Lucy Lu magnets from FridgeDoor.com

I love me some Lucy Lu Mighty Magnets. They have that thick coat of shiny stuff on top and they look so pretty and cool. But at $13 bucks a pop, I can only afford to recieve them as gifts! Plus, maybe I want to mix and match my mighty magnets.

That led me to experiment with making my own Crafty Chica version. Mmmmmm, I love how they came out. Lookie here peoples:


(Some of these images are from Ken Brown wrapping paper!)


This is how I did it:

Supplies:

Wood pieces
Sturdy magnets
Envirotex Lite (2 part resin mixture)
paper cup, chopstick, drinking straw
Pictures
Aleene's Tacky Glue
Black craft paint
Waxed paper

Directions:

Line your work area with waxed paper. Glue the image to the wood piece. Paint the edges to seal the paper to the wood. Let dry. Apply a coat of Tacky Glue over the entire image and around the edges to again seal the paper to the wood - otherwise the resin will "seep" under. Let it dry until the glue is absolutely clear. Mix the resin in the cup according to the package directions. Use the chopstick to stir it. Apply a dollop on the wood piece and use the chopstick to push the resin to the edges without letting it drip. Blow out any bubbles with the drinking straw. Let it cure for 24 hours. Glue the magnet on the back. Enjoy!
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* 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, paper, resin

I was recently on HGTV showing how to make these fun knob pulls. In case you missed it, I'm posting the directions here. Yes, that's a cabinet from my kitchen!

Here are the directions.



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* 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: Cinco DeMayo, Craft Lab, inside, Latin-inspired, resin

It's been a long but rewarding nine months since I've been on the Atkins diet. But my real challenge comes at this time of year, when Valentine candy arrives. It seems that in every store, I'm faced with wondrous tiers of red, pink and purple heart-shaped packages of creamy chocolates and such.

This year, I'm using crafts in my defense: If I can't eat the sugar-laden treats, I can at least decorate with them.

These lovely drink coasters are made from terra-cotta saucers, resin and a sweetheart staple - conversation hearts. I'm planning to rest my low-carb chocolate shake on them.

Conversation Heart Candy Coasters

Supplies
4 terra-cotta saucers, 4 inches in diameter
Acrylic paints in red, pink, white and purple
1 bag of conversation hearts
E6000 adhesive
Resin
Paint brushes: base coat and liner
Protective felt tabs

Directions: Paint a base coat on the saucers; let dry. Add words or narrow designs around the border of the saucers with the liner brush. Glue the conversation hearts face up in the center area of the saucers (use ones that are of equal thickness); let dry. Mix the resin according to the package directions and pour over the candies until they are completely covered and the resin is at an even level. Put a dab of resin on your finger and rub it over the border to seal in your painted design. Let the saucers cure over night. Apply the protective felt tabs to the bottom of the saucers so they won't scratch your furniture.

Tips and variations: Pop any bubbles in the resin by carefully blowing on them through a straw. For more accents, drop some metallic stars or hearts into the resin after you pour it (push them down with a pin) or trim the saucer's border with squeeze glitter.

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* 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: food crafts, resin, Valentine's Day

I apologize for the long run without new ideas! I've been traveling so much this summer, I haven't had much time. But I'm back in the crafty saddle. First up - Glitter n Glam Rings! I was inspired to make these after indulging in way too much gourmet glitter from ArtGlitter.com.

Supplies:
Resin Jewelry Molds (see pic below, available at Hobby Lobby and other craft stores)
EasyCast resin (available at Hobby Lobby and other craft stores)
Mixing cups, measuring cup, chopstick for stirring (found at craft store)
Mini-straw
Ring blanks (I buy mine on eBay)
Loose glitter (the more dimensional in color, the better)

How to do it:
Prepare the resin mixture according to the package directions - EXACTLY. Do not "eyeball" the measurements because your resin will not set and you will cry. Pour a small amount of the resin in the mold, blow with straw to remove gas bubbles. When resin is clear, pour in the glitter almost to the top of the mold, but not all the way. Now pour in another thin layer of resin. Use the chopstick to move the resin around so it covers all of the glitter. Blow out bubbles with straw. Let set for 24 hours. Add one more thin layer of resin and set the ring blank face down*. Let sit for 24 hours. Pop out of mold and use a file or sandpaper to smooth down the edges. If desired, use a buffing tool to make the ring shiny.

