Jewellery+Accessories

Guest blog | Girls handmade jewelry collection

by contributor on December 9, 2011

in Guest Blogger, Jewellery+Accessories, Kids Crafts

Anne Weil loves to make things of all sorts. She is a working mother of three. Don’t ask her to decide which is her favorite craft: knitting, photography, jewelry-design, paper crafts, or sewing. Instead, she just makes, designs and takes photos as much as she can possibly squeeze in to her crazy life and blogs about it at flaxandtwine.com.

I never know what will bring me to my next creative project. This jewelry collection just seemed to spring up like it was meant to happen. It all started because my boys are obsessed with legos. They are obsessed to the point that when I saw the Star Wars Lego Advent Calendar this year, I started jumping up and down. Luckily, the boys’ birthdays are close enough to the holidays to justify a birthday purchase for their advent calendar. But, this left me stymied for Allie. How could the boys have something wonderful to open every day and she have nothing? That’s when I decided to make her a little special something for every day leading into Christmas. I wasn’t sure I could come up with that many unique jewelry designs all at once, but once I started, I couldn’t stop. I have had a ball creating each and every one of these designs. They are all so simple and easy to make – but they come out so darn cute! I am tickled pink . . . and blue and yellow and green.

This page will hold the entire collection at the end of the month. Right now, there are photos of everything I’ve made so far. Just click on the photo and it takes you to a tutorial that shows you how to make it, too. There are so many amazing handmade advent calendars out there, why not fill them with beautiful hand made gifts? The bonus is that many of these tutorials are easy to do with your girls. Or, have your boys make something sweet for their sister or friend. How thoughtful! What a great way to make handmade gifts for others.

Many Happy Holidays to you and yours!

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For more kids craft, creative ideas and activities go to the Action Pack website

Guest blogger series | Clutch purse tutorial

by contributor on October 9, 2011

in Guest blog series2 2011, Jewellery+Accessories, Whip Up Tutorials

Jorth is written by Leisl, who lives in Melbourne and loves to knit, sew, cook, read and generally create whilst living a green life. You can visit her site at her blog Jorth.

Hi, my name is Leisl from Jorth, and I have created a super easy tutorial for a cute clutch purse. You can use it as a purse, as a make up bag, a travelling jewellery case – anything! They are quick to make, and make excellent gifts. Keep them in mind for Christmas and birthdays – or maybe just make up a whole bunch for yourself!

Things you will need:

One piece of fabric measuring 25 x 30cm (9 x 12 inches) (in this case a print from Ink and Spindle was used.
One piece of lining fabric measuring 25 x 30cm (9 x 12 inches)
One piece of medium weight iron-on fusing measuring 23 x 28cm (9 x 11 inches)
One metre/yard of ribbon
Threads, to match

Note: seam allowances are 1cm, unless otherwise specified.

Step 1: Cut out fabric according to dimensions, then fuse the iron-on fusing onto the wrong side of the lining fabric, leaving a 1cm (.4 inch) border around all edges. This border will be your seam allowance.

Step 2: Fold your outside fabric piece into in equal thirds at 9cm (3.5inches) from the top and 20cm (8inches) from the top. Press the fold lines.

Step 3: Place the centre of your ribbon into the centre of the middle outside fabric folded section. Stitch the ribbon to this section only, sewing as close to the ribbon edge as possible.

Step 4: Place the outside fabric and lining fabric together, right sides facing, carefully tucking in the ribbon so you don’t sew over it. Sew the side seams and top seam, clipping corners. Turn right side out, and press.

Step 5: Fold down the 1cm seam allowance of the bottom seam, so the seam allowance is hidden inside. Press, then sew the seam closed. Press.

Step 6: Fold the bottom section of the clutch so it meets the top fold. Starting from the bottom left hand corner, sew the sides of the clutch together, continuing along the top side and top edge of the clutch, then down along the right side, using a 0.7cm seam allowance.

Fold over the top flap of your clutch, tie your ribbon and voila! One finished clutch!

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Guest blogger series | Pleated lace headband tutorial

by contributor on September 22, 2011

in Guest blog series2 2011, Jewellery+Accessories, Whip Up Tutorials

Vanessa of Punkin Patterns stays very busy taking care of her two young children and lots of creative projects. You might find her sewing, knitting, painting, designing or juggling all of her passions at once. Take a minute and go check out Punkin Patterns and read about her sewing and crafting adventures and don’t forget to take a look at all of her great tutorials.

Hi Everyone! I’m Vanessa of Punkin Patterns and I’m very excited to be here today on whipup.net. Today I wanted to share with you a very simple project: a pleated lace headband. Super simple, but so elegant! It’s a very easy project, perfect for a beginner or the seasoned pro. It’s great for little girls or big ones too!

To make a pleated lace headband you’ll need

lace
a headband
fray-check
glue (either hot glue or fabric glue)
you’ll also need a sewing machine (or needle and thread)

We’ll start by pleating the beginning of the lace with your hand.
Place the pleated section under your pressure foot and start sewing slowly down the center of the lace (alternatively you can sew down the pleats by hand). Continue pleating the lace as you go by lifting up a section of lace and fold it down so the fold goes under the pressure foot.
Keep going until you have a length of pleated lace 2 inches longer than your headband. You can use fray check on the ends if you like.
Using hot glue or fabric glue, place a line of glue along the center of the headband making sure you wrap a small bit around the bottom. Continue all the way around.
You can add a bit of buttons or small ribbon flowers if you like.

And you’re done!

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8 groovy bracelets to make

by kath_red on July 8, 2011

in Jewellery+Accessories

Can I say groovy? Or should I say cool? Anyway here are 10 of them – very cool, incredibly groovy bracelets you can make yourself from easily found materials.

Hex nut wrap bracelet - made from hex nuts from the hardware store and cut up cloth from an old piece of clothing. (pictured)
hex nut braided bracelet - again using hex nuts from the hardware and some good old hemp or cotton twine from the hardware or garden shop or your local craft store.
Studded leather bracelet - grab some leather or faux leather off cuts and some screw spikes from your hardware store or local fetish shop! (pictured)
Braid and trim bracelet - trims and ribbons from a craft store.
Rope bracelet – yep using rope – from a hardware store.
Button bracelet - some buttons, fabric and string and you are away. (pictured)
Woven chain bracelet - chunky chain (hardware store) and some threads. (pictured)
Stud cuff - a cardboard tube and some studs.

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