So Charming!

Make your own Necklace Charm!

In this post http://www.createalways.com/2013/05/floral-fantasy.html 

I shared with you how to make the following flower motive using transparency sheets.

I cut a flower out of the transparency and glued it to a piece of colored paper and set it inside of this necklace charm found at http://www.sakuracraft.com/shop/Gem-Crafts/Jewelry-Findings/White-Brass-Jewelry-Findings.htm

I covered the entire image with 3D Crystal Lacquer - found here http://www.sakuracraft.com/shop/3D-Crystal-Lacquer/3D-Crystal-Lacquer--Clear.htm

When my lacquer was setting, I set a jewel in the center and let this all dry.  

These aren't air bubbles you're looking at, but beautiful glimmer from the Terri Sproul Mixers I used to paint the flower - found here http://www.sakuracraft.com/terri-sprouls-mixer.htm

Now this is a simple and easy project yes, but what I really want to share with you are the great prices on jewellery items Sakura Hobby Crafts has http://www.sakuracraft.com/shop/Gem-Crafts/Jewelry-Findings.htm 

And when you place an order in June, you can get - 20% off your entire order when use code Crystal06 at check-out!

Red White and Blue a Candle for YOU!

RED WHITE BLUE

A CANDLE FOR YOU!

With the 4th of July soon approaching, I thought it would be nice to share some "Americana" with all of you.

Many of you want to jazz up your tables and yards for the festivities but want to keep the crafts simple and quick. Well this candle is both of those things. And I can't think of a better way to show off some of your craftiness with your family and friends. I have to admit, while taking these photos in my backyard, I was really happy with the results and the colour and whimsy this candle offers will be a fun addition to your table and its useful to!

Gather your supplies - you will need

** one milk can **

http://www.sakuracraft.com/index.htm

- red, white and blue acrylic paint

- paint brushes

- sticky backed stars

- drill and drill bit (I used my dremmal)

- masking tape

- 3D Crystal Lacquer

Step one

Rough down your can a little bit with some sand paper (the paint will adhere better to the can)

Step Two

Use whatever stars you like - I cut my stars out of vinyl, with my Cricut machine. Peel off the backing and stick them on the upper half of your can in a scattered pattern.

Step Three

Put your safety glasses on and get your drill ready. Remember you are drilling metal, its hot, pieces will fly off. Do this step away from paper items and in a safe place.

Drill holes at each point of your star and in the middle point as well. Basically you are making an outline of a star.

Step Four

Leave your stars attached for this step. Mask off your milk can half way down. Paint the top half of your can blue. Let this dry. Repeat this step on the bottom of your can with red paint. Let this dry.

Step Five

Paint your white stripes by masking off the bottom section into three equal parts. Let this dry really well.

Step Six

Paint your stars white or add star shapes like I did.

Step Seven

Finish coat the entire can with 3D Crystal lacquer.

Step Eight

Use whatever design you like, but I kept my lid very simple and did the lid with half red paint and half blue paint in the same manner as above. Use a Citronella candle inside to help keep the pests away.

You can drill a hole into the lid and tie some string to it, just to make sure it stays with the can.

Imagine what these would look like all lined up on the patio tables. Or better yet, why not make some of these up for your next wedding or anniversary. 

I hope this will be the project that kick starts your summer outdoor planning.  

If you have any questions send me and email or comment here. Thanks for dropping by.

If you`d like to order your milk cans today - you will get 20% of your ENTIRE ORDER (for the month of May) so act fast as I`m sure these cans will be flying off the shelves. 

Use code Sakura 05 at checkout. 

"Lucky Penny"

"Lucky Penny"

As a child I remember how fun it was to load up my piggy bank. It was always some silly big plastic pig in a bright pink or orange color. I would get mad if it were the kind of bank that had to be smashed in order to get into it. 

So my childhood pain was my inspiration for this project. LOL. I have hung onto a pretty piece of Asian styled 12X12 paper for along time now and knew instantly that this piece of paper would entice me to save my pennies. It has a beautiful far away landscape on it and red is my favorite color, red.

Supplies

- One milk can from Sakura Hobby Crafts
- 3D Crystal Lacquer
- Terri Sproul Mica Powder
- Double Sided sticky tape
- Embellishments
- Paper of your choice

Step 1
Put double sided sticky tape around your milk can.

 Cut paper to fit around the can and place the paper
 onto your can.

 Apply any embellishments or lettering to your can.

 Apply a layer of 3D Crystal lacquer to the outside of the paper, even over the gemstones and lettering.

 To make the hole in the lid (that is removable) 
I used my crop-o-dile and punched a series of holes along the middle of the lid and sanded, filed and sanded. This wasn't hard, but it was time consuming, so I used my dremmel tool to speed things up.

Finally, I applied a layer of Terri Spoul mixers to the lid. Thats about a teaspoon of 3D Crystal Lacquer and about 1/4 teaspoon of the Terri Spoul Mica Powder, well stirred and painted on with a paint brush. I finished the piece by adding some beads that spell out the word "Lucky". 

This was such a fun and easy project, it would make a lovely gift! 

For the month of May Sakura Hobby Crafts
will take 20% your entire order, use code 
Sakua05

And don't forget to mark your calendars for 
the Sakura Blog Hop - May 18th, 2013

Dangle Earrings

Dangle Earrings

The melting post came out, the mix got mixed and the fun began!

 I'm so excited about these earrings, seriously there is NO END to the design or elements that can be added to this mixing pot of wonder and brilliance.

Start by using the following items if you'd like to try making your very own jewellery pieces, it doesn't get any easier than this.

- Terri Sproul Shimmer Mica 

- melthing pot

- Clear Thick Embossing Powder (Utee)

- jewellery findings
- Embossing plate (hard plastic)
- metal skewer

Instructions

1. Pour Utee into the melting pot and let it melt.

2. Add Mica Powder to the melted Utee and mix well.

3. Punch holes into a metal tube and place a metal skewer into the tube. Pour the Utee directly into the center of the tube.

Let this HARDEN AND COOL. Remove the shape and remove the skewer.

OR pour the Utee mixture directly onto the template for a unique shape. At this point you could add embellishments to the Utee, be careful its VERY HOT and will harden quickly, so have your supplies and ideas ready to roll at this step. But if you don't like your design, you can remelt your Utee and start all over again.

4. Once your Utee/Mica shape is cooled, piece together whatever jewellery pieces, beads etc. to your piece. 

I made my Utee/Mica shapes into earrings and I love them. 

I hope you enjoyed this tutorial and will give these products a try, they are fun and easy to work with!

Don't hesitate to find me on facebook (Lee Brehon) if you'd like to ask me a question about any of the items I make using the SAKURA HOBBY CRAFTS

If you'd like to try the Crystal Lacquer for yourself, you can get 20% off of this product for the entire month of April - just use the code Terri04 at checkout.