Showing posts with label how to. Show all posts
Showing posts with label how to. Show all posts

5.10.2012

Painted Scrabble Tile Pendants



I've been making Scrabble Tile Pendants for a while now.  I use different papers, photographs and tiny prints of artists' work to make them. 


Every so often someone will ask me if I painted the pendant.  Then I would explain that it is a process with paper.  But sometimes I wondered how painting them would work.  


Now, I'm not much of a painter.  I love to paint, but it's not really my forte.  But, for a special occasion, and lacking just the right paper, I tried painting a pendant.


Above is what I came up with.  I like the simplicity and I love trees.  I created exactly what I wanted.


Once you start making scrabble tile pendants, you start to realize you can make other things with your completed pendants, too.  Like earrings (there's a special bail for that), rings, bracelets or pins.


I also made this tie tack.





Do you want to learn how to make Painted Scrabble Tile Pendants of your own?  I used acrylic paints and then followed my Scrabble Tile Pendant Tutorial, and left out the parts using paper.


You can learn a new skill and make hundreds - thousands, even - of wonderful pieces of jewelry.  You can sell them if you want or give them as personal gifts, or make them for yourself!


Scrabble Tile Pendant Tutorial, just $5

5.05.2012

Fabric Rose Flower Brooch



A while back I posted this Fabric Rose Flower Tutorial.  I used it to make a cool garland reusing old t-shirts.




I used the same tutorial to make a pretty brooch.  


I think that this tutorial would also be a beautiful addition to a fabric cuff.  You could either make the brooch and pin it onto the cuff, or sew the fabric rose right onto the cuff.




Materials:


Fabric (old t-shirts work great!)
Needle and thread
Pin finding
I got this fabric (along with another fabric!) at a thrift store for 25 cents!


Step #1




Cut your fabric into a thin strip.  Mine was 1 inch wide and 60 inches long.


Step #2



Fold the fabric in half longways.


Step #3




Roll the fabric a few times, then put a stitch in.  It will be hidden, so it doesn't have to be anything special.  Some people don't clip the thread and just keep going.  I like to tie off and clip the thread.


Step #4




Twist the fabric completely around.  


Step #5




Keep rolling and putting stitches in as you go along.  Continue on until your rose is the size you want.  You can add more fabric strips by stitching them on to the end of the last piece.  


Step #6


(I missed taking a photo here!)


Secure the end to the rose with a few stitches


Step #7


(optional)


When I was done with my Fabric Rose, it seemed a little insecure.  I probably didn't stop and stitch it enough along the way.


I put a stitch through the width of the Fabric Rose.  







Start on the second layer of the Fabric Rose and push the needle almost all the way through.  End and knot it inside the first layer.

Step #8




Sew the pin on the back of the Fabric Rose.




Put it on and enjoy!


Or add it to your fabric cuff!

(This is obviously a different flower!  Learn how to make it:  Fabric Flower Cuff Bracelet)


Tutorial Sale


Good news!  May 4 - May 12, 2012 my tutorials are BUY ONE GET ONE FREE (equal or lesser value) in my Craftsy Pattern Store.


You can could purchase the Fabric Cuff Bracelet Digital Workshop and get the Zombie Doll Tutorial free!  (Or any other variety of tutorials!)


Head over to my Craftsy Pattern Shop and pick out 2 tutorials.  Purchase the one that costs more.  Then send me an email with your other choice.  Once I am notified of your purchase, I will email you your free tutorial.  (Your purchased tutorial will be in your Craftsy Pattern Library under "Your Account" immediately.)


Any questions, please let me know!!

4.29.2012

How To Mix and Match Pendants

How to Mix and Match B.B. Bellezza Pendants and Cords/Chains

Step #1


Pick out a pendant or pendants from my pendants section
or Artwork Pendants Section.



Step #2

Pick out a chain or cord from my cords/chains section.


Step #3


When you receive your pendant(s), place them on the chain or cord.



Step #4


Put on your necklace and enjoy!


Close a clasp for a ball chain in this way:



Place the end ball into the clasp.



Click into place.





Wear More than 1 Pendant on one Chain


Slide on another chain for a great look.



And here are 3 pendants on 1 chain:


Pendants used in this post:





Chain used:


4.24.2012

Learn How to Make Things! Tutorials!


I love Craftsy.  You want to make something?  Just search on Craftsy, find the tutorial, pay and you have it instantly.

I sell my tutorials on Craftsy, too!



What's great about my tutorials?

I have 2 main types of tutorials:  Digital Programs and Individual Tutorials. 


Digital Programs contain usually at least 4 different individual projects (many times more!), plus all the skills you need to make them.  They give you ideas for customizing and personalization and making each project more your own. 



Individual tutorials have 1 project and all the skills you need to make it.  I don't just tell you to "open a jump ring" here.  I give you photos and tell you exactly how to open the jump ring.  (There is a specific way and most beginners don't know that!)


Design-a-doll is one project, but I teach you how to design your own doll!!  You can use this tutorial over and over again to make lots of dolls!


  • You learn more than just how to make a project (or projects).  I teach you skills to be able to make it your own and come up with your own projects.
  • TONS of full color photos.  Big photos with details! 
  • Detailed instructions.  I teach you like you know nothing.  (Except for anything involving sewing.  With the doll tutorials and cuff tutorials, I assume you know how to sew at least in a straight line.)
  • You can email me questions!  I want you to succeed.  I'm just an email away! 
  • Bonus:  I don't mind if you sell the products you make from my tutorials!
To see all of my current digital programs and tutorials, check out my Craftsy Pattern Store.


