DAY ONE of {I could make that March}

Welcome to Day 1 of "I could make that" March!  I am so excited to have you here and to get started on this fun month long series!  If you missed what this is all about, allow me to explain:  One day after another one of my crazy pinning "episodes" (if you love Pinterest as much as I do, then I am sure you have them too), I realized that I have a TON of pins that I never actually make.  This held especially true in my clothing/accessories board.  In this case, I often pinned items that were hundreds of dollars (which I would never buy) and thought to myself "I could make that!".  Well my friends, the time is here for me to actually make these items.

This challenge isn't just for me you know- it is for you too!  I hope that you draw inspiration not just from my specific crafts (although maybe I will save you some money!) but from the challenge itself.  Take this time to look at your pins, choose some projects that you have previously set aside and get working on them!  I want to hear about your progress as well.  Send me links to your finished projects and link back to my page from your own website.  Let's get this challenge out there and encourage other crafters to get stuff done!

{Enough Talk... Ready to Start?}
Now that the introductions are over, check out our FIRST "I could make that" March project:

  {That's me!  A big thanks to my amazing husband for taking some "on the body" shots for us}

{The Inspiration Pin}

There were actually 2 sources of inspiration for this one.  The first was of a snake pendant that I saw at Jo-Ann Fabrics:

 

{via}

Then, when I went to search Pinterest for others like it, I found this beautiful one as well:

 

{via)

I was in love... I had to make it!

{My Version}

I used clay for my necklace and it was super easy. I also decided to make my snake a little more "slithery" and to be holding onto a bead (sort of like he grabbed a field mouse or something... morbid I know...)

 

 

{STEP ONE}

If you're a long-time follower, you know I love my Sculpey Bake Shop Clay.  It's sort of my new addiction.  I have made a bracelet, earrings and "Peeps" Placecard Holders plus this craft all from one block of it (and I still have some left over!) 

Aaanyways, roll out a thin line of clay and shape as desired.  Next, use a toothpick to make a hole through the head for the necklace chain to string through.  Make sure it goes all the way through and that it is large enough for your chain.  This must be done before baking!

{STEP TWO}

Using some metallic paint (I used Deco Art brand), cover the surface of the clay.  Let dry.

{STEP THREE}

Press seed beads into the clay.  I suggest making a small divot with a toothpick first- this makes it a little easier to guide the beads without them falling all over the place.  This is also the time to add your larger bead into the tail.  The clay is still flexible at this point so make it snug.

{STEP FOUR}

Bake as directed by the instructions listed on the clay packaging.  When you remove from the oven it will be hot (and flexible) so allow it to cool before picking it up.  I added the eyes at this point with a Sharpie marker.  This can be done when painting or at the end, it doesn't matter.

{That's it!  Check out the Detail Shots}

{Love that rose bead!}

{Your Turn}

What do you think?  Are you happy with Day One of "I could make that!" March?  What about my twist on the snake necklace?  

What are YOU working on for this challenge?  I really want this to be a group event, so please keep me updated on your projects and give me feedback on mine! Can't wait to hear what everyone is up to!

Happy Crafting,
Kelsie Ann

LINK LOVE! Linked up to: Every Day is an Occasion

  

Baked Clay {Easter} Place Card Holders

I have said it before and I will say it again:  I love Easter.  I love it for its true meaning and I love it for all the sweetness that comes from the pastels, the bunnies and the colored eggs.  I love going to the Sunrise Service at church and seeing little girls in their Easter dresses.  It all seems so quaint and (at least for myself), it makes the world slow down a little bit.  It gives us a chance to look at what is important, what is real and what is good.  In the spirit of Easter, I have decided to make a little something that is quaint and fun at the same time...

"Peeps" are those famous marshmallow bunnies, chicks (and now about any other holiday shape) covered in brightly colored sugar.  You know the ones.  You either love them or you hate them.  I got burnt out on them after years of gorging myself, but deep down I still love those adorable little sugar bunnies!

I think the idea of using place card holders at home is so quaint in and of itself.  We often see them in restaurants or at weddings, but rarely are they found at small gatherings with friends in our own homes.  I believe this to be another one of those "lost treasures" like written correspondence or reading the newspaper.

{We had a little accident with his eye- oops!  Nothing a little drop of paint wont fix!)

{Easy to Make}
The instructions are simple. Get yourself a block of baked clay (I use Sculpey Brand "Bake Shop") and mold to your desired shape. Don't forget to make a "slice" in the back of your shape for the place cards to fit (this must be done before baking). Four bunnies take less than 3/4 of the block to make. Follow the baking instructions listed on the packaging. Once your shapes are done baking, let cool and then color with acrylic paint.

That's it! Set up and enjoy!

{Your Turn}
I was going to make some realistic looking bunnies as well but then realized that I have zero sculpting abilities (one of those artistic talents that I never quite grasped!) What do you think of the "Peeps" theme? Have I inspired you to make your own place card holders? If you do- I would love to see pictures, so link up your posts!

