Resin Painted Papers

The pendants on these cards could be worn on a necklace. I chose to put them on an art card so that I could include them in my One of A Kind booth this Christmas. I love to create gift cards that are truly one of a kind.

The pendants started out as a long overdue experiment. I have been wanting to coat some paper in resin for a while. It makes most paper very translucent and I had these wire shapes in my stash just waiting for me to do something with them.

I attached the wet resin papers to the wire and then added some extra images and tiny glass beads.
When everything was dry I added this extra embellishment. I could have done this while the resin was wet but at the time I wasn't sure how it would all turn out. I couldn't risk losing one of these tiny cute ladybugs from Paris.

The pendants are unique. I like the painted resin effect and I am definitely going to make a few more card sets with these embellishment idea.

Back At The Shopping Channel

Today is another full day for me at The Shopping Channel.
I am showcasing some of this amazing pastel card stock from 3 Birds.
The card stock core is white which allowed me to make this pretty edging effect in moments.

My on air times are around 8:30, 12:30, 3:30 and 6:30.
But it is live TV and things change all the time!

For The Birds

When I got my Cricut paper cutting machine I knew that I would have to invest some time learning the tricks and techniques which would make cutting images and text look really professional. So I try and spend 20 to 30 minutes a day just cutting images using different types of paper and card stock.

These foil card stock birds were a weekend experiment. There were so many tiny pieces to cut out that I wasn't sure if the paper would be appropriate.

I spent a few happy minutes gluing them all together. They look like they are doing a dance across the table. I am not sure if one bird is going onto a card or if I might use all of them on one 12 x 12 layout. Options are endless. I am just pleased that I was able to create these cute embellishments myself at home. (The bird is on our 3 Birds Cricut cartridge.)

Kewpie Pendant

In May I had a tiny post about the cutest Kewpie giveaway. Mitzi of Mitzi's Collectibles had a snippet of vintage Kewpie wrapping paper she cleaned up digitally and posted on her blog. I printed out the images and just made these resin filled bezels. I am so glad she posted the free download!

A Bead A Day
Let's have a Tiki party! Lisa found Tiki beads at Big Lots for $1.00 and is looking for ideas!

About.com Jewelry Making
Thinking of selling on-line but worried about the cost? Tammy has discovered three freebie sites for selling your jewelry, crafts, and vintage items.

Art Bead Scene
Art Bead Scene finds findings worth finding!

Barbe Saint John - New Jewelry from Forgotten Artifacts
Thoughts about creating multiple streams of income as a jewelry artist.

Beading Arts
Cyndi has a copy of "Metalworking 101 for Beaders" to give away!

Carmi's Art/Life World
Cherry wood bezels are the stars in this new pendant collection.

Cindy Gimbrone
Cindy rewinds on wire.

Earthenwood Studio Chronicles
Melanie shows her Steampunk Sampler class made of mixed metals, industrial porcelain, and cold connections.

Lorelei's Blog: Inside the Studio
Lorelei's studio is in total disarray. Check out some pics and if you have suggestions, she would totally be appreciative!

Snap out of it, Jean! There's beading to be done!
review of a great book: Candie Cooper's Metalworking 101 for Beaders! Don't miss this!

Strands of Beads
Melissa shows off a summery necklace design with components courtesy of Artbeads.com

The Writing and Art of Andrew Thornton
Always on the hunt for unique components, Andrew spotlights "pinch bail components" from Shoutrinse on Etsy!

The Art and Craft Of A Nest

This nest has given me such joy.
I found it a few weeks ago in our shed and was worried I was disturbing a bird, so I closed the shed and decided I wouldn't go back until spring hatching was all done.
Turns out, I think it was abandoned. It was so perfect too!

I had to get the shed ready for summer maintenance so the nest had to be moved. I placed it in the hands of our new dragon sculpture. Perfect photo op! I wanted to show you how beautiful the nest was and the length.

Birds are very crafty aren't they? I wonder how long this one took to make.

Speaking of crafty, here our some fabulous links for you to enjoy.

About Family Crafts
Read through Sherri's tie-dye tutorial and you will discover how easy it is to create your own colorful, tie-dyed t-shirts and more.

Aileen's Musings
Watch Aileen's newest video and see how she transforms a boring canvas bag into a snazzy colorful tote!

Carmi's Art/Life World
Carmi uses the sweetest bird embellishments to make a card set.

Craftside-A behind-the-scenes peek at a crafty world
Craftside's got a chance to win a copy of Jennifer Worick's Simple Gifts and how-to's on making a silhouette, a homemade flea collar for your dog, stringing rings onto a ribbon necklace and a fun video interview with Drew Brophy the author of How to Draw with Drew Brophy.

Crafty Princess Diaries
Tammy is hitting the school books again but takes a moment to review her summer crafting and other accomplishments.

Margot Potter The Impatient Crafter
Have you ever felt like the 'red headed step child?'

Mixed Media Artist
Cyndi has gathered up all her favorite collage and quilt techniques to share.

