Week round up

I know I have been a little remis this week, not that I haven't been crafting but I had planed to post at least a couple of tutorials a week and really not managed it this week.  Oh well, in  my defense I havan't been idle!  There has been lots on industrial crafting going on.

Here are a few things I have been making and having a go at.

Recycled keyrings.  I started making these little heart keyrings nearly a year ago and like so many things was left at the bottom of the creative ironing pile.  a little while ago I started creating upcycled and recycled Jewellery under the name ReJenisis.  Since having my little one however I ran out of time.  These are def an example of that.  Was so great to complete these and have already found new homes for them!  Each one is made from cardboard destined for the green bin, the beads were oddments left over from past commissions.

Here are a few recycled blanks ready to be made into necklaces and keyrings!

A new make for me was to have a go at these sweet little buttons, the patterns were paper scraps so fantastically recycled!  the tops are clear plastic buttons.  This little batch of 6 were my first attempt!

I have been having a play with my stamp maker this week and created my logo and  a few birds.  I have created a set of digi stamps (yet to be released) and these little birdies are part of it.

And last but not least!! Yes you guessed it! Another paper cut!  I thought I would give the alphabet a bash!  So far I have decided that the alphabet should only have one letter 'A'. 

Have you all had a creative week?? What wonders have you been up to?

xxx

Clever Keyring tutorial

I thought I should show you how to make those keyrings from my latest fab challenge!  I know I hadn't finished them then, but now I have!

I made 4 in the challenge but only made up two key rings so far.

Step 1.  I used a small wooden heart.  I got a pack of them free with a magazine once but they are easy enough to find in the shops.  Wooden shapes are ever so popular.  I would go for simple shapes though, you will see why soon.

               

2 Using runny glue such as PVA or Modge Podge glue your wooden heart to your chosen paper.  Once this has dry cut it out carefully and then repeat on the other side.  Before sticking the second side on I recommend that you push the hole through.  I didn't on my first go and it was ever so difficult to find through the paper.  Once other side is dry and cut out take some sand paper or a nail file and file around the edges so that they are smooth and there are no loose bits of paper overhanging.

3.  You need to cover your piece in glue.  I pin them to a cork board to do this (you can see previous drip marks from the varnish stage!) I use pins through the holes to attach them so there is as little surface area as possible in contact.  I don't want them sticking to the board.  Once dry I suggest varnishing.  It makes it far more weather proof.

4.  This picture shows you what you will need.  I found some very thin cord (again a free gift with something) and a keyring.  I bought a pack of cheap keyrings for £1 and jut removed the split rings.

 

5.  I threaded 2 thirds of the cord (around 20cm) through the hole and tied a tight knot.

6. Keeping the shorter part of the cord pulled straight I used the longer thread to make the knot.  I looped it under the short piece and then took it over and back down through the loop I had made.  

7.  I then went on to repeat the same knot again and again.  as you go on the knots twist around in a nice way.  I kept going until both lengths were the same.

     

8. I tied one last strong knot, this time not keeping the shorter length straight.

9. I put the ring over one of the lengths and tied a strong knot

10.  After knotting the ring on I then did several knots under the ring around the knots I did earlier.

11.  Lastly I put a few knots in the ends and trimmed them to a length I wanted.  You could thread some beads on (I couldn't find any easily) or you could do some clever inventive knot so you disguise the ends.  Alternatively you could use some jewellery findings and not do any knotting at all.

Here are my finished keyrings.  I ended up layering two together which I really like.  For that one i just did random knots and didn't worry about a pattern at all.

Well it's over to you! your turn to give it a go.

happy crafting everyone 

xxx

If you would like to make these for yourself  I used :

Desert Blooms paper pad click here to see shop

I also used free gift wooden blanks and mod podge.

Button necklace tutorial

Hi there crafty people everywhere! 

Today's tutorial is this fantastic button necklace!  

The buttons are from a mixed bag of buttons I had lying around.  

Button necklace

For this tutorial I used some embroidery thread in a coordinating colour and chose a selection of buttons from my stash.

1.  Measure around your neck with the thread, you will want to drape it around so that it sits where you would like the final necklace to sit.  Now measure that length 4 times.  This is the length of thread you will need.

2. Fold your thread in half and make a loop in the middle and tie a knot.  I made the knot sit about 2cm up.

3.  Thread both ends with a needle.  (If you used a cord it would be a good idea to wrap a small amount of tape around the ends in order to stop it fraying.)

4.  Take your first button.  Thread one of the strands down through one of the holes and then under and up through another.  The other thread needs to go under the button and come up through a hole, go over and then down the last remaining hole. other thread needs to go through in the opposite directions.  This will wrap the button so that it will sit flat around the neck.  If you have a two hole button then you will need to thread both threads through the same holes but making sure that one thread goes over, under, over and the other under, over, under. 

Once you have threaded the button and moved it into place you need to take both strands and make a knot just beyond the button.  This will help keep the button in place and create a good start for attaching the next button.

5.  Now you need to thread your next buttons.  Keep draping the necklace around your neck until you are happy with the length.  When the length is correct make your last knot.  You will need to create the end clasp.  

6.  Tie a further knot about 1cm away from your last knot

7.  Thread a smaller button (this needs to be able to fit through the loop you made in step 2) Thread both threads through different holes from back to front and tie in a tight knot.  (knot it a couple of times at least and if you wish to make it extra secure place a little glue on the knot)

8.  Try out your necklace, The end button you just attached should now easily go through the loop you made in step 2 and it should now be wearable!

How about creating several and layering them up? For the pink necklace I used a hemp cord that I bought from my local bead shop.  There are lots of colours available and it came in pack of 4 different colours.  Although I love the look I did find the hemp quite thick so threading through the button eyes was less easy, you also couldn't thread through the same hole twice.