Coming Soon

I have some fun stuff coming soon.  Where the heck have I been?  Well first I was sick for the longest time  Seriously nearly 3 weeks.  I've never been sick so long but life goes on and it did.  I'm the mother of three which means I have been interrupted five times while just typing these few sentences.  I'm currently bribing them with jelly bellies to be quiet.  Please don't be jealous of my mothering skills.

I am taking an accounting class which is fun for me but apparently when I'm sick my IQ drains out my nose.  So I'm catching up with that.  I've gotten tons of orders lately so I've been packaging those up.  While doing all those things I've been trying to keep up with the house, spend time with my honey, keep the kids happy and socialize with friends.  Whew I'm tired.  Who am I kidding I've been tired for 3 weeks.

So what is coming?  Let's make a list.  I like lists.  Lists are fun.  Okay they are just fun for me so bear with me.

1.  Resin shoe clips for sale.  Like the ones I showed in the tutorial but all finished and ready for purchase on Etsy.
2.  Felt flower tutorial.  So you can make your own felt flowers for shoe clips, hair clips or whatever your little heart desires.
3.  Singed flower tutorial.  I'm sure you have seen these.  I'm hoping to borrow a tutorial from someone else and feature it.  These really turn out great.  I've done some hair clips with singed flowers already.
4.  My necklace idea.  I can't decide if Twilight will be first or Gone with the Wind.
5.  Clip on bowties.  Is it bow tie or bowtie?  Anyway.  I'll have the clips available for sale possibly with a bowtie pattern.
6.  Baby suspenders.  My little man is going to be the guinea pig for these.  We will see if I love or hate them but the clips for making them will be available.  They are also great for pacifier clips.
7.  Little girl flip flop clips.  Maybe little boy ones but I'm pretty sure there is no way to make these cute little suckers manly.  So count on little girl ones.
8.  Okay apparently I'll be here all day if I list everything.  There is tons more.  I can't guarantee how quickly I'll get these things on here but they are coming.

So again bear with me.  Did you know if you say "bare" with me you are asking others to undress with you?  So remember "bear" like grrrr will keep you out of awkward situations.  :)

Sweet! Miniature Glass Jars

Pun totally intended.  I saw miniature glass jar and just had to have them. I got these having absolutely no idea what I would do with them.  I still am not totally sure but I have a few clever ideas up my sleeve.  The little cutie in the picture above is for my little girl.  The ball chain I have is too big so I'm going to get a smaller one and make her a necklace.  There are candy sprinkles in there.  The kind you would use for cupcakes or cookies.  Not my original idea.  I've seen crafters online use these sprinkles but my kids thought I was a genius.  Check out the next picture to see just how tiny these little buggers are.

I do plan to make charms for some of my book themed necklaces down the road.  This will not be the last you see of these little sweeties.  Ideas are welcome.  Comment below if you have a great idea for these.

Missing Shoe Clip

The shoe clip was found.  It was not eaten by my one year old.  He did take it though but he knew right where it was.  Just in case you were up nights worrying.  :)

So what do you do with Shoe Clips anyway? Part 1

Shoe Clips were the hot thing when grandma was a hottie.  Just do a google search for Vintage Shoe Clips and you will she the originals.  They pretty much look like a brooch or an earring for your shoe.  This I'm sure began because shoes used to be really plain.  Now we have huge varieties of styles and prints.  Lets be honest though.  Is it ever really enough?  Plus I don't know about you but I don't want to have to have a closet full of shoes when I could have about six cute pair that I can accessorize to make look like a brand new pair.

Today clever crafters make a variety of shoe clips.  They attach brooches, flowers, feathers, beads, jewelry findings and so much more.  They look awesome but are kinda pricey.  So why not do it yourself?  We will talk about other types of shoe clips in the future.  Today we are going to start with flat back resin flowers.  I have a variety of these because I just love them so much.  I've make bobby pins with them, rings and all kinds of cute stuff.  Today though we are making Shoe Clips. 

As you can see below I made clips for my flip flops.  Face it here in California we never stop wearing flip flops and they are just a little boring.  I wore these all day to see if the clip would slip off and it never budged.  The only problem I had was with my one year old thinking they were candy.  In fact I left my shoes in the living room last night and when I woke up this morning to find one of my clips missing.  I will have to ask his daddy about that.  Do make sure that your clips point out or you will feel them on your feet.  If you were them properly you won't even know they are there.

Okay be prepared.  What you see below if my FAVORITE pair of shoes.  I mean they are zebra I <3 them!  I really didn't think they could be improved upon but look!  Aren't they stinkin' adorable with the Red Rose Shoe Clip?

Here is another angle.  I know I know.  Yes great Mande but how do we make them?  It's so easy really.  You just have to have the right stuff.

