J'adore Junk Earrings
with Guest Blogger Alexa Westerfield

Hey y'all! It's Alexa Westerfield a.k.a. Swelldesigner from the Swell Life guest blogging today!! Valentine's is right around the corner and I wanted to get a head start on my crafting, so I made some funky and chunky earrings for the occasion!! If you have visited my blog in the past couple of weeks, you may have seen my Make a Modern Statement Ring. Well, I took that same technique and made these bold earrings! The cool thing about them is that they really can be made with jewelry junk and left over trinkets and supplies!! And I'm kinda addicted. I love making these little collages and spray painting them!!! What can I say? I have fallen in love with spray paint all over again! Anyway, here are the instructions, I hope you LOVE making these fun earrings as much as I did.

J'adore Junk Earrings

Supplies
– Capiz shells w/ drilled holes (I purchased mine at Michaels)
– Plastic pearly hearts (also purchased at Michaels)
– random jewelry findings, jump rings, spacers, rhinestones, etc.
– Liquid Fusion glue
– toothpick
– red glossy spray paint
– clear spray sealer
– 2 ear wires
– round nose pliers
– paper plate
– newspaper or cardboard surface
– tweezers
– camera phone or digital camera

Instructions
1. On a flat surface lay out your wooden disk and various findings. Play around with shapes and combinations until desired collage look is achieved. At this point, I took a picture so that I could go back to this arrangement later.
2. Lay out your various findings and disk onto cardboard, laying flat.

3. Prepare area outside or in well ventilated area for spray painting. Following spray paint directions, apply several coats, letting dry in between each application. Make sure to also flip and paint other side as well. Don't overspray...this may cause puddling on your surfaces.
4. Review your composition on your camera and start reconstructing your arrangement. I applied a little dab of glue to the backs of each finding and placed it onto my wood blank. Depending on how picky you are, you may want to use a toothpick to apply Liquid Fusion or arrange your findings using tweezers. Let dry thoroughly.


5. At this point, I actually sprayed another coat or two of spray all over the piece. I then coated it with a shiny spray sealer.

6. Open and close jump rings with pliers and add to capiz shells. Open and hook ear wires to each jump ring and close.

7. Yay! You now have a really cool pair of earrings not just for Valentine's, but something to wear year round! Every pair is totally different and unique!


Thanks Kathy for letting me share my project on your blog and for inspiring all of us crafty folks on a daily basis!!!

Alexa Westerfield a.k.a. "Swelldesigner" is a graphic designer at iLoveToCreate by day and a swell, crafty lady by night. She loves being creative in all ways, from photography and jewelrymaking, to trendspotting and blogging. Connect with her on her Swell Life blog, Facebook, Twitter, and Flickr!

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MY NEW BOOK: "Crafty Chica's Guide to Artful Sewing: Fabu-Low-Sew Ideas for the Everyday Crafter".

See the new line of Crafty Chica products at HERE Amazon.com!! All content/photos copyright, © Kathy Cano-Murillo, 2009.

Labels: jewelry, wearable art

I bought a hecka lotta bracelets at Target's Dollar Spot last week. Sequin bangles for a buck each? I scooped up six! I knew I wanted to transform them, but I didn't know how. I set them aside until an idea popped in my noggin. Rubber stamps! Crafty Chica™ Tango Permanent Fabric Markers™ !

Here is how I did it:


1. Admire the bracelet in its naked form. OK, done with that, time to add some crafty love!

2. Using permanent stamp ink, ink your stamp and press firmly and roll it over the bracelet. Repeat until it is entirely covered.

3. Let it dry a few minutes and then fill in with Crafty Chica™ Tango Permanent Fabric Markers™ !

**
MY NEW BOOK: "Crafty Chica's Guide to Artful Sewing: Fabu-Low-Sew Ideas for the Everyday Crafter".

See the new line of Crafty Chica products at HERE Amazon.com!! All content/photos copyright, © Kathy Cano-Murillo, 2009.

