Jewelrymking: Galentine's Gifts

 

Best laid plans...I was supposed to have an annual Galentine's lunch with friends but work got in the way for one so we had to postpone. Nonetheless, I'll have their gifts ready for when we meet! Used up more of the two strands of Hildie and Jo Silver Beads from the earrings and bracelet I made for myself and enjoyed making things for friends that coordinate us all!anding 

Supplies:

• Hildie and Jo Silver Heart Beads (JoAnn)
• Black Czech Crystal Beads (Stash)
• Bead Landing "Fish Hook" Ear Wires
• Jump Rings and Head Pins
• Black Cardstock
• Black Organza Bags

Strung a small black bead on the headpin, a silver heart, then the larger black bead and closed the loop. Then using a jump ring, attached the fish hook. 

The process is the same for all earrings. As Makers, gift presentation is important, right? Using my Cricut Design Space subscription and my Cricut Explore Air, I cut out Earring Cards for the earrings. 

I like using 110lb cardstock for these since it doesn't bend easily.

TIP: To keep the earrings in place on the card use a piece of washi tape on the back to hold them in place. 

I wasn't quite finished! My go-tos for packaging jewelry gifts are Organza Bags. You can find them at craft or jewelry supply stores and sometimes, at Dollar Tree. 

All ready to go! 

Sharing At: 

Jewelrymaking: Rose Quartz Bracelet With Heart Charm

 

I had some silver heart beads left over from the earring project I shared and I remembered that I'd picked up a strand of Rose Quartz beads at Michaels not too long ago. They're really upped their game by carrying a much bigger selection of natural stone. Rose Quartz is a PERFECT stone to use with hearts or for Valentine's day because: 

"Rose quartz is known as the crystal of unconditional love. It's said to boost feelings of self-love and foster loving relationships with others."

And I really liked these beads because of the paleness of the pink. I'm not a super pink person but these I call "neutral pink". 

Supplies: 

• 12MM Rose Quartz Beads (Michaels)
• Stretch Cord
• Silver Heart Bead 
• Headpin
• Black Crystal Beads
• Crystal Cup Charms
• Jewelry Plier 
• Jewelry or Super Glue

 

If I have a "signature" it's adding charm dangles to my stretch bracelets. It started with one and became a habit. So that's the first thing I did using the same process I did to make my earrings. 

I used one of the heart beads and two more black crystal beads strung on a headpin. 

After stringing the Rose Quartz beads on the stretch cord to fit my wrist, I tied off the cord with a simple knot and then added a dot of Super Glue, let dry, then tied another overhand knot. 

I opened a jump ring and added the charm to it.

To finish, add the dangle to the bracelet. I also added a Charm A Long crystal charm because I'm blingy like that. 

Like the earrings I made, it doesn't scream "Valentine's" to me but something that can be worn whenever. 

Sharing At: 

Jewelrymaking: Filigree Silver Heart Valentine's Earrings

 

I often buy supplies for my stash without having a specific project in mine. In this case, JoAnn was having a great sale on beads when I bought the silver heart beads I used in this project. Something like 70% off during one of their sales last year. So when I decided I wanted some Valentine's themed earrings...into my stash I went!

Supplies:

• Silver Heart Beads (JoAnn or Bead Stores)
• Head Pins and Jump Rings
• Black Crystal Beads 
• Hammered Links (Bead Landing,Michaels)
• Floral Charms and Earring Backs for Clips
• Jewelry or Strong Bond Glue 

Since these beads were such a great deal on sale, of course I bought two sets! I chose the filigree design for my earrings. Since I wear clip-on earrings, I chose some floral charms (Shipwreck Beads) big enough to accommodate my clip earring backs. 

I like the Loctite Gel Superglue. It's low odor and holds as strong as jewelry glue. Put a little dab on the earring back and then position on the back of the floral charm. If you have pieced ears, skip this step and use a fish hook ear wire. 

I love these little clamps I found at Dollar Tree which are the perfect size for small projects. I always clamp my glued earring backs to ensure the strongest bond.

Next, I grabbed a couple of pins from my supplies, along with some black Czech glass beads. I strung the black and heart beads on the pins and made a closed loop.

To put things all together, I used some hammered silver links and jump rings I had on hand to connect the earring clips and the heart pins.

Connect the jump ring to the link and then using regular jump rings, attach the heart pins and floral sections.

The best part is, these don't scream Valentine's Day to me so I can wear them whenever but they also work for V-Day!  Come back to see what  I did with the remaining beads! 

