DIY Scalloped Jewelry Dish

This is a simple little DIY that is a pretty way to dress up your dresser.  Ever since John and I got these mini tart tins for a wedding gift, I have wanted to use one to make a scalloped dish.  Well, over three years later, I finally got around to it!

You will need:

• 1 mini tart pan
• 1 small package of Sculpey or other polymer clay

First, it is very important to massage and knead your clay until it is very soft and pliable.  This will keep it from cracking in the oven and will help it mold to the pan.

Next, roll the clay into a ball and then roll out into a thin, flat pancake.

Place the clay into the pan, making sure the base is completely covered.  Remove any excess clay from the rim of the pan.

Then, smooth and press the clay to ensure an even layer around the edges, pinching any extra off the top.

Finally, bake in the pan for 12 minutes at 275 degrees.  Allow it to cool completely, then gently remove it from the pan.

Totally doable!  I think this would make a cute little gift.  It would be extra special if you pressed a piece of lace into the clay to add a pretty texture before baking.

DIY Feather Necklace

Okay, I love how this turned out.  I have been wanting to try making charms out of clay and painting them to appear metallic for a while, and it worked pretty well!  The bonus is that it is much lighter than a metal charm.

You will need:

• Polymer clay
• Silver metallic spray paint
• Pointed tool
• Jump ring
• Silver chain

Knead your clay until it is soft, then form it into a flattened football shape.

With your pointed tool, draw a line down the center of the feather.  Then, add some veins onto the feather.  These definitely don't need to be perfect!  Also, use the tool to push all the way through the feather in a few places.

Next, use your pointed tool to pierce through a hole at the top of the feather.  This is for the jump ring after you bake it.  Bake according to package directions- likely 275 degrees for 15 minutes for every quarter inch of thickness.

Once the feather is baked and completely cool, spray it with your silver spray paint.  Let the first side dry, then flip it over and spray the other side.  Add your jump ring to the feather and put it on your chain.  I also added a few little charms.

Now, don't you forget to enter my little giveaway!  There's only a few days left, and chances are VERY good that you could be a winner!!

Wrapped Wire Necklace

Isn't this cute?  I'm so happy with how it turned out, and what I love best is how versatile this project is!  You can do pretty much any word and any color of wrapping.  I chose "love" in red :)

You will need:

• Jewelry wire (found at most craft stores)
• Embroidery floss
• Various pliers - needle nosed and round
• Wire cutters
• Scissors
• Chain
• Jump rings
• Clasp (optional)

First, work with your fingers and rounded pliers to shape the word you choose.  Do your best to finish the ends nicely, in a little tiny loop.  Then, cut off the excess wire.

Next, tie your embroidery floss at the start of the word.  Then, wrap, wrap, wrap until it's all covered up!

Tie a tiny knot at the end and snip off the extra embroidery floss.

Next, fasten one jump ring at each end of your word.  Leave the ring open, and attach your chain.  Close the jump ring with your needle nosed pliers.

Now, you can choose however long you want your necklace to be.  I wanted mine to be a little on the shorter side, so I had to add a clasp.  If your necklace is long enough, you won't need on.  But, if you're putting one in, simply snip the chain at the mid-way point and add on a jump ring on one end and your clasp on the other.  Close the jump rings and you're done!

This took me about an hour, and wire bending is NOT my strongest suit :)  I kind of want to make a whole stash of these necklaces...

What word would you make?

DIY Spiked Ring

I am loving this gold spray paint... I can't help myself!

To make your own, you will need:

• Sculpey clay (or other polymer clay)
• Small knife
• Gold metallic spray paint
• Ring blank
• Super glue

First, knead your clay until it is soft.

Next, roll it out on a clean work surface to form a cone shape.

Comparing the size of your ring blank base to the cone, use your knife to slice off the end so that it is large enough to cover the ring blank base.

Repeat the process twice, making slightly smaller spikes.

Next, line the three spikes up with the larger in the middle.  Roll out a thin strip of clay and cut it down so it is small enough to hide underneath the three spikes.

Gently press the spikes onto the strip, smoothing it out to secure the spikes in place.

Bake your spikes according to the package directions.  I baked mine at 275 degrees for 15 minutes.

When it is cool, spray paint the spikes and allow them to dry.

Finally, glue the spikes to the ring blank.  You can go vertically or horizontally- I went with vertical.  If you need to, you can give the ring another hit of spray paint to hide and glue that peeks out.

And you're done!  I love how this looks... it kind of reminds me of a stegosaurus, haha :)

Any DIY jewelry you're planning to try??

Saturday Snapshot: Around the House

Orchid roots

It has been WAY too cold to be out and about taking pictures.  I mean, school cancellation cold (which is saying something in Minnesota!).  So, I took my camera around the house and snapped some pictures just to play around a bit.

Amethyst

Jewelry

Jewelry

 I hope you're all enjoying a nice and relaxing weekend!

DIY Faceted Stone Stud Earrings

I think I'm becoming a bit obsessed with gold, but these earrings are too cute to worry about that ;)

You will need:

• Polymer clay (I used Sculpey)
• Paring knife
• Gold metallic spray paint
• Earring findings
• Super glue

First, you'll need to start with kneading your clay.  Once it is soft, form two balls that are a little larger than what you'd like your studs to be.

Either let the clay balls rest to firm up or put them in the freezer to speed along the process.

Next, use your paring knife to cut off a small, straight slice off each ball.  This will be the base that will attach to earring posts.

Then, continue to cut small slices off around the base.  This is mostly trial and error, but try to keep the two balls roughly the same size.  Don't worry about them matching or being perfect, though!

Once you're happy with how they look, bake the two balls according to the package directions.  I did mine for about 20 minutes at 275 degrees.

When they're done baking, let them cool.  Then, spray paint the earrings.

Let them dry, then use your super glue to attach the earring posts.

And you're done!