Mixed Media Fairy Nook (for Art Elements April Challenge)

It was almost the middle of April before I saw the Art Elements Challenge for the month. However, as soon as I saw the theme of Repurposing, I knew I had to participate. Finding a new way to use objects and incorporating unusual materials into my work is the heart and soul of most everything I  make. Seriously, just look through this blog or my Etsy shop and you'll find loads of repurposed items. And, it didn't take me long to decide what my actual project for this challenge would be but finding the time to do it was harder than I expected. I crammed working on it in the last couple of days, and am surprised how well it ended up coming together.

Some time ago, I picked up an old, plastic alarm clock at the thrift store. I immediately took out the battery-operated innards knowing that I could use the main structure as some kind of shadowbox.

But, it sat in my stash until I had the inspiration to proceed. This challenge was just that inspiration.

If you're interested in watching all the pieces for this mixed media fairy nook come together, I did record a video (big surprise!) of my process.

However, I'll also walk you through the steps I took as the video is a little choppy since I was trying to ensure that it wasn't too long. And, there was a lot of jumping back and forth on the steps to allow for dry time. 

I started by spray painting the whole structure black just to have a base. Alas, the paint stayed sticky on the plastic, and I ended up just painting acrylic black paint over it. While I was at it, I also painted four small wood spools black to use as the feet.

After that, three different texture pastes were applied to the outside of the structure. I had hoped to make it look like rust with layers of paint, but instead, it looks more like tree bark. And, that's okay by me. 

To cover the back of the piece, I cut down a cracker box to the right size, coated it in gesso, and glued on some old paper with handwriting on it. After that, I used my sewing machine to give some sketchy black lines around the edge. 

The inside of the clock structure was painted gold to give a bit of a magical glow to the piece and allow it to reflect light. 

A larger spool was painted with gesso and a little brown paint. It was topped with a small tuft of red and white fabric to make it resemble a mushroom. 

The fairy was created with a Tim Holtz paper doll. A butterfly stamp and embossing powder on scrapbook paper were used to make her wings. 

For the base, I stacked two layers of foam core and glued them inside the clock. The mushroom spool was glued to the foam core before moss was added.

I simply used Aleene's Tacky Glue to stick everything in place. 

It's a shame that it took me so long to get started on this because once I got the ball rolling, it really just fell together.

And, I LOVE HER!! I could probably have added a few more touches: maybe some flowers. But, the simplicity really lets her stand out. 

I would have liked to have made a few more projects for this challenge. However, since most of what I make is repurposed, I think it'll be okay. I'm busting at the seams to see what the other participants made for this theme. Make sure you hop around and take in the art created for this challenge. I'm sure it'll be super inspiring. 

Guests:  Tammy, Alysen, Evie & Beth, Karin, Hope, Divya, Anita, Sarajo, Kathy, Rebecca, Martha

AE Team: Niky, Laney, Cathy, Caroline, Jen, Jenny, Sue, Claire, Lesley

Peek at My Week - March 25-31

I'm late again. This time I blame it on yesterday being Easter. I'm hoping that things will start getting back to normal soon, and I'll be back to posting on the right day again. For now, here's a peek at last week. 

Sunday started off a little rough as I had to drop Pat off at the airport in Florida so he could go to a training thing for work. I made the best of it though and headed over to a nearby flea market that I'd been wanting to check out. Alas, I didn't really find anything except a pair of tweezers. But, score!

With Pat being gone, all the inside pets needed double the attention.

Leeloo called attention to herself by getting in one of the bathroom sinks to chill out. 

Zoe flopped on her back and demanded belly rubs.

And, Rosalina actually kinda got in my lap (she's usually a little standoffish) for some petting. The chickens obviously didn't notice anything was off. 

On Monday, I got to work on the some of the tin I had cut the week before. 

Trying to finish up some of the tin pieces on Tuesday, I couldn't find a couple of supplies I knew I owned. This lead to a whole day of cleaning the craft room. It was a serious disaster. As you can see above, I finally found the beads I wanted. 