Stefanie Girard's Sweater Surgery
Green Ring and wire earrings inspired by the book 101 Wire Earrings by Denise Peck

The Artful Crafter
How to make a wooden country critter wall plaque.

The Crochet Dude
Get out your hooks and warm them up because Drew reveals all the projects from his upcoming book "Crochet It Love It Wear It - The Ultimate Collection for Every Occasion". You are not going to believe how gorgeous crochet can be!

Licensed to Have Fun

There are times when I suspect you might think I am having way to much fun in my studio.
This is one of those days when I show off my fun paper doll cards. That's what happens when you send me a Cricut Expression and a stack of new paper in the same month. I can't stop playing with the machine! The card stock dresses and backgrounds are in my next 3 Birds paper stack. I am creating samples that demonstrate why paper printed in quads are great!

This is the card stock I cut up. The sentiments are from the Sticky Sparkly Letters and Shapes.

Studio Back To Normal

Summer has always been my most productive studio time...since I really don't enjoy heat and humidity.
I am happy to be inside with the air conditioning!

These are some of my favorites from yesterday.

My sewing machine missed me and rewarded me with a great session sewing through these layered paper and fabric cards.

Lovely Cherry Wood Bezel Pendants

These are handmade cherry wood bezels that I filled with lovely images and embellishments. The image of the girl and birdcage is from a vintage postcard I picked up in Paris in April. I adore her and can think of many ways I want to use her in my artwork.

I ordered the wood bezels from Barbara and Marcos Suarez a few weeks ago. They have an Etsy shop filled with bezels I like. I thought I would order a set and see how they performed with resin. They arrived in the prettiest packaging. From the moment I ordered these bezels I knew I would make something special.

I left them out on my table for a few days. Choosing images was difficult because I had to select something special for each. I still have one bezel I have not used yet.

I was careful to pour my resin in several layers. I wanted to be sure the resin didn't stain the wood or seep out through the seams. I babysat them for over a week waiting two days between each pour so that I could layer the embellishments. I had no difficulties at all!

Marie is lovely as always. I glued the bails on and I am now deciding what sort of chain to make for each pendant.

For today, the little bezels can just rest. I will put them in the sunshine so that the resin really sets perfectly.

The Cutest Bird Embellishment Ever!

I love when I can tell you about a product that is way beyond anything you would expect in the craft aisle.

I purchased these Jolee's Boutique 3-d stickers and really wanted to use them on something special. Allow me to to just point out their amazing recycled packaging. The packaging itself turns into tags which they already pre-printed on the kraft paper. Genius!

I try not to use commercially made embellishments on the arts cards I sell. But these bird cages would take hours to construct! The cage is printed on acetate, but the paper birds are actually wired and move.

I gathered some of my 3 Birds papers to create the perfect background home for these special bird cages.

Now that I photographed them I see the edges look plain. I might still add some glitter before I package them up.

Lost and Found

The lost and found gods have responded to my calls for help.
I have looked through dozens of drawers and bins for this bezel. It is an original bezel hand made by Susan Lenart Kazmer. I had it out and then I put it away and then I finally stumbled upon it this weekend.

I wanted my original because I also purchased a similar piece from her Industrial Chic line which is now at Michaels (the craft store.) Her mass produced one has a lid which I like a lot. But before I use it, I wanted to use the original I had purchased five years ago. I opted to place the image of the two ladies in the bezel. They are from a tiny vintage picture I bought in Paris in April. The picture was so faded...but it seemed to me that the ladies were having lunch with a view of the Eiffel tower. Or maybe I just wanted them to be having a lunch with a view...no matter I decided to make my vision come true.
I knew I had a Eiffel tower somewhere....hello Lost and Found...me again!
Then this morning I found it! It fits perfectly, so I just need to do one last layer of resin before I can start adding beads and embellishments to this bezel.

This is just a beauty shot. I didn't notice the drops of water on the leaves until I opened the picture on my computer.

Inspiration

During this past week, whenever I had a minute, I rearranged these glass beads in my bead tray.
The focal beads helped me with my colour choices. I have had this set for so long that I was determined to finally attach them to something.

The necklace came together and I was a little surprised by my colour palette. I wasn't sure if the beads inspired me or if the idea was in my head.

But when I went outside to photograph the necklace I realized that perhaps the inspiration was subconscious.

The necklace colours are an exact duplicate to my new chair pillows. I sat in these chairs several times this past week waiting for the puppy to come inside. I think their colour palette accidentally seeped into my subconscious.

The necklace is done. The chairs look great. Sunday is here!
Here are some other great jewelery and beading links!

About.com Jewelry Making
If you are selling your jewelry on-line or thinking about it, then you'll find some of these rescources very helpful.

Art Bead Scene
The June Monthly Challenge is a painting by Toulouse-Lautrec.

Beading Arts
Do you like Chinese food? Do you like jewelry...?

Carmi's Art/Life World
A button get's glammed up with tear drop rhinestones.

Cindy Gimbrone aka Lampwork Diva
Cindy touts one of her favorite colors in this week's rewind.

