Printable advent calendar

This Sunday is the first Sunday of advent, the four weeks leading up to Christmas. If you'd like to count down the days in December, download this sweet free advent calendar from Mibo. Just 10 minutes assembly is required, plus a craft knife, ruler, and glue.

And in the meantime, Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! I'm taking tomorrow off from blogging to stuff myself with turkey and enjoy the company of some wonderful people.

Printable bird bookmarks

Sharon Rowan sent over a link to these little bird bookmarks she designed. You can download and print them right here. And as always, if anyone else has designed a lovely printable freebie, written a super DIY tutorial, or stumbled onto something fabulous, send me a link. I can't feature every submission, but I always love to see what you guys are up to.

Another freezer paper stencil project

Here's another freezer paper stenciling example, printed a couple weeks ago when I was trying out the technique. I had grand aspirations to get the fabric sewed into a zippered bag to use as a sample at the Craft Social stenciling table. But I ran out of time, of course. I finished it this weekend, only a week late.

Things gone awry

I think of this blog as my vacation getaway, a happy diversion from commercial graphic design work. (Except for the occasional logo quiz, of course.) But I'm compelled to mention a hilarious site which designers everywhere will appreciate. Clients From Hell is "A collection of anonymously contributed client horror stories from designers." Welcome to the wonderful world of graphic design! (Via Coudal.)

Logo memory game

If you've got some time to kill, try this logo matching game. A fun way to look at logos if you're interested in design. I could have used this diversion during the short breaks in my jury duty this week. The case ended yesterday, so now I'm tending to the backlog of logo, stationery, and signage projects that piled up while I was gone. How come I don't have a "time-saver" category for posts?

Thanksgiving Placemats

I remember making Thanksgiving placemats every year when I was in elementary school. One placemat had the hand print on it where you turn your fingers into the turkey’s feathers. Well this apple placemat is easy enough for a kid to do, but it looks so stylish! Instead of an apple you could make one [...]

[me] and goji DIY Cereal

Make your own custom granola mix or cereal, name it and have it sent to you all packaged. Check out [me] and goji to make your very own creation. You can pay $5 to get a picture put on the label. But, I think it would be cool to create your own label design and [...]

Snowman Kit

Looking for a diy gift to give this holiday season? Make a Snowman Kit this year! This is such a cute idea, and would make a great gift for someone who lives up in the snowy states unlike me! I can’t get over what a cool idea this is, all you need are some [...]

Origami Koi

Check out Mabona Origami’s stop motion video to learn how to make origami Koi and make your own koi pond. Also, check out Mabona Origami’s website to see more amazing and beautiful origami creations.

My Own Creation: Halloween Wreath

I hope everyone had a happy Halloween! I made my own last minute Halloween Wreath after seeing A Forest Frolic’s wreath. Michael’s had run out of most of their Halloween section so I had very little to choose from, luckily I found a little plush vampire and witch to put on my wreath, with [...]

Nov 25, Cocoon shape

I am looking to make a cocoon shape that I can use to place newborn babies to photograph them. After weeks of experimenting without too much success,

Nov 25, A stitch called selv.

I have an old Annie Blatt knitting pattern book. On one pattern, it often mentions in the knitting instructions - 1 selv. (selvage or edge). Is this a

Nov 25, Knitting numbers into a square

I am making a baby blanket , all in one colour, but I am doing it in squares of different stitches in a 4ply wool/ I would like to put the baby's name

Nov 25, Casting On

How do I cast on a tear away? YOUR ANSWER I haven't heard this term before, but I am assuming that it is a form of provisional cast on where you can

Nov 25, kpk

I am knitting a Debbie Bliss pattern (Carryboo from Baby Cashmerino 3)--what is kpk? Thanks YOUR ANSWER kpk generally means that you knit, purl and

The Grapes Jewelry

Created the grape jewelry collection using gemstones and copper wires.





I am currently compiling tutorial for this designs. So stay tune!

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Christmas Earrings With Beautiful Turquiose / Gemtones

Jingle bell, jingle bell, jingle bell rock
Jingle bells swing and jingle bells ring
Snowing and blowing up bushels of fun
Now the jingle hop has begun...

These few designs are a must have this Christmas season! You can purchase from my Etsy store!