*Alternative: You can skip the last part and just use E6000 to glue the ring blank on. Also, you can embed other small object or pictures by printing them out on high gloss photo paper.


Resin jewelry mold


EasyCast Resin

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* 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: glitter, jewelry, resin, rings, wearable art

Here's a shout out to all the Good Morning Arizona viewers! Interested in making some personalized tile coasters? Here is how to do it (taken from my new book: Crafty Chica's Art de la Soul.)

You need Envirotex Lite, which is a light form of resin. You can find it at any craft store. don't feel like making these coaster, but still want a set? I'll make them for ya!



More and more people are curious about the sticky stuff, which you mix and pour into bottle caps, over picture frames and in rubber molds to make jewelry, furniture and scrapbook adornments. So what is it? Resin is a reactive polymer compound that cures to a thick, glossy coating that is highly durable and requires no polishing. It's often used to cover the tops of tables or bars in eating establishments. It comes in several brands, and each has its own quirks when it comes to combining the compounds. My advice? Wear a mask because it's stinky. And if you have long hair, tie it back before starting, otherwise there's a good chance you'll get the resin on your hair (like I did). The only way to remove the resin is to cut it off.

Supplies

4 ceramic tiles, 4 by 4 inches each
Small pictures
White craft glue
Metallic paint pens
Two-part resin, small paper cup, chopstick, paper mask, skinny straw
Wax paper
16 wood doll heads, 1-inch in diameter (round balls that are flat on one side)
Acrylic paint and water-based varnish
E6000 adhesive

Directions: Wipe the tiles free of dust or spots. Using the glue, apply the pictures on the tiles and let dry. Apply a thin layer of the white glue on top of the pictures and let dry. Decorate the open spaces on the tile with the metallic paint pens. Go outside to work with the resin. Put on the mask and use the paper cup to mix the two-part resin according to package directions. Use the chopstick to stir the mixture vigorously until it looks bubbly and cloudy. Pour an amount the size of a quarter on each tile and spread it to the edges using the chopstick. Hold the tile up to the light to make sure you didn't miss any spots. Pop any bubbles by removing the mask and blowing through the straw over the surface. Place the tiles on the wax paper and place them in a covered outdoors area (garage or patio) to cure for 24 to 48 hours. Paint the wood balls, decorate with the pens and varnish. Flip the tiles over and use the adhesive to attach the balls. Let dry.

Tips and variations: Have fun with your coasters. Make small scrapbook layouts on each tile using family photos, papers and sequins, or cut out pictures from magazines. Make sure to follow package directions, otherwise it will not cure. If the resin has not set by 24 hours, consider your project a bust and try again. Do not let your tiles dry outside because bugs, dust and leaves can become embedded in them.

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* 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, home decor, resin

A few months back I hit a gold mine when I made some belt buckles. I had some blanks leftover so I whipped up these little puppies. I coated them with resin for long shelf life.

* By Kathy Cano Murillo, copyright 2005. Photos property and courtesy of Arizona Republic and AzCentral.com. For more artsy goodness, check out CraftyChica.com *

Labels: resin, wearable art

Here is a mixed media coaster design.
Supplies:

Tile or coasters
Spanish language newsprint
Color copy of Mexican image
White craft glue
Craft paint
Resin

Glue the newsprint to the top of the coaster. Now glue the picture in the center. Add painted accents. Coat with a thin layer of white craft glue. Mix resin according to package directions and coat. Work over a piece of wax paper so it won't stick forever to your table. Blow out gas bubbles with a straw. Let cure over night.

Put some felt tabs under the coaster so it won't scratch your table!

* By Kathy Cano Murillo, copyright 2005. Photos property and courtesy of Arizona Republic and AzCentral.com. For more artsy goodness, check out CraftyChica.com *

Labels: Cinco DeMayo, home decor, inside, Latin-inspired, outdoors, resin