Labels: fabric, jewelry

Charming Day of the Dead Bracelet

Designed by Kathy Cano-Murillo

Dia de los Muertos – the Day of the Dead – is a Hispanic holiday dedicated to remembering loved ones who have passed on. Create this Charming Day of the Dead Bracelet with Crafty Chica™ Charms™ and Chunky Glitters™ as a way to honor and celebrate the lives of those you love. Crafty Chica Charm Bracelet Workshop-in-a-Box Crafty Chica Chunky Glitters 25697 Sci Fi Silver Crafty Chica Charms Miscellaneous 24-gauge wire 2-part resin Needle-nose pliers Measuring spoons 3-in-1 jewelry-making tool Handheld drill Silicone heart mold Instructions Mix 1/4 cup of each part of the resin according to package instructions. Pour two heaping teaspoons of Sci Fi Silver Crafty Chica Chunky Glitters into resin and stir until glitter is fully mixed. Pour into desired number of molds. Let set 24 hours until cured. Once cured, pop hearts out of molds and use a handheld drill to create a hole at the top of each heart. Cut a 6" piece of wire and using the needle-nose pliers, wrap the wire through the hole in heart several times, leaving a 2 mm loop at the top. Twist the loop several times to create a small hole, turning the heart into a charm. Repeat for all hearts. Use the jump rings from the Crafty Chica Charm Bracelet Workshop-in-a-Box and 3-in-1 jewelry-making tool to connect hearts and Day of the Dead charms onto the bracelet from the kit.

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MY NEW BOOK: "Crafty Chica's Guide to Artful Sewing: Fabu-Low-Sew Ideas for the Everyday Crafter".

See the new line of Crafty Chica products at HERE Amazon.com!! All content/photos copyright, © Kathy Cano-Murillo, 2009.

Labels: Day of the Dead, jewelry, resin

Being a former newspaper writer, I have a soft spot for each and every page. Here is a clever way to recycle!

Supplies:

Newspaper (different pages for pattern contrast: sports scores, financial tables, colorful ads, photos, etc)
Base or large charm
Image (I used an image from the Crafty Chica Inspiration Deck)
Liquid Fusion Adhesive
Crafty Chica Markers
Crafty Chica Glitter
hot glue
pin back

Directions: Glue the image to the front of the base. Trim the edge in glue and then glitter. Cut three strips of the newspaper:
- 1 straight scissors, 1 zig zag, 1 ripped
- three widths: one skinny, one medium and one tall

Draw a different color on each edge. Start with the shortest piece of newspaper strip. Ruffle and glue on the back of the base using hot glue. Repeat with medium and then the tallest.

Glue pin back.

**
MY NEW BOOK: "Crafty Chica's Guide to Artful Sewing: Fabu-Low-Sew Ideas for the Everyday Crafter".

See the new line of Crafty Chica products at HERE Amazon.com!! All content/photos copyright, © Kathy Cano-Murillo, 2009.

Labels: jewelry, recycled, wearable

Photo by Scott Wilkinson of ILoveToCreate.com

These are earrings I made for a make-and-take event and they went over so well, I thought I'd share how to do it!

Playing the Crafty Chica Loteria Game is a great way have fun and to learn Spanish nouns at the same time. But because the images are so colorful and whimsical, why not pick up an extra game to cut up and use in jewelry making? These lightweight earrings are cheery, glittery and are sure to turn heads.

• Crafty Chica Little Chica Paint Pack™
  
  
• Crafty Chica Loteria Game
  
  
• Crafty Chica Chunky Glitters
  
  

  		25694 Glamour Queen Green
  		25695 Popstar Purple
  		Rockabilly Ruby

• Aleene's Original Tacky Glue
  
  
• Miscellaneous
  Foil
  Drill – small, handheld
  Fishhook earrings
  Wood pieces – small, earring size
  Needle-nose pliers
  Paintbrush – small
  

**
MY NEW BOOK: "Crafty Chica's Guide to Artful Sewing: Fabu-Low-Sew Ideas for the Everyday Crafter".

See the new line of Crafty Chica products at HERE Amazon.com!! All content/photos copyright, © Kathy Cano-Murillo, 2009.

Labels: jewelry

This is a special project I made for iLoveToCreate.com!

Shadow boxes aren’t just for walls or the fireplace mantles anymore. The concept can be shrunk down to make a cool lapel pin that offers a lot of depth, texture and sparkle.

• Crafty Chica Mojito Papers
  
  
• Crafty Chica Loteria Game
  
  
• Crafty Chica Chunky Glitters
  
  

  Rockabilly Ruby

• Aleene's Original Tacky Glue
  
  
• Miscellaneous
  Newspaper
  Specimen tin (can be found as a party favor in wedding supply aisle at craft store)
  Felt, fabric or yarn
  Thick foam core or cardboard
  Pin backing
  Paintbrush – medium
  Foil
  Scissors
  

Instructions

1. Cover work surface with newspaper. Remove the tin lid.
2. Pour a puddle of Aleene's Original Tacky Glue onto foil. Use the paintbrush to coat the inner sides of the tin with glue and pour desired color of Crafty Chica Chunky Glitters over the wet glue. Let dry then shake out excess glitter.
3. 
   
4. Cut a circle from favorite Crafty Chica Mojito Papers design to fit inside the bottom of tin. Glue in place and let dry.
5. Cut out desired image from a Crafty Chica Loteria Game game board piece. Glue a square of thick cardboard or foam core in the bottom center of tin and glue image on top. Let dry.
6. Put the lid back on the tin. Measure and cut a piece of fabric or yarn to fit around the outside of tin and glue in place. Let dry.
7. Cut a circle of fabric about a ¼' larger than the tin, then cut out center. Glue onto bottom of tin, with fabric extending past edges. Refer to photo. Let dry.
8. Glue the pin to the bottom of tin where fabric has been cut out.

**
MY NEW BOOK: "Crafty Chica's Guide to Artful Sewing: Fabu-Low-Sew Ideas for the Everyday Crafter".

See the new line of Crafty Chica products at HERE Amazon.com!! All content/photos copyright, © Kathy Cano-Murillo, 2009.

Labels: jewelry, Latin-inspired

Crafty Chica Charms turned into cute little rings!

These make great party favors or small gifts. I took a set of nippers to the top ring of each charm to remove it. I then glued onto a flat back ring.

They look pretty simple, but I plan to take it up a notch next time and glue the charm to a wood disc and then to the ring!

**
MY NEW BOOK: "Crafty Chica's Guide to Artful Sewing: Fabu-Low-Sew Ideas for the Everyday Crafter".

See the new line of Crafty Chica products at HERE Amazon.com!! All content/photos copyright, © Kathy Cano-Murillo, 2009.

Labels: jewelry

At one of our Phoenix Frida meetings a while back, my friend Anita sat and (speed) crocheted each member a classic red flower pin. I took mine home, Maya swiped it, and then I scored it back.

The week my dad died, I tried to spend time in the art room to clear my head. Nothing could keep my attention. I found the flower pin Anita made me and without even thinking about it, I added an orange blanket stitch around the pedals. I then spent almost two hours hand sewing seed beads all over it. I then stitched a little Virgin of Guadalupe bead in the center. It turned out to be the best therapy I could find. Anita is one of my best friend's and little did she know her little gift went a long way to helping me get through a difficult time!

Take this as inspiration to look around your jewelry or clothing and see what little touches you can add to them. Maybe stencil on a rose to a worn out tee, or trim a pair of earrings in a new color. Add some beads to a scarf you crocheted or knitted. In my world, nothing is ever complete, there is always room for more embellishment. I'm not a minimalist, what can I say?

Oooh, wait! Here is a better idea - do like Anita and crochet flower pins for your crafty friends. Ask them to embellish it in their own way, and then you can get together when everyone is finished and do a trade. Wouldn't that be cool?

Peace, love, and glitter!
Kathy :-)
**
MY NEW BOOK: "Crafty Chica's Guide to Artful Sewing: Fabu-Low-Sew Ideas for the Everyday Crafter".

See the new line of Crafty Chica products at HERE Amazon.com!! All content/photos copyright, © Kathy Cano-Murillo, 2009.

Labels: empowerment crafts, jewelry

Crafty Collage Necklace
Designed by Kathy Cano-Murillo

Create a collage of spicy color on a chunky necklace! Cut out your favorite images from Crafty Chica Mojito Papers, Inspiration Cards or the Loteria Game and glue on with Aleene’s Original Tacky Glue for a bold accessory that shows off your crafty coolness.

* Crafty Chica Mojito Papers

* Crafty Chica Inspiration Cards


25762 Uno
* Crafty Chica Little Chica Paint Packs

* Crafty Chica Loteria Game

* Aleene's Original Tacky Glue

* Miscellaneous
(1) Necklace with five large pendants
Scissors
Two-part resin
Foil
Wax paper
Paintbrushes – various sizes

Instructions

1. Cut out favorite images from the Crafty Chica Mojito Papers, Loteria Game and Inspiration Cards small enough to fit on necklace pendants.
2. Arrange images into mini-collages on each pendant, then glue in place with Aleene’s Original Tacky Glue. Let dry.
3. Choose as many Crafty Chica Little Chica paint colors as desired and squeeze a small amount onto a piece of foil. Paint desired color(s) around border of each pendant. Let dry.
4. Use a clean brush to paint a layer of Aleene's Original Tacky Glue over the surface of each pendant and let dry. Note: This will seal the surface so the resin won’t seep through.
5. Working over a sheet of wax paper, mix the two-part resin according to package directions. Apply a coat of resin over each pendant. Let dry for 24 hours.

Peace, love, and glitter!
Kathy :-)
**
MY NEW BOOK: "Crafty Chica's Guide to Artful Sewing: Fabu-Low-Sew Ideas for the Everyday Crafter".

See the new line of Crafty Chica products at HERE Amazon.com!! All content/photos copyright, © Kathy Cano-Murillo, 2009.

Labels: jewelry

I made this project from my glitter fabric (scroll down to see earlier post). I cut a swatch for my wrist, sewed on a fabric image of La Virgen and seamed the edges with a tight zigzag stitch. I added rickrack, and stitched on some matching elastic. That big yellow piece is not a button - it is a vintage clip earring. I glued the clasp down and then stitched through the opening. I added a milagro charm too.

I am 100% smitten with this bracelet. So much that I plan to make more of these with all kinds of different images. The glitter is sealed down, but still so sparkly!
**
MY NEW BOOK: "Crafty Chica's Guide to Artful Sewing: Fabu-Low-Sew Ideas for the Everyday Crafter".

See the new line of Crafty Chica products at HERE Amazon.com!! All content/photos copyright, © Kathy Cano-Murillo, 2009.

Labels: fabric, glitter, jewelry, sewing, wearable art

These are some earrings I made a while back. I get gobs of smiles from them because people always ask where I scored the charms. I love to say - "I made them!"

The charms are simply small wood discs that I glued pictures to, drilled, painted, and then coated with resin. I then used contrasting shapes of beads, eye pins, chain, and jump rings to put assemble them. I've really been digging sky blue and bright red lately!

**
MY NEW BOOK: "Crafty Chica's Guide to Artful Sewing: Fabu-Low-Sew Ideas for the Everyday Crafter".

See the new line of Crafty Chica products at HERE Amazon.com!! All content/photos copyright, © Kathy Cano-Murillo, 2009.

Labels: jewelry

This project is inspired by those silver silhouette charms of boys and girls. Member those???

I used shrink plastic to make these, and I think any mom would swoon over something like this!
It's very personalized because the heads are from family members. I even included a doggie too :-)

Supplies

1 package of shrink plastic
black spray paint
black fine line permanent pen
hole punch
heat gun or toaster oven
Bracelet chain with clasp
Medium jump rings
Needle nose pliers
Camera and printer
Beads and head pins (optional)

Directions: Have each person stand at a profile for you. Take the pictures and then print them out to 4x6 size. Cut out the profiles from the paper. Take one sheet of shrink plastic and place the profile down and use the pen to trace it. Cut it out. Use the hole punch at the top. Shrink the piece, either with a heat gun or by following the manufacturers package directions. Do the same for all the heads. When they are shrunk, take them outside and spray paint them black on one side. Let dry, flip them over and repeat. When they are completely dry, use the jump rings and needle nose pliers to attach to the bracelet chain. Add beads to the eyepins and attach if desired.
**
MY NEW BOOK: "Crafty Chica's Guide to Artful Sewing: Fabu-Low-Sew Ideas for the Everyday Crafter".

See the new line of Crafty Chica products at HERE Amazon.com!! All content/photos copyright, © Kathy Cano-Murillo, 2009.

Labels: jewelry, wearable art

A Taste of Talavera Choker

Designed and Decorated by Kathy Cano-Murillo

Get a taste of Talavera with this bracelet and choker, inspired by the beautiful designs of this popular style of Mexican tile and ceramic ware. Small wood hearts make a big statement with Crafty Chica Little Chica Paint Packs and Mojito Papers and Aleene’s Original Tacky Glue!

• Crafty Chica Mojito Papers
  
  
• Crafty Chica Little Chica Paint Packs
  
  
• Aleene's Original Tacky Glue
  
  
• Crafty Chica Glossy Gloss Varnish
  
  
• Miscellaneous
  Needle-nose pliers
  Pencil
  Small dish (to mix paint)
  Wire choker necklace
  8mm jump rings
  Handheld rotary tool
  Small paintbrush
  Scissors
  Wood heart
  

Instructions

1. Remove the paper that looks like talavera tiles from the Crafty Chica Mojito Papers pack and flip it over so the front is facing downward. Set one of the wood hearts on the paper and use a pencil to trace out a heart. Cut out.
2. Glue paper heart to a wood heart with Aleene’s Original Tacky Glue. Let dry then trim excess paper around edges if needed.
3. Squeeze some red paint from the Little Chica Paint Pack into a small mixing dish and add tiny dot of black, then mix to create a terra cotta color. Dip the end of paintbrush handle in mixture and use it to outline the top edges and sides of the hearts. Let dry.
4. Drill a small hole at top center, just under point.
5. Add a jump ring to the necklace heart and slide it onto wire choker.
6. Coat the front of the bracelet and necklace hearts with Crafty Chica Glossy Gloss Varnish and let dry.

**
MY NEW BOOK: "Crafty Chica's Guide to Artful Sewing: Fabu-Low-Sew Ideas for the Everyday Crafter".

See the new line of Crafty Chica products at HERE Amazon.com!! All content/photos copyright, © Kathy Cano-Murillo, 2009.

Labels: jewelry, paper

A Taste of Talavera Bracelet

Designed and Decorated by Kathy Cano-Murillo

Get a taste of Talavera with this bracelet and choker, inspired by the beautiful designs of this popular style of Mexican tile and ceramic ware. Small wood hearts make a big statement with Crafty Chica Little Chica Paint Packs and Mojito Papers and Aleene's Original Tacky Glue!

• Crafty Chica Mojito Papers
  
  
• Crafty Chica Little Chica Paint Packs
  
  
• Aleene's Original Tacky Glue
  
  
• Crafty Chica Glossy Gloss Varnish
  
  
• Miscellaneous
  Needle-nose pliers
  8mm jump rings
  Small dish (to mix paint)
  Wood hearts
  Small paintbrush
  Pencil
  Scissors
  Lobster clasp
  Handheld rotary tool

Instructions

1. Remove the paper that looks like talavera tiles from the Crafty Chica Mojito Papers pack and flip it over so the front is facing downward. Set one of the wood hearts on the paper and use a pencil to trace out seven or eight hearts. Cut hearts out.
2. Glue each paper heart to a wood heart with Aleene's Original Tacky Glue. Let dry then trim excess paper around edges if needed.
3. Squeeze some red paint from the Little Chica Paint Pack into a small mixing dish and add tiny dot of black, then mix to create a terra cotta color. Dip the end of paintbrush handle in mixture and use it to outline the top edges and sides of the hearts. Let dry.
4. Drill a small hole on each side of all hearts. Use needle-nose pliers to connect hearts together to form bracelet. Wrap bracelet around your wrist to make sure it fits. Add lobster clasp to ends and connect.
5. Coat the front of the bracelet hearts with Crafty Chica Glossy Gloss Varnish and let dry.

