Resin Being

So, I've been considering trying something new--resin art! It's a method used mostly for small items like pendants or magnets. It's endlessly versatile as you're basically making a little container, a collage, and then sealing the collage into it. Great for all the teeny tiny things I've been saving in boxes waiting for the right project to include them in. This way they'll never get lost! Beautiful handmade cufflinks shown by Kaja Gjedebo. My stuff would be way more budget, of course.

"Silkscreening" made Easy and Cheap

I think most people have wanted to silkscreen their own shirts/accessories at one time or another. However, if you're like me, the cost and complexity factors are big deterrents. I don't want to build a photolab to make a few tank tops! Well, here is a great tutorial that enables you to create and "silkscreen" your own designs. The only limitation is the extent of your imagination. Uh, and the size of the embroidery hoop. Complex designs that you want to be perfect aren't the best unless you're really good at painting and drawing. But all the printed items in my shop have been made using this method, and I'm happy with it! I use mod podge to "paint" the design with. The key is to trace your image really carefully. I shade in areas to help me remember where to paint and where to leave blank.

Thanks so much to Mathew Melis for turning me on to the method, and of course to the ingenious creator!

Free+Easy+Cute

Check it out, two free purse patterns! One is a wristlet that looks like I wouldn't take the time to make (I am lazy lazy lazy) and the other is a lovely evening clutch that I want to try--I have this beautiful vintage fabric--mint-colored metallic brocade--that I've been hoarding for the right project. This one looks easy and cute. Easy+Cute=The Right Pattern. Throw in free and I'm all over it. The fan in the back and the pinstripe clutch kind of make it look like something only your over-accessorized aunt would wear (Isn't there a hip sewing pattern company yet? I think I read about one, but I forget the name. Sewing is still new for me). But imagine the purse in a great vintage fabric, it could be really elegant! Or even something cute, in a fun printed fabric with bright solid lining...hm...

Ooooh Jeebus

Even though I have about five orders I should be packaging right now (thank you so very very much for choosing me for gift-giving! Your apple combs and sushi necklaces and fish friends are on their way!), I am stuck. It started with this link to a very cool instruction set on How to Make a 3-D Snowflake from the DIY category of a site I'd never been to, Lifehacker.

That Lifehacker link led to an entry at DIY:happy, another site full of links to instructional articles for DIYers on everything from how to turn an old monitor into a hamster cage, to how you can make a lamp from a cocktail shaker. So the snowflake instructions themselves were on yet another site I can't believe I've never seen, WikiHow. Current featured articles cover topics such as How To:

-Gain the Trust of a Recently Abused Horse
-Grow a Pineapple
-Throw a Cocktail Party
-Make a 3D Paper Snowflake
-Remain Standing While Riding a Bus

and

-Calculate Pi by Throwing Frozen Hot Dogs

I know!! It's like a treasure trove. Or a black hole that will suck you in for the rest of your Sunday night. You decide! I am simply passing along the curse. I mean, er, love. Thanks James, for all of the above! You can blame him.

Project: Christmas Tree Topper

I recently bought my very first, very own Christmas tree. It isn't full size; only 4.5 feet tall. But it's big enough for me! I wanted something special to top it off with and a store-bought ornament didn't seem like the way to go. So I took inventory of my craft supplies and saw the huge box of beads I've been hoarding for, oh, about ten years now--and decided it was time they saw the light! So I made this (click to go to bigger, the detail is kinda cool):

This star is easy peasy. All it really takes is time. I did it last night while I talked on the phone to a very persistent boy.

First get your materials together. To make a topper like this you will need:

-Cardboard
-Scissors
-Tin Foil
-Wire (I used two spools, one silver and one gold, and found that 22 guage goes through even small seed beads). Try a hardware store and ask for copper wire.
-Lots of glass beads. Michael's has cheap assortments.
-About two hours of time

Now you will need to cut out a star from the cardboard. I made mine a little asymmetrical, on purpose. Next, put a bit of glue on the star. Lay down the foil and put the star on it. Slice some slits around the star (see pic), then wrap the points. Flip it over and do the other side. You don't have to make it an exact science, just cover the star in foil.

Could you just glue this to a toilet paper roll and have a perfectly good topper? Yes. I might even say, Go for it. I was tempted! But, if you're still feelin' it, press on. Grab your wire. Cut off a big section. Doesn't matter how big, long enough to not have to re-load for a while, but short enough so it doesn't get tangled in itself. Wrap the wire around one of the tips a few times until it's secure. Add a few inches of beads, then take a moment to arrange them. Wrap the wire around the star, pushing the beads so they lay on the front during each pass. Think like, the stripe on a candy cane.

A tip: Using smaller beads at the points helps give good shape.

Continue wrapping the point until you get to the base. If you run out of wire just cut off a new section and twist it with the old one to bond them, on the backside of the star where it won't show. You can make the wraps as neat or messy as you like. Try looping extra wire around, or making curlicues in the wire (wrap a loose end around a pencil a few times). Be creative! Magically, my points are done. Now the middle, which is a bit trickier.

Weave through the wires, wrap around the whole middle, do whatever you like to cover this section. Or leave it empty. Or add a special keepsake, another ornament, barbie shoes, whatever. It's your call. I used my biggest beads here to make it easier. Now you're done!

Almost. Just add an extra "band" of wire that goes across the middle of the star horizontally. Weave it under your beads and then around the back (like a belt), leaving it kinda slack. This wire will be what goes over the tree branch and holds the star up. Ok, now you're really done! Place your topper on your Christmas tree and be proud of yourself. I threw some old curtain ties I had onto the treetop to give the star a "tail."

You could also try:

-Using beads or trinkets that have sentimental value. Old broken jewelry would work well.
-A color theme, or all different shapes of beads that are one color.
-Incorporating ribbons, buttons, charms, etc.

Or you could just grab something down at Rite-Aid. But personally, I enjoy knowing there isn't a single star in the world that's just like mine. If you decide to make one, please let me know! Send me pictures so I can post them, too.

Holy Muppetfur

I saw this amazing quilt on Crafster. It was created by user roxy nova, and it totally blows me away.

I am especially fond of the Animal and Gonzo. Check out the link to see up-close images. The detail is mind-boggling...right down to the chocolate chips on Cookiemonster's cookie!

I'd also like to say thanks so much to everyone showing love and support for the new shop! It's been really great seeing how much my friends are rooting for me. Today I made my first sale to a complete and total stranger, it's really a great feeling! Guess those ads at Project Wonderful are doing their job!

p.s. Right after I wrote this I remembered reading an article about Tina Fey's recent interview on Howard Stern in which she said Paris Hilton had "the hair of a Fraggle." God I love her.

Ta-daaa!

Welcome to my brand new blog! This site will be devoted to talk of all things crafty, and goes hand in hand with my online shop, Chubby Bunny.

I'll discuss new projects, great finds, DIY techniques, and anything else that seems like it might be of interest to the folks reading...please feel free to drop by, leave comments and suggestions, or let me know about sites that you think are inspiring, useful, or just fun to read!

Thanks for stopping in.

Helena