smoke & embers: crafts

Showing posts with label crafts. Show all posts

Thursday, October 16, 2014

Holiday Handmade Event!

Posted on 1:03 PMby MJ Rojas with No comments

The lovely Staci of Contempo Artisan Boutique and Kevin of Big Spring Spirits will be hosting an epic Happy Hour Holiday Showcase in Bellefonte, PA. During the first three Thursdays in November, a selection of Central PA's Contempo artists (including yours truly!) will be showcasing and selling their handmade wares at Big Spring. Enjoy the evening with some signature cocktails, Thursday night football, and tasty nibbles while getting your holiday shopping done!

Handy Trick

Posted on 9:10 AMby MJ Rojas with No comments

A useful tutorial for when you have several yards of fabric straps to turn and you don't want your hands turning into withered claws.

DIY Swimsuit Round-Up

Posted on 2:43 PMby MJ Rojas with No comments

It's already a few weeks into summer...not to mention it's the hottest month of the entire year. You're ready to hit the beach and wanna look your smexiest but can't find the perfect swimwear just about every store you've searched through. Or maybe you have found the perfect one but the price tag made your jaw drop...like in my case.

I was initially inspired to write this post when I was rummaging through my fabric stash and unearthed a bunch of perfectly good tricot fabric, in asphalt grey and sunny yellow (separate colors). I figured, "hey, these'll make really cute swimsuits!" which ultimately lead to my online quest for the perfect sewing patterns. Below is a round-up of several trendy styles you can make at home.

Vintage-Style Bombshell swimsuit PDF Pattern by Closet Case Files

"Alison" Vintage 50s Maillot by BurdaStyle

Gah, I want this crop top/hip-hugger set! Too bad I can't knit.

Vintage Knitting Pattern 1970s Hip Hugger Bikini/Crop Top Play Suit (PDF Format) by 2nd Look Vintage

The 3-in-1 DIY Swimsuit Sewing Tutorial by Cotton + Curls

FREE Swimsuit Patterns in Three Different Styles (PDF Format) by Ralph Pink

Below is a quick and easy tutorial that revives the saggy bikini bottom that's been sitting in your dresser for a few summers...Y'know, the one you're too embarrassed to wear 'cuz it makes you look like you have a saggy diaper that leaks? I've been there before!

The Pucker Bottom Tutorial by Bits, Bites, and Mishmash

FREE Ruched Halter Bikini With Instructions by Sew Mama Sew

Vintage-Style High-Waist Bikini Bottom With PDF Pattern by HollyMann

If you're not skilled with the sewing machine, you can always take any existing swimsuit and make it fabulous with dye, paint, fabric markers, and various embellishments. Below are a few tutorials to get you started:

Solid color dyeing tutorial (I recommend using Jacquard's iDye Poly)
Ombre dip-dyeing tutorial
Ruffles Tutorial
Fabric stamping tutorial

Tsunami Relief Kanzashi

Posted on 1:57 AMby MJ Rojas with No comments

Recently, I went into super-kanzashi-making-mode and whipped up a bunch of ume and sakura kanzashi hairpins for the charity section of my shop...and now my fingers are cramped. :P

These cute flowery hairpins make lovely Mother's Day gifts and the sales will go toward a good cause. All proceeds (after Etsy and PayPal fees) will be donated to Red Cross - please pass on the link!

Supermoon Tonight!

Posted on 10:25 AMby MJ Rojas with 2 comments

Tonight will showcase a rare and extraordinary event - the full moon will be at its perigee (closest orbit point to earth), with brightness at an extra 30% and largeness at an extra 14%. Fingers crossed, hope it won't be too cloudy tonight.

To celebrate this event, here is a collection of lovely items made by talented Etsians:

By the Light of the Moon by mingtaphotography

Rice Moon Art Quilt by Uncommon Cloth

Full Moon Organic Lampwork Cabochon by Truewealth

Full Moon Artisan Soap by Relic Soap Company

Full Moon Crochet Upcycled Area Rug by ekra

Bira-Bira tutorial

Posted on 7:21 AMby MJ Rojas with 5 comments

Pictured above: Pair of bira-bira kanzashi with custom obijime

A fellow Etsian recently convo'd me inquiring about where to acquire bira-bira - metal flutters that sometimes accompany the main part of certain types of kanzashi (e.g.: tsunami kanzashi). They're attached via small rings, causing the metal strips to brush against each another, creating a pleasant "tinkling" noise as one moves.

Anywho, I've made note that I've almost always made my own bira-bira. And so, said Etsian's inquiry inspired me to post a quick tutorial.