Sharing At: 

BFF Open House

 

Happy Friday Eve, and Happy (almost) Valentine's Day! After almost 32 years of marriage, we don't do a big thing. I'll probably still make a nice dinner and dessert but I've kinda outgrown it. That's not being a Debbie Downer for anyone who does it up big. For us, it's about the day-to-day love we know we have for each other. The little things that you do just because. But am I ever not going to celebrate a day in which chocolate features so prominently? Hello! 

I do love making special Valentine's cards to send to friends and family. I shared those here: Black White Gold and Pink Valentine's Cards In recent years, I've enjoyed celebrating Galentine's Day with friends. I made some special gifts I'll share next week. 

Thanks for another great party. Seeing the link-ups is a weekly treat for me. Let's take a look at a few of the wonderful ideas shared so this week, I'm featuring treats that are perfect for Valentine's Day. 

Claire Justine shared Heart Shaped Recipes to make for Valentine's Day and isn't this gorgeous?!

Then there are these Kahlua Mocha Parfaits from The Kitchen Is My Playground. So much chocolate...so little time! 

If you're not into chocolate (*GASP*...just kidding I know not everyone is or people have allergies etc.) then this Lemon Cheesecake With Lemon Curd and Blueberry Sauce would be lovely! From Scratch Made Food For Hungry People. 

Finally, couldn't resist these Fancy Pigs In A Blanket from Homemade On A Weeknight. This hits on so many levels: childhood memories and adult appetizers. Comfort food. Perfect if you're celebrating with kids but want to make them feel fancy. You name it! 

Now, onto this week's party! 

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

Papercrafting: Black White Gold and Pink Valentine's Cards

 

I will always LOVE making Valentine's cards for family and special friends. Over the years, like other holidays, these have become part of people's Valentine's decor which makes my own HEART soar. This year, I grabbed some graphic metallic papers from my supply shelves and kept them fairly simple by using this image from Cricut Design Space and going with a color palette of black, white, gold, silver and metallic pink!

Supplies:

• Patterned Scrapbook Papers 
• Glitter Scrapbook Paper
• Metallic Cardstock 65 lb
• White 110lb Cardstock 
• Digital Cutting Machine and Images
• Foam Tape
• Self Adhesive Rhinestones 

I neglected to take in process pictures but the process is pretty straightforward. 

I browsed Cricut Design Space for an image I liked and found this one. I subscribe so I was just able to add to my canvas. One thing I like to do in Design Space is change the image as close to the colors I want to cut which helps me remember what to cut! This image cuts in three pieces. 

I sized the grouped image to fit my card, then cut out each section. The main heart from gold glitter paper; the other two hearts from silver and metallic pink papers. 

For the card base, I cut white 110lb cardstock (Recollections) 10x7 to make a 5x7 card. I use my Martha Steward scoring board and bone folder to get a crisp fold. Then I cut the metallic papers 6.75x4.75 and the patterned metallic papers 6.5x4.5. Layered these as shown on the card and then attached the heart pieces using foam tape. The smaller hearts nestle in the cutout spaces of the larger heart. 

To finish, I added black and iridescent self-adhesive rhinestones to the smaller hearts. 

Not to leave out those who will be celebrating LOVE day with their furbabies, I made a couple of pet-themed cards too! 

Similar to the other cards, I found an image in Design Space and cut out using the same papers and finished the paw with self-adhesive rhinestones!

Sharing At:

BFF Open House

 

Happy February! Happy Love Month! Happy Black History Month! 

I can't believe we're already in the second month of the year already. January flew by. One of the things I was excited about when we decided to move close tom Tucson was the chance to finally get to experience the Jewelry and Gem shows that take place at the end of each Jan / early February. I knew this was a big deal here but OMG! 42 SEPARATE VENUES all over the city. HUGE ones at that. I've made it to one so far and was overwhelmed. I'll do an upcoming post just on this. 

Managed to knock out a couple of projects this week. A new wreath for our bedroom using great finds from Dollar Tree: Wood Bead Wreath and Tag and an easy Valentine's Cloche. 

You all have been busy getting ready for Valentine's Day so let's take a look at some great ideas! 

You can't go wrong with these Valentine's Treat Baskets from Whitehouse Crafts. 

These Beaded Hearts by Steph Creates are beautiful on their own or as an addition to a gift! 

If you want to set a special table for Valentine's Day, check out this beautiful Floral Tablescape from  Thrifting Wonderland. 

Finally,  perfect for dessert or to give as a sweet treat, these Valentine's Day Peanut Butter Cookie Bars from Our Tiny Nest definitely fit the bill! 

Thanks to EVERYONE who linked up and can't wait to see what you've all been up to this week! 

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter