What's old, isnt always!

I started my first day at a new job yesterday and when I got home I wanted to do something fun. I spent the evening playing with my camera and I think this photo came out pretty well. Actually, I like it so much I might use it for my business cards. We'll see...

The necklace is one of my original collage pendants. Some of the charms are vintage and some of them I pulled off of jewelry that I didn't like. I always find it fun to take something I'm not crazy about and turn it into something I love. Never count out marked down jewelry at the mall. Take it home and take it apart!

It Works!

At 9:00 PM the computer finally decided to play nice. So here they are, the charms all packaged up and ready to be sent out. I used a tag punch and some pretty scrapbook paper. Then I glued each tag to some white cardstock and put my information on the back.

I love getting things in the mail and I wanted each person to feel like they got a little gift. I'm planning on make more of these and turning them into earrings next time.

Practice Practice Practice

I originally planned on showing some other photos tonight but the computer was being rude. Sometimes things dont go as planned and that's alright.

I took the photo above today while experimenting with my digital camera and photobox. I refused to get a digital camera for the longest time and clung to my 35mm. When I was finally given a digital camera as a gift I realized it was a wonderful thing and now I'll never go back! I'm having a great (frustrating) time with the digital and photobox. However, I do think that over the last few days my photos have improved and I expect that with more practice they'll keep getting better.

Practice makes perfect.

Washer Charms Tutorial

Here it is, the instructions for making those cute washer charms. Photos will be added once my light box is fixed (I dropped one of my halogen lamps...oops!).

Materials:

• Washers
• Two-Hole Metal Punch (available at Fire Mountain Gems & Rio Grande)
• Diamond Files
• Krylon Spray (I used glossy but you can use matte if preferred)
• Alcohol Inks (Ranger or Pinata/Fiesta inks)
• Ranger Alcohol Ink Stamper
• Felt (for the stamper)
• Collage Paper/Ephemera
• Tweezers
• "The Ultimate" Glue
• Diamond Glaze/Ranger Glossy Accents
• Toothpicks (for applying glue to tiny spaces)
• Wire (I used non-tarnish artisans wire)
• Beading Pliers
• Wire Cutter
• Small Circle Punch
• Scissors

How to create the charms:

1. Punch holes in washers using two-hole metal punch.
2. File rough edges using diamond files.
3. Decorate washers with alcohol inks.
4. Spray washers (in a well ventilated area) with Krylon spray and let sit for 15 minutes, repeat.
5. Create tiny double-sided collages. Use the small circle punch for cutting out backgrounds.
6. Glue the collage to one washer using "The Ultimate", let sit for 15 minutes.
7. Apply Diamond Glaze/Glossy Accents to front of collage. Let sit until dry.
8. Glue on the second washer using "The Ultimate" and let dry.
9. Apply Diamond Glaze/Glossy Accents to back of collage and let dry.
10. Using beading tools and wire, make a wrapped loop or attach a jump ring.
11. Show off your charms to your friends!

Charming!

I belong to Atcards.com (Artist Trading Card Forums) and I recently entered the Altered Small Objects Charm Swap.

Each charm is made from two washers. They are decorated with alcohol inks and have a tiny collage/picture on each side that I sealed with Glossy Accents.

These were so much fun to make! When I make my next set of them for friends and family I'll post a tutorial so everyone can enjoy them!

There's a first time for everything

Welcome to my blog! This is my first time ever trying this so please bear with me. Eventually, this site will be filled with photos of my jewelry and collage creations. I'll also be featuring some tutorials and possibly hosting some swaps.

Here are some tidbits about me:

• I'll be in my late-twenties next month.
  
• I live in the Garden State.
  
• Collage, making jewelry, juggling and reading (especially historical novels) are just some of my favorite pastimes.
  
• I collect beads (and anything else I think I can turn into jewelry).
  
• I love beads so much that I got engaged at a bead festival last year!
  
• I have a B.A. and I double-minored in Anthropology and Asian Studies.
  

Well enough of that, I'm going to get to work on taking some photos and creating the banner so this blog and my etsy shop can get up and running! Until next time...