Stunning ever-so-chic washer necklace

Shattered from a day frolicking in the sun my little boy was fast asleep by 6pm on Saturday night.

2 free hours - what an unexpected treat

So I poured myself a large glass of wine, put the radio on and setup on the dining room table to create a necklace I'd pinned on Pinterest some time ago, I believe this tutorial was designed by Megan at Nestled blog

 

It's a really simple concept of ribbon and washers but love how taking 2 relatively ordinary items and then spending 5 minutes of wizardry suddenly produces something really quite chic.

 

All you need -

• some metal washers - I got mine in a well known DIY store, £3.25 for a packet of 10, I used 2 packs.
• About 1 metre ribbon - mine is 1cm wide and works perfectly with the 3/8" washers. I found this in the bargain bucket in my local curtain shop 2m for 79p
• Needle / sewing machine and co-ordinating thread

I followed Megan's simple instructions and about 5 minutes of looping, threading and gently tugging - hey-presto - my washers were all threaded and looped onto the ribbon, looking rather fabulous, if I do say it myself....

You could definitely do the necklace with one pack of 10 washers, I pondered in front of the mirror debating adding more

I often suffer with overdoing crafty things - never mseem to know when to stop fiddling

I decided to go for more seen as I'd bought them anyway. Not sure about adding more than 20, it's quite a heavy piece

I was a bit concerned about using only a bow to fasten this, I've had bad experiences with necklaces tied in bows so wanted to make this fastening more secure.

With a full time job and a toddler I don't need anthing else to worry about

I've sewn the ends together as shown below - I allowed a 2cm overlap to machine zig zag then covered this by folding the ribbon over on itself and top stitching. I'm pretty certain this will hold even the strongest to toddler-tugs so I can be a worry free Mummy

Note - I struggled to get my machine to feed the ribbon with the pins in, hence the gap in the zig zag - just a warning incase you try this method.

So here is the finished necklace - rather proud of this, will be feeling pretty pleased with myself at work tomorrow

Costing less than £8 everyone can afford to be chic

 

 

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More Shrink Plastic

I've continued with my shrink plastic playtime. This time using a single colour to create a portfolio on a punched circle shape

I'm really pleased with the result

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Shrink plastic playtime

Do you remember the urban legend at school that you could put a crisp packet in the oven and it would shrink? I remember some girls wearing these miniature Skips and Space Raiders packets as badges, never sure whether to believe the production method, and always a little afraid it'd set something alight, I never had a go. Do you remember these? Were you one of those girls with a trendy mini crisps badge?

As those of you who follow me on Facebook will know, I've been playing with shrink plastic recently, I wanted to share my initial samples and what I've learnt so far with you.

The instructions on the packet stated that the plastic would shrink to 1/7 of its original size, just make the desired shape, colour if required and put on tin foil lined baking tray into 175degree oven for a couple of minutes. Well it really couldn't appear to be easier.. Why didn't I try that crisp packet trick all those years ago?

I started to play with my shape cutters, colouring pencils and hole punches to see what really does happen.

Here are my first experiments - this first block is really just a sampler. This started 2"x2" and I hoped it would shrink to 2cmx2cm. I coloured with pen (corner stripes) and pencil (tree and tent)

Secondly I used my butterfly punch to create 2 shapes. I coloured one with pencil and left the other plain.

Note how pale the colours are at this stage.

Off into the oven, this was a little scary as the shapes twist and curl they shrink

Here are the cooked and cooled items.

This is what I learnt -

1. The square did shrink to 2cmx2cm

2. The colours are so much more vivid - look at the butterfly and tent colours

I even tried the crisp packet but it didn't go too well!!!

Oh well, I'm looking forward to playing with this material more, think there are some really cool things which could be created...watch this space

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Welcome to the Blog Party

Hello, as you are probably aware there is a little party happening in the blogosphere today, it's a global Blog Party organised and hosted by the lovely Vicki from 2 Bags Full.

