One spool of wire can lead to a lifetime of flirty finger embellishments. Here's my recipe for whipping up a batch of beaded baubles for you and the gang. I've recently come off a charm bracelet bender. After spending several weeks connecting abstract objects to a chain, I've curbed my obsession, or at least toned it down.

I never let anything go to waste. Therefore, I took a spool of wire and the leftover beads, buttons and charms from my bracelet projects and made these adorable charm rings.

Use your finger as a guide to shape the base and then add whatever you like at the top. I secured a jump ring to add dangling beads, and on others I anchored a button, charm or bead at the top.

I love this idea because it has a speedy result, which is great if you want to make jewelry but don't have the time or energy to devote to a bracelet or necklace. For a higher quality ring, use sterling silver wire. All supplies can be found at local craft or bead stores.
Charm Rings
Supplies
1 spool of 18- or 24-gauge wire (sterling silver is best)
Needle nose pliers with cutting device
Small jump rings
Assorted charms, beads or buttons
Ring sizer (optional)

Directions: Cut off an 18-inch piece of wire. Using your finger or a ring sizer, wrap the wire around it four to five times to create the base of the ring.

Straighten out the tail of extra wire. On the ring's base, position the raw end of the wire at the top and pinch in place. Feed the tail through the hole of the base and up and around the top to cover. Pull it tight to cover that raw end.

Straighten the remaining length of the tail, and if you want to have a ring with dangling charms, slip on the small jump ring and feed the wire through it to secure it to the top of the ring so it stands upright. (If you don't want dangles, you can skip the jump ring and feed on a bead, button or charm.)

Make sure the end of the wire is lodged between the layers of wire. Add beads or charms to small head pins. Using the needle nose pliers, attach the head pins to the jump ring by bending the wire over the jump ring.

Tips and variations: For more of a "wrapped" look, cut a longer piece of wire (about 22 inches) and after you make the circles for the ring base, use the tail to wrap around it. For a gaudy look, add a lot of dangling beads; for a daintier look, add a few small ones. Think of other objects to add such as bottle caps, birthstone gems, small fabric or silk flowers.


***
STORE * BOOK * T-SHIRTS * MY SPACE * FLICKR

* All content/photos copyright, Kathy Cano Murillo, 2006. Photos property and courtesy of Arizona Republic and AzCentral.com. For more artsy goodness, check out CraftyChica.com *

Labels: jewelry, recycled, rings, wearable art

I'm in this kind of a mood today. Lots of thoughts, phrases and tiny objects all stuck inside my head, any which way they will fit. I made this suitcase shrine a few years back and I just felt like sharing it tonight. The actual case came from my dad. For years he used it to carry all his camera equipment. One day he gave it to me to carry my art supplies. Of course, being the weirdo I am, I made it into a piece of art instead.

London is this crafty chica's favorite city in the universe. I've been there three times and I gathered up all my souvenirs and assembled them on this case. Yes, it opens and is fully functional, I can thank e6000 glue for that. This is proof that I'm not at all one of those minimalist artists. Either you like clunky stuff or you don't.

I do. So there. Have a nice week!

***
STORE * BOOK * T-SHIRTS * MY SPACE * FLICKR

* All content/photos copyright, Kathy Cano Murillo, 2006. Photos property and courtesy of Arizona Republic and AzCentral.com. For more artsy goodness, check out CraftyChica.com *

Labels: collage/paper, inside, shrines

I've been swimming in the world of embossing powders and rubber stamps these days. Seeing that I'm designing a line of stamps soon, I thought it would be a great idea. So here is a little project I did with wood pieces and embossing powder. Thank you to Judy Ross from the Creative Quest for helping me!



Embossing is a technique often used in scrapbooking, altered arts and any other kind of paper arts you can think of.

Therefore, it's time to mix it up a bit and use it in jewelry. My inspiration this week comes from stamp queen Judy Ross of The Creative Quest in Glendale, who recently gave me a crash course in the various types of products. I've dabbled with embossing powders before, but more as an experimental exercise than a focused mission. This project is perfect for beginners because by using small wood pieces, you can play around with different colors and images and use them for a variety of purposes. If you make a mistake, it will have a weathered look and can still be used in your work. All items can be found at any craft or paper arts store.
Embossed Jewelry
Supplies:
Assorted small wood pieces
Assorted dobber-type paper inks
Embossing stamp pad
Assorted rubber stamps
Embossing powder
Embossing tool
Hand-held drill
Necklace chain or cording
Jump rings

Directions: Use the paper inks to color the wood pieces. Let dry. Dot the embossing pad over the surface of the rubber stamp until it is generously covered. Press in desired place on the wood piece - be careful not to smear. Pour embossing powder over the wet surface and tap off excess as much as possible. Heat with embossing tool until the powder dries to a shiny, raised look. Let cool. Repeat for other pieces. Drill holes where desired in order to connect the pieces or attach the cording or chain.





Variations: Use small wood pieces to make funky picture bracelets, or use letter stamps to spell out words or phrases. Instead of using as jewelry, make an assortment of the wood pieces and store them in a baggie for use on future craft projects.

Event of the week: Speaking of The Creative Quest, the Glendale paper arts store is hosting a weekend with artist Traci Bautista. Known for her vibrant collaged paper that she dyes, sews, scrapes, stencils and glazes, she will start Friday with a demo and trunk show, followed by a two-day workshop. Students will learn paper painting and doodle lettering and will complete an art journal from their work. Details: 6-8 p.m. Friday (demo and sale); 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Price for two-day class is $200. 7146 N. 57th Drive, Glendale. Call (623) 847-2215 to make a class reservation.

***
STORE * BOOK * T-SHIRTS * MY SPACE * FLICKR

* All content/photos copyright, Kathy Cano Murillo, 2006. Photos property and courtesy of Arizona Republic and AzCentral.com. For more artsy goodness, check out CraftyChica.com *

Labels: jewelry, wearable art

Do you have a can of old coins hanging around? I did. I used them to make this frame go from blah to bam! By the way, if you ever want to remove the coins undamaged, you can.

What you need:

- Old chunky frame
- 4-5 acrylic paint colors
- sandpaper
- assorted old coins
- e6000 glue

First you want to take a chunky wood frame and distress it with a meat tenderizer, etc. Choose four-five colors of contrasting acrylic paint colors and apply them TWICE, one, by one, letting each coat dry in between layers. Now use the sandpaper over the whole thing - you want to bring up those different layers of paint colors. Distress the frame more and sand more. Think you are done? Sand again. OK, now glue on the coins. You're done, mama!

Want more crafty goodness? Check out my NEW book! See below...

***
STORE * BOOK * T-SHIRTS * MY SPACE * FLICKR

* All content/photos copyright, Kathy Cano Murillo, 2006. Photos property and courtesy of Arizona Republic and AzCentral.com. For more artsy goodness, check out CraftyChica.com *

Labels: home decor, inside, recycled