ArtsyGringa

Oh how I love..... bracelet blanks

2009-06-04T21:33:00.000-07:00

Hello. I'm trying to get better at posting stuff. For some reason I seem to want to work on stuff instead of write about. Hey, i'm trying.

I've recently discovered something called "bracelet blanks". I love them. They are like a clean little slate waiting to be turned into a tiny, wearable work of art. I had heard of them before, but was formally introduced to my new love on board the 2009 Craft Chica Cruise. http://thecraftychica.blogspot.com/2009/04/4th-annual-crafty-chica-art-cruise.html

(Girl, you know i'm already on board for 2010!). We made these bracelets by adding a little bit of everything. (A littler bit here, even more there, oh, baby, don't stop!!)

These next ones are some I did using scrabble tiles. I got some great, digital scrabble tile sized images on Etsy. For a great tutorial on how to prepare scrabble tiles see http://anniehoweskeepsakes.blogspot.com/2008/03/how-to-make-gorgeous-scrabble-tile.html

(Tiles in progress).

This last one I did with polymer clay. I made little calaveras out of Sculpey Premo! and just glued them onto the bracelet blank. Voila! I have a few more ideas. I'll post them when I finish.

Additional tips: I always use E6000 when gluing something to the bracelet. Always score the metal disk that you are gluing your object to. I use an exacto and just scratch it up a bit. This helps with adhesion. To get bracelet blanks go to http://shop.ringsthings.com/cart/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=887&idproduct=19073

Great resin substitute!!

2009-05-07T21:45:00.000-07:00

Hello. Sorry It's been so long. So much going on all the time. But I ran across this product and it is so amazing that I had to share. It is a great substitute for your two part resins. It's called Magic-Glos by Lisa Pavelka. http://www.lisapavelka.com/Magic-Glos.asp

I make a lot of jewelry, bottle-caps, scrabble tiles, dominoes, etc... I usually glue an image to the scrabble tile, coat it with several layers of sealer and then apply a two-part resin to it to make it super shiny. I use Enviro-tex. It is messy, smelly and takes a super long time to cure. But the results are amazing. I've tried several different products trying to get the same results I get using the resin. I've tried UTEE. With UTEE I usually get an uneven surface with part of the product either scorched or full of air bubbles. I also have to apply several coats to give it any depth. I've also tried Diamond Glaze. Still, it gives me no dimension and I have to apply several coats. I also tried to drill through both the UTEE and the Diamond Glaze and they both ended up cracking.

I tried this stuff (Magic-Glos) today. A little (well a lot) skeptical about the claims. It is supposed to be a great substitute for resin. I tried it and I love it. It is super shiny, super thick, super tough. You can drill it, it cures in 15 minutes in direct sunlight; no mess, no smell, no mixing. It creates a great "domed" effect on the top of the tiles. Did I say it cures in 15 minutes (or less)? You squirt it directly from the bottle!! Anyways, I found this great review, which I agree with 100% Check it out and let me know what you think. http://www.crafttestdummies.com/2008/09/15/craft-product-review-magic-glos-by-lisa-pavelka

p.s. I'll try to get better at this blog thing :)

Christmas ornaments made of wooden spools

2008-11-11T21:33:00.000-08:00

Sorry it's been so long. I usually do a few shows a year: selling my goods and making a little $. Somehow this year I am busier than ever. I've already done two major shows and have 6 left to go, all before Christmas. Yikes, what have I done to myself. Anyways, I'll try to get a few more projects up before Christmas. And if anyone has any they would like to post here, let me know.

I whipped these up for a show in Tucson this weekend. They are made of wooden spools, bottle caps, beads, paint, varnish, wire, images, and a few embellishments. (I got the spools at Hobby Lobby). You can go crazy on these little babies!! Do a miniature version as a pendant!!

Gotta get back to work!

Day of the Dead cards

2008-10-16T19:35:00.001-07:00

I know it's been awhile, but these are busy times. 4 more major shows to go this year! Gotta start cranking out. This is the time when you forget that your doing this because you LOVE it. Gotta remember that! Anyways, i've been working on a lot of metal embossed Day of the Dead cards and thought I share a little.

First I embossed the tin and and then embedded the images. For some of the cards, i used the Crafty Chica Mojito paper images. For the others, I got a sheet of white DCWV glitter paper (from Michaels), cut out skull shapes, and then drew on the plain white glitter paper with colored Sharpies. It's that easy; glitter paper and sharpies of all colors. Now time to mount them onto cards!

Shrines made from boats!! That's right, boats!!

2008-09-29T00:55:00.000-07:00

Lately, for some reason everything I see looks like a shrine. Maybe it's because i've been gearing up for a Day of the Dead show or maybe i'm just crazy. Anyways, i've decided that boats, you know, the ones that look like they've been cut in half, make great shrines.

I found these at Dollar Tree. The frame had a little anchor on the bottom corner. (I already pried that little baby off with a screw driver).

I sanded it, painted it black, embossed some tin and then glued it on. Decorate the photo insert (here I used Crafty Chica loteria cards) or just insert a photo and your done!

This next one is a boat frame I found at Hobby Lobby for about $6. It's pretty big and it even has a drawer!

I just painted it and then added my shrine fixins'.

Don't you just love Day of the Dead!!!

Tacky Boa Dollar Tree Frames

2008-09-17T20:33:00.001-07:00

I found these (tacky) frames at Dollar Tree and had to have them. Only $1. OOOHH, the possibilities. I got them home and wondered what the heck I was thinking.

