Technique Tutorial - How to do Wire Forming With Beadalon's German Style Wire to Create Funky Jewelry

At a trade show, I got to watch one of the demonstrators for Beadalon show how to do some simple wire forming using Beadalon’s 18 gauge silver plated pattern German style wire.

The demonstrator kindly gave me permission to shoot these pictures for my readers so they can see how easy it is to use this wire to do some simple wire forming to create some fun jewelry.  

Supplies Needed: 
Beadalon’s 18 gauge silver plated pattern German style wire
Round Nose Pliers

Flat Nose Pliers

Wire Cutters

Step 1: Cut the wire (length depends on your project)
Step 2: Using the flat nose pliers, gently straighten out the cut piece of wire.
Step 3:  Use the flat nose pliers you will begin to bend the wire. 

Step 4: The first bend is a right angle bend.

Step 5: Using the flat nose pliers create another bend that is 1/4" from the first bend.

You can see the bend in the picture below.

Step 6:  Make another bend as demonstrated below. Note the direction of the wire.

Step 7: Using the flat nose pliers to hold the wire and allow you to make the next bend with out losing the square shape that is important to this design.

Step 8: Make the next bend in the wire.  

Step 9:  Keep repeating the pattern until you reach the desired 

length (depending on what type of project you are making).

To finish the project, use the round nose pliers to make a loop on each end of the wire.  If you are making a bracelet, you may need to gently bend the wire to fit the curve of your wrist.  

As you can see in the examples below, the designer combined beads, and the fun Artistic Wire mesh to create a great bracelet.

For more projects or ideas, just check out the Beadalon or Artistic Wire websites for tutorials from your favorite Beadalon Designers.  I also found a great tutorial by Lilian Chen for a pair of cool looking earrings using the Beadalon German wire and some Swarovski Elements crystals at her blog.

Disclaimer

Maya Road Fabric Trim Blossom Tutorial: C.H.A. 2013 Winter Show

An easy tutorial on how to make a fabric blossom from trim by the creative team at Maya Road.

The rose is made using the new Satin Scallop Edge Trim in cream from Maya Road.

This is one of the many quick and easy demonstrations that were given at the Maya Road booth at the CHA 2013 Winter Show.

Lisa Pace from Maya Road demonstrating fabric trim blossoms

Step 1: Cut out a circle out of felt (1" circumference).  Then cut the scallop edge trim to desired length (around 36 inches).

Step 2: Then begin by gathering the trim.

Step 3:

Step 4:

Step 5: Put some hot glue on the bottom of the bloom.

Step 6:  Adhere to felt circle.

Step 7:  Allow to cool.

 Step 8: Fluff up the bloom and remove any glue webs that may be on the blossom.

As you can see, it is a very easy blossom to make.  Additionally, you can glue a button or rhinestone to the center of the flower.  If you want to make more cool things with Maya Road Products, they have some great tutorials on their website and the Maya Road Design Team Blog.



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Halloween Polymer Clay Coverd Candy Tins Tutorial

    In my never ending search for fun new ways to recycle old containers. Here is a very simple way to recycle an old mint tin and candy containers into something useful.

    The first thing I did was to condition the clay with the pasta machine.  I put it through about ten times to get it nice and soft.  This is to make it easier to imprint onto the clay.  

    For the Halloween Candy Boxes, I just went ahead and covered the pre-sanded containers with the clay and then used a knitting needle to imprint lines on them (see below for details).  

• For the Pumpkin, I added polymer clay eyeballs and some tiny spiders.
• For the moon light pumkin patch, I shaped balls of clay into pumkins and used the knitting needle to make the appropriate markings.  I made the bat shape and moon the same way.  I used the Jacquard mica powder to highlight areas of the pumpkin patch.  Then I  baked them in the oven (craft oven...not food oven) for the time specified by the polymer clay manufacturer. Once it was done baking, I let it cool for a while

For the Altoid Container:

The I took one of my rubber stamps and pushed it (image side down) onto the clay.  I carefully removed the rubber stamp.

Then I took the empty "Altoid" mint container and sanded it down.  This is done to make the surface adhere better to the clay.  Then I put a coat of "Lisa Pavelka's Poly Bonder" which is glue that is geared for use on polymer clay.  I placed the polymer clay (image side up) onto the mint box.  I cut off the excess clay and finished off the edges.

Then I added some flat rhinestones, a little brush of mica powder and baked it in the oven (craft oven...not food oven) for the time specified by the polymer clay manufacturer. Once it is done baking, let it cool for a while. Then add a chain or string.  There you have it, a quick and easy polymer clay project.

How to Make A Masquerade or Mardi Gras Type Mask

I needed a last minute mask for the Labyrinth of Jareth Fantasy Masquerade Ball, so I decided to pick through my supplies and make one.

I started with some inexpensive cloth mask blanks that I had purchased at my local craft store.  I painted one black and the other black and gold.

I found a long piece of black lace, cut into two equal pieces and using black thread, I gathered each piece.  

Then I attached the lace to the back of the mask blanks.

A front view of one of the mask with lace attached.

Then I took some trim and attached it to the top of the mask.

And around the eyes.

Then I added an accent at the top of each of the masks.

I found some gold foil and decided to add that to the top of the mask.

I added some black flowers to the gold and black masquerade mask to make a little different from the black one.

The last thing I did was attach the masks to some dowels that I had painted black. The finished masks worked well.  The total cost of these is probably under $7 each.   The starburst emblem in the middle of each mask was around $3 and probably the most expensive item on the mask.  As you can see it is pretty easy to make a masquerade mask and it does not have to be expensive if you make it with items you have on hand.

My friend Annette Elizabeth made this mask from a plastic white mask that she cut up and spray painted.  She made simple changes that came off rather dramatic combined with her costume (I made the wool

hair dreadlocks that she is wearing, which I post directions on later).

Disclosure

How to make a Mini Serenity Sand Garden

I really like the variety of different sand gardens that I keep seeing at the different craft shows I visit.  Sand Gardens are containers that have sand, a rake and some stones.  Additionally, these sand gardens can have a variety of different little curios added to them to create an individual look.

What is the point of the sand gardens?  Well, the salesperson at one craft show told me that it is the process of raking the sand, that is supposed to be relaxing in times of stress.  I am not sure how true that really is.  Personally, I have spent many an afternoon raking my yard without reaching a zen moment.

That being said, I still like them and decided I would like to have small desktop one.  I went to the local mall where there was a variety of different "Sand Gardens" in all types of containers. They were lovely but took up a lot of space which I do not have available. So I decided to make a smaller version that would suit my personal needs.

I stopped by the local "JoAnn Craft" store and picked up some sand. Then went to "Little Saigon" in Westminster, California. I found some cute mini statues, a mini rake, and a cute container that was the perfect size. I added a very small tea light candle holder.  I spent under $12 for this project.

Here are the directions on to make a mini sand garden:

Using the sand tray of your choice (plate/tray/etc.). Choose a candle holder that is appropriate for your sand container.  Place the candle holder in the desired location, then gently pour the sand around it. Add the accessories into the sand tray. Keep it simple because you want to leave room to rake the sand. Then just add the tea light size candle. I recommend  those battery operated tea lights because they are look nice and are safer to use (they are available at most 99cent stores).  

Remember to "Never Leave a Lit Candle Unattended" especially around children and pets.