Creative Mom Cafe

This isn’t a project you will want to do with younger children, but it is still a fun St. Patrick’s day craft idea.

Many people have seen the fun necklaces and earrings made from soda cans. Shapes, usually hearts, are cut from the cans and strung onto chains or hung on ear hooks to make interesting recycled jewelry. I have always thought these were cool pieces of jewelry, and have also secretly wanted a Mountain Dew heart necklace to show my love for the beverage that keeps me going. This weekend I decided instead of a heart I could use the green can to make a fun four leaf clover. So that’s just what I did.

(more…)

There are only so many things you can do with paper, right? What about making beads? You can make cute and simple beads using small scraps of paper. This is perfect for the scrapbookers out there who always seem to have little bits and pieces left over. It’s so simple that you can even make these beads with your kids. Craft up some cute beads in red and white for a Valentine’s necklace or make some in pastels for a Spring theme.

You will need paper, a ruler, scissors, and straws. Use regular drinking straws for larger beads to string through yarn or ribbon. If you plan to use thin wire or string, such as fishing line, you can use the small straws used for stirring coffee. You will also need glue, and if you would like a clear varnish to coat the beads in once they are finished.

Start with your scrap paper. Cut small rectangles 1/2 inch wide by 2 inches long. For more variation you could cut a long triangle rather than a rectangle. This can give the bead a more intresting shape. Experiment with various cuts to see what you will get.

Paint a thin layer of the glue on the back of the paper. Roll the paper around itself on the straw. You can do this several time to crate many beads at once. Let the glue dry completely, then cut away the straw from both ends of the bead. The straw should only be inside the paper beads with none sticking out on either side. If you like you can paint on a coat of clear varnish to help seal the paper beads and make them last longer.

This is a very simple craft that can b done with most children from preschool up. As long as the child can cut, glue, and wrap paper they can easily make these beads. This would be a great craft project to do at a birthday party. Of course paper beads arn’t just for kids. You can make one of a kind earrings, beautiful necklaces, or funky bracelets from paper beads.

paper, beads, paper beads, craft

Are you still staring at a pile of Christmas cards wondering what to do with them now? You could chop them up to make thank you cards to send out to everyone. Or cut them down small and use as gift tags for next Christmas. If you are really feeling artistic you could create some interesting art pieces from images cut from the cards and other thins you can find. It could be a great weekend project to get your creative juices flowing.

If instead of Christmas cards it is gift cards you have piled up Treehugger shared an artist who found new life for used gift cards. The possibilities are endless here. You could even cut up the gift cards and create one of a kind pendants for necklaces and earings. A bit like these intersting conversation starters. Jewelry made from soda cans. Now that is recycling for art.

Take some time this weekend and look around your house, your trash, the neighbor’s trash, any places that you normally would never think of going. See if you can gt inspired to try something different and strange. Stretching your imagination is a great way to give yourself a mental workout and can bring out a mountain of new ideas. If you are still stumped watch your children playing for a while. The untamed imagination and creativity in kids can be a great stimulant for your own.

There are a lot of great ways to reuse what you have in new,creative ways. If you would like to get your kids involved here are some fun sites with ideas for recycled art.

• Recycling Crafts for Kids
• Artists Helping Children
• Environmental Fun for Kids
• Recycle Works Kids
• Crafts that recycle

art, jewelry, gift cards, cards, recycling

So many crafts, so little time and money. Seriously, who has time to do all this? I need to add an extra 5 hours to the day to do all the crafts I dream up, and then I ned to win the lottery to afford them all.

I wanted to show off my new favorite creation. I’ve been making good use out of my jewelry supplies and put together this necklace. The large pendant is lampwork glass in yellow and green, the small round beads are round lampwork glass, and in between are small Czech seed beads. They are all strung together on Tigertail .020″ wire. Originally I bought small, yellow beads to go where the lampwork beads are. Then I saw the round lampwork beads, only two packages left and marked down on clearence. So I grabbed them! I love the way it came together.

Here are close ups of the pendant and beads. Click on the images to see them larger, just excuse the poor photo quality.

I’ve been debating what to do with it. I absolutely love it and think it is gorgeous, but I don’t wear jewelry myself. I’ve been thinking about putting it up on Etsy and seeing if some one wants to buy it. It would make a gorgeous present to give this year, and if I could get $15 for it I could buy even more beading supplies. It’s a vicious cycle, one that I’m not ready to end yet.

jewelry, necklace

I’ve talked about making jewelry to give as gifts before, but I wanted to go into detail on a specific kind of jewelry you can really make yourself. Or, more specifically you can make the jewels yourself. This is a very simple trick that you can use to make gorgeous pieces for jewelry, magnets, or anything else you can think of. All you need is a little clear gloss acrylic paint and some creativity.

To start with you will need an image. Some people clip small pictures out of magazines or use pieces of old wallpaper. You can even use photos if you want. Anything at all, as long as you keep in mind the size of the piece you want to make. Cut out the image that you want to use and glue it to a sturdy back. Cardboard is a great choice that is easy to find, though if you are safe you can use small pieces of metal cut into the same size and shape. Cutting down a soda can could be a great way to create your own backing, though very dangerous because of the sharp edges. Use a strong yet light glue to put the image onto the backing, common superglue often works fine.

Once your image is glued on and dried you ar ready to pull out the clear gloss acrylic paint. Basically all you will be doing is applying a few coats over the entire thing. How thick or thin you want it to be is up to you, but you should add at least 2 or 3 coats to be sure. Before painting make sure that your iamge is cut down exactly how you want it. Trim along the sides and measure the size first. Then begin painting. It will have a beautiful glossy shine once dry and look like an amazing piece of jewelry.

You can glue the pieces onto small magnets for great prsonal magnets, or turn them into beautiful jewelry. You can glue on caps to create a drop for your beads to be used as pendants. You can also glue them onto empty broach pins to create special broaches. Be as creative as you want!

It’s a great way to make someone some special jewelry this holiday season!

gifts, jewelry, 30 gifts in 30 days

Jewelry can be a beautiful and thoughtful gift for many people. It can also be a great creative gift idea that you can make yourself. All you need are supplies and your imagination to put together beautiful pieces that are perfect for giving. I know that at last two people on my list are getting handmade earrings and necklaces this year.

Depending on what you are making you will need wire cutters, needle nose pliers, beads or jewels, and the specific jewelry supplies such as earring hooks or necklace and bracelet clasps. You can often find the supplies sold at crafts supply stores. You can also buy them online from small vendors on Etsy or Ebay. You can also find kits for beginners that have all the supplies already put together.

If you only plan on making one or two things buying the large sets might not be best for you. There is a much cheaper way to go. Head down to your local thrift shop. You can often find old, mismatched jewelry that can be carefully taken apart and restrung to create new pieces. Just be sure to carefully clean the thrifted jewelry before working with it.

If you are really talented or motivated enough to learn you can take it beyond simple jewelry. You might even find a new hobby to enjoy. If you want to get inspired check out some of the gorgeous necklaces my friend Sara makes and sells.

jewelry, beads, jewelry making, 30 Gifts in 30 Days