Happy Crafting,
Kelsie Ann

Jewelry Making with a Wax Seal Stamp & Clay!

I love jewelry.  Really, I love all accessories.  My family loves to tease me about my giant sun hats and outrageous necklaces.  This year for Christmas my husband actually bought me a jewelry armoire.  We decided a jewelry box was nowhere big enough for all my stuff, so he got me a 4 foot tall jewelry storing beast!  I love it!  I guess that has put me in an even bigger jewelry mood because I have been dabbling in jewelry making since that day.  First I made a metal stamped necklace and now this:

The strap is basic enough, just braided DMC thread, but the "charm" on it... that's baked clay that I shaped with a wax seal stamp!

Does everyone know what I'm talking about when I say "wax seal stamp"?  It is a type of stamp that is often used in formal occasions (weddings, etc.) to seal up an envelope.  To use it, you melt a stick of wax onto the paper then press the stamp into it.  I happened to just own this because I am a sucker for that type of thing.

For this project however, no wax is needed.  Here IS what you will need:

You may actually use any type of thread that you are comfortable with.  I could not find what I was looking for, but I think DMC thread is easy to work with.

I chose the blue and green shades because they are included as some of the "HOT NEW COLORS OF 2013" (this may be the first time I am ever actually up on trends!) and I thought gold was a nice accent color.

{How to Make It}

{1} First, gather a small amount of clay and press the design into it with the wax seal stamp.

 
MAKE SURE to put holes in the clay BEFORE you bake it.  I used a safety pin to do this.

{2} Bake the clay as instructed and allow it to cool.

{3}  Paint the clay and let it dry.

{4} String the thread through the holes in the clay piece. You will need three pieces of thread to braid,
       so cut evenly measured strips of thread (I used 2 greens and 1 blue). Place a green piece on each
       side, making it loop through the holes. The blue thread will be shared between the two, giving each
       side a third piece.

{The pattern on the back came from pressing the clay on top of paper towel!}

{5} Once the pieces are in place, tie the green threads in a knot to secure everything.  When this step is
       finished, it should look like this from the back:

{6} All you have left to do is to braid each side.  I knotted mine at the ends and added a little gold bead to each thread.  I also made my bracelet adjustable- but that is up to you.

To make it adjustable:  Take a separate piece of thread and with the ends of the bracelet overlapping each other by a few inches (the whole thing being in a circle shape like it would be on your wrist), tie a loose knot.  Then, flip it over to the other side and tie a knot again.  Repeat by flipping the bracelet over back and forth until you have several knots in a row.  This should work as a holder, which allows the bracelet threads to slide back and forth.  (Sorry I don't have pictures of this!)

{I also made a long braided piece with blue, green and white to be worn with this bracelet}

{Your Turn!}

I have always loved the look of the wax seal and now I get to wear that look around with me all day!  What do you think?  For more ideas on jewelry making, check out these posts on charm bracelets with buttons, "grown-up" shrinky dink necklaces and my metal stamped necklace.  Enjoy!

Happy Crafting,
Kelsie Ann

LINK LOVE! Linked up to: Every Day is an Occasion

Rustic Clay Pot

Good Morning!  Well, it's morning here and I've been up since 6 am so I am pumped and ready for the day!  Don't let that fool you though, it took me an hour of dragging myself around and a cup of coffee to get here.

Are you alert and ready for today's craft?  It is a decorative (and useful!) clay pot:

This is actually "leftover" from our wedding in June.  We sat these pots on the tables in between the centerpieces and filled them with kisses candy.  They were a bit hit... or at least the candy was!

The best part?  They're easy to make!  Here's how:

{1} Buy a small clay pot at any hardware of craft store (we got ours at Hobby Lobby).

{2}Take a medium thick piece of twine and wrap it from the back to the front, tying it into a bow.  Do the same thing again for the opposite side.  This way each side of the table can see a bow and it gives it the "double stringed" look you see here.

{I don't mind the twine being sort of "undone", it gives it a rustic look.  If you don't want that however, just trim the excess strings after you tie it}

{3} Next cut 2 small squares of burlap fabric.  Choose a favorite stamp design and simply stamp it onto the burlap. HINT: Solid designs work best as does black ink.

{4} Attach one square to each "side"of the pot using spray adhesive.  If you do not own a can of spray adhesive, I would highly recommend buying some.  It works wonders for attaching bulkier materials like fabric, lace trim or twine.

All Finished!  How easy was that?

I keep one on my dining room table for decoration.  Right now it is filled with rocks (used in our wedding centerpieces) and dried Billy Balls (from my bridal bouquet).  It is a little piece of our wedding that we get to see everyday in our home.

 

Did I mention that we have over a dozen of these left over?

Does anyone have an idea for how I could use all of them?  What would YOU put in yours?  Flowers, candy, something else?

I would love to hear your thoughts and ideas so please let me know!

With Love,
Kelsie Ann

LINK LOVE!  This project is linked to:  Every Day is an Occasion