Review of the American Girl Crafts - Funky Felt Pins Kit

With summer quickly approaching it is a great time to plan some creative activities for my kids.  It is always wise to have some fun and easy crafting supplies on had to entertain the kids, especially on those hot summer afternoons.

Since, the American Girl dolls have always been popular in my household,  the idea of crafting with the the American Girl craft kits was met with a lot of enthusiasm.  These kits are available at local craft stores and online.  We wanted to try something portable and not too messy, so we choose to try out the American Girl "Funky Felt Pins" kit which is recommended for children eight years old and up.  The kit retails for $12.99.

The packaging on the "Funky Felt Pins"  is very colorful and a bit deceiving in a positive way.  From

the outside of the package, it does not look like you get much in the way of supplies.  However, I was

happily surprised to find it was jam packed full of enough supplies for my girls and their friends to give this kit a try and learn some basic embroidery skills.

This kit comes with the following:

● Project & Idea Booklet

● 12 yards of embroidery floss in 4 colors

● 33 plain felt pieces

● 5 embroidered patches

● 12 adhesive pin backs

● 10 sequin flowers

● 1 piece of white practice felt

● 1 needle

● 1 needle threader

The instruction booklet does have some nice colored simple instructions for their versions of the following stitches and knots:

● running stitch

● applique stitch

● cross stitch

● french knot

● finishing knot

The kit is color coordinated with enough materials to create at least 12 pins, which is great for an easy to do scout troop project.  However, you would have to pick up extra needles for each girl, since this kit only comes with one needle.  You can pick up pins at your local "Michaels Craft Store" or "JoAnns" fairly inexpensively.

The first thing I did was to lay out the pieces and then pick out a few different shapes to sew together.

Then I sewed the small floral sequin onto the green felt flower using white thread to make the stitches stand out.

I then sewed the green felt flower onto the orange felt flower.

Which was followed by sewing those pieces onto the darker felt flower.

The kids took a vote and wanted to add some bling to the flower.   So I added beads to finish it off the piece.

As you can see, the steps are very simple and easy to follow.  However,  I did find that it was a little bit challenging for little fingers to negotiate the needle and accomplish the smaller stitches.   However, even

with that frustration, the project certainly kept her attention.  A different size needle did make the 

difference for her .

 Here are some other projects we made with the die cut felt pieces provided in the kit.  The first is a felt

owl pin.

The second is a funky felt ring.

The third is a funky felt hair band.

The fourth is a funky felt  hair clip for their American Girl doll.

These projects are so fun and easy for the kids to do.  They also provide a great base surface for adding beads, buttons, rhinestones, and more.  This make room for some creative self expression allow by each child.

Tips:

●  Lay everything out so you can pick your colors and shapes.

●  If you are using the kit for younger children, you can help avoid frustration by using white glue to adhere the pieces together.  Let dry.  Then sew together with simple stitches.

●  Use up those fun beads and charms you  have around the house to use as accents for these fun pieces.

Disclosure.

Soda Tab Choker Necklace and review of a Soda Tab Jewelry Craft Kits

My never ending efforts to recycle lead me to some fun discoveries, like the Alex Pop Tab Jewelry Kit below. I like the neat jewelry and clothing that folks are creating with Aluminun soda can tabs.  I even tried my own efforts and designing something wearable with soda can tabs and created the soda tab choker below:

I was able to make the choker as a result of learning a fun cool weave patterns from the Alex Pop Tab Jewelry Kit craft kit.  I took that knowledge and created my own weaving pattern to make the neckace.  This time I used the invisible stretchy jewelry thread to weave the soda tabs together and make it more comfortable to wear.  Then I decided to utilize the cool pre-drilled holes on the tabs, so I added some crystals. So where did I learn the weaving basics that helped me to come up with my own pattern.

Well, the nice folks at Alex Crafts sent me the above  "Pop Tab Jewelry" kit which is created for kids seven and above (and marketed as a kids craft).  I have to say that it would appeal to anyone who wanted a good starting point in learning a fun craft using recycled materials like soda can tabs.