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Hardware Store Bracelet By RaNDoMLeiGH

As the name suggested, you can make this beautiful bracelet using materials from hardware stores. This simple bracelet looks very upscale, but is inexpensive, classic, and easy. RaNDoMLeiGH offers this tutorial free of charge. Learn to make this beautiful bracelet here!






















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Handy Guide to Jewelry-Making Terms

What's in a name? I live near this kid named Christian. Nice boy, a little shy, but very polite. "Hi, Christian!" I yell from the porch when he walks to the bus. "Hi, Mrs. Campbell." "Hey, Christian! How's your sister?" "Fine, Mrs. Campbell." The other day Christian paused and said, "You know, Mrs. Campbell, my name isn't Christian. It's Cameron." I laughed so hard! I'd been calling him Christian for at least two years. I'm sure he thought, jeez, what a ditz. But you know what? I was relieved that he finally got the nerve to set me straight––otherwise how would I know?

Chain names
I'm relieved when people set me straight on jewelry-making terms, too. That's why I was pleased to find a very clear table of photographs showing and naming eighteen different types of chain in Jane Dickerson's wonderful new book, Chain Style: 50 Contemporary Jewelry Designs. Included are familiar types of chain such as the cable, rolo, and curb chain, but also anchor, long-and-short, charm, wheat herringbone, and many others. I know I'll refer to the photos in this book again and again to make sure I'm set straight, and while I'm at it will be inspired by the many fashion-forward projects within.

Learn the lingo for jewelry-making supplies
Seeing all those chains and their proper names made me think about what we call things. For instance, I've always called Boston link chain "elongated box chain," and I'm sure readers can picture what I'm talking about without me using the proper name. It's the same for lots of jewelry-making materials-there can be lots of names for the same thing. Just for fun I made you a chart of some supplies and terms that have multiple names.

Supply	Common name	Less-common name
Findings	Ribbon-end crimp	Basketweave crimp
	Posts	Studs
	Earring backing	Ear nut
	Hook-and-eye clasp	Fishhook clasp
	Link	Connector
	Knot cup	Clamshell
	Spacer bar	Separator
Beads	Fire-polished	Czech crystal
	India glass	Wound glass
	Pressed glass	Molded glass
	Semiprecious stone	Gemstone
	Cylinder bead	Delica, Treasure
Wire	Beading wire	Flexible beading wire, nylon-coated steel wire, SoftFlex, Beadalon, Accuflex
	Craft wire	Artistic Wire, color-coated copper wire
	French wire	Gimp, bullion
Tools	Nylon-jaw pliers	Wire straighteners
	Embroidery scissors	Snippers, sharp scissors
Other materials	Beading wax	Beeswax, microcrystalline wax, synthetic wax
	Nylon beading thread	Nymo, Silamide, C-Lon, One-G
	Braided beading thread	FireLine, WildFire, Power Pro
	Elastic cord	Gossamer cord, illusion cord

These are just some of the hundreds of terms we jewelry-makers run into every day that have more than one name.
What names would you add to the list? Please share them here on Beading Daily.

Learn the Secrets of Making Polymer Beads

		Polymer tips for beginners from a beginner. Every culture has a legend about creating something from clay and bringing it to life. It’s very magical to change a lump of clay into something else. It also seemed so easy. I played with clay as a kid. I should have looked at Carol Blackburn's Making Polymer Clay Beads, but I didn't, at first. Like the ambitious sorcerer's apprentice, I tried stuff on my own. Totally scorched the holes in my beads.

		Make patterns with canes Learning my lesson, I looked to the masters to make better magic with polymer clay. Making Polymer Clay Beads was chock-full of secrets revealed. One technique the book teaches is using cane to make striking graphic patterns, such as in these black-and-white beads.

		Transform clay into stone One of my favorite polymer clay properties is how it can be transformed to look like something else. Check out these beads. Don't they look like marble? I just think this is an amazing effect, and can't wait to try it.

		It's easy to explore surface and texture So many surfaces can be achieved in polymer clay. Matte, speckled, rough and gritty, or super slick. In this necklace, the clay looks like Venetian glass. Baked polymer can be sanded for such a shimmering finish. Who knew?

Inspiration from the experts There were, however, plenty of things I figured out by myself. For instance, working with clay is a heckuva lot more physical than stitching beads. Effort is transferred from fingers to hands, arms, and body. I rediscovered muscles I forgot I had. Here's a nice prospect: polymer clay beadmaking burns calories! I talk a lot about being self-taught, but don’t get me wrong. Some materials have special qualities and safety features that would take years to discover on my own. But check out the pointers and inspiration from the pros such as those showcased in Making Polymer Clay Beads and presto! You’ll be amazed what you learn!

