Wire Wrapped Cluster Ring Turorial

I've been looking for tutorials for wire wrapped rings. I attempted a couple without a tutorial, and they need a little work. I found this tutorial on YouTube. This is a nice easy to follow instructable from JetDesigns showing how to make a wire wrapped cluster ring. I tried to post a link to her website, but it looks like the link may be dead.

DIY Scrabble Tiles

Do you remember how hard it is to stop popping bubble wrap once you get started? Well, I've found a new OCD obsession, sanding wooden tiles.

Every local craft store has recently run out of small square wooden tiles, letter or otherwise, so I decided to improvise. I purchased a stick of wood .75 inches thick and 36 inches long, and my dear husband cut it into small tiles for jewelry. DIY scrabble tiles! They were raw and ugly right off of the saw blade, but with a little sanding I think I like them better than the tiles I usually purchase at the craft store. Even better, these are just the right size for my .75 inch paper punch, where the scrabble tiles were just a hair to large.

The only problem is, once I grab a sanding sponge and get started sanding it is really, really hard to stop.

Etsy Shop Grand Opening!

Woo hoo! I've opened up my Etsy shop. No more thinking, planning, budgeting and pricing strategies. No more gathering of supplies. It's time to just do it. I have shipping supplies, and I've got merchandise. What more do I need? ...except maybe some shipping labels. Oh well, I can take care of that this weekend.

I set a goal to get through ten postings before the Etsy meet up tomorrow. After all, I would feel a little silly going if Iwas still just setting on my hands. I've posted eight letter tile necklaces, and ball chain and ribbon to go with them. Next step is to post the dolls that I've been making.

That should be enough to make me feel like I'm at least getting my feet wet. One of my favorite quotes is from Will Rogers. “Even if you are on the right track, you will get run over if you just sit there."

T shirt Bikini Sewing Project

I finished my t shirt bikini. I didn't exactly follow any of the tutorials, but mixed bits and pieces of them, along with tips found in forum posts.

Some tidbits...t-shirts stretch, and of course they also become a little transparent when wet. To solve this issue, I used a lined both the top and bottom with another material. I was going to go with the swimsuit fabric at JoAnn. It is 90% polyester and 10% spandex. Since I really didn't need a lot of stretch, I went with the 100% polyester, at one third the price of the swimsuit fabric. I also used this for the ties.

Now on to the cover up, because I sure am not wearing a bikini without covering it up. Not until I'm a few shades darker anyway. I would hate to blind someone.

Etsy Craft Party

I'm looking forward to the Etsy Craft Party this Friday. Tulsa came in #10 world wide for the most number of RSVP's, so Etsy is sending a box of goodies. The organizers in Tulsa chose Philbrook as the venue, and it sounds like it should be a lot of fun. I just need to remember to pick up a t-shirt for the screen printing. I don't want to miss that. You can view the details at MakeTulsa.com or RSVP at Meetup.com.

Busy Weekend

This evening I was taking some product photos, when Coral took over the camera. Lights, a poster board, Scrabble tiles, and miscellaneous props, have kept her busy for the last hour or so. If she ever lets me have my camera back I may post some of the pictures. Although, I’m thinking I may have to go to sleep before she is ready to give it up.

It was a busy weekend around here. Working late on a project for work on Friday night, the Build and Grow Workshop Saturday morning, two trips to Big Splash, a couple of movies, some craft projects, and the twenty year high school reunion of the class two years ahead of me, so I'm pretty exhausted right now.

Duct Tape Wallet

I think I've found a Father's Day project the kids will like. It's a duct tape wallet. Instructions from Family Fun can be found here.