This kit provides you with a good basis from which you can build to make other items. The instructions in this kit are very easy to follow diagrams and the weaving techniques they use in their patterns can be used to make more than just bracelets. 

Included in this kit are:

• 46 Aluminum (Pop / Soda) Can Tabs in assorted colors
• 6 gross grain ribbons
• 3 ribbons
• 2 satin cords
• 4 earring hooks
• 19 jewelry findings
• 6 precut shapes
• Easy Instructions with diagrams

Box Contents

The soda can tabs are different from the one you would take off your own soda cans.  These have been filed and are kid safe without any sharp edges.  The also have a nice hole drilled into it.

Alex Aluminum Can Tab Selection

Single Weave Bracelet
A great starting point in working with the pop can tabs is the single weave bracelet.  This is a pretty basic weave pattern that is quick to learn and to do.  I started by picking out my favorite ribbons from my own stash of ribbons.

Note: The ribbon width should be less than 3/4" in width to work with the soda can tabs.

I weaved the ribbon through the first opening and then through the second opening, using the over and under technique.

Then I just kept adding on more tabs using the same technique.

Since I was making it to fit a 61/2" wrist, I used 9 tabs, so it would fit comfortably.Once I finished adding soda can tabs, the pattern looked like the photo below.

Then I just add one of the claps (enclosed in kit) by weaving it with the ribbon, as directed in the instructions.  This is such a quick and easy pattern to follow and a great beginner project.

Double Weave Bracelet

The kit has instructions for a double weave bracelet pattern using the "under then over" weaving pattern, which is a bit more difficult for younger children to follow without a little adult help.  For this project, I used the ribbons, beads, and the pop can tabs that were included in this kit.

I started by making a knot in one end.  Then to make it easier to weave, I used a push pin to attach it to a piece of cork board so it would not move.

Then I added the first tab by weaving the ribbon under the first slot for each ribbon.

Then I added the second by weaving over the first slot.

I took the two ribbons and weaved them back into the first tab.

Adding the third tab is a bit more complicated.  I tightened the ribbon between tabs to make sure they would lay correctly, before adding more tabs.

Side view of weaving technique "over then under".

Top view of weaving technique "over then under".

Side view of bracelet....you can see how nicely the aluminum can tabs lay on top of each other.

Top view of the finished bracelet.  Using the enclosed grosgrain ribbon made the bracelet a little stiff.  I played with it a bit to soften the ribbon and it finally layed out much better. I recommend using softer ribbons for weaving and wearing comfort.

Pop Tab Earrings
My daughter decided to make the last project, which is a pair of earrings.  This was very simple to do and required minimal time and effort.  She gathered together the materials.  She used jump rings to attach the preprinted and precut shapes to the pop tab.  Then attached it to the earring wire.

There is currently a rise in popularity in crafts utilizing soda can tabs.  If you do a google search you will find some really amazing things folks have made using soda can tabs like the soda tab corset below:

as well as sources for can tabs for when you catch the creative bug.
I recently attended a convention at the Los Angeles Convention Center, where there was a booth selling the cool soda tab coat below.

As for the soda tabs, well if you can not save enough from your own beverage consumption, they can be found on Ebay and Amazon.

Leave a comment below, and share what you have made with soda tabs.


Disclosure

Fun Things You Can Make with Polymer Clay

A friend recently asked me if I had any ideas of how she could use up some polymer clay that she received as a gift.  Well, following are but a few of the things I showed her that she could make with that box of clay she had sitting around.

Polymer clay mask with pearl and rhinestone embellishments

The first Item is a mask made with polymer clay and accented with sand, pearls, and glitter.  Additionally, I covered a pair of shoes with polymer clay to match the mask.  What the heck, you can never have too many costume components available for last minute costume needs, especially polymer clay shoes.

