Scrunched Paper Bangles

Hi Crafters!

It's the first Monday of the month and time for the Designer Crafts Connection blog hop.  This month, we're featuring easy jewelry designs.  I can't wait to see the designs this month.  It was a tough choice for me to figure out what to present.  I love jewelry of all kinds and the easier the better.  I finally decided to show you one of the many paper jewelry designs I've made.  This one is a Scrunched Paper Bangle, and not only is it easy, it's very inexpensive to make.  The main ingredients are paper bags and tacky glue!  So, read along and see what I did.

First gather the materials:

Heavy paper bag cut into 4 strips

Tacky glue  - (I used Aleene's (R) Original Tacky Glue (R) and the kind folks there did provide me with   some samples.)

Acrylic Paint

Satin varnish

You'll need scissors and a paintbrush, too.

Measure around your fist and add two inches.  Cut four paper strips this length and three inches or 1 1/2 inches wide.

Glue the ends of one strip together with the print side out.

Glue a second strip around the first with the ends at a different point.  Add the third.  Glue the last one on with the unprinted side out.

While the glue is still wet, scrunch the bangle by pushing in on the edges.  Go all the way around the bangle until it looks the way you like.

Paint the bangles with acrylic paint.  You can use all one color, two colors like these or any way you like.  When the paint is dry, add a layer of sealer. You can also add embellishments like jewels or buttons.

I hope you enjoyed this easy paper bag jewelry idea and that you'll hop around and see what the other designers have for you this month! 

Happy Crafting!
Terry

Beaded Crosses

Hi Crafters!
Welcome to the first Monday of April and the Designer Crafts Connection Blog Hop.  I hope you'll take the time to hop around the blogs using the big blue button on the left of my entry.  After reading mine, of course!

This time in honor of Easter Week, I have designed Beaded Crosses and a step-by-step tutorial for them. 

These crosses are made with pressed glass beads (4mm and 6mm) and 28-gauge wire.  They are about 3 inches long.

But, this is a versatile design.  You can also use heavier (22-gauge) craft wire and acrylic beads.  This one is about 4 1/2 inches long.

So, the whole family can participate!  You could go smaller and create one with seed beads on thread.  Or, you can go bigger and use larger acrylic beads or large wood beads with plastic lacing or yarn.  The smaller ones look nice tied onto a ribbon and used as a bookmark.  Or, you can hang them in the window for a suncatcher.

Here's how:

Cut about a yard of wire and string on three smaller beads, one large bead and three smaller beads.

String another large bead on one side and pass the other wire through in the opposite direction.

String three small beads on each wire and a large bead on one side.  Pass the other wire through the large bead in the opposite direction.

Repeat this step once more for three circles of beads.  Now we're going to make the arms of the cross.

String a small bead, a large bead, three small, one large, and three small beads on on side.

Bring the end of the wire down and around and through the large bead closest to the center.

Hold the cross in the center and pull the end of the wire to tighten. 

Repeat for the other side.

Add a small bead on each side and one large bead on one side.  Pass the other wire through the center of the large bead in the opposite direction. 

Add three small beads on each side and one large bead on one side.  Pass the other wire through the large bead in the opposite direction.  Bring both wires up and twist together above the last bead.  Separate the wires and make a loop for hanging.  Twist the wires around the loop and trim the extra off with pliers or heavy scissors.

I hope you enjoyed this tutorial.  I'd love to know how you used this craft.  Please feel free to show it to friends and family.  And, please link back to me when you do so. 

Have a blessed Holy Week and a Happy Easter!

Terry

And the Winner is....

The winner of my book giveaway is.......

marymac

Congratulations! 

And, thank you to all who stopped by and left a comment on my blog.  I really appreciate it!

Stop in again tomorrow for our first Monday Designer Crafts Connection blog hop.

Springtime!

Hi Crafters!
It's spring as of last week and, ever since, we've been getting our winter weather.  Oh well, we need the water here in California.  But, it's springtime in my craft room.  I'm ready for fresh greens and blues, corals, pinks and sunny yellows.  I'm ready for birds and flowers.  So here is another of my vintage ornaments for a little spot of spring-y home decor.

