Trying My Hand at Jewelry Stamping

Many times, I see something at the store that I really want to buy but I decide to wait until it goes on sale. That's my overall attitude with things that I like but don't need. 

I had my eye on this craft kit and every time I was at that store, I would check if the price went down. Well, after a year, it finally did!

Here's what's inside:

Pendants and chains, metal alphabet stamps, a stamping hammer, a stamping block, vinyl tape, pliers, and a practice blank.

The very first time I tried the kit, I made a key chain:

I practiced on a metal circle from an old piece of jewelry. I taped it to the stamping block using washi tape. This kept the metal ring in place and acted as a guide so that my letters were straight. 

I chose the word "Grace". It's a powerful word that means, "elegance of form" and "the freely given, unmerited favor and love of God." 

I attached it to a metal key ring recycled from an old key chain...TADA!

On my second try, this is what I made:

"Love" on a flower charm.

This time, I used a trivet made of cork to minimize the noise when hammering. 

I used they vinyl tape to keep the charm from moving around.

I started spelling the word from the center outwards instead of the traditional way of first letter to the last.

This method helps space out the letters evenly. 

I used a light hand when hammering and the letters still came out.

I then attached the charm to a hook clasp...TADA!

On my third attempt, I used these: 

They are stamp blanks reminiscent of military dog tags. 

I stamped on "Be not afraid" that can be a reminder in challenging times.

I'll keep practicing and tell you about my new creations in a future post...TADA!

Trash to Treasure: A Door

How are you guys today? In my neighborhood, there's always some kind of construction going on. It's quite blah because the old houses are being destroyed in favor of two-family homes. They are taller (three to four stories high) and more modern. They look sleek but lack a bit of soul.

That's also the reason the trash bins will contain this:

Old doors! With a little bit of sprucing up, this door can still be used. If only I had storage space, I would take it home and re-purpose it. 

Here are a few ideas:

via The Cottage Market

Turn it into a shelf for books and collections.

via Architecture Art Design

Use it as a bed frame (the built-in lamp is a pretty detail).

via My Creative Days

Transform it into a hardworking shelf for the entry way.

via Pinterest

Or a potting shed for the backyard!

via Apartment Therapy

Add legs or trestles and the door can become a desk or dining table.

Just like that, an old door can turn from blah to TADA!

A Decorated Gift Box

Hello! Before I talk about today's craft, I thought I'd pay my respects to a resolute woman:

illustration by Bijou Karman for The Atlantic 

 

Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg was mighty even in her small frame. Challenges like gender discrimination or cancer did not faze her. I really admired her "tough as nails" attitude. Whenever it was reported on the news that she was in the hospital, I would get worried and say a prayer for her, like she was my relative. So when it was announced on Friday that she passed away, my heart ached. 

I pray that she rests in peace. She passed away on the eve of Rosh Hashanah (Jewish New Year) and according to Nina Totenberg (NPR Reporter): "A Jewish teaching says those who die just before the Jewish New Year are the ones God has held back until the last moment because they were needed most and were the most righteous." I'm trying to find comfort in that.

*****

Now that I've gotten that off my chest, on to lighter things...

Crafty recycling is the cornerstone of my blog. Before I toss an item, I think of ways to give it new life and transform it from blah to TADA!

Take for example this box. It used to house note cards with matching envelopes. 

But now it's empty. 

Here's how I gave it a second life:

I found an old catalog with cute photos. 

I'm using these elements as stickers.

I'm going for a travel theme to decorate my empty box. Don't you miss travel?

Here are my cutouts. They'll serve as embellishments and cover the flaws of the box.

After laying them out, I secured them in place with all purpose glue.

It's coming along pretty well.

Then I added some stickers for more color and whimsy.

And a little bit of washi tape.

The surprise inside: luggage tags and a TSA-friendly lock, in line with the travel theme...TADA! 

Put on the lid...

And complete with baker's twine.

This gift is ready to "travel" to its recipient...TADA!

Felt Animals

Hi! Do you like crafting with felt? It's a material I've used several times -- for ornaments, a heart pin, flower embellishments, pin cushions, and a jewelry tray.

I saw these at a store. They are flat felt animals tucked inside an envelope. These can be mailed to a friend who's far away or as a surprise in a child's lunch box. 

Because I thought the idea was so adorable, I had to make some myself! Let me show you:

First, I chose these cool shades of blue felt.

Then I made a template out of cardboard. 

Trace and cut.  

There's one front piece (that I embroidered with a bear's cuddly face) and one back piece of felt.

I attached the front and back pieces together with hot glue for a sturdier bear.

And I made a small envelope pouch using gift wrap.

Then I put the bear inside...TADA!

Here's another version, this time a cute kitty cat.

Write a sweet note and it's ready to give away. I guarantee it'll turn your recipient's day from blah to TADA!

Salt Dough Earrings

Hi guys! Thank you for coming to hang out today.

A few weeks ago, I was playing around with salt dough to make jewelry like pendants and charms for beaded bracelets. I have some salt dough left over to make another project.

If you haven't worked with salt dough, it's like clay that you shape and bake in the oven for the pieces to harden. You'll find the recipe for salt dough here, as well as the step-by-step instructions.

I always keep salt dough in a tightly-sealed container so it doesn't dry out. When it's time to use it, just roll it out to a 1/4 inch thickness on a lightly floured surface to keep the dough from sticking.

I used a small cookie cutter to shape the dough. 

With a toothpick, I made holes where I would put the jewelry findings. 

Put these on a sheet tray lined with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. Bake for two hours in a 250 degree Fahrenheit oven.  

After baking, they look like this.

I added earring hooks and embellished with tassels.  

And here we have handmade earrings that you can wear or give away...TADA!