3.26.2012

Altered Art Jewelry Digital Program Launch and Giveaway!

 
This week is the release of my brand new Altered Art Jewelry Digital Program.

The program contains 4 extremely instructive tutorials, including how to make Altered Art Charm Jewelry (charm bracelet and how to make into a necklace), how to make Scrabble Tile Pendants, how to make Glass Tile Pendants, how to make Bottle Cap Pendants (in two ways) and how to make the cords to hang your pendants on. 

Plus you’ll learn how to make any project into a pin, magnet or ring.

Plus how to re-size photos for use in jewelry without having any fancy software!

Whew! 

This tutorial contains the how tos of the most popular pieces I sell in my store and at craft shows.

(Wondering what the cost will be?  Just $15!)

Release date is Wednesday, March 28, 2012!

To celebrate, I want to have a giveaway this week!

There will be 3 prizes, and the winners will be randomly drawn on Friday.  UPDATE:  Monday, April 9, 2012!

The Giveaway:
Prize #1
  • Altered Art Jewelry Digital Program (you’ll receive via email); and
  • Altered Art Digital Program Kit 
    • including (pictured above):
      • Glass Tile/bail
      • Scrabble Tile/bail
      • Flat Key/bail
      • Bottle cap and magnet
      • Photo charm
      • Everything you need to make a cord
Prize #2

Altered Art Jewelry Digital Program (you’ll receive via email)

Prize #3

Glass Tile Pendant Tutorial (you’ll receive via email)

To enter, first join my email updates for Tutorials.
Then send me an email (to BBBellezza@hotmail.com) stating you’d like to be entered for the Altered Art Giveaway.
(If you’re already a subscriber, just send the email.)

I will randomly pick 3 winners on Friday, March 30thUPDATE:  Monday, April 9th sometime in the evening!

3.20.2012

Map Week Day 2: Map Flower Tutorial

Today is Day 2 of Map Week!

In case you missed it here's Map Week Day 1

and Where to find maps to use in crafts.


Map Flower Tutorial!

To make these, you'll need:

  • Old maps
  • 2 buttons per flower
  • Flower wire  
  • Flower pattern 
  • Pencil
  • Scissors 
  • Pliers 
  • Awl (or something to poke holes in the map pieces.)
Follow the same steps in my Newspaper Flower Tutorial

Here are the quick instructions:  (See my Newspaper Flower Tutorial for photos and instructions.)

1.  Print out the flower pattern.
2.  Use the pattern to cut out 2 small flowers and 2 large flowers.
3.  Use a pencil  to curl up the petals of the 2 small flowers and 1 of the large flowers
4.  Stagger the flowers on a pile, so that the petals are between the other petals.
5.  Poke 2 holes in the maps in the middle.
6.  Bend the floral wire in half.
7.  Place a button face up on the floral wire.
8.  Place the map pieces on the floral wire.
9.  Place the other button under the map flowers.
10.  Twist the floral wire.  I hold the wire with my pliers and twist by turning the flower.

Make a whole bunch to make a fun bouquet.  These would be great at a destination wedding, travel themed party or going away party.  Or they make a great decoration for any who loves maps or travel.


These look great in the decoupage jar I made.  You can watch my Decoupage Jar Tutorial video and make the jar, too!

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Are you Crafting Along and making the Travel Paper Bag Scrapbook?

Yesterday was Day 1

Today is Day 2

3.19.2012

Map Week Day 1

Welcome to Map Week!

In this part of the world spring is just starting.  It will be officially spring tomorrow, but it has felt like spring for a little while.  What do I do in spring?  Go on road trips.  I think that's why I have maps on the mind!

Plus, I have a collection of old maps just waiting to be made into cool, functional stuff!

This week I'll be posting all about maps:  tutorials using maps and new products using maps.

 Craft  Along

I am so excited to be having a CRAFT ALONG this week as well!  Each day you'll find steps to make a TRAVEL PAPER BAG SCRAPBOOK!  Using - of course - maps!

Here's a list of everything you'll need to make your own Travel Paper Bag Scrapbook:
  • Paper bags (1 bag for each page you want.  It has to be an even number.  Mine will be 12 pages.)
  • Glue (I used Tacky glue and glue sticks)
  • Maps for the cover and for decoration inside
  • Other decorative papers
  • Binder clips or a big book (optional, to help hold the book together while it's drying.)
  • Ribbon or lace 
  • Cardboard for the cover (the cover of a notebook or back of a legal pad is perfect for this)
Each day, I'll give you a list of what you need for each step!

For day one, you just need the paper bags, glue and binder clips or a big book to help push the paper bags together while they're drying.


Wondering how to find wonderful old maps?  This post will help you get started.

I would love if you are going to craft along if you would leave a comment!  

Make sure to come back tomorrow for Day Two!

2.28.2012

TUtorial: Button Hair Pins

It's so easy - with the right glue! - to make these adorable hair pins!

Tools and Supplies:
  • Buttons of your choice
  • Hair pins with a little round pad on them (I got mine at Hobby Lobby, you can find them online, too)
  • E6000 (find this at any craft store)
  • Toothpicks
Step #1
If you are making a stacked button hair pin (I did for this one) add glue to one button and put it on the other button.

If you are just using one button, skip to the next step.

(notice the string of glue in the photo - I should have wiped that off!  You can also pull it off after it dries, so don't worry!)

Step #2

Add glue to the pad of the hair pin.

Step #3
Place the hair pin onto the back of the button.

Step #4

Allow to dry at least overnight before wearing.

Step #5
Enjoy your new hair pins!