Category: General Crafting

The Rainbow Tubular Peyote Stitch Necklace is almost done!

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Rainbow Peyote Tubular Necklace

Hi! I was in such a beading mood last month, right before we moved apartments. So I started this project knowing it was not a good idea to start a project in the middle of packing everything, then moving, then unpacking, but I did it anyway and so this poor little necklace sat unfinished for a while. I would have been done a long time ago but you know how it is.

When I started this necklace and wasn’t sure how I felt about it, but I kept going and I have to admit it is one of my favorites. It goes with everything! I am almost done, I just need to do some finishing touches, but I thought I would share some of the process pictures. 

I love these colors!

I love these colors!

Was not sure how I felt about it at this length...but kept going.

Was not sure how I felt about it at this length…but kept going.

OK, now I love it!

OK, now I love it!

Almost done!

Almost done!

I love Peyote stitch, It is comfortable to wear and looks amazing. My brother is an amazing artist and he used to make me necklaces like this when I was younger and that has always inspired me to create art. 

Has there been someone in your life that inspires you?

If your interested in making this sort of necklace there are some great instructions on fire Mountain Gems website here: http://www.firemountaingems.com/beading_howtos/beading_projects.asp?docid=8235

or you can always email me, I would be happy to help.

Have a wonderful weekend full of fun projects and adventures!

Fun Free Download – Keys

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ScreenHunter_249 Aug. 07 10.08

Why hello there! I hope you’re doing fantastic!  

I was clearing out some of my crafting things when I came across a bunch of random keys. I collect them to use for projects and stuff. Well, I thought it would be neat to scan them in to use in digital art or whatever.  

I have uploaded two different formats – well I hope.  The jpeg is supposed to have a white background the PNG is supposed to be a transparent background.

Feel free to download and play around with them. I thought they were cool so maybe you might too.

If you want to play around with they keys, and do not have Photoshop, there is a program to experiment with.

There is a really neat program that is very close to Photoshop called Pixlr Editor: http://pixlr.com/editor/ .  It’s a web based program so you do not have to download anything and it is so much fun. I hope this helps.

Have fun!

Non-transparent: 

Download link here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B2RgcaLznBAhamFnVE8zVGFPbHM/edit?usp=sharing

Transparent:

Download link here:  https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B2RgcaLznBAhdGpLa1Mxei10ams/edit?usp=sharing

Playing with Water Color

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Hi Everybody!

I have had a bug to watercolor lately. My mom bought me a cool pack at the dollar store. I loved the colors, they were florescent! Also, instead of having the typical shinny finish they were matte, which is really neat. 

This was one of my first experiments 

I drew the image first with pencil, then water color then outlined in black marker

I drew the image first with pencil, then water color then outlined in black marker

Have a wonderful Day!! 

Wait! Don’t Throw That Away! A fun stamp project

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HI Everyone! I hope you had a wonderful weekend! I wanted to share this project with you because its quick and totally fun, It is also a good way to add custom stamps to your art supplies super cheap and you’re keeping something out of the landfill.

Inside part of spent saran wrap. Inside part of medical tape. Foam disks.

Inside part of spent saran wrap.
Inside part of medical tape.
Foam disks.

I drive my boyfriend crazy. I will not let him throw anything away that I think I might be able to turn into ….well anything.  After using up a roll of Saran wrap I noticed how sturdy the inside cardboard is. Not the floppy kind that are inside paper towels, this one is super hard. What could I do with that? It’s too good to throw away! teehee.

At the same time I was nursing a freak wrist injury so I was using medical tape to wrap it up and keep it from moving, It also has this super hard core of cardboard. Hmmm.

Then I found these foam disk things we have had forever, to keep things from slamming and protecting walls and stuff. Hmmmm.

The stamp from trash was born. It is a super quick easy project, you definitely do not have to use the foam round things, you can use whatever you like, you can cut any shape you want with that foam sticky paper, probably even glue gun if your careful.

The length of the Saran wrap cardboard is great for continuous patterns on bigger pieces of paper (lines, chevron patterns, floral) because it can roll.

It would be a quick project to distract the kids for a bit.

I hope you enjoy!

Apply foam disks to cardboard roller.

Apply foam disks to cardboard roller.

You can make patters with the foam disks.

You can make patters with the foam disks.

Add foam disks all the way around the cardboard of old medical tape.

Add foam disks all the way around the cardboard of old medical tape.

Stamp away

Stamp away

good times

good times

I love anything that keeps something out of the landfill! The possibilities are endless!

Happy Crafting!

Laguna Beach California Sawdust Arts Festival 2014

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The Sawdust Art Festival is a non-profit organization. Its goal… educate the public and
promote the art created in Laguna Beach. It is so much fun, if your local you must check out the amazing sawdust-covered paths and wander around the handcrafted village.

The Laguna Beach Sawdust Arts Festival is held every year in Laguna Canyon California. This year the festival will run from Friday June 27 – August 3.  This is an awesome little setup nestled in the beautiful Laguna Canyon just before you hit Laguna Beach.

This festival is a ton of fun. There are so many different local vendors showcasing their handmade art. The talent is amazing and there is something new and different around every corner.

 

Sawdust Arts Festival Laguna Canyon 2014 Sawdust Arts Festival Laguna Canyon 2014 Sawdust Arts Festival Laguna Canyon 2014 Sawdust Arts Festival Laguna Canyon 2014 Sawdust Arts Festival Laguna Canyon 2014 Sawdust Arts Festival Laguna Canyon 2014

 

This year my boyfriends band the “LA Soul Project” played for a few hours..

