Tutorial: No Scrap of Wood Left Behind – #EtsyCIJ #EtsyCraftParty 2016

Contributor post by Catherine from DesignsbyCnC

“Tutorial:  How to make a Valentine’s Day Primitive Hanger” by Barb from barbsheartstrokes

 

“What Color(s) Inspired This Tutorial? Please Share Your Advice For Creating Stunning Color Combinations.”

“When it is January and grey and 7 degrees outside I start looking for some color in my world! Good thing Valentine’s Day is around the corner. RED is one of my favorite colors and makes me smile!

I started with RED, then thought this color would look good on pink. Since this little hanger has a primitive look I wanted the color to POP out and give a hint of fun.

I have added brighter colors to some of my primitive pieces and I am loving the look! Never be afraid to add/mix and play with colors!”

Introduction

Having been raised by parents who were raised during the end of the Great Depression and then WWII I was taught nothing should go to waste. So no scrap of wood can be left behind after my Dad drops off a truck load of scrap lumber. I have all these different sizes and thickness of wood so I tried to put my frozen brain to work and come up with an idea for these 2 x 3 inch pieces of wood. Here it goes. Sand the wood out in the garage with the temp at 7 degrees at noon one day. (I did not last long out there.) Tack cloth the wood free from frost and saw dust. Paint the wood with Burnt Umber acrylic paint. Let dry.

 

Tutorial Directions

Paint roughly with Decoart Melon color or a pinkish color of your choice leaving the edges paint free giving it a primitive look. You could also paint the wood first and then sand the edges and stain with an oil base stain but that meant going back out to the garage. I did the simpler version avoiding the outside.

Now with Decoart Country Red stencil some hearts here and there on the wood.

I just wrote on the wood with a #2 pencil “Be Mine” and a heart to dot the letter I. Now you can paint this black with a 10/0 liner brush or use a Sharpie Marker to do the lettering.

Inside the house, using the Dremel, I drilled two holes at the top and then added rusty wire for a hanger. I have all these fun keys so I used white organza ribbon to attach the key to the wire on this one.

Here is one with red organza ribbon with a different key attached. I sprayed these with a clear coat finish and are now ready to give as a small gift. I may even add these to my Etsy shop.

Conclusion

Not sure how creative these are when you are freezing but I needed to paint and start using my brain for some creativity. Hope you enjoy!

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You may follow me on Pinterest:  https://www.pinterest.com/bsheartstrokes/, Twitter:  https://twitter.com/BsHeartstrokes and visit my blog:  http://barbsheartstrokes.blogspot.com/

Tutorial: Colorful Plastic Beads from Plastic Bottles – #EtsyCIJ #EtsyCraftParty 2016

Contributor post by Alicia from AliciasFindings

“Tutorial: How To Make A Colorful Bead from Plastic Bottles” by Dawn from DeeDeeDeesigns

What Color(s) Inspired This Tutorial? Please Share Your Advice For Creating Stunning Color Combinations.

I love the colour combination of purple and orange. As well as them being my two favourite colours, I think one of the reasons they work well together is because they are on opposite sides of the colour wheel. So my advise for creating great colour combinations is to use the good old-fashioned colour wheel for inspiration.

Introduction

Although the main medium in my Etsy shop is clay I also love to upcycle and re-purpose materials in both my shop and in my overall life. I do this because I find it a great creative outlet, but also for the ethical reasons of preserving the planet and countering, in my own small way, the effects of climate change. This tutorial uses plastic drink bottles and turns them into beautiful light weight beads suitable for jewellery and any other craft projects you may be creating.

Materials Used

The first step is to gather together the materials you need:

Empty drink bottle

Craft knife

Scissors

Coloured markers

Needle nose pliers

Hair dryer or heat gun

Tutorial Directions

Using your craft knife cut your drink bottle into three sections. We will be using the middle section which is all the same thickness.

Next cut the center piece of the bottle down the middle so that you have a flat sheet of plastic.

Now begin cutting this sheet into strips. The width of your strips will determine the size of your beads.

Now for the fun bit – adding colour. As you can see I randomly coloured my strips of plastic, but you can also draw a more formal design, add stripes, polka dots, anything you like.

Colour all your plastic strips so you have a nice collection to work with….

Now we need the needle nosed pliers. Grip the end of the plastic strip firmly between
the pliers and begin tightly winding the plastic – coloured side facing inward – around
the plier nose.

