remaker
May
13
2012
Button Swap and Blog Hop!
By remaker
Well, today's the day for the big Button Swap reveal!
Many thanks to the AMAZING Cindy Wimmer,
the mastermind behind this outstanding button swap!
My partner for this swap was Birgitta Lejonklou from Sweden. Birgitta sent me the most beautiful handmade ceramic buttons. If you like what you see you can find more of her work in her etsy supply shop Angel Whisperer.
My first design keeps things simple.
I loved the large teal sea shell bead and it's big and beautiful enough to stand on its' own! It has a simple wrapped copper bail and hangs from a leather slip cord.
I made a tiny copper tube bead from roller printed copper that slips over the top of the bail. It's stamped with the word "vänner" which is Swedish for "friends".
Birgitta also sent me a few sparkly vintage buttons that any Magpie would be happy to have in their stash!
Here's a list of all Swap Partners.
Be sure to join the hop!
*** Birgitta Lejonklou and Pam Farren
Cynthia Machata and Julia Johnson
Julia Johnson and Cynthia Machata
Kim Roberts and Partner unable to participate at this time
Mimi Gardner and Cindy Wimmer
Nicole Valentine Rimmer and Niki Meiners
Niki Meiners and Nicole Valentine Rimmer
Niky Sayers and Lori Anderson
Nicole Valentine Rimmer and Niki Meiners
Niki Meiners and Nicole Valentine Rimmer
Niky Sayers and Lori Anderson
Posted May 13, 2012 15:07 | read more
Apr
16
2012
How2: Upcycled Printing! @NPL
By remaker
A short stack of styrofoam© re-maker
Since styrofoam isn't recyclable... I've been saving trays from the grocery store for at least three years and (unfortunately) have accumulated quite a stack!
What to do, what to do?
Upcycled Printing!
If you happen to be in Newburyport this Saturday, April 21st,
stop by our lovely Library any time between 1:00 & 4:00pm
and learn how to make really quick, really fun prints
with foam trays, wine corks, old books & paper and some ink!
Make a card or a print or a really fun book marker!
In fact, we'll make lots of upcycled book markers
printed on old dictionary pages and we'll share the extras
with folks checking out a book to celebrate Earth Day!
Hope to see you there!
Saturday April 21st from 1:00 ~ 4:00pm
This event is free and appropriate for all ages!
Images & Text © re-maker
Posted April 16, 2012 20:49 | read more
Apr
07
2012
Balled Headpins from Gardanne Beads~ Reveal
By remaker
Oh, my! What beautiful headpins!
As I mentioned last month, I was one of the lucky recipients of a pair of beautiful lampwork glass ball headpins made by Anne of Gardanne Beads from the lovely Lorelei Eurto as part of this blog hop challenge.
I encountered a little trouble at the start. I was a bit too agressive while wrapping one of the wires and the ball end popped off. You can read about that adventure here.
I had originally thought that I'd add a leaf dangle, but after trying a few different ideas, decided that I really wanted to showcase the beautiful glass.
So, I made a couple of 14 gauge copper jump rings and balled copper headpins for earwires, popped the whole lot in the tumbler to shine the copper up a bit and viola!
Here we are, the great reveal!
No one will ever accuse me of being a great photographer!
But I'm pretty happy with the end result.
Please take a few minutes to hop on over to the lucky recipients of these amazing Gardanne Headpins to see how they tackled the challenge!
Posted April 07, 2012 06:59 | read more
Apr
04
2012
ABS April Challenge: Boreas
By remaker
Boreas by John William Waterhouse, 1903
If you're up for a challenge...
This month's Art Bead Scene Challenge may be just the thing.
How2 Enter:
Create something using an art bead that fits within the monthly theme using the posted art as your inspiration to create! This challenge is open to jewelry-makers, fiber artists, collage artist, etc.
The art bead can be created by you or someone else. The challenge is to inspire those who use art beads and to see all the different ways art beads can be incorporated into your handiwork.
The Blog Tour deadline is April 25th.
The Blog Tour will be on the 27th.
Go to the Art Bead Scene blog for the deets.
Posted April 04, 2012 07:49 | read more
Mar
25
2012
New Upcycled Charms~ Sneak Peek
By remaker
new upcycled charms in progress
In an effort to step outside of the box,
my goal for this year is to participate in challenges.
So far, so good!
You may have seen my post about the Ornamentea Lucky Charm Swap. One of the charms I sent in to swap was made from vintage cash register key covers and upcycled copper pipe and sheet. I had so much fun making these charms
I decided to make some more!
Here's a sneak peek of what they look like at different stages.
From pipe and sheet, to an almost finished product.
If you're part of the etsyTrashion Upcycled Charm Swap
this may be one of the charms you'll receive!
They'll also be available in my re-supply shop as a supply
and re-maker shop as finished jewelry very soon!
Images & Text © re-maker
Posted March 25, 2012 14:48 | read more
Mar
24
2012
Oh, my! What beautiful headpins!
I was one of the lucky recipients of a pair of beautiful lampwork glass ball headpins made by Anne of Gardanne Beads from the lovely Lorelei Eurto
as part of a blog hop challenge.
Once I finally decided how I was going to use my headpins, I got to work. The first headpin twisted into shape pretty well. The second, however, not so much!
As you can see above, I used a little too much elbow grease and popped the balled end right off of the headpin. Yikes!
Fortunately, I work with metal so I knew what to do.
I took a few quick pics to share one way you can
make the repair just in case this happens to you!
If this was your average run of the mill copper headpin it would need no special precautions to repair. But, it isn't! It has a fabulous glass bead at one end. So, I'll need a heat sink.
I took out my handy-dandy tuna can which is always filled with fine grained sand and added water.
Can + Sand + Water = Heat Sink
Now the delicate glass bead end could be submerged in the water to protect it from the heat of the torch.
I hit the end of the wire with heat, but realized right away that I needed something to bounce the heat back onto the wire so I could get it hot, and fast!
I put a block of compressed charcoal behind the end of the wire, which did the trick! As you can see below, I was able to melt the end of the wire into a new ball in seconds.
Voila!
A new balled end and no damage to
the beautiful glass bead on the other end.
Since I had the camera in hand...
Here's a shot that shows how I used an oval mandrel to gently shape the newly repaired wire into shape.
And finally, the first leg of this journey is complete.
Now, I'm off to cut a silhouette die to create a dimentional leaf dangle from recycled materials...
...I'll keep you posted.
It's important to note that whenever you are using a compressed gas to create a flame you should take precautions. Always work with proper ventilation, proper tools and have a fireproof surface.
This is serious business!
Images & Text © re-maker
2012 All rights reserved.
Posted March 24, 2012 12:15 | read more
Mar
11
2012
Ornamentea Charm Swap!
By remaker
I was lucky enough to find out about the Ornamentea Lucky Charm Swap just in time to particpiate.
This year, it was open to anyone who could mail their charms in time for the swap!
I received my box of charms in the mail yesterday and was delighted to find all of my charms beautifully wrapped. I couldn't wait to open it up and see what was inside...
Charms, charms and more charms! ©
If the selection I received is any indication of the quality, imagination, and craftsmanship of all of the entries then I can only wish that I had been at the swap to see all of the other entries!
This unique charm was crafted from a small wood flag from Artchix Studios, Japanese Washi paper and watch parts from Ornamentea.
Somewhere on this charm a 4-leaf clover has been hidden... I have yet to find it! As if the charm wasn't lovely enough, it arrived in a beautiful handmade two-piece box.
Elaine Ray makes a variety of beautiful clay beads & charms. I received this beautiful blue heart charm. Elaine writes that she "highlights the clay to remind each of us of the small piece of earth that we are holding and wearing".
I absolutely love the small glass acorn that I received from Tracey Johnson of Patina South! It's made with a faceted black glass bead and has a brass acorn cap. I must admit that I have a thing for acorns. Too sweet!
Katherine Wilson made a charming little charm from a hammered brass washer and a pink glass cube bead.
It's a sweetie!
Yvonne Irvin of My Elements sent an embellished acrylic flower that made me reminiscent of my shrinky dink days! It's a lovely little charm that's beautifully made too!
I received "Lucky Charm #1" from Dawn Gallop of Flip Flops and Pop Tarts. It's a handmade silver soldered glass charm featuring an Irish lad & lass and a four leaf clover.
What could be more lucky than that?
And last, but certainly not least, is a Tiny Treasure Tube made from recycled aquarium tubing, copper spacers, Czech glass, freshwater pearls and seed beads.
The charm itself is truly wonderful and the super creative packaging sends it over the top!
I can't wait to start playing with these charms.
Stay tuned to see what happens!
If you see something you like
be sure to click on the links for more info!