LA Soul Project

LA Soul Project   (My boyfriend is the drummer) 😀

They were a big hit!

LA Soul Project at the Sawdust Arts festival 2014

LA Soul Project at the Sawdust Arts festival 2014

 

Full of food, live music, artists and more check out the Sawdust Arts Festival.

For More information about the Sawdust Arts Festival go here –> http://www.sawdustartfestival.org/

 

 

Photo Friday – Birds Nest Fungi!

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Birds Nest Fungi

It’s no secret that I have had a life long obsession with fungi.  I dig mold, lichen and Mushrooms! I am completely fascinated on all levels. So I was so excited when I found this Bird Nest Mushroom in Oklahoma last spring. I have always wanted to find this kind but they are so tiny! They are only about 1/4 inch in diameter.

We were out walking with the neighbor’s dog when she lead us down the street to a neighbor’s pond. I was looking for mushrooms but not that kind. It was fate, I dropped something and when I picked it up I noticed the Birds Nest Fungi right next to it! I took some home and experimented. I watered it everyday and it actually grew! It was fun!

birds nest fungi

The little “nests” or fruiting body holds the little “eggs” which are spore filled.  The nests are called “peridia” (“peridium” in the singular), they work like splash cups, raindrops fall into the nest, then the eggs (called “periodoles”) are thrown into the air, where they latch onto twigs, branches, leaves, and then continue to grow.


 birds nest fungi 3

Fun ways to Rearrange Jewelry

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I recently came across some random pieces of jewelry, I had one vintage earring, and a couple lockets.  I really like to use jewelry in unexpected ways, so when I came across some ring blanks, I thought, that could be interesting!

Here is the vintage earring into a ring

Vintage Upcycled Earing Ring 1

Vintage Upcycled Earing Ring 3

IMG_0610

 

 

 

The Rose Locket Ring

Rose Locket Ring 1

Rose Locket Ring 2

Rose Locket Ring 3

Rose Locket Ring 4

 

 

The Heart Locket Ring

Heart Locket Ring 2

Heart Locket Ring 3

Heart Locket Ring 4

Heart Locket Ring

I know, I know I should have painted my nails! But, what a fun project! Now I am looking all over my house for things to stick to rings!

If you want to do this project, all you need is random pieces of jewelry, ring blanks, and a glue gun.

Of course if you would like to help support my little Etsy store (which I appreciate!) you can purchase them here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/SugarBeetCrafts

Happy Crafting Everyone, have a super wonderful week!

 

 

Adventures in Art Journaling – Spring Butterflies

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Dylusions Ink spray!

I love this stuff.

Also used were stamps, black archival ink stamp pad,

and Tim Holtz distress dabber in white, markers, white gel pen.

Art Journal Mothers Day

 

 Spray the card with a fine mist of water.

Then  spray with Dylusions color ink spray.

Let dry.

 

Dylusions Art Mar 2014 3

 

Using the Tim Holtz Distress dabber in white,

I dabbed a flower stamp with the Distress paint then

stamped around the bottom of the card.

Using the same stamp, re-stamp the pattern slightly

off the first white pattern with the black stamp pad.

 Use accent stamps for boarders.

The diamonds were dabbed with white, then outlined with a white gel pen.

Dylusions Art Mar 2014 4

 

Grab a blank index card, and spray with ink spray for butterflies.

Then stamp the inked index card with a butterfly stamp a few times. Cut them out,

To add detail, color in your stamped butterfly with markers,

 then glue in place.

Let Dry.

Have fun!!

 

Let’s Make Stickers!

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Hi Everyone! I hope everyone is wonderful.  I spent this weekend going through some of my office supplies, and I found a bunch of packs of labels. Then it happened…the idea!

I don’t know why it took me so long to do this. I love stickers.. I mean LOVE stickers. I have a wicked collection.

Lately, I have been sealing packages and letters with them but I wanted something more personalized without spending a bunch of money.  Then lightning struck, I can make my own!!

So, if your like me your might have packages of labels around collecting dust. I always have leftovers from yard sales and organizational sprees, or if you burn your own CD’s, you might have those CD Label making programs,they usually leave you with left over sticker parts. I keep everything I might be able to use later on (no, I haven’t reached hoarder status…yet).

stickers

stickers 2

I kept the CD label thingy because I thought I could use the round part or the thin CD case labels.

So lets make some stickers…

You want to start with a background.

I used Dylusions Ink spray and sprayed the labels. You could totally use ink pads or markers. Once covered let them dry.

stickers 3

Next, Use a lighter color stamp pad to stamp a pattern onto the background. This part is fun, you can do a million different things.

stickers 4

Next, More stamping..Use letters, pictures, whatever your heart desires. I was making Thank You & Sugar Beet Crafts Stickers.

Stickers 6

Stickers 7

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You can use a white or metallic pen to make some fun highlights…

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sticker 17

Here are some more fun ideas…stamps and markers. The background was done by rubbing the labels with a stamp pad, stamping and filling in with markers.

Stickers 7

sticker 8

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Here is a fun way to use the thin strips of sticker for the side of the CD case…

Doodle across the lines…

sticker 15

Then remove for an awesome sticker!

stickers 18

Use it to decorate a card..

sticker 18 ScreenHunter_136 May. 18 19.31

I am already totally addicted. It is a fun way to add some pizzazz to any project. It’s also super sweet to get a personalized handmade anything.

This would be so fun to do with kids, and you have no guilt because you get to use up some extra’s lying around. The environment gives you a big hug for that!

I hope this gets your imagination going!

What will you make?

I would love to see your stickers!