Do you work with polymer clay? What tips do you have for absolute beginners? 
Share them here on Beading Daily!

 

11 Reasons to Take a Jewelry Class

		Discover your talents in a Bead Fest Wire Workshop! I love learning things on my own, inventing and playing. Most of us are self-taught in one or another craft forms. But there are times when being a hermit has its drawbacks, or when homeschooling just isn’t economical, let alone safe. I can cut apart and re-stitch a botched piece of beadwork, but broken beads aren’t toxic. I don’t lose much money tossing a few mutant copper wire coils, but wasting small snips of silver wire adds up. To avoid calamity to purse or person, I look to the experts and take a workshop at Bead Fest. Why? Here are my top 11 reasons to take a class.
1: Conserve materials Seems obvious, but I probably wasted a mile of metal in my early forays with wire. If only I had taken a class and seen early on how to, for instance, use wire from the spool to be more economical.

		2: Learn safely about safety If you’re a beginner, absolutely take classes in anything with flame, heat, toxic fumes or corrosive substances. Lampworking is an obvious example, with open flame and potentially explosive consequences. But using a hammer, drill, or dremel poses hazards, too—especially if you’re sitting there thinking, what’s a dremel? A Bead Fest student has fun in a safely supervised lampworked-glass class.

		3: Know the must-have tools I am oddly attracted to specialty pliers with alien noses and funky-colored handles. And while a tool for bending a “V” in metal is something useful for people who do that a lot, I was taught to achieve this effect with tools I already owned, for the few times I want to do that. Step by Step Wire Jewelry Editor-in-Chief and Bead Fest teacher Denise Peck brings shopping karma to our Bead Fest director, Karen Keegan.

		4: Discover which tools do what In the same light, if I was making a lot of V shapes, that tool would make sense. And, without the insight of a teacher, I wouldn’t have even known that tool existed. I’m sure a teacher could tell me what the heck these pliers are!

		5: Observe efficiency Watch a teacher at work. Pay attention to their economy of movement, how they place things at hand in their work space and their sequence of production. Good teachers are usually as productive as they are creative. They can show you ways to be faster as well as better at the technique. Bead Fest teacher Janice Berkebile shows how to keep your work space organized.

		6: Add tricks and tips to your repertoire How often have you seen something demonstrated and said, “Gee, I never thought to do it like that.”  Exactly. Bead Fest teacher and vendor Lisa Niven Kelly shows a student her technique for stamping.

		7: Learn about your medium For instance, I didn’t know until I took a class that I could melt away an entire piece of silver wire trying to fuse it into a ring. The teacher showed me exactly how to position the torch. Take a class for any kind of work with a torch so you don’t burn up your art. Believe me, I'm talking from experience.

8: Watch a technique in action Some techniques are just plain difficult to explain in words or illustrations. I only learned Viking knit by watching it demonstrated by a skilled teacher. Viking knit is easier to learn when you see it done in person. I didn't know which end was up, down, around, or through until I watched Denise Peck actually doing it.

9: Discover new resources
Teachers have their favorite sources and favorite brands for a reason. Expand your own sources for tools and materials from your mentors; consider their tried and true recommendations.

10: Be inspired
Most teachers would love to be spending more time in their studio, so we’re grateful for their generosity in sharing their time and expertise. Teaching is a special calling. Take advantage of being up close to the technique and material in your teacher’s work. Ask questions. Let that visual stimulation encourage you! Above all, show respect and don’t reproduce their designs for your own gain.

11. Make new friends and network
Enjoy the company of others of a like mind. Taking a class is fun. Meet people from many backgrounds with many diverse styles and skills. Share stories of juggling family, jobs, and jewelry. Hear why others are so passionate, and what other art forms lead them here. You’ll learn as much from your fellow students as from the teachers! Plus, you may find yourself with dinner companions!

 

FREE WIRE & BEADS PROJECT!

The fun starts here, with a free project by Janice Berkebile, one of our popular Bead Fest Wire teachers. These Coiled Gem Drop earrings are such a wonderful way to bring beads into your wirework, or, to use wire to show off your beads. Sign up for Bead Fest Wire classes today so you don't miss out!

 Download Coiled Gem Drops Now!

