DIY Jewelry: GROGU (The Mandalorian) Inspired Bracelet

 

I have watched both seasons of The Mandalorian on Disney Plus, and like so many others, am totally smitten by the character named GROGU aka "The Child" aka "Baby Yoda" . If you're not familiar he's the same type of being as Yoda ( whom I also love ) but is not in fact the baby version of him. 

While going through my bead stash, I remembered I had some Kiwi Jasper beads that were PERFECT for a GROGU inspired project.  This is an easy bracelet to make using stretch cord. 

Mr. Chocolate surprised me with one of the animated toys as one of my Christmas gifts. They were almost impossible to find but he did and he is so cute. Our dog loves it when I activate him and just cocks her head at all of his movements and sounds.  I gathered up the supplies I thought I'd use and I ended up not using the white beads. No worries. They'll get put to good use! 

Supplies: 

• Stretch Magic Bead & Jewelry Cord 1mm ( Michaels)
• 10mm Kiwi Sesame Jasper (Shipwreck Beads...no longer on their site but Etsy, Amazon have)
• 10mm Matte Black Glass Beads (Michaels)
• 10mm Silver Beads (Michaels) 
• Bead Landing Rhinestone Dangles ( Michaels)
• Charm Along Metal Tags (Michaels)
• Loctite Gel Control Glue
• Head Pins and Jump Rings

Since I tend to make bolder jewelry, I like the thickness of the 1mm Stretch Magic cord. If you're using smaller beads you can use thinner versions. 

I like to spread the beads I'm working with out so I can easily grab them and a piece of felt works great to keep them from rolling away. 

Cut a length of the Stretch Magic a few inches longer than the finished bracelet size. Some people try to measure exactly which maximizes your cord, but I like ends long enough to not cause me to swear when I'm trying to tie the knot and things go wrong and beads go everywhere, which may or may not have happened one too many times. 

I bought these clamps at Dollar Tree forever ago and they work great for clamping one end so you don't have beads to chase. 

Measure your bracelet once you have your beads on. I know from experience 7.5 is the right length for me. Tie with a basic knot. Dab a little Loctite or jewelry glue onto the knot, then tie another knot and trim. 

I usually add a little dangle on my bracelets, especially when I'm giving as a gift, and especially since I found some cute charms that say things like "Made With Love" "Handmade" etc. I also love these little rhinestone dangles to add just a touch of bling. 

To create the bead dangle, thread one of the jasper beads and one of the silver beads onto a head pin and close with a wrapped loop. 

Then, attach your tag, rhinestone, and bead dangle onto your bracelet using jump rings. 

I love how the jasper represents GROGU, the black beads his eyes, and the silver is for Beskar, the elite armor worn by worthy Mandalorians. Geek Alert! 

This is the way !

Sharing At: 

Eclectic Red Barn

Our Hopeful Home 
The House On Silverado 

DIY Jewelry: But First Coffee Earrings

 

As a Seattle girl originally, I am an "OG" Starbucks customer. I'm talking from the days when there wasn't one on every street corner, in every mall or grocery store or Target. And my drink has always been a Mocha. Hot, usually iced, always a Mocha. While I make my iced Mochas every morning at home and most evenings as well, Mr. Chocolate knows that if we're out...there's a stop involved. I live for the mobile app which has been my lifeline during this pandemic! So when I found some coffee themed charms at JoAnn, it was a no brainer that I was getting them! 

These instructions are the same for clip earrings or pierced with the only change being using an earwire instead of the clip bases. 

Supplies: 

• hildie & jo charms (JoAnn)
• Clip earring backs ( Michaels
• Clip earring "base" (eg something to cover the backs... had these in my stash)
• Jump rings (Michaels and Jo Ann)
• Connector Links 
• Jewelry Pliers
• Glue ( I use Loctite Gel Control Super Glue)

If you're making clips, the first step is to glue the clip back to the base with a good drop of the Loctite Glue. I like this because it's thicker and doesn't run. Use clamps or clothespins to secure and let dry while you assemble the other pieces. If you're making pierced earrings, see below for when to attach the earwire. 

I chose to go with these two charms and make a par of asymmetrical earrings. The bolder jump rings on the right (also hildie & jo) I had in my stash and used to connect the larger connector links shown at the bottom. I used three connector links for each earring. 

To connect the connector links, open one of the jump rings, thread all three onto it, close. Repeat for the other earring. Add another jump ring to each set of now joined links. 

Repeat the same process to attach the charms. 

If you're making pierced, at this point use one more jump ring to attach an earwire. For clip earrings, attach a jump ring to your completed clip base and use one more to attach the body of your earring. 

