Making paper lanterns...

I found this really great How To (on Pinterest) for these really CUTE paper lanterns.  I'm always looking for ways to decorate the store and thought these might be fun.  We're not just about making your own jewelry or being a super awesome Denver bead store, we're full on craft masters!  Craft.  Masters. 

We changed up the directions a little.  First, this project called for 8x8 paper, cut in half, so the lanterns would have been 4" high.  We wanted ours a little bigger, so we started with 12x12 paper, and didn't cut it in half.  

We did cut the "contrasting" strips from the original papers though.  So our final size ended up being 10x12.  We don't have a lot of scrapbook paper laying around, we should though, it's fun... and handy.

We drew a box an inch in from all sides.  Can I mention that we don't apparently have ANY rulers here.  HOW IS THAT POSSIBLE!

"I'm having so much fun right now!  This is the best ever," a direct quote from Aimee.

We drew lines an inch apart and cut them into strips (don't cut all the way down, or else it doesn't work) We used baby razor knives.  Aimee did.  I'm not allowed to have sharp things...  :)

 

Glue the ends together and voila! 

Add the contrasting paper to each end and there you have it!  We did hole punch the ends to add ribbons so we could hang them.

I don't think they're as cute as they are in the tutorial.  Why does that always happen!  Maybe it's because they're bigger.  Or not attached to that really cute purse.  It could be that we changed the dimensions too.  So instead of being 10x12, they should have been 6x12?  Who knows.

What's your crafting soundtrack?

We have a pretty random mix that we like to play for classes sometimes, it seems that there's a little something for everyone!  What's your crafting soundtrack?  What sparks your creativity or lets you focus?

Here's ours:
Get the party started - P!nk
We are family - Sister Sledge
Love Train - the O'jays
Fly me to the moon - Frank Sinatra
Celebration - Kool + The Gang
Good times - Chic
Here I am - Al Green
Family affair - Sly + the family stone
Love rollercoaster - Ohio Players
Play that funky music - wild cherry
Get up - james brown
Girls just want to have fun - cyndi lauper
hey ya - outkast
respect - aretha franklin
I got you - james brown
I can't help myself - the four tops
lady marmalade - patti + labelle
abc - jackson 5
love shack - b-52s
Funkytown - lipps, inc
conga - gloria estefan
bust a move - young mc
the way you look tonight - tony bennet
hot hot hot - buster poindexter and his banshees of of blue
let's stay together - al green
come fly with me - frank sinatra
love - nat king cole
shining star - earth wind and fire
that's the way i like it - kc and the sunshine band
car wash - rose royce
La Bamba - Los Lobos
Electric boogie - Marcia Griffiths
Boogie wonderland - Earth Wind and Fire
YMCA - village people
Dancing queen - ABBA
u can't touch this - MC hammer
give up the funk - parliament
off the wall - Michael Jackson
superstition - Stevie Wonder
 a little less conversation - Elvis Presley (jxl radio edit remix)
hey ladies - beastie boys
super bass - nicki minaj
kiss - prince
wild thing - tone loc
it takes two - dj ez rock + rob base
let it whip - dazz band
can't get enough of your love, babe - Barry White
wonderful tonight - Eric Clapton
at last - Etta James
shake your groove thing - peaches and herb
he's the greatest dancer - sister sledge
pretty young thing pyt - Michael Jackson
l.o.v.e. - Ashlee Simpson
super freak - Rick James
jump, jive an wail - Louis Prima
wonderful night - Fatboy slim
you spin me round - dead or alive
rebel yell - billy idol
opp - naughty by nature
kiss me - sixpence none the richer
what i like about you - the romantics
are you gonna be my girl - jet
hips dont lie - Shakira
temperature - Sean Paul
pon de replay - Rihanna
this magic moment - Jay and The Americans
let's get it on - Marvin Gaye
last dance - Donna Sommer

Twisted Treasures class - January 2013

This fun and interesting wire wrapping technique is a great way to begin creating your own unique wearable wire art! Learn how to form a wire net that can encase an assortment of shapes including gemstones, beads, and many other miscellaneous treasures. The only limit here is your own imagination! After twisting your way to the top of your piece, you will have the opportunity to embellish your pendant with coils, spirals, and beaded treasures. This creative project is a fabulous introduction to wire wrapping. Level: beginner.  To register for this, or other wire wrapping classes,  in the future, click here.

We offer plenty of amazing wire wrapping classes in our Denver bead store location, for more information, visit us at www.theColoradoBeadCo.com

A weekend project - cluster earrings (how to)

What a fun late night project! Having 4 children, I love projects that I can finish in one sitting since I never know the next time that I will be able to sit and create in peace :) These little clusters can make big a statement in just a little package.

Red donuts with crystal and leaf clusters

Supply list:

• 2 - 1" donuts (you don't want these to be too heavy or else your ears will fall off)
• 4 - glass leaf beads (the ones I used are drilled top to bottom and I liked them a lot, but briolette leaves would work too)
• 8" - 22ga wire
• 8 - glass crystals
• 1 jump ring (6 or 8mm)
• 2 - ear wires (if you're planning on giving these as a gift, don't forget to use nickel free ear wires, just in case the person you're giving them to has a nickel allergy)
• headpins (I used the ball head pins we carry because they're a softer temper than most head pins and I wanted to wrap the ends)

How to wrap the doughnut bead:

1. Cut four inches of 22ga wire.
2. Put one inch of the 4” wire in the center hole. Fold both ends up towards the top. With the 3” section, wrap the doughnut 3 times.
3. Make your loop with what you have left over of the long wire
1. Not sure about loops?  Check out our wire loop making how to. 
4. What is left of the shortened wire wrap the base of the longer wire to make it secure.
5.  Repeat on the second doughnut.

For the smaller beads:

1. Put each smaller bead on a ball head pin - do not trim the pin yet!
2. Make your head pin loops and wrap the extra wire from the head pin around itself and toward the bead.
3. Trim the excess wire.

Connecting everything:

1. Open your jump ring, (tip: always twist a jump ring clockwise/counterclockwise to open, don't pull them straight out).
2. Decide which beads you want on each earring.
3. Put half of your beaded headpins onto a jump ring (1/4 of the total headpins).
4. Put on your wrapped doughnut.
5. Put the other half of your beaded headpins on.
6. Slide on your ear wire.
7. Close your jump ring.
8. Repeat.

Another example!  This one is done with large briolettes in place of the donuts.

Blue goldstone briolettes with crystal clusters

 The ideas and color schemes are endless! The bead layout I have together for the next late night project is: Gold metal, light Blue, burnt orange, & dusty brown (but who knows when that is going to be!) I look forward to seeing what you all come up with!

 - Aimee

P.S. - if you're confused or unsure about this project, we're always here to help!  We also offer a lot of jewelry making classes in our Denver bead store - The Colorado Bead Company.