Images © re-maker
Charms © 2012
All Rights Reserved by Individual Artists
Posted March 11, 2012 10:42 | read more
Feb
29
2012
ABS February Challenge
By remaker
It's a miracle, but I finally finished my ABS Challenge piece!
The focal bead is made with a vintage optician's lens. Encased under the glass is a vintage photo cut from the cover of the book displayed. They're both securely wrapped in a hand-cut printed tin bezel.
Detail of the focal bead.
Cut from a shortbread cookie tin lid.
The necklace contains a variety of recycled glass beads, vintage glass rosary pearls, Mill Hill glass seed beads, and the little bird clasp is from the Jill McKay Collection. I've also added two of my handmade printed tin beads.
Detail of the handmade vintage tin beads.
Images © re-maker
Posted February 29, 2012 08:34 | read more
Feb
19
2012
Jewelry Making @NPL Weeks 3 & 4
By remaker
Catherine shows off a button dangle!
We finished up our Jewelry Making class last week.
It was so much fun and everyone learned a lot!
Here are a few photos...
I finally figured out how to get them off of my phone.
Seriously...I am not smart enough for my smart phone.
Supplies for our last class.
During our third class everyone learned to make a wrapped loop. Can you say frustrating?!
Jean working on her charms.
For the last class everyone could use either a simple eye pin loop or wrapped loop to create charms for their pendant.
Chris showing off her finished necklace.
It turns out that the most complicated part of the last class was trying to teach everyone how to make sliding knots with their leather cord. Sometimes the simplest things are actually the trickiest to explain.
Donna showing off her finished necklace.
I brought along a small anvil, copper and brass charms, files, hammers and a letter number punch set so everyone could give metal stamping a try. That was a lot of fun!
Supplies for metal stamping.
I'm happy to say that everyone had a great time
and is looking forward to making more jewelry!
Thanks to everyone that participated and
to the Friends of the Library too!
to the Friends of the Library too!
Images and text © re-maker
Posted February 19, 2012 17:43 | read more
Feb
06
2012
Taking the Art Bead Scene Challenge
By remaker
I've been a (re)maker for a very (very) long time, but most of the work I show on the web isn't the really cool limited edition or one of a kind stuff that gets sent to my sales rep for museum shops and galleries.
This morning Lorelei of Lorelei's Blog shared her entry for the Art Bead Scene Challenge. Intrigued by her work and the challenge,
I went to check it out...
I went to check it out...
I follow the creative adventures of a few on my favorite blogs and find that what I love best is when they share their process. So, I've decided to do the same, starting with this challenge.
Fingers crossed... it may be a bumpy ride!
xo
Posted February 06, 2012 09:05 | read more
Feb
05
2012
Making Jewelry @NPL Weeks 1 & 2
By remaker
Chris makes a perfect eyepin!
I love making jewelry and my local library so much, that
I decided to run a second round of Jewelry Making 101!
I have a fantastically enthusiastic group of (lucky) thirteen women who are learning the basics. During last week's class I decide to share our adventure and took a few photos.
Week 1: Multi-strand Bracelet
Using cord and wire everyone created a single or multistrand bracelet. Some people took to it more quickly than others, but in the end we'll all get there!
Practice, practice, practice!
Week 2: Dangle Earrings
We stepped things up in the second class and learned to make eyepins which allowed everyone to make several pairs of fabulous dangle earrings! It was really exciting when everyone started to get the hang of it. But, my favorite part was when no one thought they'd be able to make their own
earwires out of headpins,
"Are you kidding?!", and then they did!
Such a great group!
"Are you kidding?!", and then they did!
Such a great group!
Today we'll learn to make wire wrapped loops and connectors. Stay tuned for more...
Posted February 05, 2012 12:32 | read more
Jun
06
2011
Great Gifts 4 Dad: Rescued Rubber Belts
By remaker
This funky yet useful™ belt is made from rescued rubber roofing and aluminum posts. An eco-friendly vegan alternative! The C series of Rescued Rubber Belts feature a new classic styled nickel plated steel buckle.Only $24.95 plus $5.70 priority shipping!
C-series belts are available in 3 widths: 1", 1.25" and 1.5"
Each belt is punched to order. Please specify the waist size for the perfect fit!
Each belt is made individually from recycled materials so slight variations may occur.
This item will ship via Priority Mail in the U.S.Shop Policies
Posted June 06, 2011 07:10 | read more
