magic to give it that clear dome look!
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| These were actually done on real pennies! So cute! |
SUPPLIES!!!
I have listed ALL the supplies needed for the projects, but for those coming to class – several of these items will be provided, so you only need to bring the items in red this week!
LEATHER CUFFS:
- Leather: You can use an old belt or you can pick up a piece of scrap leather from JoAnn’s or Michaels. If you’re ambitious, you can also swing by Goodwill and find an old leather vest or jacket and slice that puppy up.
- Embellishments: You can do as little or as much as you want. For a woman’s cuff you could use things like lace, buttons, beads, charms, and brads (yep, the same ones used for scrap). For men’s cuffs, you could use chunky metallic beads, dominoes (pre-drilled), you could even use nuts and bolts from the garage….again, be as creative as you want with these!
- Embroidery or Upholstery Needle: There will be a bit of stitching involved in this one so you’re going to need to use a large needle.
- Embroidery Floss or Hemp
- Snaps (and tool for attaching snaps): I’ve found snaps are the best way to secure these cuffs (I usually use two – four depending on the width)
SOFTBALL SKIN CUFFS:
- Used Softball or Baseball: (one that can be torn up – you can usually get these at Goodwill or just ask around…someone’s bound to have a few laying around)
- Large Button or Bead: (This will be used to keep the cuff closed around your wrist)
- Felt: This will line the inside of the cuff (adhere with a fabric glue)
- Embellishments: You can add these where you want!
- Embroidery or Upholstery Needle: There will be a bit of stitching involved in this one so you’re going to need to bring a large needle
- Embroidery Floss or Hemp: Use for stitching around the edge
- Other Embellishment Options: Beaded Trim, Large Hook & Clasp, or Acrylic Paint (for painting the cuff)
- Fabric Glue: For attaching the felt to the inside of the cuff
RESIN COIN CHARMS
- Coins: Pennies, nickels, dimes, quarters…these or any other coin you want to use will be fine
- Necklace Chain: For your charms to hang from
- Fancy Paper, Printed Image, Page from a book or Dictionary or Photo: You will be cutting this to the size of your coin (so if you are using an image or photo, make sure it’s small). It will be the focal image for your charm.
- Embellishments: Beads or additional charms you would like to add to your necklace
- Mod Podge Dimensional Magic: (this is the resin like base we will use to create the clear dome on coin after the image has been glued in place)
- Mod Podge Clear Acrylic Sealer: Once the coin has dried (usually takes 24 hours) spray with acrylic sealer
GLASS PENDANTS
- Glass (any shape): You can get these at most craft stores. The best brand I’ve found is Simply Swank. They come in the following sizes:
- 1 set of 1" x 3/4" Rectangle Glass
- 1 set of 1.25" x 3" Rectangle Glass
- 1 set of 1.25" Square Glass
- 1 set of 1.5" Circle Glass
- 1 set of 3/4" Trapezoid Glass
- 1 set of 1.25" x 3/4" Oval Glass
- Fancy Paper, Printed Image, Page from a book or Dictionary or Photo: You will be cutting this to the size of your glass piece (so if you are using an image or photo, make sure it’s small). It will be the focal image for your Pendant.
- Necklace Chain or Chord: For your pendant to hang on
- Simply Swank Silver Foil Tape: This is used to secure the front and back panel of glass together (with the image pressed between them).
SALT DOUGH CHARMS
- For
those coming to class, I will bring some pre-made charms for your to decorate
along with dough for you to make your own from scratch
- Cookie Cutter or Small Plastic Lid: If you have any small cookie cutters, you can use this to cut out different shapes for your charms. You can also use small caps or lids as a “make shift” cookie cutter for circular pendants.
- Acrylic Paint & Metallic Leafing: If you want to paint these charms you can do so with regular acrylic paint. If you want the charm to have the illusion of being made of metal, you can use Gold, Copper, or Silver Leafing (also found in the paint section of most craft stores).
- Necklace Chain or Chord: For your pendant to hang on
- Rubber Stamps: Any stamp or even a textured surface will work to add a design to your stamp. Any design work should be done
- Mod Podge Clear Acrylic Sealer: Once the coin has dried (usually takes 24 hours) spray with acrylic sealer
TOOLS and ADDITIONAL SUPPLIES needed
for all of these projects!
Glue
Gun, Scissors, Paper Towels, Foam Brush, Empty Garbage bag (we’re
using these to put under your frame to keep things clean), Washcloth or
Rag (for wiping up paint drips)
I hope
you have an amazing time using your creative influence to transform these and
other ordinary objects into beautiful works of art!
God
bless you all!
Jo