It's so easy for us to just continue as we are, chatting away in our little blog worlds forgetting there are people out there who don't know us but would like to. You wouldn't do that at a party would you? No, you'd pause and introduce yourself, then share and chat until your found some common ground and a spark.

So that is the idea of the party really....

Pause and introduce ourselves .....

Share a little bit about ourselves and hopefully find a little spark with someone who might like to pop back every now and then to see how we are doing.

Lets start a conversation.

I'll certainly be looking for some lovely blogs to follow and I assume, by the fact you are reading this, you are too.

--------------------

So hello, how are you?

I'm Becca Lou, I'm a Mum of one from Hampshire, England. I enjoy making beautiful items for my home and as gifts in my free time. I've been blogging for a couple of years but took a bit of a break when work, parenthood, moving house etc just meant I didn't have the time to dedicate to you. I missed blogging so started again just after Christmas and having had the time to reflect I have some idea seedlings which will hopefully result in some lovely ideas to share with you over the coming months.

I thought I'd give you a whistle-stop tour and share what I'm all about...

Crochet - I discovered crochet a couple of years ago and have been hooked (please excuse the pun!). I find it so relaxing and portable, sitting in front of the TV it acts as a snuggly blanket, waiting for my car to be serviced it keeps boredom at bay, it's a lovely craft...

This is a blanket I finished recently...

 

Jewellery - I've created a few items of silver metal jewellery using silversmithing techniques as well as playing with silver metal clay.

Beading and Accessories - I do like to show off my hand made items and very little gives me more pleasure than beading a headband to wear to an event and to receive a compliment about it.

I made this one to wear to a friends wedding, this and others have made appearances at many parties and events I've attended. Usually get compliments, always makes me smile to say "oh this? Yes I designed and made it, thanks for the compliment"

Quilting and patchwork - a lovely way to re-use fabrics and use up scraps, I do love a bit of quilting. The images below are from play mats I made for friends on the arrivals of new babies.

Conferences - I'm off to a couple of blogging conferences this year....looking forward to sharing the learnings with you, improving my blog, and hopefully meeting you there? Let me know if you are attending, you will find me at...

Cybher

Brit Mums Live

 

So this is me, there is so much more I'd like to tell you but hope that with any good conversation started at a party we will get to know each other over time.

 

So tell me a little about yourself, do you have a place in the blogosphere I can visit?

Please come back again soon

Ta at for now

X

 

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Cute crochet collar

Whilst browsing for a ripple crochet blanket tutorial to help with my latest challenge I stumbled upon this ever so cute crochet collar on Lulu Loves I simply couldn't resist, it's just adorable.

I hunted through my yarn stash for some cotton, this navy cotton was perfect. I love cotton for accessories, it is firmer once the item is finished and with this sitting so close to my neck I find cotton wears better and is less likely to have me itching part way through a conversation.

And navy, well, it goes with everything!

You start the crochet collar with a chain which will form the top line of the collar. I used stitch markers (paperclips in my case) to mark every 10 stitches in the initial chain. I often get distracted during my crafting and have to quickly put my work down, I mark every 10 stitches so I'm not constantly counting and with 91 stitches in the initial chain counting would have been a bit of pain. I'm sure you can buy proper crochet stitch markers, paperclips work just as we'll and can generally be located loitering at the bottom of a draw!

The pattern consists rounds of increasing numbers of treble crochet and spaces which creates this scalloped edge design

Sewing in the ends, nearly finished

It only took me an hour or so, isn't it adorable? Ever so simple but ever so cute crochet collar

 

 

 

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Metal Clay Play

I treated myself to a spot of metal clay play recently. This is the first time I've had a good play with the materials since my day-course last year.

I bought a few bits straight after the course full of motivation and enthusiasm, well life happened and I never quite got round to it. Whilst the metal clay material is pliable and relatively easy to manipulate into a design its flaw is that it can be over handled and can start to dry and crack quickly.

