Creativity In A Nutshell

Wow! Last week went by in a blur.
Each week I'll post a new, fun earring project with step by step directions.


Project "Ingredients":

• Two 1 1/2 inch wooden disks (you can get these at your local craft or building supply store)
• Tacky Glue (or similar)
• Glossy Accents
• Floral Scrapbook Paper
• Pearl Ex Pigments
• Metallic Acrylic Paint or Metallic Marker
  

Tools of the Trade:

• Scissors
• Small Paintbrush
  
• Pencil
• Plastic Pallet (or other non-porous surface)
• Drill and Small Drill Bit (May also want small clamp and scrap piece of wood)

Process:

• Step One : Drill small hole in the top of each wooden disk
• Step Two : Trace the wooden disks on the scrapbook paper (you will need two circles of paper for each disk - one for each side) Cut 'em out  - try to make them as round as possible, but reconcile yourself to the fact that they won't be absolutely perfect, and that's part of the charm.

• Step Three : Using a brush and a wee bit of water, spread Tacky glue on one side of the disk. Lay the paper on the disk, and center it. Cover the paper with more glue. Use a thumb tack to pierce a small hole in the paper where you drilled a hole in the wood. Repeat on the second disk.
• Step Four : Let both wooden disks dry. Flip the disks and repeat the previous step on the back.

• Step Five : Set out the Pearl Ex Pigments, matching the colors already in the scrapbook paper. Mix some glue with a wee bit of water on your pallet, and mix in your pigment colors. Use like water color to add sparkle and added depth to the scrapbook paper. IMPORTANT: Make sure that any pigment you add, has glue mixed with it. If the pigment is applied with just water, when the water evaporates , the Pearl Ex pigments will just dust off. When you are happy with the over all affect, allow to dry completely. 
• Step Six: Paint the edges of both disks with a metallic acrylic paint. I used Emerald by Jacquard Lumiere Acrylic Metalic Paint. Allow to dry
• Step Seven: Cover one side of each disk with Glossy Accents. - Don't cover the hole - Allow to dry. NOTE: The dry time will depend upon how thick you apply it. I generally give it a couple hours, or overnight to avoid smudging etc. Flip 'em over and coat the opposite side. I suggest also coating the edges.

• Step Eight : Put a large jump ring through each hole. 
• Step Nine : Add an accent bead. Pick a color that matches one already in your beautiful, one-of-a-kind accent piece. Attach your ear wires and you're done!

Suggestions for more Projects:

• Try using different kinds of scrapbook paper. I love the florals, but there are so many other options out there. I also love a lot of Japanese Origami paper.
  
• Use different wooden shapes and sizes.