Izbzee

Terra Cotta Textured Pendant

Hi everyone!  I'm so excited about this project using oven bake clay, a texture stamp and Mica Powder.  Both the stamp and Mica are available at Mixed Media Supplies. 

 

You'll need:
Oven Bake Clay (such as Sculpey III)
Diamond Fence Background Stamp (Mixed Media Supplies)
Bronze Mica Powder (Mixed Media Supplies)
Mod Podge (Matte)
shape die
craft knife
wire
bead
wire cutters
needle nose pliers
Essential Oil (optional)

 

Steps:

1)  Condition clay according to manufacturer's directions. 

2) Cut the clay using the die or a pattern with the craft knife.  Smooth the edges and create a bale using the extended stem folded over. I used a toothpick to make sure that there would be ample room to pass the wire through for the hanger.

3)  Add texture using the background stamp on half of the shape.  Using the craft knife, add additional texture

4) Bake according to the manufacturer's directions.  My oven is just slightly under temp, so I bake for about 20 minutes.  Let cool. Sand lightly if needed.

5)  Mix a little Mod Podge and some mica powder, and brush on one side of the front of the shape.  You can use your finger or a wipe for a little less coverage.  Let dry completely

6)  Thread the wire through the bale.  Bend and twist at least 3 times.  Thread the wires through a bead.  Create a loop and twist the "tail" around the wires.  Using the needlenose pliers, adjust the rounds as needed.  Cut the excess with the wire cutters and secure the ends. 

Thanks for joining me today ... be sure to check out more projects this month by the Mixed Media Supplies Design Team.  And feel free to drop by here for more projects and hopefully, some inspiring ideas for you to take to your craft room.

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Izbzee: Ornaments for Christmas

Dixie Belle for home decor

Up-cycling an old bottle, a pop can, a stripe of Dixie Belle Chalk Paint and some twine makes for a quick bit of home decor for the foyer to light up a shelf. 

You'll need:
eBrush, Siphon Adaptor
Cut -n-Boss
Painters' tape
bottle (with or without a lid)
Dixie Belle Chalk paint (Mint Julep)
twine
pop can, empty and clean
Tin snips
Star die
sequins (optional)
twine flower
glue dot
LED lights

Let's get the star out of the way first.  For the star, cut the pop can with the tin snips.  Lay out flat... using the Cut-n-boss and the sandwich for your star die, you'll cut a star for each bottle.  Set aside.  Be aware that the edges may be very sharp --

Wrap the bottle with painters' tape leaving about 1 - 1 1/2 inches of the glass exposed.  Be sure burnish the edges of the tape to keep any bleeding to a minimum. 




Get your eBrush and siphon ready.  I diluted the Dixie Belle Paint a bit (not quite a 1 to 1 ratio).  Spray the bottle and set aside to dry.  My photos didn't turn out for this step -- sorry. 

Carefully, remove the painters' tape from the bottle. 

Lightly spray the star if desired.  Let dry.  I chose to add some Ranger Ink Patina using a small cloth. 

Add a couple of sequins as desired to the star with some glue.  Add the star to the twine flower with a glue dot.

 Wrap some twine around the bottle on top of the painted strip. Attach the twine flower and star to the twine wrap. 




Since my bottle didn't have a lid, using a glue dot, attach the end of the LED light thread to the bottom of the bottle.  The switch fits just inside the mouth of the bottle I'm using.  Turn it upside down so the mouth of the bottle is the bottom and the switch is inside the mouth of the bottle. .

This was quick and easy.  You could also fill the jar with notes or goodies for a fun last minute holiday or any occasion gift! 
Have a crafty and creative week! 

Welcome Spring!

Just wanted to share this fun "box" card. It was so much fun and the eBrush made it all the easier to complete.

YOU'LL NEED:
Cardstock (this project started with all white cardstock)
paper trimmer/bone folder
Dies (Teresa Collins - Personally Noted and  Thankful Holidays)
Embossing folder (Woodgrain)
eBrush
Markers
Cut-n-Boss
brads, half pearls
adhesive
paper crimper

Basic Box:
Cut a strip of cardstock 9 inches wide by 3 inches high.  Cut another strip 4 inches wide by 3 inches high.
Score the 9 inch strip at 3 and 6 inches.  Score the 4 inch strip at 1/2 inch and 3 1/2 inches.  These smaller scores make the tabs to attach to the larger strip.  Set aside.

Cut 3 strips 4 inches by 1/2 inch.  Score each of these at 1/2 and 3 1/2 (these will be the inserts to hold your decorations)

Cut 3 panels for the front and 2 sides of the box at 2 3/4 by 2 3/4 inches.  Emboss as desired.  The woodgrain embossing folder fits all three of these panels with room to spare for one pass through the Cut-n-Boss.

Get your markers and eBrush and start coloring.

Put your box together now.  Place the inserts in the box, so the top edge of the strip is level with the top edge of the box. Fold the box flat as you secure the tabs.   There is enough room in the box to add another insert if you'd like.  I chose 3 for this project.

Using the TC dies, cut all of the lettering (Personally Noted), the small flowers and the greenery.  The poppy die can be found here.

 

I ran the flowers through the paper crimper a couple of times and then using the ebrush added a little bit of color.  If you choose to make blooms on the greenery, mask the area and spray the rest.  Fill in the uncolored area with a marker.  Embellish with brads and/or half pearls and other details as desired. 

Place the flowers and greenery as desired attaching to the strips securely.

Tip:  I added a strip of paper to some of the flowers, greenery to get a little more height.  The three poppies are glued together on the overlapping petals in a slight arch. 

 

I tried for a bit of ombre shading on the wording by holding the eBrush close to the paper and then pulling it away as you spray towards the top of the piece.  Glue in place. 

Thanks for dropping by and taking a peek today.  Hoping you have some creative time on your calendar this week.  Have some fun!  It's a great stress reliever!  Don't forget to stay tuned to the Craftwell blog for the rest of the week, I'm sure you'll be blown away by the other projects from the design team. 

A little more like home.....

I really tried to finish this project in January, but just couldn't get it to come together...  but today, despite the migraine and nasty cold, I decided to try to finish it and get it out on the porch.

The burlap canvas was a 2-fer at HL I picked up before the move.  The "H" was cut by K's hubby and I'm really liking it with no serifs.

I used some Deco Art goodies and a stencil (my design) and started the mixed media journey.  What you can't see is the "mess" I created on the wooden letter; but the leftover texture looks cool under that black paint. The H is screwed to the bar on the back of the canvas... makes it easy to center. 

Deco Art's metallic glaze is the highlight color and is so easy to use.  It's on the canvas and on the tag.  I even rubbed a bit on the sage colored ribbon to pull the colors together a little more.  The wooden tag and metal heart clip and the word LUCKY from a TC die finish it off for the month of March. 

The front door needed something too.  A little color on the black door -- this silk coleus fit nicely in the metallic welcome basket.  I love how versatile this half basket shape is. Flowers, greenery, berries and more all year long!  Maybe it will take on a new color later this year.