You need shoe clips of course.  My Ebay listing is below and FREE Shipping.  :)

Ebay:  http://cgi.ebay.com/12-Metal-Shoe-Clips-Silver-DIY-Jewelry-Your-Shoes-/150524550710?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item230bf65e36

The next thing you need is E600.  Really you have not entered the world of crafters until you have a tube of this stuff.  It's amazing!  It glues things you never thought you could glue before.  It glues glass for goodness sake and it STAYS.  When you purchase shoe clips from you I send a fact sheet about adhesives but for this project E600 is the way to go.  You can even wash the stuff.  Now there is no need to wash your shoe clips but doesn't it just make you feel more secure that you could if you wanted to?  LOL! 

So how Mande?  How?  It's exactly what you are thinking.  Just glue the clip on.  Check the placement of your clip before you start.  If you are using the clip for the toe of your shoe you do not want to glue the metal piece in the center because when the clip is done it will be to far back on your shoe.  So make sure you know where you need to glue the clip before you start. 

Okay you ready?  See the side that has the two holes?  Glue that side of the clip to the flat side of your resin piece.  I recommend putting a small dot of glue on your resin piece.  About pencil eraser size.  Let it sit for 8-10 minutes.  Then open your clip and place the side with the holes over the glue and push down until it's flat against your resin piece.  If glue comes through the holes that is a good thing.  It will help keep the clip adhered.  Let it sit about an hour.  When you can touch the glue without if coming off on your finger close the clip and let it sit for 24 hours.  This glue takes a while to cure but it is totally worth it.   

Eventually I will have some of these all finished for sale on Ebay.  If you need a special order just let me know.  If you make some shoe clips yourself please send me a picture.  I would love to see them.  I can't wait until I do a post about kids shoe clips.  They are soooo cute!  Stay tuned!

Austrailia!

I've been selling shoe clips on ebay for a while but I just changed my shipping to Worldwide.  Yesterday I just made my first sale to Austrailia.  How cool is that?  Maybe I could put myself in the envelope for a little vacation.  :)

Unique Picture Frame Pendant with Ball Chain

There is more to come for these cute little frames.  I have the most excellent idea for them.  For now don't they make great gifts just the way they are?  Others on Etsy have similar items but they don't have this exact frame.  I love that it sits long ways on the chain.  Below is the listing address.

Edit:  I've moved to ebay.  This item isn't listed yet but is available.  Contact me at imtjohn@yahoo.com

http://www.etsy.com/listing/68188341/unique-double-sided-picture-frame

Unique Double Sided Picture Frame Pendant With Ball Chain $15/each + Shipping

Memory Jewelry at it's best. This very unique double side picture frame pendant is stunning. Simply add photos or whatever you wish. Remember it's double sided so you can choose two photos to display. The photo in the picture is of my little cuties. The frame will of course come to you empty and ready for your photos or memborabilia.

The pendant is silver color brass with a nickle plated finish. It measures about 1" x 2". There is a latch on the top that opens and the frame opens forward. It has two large loops on each side. perfect for adding charms, beads and ribbons to make your piece match your personality. Or wear it as is for a beutiful conversation piece. The glass panes are not removable so they are secure when you open the pendant.

This items comes with a ball chain free. It is also nickle plated brass. You pick the length up with 30". Be sure to tell me what length you want when you purchase. A picture will be included here to help give you a guidline for what chain length you might want.

A great gift for mother, grandma, a girlfriend, or for yourself.

Please contact me if you need larger quantities for custom jewelry making.

My First Etsy Item For Sale - Shoe Clips

***Update:  Shoe clips are no longer for sale at Etsy but see my Ebay listing at the bottom of this post.  Thank you!***

I've thought about it.  I've talked about it.  I've dreamed about it but finally I have actually posted an item for sale with Etsy.  Why did I wait so long?  I was concerned the fees would be more than they are with ebay.  I was so wrong.  I was concerned I wouldn't be able to sell there.  Well I guess we will see about that won't we.  It's just the first item of many though.  So if  you need shoe clips than I've got them for you baby.  The best price to when you take free shipping into account. 

Stay tuned for the hundreds to more posts I have to come.  There will be supplies and handmade items.  I have plans for tutorials and so much more.  I'm very excited.  See my items below.  See you soon.

 

12 Metal Shoe Clips DIY Shoe Jewelry Free Shipping To US

$5.50 Free Shipping

12 individual shoe clips or 6 pair (2 pictured). These are silver color and measure 18x14x3mm. They measure approximately 1" open and 1/2" closed. They are small so they will not be seen behind whatever you wish to attach them to.

I always include a free information sheet about gluing tips. So if you are concerned about what glue to use then no worries.

There are two small holes that measure about 2mm on the top side of the clip. Perfect for sewing on ribbons or flowers. Or helping glue to adhere when gluing pearls, acrylics, buttons, glass, metal, beads, jewelry findings or whatever your little heart desires.

People really like to use them to make accessories and gifts for weddings. I love to make shoe clips for my high heels and flip flops. I've also seen some great clips make for crocs. Take your shoes from blah to beautiful. :)

Free Shipping to the United States! No matter how many you buy shipping is still free.

If you prefer Ebay see my listing here:  http://cgi.ebay.com/12-Metal-Shoe-Clips-Silver-DIY-Jewelry-Your-Shoes-/150524550710?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item230bf65e36