This is an easy process to whip up a pair of earrings that can be worn with anything! 

and Iced Mochas too ! 

Sharing At: 

Our Hopeful Home
The House On Silverado 

Tutorial: My New Granddog and How to Make a Layered Monogram in Cricut Design Space

 

My son is almost done with his PhD and is focused on writing his dissertation. He's wanted a dog since he left for undergrad, and the timing was finally right for him to adopt and he found the cutest 8 month old shelter pup and is in total love! Of course being a Maker and a Mom, that meant I was going to make him something special, and I'm so happy with how this turned out. 

Now that I too have more time since I retired last year, I've been focused on growing my skills and learning new things.  I'm totally obsessed with layered cut files like the ones I've shared from Maggie Rose. I will have a couple more projects coming using her designs. And there are soooo many talented people out there making these, but since childhood, I've been one of those people who wants to know how to do things myself as well! I watched some You Tube videos and read some tutorials, but my brain works how it works ( ask Mr. Chocolate) and I had to figure out what made sense to me. In the event that your brain works like mine ( I'm sorry!) hope the tutorial in this post is helpful. 

First things first. Meet "Spinach Boy". The shelter was on a vegetable name kick and that's what they named him when they took him in. Poor guy was sick and sad but he's fully healthy now. PhD son wasn't sure he was going to keep the name but when they finally met he felt it suited him. He's calling him "Spinny" but his official name remains Spinach Boy. 

The "S" monogram can also work for "Socks" since he has a thing for them! Now for my attempt at a tutorial which I hope makes sense. Also on my list is making videos so look for one of those in the future. Since I haven't mastered creating an exportable SVG file yet, these instructions are specific to Cricut Design Space. 

Supplies: 

• Three sheets of scrapbook paper (I used a glitter sheet, a plain sheet, and a textured sheet) for Monogram
• One sheet of scrapbook paper for background ("Let's Wander" paper stack by Recollections, Michaels)
• Cricut Cutting Machine (eg. Explore Air, Maker, Joy.  I used my Explore Air2)
• Foam Squares or small dots
• Shadowbox Frame (I used a 12x12 frame) 

Both because of the name and because my son is also into plants, I went with a green palette with silver accents. Silver for the base, solid green for the middle layer, and textured green for the top layer.

Layer One: 

The first layer you'll create is your base layer. For this tutorial we'll call this the "Weld" layer since you're adding a shape to the letter and you want to create one piece for cutting. 

• Open Design Space (this tutorial assumes basic familiarity with the software) 
• Upload or Select Text to generate the letter you want to work with. 
• Size as appropriate
• I matched my colors to the color papers I chose because it made it easier for my brain to remember what was needed for each layer
• On the left side of the Design Space window, look for Shapes. Click on, select the shape you want to add. You can see I chose a star. 
• Size the image as appropriate and using your mouse, place where you want it on your letter
• What I did learn from one video is making use of the right hand tool bar. This is where you will see the images you've brought into your project. To work with specific images for specific steps you can select from here vs clicking on the images themselves. When you hold your CTRL Key down the space on the right side turns gray so you can see you've chosen it. In this case it's the star image and the S. 
• While holding your CTRL Key click "Weld" on the bottom of the right hand side of the screen
• This fuses, or welds, your two images into one

After Welding: 

After you've welded your image you can see how this is now one combined shape. For the next step, duplicate your welded image, change the color, and close the original by clicking on the little eye symbol that corresponds to it. Again, changing the colors of each layer helped me with this! 

Layer Two: 

Layers two and three will use the "Slice" function which is located to the left of the "Weld" function on the bottom right of the Design Space Screen. These will remain grayed out until images you want to use are selected. 

You can see here, I changed this now welded layer to green. 

• Again insert a shape ( I used the star again and sized slightly smaller than the welded star). 
• Position the star shape as appropriate
• Hold CTRL Key and select the star and the welded S and click "Slice" 

Now this is where I got frustrated. Once I hit slice the first time, it didn't appear anything had changed. By accident, I moved the S and that's how I figured out it had actually worked. 

The shape you previously inserted along with the shape you sliced out all appear as one until you move your image around and can see the white space. Several swear words resulted from this until I accidentally moved the image! You can keep or delete these images depending on whether you're going to need then again for your next layer. 

Layer Three: 

As you did after you welded layer one, make a duplicate of your sliced layer two, change the color to keep things straight, click on the eye symbol to close layer two. 

• Upload or select any additional Design Space images you want to use. 
• For this layer I added a paw and a dog bone 
• Repeat the "Slice" process for Layer Two

Here are my three separate layers: 

Now you can click on the eye symbols for any of the layers you've closed, overlay them, and then click "Select All" in Design Space or via CTRL Key to select as outlined above, lay them atop each other and you can see how all three layers work together and if satisfied, click "Group" just to ensure if you change the size of any layer they all stay in sync. 