I spiced them up a little and am pretty happy with the result. (Now i'm wishing I had bought more!!) First, I embossed a metal frame and glued it to the original frame. Then I removed the insert for the picture, painted directly on it and added a Crafty Chica Loteria image to it. Voila, i'm done.

I only have about 6 more of these so I think my next step will be trying to make my own. Try cutting up a boa and gluing it onto the outside edge of a regular, painted frame. Another idea is to glue Mardi Gras beads around the edge. Also, rather than embossing metal for the frame, decorate the frame any way you like and add a mirror instead. OOOHHH, the possibilities!!

Let me know if you make anything using this technique. I would love to post photos on this blog.

Simple Shrine Frame Tutorial

2008-09-02T21:02:00.000-07:00

This is a simple way to make a shrine out of recycled materials. You simply take a box of some sort, cut a CD or other round object in half and then screw it on the top. I love recycling!!! Clean up the environment and save $. How can you lose? Besides, they look amazing!! This tutorial is for the basic shrine shape. What you do with it is up to you. I will post a few tutorials on how to make shrine elements out of polymer clay, including skeletons, so stay tuned!

What you will need:

a box of some sort (I usually use hinged wooden boxes that I take apart. This way you have two!!). Make sure the box has some sort of lip on it.
CD, jar lid, or other round (found) object that will serve as the top of your shrine
tin snips
ruler
Sharpie
drill and drill bit (I use a 1/16" drill bit)
tiny screws (the size that usually comes with saw tooth picture hangers)

Step 1: Aha, another victim!! Choose your box and disassemble if necessary. Remember to make sure that you choose a box with a lip on it; this is where you will be attaching your lid.

Step 2: Choose a round object that will become the top of your shrine. Choose a CD, jar lid or other object. You will be cutting this object in half, so make sure that the size of your round object, when cut in half, is smaller than the width of the top of your box. Take your sharpie and ruler and draw a line through the middle of your round object.

Step 3: Using your tin snips, cut the object in half.

Step 4: Position the half of the lid (or CD) onto the top of your box, and taking your drill, drill a hole through both objects (the lid and the box).

Step 5: Screw the lid to the box. I attached this one after I applied the glitter. Usually I attach it before decorating, this way the screws won't show.

Step 6: Decorate your shrine and enjoy!! Note: I used Crafty Chica glitters on this one!! (Available online at Amazon or at Select Michael's stores). (Sorry I can't post the link, still working on that one). Amazing colors!!

Funky, five minute, flower pin tutorial

2008-08-26T22:51:00.000-07:00

This is a super fast way to make fabulous, colorful pins. (Or use these little beauties to embellish your other creations!!)

What you will need:

silk flowers of various colors, shapes and sizes
jumbo brads, 1" across (available at scrapbooking stores)
1" round piece of chipboard
pin back
jewelry glue (E-6000 or clear liquid nails)
ephemera to decorate the front of the pin (bottlecaps, 1" images, broken jewelry, charms, small skulls or hearts)

Step 1: Disassemble the silk flowers (you will need flowers that have a hole in the middle when taken apart; if there is no hole, you will need to make one using an 1/8" hole punch or a craft knife)

Step 2: Layer the flower pieces by placing them on top of each other. I usually use four or five layers of different shapes and different color flowers.

Step 3: Thread your brad through the flower layers. (Remember, your flowers each have a hole in the middle of them). Line up the holes and thread the brad through.

Step 4: Using jewelry glue, glue your 1" piece of chipboard (or flat object of similar size) to the back of your pin. The chipboard piece should be centered and cover the prongs of the brad. (Here, I used a flat alphabet tin as the backing).

Step 5: Embellish the front of your pin. You can do this in several ways.

Decopauge an image directly onto the top of the brad
Glue a bottle cap onto the top of the brad and then decorate the inside of the bottlecap
Glue bits of jewelry or charms onto the top of the brad
I make little polymer clay skulls that I like to glue onto the top of the bradDon't forget to use glitter glue to give the flower petals a little sparkle!

Step 6: Using jewelry glue, glue the pin back onto the back of the pin.

Enjoy!!

My creating methods

2008-08-20T00:33:00.000-07:00

This is my first posting ever--so bare with me!! I love creating art!! I eat, drink and breathe it. I love the traditional supplies, acrylic paints, glitter, modpdge, but I'm also a gadget girl. Grungeboard, UTEE, new Crafty Chica Line; I just can’t get enough. Back to creating. I can't imagine not doing it. I guess I feel like in creating something or transforming something, I am transforming myself and the world around me. A little glitter makes everything seem a little brighter!! Like I said, I love creating art. The process of starting with nothing and turning it into something. Did I say I live (love) art. And I love mass producing it. I do a lot of shows so I need inventory and I sort of figured out a process that works for me. It’s not so much the medium that appeals to me as much as the outcome of what I am trying to create. When working on a piece, I first visualize what I would like the end result to be and then I try to think about what medium would allow me to get that result. It’s like working backwards on a project. Sometimes, if it is a medium that I’m not familiar with, I will learn it just enough to incorporate it into what I am trying to do. I do mainly work with Premo! polymer clay because it is so versatile and allows me to do most of what I am trying to do. I tend to create several pieces with the same basic theme or colors, and then embellish them differently. I can take each one in a different direction. Out of those 5 or 6, I usually end up with something I really like. (And a few that I don’t really care for). The great thing about art, is that the pieces I’m not so crazy about, are the ones that someone else really loves.

Like I said, this is my first post. I hope to post a tutorial in the next day or two. Any advice from you veterans (Krissi, Yoli) would be a great help. You all have inspired me to get off of my A** and figure this computer networking stuff out! I'm slow, but i'll get it. Thanks girlies.