Wednesday was the only day I was able to eke in a little art journaling for Tiffany's #useitupfillitupchallenge. 

On Thursday, I spent some time at a friend's house helping her learn how to use her new Silhouette Cameo. I warned her before I went that I wasn't an expert, but could offer some tips. I do hope I helped her a little. 

Friday was when I finally was able to finish uploading a video tutorial and blog post on my Mixed Media Easter Egg. 

And the moon on Friday night was pretty spectacular. Saturday's was awesome too. 

I did get a few items listed in the Etsy shop throughout the week. 

Wanderlust Bracelet

Black and Gold Chandelier Earrings

I started Saturday off with very little energy, but that ended as I entered a frenzy of baking for Easter. 

I started with the Coconut Pound Cake. Fair warning, I couldn't get it out of the pan like the recipe said I should, so it stayed in there. I'll use wax or parchment paper next time. 

Then, I made these super easy Mini Cheesecakes. I didn't decorate these until Sunday, so you'll get to see that next week (unless you follow me on Instagram and/or Twitter or are a friend on Facebook. I've already posted pictures there. Oh, and you'll also find some of the short, fun videos I've posted this past week on Instagram and Facebook.) 

Two of the nieces are on Spring Break this week, so I hope to have some fun. We'll see how active and ambitious those two teenagers want to be though. What do you have planned for the week?

New, Upcycled Displays in Jewelry Booth

I have to admit that between the retreat and being a farm girl, I've been sorely lacking in keeping up my booth at Southern Antiques and Accents. I went out there last week to check on it, and the owner happened to be there. She suggested that I spruce things up a bit and maybe display all my beautiful necklaces a little better. Now, this is the South, so don't you fret that she was nasty in any way. She presented this idea is the sweetest, kindest way possible. And, she was right. The booth needed a makeover! I hurried home with a few ideas knocking around in my head and worked the rest of that day and the next on making some new displays.

With the help of my handy hubby, I used the rusty rake head from my last craft and thrift haul and a wood block to make a bracelet holder. He simply drilled a perfect-sized hole in the block, and I painted the wood with watered down acrylic paint.

In addition, I remembered that we still had a beautiful piece of old door from our coffee table upcycle.

Again, Pat helped me create the necklace display by cutting down the door to size and pre-drilling a few small holes for the mug hooks. It was super simple.

I had been displaying the majority of the earrings in the booth with some of my crackle clothes pin magnets, but I knew that these new displays would block the majority of the metal backs. Instead, I used some foam core, book pages, and mini clothes pins (also from the last craft and thrift haul) to create two earring boards for the booth.

They are still a little bo-bo-looking so I may have to finish them out some other way. But for now, they work.

I also picked up some clear glass bottles at the Dollar Tree and brought a clipboard (in another picture) from home to help display more necklaces.

I really wish I had remembered to get some before pictures to share. But, you can see from this picture from April. . .

And this picture from March. . .

. . .that I had just been laying some of the necklaces out on the shelf willy-nilly.

Things look a bit more organized now!

As always, if you want a better look and are in the Fairhope, Alabama area, head over to Southern Antiques and Accents. You'll find my booth just behind the cashier.

Do you have any new and interesting way to display your crafts? I'd love to know. I'm always looking for innovative ideas. And, I'm sure I'll need to spruce the booth up again before too long.

Oh. . .and one other quick note. I've decided to be a little more active on Snapchat. You can follow me there as well. I'm CraftyHope! :)

More Go-To Jewelry in the CraftyHope Etsy Shop

Yesterday I showed you my go-to jewelry pieces. However, those are just the ones I keep in my personal collection. My favorites to grab are from the CraftyHope Etsy Shop. Here's a few of the ones I gravitate toward most often.

I'm drawn to the Webb Tag Necklace because it consists of mother of pearl buttons, bright blue stone beads, and that awesome vintage tag. Yum! It's a longer necklace and is great for adding a little something to a plain shirt.