When fully wound firmly hold the bead in place and remove from the pliers. Now insert one nose of the pliers inside the bead and place the other nose over the end of the wound bead to prevent it unraveling. Turn on your hair dryer or heat gun and begin applying heat to the bead. Rotate the bead so that heat is distributed evenly. The amount of time this takes depends on the strength of your heat source, but you will see the plastic beginning to shrink. Once it cools it becomes a hard and durable bead.

Conclusion

Remove the bead from the pliers and allow to cool. Do not burn yourself on the hot pliers! Repeat with all your plastic strips till you have a gorgeous collection of unique colourful handmade beads.

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Tutorial: Paint Chip Scalloped Wall Art- #EtsyCIJ #EtsyCraftParty 2016

Contributor post by Alicia from AliciasFindings

“Tutorial: How To Make A Paint Chip Scalloped Wall Art” by Kelly from ColourscapeStudios

What Color(s) Inspired This Tutorial? Please Share Your Advice For Creating Stunning Color Combinations.

This tutorial was inspired by the rainbow of colours on my daughters new quilt cover. I think the best colour combo’s come from the unexpected; experiment and play with colours until you find the combo you adore and run with it!

Introduction

I’m a big fan of Pinterest, and I found this awesome idea recycling paint chips while looking for fun craft things to do with my young daughter. We’ve got a bit of a collection of them as my little one loves grabbing one or two each time we’re at the home improvement stores, so I decided it was time to do something with them. I’ve made mine a smaller piece at 5 x 7″ (13 x 18cm) but it’s easy to scale up, just punch more circles.

Materials Used

* Paint Chips – approximately 30-40 for a 5 x 7″ piece

* Circle punch (mine is a 2 in, but I’ve seen 1 in and they work well too)

* 5 x 7″ sheet of thin card-stock

* Double sided glue roller or glue stick

* Ruler

* Knife/Cutter/Scissors

* Frame to put completed piece in

Tutorial Directions

Using your circle punch, punch out a range of colours from your paint chips. Don’t worry if there are letters slightly visible on the circles, they will disappear under the row above as you work up the card stock.

Starting from the bottom of your card, run a line of glue along the bottom, and then approximately .25″ up, and at 1″ from the bottom. Place your first row of circles from left to right, making sure to overlap the sides of the card, and the circle before it.

Continue working up the page, run one layer of glue over the top of the circles below, and another approximately .75″ up from the top of the circles below until you reach the top of the page. Ensure that the top row goes over the card stock’s edge.

Conclusion

Once you’ve finished adding circles, take your knife/scissors and cut the excess edges of the paint chips off the card-stock. Place artwork in frame and enjoy!

Tutorial: DIY Fabric Belts – #EtsyCIJ #EtsyCraftParty 2016

Contributor post by Alicia from AliciasFindings

“Tutorial: How To Make A DIY  Fabric Belt” by Megha from byTheArtBug

What Color(s) Inspired This Tutorial? Please Share Your Advice For Creating Stunning Color Combinations.

This project is inspired by both neutral and bright colors! I have used neutral brown and creamy white with bold patterned blue. The best thing about neutral colors is that they go well with everything and can be worn at any occasion. With their soft touch you can use these colors without any fear of fashion faux pas! As with the bright color, you can always wear that for a fun mood especially in the summer season. The bold blue with patterns is a perfect choice for any one who loves to add a little thrill to their outfit. It can also be combined with other bright colors like pink, yellow or orange! Or if that is too much for you mix it with white or any other shade of blue.

Introduction

Make these stylish & fun fabric belts with this easy DIY! It will cost you less than $5! They can be worn on Jeans or Dresses! Adjustable and sleek!

Materials Used

Thick Cotton Webbing (Width of your Choice) (Available at any fabric shop) (Usually $2 solid to $4 Pattern Per Meter)

Bag Buckle (for adjustable Straps – Size according to the webbing) (Available at any hobby shop $1-$2 for one or two)

Fabric Glue Thread –

Thick  Needle – Medium Sized
Scissors

Medium Sized Scissors

 

Tutorial Directions

Cut the webbing in desired size, I have used slightly longer as I intend to use the belt on both jeans and on dresses. If you want to make it for jeans measure the waist of jeans and for dresses measure your upper waist. Take a few inches extra (take at least 7-8 inches extra). Next, apply fabric glue to one end of the webbing to prevent it from fraying. Let it dry.

On the other end sew the webbing on the middle part of the buckle. Follow the pictures. Make sure that your thread is strong.

Sew at back,

Insert the needle on upper part like this to hide the knot.

Hand Sew using back-stitch so that your stitch stays strong.

Finish the stitch and cut the thread.