Polymer clay covered shoe.  I used a "Fredericks Of Hollywood" shoe because

it had a wood base that could be baked.

Another fun thing you can do with clay is to make accessories to match or compliment your hats, purse or clothing.  Polymer clay jewelry is becoming more and more popular because of the versatility of the clay.  The polymer clay sea horse necklace below is made using one of the Kathy Davis molds.  I made it in under 30 minutes (including baking time).

The earrings below are made of polymer clay to match the hat.  This is such an easy polymer clay project.  I just used a little black polymer clay and a little white polymer clay to cover an earring base.  The dots were cut out with straws to match the size of the dots on the hat.  Then I baked the earrings, in accordance with the manufacturers directions.

Polymer clay earrings made to match visor.

Making polymer clay jewelry is fun and a great way to give personalized gifts to friends.  Depending on the tools you use, it can be fairly inexpensive and provides a great creative outlet.

If you have pets, how about making a cute ornament featuring a photo of them.  Simple and fun!  This would be a great kids craft to make on one those rainy days in winter.

polymer clay christmas ornament

Taking the polymer clay ornament idea a step further, below is a beauty shot from an episode I filmed for HGTV's Carol Duvall Show, where I demonstrated how to make simple polymer clay photo pins.

You can even make dog jewelry. Just make sure it is well made with safety in mind.  You would not want your best fur friend to choke on the jewelry.  The picture below of of my dog with a hair ornament that I designed for a magazine article.

The  bracelet below, made by gourd artist Diane Calderwood,  is another very easy and fun project for the beginner polymer clay enthusiast.

The ideas are endless.  All you need is some good books, some clay, some basic tools and a dedicated toaster oven to bake the clay in.
For those who are inspired to try more, I highly recommend "Polymer Clay and Mixed Media" by Christi Friesen.  This book takes you to the next level of creativity and the projects are fabulous!  She is a fabulous artist and creates the loveliest things from clay.

She also has some fabulous books that are not on Amazon but can be purchased directly from her at www.cforiginals.net.

She shows some very cool techniques to create all types of animals, beads and jewelry.

The other applications for polymer clay are endless.  I recently got to view the beautiful costume work by artist, Strider Weston, who designs costumes and jewelry pieces.  She created an affordable line of jewelry in polymer clay for those folks who want add a bit of pizzaz to the costumes without spending a small fortune.

Above is one of her polymer clay creations,  it is a polymer clay shoulder pin that can be used to position a tartan or for an accent on an upper middle class costume.  She loves to use other elements in her pieces like precious stones, pearls, metals, etc.  

Strider's designs are based on different inspirations and venues.  The use of polymer clay makes her designs more affordable to a larger group of enthusiasts.  And since polymer clay is not heavy, it is the perfect medium for fantasy character costume pieces, like the polymer clay head piece above.

Below are some more items made from polymer clay.  The first is a polymer clay dragon ornament made by Kathy Davis (she has done articles for various magazines and appeared on television).  She teachers polymer clay and metal clay classes at different locations, including Piecemakers in Costa Mesa, California.

This next item is one of those plastic eggs that they sell at easter time.  It has a predrilled hole on both ends of the egg which make it perfect for baking.  I was given this one by a member of the Orange County Polymer Clay Guild, who combined different colors of polymer clay to create this fun mosaic effect.

Someone asked me to post how I made one of my polymer clay jewelry pieces that was easy and quick to do.  Below are the directions of how I made the gold and black polymer clay cuff.

Directions:

I used a soda can as a baking base.  Then I pre-condition two different colors of polymer clay and cut them to fit around the soda can, which happens to be the same width as my wrist.  I used various cutters from "Makins Clay" and other brands to cut out shapes on the cuff.  This is a super easy polymer clay project that requires a minimum of tools.

Added some rhinestones and baked the polymer clay according to the manufacturers directions.

So what do you make with polymer clay?  I recommend any of Christi Friesen's books on polymer clay. Her step by step instructions and photos are so easy to follow that you will have fun results right away.

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