The Pump Up the Volume Necklace has a guitar knob as the focal. How cool is that? It's a shorter necklace than I usually make or wear and is perfect for when I'm wearing a top with a lower neckline. The simple palette of black, white, and brassy gold-tone helps it match just about anything. And, the faceted beads and rhinestone spacers help dress up something that may be a little more casual.

Oh, how I love this Smashed Rainbow Necklace! The components are made from old jewelry pieces from the thrift store. Some of them were puffed metal earrings from the 80's that I smashed flat (hence the name). I colored the pieces with Vintaj Patina, laid them out in a rainbow pattern, and punched holes so they would lay out in that pattern. I wore this necklace not too long ago with a basic black dress, and it made just the statement I wanted - adding color and interest to a plain outfit.

My Crackle Spool Necklace is a for sure favorite. I made it as part of a jewelry challenge to incorporate a spool into a piece. With paints and crackle, I altered some paper and sealed that into the center of the spool. Thin chain was inserted into the hole of the spool to make up the chain of the necklace as well as a base for an array of charms. You can see more detail about the piece in its description (click the link above).

Like the spool necklace, this Altered Wooden Wheel Necklace was the result of a challenge. Each participant was sent a wooden spool to work into a jewelry piece somehow. I asked Pat to cut it in two and drill some holes. From there the halves were painted, chain was added, and brass blanks were altered and hung. It is a serious statement piece and unlike anything you will see anyone else wearing. I love it for that alone.

These Folder Ring Earrings have been worn a time or two as well. The 'folder rings' were indeed rescued from old folders that came in a desk we bought. I aged the rings with a vinegar-salt solution and sealed them. The faceted glass beads have a tiny bit of a smokey color and accent the rings perfectly. I adore the simplicity of these earrings that could be worn everyday.

I know, I know, all but one of these are necklaces, but that's just how I roll. However, I do have some awesome handmade earrings and bracelets in the shop too. Unfortunately, I just can't wear everything I make. I have to save something for you to enjoy also. What pieces in my shop would you wear most often?

One Dollar Valentine Stamps DIY

I have a sick obsession with the Dollar Tree. I'm really just too frugal for my own good. But, for only a dollar, I can buy a plethora of general items. I'm always on the lookout for anything I can incorporate into a craft. On a recent trip, I picked up some Valentine's erasers. Here's what you can do with them.

I bought this unsuspecting pack of holiday erasers, already figuring I could make some stamps.

I was a total dummy though and completely forgot to take into account that words/letters need to be reversed for stamps in order to read them. Duh! Fortunately, I got a happy surprise when I opened the packaging.

Those manufacturers must have known this would be the perfect craft!

I stacked the erasers into pairs (making sure they matched up perfectly) and grabbed my Speedball Linoleum Cutter. I worked on top of a piece of paper so cleanup would be easy.

I started with what I thought would be easiest and worked to hardest to make sure I got into the groove of carving before it got too hard. The heart with the single crescent got the first chunks taken out of it.

Again, ensure you have the erasers perfectly matched and carve on the same side so you can make the stamps interlocking. This was another huge bonus in this one buck purchase.

After completing each pair, I tested them on a slip of paper to see if I needed to carve off any more of the eraser.

I repeated this process for all the pairs.

As I predicted, the last pair gave me trouble because of its intricacy. I had to test and re-carve several times.

While it isn't perfect, I'm happy with how it came together.

I had quite a mess when I was finished.

But twelve completed stamps!

I lucked up even more at the Dollar Tree and discovered a couple of blank card sets - perfect for making Valentine Cards with my stamps!

Let me say that the cards have a slick surface, much like regular greeting cards. I had to be careful with the stamps as I put the ink down because they did want to slip.

While I was really excited about the ability to inlay the designs, I think they each look great on their own too.

I can't wait to find some more uses for these and find more erasers for upcoming holidays! 

What Dollar Store scores have you repurposed lately?