(Ignore that my star is green here...I changed the color after I got the screenshot)

Then if you're satisfied that this looks like you want it, send your project to your machine to cut each layer. 

To assemble, use foam dots or squares in between the layers. I was lazy and just punched a couple of extra stars from scraps but you could easily cut these using your machine. 

I selected a coordinating background paper and framed in a 12x12 Shadowbox frame! 

And now, I may become a layered cut file maniac. I need my brain to slow down and stop thinking of everything I want to know how to do all at once! Like how to export these. And how to edit videos. And and and....

I hope this made sense! I figured if I was having a mental block others might be too. Or, could just have been me! Wouldn't be the first time. For sure won't be the last! 😂

Sharing At: 

Our Hopeful Home

Our Hopeful Home

Cardmaking: How to Make a Card Without Fancy Tools

 

My first crafting love is paper, specifically Card Making. Since childhood, I've loved pretty papers and my mom always made sure I had my own stationery, thank you notes etc. I still love "snail mail" and making and sending my own cards. And yes, I have all the "fancy tools" which I've accumulated over the years. But every so often it's just as much fun to use no tools and still make something pretty. This post is perfect for you if you've ever wanted to try making cards but don't want to invest in a lot of supplies. 

First and foremost is your paper! Whether you buy scrapbook paper by the individual sheet or like me, tend towards "stacks" with just a few pretty papers, you can make a handmade card!

Supplies: 

• Coordinating Papers. I used a Craftsmart stack from Michaels
• Cardstock. I prefer 110lb weight
• Adhesive. Tape runner or if all you have is a glue stick, that'll work. 
• Paper Trimmer. If you don't have one, no problem. Craft knife or scissors will work. You'll just need a ruler. 

A lot of my paper stash consists of "Hot Buy" stacks from Michaels. They often have them either 70% off or buy one get two free with the one being $19.99 so it averages out to less than $7 per stack and you can get anywhere from 48-60 pieces in each stack, some of which are double sided. But what I really love is, many of the stacks come with pages of sentiments that can be used as a focal for a card. 

NOTE: These are a special category so not all of their paper pads qualify. Only those they usually have in their own section entitled "Hot Buy". 

Each of these sentiments shown here is its own panel so you have multiple pieces you can use. I start by cutting these types of pages apart and choosing the panels I want to use as my card focal. Since all of the papers in the same stack coordinate, you can then choose other papers for your card knowing they'll all work together. For those without words you can either layer with pieces that have them or use stamps or stickers. Out of the panels from this sheet, I have enough to make 10 cards! 

Card Base: You can cut your own ( I tend to ) or you can buy blank pre-cut cards usually either 5x7 or 4.25 x5.25. These may also be called A7 or A4 and can be found everywhere from office supply stores, craft stores, or specialty stores like Paper Source. If you're cutting your own, you will need to cut to desired size and score down the middle. I have a scoring board but you can easily do this by measuring to the center of your paper and using an embossing tool, or an empty ballpoint pen and a ruler to make the scoring line. Score, fold, burnish with a bone folder or scissor handle to give it a strong crease.

I usually cut my card(s) first and set aside, then work on the layers that will become the focal of the card. 

Trim Sentiment Panel: Once you've cut your sentiment panel sheet apart, trim each piece as desired. This is why I don't worry about getting them cut perfectly from the main sheet. 

Then using coordinating papers ( I have tons of scraps on hand so if you are starting from nothing, you may want a couple of additional papers for this part). I chose mirror gold and silver glitter scraps and used these to mat the sentiment focal. 

Then I cut my coordinating papers to fit my card base...in this case I cut one 4.75x6.75 for a 5x7 card and then one 3.75x5.75 for the next coordinating layer. 

So here you can see (left to right): Card base, first panel, second panel, matted focal

Center your focal piece on the second panel, attach with foam dots or squares to give your card some dimension. I get a lot of my basic supplies like foam dots from Dollar Tree. They also sell one time use tape runners and double sided foam tape. 

I have this monster ATG Tape Gun that I've had for something like 20 years and if you find yourself really doing a lot of paper crafting, it is well worth the investment! 

You'll layer your second panel to the first with your focal panel already applied and then the whole thing to your card base and you're done! 

I used the same process for this second card and reversed the papers. In total I used three sheets from this pack with 45 remaining ! 

And since "sharing is caring" did I mention that Michaels has their Hot Buy Buy One Get Two Free deal going on this week?!  They don't even pay me to say that! 

If you've ever wanted to try to make a card, I hope this is helpful!