Good teachers deserve good students. Do you have tips for first time students at Bead Fest? Do you have tips to help teachers be better teachers? Share them here!

Coiled Gem Drops

Designer: Janice Berkebile Published: November 20, 2009 Technique: Wirework Download Coiled Gem Drops Now! Not only is the coiling technique perfect for framing special beads, but it also creates eyes below the frame from which to dangle gemstones. Originally Published in Beadwork August/September 2005....(read more)

Design Wire Jewelry with Attitude!

Keep it together with wire.

It’s my birthday this week and, according to a friend, I’ve officially arrived to the point in my life where people will start saying “Yes, Ma’am!” when I ask them to do something. Boy, if she’s right, I’m really looking forward to it: “Do your homework.” "Yes, Ma’am!" “I’d like a discount on that, please.” "Yes, Ma’am!" “Rub my feet.” "Yes, Ma’am!" Wow—this is going to be good.

To fully embrace this Yes Ma’am! period, I may need to make myself a bold piece of jewelry. You know, something to go with my new firm attitude and red hat. To design for my new attitude, I planned thoughtfully, with purpose, considering each element for its meaning as I lay them out:

I’ll start by featuring this Steampunk-style heart I just received from polymer clay artist Jeannie Dukic. Even though it’s still sweet (it IS a heart, mind you), all that hardware makes it pretty kick-butt, just like the new bold outlook I’ll supposedly wake up with soon.

Crystal pearls will go perfectly with the heart, and their ageless luster will remind me that getting older is just a state of mind. I'll incorporate these found objects, not only to reflect the flavor of the focal pendant, but also as a nod to my past years.

I turned to Step by Step Wire Jewelry for a way to tie it all together.  Subscribe to Step by Step Wire Jewelry and discover for yourself why I was inspired!  As I leafed through my issues I decided to use colored copper wire for my birthday necklace. Colored copper wire turned out to have all kinds of good birthday reminders for women of a certain age:

		It’s available in several different widths and gauges, just like the wide selection of jeans sizes in my closet.
		It's very soft and bendable, but can be work-hardened with a plastic or rawhide mallet. I'm guessing all those upcoming "Yes, Ma'ams!" will be a little like getting work-hardened, at first.
		It can be coiled, knitted, woven, looped, wrapped and bent but still has a good memory; it can still be straighted out with a good pair of nylon-jaw pliers. For a woman, sometimes all you need to get straightened out is a bar of chocolate. Yes, Ma’am!
		Colored copper wire doesn’t tarnish or fade. Aw, now isn’t that the best birthday reminder of all?

Did you find inspiration in Step by Step Wire Jewelry to make a design with purpose, as I did this week? What else about making wire jewelry reminds you to keep a good attitude? Please share your thoughts here on Beading Daily.

… Continue

Nov 25, Popo Bracelet Tutorial - String a Silver and Crystal Name Bead Bracelet

Nov 25, Make a Grandmother Bracelet

Nov 24, How is Craft Wire Different From Other Wire?

Nov 24, Jewelry Making for the Rest of Us

Nov 24, Mommy Bracelet Supply List

How to Make Origami Jewelry Tutorial Links

Tami's tutorial on CutOutandKeep uses the head pin with beads on top of and below each crane. If you prefer to see it demonstrated, check out Davi Kallman's origami crane earring video tutorial. She uses elastic to string the cranes.



Stars
These cute origami stars are made from strips of paper rather than from squares. The tutorial by umeorigami is easy to do. The author points out they make great beads and garlands.

Hearts
Craftyartworld's tutorial shows you how to make a simple flat origami heart. A small pair will look great as earrings. There is an accompanying video to help illustrate the steps.

Book Review
If you are looking for a book, Ayako Brodek's book Origami Jewelry: More Than 40 Exquisite Designs to Fold and Wear is awesome. The jewelry is beautiful and highly wearable. If you would like to review it for yourself from the comfort of your chair, check out Google Book Search here. You can see several pages from the book. I highly recommend using Google Book Search and libraries to review books before deciding whether to buy or not. Not every book is available for review but it is always worth a quick check.

Happy Folding!

For tutorials check out my Jewelry Making Tips

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Reindeer Poop Jewelry Pictures

The reindeer dung necklaces and Christmas ornaments have certainly garnered media attention. I've already linked to the Miller Park Zoo site in Bloomington, Illinois on my facebook page. But I thought other blog readers might appreciate seeing what the Magical Reindeer Gems looked like and learn how they made them!