Vintage Bird Ornament
Side 1



Vintage Bird Ornament
Side 2


These use the same chipboard shape as in my previous Renaissance Rose ornament.  The brand is Paper Accents(TM).
First, I painted the shape with DecoArt(TM) acrylic paint in Blue Mist.  Then I sponged on Mint Julep Green.  It was pretty dried up so it left a nice textured edge to the ornament.
After the paint dried, I drew leaves and stems freehand with a pen (Pentel(R)).
I added some lovely spring stickers.  These are dimensional adhesive-backed stickers from K&Company.
I glued on some filigree, added jump rings, chain and a few dangles in coordinating pressed-glass beads.

Happy Spring!
Terry

PS  Only a few more days to enter the drawing for my new book.  I'll be selecting the winner on April 1.  Leave a comment or follow my blog!

I'm a Movie Star!

Well, maybe not a movie star, but I surely feel special today!  My designing friend, Carol Heppner, asked if she could interview me about my book.  Of course, I said yes!

You can visit her blog to read it!  I've never been interviewed before, so I will be walking on air all week!

Don't forget to add a comment or follow me to enter the drawing for the book.  It's open all month.

Happy Crafting!
Terry

Book Giveaway

Hi Crafters!
In celebration of National Craft Month, I'm giving away a copy of my new book, Vintage Impressions Jewelry.  If you leave a comment or follow my blog this month, you'll be entered in the drawing for the book.

If you want to see some of the projects in the book, click on the image on the sidebar, which will take you to the website of my publisher, Annie's Attic.

And, since I love this style of jewelry, and I have lots of materials left from the book, I thought I'd show you another design in the same style.   I hope you will use it as inspiration for your own creative endeavors.

This is another bar pin in a Victorian style using the same filigree that is used in the pin on the front cover of the book.  I layered some filigrees and a bead in the center and hung a dangle below it.  Then, I hung dangles from a jump ring on each end. 


Peach and Green Filigree Pin
http://www.terryriciolidesigns.blogspot.com/



Here's some detail on the center layering.



Layering on pin
http://www.terryriciolidesigns.blogspot.com/

 The far left filigree is on the bottom of the layers.  It is dapped slightly, which means it is curved in a dapping block by pressing down on it or lightly hammering it in the center.  The second daisy-shaped filigree is curved around the glass rondelle bead at the far right and the result is shown next to the bead.  Then a small gunmetal spacer was added on top the bead.  A short piece of head pin holds the layers together, and it is glued to the center of the bar filigree with E6000.  The beads are Czech pressed glass in a peach and peach AB.  The crystals are Swarovski in khaki, and all the filigree pieces are from Vintaj.

You can glue a pin back to the center back or attach chains to each side and wear it as a necklace.

Enjoy!  Don't forget to leave a comment or follow my blog to be entered in the drawing for the book.

Happy Crafting!
Terry

PS  And, since it's the first Monday of the month, there will be new designs on the Designer Crafts Connection.  Just click on the blue button on the lefthand sidebar and see all the new March designs.  I'm sure they'll be something you'll be inspired to try!
PSS This craft is featured on fave crafts this month.  Check out all the other fashion ideas this month and enter their giveaway!

http://www.favecraftsblog.com/march-blog-hop-fashionable-crafts-giveaway/

Fun Yarn Ideas from CHA

Hi Everyone!

Yarn is one of the many crafty things with which I like to play, so I was thrilled to happen upon one of the major yarn events at the CHA show.  Every year, Lion Brand Yarn puts on a fashion show which showcases their yarn and the work of up-and-coming design students.  It's fun to see what they design; they stretch the boundaries of creativity!  And, it's always a pleasure to see the celebrity presenter of the show, Vanna White, who crochets herself. 

So, here are a few pictures from that event.  They are not the best since I got to the event late and am shooting over the heads of the crowd, but they'll give you an idea of the designs and colors this year.

I know some of these may not be your cup of tea, but they are full of ideas for the use of color and texture and a great source of inspiration.  (And, it's fun to watch the faces of the crowd, too!)
Happy Crafting!
Terry