Flower Baubles

I just adore a statement ring.  I love when I'm chatting with someone and notice that they have a fabulous chunky ring that catches my eye, I always comment on it!  I've been looking for a way to use some of the fantastic beads I have in my collection and decided to make my own big flower bauble style cocktail ring. Guess what, I wore one today and as I was chatting with the sweet lady at the checkout she said "Ooh, cute ring".  I'm not the only one who loves a cool statement ring :)  I'm thinking of doing a tutorial or adding them to the jewelry class lineup...

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Ruffles and Wine Class

I had such a great time last night teaching a "Poppy Ruffles" class at Simply Beautiful Boutique in dowtown Frederick, MD.  Seriously what could be better...girl time, jewlery making, laughs and wine at a beautiful boutique located in the heart of downtown.  It was really cool.  Here's the necklace and earring set I created while teaching the class, I think I'll wear it tonight!  The class made some beautiful ruffles too, I hope they love them!  We're planning to do more classes and I'm totally ready with some fun new ideas for summer...bling anyone?

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Gem Cubes

So what do you get when you combine a little polymer clay, a few flatback crystals, pearl x powder and a rainy afternoon?  You guessed it...Gem Cubes!  I love to mix classic beauty and modern design, these little modern cubes of clay frame the classic rhinestone just right.  And they couldn't be simpler to make too.  Just form little balls of clay then pinch them into chubby cubes with your fingers.  Once you have the shape and size you like pick your crystal and smoosh (that is the technical term) it in the center.  Using your finger rub a little shimmer pearl powder all over the clay for add sparkle (if you get any on your gem just lightly brush off with a paint brush).  If you're making a pendant pop in some eye pins or wire.  Now bake @ 275 for 25 mins, let cool then seal with any sealer you choose (I use a paint brush and some matte acrylic varnish). Hot glue to some post earring backs, add your chain and you're ready to shine!

 

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Tutorial - Faux Broken China Necklace

I love to come up with out of the box recreations of things I love...my latest creation is a lighter funky alternative to broken china jewelry.  Made with shrink plastic, stamps, ink, markers and utee. This necklace looks fabulous and is fun to make!

Supplies- White shrinky dink paper (sanded), pretty floral stamp, permanent markers, utee (or clear embossing powder, 1/8 hole punch, chain and jumprings.

Let's begin!

step 1 - use a semi dark ink to ink your stamp

step 2 - press down onto sanded shrinky dink paper

step 3 - begin coloring the stamped image lightly with permanent markers

step 4 - cut out a section to resemble a broken piece of china.  remember to cut your piece approx 3 times larger than you'd like your pendant.  this one is 3.75 inches long

step 5 - using your 1/8 hole punch put two holes on either side of your shrink paper (for the jumprings)

step 6 - place in 350 * oven bake until it shrinks 2-4 minutes (or what ever directions your paper says to bake)

See how bright the colors become!

 ALERT!  Amazing techinique you can you for so many things

step 7 - sprinkle the entire pendant with a decent layer of utee or clear embossing powder

*notice how it's covered up to the ends to prevent dripping over in the oven.  place back in 350 degree oven and watch it.  you'll see it bubble up get clumpy weird then smooth out like glass...take it out when it's smooth. (be careful it's ridiculously hot until it cools and hardens...like 2 minutes)

 

see...smooth and pretty

  Step 8  - Attach jumprings and chain of your choice and voila...fabulous faux china necklace!

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Giveaway Time! - Shabby Chic Rose Tutorial

I'm excited to have my first tutorial for sale in my etsy shop!  Follow my blog and leave a comment here telling me what you would do with these lovely shabby chic roses and I will randomly pick a winner to recieve the new tutorial PDF!

I will also keep posting free new tutorials on my blog for fun stuff I love to make too :)  Up next, Faux Broken China Jewelry...look for the "how to" soon!

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Fabric Wrap Bracelet Tutorial

My first tutorial is here!  These cute little bracelets are super sweet and fun to make too.  Whenever I wear one people always ask where I got it... well now you know!

Gather some scarp fabric, 1 metal bangle (thin) scissors and a little sparkly button with a shank.

Cut a 2 inch by 18 inch strip of fabric

Now to start wrapping your bangle leave about 2 inches as your starter the neatly wrap the fabric around the bangle

Keep wrapping the bangle giving a little "tug" ever once in a while to tighten the wrap...

Tie the remaining fabric in a secure double knot and even up the edges...

Use a hot glue gun or fabric glue to put a drop of glue into the crevice of the knot (this is where the shank of the button will push into)...

Add your sparkly button and hold in place for a few seconds...and YOU'RE DONE!

Play around with different fabrics, you can make them a bit longer 2 inches by 26 inches) to tie a bow at the end too.  Be creative, it's a sweet thing!

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Eco Friendly Poppies

Okay so I'm going green...not with eyeshadow or clothing choices but with my poppies! I'm starting to focus on vintage and recycled fabrics and back all poppies with recycled post consumer plastic bottles! Be on the look out for my new eco friendly line!

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Okay...I'm blogging now. I promise.

I tried blogging a while back...didn't really happen. But I'm giving it another shot! This time I'm creating this blog to share my creations with you...whether it's my new favorite margarita or my latest crafty fashion...I'm bringing it all to you guys. Let the fun begin!

My fab summer margarita...

Limeade Yummies

6 oz Frozen Limeade Concentrate
6oz Water
4oz Tequila
2 oz Blackberry (or any flavor you like) Liqueur

Serve on the rocks or blend with ice...yummy!

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First Snow

Okay, so after tons of "Holiday gift Bazaars" I saw my first few snow flakes today with my son and now I'm finally feeling in the holiday mood! I'm going to be creating a beautiful new snow inspired poppy brooch tonight and will post it asap. Let it snow!

**look for my first holiday "free gift" contest soon**

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Urban Poppies

So, I love the vintage romantic style...but I also dabble in some urban chic designs that compliment my collection. This necklace has the look of leather but is crafted using polymer clay. I love the funky city chic vibe...

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