Earthenwood Studio Chronicles
Melanie explores building materials as texture and symbolism in a new set of pendants inspired by a fortress theme

Lorelei's Blog: Inside the Studio
Lorelei got together for a fun beady date with Kerry Bogert, and together they created a necklace!

Snap Out of It, Jean! There's Beading to be Done!
Jean is fascinated by the beautiful necklace which Jennifer Dangerfield created and reposts her analysis of what makes it so appealing! All jewelry afficionados really must see this lovely piece!

Strands of Beads
Melissa shows off her necklace design that won second place in the Metal Clay category of Bead Dreams 2010.

missficklemedia.com
Come by and visit for a chance to win free Patina-ted Metal Components!

Paper Colour Challenges and Some Great Links!

My next 3 Birds paper pack (when I represent them on The Shopping Channel) has a fabulous assortment of papers designed to match their new Cricut cartridge. What is unique about the paper stack is that you get two of each of the papers sectioned in quarters. One 12 x 12 sheet is regular paper and one has adhesive applies to the back already. This makes layering a dream. I simply cut out these butterfly bodies (Cricut Sentimentals cartridge) from parts of the sectioned paper and VOILA off came the backing and they stuck together immediately. No tape, glue or dots needed!

I was looking in my odds and ends drawer and also found these embroidered dragonflies...they are not butterflies, but they look lovely on the butterfly bodies!
I love to use the papers as provided. While I could mix and match from the whole stack I made it a challenge to use each of the papers as is. The brown, orange and ivory worked well together and I have a great sample to show on air.

My brown butterfly all glittered up. Glitter will always be my final embellishment to any project I work on.

Here are some crafty links for you to enjoy!

The Artful Crafter
Join Eileen in June’s June “Let Them Eat Cake” creativity challenge and get a free cupcake. Sweet!

Stefanie Girard's Sweater Surgery
How to make coffin shaped cupcakes inspired by the book Kids' Cakes from the Whimsical Bakehouse

Mixed Media Artist
Cyndi shares some thoughts on her recent foray into self-publishing.

Margot Potter The Impatient Crafter
Tell Dad how much he rocks this Father's Day or on his birthday with this fun and easy to make card from Madge for ILoveToCreate!

Crafty Princess Diaries
Tammy has listed the first few kits in her jewelry making kit collection, some awesome Raku earrings.

Craftside-A behind-the-scenes peek at a crafty world
Craftside has a chance to win one of 50 "Bulking Dummies" and a "Lab" book, a new Look, Learn and Create Video with Tracie Lyn Huskamp showing us how to make a Nature Inspired Mixed Media card, some pencil drawing and illuminated art techniques and an interview with Nancy Langdon.

Cathie Filian
You can dye stripes and it is easy! Cathie shows you how.

Carmi's Art/Life World
Carmi takes a Twilight cotton bag up a notch!

Aileen's Musings
Need a new recipe for all the zucchini your growing? Download Aileen's printable recipe card, and baking some yummy Zucchini Cheddar Cheese Bread!

About Family Crafts
Be prepared for the next time you hear "I'm bored" from your kids... Bookmark this collection of fast and simple 10-minute crafts for kids!

Hard To Photograph Foil

Yes, I can hear you screaming!
"NOOOOOOOO. Not Christmas already!!"
Welcome to an art card makers world. I have to start my Christmas card production.
Really. I have to start now or I'll be pulling a month of all nighters in November. And, I have a really good incentive to start this year! These samples are made with the next pads of 3 Birds card stock I will be representing on The Shopping Channel.

It is the most beautiful foil card stock I have ever had access to in such an amazing array of colours that I have been cutting things out of it like a crazy person. It is perfect for Christmas cards so I went to my Cricut stash to see what images I had on my various cartridges. After I cut out all these deer I realized that the left over 12 x 12 card stock was a fantastic new background. I am playing with which paper to layer under it now.

It really is difficult to photograph. That will be an extra assignment for me this week too. I am sure I can do better than this. Aren't these reindeer the cutest in bright red? I wish I had them life size!

I'll focus on non Christmas too though. Foil.
I think it is just one more fabulous layer for me to work with.

I'll try to figure out a way to wear it!

The Jeweled Button

'I have written many posts about the buttons I make. This Frida button may be a new favorite.

Most days I make the button and try to figure out later what else I can add to it...especially if I am using it for an art card embellishment. Some of my buttons become magnets and those ordinarily stand alone without a dangle or extra attachment. Today's buttons though were inspired by the tear drop rhinestones I found in a grab bag. ( I often pick up grab bags if I am in a jewelery wholesaler because a lot of my resin work needs tiny embellishments that a grab bag can provide.) Knowing my jewels were light purple and black I started to look through my digital art images to see which might look great together. I selected a Frida and Marie image.

My button machine is in a fun place in my studio. These foam face mats are here because they are quite thick and keep the tools from sliding.
On their own, the buttons were quite pretty. I know they would sell quickly as fridge magnets.

But glammed up...they are so much better! I think I might attach a bin back though. I think they would be very pretty brooches after all.