Summer Fun! Flip-Flop Charm : Project

8:31 PM Posted In , , , , , Edit This 0 Comments »
 
These super cute and super fun Flip Flop Charms are sure to please! I came up with the idea as a sort of goodbye gift for my friend and Assistant Manager - I'm leaving to head back to Plymouth State University on Monday - Kali. They're so great, I couldn't resist sharing them with the rest of you.
What's The Plan, Stan?
We're gunna make these wicked sweet charms with scrabble tiles (yes, they seem to encompass most of my bead making ideas of late) but rather than the more traditional methods, we're going to decorated them using an embossed flip-flop stamp and acrylic paints.
Ingredients

Tools of the Trade
  • Drill and tiny bit (Just gotta love power tools!)
  • Small paintbrush
  • Flip Flop stamp (I was given mine a long time ago, so sadly, I have no clue where it came from)
  • Heat Gun
Process
  • Drill Tiles
  • Paint entire tile with white acrylic - careful around letter
  • Stamp and Emboss

  • Paint background, edges. Paint flipflop. May take several layers.
  • When happy, allow to dry completely. 
  • Glossy Accents - DONT TOUCH FOR AT LEAST AN HOUR! Or you will be sorry. I was supposed to end up with two charms, thus make a pair of earrings. Instead I have a necklace pendant. You must consider yourself warned. 
  • On a lighter notes, once the Glossy Accents has dried to a hard surface, the charms are done and you can use them in your super fun beading projects. :)
 Bead Artist Showcase
  • Your work could be pictured right here! Submit your own completed flip-flop charms to Creativity In A Nutshell via email : cagarp@plymouth.edu. Feel Free to include plenty of pictures, new stuff you tried, sweet new ideas and suggestions.
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Monday Madness: Weekly Earring Project

11:10 AM Posted In , , , , , Edit This 0 Comments »
Wow! Last week went by in a blur.
Each week I'll post a new, fun earring project with step by step directions.
This week's earring project is Summer Flowers


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.
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