**
MY NEW BOOK: "Crafty Chica's Guide to Artful Sewing: Fabu-Low-Sew Ideas for the Everyday Crafter".

See the new line of Crafty Chica products at HERE Amazon.com!! All content/photos copyright, © Kathy Cano-Murillo, 2009.

Labels: jewelry, paper

This is a bracelet made by a longtime, dear friend of mine, Keri Plezia - aka, Miss Holley King. She is a rockabilly radio DJ and an avid crafter. She is a member of the Phoenix Fridas (my craft group) and was even featured on Crafters Coast to Coast!

This is a bracelet I bought from her years ago and I wear it ALL the time. People always, always ask me about it, they think I made it. I tell them about Keri and how she is a pop art crafty genius. She took old clip-on earring strays and simply hot glued them to a bracelet blank. I'm sharing it here today because I just recieved another email about it from when I wore it in a Lifetime craft video.

Keri moved to Michigan a couple of years ago and I've been missing her. Maybe that is why I wear the bracelet so much!!!
**
MY NEW BOOK: "Crafty Chica's Guide to Artful Sewing: Fabu-Low-Sew Ideas for the Everyday Crafter".

See the new line of Crafty Chica products at HERE Amazon.com!! All content/photos copyright, © Kathy Cano-Murillo, 2009.

Labels: jewelry, recycled

You made it through Adventures in Safety Pins, Part One.

Now you can see what I mean when I say my safety pin bracelet mojo has left the building. My building.

I must have downed way too much java when I assembled these wrist monstrosities. I would have done away with them, but I spent so much time, I thought I'd share them. What the heck? I'm still on a mission to use up as much crafty leftovers as I can after cleaning out the art room. I have buckets of charms and beads. And safety pins. And bracelet findings.

OK, on with it!

1. This first one I kinda of feel comfortable with, only because my daughter said she would totally wear this to school. I used too many odd sized beads and the pins didn't sit right. But she approved it, so we are good to go.


2. I strung the pins on vertically, and added yarn for more texture. My daughter hated the yarn. She said she would not wear this to school. Whatever! It is kinda spazzy though.



3. *Clear throat* This was after a quad mocha. My daughter refused to even let it touch her skin. It is level three "mixed media". You know what though? I like this one and am going to wear it! It has a chain base and I used the safety pins in place of jump rings. I added gobs-o-charms and yarn.

Peace, love, and glitter!
Kathy :-)

P.S. Check out my new book and product line!
**
MY NEW BOOK: "Crafty Chica's Guide to Artful Sewing: Fabu-Low-Sew Ideas for the Everyday Crafter".

See the new line of Crafty Chica products at HERE Amazon.com!! All content/photos copyright, © Kathy Cano-Murillo, 2009.

Labels: collage/paper, jewelry, recycled

I used chunky coral beads and turquoise balls to make this set inspired by Frida Kahlo's jewelry. For the images, I wanted to try something different so I used liquid Sculpey to transfer the images, and regular Sculpey for the background. You can also use decoupaged wood pieces too!

This is beautiful set to make for a friend or family member who loves Mexican culture, Frida, or big jewelry. Of course, you can make it for yourself too! And if you don't like Frida, you can use any kind of image...

For complete directions, see my Art de la Soul book!
***
Don't worry, be crafty! Buy Crafty Chica books & art supplies at Amazon.com!

Other links:
STORE * BOOK * T-SHIRTS * MY SPACE * FLICKR

* All content/photos copyright, © Kathy Cano-Murillo, 2008. For more artsy goodness, check out CraftyChica.com * for awesome crafty resources check out DuncanCrafts.com

Labels: frida, jewelry, Latin-inspired, wearable art

Need a colorful pair of danglys for the season? Check out this easy pair I made exclusively for MyLifetime.com's "Crafted" series!

LINK
***
See my new product line at select Michaels stores or buy online at Amazon.com!

Other links:
STORE * BOOK * T-SHIRTS * MY SPACE * FLICKR

* All content/photos copyright, © Kathy Cano-Murillo, 2007. For more artsy goodness, check out CraftyChica.com * for awesome crafty resources check out DuncanCrafts.com