The reindeer droppings were first dehydrated and sterilized before being spray painted with glitter. As you can see, the necklace pendant has been made with one dung pellet and other beads. It looks like a snowman!

Someone commented on my facebook page that she once sent her father a beautiful letterpress card made from buffalo dung paper. He was not amused as he hadn't been sent bull**** in the mail before. She soothed him by saying, "....it isn't all that bad - I'm the dummy who licked the envelope!" So she is sticking to Hallmark for him!

I wonder if the zoo will be able to sell their limited edition collection. But one thing is certain, they have earned plenty of free publicity. Hopefully people will visit the zoo and spend money in aid of the zoo. Via


For tutorials check out my Jewelry Making Tips

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Subscribe via RSS OR Via Email* It's FREE!
*Click on the link in the confirmation email to activate subscription
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… Continue

4 Years in the Making: Insane Papercraft City

… Continue

Jetman Flys Over Atlantic with DIY Wings - Plummets!

… Continue

Avoid Turkey-Frying-Fire Disaster this Thanksgiving

… Continue

Turbo Turkey - Cook the Damn Bird Above the Camshaft

… Continue

Deeply Trusting Female Volunteers Bod to Redneck Science: First Human Slingshot

… Continue

Are You a Crafty Bastard?

Crafty Nation Gets Hot with Ann Clough Glassworks!

Crafty Nation Meets Catlin Phillips from Rebound Designs

Guest “How To” with Margot Potter

The Summit of Awesome was awesome!!

Crafty Nation spent Saturday with the Hello Craft team at their three-day event Washington D.C. called "The Summit Of Awesome.”  It was "awesome" to see so much creativity and the passion for inspiring others.  Every one that we interviewed was Über excited to learn, share, ...

Happy Thanksgiving!

Hi Crafters! Happy Thanksgiving from the team at CRAFT and our little mascot, Lulu the pom! She's getting into the Thanksgiving spirit with her tiny pilgrim hat. Enjoy all the food tonight!

If you're still in need of some recipes, here's our feature this month for a Thanksgiving Feast:

• Thanksgiving Feast: How-To Brine & Roast a Turkey
• Thanksgiving Feast: Side Dishes
• Thanksgiving Feast: Pumpkin Pie with Caramel Pecan Topping

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Slow Loris Handcrafted Shirts

I'm absolutely drawn to the hand-drawn look of these shirts from Slow Loris. Created by two artists, Jessica and Arlo, who live on a tiny chunk of land off the Puget Sound by the name of Guemes Island, you can just feel the love that went into these designs. Arlo and Jessica illustrate directly onto Rubylith film with an ink pen and X-Acto knife, and then burn screens from their designs, silk-screening each shirt by hand. Pictured above is the Home Recording Studio and below is the Engline , both of which cause the MAKE side of my brain to say "yummy!"

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Gift Guides on Make: Online

I hope you've all been enjoying our gift guides so far on CRAFT! If you can't get enough or have other creative types on your list, head over to Make: Online to see Gifts for Dads, Science and Chemistry, Gifts for Kids, the Mischief Maker's Guide, and much more. We're bringing you a new guide almost every day until it's too late to ship orders, so keep checking back!

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Downloadable Matryoshka Calendar

I love this downloadable Matryoshka calendar from A Print A Day. She's omitted dates so the calendars can be used again and again, and each month has a different color scheme.

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How-To: Make a Twirled Paper Octopus & Angel Fish

How-To: Make a Twirled Paper Octopus & Angel Fish, excerpt from Twirled Paper
By Jacqueline Lee

It's amazing what you can make with simple paper strips! With this project, kids can learn the art of quilled paper by creating these adorable paper versions of an octopus and angel fish. Recycle and cut long thin long strips of paper from old newspapers, wrapping paper, or even junk mail!

Download the PDF
(Right click mouse to save to computer. More info here on downloading PDFs.)

For more twirled paper projects like these, check out the book Twirled Paper: Make Almost Anything with Simple Paper Strips by Jacqueline Lee which comes with more than 100 paper strips in 28 different colors. You'll also get googly eyes, glue, and a twirling wand and a multitude of project ideas. As a special to CRAFT readers, get 25% off all Klutz titles by entering in the promo code CRAFT at checkout!

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