Junk Jewelry

I love JUNK JEWELERY!
But I DON'T like it when my jewelry is junky, because I can never find what I need to wear with my outfit, without spending time rummaging through 10 boxes, a jewelry box, and 2 travel pouches. I finally decided that this weekend I was going to organize everything so I could it all at once.

So, check out my new jewelry shelves and tray!

These used to be rubber stamp shelves that I made for my book, "The Crafter's Guide To Glue" and when I went looking for something to use for organizing everything, there they were in the garage, empty! Since we moved from Nashville, I haven't put them up to hold my stamps, so I repurposed them again.

I laid one on top of a shelf full of t-shirts, which fit perfectly.

Here's how messy it was before. It was just awful. Poor Scott. He shares my closet and my mess!

Here's the instructions and everything you need to make your own Junk Jewelry Organizers...

Supplies:

Large frames of your choice

Black 1/4 inch foam board

Aleene’s® Original Tacky Glue®

Craft knife

Metal edged ruler

Glass head straight pins

Wire cutters

Steps:

1. Measure opening of frame. Cut foam board the exact same size. This will be the back of the box.
2. Place the frame laying face down on a table. Cut 2 pieces of foam board, 1-1/4 inches wide times the length of the frame opening. Glue to the inside opening of the frame, along each side. (Where the glass would normally be placed.)
3. Cut 2 pieces of foam board, 1-1/4 inches wide times the width of the frame opening. Glue to the inside opening of the frame, along the top and bottom. Also glue the corners together where they meet. This will be the sides of the box.
4. Glue the foam core that you cut for the back of the box, to the sides to complete the box.
5. Turn the framed box over, right side facing up. Lay out your rubberstamps the way that you would like for them to be placed on shelves inside the box.
6. Cut shelves, 1-1/4 inches wide times the width of the inside of the box. Place in the box between the rows of rubberstamps evenly. Glue to secure.

Here's how they looked before I added all my jewelry.


And here's how they look full. I love how my chunky bracelets fit perfectly on the shelves!

You may want to use them to organize your rubberstamps or anything else you collect. I don't know... your matchbook cars, or a collection of your boyfriend's limited series of beer bottles. Just kidding. Oh, and they would look great painted with your fave kitschy color. I almost painted them turquoise, but was in too big a hurry to get them hung.

If you like this idea, there are tons more in my book, "The Crafter's Guide to Glue", and you can get a signed copy this weekend January 22 and 23rd at the Craft Super Show in Anaheim at the Convention Center!

I'll be at the Barnes & Noble booth for my book signing, from 4:00 to 5:00. I'm listed in the Craft Celebrities on the Super Show site.

Ohhh, I almost forgot... I'll be teaching a fabulous workshop, too! It's from 5:00 to 7:00 on Friday. At the end of this workshop you'll have not just a stylin' "Lady Luck" bag, but a crash course in color selection and the knowledge of four different paint techniques that are super-duper easy!



And don't forget to come see me if you attend the CHA 2010 Winter Tradeshow. I'll be at the iLoveToCreate booth and we'll be making all kinds of crafty goodies at the make-it-&-take-it craft bars!

See you in Anaheim!
PattieWack

Fashion Icon Jewelry

What do you do when you buy stamps, just because you love'em?

You grab some Aleene's Paper Glaze and turn them into Fashion Icon Jewelry!

I absolutely LOVE Audrey Hepburn, and the Aleene's Paper Glaze glides onto paper to create a crystal clear dimensional effect that reminds me of cloisonne' enamel jewelry when it dries. I've been experimenting with it at the iLoveToCreate studio, and this is just one of the fabulous things it can do.

The Audrey Hepburn stamps caught my eye a few years ago, and I bought several, not knowing what I planned to do with them. I'm so glad! The beautiful fashion icon was perfect for creating a beautiful pendant and a pin, for barely a little more cash than what I paid for the actual stamps!

Just think...... you can turn ANY pendant sized photo, stamp, gift wrap, greeting card, or even a note or drawing. I'm thinking of making a pendant from a tiny note my friend Darsee stuck in my Christmas present this year. Very personal, and an amazing way to preserve a delicate item forever.

Here's how to make your own pendant or pin with Aleene's Paper Glaze:

You'll Need:
Aleene's® Paper Glaze

Aleene’s® Acid Free Tacky Glue™ Glue Stick

Tulip® Glam-It-Up!™ Iron-On Crystals™

Postage Stamp or other paper image of your choice
Heavy Cardstock
Scrapbook Paper
Hole Punch
Scissors
Tweezers

Pencil
Needle Nose Pliers
Jump Rings, Wire & Beads
Ribbon for a necklace, or a pin back

Aleene’s® Platinum Bond™ 7800™ Adhesive (for pin)

Wire and Bead (for pin)

The Steps:
1. Adhere postage stamp to scrapbook paper. Trim 1/4” around the edge of the stamp to create the face of the pendant/pin.
2. Trace around pendant onto heavy cardstock, cut out two.
3. Stack the two cardstock cut-outs and glue together with glue stick. Glue the pendant/pin on top of the cardstock pieces. Let dry. This will make it very sturdy.
4. Punch out a hole at the top of the pendant. Punch another hole at the bottom if you're making a pin.
5. Squeeze a smooth layer of paper glaze over the entire top of the paper, to the edges.
7. Drop crystals into the paper glaze with tweezers. Let dry overnight.
8. Re-punch holes in pendant/pin. Attach jump ring to the top of the pendant to create a necklace by threading a ribbon through the jump ring. If making a pin, add a bead onto a piece of wire and attach to the bottom of the pin with another jump ring.

9. For a pin, glue the pin back to the back with Platinum Bond 7800, let dry.

Oh! If you are going to the 2010 Winter CHA Trade Show in a couple weeks, come see me at the iLoveToCreate booth, and you can check out my Audrey Hepburn necklace.

Meanwhile, you can check out lots more projects at iLoveToCreate.com, and at Pattiewack.com. Send me your crafty pics. I'd LOVE to see the amazing craftiness you're up to!

Happy crafting!

Pattiewack