So I locked the men (big and small) out of the vicinity I set out to play. Having created my ideas in blue-tac I opened the Silver Clay and made a couple of charms for necklaces or charm bracelets, I'm pretty happy with the results. So simple but so effective.

I really love the clean sharp lines on the surface of the metal and how the pattern is given more depth as light is shined on it.

I made some other bits and pieces which I'm still firing and soldering...so watch this space for another metal clay update soon.

If you would like to work with metal clay I set out a little information in a previous post. Do let me know if you have a go and how you get on.

Pom Pom Tastic

I have about a million ideas flying around my head of projects I'd like to try. This afternoon I thought I'd have a go at one and decided to make a Pom Pom, somthing that every 8 year old will no doubt be able to do in their sleep, but something I haven't done for too many years to mention.

Having searched the internet for a gentle reminder of the techniques I started to create....

Cut out 2 x donuts of cardboard with a little V towards the middle (helps when winding the yarn)

then start to wind the yarn....was shocked at how much yarn was needed and very pleased that I had chosen a cheap acrylic to have a go with. Maybe a smaller template would have been a good place to start, but hey I was thinking BIG when I started this project

still winding yarn.........................................

then snip snip snip around the edge of the yarn. Thought this looked liked it could be a cute character in the muppets...unfortunately I dont have any wobbly eyes to stick on :o(

tie MORE yarn around the middle of the ball inbetween the 2 card donuts, remove card...et voila....pom pom tastic, soooo simple

I've got a couple of ideas I want to use pom poms for, but think will see if I can find a template or at least a ratio for the size of the middle circle vs outer circle in order to make take the right amount of yarn for the perfect pom pom...I know....I'm a geek!!! Will share what (if anything) I find.

Metal Clay Info

Thank you for the kind words about my Metal Clay jewellery. I’m rather pleased with these myself but need a lot of practice to make these more professional.

The process really is very easy. Here is a step-by-step guide, although please remember I’ve only done one course on this so this really is the basics.

Materials
There are 2 brands of metal clay - Precious Metal Clay (PMC) and Art Clay Silver (ACS), I understand these are essentially the same, but I’m sure that aficionados will have a preference. Silver, Gold and Bronze is available.

The material is made from the precious metal, an organic binder (a secret recipe I understand) and water. It is these last 2 materials which are removed to leave you with a shiny piece of lovely silver, gold or bronze depending on the metal you are working with.

Stage 1 – shaping
When you open the packet the clay is really just that – clay. It is a grey squidgy material which can be moulded into any shape and size. I advise you have a design practiced in bluetac or another playdough type material as once you start to handle the metal clay it starts to dry out and you need to be quick.

Remember to put any pieces of clay you aren’t using into a air tight container to retain the moisture…this is a precious metal after all and you don’t want to waste a speck.

Stage 2 – drying
The first of the clay materials to be removed is water. Drying your shaped piece on a radiator over night or on a VERY low oven heat will achieve this. The piece will be firm at the end of this and look a little like fired pottery

Stage 3 – firing
The firing process burns off the second of the clay materials – the organic binder. You can fire in a kiln or use a blow torch (the sort you toast the top of crème brulees with is fine).

The piece will go through a number of stages during firing, including bursting into flames which can be a little alarming….but ultimately it will glow a delicate orange and you must keep it at this point for 2.5minutes (critical if you are using a torch, not so critical if you using a kiln as will pop in there for an hour or so).

Due to the removal of the binder pieces shrink approximately 10% during this stage, obviously important to consider if you are making a ring!

Stage 4 – polishing
Once the piece has cooled you will be left with a solid piece of metal which will look white. Now the hard work starts…..get out your wire brush and start to scrub….it is quite amazing as the sparkly silver is revealed…you can then polish with various papers and creams to reach the level of shine you want.

Hope this helps a little. It really is quite quick to have a go at, but the materials aren’t exactly cheap…you are buying silver afterall.

Let me know if you have a go at this and please share the results you achieve.

Metal Clay Class

Well I've had a great weekend, hope you had a good one too.

The jewellery class on Saturday was a great success, I might actually be hooked. Here are new sparkly pieces which are all my own design....

I worked with Metal Clay which is dried and fired. Then once buffed and polished reveals a solid silver treat.

Firstly I modelled my pieces in polymer clay (like playdough) until I was happy with the design. Below is a polymer and a Metal Clay piece

Then after a little elbow grease (and a trip to the polishing barrel for some pieces which is a magical lazy option) I walked away from the class with some earrings, a ring and of course my leaf and stone set pendant...I am rather pleased with myself. Thoroughly recommend the day...

I still have an awful lot to learn but will be practicing at home as this really doesn't need any specialist equipment....I've got a table, radiator and a creme brulee torch...silver treats here I come

Another Month ... Another Craft Course

I do love to learn.

I get itchy feet at work if I'm not learning something new on a regular basis and I thrive on being thrown into situations where I know nothing, I'm just the same with my crafting.

You may have noticed that I'm gradually becoming a Jack of all trades and Master of none. Well that certainly isn't the plan, I do want to become a "Master Crafter" I'm just not too sure in what yet so until I decide am having fun giving everything a go.

This weekend I'm off to a Silver Metal Clay class at the London Jewellery School. I've been to a couple of classes there (see blog posts - Silver Jewellery and Button Jewellery). It's a really lovely environment to learn and I'm excited to try the Metal Clay material. Apparently its like putty which you fire and torch - then voila you end up with solid silver... intriguing.

Hoping I'll be ok in the class as I've been struggling with Carpal Tunner Syndrome in my wrists recently, a common symptom of my current 31 week pregnant state. I've been incredibly lucky in generally so mustn't grumble. Other than my pork-pie feet and sausage fingers we are both doing very well, but I am having difficulty holding an embroidery needle or crochet hook for any length of time ... projects are taking a little longer to complete than planned.

All Buttoned Up

I returned home late last night resembling a Pearly Queen

I hadn't suddenly decided to move to East London and learn Cockney rhyming slang. No. I'd been to a Button Jewellery taster class at the London Jewellery School and had made enough goodies to practically rattle as I walked home.

There is certainly something exciting about being faced with a box brimming with buttons. I don't know if its the feeling as they drip through your fingers, the mirage of colours and shapes or just the chance of uncovering a gem which makes rummaging such fun but the 4 of us in the class were mesmerised before the class had even started.

Our 2.5 hours whizzed by in a flurry of button threading action. I really couldn't believe just how easy it is to make these sweet-shop treats. Am now off to eBay to source some materials...here is what I made....I will be seen modelling them around London and Surrey for a long time to come

2 cute bracelets

some retro button earrings

and here is me modelling my new necklace

Tardy Update

Hello.....yes its me....I'm back....

Sorry its seemed like an age since I last posted, to say I've been a little under the weather would be an understatement. Think I've just been run-down and I've literally been coming home from work and going straight to bed - oh yes its a rock'n'roll lifestyle in this house.....

I just havent been able to face concentrating on any of my lovely crafts or even using the laptop in an evening to post a message or see what everyone else has been up to.

But the good news is I'm feeling a little better today and I wanted to show you my finished necklace from the last of my jewellery classes on Thursday. Unfortunately I only managed 30 minutes of the 2.5 hour class so only finished my necklace and didnt get to make a bracelet like I had hoped but I LOVE my necklace soooo much I cant be anything but happy ...

I've thoroughly enjoyed the course and come to realise that there actually isn't too much that you cant do in a garage or kitchen....and I already have my eye on an equipment website ("Thanks" to Sarah at Thimbles and Crumbles for your comment on my earlier post) and the intermediate course at the London Jewellery School where I've just completed the beginners course, or maybe the metal clay course, or maybe the enameling....what is a girl to do???? so many course ..... so little time.....

In the mean time I've got a couple of things on the go, not sure I'm quite up to focusing on anything intrucate just yet but hoping to be back to full speed soon