Conclusion

That’s all, your belt is ready!

Put in the other side to tie and pull to adjust.

     

You can use double sided webbing for two different patterns, It can be worn on both sides!

Make as many as you like! Happy Sewing!

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Christmas In July’s Etsy Craft Party Prize Sponsors

Contributor post by Catherine from DesignsbyCnC

Today I want to share with you all of the wonderful prizes donated by members of the Etsy Christmas In July team for our #EtsyCraftParty. You can enter to win them via our main Craft Party post.  Here is #EtsyCIJ Rafflecopter Giveaway!

In no particular order:

Crochet Angel Ornament by Corkycrafts

This crochet angel ornament makes a great 1st baby gift tag, small angel perfect for small angel tree topper too! Makes a great Christening gift and wine bottle tag! Makes a unique one of a kind gift! Made of white cotton thread.  Angel ornament measures 2 3/4″ x 2 1/2″.

Gingerbread Men Dog Collar by The Doggie House

Colorful gingerbread men collar handmade with a ribbon sewn on the top of the webbing is adjustable, holds a dog 75lb. The bow is adjustable. Wide: 1″ Size: 16 adjustable 23.

Ruby Red Dangle Earrings by ToBeMeJewelry

A wonderful design with Czech frosted Sea Glass look beads. The dagger beads have a beautiful matte finish giving the illusion of red sea glass. The color of the beads are Siam Ruby. Earrings are accented with dainty AB red Czech beads and silver metallic beads on sterling silver wire.  Length from ear wire is approximately 3/4 inches.

Gingerbread Charm Bracelet by timetalentjewels

A festive gingerbread charm beaded Christmas bracelet.

Halloween Bracelet by timetalentjewels

Just for Halloween a witches brew along with pumpkin beads and silver daisy spacers on a stretch elastic band.  A one of a kind Halloween charm bracelet!

Rainbow Tutu Set by LilybeanzBowtique

Handmade no sew tutu skirt in a rainbow of colors. Designed to fit infant up to 3 years old. Will come with a matching headband.

Three pairs of 6 1/2″ Needle Nose Pliers by Evies Tool Emporium

New, imported 6-1/2″ needle nose pliers. They are made of high carbon steel and have a double dipped handle to ensure comfortable grip. The jaws are serrated for gripping and have a wire cutter for convenience.

Purple and Teal Knit Fingerless Gloves by Medley of Colors

Unisex hand knit fingerless mitten with a soft, non-scratchy acrylic yarn. These mittens or gloves are sized to fit most preteen to medium adult hands. When stretched, the mittens measure approximately 8 inches long.

Personalized Stemless Champagne Flutes by DesignstheLimit

Perfect for Weddings, Anniversaries, Valentine’s Day, New Year’s Eve, and any other cause for celebration! Toast with a personal touch and make your stemware perfect for your special occasion when you choose a combination of our designs and available fonts.

A $25 Gift Certificate from KraftyGirlCreations

A$25 gift certificate from KraftyGirlCreations, specializing in handcrafted fabric ornaments, gifts & housewares.

Wasabi Dark Teal and Avocado Flower Earrings by Bungalow42

Cascading three petal flowers are hand-knotted on walnut waxed linen thread creating these dangle earrings. The Czech pressed glass beads are wasabi, dark teal and avocado creating a mod retro vibe.  These earrings are 2″ long. All findings are sterling silver.

Green Hanging Microfibre Towel by SuesAkornShop

This microfiber towel is made to hang around a stove handle or dishwasher handle. The towel is covered with green octagons and circles and the topper is as well. This hand towel measures 12 1/2 inches wide by 15 inches long.

Dark Blue Fingerless Mitts by  MermaidsHatBox

A pair of fingerless mitts hand knitted with dark blue Merino/Polyester yarn.  Every size.

A $20 Gift Certificate from DiMaryboutique

A $20 gift certificate from DiMaryboutique , home of crochet and knitted things, jewelry, art and vintage.

Hot/Cold Therapy Neck Wrap and Matching Eye Pillow from NaturalBodyComfort

This Spa Set will include… One Neck Wrap: Measuring 30 x 5” inches in Length and Width, providing ample coverage for the neck and upper chest area. Along with a matching Eye Pillow to provide you with the perfect relaxation combo.

                                                          Knit Cup Cozy from socksandmittens

Wrap this reusable cup cozy around your cup and help keep your fingers protected from the heat!  It designed to fit 9 to 11oz mug or cup, about 3″ in diameter. It is stretchy and has a loop and a button to fit your mug (if not, just move that button over).