You will need:

-Aluminum sheeting. Must be somewhat flexible, preferably of .032 thickness. You can find these sheets available in 6x12" at most hardware stores and some art supply stores (can be found in drafting supplies or metal crafts dept.) [Link]
-Floral wire (preferably silver, 18 gauge)
-4mm jump rings
-Wire jig [Link]
-A pair of tin snips [Link]
-Needle-nose pliers
-1/16" hole puncher [Link]
-Metal file
-A pair of work gloves
-Work goggles
-Ruler with both inches and centimeter marks (preferably one with a rubber/cork underlining to prevent slippage)
-Ball point pen
-Optional: Small t-square

---

-With the ruler and ball point pen, mark down sections measuring 1.5" long by 0.5cm wide each. You can use an optional t-square for easier perpendicular lines.

-Wearing gloves and goggles, carefully use the tin snips to cut down the lines. It's easier to cut through the entire width of the metal sheeting into smaller sections before cutting lengthwise. As you cut out each piece, the metal will curl some, but don't worry! You can straighten them out later.

-Using the 1/16" hole puncher, pierce a single hole at one end of the flutter piece, as shown below, and repeat with the other pieces. Just to forewarn you, it can be a bit of a pain to remove the bira-bira piece from said hole puncher. Just gently try to wiggle the end with the needle-nose pliers.

-You will now have a pile of bent bira-bira pieces. for this part, you can simply take the same needle-nose pliers and clamp the flutters until they're straight. If you wish to make them perfectly flat, you can gently hammer them on a flat, hard surface.

-Now onto the wire, in which your bira-bira will hang from. Take the wire jig, and the amount of pegs for however many loops you want (odd numbers are recommended). Insert pegs adjacent to one another diagonally across the jig pad.

-Taking a single 18ga floral wire, start with one end and bend using pliers about a couple inches in. Follow the illustrated diagram below, making a tight curve inward to form one corner of the "triangular" shape. With the corner placed at the first peg, wrap the wire around the first peg, while keeping the wire pinned flat against the pegboard. Guide the wire over to the second peg and wrap it, repeating with the other pegs. Be sure that the odd loop is aligned at center point. To note, the loops will surely look better than my crappy illustration. :P

-After wrapping the wire, gently shift the loops off the pegs. Clamp any open gaps shut with the pliers and shape the wire to reflect the other half. Twist both ends together to secure.

-Acquire the appropriate amount of flutters and 4mm jump rings (which can be found at any craft/jewelry supply store). Using needle-nose pliers once more, gently twist both ends slightly open. Slide one end through the bira-bira hole, then through one of the wire loops before clamping the jump ring shut. Be sure not to squeeze the pliers too tightly, which can flatten the jump ring. Repeat with the others.

-Bind with whatever tsunami kanzashi you're making and voila!

Of course, one can always expand on their creativity and incorporate bira-bira into other crafts. You can also use different colored metals and even experiment with different materials. Now go, create!

Game day

Posted on 8:25 AMby MJ Rojas with 2 comments

So yup, it's Penn State's first home game. :) So here are some wonderful items made by crafty Etsians to match the occasion!

Penn State Hand Painted Wine Glass by Jan Jackson

Penn State blocks collar bandana for pets SIZE MEDIUM Love a Paw

Penn State University Nittany Lions Reversible Coffee Cozy Sleeve

PSU Nittany Lions Reversible Coffee Cozy Sleeve by Lydibug Designs

argyle armwarmers made from PENN STATE NITTANY LIONS fleece

Penn State Argyle Fleece Armwarmers by Bombshell Sports

NCAA PENN STATE NITTANY LIONS inspired keepsake w/no bow garter WEDDING GARTERS

Penn State Wedding Garter by Garter Gallery

Hand knit hat by namolio

2.

Birds of Prey - Up Close and Personal 8x10 Inch Color Print

Birds of Prey - Up Close and Personal 8x10" Print by NemesisProductions

3.

Red and Silver Music Themed Box by Expired Love

4.

It's Light Up Time - Mid Century - New Original Painting on Canvas by Kerry Beary

5.

Ten Paper Lanters Pink Floral and Peach Patio Lights by coughcoughchoke

6.

Earth Tone Spectrum Necklace by Angie May

7.

Lady Clutch by Astrid Handbags

8.

In The Parlor With Mrs. S - Signed Original 8x10 Fine Art Photograph by Heather Evans Smith Photography

9.

Large Antique Bicycle Modern Art Vinyl wall Decal Panels by Wall Decor

10.

Wonderland Pencil Set by Bouncing Ball Creation

Yeeah, buddy!

Posted on 3:52 AMby MJ Rojas with No comments

My Binary Clover Card set has been featured on the FP along with a list of other fabulous items! Many thanks to OhMyAmpersand for making this great treasury!

Friday Favorites

Posted on 9:18 AMby MJ Rojas with No comments

Every Friday, I will feature ten fabulous items from various crafty Etsy sellers on my blog. That's pretty much it!

(Items are in no particular order)

1.